bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Regeneration through Violence: Echoes of the Myth of the West in Jim Harrison’s A Good Day to Die
Authors:   University of Warsaw (Polonia), Horodyska Elżbieta
Published: April 2024

This essay analyzes some of the reverberations of the myth of the West present in Jim Har- rison’s early novel A Good Day to Die (1973), where the myth is put to the test of compatibility with the real world. Richard Slotkin’s notion of regeneration through violence as well as Jane Tompkins’s observations regarding depictions of masculinity in 20th century popular westerns find affirmation in the novel’s narrative. Despite the contemporaneous concern for increasing technology-aided control of nature, evident in other novels, it is remarkable how A Good Day to Die recreates many of the aspects of the myth of the West. Arguably, the novel simultaneously proposes that the kind of perspective that Donna Haraway terms “situated knowledges” in the end allows the unnamed narrator to maintain a more realistic connection with reality than what the myth offers.
Medically responsive amyloidogenic giant sellar-parasellar prolactinoma
Authors: Singh Anoop Kumar , Shilpi  , Kumari Gayatri , Tangri Rajiv
Published: April 2024

Background:

Giant prolactinomas are rare; among them, the amyloidogenic variant, prolactinomas with extensive spherical amyloid deposits, are rare, with only 30 cases reported with recommendations of surgical management contrary to the routine prolactinoma’s medical management.

Case Description:

We report here a case of giant amyloidogenic prolactinoma in a 32-year-old male patient who had a very atypical presentation in terms of clinical, radiological, and pathological features and responded to dopamine agonist therapy like a normal prolactinoma.

Conclusion:

Amyloidogenic giant prolactinomas are rare. Contrary to usual belief, even they remain medically responsive; however, more literature is required to decide their ideal management.
Specific aspects of transport
Authors: Pawęska Marcin , Kharchenko Volodymyr , Li Hayoyang
Published: April 2024

The specifics of transport are highly dependent on the type, purpose, and location of the vehicle. Therefore, specific characteristics are determined by a number of very heterogeneous elements. Transport inherently belongs to the category of socio-technical systems with varying degrees of special responsibility. In this regard, the article provides a classification of vehicles. The basic principles of transport organisation in the EU are considered. Attention is paid to the specific features of transport
Endoscopic Septoplasty vs Conventional Septoplasty: A Comparitive Study
Authors:   Associate Professor, Department of Ent, Ajims, Mangalore, India, Bhandary Rukma , Shetty Rohan ,   Post Graduate, Department of Ent, Ajims, Mangalore
Published: April 2024

Introduction: Nasal obstruction due to deviated nasal septum is a common problem encountered by most otolaryngologists. A variety of surgical procedures have been tried in the treatment of the same. Objective: This study was conducted to evaluate the outcomes and complications of endoscopic and conventional septoplasty and to compare both. Materials and Methods: This is a prospective, randomized study done in tertiary health center, Mangalore in which 60 patients with symptomatic deviated nasal septum were included in the study. Twenty two of them underwent conventional septoplasty and the remaining thirty eight underwent endoscopic septoplasty. Results: Endoscopic septoplasty had better outcome with respect to complications and proved as an easier method to correct posterior deviations and isolated spurs. Post operative symptoms were also better in the group which underwent endoscopic septoplasty. Conclusion: Endoscopic septoplasty allows accurate, conservative repair of obstructive nasal septum deviations, with fewer complications and better functional results compared to conventional septoplasty.
Cochlear Implantation in Inner Ear Malformations
Authors:   Professor of Otolaryngology, Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Ibn Sina University Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Mohammed V University, Morocco, R Bencheikh , K Hjaouj ,   Resident physician in Otolaryngology, Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Ibn Sina University, Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Mohammed V University, Morocco, A Oujilal ,   Professor of Otolaryngology, Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Ibn Sina University Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Mohammed V University, Morocco, A Benbouzid ,   Professor of Otolaryngology, Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Ibn Sina University Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Mohammed V University, Morocco, L Essakalli ,   Professor of Otolaryngology, Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Ibn Sina University Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Mohammed V University, Morocco
Published: April 2024

Introduction: Cochlear Implantation (CI) has proven to be an effective treatment for severe bilateral Sensorineural Hearing Loss (SNHL). Inner ear malformation is a rare anomaly and occurs in approximately 20% of cases with congenital SNHL. There are particular challenges in the implantation of malformed cochleae, such as in cases of facial nerve anomalies, Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) leaks or facial stimulation, and the outcomes may differ depending on the severity of the malformation. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of Inner Ear Malformations (IEMs) on surgical complications and outcomes of cochlear implantation. Methods: Between 2018 and 2022, 9 patients with inner ear malformations were implanted in our department and completed at least 1 year of follow-up. The age range was between 2 years and 4 months and 5 years (average, 3.36 yr). Auditory performance, receptive and expressive language skills, and production and use of speech were evaluated preoperatively and at least 1 year after implantation. Results: In the study group, the most common malformation was an isolated Enlarged Vestibular Aqueduct (EVA) (55,5%). Overall, the patients with IEMs showed significant improvement in auditory-verbal skills. In general, the patients who had normal cochleae scored significantly better compared to patients with IEMs. Conclusion: Based on these findings, cochlear implantation is surgically feasible in patients with common cavity, IP types I and II, and EVA. The surgeon should be ready to make modifications in the surgical approach because of the abnormal course of the facial nerve and be ready to produce special precautions to cerebrospinal fluid gusher. Patients with EVA were the best performers in terms of auditory-verbal skills.
Infant and Young Child Feeding Practice and Associated Factors among 0-23 Old Months of Children in Irrigated and Non-Irrigated Areas of Dangila District, North West of Ethiopia
Authors:   Department of Health System Management and Health Economics, School of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Science, Bahir dar University, Ethiopia, M Belayneh , M Tirfie ,   Department of Public Health Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Science, Bahir dar University, Ethiopia, W Mekonen ,   Department of Health System Management and Health Economics, School of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Science, Bahir dar University, Ethiopia
Published: April 2024

Background: Infant and young child feeding practice is a cornerstone of care for child development both mentally and physically. Failure to implement proper infant and young child feeding practices is associated with an increased risk of childhood morbidity and mortality. Objective: To assess the prevalence of infant and young child feeding practices among 0-23 months-old children in irrigated and non-irrigated areas of Dangila Woreda, North-west Ethiopia, 2021. Methods: A community-based comparative cross-sectional study was conducted from Dec 1, 2020 to Jun 1, 2021 with a total of 823 mothers who have infants and young children 0-23 months of age in 9 selected Keebles. A stratified sampling technique was implemented to select irrigated and nonirrigated kebeles and study units. Data was collected by the face-to-face interview method. Bivariate and multivariate analysis were used. Variables with p 0.05 were taken as statistically significant and independently associated with infant and young child feeding practice. An adjusted odds ratio, along with a 95% confidence interval, was used to assess the strength of the association. Result: Among 823 households visited, 802 participants gave complete responses, a response rate of 97.4%. The overall prevalence of infant and young child feeding practice was 62.56%. Of these, 72.8% (95%CI: 67.5%, 76.1%) from irrigated and 52.2% (95%CI: 47.8%, 57.4%) from non-irrigated areas had good practice of IYCF. Moreover, the study identified that ANC (AOR = 2.138, 95% CI: 1.085, 4.210), knowledge (AOR = 2.43, 95% CI: 0.275, 0.612), attitude (AOR = 1.687, 95% CI: 1.129, 2.520), PNC (AOR = 1.606, 95% CI: 1.154, 2.360) and women’s decision making (AOR = 1.941, 95% CI: 1.305, 2.888) were significant predictors for IYCF among 0-23-months of age children. Conclusion: The overall prevalence of infant and young child feeding practice in the study area was 62.5 percent, with significant differences between irrigated and non-irrigated areas. Infant and young child feeding practices are high as compared to previous studies. Women’s decision making, ANC follow up, PNC follow up, attitude, and knowledge were identified as the intervention areas.
A Historical Dreaded Human Nematode Parasite, Dracunculus Worm (Dracunculus medinensis) Whose Awe is Still Alive in Elderly of India! Can’t it Reappear in India?
Authors:   Department of Advanced Science and Technology, National Institute of Medical Science and Research, NIMS University Rajasthan, India, SL Choubisa
Published: April 2024

In the eighties, there was a tremendous infestation of dreaded human nematode parasite, Dracunculus worm (Dracunculus medinensis) in the rural areas of many states of India. Commonly, this roundworm is also known as Guinea worm. Thousands of people were suffering from Guinea worm disease (dracunculiasis), a disease caused by this viviparous female worm. In this water-borne disease, this worm is 1-3 feet long, milk-white, thin, cylindrical, and thread-like from any part (arms, legs, neck, breast, chest, abdomen, back, genital organs, etc.) of the person’s body, slowly comes out over a period of 2-3 months. But this worm comes out more from those organs which come more in contact with water, because it makes it easier for it to complete its life cycle. During its emergence, the person feels very severe unbearable pain. Sometimes more than one worm has also been seen coming out of a person’s body, which is an even more serious condition. India is now completely free from this dangerous worm and it was last seen in 2006. Now this is a historical human nematode roundworm whose description is only available in the pages of medical and parasitological history. But now these can be seen in the museum of zoology departments and medical colleges in the form of preserved specimens as evidence. But the old people of dracunculiasis endemic villages still tremble with fear after hearing its name. It is true that the history of this historical Dracunculus worm was very scary and dangerous. However, in India, the young generation is unfamiliar or unknown of this historical worm. There is no doubt that people have got freedom from this worm, but due to its eradication, another new health problem of chronic fluorosis has come in India, which is even more dangerous and painful than this. Due to this, not only thousands of people of all age groups, but many species of domestic animals became victims of lameness, that is, “fell from the sky and got stuck in the palm”. There is no doubt that this worm has ended from India, but the question is also that can it not come back? Because many other beings are its reservoir hosts in which it is hidden. Whatever it is, its fate lies in the womb of the future.
Alternaria alternata Causing Disease on Sugar Beet (Beta vulgaris) Steckling in Arizona, USA
Authors:   North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND 58203, USA, ME Haque , MS Parvin ,   Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Joydebpur, Gazipur, Bangladesh
Published: April 2024

Sugar beet (Beta vulgaris. L) is an economically important crop which is contributing 55% of the total sugar in the USA. In April 2018, irregular dark brown symptoms were observed in sugar beet stecklings in Arizona where different sugar beet cultivars were grown for seed production (Figure 1). The symptoms covered approximately 5% on the sugar beet root surface. Symptomatic beet root tissue were excised from the junction of diseased and healthy tissue. Small pieces (5mm²) were surface sterilized with 10% sodium hypochlorite for 1min, rinsed thrice with sterile distilled water, air dried and transferred to clarified V8 (CV8), and Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA), and incubated at 24°C with a 12h photoperiod for 5 days. White-dark green velvety colony appeared on both media (Figure 2). Isolates were developed by the single spore isolation technique. Conidia were obclavate or oviod, two to four transverse septa, and pale brown, often in chains (4 to 8 conidia) and or solitary (Figure 3). The dimension of conidia varied from 20.21-40.15 x 7.50-14.12 μm [1- 3]. Based on the morphological characters, the fungus was tentatively identified as Alternaria species. Genomic DNA were extracted via Qiagen kit. A total of 40ng genomic DNA was used to generate a library using NEBNext® Fast DNA Fragmentation & Library Prep Set for Ion TorrentTM for sequencing in Ion TorrentTM Personal Genome MachineTM System.
Focal Congenital Hyperinsulinism (CHI) Due To Paternally Inherited Variant in ABCC8 Gene: Importance of Genetic Testing & PET Imaging in Stratification & Management of Diazoxide Unresponsive CHI
Authors:   Senior Consultant Paediatric and Adolescent Endocrinologist, SRCC Children’s Hospital, Mumbai & Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital, Mumbai, India, Kulkarni Abhishek , Monteiro Joewin ,   Clinical and Research Fellow, Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Endocrinology, SRCC Children’s Hospital, Haji Ali, Mumbai, India, Desai Devika ,   Clinical Associate, Department of Paediatric Endocrinology, SRCC Children’s Hospital, Mumbai, India
Published: April 2024

Congenital Hyperinsulinism (CHI) may be transient or permanent and inherited either in autosomal recessive or dominant forms. Variants in ABCC8 and KCNJ11 genes coding for Sulphonyl Urea Receptor (SUR1) and potassium channel subunit (Kir6.2) respectively, account for 82% cases of diazoxide-unresponsive patients and 45% of all cases of CHI. The histology of CHI is classified into focal and diffuse. Approximately half of all cases can be classified as diffuse, 40 % as focal, and 10% of cases are considered atypical. We report a 1 month old male with recurrent hypoglycemia detected with focal congenital hyperinsulinism secondary to a paternally inherited heterozygous ABCC8 gene mutation. Focal disease results due to inheritance of a monoallelic recessive paternal ABCC8 or KCNJ11 variant together with somatic Loss of Heterozygosity (LOH) of the maternal allele at 11p15 within a pancreatic progenitor cell. Infants & children with focal disease may be cured by resection of their hyperplastic lesion and the risk for postoperative diabetes is significantly lower as compared to that following pancreatectomy for diffuse CHI. The report describes molecular mechanisms underlying CHI & emphasises the need of genetic testing and diagnostic functional imaging modalities in diazoxide unresponsive CHI to guide management and improve clinical outcomes.
Understanding the Significance of Socio-Cultural Notions before Delivering Community-Based Mental Health Services
Authors:   Department of Development, Azim Premji University, Bangalore, India, Vilas Kumbhar Prashant
Published: April 2024

The article explores the intricate interplay between mental health and socio-cultural factors across historical epochs and contemporary society. Beginning with primitive beliefs attributing health abnormalities to supernatural forces, the narrative traces the evolution of perspectives, from Hippocrates’ psychological approach to the medieval era’s religious-centric views. The colonial period witnessed mental health framed as abnormal behavior, emphasising somatogenic factors, leading to social isolation. As the twentieth century unfolded, a psychological lens gained prominence, acknowledging genetic predispositions. Examining a case study of a tribal man labelled “mentally ill” and lynched, the article questions the complex socio-economic issues obscured by the “mental illness” label. It argues for a holistic approach to mental health interventions, emphasizing community-centric strategies. The importance of understanding lay perspectives, addressing negative stereotypes, and recognizing vulnerable sections of society is highlighted. The article contends that mental health organizations must blend cultural values and scientific approaches. It proposes support groups, counselling, and awareness initiatives rooted in shared socio-cultural values. Community-based interventions, aligned with local characteristics, are seen as crucial for resilience in the face of disasters. The need for organizations to recruit locally to enhance cultural understanding and avoid disharmony is emphasized. The conclusion warns against underestimating socio-cultural values in interventions, as this may perpetuate negative perspectives. Structural constraints, both social and economic, are identified as key determinants of mental health.
On possibility of using Danish seine to assess the stocks of commercial fish species
Authors: Kalchugin Р. V. , Solomatov S. F.
Published: April 2024

In modern conditions of less number of research expeditions, more information is collected by fishing vessels, where Danish seine is used as a fishing gear. Biostatistical data obtained by bottom trawl and Danish seine were compared in the joint survey in the Ussuri Bay (Japan Sea) and showed good comparability. Availability of the Danish seine using for assessment of fish stocks in this area is concluded.
First record of sharpbeak terapon Rhynchopelates oxyrhynchus (Centrarchiformes: Terapontidae) in the Russian waters of the Japan Sea
Authors: Barabanshchikov Е. I. , Saveliev Р. А. , Pitruk D. L.
Published: April 2024

The first record of sharpbeak terapon Rhynchopelates oxyrhynchus in the waters of the Russian Federation. This species was known at the coast of Japan, but was not recorded previously in the northwestern Japan Sea.
On critical levels of ecological status for macrozoobenthic communities in Peter the Great Bay of the Japan Sea: field studies
Authors: Moshchenko А. V.
Published: April 2024

Relationship between the environmental stress index (PES) and the mean total explained variance of biotic parameters (MEV, as a measure of the environmental factors influence on macrozoobenthic communities) is determined using the methods of multiple linear stepwise regression analysis and non-linear estimation. The relationship is S-shaped, with the points of beginning and end of linear growth confined to the PES ≈ 15–16 % and 30 %. These levels should be considered as boundary criteria for the status of macrozoobenthic communities. Under favorable environmental conditions, PES does not exceed 15 % (the first critical level), that is close to a «biologically balanced» state of the communities. The PES values in the range of 15–30 % indicate an increased influence of limiting factors, but this influence is not destructive. The PES values > 30 % (the second critical level) indicate extreme deterioration of habitat conditions and transition to a «physically controlled» state of the communities.
Experimental analysis of the effect of low water temperature on oogenesis of juvenile chum salmon
Authors: Zelennikov О. V.
Published: April 2024

The state of gonads is examined for juvenile chum salmon exposed for two weeks at low water temperature, for different stages of their embryonic-larval development. The transfer of the embryos and larvae from the water with temperature of 10.0–12.0 о C to the water with temperature of 1.3–1.8 о C slowed both somatic growth of the fish and development of their germ cells in all cases. The deficit in body weight and ovarian weight of experimental fish was not compensated later. However, the gonad weight was decreased in the somatic component and did not affect the fund of germ cells, in the medium term. The state of ovaries did not differ between the control and experimental groups of fish 50 days after the end of exposure, regardless of the initial condition of gonads in the experiment.
Does the amount of pacific salmon catch affect the wholesale prices of their products?
Authors: Zverev G. S. , Goncharova N. А. , Kizabekova А. О.
Published: April 2024

Since 2017, volatility of weekly wholesale prices for pacific salmon increased in the Russian domestic market, particularly in the Far East of Russia, that had coincided with higher fluctuations of the weekly and annual catch. Correlation between these variables is investigated for the period from 2010 to 2022, using graphical and regression analyses and 18-factor model for prices of the pink, chum, and sockeye salmon products. The dynamics of prices for pacific salmon products cannot be fully explained only by catch dynamics, but depends on a number of supplementary factors affecting the activities of fish industry enterprises. Anyway, a degree of the catch and price in preceding weeks influence on the wholesale prices is estimated for the main species of pacific salmon. The impact of the catch factor is not significant though more considerable for pink salmon product prices than for the other pacific salmon species.
Life strategies of pacific salmon. Communication 2. Formation of life-history forms. Variability in sex ratio
Authors: Marchenko S. L.
Published: April 2024

Conditions determining the vector of ontogenetic development and factors influencing the sex ratio for various life-history forms of pacific salmon (gen. Oncorhynchus) are discussed on the basis of cited data.
Transferable prediction of formation energy across lattices of increasing size
Authors: Lupo Pasini Massimiliano , Karabin Mariia , Eisenbach Markus
Published: April 2024

In this study, we show the transferability of graph convolutional neural network (GCNN) predictions of the formation energy of the nickel-platinum (NiPt) solid solution alloy across atomic structures of increasing sizes. The original dataset was generated with the Large-scale Atomic/Molecular Massively Parallel Simulator (LAMMPS) using the second nearest-neighbor modified embedded-atom method (2NN MEAM) empirical interatomic potential. Geometry optimization was performed on the initially randomly generated face centered cubic (FCC) crystal structures and the formation energy has been calculated at each step of the geometry optimization, with configurations spanning the whole compositional range. Using data from various steps of geometry optimization, we first trained the GCNN on a lattice of 256 atoms, which accounts well for the short-range interactions. Using this data, we predicted the formation energy for lattices of 864 atoms and 2,048 atoms, which resulted in lower-than-expected accuracy due to the long-range interactions present in these larger lattices. We accounted for the long-range interactions by including a small amount of training data representative for those two larger sizes, whereupon the predictions of the GCNN scaled linearly with the size of the lattice. Therefore, our strategy ensured scalability while reducing significantly the computational cost of training on larger lattice sizes.
Deciphering a Distinct Biosynthetic Pathway for Meroterpenoids in Bacteria
Authors: Wang Zengyuan , Alsup Tyler A. , Pan Xingming , Li Lulu , Tian Jupeng , Yang Ziyi , Lin Xiaoxu , Xu Hui-Min , Rudolf Jeffrey D. , Dong Liao-Bin
Published: April 2024

Meroterpenoids are hybrid natural products that arise from the integration of terpenoid and non-terpenoid biosynthetic pathways. While the biosynthesis of fungal meroterpenoids typically follows a well-established sequence of prenylation, epoxidation, and cyclization, the pathways for bacterial perhydrophenanthrene meroterpenoids remain poorly understood. In this study, we report the construction of an engineered metabolic pathway in Streptomyces for the production of the bacterial meroterpenoid, atolypene A (1). Our research reveals a novel pathway wherein the structure of atolypene A is assembled through a distinct sequence of epoxidation, prenylation, and cyclization, divergent from its fungal counterparts. We demonstrate that the noncanonical class II terpene cyclase (TC) AtoE, through the E314 residue within the characteristic E314TAE motif, functions as a Brønsted acid, initiating cyclization by protonating the epoxide. Additionally, bioinformatic analysis of biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) that contain AtoE-like TCs supports that bacteria have the potential to produce a wide array of meroterpenoids.
Analyzing Interfaces, Interactions and Self-Assembly in Soft Matter Simulations with PySoftK
Authors: Lopez-Rios de Castro Raquel , Santana-Bonilla Alejandro , Ziolek Robert M. , Lorenz Christian D.
Published: April 2024

Molecular dynamics simulations have become an essential tool in the study of soft matter and biological macromolecules. The large amount of high-dimensional data produced by such simulations does not immediately elucidate the atomistic mechanisms that underlie complex materials and molecular processes. Analysis of these simulations is complicated: the dynamics intrinsic to soft matter simulations necessitates careful application of specific (often complex) algorithms to extract meaningful molecular scale understanding. There is an ongoing need for high-quality computational workflows to facilitate this analysis in a reproducible manner with minimal user input. In this work, we introduce a series of new computational tools for analyzing soft matter interfaces, molecular interactions (including ring-ring stacking), and self-assembly. In addition, we include a number of auxiliary tools, including a useful function to unwrap molecular structures that are greater than half the length of their corresponding simulation box. These tools are contained in the PySoftK software package, making application of these algorithms straightforward for the user. These new simulation analysis tools within PySoftK will support high-quality, reproduce analysis of soft matter and biomolecular simulations to bring about new predictive understanding in nano- and biotechnology.
XPS Depth-Profiling Studies of Chlorophyll Binding to Poly(cysteine methacrylate) Scaffolds in Pigment-Polymer Antenna Complexes using a Gas Cluster Ion Source
Authors: Csanyi Evelin , Hammond Deborah , Bower Benjamin , Johnson Edwin , Lishchuk Anna , Armes Steven , Dong Zhaogang , Leggett Graham
Published: April 2024

X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) depth-profiling with an argon gas cluster ion source (GCIS) was used to characterize the spatial distribution of chlorophyll a (Chl) within a poly(cysteine methacrylate) (PCysMA) brush grown by surface-initiated atom-transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) from a planar surface. The organization of Chl is controlled by adjusting the brush grafting density and polymerization time. For dense brushes, the C, N, S elemental composition remains constant throughout the 36 nm brush layer until the underlying gold substrate is approached. However, for either reduced density brushes (mean thickness 20 nm) or mushrooms grown with reduced grafting densities (mean thickness 6-9 nm), elemental intensities decrease continuously throughout the brush layer, because photoelectrons are less strongly attenuated for such systems. For all brushes, the fraction of positively charged nitrogen atoms (N+/N0) decreases with increasing depth. Chl binding causes a marked reduction in N+/N0 within the brushes and produces a new feature at 398.1 eV in the N1s core-line spectrum assigned to tetrapyrrole ring nitrogen atoms coordinated to Zn2+. For all grafting densities, the N/S atomic ratio remains approximately constant as a function of brush depth, which indicates a uniform distribution of Chl throughout the brush layer. However, a larger fraction of repeat units bound to Chl is observed at lower grafting densities, reflecting a progressive reduction in steric congestion that enables more uniform distribution of the bulky Chl units throughout the brush layer. In summary, XPS depth-profiling using a GCIS is a powerful tool for characterization of these complex materials.
Metals in the Mix: Assessing Trace Metal Contamination in Composted Soil and Cultivated Crops from Dumpsites
Authors: Gideon Mathew
Published: April 2024

In many agricultural settings, the high cost of inorganic fertilizers has led farmers to resort to using composted soil from large dumpsites for soil amendment, in some cases, farmers even level smaller dumpsites and utilize the land for crop cultivation. This study investigated the concentrations of trace metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Fe, Pb, Zn) in dumpsite compost, soil for cultivation, maize plants, and spinach vegetables, comparing them against the limits established by Directive 2014/118/EU. The results revealed significant variations in trace metal levels across the different samples analysed. Dumpsite compost exhibited elevated concentrations of Cd (6.00 mg/kg), Cr (89.00 mg/kg), Cu (21.00 mg/kg), Mn (101.00 mg/kg), Ni (17.12 mg/kg), Fe (1570.02 mg/kg), Pb (29.31 mg/kg), and Zn (315.18 mg/kg), surpassing the EU limits for Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn. Conversely, soil for cultivation demonstrated lower trace metal concentrations, with Cd (0.40 mg/kg), Cr (21.31 mg/kg), Cu (1.72 mg/kg), Mn (12.98 mg/kg), Ni (2.43 mg/kg), Fe (520.11 mg/kg), Pb (0.98 mg/kg), and Zn (67.31 mg/kg), still exceeding EU limits for Cd, Cr, Mn, Ni, and Zn. Maize plants and spinach vegetables showed varying levels of trace metals, with concentrations generally lower than those in dumpsite compost but still exceeding EU limits for several metals. The calculated index values indicated significant contamination in all samples, with values less than 1. The metal uptake by plants, as indicated by the index values, followed the order Cd > Pb > Cu > Ni > Cr > Zn > Fe > Mn. This study underscores the potential health risks associated with consuming crops grown in contaminated soil and highlights the importance of continuous monitoring and remediation efforts to ensure food safety and environmental health.
Exploring Ion Polarizabilities and Their Correlation with Van der Waals Radii: A Theoretical Investigation
Authors: Smith Madelyn , Khatiwada Richa , Li Pengfei
Published: April 2024

Polarizability (⍺) is a fundamental property which measures the tendency of the electron cloud of an atom, ion, or molecule to be distorted by electric field. Polarizability contributes to important physical properties such as molecular interactions or dielectric constants; thus, it is essential to have accurate polarizabilities in molecular simulations. However, it remains a challenge to develop polarizable force fields for ions in computational chemistry. In particular, a comprehensive set of polarizabilities for ions has not been derived. Herein, we derived a systematic set of polarizabilities for atoms and ions across the periodic table based on high-level quantum mechanics calculations. These values have excellent agreement with experimental data. Furthermore, we examined the relationship between the obtained polarizabilities and the van der Waals radii (RVDW) that we previously determined (J. Chem. Theory Comput., 2023, 19, 2064). Two relationships, R_VDW∝α^(1/7) and R_VDW∝α^(1/3), proposed in previous studies were examined in the present work. Our results indicated the former relationship, which was derived based on the quantum harmonic oscillator model, prevails for atoms and cations, but neither relationship provides a satisfactory fit for anions. This is consistent with the tight-binding nature of the electrons in atoms and cations, while it is more challenging to quantify the polarizabilities of anions because of their more dispersed electron clouds. Moreover, we compared different approaches to determine the dispersion coefficients, including the London, Slater-Kirkwood, SAPT, and TD-DFT methods, along with the approach based on van der Waals constants. Our results indicated that although different approaches predict deviated magnitudes for the dispersion coefficients, their predictions are highly correlated, implying that each of these approaches can be used to evaluate dispersion interactions after proper scaling. This study has significant implications for advancing the development of next-generation ion models and polarizable force fields.
Investigating Cavity Quantum Electrodynamics-Enabled Endo/Exo- Selectivities in a Diels-Alder Reaction
Authors: Wang Jialong , Weight Braden , Huo Pengfei
Published: April 2024

Coupling molecules to a quantized radiation field inside an optical cavity has shown great promise in modifying chemical reactivity. It was recently proposed that strong light-matter interactions are able to differentiate endo/exo products of a Diels-Alder reaction at the transition state. Using the recently developed parameterized quantum electrodynamic \textit{ab initio} polariton chemistry approach along with time-dependent density functional theory, we theoretically confirm that the ground state selectivity of a Diels-Alder reaction can be fundamentally changed by strongly coupling to the cavity, generating preferential endo or exo isomers which are formed with equal probability for the same reaction outside the cavity. This provides an important and necessary benchmark with the high-level self-consistent QED coupled cluster approach. In addition, by computing the ground state difference density, we show that the cavity induces a redistribution of electron density from intramolecular $\pi$-bonding orbitals to intermolecular bonding orbitals, thus providing chemically relavent description of the cavity-induced changes to the ground state chemistry and thus changes to the molecular orbital theory inside the cavity. We extend this exploration to an arbitrary cavity polarization vector which leads to critical polarization angles that maximize the endo=/exo selectivity of the reaction. Finally, we decompose the energy contributions from the Hamiltonian and provide discussion relating to the dominent dipole self-energy effects on the ground state.
Core-electron contributions to the magnetic response of molecules with heavy elements and their significance in aromaticity assessments
Authors: Orozco Ic Mesías , Soriano-Agueda Luis , Sundholm Dage , Matito Eduard , Merino Gabriel
Published: April 2024

This study delves into the magnetic response of core electrons and their influence on the global magnetic response of systems planar and three-dimensional containing heavy elements, employing the removing valence electron (RVE) approximation. We also explore electronic aromaticity indices to understand the potential role of core electrons on electron delocalization in absence of an external perturbation. The study reveals that core electrons significantly contribute to the overall magnetic response, especially to the magnetic shielding, affecting the interpretation of aromaticity. In contrast, the calculation of the electronic aromaticity indices suggests a negligible participation of the core electrons to the electron delocalization. Despite its widespread use, the study emphasizes caution in labeling systems as strongly aromatic based solely on shielding function computations. It is noteworthy to emphasize the limitations associated with each aromaticity criterion, particularly in the context of magnetic shielding function calculations, the core-electron effect contamination is undeniable. Hence, the integration of various criteria becomes imperative for attaining a comprehensive understanding of magnetic responses within complex systems.
Divergent Synthesis of 17-nor-Cephalotane Diterpenoids through Developed Ynol-diene Cyclization
Authors: Sun Zezhong , Shu Xin , Ma Fuli , Li Ao , Li Yali , Jin Shuang , Wang Yunxia , Hu Xiangdong
Published: April 2024

The diversity of complex molecular structures of Cephalotaxus diterpenoids poses great challenges in uncovering the pharmaceutical potential of these natural products. As a subfamily of Cephalotaxus diterpenoids, 17-nor-cephalotane diterpenoids possess polycyclic frameworks with seven-membered A ring bearing different oxidation states. On the basis of a novel ynol-diene cyclization developed as a rapid access to tropone unit, a concise and divergent strategy to 17-nor-cephalotane diterpenoids has been successfully established. Combining with a bioinspired stereoselective dual hydrogenation, the enantioselective total synthesis of (+)-3-deoxyfortalpinoid F, (+)-harringtonolide, (−)-fortalpinoids M/N/P, and analog (−)-20-deoxycephinoid P have been achieved in 14-17 linear longest steps starting from commercially available materials.
Synthetic Strategy for mRNA Encapsulation and Gene Delivery with Metal-Organic Frameworks
Authors: Lawson Harrison , Nguyen Huy , Tupe Ayesha , Arral Mariah , Lee Keng , Lu Mengrou , Whitehead Kathryn , Zheng Si-Yang
Published: April 2024

Over the last two decades, the utility of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) has expanded from catalysis and gas storage to biomedical applications such as drug delivery. At first, MOF-based delivery platforms focused on delivering small molecules, with current work focusing on nucleic acids, such as DNA, short guide RNA (sgRNA), and short interfering RNA (siRNA). No studies to this date have specifically shown the encapsulation and delivery of mRNA with MOFs, possibly due to the fragile nature of messenger RNA (mRNA). This study explores and identifies suitable synthetic conditions for encapsulating and delivering mRNA with zeolitic imidazole framework-8 (ZIF-8). Initial ZIF-8 encapsulation attempts, although capable of mRNA loading, could not retain mRNA longer than 1 hour in biological media. To address this issue, we added polyethyleneimine (PEI) to the matrix, enabling the retention of mRNA with 4 hours of stability. Polyethyleneimine incorporation resolves the leakage of mRNA from ZIF-8, enabling delivery and resultant protein expression in multiple cell lines comparable to commercial lipid transfection reagents. Furthermore, we report the first application exploring thermally stable mRNA storage with ZIF-8 with successful protein expression achieved after 3 months of room temperature storage. Together, this work expands the catalog of therapeutics MOFs can deliver.
Photoswitchable catalysis by a self-assembled molecular cage
Authors: DiNardi Ray G. , Rasheed Samina , Capomolla Simona S. , Chak M. Him , Middleton Isis A. , Macreadie Lauren K. , Violi Jake P. , Donald William A. , Lusby Paul J. , Beves Jonathon E.
Published: April 2024

A heteroleptic [Pd2L2L'2]4+ coordination cage containing a photoswitchable azobenzene-derived ligand catalyzes the Michael addition reaction between methyl vinyl ketone and benzoyl nitromethane within its cavity. The correspond-ing homoleptic cages are catalytically inactive. The heteroleptic cage can be reversibly disassembled and reassembled using 530 nm light and 405 nm light, respectively, allowing catalysis within the cage to be switched ON and OFF at will.
Mucocutaneous manifestations of HIV/AIDS patients admitted to tertiary care hospital, Bagalkot.
Authors: R Manjula , Mayappanavar Ramesh , H Vijayalakshmi , BS Ankad , AS . Dorle
Published: April 2024

Background HIV infection produces a range of mucocutaneous manifestations ranging from macular roseolar rash in according to sero-conversion to extensive Kaposirsquos sarcoma in end stage illness. Cutaneous disorders during HIV infection are numerous amp skin is often first affected during the course of HIV disease as an indicator of immune status.Objective To study the mucocutaneous manifestations of HIVAIDS patients admitted to Tertiary care hospital in North Karnataka.Methodology It is a Record based case series study. All HIVAIDS patients who were admitted in dermatology department amp other departments with mucocutaneous manifestations for a period of one year were included in the present study.Result Among 262 HIVAIDS patients admitted 6123.29 had mucocutaneous manifestations. Maximum of the study subjects were in the age group of 20-45 years constituting 78.7. 68.9 were from rural area 90.2 were married among the study subjects. In our study 57.35 of the subjects had Papular pruritus followed by Urticarial amp Candidiasis with 13.11 each.Conclusion Papular pruritus was the most common presentation followed by Urticaria Candidiasis amp Herpes zoster. So any patients with these presentations can be suspected as a case of HIV amp should be subjected for evaluation.nbsp
Effect of Chronic Marijuana Use on Cognition: A CrossSectional Study-Among College Students in Urban Bengaluru
Authors: Vellal Sahana , Masthi N R Ramesh , Halkur Shankar Sujay
Published: April 2024

Background Cannabis or Marijuana is a psychoactive drug one of the commonest recreational drug and the most common illegal drug across the globe. Chronic effects of this drug are still a fairly research deficit area.Objective Of this study is to assess the cognitive effects of chronic cannabis use using the standardized Montreal Cognitive Assessment Test MoCA and contrast the socio-demographic profile between users and non-users.Materials and Methodology This was a cross-sectional study conducted in Urban Bengaluru India between July and September 2016. Males and female students aged between 18 and 25 years were included and grouped into chronic cannabis user or a Control. The MoCA test was then administered in the subjectrsquos preferred language and assessed based on the defined MoCA administration and grading standards. Results A total 62 individuals were recruited. 31 individuals were grouped as cases and a matching 31 individuals were controls. Each group comprised on 29 males and 2 females. There was a significant difference between the total score of the MoCA test in the chronic marijuana user group Median 25 when compared to the control group Median 28 U 181 p lt0.001. Among the different categories of the MoCA tool there was a significant difference between the users group and the control group in the categories of Visuo-spatial function Attention and Language.Conclusion Chronic cannabis users were found to have cognitive impairment than those who have never used cannabis.
Nr1h4 and Thrb ameliorate ER stress and provide protection in the MPTP mouse model of Parkinson’s
Authors: Ahuja Nancy , Gupta Shalini , Arora Rashmi , Bhagyaraj Ella , Tiwari Drishti , Kumar Sumit , Gupta Pawan
Published: April 2024

Elevated ER stress has been linked to the pathogenesis of several disease conditions including neurodegeneration. In this study, we have holistically determined the differential expression of all the nuclear receptors (NRs) in the presence of classical ER stress inducers. Activation of Nr1h4 and Thrb by their cognate ligands (GW4064 and T3) ameliorates the tunicamycin (TM)-induced expression of ER stress genes. A combination of both ligands is effective in mitigating cell death induced by TM. Further exploration of their protective effects in the Parkinson’s disease (PD) model shows that they reduce MPP+-induced dissipation of mitochondrial membrane potential and ROS generation in an in vitro PD model in neuronal cells. Furthermore, the generation of an experimental murine PD model reveals that simultaneous treatment of GW4064 and T3 protects mice from ER stress, dopaminergic cell death, and functional deficits in the MPTP mouse model of PD. Thus, activation of Nr1h4 and Thrb by their respective ligands plays an indispensable role in ER stress amelioration and mounts protective effects in the MPTP mouse model of PD.
Performance Analysis of a Bi-Objective Model for Routing and Wavelength Assignment in WDM Networks
Authors: Sim ̃oes Carlos , Gomes Teresa , Craveirinha Jos ́e , Cl ́ımaco Jo ̃ao
Published: April 2024

Establishing end-to-end connections on wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) networks requires setting up lightpaths, defining the sequence of optical fibres and the wavelength in each fibre (the routing and wavelength assignment problem) for traffic flow. This paper reviews a bicriteria model for obtaining a topological path (unidirectional or symmetric bidirectional) for each lightpath request in a WDM network, developed by the authors, and presents a performance analysis of the model by considering important network performance measures. An extensive performance analysis of the two bicriteria model is presented, comparing the performance metrics obtained with the monocriterion models using the same objective functions, in five different reference networks commonly used in literature.
Performance Analysis of Hybrid Phase Shift Keying over Generalized Nakagami Fading Channels
Authors: Youssuf Mahmoud , Abdelmageed Mohamed Z.
Published: April 2024

In addition to the benefits of hybrid phase shift keying (HPSK) modulation in reducing the peak to average power ratio of the transmitted signal to reduce the zero crossings and the 0◦-degree phase transmissions, HPSK enhances the bit error rate (BER) measure of the signal performance. The constellation of the HPSK is analyzed, and an expression for the conditional probability of HPSK modulation over additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN) is derived. This BER measure of HPSK is shown to outperform quadrature phase shift keying (QPSK) modulation. HPSK performance through Nakagami – m fading channel is also considered.
Charging Phenomena at the Interface Between High-k Dielectrics and SiOx Interlayers
Authors: Engström Olof , Raeissi Bahman , Piscator Johan , Mitrovic Ivona Z. , Hall Stephen , Gottlob Heinrich D. B. , Szmidt Mathias , Hurley Paul K. , Cherkaoui Karim
Published: April 2024

The transition regions of GdSiO/SiOx and HfO2/SiOx interfaces have been studied with the high-k layers deposited on silicon substrates. The existence of transition regions was verified by medium energy ion scattering (MEIS) data and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). From measurements of thermally stimulated current (TSC), electron states were found in the transition region of the HfO2/SiOx structures, exhibiting instability attributed to the flexible structural molecular network expected to surround the trap volumes. The investigations were focused especially on whether the trap states belong to an agglomeration consisting of a single charge polarity or of a dipole constellation. We found that flat-band voltage shifts of MOS structures, that reach constant values for increasing oxide thickness, cannot be taken as unique evidence for the existence of dipole layers.
The Design of 4×4 Multimode Interference Coupler Based Microring Resonators on an SOI Platform
Authors: Le Trung-Thanh , Cahill Laurence W.
Published: April 2024

This paper would like to propose a novel microring resonator based on 4×4 multimode interference (MMI) couplers. The device acts as two separate microring resonators just in one structure. The transfer matrix method and the three dimensional beam propagation method (3D-BPM) are used to verify the working principle of the device. The device is then designed on silicon on insulator (SOI) technology. This device may be a very promising building block for optical switches, filters, add-drop multiplexers, delay lines and modulators.
Network Management in Non-classified Data Hiding System Using Master Resident over Hidden Layer
Authors: Sawicki Krzysztof , Piotrowski Zbigniew
Published: April 2024

The paper presents a practical implementation of the non-classified data hiding system (NDHS) understood as a military platform for information warfare that takes advantage of the hidden data transmission for voice connections in order to gain informational lead over a potential enemy. The NDHS performs here as a botnet network that is managed by the hidden transmission controller referred to as the master resident. Research studies are dedicated to investigation of various connections in heterogeneous links as well as functionalities of such components as hidden protocol bridges and the master resident