bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of Different Substrates and Supplement with Three Types of Spawn on Letinula Edodes Parameters for First Production in Iraq
Authors: Abdullah Mohammed Barakat , Abed Idham Ali , Alkobaisy Jamal Salih
Published: August 2022

Shiitake mushroom (Lentinula edodes) can have an important role specially in agriculture where land is limited. This study was the first step to improve mushroom cultivation in Iraq by using locally available lignocellulosic materials as substrates, supplements and types of spawn. Effect of substrates, supplements and spawn on mycelium and browning period, time of three flush, weight of three flush, biological efficiency (BE), total yield, diameter of cap and length of stalk. Used substrates were sawdust and Phragmites australis, supplements were Sesbania sesban, Trifolium and molasses factories residuals. The treatment were T1( sawdust 73%, Sesbania sesban20%), T2(Sawdust73%, Trifolium20%), T3(Phragmites australis vegetative73%, Sesbania sesban20%), T4 (Phragmites australis vegetative73%, Trifolium20%), T5 (Phragmites australis fruiting), T6 (Phragmites australis vegetative73%, Trifolium20%), T6(73%, Sesbania sesban20%) and 2% CaCO3, 5% molasses factories residuals for all treatment. Spawn used were wheat grains C1, date seeds C2, white corn grains C3. Results show that faster mycelium covering substrate was at T1 (23.167 days), T6 gave the first complete browning (55.417 days), the days of three flushes were (68.91, 88.42 and 107.83 days) for T5, T6 and T6 respectively. T6 was superior by showing highest values of weight of three flush (73.93, 76.13 and 49.06 g for the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd respectively), total yield and BE (199.14 g and 49.784 % respectively), and diameter of cap and length of stalk (6.7 and 6.0 cm respectively). Hence, T6 which content of Phragmites australis in fruiting stage, Trifolium and molasses was the best substrate used in this study, while C2 (date grains) was best type of spawn.
Evaluation of the In Vitro Embryo Production of Farm Animals Under the Circumstances of Embryo Transfer Technology
Authors: Mardenli Omar , Amin Al-Tawash Ali Sami , Al-Jabbar Ibrahim Ali Abd , Mohammad Al-Kerwi Mahdi Salih , Çetinkaya Halil İbrahim , Al-Shammas Ghassan
Published: August 2022

“Embryo transfer” technology is one of the deterministic techniques related to the production of in vitro or in vivo produced embryos. This technique controls to a large extent the integrity of the developmental component of early embryos and their ability to develop later until birth. Pregnancy rates resulting from the transferred embryos were widely dispersed and associated with many variables and factors. The developmental stage of early embryos had a significant impact on pregnancy rates, as most studies agreed to transfer embryos in the blastocyst and morula stages due to the high rates of pregnancy (40%-100%) compared to the blastomeres. Embryo cryopreservation technology (rapid and slow) competed to a large extent with fresh embryos in pregnancy rates, even surpassing the latter in some cases, as the percentage approached 100%. The resulting pregnancy rates varied greatly (up to 95%) according to the method of transferring and hormonal induction. The results were mainly based on the size and type of the animal on the one hand and on the nature of the biological activity and the specific function of the hormones (progesterone, prostaglandin F2α, gonadotropin - releasing hormone and follicle - stimulating hormone, etc.) involved in regulating estrus in donors and recipients on the other hand. This review concluded that the embryo transfer technology has given many scenarios that cannot lead to an inevitable result in judging the efficacy of the technology of in vitro embryo production, but the results are encouraging and require further efforts.
Body Condition Score and Its Association with Productive and Reproductive Performance and Health Status in Dairy Cattle: Review Article
Authors: Abdel-Lattif Fallah Hassan
Published: August 2022

Body condition score is a well pointer of cows energy reserves during the lactation season and can be a good measure of cows that are capable of balance well between milk production and feed intake. From a review of researches, it was found the importance of determining the body condition score in the management of dairy cows, as it is related to milk production, reproductive performance and health status, as the over or excessive and low body condition score has a negative impact on the general performance of dairy cows. Thus, measuring the body condition may be an essential instrument in the management of cows to increase milk production, improve reproductive performance and reduce the incidence of health problems.
Effect of Different Water Quality with and Without Vitamin C on Some Physiological Parameters of Broiler Chickens
Authors: Hussain Safeaa J. , Al-Salhie Khalid C. K.
Published: August 2022

The current study was designed to investigate the effect of different water quality with and without vitamin C on some blood parameters and the relative weight of the heart, liver, gizzard, spleen and bursa gland of broiler chickens. A total of 252 one day old, unsexed chicks of broiler chicken (ROSS 308), average body weight 42 g were used in this study. The birds were randomly distributed into seven treatment groups (each group 36 birds), with three replicates per each (12 birds per replicate) based on completely randomized design for 35 days. The first group drank reverse osmosis (R.O) without any addition containing 28.16 total dissolved solids mg.l-1 (TDS), whereas the second, third and fourth groups drank water containing 1849.6, 1452.8 and 1356.8 TDS mg.l-l respectively. The fifth, sixth and seventh group drank water containing 1849.6, 1452.8 and 1356.8 TDS mg.l-1 with 100 mg.l-1 vitamin C respectively. The birds fed ad libitum a starter diet for 21 days and thereafter, on a grower diet. Increasing water TDS resulted in a significant increase in AST and ALT enzymes. On the other hand, increasing water TDS causing a decrease in the total protein and globulin. Addition vitamin C to different water quality causing a significant decrease in AST and ALT enzymes and increase in the total protein and globulin. Different water quality with or without vitamin C had no effect on albumin in serum and relative weight of heart, liver, gizzard and spleen. Increasing water TDS resulted in a significant increase in the relative weight of bursa gland. On the other hand, addition vitamin C to different water quality causing a significant decrease in the relative weight of bursa gland. It can be concluded that an increasing the level total dissolved solids (TDS) in broiler chickens drinking water caused stress for birds. The addition of vitamin C by 100 mg per liter led to a reduction in the stress of birds.
The Correlation Between Plasma Membrane Integrity and Sperm Parameters for the Arrabi Rams Semen
Authors: Neamah Hasanain Jihad
Published: August 2022

The study was executed to investigate the different cooling periods (0, 24, and 48 hours) effects on plasma membrane integrity depending on the hypo osmotic swelling test (HOST), spermatozoa motility, acrosome integrity, live sperm, and spermatozoa abnormalities, and correlation among the Host and other rams sperm parameters This study was done at an animal farm in Al-Kut city (southern Baghdad city\ Iraq), from 5th January to 5th February 2021 The semen was collected from four mature Arrabi rams (2-4 years old) by using an artificial vagina to the evaluation of semen characteristics The results exhibited a significant (p≤005) effect of the cooling times of the rams semen parameters, on the other hand, there is a highly significant (P≤001) correlation (positive) among host, acrosome integrity, live sperm, and spermatozoa motility (r = 100, 099, 095) respectively However, the results explained the significant (P≤005) correlation (negative) between host and spermatozoa abnormalities (r = -100) In conclusion, there are a relatively significant effect of the cooling periods and Arrabi ram semen parameters and there is a significant correlation between host and other sperm characteristics during different times of cooling
Use of Ultrasound Treatment to Improve Oil Extraction From Sunflower
Authors: Jamal Alaa Rafea , Kareem AbdulKareem Abdulrazzaq
Published: August 2022

The current study aimed to improve the extraction of sunflower oil by exposing the oil to an ultrasonic treatment at a frequency of 20 Hz for different (0,5,10,15)minute, then extracting the oil using hexane. It was noted through the results obtained in the study that there is a significant increase in the extraction rate, it was found that the highest extraction rate was (68.96%) at time (10min) and the lowest was (22.50%) at time (0). The physicochemical properties of sunflower oil were studied, the results showed there was a noticeable improvement in those physicochemical properties of sunflower oil, the density was also studied, the highest percentage was (0.926kg/cm3) at time (15), and the lowest percentage (0.918kg/cm3) at time (0). The highest percentage of viscosity was (65c.p) at time (15) while the lowest viscosity (57.5c.p) recorded at time (0). In the study of refractive index, the results showed the highest refractive index was 1.480 at time (15) and the lowest index was (1.476) at time (0), the results also showed the highest percentage of the acidity was (0.85 mg/koh/g) at time (0) while the lowest acidity reached to (0.635mg/koh/g) at (15). The highest percentage of iodine number was (122.4) at time (0) and the lowest percentage 101.8 at time (15). Similarly, the results showed the highest percentage of peroxide number was (3.53mg/koh/g) at time (0) and the lowest percentage (2.58mg/koh/g) at time (15). The highest percentage of saponification number was (199mg/koh/g) at the time (15) and the lowest percentage (188.5mg/koh/g) at the time (0). The fatty acids of the oil exposed to ultrasound and extracted with the hexane were also studied, and the results showed an improvement in some fatty acids, the highest percentage of palmitic acid reached (5.93%) at time (15) and the lowest (4.90%) at time (0). Similarly, the highest percentage of oleic acid reached (19.07%) at time (15) and the lowest percentage was (18.26%) at time (0), while linoleic acid reached the highest percentage (46.91%) at time (15) and the lowest percentage (45.52%) at time (0), and similarly the highest percentage of stearic acid reached (4.59%) at time (15) and the lowest percentage (3.44%) at time (0), the highest percentage of linolenic acid was (0.58%) at time (15) and the lowest percentage (0.39%) at time (0).
Screening of Oil Sunflower Cultivars Grown in the Iraq Conditions Under Different Levels of Water Stress
Authors: Hatem Sajideen H. , Jabbar Mundher Kh. , Al-Salami Intissar
Published: August 2022

The experiment was carried out in the experimental field of the College of Agriculture, Al-Qasim Green University, during the spring season of 2021, to study the effect of water stress in some traits of growth and yield and yield component in three sunflower cultivars. A factorial arrangement in randomized complete block design with three replications was used, first factor was included cultivars of sunflower (C1 : ESHAKI, C2 : AQMAR and C3 : SAKHA), the Second factor was included water stress levels : (I1 : 100%, I2 : 75% and I3 : 50%) from field capacity. The C2 cultivar was excelled in all characteristics at 100, 75 and 50% irrigation level on the other cultivars. The results of C2 cultivar in 50% irrigation did not significantly differ on 75 and 100% irrigation level in all study traits except leaf area.
Investigation the Correlation Between the Pathogenicity and Toxins Produced by Fusarium solani
Authors: Almasoodi Itlal Hakim , Naser Noor Kadum
Published: August 2022

In this study, 17 isolates of Fusarium solani has been isolated from the different geographic areas in Iraq, all isolates were identical to the species F. solani The results show a strong correlation between pathogenicity and toxins produced by F. solani. The results also showed that there were significant differences between these isolates. Isolate (S2Fs5) was superior in disease severity (98.50,96.10%) while isolate (K6Fs17.) were lower 90.20,88.10 as compared to control treatment 0%. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) technique for F. solani culture filtrate showed that isolate (S2Fs5) higher production of toxin (2991.7, 3497.9) while isolate (K6FS17.) was lower production of toxin (317.5,211.3). All of the isolates produced different amount of T2 toxin and Deoxynivalenol, the content of the two toxins has been correlated with pathogenicity.
Microwave Energy in Controlling Warehouse Insects (Sitophilus oryzae L) and Determining the Percentage of Killing on the Unit Weight of Wheat Seeds
Authors: Abed Mohammed Saheb , Mihilescu Dan Florin
Published: August 2022

Sitophilus oryzae L (Coleoptera) is a primary pest of stored grains in many regions of the world. This research paper aims to use non-traditional methods to control some insects on stored grain. The use of insecticides and their side effects on health and the environment, in general, are proven Pest control should take another direction. Wheat samples were taken with different weights of 10,20,40,60,80,100,200 g for three separate packages, and (30) insects of Sitophilus oryzae L were added to each sample and were mixed randomly., 5, 10,15,20,25 ‘30’ seconds to calculate the time on the amount of weight of treated seeds to give the best results weight 10 g, microwave treatment, time of 20 seconds, the killing rate was 100%, and 15 seconds was 90%. Weight 20g Microwave treatment for 25 seconds (100 percent kill rate) and 20 seconds (92.30 percent kill rate) for optimal results. Weight 40g Microwave treatment for 20 seconds (100 percent kill rate) and 15 seconds (76.10 percent kill rate) for optimal results. Microwave 60g for 25 seconds for a 100% kill rate and 20 seconds for an 88 percent kill rate for optimal outcomes. Microwave 80g for 25 seconds for a 100% kill rate and 20 seconds for an 86.60 percent kill rate for optimal outcomes. For optimal results, microwave 100g for 30 seconds for a 100% kill rate and 25 seconds for a 99.80% kill rate. Microwave 200g for 35 seconds for a 100% kill rate and 30 seconds for a 99.60% kill rate for optimal outcomes. From this, we can deduce that the time needed to kill all insects in the sample preparation for testing must be doubled for every 20 g of wheat seeds added.
Evaluation of the in Vitro Efficacy of Capparis spinosa L. Alcoholic Extract in Controlling the Hairy Grain Beetle (khabra) Tragoderma granarium Everts (Coleoptera; Dermestidae)
Authors: Abdul Hussain Farah Hadi , Rashid Yousef Dakhil
Published: August 2022

This research was carried out to investigate the effects of the alcoholic extract of the leaves and roots ofC. spinosa, at concentrations of 10, 20, and 30 mg/ml on the larvae of the second and fourth instars of the hairy grain beetle (Khabra)T. granarium. The results showed the superiority of the alcoholic extract of the leaves at the concentration of 30 mg/ml in killing the second and fourth larval instars, with mortality rates of 48.3 and 60.0%, respectively. As for the alcoholic extract of the roots, the concentration of 30 mg/ml caused the highest mortality rate in the second and fourth larval instars, with mortality rates of 23.3 and 28.3 %, respectively.
Physiological Response of Genotypes and Sowing Dates in the Growth and Yield of Chenopodium Quinoa Willd
Authors: Mahmood Raam Shaker , AL-Taweel Sudad K.
Published: August 2022

A field experiment was carried out at the College of Agricultural Engineering Sciences - University of Baghdad- Iraq, where the research station is located at latitude 33.2°N and longitude 44.38°E at the agricultural season 2019-2020. The study aimed to investigate the physiological behavior of genotypes and sowing dates in the growth and yield of quinoa in a factorial experiment using a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replicates. The first factor included two quinoa genotypes; the first one is QW as white seed’s and QR the red seed. On the other hand, the second factor included four sowing dates, which are 1/10, 15/10, 1/11, and 15/11, symbolized by T1, T2, T3, and T4, respectively. The results showed the superiority of the white seeds genotype by giving the highest average leaves number, leaf area, and heads weight was 131.70 leaves. plant-1, 31.90 cm2. plant-1, and 21.68 gm/ head respectively. However, the second sowing date, 15/10, was exceeded by giving the highest plant height, number of branches per plant, leaf area, chlorophyll content, and heads weight, which reached 95.50 cm and 17.79 branches. plant-1 and 28.90 cm2.plant-1, 98.40 SPAD, and 26.26 gm. head-1 respectively. As for the interaction between varieties and sowing dates, the white variety exceeded in the second date by giving the highest dry weight per plant, which amounted to 30.00 gm. plant-1. The study results showed that it is preferred to plant the white variety early in the quinoa plant in Iraq to increase production.
Response of Some Growth Traits of Safflower(Carthamus tinctorius L.) to Spray with Humic Acid Under Levels of Phosphorus Fertilizer
Authors: Laftah Sahar Kalaf , Alabdulla Sundus A.
Published: August 2022

The research was carried out in Agriculture College farm / Basra University – Karmat Ali location, the winter season 2020- 2021, to study the response of Safflower variety Gilla to spray with four concentrations of humic acid (0,6,12,18g L-1) under four levels of Phosphorus fertilizer(0,60,120 kg P h-1). The experiment was carried out in a factorial arrangement with three replications using a randomized complete block design. The results showed that 120 kg P h-1 gave of the highest days until 50% flowering, plant height, the total number of main branches and leaves and a diameter of the stem (106.75 days ago, 183.01cm,12.44 branches plant-1, 588.71 leaves plant-1,1.466cm respectively). The maximum number of days to 50% flowering plant height, the number of main branches were superior with a humic acid concentration of 12 g L-1., (109.56 day,180.34cm and 12.70 branches plant-1respectively), while concentration 18 g L-1 gave the highest number of leaves. The interaction of 120 kg P h-1 with 12 g L 1- of humic acid gave the highest number of days from planting to 50% flowering, plant height, the number of main branches.
Effect of Mineral Fertilization and Plant Extracts on Growth of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)
Authors: Mohammed Sundus Jaber , Alabdulla Sundus A.
Published: August 2022

A field experiment was carried out at Al-Hartiha Research Station of the college of agriculture, university of Basrah, during the winter season 2021-2022 to studying the effect of three levels of mineral fertilization NPK(0, Mineral fertilizer as recommended, 50% of recommended mineral fertilizer), and concentration extracts of licorice and m oringa leaf (0, spraying 50% of licorice extract, spraying 100% of licorice extract, spraying 50% of moringa leaves extract, spraying 100% of moringa leaves extract), on some growth characteristics of wheat. The experiment was applied according to the factorial method, using a randomized complete block design (R.C.B.D) with three replications. The results showed that the fertilizer recommendation 100% achieved the highest values of chlorophyll content of the flag leaf, the number of days to 50% flowering, plant height, flag leaf area, and the number of days to maturity (172.70 mg m-2, 102.33 day, 91.87cm, 26.67cm2 and 42.45 day), spraying with100% Licorice extract gave the highest content of chlorophyll, plant height, flag leaf area, and the number of days to 50% flowering and maturity (178.57 mg m-2, 90.22 cm, 26.33 cm and 42.78 day respectively). The interaction was significant in all characteristics, as the fertilizer recommendation spraying with 100% licorice extract achieved the highest chlorophyll content and flag leaf area, and it did not differ from the combination of 50% of the fertilizer recommendation and the concentration of 100% licorice extract in the chlorophyll content the area of the flag leaf and the number of days of to maturity.
Evaluation of Spray Droplets Characteristics Depending on the Configuration of Boomless Nozzle
Authors: Abraheem Sajjad N. , Alheidary Majid H.
Published: August 2022

Using hollow cone nozzles is a common in different spraying processes for controlling the pests. The aim of the study was to evaluate the spray droplet characteristics deposited on the eggplant plants at flowering vegetative growth stage. The study was performed in a Complete Block Random Design (CBRD) with a 3x4 factorial scheme, consisting of three working pressures 2, 3, and 5 bar, and four spray patterns of nozzles with three blocks. For obtaining micro details about spray droplets characteristics, white paper cards were used, which later had their images digitized and analyzed by the ImageJ software. The following values were measured in this study: volume median droplet diameter, spray coverage percentage, and droplet density per centimeter square. Then, the values found were subjected to analysis to show the significance between them. These values were compared by t test at 5% probability level. For each factor, separately, the coefficients of variation were analyzed and then the correlation between these factors was performed. The main results showed that the spray droplet characteristics were affected by both of operating pressure and spray pattern configuration. Higher operating pressure of 5bar produced the smallest median diameter and greatest number of droplets, and spray coverage percentage. Results also showed that the using of a combination spray pattern led to an increase in droplet density thereby coverage percentage into plant canopy in comparison to other pattern configurations.
Effect of Tillage Depth and Lateral Distance of Shallow Plows on the Mean Weight Diameter and the Energy of Soil Fragmentation by Using Locally Manufactured Subsoiler Plow
Authors: Alfaris Murtadha A. A. , Almaliki Salim
Published: August 2022

The field experiments were carried out in Basrah province, to study the effect of the distance between the shallow plows (0.40, 0.50, 0.60m), and adding wings on the foot of the subsoiler plow, at tillage depth (0.30, 0.40, 0.50, 0.60m) on the Mean Weight Diameter (MWD) and equivalent energy of the soil fragmentation in clay soil. The results showed that the increase in the plowing depth to 0.60m by the subsoiler without wings on the foot and shallow plows gave largest of the MWD (102.28mm). While the increased the lateral distance of the shallow plows to 0.60 m gave MWD (67.13mm). The interaction effect of adding wings and tillage depth led to decrease MWD by 30% when adding wings compared to the no addition treatment. The MWD decreased by more than half with adding wings and shallow plows. The equivalent energy increased by 30.58% when increasing plowing depth from 0.30 to 0.60m compared to 9.09% for the no winged plow. Moreover, the equivalent energy of fragmentation decreased when increases lateral distance of the shallow plows. The equivalent energy increased by 36.29% when increasing the depth of tillage from 0.30 to 0.60m at lateral distance 0.60m compared to 9.09% for the plow without wings.
Computer Model Application for Sorting and Grading Citrus Aurantium Using Image Processing and Artificial Neural Network
Authors: Aljuboury Mina M. , Jebur Hussein A.
Published: August 2022

This study was conducted in College of Science \ Computer Science Department \ University of Baghdad to compare between automatic sorting and manual sorting, which is more efficient and accurate, as well as the use of artificial intelligence in automated sorting, which included artificial neural network, image processing, study of external characteristics, defects and impurities and physical characteristics; grading and sorting speed, and fruits weigh. the results shown value of impurities and defects. the highest value of the regression is 0.40 and the error-approximation algorithm has recorded the value 06-1 and weight fruits fruit recorded the highest value and was 138.20 g, Grading and sorting speed recorded the highest value and was 1.38 minutes.
Measuring Technical Efficiency and Determining the Factors Affecting the Inefficiency of Wheat Farmers in Iraq (Diyala Governorate as an Applied Model) for the Season 2021
Authors: Mahmood Z. H. , Al-Sammarraie M. H. , Hamaza M. A.
Published: August 2022

The study aimed to estimate the technical efficiency and the factors affecting the inefficiency of wheat production farms. The Pareto curve was used to determine the importance of the problems facing farmers in the production process ‘the actual and potential production and the number of production losses in the study area were also calculated. A random sample of 100 wheat farmers was taken in Diyala Governorate including five districts The Stochastic Frontier Analysis was estimated using the Maximum Likelihood method. The results indicated that wheat production in Diyala Governorate is affected by the explanatory variables (seeds, compound fertilizers, urea fertilizers, pesticides, mechanical work, and human work). The total elasticity of the productive factors was 0.845, which implies that the farmers carry out their agricultural operations when there is a decreasing return to scale. The value of γ was 84%, which means that about 84% of the variances in inefficiency were due to factors under the control of the farmers. The technical efficiency ranged between (77.41 – 86.91%). The total actual production was 2,3049.955 tons, while the potential production was 2,754.865 tons. Thus, the production loss was 2744.865 tons. It can be concluded that farmers use resources in a different way and that they work in nonhomogeneous conditions. The study recommends following scientific methods in farm management and redistributing the economic resources to ensure the achievement of the same level of production or higher in light of reducing costs
The Economic and Environmental Effects of Recycling Plant Agricultural Wastes in Iraq (Yellow Maize Production Farms in Babil Province - A Case Study)
Authors: Kadhim Zuhal R. , Ali S. H. , Barbaz Dhurgham S. , Alnagar Amer S.
Published: August 2022

Uneconomic behavior or ill-considered disposal of agricultural plant residues is one of the important issues in the environmental problem, because it constitutes a waste of economic resources, serious pollution to the natural environment and a loss of its various components. The main objective of the research is to measure the economic and environmental effects of recycling plant agricultural wastes in maize production farms in Iraq by selecting a random sample that included 150 farmers from the crop growers in Babil province. The estimated results indicated that there is an economic surplus that the farmer can obtain from recycling one ton of crop residue, estimated at about 130 thousand Iraqi dinars, which contributes to increasing the farmer’s income, improving the standard of living, and then increasing the welfare at the level of the study members. The results of the study also showed that the negative environmental return constituted the largest percentage, estimated at 31%, and that there is a shortcoming in preserving the environment of the study area from pollution resulting from the accumulation of wastes and plant residues, due to collecting and storing large quantities of crop residues in the head of the farm, in addition to throwing part of them into the sewage sewers.
Insights from analyses of low complexity regions with canonical methods for protein sequence comparison
Authors: Jarnot Patryk , Ziemska-Legiecka Joanna , Grynberg Marcin , Gruca Aleksandra
Published: August 2022

Low complexity regions are fragments of protein sequences composed of only a few types of amino acids. These regions frequently occur in proteins and can play an important role in their functions. However, scientists are mainly focused on regions characterized by high diversity of amino acid composition. Similarity between regions of protein sequences frequently reflect functional similarity between them. In this article, we discuss strengths and weaknesses of the similarity analysis of low complexity regions using BLAST, HHblits and CD-HIT. These methods are considered to be the gold standard in protein similarity analysis and were designed for comparison of high complexity regions. However, we lack specialized methods that could be used to compare the similarity of low complexity regions. Therefore, we investigated the existing methods in order to understand how they can be applied to compare such regions. Our results are supported by exploratory study, discussion of amino acid composition and biological roles of selected examples. We show that existing methods need improvements to efficiently search for similar low complexity regions. We suggest features that have to be re-designed specifically for comparing low complexity regions: scoring matrix, multiple sequence alignment, e-value, local alignment and clustering based on a set of representative sequences. Results of this analysis can either be used to improve existing methods or to create new methods for the similarity analysis of low complexity regions.
Reversible Circuit Synthesis Method Using Sub-graphs of Shared Functional Decision Diagrams
Authors: Bu Dengli , Deng Junyi , Tang Pengjie , Yang Shuhong
Published: August 2022

Reversible circuit synthesis methods based on decision diagrams achieve low quantum costs but do not account for quantum bit (qubit) limits for the application of reversible logic in quantum computing. Here, a synthesis method using sub-graphs of shared functional decision diagrams (SFDDs) is proposed for reducing the number of lines when synthesizing reversible circuits. An SFDD is partitioned into sub-graphs by exploiting the longest dominant-active paths, and the sub-graphs are mapped to reversible gate cascades. To further reduce the number of lines, template root matching is presented for reusing circuit lines. Experimental results indicate that the proposed method achieves the known minimum number of lines in many cases and has good scalability. Although the proposed method increases the quantum cost over a prior method based on functional decision diagrams, it significantly reduces the number of lines in most cases. Compared with the one-pass method using quantum multiple-valued decision diagrams, the proposed method reduces the quantum cost without increasing the number of lines in many cases. When compared with the lookup table-based method using a direct mapping flow, the method reduces the number of lines in a few cases. Thus, the method aids in the physical realization of a quantum circuit.
MyMD-1 Improves Health Span and Prolongs Life Span in Old Mice: A Noninferiority Study to Rapamycin
Authors: Sabini Elena , O’Mahony Alison , Caturegli Patrizio
Published: August 2022

Aging and age-related diseases represent a compelling therapeutic goal for senolytics and drugs targeting inflammatory or metabolic pathways. We compared MyMD-1, a synthetic derivative of the alkaloid myosmine capable of suppressing TNF-α production, to rapamycin, the best characterized drug endowed with antiaging properties. In vivo, a longitudinal cohort of 54 C57BL/6 mice, 19-month-old at the start, was randomized to receive MyMD-1, high-dose (126 ppm) rapamycin, or low-dose (14 ppm) rapamycin plus metformin. Each treatment arm included 18 mice (10 females and 8 males) and was followed for 16 months or until death. Life span was significantly longer in MyMD-1 than rapamycin (p = .019 vs high-dose and .01 vs low-dose) in a Cox survival model that accounted for sex and serum levels of IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-17A. MyMD-1 also improved several health span characteristics, resulting in milder body weight loss, greater muscle strength, and slower progression to frailty. In vitro, MyMD-1 and rapamycin were compared using a panel of 12 human primary cell systems (BioMAP Diversity PLUS), where a total of 148 biomarkers were measured. MyMD-1 possessed antiproliferative, anti-inflammatory, and antifibrotic properties. Many were shared with rapamycin, but MyMD-1 was more active in the inhibition of proinflammatory and profibrotic biomarkers. Overall, MyMD-1 emerges as a new compound that, even when begun at an advanced age, induces beneficial effects on health and life span by modulating inflammation and tissue remodeling.
Characteristics Associated With 5-Year Fracture Risk Versus 5-Year Mortality Risk Among Late-Life Men
Authors: Langsetmo Lisa , Schousboe John T , Taylor Brent C , Cauley Jane A , Fink Howard A , Cawthon Peggy M , Stefanick Marcia L , Kado Deborah M , Kats Allyson M , Ensrud Kristine E
Published: August 2022

Background

Identifying late-life men who might benefit from treatment to prevent fracture is challenging given high mortality. Our objective was to evaluate risks of clinical fracture, hip fracture, and mortality prior to fracture among men aged at least 80 years.

Methods

Study participants included 3 145 community-dwelling men (mean [standard deviation] age 83 [2.8] years) from the Osteoporotic Fractures in Men (MrOS) Study. We used separate multivariable Fine-Gray competing risk models with prespecified risk factors (age, hip bone mineral density [BMD], recent fracture [<5 years], fall history [previous year], and multimorbidity [# conditions]) to estimate subdistribution hazard ratios and absolute 5-year risks of any clinical fracture and mortality prior to clinical fracture. Secondary analysis considered a hip fracture.

Results

There were 414 incident clinical fractures and 595 deaths without prior fracture within 5 years. BMD, fall history, and recent fracture were strong predictors of clinical fracture. Age and multimorbidity were strong predictors of mortality before fracture. After accounting for competing risks, age, BMD, and fall history were each associated with both risks of hip fracture and mortality before hip fracture. Model discrimination varied from 0.65 (mortality before fracture) to 0.79 (hip fracture). Estimated mortality differed substantially among men with similar clinical fracture risk due to a modest correlation between fracture risk and competing mortality risk = 0.37.

Conclusion

In late-life men, strong risk factors for clinical fracture and hip fracture include fall history, BMD, and recent fracture. Osteoporosis drug treatment decisions may be further enhanced by consideration of fracture risk versus overall life expectancy.
Work Expectations, Depressive Symptoms, and Passive Suicidal Ideation Among Older Adults: Evidence From the Health and Retirement Study
Authors: Mezuk Briana , Dang Linh , Jurgens David , Smith Jacqui
Published: August 2022

Background and Objectives

Employment and work transitions (e.g., retirement) influence mental health. However, how psychosocial contexts such as anticipation and uncertainty about work transitions, irrespective of the transitions themselves, relate to mental health is unclear. This study examined the relationships of work expectations with depressive symptoms, major depression episodes (MDE), and passive suicidal ideation over a 10-year period among the “Baby Boom” cohort of the Health and Retirement Study.

Research Design and Methods

Analysis was limited to 13,247 respondents aged 53–70 observed from 2008 to 2018. Past-year depressive symptoms, MDE, and passive suicidal ideation were indexed using the Composite International Diagnostic Interview—Short Form. Expectations regarding working full-time after age 62 were assessed using a probability scale (0%–100%). Mixed-effect logistic regressions with time-varying covariates were used to assess the relationship of work expectations with mental health, accounting for demographics, health status, and functioning, and stratified by baseline employment status.

Results

At baseline, higher work expectations were inversely associated with depressive symptoms. Longitudinally, higher expectations were associated with lower odds of depressive symptoms (odds ratio [OR] = 0.93, 95% CI: 0.91, 0.94). This association was more pronounced among respondents not working at baseline (ORNot working = 0.93 vs ORWorking = 0.96). Greater uncertainty (i.e., expectations near 50%) was also inversely associated with depressive symptoms. Results were similar for past-year MDE and passive suicidal ideation.

Discussion and Implications

Expectations (overall likelihood and uncertainty), as indicators of psychosocial context, provide insight into the processes that link work transitions with depression risk.
Deductive databases in four-valued logic: rule semantics and models
Authors: Laurent Dominique , Spyratos Nicolas
Published: August 2022

In this paper, we investigate rule semantics for deductive databases in the context of four-valued logic. In our approach, a database is a pair $\varDelta =(E,R)$, where $E$ is a set of pairs, each pair associating a ground fact with a truth value (thus, allowing to store true, false or inconsistent facts) and $R$ is a set of rules generalizing standard Datalog rules in the following sense: (i) the head of a rule can be a positive or a negative atom and (ii) the body can involve any among the connectors of four-valued logic. We define the database semantics as the least fixed point of a monotonic operator and we compare this semantics with that of k-existential programs defined by Fitting and paraconsistent extended logic programs defined by Arieli. Our main contribution is to show that, if we consider rules as implications (i.e. if we view the database as a set of formulas) then the semantics of the database is the unique minimal model of the set of database formulas. Here, minimality is understood with respect to the knowledge ordering of four-valued logic satisfying a monotonicity property whereby the truth value of the head of an instantiated rule is greater than that of the body. Moreover, we characterize databases having finite semantics and then, we address the issue of database updating. We argue that our approach allows for a new kind of updates, in which the update result depends not only on the fact involved in the update but also on its current truth value in the database.
Legal Determinants of Health
Authors: Thomson Michael
Published: August 2022

Social determinants of health are the social and economic conditions that have a determining impact on health at an individual and population level. Working within this framework, in 2019 the O’Neill Institute for National and Global Health Law at Georgetown University and The Lancet published The legal determinants of health: Harnessing the power of law for global health and sustainable development. This report identifies and promotes four legal determinants: provision of universal health coverage under the Sustainable Development Goals; governance of national and global health institutions; implementation of evidence-based health interventions; and building legal capacity. These determinants are dominated by the role of law in founding and governing health institutions and regulating their interventions. Such work is essential. However, the relationship between law, health improvement, and health equity articulated through these four determinants risks marginalising questions of disadvantage and inequality that social determinants of health research—and the report itself—mandate we attend to. Addressing the UK experience of COVID-19, and how social inequalities profoundly impacted experiences and outcomes in the first year of the pandemic, this article builds on the Lancet-O’Neill Commission’s important work to argue that any articulation of legal determinants of health must foreground law’s role in improving fairness in social arrangements and the distribution of resources.
The evolution of protoplanetary disc radii and disc masses in star-forming regions
Authors: Marchington Bridget , Parker Richard J
Published: August 2022

Protoplanetary discs are crucial to understanding how planets form and evolve, but these objects are subject to the vagaries of the birth environments of their host stars. In particular, photoionizing radiation from massive stars has been shown to be an effective agent in disrupting protoplanetary discs. External photoevaporation leads to the inward evolution of the radii of discs, whereas the internal viscous evolution of the disc causes the radii to evolve outwards. We couple N-body simulations of star-forming regions with a post-processing analysis of disc evolution to determine how the radius and mass distributions of protoplanetary discs evolve in young star-forming regions. To be consistent with observations, we find that the initial disc radii must be of the order of 100 au, even though these discs are readily destroyed by photoevaporation from massive stars. Furthermore, the observed disc radius distribution in the Orion Nebula Cluster (ONC) is more consistent with moderate initial stellar densities (100 M⊙ pc−3), in tension with dynamical models that posit much higher initial densities for the ONC. Furthermore, we cannot reproduce the observed disc radius distribution in the Lupus star-forming region if its discs are subject to external photoevaporation. A more detailed comparison is not possible due to the well-documented uncertainties in determining the ages of pre-main-sequence (disc-hosting) stars.
Beginning: China's national park system
Authors: Zhao Weijie
Published: August 2022

At the leaders’ summit of the 15th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP15) on 12 October 2021, China's President Xi Jinping declared that China has officially designated its first group of national parks—the Three-River-Source National Park, the Giant Panda National Park, the Northeast China Tiger and Leopard National Park, the Hainan Tropical Forests National Park, and the Wuyishan National Park. The five national parks cover a total area of ∼230 000 square kilometers and protect nearly 30% of the key terrestrial wildlife species found in China.

Since the establishment of the United States’ Yellowstone National Park in 1872, national parks have been founded in many countries, and some of them have become distinctive ‘national signatures’ and important ecological security shelters. As a large country with rich biodiversity, China now begins to establish its first five national parks, with a total of about 50 planned for the future, and to form a national-park-centric protected-area system. How will national parks change the landscape of China's ecological conservation? Is China well prepared to scientifically establish and administrate national parks? In this panel discussion, six Chinese ecological conservationists introduce the background, plans and challenges of China's national park system, and provide their scientific perspectives.

Guangchun Lei

Professor, School of Ecology and Nature Conservation, Beijing Forestry University

Zhiyun Ouyang

Professor, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences

Yang Su

Research Fellow, Development Research Center of the State Council of China

Rui Yang

Professor, Institute for National Parks, Tsinghua University

Yujun Zhang

Professor, School of Landscape Architecture, Beijing Forestry University

Keping Ma (Chair)

Professor, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Nestling Savannah Sparrows and Tree Swallows differ in their sensitivity to weather
Authors: Wheelwright Nathaniel T , Freeman-Gallant Corey R , Mauck Robert A
Published: August 2022

Savannah Sparrows (Passerculus sandwichensis) and Tree Swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) breed and forage in the same habitat on Kent Island, a boreal island in the Bay of Fundy, New Brunswick, but respond differently to the same weather conditions. The 2 passerines are similar in body size but because Tree Swallows depend upon small flying insects captured on the wing, they may be more sensitive to weather than Savannah Sparrows, which forage on insects and seeds on the ground and in shrubs and trees. To compare how reproductive success in the 2 species was affected by weather conditions, we took advantage of an 18-year dataset and used a model-building approach that controlled for year, adult sex and age, and field where they nested. We focused on 3 measures of reproductive success (hatching success, fledging success, and nestling condition) and different time periods (3- to 18-day time windows) before hatching or fledging. The responses of the 2 species differed in magnitude and direction. In Tree Swallows, adding weather variables to the basic model increased the explanatory power of fixed effects by 19.1%, illustrating the swallows’ sensitivity to weather. In contrast, in Savannah Sparrows, the addition of weather variables only increased the model’s explanatory power by 0.4% and the proportion of variation attributed to fixed factors by only 1.5%, which reflected the species’ hardiness in the face of inclement weather. Our results suggest that how a bird species forages and the nature of its prey may influence its sensitivity to weather and indicate that increased rainfall, strong winds and other events associated with climate change may affect Tree Swallows and other aerial insectivores more than ground-foraging birds such as Savannah Sparrows.
Self-reported sleepiness associates with greater brain and cortical volume and lower prevalence of ischemic covert brain infarcts in a community sample
Authors: Baril Andrée-Ann , Beiser Alexa S , DeCarli Charles , Himali Dibya , Sanchez Erlan , Cavuoto Marina , Redline Susan , Gottlieb Daniel J , Seshadri Sudha , Pase Matthew P , Himali Jayandra J
Published: August 2022

Study Objectives

We evaluated if self-reported sleepiness was associated with neuroimaging markers of brain aging and ischemic damage in a large community-based sample.

Methods

Participants from the Framingham Heart Study Offspring cohort (n = 468, 62.5 ± 8.7 years old, 49.6%M) free of dementia, stroke, and neurological diseases, completed sleep questionnaires and polysomnography followed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), 3 years later on average. We used linear and logistic regression models to evaluate the associations between Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) scores and total brain, cortical and subcortical gray matter, and white matter hyperintensities volumes, and the presence of covert brain infarcts.

Results

Higher sleepiness scores were associated with larger total brain volume, greater cortical gray matter volume, and a lower prevalence of covert brain infarcts, even when adjusting for a large array of potential confounders, including demographics, sleep profiles and disorders, organic health diseases, and proxies for daytime cognitive and physical activities. Interactions indicated that more sleepiness was associated with larger cortical gray matter volume in men only and in APOE ε4 noncarriers, whereas a trend for smaller cortical gray matter volume was observed in carriers. In longitudinal analyses, those with stable excessive daytime sleepiness over time had greater total brain and cortical gray matter volumes, whereas baseline sleepiness scores were not associated with subsequent atrophy or cognitive decline.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that sleepiness is not necessarily a marker of poor brain health when not explained by diseases or sleep debt and sleep disorders. Rather, sleepiness could be a marker of preserved sleep-regulatory processes and brain health in some cases.