bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Transdifferentiation of fibroblasts into muscle cells to constitute cultured meat with tunable intramuscular fat deposition
Authors: Ma Tongtong , Ren Ruimin , Lv Jianqi , Yang Ruipeng , Zheng Xinyi , Hu Yang , Zhu Guiyu , Wang Heng
Published: January 2024

Current studies on cultured meat mainly focus on the muscle tissue reconstruction in vitro, but lack the formation of intramuscular fat, which is a crucial factor in determining taste, texture, and nutritional contents. Therefore, incorporating fat into cultured meat is of superior value. In this study, we employed the myogenic/lipogenic transdifferentiation of chicken fibroblasts in 3D to produce muscle mass and deposit fat into the same cells without the co-culture or mixture of different cells or fat substances. The immortalized chicken embryonic fibroblasts were implanted into the hydrogel scaffold, and the cell proliferation and myogenic transdifferentiation were conducted in 3D to produce the whole-cut meat mimics. Compared to 2D, cells grown in 3D matrix showed elevated myogenesis and collagen production. We further induced fat deposition in the transdifferentiated muscle cells and the triglyceride content could be manipulated to match and exceed the levels of chicken meat. The gene expression analysis indicated that both lineage-specific and multifunctional signalings could contribute to the generation of muscle/fat matrix. Overall, we were able to precisely modulate muscle, fat, and extracellular matrix contents according to balanced or specialized meat preferences. These findings provide new avenues for customized cultured meat production with desired intramuscular fat contents that can be tailored to meet the diverse demands of consumers.
The effect of combining antibiotics on resistance: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Siedentop Berit , Kachalov Viacheslav N. , Witzany Christopher , Egger Matthias , Kouyos Roger D. , Bonhoeffer Sebastian
Published: January 2024

When and under which conditions antibiotic combination therapy decelerates rather than accelerates resistance evolution is not well understood. We examined the effect of combining antibiotics on within-patient resistance development across various bacterial pathogens and antibiotics.We searched CENTRAL, EMBASE and PubMed for (quasi)-randomised controlled trials (RCTs) published from database inception to November 24
th
, 2022. Trials comparing antibiotic treatments with different numbers of antibiotics were included. A patient was considered to have acquired resistance if, at the follow-up culture, a resistant bacterium was detected that had not been present in the baseline culture. We combined results using a random effects model and performed meta-regression and stratified analyses. The trials’ risk of bias was assessed with the Cochrane tool.42 trials were eligible and 29, including 5054 patients, were qualified for statistical analysis. In most trials, resistance development was not the primary outcome and studies lacked power. The combined odds ratio (OR) for the acquisition of resistance comparing the group with the higher number of antibiotics with the comparison group was 1.23 (95% CI 0.68-2.25), with substantial between-study heterogeneity (

I
2

=77%). We identified tentative evidence for potential beneficial or detrimental effects of antibiotic combination therapy for specific pathogens or medical conditions.The evidence for combining a higher number of antibiotics compared to fewer from RCTs is scarce and overall, is compatible with both benefit or harm. Trials powered to detect differences in resistance development or well-designed observational studies are required to clarify the impact of combination therapy on resistance.
The Party Family
Authors: Manning Kimberley Ens
Published: January 2024

This book explores the formation and consolidation of the state in revolutionary China through the crucial role that social ties—specifically family ties—played in the state's capacity to respond to crisis before and after the foundation of the People's Republic of China (PRC). Central to these ties, the book finds, were women as both the subjects and leaders of reform. Drawing on interviews with 163 participants in the provinces of Henan and Jiangsu, as well as government documents and elite memoirs, biographies, speeches, and reports, the book offers a new theoretical lens—attachment politics—to underscore how family and ideology intertwined to create an important building block of state capacity and governance. As the book details, infant mortality in China dropped by more than half within a decade of the PRC's foundation, a policy achievement produced to a large extent through the personal and family ties of the maternalist policy coalition that led the reform movement. However, these achievements were undermined or reversed in the complex policy struggles over the family during Mao Zedong's Great Leap Forward (1958–60).
A is for Arson
Authors: Scribner Campbell F.
Published: January 2024

This book sifts through two centuries of debris to uncover the conditions that have prompted school vandalism and to explain why attempts at prevention have inevitably failed. Vandalism costs taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars every year, as students, parents, and even teachers wreak havoc on school buildings. Why do they do it? Can anything stop them? Who should pay for the damage? Underlying these questions are long-standing tensions between freedom and authority, and between wantonness and reason. Property destruction is not simply a moral failing, to be addressed with harsher punishments, nor can the problem be solved through more restrictive architecture or policing. The book argues that education itself is a source of intractable struggle, and that vandalism is often the result of an unruly humanity. To understand schooling in the United States, one must first confront the all-too-human emotions that have led to fires, broken windows, and graffiti. The book captures those emotions through new historical evidence and diverse theoretical perspectives, helping readers understand vandalism variously as a form of political conflict, as self-education, and as sheer chaos. By analyzing physical artifacts as well as archival sources, the book offers new perspectives on children's misbehavior and adults' reactions and allows readers to see the complexities of education—the built environment of teaching and learning, evolving approaches to youth psychology and student discipline—through the eyes of its often resistant subjects.
The Enthusiast
Authors: Miller William Cook
Published: January 2024

This book tells the story of a character type that was developed in early modern Britain to discredit radical prophets during an era that witnessed the dismantling of the Church of England's traditional means for punishing heresy. As the book shows, the caricature of fanaticism here called the Enthusiast began as propaganda against religious dissenters, especially working-class upstarts, but was adopted by a range of writers as a literary vehicle for exploring profound problems of spirit, soul, and body and as a persona for the ironic expression of their own prophetic illuminations. Taking shape through the public and private writings of some of the most insightful authors of seventeenth-century Britain—Henry More, John Locke, the Third Earl of Shaftesbury, Mary Astell, and Jonathan Swift, among others—the Enthusiast appeared in various guises and literary modes. By attending to this literary being and its animators, the book establishes the figure of the fanatic as a bridge between the Reformation and the Enlightenment, showing how an incipient secular modernity was informed by not the rejection of religion but the transformation of the prophet into something sparkling, witty, ironic, and new.
Taking the Soviet Union Apart Room by Room
Authors: Malaia Kateryna
Published: January 2024

This book investigates what happens to domestic spaces, architecture, and the lives of urbanites during a socioeconomic upheaval. The book analyzes how Soviet and post-Soviet city dwellers, navigating a crisis of inadequate housing and extreme social disruption between the late 1980s and 2000s, transformed their dwellings as their countries transformed around them. Soviet infrastructure remained but, in their domestic spaces, urbanites transitioned to post-Soviet citizens. The two decades after the collapse of the USSR witnessed a major urban apartment remodeling boom. The book shows how, in the context of limited residential mobility, those remodeling and modifying their homes formed new lifestyles defined by increased spatial privacy. Remodeled interiors served as a material expression of a social identity above the poverty line, in place of the outdated Soviet signifiers of well-being. Connecting home improvement, self-reinvention, the end of state socialism, and the lived experience of change, the book puts together a comprehensive portrait of the era. It shows both the stubborn continuities and the dramatic changes that accompanied the collapse of the USSR. Making the case for similarities throughout the former Soviet empire, the book is based on interviews and fieldwork done primarily in Kyiv and Lviv, Ukraine. Many of the buildings described are similar to those damaged or destroyed by Russian bombings or artillery fire following the invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022. A book about major historic events written through the lens of everyday life, the book is also about the meaning of home in a dramatically changing world.
Unleashing the power of AI in detecting metal surface defects: an optimized YOLOv7-tiny model approach
Authors: Chen Shuaiting , Zhou Feng , Gao Gan , Ge Xiaole , Wang Rugang
Published: January 2024

The detection of surface defects on metal products during the production process is crucial for ensuring high-quality products. These defects also lead to significant losses in the high-tech industry. To address the issues of slow detection speed and low accuracy in traditional metal surface defect detection, an improved algorithm based on the YOLOv7-tiny model is proposed. Firstly, to enhance the feature extraction and fusion capabilities of the model, the depth aware convolution module (DAC) is introduced to replace all ELAN-T modules in the network. Secondly, the AWFP-Add module is added after the Concat module in the network’s Head section to strengthen the network’s ability to adaptively distinguish the importance of different features. Finally, in order to expedite model convergence and alleviate the problem of imbalanced positive and negative samples in the study, a new loss function called Focal-SIoU is used to replace the original model’s CIoU loss function. To validate the effectiveness of the proposed model, two industrial metal surface defect datasets, GC10-DET and NEU-DET, were employed in our experiments. Experimental results demonstrate that the improved algorithm achieved detection frame rates exceeding 100 fps on both datasets. Furthermore, the enhanced model achieved an mAP of 81% on the GC10-DET dataset and 80.1% on the NEU-DET dataset. Compared to the original YOLOv7-tiny algorithm, this represents an increase in mAP of nearly 11% and 9.2%, respectively. Moreover, when compared to other novel algorithms, our improved model demonstrated enhanced detection accuracy and significantly improved detection speed. These results collectively indicate that our proposed enhanced model effectively fulfills the industry’s demand for rapid and efficient detection and recognition of metal surface defects.
Engineering multicellular domains in M. polymorpha from internal phytohormone gradients
Authors:   , Cerda Rojas Ariel
Published: January 2024

La biología sintética es un campo multidisciplinario emergente que involucra a la biología, la ingeniería, y la física en el desarrollo de abstracciones, herramientas y modelos para diseñar sustratos biológicos de manera reproducible, escalable y eficiente. Uno de los temas más desafiantes corresponde a la programación de comportamientos emergentes y procesos de autoorganización en sistemas multicelulares, campo denominado ingeniería morfogenética. Las plantas son una plataforma atractiva para estudiar cómo la formación de patrones contribuye al desarrollo y la morfogénesis, así como para definir principios morfogenéticos. Un modelo atractivo para abordar estos desafíos y reducir la brecha entre la facilidad de manejo de los organismos unicelulares y la complejidad de las plantas superiores es la hepática Marchantia Polymorpha (Marchantia). Marchantia presenta características prometedoras para la biología sintética, como un ciclo de vida más corto, una fase de gametofito haploide dominante, un genoma secuenciado con baja redundancia genética, una propagación clonal sencilla y robusta a través del subcultivo de gemas y una transformación de alta eficiencia para la manipulación genética. La ingeniería morfogenética en plantas debe enfrentar constantemente la escasez de herramientas fundacionales y componentes genéticos estandarizados, y su progreso se ha visto retrasado por la falta de información sobre los elementos funcionales de ADN. En este trabajo, nuestro objetivo es crear funciones elementales para la ingeniería de patrones en plantas mediante el establecimiento de dominios artificiales de estados celulares, utilizando gradientes internos (fitohormonas) como entradas para nuestros circuitos formadores de patrones. Para lograrlo, creamos nuevas herramientas para la construcción rápida, modular y combinatoria de circuitos genéticos en plantas, probamos elementos genéticos para construir estos circuitos y propusimos formalismos matemáticos para el desarrollo de modelos morfogenéticos. Todo esto se hizo utilizando Marchantia y sus ventajas como chasis para la biología sintética.
Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Middle-aged Men and Women through the Queens College Step Test: A Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Kotian Dhanush , Hatmode Yogita
Published: January 2024

Introduction: Increased Body Mass Index (BMI) is associated with a decreased level of maximium oxygen uptake (VO2 max), which indirectly affects Cardiorespiratory Fitness (CRF) in young adults. Therefore, it is important to assess CRF in the middleaged population, despite a high burden of cardiovascular risk factors in this age group. CRF refers to the circulatory system’s ability to supply oxygen to functioning muscles during continuous physical exercise. Maximum oxygen uptake (VO2 max) is the best measure of CRF and serves as the gold standard for quantifying an individual’s aerobic capacity. Aim: To evaluate CRF in middle-aged men and women. Materials and Methods: The present cross-sectional study conducted in the Department of Physiotheraphy, NITTE Institute of Physiotheraphy included a total of 134 subjects aged between 45 and 65 years, who were selected from Justice KS Hegde Charitable Hospital in Mangaluru, Karnataka, India. The male and female groups consisted of 67 subjects each. The study was conducted over a period of 12 months, from March 2022 to March 2023. All subjects were included based on specific inclusion criteria. VO2 max was estimated by following the Queens College Step Test (QCST) method. The Pearson's correlation coefficient was used to examine the relationship between age, height, weight, BMI, waist-to-hip ratio, heart rate, and VO2 max. A p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The mean value of VO2 max was assessed and compared between middle-aged males (65.8±3.5 mL/kg/min) and females (46.6±1.7 mL/kg/min). It was discovered that VO2 max was significantly higher in middle-aged males than in middle-aged females (p<0.001), as indicated by heart rate changes from pretest to post-test. The mean value of BMI was compared between males (24.4±3.2) kg/m2 and females (24.4±4.9) kg/m2 , and the difference was found to be statistically non significant (p-value=0.916). Similarly, the mean value of waist-to-hip ratio was compared between males (0.9±0.1) and females (0.9±0.1), and the difference was also statistically non significant (p-value=0.637). Conclusion: Middle-aged males exhibit substantially higher VO2 max compared to middle-aged females (p<0.001). Consequently, middle-aged females demonstrate a considerable decrease in aerobic capacity, as indicated by VO2 max, and decreased cardiovascular fitness, which serve as predictors of cardiovascular disease risk factors.
Efficacy of Dexmedetomidine and Labetalol for Induced Hypotension in Endoscopic Sinus Surgeries: A Randomised Clinical Study
Authors: Keshari Urmila , Gupta Sonali , Patidar Charulata , Pandey Richa
Published: January 2024

Introduction: Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (FESS) is one of the most commonly performed surgical procedures that requires minimal bleeding during the procedure. Dexmedetomidine, an alpha-agonist and labetalol, a betablocker, have been used to decrease intraoperative bleeding and provide optimal surgical conditions. Aim: To evaluate the efficacy of labetalol and dexmedetomidine on intraoperative blood loss and surgical conditions during FESS. Materials and Methods: The present randomised singleblinded clinical study was conducted in the Department of Anaesthesiology, Gandhi Medical College and associated Hamidia Hospital, Bhopal, India, from January 2020 to May 2021. Study was performed on 60 patients aged 18-60 years undergoing FESS. The patients were divided into two groups: Labetalol (L) or Dexmedetomidine (D). Heart rate and arterial blood pressure were measured after induction, during and at the end of the surgery. An assessment of bleeding was done by a blinded surgeon. Surgical field quality, surgeon satisfaction, emergence time, Aldrete score and any side effects were observed. Data were analysed using the Statistical Package of Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 17.0 for Windows and the unpaired student t-test. Results: In the total study population, the mean age in group D was 42.96±11.52 years and in group L was 47.33±10.97 years. In both groups, female patients were more prevalent than males (Group L: 53.3%; Group D: 60%). There was a significant decrease in heart rate in group D compared to group L during and after the operation. Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP) after induction (106.63±6.094 mmHg vs 114.80±6.272 mmHg), at extubation and after extubation for six hours was significantly higher in group L than in group D. The emergence time of group D was higher than that of the labetalol group. The surgical field quality and surgeon satisfaction were significantly higher in group D. Time to reach Aldrete score ≥9 (15.67±1.788 vs 11.23±1.654), time for first analgesic requirement and Ramsay sedation score were found to be higher in group D and were statistically significant. Conclusion: Both dexmedetomidine and labetalol can be used for controlled hypotension during FESS. Dexmedetomidine provides more haemodynamic stability and is ideal for creating a better surgical field during endoscopic surgeries.
Impact of BioFire FilmArray Multiplex PCR in the Detection of Microbial Agents causing Severe Acute Respiratory Infection in the COVID-19 Era: A Cross-sectional Study from a Tertiary Care Hospital in Central India
Authors: Mishra Meena , Shendre Pooja , Gade Neeta , Shete Vishal , Nag Soumyabrata , Dutta SM Vibha
Published: January 2024

Introduction: Many viral and bacterial respiratory tract infections can present with respiratory signs and progress to complicated pneumonia. In the recent Coronavirus Disease2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, it is crucial to test all Severe Acute Respiratory Infection (SARI) patients for other microbial infections in addition to COVID-19, enabling timely diagnosis and treatment to reduce morbidity and mortality. The automated system, BioFire FilmArray, utilises multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) to rapidly detect and identify multiple respiratory pathogens, including selected Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) genes, within an hour. Aim: To detect bacterial and/or viral pathogens associated with hospitalised COVID-19-negative SARI patients using the BioFire FilmArray Pneumonia Panel (BFPP). Materials and Methods: This laboratory-based cross-sectional study was conducted at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Nagpur, Maharashtra, India, from June 2020 to February 2021. Respiratory samples, such as sputum, tracheal aspirate, Endotracheal (ET) secretions, and Bronchoalveolar Lavage (BAL), were collected from COVID-19-negative hospitalised SARI cases. A total of 81 patients were included in the study. The samples were tested using the BFPP (multiplex PCR) system and processed using conventional culture techniques. Patient characteristics, clinical and laboratory investigation data, and findings of respiratory viral and bacterial agents, as well as antibiotic resistance genes detected by BioFire FilmArray, were recorded using paper case reports. The data were collected and analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software. Results: Out of the 81 clinical samples processed, the BFPP detected 168 bacterial and 18 viral pathogens. Bacterial-viral codetection was observed in 13 (16%) samples. Atypical bacteria were detected in 3% of cases. Among the bacterial pathogens, the AMR gene for New Delhi Metallo-beta-lactamases (NDM) was detected in 42 (25.9%) cases, followed by CTX-M betalactamases, VIM, and the oxacillinase group of β-lactamases. Conclusion: The BFPP test is a valuable tool for the rapid detection of a wide range of pathogens, including associated AMR genes, with high sensitivity and specificity. This can greatly aid in treatment decisions.
Evaluation of Endometrial Thickness by Transvaginal Sonography in Postmenopausal Women with Bleeding: A Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Swetha Ravidali Naga , Rao Marri Pavani , Penumaka Rose Mary
Published: January 2024

Introduction: Abnormal Uterine Bleeding (AUB), occurring atleast one year after menopause, is one of the most concerning complaints among gynaecological patients. Endometrial atrophy is the most common endometrial finding in women with Postmenopausal Bleeding (PMB), approximately 10-15% of whom have endometrial carcinoma. Earlier studies suggested that obesity, Type 2 diabetes mellitus, and hypertension are risk factors for endometrial hyperplasia. Diabetes mellitus, obesity, and hypertension form the triad of endometrial cancer. Aim: To assess endometrial thickness by Transvaginal Sonography (TVS) and compare it with histopathological findings in women with PMB, evaluating whether an endometrial thickness of <4 mm on TVS is more suggestive of malignancy. Materials and Methods: The present cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at King George Hospital, Vishakapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India, from January 2022 to December 2022, comprising n=100 subjects. After routine necessary investigations for PMB, a transvaginal ultrasound examination was carried out to calculate endometrial thickness and compare it with the results of histopathological diagnosis of the endometrium. The parameters assessed were endometrial thickness and appearance, Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM), hypertension, and Body Mass Index (BMI). The data was compiled and compared using the Chi-square test, with a p-value of ≤0.05 considered highly significant. Results: The results showed normal atrophic and thickened endometrium in 36% of subjects each, and abnormal endometrium such as hyperplasia, carcinoma, and polyps were recorded in 14%, 8%, and 6% (n=6) of cases, respectively. The histopathological results showed normal endometrium such as atrophic, secretory, and proliferative endometrium in 49%, 6%, and 19% of subjects, respectively. Abnormal endometrial findings such as endometrial hyperplasia, carcinoma, and polyps were observed in 14%, 7%, and 5% of cases, respectively. The majority of cases (58%) had endometrial thickness ≤4 mm, followed by 36% of cases with 5-10 mm and 6% of cases >11 mm, with mean and Standard Deviation (SD) values of 5.8±3. mm Statistical analysis data on the association between TVS findings and Histopathological Examination (HPE) findings was observed to be statistically significant (p<0.001). A statistically significant association was observed between T2DM, and BMI >25 kg/m2 together, DM+hypertension+BMI (Triad) and endometrial thickness, respectively. Conclusion: The TVS is easy, simple, non invasive, and involves no complications. Therefore, it can be used as the first diagnostic step in the investigations of women with PMB, combined with histopathological assessment.
Siquian City’s Exporting of Goods: Competitiveness and Survival Analysis Amidst Challenges
Authors: Huan Chen , Hao Wu
Published: January 2024

In 2020, in the face of the sudden impact of the new coronavirus pneumonia epidemic, Suqian's economy has withstood the test of the epidemic, showing a good situation of "rapid stabilization and gradual recovery", and the "13th Five-Year Plan" has come to a successful end. In the year of 2020, when the Sino-US trade war has not ended and the new coronavirus epidemic is raging, Suqian's foreign trade can achieve such good results, which is worthy of affirmation. However, while affirming that Suqian can still achieve such excellent results in the export of goods in such a severe situation at home and abroad, we should also see that there are still many shortcomings in the development of Suqian's foreign trade.
Based on this, this paper firstly analyzes the current situation of Suqian's goods export from four aspects, such as the scale of goods export, export goods, export trade mode and the export situation of goods in each sector. Secondly, the paper analyzes the existing problems of Suqian's export of goods. The main problems are: the gap between Suqian and southern Jiangsu, the unbalanced development of various sectors, the unreasonable structure of export of goods, etc. Thirdly, from the internal and external environment, this paper analyzes the reasons for these problems in Suqian's goods export. The internal reasons include: inter-regional industrial transfer, insufficient level of industrial development, and insufficient location advantage; The external reasons are as follows: the impact of the COVID-19 epidemic, Sino-US trade friction, sluggish international market demand, the impact of international industrial transfer and trade barriers have weakened the competitiveness of Suqian's export goods; Finally, from the two levels of government and enterprises to improve the problems of Suqian goods export countermeasures and conclusions.
Reflection on Implementing Data Concept in the Junior High School Mathematics Classroom
Authors: Jia Xi , Teng Yufang , Yang Zezhong
Published: January 2024

As one of the core literacy proposed by the Mathematics Curriculum Standards for Compulsory Education (2022 Edition), the implementation of the data concept in the current junior high school mathematics classrooms has attracted much attention in China. This paper used the method of theoretical research, through in-depth and systematic analysis of the meaning of data concept literacy in curriculum standards and the requirements for junior high school students, through literature review, in-depth and systematic analysis and induction of the current teaching situation, as the theoretical basis of this study, four suggestions were put forward: 1. Design implementable statistical activities; 2. Focus on summarizing the similarities and differences and characteristics of data analysis methods; 3. Use of multimedia emerging technologies to assist teaching effectively; 4. Design the topic of probability to carry out special training, hoping to provide ideas for better development of junior high school mathematics teaching.
Effect of Different Factors on the Soil Quality of Typic Ustipsamments of State Kerala, in India
Authors: Mini V.  , Raj Akshay
Published: January 2024

Aims: Assessment of soil quality of selected panchayaths of sandy plains (Typic Ustipsamments ) of Kerala based on various soil attributes and to work out soil quality index (SQI).

Study Design: A study was conducted in the selected panchayaths of sandy plains of Kerala (AEU 3) and 100 representative georeferenced surface soil samples were collected from various land uses. These soil samples were characterized for important physical, chemical, and biological properties.

Place and Duration of Study: Onattukara Regional Agricultural Research Station, Kayamkulam between April 2021 and May 2022.

Methodology: Hundred geo-referenced surface soil samples were collected from various land uses of selected panchayaths of sandy plains of Kerala and characterized for various physical (texture, bulk density, particle density, porosity, aggregate analysis, soil moisture, and WHC), chemical (pH, EC, organic carbon and available macro and micronutrients and biological attributes (acid phosphatase and dehydrogenase activity). Principal component analysis was used to set up the minimum data set of the indicators to compute the soil quality index. Seven principal components were extracted from which nine indicators that highly influenced the soil quality were identified. Scores and weights were assigned to each indicator, and they were aggregated to compute the soil quality index. The relative soil quality index of the soils was also found.

Results: Increased soil acidity and low levels of nutrients like nitrogen, potassium, magnesium, sulfur, and boron were noticed in these soils. The available P content of the soil was high. Mg, S, and B were deficient in 100 percent of the samples, whereas, Fe and Mn remained sufficient. Ca, Zn, and Cu exhibited 72.9, 24.3, and 21.7 percent deficiency, respectively. The majority of the soils belonged to medium soil quality (78.6 percent), followed by poor (12.8 percent) and good (8.6 percent) quality.

Conclusion: The majority of soils of selected panchayaths of sandy plains of Kerala fell into the medium soil quality class. However, there are several soil fertility issues in these soils. Hence site-specific and crop-specific management strategies have to be followed for the profitable cultivation of the crops and soil test-based fertilizer application has to be followed. It is mandatory to maintain the fertility of the soil for the sustainability of the environment.
Enhancing Productivity and Sustainability through Integrated Farming Systems: A Review
Authors: Bahadur Raj , Kumar Neeraj , Tripathi Utkarsh , Singh A. K. , Kumari Gunja , Alagesan A. , Senthilkumar T. , Malathi G. , Prabhavathi S. Jaya
Published: January 2024

Integrated Farming Systems (IFS) have gained prominence as a holistic approach to address the challenges of sustainability and productivity in modern agriculture. This comprehensive review explores the multifaceted aspects of IFS, elucidating its principles, benefits, and challenges. It examines the synergistic integration of crop, livestock, and aquaculture components within the farming system to maximize resource utilization, improve resilience, and promote sustainable agricultural practices. Through a critical analysis of current research and case studies, this review highlights the socio-economic and environmental advantages of adopting IFS. Furthermore, it discusses the various subcomponents, management strategies, and technological advancements that contribute to the success of IFS. By outlining the key factors driving the adoption of IFS and its potential to revolutionize agriculture, this review provides valuable insights into the future of sustainable and productive farming systems.
Characterization of Soil Properties Influencing Flash Flood-Related Road Damage in North-Eastern Regions of Bangladesh
Authors: Islam Md. Maminul , Sarker Sree Pradip Kumer
Published: January 2024

Flash floods in the North-Eastern region of Bangladesh pose a severe threat to road infrastructure, causing extensive damage and disruptions. This study focuses on the comprehensive characterization of soil properties that play a pivotal role in exacerbating flash flood-related road damage. The North-Eastern region, characterized by diverse geological formations, including the Surma Basin and the Meghalaya Plateau, experiences recurrent flash floods during the monsoon season. The undulating topography and a network of rivers contribute to the complexity of the hydrogeological system, influencing soil properties and their impact on road infrastructure.

Field surveys were conducted to identify flash flood-prone areas, focusing on elevation, slope, and proximity to water bodies. Soil samples were collected at various depths and locations within vulnerable road sections, considering different land uses and topographical features. Laboratory analyses included particle size distribution, moisture content determination, soil classification, and cohesion tests. The results of this study highlight specific road sections vulnerable to flash floods, providing a foundation for targeted soil characterization. Key soil properties influencing road damage include high clay content, poor drainage characteristics, and low cohesion. The results also revealed the correlation between vulnerable road sections and specific combinations of soil properties, allowing for the identification of hotspots prone to flash flood-related damage.

Finally, this study contributes to an enhanced understanding of the soil properties influencing flash flood-related road damage in the North-Eastern region. The identified key soil characteristics offer valuable insights for road infrastructure planning and design, emphasizing the need for mitigation measures such as improved drainage systems and the use of appropriate roadbed materials to enhance overall road resilience in flood-prone areas.
Cosméticos à Base de Cannabis Sativa: uma prospecção tecnológica
Authors: Ferreira Camila , Rodrigues Aldenora Maria Ximenes
Published: January 2024

A  Cannabis sativa produz uma variedade de metabólitos secundários com potenciais usos farmacológicos, como antisséptico e anti-inflamatório. Além disso, produtos derivados dessa planta são comumente utilizados em cosméticos. Este artigo teve como objetivo realizar uma análise de patentes relacionadas a cosméticos à base de Cannabis sativa, buscando identificar as principais tendências e inovações nessa área. Foram realizadas buscas em bases de dados como WIPO, INPI, USPTO e Espacenet, utilizando termos como "Cannabis ", "indústria cosmética", "cosmético" e "produtos de cuidado pessoal". Foram identificadas 33 patentes relacionadas a formulações cosméticas para cuidados com a pele, cabelo, maquiagem e unhas. A China foi o país com o maior número de patentes depositadas (45%). Essas patentes demonstram o potencial da  Cannabis sativa como ingrediente ativo em cosméticos, oferecendo novas possibilidades de produtos ao mercado.
Análise Mercadológica: comparativo no uso do selo Indicação Geográfica para o cacau entre os produtores da Bahia (Sul da Bahia) e do Pará (Tomé-Açu)
Authors: Cannavale Victor , Machado Tiago Magalhães , Santana João Augusto Martins de , Aveni Alessandro
Published: January 2024

Esta pesquisa se debruça sobre os regulamentos de Indicação Geográfica (IG) aplicados ao cacau no Brasil, com foco particular nos diferentes padrões de produção da Bahia e do Pará. O estudo realiza uma análise comparativa, explora semelhanças e contrastes existentes entre os produtores dessas regiões. Buscou-se identificar as especificidades de cada tipo de cacau, a dinâmica do ambiente de negócios em que estão inseridos e a evolução de cada segmento de mercado em relação às estratégias de marketing implementadas para aprimorar a singularidade de seus produtos, tanto nacional quanto internacionalmente. Os resultados indicam que o processo de IG tem características específicas de acordo com a maturidade das associações de cacau envolvidas. A diversidade de estratégias comerciais e IGs pode tornar complexa a criação de uma Marca Coletiva (MC) para o cacau brasileiro, porém a chave é a coordenação eficaz entre produtores, órgãos governamentais e partes interessadas, além de uma pesquisa de mercado aprofundada para entender o que os consumidores valorizam.
Prospecção Tecnológica sobre o Uso de Casca de Arroz e seus Derivados para Adsorção Seletiva de Compostos Contendo Enxofre no Diesel
Authors: Silva Ricardo Miguel Gonçalves da , Costa Andréia Alves
Published: January 2024

A dessulfurização dos combustíveis fósseis é um processo fundamental na etapa de refino, e novas tecnologias estão sendo desenvolvidas para realizar esse processo em condições mais brandas e de baixo custo. Neste trabalho foi realizada uma prospecção tecnológica sobre o uso de derivados da casca de arroz como adsorvente de compostos sulfurados no diesel, realizando um mapeamento científico nas bases Web of Science e Scopus e um mapeamento de patentes com a ferramenta Questel Orbit Intelligence®. A produção científica sobre o tema aumentou desde 2013, com destaque para China, Brasil e Índia. No entanto, apenas seis artigos exploraram a dessulfurização de combustíveis, indicando que essa aplicação ainda é incipiente. No cenário de patentes, a China se destacou, defendendo a propriedade intelectual de diversas tecnologias para produzir adsorventes derivados da casca de arroz com diversos propósitos, entre eles, a dessulfurização por adsorção, evidenciando um potencial interesse comercial nessa tecnologia.
Aplicação do Paradigma “Internet das Coisas” para o Setor de Serviços e Cuidados com a Saúde: caminhos e desafios de desenvolvimento do setor a partir de análise patentária
Authors: Rodrigues Filho Maurício , Islabão Genizia Islabão de , Santos Douglas Alves
Published: January 2024

A Internet das Coisas (Internet of Things, em inglês, ou IoT, sua sigla no mesmo idioma) é um paradigma tecnológico que possibilita a articulação conjunta de diversos aparelhos de forma remota a partir do compartilhamento de dados. Essa capacidade abre diversas possibilidades no emprego dessa tecnologia, inclusive em serviços. Em relatório, o Banco Nacional de Desenvolvimento Econômico e Social (BNDES, 2017) destacou a área de saúde como prioritária para o desenvolvimento da IoT no Brasil, e a pandemia evidenciou ainda mais sua importância. Dessa forma, o presente artigo discute oportunidades e desafios da aplicação desse paradigma tecnológico na saúde a partir do paradigma das patentes relevantes à sua aplicação já depositadas no Brasil. Para tanto, foi realizada revisão de literatura e mapeamento de patentes já depositadas no Brasil com as tecnologias mais significativas para o emprego da IoT, incluindo revisão de literatura com mapeamento de patentes. Embora o país tenha ambiente favorável para o desenvolvimento de serviços baseados em IoT, é necessário enfrentar desafios regulatórios, éticos, de uniformização de protocolos eletrônicos e proteção de dados, além de ações integradas em políticas públicas e privadas.
Mapeamento de Produtos e Serviços Relacionados à Propriedade Intelectual em Bibliotecas Universitárias Brasileiras
Authors: Costa Eliziene Barbosa , Mendes Suênia Oliveira , Rocha Jefferson Almeida
Published: January 2024

O presente estudo teve por objetivo apresentar um mapeamento dos produtos e serviços sobre Propriedade Intelectual disponibilizados pelas bibliotecas das Universidades Federais do Brasil. Realizou-se um estudo descritivo com abordagem mista, pois esta quantifica os dados e categoriza os conteúdos coletados nos sítios dos sistemas de bibliotecas mediante pesquisa bibliográfica e documental. Os resultados da análise apontam que, de um total de 68 sistemas de bibliotecas universitárias, um pequeno número (18) aborda a temática da propriedade intelectual em seus produtos e serviços. Dos 18 sistemas identificados, 95% (17) abordam, principalmente, os aspectos do direito autoral e plágio. Conclui-se que o mapeamento fornece dados estratégicos para o planejamento institucional e de suas bibliotecas na elaboração de produtos e serviços de maneira clara para a aceleração da cultura de inovação e propriedade intelectual.
Efeitos da Adesão Brasileira ao Protocolo de Madri Relacionados a Depósitos Marcários
Authors: Barros Rosângela Pacheco , Bruch Kelly Lissandra
Published: January 2024

Em 2 de outubro de 2019, entrou em vigor no Brasil o Protocolo de Madri, que regula o sistema internacional de Registro de Marcas. Este artigo teve como objetivo analisar como vem ocorrendo a evolução dos pedidos marcários realizados utilizando o Protocolo envolvendo o Brasil. A abordagem foi exploratória e descritiva. Realizou-se quatro pesquisas no site da WIPO: duas tendo o Brasil como país de origem, duas como país designado, utilizando dois períodos de busca: de 02/10/2019 a 1º/09/2021 e de 02/10/2019 a 02/10/2022. Entre os principais resultados, verificou-se que, até 1º/09/2021, a Classe de Nice (NCL) mais utilizada foi a 35 e que o maior depositante estrangeiro e o país mais designado por brasileiros foram os Estados Unidos. Comparando-se os resultados dos dois períodos, conclui-se que tem havido exponencial maior uso do Protocolo de Madri pelos estrangeiros no Brasil (70%) do que por brasileiros no exterior (33%).
Prospecção Científica e Tecnológica da Espécie Croton sonderianus muell. arg
Authors: Vieira Gildeanni Iasmim Alves , Bittencourt Cleiton Barroso , Andrade Ivanilza Moreira de
Published: January 2024

Croton sonderianus é uma das plantas mais numerosas do gênero Croton, sendo empregada na medicina popular no tratamento de inflamações, hipertensões, úlceras e diarreias. Objetivou-se realizar uma prospecção científica e tecnológica em bases de dados internacionais sobre C. sonderianus. No ScienceDirect e no Web of Science, foram indexados 12 e 46 artigos, respectivamente, enquanto, para patentes, foram encontrados 1.658 (Croton) e dois (C. sonderianus) na base WIPO. O interesse pelo potencial farmacológico de C. sonderianus cresceu nos últimos dez anos. A China é o principal país depositário de patentes para o gênero. Os dados científicos e tecnológicos sugerem que C. sonderianus pode ser utilizada para fins medicinais como antimicrobiana, antinociceptiva, antiespasmódica e inseticida. É necessário ampliar o conhecimento fitoquímico e farmacológico de C. sonderianus para que os dados obtidos possam contribuir para o desenvolvimento de novos fármacos, além de valorizar a biodiversidade existente no Brasil.
ANÁLISE DA ATUAÇÃO DOS MECANISMOS DE DESENVOLVIMENTO LIMPO NA MUDANÇA DO USO DA TERRA NO BRASIL
Authors: Simões Ricardo Muniz , Bragagnolo Cassiano
Published: January 2024

O debate em torno das mudanças climáticas e do aquecimento global causados, principalmente, pelas emissões de gases de efeito estufa (GEEs) de origem antrópica tem ganhado cada vez mais destaque desde a última metade do século XX. No Brasil, a mudança do uso da terra tem sido apontada como a principal causa destas emissões, devido em grande parte ao aumento do desflorestamento. Um dos principais instrumentos propostos para desacelerar estas emissões foi o Mecanismo de Desenvolvimento Limpo (MDL), criado pelo Protocolo de Quioto, que permite o desenvolvimento de projetos voltados à redução das emissões de GEEs em países em desenvolvimento. O Brasil apresenta posição de destaque nesse mercado, sendo o terceiro país em número de projetos registrados. Assim, este trabalho tem como objetivo apresentar o funcionamento do MDL no Brasil, dando destaque à atividade de mudança do uso da terra, devido à sua elevada participação nas emissões de GEEs no país. Pretende-se, ainda, propor ajustes no mecanismo para que se obtenham resultados melhores no futuro. Para o cumprimento destes objetivos, uma revisão bibliográfica e um panorama geral do uso dos MDLs no Brasil são apresentados, discorrendo sobre as origens do mecanismo e sobre os projetos de florestamento e reflorestamento. Foi possível constatar que apesar do papel importante que a mudança no uso da terra desempenha nas emissões de GEEs no Brasil e da posição de destaque do país no mercado internacional de MDLs, a atuação do mecanismo tem sido insuficiente devido aos entraves no desenvolvimento de projetos no âmbito florestal e à baixa demanda por créditos de carbono.
LEGÍTIMA BRASILEIRA SOB A ÓTICA DO DIREITO CIVIL CONSTITUCIONAL
Authors: Costa Erika Rodrigues Machado
Published: January 2024

O objeto do presente artigo tem o intuito de verificar se a reserva forçada da herança atualmente cumpre com a função social de proteção a família, levando em consideração os novos valores e modalidades de família, trazidos pela Constituição Federal de 1988. Além disso, se a interpretação do referido instituto sob a luz da referida carta permitiria sua derrogação ou reformulação. Para tanto, se fez necessário verificar o fundamento para aplicação da legitima no direito brasileiro, bem como os argumentos contrários. Com isto verificou-se que a herança forçada não está adequada aos anseios das novas modalidades de família, caindo, assim, por terra o seu principal objetivo que é a proteção da família. Ao final, mostrou-se que a flexibilização ou supressão do instituto da legítima não seria inconstitucional. No intuito de suprir as demandas familiares da atualidade, bem como para melhor aplicar os princípios constitucionais, propôs-se que a reserva forçada da herança fosse utilizada especificamente para proteger pessoas vulneráveis.
Titelbild: Novel Ruthenium‐ and Platinum‐Catalyzed Sequential Reactions: Synthesis of Tri‐ and Tetrasubstituted Furans and Pyrroles from Propargylic Alcohols and Ketones (Angew. Chem. 23/2003)
Authors: Nishibayashi Yoshiaki , Yoshikawa Masato , Inada Youichi , Milton Marilyn Daisy , Hidai Masanobu , Uemura Sakae
Published: June 2003

Ruthenium‐ und Platin‐katalysiert verläuft die im Titelbild dargestellte Reaktionssequenz, in der ausgehend von einem Propargylalkohol und Aceton in hohen Ausbeuten und hochregioselektiv ein trisubstituiertes Furan gebildet wird. Zwei vollkommen unterschiedliche Katalysatoren, der Thiolat‐verbrückte Dirutheniumkomplex [Cp*RuCl(μ2‐SMe)RuCp*Cl] (Cp*=C5Me5) und PtCl2, sind nacheinander an den beiden Katalysezyklen im selben Reaktionsmedium beteiligt. Erfahren Sie mehr in der Zuschrift von M. Hidai und S. Uemura et al. auf S. 2785 ff.
Studies on oogenesis and oviposition in the brown spider Loxosceles intermedia (Araneae: Sicariidae)
Authors: Morishita Renata , Aparecida Ferreira Simone , Santiago Filha Arleide , Ditzel Faraco Cloris
Published: June 2003

Loxosceles intermedia is a poisonous spider that has a wide distribution in southern Brazil, and constitutes a public health problem. In this study, the ovaries of mature females were examined by light and electron microscopy, and by histochemistry. Oocytes at all stages of development were observed in the same area of the mature ovarian wall, surrounded by a basement membrane and a proteic band. They were supported by a group of pedicular cells, which may function as follicular cells. No follicular cell was seen around the oocyte. Mature oocytes pass through the ovarian epithelial wall and are released into the ovarian lumen, covered by a vitelline membrane. The basement membrane and proteic band remain in the ovarian wall. On its way out, the oocyte is coated by proteins that will form the chorion. The presence of different coats throughout oogenesis, and at the time of egg release, is correlated with conditions that indicate fertilization occurs in the uterus lumen during oviposition. Anat Rec Part A 273A:575–582, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.