Production Levels Research Articles

Cannabis consumers’ preferences for legal and illegal cannabis: evidence from a discrete choice experiment

BackgroundIn U.S. states that legalized and commercialized recreational cannabis, cannabis sales in illegal markets are still sizable or even larger than those in legal markets. This study aimed to assess cannabis consumers’ preferences for purchasing cannabis from legal and illegal markets and estimate the trade-offs under various policy scenarios.Methods963 adults were recruited, who used cannabis in the past year and lived in a state with recreational cannabis legalization. In a discrete choice experiment, participants chose purchasing cannabis from a legal dispensary or an illegal dealer with varying levels in product attributes including quality, safety, accessibility, potency, and price. Mixed logit models were used to analyze preferences.ResultsThe likelihood of choosing legal cannabis increased with a higher quality, the presence of lab test, a shorter distance to seller, a higher tetrahydrocannabinol level, and a lower price. The likelihood of choosing illegal cannabis increased with a higher quality, a shorter distance to seller, and a lower price. Among product attributes, quality and accessibility were perceived to be the most important for legal cannabis and price was perceived to be the most important for illegal cannabis. Policy simulations predicted that improving quality, ensuring safety, allowing delivery services, increasing dispensary density, and lowering prices/taxes of legal cannabis may reduce illegal cannabis market share.ConclusionsIn the U.S., cannabis consumers’ preferences for illegal cannabis were associated with both legal and illegal cannabis product attributes. Policies regulating legal cannabis markets should consider potential spillover effects to illegal markets.

Deciphering the differences of bacterial communities between high- and low-productive wheat fields using high-throughput sequencing.

Microbial communities have been demonstrated to be essential for healthy and productive soil ecosystems. However, an understanding of the relationship between soil microbial community and soil productivity levels is remarkably limited. In this study, bulk soil (BS), rhizosphere soil (RS), and root (R) samples from the historical high-productive (H) and low-productive (L) soil types of wheat in Hebei province of China were collected and analyzed by high-throughput sequencing. The study highlighted the richness, diversity, and structure of bacterial communities, along with the correlation networks among different bacterial genera. Significant differences in the bacterial community structure between samples of different soil types were observed. Compared with the low-productive soil type, the bacterial communities of samples from the high-productive soil type possessed high species richness, low species diversity, complex and stable networks, and a higher relative abundance of beneficial microbes, such as Pseudoxanthomonas, unclassified Vicinamibacteraceae, Lysobacter, Massilia, Pseudomonas, and Bacillus. Further analysis indicated that the differences were mainly driven by soil organic matter (SOM), available nitrogen (AN), and electrical conductivity (EC). Overall, the soil bacterial community is an important factor affecting soil health and crop production, which provides a theoretical basis for the targeted regulation of microbes in low-productivity soil types.

How Productivity, Capital Investment, Employment, Human Capital and Energy Are Affecting Economic Growth in Morocco? An ARDL, FMOLS, DOLS and CCR Approaches

Abstract This paper aims to scrutinize the effects of; productivity, capital investment, human capital, employment and energy intensity; on economic growth in Morocco under the Energy-augmented Cobb Douglas production function (CDPF) framework, using extended data from 1965 to 2022. The ADF unit root test confirmed the existence of cointegration among variables, then, the ARDL BTA/ECM model proved the presence of long-term relationship within, in which the explanatory variables progress all together positively and proportionally to generate economic growth, just as stipulate the standard CDPF. The outputs reliability was validated by FMOLS, DOLS, and CCR tests. Results implies that an additional unit in GDP corresponds, in terms of units to, 1.87 in productivity level, 0.12 in capital investment, 4.19 in of human capital, 0.98 in labor force and 2.52 in energy intensity, that Moroccan economy is human capital intensive unlike when it comes to physical capital. In the light of this findings, we think that Morocco should accelerate its industrial transition, proceed to a large modernization and mechanisation of its agriculture in order to inspire more productivity to its entire economy, keep acting in the sense of more structural reforms to improve the business environment, share out the public spending equitably following two dimensions, physical by upgrading local infrastructure to attract more investments, human by promoting human capital through education and social protection.

α-Lipoic Acid Mitigates Heat Stress and Oxidative Damage in Broiler Chickens

Introduction: Heat stress has become a significant concern for the global poultry industry as a result of climate change. This condition can adversely affect growth, gut health, immune function, production levels, and reproductive performance, and can lead to lipid peroxidation in poultry. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate Interleukin 6 and 10 immune responses, anti-oxidant indices, serum biochemistry, and hepatic and splenic histopathology of heat-stressed broiler chickens supplemented with α-lipoic acid (α-LA) in their diet. Materials and methods: A total of two hundred and four unsexed day-old Arbor acre broiler chicks were randomly divided into four treatment groups and replicated three times to receive α-LA at 0, 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg, respectively in a completely randomized design for 42 days after a one-week adjustment period. The average temperature in the morning and afternoon was 27.9℃ and 35.1℃, respectively, while the morning and afternoon humidity was 73.1% and 44.1% respectively. Feed and water were provided ad libitum. At the end of the feeding trial, samples were taken for cytokines (interleukin-6 and 10), anti-oxidant, serum biochemistry, and hepatic and splenic histopathology analyses. Results: An inverse relationship was observed between pro-inflammatory (IL-6) and anti-inflammatory (IL-10) cytokines whereby, IL-6 levels decreased while IL-10 levels increased relative to increasing α-LA levels in treatment groups. The treatment groups also indicated an increasing trend with rising levels of α-LA for superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione, and total antioxidant capacity. The α-LA significantly influenced malondialdehyde production, showing its reduction with rising levels of α-LA. A decrease in serum glucose and low-density lipoproteins was observed with increasing levels of α-LA, while high-density lipoproteins increased with increasing levels of α-LA. Cholesterol, triglycerides, very low-density lipoproteins, aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, and alkaline phosphate remained unchanged across the treatment groups. Conclusion: α-LA supplementation at 200mg/kg in diet had the highest effects on immune responses of interleukin 6 and 10, antioxidant, serum biochemical indices, and histopathology of heat-stressed broiler chickens.

Does supply chain transparency affect corporate cleaner production? A study based on the risk spill-over perspective

Taking the Chinese A-share listed companies from 2010 to 2021 as the research sample, this article empirically tests the influence and mechanism of supply chain transparency on enterprise behaviour from the perspective of enterprise cleaner production. First, supply chain transparency has a significant governance effect on enterprise cleaner production. Second, compared with enterprises in high-concentration markets and eastern regions, this governance effect is more significant in low-concentration markets and central and western regions of China. Through the mechanism research, it is found that supply chain transparency can improve the level of enterprise cleaner production through the path of risk spill-over. Finally, the enterprises with weaker dialogue rights in supply chain information disclosure have a stronger governance effect, and this disclosure method has an alternative governance effect on enterprise green information disclosure. This study not only helps to enrich the research on the internal mechanism of enterprise cleaner production from the perspective of supply chain transparency but also guides the information disclosure system to promote enterprise cleaner production.

A study on the performance of corn grain dryer using hybrid solar drying with liquefied petroleum gas

Corn is a widely produced and consumed agricultural product, used as fuel, staple food, and livestock feed. The high level of corn production can lead to potential post-harvest food losses. Drying methods offer a solution to extend the shelf life of a substance. Hybrid solar drying, which combines solar drying with additional heating, particularly using liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), was introduced in this research to ensure faster and more efficient drying processes. The three drying methods compared in this study consist of open sun drying, natural solar drying, and hybrid solar drying. The research results show an average corn grain moisture content of 13.95% over 10.5 hrs, 13.75% over 6 hrs, 13.65% over 7 hrs, 13.45% over 5 hrs, and 13.65% over 4.5 hrs in open sun drying, natural solar drying, and hybrid solar drying with temperature variables of 40°C, 50°C, and 60°C. The average drying rates were 0.212 g/min, 0.364 g/min, 0.318 g/min, 0.439 g/ min, and 0.477 g/min, respectively. The average drying efficiency values for each variable were 2.968%, 4.719%, 5.358%, 5.271%, and 6.037%. In the proximate test, the corn grain moisture content in the hybrid solar drying variable at 60°C was 13.8%, ash was 1.24%, protein was 7.76%, fat was 4.40%, and carbohydrate was 72.8%. For the corn grain color test, the average values obtained were L = 46.48, a = 4.58, and b = 25.37. Meanwhile, the aflatoxin test for dried corn grains showed values of aflatoxin B1, B2, G1, and G2 <0.5 with a total aflatoxin content <2.00. Therefore, hybrid solar drying is recommended over open sun drying and natural solar drying because of its ability to operate even in unfavorable weather conditions, its temperature control capability, its ability to accelerate the drying process, and its capacity to maintain the quality of the material.

Pengaruh Investasi, Human Capital, Kesenjangan Sosial, dan Pertumbuhan Ekonomi terhadap Kesempatan Kerja di Pulau Sumatera

This research aims to examine the influence of investment, human capital, social inequality and economic development on job prospects on the island of Sumatra. Associative quantitative research is used as an investigative approach. Secondary statistical data originating from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) includes information regarding investment, human development index, Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP), Gini index, and job opportunity levels from 2018 to 2022. The results of this research show that simultaneously and partial investment factors, human capital, socio-economic disparities have a positive influence on employment opportunities on the island of Sumatra. Investment, human capital, social inequality and economic growth contribute 86.9% to the variation in employment opportunities.

Defining Risk: Hepatitis A Virus in Philippine Shellfish (Oyster and Mussels)

The hepatitis A virus (HAV) endemicity in the Philippines ranges from moderate to high. Despite this, health risks related to local seafood consumption are associated with red tide or mass fish kill. However, government agencies should consider the safety of local shellfish and culture sites to HAV. This article examines the current trends relevant to the presence of HAV along the local shellfish supply chain – including production levels, microbial concentration, consumer behavior, and food safety regulations. Despite the susceptibility of local shellfish to HAV, the study identified crucial data gaps: [1] reliance on bacterial indicators, [2] absence of monitoring records for HAV concentration in local shellfish products and culturing sites, and [3] limited studies regarding the effect of local cooking practices on HAV inactivation. The synthesis of this analysis will guide the national food safety risk managers in addressing the identified data gaps to facilitate a full-blown food risk analysis of HAV in Philippine shellfish.

Digital transformation of enterprises: Job creation or job destruction?

In recent years, the technological advancements embodied by digital technology have received significant attention from policymakers and researchers because of their profound impacts on the economy and society. In particular, the relationship between digital technology and employment continues to be a subject of considerable debate. This article focuses on the microperspective, and the causal effects and mechanisms of corporate digital transformation on labour employment are examined. With the use of data on Chinese A-share manufacturing companies from 2008– to 2019, text analysis is employed in this study to construct a comprehensive index of corporate digital transformation. We utilise a combination of fixed effects models, difference-in-differences (DiD) models, and instrumental variable methods and demonstrate that digital transformation stimulates enterprise labour demand, a conclusion that remains valid after multiple endogeneity tests and robustness assessments. The heterogeneous results indicate that nonstate-owned enterprises (non-SOEs), nonhigh-tech enterprises, enterprises with low financing constraints, and small enterprises exhibit greater employment creation effects through digital transformation. Mechanistic analysis suggests that digital transformation increases enterprise employment by increasing operational and management efficiency, profitability, and labour productivity levels. Further exploration reveals that digital transformation increases the demand for labour with varying skills and human capital upgrading in enterprises. This article, through the lens of digital technology, enriches the body of research on the nexus between technological progress and employment, provides novel insights into employment fluctuations under the digital paradigm, and outlines significant implications for countries balancing digital economy development, employment growth, and social stability.

Effect of Manure Dosage on the Growth and Yield of Bambara Beans through a Multilocation Test

The purpose of this study is to determine the suitability and productivity level of Bambara beans in the Special Region of Yogyakarta, especially to determine and examine the effect of the use of organic fertilizer from livestock manure on the growth and yield of Bambara beans. The implementation of the study involved a multi-location test of Bambara bean cultivation in three subdistricts, namely Tempel, Sedayu, and Cangkringan. In these three areas, manure was applied with 3 dose variations, namely 10 tons/Ha, 20 tons/ha and 30 tons/ha. The study was arranged in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) where each treatment was carried out with 3 replication plots. The test results showed that the dose of manure was not significantly different from the production of Bambara beans. Therefore, a dose of manure of 10 tons/ha can be recommended to achieve higher economic benefits in Bambara bean cultivation. In addition, based on the evaluation of the growth phase and plant yield, the location of Bambara bean planting in Tempel gave higher yields compared to Sedayu and Cangkringan. Bambara bean cultivation in Tempel can produce 686.45 g/plot. Keywords: Bambara beans, Growth, Multilocation test, Organic fertilizer, Yield.

13C-labelled Glucose Reveals Shifts In Fermentation Pathway During Cathodic Electro-Fermentation With Mixed Microbial Culture.

Cathodic Electro Fermentation (CEF) is an innovative approach to manage the spectrum of products deriving from anaerobic fermentation. Herein, mixed microbial culture fermentation using a ternary mixture containing labelled 13C glucose and non-labelled acetate and ethanol was studied to identify the role of polarization on the metabolic pathways of glucose fermentation. CEF at an applied potential of -700 mV (vs. SHE, Standard Hydrogen Electrode) enhanced the production yield of acetate, propionate, and butyrate (0.90 ± 0.10, 0.22 ± 0.03, and 0.34 ± 0.05 mol/mol; respectively) compared to control tests performed at open circuit potential (OCP) (0.54 ± 0.09, 0.15 ± 0.04 and, 0.21 ± 0.001 mol/mol, respectively). Results indicate that CEF affected the 13C labelled fermented product levels and their fractional 13C enrichments, allowing to establish metabolic pathway models. This work demonstrates that, under cathodic polarization, the abundance of both fully 13C labelled propionate and butyrate isotopomers increased compared to control tests. The effect of CEF is mainly due to intermediates initially produced from the glucose metabolic transformation in the presence of non-labelled acetate and ethanol as external substrates. These findings represent a significant advancement in current knowledge of CEF, which offers a promising tool to control mixed cultures bioprocesses.

Field-grown lettuce production optimized through precision irrigation water management using soil moisture-based capacitance sensors and biodegradable soil mulching

AbstractScientists, environmentalists, and farmers are currently in pursuit of sustainable agricultural practices that can effectively ensure global food security while simultaneously mitigating environmental degradation. A field experiment was conducted to elucidate the impact of low-cost capacitance soil moisture-based sensors on lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) irrigation water conservation, agro-physiological aspects, and nutritional characteristics. The experiment also involved the use of five different types of soil mulching films: white geotextile (WGup), green geotextile (GGup), black plastic (BPup), white geotextile for both above and below ground (WGup-down), green geotextile for both above and below ground (GGup-down), in addition to un-mulched soil (control). The findings demonstrated that the application of WGup, BPup, WGup&down, and GGup&down resulted in a significant improvement in irrigation water conservation, with WGup exhibiting the highest savings at 41.86%, while the control group exhibited the least amount of water savings at 19.87%. Moreover, the highest productivity levels were observed in plants mulched with GGup&down, reaching 47,944.68 kg ha−1, whereas the lowest productivity was recorded in plants mulched with green geotextile GGup at 22,377.89 kg ha−1. In terms of irrigation water productivity (IWP), the order of effectiveness was BPup > GGup-down > WGup > WGup-down > GGup > Control, with BPup achieving the highest IWP at 60.19 kg m−3 and the control treatment reporting the lowest at 27.80 kg m−3. The percentage of the irrigation water applied for crop evapotranspiration (Irc) showed that the control treatment saved the least amount of irrigation water, saving only 19.87%, while the best treatment was WGup, achieved the highest percentage of irrigation water savings at 41.86%. Additionally, mulched plants exhibited higher levels of nutrients (N, P, Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, and Zn), ascorbic acid (AsA), and total phenol content (TPC), while showing lower nitrate content in the leaves compared to non-mulched plants. Overall, the utilization of soil moisture-based capacitance sensors and biodegradable mulching films has proven to be highly effective and low cost by 16.633 US$ year−1 to enhance irrigation water productivity, growth performance, nutritional quality, and overall productivity of lettuce crops, thereby contributing to the sustainability of lettuce production in arid regions.

Effects of Intermittent Harem Mating on Parturition-induced Stress and Success Rate of Weaning in C57BL/6JNarl Mice.

Improving the effectiveness of mating schemes for large-scale production of mice is an ongoing challenge in animal facilities. Continuous mating, which requires fewer breeding cages than intermittent mating, has traditionally been used to take advantage of postpartum estrus for efficient production. However, the continuous mating scheme lacks flexibility because it cannot immediately accommodate the reduced needs of mice when production levels are high. In this study, we compared reproductive performance, fecal corticosterone metabolite (FCM) level as a stress indicator, and mouse mortality between the continuous trio (CT) and intermittent quad (IQ) mating schemes. The weaning rates in the IQ scheme were higher than those in the CT scheme (98.8% compared with 85.3%). The FCM levels in IQ female breeders were lower during the first 5 d after parturition than those in CT female breeders. The FCM levels in postpartum females housed with 2 adult mice were significantly higher on days 1, 3, and 5 after giving birth than those of females housed alone. This suggests that the presence of cage mates may induce stress responses in postpartum females. Increasing the individual cage area did not reduce the FCM levels of female breeders when accompanied by cage mates after parturition. In addition, the incidence of dystocia and mortality was lower in IQ breeders than in CT breeders. In summary, this breeding trial suggests that compared with the continuous mating scheme, the intermittent mating scheme improves the welfare of postpartum females with normal breeding performance in the C57BL/6JNarl production colony.

Decreases in purchases of energy, sodium, sugar, and saturated fat 3 years after implementation of the Chilean food labeling and marketing law: An interrupted time series analysis.

In 2016, Chile implemented a multiphase set of policies that mandated warning labels, restricted food marketing to children, and banned school sales of foods and beverages high in nutrients of concern ("high-in" foods). Chile's law, particularly the warning label component, set the precedent for a rapid global proliferation of similar policies. While our initial evaluation showed policy-linked decreases in purchases of high-in, a longer-term evaluation is needed, particularly as later phases of Chile's law included stricter nutrient thresholds and introduced a daytime ban on advertising of high-in foods for all audiences. The objective is to evaluate changes in purchases of energy, sugar, sodium, and saturated fat purchased after Phase 2 implementation of the Chilean policies. This interrupted time series study used longitudinal data on monthly food and beverage purchases from 2,844 Chilean households (138,391 household-months) from July 1, 2013 until June 25, 2019. Nutrition facts panel data from food and beverage packages were linked at the product level and reviewed by nutritionists. Products were considered "high-in" if they contained added sugar, sodium, or saturated fat and exceeded nutrient or calorie thresholds. Using correlated random-effects models and an interrupted time series design, we estimated the nutrient content of food and beverage purchases associated with Phase 1 and Phase 2 compared to a counterfactual scenario based on trends during a 36-month pre-policy timeframe. Compared to the counterfactual, we observed significant decreases in high-in purchases of foods and beverages during Phase 2, including a relative 36.8% reduction in sugar (-30.4 calories/capita/day, 95% CI -34.5, -26.3), a 23.0% relative reduction in energy (-51.6 calories/capita/day, 95% CI -60.7, -42.6), a 21.9% relative reduction in sodium (-85.8 mg/capita/day, 95% CI -105.0, -66.7), and a 15.7% relative reduction in saturated fat (-6.4 calories/capita/day, 95% CI -8.4, -4.3), while purchases of not-high-in foods and drinks increased. Reductions in sugar and energy purchases were driven by beverage purchases, whereas reductions in sodium and saturated fat were driven by foods. Compared to the counterfactual, changes in both high-in purchases and not high-in purchases observed in Phase 2 tended to be larger than changes observed in Phase 1. The pattern of changes in purchases was similar for households of lower versus higher socioeconomic status. A limitation of this study is that some results were sensitive to the use of shorter pre-policy time frames. Compared to a counterfactual based on a 36-month pre-policy timeframe, Chilean policies on food labeling, marketing, and school food sales led to declines in nutrients of concern during Phase 2 of implementation, particularly from foods and drinks high in nutrients of concern. These declines were sustained or even increased over phases of policy implementation.

Optimization of Bacillus licheniformis’ nutrient system and oilfield trial for MEOR

Abstract The efficacy of microbial-enhanced oil recovery (MEOR) is contingent upon the performance of oil recovery functional bacteria. The optimization of the nutrient system for oil recovery functional bacteria can enhance their performance. In this study, the nutrient systems of the strains underwent screening and optimization procedures, utilizing single-factor combined with response surface methodology. Subsequently, field trials were conducted to assess the efficacy of MEOR. The results indicated that the carbon source in the nutrient system was sucrose, the nitrogen source was NaNO3, and the phosphorus source was a combination of KH2PO4 and Na2HPO4 (in a 1:1 ratio). The combination of the results from the single-factor experiments and the response surface experiment led to the following formulation for the strain F-T nutrient system (g/L): sucrose 10.0, NaNO3 2.0, KH2PO4 1.5, Na2HPO4 1.5, CaCl2 0.12, FeSO4 0.12, MgSO4·7H2O 0.2, Na2MoO4 0.08, yeast powder 1.0, and pH 7.2-7.5. The optimized F-T bacterium has the potential to spread oil up to a diameter of 40.50 mm. The results of the MEOR field trial indicated a 2.95 × 10 t increase in oil production, with a success rate of 83.87%. Following the implementation of MEOR, production levels were observed to decline to levels comparable to those observed prior to the intervention. This indicates that continued MEOR field applications may be necessary to further enhance crude oil recovery.

Оценка бионакопления и токсического действия наночастиц кобальт (ii) алюмината для задач обеспечения гигиенической безопасности

Hygienic safety plays an important role in preventing health harm under chemical exposures. Hygienic regulation of levels of existing and new substances in environmental objects is the core element here carried out within experimental research aimed at establishing their toxic properties. Cobalt (II) aluminate nanoparticles (CoAl2O4 NPs) are a typical example of a new material with presumably higher toxic potential upon oral exposure as opposed to micro-sized particles (MPs). Given that, the development of safety standards requires identifying features of the negative impact of CoAl2O4 NPs, which are different from MPs upon oral exposure. The study was performed on Wistar rats orally exposed to NPs and MPs for 20 days at the total dose of 10,550 mg/kg of body weight. NPs have chemical composition similar to MPs, smaller size (87.11 times) and larger specific surface area (1.74 times). NPs have a more pronounced ability to bioaccumulate in the heart, lungs, liver and kidneys as compared to MPs (up to 7.54 times). Exposure to NPs resulted in more pronounced (up to 3.60 times) changes in blood indicators associated with developing redox imbalance, cytotoxic effect, liver, pancreas and kidney dysfunction, inflammatory process, and thrombocytopenia. NPs caused hemorrhagic infarcts and pulmonary edema not established upon MPs exposures. The calculated value of the tentatively permissible exposure level (TPEL) was 0.02 mg/dm3 for these NPs content in drinking water, which is 10 times lower than the same value for MPs. Thus, CoAl2O4 NPs upon oral exposure for 20 days at the total dose of 10,550 mg/kg of body weight have more marked bioaccumulation relative to MPs, which causes more pronounced negative effects identified by changes in blood indicators and developing pathomorphological changes. The study findings allow increasing accuracy and objectivity when developing safety standards for CoAl2O4 levels in food products and drinking water to ensure greater hygienic safety of the population.

Profitability of dairy goat farms in Bulgaria

Abstract. The purpose of the present study was to establish the economic performance of dairy goat farms in Bulgaria by using the indicator profitability and the related indicators – total production, total revenues, total costs and profit per doe (before and after subsidy). Data for 2022 were provided by the owners of 8 farms within the survey and processed using a mathematical-statistical model and Excel program. The adopted production system was semi-intensive with indoor winter period and grazing (supplemented with cereals and hay) during most of the year. Profit before subsidies was found positive only for farm 5, and all other holdings were unprofitable based on the results of their own production. When subsidies were added, some of them reported a positive financial result, while others remained loss-making. Based on the results found within the study, it could be summarized that in the dairy sector the level of milk production is the leading factor for farm income. Оf great importance are also the sale of value-added dairy products, own feed production and optimization of labour costs. In most farms, subsidies (incl. for pastures) are extremely important for the viability of the farms. In addition, when analyzing the economic efficiency of dairy goats, an individual approach to farms is necessary. All elements of the production system, both biological and economic, should be taken into account in order to improve production and profits.

Infection Dynamics of Dengue Virus in Caco-2 Cells Depending on Its Differentiation Status.

Dengue virus (DENV), from the Flaviviridae family, is the causative agent of dengue fever and poses a significant global health challenge. The virus primarily affects the vascular system and liver; however, a growing body of evidence suggests its involvement in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, contributing to clinical symptoms such as abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea. However, the mechanisms underlying DENV infection in the digestive system remain largely unexplored. Prior research has detected viral RNA in the GI tissue of infected animals; however, whether the dengue virus can directly infect human enterocytes remains unclear. In this study, we examine the infectivity of human intestinal cell lines to the dengue virus and their subsequent response. We report that the Caco-2 cell line, a model of human enterocytes, is susceptible to infection and capable of producing viruses. Notably, differentiated Caco-2 cells exhibited a lower infection rate yet a higher level of virus production than their undifferentiated counterparts. These findings suggest that human intestinal cells are a viable target for the dengue virus, potentially elucidating the GI symptoms observed in dengue fever and offering a new perspective on the pathogenetic mechanisms of the virus.

Fungal-mediated synthesis of copper nanoparticles for effective management of Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae

Meeting the escalating demand for food presents a challenge, necessitating the inevitable use of chemical pesticides to ensure a sufficient level of food production. However, these pesticides, have drawbacks and can adversely affect non-target organisms and the environment. Nanoparticles for disease management offer a powerful solution, bringing numerous benefits such as enhanced efficacy, minimized pesticide use, reduced impact on the environment, etc. In the present study, the supernatant of two fungi, Fusarium verticillioides and Bipolaris maydis were used for copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) synthesis. A 5 mM CuSO4 solution was used as a precursor and the reaction was carried out at an optimized pH of 8.5 in dark conditions.The shift in the reaction mixture's colour from light blue to yellowish-green and reddish-brown with F. verticillioides and B. maydis supernatant, respectively, preliminarily confirmed particle size reduction. Characterization of fungal-mediated synthesized CuNPs (FM-CuNPs) using transmission electron microscope measured the size of 8.62-52 nm and 27.96 to 65 nm by employing F. verticillioides and B.maydis, respectively, with a spherical shape. Dynamic light scattering measured the hydrodynamic size of FM-CuNPs 141.8 nm and 170.2 nm with zeta potential of -19.5 mV and -22.5 mV, respectively. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy revealed the presence of functional groups such as amines, amides, and OH groups speculated to have a pivotal role in the reduction and stabilization of particle. Additionally, the in vitro evaluation efficacy of FM-CuNPs against Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae exhibited a significant inhibition zone starting from 100 microgram ml (1.70 cm) as compared to control. The study demonstrates the -1 remarkable efficacy of FM-CuNPs synthesized for the first time using two aforesaid fungal species. . KEYWORDS :Bipolaris maydis, CuNPs, Fusarium verticillioides, Management, Xanthomonas oryzae pv. Oryzae

Development of cost-effective inorganic arsenic extraction method for resource-limited regions: Analysis of efficiency and regulatory implications

This study evaluated the effectiveness of coke and lemonade extraction methods compared to the standard 1 % v/v HNO3 method for determining inorganic arsenic (iAs) concentrations in rice bran samples using a field-deployable method (Arsenator field kit). The limit of detection (LOD) for the methods was 45 μg kg−1, comparable to existing literature. The extraction efficiencies were assessed by comparing iAs recovery rates, with coke extraction yielding the highest recovery of 127.4 %, followed by lemonade at 116.2 %, and HNO3 at 100 %. Statistical analysis indicated strong correlations between the extraction methods, particularly between HNO3 and coke (Pearson correlation coefficient, 0.990), suggesting that coke extraction is a reliable alternative to the traditional HNO3 method. However, lemonade extraction showed a lower correlation (0.940) and higher false negative rates, indicating potential limitations for regulatory compliance. Notably, at the maximum contaminant limit (MCL) of 0.100 mg kg−1, coke extraction produced an 8 % false positive rate with no false negatives, while lemonade extraction had an 8 % false positive rate and a 17 % false negative rate. This study underscores the potential of coke extraction as a cost-effective and efficient alternative for assessing iAs levels in rice products, especially in resource-limited settings. Recommendations include the standardization of coke extraction protocols and the development of robust monitoring programs to ensure food safety and public health protection against arsenic contamination. Overall, the findings contribute valuable insights for improving arsenic detection methods and regulatory compliance in food safety practices.