bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
In vitro Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Leaves of Jeffreycia zeylanica Using the Egg Albumin Denaturation Method and Human Red Blood Cell Stabilization Method
Authors: Samaraweera Thummini , Samaraweera Thumuli , Senadeera Nimesha N. , Ranaweera Chathuranga B. 
Published: November 2023

Aims To investigate the in vitro anti-inflammatory activity of aqueous, methanol, dichloromethane (DCM), and hexane extracts of Jeffreycia zeylanica leaves extracts. In vitro protein (egg albumin) denaturation method and in vitro human red blood cell (HRBC) membrane stabilization methods were used to evaluate the anti-inflammatory activity of the leaf extracts.
Methodology Plant leaves were collected, washed, air dried, and obtained crude plant material. Cold maceration was used to extract the plant materials. Aqueous, methanol, DCM, and hexane were used as solvents for maceration. Diclofenac sodium was used as the positive control for the evaluation.
Results In the egg albumin denaturation method, the positive control diclofenac sodium indicated an IC 50 value of 179.2 µg/ml and R2 of 0.9979. Similarly, hexane leaf extract suggested an IC 50 value of 154.9 µg/ml and R2 of 0.9114. P values for all the extracts were P<0.05 indicating that there’s a strong correlation between plant extract concentration and % inhibition of egg albumin denaturation. According to the IC 50 values and R2 value hexane extract indicated the highest potential anti-inflammatory activity. In the HRBC membrane stabilization method, the positive control diclofenac sodium indicated an IC 50 value of 77.05 µg/ml and R2 of 0.9929 similarly DCM leaf extract indicated an IC 50 value of 154.0 µg/ml and R2 of 0.9787. P values for all the extracts were P<0.05 indicating that there’s a strong correlation between plant extracts concentration and % protection of RBC membrane. According to the IC 50 values and R2 value DCM extract indicated the highest potential anti-inflammatory activity.
Conclusion Hexane leaf extract indicated the highest potential anti-inflammatory activity for the egg albumin denaturation method meanwhile DCM leaf extract indicated the highest potential anti-inflammatory activity for the HRBC membrane stabilization method, evidencing that nonpolar or less polar secondary metabolites of the plant leaves can contribute more to the plant’s anti-inflammatory activity.
Occurrence, Distribution and Farmers' Perceptions of Cassava Diseases in Gabon, Central Africa
Authors: Armel Mouketou , Dyana Ndiade Bourobou , Armel Koumba Aubin , Clotilde Abessolo Meye , Claude Gnacadja , Roland Zinga Koumba Christophe , Hendrix Mbeng Ndong , Léotard Sima Owono Rochat , Nicaise Lepengué Alexis , François Mavoungou Jacques 
Published: November 2023

Aims: In order to identify and assess the level of cassava diseases in farms present in Gabon, disease surveys were carried out across the country in 2021 and 2022.
Methodology: The method used is based on administration of questionnaire to cassava growers, supplemented by the recognition of disease symptoms on 30 randomly selected plants in farms.
Results: Some 201 cassava growers were interviewed, 84.04% (n=169) of them were women and 15.92% (n=32) men. Nearly 65.41% of the farmers interviewed had a primary school education and were aged between 51 and 55. The majority of these producers had farming as their main activity (89.73%). The results showed the occurrence of five cassava diseases in the study area: cassava mosaic (Im = 60.22%; Sm = 2.95), anthracnose (Im = 19.45%; Sm = 3), leaf necrosis (Im= 9.95%; Sm = 2.71), bacteriosis (Im = <1%; Sm = 3), and root rot (Im = <1%; Sm = 2.61). Among these diseases, mosaic was the most frequently observed in the provinces surveyed. Its incidence was lowest in Estuaire (38.40%) and highest in Ogooué-Ivindo (71.36%) and Ogooué-Maritime (71.76%). Anthracnose incidence was lowest in Moyen-Ogooué (4.05%) and highest in Haut-Ogooué (36.50%). For leaf necrosis, Woleu-Ntem (0.71%) and Ogooué-Ivindo (31.11%) recorded the lowest and highest incidence respectively.
Conclusion: In order to control these cassava diseases, it is important to initiate and implement awareness campaigns and training workshops for growers to encourage them to adopt good farming practices.
Genome Sequencing in Field Crops: Unlocking Agricultural Potential
Authors: Gupta Rishabh , Verma Anuj Kumar , Yadav Harikant , Gupta Ajeet Kumar , Srivastava Aman , Singh Jay , Kumar Prem , Maurya Alok Kumar 
Published: November 2023

Genome sequencing has revolutionized agriculture by providing crucial insights into the genetic make-up of field crops. This paper explores the importance of genome sequencing in unlocking the agricultural potential of various field crops. By sequencing the DNA of crops such as wheat, maize, rice, and soybean researchers are gain a comprehensive understanding of their genetic diversity, disease resistance and yield-enhancing traits. This knowledge enables the development of precision breeding strategies, leading to the creation of high-yielding, stress-tolerant and nutritionally enhanced crop varieties. In addition, genome sequencing is facilitating the identification of key genes involved in plant-microbe interactions and adaptation to environmental stressors. Such knowledge can inform sustainable agricultural practices, reduce chemical inputs and increase crop resilience in the face of climate change. This paper highlights the transformative impact of genome sequencing on crop improvement, food security and global agricultural sustainability.
Genetic Variability, Heritability and Genetic Advance Studies in Diverse Genotypes of Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.)
Authors: Dwary Swarnendu , Dukpa Pinkey , Gaikwad Mohit , Thapa Umesh , Kumar Pushpendra , Yeasmin Samima 
Published: November 2023

The present experiment was conducted utilizing sixteen diverse genotypes of tomato in the autumn-winter season of 2022-23 for assessing the genetic variability, heritability and genetic advance for different growth, reproductive and yield attributes. Analysis of variance revealed significant differences among all the genotypes for all the characters. High degree of genetic variability was observed for all the traits that showed the traits were suitable for selection for further breeding purposes. GCV was higher than PCV for all the characters under study.High PCV accompanied by high GCV was recorded for fruit yield per plant (kg) and fruit yield per plot (kg), number of clusters per plant, plant height (cm), number of primary branches per plant, number of fruits per plant, locule number, average fruit weight (g), number of flower per cluster, however the difference between the PCV and GCV was paltry, which indicating the high contribution of genetic component in phenotypic expression of these characters that provide higher selection efficiency. High heritability along with low genetic advance was observed for, days to first flowering, days to first fruit setting, days to 50% flowering, fruit equatorial diameter (mm), polar diameter (mm), locule number, number of fruits/plantand fruit yield / plant (kg), whereas low heritability with low genetic advance was revealed for pericarp thickness (mm) and no of primary branches/plant which suggests that these traits are highly influenced by the environmental effects and governed by the non-additive gene action, hence selection would not be effects for these particular traits. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance (GA) was recorded for average fruit weight (g) andplant height (cm) which indicates the presence of additive gene action; hence selection could be employed for these traits and provide the opportunity for higher selection response.
Effect of Intercropping and Crop Arrangement on Yield and Yield Components of Late Season Maize and Cowpea in the Upland of Njala Soil Series Southern Sierra Leone
Authors: Nyande Ashadu , George Melvin S. , Kassoh Fayia A. , Bah Alieu M. 
Published: November 2023

A field study was conducted during the 2014 late cropping season (October) in the upland, at the School of Agriculture (SOA). SOA is located on an elevation of 5m above sea level on latitude 806N and longitude 1206W of the equator. The study aims to determine the effect of intercropping and crop arrangement on yield and yield component of late-season maize and cowpea production in the upland of Njala soil series, Kori chiefdom, Moyamba District, Southern Sierra Leone. The experiment had five treatments, sole maize crop, sole cowpea crop, intercrop 1 (spacing of 40 cm between rows of maize and cowpeas), intercrop 2 (spacing of 20cm between rows of maize and cowpeas), and intercrop 3 (Both crops were randomly planted). The experimental design used was a randomized complete block design and the experimental plots were replicated three times. There were significant differences in mean Fresh biomass weight, Leaf number, and Days to 50%. Sole maize yielded the highest maize grain weight, yield components, and other growth parameters (Plant height, Leaf area, Leaf number, and Stem girth).
Sole cowpea yielded the highest cowpea grain weight, yield components, and other growth parameters (Plant height, lateral branches, Leaf area, and Leaf number). Among the intercrops, intercrop 1 yielded the highest grain weight, yield components, and other growth parameters for intercrops. The LER of intercrop 1&2 was above 1.0 indicating that the land utilization efficiency for maize-cowpea intercropping was more advantageous than for sole cropping.
Comparative Optimisation of the Cutting Parameters for Surface Quality and Energy Efficiency during the Machining Manufacturing of Teak, Saligna and Pine Wood Materials
Authors: Tayisepi Nicholas , Svosve Rindai , Tigere Godfrey , Mnkandla Albert Nkulumo , Mapindu Innocent 
Published: November 2023

The rapid increase in electricity demand has resulted in the nation and state governments enforcing and implementing various forms of energy conservation conversations as well as seeking alternative energy sources in order to meet demand of the production sector. Manufacturing Industries of wood materials, in modern day trends, are principally focused on the achievement of highest quality products and quality planed surface generation at minimum input factor of resources such as machining energy. In wood artifacts manufacturing practice, the appropriateness of the cost-quality-time matrix normally depend on supreme selection of cutting parameters for the operation. Machining response factors, such as generation of smooth wood surface roughness is a vital metric of the product quality, granted it significantly influence the performance of machined wood parts, affects how the machined component will interact with the environment as well as impacting on the artifact production costs. Energy use optimisation, in order to continue and enhance competitiveness in business operations, is a prime priority concern for the modern day wood machining manufacturing industry. The challenges of ever increasing energy prices, against mounting demand for more energy demanding machinery, increasing pressure from environmentalists and increasing nation state legislation, for reduced energy generation prompted environmental pollution, mean that manufacturers are expected to pay more money and attention towards energy use reduction. Thus, it is imperative, during machining process planning of wood materials, to determine the optimum cutting parameters combination which fosters easy and economical machining which simultaneously deliver good surface quality at reduced energy consumption. This Taguchi design of experiment study analysed and comparatively optimised the cutting parameters of three wood species in order to realise consistent surface quality at minimum energy use during the planing machining of Pine, Saligna and Teak materials. Analysis of variance showed the dominant factors influencing the respective response parameters whilst the optimum cutting conditions were established with the aid of the main effects plot of the signal to noise ratio.
Magnetic Fiber Robots with Multiscale Functional Structures at the Distal End
Authors: Fan Jiahao , Ren Shuaiqi , Han Bing , He Ruokun , Zhang Zhiang , Han Qingqing , Yang Xiaosheng , Wang Hesheng , Ma Zhuo‐Chen 
Published: November 2023

AbstractMagnetic fiber robots have revealed great potential for future minimally invasive robotic surgery. However, with the miniaturization of fiber robots, the integration of functional microtools at the distal end becomes extremely challenging, since it requires assembling multifunctional structures on the curved surfaces of fiber ends, which typically have very small curvature radii. In this study, a submillimeter fiber robot with integrated micro‐manipulation tool at the distal end is reported using a “Swiss roll” assembly strategy. This approach enables the one‐step assembly of multiscale structures (mm‐µm) from a 2D film to a 3D tool on the curved surface of the fiber robot. The multiscale structure consists of a millimeter‐scale (mm) magnetic thin film with integrated micrometer‐scale (µm) feature structures, which is inspired from the cat tongue covered by numerous little papillae. The fiber robot can perform multiple functions including endovascular clot grabbing, liquid delivery, and sampling under the manipulation of the magnetic field. The strategy provides a universal protocol for integrating and assembling functional components at the distal end of fiber robots, contributing significantly to the functionalization and miniaturization of interventional medical robots.
Tumor‐Activated Prodrug with Synergistic Anti‐Stemness Chemical and Photodynamic Therapies
Authors: Xiong Jianhua , Wang Xiaoyu , Kim Jaewon , Gong Jiankang , Mao Zhiqiang , Kim Jong Seung , Liu Zhihong 
Published: November 2023

AbstractPhotodynamic therapy (PDT) has received extensive attention as a promising cancer treatment approach. Still, challenges to in vivo photodynamic therapy have existed for decades. First, the “always on” nature of conventional photosensitizers will cause damage to normal tissues thereby limiting the treatment efficiency of PDT. Second, the hypoxic TME protects cancer stem cells (CSCs) deeply harbored in the center of tumors from PDT administration, thus contributing to the recrudescence and metastasis of tumors. Herein, a ROS‐triggered self‐immolative therapeutic prodrug (Mu‐PS) is reported, comprising of an activatable photosensitizer, an indomethacin (IMC) part, and a ROS‐responsive trigger, for the anti‐stemness chemical and photodynamic therapy of tumors. Intriguingly, Mu‐PS can target the tumor and selectively release the photosensitizer and IMC upon the activation of TME‐related ROS, generating massive phototoxic 1O2 to kill most non‐CSCs tumor cells under the action of PDT and block the growth of CSCs by IMC, hence, it multiplies the therapeutic index. Noteworthy, the anti‐stemness mechanism of IMC in tumors is confirmed and elucidated for the first time. Overall, this study introduces a self‐immolatative prodrug for combined CSCs‐involved chemical therapy and activatable PDT for tumors and provides a design paradigm of prodrug for the precise prognosis and treatment of tumors.
A Lightweight Neural Network for Spectroscopic Ellipsometry Analysis
Authors: Zhu Pengfei , Zhang Di , Niu Xin , Liu Jinchao , Ren Mengxin , Xu Jingjun 
Published: November 2023

AbstractEllipsometry is a widely used technique in thin film characterizations. To extract the optical properties of the films from the measured data, regression data fitting techniques have been developed that iteratively find a set of optical parameters that best fit the observations. However, this iterative process often faces challenges in converging to the correct solution, and it can be time‐consuming. To address these issues, an 8‐bit quantized lightweight method of neural network analysis for spectroscopic ellipsometry are proposed. This method features compact neural network modules to enhance speed and efficiency. The effectiveness of the approach through experimental verification is validated on a diverse range of material films, including metals, semiconductors, and dielectrics. The approach is fully automatic and lightweight, which offers a new perspective on balancing predictive accuracy with limited computational resources. This method holds the potential to achieve automatic, rapid, and high‐throughput optical characterization of films, facilitating real‐time quality monitoring for repeatable high‐precision film manufacturing.
Boosting Performance of Self‐Powered Near‐Infrared Organic Spectral Detector Through Metal–Dielectric Microcavity
Authors: Zhu Hanbo , Liu Tianyu , Jia Ziyan , Chen Xu , Xu Xuehui , Jin Peng , (Michael) Yang Yang 
Published: November 2023

AbstractMiniaturized spectrometers that are absent of bulky dispersive optical elements have received more and more attention. However, most of these advancements have been demonstrated in the visible spectrum. Among the various near‐infrared (NIR) absorbers, organic donor–acceptor blends exhibit a distinctive red‐shifted intermolecular charge‐transfer (CT) state absorption, allowing for the detection of NIR photons below the distinct molecular band edge. Nevertheless, the sub‐bandgap absorption cross‐section has been rather limited. In this study, this challenge is addressed by integrating a metal–dielectric (M–D) microcavity into a prototype (PM6:Y6) model system, with a band‐edge positioned at 869 nm. As a result, an amplified narrowband detection, demonstrating an external quantum efficiency of ≈26% at 905 nm is achieved. Furthermore, the manipulation of the cavity lengths enables easy fine‐tuning of the narrowband spectral response within the 850–960 nm range. Leveraging a spectrum reconstruction algorithm, a spectral detector with 10 nm resolution under a zero bias, validating the potential of utilizing sub‐bandgap CT state absorption for efficient narrowband detectors and micro‐spectrometers is obtained.
Multiple‐Resonance‐Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy in 2D‐Material‐Capped Tapered‐Fiber Microcavity
Authors: Yao Yao , Zhao Chen , Li Xiaoze , Fang Honghua , Jiang Yijian , Yan Yinzhou 
Published: November 2023

AbstractPlasmon‐free surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) assisted by charge‐transfer (CT) resonance in semiconductors has drawn considerable attention in the past decades due to the extraordinary advantages in chemical stability and homogeneity. Unfortunately, the weak confinement of excitation light in semiconductor nanostructures and 2D materials, due to either their limited refractive indexes or atomic thickness, results in the Raman enhancement by nonmetallic SERS substrates significantly lower than the noble ones. Here a novel plasmon‐free SERS probe is reported by a tapered optical fiber (TOF) coated with monolayer‐MoS2 (ML‐MoS2), where the TOF‐supported whispering‐gallery modes (WGMs) simultaneously regulate multiple‐resonance processes, i.e., excitonic resonance, molecular resonance, charge‐transfer resonance and fluorescence resonance energy transfer processes, in the ML‐MoS2 and analytes. The contribution of the four processes promoted by WGM to enhancement factor of Raman intensity (EFRI) is quantitatively determined by four dye molecules with different energy levels. The Raman enhancement mechanism of WGM‐promoted multiple‐resonances is therefore revealed, for the first time. The maximum EFRI is up to 1.8 × 109 for the limit of detection (LoD) down to 10−14 M. The ML‐MoS2/TOF SERS probes also demonstrated their outstanding feasibility and stability facilitating to trace detection in microdroplets for practical applications in future.
Closed‐Loop Optogenetic Modulation of Neural Activities in Freely Moving Mice with Multimodal Fibers
Authors: Du Minghui , Zheng Jiajun , Huang Yicong , Wang Xiaoli , Qi Yankun , Qiu Jianrong , Huang Lu , Ren Chaoran , Yu Zhuliang , Zhou Shifeng 
Published: November 2023

AbstractThe precise manipulation of neural activity is of great significance to reveal the function of complex neural circuits in brain, especially the mechanism of neurological disorders such as epilepsy, Parkinson's, and Alzheimer's disease. In the past decades, optogenetics has become a powerful tool to investigate the function of neural circuits due to its unique advantages of cell specificity and high spatiotemporal resolution. However, to date, most optogenetic manipulation has been conducted in an open‐loop fashion. The closed‐loop neural modulation is still an important task. Here, a closed‐loop optogenetic modulation system is developed for ultra‐fast, ‐accurate, and ‐stable manipulation of neural activities in behaving mice. Specifically, this system is mediated by a functional fiber probe with excellent low optical loss (0.052 dB cm−1 at 589 nm) and electrical impedance (5.40 MΩ µm−2 at 1 kHz). In vivo electrophysiology and behavioral experiments demonstrated that the system can be successfully applied for the identification and intervention of seizures in epilepsy mice with high efficiency. It is envision that the closed‐loop manipulation system has promising applications in brain science, neuroscience, and neuromodulation therapies.
Polymer Cross‐Linking Strategy Enables High Performance and High Mechanical Stability Flexible Quasi‐2D Perovskite Light‐Emitting Diodes
Authors: Li Ting , Gao Yanbo , Wu Yanjie , Lu Min , Hu Junhua , Zhang Yu , Wu Zhennan , Bai Xue , Yan Fengping 
Published: November 2023

AbstractFlexible perovskite light‐emitting diodes (f‐PeLEDs) have become one of the important candidates for lighting and display in wearable electronic devices due to their high flexibility and portability. However, the device performance of f‐PeLEDs is much lower than that of rigid devices, mainly due to the lack of mechanically stable perovskite films with good optoelectronic properties. In this work, a multifunctional strategy is proposed to obtain f‐PeLEDs with increased mechanical stability and optoelectronic performance. The polylactic acid (PLA) polymer with high flexibility is first incorporated into a quasi‐two‐dimensional (quasi‐2D) film, which undergoes in situ cross‐linking and forms a polymer cross‐linking network in a quasi‐2D film. Moreover, C═O functional groups in PLA can coordinate with unsaturated Pb2+ sites to efficiently passivate defects in perovskite films. The excellent flexibility of PLA and dynamic physical cross‐linking sites between PLA and the perovskite lattice enhance mechanical stability and still exhibit stable optical properties after repeated bending. Finally, the champion external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 15.94% is successfully implemented and maintains an initial EQE of over 60% after 10 000 bending cycles with a curvature radius of 3 mm. Therefore, the well‐designed cross‐linking strategy provides an efficient strategy for manufacturing stable f‐PeLEDs.