bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hardening of gear teeth depending on the concentration of abrasive particles in the transmission oil
Authors: Mirzakhodjaev Sherzodkhuja , Allanazarov Madraxim , Ishmuratov Khikmat
Published: January 2024

The article deals with the issues of determining the life and limiting concentration of abrasive particles in the oil of transmission units, depending on the type of hardening of gear teeth. Resource was determined after volume hardening, hardening by current of high frequency and cementation by hardness of gears materials, on the friction machine on the samples which have been made of gears material, working in oil with abrasive particles, considering coefficient of acceleration at test. Maximum allowable concentration of abrasive particles in machine oil, were estimated on the basis of expression for calculation of wear rate, providing the set life, maximum allowable wear depending on modulus of gearing, hardness of gearing material, size of abrasive particles, geometrical and kinematic parameters of gearing.
Estimation and Classification of Physical Parameters Pumpkins (Cucurbita pepo L.) Crop S by Soft Computing Tecniques
Authors: Yildirim Demet , Yesiloglu Cevher Elçin , Gurdil Gürkan A.K.
Published: January 2024

Determining the seed type is very important for the correct indentification of genetic material. Some plant seeds can not be classified based on their visual diversity or small size by experts. Therefore, in this study was to develop a simple, accurate and rapid using different soft computing tecniques that estimates physical parameters for pumpkin seeds. The current investigation was devoted to determining some properties, such as physical dimensions, surface area, sphericity, density, rupture energy of pumpkin seeds. The methods using in this study are; (1) Multilayer perceptron (MLP); (2) Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference Systems (ANFIS). Different statistic parameters such as coffecient of determination (R2), root mean square error (RMSE), mean absolute error (MAE) are used to evaluate performance of the methods. These selected the best models predicted for plant seeds which can be used in the soft computing tecniques determined alternative approach to estimating the physical properties of estimation and clasification pumpkin seeds.
Egg quality characteristics of sussex chickens reared under the housing conditions of Cukurova University farm
Authors: Kurşun Kadriye , Abdallah Nasir , Baylan Mikail
Published: January 2024

This work was conducted to evaluate the egg quality characteristic of Sussex multi-purpose chickens reared under the housing conditions of the Cukurova University Farm. A total of 81 Sussex chickens from the Poultry and Research Unit of Cukurova University were used in this study. The external and internal egg-quality paraemeters were determined using 30 eggs on both the 28th and 33rd weeks of egg production cycle. The egg quality parameters measured were the Haugh unit, breaking strength, yolk color, shell thickness, egg weight, shape index, shell weight, albumen index, yolk index, and albumen pH. The egg weight, albumen index, yolk index and Haught unit were 57.89±3.99g, 9.44±2.07, 43.22±3.57 and 84.85±8.87 respectively. The shape index, shell thickness, shell weight, shell breaking strength and albumen pH were %75.32±2.11, 0.338±27.84mm, 5.903±0.645g, 3.825±1.065 kg/cm2 and 7.84±0.18 respectively. The yolk color, L, a, b and E values were 55.85±7.02, 13.91±3.33, 47.18±7.90 and 74.99±5.96 respectively. It was concluded that the external and internal egg-quality parameters of Sussex chickens reared under the housing conditions of the Cukurova University Farm were between the normal range.
Response of cowpea (vigna unguiculata l.) to organic and chemical fertilizer applications on grain yield and yield components
Authors: Ton Aybegün
Published: January 2024

Grain of cowpea are used for human diet and its grain contains high protein, minerals and vitamins. Cowpea was also used as hay, silage, green forage, grain fodder for feed livestocks. The experiment was conducted under irrigated conditions in the experimental area of Field Crop Deparment, Faculty of Agriculture, Cukurova University, Balcalı, Adana, Turkiye. The growing period covered throughout 2021 and 2022. The field experiment was organized in split plots based on randomized complete blocks design with three replication. Two registered cultivars (Karagöz ve Akkız) were used as a research material. In this experiment the main plots were cultivars and sub-plots were application of fertilizer. Treatments were: control (no fertilizer), solid leonardite, liquid leonardite, basal chemical dose + solid leonardite, basal chemical dose +liquid leonardite, basal chemical fertilizer + additional N fertilizer. Basal chemical dose was application of 40 kg N ha-1 and 100 kg N ha-1 P2O5 (Di ammonium phosphate or DAP) before sowing as recommended chemical fertilizer. Addition chemical dose was application of 80 kg N ha-1 (Ammonium sulfate) over the basal dose at the seedling stage. Rhizobia inoculant was not applied during the field experiment. Akkız seed yield was significantly higher in application of liquid leonardite fertilizer and the combination of basal chemical fertilizer + liquid leonardite fertilizer with 1656 and 1533 kg ha-1 respectively, compared to other treatments. The grain yield in the control plot was the lowest in both cultivars. As a result, applying liquid leonardite fertilizer into the soil before sowing can be useful for grain production in cowpea.
The potential of bioinoculants in enhancing the mushroom productivity
Authors: Cetin Mehmet , Atila Funda
Published: January 2024

Nowadays, environmentally friendly and sustainable food production is gaining importance day by day. The most important factor in achieving the goal of sustainable food production is limiting the use of chemicals that pose risks to human and environmental health, such as fertilizers and pesticides. One of the methods used to reduce the use of chemicals in agriculture is the use of bioinoculants. Bioinoculants are formulations comprised of microorganisms such as bacteri and fungi. They have potentials to increase the agricultural productivity and to control pests and diseases. Mushrooms are among the sustainable foods that stand out with their high nutritional values and medicinal properties. However, the excessive use of chemicals in the production of some edible mushroom species may make their consume risky, despite rich nutritional and medicinal values of the mushroom. The use of biological agents replacing chemicals can provided a great advantage to the mushroom industry in this regard. Azotobacter, Bacillus, Paenibacillus and Pseudomonas are most important bacteria genera used in mushroom cultivation. Generally, they increase the mycelial growth of mushroom species while exhibiting competition against harmful molds and stimüle the mushroom yield. On the other hand, use of microorganisms instead of additive materials in the mushroom growing media is highly new and interesting issue in the sector of mushroom cultivation. The aim of this study is to provide a view of the possibility of use of bioinoculants in enhancing the mushroom yield through the agency of the growth encouragement, and their potential as biocontrol agents to prevent various diseases in the mushroom cultivation.
A research on the detection of some phytochemical properties in the fruits of passiflora species
Authors: Ada Mesut , Oğuz İlbilge , Kafkas Nesibe Ebru , Burgut Ayşegül , Topçu Hayat
Published: January 2024

Passiflora belongs to the Passifloraceae family and is native to South Africa. Thanks to its health benefits, it is now commonly grown in tropical and subtropical regions. This fruit gathers attention, especially for its rich nutritional content, aroma, and taste. Passiflora has gained popularity in the Mediterranean region of Turkey, particularly in recent years. It stands out for its ease of maintenance, yielding twice a year, and high economic returns. Additionally, passiflora is used as an ornamental plant in landscaping arrangements by means of its showy flowers and is often referred to as the “passionflower” or “clock flower”. In this study, the fruits of P. edulis and P. caerulea species were examined for their phytochemical properties, such as DPPH, total phenol, sugar, and organic acid. DPPH (2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐ picryl‐hydrazyl‐hydrate) and total phenol were analyzed using a spectrophotometric method, while sugar and organic acid were analyzed using HPLC.
Comparative analysis of different-age vineyards in Fruska Gora National Park, in the Autonomous province of Vojvodina, Republic of Serbia, on the characteristics of lateral migration of mobile sulphur
Authors: Andreeva Irina , Gabechaya Valeria , Morev Dmitry
Published: January 2024

Data on the content and lateral migration of mobile sulfur in brown forest soil of residual carbonate (Eutric Cambisols/ Haplic Cambisols) of autonomous and transit landscapes under vineyards in the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina, Republic of Serbia, are presented. The content of mobile sulfur in horizons 0-5 and 5-15 cm was highly contrasting from very low (less than 5 mg/kg) to high (more than 35 mg/kg) depending on the age of vineyards, landscape features of their location and applied cultivation systems. The content of mobile sulfur in the lateral structure of elemental landscapes under age (more than 200 years) vineyards with high slope steepness increased from trans-eluvial facies of upper parts of slopes to lower transaccumulative facies. In an industrial vineyard of intensive type 15 years old, the absence of inter-row sodding and the arrangement of rows along a long slope with a complex shape contributed to increased migration. Migration flows and accumulation of mobile sulfur in transaccumulative elemental landscapes can cause deterioration of quality characteristics of produced wine materials and contamination of adjacent environments.
Impact of smart irrigation systems and water management on climate change
Authors: Durmuş Yunus , Arslansoy Gazal , Kızıldeniz Gürbüz Tefide
Published: January 2024

As a result of the rapid and unconscious consumption of existing natural resources in the world, climate change is accelerating negatively. It should be remembered that changing of climate has the potential to threaten the security of water, food and energy systems. One of the main problems causing this is improper water management. In this article, the effects of smart irrigation systems, which are a product of climate-smart agriculture and water management for the changing climate in the world, are reviewed in the literature and the effects of these systems on climate change are discussed. The aim of the study is to provide appropriate solutions against climate change. Water management is basically about being conscious of saving by making more use of irregularly used water resources and reducing wastage to zero in both agriculture and drinking water. Climate-friendly agriculture is practices that ensure sustainability in agriculture with climate resilience. Smart irrigation is a technological irrigation system applied to remotely control irrigation with artificial intelligence and minimize water waste. Considering that water resources will deplete more rapidly over time in the fight against climate change, necessary measures should be taken to minimize this loss.
Ecological assessment of the aftereffect of phosphogypsum on the stabilization of the carbon balance of the regenerated topsoil of degraded sod-podzolic soils
Authors: Vasenev Peter , Stepanov Andrey , Vasenev Ivan
Published: January 2024

Against the background of global climate changes, agroecological problems of erosion and agrogenic degradation of intensively used arable soils have become more acute. This problem is most acute in the case of old-arable sod-podzolic soils with initially low humus content and small thickness of their sod horizons. Our research carried out with the support of project No. 075-15-2021-1030 of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of Russia, provides investigation the influence of industrial waste in the production of phosphorous fertilizers - phosphogypsum on the stabilization of the carbon balance of the regenerated topsoil of degraded sod-podzolic soils. The research was carried out at the Agroecological Station of the Field Experimental Station of the Russian State Agrarian University - Moscow Timiryazev Agricultural Academy in fall of 2022 and in summer of 2023. The use of phosphogypsum in a dose of 1.5 t/ha contributed to the significant accumulation of organic carbon in the topsoil of the studied sod-podzolic soils – in comparison with the control. In combination with compost from bird dropping at a dose of 2.0 t/ha, the aftereffect of the use of phosphogypsum essentially increases, that indicates good prospects for the validation of this technology as a natural climate project.
Factors affecting meat quality in farm animals
Authors: Kutay Harun , Şahan Zeynep , Polat Açık İslim , Durmuş Murat
Published: January 2024

Meat has been one of the most basic nutrients since the first day of humanity. As food, meat is expressed as the muscle and fat found between the bones and skin of animals. It has an important place in human nutrition due to the protein (amino acids), fatty acids, minerals (iron and zinc) and vitamins (especially B12) it contains. Thanks to these nutrients, vital activities such as growth and development of individuals, regeneration of cells, repair and growth of tissues, formation of vital fluid blood, functioning of body systems, development of immunity and reproduction are ensured. As with other animal products, there are factors such as species, breed, feeding, environmental temperature, stress or processing that affect meat yield and quality in farm animals. In the current study, similar biotic and abiotic factors affecting the meat quality of farm animals are discussed.
Thermal acclimation during embryogenesis; effect on pre and post hatch performance of commercial broiler chickens; a review
Authors: Abdallah Nasir , Kurşun Kadriye , Baylan Mikail
Published: January 2024

This work reviews the effect of thermal acclimation (TA) during embryogenesis on the pre and post hatch performance of broiler chickens. Genetic selection and improvements for faster growth and breast muscle production has rendered commercial broiler chickens more susceptible to heat stress. Chickens do not have sweat glands thereby resulting to other methods of stress adaptation such as conduction, convection, radiation, panting, and reduction of feed intake during high temperature periods. This leads to several physiological changes which negatively affect production and welfare performance especially in tropic and humid regions. Epigenetic thermal acclimation during embryogenesis is a strategy that could enhance embryonic development and the adaptive responses of broiler chickens to post hatch environmental stimuli. Epigenetic thermal acclimation involves the exposure of embryos to a certain higher temperature for certain duration of time from embryonic age (EA) 10 or 11 during which the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) and hypothalamus-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) axis are developed enough to withstand thermal exposure. The available literature revealed that the exposure of embryos to thermal challenge could improve embryonic development, hatchability, and post hatch growth as well as the adaptive response of broiler chickens to post hatch environmental stimuli however, exposure to extreme higher temperature or for a longer duration could negatively affect development. It is therefore concluded that exposure of embryos to a certain higher temperature within a certain embryonic period for a certain duration could be a potential strategy to improve the pre and post hatch performance of broiler chickens.
Lannion : du berceau des télécoms à une place forte de la photonique
Authors: Gautret Agnès , Le Boudec Patrice , Bosc Dominique , Mechin David
Published: January 2024

Si le Trégor et la ville de Lannion sont aujourd’hui une des références mondiales dans le domaine de la photonique, c’est grâce à l’implantation du Centre National des Télécommunications (CNET) au tout début des années 1960. La décision de l’installation de ce centre de recherche est fortement appuyée par Pierre Marzin, originaire de Lannion. Cet événement marque un vrai tournant pour le développement futur du tissu industriel de Lannion ! Retour sur une épopée industrielle unique portée par des hommes et des femmes déterminés et visionnaires.
L’histologie Raman stimulée
Authors: Rigneault Hervé , Appay Romain
Published: January 2024

L’anatomopathologie est une spécialité médicale qui s’attache à examiner la structure microscopique des tissus et des cellules qui les composent afin de repérer des anomalies liées à une situation pathologique. Cet examen nécessite de réaliser un prélèvement tissulaire à partir duquel est effectué une section de quelques micromètres d’épaisseur qui est déposée sur une lame de verre et colorée pour pouvoir être examiné au microscope. Ce processus nécessite que du matériel biologique soit consommé car déposé sur une lame de verre, prend de 20 minutes (en version accélérée) à 24h et nécessite un travail de préparation de l’échantillon (congélation ou inclusion en paraffine). Nous décrivons ici une alternative émergente, non destructive, utilisant la diffusion Raman cohérente et qui permet de générer des images de qualité histologique en temps réel et sans aucune préparation de l’échantillon.
Can polymeric surface modification and sulfidation of nanoscale zerovalent iron (NZVI) improve arsenic-contaminated agricultural soil restoration via ex situ magnet-assisted soil washing?
Authors: Keochanh Daoheuang , Tongkamnoi Saranya , Phenrat Tanapon
Published: January 2024

Environmental context Arsenic (As) contamination in agricultural soil threatens safe agricultural production. Therefore, an ex situ magnet-assisted soil washing, using different types of nanoscale zerovalent iron was tested as a remediation option in soil restoration. Uncoated nanoparticles was the best tested option, with As removal at 45.5% and the nanoparticles were reusable up to four times. Rationale Arsenic (As) contamination in agricultural soil threatens safe food and medicinal herb production for millions of people. Methodology Therefore, ex situ magnet-assisted soil washing of metal-contaminated soil using bare nanoscale zerovalent iron (NZVI) is proposed as a novel remediation alternative. Conceptually, metal-contaminated soil is mixed with water and bare NZVI, and metals in the soil are transferred to the bare NZVI. The metal-sorbed NZVI is then retrieved from the soil slurry through magnetic separation, leaving behind treated soil. This study evaluated if advanced surface modification can improve ex situ soil restoration efficacy including polymeric coating and sulfidation of NZVI, proven beneficial in situ NZVI application. Sulfur and carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) at various S/Fe and CMC/NZVI ratios were used to modify NZVI via sulfidation and physisorption. Result Results revealed that sulfidised NZVI (S-NZVI) performed poorer (41.0%) than bare NZVI (45.5%) in As removal, even at the optimised S/Fe ratio of 0.31. This could be due to acid release via oxidative dissolution of FeS2 on the S-NZVI surface driven by O2. The incidental acid-dissolved NZVI sorption sites decreased As removal efficacy. Similarly, CMC-modified NZVI failed to improve As removal efficacy (11.0%) because it reduced NZVI reactivity and blocked As accessibility to NZVI sorptive sites. Discussion Nevertheless, S-NZVI and CMC-modified NZVI promoted non-phytoavailable As fractions in the treated soil. Overall, bare NZVI performed the best for As removal but moderately transformed As into more non-phytoavailable fractions. Bare NZVI can be reused for four cycles of soil washing. In every case, mobile As in treated soil was lower than the maximum contamination level.
Move combinations in the conclusion section of applied linguistics research articles
Authors: Kawase Tomoyuki
Published: January 2024

Genre analyses of research articles (RAs) have identified types of communicative purposes or moves achieved in different sections. However, very few studies have explored why moves are sequenced in specific manners. This study examines how writers relate moves to be coherent in the conclusion section of fifty applied linguistics RAs. The analysis shows that the writers achieved different types of moves in a relational manner for specific rhetorical intentions. The majority presented a summary of the study or previous research trends as background information to guide readers to acknowledge the significance of the study or the findings they later indicated. Some writers drew implications from findings of their studies they presented earlier to demonstrate the usefulness of the findings. Others provided recommendations for future studies based on the limitations of their studies that they indicated earlier to draw readers’ attention away from the limitations as potential weaknesses.
Invariant superoscillatory electromagnetic fields in 3D-space
Authors: Makris K G , Papazoglou D G , Tzortzakis S
Published: January 2024

We derive exact solutions of Maxwell’s equations based on superoscillatory superpositions of vectorial Bessel beams. These novel beams are diffraction-free and can support subwavelength features in their transverse electromagnetic fields, without the presence of any evanescent waves. These features can be propagated into the far field. Approximate solutions in closed form are also derived based on asymptotic expansions of Bessel functions for simple prescribed subwavelength patterns. The superoscillatory characteristics of both electric, magnetic field components (transverse and longitudinal), and the Poynting vector, as well as, the effect of nonparaxiality are systematically investigated.
Formulation and systemic therapy
Authors: Agarwal Vani , Patel Neil P
Published: January 2024

A 33-year-old woman with a long history of chronic plaque psoriasis attended a dermatology follow-up clinic. She had a past medical history of depression and self-harm, and was taking sertraline. Her treatment history included narrowband ultraviolet B phototherapy, ciclosporin and methotrexate. She was currently on topical therapy only. On assessment in clinic, the psoriasis was poorly controlled. We discuss which suitable systemic treatment option to try next.
Isotretinoin: establishing baseline prescribing practices in Ireland and assessing compliance and satisfaction with current guidelines
Authors: Quigley Claire , Timoney Irene , Murphy Lisa , Long Amy , Barry Rory , Diong Sophie , Clowry Julianne
Published: January 2024

Our article discusses current challenges of prescribing isotretinoin as well as reflecting on results of a recent survey of Irish dermatologists to assess baseline prescribing practice in relation to pregnancy prevention compliance, psychiatric assessment and assessment of sexual dysfunction. It highlights compliance and satisfaction with current Irish guidance and a need for further studies in key prescribing areas.
Acute coronary occlusion with vs. without ST elevation: impact on procedural outcomes and long-term all-cause mortality
Authors: Abusharekh Mohammed , Kampf Jürgen , Dykun Iryna , Souri Kashif , Backmann Viktoria , Al-Rashid Fadi , Jánosi Rolf Alexander , Totzeck Matthias , Lawo Thomas , Rassaf Tienush , Mahabadi Amir Abbas
Published: January 2024

Background

Acute total occlusion (ATO) is diagnosed in a substantial proportion of patients with non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI). We compared procedural outcomes and long-term mortality in patients with STEMI with NSTEMI with vs. without ATO.

Methods and results

We included patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) undergoing invasive coronary angiography between 2004 and 2019 at our centre. Acute total occlusion was defined as thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) 0–1 flow in the infarct-related artery or TIMI 2–3 flow with highly elevated peak troponin (>100-folds the upper reference limit). Association between presentation and long-term mortality was evaluated using multivariable adjusted Cox regression analysis. From 2269 AMI patients (mean age 66 ± 13.2 years, 74% male), 664 patients with STEMI and 1605 patients with NSTEMI (471 [29.3%] with ATO) were included. ATO(+)NSTEMI patients had a higher frequency of cardiogenic shock and no reflow than ATO(−)NSTEMI with similar rates compared with STEMI patients (cardiogenic shock: 2.76 vs. 0.27 vs. 2.86%, P < 0.0001, P = 1; no reflow: 4.03 vs. 0.18 vs. 3.17%, P < 0.0001, P = 0.54). ATO(+)NSTEMI and STEMI were associated with 60 and 55% increased incident mortality, respectively, as compared with ATO(−)NSTEMI (ATO(+)NSTEMI: 1.60 [1.27–2.02], P < 0.0001, STEMI: 1.55 [1.24–1.94], P < 0.0001). Likewise, left ventricular ejection fraction (48.5 ± 12.7 vs. 49.1±11 vs. 50.6 ± 11.8%, P = 0.5, P = 0.018) and global longitudinal strain (−15.2 ± –5.74 vs. −15.5 ± –4.84 vs. −16.3 ± –5.30%, P = 0.48, P = 0.016) in ATO(+)NSTEMI were comparable to STEMI but significantly worse than in ATO(−)NSTEMI.

Conclusion

Non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction patients with ATO have unfavourable procedural outcomes, resulting in increased long-term mortality, resembling STEMI. Our findings suggest that the occlusion perspective provides a more appropriate classification of AMI than differentiation into STEMI vs. NSTEMI.
Profiling the compendium of changes in Saccharomyces cerevisiae due to mutations that alter availability of the main methyl donor S-Adenosylmethionine
Authors: Remines McKayla , Schoonover Makailyn G , Knox Zoey , Kenwright Kailee , Hoffert Kellyn M , Coric Amila , Mead James , Ampfer Joseph , Seye Serigne , Strome Erin D
Published: January 2024

The SAM1 and SAM2 genes encode for S-Adenosylmethionine (AdoMet) synthetase enzymes, with AdoMet serving as the main cellular methyl donor. We have previously shown that independent deletion of these genes alters chromosome stability and AdoMet concentrations in opposite ways in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. To characterize other changes occurring in these mutants, we grew wildtype, sam1Δ/sam1Δ, and sam2Δ/sam2Δ strains in 15 different Phenotypic Microarray plates with different components and measured growth variations. RNA-Sequencing was also carried out on these strains and differential gene expression determined for each mutant. We explored how the phenotypic growth differences are linked to the altered gene expression, and hypothesize mechanisms by which loss of the SAM genes and subsequent AdoMet level changes, impact pathways and processes. We present 6 stories, discussing changes in sensitivity or resistance to azoles, cisplatin, oxidative stress, arginine biosynthesis perturbations, DNA synthesis inhibitors, and tamoxifen, to demonstrate the power of this novel methodology to broadly profile changes due to gene mutations. The large number of conditions that result in altered growth, as well as the large number of differentially expressed genes with wide-ranging functionality, speaks to the broad array of impacts that altering methyl donor abundance can impart. Our findings demonstrate that some cellular changes are directly related to AdoMet-dependent methyltransferases and AdoMet availability, some are directly linked to the methyl cycle and its role in production of several important cellular components, and others reveal impacts of SAM gene mutations on previously unconnected pathways.
PlantC2U: deep learning of cross-species sequence landscapes predicts plastid C-to-U RNA editing in plants
Authors: Xu Chaoqun , Li Jing , Song Ling-Yu , Guo Ze-Jun , Song Shi-Wei , Zhang Lu-Dan , Zheng Hai-Lei
Published: January 2024

In plants, C-to-U RNA editing mainly occurs in plastid and mitochondrial transcripts, which contributes to a complex transcriptional regulatory network. More evidence reveals that RNA editing plays critical roles in plant growth and development. However, accurate detection of RNA editing sites using transcriptome sequencing data alone is still challenging. In the present study, we develop PlantC2U, which is a convolutional neural network, to predict plastid C-to-U RNA editing based on the genomic sequence. PlantC2U achieves >95% sensitivity and 99% specificity, which outperforms the PREPACT tool, random forests, and support vector machines. PlantC2U not only further checks RNA editing sites from transcriptome data to reduce possible false positives, but also assesses the effect of different mutations on C-to-U RNA editing based on the flanking sequences. Moreover, we found the patterns of tissue-specific RNA editing in the mangrove plant Kandelia obovata, and observed reduced C-to-U RNA editing rates in the cold stress response of K. obovata, suggesting their potential regulatory roles in plant stress adaptation. In addition, we present RNAeditDB, available online at https://jasonxu.shinyapps.io/RNAeditDB/. Together, PlantC2U and RNAeditDB will help researchers explore the RNA editing events in plants and thus will be of broad utility for the plant research community.
Modelling the day–night temperature variations of ultra-hot Jupiters: confronting non-grey general circulation models and observations
Authors: Tan Xianyu , Komacek Thaddeus D , Batalha Natasha E , Deming Drake , Lupu Roxana , Parmentier Vivien , Pierrehumbert Raymond T
Published: January 2024

Ultra-hot Jupiters (UHJs) are natural laboratories to study extreme physics in planetary atmospheres and their rich observational data sets are yet to be confronted with models with varying complexities at a population level. In this work, we update the general circulation model of Tan & Komacek (2019) to include a non-grey radiative transfer scheme and apply it to simulate the realistic thermal structures, phase-dependent spectra, and wavelength-dependent phase curves of UHJs. We performed grids of models over a large range of equilibrium temperatures and rotation periods for varying assumptions, showing that the fractional day–night brightness temperature differences remain almost constant or slightly increase with increasing equilibrium temperature from the visible to mid-infrared wavelengths. This differs from previous work primarily due to the increasing planetary rotation rate with increasing equilibrium temperature for fixed host star type. Radiative effects of varying atmospheric compositions become more significant in dayside brightness temperature in longer wavelengths. Data-model comparisons of dayside brightness temperatures and phase-curve amplitudes as a function of equilibrium temperature are in broad agreement. Observations show a large scatter compared to models even with a range of different assumptions, indicating significantly varying intrinsic properties in the hot Jupiter population. Our cloud-free models generally struggle to match all observations for individual targets with a single set of parameter choices, indicating the need for extra processes for understanding the heat transport of UHJs.
China and Refugee Law
Authors: Liu Guofu , Yang Mei
Published: January 2024

From 1949 to the 1980s, China protected over 320,000 returned persecuted overseas Chinese from Malaya, Thailand, Myanmar, Vietnam, Japan, Indonesia, India, and Mongolia, and over 280,000 Indochinese refugees from Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos, who were expelled by residing countries because of anti-Chinese policies. Since the 1990s, some North Koreans illegally mi ated to Northeast China, mainly due to famine. Since 2009, tens of thousands displaced border residents of Myanmar have fled to China because of armed conflicts. The legal status of North Korean illegal immigrants and Myanmar displaced border residents is debatable. For complicated reasons, the protection of refugees and persons of concern is regulated by policy. The focus of the settlement policy used in the 1950s and 1960s was that settlement should focus on rural areas, with priority given to centralized settlement. The focus of the settlement policy of Indochinese refugees developed to centralized settlement in overseas Chinese farms. Eighty-four overseas Chinese farms were established mainly in Guangdong, which have been reformed since 1990s with the aim of integration into the local community, society, and market economy. China has had international cooperation regarding refugees with the international organizations and countries since 1979, when the UNHCR began working in China. In the absence of domestic refugee law in China, the UNHCR registers asylum seekers, carries out refugee status determination, and seeks durable solutions. The main direction for China to participate in global refugee governance is under the UN. Provisions of China’s domestic law on refugees are largely concentrated on the constitutions and the exit and entry administration laws. The Exit and Entry Administration Law 2012 is China’s first piece of legislation to include a provision specifically dealing with refugees. China acceded to the Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees (1951), and to many human rights conventions, which laid a solid foundation for China to protect refugees and persons of concern. With the growth of national strength, China will make more contributions on global refugee governance and protect refugees and persons of concern by law. Additionally, academic works on Hong Kong, Macau, and refugee laws are not covered by this bibliography because both Hong Kong and Macau have independent refugee legal systems. Likewise, the article does not include academic works on overseas Chinese who went back to their homes in Southeast Asia from mainland China during the Cold War, and how they are persecuted, as they are mainly governed by refugee laws in the destination countries and regions, not Chinese refugee law. This research is funded by the Danish National Research Foundation Grant no. DNRF169 and conducted under the auspices of the Danish National Research Foundation’s Centre of Excellence for Global Mobility Law.
LONP1 ameliorates liver injury and improves gluconeogenesis dysfunction in acute-on-chronic liver failure
Authors: Wu Muchen , Wu Jing , Liu Kai , Jiang Minjie , Xie Fang , Yin Xuehong , Wu Jushan , Meng Qinghua
Published: January 2024

Background:

Acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) is a severe liver disease with complex pathogenesis. Clinical hypoglycemia is common in patients with ACLF and often predicts a worse prognosis. Accumulating evidence suggests that glucose metabolic disturbance, especially gluconeogenesis dysfunction, plays a critical role in the disease progression of ACLF. Lon protease-1 (LONP1) is a novel mediator of energy and glucose metabolism. However, whether gluconeogenesis is a potential mechanism through which LONP1 modulates ACLF remains unknown.

Methods:

In this study, we collected liver tissues from ACLF patients, established an ACLF mouse model with carbon tetrachloride (CCl4), lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and D-galactose (D-gal), and constructed an in vitro hypoxia and hyperammonemia-triggered hepatocyte injury model. LONP1 overexpression and knockdown adenovirus were used to assess the protective effect of LONP1 on liver injury and gluconeogenesis regulation. Liver histopathology, biochemical index, mitochondrial morphology, cell viability and apoptosis, and the expression and activity of key gluconeogenic enzymes were detected to explore the underlying protective mechanisms of LONP1 in ACLF.

Results:

We found that LONP1 and the expressions of gluconeogenic enzymes were downregulated in clinical ACLF liver tissues. Furthermore, LONP1 overexpression remarkably attenuated liver injury, which was characterized by improved liver histopathological lesions and decreased serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in ACLF mice. Moreover, mitochondrial morphology was improved upon overexpression of LONP1. Meanwhile, the expression and activity of the key gluconeogenic enzymes were restored by LONP1 overexpression. Similarly, the hepatoprotective effect was also observed in the hepatocyte injury model, as evidenced by improved cell viability, reduced cell apoptosis, and improved gluconeogenesis level and activity, while LONP1 knockdown worsened liver injury and gluconeogenesis disorders.

Conclusion:

We demonstrated that gluconeogenesis dysfunction exists in ACLF, and LONP1 could ameliorate liver injury and improve gluconeogenic dysfunction, which would provide a promising therapeutic target for patients with ACLF.
Scaptona ramosa gen. nov., sp. nov., isolated from nest of the stingless bee
Authors: Moura Joana C. , Barbosa Renan N. , Melo Roger F. R. , Souza-Motta Cristina M. , Oliveira Neiva T.
Published: January 2024

In this study, a novel genus is proposed, Scaptona, with a novel species, Scaptona ramosa, isolated from nests of stingless bees (Scaptotrigona sp.). The taxonomic novelty was determined by the phylogenetic analysis of DNA sequences from the internal transcribed spacer regions, small subunit rRNA (18S rRNA), large subunit rRNA (28S rRNA) and the RNA polymerase II second–largest subunit gene (RPB2) and paired with our morphological studies. Based on this single species, Scaptona is characterized by greyish green to dark grey colonies, densely and profusely branched conidiophores and single-celled, variously shaped hyaline conidia. Scaptona ramosa constitutes a distinct, well-supported lineage within Cephalothecaceae and can be clearly distinguished from other genera both by DNA sequence analysis and morphological traits. The holotype of S. ramosa is URM 95352. The ex-type strain has been deposited in the Micoteca URM culture collection as URM 8721T and URM 8722. The MycoBank accession number is MB 849456 for the genus and MB 849456 for the species.
Simultaneous consideration of consumer preferences and seller revenue as a smart retail sales and management strategy
Authors: Ahmadi Kaliji Sina , Mojaverian Seyed Mojtaba , Amirnejad Hamid , Canavari Maurizio
Published: January 2024

Purpose

The authors propose a dairy bundle, integrating strategies to jointly maximise producer revenue and consumer utility according to the latter's preferences.

Design/methodology/approach

An algorithm based on a nested logit model identifies the bundle maximising producer revenue based on factors affecting consumer purchase behaviour. The data are drawn from a mall-intercept survey administered in Iran, with consumers stating a hypothetical choice among a comprehensive set of dairy products.

Findings

Demographic characteristics and marketing mix elements significantly affect consumers' preferences. An algorithm based on the estimated dissimilarity parameter determines the best bundle of dairy products, simultaneously obtaining the highest utility and the highest expected revenue.

Originality/value

Consumer preference and maximum producer or retail seller income are considered simultaneously. The bundling promotion strategy is widely used for food offerings and fresh foods and can be extended to other products.
Investigating the agriculture-induced environmental Kuznets curve hypothesis in South Asian economies
Authors: Ganie Anam Ul Haq , Khah Arif Mohd , Ahmad Masroor
Published: January 2024

Purpose

The main purpose of this study is to investigate the agriculture-induced environmental Kuznets curve (EKC) hypothesis in South Asian economies (SAE).

Design/methodology/approach

This study employs econometric techniques, including Westerlund cointegration tests, cross-sectional augmented distributive lag model (CS-ARDL) and Dumitrescu and Hurlin (DH) causality tests to investigate the relationship between renewable and non-renewable energy consumption, agriculture, economic growth, financial development and carbon emissions in SAE from 1990 to 2019.

Findings

The CS-ARDL test outcome supports the presence of the agriculture-induced EKC hypothesis in SAE. Additionally, through the application of the DH causality test, the study confirms a unidirectional causality running from renewable energy consumption (REC), fossil fuel consumption (FFC), economic growth (GDP) and squared economic growth (GDP2) to carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.

Research limitations/implications

This study proposes that future research should extend comparisons to worldwide intergovernmental bodies, use advanced econometric methodologies for accurate estimates, and investigate incorporating the service or primary sector into the EKC. Such multidimensional studies can inform various methods for mitigating global climate change and ensuring ecological sustainability.

Originality/value

Environmental degradation has been extensively studied in different regions and countries, but SAE face significant constraints in addressing this issue, and comprehensive studies in this area are scarce. This research is pioneering as it is the first study to investigate the applicability of the agriculture-induced EKC in the South Asian region. By filling this gap in the current literature, the study provides valuable insights into major SAE and their environmental challenges.
The smart city conundrum: technology, privacy, and the quest for convenience
Authors: Khurshudov Andrei
Published: January 2024

Purpose

A smart city integrates a comprehensive suite of technologies, which inherently require data to function effectively. It is designed with the intention of amassing all available data concerning machines, devices, infrastructure, individuals and their surroundings. This commentary addresses the evolution of smart cities over time, the increasing extent of data collection, the growing pressure on personal privacy and people's reactions to these trends. The article highlights the contradiction between the needs of the city and the desires of its inhabitants. It notes that people react differently to gradual versus abrupt changes in data-collecting technologies and services. It also suggests that more work needs to be done to prepare both smart cities and the human population for a sustainable, mutually beneficial future.

Design/methodology/approach

This commentary presents a viewpoint on the subject of data collection and privacy in smart cities, drawing on various sources to support its observations and conclusions.

Findings

The primary focus of this discussion is on the technological evolution of the cities. It emphasizes that, as cities get smarter, they offer more conveniences in exchange for various types of data, highlighting the likelihood that pressure on personal privacy will continue to escalate. This is due to the increasing pervasiveness of data-collecting technologies in every aspect of lives and urban environments. These environments are expected to become progressively smarter each year. Given this context, and to ensure a seamless transition to smart and sustainable cities, it is imperative that today's privacy discussions start to focus not only just on the existing but also on the future conditions and challenges that citizens are expected to encounter.

Originality/value

This commentary delves into the existing gaps in understanding the contradiction between the data-collection “needs” of smart cities, the direction in which the cities are evolving and people's awareness of how much data they will have to surrender in the future. It also highlights the risk of people gradually relinquishing nearly all their privacy, often without noticing, in exchange for the ever-increasing conveniences offered by smart cities.
Do local governments tax homeowner communities differently?
Authors: Füss Roland , Lerbs Oliver , Weigand Alois
Published: January 2024

This article investigates whether and how strongly the share of homeowners in a community affects residential property taxation by local governments. Different from renters, homeowners bear the full property tax burden, irrespective of local market conditions, and the tax is more salient to them. “Homeowner communities” may hence oppose high property taxes in order to protect their housing wealth. By merging granular spatial data from a complete housing inventory in the 2011 German Census with historical homeownership rates and housing damages during the Second World War as sources of exogenous variation in local homeownership, we provide empirical evidence that otherwise identical jurisdictions charge significantly lower property taxes when the share of homeowners in their population is higher. This result is invariant to local market conditions, which suggests tax salience is the key mechanism behind this effect. Moreover, we find positive spatial dependence on tax multipliers, indicative of property tax mimicking by local governments.
ADUs in Los Angeles: Where are they located and by how much do they raise property value?
Authors: Brueckner Jan K. , Thomaz Sarah
Published: January 2024

Using data from Los Angeles, this article explores the locational determinants as well as the assessed‐value effects of the presence of accessory dwelling units (ADUs). The results show that ADUs are less likely to be found on large parcels containing newer houses and at dense locations near the CBD, the LAX airport, and beaches. ADU presence is more likely close to commercial districts, light‐rail stations, and educational establishments but less likely in higher income areas and Black neighborhoods, although parcels in Latino neighborhoods are more likely to contain ADUs. The assessed‐value regressions show that ADU presence raises a parcel's assessed value and selling price by 7%–9%, while also accurately capturing the unusual rules for property assessments under California's Proposition 13.
Shelf life extending of probiotic beef patties with polylactic acid‐ajwain essential oil films and stress effects on Bacillus coagulans
Authors: Babolanimogadam Nima , Akhondzadeh Basti Afshin , Khanjari Ali , Sajjadi Alhashem Seyed Hasan , Babolani Moghadgam Kimiya , Ahadzadeh Sara
Published: January 2024

Meat and meat products are prone to the microbial and chemical spoilage, due to the high nutritional content. This study investigated the effect of polylactic acid (PLA) films incorporated with ajwain essential oil (AEO) on microbial (total viable count [TVC], psychrotrophic bacterial count [PTC], Enterobacteriaceae, Pseudomonas spp., yeast and mold (Y&M), and also Bacillus coagulans [BCG]), chemical (pH, peroxide value [PV], thiobarbituric acid‐reactive substance [TBARS], and TVN values), and sensorial properties of beef patties, as well as survivability of BCG during refrigerated storage. Results showed that all microbial counts of samples were significantly increased, except BCG, during storage but the lowest TVC of samples was achieved in samples wrapped with PLA‐1% AEO (8 log colony forming units per gram [CFU/g]) at 12th of storage, which is significantly lower than control treatments (10.66 log CFU/g). The best results in all treatments are those wrapped by PLA‐1% AEO in all evaluated characteristics. At the final day of storage, PTC (8.82 log CFU/g), Enterobacteriaceae (5.05 log CFU/g), Pseudomonas spp. (9.08 log CFU/g), Y&M (4.69 log CFU/g), and also pH (4.5), PV (5.12 meq/kg), TBARS (2.92 MDA/kg), and TVN (14.43 mgN/100 g) values of PLA‐1% AEO treatments were significantly lower than control samples. AEO‐PLA films reduce the survival of BCG in raw patties, which reached 6.19 log CFU/g in PLA‐1% AEO treatments, although increasing the concentration of AEO in packaging PLA films led to the maintenance of BCG viability during the cooking process by increasing the AEO in PLA films. Overall, results showed shelf life of beef patties is extended 3 days more (150%) by wrapping with PLA films incorporated with 1% AEO.