bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Association of Obesity and Bariatric Surgery on Hair Health
Authors: Smolarczyk Katarzyna , Meczekalski Blazej , Rudnicka Ewa , Suchta Katarzyna , Szeliga Anna
Published: February 2024

Obesity and obesity-related conditions today constitute a public health problem worldwide. Obesity is an “epidemic” chronic disorder, which is defined by the WHO as normal or excessive fat accumulation that may impair health. It is also defined for adults as a BMI that is greater than or equal to 30. The most common obesity-related diseases are type 2 diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular diseases, metabolic syndrome, chronic kidney disease, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, and certain types of cancer. It has been also proven that obesity can have a negative effect on hair. It can lead to hair thinning. Patients with obesity can undergo bariatric surgery if they meet the inclusion criteria. The four common types of weight loss surgery include a duodenal switch with biliopancreatic diversion, laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding, Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, and sleeve gastrectomy. Bariatric surgery can affect skin and hair and is associated with telogen effluvium due to weight loss, microelement deficiency, anesthesia, low calorie intake, and low protein intake. Patients who undergo bariatric surgery can experience post-bariatric surgery depression. Hair loss can have a major impact on self-esteem, negatively affecting one’s self-image. The purpose of this narrative review is to critically review how obesity, obesity-related diseases, and bariatric surgery affect hair health in general and the hair development cycle, and how they influence hair loss.
Improvement in the Hydrogen Storage Properties of MgH2 by Adding NaAlH4
Authors: Kwak Young-Jun , Song Myoung-Youp , Lee Ki-Tae
Published: February 2024

Milled MgH2, MgH2-10NaAlH4, MgH2-30NaAlH4, MgH2-50NaAlH4, and MgH2-2Ni-10NaAlH4 samples were prepared by milling in a planetary ball mill in hydrogen atmosphere (reactive mechanical milling, RMM). Decomposition temperatures of milled MgH2, NaAlH4, MgH2-10NaAlH4, and MgH2-30NaAlH4 were examined in a Sieverts-type hydrogen absorption and release apparatus, in which the hydrogen pressures were kept nearly constant during hydrogen absorption or release. As the content of NaAlH4 in the sample increased, the temperature at the highest peak in the ratio of increase in released hydrogen quantity to increase in temperature versus temperature curve decreased. Hydriding in 12 bar hydrogen and dehydriding in 1.0 bar hydrogen at 593 K of MgH2-30NaAlH4 are performed by the reversible reactions MgH2 ⇔ Mg + H2 and 17MgH2 + 12Al ⇔ Mg17Al12 + 17H2. MgH2-30NaAlH4 was the best Mg-based composite among Mg-based alloys in which an oxide, a halide, a fluoride, or a complex hydride was added, with a high hydrogen absorption rate for 2.5 min (2.20 wt% H/min) and a large effective hydrogen storage capacity (7.42 wt% H).
Towards the Circularity of the EU Steel Industry: Modern Technologies for the Recycling of the Dusts and Recovery of Resources
Authors: Simoni Marco , Reiter Wolfgang , Suer Julian , Di Sante Loredana , Cirilli Filippo , Praolini Fabio , Mosconi Manuel , Guzzon Marta , Malfa Enrico , Algermissen David , Rieger Johannes
Published: February 2024

The EU steel industry accounts for a crude steel production of 140 Mt/y, provided by the integrated (57%) and electric (43%) routes, which respectively require up to 6.0 and 0.6 MWh/tCrudeSteel of energy input, and emits on average 1.85 and 0.4 tCO2/tCrudeSteel. The mitigation of such CO2 emissions is crucial, and would involve the direct avoidance of carbon, improvement of energy efficiency, and carbon capture. However, the environmental burden of the steel industry cannot be limited to this, given the very large amount (approximately 5 Mt) of residues landfilled every year in the EU. This practice cannot be sustained anymore, since it represents a detrimental waste of resources and burden to the environment. These aspects require prompt action to meet the Green Deal goals envisioned for 2030. This review paper aims to provide an overview of the main state-of-the-art technologies commercially (and not) available for the effective treatment of a wide variety of residues. To enrich this overview with further potential candidates towards a more sustainable steel manufacturing process, the combined application of two technologies (a plasma reactor and a RecoDust unit for the recovery of metals and minerals, respectively) at TRL 5-6 is also investigated here.
Catalytic Ozonation of Reactive Black 5 in Aqueous Solution Using Iron-Loaded Dead Leaf Ash for Wastewater Remediation
Authors: Hussain Latif , Javed Farhan , Tahir Muhammad Wasim , Munir Hafiz Muhammad Shahzad , Ikhlaq Amir , Wołowicz Anna
Published: February 2024

In the current study, iron-loaded dead leaf ash (Fe-DLA) was used as a novel catalyst in the heterogeneous catalytic ozonation process (HCOP) for textile wastewater containing Reactive Black 5 (RB-5). The research demonstrates a significant boost in removal efficiency, reaching 98.76% with 1.0 g/min O3 and 0.5 g/L catalyst dose, by investigating key variables such as pH, ozone and catalyst doses, initial concentration, and the presence of scavengers in 1 L wastewater. The addition of tert-butyl alcohol (TBA) reduced RB-5 elimination, indicating the involvement of OH radicals. Catalyst reusability decreased slightly (2.05% in the second run; 4.35% in the third), which was attributed to iron leaching. A comparison of single ozonation (Fe-DLA) adsorption and catalytic ozonation processes (Fe-DLA/O3) revealed that the combined process improved dye degradation by 25%, with removal rates ranking as Fe-DLA adsorption O3 Fe-DLA/O3, with an impressive 76.44% COD removal. These results strongly support RB-5 removal using Fe-DLA and HCOP at a basic pH, highlighting the catalyst’s utility in practical wastewater treatment.
Integrating High-Resolution Mass Spectral Data, Bioassays and Computational Models to Annotate Bioactives in Botanical Extracts: Case Study Analysis of C. asiatica Extract Associates Dicaffeoylquinic Acids with Protection against Amyloid-β Toxicity
Authors: Alcázar Magaña Armando , Vaswani Ashish , Brown Kevin S. , Jiang Yuan , Alam Md Nure , Caruso Maya , Lak Parnian , Cheong Paul , Gray Nora E. , Quinn Joseph F. , Soumyanath Amala , Stevens Jan F. , Maier Claudia S.
Published: February 2024

Rapid screening of botanical extracts for the discovery of bioactive natural products was performed using a fractionation approach in conjunction with flow-injection high-resolution mass spectrometry for obtaining chemical fingerprints of each fraction, enabling the correlation of the relative abundance of molecular features (representing individual phytochemicals) with the read-outs of bioassays. We applied this strategy for discovering and identifying constituents of Centella asiatica (C. asiatica) that protect against Aβ cytotoxicity in vitro. C. asiatica has been associated with improving mental health and cognitive function, with potential use in Alzheimer’s disease. Human neuroblastoma MC65 cells were exposed to subfractions of an aqueous extract of C. asiatica to evaluate the protective benefit derived from these subfractions against amyloid β-cytotoxicity. The % viability score of the cells exposed to each subfraction was used in conjunction with the intensity of the molecular features in two computational models, namely Elastic Net and selectivity ratio, to determine the relationship of the peak intensity of molecular features with % viability. Finally, the correlation of mass spectral features with MC65 protection and their abundance in different sub-fractions were visualized using GNPS molecular networking. Both computational methods unequivocally identified dicaffeoylquinic acids as providing strong protection against Aβ-toxicity in MC65 cells, in agreement with the protective effects observed for these compounds in previous preclinical model studies.
Impact of the Post-Harvest Period on the Chemical and Sensorial Properties of planifolia and pompona Vanillas
Authors: Ravier Anaïck , Chalut Pauline , Belarbi Saida , Santerre Cyrille , Vallet Nadine , Nhouchi Zeineb
Published: February 2024

Vanilla production in Guadeloupe is expanding. The main species grown is Vanilla planifolia, but other species such as Vanilla pompona are also present and required by industries. To upgrade the value of vanilla production on this Caribbean Island, this study was performed to evaluate the aromatic specifies of these vanilla species according to the length of the post-harvest period (2 months and 9 months). For this purpose, Vanilla planifolia and Vanilla pompona were compared through scald and scarification transformation processes, as well as two different refining times (T1 and T2). For chemical characterization, 0.1 g of vanilla bean seeds was used for SMPE/GC-MS measurements, while 0.05 g of vanilla samples was subjected to infusion in milk (0.15%) for sensory evaluation. The latter involved generation of terms of aroma through olfaction and gustation sessions. The chemical results showed a significant difference between the two species, where vanillin was mostly present in Vanilla planifolia, unlike Vanilla pompona, where it was mainly rich in 4-methoxybenzyl alcohol. Interestingly, the second refining time was characterized by the appearance of two major components, 1,3-octadien and acetic acid. For sensory analysis, all the vanillas exhibited a high diversity of aromas including “sweet”, ”gourmand”, “spicy” flavors and so on. The application of factorial correspondence analysis (FAC) as well as the agglomerative hierarchical clustering (AHC) showed differences between the vanilla samples according to both the species and refining time. The combination of these analyses makes it possible to establish a chemical and organoleptic profile of vanillas. Varietal and processing factors both have a major impact on the aroma profile of vanillas.
High-Efficiency and Narrowband Green Thermally Activated Delayed Fluorescence Organic Light-Emitting Diodes Based on Two Diverse Boron Multi-Resonant Skeletons
Authors: Wang Zhen , Qu Cheng , Liang Jie , Zhuang Xuming , Liu Yu , Wang Yue
Published: February 2024

Up to now, highly efficient narrowband thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) molecules constructed by oxygen-bridged boron with an enhancing multiple resonance (MR) effect have been in urgent demand for solid-state lighting and full-color displays. In this work, a novel MR-TADF molecule, BNBO, constructed by the oxygen-bridged boron unit and boron–nitrogen core skeleton as an electron-donating moiety, is successfully designed and synthesized via a facile one-step synthesis. Based on BNBO as an efficient green emitter, the organic light-emitting diode (OLED) shows a sharp emission peak of 508 nm with a full-width at half-maximum (FWHM) of 36 nm and realizes quite high peak efficiency values, including an external quantum efficiency (EQEmax) of 24.3% and a power efficiency (PEmax) of 62.3 lm/W. BNBO possesses the intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) property of donor-acceptor (D-A) materials and multiple resonance characteristics, which provide a simple strategy for narrowband oxygen–boron materials.
Adaptation of a Commercial NAD+ Quantification Kit to Assay the Base-Exchange Activity and Substrate Preferences of SARM1
Authors: Cirilli Ilenia , Amici Adolfo , Gilley Jonathan , Coleman Michael P. , Orsomando Giuseppe
Published: February 2024

Here, we report an adapted protocol using the Promega NAD/NADH-Glo™ Assay kit. The assay normally allows quantification of trace amounts of both oxidized and reduced forms of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) by enzymatic cycling, but we now show that the NAD analog 3-acetylpyridine adenine dinucleotide (AcPyrAD) also acts as a substrate for this enzyme-cycling assay. In fact, AcPyrAD generates amplification signals of a larger amplitude than those obtained with NAD. We exploited this finding to devise and validate a novel method for assaying the base-exchange activity of SARM1 in reactions containing NAD and an excess of the free base 3-acetylpyridine (AcPyr), where the product is AcPyrAD. We then used this assay to study competition between AcPyr and other free bases to rank the preference of SARM1 for different base-exchange substrates, identifying isoquinoline as a highly effect substrate that completely outcompetes even AcPyr. This has significant advantages over traditional HPLC methods for assaying SARM1 base exchange as it is rapid, sensitive, cost-effective, and easily scalable. This could represent a useful tool given current interest in the role of SARM1 base exchange in programmed axon death and related human disorders. It may also be applicable to other multifunctional NAD glycohydrolases (EC 3.2.2.6) that possess similar base-exchange activity.
The Determination of the Biocompatibility of New Compositional Materials, including Carbamide-Containing Heterocycles of Anti-Adhesion Agents for Abdominal Surgery
Authors: Kanasheva Nurdana , Fedorishin Dmitry A. , Lyapunova Maria V. , Bukterov Mikhail V. , Kaidash Olga A. , Bakibaev Abdigali A. , Yerkassov Rakhmetulla , Mashan Togzhan , Nesmeyanova Rimma , Ivanov Vladimir V. , Udut Elena V. , Tuguldurova Vera P. , Salina Margarita V. , Malkov Victor S. , Knyazev Alexey S.
Published: February 2024

Due to traumatic injuries, including those from surgical procedures, adhesions occur in over 50% of cases, necessitating exclusive surgical intervention for treatment. However, preventive measures can be implemented during abdominal organ surgeries. These measures involve creating a barrier around internal organs to forestall adhesion formation in the postoperative phase. Yet, the effectiveness of the artificial barrier relies on considerations of its biocompatibility and the avoidance of adverse effects on the body. This study explores the biocompatibility aspects, encompassing hemocompatibility, cytotoxicity, and antibacterial and antioxidant activities, as well as the adhesion of blood serum proteins and macrophages to the surface of new composite film materials. The materials, derived from the sodium salt of carboxymethylcellulose modified by glycoluril and allantoin, were investigated. The research reveals that film materials with a heterocyclic fragment exhibit biocompatibility comparable to commercially used samples in surgery. Notably, film samples developed with glycoluril outperform the effects of commercial samples in certain aspects.
Amphiphilic Graft Copolymers as Templates for the Generation of Binary Metal Oxide Mesoporous Interfacial Layers for Solid-State Photovoltaic Cells
Authors: Lim Seung Man , Jeong Hayeon , Moon Juyoung , Park Jung Tae
Published: February 2024

The binary metal oxide mesoporous interfacial layers (bi-MO meso IF layer) templated by a graft copolymer are synthesized between a fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) substrate and nanocrystalline TiO2 (nc-TiO2). Amphiphilic graft copolymers, Poly(epichlorohydrin)-graft-poly(styrene), PECH-g-PS, were used as a structure-directing agent, and the fabricated bi-MO meso IF layer exhibits good interconnectivity and high porosity. Even if the amount of ZnO in bi-MO meso IF layer increased, it was confirmed that the morphology and porosity of the bi-MO meso IF layer were well-maintained. In addtion, the bi-MO meso IF layer coated onto FTO substrates shows higher transmittance compared with a pristine FTO substrate and dense-TiO2/FTO, due to the reduced surface roughness of FTO. The overall conversion efficiency (η) of solid-state photovoltaic cells, dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) fabricated with nc-TiO2 layer/bi-MO meso IF layer TZ1 used as a photoanode, reaches 5.0% at 100 mW cm−2, which is higher than that of DSSCs with an nc-TiO2 layer/dense-TiO2 layer (4.2%), resulting from enhanced light harvesting, good interconnectivity, and reduced interfacial resistance. The cell efficiency of the device did not change after 15 days, indicating that the bi-MO meso IF layer with solid-state electrolyte has improved electrode/electrolyte interface and electrochemical stability. Additionally, commercial scattering layer/nc-TiO2 layer/bi-MO meso IF layer TZ1 photoanode-fabricated solid-state photovoltaic cells (DSSCs) achieved an overall conversion efficiency (η) of 6.4% at 100 mW cm−2.
Neurodevelopmental Outcomes of Normocephalic Colombian Children with Antenatal Zika Virus Exposure at School Entry
Authors: Mulkey Sarah B. , Corn Elizabeth , Williams Meagan E. , Peyton Colleen , Andringa-Seed Regan , Arroyave-Wessel Margarita , Vezina Gilbert , Bulas Dorothy I. , Podolsky Robert H. , Msall Michael E. , Cure Carlos
Published: February 2024

The long-term neurodevelopmental effects of antenatal Zika virus (ZIKV) exposure in children without congenital Zika syndrome (CZS) remain unclear, as few children have been examined to the age of school entry level. A total of 51 Colombian children with antenatal ZIKV exposure without CZS and 70 unexposed controls were evaluated at 4–5 years of age using the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF), the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI-CAT), the Bracken School Readiness Assessment (BSRA), and the Movement Assessment Battery for Children (MABC). The mean ages at evaluation were 5.3 and 5.2 years for cases and controls, respectively. Elevated BRIEF scores in Shift and Emotional Control may suggest lower emotional regulation in cases. A greater number of cases were reported by parents to have behavior and mood problems. BSRA and PEDI-CAT activity scores were unexpectedly higher in cases, most likely related to the COVID-19 pandemic and a delayed school entry among the controls. Although PEDI-CAT mobility scores were lower in cases, there were no differences in motor scores on the MABC. Of 40 cases with neonatal neuroimaging, neurodevelopment in 17 with mild non-specific findings was no different from 23 cases with normal neuroimaging. Normocephalic children with ZIKV exposure have positive developmental trajectories at 4–5 years of age but differ from controls in measures of emotional regulation and adaptive mobility, necessitating continued follow-up.
Comparison of the Antibiotic Resistance of Escherichia coli Populations from Water and Biofilm in River Environments
Authors: Skof Aline , Koller Michael , Baumert Rita , Hautz Jürgen , Treiber Fritz , Kittinger Clemens , Zarfel Gernot
Published: February 2024

Antibiotic-resistant, facultative pathogenic bacteria are commonly found in surface water; however, the factors influencing the spread and stabilization of antibiotic resistance in this habitat, particularly the role of biofilms, are not fully understood. The extent to which bacterial populations in biofilms or sediments exacerbate the problem for specific antibiotic classes or more broadly remains unanswered. In this study, we investigated the differences between the bacterial populations found in the surface water and sediment/biofilm of the Mur River and the Drava River in Austria. Samples of Escherichia coli were collected from both the water and sediment at two locations per river: upstream and downstream of urban areas that included a sewage treatment plant. The isolates were subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility testing against 21 antibiotics belonging to seven distinct classes. Additionally, isolates exhibiting either extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) or carbapenemase phenotypes were further analyzed for specific antimicrobial resistance genes. E. coli isolates collected from all locations exhibited resistance to at least one of the tested antibiotics; on average, isolates from the Mur and Drava rivers showed 25.85% and 23.66% resistance, respectively. The most prevalent resistance observed was to ampicillin, amoxicillin–clavulanic acid, tetracycline, and nalidixic acid. Surprisingly, there was a similar proportion of resistant bacteria observed in both open water and sediment samples. The difference in resistance levels between the samples collected upstream and downstream of the cities was minimal. Out of all 831 isolates examined, 13 were identified as carrying ESBL genes, with 1 of these isolates also containing the gene for the KPC-2 carbapenemase. There were no significant differences between the biofilm (sediment) and open water samples in the occurrence of antibiotic resistance. For the E. coli populations in the examined rivers, the different factors in water and the sediment do not appear to influence the stability of resistance. No significant differences in antimicrobial resistance were observed between the bacterial populations collected from the biofilm (sediment) and open-water samples in either river. The different factors in water and the sediment do not appear to influence the stability of resistance. The minimal differences observed upstream and downstream of the cities could indicate that the river population already exhibits generalized resistance.
The Complex Effect of Different Tillage Systems on the Faba Bean Agroecosystem
Authors: Kimbirauskienė Rasa , Sinkevičienė Aušra , Švereikaitė Austėja , Romaneckas Kęstutis
Published: February 2024

The interactions of the different factors in differently tilled faba bean agroecosystems are still insufficiently studied and evaluated. For these reasons, we studied the results of a long-term field experiment, which was carried out in the Research Station of Vytautas Magnus University, Agriculture Academy (Lithuania). The aim of this study is to comprehensively evaluate the effect of the deep ploughing (DP), shallow ploughing (SP), deep cultivation, chiseling (DC), shallow cultivation-disking (SC), and no-tillage (NT) systems for the faba bean agroecosystem on the complex interactions of the indices, the relations among the indices, and the strength of the impact; the study employs the integrated evaluation method, which uses the complex evaluation index (CEI). CEI values showed that the NT system had a greater effect on the increase of soil aggregate stability (61%), the decrease of CO2 emissions (12%), and the increase of seed yield (6%) than the DP system. However, the NT system had 36% and 20% higher effect on weed density and biomass increase than DP. CEI values of the DP system were often minimal, i.e., close to 1, which showed the DP system’s ineffectiveness.
Influence of Bagging on Fruit Quality, Incidence of Peel Browning Spots, and Lignin Content of ‘Huangguan’ Pears
Authors: Guan Yeqing , Qin Xiaoli , Wei Chuangqi , Feng Yunxiao , Cheng Yudou , Zhang Yang , Guan Junfeng
Published: February 2024

The ‘Huangguan’ pear is one of the high-quality pear cultivars produced in China. However, the bagged fruit of the ‘Huangguan’ pear often suffers from peel browning spots after rain during their mature period. In this study, in an effort to discover the impact of bagging treatments on the occurrence of peel browning spots and fruit quality, fruits were covered by single-layer, two-layer, or triple-layer paper bags six weeks after reaching full bloom. The results showed that the bagged fruits were characterized by smooth surfaces and reduced lenticels compared with the unbagged ones. The unbagged and the two-layer bagged fruits had yellow/green peels, while the single- and triple-layer bagged ones had yellow/white peels. Compared with the unbagged fruits, the bagged fruits had higher vitamin C (Vc) contents and values of peel color indexes L and a and lower soluble solid contents (SSCs), titratable acid (TA) contents, absorbance index differences (IAD), and b values. Additionally, the triple-layer bagged group was superior to other groups in terms of fruit quality, but it also had the maximum incidence of peel browning spots. Before and after the appearance of peel browning spots, the bagged fruits had smoother and thinner cuticles compared with the unbagged ones. Furthermore, the triple-layer bagged fruits had minimum lignin contents and maximum phenolic contents in their peels, with minimum activity of lignin synthesis-related enzymes such as phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL), peroxidase (POD), and polyphenol oxidase (PPO), as well as minimum expressions of relevant genes such as cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase (CAD), cinnamoyl CoA reductase (CCR), 4-coumarate: coenzyme A ligase (4CL6), and cinnamate 4-hydroxylase (C4H1). It was deduced that POD activity and the relative expressions of CAD9, CCR3, CCR4, and CCR5 may play key roles in the occurrence of peel browning spots. In summary, lignin synthesis affected the incidence of peel browning spots in bagged ‘Huangguan’ pears. This study provides a theoretical basis for understanding the incidence of peel browning spots in ‘Huangguan’ pears.
Compliance Testing of Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) Cultivars for Total Delta-9 THC and Total CBD Using Gas Chromatography with Flame Ionization Detection
Authors: Arsenault Terri L. , Prapayotin-Riveros Kitty , Ammirata Michael A. , White Jason C. , Dimkpa Christian O.
Published: February 2024

The United States Agriculture Improvement Act passed in December of 2018 legalized the growing of Cannabis sativa containing not more than 0.3% total Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in the country. While Cannabis sativa has been cultivated for hundreds of years, the illegal status of the plant in the United States, and elsewhere, has hindered the development of plant cultivars that meet this legal definition. To assess sampling strategies, and conformance to the THC limit, 14 cultivars of hemp were grown and tested by using gas chromatography with flame ionization detection for total delta-9 THC and total cannabidiol (CBD) during 2020, 2021 and 2022. Each year, samples of fresh plant material were collected from each cultivar weekly, beginning in mid-August and ending in late October, to examine the rate of increase in THC and CBD for different cultivars and select individual plants. The sampling demonstrated that both CBD and THC increase rapidly over a 1–2-week time frame with maximum concentrations (about 16% and 0.6%, respectively) around late September to early October. The testing of individual plants on the same day for select cultivars showed that while the ratio of CBD to THC remains constant (about 20:1 in compliant hemp) during the growing season, the individual plants are highly variable in concentration. Whereas previous studies have shown cultivar-dependent variability in THC production, this study demonstrated a novel plant-to-plant variability in the levels of THC within the same hemp cultivar. Understanding variability within and between hemp cultivars is useful to determine field sampling strategies and to assess the risk of crop embargoes to growers by compliance regulators.
Prediction of Oil Production in a Tight Sandstone Reservoir: Triassic Chang 9 Member, Jiyuan Area, Ordos Basin, NW China
Authors: Zhang Zhaohui , Liao Jianbo , Li Zhiyong
Published: February 2024

Tight sandstone oil reservoirs in the Upper Triassic Yanchang Formation of the Ordos Basin are the most promising exploration and development fields owing to their huge production potential. Even though they have received considerable attention in recent years, common productivity prediction methods were not well applied during pre-development owing to their strong internal heterogeneity. In this study, the factors influencing oil production of the Chang 9 Member in the Jiyuan area were investigated and summarized based on drill cores, such as sediment characteristic analysis, lithofacies analysis, other analytical tests, and conventional logging curves. The findings show that fine-sandstone reservoirs with smooth sand body architectures are the main types of tight sandstone commercial oil reservoirs. Furthermore, having high porosity and oil content are prerequisites for commercial oil reservoirs, and the cumulative thickness of effective reservoirs serves as a crucial resource base for them. Through the analysis of logging curves, the relative center of gravity, deviation root of variance, petrophysical index, effective reservoir thickness, and evaluation indicator were used to predict daily oil production, thereby establishing the identification criteria for the ranking of tight sandstone oil reservoirs using logging. Then, the productivity of each reservoir in a single well was predicted by processing the log data from each well using the proposed method, and the productivity prediction results agreed well with the tested results of the perforated interval. This approach highlights the integrated influence of geological factors, physical properties, and the thickness scale of an effective reservoir, thereby improving the predictive capacity of logging curves. Additionally, the proposed methods significantly reduce the need for reservoir parameters better than previous ones, streamline operations, and improve practical applications.
Edaphic Drivers Influencing Forage Grasslands in Bujagh National Park, Iran
Authors: Mahfouzi Mohsen , Hamidian Amir Hossein , Kaboli Mohammad
Published: February 2024

The edaphic and environmental changes in Bujagh grasslands have led to a gradual decline in the wintering waterbird populations in the associated national park. This has particularly affected forage habitats for birds, especially migratory geese. Our aim was to identify the reasons for the loss of habitat quality by examining the structure of the plant community and the edaphic factors that have been instrumental in shifting the grass community pattern to a Rush–Rubus type along the succession route. Bujagh National Park is surrounded by marine, riverine fresh water, and lagoon habitats, and the seasonal floodings of the Sefidrud and Ushmak rivers impact the grassland area along the deltaic pathway to the Caspian Sea. We used the TWINSPAN classification function to extract plant groups and their dominant species. Subsequently, we analyzed land cover changes in the study area over two times (2010 and 2020) to identify alterations in the coverage of main plants and land uses. Following the evaluation of unconstrained ordination methods and the selection of NMDS ordination, we compared the dominant species of groups to the main edaphic predictors. The results indicated that the chemicals and heavy metals in the soil did not play a direct role in the shift from grassland to Rush–Rubus plant type. However, these elements could have a significant impact on the evolution of the structure and the competitive capability among the main dominant species of the grass group. In conclusion, the dominance of the Rush–Rubus type is likely related to other unmeasured environmental and anthropogenic factors that support and enhance their reproductive attributes and herbal proliferation in the grassland territory.
Animals Feed in Transition: Intricate Interplay of Land Use Land Cover Change and Fodder Sources in Kurram Valley, Pakistan
Authors: Hussain Kamal , Rahman Fazlur , Ullah Ihsan , Ahmad Zahir , Schickhoff Udo
Published: February 2024

Land use land cover (LULC) changes have emerged as a pivotal driver of environmental challenges in the Northwestern mountainous belts of Pakistan. These changes are increasingly recognized for their pervasive impacts on biodiversity and ecosystem services. The conversion of pastures and rangelands into other land uses is a key facet of LULC change, posing a substantial threat to the availability of animal feed sources. This study aims to evaluate LULC changes and investigate their consequences on animal feed sources in the Upper Kurram Valley, located in the Koh-e-Safid mountain of Northwestern Pakistan. The study employs a multidisciplinary methodological approach that incorporates remotely sensed data, focus group discussions, interviews, and field observations. The study findings uncover a notable decline in rangeland (26.6%) and forest cover (28.7%) over a span of more than three decades (1987–2019). The shrinkage of rangeland has spurred an increased reliance on crop residues and fodder crops. The free grazing practices have been replaced by stall-feeding and controlled grazing methods. This declining rangeland resources has negatively affected animal husbandry, and the average number of livestock per household decreased from 32 in 1980 to 3.7 in 2019. In essence, this transition has not only impacted animal feed sources but also reshaped the livelihoods of local communities closely connected to animal husbandry.
Characteristics of Spring Sea Surface Currents near the Pearl River Estuary Observed by a Three-Station High-Frequency Surface Wave Radar System
Authors: Li Haoyue , Zhang Lin , Wang Daosheng , Mu Lin
Published: February 2024

The processes of ocean dynamics are complex near the Pearl River Estuary and are not clear due to a lack of abundant observations. The spatial characteristics of the spring sea surface currents in the adjacent waters of the Pearl River Estuary were analyzed using the current data observed by a three-station high-frequency surface wave radar system (HFSWRS). Compared with the two-station HFSWRS, the deviation of current velocity and direction observed by the three-station HFSWRS from the underway measurements decreased by 42.86% and 38.30%, respectively. The analyzed results show that the M2 tidal current is the dominant current among all the tidal constituents, followed by K1, with angles of inclination ranging from 130° to 150°. The tidal flow is dominated by northwest–southeast back-and-forth flow. In the southern part of the observed area, which is far from the coastline, the tidal current ellipses exhibit a circular pattern. The prevalent tidal current type in this region is irregularly semi-diurnal, and the shallow water constituents also have a significant effect. The tidal energy in the adjacent waters of the Pearl River Estuary is affected by potential energy flux and kinetic energy flux. As the water depth and currents velocity increase in the southeast direction, the tidal energy flux increases. In the nearshore zone, the direction of tidal energy flux varies along the coastline. The changes in the residual current within the observed area are correlated with the sea surface wind field. Based on the high-precision sea surface current observed by the three-station HFSWRS, the characteristics of the ocean dynamic processes near the Pearl River Estuary are analyzed comprehensively, which provides important reference and confidence for the application of the developing new radar observing network with about 10 radar stations near the Pearl River Estuary.
Theoretical Characterization of Thermal Conductivities for Polymers—A Review
Authors: Breitkopf Cornelia
Published: February 2024

Polymer thermal conductivities play an important role for their potential use in industrial applications. Therefore, great efforts have been made to investigate fundamental structure–property relationships to understand and predict thermal conductivities for polymers and their composites. The review summarizes selected well-proven microscopic theoretical approaches to calculate thermal conductivities such as EMD, NEMD, EMT, and BTE, and cites examples to focus on different qualitative aspects of recent polymer theoretical research. Examples other than polymer materials are given as supplemental information to support the general discussion of heat transport phenomena in solid materials.
Efficiency of egg poultry farming at different durations of different recipes of compound feed feeding
Authors:   Federal State Budgetary Educational Institution of Higher Education “Udmurt State Agrarian University”, Russia, Udmurt Republic, Izhevsk, Astrakhantsev A. A. , Perevozchikov M. A. ,   Federal State Budgetary Educational Institution of Higher Education “Udmurt State Agrarian University”, Russia, Udmurt Republic, Izhevsk
Published: February 2024

Drawing up eff ective feeding programs based on available feed raw materials, including of local origin is a pressing problem when using foreign selection of chickens in the production of highly productive crosses. The purpose of the research was to study the productive traits of laying hens and evaluate the efficiency of production of edible eggs for diff erent durations of feeding different feed recipes during phase of feeding. During the work a scientifi c and farm experiment was carried out on laying hens of the industrial herd of the cross Lohmann-LSL-Classic. In the 1st group, we used a change in feed recipes adopted at the enterprise for phase feeding of poultry cross the Lohmann-LSL-Classic. In the 2nd group, the feed formulation PK-1-1PD was increased to 35 weeks in order to maintain a high level of intensity of egg production of laying hens and obtain the maximum number of eggs. Phase 2 compound feed was fed for 13 weeks, and the feeding time of the PK-1-3PD recipe was planned at 9 weeks. In the 3rd group, the aim was to reduce the prime-cost of produced eggs due to a signifi cant redistribution in the duration of feeding formulas for feed recipes of phases 1 and 2. Profi t from the sale of eggs and meat was maximum in the 3rd group 49 311,9 thousand rubles, which was higher by 2300,3 and 4648,4 thousand rubles than in the 2nd and 1st groups, respectively. The level of profitability of the production of edible eggs and meat was also higher in the 3rd group and amounted to 16,03 %. It was established during the research that in the production of edible eggs from laying hens of the industrial herd of the cross Lohmann-LSL-Classic the following duration of feeding of compound feed recipes in the phase feeding program should be used: PK-1-1PD – 10 weeks, PK-1-2PD – 40 weeks, PC-1-3PD – 7 weeks.
Severe mental illness and cardioprotective medication prescribing: a qualitative study in general practice
Authors: Vettini Amanda , Brennan Gearóid K , Mercer Stewart W , Jackson Caroline A
Published: February 2024

Background

Patients with severe mental illness (SMI) die 10–20 years earlier than the general population. They have a higher risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) yet may experience lower cardioprotective medication prescribing.

Aim

To understand the challenges experienced by GPs in prescribing cardioprotective medication to patients with SMI.

Design & setting

A qualitative study with 15 GPs from 11 practices in two Scottish health boards, including practices servicing highly deprived areas (Deep End).

Method

Semi-structured one-to-one interviews with fully qualified GPs with clinical experience of patients with SMI. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed thematically.

Results

Participants aimed to routinely prescribe cardioprotective medication to relevant patients with SMI but were hampered by various challenges. These structural and contextual barriers included the following: lack of funding for chronic disease management; insufficient consultation time; workforce shortages; IT infrastructure; and navigating boundaries with mental health services. Patient-related barriers included patients’ complex health and social needs, their understandable prioritisation of mental health needs or existing physical conditions, and presentation during crises. Professional barriers comprised GPs’ desire to practise holistic medicine rather than treating via cardioprotective prescribing in isolation, and concerns about patients’ medication concordance if patients were not prioritising this aspect of their health care at that particular time. In terms of enablers for cardioprotective prescribing, participants emphasised continuity of care as fundamental in engaging this patient group in effective cardiovascular health management. A cross-cutting theme was the current GP workforce crisis leading to ‘firefighting’ and diminishing capacity for primary prevention. This was particularly acute in Deep End practices, which have a high proportion of patients with complex needs and greater resource challenges.

Conclusion

Although participants aspire to prescribe cardioprotective medication to patients with SMI, professional-, system- and patient-level barriers often make this challenging, particularly in deprived areas owing to patient complexity and the inverse care law.
Kultur und Werte, Blut und Boden: Siebenbürgisch-sächsische Biopolitik in den „langen“ 1920er-Jahren
Authors:   Instituts für deutsche
Kultur und Geschichte Südosteuropas
an der Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität
München, Kührer-Wielach Florian
Published: February 2024

The paper deals with the topic of eugenics (“Erbgesundheitslehre” or “Rassenhygiene”) among the Germans in Romania, which was mainly carried by Transylvanian Saxon actors. Based on Tudor Georgescu’s monograph The Eugenic Fortress: The Transylvanian Saxon Experiment in In terwar Romania (2016), the topic is analyzed in depth for the 1920s. Using Heinrich Siegmund’s Sächsisches Wehr- und Mehrbuch, which was published in 1914 and in a revised form in 1922, as well as other source examples, it is shown that the eugenic discourse was not only a transfer from the “West” to Transylvanian Saxony, but took on a specific form. The central actors of the biopo litical discourse among the Transylvanian Saxons, especially Heinrich Siegmund and later Alfred Csallner, acted in an interpersonal and intertextual network, especially one supported by institu tions, that was primarily connected to Germany—the exchange on eugenics was thus a reciprocal process, not an exclusively one-sided “import” from the “West.” However, it is further noted that there was relatively little demonstrable exchange with Romanian and Hungarian eugenicists. The implementation of the teachings of eugenics was intended to counter a demographically induced decrease in the population of the German minority. The main target was the younger generation, especially in rural areas—this milieu was seen as having the best chances of resisting the “decline” by means of biopolitical measures. On the one hand, the analyzed discourse reveals the intertwin ing of traditional and contemporary topoi; on the other hand, a radicalization of biopolitical concepts can be seen parallel to political developments.
Advertising and the Birth of Post-Communist Romania (1989–1991)
Authors:   Faculty of Sciences and Letters, Petru Maior University of Târgu Mureș, Sigmirean Corneliu Cezar
Published: February 2024

A new historical period began in Romania after the events of December 1989 and foreign capital, with all its advertising arsenal, penetrated the Romanian economy despite the reluctance showed by the regime installed in Bucharest. Both the press itself and press advertising experience a radical metamorphosis, shifting overnight to a new ideological register. Gradually, advertising becomes professional, it becomes a business and, at the same time, an intermediary in the penetration of new products into the consciousness of Romanians. The persuasive force of advertising shapes new aspirations and participates in the creation of a new mentality. Starting from Thomas S. Kuhn’s research dedicated to the “paradigm shift,” we can ascertain that Romania has undergone very important changes in a relatively short time. This was not only on account of advertising, but advertising contributed to the change of Romania through the power of the “seduction of the subconscious.
An Evaluation of Physical and Socio-Economic Expansion of Bankura Municipality
Authors: Barman Dhiren , Bhunia Gouri Sankar
Published: February 2024

Urbanization can be viewed as a significant socioeconomic change process that is mostly brought on by the population increase of towns. However, based on a wide range of geographical circumstances, the nature and dimensions of urbanisation and urban development are found to differ across the micro-level of the Bankura district. With this context, an analysis of the spatiotemporal variance in urbanisation patterns in the Bankura Municipality is attempted in this study, along with an examination of its effects on socioeconomic, infrastructure, and demographic traits. Ward-wise socio-economic information have been collected from the Bankura Municipality. All these data have been processed and integrated into GIS platform to measure spatial variation of urban landscape. Results showed that Wards 11 and 22 contained a sizable portion of the population. The population was found in Wards 7, 10, 15, and 19 in a moderate amount. The central ward of the town, number 2, had a very high literacy rate of 80.81%, while number 19, in the southwest, had the lowest literacy rate at 44.87%. The central area of the city is where the majority of the government buildings are located. The eastern region of the city was where the general business centres could be found. Most of the educational centres (college and school) were located in the central and western part.
Seventy Five Years of India’s Trade Policies With Special Reference to Agricultural Sector: An Overview
Authors: Loganathan V.
Published: February 2024

After seventy-five years of independence, trade policies play an important role in promoting commerce and integrating India with other countries. At the time of independence, India’s commerce was limited to the British and Commonwealth members. Imports from the United Kingdom accounted for 31% of overall Indian imports. The true impetus for the process of import and export liberalisation came from the 1980s onwards, when export and import policies were developed for three years at a time.The Alexander Committee’s (1978) and Tandon Committee’s (1980) suggestions were included into the succeeding long-term export and import policies from 1985-86 to 1990-91. A policymaker’s topics for framing trade policies were export stimulation on the one hand and import relations on the other. Major economic changes in India in 1991, the foundation of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), and the Agreement on Agriculture (AoA) all played critical roles in the further liberalisation of trade policy in India. Signatory nations to the Agreement on farm, in particular, must drastically cut their tariff rates in order to enhance farm commerce by eliminating trade distortion. This agreement, however, sets the path for both developed and developing nations to apply Non-tariff Measures (NTM) as a trade restriction instrument. In this framework, the current research attempts to explore India’s trade policy during the last seventy-five years, with a focus on the agricultural sector.
Impact of FRBM Act 2003 on Public Expenditure in India
Authors: Kumudha A
Published: February 2024

India is a developing nation experiencing lower socio-economic indicators, and widespread poverty and inequality exist in the economy. So, the development of the nation requires huge public expenditure in the social and infrastructure sectors. The contribution of taxes to the GDP ratio is very low in India, and the government could not meet the various public works with limited resources. In India, interest payments, defence, pensions, salaries, and subsidies are the major components of public expenditure and collectively occupy more than 60 percent of total public expenditure. The government plays a vital role in establishing a welfare society, and it has spent a huge amount on the development of the economy in various ways. Insufficient funds from the government require better utilisation of available sources of public expenditure and better management of the fiscal deficit. In 2003, the Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM) Act was enacted to maintain the fiscal deficit at 3 percent, establish financial discipline in the economy, reduce the fiscal deficit, and improve the administration of public resources. This act came into force in 2004. This study aims at understanding the trends and growth rate of public expenditure in India. The study found that after implementing the FRBM Act 2003 in India, the ACGR of subsidies, loans, advances, and capital outlays has increased, which is conducive to enhancing economic development.