bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reconstruction of Pharyngolaryngeal Defects with the Ileocolon Free Flap: A Comprehensive Review and How to Optimize Outcomes
Authors: Escandón Joseph M. , Santamaría Eric , Prieto Peter A. , Duarte-Bateman Daniela , Ciudad Pedro , Pencek Megan , Langstein Howard N. , Chen Hung-Chi , Manrique Oscar J.
Published: May 2022

Several reconstructive methods have been reported to restore the continuity of the aerodigestive tract following resection of pharyngeal and hypopharyngeal cancers. However, high complication rates have been reported after voice prosthesis insertion. In this setting, the ileocolon free flap (ICFF) offers a tubularized flap for reconstruction of the hypopharynx while providing a natural phonation tube. Herein, we systematically reviewed the current evidence on the use of the ICFF for reconstruction of the aerodigestive tract. A systematic literature search was conducted across PubMed MEDLINE, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, Scopus, and Ovid MEDLINE(R). Data on the technical considerations and surgical and functional outcomes were extracted. Twenty-one studies were included. The mean age and follow-up were 54.65 years and 24.72 months, respectively. An isoperistaltic or antiperistaltic standard ICFF, patch flap, or chimeric seromuscular-ICFF can be used depending on the patients' needs. The seromuscular chimeric flap is useful to augment the closure of the distal anastomotic site. The maximum phonation time, frequency, and sound pressure level (dB) were higher with ileal segments of 7 to 15 cm. The incidence of postoperative leakage ranged from 0 to 13.3%, and the majority was occurring at the coloesophageal junction. The revision rate of the microanastomosis ranged from 0 to 16.6%. The ICFF provides a reliable and versatile alternative for reconstruction of middle-size defects of the aerodigestive tract. Its three-dimensional configuration and functional anatomy encourage early speech and deglutition without a prosthetic valve and minimal donor-site morbidity.
Reverse Facial-submental Artery Island Flap with Reinnervation of the Anterior Belly of the Digastric Muscle
Authors: Sakuma Hisashi , Takemaru Masashi
Published: May 2022

Reconstruction of the upper lateral lip subunit is challenging, and use of several classical local flaps have been previously reported. However, these methods have drawbacks such as visible scarring, anatomic distortion, and functional disability. To obtain satisfactory results, preservation of perioral function is important. We report a case of functional upper lip reconstruction after tumor resection using a reverse facial-submental artery island flap with a reinnervated anterior belly of the digastric muscle (ABDM) without sacrificing the perioral structure. A 73-year-old man presented with basal cell carcinoma on the left upper lip which was widely excised, including the orbicularis oris muscle. The remaining 4 cm × 3.5 cm defect was reconstructed using a reverse facial-submental artery island flap with ipsilateral ABDM. The motor nerve of the ABDM was sutured with the stump of the buccal branch of the ipsilateral facial nerve. The postoperative course was uneventful, and good functional and esthetic recovery were observed at 12-month follow-up. This procedure may be an alternative option for reconstruction of lateral upper lip defects.
Acquired Cutis Laxa on the Upper Eyelids and Earlobes: A Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Katsuren Kyoko , Kuba Ryogo , Kasai Shogo , Shimizu Yusuke
Published: May 2022

Acquired cutis laxa is a rare disease. Owing to few reports on the condition, no statistical data have been produced. Cutis laxa is characterized by drooping skin, caused by decreased levels of dermal elastin, leading to reduced skin elasticity. The disease usually emerges on the neck or trunk and spreads throughout the body; however, it rarely involves the extremities.2 Moreover, cases localized to the face are rare. The objective of this clinical case report was to highlight this unusual disease in a 24-year-old female, with localization on the face and neck. The patient underwent surgery for treatment of bilateral ear lobe and eyelid skin laxity.
Knee Defect Reconstruction Using the Distally Based Anterolateral Thigh Flap Based on the Reverse Flow from the Oblique Branch of the Lateral Circumflex Femoral Artery
Authors: Wang Danying , Zang Mengqing , Ma Hengyuan , Liu Yuanbo
Published: May 2022

Reconstruction of soft tissue defects around the knee is challenging, and the most common solution is to use various locoregional flaps or, in some difficult cases, a free flap. The distally based anterolateral thigh (dALT) flap is a commonly used flap that relies on reverse blood flow from the descending branch of the lateral circumflex femoral artery (d-LCFA). Here, we present the case of an anteromedial knee reconstruction using a dALT flap after resection of a pleomorphic undifferentiated sarcoma. The tumor resection resulted in a 14 × 7 cm defect, and a dALT flap, measuring 20 × 8 cm was elevated. During the surgery, we found a robust oblique branch of the LCFA (o-LCFA) sending off two sizable perforators to the anterolateral thigh region, whereas the d-LCFA was relatively small with no usable perforators. Therefore, we harvested a dALT flap relying on reverse flow from the o-LCFA. The patient's postoperative course was uneventful, and the flap survived without complications. This report demonstrates that reverse flow from the o-LCFA may be an alternative to nourish a dALT flap in cases where the d-LCFA is hypoplastic or suitable perforators from the d-LCFA are unavailable.
Silent Corticotroph and Somatotroph Double Pituitary Adenoma: A Case Report and Review of Literature
Authors: Pecorari Isabella L. , Mahali Lakshmi Priyanka , Funari Abigail , Fecher Roger , Suda Nisha , Agarwal Vijay
Published: May 2022

Clinically silent double pituitary adenomas consisting of corticotroph and somatotroph cells are an exceedingly rare clinical finding. In this report, we present the case of a 28-year-old man with a 1-year history of recurrent headaches. Imaging revealed a 2.1 (anterior-posterior) × 2.2 (transverse) × 1.3 (craniocaudal) cm pituitary adenoma invading into the left cavernous sinus and encasing the left internal carotid artery. Endoscopic transnasal resection was performed without complications. Immunohistochemical staining revealed a double adenoma consisting of distinct sparsely granulated somatotroph and densely granulated corticotroph cells that were positive for growth hormone and adrenocorticotropic hormone, respectively. Ki-67 index labeling revealed a level of 6% within the corticotroph adenoma. No increase in serum growth hormone or adrenocorticotropic hormone was found, indicating a clinically silent double adenoma. While transsphenoidal surgery remains a first-line approach for silent adenomas presenting with mass effects, increased rates of proliferative markers, such as the Ki-67 index, provide useful insight into the clinical course of such tumors. Determining the Ki-67 index of silent pituitary adenomas could be valuable in predicting recurrence after initial surgical resection and identifying tumors that are at an increased risk of needing additional therapeutic interventions or more frequent surveillance imaging.
Mobile app visualizes molecules in 3D
Authors: Piccone Ashley
Published: May 2022

Combining augmented reality, machine learning, and computational chemistry to bring molecules to life for students and researchers
Rheology of mature fine tailings
Authors: Piette Jourdain , Moud Aref Abbasi , Poisson Jade , Derakhshandeh Babak , Hudson Zachary M. , Hatzikiriakos Savvas G.
Published: May 2022

Rheological characteristics of mature fine tailings (MFTs) were examined in both the linear and non-linear viscoelastic regimes. MFT samples exhibited thixotropic behavior as well as apparent slip, which was suppressed by using sandpaper of grit 80 (200 μm) at the wall of the parallel-plate geometry. The real yield stress of MFTs with shear-thinning behavior was retrieved after fitting to a Herschel–Bulkley equation. Creep and oscillatory shear tests are also used to verify the yield stress measurement. The yield stress of two MFT suspensions possessing similar volume fractions was found to be similar; however, a kaolinite suspension (formulated to mimic/match the MFT rheology) showed more shear thinning and less thixotropy. The presence of bitumen remaining in the MFTs (up to 2 wt. %) suppressed the apparent slip to a large extent due to the immobilization of the particles at the interface. Finally, the effect of temperature on MFT rheology was studied in detail over the range of 0–50 °C, showing a minimum viscosity and yield stress at about 20 °C (demonstrating a non-monotonic increase with the increase in temperature).
Transient nature of secondary vortices in an axial compressor stage with a tandem rotor
Authors: Babu Sushanlal , Chatterjee Probuddho , Pradeep A. M.
Published: May 2022

An efficient and compact design of a compressor continues to be a challenging area of research. The unavoidable streamwise adverse pressure gradient together with passage transverse pressure gradient restricts the maximum allowable blade turning. Tandem blading is an interesting concept for increasing the pressure rise by permitting a higher blade turning angle. The energized flow through the tandem blade nozzle gap helps to minimize the possibility of flow separation over the suction surface of the aft blade. However, a coherent transient analysis of a tandem rotor stage in an axial compressor is yet to be well explored. In the present paper, the complex flow field over a tandem rotor and the succeeding stator passage is analyzed in detail. Although the tandem rotor increases the flow turning and diffusion effect, the presence of separate trailing edge wakes and hub corner vortex causes early onset of flow separation over the stator suction. The flow structures developed within the rotor and the stator passages at different time instances are highlighted with the help of limiting streamlines and iso-surface Q-criterion superimposed with entropy contours. The results indicate that within the rotor passage, transient flow features are observed near the hub corner region close to the aft blade trailing edge rather than the tip region. When the rotor passes the stator leading edge, the rotor trailing edge leakage flow at the hub is entrained into the stator leading edge reverse flow region. This is then further circumferentially dragged into the mid-passage region. The interference of multiple rotor wakes with the stator leading edge leads to the formation of longitudinal and arch like separation vortices at the stator-hub and the stator-casing regions, respectively. These separation vortices grow in size while being convected downstream. Eventually, as time progresses, the vortices split and shed periodically from the stator surface. The present investigation highlights the requirement of a new stator design in a tandem rotor–conventional stator configuration. Such designs could further magnify the significant aerodynamic performance obtained using a tandem configuration.
Effect of mass injection on secondary instability of hypersonic boundary layer over a blunt cone
Authors: Kumar Chandan , Prakash Akshay
Published: May 2022

In low environmental disturbances, secondary mechanisms play a crucial role in flow instability and transition. Over the years, researchers have shown the existence of secondary waves prior to nonlinear breakdown and turbulence. In high-speed flows, the vehicles are subjected to extreme thermal loads, and usually, an ablative heat shield is used for protection. The ablative materials eject gaseous products upon heating, significantly affecting flow stability. Mass injection through the surface in the boundary layer loosely replicates the ablation process. Its effect on stability and transition has been explored earlier using experiments, numerical simulation, and Linear Stability Theory (LST). However, the effect of the surface injection on secondary instability, the most viable path to transition, remains uncertain. The present work studies the secondary instability of a hypersonic boundary over a 7° half-angle blunt cone in the presence of mass injection through the surface of the boundary layer. Mean flow over the cone is solved using a high-order shock fitting direct numerical simulation code. Primary instability is studied using the LST, and secondary instability is studied using the secondary instability theory based on the Floquet model. Computations are carried out for different injection rates, and it is found that instability increases with mass injection rate. The mass injection has increased the primary and secondary growth rates. Fundamental modes are more dominant than subharmonic and detuned modes at higher primary wave amplitudes. The mass injection has increased the primary and secondary N-factor, and transitioning behavior is observed at the maximum injection rate.
Waikato GP perspectives on obesity management in general practice: a short report
Authors: Norman Kimberley , Chepulis Lynne , Campbell Fiona , Burrows Lisette , Lawrenson Ross
Published: May 2022

Introduction Obesity is a multifaceted clinical and public health issue affecting over 34% of New Zealand adults. The Ministry of Health has positioned general practice as the best-suited location for addressing the health effects of obesity. Previous literature has identified barriers to the delivery of effective obesity management in general practice. Aim To explore Waikato GP perspectives to determine areas for improving the care of adults with weight problems. Methods A short exploratory questionnaire was used to collect data from 29 GPs across the Waikato region. Descriptive statistics and content analysis were used. Results The majority of GPs reported: they would wait for their patient to raise the issue of their weight; would offer weight advice themselves as a first option before considering referral; did not view general practice as best suited in tackling the obesity epidemic; and utilised bariatric surgery as a referral option while noting the inequities in access. Discussion The survey identified barriers to discussing weight with patients and in finding effective treatment options. Psychosocial and sociocultural aspects were recognised as contributing factors to obesity, but not highlighted as available treatment options. Bariatric surgery was reported as a viable option for treatment, but with barriers to access in the public system. This study found strong trends and themes, which identify an urgent need for further exploration into weight management pathways in New Zealand.
Two light sensors decode moonlight versus sunlight to adjust a plastic circadian/circalunidian clock to moon phase
Authors: Zurl Martin , Poehn Birgit , Rieger Dirk , Krishnan Shruthi , Rokvic Dunja , Veedin Rajan Vinoth Babu , Gerrard Elliot , Schlichting Matthias , Orel Lukas , Ćorić Aida , Lucas Robert J. , Wolf Eva , Helfrich-Förster Charlotte , Raible Florian , Tessmar-Raible Kristin
Published: May 2022

Significance

The moon provides highly reliable time information to organisms. Whereas sunlight is known to set daily animal timing systems, mechanistic insight into the impact of moonlight on such systems remains scarce. We establish that the marine bristleworm
Platynereis dumerilii
times the precise hours of mass spawning by integrating lunar light information into a plastic daily timing system able to run with circadian (∼24 h) or circalunidian (∼24.8 h) periodicity. The correct interpretation of moonlight is mediated by the interplay of two light sensors: a cryptochrome and a melanopsin ortholog provide information on light valence and moonrise time, respectively. Besides its ecological relevance, our work provides a plausible explanation for long-standing observations of light intensity–dependent differences in circadian clock periods.
Structure of Arp2/3 complex at a branched actin filament junction resolved by single-particle cryo-electron microscopy
Authors: Ding Bojian , Narvaez-Ortiz Heidy Y. , Singh Yuvraj , Hocky Glen M. , Chowdhury Saikat , Nolen Brad J.
Published: May 2022

Significance

Actin filament nucleation by Arp2/3 complex must be triggered by activators like WASP family proteins. Understanding how WASP proteins activate Arp2/3 complex has been a major challenge due to a lack of high-resolution structures of the complex in an activated state. We determined a high-resolution (∼3.9 Å) structure of the WASP-activated Arp2/3 complex at a branch junction and used biochemical, cell biological, and molecular dynamic simulations to understand the mechanism of WASP-mediated activation. This work shows in detail the contacts between the fully activated Arp2/3 complex, the nucleated daughter actin filament, and the mother actin filament and provides important insights into how conformational rearrangements in the Arp2/3 complex are stimulated during activation.
Microstructure evolution of Zn–0.2Mg–0.8Mn(wt-%) alloys with different initial textures during room-temperature compression
Authors: Wang Liqing , Lou Dongfang , Sun Shineng , Ren Yuping , Qin Gaowu , Bai Peikang , Zhao Zhanyong
Published: May 2022

Zn–0.2Mg–0.8Mn alloys extruded at 300 and 150°C exhibited similar grain size, second phases, but different textures which were basal and non-basal texture, respectively. The initial textures affected the yielding and strain hardening stages. Non-basal texture was not conducive to the slipping of dislocations, causing high yield strength of 378 MPa but low strain hardening rate. Average grain size decreased from 2.2 ∼ 2.3 μm to 0.7 ∼ 0.8 μm by the formation of low angle grain boundaries. Deformation texture with [Formula: see text] (CD: compressive direction) was introduced by deformation. Dynamic recrystallisation (DRX) occurred as strain exceeded 0.16 and caused softening for both of the alloys. The DRXed grains exhibited average size of 0.7 ∼ 0.8 μm and texture with 〈0001〉 deviating 15° ∼ 30° away from CD.
Key comparison BIPM.RI(I)-K2 of the air-kerma standards of the KRISS, Republic of Korea, and the BIPM in low-energy x-rays
Authors: Burns D T , Kessler C , Yi Chul-Young , Ho Kim Yun
Published: May 2022

Main text

A key comparison has been made between the air-kerma standards of the KRISS, Republic of Korea, and the BIPM in the low-energy x-ray range. The results show the standards to be in agreement at the level of the standard uncertainty of the comparison of 2.2 parts in 103. The results are analysed and presented in terms of degrees of equivalence, suitable for entry into the BIPM key comparison database.

To reach the main text of this paper, click on Final Report. Note that this text is that which appears in Appendix B of the BIPM key comparison database https://www.bipm.org/kcdb/.

The final report has been peer-reviewed and approved for publication by the CCRI, according to the provisions of the CIPM Mutual Recognition Arrangement (CIPM MRA).
An image processing method for an explosion field fireball based on edge recursion
Authors: Wang Liangquan , Shang Fei , Kong Deren
Published: May 2022

To overcome the limitations caused by the complex fireball geometry in an explosion field and the smoke interference of fireball contours, a pre-processing strategy for fireball images in an explosion field, combining threshold segmentation, rectangular filtering, nearest-neighbor clustering and morphological processing, as well as an edge-recursive fireball image segmentation algorithm based on the polar coordinate system, is proposed. The overlap rate was used to compare and evaluate the segmentation effect of the proposed method and traditional image-processing methods on the measured explosion fireball image. The results demonstrate that the edge-recursive fireball image segmentation algorithm based on the polar coordinate system is excellent for identifying fireball image segmentation and fireball damage contour recognition under different smoke-obscured conditions in an explosion field, thereby facilitating the accurate recognition and measurement of the fireball image and contour under a smoke plume. This method improves the accuracy of measuring explosive fireball damage power and provides a method for effectively extracting the distribution information of explosive fireball damage.
Ultra-fast polarization of a thin electron layer in the rotational standing-wave field driven by double ultra-intense laser pulses
Authors: Han Qianqian , Geng Xuesong , Shen Baifei , Xu Zhizhan , Ji Liangliang
Published: May 2022

We explore radiative polarization of electrons in a standing-wave formed by two circularly-polarized laser pulses irradiating a thin layer. Here the electron radiative spin dynamics in external electromagnetic fields is described by the generalized Sokolov–Ternov model implemented in the particle-in-cell simulations. We find that significant polarization is established in roughly one laser period from the circular motion in the standing wave. However, such motion is unstable at the magnetic nodes such that electrons migrate to different phases. The beam polarization is then transferred to transverse directions following the T-BMT precession and splits into two groups with opposite signs. The induced polarization distribution allows for filtering out electron population of high polarization purity via certain emitting angles and energies, approaching maximum of 78% polarization at light intensities of the order ∼1023 W cm−2.
Robust electron-correlation and colossal magnetoresistance of complex composition Co0.5Mg0.5AlxFe2–xO4 with x = 0.0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, and 1.0.
Authors: Soliman S , Zaki H M , Solyman S
Published: May 2022

For antisymmetric cobalt magnesium ferrite alloys, Co0.5Mg0.5Al
x
Fe2−x
O4
ab-initio calculations were used to study the strain and Al-doping contributions to the rearrangement of magnetic structure ordering state, where x = 0.0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, and 1.0. According to the calculations, the ground state without the Hubbard parameter is half-metallic with an antiferromagnetic structure. A side magnetic transition from antiferromagnetic to ferromagnetic is established due to crystal magnetic symmetry aberrations caused by strain and Al-doping. The magnetic phase transition happens even at low pressure levels, such as 0.4 GP for Co0.5Mg0.5Al0.25Fe1.75O4. According to the calculated data, A-side and B-side oxygen have different activities. The Fermi level nesting grows with pressure in the majority channel and becomes defined in shape, predicting a decrease in resistance. The Fe-3d electron-correlation is shown to have a critical role in bridging the charge gap. Additional potential U = 5 eV (Hubbard parameter) on top of Fe-3d potential opened a band gap of roughly 0.4 eV at the Fermi level (E
F
). According to the calculations, the investigated compounds show a Mott insulator gap. The anti-ferrimagnetic states, the magnetic saturation and the computed Fe and Co moments for the ground state are in agreement with the previously reported experimental results [1]. For both experimental and theoretical results, there is a completely compression-induced change in the K-space location of the valence-band maxima.
The acid resistance, roughness, and microhardness of deciduous enamel induced by Er:YAG laser, fluoride, and combined treatment: an in vitro study
Authors: Contreras-Bulnes R , Rodríguez-Vilchis L E , Teutle-Coyotecatl B , Velazquez-Enriquez U , Zamudio-Ortega C M
Published: May 2022

Erbium-doped yttrium aluminium garnet (Er:YAG) lasers and fluoride have been used as preventive treatments to combat permanent tooth decay; however, little is known about deciduous teeth, which are more prone to caries. The purpose of this study was to assess acid resistance, roughness, and microhardness induced by an Er:YAG laser, fluoride application and a combined treatment on deciduous enamel. Seventy samples of deciduous enamel were randomly assigned to seven groups (n = 10): a negative control group [G1_C (−)], a positive control group [G2_C (+)], a group treated with acidulated phosphate fluoride (G3_F), a group treated with an Er:YAG laser (G4_L7.5 and G5_L12.7) and one tretated with an Er:YAG laser plus fluoride (G6_L7.5+F and G7_L12.7+F). The samples were then placed in a lactic acid solution for 24 h; the calcium and phosphate release was measured by atomic absorption spectroscopy and ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV–vis). The surface roughness and microhardness were then analysed using a stylus profilometer and a static microhardness tester, respectively. In relation to the calcium release, G3_F presented values statistically lower than all others groups (p < 0.05). Group G7_L12.7+F had lower phosphorus release values than all other groups (p < 0.05). Group G3_F (0.24 ± 0.14 µm) had lower roughness values than groups G6_L7.5+F and G7_L12.7+F. Group G1_C(−) presented statistically significant differences in comparison to the rest of the groups (p < 0.05). The laser treatment and the combined treatment (laser plus fluoride) were not more effective than the fluoride treatment alone at improving acid resistance of deciduous enamel. However, the combined treatment diminished phosphorous release and increased the surface roughness of deciduous enamel. Finally, the acid dissolution decreased the microhardness of deciduous enamel regardless of the preventive protocol (fluoride, laser, or laser plus fluoride treatment).
Generation of silver nanoparticles from thin films and their antibacterial properties
Authors: Nastulyavichus Alena , Kudryashov Sergey , Tolordava Etery , Rudenko Andrey , Kirilenko Demid , Gonchukov Sergey , Ionin Andrey , Yushina Yulia
Published: May 2022

Colloidal solutions of silver nanoparticles (NPs) were obtained by ultrashort-pulse laser ablation of silver films of variable thickness in water at different fluences, pulse durations and laser exposures. Characterization of these particles was performed by scanning electron microscopy, optical transmission spectroscopy, and dynamic light scattering. A monotonic increase in the extinction coefficient and in the average diameter of the colloidal particles—from 20 to 180 nm—was observed as a function of laser fluence and exposure. Antibacterial properties of colloidal silver NPs were investigated by the microbiological ‘Live/Dead Biofilm Viability Kit’ method.
Observation of neoclassical tearing-mode excitation in EAST low-β
p H-mode plasmas using a gas electron multiplier-based camera
Authors: Qu Huoxiang , Li Erzhong , Xu L. , Wang H. , Ma Q. , Zhang Y. , Shi T. , Zhou T. , Chu Y. , Wang S. , Zhao H. , Chen Y. , Hu L. , Ling B. , Lin S. , Qian J. , Gong X. , the EAST Team
Published: May 2022

The excitation of an initially stable neoclassical tearing mode (NTM) is investigated in Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST) low-β
p H-mode plasmas (β
p is defined as the ratio of the thermal pressure to the poloidal magnetic pressure). Using similar plasma parameters, n = 1 resonant magnetic perturbation (RMP) cannot always successfully excite the m/n = 2/1 NTM with the same RMP coil current setup (n and m are the toroidal and poloidal mode numbers, respectively). Data from a gas electron multiplier camera shows that NTM destabilization is related to RMP-induced crashes at the q = 1 resonant surface during the RMP ramp-up phase. The second RMP-induced crash amplitude decays exponentially as β
p increases. There is a critical value

β

p

≈
0.76

above which the crash amplitude (or seed island width) is too small (below the critical island width) to trigger an NTM. Observation and analysis indicate that the m/n = 2/1 NTM is not forcibly driven by the n = 1 RMP (such as the m/n = 2/1 component), but is probably due to electron heat transport between the q = 1 and the q = 2 resonant surfaces. This paper describes experimental observations of NTM excitation which also have implications for further investigations of NTM locking and disruptions.
Adapting agriculture to climate change via sustainable irrigation: biophysical potentials and feedbacks
Authors: Rosa Lorenzo
Published: May 2022

Irrigated agriculture accounts for ∼90% of anthropogenic freshwater consumption, is deployed on 22% of cultivated land, and provides 40% of global food production. Expanding irrigation onto currently underperforming rainfed croplands is crucial to meet future global food demand without further agricultural expansion and associated encroachment of natural ecosystems. Establishing irrigation is also a potential climate adaptation solution to alleviate heat- and water-stress to crops and reduce climate variability and extremes. Despite irrigation being one of the land management practices with the largest environmental and hydroclimatic impacts, the role of irrigation to adapt agriculture to climate change and achieve global sustainability goals has just started to be quantified. This study reviews biophysical opportunities and feedbacks of ‘sustainable irrigation’. I describe the concept of sustainable irrigation expansion—where there are opportunities to increase agricultural productivity over currently water-limited rainfed croplands by adopting irrigation practices that do not deplete freshwater stocks and impair aquatic ecosystems. Expanding sustainable irrigation may avert agricultural expansion but create additional externalities that are often neglected. This review highlights major gaps in the analysis and understanding on the role of sustainable irrigation expansion to adapt agriculture to climate change. This study reviews the implications of a potential sustainable irrigation expansion on (a) global food security, (b) hydroclimatic conditions, (c) water quality, (d) soil salinization, (e) water storage infrastructure, and (f) energy use. These implications help to explain the challenges of achieving sustainability in irrigated agriculture and thus also point toward solutions and future research needs.
Spatio-temporal patterns of oasis dynamics in China’s drylands between 1987 and 2017
Authors: Chen Peng , Wang Shuai , Liu Yanxu , Wang Yaping , Li Zidong , Wang Yijia , Zhang Haoyu , Zhang Yaosheng
Published: May 2022

Oases are among the most productive and vulnerable ecosystems on drylands as well as central areas of human life and economic development. In China, oasis expansion and degradation are directly related to the survival and development of tens of millions of inhabitants who live within them, profoundly affecting human well-being. However, our understanding of the spatiotemporal dynamics of China’s oases has been limited. This creates a challenge to accurately assess the environmental impacts of oasis dynamics and sustainable oasis development. Here we analyzed Landsat images (5 TM, 7 ETM+, and 8 OIL, ∼61 900 images) over the period 1987–2017, and we produced annual maps of China’s oases (30 m spatial resolution) using trajectories and spectral-temporal segmentation algorithm (LandTrendr) and machine-learning methods (Random Forest). We found that oasis areas increased significantly between 1987 and 2017 (+8.82 Mha). Grasslands and croplands expanded the most, and reclamation of deserts and grasslands made cropland the largest gainer. At the provincial scale, oasis expansion in Inner Mongolia and Qinghai was mainly attributed to grassland restoration. In Xinjiang, Gansu, and Ningxia, reclamation of croplands was also an important factor in addition to grassland restoration. With the expansion of the oasis ∼73.36% of areas showed decreasing trends of soil moisture, and even desertification in some areas. The overexpansion of oases might cause a great challenge to regional water security. Our dataset and results can provide a basis for identifying trade-off areas/regions between development benefits and environmental impacts, helping policymakers to identify high-priority areas for intervention and reasonably plan land-use spatial structure in oasis areas for sustainable development of oases.
Environmental Study Comparison between normal and standard culture media for the growth of fungi
Authors: Walli Hazim A. , Ali Wisam jasim Abed
Published: May 2022

The study aims to evaluate the use of rice and starch medium in preparing a culture medium for the development of some fungi isolated from the soil and compare it with standard medium PDA, where the fungi were identified microscopically. The media was prepared with the same components as the standard medium. The results showed that the rice and starch medium were significantly superior in the growth of fungi compared to the standard medium, as the rice and starch medium gave the average growth diameter of Aspergillus niger that reached 4.3-4.6 cm compared with the standard medium PDA which reached 4.1-3.8 cm. It was followed by Alternaria alternate at a rate of 3.6-3.4 cm compared to growth on standard medium 3.3-3.1cm, then Rhizopus stolonifera at a rate of 3.5-3.2 cm compared with growth on standard medium 3.2-3.1 cm, in growth on rice and starch culture medium, while it was less growth of Aspergillus flavus at a rate of 4.3-3.9cm compared with growth rates on the standard culture medium 4.4-4.2 cm.
Isolation and Identification of Aspergillus niger from eyes
Authors: Walli Hazim A. , Ali Wisam jasim Abed
Published: May 2022

This study was carried out to detect the contamination of the eyes with the black fungus and its presence in the eyes, where swabs were taken with the number of 50 swabs from the eyes, of twenty-five healthy people aged 15-30, and twenty-five elderly people aged 50-70 with diabetes. The results showed significant differences in the rate of isolation between healthy people and people suffering from chronic diseases, the results showed that percentage of isolation from elderly was 62.7 %, while the percentage of isolation from healthy people was 37.3%, also three other species were isolated (A.flavus, A.ochracus, A. terreus) in the rate of (16.9, 10.2, 3.4)% respectively in elderly people, but other species were isolated (A.flavus, A.ochracus ) in the rate of (11.9, 6.8)% respectively in healthy people.
Environmental Influence of growth regulators and light condition on some callus traits of rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L. ) in vitro
Authors: Al-Saeedi Abeer Abdul Rahman , Al-Rekaby Layth Sareea
Published: May 2022

The study carried out in plant tissue culture laboratory at Department of Biology - College of Science - University of Al-Qadisiyah, included several experiments on the effect of different growth regulators concentration of auxins and cytokinins on the growth and characteristics of callus of Rosmarinus officinalis L. growing under light and dark conditions. Explant ( tops and the lateral buds with a length of 0.5-1.0 cm) sterilized with ethanol solution and sodium hypochlorate, then growing on MS medium with added different concentrations of growth regulators and incubated in the growth chamber under the influence of lighting factor (light and dark) at a temperature of 25 °C, the data were taken every week and after 45 days of cultivation that. The best combination 2,4-D 1.0 mg/l with BA 0.5 mg/l that gave the largest callus weight in the light 3.75 gm, while in the dark, the best combination 1.0 mg/l NAA and 0.5 mg/l BA gave the largest callus weight 3.60 gm, same combination which gave the highest percentage of callus emergence after 2 weeks was 100% in the dark and 95% in the light. The texture, color and shape of the callus varied as the combination
Determination of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Selected Soils from Al-Diwaniyah governorate, Iraq-Case Study
Authors: Kadhim Tania S. , Karam Faiq F.
Published: May 2022

This study includes determination of 16 (PAHs ) compounds from soils of Al-Diwaniyah governorate in six polluted sites from August 2020 to May 2021, (PAHs) compounds have carcinogenic and mutagenic activity in biological systems, so their identification in soil samples is considered important. Soxhlet extraction is used to extract polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and concentration of these compounds in all samples was determined by using (GC). The summation of all (PAHs) compounds during ten months were (4842.666667 ppm), among all these compounds Benzo[G, H, I]Perylene recorded the maximum cumulative value of (388.8333333 ppm) whereas the minimum value was for Acenapthylene (219.9 ppm).
Effect of Biofertilizers on Vegetative Growth and Flower Yield of African Marigold Tagetes erecta L. c.v Pusa Narangi Gainda
Authors: Idan Razzaq Owayez , Abdulsada Ali jabbar , Fleih Abd Sabah
Published: May 2022

This experiment was conducted to identify the effect of three different biofertilizers and their interaction on flower yield and vegetative growth of African marigold Tagetes erecta L. c.v Pusa Narangi Gainda. The results showed that biofertilizer treatments have been significantly effect on spread plant, plant height, number of leaves/plant number of branches/plant, flower yield/plot number of flowers/plant, flower yield/plant, and flower yield/hectare. The highest values were obtained (107.17cm), (41.67 flowers/plant), (80.12cm), (21.50 branches/plant), (106.17 leaves/plant), (458.83g flower yield/plant), (4129.50g flower yield/plot) and (41.30 flower yield/hectare) respectively by the treatment (T5) with (Azotobacter + Azospirillum+ Mycorrhizae). While the lowest values were obtained (67.69cm), (45.86cm), (10.50 branches/plant), (47.03 leaves/plant), (19.00 flowers/plant), (152.00 g flower yield/plant), (1368.00 g flower yield/plot), and (13.6 flower yield/hectare) respectively by the treatment (T1) with control.
Toxicity Remediation of Petroleum refinery Wastewater by Electrooxidation Techniques Using Graphite Electrode
Authors: radhy Ehab Dheyaa , Najim Sarmad T
Published: May 2022

The present experimental study used a successful advanced electrochemical oxidation process (AEOP) and a parallel-plate electrochemical reactor to investigate the potential of electrochemical oxidation (EO) treatment method for real produced wastewater produced by the Al-Samawah petroleum refinery. In electrochemical oxidation, several electrodes type were employed, with carbon felt and graphite plate serving as the anode. Tests of total organic compounds and chemical oxygen demand have confirmed this. The influence of numerous operational factors on performance, such as current density, supporting electrolyte, the distance between electrodes, and temperature, has been investigated, as well as the energy consumption. After 1 hour of treatment, results were obtained at 40°C, and 15 mA/cm2 using graphite plate anode, that the COD removal was 77.509%. And the TOC removal was 68.13%, by using the direct Electrooxidation technique and COD removal 86.802%, TOC removal 70.662% by using indirect Electrooxidation.
Synthesis, characterization and evaluation of photo degradation efficiency of Reduced Graphene Oxide – Cadmium sulfide Nanocomposite
Authors: Alwan Duhak Ahmed , Hatem Oraas Adnan
Published: May 2022

A simple hydrothermal process has been followed to prepare rGO/CdS Nanocomposite. The structural, chemical and surface properties of the prepared nanocomposites were diagnosed and studied using X-ray diffraction spectroscopy. Surface functional groups were analyzed using FTIR and Raman analysis. FE-SEM was employed to illustrate the particle size and surface morphology of the (rGO/CdS) nanocomposite. Surface area and porosity analysis (BET, BJH)and the elemental composition of the composite was study using EDX analysis.

rGO sheets effectively improve the photocatalytic degradation efficiency of Crystal violet dye under visible light irradiation, rGO–CdS nanocomposite possessed high photodegradation efficiency of dye about 85% which was 2.8 time higher than the control CdS

rGO sheets accepting photo induced electrons from cadmium sulfide which reduces the recombination of (electron-hole) in the CdS. These well separated photocatalytic charges also demonstrated the photocatalytic activity of the rGO/CdS composite.
Experimental study and numerical simulation of α lamellar globularization for TC21 titanium alloy during multidirectional forging
Authors: Tao Cheng , Ouyang Delai , Cui Xia , Lan Xixin , Wan Xingcai , Pan Longteng
Published: May 2022

Evolution of microstructure and the globularization mechanism of α lamellar for TC21 titanium alloy during multi-directional forging (MDF) were analyzed with the help of OM, SEM, EDS and TEM techniques, FE simulation was also used to observe the above process. The main conclusions are as follows: With the increase of temperature, forging cycle and single pass strain, the fraction of globularization of α lamellar gradually improved. The volume fraction of globularization of α lamellar achieves a high value about 85%, the average grain size of TC21 titanium alloy can be refined to 2 μm through MDFed at 910 °C with strain of 0.69 in 3 cycles. Forging cycle is the most key factor to obtain the ideal microstructure. Increasing temperature and MDFed pass can not only promote the fraction of DRX (dynamic recrystallization), but also achieve uniformity of deformation. The error between simulation and experiment is below 14%. DRX is the major globularization mechanism of the α lamellar during MDF. In the early stage of MDF process, the globularization mechanism is boundary splitting accompanied by CDRX (continuous dynamic recrystallization) and DDRX (discontinuous dynamic recrystallization), which is formed by the β phase into α lamella along the sub-grain boundaries. In the later stage of the process, the globularization mechanism is termination migration, which is caused by elements diffusion due to variant curvature of different position of α lamellar, while a slow process for globularization.
Evaluation of applying space-variant resolution modeling to attenuation correction in PET
Authors: Li Ang , Xie Qingguo , Huang Jing , Xiao Peng
Published: May 2022

Attenuation correction aims to recover the underestimated tracer uptake and improve the image contrast recovery in positron emission tomography (PET). However, traditional ray-tracing-based projection of attenuation maps is inaccurate as some physical effects are not considered, such as finite crystal size, inter-crystal penetration and inter-crystal scatter. In this study, we evaluated the effects of applying resolution modeling (RM) to attenuation correction by implementing space-variant RM to complement physical effects which are usually omitted in the traditional projection model. We verified this method on a brain PET scanner developed by our group, in both Monte Carlo simulation and real-world data, in comparison with space-invariant Gaussian RM, average-depth-of-interaction, and multi-ray tracing methods. The results indicate that the space-variant RM is superior in terms of artifacts reduction and contrast recovery.
Simulation-based study of current gain peaks h
21 at low gate bias in AlGaN/GaN HEMTs
*
Authors: Kaushik Pragyey Kumar , Awasthi Shivansh , Kumar Nitish , Goyal Umakant , Mishra Meena , Gupta Ankur , Basu Ananjan
Published: May 2022

In this article, we have presented the effect of low gate bias on short circuit current gain h
21 beyond cutoff frequency in AlGaN/GaN HEMT. A small-signal model, based on its intrinsic and extrinsic parameter values, is simulated beyond the cutoff frequency to analyze its peak. From the study, it has been observed that the first peak of short circuit current gain has the resonance frequency as well as magnitude variation with respect to low gate voltages. Whereas, the second peak of the current gain h
21 has only magnitude dependency on low gate voltage with fixed resonance frequency. The relevance of this study is to provide a comprehensive insight to the circuit designer to efficiently consider these windows of current gain peak beyond the cutoff frequency into their design. For this analysis, we have taken AlGaN/GaN HEMT device with a channel length of 0.8 μm and 2 × 200 μm2 gate width. A measured S-parameter data up to 40 GHz at low gate bias is used to extract the model parameters.
On finite non-degenerate braided tensor categories with a Lagrangian subcategory
Authors: Gelaki Shlomo , Sebbag Daniel
Published: May 2022

Let

W
W

be a finite dimensional vector space over

C

\mathbb {C}

viewed as a purely odd supervector space, and let

s
R
e
p
(
W
)

sRep(W)

be the finite symmetric tensor category of finite dimensional superrepresentations of the finite supergroup

W
W

. We show that the set of equivalence classes of finite non-degenerate braided tensor categories

C

\mathcal {C}

containing

s
R
e
p
(
W
)

sRep(W)

as a Lagrangian subcategory is a torsor over the cyclic group

Z

/

16

Z

\mathbb {Z}/16\mathbb {Z}

. In particular, we obtain that there are

8
8

non-equivalent such braided tensor categories

C

\mathcal {C}

which are integral and

8
8

which are non-integral.
Pursuing a Career in Mental Health
Authors: Garland Ann F.
Published: May 2022

Many people are interested in pursuing a career in mental health but may be uncertain about career options. This book helps to identify the best educational path for their interests and prepare for success. Throughout, mental health professionals share inspiring wisdom to build realistic expectations and highlight key decision points. Comprehensive information about the disciplines of counseling, marital/couples and family therapy, psychology, psychiatry, psychiatric nursing, and social work is provided, along with an expansive array of job possibilities. Practical guidance about master’s versus doctoral degrees, graduate admissions success, educational costs, and salary projections is offered. Readers learn about how diversity and inclusion issues as well as laws and ethics impact mental health and how to prevent career burnout. Thought-provoking chapters promote balanced respect for both the healing art and the science of mental health and forecast innovations that will shape the field into the future. Finally, multimedia resources are recommended to boost career preparedness.
Introduction
Authors: Garland Ann F.
Published: May 2022

This introductory chapter highlights the book’s intended purpose and encourages readers to explore their motivations for pursuing a career in mental health. In addition, the author introduces herself and shares stories about her academic and career path. She illustrates key decision points that the reader will also likely face in their own career path and identifies important factors that influence these decisions, as well as potential consequences of different decisions. Some of the issues addressed include, how to decide on a discipline to pursue, when and how to apply for graduate school, how to balance interests in research and practice, and how to manage the excitement and anxiety of being a beginning therapist. The author shares lessons she’s learned throughout her career and how those have inspired this book.
Steps to Becoming a Mental Health Professional
Authors: Garland Ann F.
Published: May 2022

This chapter describes six common steps to becoming a mental health professional: (1) earning an undergraduate degree; (2) applying for admission to a graduate program in the discipline of choice; (3) completing a graduate program, including all coursework and supervised practicum experience; (4) earning a job as a prelicensed trainee (often called an intern) to gain supervised hours of postgraduate clinical practice to meet licensure requirements; (5) passing a clinical licensure exam in the selected discipline and (often) a state ethics exam; (6) maintaining a license with the required continuing education throughout the career. The key decision points at each step are highlighted, and the chapter offers detailed advice for success at each step. Given that many readers may be approaching Step 2, applying for graduate school, particular attention is given to this step, including hints for successful admissions essays and interviews.