bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Phenotypic Variability among Parental Lines and Progenies of Bread Wheat
Authors: Teotia Jatin , Pratap Dharmendra , Javed  , Tyagi Anamish , Singh Rishi Muni , Kumar Nitin
Published: November 2024

Wheat is the second most important cereal staple food crop consumed nearly 35% of world population and provides 20% food calories. It’s a self-pollinating annual plant in the true grass family Gramineae (Poaceae) and genus Triticum, is the world’s most famous energy rich cereal crop. The wheat is a hexaploid (allohexaploid) species (2n =6x= 42) having AABBDD with A, B and D genome. The present research investigates fifty-six genotypes of bread wheat consisting of 33 F1s obtained by crossing eleven lines with three varieties in a line x tester mating design along with their parents and two well-known checks. The experiment was laid out in a randomized block design with three replications. Results revealed considerable genetic variability among the genotypes. Traits like grain yield per plant and number of tillers per plant exhibited higher values of PCV with moderate GCV. High heritability with moderate values of genetic advance were recorded for grain weight per spike (17.688%) followed by number of grains per spike (17.4 %), biological yield per plant (14.7 %), 1000 grain weight (11.9 %) indicating involvement of additive gene action in the inheritance of these traits and hence selection along with progeny testing can be employed for improvement of these characters. According to correlation studies, there is a substantial positive link between the trait grain yield per plant and the number of tillers per plant, harvest index, and biological yield per plant. Selection for these qualities will therefore eventually contribute to the genotypes' increased total output. Early maturing cultivars should be chosen when breeding for a better yield because it was also shown that the number of days to maturity had a negative correlation with the yield.
Determination of Twelve Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) Varietal Status to Midge Damage in Hotspot Area of Burkina Faso
Authors: Ouédraogo Nofou , Kouraogo Issouf , Drabo Edouard , Waongo Antoine , Sawadogo Armel W P , Nébié Baloua , Gracen Vernon , Raboin Louis-Marie
Published: November 2024

Sorghum is a staple food for millions of people in rural areas of Burkina Faso and is the most important crop grown in the three different climatic zones. However, in the Eastern part of the country, its production is considerably reduced by sorghum midge, Stenodiplosis sorghicola (Coquillet, 1898). In this investigation, 12 sorghum varieties were evaluated in midge hotspot areas (Fada) to determine their response to midge damage. A trial was evaluated in hotspot area (Fada) during two years (2022 and 2023) and key traits such as heading time, midge damage and grain yield were measured. Overall, varieties had different plant cycles, different midge damage scores and different grain yield across years, but the varieties performances in the hotspot site were strongly linked to heading time and midge damage. Finally, the tested varieties belonged to 3 varietal statues i.e, early maturing and tolerant, mid maturing and tolerant and late maturing and susceptible as revealed by this study. Early maturing and tolerant group (Kouria, Kapelga and ICSV 1049) was constituted of materials that heading time did not synchronize well with midge egg-laying period and therefore escape insect damage. Mid-maturing and tolerant group (Sariaso 40 and Sariaso 41) were constituted of varieties that heading time synchronized with insect egg-laying period and insect pullulation, but had less damage to grain yield. Those varieties are tolerant and have probably combination of mechanisms that allow them to avoid midge attacks. Late maturing and susceptible group (PR3009B, 014-SB-EPDU-1004, 12B, Sariaso 39, Sariaso 42 and Sariaso 43) are constituted of varieties that headed late with synchronization of glumes opening time to midge egg-laying period. Unfortunately, midge attacks considerably damage their yield. Those varieties are susceptible to the insect.
Molecular Authentication of Polyherbal Formulation - Triphala Churna
Authors: Desai Maniti , Adhvaryu Meghna , Kalariya Rishee K. , B. K. Rajkumar
Published: November 2024

Aim: The present study aims to design a molecular authentication protocol for the renowned polyherbal formulation Triphala with the help of recent advances in the DNA barcoding technology.
Purpose of Work: In recent decades, ayurvedic polyherbal medications have gained immense popularity worldwide. The quality of some of these herbal products has raised serious concerns regarding their authenticity and safety. The therapeutically potent original herbal species component of the polyherbal formulations are often substituted with cheaper or easily available adulterants or sometimes omitted entirely. In this case, molecular species authentication methods such as DNA barcoding can provide a far safer and efficient way to ensure species authenticity in polyherbal formulations.
Methodology: In the present study, ITS DNA barcoding based species authentication was performed for the polyherbal formulation – Triphala. For all the three component species of Triphala i.e. Terminalia bellirica, Terminalia chebula and Phyllanthus emblica, species authenticating primers were designed from their ITS barcoding regions and experimentally validated. The presented method was applied to authenticate all the three herbal species before they are blended in together to generate “Triphala” mixture as well as for quality assurance purpose for the already blended and processed formulation Triphala. This work also addresses the challenges in isolating DNA of satisfactory quality and quantity from highly acidic, polyphenolic, and commercially processed Triphala churna samples after making some critical modifications in the traditional CTAB method; thus enabling their molecular authentication. Utilizing the designed species authenticating primers, a quality assurance inspection was conducted on seven Triphala churna samples from reliable pharmacies that are available in the market.
Results: The present study successfully authenticates all the three ingredient species i.e. Terminalia bellirica, Terminalia chebula and Phyllanthus emblica in commercially available Triphala churna samples with the help of ITS DNA barcoding technology.
Seasonal Abundance and Types of Microplastics in Surface Waters of River Sabaki Estuary, Kenya
Authors: Kamau Moses , Tole Mwakio , Muti Simon Mbuvi
Published: November 2024

Increased demand for plastics has resulted in the generation of plastic waste, which poses a threat to the environment in general, and ultimately the marine environment. Estuaries and deltas are the main filters of marine ecosystem pollutants from inland sources.  There have been limited studies on temporal variations in microplastic (MP) pollutants in tropical estuaries of Africa. In 2022, a twelve-month sampling survey study was conducted at Sabaki river estuary, in Kenya. A bucket was used to collect water samples, that were sieved through a 225μm sieve. A stereo microscope was used to identify microplastics and their polymer confirmed using FTIR spectroscopy. Data analysis on seasonal difference in abundance of microplastics in surface waters was performed using Minitab software at α ≤ 0.05. The results indicated that the April-June (A-J) long rains season had significantly (P ≤ 0.05) higher levels of MPs due to rainfall runoff, compared to other seasons, namely January –March (J-M), July-October (J-O) and November –December (N-D). The (J-M), (J-O) and (N-D) seasons had similar levels of MPs, which were lower compared to those observed during (A-J) long rains season by 44.3%, 54% and 25% respectively, compared to the highest concentration of 264 MPs m-3 observed during the A-J season. Fragments type of MPs were higher during the wet season, while fiber type of MPs dominated during the dry season. Film and form type of MPs were least abundant.  Seasons significantly (P ≤ 0.05) influenced distribution of the different sizes of MPs. Small and medium sized category of MPs occurred and dominated during the dry season, while larger particles dominated during the wet season. Seven (7) differently colored MPs were observed during the study. White colored MPs were most prevalent (33%), followed by blue (23%), black (17%), brown (12%), yellow (5%), red (5%), and green (4%). Five types of plastic polymers were found in surface waters of river Sabaki estuary, namely polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), Polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and Acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS).
Effects of Cow-based Preparations and Mulching on Weed Management and Nodulation in Chickpea under Intercropping System
Authors: Choudhary Raghuveer , Kumar Rameshwar , Rana Bharat Bhushan , Choudhary Mahendra , Gurjar Satya Narayan , Choudhary Jitendra , Choudhary Khemendra
Published: November 2024

Mulching is one of agronomic practices with goals of lowering soil evaporation, preserving moisture, regulating soil temperature, inhibiting weed development, and enhancing microbial activity. It is mostly predicated on the recycling of biomass within the farm, with a focus on biomass mulching, the use of cow dung and urine preparations within the farm and preserving soil aeration. A field experiment was conducted for two years during the spring season (2019-20 and 2020-21) at Palampur, Himachal Pradesh (India), which comprises different combination of ghanjeevamrit (mixture of urine, dung, jaggery and chickpea flour), jeevamrit (mixture of urine, dung, jaggery, chickpea flour, handful soil, and water) and mulching (added at rate of 10 t ha-1). The weed count, weed dry matter, and yield of wheat as well as chickpeas were studied under sub-temperate humid zone (India). Data showed that application of cow-based preparations (ghanjeevamrit- added at rate of 0.5 t ha-1, jeevamrit-1st spray at rate 5%, 2nd spray 7.5% and subsequent sprays 10% jeevamrit in the water with the rate of 200 L acre-1 at 21 days interval) and mulching significantly affected weed count, dry matter, weed control efficiency and number of nodules of chickpea. Based on data of both years significantly lower weed count and dry weight at 120 DAS (before that weed count and dry weight was not affected significantly) was recorded in treatment T7(ghanjeevamrit + jeevamrit + mulching) which was statistically at par with T3 (mulching), T5 (ghanjeevamrit + mulching), T6 (jeevamrit + mulching) and T8 (control). At 150 DAS, significantly lower weed count was recorded in T5 which was at par with T3 and T6 and a significantly highest count was recorded in T4 (ghanjeevamrit + jeevamrit). At harvest, the highest weed count and dry weight of weed were found in treatment T2 (jeevamrit), T4, T1 (ghanjeevamrit), and T8. Similarly, the weed control efficiency was recorded numerically highest under T7 treatment. Minimum weed count and weed dry weight were found in the T7 treatment. Significantly highest nodule count in chickpea was recorded in T7 followed by T4, whereas the lowest was recorded in T8. Therefore, this study highlights the combined use of cow-based preparations with mulching to decrease weed count, dry matter as well as the number of nodules of chickpea increases under natural farming.
(RE) CONSTRUINDO A CIÊNCIA: BASES COMUNS DO PROJETO EPISTÊMICO FEMINISTA
Authors: Decol Jocieli
Published: November 2024

A partir de distintas perspectivas, teóricas feministas têm nos mostrado como a ciência é moldada por valores e pelo contexto histórico-social, desvelando, assim, o mito da neutralidade científica e abrindo espaço para a construção de um novo projeto epistêmico. Dentro desta temática, o objetivo central desta pesquisa é contribuir para a compreensão teórica acerca da dimensão epistêmica dos estudos feministas de gênero e ciência. Para isso, analisamos alguns conceitos basilares da Epistemologia Feminista –  a saber, ‘conhecimento situado’, de Donna Haraway, ‘objetividade forte’, de Sandra Harding, e ‘objetividade como processo social’, de Helen Longino  –  com vistas a identificar pontos comuns que estruturam este debate e que podem ser apontados como organizadores de um projeto de (re) construção da ciência ancorado no feminismo.
REVISITANDO NOSSOS FEMINISMOS: A HISTÓRIA DO GRUPO DE MULHERES NEGRAS DO MNU BAHIA
Authors: Pons Cardoso Claudia , Santos Bispo Silvana
Published: November 2024

Este artigo tem por objetivo revisitar o pensamento da intelectual ativista negra Luiza Bairros e registrar através de suas memórias a história do Grupo de Mulheres Negras do MNU Bahia, fundado em 1981. Registro compreendido na esteira da escrevivência, anunciada por Conceição Evaristo, tomando a memória para escrita da história do movimento de mulheres negras. A memória capturada na narrativa revela histórias de insurgência do movimento na diáspora, analisadas em sintonia com as experiências da ativista. A abordagem pretende evidenciar o contínuo de lutas de mulheres negras como processo histórico vital de (re)existência à ordem desumanizadora que se mantém e persiste sob a égide da colonialidade, mesmo após o fim do colonialismo. Nossa intenção é enfatizar o compromisso perene e incansável de mulheres negras em luta histórica, agência e afirmação de nosso lugar no mundo.
FEMINISMO DE NÍSIA FLORESTA (1810-1885) E A QUESTÃO DA CAPACITAÇÃO INTELECTUAL FEMININA NO BRASIL DO SÉCULO XIX
Authors: Fernadez Brena
Published: November 2024

O presente artigo trata da situação da capacitação intelectual feminina no Brasil oitocentista. Nosso ponto de partida é a visão acerca desta questão avançada por aquela que amiúde é considerada a primeira feminista brasileira, Nísia Floresta. Comparando as proposições de duas de suas obras mais emblemáticas com os dados do primeiro censo brasileiro (IBGE, 1872), constatamos tanto a urgência de suas demandas naquele momento quanto a incrível atualidade de suas reivindicações, quase dois séculos depois de publicadas.
NEIM e MST: CONSTRUÇÃO DE UMA TRAJETÓRIA DE LUTA DAS MULHERES RURAIS
Authors: Schefler Maria de Lourdes Novaes , Ferreira Silvia Lúcia , Almeida Eliana do Sacramento de
Published: November 2024

A articulação entre teorias e práticas, que fundamentam a organização das lutas pela igualdade de gênero no meio rural, serviu de lastro para a construção destas reflexões, que têm por objetivo resgatar aspectos do Feminismo Rural Baiano, para evidenciar a participação do Núcleo de Estudos Interdisciplinares sobre a Mulher (NEIM) na construção dessa trajetória. As reflexões aqui apresentadas foram construídas a partir das experiências das pesquisadoras, ocorridas nos Acampamentos de Mulheres Rurais, promovidos pelo Movimento de Trabalhadores Sem Terra – MST, entre 2000 e 2009, com dados coletados a partir de arquivos do NEIM, do MST Estadual e de acervos pessoais das pesquisadoras. Coube, pois, ao NEIM disseminar entre as participantes dos Acampamentos, um conhecimento feminista que contribuiu para a compreensão de questões do cotidiano, relacionadas à violência, à saúde, ao trabalho dentre outras.
COMO NOS TORNAMOS AS FEMINISTAS QUE SOMOS ? DIREITO E FEMINISMO BRANCO
Authors: Povala Li Leticia
Published: November 2024

Nesse artigo, trazemos à superfície discursos relativos ao epistemicídio, operado muitas vezes pelo próprio movimento feminista hegemônico no campo do enfrentamento às violências de gênero. Sem a pretensão de responder completamente à pergunta colocada por Yuderkys Espinosa Miñoso (2020), mas seguindo suas pistas, nos parece urgente refletir sobre como nos tornamos as feministas que somos por meio do olhar crítico dirigido a um certo feminismo, branco e hegemônico e sua relação com a narrativa jurídica feminista. Para isso, na primeira parte, trazemos a discussão sobre quais corpos seriam “merecedores” de proteção segundo este feminismo. Já no segundo momento, refletimos sobre como tal classificação se relaciona com elementos constitutivos do feminismo civilizatório desde a colonialidade da razão feminista.
ROL DE LA MUJER EN LA MÚSICA: REFLEXIONES EN TORNO A LA EQUIDAD DE GÉNERO
Authors: Sánchez Cuervo Sandra
Published: November 2024

Este artículo pretende ofrecer una visualización global y algunas reflexiones en torno a lo que fue el desarrollo de la mesa de diálogo “Rol de la Mujer en la Música” en el marco del Encuentro de Mujeres Clar&Sax que se llevó a cabo durante el mes de marzo del presente año, vía on line, gracias a la iniciativa de la Alianza Clar&sax, agremiación Latinoamericana que congrega a mujeres clarinetistas y saxofonistas de México, Guatemala, Cuba, Costa Rica, Colombia, Brasil, Perú, Ecuador, Bolivia, Chile y Argentina. Este evento contó con varias mesas de diálogo que permitieron la discusión y reflexión de las invitadas frente a temas de docencia, interpretación, investigación y producción musical.
A SOLIDÃO DA MULHER IDOSA SOB A PERSPECTIVA DE SAMUEL BECKETT
Authors: Pohl Sanches Maria Jade , Costa do Bomfim Fernando Russo
Published: November 2024

Este artigo aborda o trabalho de uma atriz no contexto da peça radiofônica "Todos os que Caem" de Samuel Beckett. A personagem principal, Maddy Rooney, foi adaptada para um espetáculo de formatura do curso de Artes Cênicas da Universidade Federal de Santa Maria (UFSM). Nessa adaptação, explorou-se as experimentações de uma atriz feminista na sociedade contemporânea, trazendo à tona a questão da solidão vivenciada por mulheres idosas. Durante o processo de criação da personagem, a atriz se inspirou no estudo sobre a solidão na terceira idade, que afeta as atividades diárias e o bem-estar das mulheres idosas. O objetivo desse estudo foi examinar a solidão nesse estágio da vida, analisando sua relação com o sentimento de abandono, a falta de paciência e a melancolia, sob a perspectiva da encenação teatral. O propósito desse artigo é promover uma mudança de visão tanto para as mulheres idosas que enfrentam o isolamento, mostrando-lhes a possibilidade de rir de si mesmas e com elas mesmas, quanto para os jovens, incentivando um relacionamento intergeracional baseado na empatia com a protagonista da história.
CARTA PARA SIMONE
Authors: Benatti Barbara Duarte
Published: November 2024

O presente manuscrito é uma carta para uma alma desencarnada muito importante nos estudos dos feminismos, Simone de Beauvoir. A autora faz um panorama de como conheceu a obra de Simone de Beauvoir entrelação o período do impeachment de Dilma Rousseff, pesquisa de doutorado em andamento e outros textos de autoras feministas que se utilizaram das reflexões iniciadas por Beauvoir, como Grada Kilomba (2019), Valeska Zanello (2019), bell hook (2018), entre outras.
Photosynthetic Regulatory Mechanisms for Efficiency and Prevention of Photo‐Oxidative Stress
Authors: Roach Thomas , Krieger‐Liszkay Anja
Published: February 2019

Regulatory mechanisms of photosynthesis affecting light capture, the efficiency of electron transport, and the distribution between linear and alternative electron transport routes are needed to balance energy input with metabolic demands. Rapid fluctuations in light intensity lead transiently to absorption of excess light energy, requiring immediate regulation, whereas adverse environmental conditions over longer‐term require acclimation responses. In either case, excitation of photosynthetic pigments beyond metabolic demand and unpoised electron transfer reactions can lead to the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). On the one hand, ROS damage the photosynthetic machinery and other macro‐molecules, such as thylakoid membranes, contributing to photo‐oxidative stress. On the other hand, ROS are needed for acclimation responses since they affect the expression level of responsive genes, as well as exert direct and indirect effects on redox‐regulated processes in the chloroplast. In this article, we introduce the photosynthetic complexes, step‐by‐step and focus on the regulatory mechanisms required to enable photosynthetic efficiency and control levels of ROS production. Finally, we shortly describe the roles of chloroplast‐derived ROS in the short‐term modulation of photosynthesis and the longer‐term acclimation to light stress. Differences in regulatory mechanisms amongst the diversity of Viridiplantae (i.e. green algae to plants) are described.
Agrobiodiversity of Vegetable Crops: Aspect, Needs, and Future Perspectives
Authors: Signore Angelo , Renna Massimiliano , Santamaria Pietro
Published: February 2019

Agrobiodiversity represents biodiversity of the agro‐ecosystems, and it plays a fundamental role in maintaining the resilience of crops. Vegetables are an important commodity with diversity at several levels such as organ consumed, grade of transformation after harvesting, etc. However, the modern cultivars, by decreasing their agrobiodiversity exhibit, reduced resilience to pests and climatic changes and may, in several cases, show lower levels of bioactive compounds. Moreover, agrobiodiversity should not be evaluated
per se
, but also the underlying services beneath it should be carefully taken into account. To overcome such problems, a reappraisal of agrobiodiversity is essential, as it allows the ‘genetic bottleneck’ induced by modern varieties to be expanded and an increased range of vegetable products made available. In this article, after some considerations of the importance of vegetables and their distribution across the world, we discuss how agrobiodiversity has decreased, mainly due to the adoption of modern varieties, and suggest some innovative use of ‘novel’ vegetable products with an added value for human health and wellness.
High Spatial Resolution Profiling in Tree Species
Authors: Giacomello Stefania , Delhomme Nicolas , Niittylä Totte , Tuominen Hannele , Street Nathaniel R.
Published: February 2019

Until recently, the majority of genomics assays have been performed on bulk tissue samples containing multiple cell types. Tissues such as the wood formation zone in trees contain a complex mix of cell types organised in three‐dimensional space. Moreover, cells within the wood formation zone represent a continual developmental progression from meristematic cambial initials through to cell death. This spatiotemporal developmental gradient and cell type information are not assayed by bulk samples. New and improved sampling methods coupled to next‐generation sequencing assays are enabling the generation of high spatial resolution and single‐cell transcriptomics data, offering unprecedented insight into the biology of unique cell types and cell developmental programs. We overview the application of these approaches to the study of wood development, in particular, and highlight challenges associated with the analysis of such data.
Quantitative vibratory sensation measurement is related to sensory cortical thickness in MS
Authors: Fritz Nora E. , Eloyan Ani , Glaister Jeffrey , Dewey Blake E. , Al‐Louzi Omar , Costello M. Gabriela , Chen Min , Prince Jerry L. , Calabresi Peter A. , Zackowski Kathleen M.
Published: February 2019

Objective

Vibratory sensation is a quantifiable measure of physical dysfunction and is often related to spinal cord pathology; however, its association with relevant brain areas has not been fully explored. Our objective was to establish a cortical structural substrate for vibration sensation.

Methods

Eighty‐four individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS) (n = 54 relapsing, n = 30 progressive) and 28 controls participated in vibratory sensation threshold quantification at the great toe and a 3T MRI evaluating volume of the thalamus and cortical thickness primary and secondary sensory cortices.

Results

After controlling for age, sex, and disability level, vibratory sensation thresholds were significantly related to cortical thickness of the anterior cingulate (P = 0.041), parietal operculum (P = 0.022), and inferior frontal gyrus pars operculum (P = 0.044), pars orbitalis (P = 0.007), and pars triangularis (P = 0.029). Within the progressive disease subtype, there were significant relationships between vibratory sensation and thalamic volume (P = 0.039) as well as reduced inferior frontal gyrus pars operculum (P = 0.014) and pars orbitalis (P = 0.005) cortical thickness.

Conclusions

The data show significant independent relationships between quantitative vibratory sensation and measures of primary and secondary sensory cortices. Quantitative clinical measurement of vibratory sensation reflects pathological changes in spatially distinct brain areas and may supplement information captured by brain atrophy measures. Without overt relapses, monitoring decline in progressive forms of MS has proved challenging; quantitative clinical assessment may provide a tool to examine pathological decline in this cohort. These data suggest that quantitative clinical assessment may be a reliable way to examine pathological decline and have broader relevance to progressive forms of MS.
A Single Polymer Artificial Muscle Having Dual‐Mode Contractibility, Temperature Sensibility, and Trainability through Enthalpy Change
Authors: Zhu Shanshan , Hu Jinlian , Zhang Yuanchi
Published: February 2019

Artificial muscles (AMs) have high demand in many fields like robotics, medical devices, sensors, and actuators as well as prosthesis. To achieve what a natural muscle can do for humans in AMs, an ideal material should be cheap, soft, and have both isotonic and isometric contractions, high energy density, sensibility, and trainability. However, only a single function of AM, isotonic contraction, is considered in most existing studies, while other critical functions are always neglected. Moreover, current AMs are normally made of either hard metals or polymer composites, or special structures typically twisted coils of thermal expansion polymers. Here a single polymer artificial muscle (SPAM) with natural muscle molecular structures is reported to perform both isotonic and isometric contractions (dual‐mode), where spring structure is similar to titin and semicrystal likes actin. This SPAM can sense the surrounding temperature due to a crystal phase where enthalpy‐battery is installed. Then the trainability is proved by structural evolution which leads to contraction responsive to stimulated conditions with longitudinal strokes higher than 29%, and a specific work up to 473 J kg−1, respectively. This single soft polymer realizes significant multifunctions of an AM without any complicated structure design and composite system.
Recent Trends in Iron‐Catalyzed Reactions towards the Synthesis of Nitrogen‐Containing Heterocycles
Authors: Sreedevi Radhakrishnan , Saranya Salim , Rohit K. R. , Anilkumar Gopinathan
Published: February 2019

Heterocycles are generally biologically active compounds and find widespread applications in medicinal chemistry, agricultural science and the fine chemical industry. For the synthesis and functionalization of heterocycles, great efforts have been ascribed over the past decades. The syntheses of heterocyclic compounds are significant due to their diverse biological activity. Recently, iron‐catalyzed reactions have experienced remarkable progress in the synthesis of heterocycles. This review summarizes recent trends in the iron‐catalyzed synthesis of nitrogen‐containing heterocyclic compounds.

magnified image
Dramatically Enhanced Ambient Ammonia Electrosynthesis Performance by In‐Operando Created Li–S Interactions on MoS2 Electrocatalyst
Authors: Liu Yanyan , Han Miaomiao , Xiong Qizhong , Zhang Shengbo , Zhao Cuijiao , Gong Wanbing , Wang Guozhong , Zhang Haimin , Zhao Huijun
Published: February 2019

The Haber‐Bosch process can be replaced by the ambient electrocatalytic N2 reduction reaction (NRR) to produce NH3 if suitable electrocatalysts can be developed. However, to develop high performance N2 fixation electrocatalysts, a key issue to be resolved is to achieve efficient hydrogenation of N2 without interference by the thermodynamically favored hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Herein, in‐operando created strong Li–S interactions are reported to empower the S‐rich MoS2 nanosheets with superior NRR catalytic activity and HER suppression ability. The Li+ interactions with S‐edge sites of MoS2 can effectively suppress hydrogen evolution reaction by reducing H* adsorption free energy from 0.03 to 0.47 eV, facilitate N2 adsorption by increasing N2 adsorption free energy from –0.32 to –0.70 eV and enhance electrocatalytic N2 reduction activity by decreasing the activation energy barrier of the reaction control step (*N2 → *N2H) from 0.84 to 0.42 eV. A NH3 yield rate of 43.4 μg h−1 mg−1 MoS2 with a faradaic efficiency (FE) of 9.81% can be achieved in presence of strong Li–S interactions, more than 8 and 18 times by the same electrocatalyst in the absence of Li–S interactions. This report opens a new way to design and develop catalysts and catalysis systems.
Toxicities of CD19 CAR‐T cell immunotherapy
Authors: Hirayama Alexandre V. , Turtle Cameron J.
Published: February 2019

CD19‐targeted chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)‐modified T (CAR‐T) cell immunotherapy has demonstrated impressive results in B‐cell malignancies, and CAR‐T cell therapies targeting other antigens are in development for other cancers. Cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and neurotoxicity can be life‐threatening in a subset of patients. The severity of CRS and neurotoxicity can be impacted by the disease burden, lymphodepletion regimen, and CAR‐T cell dose. Tocilizumab and corticosteroids have been used to manage these toxicities, enabling CD19 CAR‐T cells to be administered without obvious compromise in efficacy. Consensus criteria for grading and managing toxicities will facilitate the widespread application of this treatment modality.
Histopathological and hematological changes in recurrent nasal polyposis
Authors: Brescia Giuseppe , Alessandrini Lara , Zanotti Claudia , Parrino Daniela , Tealdo Giulia , Torsello Miriam , Zybine Vladislav , Giacomelli Luciano , Barion Umberto , Marioni Gino
Published: February 2019

Background

There is a dearth of information regarding the histological and hematological differences between primary and recurrent chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP). The present study analyzed the histological changes in recurrent CRSwNP in terms of eosinophilic infiltrate, subepithelial edema, goblet cell hyperplasia, and basement membrane thickness. Blood levels of eosinophils and basophils were also measured prior to surgery on both primary and recurrent disease.

Methods

Thirty‐two consecutive adult patients with nasal polyposis treated with primary surgery who subsequently underwent revision surgery were retrospectively enrolled.

Results

At primary surgery, a significant positive correlation (all p < 0.05) emerged between all histopathological parameters, and between tissue eosinophil and blood eosinophil counts. A positive correlation between subepithelial edema scores and blood basophil levels (p < 0.025) also came to light. At revision surgery, only basement membrane thickness correlated positively with: (1) tissue eosinophil count; and (2) goblet cell hyperplasia (both p = 0.001). In recurrent disease, there was again a positive correlation between eosinophil counts in tissue and blood (p < 0.05). The mean tissue eosinophil count in recurrent CRSwNP was significantly lower than in the primary disease (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Our preliminary results support the hypothesis that tissue remodeling due to surgical and medical treatments for CRSwNP is a dynamic process involving important differences in tissue eosinophil counts between primary and recurrent CRSwNP. How tissue remodeling evolves after CRSwNP treatment warrants further investigation, not only in larger series of patients, but also after stratifying patients by the time elapsing since their treatment.
Orthotopic induction of CH157MN convexity and skull base meningiomas into nude mice using stereotactic surgery and MRI characterization
Authors: La Cava Francesca , Fringuello Mingo Alberto , Irrera Pietro , Di Vito Aldo , Cordaro Alessia , Brioschi Chiara , Colombo Serra Sonia , Cabella Claudia , Terreno Enzo , Miragoli Luigi
Published: February 2019

Meningioma in vivo research is hampered by the difficulty of establishing an easy and reproducible orthotopic model able to mimic the characteristics of a human meningioma. Moreover, leptomeningeal dissemination and high mortality are often associated with such orthotopical models, making them useless for clinical translation studies. An optimized method for inducing meningiomas in nude mice at two different sites is described in this paper and the high reproducibility and low mortality of the models are demonstrated. Skull base meningiomas were induced in the auditory meatus and convexity meningiomas were induced on the brain surface of 23 and 24 nude mice, respectively. Both models led to the development of a mass easily observable by imaging methods. Dynamic contrast enhanced MRI was used as a tool to monitor and characterize the pathology onset and progression. At the end of the study, histology was performed to confirm the neoplastic origin of the diseased mass.
Osteocyte viability and bone density in cadmium chloride‐induced osteoporosis ameliorated with Pilostigma thonningii stem bark‐extracted D‐3‐O‐methy‐chiroinositol
Authors: Uwagie‐Ero Edwin Aihanuwa , Abiaezute Clifford Nwabugwu , Nwaehujor Chinaka O. , Nnaji Theophilus Okafor , Odigie Eugene Amienwanlen , Ekeolu Oyetunde Kazeem , Ocheja Ohiemi Benjamin
Published: February 2019

Background

This study examined the ameliorative effect of D‐3‐O‐methyl‐chiroinositol, isolated from the stem bark of Piliostigma thonningii, on cadmium chloride‐induced osteoporosis in male Wistar rats.

Methods

Thirty‐six rats were assigned to three treatment groups (n = 12). Group A (2 mL distilled water), group B: (2.5 mg/kg b.w. CdCl2) and group C: (2.5 mg/kg b.w. CdCl2 and D‐3‐O‐methyl‐chiroinositol 2 mg/kg b.w.). Bone ash, calcium, phosphate, magnesium, and zinc content, as well as bone histological changes were determined at the end of months 1, 2, and 3.

Results

There were significant differences (P ≤ 0.05) in the weight of the cervical, tibia, and femoral bones in all groups. The serum concentration of CdCl2 was significantly different across the three groups with time. There was significant variation (P < 0.005) in the mean bone ash across groups. The concentration of OH‐proline was significantly different (P < 0.0001) across groups. There were significant differences (P < 0.0001) in bone calcium, magnesium, zinc, and phosphorus concentrations. Histology revealed high levels of bone mineralisation in the CdCl2‐treated group, indicative of osteoporosis with hypertrophied osteocytes, while the femur of Wistar rats treated with D‐3‐O‐methyl‐chiroinositol showed bone trabeculae and viable osteocytes.

Conclusion

The study concluded that D‐3‐O‐methyl‐chiroinositol extract from Piliostigma thionningii stem bark ameliorated cadmium chloride‐induced osteoporosis in male Wistar rats.
Homocysteine and small vessel stroke: A mendelian randomization analysis
Authors: Larsson Susanna C. , Traylor Matthew , Markus Hugh S.
Published: February 2019

Objective

Trials of B vitamin therapy to lower blood total homocysteine (tHcy) levels for prevention of stroke are inconclusive. Secondary analyses of trial data and epidemiological studies suggest that tHcy levels may be particularly associated with small vessel stroke (SVS). We assessed whether circulating tHcy and B vitamin levels are selectively associated with SVS, but not other stroke subtypes, using Mendelian randomization.

Methods

We used summary statistics data for single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with tHcy (n = 18), folate (n = 3), vitamin B6 (n = 1), and vitamin B12 (n = 14) levels, and the corresponding data for stroke from the MEGASTROKE consortium (n = 16,952 subtyped ischemic stroke cases and 404,630 noncases).

Results

Genetically predicted tHcy was associated with SVS, with an odds ratio of 1.34 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.13–1.58; p = 6.7 × 10–4) per 1 standard deviation (SD) increase in genetically predicted tHcy levels, but was not associated with large artery or cardioembolic stroke. The association was mainly driven by SNPs at or near the MTHFR and MUT genes. The odds ratios of SVS per 1 SD increase in genetically predicted folate and vitamin B6 levels were 0.49 (95% CI, 0.34–0.71; p = 1.3 × 10–4) and 0.70 (95% CI, 0.52–0.94; p = 0.02), respectively. Genetically higher vitamin B12 levels were not associated with any stroke subtype.

Interpretation

These findings suggest that any effect of homocysteine‐lowering treatment in preventing stroke will be confined to the SVS subtype. Whether genetic variants at or near the MTHFR and MUT genes influence SVS risk through pathways other than homocysteine levels and downstream effects require further investigation. Ann Neurol 2019;85:495–501
Concordance for Parkinson's disease in twins: A 20‐year update
Authors: Goldman Samuel M. , Marek Kenneth , Ottman Ruth , Meng Cheryl , Comyns Kathleen , Chan Piu , Ma Jinghong , Marras Connie , Langston J. William , Ross G. Webster , Tanner Caroline M.
Published: February 2019

During the 1990s, we estimated the genetic contribution to Parkinson's disease risk in a large, population‐based twin registry. Because many unaffected twins were still alive, previous concordance estimates were based on incomplete information. Ninety‐five percent of twins are now deceased. Here, we update concordance and heritability through 2015 using National Death Index data. In total, we identified 30 concordant and 193 discordant pairs. Proband‐wise concordance was 0.20 in monozygotic and 0.13 in dizygotic pairs. Heritability was 0.27 overall, 0.83 in pairs diagnosed ≤50, and 0.19 in pairs diagnosed >50. High concordance in dizygotic twins suggests shared effects of early childhood environment. Ann Neurol 2019;85:600–605
Smoking and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: A mendelian randomization study
Authors: Zhan Yiqiang , Fang Fang
Published: February 2019

In this study, we examined the potential causal effect of smoking on amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) using the Project MinE data involving 12,577 patients with ALS and 23,475 controls in a Mendelian randomization (MR) framework. The MR approach has the potential to investigate a causal relationship between a risk factor and a disease, avoiding confounding and information bias that often present in conventional epidemiological studies. We found that smokers had a higher risk of ALS compared to never smokers. Our study thus provides evidence for a causal relationship between smoking and ALS. Ann Neurol 2019;85:482–484
Superelectrophilicity of 1,2‐Azaborine: Formation of Xenon and Carbon Monoxide Adducts
Authors: Edel Klara , Ishibashi Jacob S. A. , Liu Shih‐Yuan , Bettinger Holger F.
Published: February 2019

The BN analogue of ortho‐benzyne, 1,2‐azaborine, is shown to bind carbon monoxide and a xenon atom under matrix isolation conditions, demonstrating its strongly Lewis acidic superelectrophilic nature. The Lewis acid–base complexes involving CO and Xe can be cleaved photochemically and reformed by mildly annealing the matrices. The interaction energy of 1,2‐azaborine with Xe is 3 kcal mol−1 according to quantum chemical computations, and is similar to that of the superelectrophilic carbene difluorovinylidene.
A novel nano‐size lanthanum metal–organic framework based on 5‐amino‐isophthalic acid and phenylenediamine: Photoluminescence study and sensing applications
Authors: Sheta Sheta M. , El‐Sheikh Said M. , Abd‐Elzaher Mohkles M. , Wassel Ahmed R.
Published: February 2019

In this paper, a novel lanthanum metal–organic framework La‐MOF was prepared via hydrothermal and reflux methods. The La‐MOF was achieved through the reaction of a 5‐amino‐isophthalic acid with 1, 2‐phenylenediamine and lanthanum chloride. The prepared La‐MOF structure was confirmed by XRD, mass spectrometry, IR, UV–Vis and elemental analysis, whereas the size, and morphology was examined by FE‐SEM/EDX and HR‐TEM. The results indicated that the La‐MOF prepared via both methods have the same structure and composition. Meanwhile, the MOF yield, reaction time, morphology, physiochemical and sensing properties were highly depended on the used preparation method. The photoluminescence (PL) study was carried out for the La‐MOF, and the results showed that La‐MOF exhibits strong emission at 558 nm after excitation at 369 nm. Moreover, the PL data indicating that the La‐MOF has highly selective sensing properties for iron (III) competing with different metal ions. The Stern‐Völmer graph shows a linear calibration curve which achieved over a concentration range 1.0–500 μM of Fe3+ with a correlation coefficient, detection, and quantitation limits 0.998, 1.35 μM and 4.08 μM, respectively. According to the remarkable quenching of the PL intensity of La‐MOF using various concentrations of Fe3+, it was successfully used as a sensor for Fe3+detecting in different water resources (pure and waste) samples. The quenching mechanism was studied and it has a dynamic type and due to efficient energy transfer between the La‐MOF and Fe3+.
Assessing the potential of marine Natura 2000 sites to produce ecosystem‐wide effects in rocky reefs: A case study from Sardinia Island (Italy)
Authors: Guidetti Paolo , Addis Piero , Atzori Fabrizio , Bussotti Simona , Calò Antonio , Cau Alessandro , Culioli Jean‐Michel , De Lucia Giuseppe , Di Franco Antonio , Di Lorenzo Manfredi , Follesa Maria Cristina , Gazale Vittorio , Massaro Giorgio , Mura Francesco , Navone Augusto , Pala David , Panzalis Pier Augusto , Pusceddu Antonio , Ruiu Alberto , Cau Angelo
Published: February 2019

A number of policy measures have been adopted to cope with ongoing ocean degradation. Marine protected areas (MPAs) are among them. MPAs and their coverage have increased worldwide, including in EU waters. Natura 2000 (Nat2000) sites are at the core of the EU biodiversity conservation strategy and have been established to protect habitats and species included in two EU directives. Besides their specific objectives, their potential to contribute to an ecosystem‐wide conservation and their complementarity with other national and supranational initiatives (e.g. nationally established MPA networks, the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, the Convention on Biological Diversity Ecosystem‐Based Approach) have been called into question.

Using visual censuses on rocky reefs, the biomass of whole fish assemblages and of a set of ecologically important species (widely used as indicators of coastal marine ecosystem health) have been assessed to evaluate the potential ecosystem‐wide effectiveness of Nat2000 marine sites located along the coasts of Sardinia (Italy). The assessment was performed in six fully protected MPAs, in 12 Nat2000 sites established or extending at sea, and in 18 adjacent unprotected control sites.

Results show that the highest fish biomasses are observed in fully protected MPAs. The values observed at Nat2000 sites do not differ or only slightly differ from those observed at control sites. This shows that Nat2000 sites may not presently contribute to effectively protect fish and the related rocky reef ecosystems.

These results do not dismiss at all the role of Nat2000 sites relative to the objectives for which they have been established. However, they show that to achieve ecosystem‐wide benefits it is crucial to rethink and broaden the scope of Nat2000 sites and adapt their management to that. By providing sounder and more comprehensive management plans, and implementing more consistent ecosystem‐wide conservation measures, Nat2000 marine sites could become an extraordinary tool at the EU scale, capable of delivering wider ecological benefits.
Multi‐objective optimal motion control of a laboratory helicopter based on parallel simple cell mapping method
Authors: Qin Zhi‐Chang , Xin Ying , Sun Jian‐Qiao
Published: February 2019

This paper presents a study of multi‐objective optimal design of nonlinear control systems and has validated the control design with a twin rotor model helicopter. The gains of the porportional integral differential (PID) control are designed in the framework of multi‐objective opitmization. Eight design paramaters are optimized to minimize six time‐domain objective objective functions. The study of multi‐objective optimal design of feedback control with such a number of design paramaters and objective functions is rare in the literature. The Pareto optimal solutions are obtained by the proposed parallel simple cell mapping method consisting of a robust Pareto set recovery algorithm and a rolling subdivision technique. The proposed parallel simple cell mapping algorithm has two features: the number of cells in the invariant set grows linearly with the rolling subdivisions, and the Pareto set is insensitive to the inital set of seed cells. The current control design is compared with the classical LQE control for linear systems, and is also experimentally validated. The current design provides improved control performance as compares with the LQR control, and is applicable to complex nonlinear systems.
Global gene expression changes reflecting pleiotropic effects of Irpex lacteus induced by low‐­intensity electromagnetic field
Authors: Sun Ling , Li Xinyi , Ma Haile , He Ronghai , Donkor Prince O.
Published: February 2019

A polysaccharide of Irpex lacteus, a white‐rot fungus with lignocellulose‐degrading activities, has been used as a commercial medicine for nephritis treatment. Previously, a low‐intensity electromagnetic field (LI‐EMF) was found to increase the biomass and polysaccharide content of Irpex lacteus and induce twists on the cell surface. In this study, RNA‐sequencing (RNA‐seq) technology was used to analyze the underlying mechanism of LI‐EMF's influence on Irpex lacteus. We identified 3268, 1377, and 941 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the LI‐EMF‐treated samples at recovery times of 0 h, 3 h, and 6 h, respectively, indicating a significant decline in the influence of the LI‐EMF treatment on Irpex lacteus with the passage of recovery time. Moreover, 30 upregulated and 14 downregulated DEGs overlapped in the LI‐EMF‐treated samples at the recovery times of 0 h, 3 h, and 6 h, implying the important lasting effects of LI‐EMF. The reliability of the RNA‐seq data were validated by quantitative real‐time PCR (qRT‐PCR). The DEGs related to transcription factors, cell proliferation, cell wall, membrane components, amino acid biosynthesis and metabolism, and polysaccharide biosynthesis and metabolism were significantly enriched in the LI‐EMF‐treated samples. The experiments confirmed that the LI‐EMF treatment significantly increased the content of amino acids with a considerable increase in the content of essential amino acids. Therefore, the global gene expression changes explained the pleiotropic effects of Irpex lacteus induced by the LI‐EMF treatment. These findings provide the requisite data for the appropriate design and application of LI‐EMF in the fermentation of microorganisms to increase production. Bioelectromagnetics. 40:104–117, 2019. © 2019 Bioelectromagnetics Society
Stabanker für dünne Carbonbetonwände
Authors: Wagner Juliane , Mende Katrin , Kraft Robert , Holschemacher Klaus , Curbach Manfred
Published: February 2019

Carbonbeton ist in der Welt der Bauingenieure bei Weitem kein Fremdwort mehr. Aufgrund seiner sehr guten Dauerhaftigkeit und der Korrosionsbeständigkeit der Carbonbewehrung hat er sich vor allem als Baustoff für schlanke und filigrane Bauteile einen Namen gemacht. So ist er beispielsweise auch für die Verwendung in den Wandschalen von Elementwänden und somit zur Verringerung ihrer Schalendicken geeignet. Aufgrund der damit verbundenen geringeren Einbindetiefe wird jedoch die Verwendung herkömmlicher Einbauteile problematisch. Aus diesem Grund wurde ein neuartiger Stabanker zur Verbindung der beiden Wandschalen entwickelt und mechanisch und bauphysikalisch untersucht. Die Ergebnisse der ersten Untersuchungen werden in dem vorliegenden Beitrag vorgestellt.