bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Chlorophyll as key indicator to evaluate astaxanthin accumulation ability of Haematococcus pluvialis
Authors: Fang Lei , Zhang Jingkui , Fei Zhongnan , Wan Minxi
Published: December 2019

Background

Natural astaxanthin is mainly derived from Haematococcus pluvialis. In the photoinduction phase, astaxanthin accumulation ability can be significantly affected by the characteristics of H. pluvialis cells in the proliferation phase. Based on sequential heterotrophy–dilution–photoinduction (SHDP) technology, the authors’ previous study showed that high astaxanthin accumulation ability is accompanied by high chlorophyll content of H. pluvialis heterotrophic cell; whereas the mechanism of this result remained largely obscure. Therefore, transcriptome analysis was conducted to explain this mechanism.

Results

RNA-seq analysis showed that the transcription level of chlorophyll synthesis-related genes was negatively correlated with genes related to astaxanthin synthesis. A metabolic network between chlorophyll synthesis and astaxanthin accumulation was proposed.

Conclusions

The relationship between chlorophyll synthesis and astaxanthin accumulation was clarified. Chlorophyll degradation products might be used for astaxanthin synthesis through certain pathways. This study enlightens on the mechanism for the transformation of pigment and is conducive to optimize culture process of H. pluvialis by improving the chlorophyll content of heterotrophic cell.
Ultra-early changes in vascular parameters from dynamic contrast enhanced MRI of breast cancer xenografts following systemic therapy with doxorubicin and liver X receptor agonist
Authors: Pitman Kathinka E. , Bakke Kine M. , Kristian Alexandr , Malinen Eirik
Published: December 2019

Background

Dynamic contrast enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) may be used to depict tumour vascular structure and for therapy response assessment in various tumour sites. The purpose of the current work is to examine whether ultra-early changes in tumour physiology following cytotoxic treatment with doxorubicin and liver X receptor (LXR) agonist GW3965 are detectable by DCE-MRI.

Methods

36 female, athymic nude foxn1nu mice with bilaterally implanted breast cancer xenografts (17 with ER-positive HBCx34, 19 with triple-negative HBCx39) were randomised in the following treatment groups; control, GW3965 (40 mg/kg p.o.), doxorubicin (8 mg/kg i.v.) and a combination therapy of GW3965 and doxorubicin. DCE-MRI (3D FLASH on a 7 T preclinical scanner) was performed at baseline and one and six days after onset of treatment. Wash-in (30 s p.i.) and wash-out (300 s p.i.) enhancement were quantified from dynamic uptake curves, before voxel-by-voxel fitting to the pharmacokinetic Tofts model and generation of maps for the resulting parameters Ktrans, νe and νB. Treatment effect was evaluated by univariate repeated measures mixed-effects maximum likelihood regression models applied to median tumour data.

Results

We found no effects of any treatment 24 h post treatment. After 6 days, doxorubicin given as both mono- and combination therapy gave significant increases of ~ 30% in wash-in enhancement (p < 0.011) and Ktrans (p < 0.017), and 40–50% in νB (p < 0.024) for HBCx34, but not for HBCx39. No effects of GW3965 were observed at any time (p > 0.1).

Conclusions

Twenty-four h after onset of treatment was too early to evaluate treatment effects by DCE-MRI. Early enhancement and Ktrans were approximately equally sensitive metrics to capture treatment effects six days pt. Pharmacokinetic modelling however allowed us to attribute the observed effect to changes in tumour perfusion rather than increased retention.
Worm gear mechanism with switchable backdrivability
Authors: Takayama Toshio , Hisamatsu Naoto
Published: December 2019

A worm gear has the advantages of a large reduction ratio and non-backdrivability. Because of this non-backdrivability, it can maintain a joint angle without energy consumption. Today, many robots have large workspaces that extend into the living spaces of humans, and they are required to work cooperatively with humans. In such cases, backdrivability is necessary to achieve high compliance for robots. Compliance helps robots perform cooperative tasks with humans, and protects its mechanisms and humans in the case of a collision. However, a worm gear cannot be backdriven because of the friction between tooth surfaces. Therefore, we have developed a worm gear mechanism that can switch its backdrivability using vibration that reduces friction. In this paper, we present a dynamic model of the worm gear to analyze the friction-reduction phenomenon caused by vibrations. We discuss the change in the effectiveness of the backdrivability with the change in the vibration direction. Finally, we experimentally confirm the certainty of the analysis.
Case series of reports of pruritus and sipuleucel-T submitted to the Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System
Authors: Dores Graça M. , Perez-Vilar Silvia , Niu Manette T.
Published: December 2019

Sipuleucel-T, an autologous active cellular immunotherapy, is indicated for the treatment of asymptomatic or minimally symptomatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) received a report of pruritus without rash following the second dose of sipuleucel-T in a patient who had otherwise not started any new medications concurrent with the first and second doses of sipuleucel-T. No further sipuleucel-T was administered, but symptoms persisted for at least 6 weeks despite treatment with several medications aimed at symptomatic relief of pruritus. Rash is the only dermatologic adverse event included in the sipuleucel-T U.S. package insert. A search of the FAERS database yielded seven additional U.S. reports of pruritus and sipuleucel-T identified as the primary suspect medication; two of these occurred prior to the administration of sipuleucel-T (following leukapheresis). In data mining analyses, pruritus following sipuleucel-T was not reported more frequently than expected when compared to all other adverse event-drug/biologic combinations in FAERS. Thus, pruritus following sipuleucel-T administration was rarely, but not disproportionately, reported to FAERS. Although we cannot exclude the possibility that diabetes, malignancy, or other conditions may have contributed to pruritus in our index patient, in view of the timing of sipuleucel-T therapy and onset of symptoms, a drug/biologic-related reaction is plausible. In the appropriate clinical scenario, sipuleucel-T (or its components) should not be overlooked as a potential etiological agent in pruritus.
Spin in the reporting, interpretation, and extrapolation of adverse effects of orthodontic interventions: protocol for a cross-sectional study of systematic reviews
Authors: Steegmans Pauline A. J. , Di Girolamo Nicola , Meursinge Reynders Reint A.
Published: December 2019

Background

Titles and abstracts are the most read sections of biomedical papers. It is therefore important that abstracts transparently report both the beneficial and adverse effects of health care interventions and do not mislead the reader. Misleading reporting, interpretation, or extrapolation of study results is called “spin”. In this study, we will assess whether adverse effects of orthodontic interventions were reported or considered in the abstracts of both Cochrane and non-Cochrane reviews and whether spin was identified and what type of spin.

Methods

Eligibility criteria were defined for the type of study designs, participants, interventions, outcomes, and settings. We will include systematic reviews of clinical orthodontic interventions published in the five leading orthodontic journals and in the Cochrane Database. Empty reviews will be excluded. We will manually search eligible reviews published between 1 August 2009 and 31 July 2019. Data collection forms were developed a priori. All study selection and data extraction procedures will be conducted by two reviewers independently. Our main outcomes will be the prevalence of reported or considered adverse effects of orthodontic interventions in the abstract of systematic reviews and the prevalence of “spin” related to these adverse effects. We will also record the prevalence of three subtypes of spin, i.e., misleading reporting, misleading interpretation, and misleading extrapolation-related spin. All statistics will be calculated for the following groups: (1) all journals individually, (2) all journals together, and (3) the five leading orthodontic journals and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews separately. Generalized linear models will be developed to compare the various groups.

Discussion

We expect that our results will raise the awareness of the importance of reporting and considering of adverse effects and the presence of the phenomenon of spin related to these effects in abstracts of systematic reviews of orthodontic interventions. This is important, because an incomplete and inadequate reporting, interpretation, or extrapolation of findings on adverse effects in abstracts of systematic reviews can mislead readers and could lead to inadequate clinical practice. Our findings could result in policy implications for making judgments about the acceptance for publication of systematic reviews of orthodontic interventions.
Targeted test evaluation: a framework for designing diagnostic accuracy studies with clear study hypotheses
Authors: Korevaar Daniël A. , Gopalakrishna Gowri , Cohen Jérémie F. , Bossuyt Patrick M.
Published: December 2019

Most randomized controlled trials evaluating medical interventions have a pre-specified hypothesis, which is statistically tested against the null hypothesis of no effect. In diagnostic accuracy studies, study hypotheses are rarely pre-defined and sample size calculations are usually not performed, which may jeopardize scientific rigor and can lead to over-interpretation or “spin” of study findings. In this paper, we propose a strategy for defining meaningful hypotheses in diagnostic accuracy studies. Based on the role of the index test in the clinical pathway and the downstream consequences of test results, the consequences of test misclassifications can be weighed, to arrive at minimally acceptable criteria for pre-defined test performance: levels of sensitivity and specificity that would justify the test’s intended use. Minimally acceptable criteria for test performance should form the basis for hypothesis formulation and sample size calculations in diagnostic accuracy studies.
Organic carbon distribution and budget of dominant woody plant community in the subalpine zone at volcanic Jeju Island, Korea
Authors: Jang Rae-Ha , Lee Seung-Yeon , Lee Eung-Pill , Lee Soo-In , Kim Eui-Joo , Lee Sang-Hun , You Young-Han
Published: December 2019

Background

The Northern Hemisphere forest ecosystem is a major sink for atmospheric carbon dioxide, and the subalpine zone stores large amounts of carbon; however, their magnitude and distribution of stored carbon are still unclear.

Results

To clarify the carbon distribution and carbon budget in the subalpine zone at volcanic Jeju Island, Korea, we report the C stock and changes therein owing to vegetation form, litter production, forest floor, and soil, and soil respiration between 2014 and 2016, for three subalpine forest ecosystems, namely, Abies koreana forest, Taxus cuspidata forest, and Juniperus chinensis var. sargentii forest. Organic carbon distribution of vegetation and NPP were bigger in the A. koreana forest than in the other two forests. However, the amount of soil organic carbon distribution was the highest in the J. chinensis var. sargentii forest.

Compared to the amount of organic carbon distribution (AOCD) of aboveground vegetation (57.15 t C ha−1) on the subalpine-alpine forest in India, AOCD of vegetation in the subalpine forest in Mt. Halla was below 50%, but AOCD of soil in Mt. Halla was higher. We also compared our results of organic carbon budget in subalpine forest at volcanic island with data synthesized from subalpine forests in various countries.

Conclusions

The subalpine forest is a carbon reservoir that stores a large amount of organic carbon in the forest soils and is expected to provide a high level of ecosystem services.
Allelopathic potential of the pea seed powder as natural herbicide for controlling weeds infested wheat plants
Authors: El-Rokiek Kowthar Gad , El-Din Samia Amin Saad , El-Wakeel Mona Adel , El-Awadi Mohammad El-Sayed , Dawood Mona Gergis
Published: December 2019

Background

Allelopathy is an alternative safe strategy for chemical herbicides in controlling weeds. So, two successive greenhouse experiments were conducted to determine the phytotoxicity of pea seed powder on two weeds chard- (broad leaf) and canary grass (grass weed)-infested wheat. Pea seed powder was added to the soil surface at successive rates 20, 40, 60, 80, and 100 g/pot. The pots were cultivated on time (at sowing application) or 1 week after the addition of the pea seed powder.

Results

The results indicated that the pea seed powder at 100 g/pot controlled more than 70–80% of both weeds in comparison to the corresponding controls. On the other hand, the inhibitory effect of the pea seed powder on weeds was accompanied by increases in the growth as well as photosynthetic pigments content and consequently wheat yield especially at 80 g/pot.

Conclusion

This study suggested that the pea seed powder has allelopathic and phytotoxic effects that controlled investigated weeds in wheat. Analysis of the allelopathic pea seed powder at the applied rates revealed the presence of phenolic compounds and flavonoids. Both allelopathic compounds showed high levels with increasing the pea seed powder rate. The mixing of pea seed powder with the soil surface at 80 g/pot 1 week before sowing was the most efficient treatment in controlling weeds under investigation that consequently achieved the highest wheat yield.
Food biodiversity includes both locally cultivated and wild food species in Guasaganda, Central Ecuador
Authors: Penafiel Daniela , Vanhove Wouter , Espinel Ramon L. , Van Damme Patrick
Published: December 2019

Background

Worldwide, the number of wild and domesticated food species is declining, which endangers dietary diversity of particularly indigenous people. Unfortunately, eating culture and traditional knowledge is also hampered when food species are no longer available.

Methods

This study reports the food biodiversity in Guasaganda, Central Ecuador, using a combination of methods aiming to inform local initiatives.

Results and discussion

The number of species includes 49 wild, 41 cultivated, and 28 semi-cultivated plants and 13 wild, 9 domesticated, and 1 semi-domesticated animal species. Although, Guasaganda is a hot spot of plant and animal diversity, a limited number of plant (3.00 SD 1.45) and animal species (2.37 SD 1.44) are available at the farm.

Conclusion

Increasing the number of edible species in the food system is imperative for dietary diversity. Further research should document the consumption of the reported foods, and the nutrient and biochemical content to assess nutrient adequacy of the diet.
Use of Electronic Administrative Databases to Measure Quality Indicators of Breast Cancer Care: Experience of Five Regional Oncology Networks in Italy
Authors: Guarneri Valentina , Pronzato Paolo , Bertetto Oscar , Roila Fausto , Amunni Gianni , Bortolami Alberto , Tognazzo Sandro , Griguolo Gaia , Pagano Eva , Stracci Fabrizio , Bianconi Fortunato , Gemmi Fabrizio , Bachini Letizia , Ciccone Giovannino , Paoli Gabriella , Paleari Laura , Conte Pier Franco ,   on behalf of the Periplo Association
Published: December 2019

PURPOSE:

Assuring quality of care, while maintaining sustainability, in complex conditions such as breast cancer (BC) is an important challenge for health systems. Here, we describe a methodology to define a set of quality indicators, assess their computability from administrative data, and apply them to a large cohort of BC cases.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Clinical professionals from the Italian Regional Oncology Networks identified 46 clinically relevant indicators of BC care; 22 were potentially computable using administrative data. Incident cases of BC diagnosed in 2016 in five Italian regions were identified using administrative databases from regional repositories. Each indicator was calculated through record linkage of anonymized individual data.

RESULTS:

A total of 15,342 incident BC cases were identified. Nine indicators were actually computable from administrative data (two structure and seven process indicators). Although most indicators were consistent with guidelines, for one indicator (blood tumor markers in the year after surgery, 44.2% to 64.5%; benchmark ≤ 20%), deviation was evident throughout the five regions, highlighting systematic overlooking of clinical recommendations. Two indicators (radiotherapy within 4 months after surgery if no adjuvant chemotherapy; 42% to 83.8%; benchmark ≥ 90%; and mammography 6 to 18 months after surgery, 55.1% to 72.6%; benchmark ≥ 90%) showed great regional variability and were lower than expected, possibly as result of an underestimation in indicator calculation by administrative data.

CONCLUSION:

Despite highlighting some limitations in the use of administrative data to measure health care performance, this study shows that evaluating the quality of BC care at a population level is possible and potentially useful for guiding quality improvement interventions.
Genetics of Primary Ovarian Insufficiency in the Next-Generation Sequencing Era
Authors: França Monica Malheiros , Mendonca Berenice Bilharinho
Published: December 2019

Primary ovarian insufficiency (POI) is characterized by amenorrhea, increased follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels, and hypoestrogenism, leading to infertility before the age of 40 years. Elucidating the cause of POI is a key point for diagnosing and treating affected women. Here, we review the genetic etiology of POI, highlighting new genes identified in the last few years using next-generation sequencing (NGS) approaches. We searched the MEDLINE/PubMed, Cochrane, and Web of Science databases for articles published in or translated to English. Several genes were found to be associated with POI genetic etiology in humans and animal models (SPIDR, BMPR2, MSH4, MSH5, GJA4, FANCM, POLR2C, MRPS22, KHDRBS1, BNC1, WDR62, ATG7/ATG9, BRCA2, NOTCH2, POLR3H, and TP63). The heterogeneity of POI etiology has been revealed to be remarkable in the NGS era, and discoveries have indicated that meiosis and DNA repair play key roles in POI development.
Toward a Theory of Recapitulatory Tonal Alterations
Authors: Guez Jonathan
Published: December 2019

Despite differences in critical alignment, epistemological underpinnings, and reportorial coverage, studies of sonata forms nevertheless tend to share one feature: they devote the least amount of space to recapitulations. Two presuppositions might explain this neglect: (1) the recapitulation is an exact (or near-exact) restatement of the exposition’s thematic materials, and (2) it takes but one tonal alteration (or “adjustment”) of these materials to make a recapitulation conclude in the key in which it began. This article aims to examine the second of these presuppositions in hopes of painting a more complete and analytically adequate picture of actual practices. Its goals are, first, to give an idea of the range of strategies available to composers of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries and, second, to show how familiarity with these strategies can open a space for new interpretations of formal drama and the plotting of narrative. The central analytic section of the article presents a taxonomy of six compositional strategies for making tonal alterations: alterations in silence, immediate alterations, thick alterations, multiple alterations, alterations without adjustment, and self-effacing alterations.
Hemiolic Metric Space in Afro-Diasporic Popular Musics
Authors: Guerra Stephen
Published: December 2019

Pitch spaces such as the circle of fifths model change through time in a composition, recording, or improvisation. Metric spaces theorized over the past twenty years do the same for changes (notated or not) in meter. Trajectories in either space and their potentially reinforcing or conflicting relationships contribute to deeper interpretations of musical form. None of the metric spaces proposed to date is well suited to Afrodiasporic popular musics, which characteristically tend to pose regularly uneven metric foregrounds against rigid and recursively even metric backgrounds. This article introduces a new metric space specifically applicable to such repertoires. The article opens with a brief review of existing metric spaces. Part 1 is an exploratory metric analysis of Afro-Brazilian guitarist Baden Powell’s 1967 recording of “Canto de Xangô,” which motivates the theoretical developments of part 2. Part 3 is a short analysis of his 1963 recording of “Sorongaio” that demonstrates both how hemiolic metric space can newly be analyzed in pure-duple environments and how this metric space can be isomorphic with pitch space.
Observations on the diet of the Starry skate, Raja asterias Delaroche, 1809 (Elasmobranchii: Rajidae) in the Adriatic Sea
Authors: SVIBEN SONJA , TRKOV DOMEN , MAVRIČ BORUT , KRUŽIĆ PETAR , LIPEJ LOVRENC
Published: December 2019

Diet of im­mature specimens of the Starry skate (Raja asterias) was investigated in three different parts of the northern Adriatic Sea. Decapod crabs were found to be the skate’s primary food source, followed by teleost fish and cephalopods. An ontogenetic shift in the diet towards teleost fish was observed. No significant differences were noted comparing the diet of 22 females and 63 males, 81 juveniles and 4 adults and different size groups. The prey species preferences were different for the specimens feeding on the Italian side of the northern Adriatic, but nonetheless decapods remained the preferred food source.
Changes in the juvenile fish assemblage of a Mediterranean shallow Posidonia oceanica seagrass nursery area after half century
Authors: DÍAZ-GIL CARLOS , GRAU AMALIA , GRAU ANTONIO MARIA , PALMER MIQUEL , CABRERA REMEDIOS , JORDÀ GABRIEL , CATALÁN IGNACIO ALBERTO
Published: December 2019

The within-year dynamics of the juvenile fish community over a shallow nursery seagrass-dominated habitat (Posidonia oceanica) in a Mediterranean Bay was compared between two surveys separated 50 years (1960 and 2012-2013). A nocturnal survey over depths ranging from 2 to 10 m over patched seagrass meadows was conducted for one year (2012-2013) through 72 epibenthic tows spread fortnightly in 4 close-by stations, mimicking a survey, conducted in 1960, in terms of sampling intensity, sampling zone, temporal coverage and sampling gear. Although a large proportion of fish species was similar among surveys, remarkable and statistically significant differences were detected. A striking feature was that one of the most common and abundant sparidae species nowadays, Diplodus annularis, did not appear in 1960. Other strong differences included the disappearance of European eel Anguilla anguilla in the recent survey. Further, one of the most valuable species for artisanal fisheries in the area, the black scorpionfish Scorpaena porcus, was almost 10 times less abundant in 1960. A finer-scale study of the 2012-2013 survey allowed a quantitative analysis between species composition and potential environmental drivers through Redundancy Analysis that described well the current pattern of time-dependent recruitment pulses in nearshore meadows from the area through a year, with marked effects of surface temperature and photoperiod. The comparison between surveys suggests that some strong differences between surveys are unlikely attributable to interannual stochasticity in recruitment or environmental variability but may be related with i) unaccounted for habitat transformation and/or ii) the strong decrease of juvenile fishing mortality in this shallow nursery area since the enforcement of bans on littoral epibenthic trawling activities characteristic of this area.
A Preliminary inventory of alien and cryptogenic species in Monastir Bay, Tunisia: spatial distribution, introduction trends and pathways
Authors: CHEBAANE SAHAR , SEMPERE-VALVERDE JUAN , DORAI SAHBI , KACEM ADNEN , SGHAIER YASSINE RAMZI
Published: December 2019

The Mediterranean Sea is a marine biodiversity hotspot under threat. One of the major impacts on its biological resources and services comes from the invasiveness of non-indigenous species (NIS). Nevertheless, NIS monitoring programs in the south basin of the Mediterranean Sea are in an early implementation stage. This study aims to describe NIS and cryptogenic species distribution in Monastir Bay (Tunisia) and to identify risk areas for the introduction and spread of invasive species, providing a baseline for future monitoring programs. To this end, a series of Rapid Assessment Surveys were carried out to identify NIS and cryptogenic species in one marina, five fishing ports, two aquaculture farms and the Special Conservation Area of the Kuriat islands. 24 species were found, of which 11 constitute new records for Monastir Bay, which represent a 33.3% of the total NIS reported in this Bay. Assemblages differed between substrata types, being NIS more abundant in artificial than in natural substrata. Regarding locations, Cap Monastir Marina was the most invaded site, the most transited by vessels and the only one visited by international sailing. Hence, this marina constitutes the main risk area to be monitored, although the fishing ports and fishing farms in the semi-enclosed coastal lagoon of Monastir Bay can also be considered as risk areas. Nevertheless, more research effort is needed in Monastir Bay in order to update the records of NIS and cryptogenic species and increase insight on the ecological evolution of these species and their related impacts on natural communities and marine resources.
Forced Creatures
Authors: Keralis Spencer
Published: December 2019

Non-sentient animals have appeared in the Star Wars universe in roles both integral and decorative since A New Hope premiered in 1977. From beasts of burden like the dewbacks and banthas of Tatooine and the Gungans’ kaadu, to monsters like the wampa, rathtar, and dianoga; to the myriad of critters large and small that inhabit interstellar environments, animals are as much a part of the fabric of the Star Wars tapestry as the various non-human sentient species. In some cases, these creatures are mainly exotic window dressing, but in other instances, these animals are used instrumentally to advance larger narratives.

To frame my examination of the use of animals in Star Wars, I borrow performance studies scholar Una Chaudhuri’s useful neologism “zooësis.”  Coined by Chaudhuri to articulate “the way culture makes art and meaning with the figure and body of the animal,” encompasses the feelings that animals inspire, and so the affect of animals is an important part of understanding the place of the animal in the Star Wars universe (1). Ezra Bridger’s interaction with animals to explore the Force and to aid the Rebellion in Star Wars Rebels offers one example of how animals are instrumentalized, and Ezra’s affective response to “the figure and body” of these creatures – affection, awe, revulsion, or horror – are fairly straightforward. But the lowly porg from The Last Jedi inspires different feelings: the complex affect of cuteness, combined with the desire to consume and devour the bodies of these animals. In what follows I invite my reader to consider the use of animals in Star Wars, and to question how agency is granted and denied to non-human animals in these narratives.
Impact of Osmotica and Plant Growth Regulators on Somatic Embryogenesis of Date Palm
Authors: Mazri Mouaad Amine , Belkoura Ilham , Meziani Reda , Es-Saoudy Hajar , Rachad Fahd , Elmaataoui Saida
Published: December 2019

An efficient somatic embryogenesis system is reported for date palm cv. Al-Fayda, a genotype resistant to the bayoud disease. Callus induction was achieved from adventitious bud explants cultured for 6 months on semi-solid Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium containing 4.5 μM 6-(dimethylallylamino) purine (2iP) and various concentrations of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) or picloram. The highest somatic embryogenesis frequency (89%) was obtained on MS medium supplemented with 225 μM 2,4-D. Subsequently, embryogenic cultures were transferred to agitated liquid MS medium (maturation medium) containing various concentrations of mannitol, polyethylene glycol (PEG) or sorbitol. The highest rate of somatic embryo maturation (71.4 mature embryos per 100 mg callus) was achieved on the medium supplemented with 40 g l-1 PEG. Mature somatic embryos were then transferred to MS medium supplemented with gibberellic acid (GA3) or 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) and 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) at various concentrations. The highest frequency of germination and conversion (26%) was obtained on the medium containing 5 μM NAA and 5 μM BAP. The developed plants were then transferred to ex vitro conditions, where a survival rate of 77.02% was observed. The regeneration protocol established in the present investigation will be used for mass propagation of date palm cv. Al-Fayda.
Effect of Biofertilizer Seed Treatment on Growth, Yield and Economics of Toria (Brassica Campestris L.) under Rainfed Condition in Hill Zone of Assam
Authors: Kalita Nilim , Bhuyan Sanjib , Maibangsa Subal , Saud Ranjit Kumar
Published: December 2019

The study was conducted at the farmers’ field of Karbi Anglong district of Assam to determine the effect of seed treatment with Azotobacter and Phosphorus Solubilizing Bacteria (PSB) on growth and yield of Toria (var. TS-36). The effect of biofertilizers was observed in combination with various levels of chemical fertilizers and FYM. Seed inoculation with Azotobacter and PSB @40g kg-1 seed + 75% NPK recorded maximum grain yield (11.15 qha-1) due to the higher plant height (88.52 cm), branches plant-1 (4.96), siliqua plant-1 (164.76), root growth (2.30g plant-1), seeds siliqua-1(10.97) and 1000-seed weight (4.82 g). The seed treatment with biofertilizers in combination with different levels of chemical fertilizers was found to be superior over recommended dose of NPK. Economics of cultivation in terms of net return of Rs.17605 & Rs. 17205 and B: C of 2.07 & 2.11 were considerably higher in treatment of Azotobacter + PSB + 50% NPK + FYM and Azotobacter + PSB + 75% NPK + FYM In which biofertilizer seed treatment was done as compared to recommended NPK (Rs. 14160 and 1.93, respectively). Application of Azotobacter and PSB in combination with 75 and 50% NPK and FYM @2 t ha-1 were found as viable and feasible option for getting higher yield and economic return from cultivation of toria in hill zone of Assam.
Enzyme Activity and Rhizosphere Microflora under Sugarcane Monocropping as Influenced by Integrated Nutrient Management
Authors: Lakshmi Ch. S. Rama , Sreelatha T. , Sireesha A. , Jamuna P. , Lakshmi M. Bharatha
Published: December 2019

Sugarcane is one of the lead crops in North Coastal Andhra Pradesh. Farmers in North Coastal Zone are opting for raising more number of ratoons owing to its substantially low cost of production. Ratoon crops however seldom receive proper care and inputs due to considered it as a bonus crop by majority of farmers. Field experiments were conducted consecutively for six years in the same field (2012-13 to 2018-19) at RARS, Anakapalle to study the monocropping effect on soil biology under the influence of different nutrient management practices. Irrespective of the year of ratooning, plots which received 50% recommended dose of chemical fertilizers + 25% nitrogen though vermicompost + 25% nitrogen through green manure incorporation resulted in higher microbial population over chemical fertilizers alone. Activity of dehydrogenase and active carbon pool also showed similar trend in multi-ratooning system of sugarcane. Rhizosphere microbial population at different growth stages revealed that, azospirillum population was observed highest followed by azotobacter while lowest population counts of phosphorus solubilizing bacteria were observed. Highest population counts were recorded in INM plots and population was highest at formative later reduced to harvest. INM with 50% RDFN + 50% through organics (66.80 t ha-1) recorded at par yields with 100% RDF (67.28 t ha-1).
Effects of Planting Distance on Yield and Agro-morphological Characteristics of Local Rice (Bara Variety) in Northeast Afghanistan
Authors: Anwari Gulaqa , Moussa Abdourazak Alio , Wahidi Abdul Bashir , Mandozai Ajmal , Nasar Jamal , El-Rahim Mahmoud Gamal Mohamed Abd
Published: December 2019

To evaluate the effect of planting distance on yield and agro-morphological characteristics of Bara variety (local variety of rice), a field experiment was carried out at the experimental station of the Agricultural Faculty of Kunduz University in 2016. Randomized Completely Block Design (RCBD) with four replications was used in the experiment. Transplanting distances with four levels viz. 10x10 cm, 15x15 cm, 20x20 cm, and 25 x 25 cm were used as treatment. Results showed that planting distance had significant effects on tillers number, leaf color, non-filled grain, total grain, and 1000 grains weight. In contrary, no significant effects on plant height, panicle length, number of filled grain per panicle and grain yield were observed between spacing. The spacing of 25 x 25 cm had produced the highest performance for most of the agro-morphological traits evaluated. Grain yield was found similar in all spacing but other yield components like total number of tillers (16.63) and total grain per panicle (119.43) were found statistically superior in 25 x 25 cm planting distance. Overall, the results of this study revealed that the planting distance of 25 x 25 cm seemed to be the best as requires lower seed and fertilizer (lower cost) and can, therefore, be suggested to the farmers for a better valorization of Bara variety in northeastern Afghanistan. Similar investigations are strongly recommended in other agro-ecological zones of the country where Bara variety is largely grown to confirm these findings.
Price forecasting and Seasonality of Soybean in Amravati District of Maharashtra India
Authors: Kumbhar Priyanka Mallikarjun
Published: December 2019

Soybean crop has contributed to improve the financial strength of the Indian farmers. It usually fetches higher income to the farmers owing to the massive export market for Soybean de-oiled cake. In state of Maharashtra Soybean is cultivated extensively in Amravati district. So the present studies explore the seasonality and price forecasting issue for Soybean crop. The is based on the secondary data. The monthly wholesale prices and arrivals data for the study collected from the agmarknet.gov.in for the period January 2008 to December 2017. To analyze the data we use statistical techniques like seasonality and exponential smoothing for price forecasting. The processing of data is done through MS- Excel and MINITAB Software. The study gives an overview of the different time series analytical methods, which can be used for price forecasting. The present study is undertaken precisely to fill the research gap and results of this study found an inverse relationship between price and market arrivals of soybean. The arrivals were recorded very high from October to January and seasonal indices of price were elevated during August in which arrivals were found stumpy. The assessment of all three Exponential Smoothing models was carried out in the procedure based on the Double Exponential model with MAD (168.3) and MAPE (6.14) values, which were considered in the smallest amount. The accuracy of proportion among the forecasted and actual price value of soybean was found in between 80.52 to 85.55 percent. It was pragmatic that the Double Exponential model was the most appropriate for forecasting the soybean.
Claritas Scripturae, Theological Epistemology, and the Phenomenology of Christian Faith
Authors: Nemes Steven
Published: December 2019

The doctrine of the perspicuity of Scripture maintains that the meaning of Scripture is clear to those who are enlightened by the Holy Spirit through faith. But this definition provides no way to know whether one has true faith or has been so enlightened by the Holy Spirit, a problem accentuated by persistent disagreement among persons who claim to be Christians of good will. This is a specific instance of a more general problem afflicting “closed” theological epistemologies. This essay provides an exposition of Kevin Diller’s synthesis of the “closed” theological epistemologies of Karl Barth and Alvin Plantinga and critiques it on phenomenological grounds. It then concludes with a phenomenologically redefined description of Christian faith which entails rejecting the doctrine of the claritas scripturae and motivates an “open” theological epistemology.
Low-cost hyper-spectral imaging system using a linear variable bandpass filter for agritech applications
Authors: Song Shigeng , Gibson Des , Ahmadzadeh Sam , Chu Hin On , Warden Barry , Overend Russell , Macfarlane Fraser , Murray Paul , Marshall Stephen , Aitkenhead Matt , Bienkowski Damian , Allison Russell
Published: December 2019

Hyperspectral imaging for agricultural applications provides a solution for non-destructive, large-area crop monitoring. However, current products are bulky and expensive due to complicated optics and electronics. A linear variable filter was developed for implementation into a prototype hyperspectral imaging camera that demonstrates good spectral performance between 450 and 900 nm. Equipped with a feature extraction and classification algorithm, the proposed system can be used to determine potato plant health with∼88%accuracy. This algorithm was also capable of species identification and is demonstrated as being capable of differentiating between rocket, lettuce, and spinach. Results are promising for an entry-level, low-cost hyperspectral imaging solution for agriculture applications.
Single-shot optical multiple-image encryption by jointly using wavelength multiplexing and position multiplexing
Authors: He Xiaoliang , Tao Hua , Jiang Zhilong , Kong Yan , Wang Shouyu , Liu Cheng
Published: December 2019

A single shot large-capacity optical multiple-image encryption method based on wavelength multiplexing and position multiplexing is proposed. In the encryption process of the proposed method, multiple plane waves of different wavelengths are adopted to illuminate secret images that are placed at different positions along the optical axis. All the secret images are encoded into a single grayscale intensity-only image that is recorded by a monochromic camera by applying a diffractive-imaging based double random phase encoding (DRPE) system. In the decryption process, high accuracy images are decrypted without crosstalk from the intensity image through a multimode phase retrieval algorithm and a two-step iterative shrinkage/thresholding (TwIST) algorithm. The feasibility of the proposed method is demonstrated by numerical simulations.
High-precision microdisplacement sensor based on zeroth-order diffraction using a single-layer optical grating
Authors: Zhao Hongbo , Li Mengwei , Zhang Rui , Wang Zhibin , Xie Kunyang , Xin Chenguang , Jin Li , Liang Zhouxin
Published: December 2019

A high-precision microdisplacement sensor based on zeroth-order diffraction of a single-layer optical grating is reported. Laser grating interference occurs when part of the laser is reflected diffraction by the grating and another part is vertically reflected back by a mirror and diffracted again by the grating, thus generating optical interferometric detection. For the purpose of obtaining the optimal contrast of the optical interferometric detection, the duty cycle of the grating and the orders of diffraction were optimized by the diffraction scalar theory. The microdisplacement sensor demonstrates a sensitivity of 0.40%/nm, a resolution of 0.6 nm, and a full-scale range of up to 100 µm. This work enables a high-performance displacement sensor, and provides a theoretical and technical basis for the design of a displacement sensor with an ultracompact structure.
Wide-angle MEMS-based imaging lidar by decoupled scan axes
Authors: Hellman Brandon , Gin Adley , Smith Braden , Kim Young-Sik , Chen Guanghao , Winkler Paul , Mccann Phillip , Takashima Yuzuru
Published: December 2019

We present an optical architecture for a scanning lidar in which a digital micromirror device (DMD) is placed at an intermediate image plane in a receiver to decouple the trade-offs between scan angle, scan speed, and aperture size of the lidar’s transmitter and receiver. In the architecture, the transmitter with a galvo mirror and the receiver with a DMD scan the horizontal and vertical fields of view, respectively, to enable an increased field of view of 50°, centimeter transmitter beam diameter, and video frame rate range finding captures. We present our optimized system and discuss the adjustable parameter trade-offs.
Polarimetric imaging detection using a convolutional neural network with three-dimensional and two-dimensional convolutional layers
Authors: Sun Rui , Sun Xiaobing , Chen Feinan , Song Qiang , Pan Hao
Published: December 2019

Polarimetric imaging detection is a relatively new and largely undeveloped field. Although convolutional neural networks (CNNs) have achieved great success in two-dimensional (2D) normal intensity images in the field of target detection, traditional CNN methods have not been widely applied to optical polarimetric images, and they cannot take full advantage of the connection between different polarimetric images. To solve this problem, three-dimensional (3D) convolutions are adopted to consider the relationship between S0, S1, and S2 images as a third dimension. Based on the 3D convolutions, a CNN with 3D and 2D convolutional layers is introduced to further improve the success rate of target detection with limited polarimetric images. The evaluations in different natural backgrounds reveal that the proposed method achieves higher detection accuracy than that of two traditional methods for comparison.
Spatially truncated Gaussian pulsed beam and its application in modeling diffraction of ultrashort pulses from hard apertures
Authors: Worku Norman G. , Gross Herbert
Published: December 2019

A new kind of pulsed beam, which we call a spatially truncated Gaussian
pulsed beam, is defined to represent a Gaussian pulsed beam that is
diffracted from a semi-infinite hard aperture. The analytical
equations for the propagation of the spatially truncated Gaussian
pulsed beam through a nonrotationally symmetric paraxial system with
second-order dispersion is derived starting from the generalized
spatiotemporal Huygens integral. The spatially truncated Gaussian
pulsed beam is then combined with the conventional Gaussian pulsed
beam decomposition method to enable the modeling of diffraction of a
general ultrashort pulse from an arbitrarily shaped hard aperture. The
accuracy of the analytical propagation equation derived for the
propagation of the truncated Gaussian pulsed beam is evaluated by a
numerical comparison with diffraction results obtained using the
conventional pulse propagation method based on the Fourier transform
algorithm. The application of the modified Gaussian pulsed beam
decomposition method is demonstrated by propagating an ultrashort
pulse after a circular aperture through a dispersive medium and a
focusing aspherical lens with large chromatic aberration.
Enlarged growth window for plasmonic silicon-doped InAs using a bismuth surfactant
Authors: Wei Dongxia , Maddox Scott , Sohr Patrick , Bank Seth , Law Stephanie
Published: December 2019

Semiconductors such as InAs with high dopant concentrations have a variety of applications, including as components of mid-infrared optoelectronic devices. Unfortunately, growth of these materials by molecular beam epitaxy is challenging, requiring high growth rates and low growth temperatures. We show that the use of a bismuth surfactant improves silicon incorporation into InAs while simultaneously reducing the optical scattering rate, increasing the carrier mobility, reducing surface roughness, and enabling growth at higher substrate temperatures and slower growth rates. We explain our findings using microscopic theories of dopant segregation and defect formation in III-V materials.
Photonic crystal structured blue µLED with aperture size dependent data transmission performance in plastic fiber link
Authors: Lin Yu-Hong , Lin Tung-Chin , Cheng Chih-Hsien , Kuo Hao-Chung , Huang Jian-Jang , Lin Gong-Ru
Published: December 2019

A comprehensive comparison on the data transmission performance of photonic crystal structured micro light-emitting diodes (PC-µLEDs) with different aperture sizes is realized for high-speed visible light communication application. The 120×120-µm2 large PC-µLED exhibits the largest optical power of 580 µW and the highest external quantum efficiency of 2.5%; however, it also demonstrates the lowest analog modulation bandwidth of only 72 MHz. By contrast, the smallest PC-µLED with 20×20-µm2 aperture emits the lowest optical power of 37 µW but provides the highest 3-dB bandwidth of 162 MHz. After optimizing the operating parameters for data transmission, the trade-off between output power and encoding bandwidth is observed to improve the transmission performance. The PC-µLED with mesa length of 60–80 µm can transmit on-off keying (OOK) data format at 500 Mbit/s under error-free BER criterion. In particular, the device with a mesa area of 80×80-µm2 successfully carries the 300-MBaud 4-level pulse amplitude modulation (PAM-4) data with corresponding data rate of 600 Mbit/s under KP4 forward error correction (FEC) required BER. Furthermore, the quadrature-amplitude-modulation (QAM) orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) data transmission is also performed, and the highest data rate of 2 Gbit/s under FEC criterion is allowable by using the PC-µLED with a mesa aperture of 80×80-µm2.
A whole new ball game: How Sky Sports News journalists are learning from the academy
Authors: McEnnis Simon
Published: December 2019

This article outlines an academic development programme at Sky Sports News (SSN), a 24-hour rolling news television channel in the United Kingdom. The course counters negative industry perceptions of journalism education. It demonstrates that a major news organization and a significant employer of sports journalists in the United Kingdom considers that academia has an important role to play in the professionalization process. SSN’s commitment to resourcing such a programme should also be seen as an attempt to raise professional standards and overcome the derogatory ‘toy department’ reputation that has hampered sports journalism. This article outlines how industry professionals are connected to academic learning and encouraged to critically reflect on their practice. The article intends to raise awareness of the programme across contexts and countries and, in doing so, provide a blueprint for similar industry-academic collaborations.