Search

Abstract Plant-based agricultural systems rely heavily on inorganic nitrogen (N) fertilizers to increase yields and ensure food security for the rapidly growing global population. However, the production and overuse of synthetic fertilizers lead to significant amounts of greenhouse gas emissions, causing a critical need for the development of alternative and sustainable organic N fertilizers. Here, we demonstrate the effective use of lysed and dried bacterial biomass from the marine purple photosynthetic bacterium Rhodovulum sulfidophilum as an alternative source of N fertilizer for the cultivation of Japanese mustard spinach (komatsuna, Brassica rapa var. perviridis). To assess the suitability of this processed bacterial biomass, containing approximately 11% N, as a N fertilizer, we examined the effects of its application on plant germination and growth (measured by leaf chlorophyll, maximum leaf length, and dry weight) under two different temperature regimes, comparing it to that of a conventional N-containing mineral fertilizer. Application at rates up to four times that of the mineral fertilizer had no negative effects on seed germination and plant growth. The bacterial biomass had to be applied at approximately twice the rate of mineral fertilizer to obtain similar plant growth parameters, roughly corresponding to the predicted 62% rate of mineralization of the bacterial N. Our findings confirm the ability of plants to take up N from the lysed and dried biomass of marine purple photosynthetic bacteria, demonstrating the potential for using R. sulfidophilum as a source of N fertilizer.

Farm households along the coastlines of Myanmar and Vietnam are becoming increasingly vulnerable to flooding, saltwater intrusion, and rising sea levels. There is little information available on the relative vulnerability of men- and women-headed households, and the governments of Myanmar and Vietnam have not identified or implemented any adaptive measures aimed specifically at vulnerable peoples. This study aims to fill these gaps and assess the relative climate change vulnerability of men- and women-headed farm households. This study considers 599 farm households from two regions of Myanmar and 300 households from Thua Thien Hue province of Vietnam for the period 2021–2022. We offer a livelihood vulnerability index (LVI) analysis of men- and women-headed farm households using 46 indicators arranged into seven major components. The aggregate LVI scores indicate that farm households in Myanmar are more vulnerable (scores of 0.459 for men and 0.476 for women) to climate-related natural disasters than farm households in Vietnam (scores of 0.288 for men and 0.292 for women), regardless of the gender of the head of household. Total vulnerability indexing scores indicate that women-headed households are more vulnerable than men-headed households in both countries. Poor adaptive capacity and highly sensitive LVI dimensional scores explain the greater vulnerability of women-headed farm households. The findings also highlight the importance of the adaptive capacity components reflected in the LVI analysis in reducing farm households’ vulnerability.

Perfluorooctanesulfonic (PFOS) acid is a persistent anthropogenic organic fluorinated compound ubiquitous in industrial applications and is resistant to conventional wastewater treatment methods. Human exposure to PFOS can cause adverse health effects. In this study, a low-content titanium dioxide (TiO2) photocatalyst coated on glass beads was synthesized through a simple method and showed improved activity and durability. This material exhibited easy recovery and potential for large-scale applications. The efficacy of the TiO2 nanoparticle-deposited glass beads’ (TiO2@GBs) photocatalyst in treating PFOS contaminants in wastewater was explored, demonstrating its ability to promote photocatalytic reactions to break down PFOS into shorter chain byproducts. The study employed the response surface method (RSM) using the Box–Behnken design (BBD) to optimize treatment conditions at a PFOS concentration of 0.1 mg/L. Investigated factors included pH (4–9), TiO2 dosage (0.11–0.53 g/L), and irradiation time (4–8 h). Design-Expert 12 software was used to plan and optimize the experiments. Fifteen experiments were conducted, and triplicate runs occurred at the center points of the experimental plan. ANOVA and Fisher’s test yielded an F value of 73.88 (p

Traumatic rupture of the thoracic aorta is a rare condition, with a high mortality rate. Over the last 2 decades, strategies for managing aortic injury caused by blunt chest trauma have changed substantially, resulting in significantly improved outcomes. The recent development of endovascular repair offers a less invasive alternative to conventional open repair, particularly in patients with multiple injuries. Here, we report the case of a 31-year-old man who was referred to our emergency department with blunt chest trauma following a motorcycle-truck collision. Computed tomography confirmed acute traumatic rupture of the thoracic aorta, and the patient was successfully treated with endovascular repair.

Background: The methylation of Ubiquitin Carboxyl Terminal Hydrolase 1 (UCHL1) gene’s promoter has been reported as the etiological factor of nasopharyngeal tumorigenesis. Purpose: This study is designed to establish a protocol for detecting methylation of UCHL1 gene’s promoter in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) in a Vietnamese population. Materials and methods: 10 samples of NPC biopsy tissues and 10 samples of non-cancerous swabs were collected from the local hospital. Chloroform/Phenol method and Nested-MSP assays were established to detect methylation of a target gene. Results: The isolated DNA reached purity and high concentration which were confirmed by the method of absorbance measurement at 260nm and 280nm. Additionally, the Nested-MSP products of methylation or unmethylation were analyzed and visualized in the agarose gel with the band of 169bps and 210bps, respectively. By sequencing, it was confirmed that the two sets of primer could distinguish the status of methylation and unmethylation of UCHL1 gene’s promoter. Conclusion: Our data suggested that the current protocol could successfully identify the status of methylation and/or unmethylation of UCHL1 gene’s promoter.

The objective of this study is to examine the relationship between corporate social responsibility (CSR) and job performance through the mediating role of job attitudes. In addition, the moderating role of organizational reputation is also considered. Based on stakeholder theories, signaling theory, social exchange theory, and social identity theory, a research model has been developed. Data has been collected from 636 employees working in SMEs in Vietnam to provide empirical evidence. Research results showed that corporate social responsibility has made a positive contribution to improving job performance and this relationship was partially mediated by job attitudes. In addition, organizational reputation strengthened the positive connection between CSR and job attitudes. Finally, the study suggested some managerial implications to help leaders have appropriate policies to improve employees’ job performance.

Sternal cleft is a rare congenital chest wall deformity, with a reported incidence of 1 in 100,000 live births, accounting for less than 1% of all chest wall deformities. Patients with sternal clefts can be asymptomatic; however, most cases have recurrent respiratory infections and cosmetic disfigurement. Therefore, surgical correction of this deformity is still necessary to address cosmetic issues, assuage parental concerns, and prevent repeated respiratory infections caused by paradoxical breathing patterns. Here, we report a case of complete sternal cleft associated with pectus excavatum that was successfully treated with sternal reconstruction and pectus bar insertion.

Children with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) often experience executive dysfunction, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms and poor social skills, however, the nature of the relationships between these domains in children with NF1 is unclear. This study investigated these relationships using primary caregiver ratings of executive functions, ADHD symptoms and social skills in children with NF1. Participants were 136 children with NF1 and 93 typically developing (TD) controls aged 3–15 years recruited from 3 multidisciplinary neurofibromatosis clinics in Melbourne and Sydney, Australia, and Washington DC, USA. Mediation analysis was performed on primary outcome variables: parent ratings of executive functions (Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function, Metacognition Index), ADHD symptoms (Conners-3/Conners ADHD Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders Scales) and social skills (Social Skills Improvement System-Rating Scale), adjusting for potential confounders (full scale IQ, sex, and social risk). Results revealed significantly poorer executive functions, elevated ADHD symptoms and reduced social skills in children with NF1 compared to controls. Poorer executive functions significantly predicted elevated ADHD symptoms and poorer social skills. Elevated ADHD symptoms significantly mediated the relationship between executive functions and social skills problems although did not fully account for social dysfunction. This study provides evidence for the importance of targeting ADHD symptoms as part of future interventions aimed at promoting prosocial behaviors in children with NF1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the oxidation of quinmerac herbicide initiated by HO• radical was investigated using quantum chemistry and kinetic calculations. Three oxidation processes, namely radical adduct formation (RAF), formal hydrogen transfer (FHT), and single electron transfer (SET), were studied in aqueous media at the M06–2X/6–311 + +G(3df,3pd)//M06–2X/6–31 +G(d,p) level of theory. The results illustrated that the RAF reactions were more likely to occur during the oxidation process, followed by FHT, and SET was found to be a negligible pathway. Branching ratio calculations showed that the HO•-addition to C7 of the benzyl ring was the predominant pathway, followed by the H-abstraction at the methyl group. The rate constant was evaluated as a function of temperature (283−333 K) and pH (0−14). The highest reaction rates were obtained at low pH (0−1) and high temperature (333 K) conditions (i.e. , 9.36 × 108 M−1s−1). Quinmerac can exist in the environment from a few seconds to several years, depending on conditions. The ecotoxicity prediction illustrated that quinmerac and its degradation products are not harmful and non-bioaccumulative substances to aquatic organisms. However, they have developmental toxicity but no mutagenic toxicity. [Display omitted] • HO•-initiated degradation of quinmerac has been studied in various aqueous media. • HO•-addition to C7 of the benzyl ring is the most feasible pathway in the oxidation. • Overall reactions are favorable at low pH (0−1) and high temperature (333 K). • Short quinmerac lifetimes are observed with [HO•] concentration of 10−9 mol L−1. • Quinmerac have developmental toxicity but no mutagenic toxicity to aquatic organisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sternal cleft is a rare congenital chest wall deformity, with a reported incidence of 1 in 100,000 live births, accounting for less than 1% of all chest wall deformities. Patients with sternal clefts can be asymptomatic; however, most cases have recurrent respiratory infections and cosmetic disfigurement. Therefore, surgical correction of this deformity is still necessary to address cosmetic issues, assuage parental concerns, and prevent repeated respiratory infections caused by paradoxical breathing patterns. Here, we report a case of complete sternal cleft associated with pectus excavatum that was successfully treated with sternal reconstruction and pectus bar insertion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Memory strategy training for older adults helps maintain and improve cognitive health but is traditionally offered face-to-face, which is resource intensive, limits accessibility, and is challenging during a pandemic. Web-based interventions, such as the Online Personalised Training in Memory Strategies for Everyday (OPTIMiSE) program, may overcome such barriers., Objective: We report on OPTIMiSE's feasibility, acceptability, and efficacy., Methods: Australians aged ≥60 years reporting subjective cognitive decline participated in this single-arm pre-post web-based intervention. OPTIMiSE is a 6-module web-based program offered over 8-weeks with a 3-month booster. It has a problem-solving approach to memory issues, focusing on psychoeducation about memory and aging, knowledge and practice of compensatory memory strategies, and personalized content related to individual priorities. We examined the feasibility (recruitment, attrition, and data collection), acceptability (recommendation to others, suggestions for improvement, and withdrawal reasons), and efficacy (change in goal satisfaction, strategy knowledge and use, self-reported memory, memory satisfaction and knowledge, and mood; thematic content analysis of the most significant change; and the application of knowledge and strategies in daily life) of OPTIMiSE., Results: OPTIMiSE was feasible, demonstrated by strong interest (633 individuals screened), a satisfactory level of attrition (158/312, 50.6%), and minimal missing data from those completing the intervention. It was acceptable, with 97.4% (150/154) of participants agreeing they would recommend OPTIMiSE, the main suggestion for improvement being more time to complete modules, and withdrawal reasons similar to those in in-person interventions. OPTIMiSE was also efficacious, with linear mixed-effects analyses revealing improvements, of moderate to large effect sizes, across all primary outcomes (all P<.001): memory goal satisfaction (Cohen d after course=1.24; Cohen d at 3-month booster=1.64), strategy knowledge (Cohen d after course=0.67; Cohen d at 3-month booster=0.72) and use (Cohen d after course=0.79; Cohen d at 3-month booster=0.90), self-reported memory (Cohen d after course=0.80; Cohen d at 3-month booster=0.83), memory satisfaction (Cohen d after course=1.25; Cohen d at 3-month booster=1.29) and knowledge (Cohen d after course=0.96; Cohen d at 3-month booster=0.26), and mood (Cohen d after course=-0.35; nonsignificant Cohen d at booster). Furthermore, the most significant changes reported by participants (strategy use, improvements in daily life, reduced concern about memory, confidence and self-efficacy, and sharing and shame busting with others) reflected the course objectives and were consistent with themes arising from previous in-person interventions. At the 3-month booster, many participants reported continued implementation of knowledge and strategies in their daily lives., Conclusions: This feasible, acceptable, and efficacious web-based program has the potential to enable access to evidence-based memory interventions for older adults worldwide. Notably, the changes in knowledge, beliefs, and strategy use continued beyond the initial program. This is particularly important for supporting the growing number of older adults living with cognitive concerns., Trial Registration: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12620000979954; https://tinyurl.com/34cdantv., International Registered Report Identifier (irrid): RR2-10.3233/ADR-200251., (©Kerryn Pike, Carl I Moller, Christina Bryant, Maree Farrow, Duy P Dao, Kathryn A Ellis. Originally published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research (https://www.jmir.org), 20.04.2023.)