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The fields of biomedicine and catalysis have both shown a great deal of interest in copper oxide nanoparticles (CuONPs). Green synthesis methods are being frequently employed to develop highly active CuONPs. This research investigates the potential photocatalytic and antibacterial applications of two CuONPs that were synthesized utilizing extracts from Dillenia indica (D‐CuONPs) and Mikania micrantha (M‐CuONPs) leaves. Analysis using electron microscopy revealed that CuONPs are uniformly spherical and average size around 15 nm. The development of single‐phase CuONPs with a monoclinic structure is shown by X‐ray diffraction studies. The FTIR peaks at 695 cm−1 and 860 cm−1 represent a stretching of Cu−O, signifying the formation of CuO nanostructure. The EDX profiles stated that the CuONPs are correlated with compliantly intensified Cu and O signals. Under solar irradiation, around 90 % of congo red (CR) dye was degraded by both CuONPs in 120 min, with the rate constants of 0.0187 and 0.0174 min−1, respectively. Furthermore, CuONPs have excellent antibacterial activity against bacteria belonging to both Gram classes. Overall, CuONPs hold great potential for inhibiting the growth of pathogenic bacteria and for degrading organic dyes in the presence of sunlight. As such, they can be manufactured on a large scale using plant sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Smallholder farmers in developing nations face multifaceted challenges as they strive to secure fair prices for their agricultural products. With a primary focus on bolstering sustainable agricultural value chains (SAVC), this conceptual paper investigates the transformative potential of Financial Technology (FinTech) solutions. The study synthesizes insights from prior research on SAVC, hurdles faced by smallholder farmers, conventional strategies, and the untapped prospects offered by FinTech solutions in the agricultural sector. Utilizing the PRISMA strategy for comprehensive documentation retrieval, the study underscores the significance of creating a robust SAVC to empower smallholder farmers within the broader value chain landscape. It is found that Agri‐FinTech solutions represent a pivotal avenue for advancing living standards and cultivating agricultural sustainability in developing nations. The integration of FinTech solutions for agri‐credit mechanisms and product market facilitation catalyzes enabling pre‐production financing and ensures fair prices for smallholder farmers in the post‐production phase while neutralizing the value chain's exploitation potential. The study advocates for the expeditious adoption of information technology in developing countries, spotlighting the transformative role of Mobile Financial Services (MFS), which fortifies the agriculture sector, ensuring its resilience and responsiveness to the evolving demands of a globalized market. Drawing upon an evaluation of existing literature on FinTech‐enhanced agricultural initiatives in developing nations, the study outlines directions for future research and creates a path for a more nuanced understanding of the strategic enhancements necessary to fortify the SAVC, fostering a sustainable and equitable ecosystem for smallholder farmers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AF9 (MLLT3) and its paralog ENL(MLLT1) are members of the YEATS family of proteins with important role in transcriptional and epigenetic regulatory complexes. These proteins are two common MLL fusion partners in MLL‐rearranged leukemias. The oncofusion proteins MLL‐AF9/ENL recruit multiple binding partners, including the histone methyltransferase DOT1L, leading to aberrant transcriptional activation and enhancing the expression of a characteristic set of genes that drive leukemogenesis. The interaction between AF9 and DOT1L is mediated by an intrinsically disordered C‐terminal ANC1 homology domain (AHD) in AF9, which undergoes folding upon binding of DOT1L and other partner proteins. We have recently reported peptidomimetics that disrupt the recruitment of DOT1L by AF9 and ENL, providing a proof‐of‐concept for targeting AHD and assessing its druggability. Intrinsically disordered proteins, such as AF9 AHD, are difficult to study and characterize experimentally on a structural level. In this study, we present a successful protein engineering strategy to facilitate structural investigation of the intrinsically disordered AF9 AHD domain in complex with peptidomimetic inhibitors by using maltose binding protein (MBP) as a crystallization chaperone connected with linkers of varying flexibility and length. The strategic incorporation of disulfide bonds provided diffraction‐quality crystals of the two disulfide‐bridged MBP–AF9 AHD fusion proteins in complex with the peptidomimetics. These successfully determined first series of 2.1–2.6 Å crystal complex structures provide high‐resolution insights into the interactions between AHD and its inhibitors, shedding light on the role of AHD in recruiting various binding partner proteins. We show that the overall complex structures closely resemble the reported NMR structure of AF9 AHD/DOT1L with notable difference in the conformation of the β‐hairpin region, stabilized through conserved hydrogen bonds network. These first series of AF9 AHD/peptidomimetics complex structures are providing insights of the protein–inhibitor interactions and will facilitate further development of novel inhibitors targeting the AF9/ENL AHD domain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Food packaging is a multidisciplinary field that includes food science, chemistry, engineering materials sciences and microbiology. Food packaging has sparked great interest in protecting the freshness and quality of foods and their raw materials from oxidation and microbial spoilage. Nanotechnology, especially electrospinning, has shown promising results in fabricating sophisticated food packaging materials. The current paper aims to review, highlight, discuss and challenge the latest electrospun food packaging studies. We will not only summarize the studies but also challenge the applied methods, materials and results. Moreover, we offer a more practical point of view regarding the industrial translation of electrospun food packaging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The establishment, development and abandonment and/or destruction of ancient civilizations were catalytically controlled by geomorphic features such as lakes and rivers and the climate. This paper examined the possible influence of tectonism and climate on six habitations of the ancient Vaigai River Basin civilization in South India, using multiple proxies such as grain size, geochronology and geochemistry of the sedimentary archives. The tectonic setting of the basin changed between the active margin and passive margin; the discriminant diagrams suggested varying provenance and changing climatic conditions over the mid‐ and‐late Holocene. Tectonic activism and quiescence, base‐level change in the channel morphology led to the burial/marooning of the first habitation surface. Overall, arid conditions were punctuated with catastrophic flooding and peak discharge (flood) destroyed the second, third and fourth habitation sites. These flooding events were characterized by moderate weathering (CIA) and high values of Al, Fe and Rb/Sr and low Ca/Mg in the sediment records. The abandonment/destruction of the fifth habitation also occurred during an arid interval (droughts), possibly caused by weak monsoon. Along with the interactions between tectono‐climatic and fluvial geomorphic factors, the new results provided avenues to (a) check and recognize the archives for 8.2 and 4.2 ka‐like events in this part of the world, and (b) the utility of integrated analyses to constrain on the civilizational histories of the mankind. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aims: Irrational antibiotic (AB) usage poses a serious concern to third‐world countries because of poor surveillance, lack of information, and patients' propensity for self‐medication. Additionally, the unpredictability of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic promoted the abuse of ABs, which accelerated the prevalence of antibiotic resistance (ABR). The primary aim of this study was to assess the pattern of AB usage and irrational use of ABs‐related potential factors associated with ABR among the students and teachers of a leading public university of Bangladesh. Methods: A cross‐sectional web‐based survey was conducted among the students and teachers (n = 783) of the selected university, from January 1 to February 28, 2022. Descriptive statistics, χ2 test, and logistic regression analysis were employed to analyze the collected data. Results: The regression analysis supported that male participants had a 34% lower experience of acquiring ABR than female respondents (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 0.66, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.448, 0.973; p = 0.036). The 1st/2nd‐year level students had more than two times higher experience with ABR than the master's or higher‐class students (AOR = 2.149, 95% CI = 1.047, 4.412; p = 0.037). The participants who took ABs for 4–6 days showed more than two times ABR experience than those who took ABs for above 10 days (AOR = 2.016, 95% CI = 1.016, 4.003; p = 0.045). Respondents who finished their AB medication (dose completion) had a 57% less chance of acquiring ABR than the participants who did not complete their dose. Conclusion: This study found that irrational use of ABs is more prevalent among the youth and female participants. At this stage, there is an urgent need for comprehensive statutory AB control rules, as well as measures for appropriate information, education, and surveillance throughout different groups of Bangladesh. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The phospholipase A and acyltransferase (PLAAT) family is composed of three isoforms in mice (PLAAT1, 3, and 5), all of which function as phospholipid‐metabolizing enzymes exhibiting phospholipase A1/A2 and acyltransferase activities. Plaat3‐deficient (Plaat3−/−) mice were previously reported to show lean phenotype and remarkable hepatic fat accumulation under high‐fat diet (HFD) feeding, while Plaat1−/− mice have not been analyzed. In the present study, we generated Plaat1−/− mice and investigated the effects of PLAAT1 deficiency on HFD‐induced obesity, hepatic lipid accumulation, and insulin resistance. After HFD treatment, PLAAT1 deficiency caused a lower body weight gain compared to wild‐type mice. Plaat1−/− mice also showed reduced liver weight with negligible hepatic lipid accumulation. In accordance with these findings, PLAAT1 deficiency improved HFD‐induced hepatic dysfunction and lipid metabolism disorders. Lipidomics analysis in the liver revealed that in Plaat1−/− mice, the levels of various glycerophospholipids tended to increase, while all classes of lysophospholipids examined tended to decrease, suggesting that PLAAT1 functions as phospholipase A1/A2 in the liver. Interestingly, the HFD treatment of wild‐type mice significantly increased the mRNA level of PLAAT1 in the liver. Furthermore, the deficiency did not appear to elevate the risk of insulin resistance in contrast to PLAAT3 deficiency. These results suggested that the suppression of PLAAT1 improves HFD‐induced overweight and concomitant hepatic lipid accumulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plain carbon steels of five different carbon contents up to eutectoid composition have been provided with the conventional full annealing treatment. Qualitative and quantitative studies of the microstructure are carried out using optical microscopy and field emission scanning electron microscopy techniques. Even under similar cooling rate pertaining to the full annealing treatment (furnace cooling); microstructural modifications of individual microconstituents are feasible with varying chemistry (carbon content) of plain carbon steel. The refinement of microstructure for both proeutectoid α‐ferrite and pearlite is found to be accentuated with increasing carbon content of annealed steels till eutectoid composition. Hall‐Petch type relationship explains adequately the relationship between hardness and the size of the microconstituent both in terms of the grain size of proeutectoid α‐ferrite and the interlamellar spacing of pearlite. Henceforth an empirical relationship is developed for the first time taking into account the rule of mixture to correlate overall hardness, carbon content, grain size of proeutectoid α‐ferrite and interlamellar spacing of pearlite. The empirical relationship originated thereby is found to closely match the experimental results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrospinning is an inexpensive room‐temperature method of producing nanofibers from polymer granules. While it is quite easy to produce electrospun nanofibers, it is very difficult to control properties of the resulting fibers without conducting laborious trial‐and‐error experiments. In this work, a mass‐spring‐damper (MSD) model was used to simulate formation of electrospun fibers for different combinations of electrospinning conditions such as voltage, needle‐to‐collector distance, and polymer concentration. The sparse data from the CPU‐intensive MSD model were then used in developing a deep neural network (DNN) model that could guide the electrospinning experiment toward producing fibers with a desired diameter. The accuracy of the MSD‐DNN hybrid model was examined via comparison with experimental data obtained by electrospinning polyurethane fibers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of substituted benzimidazoles were synthesized by condensing o‐phenylenediamine with aromatic aldehydes in water using surfactants as catalyst. Mono and disubstituted benzimidazoles were formed preferentially with benzalkonium chloride and sodium dodecyl sulfate respectively. In silico molecular docking study revealed that 1‐(4‐chlorobenzyl)‐2‐(4‐chlorophenyl)‐1H‐benzo[d]imidazole bound strongly with delta, mu and kappa opioid receptors with binding scores of −9.4, −8.7 and −9.9 Kcal/mol respectively. This derivative also possessed highest binding (−9.0 Kcal/mol) against tubulin (binding score of albendazole was −6.4 Kcal/mol). The molecule also showed potential antibacterial activity with MIC50 ranging 16–128 μg/ml in in vitro antibacterial assay. Two benzimidazole derivatives showed powerful interaction with cyclooxygenase‐1 and cyclooxygenase‐2 (−8.1 and −8.9 Kcal/mol respectively) indicating their high analgesic and anti‐inflammatory potentials. All the compounds produced significant binding (−5.2 to −8.2 Kcal/mol) towards urate oxidase, glutathione reductase and peroxiredoxin. Monosubstituted derivative 4‐(1H‐benzo[d]imidazol‐2‐yl)phenol displayed superior binding (−6.5 Kcal/mol) with glucosamine 6‐phosphate synthase compared to ciprofloxacin (−6.3 Kcal/mol). In PASS analysis, monosubstituted derivatives demonstrated significant drug‐like potential (Pa>0.7). Hence, the synthesized benzimidazole derivatives can be used as potential leads for developing new drugs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fragility of cancer cells at the time of mitosis has served as an important target for the development of many successful chemotherapeutic agents. Many cancers cells have supernumerary centrosomes that they cluster during mitosis to form bipolar spindles. Inhibition of centrosome clustering in these cells results in multipolar spindle formation and apoptotic cell death, providing an opportunity to selectively target a subset of cancers with centrosome amplification. In the current work, we report synthesis of 29 novel tethered biaryls and biological evaluation of their ability to inhibit centrosome clustering in breast cancer cells (BT‐549). We have identified N‐benzhydryl‐5‐nitrofuran‐2‐carboxamide (5 h) as a centrosome declustering compound. 5 h has potent antiproliferative activity in centrosome amplified BT‐549 cells with GI50 value of 1.81±0.19 μM (n=2). Treatment of BT‐549 cells with 5 h causes centrosome declustering resulting in mitotic arrest due to multipolar spindle formation and misaligned chromosomes which ultimately leads to apoptotic cell death. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT The versatile application of metal‐based nanoparticles has led to a recent rise in interest in the low‐cost and eco‐friendly green chemistry‐based development of metal oxide nanoparticles. This work focuses on the photocatalytic and antibacterial uses of the zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) that were produced based on a green approach employing stem extract of Piper chaba. The formation of ZnONPs was preliminary validated by the appearance of an absorption band at 373 nm and a stretching band due to ZnO at 480 cm−1 in UV–Vis and FTIR spectrum, respectively. The crystalline nature of ZnONPs with a hexagonal wurtzite phase and an average crystallite size of 25 nm was validated by XRD analysis. ZnONPs' crystalline nature was further supported by TEM, which further showed that they were mostly cubic in form and had an average length of 30 nm. Synthesized ZnONPs demonstrated significant antibacterial activity against Salmonella typhi, Vibrio cholerae, Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus and lucrative photocatalytic activity with the rate constant value of 0.0273 min−1 towards the degradation of methylene blue under sunlight exposure. Therefore, a facile, affordable, and ecologically sustainable method like this might be used for the large‐scale synthesis of ZnONPs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antiprotozoal drug nitazoxanide (NTZ) has shown diverse pharmacological properties and has appeared in several clinical trials. Herein we present the synthesis, characterization, in vitro biological investigation, and in silico study of four hetero aryl amide analogs of NTZ. Among the synthesized molecules, compound 2 and compound 4 exhibited promising antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli (E. coli), superior to that displayed by the parent drug nitazoxanide as revealed from the in vitro antibacterial assay. Compound 2 displayed zone of inhibition of 20 mm, twice as large as the parent drug NTZ (10 mm) in their least concentration (12.5 µg/ml). Compound 1 also showed antibacterial effect similar to that of nitazoxanide. The analogs were also tested for in vitro cytotoxic activity by employing cell counting kit‐8 (CCK‐8) assay technique in HeLa cell line, and compound 2 was identified as a potential anticancer agent having IC50 value of 172 µg which proves it to be more potent than nitazoxanide (IC50 = 428 µg). Furthermore, the compounds were subjected to molecular docking study against various bacterial and cancer signaling proteins. The in vitro test results corroborated with the in silico docking study as compound 2 and compound 4 had comparatively stronger binding affinity against the proteins and showed a higher docking score than nitazoxanide toward human mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK9) and fatty acid biosynthesis enzyme (FabH) of E. coli. Moreover, the docking study demonstrated dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) and thymidylate synthase (TS) as probable new targets for nitazoxanide and its synthetic analogs. Overall, the study suggests that nitazoxanide and its analogs can be a potential lead compound in the drug development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mitochondrial disease presenting in childhood is characterized by clinical, biochemical and genetic complexity. Some children are affected by canonical syndromes, but the majority have nonclassical multisystemic disease presentations involving virtually any organ in the body. Each child has a unique constellation of clinical features and disease trajectory, leading to enormous challenges in diagnosis and management of these heterogeneous disorders. This review discusses the classical mitochondrial syndromes presenting most frequently in childhood and then presents an organ-based perspective including systems less frequently linked to mitochondrial disease, such as skin and hair abnormalities and immune dysfunction. An approach to diagnosis is then presented, encompassing clinical evaluation and biochemical, neuroimaging and genetic investigations, and emphasizing the problem of phenocopies. The impact of next-generation sequencing is discussed, together with the importance of functional validation of novel genetic variants never previously linked to mitochondrial disease. The review concludes with a brief discussion of currently available and emerging therapies. The field of mitochondrial medicine has made enormous strides in the last 30 years, with approaching 400 different genes across two genomes now linked to primary mitochondrial disease. However, many important questions remain unanswered, including the reasons for tissue specificity and variability of clinical presentation of individuals sharing identical gene defects, and a lack of disease-modifying therapies and biomarkers to monitor disease progression and/or response to treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Objectives: To describe the spectrum of movement disorders and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) neurotransmitter profiles in paediatric patients with POLG disease. Methods: We identified children with genetically confirmed POLG disease, in whom CSF neurotransmitter analysis had been undertaken. Clinical data were collected retrospectively. CSF neurotransmitter levels were compared to both standardised age‐related reference ranges and to non‐POLG patients presenting with status epilepticus. Results: Forty‐one patients with POLG disease were identified. Almost 50% of the patients had documented evidence of a movement disorder, including non‐epileptic myoclonus, choreoathetosis and ataxia. CSF neurotransmitter analysis was undertaken in 15 cases and abnormalities were seen in the majority (87%) of cases tested. In many patients, distinctive patterns were evident, including raised neopterin, homovanillic acid and 5‐hydroxyindoleacetic acid levels. Conclusions: Children with POLG mutations can manifest with a wide spectrum of abnormal movements, which are often prominent features of the clinical syndrome. Underlying pathophysiology is probably multifactorial, and aberrant monoamine metabolism is likely to play a role. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Background: The use of rifampicin for cholestatic pruritus is accompanied by concerns over safety, but the availability of real‐world prescribing data is relatively limited. Aim: We sought to describe the rate and characteristics of rifampicin‐induced hepatitis in a mixed aetiology cohort of patients with established liver disease and cholestatic pruritus. Methods: Retrospective review of records for out‐patients commenced on rifampicin for pruritus 2012‐2016 inclusive. Rifampicin‐induced hepatitis was recorded where alanine aminotransferase activity (ALT) increased to both ≥5 × baseline and ≥5 × upper limit of normal (ULN), or to both ≥3 × baseline and ≥3 × ULN with concurrent elevation in serum bilirubin to ≥2 × baseline and ≥2 × ULN, in addition to a Roussel‐Uclaf Causality Assessment Method score of “probable” or “highly probable” for rifampicin causality. Results: After exclusions, we reviewed 105 patients who took rifampicin for a median of 131 days. Most had primary biliary cholangitis or primary sclerosing cholangitis; 40 (38.1%) were men and median age was 44 years (IQR: 32‐57). 44 (41.9%) patients had baseline serum bilirubin ≥2 × ULN and 28 (26.7%) ALT ≥3 × ULN. 5 (4.8%) developed rifampicin‐induced hepatitis at a median of 70(range 27‐130) days after drug initiation. No individual or laboratory baseline characteristics were significantly associated with subsequent development of hepatitis. All cases of hepatitis recovered after drug cessation, although one patient was hospitalised and received corticosteroids. Conclusions: Given the efficacy of rifampicin for an important sub‐group of those with cholestatic pruritus, adult patients, including those with jaundice, can be counselled that 95% of prescriptions are safe, and where hepatitis occurs, including at long latency, drug cessation appears effective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This narrative review on the use of biophotonics therapies for management of oral diseases is written as a tribute to Prof. Crispian Scully. His seminal contributions to the field are highlighted by the detailed, comprehensive description of clinical presentations of oral diseases. This has enabled a more thorough, fundamental understanding of many of these pathologies by research from his group as well as inspired mechanistic investigations in many groups globally. In the same vein, a major emphasis of this narrative review is to focus on the evidence from human case reports rather than in vitro or in vivo animal studies that showcases the growing and broad impact of biophotonics therapies. The similarities and differences between two distinct forms of low‐dose biophotonics treatments namely photodynamic therapy and photobiomodulation therapy are discussed. As evident in this review, a majority of these reports provide promising evidence for their clinical efficacy. However, a lack of adequate technical details, precise biological rationale, and limited outcome measures limits the current utility of these treatments. Future investigations should attempt to address these shortcomings and develop better designed, rigorous, controlled studies to fully harness the tremendous potential of low‐dose biophotonics therapies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heritiera fomes Buch.-Ham., a mangrove plant from the Sundarbans, has adapted to a unique habitat, muddy saline water, anaerobic soil, brackish tidal activities, and high microbial competition. Endophytic fungal association protects this plant from adverse environmental conditions. This plant is used in Bangladeshi folk medicine, but it has not been extensively studied phytochemically, and there is hardly any report on investigation on endophytic fungi growing on this plant. In this study, endophytic fungi were isolated from the surface sterilized cladodes and leaves of H. fomes. The antimicrobial activities were evaluated against two Gram-positive and two Gram-negative bacteria and the fungal strain, Candida albicans. Extracts of Pestalotia sp. showed activities against all test bacterial strains, except that the ethyl acetate extract was inactive against Escherichia coli. The structures of the purified compounds, oxysporone and xylitol, were elucidated by spectroscopic means. The anti-MRSA potential of the isolated compounds were determined against various MRSA strains, that is, ATCC 25923, SA-1199B, RN4220, XU212, EMRSA-15, and EMRSA-16, with minimum inhibitory concentration values ranging from 32 to 128 μg/ml. This paper, for the first time, reports on the anti-MRSA property of oxysporone and xylitol, isolation of the endophyte Pestalotia sp. from H. fomes, and isolation of xylitol from a Pestalotia sp. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poor oral health has been associated with compromised general health and quality of life. To promote comprehensive patient management, the role of medical professionals in oral health maintenance is compelling, thus indicating the need for educational preparation in this area of practice. This study aimed to determine the extent of training in oral health in Malaysian and Australian medical schools. An audio-recorded semi-structured phone interview involving Academic Programme Directors in Malaysian ( n = 9, response rate=81.8%) and Australian ( n = 7, response rate = 35.0%) medical schools was conducted during the 2014/2015 and 2014 academic years, respectively. Qualitative data was analysed via thematic analysis, involving coding and grouping into emerging themes. Quantitative data were measured for frequencies. It was found that medical schools in Malaysia and Australia offered limited teaching of various oral health-related components that were mostly integrated throughout the curriculum, in the absence of structured learning objectives, teaching methodologies and assessment approaches. Barriers to providing oral health education included having insufficient expertise and overloaded curriculum. As medical educators demonstrated support for oral health education, collaboration amongst various stakeholders is integral to developing a well-structured curriculum and practice guidelines on oral health management involving medical professionals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several statistical models used in genome-wide prediction assume uncorrelated marker allele substitution effects, but it is known that these effects may be correlated. In statistics, graphical models have been identified as a useful tool for covariance estimation in high-dimensional problems and it is an area that has recently experienced a great expansion. In Gaussian covariance graph models (GCovGM), the joint distribution of a set of random variables is assumed to be Gaussian and the pattern of zeros of the covariance matrix is encoded in terms of an undirected graph G. In this study, methods adapting the theory of GCovGM to genome-wide prediction were developed (Bayes GCov, Bayes GCov-KR and Bayes GCov-H). In simulated data sets, improvements in correlation between phenotypes and predicted breeding values and accuracies of predicted breeding values were found. Our models account for correlation of marker effects and permit to accommodate general structures as opposed to models proposed in previous studies, which consider spatial correlation only. In addition, they allow incorporation of biological information in the prediction process through its use when constructing graph G, and their extension to the multi-allelic loci case is straightforward. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Burial of biogenic silica (bSitotal) in high sedimentation rate continental margins remains highly uncertain. Cosmogenic 32Si (t1/2~140 years) can be used to trace the fates of bSitotal postdeposition, including as opal (bSiopal) and diagenetically altered opal (bSialtered), the latter dominantly authigenic clay (bSiclay). To determine the magnitude and form of bSitotal storage in coastal sediments, conventional operational leaches targeting bSiopal and bSialtered (including bSiclay) were modified for large-scale samples necessary for measurement of 32Si. The 32Si activity was used to estimate total biogenic silica burial (bSitotal = bSiopal + bSialtered) in several depositional settings: Gulf of Papua, Gulf of Mexico, Long Island Sound, and in the previously studied Amazon-Guianas deltaic system. In subtropical and temperate regions, 32Si was detected in both traditional biogenic silica leaches (bSiopal) and residual authigenic clays. Traditional bSiopal and modified operational leaches designed to target the most reactive authigenic silicates (~bSialtered) consistently underestimate authigenic clay formation (bSiclay) and thus the magnitude of bSitotal burial in temperate coastal zones and subtropical deltas by 2-4-fold. In tropical deltas, 32Si activities in the residual fraction after removal of bSiopal demonstrate rapid and almost complete alteration of initial bSiopal to new forms, most likely bSiclay. Globally, 4.5-4.9 Tmol/yr Si may be trapped in marine nearshore deposits as rapidly formed clay (bSiclay), 100% of the 'missing silica sink' in the marine silica budget. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Medical identification jewellery can convey vital information to emergency responders, but mistakes and ambiguity may lead to misdiagnosis and morbidity. We performed a review of relevant articles retrieved from Pubmed® , Embase® and Scopus® and Google UK Inc. to investigate the commercial availability and issuance of these products. From 84 identified studies, we shortlisted 74 for review. The Google search retrieved 1,090,000 results within 0.57 s (January 2017). We explored 32 websites selling medical alert jewellery in the first five pages of these results. We found that patients themselves are currently responsible for the engraved wording on medical alert jewellery, with no mandatory physician checks. The accuracy and appropriateness of this information may thus vary. In the absence of national guidance in the UK, we suggest that there should be a list of specific indications warranting their use, a requirement for regular review of information, and clarity around the level of physician input into the engraving chosen. We discuss the potential benefits vs. risks of wearing medical alert jewellery and clarify the limitations of medical teams' responsibilities in relation to patients found to be wearing them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 1‐DOF power‐assist robotic system (PARS) is developed using a linear actuator for vertical manipulation of heavy objects in collaboration with its human user. Human's differential perception of inertia and gravity is considered in the manipulation dynamics, and an admittance‐type feedback position control scheme is designed to control the motion of the system. A human manipulates a heavy object with the robot in harmonic motion (the object is repeatedly lifted up and lowered down). A common performance index for the human and the robot for the collaborative task is derived in terms of manipulation velocity and precision. An event‐triggered model predictive control (MPC) scheme is designed to maintain optimal performance of the robot and the human through maintaining optimum robot velocity and precision at the events when low performance is observed. Results show that the weight‐perception‐based control helps produce satisfactory collaborative performance, and the MPC is proven effective to maintain optimal performance and improved human–robot interaction. The findings are useful to develop predictive control strategies for human‐friendly PARSs for manipulating heavy objects in industries in particular, and for other variable‐speed electric drive systems for industrial applications, in general. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Osmotic pretreatment is an effective way of reducing water from the biological products as well as simultaneously accelerating the drying kinetics. This research investigates the effect of osmotic pretreatment on the biological products in a vortex tube atmospheric freeze-drying (AFD) system. To facilitate the atmospheric freeze-drying in a laboratory scale, a vortex tube was connected to the compressor. A multi-mode heat input concept was tested successfully to study the drying kinetics without damaging the products. The products were compared with the samples that did not undergo the osmotic pretreatment process. In addition, the comparison was also made with the parallel studies on conventional vacuum freeze-drying (VFD). Results showed that the osmotic treatment enhanced the drying kinetics for both AFD and VFD systems. Practical Applications This paper investigated on how the osmotic pretreatment influences the quality of the product in a novel atmospheric vortex tube-assisted atmospheric freeze-drying system, and compared with the parallel studies using conventional vacuum contact drying system. Osmotic treatment of biological products using concentrated sugar solution demonstrates enhanced osmotic dehydration as well as drying rate in this novel atmospheric freeze-drying technique. This information is aimed to help in selecting appropriate osmotic agent as well as suitable drying process at even industrial level for efficient drying specifically, for biological and heat sensitive products. In addition, this work focuses on quality analysis along i.e., drying behavior with the variation of process parameters e.g., drying time, temperature, and moisture content for subzero drying. This findings would be beneficial for critical analysis in osmotic dehydration process and would further serve as a guideline for optimum design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims To identify the barriers to and enablers of effective insulin self-titration in people with Type 2 diabetes. Methods A qualitative semi-structured interview approach was used. Questions were structured according to the Theoretical Domains Framework, which outlines 14 domains that can act as barriers to and enablers of changing behaviour. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. The data were coded according to the 14 domains, belief statements were created within each domain, and a frequency count of the most reported barriers and enablers was then carried out. Analyses were conducted by two researchers, and discrepancies agreed with a third researcher. Results A total of 18 adults with Type 2 diabetes took part in an interview. The majority were of South-Asian ethnicity ( n = 8) and were men ( n = 12). Their mean age was 61 years old. The mean duration of diabetes was 16 years and time on insulin 9 years. Inter-rater reliability for each of the domains varied (29-100%). The most frequently reported domains were Social Influence and Beliefs about Consequences; the least frequently reported were Optimism and Reinforcement. Interviewees reported receiving support to self-titrate from a range of sources. Self-titrating was perceived to have a range of both positive and negative consequences, as was not titrating. Conclusions The findings highlight that those interviewed experienced a range of barriers and enablers when attempting to self-titrate. Improved education and training when initiating insulin treatment among adults with Type 2 diabetes, and throughout their journey on insulin therapy could help identify and address these barriers in order to optimize self-titration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives This cross-sectional study examined the distribution and correlates of salivary secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor ( SLPI) concentrations within a multinational cohort of men. Methods Extracellular SLPI was measured in oral gargle cell supernatants of 378 men from three countries using an ELISA-based assay. Risk factor data were collected by a questionnaire. Factors associated with SLPI were assessed using linear and logistic regression for continuous and categorical SLPI, respectively. Results Among men aged 18-73 years, the median SLPI concentration was 492.0 ng ml−1 (range: 2.3-1919.9). In multivariable modeling, men in Brazil and younger men (18-30 years) were more likely to have higher levels of SLPI [adjusted odds ratio ( aOR) 3.84; 95% confidence interval ( CI): 1.94-7.59, and aOR 3.84; 95% CI: 1.98-7.43, respectively]. Men with a self-reported sexually transmitted diseases diagnosis in the past 6 months were more likely to have higher SLPI levels ( aOR 2.98; 95% CI: 1.1-7.83) and men reporting bleeding/swollen gums were less likely to have higher SLPI ( aOR 0.34; 95% CI: 0.15-0.79). Similar results were observed for linear regression models. Conclusions Secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor concentrations varied significantly by country and decreased with increasing age. The interaction between SLPI, modifiable factors, and oral infections that influence cancer risk warrants further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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We report on the formation of Tamm plasmon (TP) modes in the visible spectral region at the interface between a Ag film and a ZnSe-based distributed Bragg reflector (DBR). The tuning of the TP eigenenergies within the stop-band in dependence on the DBR top layer thickness is investigated by micro-reflectivity measurements. The experimental findings are compared with calculations using the transfer matrix method. The latter calculations show that strong coupling can be achieved between quantum well (QW) excitons and the TP modes. In addition, the Rabi-splitting energy can be enhanced in a simple TP structure by increasing the number of QWs inside the top layer of the DBR. When a metal layer is deposited on a cold MC sample, micro-reflectivity spectra show a blue shift of the cavity resonance. The TP modes are likewise observed in the same MC sample when reducing the top layer thickness of the DBR. This shift of cavity resonance and formation of TP mode are in good agreement with calculations. These results are rather promising in order to realize a spatial confinement of the polaritons by utilizing metal strips. Such channeling of polaritons opens the way to practical demonstration of exciton-polariton integrated circuits. (© 2016 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Growing population and increased demand for water is causing an increase in dam and reservoir construction in developing nations. When rivers cross international boundaries, the downstream stakeholders often have little knowledge of upstream reservoir operation practices. Satellite remote sensing in the form of radar altimetry and multisensor precipitation products can be used as a practical way to provide downstream stakeholders with the fundamentally elusive upstream information on reservoir outflow needed to make important and proactive water management decisions. This study uses a mass balance approach of three hydrologic controls to estimate reservoir outflow from satellite data at monthly and annual time scales: precipitation-induced inflow, evaporation, and reservoir storage change. Furthermore, this study explores the importance of each of these hydrologic controls to the accuracy of outflow estimation. The hydrologic controls found to be unimportant could potentially be neglected from similar future studies. Two reservoirs were examined in contrasting regions of the world, the Hungry Horse Reservoir in a mountainous region in northwest U.S. and the Kaptai Reservoir in a low-lying, forested region of Bangladesh. It was found that this mass balance method estimated the annual outflow of both reservoirs with reasonable skill. The estimation of monthly outflow from both reservoirs was however less accurate. The Kaptai basin exhibited a shift in basin behavior resulting in variable accuracy across the 9 year study period. Monthly outflow estimation from Hungry Horse Reservoir was compounded by snow accumulation and melt processes, reflected by relatively low accuracy in summer and fall, when snow processes control runoff. Furthermore, it was found that the important hydrologic controls for reservoir outflow estimation at the monthly time scale differs between the two reservoirs, with precipitation-induced inflow being the most important control for the Kaptai Reservoir and storage change being the most important for Hungry Horse Reservoir. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Adult studies indicate a role for ghrelin in functional dyspepsia ( FD) mediated through ghrelin's effect on gastric emptying ( GE). This study examines the relationship between ghrelin, liquid GE, and pain in children with FD. Methods Thirteen FD patients reporting symptoms consistent with post-prandial distress syndrome ( PDS) and 17 healthy controls were enrolled. All participants received a liquid meal containing 13C-sodium acetate. Pain severity, liquid GE utilizing exhaled 13CO2 from the sodium acetate breath tests ( ABT), plasma acyl ghrelin ( AG), and des-acyl ghrelin concentrations were measured at specific intervals over 240 min following ingestion. Key Results FD- PDS patients demonstrated lower mean baseline AG (14.8 ± 9.7 vs 27.2 ± 14.0 fmol/mL; p = 0.013), AG Cmax (24.6 ± 8.2 vs 40.5 ± 16.8 fmol/mL; p = 0.007), and AG flux (18.2 ± 7.8 vs 32.7 ± 17.3 fmol/mL; p = 0.015) than controls. The time to reach maximum exhaled 13CO2 concentration (T max) was longer in FD patients than controls (47.5 ± 18.5 vs 35.8 ± 11.8 min; p = 0.046). Significant relationships between ghrelin analyte ratios and ABT parameters were largely confined to control participants. Conclusions & Inferences FD- PDS in children is associated with lower fasting and maximum AG concentrations, and dampened AG flux. These data suggest a possible role for altered ghrelin physiology in the pathogenesis of PDS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT We report a novel approach for characterization of terahertz (THz) antennas using the photoinduced coded-aperture imaging (PI-CAI) technique. For a prototype demonstration, a WR-1.5 (500-750 GHz) diagonal horn antenna has been fully characterized. The THz beam radiated from the antenna was imaged using the PI-CAI technique at different distances from the antenna aperture. The measured beam profiles show near-Gaussian shapes, with the expected propagation properties. The far-field antenna radiation patterns were then extracted from the far-field beam image and compared with conventional measurement results, theoretical calculation and full-wave simulation. Finally, the antenna Gaussian coupling efficiency was calculated to be ∼83% based on the two-dimensional (2-D) beam mapping technique. Antenna radiation parameters obtained using the above approach show good agreement with published literature and manufacturer datasheets, demonstrating the potential of the PI-CAI approach for fast and accurate characterization of THz antennas. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 57:1180-1184, 2015 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mitochondrial diseases are an unusually genetically and phenotypically heterogeneous group of disorders, which are extremely challenging to treat. Currently, apart from supportive therapy, there are no effective treatments for the vast majority of mitochondrial diseases. Huge scientific effort, however, is being put into understanding the mechanisms underlying mitochondrial disease pathology and developing potential treatments. To date, a variety of treatments have been evaluated by randomized clinical trials, but unfortunately, none of these has delivered breakthrough results. Increased understanding of mitochondrial pathways and the development of many animal models, some of which are accurate phenocopies of human diseases, are facilitating the discovery and evaluation of novel prospective treatments. Targeting reactive oxygen species has been a treatment of interest for many years; however, only in recent years has it been possible to direct antioxidant delivery specifically into the mitochondria. Increasing mitochondrial biogenesis, whether by pharmacological approaches, dietary manipulation or exercise therapy, is also currently an active area of research. Modulating mitochondrial dynamics and mitophagy and the mitochondrial membrane lipid milieu have also emerged as possible treatment strategies. Recent technological advances in gene therapy, including allotopic and transkingdom gene expression and mitochondrially targeted transcription activator-like nucleases, have led to promising results in cell and animal models of mitochondrial diseases, but most of these techniques are still far from clinical application. Linked Articles This article is part of a themed issue on Mitochondrial Pharmacology: Energy, Injury & Beyond. To view the other articles in this issue visit [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The nuclear receptor β FTZ-F1 is expressed in most cells in a temporally specific manner, and its expression is induced immediately after decline in ecdysteroid levels. This factor plays important roles during embryogenesis, larval ecdysis, and early metamorphic stages. However, little is known about the expression pattern, regulation and function of this receptor during the pupal stage. We analyzed the expression pattern and regulation of ftz-f1 during the pupal period, as well as the phenotypes of RNAi knockdown or mutant animals, to elucidate its function during this stage. Western blotting revealed that β FTZ-F1 is expressed at a high level during the late pupal stage, and this expression is dependent on decreasing ecdysteroid levels. By immunohistological analysis of the late pupal stage, FTZ-F1 was detected in the nuclei of most cells, but cytoplasmic localization was observed only in the oogonia and follicle cells of the ovary. Both the ftz-f1 genetic mutant and temporally specific ftz-f1 knockdown using RNAi during the pupal stage showed defects in eclosion and in the eye, the antennal segment, the wing and the leg, including bristle color and sclerosis. These results suggest that β FTZ-F1 is expressed in most cells at the late pupal stage, under the control of ecdysteroids and plays important roles during pupal development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Hepatocyte nuclear factor 4α (HNF4A) is a member of the nuclear receptor family of ligand-activated transcription factors. HNF4A mutations cause hyperinsulinaemic hypoglycaemia in early life and maturity-onset diabetes of the young. Regular screening of HNF4A mutation carriers using the oral glucose tolerance test has been recommended to diagnose diabetes mellitus at an early stage. Glucagon-like peptide-1 and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide are incretin hormones, responsible for up to 70% of the secreted insulin after a meal in healthy individuals. We describe, for the first time, gradual alteration of glucose homeostasis in a patient with HNF4A mutation after resolution of hyperinsulinaemic hypoglycaemia, on serial oral glucose tolerance testing. We also measured the incretin response to a mixed meal in our patient. Case report Our patient was born with macrosomia and developed hyperinsulinaemic hypoglycaemia in the neonatal period. Molecular genetic analysis confirmed HNF4A mutation (p.M116I, c.317G>A) as an underlying cause of hyperinsulinaemic hypoglycaemia. Serial oral glucose tolerance testing, after the resolution of hyperinsulinaemic hypoglycaemia, confirmed the diagnosis of maturity-onset diabetes of the young at the age of 10 years. Interestingly, the intravenous glucose tolerance test revealed normal glucose disappearance rate and first-phase insulin secretion. Incretin hormones showed a suboptimal rise in response to the mixed meal, potentially explaining the discrepancy between the oral glucose tolerance test and the intravenous glucose tolerance test. Conclusions Maturity-onset diabetes of the young can develop as early as the first decade of life in persons with an HNF4A mutation. Impaired incretin response might be contributory in the early stages of HNF4A maturity-onset diabetes of the young. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 11 major electricity-generating coal combustion stations in the northern Great Plains have the potential to produce almost 1 million Mg of flue gas desulfurization gypsum (FGDG) annually, which is a very attractive fertilizer (Ca and S) and amendment for sodic and acid soils. The potential environmental impacts of applying FGDG to soils in this region have not been fully investigated. The objectives of this research were to determine the influence of FGDG on soil chemical characteristics and to determine the impact that FGDG has on hard red spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) yields and element analysis of the grain. Flue gas desulfurization gypsum and commercial gypsum were applied at rates of 0, 2.24, 11.2, and 22.4 Mg ha-11 to two soils in southwestern North Dakota in the spring of 2007. Soil and grain chemistries were monitored for two growing seasons. Wheat grain yields and elemental analysis of the grain were generally not affected by the gypsum treatments, indicating that the gypsum products did not negatively affect plant productivity. In addition, soil elemental analysis was similar across the treatments at both sites in both years. The results from this study indicate that its application to soil at rates used for sodic soil remediation (Mgha-1) did not negatively affect the chemistries of either the soils or the wheat evaluated in this study compared with a commercial gypsum product or control soils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors of the paper published in Commun. Numer. Methods Eng. (2009; 25:301-337) have claimed to present a new computational tool entailing high-dimensional model representation for structural reliability analysis. This letter demonstrates that the underlying reliability method already exists and was originally developed in the Xu and Rahman paper, published in Probabilist. Eng. Mech. (2005; 20:239-250). The authors do not acknowledge the contribution of Xu and Rahman and convey the impression that they are developing the method for the very first time. Instead, the authors have reinvented the wheel. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Electrolyzed oxidizing water has been estimated that it has strong bactericidal activity and has been widely used as a disinfectant for inactivating microbial organisms. The combined effects of temperature (15-35C), chlorine concentration of electrolyzed oxidizing water (30-70 ppm) and treatment time (1-5 min) on the reduction of Listeria monocytogenes in lettuce were investigated. Reductions of 1.39-2.79 log10 cfu/g were observed in different combinations of the three factors. Also, a quadratic equation for L. monocytogenes inactivation kinetic was developed by multiple regression analysis using response surface methodology. The predicted values were shown to be significantly in good agreement with experimental values because the adjusted determination coefficient ( ) was 0.9578 and the level of significance was P < 0.0001. Besides, average mean deviation (E%), bias factor (Bf) and accuracy factor (Af), which are validation indicators of the model were 0.0218, 1.0003 and 1.0220, respectively. Thus, predicted model showed a good correlation between the experimental and predicted values, indicating success at providing reliable predictions of L. monocytogenes growth in lettuce. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS Electrolyzed oxidizing water is an important sanitizer, and nowadays it has been widely used in food industry. Lettuce is regarded as a 'healthier' food, which is one of the most popular vegetables consumed, whereas many outbreaks caused by L. monocytogenes have been reported until now. According to the model developed in this study, inactivation of L. monocytogenes in lettuce treated with EO water could be predicted by inputting a certain group of environmental factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deltamethrin, an alpha-cyano type II synthetic pyrethroid insecticide, is used to control a wide range of insects on a variety of crops and vectors of diseases. Deltamethrin has been previously reported for its immunotoxic effects and therefore its exposure may affect the host resistance to infection and tumour challenge. Effect of exposure of deltamethrin on host resistance to Candida albicans infection was examined in Swiss albino mice. The objective of this study was to investigate the modulatory action of deltamethrin in C. albicans infected mice. The dose of deltamethrin was initially tested and selected from our previous study (18 mg/kg). Percentage of infection in deltamethrin treated animals increased faster when compared to that of the controls. Deltamethrin exposure along with C. albicans infection caused alteration of humoral immune response. The number of colony forming unit in liver and spleen were also found to be significantly increased in the treated group. The results from our present study suggest that deltamethrin exhibits an immunosuppressive effect and has a negative impact on host resistance to C. albicans infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous research using outbred rats indicates that individual differences in activity in a novel environment predict sensitivity to the reinforcing effect of psychostimulant drugs. The current study examined if the link between responses related to novelty and amphetamine self-administration is heritable. Twelve inbred rat strains were assessed for locomotor activity in a novel environment, preference for a novel environment, and intravenous amphetamine self-administration (acquisition, extinction and amphetamine-induced reinstatement). Strain differences were observed in activity in a novel environment, novelty preference and amphetamine self-administration, indicating a genetic influence for each of these behaviors. While there was no relation between activity in an inescapable novel environment and amphetamine self-administration, strain-dependent differences in novelty preference were positively correlated with the amount of amphetamine self-administered. There was also a positive correlation between the dose-dependent rate of amphetamine self-administration and magnitude of reinstatement. These results show that the activity in an inescapable novel environment and the preference for a novel environment are different genetically, and thus likely to reflect different behavioral constructs. Moreover, these results implicate a genetic influence on the relation between novelty seeking and stimulant self-administration, as well as on the relation between stimulant reward and reinstatement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With 1 figure and 1 table The aim of the present study was to compare the durum and bread wheat alleles encoded at the Glu-A3 locus (represented by Glu-A d 3 and Glu-A a 3, respectively) using PCR markers designed for bread wheat Glu-A a 3 alleles to distinguish different durum alleles. Diversity in low-molecular-weight glutenin subunits (LMW-GS) was analysed in eight cultivars representing all known Glu-A d 3 alleles present in durum wheat. Six of the eight Glu-A d 3 alleles of durum wheat could be distinguished using a combination of seven different primer sets based on LMW-GS sequences from bread wheat. However, allele a (cv. 'Mexicali'), allele b (cv. 'Langdon') and allele c (cv. 'Cocorit') of durum wheat could not be distinguished using any of the markers tested. Amplicons of identical size were produced for alleles f (cv. 'Clarofino') and allele g (cv. 'Claro de Balazote'), using all except one primer set ( Glu-A3a), indicating genes of these alleles share a very high degree of identity. The markers described in this study are useful for the DNA-based identification of durum wheat cultivars and the identification of the Glu-A d 3 a, b, c, d, e, f, g and h alleles of durum wheat for the purposes of marker-assisted selection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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In tropical agroecosystems, limited N availability remains a major impediment to increasing yield. A 15N-recovery experiment was conducted in 13 diverse tropical agroecosystems. The objectives were to determine the total recovery of one single 15N application of inorganic or organic N during three to six growing seasons and to establish whether the losses of N are governed by universal principles. Between 7 and 58% (average of 21%) of crop N uptake during the first growing season was derived from fertilizer. On average, 79% of crop N was derived from the soil. When 15N-labeled residues were applied, in the first growing season 4% of crop N was derived from the residues. Average recoveries of 15N-labcled fertilizer and residue in crops after the first growing season were 33 and 7%, respectively. Corresponding recoveries in the soil were 38 and 71%. An additional 6% of the fertilizer and 9.1% of the residue was recovered by crops during subsequent growing seasons. There were no significant differences in total 15N recovery (average 54%) between N from fertilizer and N from residue. After five growing seasons, more residue N (40%) than fertilizer N (18%) was recovered in the soil, better sustaining the soil organic matter N content. Long-term total recoveries of 15N-labeled fertilizer or residue in the crop and soil were similar. Soil N remained the primary source of N for crops. As higher rainfall and temperature tend to cause higher 15N losses, management practices to improve N use efficiency and reduce losses in wet tropical regions will remain a challenge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Large-scale water resources modeling can provide useful insights on future water availability scenarios for downstream nations in anticipation of proposed upstream water resources projects in large international river basins (IRBs). However, model set up can be challenging due to the large amounts of data requirement on both static states (soils, vegetation, topography, drainage network, etc.) and dynamic variables (rainfall, streamflow, soil moisture, evapotranspiration, etc.) over the basin from multiple nations and data collection agencies. Under such circumstances, satellite remote sensing provides a more pragmatic and convenient alternative because of the vantage of space and easy availability from a single data platform. In this paper, we demonstrate a modeling effort to set up a water resources management model, MIKE BASIN, over the Ganges, Brahmaputra, and Meghna (GBM) river basins. The model is set up with the objective of providing Bangladesh, the lowermost riparian nation in the GBM basins, a framework for assessing proposed water diversion scenarios in the upstream transboundary regions of India and deriving quantitative impacts on water availability. Using an array of satellite remote sensing data on topography, vegetation, and rainfall from the transboundary regions, we demonstrate that it is possible to calibrate MIKE BASIN to a satisfactory level and predict streamflow in the Ganges and Brahmaputra rivers at the entry points of Bangladesh at relevant scales of water resources management. Simulated runoff for the Ganges and Brahmaputra rivers follow the trends in the rated discharge for the calibration period. However, monthly flow volume differs from the actual rated flow by (−) 8% to (+) 20% in the Ganges basin, by (−) 15 to (+) 12% in the Brahmaputra basin, and by (−) 15 to (+) 19% in the Meghna basin. Our large-scale modeling initiative is generic enough for other downstream nations in IRBs to adopt for their own modeling needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the present study was to investigate egg production performance, immunohistochemical (IHC) identification, localization and morphological characterization of moulted hen’s pars distalis luteinizing hormone (LH) gonadotrophs. This system has been validated for chicken LH by immunodetection of purified hormones on dot blots, western blotting and by specific labelling of cells on sagittal sections of chicken pituitaries. This study showed that egg production and egg weight increased significantly after zinc-induced moult when compared with fasting-induced moult. Luteinizing hormone-gonadotrophs are of numerous shapes and distributed throughout the adenohypophysis, with densely populated regions on the margins of pars distalis. Moulting of laying hens was associated with a significant increase in immunoreactive LH gonadotroph cell count and cell size, which peaked at the subsequent production stages. Zinc-induced moulting also caused a significant increase in LH gonadotroph cell size as compared with fasting-induced moulting. The nuclear size of LH-positive cells was distinct during decreased egg production. Our results validate the use of ovine LHβ antibodies for the IHC localization of chicken LH gonadotrophs. This technology was further applied to the characterization of the shape and morphological changes of gonadotrophs as a function of the egg production status of the birds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]