bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An immunomodulating peptide to counteract solar radiation-induced immunosuppression and DNA damage
Authors: Agrez Michael , Rybchyn Mark Stephen , De Silva Warusavithana Gunawardena Manori , Mason Rebecca Sara , Chandler Christopher , Piva Terrence J. , Thurecht Kristofer , Fletcher Nicholas , Liu Feifei , Subramaniam Gayathri , Howard Christopher B. , Blyth Benjamin , Parker Stephen , Turner Darryl , Rzepecka Justyna , Knox Gavin , Nika Anastasia , Hall Andrew , Gooding Hayley , Gallagher Laura
Published: July 2023

Ultraviolet radiation (UVR) induces immunosuppression and DNA damage, both of which contribute to the rising global incidence of skin cancer including melanoma. Nucleotide excision repair, which is activated upon UVR-induced DNA damage, is linked to expression of interleukin-12 (IL-12) which serves to limit immunosuppression and augment the DNA repair process. Herein, we report an immunomodulating peptide, designated IK14800, that not only elicits secretion of IL-12, interleukin-2 (IL-2) and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) but also reduces DNA damage in the skin following exposure to UVR. Combined with re-invigoration of exhausted CD4+ T cells, inhibition of UVR-induced MMP-1 release and suppression of B16F10 melanoma metastases, IK14800 offers an opportunity to gain further insight into mechanisms underlying the development and progression of skin cancers.
Tensile strength of polyester fiber estimated by molecular-chain extension prior to structure formation
Authors: Tomisawa Ren , Nagata Mutsuya , Otsuka Yumu , Ikaga Toshifumi , Kim KyoungHou , Ohkoshi Yutaka , Okada Kazuyuki , Kanaya Toshiji , Katsuta Hiroo
Published: July 2023

The combination of laser irradiation heating and synchrotron X-ray sources has made it possible to observe the fiber-structure development that occurs at sub-millisecond timescales after necking during continuous drawing. Through wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD) and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) analysis of poly(ethylene terephthalate) fibers of three different molecular weights drawn under equivalent stresses, a good correlation was observed between the d-spacing of smectic (001ʹ) diffraction extrapolated to the necking point and the strength of the drawn fiber. This indicates that the molecular chains that bear the drawing stress also bear most of the applied stress during tensile testing of the resultant fiber. In addition, considering the drawing-stress dependence of the d-spacing and the molecular weight distribution of the fiber revealed that molecular chains with molecular weights over 23,000 g/mol bear the majority of tensile force applied to the fiber.
A magnetic porous carbon material derived from an MIL-101(Fe) complex for efficient magnetic solid phase extraction of fluoroquinolone antibiotics
Authors: Gao Xuening , Lin Jingwen , Li Tianning , Zhang Xiaoqing , Zeng Baizhao , Wang Xiaoling , Zhao Faqiong
Published: July 2023

A magnetic porous carbon material was prepared by calcination of an MIL-101 complex for the determination of trace fluoroquinolone antibiotics by magnetic solid phase extraction. The measurement results had a good linear range and low detection limit.
Manipulating two-dimensional magnetic states via electric field and pressure
Authors: Bao Hengxing , Tian Hao , Li Xu , Ma Xingyue , Xu Changsong , Yang Yurong , Wu Di
Published: July 2023

Ferromagnetic states, topological domain wall skyrmions, topological bimerons, and stripe domains can be realized via electric field and pressure.
Chemo-enzymatic cascades producing 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid precursors viad-gluconate “barbell oxidation” and dehydration
Authors: Chen Jiao , Cai Jiali , Sha Feng , Sun Wenjun , Lyu Xilei , Chang Yonghui , Cao Fei , Zhao Lili , Wu Hongli , Ouyang Pingkai
Published: July 2023

A chemo-enzymatic strategy for achieving furan-2,5-dicarboxylic acid precursors via 5-keto-d-gluconic acid as a stable intermediate.
Defect pairing in Fe-doped SnS van der Waals crystals: a photoemission and scanning tunneling microscopy study
Authors: Yesilpinar Damla , Vondráček Martin , Čermák Patrik , Mönig Harry , Kopeček Jaromír , Caha Ondřej , Carva Karel , Drašar Čestmír , Honolka Jan
Published: July 2023

We investigate the effect of low concentrations of iron on the physical properties of SnS van der Waals crystals grown from the melt.
Patterns in and predictors of stream and river macroinvertebrate genera and fish species richness across the conterminous USA
Authors: Hughes Robert M. , Herlihy Alan T. , Comeleo Randy , Peck David V. , Mitchell Richard M. , Paulsen Steven G.
Published: July 2023

Both native and non-native taxa richness patterns are useful for evaluating areas of greatest conservation concern. To determine those patterns, we analyzed fish and macroinvertebrate taxa richness data obtained at 3475 sites collected by the USEPA's National Rivers and Streams Assessment. We also determined which natural and anthropogenic variables best explained patterns in regional richness. Macroinvertebrate and fish richness increased with the number of sites sampled per region. Therefore, we determined residual taxa richness from the deviation of observed richness from predicted richness given the number of sites per region. Regional richness markedly exceeded average site richness for both macroinvertebrates and fish. Predictors of macroinvertebrate-genus and fish-species residual-regional richness differed. Air temperature was an important predictor in both cases but was positive for fish and negative for macroinvertebrates. Both natural and land use variables were significant predictors of regional richness. This study is the first to determine mean site and regional richness of both fish and aquatic macroinvertebrates across the conterminous USA, and the key anthropogenic drivers of regional richness. Thus, it offers important insights into regional USA biodiversity hotspots.
Posterior Tracheopexy for Tracheomalacia: A Study of Clinical and Radiological Consequences on Esophagus
Authors: Torre Michele , Reali Serena , Rizzo Francesca , Guerriero Vittorio , Palo Federico , Arrigo Serena , Sacco Oliviero , Mattioli Girolamo
Published: July 2023

Introduction Posterior tracheopexy (PT) directly addresses the posterior trachealis membrane intrusion in severe tracheomalacia. During PT, the esophagus is mobilized and membranous trachea is sutured to the prevertebral fascia. Although dysphagia has been reported as a possible complication of PT, in the literature there are no data investigating postoperative esophageal anatomy and digestive symptoms. Our aim was to study clinical and radiological consequences of PT on esophagus.

Methods Patients with symptomatic tracheobronchomalacia scheduled for PT between May 2019 and November 2022 underwent pre- and postoperative esophagogram. For each patient, we analyzed radiological images and measured esophageal deviation providing new radiological parameters.

Results All 12 patients underwent thoracoscopic PT (n = 3) or robot-assisted thoracoscopic PT (n = 9). For all patients, the postoperative esophagogram showed a right dislocation of the thoracic esophagus (median postoperative deviation = 27.5 mm). We report an esophageal perforation at postoperative day 7 in a patient affected by esophageal atresia, who underwent several surgical procedures before. A stent was placed and esophagus healed. Another patient with severe right dislocation referred transient dysphagia to solids, which resolved gradually in the first postoperative year. All the other patients did not present any esophageal symptoms.

Conclusion For the first time, we demonstrate the right dislocation of the esophagus after PT and we propose an objective method to measure it. In most patients, PT is a procedure not affecting esophageal function, but dysphagia can occur if dislocation is important. Esophagus mobilization during PT should be cautious, especially in patients who underwent previous thoracic procedures.
Quantum error correction and one-way LOCC state distinguishability
Authors: Kribs David W. , Mintah Comfort , Nathanson Michael , Pereira Rajesh
Published: July 2023

We explore the intersection of studies in quantum error correction and quantum local operations and classical communication (LOCC). We consider one-way LOCC measurement protocols as quantum channels and investigate their error correction properties, emphasizing an operator theory approach to the subject, and we obtain new applications to one-way LOCC state distinguishability as well as new derivations of some established results. We also derive conditions on when states that arise through the stabilizer formalism for quantum error correction are distinguishable under one-way LOCC.
Strain tunable interlayer and intralayer excitons in vertically stacked MoSe2/WSe2 heterobilayers
Authors: Li L. L. , Gillen R. , Palummo M. , Milošević M. V. , Peeters F. M.
Published: July 2023

Recently, interlayer and intralayer excitons in transition metal dichalcogenide heterobilayers have been studied both experimentally and theoretically. In spite of a growing interest, these layer-resolved excitons in the presence of external stimuli, such as strain, remain not fully understood. Here, using density-functional theory calculations with many-body effects, we explore the excitonic properties of vertically stacked MoSe2/WSe2 heterobilayer in the presence of in-plane biaxial strain of up to 5%. We calculate the strain dependence of exciton absorption spectrum, oscillator strength, wave function, and binding energy by solving the Bethe–Salpeter equation on top of the standard GW approach. We identify the interlayer and intralayer excitons by analyzing their electron-hole weights and spatial wave functions. We show that with the increase in strain magnitude, the absorption spectrum of the interlayer and intralayer excitons is red-shifted and re-ordered, and the binding energies of these layer-resolved excitons decrease monotonically and almost linearly. We derive the sensitivity of exciton binding energy to the applied strain and find that the intralayer excitons are more sensitive to strain than the interlayer excitons. For instance, a sensitivity of −7.9 meV/% is derived for the intra-MoSe2-layer excitons, which is followed by −7.4 meV/% for the intra-WSe2-layer excitons, and by −4.2 meV/% for the interlayer excitons. Our results indicate that interlayer and intralayer excitons in vertically stacked MoSe2/WSe2 heterobilayer are efficiently tunable by in-plane biaxial strain.
Molecular semiconductors and the Ioffe–Regel criterion: A terahertz study on band transport in DBTTT
Authors: Riederer P. , Devaux F. , Schweicher G. , Geerts Y. H. , Kersting R.
Published: July 2023

Terahertz electromodulation spectroscopy provides insight into the physics of charge carrier transport in molecular semiconductors. The work focuses on thin-film devices of dibenzothiopheno[6,5-b:6′,5′-f]thieno[3,2-b]thiophene. Frequency-resolved data show a Drude-like response of the hole gas in the accumulation region. The temperature dependence of the mobilities follows a T1/2 power law. This indicates that the thermal mean free path of the charge carriers is restricted by disorder. Only a fraction of approximately 5% of the injected carriers fulfills the Ioffe–Regel criterion and participates in band transport.
Variable viscous flow resistance based on rotational inertia
Authors: Shen Xufeng , Li Xin
Published: July 2023

Viscous flow resistance is dominated by viscous friction between fluid and wall. The flow resistance characteristic curve (i.e., the relationship curve between pressure drop and flow rates, represented as the Δp–Q curve) depends on some inherent characteristic variables, such as structural size, fluid viscosity, density, and temperature. Usually, to change the Δp–Q curve, these inherent characteristic variables must be changed. This paper proposes a new design of variable viscous flow resistance. The new design uses two disks to construct a slit flow channel, and rotate one of the disks to drive the fluid in the slit flow channel to form a rotational inertia effect. Therefore, by changing the rotating speed of the disk, the rotational inertia effect can be changed, thereby achieving the purpose of changing the Δp–Q curve. This paper derives a theoretical model for the pressure distribution of the rotating slit flow field and conducted experimental verification. It was found that the rotational inertia gradient and viscous gradient terms play major roles in governing the radial pressure gradient. The sum of the other two inertial gradient terms accounts for a maximum of about 1.58% of the total pressure gradient. There is a coupling relationship between circumferential velocity, radial velocity, and flow rates. An increase in Q can increase the rotational inertial gradient term by up to 24.9%. The rotating disk causes additional radial velocity and thus weakens the viscous gradient term by at least 16.41%.
Vortex evolution and merging mechanism across 180° sharp bend for laminar inflow
Authors: Ali Nishab , Tariq Andallib , Saifullah
Published: July 2023

The present study deals with the fundamentals of vortex evolution and merging across a 180° sharp bend for laminar inflow (Re = 800). A three-dimensional flow and pressure distribution across the bend are analyzed by using particle image velocimetry measurements. The results show that the sudden flow redirection and adverse pressure gradient create a recirculation region in the vicinity of the divider wall. The vorticity and turbulent kinetic energy distribution highlight the presence of a shear layer between the recirculation and mainstream turning flow. A Rayleigh instability analysis shows the existence of centrifugal instabilities outside the shear layer in the mainstream turning flow. The imbalance of centrifugal and pressure forces act in unison to produce a net force that creates Dean instability across the mainstream turning flow. Consequently, two pairs of counter-rotating Dean vortices develop after the first turn, possibly merging into a single pair after the subsequent 90° turn. Finally, the evolution and merging of Dean vortices are explained with the help of a conceptual diagram illustrating the force interaction and the formation of counter-rotating currents.
Almanacs for children
Authors: Marazzi Elisa
Published: July 2023

Almanacs are one of the most characteristic
subgenres of early modern and modern popular print. One of the keys
of their persistence was their ability to evolve over time, which
led, among other things, to the publication of almanacs for
children. The latter, randomly preserved in libraries and archives,
are still largely unexplored by both book historians and scholars of
children’s literature. After a brief introduction on the history of
almanacs, the chapter describes the contents and materiality of
selected examples of almanacs for children from a range of European
countries (Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Spain),
printed between 1750 and 1900. By placing these items in the
sociocultural context in which they were issued, the chapter
attempts to understand the strategies put in place by international
authors and publishers.
“Altering the original fables to suit Chinese
notions”
Authors: Bai Limin
Published: July 2023

The Yishi yuyan, a Chinese
translation of Aesop’s fables based largely on the collection by Roger L’Estrange
(1616–1704), was published circa 1840 by Robert Thom
(1807–1846), with his Chinese tutor as co-translator. This chapter
examines the sinicization of the Yishi yuan by
investigating how the translators recontextualized a culturally
appropriate context for the integration of various Chinese literary
sources in their narration and reflection of the fables. Following a
discussion of the rendering of L’Estrange’s Aesop into Chinese, the
key elements that facilitated the success of sinicization of the
Yishi yuyan are analysed to illustrate the
sinicization techniques and strategies employed by the translators
in adapting L’Estrange’s Aesopic fables to a Chinese narrative.
Collecting, translating and adapting
Authors: Dettmar Ute
Published: July 2023

In the eighteenth century, lively exchanges
across cultural and language areas developed in the realm of
children’s literature, especially in Western Europe. Arnaud
Berquin’s famous children’s magazine L’Ami des
Enfans (The Children’s Friend, 1782–1783), which was frequently
translated, provides a good example, not only due to its history of
translation and reception but also because of its history of
origins. In this chapter, attention is paid to the texts transferred
to it from German sources, especially Joachim Heinrich Campe’s
Kleine Kinderbibliothek (Small Library for
Children, 1778–1784) and Christian Felix Weiße’s journal Der
Kinderfreund (The Children’s Friend, 1775–1782).
Fundamental practices of authorship, adaption, and translation in
the eighteenth century are discussed on the basis of Berquin’s
periodical and his treatment of sources.
Playful reading
Authors: Christensen Nina
Published: July 2023

This chapter concerns the transnational character
of children’s literary culture across media and genres in Danish and
German homes around 1830. Furthermore, it addresses the interaction
between reading and playing in and around books. German author Karl
Blumauer’s Der kleine Robert und sein Steckenpferd
(Little Robert and his Hobby
Horse, 1833, Danish translation 1835) is the prism used
to view the interaction between the market for illustrated books in
Denmark and Germany; concepts of childhood and literature presented
in the German and Danish prefaces; the ludic and media culture
represented in texts and images; the traces of use in
specific copies, and literary and ludic practices. The
chapter concludes that, taken together, such combinations of sources
allow a fuller insight into transnational aspects of childhood,
children’s expected and actual use of children’s books, toy and
media, and the book as a commodity that afforded playful as well as
readerly uses.1
Make it Irish!
Authors: O’Sullivan Emer
Published: July 2023

Before the British Copyright Act of 1710 was
extended to Ireland in 1801, its book market was dominated by
British works, reprinted by Irish booksellers. Rather than being
mere copies of the original, many of these were hibernicized, or
made Irish. This chapter addresses the transnational phenomenon of
culturally translated books issued in Ireland in the eighteenth
century. It focusses on the Dublin bookseller James Hoey Junior,
especially on his hibernicized version of John Newbery’s 1750
encyclopedia for children, A Museum for Young Gentlemen and
Ladies, and reviews the sociopolitical context in which
it was created. The chapter probes the blend of commercial and
patriotic interests behind Hoey’s hibernicization, and aims to
ascertain the degree to which his own cultural and religious
affiliations are evident in his version for young Irish readers.
German in Hebrew letters
Authors: Glasenapp Gabriele von
Published: July 2023

Jewish children’s literature constitutes a
special case of transnational encounter. Focusing on the
German-language area, this chapter discusses the transnational
character of Jewish children’s literature on two levels. The first
is the linguistic level. In contrast to non-Jewish children’s
literature, Jewish children’s literature in Germany has appeared
since the end of the eighteenth century in three forms (Hebrew,
German, and German written in the Hebrew letters). The second level
concerns the multilingualism of the literature and the distribution
and modalities of its reception – both inside and outside
German-language areas. The chapter deals, among others, with texts
by Joachim Heinrich Campe, Moses Mendelssohn, David Samosc, and
Aaron Wolfssohn. It will be shown that it was primarily the
transnational character of children’s literature through which a
cultural transfer between Jewish and non-Jewish children’s
literature began in the last third of the eighteenth century.
However, it will also be shown that this was a highly one-sided
cultural transfer, initiated and driven almost exclusively by the
Jewish side.
The enslaved in late-Enlightenment stories for children
Authors: Paul Lissa
Published: July 2023

On the long road towards the abolition of the
slave trade and enslavement, European and American books for
children, published in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth
centuries, sought to engage their intended young readers in the
debate. In this chapter I counterpoint fictional characterizations
of the enslaved with those in autobiographical accounts and in
newspaper fugitive slave advertisements. The children’s books of the
time depicted the enslaved as objects of pity and in need of
rescuing. That positioned them as ideal subjects for authors
attempting to cultivate empathy and sensibility in their young
readers. Actual enslaved people told a different story, recording
both the brutality and savagery of enslavers and their own sustained
resistance to enslavement.
Fabric with feeling
Authors: Subramaniam Niveditha
Published: July 2023

This chapter analyses the triadic relationship between materiality, memory, and affect in the Indian picturebook Mukand and Riaz (2007) by Nina Sabnani. Set against the backdrop of the Partition of India and Pakistan, the book is based on the “fragmented memories” of Sabnani’s father, a child refugee at the time (Sabnani 2007). This chapter examines how the book connects microhistory to macrohistory. Specifically, the chapter looks into the ability of artefacts to embody individual emotions and collective experiences and explores how this ability is translated through the material poetics of the picturebook. The chapter suggests that this work’s layered approach to materiality provokes a fine-grained understanding of human-object relations, contributing to new materialist children’s literature studies.
Weird readings and little machines
Authors: Véliz Soledad
Published: July 2023

Reading engagement is presented as an affect that organizes the relationships between children and books. The OECD-PISA reading framework has co-opted engagement as an attentive, involved, and joyful relationship with literature. A reading assemblage is offered to explain how engagement is instrumental to producing readers as bodies with potential for human capital, that is, children. The author uses a literary encounter to propose weird readings as an affect that breaks into the reading assemblage, complicating joy and pleasure, and as the affect that precludes the possibilities of creating relationships with materialities (books) from outside a reading assemblage.
Afterword
Authors: Coats Karen
Published: July 2023

This chapter presents the critical and sometimes polemic misgivings a desk-based scholar might have about applying new materialist and posthumanist theories to the study of children’s literature and culture. Reflections on personal stories, a recent school shooting, and two picturebooks raise questions about the optimistic claims made by new materialist and posthumanist researchers that challenging human exceptionalism, blurring binaries such as adult/child and human/nonhuman, and embracing a notion of agentic objects will necessarily lead to more ethical inter- and intra-actions between the human and more-than-human world. This chapter thus encourages scholars to think carefully about the unintended material consequences of a full embrace of new materialist theories.
“Most good papers are published in English”
Authors: Strauss Pat , Manalo Emmanuel
Published: July 2023

Internationally, most prestigious and influential academic journals are published in English, and therefore a
mastery of the language is necessary to ensure engagement with the international scientific community. There is debate in the
literature as to whether the dominance of English might lead to the marginalization of contributions from academics for whom
English is a second language. The present study explores through interviews the insights of 11 humanities and social sciences
academics working at two Japanese universities ranked in the top 50 globally. The findings indicate that most of the participants
view English as the logical vehicle for reaching a wider audience for their research. Despite an acknowledgement that publishing
in English presents problems from both linguistic and pragmatic perspectives, these academics do not, on the whole, believe that
current standards need to be revisited. These issues are discussed in light of the changing realities of academic environments,
and the need to ensure accessible pathways for those who can and should be contributing to knowledge construction in the global
academy.
Biohybrid restoration of the hippocampal loop re-establishes the non-seizing state in an in vitro model of limbic seizures
Authors: Caron Davide , Buccelli Stefano , Canal-Alonso Angel , Farsani Javad , Pruzzo Giacomo , Barranco Bernabé Linares , Corchado Juan Manuel , Chiappalone Michela , Panuccio Gabriella
Published: July 2023

Objective. The compromise of the hippocampal loop is a hallmark of mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE), the most frequent epileptic syndrome in the adult population and the most often refractory to medical therapy. Hippocampal sclerosis is found in >50% of drug-refractory MTLE patients and primarily involves the CA1, consequently disrupting the hippocampal output to the entorhinal cortex (EC). Closed-loop deep brain stimulation is the latest frontier to improve drug-refractory MTLE; however, current approaches do not restore the functional connectivity of the hippocampal loop, they are designed by trial-and-error and heavily rely on seizure detection or prediction algorithms. The objective of this study is to evaluate the anti-ictogenic efficacy and robustness of an artificial bridge restoring the dialog between hippocampus and EC. Approach. In mouse hippocampus-EC slices treated with 4-aminopyridine and in which the Schaffer Collaterals are severed, we established an artificial bridge between hippocampus and EC wherein interictal discharges originating in the CA3 triggered stimulation of the subiculum so to entrain EC networks. Combining quantification of ictal activity with tools from information theory, we addressed the efficacy of the bridge in controlling ictogenesis and in restoring the functional connectivity of the hippocampal loop. Main results. The bridge significantly decreased or even prevented ictal activity and proved robust to failure; when operating at 100% of its efficiency (i.e., delivering a pulse upon each interictal event), it recovered the functional connectivity of the hippocampal loop to a degree similar to what measured in the intact circuitry. The efficacy and robustness of the bridge stem in mirroring the adaptive properties of the CA3, which acts as biological neuromodulator. Significance. This work is the first stepping stone toward a paradigm shift in the conceptual design of stimulation devices for epilepsy treatment, from function control to functional restoration of the salient brain circuits.
Potentials and barriers to land-based mitigation technologies and practices (LMTs)—a review
Authors: Karki Lokendra , Lieu Jenny , Xylia Maria , Laub Moritz , Ismangil David , Virla Luis , Rahn Eric , Bilbao Bibiana Alejandra , Indriani Siti Nurlaila , Martin Gallego Pilar , Suleiman Afnan Khalil Ahmad , Schaldch Ruediger , Takama Takeshi , Marques da Silva José Rafael , Johnson Francis X
Published: July 2023

Land-based mitigation technologies and practices (LMTs) are critical for achieving the Paris Agreement’s aim of avoiding dangerous climate change by limiting the rise in average global surface temperatures. We developed a detailed two-level classification and analysis of the barriers to the adoption and scaling up of LMTs. The review suggests that afforestation/reforestation and forest management are LMTs with wide application and high potential across all continents. BECCS (bioenergy with carbon capture and storage) and biochar have a higher potential in higher-income countries in the short term, due to the availability of technology, funding, and low-cost biomass value chains. Although most LMTs can be cost-effective across multiple world regions, limited knowledge concerning their implementation and insufficient financing appear to be the main barriers to their large-scale deployment. Without considering gender and the rights of marginalised and Indigenous Peoples, the large-scale deployment of LMTs can further aggravate existing inequalities. Therefore, the social and institutional implications of LMTs need to be better understood to improve their public acceptance and reduce negative impacts. An integrated system approach is necessary to strike a balance between ambitious land-based mitigation targets and socioeconomic and environmental goals.
Atlantic Multidecadal Variability modulates the climate impacts of El Niño–Southern Oscillation in Australia
Authors: Trascasa-Castro Paloma , Maycock Amanda C , Ruprich-Robert Yohan , Turco Marco , Staten Paul W
Published: July 2023

Atlantic Multidecadal Variability (AMV) modulates El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) dynamics. Here, we explore the effect of warm (AMV+) and cold (AMV−) AMV conditions on the austral summer teleconnection of ENSO to Australia using idealized simulations performed with the NCAR-CESM1 model. AMV+ strengthens the mean and extreme precipitation and temperature responses to El Niño in south-western Australia and weakens the mean precipitation and temperature impacts in north-eastern Australia. The modulation of La Niña impacts by AMV is asymmetric to El Niño, with a weakening of the mean and extreme precipitation and temperature responses in eastern Australia. Decomposing the total difference in ENSO response between AMV phases, we find that the signals are mainly explained by the direct AMV modulation of ENSO and its teleconnections rather than by changes in background climate induced by AMV. The exception is ENSO-driven fire impacts, where there is a significant increase in burned area in south-eastern Australia only when El Niño and AMV+ co-occur. However, modulation of ENSO between AMV+ and AMV− does offset ∼37% of the decrease in burned area extent during La Niña summers. The altered surface climate response to ENSO in Australia by AMV is attributed to variations in large-scale atmospheric circulation. Under AMV+, there is increased subsidence over western Australia during El Niño associated with a westward shift of the local Walker circulation. A weakening of the upwelling branch of the local Hadley circulation over north-eastern Australia is responsible for the weakening of La Niña impacts in AMV+, accompanied by a strengthening of subsidence in south central Australia due to a weakening of the local Hadley circulation, amplifying La Niña impacts over this region. The results suggest the potential for AMV to drive multidecadal variability in ENSO impacts over Australia.
Model reduction of Brownian oscillators: quantification of errors and long-time behavior
Authors: Colangeli Matteo , Duong Manh Hong , Muntean Adrian
Published: July 2023

A procedure for model reduction of stochastic ordinary differential equations with additive noise was recently introduced in Colangeli et al (2022 J. Phys. A: Math. Theor.
55 505002), based on the Invariant Manifold method and on the Fluctuation–Dissipation relation. A general question thus arises as to whether one can rigorously quantify the error entailed by the use of the reduced dynamics in place of the original one. In this work we provide explicit formulae and estimates of the error in terms of the Wasserstein distance, both in the presence or in the absence of a sharp time-scale separation between the variables to be retained or eliminated from the description, as well as in the long-time behavior.
Effect of Explants Type and Plant Growth Regulators on the Initiation and Multiplication of Vegetative Shoots of Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni in vitro
Authors: Naeem Neamat R. , Almukhtar Sarab A.
Published: July 2023

This study was carried out in the Plant Tissue Culture Laboratory of the College of Agriculture - Karbala Unaiversity for the period from 2022 to 2023. The study included the use of explants and different combinations in the sterilization, initiation and multiplication of the vegetative shoots of the Stevia plantiv vitro, the study was carried out in three phases: the first included sterilization of explants (shoot tips and lateral buds) using sodium hypochlorite at concentrations of (0, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2)% for periods of (5, 10, 15) minutes. The second included the initiation of shoots cultures by cultivating the shoot tips and lateral buds on the MS medium with different concentrations (0, 0.5, 1, 1.5) mg l-1 BA and (0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3) mg l -1 NAA, the third stage was carried out by cultivating the growths resulting from the shoot tips cultivated in the previous stage on the MS medium prepared with different concentrations (0, 1, 2, 3, 4) mg l-1 BA and (0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4) mg l-1NAA. The results of the study showed the superiority of the developing apical in achieving the lowest contamination rate of 38% compared to the side buds that achieved a contamination rate of 40.67%, and the concentration of 2% of NaOCl achieved the lowest pollution rate of 8.33%, and the duration of 15 minutes achieved the lowest pollution rate of 24%. The results of the initiation experiment showed the superiority of the shoot apical as a explants that achieved the highest response rate to emergence of 70% compared to the lateral shoots that recorded a response rate of 54.69%, and the concentration of 1 mg l-1 BA was significantly superior and achieved a response rate of 82.5% compared to the comparison treatment that gave a rate of 82.5%. A response of 32.5%. As for the results of the vegetative multiplication experiment, the results showed the superiority of BA at a concentration of 3 mg l-1 in achieving the highest rate in the number and length of branches was 33.35 branches Plant-1, 8.20 cm respectively. compared to the comparison treatment that achieved the lowest rate, and the concentration of 0.3 mg l-1 NAA was superior in achieving the highest average of the number and length of the vegetative total reached 30.84 plant branch-1, 7.65 cm respectively, while the comparison treatment achieved the lowest mean for the studied traits.
The Effect of Adding Pumpkin Seed Oil on Physicochemical and Sensory Properties of the Mayonnaise
Authors: Abed Hind Mohammed , Luma Khairy H.
Published: July 2023

The current study aimed to add pumpkin seed oil as an alternative of fat in mayonnaise without any effectiveness on the physicochemical and organoleptic properties for those product. The oil extracted from local (Iraqi) pumpkin seeds using the Soxhlet apparatus was 50%. Some chemical and physical analysis were performed. The physical analysis was done such as refractive index, viscosity, relative density, and pH at 25°C, the results were 1.48, 41c, 0.79 and 7.23, respectively. The chemical analysis such as peroxide value and free fatty acids were examined as 1.70 and 0.13, respectively. The vitamins such as E, A and D3 using (HPLC) were examined at rates 28.08, 13.17, and 1.38%, respectively. Phenols also were detected using (GC), the highest result for phenol was Vanillin (13.07%) followed by Vanillic acid (11.69) and p-coumaric acid (12.45), respectively. Whereas the fatty acids like palmitic, stearic, oleic, linoleic, linolenic, formic, lactic, acetic, propionic and butyric acids were detected in the extracted oil, they have different percentages, and the highest was 38.10% linoleic acid followed by 22.02% Oleic acid and 16.45% palmitic acid. Then, the physicochemical analysis has been done for two samples of mayonnaise made from pumpkin seeds oil and sunflower oil sample for 1, 2 and 4 weeks at a temperature (25 °C). The physical analysis was detected such as pH, solids percentage, refractive index, thermal stability of the emulsion and microscopic structure. Meanwhile, the chemical analysis also was detected such as, thiobarbituric acid (TBA), peroxide value and free fatty acids. Finally, sensory evaluation was carried out for two samples of mayonnaise made from pumpkin seeds oil and sunflower oil. The results showed that the pumpkin seed oil could improve the sensory properties of mayonnaise. Thus, this study was aimed to find healthy alternative fats that have nutritional benefits as well as to manufacture food products such as mayonnaise which was rich in antioxidants could enhances human health nutritionally and shelf life.
Effect of Jelly and Planting Depths on the Traits of Two Barley Verities
Authors: Ali Muthanna Abdulbasit , Khaleel Amjad Thanoon , Al-Chalabi A.M. , Al-Barwary Ary Sulayman
Published: July 2023

A field experiment was conducted in two separated environments in Nineveh Governorate, northern Iraq: the first in Telkef district and the second in Mosul district. Each experiment featured the growing of two barley varieties (Var) [Local black (LB) and Local white (LW)] at different sowing depths (SD) (4 and 8 cm), as well as the addition of three levels of hydrogel (HL) (0, 100, and 200) kg.ha-1. Traits studies: plant height (PH), leaf area of the flag (LAF), spike length (SL), Spike No. m2 (NS.m2), Number of grains/spike (NG/S), 1000 weight grains (1000WG), Biological yield (BY), Straw yield (SY), Grain yield (GY), Harvest index (HI). The results indicated that the (LB) variety superiority the (LW) variety in characteristics of (SL), (NS/m2) and (GY), whereas the local white variety superiority it in characteristics of (LAF), (NG/S) and (GY) in both sites. The (SD) show that the depth (8 cm) was superior in the traits of (PH), (NS/m2), (BY), (SY) and (GY), while the depth (4 cm) was significantly superior in the trait of (1000WG) for the two experimental sites. For the two experimental sites, the treatment of adding (200 kg.ha-1) of hydrogel was superior in characteristics (LAF), (NS/m2), (NG/S), (1000WG), (BY), (SY), (GY) and (HI). The majority of the binary and triple interactions revealed substantial differences between them and for the majority of the attributes investigated, as well as for both locations.
Efficacy of Phytoremediation for Methylparaben Removal from Contaminated Water: A study by Alternanthera spp and Associated Rhizobacteria
Authors: Mutar Zahraa Hasan , Al-Baldawi Israa Abdulwahab , Mohammed Ahmed A. , Hameed Husam Kareem , Abdullah Siti Rozaimah Sheikh , Ismail Nur Izzati
Published: July 2023

In the present study, the potential of Alternanthera spp and its associated rhizobacteria to uptake and biodegrade methylparaben (MP) under hydroponic conditions was assessed. The experiments were conducted in vitro using glass reactors of 500-mL volume. The results indicated that the removal rates in hydroponic reactors were significantly higher (66.6±3%) than that of control reactors (<40%). MP reduction data fitted well a first-order kinetics model (R2>0.9). The presence of plants shortened the half-life (T1/2) of MP in aqueous solutions to 3.41 days compared to 34.8 days in control reactors. Bioconcentration factors (BCFs) of MP were higher for roots (1.9-5.2 L/kg) compared to stems (0-0.5 L/kg). High-tolerant rhizobacteria for MP were isolated from the roots of Alternanthera spp and characterized. It was shown that three isolates achieved noticeable efficiencies in removing MP in a separated biodegradation assay. Of the 3 isolated rhizobacteria, results revealed that Cronobacter sakazakii, diagnosed by gyrB gene, had the highest MP removal efficiency. These findings elucidated that both Alternanthera spp and a specific associated rhizobacterial strains have promising potentials in removing MP even though the latter possesses antimicrobial properties.
Investigation of Severe Dust Storms Over Baghdad City by Using Remote Sensing Measurements and Ground Data
Authors: Attiya Ali. A. , Jones Brian G.
Published: July 2023

Dust aerosols have serious influences on different sectors such as the economy, climate change, pollution, transportation and public health. Dust storms have increased over the Middle East especially impacting central Iraq lately. The goal of the work is to identify possible dust sources and pathways influencing the study area. Using remote sensing data by employing the monthly average of Aerosol Index (AI-OMI), HYSPLIT model and MODIS satellite to examine potential dust storms sources and their transport pathways through spring season in 2012. The results of aerosol index (AI) values by OMI satellite were high during spring and summer but were low during autumn and winter. AI values are increased in the likely major dust sources including eastern parts of Syria, Kuwait, north Saudi Arabia, southwestern parts of Iran, as well as south and central parts of Iraq. Also, analyses of the HYSPLIT model show possible dust storms sources and predominate directions of dust which can reach Baghdad city including transported dust aerosols from the eastern region of Syria, north-western, western Iraq. The findings of pathways by the HYSPLIT model for possible dust sources are agreement with satellite images from MODIS – OMI satellites (dust storms are revealed by the MODIS – OMI satellites). The information of CALIPSO satellite revealed that the dust activity had reached 18 kilometres to the stratosphere layer. The HYSPLIT trajectories findings for dust storms travel are like to the image of the MODIS satellite.
Assessment of Ingested Plastic Particles in the Guts of Seventeen Fish Species from Shatt Al-Arab River
Authors: Al-Zawar Abbas M. , Al-Shamary Ahmed Ch. , Hussain Najah A.
Published: July 2023

Plastic materials were evaluated in the guts of fish in Shatt Al Arab river from four stations Al-Najebia, Al-Dakier, Al-Ashar and Al-Bradieyha at the middle section. Seventeen fish species were caught seasonally during the study period from January 2022 to December 2022. Projectina microscope was used to measure the lengths of plastic particles for the first time from Shatt fish, their lengths ranged between 0.04 mm to 1.75mm. Different plastic materials were identified in guts of fishes, and they constituted 54.24% fibers, 35.94% fragments, 7.18%. films and 2.61% pigments. Total Density of plastic materials accumulated on the banks of the four stations 638 particales / m2. Four environmental factors were measured, water temperature, oxygen concentration, water turbidity, and total suspended solid ranged 26-33C°;5-6.9 mg/l;1-45 NTU;0.001-0.006mg/l.
Cytotoxicity of Astragalus hamosus Phenolic Compounds on Cancer Cell Lines AMJ13 and SK-GT-4
Authors: Alakiali Aseel Abdulsattar Jabori , Al-Shahwany Ayyad W. , Lateef Ismaeel Zubadia A.
Published: July 2023

Astragalus hamosusL. is a globally used herb for treating various diseases. This work was conducted to find out the cytotoxicity effects of phenolic compounds isolated fromAstragalus hamosusroot (PAR) to introduce a substitute approach in treating breast cancer and oesophageal cancer. Herein, the determination of the antioxidant activity the PAR extract was performed using the method of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) employing ascorbic acid as positive antioxidant control. Moreover, its toxicity on liver and kidneys of albino mice was assessed. The acute cytotoxicity of PAR extract was studied in mice model in addition to two cell lines AMJ13 and SK-GT-4 representing breast and oesophageal cancers, respectively using an MTT assay. The finding of this study indicated that the PAR extract demonstrated improved antioxidant activity. Furthermore, the results revealed no death or behavioral changes among the treated animals. Interestingly, the liver and kidney tissues of treated animals displayed normal features. Markedly, the PAR extract exerted a noteworthy cytotoxic activity against both studied cell lines with IC50 of 1.807 and 6.581 μg/ml, respectively. The constituents of the PAR extract provide significant protection against the presence of anticancer activity. In conclusion, PAR extract may replace the traditional treatment policy of cancer once it fully studied in terms of other pharmacological investigations.
Analysis of Water Harvesting Structures Sites Appropriateness Using GIS-Based Methodology: Diyala, Iraq, as a Case Study
Authors: Al-Shammari Ban , Al-Anbari Riyad H. , Alwan Imzahim A.
Published: July 2023

Water harvesting is an effective technology that may be used to collect unused runoff, therefore meeting various water needs and mitigating droughts. The study area is experiencing severe water lacks, so the goal of this research is to find ideal locations for structures of water harvesting through the use of a geographical information system-based multi-criteria analysis model that employs fuzzy logic with the analytical hierarchy process model. According to the hydrology and geomorphic criteria of the research area, a suitability map for water harvesting was constructed, and 17 and 12 sites suitable for check dams and farm ponds, respectively, were suggested in the regions with high and very high classes. Thus, this study’s findings underline the significance of geospatial modeling in planning water facilities and addressing the water shortage issue in the study region.
Identification of Seawater Intrusion in the Dibdibba Coastal Aquifer, South of Iraq Using Chemical Indicators and Multivariate Analyses
Authors: Al-Qurnawy Lamees S. , Almallah Inass A. , Alrubaye Aymen
Published: July 2023

Seawater intrusion into the groundwater is a major environmental disaster which affects the environment as well as community. This research aims to analyze the seawater intrusion in the Dibdibba coastal aquifer. In this study, researchers used statistical techniques to examine the impact of seawater intrusion in the Dibddiba coastal aquifer in southern Iraq. They collected 15 groundwater samples from pumping wells during wet and dry periods and analyzed those using multivariate statistical analyses and ionic ratios based on the GIS technique. The results showed that there was a strong linear correlation between total dissolved solids (TDS) and several other ions, including Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, Cl− SO−2
4, and NO−3. The principle component analysis revealed two factor loadings, with the first accounting for a significant portion of the total variance and showing a high loading for TDS, Na+, Cl−, SO−2
4, Mg2+, Ca2+, and NO−3. The second factor had a high loading for K+. The seawater influence was detected in 33.33 percent of the low zone groundwater, 26.66 percent of the moderate zone groundwater, and 40 percent of the high zone groundwater that was studied. Eighty and sixty-seven percent of the groundwater samples, respectively, belonged to the seawater field as Na-Cl type, as shown by Chadha’s graphic, demonstrating the effect of seawater intrusion. Also, during the wet time, 20% of the samples belonged to the reverse ion exchange water field as Ca-Mg-Cl type, but during the dry period, 33.3% did. This is further evidence of the impact of seawater intrusion.