bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Frequency of factors leading to Patent Ductus Arteriosus.
Authors: Iqra Waheed  , Asif Hanif  , Kashif Siddique  , Abdul Wajid Khan
Published: May 2024

Background: Patent Ductus Arteriosus is developing as major problem in our society. Many studies in Pakistan has been done to analyze the efficacy of surgical procedures but no one tried to find the frequency of factorsleading to this problem. So the objective to conduct this study was to determine the frequency of factors leadingto Patent Ductus Arteriosus in children presented in Punjab Institute of Cardiology, Lahore.Objective: The purpose of this study was to measure the frequency of factors leading to patent ductus arteriosusin children presented at Punjab Institute of Cardiology.Method: A cross sectional study was conducted on 242 patients of PDA which already have been treated duringthe year 2006-2007. They were recalled for recheck up and also interviewed. Their operative information wasgathered from their files.Results: Mean age of children at time of treatment was 6.12+5.203 years. Mostly children were of age 1. Out of242 children, there were more female children (62.8%) involved as compared to male children (37.2%). In thisstudy 72.73% children belong to urban area while 27.27% children belong to rural areas. 54.5% (n=132) childrenwere surgically legated while 45.5% (n=110) children were catheterized or had device closure. 17.8% childreninherited the disease from their close relatives. 43.4% mothers had some infectious problems during pregnancy.42.6% mothers used antibiotics or other drugs although they were pregnant. 4.5% children had Down syndrome.56.61 % (137) children had premature birth.Conclusion: These are modifiable factors that can be controlled. If these factors are controlled then the incidence of Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA) can be reduced.Key Words: Patent Ductus Arteriosus, surgical ligation, catheter based procedure
Evaluation of access and use of internet by Pakistan Medical Students.
Authors: Ahsan Rasheed  , Aneela Amber  , Numan Majeed  , Manzoor Hussain  , Sahar Khalid
Published: May 2024

Background: Internet increasingly being used globally in imparting and delivering medical education. Not onlyfor health care training of professionals but also the material available there for medical students is lacking in developing countries.Aims: To evaluate the access, pattern of use in general and for professional purposes by medical students.Methodology: The study was descriptive and cross-sectional in nature, the questionnaire was self-administeredsemi-structured and was pilot tested on a sample of 5 students from Muhammad Medical College before the finaladministration on students from different colleges. The study was carried out in4different colleges (Punjab Medical College, Quaid-e-Azam Medical College, Nisthar Medical College and Muhammad Medical College) of twoprovinces (Punjab and Sindh) of Pakistan. The sample size taken was 200 students from 3rd year to Final year;response rate was 97 (48.6%).Results: Amongst the 97 respondent, 59 (60.8%) were males and 38 (39.2%) were female users of internet, majority students started using internet in last two years (n=35.1%). Majority students (36.2%) spent up to 5 hoursweekly on internet, while 26.6% spent more than 10 hours per week. 91.7% said that they used internet for nonacademic use whereas only 13.4% used for academic purpose. In non-academic use, 20.1% used to playgames, 12.8% on watching movies and 32.3% on non-academic study. For academic purposes majority (32.9%)used internet to get better understanding of subjects, 24.7% for research purposes, 30.9% for making presentations and 24.7% for making assignments. Regarding academic benefit of internet 48.8% said it was useful while50.5% said it was of no use. Among all users 48.4% (61% males and 39% females) said that they have missused internet (eg. Watching porn, chatting with opposite sex, hacking etc.).Conclusion: Our study shows that most students do not use internet for academic purposes as much as they dofor other activities. Negative use of internet is common practice.Remarks Steps should be taken to encourage students to use internet in more positive and discourage negativeuse.
The Practice to Invaginate Appendicular Stump after Appendectomy.
Authors: Zubair Ahmad Yosufani  , Muhammad Arif  , Jabeen Zubair Yosufani
Published: May 2024

Objectives: To determine whether invagination of stump after appendectomy is necessaryStudy design: Comparative studyPlace and duration of study: Surgical unit 3, Liaqat University Hospital Hyderabad, from 1-7-2007 to 30-6-2009.Methodology:112 patients who underwent appendectomy were included on the basis of no probability convenient sampling. Irrespective of age and sex. These patients were diagnosed by clinical examination and lab investigations. Patients were divided in 2 groups alliteratively. Group 'A consisting of 56 patients with invagination ofappendicular stump and group B consisting 56 patients without invagination of stump. Both groups were lookedafter for post-surgical complications.Results: Age of patients ranged from 1266 years (men age 28.4 years), 71 patients were males (37 in group 'A,34 in group B') 41 were females (19 in group 'A' and 22 in group 'B): Paralytic ileus was observed in 4 patients(7,2%) in group 'A' and 2 patients (3.6%) in group 'B'. Wound infection was observed in 6 patients (10.76) ingroup 'A' while in group B' it was observed in 2 patients (3,6%). Remaining post operative complications and hospital stay was identical in both groups.Conclusion: There is no benefit of invagination of appendicular stump over non invagination, rather invaginationof stump-increases operating time and prolonged anesthesia un-necessarily.Key words: Acute Appendicitis, Appendectomy, Appendicular stump invagination.
Paradigmas para la enseñanza de inteligencia artificial en la educación ecuatoriana
Authors: Bastidas Logroño Diego Javier , Zambrano Socola Jenny Mariuxi , Coronel Iñaguazo Aida Cecibel , Ramirez Requelme Miriam Magali
Published: May 2024

La enseñanza de la inteligencia artificial en el ámbito educativo ha sido una experiencia única y enriquecedora, dado el papel histórico y continuo. El introducir a los estudiantes en la historia de la inteligencia artificial ha desempeñado un papel fundamental en su desarrollo. Explorar los conceptos clave de la inteligencia artificial como el sistema de producción, el razonamiento simbólico y el aprendizaje automático nos ha permitido desarrollar este tipo de paradigma como un enfoque nuevo en la educación de esta generación. El enseñar los fundamentos de la programación simbólica como manipulación de listas, definición de funciones recursivas, representación simbólica de conocimiento y manipulación de símbolos, cómo diseñar y desarrollar sistemas expertos utilizando inteligencia artificial. Esto implica enseñarles a representar conocimiento de dominio, implementar reglas de inferencia y crear sistemas de retroalimentación para mejorar el rendimiento del sistema. El haber explorado las técnicas de aprendizaje automático simbólico, como la inducción de árboles de decisión, la inferencia bayesiana y la lógica difusa en la colaboración en proyectos de investigación. Al haberse integrado estos paradigmas, los estudiantes pueden obtener una comprensión profunda de la inteligencia artificial mientras desarrollan habilidades prácticas en programación.
Ocurrencia de Temnocephala blanchard, 1849 (Rhabdocoela, Temnocephalidae) en Aegla spinosa bond-buckup y buckup, 1994 (Decapoda, Anomura) en Santa Catarina, sur de Brasil
Authors: Marinho de Quadros Rosiléia , Farjallat Raffi Max , Picinatto Vilmar , Carneiro Júnior Jary André , De Aguiar Boff Larissa , Raupp Ramos Carlos José
Published: May 2024

Los aeglídeos son crustáceos dulceacuícolas, siendo importantes en la cadena trófica para diversos organismos invertebrados y vertebrados. Un espécimen de Aegla spinosa Blond-Buckup & Buckup, 1994, proveniente del interior del município de Bocaina do Sul, estado de Santa Catarina, fue llevado al Laboratorio de Parasitología y Zoología de la Universidad del Planalto Catarinense (UNIPLAC). El crustáceo examinado presentó tres especímenes de Temnocephala. Dado que se trata de animales vulnerables a las alteraciones ambientales y los cambios en el paisaje natural debido a la presión antrópica, conocer la presencia de temnocefálidos puede contribuir al conocimiento de las asociaciones entre estos organismos y sus hospederos, especialmente en el estado de Santa Catarina, donde existe una falta de descripciones para la fauna de invertebrados.
Prinsip-Prinsip Dasar Metodologis dan Metode Pembelajaran PAI
Authors: Muhamad Ghifari Nugraha  , Mu’alfi Fahrul Fanani  , Muslih Ahmad , Rahmad Yoga Nugroho
Published: May 2024

Pendidikan adalah investasi sumber daya manusia jangka panjang yang mempunyai nilai strategis bagi kelangsungan peradaban manusia di dunia. Oleh sebab itu, hampir semua negara menempatkan variabel pendidikan sebagai sesuatu yang penting dan utama dalam konteks pembangunan bangsa dan negara. Salah satu komponen penting dalam pendidikan adalah guru. Guru dalam konteks pendidikan mempunyai peranan yang besar dan strategis. Gurulah yang langsung berhadapan dengan peserta didik untuk mentransfer ilmu pengetahuan dan teknologi sekaligus mendidik dengan nilai-nilai positif melalui bimbingan dan keteladanan.Oleh karena itu, sudah selayaknya guru mempunyai berbagai kompetensi yang berkaitan dengan tugas dan tanggung jawabnya. Salah satunya ialah mengenai metodologi pengajaran pembelajaran. Sebagai seorang pendidik muslim sudah seharusnya mengetahui tentang metodologi pengajaran pendidikan dalam Islam. Pendidikan ke-islaman atau pendidikan agama Islam, yakni upaya mengajarkan ajaran agama Islam dan nilai-nilainya menjadi way of life (pandangan dan sikap hidup) seseorang. Untuk itu, hendaknya diterapkan metodologi pengajaran Pendidikan Agama Islam yang tepat dan baik dalam proses pembelajaran agar tercapai tujuan pendidikan Islam sebagaimana apa yang diharapkan.
Krisinsatser i det civila: en tentativ jämförelse mellan Sverige och Ukraina
Authors: Karlsson Magnus Olof Erik
Published: May 2024

I och med Rysslands fullskaliga invasion av Ukraina kom det ukrainska civilsamhället att uppmärksammas som särskilt aktivt och betydelsefullt. Syftet med föreliggande text är att göra en tidig tentativ jämförelse mellan det ukrainska och svenska civilsamhället på nationell nivå med särskilt fokus på insatser och organisering, för att dra lärdomar när det gäller det svenska civila samhällets möjliga roll i civil beredskap och krisberedskap. Jämförelsen görs utifrån en genomgång av forskningslitteratur på området och samtal med ukrainska forskare och centrala företrädare för civilsamhällesorganisationer. Resultatet visar på att såväl det ukrainska som svenska civilsamhället präglas av en hög grad av aktivitet, men att det senare i betydligt högre utsträckning än det förra är organiserat och har en löpande dialog med staten. De två senare särdragen ses här som möjliga resurser framför allt när det gäller det svenska civilsamhällets uthållighet och koordinering i en möjlig samhällskris.
Idrott och folkhälsa - samverkan för social hållbarhet och jämlik hälsa
Authors: Geidne Susanna , Johansson Margareta , Karlsson Jonas
Published: May 2024

Debate article - no abstract
MISSILE TRACKING SYSTEM USED BY THE MILITARY
Authors: Baballe Muhammad Ahmad
Published: May 2024

Utilizing electromagnetic waves to detect various physical elements like distance, speed, position, range, and field of navigation, a radar-based security system is used to apply radio detection and ranging in various locations, including military installations and commercial settings.
Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program in the Muncipality of Omar: The Case of Student Beneficiaries
Authors: Salamuddin Altamir
Published: May 2024

Since 2007, the Philippine government has implemented the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Programme (4Ps), a conditional cash transfer (CCT) initiative aimed at reducing poverty and fostering human capital development among the nation's poorest households. This study investigates student perceptions of the program in Omar, Sulu, using a descriptive design with 100 student beneficiary-respondents selected via purposive sampling. Findings indicate that student beneficiaries at Capual National High School, mostly aged 16-19 and evenly split by gender, predominantly come from low-income families with parents earning 5,000 pesos or less monthly. They have been beneficiaries for 4 to 7 years. Results show high agreement among respondents regarding the program's implementation in financial assistance, health benefits, and education, with mean scores above 3.9. While there are no significant differences based on demographic profiles, positive correlations exist between financial assistance, health benefits, and education. Notably, variations are observed in financial assistance perceptions between genders and beneficiary tenure.
Download Integration of Microalgae Cultivation Technology in Biogas Plants
Authors:   , Ieviņa Baiba
Published: May 2024

In the PhD thesis, a novel strategy integrating microalgae cultivation technology within biogas plants was developed with the aim of enhancing microalgae biomass production while simultaneously achieving CO2 sequestration and nutrient recycling. This strategy has the potential to enhance biomass security and provide an innovative approach to digestate management. The microalgae cultivation system optimized for colder climates was successfully developed and patented, suitable microalgae strains were identified, and the feasibility of coupling the system with existing biogas operations was demonstrated.
Analysis of science journalism reveals gender and regional disparities in coverage
Authors: Davidson Natalie R. , Greene Casey S.
Published: May 2024

Science journalism is a critical way for the public to learn about and benefit from scientific findings. Such journalism shapes the public’s view of the current state of science and legitimizes experts. Journalists can only cite and quote a limited number of sources, who they may discover in their research, including recommendations by other scientists. Biases in either process may influence who is identified and ultimately included as a source. To examine potential biases in science journalism, we analyzed 22,001 non-research articles published by Nature and compared these with Nature-published research articles with respect to predicted gender and name origin. We extracted cited authors’ names and those of quoted speakers. While citations and quotations within a piece do not reflect the entire information-gathering process, they can provide insight into the demographics of visible sources. We then predicted gender and name origin of the cited authors and speakers. We compared articles with a comparator set made up of first and last authors within primary research articles in Nature and a subset of Springer Nature articles in the same time period. In our analysis, we found a skew toward quoting men in Nature science journalism. However, quotation is trending toward equal representation at a faster rate than authorship rates in academic publishing. Gender disparity in Nature quotes was dependent on the article type. We found a significant over-representation of names with predicted Celtic/English origin and under-representation of names with a predicted East Asian origin in both in extracted quotes and journal citations but dampened in citations.
Semaphorin7A patterns neural circuitry in the lateral line of the zebrafish
Authors: Dasgupta Agnik , Reagor Caleb C. , Paik Sang P. , Snow Lauren M. , Jacobo Adrian , Hudspeth A. J.
Published: May 2024

In a developing nervous system, axonal arbors often undergo complex rearrangements before neural circuits attain their final innervation topology. In the lateral line sensory system of the zebrafish, developing sensory axons reorganize their terminal arborization patterns to establish precise neural microcircuits around the mechanosensory hair cells. However, a quantitative understanding of the changes in the sensory arbor morphology and the regulators behind the microcircuit assembly remain enigmatic. Here, we report that Semaphorin7A (Sema7A) acts as an important mediator of these processes. Utilizing a semi-automated three-dimensional neurite tracing methodology and computational techniques, we have identified and quantitatively analyzed distinct topological features that shape the network in wild-type and Sema7A loss-of-function mutants. In contrast to those of wild-type animals, the sensory axons in Sema7A mutants display aberrant arborizations with disorganized network topology and diminished contacts to hair cells. Moreover, ectopic expression of a secreted form of Sema7A by non-hair cells induces chemotropic guidance of sensory axons. Our findings propose that Sema7A likely functions both as a juxtracrine and as a secreted cue to pattern neural circuitry during sensory organ development.
A double dissociation between semantic and spatial cognition in visual to default network pathways
Authors: Gonzalez Alam Tirso RJ , Krieger-Redwood Katya , Varga Dominika , Gao Zhiyao , Horner Aidan J , Hartley Tom , Thiebaut de Schotten Michel , Sliwinska Magdalena , Pitcher David , Margulies Daniel S , Smallwood Jonathan , Jefferies Elizabeth
Published: May 2024

Processing pathways between sensory and default mode network (DMN) regions support recognition, navigation, and memory but their organisation is not well understood. We show that functional subdivisions of visual cortex and DMN sit at opposing ends of parallel streams of information processing that support visually mediated semantic and spatial cognition, providing convergent evidence from univariate and multivariate task responses, intrinsic functional and structural connectivity. Participants learned virtual environments consisting of buildings populated with objects, drawn from either a single semantic category or multiple categories. Later, they made semantic and spatial context decisions about these objects and buildings during functional magnetic resonance imaging. A lateral ventral occipital to fronto-temporal DMN pathway was primarily engaged by semantic judgements, while a medial visual to medial temporal DMN pathway supported spatial context judgements. These pathways had distinctive locations in functional connectivity space: the semantic pathway was both further from unimodal systems and more balanced between visual and auditory-motor regions compared with the spatial pathway. When semantic and spatial context information could be integrated (in buildings containing objects from a single category), regions at the intersection of these pathways responded, suggesting that parallel processing streams interact at multiple levels of the cortical hierarchy to produce coherent memory-guided cognition.
Single-cell RNA sequencing of iPSC-derived brain organoids reveals Treponema pallidum infection inhibiting neurodevelopment
Authors: Xu Qiu-Yan , Wang Yong-Jing , He Yun , Zheng Xin-Qi , Tong Man-Li , Lin Yu , Yang Tian-Ci
Published: May 2024

Congenital syphilis is a vertically transmitted bacterial infection caused by Treponema pallidum , often causing multidomain neurodevelopmental disabilities. However, little is known about the pathogenesis of this disease. Brain organoids platform derived from the induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) is exposed to T. pallidum infection for modelling congenital neurodevelopmental impairment. Single-cell RNA sequencing is used for identifying the subpopulations of differentially expressed genes and cellular heterogeneity and reconstructing differentiation trajectories following T. pallidum infection. The results reveal that T. pallidum infection influences the formation of neural rosette structures, reduces the cell number of the neural progenitor cell subcluster 1B (subNPC1B) and hindbrain neurons, and affects the neurodevelopment of the brain organoid. Moreover, it is speculated that T. pallidum inhibits the hindbrain neuron cell number through the suppression of subNPC1B subgroup in the organoids and inhibits transcription factor 3 activity in the subNPC1B-hindbrain neuronal axis. This is the first report on the inhibited effects of T. pallidum on the neurodevelopment of the iPSC-derived brain organoid model. T. pallidum could inhibit the differentiation of subNPC1B in brain organoids, thereby reducing the differentiation from subNPC1B to hindbrain neurons, and ultimately affecting the development and maturation of hindbrain neurons.
TPX2 upregulates MMP13 to promote the progression of lipopolysaccharide-induced osteoarthritis
Authors: Yu Jingtao , Wang Weiqi , Jiang Zenghui , Liu Huashun
Published: May 2024

Purpose

This study seeks to identify potential clinical biomarkers for osteoarthritis (OA) using bioinformatics and investigate OA mechanisms through cellular assays.

Methods

Differentially Expressed Genes (DEGs) from GSE52042 (four OA samples, four control samples) were screened and analyzed with protein-protein interaction (PPI) analysis. Overlapping genes in GSE52042 and GSE206848 (seven OA samples, and seven control samples) were identified and evaluated using Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) and clinical diagnostic value analysis to determine the hub gene. Finally, whether and how the hub gene impacts LPS-induced OA progression was explored by in vitro experiments, including Western blotting (WB), co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP), flow cytometry, etc.

Result

Bioinformatics analysis of DEGs (142 up-regulated and 171 down-regulated) in GSE52042 identified two overlapping genes (U2AF2, TPX2) that exhibit significant clinical diagnostic value. These genes are up-regulated in OA samples from both GSE52042 and GSE206848 datasets. Notably, TPX2, which AUC = 0.873 was identified as the hub gene. In vitro experiments have demonstrated that silencing TPX2 can alleviate damage to chondrocytes induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Furthermore, there is a protein interaction between TPX2 and MMP13 in OA. Excessive MMP13 can attenuate the effects of TPX2 knockdown on LPS-induced changes in OA protein expression, cell growth, and apoptosis.

Conclusion

In conclusion, our findings shed light on the molecular mechanisms of OA and suggested TPX2 as a potential therapeutic target. TPX2 could promote the progression of LPS-induced OA by up-regulating the expression of MMP13, which provides some implications for clinical research.
Bacteriogenic synthesis of morphologically diverse silver nanoparticles and their assessment for methyl orange dye removal and antimicrobial activity
Authors: Patel Bhakti , Yadav Virendra Kumar , Desai Reema , Patel Shreya , Amari Abdelfattah , Choudhary Nisha , Osman Haitham , Patel Rajat , Balram Deepak , Lian Kuang-Yow , Sahoo Dipak Kumar , Patel Ashish
Published: May 2024

Nanotechnology and nanoparticles have gained massive attention in the scientific community in recent years due to their valuable properties. Among various AgNPs synthesis methods, microbial approaches offer distinct advantages in terms of cost-effectiveness, biocompatibility, and eco-friendliness. In the present research work, investigators have synthesized three different types of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), namely AgNPs-K, AgNPs-M, and AgNPs-E, by using Klebsiella pneumoniae (MBC34), Micrococcus luteus (MBC23), and Enterobacter aerogenes (MBX6), respectively. The morphological, chemical, and elemental features of the synthesized AgNPs were analyzed by using UV-Vis spectroscopy (UV-Vis), Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) and energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDX). UV-Vis absorbance peaks were obtained at 475, 428, and 503 nm for AgNPs-K, AgNPs-M, and AgNPs-E, respectively. The XRD analysis confirmed the crystalline nature of the synthesized AgNPs, having peaks at 26.2°, 32.1°, and 47.2°. At the same time, the FTIR showed bands at 599, 963, 1,693, 2,299, 2,891, and 3,780 cm−1 for all the types of AgNPs indicating the presence of bacterial biomolecules with the developed AgNPs. The size and morphology of the AgNPs varied from 10 nm to several microns and exhibited spherical to porous sheets-like structures. The percentage of Ag varied from 37.8% (wt.%) to 61.6%, i.e., highest in AgNPs-K and lowest in AgNPs-M. Furthermore, the synthesized AgNPs exhibited potential for environmental remediation, with AgNPs-M exhibiting the highest removal efficiency (19.24% at 120 min) for methyl orange dye in simulated wastewater. Further, all three types of AgNPs were evaluated for the removal of methyl orange dye from the simulated wastewater, where the highest dye removal percentage was 19.24% at 120 min by AgNPs-M. Antibacterial potential of the synthesized AgNPs assessment against both Gram-positive (GPB) Bacillus subtilis (MBC23), B. cereus (MBC24), and Gram-negative bacteria Enterococcus faecalis (MBP13) revealed promising results, with AgNPs-M, exhibiting the largest zone of inhibition (12 mm) against GPB B. megaterium. Such investigation exhibits the potential of the bacteria for the synthesis of AgNPs with diverse morphology and potential applications in environmental remediation and antibacterial therapy-based synthesis of AgNPs.
Leeches Baicalobdella torquata feed on hemolymph but have a low effect on the cellular immune response of amphipod Eulimnogammarus verrucosus from Lake Baikal
Authors: Nazarova Anna , Mutin Andrei , Skafar Denis , Bolbat Nadezhda , Sedova Sofya , Chupalova Polina , Pomazkin Vasiliy , Drozdova Polina , Gurkov Anton , Timofeyev Maxim
Published: May 2024

Lake Baikal is one of the largest and oldest freshwater reservoirs on the planet with a huge endemic diversity of amphipods (Amphipoda, Crustacea). These crustaceans have various symbiotic relationships, including the rarely described phenomenon of leech parasitism on amphipods. It is known that leeches feeding on hemolymph of crustacean hosts can influence their physiology, especially under stressful conditions. Here we show that leeches Baicalobdella torquata (Grube, 1871) found on gills of Eulimnogammarus verrucosus (Gerstfeldt, 1858), one of the most abundant amphipods in the Baikal littoral zone, indeed feed on the hemolymph of their host. However, the leech infection had no effect on immune parameters such as hemocyte concentration or phenoloxidase activity and also did not affect glycogen content. The intensity of hemocyte reaction to foreign bodies in a primary culture was identical between leech-free and leech-infected animals. Artificial infection with leeches also had only a subtle effect on the course of a model microbial infection in terms of hemocyte concentration and composition. Despite we cannot fully exclude deleterious effects of the parasites, our study indicates a low influence of a few leeches on E. verrucosus and shows that leech-infected amphipods can be used at least for some types of ecophysiological experiments.
Effects of Different Nutrient Management Methods on Growth and Yield of Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.)
Authors: Kumar Mayank , Shivran Ashish , Jat Ram Dhan , Anupam . , Vishant .
Published: May 2024

A field experiment was conducted during the Rabi season of the year 2022-2023 at the KVK Farm, Mahendergarh of CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar during Rabi season 2022-23 with the objective to study the effect of different nutrient management practices on growth and yield of barley. The experiment containing eleven treatments viz. Control, 100% RDF (60 kg N + 30 kg P2O5 + 15 kg K2O ha-1, 100% RDF) + Azotobactor + PSB, 50% RDF + Azotobactor + PSB, 50% RDF + 50% RDN through Vermicompost, 50% RDF + 50% RDN through Vermicompost+ Azotobactor + PSB, 75% RDF + Azotobactor + PSB, 75% RDF + 25% RDN through Vermicompost, 75% RDF + 25% RDN through Vermicompost + Azotobactor + PSB, 100% RDN through vermicompost and 100% RDN through vermicompost + Azotobactor + PSB. All the growth and yield parameters increased significantly with75% R.D.F + 25% N through Vermicompost. The growth characters like plant height (cm) and number of tillers/mrl were significantly higher under 75% R.D.F + 25% N through Vermicompost + Azotobactor + PSB as compared to other nutrient combinations. The yield components like spike length (cm), number of grains spike-1, grain yield (kg ha-1) and straw yield (kg ha-1) were significantly higher under 75% R.D.F + 25% N through Vermicompost+ Azotobactor + PSB. Harvest index and 1000-grain weight (g) were not influenced significantly due to different nutrient combinations The nitrogen and protein content in grain were obtained higher with 75% R.D.F + 25% N through Vermicompost + Azotobactor + PSB which was significantly higher than rest of treatments. Thus, it can be concluded that a dose of 75% R.D.F + 25% N through Vermicompost + Azotobactor + PSB may be most suitable nutrient combination for achieving higher growth and yield of barley.
An Insight on Mycoflora Associated with Rice Grain Discolouration
Authors: Gupta Aakash , Chavan Ajay S. , Ray Malini , Choudhary Sneha
Published: May 2024

Grain discolouration, a complex disease of rice is a new enemy to rice crops around the world, and it is becoming increasingly important due to the qualitative as well as quantitative loss of harvested crop. The present study was carried out on the ten different variety of rice (MEX-73, NLR-33892(Parthiva), MEX-48, MEX-61, PR-126, PR-128, PR-129, PR-130, Pusa-basmati -7 and Pusa basmati-1121). The incidence was calculated in one metre square quadrants randomly marked in the plot, where the highest incidence was observed in PR-126(36.23%) and the least was Pusa basmati-1121(19.77%). Several seed borne fungi were detected using blotter paper method. The Mycoflora observed were Curvularia sp., Fusarium sp., Bipolaris oryzae, Sarocladium sp., Aspergillus sp, Penicillium sp. The maximum frequency was observed for Aspergillus (25.73%) followed by Penicillum (24.53%), and the least observed was Bipolaris oryze(1.73%). The identity of the Aspergillus was confirmed using Inter transcribed Spacer primers (ITS1 & ITS4).
Damascene Light‐Weight Metals
Authors: Marr Tom , Freudenberger Jens , Kauffmann Alexander , Scharnweber Juliane , Oertel Carl‐Georg , Skrotzki Werner , Siegel Uwe , Kühn Uta , Eckert Jürgen , Martin Ulrich , Schultz Ludwig
Published: October 2010

Besides widely investigated severely plastically deformed materials that are available in laboratory scale and size only, there is a high demand for semi‐finished products such as sheets and wires with similar mechanical properties. A damascene‐like technology applying swaging and bundling/swaging allows to deform TiNbAl composites up to a log. deformation strain of 8.4. Here, Al and Ti are used because of their low density, while Nb acts as diffusion barrier to prevent the formation of hardly deformable intermetallic phases. The obtained wires show an ufg microstructure with grain sizes of Ti and Al between 100 and 200 nm. In the cold‐worked condition the wires with a density of 4.0 g cm−3 reveal an ultimate tensile strength of 790 MPa.
Fabrication of Novel Membranes for Biomedical Applications via Halidation of Poly(Methacrylic Acid‐co‐Methyl Methacrylate) and Crosslinking of Complementary Groups by PEG
Authors: Negahi Shirazi Ali , Ghasemi Diba , Teimouri Mohammad Bagher , Imani Mohammad
Published: October 2010

Fabrication of novel, biocompatible and stimuli‐responsive membranes based on the crosslinking of poly(methacrylic acid‐co‐methyl methacrylate) using polyethylene glycol as a crosslinking agent is accomplished in a two‐stage procedure. Membranes are fabricated by casting and curing of the reactive precursors in different reaction compositions and durations according to a three‐level factorial design‐of‐experiments. The resulting membranes were thoroughly characterized using SEM, FTIR spectroscopy, thermal analysis and swelling experiments. The thermal properties were improved and swelling behavior of the hydrogels assures its stimuli‐responsive nature. MTT‐assay and cytotoxicity evaluations of the fabricated membranes elucidate acceptable biocompatibility profiles.
Tuning Electrical Conductance of Serpentine Single‐Walled Carbon Nanotubes
Authors: Huang Jun , Wang Bei , Lahiri Indranil , Gupta Awnish K. , Eklund Peter C. , Choi Wonbong
Published: October 2010

Changes in resistivity of serpentine single‐walled carbon nanotubes are presented as a function of bending radius, rb, in the range of 100–2000 nm. Resistivity (ρ) is observed to increase with curvature (1/rb), which is consistent with theoretical speculation on strain‐induced bandgap increment. Furthermore, a sharp bend (rb < 50nm) in the nanotubes results in a drastic change in the field‐effect behavior, i.e., from ambipolar to p type across the bend. Local Raman spectra show that the G‐band Raman frequencies shift along the curvature, which may be attributed to local deformation and broken cylindrical symmetry in the nanotubes. The results suggest the possibility to tune the electrical properties by bending nanotubes and to build an all‐nanotube device by modulating the structure of the same tube.
Magnetic Alloy Nanorings Loaded with Gold Nanoparticles: Synthesis and Applications as Multimodal Imaging Contrast Agents
Authors: Lu Yang , Shi Ce , Hu Ming‐Jun , Xu Yun‐Jun , Yu Le , Wen Long‐Ping , Zhao Yang , Xu Wei‐Ping , Yu Shu‐Hong
Published: October 2010

Multicomponent Ni7Co3 alloy–Au nanorings can be facilely synthesized at room temperature using metallic Ni7Co3 alloy nanorings as both reducing agent and sacrificial template in water. These novel alloy–Au hybrid nanorings are well biocompatible due to coating with poly(vinylpyrrolidone) and gold nanoparticles. When increasing the molar ratio of alloy to gold salt from 1:1 to 5:1, the number of the gold nanoparticles loaded on the surface of alloy nanorings were found to be decreased, and their morphology was transformed from rod to particle, remaining the ring‐like assemblies. Their saturation magnetization increased due to the ring‐like assemblies, resulting in the enhancement of the signal intensity in Spin–spin relaxation time (T2) weighted magnetic resonance imaging measurement. These alloy–Au hybrid nanocomposites can perform as multimodal imaging contrast agents for cancer cell diagnosis by two‐photon fluorescent imaging and T2‐weighted magnetic resonance imaging. In addition, their potential application for photothermal therapy was preliminarily investigated.
Syntheses and Properties of Micro/Nanostructured Crystallites with High‐Energy Surfaces
Authors: Jiang Zhi‐Yuan , Kuang Qin , Xie Zhao‐Xiong , Zheng Lan‐Sun
Published: October 2010

Recently, special attention has been paid to the syntheses of micro/nanostructured crystallites with high‐energy crystal facets, because high‐energy crystal surfaces usually exhibit fascinating surface‐enhanced properties and have promising applications in catalysis, photoelectrical devices, and energy conversion, etc. With particular emphasis on the results obtained by the authors’ research group, this feature article gives a brief review of recent progress in the field of surface/morphology controlled syntheses, focusing on high‐energy crystal surfaces of five kinds of inorganic functional material, with the wurtzite, rocksalt, anatase, rutile, and face‐centered cubic structures, respectively. Combined with the theoretical and experimental research results as well as crystal structure models, the intrinsic causes for surface‐dependent chemical/physical properties of those materials with high‐energy surfaces are further discussed.
Highly Active Water‐Soluble and Recyclable Organocatalyst for the Asymmetric 1,4‐Conjugate Addition of Nitroalkanes to α,β‐Unsaturated Aldehydes
Authors: Ghosh Subrata K. , Zheng Zilong , Ni Bukuo
Published: October 2010

A novel strategy for the catalytic asymmetric conjugate addition of nitroalkanes to α,β‐unsaturated aldehydes in aqueous media has been developed by using diarylprolinol silyl ether in combination with benzoic acid as a water‐soluble organocatalyst providing the desired adducts in good to excellent enantioselectivities (up to 95% ee). This catalyst can be recycled at least five times with only a slight reduction in activity and selectivity. In addition, the synthetic procedure presented is simple, practical and environmentally benign.
Graphical design and analysis of thermally coupled sidestream columns using column profile maps and temperature collocation
Authors: Beneke Daniel A. , Linninger Andreas A.
Published: October 2010

A systematical procedure is presented to design thermally coupled sidestream units like side rectifiers and side strippers are presented in this article. The method combines the column profile map technique to assess topological characteristics of the specific configuration with temperature collocation to rigorously ensure a realizable column design, without making assumptions with regard to the phase equilibrium or product specifications. The proposed methodology offers a unique graphical insight into the challenging problem of thermally coupled column synthesis. Techniques are presented for highlighting superior designs or eliminating inferior ones, based on vapor flow rate, number of stages, and thermodynamic efficiency. Design parameters such as the feed and side‐draw trays that may require insight or experience are products of the procedure. Design solutions obtained using this methodology can be used to initialize the state of the art process flow sheeting tool, AspenPlus™, which typically leads to fast convergence to the desired product purities without further adjustments. © 2010 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2011
Modeling of two‐phase polymerization of acrylamide in aqueous poly(ethylene glycol) solution
Authors: Lü Ting , Shan Guorong
Published: October 2010

Two‐phase polymerization of acrylamide (AM) has been successfully carried out in aqueous poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) solution with 2,2′‐azobis[2‐(2‐imidazolin‐2‐yl)propane] dihydrochloride (AIBI) as the initiator. A new heterogeneous kinetic model has been developed based on the partitioning of components between the two phases. It was found that polymerization proceeded in both the continuous and dispersed phases, even though the latter was the dominating polymerization locus. Besides the initiator, monomer concentration, and polymerization temperature, the PEG concentration also significantly influences the polymerization rate. With increasing concentration of PEG, gel effects in the aqueous PAM droplets were enhanced and more monomer preferred to polymerize inside the droplets, hence, the polymerization kinetics accelerated. The proposed model can successfully predict the composition of each phase and the polymerization kinetics during the aqueous two‐phase polymerization over a wide range of various reactions conditions. © 2010 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2011
Studies on the engineering properties of LCP‐Vectra B 950/PP blends with the variations of EAA content
Authors: Mandal Pijush K. , Siddhanta Samir K. , Chakraborty Debabrata
Published: October 2010

Polypropylene (PP) was melt blended with Vectra B‐950 [a thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer (LCP)], in a single screw extruder in presence of different doses of ethylene acrylic acid (EAA) copolymer, as modifier. The effect of incorporation in different proportions of EAA at a fixed dose of 5% LCP, on mechanical, thermal, morphological, and rheological properties of such blends was studied and the same were compared with that of pure PP and amongst themselves. Mechanical analysis (tensile properties) of the prepared blends exhibited improvements in ultimate tensile strength (UTS), modulus, toughness, hardness, and impact strength of PP matrix with the incorporation of EAA. The improvement in mechanical properties is associated with the formation of LCP fibrils as evidenced by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). A strong interaction through H‐bonding between the segments of Vectra B‐950 and EAA was established by FTIR study. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) studies indicated substantial increase in melting point of the blends, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) showed that the thermal stability of PP was improved with the addition of LCP and EAA. Rheological properties showed that LCP and EAA drop down the melt viscosity of PP and thus facilitate processibility of blends. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011
Preparation of some dielectric greases from different types of polymers
Authors: Hassan A. M. , Shahba R. M. A. , Youssif M. A. , Mazrouaa A. M. , Youssif M. A. E.
Published: October 2010

At this research the grease (S0) containing [base lube oil grade 260/290, transformer oil, microcrystalline wax, Polyoxyethylene sorbiton‐mono‐palmitate antioxidant 2,2″methylenebis(4‐methyl‐6‐tertiary‐butyl phenol) anticorrosion] was prepared. To improve its physicochemical & dielectric properties (dielectric constant, dielectric loss, and volume resistivity) and giving it a good electrical insulator property, we add to the wax gel a nonpolar polymer as polyethylene, atactic polypropylene, unplastesized polyvinyl chloride, and plasticized polyvinyl chloride include triisopropyle vinyl phosphate in certain concentration. We conclude that the best insulation properties was achevied by adding atactic polypropyle. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011
Electropolymerization of highly hydrophobic polythiophene films with high adhesion force
Authors: Yu Weili , Yao Tongjie , Li Xiao , Wang Tieqiang , Gao Hainan , Zhang Junhu , Yang Bai
Published: October 2010

Electrochemical cyclic voltammetry (C‐V) method was reported to prepare highly hydrophobic polythiophene (PTh) films with high adhesion force. Using this technique, the morphology and surface roughness of PTh film can be controlled by adjusting cycle number, monomer concentration, and applied voltage. After fluorination, the PTh film with hierarchical morphology showed high hydrophobicity as well as a strong adhesion force. This method provides a simple solution for the preparation of highly hydrophobic polymer film with high adhesion force. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011
Cytotoxicity and cellular uptake evaluation of mitoxantrone‐loaded poly(lactic acid‐co‐lysine) arginine–glycine–aspartic acid nanoparticles
Authors: Qi Xuelian , Chen Xiaoyan , Sun Ying , Ma Zhichao , Guo Xiaojuan , Lu Wei , Duan Yourong
Published: October 2010

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the in vitro characteristics of poly(lactic acid‐co‐lysine) arginine–glycine–aspartic acid (PLA–PLL–RGD) nanoparticles (NPs) loaded with mitoxantrone. PLA–PLL–RGD NPs with a particle size of 200 nm were prepared with a modified emulsification solvent‐diffusion method. The encapsulation efficiency of the mitoxantrone‐loaded NPs was 85%. In vitro release experiments showed that the release of the drug was prolonged and sustained, and approximately 60.2% of the mitoxantrone was released in the first week. The released drug was integrated to achieve desired drug‐release profiles and still possessed bioactivity according to a 3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyl‐2h‐tetrazolium bromide assay, which indicated that mitoxantrone‐loaded NPs were more cytotoxic against Michigan Cancer Foundation 7 (MCF‐7) breast cancer cells than mitoxantrone. Furthermore, the association processes of NPs with MCF‐7 cells, including binding and effective internalization, were investigated in vitro. The cellular uptake of the NPs was qualitatively studied with confocal laser scanning microscopy and was confirmed with flow cytometry analysis. These experimental results indicated that PLA–PLL–RGD NPs could be used as drug carriers for mitoxantrone. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011
Blocked isocyanates and isocyanated soybean oil as new chain extenders for unsaturated polyesters
Authors: Taylan E. , Küsefoğlu S. H.
Published: October 2010

Two different blocked isocyanates, diphenylmethane–bis‐4,4′‐ethyleneurea and diphenylmethane–bis‐4,4′‐carbamoil–ϵ‐caprolactam, and isocyanated soybean oil were used as chain extenders for low‐molecular‐weight unsaturated polyesters. Oligomeric polyesters (molecular weight = 600–700), taken from a manufacturing process in the sixth hour of a 16‐h polyesterification reaction, were reacted with these chain extenders, and the desired chain lengths (molecular weight = 1000–1500) were obtained in a very short time through the reaction of the chain extenders with the polyester end groups. The increase in the molecular weight was monitored with gel permeation chromatography. The obtained polymers were characterized with Fourier transform infrared and 1H‐NMR and with styrene solubility and gel time measurements. After dilution with styrene, the polyesters were cured with a radical initiator. The thermal and mechanical properties of the cured polyesters were examined with dynamic mechanical analysis and thermogravimetric analysis tests and then compared to those of a commercially available reference unsaturated polyester. The results show that unsaturated polyesters can be chain‐extended with these compounds to shorten the polyesterification time substantially without alterations of the styrene solubility or gel time of the polyesters. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011
Synthesis and applications of polyacrylamide gels catalyzed by silver nitrate
Authors: Singh Ajit
Published: October 2010

Polyacrylamide gels are widely used as matrices for biomolecular analysis and fractionation, and they are being developed as biomaterials for diverse medical and industrial applications. This study reports silver nitrate as a novel catalyst for the synthesis of polyacrylamide gels from acrylamide and N,N‐methylene bisacrylamide monomers. The conditions were defined for silver‐catalyzed, free‐radical‐induced polymerization, and a suitable buffer system was devised for the electrophoretic resolution of nucleic acids. A silver‐staining procedure was modified for these gels, and they were compared with N,N,N′,N′‐tetramethylethylenediamine‐catalyzed gels for sensitivity and gel background. Silver nitrate and ammonium persulfate at final concentrations of 100 and 625 μg/mL, respectively, polymerized the resolving gels within 20 min at room temperature. These gels exhibited antimicrobial properties. The gels with ≥10 μg/mL silver nitrate showed a zone of complete inhibition of Staphylococcus aureus growth on a Luria–Bertani agar plate. The silver‐catalyzed gels were also suitable as antigen‐ and drug‐delivery devices. Silver, acting as both a catalyst and a microbicidal agent, was better than N,N,N′,N′‐tetramethylethylenediamine for the synthesis of polyacrylamide gels as drug‐ and oxygen‐delivery devices for topical applications. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011
Transparent polysilicone coatings as protecting films for gold commemorative coins
Authors: Liu Yan , Yan Guo‐Ping , Che Hong‐Wei , Wang Xiao‐Yan , Guo Qing‐Zhong
Published: October 2010

Novel transparent organic silicone resin coatings were successfully prepared through the reaction between the alkoxy groups of methyltrimethoxy‐silane (MTMS) and γ‐aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) and hydroxyl groups of hydroxyl terminated silicone oil (HTSO). The influences of different monomer feed mass ratio on the coating properties were investigated via measuring the hydrophobicity and hardness of coating films. The coating films were characterized with IR, UV, TG, scanning electron microscope (SEM), and automatic contact angle meter. Some properties of coating films, such as adhesion, impact resistance, and wear‐resistance, were also evaluated. The results indicated that these coating films formed on the surfaces of gold commemorative coins possessed some good properties including high hydrophobicity, high water contact angles, high light transmittance, good heat‐resistance, adhesion, hardness, and weatherability, etc. Moreover, the uniform, clear, transparent, and dense coating films did not cover the symphony surface patterns or affect the metallic luster. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011