Slow Phase Research Articles

Regulable Mixed-Solvent-Induced Phase Separation in Hydrogels for Information Encryption.

The rapid progress of information technology is accompanied by plenty of information embezzlement and forgery, but developing advanced encryption technologies to ensure information security remains challenging. Phase separation commonly leads to a dramatic change in the transmittance of hydrophilic polymer networks, which is a potential method for information security but is often neglected. Here, taking the polyacrylamide (PAAm) hydrogel system as a typical example, facilely adjustable information encryption and decryption via its regulable phase separation process in ethanol/water mixed solvent, are reported. By controlling the osmotic pressure of the external and internal environment, it is demonstrated that the diffusion coefficient during deswelling and reswelling, as well as the corresponding change of transmittance of the gel, can be well controlled. Relatively high osmotic pressure leads to rapid phase separation of the initial gel but slow phase remixing of the phase-separated gel, opening the opportunity of applying the gel as a reversible information encryption device. As proof-of-concept demonstrations, several stable and reversible information encryption and decryption systems by making use of the phase separation process of the gels are designed, which are expected to inspire the development of next-generation soft devices for information technology.

Insights into melatonin-induced photosynthetic electron transport under low-temperature stress in cucumber.

In this study, the differences in chlorophyll fluorescence transient (OJIP) and modulated 820 nm reflection (MR820) of cucumber leaves were probed to demonstrate an insight into the precise influence of melatonin (MT) on cucumber photosystems under low temperature stress. We pre-treated cucumber seedlings with different levels of MT (0, 25, 50, 100, 200, and 400 μmol · L-1) before imposing low temperature stress (10 °C/6 °C). The results indicated that moderate concentrations of MT had a positive effect on the growth of low temperature-stressed cucumber seedlings. Under low temperature stress conditions, 100 μmol · L-1 (MT 100) improved the performance of the active photosystem II (PSII) reaction centers (PIabs), the oxygen evolving complex activity (OEC centers) and electron transport between PSII and PSI, mainly by decreasing the L-band, K-band, and G-band, but showed differences with different duration of low temperature stress. In addition, these indicators related to quantum yield and energy flux of PSII regulated by MT indicated that MT (MT 100) effectively protected the electron transport and energy distribution in the photosystem. According to the results of WO-I ≥ 1 and MR820 signals, MT also affected PSI activity. MT 100 decreased the minimal value of MR/MRO and the oxidation rate of plastocyanin (PC) and PSI reaction center (P700) (Vox ), while increased △MRslow/MRO and deoxidation rates of PC+ and P700 + (Vred ). The loss of the slow phase of MT 200 and MT 400-treated plants in the MR820 kinetics was due to the complete prevention of electron movement from PSII to re-reduce the PC+ and P700 +. These results suggest that appropriate MT concentration (100 μmol · L-1) can improve the photosynthetic performance of PS II and electron transport from primary quinone electron acceptor (QA) to secondary quinone electron acceptor (QB), promote the balance of energy distribution, strengthen the connectivity of PSI and PSII, improve the electron flow of PSII via QA to PC+ and P700 + from reaching PSI by regulating multiple sites of electron transport chain in photosynthesis, and increase the pool size and reduction rates of PSI in low temperature-stressed cucumber plants, All these modifications by MT 100 treatment promoted the photosynthetic electron transfer smoothly, and further restored the cucumber plant growth under low temperature stress. Therefore, we conclude that spraying MT at an appropriate concentration is beneficial for protecting the photosynthetic electron transport chain, while spraying high concentrations of MT has a negative effect on regulating the low temperature tolerance in cucumber.

Supercritical fluid extraction of turmeric root oil using CO2: Experimental analysis and process modelling

The present study focuses on supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) of essential oil from turmeric root waste. It is an analytical extension of our previous experimental work (Priyanka and Khanam, 2018a, Priyanka and Khanam, 2018b). As one of the objectives, a physico-chemical characterization study shows that turmeric root oil is rich in oleic acids, making it suitable for use in the pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries. The other objective is to gain more insights into the experimental observations through two analytical methods – Mathematical Modelling (MM) and Artificial Neural Network (ANN). Through MM, it is seen that the SFE of turmeric root has an initial fast extraction followed by a slow extraction phase, and the solid phase mass transfer resistance dominates the process. The most optimized conditions for maximum oil yield OY are found through ANN since ANN can predict OY values for conditions for which experimental results do not exist. Phenomena like solute-solvent repulsion, volatility, and the role of intra-cellular structures are investigated through optimization of pressure, temperature, solvent/ co-solvent flow rates, and particle size. Through this work, the significance of turmeric root oil is established, a method of extraction is proposed, the physics involved in extraction is investigated, and optimized parameters for the extraction are suggested.

The integrated optokinetic nystagmus inter-saccadic interval scales statistical different in a group of vertigo patients depended on the stimulation velocity, but not for healthy subjects

Optokinetic nystagmus is rhythmic eye movements, back and forth, with a slow and fast phase, when the eyes are presented for full-field visual stimulus. OKN was recorded in 10 healthy subjects and 10 patients suffering from vertigo, for four conditions: stripes moving 30 o/s left and right and 60 o/s left and right. The aim of the present study was to analyze if the optokinetic stimulation intensity, stripes moving with angular velocity of 30 and 60 o/s, below and above the normal threshold for smooth pursuit function, influences the scaling properties of the integrated optokinetic nystagmus inter-saccadic intervals in a group of patients suffering from vertigo and a group of healthy subjects. Calculating the scaling, the spread over time, for the integrated optokinetic nystagmus inter-saccadic intervals, the time intervals between the onsets of consecutive fast components, shows lower Hurst exponent for velocity stimulation of 30o/s compared to 60o/s for both patients and health subjects, but only reach statistical significance for the group of patients. This result is a novel finding.

Conflict Management inside EAEU to Preserve Its Forum

Eurasian Economic Union members: The Eurasian Economic Union consists of five member states: Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Armenia.
 What is the Eurasian Economic Union?
 The Eurasian Economic Union (EEU or EAEU is a project for the economic integration of the former Soviet region. Its formal objectives are to create a common market much like the European Union (EU). There are four targets of this forum, i.e:1) coordinating economic policy, 2.) eliminating non-tariff trade barriers,3) harmonizing regulations, and 4).modernizing the economies of its five member states. While the whole population of EEU member states is estimated 180 million people.
 The EEU has some institutions inside it, i.e: the Eurasian Economic Commission in Moscow as its regulatory body, and a Court of the Eurasian Economic Union based in Minsk. The Commission's power is limited. Member states disagreeing with its judgments can appeal to other bodies, and the Commission has no power to bring a member state before the Court in a case of non-compliance. Disputes are often resolved bilaterally rather than via EAEU institutions.
 Bureaucratic forms of the EU have not been fully copied by the EAEU, which seems a slow phase of its development so far. This is might be caused by EAEU GDP in 2019 being the majority Russian economy (87%). Russia is by far the largest member state and dominates the Union. This domination means that Russia is easily able to act unilaterally within the union [1].

The frequency and relationship with vestibular function test results of positional preference in acute vestibular neuritis.

To assess the prevalence and relationship with vestibular function test results of positional preference in acute vestibular neuritis (VN). We prospectively recruited 33 patients with VN during the acute phase. We assessed the severity of vertigo with a visual analog scale (VAS) and the degree of spontaneous nystagmus (SN) during sitting, the head rolling to the affected, and the healthy side. Patients performed other vestibular function tests, including ocular and cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potential (VEMP), on the same day or the next day of VNG testing. Twelve patients (12/33, 36%) with VN complained of more severe vertigo during lying on the affected side compared to the healthy side under visual fixation. Compared to patients without positional preference (without positional preference group), patients with positional preference (with positional preference group) showed a significantly higher VAS and maximal slow phase velocity (SPV) of SN at all positions except lying on the lesion side. However, there was no difference in the SPV gap between the two groups. 30% (10/33) of patients with VN complained of more severe vertigo while lying on the affected side compared to the healthy side without visual fixation. Maximal SPV of SN was not different between the two groups. There was no other significant difference in both canalith and otolith function test results between the two groups regardless of the visual fixation. One-third of patients with acute VN had more severe vertigo while lying on the affected side than in the supine position. The positional preference was not directly related to the SN intensity or VEMP results. The positional preference might reflect the otolith damage in the setting of activation of the sustained otolith system, not the transient otolithic system.

Perspectives and Impact of Green Electrodeposition

Green electrodeposition is a concept where electrodeposition is carried out sustainably; with safety, society, and environmental aspects playing a significant role in decision-making. ECS and electrochemists have seen large changes in the use of materials and chemicals over the last 50 years: for example, the slow phase out of mercury in labs and industry due to its toxicity [1]. On the other hand, the development of DSA and Boron-doped Diamond (BDD) electrodes have provided strategies for effluent control [2]. The Electrodeposition and Electroless Division (EDLP) members also would have faced challenges over the last 40 years. This could have involved replacing Cr(VI) electrolytes [3], Cd-based coatings, or developing cyanide-free processes [4]. In many cases EDLP has led the exploration of a new set of functional materials: an exemplar being “Get the Lead Out” Symposia Series focused on the development of Pb-free solders.Green Electrodeposition is a marriage of Green Chemical Principles and Electrodeposition. Green Chemical Principles [5], urges one to focus on the reduction of waste, atom economy, energy efficiency, benign solvents, etc. These guidelines are useful for the development of any process, including electrodeposition processes. To adopt these principles, one has to understand and consider the stability of chemical formulations [6], surface electrochemistry that enables electrodeposition [7] and energy and atom efficiency of the process [8]. Electrochemistry, in particular, is a low temperature, low pressure process using electrons to drive reactions which reduces waste. It should therefore follow, that electrochemistry has a significant advantage in offering “Green” processes if developed, implemented and monitored carefully.The talk will focus on how the concept started which simply focused on “prevention of generating” of waste. In particular it examined the notion of development of alternative formulations, the thermodynamics of stable electrolytes and associated issues. The application of this approach towards the development of gold deposition using non-cyanide baths for opto-electronic devices [9] will serve as an exemplar. Following this, the talk will focus effluent remediation of waste from printed circuit board manufacturing [10] and its extension to clean up of galvanic sludge from plating companies [11]. If time permits the use of engineering methodologies using current pulsing, novel agitation schemes and monitoring methods for energy efficiency and metal recycling and recovery will also be discussed.

A Study on the Influence of Air Humidity on the Characteristic Parameters and Thermal Effect of Coal Spontaneous Combustion

ABSTRACT Air humidity has a significant effect on the characteristic parameters and heat changes of the coal spontaneous combustion process. In this study, a self-built precision humidity-generating device with adjustable humidity was used to investigate the effect of different humidity conditions on the spontaneous combustion process of coal. The release of indicator gases was determined by a humidity-generating unit in conjunction with a temperature-programmed device for coal oxidation, and the effect of air humidity on coal spontaneous combustion was studied from a macroscopic perspective. A quantitative study of the effect of air humidity on the heat released during the spontaneous combustion of coal was carried out by obtaining data for exothermic heat release intensity by conducting thermal analysis. Meanwhile, the numerical simulation method was used to study the influence of air humidity on the heat released during the coal spontaneous combustion process. The experimental results indicated that the introduction of moist air could significantly increase the oxygen consumption rate of the coal samples and promote the production of CO and CO2. In the slow oxidation stage, the air humidity has a greater effect on the heat release than that in the accelerated and fast oxidation stages. The simulated results of heat release in the slow oxidation phase are consistent with the experimental data, verifying that the moisture in the air can increase the amount of heat release and promote the coal-oxygen reaction. When the moisture in the air first came into contact with the coal, it released a large amount of adsorption heat in a short time, which increased the coal temperature.

From crisis into crisis – the previous decade of Ukraine’s economy

The Ukrainian economy has been highly cyclical over the past 15 years. Regardless of whether we consider a series of domestic/foreign political events (2013-2015), an external financial/economic shock (2008-2009), or a shock caused by a pandemic (2020-2021) as the trigger, the Ukrainian economy has been hit by a severe economic crisis every five years or so since 2008, which has impeded its from catching-up at the regional level. From Ukraine's perspective, the period that started with the global financial and economic crisis was marked not only by global recessions (2008-2009 and 2020-2021), affecting both the neighboring countries and the world economy as a whole, but also by a crisis of local origin (2014-2015) – involving an annexation/occupation of territory which is not recognized by international law and an armed conflict – which, by its very nature, exacerbated the country's devergence from international norms. Consequently, Ukraine – compared to neighboring countries – was in a completely different situation when the pandemic arrived, since its economy was characterized by a slow but stable growth and recovery phase which had followed a severe recession marked by armed struggles, rising Russian-Ukrainian tensions, internal political skirmishes, reform initiatives, Western integration efforts, lending and aid programs, and by laws restricting the rights of national minorities and all the diplomatic conflicts that went along with them. Against this background, an assessment of the success of the pandemic response cannot be complete without an analysis of the main economic indicators for the preceding period 2013-2019. Thus, this study examines the economic tendencies of the given period, while the regional comparison of the state of the Ukrainian economy will provide us important information about the effectiveness of recovery from the recession caused by the Eastern Ukrainian conlict, namely: the measure of catching-up or lagging behind compared to the neighboring countries.

Novel noninvasive indices of perfusion dynamics wave analysis detect above knee arterial stenosis in the presence of widespread arteriosclerosis

Abstract Introduction Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a leading cause of vascular morbidity and mortality. The Ankle Brachial Index (ABI) is a common index for screening and monitoring PAD. The AHA and ECS guidelines recommend measuring the ABI for assessing atherosclerotic cardiovascular risk. However, the ABI sensitivity is low, especially in the elderly and diabetics with arteriosclerosis. The restenosis rate after revascularization is high and there is an unmet need for continuous monitoring for detection of restenoses in these patients. ABI requires Doppler Ultrasound measurements. Purpose We hypothesized that monitoring the arterial perfusion dynamics instead of the peak systolic pressure, could improve PAD surveillance and management. Methods A novel method for quantifying the arterial perfusion dynamic from impedance plethysmography measurements was developed. A novel segmentation of the arterial perfusion upstroke has revealed that it consists of two characteristic phases, an initial slow phase that is followed by a fast vigorous rise. The phase transition point was defined by the maximum acceleration time point (MAT). The slow phase duration was denoted as the `Perfusion Deficit Index` (PDI). The arterial perfusion signals were derived from calves of PAD patients that were admitted for revascularization. We compared the novel PDI and MAT indices with measured ABI before and after the revascularizations. Results Sixteen patients with isolated above-knee stenoses were recruited and treated in eighteen legs. The perfusion signals before the revascularization were characterized by prolonged PDI, and overt shortening of the PDI was observed after successful revascularization, as depicted in Figure 1. The PDI was significantly negatively correlated with the ABI. In patients with satisfactory postoperative increase in ABI (>0.15) the PDI dropped from 105±33 ms to 26±16 ms (n=13, p<0.001). The “pulse transit time” (PTT) that relates to arteriosclerosis did not change between measurements in all the patients. Thus, the measurement of the PTT and PDI can differentiate between the two elements of atherosclerosis: generalized arteriosclerosis and development of localized arterial narrowing. Interestingly, in the contralateral untreated leg the ABI and PDI had a similar significantly negative correlation, without significant difference before and after the procedures. Assessment of the ABI and PDI abilities to detect focal stenosis revealed that the PDI detected stenosis with 91% sensitivity and 85% specificity, while the ABI only had 74% sensitivity and 85% specificity (Figure 2). Conclusions The PD can be used for assessing revascularization outcome and monitoring atherosclerosis severity. The MAT and PDI are novel sensitive and specific indices for detecting arterial stenoses, even in the presence of arteriosclerosis, unlike the ABI. The applicability of this simple to use method for screening and telemedicine should be further validated. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None.

RENAL CELL CARCINOMA PRESENTING AS LUNG COLLAPSE

RENAL CELL CARCINOMA PRESENTING AS LUNG COLLAPSE

Restructuring of the Optokinetic Reflex during Metamorphosis in Pelobates fuscus Laur.

The restructuring of the gaze stabilization system in Pelobates fuscus was investigated by quantitative analysis of the optomotor response using video imaging. Gaze stabilization is an important component in the system of neural mechanisms of visual depth perception. It was shown that the optomotor response in aquatic tadpoles of P. fuscus is similar to that of fish (movement of the animal in the direction of the visual background movement and eye nystagmus consisting of a fast and a slow phase). During metamorphosis (transition from the aquatic to the terrestrial lifestyle), froglets of P. fuscus responded to the movement of the visual background by eyes and head movements. One year after metamorphosis, P. fuscus responded to movement of the visual background as adult Anura: only by head movements (a slow and a fast phase), while eye movements were absent. Possible causes of the loss of active eye movements by Anura amphibians in the process of evolution are discussed.

Factors associated withspontaneous nystagmus changes in acute Ménière's disease.

Neuro-otological factors that influence changes in spontaneous nystagmus (SN) during vertigo attacks in Ménière's disease (MD) remain unclear. To identify neuro-otological factors that might influence the initial direction of SN and the directional change of SN. A prospective, observational study of 22 patients with definite MD to evaluate the initial direction and directional change of SN during vertigo attacks, endolymphatic hydrops (EH) volume, and the function of horizontal semicircular canal and hearing levels. SN consistently began as irritative in 17 of 22 cases, and 9 of 17 cases showed a definite change in direction after onset. SN consistently began as paralytic in 5 of 22 cases, and 3 of 5 cases showed a definite change in direction after onset. Subjects in the irritative initial SN group had less severe degrees of hearing loss, smaller cochlear and vestibular EH volume than the paralytic initial SN group (P = 0.017, < 0.001, and 0.009, respectively). Subjects in the SN direction change group had significantly smaller maximum slow phase velocity, percentage of caloric weakness and canal paresis than the no SN direction change group (P = 0.001, 0.006, and 0.001, respectively). Simple logistic regression analysis showed that smaller EH volume was significantly associated with initial irritative SN (OR = 0.867, 95% CI 0.762-0.988, P = 0.032) and that the degree of canal paresis was negatively associated with the presence of directional change of SN (OR = 0.022, 95% CI 0.002-0.289, P = 0.004). The morphology of EH and canal paresis may independently affect the characteristics of SN in patients with MD.

Metastability for expanding bubbles on a sticky substrate

We study the dynamical behavior of a one dimensional interface interacting with a sticky impenetrable substrate or wall. The interface is subject to two effects going in opposite directions. Contacts between the interface and the substrate are given an energetic bonus while an external force with constant intensity pulls the interface away from the wall. Our interface is modeled by the graph of a one-dimensional nearest-neighbor path on Z+, starting at 0 and ending at 0 after 2N steps, with the wall being the horizontal axis. At equilibrium each path ξ=(ξx)x=02N is given a probability proportional to λH(ξ)exp(σNA(ξ)), where H(ξ):=#{x:ξx=0} and A(ξ) is the area enclosed between the path ξ and the x-axis. We then consider the classical heat-bath dynamics which equilibrates the value of each ξx at a constant rate via corner-flip. Investigating the statics of the model, we derive the full phase diagram in λ and σ of this model, and identify the critical line which separates a localized phase where the pinning force sticks the interface to the wall and a delocalized one, for which the external force stabilizes ξ around a deterministic shape at a macroscopic distance of the wall. On the dynamical side, we identify a second critical line, which separates a rapidly mixing phase (for which the system mixes in polynomial time) to a slow phase where the mixing time grows exponentially. In this slowly mixing regime, we obtain a sharp estimate of the mixing time on the log scale, and provide evidences of a metastable behavior.

Video Suppression Head Impulses and Head Impulses Paradigms in Patients with Vestibular Neuritis: A Comparative Study.

Background: This study aims to explore the clinical relevance of the Suppression Head Impulse Paradigm (SHIMP) to better understand if it represents an additional clinical value compared to the Head Impulse Paradigm (HIMP) in patients with vestibular neuritis (VN) in different stages of the disease. Methods: From January 2020 to June 2022, patients with unilateral VN were found in a database of an ENT vestibular clinic. Clinical presentation, vestibular test outcomes, therapy, and recovery were examined in medical records. Results: A total of 42 patients (16 Females, mean age 51.06 ± 12.96; 26 Male, mean age 62.50 ± 9.82) met the inclusion criteria and were enrolled in the study. The means of the VOR gain for both paradigms were respectively 0.38 ± 0.12 (SHIMP) and 0.46 ± 0.13 (HIMP) at T0 and 0.55 ± 0.20 (SHIMP) and 0.64 ± 0.19 (HIMP) at T1 for the lesional side. For the HIMP, the gain value <0.76 identified the affected side of VN with 100% sensitivity (92–100) and 100% specificity (91–100). For the SHIMP, the gain value <0.66 identified the affected side of VN with 100% sensitivity (92–100) and 100% specificity (91–100) and an AUC of 1.0 (0.96–1.0, p < 0.0001). Conclusion: The SHIMP paradigm has a diagnostic accuracy equal to the classic HIMP paradigm in patients with VN. The assessment of VOR slow phase velocity and vestibulo-saccadic interaction in patients with VN could be easier with the use of the SHIMPs paradigm. SHIMPs paradigm provides helpful information about the evaluation of VOR slow phase velocity and vestibulo-saccadic interaction as new recovery strategies in patients with VN.

Mapping intellectual structures and research hotspots in the application of artificial intelligence in cancer: A bibliometric analysis.

BackgroundArtificial intelligence (AI) is more and more widely used in cancer, which is of great help to doctors in diagnosis and treatment. This study aims to summarize the current research hotspots in the Application of Artificial Intelligence in Cancer (AAIC) and to assess the research trends in AAIC.MethodsScientific publications for AAIC-related research from 1 January 1998 to 1 July 2022 were obtained from the Web of Science database. The metrics analyses using bibliometrics software included publication, keyword, author, journal, institution, and country. In addition, the blustering analysis on the binary matrix was performed on hot keywords.ResultsThe total number of papers in this study is 1592. The last decade of AAIC research has been divided into a slow development phase (2013-2018) and a rapid development phase (2019-2022). An international collaboration centered in the USA is dedicated to the development and application of AAIC. Li J is the most prolific writer in AAIC. Through clustering analysis and high-frequency keyword research, it has been shown that AI plays a significantly important role in the prediction, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of cancer. Classification, diagnosis, carcinogenesis, risk, and validation are developing topics. Eight hotspot fields of AAIC were also identified.ConclusionAAIC can benefit cancer patients in diagnosing cancer, assessing the effectiveness of treatment, making a decision, predicting prognosis and saving costs. Future AAIC research may be dedicated to optimizing AI calculation tools, improving accuracy, and promoting AI.

Effect of Irrigation and Nitrogen Topdressing at Different Leaf Ages on the Length and Growth of Wheat Leaves, Leaf Sheaths, and Internodes

The lengths of leaves, leaf sheaths, and internodes are the main factors affecting individual plant types. An ideotype is a basis for developing a high-yielding population structure. Water and nitrogen (N) fertilizer can directly affect the growth of a plant’s organs. To evaluate the effects of irrigation and nitrogen application on the length and growth of wheat leaves, leaf sheaths, and internodes, we carried out a 5 year field experiment in the high yield wheat fields of the North China Plain. Five treatments (T2–T6) were applied, and irrigation was carried out in springtime at the appearance of the second leaf (T2), the third leaf (T3), the fourth leaf (T4), the fifth leaf (T5) and the sixth leaf (T6). The results showed that the irrigation and N topdressing periods had different effects on the leaves, leaf sheaths, and internodes. The lengths of the upper three leaves gradually increased with the progression of the irrigation and N topdressing. The increases in the lengths of the leaf sheath were similar and followed the irrigation and N topdressing pattern at four stages of leaves in the spring: n-1, n-2, n-3 and n-4. The most effective growth of the internodes was achieved by irrigation and N topdressing at the n + 2 and n + 3 stages. The vertical spacing among the upper three leaves increased with irrigation and N topdressing at the appearance of the top second (or flag) leaf. Differences in temperature and precipitation over the years either weakened or enhanced the differences in the plants’ organ lengths with the different treatments. However, the orders of treatments did not alter organ length in different years. Earlier irrigation and N topdressing treatments (T2, T3, and T4) showed an inhibitory effect on the leaves and leaf sheaths during the early growth stage. The inhibitory effect was more evident in the later-emerged leaves and leaf sheaths than in those that emerged earlier. However, irrigation and N fertilization increased the final length of the organs by improving the growth rate during the rapid incremental phase (RIP) and the slow incremental phase (SIP). Although the most significant extensions of the lengths of leaves, leaf sheaths, and internodes were achieved by irrigation and N topdressing before the organs entered the RIP, the specific growth stages were different among the three organs. These results can provide a reference for directly regulating the development of wheat organs and constructing an ideotype.

A bibliometric analysis and assessment of priorities for heavy metal bioavailability research and risk management in contaminated land.

Risk assessment has been recognized as an important tool for evaluating heavy metal pollution and providing risk-based information for decision makers. In order to accurately assess the risk of heavy metals in contaminated soil to human health, it is necessary to conduct bioavailability studies on heavy metals in soil. Bioavailability of heavy metals in soils and the implications for risk assessment and land management/remediation has evolved over the decades and now has considerable practical and economic implications internationally. This article aims to explore its evolution by undertaking a bibliometric analysis of the research fields which have addressed heavy metal bioavailability in soils, with a focus on the risk assessment of contaminated land and human exposure to soil-borne metals. Bibliometric analysis techniques are applied to monitor and assess the changing research literature on the bioavailability of heavy metals in contaminated soils. Over 5000 articles were found for the period 1979-2020. The purpose was not to perform an exhaustive literature review, but to draw out trends and patterns in the literature, and to make observations on past and current priorities. Key words were extracted from the analysis and the roles of different countries in driving the research literature identified. Three phases in literature/subject development were identified. Between 1979 and 2000 (initial phase, 213 articles), studies used extraction procedures and solubility studies to investigate the roles of soil properties on metal form/speciation and focused on bioavailability to (crop) plants in agricultural soils. Between 2001 and 2010 (slow development phase, 1105 articles), attention switched to metals introduced in soil amendments and wastes, metal impacts on soil microbial processes, and incorporating bioavailability in risk assessment. More rigorous techniques were being used, such as the diffusive gradients in thin films technique, to better understand kinetic and metal speciation in soils and the quantitative relationship to bioavailability. By 2011-2020 (rapid development phase, 3137 articles), research was being conducted in many countries (site specific, often industrially contaminated and urban sites), with a focus shift to health risk assessment, remediation, and bioavailability to various ecological receptors (e.g., humans and animals), with the development of many methods of bioavailability (e.g., simulated gastrointestinal tract enzymolysis methods). Some priorities for research on soil heavy metal bioavailability are identified.

Human cone elongation responses can be explained by photoactivated cone opsin and membrane swelling and osmotic response to phosphate produced by RGS9-catalyzed GTPase

Human cone outer segment (COS) length changes in response to stimuli bleaching up to 99% of L- and M-cone opsins were measured with high resolution, phase-resolved optical coherence tomography (OCT). Responses comprised a fast phase (∼5 ms), during which COSs shrink, and two slower phases (1.5 s), during which COSs elongate. The slower components saturated in amplitude (∼425 nm) and initial rate (∼3 nm ms-1) and are well described over the 200-fold bleaching range as the sum of two exponentially rising functions with time constants of 80 to 90 ms (component 1) and 1,000 to 1,250 ms (component 2). Measurements with adaptive optics reflection densitometry revealed component 2 to be linearly related to cone pigment bleaching, and the hypothesis is proposed that it arises from cone opsin and disk membrane swelling triggered by isomerization and rate-limited by chromophore hydrolysis and its reduction to membrane-localized all-trans retinol. The light sensitivity and kinetics of component 1 suggested that the underlying mechanism is an osmotic response to an amplified soluble by-product of phototransduction. The hypotheses that component 1 corresponds to G-protein subunits dissociating from the membrane, metabolites of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) hydrolysis, or by-products of activated guanylate cyclase are rejected, while the hypothesis that it corresponds to phosphate produced by regulator of G-protein signaling 9 (RGS9)-catalyzed hydrolysis of guanosine triphosphate (GTP) in G protein-phosphodiesterase complexes was found to be consistent with the results. These results provide a basis for the assessment with optoretinography of phototransduction in individual cone photoreceptors in health and during disease progression and therapeutic interventions.

Transient oscillation dynamics during sleep provide a robust basis for electroencephalographic phenotyping and biomarker identification.

Transient oscillatory events in the sleep electroencephalogram represent short-term coordinated network activity. Of particular importance, sleep spindles are transient oscillatory events associated with memory consolidation, which are altered in aging and in several psychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders. Spindle identification, however, currently contains implicit assumptions derived from what waveforms were historically easiest to discern by eye, and has recently been shown to select only a high-amplitude subset of transient events. Moreover, spindle activity is typically averaged across a sleep stage, collapsing continuous dynamics into discrete states. What information can be gained by expanding our view of transient oscillatory events and their dynamics? In this paper, we develop a novel approach to electroencephalographic phenotyping, characterizing a generalized class of transient time-frequency events across a wide frequency range using continuous dynamics. We demonstrate that the complex temporal evolution of transient events during sleep is highly stereotyped when viewed as a function of slow oscillation power (an objective, continuous metric of depth-of-sleep) and phase (a correlate of cortical up/down states). This two-fold power-phase representation has large intersubject variability-even within healthy controls-yet strong night-to-night stability for individuals, suggesting a robust basis for phenotyping. As a clinical application, we then analyze patients with schizophrenia, confirming established spindle (12-15 Hz) deficits as well as identifying novel differences in transient non-rapid eye movement events in low-alpha (7-10 Hz) and theta (4-6 Hz) ranges. Overall, these results offer an expanded view of transient activity, describing a broad class of events with properties varying continuously across spatial, temporal, and phase-coupling dimensions.