bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of the Relationship Between Snow Cover Index and Land Surface Temperature for Sulaymaniyah City, Iraq
Authors: Altemimi Doaa G. , Hashim Bassim M. , Al-Lami Alaa M.
Published: July 2023

Changes in land surface reflectance measured by remote sensing data can be useful in climate change studies. This study attempts to Evaluation of the relationship between Snow cover index and Land surface temperature for by used Normalized snow index (S3), Land Surface Temperature (LST), in Sulaymaniyah city, northeastern Iraq. Data from Landsat5 TM and Landsat8 OLI images were used to detect the change in snow cover and land surface temperature during the study period years 1987, 1999, 2009, and 2022. ArcGIS 10.8 is used to determine the variations and calculate S3, NDVI, and LST index indices. All S3 maps have shown a decrease trend from 1987 to 2022 which depicted decreases of snow cover area. Also, LST has increased from 13°C in 1987 to 19 °C in 2022. also the results showed S3 and LST correlation has a strong reverse relationship existed in each year. The reverse relationship found between S3 and LST indicates that areas in which increase land surface temperature it leads to inducing much changes in snow cover.
Climatic Characteristics and Their Impact on the Amount of Surface Water Discharge in the Province of Najaf
Authors: Hamed Alyaa Matai , Salman Alyaa Hussein , Yousef Karim Itab , Makki Munira Mohammad
Published: July 2023

Geographical studies are interested in analyzing most of the different aspects of life in order to put the problem and the appropriate solutions to it spatially according to a geographical distribution that shows the relevant authorities how to develop and alleviate the burdens of population societies that have a growing need to meet all human consumptions, including water, because without it, life and control over the various economic aspects is not possible. The population is exposed to a decrease in the levels of water and its discharge quantities as a result of many reasons, including the climate, especially the amount of solar radiation, temperature, wind speed and relative humidity, which as a whole affect directly or indirectly the decrease in the quantities of surface water, especially the Kufa and Abbasiya beaches, which we are in the process of studying and presenting all its details. Linking the statistical relations between them and the prevailing climatic characteristics in the study area according to a climatic station, which is the Najaf climatic station for the period 1990-2020. The same is the case with regard to the hydrological characteristics 1990-2020, through which statistical relations are found and through modern statistical programs, so that the results are represented according to modern maps as well.
The Role of Regular and Nano-Chitosan in some Indicators of Vegetative and Root Growth of Tecoma stans (L.) Seedlings Under Different Levels of Water Stress
Authors: Alshireefy Ahmed H. Ha. , Bajlan Sabah G. Sh.
Published: July 2023

A factorial experiment was conducted with three factors, the first using three levels of water stress (50, 75 and 100%) of the field capacity value, the second spraying seedlings of Tecoma stans (L.) Juss. ex Kunth with regular chitosan in three concentrations (0, 150 and 300 mg.L-1), and the third spraying seedlingsat with nano-chitosan in three concentrations (0 and 150 and 300 mg.L-1). arithmetic mean of the coefficients was compared. Statistically according to Duncan’s Multiple Range Test. The results of the single effect of water stress showed the superiority of the seedlings that were treated with light water stress treatment by (100%) of the field capacity value, as well as the single effect of the regular and nano-chitosan biofertilizer, the superiority of the seedlings that were treated with a concentration of (300 mg.L-1) in the increase in the height of the seedlings, the increase in the diameter of the main stem of the seedling, main root length and root volume in the increase in the height of the seedlings, the increase in the diameter of the main stem of the seedling, main root length and root volume.
Effect of Zeolite, Urea and Humic Acid on Biomass Nitrogen in Soil
Authors: Al-Jubouri Esraa Assim Kadhim , Al-Taweel Luma Salih Jabbar
Published: July 2023

In order to study the effect of zeolite, humic acid and urea in estimating biomass nitrogen for flowering and full maturity stages in soil planted in Al-Hana, an agricultu ral experiment was carried out in one of the farms located in Al-Nouriah sub-district of Al-Diwaniyah governorate during the autumn season (2022) in a soil with a silty qclay mixture texture. A factorial experiment with three factors according to the randomized complete block design (R. C. B. D), as the number of experiment transactions was 18, including the comparison treatment and with three replications. Three fertilizer factors were used in the experiment, which were as follows: The first factor: Zeolite mineral with three levels (0, 200 and 400). kg h-1, which has the symbol (Z0, Z1 and Z2), the second factor : humic acid at two levels (0 and 33) liters h-1, which has the symbol (H0 and H1), and the third factor: urea at three levels (0, 50 and 100) kg N h-1, denoted by the symbol (U0, U1 and U2). The results of the experiment were: The addition of zeolite mineral at the Z1 level achieved the highest average in the flowering and full maturity stages, as it recorded (67.41 and 46.57) mg N kg soil-1, respectively, compared to the comparison treatment, which recorded the lowest mentioned values, which amounted to (52.9 and 36.09) mg N kg soil-1 in sequence.
Water Pollution in Cobalt and Nickel by the Effect of Adding Urban Waste in Al-Diwaniyah River / Iraq
Authors: Al-Zaiadi Baidaa Hamid Gaish , Jarallah Raid Shaalan
Published: July 2023

This study was conducted in Al-Diwaniyah Governorate, Iraq, across four seasons with the intention of determining the impact of introducing liquid urban waste (including sewage, waste water, factory, and sewer water) on the content of cobalt and nickel in river water. At each location and during each of the following four seasons: summer in July, 2021; autumn in October, 2021; winter in January, 2022; and spring in April, 2022; for the following three locations: The first site was positioned at the entrance to Diwaniyah (Saniaa), which represents the control treatment as it is located before to the pollution outputs. The numerous sources of pollution that are discharged into the river, as well as the second location in the city center (the neighborhood of Refaat), and the third location in the Al-Sidair region, which is the final location in the city of Diwaniyah following the cessation of all pollution discharges into the river. The third, where the highest significant concentration of cobalt was 0.2400 μg l-1 in the summer, the third site, where it exceeded the limits recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO), and the lowest concentration was 0.0033 μg l-1 In the winter, the first site, while the highest concentration of Nickel was 0.382 μg l-1 in the summer, the third site, thus exceeding the critical limits of the World Health Organization (WHO), and its lowest concentration was 0.022 μg l-1 in the winter, the first site.
Efficiency of Trichoderma harzianum Fungus in Bioremediation of Nominee and Superflak Pesticides Residues in Rice Fields in Najaf-Iraq
Authors: Mutlag Nihad Habeeb , Kermasha Hussein Sami Naji , Majeed Ahmed Mohsin
Published: July 2023

The study included the use two isolates from Trichoderma harzianum that were used to biodegradation of the remaining pesticides. The comparison in petri dishes before and after adding pesticides. Were done the result showed a clear vegetative growth of fungi and their use of pesticides as an energy source. Scanning Electronic Microscope (SEM) was used to compare the vegetative growth of fungi before and after adding pesticides with PDA media, which showed a clear and natural growth with a short period of growth for a petri dish after addition pesticides compared to controlling for a petri dish at the magnification forces values (5446 x, 5955 x, 5998x, 6000 x, 6264x, 6754x) respectively. Spectrophotometer technique was used to estimate the total pesticides in the soil after 90 days of biological treatment with fungi. The results showed the highest biodegradation of superflak pesticide by Trichoderma harzianum (Th.16) which were 94.6%, the remaining superflak was 5.4%, and the degradation of the nominee pesticide percentage by the same isolation was 78.9%, the remaining nominee 21.1%, and the percentage of degradation by Trichoderma harzianum (Th.15) was the lowest percentage in the biodegradation of the nominee pesticide 76% and the percentage of the remaining nominee pesticide 24% and the percentage of biodegradation of the superflak by the same isolation was 92% and the percentage of the remaining superflak the remaining 8%. Spectrophotometer technique was used to estimate the total pesticides in PDB after 90 days of biological treatment with fungi. The results showed the highest biodegradation of Superflak pesticides by Trichoderma harzianum (Th.15) 94.7%, the remaining superflak 5.3%, and the biodegradation percentage of nominee by the same isolation 76%, the remaining nominee 24%, and the percentage of biodegradation of the nominee pesticide by Trichoderma harzianum (Th.16) was the lowest percentage in the biodegradation 86.9% and the percentage of the remaining nominee pesticide 13.1% and the percentage of biodegradation of the superflak by the same isolation 81% and the percentage of the remaining superflak the remaining 19%.
The Effect of Adding Whey and Spraying with Silicone on the Growth of Chinese Cabbage Plant Brassica campestris var. pekinensis
Authors: Aleyashe Hussam H. , Obaid Mohammed H.
Published: July 2023

The experiment was conducted in the fields of horticulture and Garden Engineering at the College of Agriculture - University of Kerbala for the agricultural season 2022-2023 with the aim of knowing the effect of spraying with silicon in the form of potassium silicate (K2Sio3) and adding the by-product (whey) in improving the growth indicators of the Chinese Cabbage plant. The experiment included 16 treatments that included four concentrations of silicon (0.1.2.3) ml L-1 and four concentrations of whey by-product (0.8.16.24) L ha-1 and were in three batches between one batch and another 10 days. It was carried out as a factorial experiment with two factors according to the randomized block design and with three replications, and the least significant difference test (l.s.d) was used to compare the means at the probability level of 0.05. Silicon spraying treatment led to a significant increase in all yield traits, as the concentration of 3 ml L-1 was significantly superior in each of plant height, leaf area, plant weight, and percentage of dissolved solids. As for the treatment of whey addition, the concentration of 24 liters ha-1 was significantly higher in plant height, leaf area, plant weight, and the percentage of dissolved solids 51.90 cm 70.268 cm 2 1646.4 g 4.04, respectively. The bilateral interaction between the two experimental factors showed significant superiority in all the traits under experiment.
Study Growth Indicators of Mangrove Avicennia marina (Forsk.) Vierh. Cultivated on the Coast of Khor Al-Zubair Oil Port, South of Basrah - Iraq
Authors: Al-Zewar Jihad M. , Al-Edany Taha Y. , Naema Jabbar D.
Published: July 2023

A study was conducted to assess the growth indicators of mangrovesAvicennia marinacultivated in the intertidal zone at the Khor Al-Zubair oil port site for the period from May 2020 to May 2021. The study showed high growth indicators. Recorded the highest averages indicators to the total height of the plant and the number of lateral branches were 113.4 cm and 30.4 branches. Plant-1after 12 months from the date of planting in the site, while the highest average to indicators of the total number of leaves in the plant, the total leaf area, and the total leaf content of chlorophyll reached 176 leaves.plant-1, 3511 cm2.plant-1, and 52.7 μg.cm-2were after 9 months of cultivation in the field, respectively. While the plants achieved survival rates of 78% at the end of the experiment. The results were compared according to the Least Significant Difference (L.S.D.) test at a probability level of 0.05.
Chemical Pollutants (Aromatic Compounds and Heavy Metals) from Industrial Wastes which Impacted on Planted Vegetables
Authors: Harpy A. F. , Hamed Luma L. , Abdalraheem Esam
Published: July 2023

The chemical pollutants (aromatic compounds and heavy metals) in the waters of the Tigris River were studied for the two sites of the Dora power station and the site of the vegetable oil plant during the summer season of 2021. The study included measuring some physical and chemical properties such as (acid function, temperature, turbidity, total dissolved salts, magnesium, calcium, chloride and potassium and sodium and determination of heavy metals such as (lead, cadmium) and the results were (0.06 ppm lead at the cycle electricity site, 0.04 ppm lead in the vegetable oil site), (0.1 ppm cadmium at the cycle electricity site, 0.1 ppm cadmium at the vegetable oil site), the aromatic compounds of the river water were estimated, and the heavy elements of soil and plants (lead, cadmium) were estimated. The results indicated that the water quality was low in salinity and low in soda, and the results of soil tests showed that the concentrations of lead and cadmium elements were (61.75 ppm lead at the Dora electricity site, 55.11 ppm for lead in the vegetable oil site), and it was (14.45 ppm cadmium at the Dora electricity site)., 13.75 ppm for cadmium in the vegetable oil site) and thus exceeded the permissible limits of the specifications of the World Health Organization (WHO, 2003). vegetable oils site, exceeding the permissible limits of the Food and Health Organization (2007, WHO/FAO) standard of mg kg-1 dry matter. The study showed the presence of some aromatic hydrocarbon compounds in the water of the Tigris River for the two study sites, through the technique of Coupled Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GS-MS), and the results of the examination recorded the presence of different concentrations, where the concentration of naphthalene compound reached 35 ppm and benzo compound ( ghi) perylene concentration reached 70 ppm for water, which indicates the pollution of river water, which is deposited and remains at the bottom of the river by the effect of sewage, wastes of stations and oil installations, and waste of laboratories.
Investigating the Effect of Saturated Hydraulic Conductivity in Porous Pipe Irrigation System and Comparing to Other Parameters
Authors: Rasheed Z. K.
Published: July 2023

A subsurface porous pipe irrigation system has been widely used, water seeps from the porous pipe into the soil. Such systems can carry out both conveyance and seepage in the same time. Hence by this research, it is investigated the effect of saturated hydraulic conductivity of the porous pipe on the movement of soil moisture contents by using five values of 0.05, 0.075, 0.1, 0.125, and 0.15 cm/hr for the pipe. The pipe is installed at a depth of 15 cm with 6 cm as the outer diameter. Then water heads of 25, 50, and 75 cm are applied for 2 hours as an operation time. Preparations in the HYDRUS/2D are done and all movements of soil moisture contents are recorded with time. Empirical functions are found with the collected data in both sides of horizontal and vertical directions with an average relative error value not exceeds 4 % and with coefficients of determination more than 0.97. Therefore, these empirical functions are well fitted and can be used as an indicator in designing system of subsurface porous pipe irrigation.
Removing of Methylene Blue Dye from Wastewater by Interaction Between Ceratophyllum demersum and Acinetobacter radioresistens
Authors: Shaalan Mustafa Hussein , Almansoory Asia Fadhile , Al-Baldawi Israa Abdulwahab
Published: July 2023

The textile factories are one of the main important problem will generate water pollution therefore, to reduce the contaminant from wastewater before their discharge into environment. The current study included to investigate the removal of methylene blue dye by using of the aquatic plant Ceratophyllum demersu with Acinetobacter radioresistens bacteria. The best concentration of 30 mg/L of methylene blue dye was prepared to application in basins. Four basin were prepared used and fill by wastewater from river with 20 liters, 100 g plant weight and volume 900 ml of liquid nutrient medium containing bacterial growth. The visible spectrum of the four basins was read during a period of 0, 1, 5, 10 and 15 days from the start of the experiment. The percentage of treatment for the fifteen days was %78.53 for the basin contain plant while %58.48 basin the bacteria, 88.72% for the plan with bacteria, and 9.85% for the control basin.. The results proved that there is a noticeable difference when bacteria are involved with the plant in the treatment, and this proves that the interaction between bacteria and plants was higher to remove harmful compounds in the environment, including methylene blue dye.
Response of Total Phenol and Chemical Qualities for Helianthus annus L. to Roselle Extract and Phenol Spraying
Authors: Hussain Hind Adnan , Thabit Hadeel Mohammed , Aljenaby Hiafaa Khettaf Abed Alkereem , Fadil Nada Mohammad
Published: July 2023

The purpose of this study is to explain the impact of phenol separation from Roselle extract on the volatile oil yield, as well as the roles of total phenol, zinc, and protean for Helianthus annus L. (Sunflower). The agricultural test was conducted in the spring. 2022 in the city of Kerbala in Arabia The factorial experiment examined the effects of spraying a source level of Roselle extract with phenol compound the separation from Roselle on various active compounds and chemical characteristics of sunflower plants using a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications, two factors, and phenol compoundthe first factor was Roselle extract (control, 10, 20 gm L-1) The second factor was phenol (control, 0.5, 8 gm L-1 ). The medicines were administered in two dosages, and after assessing all growth traits, the plants were harvested when fully mature. After the crop reached full maturity on July 18, 2022, the harvesting process was carried out. The results indicate phenol separation from Roselle extract Improved content (volatile oil yield, Zinc and protean and total phenol ).
Water Quality Assessment of some Parameters of Dalmaj Marsh, Al-Diwaniya City, Iraq
Authors: Al-Jasimee Ahmed Sabah , Hussein Haider Mashkoor
Published: July 2023

The current study has investigated some parameters of Dalmaj Marsh, located in AL-Diwaniyah City, in Iraq, from the period of January 2022 to June 2022. In the field parameters such as electrical conductivity, salinity, TDS, pH, Turbidity, Temperature of air and water have been measured. Whereas, other parameters such as Biological oxygen demand BOD, Dissolved oxygen DO, total hardness, total alkalinity and chlorides have been measured at the laboratory. The results show that there has been a variation in parameters in all months of study, in the three studied sites. High salinity has been recorded and increased temperature in the studied sites. Also, high level of BOD has been recorded in Dalmaj Marsh that reflect deterioration of water. These findings provide crucial background data for further research.
The Impact of Hydrological Changes on Fish Assemblages in the Zachery Marshes of Southern Iraq
Authors: Abdullah Abdul Hussein Jaafer
Published: July 2023

The present study was implemented in the Zachery Marsh as part of the middle marshes north of Bashar Province from January to December 2022 to investigate the impact of the seasons’ oscillation between drought and flooding on fish assemblage abundance, size spectrum, and ecological indices. Three stations were selected to collect samples of fish. The specimens were monthly gathered with different fishing tools, including fixed gillnets, cast nets, and electrofishing. The water temperature ranged from 12.32 to 34.03 °C, the salinity varied from 1.75 PSU to 2.89 PSU, and the pH fluctuated between 7.47 and 8.43. The rate of change in water depth in the low flat regions fluctuated from 27 cm in September to 76 cm in April. The mean water depth in rivers, small pits, and canals varied from 45 cm in October to the highest, 121 cm in March. In the seasonal regions, the average depth ranged from zero in July, August, September, and October to 40 cm in April. The current study documented 18 fish species belonging to 16 genera and 9 families from Zachery Marsh, all of them affiliated with the Osteichthyes class. Cyprinidae was the most abundant family, including six species. The species Planiliza abu, the most abundant species, formed 28.44%, Carassius gibelio constituted 20.27%, and Orechromis aureus represented 18.52%. The dominance index (D3) of the three dominant species was 67.23%. The size spectrum of the most commercial species was determined. The diversity index value ranged from 1.64 in August to 2.08 in June, the evenness index varied between 0.69 in May and 0.91 in December, and the richness index values fluctuated from 1.47 in August to 2.28 in June. Resident species represented 88.02%, seasonal species formed 6.08%, and the occasional fish species counted for 5.90%. The present study concludes that the fluctuation between drought and flooding has a critical role in the composition of fish assemblages, particularly in seasonal marshes that are subjected to extreme conditions. The fish evolve several reproductive strategies in these difficult conditions in order to survive and continue.
Anatomical Study of Nerium oleander L. Leaves Found in Places Contaminated with H2S
Authors: Malik Al-Saadi Sahar A. A. , Al-Taie Sadeq Sabeeh Kareem , Al-Waheeb Alla N.
Published: July 2023

The research study the effect of H2S on Nerium oleander leaves, the leaves were collected from the pollution places in the crowded streets with cars and factory areas from five different regions of Basrah city, The results showed that the average of highest concentration of hydrogen sulfide gas was 4. ppm in the Al-Amin Aldakhli area, while the lowest value of gas was recorded in Karmat Ali, it was 0.4 ppm of date palm plants and 0.8 ppm. Anatomy study of N. oleanderleaves showed that the different changes in plant internal tissues with H2S pollution which presented by difference in the thickness of epidermal cell walls of N. oleander leaves in the areas of Al-Dair, Manawi Pasha and Andal’s, while the thickness of the cells was less in the area of Karmat Ali. Highest average length of cells of the upper epidermis was recorded in the Al-Dier and Karmat Ali region was 40 μm and 37.5 μm respectively, while the lower epidermis was 35.82 μmin Al-Dier. Stomata dimension found the lowest average was recorded in the Al-Amin Aldakhli area was 24 μm while in the upper epidermis have highest value, it was in Karmat ali was 30 μm. The number of stomata different between the stations, it was found that the highest average of stomata was found in the lower epidermis in Al-Amin Aldakhli station was 215.98, while the lowest average in Karmat Ali was 98. The upper epidermis had the highest average number of stomata in the Minawi Pasha station was 183.96 on lower epidermis and the lowest average in Andal’s area was 66. Also, the highest average number of cells was in the Lower epidermis in Andal’s region was 3159.96, and the lowest average was 919.98 in the Al-Dair.
Combining rotary wet-spinning biofabrication and electro-mechanical stimulation for the in vitro production of functional myo-substitutes
Authors: Celikkin Nehar , Presutti Dario , Maiullari Fabio , Volpi Marina , Promovych Yurii , Gizynski Konrad , Dolinska Joanna , Wiśniewska Agnieszka , Opałło Marcin , Paradiso Alessia , Rinoldi Chiara , Fuoco Claudia , Swieszkowski Wojciech , Bearzi Claudia , Rizzi Roberto , Gargioli Cesare , Costantini Marco
Published: July 2023

In this work, we present an innovative, high-throughput rotary wet-spinning biofabrication method for manufacturing cellularized constructs composed of highly-aligned hydrogel fibers. The platform is supported by an innovative microfluidic printing head (MPH) bearing a crosslinking bath microtank with a co-axial nozzle placed at the bottom of it for the immediate gelation of extruded core/shell fibers. After a thorough characterization and optimization of the new MPH and the fiber deposition parameters, we demonstrate the suitability of the proposed system for the in vitro engineering of functional myo-substitutes. The samples produced through the described approach were first characterized in vitro and then used as a substrate to ascertain the effects of electro-mechanical stimulation on myogenic maturation. Of note, we found a characteristic gene expression modulation of fast (MyH1), intermediate (MyH2), and slow (MyH7) twitching myosin heavy chain isoforms, depending on the applied stimulation protocol. This feature should be further investigated in the future to biofabricate engineered myo-substitutes with specific functionalities.
DREAM: an R package for druggability evaluation of human complex diseases
Authors: Federico Antonio , Fratello Michele , Pavel Alisa , Möbus Lena , del Giudice Giusy , Serra Angela , Greco Dario
Published: July 2023

Motivation

De novo drug development is a long and expensive process that poses significant challenges from the design to the preclinical testing, making the introduction into the market slow and difficult. This limitation paved the way to the development of drug repurposing, which consists in the re-usage of already approved drugs, developed for other therapeutic indications. Although several efforts have been carried out in the last decade in order to achieve clinically relevant drug repurposing predictions, the amount of repurposed drugs that have been employed in actual pharmacological therapies is still limited. On one hand, mechanistic approaches, including profile-based and network-based methods, exploit the wealth of data about drug sensitivity and perturbational profiles as well as disease transcriptomics profiles. On the other hand, chemocentric approaches, including structure-based methods, take into consideration the intrinsic structural properties of the drugs and their molecular targets. The poor integration between mechanistic and chemocentric approaches is one of the main limiting factors behind the poor translatability of drug repurposing predictions into the clinics.

Results

In this work, we introduce DREAM, an R package aimed to integrate mechanistic and chemocentric approaches in a unified computational workflow. DREAM is devoted to the druggability evaluation of pathological conditions of interest, leveraging robust drug repurposing predictions. In addition, the user can derive optimized sets of drugs putatively suitable for combination therapy. In order to show the functionalities of the DREAM package, we report a case study on atopic dermatitis.

Availability and implementation

DREAM is freely available at https://github.com/fhaive/dream. The docker image of DREAM is available at: https://hub.docker.com/r/fhaive/dream.
pyCaverDock: Python implementation of the popular tool for analysis of ligand transport with advanced caching and batch calculation support
Authors: Vavra Ondrej , Beranek Jakub , Stourac Jan , Surkovsky Martin , Filipovic Jiri , Damborsky Jiri , Martinovic Jan , Bednar David
Published: July 2023

Access pathways in enzymes are crucial for the passage of substrates and products of catalysed reactions. The process can be studied by computational means with variable degrees of precision. Our in-house approximative method CaverDock provides a fast and easy way to set up and run ligand binding and unbinding calculations through protein tunnels and channels. Here we introduce pyCaverDock, a Python3 API designed to improve user experience with the tool and further facilitate the ligand transport analyses. The API enables users to simplify the steps needed to use CaverDock, from automatizing setup processes to designing screening pipelines.

Availability and implementation

pyCaverDock API is implemented in Python 3 and is freely available with detailed documentation and practical examples at https://loschmidt.chemi.muni.cz/caverdock/.
Development of HPLC-UV Method for Simultaneous Determination of Corticosteroid Co-Administered Immune Therapy
Authors: Abdelhamid Nessreen S , Farid Nehal F , Anwar Basma H , Magdy Maimana A
Published: July 2023

Prednisolone (PDS) has recently been utilized to treat a variety of medical disorders, including autoimmune illnesses and cancer. It is also used to treat coronavirus disease 2019 infection-related respiratory problems. Because it may induce health problems including gastrointestinal lesions and ulceration, it has to be used alongside other drugs like esomeprazole (ESM), which acts as a proton pump antagonist to reduce the probability of ulceration. As a result, the goal of this research is to create an environmentally safe and sensitive high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) approach for determining PDS and ESM in their binary combination and spiked human plasma. C8 column (100 × 4.6 mm, 5 μm) and gradient mobile phase elution were used to separate the studied drugs with ultraviolet recognition at 290 nm. Caffeine was utilized as an internal standard to adjust the sample variance. Plasma, caffeine, ESM and PDS all had tR values of 1.4, 3.5, 6.3 and 7.3, respectively. The suggested method’s greenness features were evaluated using three greenness evaluation tools: green analytical procedure index, analytical greenness metric approach and analytical eco-scale, and the findings were approved and satisfied. Validation parameters were evaluated in accordance with US-FDA recommendations in order to meet the global desires for biological analysis technique, acceptable limits were obtained.
Analytical Concordance of Total Vitamin D on a Fully Automated Random-Access LC–MS/MS Platform
Authors: Gqamana Putuma P , Militello Leah , McMaster Jeffrey M , Daley Stacy J , Zhang Y Victoria
Published: July 2023

Background

The adoption of LC–MS/MS laboratory developed tests in the clinical laboratory is limited by many factors including the lack of automation. Recently, the Cascadion™ clinical analyzer was introduced as a fully automated random-access LC–MS/MS platform. Here, the analytical concordance between the platform and a Roche immunoassay analyzer was investigated for vitamin D analysis in human serum, including samples selected for high triglyceride levels.

Methods

Analytical precision was evaluated on 3 levels of QC samples (10, 30, and 90 ng/mL) within days (n = 4, 5 days) and between days (20 days). Assay comparison to the Roche was performed using reference samples from the CDC and CAP programs for accuracy. Concordance was also monitored using routine patient samples, as well as samples selected for elevated triglyceride levels (>250 mg/dL).

Results

Precision met manufacturer specifications (<10% CV and <15% bias), whereas the accuracy evaluations showed a linear fit (y = 0.97x − 1.1, r = 0.995) with 1:1 correlation to reference samples, independent of C-3-epi-vitamin D levels. A mean positive bias (11%) was observed for the Roche measurements in normal patient samples, whereas a mean negative bias (−8%) was observed in samples selected for elevated triglyceride levels.

Conclusions

Cascadion measurements of total vitamin D compared favorably with Roche results in our laboratory, although discordance was observed in the analysis of patient serum, which could be explained in terms of known differences between the 2 assays. However, operational issues need to be addressed to effect clinical adoption.
Using Antibodies in Microscopy: A Guide to Immunohistochemistry. Part 3: Post-Embedding Electron Microscopy Techniques
Authors: Guerin Christopher J
Published: July 2023

Immunohistochemistry (IHC) is the use of antibodies as probes to determine the localization of proteins in a cell or tissue sample. In microscopy, the technique has been in use since the 1940s by pathologists and research scientists. At first glance it appears a straightforward procedure. In practice, however, an IHC protocol has many steps where problems can occur resulting in either false positive or false negative data. IHC can be used for ultrastructural studies using electron microscopy (EM), but the protocols used for light microscopy must be adapted. While IHC techniques have been published extensively, a certain amount of confusion exists as to how to optimize them. This series of articles describes the steps involved in IHC and their function, and some variations that occur in specific protocols on differing cell and tissue types. It is hoped that a better understanding of these steps will help to guide users in determining the optimal conditions for carrying through IHC protocols.
Decreased Pneumococcal Carriage Among Older Adults in Denmark During the COVID-19 Lockdown
Authors: Tinggaard Michaela , Slotved Hans-Christian , Petersen Randi Føns , Hovmand Nichlas , Benfield Thomas
Published: July 2023

Background

COVID-19 containment measures reduced the burden of invasive pneumococcal disease. Data on pneumococcal carriage rates among adults during the pandemic are scarce.

Methods

Naso- and oropharyngeal swabs and questionnaires were collected during January 2019 to December 2021 from adults ≥64 years of age. Carriage was determined by lytA/piaB PCR.

Results

A total of 1556 participants provided paired naso- and oropharyngeal swabs. Their median age was 74 years (IQR, 70–79). Streptococcus pneumoniae DNA was detected in 146 (9.4%) oropharyngeal swabs and 34 (2.2%) nasopharyngeal. The carriage rate decreased from 12.9% (95% CI, 10.1%–16.1%, n = 66/511) prelockdown (January 2019–February 2020) to 4.2% (95% CI, 2.0%–7.5%, n = 10/240) during lockdown (March 2020–February 2021) and increased to 12.1% (95% CI, 9.8%–14.7%, n = 87/719) with the reopening of society (March 2021–December 2021; P = .0009).

Conclusions

Pneumococcal carriage prevalence declined significantly during pandemic mitigation measures and rebounded to prepandemic levels as measures were lifted.
Rosai-Dorfman disease presenting as autoimmune hemolytic anemia in a male child in Palestine: a case report
Authors: Njoum Yumna , Abu-Hilal Lila H , Jabbarin Farah , Bannoura Sami , Mtour Sameer , Itmaizeh Muaath
Published: July 2023

Rosai-Dorfman disease (RDD) is a rare, benign non-Langerhans cell histiocytosis predominantly affects lymph nodes and skin. Despite its benign nature, RDD can cause serious hematological complications. A 14-year-old male, presented with 3-month history of hemolytic anemia, lymphadenopathy, hepatosplenomegaly and rash. After thorough investigation, RDD was diagnosed by mediastinal lymph node biopsy that revealed presence of S100 and CD68-positive cells with absence of CD1a confirming the diagnosis of RDD. Treatment involved combination of steroids and Rituximab, which proved to be highly effective. The patient had dramatic improvement and entered remission, with follow-up period of 2 years. It is important to note that although RDD is a rare disease, it causes severe complications, as evidenced by the patient's parameters. Thus, prompt diagnosis and treatment are paramount. Histological diagnosis is of great value, as it helps confirming and guiding treatment decisions. With the right treatment, patients can experience great recovery and quality of life.
The Selection Surface and Adaptive Landscape for Multiple Traits
Authors: Arnold Stevan J.
Published: July 2023

Selection is often viewed and analyzed as a single-trait phenomenon or multiple traits are treated as isolated, single traits. This univariate focus is unfortunate because it misses crucial aspects of selection that are only revealed in a multivariate treatment of the problem. Crucial new aspects uncovered in multivariate selection analysis allow us to: (1) distinguish between direct and indirect targets of selection, (2) diagnose the correct shape of the selection surface and hence the shape of the adaptive landscape, (3) estimate the force of directional selection in units that can be used to assess evolutionary responses of trait means to selection, and (4) estimate the force of nonlinear selection in units that can be used to assess immediate effects on genetic variance and covariance, as well as long-term contributions to evolutionary patterns, such as stasis. However, all of these selling points are subject to provisos and limitations. Nevertheless, the case for pursuing multivariate rather than univariate selection analysis is compelling.
Response of a Single Trait to Selection
Authors: Arnold Stevan J.
Published: July 2023

The evolution of the trait mean in response to directional selection is an important ingredient of adaptive radiation and in the improvement of domestic stocks. Selection response is a function of genetic variance and the magnitude of directional selection. Experimenters have imposed deliberate selection for many generations to improve domesticated plants and animals and to gauge response in experimental lines. Steady change in the mean has often been observed for 10−120 generations, although sometimes the response is asymptotic. These observations reinforce the view that abundant genetic variation is usually available for most kinds of traits, even in small natural populations exposed to intense selection. The genetic underpinnings of selection response have been assessed in studies of quantitative trait loci (QTL and GWAS). A common finding is that traits are affected by dozens to hundreds of genes with locations sprinkled about the genome. Studies of geographic variation in quantitative traits suggest the trait mean has tracked spatial variation in the adaptive peak. Analysis of trait divergence on the scale of millions of generations indicates that long-continued directional selection of minute magnitude could account for the observed divergence. These diverse lines of evidence point to selection as the driver of adaptive radiations.
Evolution of a Single Trait on a Stationary Adaptive Landscape
Authors: Arnold Stevan J.
Published: July 2023

The adaptive landscape is a powerful tool for conceptualizing and modelling long-term responses to selection. Here we focus on a single trait evolving on an adaptive landscape with a single, stationary peak. To visualize the stochastic models that we will use, imagine a set of replicate populations of identical size that descend all at once from a common ancestor and thereafter evolve on identical adaptive landscapes. A ∩-shaped adaptive landscape results in a stable equilibrium distribution of the replicate trait means. Stabilizing selection tends to pull the mean towards a peak on the landscape, but that tendency is balanced by drift of the trait mean away from the peak. As a consequence of this push-pull dynamic, once all the replicates have achieved an equilibrium, variation among their trait means is inversely proportional to effective population size. The smaller the size of each replicate, the more variable the response to selection. Tests of model predictions with large data sets indicate that this Ornstein-Uhlenbeck (OU) model is undoubtedly an element in the general explanation for stasis, but other factors are also in play. In particular, the OU model with realistic parameter produces only a fraction of the differentiation that is observed in nature. Parameter fits are even worse for peak-shift models. As we shall see in later chapters, stabilizing selection helps explain stasis, but we also need a model for the movement of the peak.
Evolution of Genetic Variance
Authors: Arnold Stevan J.
Published: July 2023

We can imagine a conceptual world in which theory for the evolution of the trait mean is accompanied by theory for the evolution of the trait’s genetic and phenotypic variances. Such a theory would provide linked equations for per-generation change in the trait’s first two genetic moments. A tractable dual theory of this kind does not exist, so we must make do with either the simplistic idea that genetic variance is relatively constant or the more realistic perspective that genetic variance equilibrates under a specified set of opposing forces. Theory and simulation studies of equilibration of genetic variance suggest that relative constancy might be achieved under a wide variety of conditions that include large population size, weak selection, and migration among subpopulations. Empirical comparisons of genetic variance among related populations and species support the view that phenotypic and genetic variances are less variable than trait means. In other words, although equilibration of genetic variance can be viewed as a necessary convenience, it is also true that the equilibration perspective is supported by several lines of evidence.
Coevolution of Species with Trait-based Interactions
Authors: Arnold Stevan J.
Published: July 2023

Models for the coevolution of traits in interacting species produce theoretical expectations with the potential to guide empirical research on adaptive radiation. The nature of the interspecies interaction (e.g., antagonistic versus mutualistic, a basis in trait differences versus matching, etc.) profoundly affects coevolutionary trajectories and outcome. Mutualistic interaction produces a coevolutionary outcome with a single, stable outcome. In contrast, antagonistic interactions (e.g., between predators and prey) can result in an unstable arms race. Interactions based on trait matching exaggerate curvature of coevolutionary trajectories and delay approach to a stable equilibrium. In contrast, interactions based on trait differences produce less curvature in trajectories and a more rapid approach to equilibrium. The interactions that specify key parameters for coevolution also shape geographic mosaics and community structure. For example, the strength of interspecific interactions affects equilibrium rates of interaction which in turn affect the degree of connectivity and modularity in the community interaction network. In other words, the models reviewed in this chapter successfully fuse evolutionary and ecological visions as they illuminate processes of coevolution and their effects on adaptive radiation. They also lay the groundwork for empirical studies that will place bounds on key parameter values.
Appearance as a Reaction Qualification
Authors: Mason Andrew
Published: July 2023

Appearance is a reaction qualification for a range of jobs, that is, it is a qualification that counts as such in virtue of the preferences and responses of ‘recipients’, where recipients are those, such as customers or clients, who interact with the job holder. But some reaction qualifications are illegitimate in that there is a strong moral reason not to count them. This chapter develops a theory of when a reaction qualification is illegitimate that it then applies to a range of cases concerning appearance. It argues that a reaction qualification is illegitimate if counting it would (i) condone disrespectful behaviour or attitudes on the part of recipients; or (ii) give insufficient weight to the interests of some of the candidates; or (iii) tend to exacerbate the disadvantages experienced by members of an unjustly disadvantaged group.
Introduction
Authors: Liau Timothy
Published: July 2023

In public law, standing is a well-known concept, and the existence of standing rules well recognized. Yet to the private lawyer, standing is a relatively foreign concept. It even appears to have gone missing. It seems conventional wisdom that private law does not have, or need, standing rules. This book goes against that conventional wisdom. This introductory chapter introduces the backdrop to the book, positioning its central argument in relation to existing debates within private law theory. It then outlines its structure, explaining how the overall argument of the book is advanced in three broad steps, so the book is correspondingly structured in three parts: Part I ‘Conceptualizing Standing’; Part II ‘Standing’s Doctrinal Distinctiveness’; Part III ‘Justifying Standing’. An overview of the book’s key claims, broken down by individual chapters, is provided.
Justifying the General Standing Rule
Authors: Liau Timothy
Published: July 2023

This chapter argues that even though the standing rule is general in the sense that it is applicable across a large range of private law, in particular the law of obligations—conceived here as including the traditional subcategories of contact, torts, and unjust enrichment—there need not be a singular justification for this rule. Multiple reasons, each with different scope, and which could overlap, could together justify having such a rule. Twelve are raised and discussed. Except for one, the non-instrumental reasons share a common normative shape or form. They are values which would be undermined, were standing extended to others (ie a non-right-holder). Thus, a legal system which commits to a general standing rule that preserves enforcement exclusively for right-holders protects and contributes to these values. The chapter also argues that purely analytic accounts are unsatisfactory, in part because they cannot accommodate the doctrinal possibility of right-less enforcers, discussed in Part II. It ends by discussing moral standing, and its possible relations to legal standing, concluding that while comparisons with accountability relations between right-holder and duty-bearer in morality can yield some helpful insights, the analogy has limits. There are structural differences between law and morality: it may be truism that ‘all legal systems have judges’, but not so in morality. Instrumental justifications can play more of a role within the law.
Centripede
Authors: Jackson Alvin
Published: July 2023

Drawing on the case studies defined earlier in the book (as well as other evidence), this chapter identifies and evaluates a wide range of agencies and institutions which served to bind complex union states. It looks first at monarchy and the set of institutions interlinked with monarchy: the aristocracy and crown forces. The focus of the chapter then shifts to consider the administration of union, examining its bureaucracies, representative institutions (especially parliaments) as well as state churches. The penultimate section of the chapter looks at the economic forces serving to bind union states, as well as the interrelated influences of class and civil society. The chapter concludes with a discussion of the repressive instruments of complex union states.
Evaluative Illusion in Plato’s Protagoras
Authors: Obdrzalek Suzanne
Published: July 2023

In the Protagoras, Socrates argues that what appears to be akrasia is, in fact, the result of a hedonic illusion: proximate pleasures appear greater than distant ones. On the face of it, his account is puzzling: why should proximate pleasures appear greater than distant ones? Certain interpreters argue that Socrates must be assuming the existence of non-rational desires that cause proximate pleasures to appear inflated. This paper argues that positing non-rational desires fails to explain the hedonic error. However, careful consideration of Socrates’ treatment of appearances reveals that he is not without resources to explain the illusion. The paper argues that in the Protagoras, appearances are imagistic mental representations that appear true but tend to be false. It suggests that proximate pleasures produce inflated hedonic predictions because we represent them more vividly than distant ones, which yields greater anticipatory pleasure, causing us to overestimate their magnitude.