bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
THE INFLUENCE OF THE LENGTH OF COAL SHIP UNLOADING TIME ON THE NUMBER OF VISITS OF VESSELS AGENT BY PT. ADHIKA SAMUDERA JAYA NORTH MOROWALI BRANCH
Authors: Trisna Yoga Yulinda , Rahmawati Maulidiah , Ratnaningsih Dyah
Published: January 2025

Sea transportation is very necessary to support trade activities which are expected to develop both in quality and quantity. Along with the increase in trade in goods via sea transport routes. The demand for goods via sea transportation cannot be separated from the loading and unloading activities of goods from one port to another. Especially in the process of loading and unloading activities, obstacles often arise, causing delays in the ship's berthing time that are longer than the specified time. The aim of this research is to find out how long the unloading time for coal ships affects the number of ship visits. This research uses quantitative research methods. Data analysis is used to prove the influence of variable X on variable Y, such as correlation coefficient analysis, coefficient of determination analysis, simple linear regression analysis, and hypothesis testing. The results of this research obtained a relationship or correlation (r) of 0.986. From this value, the coefficient of determination (R square) is 0.971, so it can be interpreted that the effect of the length of unloading time (X) on the number of ship visits (Y) is 97.1%, with the result of the hypothesis test value T calculated 18.460 > T table 1.812 . It can be concluded that the variable influencing the length of unloading time on the number of ship visits has a strong and significant influence.
Knowledge Regarding Postpartum Depression among Postnatal Mother in Selected Hospital Of Kathman
Authors: Karki Durga , Gadtoula Rohit , Adhikari Depak , Bhandari Samir , Kc Bhupendra , Karki Nisha
Published: January 2025

Postnatal Period is defining as the period begins within 6 weeks after childbirth as the mother’s body, including hormone levels and uterus size, returns to a non-pregnant state. Postpartum depression (PPD) is a mood disorder to describe the various disorders such as anxiety, loss of enjoyment, sadness, and fatigue which may have serious adverse long-term effects on both the children and mothers. Postpartum depression (PPD) is a mood disorder that affects approximately 10–15% of adult mother’s yearly with depressive symptoms lasting more than 6 months among 25– 50% of those affected. Postpartum depression is one of the serious psychiatric morbidities of women of childbearing age and constitutes a significant public health problem globally. The objective of this study is to assess the knowledge about postpartum depression among postnatal mother. A descriptive cross-sectional design was adopted for the study. Non probability purposive sampling technique was used to select the 134 sample. Data was collected by using self-administered questionnaires. The questionnaires were prepared mainly on two parts. The first questions related to Demographic characteristics of the participants and the rest twenty-four questions was related to knowledge regarding postpartum depression. The Data was analyzed using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) and the analyzed data was reported using descriptive statistical method such as frequency, mean, percentage and chi-square analysis. Result showed that the mean age and standard deviation of participants was 27.66±5.20 years. Out of 134 participants, the majority of participants 73.10% had poor knowledge and only 11.20% had fair knowledge about postpartum depression. Postpartum depression was statistically significant with age group (p 0.002), religion (p 0.016), education status (p 0.000), occupation (p 0.006), monthly family income (p 0.000) and family history of mental disorder (p 0.000). Thus, the conclusion of the study suggests for development of future plans, policies and strategies in different institutions of gynecological hospital which integrates psychiatric services. It is tool for quality health standard service and preventive approach to improve and empower women.
Podstawy odpowiedzialności przewoźnika kolejowego za uszkodzenie ciała, rozstrój zdrowia bądź śmierć pasażera
Authors:   Wydział Zarządzania i Ekonomiki Usług, Katedra Prawa Gospodarczego, Transportowego i Ubezpieczeń, Szczeciński Uniwersytet
Published: January 2025

Regulacja odpowiedzialność przewoźnika kolejowego za uszkodzenie ciała, rozstrój zdrowia bądź śmierć pasażera zawarta jest obecnie w kilku aktach prawnych. Podstawowe znaczenie ma rozporządzenie 1371/2007. Znajduje ono zastosowanie do większości przewozów krajowych, jak również przewozów międzynarodowych między państwami UE. Dotyczy jednak tylko przewozów wykonywanych przez przewoźnika posiadającego licencję wymaganą przepisami prawa unijnego. Wątpliwości budzi jego stosowanie w sytuacji, gdy umowa przewozu została poddana reżimowi prawa państwa trzeciego (niebędącego członkiem UE). W przypadku przewozów do i z państw trzecich będących stroną przepisów ujednoliconych CIV odpowiedzialność przewoźnika za życie i zdrowie pasażera jest regulowana tymi przepisami. Kodeks cywilny może mieć zastosowanie – na zasadzie wyłączności – do tych przewozów, które nie podlegają reżimowi rozporządzenia 1371/2007 ani przepisów ujednoliconych CIV. W odniesieniu do przewozów, które podlegają tym reżimom regulacja kodeksu stosowana jest uzupełniająco. Ponadto osoba poszkodowana może w takim wypadku oprzeć swoje roszczenie na przepisach kodeksu cywilnego o odpowiedzialności deliktowej. Nawet jednak w razie oparcia roszczenia na podstawach deliktowych przewoźnik ponosi odpowiedzialność tylko na warunkach i w granicach przewidzianych w rozporządzeniu 1371/2007 lub przepisach ujednoliconych CIV.
A stimulus-computable rational model of habituation in infants and adults
Authors: Raz Gal , Cao Anjie , Saxe Rebecca , Frank Michael C
Published: January 2025

How do we decide what to look at and when to stop looking? Even very young infants engage in active visual selection, looking less and less as stimuli are repeated (habituation) and regaining interest when novel stimuli are subsequently introduced (dishabituation). The mechanisms underlying these looking time changes remain uncertain, however, due to limits on both the scope of existing formal models and the empirical precision of measurements of infant behavior. To address this, we developed the Rational Action, Noisy Choice for Habituation (RANCH) model, which operates over raw images and makes quantitative predictions of participants’ looking behaviors. In a series of pre-registered experiments, we exposed infants and adults to stimuli for varying durations and measured looking time to familiar and novel stimuli. We found that these data were well captured by RANCH. Using RANCH’s stimulus-computability, we also tested its out-of-sample predictions about the magnitude of dishabituation in a new experiment in which we manipulated the similarity between the familiar and novel stimulus. By framing looking behaviors as rational decision-making, this work identified how the dynamics of learning and exploration guide our visual attention from infancy through adulthood.
High-throughput tracking enables systematic phenotyping and drug repurposing in C. elegans disease models
Authors: O'Brien Thomas J , Barlow Ida L , Feriani Luigi , Brown André EX
Published: January 2025

There are thousands of Mendelian diseases with more being discovered weekly and the majority have no approved treatments. To address this need, we require scalable approaches that are relatively inexpensive compared to traditional drug development. In the absence of a validated drug target, phenotypic screening in model organisms provides a route for identifying candidate treatments. Success requires a screenable phenotype. However, the right phenotype and assay may not be obvious for pleiotropic neuromuscular disorders. Here, we show that high-throughput imaging and quantitative phenotyping can be conducted systematically on a panel of C. elegans disease model strains. We used CRISPR genome-editing to create 25 worm models of human Mendelian diseases and phenotyped them using a single standardised assay. All but two strains were significantly different from wild-type controls in at least one feature. The observed phenotypes were diverse, but mutations of genes predicted to have related functions led to similar behavioural differences in worms. As a proof-of-concept, we performed a drug repurposing screen of an FDA-approved compound library, and identified two compounds that rescued the behavioural phenotype of a model of UNC80 deficiency. Our results show that a single assay to measure multiple phenotypes can be applied systematically to diverse Mendelian disease models. The relatively short time and low cost associated with creating and phenotyping multiple strains suggest that high-throughput worm tracking could provide a scalable approach to drug repurposing commensurate with the number of Mendelian diseases.
Atlas of Fshr expression from novel reporter mice
Authors: Chen Hongqian , Fang Hui-Qing , Liu Jin-Tao , Chang Shi-Yu , Cheng Li-Ben , Sun Ming-Xin , Feng Jian-Rui , Liu Ze-Min , Zhang Yong-Hong , Rosen Clifford J , Liu Peng
Published: January 2025

The FSH-FSHR pathway has been considered an essential regulator in reproductive development and fertility. But there has been emerging evidence of FSHR expression in extragonadal organs. This poses new questions and long-term debates regarding the physiological role of the FSH-FSHR, and underscores the need for reliable, in vivo analysis of FSHR expression in animal models. However, conventional methods have proven insufficient for examining FSHR expression due to several limitations. To address this challenge, we developed Fshr-ZsGreen reporter mice under the control of Fshr endogenous promoter using CRISPR-Cas9. With this novel genetic tool, we provide a reliable readout of Fshr expression at single-cell resolution level in vivo and in real time. Reporter animals were also subjected to additional analyses,to define the accurate expression profile of FSHR in gonadal and extragonadal organs/tissues. Our compelling results not only demonstrated Fshr expression in intragonadal tissues but also, strikingly, unveiled notably increased expression in Leydig cells, osteoblast lineage cells, endothelial cells in vascular structures, and epithelial cells in bronchi of the lung and renal tubes. The genetic decoding of the widespread pattern of Fshr expression highlights its physiological relevance beyond reproduction and fertility, and opens new avenues for therapeutic options for age-related disorders of the bones, lungs, kidneys, and hearts, among other tissues. Exploiting the power of the Fshr knockin reporter animals, this report provides the first comprehensive genetic record of the spatial distribution of FSHR expression, correcting a long-term misconception about Fshr expression and offering prospects for extensive exploration of FSH-FSHR biology.
The impact of a disaster medicine clinical training program on medical students’ disaster literacy
Authors: Başer Aysel , Sofuoğlu Zeynep
Published: January 2025

Background

This study was conducted to assess how students’ disaster literacy was affected by the Disaster Medicine Clinical Training Program at the Izmir Democracy University Faculty of Medicine (IDUFM) during the academic year 2022–2023.

Methods

Using an experimental method involving experimental and control groups, measurements were made at different times. The sample consisted of 5th-year students at IDUFM for the experimental group, while the control group was composed of 3rd- and 4th-year students from different buildings with limited interaction with the experimental group. The clinical training program was organized to improve the clinical practice skills of students in the field of disaster medicine and provide theoretical information. Throughout their internship, the students were provided with a program including information on types of disasters, preparation, response, relief, emergency surgical procedures, hospital disaster plans, national and international organizations and institutions working in disasters, and other relevant topics. The Disaster Literacy Scale (DLS) was used to collect data. This scale is a self-report scale that was developed to evaluate knowledge levels about disasters. In this study, the scale was applied as a pretest and a posttest, and the obtained data were analyzed using independent samples and paired-sample t-tests.

Result

The DLS scores of the experimental group showed significant improvement after the training program compared to their pretest scores (Total Scale: p < 0.001, Damage Mitigation: p = 0.002, Preparation: p < 0.001, Response: p < 0.001, and Relief: p = 0.004). When comparing the posttest results of the experimental group with the control group, the experimental group demonstrated significantly higher scores in Total Scale (p = 0.01), Damage Mitigation (p = 0.02), Response (p = 0.03), and Relief (p < 0.001). However, no significant differences were observed between the experimental group’s pretest (T1) scores and the control group’s posttest (T3) scores (p > 0.05p > 0.05p > 0.05), indicating that the knowledge levels of the experimental and control groups were homogeneous prior to the training intervention. These findings confirm the effectiveness of the Disaster Medicine Training Program in improving disaster literacy and response skills among medical students.

Conclusion

This study, which aimed to determine the effects of the Disaster Medicine Clinical Training Program on the disaster literacy of medical students, revealed that the program increased the literacy levels of the students and contributed to their responsible decision-making. It is thought that such education programs can make significant contributions to the effective management of healthcare services in disaster situations.
The potential of serum elabela levels as a marker of diabetic retinopathy: results from a pilot cross-sectional study
Authors: Seyithanoğlu Muhammed , Meşen Selma , Comez Aysegul , Meşen Ali , Beyoğlu Abdullah , Baykişi Yaşarcan , Alkan Baylan Filiz
Published: January 2025

Background

The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between elabela (ELA), a recently identified peptide also known as Toddler and Apela, and diabetic retinopathy (DR). ELA, produced in various tissues, acts as a natural ligand for the apelin receptor (APJ). Upon reviewing the existing literature, only one study was found investigating ELA, one of the APJ ligands, in the pathogenesis of DR.

Methods

In our study the patient group comprising individuals diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM), categorized into three subgroups based on detailed fundus examination: those without DR (non-DR) (n = 20), non-proliferative DR (NPDR) (n = 20), and proliferative DR (PDR) (n = 20). A control group (n = 20) consisted of individuals without DM. Blood samples were collected during outpatient clinic admission to measure serum ELA levels, which were determined using a commercial ELISA kit.

Results

The age, sex, and body mass index of the between groups were similar (p = 0.905, 0.985 and 0.241, respectively). The HbA1c levels of the between DM subgroups were similar (p = 0.199). Serum ELA levels were 217.19 ± 97.54 pg/mL in the non-DR group, 221.76 ± 93.12 pg/mL in the NPDR group, 302.35 ± 146.17 pg/mL in the PDR group and 216.49 ± 58.85 pg/mL in the control group. While ELA levels were higher in DM patients compared to the control group, this elevation did not reach statistical significance. Further analysis dividing DM patients into subgroups (non-DR, NPDR, and PDR) revealed higher ELA levels in the PDR group compared to the other subgroups, but this increase was not statistically significant.

Conclusion

Despite the absence of a significant difference in our study, the identification of elevated ELA levels in the PDR group offers valuable insights for future investigations exploring the association between DR and ELA.
Scrub Typhus Induced Thrombotic Section Thrombocytopenia: A Rare Case Report
Authors: Patel Maharshi , Acharya Sourya , Shukla Samarth , Nimkar Shubham , Kumar Sunil
Published: January 2025

Scrub typhus is a zoonotic disease caused by Orientia tsutsugamushi. The bacterial infection is spread via Trombiculidae mites. A 50-year-old male patient was admitted with a complaint of fever, cough, breathlessness, and irrelevant talk for five days. The patient was chronic alcoholic and hypertensive for one year. After investigation patient was positive for scrub typhus. The patient had hepatitis, renal failure, thrombocytopenia, and right lower lobe pneumonia. The cause of thrombocytopenia in scrub typhus individuals could be the development of Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (TTP), Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC), and thrombotic microangiopathy. In scrub typhus patients, TTP and Multiple Organ Dysfunction Syndrome (MODS) can be avoided with early diagnosis and effective treatment. Further research is warranted in such conditions to understand the molecular mechanism as well as to prevent mortality
Evaluation of Comparative Efficacy of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) vs Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri Linn) on Stress Level and Quality of Sleep in the Subjects Experiencing Mental Stress: A Clinical Trial Protocol
Authors: Gokhale Mohnish Vijay , Kuchewar Vaishali , Yadav Pankaj , Tarare Bhishmani
Published: January 2025

Introduction: Adequate sleep is essential for the preservation of both physical and mental health. Sleep deprivation or interruption can cause a variety of physical, metabolic and cognitive problems, resulting in stress, anxiety, obesity and other neurocognitive dysfunctions. Sleep deprivation causes loss of sleep-dependent processes in the hippocampus and pyriform cortex, which are responsible for memory and perception.

Need of the Study: Everyone in today’s world has stress and insufficient sleep as a result of their work load, hectic lifestyle, adoption of sedentary habits and other factors. Ayurveda has described many herbs under ‘medhya rasayan’. Ashwagandha is commonly used than Brahmi. Brahmi is relatively easy to cultivate and inexpensive, hence this study is planned.

Aim: To study the comparative efficacy of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) vs Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri Linn) on stress level and quality of sleep in the subjects experiencing stress.

Materials and Methods: It is a double-blind standard control clinical trial and the study will be undertaken at Department of Kayachikitsa, Mahatma Gandhi Ayurved Hospital and Research Centre (MGACHRC) at Salod (H), Wardha, Maharashtra, India starting from January 2024 to June 2025. This study will include 60 patients (30 in each group) experiencing mental stress. Group-A (Experimental Group) and Group-B (Control Group) will be given Brahmi ghana (extract of Bacopa monnieri Linn) and Ashwagandha ghana (extract of Withania somnifera), respectively with Luke warm water at bed time for 60 days. The patients will be assessed on every 15th day through Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) scales.
The new Spanish University Law: Economic and Fiscal Impact
Authors:   Research Group AQR-IREA. Universitat de Barcelona, MORENO ROSINA , SURIÑACH JORDI ,   Research Group AQR-IREA. Universitat de Barcelona, VAYÁ ESTHER ,   Research Group AQR-IREA. Universitat de Barcelona, VILALTA MAITE ,   Institut d’Economia de Barcelona. Universitat de Barcelona
Published: January 2025

This paper simulates the potential economic and fiscal impacts of the new Spanish University Law.
Based on its expected positive effects over the production factors (labour and human and technological capital) due to increases in the number of scholarships and dual mentions and higher R&D investment,among the main ones, we estimate its impact on Spanish GDP in 2018. Additionally, we estimate the fiscal return in terms of Social Security contributions and Personal Income Tax. The paper presents, as well, some concerns related to the political and fiscal implementation of the Law at the national and regional levels.
Bio-Efficacy and Phytotoxicity of Novel Fungicide Isotianil 7% + Fosetyl Al 70% WG in Pomegranate Against Bacterial Blight (Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. punicae) Disease
Authors: R. S. Jaiman , J. Purohit, , B. R. Nakrani, , P. D. Elangbam, , K. S. Pandya,
Published: January 2025

The experiment was conducted at Horticultural Instructional Farm, C. P. College of Agriculture, S. D. Agricultural University, Sardarkrushinagar during Kharif-2022 & Kharif-2023, respectively to evaluate the bio-efficacy and phyto-toxicity on the bacterial blight diseases as well as effect of Isotianil 7% + Fosetyl Al 70% WG on the yield of the pomegranate. The disease Intensity per cent of bacterial blight diseases was recorded, before spraying (Pre-treatment) and at 5 and 10 days after each spray (post-treatment). Total pomegranate fruit yield was recorded and converted in to the hectare basis and phytotoxicity observation for yellowing, stunting, necrosis, epinasty and hyponasty, etc. were recorded 1, 3, 5, 7, and 10 days after second spray. The results revealed that the treatment Isotianil 7% + Fosetyl Al 70% WG @ 200 gm per 100 lit. of water and Isotianil 7% + Fosetyl Al 70% WG @ 150 gm per 100 lit. of water showed significantly higher efficacy against bacterial blight disease and gives the higher yield of pomegranate over other treatments during the two consecutive seasons Kharif 2021 and Kharif 2022. The two years data on the Phytotoxicity studies revealed that none of the treatments exhibited any of the phytotoxicity symptoms.
Efficacy of Fluopyram 250 g/L + Trifloxystrobin 250 g/L SC Against Anthracnose Disease of Pomegranate
Authors: R. S. Jaiman , J. Purohit, , B. R. Nakrani, , P. D. Elangbam, , K. S. Pandya,
Published: January 2025

The experiment was conducted at Horticultural Instructional Farm, C. P. College of Agriculture, S. D. Agricultural University, Sardarkrushinagar during Kharif-2022 & Kharif-2023, respectively to evaluate the bio-efficacy Fluopyram 250 g/L+ Trifloxystrobin 250 g/L SC against field as well as post-harvest disease of anthracnose in pomegranate. For the field disease, the disease severity (percent) of anthracnose leaf and fruit spot were recorded separately, before spraying and at 5 and 10 days after each spray. Disease assessment was done using standard rating scale. To measure the post-harvest anthracnose disease after harvest, 20 healthy pomegranate fruits per replication per treatment were kept at ambient temperature for 30 days. More so ever the observation on phytotoxicity and yield were also recorded. The result revealed that treatments Fluopyram 250 g/L +Trifloxystrobin 250 g/L SC @ 80 ml per 100 lit. of water and Fluopyram 250 g/L +Trifloxystrobin 250 g/L SC @ 70 ml per 100 lit. of water showed significantly higher efficacy against field diseases of anthracnose in terms of leaf and fruit spot and against post-harvest anthracnose disease of pomegranate and also given highest fruit yield as well as recorded lowest fruit weight reduction after 30 days of harvesting during Kharif 2021-22 and Kharif 2022-23, respectively followed by Fluopyram 250 g/L +Trifloxystrobin 250 g/L SC @ 60 ml per 100 lit. of water and Propineb 70% WP @ 300 gm per 100 lit. of water.
Effect of Foliar Application of Growth Retardants on Reproductive Efficiency of Groundnut (ArachishypogaeaL.) Genotypes
Authors: Narayana O. Venkata , Santhosh B. , Raghavendra T. , Raghavendra M.
Published: January 2025

A field experiment entitled “Study on foliar application of Plant growth regulators for improving reproductive efficiency and yield of   Groundnut (ArachishypogaeaL.) genotypes” was carried out during Rabi, 2023-24 at wetland farm of S. V. Agricultural College, Tirupati campus of Acharya N. G. Ranga Agricultural University, Andhra Pradesh. This experiment was laid out in randomized block design with factorial concept and replicated thrice, with four genotypes as factor-1 (G1-Nithyaharitha, G2-Dharani, G3-K-6, G4-Vishista) and four plant growth regulators applied on  as Factor-2 (T1- Control + RDF of NPK, T2-Prohexadione calcium@105g a.i/ha,T3- Putrescine@100 ppm, T4- Paclobutrazol@ 100 ppm applied before and at peak flowering stage of crop). The reproductive efficiency attributes viz., number of flowers, pegs and pods per plant, flower to peg ratio, flower to pod ratio and length of peg were recorded and analysed to understand the influence of plant growth regulators on groundnut. G1 recorded highest number for pegs per plant (54.6), total pods per plant (36.8), mature pods per plant (28.5) and lowest flower to peg ratio (2.8),  lowest length of peg (5.0cm). whereas G2 showed lowest flower to pod ratio (4.3). Treatment of T2 resulted in highest number of pegs per plant (51.8), total pods per plant (36.9), mature pods per plant (29.7), lowest flower to peg ratio (2.6), minimum length of peg (5.2 cm) lowest flower to pod ratio (3.6) and lowest number of flowers per plant (134.9) compared to the other treatments. Nityaharita and Prohexadione calcium@105g a.i/ha resulted in better reproductive efficiency in groundnut.
Influence of Date of Sowing and Boron Fertilization on Incidence of Yellow Vein Mosaic Virus in Kharif Okra, Abelmoschus esculentus
Authors: Acharya Amarendra Prasad , Parhi Curie , Khuntia Amaresh , Tripathy Ambika Prasad , Mohanty Niranjan
Published: January 2025

Background: Okra requires a long period of warm and humid weather. It may be cultivated effectively in hot, humid climates. It is susceptible to frost and very low temperatures. Temperatures between 24°C to 28°C are considered ideal for regular growth and development.
Aim: The experiment was carrying the objective of establishment the relationship between incidence of YVMV and weather parameters during growing season of okra and to access the relation between YVMV incidence and boron application.
Methodology: A field experiment was conducted at farmer’s field at Andharua Bhubaneswar with Okra (cv-lily) as test crop at two dates of sowing i.e., 30th January (D1) and 15th February 2021 (D2) with 10 boron treatments comprising of B-0, b-1.5kg/ha soil, 0.25%, 0.5%, 0.75%, 1.0% borax once and twice foliar spray in a low boron (0.35 mg/kg) and low fertile acidic soil. The crop experienced 109.7mm rainfall, 10 rainy days, 29.1°C-39.9°C Tmax, 13.2°C-27.3°C Tmin.The BSH was 2.7-8.1 hrs.
Results: The emergence count, plant height, plant population and leaf area were better in D2. The fresh fruit yield of Okra varied from 6.52-9.15 t/ha where D2 produced more than D1. The boron content of fruit varied from 0.09 to 0.18mg/kg where T8 contain more boron. The YVMV PDI attend the peak 12.59-29.62 during the 2nd week of April at 77 DAS in D1(first date of sowing. Similarly in D2 (second date of sowing, the peak was attended at 63 DAS i.e., the 3rd week of April varied from 11.85-29.62%. From this experiment, out of seven weather parameters, Tmin and Evaporation have got the higher contributing factor for the incidence of YVMV. The D1 experiences prolonged favourable weather condition for YVMV incidence compared to D2.
Conclusion: Twice foliar spray or soil application of boron reduced the severity of YVMV to a greater extent compared to no or once application among different concentrations @ 0.5% borax was the most suitable dose for Okra crop in the east and south-east coastal plain zone of Odisha.
Resilience of C4 Crops to Climate Vagaries
Authors: Kumar Swathy Anija Hari , Thomas Usha Chacko , Pillai P Shalini , Stephen Roy , Rajasree G. , Aparna B.
Published: January 2025

Climate change poses significant challenges to agriculture worldwide, affecting productivity and threatening food security. Key drivers of climate change like altered water availability, temperature fluctuations and increased carbon dioxide concentrations, influence crop performance and ecosystem stability. The World has committed to eradicate extreme poverty and hunger by 2030. But climate change is undermining the livelihoods and food security of the rural poor, who constitute almost 80% of the world’s poor. If plant genotypes that can withhold climate extremes are insufficient, food scarcity occurs, and the price of existing food resources would increase enormously, making it practically hard for the rural poor to obtain enough food. To avoid this happening, we need to develop plant genotypes that are climate resilient. Photosynthetic pathways in plants C3, C4, and CAM play a critical role in determining their adaptability to changing climatic conditions. Understanding the physiological responses of C4 crops to various environmental stresses like water and temperature stress, highlights their potential for future climate resilience. Due to the efficient carbon concentrating mechanism, low stomatal conductance and high water use efficiency in C4 plants, they are expected to show higher drought tolerance relative to C3 plants. Studying the responses of C4 crops to climate change is essential as they play a vital role in global food production, especially in tropical and subtropical regions prone to climate extremes. While C4 crops are more resilient to heat and drought than their C3 counterparts, their yield potential is still constrained by the increasing severity of abiotic stresses, such as prolonged droughts, heatwaves, and soil salinity. Understanding how C4 crops respond to these challenges can provide insights into optimizing their growth and productivity in future climate scenarios. These insights are important for breeding stress-resilient varieties and improving crop management practices, to ensure global food security amidst escalating climate challenges.
Effect of Vermicompost on Soil Properties, Plant Growth and Environmental Sustainability: A Review
Authors: Patel Kamal Kishor , Priya  , Tekam Yagini , Shah Ajay Kumar , Kumar Kailash , Kumhare Alpana , Dwarka
Published: January 2025

Vermicomposting, the process of converting organic waste into nutrient-rich compost through the activity of earthworms, has emerged as a promising solution to improve soil health, enhance agricultural productivity, and promote environmental sustainability. This review paper explores the effects of different doses of vermicompost on soil properties, plant growth and environmental sustainability. The application of vermicompost at varying dosages influences several soil characteristics, including nutrient availability, water retention, soil structure, and microbial activity, ultimately impacting plant growth and crop yields. Studies indicate that moderate doses of vermicompost often result in enhanced soil fertility and plant performance, while excessive application may lead to nutrient imbalances or phytotoxicity. Furthermore, vermicompost offers several environmental benefits, such as carbon sequestration, reduced dependence on synthetic fertilizers, and improved waste management. This review synthesizes findings from various studies to determine optimal dosages for specific soil types and crops, highlighting the need for region-specific guidelines. The review also identifies key research gaps and suggests directions for future studies, including long-term field trials and exploration of microbial interactions within vermicomposted soils. Ultimately, the findings emphasize the importance of balancing vermicompost doses to maximize both agricultural productivity and environmental sustainability.
GIS-Based Analysis of Crop Yield Trends in Response to Climate Change Using Data-Driven Analysis Systems (DDAS) Techniques
Authors: K. K. Okechi, , L. C. Orakwe, , C. P. Nwachukwu,
Published: January 2025

Climate variability poses significant challenges to crop production, particularly in vulnerable regions like Southeast Nigeria, where changing environmental conditions directly impact agricultural productivity. This study employs GIS-based analysis and Data-Driven Analysis Systems (DDAS) to assess the effects of climate variables on crop yields, focusing on temperature, rainfall, relative humidity, solar radiation, and wind factors. The objectives are to (1) analyze the Relationship Between Climate Variables and Crop Yield Trends, (2) develop Predictive Models Using GIS and DDAS Techniques, and (3) identify Climate-Sensitive Zones for Targeted Agricultural Interventions within Southeast Nigeria. Findings reveal that maximum and minimum temperatures and moderate rainfall positively influence crop yield, while high relative humidity and solar radiation have a negative impact. GIS mapping and DDAS techniques successfully highlight spatial variations and provide robust yield predictions, emphasizing their value in agricultural planning. By identifying high-risk areas, such as Abakaliki, the study provides actionable insights to develop adaptive, region-specific agricultural strategies, thereby enhancing food security and sustainable agricultural practices in Southeast Nigeria.
The Economic Burden of Racial, Ethnic, and Educational Health Inequities in the US
Authors: LaVeist Thomas A. , Pérez-Stable Eliseo J. , Richard Patrick , Anderson Andrew , Isaac Lydia A. , Santiago Riley , Okoh Celine , Breen Nancy , Farhat Tilda , Assenov Assen , Gaskin Darrell J.
Published: May 2023

Importance

Health inequities exist for racial and ethnic minorities and persons with lower educational attainment due to differential exposure to economic, social, structural, and environmental health risks and limited access to health care.

Objective

To estimate the economic burden of health inequities for racial and ethnic minority populations (American Indian and Alaska Native, Asian, Black, Latino, and Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander) and adults 25 years and older with less than a 4-year college degree in the US. Outcomes include the sum of excess medical care expenditures, lost labor market productivity, and the value of excess premature death (younger than 78 years) by race and ethnicity and the highest level of educational attainment compared with health equity goals.

Evidence Review

Analysis of 2016-2019 data from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) and state-level Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) and 2016-2018 mortality data from the National Vital Statistics System and 2018 IPUMS American Community Survey. There were 87 855 survey respondents to MEPS, 1 792 023 survey respondents to the BRFSS, and 8 416 203 death records from the National Vital Statistics System.

Findings

In 2018, the estimated economic burden of racial and ethnic health inequities was $421 billion (using MEPS) or $451 billion (using BRFSS data) and the estimated burden of education-related health inequities was $940 billion (using MEPS) or $978 billion (using BRFSS). Most of the economic burden was attributable to the poor health of the Black population; however, the burden attributable to American Indian or Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander populations was disproportionately greater than their share of the population. Most of the education-related economic burden was incurred by adults with a high school diploma or General Educational Development equivalency credential. However, adults with less than a high school diploma accounted for a disproportionate share of the burden. Although they make up only 9% of the population, they bore 26% of the costs.

Conclusions and Relevance

The economic burden of racial and ethnic and educational health inequities is unacceptably high. Federal, state, and local policy makers should continue to invest resources to develop research, policies, and practices to eliminate health inequities in the US.
Opportunities for Improved Dengue Control in the US Territories
Authors: Hernandez-Romieu Alfonso C. , Adams Laura E. , Paz-Bailey Gabriela
Published: May 2023

This Viewpoint from the CDC discusses the prevalence of dengue infection in US territories and opportunities to combat it, such as vaccines and novel vector control methods.
The exoribonuclease XRN2 mediates degradation of the long non‐coding telomeric RNA TERRA
Authors: Reiss Matthew , Keegan Joshua , Aldrich Anne , Lyons Shawn M. , Flynn Rachel Litman
Published: May 2023

The telomeric repeat‐containing RNA, TERRA, associates with both telomeric DNA and telomeric proteins, often forming RNA:DNA hybrids (R‐loops). TERRA is most abundant in cancer cells utilizing the alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT) pathway for telomere maintenance, suggesting that persistent TERRA R‐loops may contribute to activation of the ALT mechanism. Therefore, we sought to identify the enzyme(s) that regulate TERRA metabolism in mammalian cells. Here, we identify that the 5′–3′ exoribonuclease XRN2 regulates the stability of TERRA RNA. Moreover, while stabilization of TERRA alone was insufficient to drive ALT, depletion of XRN2 in ALT‐positive cells led to a significant increase in TERRA R‐loops and exacerbated ALT activity. Together, our findings highlight XRN2 as a key determinant of TERRA metabolism and telomere stability in cancer cells that rely on the ALT pathway.
Encapsulation of Nanoparticle Organic Hybrid Materials within Electrospun Hydrophobic Polymer/Ceramic Fibers for Enhanced CO2 Capture
Authors: Kersey Kyle D. , Lee Gahyun Annie , Xu Jeffrey H. , Kidder Michelle K. , Park Ah‐Hyung A. , Joo Yong Lak
Published: May 2023

Liquid‐like nanoparticle organic hybrid materials (NOHMs) consisting of a silica core with ionically grafted branched polyethyleneimine chains (referred to as NIPEI) are encapsulated within submicron‐scale polyacrylonitrile (PAN)/polymer‐derived‐ceramic electrospun fibers. The addition of a room‐temperature curable, liquid‐phase organopolysilazane (OPSZ) ceramic precursor to the PAN/NOHM solution enhances the internal dispersion of NOHMs and forms a thin ceramic sheath layer on the fiber exterior, shielding the hydrophilic NIPEI to produce near‐superhydrophobic non‐woven fiber mats with contact angles exceeding 140°. 60:40 loadings of NOHMs to PAN/OPSZ can be reliably achieved with low OPSZ percentages required, and up to 4:1 NOHM:polymer loadings are possible before losing hydrophobicity. These fibers demonstrate up to ≈2 mmol CO2 g−1 fiber capture capacities in a pure CO2 atmosphere through the nonwoven fibrous networks and the permeability of the OPSZ shell. The hybrid fibers additionally show enhanced capture kinetics under pure CO2 and 400 ppm CO2 conditions, indicating their promising application as a direct air capture platform.
Cellulose‐based Interfacial Solar Evaporators: Structural Regulation and Performance Manipulation
Authors: Wu Weijie , Xu Yuanting , Ma Xiaofan , Tian Zhiwei , Zhang Chunmei , Han Jingquan , Han Xiaoshuai , He Shuijian , Duan Gaigai , Li Yiwen
Published: May 2023

The shortage of freshwater resources has become a major obstacle threatening human development, and directly utilizing solar energy by solar evaporators is emerging as a promising method to produce freshwater from the seawater. Compared to many synthetic polymer‐based evaporators, cellulose‐based evaporators are expected to offer more interesting features benefiting from the renewable feature and abundant reserves of cellulose‐contained naturally occurring materials. First, according to the different fabrication methods, cellulose‐based solar evaporators can be divided into two types, i.e., top‐down utilization (wood‐based) and bottom‐up assembled (cellulose composite‐based), respectively. The different fabrication schemes also bring their own unique advantages, such as the bimodal porous structure of wood‐based evaporators and the artificial interconnection microporous network of cellulose composite‐based evaporators. Subsequently, this review further summarizes the most recent advances and highlights of those cellulose‐based solar evaporators, by focusing on their structural regulation strategies (e.g., drilled channel array, asymmetric wettability structure, delignification, 2D waterway, etc.) and evaporation performance improvements (e.g., salt resistance, high evaporation rate, etc.). Finally, the challenges in this field and potential solutions are also discussed, which are anticipated to provide new opportunities toward the future development of cellulose and other kinds of biomass‐based evaporators.
Precise Starving Therapy via Physiologically Dependent Photothermal Conversion Promoted Mitochondrial Calcification Based on Multi‐Functional Gold Nanoparticles for Effective Tumor Treatment
Authors: Chang Xiaowei , Tang Xiaoyu , Liu Jie , Zhu Zeren , Mu Wenyun , Tang Wenjun , Zhang Yanmin , Chen Xin
Published: May 2023

Starving therapy based on tumor calcification has been considered as a promising strategy with high biosafety for tumor treatment. However, the limited calcium (Ca2+) concentration in/around tumor tissue as well as the slow and uncontrollable process of the physiological calcification are all challenges for its application. Herein, a sialic acid (SA, Ca2+ chelator), folic acid (FA, tumor targeting agent) and triphenylphosphine (TPP, mitochondrial targeting agent) co‐modified gold nanoparticles (SFT‐Au) are fabricated to take advantage of the abundant Ca2+ in mitochondria as well as the Ca2+ collection and Ca2+ dependent photothermal property of SFT‐Au to achieve a precise and promoted calcification of tumor mitochondria for effective starving therapy. During therapy, the SFT‐Au will first accumulate in tumor mitochondria through stepwise targeting processes medicated by FA and TPP. After that, the SA further binds with the over‐expressed Ca2+ in tumor mitochondria to induce the aggregation of SFT‐Au, which not only gathers Ca2+ to initiate the calcification of mitochondria, but in situ generates photothermal agent to perform photothermal conversion under 808 nm irradiation to promote the calcification, resulting in effective prohibition of the energy metabolism in tumor cells for starving therapy and continuously photothermal damage of tumor cells to enhance the therapeutic efficiency.
Interface Barrier Layers to Suppress Side Redox Reactions of High‐Voltage Hydrogel Iontronics
Authors: Shao Yangshi , Guo Zi Hao , Yang Kai , Jia Luyao , Pu Xiong
Published: May 2023

Soft hydrogel iontronic devices, utilizing the assumed non‐Faradaic exchange of ions and electrons at the metal‐hydrogel interfaces, have been demonstrated with advantages of high stretchability, transparency, and biocompatibility. Yet, in real situation under high voltage, Faradaic reaction is inevitable, which can breakdown the device and lead to the low durability. Herein, the Faradaic breakdown behaviors of hydrogel iontronic devices under high AC voltage are systematically studied. Side reactions including electrode corrosion and water electrolysis are confirmed in the electrical double layer. Interface barrier layers are proposed to eliminate this issue. It is found that acetylene black (ACET) as modification layer can achieve the best performances, providing effective protection while maintaining the electrical performances. By leveraging ACET‐modified electrodes, long‐term durable iontronics, including electroluminescent devices and high‐output triboelectric nanogenerators, are successfully demonstrated. This work can provide insightful strategies for developing practical hydrogel iontronic devices.
X‐Ray‐Activated Long Afterglow Double‐Perovskite Scintillator for Detection and Extension Imaging
Authors: Zhang Nan , Zhang Rui , Xu Xieming , Wang Fang , Sun Zhicheng , Wang Shuaihua , Wu Shaofan
Published: May 2023

X‐ray flat‐panel detectors are widely used for nondestructive detection of internal information in medical radiography and industrial applications. However, a persisting challenge is the application of radiography on highly curved 3D objects to realize flexibility and information storage for the fabrication of flexible large‐area X‐ray detectors. This study demonstrates a halide‐based double perovskite Cs2Na0.9Ag0.1LuCl6:Dy3+ by a hydrothermal reaction. The as‐prepared crystals exhibit afterglow features through a co‐doping strategy of Dy3+ and Ag+ ions. The double perovskite material with doping modification exhibits excellent scintillation properties with high sensitivity, low detection limit, and high radiation stability. In addition, flexible scintillator detectors are fabricated with an area of 8.0 × 6.0 cm2 by the blade‐coating strategy, which has a high spatial resolution of 11.2 lp mm−1@MTF = 0.2. Based on the long afterglow properties, the Cs2Na0.9Ag0.1LuCl6:Dy3+ flexible film exhibits thermoluminescence after turning off the X‐ray, thereby having strong potential for X‐ray imaging of nonflat and irregular objects.
Light Delivery, Acoustic Read‐Out, and Optical Thermometry Using Ultrasound‐Induced Mechanoluminescence and the Near‐Infrared Persistent Luminescence of CaZnOS:Nd3+
Authors: Ding Yicong , So Byoungjin , Cao Jiangkun , Langenhorst Falko , Wondraczek Lothar
Published: May 2023

Light emission from CaZnOS:Nd3+ by high‐intensity ultrasound excitation is demonstrated. Acoustic power and duty ratio enable simultaneous control of the degree of (local) thermo‐acoustic heating in isothermal or nonisothermal conditions. The Nd‐related photoemission provides direct thermometric feedback at an absolute sensitivity on the order of 10−4 K−1, within the physiological temperature range. From the individual temperature dependence of persistent luminescence and mechanoluminescence, both effects are attributed to a heterologous de‐trapping mechanism. In addition to acoustic heating and optical thermometry, this enables optical information storage and smart labeling with optoacoustic read‐out.
A metagenomic analysis of the virome of inverted papilloma and squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Tong Charles C. L. , Lin Xiang , Seckar Tyler , Koptyra Mateusz , Kohanski Michael A. , Cohen Noam A. , Kennedy David W. , Adappa Nithin D. , Papagiannopoulos Peter , Kuan Edward C. , Baranov Esther , Jalaly Jalal B. , Feldman Michael D. , Storm Phillip B. , Resnick Adam C. , Palmer James N. , Wei Zhi , Robertson Erle S.
Published: May 2023

Introduction

Inverted papilloma (IP) is a sinonasal tumor with a well‐known potential for malignant transformation. The role of human papillomavirus (HPV) in its pathogenesis has been controversial. The purpose of this study was to determine the virome associated with IP, with progression to carcinoma in situ (CIS), and invasive carcinoma.

Methods

To determine the HPV‐specific types, a metagenomics assay that contains 62,886 probes targeting viral genomes in a microarray format was used. The platform screens DNA and RNA from fixed tissues from eight controls, 16 IP without dysplasia, five IP with CIS, and 13 IP‐associated squamous cell carcinoma (IPSCC). Paired with next‐generation sequencing, 48 types of HPV with 857 region‐specific probes were interrogated against the tumors.

Results

The prevalence of HPV‐16 was 14%, 42%, 70%, and 73% in control tissue, IP without dysplasia, IP with CIS, and IPSCC, respectively. The prevalence of HPV‐18 had a similar progressive increase in prevalence, with 14%, 27%, 67%, and 74%, respectively. The assay allowed region‐specific analysis, which identified the only oncogenic HPV‐18 E6 to be statistically significant when compared with control tissue. The prevalence of HPV‐18 E6 was 0% in control tissue, 25% in IP without dysplasia, 60% in IP with CIS, and 77% in IPSCC.

Conclusions

There are over 200 HPV types that infect human epithelial cells, of which only a few are known to be high‐risk. Our study demonstrated a trend of increasing prevalence of HPV‐18 E6 that correlated with histologic severity, which is novel and supports a potential role for HPV in the pathogenesis of IP.