Hasil untuk "q-bio"

Mohammad Alauthman, Ahmad Al-Qerem, Ammar Almomani et al.

The Web of Things (WoT) interconnects a rapidly growing population of smart devices and sensors, enabling innovative applications while exposing an ever‑expanding attack surface. Reinforcement learning (RL) can adaptively detect and mitigate such attacks, yet conventional RL struggles to converge in WoT’s high‑dimensional state‑action spaces. We address this limitation by augmenting RL with the Harris Hawks Optimization (HHO) algorithm. HHO is a recent meta‑heuristic optimization method that balances global exploration with local exploitation and is well suited to large search spaces. We propose an HHO‑based meta‑learning framework that aims to identify hyper‑parameters and network architecture for a deep‑Q network (DQN) defender, maximizing average episodic reward in simulated WoT environments. Experiments on the CIC‑IoT‑2023 and Bot‑IoT datasets show that an HHO‑optimized DQN converges faster and achieves higher accuracy than all tested baselines—including vanilla, double and dueling DQNs, PPO, A3C and Transformer-based agents—illustrating the promise of bio-inspired optimization for adaptive WoT security.

J. Pitarch, V. E. Brando, V. E. Brando

<p>This data paper outlines the development and the structure of a new synthetic dataset within an extended optical domain, encompassing inherent and apparent optical properties (IOPs and AOPs) alongside associated optically active constituents (OACs). Bio-optical modeling benefited from knowledge and data accumulated over the past 3 decades, enabling the imposition of rigorous quality standards and the definition of novel bio-optical relationships that are significant contributions on their own. Employing the HydroLight scalar radiative transfer equation solver, above-surface and submarine light fields between 350 and 800 nm at 1 nm steps were generated, facilitating algorithm development and assessment for present and forthcoming hyperspectral satellite missions. A smaller version of the dataset, delivered at 12 Sentinel-3 Ocean and Land Colour Instrument (OLCI) bands (400 to 753 nm), was also produced, targeting multispectral sensor algorithm research. Derived AOPs encompass an array of above- and below-surface reflectances, diffuse attenuation coefficients, average cosines, and <span class="inline-formula"><i>Q</i></span> factor. The dataset is distributed in 5000 files, each encapsulating a specific IOP scenario, ensuring sufficient data volume for each represented water type. AOPs are resolved across the complete range of solar and viewing zenith and azimuthal angles as per the HydroLight default quadrants, amounting to 1300 angular combinations. This comprehensive directional coverage caters to studies investigating signal directionality, which previously lacked sufficient reference data. The dataset is publicly available for anonymous retrieval via the FAIR repository Zenodo at <a href="https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.11637178">https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.11637178</a> (Pitarch and Brando, 2024).</p>

Swathi Kaliki, MD, Vijitha S. Vempuluru, MD, Ido Didi Fabian, MD et al.

Purpose: To study the treatment and outcomes of children with retinoblastoma (RB) with extraocular tumor extension (RB-EOE) and compare them with RB without extraocular tumor extension (RB-w/o-EOE). Design: Multicenter intercontinental collaborative prospective study from 2017 to 2020. RB-EOE cases included those with overt orbital tumor extension in treatment-naive patients. Cases with microscopic orbital extension detected postenucleation were excluded from the study. Participants: A total of 319 children with RB-EOE and 3116 children with RB-w/o-EOE. Intervention: Chemotherapy, enucleation, exenteration, radiotherapy. Main Outcome Measures: Systemic metastasis and death. Results: Of the 3435 RB patients included in this study, 309 (9%) were from low-income countries (LIC), 1448 (42%) from lower-middle income, 1012 (29%) from upper-middle income, and 666 (19%) patients from high-income countries. There was an inverse relationship between the percentage of RB-EOE and national income level, with 96 (31%) patients from LIC, 197 (6%) lower-middle income, 20 (2%) upper-middle income, and 6 (1%) patients from high-income countries (P = 0.0001). The outcomes were statistically significant for RB-EOE compared with RB-w/o-EOE: systemic metastasis (32% vs. 4% respectively; P = 0.0001) and metastasis-related death (63% vs. 6% respectively; P = 0.0001). Multimodal treatment was the most common form of treatment (n = 177; 54%) for RB-EOE, with most cases undergoing a combination of intravenous chemotherapy and enucleation (n = 97; 30%). Adjuvant external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) after surgery (enucleation/orbital exenteration) was given in only 68 (21%) cases. Kaplan–Meier analysis for systemic metastasis and metastasis-related death in RB-EOE was 28% and 57% at 1 year, 29% and 60% at 2 years, and 29% and 61% at 3 years, respectively. Cox regression analysis revealed that the risk of death from RB-EOE was greater in patients aged >4 years than <2 years (hazard ratio, 2.912; P < 0.001) and for unimodal (surgery or intravenous chemotherapy) and bimodal (surgery and intravenous chemotherapy) treatment than trimodal treatment (surgery, intravenous chemotherapy, and EBRT) (hazard ratio, 2.023; P = 0.004 and hazard ratio, 1.819; P = 0.027, respectively). Conclusions: Retinoblastoma with extraocular tumor extension is associated with a higher risk of metastasis and death. Patients with RB-EOE are likely to benefit from trimodal treatment (intravenous chemotherapy, surgery, and EBRT) rather than treatment protocols excluding EBRT. Financial Disclosure(s): The authors have no proprietary or commercial interest in any materials discussed in this article.

Liqun Tang, Guanghao Li, Huimei Wang et al.

Introduction: Rice flowering is a major agronomic trait, determining yield and ecological adaptability in particular regions. ABA plays an essential role in rice flowering, but the underlying molecular mechanism remains largely elusive. Objectives: In this study, we demonstrated a “SAPK8-ABF1-Ehd1/Ehd2” pathway, through which exogenous ABA represses rice flowering in a photoperiod-independent manner. Methods: We generated abf1 and sapk8 mutants using the CRISPR-Cas9 method. Using yeast two-hybrid, Pull down, BiFC and kinase assays, SAPK8 interacted and phosphorylated ABF1. ABF1 directly bound to the promoters of Ehd1 and Ehd2 using ChIP-qPCR, EMSA, and LUC transient transcriptional activity assay, and suppressed the transcription of these genes. Results: Under both long day and short day conditions, simultaneous knock-out of ABF1 and its homolog bZIP40 accelerated flowering, while SAPK8 and ABF1 over-expression lines exhibited delayed flowering and hypersensitivity to ABA-mediated flowering repression. After perceiving the ABA signal, SAPK8 physically binds to and phosphorylates ABF1 to enhance its binding to the promoters of master positive flowering regulators Ehd1 and Ehd2. Upon interacting with FIE2, ABF1 recruited PRC2 complex to deposit H3K27me3 suppressive histone modification on Ehd1 and Ehd2 to suppress these genes transcription, thereby leading to later flowering. Conclusion: Our work highlighted the biological functions of SAPK8 and ABF1 in ABA signaling, flowering control and the involvement of a PRC2-mediated epigenetic repression mechanism in the transcription regulation governed by ABF1 on ABA-mediated rice flowering repression.

Binsheng Gong, Dan Li, Paweł P. Łabaj et al.

Abstract Next-generation sequencing (NGS) has revolutionized genomic research by enabling high-throughput, cost-effective genome and transcriptome sequencing accelerating personalized medicine for complex diseases, including cancer. Whole genome/transcriptome sequencing (WGS/WTS) provides comprehensive insights, while targeted sequencing is more cost-effective and sensitive. In comparison to short-read sequencing, which still dominates the field due to high speed and cost-effectiveness, long-read sequencing can overcome alignment limitations and better discriminate similar sequences from alternative transcripts or repetitive regions. Hybrid sequencing combines the best strengths of different technologies for a more comprehensive view of genomic/transcriptomic variations. Understanding each technology’s strengths and limitations is critical for translating cutting-edge technologies into clinical applications. In this study, we sequenced DNA and RNA libraries of reference samples using various targeted DNA and RNA panels and the whole transcriptome on both short-read and long-read platforms. This study design enables a comprehensive analysis of sequencing technologies, targeting protocols, and library preparation methods. Our expanded profiling landscape establishes a reference point for assessing current sequencing technologies, facilitating informed decision-making in genomic research and precision medicine.

Liang Ma, Huayong Yang

Margaret Costello, Peter Rubinelli, Jessica Brown et al.

Yeast-derived products have become more of an interest in the poultry industry as of late because of their use in modulating the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) microbiome to both improve production parameters and prevent infection. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of various yeast-derived products on Salmonella enterica inoculation in un in vitro rooster cecal incubations and associated effects on the cecal microbiome. Cecal contents were obtained from 53-wk old White Leghorn H & N Nick Chick roosters (n = 3) fed a wheat-based, commercial-type basal diet. Cecal contents were diluted 1:3000 in anaerobic dilution solution (ADS) in an anaerobic chamber, with 20 mL aliquoted to each serum bottle. There were three controls (n = 3): basal diet only, diluted cecal contents only, and basal diet and diluted cecal contents; and five treatments containing the basal diet and diluted cecal contents (n = 3): Citristim® (ADM), ImmunoWall® (ICC), Maxi-Gen Plus® (CBS Bio Platforms), Hilyses® (ICC), and Original XPC® (Diamond V). All treatments were applied at a rate of 2.5 kg/tonne or less. All groups were inoculated with a nalidixic acid-resistant strain of Salmonella Enteritidis at 10^7 CFU/mL and incubated at 37 deg C. Samples were collected at 0, 24, and 48 h for S. Enteritidis enumeration and 16S rDNA microbial sequencing. Salmonella data were log-transformed and analyzed in a two-way ANOVA with means separated using Tukey's HSD (P≤0.05). Genomic DNA was extracted, and resulting libraries were prepared and sequenced using an Illumina MiSeq. Sequencing data were analyzed in QIIME2 (2021.4) with diversity metrics (alpha and beta), and an analysis of the composition of microbiomes (ANCOM) was performed. Main effects were considered significant at P≤0.05, with pairwise differences considered significant at Q≤0.05. There was an interaction of treatment and time on the enumeration of Salmonella where treatments of Citristim, Immunowall, Hilyses, and XPC reduced Salmonella by 1 log CFU/mL compared to the controls. At 48 h, each yeast product treatment reduced Salmonella by 3 log CFU/mL compared to the controls. There was no main effect of treatment on the alpha diversity metrics, richness, or evenness (P > 0.05). Treatment affected the beta diversity, abundance, and phylogenetic differences, but there were no pairwise differences (P>0.05, Q>0.05). Using ANCOM at the genus level, the taxa Synergistes, Alloprevotella, Sutterella, and Megasphaera abundance were significantly different (W = 154,147,145,140, respectively). These results demonstrate the potential of these yeast-derived products to reduce foodborne pathogens, such as Salmonella Enteriditis, in vitro, without negatively disrupting the cecal microbiome.

Reem Mohammed Alharbi, Essam Nageh Sholkamy, Khawla Ibrahim Alsamhary et al.

This study examined the ability of the green microalgae <i>Chlorella vulgaris</i> to remove arsenic from aqueous solutions. A series of studies was conducted to determine the optimal conditions for biological arsenic elimination, including biomass amount, incubation time, initial arsenic level, and pH values. At 76 min, pH 6, 50 mgL⁻¹ metal concentration, and 1 gL⁻¹ bio-adsorbent dosage, the maximum removal of arsenic from an aqueous solution was 93%. The uptake of As (III) ions by <i>C. vulgaris</i> reached an equilibrium at 76 min of bio-adsorption. The maximum adsorptive rate of arsenic (III) by <i>C. vulgaris</i> was 55 mg/gm. The Langmuir, Freundlich, and Dubinin–Radushkevich equations were used to fit the experimental data. The best theoretical isotherm of Langmuir, Freundlich, or/and Dubinin–Radushkevich for arsenic bio-adsorption by <i>Chlorella vulgaris</i> was determined. To choose the best theoretical isotherm, the coefficient of correlation was used. The data on absorption appeared to be linearly consistent with the Langmuir (q_max = 45 mgg⁻¹; R² = 0.9894), Freundlich (k_f = 1.44; R² = 0.7227), and Dubinin–Radushkevich (q_D–R = 8.7 mg/g; R² = 0.951) isotherms. The Langmuir and Dubinin–Radushkevich isotherms were both good two-parameter isotherms. In general, Langmuir was demonstrated to be the most accurate model for As (III) bio-adsorption on the bio-adsorbent. Maximum bio-adsorption values and a good correlation coefficient were observed for the first-order kinetic model, indicating that it was the best fitting model and significant in describing the arsenic (III) adsorption process. SEM micrographs of treated and untreated algal cells revealed that ions adsorbed on the algal cell’s surface. A Fourier-transform infrared spectrophotometer (FTIR) was used to analyze the functional groups in algal cells, such as the carboxyl group, hydroxyl, amines, and amides, which aided in the bio-adsorption process. Thus, <i>C. vulgaris</i> has great potential and can be found in eco-friendly biomaterials capable of adsorbing arsenic contaminants from water sources.

Manikyanahalli Chandrashekara Keerthi, Sachin Suresh Suroshe, Sagar Doddachowdappa et al.

<i>Spodoptera frugiperda</i> (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is an invasive pest native to the American continent. The present study focused on bio-intensive tactics like intercropping, using natural enemies, botanical insecticides and biopesticides for managing <i>S. frugiperda</i> for the organic production of maize in Indian conditions. A total of eight different parasitoids attacking the different stages of <i>S. frugiperda viz.,</i> eggs and larvae were found in the study area. The total parasitism rate due to all the parasitoids ranged from 28.37 to 42.44%. The egg-larval parasitoid, <i>Chelonus formosanus</i> Sonan (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) was the dominant parasitoid (12.55%), followed by <i>Chelonus</i> nr. <i>blackburni</i> (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) (10.98%) and <i>Coccygydium</i> sp. (4.85%). About 36.58 percent of the egg masses collected was parasitized by egg parasitoids, among which <i>Telenomus remus</i> (Nixon) (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) was the dominant parasitoid. The botanicals insecticides such as citronella and annona extract were most effective, resulting in 100% mortality of FAW larvae (168 h after treatment). The essential oil of garlic (100%) was found highly effective in inhibiting egg hatching, followed by geraniol (90.76%). The maize intercropped with lady’s finger (okra) recorded significantly the lowest pest infestation and recorded higher grain yield (6.17 q/ha) than other intercropping systems and control (5.10 q/ha). The overall bioefficacy of commercial biopesticides against the larvae of <i>S. frugiperda</i> was in the following order azadirachtin > <i>Metarhizium anisopliae</i> (Metch.) Sorokin (Hypocreales: Clavicipitaceae) > <i>Beauveria bassiana</i> (Balsamo) Vuillemin (Hypocreales: Clavicipitaceae) at 168 h after treatment.

Kristin M. Sullivan, Emma M. Harding-Esch, Alexander P. Keil et al.

<h4>Background</h4> Trachoma is the leading infectious cause of blindness. To reduce transmission, water, sanitation, and hygiene (WaSH) improvements are promoted through a comprehensive public health strategy. Evidence supporting the role of WaSH in trachoma elimination is mixed and it remains unknown what WaSH coverages are needed to effectively reduce transmission. <h4>Methods/Findings</h4> We used g-computation to estimate the impact on the prevalence of trachomatous inflammation—follicular among children aged 1–9 years (TF1-9) when hypothetical WaSH interventions raised the minimum coverages from 5% to 100% for “nearby” face-washing water (<30 minutes roundtrip collection time) and adult latrine use in an evaluation unit (EU). For each scenario, we estimated the generalized prevalence difference as the TF1-9 prevalence under the intervention scenarios minus the observed prevalence. Data from 574 cross-sectional surveys conducted in 16 African and Eastern Mediterranean countries were included. Surveys were conducted from 2015–2019 with support from the Global Trachoma Mapping Project and Tropical Data. When modeling interventions among EUs that had not yet met the TF1-9 elimination target, increasing nearby face-washing water and latrine use coverages above 30% was generally associated with consistent decreases in TF1-9. For nearby face-washing water, we estimated a ≥25% decrease in TF1-9 at 65% coverage, with a plateau upon reaching 85% coverage. For latrine use, the estimated decrease in TF1-9 accelerated from 80% coverage upward, with a ≥25% decrease in TF1-9 by 85% coverage. Among EUs that had previously met the elimination target, results were inconclusive. <h4>Conclusions</h4> Our results support Sustainable Development Goal 6 and provide insight into potential WaSH-related coverage targets for trachoma elimination. Targets can be tested in future trials to improve evidence-based WaSH guidance for trachoma. Author summary Previous work has been unable to determine what water, sanitation, and hygiene (WaSH)-related coverages are needed to optimally limit trachoma transmission. This study uses a large, multi-national dataset to explore the impact of hypothetical WaSH interventions designed to increase coverages of face-washing water and latrine use in districts that have met and those that have not met trachoma elimination targets. We used statistical models to explore how these interventions impacted the prevalence of trachoma among children as compared to the observed data. Our findings provide evidence-based insight into potential WaSH coverage targets that could be hypothesized to achieve meaningful reductions in trachoma prevalence. We found that in areas working to reach trachoma elimination targets, increasing face-washing water and latrine use coverages to a minimum of ≥30% were consistently associated with (modelled) reductions in active trachoma prevalence. However, in areas that had already met trachoma elimination targets, we did not see the same pattern. This finding supports our theory that the WaSH-trachoma relationship differs in these areas and suggests a need for additional research to explore these relationships. Our estimates can be used to inform programmatic WaSH targets and future field trials.

Sang-Hun Lee, J. Choe, Chulki Kim et al.

Abstract We report that single-stranded deoxyribonucleic acids (ssDNAs) at very low concentrations can be detected using graphene-combined nano-slot-based terahertz (THz) resonance. A combination of the resonant structure and tuned electro-optical properties of graphene can provide unprecedentedly sensitive biomolecule sensing even using very low energy THz photons, overcoming the huge scale difference of 10,000:1 between the wavelength and the size of the ssDNAs. Ultrahigh sensitivity is obtained by the significant increase in the absorption cross-section of the graphene sheet with the targeted biomolecules, induced by strong THz field enhancement at the resonance frequency inside the slots. Clearly distinguishable THz optical signals were observed between different species of ssDNAs even at the nano-mole level and analyzed quantitatively in terms of the electro-optical properties of the suspended graphene layer modified by the attached ssDNAs without any molecular-specific labeling for the THz regime. Quantitative analysis of ssDNA molecule adsorption was carried based on the change in conductivity using a theoretical THz transmission model.

Mohammad Keimasi, Kowsar Salehifard, Marzieh Shahidi et al.

Memory impairment is one of the main complications of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). This condition can be induced by hyper-stimulation of N-Methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) of glutamate in the hippocampus, which ends up to pyramidal neurons determination. The release of neurotransmitters relies on voltage-gated calcium channels (VGCCs) such as P/Q-types. Omega-lycotoxin-Gsp2671e (OLG1e) is a P/Q-type VGCC modulator with high affinity and selectivity. This bio-active small protein was purified and identified from the Lycosa praegrandis venom. The effect of this state-dependent low molecular weight P/Q-type calcium modulator on rats was investigated via glutamate-induced excitotoxicity by N-Methyl-D-aspartate. Also, Electrophysiological amplitude of field excitatory postsynaptic potentials (fEPSPs) in the input–output and Long-term potentiation (LTP) curves were recorded in mossy fiber and the amount of synaptophysin (SYN), synaptosomal-associated protein, 25 kDa (SNAP-25), and synaptotagmin 1(SYT1) genes expression were measured using Real-time PCR technique for synaptic quantification. The outcomes of the current study suggest that OLG1e as a P/Q-type VGCC modulator has an ameliorative effect on excitotoxicity-induced memory defects and prevents the impairment of pyramidal neurons in the rat hippocampus.

D.P. Manjarrés, N. Montemurro, S. Pérez

Pharmaceuticals (PhACs) are partially removed during wastewater treatment and end up in the receiving waters. As a result, aquatic biota is continuously exposed to a wide range of potentially hazardous contaminants such as PhACs. Therefore, fish could be a good bio indicator to give a direct measure of the occurrence of PhACs in the aquatic environment. In this study, a robust analytical method has been optimized and validated for the determination of 81 organic compounds, mainly PhACs, in seven wild fish tissue types (liver, muscle, pancreas, kidney, skin, heart, and brain) and two body fluids (plasma and bile). Solid samples extraction was performed combining a procedure based on bead beating tissue homogenization plus ultrasound extraction followed by dispersive solid-phase extraction (dSPE) clean-up using zirconia and C18 sorbents for solid matrices, whereas bile and plasma were diluted.The key aspects of this method are:• The method facilitated the simultaneous extraction of 81 PhACs of a wide range of polarity (logP from -4.9 to 5.6) in tissues with variable lipid content.• The validation was performed using Cyprinus carpio at 20 ng g−1 and 200 ng g−1 for solid tissues, 50 ng mL−1 and 500 ng mL−1 for plasma, and 100 ng mL−1 and 1000 ng mL−1 for bile. Analyte detection was performed in LC-HRMS Q-Exactive Orbitrap system with full scan and targeted data-independent acquisition (DIA) mode for high-confidence and sensitive quantitation in either (+) or (-) ESI mode.• The majority of compounds presented recoveries between 40% and 70% and relative standard deviations (RSD) below 30%.

Vahid Riahi, Farzad Mahmoudiyan, Farhad Azizpour

Statement of the Problem: Interactions and spatial flows are within and outside the territory among different life patterns (between cities, villages, and nomadic spatial actors) at the level of geographical areas, including nomadic ecosystems. In this regard, interactions and development of nomadic ecosystems affect both sides of heterogeneous areas form a level of spatial integration, and provide a platform for innovation and creativity for sustainable spatial development planning.Purpose: The present study, in the framework of the network paradigm with emphasis on the regional network approach, seeks to analyze the patterns of spatial interactions in the nomadic ecosystem of the Babadi Bab Bakhtiari tribe.Methodology: The present research was applied and descriptive-analytical in terms of purpose and method. The method of data collection according to the nature of the research was library and field visits based on the number of spatial actors (summer-winter quarters) at the ecological level. The required data were collected using a questionnaire and the questioning technique. Then, the spatial network analysis method (which is based on the social network analysis method) was used. In the framework of this method, the basic criteria of analysis are based on the framework of socio-spatial criteria (location, distance, scale, and power). The UCINET software was also used for data analysis.Results: Based on the findings and the four criteria studied by socio-spatial actors in the ecosystem, spatial interaction patterns lacked integration. In this sense, the division of spatial labor has been spontaneous (without planning) in such a way that the flow center of the people is limited. Therefore, the middle centers (Mianbandha) ranked first and the cities of Chelgard, Farsan, Lali, and Sheikh Ali Khanranks ranked second, third, fourth, and fifth in the patterns of spatial interactions inside and outside the socio-spatial bio-realm. Influenced by the type and nature of the flow of people, the daily migration of nomads is subject to the centralized pattern (single-center) and one-way spatial interactions, and the seasonal migration of nomads follows the decentralized pattern (multi-center) and two-way spatial interactions. The later migration is far from the pattern of network spatial interactions because in most spatial actors, two-way links are established apparently.Innovation: In this study, the analysis of spatial interaction patterns affected by the type and nature of people within the nomadic ecosystem and the relationship of the entire ecosystem with cities and villages, was considered spatially. 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S SINGH, R K TANWAR, S P SINGH

Integrated pest management (IPM) strategy has greatly contributed to a progressive commitment for sustainable agriculture in India. Long term studies conducted on validation and promotion of IPM in basmati rice (Oryza sativa L.) in district Gautam Budh Nagar, Uttar Pradesh, India resulted in a gradual enhancement in the area under IPM from 40 ha in 2010 by participation of 25 farmers to 990 ha in 2019 by participation of 654 farmers from 42 villages. Implementation of IPM technology resulted in a significant (P<0.05) reduction in the incidence of yellow stem borer (69.64%), leaf folder (70.9%), brown plant hopper (55.52%), bakane (90.98%) and the population of root-knot nematode (76.8%) over farmers’ practices (FP). It enhanced the population of predatory spiders (84.2%), beneficial soil nematodes (159.27%) and bio-agents, viz. Pseudomonas fluorescens (78.74%) and Trichoderma harzianum (81.34%) over FP. Application of chemical pesticides was reduced to 75.25 g/ha in IPM against 892.93 g/ha in farmers’ practice. The maximum residue level of buprofezin, a widely used insecticide, was recorded below detectable level in paddy grains. Long term studies indicated higher yield (38.0 q/ha) as well as benefit:cost ratio (3.6) in IPM as compared to FP yield (30.5 q/ha) and benefit:cost ratio (2.3) with 58.3% enhancement in net return over FP. Thorough analysis of the data indicated the availability of critical inputs, accessibility of farmers to subject matter specialists through Farmer Field Schools and market for IPM produces as the main factors responsible for sustainability and horizontal spread of IPM in Gautam Budh Nagar.

Lixia Li, Meng Wang, Xiandong Wu et al.

Nanocomposite modification has attracted much attention in improving properties of bio-based polymer coating material for coated fertilizer. Herein two comparable polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes (POSS), with eight poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and octaphenyl groups attached to the cage, respectively, were successfully incorporated into thin castor oil-based polyurethane coatings via in-situ polymerization on the urea surface. The nanostructure coatings are environmentally friendly, easy to prepare, and property-tunable. The results show that the vertex group of POSS had a pronounced influence on dispersion level and interaction between polyurethane and POSS that well-tuned the release pattern and period of coated urea, even at the coating rate as low as of 2 wt%. The liquid POSS with long and flexible PEG groups had better compatibility and dispersibility in polyurethane matrix than the solid POSS with rigid octaphenyl groups, as evidenced by SEM/EDS. The unique properties were resulted from the different extents of physical crosslinkings. This modification of bio-based polyurethane coating with POSS provided an alternative method of regulating and controlling the properties of coated fertilizer.

M. Atasoy, Z. Cetecioglu

Abstract The most sustainable and environmentally friendly butyric acid production method is fermentation; however, low production yield and high substrate cost limit the competition with petrol-based production. The study is aimed to enhance butyric acid production via bioaugmentated mixed culture by Clostridium butyricum. Anaerobic sequencing batch reactors (bioaugmented and control) were operated under alkali pH (pH 10) at 35 °C and fed by dairy industry wastewater as substrate. The performance of bioaugmentation was monitored in three stages: before the application, during the application (C. butyricum was injected as %10 of active reactor volume on a daily basis for seven days), after bioaugmentation. The VFA concentration and composition (by GC-FID) with the copy gene number of C. butyricum (by Q-PCR) were monitored in the bioaugmented reactor during the operation. The bioaugmentation of C. butyricum increased butyric acid production (mgCOD L-1) from 260 ± 36 to 2889 ± 180. The total VFA production (mgCOD L-1) was increased from 1434 ± 217 to 4642 ± 1778 in control and bioaugmented reactors, respectively. There was a positive correlation between the gene copies of C. butyricum with butyric, hexanoic, n-heptanoic, valeric acids production. Furthermore, the bioaugmented mixed culture had better performance than pure culture regarding butyric acid production. The cycle analysis showed that the similar butyric acid production efficiency would be obtained in the first 6 h in the bioaugmented reactor, in the first 14 h in the control reactor of the cycle. The study provides a fundamental solution to step forward to achieve next-generation biorefineries by using both monocultures modularity and mixed culture robustness and stability regarding.

Y. Henrotin, Y. Henrotin, M. Malaise et al.

ObjectivesComparison of two doses of bio-optimized Curcuma longa extract (BCL) in the management of symptomatic knee osteoarthritis (OA).MethodsA prospective, randomized, 3-month, double-blind, multicenter, three-group, placebo-controlled trial assessing Patient Global Assessment of Disease Activity (PGADA) and serum sColl2-1, a biomarker of cartilage degradation, as co-primary endpoints. Pain on visual analog scale (VAS), Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), and paracetamol/non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) consumption were used as secondary endpoints.ResultsOne hundred fifty patients with knee OA were followed for 90 days. Low and high doses of BCL showed a greater decrease of PGADA than placebo. Analysis of sColl2-1 showed in the placebo and BCL low-dose groups, but not in the BCL high-dose group, a transient but non-significant increase of sColl2-1 between T0 and T1. Thereafter, in all groups, sColl2-1 decreased between T1 and T3 (all p < 0.01), but no difference between the groups was found. Pain reduction at day 90 in the low- and high-dose BCL groups (− 29.5 mm and − 36.5 mm) was higher than that in the placebo (− 8 mm; p = 0.018). The global KOOS significantly decreased overtime, but changes were comparable across treatment arms. The ratio of patients with adverse events (AE) related to the product was similar in the placebo and treatment groups, but the number of AE linked to the product was higher in the high-dose BCL group compared to the placebo (p = 0.012).ConclusionsBCL appeared safe and well-tolerated with no evidence of severe adverse effects. Efficacy analysis suggested positive trends for measurements of PGADA and serum levels of an OA biomarker and showed a rapid and significant decrease of pain in knee OA (Trial registration: ISRCTN, ISRCTN12345678. Registered 21 September 2016—retrospectively registered, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02909621?term=osteoarthritis+curcumin&rank=5—Evaluation of FLEXOFYTOL® Versus PLACEBO (COPRA) NCT02909621).

A. Nafisi, Qianwen Liu, B. Montoya