Reduction In Rate Research Articles

Heart rate reduction during voluntary deep diving in free-ranging loggerhead sea turtles.

Air-breathing vertebrates exhibit cardiovascular responses to diving including heart rate reduction (diving bradycardia). Field studies on aquatic mammals and birds have shown that the intensity of bradycardia can vary depending on diving behaviour, such as the depth of dives and dive duration. However, in aquatic reptiles, the variation in heart rate during deep dives under natural conditions has not been fully investigated. In this study, we released five loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) outfitted with recorders into the sea and recorded their electrocardiogram, depth, water temperature and longitudinal acceleration. After 3days, the recorders automatically detached from the turtles. The heart rate signals were detected from the electrodes placed on the surface of the plastron. The mean (±s.d.) heart rate of 12.8±4.1beatsmin-1 during dives was significantly lower than that of 20.9±4.1beatsmin-1 during surface periods. Heart rate during dives varied with dive depth, although it remained lower than that at the surface. When the turtle dived deeper than 140m, despite the relatively high flipper stroke rate (approximately 19strokesmin-1), the heart rate dropped rapidly to approximately 2beatsmin-1 temporarily. The minimum instantaneous heart rate during dives was lower at deeper dive depths. Our results indicate that loggerhead sea turtles show variations in the intensity of diving bradycardia depending on their diving behaviour, similar to that shown by marine mammals and birds.

Temporary VAT rate cuts and food prices in e-commerce

Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, temporary VAT cuts have gained popularity as an unconventional fiscal policy tool. The effectiveness of these stimuli in reaching the intended recipients depends on a VAT cut pass-through to consumer prices; however, the empirical evidence, particularly in digital markets, is scarce. The aim of our paper is to measure the price shift in e-commerce following the VAT rate reduction and test whether this effect was consistent across different types of retailers, exploiting detailed daily price data from the six largest German online full-assortment grocery retailers. Our findings indicate that multichannel retailers passed on the VAT cut almost completely, whereas online-only retailers made fewer price changes. This discrepancy has significant implications for the effectiveness of temporary VAT cuts, as the reluctance of large online-only sellers to pass on VAT cuts to consumers could hinder the efficacy of this unconventional fiscal stimulus. Keywords: temporary tax reduction, value-added tax, digital markets, food markets, COVID-19.

Efficiency–equity trade-off in the Irish carbon tax: A CGE investigation of mixed revenue recycling schemes

The literature shows that earmarking carbon tax revenues to reduce other distortionary taxes can mitigate the tax’s adverse economic implications, whereas transferring revenues directly to households can reduce the tax’s negative equity implications. This paper employs a dynamic applied general equilibrium model to examine the inherent efficiency–equity trade-off in Irish carbon tax revenue recycling (RR). We analyse pure RR schemes, where total carbon tax revenues are allocated either to increased household transfers or to tax rate reductions and mixed schemes, which combine these two. The findings show that all tax reduction RR options can reduce emissions while increasing gross domestic product and welfare (creating a double dividend), but they also increase inequality. However, when sales tax reductions are combined with household transfers, increased efficiency and equity can be found, resulting in a triple dividend. This paper contributes to the literature by directly investigating the efficiency–equity trade-offs in detailed mixed RR schemes. From a policy perspective, we conclude that mixed RR options generate better outcomes as the government can directly balance efficiency and equity outcomes.

ECR Spotlight – Ayaka Saito

ECR Spotlight is a series of interviews with early-career authors from a selection of papers published in Journal of Experimental Biology and aims to promote not only the diversity of early-career researchers (ECRs) working in experimental biology but also the huge variety of animals and physiological systems that are essential for the ‘comparative’ approach. Ayaka Saito is an author on ‘ Heart rate reduction during voluntary deep diving in free ranging loggerhead sea turtles’, published in JEB. Ayaka is a PhD student in the lab of Kentaro Q. Sakamoto at the Atmosphere and Ocean Research Institute, The University of Tokyo, Japan, investigating physiological adjustment of air-breathing vertebrates during diving.

Complete Complementary Coded Excitation Scheme for SNR Improvement of 2D Sparse Array Ultrasound Imaging.

Driving the numerous elements of 2D matrix arrays for 3D ultrasound imaging is very challenging in terms of cable size, wiring and data rate. The sparse array approach tackles this problem by optimally distributing a reduced number of elements over a 2D aperture while preserving a decent image quality and beam steering capabilities. Unfortunately, reducing the number of elements significantly reduces the active probe footprint reducing as a consequence the sensitivity and at the end the signal-to-noise ratio. Here we propose a new coded excitation scheme based on complete complementary codes to increase the signal-to-noise ratio in 3D ultrasound imaging with sparse arrays. These codes are known for their ideal auto-correlation and cross-correlation properties and have been widely used in Code-Division Multiple Access systems (CDMA). An algorithm for generating such codes is presented as well as the adopted imaging sequence. The proposed method has been compared in simulations to other coded excitation schemes and showed significant increase in the signal-to-noise ratio of sparse arrays with no correlation artifacts and no frame rate reduction. The gain in signal-to-noise ratio compared to the case where no coded excitation is used was around [Formula: see text] and the contrast was also improved by [Formula: see text] while the resolution was unchanged.

Do Vegetation Fuel Reduction Treatments Alter Forest Fire Severity and Carbon Stability in California Forests?

AbstractForest fire frequency, extent, and severity have rapidly increased in recent decades across the western United States (US) due to climate change and suppression‐oriented wildfire management. Fuels reduction treatments are an increasingly popular management tool, as evidenced by California's plan to treat 1 million acres annually by 2050. However, the aggregate efficacy of fuels treatments in dry forests at regional and multi‐decadal scales is unknown. We develop a novel fuels treatment module within a coupled dynamic vegetation and fire model to study the effects of dead biomass removal from forests in the Sierra Nevada region of California. We ask how annual treatment extent, stand‐level treatment intensiveness, and spatial treatment placement alter fire severity and live carbon loss. We find that a ∼30% reduction in stand‐replacing fire was achieved under our baseline treatment scenario of 1,000 km2 year−1 after a 100‐year treatment period. Prioritizing the most fuel‐heavy stands based on precise fuel distributions yielded cumulative reductions in pyrogenic stand‐replacement of up to 50%. Both removing constraints on treatment location due to remoteness, topography, and management jurisdiction and prioritizing the most fuel‐heavy stands yielded the highest stand‐replacement rate reduction of ∼90%. Even treatments that succeeded in lowering aggregate fire severity often took multiple decades to yield measurable effects, and avoided live carbon loss remained negligible across scenarios. Our results suggest that strategically placed fuels treatments are a promising tool for controlling forest fire severity at regional, multi‐decadal scales, but may be less effective for mitigating live carbon losses.

Intravenous Versus Locally Injected Tranexamic Acid in a Fragility Hip Fracture Population: A Retrospective Review.

Evaluate differences between blood transfusion and complication rates among fragility hip fracture patients treated with locally injected (Local) versus intravenous (IV) tranexamic acid (TXA). Design: Retrospective comparative cohort. Tertiary referral orthopaedic specialty hospital; Level I trauma center. Patients aged 50 years and over who underwent surgical treatment for a proximal femur fragility fracture (Orthopedic Trauma Association/Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Osteosynthesefragen 31A and 31B). Between March 2018 and April 2022 with or without the use of local TXA during wound closure or IV TXA. Postoperative blood transfusion, venous thromboembolism, surgical site infections, and 30-day readmissions compared between those who received IV TXA, Local TXA, and controls that did not receive any TXA. Seven hundred forty-six patients (258 received IV TXA, 252 received Local TXA, and 236 controls that did not receive any TXA) were studied. Both Local and IV TXA groups received fewer blood transfusion versus controls. IV TXA was associated with a transfusion rate reduction of 12% compared with Local TXA ( P < 0.001). Regression analysis indicated that IV TXA reduced the odds of a postoperative blood transfusion by 48% compared with Local TXA ( P = 0.017). There were no differences in complication rates among the groups; however, patients receiving IV TXA had a significantly lower 30-day readmission rate (5%) than the control (13.9%) or Local (13.8%) TXA groups ( P = 0.001). IV TXA significantly reduced the risk of postoperative transfusion compared with controls and patients receiving Local TXA. There was no increased risk of complications, and a lower 30-day readmission was observed for the IV TXA group. IV TXA seems to be a safe and effective way to reduce postoperative blood transfusion in patients with fragility hip fractures. Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Study on Desulfovibrio desulfuricans mediated copper corrosion and its inhibition using bio-wax of Colocasia esculenta

In the present study, the bio-wax was extracted from Colocasia esculenta and was tested for its corrosion inhibiting property against Desulfovibrio desulfuricans. Inhibition of copper corrosion by bio wax from Colocasia was observed using weight loss method, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Results obtained from the weight loss studies and impedance measurements provided similar trends of inhibition efficiency. Cu coupon coated with bio-wax showed significant reduction in corrosion rate i.e. Rcorr of 0.0011mmpy. This result gives an idea about the protective nature of thick bio-wax coated copper coupons from bacterial adherence and bacterial metabolites. The impedance value in the bio wax coated coupon was found to be from 188.67 to 781.25 ohms at 1 Volt. The wax FTIR analysis in a spectral region of 4000 cm- 1 - 400 cm -1 showed peaks at 2918.75 cm -1 and 2849.73 cm -1 confirming the presence of hydrophobic hydrocarbon. Morphological changes were observed after coating the bio wax as shown from SEM analysis. The incorporation of the hydrophobic property of bio-wax showed sufficient reduction in MIC of copper. Bio-wax acted as a protective covering inhibiting the adherence of corroding bacteria on the surface. Inhibition efficiency results are in good agreement to use Colocasia bio wax as a source of sustainable and renewable surface coating material. This property might be used in future as an ingredient in anti-rust paint used in coating metal surfaces like ship parts, pipelines systems of petroleum industry and other metal made machines etc.

The relationship between albumin level and the development of acute kidney injury and mortality in critically COVID-19 patients

Aims: The impact of the Coronavirus Pandemic, which began in 2019, has considerably diminished; however, its effects still persist. While respiratory symptoms have been prominent during the pandemic, acute kidney disease has emerged as a significant contributor to morbidity and mortality. This study aims to demonstrate that serum albumin levels can serve as a predictor for acute kidney injury (AKI) and mortality, owing to their cost- effectiveness and feasibility for use across various healthcare centers. The goal is to contribute to the reduction of AKI development and mortality rates. Methods: The study was conducted by analyzing data from a total of 350 patients admitted to intensive care units of a training and research hospital due to COVID-19 between March 1, 2020, and April 30, 2021. Of these patients, 179 (51%) were male, and 171 (49%) were female. The data were examined retrospectively. Patients were categorized into two groups based on serum albumin levels: ?2.5 mg/dl (severe hypoalbuminemia) and 2.5-3.5 mg/dl (mild hypoalbuminemia). Subsequently, the patients were further categorized into groups based on the presence or absence of AKI, and these groups were statistically compared. Demographic data, clinical information, and laboratory values of the patients were assessed. The diagnosis of acute kidney injury (AKI) was made according to KDIGO criteria. Data were compared using the SPSS version 24 software. Results: Among the 350 patients included in the study, 115 had serum albumin levels ?2.5 mg/dl (severe hypoalbuminemia), and 235 had levels in the range of 2.5-3.5 mg/dl (mild hypoalbuminemia). Among those who developed AKI, the average albumin level was found to be 2.68 mg/dl, whereas in the group without AKI, the average albumin level was 2.76 mg/dl. Out of the total, 201 (57%) patients developed AKI, and 82% of them experienced mortality. In contrast, among the 149 (43%) patients who did not develop AKI, the mortality rate was 42%. Further subgroup analysis revealed the highest mortality rate of 88% among patients with severe hypoalbuminemia and AKI development. Conversely, the lowest mortality rate of 40% was observed in patients with mild hypoalbuminemia and no AKI. Conclusion: This study aims to establish that low serum albumin levels should be regarded not only as a negative acute-phase reactant but also as a predictive factor for complications including acute kidney disease development and mortality. Lower albumin values are correlated with higher complication rates and increased mortality. Additionally, due to its widespread availability and low cost, serum albumin is a cost-effective diagnostic tool that can be utilized in almost any healthcare setting.

The impacts of curbside feedback mechanisms on recycling performance of households in the United States

The impacts of curbside feedback mechanisms on recycling performance of households in the United States

Numerical simulation on the effect of non-condensable gas on direct contact condensation of steam jet in a narrow pipe

A numerical model was developed to investigate the phenomenon of direct contact condensation involving steam-air jet in subcooled waterflow. This study encompassed a comprehensive exploration of the influence exerted by non-condensable gas from a multi-faceted perspective. These aspects included an examination of gas plume shape, distribution of air mass fraction, variation in axial thermodynamic parameters, the local heat transfer coefficient, and the local condensation rate. It was observed that the presence of non-condensable gas had the effect of extending the penetration length of the steam plume. Notably, the non-condensable gas was predominantly concentrated in proximity to the gas-liquid interface, a phenomenon that introduced hindrances to both heat and mass transfer processes. A detailed analysis of axial thermodynamic parameters further unveiled an intriguing trend. As the air content increased, the expansion of gas plume weakened, subsequently leading to a reduction in the condensation rate. This resulted in diminished pressure fluctuations in the two-phase mixing region. Moreover, the presence of non-condensable gas was shown to curtail the local heat transfer coefficient and the local condensation rate at the interface. This observation offered valuable insights into the underlying mechanisms responsible for the protraction of the gas plume.

Effect of interstitial iron on Jc and Hc2 anisotropy and magnetic relaxation of Fe1+yTe0.6Se0.4 single crystal

For a long time, the second peak effect in FeTe0.6Se0.4 has attracted the interest of researchers. The role of interstitial iron which is unique to FeTe0.6Se0.4 compared to FeSe superconductors, in the second peak effect remains unknown. In this study, we controlled the content of interstitial iron through flowing oxygen and prolonged vacuum annealing, and subsequently conducted investigations on the magnetic flux dynamics and superconducting properties with anisotropies. After reducing the interstitial iron content, Tc increased from 12.6 K to 13.8 K. The critical current density at 4.5 K increased from 1.2×105 A/cm2 to 1.76×105 A/cm2. At low fields (H<Honset), interstitial iron as weak pinning centers can rapidly trap magnetic flux and exhibit fast relaxation through elastic motion. At high fields, strong pinning centers lead to collective pinning of magnetic flux and demonstrate a reduction in relaxation rate through plastic motion. The presence of interstitial iron hinders the transition from elastic to plastic motion for magnetic flux. Furthermore, reducing the interstitial iron expands the field range of the second peak effect and leads to a noticeable change in the pinning behavior, with a transition from δl-type to δTc-type pinning and enhances the anisotropy of the system. Finally, our study provides a reference for understanding the origin of the second peak in FeTe0.6Se0.4 and offers guidance for the practical application of FeTe0.6Se0.4.

Enhanced Knowledge Distillation for Advanced Recognition of Chinese Herbal Medicine.

The identification and classification of traditional Chinese herbal medicines demand significant time and expertise. We propose the dual-teacher supervised decay (DTSD) approach, an enhancement for Chinese herbal medicine recognition utilizing a refined knowledge distillation model. The DTSD method refines output soft labels, adapts attenuation parameters, and employs a dynamic combination loss in the teacher model. Implemented on the lightweight MobileNet_v3 network, the methodology is deployed successfully in a mobile application. Experimental results reveal that incorporating the exponential warmup learning rate reduction strategy during training optimizes the knowledge distillation model, achieving an average classification accuracy of 98.60% for 10 types of Chinese herbal medicine images. The model boasts an average detection time of 0.0172 s per image, with a compressed size of 10 MB. Comparative experiments demonstrate the superior performance of our refined model over DenseNet121, ResNet50_vd, Xception65, and EfficientNetB1. This refined model not only introduces an approach to Chinese herbal medicine image recognition but also provides a practical solution for lightweight models in mobile applications.

MicroRNA-29b-3p degenerates terminally differentiated dopaminergic SH-SY5Y cells by perturbation of mitochondrial functions.

Mitochondrial dysfunction is the main cause of gradual deterioration of structure and function of neuronal cells, eventually resulting in neurodegeneration. Studies have revealed a complex interrelationship between neurotoxicant exposure, mitochondrial dysfunction, and neurodegenerative diseases. Alteration in the expression of microRNAs (miRNAs) has also been linked with disruption in mitochondrial homeostasis and bioenergetics. In our recent research (Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology (2023) https://doi.org/10.1007/s10571-023-01362-4), we have identified miR-29b-3p as one of the most significantly up-regulated miRNAs in the blood of Parkinson's patients. The findings of the present study revealed that neurotoxicants of two different natures, that is, arsenic or rotenone, dramatically increased miR-29b-3p expression (18.63-fold and 12.85-fold, respectively) in differentiated dopaminergic SH-SY5Y cells. This dysregulation of miR-29b-3p intricately modulated mitochondrial morphology, induced oxidative stress, and perturbed mitochondrial membrane potential, collectively contributing to the degeneration of dopaminergic cells. Additionally, using assays for mitochondrial bioenergetics in live and differentiated SH-SY5Y cells, a reduction in oxygen consumption rate (OCR), maximal respiration, basal respiration, and non-mitochondrial respiration was observed in cells transfected with mimics of miR-29b-3p. Inhibition of miR-29b-3p by transfecting inhibitor of miR-29b-3p prior to exposure to neurotoxicants significantly restored OCR and other respiration parameters. Furthermore, we observed that induction of miR-29b-3p activates neuronal apoptosis via sirtuin-1(SIRT-1)/YinYang-1(YY-1)/peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma coactivator-1alpha (PGC-1α)-regulated Bcl-2 interacting protein 3-like-dependent mechanism. Collectively, our studies have shown the role of miR-29b-3p in dysregulation of mitochondrial bioenergetics during degeneration of dopaminergic neurons via regulating SIRT-1/YY-1/PGC-1α axis.

Evaluation of an automated feedback intervention to improve antibiotic prescribing among primary care physicians (OPEN Stewardship): a multinational controlled interrupted time-series study.

Tools to advance antimicrobial stewardship in the primary health care setting, where most antimicrobials are prescribed, are urgently needed. The aim of this study was to evaluate OPEN Stewarship (Online Platform for Expanding aNtibiotic Stewardship), an automated feedback intervention, among a cohort of primary care physicians. We performed a controlled, interrupted time-series study of 32 intervention and 725 control participants, consisting of primary care physicians from Ontario, Canada and Southern Israel, from October 2020 to December 2021. Intervention participants received three personalized feedback reports targeting several aspects of antibiotic prescribing. Study outcomes (overall prescribing rate, prescribing rate for viral respiratory conditions, prescribing rate for acute sinusitis, and mean duration of therapy) were evaluated using multilevel regression models. We observed a decrease in the mean duration of antibiotic therapy (IRR = 0.94; 95% CI: 0.90, 0.99) in intervention participants during the intervention period. We did not observe a significant decline in overall antibiotic prescribing (OR = 1.01; 95% CI: 0.94, 1.07), prescribing for viral respiratory conditions (OR = 0.87; 95% CI: 0.73, 1.03), or prescribing for acute sinusitis (OR = 0.85; 95% CI: 0.67, 1.07). In this antimicrobial stewardship intervention among primary care physicians, we observed shorter durations of therapy per antibiotic prescription during the intervention period. The COVID-19 pandemic may have hampered recruitment; a dramatic reduction in antibiotic prescribing rates in the months before our intervention may have made physicians less amenable to further reductions in prescribing, limiting the generalizability of the estimates obtained.IMPORTANCEAntibiotic overprescribing contributes to antibiotic resistance, a major threat to our ability to treat infections. We developed the OPEN Stewardship (Online Platform for Expanding aNtibiotic Stewardship) platform to provide automated feedback on antibiotic prescribing in primary care, where most antibiotics for human use are prescribed but where the resources to improve antibiotic prescribing are limited. We evaluated the platform among a cohort of primary care physicians from Ontario, Canada and Southern Israel from October 2020 to December 2021. The results showed that physicians who received personalized feedback reports prescribed shorter courses of antibiotics compared to controls, although they did not write fewer antibiotic prescriptions. While the COVID-19 pandemic presented logistical and analytical challenges, our study suggests that our intervention meaningfully improved an important aspect of antibiotic prescribing. The OPEN Stewardship platform stands as an automated, scalable intervention for improving antibiotic prescribing in primary care, where needs are diverse and technical capacity is limited.

Comparison of multi‐component and mono‐component intumescent flame retardants for thermoplastic polyurethane composites

AbstractConventional intumescent flame retardant (IFR) is comprised of multiple components (acid, carbon, and gas source). In comparison, “all‐in‐one” design of mono‐component IFR is effective to impart the homogeneity to functional sources in polymer matrix, which is significant to improve the synergy against combustion. In this work, a core‐shell structured mono‐component IFR (MAPP@FDS) are prepared with ammonium polyphosphate (APP) and furfural‐derived Schiff base (FDS) and applied to modification of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU). TPU composite with the as‐prepared mono‐component IFR (TPU/MAPP@FDS) exhibits V‐0 rating in UL‐94 test and a limiting oxygen index (LOI) value of 32.0%, with prominent bulkiness of carbonaceous layer. Cone calorimetry tests (CCTs) showed a significant reduction in total heat release (THR) and peak heat release rate (pHRR) for TPU/MAPP@FDS compared with the TPU composites with multi‐component IFR. By analyzing the morphology and composition of residual char, the flame‐retardant mechanism of TPU/MAPP@FDS is reasonably proposed. This work illustrates the superiority of the integration to prepare mono‐component IFR and provides a potential method in developing TPU composites with remarkable flame retardancy.Highlights TPU/MAPP@FDS achieves a LOI value of 32.0% and UL‐94 V‐0 rating. TPU/MAPP@FDS exhibits significantly enhanced flame retardancy compared with TPU composites incorporated multi‐component IFR. The synergy in multi‐component IFR is prominently strengthened.

The quality of medicines for the prevention and management of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy: A systematic review.

The quality of medicines for the prevention and management of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy globally is a critical challenge in the reduction of maternal mortality rate. We aimed to conduct a systematic review of available studies on the quality of the eight medicines recommended globally for the prevention and management of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. We searched five electronic databases- Ovid MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, ProQuest and Cochrane Library, and also grey literature, without year or language limitations. Any study assessing the quality parameters (Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients, pH, sterility, solubility, impurities) of medicines by using any valid laboratory methods was eligible. Two reviewers independently screened the studies, extracted data and applied Medicine Quality Assessment Reporting Guidelines tool for quality assessment. Results were narratively reported and stratified by the drug types. Of 5669 citations screened, 33 studies from 27 countries were included. Five studies reported on the quality of magnesium sulphate-two (Nigeria and USA) found substandard medicine due to failing API specification and contaminants, respectively. Another study from Nigeria and a multi-country study (10 lower-middle- and low-income countries) found poor-quality due to failing the pH criteria. Seven of eight studies evaluating aspirin found quality issues, including degraded medicines in five studies (Brazil, USA, Yugoslavia and Pakistan). Five studies of calcium supplements found quality issues, particularly heavy metal contamination. Of 15 antihypertensives quality studies, 12 found substandard medicines and one study identified counterfeit medicines. This systematic review identified pervasive issues of poor-quality medicines across all recommended medicines used to prevent or treat hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, raising concerns regarding their safety and effectiveness.

Herbicide leakage into seawater impacts primary productivity and zooplankton globally.

Predicting the magnitude of herbicide impacts on marine primary productivity remains challenging because the extent of worldwide herbicide pollution in coastal waters and the concentration-response relationships of phytoplankton communities to multiple herbicides are unclear. By analyzing the spatiotemporal distribution of herbicides at 661 bay and gulf stations worldwide from 1990 to 2022, we determined median, third quartile and maximum concentrations of 12 triazine herbicides of 0.18 nmol L-1, 1.27 nmol L-1 and 29.50 nmol L-1 (95%Confidence Interval: CI 1.06, 1.47), respectively. Under current herbicide stress, phytoplankton primary productivity was inhibited by more than 5% at 25% of the sites and by more than 10% at 10% of the sites (95%CI 3.67, 4.34), due to the inhibition of highly abundant sensitive species, community structure/particle size succession (from Bacillariophyta to Dinophyceae and from nano-phytoplankton to micro-phytoplankton), and resulting growth rate reduction. Concurrently, due to food chain cascade effects, the dominant micro-zooplankton population shifted from larger copepod larvae to smaller unicellular ciliates, which might prolong the transmission process in marine food chain and reduce the primary productivity transmission efficiency. As herbicide application rates on farmlands worldwide are correlated with residues in their adjacent seas, a continued future increase in herbicide input may seriously affect the stability of coastal waters.

Cannabidiol protects C2C12 myotubes against cisplatin-induced atrophy by regulating oxidative stress.

Cancer and chemotherapy induce a severe loss of muscle mass (known as cachexia), which negatively impact cancer treatment and patient survival. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether cannabidiol (CBD) administration may potentially antagonize the effects of cisplatin in inducing muscle atrophy, using a model of myotubes in culture. Cisplatin treatment resulted in a reduction of myotube diameter (15.7 ± 0.3 vs. 22.2 ± 0.5 µm, P < 0.01) that was restored to control level with 5 µM CBD (20.1 ± 0.4 µM, P < 0.01). Protein homeostasis was severely altered with a ≈70% reduction in protein synthesis (P < 0.01) and a twofold increase in proteolysis (P < 0.05) in response to cisplatin. Both parameters were dose dependently restored by CBD cotreatment. Cisplatin treatment was associated with increased thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) content (0.21 ± 0.03 to 0.48 ± 0.03 nmol/mg prot, P < 0.05), catalase activity (0.24 ± 0.01 vs. 0.13 ± 0.02 nmol/min/µg prot, P < 0.01), whereas CBD cotreatment normalized TBARS content to control values (0.22 ± 0.01 nmol/mg prot, P < 0.01) and reduced catalase activity (0.17 ± 0.01 nmol/min/µg prot, P < 0.05). These changes were associated with increased mRNA expression of GPX1, SOD1, SOD2, and CAT mRNA expression in response to cisplatin (P < 0.01), which was corrected by CBD cotreatment (P < 0.05). Finally, cisplatin treatment increased the mitochondrial protein content of NDUFB8, UQCRC2, COX4, and VDAC1 (involved in mitochondrial respiration and apoptosis), and CBD cotreatment restored their expression to control values. Altogether, our results demonstrated that CBD antagonize the cisplatin-induced C2C12 myotube atrophy and could be used as an adjuvant in the treatment of cancer cachexia to help maintain muscle mass and improve patient quality of life.NEW & NOTEWORTHY In an in vitro model, cisplatin treatment led to myotube atrophy associated with dysregulation of protein homeostasis and increased oxidative stress, resulting in increased apoptosis. Cotreatment with cannabidiol was able to prevent this phenotype by promoting protein homeostasis and reducing oxidative stress.

Enhancing tribo-mechanical and corrosion properties of A383 aluminum matrix composites through stir-cum-squeeze casting with marble dust and hexagonal boron nitride reinforcement

The A383 aluminum matrix composites (AMCs) are prominent automotive materials owing to their low-density yet high-strength nature. However, the conventional casting techniques, exorbitant price, and scarce supply of traditional ceramic reinforcements remain challenging. This research countermeasure the challenges by hybridizing the A383 with industrial marble dust (MD) and hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) through the stir-cum-squeeze casting technique. A constant proportion (4 wt%) of MD waste and varying proportions of hBN (1.5, 3, 4.5, and 6 wt%) were used to reinforce A383 alloy to improve its physio-mechanical characteristics. Stir-cum-squeeze casting enables homogenous dispersion of reinforcement particles within the matrix, resulting in improved interfacial bonding. Optimal results were achieved for A383 alloy reinforced with 4 wt% of MD and 6 wt% hBN, ensuring balanced tribo-mechanical characteristics against the as-casted A383. The hardness value increased by 40.8%, while the compression and tensile strength increased by 30.8% and 115.8%, respectively. Non-destructive testing confirms the effective reduction of porosity in the stir-cum-squeeze-cast composites. Moreover, the hybrid composites exhibit improved corrosion resistance by 32.18% after 72 h of testing. Additionally, the hybrid composites demonstrate a wear rate reduction of 54.35%.