Initial Period Research Articles

The Evolution of China’s Policy for Transitions from ecec to Primary Education and Its Characteristics: a Policy Review Based on Incrementalism Theory

Abstract Transitions from early childhood education and care (ecec) to primary education are not only about the quality of children’s early learning but also affect the development of children and are of great value in promoting the construction of high-quality education systems in various countries. This study uses incrementalism theory to review the policy content for transitions from ecec to primary education in China and finds that the policy has evolved through four stages: the gestation period, the initial exploration period, the steady development period, and the system construction period. The evolution of the policy has shown a characteristic step-by-step increase from small to large, seeking changes while maintaining stability. Through the review of China’s policy content for transitions from ecec to primary education, we hope to provide evidence from the Chinese experience to international research in related fields.

Pashe Achhi: A Low-Tech Model of Learning and Psychosocial Support for Children and Caregivers

ABSTRACT Pashe Achhi is a telecommunication model that emerged out of the COVID-19 pandemic in Bangladesh to provide support to 0- to 5-year-old children and their caregivers through mobile-to-mobile phone calls. It is a caregiver-child facing and/or only caregiver focused, low-resource, low-tech model that constitutes a 20-minute phone call. The phone calls include a 10-minute psychosocial support segment to caregivers and a 10-minute stimulation segment to their children through play. After the initial intervention period during the pandemic, this model has been tested further and evaluated based on two modalities: 5-month and 9-month interventions. An experimental study design using randomized assignment of the treatment and comparison group was used for this evaluation. The improvement in cognitive development scores among children has been found to be higher after 5 months than after 9 months of intervention. The model has implications for further research as an early childhood development (ECD) solution during crisis situations and ECD access to children of ultra-poor households.

Fate of atrazine in soybean (Glycine max L.) and corn (Zea mays L.) succession in Brazilian subtropical conditions

This work aimed to evaluate the distribution of atrazine via surface runoff, leaching, and retention in a Rhodic Ferralsol and to analyze the effect of a succession of corn and soybean crops in Brazilian subtropical edaphoclimatic conditions on the distribution of this herbicide. The mobility of atrazine was evaluated using a drainage lysimeter under conditions of intensely simulated precipitation, carried out 24 h and 48 h after a single herbicide application at 17 days after corn emergence. Surface runoff and leaching were sampled during the rainfall simulations at intervals of 5 min until completing 1 h. Corn foliar analyses were carried out to measure the residual amounts of atrazine. In addition, laboratory studies of sorption (equilibrium and thermodynamics) and dissipation were carried out to understand the dynamics of atrazine in the soil. Freundlich's non-linear isotherms presented an excellent fit in the description of atrazine sorption in a Rhodic Ferralsol. The high content of organic matter in the soil and the temperature variation directly influences the retention of atrazine in the soil. The half-life (t1/2) of atrazine in soil under controlled conditions indicates a non-persistent pesticide, with 14.44 days. However, the herbicide can persist in deep soil layers for more than 93 days after spraying. When high-intensity rainfall occurs 24 h after application, large proportions of atrazine are lost by runoff within the first 20 min of rain. At the same time, significantly inferior losses are observed when rainfall occurs 48 h after spraying. High-intensity rainfall within 24 h of atrazine application leads to substantial losses, causing an approximate 84% reduction in its concentration in corn leaves and a 94% reduction in soil. Conservationist agronomic practices that protect the soil, especially during the initial periods of corn cultivation, are essential to reduce atrazine losses by runoff or leaching. In addition, increasing the concentration of organic matter in the soil can be extremely promising in increasing the retention of this pesticide to soil colloids, preventing its loss in soils with a low content of clay minerals.

FUNCTIONAL STABILITY OF THE INVERTED PENDULUM AND ITS RELATION TO UNCREWED AERIAL VEHICLE WINGS THROUGH SYSTEM MATHEMATICAL MODELING AND SIMULATION

The flight instability of an uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV) can be considered critical, and investigations of stability can be compared to the study of the stabilization of an inverted pendulum. This study investigated the stability of two dynamic systems, represented by an inverted pendulum and a simple approximation of an aircraft wing surface exposed to aerodynamic forces. This study illustrates the advantages of time-domain simulation for solving the differential equation of motion. The simulation used the Euler integration approach for various system parameters. Essentially, an aircraft in flight must constantly maintain pitch stability, which, in practical considerations, can be compared to the mechanism of a rotary motion represented by the up-swinging motion of an inverted pendulum. The pendulum may conserve the same concept as an aircraft’s acceleration, as both are affected by the same gravity and acceleration forces, in which the longitudinal stability of the aircraft must be ensured immediately upon takeoff. An inverted pendulum and a UAV aircraft system simulation were developed with basic MATLAB software. The inverted pendulum simulation showed that as the value of the spring’s stiffness at the limit of stability (klim) increased, the system became more convergent and, as a result, more stable. The stiffness of the spring at the limit of stability, klim = 32.69 N m-1 (i.e., equivalent to an initial angular rotation θ = 5 °), and the system’s stability were observed up to the value of klim = 179.79 N m-1, which resulted in an unstable short initial period. In addition, for the aircraft’s wing, the damping coefficient (clim) value was in the range of clim ≥ 10,000 N s m-1. Therefore, with the damping ratio ζ being equal to zero, the system vibrated consistently at its natural frequency (wn), never deviating drastically to become unstable.

Identifying the coking of bio-oil in pyrolysis: An in-situ EPR investigation

Serious coking from the bio-oil polymerisation is a bottle-neck challenge for bio-oil thermal upgrading. Probing the mechanism of bio-oil coking is the first step to achieve high carbon conversion efficiency. In this study, in-situ electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy was used to characterise the stable free radical generation during bio-oil pyrolysis at 250–350 °C with reaction time of 2–10 min, which identify the coking process of bio-oil. The liquid and solid products were characterised using gas chromatography-mass spectrometer (GC–MS), ultraviolet fluorescence (UV-F) and Raman spectroscopy. The results indicate that the coking of bio-oil in pyrolysis can be divided into three stages of varied characteristics. The coke formation precedes with an initial induction period that lasts for 2–8 min and shortens with increasing pyrolysis temperature. In the period, light components polymerise into heavy ones, including polycyclic aromatics as the essential coke precursors. After the induction period, significant amounts of stable free radicals are generated with coke formation, and the content increases from 0.2 to 1.6–7.8 μmol/g bio-oil in the early stage of coking. Meanwhile, the coke precursors, polycyclic aromatics, are rapidly depleted. Afterwards, in the late stage, the nascent coke gradually condenses and the stable free radical content increases slowly.

Could Cratylia argentea replace Tifton 85 hay on growing and finishing lamb diets in tropical areas?

Legumes shrubs such as Cratylia argentea have an ability to thrive in environments with low water availability and poor soil. On the other hand, forage grasses such as Tifton 85 have a greater demand for inputs to be productive. The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of growing and finishing Lacaune lambs fed Cratylia argentea hay as an alternative to Tifton 85 (Cynodon spp). Twenty-four Lacaune lambs aged between five and six months (average body weight [BW] 21.50 ± 3.38 kg) were arranged in a split-plot randomized block design. The plots consisted of different Cratylia to Tifton 85 hay proportions (0, 20%, 40%, or 100%, dry matter [DM] basis) as a roughage replacement in the total diet. The subplots represented two evaluation times, entitled "initial period" and "final period", which consisted of the early seven days of total feces and urine collection, and the last seven days of the experiment, respectively. The lambs were blocked by weight with six replicates per treatment. The results show that the level of Tifton 85 replacement for Cratylia hay in the roughage portion of the lamb diet did not influence (P > 0.05) weight gain (WG), dry matter intake or dry matter digestibility; feed conversion, feed efficiency; and the evaluated nitrogen balance variables. The digestibility coefficient of neutral detergent fiber decreased linearly as Tifton 85 replacement for Cratylia level was increased, which probably happened due to the presence of highly lignified material within the Cratylia hay. However, the alternative legume maintained animal performance of Tifton 85. In conclusion, Cratylia hay can be recommended as a potential substitute for Tifton 85 hay, which requires greater inputs for the production. Cratylia may be considered a feeding strategy for livestock production, especially for smallholder livestock systems and regions with unfavorable soil and climate.

The Archaeological Site of Tumshukayko (Peru): A Preliminary Report

AbstractIn 2021, an Italian-Peruvian archaeological team began a research project in the Ancash Sierra to investigate the origins of early monumental architecture in the northern-central Andes. The large complex of Tumshukayko—located in the northern part of the town of Caraz in Ancash, Peru—was immediately found to be the most suitable site for this project. This report presents an initial description of the current state of the remains, topographical data, and test pit results. Preliminary data suggest that Tumshukayko is a multicomponent site comprising at least two mounds that were built during the Initial Formative period (2500–1500 BC).

Features of growth and production processes in own-rootedand grafted cherry plum trees

In 2022-2023, a comparative study of the growth and productivity of own-rootedand grafted cherry plum trees planted in 2020 according to the 5×2 m scheme was conducted at the Federal Horticultural Research Center for Breeding, Agrotechnology and Nursery. The objects of research are plants of the varieties ‘Shatyor’, ‘Zlato Skifov’ and ‘Kubanskaya Kometa’, own-rooted and grafted on clone rootstocks SVG-11-19 and 13-113. Differences in biometric indicators in own-rootedand grafted trees of all studied varieties have been established. The height of trees at the age of 5 years varied depending on the graft -rootstock combination from 2.0 (‘Zlato Skifov’/SVG-11-19) up to 3.1 m (‘Shatyor’/13-113). The height of the own-rootedtrees was 15-20 % less than that of the trees grafted on the rootstock 13- 113. The ‘Kubanskaya Kometa’ and ‘Shatyor’ varieties showed a significant decrease in height when grafted on the SVG-11-19 rootstock. The trees of the ‘Zlato Skifov’ variety (less than 2.1 m) were the weakest in the experiment. Differences in the length of annual increments and leaf area were revealed. The productivity of cherry plum trees in the initial period of fruiting depended both on varietal characteristics and on the method of growing planting material. The most productive variety was a Shatyor with a load yield of more than 11 kg/der. The greatest differences in productivity, depending on the rootstock, were noted in the ‘Kubanskaya Kometa’ variety: from 7.3 to 12.9 kg/der. The average productivity of trees of the ‘Zlato Skifov’ variety did not exceed 5.5 kg/der. The ‘Kubanskaya Kometa’ and ‘Shatyor’ varieties have an advantage in productivity in trees grafted on the SVG-11-19 rootstock compared to own-rootedones. The fruits of own-rootedtrees of all varieties were smaller than those grafted on the rootstock SVG-11-19. To increase the yield of the ‘KubanskayaKometa’ and ‘Shatyor’ varieties, seedlings grafted on the SVG-11-19 rootstock should be used. For a low-growing variety of ‘Zlato Skifov’, the optimal result can be obtained when planting plantings, both with own-rootedseedlings and grafted on rootstock 13-113.

Impact of early posthatch feeding on the immune system and selected hematological, biochemical, and hormonal parameters in broiler chickens

Under commercial conditions, chicks hatch within a 24 to 48 h window, a period known as the hatching window. Subsequently, they undergo various treatments before finally being transported to the broiler farm. These procedures may delay the chicks' access to food and water, sometimes receiving them as late as 72 h after hatching. Previous studies have indicated that fasting during this initial period is detrimental, leading to impaired body growth, compromised immune system response, and hindered muscle development. The objective of this study was to assess the impact of early posthatch feeding on immune system organs and selected hematological, biochemical, and hormonal parameters. The experiment utilized Ross 308 broiler eggs incubated under typical commercial hatchery conditions. The experimental group's eggs were hatched in HatchCare hatchers (HC) with immediate access to feed and water, while the control group's eggs were hatched under standard conditions (ST). Thirty chickens from each group were assessed on the 1st (D1), 7th (D7), 21st (D21), and 35th (D35) day after hatching. On D1, the HC group exhibited lower hemoglobin, hematocrit, and total serum protein values, suggesting that early access to water prevents initial dehydration in newborn chicks. Conversely, the ST group showed a stress reaction on D1 due to feed deprivation, leading to an almost 2-fold higher serum corticosterone concentration compared to the HC group. However, this increase did not result in a significant change in the heterophil/lymphocyte ratio. Furthermore, the HC group displayed an increase in triglyceride concentration and a decrease in HDL concentration on D1. On D7, the HC group exhibited an increased relative weight of the bursa and a higher CD4+ cell number in the cecal tonsil (CT), indicating a more rapid development of these organs resulting from early stimulation of the gastrointestinal tract. However, early feeding did not influence the numbers of Bu-1+, CD4+, and CD8+ cells or the germinal center (GC) areas in the spleen. In conclusion, early feeding contributes to the welfare of newborn chicks by reducing dehydration and stress levels and stimulating the development of gut-associated lymphoid tissue.

Assimilating a blended dataset of satellite-based estimations and in situ observations to improve WRF-Chem PM2.5 prediction

Continuous improvement in remote sensing observation-based techniques has enabled data inversion assimilation methods to play an increasingly important role in the field of numerical forecasting. Using an artificial intelligence fusion inversion method can overcome the multisource heterogeneity of data, thereby providing a better blended source for data assimilation (DA) and improving the forecasting capability. This study proposed a multimodel stacking machine learning algorithm to estimate surface concentrations of PM2.5 (particulate matter with an aerodynamic equivalent diameter of ≤2.5 μm) using Himawari-8 satellite data. The derived satellite-based PM2.5 estimation was then blended with the in situ observations as physical constraints to obtain a high-resolution multisource blended dataset. To determine the level of improvement provided by the blended dataset, four parallel experiments were conducted during February 2022: a control experiment without DA (noDA), an experiment that assimilated satellite-based estimation dataset (sate-basedDA), an experiment that assimilated multisource blended dataset (blendDA) and an experiment that assimilated in situ observations (siteDA) based on the Gridpoint Statical Interpolation system. Statistically, in comparison with the direct satellite-based PM2.5 estimations, the blended dataset better matched the in situ observations. The accuracy of PM2.5 predictions can be optimized by DA and for the first 24-h period the blended dataset performed better than the traditional ground observations as the assimilation source. Throughout the initial 24-h period, the results of blendDA (siteDA, sate-basedDA) showed an improvement in terms of root-mean-square error, with reductions varying from 6.65 to 20.20 μg/m3 (4.50–19.79 μg/m3, 2.29–10.86 μg/m3).

Impact of non-medical cannabis legalization with market restrictions on health service use and incident cases of psychotic disorder in Ontario, Canada

BackgroundCannabis is a risk factor in the onset and persistence of psychotic disorders. There is concern that non-medical cannabis legalization in Canada may have population-level impacts on psychotic disorders. We sought to examine changes in health service use and incident cases of psychotic disorder following cannabis legalization, during a period of tight restrictions on retail stores and product types. MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional interrupted time-series analysis using linked population-based health administrative data from Ontario (Canada) from January 2014 to March 2020. We identified psychosis-related outpatient visits, emergency department visits, hospitalizations, and inpatient length of stay, as well as incident cases of psychotic disorders, among people aged 14 to 60 years. ResultsWe did not find evidence of increases in health service use or incident cases of psychotic disorders over the short-term (17 month) period following cannabis legalization. However, we found clear increasing trends in health service use and incident cases of substance-induced psychotic disorders over the entire observation window (2014–2020). ConclusionOur findings suggest that the initial period of tight market restriction following legalization of non-medical cannabis was not associated with an increase in health service use or frequency of psychotic disorders. A longer post-legalization observation period, which includes expansion of the commercial cannabis market, is needed to fully understand the population-level impacts of non-medical cannabis legalization; thus, it would be premature to conclude that the legalization of non-medical cannabis did not lead to increases in health service use and incident cases of psychotic disorder.

Comparison of microvascular decompression, percutaneous radiofrequency rhizotomy, and stereotactic radiosurgery in the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia: A long term quasi-experimental study.

Microvascular decompression (MVD), radiofrequency rhizotomy (RFR), and stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) are surgical techniques frequently used in the treatment of idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia (TN), although the results reported for each of these are diverse. This study aimed to compare long-term pain control obtained by MVD, SRS, and RFR in patients with idiopathic TN. To compare the results obtained by MVD, SRS, and RFR we chose a quasi-experimental, ambispective design with control groups but no pretest. A total of 52 participants (MVD n = 33, RFR n = 10, SRS n = 9) were included. Using standardized outcome measures, pain intensity, pain relief, quality of life, and satisfaction with treatment were assessed by an independent investigator. The TREND statement for reporting non-randomized evaluations was applied. Clinical outcomes were evaluated at the initial postoperative period and at 6 months, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 years postoperatively. MVD has shown better results in pain scales compared to ablative procedures. Significant differences between groups were found regarding pain intensity and pain relief at the initial postoperative period (p < 0.001) and 6 months (p = 0.022), 1 year (p < 0.001), 2 years (p = 0.002), and 3 years (p = 0.004) after the intervention. Those differences exceeded the thresholds of the minimal clinically important difference. A higher percentage of patients free of pain was observed in the group of patients treated by MVD, with significant differences at the initial postoperative period (p < 0.001) and 6 months (p = 0.02), 1 year (p = 0.001), and 2 years (p = 0.04) after the procedure. Also, a higher risk of pain recurrence was observed in the RFR and SRS groups (HR 3.15, 95% CI 1.33-7.46; p = 0.009; and HR 4.26, 95% CI 1.77-10.2; p = 0.001, respectively) compared to the MVD group. No significant differences were found in terms of quality of life and satisfaction with treatment. A higher incidence of complications was observed in the MVD group. Concerning pain control and risk of pain recurrence, MVD is superior to RFR and SRS, but not in terms of quality of life, satisfaction with treatment, and safety profile.

Formation of the Tuva People's Revolutionary Party in the Initial Period of the TPR

Based on archival materials, the history of the formation and development of the Tuva People's Revolutionary Party (TPRP) in the initial period (19211927) in terms of its performance, role and significance in the formation and development of the Tuva People's Republic, as well as the leading role of the USSR is considered. The work applied historical-genetic, historical-systemic methods to study the history of the formation of the TPR and the TPRP, historical-comparative and historical-typological methods to analyze the activities of the TPRP in different years.&#x0D; As a result of the study the archival materials of the National Archive of the Republic of Tuva (NA RT) (fond 1), The Russian State Archive of SocioPolitical History (RGASPI) (Fond 495) were introduced into scientific circulation, which testify that the comprehensive assistance and leadership role of the All-Union Communist Party of Bolsheviks (b) allowed the TPRP to play a special role in strengthening the Tuvan State. Conclusions: the elite of Tuva played a huge role in the creation and functioning of the first party, but at the same time without the help and actually daily leading and guiding role of the USSR it was impossible not only the formation of the first Tuvan State, but also the development of statehood, the creation of institutions of power, social institutions, including the TPRP.

Financial Feasibility Study of Perum Damri Serang Branch Business Study on Transport Trajects of Tanjung Lesung and Sawarna National Tourism Strategic Areas

Transportation refers to the act of relocating or transferring an object from one location to another, with the intention of enhancing its utility or enabling its application for specific purposes in the new destination. Public transportation refers to a form of mass transportation that provides passenger services through a collective travel system. This method of transportation is accessible to the general public, operates on predetermined routes, and requires payment for each individual journey. Public transportation operates on a rental or payment system. The primary function of public transportation is to cater to the mobility needs and interests of the community. Survey research encompasses the examination of both extensive and limited populations through the collection of data from representative samples. Its primary objective is to ascertain the relative prevalence, distribution, and interrelationship of variables. In summary, it may be concluded that both routes did not demonstrate financial feasibility within the initial two-year period, considering a discount rate of 12.5%. While the internal rate of return (IRR) study suggests the possibility of long-term profitability, it is crucial to thoroughly evaluate the short-term risks and losses that are brought to light by the benefit-cost ratio (BCR) and net present value (NPV) calculations. When making decisions on the operation of this route, it is necessary to carefully analyze several elements, such as market conditions, competition, and prevailing economic circumstances. Prior to proceeding with or ceasing route operations, it is imperative to conduct a comprehensive study and engage in strategic planning that aligns with DAMRI's commercial objectives.

The consequence of the closure of primary care dental services on secondary care during the COVID-19 pandemic – A national outlook

BackgroundAfter the global pandemic of COVID-19 in March 2020, restrictions were implemented on all aspects of routine dental-care with a primary focus to urgent care only. AimTo investigate the impact on secondary care medical facilities and Emergency Department (ED) admissions for the management of severe dental infections as a result of restricted access to routine primary dental-care during the period of COVID-19 restrictions. DesignNational level Hospital Episode Statistics was used to describe the number of inpatient admissions for the drainage of a dental abscess and the attendance for dental related to ED. Data was stratified across ethnicity, sex and deprivation. ResultsThere was a decrease in admission to secondary care for dental infection and total admissions during the initial period of national lockdown due to COVID-19. Incidence of dental abscess drainage equalled 4.51 per100,000 person years from 2018 to 2021. There was a 209 % increase in admissions in patients with greatest deprivation. This was much more exaggerated compared to that of non-dental comparison conditions and total inpatient admissions. Using subsequent inpatient admission as a marker of severity, 4.2 % dentally related ED attendance required onward admission. ConclusionA large proportion of ED attendances with dental related conditions did not require inpatient admission, therefore a large proportion of ED attendances could be managed more appropriately in specific dental services. Dental infections requiring surgical admission disproportionality affects the most deprived communities of the population which is much more exaggerated compared to peri-anal and total inpatient admissions. This highlights the inequalities and links with deprivation that exist in oral and dental health in England, which is much greater than that of general health if total admissions are used as maker for this. This research highlights the need to improve access to primary dental-care services.

Acute kidney injury interacts with VKORC1 genotype on initiative warfarin dose among heart surgery recipients: a real-world research

Patients who receive heart valve surgery need anticoagulation prophylaxis to reduce the risk of thrombosis. Warfarin often is a choice but its dosage varies due to gene and clinical factors. We aim to study, among them, if there is an interaction between acute kidney injury and two gene polymorphisms from this study. We extracted data of heart valve surgery recipients from the electronic health record (EHR) system of a medical center. The primary outcome is about the average daily dose of warfarin, measured as an additive interaction effect (INTadd) between acute kidney injury (AKI) and warfarin-related gene polymorphisms. The confounders, including age, sex, body surface area (BSA), comorbidities (i.e., atrial fibrillation [AF], hypertension [HTN], congestive heart failure [CHF]), serum albumin level, warfarin-relevant gene polymorphism (i.e., CYP2C9, VKORC1), prosthetic valve type (i.e., metal, bio), and warfarin history were controlled via a multivariate-linear regression model. The study included 200 patients, among whom 108 (54.00%) are female. Further, the mean age is 54.45 years, 31 (15.50%) have CHF, and 40 (20.00%) patients were prescribed concomitant amiodarone, which potentially overlays with the warfarin prophylaxis period. During the follow-up, AKI occurred in 30 (15.00%) patients. VKORC1 mutation (1639G>A) occurred in 25 (12.50%) patients and CYPC29 *2 or *3 mutations presented in 20 patients (10.00%). We found a significant additive interaction effect between AKI and VKORC1 (− 1.17, 95% CI − 1.82 to − 0.53, p = 0.0004). This result suggests it is probable that there is an interaction between acute kidney injury and the VKORC1 polymorphism for the warfarin dose during the initial period of anticoagulation prophylaxis.

Unlocking the advantages of differential pricing: A two‐period model integrating consumer identifiable information and advertising effort

To explore the potential benefits of differentiated pricing compared to uniform pricing within supply chain networks, we constructed a two‐period dynamic pricing model for products in this research. In our scenario, the manufacturer produces the original product during the initial period and introduces a new‐generation product in the subsequent period. Simultaneously, the retailer handles the original product during the initial period and transitions to selling the new‐generation product boosted by advertising efforts in the following period. Our analysis of the proposed models yielded three primary insights. First, the adoption of a differentiated pricing strategy may not universally favor supply chain participants. Second, the implementation of a differentiated pricing approach does not necessarily equate to higher wholesale and retail prices in each period. Finally, to optimize overall profits and attain mutually beneficial outcomes, it is imperative for supply chain stakeholder to share decision‐making information. Furthermore, we offer managerial recommendations based on these findings.

Aralia continentalis Root Enhances Non-Rapid Eye Movement Sleep by Activating GABAA Receptors.

Aralia continentalis exhibits various biological activities; however, their sleep-promoting effects have not been previously reported. In this study, we evaluated the hypnotic effects and sleep-wake profiles of A. continentalis root (KS-126) using a pentobarbital-induced sleep-acceleration test and polysomnographic recordings. Additionally, we investigated the molecular mechanism of KS-126 through patch-clamp electrophysiology. Our polysomnographic recordings revealed that KS-126 not only accelerated the onset of non-rapid eye movement sleep (NREMS) but also extends its duration. Considering the temporal dynamics of the sleep-wake stages, during the initial and subsequent periods KS-126 extended NREMS duration and decreased wakefulness, thereby enhancing sleep-promoting effects. Furthermore, the assessment of sleep quality via analysis of electroencephalogram power density indicated that KS-126 did not significantly alter sleep intensity. Finally, we found that KS-126 enhanced GABAA receptor-mediated synaptic responses in primary hippocampal neurons, leading to an increase in the percentage of the GABA current. This effect was not affected by the selective benzodiazepine receptor antagonist flumazenil, but was entirely inhibited by the GABAA receptor antagonist bicuculline. In conclusion, KS-126 extends the duration of NREMS without altering its intensity by prolonging GABAergic synaptic transmission, which modulates GABAA receptor function.

Fischer-Tropsch synthesis to α-Olefins with low CO2 selectivity on a Co2C catalyst

A Co2C catalyst with low CO2 selectivity for the Fischer-Tropsch to Olefins (FTO) was derived from a precursor catalyst prepared by a “melting” method. Co-Mn composite oxide, MnCo2O4.5, was identified as the dominant composition in the catalytic material before it was activated. The catalyst showed a weak interaction between Co and Mn with the presence of Na. Therefore, Co could be liberated easily from MnCo2O4.5 with H2 reduction at a usually used condition for Co-based catalyst for the Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis (FTS). A clear carburization of Co0 to Co2C was observed during the initial period of reaction, and this transformation could be achieved within 6 h. Four different crystal facets, (210), (020), (111), and (101) for Co2C, were identified once Co0 has been successfully carburized during the reaction. A limited amount of Co0 also transformed to Co3O4 during Co2C formation when H2O was produced by the FT reaction. The prepared catalyst demonstrated outstanding performance in terms of product selectivity. Its selectivity to lower olefins (C2-C4) was as high as 60.26 % with an average olefin/paraffin ratio of 26.69. Additional to high olefin selectivity, the CO2 selectivity was as low as 11.49 %, and that of C1 (CO2 + CH4) could be controlled at 16.44 % with optimal Co/Mn ratio and operating conditions. It was also found that transient state Co0 with Mn and Na as promoters demonstrated similar high olefin to paraffin ratios when compared to Co2C.

The effect of increasing the proportion of the far red region in full-spectrum LED irradiation on the growth and development of sugar beet plants (&lt;i&gt;Beta vulgaris&lt;/i&gt; L. ssp. &lt;i&gt;vulgaris var. saccharifera&lt;/i&gt; Alef.) in closed agrobiotechnological systems

Relevance and methodology. In order to determine the effect of increasing the proportion of far red light (different ratio of red and far red light) in the total spectrum of polychrome irradiation on the growth rates of sugar beet plants of the Smena hybrid, they were grown for 82 days under LED lighting under controlled climate conditions in a Synergotron digital device of the ISR 2.01 model with a twofold increase in the proportion of far red light compared to control.Results. An increase in the proportion of far red light led to an increase in the specific weight of leaves with a smaller area of leaves in the initial period of plant growth, higher values of the quantum yield of photosynthesis, the rate of electron transport, and a decrease in energy losses mainly to heat. The biometric indicators of plants changed depending on the period of ontogeny. In the initial period, the biomass of the aerial part prevailed, in the subsequent period, the biomass of root crops. In the experimental variant, the accumulation of biomass in the aerial parts of plants in the initial period of the experiment turned out to be less than in the control, and only at the end of the experiment was an excess of the total biomass in the experimental variant by 12.2%. There was an increase in the accumulation of root biomass compared to the control by 38.7%. The predominant part of the aboveground biomass of sugar beet was made up of leaf blades, the proportion of petioles was much less and practically did not depend on the composition of the light. At the end of the growing period, the dry matter content in root crops increased by 2.44% compared to the control, sugar content – by 0.65%. The data obtained can be used in the development of technology for artificial lighting of sugar beets when grown in closed agrobiotechnosystems in order to increase the yield and sugar content of root crops.