bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of brewery spent grain on the growth and yield of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (l.) Moench)
Authors: Amenkhienan Bright Ehijiele , Isitekhale Harry Henry 
Published: June 2020

A field experiment was conducted at the Teaching and Research Farm, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma to investigate the effect of brewery spent grain on the growth and yield of sorghum. Treatment consisted of five rates of brewery spent grain (BSG) (0, 2, 4, 6 and 8 t/ha). The experiment was a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replicates. Sorghum variety (ABS 4540 AMZU) was used as a test crop. The parameters measured included: plant height, leaf area, number of leaves/plant at 3, 6 and 9 weeks after planting (WAP). Whole plant dry matter yield and grain weight were also determined. The results obtained showed that BSG treatments had significantly (P<0.05) higher plant height, leaf area and number of leaves than the control in all the weeks after planting, except for number of leaves at 3 WAP. At 3 and 6 WAP, the tallest plants (21.33 cm and 33.05 cm) were obtained from crops treated with 8 t/ha BSG while those treated with 6 t/ha BSG had the tallest plant (95.04 cm) at 9 WAP. 6 t/ha BSG recorded the highest leaf area at 3, 6 and 9 WAP. At 6 WAP, the highest number of leaves (9.00) was observed from plants which received the application of 6 t/ha BSG. However, control had the highest number of leaves (10.00) than BSG treatments. The highest grain yield (2.54 t/ha) and dry matter yield (3.80 g) were obtained from crops which received the application of 6 and 8 t/ha BSG, respectively. Keywords: Brewery Spent Grain, Growth, Sorghum, Yield.
Transplanting date adjustment in Boro rice cultivation as a strategy to reduce groundwater withdrawal in Bangladesh
Authors: Ali Md. Hossain 
Published: June 2020

Due to intensive irrigated rice cultivation during dry season, declining trend of groundwater level is observed in many parts of Bangladesh. Field experiments were conducted in 2015 and 2016 at four experimental stations of Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture, Bangladesh to evaluate the performance of some Boro rice cultivars in different planting dates with respect to yield and irrigation water requirement, and to optimize between yield and irrigation water requirement, with a view to reduce groundwater withdrawal and hence reducing mining of groundwater. The transplanting dates were 21th January (T1), 15th February (T2), 7th March and 30th March. Four rice cultivars were used. The results showed that the rice growth period was shortened with the later dates of transplanting. Generally, the yield of all cultivars at first and second transplanting (i.e. in T1 & T2) are good, and decrease at the later transplanting dates (T3, T4) and hence could not be recommended among farmers. When we consider the irrigation savings in T2 compare to T1, the irrigation savings varies with location and year, but the general tendency is that the second transplanting can save irrigation water. By considering economic (intrusion of additional rabi crop between two rice crops) and ecological factor (irrigation reduction, and hence reducing groundwater withdrawal), we recommend that the most suitable transplanting time for Boro rice should be 15th February. As such, we can effectively achieve good yield, reduce irrigation requirement, and creating opportunity for possible intrusion of addition Rabi crop between two rice crops. Overall, the findings of the present study can provide effective transplanting time and cultivar to reduce groundwater withdrawal in the present agro-ecosystem of northwestern Bangladesh and other similar areas.Keywords: Boro rice, irrigation requirement, transplanting date, groundwater withdrawal, ecosystem
Assessment of Nutritional Status of School–age Children in Suburban Area of West Bengal
Authors: Pramanik Purushottam 
Published: June 2020

Objective: Objective of this study was to assess the nutritional status of primary school children between the age group 6 to 9 years considering reference values proposed by Indian Association of Pediatrics (IAP) and National Centre for Health Statistics (NCHS).
Methods: It is a cross sectional school base study. Six hundred and nine female and five hundred and twenty seven male primary school children were participated. Height- for- age, BMI- for- age and weight- for- age were used to assess nutritional status on considering reference values proposed by IAP and NCHS. Health status of the study population was assessed by Rohrer index. Prevalence of malnutrition was expressed in percentage.
Results: Significant percentage of children of both gender were suffering under-nutrition like stunting (IAP: female 56.3% and male 10.1%; NCHS: female 64.9% and male 19%), thinness (IAP: female 36.4% and male 38.9%; NCHS: female 59.7% and male 61.5%) and underweight (IAP: female 37.5% and male 57.6%; NCHS: female 65.7% and male 73.6%). Over nutrition like higher body weight than standard (IAP: female 29.2% and male 18.1%; NCHS: female 15.5% and male 11.9%) and overweight and/or obesity was noted in study population. Under-nutrition was coincides with the finding of RI. More than 40% children of either gender were enjoy very low health status and more than 15% with high health status. Prevalence of malnutrition was higher in male than female children.
Conclusion: Present study highlights double burden of malnutrition among children living suburban area of Hooghly district. Thus to reduce both form of malnutrition it is essential to improve knowledge and awareness of personal hygiene and nutrition.
Phytochemical Screening and Antibacteria/ Antifungi Activities of Root and Shoot Extracts of Euphorbia hirta (Asthma Weed)
Authors: Adjeroh L. A. , Nwachukwu M. O. , Abara P. N. , Nnokwe J. C. , Azorji J. N. , Osinomumu I. O. 
Published: June 2020

Medicinal plants, also called herbal medicine, have been used in traditional medicine practices since prehistoric times. The phytochemical screening of root and shoot extracts of Euphorbia hirta plant commonly known as asthma weed was evaluated using soxhlet and aqueous extract as a solvent to determine the active components. Maceration method was used in extracting the active properties/component. Phytochemical screening of root and shoot extracts revealed presences of saponins, anthranoid anthroqunione, phenol, alkaloid, tannins, phylobatannins and cardiac glycoside. Antibacterial screening of clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhi, Escherichia coli and Streptococcus pyogenes, using disk diffusion method, showed that in both the aqueous root and shoot extract Streptococcus pyogenes has the highest zone of inhibition of 120 mg with 12mm while least is Escherichia coli that had no inhibition at all. The aqueous extract the root and shoot were more active than the soxhlet solution. Using the aqueous shoot extracts, Streptococcus at 120 mg with 12mm zone of inhibition of Staphylococcus at 90 mg with 9mm. While in the aqueous root extract, Staphylococcus aureus at 100 mg with 10mm, Streptococcus pyogenes at 90 mg with 9m and Salmonella typhi at 80mm with 8mm. Antifungal screening with clinical isolate of candida albicans had highest zone of inhibition 130 mg with 13mm at root aqueous extract while penicillium spp, Aspergillus, spp and Microsporium spp showed no zones of inhibition at both root and shoot extracts. The results obtained suggested that Euphorbia hirta plant can be used in the treatment of ailments caused by the test microorganisms, with particular attention being paid to its aqueous extract.
Feasibility study for marker‐based VMAT plan optimization toward tumor tracking
Authors: Omotayo Azeez A. , Venkataraman Sankar , Venugopal Niranjan , McCurdy Boyd 
Published: June 2020

AbstractThis work investigates the incorporation of fiducial marker‐based visibility parameters into the optimization of volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) plans. We propose that via this incorporation, one may produce treatment plans that aid real‐time tumor tracking approaches employing exit imaging of the therapeutic beam (e.g., via EPID), in addition to satisfying purely dosimetric requirements. We investigated the feasibility of this approach for a thorax and prostate site using optimization software (MonArc). For a thorax phantom and a lung patient, three fiducial markers were inserted around the tumor and VMAT plans were created with two partial arcs and prescription dose of 48 Gy (4 fractions). For a prostate patient with three markers in the prostate organ, a VMAT plan was created with two partial arcs and prescription dose 72.8 Gy (28 fractions). We modified MonArc to include marker‐based visibility constraints (“hard”and “soft”). A hard constraint (HC) imposes full visibility for all markers, while a soft constraint (SC) penalizes visibility for specific markers in the beams‐eye‐view. Dose distributions from constrained plans (HC and SC) were compared to the reference nonconstrained (NC) plan using metrics including conformity index (CI), homogeneity index (HI), gradient measure (GM), and dose to 95% of planning target volume (PTV) and organs at risk (OARs). The NC plan produced the best target conformity and the least doses to the OARs for the entire dataset, followed by the SC and HC plans. Using SC plans provided acceptable dosimetric tolerances for both the target and OARs. However, OAR doses may be increased or decreased based on the constrained marker location and number of trackable markers. In conclusion, we demonstrate that visibility constraints can be incorporated into the optimization together with dosimetric objectives to produce treatment plans satisfying both objectives. This approach should ensure greater clinical success when applying real‐time tracking algorithms, using VMAT delivery.
Gold‐Catalyzed Aminoaromatizations of 1,2‐Bis(alkynyl)benzenes with Anthranils to Yield 1‐Amino‐2‐napthaldehyde Products
Authors: Pandit Yashwant Bhaskar , Liu Rai‐Shung 
Published: June 2020

AbstractGold‐catalyzed aminoaromatizations of 1,n‐diynes with anthranils afforded 1‐amino‐2‐napthaldehyde derivatives efficiently. In this reaction sequence, anthranils preferably attack at gold‐coordinated prop‐3‐yn‐1‐ols to generate α‐imino gold carbenes that enable subsequent cyclizations with the other alkynes. Chemical functionalizations of the resulting 1‐amino‐2‐napthaldehydes are presented to manifest the synthetic utility of these reactions.magnified image
Permanganate oxidizable carbon for soil health: Does drying temperature matter?
Authors: Gasch Caley , Mathews Shiny , Deschene Alec , Butcher Kirsten , DeSutter Thomas 
Published: June 2020

AbstractSoil health assessments evaluate and monitor the effects of conservation management on soil properties. A popular measurement, permanganate oxidizable carbon (POXC), is routinely included in these assessments. The standard POXC protocol calls for air‐dried soil samples, but commercial laboratories typically dry samples in a forced‐air oven before routine analysis. In order to evaluate if heat would change POXC measurements, we treated soil (52 silty clay loam and 51 sandy loam samples) with oven drying at 45 and 65 °C and compared their POXC values with those from air‐dried samples. We also examined relationships between POXC values and soil organic matter, pH, and electrical conductivity across drying treatments. Drying soil did not substantially change POXC values for either soil texture and did not change the relationships between POXC and other measured soil properties. This work suggests that commercial laboratories could perform POXC analysis on soil samples dried using heat.
Facile Preparation of WO3−x Dots with Remarkably Low Toxicity and Uncompromised Activity as Co‐reactants for Clinical Diagnosis by Electrochemiluminescence
Authors: Pan Deng , Fang Zhengzou , Yang Erli , Ning Zhenqiang , Zhou Qing , Chen Kaiyang , Zheng Yongjun , Zhang Yuanjian , Shen Yanfei 
Published: June 2020

AbstractThe exceptional nature of WO3−x dots has inspired widespread interest, but it is still a significant challenge to synthesize high‐quality WO3−x dots without using unstable reactants, expensive equipment, and complex synthetic processes. Herein, the synthesis of ligand‐free WO3−x dots is reported that are highly dispersible and rich in oxygen vacancies by a simple but straightforward exfoliation of bulk WS2 and a mild follow‐up chemical conversion. Surprisingly, the WO3−x dots emerged as co‐reactants for the electrochemiluminescence (ECL) of Ru(bpy)32+ with a comparable ECL efficiency to the well‐known Ru(bpy)32+/tripropylamine (TPrA) system. Moreover, compared to TPrA, whose toxicity remains a critical issue of concern, the WO3−x dots were ca. 300‐fold less toxic. The potency of WO3−x dots was further explored in the detection of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) with the most competitive limit of detection so far.
Selective Monofunctionalization Enabled by Reaction‐History‐Dependent Communication in Catalytic Rotaxanes
Authors: Rajappan Sinu C. , McCarthy Dillon R. , Campbell Joseph P. , Ferrell Jonathon B. , Sharafi Mona , Ambrozaite Ona , Li Jianing , Schneebeli Severin T. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractSelective monofunctionalization of substrates with distant, yet equally reactive functional groups is difficult to achieve, as it requires the second functional group to selectively modulate its reactivity once the first functional group has reacted. We now show that mechanically interlocked catalytic rings can effectively regulate the reactivity of stoppering groups in rotaxanes over a distance of about 2 nm. Our mechanism of communication is enabled by a unique interlocked design, which effectively removes the catalytic rings from the substrates by fast dethreading as soon as the first reaction has taken place. Our method not only led to a rare example of selective monofunctionalization, but also to a “molecular if function”. Overall, the study presents a way to get distant functional groups to communicate with each other in a reaction‐history‐dependent manner by creating linkers that can ultimately perform logical operations at the molecular level.
Promoting the dispersibility of silica and interfacial strength of rubber/silica composites prepared by latex compounding
Authors: Sun Ying , Cheng Zhimin , Zhang Ling , Jiang Haibo , Li Chunzhong 
Published: June 2020

AbstractThe dispersibility of precipitated silica and its interfacial interaction with rubber matrix can affect the performances of tires which is a difficult problem to be solved. A well‐dispersed silica dispersion was obtained through ball milling and modification process followed by heat treatment to enhance the properties of NR composites prepared by latex compounding. Benefiting from the modifier Si‐747, the well‐dispersed silica/NR composite (Silica‐MSH‐C) shows excellent tensile strength of 30.8 ± 0.5 MPa, which is 17.6 ± 3.8% higher than latex compounding pure silica/NR composite (Silica‐C) and 21.7 ± 4.3% higher than traditional mechanical blending pure silica/NR composite (T‐Silica‐C). The tan delta values indicate that Silica‐MSH‐C has better dynamic properties and also has stronger interface strength according to swelling tests, heat capacity curves and Mooney‐Rivlin equation. The molecular dynamics (MD) simulation further shows the binding energy between NR and Si‐747 modified SiO2is 58.88 Kcal/mol larger than the value of NR and pure silica.
Variation in training requirements within general surgery: comparison of 23 countries
Authors: Whewell H , Brown C , Gokani V J , Harries R L , Aguilera M L , Ahrend H , Al Qallaf A , Ansell J , Beamish A , Borraez-Segura B , Di Candido F , Chan D , Govender T , Grass F , Gupta A K , Dae Han Y , Jensen K K , Kusters M , Wing Lam K , Machila M , Marquardt C , Moore I , Ovaere S , Park H , Premaratne C , Sarantitis I , Sethi H , Singh R , Yonkus J 
Published: June 2020

Abstract

Background
Many differences exist in postgraduate surgical training programmes worldwide. The aim of this study was to provide an overview of the training requirements in general surgery across 23 different countries.

Methods
A collaborator affiliated with each country collected data from the country's official training body website, where possible. The information collected included: management, teaching, academic and operative competencies, mandatory courses, years of postgraduate training (inclusive of intern years), working-hours regulations, selection process into training and formal examination.

Results
Countries included were Australia, Belgium, Canada, Colombia, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, India, Ireland, Italy, Kuwait, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Sweden, Switzerland, UK, USA and Zambia. Frameworks for defining the outcomes of surgical training have been defined nationally in some countries, with some similarities to those in the UK and Ireland. However, some training programmes remain heterogeneous with regional variation, including those in many European countries. Some countries outline minimum operative case requirement (range 60–1600), mandatory courses, or operative, academic or management competencies. The length of postgraduate training ranges from 4 to 10 years. The maximum hours worked per week ranges from 38 to 88 h, but with no limit in some countries.

Conclusion
Countries have specific and often differing requirements of their medical profession. Equivalence in training is granted on political agreements, not healthcare need or competencies acquired during training.
Sex‐dependent alterations of dopamine receptor and glucose transporter density in rat hypothalamus under long‐term clozapine and haloperidol medication
Authors: Bouvier Marie‐Luise , Fehsel Karin , Schmitt Andrea , Meisenzahl‐Lechner Eva , Gaebel Wolfgang , von Wilmsdorff Martina 
Published: June 2020

AbstractObjectiveSex‐dependent disturbances of peripheral glucose metabolism are known complications of antipsychotic drug treatment. The influence of long‐term clozapine and haloperidol medication on hypothalamus, maintaining aspects of internal body homeostasis, has not yet been completely clarified.MethodsAfter puberty, male and female Sprague Dawley rats were fed orally with ground pellets containing haloperidol (1 mg/kgBW/day) or clozapine (20 mg/kgBW/day) for 12 weeks. The hypothalamic protein expression of dopamine receptors D2R and D4R, melanocortin receptor MC4R, and glucose transporters Glut1 and Glut3 was examined. Glucose, glycogen, lactate, and pyruvate levels were determined, also malondialdehyde equivalents as markers of oxidative stress.ResultsD2R expression was increased in the male haloperidol and clozapine group but decreased in females medicated with clozapine. D4R expression was upregulated under clozapine medication. While females showed increased Glut1, Glut3 was elevated in both male and female clozapine‐medicated animals. We found no changes of hypothalamic malondialdehyde, glycogen, and MC4R. Hypothalamic lactate was elevated in the female clozapine group.ConclusionClozapine sex‐dependently affects the expression of D2R, Glut1, and Glut3. The upregulation of the glucose transporters indicates glucose deprivation in the endothelial cells and consequently in astrocytes and neurons. Increased hypothalamic lactate in females under clozapine points to enhanced glycolysis with a higher glucose demand to produce the required energy. Haloperidol did not change the expression of the glucose transporters and upregulated D2R only in males.
Electrocatalytic NADH Sensing using Electrodes Modified with 2‐[2‐(4‐Nitrophenoxy)ethoxy]ethylthio‐Substituted Porphyrazine/Single‐Walled Carbon Nanotube Hybrids
Authors: Rębiś Tomasz , Falkowski Michał , Milczarek Grzegorz , Goslinski Tomasz 
Published: June 2020

AbstractThe electrochemical properties of a modified electrode covered with 2‐[2‐(4‐nitrophenoxy)ethoxy]ethylthio‐substituted porphyrazine/single‐walled carbon nanotube hybrids were investigated. The electrochemical study revealed that the electrode mechanism is more complex in acidic conditions in comparison to neutral buffer. According to our study, the nitro groups constituting the part of porphyrazine substituents can be electrochemically reduced to the corresponding hydroxylamine moieties; surprisingly, however, the latter can be additionally transformed to o‐aminophenol/o‐iminoquinone groups, but only in acidic conditions. The electrode covered with hybrid material was used in the electrocatalytic oxidation of NADH. According to these results, it seems that after the electrochemical activation of the electrode material, 2‐[2‐(4‐nitrophenoxy)ethoxy]ethylthio‐substituted porphyrazine reveals strong electrocatalytic behavior towards NADH oxidation, owing to the appearance of reversible surface‐anchored o‐aminophenol/o‐iminoquinone intermediate redox couples. In the amperometric determination, the limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) of NADH were calculated and found to be LOD=0.16 and LOQ=0.48 μM. Moreover, the relative standard deviation of the response was 3.32 %, indicating excellent reproducibility. Thus, the novel electrode based on 2‐[2‐(4‐nitrophenoxy)ethoxy]ethylthio‐substituted porphyrazine and single‐walled carbon nanotubes present an interesting opportunity in the fields of electroanalytical and biosensing applications, and can be considered for amperometric NADH determination.
Vanadium‐Substituted Tungstosulfate Polyoxometalates as Peroxidase Mimetics and Their Potential Application in Biosensing
Authors: Saeed Ayad , Umer Muhammad , Yamasaki Naoki , Azuma Shinya , Ueda Tadaharu , Shiddiky Muhammad J. A. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractThis article reports on the peroxidase‐like catalytic activity of polyoxometalates (POMs) and their potential use as natural peroxidases for developing a simple and efficient colorimetric glucose sensor. Two Keggin‐type vanadium‐substituted tungstosulfates, [SVW11O40]3− (SVW11) and [SV2W10O40]4− (SV2W10), were tested for their potential as natural enzyme mimetics and exhibited strong peroxidase‐like catalytic activity. The catalysis reaction was found to be in accordance with Michaelis‐Menten and Lineweaver‐Burk kinetics models. Michaelis‐Menten constant (Km) and maximum velocity (Vmax) parameters were calculated to be 0.0759 mM and 0.329×10−8 Ms−1 for SVW11, and 0.0543 mM and 2.67×10−8 Ms−1 for SV2W10, respectively, indicating a high catalytic activity and a strong affinity of POMs towards 3,3,5,5‐tetramethylbenzidine (TMB). In the case of H2O2, these values were found to be 57.1 mM and 0.325×10−8 mMs−1 for SVW11, and 47.7 mM and 2.72×10−8 mMs−1 for SV2W10. The peroxidase‐like catalytic activity of these POMs was used to develop colorimetric glucose sensors as a proof‐of‐concept model for the POM‐based naked‐eye detection of biomolecules. The limit of detcetion (LOD) of glucose for SVW11 and SV2W10 was 1.14 μM and 1.24 μM, respectively. Our findings propose broad‐ranging potential applications of these novel POMs in biosensing and bioanalytical chemistry.
Precise Macroscopic Supramolecular Assemblies: Strategies and Applications
Authors: Cheng Mengjiao , Shi Feng 
Published: June 2020

AbstractMacroscopic supramolecular assembly (MSA) is a new concept in supramolecular science with a focus on interfacial assembly of macroscopic building blocks, which has largely extended the applicable materials of supramolecular assembly and provided new solutions to fabricating tissue scaffolds, soft devices, etc. The precision of the assembled structures is of great interest; unlike molecular assemblies, MSA precision is highly dependent on the matching degree of assembled surfaces because of the large interactive area and group number, which result in remarkably increased kinetic possibilities and metastable assemblies. This Concept introduces the principle, history, and development of MSA, elaborates the low‐precision challenge in MSA, summarizes the strategies for precise MSA based on the different thermodynamic stability of precise/imprecise structures and control over assembly kinetics, and finally demonstrates the applications of precise MSA structures in advanced manufacture such as tissue scaffolds.