bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Computational design for 4D printing of topology optimized multi-material active composites
Authors: Athinarayanarao Darshan , Prod’hon Romaric , Chamoret Dominique , Qi H. Jerry , Bodaghi Mahdi , André Jean-Claude , Demoly Frédéric
Published: January 2023

Recent efforts on design for four-dimensional (4D) printing have considered the spatial arrangement of smart materials and energy stimuli. The development of multifunctional structures and their desired mechanical/actuation performances require tackling 4D printing from a multi-material design perspective. With the materials distributions there is an opportunity to increase the spectrum of design concepts with computational approaches. The main goal being to achieve the “best” distribution of material properties in a voxelized structure, a computational framework that consists of a finite element analysis-based evolutionary algorithm is presented. It fuses the advantages of optimizing both the materials distribution and material layout within a design space via topology optimization to solve the inverse design problem of finding an optimal design to achieve a target shape change by integrating void voxels. The results demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed method in providing a highly capable tool for the design of 4D-printed active composites.
Image dataset for benchmarking automated fish detection and classification algorithms
Authors: Francescangeli Marco , Marini Simone , Martínez Enoc , Del Río Joaquín , Toma Daniel M. , Nogueras Marc , Aguzzi Jacopo
Published: January 2023

Multiparametric video-cabled marine observatories are becoming strategic to monitor remotely and in real-time the marine ecosystem. Those platforms can achieve continuous, high-frequency and long-lasting image data sets that require automation in order to extract biological time series. The OBSEA, located at 4 km from Vilanova i la Geltrú at 20 m depth, was used to produce coastal fish time series continuously over the 24-h during 2013–2014. The image content of the photos was extracted via tagging, resulting in 69917 fish tags of 30 taxa identified. We also provided a meteorological and oceanographic dataset filtered by a quality control procedure to define real-world conditions affecting image quality. The tagged fish dataset can be of great importance to develop Artificial Intelligence routines for the automated identification and classification of fishes in extensive time-lapse image sets.
Incidence and risk of pancreatic cancer in patients with chronic pancreatitis: defining the optimal subgroup for surveillance
Authors: Kim Hyo Suk , Gweon Tae-Geun , Park Sang Hi , Kim Tae Ho , Kim Chang Whan , Chang Jae Hyuck
Published: January 2023

We aimed to present the incidence and risk factors for pancreatic cancer in a multicenter retrospective cohort of patients with chronic pancreatitis (CP). Patients with ICD-10 codes for CP (K86.0, K86.1) who underwent abdominal CT or MRI between January 2010 and December 2021 in seven academic hospitals were analyzed. After exclusions, we identified 727 patients with definite CP with a median follow-up of 3.6 years (range 1.0‒12.9). During 3290 person-years of observation, pancreatic cancers were diagnosed in 16 patients (2.20%, 0.49% per year) after a median follow-up of 2.4 years (range 1.4‒6.6), with an age- and sex-standardized incidence ratio of 18.1 (95% CI 10.4‒29.5). The underlying CPs in the 16 pancreatic cancers were classified as chronic obstructive pancreatitis (10, 63%), chronic obstructive and calcifying pancreatitis (4, 25%), chronic calcifying pancreatitis (1, 6%), and autoimmune pancreatitis (1, 6%). Factors associated with pancreatic cancer development included age (HR 4.830, p = 0.006), parenchymal calcification (HR 0.213, p = 0.003), pancreatic duct stricture (HR 2.706, p = 0.048), and serum CA 19‒9 level (HR 3.567, p = 0.014). After adjustment, age over 60 years (HR 4.540, p = 0.009) and serum CA 19‒9 levels greater than 100 U/mL (HR 3.528, p = 0.015) were independent risk factors for pancreatic cancer.
Magnaporthe oryzae pathotype Triticum (MoT) can act as a heterologous expression system for fungal effectors with high transcript abundance in wheat
Authors: Jensen Cassandra , Saunders Diane G. O.
Published: January 2023

Plant pathogens deliver effector proteins to reprogramme a host plants circuitry, supporting their own growth and development, whilst thwarting defence responses. A subset of these effectors are termed avirulence factors (Avr) and can be recognised by corresponding host resistance (R) proteins, creating a strong evolutionary pressure on pathogen Avr effectors that favours their modification/deletion to evade the immune response. Hence, identifying Avr effectors and tracking their allele frequencies in a population is critical for understanding the loss of host recognition. However, the current systems available to confirm Avr effector function, particularly for obligate biotrophic fungi, remain limited and challenging. Here, we explored the utility of the genetically tractable wheat blast pathogen Magnaporthe oryzae pathotype Triticum (MoT) as a suitable heterologous expression system in wheat. Using the recently confirmed wheat stem rust pathogen (Puccina graminis f. sp. tritici) avirulence effector AvrSr50 as a proof-of-concept, we found that delivery of AvrSr50 via MoT could elicit a visible Sr50-dependant cell death phenotype. However, activation of Sr50-mediated cell death correlated with a high transgene copy number and transcript abundance in MoT transformants. This illustrates that MoT can act as an effective heterologous delivery system for fungal effectors from distantly related fungal species, but only when enough transgene copies and/or transcript abundance is achieved.
Long-term taxonomic and functional stability of the gut microbiome from human fecal samples
Authors: Kim Jae Hyun , Jeon Ji-Young , Im Yong-Jin , Ha Na , Kim Jeon-Kyung , Moon Seol Ju , Kim Min-Gul
Published: January 2023

Appropriate storage of fecal samples is a critical step for unbiased analysis in human microbiome studies. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the stability of the fecal microbial community for up to 18 months. Ten healthy volunteers provided fecal samples at the Jeonbuk National University Hospital. Stool samples were stored under the following six conditions: four different storage temperatures (− 70 °C, − 20 °C, 4 °C, and room temperature [20–25 °C]) and two different collection tubes (OMNIgene-Gut and DNA/RNA shield-fecal collection tubes). The gut microbiome was analyzed with 16S rRNA sequencing. We compared the taxonomic composition, alpha diversity, beta diversity and inferred pathway abundance between the baseline and 18 months after storage. Samples collected in the DNA/RNA Shield-fecal collection tubes showed the best performance in preservation of the taxonomic composition at 18 months. Pairwise differences in alpha diversity metrics showed the least deviation from zero. The PERMANOVA test showed non-significant change of beta diversity metrics (Unweighted Unifrac: q-value 0.268; Weighted Unifrac: q-value 0.848). The functional stability was significantly well preserved in the DNA/RNA Shield-fecal collection tubes (adjusted p value < 0.05). Our results demonstrate the use of the DNA/RNA Shield-fecal collection tube as an alternative storage method for fecal samples to preserve the taxonomic and functional stability of the microbiome over a long term.
Study of 32 new phage tail-like bacteriocins (pyocins) from a clinical collection of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and of their potential use as typing markers and antimicrobial agents
Authors: Blasco Lucía , de Aledo Manuel González , Ortiz-Cartagena Concha , Blériot Inés , Pacios Olga , López María , Fernández-García Laura , Barrio-Pujante Antonio , Hernández-Garcia Marta , Cantón Rafael , Tomás María
Published: January 2023

Phage tail-like bacteriocins (PTLBs) are large proteomic structures similar to the tail phages. These structures function in bacterial competition by making pores in the membrane of their competitors. The PTLBs identified in Pseudomonas aeruginosa are known as R-type and F-type pyocins, which have a narrow spectrum of action. Their specificity is determined by the tail fiber and is closely related to the lipopolysaccharide type of the target competitor strain. In this study, the genome sequences of 32 clinical of P. aeruginosa clinical isolates were analysed to investigate the presence of R-type and F-type pyocins, and one was detected in all strains tested. The pyocins were classified into 4 groups on the basis of the tail fiber and also the homology, phylogeny and structure of the cluster components. A relationship was established between these groups and the sequence type and serotype of the strain of origin and finally the killing spectrum of the representative pyocins was determined showing a variable range of activity between 0 and 37.5%. The findings showed that these pyocins could potentially be used for typing of P. aeruginosa clinical isolates, on the basis of their genomic sequence and cluster structure, and also as antimicrobial agents.
A maladaptive feedback mechanism between the extracellular matrix and cytoskeleton contributes to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy pathophysiology
Authors: Viola Helena M. , Richworth Caitlyn , Solomon Tanya , Chin Ian L. , Szappanos Henrietta Cserne , Sundararaj Srinivasan , Shishmarev Dmitry , Casarotto Marco G. , Choi Yu Suk , Hool Livia C.
Published: January 2023

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is an inherited disorder due to mutations in contractile proteins that results in a stiff, hypercontractile myocardium. To understand the role of cardiac stiffness in disease progression, here we create an in vitro model of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy utilizing hydrogel technology. Culturing wild-type cardiac myocytes on hydrogels with a Young’s Moduli (stiffness) mimicking hypertrophic cardiomyopathy myocardium is sufficient to induce a hypermetabolic mitochondrial state versus myocytes plated on hydrogels simulating healthy myocardium. Significantly, these data mirror that of myocytes isolated from a murine model of human hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (cTnI-G203S). Conversely, cTnI-G203S myocyte mitochondrial function is completely restored when plated on hydrogels mimicking healthy myocardium. We identify a mechanosensing feedback mechanism between the extracellular matrix and cytoskeletal network that regulates mitochondrial function under healthy conditions, but participates in the progression of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy pathophysiology resulting from sarcomeric gene mutations. Importantly, we pinpoint key ‘linker’ sites in this schema that may represent potential therapeutic targets.
The native liver as inspiration to create superior in vitro hepatic models
Authors: Carpentier Nathan , Urbani Luca , Dubruel Peter , Van Vlierberghe Sandra
Published: January 2023

This work gives an overview of the current hepatic models and their shortcomings while suggesting strategies for superior future models.
Dual stimuli-responsive cross-linked nanoassemblies from an amphiphilic mannose-6-phosphate based tri-block copolymer for lysosomal membrane permeabilization
Authors: Mondal Basudeb , Padhy Abinash , Maji Saptarshi , Gupta Arnab , Sen Gupta Sayam
Published: January 2023

Stimuli-responsive cross-linked nanocarriers that can induce lysosomal cell death (LCD) via lysosomal membrane permeabilization (LMP) represent a new class of delivery platforms and have attracted the attention of researchers in the biomedical field.
Exploring the antioxidant, antimicrobial, cytotoxic and biothermodynamic properties of novel morpholine derivative bioactive Mn(ii), Co(ii) and Ni(ii) complexes – combined experimental and theoretical measurements towards DNA/BSA/SARS-CoV-2 3CLPro
Authors: Sakthikumar Karunganathan , Kabuyaya Isamura Bienfait , Krause Rui Werner Maçedo
Published: January 2023

Mn(ii), Co(ii), and Ni(ii) morpholine and 2,2′-bipyridine complexes gave potent DNA cleavage, antimicrobial and antioxidant activity. Calculations support the results, with the Co and Ni complexes showing better anticancer efficacy than cisplatin.
Disclosing the leaching behaviour of Pd@CMK3 catalysts in formic acid decomposition by electron tomography
Authors: Huang Xiaohui , Barlocco Ilaria , Villa Alberto , Kübel Christian , Wang Di
Published: January 2023

Electron tomography has been used to quantitatively evaluate a Pd@CMK3 catalyst during formic acid decomposition in batch and fixed bed reactors. Differences in the Pd distribution on internal and external surfaces are discussed in terms of leaching and redeposition.
Metal -free PhI(OAc)2-oxidized decarboxylation of propiolic acids towards synthesis of α-acetoxy ketones and insights into general decarboxylation with DFT calculations
Authors: Gao Tianyong , Yang Yawen , Hu Liangzhen , Luo Dan , Zhang Xiaohui , Xiong Yan
Published: January 2023

A metal-free oxidative decarboxylation reaction of propiolic acids mediated by hypervalent iodine(iii) reagents is described.
Visible light-mediated NHC and photoredox co-catalyzed 1,2-sulfonylacylation of allenesviaacyl and allyl radical cross-coupling
Authors: Wang Lihong , Sun Jiaqiong , Xia Jiuli , Ma Ruiyang , Zheng Guangfan , Zhang Qian
Published: January 2023

Visible light-mediated NHC and photoredox co-catalyzed radical 1,2-sulfonylacylation of allenesviacross-coupling between an allyl radical and an NHC-stabilized acyl radical.
ZnO and Ag NP-decorated ZnO nanoflowers: green synthesis using Ganoderma lucidum aqueous extract and characterization
Authors: Smirnov Oleksandr , Dzhagan Volodymyr , Kovalenko Mariia , Gudymenko Oleksandr , Dzhagan Veronika , Mazur Nazar , Isaieva Oksana , Maksimenko Zoia , Kondratenko Serhiy , Skoryk Mykola , Yukhymchuk Volodymyr
Published: January 2023

Fungi and plants produce and excrete various proteins, enzymes, polysaccharides, and secondary metabolites, which may be used as media for the “green” synthesis of metal and semiconductor nanoparticles (NPs).
Graphene oxide microstructure control of electrosprayed thin films
Authors: Karlsson Anton , Grennberg Helena , Johansson Stefan
Published: January 2023

Adjusting the spraying distance during electrospraying of graphene oxide controls the microstructure of the deposited thin film.
Hectorite-CTAB–alginate composite beads for water treatment: kinetic, isothermal and thermodynamic studies
Authors: Asranudin  , Holilah  , Purnomo Adi Setyo , Bahruji Hasliza , Allouss Dalia , El Alaoui-Elbalrhiti Ilias , Subagyo Riki , Rohmah Alya Awinatul , Prasetyoko Didik
Published: January 2023

Encapsulation of hectorite-modified CTAB with Ca-alginate formed reusable adsorbent beads for wastewater treatment.
Building blocks of non-Euclidean ribbons: size-controlled self-assembly via discrete frustrated particles
Authors: Hall Douglas M. , Stevens Mark J. , Grason Gregory M.
Published: January 2023

Geometric frustration offers a pathway to soft matter self-assembly with controllable finite sizes. Microscopic features of misfitting particle shapes and interactions dictate the nature of inter-assembly stress of frustrated, hyperbolic ribbons.
Analysis of lung scan imaging using deep multi‐task learning structure for Covid‐19 disease
Authors: Kordnoori Shirin , Sabeti Malihe , Mostafaei Hamidreza , Banihashemi Saeed Seyed Agha
Published: January 2023

Covid‐19 caused by the SARS‐CoV2 virus has become a pandemic all over the world. By growing in a number of cases, there is a need for clinical decision‐making system based on machine learning models. Most of the previous studies have examined only one task, while the detection and identification of infectious area are conducted simultaneously in the real world. Thus, the present study aims to propose a multi‐task model which can perform automatic classification‐segmentation for screening Covid‐19 pneumonia by using chest CT imaging. This model includes a common encoder for feature representation, one decoder for segmentation, and a multi‐layer perceptron for classification, respectively. The proposed model can evaluate three datasets, along with the effect of images size on the output of the model. The outputs were examined in both multi‐task and single‐task learning. The result indicates that the effect of multi‐task is significant in improving the results, which can increase the outputs of each task performance to 95.40% accuracy in classification and 95.40% in segmentation. Further, the model represented the highest results among the state‐of‐the‐art methods. The proposed model can be applied as a primary screening tool to help primary service staff in better referral of the suspected patients to specialists.
Incidents et accidents liés à l’utilisation médicale des rayonnements ionisants chez les professionnels à Abidjan. À propos d’une série de 3 cas
Authors: Kouamé-Koutouan A. , Konan A.N. , Zunon-Kipré E. , Kouassi-Aboukoua N.N. , N’drin N.K.J. , Touré M. , Traoré M.
Published: January 2023

Objectif : Analyser les évènements nucléaires survenus chez les professionnels dans les services des hôpitaux publics de référence utilisant les rayonnements ionisants (RI). Matériels et méthodes : Étude rétrospective à visée descriptive, sur une période de 11 ans allant de décembre 2010 à juillet 2020, dans les services d’imagerie médicale et de radiodiagnostic des hôpitaux publics de référence. Nous avons recensé tous les accidents et incidents nucléaires enregistrés par les services de santé au travail, décrits leurs circonstances de survenue et définit leur sévérité selon l’Échelle internationale des évènements nucléaires et radiologiques (INES). Résultats : Nous avons relevé 3 évènements nucléaires, soit un taux d’incidence annuel de 0,3 ‰. Ils étaient tous classés incidents mineurs de niveau 2 selon l’échelle INES. Il n’y a pas eu d’incident grave ni accident nucléaire. Les circonstances de survenue étaient accidentelle pour 1 cas et en rapport avec une faute professionnelle pour le deuxième. Dans le troisième cas, les circonstances n’étaient pas élucidées. Ces évènements sont survenus exclusivement chez des manipulateurs de radiologie. Aucun évènement nucléaire n’était rapporté chez les médecins radiologues et les autres professionnels travaillant à proximité des sources de RI. Une éviction définitive des postes de travail directement sous rayonnement a été prise pour un travailleur. Conclusion : Les évènements nucléaires chez les professionnels de la santé étaient rares, de faible gravité et concernaient exclusivement les manipulateurs en radiologie. Le facteur humain en était la cause.
Retour d’expérience sur la mise en place de contrôles après déclassement d’INB – Le cas des anciennes INB 65 et 90 de SICN à Veurey-Voroize
Authors: Mercat C.
Published: January 2023

L’objectif de cet article est de retracer le processus de mise en place de contrôles lors du déclassement du site SICN de Veurey-Voroize et de décrire comment les fonctions permettant de garantir la bonne gestion à long terme de ce site sont assurées. Le site SICN de Veurey-Voroize a, en effet, accueilli deux installations nucléaires de base dont le fonctionnement a conduit à des traces résiduelles, notamment en uranium dans les sols et la nappe. L’enjeu a été de mettre en place un dispositif pérenne et efficace pour garantir que les traces résiduelles ne seraient jamais susceptibles de conduire à un impact significatif pour les populations et l’environnement, notamment via la limitation des expositions aux marquages résiduels.
Liquid metal gallium-based printing of Cu-doped p-type Ga2O3 semiconductor and Ga2O3 homojunction diodes
Authors: Li Qian , Du Bang-Deng , Gao Jian-Ye , Liu Jing
Published: January 2023

As a promising third-generation semiconductor, gallium oxide (Ga2O3) is currently facing bottleneck for its p-type doping. The doping process of conventional semiconductors usually introduces trace impurities, which is a major technical problem in the electronics industry. In this article, we conceived that the process complexity could be significantly alleviated, and a high degree of control over the results could be attained using the selective enrichment of liquid metal interfaces and harvesting the doped metal oxide semiconductor layers. An appropriate mechanism is thus proposed to prepare the doped semiconducting based on multicomponent liquid metal alloys. Liquid metal alloys with the certain Cu weight ratios in bulk are utilized to harvest Cu-doped Ga2O3 films, which result in p-type conductivity. Then, field-effect transistors were integrated using the printed p and n-type Ga2O3 films and demonstrated to own excellent electrical properties and stability. Au electrodes fabricated on the printed Ga2O3 and Cu-doped Ga2O3 layers showed good Ohmic behavior. Furthermore, high-power diodes are realized using printed p and n-type Ga2O3 homojunction through combining van der Waals stacking with transfer printing. The fabricated Ga2O3 homojunction diode exhibited good efficiency at room temperature, involving a rectification ratio of 103 and forward current density at 10 V (J@10 V) of 1.3 mA. This opens the opportunity for the cost-effective creation of semiconductor films with controlled metal dopants. The process disclosed here suggests important strategies for further synthesis and manufacturing routes in electronics industries.
Ferrimagnets for spintronic devices: From materials to applications
Authors: Zhang Yue , Feng Xueqiang , Zheng Zhenyi , Zhang Zhizhong , Lin Kelian , Sun Xiaohan , Wang Guanda , Wang Jinkai , Wei Jiaqi , Vallobra Pierre , He Yu , Wang Zixi , Chen Lei , Zhang Kun , Xu Yong , Zhao Weisheng
Published: January 2023

Spintronic devices use spin instead of charge to process information and are widely considered as promising candidates for next-generation electronic devices. In past decades, the main motivation in spintronics has been to discover new mechanisms and novel material systems to improve both device performance and the application prospects of spintronics. Recently, researchers have found that ferrimagnetic materials—in which sublattices are coupled antiferromagnetically—offer an emerging platform for realizing high-density, high-speed, and low-power-consumption memory and logic functions. Within such a ferrimagnetic class, vanishing magnetization and ultrafast magnetic dynamics can be achieved by adjusting chemical composition and temperature, among other parameters. Meanwhile, unlike for antiferromagnets, conventional electrical read–write methods remain suitable for ferrimagnets, which is beneficial for applications. In this review, an abundant class of ferrimagnets including oxides and alloys is surveyed, and unique magnetic dynamics and effective methods for manipulating the magnetic states of ferrimagnets are discussed. Finally, novel storage and computing devices based on ferrimagnets are considered, as there are some challenges to be addressed in future applications of ferrimagnets.
Tailoring inkjet-printed PEDOT:PSS composition toward green, wearable device fabrication
Authors: Galliani Marina , Ferrari Laura M. , Bouet Guenaelle , Eglin David , Ismailova Esma
Published: January 2023

Inkjet printing remains one of the most cost-efficient techniques for device prototyping and manufacturing, offering considerable freedom of digital design, non-contact, and additive fabrication. When developing novel wearable devices, a balanced approach is required between functional, user-safe materials and scalable manufacturing processes. Here, we propose a tailor-made ink formulation, based on non-hazardous materials, to develop green electronic devices aimed at interfacing with humans. We demonstrate that developed ink exhibits high-resolution inkjet printability, in line with theoretical prediction, on multiple wearable substrates. The ink's chemical composition ensures the pattern's enhanced electrical properties, mechanical flexibility, and stability in water. The cytocompatibility evaluations show no noxious effects from printed films in contact with human mesenchymal stem cells. Finally, we fabricated a printed wearable touch sensor on a non-woven fabric substrate, capable of tracking human steps. This is a step toward the development of green wearable electronics manufacturing, demonstrating a viable combination of materials and processes for biocompatible devices.
3D collagen microchamber arrays for combined chemotherapy effect evaluation on cancer cell numbers and migration
Authors: Yao Jingru , Li Guoqiang , Zhou Lianjie , Xu Shuyan , Song Kena , Zhang Hongfei , Zhang Xianquan , Shuai Jianwei , Ye Fangfu , Li Ming , Chen Guo , Liu He , Shaw Peter , Liu Liyu
Published: January 2023

Breast cancer metastasis involves complex mechanisms, particularly when patients are undergoing chemotherapy. In tissues, tumor cells encounter cell–cell interactions, cell–microenvironment interactions, complex nutrient, and drug gradients. Currently, two-dimensional cell culture systems and animal models are challenging to observe and analyze cell responses to microenvironments with various physical and bio-chemical conditions, and microfluidic technology has been systematically developed to address this dilemma. In this study, we have constructed a combined chemotherapy evaluation chip (CCEC) based on microfluidic technology. The chip possesses 192 diamond-shaped microchambers containing MDA-MB-231-RFP cells, and each microchamber is composed of collagen to mimic breast cancer and its surrounding microenvironment. In addition, by adding medium containing different drugs to the medium channels of CCEC, composite drug (paclitaxel+gemcitabine+7rh and paclitaxel+fluorouracil+PP2) concentration gradients, and single drug (paclitaxel, gemcitabine, 7rh, fluorouracil, PP2) concentration gradients have been established in the five collagen regions, respectively, so that each localized microchamber in the regions has a unique drug microenvironment. In this way, we evaluated the composite and single chemotherapy efficacy on the same chip by statistically analyzing their effects on the numbers and migration of the cell. The quantitative results in CCECs reveal that the inhibition effects on the numbers and migration of MDA-MB-231-RFP cell under the composite drug gradients are more optimal than those of the single drugs. Besides, the cancer cell inhibition effect between the groups composed of two drugs has also been compared, that is the paclitaxel+gemcitabine, paclitaxel+fluorouracil, and paclitaxel+PP2 have better cell numbers and migration inhibition effects than paclitaxel+7rh. The results indicate that the bio-mimetic and high-throughput combined chemotherapy evaluation platform can serve as a more efficient and accurate tool for preclinical drug development and screening.
Phosphorus supplementation improves the growth and reproductive performance of female Brahman cattle grazing phosphorus-deficient pastures in the Victoria River District, Northern Territory, Australia
Authors: Schatz T. J. , McCosker K. D. , Heeb C.
Published: January 2023

Context There is a paucity of information on the responses to phosphorus (P) supplementation of breeder herds grazing P-deficient rangelands in northern Australia. Aims A study examined the production and economic benefits of P supplementation of Brahman females grazing P-deficient pastures in the Northern Territory (NT) of Australia. Methods Two treatment groups (initially n ~ 90) grazed two similar P-deficient paddocks for 5 years after weaning (at approximately 6 months of age). Management was the same except that the loose lick mineral supplement either contained P (+P) or did not contain P (−P). Performance attributes were measured from commencement until after the cows had the opportunity to calve during three successive annual cycles. Key results The cows in the +P treatment were overall heavier (P < 0.001), taller (P < 0.001) and had higher plasma inorganic P (PiP) concentrations (P < 0.001) than did those in the −P treatment at every measurement date after the first wet season. Pregnancy rates in lactating cows were 25%, 39% and 63% units higher (P < 0.01) in +P in 2017, 2018 and 2019 respectively and overall average weaner weight was 33 kg heavier (P < 0.001) in +P. Due to higher weaning rates and heavier weaning weights, +P produced about AU$39 365 more value of weaners per 100 heifers allocated to each treatment than did −P over the first three calf crops. The cumulative mortality rate was 12% higher in the −P over the 5 years (14.8% vs 2.2%, P < 0.01), and would have been even higher if at-risk −P cows had not been fed additional supplements. Return on investment calculations indicated that each AU$1 spent on P supplement returned AU$4.98 in value of extra calves weaned and AU$7.88 in extra total liveweight increase over the 5 years of the study. Conclusions The large production and financial benefits from P supplementation observed in this study are relevant to most northern Australian properties where soils are P deficient, although the magnitude of response is likely to vary depending on the level of P deficiency. Implications The large production and economic benefits from P supplementation in this study demonstrated the importance of P supplementation for breeder herds grazing P-deficient pastures.
Effect in soil and rhizosphere microbiota of Brachiaria inoculated with Azospirillum brasilense: a pilot trial in two Oxisol types
Authors: Vendruscolo Eliane Cristina Gruszka , Mesa Dany , Missio Robson Fernando
Published: January 2023

Context The Brachiaria genus includes several species of pastures distributed in tropical and subtropical regions. Plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB), such as Azospirillum brasilense, have been used as inoculants to increase crop production. Aims This study explored the effect of A. brasilense on Brachiaria seedlings, rhizosphere, and soil. Methods We inoculated A. brasilense on Brachiaria seeds sown in two types of soil mainly varying in texture (medium texture-Mt and clayey-C soils). We then collected the rhizosphere to evaluate the microbiota adhered to the plants by high-throughput 16S sequencing using bioinformatic tools. Shoot and root biomass were also evaluated. Key results Inoculation increased the aerial biomass of Brachiaria plants. However, it did not increase root biomass. Soil texture is a critical element in shaping rhizosphere communities. A. brasilense decreased the abundance of Firmicutes, mainly in C Oxisols. Network analysis showed that Proteobacteria, Acidobacteria, Actinobacteria, Firmicutes, and Bacteroidetes were the main phyla in the vicinity of Brachiaria roots. Furthermore, the abundance of specific phyla, such as Armatimonadetes, Tenericutes, and Fusobacteria (Mt) and Latescibacteria, Rokubacteria, and WS2 (C) increased in the bulk fraction. In the rhizosphere, Chlamydiae was exclusively related to Mt Oxisols. By contrast, Verrumicrobia and Fusobacteria were only found in the C soils. Conclusions Relative abundance of Acidobacteria and Actinobacteria increased after inoculation in the rhizosphere of both types of Oxisols. Implications These results indicate that inoculation can affect Brachiaria plants and their rhizospheric bacterial communities. The effect of taxonomic groups altered through inoculation and the relationship between the functional capacities of each group within the microbiota are yet to be elucidated.
The productive performance of intercropping
Authors: Li Chunjie , Stomph Tjeerd-Jan , Makowski David , Li Haigang , Zhang Chaochun , Zhang Fusuo , van der Werf Wopke
Published: January 2023

Crop diversification has been put forward as a way to reduce the environmental impact of agriculture without penalizing its productivity. In this context, intercropping, the planned combination of two or more crop species in one field, is a promising practice. On an average, intercropping saves land compared with the component sole crops, but it remains unclear whether intercropping produces a higher yield than the most productive single crop per unit area, i.e., whether intercropping achieves transgressive overyielding. Here, we quantified the performance of intercropping for the production of grain, calories, and protein in a global meta-analysis of several production indices. The results show that intercrops outperform sole crops when the objective is to achieve a diversity of crop products on a given land area. However, when intercropping is evaluated for its ability to produce raw products without concern for diversity, intercrops on average generate a small loss in grain or calorie yield compared with the most productive sole crop (−4%) but achieve similar or higher protein yield, especially with maize/legume combinations grown at moderate N supply. Overall, although intercropping does not achieve transgressive overyielding on average, our results show that intercropping performs well in producing a diverse set of crop products and performs almost similar to the most productive component sole crop to produce raw products, while improving crop resilience, enhancing ecosystem services, and improving nutrient use efficiency. Our study, therefore, confirms the great interest of intercropping for the development of a more sustainable agricultural production, supporting diversified diets.
The Maresin 1–LGR6 axis decreases respiratory syncytial virus-induced lung inflammation
Authors: Krishnamoorthy Nandini , Walker Katherine H. , Brüggemann Thayse R. , Tavares Luciana P. , Smith Ethan W. , Nijmeh Julie , Bai Yan , Ai Xingbin , Cagnina R. Elaine , Duvall Melody G. , Lehoczky Jessica A. , Levy Bruce D.
Published: January 2023

The resolution of infection is an active process with specific molecular and cellular mechanisms that temper inflammation and enhance pathogen clearance. Here, the specialized pro-resolving mediator (SPM) Maresin 1 (MaR1) inhibited respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)-induced inflammation. inlerleukin-13 production from type 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC) and CD4 T helper type 2 cells was decreased by exogenous MaR1. In addition, MaR1 increased amphiregulin production and decreased RSV viral transcripts to promote resolution. MaR1 also promoted interferon-β production in mouse lung tissues and also in pediatric lung slices. MaR1 significantly inhibited the RSV-triggered aberrant inflammatory phenotype in FoxP3-expressing Tregs. The receptor for MaR1, leucine-rich repeat-containing G protein-coupled receptor 6 (LGR6), was constitutively expressed on Tregs. Following RSV infection, mice lacking Lgr6 had exacerbated type 2 immune responses with an increased viral burden and blunted responses to MaR1. Together, these findings have uncovered a multi-pronged protective signaling axis for MaR1–Lgr6, improving Tregs’s suppressive function and upregulating host antiviral genes resulting in decreased viral burden and pathogen-mediated inflammation, ultimately promoting restoration of airway mucosal homeostasis.
The facilitative use of learner-initiated translanguaging in Japanese EFL contexts
Authors: Harumi Seiko
Published: January 2023

This study explores the facilitative use of learner-initiated translanguaging and teacher responsiveness
to its use in 68 dyads of conversational interaction between a teacher and individual students in tertiary Japanese EFL
contexts. Adopting conversation analysis as an analytical framework, it aims to extend our understanding of the use of
learner-initiated translanguaging and teacher responsiveness to translanguaging as an important interactional resource
for learners to achieve interactional goals. The study identifies eight facilitative uses of L1. On the one hand, these
uses contribute to the progressivity of talk as self-addressed translanguaging. On the other, they
support intersubjectivity as co-constructed translanguaging in L2 interaction. These uses include (1)
connectives for topic management; (2) floor-holding devices; (3) explicit word searches; (4) lexical gap fillers; (5)
understanding displays; (6) clarification requests; (7) confirmation checks; and (8) explicit request for assistance.
The study also reveals that learners’ self-initiated repair using L1 was frequently observed and that its use was
intertwined with translanguaging in its functionality in discourse for meaning-making as a discursive practice. This
study suggests that the use of translanguaging in the L2 classroom can be an indispensable tool to optimise learners’
classroom interactional competence.
Explaining kindergarten teachers’ beliefs and practices regarding early visual arts education: a perspective from the theory of planned behavior (Creencias y prácticas docentes en materia de educación plástica y visual temprana: una perspectiva basada en la teoría del comportamiento planificado)
Authors: Leung Suzannie K. Y. , Wu Joseph , Li Hui
Published: January 2023

Adopting the theory of planned behaviour (TPB), this sequential mixed-methods research investigates Hong Kong kindergarten teachers’ reported beliefs and practices regarding early visual arts education (EVAE). The qualitative part (Phase 1) is an interview study of 19 kindergarten teachers in two focus groups, aiming to develop a conceptual structure of teachers’ behavioural, normative and control beliefs. The quantitative part (Phase 2) is a survey study of 243 teachers from the randomly sampled 21 kindergartens regarding their EVAE beliefs and practices. Most teachers believe in child-centred teaching while practising teacher-directed instruction and support creativity while delivering closed-ended instruction. Four influential factors are identified to account for this gap: (1) practising child-centred pedagogies as a result of behavioural beliefs; (2) undervaluing visual arts as a result of normative beliefs; (3) instructing children directly as a result of normative beliefs; and (4) delivering subject knowledge in studio teaching as a result of control beliefs. These findings imply that Hong Kong kindergarten teachers struggle between two approaches and suffer from a lack of support from educational authorities and society. There is an urgent need to develop appropriate practices for visual arts education in Hong Kong kindergartens.
Identifying glitches near gravitational-wave signals from compact binary coalescences using the Q-transform
Authors: Vazsonyi Leah , Davis Derek
Published: January 2023

We present a computational method to identify glitches in gravitational-wave data that occur nearby gravitational-wave signals from compact binary coalescences. The Q-transform, an established tool in LIGO-Virgo-KAGRA data analysis, computes the probability of any excess in the data surrounding a signal against the assumption of a Gaussian noise background, flagging any significant glitches. Subsequently, we perform validation tests on this computational method to ensure self-consistency in colored Gaussian noise, as well as data that contains a gravitational-wave event after subtracting the signal using the best-fit template. Finally, a comparison of our glitch identification results from real events in LIGO-Virgo’s third observing run against the list of events which required glitch mitigation shows that this tool will be useful in providing precise information about data quality to improve astrophysical analyses of these events.
Emergence of Wigner oscillations in a model of real time cooling process: a time-dependent density-functional theory approach
Authors: Vieira Daniel
Published: January 2023

Friedel and Wigner oscillations are well known phenomena occurring in quantum systems. Specifically, in a system composed by N confined fermions, the former are characterized by the presence of

N

/

2

peaks in the density distributions, whereas the last by N peaks. Here, we consider N = 2 fermions harmonically confined in one-dimensional quantum dots. It is known that the transition from the Friedel to the Wigner oscillations is induced by the increment of interaction between the fermions. The increment of temperature, on the other hand, acts on eliminating the oscillations. In this context, by employing a time-dependent density-functional theory formalism, we here obtain the emergence of Wigner oscillations in a model which simulates a real time cooling process.
A density-constrained model for chemotaxis
Authors: Kim Inwon , Mellet Antoine , Wu Yijing
Published: January 2023

We consider a model of congestion dynamics with chemotaxis: the density of cells follows a chemical signal it generates, while subject to an incompressibility constraint. The incompressibility constraint results in the formation of patches, describing regions where the maximal density has been reached. The dynamics of these patches can be described by either Hele-Shaw or Richards equation type flow (depending on whether we consider the model with diffusion or the model with pure advection). Our focus in this paper is on the construction of weak solutions for this problem via a variational discrete time scheme of JKO type. We also establish the uniqueness of these solutions. In addition, we make more rigorous the connection between this incompressible chemotaxis model and the free boundary problems describing the motion of the patches in terms of the density and associated pressure variable. In particular, we obtain new results characterising the pressure variable as the solution of an obstacle problem and prove that in the pure advection case the dynamic preserves patches.
Integrable systems in cosymplectic geometry
Authors: Jovanović Božidar , Lukić Katarina
Published: January 2023

Motivated by the time-dependent Hamiltonian dynamics, we extend the notion of Arnold–Liouville and noncommutative integrability of Hamiltonian systems on symplectic manifolds to that on cosymplectic manifolds. We prove a variant of the non-commutative integrability for evaluation and Reeb vector fields on cosymplectic manifolds and provide a construction of cosymplectic action–angle variables.
Water Quality Index Application to Evaluate the Ground Water Quality in Kalar City- Kurdistan Region- Iraq
Authors: Karim Al-Jaf Hnar Ali
Published: January 2023

The study is aimed to identify and classify the quality of ground water in Kalar city- Kurdistan region- Iraq through a single number that achieves by water quality index (WQI). Weight arithmetic water quality index (WAWQI) was used to assess 14 physicochemical water parameters such as turbidity, pH, total dissolved solids (TDS), total hardness (TH), total alkaline (TA), electric conductivity (EC), dissolved oxygen (DO), sodium (Na+), calcium (Ca2+), magnesium (Mg2+), sulfate (SO42−), chloride (Cl−), nitrate (NO3−) and potassium (K+). Ground water samples were taken from 5 stations in different locations in Kalar city during the period of March and April 2021. In addition, 20 samples were taken for 5 stations in total, 4 samples for each station, 2 samples in March and 2 in April, the interval period for taking samples was 2 weeks. Water quality indices of stations 1, 2, 3 are 53.10, 51.95 and 51.08 respectively, they are in poor quality range, thus the water quality of these station is moderately polluted, while water quality indices of stations 4 and 5 are 42.23 and 44.66 respectively, which are in good quality range. The study concluded that the ground water in kalar city is slightly to moderately polluted. Calcium and magnesium contaminants in Kalar ground water are high and must be decreased into safe range. TDS, TH, DO, pH and turbidity values are in allowable ranges in all 5 stations, but they are critical and need treatment to get an excellent water quality.
Using Stable Isotopes To Identify Spatial-Temporal control on Groundwater Recharge Between Lower Zab and Tigris River South of Al-Shirqat City-Iraq.
Authors: Al-Kubaisi Q.Y , Hassan A. S , Nada K. B. , Ajeena Ali. R.
Published: January 2023

Stable hydrogen and oxygen isotopes were used as natural tracers to identify spatial-temporal control on groundwater wells recharge and basic physico-chemical parameters between lower Zab and Tigris river South of AlShirqat city-Iraq. the search aimed to study the relationships in isotope compositions to evaluate the source of groundwater recharge. Seven wells water samples were analyzed for stable isotopes for two periods, (dry and wet), 2021. There is a special and temporal variations in the distribution of δD and δ 18O values in the studied area, the δD values are distributed from -39.4 to -16.2 ‰, and from -42.2 to -18.14 ‰ in dry and wet periods, respectively, while the δ 18O values are distributed from -7 to -2.83 ‰, and from -7.26 to -3.08 ‰ in dry and wet periods, respectively. The data suggest that the groundwater is sourced mainly from local meteoric water line of Iraq (LMWL) with some interaction between lower Zab and Tigris river.
Removal of Acetaminophen from Aqueous Solutions by Hybrid Fenton Oxidation and Adsorption
Authors: Khalaf N N , Alabdraba W M Sh.
Published: January 2023

Pharmaceutical compounds have recently been identified as Pollutants of Emerging Concern in wastewater due to potential health hazards, and a number of methods are being developed to remove this contaminant from wastewater and water bodies. The goal of this study is to use the Fenton process for the removal of acetaminophen (ACT), followed by an adsorption process. The effect of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), ferrous ions (Fe+2), adsorbent dose, temperature, and pH were evaluated. During Fenton’s process, the first portion of degradation was achieved in 3 minutes under optimum conditions of Fe+2- 15 mg/l, H2O2– 150 mg/l, and pH – 3.0, while the second part of degradation was obtained in one hour under an optimization dose of adsorbent nano zero valent aluminum (nZVAL) of 600 mg/l and PH-8. We observed 88% of removal efficiency under these conditions. The study concluded that the Fenton process followed by the adsorption process is more efficient than the Fenton process alone in the degradation of ACT.
Assessment the ability of water with different ionic strength to dissolve and precipitate carbonate minerals according to omega(Ω) and saturation index (SI)
Authors: AL-Shamaa R N N , Ahmad H M
Published: January 2023

The study included five locations in Kurdistan Region, Iraq, represented by the soils of Zawita, Zakho, Dukan, Smaquli and Aqrah, in order to know the solubility and precipitation of carbonate minerals based on the values of omega (Ω) and saturation index (SI) using water of different ionic strength (chloride water, sulfur water, Tigris river water).the results showed that the dolomite mineral was more precipitated in term of omega (9.38 * 108) and the saturation index (8.97) in the case of chloride water, while magnesite was soluble where the value of omega was)0.01) and saturation index (-1.85), then when using sulfur water the same behavior appeared for the same mineral (dolomite) in term of precipitation (SI = 9.08) and magnesite in term of solubility (SI = -0.94). The same applies to the water of the Tigris River. As a general conclusion, the dolomite was more precipitated and the magnesite was more soluble in the presence of chloride water compared with the water of the Tigris River and the sulfur water.
Representative map analysis and assessment of groundwater quality for agricultural uses in Northwest of Khanaqeen, Diyala, Iraq
Authors: Ali Shagul Abubaker , Sarhat Abdulmutalib Raafat , Muhammed Aram Hassan , Qamber Vyan Akram
Published: January 2023

Hydro-chemical study of groundwater is considered as one of the most significant tools to evaluate its suitability for irrigation uses. The samples of groundwater were collected from eighteen deep wells in Khanaqeen District. A number of physicochemical parameters were analysed and interpreted with some irrigation indexes including: Sodium Adsorption Ratio SAR, Sodium Percent SP, Kelly Ratio KR, Permeability PI, Magnesium Hazard Ratio (MH %) and Residual Sodium Carbonate RSC. The parameters showed that electrical conductivity values ranged between (559-1985) micromhos/cm, TDS values were (233-1330) mg/l, SAR values varies from (2.63-19.30), and Na % values varied between (5.66-56.89). Also, it was observed that the most of groundwater samples are suitable for irrigation.