bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Application of psychotherapy in dermatological practice
Authors:   University of Pécs Medical School Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Oncodermatology, Szlávicz Eszter , Major Jutta , Bancsók Tamás , Ferencz Zsuzsanna , Takács Hilda , Osváth Péter , Gyulai Rolland
Published: July 2023

Psychodermatology represents a frontier between dermatology and mental health-related sciences. It is well established that psychosocial stress may exacerbate the symptoms of dermatological disorders, and alterations due to different skin conditions may also affect mental health. A a category of psychological disorders is characterized by prominent skin symptoms. Based on these facts, it is evident that psychotherapeutic intervention might be relevant in the treatment of skin lesions and the observation of skin symptoms facilitate the diagnosis of an underlying psychiatric disorder. In this article, we review psychodermatological disorders and psychotherapeutic interventions implicated in the treatment of certain skin conditions.
Emerging zoonosis with subcutan nodule: Dirofilaria repens infection
Authors:   University of Pécs Medical School Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Oncodermatology, Németh Csongor , Németh Viktória , Horváth Szabina , Hanyecz Anita , Palkovics Tamás , Lengyel Zsuzsanna
Published: July 2023

The authors present a case of a 78-year-old man, who presented with arteritis temporalis like symptoms. In his previous laboratory findings elevated eosinophil count was seen, imaging studies ruled out inflammatory diseases and malignancy. During the surgical diagnostic biopsy a thin white worm was removed, microscopically Dirofilaria repens was diagnosed. According to the patient’s history, an infected mosquito bite is most likely while hiking along Drava River, and the host animal could be the golden jackal. The authors briefly review the biology, clinical symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of D. repens. Finally they give a short historical overview of D. repens human infections in Hungary
Siete claves para entender las redes sociales en la campaña de las elecciones generales en España
Authors: Pellicer i Alapont Miquel
Published: July 2023

Desde la influencia de TikTok hasta los contenidos virales, pasando por el uso que hacemos de la inteligencia artificial, las redes sociales son un ecosistema propicio para desarrollar el marketing político en esta campaña electoral. Las tendencias globales en redes sociales se solapan con el desarrollo de hábitos de consumo en España.
Cuando la ciencia no es el problema, sino parte de la solución
Authors: López-Borrull Alexandre
Published: July 2023

Bertolt Brecht se preguntaba «¿qué tiempos son estos en los que tenemos que defender lo obvio?», y a menudo pienso que estamos volviendo a esta cuestión. Me explicaré con más detalle a lo largo de este artículo, donde mezclaré opinión y visión de futuro con algunos datos extraídos del presente. Me sabe mal acabar el curso académico con una visión un tanto pesimista, pero nuestros tiempos, como decíamos, no parecen augurar un futuro mejor.
Tensões e reconfigurações no Ensino Superior: o modelo neoliberal chileno em debate
Authors: Quaresma Maria Luisa
Published: July 2023

Este artigo apresenta uma discussão teórica sobre a reconfiguração da universidade no sentido da massificação e mercadorização, tomando como exemplo o Chile, um dos países do mundo mais permeáveis às lógicas de mercado. Analisam-se os desafios de um processo de massificação ancorado na privatização e na segregação social e os recentes movimentos estudantis chilenos de contestação à mercadorização da educação. Discute-se assim um modelo educativo aplicado pelo neoliberalismo real durante 40 anos, acreditando ser este exemplo um contributo profícuo para o debate nacional em países onde os ventos da ideologia de mercado sopram com mais força.
Conciliação trabalho-vida pessoal e familiar em profissões sob elevada pressão: O caso dos enfermeiros, polícias e jornalistas
Authors: Egreja Catarina , Melo Sara
Published: July 2023

O presente artigo aborda a temática da conciliação da esfera pessoal/familiar com a esfera laboral, a partir de dados de um estudo sociológico realizado em Portugal, junto de três grupos profissionais com particular pressão para o desempenho — enfermeiros, polícias e jornalistas —, assente numa metodologia de métodos mistos. Os resultados elucidam de que forma algumas características da natureza do trabalho (nomeadamente, o tipo de horário de trabalho, os ritmos de trabalho e o índice de exigência da atividade) têm impacto na gestão do tempo, no sono e na conciliação com a vida pessoal/familiar. Conclui-se pela preponderância da índole totalizante do trabalho.
Modos de relação com a reforma
Authors: Rebelo Bruno
Published: July 2023

A centralidade do trabalho e o aumento da longevidade humana contribuem para a reforma assumir uma importância significativa no quotidiano dos indivíduos. Este artigo visa discutir o processo de relação com a reforma a partir de um estudo qualitativo com base em entrevistas biográficas. Os resultados mostram que a heterogeneidade dos cursos de vida influencia o modo como os indivíduos se relacionam com a reforma. Apesar da diversidade individual nesse processo apresentam-se quatro perfis-tipo, construídos a partir de dimensões analíticas, que se designam: relacional, reservado, condicionado, e instrumental.
Widespread mermithid nematode parasitism of Cretaceous insects
Authors: Luo Cihang , Poinar George O , Xu Chunpeng , Zhuo De , Jarzembowski Edmund A , Wang Bo
Published: July 2023

Mermithid nematodes are obligate invertebrate parasites dating back to the Early Cretaceous. Their fossil record is sparse, especially before the Cenozoic, thus little is known about their early host associations. This study reports 16 new mermithids associated with their insect hosts from mid-Cretaceous Kachin amber, 12 of which include previously unknown hosts. These fossils indicate that mermithid parasitism of invertebrates was already widespread and played an important role in the mid-Cretaceous terrestrial ecosystem. Remarkably, three hosts (bristletails, barklice, and perforissid planthoppers) were previously unknown to be parasitized by mermithids both past and present. Furthermore, our study shows that in contrast to their Cenozoic counterparts, Cretaceous nematodes including mermithids are more abundant in non-holometabolous insects. This result suggests that nematodes had not completely exploited the dominant Holometabola as their hosts until the Cenozoic. This study reveals what appears to be a vanished history of nematodes that parasitized Cretaceous insects.
Revealing unexpected complex encoding but simple decoding mechanisms in motor cortex via separating behaviorally relevant neural signals
Authors: Li Yangang , Zhu Xinyun , Qi Yu , Wang Yueming
Published: July 2023

In motor cortex, behaviorally relevant neural responses are entangled with irrelevant signals, which complicates the study of encoding and decoding mechanisms. It remains unclear whether behaviorally irrelevant signals could conceal some critical truth. One solution is to accurately separate behaviorally relevant and irrelevant signals at both single-neuron and single-trial levels, but this approach remains elusive due to the unknown ground truth of behaviorally relevant signals. Therefore, we propose a framework to define, extract, and validate behaviorally relevant signals. Analyzing separated signals in three monkeys performing different reaching tasks, we found neural responses previously considered to contain little information actually encode rich behavioral information in complex nonlinear ways. These responses are critical for neuronal redundancy and reveal movement behaviors occupy a higher-dimensional neural space than previously expected. Surprisingly, when incorporating often-ignored neural dimensions, behaviorally relevant signals can be decoded linearly with comparable performance to nonlinear decoding, suggesting linear readout may be performed in motor cortex. Our findings prompt that separating behaviorally relevant signals may help uncover more hidden cortical mechanisms.
The canonical stopping network: Revisiting the role of the subcortex in response inhibition
Authors: Isherwood S.J.S. , Kemp S. , Miletić S. , Stevenson N. , Bazin P-L. , Forstmann B.U.
Published: July 2023

This study investigates the functional network underlying response inhibition in the human brain, particularly the role of the basal ganglia in successful response inhibition. We provide evidence that the canonical inhibition pathways may not be recruited during successful response inhibition during the stop signal task (SST). Instead, subcortical nodes including the substantia nigra, subthalamic nucleus, thalamus, and ventral tegmental area are more likely to be activated during failed stop trials, suggesting that successful inhibition does not rely on the recruitment of these nodes. The findings challenge previous functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies of the SST and suggest the need to ascribe a separate function to these networks. We also highlight the substantial effect smoothing can have on the conclusions drawn from task-specific GLMs. This study presents a proof of concept for meta-analytical methods that enable the merging of extensive, unprocessed or unreduced datasets. It demonstrates the significant potential that open-access data sharing can offer to the research community. With an increasing number of datasets being shared publicly, researchers will have the ability to conduct meta-analyses on more than just summary data.
Conformational heterogeneity of the BTK PHTH domain drives multiple regulatory states
Authors: Lin David Yin-wei , Kueffer Lauren E , Juneja Puneet , Wales Thomas E , Engen John R , Andreotti Amy H
Published: July 2023

Full-length Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK) has been refractory to structural analysis. The nearest full-length structure of BTK to date consists of the autoinhibited SH3–SH2–kinase core. Precisely how the BTK N-terminal domains (the Pleckstrin homology/Tec homology [PHTH] domain and proline-rich regions [PRR] contain linker) contribute to BTK regulation remains unclear. We have produced crystals of full-length BTK for the first time but despite efforts to stabilize the autoinhibited state, the diffraction data still reveal only the SH3–SH2–kinase core with no electron density visible for the PHTH–PRR segment. Cryo-electron microscopy (cryoEM) data of full-length BTK, on the other hand, provide the first view of the PHTH domain within full-length BTK. CryoEM reconstructions support conformational heterogeneity in the PHTH–PRR region wherein the globular PHTH domain adopts a range of states arrayed around the autoinhibited SH3–SH2–kinase core. On the way to activation, disassembly of the SH3–SH2–kinase core opens a new autoinhibitory site on the kinase domain for PHTH domain binding that is ultimately released upon interaction of PHTH with phosphatidylinositol (3,4,5)-trisphosphate. Membrane-induced dimerization activates BTK and we present here a crystal structure of an activation loop swapped BTK kinase domain dimer that likely represents the conformational state leading to trans-autophosphorylation. Together, these data provide the first structural elucidation of full-length BTK and allow a deeper understanding of allosteric control over the BTK kinase domain during distinct stages of activation.
Forkhead transcription factor FKH-8 cooperates with RFX in the direct regulation of sensory cilia in Caenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Brocal-Ruiz Rebeca , Esteve-Serrano Ainara , Mora-Martínez Carlos , Franco-Rivadeneira Maria Luisa , Swoboda Peter , Tena Juan J , Vilar Marçal , Flames Nuria
Published: July 2023

Cilia, either motile or non-motile (a.k.a primary or sensory), are complex evolutionarily conserved eukaryotic structures composed of hundreds of proteins required for their assembly, structure and function that are collectively known as the ciliome. Ciliome gene mutations underlie a group of pleiotropic genetic diseases known as ciliopathies. Proper cilium function requires the tight coregulation of ciliome gene transcription, which is only fragmentarily understood. RFX transcription factors (TF) have an evolutionarily conserved role in the direct activation of ciliome genes both in motile and non-motile cilia cell-types. In vertebrates, FoxJ1 and FoxN4 Forkhead (FKH) TFs work with RFX in the direct activation of ciliome genes, exclusively in motile cilia cell-types. No additional TFs have been described to act together with RFX in primary cilia cell-types in any organism. Here we describe FKH-8, a FKH TF, as a direct regulator of the sensory ciliome genes in Caenorhabditis elegans. FKH-8 is expressed in all ciliated neurons in C. elegans, binds the regulatory regions of ciliome genes, regulates ciliome gene expression, cilium morphology and a wide range of behaviors mediated by sensory ciliated neurons. FKH-8 and DAF-19 (C. elegans RFX) physically interact and synergistically regulate ciliome gene expression. C. elegans FKH-8 function can be replaced by mouse FOXJ1 and FOXN4 but not by other members of other mouse FKH subfamilies. In conclusion, RFX and FKH TF families act jointly as direct regulators of ciliome genes also in sensory ciliated cell types suggesting that this regulatory logic could be an ancient trait predating functional cilia sub-specialization.
An artificial intelligence-based classifier for musical emotion expression in media education
Authors: Lian Jue
Published: July 2023

Music can serve as a potent tool for conveying emotions and regulating learners’ moods, while the systematic application of emotional assessment can help to improve teaching efficiency. However, existing music emotion analysis methods based on Artificial Intelligence (AI) rely primarily on pre-marked content, such as lyrics and fail to adequately account for music signals’ perception, transmission, and recognition. To address this limitation, this study first employs sound-level segmentation, data frame processing, and threshold determination to enable intelligent segmentation and recognition of notes. Next, based on the extracted audio features, a Radial Basis Function (RBF) model is utilized to construct a music emotion classifier. Finally, correlation feedback was used to label the classification results further and train the classifier. The study compares the music emotion classification method commonly used in Chinese music education with the Hevner emotion model. It identifies four emotion categories: Quiet, Happy, Sad, and Excited, to classify performers’ emotions. The testing results demonstrate that audio feature recognition time is a mere 0.004 min, with an accuracy rate of over 95%. Furthermore, classifying performers’ emotions based on audio features is consistent with conventional human cognition.
Micro-CT imaging in species description: exploring beyond sclerotized structures in lichen moths (Lepidoptera: Erebidae, Arctiinae, Lithosiini)
Authors: Moraes Simeão S. , Söderholm Max S. , Aguiar Tamara M.C. , Freitas André V.L. , Sihvonen Pasi
Published: July 2023

X-ray micro-computed tomography imaging (micro-CT) is valuable for systematic research since it permits the non-destructive scanning and imaging of internal structures of very rare species and/or type specimens. Additionally, micro-CT allows to view the morphology and the functional anatomy of structures in their natural anatomical position, without deformations that typically occur using classical dissection protocols. In this study we provide the description of two new species of lichen moths (Lepidoptera: Erebidae, Lithosiini) from the Atlantic Forest in eastern Brazil: Nodozana heliae Moraes sp. nov. from Rio de Janeiro state and Epeiromulona pataxo Moraes & Aguiar sp. nov. from Bahia state. The male and female genitalia as well as the wing morphology were examined by means of non-destructive micro-CT, subsequent 3D model reconstruction, 360 degree spinning animations, 2D images from different angles, and those were compared against classical genitalia dissections from the same specimens. We conclude that techniques complement each other, micro-CT being particularly useful to study wing venation, sclerotized internal structures and muscles, while classical dissection is useful to study membranous structures, particularly in the female genitalia, abdominal skin and specialised scales on the male 8th sternite.
IL-17A exacerbates psoriasis in a STAT3 overexpressing mouse model
Authors: Xie Xinran , Zhang Lei , Lin Yan , Liu Xin , Wang Ning , Li Ping
Published: July 2023

Background

Psoriasis is an autoimmune skin disease characterized by immunocyte activation, excessive proliferation, and abnormal differentiation of keratinocytes. Signal transducers and activators of transcription 3 (STAT3) play a crucial role in linking activated keratinocytes and immunocytes during psoriasis development. T helper (Th) 17 cells and secreted interleukin (IL)-17A contribute to its pathogenesis. IL-17A treated STAT3 overexpressing mouse model might serve as an animal model for psoriasis.

Methods

In this study, we established a mouse model of psoriasiform dermatitis by intradermal IL-17A injection in STAT3 overexpressing mice. Transcriptome analyses were performed on the skin of wild type (WT), STAT3, and IL-17A treated STAT3 mice. Bioinformatics-based functional enrichment analysis was conducted to predict biological pathways. Meanwhile, the morphological and pathological features of skin lesions were observed, and the DEGs were verified by qPCR.

Results

IL-17A treated STAT3 mice skin lesions displayed the pathological features of hyperkeratosis and parakeratosis. The DEGs between IL-17A treated STAT3 mice and WT mice were highly consistent with those observed in psoriasis patients, including S100A8, S100A9, Sprr2, and LCE. Gene ontology (GO) analysis of the core DEGs revealed a robust immune response, chemotaxis, and cornified envelope, et al. The major KEGG enrichment pathways included IL-17 and Toll-like receptor signaling pathways.

Conclusion

IL-17A exacerbates psoriasis dermatitis in a STAT3 overexpressing mouse.
Gestão de projeto público com foco na problemática de retenção e evasão em uma instituição federal de ensino
Authors: De Oliveira Igor Correa , Barros Clarissa Gilmara , Pedro Filho Flávio de São
Published: July 2023

Este estudo trata sobre questões relacionadas a evasão nos cursos de graduação na área de Computação, baseada nos dados e informações fornecidos por uma Universidade Federal, no que tange às informações de número de matriculados, idade, sexo e cor de alunos matriculados e desistências, e, ainda, em estudos encontrados na literatura. O objetivo do estudo é analisar os dados de evasão de alunos em um curso de graduação, identificar os principais fatores que contribuem para a evasão e propor possíveis adequações com base nos resultados obtidos. Busca-se, com isso, responder a questão sobre as características da evasão acadêmica num curso de computação. Utilizando uma abordagem qualitativa e a análise de conteúdo como método, o estudo revelou que a maioria dos alunos ingressantes em um curso de graduação em Informática em uma universidade federal era do sexo masculino, de origem parda e na faixa etária de 17 a 23 anos. As causas da evasão são muito variadas e podem estar relacionadas a questões socioeconômicas, vocacionais, institucionais/acadêmicas, familiares/pessoais/saúde, entre outras. E, após a utilização da Matriz Impacto como ferramenta, sugere-se a realização de ajustes na grade curricular do curso, buscando melhorar a qualidade das aulas, dos currículos e dos critérios de avaliação. Além disso, propõe-se a oferta de cursos de extensão, estágios remunerados e programas de bolsas de estudo e auxílio financeiro, a fim de reduzir as barreiras socioeconômicas enfrentadas pelos estudantes. Essas medidas visam promover a inclusão, diversidade e fornecer suporte aos alunos, aumentando sua permanência e conclusão bem-sucedida do curso.
Importance of Phenotyping Minor Blood Group Antigen in Renal Transplant Donors: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Mallick Sujata , Mallik Mahasweta , Chowdhury Puskar Shyam
Published: July 2023

Introduction: Various studies have implicated minor antigens with increased graft rejection in the long term, especially in alloimmunised patients. Recipient’s antibody testing is done exhaustively during each case of rejection. However, without data on donors’ minor antigen profile, this significant cause of graft failure may be overlooked. Aim: To highlight the necessity of testing and creating a database by documenting the prognostically important minor blood group antigen in kidney transplants donors. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study done on 650 kidney transplant donors from Kolkata, West Bengal, India. Data was collected from August 2014 to July 2022, a period of 10 years and analysed from August 2022 to December 2022. Blood group antigens were identified by immunoserological tests and the phenotypes were recorded with specific importance to minor blood groups. Genotype confirmation was done, where possible. The prevalance percentage of minor blood group phenotype was analysed using statistical analysis (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) build 1.0.0.1275 version 26). Results: In 650 donors, mean age was 33±7 years and male: female ratio 1.1:1. The prevalence of clinically important minor blood group phenotypes like Kidd {Jka-499(76.8%), Jkb-449 (69.1%)}, Duffy {Fya-559 (86%), Fyb-396 (60.9%)}, Lewis {Lea-112 (17.2%), Le-b-402 (61.8%)} and MNS {M-567 (87.2%), N-266 (40.9%), S-375 (57.7%), s-572 (88%)} in the kidney transplant donor group was documented. Lewis Le(a-b+) -402 (61.85%), Duffy Fy(a+b+) -306 (47.08%), Kidd Jk(a+b+) -298 (45.84%) and MNS (M+N+) -301 (46.30%), (S+s+) -298 (45.85%) were the most prevalent minor antigens. The phenotypes Lewis Le(a+b+), Kidd Jk(a-b-) had null percent in population and Duffy Fy(a-b-), MNS(S-s-) were present 0.15% and 0.15%, respectively in the population. Conclusion: The result of this study emphasises the importance of testing, registering a database for immunogenic significant minor blood group antigens in transplant donors. This will aid in investigation of graft failure in alloimmunised patients.
ADOLESCENDO COREOGRAFICAMENTE
Authors: Lyra Vanessa Bellani , Brisola Eduarda
Published: July 2023

A adolescência é um período ímpar na vida de todo ser humano e, devido à gama de interpretações que traz em si, torna-se difícil estabelecer características exclusivas dessa fase que muda de uma sociedade para outra e até mesmo entre indivíduos da mesma cultura. E, no intuito de apresentar uma proposta pedagógica tendo como base o Panóptico de Bentham, abordado na obra Vigiar e Punir (FOUCAULT, 1987), o objetivo geral do presente estudo foi compor um método de ensino interdisciplinar para adolescentes por meio da coreografia fundamentada sob uma abordagem do sensível. Para sua efetivação, ao longo do trabalho buscou-se expor a Dança Contemporânea como um caminho possível para a coreografia fundamentada sob uma abordagem do sensível. Neste contexto, apresentou-se a área de conhecimento da Filosofia como possibilidade de interdisciplinaridade e mediante os conhecimentos adquiridos, organizou-se a estrutura didática das aulas do método proposto a partir de um protocolo de ensino de Dança Contemporânea. A justificativa para o estudo está pautada na necessidade de repensar e sistematizar as informações a respeito da coreografia como método de ensino. Para isso, utilizou-se de pesquisa exploratória e descritiva, tendo como técnicas de coleta de dados, livros, artigos, teses e dissertações acerca da temática, disponíveis em via física ou eletrônica. Com base na pesquisa realizada conclui-se que a proposta apresentada se configura em potente e promissora tentativa de perceber, explanar e defender a coreografia como um método de ensino, em outras palavras, como um ato pedagógico possível de ser aplicado com adolescentes.
Teachers’ Standpoint in Managing Noise Pollution in Basic Schools
Authors: Osei Francis Acheampong
Published: July 2023

Few studies have been done with little to no attention paid to how teachers perceive noise pollution and their management in the school environment in Ghana. This study sought to assess the awareness of basic school teachers on noise pollution, the sources of noise they encounter on the school environments as well as their suggestions on how to control or manage such noises. In order to evaluate the awareness, causes, and control of noise pollution in the basic schools, a set of questionnaires was used. Questionnaires were reviewed to make sure they were correctly filled out and to ensure internal consistency. The teachers were randomly selected for the study. Descriptive statistics was presented as frequencies and percentages for categorical variables. Data analysed was presented in figures and tables. Control measures were reported. Female teachers (n=147) greater than the males (n=129) participated in the study. Majority of the respondents (n=134, n=113) had taught for 0-5 years and fell within the age range of 30-39 years respectiviely. The teachers were aware of noise pollution with key sources of noise from students’ activities (65.2%) and vehicles (56.2%). Primarily, the teachers asked for continuous education on noise pollution and its many challenges. Basic school teachers admit that noises are present on the school environment and require management to make their work safe.
A Study of Auction Bid Value of Fish Ponds in Anand District
Authors: Kantaria Prince , Dudhagara Chetan R.
Published: July 2023

Inland fisheries are commercial fishing operations that take place in freshwater, providing high-quality protein, vital nutrients, and minerals. India is the third-largest fish producer in the world, producing 7.96 per cent of the world's fish. Gujarat produces the most marine fish in India, accounting for 18.80 per cent of total production and 1.51 per cent of inland fish production. Gujarat has the potential to develop the fishery sector due to its massive fishery resources and high trophic level. This study included 80 fish farmers in the Anand district of Gujarat. The majority of the fish farmers were male and in the above 40-year age group. The average pond size was less than 2 ha and the pond depth was less than 10 feet. The majority of the fish farmers were not involved in input marketing and fish harvesting activities. The 35 ponds were connected through local drainage lines in the village.  44 ponds were dry in summer, so they can be filled with tube well, borewells, and canal water sources. Comparing different categorical variables with lease amount per hectare.
Impact of Ohmic Heating on Electrical Conductivity and Specific Heat of Black Cumin Seed Slurry
Authors: R. Sawant Sanket , Sharma Pramod Kumar , Mani Indra
Published: July 2023

Aim: This study examined the effects of ohmic heating on the electrical conductivity and specific heat on slurry of black cumin seeds. Both the properties are taken into consideration in heat and mass transfer operations.

Materials and Methods: The slurry was heated from 26 ºC to 90 ºC in a batch-type laboratory-scale ohmic heater at different electric field strengths (650, 750 and 850 V/m) and end point temperatures (40, 50, 60, 70, 80 and 90 ºC), respectively.

Results and Conclusion: It was statistically investigated that the electric field strengths and end point temperatures had a significant effect (p<0.01) on both electric conductivity and specific heat at a 1% level of significance. The results of the current study clearly showed that, with rising end point temperatures and electric field strengths, respectively, electrical conductivity and specific heat values grew linearly. The value of R2 (>0.97) of the linear model showed that the linear model was suitable for the describing the electrical conductivity curve and specific heat of the ohmic heating process of the black cumin seed slurry.
Impact Assessment of Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles (TiO2-NPs) on physico-Chemical Properties of Soil after Harvesting of Cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis) at Prayagraj District of Eastern Uttar Pradesh, India
Authors: Bhardwaj Mohit , Bharose Ram , Thomas Tarence , Swaroop Narendra
Published: July 2023

Cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis L.) is one of the most important winter vegetables among the Cole crops which belongs to the genus Brassica of the family Brassicaceae. The current research entitled, effect of titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2-NPs) on soil physico-chemical characteristics in cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis) at Prayagraj District of Eastern Uttar Pradesh was conducted during 2022-2023 on the Crop Research Farm of the Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Prayagraj (U.P). There were seven different treatments combinations included in the study comprising treatment T1 as control and treatment T2 to T7 contains 100% RDF through chemical fertilizers along with TiO2 application as seed treatment and foliar spray with concentration of 500, 1000 and 1500 ppm that were replicated three times in Randomized Block Design. The results demonstrated that available N, P & K were significantly affected and soil physical parameters (Bulk density, particle density and water holding capacity) were non-significantly affected by application of TiO2 nanoparticles applied as seed treatment or foliar spray.
Evaluation of Different Genotypes of Sponge Gourd [Luffa cylindrica L.] under Prayagraj Agro Climatic Conditions
Authors: Gold R. S. Olivea , Topno Samir E. , Bahadur Vijay , Prasad V. M. , Kerketta Anita
Published: July 2023

The present investigation entitled Evaluation of different genotypes of Sponge Gourd (Luffa cylindrica L.) under Prayagraj agro climatic conditions was carried out at Department of Horticulture, SHUATS, Prayagraj (U.P.) during kharif season of 2022, for evaluation of different genotypes of Sponge gourd with three replications in Randomized Block Design (RBD). Studies showed that, among all the genotypes, IET 2021/SPGVAR-5 was observed to be performed the best in terms of Vine length(334.86 cm),Average yield per plant (0.69kg), Average yield per hectare (261.70q/ha), Fruit diameter (3.71cm), Gross returns(523400 INR/ha),Net returns(352657.2 INR/ha) and Benefit-Cost ratio (2.07).
Analysis of Food Security Status and Coping Strategies of Rural Households in Assam, India
Authors: Hazarika U. , Singh D. V.
Published: July 2023

The study was attempts to estimate the food security status and access the coping strategies utilized during food shortages among the rural households of Assam. Data were collected in the year of 2016-17 from 120 farmers, who were selected using a stratified random sampling method and were classified according to their possession of land. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, food security index and tabular and percentage analysis. The study revealed that in Lower Brahmaputra Valley Zone, 30 % of sample households were food secure while 70 % households were food insecure. Moreover, 76.92 % of medium farmers were food secure and 77.78 % of marginal farmers were food insecure which indicates that the farm size could be a significant factor to the food security status of farming households. Average daily calorie intake of food secure households was 2318.10, 2443.58, 2355.37 and 2600.37 kcal which was higher than the national average calorie intake and for food insecure households was 1754.94, 1856.43, 1862.46 and 1845.11 kcal which was much lower than the national average calorie 2,200 kcal intake by the marginal, small, semi medium and medium households respectively. It indicates that size of household is dependent to average daily calorie intake by the households in the both district. The study also revealed that the most important way of obtaining food when stocks run out was to purchase food on credit from the market followed by selling productive assets like land or livestock during the food shortages. Other options like reduce quantity, consume seed stock held for next season, take money from money lenders etc. were also adopted by rural households during shortage period. Therefore, there is need to increase the volume of food production as well as improvement on income generating activities on sustainable basis.
An Experimental Study on Biomass Fuel Briquettes’ Quality as a Product of Waste Conversion in Nekede, Owerri, Nigeria
Authors: Mong O. O. , Obi O. E. , Onyeocha C. E. , Ndubuisi C. O. , Gaven D. V. , Nnadiegbulam V.
Published: July 2023

This study investigated the quality of biomass fuel briquettes; a Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF) made from bio-wastes generated from a local farm produce market in Nekede, Owerri, Nigeria, known as Umuokomoche daily market. The wastes were mainly waste groceries; vegetable stems, leaves, fruits, plantain peels and stems, yam and potato peels, corn hob and all sorts of discarded food / agro materials which constitute over 70% of the total Municipal Solid Wastes (MSW) generated by the community. The study involved the design, fabrication and installation of a piston-type, hydraulic powered pedal operated Biomass Briquetting Machine. The briquettes produced were tested, in order to ascertain their quality as Refuse Derived Fuels (RDF). The biomass wastes generated were initially gathered, sun dried and carbonized through pyrolysis in a kiln. The biochar was then crushed and mixed with a 20% starch bond and finally fed to the machine as feedstock. The products (briquettes) recorded satisfactory combustion outcomes when tested. The preliminary results showed a calorific value of 4900Kcal/Kg which is adequate as a reliable and alternative energy source for domestic and industrial applications. Other parameters tested are; fixed carbon at 32%, Volatile matter at 44%, Moisture at 5% and are Ash content at 5.02%. A bulk density of 580 kg/m3 and a Compressive ratio of 1:2.5 were also recorded. Both results confirm the handling ability and ease of transportation of the briquettes. Therefore the briquettes are of good quality and reliable as an alternative energy source for domestic and industrial applications.
Radiographic Absence of the Left Humeral Head
Authors: Roche Adam D. , Sheehan Orla C.
Published: July 2023

An older patient with history of surgical decompression for syringomyelia, poor mobility, and frequent falls presented with pain, numbness, and paresthesias in his left upper extremity. Radiograph showed complete absence of the left humeral head. What is the diagnosis, and what would you do next?
Spending on Phased Clinical Development of Approved Drugs by the US National Institutes of Health Compared With Industry
Authors: Zhou Edward W. , Jackson Matthew J. , Ledley Fred D.
Published: July 2023

Importance

The launch of the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health to advance new cures and address public concern regarding drug prices has raised questions about the roles of government and industry in drug development.

Objectives

To compare National Institutes of Health (NIH) spending on phased clinical development of approved drugs with that by industry.

Design

This cross-sectional study examined NIH funding for published research reporting the results of phased clinical trials of drugs approved between 2010 and 2019 and compared the findings with reported industry spending estimates. Data analysis was performed between May 2021 and August 2022 using PubMed data from January 1999 through October 2021 and NIH Research Portfolio Online Reporting Tools Expenditures and Results data from January 1999 through December 2020.

Exposures

Drugs approved between 2010 and 2019.

Main Outcome and Measures

National Institutes of Health funding for published research describing applied research on approved drugs, basic research on their biological targets, and phased clinical trials related to drugs approved between 2010 and 2019 were evaluated using Mann-WhitneyUtests. All costs were inflation adjusted to 2018.

Results

National Institutes of Health funding for basic or applied research related to 386 of 387 drugs approved between 2010 and 2019 totaled $247.3 billion. Of this amount, $8.1 billion (3.3%) was related to phased clinical development. This funding contributed to 12 340 publications on phased clinical trial results involving 240 of 387 (62.0%) drugs. Average NIH spending was $33.8 million per drug, including $13.9 million per drug for phase 1, $22.2 million per drug for phase 2, and $12.9 million per drug for phase 3 trials. Spending by NIH on phased development represented 9.8% to 10.7% of estimated industry spending, including 24.6% to 25.3% of estimated phase 1, 21.4% to 23.2% of phase 2, and 3.7% to 4.3% of phase 3 costs. Considering 60 products for which estimated industry costs were publicly available, NIH spending on clinical trials was significantly lower than estimated industry spending (sum of averages, $54.9 million per drug; mean difference, $326.0 million; 95% CI, $235.6-$416.4 million; 2-tailed pairedttestP < .001). More than 90% of NIH funding came through cooperative agreements or program projects and centers, while 3.3% of NIH funding came through investigator-initiated research projects.

Conclusions and Relevance

In this cross-sectional study, NIH funding for phased clinical development of drugs approved between 2010 and 2019 represented a small fraction of NIH spending on pharmaceutical innovation. This spending focused primarily on early-phase clinical trials and research capacity and was significantly less than estimated industry spending on clinical development. These results may inform the efficient allocation of government funding to advance pharmaceutical innovation.
Maternal Hepatitis B Virus Infection and Pregnancy Outcomes of Freeze-Thaw Embryo Transfer
Authors: Ruan Ling-Ling , Chen Ming-Xing , Adu-Gyamfi Enoch Appiah , Geng Li-Hong , Fu Li-Juan , Wan Qi , Ding Yu-Bin
Published: July 2023

This cohort study assesses the association of maternal hepatitis B virus (HBV) serostatus with pregnancy outcomes in women undergoing freeze-thaw embryo transfer (FET).
Synthesis of [(R)‐DTBM‐SEGPHOS]NiCl2for the Enantioselective Acetal Formation fromN‐Propanoyl‐1,3‐Thiazinane‐2‐Thione and Trimethyl Orthoformate
Authors: Kennington Stuart C. D. , Romea* Pedro , Urpí* Fèlix
Published: July 2023

This chapter describes the procedure for synthesis of [(R)‐DTBM‐SEGPHOS]NiCl2for the enantioselective acetal formation fromN‐Propanoyl1,3‐Thiazinane‐2‐thione and trimethyl orthoformate. It presents some of the important points to be considered, the conditions that need to be maintained, characterization data, and the reagents required, as well as the techniques used and the equipment setup that are vital to carrying out the process. The chapter also describes the hazards associated with working with chemicals and the ways to deal with these hazards. The procedures in Organic Syntheses are intended for use only by persons with proper training in experimental organic chemistry. The enantioselective and catalytic construction of carbon–carbon bonds from enolates has attracted much attention in recent years.
Synthesis of Alkylboronic Esters from Alkyl Iodides
Authors: Liu Qianyi , Liang Hao , Zhou Shangyong , Zhang Lei , Yang Jianxin , Yin Yunxing , Yang Yang , Qiu Di , Mo* Fanyang
Published: July 2023

This chapter describes the procedure for synthesis of alkylboronic esters from alkyl iodides. It presents some of the important points to be considered, the conditions that need to be maintained, characterization data, and the reagents required, as well as the techniques used and the equipment setup that are vital to carrying out the process. The chapter also describes the hazards associated with working with chemicals and the ways to deal with these hazards. Alkylboronic acids and esters are versatile building blocks in transition‐metal‐catalyzed cross‐coupling reactions and key intermediates in functional group interconversions. Conventional methods to prepare alkylboronates include the electrophilic borylation of organolithium reagents or Grignard reagents, transition‐metal‐catalyzed hydroboration of olefins, and transition‐metal‐catalyzed C–H borylation of hydrocarbons.
Preparation of a Donor‐Acceptor Stenhouse Adduct (DASA): 5‐((2Z,4E)‐5‐(Diethylamino)‐2‐Hydroxypenta‐ 2,4‐Dien‐1‐Ylidene)‐2,2‐Dimethyl‐1,3‐Dioxane‐4,6‐ Dione
Authors: Stricker Friedrich , Peterson Julie , de Alaniz* Javier Read
Published: July 2023

This chapter describes the procedure for preparation of a Donor‐Acceptor Stenhouse Adduct (DASA): 5‐((2z,4e)‐5‐(Diethylamino)‐2‐hydroxypenta2,4‐dien‐1‐ylidene)‐2,2‐dimethyl‐1,3‐dioxane‐4,6‐dione. It presents some of the important points to be considered, the conditions that need to be maintained, characterization data, and the reagents required, as well as the techniques used and the equipment setup that are vital to carrying out the process. The chapter also describes the hazards associated with working with chemicals and the ways to deal with these hazards. Since their discovery, DASA's promising properties – visible light activation, high extinction coefficient, negative photochromicity, large volume and polarity change – have enabled a number of applications including drug release, phase transfer, programmable adhesion, photothermally controlled flow, and amine and heat sensing.
Discussion Addendum For: Detrifluoroacetylative Diazo Group Transfer: (
E
)‐1‐Diazo‐4‐phenyl‐3‐buten‐2‐one
Authors: Faialaga Nathan H. , Danheiser* Rick L.
Published: July 2023

This chapter describes the procedure for detrifluoroacetylative diazo group transfer:(
E
)‐1‐Diazo‐4‐phenyl‐3‐buten‐2‐one. It presents some of the important points to be considered, the conditions that need to be maintained, characterization data, and the reagents required, as well as the techniques used and the equipment setup that are vital to carrying out the process. The chapter also describes the hazards associated with working with chemicals and the ways to deal with these hazards. It then highlights the application of the detrifluoroacetylative diazo transfer method to several important classes of compounds.
Stereoselective Synthesis of Dimethyl 4(
S
)‐Allyl‐N‐Boc‐L‐Glutamate and Related Congeners
Authors: Mishra Akash , Hanessian* Stephen
Published: July 2023

This chapter describes the procedure for stereoselective synthesis of dimethyl 4(
S
)‐allyl‐N‐Boc‐L‐glutamate and related congeners. It presents some of the important points to be considered, the conditions that need to be maintained, characterization data, and the reagents required, as well as the techniques used and the equipment setup that are vital to carrying out the process. The chapter also describes the hazards associated with working with chemicals and the ways to deal with these hazards. It has been known for some time that the treatment of an N‐trityl L‐glutamate dimethyl ester with a non‐nucleophilic base such as LDA will generate the corresponding lithium enolate from the distal ester which can be reacted with benzyl chloroformate.
Transformation of a
N
,
N
‐Dimethylaniline
N
‐Oxide into a Tetrahydroquinoline Scaffold via a Formal Polonovski‐Povarov Reaction
Authors: Isaac Elizabeth L. , Tumbelty Lauren N. , Chain* William J.
Published: July 2023

Tetrahydroquinolines are among the most privileged scaffolds in organic chemistry. This chapter describes the procedure for transformation of a N,N‐dimethylaniline N‐oxide into a tetrahydroquinoline scaffold via a formal Polonovski‐Povarov reaction. It presents some of the important points to be considered, the conditions that need to be maintained, characterization data, and the reagents required, as well as the techniques used and the equipment setup that are vital to carrying out the process. The chapter also describes the hazards associated with working with chemicals and the ways to deal with these hazards.
Dosimetrically triggered adaptive radiotherapy for head and neck cancer: Considerations for the implementation of clinical protocols
Authors: Barragán‐Montero Ana M. , Van Ooteghem Geneviève , Dumont Damien , Rivas Sara Teruel , Sterpin Edmond , Geets Xavier
Published: July 2023

Purpose

Defining dosimetric rules to automatically detect patients requiring adaptive radiotherapy (ART) is not straightforward, and most centres perform ad‐hoc ART with no specific protocol. This study aims to propose and analyse different steps to design a protocol for dosimetrically triggered ART of head and neck (H&N) cancer. As a proof‐of‐concept, the designed protocol was applied to patients treated in TomoTherapy units, using their available software for daily MVCT image and dose accumulation.

Methods

An initial protocol was designed by a multidisciplinary team, with a set of flagging criteria based only on dose‐volume metrics, including two action levels: (1) surveillance (orange flag), and (2) immediate verification (red flag). This protocol was adapted to the clinical needs following an iterative process. First, the protocol was applied to 38 H&N patients with daily imaging. Automatic software generated the daily contours, recomputed the daily dose and flagged the dosimetric differences with respect to the planning dose. Second, these results were compared, by a sensitivity/specificity test, to the answers of a physician. Third, the physician, supported by the multidisciplinary team, performed a self‐analysis of the provided answers and translated them into mathematical rules in order to upgrade the protocol.

The upgraded protocol was applied to different definitions of the target volume (i.e. deformed CTV + 0, 2 and 4 mm), in order to quantify how the number of flags decreases when reducing the CTV‐to‐PTV margin.

Results

The sensitivity of the initial protocol was very low, specifically for the orange flags. The best values were 0.84 for red and 0.15 for orange flags. After the review and upgrade process, the sensitivity of the upgraded protocol increased to 0.96 for red and 0.84 for orange flags.

The number of patients flagged per week with the final (upgraded) protocol decreased in median by 26% and 18% for red and orange flags, respectively, when reducing the CTV‐to‐PTV margin from 4 to 2 mm. This resulted in only one patient flagged at the last fraction for both red and orange flags.

Conclusion

Our results demonstrate the value of iterative protocol design with retrospective data, and shows the feasibility of automatically‐triggered ART using simple dosimetric rules to mimic the physician's decisions. Using a proper target volume definition is important and influences the flagging rate, particularly when decreasing the CTV‐to‐PTV margin.