bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Adaptive changes of seminal root and coleoptile length in wild barley (Hordeum vulgare subsp. spontaneum (C. Koch) Thell.) over a period of 23 years in Jordan
Authors: Al-Hajaj Nawal , Harb Amal , Alomari Nawar , Salah Buthinah , Alhasanat Israa , Jarvis Devra , Al-Shamaa Khaled , Ceccarelli Salvatore , Grando Stefania 
Published: August 2023

Abstract

In the context of climate change, drought is a critical challenge that drastically limits the growth and productivity of barley. Seminal roots and coleoptile play an important role in crop establishment and growth. This study assessed the adaptive changes at an early stage of development using a resurrection approach on 40 populations of Hordeum vulgare subsp. spontaneum (C. Koch) that were collected in 1991 and recollected from the same sites in 2014. Significant genetic variability (P < 0.001) was detected for seminal shoot and root traits assessed based on collection sites and with collection-time interactions. All traits except root length showed an increase in broad-sense heritability (h2) and diversity in the population collected in 2014, with root number and first leaf length showing the highest values (68% and 57%, respectively). The two populations diverged into two distinctive structure categories: a conserved structure and an evolved structure. Moreover, the populations revealed a trend in evolution by grouping according to their eco-geographical pattern, such as a better shoot and seminal roots traits expression that allows the plant to respond to increases in drought from the north to the south over time. These results provide useful information on the responses of crop wild relatives to environmental pressures and highlight the importance of in-situ conservation in the context of climate change adaptation and sustainability of crop improvement.
Performance of a winter wheat composite cross population in two temperate agroforestry systems – a Swiss case study
Authors: Hond-Vaccaro Christina den , Mascher Fabio , Six Johan , Schöb Christian 
Published: August 2023

Abstract

In agroforestry systems (AFS), where environmental conditions are highly variable at small spatial scales, the use of uniform genetic material of a single cultivar commonly grown in monoculture cropping might not be optimal. However, the use of composite cross populations (CCPs) that contain an inherent genetic variability might be a promising approach under the environmental variability created by trees in AFS. In this experimental trial, the performance of a CCP (‘CC-2k’) of winter wheat was compared to a commercial variety (‘Wiwa’) in a split-plot design at two AFS (Feusisberg and Wollerau) in Central Switzerland. The factor variety (p < 0.05) and the interactions of site and distance to tree (p < 0.05) and site and variety (p < 0.05) significantly affected wheat yield at the plot level. In Feusisberg, CC-2k and Wiwa yield (across all distances) amounted to 1.9 ± 0.7 Mg ha− 1and 2.0 ± 0.8 Mg ha− 1, respectively, while in Wollerau, to 1.9 ± 0.9 Mg ha− 1and 0.7 ± 0.4 Mg ha− 1, respectively. Wiwa had a higher protein, Fe and Ca content than CC-2k. Therefore, while the CC-2k outperformed Wiwa in terms of yield in one of the two AFS, Wiwa outperformed CC-2k in terms of quality. Thus, the composite cross population might be better adapted to the heterogenous environment of agroforestry systems but fails to reach the high-quality product of modern cultivars. Further improvements in terms of quality might make CCPs a viable option for diversified agricultural systems with larger environmental heterogeneity than common monoculture cropping systems.
Direct Injection Flame Synthesis of Pure and Mg doped Manganese oxide nanoparticles for Enhanced Photocatalytic Activity against Methylene Blue
Authors: Prabhu P. Sivarama , Kathirvel P. , Maruthamani D. , Ram S.D. Gopal 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
In this work, Manganese oxide (α-MnO2) and Magnesium doped Manganese oxide (Mg:MnO2) nanoparticles were synthesized using Manganese (Mn) and Magnesium (Mg) metal powders by the ultrafast single step Direct Injection Flame Synthesis method (DIFS) and successfully tested for ultraviolet (UV) light assisted photocatalytic degradation against a cationic dye (Methylene blue (MB)). Then, utilizing a range of characterization techniques, the synthesized nanoparticles were analyzed. According to the X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses, α-MnO2 and Mg:MnO2 nanoparticles possess pure tetragonal phases, and when Mg is doped with MnO2, their average crystallite size decreases moderately. Raman spectroscopic confirms the active vibration modes of the synthesized nanomaterials and the oxygen vacancy sites created due to the Mg dopant with α-MnO2. From the field emission scanning electron microscopy(FESEM) investigation, both the nanomaterials have regular, crystalline, and nanosphere structures, and the EDX(energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopic) data shows that the prepared sample is free from contaminants. Bandgap of Mg:MnO2 is decreased reasonably by Mg doping and the wavelength dependent absorbance curve had a red shift, which was validated by UV-vis spectroscopic investigation. Mg:MnO2 is around 86%, while the efficiency of MB breakdown by α-MnO2 is found to be 82%. Investigations into the photocatalytic mechanism also show that the roles of OH− and O2− are crucial, whereas the role of h+ is rather low. The ability of the catalyst to be recycled was assessed for five times without noticeably diminishing activity. We believe that our findings, may lead to a novel synthesis of α-MnO2 and Mg:MnO2 nanoparticles for applications in photocatalysis.
Investigating temporal variability and influence of condition on fecundity of spotted wolfish (Anarhichas minor) in Icelandic waters
Authors: Gunnarsson Ásgeir , Kennedy James , Elvarsson Bjarki , Grétarsdóttir Anna 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
To investigate inter- and intra- annual differences in fecundity, the influence of condition on fecundity and time scale of ovary development, 150 female Atlantic wolffish (Anarhichas minor) were sampled in Icelandic waters from 2006–2021. Backwards extrapolation of oocyte size indicates that vitellogenesis begins in December and is likely completed after 8–10 months. There was no evidence of either intra- or inter-annual differences in fecundity, indicating that down-regulation is minimal and that fecundity of spotted wolffish is stable between years. A positive relationship between oocytes size and fish length was detected, while body condition and hepatosomatic index had only a small influence on fecundity in comparison with weight. There was a negative relationship between length and relative fecundity and the exponent of the fecundity–length relationship was lower than exponent of the weight–length relationship. Therefore, total egg production is likely not proportional to the spawning stock biomass of spotted wolffish, and unusually, total egg production would decrease with increasing proportion of larger fish in the population.
Urban-rural differences in the successful aging among the elders in China
Authors: Song Keying , zhao Zijian 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Objectives:
The aim of the present work was to compare successful aging between the Chinese elders living in urban and rural areas using a multidimensional model of successful aging including both biomedical and non-medical components.
Methods:
Using the data of the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey in 2018,a total sample of 7315 men and women living in China urban and rural areas was included after eliminating blank values and unreasonable answers in certain item or index.A successful aging index using 10 attributes and ranging from 0-10 scores was used.The differences of successful aging between urban and rural elderly in China were studied.
Results:
EU had better financial and educational status and scored higher in all social activity parameters except for interacting with friends(p<0.001). EU were more likely to be physically active (p<0.001), had higher adherence to the Mediterranean diet (p<0.001) and were less likely to be smoking (p = 0.018). EU tended to have higher CVD risk factors than ER(p<0.001).Depression score was similar among EU compared to ER (p=0.129). EU was aging significantly more successfully than ER (p<0.001). Men irrespective of location were aging significantly more successfully than women (p<0.001).
Conclusion:
The successful aging of elderly people in China has significant urban-rural differences in various dimensions and the successful aging rate of elderly people in urban areas is higher than that in rural areas.Same conclusion was drawn based on their gender and men were aging significantly more successfully than women.
Genetic control of changes in locomotor activity caused by social experience in Drosophila males
Authors: Bragina Julia V. , Goncharova Anna A. , Besedina Natalia G. , Danilenkova Larisa V. , Kamysheva Elena A. , Kamyshev Nikolai G. 
Published: August 2023

Abstract

Social experience (housing in a unisexual group) modifies locomotor activity in Drosophila. In females, suppression of locomotion occurs only when flies are in aggregations (Kamyshev et al. 2002a), but males retain lowered level of locomotor activity up to 5 days after their separation from a group (Panova et al. 2013). The mechanism of how social experience (housing in a group) affects locomotor activity in Drosophila males is yet unknown. To study the genetic control and clarify the mechanisms of behavioral changes resulted from social experience, we have tested the locomotor activity modifications in various mutants including those with impaired learning/memory, circadian rhythms, some biochemical pathways and sensory systems. Results of the present study show that these changes are not based on learning/memory mechanisms. The dopaminergic system seems to play a principal role in the changes of locomotor activity caused by social experience while the octopaminergic system may modulate them. Also, the dependence of this behavioral modification upon olfactory perception was shown. This implies possible participation of pheromones that should be verified in future researches.
Also, with the same aim we have performed the screening of our collection of mutants carrying random autosomal insertions of PdLtransposon. Five candidate genes playing role in behavioral modifications resulted from social experience were revealed (Dek, Hel89B, RpL41, CG11791 and NaCP60E). The results imply particularly an important role of epigenetic regulation of gene expression in modification of locomotor behavior caused by social experience.
Radar cross-section reduction using digital programmable metamaterials
Authors: Bouras khedidja , Labiad Abdelhadi , Bouzouad Mouloud 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
This paper presents radar cross-section reduction using a digital programmable metamaterials (MTM). The proposed structure is composed of agile unit cells with two different behaviors that can be controlled using an external command system, such as PIN installed in every unit cell. When the diode states are swapped, two types of unit cells are produced. The ON-state is for the absorber type with an absorption rate of 96%, and 180-phase of reflection, and the OFF-state is for the reflector type MTM unit cell with zero-phase reflection. A field-programmable gate array (FPGA) is used to supply binary codes (0/1) to control the diode states (ON/OFF) of the MTM unit cell, and the structure becomes completely coded. By combining these two types in the same structure, we were able to obtain a MTM supercell that can switch between five prototypes (sequences) in which the unit cells are symmetrical, and each prototype has its own working frequency.
Estimation in small areas: a trial on the prevalence of care seeking in case of fever in children under five years of age in 342 communes of Burkina Faso
Authors: BASSINGA Hervé 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Background
Generally caused by pneumonia and malaria, fever in children is one of the early signs easily identified by caregivers. These two diseases are also the leading causes of death among children under five in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). This article proposes estimates of the prevalence of care seeking in the event of fever in children under five at the municipal level, the smallest geographical and administrative entity from which a local development policy can be driven and coordinated by the community.
Methods
The data used were collected during the 2018 malaria multiple indicator survey, those of the general population and housing census of 2019 as well as environmental data. The survey involved 5,489 children under 5 and the census 293,715 children under 5. The estimation approach used is that of Elbers Langjouw and Langjouw (ELL) which consists of combining, in a statistical model, data from several sources, mainly census and survey data, to obtain predictions at a geographical level lower than that of the survey, for indicators that are not measured in the population census. The method does this by finding correlations between common census variables and survey data.
Result
The results reveal communal inequalities in the prevalence of care seeking in case of fever in children under five. Of the 342 municipalities in which estimates have been made, 184 have prevalence below the national average, which is 68%. The commune of Toeni has the lowest prevalence of seeking care in the event of fever among the communes (47.2% with CI= [35.6; 58.7]). The highest prevalence is observed in the municipality of Loumbila with a value of 84.4% [76.6; 92.2].
Contribution
: This article innovates by the analysis approach which is based on several sources of data to offer fine estimates, useful for more effective political action. Estimates at the municipal level will help localize interventions so that they are closer to the needs of the population and assess the effectiveness of programs and policy planning.
Pharmaceutical and Pharmacokinetic Aspects of Nanoformulation Based Drug
Delivery Systems for Anti-cancer Drugs
Authors: Singh Arun Kumar , Bahadur Shiv , Yadav Deepika , Dabas Hunny 
Published: August 2023

Abstract:
Many nanodrug delivery systems used with various routes of administration have been developed recently.
These may be dendrimers, nanocrystals, emulsions, liposomes, solid lipid nanoparticles, micelles, or polymeric
nanoparticles. The nanodrug delivery systems may improve effectiveness, safety, physicochemical qualities,
and pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic profile. Functionalized nanodrug delivery systems can increase
the half-life, improve the bioavailability of orally administered pharmaceuticals, and target tissue distribution.
By decreasing the number of dosage intervals required, increasing the magnitude of the intended pharmacological
effects, and decreasing the severity of undesirable systemic side effects, nanodrug systems show promise
for improving treatment adherence and clinical results. Nanodrugs have been demonstrated to exhibit cytotoxicity,
oxidative stress, inflammation, and genotoxicity in vitro and in vivo; however, this attention has recently
been refocused on their potentially harmful potential owing to their beneficial pharmacokinetic features for the
treatment of cancer. Researchers require a more profound knowledge of the pharmacokinetic and safety aspects
of nanodrugs and the limits of each administration route to continue creating safe and efficacious nanodrugs
with high therapeutic potential. The benefits and risks associated with pharmacokinetics have been highlighted
in this article, which describes the current state of nanodrug system development.
Tetra-azolium Salts Induce Significant Cytotoxicity in Human Colon Cancer Cells In vitro
Authors: Ashraf Muhammad , Kamal Amna , Ahmed Ejaz , Bhatti Haq Nawaz , Arshad Muhammad , Iqbal Muhammad Adnan 
Published: August 2023

Background:
Azolium salts are the organic salts used as stable precursors for generat-ing N-Heterocyclic Carbenes and their metal complexes. Azolium salts have also been reported to have significant biological potential. Hence, in the current study, four tetra-dentate azolium salts were derived from bis-azolium salts by a new synthetic strategy.

Methods:
The tetra azolium salts have been synthesized by reacting the imidazole or methyl imid-azole with dibromo xylene (meta, para)/ 1-bromo methyl imidazole or dibromo ethane resulting in the mono or bis azolium salts namely I-IV. V-VII have been obtained by reacting I with II-IV, re-sulting in the tetra azolium salts. Each product was analyzed by various analytical techniques, i.e., microanalysis, FT-IR, and NMR (1H & 13C). Salts V-VII were evaluated for their antiprolifera-tive effect against human colon cancer cells (HCT-116) using MTT assay.

Results:
Four chemical shifts for acidic protons between 8.5-9.5 δ ppm in 1H NMR and resonance of respective carbons around 136-146 δ ppm in 13C NMR indicated the successful synthesis of tetra azolium salts. Salt V showed the highest IC50 value, 24.8 μM among all synthesized com-pounds.

Conclusion:
Tetra-azolium salts may play a better cytotoxicity effect compared to mono-, bi-& tri-azolium salts.
Exploring Lycopene: A Comprehensive Review on its Food Sources,
Health Benefits and Functional Food Applications
Authors: Gengatharan Ashwini , Che Zahari Che-Nur-Mazadillina , Mohamad Nur-Vaizura 
Published: August 2023

Abstract:
The importance of dietary composition to human health has raised consumer interest in
consuming fruits, vegetables, and foods containing bioactive chemicals and nutraceuticals. Lycopene
belongs to the carotenoids abundantly found in tomato and tomato-based food products. It
also can be present in other types of fruits like watermelon and pink guava. This review aims to
outline the lycopene sources, health benefits, their applications as functional food ingredients and
the challenges to commercialization. It has been reported that dietary lycopene has multifunctional
health activities, including anticancer on various types of cancer, hepatoprotective, neuroprotective,
and bone protective effects identified in clinical and preclinical studies. This is because,
lycopene primarily affects oxidative stress, inflammation, and pathways implicated in carcinogenesis
and cell proliferation. The effects of preparation and processing factors that may impair
the bioavailability of lycopene consumed through diet are addressed in this review. Overall,
lycopene is a valuable natural colourant that can enhance the nutritional value of foods leading to
the development of new functional foods in the food industry.
Characteristics of Fundus Autofluorescence Imaging at 795 nm and its
Correlations with Postoperative Outcomes for Idiopathic Macular Hole
Authors: Zhang Ximei , Yue Huifang , Liu Chenyu , Shi Yuexin , Zhang Yunda 
Published: August 2023

Background:
Vitrectomy combined with internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling or ILM inverted flap greatly improves hole closure and vision prognosis for idiopathic macular holes (IMH). The application of indocyanine green (ICG) in MH surgery increases the visibility of ILM and the safety of surgery. However, the area of ILM peeling and the state of the flap and a closed hole has not been well observed.

Aim:
Fundus autofluorescence at 7935nm can show the range of ILM peeling and the state of the hole site and ILM flap by monitoring residual ICG postoperatively. However, the characteristics of fundus autofluorescence especially the site of the closed hole, and its relationship with vision prognosis have not been explored. The aim of this project was to find the autofluorescence features of the closed hole and their relation with vision.

Objective:
To investigate the characteristics of fundus autofluorescence imaging after ICG-assisted vitrectomy for IMH and to evaluate the correlations of fluorescence patterns at the MH site with visual acuity and macular anatomic outcomes.

Methods:
We retrospectively evaluated 33 IMH patients (33 eyes) who underwent a 25G pars plana vitrectomy (follow-up, 6-14.5 months). ICG staining (2.5 mg/mL) was either used to remove the internal limiting membrane (ILM) or the inverted ILM flap was overlaid on the hole. After surgery, fluorescence imaging of the fundus was obtained using a scanning laser ophthalmoscope at 795 nm.

Results:
On fluorescence imaging, the area of ILM peeling in all eyes showed hypofluorescence with no changes over time. The inverted ILM flap (performed in 18 eyes) was positioned on the inferior retina and exhibited early mild hyperfluorescence with blurred edges. This was gradually enhanced up to 3-6 months postoperatively and was then attenuated. MHs showed two distinct patterns on optical coherence tomography: granular (21 eyes) and patchy hyperfluorescence (12 eyes). Best-corrected visual acuity improved postoperatively in all cases (p<0.001, Z=-4.744). VA was worse in the patchy (vs. granular) hyperfluorescence cases (p=0.011, Z=-2.548).

Conclusion:
The status of the ILM peeling area, ILM flap, and closed MH can be clearly observed using autofluorescence imaging at 795 nm. Fluorescence may be due to ICG staining of the ILM and accumulation in retinal pigment epithelium cells during ICG-assisted surgery. Granular hyperfluorescence at the MH site may indicate good anatomic and visual prognoses.
Quantification of Collagenogenesis in Experimental Early-stage Alcoholic Liver
Fibrosis using Cis-4-[18F]fluoro-L-Proline microPET
Authors: Li Shujing , Chen Hongxia , Pi Liya , Zhang Yingqi , Ali Youseff , Cao Qi 
Published: August 2023

Purpose:
The diagnosis and quantification of early-stage alcoholic liver fibrosis （ALF） are vital and the objective is to establish a noninvasive PET technique to quantify the collagenogenesis of hepatic stellate cells (HSC) in an ALF mouse model.

Methods:
To establish the ALF animal model, a liquid alcohol diet (8 weeks), and CCl4 were injected intraperitoneally at 5-8 weeks. A liquid scintillation counter was used to measure [3H]proline uptake by rats HSC in vitro experiment. Collagen type 1 production was tested by ELISA in a culture medium. The expression of type 1 collagen and proline transporters in ex vivo experiments was compared between ALF rats and mice. Different doses of unlabeled proline and benztropine were ex vivo quantified [3H]proline in liver tissues. Tracer uptake in different organs including the liver in ALF and control mice in vivo was quantified using [18F]fluoro-proline microPET/CT

Results:
The optimal dose and time of [3H]proline uptake by HSC was 19-37MBq/L and 30-90min after culture. Higher [3H]proline uptake and type 1 collagen production in HSC were found in ALF and control rats. There was a high correlation between [3H]proline uptake and type 1 collagen in ALF rats. To cut the costs of tracer usage and imaging in vivo, the mouse-to-rat model was compared. Type 1 collagen levels of ALF mice liver tissue in ex vivo were similar to ALF rats, as was proline transporter protein. Unlabeled proline of type 1 collagen and [3H]proline uptake of ALF mice was blocked by benztropine. In vivo [18F]fluoro-proline PET/CT imaging, SUVmax in the liver, normalized liver/brain and liver/thigh ratio were significantly different between ALF mice and controls and there was a strong positive correlation among these three indexes in ALF mice.

Conclusions:
[18F]fluoro-proline microPET/CT is feasible to quantify collagenogenesis in HSC in early-stage ALF animal models, which may be used as a promising and reliable noninvasive diagnostic technique.