bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Potentials of Constructed Wetland for the Treatment of Wastewater from Cocopeat Production Industry
Authors: S. Lokesh , Parameswari E. , Janaki P. , Jayashree R. , Poorniammal R. 
Published: August 2023

The cocopeat production industry generates a significant amount of wastewater containing high organic loads and chemical residues, posing environmental challenges and economic concerns. This study aims to assess the potential of constructed wetlands as an innovative and sustainable approach for managing coco peat production industry wastewater. An artificial wetland was created and filled with 30% soil, 40% sand, 10% bio and hydrochar, and 20% gravel along with Canna indica was used as the plant component. Three types of hydraulic loading rates were studied: 5 ml/min, 10 ml/min, and 15 ml/min, with a retention time of 7 days.
The results showed that the wastewater contains significant levels of Electrical Conductivity (5.24 – 6.31 dS m-1), Total Dissolved Solids (4190 - 5150 mg/L), Biochemical Oxygen Demand (730 - 818 mg/L), and Chemical Oxygen Demand (1825 – 2045 mg/L). The utilization of artificial wetlands along with Canna indica decreased the pollution loads by 42% of Electrical Conductivity, 41% of Biochemical Oxygen Demand, and Chemical Oxygen Demand, 45% of Total Suspended Solids, and 55% of Total Dissolved Solids.
Based on the above results, constructed wetlands are recognized as a reliable wastewater treatment technique and a good solution for the treatment of coirpith washwater, which is a step towards a greener and more sustainable future. By integrating these natural filtration systems into the wastewater treatment process, industries can foster a harmonious coexistence with the environment, ensuring a balance between economic growth and environmental well-being.
Impact of Nitrogen Levels on the Growth and Medicinal Properties of Periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus) in an Inceptisol of Varanasi, India
Authors: Rani Vanita , Kumar Vipul , Meena Ramawatar , Jain Shreyans Kumar , Birla Devilal 
Published: August 2023

Aims: Periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus), is a perennial herbaceous, belongs to the Apocynaceae family. The medicinal poperties are more economically important than the yield of the plant. Nitrogen is the main nutrient affect the medicinal properties of the plant. The main aim of this study was the evaluation of the effects of nitrogen on growth of the Catharanthus roseus and the presence or absence of alkaloid vinblastine.
Place and Duration of Study: The experiment involved a pot experiment conducted during Rabi season of 2021-2022 in the net house, at Agricultural Research Farm of the Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi.
Methodology: The experiment was laid out in a completely randomized design (CRD) with five nitrogen levels i.e. Control (RDF), 2.5g urea/pot, 5.0g urea/pot, 7.5g urea/pot and 10.0g urea/pot in three replications. Plants fed with recommended dose of P: K (40:40) and nitrogen fertilizer according to treatment.
Results: Higher dose of nitrogen i.e., 10.0 g/urea (T5) showed the greatest increase in plant height, number of branches, flowers per plant and SPAD value while number of leaves per plant was maximum at 2.5 g urea/pot (T2) whereas the lowest growth were exhibited in control treatment (T1). The presence or absence of vinblastine was tasted by Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) and the result showed that at all the levels of nitrogen treatment, vinblastine was present except at control treatment (T1) till a month after transplanting.
Field Screening for Powdery Mildew Resistance (Erysiphe polygoni DC) in Cowpea
Authors: Reddy B. Rajasekhar , Nagendran K. , Pandey Maneesh , Rai N. 
Published: August 2023

Aim: The present study was conducted to identify the cowpea genotypes resistant to powdery mildew.
Study Design: One hundred and nine cowpea genotypes were laid out in Augmented Block Design in a single row plot of 4m length and 60cm distance between the rows.
Place and Duration of Study: In total 109 genotypes of cowpea were screened for powdery mildew under field conditions during winter 2018 and winter 2019.
Methodology: All these genotypes were screened under field conditions along with susceptible line VRCP-1444-5 as infector row.
Results: During winter powdery mildew incidence in cowpea was high under Varanasi conditions when cowpea is under maturity stage. Powdery mildew incidence was severe in winter months especially from second fortnight of November to January. Each genotype was grown in a single row. Scoring was done in 0-5 scale. The genotypes that had shown resistance to powdery mildew during winter 2018 were sown again in 2019 for identifying suitable resistant genotypes. Results showed that, 2 genotypes namely IC202280 and EC528412 were completely free from disease during both the seasons of screening and they falls under the category of immune.
Conclusion: Hence these genotypes may be used as resistant donor for development of varieties/lines resistant to powdery mildew.
A Tally of Computed Tomographic Scan Findings in the Immediate Post-Installation Period in a Rural Based Hospital in Sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Izevbekhai O. S. , Irabor P. F. I. , Eluehike S. U. , Oriaifo B. , Otaigbe O. 
Published: August 2023

Background: The utilization of Computed Tomographic scanners for imaging has gradually evolved in Nigeria since the installation of the first scanner at the University College Hospital, Ibadan in 1989. However, most rural and sub-urban health facilities in Sub-Saharan Africa still lack this all-important modality.
Aim and Objectives: To retrospectively determine the pattern of distribution of CT requests, indications and findings on imaging amongst a small cohort of patients scanned in the immediate post-installation phase of a 32-slice Canon CT scanner.
Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the requests and reports of thirty patients who had undergone CT examinations of different body regions within the first ten days of installation of a 32-slice Aquilion CT scanner at the Radiology department of one of Nigerias’ leading infectious disease hospital (Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital) in Irrua town. The data were retrieved, coded and entered into Microsoft excel spreadsheet and further analysed using SPSS version 21.
Results: Male patients were more than females in an approximate ratio of 2:1. Majority of patients fell within the age range of 18-64 years. Stroke was the commonest indication and accounted for 33.3% of patients imaged. Although, the craniofacial region was the most commonly imaged region for suspected neurological diseases accounting for 20(67%) of patients, the brain was observed to be grossly normal in 7(23.3%) patients. Rhinosinusitis was the commonest finding seen.
Conclusions: Males were the most commonly scanned group, while the craniofacial region was the most imaged region. Neurological disorders and stroke cases together accounted for most CT referrals with stroke being the commonest. Rhinosinusitis and normal brain morphology were the most commonly encountered findings.
In Vitro Acaricidal Effect of Proparacaine HCl on Demodex Folliculorum
Authors: Demirci Göktuğ 
Published: August 2023

Purpose: This research aimed to assess the underlying cause behind the in vitro acaricidal impact of proparacaine HCl on Demodex Folliculorum.
Methods: In accordance with Gao's suggestion we epilated a total of 8 eyelashes 4 from the lower and 4 from the upper eyelid of a patient who applied for blepharitis symptoms to the ophthalmology clinic. We fixated 4 of these eyelashes with classical immersion oil and covered them with a coverslip. We wetted 4 of them with Proparacaine Hydrochloride 5 mg (0.5%) and painted them with Na-fluorescein, and covered them with a coverslip.
Results: When we examined the eyelashes that were wetted with Proparacaine Hydrochloride under the light microscope there was no difference in mobility in the Demodex of the eyelashes at first 15 minutes. After 30 minutes we saw that the creamy lipid-like structure which is seen normally in the middle of the Demodex was saponified in Demodex. The other Demodex samples that were in the immersion oil were still alive.
Conclusions: In this case report, we wanted to evaluate the reason for the acaricidal effect of Proparacaine Hydrochloride a local anesthetic agent on Demodex folliculorum. The idea came true while trying to demonstrate Na-fluorescein uptake of Demodex folliculorum under the microscope after using Proparacaine Hydrochloride5 mg (0.5%) to wet the Na-fluorescein paper and surprisingly we obtained these findings suggesting that it is a substance that may have an anti-acaricidal, anti-demodex effect potential to be a new player for treatment of demodicosis in the future.
Group vs Individual Prenatal Care and Gestational Diabetes Outcomes
Authors: Chen Yixin , Crockett Amy H. , Britt Jessica L. , Zhang Lu , Nianogo Roch A. , Qian Tianchen , Nan Bin , Chen Liwei 
Published: August 2023

ImportanceThe impact of group-based prenatal care (GPNC) model in the US on the risk of gestational diabetes (GD) and related adverse obstetric outcomes is unknown.ObjectiveTo determine the effects of the GPNC model on risk of GD, its progression, and related adverse obstetric outcomes.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsThis is a single-site, parallel-group, randomized clinical trial conducted between February 2016 and March 2020 at a large health care system in Greenville, South Carolina. Participants were individuals aged 14 to 45 years with pregnancies earlier than 21 weeks’ gestational age; follow-up continued to 8 weeks post partum. This study used an intention-to-treat analysis, and data were analyzed from March 2021 to July 2022.InterventionsEligible participants were randomized to receive either CenteringPregnancy, a widely used GPNC model, with 10 group-based sessions or traditional individual prenatal care (IPNC).Main Outcomes and MeasuresThe primary outcome was the incidence of GD diagnosed between 24 and 30 weeks of gestation. The secondary outcomes included progression to A2 GD (ie, GD treated with medications) and GD-related adverse obstetric outcomes (ie, preeclampsia, cesarean delivery, and large for gestational age). Log binomial models were performed to estimate risk differences (RDs), 95% CIs, and P values between GPNC and IPNC groups, adjusting for all baseline covariates.ResultsOf all 2348 participants (mean [SD] age, 25.1 [5.4] years; 952 Black participants [40.5%]; 502 Hispanic participants [21.4%]; 863 White participants [36.8%]), 1176 participants were randomized to the GPNC group and 1174 were randomized to the IPNC group. Among all participants, 2144 (91.3%) completed a GD screening (1072 participants [91.3%] in GPNC vs 1071 [91.2%] in IPNC). Overall, 157 participants (6.7%) developed GD, and there was no difference in GD incidence between the GPNC (83 participants [7.1%]) and IPNC (74 participants [6.3%]) groups, with an adjusted RD of 0.7% (95% CI, −1.2% to 2.7%). Among participants with GD, GPNC did not reduce the risk of progression to A2 GD (adjusted RD, −6.1%; 95% CI, −21.3% to 9.1%), preeclampsia (adjusted RD, −7.9%; 95% CI, −17.8% to 1.9%), cesarean delivery (adjusted RD, −8.2%; 95% CI, −12.2% to 13.9%), and large for gestational age (adjusted RD, −1.2%; 95% CI, −6.1% to 3.8%) compared with IPNC.Conclusions and RelevanceIn this secondary analysis of a randomized clinical trial among medically low-risk pregnant individuals, the risk of GD was similar between participants who received GPNC intervention and traditional IPNC, indicating that GPNC may be a feasible treatment option for some patients.Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02640638
Evaluation and correlation of patient movement during online adaptive radiotherapy with CBCT and a surface imaging system
Authors: Stanley Dennis N. , Covington Elizabeth , Harms Joseph , Pogue Joel , Cardenas Carlos E. , Popple Richard A. 
Published: August 2023

AbstractPurposeWith the clinical implementation of kV‐CBCT‐based daily online‐adaptive radiotherapy, the ability to monitor, quantify, and correct patient movement during adaptive sessions is paramount. With sessions lasting between 20–45 min, the ability to detect and correct for small movements without restarting the entire session is critical to the adaptive workflow and dosimetric outcome. The purpose of this study was to quantify and evaluate the correlation of observed patient movement with machine logs and a surface imaging (SI) system during adaptive radiation therapy.MethodsTreatment machine logs and SGRT registration data log files for 1972 individual sessions were exported and analyzed. For each session, the calculated shifts from a pre‐delivery position verification CBCT were extracted from the machine logs and compared to the SGRT registration data log files captured during motion monitoring. The SGRT calculated shifts were compared to the reported shifts of the machine logs for comparison for all patients and eight disease site categories.ResultsThe average (±STD) net displacement of the SGRT shifts were 2.6 ± 3.4 mm, 2.6 ± 3.5 mm, and 3.0 ± 3.2 in the lateral, longitudinal, and vertical directions, respectively. For the treatment machine logs, the average net displacements in the lateral, longitudinal, and vertical directions were 2.7 ± 3.7 mm, 2.6 ± 3.7 mm, and 3.2 ± 3.6 mm. The average difference (Machine–SGRT) was −0.1 ± 1.8 mm, 0.2 ± 2.1 mm, and −0.5 ± 2.5 mm for the lateral, longitudinal, and vertical directions. On average, a movement of 5.8 ± 5.6 mm and 5.3 ± 4.9 mm was calculated prior to delivery for the CBCT and SGRT systems, respectively. The Pearson correlation coefficient between CBCT and SGRT shifts was r = 0.88. The mean and median difference between the treatment machine logs and SGRT log files was less than 1 mm for all sites.ConclusionSurface imaging should be used to monitor and quantify patient movement during adaptive radiotherapy.
Controlling Electron Mobility of Strongly Coupled Organic Semiconductors in Mirrorless Cavities
Authors: Kaur Kuljeet , Johns Ben , Bhatt Pooja , George Jino 
Published: August 2023

AbstractRecent experiments on the strong light‐matter coupling between an organic semiconductor and a plasmonic mode propose an unconventional way to enhance conductivity. Herein, it is shown that mirrorless cavities can boost conductivity by simply structuring the refractive indices of the multilayers in a commercially available metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET). Perylene diimide (an organic semiconductor dye) molecules are deposited on a MOSFET device. The refractive index mismatch between the silicon/silicon dioxide/dye/air results in light confinement. The frequency of this confined light is tuned by changing the thickness of the organic semiconductor layer. Interestingly, an increase in electron mobility was observed once the electronic transition of the dye molecules and the second‐order cavity mode enter into the strong coupling regime. Whereas resonance tuning to the first‐order mode does not affect the electron transport. Here, the system is still in a weak coupling regime. These results are further correlated by experimental dispersion measurements and supported with transfer matrix simulations. The increase in electron mobility is not large due to high dissipation or low‐quality factors of the cavity modes. However, the mirrorless configuration presented here may offer a simpler way of boosting the properties of functional materials.
Ultra‐Steep‐Slope and High‐Stability of CuInP2S6/WS2 Ferroelectric Negative Capacitor Transistors by Passivation Effect and Dual‐Gate Modulation
Authors: Zhao Lei , Liang Yunshan , Ma Jingyi , Pan Zhidong , Liu Xueting , Yang Mengmeng , Sun Yiming , Gao Wei , Li Bo , Li Jingbo , Huo Nengjie 
Published: August 2023

AbstractFerroelectric negative capacitance transistors (Fe‐NCFETs) have emerged as a promising technology for low‐power electronics and have the potential to continue Moore's law. However, the existing 2D ferroelectric materials are predominantly sulfides or halides, which are susceptible to oxidation or hydrolysis, thereby hindering their commercial production due to concerns related to performance and stability. To address these obstacles, the authors have optimized the Fe‐NCFETs composed of 2D ferroelectric CuInP2S6 and semiconductor WS2 using high‐k Al2O3 passivation and dual‐gate modulation strategy. With atomic layer deposition (ALD) of Al2O3, all‐2D Fe‐NCFETs, operated at a low driven voltage of 0.3 V, achieve much improvement in stability and performance with a high ON/OFF ratio of 109 and minimum subthreshold swing (SS) of 14 mV dec−1, which is attributed to the negative capacitance effect of CuInP2S6 and passivation effect of ALD‐Al2O3. The dual‐gate modulation approach is also implemented to maintain the device stability and enable the improved ON/OFF ratio from 105 to 108, minimum SS of 10 mV dec−1, and an average SS of ≈60 mV dec−1 covering more than five orders of magnitude of current. This work provides a facile and effective strategy for designing all‐2D Fe‐NCFETs with ultra‐steep SS and high stability, showing exciting potential for future low‐power electronic applications.
Semitransparent Organic Solar Cells with Homogeneous Transmission and Colorful Reflection Enabled by an ITO‐Free Microcavity Architecture
Authors: Xiao Linge , Li Yanxun , Zhang Hong , Huang Gaosheng , Cheng Qian , Li Shilin , Zhang Yuan , Zhou Huiqiong 
Published: August 2023

AbstractSemitransparent organic photovoltaics (ST‐OPVs), owing to the merits of high power generation, thermal insulation, and aesthetic features, have become a promising candidate for intellectual building‐ integrated photovoltaic windows. However, the traditional optical evaluation only focuses on the transmission properties and ignores the reflection behaviors. And the lack of quantitative descriptions for array appearance hinders implementation of ST‐OPV based large‐area modules. To tackle with these issues, an indium tin oxide (ITO)‐free optical microcavity architecture into ST‐OPVs for achieving high homogeneity in transmittance with controllable reflective appearances through tunning the thickness of individual component layers is introduced. A set of parameters based on optical characteristics of sub‐units to provide a quantitative description for the transmittance brightness, transmissive and reflective color purity, and versatility of optical arrays, is further proposed. The optical simulations reveal that reflection modulation from blue to red colors can be realized for devices based on various bulk‐heterojunction material systems through regulating the thickness of active layers and antireflection coatings. This work offers a viable design strategy for ST‐OPVs toward applications in next‐generation smart photovoltaic windows.
Macroporous Polymer Cantilever Resonators for Chemical Sensing Applications
Authors: Dąbrowski Marcin , Reculusa Stéphane , Thuau Damien , Ayela Cédric , Kuhn Alexander 
Published: August 2023

AbstractA novel, cost‐effective strategy for sensing performance enhancement of cantilever‐shaped, mass‐sensitive sensors is presented. The developed strategy relies on the introduction of macroporosity in the recognition unit. The developed sensors are successfully applied in air humidity monitoring as well as in chemical sensing. As mass‐sensitive transducers, polymer microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) in the form of poly(vinylidene fluoride‐trifluoroethylene) [P(VDF‐TrFE)] cantilever resonators are specifically developed. These resonators are modified with a hierarchically structured macroporous poly(2,3′‐bithiophene) film, acting as a sensing layer. The design of the recognition layer takes advantage of the synergistic combination of inverse opal structuring, surface imprinting, and semi‐covalent imprinting of proteins. The resulting cantilever resonators are first successfully tested for air humidity monitoring in the whole relative humidity range (ca.10 – 90%). When the recognition layer is composed of human serum albumin‐imprinted polymer (HSA‐MIP) with a hierarchical structure, it can also be used as a selective chemosensor in a concentration range from 10 pM to 20 µM. The obtained results demonstrate that the macroporosity of the receptor film significantly enhances the sensor performance.
Genetic syndromes are prevalent in patients with comorbid neurodevelopmental disorders and catatonia
Authors: Shillington Amelle , Zappia Katherine J. , White Lori , Fosdick Cara , Erickson Craig A. , Lamy Martine , Dominick Kelli C. 
Published: August 2023

AbstractCatatonia occurs at high rates in idiopathic and syndromic neurodevelopmental disorders. At our institution's multidisciplinary catatonia clinic, clinical genetic testing (including microarray, fragile X PCR and methylation, autism/ID expanded panels, and exome sequencing) was commonly completed as part of clinical workup on patients with co‐occurring neurodevelopmental disorders and catatonia (performed in 36/48 cases or 75%). This testing identified a pathogenic or likely pathogenic finding in 15/36 patients (42%). Testing identified a VUS (variant of uncertain significance) in 9/36 patients (25%). On review of the VUS findings, 4/9 were felt to be suspicious and potentially diagnostic. Testing was negative for 12/36 patients (33%). Many of the variants identified in this cohort were found in genes involved in gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glutamatergic synaptic signaling; imbalances of these neurotransmitters are hypothesized to be drivers of catatonia. More work is needed to further characterize the molecular underpinnings of catatonia in the setting of neurodevelopmental disorders, including expanding genetic testing to larger cohorts in the future.
Development of radiation countermeasure agents for acute radiation syndromes
Authors: Guan Bowen , Li Deguan , Meng Aimin 
Published: August 2023

AbstractThe risk of internal and external exposure to ionizing radiation (IR) has increased alongside the development and implementation of nuclear technology. Therefore, serious security issues have emerged globally, and there has been an increase in the number of studies focusing on radiological prevention and medical countermeasures. Radioprotective drugs are particularly important components of emergency medical preparedness strategies for the clinical management of IR‐induced injuries. However, a few drugs have been approved to date to treat such injuries, and the related mechanisms are not entirely understood. Thus, the aim of the present review was to provide a brief overview of the World Health Organization's updated list of essential medicines for 2023 for the proper management of national stockpiles and the treatment of radiological emergencies. This review also discusses the types of radiation‐induced health injuries and the related mechanisms, as well as the development of various radioprotective agents, including Chinese herbal medicines, for which significant survival benefits have been demonstrated in animal models of acute radiation syndrome.
Highly Selective Electrocatalytic Olefin Hydrogenation in Aqueous Solution
Authors: Xing Chengyu , Xue Yurui , Zheng Xuchen , Gao Yang , Chen Siao , Li Yuliang 
Published: August 2023

AbstractSelective hydrogenation of olefins with water as the hydrogen source at ambient conditions is still a big challenge in the field of catalysis. Herein, the electrocatalytic hydrogenation of purely aliphatic and functionalized olefins was achieved by using graphdiyne based copper oxide quantum dots (CuxO/GDY) as cathodic electrodes and water as the hydrogen source, with high activity and selectivity in aqueous solution at high current density under ambient temperature and pressure. In particular, the sp‐/sp2‐hybridized graphdiyne catalyst allows the selective hydrogenation of cis‐trans isomeric olefins. The chemical and electronic structure of the GDY results in the incomplete charge transfer between GDY and Cu atoms to optimize the adsorption/desorption of the reaction intermediates and results in high reaction selectivity and activity for hydrogenation reactions.