bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Strategies of Information Dominance in the Context of the Rivalry Between Western and Chinese Concepts of the Future World Order
Authors: Koshmarov Mikhail
Published: January 2023

The article examines the prospects for the development of virtual and augmented reality technologies and artificial neural networks (AI) in the field of the production of social consent. It describes in modern IT terminology and analyzes the concept of the metaverse, the possibilities of such technology in propaganda, solving environmental problems, overpopulation, overconsumption, and achieving sustainable development goals. The object of research of this work is modern society. The subject of the research is new ICT technologies and their impact on global political processes. The purpose of the study is to analyze and forecast the use of such technologies, assess opportunities and risks. The study was conducted by comparative and analytical methods in combination with new terminology describing modern realities. The data are taken from open sources and scientific literature. The results obtained can be used to assess global political trends, global markets and information policy in the short and medium term. The risks and opportunities of new technologies currently being deployed have been assessed. A number of fundamental contradictions of Western and Chinese concepts of civilization development are revealed. A significant asymmetry in the development of the IT industry in Taiwan and the United States, and its impact on the policies of the main players, is described. The data are compared with each other and other studies in this area. Previously, the topic of the metaverse in conjunction with the Sustainable Development Goals has not been studied, which represents a certain scientific novelty. The results obtained allow us to talk about a new phenomenon in the field of communication created by leading IT corporations. An assessment of the risks and prospects of this concept in case of its implementation has been made.
Elastic wave propagation characteristics in unsaturated double-porosity medium under capillary pressure
Authors: Shi Zhi-Qi , He Xiao , Liu Lin , Chen De-Hua , Wang Xiu-Ming ,   State Key Laboratory of Acoustics, Institute of Acoustics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China,   University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China,   Beijing Engineering and Technology Research Center for Deep Drilling Exploration and Measurement, Institute of Acoustic, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
Published: January 2023

Rock pores often contain two-phase or multi-phase fluids, so it is important to understand how the wave-induced fluid pressure diffusion affects dispersion and attenuation of elastic waves for resource exploration. To describe the propagation of elastic wave in a double-porosity medium saturated by two-phase fluids, a wave propagation model, including both global and local flow mechanisms and considering the effect of capillary pressure, is derived. The dispersion and attenuation characteristics of three longitudinal waves (P1, P2, P3) and one transverse wave (S wave) are investigated by analyzing a plane wave, and the effects of physical parameters, such as inclusion radius, water saturation, permeability and porosity, on the propagation characteristics of P1 wave are investigated. Theoretical analysis shows that the model derived in this work can be degenerated into the Biot model under specific conditions. According to the numerical simulation results, due to the coupling of global flow and local flow, the P1 wave velocity may decrease below the Gassmann-Wood limit. The physical explanation of this phenomenon is as follows: when considering the effect of capillary pressure, the coupling effect of global flow and local flow will break the basic assumption that rock is undrained. The relationship between physical parameters of porous medium and the dispersion and attenuation characteristics of elastic wave is complicated and nonlinear. Compared with Santos model, elastic modulus predicted by Santos-Rayleigh model is in good agreement with the experimental data in the low frequency band, which proves that this model has good reliability in modeling the velocity field of seismic exploration.
Super-resolution reconstruction based on Gaussian transform and attention mechanism
Authors: Zou Shuilong , Ruan Mengmu , Zhu Xishun , Nie Wenfang
Published: January 2023

Image super-resolution reconstruction can reconstruct low resolution blurred images in the same scene into high-resolution images. Combined with multi-scale Gaussian difference transform, attention mechanism and feedback mechanism are introduced to construct a new super-resolution reconstruction network. Three improvements are made. Firstly, its multi-scale Gaussian difference transform can strengthen the details of low resolution blurred images. Secondly, it introduces the attention mechanism and increases the network depth to better express the high-frequency features. Finally, pixel loss function and texture loss function are used together, focusing on the learning of structure and texture respectively. The experimental results show that this method is superior to the existing methods in quantitative and qualitative indexes, and promotes the recovery of high-frequency detail information.
Development and validation of a novel risk model in newly diagnosed de novo bone metastatic prostate cancer (M1b): a retrospective study
Authors: Zhang Yang , Wang Junqi , Ding Li , Zheng Yuxin , Wu Chuang , Wang Kun , Xia Wentao , Ge Peng
Published: January 2023

Background

Previous studies suggested that bone metastasis has a significant effect on the time of progression to metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) for newly diagnosed de novo bone metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC). Nevertheless, the effect of different bone metastasis sites was not fully evaluated. This study aimed to develop and validate a novel bone metastatic risk model.

Methods

We enrolled 122 patients who were newly diagnosed with de novo bone metastatic prostate cancer following primary androgen deprivation based therapy at our institution from January 2008 to June 2021. The metastatic bone sites were classified into six sites: skull; cervical, thoracic, and lumbar vertebrae; chest (ribs and sternum); pelvis; upper limbs; and lower limbs. We calculated the bone metastatic score (BMS) for each site: 0 points were assigned for non-metastasis and 1 point was assigned for metastasis. The X-tile was adopted to acquire optimal cutoff points of BMS. We defined high-risk group (HRG) as BMS ≥ 3 and low-risk group (LRG) as BMS < 3. The new bone risk stratification was validated by calculating the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). Subsequently, the relevant clinical prognostic variables were added to construct a predictive nomogram for predicting CRPC.

Results

The median patient age was 73 years. Most patients had Gleason score ≤8 (93 cases, 76.2%). The median follow-up duration was 11.5 months (range: 2–92 months). Eighty-six patients progressed to CRPC during the follow-up. The most common bone metastatic site was the pelvis (90.2%). The median BMS was 4. Seventy-six patients had HRG, while forty-six had LRG. The 1-, 2-, and 3-year AUCs for H/LRG were 0.620, 0.754, and 0.793, respectively. The HRG was associated with earlier time to CRPC. A nomogram based on four parameters (Gleason score, H/LRG, prostate-specific antigen [PSA] nadir, and time to PSA nadir) was developed to predict CRPC. Internal validation using bootstrapping demonstrated good accuracy for predicting the CRPC (C-index: 0.727). The calibration analysis demonstrated that the model performed well.

Conclusion

We established a novel H/LRG risk model for newly diagnosed de novo bone metastatic prostate cancer, which provided evidence to support clinical decision-making.
Temperature Variation in Kerala: Present and Future
Authors: Ajithkumar B. , Riya K. R.
Published: January 2023

Temperature is changing worldwide and a warming trend is expected in most parts. This study investigates the long-term (1983-2020) trend analysis of the maximum temperature in Kerala and the future trend in maximum temperature. The future temperature has been downloaded from GFDL-CM3, which is most suited for Kerala conditions was used to assess the future climate change under different representative concentration pathways (RCP) 4.5 and 8.5 scenarios. The Mann-Kendall test was also used for trends analysis for the downloaded data for each RCPs. The baseline (1980 – 2020) temperature was compared with future (2021-2050 and 2051-2080) simulations for the 14 districts of Kerala under different RCPs. An increasing trend of maximum temperature was observed in all districts of Kerala during the period of 1980 -2020. The increasing temperature trend was confirmed by Mann- Kendall test at a 0.01 significant level. The warming is expected to increase in future simulations under RCP 4.5 and 8.5. In the high-range zone, a decrease in temperature is expected during the beginning of the mid-century, but it continues to show an increasing trend in the projected climate. Under RCP 4.5 in most districts, an increase in temperature by 0.03ºC per year is expected in the future. While under RCP 8.5 the temperature is expected to increase by 0.05ºC per year and 0.06ºC per year by mid and end century respectively.
Quality of Labels of Some Locally Manufactured Medicines in Ghana
Authors: Osei-Asante Samuel , Osei-Djarbeng Samuel N. , Okai Charles Ayensu , Adjei Victor , Owusu-Dapaah George
Published: January 2023

Background: Labelling plays an important role in informing healthcare providers and patients on appropriate information on drugs and how to optimize their therapeutic effects whilst minimizing potential side-effects. For these reasons, drug regulatory bodies have specifications which drug manufacturers are required to conform to in the labelling of their products.

Aim: The purpose of the study was to find out whether locally manufactured medicines on the Ghanaian market meet the specifications set out by the Ghana Standards Authority.

Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out in Kumasi, Ghana, between April 2018 and September 2018.

Methodology: The labels of one hundred locally produced drugs were assessed based on the general labelling rules for drugs outlined in the Legislative Instrument, L.I. 1541. Some parameters used for the assessment were dates of manufacture and expiry, batch number, indications, active ingredients, handling precautions, etc.

Results: Results obtained indicated that 17% of the products did not have date of manufacture; 10% did not bear expiry dates; 23% did not have batch numbers; 54% did not have indications; and 24% did not specify the active ingredients. It was also observed that 15% of the products did not have handling precautions.

Conclusion: Such products may present a serious health threat to users, as for instance, drugs without expiry dates may be consumed even after it has expired; and for those without batch numbers, it may be difficult to recall when a problem arises. Additionally, products without indications may be wrongly used. Based on the results, it is recommended that the appropriate regulatory bodies take a critical look at the labels on drugs in the market.
Phenotypic and genotypic characterization of antibiotic resistance of Listeria monocytogenes isolated from raw milk samples collected from Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka
Authors: Chathurika Harshani Hewa Babarandage , Ramesh Rathnasingham , Prabashini Halmillawewa Anupama , Wijendra Wijendra Acharige
Published: January 2023

Listeria monocytogenes is a food-borne pathogen that can cause severe invasive infection called ‘listerosis’ in humans. Development of antibiotic resistance is a major setback in the management of conditions caused by Listeria in both human and veterinary medicine. In this study, antibiotic resistance of fifty L. monocytogenes strains isolated from raw milk samples collected from farms in Polonnaruwa district, Sri Lanka was determined for four commonly used antibiotics; penicillin, ampicillin, streptomycin and tetracycline. The strains were also tested for the presence of selected antibiotic resistant genes (penA, ampC, strA, strB, tetA and tetB). L monocytogenes isolates showed resistance to ampicillin (60%), penicillin (40%) streptomycin (16%) and tetracycline (8%) in diffusion assays. Phenotypic multidrug resistance was exhibited by twenty isolates. The tetracycline resistant gene (tetA) was detected in seven isolates, while tetB was not detected in any. Presence of streptomycin resistant genes (strA or strB) was confirmed in seven isolates. Ampicillin (ampC) and penicillin (penA) resistant genes were not detected in any of the tested isolates. Except from the samples collected from Sungavila area, isolates from other sampling areas showed resistance to at least one of the antibiotics tested, suggesting that raw milk samples are prone to be contaminated with L. monocytogenes strains with different antibiotic resistant profiles. Therefore, necessary hygienic precautions are recommended to avoid any potential public health threats and to safeguard the health of raw milk consumers.
Growth, yield, and fruit quality responses of three cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) varieties to different ethephon concentrations
Authors: . Kusumiyati , Nurul Fajr Sarah , Sutari Wawan , Sauman Hamdani Jajang
Published: January 2023

The decline in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) production in Indonesia was correlated with sex ratio imbalance. Therefore, ethephon could be used to retard vegetative growth and modify the sex ratio of the cucumber plant towards femaleness to increase yield. This regulator also has the ability to increase fruit quality. The objective of this research was to investigate the growth, yield, and fruit quality responses of three cucumber varieties to different ethephon concentrations. A factorial randomized block design was used and consisted of cucumber variety (Vanesa, Mars, and Roberto) and ethephon concentration (no ethephon, 150 ppm, and 300 ppm). Each treatment was replicated three times. The results revealed that 150 ppm of ethephon reduced vegetative growth and increased the number of female flowers, sex ratio, fruit diameter, and marketable fruits. Roberto variety had the highest sex ratio, fruit length, total carotenoid, flavonoid, and phenolic content. The interaction effect showed that Roberto with 150 ppm of ethephon exhibited the best in male flower number and fruit weight per plant. Overall, the ethephon treatment at 150 ppm and Roberto variety were recommended to increase the yield and quality of cucumber.
Use of sorbents to improve water quality in the production of reconstituted dairy products
Authors: Maria Alimardanova , Zhuldu Khamzina , Serge Belopukhov
Published: January 2023

Ensuring the safety of dairy products is one of the components of integrated food safety. The safety of dairy products is directly related to the organization of production control carried out when assessing the quality of water of the centralized drinking water supply system. The article discusses the feasibility of using natural and modified zeolites to ensure water safety. The physical and chemical properties of natural zeolites of the Taizhuzgen and Shankanai deposits of Kazakhstan, the possibility of their use to improve the quality of water in the production of reconstituted dairy products were investigated. The efficiency of water sample purification with modified zeolite of the Shankanai deposit for heavy metal ions was: Pb2+ – 79%, Cd2+ - 98%, Fe2+ - 77%, depending on the initial impurity concentration. It was found that the studied sorbents can be used to improve the quality of water in the production of reconstituted dairy products
STUDY OF XANTHOMONAS CAMPESTRIS PV. CAMPESTRIS ISOLATES ORIGINATING FROM SOIL AND BRASSICA SPP. SEEDS
Authors: Vlajić Slobodan , Gvozdanović Varga Jelica , Iličić Renata
Published: January 2023

Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris (Xcc) is a harmful pathogen of the Brassicaceae agricultural plants in Serbian agroecological conditions. The bacterium survives in soil, plant residues, seeds, and wild and weedy plants. This study aimed to characterize Xcc isolates that persist in field soil and roots where they represent a risk to causing disease of Brassicaceae plants. Collection of soil samples was carried out in the period 2015 - 2017 in four locations regions Vojvodina with cabbage cultivation in monoculture or crop rotations. The cabbage seed samples were collected in the same period in Futog and Despotovo locations (agricultural farms) and local farmer markets. All isolations were done on SX and YDC agar plates with the addition of cycloheximide at 250 mg/l. Based on the pathogenicity tests and morphological and biochemical characteristics, 28 identified Xcc isolates were selected, 12 from soil and 16 from seeds. Molecular confirmation of the Xcc isolates was done using multiplex PCR (m-PCR) with Xcc-specific primer sets DLH 120/125 and Zup 2309/2310. In all selected isolates and the reference Xcc strain NCPPB1144, the expected 370 and 619 bp PCR fragments were amplified. Characterizing isolates by rep-PCR fingerprinting using BOX A1R and (GTG)5 primers resulted in informative patterns. Cluster analysis grouped the strain Xcc NCPPB 1144 with all Xcc isolates, while other tested Xanthomonads were clustered separately. Based on the similarity level of 90%, we obtained three out of 12 representative isolates from soil and four out of 16 representative seed isolates. The characterization of Xcc isolates from soil and seeds will enable their comparison with those pathogenic isolated from leaves of Brassicaceae plants.
INDUCED PASSIVE HEATING ON THE EMERGENCE, EARLY GROWTH AND PHOTOCHEMICAL RESPONSES OF SEEDLINGS OF NATIVE MAIZE (ZEA MAYS L.) GENOTYPES FROM WARM-DRY, TEMPERATE, AND HOT AND HUMID CLIMATES
Authors: Diédhiou Idrissa, , Ramírez-Tobia Hugo M.
Published: January 2023

The majority of research on the effects of climate change on maize has concentrated on yield, with only a few studies focusing on seedling emergence and growth. Warmer temperatures predicted as a result of climate change will have an impact on seedlings emergence and growth. An experiment was carried out with induced passive heat with the objective of simulating the increase in temperature in emergence, initial growth and photosynthetical parameters of native genotypes of maize from three different agro-ecological zones (warm-dry, temperate, and hot and humid) climates of San Luis Potosí, México. Two different environments, Open Top Chambers (OTC) and control, were used as treatment and two genotypes for each agro-ecological zone were used. A total of 100 seeds were used in a random design with factorial arrangement for each genotype and environment (OTC and control). Abiotic variables (mean daily temperature, minimum and maximum daily temperature and the accumulated heat units) were determined and compared between the two environments and confirmed that the OTC increased temperatures and heat units. The percentage and velocity of seedling emergence and photochemical quenching (qP) were negatively affected by the effect of induced heat while the rate of growth of plants was accelareted and its plant height was increased. These results reveal dependence on the adaptation of the native genotypes. According to seedling emergence and growth, genotypes from less stress conditions (hot and humid (Huasteca)) were most affected while those from places with major variations in temperature condicions (warm-dry and temperate (Altiplano and Media respectively)) were not. We concluded the effect of induced heat diminish the seedling emergence and photochemical quenching while the growth benefited.

Keywords: Climate change; Heat; Open top chamber; Temperature; Zea mays seedling
Phytochemical screening, polyphenols content and antioxidant activity of by-products of two corn variety
Authors: Rodríguez-Miranda Jesús , Carlos-Isidr Arely , Martínez-Sánche Cecilia , Herman-Lar Erasmo
Published: January 2023

Phytochemical screening, polyphenols content, and antioxidant activity of the different parts of the white and purple corn (white corn cob, WCC; white corn leaf, WCL; white corn grain, WCG; purple corn cob, PCC; purple corn leaf, PCL, and purple corn grain, PCG) were evaluated. PCG had a higher content of fat (9.7%) and carbohydrates (77%), while WCG had a higher protein content (15.8%), the leaves had a higher fiber content (37 - 40%). The phytochemical profile was positive for alkaloids, carbohydrates, phytosterols, phenols, and terpenoids in all samples. The total phenolic content, WCC presented the highest (P < 0.05) value (225 mg GAE/100 g sample) and in lower concentration in PCG. However, PCG had a higher content of total flavonoids (104 mg CE/100 g sample). The results suggest that agroindustry wastes from corn (cob and leaf) could be considered a potential source of fiber, carbohydrates, and bioactive compounds with antioxidant capacity.
Evaluation of phenolic acid, total phenolic content, antioxidant capacity and in-vitro simulated bioaccessibility of healthy snack: Aromatized pumpkin chips
Authors: Aydin Emine
Published: January 2023

Pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata Duch.) is a vegetable which has positive effects on health due to its valuable nutrients and can therefore be used as a functional snack food. The objective of this study was to investigate the total phenolic contents, antioxidant capacities, in-vitro bioaccessibilities, and phenolic acids of pumpkin chips (PCs) supplemented with some aromatizing spices (cinnamon and ginger). According to the results, especially PCs aromatized with spices are rich in terms of phenolic content, antioxidant capacities and bioaccessibility. Within the phenolic acids, the p-hydroxybenzoic is the predominant phenolic acid in the PCs. The results of this research revealed that PCs were a functional snack thanks to their high antioxidant capacities, phenolic content, and their bioaccessibility. In addition, cinnamon and ginger further increased the functional properties of PCs. It is consequently thought that aromatized PCs could be an excellent alternative snack food for people from all ages.
Effect of drought stress on the foraging behavior of insect pollinators and the reproductive success of canola (Brassica napus L.)
Authors: Younas Muqaddas , Ali Mudssar , Matloob Amar , Sajjad Asif , Tahira Gul Hafiza , Saeed Shafqat
Published: January 2023

To appraise the effect of drought stress on the foraging behavior (visitation frequency and visitation rate) of insect pollinators and its ultimate impact on reproductive success of canola (Brassica napus L.), an experiment was carried out at the Research Farm of MNSUniversity of Agriculture, Multan, Pakistan. Previously, only a few studies have evaluated drought stress as a predictor of plant-pollinator interactions. Normal irrigated and drought stress plots of canola were separated by a distance of fifteen meters. Normal irrigated plots received recommended number of irrigations (three times) i.e., 1st irrigation at 30 days after germination (DAG), 2nd at flowering, and 3rd at pod setting. However, irrigation was applied only once to drought-stressed plots i.e., 1st irrigation at 30 DAG. Twelve insect species in two orders and five families visited the canola flowers. These floral visitor species were grouped into three categories, i.e., Apis bees (honey bees), non-Apis bees, and flies. The abundance of Apis and non-Apis bees was significantly higher in irrigated plots than in drought plots, while the abundance of flies did not differ significantly in both plots. Stay time of all the floral visitors was significantly higher in drought plots, while the visitation rate was significantly higher in irrigated plots. The interaction between pollination modes (open pollination and self-pollination) and water regimes (normal irrigation and drought stress) was significant for all the reproductive success parameters of canola (silique length and weight, number of seeds per silique, seed weight per silique, number of siliques per plant and fatty acid contents (%) of canola seeds) under normal irrigation regime for free insect visits treatment. Moreover, a variation of 83% to 207% was observed for these parameters between irrigated and drought plots receiving insect pollination (free insect visits) due to higher pollinator abundance and visitation rate in the former ones. However, all the reproductive success parameters did not vary between irrigated and drought plots with no insect pollination (no insect visits, caged treatment). In conclusion, drought stress negatively affected insect pollinators’ foraging behavior, leading to low reproductive success in canola. In the climate change scenario and limited water availability, future studies should consider drought stress for other cross-pollinated crops under varying environments and pollinator fauna.
Impact of alpha-amylase enzyme on the Rheological and Microstructural properties of the different types of rice flour doughs and bread
Authors: Dabash Vikendra , Buresova Iva
Published: January 2023

The purpose of this study is to discuss the significant role of the α-amylase enzyme in the production and rheological characteristics of gluten-free rice dough and baked bread. Small deformation and large deformation methods were used to evaluate the effect of the α-amylase enzyme addition on the dough and bread rheological characteristics. The baking properties of bread were evaluated by specific volume, baking loss, and Texture profile analysis parameters. The effect of the added enzyme on the dough microstructure was also evaluated. Small deformation study of doughs showed the highest significant changes after enzyme addition in 0.5S and extra-fine flour doughs. The dynamic rheological study of the flours doughs during the heating period showed significant changes in doughs properties as a function of α-amylase. After enzyme addition, a significant difference in crumb hardness was observed in the fine, semi-coarse, and extra-fine bread. After α-amylase addition in black rice, 0.5S and extra-fine doughs G’, G” and values were decreased. The research explains how the alpha-amylase enzyme effect the rheological characteristics of gluten-free dough and bread. Rheological analysis of doughs made from flour during the heating period indicated that the properties of the doughs were significantly affected by the presence of α-amylase.
Effect of pH modulation on the physicochemical characteristics of chicken bone extract
Authors: Lee Sanghun , Park Yunhwan , Park Sanghun , Kim Yun-a , Park Gyutae , Kim Yoonsik
Published: January 2023

This study investigated the effect of brown rice-vinegar-induced changes in pH on the physicochemical properties (ash, moisture, protein, fat, collagen, chondroitin sulfate, sugar, and mineral content, color, salinity, and pH) of chicken bone extract. The following treatments were employed: control (purified water, 62%; chicken bones, 30.47%; chicken feet, 6.88%; garlic, 0.58%; pH 7), T1 (purified water, 62%; chicken bones, 30.47%; chicken feet, 6.88%; garlic, 0.58%; organic brown rice vinegar, 0.01%; pH 6), T2 (purified water, 62%; chicken bones, 30.47%; chicken feet, 6.88%; garlic, 0.58%; organic brown rice vinegar, 0.02%; pH 5), and T3 (purified water, 62%; chicken bones, 30.47%; chicken feet, 6.88%; garlic, 0.58%; organic brown rice vinegar, 0.23%; pH 4). Protein, ash, and chondroitin sulfate contents and the brightness tended to increase, while the yellowness and redness, sugar content, salinity, and pH tended to decrease when the percentage of brown rice vinegar was increased. The collagen content was significantly higher in the control and T3 groups. Further, the Ca content tended to increase, while K, Mg, N, and P contents tended to decrease with increasing percentage of brown rice vinegar. The Ca/P ratio improved as the percentage of brown rice vinegar increased. At a concentration of 0.02%, brown rice vinegar effectively improved the overall quality of chicken bone extract in terms of the investigated physicochemical properties (minerals being the exception). Therefore, use of 0.02% brown rice vinegar during the preparation of chicken bone extract would result in the most ideal physicochemical properties.
Mapping of quantitative trait loci for resistance to turcicum leaf blight in maize (Zea mays L.)
Authors: Jakhar Dan , Singh Rajesh , Devesh Pavan , Kumar Saket , Singh Abhishek , Prakash Srivastava Ram
Published: January 2023

Turcicum Leaf Blight (TLB) is a common foliar disease of maize. The aim of this study was to find quantitative trait loci (QTL) for TLB resistance in maize. By crossing two inbred lines, CM 212 (susceptible) and CM 145 (resistant), a mapping population was developed, which was evaluated in two environments namely E1 (Varanasi, U.P., India; 250 N, 830 E) and E2 (Nagenahalli, Karnataka, India; 120 N, 760 E). Data on four disease severity traits viz., Percent Disease Index (PDI), Area Under Disease Progress Curve based on PDI (AUDPC-PDI), Lesion Area (LA), and Area Under Disease Progress Curve based on LA (AUDPC-LA) were generated for locating QTLs. Fifteen QTL intervals for resistance to TLB were located on chromosomes 1, 2, 4, 5, 6 and 9. Out of these fifteen QTLs, two QTLs were reported for trait PDI on chromosomes 1 and 5 for TLB resistance at E1; seven QTLs were identified at E2, where two QTLs were reported for PDI on chromosome 4, four QTLs for trait area under disease progress curve based on PDI and one QTL was reported for trait lesion area. Additionally, identified at pooled environment, six QTLs exhibited the LOD values in the range of 2.64 and 7.77, and corresponding R2 in the range of 10.80 and 17.74 in the individual environments and across the environments
Evaluation of agricultural policies implemented with respect to less favoured area’s: evidence from Turkey
Authors: Unuvar Fatma Ilknur , Dellal Ilkay
Published: January 2023

There have been many different agricultural support tools varying by countries. These agricultural support tools are determined according to different indicators such as the policies, expectations, regions, and economic levels of the countries and may differ from each other. One of these agricultural support tools is Less Favoured Area (LFAs) that has been applied for a long time. Turkey has many geographically different regions and many different agricultural support tools like those in the other counties However, considering the EU full membership process policies, a specified support tool for the LFAs, which are widely used in the EU, has not been implemented in Turkey. Mersin province is one of the areas where that is an issue and so was selected for this study. The province has a dual structure, with high mountains (Taurus) and wide plains. People in the mountainous areas make a living from animal production, especially goat breeding. The study framework was based on the logistic regression model, which was compared farmers' descriptive statistics and socio-economic features in villages in the mountainous/semi-mountainous areas and on the plains of Mersin province. Farmers’ intentions for land allocation and livestock and their migration tendencies were analysed in different scenarios. Age, experience, number of small ruminants, land size and credit usage were found to have a statistically significant effect on farmers’ decisions about continuing farming. Their decisions changed across the policy scenarios provided, and a policy that considers regional differences was found to be significant in their decisions. The paper shows agricultural support policies should consider regional differences to compensate for income losses due to physical conditions.
Spirulina enriched gluten free quality protein maize (QPM) pasta as functional food
Authors: U. K Veena , D Shobha , Joshi Neena , M. B Darshan , P.S Benherlal
Published: January 2023

The gluten-free Quality Protein Maize (QPM) and pasta made from such grains would have far-reaching implications for achieving nutritional stability. As a result, the aim of this study was to see whether QPM combined with legume flours could be used to make gluten-free pasta (pasta without gluten protein). Furthermore, the effect of adding legume flours and spirulina to QPM pasta (2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 %) on color, appearance, cooking, physical, nutritional and sensory quality was examined. The best-accepted combination of QPM (QPM flour 60 %, black gram flour 30 %, defatted soy flour 8 %, and guar gum 2 %-Q) and QPM pasta enriched with spirulina (QPM flour 60 %, black gram flour 30 %, Spirulina 6 %, defatted soy flour 2 % and guar gum 2 % -S) were compared to the control (100 % whole wheat flour-C). The functional and cooking parameters such as bulk density (0.54 kg/m3), swelling index (1.3 g/g), and cooked weight (11.0 g) of the spirulina pasta were slightly higher with a reasonable cooking loss of 7.6 %. The nutrients such as protein (21.6 %), calcium (44 mg %), iron (8.6 mg %), lysine (3.1 g/100g protein), and tryptophan (0.81 g/100g protein) were reported in the dietary composition of QPM pasta enriched with 6 % spirulina (S). Further addition of spirulina resulted in 16-fold increase in the carotenoid content
Water compatibility of M’sila region (South- East Algeria) for cultivation of Spirulina & evaluation of methods of extraction of Phycocyanin and investigation of stability by β-Cyclodextrin
Authors: Zidane Salima , Bouleghlem Hocine , Mohamed Seghir Abdallah
Published: January 2023

Spirulina (Arthrospira platensis) is a microalga that has existed for more than three billion years. It belongs to the family of cyanobacteria. It is extraordinary, rich in nutrients such as proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, vitamins, and minerals. In addition, Spirulina is rich in phycocyanin, a blue protein pigment. It can be used as a dye in food, pharmacology, and cosmetics. Our work focused first on the compatibility of the waters of M’sila region (southeast Algeria) for the cultivation of Arthrospira platensis. Then, we evaluated several methods of extracting phycocyanin to be able to determine the optimal method in terms of yield. We have succeeded in developing a new extraction method coupled with maceration in a glycerol-water mixture with a molar ratio (8/2) assisted by ultrasound with a yield of 52.93 mg/g. The excellent results obtained may be due to the salinity of the waters of the region, to the used nutrient culture medium and/or the climate change of the region. We have formed an inclusion complex between phycocyanin and β-Cyclodextrin to keep it and make it more stable. The encouraging results allow Algeria to gain a foothold on the world market as a producer of blue goldSpirulina (Arthrospira platensis) is a microalga that has existed for more than three billion years. It belongs to the family of cyanobacteria. It is extraordinary, rich in nutrients such as proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, vitamins, and minerals. In addition, Spirulina is rich in phycocyanin, a blue protein pigment. It can be used as a dye in food, pharmacology, and cosmetics. Our work focused first on the compatibility of the waters of M’sila region (southeast Algeria) for the cultivation of Arthrospira platensis. Then, we evaluated several methods of extracting phycocyanin to be able to determine the optimal method in terms of yield. We have succeeded in developing a new extraction method coupled with maceration in a glycerol-water mixture with a molar ratio (8/2) assisted by ultrasound with a yield of 52.93 mg/g. The excellent results obtained may be due to the salinity of the waters of the region, to the used nutrient culture medium and/or the climate change of the region. We have formed an inclusion complex between phycocyanin and β-Cyclodextrin to keep it and make it more stable. The encouraging results allow Algeria to gain a foothold on the world market as a producer of blue gold
Determination of water quality for irrigation at the entrance of Radoniqi accumulation with physicochemical and bacteriological parameters for the period of spring 2021
Authors: Bajraktari Naser , Elshani Arsim , Berisha Defrime
Published: January 2023

Water quality research for irrigation at the inlet of Radoniqi reservoir with physicochemical, heavy metals and bacteriological parameters was conducted in the spring quarter period 2021, focusing on two sampling points: at the entrance of the derivation canal (Lumbardhi River of Deçan) and at the exit of derivative canal (near the Lake) as the main supply point. In order to know the degree of its quality, the identification of polluting sources has been performed, which in turn will enable the necessary steps to be taken by the management of RWC ‘Gjakova’ for their isolation. Also, to complete the study, research was done on heavy metals and other nutrients, in all sampling sites, and especially where there are significant sources of surface water pollution, as a result of human activity and discharge of untreated urban waters. So, the focus or purpose of the research is to reflect the situation as realistically as possible and this was done by determining the bacteria by

the membrane filter method by counting the colonies in Petri dishes with VRB-agar, M-Endo Agar Less, CCA.
Risk Factors Associated With Peripartum Suicide Attempts in Japan
Authors: Akaishi Tetsuya , Tarasawa Kunio , Fushimi Kiyohide , Hamada Hirotaka , Saito Masatoshi , Kobayashi Natsuko , Kikuchi Saya , Tomita Hiroaki , Ishii Tadashi , Fujimori Kenji , Yaegashi Nobuo
Published: January 2023

Importance

Peripartum suicide attempt is a major psychiatric complication associated with pregnancy, but the risk factors remain largely uncertain.

Objective

To identify the demographic characteristics and predisposing risks for peripartum suicide attempts and postpartum depression.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This cohort study used retrospective data on pregnant women who delivered children between April 1, 2016, and March 31, 2021, at 712 hospitals in Japan. The nationwide Diagnosis Procedure Combination database was used.

Exposures

Psychiatric and nonpsychiatric medical history, age, alcohol and tobacco use, and obstetric complications and procedures.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Data on admissions for prepartum suicide attempt and delivery during the same hospital stay and readmissions for depression or suicide attempt within 1 year post partum were collected. Comparisons of prevalence of each study variable were performed, and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to determine risk factors.

Results

From a total of 39 908 649 hospitalization episodes, 804 617 cumulative pregnant women (median [IQR] age at childbirth, 33 [29-36] years) who delivered at the enrolled hospitals were identified, including 1202 who were admitted for suicide attempt and delivery during the same hospital stay and 111 readmitted for suicide attempt within 1 year post partum. Risk factors associated with prepartum suicide attempts included younger age (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.99; 95% CI, 0.98-1.00) and histories of personality disorder (aOR, 10.81; 95% CI, 5.70-20.49), depression (aOR, 3.97; 95% CI, 2.35-6.70), schizophrenia (aOR, 2.89; 95% CI, 1.52-5.50), and adjustment disorder (aOR, 2.66; 95% CI, 1.07-6.58). Risk factors associated with postpartum suicide attempts included younger age (aOR, 0.96; 95% CI, 0.93-1.00), heavy tobacco use (aOR, 23.09; 95% CI, 5.46-97.62), and histories of alcohol use disorder (aOR, 163.54; 95% CI, 28.30-944.95), personality disorder (aOR, 10.28; 95% CI, 3.29-32.10), anxiety disorders (aOR, 8.13; 95% CI, 2.88-22.98), depression (aOR, 7.27; 95% CI, 2.95-17.91), schizophrenia (aOR, 5.77; 95% CI, 2.17-15.38), bipolar disorder (aOR, 3.98; 95% CI, 1.36-11.67), and insomnia (aOR, 3.17; 95% CI, 1.30-7.78). On sensitivity analysis, risk factors associated with postpartum depression after excluding those with prenatal depression included histories of personality disorder, adjustment disorder, bipolar disorder, insomnia, and anxiety disorders.

Conclusions and Relevance

The findings of this cohort study suggest that histories of smoking and prenatal psychiatric disorders are potential risk factors for peripartum suicide attempts and may require additional treatment and prevention interventions.
Association Between Preresidency Peer-reviewed Publications and Future Academic Productivity or Career Choice Among Ophthalmology Residency Applicants
Authors: Reyes Joshua , Seddon Ian , Watane Arjun , Gedde Steven , Sridhar Jayanth
Published: January 2023

Importance

Ophthalmology-residency selection committees require robust metrics to review applicants. Participation in research activities is a core component of the application process for its perceived association with future academic productivity.

Objective

To evaluate the correlation between the number of preresidency peer-reviewed publications (PPPs) and subsequent peer-reviewed publications or career choices of ophthalmology residency graduates.

Design, Setting, and Participants

In this cross-sectional study, names of ophthalmology residency graduates were obtained. PubMed-indexed publication records were generated and publications were categorized as preresidency, intraresidency, and postresidency. First author and journal publications with an impact factor (IF) score of 3 or more were recorded. Current academic and community-based career statuses were designated. Names were obtained from cohort and alumni lists on residency program websites or by emailing program directors. Participants included US Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education–accredited ophthalmology residency graduates from 2013 to 2016.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The primary outcome measure was association of PPPs with later publications, first authorship, and journal publications with an IF score of 3 or more. The secondary outcome measure was difference in characteristics associated with academic vs community-based ophthalmologist.

Results

A total of 964 ophthalmologists (52% of graduates) were studied and most (85.5%) had PubMed-indexed publications. First authorship (ρ = 0.71; 95% CI, 0.67-0.74; P < .001) had a strong positive correlation with intraresidency publications, while journal publications with an IF score of 3 or more (ρ = 0.56; 95% CI, 0.51-0.60; P < .001) and PPPs (ρ = 0.38; 95% CI, 0.32-0.43; P < .001) had moderate and weak positive correlations, respectively. For postresidency publications, journal publications with an IF score of 3 or more (ρ = 0.86; 95% CI, 0.84-0.87; P < .001) had the strongest positive correlation followed by first authorship (ρ = 0.77; 95% CI, 0.74-0.79; P < .001) and PPPs (ρ = 0.26; 95% CI, 0.20-0.31; P < .001). Preresidency (t = 3.3; P = .001), intraresidency (t = 4.1; P < .001), postresidency (t = 7.5; P < .001), first author (t = 6.6; P < .001), and journal publications with an IF score of 3 or more (t = 5.9; P < .001) were greater for academic ophthalmologists compared with community-based ophthalmologists.

Conclusions and Relevance

Preresidency publication history is at least weakly correlated with future publications or work in an academic setting among ophthalmologists. Multiple factors associated with academic productivity were evaluated; however, adjustment for multiple analyses was not done and further testing is required to prove whether these factors are predictive.
GRK5‐mediated inflammation and fibrosis exert cardioprotective effects during the acute phase of myocardial infarction
Authors: Nagasaka Akiomi , Terawaki Tsuyoshi , Noda Makoto , Takashima Miyuki , Fujino Mika , Yamauchi Yuto , Arawaka Shigeki , Kato Takeo , Nakaya Michio
Published: January 2023

During myocardial infarction (MI), cardiac cells at the infarcted area undergo cell death. In response, cardiac myofibroblasts, which are mainly differentiated from resident fibroblasts upon inflammation, produce extracellular matrix proteins such as collagen to fill the damaged areas of the heart to prevent cardiac rupture. In this study, we identified a cardioprotective role of G‐protein‐coupled receptor kinase 5 (GRK5) in MI. GRK5 expression was found to increase in the mouse heart after MI and was highly expressed in cardiac fibroblasts/myofibroblasts. In fibroblasts/myofibroblasts, GRK5 promoted the expression of inflammation‐related genes through nuclear factor‐κB activation, leading to an increase in the expression levels of fibrosis‐related genes. Bone marrow transfer experiments confirmed that GRK5 in fibroblasts/myofibroblasts, but not in infiltrated macrophages in the infarcted area, is mainly responsible for GRK5‐mediated inflammation in infarcted hearts. In addition, inflammation and fibrosis at the infarcted area were significantly suppressed in GRK5 knockout mice, resulting in increased mortality compared with that in wild‐type mice. These data indicate that GRK5 in cardiac fibroblasts/myofibroblasts promotes inflammation and fibrosis to ameliorate the damage after MI.
Engineering Human Brain Assembloids by Microfluidics
Authors: Zhu Yujuan , Zhang Xiaoxuan , Sun Lingyu , Wang Yu , Zhao Yuanjin
Published: January 2023

Brain assembloids offer a highly promising strategy to model human brain development and disease, and advance potential studies in regenerative medicine, therapeutic screening, and drug discovery, while it is challenging to produce uniform brain organoids and assemble them flexibly by conventional methods. Here, a multidisciplinary engineered strategy to generate human brain assembloids with desired patterning based on microfluidic technology is presented. By encapsulating human induced pluripotent stem cells in microcapsules via microfluidic electrospray, brain region‐specific organoids are efficiently formed, which are then introduced into a microfluidic chip consisting of a bottom layer with a micropillar array and a movable upper layer with a complementary microhole array. These brain organoids can settle into microholes and fuse into brain assembloids. As varied organoid microcapsules with designed 1D sequences or 2D arrays can be assembled into the vertical microholes, large coding amounts of fused brain assembloids with desired patterning can be produced. It is found that brain assembloids composed of cortical, hippocampal, and thalamic organoids can grow and function well, characterized with active neural migration and interaction. These features indicate that the suggested flexible, scalable, and controlled microfluidic systems are remarkably potential in wide applications of brain assembloids in neurological and biomedical fields.
Ion‐Selective Microporous Polymer Membranes with Hydrogen‐Bond and Salt‐Bridge Networks for Aqueous Organic Redox Flow Batteries
Authors: Wang Anqi , Tan Rui , Liu Dezhi , Lu Jiaxin , Wei Xiaochu , Alvarez‐Fernandez Alberto , Ye Chunchun , Breakwell Charlotte , Guldin Stefan , Kucernak Anthony R. , Jelfs Kim E. , Brandon Nigel P. , McKeown Neil B. , Song Qilei
Published: January 2023

Redox flow batteries (RFBs) have great potential for long‐duration grid‐scale energy storage. Ion‐conducting membranes are a crucial component in RFBs, allowing charge‐carrying ions to transport while preventing the cross‐mixing of redox couples. Commercial Nafion membranes are widely used in RFBs, but their unsatisfactory ionic and molecular selectivity, as well as high costs, limit the performance and the widespread deployment of this technology. To extend the longevity and reduce the cost of RFB systems, inexpensive ion‐selective membranes that concurrently deliver low ionic resistance and high selectivity toward redox‐active species are highly desired. Here, high‐performance RFB membranes are fabricated from blends of carboxylate‐ and amidoxime‐functionalized polymers of intrinsic microporosity, which exploit the beneficial properties of both polymers. The enthalpy‐driven formation of cohesive interchain interactions, including hydrogen bonds and salt bridges, facilitates the microscopic miscibility of the blends, while ionizable functional groups within the sub‐nanometer pores allow optimization of membrane ion‐transport functions. The resulting microporous membranes demonstrate fast cation conduction with low crossover of redox‐active molecular species, enabling improved power ratings and reduced capacity fade in aqueous RFBs using anthraquinone and ferrocyanide as redox couples.