bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Suitable Software for the Study of Combustion Processes in Boilers
Authors: Svedovs Oskars , Dzikevics Mikelis , Kirsanovs Vladimirs
Published: May 2024

Diversification of energy resources is a current objective that several countries want to achieve, including in northern Europe. Demand for wood fuels is increasing in Latvia, reflected in consumer expenditure. Using low-quality biomass (LQB) to produce fuel pellets for stabilisation and diversification is possible. LQB pellets can theoretically and practically be used in low-capacity solid fuel boilers to provide different types of individual heating systems with an alternative energy source. Before starting mass production of LQB fuel pellets, it is necessary to clarify the properties of the raw materials. Any fuel study shall be divided into two phases: determination of the parameters of the fuel or raw material (calorific values, moisture content, and ash content) and analysis of the combustion process. The combustion process can be studied in two ways: experimentally and by mathematical modelling. Knowing the parameters that would need to be clarified during the study of the LQB fuel pellets combustion process (thermodynamics, gaseous emissions, PM emissions, bottom ash, and slag), the authors have set the goal of clarifying the software applied to mathematical modelling of these parameters. A bibliometric analysis method was chosen to identify the software. The bibliometric analysis was carried out in the Scopus database. As a result, two software were identified: ANSYS Fluent software is suitable for modelling thermodynamic processes and gaseous emission streams. At the same time, XDEM software is ideal for modelling particle streams and ash/slag generation. This software will be used in future studies.
Organic or Non-organic Agriculture: Comparison of Organic and Conventional Farming Sustainability
Authors: Balode Lauma , Pakere Ieva , Blumberga Dagnija
Published: May 2024

Reduction of the level of greenhouse gas emissions from sector of agriculture are one of the serious issues across European Union. The dairy industry is responsible for generating a significant amount of emissions from enteric fermentation, manure and long-term storage. The amount of emissions produced depends highly on factors such as livestock feeding and manure management systems, feed intensity and quality.  Farms that have high milk yield also produce more liquid manure, leading to an increase in overall emissions from manure management.Organic farming has been valued as one of the most suitable solutions to conventional agriculture for the achievement of climate goals. Organic farming can be described as a farming approach based on prevention, ecological processes, and the restriction of pesticides. Restricting pests and lower yields can have a negative impact on production costs and revenues. However, organic farming has lower operating costs and higher product costs, which can increase overall incomes.The research aims to evaluate the environmental, economic and social dimensions of conventional and organic farming, comparing were comparing on their integral environmental, economic and social sustainability. The core element for the sustainability assessment is the construction of the composite sustainability index using data for scientific literature, reports and statistics.
What to do With Cross-Border Environmental Pollution: Legislative Aspects
Authors: Logins Kalvis , Blumberga Andra , Blumberga Dagnija
Published: May 2024

Abstract – Environmental torts and possibility of trans-border dispute settlement thereof has gained significant prominence in the recent years. Cases such as Urgenda foundation v the State of the Netherlends, Milieudefensie et al. v. Royal Dutch Shell plc., ClientEarth v. Enea, Neubauer et al. v. Germany demonstrate that environmental tort cases can be brought by stakeholders globally rather than relying on involvement of a relevant national responsible authority. EU climate policy of decreasing GHG emissions and the ambitious target of reaching climate neutrality by 2050 has resulted in a rapid development of environmental law. Thus, environmental regulation is becoming increasingly complex and possible breaches may cause serious legal consequences affecting everyone not just selected individuals or states. These developments could possibly lead to a necessity of a forum or rules where any natural person or an NGO could bring a claim against a state or multinational corporation which engages in illegal activities causing harm the environment on a global scale. Using litigation as a tool to empower society to stand against environmental wrongdoers may serve as a deterring factor to maintain order when it comes to environmental regulation. While such reasoning may seem farfetched and extreme, nevertheless it still raises a question of current regulation on determination of jurisdiction and the applicable law and whether it would be possible to benefit from developing these rules. By engaging in a systematic literature analysis identifying the relevant terms, the research shall explore the basic principles of private international law in relation to assigning jurisdiction and determining applicable law in claims concerning environmental torts. The research shall develop a methodology with the aim of covering and identifying a wider range of problems related to the determination of jurisdiction and application of law in cross-border environmental tort claims. Some of the main issues concern the determination of defendants in cases involving multinational corporations, multi-claimant cases, and the compensation of indirect damages. An exploration of material aspects in the developments of the current EU regulation and guidelines shall be analysed in conjunction with the aforementioned notion. The result of the study not only will reflect the specifics of the application of the Brussels Ibis Regulation and Rome II regulation in cross-border environmental torts, but also how the EU environmental regulation could potentially promote corporate responsibility and environmental protection. Thus, developing research on interaction between private international law and environmental law. Keywords - environmental tort, SEG emissions, jurisdiction, applicable law, cross-border pollution
Chitosan/Graphene oxide/SiO2 Nanoadsorbents for the Removal of Cr(VI) from Wastewaters
Authors: Maroulas Konstantinos N. , Meretoudi Anastasia D. , Tolkou Athanasia K. , Kouvalakidou Sofia L. , Koumentakou Ioanna , Kosheleva Ramonna I. , Georgiou Ioannis , Papageorgiou Fragkiskos , Varoutoglou Athanasios , Efthymiopoulos Pavlos , Kyzas George Z.
Published: May 2024

The swift industrialization and urbanisation have led to the discharge of significant amounts of hazardous heavy metals into water environments. Heavy metal pollution is currently one of the most significant environmental challenges being addressed, attracting researchers due to its biotoxicity, and non-biodegradability even at minimal concentrations [1]. Chromium (Cr) is among the most prevalent heavy metal contaminants. Its oxidation state, Cr(VI), harms the environment yet has catastrophic consequences for human health [2]. It is removed by physical and chemical procedures such as ion exchange, chemical precipitation and electrochemical treatment. Yet, most of these procedures have downsides, such as the formation of hazardous sludge, causing disposal issues and the need for costly tools and monitoring systems [3]. Adsorption is regarded an appealing and favourable technology because to its ease of design, simplicity, and high efficiency. Carbon-based nanomaterials have been investigated as superior adsorbents in aqueous solutions for the separation of organic and inorganic contaminants. The current study recommends the usage of adsorbents based on graphene oxide (GO). GO is an oxygen-rich material that is produced during the oxidation of graphite. It features hydrophobic areas due to aromatic groups in the nanosheets' centres, along with a large number of hydrophilic functional groups such as hydroxy, aldehyde, epoxy, and carboxyl groups [4]. The latter allow GO to swell and perform electrostatic functions. Chitosan (Cs) is a great adsorbent since it is inexpensive, is biocompatible, and causes no secondary pollution. Its molecular chains include -NH2 and -OH groups, which can interact with heavy metal ions and give significant adsorption capacity [5]. Silicon dioxide (SiO2) nanoparticles with graphene oxide have better physical and chemical characteristics than graphene oxide-like surface area. Similar research has revealed that the presence of SiO2 increases the adsorbent's adsorption capacity for Cr(VI) [6]. The effect of the pH value, contact time and initial chromium concentration was examined in order to determine the feasibility of Cs/GO@SiO2. Its structure and the morphology were studied in detail by the application of BET, XRD, FTIR and SEM techniques. According to the results, the modification of Cs with GO@SiO2 enhanced the percentage removal of chromium ions, especially, in acidic conditions by using 0.5 g/L of the adsorbent. Experimental data of equilibrium were used to calculate adsorption isotherms. According to thermodynamics the spontaneous nature of their adsorption was confirmed. Overall, the results indicate that Cs/GO@SiO2 can be effectively employed for removal of chromium from aqueous solutions.
Sustainability of Blended Textile. Life Cycle Analysis
Authors: Valtere Megija , Bezrucko Tereza , Vamza Ilze , Blumberga Dagnija
Published: May 2024

Textile fibers are derived from natural and artificial fibers and, in some cases, are blended together to ensure optimum properties. Textiles made from cotton and polyester blends currently hold a significant market share as they are relatively inexpensive, offer excellent performance, and have complementary properties. This textile blend is commonly used in everyday apparel. However, the production and consumption of textiles contribute significantly to environmental degradation and greenhouse gas emissions, but the scale of the impact is uncertain and under debate. This is also the case in studies of cotton and polyester blends, as a detailed life cycle inventory of the production of this material is absent in the scientific literature, thus affecting its environmental impact assessment. Therefore, the aim of this study is to fill the knowledge gap by assessing the environmental impacts of cotton and polyester blend production and to establish a comprehensive life cycle inventory for the material. The findings of the study can contribute to a more comprehensive evaluation of the life cycle of cotton and polyester blend textile products and work as a baseline scenario for the environmental impact assessment of various innovative textile recycling technologies. This is especially important as recycling of cotton and polyester blends is currently a major challenge. Additionally, these results can be of practical significance to assist businesses and policy makers in making environmentally informed choices.
Wet Extraction of By-Product Samples and Fractionation of Valuable Compounds using Supercritical CO2 Extraction: An Innovative Approach for Sustainable Resource Utilization
Authors: Luksta Ilze , Spalvins Kriss
Published: May 2024

This research explores an innovative method for extracting and fractionating valuable compounds from by-product samples through the utilization of supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO2) extraction. By-products generated from various industrial processes often contain untapped reservoirs of valuable compounds, necessitating environmentally sustainable and economically viable extraction techniques. SC-CO2 extraction, known for its unique properties such as low toxicity, non-flammability, and tunable solubility, presents a promising avenue for efficient and selective extraction of target compounds.The study focuses on wet extraction, emphasizing the extraction of valuable compounds from by-products in their natural, moisture-laden state. This approach not only enhances the sustainability of the extraction process by minimizing pre-treatment steps but also broadens the scope of potential target compounds. The study further explores the critical parameters of SC-CO2 extraction, including pressure, temperature, and flow rate, to optimize the extraction efficiency and selectivity for different classes of compounds.
How to not Waste Glass Waste
Authors: Zubricka Jana , Kubule Anna , Blumberga Dagnija
Published: May 2024

As a highly versatile material, glass is used for numerous significant applications in our lives: from building structures to household products, to optical instruments, etc. Even more impressive than its versatility is the theoretically endless recycling opportunities of glass. While closed loop recycling is preferred due to raw materials savings and lower CO2 emissions, it is oftentimes hindered by the quality and impurities in the collected glass waste. The technical limitations to recycling may be application specific, for example, if the post-consumer glass collection systems cannot guarantee the required high quality and thus closed-loop recycling is disregarded. Moreover, there are economic and environmental limitations to glass recycling. The aim of the paper is to set a base for comparative analysis of scenarios for the potential development of glass recycling model in Latvia. The methodology algorithm of the proposed study consists of three main parts, namely, composition of database required for the analysis, building of the analysis framework, i.e., selection of technology alternatives and assessment criteria (indicators) and application on MCDA by TOPSIS method. A literature review on novel glass waste valorization techniques is performed and the summary conclusions will be used for further research development.
Quantification of Lost Resource Potential of Unsorted Textile Waste
Authors: Rukuta Juta , Zandberga Anda , Kalnins Silvija Nora , Gusca Julija
Published: May 2024

The European Union (EU) requirements for the separate collection of textile waste came into force in Latvia in 2023. As part of the measure, containers for the management of separated textile waste were placed in locations accessible to the public, alongside other types of separately collected waste (e.g., glass, plastic and cardboard). The containers were designed to collect textile waste that met the following requirements:Shoes and clothes must be clean, dry, and free of chemicals, motor oil stains and mold.Free from damage (holes, tears, etc.);Soft toys, fabric scraps and rags, shoes that are no longer a pair or are damaged, torn or have holes, as well as home textiles, are not allowed to be stored in containers.This means that the national textile waste collection system is limited only to textiles that can be reused without additional repair or pre-treatment (e.g., washing), and the developed national textile waste collection system supplements the private initiatives existing through clothing donation points and second-hand shops. However, there is a “shadow” zone related to textile waste that do not meet the above mentioned collection requirements and are not specifically regulated and managed so far at a country level, thus have to be collected in unsorted household waste containers.The objective of the present research is to quantify the amount of textile waste collected from unsorted mixed household waste containers and to quantify the physical condition and fibers of this waste. Subsequently, the environmental impact of the lost resource potential of the unsorted textile waste based on the obtained quantitative and qualitative waste data was defined via life cycle indicators.
Efficient Low-Temperature Nutrient Removal from Agricultural Digestate Using Microalgae
Authors: Ievina Baiba , Romagnoli Francesco
Published: May 2024

Humanity is facing an energy crisis triggered by the depletion of fossil fuels, rapid industrialization, and the growthof the global population. These trendsput an emphasis on searching for alternative energy sources. Additionally, the rising concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is driving climate change, which poses serious threats. In this scenario, microalgae emerge as a promising solution for both sustainable energy production and CO2 sequestration. Digestate, a nutrient-rich by-product of anaerobic digestion, is considered a cost-effective nutrient source for microalgae cultivation. Utilizing digestate not only enhances the sustainability and economic feasibility of microalgal biofuels but also offers a method for wastewater treatment. Nevertheless, the application of digestate is limited by its high optical density and substantialamount of total solids.In this study, several pretreatment methods were tested to increase the feasibility of digestate application for microalgae cultivation. Our findings show that various centrifugation methods and vacuum filtration decrease the content of total solids but are not effective in reducing optical density. Although the use of microalgae in treating various wastewaters has shown promising outcomes, the effectiveness of nutrient removal at low temperatures remainslargely unexplored.To fill this gap, green microalga Chlorella sorokiniana was cultivated in pretreated diluted liquid digestate in dynamic springtime weather conditions in a covered open race-way pond integrated into a biogas plant.During the cultivation, high solar irradiance and low temperatures were recorded resulting in suboptimal conditions for C. sorokinianagrowth. Although low productivity of C. sorokiniana was detected, the nutrient removal efficiency was high. C. sorokiniana could efficiently remove 83% of nitrogen and 85% of phosphorus showing very promising results of the use of microalgae for wastewater treatment in high latitude regions.
Lexical pragmatic indicators of conflictogenicity in the light of the manifestation of national communication style (based on Mexican and US mass media)
Authors: Davtyants Irina Igorevna
Published: May 2024

The lexical pragmatic indicators of conflictogenicity peculiar to Mexican and US media discourse were selected by means of a continuous sampling method from the articles published in 2021-2024 in American (CNN, The Fox News, The New York Times, The New York Post, Los Angeles Times - 100 articles) and Mexican (La Jornada, La Opinion, Excélsior, El Universal, El Milenio - 100 articles) online newspapers. All the analyzed articles are devoted to the migration crisis, which is a common problem of these countries. For the first time, the correlation between the conflict potential index of the text, the density of linguoconflictogens used and the peculiarities of the linguoculture of the ethnic group was established. According to the results, Mexican mass media is characterized by a significantly lower conflict potential index of the text compared to US publications: the density of the lexical pragmatic indicators of the conflict potential is not only lower but in fact lexical units with strong negative semantics are rarely used. The authors of Mexican online publications avoid using such stylistic means of "situation pumping" as hyperbolisation which is so common for US mass media. Metaphors are practically not used in Mexican press either. It is important to note that while the American media discourse is dominated by the extremely negative image of migrants as criminals and terrorists, the Mexican media presents two different types of migrants: the rich arrogant white-skinned trouble-provoking alien and the Latino brother who needs help and protection. The study's perspectives include a comparison of the conflict potential index of user-generated content in these countries and the compilation of a typology of the lexical pragmatic indicators of the conflict potential used.
An inventory of moths (Lepidoptera: Heterocera) from Kullu and Mandi districts of Himachal Pradesh
Authors: Thakur Naresh , Bhardwaj Vandna , Kumari Priyanka , Sidhu Avtar Kaur
Published: May 2024

The current research work was done to evaluate the diversity and distribution of moths (Lepidoptera) from Kullu and Mandi districts of Himachal Pradesh. The sample of moths was collected from 4 villages in Mandi (Sadar Mandi, Joginder Nagar, Sarkaghat, and Sunder Nagar) that lie at an altitude of 750–1,200 m above the main sea level and 5 villages in Kullu (Banjar, Tandi, Chethar, Bini, and Bahu) that lie at an altitude of 1,300–2,000 m above the main sea level. The collection was done in the months from August 2020 to October 2020 and June 2021 to October 2021. The collection of moths was done at night because moths are nocturnal species, using a light trap method. The samples were then sacrificed using a few drops of ethyl acetate in a killing jar. Afterward, the samples were pinned and stretched. A total of 300 samples (230 from Kullu and 70 from Mandi) were collected, which belong to 82 species, 67 genera, 20 subfamilies, and 14 families were collected and identified. From Kullu district, we collected 43 species, and from Mandi, we collected 13 species. Other than these, 26 species were found to be common in both Kullu and Mandi districts, making a total of 69 species from Kullu and 39 species from Mandi. The genitalia dissection of 54 moth’s samples was also performed. The most species-rich family was Erebidae, which includes 40 species, and the most abundant species during the study was Nyctemera adversata (Schaller, 1788). The moth’s population was found to be highest in the Kullu district, and the diversity of moths was highest in the months of July- September and declined from October onward.
Modeled grid cells aligned by a flexible attractor
Authors: Benas Sabrina , Fernandez Ximena , Kropff Emilio
Published: May 2024

Entorhinal grid cells implement a spatial code with hexagonal periodicity, signaling the position of the animal within an environment. Grid maps of cells belonging to the same module share spacing and orientation, only differing in relative two-dimensional spatial phase, which could result from being interconnected by a two-dimensional attractor guided by path integration. However, this architecture has the drawbacks of being complex to construct and rigid, path integration allowing for no deviations from the hexagonal pattern such as the ones observed under a variety of experimental manipulations. Here we show that a simpler one-dimensional attractor is enough to align grid cells equally well. Using topological data analysis, we show that the resulting population activity is a sample of a torus, while the ensemble of maps preserves features of the network architecture. The flexibility of this low dimensional attractor allows it to negotiate the geometry of the representation manifold with the feedforward inputs, rather than imposing it. More generally, our results represent a proof of principle against the intuition that the architecture and the representation manifold of an attractor are topological objects of the same dimensionality, with implications to the study of attractor networks across the brain.
Statistical learning shapes pain perception and prediction independently of external cues
Authors: Onysk Jakub , Gregory Nicholas , Whitefield Mia , Jain Maeghal , Turner Georgia , Seymour Ben , Mancini Flavia
Published: May 2024

The placebo and nocebo effects highlight the importance of expectations in modulating pain perception, but in everyday life we don’t need an external source of information to form expectations about pain. The brain can learn to predict pain in a more fundamental way, simply by experiencing fluctuating, non-random streams of noxious inputs, and extracting their temporal regularities. This process is called statistical learning. Here we address a key open question: does statistical learning modulate pain perception? We asked 27 participants to both rate and predict pain intensity levels in sequences of fluctuating heat pain. Using a computational approach, we show that probabilistic expectations and confidence were used to weight pain perception and prediction. As such, this study goes beyond well-established conditioning paradigms associating non-pain cues with pain outcomes, and shows that statistical learning itself shapes pain experience. This finding opens a new path of research into the brain mechanisms of pain regulation, with relevance to chronic pain where it may be dysfunctional.
Spatial and temporal pattern of structure-function coupling of human brain connectome with development
Authors: Feng Guozheng , Wang Yiwen , Huang Weijie , Chen Haojie , Cheng Jian , Shu Ni
Published: May 2024

Brain structural circuitry shapes a richly patterned functional synchronization, supporting for complex cognitive and behavioural abilities. However, how coupling of structural connectome (SC) and functional connectome (FC) develops and its relationships with cognitive functions and transcriptomic architecture remain unclear. We used multimodal magnetic resonance imaging data from 439 participants aged 5.7 to 21.9 years to predict functional connectivity by incorporating intracortical and extracortical structural connectivity, characterizing SC-FC coupling. Our findings revealed that SC-FC coupling was strongest in the visual and somatomotor networks, consistent with evolutionary expansion, myelin content, and functional principal gradient. As development progressed, SC-FC coupling exhibited heterogeneous alterations dominated by an increase in cortical regions, broadly distributed across the somatomotor, frontoparietal, dorsal attention, and default mode networks. Moreover, we discovered that SC-FC coupling significantly predicted individual variability in general intelligence, mainly influencing frontoparietal and default mode networks. Finally, our results demonstrated that the heterogeneous development of SC-FC coupling is positively associated with genes in oligodendrocyte-related pathways and negatively associated with astrocyte-related genes. This study offers insight into the maturational principles of SC-FC coupling in typical development.
A cosine adaptive particle swarm optimization based long-short term memory method for urban green area prediction
Authors: Tian Hao , Yuan Hao , Yan Ke , Guo Jia
Published: May 2024

In the quest for sustainable urban development, precise quantification of urban green space is paramount. This research delineates the implementation of a Cosine Adaptive Particle Swarm Optimization Long Short-Term Memory (CAPSO-LSTM) model, utilizing a comprehensive dataset from Beijing (1998–2021) to train and test the model. The CAPSO-LSTM model, which integrates a cosine adaptive mechanism into particle swarm optimization, advances the optimization of long short-term memory (LSTM) network hyperparameters. Comparative analyses are conducted against conventional LSTM and Partical Swarm Optimization (PSO)-LSTM frameworks, employing mean absolute error (MAE), root mean square error (RMSE), and mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) as evaluative benchmarks. The findings indicate that the CAPSO-LSTM model exhibits a substantial improvement in prediction accuracy over the LSTM model, manifesting as a 66.33% decrease in MAE, a 73.78% decrease in RMSE, and a 57.14% decrease in MAPE. Similarly, when compared to the PSO-LSTM model, the CAPSO-LSTM model demonstrates a 58.36% decrease in MAE, a 65.39% decrease in RMSE, and a 50% decrease in MAPE. These results underscore the efficacy of the CAPSO-LSTM model in enhancing urban green space area prediction, suggesting its significant potential for aiding urban planning and environmental policy formulation.
Effect of erythromycin residuals in food on the development of resistance in Streptococcus pneumoniae: an in vivo study in Galleria mellonella
Authors: Baranchyk Yuliia , Gestels Zina , Van den Bossche Dorien , Abdellati Saïd , Britto Xavier Basil , Manoharan-Basil Sheeba Santhini , Kenyon Chris
Published: May 2024

Background

The use of antimicrobials to treat food animals may result in antimicrobial residues in foodstuffs of animal origin. The European Medicines Association (EMA) and World Health Organization (WHO) define safe antimicrobial concentrations in food based on acceptable daily intakes (ADIs). It is unknown if ADI doses of antimicrobials in food could influence the antimicrobial susceptibility of human-associated bacteria.

Objectives

This aim of this study was to evaluate if the consumption of ADI doses of erythromycin could select for erythromycin resistance in a Galleria mellonella model of Streptococcus pneumoniae infection.

Methods

A chronic model of S. pneumoniae infection in G. mellonella larvae was used for the experiment. Inoculation of larvae with S. pneumoniae was followed by injections of erythromycin ADI doses (0.0875 and 0.012 μg/ml according to EMA and WHO, respectively). Isolation of S. pneumoniae colonies was then performed on selective agar plates. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of resistant colonies were measured, and whole genome sequencing (WGS) was performed followed by variant calling to determine the genetic modifications.

Results

Exposure to single doses of both EMA and WHO ADI doses of erythromycin resulted in the emergence of erythromycin resistance in S. pneumoniae. Emergent resistance to erythromycin was associated with a mutation in rplA, which codes for the L1 ribosomal protein and has been linked to macrolide resistance in previous studies.

Conclusion

In our in vivo model, even single doses of erythromycin that are classified as acceptable by the WHO and EMA induced significant increases in erythromycin MICs in S. pneumoniae. These results suggest the need to include the induction of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) as a significant criterion for determining ADIs.
Elevational variation in morphology and biomass allocation in carpathian snowbell Soldanella carpatica (Primulaceae)
Authors: Kiełtyk Piotr
Published: May 2024

Plants growing along wide elevation gradients in mountains experience considerable variations in environmental factors that vary across elevations. The most pronounced elevational changes are in climate conditions with characteristic decrease in air temperature with an increase in elevation. Studying intraspecific elevational variations in plant morphological traits and biomass allocation gives opportunity to understand how plants adapted to steep environmental gradients that change with elevation and how they may respond to climate changes related to global warming. In this study, phenotypic variation of an alpine plant Soldanella carpatica Vierh. (Primulaceae) was investigated on 40 sites distributed continuously across a 1,480-m elevation gradient in the Tatra Mountains, Central Europe. Mixed-effects models, by which plant traits were fitted to elevation, revealed that on most part of the gradient total leaf mass, leaf size and scape height decreased gradually with an increase in elevation, whereas dry mass investment in roots and flowers as well as individual flower mass did not vary with elevation. Unexpectedly, in the uppermost part of the elevation gradient overall plant size, including both below-and aboveground plant parts, decreased rapidly causing abrupt plant miniaturization. Despite the plant miniaturization at the highest elevations, biomass partitioning traits changed gradually across the entire species elevation range, namely, the leaf mass fraction decreased continuously, whereas the flower mass fraction and the root:shoot ratio increased steadily from the lowest to the highest elevations. Observed variations in S. carpatica phenotypes are seen as structural adjustments to environmental changes across elevations that increase chances of plant survival and reproduction at different elevations. Moreover, results of the present study agreed with the observations that populations of species from the ‘Soldanella’ intrageneric group adapted to alpine and subnival zones still maintain typical ‘Soldanella’-like appearance, despite considerable reduction in overall plant size.
Potential of Foliar Applied Nano Fertilizer in Improving the Growth, Yield and Quality of Gobhi Sarson (Brassica napus)
Authors: Konjengbam Sushma , Menon Sandeep
Published: May 2024

A field experiment was conducted in the Research farm of the School of Agriculture, Lovely Professional University, Punjab to find out the potential of foliar-applied nano fertilizer in improving the growth, yield and quality of Gobhi sarson (Brassica napus). The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design (RBD) with four replications. The experiment consisted of five treatments viz. T1: Control, T2: 50% RDF + Nano NPK (19:19:19) @ 0.2% as foliar spray at 30 DAS, T3: 75% RDF + Nano NPK (19:19:19) @ 0.2% as foliar spray at 30 DAS, T4: 100% RDF + Nano NPK (19:19:19) @ 0.2% as foliar spray at 30 DAS and T5: 125% RDF + Nano NPK (19:19:19) @ 0.2% as foliar spray at 30 DAS. The application of 100% RDF + Nano NPK (19:19:19) @ 0.2% as a foliar spray at 30 DAS (T4) recorded the highest plant height (184.75 cm), seed yield (22.80 q ha-1) and stover yield (49 q ha-1). More oil (43.32%) and protein (31.73%) content were also recorded in T4 as compared to other treatments. The overall results showed that foliar application of nano fertilizer in combination with conventional fertilizer significantly improved the growth, yield and quality of Gobhi sarson (Brassica napus).
Comparative Evaluation of In-vitro Bioefficacy of Microbial Bioagents and Novel Chemical Compounds against Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. Cubense
Authors: Baruah Anisha , Bora Popy , Saikia Ankita , Taye Trishna , Saikia Bishal , Khan Parveen , Sharma Anwesha
Published: May 2024

The Assam and North-eastern regions of India recognized as diverse repositories of wild and cultivated banana cultivars, confront a significant threat to banana varieties, Malbhog due to Fusarium wilt disease caused by Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. cubense (Foc). This study investigates the in-vitro bioefficacy of indigenous bioagents and new-generation chemical compounds against Foc to develop an integrated module subsequently, in line with the worldwide pursuit of environmentally conscientious and high-performance agricultural practices.In this study, four bioagents viz., Bacillus vallismortis, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, Trichoderma harzianum, and Talaromyces pinophilus were screened in-vitro against Foc revealed the highest efficacy of B. vallismortis with 68.22 % mycelial growth inhibition of Foc followed by B. amyloliquifaciens with (60.05%) and the least inhibition was exhibited by T.pinophilus with (50.05%).To identify new generation chemical compounds, namely Propiconazole, Azoxystrobin, Tebuconazole + Trifloxystrobin were tested with a standard check Carbendazim wherein all the chemicals significantly inhibited the mycelial growth of the pathogen over control with Tebuconazole + Trifloxystrobin combination fungicide showing highest percent inhibition of 94% at 0.1% concentration followed by Carbendazim at 0.1%. Our study has identified potential microbial strains and chemical fungicides which can be further explored for the development and exploration of bio-fungicide and chemical fungicide-based biointensive integrated management of Fusarium wilt menace in malbhog banana in the region.
Phylogenetic Group and Virulence Gene Profile of Bovine Mastitis Escherichia coli Isolates from North West Cameroon
Authors: Abegewi Ursula Anneh , Esemu Seraphine Nkie , Ndip Roland N. , Ndip Lucy M.
Published: May 2024

Escherichia coli, a facultative anaerobic bacterium existing in symbiosis in the gut of warm-blooded animals, has several strains some of which are pathogenic. Its virulence and pathogenicity have been associated with one of several phylogenetic groups. We examined bovine mastitis E. coli strains to identify phylogenetic groups and virulence genes in order to understand the public health implications of consuming unpasteurised milk. Thirty-seven E. coli isolates previously recovered from mastitis milk and identified by biochemical methods were confirmed by PCR and sequencing. The phylogenetic groups associated with mastitis were determined by the Clermont quadruplex PCR method. We also investigated 23 virulence genes in the isolates. All 37 isolates were confirmed to be E. coli. The phylogenetic groups detected were: A (37.8%), B1 (37.8%), F (8.1%), D (2.7%) and E (2.7%). We detected 11 of the 23 virulence genes investigated, and thirty-six (97.3%) isolates harboured at least one virulence gene. The genes detected were fimH (91.9%),  traT (62.2%), ehlyA and stx2 (37.8% each), eaeA (35.1%), stx1 (29.7%), f17 (16.7%), kspMII (13.5%), iucD (10.8%), malX (8.1%) and hlyA (8.1%). Nine virulence gene combinations were identified in phylogroups A and B. The detection of iucD and malX were significantly associated with E. coli that belonged to phylogenetic group F. Most E. coli strains in this study are related to intestinal E. coli pathotypes, based on the phylogroups and virulence genes suggesting a public health threat. Hence, biosafety measures are recommended in handling raw milk, while consuming unpasteurized milk should be discouraged.
Assessment of Polygenic Traits Association with Yield in Soybean Genotypes
Authors: Sharma Arjun , Saxena Kanak , Panwar Nitesh Kumar , Singh K.P
Published: May 2024

Soybean is one of the important oilseed crop at global level with special concern to India. Despite its global dominance, India's contribution to the soybean scene remains relatively modest, with a production ranking of fourth but only a 5% share of the world's output. For this concern, the analysis of the relationships among yield attributing characters and their associations with seed yield is essential to establish selection criteria. The experimental material used in the present study comprised of fourteen lines (8 F1s and 6 parental lines). The characters viz., number of pods/plant, primary branches/plant, harvest index, plant height, secondary branch/plant, biological yield, 100-seed weight and days-to-50% flowering recorded significant positive correlation coefficient with seed yield both at genotypic and phenotypic level.  Path coefficient analysis further pinpointed 100-seed weight, harvest index, and pods per plant as the traits with the most direct positive impact on seed yield. Additionally, the study identified plant height, pods/plant, primary branches/plant, 100-seed weight, and the harvest index as the key contributors to soybean yield, suggesting these traits as primary targets for manipulation in breeding programs aimed at yield improvement.
Effect of Intercropping with Leafy Vegetables on the Growth, Yield and Quality of Gladiolus Under Agro-Climatic Conditions of Prayagraj
Authors: Diengdoh Haphisamanbha , Singh Devi , Fatmi Urfi
Published: May 2024

Intercropping brings diversity of species in the cropping systems and is considered to make them more resilient against environmental stresses. It can significantly enhance the efficient use of land, water and solar energy besides assuring insurance against failure of one or the other crops. Therefore, an attempt was made to include leafy vegetable crops as intercrops in gladiolus cv. Novalux, for higher productivity and profitability per unit area. The experiment consists of seven treatments with three replications. From the present investigation, it was concluded that the intercrops significantly affected the performance of gladiolus. The intercropping combination T6: Gladiolus + Fenugreek gave the best results in terms of  plant height (91.40 cm), number of leaves per plant (18.53), number of shoots per corm (4.93), days to spike initiation (64.33), spike length (73.93 cm), rachis length (49.47 cm), number of florets per spike (12.93), floret size (11.27), vase life (18.53 days), weight of corms (63.67g) and cormlets (6.77g), yield of corms (2385.00kg/ha) and cormlets (225.50kg/ha). The herbage yield per plot was recorded the highest in T3: Fenugreek sole (880.00. g), and intercropping combination of Gladiolus and fenugreek (T6) gave 665.83g.  Based on the recent findings, intercropping of fenugreek with gladiolus can be recommended and expanded on a larger scale for additional yield.
Advancing RNAi-based Strategies for Eco-friendly and Targeted Insect Pest Management in Sustainable Agriculture
Authors: Hasan Wajid , Ramesha N M  , Archana B R  , Saivamsireddy Gurrala , Choudhuri Sagarika , Parmar Shradha , Charitha Kurru , Pandey Shivam Kumar
Published: May 2024

The RNA interference (RNAi) has emerged as a promising approach for targeted and eco-friendly insect pest management in sustainable agriculture. The RNAi involves the silencing of specific genes through the introduction of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA), leading to the degradation of complementary mRNA and subsequent reduction in the expression of targeted proteins. This chapter provides a comprehensive overview of the current state and future prospects of RNAi-based strategies for insect pest control. We discuss the molecular mechanisms underlying RNAi, delivery methods for dsRNA, and the design and selection of effective target genes. The application of RNAi in controlling various insect pests, including lepidopterans, coleopterans, and hemipterans is extensively reviewed. also highlight the potential challenges and limitations associated with RNAi-based pest management, such as off-target effects, variable efficacy across insect species, and the development of resistance. Strategies to overcome these challenges, including the use of nanoparticle-based delivery systems and the combination of RNAi with other pest control methods, are explored. Furthermore, discuss the environmental and ecological considerations surrounding the use of RNAi in agriculture, emphasizing the importance of assessing non-target effects and the need for appropriate risk assessment frameworks. The chapter concludes by outlining future research directions and the potential for RNAi to revolutionize insect pest management, contributing to the development of sustainable and resilient agricultural systems.
Understanding and Application of Antibiotics: Analysis among Students of Health Science in Sarajevo with an Emphasis on Gender Distribution
Authors: Lekić Lana , Alibegović Ervin , Rahimić Jasna , Pavlović Bojan , Hamzić-Mehmedbašić Aida , Milićević Aldijana Mahmutović , Mosorović Nehra , Alibegović Dino , Mujkić Emil
Published: May 2024

Antibiotics are medications that inhibit bacterial growth and are used in the treatment of bacterial infections, both gram-positive and gram-negative. Antibiotics also represent products of metabolism of certain microorganisms that adversely affect the development and reproduction of other microorganisms. They are one of the greatest discoveries of modern medicine; however, in today's age, the greatest challenge is the resistance of bacteria to antibiotics. There are numerous reasons for the emergence of antibiotic resistance. One reason lies in inadequate education about antibiotics, their application, and usage. The aim of this study was to survey students of the University of Sarajevo's Faculty of Health Sciences about their general knowledge of antibiotics and their methods of application. A total of 151 students participated in this study, including 125 females (83%) and 26 males (17%). The questions consisted of two parts: the first part covered general knowledge about antibiotics, while the second part addressed bacterial resistance to antibiotics.
High Pseudocapacitance from Ultrathin V2O5Films Electrodeposited on Self‐Standing Carbon‐Nanofiber Paper
Authors: Ghosh Arunabha , Ra Eun Ju , Jin Meihua , Jeong Hae‐Kyung , Kim Tae Hyung , Biswas Chandan , Lee Young Hee
Published: May 2011

An ultrathin V2O5layer was electrodeposited by cyclic voltammetry on a self‐standing carbon‐nanofiber paper, which was obtained by stabilization and heat‐treatment of an electrospun polyacrylonitrile (PAN)‐based nanofiber paper. A very‐high capacitance of 1308 F g−1was obtained in a 2MKCl electrolyte when the contribution from the 3 nm thick vanadium oxide was considered alone, contributing to over 90% of the total capacitance (214 F g−1) despite the low weight percentage of the V2O5(15 wt%). The high capacitance of the V2O5is attributed to the large external surface area of the carbon nanofibers and the maximum number of active sites for the redox reaction of the ultrathin V2O5layer. This ultrathin layer is almost completely accessible to the electrolyte and thus results in maximum utilization of the oxide (i.e., minimization of dead volume). This hypothesis was experimentally evaluated by testing V2O5layers of different thicknesses.
Magnetic/Silica Nanocomposites as Dual‐Mode Contrast Agents for Combined Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Ultrasonography
Authors: Malvindi Maria Ada , Greco Antonio , Conversano Francesco , Figuerola Albert , Corti Maurizio , Bonora Marco , Lascialfari Alessandro , Doumari Houshang Amiri , Moscardini Marco , Cingolani Roberto , Gigli Giuseppe , Casciaro Sergio , Pellegrino Teresa , Ragusa Andrea
Published: May 2011

A simple and efficient method for synthesizing a range of hybrid nanocomposites based on a core of silica nanospheres (160, 330, and 660 nm in diameter) covered by an outer shell of superparamagnetic nanoparticles, either iron oxide or heterodimeric FePt‐iron oxide nanocrystals, is presented. The magnetic and ultrasound characterization of the resulting nanocomposites shows that they have great potential as contrast agents for dual‐mode imaging purposes, combining magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasonography (US).
High‐dose imatinib for newly diagnosed chronic phase chronic myeloid leukemia patients—Systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Gafter‐Gvili Anat , Leader Avi , Gurion Ronit , Vidal Liat , Ram Ron , Shacham‐Abulafia Adi , Ben‐Bassat Isaac , Lishner Michael , Shpilberg Ofer , Raanani Pia
Published: May 2011

Imatinib at a dose of 400 mg daily is considered frontline treatment in chronic phase chronic myeloid leukemia (CP‐CML).

We conducted a systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials comparing frontline treatment with imatinib 400 mg daily versus higher doses (≥600 mg daily) in patients with CP‐CML.

The search yielded four trials, randomizing 1,673 patients. At 12 months, high dose compared with standard dose imatinib improved complete cytogenetic response (CCyR) (RR 1.17, 95% CI 1.08–1.26, four trials, I2 = 33%) as well as major molecular response (MMolR) (RR 1.26, 95% CI 1.12–1.42, four trials, I2 = 0%). There was no difference in all‐cause mortality or disease progression at the end of follow up. Adverse events requiring discontinuation were more common in the high‐dose arm (RR 1.98, 95% CI 1.20–3.26, three trials, I2 = 0%), as were Grade III/IV neutropenia and thrombocytopenia: RR 1.56, 95% CI 1.15–2.12 and RR 1.86, 95% CI 1.28–2.70, respectively.

There is currently insufficient evidence to support the routine use of higher doses of imatinib as frontline treatment for CP‐CML. Extended follow up is needed to evaluate if the superior CCyR and MMolR with higher doses of imatinib will translate to long‐term clinical benefit. Am. J. Hematol. 86:657–662, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.