bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An analysis of the impact of Ocean Gliders on the AMM15 model
Authors:   Met Office, Worsfold Mark
Published: April 2024

The Atlantic Margin Model (AMM15) is one of the ocean models used by the Met Office, predicting ocean circulation in the North Atlantic approaches and shelf seas around the UK at a resolution of 1.5km. Model analyses and forecasts are used in a wide range of applications including search and rescue, oil spill response and providing sea-surface temperature boundary conditions for Met Office numerical weather prediction. The majority of observations used to constrain the AMM15 model are surface measurements collected by satellites. In situ and sub-surface observations of shelf seas around the UK are relatively sparse, for example because the North Sea’s limited area and the density of infrastructure means that the drifting surface buoys and Argo profiling floats we use for measuring the open ocean are unsuitable. In this environment, ocean gliders are the ideal observation instrument. Their ability to propel and steer themselves allows them to avoid infrastructure and to provide observations from a chosen area and depths. For this experiment, ocean gliders were deployed near the Shetland Isles and their observations were inserted into a trial AMM15 model. This trial was compared to a control AMM15 model (without glider data) and the differences between the two were studied. We observed that the gliders had a greater impact on the AMM15 model than anticipated, but their data overall increased the trial model’s accuracy. Glider data are now regularly assimilated into the operational AMM15 model.
Production of Green energy via Water Splitting mechanism by Mn- doped Cobalt Ferrites [Co1-xMnxFe2O4] based Hydroelectric Cells
Authors: Jain Prachi , Shankar S. , Thakur O. P. ,   Materials Analysis and Research Laboratory, Department of Physics, Netaji Subhas University of Technology, New Delhi 110078, India,   Functional Materials Research Laboratory, Department of Physics, ARSD College, University of Delhi-110021, India
Published: April 2024

In our current study, we have investigated the impact of manganese (Mn) doping on the structural, magnetic properties, and hydroelectric cell properties of cobalt ferrite with chemical formula [Co1-xMnxFe2O4, x=0.00, 0.125]. The solid-state approach has been utilized to synthesize the material. XRDmeasurements revealed the formation of an inverse spinel cubic structure with the space group Fd-3m. FTIR spectra hold a shift in the octahedral and tetrahedral bands with the increase in Mn content in cobalt ferrites. The subsequent rise in ferroelectric behavior has been observed with the net maximum saturation polarization of 1.08μC/cm2. The variation in the permittivity values has been also studied with the increase in Mn content for dry as well as wet hydroelectric cells. The impedance measurements helped us understand the contribution of grains/grain boundaries in the prepared ferrites. The enhanced value of magnetization has been noticed from 48.258 emu/g to 73.089 emu/g upon doping of Mn ions in cobalt ferrite spinel structure lattice.The Mndoped CFO exhibited enhanced performance in hydroelectric cells which demonstrates the great ionic diffusion mechanism with the incorporation of Mn ions. The obtained output makes Mn doped CFO a suitable material for studying microelectronic and hydroelectric cell applications. The purpose of this study is to enhance both ferroelectric as well as ferromagnetic behavior along with the improved value of current in hydroelectric cells.
Physico-Chemical and Microbiological Changes in Degradation of Agri-residue under Pit Compositing
Authors: Shukla Livleen , Parray Roaf A. , Annapurna K , Lande Satish D , Mani Indra , Kamil Deeba ,   Division of Microbiology, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)-Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi-110012, India,   Division of Agricultural Engineering, ICAR-IARI, New Delhi-110012, India,   Division of Plant Pathology, ICAR-IARI, New Delhi-110012, India,   Vasantrao Naik Marathwada Krishi Vidyapeeth, Parbhani, Maharashtra- 431402, India
Published: April 2024

Management of crop residues has remained a major challenge due to lack of easily adaptable and affordable interventions at farmer’s field. Cellulolytic bacteria and fungi have been recommended for recycling lignocellulosic-rich organic matter and to convert it into nutrient rich compost. However, these inoculants need to be generated on commercial scale for handling large volume of biomass. Also, the microbial formulation should also be capable of degrading diverse type of agri-residues. Seven fungal strains, namely Aspergillus awamori (F-18), Aspergillus nidulans, Trichoderma viride, Trichoderma longibrachitum, Drechslerahalodes, Eupenicilliumcrustaceumand Paecilomycesvariotiiwere characterized based on shelf life, functional activity to make consortium for degradation of various agro and horticultural residues using pit method of composting. An experiment was laid in cemented pits using four different substrates-maize cobs and stalks, paddy straw, kinnow fruit waste and flower waste for rapid degradation. The results revealed a maximum increase in spore count with Paecilomycesvariotii followed by Eupenicilliumcrustaceum and Drechslerahalodes. Out of four different additives, glycerol was found to be most suitable additive for incubation of selected fungi. The results on microbial population revealed highest bacterial population in flower waste and highest actinobacterial population in kinnow waste. It was also observed that inoculated organic waste degraded faster than un-inoculated wastes. As the degradation process progressed, total N also increased with time and varied from 1.1 to 1.5 percent. Flower and kinnow waste degradation was completed in 45 days while that of maize and paddy straw in 75 and 90 days, respectively. The pH range was 6.5-8.0 in all the substrates but in inoculated substrates, the range of pH was 7.2-7.6, while electrical conductivity (EC) was 1.4-3.6. The highest humus% was found with paddy straw followed by maize, flower and kinnow. The final product also showed variation in K% and S% which were found to be 0.6% -1.8% and 0.1% -0.20%, respectively.
Innovation Culture and Millennial Characteristics: Determinants of Millennial Turnover Intention in the Banking Sector
Authors: Quashigah Setor , Amuzu Joshua
Published: April 2024

Since Millennials form the largest part of today’s workforce, it is prudent to know Millennials' motivation and characteristics that support their retention. Based on data from 348 team leaders and line managers, a hierarchical regression analysis was used to examine the impact of Millennial-specific characteristics and organizational environmental factors on their turnover intentions (MTI). While teamwork and technology orientation had a negative effect on MTI, achievement orientation had a negative impact on MTI. The results revealed a negative relationship after testing the organizational environmental factor, innovation culture, and MTI. Thus, firms should engage in the development of a culture of innovation and teamwork to support Millennials with a high achievement orientation to succeed in an open, transparent organizational structure.
Social media for information sharing in an industrial setting: Evidence from the Chinese automotive industry
Authors: Guechtouli Manel , Purvis Beinn
Published: April 2024

The qualitative case study is addressing the question on how social media became a major tool for information sharing in industrial setting by looking at the case of WeChat, a major social media in China. The field study combines different research instruments including interviews, observation, and archives over a two-years investigation period. The findings highlight how the failures in several ERPs implementations allowed WeChat to play a growing role in the IS processes of the company. Our results provide empirical insights about the way social media can be integrated and combined to official systems in the workplace for sharing information. Future research may provide complementarily understanding by testing the proposed propositions.
Identifying Climatic Niche Shift of The Endemic Avifauna of Western Ghats
Authors: Manna Sraosee , Sarkar Debanjan , Talukdar Gautam
Published: April 2024

Climate change poses a threat to endemic species by altering their habitats and reducing their chances of survival. These species, uniquely adapted to their environments, face the risk of extinction as climate patterns shift rapidly. Western Ghats is one of the global biodiversity hotspots and home to diverse endemic species. Despite the unique species present in the Western Ghats, limited studies have attempted to understand the climate-related risks to them. This study employs an ensemble modeling approach to assess the current distribution and predict the future climatic niches of 29 endemic bird species in the Western Ghats. Results indicate a substantial loss of climatic niche for most species under both scenarios, with certain species experiencing a decline of more than 70% in their climatic niche. The four laughingthrush species are exceptionally vulnerable, potentially losing up to 99% of their suitable climatic niche. Furthermore, we emphasize the critical importance of mid-altitude regions with Wet Evergreen Forest in the Western Ghats, as potential climate-change refugia for these species. Ensuring that the temperature remains below 2°C is imperative, necessitating urgent conservation efforts, including habitat preservation. This study provides essential insights to inform conservation strategies and underscores the necessity for continued research and proactive measures to safeguard the Western Ghats’ unique biodiversity in the face of escalating climate change challenges
O X de Malcolm e a questão racial norte-americana
Authors: Rodrigues Vladimir Miguel
Published: April 2024

Esta obra aborda duas formas de representação da história de Malcolm Little (1925–1965) ou Al Hajj Malik Al-Shabazz, conhecido como Malcolm X. O autor compara duas biografias do ativista – o livro Autobiografia de Malcolm X, de 1965, do escritor e jornalista Alex Haley, e Malcolm X, filme de 1992 dirigido por Spike Lee –, apontando as aproximações e distanciamentos entre as produções literária e cinematográfica. Segundo o autor, ambas as biografias, criadas em um intervalo de quase 30 anos, construíram um Malcolm X como personagem heróico, o que resultaria da omissão por parte dos autores de passagens da vida do ativista e também acerca das influências ideológicas e dos diferentes momentos históricos em que as obras foram produzidas. Um dos protagonistas na luta contra a discriminação e o racismo em relação aos afrodescendentes nos Estados Unidos, Malcom X, convertido ao islamismo, percorreu uma trajetória política entre o radicalismo e a moderação. Em sua busca pela igualdade de direitos na sociedade norte-americana, enfrentou forte reação de conservadores defensores da supremacia branca e sofreu resistência, ainda, de grupos de líderes afrodescendentes rivais. Assim como Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X morreu assassinado, e deixou um legado, cujo último resultado foi a eleição do primeiro presidente negro dos Estados Unidos.
CXCR3-expressing myeloid cells recruited to the hypothalamus protect against diet-induced body mass gain and metabolic dysfunction
Authors: Mendes Natalia F. , Zanesco Ariane M. , Aguiar Cristhiane F. , Rodrigues-Luiz Gabriela F. , da Silva Dayana C. , Campos Jonathan F. , Câmara Niels O. S. , de Moraes-Vieira Pedro M. M. , de Araújo Eliana P. , Velloso Licio A.
Published: April 2024

Microgliosis is an important component of diet-induced hypothalamic inflammation in obesity. A few hours after the introduction of a high-fat diet, the mediobasal hypothalamus resident microglia undergo morphological and functional changes toward an inflammatory phenotype. If the consumption of large amounts of dietary fats persists for long periods, bone marrow- derived myeloid cells are recruited and integrated into a new landscape of hypothalamic microglia. However, it is currently unknown what are the transcriptional signatures and specific functions exerted by either resident or recruited subsets of hypothalamic microglia. Here, the elucidation of the transcriptional signatures revealed that resident microglia undergo only minor changes in response to dietary fats; however, under the consumption of a high-fat diet, there are major transcriptional differences between resident and recruited microglia with a major impact on chemotaxis. In addition, in recruited microglia, there are major transcriptional differences between females and males with an important impact on transcripts involved in neurodegeneration and thermogenesis. The chemokine receptor CXCR3 emerged as one of the components of chemotaxis with the greatest difference between recruited and resident microglia, and thus, was elected for further intervention. The hypothalamic immunoneutralization of CXCL10, one of the ligands for CXCR3, resulted in increased body mass gain and reduced energy expenditure, particularly in females. Furthermore, the chemical inhibition of CXCR3 resulted in a much greater change in phenotype with increased body mass gain, reduced energy expenditure, increased blood leptin, glucose intolerance, and reduced insulin. Thus, this study has elucidated the transcriptional differences between resident and recruited hypothalamic microglia in diet-induced obesity, identifying chemokines as a relevant subset of genes undergoing regulation. In addition, we showed that a subset of recruited microglia expressing CXCR3 has a protective, rather than a detrimental role in the metabolic outcomes promoted by the consumption of a high-fat diet, thus, establishing a new concept in obesity-associated hypothalamic inflammation.
Differences in HIV-1 reservoir size, landscape characteristics, and decay dynamics in acute and chronic treated HIV-1 Clade C infection
Authors: Reddy Kavidha , Lee Guinevere Q , Reddy Nicole , Chikowore Tatenda JB , Baisley Kathy , Dong Krista L , Walker Bruce D , Yu Xu G , Lichterfeld Mathias , Ndung'u Thumbi
Published: April 2024

Persisting HIV reservoir viruses in resting CD4 T cells and other cellular subsets are a barrier to cure efforts. Early antiretroviral therapy (ART) enables post-treatment viral control in some cases, but mechanisms remain unclear. We hypothesised that ART initiated before peak viremia impacts HIV-1 subtype C reservoirs. We studied 35 women at high risk of infection from Durban, South Africa, identified with hyperacute HIV by twice-weekly HIV-RNA testing. Participants included 11 starting ART at a median of 456 (297–1203) days post-onset of viremia (DPOV) and 24 at 1 (1–3) DPOV. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were used to measured total HIV-1 DNA by droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) and sequence viral reservoir genomes by full-length proviral sequencing (FLIP-seq). ART during hyperacute infection blunted peak viremia (p<0.0001), but contemporaneous total HIV-1 DNA did not differ (p=0.104). Over 1 year, a decline of total HIV-1 DNA was observed in early treated persons (p=0.0004), but not late treated. Among 697 viral genome sequences, the proviral genetic landscape differed between untreated, late treated, and early treated groups. Intact genomes after 1 year were higher in untreated (31%) versus late treated (14%) and early treated (0%). Treatment in both late and early infection caused more rapid decay of intact (13% and 51% per month) versus defective (2% and 35%) viral genomes. However, intact genomes persisted 1 year post chronic treatment but were undetectable with early ART. Early ART also reduced phylogenetic diversity of intact genomes and limited cytotoxic T lymphocyte immune escape variants in the reservoir. Overall, ART initiated in hyperacute HIV-1 subtype C infection did not impact reservoir seeding but was associated with rapid intact viral genome decay, reduced genetic complexity, and limited immune escape, which may accelerate reservoir clearance in combination with other interventional strategies.
Differences in HIV-1 reservoir size, landscape characteristics and decay dynamics in acute and chronic treated HIV-1 Clade C infection
Authors: Reddy Kavidha , Lee Guinevere Q. , Reddy Nicole , Chikowore Tatenda J.B. , Baisley Kathy , Dong Krista L. , Walker Bruce D. , Yu Xu G. , Lichterfeld Mathias , Ndung’u Thumbi
Published: April 2024

Persisting HIV reservoir viruses in resting CD4 T cells and other cellular subsets are the main barrier to cure efforts. Antiretroviral therapy (ART) intensification by early initiation has been shown to enable post-treatment viral control in some cases but the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. We hypothesized that ART initiated during the hyperacute phase of infection before peak will affect the size, decay dynamics and landscape characteristics of HIV-1 subtype C viral reservoirs.We studied 35 women at high risk of infection from Durban, South Africa identified with hyperacute HIV infection by twice weekly testing for plasma HIV-1 RNA. Study participants included 11 who started ART at a median of 456 (297-1203) days post onset of viremia (DPOV), and 24 who started ART at a median of 1 (1-3) DPOV. We used peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) to measure total HIV-1 DNA by ddPCR and to sequence reservoir viral genomes by full length individual proviral sequencing (FLIP-seq) from onset of detection of HIV up to 1 year post treatment initiation.Whereas ART in hyperacute infection blunted peak viremia compared to untreated individuals (p<0.0001), there was no difference in total HIV-1 DNA measured contemporaneously (p=0.104). There was a steady decline of total HIV DNA in early treated persons over 1 year of ART (p=0.0004), with no significant change observed in the late treated group. Total HIV-1 DNA after one year of treatment was lower in the early treated compared to the late treated group (p=0.02). Generation of 697 single viral genome sequences revealed a difference in the longitudinal proviral genetic landscape over one year between untreated, late treated and early treated infection: the relative contribution of intact genomes to the total pool of HIV-1 DNA after 1 year was higher in untreated infection (31%) compared to late treated (14%) and early treated infection (0%). Treatment initiated in both late and early infection resulted in a more rapid decay of intact (13% and 51% per month) versus defective (2% and 35% per month) viral genomes. However, intact genomes were still observed one year post chronic treatment initiation in contrast to early treatment where intact genomes were no longer detectable. Moreover, early ART reduced phylogenetic diversity of intact genomes and limited the seeding and persistence of cytotoxic T lymphocyte immune escape variants in the reservoir.Overall, our results show that whereas ART initiated in hyperacute HIV-1 subtype C infection did not impact reservoir seeding, it was nevertheless associated with more rapid decay of intact viral genomes, decreased genetic complexity and immune escape in reservoirs, which could accelerate reservoir clearance when combined with other interventional strategies.
ATG6 interacting with NPR1 increases Arabidopsis thaliana resistance to Pst DC3000/avrRps4 by increasing its nuclear accumulation and stability
Authors: Zhang Baihong , Huang Shuqin , Guo Shuyu , Meng Yixuan , Tian Yuzhen , Zhou Yue , Chen Hang , Li Xue , Zhou Jun , Chen Wenli
Published: April 2024

Autophagy-related gene 6 (ATG6) plays a crucial role in plant immunity. Nonexpressor of pathogenesis-related genes1 (NPR1) acts as a signaling hub of plant immunity. However, the relationship between ATG6 and NPR1 is unclear. Here, we find that ATG6 directly interacts with NPR1.
ATG6
overexpression significantly increased nuclear accumulation of NPR1. Furthermore, we demonstrate that
ATG6
increases NPR1 protein levels and improves its stability. Interestingly, ATG6 promotes the formation of SINCs (SA-induced NPR1 condensates)-like condensates. Additionally, ATG6 and NPR1 synergistically promote the expression of
pathogenesis-related
genes. Further results showed that silencing
ATG6
in
NPR1-GFP
exacerbates
Pst
DC3000/
avrRps4
infection, while double overexpression of
ATG6
and
NPR1
synergistically inhibits
Pst
DC3000/
avrRps4
infection. In summary, our findings unveil an interplay of NPR1 with ATG6 and elucidate important molecular mechanisms for enhancing plant immunity.
Research on multi-object detection technology for road scenes based on SDG-YOLOv5
Authors: Lv Zhenyang , Wang Rugang , Wang Yuanyuan , Zhou Feng , Guo Naihong
Published: April 2024

To resolve the challenges of low detection accuracy and inadequate real-time performance in road scene detection, this article introduces the enhanced algorithm SDG-YOLOv5. The algorithm incorporates the SIoU Loss function to accurately predict the angle loss of bounding boxes, ensuring their directionality during regression and improving both regression accuracy and convergence speed. A novel lightweight decoupled heads (DHs) approach is employed to separate the classification and regression tasks, thereby avoiding conflicts between their focus areas. Moreover, the Global Attention Mechanism Group Convolution (GAMGC), a lightweight strategy, is utilized to enhance the network’s capability to process additional contextual information, thereby improving the detection of small targets. Extensive experimental analysis on datasets from Udacity Self Driving Car, BDD100K, and KITTI demonstrates that the proposed algorithm achieves improvements in mAP@.5 of 2.2%, 3.4%, and 1.0% over the original YOLOv5, with a detection speed of 30.3 FPS. These results illustrate that the SDG-YOLOv5 algorithm effectively addresses both detection accuracy and real-time performance in road scene detection.
The low survival rate of European hare leverets in arable farmland: evidence from the predation experiment
Authors: Cukor Jan , Riegert Jan , Krivopalova Aleksandra , Vacek Zdeněk , Šálek Martin
Published: April 2024

The low survival rate of leverets may significantly contribute to steep population declines and slow recovery of European hares (Lepus europaeus). However, the leveret survival rate in farmlands with different landscape structures is poorly understood, and the existing evidence comes mainly from Western Europe. In this study, we explored the survival of leveret hare dummies along linear semi-natural habitats in homogeneous Central European arable farmland during the main part of the European hare reproduction period (March–April) in 2019 and 2020. The survival rate of hare leverets during the 14-day period was only 22.2%, and all predation events were recorded during the first six days of the experiment. Mammalian predators were responsible for 53.1% of predation events, avian predators for 40.8%, and agricultural operations for 6.1%. The red fox (Vulpes vulpes) was the dominant predator in our study area and was the primary cause of leveret dummy mortality (32.7%), but it also had the highest use-intensity and visit frequency of all of the study plots. Predation by avian predators was associated with patches of lower vegetation height and cover (such as plowed fields) and during daylight hours, whereas the opposite was true for mammalian predators. We propose that improving the habitat quality of arable landscapes by increasing the proportion and quality of extensively used non-farmed habitats (e.g., set-asides, wildflower areas, extensive meadows, fallow land, and semi-natural habitats on arable land) providing cover and shelter for leverets could be an effective management measure for reducing predation risk on leverets.
Cystatin C: immunoregulation role in macrophages infected with Porphyromonas gingivalis
Authors: Blancas-Luciano Blanca Esther , Becker-Fauser Ingeborg , Zamora-Chimal Jaime , Jiménez-García Luis , Lara-Martínez Reyna , Pérez-Torres Armando , González del Pliego Margarita , Aguirre-Benítez Elsa Liliana , Fernández-Presas Ana María
Published: April 2024

Background

Periodontitis is a chronic infectious disease, characterized by an exacerbated inflammatory response and a progressive loss of the supporting tissues of the teeth. Porphyromonas gingivalis is a key etiologic agent in periodontitis. Cystatin C is an antimicrobial salivary peptide that inhibits the growth of P. gingivalis. This study aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of this peptide and its effect on cytokine production, nitric oxide (NO) release, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and programmed cell death in human macrophages infected with P. gingivalis.

Methods

Monocyte-derived macrophages generated from peripheral blood were infected with P. gingivalis (MOI 1:10) and stimulated with cystatin C (2.75 µg/ml) for 24 h. The intracellular localization of P. gingivalis and cystatin C was determined by immunofluorescence and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The intracellular antimicrobial activity of cystatin C in macrophages was assessed by counting Colony Forming Units (CFU). ELISA assay was performed to assess inflammatory (TNFα, IL-1β) and anti-inflammatory (IL-10) cytokines. The production of nitrites and ROS was analyzed by Griess reaction and incubation with 2′,7′-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (H2DCFDA), respectively. Programmed cell death was assessed with the TUNEL assay, Annexin-V, and caspase activity was also determined.

Results

Our results showed that cystatin C inhibits the extracellular growth of P. gingivalis. In addition, this peptide is internalized in the infected macrophage, decreases the intracellular bacterial load, and reduces the production of inflammatory cytokines and NO. Interestingly, peptide treatment increased ROS production and substantially decreased bacterial-induced macrophage apoptosis.

Conclusions

Cystatin C has antimicrobial and immuno-regulatory activity in macrophages infected with P. gingivalis. These findings highlight the importance of understanding the properties of cystatin C for its possible therapeutic use against oral infections such as periodontitis.
Improvement of morphophysiological and anatomical attributes of plants under abiotic stress conditions using plant growth-promoting bacteria and safety treatments
Authors: Alshammari Wasimah Buraykan , Alshammery Kholoud , Lotfi Salwa , Altamimi Haya , Alshammari Abeer , Al-Harbi Nadi Awad , Jakovljević Dragana , Alharbi Mona Hajed , Moustapha Moustapha Eid , Abd El-Moneim Diaa , Abdelaal Khaled
Published: April 2024

Drought and salinity are the major abiotic stress factors negatively affecting the morphophysiological, biochemical, and anatomical characteristics of numerous plant species worldwide. The detrimental effects of these environmental factors can be seen in leaf and stem anatomical structures including the decrease in thickness of cell walls, palisade and spongy tissue, phloem and xylem tissue. Also, the disintegration of grana staking, and an increase in the size of mitochondria were observed under salinity and drought conditions. Drought and salt stresses can significantly decrease plant height, number of leaves and branches, leaf area, fresh and dry weight, or plant relative water content (RWC%) and concentration of photosynthetic pigments. On the other hand, stress-induced lipid peroxidation and malondialdehyde (MDA) production, electrolyte leakage (EL%), and production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) can increase under salinity and drought conditions. Antioxidant defense systems such as catalase, peroxidase, glutathione reductase, ascorbic acid, and gamma-aminobutyric acid are essential components under drought and salt stresses to protect the plant organelles from oxidative damage caused by ROS. The application of safe and eco-friendly treatments is a very important strategy to overcome the adverse effects of drought and salinity on the growth characteristics and yield of plants. It is shown that treatments with plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) can improve morphoanatomical characteristics under salinity and drought stress. It is also shown that yeast extract, mannitol, proline, melatonin, silicon, chitosan, α-Tocopherols (vitamin E), and biochar alleviate the negative effects of drought and salinity stresses through the ROS scavenging resulting in the improvement of plant attributes and yield of the stressed plants. This review discusses the role of safety and eco-friendly treatments in alleviating the harmful effects of salinity and drought associated with the improvement of the anatomical, morphophysiological, and biochemical features in plants.
Nonlinear finite element analysis of steel fiber reinforced concrete beams subjected to impact loads
Authors: Hamdi Serdar Ahmet , Caglar Naci , Demirtas Gamze , Saribiyik Mehmet
Published: April 2024

Steel fiber reinforced concrete, compared to the conventional concrete; is a composite building material that performs much better in terms of parameters such as ductility, energy absorption capacity, fracture toughness, fatigue resistance, and the use of steel fiber reinforced concrete (SFRC) in structures has become widespread. In this study, a nonlinear finite element model (FEM) has been developed that can represent the behavior of beams produced by using steel fiber concrete subjected to impact load. For this purpose, a finite element model of beam series produced with fiber-reinforced concrete obtained from the literature was created. The ABAQUS package program was used to create models simulating the behavior. Numerical results showed that the model could successfully capture the experimental results of beams selected from the literature. In addition to simulation, a parametric study was also performed to investigate the effect of stirrups, reinforcement ratio, and drop height on the behavior of SFRC beams under impact loads. The results of the parametric study showed that increasing the fiber ratio and reinforcement ratio positively affected the behavior of SFRC beams in terms of displacement recovery.Steel fiber reinforced concrete, compared to the conventional concrete; is a composite building material that performs much better in terms of parameters such as ductility, energy absorption capacity, fracture toughness, fatigue resistance, and the use of steel fiber reinforced concrete (SFRC) in structures has become widespread. In this study, a nonlinear finite element model (FEM) has been developed that can represent the behavior of beams produced by using steel fiber concrete subjected to impact load. For this purpose, a finite element model of beam series produced with fiber-reinforced concrete obtained from the literature was created. The ABAQUS package program was used to create models simulating the behavior. Numerical results showed that the model could successfully capture the experimental results of beams selected from the literature. In addition to simulation, a parametric study was also performed to investigate the effect of stirrups, reinforcement ratio, and drop height on the behavior of SFRC beams under impact loads. The results of the parametric study showed that increasing the fiber ratio and reinforcement ratio positively affected the behavior of SFRC beams in terms of displacement recovery.
Studies on the Field Performance of True Potato Seed of Different Entries under Telangana Conditions
Authors: Santhosha Bandela , Prabhakar B. Neeraja , Suchitra V. , Mallesh S. , Kumar B. Naveen , Kumar B. Prasanna
Published: April 2024

The quality of seedlings obtained from a nursery influence re-establishment in the field and the eventual production of crops. The present investigation was conducted for two consecutive seasons during rabi, 2021-22 and rabi, 2022-23 at Mulugu, Sri Konda Laxman Telangana State Horticultural University for evaluation of the field performance of true potato seed. The same seedling raised media showed better performance in the main field of experiment, among the treatments, T1 i.e KP-15C3 X D-150 + Cocopeat : Vermicompost : FYM (2:1:1) was recorded the significantly highest growth parameters like plant height (25.15 cm and 47.61 cm), number of compound leaves per plant (15.05 and 28.13), leaf length (8.85 cm and 20.13 cm), leaf width (6.68 cm and 14.23 cm), leaf area (27.94 cm2 and 51.48 cm2) and stem diameter (0.60 cm and 0.82 cm) at 30 and 60 DAP respectively. Results related to yield attributing characters like number of micro tubers per plant (11.77), fresh weight of micro tubers per plant (16.21 g), number of small tubers per plant (7.46), fresh weight of small tubers per plant (44.03 g), number of medium tubers per plant (5.89), fresh weight of medium tubers per plant (171.40 g), number of large tubers per plant (2.84), fresh weight of large tubers per plant (115.28 g), total number of tubers per plant (27.95), tuber yield per plant (346.92 g), tuber yield per plot (20.82 kg/ 6 m2) and tuber yield (34.69 t/ha) was maximum in T1 treatment. It concluded that successfully tuberlets yield can be produced from seedling raised from TPS method.
Utilizing Waste Cooking Oil for Sustainable Biodiesel Production: A Comprehensive Review
Authors: Sreelekha . , Dubey Nidhi , Avinashe Harshal
Published: April 2024

The environmental and economic challenges posed by the over-reliance on fossil fuels have driven the search for alternative and sustainable energy sources. Waste cooking oil (WCO) presents a viable feedstock for biodiesel production, offering a dual solution to waste management and renewable energy generation. This comprehensive review examines the current state of biodiesel production from waste cooking oil, exploring the benefits, challenges, and processes involved. Biodiesel derived from WCO has several environmental advantages, including lower greenhouse gas emissions, biodegradability, and enhanced engine lubricity compared to traditional fossil fuels. Moreover, utilizing it for biodiesel addresses waste disposal issues, reducing the contamination of land and water resources. Despite these benefits, several challenges remain, such as the variability in its composition, contamination, and the need for efficient purification and transesterification processes. The review explores various methods for converting WCO into biodiesel, highlighting the key stages of the transesterification process, including the use of catalysts, alcohols, and reaction conditions. Additionally, advanced techniques such as ultrasound-assisted and microwave-assisted transesterification are discussed for their potential to increase efficiency and reduce processing time. This paper also addresses the sustainability aspects of biodiesel production from it, emphasizing its role in promoting a circular economy and reducing waste. The use of its contributes to a closed-loop system, where waste is transformed into a valuable resource. Furthermore, the review explores the economic and social impacts of biodiesel production, noting its potential to create jobs, reduce import dependence, and support local communities. In conclusion, this review underscores the significant potential of waste cooking oil in sustainable biodiesel production. It calls for continued research and technological innovation to optimize processes, enhance efficiency, and overcome existing challenges, thereby contributing to a cleaner and more sustainable energy landscape.
Konversi Sistem Karburator ke Injeksi pada Mobil Honda Grand Civic SH4
Authors: Sutrisno Teng , Cannavaro Calvin , Jonoadji Ninuk
Published: April 2024

Sistem karburator diyakini memiliki masalah yang lebih banyak dibandingkan dengan sistem EFI. Mobil dengan sistem karburator kebanyakan sudah tidak lulus uji emisi. Honda Grand Civic SH4 tahun 1991 merupakan mobil yang diproduksi dengan sistem pengabutan bahan bakar karburator. Pengkonversi sistem pengabutan bahan bakar dari karburator ke sistem EFI pada Honda Grand Civic SH4 tahun 1991 agar lebih ramah lingkungan. Proses konversi ini tentunya tidak mudah dan akan memakan biaya, waktu, serta tenaga. Pengunakan perangkat sistem EFI dari Honda Civic Genio SR4 untuk dipasangkan ke Honda Grand Civic SH4 tahun 1991. Diperlukan perancangan wiring diagram agar sistem EFI milik Honda Civic Genio SR4 dapat bekerja secara optimal di Honda Grand Civic SH4 tahun 1991. Hasil dari proses konversi didapatkan bahwa dapat menghasilkan pembakaran miskin bahan bakar dengan excess air 10%, peningkatan daya dan torsi dan penghematan konsumsi bahan bakar. Hasil konsumsi bahan bakar sebesar 16,2 km/liter.
Removal of the Azo Dye Congo Red from Aqueous Solutions by the Marine Alga Porphyra yezoensis Ueda
Authors: Wang Xue Song , Chen Jing Ping
Published: September 2009

Batch adsorption experiments were carried out using nonliving biomass of Porphyra yezoensis Ueda (red alga) for the removal of Congo red from aqueous solutions at 25°C. The effects of process parameters such as contact time, adsorbent concentration and ionic strength were investigated. The raw biomass and Congo red loaded biomass were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The pseudo first order, pseudo second order and intraparticle diffusion models were tested. The results showed that adsorption of Congo red followed pseudo second order kinetics very well. Langmuir and Freundlich equations were applied to the data related to the adsorption isotherms, and the observed maximum adsorption capacities (qm) were 71.46 mg/g at 25°C. Adsorbent concentration and ionic strength had a marked effect on Congo red adsorption.
Optimizing saturation–recovery measurements of the longitudinal relaxation rate under time constraints
Authors: Hsu Jung‐Jiin , Glover Gary H. , Zaharchuk Greg
Published: September 2009

The saturation–recovery method using two and three recovery times is studied for conditions in which the sum of recovery times is 1.5T1 to 3T1, where T1 is the longitudinal relaxation time. These conditions can reduce scan time considerably for long T1 species and make longitudinal relaxation rate R1 (R1 = 1/T1) mapping for body fluids clinically feasible. Monte Carlo computer simulation is carried out to determine the ideal set of recovery times under various constraints of the sum of recovery times. The ideal set is found to be approximately invariant to the signal‐to‐noise ratio. For the three‐point method, two of the recovery times should be set the same or approximately the same and should be shorter than the third one. Only marginal improvements in accuracy and precision can be achieved by the three‐point method over the two‐point method under a common constraint of the sum of recovery times. Three‐dimensional, high resolution, whole‐brain saturation–recovery scans on volunteers with a fast‐spin‐echo technique (XETA) and completed in a scan time of 10 min generated R1 measurements of cerebrospinal fluid (T1 ∼ 4 s) in agreement with the computer simulation and literature results, which demonstrates the clinical feasibility of applying the two‐point saturation–recovery method for R1 mapping for long relaxation components. Magn Reson Med, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Independent slab‐phase modulation combined with parallel imaging in bilateral breast MRI
Authors: Han Misung , Beatty Philip J. , Daniel Bruce L. , Hargreaves Brian A.
Published: September 2009

Independent slab‐phase modulation allows three‐dimensional imaging of multiple volumes without encoding the space between volumes, thus reducing scan time. Parallel imaging further accelerates data acquisition by exploiting coil sensitivity differences between volumes. This work compared bilateral breast image quality from self‐calibrated parallel imaging reconstruction methods such as modified sensitivity encoding, generalized autocalibrating partially parallel acquisitions and autocalibrated reconstruction for Cartesian sampling (ARC) for data with and without slab‐phase modulation. A study showed an improvement of image quality by incorporating slab‐phase modulation. Geometry factors measured from phantom images were more homogenous and lower on average when slab‐phase modulation was used for both mSENSE and GRAPPA reconstructions. The resulting improved signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) was validated for in vivo images as well using ARC instead of GRAPPA, illustrating average SNR efficiency increases in mSENSE by 5% and ARC by 8% based on region of interest analysis. Furthermore, aliasing artifacts from mSENSE reconstruction were reduced when slab‐phase modulation was used. Overall, slab‐phase modulation with parallel imaging improved image quality and efficiency for 3D bilateral breast imaging. Magn Reson Med, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Sodium long‐component T mapping in human brain at 7 Tesla
Authors: Fleysher Lazar , Oesingmann Niels , Stoeckel Bernd , Grossman Robert I. , Inglese Matilde
Published: September 2009

Sodium (23Na) MRI may provide unique information about the cellular and metabolic integrity of the brain. The quantification of tissue sodium concentration from 23Na images with nonzero echo time (TE) requires knowledge of tissue‐specific parameters that influence the single‐quantum sodium signal such as transverse (T2) relaxation times. We report the sodium (23Na) long component of the effective transverse relaxation time T values obtained at 7 T in several brain regions from six healthy volunteers. A two‐point protocol based on a gradient‐echo sequence optimized for the least error per given imaging time was used (TE1 = 12 ms; TE2 = 37 ms; averaged N1 = 5; N2 = 15 times; pulse repetition time = 130 ms). The results reveal that long T component of tissue sodium (mean ± standard deviation) varied between cerebrospinal fluid (54 ± 4 ms) and gray (28 ± 2 ms) and white (29 ± 2 ms) matter structures. The results also show that the long T component increases as a function of the main static field B0, indicating that correlation time of sodium ion motion is smaller than the time‐scale defined by the Larmor frequency. These results are a prerequisite for the quantification of tissue sodium concentration from 23Na MRI scans with nonzero echo time, will contribute to the design of future measurements (such as triple‐quantum imaging), and themselves may be of clinical utility. Magn Reson Med, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Early changes in the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) in a mouse model of Sandhoff's disease occur prior to disease symptoms and behavioral deficits
Authors: Hu Lingyun , Sun Yingying , Villasana Laura E. , Paylor Richard , Klann Eric , Pautler Robia G.
Published: September 2009

Sandhoff's disease is a lysosomal storage disease in which the ganglioside GM2 accumulates in lysosomes. It has been reported that MRI cannot detect abnormalities in spin echo images in clinically presymptomatic Sandhoff's disease patients. Because one of the results of GM2 accumulation is cell swelling and lysosomal distension, our goal was to determine if changes in the diffusion of water is perturbed. We utilized the MRI imaging modality diffusion‐weighted imaging to measure the apparent diffusion coefficient in a mouse models of Sandhoff's disease, the hexb−/− mouse, and determined if diffusion‐weighted imaging could be utilized to detect early changes prior to behavioral or overt disease symptom onset. Here we report for the first time a comprehensive behavioral characterization of the hexb−/− mouse in conjunction with the apparent diffusion coefficient measurement. Our data indicate that the apparent diffusion coefficient decreases in the hexb−/− mouse in many but not all brain regions prior to disease symptoms (<3.5 to 4 months of age) and behavioral deficits (3 months of age). The magnitude of the decrease ranged from 4‐18%. Magn Reson Med, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
In vivo proton MRS to quantify anesthetic effects of pentobarbital on cerebral metabolism and brain activity in rat
Authors: Du Fei , Zhang Yi , Iltis Isabelle , Marjanska Malgorzata , Zhu Xiao‐Hong , Henry Pierre‐Gilles , Chen Wei
Published: September 2009

To quantitatively investigate the effects of pentobarbital anesthesia on brain activity, brain metabolite concentrations and cerebral metabolic rate of glucose, in vivo proton MR spectra, and electroencephalography were measured in the rat brain with various doses of pentobarbital. The results show that (1) the resonances attributed to propylene glycol, a solvent in pentobarbital injection solution, can be robustly detected and quantified in the brain; (2) the concentration of most brain metabolites remained constant under the isoelectric state (silent electroencephalography) with a high dose of pentobarbital compared to mild isoflurane anesthesia condition, except for a reduction of 61% in the brain glucose level, which was associated with a 37% decrease in cerebral metabolic rate of glucose, suggesting a significant amount of “housekeeping” energy for maintaining brain cellular integrity under the isoelectric state; and (3) electroencephalography and cerebral metabolic activities were tightly coupled to the pentobarbital anesthesia depth and they can be indirectly quantified by the propylene glycol resonance signal at 1.13 ppm. This study indicates that in vivo proton MR spectroscopy can be used to measure changes in cerebral metabolite concentrations and cerebral metabolic rate of glucose under varied pentobarbital anesthesia states; moreover, the propylene glycol signal provides a sensitive biomarker for quantitatively monitoring these changes and anesthesia depth noninvasively. Magn Reson Med, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Hydrophobically modified poly(sodium 2‐acrylamido‐2‐methylpropanesulfonate): synthesis and viscosity of aqueous solution
Authors: Jianping Zhou , Yonggang Shangguan , Qiang Wu , Qiang Zheng
Published: September 2009

BACKGROUND: Hydrophobically modified polyelectrolytes are widely used polymers due to their good water solubility, stretched configuration in water and strong hydrophobic association. The study reported here aimed at researching the double action of hydrophobic association and electrostatic effect of novel hydrophobically modified polyelectrolytes in solution.

RESULTS: A series of novel hydrophobically modified polyelectrolytes were synthesized by micellar copolymerization with various feed ratios of sodium 2‐acrylamido‐2‐methylpropanesulfonate, N‐n‐dodecylamine and sodium dodecylsulfonate. Their structure was characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance and gel permeation chromatography, and the viscosities of their aqueous and salt solutions were studied.

CONCLUSION: The results show that the addition of the hydrophobic comonomer results in a decrease in molecular weight (Mw). The smaller the initial number of hydrophobes in one micelle, the higher is Mw of the resulting copolymer. The viscosity of PAD‐1.73 polyelectrolyte is less sensitive to salt than those of the others. According to the zero shear viscosity and corresponding concentration, the critical cluster‐forming concentration, critical overlap concentration and critical entanglement concentration of these polymer solutions were determined. Moreover, in the dilute regime the viscosity decreases with increasing salinity, while in the semi‐dilute regime the viscosity decreases first and then increases. It is suggested that in dilute and semi‐dilute regimes, hydrophobic intramolecular association and intermolecular association dominate, respectively. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry