bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Propagation Characteristics of the Rare Endemic Rhododenderon micranthum Turcz.
Authors: Oh Sang Im , Park Eun Hye , Koh Hong Min , Gil Min , Yoon Mi Jeong , Bae Jun Kyu , Ko Chung Ho
Published: January 2023

Studies on the cutting propagation of plants belonging to the genus Rhododendron are limited to R. mucronulatum and R. yedoense, which are mainly used as ornamental flowering trees, and additional studies on a greater variety of species are required. This study examined the characterisitics of cutting propagation according to treatment with growth regulators indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) and α-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) to generate basic data on the methods of reproducing R. micarnthum Turcz.. The number of roots (r=0.740**), length of root (r=0.844**), and number of leaves (r=0.649**) affected the rooting rate of R. micarnthum Turcz., and the number of roots (r=0.646**), length of roots (r=0.673**), number of leaves (r=0.738**), and chlorophyll content (r=0.710**) affected the survival rate. Further, the rooting and survival rates were highly correlated (r=0.794**). The growth characteristics of underground sections after growth regulator treatment were as follows: the number of formed roots was 7.0 and 7.2, and the length of roots was 6.2 cm and 5.3 cm in 150 mg·L-1 and 250 mg·L-1 NAA treatment groups, respectively. The rooting rate was 60% or above in the growth regulator treatment groups compared to that in the control group. Particularly, the rooting rates of 150 mg·L-1 and 250 mg·L-1 NAA treatment groups were 90% or above, and the latent period before rooting was shorter than other treatment groups at approximately 14 days, which was considered to be effective for root growth. The aboveground growth characteristics after propagating the cuttings showed that groups treated with 150 mg·L-1 and 250 mg·L-1 NAA showed a significantly higher plant length (5.2-5.8 cm), number of leaves (6.2 and 6.9), and leaf-length and leaf-width as compared to other treatment groups. Moreover, the survival rates of 150 mg·L-1 and 250 mg·L-1 NAA treatment groups were 80% or above, and the sound root growth manifested in the tendency of good aboveground growth. Additionally, IBA and NAA were highly correlated to the rooting and survival rates during cutting propagation of R. micarnthum Turcz.. The rooting and survival rates increased with the increase in growth regulator concentration. Particularly, NAA had a higher correlation to the rooting and survival rates than IBA (r=0.7316**, 0.7013**). Thus, R. micarnthum Turcz. could be propagated through cutting. Growth regulator treatment with 150 mg·L-1 and 250 mg·L-1 of NAA was effective for rooting and root growth of cutting, and these treatments were considered appropriate because the effects of aboveground growth were positive.
Grass Endophyte Researches 21: The Fungal Endophyte within Stroma-Developed Leymus Chinensis: Mycological Properties and Taxonomic Discrimination
Authors: Ji Yanling , Zhang Hongxia , Wang Yong , Liu Baohu , Lu Tao , Wang Zhiwei
Published: January 2023

During Sep. 2011, forty-four Leymus chinensis culms with stroma development were collected from Inner Mongolia. Stromata surrounded the flag leaf sheathes, white, at the final stage of development. Perithecium but not asci were observed under microscope. Nine epichloid endophyte strains were obtained from Tongliao subdivision, and sixteen from Horqin. Morphological and phylogenetic properties of these strains were investigated. Morphological properties of these strains were similar among these 27 strains. Colonies could grow to 28.5~41.1 mm/21d at 25℃; phialides 24.1~26.4 μm long, 2.1~2.5 μm at base, tapering to less than 1.0 μm at tip; conidia reniform to elliptical, 4.7~5.5×2.8~3.5 μm, indicating typical properties of Epichloë endophytes. Based on the sequences of tefA and tubB gene fragments, strains isolated from Inner Mongolia formed a distinct subclade in E. bromolica/ E. yangzii clade, with a bootstrap value of 66% and 64% respectively. Considering morphological and phylogenetic properties, we tend to determine strains isolated from Leymus chinensis as a new taxon. The detailed taxonomic position of this taxon needs further investigations on hybridization or genomic sequence.
Biochemical and Molecular Characterization of Musa sp. Cultured on Temporary Immersion Bioreactor
Authors: Sambolín Pérez Christopher A , Aybar Batista Rosalinda , Morales Marrero Sullymar , Andino Santiago Dinorah , Reyes Colón Axel , Negron Berrios Juan A , Núñez Marrero Angel , Arun Alok
Published: January 2023

The genus Musa spp. contains commercially important fleshy fruit producing plants including plantains and bananas with a strong potential of providing food security and source of revenue to farmers. Occasionally, plantlets are often not available to fulfill the supply demand of farmers particularly in Caribbean region. Concerns with the quality of vegetative tissues along with the possibility of the transmission of phytopathogens makes availability of plantlets limited to farm-ers. Micropropagation of plantains offers an alternative to producing large number of in-vitro plantlets. However, conventional methods of micropropagation techniques require high produc-tion costs and are labor-intensive. Recently, Temporary Immersion Bioreactor (TIB) has emerged as an alternative to conventional micropropagation methods. Our work utilized SEM (Scanning Electron Microscope), molecular and biochemical tools (qRT-PCR and ICP-OES) to characterize and compare the morphological, elemental composition, and photosynthetic gene expression of plantains cultured on TIB. Additionally, morphological features of growth and propagation rates were analyzed for comparing outputs obtained from temporary immersion bioreactor with conventional micropropagation (CM) techniques. Results showed higher growth and multiplication rates for plantlets cultivated in TIB. Gene expression analysis of selected photosynthetic genes demonstrated high transcript abundance of phosphoenol pyruvate carboxylase (PEPC) in plantain tissues obtained by TIB. Elemental composition analysis showed higher content of iron in plantains grown in TIB suggesting a potential correlation with PEPC expression. These results demonstrate the potential of TIB to be an efficient method to produce healthy in-vitro plantains.
First-principles Calculation of In and Ag, Cu Replacing Zn in Sphalerite
Authors: Xiao Fan , Lin Weipeng
Published: January 2023

Sphalerite has been recognized as the most important carrier of critical metal of Indium (In) due to that In mainly exists in the sphalerite lattice by isomorphic substitution. There are two significant replacing schemes for In entry into sphalerite, these are, Ag++In3+→2Zn2+ and Cu++In3+→2Zn2+. In order to understand the reaction process and constraints of the two substitution schemes, this paper uses first-principles methods to calculate In and Ag, Cu replacing Zn in sphalerite. According to the substitution schemes of Ag++In3+→2Zn2+ and Cu++In3+→2Zn2+, two doped sphalerite systems of Zn30InAgS32 and Zn30InCuS32 were constructed using 2×2×2 supercell model of sphalerite. Firstly, the pressure is controlled to 30MPa, and the temperature is set from 20-40MPa to simulate the response of the two doped sphalerite systems to temperature; Then, the control temperature was unchanged to 600K, and the pressure was set from 20-40MPa to investigate the pressure control of the two doped sphalerite systems. The lattice parameters, substitution energy, electronic structure, and population analysis of the designed models before and after replacement have been critically compared. The main conclusions can be drawn that it is more stable for In to enter sphalerite via the coupled substitution scheme Cu++In3+→2Zn2+, and the conditions that the two substitution schemes most likely to occur are 650K and 40MPa. This study not only reveals the physical and chemical properties of In-rich sphalerite formed by the two reaction processes of Ag++In3+→2Zn2+ and Cu++In3+→2Zn2+, but also has a certain enlightenment effect on the search for indium in sphalerite, and promotes the application of first principles in mineralization analysis.
Public Perception of the Negative Impact of Covid-19 Vaccination in Sidoarjo
Authors: Ulfiyah Asiyatul , Hariyanto Didik
Published: January 2023

This research is based on the fact that many people do not believe and doubt the existence of vaccination for various reasons such as issues regarding health, vaccine development, the impact of vaccines and the effectiveness of vaccine types, causing different perceptions from each community. This study uses a qualitative research type with a descriptive approach. The technique of determining the informants in this study used a purposive sampling technique. The results of this study indicate that the perception of the Pucanganom community can be seen from three elements, namely the first Perception Perpetrator, from the results of this study it can be seen that most of the Pucanganom Village community accept the Covid-19 vaccination because vaccination is quite important in avoiding the Covid-19 virus and his party believes and enthusiasm with the Covid-19 vaccination. The second in terms of targets or objects, shows that they believe vaccination can prevent the transmission of the Covid-19 virus. Of the many types of vaccinations available, the people of Pucanganom Village believe that moderna vaccination is the best type of vaccination. The third, in terms of the situation, shows that the people of Pucanganom Village in carrying out vaccinations on their own consciousness, not through coercion. They realized the importance of vaccination from various socializations carried out by village officials. Information regarding vaccination in Pucanganom Village is clear, complete and adequate. In practice, these three elements show a good perception of the pucangnaom community regarding the Covid-19 vaccination.
The Relationship Between Attachment and Love Style with Self Confidence in Students in Village
Authors: Mauludiyah Lilik , Paryontri Ramon Ananda
Published: January 2023

Students begin to act on their own decisions, experience changes such as lack of confidence such as always comparing themselves with others and being afraid to have opinions. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between attachment style and self-confidence and the relationship between love and self-confidence in students in Bangil Village. This research uses correlational quantitative research. This research was conducted in Bangil with a population of 321 students. The sample in the study amounted to 172 students who were taken by accidental sampling technique. The measuring instrument used for data collection uses an attachment style scale adapted from Nabila's research (2018), a love scale adapted from Hidayatullah's research (2018) and a self-confidence scale adapted from Anggia's research (2020). Data analysis using Pearson product moment correlation using SPSS 21 for windows program. The results of the analysis showed a correlation score of r = 0.482 with a significance of 0.000 (p<0.05) between attachment style and self-confidence, which means the first hypothesis is accepted. Thus, there is a significant positive relationship between attachment style and self-confidence. The results of data analysis showed a correlation score of r = 0.645 with a significance of 0.000 (p<0.05) between love and self-confidence, which means that the second hypothesis is accepted. Thus, there is a significant positive relationship between love and self-confidence. The contribution of the attachment variable to self-confidence is 23.2%, while the contribution of the love variable to self-confidence is 41.7%.
Independence of Local Government
Authors: S Ismoilova
Published: January 2023

This paper is about sovereignty of local authority, advantages and disadvantages of independence of local government from the point of finance.
Theoretical and Methodological Basis for Studying the Needs and Advantages in Youth Activities
Authors: Yuldashev Farrukh
Published: January 2023

This article studies the harmony of needs and interests in the activities of young people in the information society, revealing the conceptual foundations and socio-philosophical aspects of the harmony of needs and interests, conflicts in meeting the needs and interests of young people in the space of information struggle, the commonality of needs and interests in the process modernization of society and building a civil society on the basis of means of provision.
Study of Axiology in Scientific Field and Works
Authors: Shokhruh Karshiyev
Published: January 2023

The article is devoted to prevalence of axiological approaches in all areas of research. At first, axiology was a subject of philosophical study and evaluation. Our research indicates that it later studied in a variety of different disciplines, including physics, chemistry, sociology, linguistics, and literature. Additionally, it is crucial to carefully address topics like linguoaxiological methodologies, synchronic and diachronic features of axiology, and their adherence to the national culture and values when analyzing translations of hagiographic literature. The axiological approach to the study of hagiographic literature in translation studies degree of alternativeness in the context in the target language of the words of national culture, religion, Islamic morality etc.
Neutrosophic Classifier-based Algorithm for Dependability Analysis in Early Phase of Software Development
Authors: Chatterjee Subhashis , Saha Deepjyoti , Yadav Akhilesh , Verma Yogesh
Published: January 2023

Due to the significant dependency on software, the enhancement of dependability in software attributes is the most challenging issue for software developers. The dependability attributes like: reliability, performability, security, safety, risk, maintainability perform important roles for the development of dependable software. The present study proposes a new algorithm to predict more faults efficiently in the requirement phase to assess the dependability of the software systems. Here three dependability attributes like: performability, reliability, and security, have been considered to develop the proposed model. Neutrosophic logic can be a useful tool to handle impreciseness, incompleteness of software metric values by its three independent components like: truth, indeterminate, and false components. Based on expert knowledge most important four requirement phase metrics have been considered here as input for the model development. The performance of the proposed model has been validated based on real software project data. The proposed model have been compared with different other fault prediction models by comparison criteria. The performance of the proposed model is better and it can predict more faults than other models. Software organizations can use the proposed model for the requirement phase fault count and construct dependable software.
Genetic diversity of Formosan pangolins (Manis pentadactyla pentadactyla) in Taiwan based on the MHC gene
Authors: Liu Jin-Ting , Lai Fang-Yu , Wu Yu-Hsuan , Lo Flora Hsuan-Yi , Lin En-Chung , Wang Pei-Hwa
Published: January 2023

The Formosan pangolin (Manis pentadactyla pentadactyla) is an endangered species in Taiwan. The polymorphisms at major histocompatibility complex (MHC) gene regions could provide an indicator for immunological fitness and genetic diversity of a population. In this study, seven different novel markers for MHC genotyping of Formosan pangolin were developed and used to evaluate the genetic diversity of 92 Formosan pangolins. In the MHC markers, six loci showed monomorphism or only two haplotypes. Only one marker, a DLA class II DR-1 beta chain-like locus, showed more diversity: four haplotypes were detected and their relative frequencies were 62.0, 37.0, 0.5 and 0.5%, with nine polymorphic sites in the nucleotide sequence and six variable sites in the amino acid sequence. The non-synonymous substitution rate (dN) and synonymous substitution rate (dS) were 0.026 and 0.017, and showed that this locus appears to be under positive selection (dN /dS >1). Observed heterozygosity (HO) and expected heterozygosity (HE) were 0.413 and 0.482, respectively. FIS was 0.144, indicating that the population might have an inbreeding tendency (FIS > 0). Haplotype diversity (h) was 0.482 and nucleotide diversity (π) was 0.010. Overall, the results indicated that the genetic diversity of MHC genes among Formosan pangolins in Taiwan was insufficient.
Profile and quality of life of the adult population in good health according to the level of vitality: European NHWS cross sectional analysis
Authors: Tardy Anne-Laure , Marguet Sophie , Costantino Halley , Stewart Andrew , Mackie deMauri , Saba Grèce , Amand Caroline
Published: January 2023

The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
Alteration analysis of refractories bricks for industrial horizontal anodes baking furnace
Authors: Tankeu Jeanne Solange Ntchayi , Gnamsi Guy Molay Tchapga , Tchamba Arlin Bruno , Ninla Patrick Lemougna , Kamseu Elie , Guidana Marcel , Nkeng George Elambo , Kausik Dana , Mbessa Michel , Njopwouo Daniel
Published: January 2023

This study analyses the alteration of refractory bricks after 96 baking cycles of anode baking furnace. A decrease of compressive strength from 48.45 MPa to 32 MPa respectively for unused and used bricks were observed. The bulk density obtained by mercury intrusion porosimeter method decreased from 2.48 to 2.38 g/cm3for unused and used bricks; while the bulk density by archimades method increased from 2.29 to 2.49 g/cm3. The water absorption by Archimedes method is decreased from 6.65wt.% to 5.05wt.%. While the total porosity obtained by mercury intrusion porosimeter increased from 15.41wt.% to 17.21wt.% for unused and used bricks. In the same way the total cumulative pore increased from 62.05 mm3/g to 72.35 mm3/g. While the average pore radius decreased from 5.65 µm to 1.06 µm respectively for unused and used brick. The anode side of brick is deterioted rapidly than hot side of brick. The instrusion porosimetry method seems to be the best method to characterize buld density and porosimetry of refractory bricks than Archimedes method. Mullite peak seems to be not change, suggesting that a very compacted brick with high mullite content seems to be the best matrix for bricks in anode baking furnace.
Increasing the production of fresh water in a stepped solar still by different natural materials as photoabsorber
Authors: Shahdabadi Reza Shahraki , Mortazavi Ali , Lotfi Pouria , Shakib Seyyed ehsan , Ghafurian Mohammad Mustafa
Published: January 2023

In this paper, a stepped solar still made of galvanized iron, exposed to a solar simulator at a light intensity of 904 W/m2, was experimentally studied. Iron ore, granite, and sponge as photoabsorber were utilized on the surface of the stairs to increase the evaporation efficiency and drinking water production. In each mode, experimental tests were conducted at three mass flow rates, including 0.195, 0.134, and 0.1 kg/min. The results showed that increasing the mass flow rate of the inlet feed water results in reducing the drinking water production and the evaporation efficiency in all three modes. In addition, the iron ore is able to save solar radiation energy inside itself well, and consequently the evaporation rate increases. The maximum drinking water production archived by using iron ore at a mass flow rate of 0.1 kg/min with an amount 715 ml/min. However, the corresponding value for granite, sponge, and base state was recorded 630, 555, and 515 ml/min, respectively. Also economic analysis showed that the lowest mass flow rate of feed water leads to the lowest price of the product via using iron ore (0.07 $/lit) which is comparable to reported techniques in the literature.
Mercury in riverine populations of Terra do Meio Extractive Reserves at the Xingu basin, Amazon, Brazil
Authors: Moita Matheus Duarte de Castro , Júnior Flávio Manoel Rodrigues da Silva , Pereira Tatiana da Silva , Marinho Renatta Barbosa , Vitorio Emanuely Oliveira , Pellegrino Érika Fernandes Costa , Pinheiro Maria da Conceição Nascimento , Santos OZELIA Sousa
Published: January 2023

The Amazon is a hotspot for mercury (Hg) contamination and the Terra do Meio region, despite its protected status for sustainable use, has never been monitored for this element and might be affected. Looking to address this gap, this study aimed to quantify capillary mercury concentration in riverine populations of Terra do Meio (Xingu Basin, Central Amazon, Brazil) and associated factors with high Hg concentration levels (90 percentile). Hair samples from 182 individuals from Iriri, Riozinho do Anfrísio and Xingu Extractive Reserves (RESEX), aged between 18 and 70 years old, were collected to measure total mercury levels (HgT) and socioeconomic, demographic, and clinical-epidemiological data were annotated. Overall, high concentration levels of Hg were observed with significant differences between localities. Among the factors related to high capillary mercury concentration levels, gender (male), smoking habit, work with agriculture, livestock or extractivism and living at Iriri and Riozinho do Anfrísio RESEX were highlighted. A high prevalence of symptoms related to mercury intoxication, including anxiety, memory deficit, and lower limb problems, was observed. Overall, the results reveal that communities in these RESEXs are exposed to Hg and appear to be suffering from chronic health effects. Considering the increased anthropic alterations observed recently in the Amazon region and the subsequent amplified environmental bioavailability of mercury, further studies and mitigating actions are critical.
Disparities in Postoperative Opioid Prescribing by Race and Ethnicity: An Electronic Health Records-Based Observational Study
Authors: Romanelli Robert J. , Shenoy Rivfka , Martinez Meghan C. , Mudiganti Satish , Mariano Louis T. , Zanocco Kyle A. , Wagner Zachary , Kirkegaard Allison , Watkins Katherine E.
Published: January 2023

Background: Prior studies on disparities in postoperative opioid prescribing have focused primarily on in-hospital opioid administration or long-term opioid use, with fewer studies examining discharge opioid prescribing for adults, and no studies looking across different surgical subspecialties or service lines. We sought to examine racial and ethnic disparities in postoperative opioid prescribing to test the hypothesis that racial and ethnic minority groups receive opioid prescriptions at postoperative discharge with lower morphine milligram equivalents (MME) than non-Hispanic whites (NHW).
Methods: We utilized electronic health records (EHR) data across 24 hospitals from a healthcare delivery system in northern California from January 1, 2015 to February 2, 2020 (study period). The sample included adult patients undergoing a procedure during the study period, discharged to home with an opioid prescription. Cross-sectional, secondary data analyses were conducted to examine differences by race and ethnicity in opioid prescribing, measured as MME, among patients who underwent select, but commonly performed, surgical procedures. Linear regression models included adjustment for factors that would likely influence prescribing decisions and race and ethnicity-specific propensity weights. Opioid prescribing, overall and by race and ethnicity, was also compared to postoperative opioid guidelines.
Results: Among 61,564 patients, on adjusted regression analysis, non-Hispanic Black (NHB) patients received prescriptions with higher mean MME than NHW patients (+6.4% [95% confidence interval: 4.4%, 8.3%]), whereas Hispanic and non-Hispanic Asian patients received lower mean MME (-4.2% [-5.1%, -3.2%] and -3.6% [-4.8%, -2.3%], respectively). Nevertheless, 72.8% of all patients received prescriptions above guidelines, ranging from 71.0% to 80.3% by race and ethnicity. Disparities in prescribing were eliminated among Hispanic and NHB patients versus NHW patients when prescriptions were written within guideline recommendations.
Conclusions: Racial and ethnic disparities in opioid prescribing exist in the postoperative setting, yet all groups received prescriptions above guideline recommendations. Policies encouraging guideline-based postoperative prescribing can reduce disparities and overall excess prescribing.
Trehalose versus carboxymethylcellulose oral spray for relieving radiation-induced xerostomia in head and neck cancer patients: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Piboonratanakit Pornpan , Ferreira Joao N. , Pravinvongvuthi Kulpriya , Maison Khwanchanok , Urkasemsin Ganokon , Boonroung Thirayu , Prayongrat Anussara , Lertbutsayanukul Chawalit , Sucharitakul Jeerus , Vacharaksa Anjalee
Published: January 2023

Background
The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of trehalose oral spray to relieve radiation-induced xerostomia on a randomized controlled trial (RCT).
Methods
Prior to RCT, the effect of trehalose (5–20%) on the epithelial growth of fetal mouse salivary gland (SG) explants was evaluated to confirm if 10% trehalose exerted the best epithelial outcomes. Participants who completed radiotherapy for head and neck cancer (HNC) treatment were enrolled in a double-blind RCT, according to inclusion and exclusion criteria as per the CONSORT statement. The experimental group (n = 35) received 10% trehalose spray, while the control group (n = 35) received carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) spray to apply intra-orally 4 times/day for 14 days. Salivary pH and volume were recorded pre- and post-interventions. The Xerostomia-related Quality of Life scale (XeQoLs) was filled, and scores assessed post-interventions.
Results
In the SG explant model, pro-acinar epithelial growth and mitosis was supported by 10% topical trehalose. As for RCT outcomes, salivary pH and volume were significantly improved after use of 10% trehalose spray when compared to CMC (p < 0.05). Participants reported an improvement of XeQoLs dimension scores after using trehalose or CMC oral sprays in terms of physical, pain/discomfort, and psychological dimensions (p < 0.05), but not social (p > 0.05). When comparing between CMC and trehalose sprays, XeQoLs total scores were not statistically different (p > 0.05).
Conclusions
The 10% trehalose spray improved salivary pH, saliva volume, and the quality-of-life dimensions linked with physical, pain/discomfort, and psychological signs; therefore, this oral formulation can be used alternatively to CMC. (Thai Clinical Trials Registry; https://www.thaiclinicaltrials.org/ TCTR20190817004)
Multi-Objective edge server placement using the whale optimization algorithm and Game theory
Authors: asghari ali , Azgomi Hossein , Darvishmofarahi Zahra
Published: January 2023

With the emergence of the fifth-generation technology of telecommunication networks, the rapid growth of user's mobile equipment, as well as the emergence of new applications such as the Internet of Things, online education, e-commerce, multimedia applications, and social networks, a new paradigm has been opened in the field of information technology. Due to the users' mobility, new online applications, as well as low processing power, and limited energy of smart devices, traditional cloud computing models could not meet these new services. Therefore, mobile cloud computing was quickly formed. Cloud service providers improved the quality of their services by moving some of the servers to the edge of the network and in the vicinity of mobile users. In this regard, several architectures and protocols of mobile cloud computing models have been introduced by some researchers. Considering the mobility nature of users and the heterogeneous service demands in different areas, the optimal placement of these resources plays an important role in increasing the quality of service provided to users. However, due to a large number of servers, finding the optimal location of all servers is considered a serious challenge. In the proposed method of this paper (MES-WG), in the first step, the geographical area of server deployment is divided into smaller sub-areas to reduce the complexity of the problem. Then, by using the WOA algorithm, the search begins to find the optimal location of the servers. Then, the neural network is used for the local placement of all servers in each area. And finally, in the last step, game theory is deployed for the convergence of resource placement in all zones. The experimental results show that the proposed method better balances the workload on resources and reduces access latency and the number of servers, compared with some similar and state-of-the-art algorithms.
Transformations of native and added chromium among soil fractions by addition of amendments and different contact periods
Authors: Rani Neeraj , Singh Dhanwinder , Dhingra Nitish
Published: January 2023

An experiment was carried out to study the effect of farm yard manure (FYM) and lime addition on the distribution of native and added chromium among various soil chromium (Cr-VI) fractions, namely exchangeable and water soluble (Ex + WS), carbonate bound (CARB), easily reducible oxides (ERO's), organic matter bound (OM), reducible oxides (RO's), and residual (RES) fractions of non-contaminated surface soil. The study was performed with three different treatments (FYM@1%, lime @1% and no amendment) and for eight contact periods (1, 3, 7, 21, 42, 63, 84, and 105 days). The overall trend in Cr fractions shows that a more significant proportion of native Cr was associated with the residual fraction, followed by reducible oxide and organic matter fractions. The lowest concentration of Cr was observed to be in the exchangeable fraction. The addition of different concentrations of Cr increased the Cr content in each fraction with a higher increase in more labile fractions (water-soluble + exchangeable) at a lesser contact period, and further transformation of Cr to relatively lesser available fractions was observed with the increase in the time of contact.
Associations between urinary parabens and lung cancer
Authors: Mao Weili , Qu Jianli , Zhong Songyang , Wu Xilin , Mao Kaili , Liao Kaizhen , jin hangbiao
Published: January 2023

Parabens are a family of endocrine-disrupting chemicals. Environmental estrogens may play a vital role in the development of lung cancer. To date, the association between parabens and lung cancer is unknown. Based on the 189 cases and 198 controls recruited between 2018 and 2021 in Quzhou, China, we measured 5 urinary parabens concentrations and examine the association between urinary concentrations of parabens and lung cancer risk. Cases showed significantly higher median concentrations of methyl-paraben (MeP) (2.1 vs 1.8 ng/mL), ethyl-paraben (0.98 vs 0.66 ng/mL), propyl-paraben (PrP) (2.2 vs 1.4 ng/mL), and butyl-paraben (0.33 vs 0.16 ng/mL) than controls. The significant association between urinary concentrations of PrP and the risk of lung cancer (odds ratio (OR)adjusted = 2.22, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.76, 2.75; Ptrend < 0.001) was identified in the adjusted model. In the stratified analysis, we found that urinary concentrations of MeP were significantly associated with lung cancer risk (OR = 1.16, 95% CI: 1.01, 1.27 for the highest quartile group). Besides, comparing the second, third, and fourth quartile groups with the lowest group of PrP, the adjusted OR was 1.52 (95% CI: 1.29, 1.65, Ptrend = 0.007), 1.39 (95% CI: 1.15, 1.60, Ptrend = 0.010), and 1.85 (95% CI: 1.53, 2.30, Ptrend = 0.001), respectively. Parabens exposure, reflected in urinary concentrations of parabens, may be positively associated with the risk of lung cancer in adults.
Loss of function mutation in progressive ankylosis gene causes aberrant mineralization and acquisition of osteoblast-like-phenotype by the cells of the intervertebral disc
Authors: Ohnishi Takashi , Tran Victoria , Sao Kimheak , Ramteke Pranay , Querido William , de Wetering Koen van , Risbud Makarand
Published: January 2023

Pathological mineralization of intervertebral disc is debilitating and painful and linked to disc degeneration in a subset of human patients. An adenosine triphosphate transporter, progressive ankylosis (ANK) is a regulator of extracellular inorganic pyrophosphate levels and plays an important role in tissue mineralization. However, the function of ANK in intervertebral disc has not been fully explored. Herein we analyzed the spinal phenotype of Ank mutant mice (ank/ank) with attenuated ANK function. Micro-computed tomography and histological analysis showed that loss of ANK function results in aberrant annulus fibrosus mineralization and peripheral disc fusions with cranial to caudal progression in the spine. Vertebrae in ank/ank mice exhibit elevated cortical bone mass and increased tissue non-specific alkaline phosphatase-positive endplate chondrocytes with decreased subchondral endplate porosity. The acellular dystrophic mineral inclusions in the annulus fibrosus were localized adjacent to apoptotic cells and cells that acquired osteoblast-like phenotype. Fourier transform infrared spectral imaging showed that the mineral in the outer annulus fibrosus had similar chemical composition to that of vertebral bone. Microarray-based transcriptomic analysis of annulus fibrosus and nucleus pulposus tissues showed changes in several pathways associated with mineralization including transforming growth factor β and mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling. The present study provides new insights into the role of ANK in the disc tissue compartments, and highlights the importance of local inorganic pyrophosphate metabolism in inhibiting mineralization of this important connective tissue.
Thalamocortical control of cell-type specificity drives a circuit for processing whisker-related information in mouse barrel cortex
Authors: Young Timothy , Yamamoto Mariko , Kikuchi Satomi , Yoshida Aya , Abe Takaya , Inoue Kenichi , Johansen Joshua , Benucci Andrea , Yoshimura Yumiko , Shimogori Tomomi
Published: January 2023

Excitatory spiny stellate neurons are prominently featured in the cortical circuits of sensory modalities that provide high salience and high acuity representations of the environment. These specialized neurons are considered developmentally linked to bottom-up inputs from the thalamus, however, the molecular mechanisms underlying their diversification and function are unknown. Here, we investigated this in mouse somatosensory cortex, where spiny stellate neurons and pyramidal neurons have distinct roles in processing whisker-evoked signals. Utilizing spatial transcriptomics, we identified reciprocal patterns of gene expression which correlated with these cell-types and were linked to innervation by specific thalamic inputs during development. Genetic manipulation that prevents the acquisition of spiny stellate fate highlighted an important role for these neurons in processing distinct whisker signals within functional cortical columns, and as a key driver in the formation of specific whisker-related circuits in the cortex.
Cough Desensitization Treatment for Patients with Refractory Chronic Cough: Results of a Second Pilot Randomized Control Trial
Authors: Slovarp Laurie J. , Reynolds Jane E. , Tolbert Sophia , Campbell Sarah , Welby Shannon , Morkrid Paige
Published: January 2023

Objective

The purpose of this study was to collect pilot efficacy data on a novel treatment for refractory chronic cough (RCC), which we call cough desensitization treatment (CDT).

Design and Methods

In this parallel cohort, sham-controlled, randomized controlled trial, 21 adults with RCC were randomly assigned to 12 sessions of either CDT (progressive doses of aerosolized capsaicin while behaviorally suppressing cough; n = 11) or a sham treatment (repeated exposure to aerosolized saline; n = 9). The Leicester Cough Questionnaire (LCQ) was the primary outcome measure. Perceived cough severity with a visual analogue scale and cough challenge testing (for measuring cough-reflex sensitivity) were secondary outcome measures. Data were analyzed with mixed effects linear regression and follow-up contrasts.

Results

Results on all measures favored CDT. Excluding one sham participant, whose baseline LCQ scores were deemed unreliable, mean change in LCQ at 3-weeks post treatment was 6.35 and 2.17 in the CDT and sham groups, respectively. There was moderate to strong evidence of a greater improvement in the CDT group in total LCQ score (p = .058) and LCQ Psychological domain (p = .026) and Physical domain (p = .045) scores. Strong evidence was found for a greater reduction in urge-to-cough during CCT in the CDT group (p = .037) and marginal for a reduction in the capsaicin cough-reflex sensitivity (p = .094). There was weak evidence of a greater reduction in cough severity in the CDT group (p = .103).

Discussion

Although the study is limited due to the small sample size, the data provide additional evidence supporting further research on CDT. CDT resulted in a greater change in the primary efficacy measure (LCQ) than both pharmaceutical and behavioral treatments currently found in the literature.

Trial Registration

This trial (NCT05226299) was registered on Clinicaltrials.gov on 07/02/2022.
Bladder Stones Spontaneous extruding through the urethra to Perianal tissue and finally making its way to the Skin. Is it the natural course when neglected?
Authors: Getahun* Gashaw Messele
Published: January 2023

Spontaneous extrusion of bladder stone to perianal area has not been reported so far. We, therefore, report a case and discuss that this may be the natural course of the disease when neglected.
The roles of meteorological variables, demographic factors, and policy response measures in the variation of COVID-19 daily cases: Evidence from different climate zones
Authors: Lyu Yiran , Wang Yu , Jiang Chao , Ding Cheng , Zhai Mengying , Xu Kaiqiang , Wei Lan , Wang Jiao
Published: January 2023

It is widely considered that weather conditions affect the spread of COVID-19, but to date, the collective influence of demographic factors and government policy response measures have hardly been considered. The objective of this study is to utilize a machine learning method to assess the corresponding roles of meteorological variables, demographic factors, and government response measures in daily new cases of COVID-19 among multiple climate zones at city/county level. The overall model showed good performance with a validated R2 of 0.86, as satisfactory as individual climate zone models. Population density ranked the most important factor, followed by meteorological variables and response measures. Ultraviolet radiation and temperature dominated among meteorological factors, but the association with daily new cases seemed to be inconsistent among different climate zones. Implementing stricter response measures could help effectively contain the spread of COVID-19, but did so with a lagged effect, and the typical lockdown measures might not be applicable to all climate conditions. This study preliminarily analyzed the roles of certain factors in the transmission of COVID-19, and provided practical evidence for developing an early health warning system of global pandemics by leveraging big data technology and multiple sourced data fusion.
Effect of "motivational interviewing," and "information, motivation and behavioral skills" counseling interventions on choosing the mode of delivery in pregnant women: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Shirzad Mahboubeh , Shakibazadeh Elham , Sheikhatari Payam , Foroushani Abbas Rahimi , Abedini Mehrandokht , Poursharifi Hamid
Published: January 2023

Background: This randomized controlled trial aimed at comparing the effects of "motivational interviewing" and "information, motivation and behavioral skills" counseling interventions on choosing the mode of delivery in pregnant women in Tehran, Iran.
Methods: In a four-armed, parallel-design randomized controlled trial, 120 women were randomly assigned to three interventions and one control groups. The intervention groups included the following: 1) motivational interviewing (MI group); 2) face-to-face information, motivation, and behavioural skills training (IMB group); and 3) information, motivation, and behavioural skills training provided using a mobile application (IMB-App. group). The control group received usual antenatal care. The inclusion criteria included being in gestational age from 24 to 32 weeks at the time of recruitment, being literate, being able to speak Persian, and having no complications in the current pregnancy, having no indications for Cesarean section, and having enough time to participate in the study. The primary outcome of the study was the mode of delivery. The secondary outcomes included women's intentions to undergo Cesarean section (CS) and self-efficacy for choosing the mode of delivery.
Results: More than half of the women (56.7%) in the intervention groups preferred to undergo NVD. However, only 37.5% of them underwent NVD. The participants’ self-efficacy scores and intentions to choose the mode of delivery significantly increased (P < 0.05) in all three intervention groups. The participants in the IMB-App group reported significantly higher self-efficacy and intentions compared with the other two intervention groups and the control group.
Conclusions: Brief educational and motivation enhancement interventions could positively help pregnant women to choose normal vaginal delivery instead of unnecessary CS. Moreover, women's self-efficacy and intention to choose mode of delivery were improved in all three interventions, especially when offered using a mobile application. The use of non-expensive brief psycho-educational interventions may significantly reduce unnecessary CS, especially when combined with other evidence-based strategies to change healthcare providers’ practices and institutional policies.
Trial registration: This study has been registered in Iran's Randomized Clinical Trial Center (IRCT20151208025431N7), registered on (07/12/2018).
Emergent constraints on carbon budgets as a function of global warming
Authors: Cox Peter , Williamson Mark , Friedlingstein Pierre , Jones Chris , Rogelj Joeri
Published: January 2023

The discovery of a near-proportionality between cumulative anthropogenic carbon dioxide emissions and global warming since pre-industrial times is arguably the most important policy-relevant simplification of climate change science in the last 25 years. Unfortunately, the latest CMIP6 Earth System Models continue to diagnose a wide range of carbon budgets for each level of global warming. In this paper we present emergent constraints on the carbon budget as a function of global warming, which combine the available CMIP6 Earth System Model historical simulations and future projections with observational estimates of global warming and anthropogenic CO2 emissions to the present day. We derive estimates for cumulative carbon budgets for the Paris targets of 1.5oC and 2oC of global warming of 812 +/- 121 PgC and 1048 +/- 167 PgC, which are significantly larger than the ensemble mean values from the CMIP6 models of 727 +/- 181 PgC and 911 +/- 247 PgC. Our approach produces estimates of the remaining carbon budgets for 1.5oC and 2.0oC within the uncertainty bounds of values given in the IPCC WG1 6th Assessment report, without requiring individual assumptions about the likely range of a number of climate and carbon cycle sensitivity factors, or implicit assumptions about changes in non-CO2 forcing factors. We infer a reduced mean specific carbon budget in the future (473+/-80 PgC/oC beyond 1.2oC of global warming) compared to the past (553+/82 PgC/oC ), primarily due to the decline in cooling atmospheric aerosols. However, the linearity between future cumulative emissions and future global warming is found to be maintained at least until 4oC of global warming, and is consistent with an effective Transient Climate Response to Emissions (TCRE) of 2.1 oC per trillion tonnes of carbon (likely range of 1.8 to 2.6 oC/1000PgC), from now onwards.
Optical fiber-based key for remote authentication of users and optical fiber line
Authors: Yarovikov Mikhail , Smirnov Alexander , Zhdanova Ekaterina , Gutor Alexander , Vyatkin Mikhail
Published: January 2023

We have shown the opportunity to use the unique inhomogeneities of the internal structure of an optical fiber waveguide for remote authentication of users or an optic fiber line. Optical Time Domain Reflectometry (OTDR) is demonstrated to be applicable to observing unclonable backscattered signal patterns at distances of tens of kilometers. The physical nature of the detected patterns was explained, and their characteristic spatial periods were investigated. The patterns are caused by the refractive index fluctuations of a standard telecommunication fiber. We have experimentally verified that the patterns are an example of a Physically Unclonable Function (PUF). The uniqueness and reproducibility of the patterns have been demonstrated and an authentication protocol has been provided.
High density lithium niobate photonic integrated circuits
and lasers
Authors: Li Zihan , Wang Rui Ning , Lihachev Grigory , Tan Zelin , Snigirev Viacheslav , Churaev Mikhail , Kuznetsov Nikolai , Siddharth Anat , Bereyhi Mohammad , Riemensberger Johann , Kippenberg Tobias
Published: January 2023

Photonic integrated circuits are indispensable for data transmission within modern datacenters and pervade into multiple application spheres traditionally limited for bulk optics, such as LiDAR and biosensing1. New applications and higher performance are enabled by the diversification of optical waveguide materials past silicon-on-insulator. Of particular interest are ferroelectrics such as Lithium Niobate, which exhibit a large electro-optical Pockels effect enabling ultrafast and efficient modulation, but are difficult to process via dry etching2. For this reason, etching tightly confining waveguides - routinely achieved in silicon or silicon nitride - has not been possible. Diamond-like carbon (DLC) was discovered in the 1950s 3 and is a material that exhibits an amorphous phase, excellent hardness, and the ability to be deposited in nano-metric thin films. Its use today is pervasive, ranging from applications for hard disk surfaces 4 and medical devices 5 to low friction coatings for automotive components 6. It has excellent thermal, mechanical, and electrical properties, making it an ideal protective coating. Here we demonstrate that DLC is also a superior material for the manufacturing of next-generation photonic integrated circuits based on ferroelectrics, specifically Lithium Niobate on insulator (LNOI). Using DLC as a hard mask, we demonstrate the fabrication of deeply etched, tightly confining, low loss photonic integrated circuits with losses as low as 4 dB/m and Q-factor as high as 10 · 106. In contrast to widely employed ridge waveguides 7,8, this approach benefits from a more than 1 order of magnitude higher area integration density while maintaining efficient electro-optical modulation, low loss, and offering a route for efficient optical fiber interfaces. As a proof of concept, we demonstrate a frequency agile hybrid integrated III-V Lithium Niobate based laser with sub-kHz linewidth and tuning rate of 0.7 Peta-Hertz per second with excellent linearity and CMOS-compatible driving voltage. Our approach can herald a new generation of high density ferroelectric photonic integrated circuits, in particular for applications in coherent laser based ranging 9 and beamforming 10, optical communications 7, and classical 11 and quantum computing networks 12.