bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Exogenous Application of Melatonin-loaded Nanoformulation for Yield Enhancement in Finger Millet (Eleusine coracana) under Drought Condition
Authors: Dheerkadharshini K. , Kalarani M. K. , Djanaguiraman M. , Haripriya S. , Umapathi M. 
Published: August 2022

Aim: To study the performances of melatonin-loaded nanoformulation on growth, yield and yield attributes of finger millet.
Place and Duration of the Study: The pot culture experiment was carried out under glasshouse conditions at the Department of Crop Physiology, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, during the rabi season of 2022.
Methodology: The Experiment was laid out in a completely randomized design (CRD) with four replications, including six treatments: T1: no spray, T2: 60 μM CF of MT, T3: Surfactant alone, T4: 20 μM NF of MT, T5: 40 μM NF of MT, T6: 60 μM NF of MT were used.
Results: Among various melatonin combinations T6: Foliar spray @ 60 µM NF of MT recorded maximum photosynthetic rate, Fv/Fm ratio, antioxidant enzyme activity, and grain yield.
Conclusion: The present study demonstrated that foliar application of melatonin-loaded nanoformulation 60 μM was found to be an effective concentration for reducing drought effect and improving physiological, biochemical, yield and yield attributes in finger millet under drought conditions.
Household Baseline Survey on Indigenous Chicken Production Characteristics and Constraints in Busia and Machakos Counties of Kenya
Authors: Muleke C. I. , Ogali I. , Amanya P. , Mungube E. O. , Bebe O. B. 
Published: August 2022

Aims: To collect preliminary baseline data prior to validation of three climate-smart technologies.
Study Design: A structured questionnaire was employed with participation of actors along the Indigenous Chicken value chain.
Place and Duration of Study: Study was conducted from May 2019 to June 2020 within four (4) Sub-Counties in Busia and Machakos where high Indigenous Chicken populations are found.
Methodology: A total of 160 households were surveyed. Targeted household information was recorded viz: distribution of respondents by village in the Counties; farmer socio-economic factors; flock structure and characteristics; disease and parasite constraints, management practices; disease reporting and communication amongst recruited farmers.
Results: Results revealed that 56.5% of the respondents were male and 43.5% were female wit mean age of 50 years. Most farmers had formal education (97%) and practiced semi extensive poultry farming system (59%). Both indigenous and exotic chicken (62%) were kept for income purposes (82.6%) and only young chicks received feed supplements (55.8%). Newcastle (18.5%) and coccidiosis (16.4%) comprised the two major disease constraints reported. Prevalent bird disease symptoms were diarrhea (24.9%) and coughing (23.1%) while mites (27.9%) and fleas (22.3%) dominated the ecto-parasites. Disease control strategies comprised: vaccines (72.8%), dewormers (44.9%) and ethno-veterinary medicine. Aloe secundiflora and Aloe feroxin, were singled out as locally available and effective means of treating diarrhea (62.9%), respiratory infections (61.9%) and worm control (64.5%). Most Indigenous Chicken farmers (76.8%) failed to report illnesses among their flock and did not access to health services (72.1%). Farmers accessed health information through radio (26.5%) as opposed to mobile phones (1.65%).
Conclusion: Findings of this survey reveal a low-grade free-range poultry system characterized by poor disease control. This scenario calls for targeted efforts by both government and private stakeholders to improve Indigenous Chicken management and help farmers adopt alternative climatic smart disease control interventions.
Bio‐Inspired Imprinting Materials for Biomedical Applications
Authors: Chen Hanxu , Guo Jiahui , Wang Yu , Dong Weiliang , Zhao Yuanjin , Sun Lingyun 
Published: August 2022

AbstractInspired by the recognition mechanism of biological molecules, molecular imprinting techniques (MITs) are imparted with numerous merits like excellent stability, recognition specificity, adsorption properties, and easy synthesis processes, and thus broaden the avenues for convenient fabrication protocol of bio‐inspired molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) with desirable functions to satisfy the extensive demands of biomedical applications. Herein, the recent research progress made with respect to bio‐inspired imprinting materials is discussed in this review. First, the underlying mechanism and basic components of a typical molecular imprinting procedure are briefly explored. Then, emphasis is put on the introduction of diverse MITs and novel bio‐inspired imprinting materials. Following these two sections, practical applications of MIPs in the field of biomedical science are focused on. Last but not least, perspectives on the remaining challenges and future development of bio‐inspired imprinting materials are presented.
Factors correlated with the propensity to use automation and mechanization by the US nursery industry
Authors: Rihn Alicia L. , Velandia Margarita , Warner Laura A. , Fulcher Amy , Schexnayder Susan , LeBude Anthony 
Published: August 2022

AbstractLabor issues are an increasingly important challenge to agriculture operations across various crops, including agricultural firms in food and specialty crop (e.g., ornamental nursery) sectors. The use of technologies to automate production processes is one means to address labor challenges. This study investigates ornamental nursery industry firms' current use of specific automation technologies, including granular fertilizer applicators, foliage pruners, irrigation scheduling, and trikes. Additionally, this study evaluates the correlation between perceived barriers of adoption, firm characteristics, and the US nursery industry's likelihood of adopting automated technologies. A mixed‐mode survey was used to elicit responses from firms. Overall, barriers to adoption include the costs associated with the initial purchase and installation costs. Several firm characteristics and actions to address labor issues are correlated with the use of the automated technologies evaluated in this study. We observed both positive and negative associations between actions to address labor issues and adoption of specific technologies that suggest that decisions are complicated by the firms' production needs, strategies, perceived benefits, and potential return‐on‐investment of the various automation and mechanization. Perceived improvements in product quality from adopting automation technologies are positively correlated with the likelihood of adopting all of the technologies evaluated. [EconLit Citations: D240, J20, O30, Q13].
Tri‐state recyclable multifunctional hydrogel for flexible sensors
Authors: Liu Ruonan , Liu He , Lyu Tong , Chen Kun , Wang Zhaoyang , Tian Ye 
Published: August 2022

AbstractRecent developments in hydrogel functional materials have created opportunities for building flexible sensors with multiple kinetic properties. Despite this, the research of multifunctional hydrogels for sensor applications is still a challenge. Herein, we present a recyclable multifunctional hydrogel synthesized from polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC), glycerin, and borax with three different states (named PHG, PHG‐F, and PHG‐S, respectively). Among them, PHG hydrogels have unique transparency, plasticity, self‐healing, injectability, electrical conductivity and thermal sensitivity, and can be used to detect temperature changes with high accuracy and fast response. PHG‐F hydrogels are obtained by cryogenic freezing of PHG hydrogels, which have strong mechanical properties and toughness (up to 0.66 MPa) and can provide excellent performance for human motion monitoring applications. PHG‐S hydrogels, obtained by swelling of dried PHG hydrogels, have stronger mechanical properties and toughness (up to 1.31 MPa), and high conductivity (up to 2.3 S m−1) obtained by immersion in ionic salt solutions, making them very suitable for strain sensing. The tri‐state and recyclable multifunctional hydrogels we developed might even prove useful for practical/smart materials, wearable devices, soft machines, and biomedical uses.
Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 4A Signaling as a Key Disease Pathway of CD1c+ Dendritic Cell Dysregulation in Systemic Sclerosis
Authors: Servaas Nila H. , Hiddingh Sanne , Chouri Eleni , Wichers Catharina G. K. , Affandi Alsya J. , Ottria Andrea , Bekker Cornelis P. J. , Cossu Marta , Silva‐Cardoso Sandra C. , van der Kroef Maarten , Hinrichs Anneline C. , Carvalheiro Tiago , Vazirpanah Nadia , Beretta Lorenzo , Rossato Marzia , Bonte‐Mineur Femke , Radstake Timothy R. D. J. , Kuiper Jonas J. W. , Boes Marianne , Pandit Aridaman 
Published: August 2022

ObjectiveThis study was undertaken to identify key disease pathways driving conventional dendritic cell (cDC) alterations in systemic sclerosis (SSc).MethodsTranscriptomic profiling was performed on peripheral blood CD1c+ cDCs (cDC2s) isolated from 12 healthy donors and 48 patients with SSc, including all major disease subtypes. We performed differential expression analysis for the different SSc subtypes and healthy donors to uncover genes dysregulated in SSc. To identify biologically relevant pathways, we built a gene coexpression network using weighted gene correlation network analysis. We validated the role of key transcriptional regulators using chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) sequencing and in vitro functional assays.ResultsWe identified 17 modules of coexpressed genes in cDCs that correlated with SSc subtypes and key clinical traits, including autoantibodies, skin score, and occurrence of interstitial lung disease. A module of immunoregulatory genes was markedly down‐regulated in patients with the diffuse SSc subtype characterized by severe fibrosis. Transcriptional regulatory network analysis performed on this module predicted nuclear receptor 4A (NR4A) subfamily genes (NR4A1, NR4A2, NR4A3) as the key transcriptional regulators of inflammation. Indeed, ChIP‐sequencing analysis indicated that these NR4A members target numerous differentially expressed genes in SSc cDC2s. Inclusion of NR4A receptor agonists in culture‐based experiments provided functional proof that dysregulation of NR4As affects cytokine production by cDC2s and modulates downstream T cell activation.ConclusionNR4A1, NR4A2, and NR4A3 are important regulators of immunosuppressive and fibrosis‐associated pathways in SSc cDCs. Thus, the NR4A family represents novel potential targets to restore cDC homeostasis in SSc.
Challenges of oxidative/extractive desulphurization of heavy fuel oil
Authors: Mortezaee Ahmad , Movahedirad Salman , Sobati Mohammad Amin 
Published: August 2022

AbstractOxidative desulphurization (ODS) of heavy fuel oil (HFO) has some challenges such as gum formation and a high level of waste hydrocarbons. Simple calculations show that, assuming dibenzothiophene (DBT) as a representative component of sulphur‐containing components in the cut, about 20% of hydrocarbons are lost within the extraction process. An experimental investigation has been conducted in a three‐neck glass flask with a mechanical stirrer to obtain more insight about the gum formation during ODS of HFO. The gum formation process was investigated in diluted forms of fuel oil. It was observed that the fuel oil converted to the gum increases by decreasing the hydrogen/carbon (H/C) content of the diluting solvents. The main reason for gum formation during ODS is some polymer formation reactions induced by peroxide radicals. At an oxidant to sulphur ratio (O/S) ratio of 0.25, no gum was formed, while at O/S = 5.0, all of the fuel oil was converted to gum. Finally, a simple and efficient extractive desulphurization procedure has been proposed as an alternative method. At the best condition, about 84% desulphurization was obtained with dimethylformamide (DMF) solvent extraction of HFO. It can be assumed as a potential method to use mild mixing conditions with low contact time for extractive desulphurization of HFO on an industrial scale.
On the possible realization of a complex‐order capacitive impedance and its applications
Authors: Elwakil Ahmed , Psychalinos Costas , Maundy Brent , Allagui Anis 
Published: August 2022

SummaryThe fractional‐order Laplace operator
has been used in recent years in many applications including the synthesis of fractional‐order capacitors and inductors as well as in fractional‐order filter design. However, the synthesis and application of fractional‐order impedances with a complex‐order proportional to
have not received similar attention. In this work, we report on the possibility of synthesizing capacitive impedances with complex orders and explain the meaning of such impedances. Applications in realizing a complex order integrator and a complex order high‐pass filter are demonstrated supported by circuit simulation results.
Combination of protein engineering and metabolic engineering to enhance (+)‐nootkatone production in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Guo Jingyan , Zhou Wei , Li Yuanyi , Qin Weichuang , Wei Dongzhi , Wang Fengqing , Gao Bei 
Published: August 2022

AbstractThe introduction of heterologous pathways into microorganisms for high‐level synthesis of valuable compounds would be extremely meaningful. However, the endogenous heterologous pathway conversion point frequently serves as a bottleneck that limits product synthesis. (+)‐Nootkatone is an important functional sesquiterpenoid with a unique grapefruit flavor, which is frequently used as a fragrance. The low catalytic efficiency of the valencene synthase CnVS, the first heterologous enzyme in the biosynthesis of (+)‐nootkatone, is the major challenge that restricts the production of (+)‐nootkatone in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. In this study, we modified CnVS on the basis of the catalytic environment and mechanism of the enzyme. The residue M560 involving in alkyl transfer during substrate cyclization was found to affect activity. By tuning the residue, mutant M560L exhibited a 60% increase in the unit cell yield of (+)‐valencene, which is the precursor of (+)‐nootkatone. Furthermore, multistep strategies of metabolic engineering were employed that transferred the metabolic flux to the target product synthesis pathway and displayed the superimposed effect of metabolic and protein engineering on (+)‐nootkatone yield. Finally, multicopy integration of tHMG1 and ERG20ERG20‐GSG‐CnVSM560L boosted the production of (+)‐nootkatone to 85.43 mg/L in flask and 804.96 mg/L (5.29 mg/[L h]) in bioreactor. In conclusion, this study presents a paradigm for constructing microbial cell factories using a combination of protein and metabolic engineering in S. cerevisiae.
Clinical and radiomic features for predicting the treatment response of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation in major neurocognitive disorder: Results from a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Lu Hanna , Chan Sandra Sau Man , Ma Sukling , Lin Cuichan , Mok Vincent Chung Tong , Shi Lin , Wang Defeng , Mak Arthur Dun‐Ping , Lam Linda Chiu Wa 
Published: August 2022

AbstractImage‐guided repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) has shown clinical effectiveness in senior adults with co‐occurring depression and cognitive impairment, yet the imaging markers for predicting the treatment response are less investigated. In this clinical trial, we examined the efficacy and sustainability of 10 Hz rTMS for the treatment of depression and cognitive impairment in major neurocognitive disorder (NCD) patients and tested the predictive values of imaging‐informed radiomic features in response to rTMS treatment. Fifty‐five major NCD patients with depression were randomly assigned to receive a 3‐week rTMS treatment of either active 10 Hz rTMS (n = 27) or sham rTMS (n = 28). Left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) was the predefined treatment target. Based on individual structural magnetic resonance imaging scans, surface‐based analysis was conducted to quantitatively measure the baseline radiomic features of left DLPFC. Severity of depression, global cognition and the serum brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) level were evaluated at baseline, 3‐, 6‐ and 12‐week follow‐ups. Logistic regression analysis revealed that advanced age, higher baseline cognition and randomized group were associated with the remission of depression. Increased cortical thickness and gyrification in left DLPFC were the significant predictors of clinical remission and cognitive enhancement. A 3‐week course of 10 Hz rTMS is an effective adjuvant treatment for rapid ameliorating depressive symptoms and enhancing cognitive function. Pre‐treatment radiomic features of the stimulation target can predict the response to rTMS treatment in major NCD. Cortical thickness and folding of treatment target may serve as imaging markers to detect the responders. ChiCTR‐IOR‐16008191, registered on March 30, 2016.
Insight into the heat transfer across the dynamics of Carreau fluid subject to inclined Lorentz force conveying tiny particles and motile gyrotactic microorganisms: The case of stratification
Authors: Fatunmbi E. O. , Animasaun I. L. , Oke A. S. , Salawu S. O. 
Published: August 2022

AbstractSequel to the usefulness of exploration of Carreau fluid flow for understanding the nature of the shear thinning and thickening characteristics of industrial fluids and polymer suspensions, nothing is known on the heat transfer across the dynamics of Carreau fluid subject to three kinds of stratification (i.e., thermal, concentration, and diffusion of motile microorganisms). In this article, the motion mentioned above when inclined Lorentz force, haphazard motion of tiny particles, thermophoresis, and motile gyrotactic microorganisms are significant is presented, explored, and deliberated upon. Similarity transformation variables were employed to reduce the model from partial to ordinary differential equations. The Runge–Kutta–Gill methodology was used in conjunction with the shooting method and MATLAB bvp4c to obtain the numerical solution. It is worth concluding that thermal stratification and wall heating/temperature ratio terms promote heat transmission while increasing the size of the Weissenberg number and the mixed convection parameter lowers the skin friction coefficient. Furthermore, it has been shown that when stresses grow, viscosity promotes the deformation of fluid components, resulting in fluid velocity retardation.
Influence of fluid inlet–outlet on hydrothermal evaluation for different serpentine mini‐channel heat sink configurations
Authors: Al‐Hasani Hayder Mohammed , Freegah Basim 
Published: August 2022

AbstractIn the current study, numerical and experimental investigations of the hydrothermal performance of three configurations of a serpentine mini‐channel heat sink (MCHS) were conducted. The outcome of one inlet with two outlets has been studied for two new models, namely, A and B, and compared with the traditional MCHS model. Model A has a central side single inlet, then the channel is directly split and the two outlets are on the other side. In Model B, the single side inlet passes to the other side, and then it splits and the outlets are on the same inlet side. The numerical solution is obtained by using the commercial ANSYS Fluent 2020 R2 under laminar flow conditions. The current study's numerical results were compared and validated with the experimental results of the traditional model. The results reveal that the total performance factor has considerably improved, according to the findings for the model (A and B). The average total hydrothermal performance for Model B is 1.48 and for Model A is 1.53 as compared to the traditional MCHS. However, the temperature distribution, maximum base temperature, Nusselt number, and thermal resistance of Model B are best as compared to Model A.
The transmission mechanism analysis of the impact of economic policy uncertainty on household consumption
Authors: Gu Yanwei , Jiang Guancheng , Liang Xiao 
Published: August 2022

AbstractEconomic policy uncertainty is proven to have an important effect on household consumption. However, the literature on its transmission mechanism and on comparing the consumption response of urban and rural households, especially in China, is limited. In this paper, we propose two channels through which economic policy uncertainty affects household consumption, the precautionary saving channel and the investment‐employment channel. Then, we use the household survey data (China Health and Nutrition Survey) to explore the heterogeneous effect among urban and rural households. We verify that an increase in economic policy uncertainty can significantly reduce household consumption through both channels. Further, the precautionary saving channel is more important in the urban household sample, while the investment‐employment channel is more pronounced in the rural household sample. In addition, the heterogeneous effect also exists across households in different regions. Our results are robust with consideration of different estimation methods, the lagged effect of the uncertainty, and other characteristics of households.
Hypomethylation of the opioid receptor delta 1 gene combined with high opioid receptor delta 1 protein levels indicates increased risk of gout
Authors: Ying Ying , Li Xiaoke , Chen Yong 
Published: August 2022

AbstractBackgroundThe purpose of this study was to identify biomarkers for the diagnosis of gout in Chinese Han males using methylation microarray profiling.MethodsWe screened for differentially methylated genes (DMGs) in gout using a methylation microarray and analyzed the functions of the DMGs using gene ontology (GO) analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis. We verified gene methylation levels by pyrosequencing and protein levels by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs). Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS. Two‐sided p values <0.05 were deemed to be statistically significant for all analyses.ResultsWe identified 20,426 significant differential methylation sites (5719 high‐methylation sites and 14,707 low‐methylation sites). Bioinformatics analysis showed that the DMGs were mainly involved in 43 biological functions, 13 cellular components, 18 molecular functions, and 35 KEGG pathways. We selected opioid receptor delta 1 (OPRD1) for verification of methylation levels between 50 gout patients and 50 controls. The methylation levels of OPRD1 (Chr1:29,139,121) were significantly lower in the gout group (p < 0.05), while OPRD1 protein levels were significantly higher in the gout group (p < 0.05). In addition, the AUC of the combination of OPRD1 (Chr1:29,139,121) methylation and OPRD1 protein levels was 0.796 (0.710, 0.883) with a high sensitivity of 82% and a specificity of 68% (p < 0.001).ConclusionsThe combination of OPRD1 (Chr1:29,139,121) hypomethylation and high levels of OPRD1 protein is a potential biomarker for gout diagnosis.
On a wave equation with singular dissipation
Authors: Sebih Mohammed Elamine , Wirth Jens 
Published: August 2022

AbstractIn this paper we consider a singular wave equation with distributional and more singular non‐distributional coefficients and develop tools and techniques for the phase‐space analysis of such problems. In particular we provide a detailed analysis for the interaction of singularities of solutions with strong singularities of the coefficient in a model problem of recent interest.