bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Upgraders and Downgraders Strategies in SATGAS Covid-19 Talk Show
Authors: Purbo Kusumastuti  , Djatmika  , Miftah Nugroho  , Nanda Saputra
Published: August 2022

Studies on pragmatics which are focusing on the discussion of speech act have been highlighting the issue of how speech act strategies are analyzed based on the forms, classifications, and functions. As the use of speech act strategies is usually correlated to the politeness strategy, the analyses needs to be taken further to the internal modification, for example is the use of upgraders and downgraders to see how words build the politeness in a context differently based on the degree of politeness they carry as stated on Trosborg (1995). This paper used SATGAS COVID-19 Talkshow as the research object for the talkshow uses a lot of upgraders and downgraders strategies. Moreover, the talkshow is unique in its topic which is related to health in which such talkshows haven’t been quite addressed in speech act studies. As for that, this paper discussed types and functions of upgraders and downgraders used in the talkshow as well as what speech act classifications in which the upgraders and downgraders are embedded. This paper was analyzed using the contextual method which the results show the dominant speech acts contain upgraders and downgraders are assertive and directive; the dominant types of upgraders and downgraders are adverbial intensifiers and modals. Moreover, the results have shown that the two main purposes of the use of the strategy are to emphazise the importance of some informations and to follow the politeness culture which some of them are driven by the factor of of the speaker’s religion. The most important part of this research is that there are downgraders’ markers which are specially bound to Indonesian context, ‘Insya Alloh’ and the use of pronouns and upgraders’ marker ‘buanyak’. Nevertheless, this study only focusing on the talk show which only focusing on the health domain, moreover; the studies related to upgraders and downgraders in Indonesian context have not been quite addressed, next researchers could have more broaden scope of the study related to upgraders and downgraders, for example related to gender studies.
Geological features of gas-condensatedeposits with additional increase of gas reserves
Authors: Lukinov V , Bezruchko K , Каrhapolov A , Hladka M , Bohomaz V
Published: August 2022

The purpose of the work is to elucidate general peculiarities and characteristic features of geological conditions for the occurrence and development of gas-condensate fields of the Dniprovsko-Donetskyi depression (DDD), on which the growth for the gas reserves is obtained with the further use of these indicators as forecast-estimated. The methods. The age of industrial horizons, a type of reservoir, a type of deposit, the presence of salt deposits, a depth of deposit roof, a deposit regime, levels of gas-bearingness, calculated thickness of reservoirs and their total thickness at the field, the initial formation pressure, initial gas reserves, volumes of excess of initial gas reserves were determined; the maximum geostatic pressure was calculated, the minimum reservoir gas pressure until its growth jump or stabilization was established; the value of the compression pressure for the reservoir of deposits was calculated and the relationship between the effective pressure in the deposit and the strength of the porous sandstone-reservoir was established; the common features and characteristics for the geological conditions of gas condensate field (GCF) with additional resources were undertaken, among which the predictive and estimated indicators were selected. Findings. The authors carried out a detailed analysis of the well-known gas and gas condensate fields of Ukraine. Gas-condensate deposits of the Mashivsko-Shebelynskyi gas-bearing area of the Dniprovsko-Donetskyi depression (DDD) are chosen as an object of the research. It has been established that the power of the gas column, the structure area, and the total power of productive horizons characterize the promising volume of the gas-bearing structure, which allows approximately give a predictive quantitative assessment of the production of additional gas reserves. Attracting additional gas volumes is due to the gas influx from newly made technogenic collectors, which were formed under the action of a geomechanical factor in the process of long-term development of the field. The formation of technogenic collectors occurred due to the compression of the main reservoir, the deformation of the rock strata, and the decomposition of the overlying rocks, the development of the crack propagation, permeability increase and gas recovery rising. The originality. It has been established that the power of the gas column, the structure area, and the total power of productive horizons characterize the promising volume of the gas-bearing structure, which allows approximately give a predictive quantitative assessment of the production of additional gas reserves. Practical implimintation. The geomechanical factor management opens up the prospect of obtaining additional industrial gas influx in the late stages of the development of gas and gas-condensate fields, by predicting the geological conditions for the formation of improved secondary filtration and capacitive properties favorable to form technogenic gas deposits.
Mathematical modeling of air pollution in working room
Authors: Biliaiev M , Berlov O , Kozachyna V , Tsurkan V
Published: August 2022

Purpose. Development of CFD model and computer code for the analysis and forecasting of the process of formation of areas of chemical contamination in the workplace in the event of an emergency leak of a hazardous substance, allowing to take into account the influence of obstacles and the operation of the ventilation system on this process. The methods. The masstransfer equation is used to calculate the process of formation of areas of chemical contamination in the workplace over time. Navier-Stokes equations are used to solve the problem of aerodynamics – determination of the air flow velocity field in the room. For the numerical solution of modeling equations, finite-difference splitting schemes are used. On the basis of the developed numerical model, a computer code was created for conducting computational experiments Findings. An effective CFD model and computer code were created, which allow to quickly analyze the level of chemical pollution of working areas in possible emergency situations accompanied by the emission of dangerous substances. The results of the computational experiment are presented. The originality. An effective CFD model has been developed, which allows to calculate the dynamics of the formation of areas of chemical air pollution in the workplace in the event of an emergency leak of a chemically hazardous substance Practical implementation. On the basis of the proposed CFD model, a computer code has been developed that allows determining the dynamics of the formation of areas of contamination in the workplace during the emergency emission of hazardous substances. The model can be used to analyze the risk of toxic damage to personnel in the workplace
Modelo de Costos para la construcción de viviendas unifamiliares, ciudad de Guaranda año 2022
Authors: Pazmiño-Puruncajas Maria Fernanda , Gonzabay-Espinoza María Magdalena
Published: August 2022

El presente artículo está orientado a desarrollar un modelo de gestión de costos, para la construcción de viviendas unifamiliares, la misma que es una necesidad imperiosa para la eficiente ejecución y la optimización de recursos en una construcción debido a que las herramientas usadas tradicionalmente proveen un cálculo poco aproximado de los gastos y debido a su estructura no es posible tomar en cuenta los imprevistos que podrían darse. Es por esta problemática que se plantea diseñar un modelo de gestión que busca optimizar el cumplimiento de plazos y costos en la construcción de viviendas unifamiliares. En esta investigación se usó una metodología apoyada en primer lugar en la investigación de campo mediante una entrevista, que permite visualizar los problemas referentes a tiempos y costos en la fase de construcción; y cuenta con un elemento bibliográfico porque se necesita definir los fundamentos teóricos acerca de costos basados en actividades. Se ha utilizado como fuente la experiencia de los constructores, adicionalmente información bibliográfica relevante sobre el tema, obteniéndose como resultado de esta investigación un sistema de procesos para la aplicación de los costos basado en actividades, en la construcción de viviendas unifamiliares, que permita optimizar el cumplimiento de plazos y costos en la construcción de viviendas unifamiliares.
influencia del SARS-CoV-2 en la tendencia de consumo de medicamentos e insumos de bioseguridad en el Distrito Metropolitano de Quito, en el periodo 2020-2021
Authors: Almeida-Chicaiza Pablo Eduardo
Published: August 2022

Este trabajo tuvo como propósito determinar cómo influye el SARS-CoV-2 en la tendencia de consumo de medicamentos e insumos de bioseguridad en el Distrito Metropolitano de Quito, en el periodo 2020 -2021. Se planteó en la metodología utilizar un enfoque cuantitativo, de nivel descriptivo, que permitió describir las características del comportamiento del consumidor. Se utilizó la modalidad de investigación documental y campo, a una muestra de 384 personas que pertenecen a la Población Económicamente Activa del Distrito Metropolitano de Quito, a quienes se les aplicó la encuesta, con preguntas de opción múltiple. La información fue recopilada, procesada y presentada en tablas y gráficos estadísticos, y tablas de contingencia, para apreciar los resultados, de acuerdo con los estratos socioeconómicos. Los resultados evidenciaron que el consumo de medicamentos e insumos aumentó en un 7,26 %, que se reflejó en el consumo mayoritario de expectorantes, antibióticos, analgésicos, antiparasitarios, antihipertensivos y vitamina C; los insumos más consumidos fueron mascarillas, alcohol antiséptico, gel antibacterial y guantes de examinación. En su mayoría, los encuestados pertenecen al rango de ingresos entre $ 401 y 600; el 20 % adquirió medicamentos por contagio, el 18 % lo hizo por prevención. Dado que los precios de estos productos se incrementaron, los sectores más vulnerables se vieron afectados por la crisis sanitaria, siendo el rango de ingresos mayoritario de los encuestados el que más adquirió estos productos. Se recomienda considerar la información para identificar las características de la población afectada y comprender las tendencias de consumo en un contexto de crisis.
contratos eventuales en el marco de la flexibilización laboral: Un análisis doctrinal y legal dentro del derecho laboral en el Ecuador.
Authors: Vega-Atiencie Andres Fernando , Mora-Sánchez Norman Vinicio , Gonzalez-Ramon Ernesto Xavier
Published: August 2022

La Crisis sanitaria provocada por la pandemia del COVID-19 agravo la situación económica de Ecuador, el desempleo aumento hasta 34,5% sumergiendo a los ecuatorianos a la necesidad de buscar un trabajo de forma urgente, optando por trabajos de  temporada o eventuales, es aquí donde se centra la presente investigación, debido a la falta de cultura laboral para la elaboración de contratos eventuales, contratos que son manejados de manera informal, y en muchas ocasiones los empleadores desconocen este tipo de contratos, por ello la investigación consistió en el análisis de los contratos eventuales dentro del marco del derecho laboral provisto por el código de trabajo ecuatoriano, haciendo uso del método observacional, con un enfoque Critico-descriptivo, realizado a través de una revisión legal y doctrinal, además se analizaran las propuestas de flexibilización laboral, que permitan fomentar sustancialmente el empleo en Ecuador, mediante una recopilación exploratoria de fuentes secundarias con información legal, doctrinal, científica y coyuntural relacionada a la naturaleza jurídica de los contratos eventuales, la investigación permitió concluir que los pagos de un 35 por ciento adicional para contratos eventuales y ocasionales socavan la voluntad de los empresarios en optar por este medio de contratación, provocando la necesidad de que las autoridades tomen cartas en el asunto para construir proyectos de ley que permitan rescatar el derecho laboral de todos los ecuatorianos.
asertividad como factor influyente en los emprendimientos de la ciudad de Machala
Authors: Armijos-Morocho Nicol Paulett , Balladares-Marín Cristina Margarita , Pulla-Carrión Eduardo Vinicio , Sánchez-Cabrera Liana Carola
Published: August 2022

El desconocimiento de las políticas de asertividad, genera que existan Factores negativos en los emprendimientos, por ello, el objetivo del tema investigado es establecer el factor de asertividad como elemento transcendental que todo emprendedor debe poseer, con la finalidad de potenciar el desarrollo empresarial en la ciudad de Machala. Se puso en práctica la metodología de análisis exploratorio ya que se realiza una investigación de índole bibliográfico, misma que contiene pesquisa conseguida de la General Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM). A su vez se hizo uso de una metodología cualitativa, en el que se realizó encuestas, la misma que ayuda a obtener información concreta sobre el tema propuesto para su respectiva ponderación de datos, se utilizó el programa SPSS, mediante la cual se procesó la información recabada en las encuestas. La población estudio se enmarcó en los emprendedores de la ciudad de Machala, la muestra aplicada es finita, porque el número de habitantes es conocido, con un muestreo probabilístico, siendo encuestadas 385 emprendedores. Entre los principales hallazgos generados se determinó que una gran parte de los encuestados desconoce el término asertividad, así mismo hay emprendedores que no suelen controlar su comportamiento frente a contratiempos que se susciten, conjuntamente un mínimo porcentaje consideran no tener la habilidad de lograr un adecuado manejo expresivo, y se les dificulta dirigirse a los clientes, convirtiéndolas en personas no asertivas siendo este un obstáculo que trae como consecuencia una deficiente productividad afectando las relaciones laborales ocasionando un descenso en el crecimiento y competencia del emprendimiento.
Proceso de digitalización comercial y su relación con las ventas de los negocios gastronómicos. Estudio de caso en el contexto local en el periodo 2020-2021
Authors: Castro-Pacheco Jack Albert , Zaldumbide-Peralvo David Alejandro
Published: August 2022

La modernización de las actividades comerciales es un fenómeno que atraviesa distintos procesos, sea una transición lenta o abrupta, de corto o largo plazo. El presente trabajo se centró en analizar algunos aspectos del proceso de digitalización comercial desde la perspectiva de la llegada de la pandemia, por lo cual se puede considerar como un shock de corto plazo que obligó a muchas empresas a cambiar parte de su esquema de producción y venta. En este sentido, se eligió analizar esta dinámica en los negocios gastronómico de la calle Atanacio Santos de la Ciudadela Primero de Mayo del cantón Portoviejo debido al dinamismo comercial, aunque tradicional, antes de la llegada del covid-19. En este sentido, se realizaron entrevistas para determinar si la adopción y estrategias de comercialización digital se relacionaron con el mantenimiento o incremento del nivel de sus ventas bajo algunos parámetros como infraestructura digital, fomento público y estrategia de ventas. Se constató que la digitalización sí se relaciona con el incremento del nivel de ventas de los negocios entrevistados, para lo cual se destaca la investigación de enfoque mixto, dando con un nivel de investigación descriptiva, observando que la infraestructura digital posibilita tener una perspectiva respecto a la dotación de capital físico y humano para el proceso de digitalización comercial.
Diagnóstico productivo y comercial del camarón con valor agregado de la provincia de El Oro
Authors: Zúñiga-Bohórquez Adrián Armando , Maza-Fajardo Elvis Alexander , Romero-Black Wilton Eduardo , Ollague-Valarezo Jose Kennedy
Published: August 2022

Las empresas empacadoras de camarón de la provincia de El Oro, son fundamentales para dar valor agregado a los productos y promover en el país el comercio internacional. El objetivo de esta investigación fue determinar la incidencia de la cadena de valor en la producción y comercialización de productos derivados del camarón mediante el análisis del mercado internacional. La metodología que se implementó es con enfoque cuali-cuantitativo, en lo que respecta al enfoque cualitativo se realizaron descripciones sobre los gustos y preferencias del producto a comercializar, y en sentido cuantitativo, ya que, dichas variables descritas fueron ponderadas con valores numéricos para tener una visión más detallada sobre las variables. Los resultados del estudio evidenciaron que los factores a favor que tuvieron las empacadoras fueron el precio del producto y las relaciones internacionales que tiene el país para poder exportar, en cuanto a las brechas negativas como el quipo y tecnología que poseen las empacadoras, esto limita la capacidad para desarrollar variedad de productos para comercializar. Finalmente, mediante un contraste con otros autores se demostró que es fundamental tener equipos desarrollados en las empresas que permiten fomentar a los departamentos de I+D y variedad en sus productos. Las conclusiones establecen que el sector camaronero aporta significativamente en la economía ecuatoriana, sin embargo, la falta de inversión tecnológica limita a las empresas empacadoras, lo que hay que destacar son las relaciones internacionales que existen para poder exportar en nuevos mercados.
Analisis Pelayanan, Citra Usaha, Lokasi, dan Persaingan Terhadap Loyalitas Pelanggan Pada Win’z Silangkitang
Authors: Pratica Sari Sindi , Nasution Zulkarnain , Halim Abdul
Published: August 2022

Jenis data pada penelitian ini menggunakan data primer dan data skunder dengan jumlah sampel sebesar 96 responden. Adapun jumlah sampel dalam penelitian ini menggunakan rumus Wibison, yang mana dalam rumus ini menghitung jumlah sampel pada populasi yang tidak diketahui. Metode yang digunakan untuk mengumpulkan data pada penelitian ini adalah kuantitatif. Uji F sebesar 14.662 signifikan sebesar 0,00 < 0,05 hal ini menunjukkan variabel kualitas pelayanan, citra usaha, lokasi dan persaingan berpengaruh positif dan signifikan terhadap loyalitas pelanggan. Dan hipotesis dapat diterima. Nilai koefisien  R 0,392 yang menununjukkan bahwa hanya 39 % pengaruh kualitas pelayanan,citra usaha,lokasi dan persaingan terhadap loyalias pelanggan pada Usaha Percetakan Win’z Silangkitang dan sisanya sebesar 61 % yang bukan termasuk dalam penelitian ini.
Evaluasi Usability Portal Akademik UNIMED Menggunakan Metode Heuristic dan System Usability Scale
Authors: Situmorang Roma Indah , Yunis Roni , Hita Hita
Published: August 2022

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui permasalahan yang dihadapi pengguna dalam penggunaan portal akademik UNIMED yang diukur menggunakan metode Heuristic dengan 10 aspek heuristik oleh Nielsen dan metode System Usability Scale (SUS) melalui penilaian pengguna. Populasi penelitian ini adalah mahasiswa aktif Fakultas Ekonomi UNIMED di mana jumlah smapel yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah 357 orang mahasiswa. Data penelitian diperoleh melalui penyebaran kuesioner dengan bantuan Google Form. Hasil penelitian dengan metode Heuristic menghasilkan nilai rata-rata severity rating dari 10 aspek heuristik adalah sebesar 1,08 atau skala 1 dimana tingkat permasalahan rendah, yang berarti masalah ini tidak terlalu mempengaruhi pengguna serta perbaikan tidak terlalu dibutuhkan, dan perolehan dengan metode kuesioner System Usability Scale (SUS) adalah sebesar 76,9 dengan tingkat penerimaan pengguna atau acceptability ranges masuk dalam kategori Acceptable, tingkat grade scale masuk dalam kategori C, adjektif rating masuk dalam kategori Good, sedangkan berdasarkan penilaian percentile rank SUS skor sebesar 76,9 berada pada grade B. Namun secara umum hasil penilaian reponden terhadap portal akademik UNIMED dengan metode SUS dapat dikatakan baik atau dapat dimanfaatkan oleh mahasiswa.
HALT-ing CKD Progression in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Ang Andrew
Published: August 2022

Up to 16 percent of the world’s population has chronic kidney disease, the leading causes of which are diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and ageing. Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is classified by severity, like any CKD into five GFR categories (G1-G5) and three albuminuria categories (A1-A3).
Approach to the Management of Pain in a Patient With Cancer in the Community Hospital
Authors: Nagashima Ami , Wong Hwei May Victoria , Xu Bangyu
Published: August 2022

Pain is a common symptom in patients with cancer. Up to two thirds of patients with cancer experience pain that requires a strong opioid for pain relief. Cancer pain management can be challenging as the pain experience differs among patients. A patient’s response to opioids and other analgesia depends on several factors such as the character and cause of pain, and the pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of the drug. Optimizing pain control is important, as pain can impact negatively on many aspects of a patient’s life such as mood, sleep, social interactions, cognition and physical function, resulting in physical, emotional and existential suffering. We will use the following case study to illustrate the process of pain assessment and the importance of understanding the aetiology of the pain in a patient with cancer. We will also discuss the pharmacological and non-pharmacological management of cancer pain.
Sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease Presenting with Rapidly Progressing Dementia – A Family Medicine Perspective of Two Case Reports
Authors: Xin Lin , Jiang Song’En Jeffrey
Published: August 2022

Dementia is an increasing problem in Singapore’s ageing population with the most common being Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, and mixed dementia. Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD) is a fatal neurodegenerative condition that causes rapidly progressive dementia. It is a rare human transmissible prion disease with limited literature in Southeast Asia. In this article, we report 2 patients diagnosed with CJD who presented to primary care with rapidly progressive dementia, behavioral changes, and rapid functional decline. Deterioration of their clinical condition was relentless, and treatment remained palliative and supportive. It is important for family physicians to be cognisant of the clinical manifestations of CJD. We will outline the role of family physicians in the management of patients with CJD in different healthcare settings – general practice, tertiary hospital, community hospital and hospice home care.
BIO-HERBICIDES: DEVELOPMENT, USE AND ELUCIDATION OF THE FACTORS AFFECTING THEIR EFFICACY
Authors: Umer Muhammad , Khan Nazir Muhammad , Razaq Zarafshan , Nissa Maryam un , Anwar Naureen , Ali Muhammad Asif , Bhatti Ayesha Munawar , Khan Moman , Abbas Aqleem
Published: August 2022

Weeds belong to diverse groups of exotic and native grass species and are considered problematic for significant crops such as Cyperus rotundus or Dhela; Avena fatua or Jungli Jai are considered one of the most dangerous weeds of wheat around the world. The agricultural product loss recorded in Pakistan due to weeds are estimated a 17-25% yield loss in wheat due to weeds, 20-45% loss in maize, 13-41% loss in cotton, 20-63% loss in rice, 10-35% highest loss in sugarcane, and 25-55% in pulses. Many weeds inhibit the growth of other plants with their allelopathic effects through the release of specific inhibiting substances in the topsoil. Several weeds provide them as alternate host plants for various types of insects, pathogenic fungi, bacteria, and viruses that may attack the crop. To meet food demand in the increasing population in upcoming years is a big challenge in Pakistan. The first use of biological control of weeds was reported in 1971, the biological product used to control weeds was called bio-herbicide. It is eco-friendly, safe for non-targeted organisms, practically easy to use, and not involved in health-related risks of humans and animals. This review tried to explain the role of bio-herbicides in the control of weeds.
OCCURRENCE AND PREVALENCE OF MANGO DECLINE IN THE PUNJAB PROVINCE OF PAKISTAN
Authors: Fateh Faisal Sohail , Mukhtar Tariq , Mehmood Asim , Ullah Saif , Kazmi Munawar Raza
Published: August 2022

Mango (Mangifera indica) is a popular fruit in Pakistan and ranks second to citrus. Pakistani mangoes have a large export potential in overseas markets that has yet to be realized. In Pakistan, important fruit trees such as citrus, mango, guava, etc. are facing a decline. Among these fruits, mango decline has been addressed strongly as they are important foreign exchange earnings and export items. In the case of mango, the decline has different forms, generally known as progressive, slow decline, or dieback; quick dieback, and sudden death. This type of condition is most common in poorly managed orchards that do not follow correct nutrition, plant protection, or irrigation techniques. Such a drop can be easily addressed if orchards are cultivated using the greatest possible production methods. The updated studies on the occurrence of mango decline are necessary to become a reference for further research and management strategies. Therefore, the present study was designed for disease estimation in the mango-growing areas of the Punjab province of Pakistan. According to the results, maximum mean disease severity of 2.70 was observed in district Bahawalpur followed by Khanewal (2.30), Multan (2.11), and Muzaffar Garh (2.00). The minimum disease severity (1.90) was recorded in Rahim Yar Khan district. Similarly, the maximum mean disease incidence (100%) was found in Khanewal followed by Bahawalpur (99.30%), Muzaffar Garh (96.00%), and Multan (96.00%) while the minimum disease incidence (90.00%) was observed in Rahim Yar Khan. The disease index which gives the actual picture of the disease was found to be the maximum in Bahawalpur (53.30%) followed by Khanewal (46.50%), Rahim Yar Khan (39.10%), and Muzaffar Garh (37.30%) while the minimum disease index of 36.89 was found in Multan district. This information will serve as the baseline information for research and management strategies in mango decline.
PROLINE INDUCED CHANGES IN REDOX BALANCE AND PHOTOSYNTHETIC ACTIVITY OF WHEAT (TRITICUM AESTIVUM L.) UNDER SALINE CONDITIONS
Authors: Jabeen Shaista , Kusar Samina , Akram Muhammad Asif , Haroon Adeela , Ahmad Muhammad Sajid Aqeel , Iqbal Atfa , Latif Muhammad Usama
Published: August 2022

Salinity is a major environmental constraint that reduces plant development, growth, and yield. To appraise the potential role of foliar-applied proline as an alternative shotgun approach to ameliorate the adverse effects of salinity on wheat, a pot experiment was conducted under controlled environmental conditions using two wheat cultivars (Galaxy-13 salt-sensitive) and (Pasban-90 salt-tolerant). The experiment was laid out in a completely randomized design with the factorial arrangement and four replications. After ten days of germination, the plants were thinned to maintain six plant seedlings in each pot and the germinating seedlings were irrigated weekly with full strength Hoagland’s nutrient solution and salinity stress (NaCl) was applied after three weeks of germination. Foliar spray of proline (100 mM) was applied with the treatment of salinity. Salinity stress caused a significant reduction in morphological attributes like lengths and fresh weights of root and shoot, number of leaves and leaf area as well as yield attributes like spike length, number of spikelets per spike, number of grains per spike, yield per plant and 100 seed weight. Furthermore, chlorophyll fluorescence, chlorophyll contents, quantum yield, and electron transport rate (ETR) were also reduced by salt stress. However, foliar spray of 100 mM proline was the most effective to ameliorate the toxic effects of salinity by improving biomass production, chlorophyll fluorescence, chlorophyll contents, and quantum yield in both the cultivars. The findings confirmed the ability of foliar spray of proline to stimulate salt tolerance in wheat plants.
EFFECT OF FOLIAR SPRAY OF ASCORBIC ACID ON NODULATION, GAS EXCHANGE ATTRIBUTES AND MINERAL ION CONTENTS OF PISUM SATIVUM UNDER ZINC STRESS
Authors: Akram Muhammad Asif , Sajid Muhammad , Ahmad Aqeel , Waqar Muhammad , Kusar Samina , Iqbal Atfa , Latif Muhammad Usama
Published: August 2022

Heavy metal toxicity is one of the major abiotic stresses leading to hazardous effects in plants. Ascorbic acid is regarded as one of the most effective antioxidants present in plants. A pot experiment was conducted to determine the effect of foliar spray of ascorbic acid on nodulation, gas exchange attributes, and mineral ion contents of pea (Pisum sativum L.) cultivars under zinc stress. Seeds of two pea cultivars cv. 2001-40 and cv. Meteor were sown in pots following a completely randomized design (CRD) with three replicates. Treatments of ZnSO4.7H2O (5 and 10 mg kg-1) were applied through the rooting medium whereas ascorbic acid (5 ppm and 10 ppm) as foliar sprays after three weeks of germination. Results revealed that zinc stress reduced the growth, gas exchange attributes, potassium and calcium contents of roots and shoots of both the pea cultivars. However, foliar spray of ascorbic acid counteracted the adverse effect of zinc stress on the growth of both pea cultivars. The application of 10 mg kg-1 ascorbic acid proved to be more effective in inducing zinc stress tolerance as compared to other levels. Growth and gas exchange attributes of zinc-stressed plants of both cultivars were also enhanced due to foliar applied ascorbic acid which was positively associated with mineral ion contents. Overall, foliar-applied ascorbic acid ameliorated the adverse effect of zinc stress on nodulation and growth attributes of pea cultivars.
SYNTHESIS OF 4-HYDROXYAZOBENZENE, A PROMISING AZO DYE FOR ANTIFUNGAL ACTIVITY AGAINST MACROPHOMINA PHASEOLINA
Authors: Zafar Aqsa , Javaid Arshad , Ahmed Ejaz , Khan Iqra Haider , Shehzad Hamza , Anwar Aneela
Published: August 2022

In the present study, an azo dye 4-hydroxyazobenzene was synthesized and its antifungal activity against a notorious soil-borne plant pathogen Macrophomina phaseolina was evaluated. The 4-hydroxyazobenzene was synthesized by azo coupling reaction between aniline diazonium salt and activated phenol. The azo coupling preferably occurred at para position of the phenol ring since the charge density get reinforced at this position and to minimize the steric hindrance between ortho positioned hydroxyl group. Azo coupling involved an electrophilic substitution reaction of phenyl diazonium cation with phenolate ion, the coupling partner. In vitro antifungal activity of the compound was assessed by dissolving the compound in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and preparing its different concentrations (ranging from 0.78 to 100 mg mL-1) in malt extract broth. All the concentrations of synthesized compound significantly (P≤0.05) reduced biomass of M. phaseolina by 31–49%. This study concludes that 4-hydroxyazobenzene can be used for control of M. phaseolina.
Use of Subsurface Geology in Assessing the Optimal Co-Location of CO
2
Storage and Wind Energy Sites
Authors: de Jonge-Anderson I. , Underhill J. R.
Published: August 2022

Opportunities exist to re-purpose depleted gas fields in the Southern North Sea as CO
2
storage sites if, where and when they meet the right set of geological, engineering, and non-technical criteria. Fields positioned on the western edge of the basin are attractive as they lie close to the major industrial emitters of East England which need to decarbonise if the UK’s Net Zero targets are to be met. Having stopped production in 2018, Pickerill has CO
2
storage potential as it is a proven trap from which around 440 Bcf of gas has been produced and it is located near the coastline. We use a public-domain 3D seismic dataset, wireline logs, core reports and production data to assess its CO
2
storage potential. The Rotliegend Group reservoir (Leman Sandstone Formation) is a mixed aeolian/fluvial succession with variable thickness (25 m–80 m), high net-to-gross (0.9–1.0), moderate average porosity (9%–17%) and fair-average permeability (>1 mD). The seal is Zechstein Group evaporites and carbonates which thin and swell in response to their post-depositional mobility (halokinesis), further affecting and deforming the overburden. The structure is defined to the south by a WNW-ESE-striking fault system, but the north of the field is characterised mostly by dip closure of the reservoir. NW-SE-striking faults transect the field and segment the structure into several compartments, three of which appear particularly good candidates for CO
2
storage and have a combined CO
2
storage capacity of 32 MtCO
2
. If combined with nearby satellite fields, there is potential for the development of a CO
2
storage cluster capable of sequestering 60 MtCO
2,
however, this potential is challenged by the planned development of an offshore wind farm. Turbines fixed to the seabed over the field would restrict where new CO
2
injection wells might be drilled and efforts to measure, monitor and verify the CO
2
plume using conventional towed-streamer seismic. There is an urgent need to resolve the competition for offshore acreage to ensure that attractive CO
2
storage sites like Pickerill are not disadvantaged but can play a full part in complementing alternative renewable energy sources within the energy transition.
Bioreactor-grown exo- and endo-β-glucan from Malaysian Ganoderma lucidum: An in vitro and in vivo study for potential antidiabetic treatment
Authors: Abdullah Nur Raihan , Mohd Nasir Mohd Hamzah , Azizan Nur Hafizah , Wan-Mohtar Wan Abd Al Qadr Imad , Sharif Faez
Published: August 2022

This study aims to identify the roles of exo-β-glucan (EPS-BG) and endo-β-glucan (ENS-BG) extracted from Ganoderma lucidum (GL) in inhibiting the alpha-glucosidase enzyme, a target mechanism for postprandial hyperglycaemia regulation. Upscale production of GL was carried out using a 10 L bioreactor. The zebrafish embryo toxicity test (ZFET) was carried out based on OECD guidelines. The hatching rate, survival rate, heart rate, morphological malformation, and teratogenic defects were observed and determined every 24 h from 0–120 h of post-exposure (hpe). For diabetes induction, adult zebrafish (3–4 months of age) were overfed and induced with three doses of 350 mg/kg streptozotocin (STZ) by intraperitoneal injection (IP) on three different days (days 1, 3, and 5). The oral sucrose tolerance test (OSTT) and anti-diabetic activity of EPS-BG and ENS-BG were evaluated (day 7) using the developed model (n = 15). This study showed that EPS is the most potent compound with the highest inhibitory effect toward the alpha-glucosidase enzyme with an IC50 value of 0.1575 mg/ml compared to ENS extracts (IC50 = 0.3479 mg/ml). Both EPS-BG and ENS-BG demonstrated a strong inhibition of alpha-glucosidase activity similar to the clinically approved alpha-glucosidase inhibitor, acarbose (IC50 = 0.8107 mg/ml). ENS-BG is non-toxic toward zebrafish embryos with LC50 of 0.92 mg/ml and showed no significant changes in ZE hatching and normal heart rate as compared to untreated embryos (161 beats/min). Teratogenic effects of ENS-BG (<1.0 mg/ml) on zebrafish embryonic development were not observed. The DM model of zebrafish was acquired after the third dose of STZ with a fasting BGL of 8.98 ± 0.28 mmol/L compared to the normal healthy group (4.23 ± 0.62 mmol/L). The BGL of DM zebrafish after 30 min treated with EPS-BG and ENS-BG showed a significant reduction (p < 0.0001). Both EPS-BG and ENS-BG significantly reduced DM zebrafish’s peak blood glucose and the area under the curve (AUC) in OSTT. Hence, EPS-BG and ENS-BG extracted from GL showed promising inhibition of the alpha-glucosidase enzyme and are considered non-toxic in ZE. Moreover, EPS-BG and ENS-BG reduced blood glucose levels and inhibited hyperglycemia in DM zebrafish.
The metabolic fate of oxaliplatin in the biological milieu investigated during in vivo lung perfusion using a unique miniaturized sampling approach based on solid-phase microextraction coupled with liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry
Authors: Olkowicz Mariola , Rosales-Solano Hernando , Ramadan Khaled , Wang Aizhou , Cypel Marcelo , Pawliszyn Janusz
Published: August 2022

Adjuvant chemotherapy after pulmonary metastasectomy for colorectal cancer may reduce recurrence and improve survival rates; however, the benefits of this treatment are limited by the significant side effects that accompany it. The development of a novel in vivo lung perfusion (IVLP) platform would permit the localized delivery of high doses of chemotherapeutic drugs to target residual micrometastatic disease. Nonetheless, it is critical to continuously monitor the levels of such drugs during IVLP administration, as lung injury can occur if tissue concentrations are not maintained within the therapeutic window. This paper presents a simple chemical-biopsy approach based on sampling with a small nitinol wire coated with a sorbent of biocompatible morphology and evaluates its applicability for the near-real-time in vivo determination of oxaliplatin (OxPt) in a 72-h porcine IVLP survival model. To this end, the pigs underwent a 3-h left lung IVLP with 3 doses of the tested drug (5, 7.5, and 40 mg/L), which were administered to the perfusion circuit reservoir as a bolus after a full perfusion flow had been established. Along with OxPt levels, the biocompatible solid-phase microextraction (SPME) probes were employed to profile other low-molecular-weight compounds to provide spatial and temporal information about the toxicity of chemotherapy or lung injury. The resultant measurements revealed a rather heterogeneous distribution of OxPt (over the course of IVLP) in the two sampled sections of the lung. In most cases, the OxPt concentration in the lung tissue peaked during the second hour of IVLP, with this trend being more evident in the upper section. In turn, OxPt in supernatant samples represented ∼25% of the entire drug after the first hour of perfusion, which may be attributable to the binding of OxPt to albumin, its sequestration into erythrocytes, or its rapid nonenzymatic biotransformation. Additionally, the Bio-SPME probes also facilitated the extraction of various endogenous molecules for the purpose of screening biochemical pathways affected during IVLP (i.e., lipid and amino acid metabolism, steroidogenesis, or purine metabolism). Overall, the results of this study demonstrate that the minimally invasive SPME-based sampling approach presented in this work can serve as (pre)clinical and precise bedside medical tool.
Engineering bone-forming callus organoid implants in a xenogeneic-free differentiation medium
Authors: Decoene Isaak , Herpelinck Tim , Geris Liesbet , Luyten Frank P. , Papantoniou Ioannis
Published: August 2022

The field of tissue engineering aspires to provide clinically relevant solutions for patients through the integration of developmental engineering principles with a bottom-up manufacturing approach. However, the manufacturing of cell-based advanced therapy medicinal products is hampered by protocol complexity, lack of non-invasive critical quality controls, and dependency on animal-derived components for tissue differentiation. We investigate a serum-free, chemically defined, xeno- and lipid-free chondrogenic differentiation medium to generate bone-forming callus organoids. Our results show an increase in microtissue homogeneity during prolonged differentiation and the high quality of in vivo bone-forming organoids. The low protein content of the culture medium potentially allows for the monitoring of relevant secreted biomarkers as (critical) quality attributes. Together, we envisage that this xeno- and lipid-free chondrogenic medium is compatible with industrial scale-up and automation while facilitating the implementation of non-invasive imaging and the use of quality control parameters based on secreted biomarkers.
A novel two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenide as water splitting photocatalyst with excellent performances
Authors: Wang Fang , Cheng Zishuang , Zhang Xiaoming , Xie Chunxiao , Liu Fucai , Chang Chuntao , Liu Guodong
Published: August 2022

With the rising demand for renewable energy, photocatalysts are considered the most promising solution to harness solar energy, and the search for photocatalysts with excellent performances remains an urgent task. Here, based on density functional theory (DFT), the photocatalytic properties of MoWS4 are systematically investigated. The MoWS4 monolayer and bilayer are demonstrated as semiconductors with indirect band gaps of 2.01 and 1.48 eV. Moreover, they exhibit high and anisotropic light absorption coefficients of up to ∼105 cm−1 in the visible-ultraviolet region. The intrinsic band edge positions could fully satisfy the redox potentials of water without any external adjustment. The electron mobility of MoWS4 monolayer is 557 cm2 V−1s−1, which is seven times higher than MoS2 monolayer. Hence, MoWS4 can be regarded as a promising 2D photocatalyst candidate for water splitting.
Oxidation leaching of chromium from electroplating sludge: Ultrasonic enhancement and its mechanism
Authors: Huang Kaihua , Wang Lizhangzheng , Wen Yong , He Kuang , Zhang Mingyang , Du Jianwei , Hu Xiaoying
Published: August 2022

The oxidation leaching of chromium from electroplating sludge was investigated, and ultrasonication was introduced for the enhancement of the leaching process. Two different types of Cr-bearing electroplating sludge were selected for the study, and the effects of the reagent dosage, temperature, and ultrasonic pulse ratio on the leaching efficiency were tested through oxidation leaching experiments. The experimental results show that hydrogen peroxide and sodium hypochlorite exhibit different leaching effects on different types of electroplating sludge. The control of reagent dosage is crucial for the oxidation leaching of Cr, while the effect of temperature turns out to be small. Hydrogen peroxide turns out to be a more effective oxidizer for chromium sludge, and the leaching efficiency of Cr could be promoted from 77.52% to 87.08% using ultrasonic enhancement under optimum conditions. Interestingly, sodium hypochlorite exhibited better leaching efficiency than hydrogen peroxide for the mixed sludge since the organic matter in the mixed sludge will lead to the rapid decomposition and consumption of hydrogen peroxide. The leaching efficiency of Cr from the mixed sludge could also be promoted from 56.82% to 67.10% using ultrasonic enhancement under optimum conditions. According to the scanning electron microscope imaging, ultrasonic enhancement can create voids and cracks on the surface of the sludge particles, hence promoting the contact between electroplating sludge and leaching agents, and promoting the oxidation leaching efficiency. In addition, ultrasound seems to be able to remove the coverings on the surface of the mixed sludge particles, which may facilitate the oxidation reaction.
Future changes in boreal winter ENSO teleconnections in a large ensemble of high-resolution climate simulations
Authors: Johnson Nathaniel C. , Wittenberg Andrew T. , Rosati Anthony J. , Delworth Thomas L. , Cooke William
Published: August 2022

The impacts of the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) are expected to change under increasing greenhouse gas concentrations, but the large internal variability of ENSO and its teleconnections makes it challenging to detect such changes in a single realization of nature. In this study, we explore both the internal variability and radiatively forced changes of boreal wintertime ENSO teleconnection patterns through the analysis of 30-member initial condition ensembles of the Seamless System for Prediction and EArth System Research (SPEAR), a coupled global climate model developed by the NOAA Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory. We focus on the projected changes of the large-scale circulation, temperature, and precipitation patterns associated with ENSO for 1951–2100 under moderate and high emissions scenarios (SSP2-4.5 and SSP5-8.5). We determine the time of emergence of these changes from the noise of internal climate variability, by determining the time when the amplitude of the ensemble mean change in the running 30-year ENSO composites first exceeds the 1951-1980 composite anomaly amplitude by at least one ensemble standard deviation. Overall, the high internal variability of ENSO teleconnection patterns primarily limits their expected emergence to tropical and subtropical regions before 2100, where some regions experience robust changes in ENSO-related temperature, precipitation, and 500 hPa geopotential height patterns by the middle of the twenty-first century. The earliest expected emergence generally occurs over tropical South America and Southeast Asia, indicating that an enhanced risk of ENSO-related extreme weather in that region could be detected within the next few decades. For signals that are expected to emerge after 2050, both internal climate variability and scenario uncertainty contribute similarly to a time of emergence uncertainty on the order of a few decades. We further explore the diversity of ENSO teleconnections within the SPEAR large ensemble during the historical period, and demonstrate that historical relationships between tropical sea surface temperatures and ENSO teleconnections are skillful predictors of projected changes in the Northern Hemisphere El Niño 500 hPa geopotential height pattern.