bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Congenital visual deprivation modulates the perception of own, but not others’ body size
Authors: Nava Elena , Tamè Luigi , Giurgola Serena , Bolognini Nadia
Published: February 2021

Neuropsychological reports of phantom sensations in congenital limb aplasia have often been taken as evidence of the existence of an innate, ‘hard-wired’, representation of the body in the brain that does not need to be constructed from, or updated by, online afferent sensory inputs, including vision. However, when asked to draw the contour of their own body and of an ideal body (i.e. body with perfect proportions), congenitally, but not late blind individuals, exhibited a magnified representation of their own body, specifically of their hands, in comparison to sighted controls. This over-representation did not extend to their ideal body model. These findings show that the representation of the own body metric is shaped by early visual experience, and that seeing one’s own and other bodies early in development contributes to the construction of a unified internal model, in which ‘own’ and ‘other’ merge.
Neural relational inference to learn allosteric long-range interactions in proteins from molecular dynamics simulations
Authors: Zhu Jingxuan , Wang Juexin , Han Weiwei , Xu Dong
Published: February 2021

Protein allostery is a biological process facilitated by spatially long-range intra-protein communication, whereby ligand binding or amino acid mutation at a distant site affects the active site remotely. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulation provides a powerful computational approach to probe the allosteric effect. However, current MD simulations cannot reach the time scales of whole allosteric processes. The advent of deep learning made it possible to evaluate both spatially short and long-range communications for understanding allostery. For this purpose, we applied a neural relational inference (NRI) model based on a graph neural network (GNN), which adopts an encoder-decoder architecture to simultaneously infer latent interactions to probe protein allosteric processes as dynamic networks of interacting residues. From the MD trajectories, this model successfully learned the long-range interactions and pathways that can mediate the allosteric communications between the two distant sites in the Pin1, SOD1, and MEK1 systems.
Transcriptional expression changes during compensatory plasticity in the central nervous system of the adult cricket
Authors: Prasad Meera P. , Detchou Donald , Wang Felicia , Ledwidge Lisa L. , Kingston Sarah E. , Horch Hadley Wilson
Published: February 2021

Damage to the adult central nervous system often leads to long-term disruptions in function due to the limited capacity for neurological recovery. The central nervous system of the Mediterranean field cricket, Gryllus bimaculatus, shows an unusual capacity for compensatory plasticity, most obviously in the auditory system and the cercal escape system. In both systems, unilateral sensory disruption leads the central circuitry to compensate by forming and/or strengthening connections with the contralateral sensory organ. While this compensatory plasticity relies on robust dendritic sprouting and novel synapse formation in the auditory system, the compensatory plasticity in the cercal escape circuitry shows little obvious dendritic sprouting and instead may rely on shifts in excitatory and inhibitory synaptic strength. In order to better understand what types of molecular pathways might underlie this compensatory shift in the cercal system, we used a multiple k-mer approach to assemble a terminal ganglion transcriptome that included ganglia collected one, three, and seven days after unilateral cercal ablation in adult, male animals. We performed differential expression analysis using EdgeR and DESeq2 and examined Gene Ontologies to identify candidates potentially involved in this plasticity. Enriched GO terms included those related to the ubiquitin-proteosome protein degradation system, chromatin-mediated transcriptional pathways, and the GTPase-related signaling system. Further exploration of these GO terms will provide a clearer picture of the processes involved in compensatory recovery of the cercal escape system in the cricket and can be compared and contrasted with the distinct pathways that have been identified upon deafferentation of the auditory system in this same animal.
Magneto-photo-thermoelastic Interactions in a Semiconductor Solid Cylinder Due to a Periodic Decaying Varying Heat
Authors: Abouelregal A. E. , Zenkour Ashraf M.
Published: February 2021

The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
Can the Visualization of Rip Currents Prevent Drowning Accidents? Consideration of the Effect of Optimism Bias
Authors: Endo Shintaro , Shimada Ryo , Ishikawa Toshinori , Komine Tsutomu
Published: February 2021

Almost all drowning accidents in Japan are caused by rip currents. To reduce these accidents, a new technology that can detect rip currents and notify beachgoers by using the Internet of Things (IoT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) was proposed. However, studies on the effect of visualizing rip currents or considering the effect of optimism bias have not been conducted. This study investigates if visualization of rip currents might help in preventing drowning accidents, while considering the effect of optimism bias. The participants were 90 Japanese beachgoers. They were asked to answer questions based on their knowledge of the beach and rip currents, their optimism bias regarding rip currents, and awareness with or without visualization. The results of the analyses suggest that despite optimism bias, the visualization of rip currents increases the tendency of beachgoers to perceive and avoid rip currents. As described above, it found that by visualizing rip currents, beachgoers can avoid. Additionally, an understanding of rip currents is positively related to the intent to avoid rip currents with visualization. Therefore, it is necessary not only to enhance the avoidance tendency by visualizing rip currents, but also to further enhance knowledge of beachgoers to deepen the understanding of rip currents including the danger associated and methods to avoid them.
Synthesis of pure potassium pentaborate (KB5) from potassium dihydrogen phosphate (KH2PO4) and colemanite
Authors: Karagöz Özlem , Kuşlu Soner
Published: February 2021

In this study, after specifying theoretical reaction conditions required for chemical reaction, potassium pentaborate (KB5) was synthesized from the potassium dihydrogen phosphate (KH2PO4) solution and the raw colemanite (Ca2B6O11.5H2O) ore. The slow evaporation solution method was used at 25 ℃. The effect of time (6-18 hours) on crystallization was studied. Synthesized minerals were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), RAMAN spectroscopies, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results according to the XRD, FT-IR, RAMAN, and SEM analyses proved that the synthesized product was the potassium pentaborate (KB5O8.4H2O) mineral having the ICSD: 96-026-1927 pdf code. As a result, the cost was reduced by using raw boron ore, colemanite and KB5 could be obtained in a shorter time and at a lower temperature.
Protective effect of Bmscs-derived exosomes on testicular ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats
Authors: Tian Hu , Zhang Wan-song , Yang Cheng , Zhou Jun-hao , Zhou Ran-ran , Guo Wen-bin , Liu cundong
Published: February 2021

Background

Testicular Ischemia reperfusion injury(IRI) is a major pathophysiological process of surgical reduction after testicular torsion, and oxidative stress is the main injury factor. However, the role of BMSCs-derived exosomes in testicular IRI and its mechanism have not been reported. In this study, we investigated the protective effect of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes against testicular ischemia-reperfusion injury.
Methods

Results: BMSCs were successfully isolated and cultured from rat bone marrow, and exosomes secreted by BMSCs were successfully extracted. In vivo experiment: The testicular torsion rat model was established, and various biochemical indexes of oxidative stress and testicular tissue HE was detected in the sham operation group, testicular torsion group and bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosome treatment group. In vitro experiment: H2O2 was used to construct TM4 and GC1 oxidative stress models, and various biochemical indexes of oxidative stress and corresponding pathway proteins were detected in the control group, H2O2 group and bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosome treatment group.
Conclusion

BMSCs-derived exosomes can be absorbed by rat spermatogonia and have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory protective effects against testicular ischemia-reperfusion injury。
Effects of long-term fertilizer practice on fungal and actinobacterial cellulolytic communities with different humified particle-size fractions in a double-cropping paddy field
Authors: Tang Haiming , Li Chao , Xu Yilan , Cheng Kaikai , Shi Lihong , Wen Li , Li Weiyan , Xiao Xiaoping
Published: February 2021

Cellulose plays an important role in maintaining or improving soil carbon (C) cycling and soil fertility. And there has closely relationship between functional cellulose genes (cbhI and GH48) with characterize of soil organic matter chemical components (fulvic acid and humic acid) and soil physical fractions. However, there is still limited information on how functional cellulose degradation responded to long-term fertilizer management and their relative importance for C sequestration under double-cropping rice paddy field in southern China. Therefore, the effects of 34-year long-term fertilizer regime on community abundance of cbhI and GH48 in five soil particle-size fractions were investigated by using polarization magic angle spinning 13C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The field experiment consisted of four different fertilizer treatments: chemical fertilizer alone (MF), rice straw residue and chemical fertilizer (RF), 30% organic manure and 70% chemical fertilizer (OM), and without fertilizer input as control (CK). The results showed that distribution of soil humus and cellulolytic microbial community abundance were significantly increased under long-term application of crop residue and organic manure condition. And the FA, HA and HM C contents in >2000 μm and 2000-50 μm fractions with MF, RF and OM treatments were significantly higher than that of CK treatment. Meanwhile, the alkyl C and Oalkyl C groups of FA in >2000 μm and 2000-50 μm fractions were higher than that of the other fractions, the order of relative abundance of different C groups of HA in different particle-size fractions were following alkyl C>o-alkyl C>aromatic C>carboxylic C with MF, RF, OM and CK treatments. The results indicated that abundance of cbhI and GH48 genes in different particle-size fractions were significantly increased with RF and OM treatments, compared with CK treatment. There were significantly positive correlation between chemical composition of FA and HA with cbhI and GH48 abundances. As a result, the cellulolytic gene abundance were significantly increased under combined application of crop residue and organic manure with chemical fertilizer condition.
Ultrafast photo-induced enhancement of electron-phonon coupling in metal-halide perovskites
Authors: Laquai Frédéric , Wang Mingcong , Gao Yajun , Wang Kai , De Wolf Stefaan
Published: February 2021

In metal-halide perovskites (MHPs), the nature of organic cations affects both, the perovskite’s structure and its optoelectronic properties. Using ultrafast pump-probe spectroscopy, we demonstrate that in state-of-the-art mixed-cation MHPs ultrafast photo-induced bandgap narrowing occurs, and linearly depends on the excited carrier density in the range from 1016 cm− 3 to above 1018 cm− 3. Furthermore, time-domain terahertz (td-THz) photoconductivity measurements reveal that the majority of carriers are localized and that the localization increases with the carrier density. Both observations, the bandgap narrowing and carrier localization, can be rationalized by ultrafast (sub-2ps) photo-induced enhancement of electron-phonon coupling, originating from dynamic disorder, as clearly evidenced by the presence of a Debye relaxation component in the terahertz photoconductivity spectra. The observation of photo-induced enhancement of electron-phonon coupling and dynamic disorder not only provides specific insight into the polaron-strain distribution of excited states in MHPs, but also adds to the development of a concise picture of the ultrafast physics of this important class of semiconductors.
Prevalence Of Gastrointestinal Helminth Parasites In Domestic Ruminants From Srikakulam District, Andhra Pradesh, India.
Authors: Shameem Ummey , Malathi Sanapala , Marlapudi Komali
Published: February 2021

Coprological studies on the prevalence of gastrointestinal helminth (GI) parasites in domestic ruminants from Srikakulam district of Andhra Pradesh, India, were carried out for a period of one year from January 2019 to December 2019. Fecal examination was done using direct smear, sedimentation and floatation methods. Altogether 3,527 fecal samples were examined including 595 from cows, 485 from buffaloes, 1342 from sheep and 1105 from goat. Out of 3,527 fecal samples examined, 1084 were found to be positive with three groups of gastrointestinal parasites (GI) showing an overall prevalence of 30.7%. Maximum infection was noted with nematodes (39.1%) and trematodes (37.3%), least infection was noted with cestodes (3.5%) and mixed infections were found to be moderate (20.01%). Host wise prevalence of parasitic infection has shown highest in the case of cattle recording 43.03%, followed by 40.8% in buffaloes, 29.4% in sheep, and 21.4% in goats. Total six varieties of parasites were recorded, the predominant being Haemonchus (Strongyle group) (29.25%), followed by Paramphistomum (25.5%), Fasciola (11.9%), Strongyloides (7.6%), Moniezia (3.5%) and Trichuris (2.2%). Season wise data on prevalence showed, high rate of infection in summer season (32.0%) when compared to winter (30.2%) and rainy (29.9%) seasons. Further studies are needed to design a rational for sustainable management of GI parasite infections in domestic animals of local regions.
Medical Capacity Shortages Facilitated the Rapid Dissemination of COVID-19 in Wuhan, New York State, and Italy
Authors: Xu Yuehao , Zhang Cheng , Qian Lixian
Published: February 2021

Background: During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak, every public health system faced the potential challenge of medical capacity shortages. Infections without timely diagnosis or treatment may facilitate the stealth transmission and spread of the virus. Important as the influence of capacity shortages on the epidemic, it is still unclear how they could intensify the spread of the epidemic qualitatively under different circumstances. Our study aims to throw light on this influence.Methods: Using infection and medical capacity information reported in Wuhan in China, New York State in the United States, and Italy, we developed a dynamic susceptible–exposed–infected–recovered (SEIR) model to estimate the impact of medical capacity shortages during the COVID-19 outbreak at the city, state, and country levels.Results: The proposed model can fit data well (R-square > 0.9). Through sensitivity analysis, we found that doubled capacity would lead to a 39% lower peak infected number in Wuhan. Italy and New York State have similar results.Conclusions: The less shortages in medical capacity, the faster decline in the daily infection numbers and the fewer deaths, and more shortage would lead to steepen infection curve. This study provides a method for estimating potential shortages and explains how they may dynamically facilitate disease spreading during future pandemics such as COVID-19. Based on this, policy makers may figure out some way to explore more medical capacity and control the epidemic better.
On the population density limit to variable renewable energy potential
Authors: Barnea Gil , Barnea Nir
Published: February 2021

Renewable energies are expanding rapidly around the globe. In several countries, however, their expansion is being challenged by NIMBY groups and land footprint. In this article, we suggest that indeed a major challenge for renewable energy expansion appears to be tied to land use questions, especially in regions with high population density. Our research finds a strong relationship between population density and renewable energy expansion. The power density of Variable Renewable Energy (VRE) sources, such as wind turbines or photovoltaic panels, is much lower than that of fossil fuels or nuclear power plants, to the extent that land availability seems to be the limiting factor for large scale VRE production. During the last decade, a substantial theoretical effort was dedicated to study the actual power density of VRE, and the available space in order to estimate the limits that land footprint sets on VRE production. On top of the technological, and geographical issues associated with such studies there are somewhat more complicated and less well defined sociological issues related to the willingness of population to live in near proximity to large scale VRE farms. To explore the overall issue of VRE penetration and limitations, the installed VRE capacity data from different countries is examined. It is found that in Germany, with VRE power density of 0.27 W/m2 (2018 data), there is a strong negative correlation between the population density and VRE capacity, dominated by solar power production. We interpret this correlation as an indication that Germany has reached the point where land usage is becoming the limiting factor for installation of new VRE power plants. As Germany is a worldwide leader in VRE production per capita with more than 1 kW/person, we speculate that this sets a universal barrier of 2%-3% on the fractional land area available for VRE production. Crossing this barrier the expansion of the installed VRE capacity is expected to stall. This does not, however, mean that renewable energy expansion will be doomed in countries with high population density. Rather it suggests the need for new approaches — a stronger focus on battery storage technologies, inter-sectoral coupling (renewable energy storage in automobile batteries) and continued investment in efficiency improvements of renewable energy technologies. It may also be a question of how renewable energy develops — enhancing solar on existing built infrastructure (rooftops, siding, and even roads) could help address this issue.
The Protection motivation theory for predict intention of COVID-19 vaccination in Iran: A structural equation modeling approach
Authors: Ansari-Moghaddam Alireza , Seraji Maryam , Sharafi Zahra , Mohammadi Mahdi , Okati-Aliabad Hassan
Published: February 2021

BackgroundMany efforts are being made around the world to discover the vaccine against COVID-19. After discovering the vaccine, its acceptance by individuals is a fundamental issue for disease control. This study aimed to examine COVID-19 vaccination intention determinants based on the protection motivation theory (PMT). Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study in the Iranian adult population and surveyed study participants from the first to the 30th of June 2020 with a web-based self-administered questionnaire. We used Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) to investigate the interrelationship between COVID-19 vaccination intention and perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, perceived self-efficacy, and perceived response efficacy. Results SEM showed that perceived severity to COVID-19 (β=.17, p < .001), perceived self-efficacy about receiving the COVID-19 vaccine (β=.26, p < .001), and the perceived response efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccine (β=.70, p < .001) were significant predictors of vaccination intention. PMT accounted for 61.5% of the variance in intention to COVID-19 vaccination, and response efficacy was the strongest predictor of COVID-19 vaccination intention. ConclusionsThis study found the PMT constructs are useful in predicting COVID-19 vaccination intention. Programs designed to increase the vaccination rate after discovering the COVID-19 vaccine can include interventions on the severity of the COVID-19, the self-efficacy of individuals receiving the vaccine, and the effectiveness of the vaccine in preventing infection.
Modeling Mortality by Causes of Death in South Africa Using Log-linear Analysis
Authors: Chireshe Exaverio
Published: February 2021

This study aimed at identifying underlying patterns in mortality due to causes of death in South Africa using mortality statistics from 2005 to 2015 obtained from Statistics South Africa. Log-linear analysis was used in this study on mortality by causes of death dataset having three variables, cause of death (C), province (P) and year (Y). Log-linear analysis was preferred because of its capability to tease out relationships among variables. Results revealed that there are variations in mortality due to causes of death. Mortality was found to differ widely across the country, among provinces. It is recommended that prevention and management policies for HIV and TB be intensified since they still remain South Africa's major causes of death. A replication of the study could be done in another developing country using latest data to see if it will yield the same results. A multi-population mortality modeling could also be carried out using the same approach.
Relationships of gut microbiota, short-chain fatty acids, inflammation, and the gut barrier in Parkinson's disease
Authors: Aho Velma T , Houser Madelyn Crawford , Pereira Pedro AB , Chang Jianjun , Rudi Knut , Paulin Lars , Hertzberg Vicki , Auvinen Petri , Tansey Malu Gamez , Scheperjans Filip
Published: February 2021

Background: Previous studies have reported that gut microbiota, permeability, short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), and inflammation are altered in Parkinson’s disease (PD), but how these factors are linked and contribute to disease processes and symptoms remains uncertain. This study sought to compare and identify associations among these factors in PD patients and controls to elucidate their interrelations and links to clinical manifestations of PD.Methods: Stool and plasma samples and clinical data were collected from 55 PD patients and 56 controls. Levels of stool SCFAs and stool and plasma inflammatory and permeability markers were compared between patients and controls and related to one another and to the gut microbiota.Results: Calprotectin was increased and SCFAs decreased in stool in PD in a sex-dependent manner. Inflammatory markers in plasma and stool were neither intercorrelated nor strongly associated with SCFA levels. Age at PD onset was positively correlated with SCFAs and negatively correlated with CXCL8 and IL-1β in stool. Fecal zonulin correlated positively with fecal NGAL and negatively with PD motor and non-motor symptoms. Microbiota diversity and composition were linked to levels of stool SCFAs, inflammation, and zonulin. Certain relationships differed between patients and controls and by sex.Conclusions: Intestinal inflammatory responses and reductions in fecal SCFAs occur in PD, are related to the microbiota and to disease onset, and are not reflected in plasma inflammatory profiles. Some of these relationships are PD- and sex-dependent. Alterations in microbiota-host interactions and links between intestinal inflammation and reduced SCFA levels and earlier PD onset warrant further investigation.
Nutrient Considerations for Diversified Cropping Systems in the Northern Great Plains
Authors: Grant Cynthia A. , Peterson Gary A. , Campbell Constantine A.
Published: February 2021

The impacts of recent changes in cropping systems in the northern Great Plains on nutrient dynamics are described in this review paper. Cropping intensity and diversity are increasing in the Great Plains because reduced tillage systems have improved water conservation and, subsequently, crop yields. Higher annualized crop yields increase nutrient removal, which must be balanced by increased nutrient inputs to ensure optimal crop yield and quality while avoiding soil depletion. Furthermore, diversification of crops alters the pattern and degree of nutrient removal and influences microbiological activity and soil quality. Although cropping intensification and diversification will influence most plant nutrients, N and P are the nutrients most commonly deficient for crop production in the Great Plains and most likely to be affected by management practices. Cropping intensification increases crop residue return to the soil, which in turn increases the soil organic C pool. This can lead to higher soil organic matter levels and a greater potential for nutrient cycling, an effect that will increase with time. Cropping systems that include legumes have the potential for contributing N to following crops and may moderate NO3 levels in the soil to avoid potential for NO3 leaching. Phosphorus availability may be influenced by depletion or accumulation of P, based on past cropping and fertilizer management. In addition, preceding crop may influence P availability through residue effects and impacts on vesicular‐arbuscular mycorrhizae activity. Synchrony of nutrient supply with crop demand is essential in order to ensure optimum crop yield and quality while avoiding negative environmental impacts.
Potential of Forages to Diversify Cropping Systems in the Northern Great Plains
Authors: Entz Martin H. , Baron Vern S. , Carr Patrick M. , Meyer Dwain W. , Smith S. Ray , McCaughey W. Paul
Published: February 2021

Cultivated forage crops are grown on almost 12 million ha on the northern Great Plains. This paper reviews the benefits of diversifying annual crop rotations with forage crops and highlights innovations in forage systems. Agronomic benefits of rotating forage crops with annual grain crops include higher grain crop yields following forages (up to 13 yr in one study), shifts in the weed population away from arable crop weeds, and improved soil quality. Perennial legumes in rotation also reduce energy requirements by adding significant amounts of N to the soil. Soil water availability may limit the extent to which forages benefit following crops. Under semiarid conditions, forages can actually reduce yields of the following crops, and as such, tillage practices that conserve soil water have been developed to partially address this problem. Forages in rotation provide environmental benefits, such as C sequestration, critical habitat for wildlife, and reduced NO3 leaching. A wider range of annual plant species are now used in forage systems in an effort to extend the grazing season and to maximize use of water resources. Intensive pasture management using cultivated forages is on the increase as is the use of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) in grazing systems; in some cases, bloat‐reduced alfalfa cultivars are used. Pasture‐based systems appear to provide benefits for both animal and human health and arguably the health of the environment. Pasture systems are less nutrient exhausting than hay systems. As a result, nutrient management strategies will differ in the following crop. Additional research is required to optimize the role of cultivated pastures in grain‐based cropping systems.
Agroecosystems and Land Resources of the Northern Great Plains
Authors: Padbury Glenn , Waltman Sharon , Caprio Joseph , Coen Gerald , McGinn Sean , Mortensen David , Nielsen Gerald , Sinclair Raymond
Published: February 2021

The northern Great Plains have long been dominated by conventional tillage systems and cereal‐based rotations including summer fallow. Over the last decade, however, the use of conservation tillage systems has markedly increased and, through improved moisture storage, has provided an opportunity for more diversified extended rotations including oilseed, pulse, and forage crops throughout the region. Considerable research is being carried out to assess the adaptability of these new crops and to develop appropriate management strategies. Typically, this type of agronomic research is carried out at plot‐sized research sites, with the findings then being extrapolated to surrounding regions where growing conditions are thought to be reasonably similar. Because the environment itself largely dictates the success of a particular cropping system, extrapolation requires knowledge of the environmental conditions of the region and, in particular, the interaction of environmental components of soil and climate in relation to specific crop requirements. This paper describes 14 agroecoregions in the northern Great Plains and provides an initial framework for extrapolating agronomic information at broad regional scales. Because climate is the dominant crop production factor in the region, most of the agroecosystems represent broad climatic zones. Each agroecoregion is described in terms of its soil and landscape characteristics, with a particular focus being given to likely key environmental parameters related to the production of the new oilseed, pulse, and forage crops being introduced in the region.
Winter Crop, Tillage, and Planting Date Effects on Double‐Crop Cotton
Authors: Buntin G. David , Raymer Paul L. , Bednarz Craig W. , Phillips Dan V. , Baird Richard E.
Published: February 2021

Canola (Brassica napus L.) can be profitably grown as a winter crop in a double‐crop system in the southeastern USA. However, stand reductions of double‐cropped cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) following canola have been observed. Field experiments were conducted over 2 yr to examine the effects of previous crop, tillage, planting date, and pesticide use on stand establishment of double‐cropped cotton. In all 1999 experiments, cotton stand and seed cotton yields were reduced following canola compared with following winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). In four of five comparisons, cotton seedling infection by Rhizoctonia solani was greater following canola than following wheat or fallow. All R. solani isolates were anastomosis group AG‐4, indicating that canola production did not selectively increase an unusual biotype of R. solani In both years, R. solani AG‐4 infection rates were enhanced by use of aldicarb [2‐methyl‐2‐(methylthio)propionaldehyde O‐(methylcarbamoyl)oxime] granular insecticide regardless of the preceding winter crop. The fungicide treatment did not prevent seedling infection by R. solani but did reduce stand and yield losses in 1999. Tillage had no consistent affect on R. solani AG‐4 infection, stand, or yield following any winter crop treatment. Delayed cotton planting also did not consistently affect R. solani AG‐4 infection or cotton stand but did reduce seed cotton yield at Tifton. Thus, modified tillage practices and delayed cotton planting are not viable management tools for controlling R. solani AG‐4 infection and minimizing stand losses of cotton when double‐cropped following canola.
Evaluation of Narrow‐Row Corn Forage in Field‐Scale Studies
Authors: Cox William J. , Cherney Debbie J. R.
Published: February 2021

Some dairy producers in the northeastern USA grow corn (Zea mays L.) in narrow rows at high plant densities and N fertility. We evaluated first‐year, second‐year, and continuous corn in field‐scale studies at 0.76‐ and 0.38‐m row spacings at recommended densities (≈85000 plants ha−1) and N fertility (≈165 kg ha−1) and at 0.38‐m spacing at high densities (≈100000 plants ha−1) and N fertility (≈225 kg ha−1) in 1998, 1999, and 2000 to determine if narrow‐row corn forage requires high densities and N fertility for optimum yield and quality. Narrow‐row corn at high vs. recommended densities and N fertility had similar soil NO3–N concentrations in the upper 0.3‐m depth and whole‐plant N concentrations at the sixth leaf stage of corn (V6) as well as similar ear‐leaf N concentrations at silking in eight of the nine site‐year comparisons. All treatments were above critical concentrations for soil NO3–N concentrations (>25 mg kg−1), whole‐plant N concentrations (>35 g kg−1), and ear‐leaf N concentrations (>25 g kg−1, except in the cool 2000 season). Consequently, narrow‐row corn at high vs. recommended densities and N fertility had similar dry matter yield and quality in eight site‐year comparisons. Furthermore, narrow‐row corn at high vs. recommended densities and N fertility had greater residual soil NO3–N concentrations in three site‐year comparisons. We recommended that dairy producers in the northeastern USA grow narrow‐row corn forage at recommended plant densities and N fertility.
Influence of Prohexadione Calcium on Pod Yield and Pod Loss of Peanut
Authors: Beam Joshua B. , Jordan David L. , York Alan C. , Isleib Thomas G. , Bailey Jack E. , McKemie Thomas E. , Spears Jan F. , Johnson P. Dewayne
Published: February 2021

Excessive vegetative growth of peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) can make digging and inverting operations less efficient. Reducing vine growth by applying a suitable plant growth regulator would be an efficient way to manage peanut vines. Pod yield, market grade factors, and gross economic value of peanut treated with prohexadione calcium (calcium salt of 3,5‐dioxo‐4 propionylcyclohexanecarboxylic acid) were evaluated at 19 sites in North Carolina during 1999 and 2000. Experiments were also conducted at two locations each during 1999 and 2000 to determine the effect of prohexadione Ca, digging date, and lifting (shaking peanut vines after digging to remove soil before combining) on combined yield, market grade factors, gross economic value, seed germination, and pod loss of the virginia market‐type cultivar NC 12C. Prohexadione Ca at 140 g a.i. ha−1, applied at 50% row closure and repeated 2 wk later, increased row visibility at harvest, pod yield by 310 kg ha−1, and gross economic value of quota peanut by $223 ha−1 when pooled over 19 sites. Prohexadione Ca increased combined yield by 220 kg ha−1 and decreased percent pod loss by 4% regardless of digging date and lifting treatment compared with nontreated peanut. Prohexadione Ca did not affect maximum yield (sum of pods remaining in soil and on the soil surface and pods that were combined) or germination of peanut seed. These data suggest that increased combined yield noted following application of prohexadione Ca can be partially attributed to decreased pod loss.
Nitrogen Recycling by Nonleguminous Winter Cover Crops to Reduce Leaching in Potato Rotations
Authors: Weinert Tom L. , Pan William L. , Moneymaker Maurice R. , Santo Gerald S. , Stevens Robert G.
Published: February 2021

Overwinter N leaching increases the potential for NO3contamination of ground water under irrigated desert soils. Our objectives were to (i) identify winter cover crops for recovering N and (ii) determine the N availability following green manure cover crops relative to N uptake by a succeeding potato (Solanum tuberosumL.) crop. A 2‐yr field study was conducted on commercial fields on Quincy loamy sand (mixed mesic Xeric Torripsamments). Cover crops were seeded following sweet corn (Zea maysL.) as fall‐incorporated sudangrass (Sorghum bicolorL., ‘Sordan’); fall‐ and spring‐incorporated white mustard (Brassica hirtaMoench, ‘Martegena’); and spring‐incorporated wheat (Triticum aestivumL., ‘Stevens’), rapeseed (B. napusL., ‘Jupiter’), and rye (Secale cerealeL.). Potato (‘Russet Burbank’) was planted 3 to 5 wk after spring incorporation of green manures. All cover crops except sudangrass accumulated 112 to 142 kg N ha−1when planted in August at Plymouth, WA, but N uptake was decreased by >50% when planted in September at Quincy, WA. Overwintering cover crops lowered soil mineral N at 0 to 180 cm by 155 kg N ha−1compared with bare fallow at Plymouth. Fall‐incorporated mustard released greater inorganic N over the winter compared with spring incorporation. Soil NH4and NO3increased following overwintering cover crops by potato planting, providing timely increases in N availability to the potato crop. Winter cover crops can improve N cycling and reduce the amount of N below the root zone in potato‐based rotations.
On‐Farm Monitoring of Soil Nitrate‐Nitrogen in Irrigated Cornfields in the Ebro Valley (Northeast Spain)
Authors: Villar‐Mir Josep M. , Villar‐Mir Pere , Stockle Claudio O. , Ferrer Francesc , Aran Miquel
Published: February 2021

The irrigated area served by the Canal d'Urgell, a semiarid region in the Ebro Valley (northeast Spain), presents problems of ground water pollution by nitrates. Corn (Zea mays L.) is widely grown in this area, and N fertilization in corn production is the major source of N input in the area, with application rates in excess of crop requirements. In this study, we monitored several commercial cornfields for soil NO3–N levels, crop N uptake, and crop productivity over a 2‐yr period to quantify the relationship among soil NO3–N, N fertilizer rates, crop N use, and N loss through leaching. Monitoring soil NO3–N profiles showed that in some fields, soil NO3–N was transported to deeper layers in the soil during the growing season. In many cases, important accumulation of NO3–N was observed at the bottom of the soil at physiological maturity, increasing the risk of winter leaching. Soil N availability, calculated as preplanting soil nitrate test + N fertilizer, was neither related to plant N uptake nor final biomass and grain yield. In some plots, the occurrence of drought during the growing season was more decisive than soil‐available N in explaining crop N uptake and grain yield differences. Available N levels found in the soil were above 370 kg ha−1 in all cases. Apparently, these levels were enough to satisfy the crop N requirements to achieve yields above 11 to 12 Mg ha−1. Overall data showed that there is an excess of N in the system.
The Qur'an and Inter-Religious Relation Models in Contemporary World
Authors: Fadal Kurdi
Published: February 2021

This article examines interreligious relations during the Qur’anic revelation and its contextualization in the contemporary world. This library research, focusing on ‘Ali Jum’ah’s thought, utilizes a qualitative with a historical approach. The results of this research show that the Qur'an was revealed in four models of Muslim and non-Muslim relations: the Meccan period model; the Habasyah phase, the first migration of some Muslims and as a minority under non-Muslims authority; and two Medina periods (the Early and the Latter) when Muslims become a majority who lived together peacefully with other religious communities under Muslim authority. Ali Jum'ah uses nasā’ as a theory to contextualize the four models of interfaith relations. According to him, each of these models can be applied and developed in contemporary Muslims, especially in the Indonesian context, based on the principles of the Qur'an.
Tasawuf dalam Cengkeraman Materialisme Historis: Kajian Pemikiran Husein Muruwwa
Authors: Riyadi Abdul Kadir
Published: February 2021

By referring to the thought of Husain Muruwwa, this study looks at the spiritual dimension of Islam, namely Tasawuf, and how it is being interpreted in terms of a continuous social change. Muruwwa –the paper tries to show- is confident that the only authentic approach to interpreting Islam and Tasawuf in terms of social change is historical materialism, which he often calls intellectual Marxism or Realist Socialism. The advantage of this approach, he argues, lies in its ability to rejuvenate the missing intellectual dimension of Islam, but also in its capacity to produce knowledge as well as in establishing the link between the past and the present. The whole idea of the link between the past and the present is associated with his project to formulate what he calls, a new national culture. While believing that Islam can be a vibrant source of the new culture, he treats this religion as a form of culture as such. Hence –this paper shows- Muruwwa’s notion of Islam is quite heterodox since he tries to drag out its theological dimension in order to dig up its social aspects. His view of Tasawuf is equally uncommon. His is the idea that Tasawuf has nothing to do with Islam. It is rather the product of social interaction in a particular society. Being Marxist Moreover, he maintains that the central teaching of the Sufis is not to encourage men to know God but to become God as such.
The Moral Philosophy of Capitalism In the View of the Javanese Islamic Trade Ethos
Authors: Daryono Daryono , Syukur Suparman
Published: February 2021

The results of this paper were based on library research which aimed to understand capitalism in terms of Javanese Muslim trade ethos based on the work of experts. On the one hand, there was a mismatch between the economic system of capitalism and the ethos for the objectification of Islam in commerce and the results were suitable for world views and cultural life. Java was in a postcolonial state on the other hand. The method of analyzing its understanding was through historical and normative social as well as normative ethics and metaethics. The analysis resulted in three characteristics of the theoretical construction of Javanese Muslim trade ethos as a way of being kind, namely respect and care for anything, respect and harmony or care for anyone and in accordance with the culture and religious experience of Javanese Muslims at that time. These three characteristics had been proven during the Mangkunegara IV period, capable of creating human progress in various fields of life, especially the Mangkunegaran kingdom, for example, it was called Kala Sumbaga (a prosperous period). Therefore, this theoretical construction was expected to be an alternative to ethical thinking and vision in trade at the regional or national level.
Çalgı-Kimlik İnşasında Toplumsal Cinsiyetin Rolü ve Kayseri’de Akordeon Çalan Çerkez Kadınların Çalgı Seçim Süreçleri
Authors: Karataş Yasemin , Sağer Turan
Published: February 2021

Çalgı-kimlik inşası sürecinde değinilen konulardan biri de çalgılara cinsiyetler atfedilmesi ve çalgıların cinsiyetleştirilmesidir. Farklı kültürlerde bazı çalgılar kadın çalgısı ya da erkek çalgısı olarak adlandırılmaktadır. Toplumsal cinsiyet algılarının büyük rol oynadığı bu durumda, toplumun değer yargıları ve kültürel özellikleri oldukça etkilidir ve çalgılara cinsiyetler atfedilmesi konusunun, toplumların kültürel özelliklerine göre oluştuğu ve geliştiği söylenebilir. Bu doğrultuda bireylerin çalgı seçimleri de toplumsal cinsiyet algıları ve toplumsal cinsiyet rollerinden etkilenebilmektedir. Kadın çalgısı olarak adlandırılan ve kadınlıkla ilişkilendirilen çalgılar çoğunlukla kadınlar tarafından tercih edilirken, erkek çalgısı olarak adlandırılan ve erkeklikle ilişkilendirilen çalgılar ise çoğunlukla erkekler tarafından tercih edilebilmektedir.
Araştırmada, akordeon çalan Çerkez kadınlarda bulunan toplumsal cinsiyet algılarının, çalgı seçiminde ne ölçüde rol oynadığı ve kadınların bu durumdan nasıl etkilendiklerini belirlemek amaçlanmıştır. Yapılan alan araştırmasıyla Kayseri’de bulunan ve akordeon çalan Çerkez kadınlar tespit edilip, 16 kadının çalgı seçimi süreçlerinde toplumsal cinsiyetin etkisinin olup olmadığı tespit edilmeye çalışılmıştır. Araştırma, nitel araştırma yöntemlerinden betimsel araştırma modeline uygun olarak gerçekleştirilmiş ve alan araştırmasına yer verilmiştir. Veri toplama aracı olarak yarı yapılandırılmış görüşme soruları geliştirilerek, akordeon çalan Çerkez kadınlara uygulanmıştır. Araştırmada görüşme tekniği kullanarak elde edilen veriler, betimsel analiz yönteminden yararlanılarak analiz edilmiştir. Elde edilen verilerden yola çıkıldığında kadın katılımcıların çalgı seçimlerini toplumsal cinsiyet algılarından, toplumsal cinsiyet rollerinden, aile ve çevreden etkilenerek edinilmiş akıl yoluyla gerçekleştirdikleri, geçmişte ağırlıklı olarak kadınların çaldığı ve katılımcılara göre kadın çalgısı olarak adlandırılan bu çalgıyı kullanmayı tercih ettikleri sonuçlarına ulaşılmıştır.
Novel Biomarkers for Lupus Nephritis in the “OMICS” Era
Authors: Dias Raphael , Hasparyk Ursula Gramiscelli , Lopes Monisi Peres , de Barros João Luiz Vieira Monteiro , Simões e Silva Ana Cristina
Published: February 2021

Lupus nephritis (LN) is severe renal comorbidity associated with systemic lupus
erythematosus (SLE), a complex autoimmune disorder with high morbidity and mortality.
Diagnosis and monitoring of LN patients still rely on renal biopsy, a procedure
that exposes patients to a variety of risks and is not capable of providing longitudinally information
about disease prognosis. In this review, we summarized current data of recent
promising biomarkers developed in the precision medicine era, particularly under genomic,
transcriptomic, proteomic, and metabolomic techniques. Genome-wide association
studies have been evaluating the role of endogenous elements beyond the autoimmunity
in LN. Transcriptomic methods, including single-cell sequencing, are potential tools in
identifying inflammatory signatures, miRNAs, and gene expression. Proteomic measures,
including anti-C1q antibodies, cytokines, TLRs, VCAM-1, NGAL osteopontin, angiostatin,
have been considered helpful to provide a more profound comprehension of the
disease pathogenic processes. Metabolomic approaches may identify several abnormal
metabolite profiles related to the impairment of cellular functions. Together, these accurate,
non-invasive, and moderate-cost propedeutic resources may be the novel tools for
recognizing, distinguishing, and predicting LN progression and prognosis. Furthermore,
omics evaluation may also predict responsiveness to treatment and, consequently, change
the way we manage LN cases in the near future.
In-Silico Validation and Fabrication of Matrix Diffusion-Based Polymeric Transdermal Patches for Repurposing Gabapentin Hydrochloride in Neuropathic Pain
Authors: Singh Manisha , Agarwal Shriya , Pancham Pranav , Agarwal Vinayak , Kaur Harleen , Kaur Ramneek
Published: February 2021

Background:

Gabapentin (GBP) is an FDA-approved drug for the treatment of partial
and secondary generalized seizures, apart from being used for diabetic neuropathic pain. GBP displays
a highly intricate mechanism of action and its inhibitory response in elevated antagonism of
NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor) receptor and thus, can be repurposed for controlling neuropathic
pain.

Objective:

Therefore, in the present study, we have selected hBCATc (humanPyridoxal 5’-phosphate-
dependent branched-chain aminotransferase cytosolic) gene that is highly expressed in silico
validation through neuropathic stressed conditions. Thereafter, have analysed the GBP as its competitive
inhibitor by in silico validation through homology modelling, molecular docking, also predicting
its structural alerts and pharmacokinetic suitability through ADMET. However, and GBP
was found to be a potential drug in controlling neuropathic pain, still, it has certain critical and
pharmacokinetic limitations; therefore, the need for its targeted delivery was required, and the
same was attained by designing a GBP loaded transdermal patch (GBP-TDP).

Methods:

A suitable and equally efficacious GBP - TDP was developed by a solvent evaporation
method using PVP and HPMC in the ratio of 2:1 as a polymer base for reservoir type of TDP. Also,
PEG 400 was used as a plasticizer, and PVA (4%) was taken for backing membrane preparation,
and then the optimized GBP-TDP was subjected for physical characterization, optimization
and ex vivo release kinetics.

Results:

The results showed desired specifications with uneven and flaky surface appearance giving
an avenue for controlled release of the drugs with 92.34 ± 1.43% of drug release in 10 hours,
further suggesting that GBP-TDP can be used as an effective tool against diabetic neuropathy pain.

Conclusion:

In this study, we have repurposed Gabapentin to treat diabetic neuropathy and validated
the same by conducting a detailed in silico evaluation starting from homology Modelling of the
target protein hBCATc, cross verified by the Ramachandran plot analysis with the most favoured
region of 92.1% (encompassing 303 residues out of 386).