bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Study on Growth of Procurement of Arecanut by Different Marketing Agencies for the Benefit of the Farmers
Authors: Jamanal Hanumantappa , Murthy C.
Published: June 2023

The arecanut palm (Areca catechu L.,) is a significant commercial and business crop of India. It plays an important role in the political, social and cultural functions and the economic life of people in our country. From an area of 12.26 lakh hectares of land, the total arecanut production at the global level was 17.96 lakh tonnes in 2019–20.In India, arecanut crop has been cultivated from time immemorial with traditional cultivation techniques and one of the biggest traditional areca-growing countries in the world level. Arecanut is a major and commercial plantation crop cultivated in peninsular and Eastern India. The detailed information needed for the study was gathered from secondary sources. For the study two marketing societies/developmental agencies were selected i.e RAMCOS and TUMCOS. The secondary data was collected from the marketing agencies regarding membership of societies and procurement of arecanut from 2007-08 to 2021-22. In order to arrive at the meaningful results the Descriptive statistics and compound annual growth rate were employed. The compound annual growth rate for number of members of the TUMCOS societies shows positive trend 10.68 per cent. The compound annual growth rate of procurement of arecanut exhibited a growth of 7.14 per cent. The compound annual growth rate for number of members of RAMCOS growth rate was 5.98 per cent. The negative growth rate in procurement of arecanut by the RAMCOS agency (-3.91%). The society is successful in gaining attention of arecanut growers towards the society by providing various schemes like credit facilities to the members, providing agricultural inputs and insurance to the farmers. RAMCOS and TUMCOS is providing fair price for areca nut. The marketing societies are a reputed areca nut marketing society working in Shivamogga and Davanagere district as a role model for other co-operative societies.
Green Synthesis, Characterization, and Potential Biomedical Applications of AgNPs Using Coriander sativum and Olea europaea
Authors: Ul Zahra Fatima , Noor Sadaf , Ghias Hooria , Muhammad Syed Aun
Published: June 2023

Background: Over the last few decades, metallic nanoparticles, especially silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), have gained the focus of researchers globally due to their unique properties and a broad range of applications.
Aim: This research study focused on the green synthesis of AgNPs by using Coriandrum sativum, Olea europaea leaf extract, and their bovine serum albumin conjugates.
Materials and Methods: Biogenic AgNPs were characterized by UV-visible spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering, and scanning electron microscopy analysis. The potential biomedical applications of AgNPs and their conjugates were also evaluated through in vitro assays. AgNPs synthesis was confirmed by observing UV-visible absorption peaks at 380nm, 460nm (AgNPs derived from C.sativum and O. europaea respectively), 580nm, and 577nm (conjugates of particles from C.sativum and O. europaea respectively).
Results: FTIR analysis revealed the presence of various functional groups on the surface of AgNPs. The average diameters of C. sativum and O. europaea derived AgNPs were 1025 d.nm and 134 d.nm, whereas the average size of AgNPs was 500nm, 200nm, 100nm, and 300nm with uniform morphology. Results of biomedical activity showed that AgNPs and their albumin conjugates were potential antidiabetic, anti-oxidant, and anti-hyperlipidemic with significant IC50 values compared to standard. The antimicrobial potential of AgNPs and their conjugates were tested against gram-positive and gram-negative bacterial strains and the best zone of inhibition of C. sativum derived conjugated AgNPs was observed against Salmonella enterica i.e. 29 mm.
Conclusion: The research project provides an ecofriendly green synthesis method of AgNPs and their conjugates as well as their potential for the treatment of different diseases.
Analysis of Process Re-engineering on Organizational Performance of NHIF in Northern Region, Kenya
Authors: Dida Guyo Galgalo , Buba Robert O
Published: June 2023

Companies across the world are turning to strategic innovation as a reaction to the growing volatility and complexity of the business environment they are facing. The primary goal of this research is to determine the impact of process reengineering on the organizational performance of the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) in chosen counties in Kenya's northern region. Knowledge-based theory served as the theoretical foundations for this investigation. For the purpose of collecting data, a descriptive survey research design was used, which included the utilization of both primary and secondary data sources. Primary data was collected via the use of structured questionnaires. The study's target group was made up of 64 NHIF workers who work in the chosen county offices, according to the researchers. It was necessary to conduct a census in order to determine the sample size of all 64 workers, and a random sampling method was utilized in order to ensure that each participant has an equal chance to participate in the research. The gathered data was examined with the help of SPSS in order to identify the connection between the research factors. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used in analyzing the data and a multiple regression model was applied to establish the relationship amongst the studied factors. The study established a moderate positive relationship between process re-engineering and organizational performance (p=0.001). Consequently, in terms of recommendation, the government may consider implementing policies that enable the NHIF to develop and innovate it products concurrently protecting the interests of the members. The government should also provide marketing regulations and policies to ensure that the NHIF products are fully marketed to reach the entire population since it is the primary health insurance provider in Kenya.
The Effect of Company Age, Profitability, Company Size, Solvability and Audit Committee on Audit Report Lag in Manufacturing Companies in the Basic Industry and Chemical Sector Listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange for the 2019-2021
Authors: Manalu Tetti S. Y. , Sitorus Andres Dipo Panogari , Gulo Hesti Yunista , Simorangkir Enda Noviyanti , Wahyuni Putri
Published: June 2023

Financial reports in a company should be submitted in a timely manner so as to avoid inaccurate information and timely delivery can also be a benchmark in predicting the quality of the company and the provisions made by investors. Therefore the researcher examines the title regarding the effect of company age, profitability, company size, solvency and audit committee on audit report lag in manufacturing companies in the basic industrial and chemical sectors listed on the IDX for the 2019-2021 period. This study uses quantitative data types in the form of financial statements and audited reports of manufacturing companies in the basic and chemical industrial sectors. The sample used was 33 companies with a total of 99 observations. using purposive sampling method and the analysis technique used is multiple linear analysis. The results of the study are that firm age has a positive and significant effect on audit report lag. Profitability, company size and audit committee have a negative and insignificant effect on audit report lag. Solvability has a negative and significant effect on audit report lag. Firm age, profitability, firm size, solvency, and audit committee have a joint effect on audit report lag. To obtain more accurate results, it is hoped that the next researcher will add the number of variables and samples in his research.
Households and 1-World Economy: A Mathematical Discourse
Authors: Osi Mary , Eke Chukwuemeka
Published: June 2023

We examine several options available for households to withstand the challenges posed by long held positions about nation-state macroeconomics and mathematically argue outlets for showcasing the foundational essence of household economy in the coming mainstreaming of 1-World economy without the necessary drawbacks of the failing nation-state macroeconomics which its attendant inadequacies and inefficiencies. We brought out the core importance of the zeroing in on household economics as we evolve further virtual economics as these are the main frames as regards our quest for survival of the human race, and showed that the household must be the core for this new world to work. This paper suggests perhaps another perspective to the other known conventional systems that can be used to assess the impact of internet enabled economic activities on households within a setting without economic borders or barriers. Finally, we relate two the concepts to the world economy.
Agronomic Evaluation of Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Hybrids for the Agro-climatic Conditions of Prayagraj in Kharif – 2022, India
Authors: Jogender  , Singh Vikram , George Shruti Grace
Published: June 2023

A field experiment was conducted at Crop Research Farm, Department of Agronomy, SHUATS, Prayagraj (U.P) during Kharif, 2022. The soil of the experimental plot was sandy loam in texture, nearly neutral in soil reaction (pH 7.1), organic carbon (0.75%), available N (269.96 kg/ha), available P (33.10 kg/ha), and available K (336 kg/ha). The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design with 10 hybrids each replicated thrice. Results was recorded as higher plant height (112.03 cm), number of tillers (16.34), plant dry weight (50.91 g/plant), crop growth rate at 80-100 DAT (32.14 g/m2/day), tillers/m2 (371.23), panicle length (29.73 cm), filled grains (245.87), grain yield/hill (31.37 g), seed yield (4.97 t/ha), straw yield (9.54 t/ha) were recorded significantly higher in hybrid R-170. However, harvest index (34.41 %) were recorded significantly higher in hybrid R-151. Further, the maximum gross returns (INR 128020/ha) and net returns (INR 78974/ha) and B:C ratio was highest in 1.61 were recorded significantly higher in hybrid R-170.
Effect of Temperature on Growth, Quality, Yield Attributing Characters and Yield of Rice – A Review
Authors: Sanadya Anurag , Yadu Avinash , Raj Jeet , Chandrakar Harshana , Singh Ranjit
Published: June 2023

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is the second most important food in the world after wheat. Most rice is now grown in areas where the temperature is higher than the optimum growing temperature (28/22°C); therefore, a further increase in average temperature or high temperature occurring in the sensitive phase of the crop can affect growth and yield. Clutter. For every 1°C increase in daytime maximum/night minimum temperature from 28°C/21°C to 34°C/27°C, rice yield decreases by 7% to 8%. Additionally, the benefits that crops derive from high atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations must be lost due to warming. The thermal stability of cell membranes is thought to correlate well with yield performance. Temperature is important in photosynthesis, but too hot can cause reduced photosynthesis of leaves and reduced distribution of dry matter to shoots and roots. The disadvantage of temperature is not limited to the above-ground rice. The underground area is affected, if not more, by the flood, and the temperature of the soil changes due to the heat. Future increases in global temperatures threaten people worldwide who depend on crops for their health and food security. In the past, the stress of the crisis on rice production focused on the rice crop. This review highlights the importance of rice in the world, the effect of high temperature on the growth, quality, yield and properties of rice, and the need for future research.
Effects of Integrated Use of Organic Manure and Bio-fertilisers on Crop Productivity: A Case Study of Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Crop
Authors: Singh Amit , Singh N. K. , Sushma H. A. , Jayhoon Ali Sina , Ravinder  , Raghavan Megha , Pandey Astha , Singh Kundan Veer
Published: June 2023

The present study conducted entitled, “Effect of Integrated use Organic manure and Bio-fertilizers on crop productivity under Rice (Oryza sativa L.) crop". Involved field trial conducted during Kharif season of year 2016-17 followed by laboratory analysis of the plant and soil samples in the Department of Soil science & Agriculture Chemistry, Udai Pratap Autonomous College, Varanasi (U. P). All grasses were removed from the experimental plots and soil samples have been taken from each replication plots at 30 DAT, 60 DAT and at harvesting. The experiment was conducted under randomized block design (RBD) with six treatment combinations. Treatments were replicated thrice making the total number of 18 plots. The effect of various treatments on dry matter production could be arranged in order of T6>T3>T5>T4>T2>T1 and the values were 70.25, 62.15, 59.45, 43.40, 41.25 and 35.59 gm-1 row length, respectively. Application of fertilizers alone or in combination with F.Y.M increased grain and straw yield of rice significantly over control. Further, the yield was significantly superior under the use of organic manure and bio-fertilizers over the sole use of chemical fertilizers. On the basis of data, the superiority of the treatments may be arranged as T6>T3>T5>T4>T2 and T1. Like dry matter yield, rice grain and straw yield was also highest in treatment where 50% NPK was substituted through FYM to rice crop. The integrated use of fertilizers with FYM and bio-fertilizers might have added  huge quantity of organic matter in soil that increased grain and straw yield. In general, higher number of tillers (15.25 m-1 row length), plant height (92.50 cm), dry matter at 60 DAT (70.25 gm-1 row length), grain yield (46.25 Qha-1 ) and straw yield (91.25 Qha-1 )  obtained with T6 treatment followed by T3>T5>T4>T2>T1 (control).
Performance of Tomato Hybrids Arka Abhed and Arka Samrat in Visakhapatnam District of Andhra Pradesh, India
Authors: Babu N. Sathi , Kumar N. Raja , Gouri V. , Rao K. Sankara , Kumar N. Kishore , Babu P. , Sowjanaya A. , Naidu P. Rama
Published: June 2023

The farmers of Visakhapatnam district were in a great need of best performing and high yielding tomato variety as the existing varieties are less yielders and highly succumb to pests and diseases. An On-Farm Trial (OFT) for three consecutive years (2020-21, 2021-22) was conducted by ICAR- ANGRAU, Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Kondempudi directly in the farmers’ fields of five selected villages viz. Bangurumeta, Adduru, Thotakurapalem, Pottidorapalem, Jaithavaram and Chedikada in Visakhapatnam district of Andhra Pradesh to evaluate the performance of two very promising tomato hybrids viz. Arka Abhed and Arka Samrat with regard to yield and economic analysis vis a vis the farmers’ practice variety Laxmi. A total of twenty-five farmers actively participated in the OFT covering an area of 7.5 acres. As regards fruit yield, the tomato hybrid Arka Abhed proved to be the best followed by Arka Samrat and Laxmi hybrid for all the three years of the study with fruit yields of 587.32, 569.13 and 409.14 q/ha, respectively. During the years of the trial, the fruit yields of Arka Abhed and Arka Samrat improved from 27.44 to 30.33% and 24.57 to 28.11%, respectively. Average cost-benefit ratios for three years for Arka Abhed, Arka Samrat and Laxmi hybrid were 1:2.30, 1:2.16 and 1:1.58, respectively. The Extension gap was between 111.18 to 183.86 and 129.08 to 202.83 q/ha for Arka Samrat and Arka Abhed, respectively. Results on Technology Index viz. 15.25, 19.47 and 28.83% for Laxmi (farmers’ practice), Arka Abhed and Arka Samrat, respectively, revealed that for both the tomato hybrids, there is viability of the demonstrated technology in the area of the OFT viz. Visakhapatnam district and the surrounding areas of north coastal Andhra Pradesh.
Production of Nungu Candy: An Experimental Study
Authors: Marimuthu M. , Easwaran S. , Guhan V. , Vinoth R.
Published: June 2023

The palmyrah fruit is a naturally occurring, nutritionally dense fruit that has the potential to be a source of many goods with added value. Due to a lack of mechanisation and value addition, the juice of palmyrah is only available during certain seasons and is quite inexpensive. Palmyrah pulp is collected from the ripe fruit and is utilised in many traditional cuisine dishes. Fruit pulp aids in the treatment of skin inflammations. It is used to treat worm infestation as well as nausea and vomiting. It is employed as a liver tonic as well as an expectorant. The high amount of crude flavonoids, saponins, and phenolic chemicals may be responsible for the antioxidant action. Additionally, it is employed in folk medicine to treat a variety of illnesses. Due to the fruit pulp's significant therapeutic capabilities, it included both pectin and a sizable amount of saponin. Although seasonal, palmyrah fruits offer outstanding chemical and physical qualities for the creation of foods and drinks. There is a need for palmyrah that is prepared for serving.
Effect of Nitrogen and Foliar Applied Boron on Yield and economics of Barlyaey (Hordeum vulgare L.)
Authors: Chandrawanshi Lila Ram , Singh Rajesh , Pradhan Akankhya
Published: June 2023

The field experiment entitled “Effect of Nitrogen and Foliar Applied Boron on Yield and Economics of Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.)” was conducted Response of during the rabi season of 2022 in Crop Research Farm, Department of Agronomy, Naini Agricultural Institute, SHUATS, Prayagraj (U.P.). The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Block Design with ten treatment combinations, The soil in the experimental area was sandy loam with pH (7.6), EC (0.305 d S/m), organic carbon (0.23%), available N (184.8 kg/ha), available P (16.45 kg/ha) and available K (187.64 kg/ha). Seeds are sown at a spacing of 23 cm × 5 cm with a seed rate of 100 kg/ha. Consisting of three nitrogen levels (45, 60 and 75 kg N/ha) and different Concentration of Boron viz., 1, 1.5 and 3% foliar spray. The experimental result reveals that yield attributes viz., seed yield (4.81 t/ha), straw yield (6.48 t/ha) and economics viz., cost of cultivation (29911.98 INR/ha), gross return (115842.62 INR/ha), net return (85944.62 INR/ha) and benefit cost ratio (2.87) recorded were significantly higher with treatment 9 (75 kg N/ha + 3% boron).
Enhancement of Shelf Life of Jackfruit Bulbs through Edible Coating: A Mini Review
Authors: Poornakala Jesupriya
Published: June 2023

Jackfruit (Artopus heterophyllus) is an important fruit crop grown in india. This highly nutritious fruit contains carbohydrate, protein, fibre, calcium, phosphorus, vitamin A, vitamin C, thiamine and riboflavin, fructose, glucose and sucrose and fatty acids of palmitic, oleic, stearic, linoleic, lauric, arachidic acids. It is highly perishable and loses its flavor, texture and turns into brown colour. The fruit softening makes it more susceptible to bruising and mechanical injury and result in rapid decomposition. Minimally processed jackfruit bulbs can provide convenience for consumers and an appropriate post-harvest technology for enhancement of shelf-life. Jackfruit is commonly available for consumers as a fresh cut product because of the convenience in its utilization. Fresh-cut produce are mostly preferred by the consumers in today's food market. Scientists and industrialists have taken numerous efforts to extend the shelf life of jackfruit bulbs and preserve their nutritional quality through post-harvest technologies and processing methods. Edible coatings can be applied to minimally processed fruits, with the goal of increasing their shelf life. It is the best postharvest treatment to preserve fruits quality to extend the shelf life of fruits both at ambient conditions and low temperature preservation. Physiological changes cannot be inhibited completely but it can be delayed by using edible coatings. In this review effects of edible coating on physiological and physicochemical parameters, as well as effects on shelf life and sensory attributes are discussed. Evidence shows that minimal processing technique of edible coating is a feasible option that can be used on jackfruit bulbs, which preserve quality and sensory attributes by reducing metabolic reactions like respiration rate and ethylene production.
3D Reconstruction of Sawtooth 180° Tail‐to‐Tail Domain Walls in Single Crystal BiFeO3
Authors: Ge Wanbing , Beanland Richard , Alexe Marin , Sanchez Ana M.
Published: June 2023

Previous studies of single crystal BiFeO3 have found a dense domain structure with alternating sawtooth and flat domain walls (DWs). The nature of these domains and their 3D structure has remained elusive to date. Herein, several sections taken at different orientations are used to examine the structure in detail, concentrating here on the sawtooth DWs using diffraction contrast transmission electron microscopy, electron diffraction, and aberration‐corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM). All DWs are found to be 180° type; the flat walls have head‐to‐head polarity while the sawtooth DWs are tail‐to‐tail with peaks elongated along the polar [111] axis, formed by neutral () DW facets and slightly charged facets with orientations close to () and (). The neutral DW facets are Ising type and very abrupt, while the charged DW facets have mixed Néel/Bloch/Ising character with a chiral nature and a width of about 2 nm.
A Scalable Engineered Extracellular Matrix Platform to Expand Tumor Cells
Authors: Moon Seongjun , Neale Dylan B. , Kim Do Hoon , Mukherji Malini , Hughes Elliot , Deng Yuxuan , Kerneis Fabienne , Luo Xiuquan , Tharp Darron , Bognar Ernest , Stanbery Laura , Nemunaitis John , Chun Tae-Hwa , Lahann Joerg
Published: June 2023

The demand for high‐throughput and scalable cell expansion platforms that can accommodate diverse cell types remains a critical requirement across various biomedical fields. Fibronectin (Fn), an essential component of the extracellular matrix (ECM), has been used as a conformal surface coating for two‐dimensional (2D) cell culture systems. However, the soluble, globular Fn used for 2D coatings differs structurally from the native Fn, which possesses a three‐dimensional (3D) fibrillar structure. Herein, a large‐scale engineered ECM (EECM) cell expansion platform based on a 3D fibrillar Fn network spanning over centimeters is presented. Extended fibrillar networks are formed by shearing dilute Fn solutions over tessellated polymeric scaffolds, which are conveniently prepared by 3D printing. The structure and size of the Fn‐based 3D EECM scaffold are optimized by evaluating the proliferation of a colorectal tumor cell line, CT26, commonly used in the in vivo tumor immunotherapy models. The 3D EECM scaffolds support a fourfold more efficient tumor cell expansion than a conventional 2D culture system, demonstrating the potential efficacy in supporting the robust expansion of cancer cells ex vivo with an eye on cancer immunotherapy.
Thiophenbasierte Polymergerüste ermöglichen zweidimensionale Poly(arylenvinylen)e mit hoher Ladungsträgermobilität
Authors: Liu Yamei , Zhang Heng , Yu Hongde , Liao Zhongquan , Paasch Silvia , Xu Shunqi , Zhao Ruyan , Brunner Eike , Bonn Mischa , Wang Hai I. , Heine Thomas , Wang Mingchao , Mai Yiyong , Feng Xinliang
Published: June 2023

Lineare konjugierte Polymere haben in den letzten Jahrzehnten große Aufmerksamkeit in der organischen Elektronik erhalten. Trotz der π‐Delokalisierung innerhalb der Polymerkette stellen Interketten‐Ladungsträgersprünge ihr hauptsächliches Transportproblem dar. Im Gegensatz dazu können zweidimensionale (2D) konjugierte Polymere, wie z. B. 2D π‐konjugierte Covalent Organic Frameworks (2D c‐COFs), mehrere konjugierte Stränge für eine verbesserte Delokalisierung von Ladungsträgern im Raum bereitstellen. Hierin zeigen wir das erste Beispiel von thiophenbasierten 2D‐Poly(arylenvinylen)en (PAVs, 2DPAV‐BDT‐BT und 2DPAV‐BDT‐BP, BDT=Benzodithiophen, BT=Bithiophen, BP=Biphenyl) synthetisiert über Knoevenagel‐Polykondensation. Im Vergleich zu 2DPAV‐BDT‐BP weist das vollständig thiophenbasierte 2DPAV‐BDT‐BT eine erhöhte Planarität und π‐Delokalisierung mit einer niedrigen elektronischen Bandlücke (1.62 eV) und einer hohen elektronischen Banddispersion auf, wie die optische Absorption und Dichtefunktionaltheorie Berechnungen zeigen. Bemerkenswerterweise offenbart die temperaturabhängige Terahertz‐Spektroskopie‐Messung einen einzigartigen bandartigen Transport und eine herausragende Raumtemperatur‐Ladungsbeweglichkeit für 2DPAV‐BDT‐BT (65 cm2 V−1 s−1), die die der linearen PAVs, 2DPAV‐BDT‐BP und der publizierten 2D c‐COFs in Pulverform weit übertrifft. Diese Arbeit unterstreicht das große Potenzial von thiophenbasierten 2D‐PAVs als Kandidaten für Hochleistungs‐Optoelektronik.
Asymmetric warming rates between warm and cold weather regimes in Europe
Authors: Rantanen Mika , Lee Simon H. , Aalto Juha
Published: June 2023

In Europe, the increase in temperatures caused by climate change has been particularly fast in the cold season. Although the magnitude of this change is relatively well known, less research has been done on how the increase of temperatures is manifested in different large‐scale weather types, called weather regimes. For example, one could expect that the weather patterns in which air is flowing from the rapidly‐warming Arctic would have warmed faster than other weather patterns in recent decades. Here we show that such an asymmetric warming actually occurs in the four Euro‐Atlantic weather regimes. In northern Europe, the weather regime which is typically associated with cold airmasses from the Arctic (NAO–) has warmed about 25% faster than the cold‐season days on average, and about 60% faster than the regime where the air flows from the North Atlantic (NAO+). Consequently, the weather regime that on average brings the coldest weather is warming the fastest in a large part of northern Europe. In contrast, the weather regime that typically brings the warmest weather has warmed the slowest, especially in the continental Europe. Our results provide a new perspective on the reported decrease of sub‐seasonal temperature variability.
Aggregation Behavior of Cyclodextrin‐Based [3]Rotaxanes
Authors: Akae Yosuke , Theato Patrick
Published: June 2023

The aggregation of a cyclodextrin (CD)‐based [3]rotaxane has been observed and analyzed in detail for the first time in this work. Although the hexagonal packing aggregation of CD‐based polyrotaxane is a well known phenomenon, corresponding studies in terms of rotaxanes without any polymer structure have not been conducted so far, probably owing to the difficulty of the molecular design. We synthesized a series of [3]rotaxane species by using a urea‐end‐capping method and evaluated their aggregation behavior by XRD and SEM measurements. [3]Rotaxane species containing native CD rings showed clear signals assigned to the hexagonal packing by XRD measurement as did polyrotaxane; this proved their aggregation capability. Because the corresponding per‐acetylated derivatives did not show this aggregation behavior, the driving force of this aggregation was suggested to be hydrogen bond formation among CD units. The effect of axle end structures and partial acetylation of CDs were also studied.
An intelligent hybrid prairie dog optimization algorithm‐based stable cluster reliable routing scheme for VANETs
Authors: Nithyanandam Gopinath , Ambiyaram Chinnasamy , Prabathkumar Selvakumari
Published: June 2023

Vehicular ad hoc network (VANET) is most significant for supporting intelligent transportation system (ITS)‐based technologies, but it gets hurdled by sparse distribution of vehicles on highways, and dynamically challenging topology that arises due to increase in traffic. Hence, energy stable and optimized cluster construction maximizes the network lifetime. In this paper, Hybrid Prairie Dogs and Beluga Whale Optimization‐based Node Clustering (HPDBWOA‐NC) mechanism is proposed with the parameters of highway route, node velocity, number of vehicular nodes, and communication for achieving stable cluster construction in VANETs. It is proposed with the balanced exploration and exploitation potential of Prairie Dog Optimization Algorithm (PDOA) and Beluga Whale Optimization Algorithm (BWOA) for establishing optimal clusters that increase the network stability during the routing process. It integrated the exploration and exploitation capabilities of PDOA and BWOA and confirmed better optimized clusters which confirmed reliable data delivery by preventing the issue of premature convergence. It constructed clusters and selected cluster heads (CHs) depending on the fitness factors of energy, interdistance between vehicles, communication range, and vehicular density. The results of the proposed HPDBWOA‐NC generated optimal number of CHs in the network which is comparatively 34.21% better than the benchmarked mechanisms. The mean throughput and packet delivery ratio (PDR) achieved by the proposed HPDBWOA‐NC are identified to be significantly improved by 25.48% and 28.91% better than the investigated metaheuristic clustering protocols. The statistical study also guaranteed an increased factor of 81, during the processing of optimizing the clusters during the employment of ITS applications in VANETs.
Microbial dynamics with the introduction of brewery waste in a long‐term chain elongation process for caproate production
Authors: Yang Peixian , Li Xin , Leng Ling
Published: June 2023

BACKGROUND

The long‐term cultivation of sewage sludge in a chain elongation process was performed, and brewery wastewater (BW) was gradually introduced as ethanol source for medium‐chain carboxylate (MCC) production.

RESULTS

The results showed that the introduction of BW promoted ethanol utilization and electron recovery efficiency of the system. The improvement was mainly due to the readily available organics, such as yeast cells and leftover grain biomass, supplied along with BW as feedstock. In addition, the microbes introduced from BW and long‐term cultivation facilitated the enrichment of MCC‐forming microbes and the enhancement of microbial diversity. Microbial analysis revealed that the supply of BW was correlated with acetate‐ and butyrate‐forming Proteiniclasticum, ethanol‐oxidating Desulfovibrio, as well as biofilm‐forming Pseudomonas, which are beneficial to the chain elongation reactions. Further metabolic pathway analysis suggested that, other than reverse β‐oxidation, fatty acid biosynthesis was identified as the primary pathway for MCC formation in this system. Also, the introduction of BW promoted the chain elongation process by stimulating the rate‐limiting steps involved in the conversion of ethanol to acetyl‐CoA and the circular fatty acid biosynthesis pathway, thereby enhancing MCC formation.

CONCLUSION

Generally, the enhancement of MCC production with BW was attributed to the microbes and organics leftover introduced from BW. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).
Construction and validation of risk model of EMT‐related prognostic genes for kidney renal clear cell carcinoma
Authors: Wu Li Li , Yuan Shao‐Fei , Lin Qiu‐Yan , Chen Guang‐Ming , Zhang Wu , Zheng Wei‐E , Lin Hua Long
Published: June 2023

Background

Kidney renal clear cell carcinoma (KIRC) is a prevalent type of urological malignancy. The present study aimed to predict biomarkers for KIRC.

Methods

We collected transcriptomic and clinical information for KIRC from The Cancer Genome Atlas and GSE22541 cohorts.

Results

Unsupervised clustering of 35 epithelial–mesenchymal transformation (EMT)‐related differentially expressed gene profiles divided samples into two clusters with distinct immune characteristics. Six genes (IL20RB, DDC, ANKRD36BP2, F2RL1, TEK, and AMN) were found to construct a prognostic risk model using multivariate Cox regression analysis. Kaplan–Meier analysis suggested the better prognosis of the KIRC patients in the low‐risk group than that in the high‐risk group. Immune infiltration analyses was conducted using xCell and single‐sample gene set enrichment analysis, indicating that the risk score was associated with the immune microenvironment of the KIRC. Prognostic marker gene‐targeted medications with high drug sensitivity were predicted in KIRC patients.

Conclusions

In summary, the present study identified IL20RB, DDC, ANKRD36BP2, F2RL1, TEK, and AMN as prognostic biomarkers, providing insight into immunotherapy and gene‐targeted drugs of KIRC.
Modifiable physical and behavioural factors associated with widespread pain in older adults with radiographic evidence of knee osteoarthritis
Authors: Aydemir Burcu , Muhammad Lutfiyya N. , Song Jing , Chang Alison H. , Dunlop Dorothy D. , Chang Rowland W. , Lee Yvonne C.
Published: June 2023

Objective

To identify modifiable physical and behavioural factors associated with widespread pain (WSP) in older adults with radiographic evidence of knee osteoarthritis (OA).

Methods

Cross‐sectional initial visit data of participants with radiographic knee OA (Kellgren‐Lawrence grade of ≥2) from the Osteoarthritis Initiative Study were analysed. WSP was defined as pain on both sides of the body, above and below the waist, and in the axial skeleton. Time (hrs/d) spent participating in sitting and moderate‐strenuous physical activities were calculated from the Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly questionnaire. Physical function was quantified using gait speed and the chair stand test. Restless sleep was assessed using an item on the CES‐D Scale. Logistic regression models were constructed to examine the strength of the associations between primary exposures and WSP in unadjusted and adjusted analyses.

Results

Among the 2637 participants (mean age 62.6 years, 58.6% female), 16.8% met the criteria for WSP. All primary measures of interest were related to WSP in unadjusted analyses. In adjusted multivariable analysis, slow gait speed (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.43; 95% CI 1.01, 2.02), lower chair stand rate (aOR 0.98; 95% CI 0.97–0.99), and restless sleep (aOR 1.61; 95% CI 1.25–2.08) maintained significant associations with WSP.

Conclusion

Poor sleep behaviours and low physical function capacity are associated with WSP in adults with radiographic knee OA. These findings highlight the importance of assessing sleep, physical function, and pain distribution in this population. Interventions to improve physical function and sleep behaviours should be investigated as potential strategies to mitigate WSP.
A comparison of tunnel geometry between the Formosan subterranean termite and the Asian subterranean termite (Blattodea: Rhinotermitidae)
Authors: Su Nan‐Yao , Lee Sang‐Bin
Published: June 2023

BACKGROUND

Stake surveys and in‐ground monitoring stations have been widely used to study field populations of many subterranean termite species, but thus far they have never been intercepted by the invasive Asian subterranean termite, Coptotermes gestroi (Wasmann), in southeastern Florida. To investigate the reasons for the inability of C. gestroi to intercept these in‐ground monitoring devices, we compared its tunnel geometry with that of the Formosan subterranean termite, Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki. Two‐year‐old incipient colonies of both species confined in simulated structural infestations were connected to planar arenas containing four wooden discs.

RESULTS

Coptotermes formosanus colonies constructed more abundant and more complex tunnel networks and intercepted more wooden discs than C. gestroi. C. formosanus propagated shorter primary tunnels and longer secondary tunnels with more branching frequency than C. gestroi, and probably adopted an area searching strategy to search for food in an area before moving on to other areas. In comparison, C. gestroi used a distance searching strategy by constructing linear and long primary tunnels to search for food at distance.

CONCLUSIONS

Because tunnels of C. gestroi were less abundant and they tend to travel straight for some distance, they may have bypassed survey stakes or in‐ground monitoring stations that are sparsely distributed in soil. The tunnel geometry of C. gestroi may explain why none of these in‐ground monitoring devices has been intercepted by this species in southeastern Florida. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
Understanding impacts of a ransomware on medical and health facilities by utilizing LockBit as a case study
Authors: Rauf Ali Khan Mohammed
Published: June 2023

All forms of data are meant to be secured. The emergence of a variety of techniques and tactics utilized by malware authors has made recovery difficult. LockBit ransomware has been in the news and the APT behind deployment of this ransomware virus has compromised several organizations. It is important to understand the behavior of such malware, to identify the anti‐analysis stuff it performs and to block it. The APT involved compromised several health and medical facilities including AIIMS in India and Sick Kids Hospital in Canada. Ransomwares are highly impactful family of malware. Impacts may begin from confidential medical information being harvested over a C2 and can go up to rendering medical equipment useless. This article discusses compromised entities and defending strategies that can be used to block LockBit ransomware using any generic SIEM tool. It also explains the need for tools that can survive ransomware encryption, a restart command‐line and can detect the behavioral patterns of such malware. Several samples were collected from various sources; the identities of compromise were collected from strings and behavior of those samples. Several detection mechanisms including YARA, SNORT, and generic HUNT rules have also been discussed.
Expression level of SOR1 is a bottleneck for efficient sorbitol utilization by yeast Komagataella kurtzmanii
Authors: Akentyev Philipp , Sokolova Daria , Korzhenkov Aleksei , Gubaidullin Irek , Kozlov Dmitry
Published: June 2023

The yeast strain Komagataella kurtzmanii VKPM Y‐727 shows a significant defect in sorbitol utilization compared to closely related yeast K. phaffii (including strains formerly identified as Pichia pastoris). Our aim was to investigate the factors that determine the phenotype of the wild‐type strain and to obtain a K. kurtzmanii strain with an improved ability to utilize sorbitol. We sequenced and annotated the genome of K. kurtzmanii VKPM Y‐727 and compared it with that of K. phaffii GS115. Five K. phaffii GS115 genes that might be involved in sorbitol metabolism were selected and transferred into K. kurtzmanii Y‐727. The transfer of the modified SOR1 gene resulted in an increased growth rate of K. kurtzmanii in sorbitol, despite the fact that Y‐727 already contains its own SOR1 gene without any apparent mutations. The enzymes encoded by the SOR1 genes were analyzed in vitro and found to have similar properties. Differences in promoter activity were assessed using lacZ as a reporter gene, and the PSDH727 (promoter of SOR1 (SDH727) from K. kurtzmanii Y‐727) promoter was shown to be 1.5–2.0 times weaker than PSDH115 (promoter of SOR1 (SDH115) from K. phaffii GS115). Moreover, both promoters were less active in K. kurtzmanii than in K. phaffii when evaluated in cells grown in synthetic complete media with glucose or sorbitol. Thus, SOR1 gene expression was identified as a bottleneck in sorbitol metabolism in K. kurtzmanii. Also, the positive effect of additional modified SOR1 gene copies was observed in both yeasts, as K. kurtzmanii and K. phaffii could grow on synthetic complete media with sorbitol three times faster than the original K. phaffii GS115 strain.
Analysis of mass controlled reaction–diffusion systems with nonlinearities having critical growth rates
Authors: Sun Chunyou , Tang Bao Quoc , Yang Juan
Published: June 2023

We analyze semilinear reaction–diffusion systems that are mass controlled, and have nonlinearities that satisfy critical growth rates. The systems under consideration are only assumed to satisfy natural assumptions, namely the preservation of non-negativity and a control of the total mass. It is proved in dimension one that if nonlinearities have (slightly super-) cubic growth rates then the system has a unique global classical solutions. Moreover, in the case of mass dissipation, the solution is bounded uniformly in time in sup-norm. One key idea in the proof is the Hölder continuity of gradient of solutions to parabolic equation with possibly discontinuous diffusion coefficients and low regular forcing terms. When the system possesses additionally an entropy inequality, the global existence and boundedness of a unique classical solution is shown for nonlinearities satisfying a cubic intermediate sum condition, which is a significant generalization of cubic growth rates. The main idea in this case is to combine a modified Gagliardo-Nirenberg inequality and the newly developed $$L^p$$

L
p

-energy method in Fitzgibbon et al. (SIAM J Math Anal 53(6):6771–6803, 2021) and Morgan and Tang (Commun Contemp Math, 2022). This idea also allows us to deal with the case of discontinuous diffusion coefficients in higher dimensions, which has only recently been touched in the context of mass controlled reaction–diffusion systems.
Translatability scoring in prospective and retrospective COVID drug development cases
Authors: Wendler Alexandra , Wehling Martin
Published: June 2023

Background

The ongoing pandemic of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 has led to an enormous surge of clinical research. So far, the speed and success rate of related drug development projects, especially of vaccines, is unprecedented. For the first time, this situation allowed for the opportunistic evaluation of a translatability score, originally proposed in 2009, in a prospective manner.

Methods

Several vaccines and treatments under development in clinical phase III trials were selected for translational scoring with the translatability score. Six prospective and six retrospective case studies were performed. The scores had to be determined for a fictive date before any results of the phase III trial were reported in any media. Spearman correlation analysis and a Kruskal Wallis test were performed for statistical evaluation.

Results

A significant correlation between the translatability scores and the clinical outcomes in translation was found, as judged on the basis of positive/intermediate/negative endpoint studies or market approval. The Spearman correlation analysis of all cases (r = 0.91, p < 0.001), the prospective cases alone (r = 0.93, p = 0.008), and the retrospective cases alone (r = 0.93, p = 0.008) showed a strong correlation between the score and outcome; R2 demonstrated a score-derived determination of outcomes by 86%.

Conclusions

The score detects strengths and weaknesses of a given project, resulting in the opportunity of selective amelioration of a project, as well as prospective portfolio risk balancing. Its substantial predictive value that has been demonstrated here for the first time could be of particular interest for biomedical industry (pharmaceutical and device manufacturers), funding agencies, venture capitalists, and researchers in the area. Future evaluations will have to address the generalizability of results obtained in an exceptional pandemic situation, and the potential adaptations of weighing factors/items to particular therapeutic areas.
Deeply 3D-T1-TFE hypointense voxels are characteristic of phase-rim lesions in multiple sclerosis
Authors: Naval-Baudin Pablo , Pons-Escoda Albert , Camins Àngels , Arroyo Pablo , Viveros Mildred , Castell Josep , Cos Mònica , Martínez-Yélamos Antonio , Martínez-Yélamos Sergio , Majós Carles
Published: June 2023

Objectives

The development of new drugs for the treatment of progressive multiple sclerosis (MS) highlights the need for new prognostic biomarkers. Phase-rim lesions (PRLs) have been proposed as markers of progressive disease but are difficult to identify and quantify. Previous studies have identified T1-hypointensity in PRLs. The aim of this study was to compare the intensity profiles of PRLs and non-PRL white-matter lesions (nPR-WMLs) on three-dimensional T1-weighted turbo field echo (3DT1TFE) MRI. We then evaluated the performance of a derived metric as a surrogate for PRLs as potential markers for risk of disease progression.

Methods

This study enrolled a cohort of relapsing–remitting (n = 10) and secondary progressive MS (n = 10) patients for whom 3 T MRI was available. PRLs and nPR-WMLs were segmented, and voxel-wise normalized T1-intensity histograms were analyzed. The lesions were divided equally into training and test datasets, and the fifth-percentile (p5)-normalized T1-intensity of each lesion was compared between groups and used for classification prediction.

Results

Voxel-wise histogram analysis showed a unimodal histogram for nPR-WMLs and a bimodal histogram for PRLs with a large peak in the hypointense limit. Lesion-wise analysis included 1075 nPR-WMLs and 39 PRLs. The p5 intensity of PRLs was significantly lower than that of nPR-WMLs. The T1 intensity-based PRL classifier had a sensitivity of 0.526 and specificity of 0.959.

Conclusions

Profound hypointensity on 3DT1TFE MRI is characteristic of PRLs and rare in other white-matter lesions. Given the widespread availability of T1-weighted imaging, this feature might serve as a surrogate biomarker for smoldering inflammation.

Clinical relevance statement

Quantitative analysis of 3DT1TFE may detect deeply hypointense voxels in multiple sclerosis lesions, which are highly specific to PRLs. This could serve as a specific indicator of smoldering inflammation in MS, aiding in early detection of disease progression.

Key Points

• Phase-rim lesions (PRLs) in multiple sclerosis present a characteristic T1-hypointensity on 3DT1TFE MRI.

• Intensity-normalized 3DT1TFE can be used to systematically identify and quantify these deeply hypointense foci.

• Deep T1-hypointensity may act as an easily detectable, surrogate marker for PRLs.

Graphical Abstract
Abnormally elevated expression of ACTA2 of circular smooth muscle leads to hyperactive contraction in aganglionic segments of HSCR
Authors: Chen Ke , You Jingyi , Yang Shimin , Meng Xinyao , Chen Xuyong , Wu Luyao , Yu Xiaosi , Xiao Jun , Feng Jiexiong
Published: June 2023

Background

Actin Alpha 2 (ACTA2) is expressed in intestinal smooth muscle cells (iSMCs) and is associated with contractility. Hirschsprung disease (HSCR), one of the most common digested tract malformations, shows peristaltic dysfunction and spasm smooth muscles. The arrangement of the circular and longitudinal smooth muscle (SM) of the aganglionic segments is disorganized. Does ACTA2, as a marker of iSMCs, exhibit abnormal expression in aganglionic segments? Does the ACTA2 expression level affect the contraction function of iSMCs? What are the spatiotemporal expression trends of ACTA2 during different developmental stages of the colon?

Methods

Immunohistochemical staining was used to detect the expression of ACTA2 in iSMCs of children with HSCR and Ednrb−/− mice, and the small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) knockdown technique was employed to investigate how Acta2 affected the systolic function of iSMCs. Additionally, Ednrb−/− mice were used to explore the changes in the expression level of iSMCs ACTA2 at different developmental stages.

Results

The expression of ACTA2 is higher in circular SM in the aganglionic segments of HSCR patients and Ednrb−/− mice than in normal control children and mice. Down regulation of Acta2 weakens the contraction ability of intestinal smooth muscle cells. Abnormally elevated expression of ACTA2 of circular smooth muscle occurs since embryonic day 15.5 (E15.5d) in aganglionic segments of Ednrb−/− mice.

Conclusions

Abnormally elevated expression of ACTA2 in the circular SM leads to hyperactive contraction, which may cause the spasm of aganglionic segments in HSCR.