bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Does the combination of exercise and cognitive training improve working memory in older adults? A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Wu Yiqing , Zang Ming , Wang Biye , Guo Wei
Published: April 2023

Background

Cognitive functioning is dependent on working memory and a decline in working memory is the main cause of cognitive aging. Many studies have suggested that physical exercise or cognitive intervention can effectively improve working memory in the elderly. However, it is still unknown whether a combination of exercise and cognitive training (CECT) is more effective than either intervention alone. The present systematic review and meta-analysis were undertaken to evaluate the effect of CECT on working memory in the elderly.

Methods

The review was registered in the International Prospective Systematic Review (PROSPERO, CRD42021290138). Systematic searches were conducted on Web of Science, Elsevier Science, PubMed and Google Scholar. The data were extracted according to the PICOS framework. Comprehensive meta-analysis (CMA) software was used to perform the meta-analysis, moderator analysis and publication bias testing.

Results

The current meta-analysis included 21 randomized controlled trials (RCT). Results showed that CECT had a significantly greater impact on working memory in older adults compared to no intervention groups (SMD = 0.29, 95% CI [0.14–0.44], p < 0.01), with no significant difference between CECT and exercise (SMD = 0.16, 95% CI [−0.04–0.35], p = 0.12) or cognitive intervention alone (SMD = 0.08, 95% CI [−0.13–0.30], p = 0.44). Furthermore, the positive effect of CECT was moderated by intervention frequency and cognitive state.

Conclusions

The CECT can effectively improve working memory of older adults, but the effect of CECT compared to single intervention needs to be further explored.
Effects of plant age on antioxidant activity and endogenous hormones in Alpine Elymus sibiricus of the Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Qi Juan , Wu Zhaolin , Liu Yanjun , Meng Xiangjun
Published: April 2023

Elymus sibiricus L. is a perennial forage species that has potential to serve as a forage source in livestock grazing systems. However, E. sibiricus has been shown to have a rapid and substantial reduction of aboveground biomass and seed yield after 3 or 4 years and an accelerated aging process. To determine possible aging mechanisms, we planted E. sibiricus seeds in triplicate blocks in 2012, 2015, and 2016, respectively, and harvested samples of leaves and roots at the jointing and heading stages in 2018 and 2019 to determine oxidative indices and endogenous hormones. The fresh aboveground biomass of 4- and 5-year old plants declined by 34.2% and 52.4% respectively compared with 3-year old plants, and the seed yield declined by 12.7% and 34.1%, respectively. The water content in leaves was 51.7%, 43.3%, and 35.6%, and net photosynthesis was 7.73, 6.35, and 2.08 µmol/m2·s in 3-, 4-, and 5-year old plants, respectively. The superoxide anion radical generation rate in leaves and roots did not show any aging pattern. There was a non-significant increase in malondialdehyde concentration with plant age, particularly in leaves and roots at the heading stage in 2019. The superoxide dismutase activity showed a declining trend with age of plant roots at the jointing stage in both 2018 and 2019. The peroxidase activity declined with plant age in both leaves and roots, for example, and the catalase activity in roots 4- and 7-year old plants declined by 13.8% and 0.85%, respectively, compared to 3-year old plants at the heading stage in 2018. Therefore, the reduced capacity of the antioxidant system may lead to oxidative stress during plant aging process. Overall, the concentrations of plant hormones, auxin (IAA), gibberellin (GA), zeatin (ZT), and abscisic acid (ABA) were significantly lower in roots than in leaves. The IAA concentration in leaves and roots exhibited different patterns with plant age. The ZT concentrations in leaves of 3-year old plants was 2.39- and 2.62-fold of those in 4- and 7-year old plants, respectively at the jointing stage, and in roots, the concentration declined with plant age. The changes in the GA concentration with plant age varied between the physiological stages and between years. The ABA concentrations appeared to increase with plant age, particularly in leaves. In conclusion, the aging process of E. sibiricus was apparently associated with an increase in oxidative stress, a decrease of ZT and an increase of ABA, particularly in roots. These findings highlight the effects of plant age on the antioxidant and endogenous hormone activity of E. sibiricus. However, these plant age-related trends showed variations between plant physiological stages and between harvest years that needs to be researched in the future to develop strategies to manage this forage species.
Choice of respiratory therapy for COVID-19 patients with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure: a retrospective case series study
Authors: Sudo Kazuki , Sawa Teiji , Kushimoto Kohsuke , Yoshii Ryogo , Yuasa Kento , Inoue Keita , Kinoshita Mao , Yamasaki Masaki , Kooguchi Kunihiko
Published: April 2023

Background

In the treatment of acute hypoxemic respiratory failure (AHRF) due to coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19), physicians choose respiratory management ranging from low-flow oxygen therapy to more invasive methods, depending on the severity of the patient’s symptoms. Recently, the ratio of oxygen saturation (ROX) index has been proposed as a clinical indicator to support the decision for either high-flow nasal cannulation (HFNC) or mechanical ventilation (MV). However, the reported cut-off value of the ROX index ranges widely from 2.7 to 5.9. The objective of this study was to identify indices to achieve empirical physician decisions for MV initiation, providing insights to shorten the delay from HFNC to MV. We retrospectively analyzed the ROX index 6 hours after initiating HFNC and lung infiltration volume (LIV) calculated from chest computed tomography (CT) images in COVID-19 patients with AHRF.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed the data for 59 COVID-19 patients with AHRF in our facility to determine the cut-off value of the ROX index for respiratory therapeutic decisions and the significance of radiological evaluation of pneumonia severity. The physicians chose either HFNC or MV, and the outcomes were retrospectively analyzed using the ROX index for initiating HFNC. LIV was calculated using chest CT images at admission.

Results

Among the 59 patients who required high-flow oxygen therapy with HFNC at admission, 24 were later transitioned to MV; the remaining 35 patients recovered. Four of the 24 patients in the MV group died, and the ROX index values of these patients were 9.8, 7.3, 5.4, and 3.0, respectively. These index values indicated that the ROX index of half of the patients who died was higher than the reported cut-off values of the ROX index, which range from 2.7–5.99. The cut-off value of the ROX index 6 hours after the start of HFNC, which was used to classify the management of HFNC or MV as a physician’s clinical decision, was approximately 6.1. The LIV cut-off value on chest CT between HFNC and MV was 35.5%. Using both the ROX index and LIV, the cut-off classifying HFNC or MV was obtained using the equation, LIV = 4.26 × (ROX index) + 7.89. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, as an evaluation metric of the classification, improved to 0.94 with a sensitivity of 0.79 and specificity of 0.91 using both the ROX index and LIV.

Conclusion

Physicians’ empirical decisions associated with the choice of respiratory therapy for HFNC oxygen therapy or MV can be supported by the combination of the ROX index and the LIV index calculated from chest CT images.
Overcoming the gender bias in ecology and evolution: is the double-anonymized peer review an effective pathway over time?
Authors: Cássia-Silva Cibele , Silva Rocha Barbbara , Fernanda Liévano-Latorre Luisa , Sobreiro Mariane Brom , Diele-Viegas Luisa Maria
Published: April 2023

Male researchers dominate scientific production in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). However, potential mechanisms to avoid this gender imbalance remain poorly explored in STEM, including ecology and evolution areas. In the last decades, changes in the peer-review process towards double-anonymized (DA) have increased among ecology and evolution (EcoEvo) journals. Using comprehensive data on articles from 18 selected EcoEvo journals with an impact factor >1, we tested the effect of the DA peer-review process in female-leading (i.e., first and senior authors) articles. We tested whether the representation of female-leading authors differs between double and single-anonymized (SA) peer-reviewed journals. Also, we tested if the adoption of the DA by previous SA journals has increased the representativeness of female-leading authors over time. We found that publications led by female authors did not differ between DA and SA journals. Moreover, female-leading articles did not increase after changes from SA to DA peer-review. Tackling female underrepresentation in science is a complex task requiring many interventions. Still, our results highlight that adopting the DA peer-review system alone could be insufficient in fostering gender equality in EcoEvo scientific publications. Ecologists and evolutionists understand how diversity is important to ecosystems’ resilience in facing environmental changes. The question remaining is: why is it so difficult to promote and keep this “diversity” in addition to equity and inclusion in the academic environment? We thus argue that all scientists, mentors, and research centers must be engaged in promoting solutions to gender bias by fostering diversity, inclusion, and affirmative measures.
Enzyme histochemical characterization of orbital glands in fetuses of Indian buffalo (Bubalus bubalis)
Authors: Tomar Mahendra Pratap Singh , Bansal Neelam
Published: April 2023

Background

The orbital glands, viz. lacrimal gland, superficial and deep gland of third eyelid (LG, SGT and HG), are important for normal eye functions. These glands have different functions in various animals. The information about the enzyme histochemical nature of prenatal orbital glands in Indian buffalo seems to be unavailable. Therefore, the study was planned on orbital glands of six full term recently died fetuses from animals with dystocia.

Methods

The frozen sections of all these glands were subjected to standard localization protocols for Alkaline Phosphatase (AKPase), Glucose 6 phosphatase (G-6-Pase), Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), Succinate dehydrogenase (SDH), Glucose 6 phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD), Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide Hydrogen Diaphorase (NADHD), Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide Phosphate Hydrogen diaphorase (NADPHD), Dihydroxy phenylalanine oxidase (DOPA-O), Tyrosinase, non-specific esterase (NSE) and Carbonic anhydrase (CAse).

Results

The results revealed a mixed spectrum of reaction for the above enzymes in LG, SGT and HG which ranged from moderate (for LDH in SGT) to intense (for most of the enzymes in all three glands). However, DOPA-O, Tyrosinase and CAse did not show any reaction. From the present study, it can be postulated that the orbital glands of fetus have a high activity of metabolism as it has many developmental and functional activities which were mediated with the higher activity of the enzymes involved.
Spatial weed distribution models under climate change: a short review
Authors: López-Tirado Javier , Gonzalez-Andújar Jose L.
Published: April 2023

Climate change is a concern worldwide that could trigger many changes with severe consequences. Since human demography is steadily increasing, agriculture has to be constantly investigated to aim at improving its efficiency. Weeds play a key role in this task, especially in the recent past and at present, when new introductions have been favoured by a rise in tourism and international trade. To obtain knowledge relating weeds and their behaviour to climate change, species distribution models (SDMs) have also increased recently. In this work, we have reviewed some articles published since 2017 on modelled weeds, aiming to give a response to, among other things, the species most studied, the scale and location of the studies, the algorithms used and validation parameters, global change scenarios, types of variables, and the sources from which the data were collected. Fifty-nine articles were selected to be reviewed, with maximum entropy (MaxEnt) and area under the curve (AUC) being the most popular software and validation processes. Environmental and topographic variables were considered above pedological and anthropogenic ones. Europe was the continent and China, the USA, and India the countries most studied. In this review, it was found that the number of published articles between developed and developing countries is unbalanced and comes out in favour of the former. The current knowledge on this topic can be considered to be good not enough, especially in developing countries with high population densities. The more knowledge we can obtain, the better our understanding is of how to deal with this issue, which is a worldwide preoccupation.
Predicting diet in brachyuran crabs using external morphology
Authors: Quezada-Villa Katia , Cannizzo Zachary J. , Carver Jade , Dunn Robert P. , Fletcher Laura S. , Kimball Matthew E. , McMullin Ainslee L. , Orocu Brenden , Pfirrmann Bruce W. , Pinkston Emily , Reese Tanner C. , Smith Nanette , Stancil Carter , Toscano Benjamin J. , Griffen Blaine D.
Published: April 2023

Morphological traits have often been used to predict diet and trophic position of species across many animal groups. Variation in gut size of closely related animals is known to be a good predictor of dietary habits. Species that are more herbivorous or that persist on low-quality diets often have larger stomachs than their carnivorous counterparts. This same pattern exists in crabs and in most species, individuals exhibit external markings on the dorsal side of their carapace that appear to align with the position and size of their gut. We hypothesized that these external markings could be used as an accurate estimate of the crab’s cardiac stomach size, allowing an approximation of crab dietary strategies without the need to sacrifice and dissect individual animals. We used literature values for mean diet and standardized external gut size markings taken from crab photographs across 50 species to show that percent herbivory in the diet increases non-linearly across species of brachyuran crab with the external estimate of gut size. We also used data from dissections in four species to show that external gut markings were positively correlated with gut sizes, though the strength of this correlation differed across species. We conclude that when rough approximations of diet quality such as percent herbivory will suffice, measuring external carapace markings in crabs presents a quick, free, non-lethal alternative to dissections. Our results also provide important insights into tradeoffs that occur in crab morphology and have implications for crab evolution.
Matucana comunal : el edificio-ciudad como modelo alternativo de lo que entendemos por propiedad
Authors:   ,   Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. Escuela de Arquitectura, Pino Piemonte Colomba Cecilia
Published: April 2023

La presente investigación se inscribe en el marco del Taller de investigación y proyecto de Magíster en Arquitectura de la Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile “Edificio-Ciudad” dirigido por Nicolás Stutzin con ayuda de Matías Rivera el año 2020-2021. Este pretende revisar y de cierta manera resucitar, con un sesgo contemporáneo, la arquitectura encarnada por proyectos que alcanzan la magnitud de un Edificio-ciudad. El taller propuso en su momento revisar las estrategias de diseño de casos que albergaban una escala en que la arquitectura y el urbanismo colapsan en un solo proyecto, convergiendo a través de su tamaño y complejidad los límites entre el edificio y la ciudad. Esta tesis propone investigar cómo un edificio-ciudad puede redefinir las reglas de propiedad que determinan la estructura y relación de los espacios en la vida cotidiana a través de una reformulación de los límites entre privado, público y común. El edificio-ciudad, como único y gran objeto absorbente de una serie de cualidades metropolitanas sería un modelo capaz de poner a prueba nuevas formas de configuración entre estos tres. En su condición de microcosmos podría diferir su funcionamiento de la ciudad pre-existente en la que se instala. La investigación propone revisar tres familias de proyectos de la magnitud de un edificio-ciudad que abordan desde una nueva perspectiva el tema de la propiedad tomando en cuenta el trío: privado, público y común. El primer caso es el Condensador Social, para luego derivar en la familia de los Mat-Buildings finalizando por las Utopías Planetarias de los años sesenta y setenta. Cada capítulo aborda una de las familias revisando tanto las ideas y el contexto entorno a estos proyectos como las operaciones en las que se traducen. A modo de cierre de cada capítulo, se introducen distintos aspectos de una propuesta de proyecto en el contexto actual: Matucana comunal.
Deconstrucción y construcción : exposiciones universales y su obsolescencia proyectual
Authors:   ,   Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. Escuela de Arquitectura, Hevia Tagle Sofía
Published: April 2023

Las limitaciones de la reutilización –como una estrategia proyectual reconocible dentro del mundo de las exposiciones universales– revelan la obsolescencia de la forma en que se planifican y desarrollan este tipo de eventos. La rehabilitación parcial de pabellones en desuso, el almacenaje de piezas icónicas, la incertidumbre frente al funcionamiento de estructuras construidas como soporte y los terrenos en estado de abandono y decadencia, son algunas de las problemáticas que aparecen luego de finalizados estos eventos. Hoy, en medio de un mundo en constante cambio y crecimiento, pero, sobre todo, en crisis, las exposiciones no han logrado adaptarse para contribuir realmente a las ciudades que las alojan. Mediante el análisis de diferentes casos, incluyendo los pabellones de Chile que han sido reutilizados, se constata cómo estas prácticas expositivas no responden a las necesidades arquitectónicas ni tampoco urbanas del siglo XXI, y que incluso dificultan la productividad del evento mismo. El objetivo de esta investigación es cuestionar y replantear la manera como se organizan estas exhibiciones internacionales y la lógica bajo la cual se presentan los países en este tipo de eventos. Por otro lado, una aproximación infraestructural a la arquitectura, como una herramienta proyectual, pero también como una dualidad evidente en este tipo de celebraciones, permite visualizar las exposiciones universales desde su arista urbana, para así enfrentar los procesos de planificación desde el entendimiento de la ciudad como un fenómeno relevante tanto para el período expositivo del evento como para todo aquello que sucederá después de él.
Condiciones semánticas y aspectuales en la alternancia entre grupos preposicionales y construcciones morfosintácticas
Authors:   ,   Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. Facultad de Letras, Ramírez Fuentes Yesenia
Published: April 2023

En este trabajo indagamos acerca de los rasgos lingüísticos de ciertas realizaciones morfológicas simples (participio pasivo, gerundio y adverbios en -mente) que hacen posible su alternancia con ciertos grupos preposicionales. Se observa que ciertos grupos preposicionales alternan con realizaciones morfológicas tipo palabra con una congruencia y aceptabilidad semántica manifiesta (de pesca – pescando; en entrenamiento –entrenando; con amor –amorosamente; al salir –saliendo). Es así que, el objetivo de este trabajo es identificar y determinar las condiciones semánticas y aspectuales que favorecen la alternancia entre los grupos preposicionales encabezados por las preposiciones (a, bajo, con, en) y las construcciones morfológicas de gerundio, participio pasado y adverbio en -mente. Para dar cumplimiento a este objetivo se recogen todos los usos y valores asociados a las preposiciones en la bibliografía científica y, a partir de las descripciones de los valores asociados a cada preposición en la literatura, se evalúan las posibilidades que tienen de (no) alternar con otras construcciones morfológicas simples. La fuente de los ejemplos será mixta: casos provenientes de la literatura científica; ejemplos propios y ejemplos extraídos a partir de buscadores web aplicando la metodología Web as Corpus. La novedad y actualidad científica de esta investigación radica en el hecho de estudiar la preposición y el grupo preposicional en relación con otras categorías y contribuir así a un estudio gramatical que establezca relaciones no solo a nivel intracategorial; sino también intercategorial. Los factores que intervienen en la alternancia tengan relación con el aspecto léxico de los predicados en los que se insertan y con los fenómenos de reajustes semánticos gramaticales de coerción aspectual y focalización.
Effectiveness of Ultrasonic, F-File, and NaviTip FX Needle Agitation Techniques on Removal of Root Canal Debris and Smear Layer Using Two Different Irrigants: A Scanning Electron Microscopy Study
Authors: Debnath Sushmita , Thakur Sophia , Kalgeri Sowmya Halasabalu , Shivakumar Ashwini Tumkur , Doddawad Vidya
Published: April 2023

Introduction: For successful endodontics, there should be proper cleaning and shaping of the canal before the obturation. Various agitation techniques help in the removal of the debris and smear layer. With the removal of this debris and smear layer, there will be a better opening of dentinal tubules and penetration of sealer in the tubule. Aim: To evaluate the effectiveness of removal of debris and smear layer from prepared root canals by comparing ultrasonic agitation, F-file agitation, and NaviTip FX needle agitation using Sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) and SmearClear as irrigants. Materials and Methods: The present in-vitro study included 60 bilaterally matched pairs of extracted human premolar teeth with single canal and mature apices, were collected. All teeth were decoronated at the cementoenamel junction. The teeth were grooved longitudinally on the buccal and lingual surfaces. Instrumentation was done using K3 rotary files up to #40 and irrigation was carried out using 2 mL syringes mounted with Max-i-probe needles. Agitation procedure (n=10 for each group) was done as follows. Group 1: Ultrasonic agitation of 2.5% NaOCl for 30 seconds. Group 2: F-file agitation of 2.5% NaOCl for 30 seconds Group 3: NaviTip FX agitation of 2.5% NaOCl for one minute continuously. Group 4: Ultrasonic agitation of SmearClear for 30 seconds. Group 5: F-file agitation of SmearClear for 30 seconds. Group 6: NaviTip FX agitation of SmearClear for one minute continuously. The roots were split into two halves using a chisel and mallet. The amount of debris and smear layer was assessed using SEM at 1000X magnification at each root canal’s coronal, middle, and apical areas. Statistical analysis was done using Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U test. Results: Statistically significant difference was obtained in the reduction of debris and smear layer between 2.5% NaOCl and SmearClear. Ultrasonic agitation of SmearClear was better than F-file agitation and NaviTip FX. In both debris and smear layer removal (p-value <0.05). Conclusion: Ultrasonic agitation of SmearClear was better than F-file agitation and NaviTip FX agitation. SmearClear produced better removal of debris and smear layer than 2.5% NaOCl.
Role of Multidetector Computed Tomography in the Detection and Characterisation of Benign and Malignant Non Lymphoid Masses of the Neck and its Concordance with Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology
Authors: Chelliah Nellaiappan , Adaikkalam Thangalakshmi , Paraman Chirtrarasan , Anandaraja Ponshankar , Muthaiyan Priya , Ilamvazhuthi Kittu
Published: April 2023

Introduction: Computed Tomography (CT) enables the evaluation of both osseous and soft tissue details and has become an important imaging modality in the evaluation of patients presenting with a neck mass. The study was conducted to justify the usefulness of Multidetector CT (MDCT) in patients presenting with neck lesions. Aim: To detect benign and malignant non lymphoid lesions of the neck using MDCT imaging features and compare it with Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology (FNAC). Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study undertaken in a Government Stanley Medical College, Chennai, India, the duration of the study, from June 2021 to May 2022. Contrast Enhanced CT (CECT) was performed with a 16 slice MDCT scanner pre and postcontrast administration. The benign and malignant lesions were evaluated by their enhancement patterns, necrosis, bony and vascular invasion and extension to adjacent neck space. The results were compared with FNAC being considered the gold standard, sensitivity and accuracy of CT was determined. The collected data was analysed with International Business Machines (IBM) Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 23.0. Results: Of the total 95 patients who were enrolled in to the study, 38 patients were females and 57 patients were males, the mean age of the subjects studied were 45.1±17.4 years, 67 cases were benign lesions and 28 cases were malignant lesions by FNA. The sensitivity and specificity of MDCT was found to be 78.6% and 95.5%, respectively with a Positive Predictive Value (PPV) of 88.0% and Negative Predictive Value (NPV) 0f 91.4%. Conclusion: MDCT is precise in differentiating malignant from benign lesions of the neck and defining the extent of the lesions and involvement of adjacent structures.
Comparative Effect of Niel-Asher Technique and Positional Release Technique on Pain, Active ROM and Functional Disability in Adhesive Capsulitis: An Experimental Study
Authors: Raghav Deepak , Krishnapandian Prabhu Ram , Dwivedi Amit
Published: April 2023

Introduction: Adhesive Capsulitis of Shoulder (ACS) is a common self-limiting disorder characterised by painful, progressive loss of active and passive shoulder motion due to fibrosis and rigidity of the joint capsule. ACS occurs in 2-5% of the population overall and up to 20% of those with diabetes. Women between the ages of 40 and 60 are at increased risk, and one in four patients may have bilateral illness. Several studies have been done to prove the effectiveness of electrotherapeutic modalities and manual mobilisation techniques on Adhesive Capsulitis, but very few studies have been done to find out and compare the effectiveness of Niel-Asher technique and Positional Release Technique (PRT) on adhesive capsulitis. Aim: To compare effect of Niel-Asher technique and positional release technique on pain, active Range of Motion (ROM) and functional disability in patients with adhesive capsulitis. Materials and Methods: This was a pre and post-experimental design conducted at Santosh Medical College and Hospital, Ghaziabad, India, for a duration of two years conducted on 110 patients with a diagnosis of stage II primary adhesive capsulitis. The patients were divided into group A and group B using a systematic random sampling procedure. Conventional physiotherapy and the Niel-Asher technique were used on patients in group A. Patients in group B received conventional physiotherapy and Positional Release Technique. The therapy was given to patients, three times weekly for a total of six weeks. The Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI), Range of Motion (ROM) and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) were measured in both groups in pre, mid and post-therapy. The analysis of the collected data was done by Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 17.0. Results: A total of 110 patients with adhesive capsulitis patients, 55 in each group A (mean age: 51.78±7.810 years) and group B (mean age: 52.33±7.794 years) were included in the study and the mean age of total study subjects was 52.05±7.80 years. On analysis of the collected data, statistically significant outcomes across all three measures (VAS, SPADI, and ROM) were observed with a p-value of less than 0.001. In pain, functional impairment and restricted ROM, group A, outperformed group B in this comparison. Conclusion: Both conventional physiotherapy along with NielAsher technique group and conventional physiotherapy along with PRT group were individually effective in relieving pain and improving Range of Motion and Functional ability in patients with Adhesive capsulitis, but among these two groups, the group that received Niel-Asher technique in addition to conventional physiotherapy reported more significant improvements when compared to PRT group, in pain, range of motion and functional ability.
Effect of Sowing Date and Variety on Pigeonpea Production in Nepal
Authors: Pokhrel Anil , Manandhar Sarita , Dangi Sangharsh Raj
Published: April 2023

Aims: An unsuitable sowing time and selection of inappropriate variety were the main yield limiting factors in pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan L. Millsp.) cultivation. Therefore, a field experiment was conducted to study the effect of sowing dates on growth and yield of pigeonpea varieties.

Study Design: The experiment was laid out in spit plot design.

Place and Duration of Study: This experiment was conducted at the Grain Legumes Research Program (GLRP), Khajura, Banke, Nepal in two consecutive years, 2020/21 and 2021/22.

Methodology: The experiment consisted five sowing dates treatments viz., 2nd July, 17th July, 1st August, 16th August and 31st August as the main-factor and two promising varieties viz., ICPL-88039 and MA-6 as the sub-factor, with three replications.

Results: Both the sowing time and variety significantly influenced all the tested growth and yield parameters of pigeonpea at one percent significance level. Early sowing (2nd July) recorded longer days to flowering and maturity and taller plants that affected the yield. Pigeonpea produced the highest (P ≤ 0.01) seed yield (1482 kg/ha), while seeded on 2nd July. Moreover, the pigeonpea sown on 2nd to 17th  July produced 36% more seed yield than sown on 1st to 31st August. Similarly, a promising variety of pigeonpea MA-6 (1028 kg/ha) produced significantly higher (P ≤ 0.01) seed yield compared to the variety ICPL-88039 (888 kg/ha).

Conclusion: The study identified the 2nd July as the most appropriate time of sowing and the MA-6 as a high yielding variety of pigeonpea for the study area in Mid-Western Terai Region of Nepal.
Pectinase Production from Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Using Orange Peels and Maize Cobs as Substrate for Solid-State Fermentation
Authors: Haske M. S. , Iliyasu M. Y. , Abdulrahman A. , Sani S. M. , Inusa T. , Isma’il S. , Umar R. D. , Kabeer Z. M. , Tahir H. , Agbo E. B.
Published: April 2023

Background of the Study: Degradation of wastes especially fruit waste is important because these wastes accumulate in the environment. The fruit wastes can be used to biosynthesize pectinase enzyme at a cheaper rate due its numerous industrial applications. The ability of Saccharomyces cerevisiae to degrade these wastes to produce pectinase enzyme was exploited.

Aim: The aim of this study is to isolate and characterize Saccharomyces cerevisiae and study the optimal conditions needed for pectinase production on the orange peel with maize cobs and study the effectiveness of the enzymes produced in the extraction of orange juice.

Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted at the Microbiology Laboratory of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Bauchi, Bauchi State, Nigeria, between August to September 2021.

Methodology: Soil samples from the orange seller stand was collected, serial dilution method was used to reduce the solution to a more usable concentration, and the samples were streaked on Yeast Peptone Dextrose Agar (YPDA). The plates were incubated for 3 to 9 days at 28+- oC. The isolated yeast was identified based on the morphological and biochemical test, the isolates were inoculated on the prepared fermentation media under different optimal conditions. The crude enzyme were extracted, and the extracts were tested for pectinase activity using the dinitrosalicylic reagent (DNS) method for the presence of reducing sugar. The resulting pectinase was determined to effectively extract juice from orange mash.

Results: Saccharomyces cerevisiae showed relatively pectinase hydrolysis using orange peels and maize cobs as substrate by solid-state fermentation under predetermined optimum fermentation conditions. Optimization for the pectinase production was done by altering the conditions for the production medium. Pectinase activity of (2.81 + 2.31 ug/ml) was observed at 72hr of incubation at 35oC.

Conclusion: The study demonstrates that orange peel and maize cob can be successfully used to induce the production of pectinase using Saccharomyces cerevisiae under solid-state fermentation.
Transition Zone Analysis in Oil Reservoirs with Mixed or Preferential Water Wettability
Authors: Dutu Ionut , Stoianovici Doru , Chis Timur , Bârsan Doru , Sulaiman Dzaiy
Published: April 2023

Defining the transition zone in clastic oil formations with mixed or water-preferential wettability is useful in estimating the initial oil resource, locating production and injection wells, choosing drilling intervals, predicting water intrusion into production wells, and modeling the reservoir for simulation purposes.

The purpose of this article is to define the initial distribution of water in oil reservoirs and especially the knowledge of the transition zone, presenting theoretical concepts and practical methods for planning the necessary experiments and interpreting the data collected to define this part of the oil structure. The article presents the theoretical elements of the methods of obtaining and using capillary pressure curves, data on interfacial tension and contact angle. The dynamics of the saturation state during oil reservoir formation and the most optimal method for determining fluid contacts and free water levels are also described.
Fomento à Inovação nas Micro e Pequenas Empresas na Bahia: análise da subvenção econômica do edital do governo inteligente da Fapesb
Authors: Santos Vagner Simões , Teles Eduardo Oliveira , Mahl Alzir Antônio , Leite Handerson Jorge Dourado
Published: April 2023

A inovação é o motor que impulsiona o crescimento e que depende, para dar resultados, de políticas e ações públicas que estimulem o ecossistema de inovação nacional, regional e local. Este estudo tem por objetivo realizar uma análise da subvenção econômica do PAPPE Integração implementada por meio do Edital n. 001/2021 do Governo Inteligente da Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa no Estado da Bahia (FAPESB). Este trabalho apresenta uma abordagem quantitativa, de natureza explicativa, por meio de pesquisas em periódicos e de levantamento por questionários on-line. O resultado da pesquisa bibliográfica demonstrou que a temática de subvenção econômica começou a se destacar a partir de 2014, sendo predominante o subtema de desenvolvimento econômico e de políticas de inovação. O resultado do questionário demonstrou a percepção dos proponentes sobre as principais dificuldades relatadas, as oportunidades geradas e o fortalecimento do quadro técnico. Espera-se que o presente artigo contribua para o entendimento e a necessidade do fomento público para a inovação, demonstrando a relevância da instituição de parcerias com as micro e pequenas empresas e permitindo o desenvolvimento de inovações voltadas para as demandas públicas.
Prospecção de Patentes de Cosméticos com a Presença de S. Acmella e Similares dos anos 2015-2020
Authors: Batista Daniel de Souza , Costa Janai Silva Santos , Mota Milleno Dantas , Cazedey Edith Cristina Laignier
Published: April 2023

S. acmella, uma planta rica em espilantol, é usada de forma versátil em composições cosméticas de patentes multifuncionais, mas principalmente com ação antienvelhecimento. Em uma busca por patentes de cosméticos com a presença de Spilanthes acmella e espécies similares, foi realizada uma prospecção por meio da base de dados do Espacenet. Nessa revisão sistemática, com a presença de Spilanthes acmella em formulações cosméticas com funções hidratantes, antienvelhecimento, antioleosidade, clareadora, e em dentifrícios, 26 patentes foram consideradas adequadas para discussão. O país onde ocorreu o maior número de depósitos de patentes foi a China, com 61,5% do total. As criações mostraram diversas combinações de extratos e óleos que corroboram com o crescimento do uso de ativos naturais em cosméticos e mostram uma tendência crescente para o futuro do ramo cosmético.
Estudo Prospectivo de Aplicativos Voltados para Livros, Literatura e Clubes de Leitura
Authors: Alcântara Erlane Maria Sousa , Santos Davi Viana dos , Figueiredo Patrícia de Maria Silva
Published: April 2023

As tecnologias móveis e digitais, a exemplo dos aplicativos, trouxeram mudanças irreversíveis nas diversas áreas da sociedade. A forma de consumir informação e conteúdo cultural na internet por meio dessas tecnologias trouxe novos paradigmas na prática da leitura. este trabalho tem como objetivo realizar um estudo prospectivo de aplicativos relacionados a livros, literatura e clubes de leitura com vistas a levantamento de dados para cintilar panorama brasileiro de aplicativos sobre a temática. As buscas foram realizadas na Base de Programa de Computador do Instituto Nacional da Propriedade Industrial (INPI) e na loja de aplicativos Play Store. Dos 61 registros de softwares recuperados no INPI, apenas 20% tiveram alguma aproximação com a temática do estudo. Já dos 65 apps recuperados na Play Store, 80% são relacionados diretamente com a temática. Identificou-se um hiato entre os aplicativos da Play Store e o registro no INPI, sendo preciso valorar a cultura da proteção dos softwares.
Prospecção de Patentes para a Gestão de Resíduos Sólidos Urbanos
Authors: Ribeiro Jéssica da Silva , Basquerotto Cláudio Henrique Cerqueira Costa , Calderan Thanabi Bellenzier , Santos Sidnei Cerqueira dos
Published: April 2023

Os resíduos sólidos se referem aos materiais descartados que resultam das atividades humanas no meio social. A geração de resíduos tem aumentado devido ao crescimento populacional que acarreta o surgimento de diversos problemas socioambientais e econômicos. Este trabalho teve como objetivo realizar a prospecção tecnológica de patentes relacionadas à área de gestão de Resíduos Sólidos Urbanos (RSU), visando a identificar as tecnologias mais adequadas para implementação na Região de Integração do Carajás (RIC). A busca de patentes foi realizada na base de dados do Instituto Nacional da Propriedade Industrial, utilizando palavras-chave no título e resumo, assim como códigos do sistema de classificação internacional. A partir dos resultados, foram selecionadas patentes promissoras para o tratamento/reciclagem, transformação/digestão e gerenciamento de RSU e logística reversa que podem ser implementadas na gestão de RSU na RIC, principalmente por meio do consórcio público.
Um Setor em Pedaços: os percalços da abrangência e a duração da proteção dos desenhos industriais das peças de reposição das montadoras de automóveis no Brasil – 1996-2021
Authors: Peralta Patricia Pereira , Souza Matheus Mariani de
Published: April 2023

O desenho industrial é um dos institutos que compõe os direitos de propriedade intelectual; a proteção que confere recai sobre a forma, seja esta bi ou tridimensional. Um dos setores que tem buscado de forma proativa a proteção do desenho industrial é o automotivo. Este artigo propôs uma breve análise sobre pedidos e registros das montadoras de automóveis que sofreram representação junto ao Conselho Administrativo de Defesa Econômica (CADE) para determinar como se dá a gestão dos ativos, especificamente sua manutenção. A metodologia escolhida, de cunho exploratório e quali-quantitativo, orienta a pesquisa junto à base de dados do Instituto Nacional da Propriedade Industrial (INPI) entre 1996 e 2021, compreendendo o prazo máximo de vigência dos desenhos industriais, que é de 25 anos. Como resultados, caracterizam-se os desenhos industriais efetivamente priorizados pelas montadoras e a abordagem subjacente à manutenção dos registros para melhor compreender a estratégia da gestão do portfólio de registros.
Systemic depletion of WWP1 improves insulin sensitivity and lowers triglyceride content in the liver of obese mice
Authors: Nozaki Yuka , Kobayashi Masaki , Wakasawa Hiroki , Hoshino Shunsuke , Suwa Fumika , Ose Yuko , Tagawa Ryoma , Higami Yoshikazu
Published: April 2023

Obesity is a metabolic disorder associated with many diseases. WW domain‐containing E3 ubiquitin protein ligase 1 (WWP1) is a HECT‐type E3 ubiquitin ligase involved in several diseases. Recently, we found that the level of WWP1 is increased in white adipose tissue in a mouse model of obesity and that obese Wwp1 knockout (KO) mice exhibit improved whole‐body glucose metabolism. Here, to determine which insulin‐sensitive tissues contribute to this phenotype, we investigated the levels of several insulin signaling markers in white adipose tissue, liver, and skeletal muscle of Wwp1 KO mice, which were fed a normal or high‐fat diet and transiently treated with insulin. In obese Wwp1 KO mice, phosphorylated Akt levels were increased in the liver but not in white adipose tissue or skeletal muscle. Moreover, the weight and triglyceride content of the liver of obese Wwp1 KO mice were decreased. These results suggest that systemic deletion of WWP1 improves glucose metabolism via enhanced hepatic insulin signaling and suppressed hepatic fat accumulation. In summary, WWP1 participates in obesity‐related metabolic dysfunction and pathologies related to hepatic steatosis via suppressed insulin signaling.
Pasture production–diversity relationships in a kānuka silvopastoral system
Authors: Mackay‐Smith Thomas H. , López Ignacio F. , Burkitt Lucy L. , Reid Janet I.
Published: April 2023

Silvopastoral systems have great potential for forming multifunctional landscapes that provide a range of economic and environmental benefits to pastoral land. However, pasture production–diversity relationships in silvopastures require further exploration.

This study measures how pasture functional group production, pasture species diversity and pasture functional diversity (FD) are impacted by trees in a novel native silvopastoral system in New Zealand hill country with kānuka (Kunzeaspp.).

Silvopastoral trees facilitated the growth of fast‐growing competitor functional groups (Lolium perenne, Dactylis glomerataand high fertility annuals:Bromus hordeaceusandCritesion murinum), because of positive impacts on soil fertility, organic matter and porosity.

Shannon diversity, species richness and species evenness were significantly less in the more productive pastoral environment under the trees, but functional richness, functional evenness and functional dispersion were similar between kānuka pasture and open pasture.

These results show that silvopastures can increase pasture production by promoting the growth of competitive pasture functional groups, and that reduced species diversity under silvopastoral trees does not necessarily impact FD in the context of production. Moreover, species indices overestimated diversity reductions under the trees compared to functional indices. Thus, considering FD in silvopastoral systems is integral for not misinterpreting diversity outcomes.
Insights into the Efficiency Improvement for CZTSSe Solar Cells with over 12% Efficiency via Ga Incorporation
Authors: Zhao Xiangyun , Pan Yining , Chen Wangxian , Yang Wentong , Zeng Qiang , Li Linhong , Liao Xiang , Zhang Zongliang , Liu Siliang , Lai Yanqing , Liu Fangyang
Published: April 2023

Suppressing the band tailing and nonradiative recombination caused by massive defects and defect clusters is crucial for mitigating open‐circuit voltage (Voc) deficit and improving the device performance of CZTSSe thin film solar cells. Cation substitution is one of the most commonly used strategies to address the above issues. The latest world record efficiency of 13.0% is obtained through this strategy (Ag substitution for Cu). Nevertheless, the importance of the approach to implementing metallic ion doping is easily overlooked by researchers. Here, different approaches are adopted to realize Ga doping and the differences in the efficacy and mechanism are thoroughly investigated. It is found that the secondary phase easily emerged when the physical‐based method is employed, and thus challenging to regulate the doping effect. In the case of the chemical‐based method, Ga doping can enlarge the depletion region widthand lower the defect activation energyand Urbach energy. Furthermore, GaSn defects located at grain boundaries can expand the energy band bending between GBs and grain interiors (GIs), thereby suppressing the deep defect states and nonradiative recombination. Consequently, power conversion efficiency as high as 12.12% with a Voc of 522 mV is achieved at 2% Ga doping.
Solid‐State Quad‐Nanopore Array for High‐Resolution Single‐Molecule Analysis and Discrimination
Authors: Hu Rui , Zhu Rui , Wei Guanghao , Wang Zhan , Gu Zhi‐Yuan , Wanunu Meni , Zhao Qing
Published: April 2023

The ability to detect and distinguish biomolecules at the single‐molecule level is at the forefront of today's biomedicine and analytical chemistry research. Increasing the dwell time of individual biomolecules in the sensing spot can greatly enhance the sensitivity of single‐molecule methods. This is particularly important in solid‐state nanopore sensing, where the detection of small molecules is often limited by the transit dwell time and insufficient temporal resolution. Here, a quad‐nanopore is introduced, a square array of four nanopores (with a space interval of 30–50 nm) to improve the detection sensitivity through electric field manipulation in the access region. It is shown that dwell times of short DNA strands (200 bp) are prolonged in quad‐nanopores as compared to single nanopores of the same diameter. The dependence of dwell times on the quad‐pore spacing is investigated and it is found that the “retarding effect” increases with decreasing space intervals. Furthermore, ultra‐short DNA (50 bp) detection is demonstrated using a 10 nm diameter quad‐nanopore array, which is hardly detected by a single nanopore. Finally, the general utility of quad‐nanopores has been verified by successful discrimination of two kinds of small molecules, metal‐organic cage and bovine serum albumin (BSA).
Bioinspired Self‐Standing, Self‐Floating 3D Solar Evaporators Breaking the Trade‐Off between Salt Cycle and Heat Localization for Continuous Seawater Desalination
Authors: Liu Huawen , Chen Bichi , Chen Yilin , Zhou Mengnan , Tian Fangwei , Li Yaozong , Jiang Junjie , Zhai Wentao
Published: April 2023

Facing the global water shortage challenge, solar‐driven desalination is considered a sustainable technology to obtain freshwater from seawater. However, the trade‐off between the salt cycle and heat localization of existing solar evaporators (SE) hinders its further practical applications. Here, inspired by water hyacinth, a self‐standing and self‐floating 3D SE with adiabatic foam particles and aligned water channels is built through a continuous directional freeze‐casting technique. With the help of the heat insulation effect of foam particles and the efficient water transport of aligned water channels, this new SE can cut off the heat transfer from the top photothermal area to the bulk water without affecting the water supply, breaking the long‐standing trade‐off between salt cycle and heat localization of traditional SEs. Additionally, its self‐standing and self‐floating features can reduce human maintenance. Its large exposure height can increase evaporation area and collect environmental energy, breaking the long‐standing limitation of solar‐to‐vapor efficiency of conventional SEs. With the novel structure employed, an evaporation flux of 2.25 kg m−2 h−1, and apparent solar‐to‐vapor efficiency of 136.7% are achieved under 1 sun illumination. This work demonstrates a new evaporator structure, and also provides a key insight into the structural design of next‐generation salt‐tolerant and high‐efficiency SEs.