bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Distant Metastasis in Carcinoma Oral Cavity: Incidence and Prognostic Factors
Authors: Kalyani Nikhil , Bhosale Bharat , Singh Shambhavi , Tarafdar Debayan , Katna Rakesh
Published: May 2021

Aim The predominant pattern of failure for oral carcinoma is locoregional failure. With improvement in locoregional control, incidence of distant metastasis has increased. Reported incidence of distant metastasis is 8 to 10%. With an aim to define incidence and predictive factors for distant metastasis posttreatment of oral cavity cancer, the present analysis was done.

Materials and Methods This is a retrospective chart review of 531 patients who underwent surgery for oral cavity carcinoma from August 2013 to December 2017. All patients had undergone surgery followed by adjuvant treatment as per histopathology report.

Results The median age of the cohort was 49 years. The median follow-up of alive patients was 21 months (range: 1–56 months). Locoregional recurrence seen in 61, distant metastasis in 23, and 72 patients had locoregional recurrence with distant metastasis. Total incidence of distant metastasis was 18% (95 patients) with median detection 7 months’ posttreatment. The sites of distant metastasis were: lung in 49 patients, bone in 9 patients, and multiple sites in 37 patients. Nodal stage (N2 and N3), differentiation, young age, and perineural invasion were associated with higher incidence of distant metastasis on multivariate analysis.

Conclusion The incidence of distant metastasis was found to be higher as compared with published literature. Possibility of adjuvant systemic therapy may be explored in future studies.
Immediate Postnatal Microbial Colonization in Sick Term Neonates Admitted to NICU: Prevalence, Microbiota, and Associated Characteristics
Authors: Verma Rita P. , Kota Archana , Fogel Joshua
Published: May 2021

Objective The immediate postnatal rectal (RC) and nasopharyngeal colonization (NPC), their prevalence, taxa, and associated characteristics were investigated in sick term infants admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit.

Study Design In a retrospective cohort single center study, nasopharyngeal (NPCx) and rectal (RCx) microbial cultures were obtained within 20 minutes of birth in mild-to- moderate sick term infants. Associations between the colonization and maternal–neonatal variables, including early neonatal course, were analyzed via logistic regression analysis.

Results A total of 154 term infants were admitted for respiratory distress, hypoglycemia, maternal chorioamnionitis (CHO), and suspected neonatal sepsis; out of which, 80 (52%) were NPCx-positive (+) infants. The duration of rupture of membrane (ROM) was higher (15.5 ± 10.0 vs. 11.3 ± 11.0 hours, p = 0.02), while the respiratory support requirement (16.3 vs. 29.7%, p = 0.04) and occurrence of maternal group B Streptococcus (GBS) colonization lower (15.0 vs. 35.1%, p = 0.01) in NPCx+ infants. ROM increased (odds ratio [OR]: 1.04, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.01–1.07), and maternal GBS colonization decreased the odds of positive nasopharyngeal cultures (OR: 0.31, 95% CI: 0.14–0.72). The major microorganisms isolated were Staphylococcus epidermidis (41%), α hemolytic Streptococcus (AHS; 16%), Escherichia coli (13%), and GBS (1.06%). Among the enrolled infants, 44 (28.5%) were RCx positive. The need for (11.4 vs. 27.3%, p = 0.03) and days on respiratory support (0.2 ± 0.6 vs. 0.8 ± 2.5, p = 0.03) were lower and the occurrence of CHO higher (41.0 vs. 23.2%, p = 0.04) in the RCx positive infants. Cesarean section (CS) was performed less frequently (18.2 vs. 55.5%, p = 0.001) and decreased the odds of having positive rectal cultures (OR: 0.21, 95% CI: 0.08–0.51). In total, 80% of the RCx positive infants isolated E. coli, and 6.8% Klebsiella.

Conclusion In sick term neonates, early NPC is dominated by SE and RC by E. coli. NPC is supported by ROM and declines by maternal GBS colonization, whereas RC decreases with CS. NPC is more common than RC in this population.

Key Points
Current Trends in Prevalence and Role of Long Noncoding RNA and Gene Fusion in Prostate Cancer: An Overview
Authors: Sinha Arun , Sharma Praveen , Shukla Kamla Kant , Mitra Prasenjit , Misra Sanjeev
Published: May 2021

Objectives

The aim of this study is to analyze the current scenario in the diagnostic modalities for prostate cancer.

Materials and Methods

We searched PubMed, Google Scholar, and ResearchGate for relevant data. Articles published in the last 10 years were taken into consideration. The role of long noncoding RNA and gene fusion products in the context of prostate cancer was reviewed, which included their roles in diagnosis, prognosis, and assessment of response to therapy.

Results

Several long noncoding RNAs (lncRNA) have been isolated and have been shown to be useful in diagnosing and prognosticating prostate cancer. We have also looked into the role of TMPRSS2:ERG gene fusion in prostate carcinoma diagnosis. These molecular parameters have been looked into due to the fact that the current parameters in use such as prostate-specific antigen have several drawbacks that limit their potential.
Rural Residence and Factors Associated with Attendance at the Second High-Risk Infant Follow-up Clinic Visit for Very Low Birth Weight Infants in California
Authors: Fuller Martha G. , Lu Tianyao , Gray Erika E. , Jocson Maria A. L. , Barger Mary K. , Bennett Mihoko , Lee Henry C. , Hintz Susan R.
Published: May 2021

Objective This study was aimed to determine factors associated with attendance at the second high-risk infant follow-up (HRIF) visit (V2) by 20 months of corrected age after a successful first visit (V1), and the impact of rural residence on attendance rates in a statewide population of very low birth weight (VLBW; <1,500 g) infants.

Study Design Data linked from the California Perinatal Quality of Care Collaborative (CPQCC) Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) database and CPQCC-California Children's Services (CCS) HRIF database. Multivariable logistic regression evaluated independent associations of sociodemographic, maternal, family, neonatal clinical, and individual HRIF program differences (factors) with successful V2 in VLBW infants born in 2010 to 2012.

Results Of 7,295 eligible VLBW infants, 75% (5,475) attended V2. Sociodemographic factors independently associated with nonattendance included maternal race of Black (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 0.61; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.5–0.75), public insurance (aOR = 0.79; 95% CI: 0.69–0.91), and rural residence (aOR = 0.74; 95% CI: 0.61–0.9). Factors identified at V1that were associated with V2 attendance included attending V1 within the recommended window (aOR = 2.34; 95% CI: 1.99–2.75) and early intervention enrollment (aOR = 1.39; 95% CI: 1.12–1.61). Neonatal factors associated with attendance included birth weight ≤750 g (aOR = 1.83; 95% CI: 1.48–2.5). There were significant program differences with risk-adjusted rates ranging from 43.7 to 99.7%.

Conclusion Sociodemographic disparities and HRIF program factors are associated with decreased attendance at V2 among VLBW infants. These findings highlight opportunities for quality and process improvement interventions starting in the NICU and continuing through transition to home and community to assure participation in HRIF.

Key Points
Retrospective Analysis of Early Impact of COVID-19 on Systemic Cancer Treatment—A Pilot Study
Authors: Pattiyeil Anakha , Antony Febin , Cyriac Sunu L , Jose Anilkumar , P. Jini M.
Published: May 2021

Introduction Cancer care during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is challenging as the patients are at an increased risk of developing complications compared with the general population.

Objectives This study was conducted to assess the impact of COVID-19 pandemic and nationwide lockdown on systemic cancer care.

Materials and Methods This comparative descriptive study was conducted in the Department of Medical Oncology and Haematology in a tertiary care center in India. The study compared and analyzed the consecutive patient data of two different units in the Department of Medical Oncology in the pre-COVID phase (PCP) and post lockdown relaxation phase (PLRP). We represented the categorical data in frequency and percentage, and chi-squared test was used to analyze the variables.

Results Patients were categorized based on demographic, disease-related, and hospital visit-related parameters and a significant drop noted in patients who utilized a prebooking facility (p = 0.0001), in the number of patients aged >50 years (p = 0.004), number of patients who presented with hematological malignancies (p = 0.006), and who came for follow-up (p = 0.0001). The other parameters remained statistically insignificant.

Conclusions During PLRP, active systemic cancer care seems to have been less affected, whereas follow-up of patients and visits of elderly patients were significantly reduced. If the pandemic remains under control, cancer care may not get compromised. This shows the importance of flattening the curve for quality management of other diseases during a pandemic.
Correlation between Multidrug-Resistant Bacteria Colonization and Bloodstream Infections in Children with Hematolymphoid Malignancies at a Tertiary Cancer Center in India
Authors: Salifu Nihad , Narula Gaurav , Prasad Maya , Biswas Sanjay , Kelkar Rohini , Banavali Shripad
Published: May 2021

Background Bloodstream infections with drug-resistant bacteria are associated with a higher morbidity and mortality. Based on previous studies in our institution demonstrating a rising incidence of multidrug resistant organism (MDR) bacteria in bloodstream infections (BSI) and high prevalence of enteric colonization with MDR, the “de-escalation” strategy for empirical antibiotics was adopted in the management of febrile neutropenia in children with hematolymphoid malignancies and MDR colonization. An audit was carried out to determine whether surveillance rectal swabs correlated with blood cultures in febrile neutropenia.

Methods Patient data from January 2015 to July 2016 was examined. Rectal swabs of children with hematolymphoid malignancies were obtained at presentation. Blood cultures were taken during febrile neutropenia. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 24.0. The significance level was set at p < 0.05.

Results Most patients (62.1%) with confirmed BSI were colonized with either extended-spectrum β-lactamase producing organisms (ESBLO) (31.9%) or MDR (30.2%). Majority 116 (62.7%) developed BSI caused by either MDR or ESBLO. In contrast, only 12 (10.6%) patients colonized by sensitive bacteria, developed BSI caused by either MDR or ESBLO. These differences were statistically significant (p < 0.001). Thus, the baseline rectal swab had a sensitivity and a specificity of 90.6% and 59.4%, respectively, in predicting BSI with either MDR or ESBLO.

Conclusions We conclude that high prevalence of MDR colonization at presentation significantly results in MDR BSI, which further results in a significant increase in intensive care unit admissions and mortality. This would justify the use of a “de-escalation” antibiotic policy. Whether such a strategy has been successful in impacting outcomes, would need further study.
Förderung durch das KHZG: Digitale Notaufnahmen
Authors: März Sigrid
Published: May 2021

Mit dem Krankenhauszukunftsfonds schafft die Bundesregierung ein finanzielles Förderinstrument, um die Digitalisierung der Krankenhäuser – und so auch der Notaufnahmen – voranzutreiben. Verantwortliche in Kliniken und Fachverbänden sehen jedoch noch Optimierungsbedarf.
Diabetis Mellitus: Intelligenter Verband lässt Diabetiker hoffen
Authors: Otten Hubert , Hochlenert Dirk , Tromp Timo , Ludmann Dominik
Published: May 2021

Eine häufige und schwere Folgeerkrankung von Diabetes mellitus ist das diabetische Fußsyndrom (DFS). Im Rahmen des Forschungsprojektes „iFoot“ entwickeln Wissenschaftler einen mit Sensorik ausgestatteten intelligenten Verband, der über eine cloudbasierte Softwarelösung die Versorgung von DFS-Patienten verbessern soll. Ziel ist es, die Zahl der Amputationen aufgrund von DFS zu reduzieren.
The CSR–CFP relationship in the presence of institutional voids and the moderating role of family ownership
Authors: Cordeiro James J. , Galeazzo Ambra , Shaw Tara Shankar
Published: May 2021

In weak institutional contexts characterized by institutional voids, firms often struggle to demonstrate their ethical conduct. They are seen as raising the costs of influencing stakeholders and correspondingly the level of investment needed in stakeholder influence capacity in order to achieve corporate financial performance (CFP). We hypothesize and find support for a U-shaped curvilinear relationship between corporate social responsibility (CSR) engagement level and CFP in the context of India—a country characterized by relatively weak institutions. We also investigate whether family firms can help overcome the drawbacks of weak institutional contexts and thus influence the relationship between CSR and CFP. We adopt a large sample, panel data approach to test our theoretical model. We observe a U-shaped relationship, consistent with earlier findings in developed countries. However, we find that this significant U-shaped relationship is observed only in the case of family firms in our sample.
Public diplomacy and regional leadership struggles: the case of Saudi Arabia
Authors: Heibach Jens
Published: May 2021

In light of recent Saudi Arabian foreign policy, this article examines the valorization of public diplomacy in regional leadership struggles—a widely neglected topic in discussion on regional powers. Concentrating on regions with distinct power hierarchies, the literature offers nuanced explanations for how already-established regional leaders seek to maintain their position but only limited discussion of how ambitious states seek to assume leadership in the first place. The proposed binary set of coercive and persuasive strategies used by aspirant leaders does not capture the complexities of these regional leadership struggles. This article argues instead that aspirant leaders lacking the power assets to exclusively embark on either strategy become prone to resorting to a strategy mix combining elements of both coercion and persuasion. Because of the inconsistencies arising from applying such antithetical policies, however, public diplomacy significantly gains in importance as a magnifying and balancing tool amid this strategy mix.
A reformulation of time-dependent Kohn–Sham theory in terms of the second time derivative of the density
Authors: Tarantino Walter , Ullrich Carsten A.
Published: May 2021

The Kohn–Sham approach to time-dependent density-functional theory (TDDFT) can be formulated, in principle, exactly by invoking the force-balance equation for the density, which leads to an explicit expression for the exchange–correlation potential as an implicit density functional. It is shown that this suggests a reformulation of TDDFT in terms of the second time derivative of the density, rather than the density itself. The result is a time-local Kohn–Sham scheme of second-order in time whose causal structure is more transparent than that of the usual Kohn–Sham formalism. The scheme can be used to construct new approximations at the exchange-only level and beyond, and it offers a straightforward definition of the exact adiabatic approximation.
Investigation of self-nucleated skyrmion states in the ferromagnetic/nonmagnetic multilayer dot
Authors: Vetrova Iu. V. , Zelent M. , Šoltýs J. , Gubanov V. A. , Sadovnikov A. V. , Šcepka T. , Dérer J. , Stoklas R. , Cambel V. , Mruczkiewicz M.
Published: May 2021

Understanding the stability of magnetic textures in multilayer patterned dots would constitute a significant step toward skyrmion-based applications. Here, we report the observation of skyrmions in patterned nanodots composed of multilayers. We examine the stabilization of various magnetic states such as single-domain states, skyrmion states, horseshoe-like domain structures, and worm-like domain structures in submicrometer dots (diameters 150–525 nm). Dots are fabricated from Pt/Co/Au multilayer structures that exhibit the interfacial Dzyaloshinskii–Moriya interaction and perpendicular magnetic anisotropy. In particular, we show that a stack of six repetitions of Pt/Co/Au layers suffices to stabilize the skyrmion state inside a dot at room temperature. A micromagnetic simulation determines the regime of skyrmion stability. The results reveal a correlation between the magnetic-force microscopy measurements and the micromagnetic simulation. Furthermore, we explain the development of the magnetic state with increasing dot diameter. We envision that nanopatterning of multilayer magnetic films could serve as a versatile way of creating magnetic skyrmion states.
Direct numerical simulations of incompressible Rayleigh–Taylor instabilities at low and medium Atwood numbers
Authors: Hamzehloo Arash , Bartholomew Paul , Laizet Sylvain
Published: May 2021

Direct numerical simulations of two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D), single-mode and multi-mode, incompressible immiscible Rayleigh–Taylor (RT) instabilities are performed using a phase-field approach and high-order finite-difference schemes. Various combinations of Atwood number, Reynolds number, surface tension, and initial perturbation amplitude are investigated. It is found that at high Reynolds numbers, the surface tension, if significant, could prevent the formation of Kelvin–Helmholtz type instabilities within the bubble region. A relationship is proposed for the vertical distance of the bubble and spike vs the Atwood number. The spike and bubble reaccelerate after reaching a temporary plateau due to the reduction of the friction drag as a result of the formation of the spike vortices and also the formation of a momentum jet traveling upward within the bubble region. The interface for a 3D single-mode instability grows exponentially; however, a higher Reynolds number and/or a lower Atwood number could result in a noticeably larger surface area after the initial growth. It is also shown that a 3D multi-mode RT instability initially displays an exponential interface growth rate similar to single-mode RT instabilities. Due to the collapse and merging of individual single-mode instabilities, the interface area for a multi-mode RT instability is strongly dependent to the mesh resolution after the exponential growth rate. However, the ratio of kinetic energy over released potential energy exhibits an almost steady state after the initial exponential growth, with values around 0.4, independently of the mesh resolution.
Shock polar investigation in supersonic rarefied gas flows over a circular cylinder
Authors: Akhlaghi Hassan , Roohi Ehsan , Daliri Abbas , Soltani Mohammad-Reza
Published: May 2021

Well-known polars in classical shock wave theory, that is, flow deflection angle-shock angle (θ-β), hodograph (u*,v*), and pressure deflection (θ-P*) diagrams, are investigated for the rarefied gas flows using a recently proposed shock wave detection technique by Akhlaghi and coworkers. The agreement between the obtained polars with the analytical relations in classical shock wave theory has been shown in the continuum limit for the cases of supersonic flow over the wedge and cylinder geometries. Investigations are performed using the RGS2D direct simulation Monte Carlo solver for supersonic gas flows over a circular cylinder at continuum limit and Kn = 10−4, 10−3, 0.01, 0.03, 0.07, and 0.10. Two species of nitrogen and argon at various Mach numbers of 1.5, 3.0, and 10.0 are considered. The shock polars are investigated along bow shock waves in front of the cylinder. The results indicate that rarefaction significantly affects the shock polars. As Knudsen number increases, shock angle, maximum flow deflection angle, and aft shock pressure increase. However, velocity components after the shock wave decrease as the flow becomes more rarefied. These effects are stronger for θ-β polar under the weak shock condition. Meanwhile, they are stronger for θ-P* and hodograph polars in strong shock situations.
Photovoltaic Sustainability and Management
Authors: Ren Jingzheng , Kan Zhipeng
Published: May 2021

Photovoltaic Sustainability and Management examines photovoltaic (PV) technologies that are widely used to convert light into electrical power. While PV power generation is sustainable and emission-free, the manufacture and placement of PV modules have environmental impacts that need consideration by professionals in the industry.

This book:Discusses the techno-economic, carbon footprint, and life cycle sustainability performances of photovoltaic technologies.Focuses on nontechnical factors that significantly influence the effectiveness of PV deployment, including challenges, innovations, policies, environmental impacts, location selection, and management.Investigates PV technologies from life cycle and sustainability perspectives.

Photovoltaic Sustainability and Management is for academic researchers, technicians, and consultants engaged in PV research or working in PV technologies or the renewable energy industry.
Global Progress, Prospects, and Sustainability Challenges of Solar Photovoltaic Technologies: Quo Vadis?
Authors: Manju S. , Sagar Netramani
Published: May 2021

Energy consumption experienced drastic growth globally due to an increase in demand for conventional and non-conventional sources of energy. This lively and vibrant approach toward the energy system has enhanced the global standard of living and helped to reduce poverty worldwide. However, the usage of conventional fossil fuels causes concern about global climate change and results in environmental hazards. Therefore, the energy system needs a global transition from non-renewable energy sources that release greenhouse gases to cleaner and greener sources of energy. This chapter address the worldwide solar photovoltaic (PV) technology growth achieved so far based on PV deployments and technological developments. It also sheds light on transforming the energy sector to using renewables in the coming decades. The chapter also points out the probable constraints that the industry faces, which could hinder the strong momentum in the deployment of PV projects.
CRISPR, animals, and FDA oversight: Building a path to success
Authors: Epstein Laura R. , Lee Stella S. , Miller Mayumi F. , Lombardi Heather A.
Published: May 2021

Technological advances, such as genome editing and specifically CRISPR, offer exciting promise for the creation of products that address public health concerns, such as disease transmission and a sustainable food supply and enable production of human therapeutics, such as organs and tissues for xenotransplantation or recombinant human proteins to treat disease. The Food and Drug Administration recognizes the need for such innovative solutions and plays a key role in bringing safe and effective animal biotechnology products to the marketplace. In this article, we (the Food and Drug Administration/Center for Veterinary Medicine) describe the current state of the science, including advances in technology as well as scientific limitations and considerations for how researchers and commercial developers working to create intentional genomic alterations in animals can work within these limitations. We also describe our risk-based approach and how it strikes a balance between our regulatory responsibilities and the need to get innovative products to market efficiently. We continue to seek input from our stakeholders and hope to use this feedback to improve the transparency, predictability, and efficiency of our process. We think that working together, using appropriate science- and risk-based oversight, is the foundation to a successful path forward.
A nonsense
TMEM43
variant leads to disruption of connexin-linked function and autosomal dominant auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder
Authors: Jang Minwoo Wendy , Oh Doo-Yi , Yi Eunyoung , Liu Xuezhong , Ling Jie , Kim Nayoung , Sharma Kushal , Kim Tai Young , Lee Seungmin , Kim Ah-Reum , Kim Min Young , Kim Min-A , Lee Mingyu , Han Jin-Hee , Han Jae Joon , Park Hye-Rim , Kim Bong Jik , Lee Sang-Yeon , Woo Dong Ho , Oh Jayoung , Oh Soo-Jin , Du Tingting , Koo Ja-Won , Oh Seung-Ha , Shin Hyun-Woo , Seong Moon-Woo , Lee Kyu-Yup , Kim Un-Kyung , Shin Jung Bum , Sang Shushan , Cai Xinzhang , Mei Lingyun , He Chufeng , Blanton Susan H. , Chen Zheng-Yi , Chen Hongsheng , Liu Xianlin , Nourbakhsh Aida , Huang Zaohua , Kang Kwon-Woo , Park Woong-Yang , Feng Yong , Lee C. Justin , Choi Byung Yoon
Published: May 2021

Significance

Auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder (ANSD) is a confounding auditory disease in which the subjects respond to sound but have difficulties in speech discrimination. Herein, we examined two Asian families with hereditary late-age–onset ANSD. By linkage analysis and exome sequencing, we identified the TMEM43-p.(Arg372Ter) variant as the etiology of the disease. To examine the mechanism of TMEM43 on ANSD, we generated a knock-in mouse with the p.(Arg372Ter) variant that recapitulated the progressive hearing loss phenotype of the two families. We discovered that variation in TMEM43 impairs the connexin-linked function of mediating passive conductance current in cochlear glial cells. Based on the pathology involving cochlear glial cells, we performed cochlear implant on the human patients, and their speech discrimination ability was restored.
A liposome-displayed hemagglutinin vaccine platform protects mice and ferrets from heterologous influenza virus challenge
Authors: Sia Zachary R. , He Xuedan , Zhang Ali , Ang Jann C. , Shao Shuai , Seffouh Amal , Huang Wei-Chiao , D’Agostino Michael R. , Teimouri Dereshgi Amir , Suryaprakash Sambhara , Ortega Joaquin , Andersen Hanne , Miller Matthew S. , Davidson Bruce A. , Lovell Jonathan F.
Published: May 2021

Significance

Hemagglutinin (HA) is the major influenza virus surface protein and a prime antigen candidate for vaccine development using recombinant subunit approaches. Adjuvants often are used to enhance the immunogenicity of recombinant proteins. Here, we show that a next-generation vaccine adjuvant system that seamlessly sequesters and presents antigens on the surface of immunogenic liposomes improves the functional immunogenicity of HA in mice and ferrets. The potential for antigen dose sparing and multivalent presentation is demonstrated using this approach.
Lindernia crustacea (Malaysian false pimpernel).
Authors: Rojas-Sandoval Julissa
Published: May 2021

L. crustacea is an herb including in the Global Compendium of Weeds where it is listed as environmental and agricultural weed (Randall, 2012). It has a wide distribution across tropical and subtropical regions of the world where it occurs in a wide range of wetland and some non-wetland habitats and is able to exploit anthropogenic habitats such as rice fields. Once established, this species has the potential to grow forming a mat up to 30 cm high. Currently, L. crustacea is listed as invasive in Hawaii, French Polynesia and Singapore (Wagner, 1999; Chong et al., 2009; Lansdown, 2011).
Changes in soil fungal community on SOC and POM accumulation under different straw return modes in dryland farming
Authors: Fan Wei , Wu Jinggui
Published: May 2021

We conducted a 2.5-year field experiment to test the effects of straw incorporated evenly into the soil (EIS) on soil fungal community, SOC chemical composition, and particulate organic matter fractions via comparing with no straw returning (CK), straw mulching (SM), straw plowed into the soil (SP), and identified the linkages between soil fungal community as well as organic C accumulation and POM formation. Our results showed that EIS treatment significantly increased the concentrations of SOC and the proportion of carbohydrate C, di-O-alkyl C, and O-alkyl C in SOC structure, increased the mass proportion and OC contents of MA(c)POM and mM-POM in the upper 40 cm of soil. Meanwhile, EIS treatment increased the relative abundance of
Ascomycota, Zygomycota, Chytridiomycota
, and
Dothideomycetes
in 0–20 cm depths, and also had the highest relative abundance of
Glomeromycetes
and
Dothideomycetes
in the 20–40 cm soil. Also, our study suggests that straw return enhanced the relative abundances of fungi involved in the carbon cycle and sequestration, including Zygomycota, Chytridiomycota, and Glomeromycota, and Ascomycota. The shifts in fungal community structure can accelerate organic C accumulation and the formation of soil particulate organic matter, especially in EIS treatment.
Myeloid-derived growth factor regulates neutrophil motility in interstitial tissue damage
Authors: Houseright Ruth A. , Miskolci Veronika , Mulvaney Oscar , Bortnov Valeriu , Mosher Deane F. , Rindy Julie , Bennin David A. , Huttenlocher Anna
Published: May 2021

Neutrophil recruitment to tissue damage is essential for host defense but can also impede tissue repair. The cues that differentially regulate neutrophil responses to tissue damage and infection remain unclear. Here, we report that the paracrine factor myeloid-derived growth factor (MYDGF) is induced by tissue damage and regulates neutrophil motility to damaged, but not infected, tissues in zebrafish larvae. Depletion of MYDGF impairs wound healing, and this phenotype is rescued by depleting neutrophils. Live imaging and photoconversion reveal impaired neutrophil reverse migration and inflammation resolution in mydgf mutants. We found that persistent neutrophil inflammation in tissues of mydgf mutants was dependent on the HIF-1α pathway. Taken together, our data suggest that MYDGF is a damage signal that regulates neutrophil interstitial motility and inflammation through a HIF-1α pathway in response to tissue damage.
Causality theory of spacetimes with continuous Lorentzian metrics revisited
Authors: García-Heveling Leonardo
Published: May 2021

We consider the usual causal structure (I+,J+) on a spacetime, and a number of alternatives based on Minguzzi’sD+and Sorkin and Woolgar’sK+, in the case where the spacetime metric is continuous, but not necessarily smooth. We compare the different causal structures based on three key properties, namely the validity of the push-up lemma, the openness of chronological futures, and the existence of limit causal curves. Recall that if the spacetime metric is smooth, (I+,J+) satisfies all three properties, but that in the continuous case, the push-up lemma fails. Among the proposed alternative causal structures, there is one that satisfies push-up and open futures, and one that has open futures and limit curves. Furthermore, we show that spacetimes with continuous metrics do not, in general, admit a causal structure satisfying all three properties at once.
A self-consistent Ornstein–Zernike jellium for highly charged colloids (microgels) in suspensions with added salt
Authors: Aguirre-Manzo L A , González-Mozuelos P
Published: May 2021

This work discusses a jellium scheme, built within the framework of the multicomponent Ornstein–Zernike (OZ) equation, which is capable of describing the collective structure of suspensions of highly charged colloids with added salt, even in the presence of finite-size multivalent microions. This approach uses a suitable approximation to decouple the microion–microion correlations from the macroion–microion profiles, which in combination with the methodology from the dressed ion theory (DIT) gives a full account of the electrostatic effective potential among the colloids. The main advantages of the present contribution reside in its ability to manage the short-range potentials and non-linear correlations among the microions, as well as its realistic characterization of the ionic clouds surrounding each macroion. The structure factors predicted by this jellium scheme are contrasted with previously reported experimental results for microgel suspensions with monovalent salts (2019 Phys. Rev. E
100 032602), thus validating its high accuracy in these situations. The present theoretical analysis is then extended to microgel suspensions with multivalent salts, which reveals the prominent influence of the counterion valence on the makeup of the effective potentials. Although the induced differences may be difficult to identify through the mesoscopic structure, our results suggest that the microgel collapsing transition may be used to enhance these distinct effects, thus giving a feasible experimental probe for these phenomena.
The stochastic self-consistent harmonic approximation: calculating vibrational properties of materials with full quantum and anharmonic effects
Authors: Monacelli Lorenzo , Bianco Raffaello , Cherubini Marco , Calandra Matteo , Errea Ion , Mauri Francesco
Published: May 2021

The efficient and accurate calculation of how ionic quantum and thermal fluctuations impact the free energy of a crystal, its atomic structure, and phonon spectrum is one of the main challenges of solid state physics, especially when strong anharmonicy invalidates any perturbative approach. To tackle this problem, we present the implementation on a modular Python code of the stochastic self-consistent harmonic approximation (SSCHA) method. This technique rigorously describes the full thermodynamics of crystals accounting for nuclear quantum and thermal anharmonic fluctuations. The approach requires the evaluation of the Born–Oppenheimer energy, as well as its derivatives with respect to ionic positions (forces) and cell parameters (stress tensor) in supercells, which can be provided, for instance, by first principles density-functional-theory codes. The method performs crystal geometry relaxation on the quantum free energy landscape, optimizing the free energy with respect to all degrees of freedom of the crystal structure. It can be used to determine the phase diagram of any crystal at finite temperature. It enables the calculation of phase boundaries for both first-order and second-order phase transitions from the Hessian of the free energy. Finally, the code can also compute the anharmonic phonon spectra, including the phonon linewidths, as well as phonon spectral functions. We review the theoretical framework of the SSCHA and its dynamical extension, making particular emphasis on the physical inter pretation of the variables present in the theory that can enlighten the comparison with any other anharmonic theory. A modular and flexible Python environment is used for the implementation, which allows for a clean interaction with other packages. We briefly present a toy-model calculation to illustrate the potential of the code. Several applications of the method in superconducting hydrides, charge-density-wave materials, and thermoelectric compounds are also reviewed.
How to levitate an egg
Authors: Cross Rod
Published: May 2021

If an egg rolls end over end along a horizontal surface at sufficient speed it will become airborne. A similar effect occurs if a person walks fast enough. The person then becomes airborne and both feet lift off the ground in a running stride.
Infrastructure for Smart Agriculture for Cotton Crops Based on The Internet of Things
Authors: Rasheed M. A. , Rasheed M. A. , Mohammed A M
Published: May 2021

With the introduction of information and communication technologies, the agriculture industry is evolving. Steps are being taken to increase performance and minimize costs using state-of-the-art technologies and facilities. As most farmers are ignorant of the technologies and the current techniques, in order to encourage farmers, several expert technologies have been proposed worldwide. However, the stored information base depends on these expert structures. We suggest system built on Expert Firmware as well as Internet of Things (IoT) that can use collected information in real time. To minimize the loss due to pathogens and insects and pests, it would help to take constructive and protective measures.
Molecular Identification of Isolates of Ustilago Maydis (Dc.) Corda the Causal Common Smut in Maize
Authors: Abed J. M. , Samer S. H.
Published: May 2021

Aim of study was to isolate and identify U. maydis races that cause common smut disease using molecular methods. In addition to detect phylogenetic relation among isolates of local races and global races using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) through phylogenetic tree using Internal Transcribed Spacer(ITS). DNA was extracted from 50 isolates of U.maydis and detected 34 bands from the isolates using gel electrophoresis including (8 Baghdad, 5 Babylon, 14 Waset and 7 Erbil ) .Results revealed that detection of isolates was on ITS region and DNA diagnostic was detected at 650 base pair( bp) of all the isolates using ITS1 and ITS4 primers. Also the study included determination of sequencing the nitrogen bases for the isolates. Results indicated that Baghdad isolates of (Um 21,Um 22, Um23, Um24, Um25, Um26, Um27, Um28) have relative relation with global race of FBI.. While Babylon isolates ( Um 5, Um 6, Um7, Um8, Um 10) were had close relation with race 521. And isolates of Waset showed a variation in relationship of a number of global races, Isolate Um41 was closely related to 521, and isolates Um32, Um47, Um48 were closely to the race XA0609, and isolates Um30, Um33, Um36, Um37, Um38, Um43, Um44, Um46, Um49 they are relevant to the races CPO10.020a. However, isolates of Erbil ( Um11, Um 12, Um 14, Um15, Um 16, Um 17, Um19) were in relation with race FB1. Results of genetic origin demonstrated that of Baghdad,Babylon,Waset and Erbil have close relation with global FB1, 521, CPO10.020a, XA0609 which has a1b1 genotype).
Response of Kumquat (Fortunella margarita) Transplants to Foliar Spray with Bio-stimulator and GA3
Authors: Al-Falahy Th. H. R.
Published: May 2021

The experiment was conducted in one of the private orchards at Ramadi district, Anbar governorate for two seasons (2019 and 2020) with the objective to observe the effect of spraying kumquat transplants with age 2 years by bio-stimulator “Grow Amine “and gibberellic acid (GA3) on some vegetative characteristics and leaf mineral content. Bio-stimulator spray included control (distilled water only), 0.5, 0.75, and 1gm.l−1, on the other hand, spraying GA3 included, spray with distilled water served as (control), 15 and 20 mg.l−1. Spray bio-stimulator and GA3 had a significant effect in most of the vegetative traits and N, P, K leaf content compared to the control, bio-stimulator with 1gm.l−1 and GA3with 20 mg.l−1 had achieved the highest value for all parameters.
Morphological Response of Stevia Rebaudiana Bertoni to Organic Fertilizer and Proline
Authors: Al-Shaheen M. R. , Hamad R. M. , Khaleefa H. G.
Published: May 2021

A field experiment was carried out in the wooden canopy - Department of Horticulture and Gardening Engineering - College of Agriculture - University of Anbar to testing the response of Stevia rebaudiana bertoni to spraying Organic fertilizer and Proline, three levels of Organic fertilizer (0mg, 50mg and 100mg) used, as well as three levels of Proline used (0mg, 100mg and 200mg). The results showed that the treatments sprayed with the Organic fertilizer (100mg) were significantly superior with the highest ratios of plant height, number of leaves per plant and leaf thickness, recorded (55.20cm) (729 leaf) (07370mm), respectively Whereas, the best ratios of the above characteristics were recorded when spraying with Proline, (87.04cm) (737 leaf) (07620mm) respectively. The highest rate of plant height, the number of leaves per plant, and the thickness of the leaf were recorded when the interaction between the experiment factors, where the highest rate was recorded at the interaction (100 mg Organic fertilizer and 200 mg Proline) the highest ratios were recorded (97.50cm) (789 leaf) (07740mm), respectively.
Response of Four Potato (Solanum Tuberosum L.) Varieties to Four Nano Fertilizers
Authors: Al-Zebari Y.I , Kahlel A.M S. , Al-Hamdany S.Y.H.
Published: May 2021

A field experiment was conducted at vegetable field, Department of Plant Production, Technical Agricultural College, Mosul, Iraq during spring season of 2020, to investigate the response of four potato varieties (Arizona, Florice, Laperla, Montreal) to four Nano fertilizers Kind (K, B. Zn, Fe 2 gm. L.−1) with recommend dosage of NPK as well as the recommend dosage of NPK 20:20:20 at 600 Kg.ha−1 as control.

The four potato varieties were sown on 26 February in loamy soil at drip irrigation system T-tap. Nano fertilizers were spraying at 2 gm. L.−1 constriction three times in the season. The treatments were arranged in factorial experiment in split plot with in randomized complete block design with three replicates. The results showed Montreal variety give the higher value of average tuber weight (82.022 gm.), total and marketable yield of plant (1048.3, 1007.8 gm.), total and marketable yield of hectare ( 58.241,55.993 ton.ha.−1), dry matter and starch in tuber( 21.877 %, 15.500%). Spraying with four Nano fertilizers kind increase significantly all the parameters of yield and quality compared with control treatment an Zn nano give the higher value of number of tubers per plant (15.177), plant yield (1150.6 gm.), total yield (63.925 ton.ha.−1 ) and marketable yield (61.106 ton.ha.−1) while the higher value of dry matter (22.062 %), starch (15.667 %) an TSS (5.571%) was from K nano.
Performance of Some Plant Species Grown in Replacement Design under Different Competition Mode
Authors: Dizayee A. S. A.
Published: May 2021

A pot experiments was conducted at Grdarasha Experimental Farm / College of Agricultural Engineering Sciences / Salahaddin University / Erbil, during the winter growing season 2016 and 2017 to study the performance ofTriticum aestivumL. andCicer arietinumL. in sole cropping and intercropping in the presence of theSinapis arvensisL. in a substitutive experiment arrangement with single, double and triple consortium. Experimental treatments were both pure stands and mix stands. Intercrops were symbolized by numbers and letters as (1A:2B:3C). The preceding number of each letter denotes the proportion of the land occupied by each of theTriticum aestivum(A),Cicer arietinumL. (B) andSinapis arvensisL. (C). Pot experiment was consist of four modes of competition (full, shoot, root and no-competition) among three competitor plant species. As for wheat the relative plant height 1.05 was obtained in root competition mode, the same effect observed on grain yield relatively with values 1.29. In addition, it appears that mustard in treatment 2A3B1C has significantly outperformed all the other treatments with mean relative values 1.54 and 1.17 respectively in grain and biological yield measured originally as g plant−1.
Effects of Using Magnetic Water on Egg Quality and Biochemical composition in Commercial Layers
Authors: Radha G. H. , Al-Sardary S. Y. T.
Published: May 2021

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of using different powers of magnetic field technology (0, 1000, 1500, 2000 gausses) of well water treatment on, egg quality (external and internal properties of egg and Biochemical internal egg composition) of (Brown Lohman classic) layers. A total of two hundred and fifty-six (256) commercial Brown Lohman Classic strain 48 week’s age and nearly similar body weight were randomly assigned of commercial-type caged layer divided into four groups of 64 hens for each group, with (8) replicates per treatment. The birds housed in an environmentally controlled building with a density of eight (8) hens per replicate (cage). The results showed that using magnetic water had significantly (P≤0.05) increasing in accumulative results of external egg improving in eggshell thickness, egg shape index, egg soft shell percentage, undesirable egg percentage) in groups that used magnetic water compared with the control group but eggshell percentage and shell strength and broken egg percentage had not affected significantly (P≤0.05) by using magnetic water. Accumulative results of internal egg quality showed a significant increase (P≤0.05) in yolk index, albumen index, albumen high, haugh unit by groups that used magnetic water compared with the control group, also, revealed that yolk percentage and albumen percentage had not been affected significantly (P≤0.05) by different level of magnetic water .Also Results showed that using magnetic water with different powers caused a significant (P≤0.05) increasing in chemical egg composition (egg moisture percentage, protein percentage, calcium and sodium ppm) compared with the control group, Fat percentage and ash percentage decreased significantly (P≤0.05) by all groups that used magnetic water comparing with the control group.
Meat Quality and Carcass Characteristics Assessments in Broiler Chickens Subjected to Different Pre-Slaughter Feed Withdrawal Times
Authors: Sabaw A. B. , Muhammed T. S.
Published: May 2021

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of different pre-slaughter feed withdrawal on broiler chickens meat yield and quality. Eighteen 42-d-old broilers were submitted to either 9 hours pre-slaughter feed withdrawal, 12 hours pre-slaughter feed withdrawal or 15 hours pre-slaughter feed withdrawal. At the end of each fasting times, the birds were slaughtered following the halal slaughter procedure to assess carcass and meat quality characteristics. The results indicated no differences (P>0.05) in the physicochemical properties of meat among different pre-slaughter fasting times. However, broiler fasted 15 hours possessed the lowest (P<0.05) carcass yields than others. It can deduce that 9h pre-slaughter feed fasting duration had better efficiency on carcass and quality of meat traits but pre-slaughter feed withdrawal duration can last up to 12 hours. Therefore, more investigations are needed to study 9 or 12 hours pre-slaughter feed fasting times on other factors such as carcass contamination and lipid oxidation.
Some Characteristics and Functional Properties of Chitin Produced From Local Mushroom Agaricus bisporus
Authors: Fadhil A. , Mous E. F.
Published: May 2021

The physiochemical characteristics include: density, solubility, viscosity, molecular weight, degree of deacetylation and functional properties like fat and water binding capacity were studied for chitosan that prepared from chitin of Agaricus bisporus mushroom, the chitosan prepared by treatment of chitin with 47% alkaline solution at 60°C remove 4 hour−1. The yield of chitin extract from chitosan showed that the chitin extraction rate was 16% based on the dry weight of the fungus. Chitosan, which was produced in this study, was diagnosed by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrophotometer (FTIR) method. The degree of deacetylation (DD%) of the chitosan produced from the fungus it was 71.5% chitosan showed viscosity of 5.5 centipoise the viscosity has been estimated when chitosan dissolved in 1% acetic acid solution. The molecular weight of the fungus chitosan was 604,610 Dalton. The chitosan was characterized by high solubility (72%) in 1% acetic acid solution and showed high water binding capacity and fat binding capacity were 674%, 257% respectively of the fungal chitosan.