Ten-day Period Research Articles

FROM THE EXPERIENCE OF EVALUATING THE ORNAMENTAL QUALITIES IN SMALL BULBOUS PLANTS USING CROCUSES AS AN EXAMPLE

The issues of introduction, study, reproduction, and of use the group of small bulbous plants in landscaping are dealt with in many scientific and educational institutions. Research is being carried out using various methods, but there is no methodology for variety study of small-bulbous crops with the purpose to use them in landscaping. The purpose of this work was to study crocus varieties and assess their ornamental qualities using the developed methodology of small bulbous plants study for their use in landscaping. In the years 2016–2020, the research was conducted with open-ground bulbous plants of the collection belonging to the Floriculture Department of the Subtropical Scientific Centre of the Russian Academy of Sciences and growing on the experimental plots in Razdolnoye village (Sochi). The objects of research were 16 crocus varieties. As a result of the research carried out, the following varieties with high ornamental qualities were identified from crocus collection: ‘Fuscotinctus’ (57), ‘Miss Vain’ (58), ‘Yellow’ (58), ‘Flower Record’ (58), ‘Remembrance’ (59). The variety groups were revealed by flowering terms: very early, which begin to flower in late January — early February for ‘Fuscotinctus’ and ‘Miss Vain’; early (from the second ten-day period of February) for ‘Romance’, ‘Blue Pearl’ and others; middle (from the third ten-day period of February) for ‘Flower Record’, ‘King of the Striped’ and others. Cultivars recorded with a flowering period of 30 days or more are: ‘Blue Pearl’, ‘Miss Vain’, ‘Yellow’, ‘Fuscotinctus’ and ‘Romance’. The study carried out with crocus collection of the Floriculture Department showed that all varieties have high ornamental qualities, are resistant to biotic factors and can be used in landscaping. As for the data on terms and duration of phenological phases, they can be used in landscape designing.

The Effect of Deep Brain Stimulation on High Frequency Oscillations in a Chronic Epilepsy Model

Abstract Temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) is a severe neurological disease which is often pharmacoresistant. Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a novel method for treating epilepsy; however, its mechanism of action is not fully understood. We aimed to study the effect of amygdala DBS in the pilocarpine model of TLE. Status epilepticus was induced by pilocarpine in male Wistar rats, and spontaneous seizures occurred after a latency period. A stimulating electrode was inserted into the left basolateral amygdala and two recording electrodes into the left and right hippocampus. A stimulus package consisted of 0.1 ms-long biphasic pulses applied regularly at 4 Hz for 50 seconds. This package was repeated four times a day, with 5-minute pauses, for 10 days. We also used an age-matched healthy control group of stimulated animals and another one of sham-operated rats. From the hippocampal local field potentials high frequency oscillations (HFOs) were analyzed as these are promising epilepsy biomarkers. HFOs are short oscillatory events between 80-600 Hz which were detected offline using an open-source application of MATLAB, the RIPPLELAB system. We found that the HFO rate was significantly higher in pilocarpine-treated rats compared to the control groups (0.41 ± 0.14 HFO/min vs. 0.006 ± 0.003 in the stimulated control group and no HFO in the sham-operated group). In the pilocarpine group an instantaneous decrease in HFO rate was observed while the stimulation was on (0.44 ± 0.15 HFO/min vs 0.07 ± 0.03 HFO/min, p=0.017). The effect was short-lived because the frequency of HFOs did not change significantly in the time windows between stimulus packages or during the ten-day stimulation period. The difference of HFO rates between epileptic and control groups could be used in the electrographic assessment of epilepsy. The decreased frequency of HFOs during stimulation may be useful to study the efficacy of DBS.

Influence of Modern Climate Warming on the Terms of Basic Phenological Phases in the Population of Spermophilus pygmaeus Pallas, 1778 (Rodentia, Mammalia) on the Territory of the Yergenin Uplands

The results of a comparative analysis of the terms and duration of phenological phases in the population of the little ground squirrel in the central part of the Yergenin Uplands in the years 1926–1932, 1972–1982, and 2000–2015 are presented. It is noted that in the years 1926–1932 all the main phenological life phases of populations of the little ground squirrel took place exclusively during the spring–summer period (March–August). It is proved that in the period 2000–2015, under the influence of modern climate warming, the emergence of the population of the small gopher out of hibernation began to be noted during the winter months (January–February) compared to 1926–1932. The beginning and end of the pregnancy period was recorded between the first ten-day period of February and the third ten-day period of March. Accordingly, preparation for hibernation (fattening) of adult animals began to occur also at an earlier date (March, April) and ended mainly in May. The first appearance of young of the little ground squirrel on the surface and their dispersal began to take place in April–May. The mass hibernation of young ground squirrels was recorded in late June–early July. At the same time, a tendency to increase was noted in comparison with the period 1926–1932 of the total duration of the hibernation period of young animals (July–January or February). A decrease in the intensity of fodder migrations of adult ground squirrels to lowering of the relief was also noted.

A Large-Area and Nanoscale Graphene Oxide Diaphragm-Based Extrinsic Fiber-Optic Fabry-Perot Acoustic Sensor Applied for Partial Discharge Detection in Air.

This article presents an extrinsic fiber-optic acoustic sensor applied for partial discharge (PD) detection in air. A Fabry–Perot (F-P) cavity consisting of a single-mode fiber (SMF) and a graphene oxide (GO) film, whose thickness and effective vibration diameter are approximately 500 nm and 4.377 mm, respectively, is used as this sensing core, and the manufacturing process of GO diaphragms and this sensing probe is illustrated to be simple and controllable. Performance tests indicate that this proposed sensor maintains a linear acoustic-pressure response and a flat frequency response in the range of 200 Hz to 20 kHz, while being an omnidirectional sensor and having high working stability during a ten-day test period. Additionally, PD detection results show that the minimum PD size detected by this proposed sensor in air was approximately 100 pC, which demonstrates that this proposed sensor can achieve high-sensitivity PD detection in air.

The role of reward sensitivity and childhood maltreatment in predicting nonsuicidal self-injury.

Findings from prior research on reward sensitivity in nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) have been mixed. Childhood maltreatment is an independent risk factor for NSSI and for hyposensitivity to rewards. This study aimed to disentangle the role of reward sensitivity as a predictor of NSSI for those with an elevated severity of childhood maltreatment. In a diverse undergraduate sample (N=586), trait reward sensitivity (i.e., behavioral approach system subscales) and the severity of maltreatment were assessed as predictors of a lifetime history of NSSI. In a subset of this sample (n=51), predictors of NSSI urge intensity were measured using ecological momentary assessment. Individuals with elevated maltreatment who reported less positive responsiveness to rewards were more likely to have a lifetime history of NSSI. Those with elevated maltreatment who reported a lower likelihood to approach rewards experienced more intense NSSI urges across the ten-day observation period. However, those with elevated maltreatment who reported a greater likelihood to approach rewards experienced less intense NSSI urges. The role of reward sensitivity as a cognitive risk factor for NSSI varies depending on childhood maltreatment history. Findings indicate that, for those with elevated maltreatment, hypersensitivity to approaching rewards may decrease risk for NSSI urges.

Breeding ecology of Eurasian bullfinches Pyrrhula pyrrhula in an Iberian hedgerow habitat

ABSTRACT The breeding ecology of the Iberian subspecies of the Eurasian bullfinch, Pyrrhula pyrrhula iberiae, is addressed for the first time. The studied population occupied a hedgerow habitat in northwestern Spain. Individuals directly watched in the study area and details of these sightings were recorded over a six-year period, and a total of 56 nests were monitored. The earliest date of nest building was within 11–30 April for all years. Fledglings were recorded leaving the nest during all the ten-day periods from the end of May to mid-August. Nest attendance, from the early building stage to when nestlings were ready to leave the nest, lasted approximately 36 days. The overall mean clutch size was 4.56 eggs. Clutch size decreased significantly at the end of the breeding season. For all egg traits, the minimum values for standard deviation were obtained in the intra-clutch analysis, and egg length was more variable than width. Nesting success increased progressively from April–May to June–July and August. The main proximate cause of nest failure was egg desertion/predation, followed by nest desertion during nest building and nestling desertion/predation. Mammals were the main agents in nests where the probable predator could be identified. Approximately half of the eggs became fledglings leaving the nest, no significant seasonal differences being observed for this parameter. In August, the ratio of juveniles to adults was 2.5–4.1, juveniles representing approximately 70–80% of the individuals seen and identified that month. The absence of significant interannual variation in important reproductive parameters could have been due to lack of interannual variation in the availability of food resources. Compared to other subspecies, mean clutch size of Iberian bullfinches is the smallest recorded in the western Palearctic, and they showed an earlier start to the breeding season and shorter mean egg length than North European and Russian populations.

Modelo de minimización de los costos totales de la cuarentena y la pandemia: aplicaciones y estimaciones para el caso de República Dominicana

La cuarentena produce el beneficio del valor estadístico de los años de vida salvados y genera un costo igual a los ingresos dejados de producir por la población en confinamiento, lo cual queda representado en el modelo aquí formulado. Se incorporan las tasas de contagio y mortalidad, con y sin cuarentena, siendo del beneficio de esta la diferencia entre ambos estados. Se asume como único costo el ingreso laboral de la población en confinamiento, el que, multiplicado por su cantidad, produce como resultado el costo de este. La ecuación fundamental que iguala el costo a los beneficios de la cuarentena es luego utilizada para determinar el momento óptimo de retirar el confinamiento. El beneficio de la cuarentena se origina en la disminución del factor de propagación de la pandemia y, si se conocen los parámetros de las ecuaciones, estos pueden aplicarse por cortos períodos para determinar el momento de su retiro. Este proceso es aplicado al caso de la República Dominicana usando un período de diez días, concluyéndose que a los 50 días, con un factor de propagación de 0.9, el costo de la cuarentena se hacía mayor que su beneficio.

Assessment of Google Trends terms reporting allergies and the grass pollen season in Ukraine

BackgroundGrass pollen allergy is an important trigger for the development of respiratory disorders. Defining the grass pollen season onset is critical for correct allergy diagnosis and personalized therapy. The development of a pan-European sentinel network for allergic diseases has raised the problem of translating the Google search terms into different European languages as well as defining specific pollen season characteristics in different regions. Grass pollen allergy was investigated due to high allergenicity and wide expansion of grass pollen in Europe. ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to examine which translations of “hay fever”, “grass”, and “rhinitis” could be used in the native Cyrillic languages, especially in Ukrainian and Russian, and to compare the seasonality of allergic respiratory queries in Ukraine with the grass pollen counts. MethodsGoogle Trends (GT) was used to search Google queries concerning grass pollen allergy: “allergy”, “hay fever”, “runny nose”, “grass”, “asthma”, and “pollen”. The Cyrillic terms in Ukrainian and Russian were used. The search was done for the period from 2013 to 2017. Pollen collection from 2013 to 2016 was conducted using volumetric methods. Average daily temperatures were obtained from http://gismeteo.ua. Correlations were assessed by Spearman (R) test. ResultsThe Ukrainian Google users searched the Cyrillic equivalents for “runny nose”, “grass”, and “asthma”. Due to the GT queries profile, Ukraine had a “D” pattern according to the classification, developed by Bousquet J et al (2017). In Ukraine, the Poaceae pollen season generally occurred between the second ten-day period of May and the last ten-day period of July. The Poaceae pollen season started with a concentration of pollen grains of 8.0 m−3. This concentration provoked the growth of GT “grass”, “allergy”, “hay fever”, and “asthma” queries. ConclusionsThe terms “grass”, “allergy”, “hay fever”, and “asthma” (in their Cyrillic equivalents) are required in Ukraine to account for the grass pollen exposure by GT. The study of GT may be a useful tool to make an assessment of the grass pollen season for the prevention and minimization of exposure to significant grass pollen concentrations.

Mean platelet volume and cardiac-surgery-associated acute kidney injury: a retrospective study.

Increased mean platelet volume (MPV) may indicate platelet activation, platelet aggregation, and a resulting prothrombotic state. Such changes in the postoperative period have been associated with organ injury and adverse outcomes. We hypothesized that changes in MPV after cardiac surgery are associated with both a higher risk of acute kidney injury (AKI) and mortality. In this retrospective study, we evaluated consecutive patients undergoing adult cardiac surgery patients between 12 December 2011 and 5 June 2018. The change in MPV was derived by calculating the difference between the baseline MPV before surgery and the average postoperative MPV just prior to the occurrence of AKI. We defined postoperative AKI according to Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes Clinical Practice Guideline for Acute Kidney Injury as either a ≥ 50% increase in serum creatinine in the first ten postoperative days, or an increase of ≥ 0.3 mg·dL-1 during any 48-hr window across the ten-day postoperative period. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to examine the association between MPV change and postoperative AKI and mortality. Of the 4,204 patients studied, 1,373 (32.7%) developed postoperative AKI, including 83 (2.0%) and 38 (0.9%) who developed stages II and III AKI, respectively. Compared with patients who had an increase in median postoperative MPV of 0.2 femtolitre (fL), those with an increase of 0.8 fL had an 80% increase in the odds of developing AKI (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.80; 95% confidence interval [CI],1.36 to 2.38; P < 0.001) and were almost twice as likely to progress to a higher severity AKI (aOR, 1.66; 95% CI, 1.28 to 2.16; P < 0.001). Change in MPV was not associated with mortality (aOR,1.32; 95% CI, 0.92 to 1.89; P = 0.14). Increased MPV change in the postoperative period was associated with both increased risk and severity of AKI, but not mortality.

Re-test reliability and internal consistency of EEG alpha-band oscillations in older adults with chronic knee pain

ObjectiveChronic pain studies investigating the ability to detect sensory processing differences related to thalamic gating using electroencephalographic (EEG) alpha have yielded conflicting results. Alpha’s basic psychometric properties in pain populations requires further study. The present study reports on the test–retest reliability and internal consistency of EEG alpha power in older adults with chronic knee pain. MethodsRepeated EEG alpha power measurements were taken of older adults (N = 31) with chronic knee pain across two sessions separated by a ten-day period associated with a pilot clinical trial study. Recordings included resting periods (eyes open and eyes closed) as well as periods involving a pain management activity. ResultsMost single alpha-power measures and all within-participant averages of alpha obtained within a session showed high internal consistency (Cronbach’s α > 0.7) and satisfactory-to-excellent re-test reliability (Pearson’s rs > 0.6) of both alpha power and alpha blocking (eyes closed minus eyes open) across repeated conditions. ConclusionsEEG alpha power seems mostly reliable and consistent, particularly when participants’ eyes are closed, after a period of habituation, and when alpha measures are averaged as within-participant estimates. SignificanceThis analysis suggests that within-subject averages of EEG alpha are the most reliable for developing indices of chronic knee pain.

Agricultural soybean and corn calendar based on moderate resolution satellite images for southern Brazil

Knowledge of the agricultural calendar of crops is essential to better estimate and forecast the cultivation of large-scale crops. The aim of this study was to estimate sowing date (SD), date of maximum vegetative development (DMVD), and harvest date (HD) of soybean and corn in the state of Paraná, Brazil. Dates from 120 farms and the Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI) from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) from 2011 to 2014 were used into a seasonal trend analysis to obtain soybean and corn seasonal patterns. The results indicate that the majority soybean is sown during October and the DMVD occurs between the second ten-day period of December and the first ten-day period of January. Owing to the spatial variability of the SD, the difference in the maturation cycles of the cultivars, and regional climatic variation, the HD of soybean varied greatly during the studied crop years, ranging from mid-February to late March. The SD of corn is before that of soybean, and mainly occurs in late September to mid-October. The DMVD mainly occurs during December, and the HD is distributed throughout January to March in Paraná. When comparing the estimated dates with observed dates the mean error (ME) varied from 0.2 days earlier to 3.3 days after the observed date for soybean with root mean square error (RMSE) from 1.93 to 14.73 days. For corn, the ME varied from 10.3 days to 18.5 days after the observed date with RMSE from 18.02 to 27.82 days.

Miniature (dwarf) daff odils in the collection of Federal Research Center “Subtropical Scientifi c Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences”

The Subtropical Scientifi c Center has a large collection of bulbous plants, including daff odils, dating back to the 1960s. The purpose of this work was to study miniature daff odils attracted to the collection. The research was carried out at the experimental base of the Center in Sochi (Razdolnoye village) in 2013-2019. As the collection was replenished with dwarf varieties, the work was begun on developing a methodology for evaluating this group. Climatic conditions of the research area are typical for the zone of humid subtropics, characterized by a large amount of precipitation, mainly in winter and early spring, and mild winters. During the research, it was noted that the meteorological parameters in the years of research diff ered both from the average long-term indicators and between themselves. When introducing and studying varieties, much attention was paid to both phenological observations and biometric measurements, as well as to varieties’ reproduction ability. It is established that all these parameters largely depend not only on variety characteristics, but also on climatic conditions during the growth and development of plants. Insuffi cient precipitation in some years and relatively cold winters contributed to the later phenophases, reducing their terms and biometric parameters. In general, as a result of long-term observations, it was found that in the humid subtropics of Russia, dwarf daff odils begin their vegetation in the fi rst or second ten-day period of January, which lasts from 118 to 135 days, depending on a variety. Early blooming (in the third ten-day period of February) was recorded in ‘Tete-a-Tete’ and ‘Jetfi re’ cvs. Later blooming was recorded in ‘Jack Snipe’ and ‘Canaliculatus’ cvs. in the second ten-day period of March. As a result of the research, the following miniature varieties with a plant height of less than 20 cm were selected from the daff odils collection: ‘Canaliculatus’, ‘Jack Snipe’, ‘Jetfi re’, ‘Rip van Winkle’, ‘Tete-a-Tete’ and ‘Topolino’. The studied varieties have high ornamental qualities, are resistant to biotic factors and can be used in pot culture and landscaping of open ground.

Planetary evolution with atmospheric photoevaporation

Context. Observations have revealed in the Kepler data a depleted region separating smaller super-Earths from larger sub-Neptunes. This can be explained as an evaporation valley between planets with and without H/He that is caused by atmospheric escape. Aims. We want to analytically derive the valley’s locus and understand how it depends on planetary properties and stellar X-ray and ultraviolet (XUV) luminosity. We also want to derive constraints for planet formation models. Methods. First, we conducted numerical simulations of the evolution of close-in low-mass planets with H/He undergoing escape. We performed parameter studies with grids in core mass and orbital separation, and we varied the postformation H/He mass, the strength of evaporation, and the atmospheric and core composition. Second, we developed an analytical model for the valley locus. Results. We find that the bottom of the valley quantified by the radius of the largest stripped core, Rbare, at a given orbital distance depends only weakly on postformation H/He mass. The reason is that a high initial H/He mass means that more gas needs to evaporate, but also that the planet density is lower, increasing mass loss. Regarding the stellar XUV-luminosity, Rbare is found to scale as LXUV0.135. The same weak dependency applies to the efficiency factor ε of energy-limited evaporation. As found numerically and analytically, Rbare varies a function of orbital period P for a constant ε as P−2pc∕3 ≈ P−0.18, where Mc ∝ Rcpc is the mass-radius relation of solid cores. We note that Rbare is about 1.7 R⊕ at a ten-day orbital period for an Earth-like composition. Conclusions. The numerical results are explained very well with the analytical model where complete evaporation occurs if the temporal integral over the stellar XUV irradiation that is absorbed by the planet is larger than the binding energy of the envelope in the gravitational potential of the core. The weak dependency on the postformation H/He means that the valley does not strongly constrain gas accretion during formation. But the weak dependency on primordial H/He mass, stellar LXUV, and ε could be the reason why the valley is so clearly visible observationally, and why various models find similar results theoretically. At the same time, given the large observed spread of LXUV, the dependency on it is still strong enough to explain why the valley is not completely empty.

Thermal risk for common beans due to high temperatures in three counties of Rio Grande do Sul state

Common beans are an important protein source for human diet. Much cultivated in small farms it is considered a subsistence crop, employing little cultivation technology. It presents a high susceptibility to temperatures above 28 °C in reproductive periods, causing abortion of plant parts due to the high temperature triggering the plant ethylene synthesis. The agroclimatic zoning for culture does not emphasis on air temperature, which affects the crop. With these assumptions, the aim of this work was to evaluate the high temperature thermal risk for the bean crop in Cruz Alta, Passo Fundo and São Luiz Gonzaga. From the maximum air temperature data obtained since 1961, we obtained the average frequency of days at which the maximum air temperature was equal or greater than 28 °C in ten-day periods. The bigger thermal risk was found in the third ten-day period of January and in the last ten-day period of December. Passo Fundo showed the better thermal conditions for bean crop. São Luiz Gonzaga, even during periods not indicated for the culture, during winter, still showed happen at least one day of thermal risk.

Geo-temporal distribution of 1,688 Chinese healthcare workers infected with COVID-19 in severe conditions-A secondary data analysis.

IntroductionThe COVID-19 outbreak is posing an unprecedented challenge to healthcare workers. This study analyzes the geo-temporal effects on disease severity for the 1,688 Chinese healthcare workers infected with COVID-19.MethodsUsing the descriptive results recently reported by the Chinese CDC, we compare the percentage of infected healthcare workers in severe conditions over time and across three areas in China, and the fatality rate of infected healthcare workers with all the infected individuals in China aged 22–59 years.ResultsAmong the infected Chinese healthcare workers whose symptoms onset appeared during the same ten-day period, the percentage of those in severe conditions decreased significantly from 19.7% (Jan 11–20) to 14.4% (Jan 21–31) to 8.7% (Feb 1–11). Across the country, there was also a significant difference in the disease severity, with Wuhan being the most severe (17.3%), followed by Hubei Province (10.2%), and the rest of China (6.6%). The case fatality rate for the 1,688 infected Chinese healthcare workers was significantly lower than that for the 29,798 infected patients aged 20–59 years—0.3% (5/1,688) vs. 0.65% (193/29,798), respectively.ConclusionThe disease severity among infected healthcare workers improved considerably over a short period of time in China. The more severe conditions in Wuhan compared to the rest of the country may be attributable to the draconian lockdown. The clinical outcomes of infected Chinese healthcare workers may represent a more accurate estimation of the severity of COVID-19 for those who have access to quality healthcare.

Metabolic reconfiguration of strawberry physiology in response to postharvest practices

The strawberry fruit is perishable due to its high water content and soft texture, yet exhibits pleasant organoleptic and nutritional profile. Here we conducted a metabolomics-driven analysis followed by linear modelling to dissect the molecular processes in strawberry postharvest. Fruits from five cultivars were harvested and refrigerated during a ten-day period under three different atmospheres: ambient, CO2-enriched and O3-enriched. These analyses revealed that metabolites involved in, (i) organoleptic and nutritional properties; (ii) stress tolerance displayed duration and postharvest treatment-dependent levels. Ozone-enriched atmosphere appears to counteract postharvest negative effects, with fruits exhibiting lower levels of fermentative metabolites when compared to fruits kept in an ambient atmosphere. Furthermore, metabolic reconfiguration towards the synthesis of protective metabolites of those fruits can possibly confer enhanced tolerance to postharvest abiotic stresses. Finally, results from the linear modelling identified metabolites which could be used as biomarkers to assess strawberry quality during its postharvest shelf life.

Spatial and Multivariate Analysis of Soybean Yield in the State of Paraná-Brazil

In this work, the aim was to evaluate the existence of spatial association of the municipal average official soybean yield (t ha-1) with agrometeorological data and vegetation indices. The information was observed by ten-day periods, in crop years 2010/2011, 2011/2012 and 2012/2013 in the State of Paraná. Local univariate spatial correlation (LISA index), as well as global bivariate correlation (L statistics) were calculated. With this study, we identified neighboring municipalities with high yield in the West as well as municipalities that are located with low-low yield Northwestern, showing positive spatial autocorrelation (IMG=1), significative (p-value &lt; 0.05). In addition, there were differences between seeding times in different regions, and climate irregularity during flowering periods and grain filling in crop year 2011/2012 throughout the state, which caused a large drop in production in all municipalities of the state of Paraná. The analysis of local spatial association showed that in the three crop years, the Northwest region presented a significant low yield potential of soybean (p-value &lt; 0.05). In addition, it was observed that the period from the 3rd ten-day period of October to the 2nd ten-day period of January was essential for the soybean cycle in the different regions of the state, since this period encompasses the critical phases of crop. Differences were also observed between the crop years studied, regarding the agrometeorological variables, which affected soybean yield mainly in the Western region of Paraná – Brazil.

Substantiation basic elements by growing onions technology in the winter way for the conditions north-east Forest-Steppe of Ukraine

For the first time the elements of onion growing technique during winter sowing in northeastern forest-steppe Ukraine for both long day and short-day plants grown from seeds and seedlings are theoretically substantiated. Main elements of common onion plants vegetation during winter sowing are indicated.&#x0D; The results of the growth and development of onion plants research considering investigated factors show that the use of a biologized fertilizer system (1 liter per hectare of stubble field Biodestructor + N60Р60К60 + 10 ml/kg Emistim C) ensures the acceleration of onion plants sprouting for 1‒3 days. During autumn period at the last phases of vegetation Tkachenkivska and Mayak cultivars of common onion as well as Wolf F1 hybrid formed 3.8‒2.3 plants. Plants sowed during the 3rd ten ‒ day period of July and in the first ten days of August proved to be more developed. They were grown with application of calculated and biologized fertilizer systems. Researched factors also had an effect on the winter-resistance of the plants. The largest percentage of plants that over-wintered (both for two cultivars and the hybrid) were observed among those with the planting date in the first ten-days period of August with the application of calculated and biologized fertilizer systems. For Tkachenkivska and Mayak cultivars it was 70‒71 %, for Wolf F1 hybrid ‒ 81 %.&#x0D; In case of seedling cultivation, the highest winter-resistance level was observed among plants with the sowing date in the first ten-day period of September. For both cultivars in question it was 78‒79 % and 88 % for the hybrid. The highest winter-resistance level was observed in cases of calculated and biologized fertilizer systems application. This is due to the improvement of phosphorus-potassium content that has increased sugar content in plants. The increase of Emistim C content accelerated plants’ resistance to adverse conditions. While determining the commercial yield of seed-grown common onion it was observed that the most effective sowing dates for both cultivars and the hybrid were the 1st and 2nd ten-day periods of August in cases of calculated and biologized fertilizer systems application. In terms of quality gathered bulb crop was in conformity with the requirements of the regulatory documents in effect. Nitrates content ranged from 45 to 80 mg / kg and did not exceed the maximum permitted level.

Oxycodone Decreases Dendritic Complexity in Female but not Male Rat Striatal Neurons In Vitro

The use of oxycodone in the past two decades has dramatically risen, yet the amount of research regarding how it impacts neuronal health is lacking. As prescription use and misuse in women of reproductive age increases there has been a corresponding increase in the number of infants who have been exposed to oxycodone in utero. Given the critical role of the striatum in motor control and reward regulation, the aim of the current study was to examine the effects of oxycodone on developing rat striatal neurons. Sex-specific effects of oxycodone on neuronal cytoarchitecture were examined in cultured rat striatal neurons with a primary focus on dendritic arborization. Neurons were extracted from either male or female embryonic day 18 rat striata and cultured and exposed to varying concentrations of oxycodone over a ten-day period. Dendritic complexity of the neurons was measured using Sholl analysis. Results indicate that oxycodone inhibits dendritic complexity in a dose-dependent manner in female but not male striatal neurons. Additional analysis indicated the number of non-primary dendrites in female striatal neurons significantly decreased with increasing concentrations of oxycodone, while the number of primary dendrites as well as the length of primary and non-primary dendrites was unaffected by oxycodone treatment in both sexes. These in vitro findings demonstrate sex-specific effects of oxycodone on the development of striatal dendritic architecture which may be important for understanding the effects of oxycodone exposure in utero.

Geo-Temporal Distribution of 1,688 Chinese Healthcare Workers Infected with COVID-19 in Severe Conditions – A Secondary Data Analysis

Introduction: The COVID-19 outbreak is posing an unprecedented challenge to healthcare workers. This study analyzes the geo-temporal effects on disease severity for the 1,688 Chinese healthcare workers infected with COVID-19. Method: Using the descriptive results recently reported by the Chinese CDC, we compare the percentage of infected healthcare workers in severe conditions over time and across three areas in China, and the fatality rate of infected healthcare workers with all the infected individuals in China aged 22-59 years. Results: Among the infected Chinese healthcare workers whose symptoms onset appeared during the same ten-day period, the percentage of those in severe conditions decreased statistical significantly from 19.7% (Jan 11 – 20) to 14.4% (Jan 21 – 31) to 8.7% (Feb 1 – 11). Across the country, there was also a significant difference in the disease severity among patients symptoms onset during the same period, with Wuhan being the most severe (17%), followed by Hubei Province (10.4%), and the rest of China (7.0%). The case fatality rate for the 1,688 infected Chinese healthcare workers was significantly lower than that for the 29,798 infected patients aged 20-59 years -- 0.3% (5/1,688) vs. 0.65% (193/29,798), respectively. Conclusion: The disease severity improved considerably over a short period of time in China. The more severe conditions in Wuhan compared to the rest of the country may be attributable to the draconian lockdown. The clinical outcomes of infected Chinese healthcare workers may represent a more accurate estimation of the severity of COVID-19 for those who have access to quality healthcare. Funding Statement: None. Declaration of Interests: The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.