Search Results (45)

In agricultural practice, in addition to determining the nitrogen (N_f) dose, it is necessary to effectively control its effect on currently grown crops. Meeting these conditions requires not only the use of phosphorus (P) and potassium (K), but also nutrients such as magnesium (Mg) and sulfur (S). This hypothesis was verified in a single-factor field experiment with winter wheat (WW) carried out in the 2015/2016, 2016/2017, and 2017/2018 growing seasons. The experiment consisted of seven variants: absolute control (AC), NP, NPK-MOP (K as Muriate of Potash), NPK-MOP+Ki (Kieserite), NPK-KK (K as Korn–Kali), NPK-KK+Ki, and NPK-KK+Ki+ES (Epsom Salt). The use of K as MOP increased grain yield (GY) by 6.3% compared to NP. In the NPK-KK variant, GY was 13% (+0.84 t ha⁻¹) higher compared to NP. Moreover, GYs in this fertilization variant (FV) were stable over the years (coefficient of variation, CV = 9.4%). In NPK-KK+Ki+ES, the yield increase was the highest and mounted to 17.2% compared to NP, but the variability over the years was also the highest (CV ≈ 20%). The amount of N in grain N (GN) increased progressively from 4% for NPK-MOP to 15% for NPK-KK and 25% for NPK-KK+Ki+ES in comparison to NP. The nitrogen harvest index was highly stable, achieving 72.6 ± 3.1%. All analyzed NUE indices showed a significant response to FVs. The PFP-N_f (partial factor productivity of N_f) indices increased on NPK-MOP by 5.8%, NPK-KK by 12.9%, and NPK-KK+Ki+ES by 17.9% compared to NP. The corresponding N_f recovery of N_f in wheat grain was 47.2%, 55.9%, and 64.4%, but its total recovery by wheat (grain + straw) was 67%, 74.5%, and 87.2%, respectively. In terms of the theoretical and practical value of the tested indexes, two indices, namely, NUP (nitrogen unit productivity) and NUA (nitrogen unit accumulation), proved to be the most useful. From the farmer’s production strategy, FV with K applied in the form of Korn–Kali proved to be the most stable option due to high and stable yield, regardless of weather conditions. The increase in the number of nutritional factors optimizing the action of nitrogen in winter wheat caused the phenomenon known as the “scissors effect”. This phenomenon manifested itself in a progressive increase in nitrogen unit productivity (NUP) combined with a regressive trend in unit nitrogen accumulation (NUA) in the grain versus the balance of soil available Mg (Mg_b). The studies clearly showed that obtaining grain that met the milling requirements was recorded only for NUA above 22 kg N t⁻¹ grain. This was possible only with the most intensive Mg treatment (NPK-KK+Ki and NPK-KK+Ki+ES). The study clearly showed that three of the six FVs fully met the three basic conditions for sustainable crop production: (i) stabilization and even an increase in grain yield; (ii) a decrease in the mass of inorganic N in the soil at harvest, potentially susceptible to leaching; and (iii) stabilization of the soil fertility of P, K, and Mg. Full article

A novel reusable silicon foil dosimeter based on the new emerging optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) material MgB₄O₇:Ce,Li (MBO) is developed and characterized for dosimetric verification of spatially resolved radiotherapy doses. Direct comparison of the spatial (two-2D towards three-3D) proton dose mapping can be achieved with an appropriately designed optical detection setup equipped with a light source (e.g., LEDs) that illuminates the dosimeter and a highly sensitive CCD camera that simultaneously acquires the 2D OSL light from the foil. The newly designed (2nd generation) optical setup allows the registration of high-resolution 2D proton doses (below 0.1 mm resolution) and reconstruction of the 2D proton dose distribution with an accuracy comparable to that of the Gafchromic^TM foils, the current standard of passive 2D dosimetry in radiotherapy. This article outlines the technology’s potential application with respect to the commercially available Gafchromic^TM EBT3 films in measurements of the clinically relevant, spatial proton dose mapping. The obtained comparison of the proton radial dose profiles (for EBT3 films vs MBO foils) agrees within 5%. The resulting image resolution (0.074 mm/px for MBO foil) corresponded well with the tested EBT3 films (0.085 mm/px), indicating excellent properties for future 3D proton dose verifications of modern radiotherapy techniques (e.g., proton radiotherapy). Full article

Despite the rapid expansion of China’s RV (recreational vehicle) tourism industry, research on RV tourist behavior remains limited. This study develops an extended model of goal-directed behavior (EMGB) that more comprehensively explains the formation of tourists’ intentions to engage in RV tourism. The EMGB incorporates critical factors, including the perception of infection (PI), social media influence (SM), infrastructure perception (IP), and perceived advantages of drive tourism (PAD), into the original goal-directed behavior model (MGB). Results from a survey involving 545 RV tourists reveal that the EMGB achieves a satisfactory fit with the data and explains a larger proportion of variance in behavioral intentions. Notably, all variables within the original MGB remain significant predictors of both desire and intention. Furthermore, this study identifies factors such as Time and Economy capability, age, and region as significant moderators of the decision-making process for RV tourists. These findings offer valuable insights to marketers and governmental bodies, empowering them to make more reasonable decisions and devise strategies that cater to the diverse needs and preferences of RV tourists in the future. Full article

Numerous studies have evidenced that neuropsychiatric disorders (mental illness and emotional disturbances) with aggression (or violence) pose a significant challenge to public health and contribute to a substantial economic burden worldwide. Especially, social disorganization (or social inequality) associated with childhood adversity has long-lasting effects on mental health, increasing the risk of developing neuropsychiatric disorders. Intestinal bacteria, functionally as an endocrine organ and a second brain, release various immunomodulators and bioactive compounds directly or indirectly regulating a host’s physiological and behavioral homeostasis. Under various social challenges, stress-induced dysbiosis increases gut permeability causes serial reactions: releasing neurotoxic compounds, leading to neuroinflammation and neuronal injury, and eventually neuropsychiatric disorders associated with aggressive, violent, or impulsive behavior in humans and various animals via a complex bidirectional communication of the microbiota–gut–brain (MGB) axis. The dysregulation of the MGB axis has also been recognized as one of the reasons for the prevalence of social stress-induced injurious behaviors (feather pecking, aggression, and cannibalistic pecking) in chickens. However, existing knowledge of preventing and treating these disorders in both humans and chickens is not well understood. In previous studies, we developed a non-mammal model in an abnormal behavioral investigation by rationalizing the effects of gut microbiota on injurious behaviors in chickens. Based on our earlier success, the perspective article outlines the possibility of reducing stress-induced injurious behaviors in chickens through modifying gut microbiota via cecal microbiota transplantation, with the potential for providing a biotherapeutic rationale for preventing injurious behaviors among individuals with mental disorders via restoring gut microbiota diversity and function. Full article

The gastrointestinal (GI) tract, home to the largest microbial population in the human body, plays a crucial role in overall health through various mechanisms. Recent advancements in research have revealed the potential implications of gut-brain and vice-versa communication mediated by gut-microbiota and their microbial products in various diseases including type-2 diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). AD is the most common type of dementia where most of cases are sporadic with no clearly identified cause. However, multiple factors are implicated in the progression of sporadic AD which can be classified as non-modifiable (e.g., genetic) and modifiable (e.g. Type-2 diabetes, diet etc.). Present review focusses on key players particularly the modifiable factors such as Type-2 diabetes (T2D) and diet and their implications in microbiota-gut-brain (MGB) and brain-gut (BG) communication and cognitive functions of healthy brain and their dysfunction in Alzheimer’s Disease. Special emphasis has been given on elucidation of the mechanistic aspects of the impact of diet on gut-microbiota and the implications of some of the gut-microbial products in T2D and AD pathology. For example, mechanistically, HFD induces gut dysbiosis with driven metabolites that in turn cause loss of integrity of intestinal barrier with concomitant colonic and systemic chronic low-grade inflammation, associated with obesity and T2D. HFD-induced obesity and T2D parallel neuroinflammation, deposition of Amyloid β (Aβ), and ultimately cognitive impairment. The review also provides a new perspective of the impact of diet on brain-gut and microbiota-gut-brain communication in terms of transcription factors as a commonly spoken language that may facilitates the interaction between gut and brain of obese diabetic patients who are at a higher risk of developing cognitive impairment and AD. Other commonality such as tyrosine kinase expression and functions maintaining intestinal integrity on one hand and the phagocytic clarence by migratory microglial functions in brain are also discussed. Lastly, the characterization of the key players future research that might shed lights on novel potential pharmacological target to impede AD progression are also discussed. Full article

The microbiota–gut–brain (MGB) axis is a complex communication network linking the gut, microbiota, and brain, influencing various aspects of health and disease. Dysbiosis, a disturbance in the gut microbiome equilibrium, can significantly impact the MGB axis, leading to alterations in microbial composition and function. Emerging evidence highlights the connection between microbiota alterations and neurological and psychiatric disorders, including depression. This review explores the potential of psychobiotics in managing depressive disorders, emphasizing their role in restoring microbial balance and influencing the MGB axis. Psychobiotics exhibit positive effects on the intestinal barrier, immune response, cortisol levels, and the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis. Studies suggest that probiotics may serve as an adjunct therapy for depression, especially in treatment-resistant cases. This review discusses key findings from studies on psychobiotics interventions, emphasizing their impact on the gut–brain axis and mental health. The increasing acceptance of the expanded concept of the MGB axis underscores the importance of microorganisms in mental well-being. As our understanding of the microbiome’s role in health and disease grows, probiotics emerge as promising agents for addressing mental health issues, providing new avenues for therapeutic interventions in depressive disorders. Full article

We use house prices (HP) and house price indices (HPI) as a proxy to income distribution. Specifically, we analyze distribution of sale prices in the 1970–2010 window of over 116,000 single-family homes in Hamilton County, Ohio, including Cincinnati metro area of about 2.2 million people. We also analyze distributions of HPI, published by Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), for nearly 18,000 US ZIP codes that cover a period of over 40 years starting in 1980’s. If HP can be viewed as a first derivative of income, HPI can be viewed as its second derivative. We use generalized beta (GB) family of functions to fit distributions of HP and HPI since GB naturally arises from the models of economic exchange described by stochastic differential equations. Our main finding is that HP and multi-year HPI exhibit a negative Dragon King (nDK) behavior, wherein power-law distribution tail gives way to an abrupt decay to a finite upper limit value, which is similar to our recent findings for realized volatility of S&P500 index in the US stock market. This type of tail behavior is best fitted by a modified GB (mGB) distribution. Tails of single-year HPI appear to show more consistency with power-law behavior, which is better described by a GB Prime (GB2) distribution. We supplement full distribution fits by mGB and GB2 with direct linear fits (LF) of the tails. Our numerical procedure relies on evaluation of confidence intervals (CI) of the fits, as well as of p-values that give the likelihood that data come from the fitted distributions. Full article

In this study, we undertake a systematic study of historic market volatility spanning roughly five preceding decades. We focus specifically on the time series of the realized volatility (RV) of the S&P500 index and its distribution function. As expected, the largest values of RV coincide with the largest economic upheavals of the period: Savings and Loan Crisis, Tech Bubble, Financial Crisis and Covid Pandemic. We address the question of whether these values belong to one of the three categories: Black Swans (BS), that is, they lie on scale-free, power-law tails of the distribution; Dragon Kings (DK), defined as statistically significant upward deviations from BS; or Negative Dragons Kings (nDK), defined as statistically significant downward deviations from BS. In analyzing the tails of the distribution with $RV>40$, we observe the appearance of “potential” DK, which eventually terminate in an abrupt plunge to nDK. This phenomenon becomes more pronounced with the increase in the number of days over which the average RV is calculated—here from daily, $n=1$, to “monthly”, $n=21$. We fit the entire distribution with a modified Generalized Beta (mGB) distribution function, which terminates at a finite value of the variable but exhibits a long power-law stretch prior to that, as well as a Generalized Beta Prime (GB2) distribution function, which has a power-law tail. We also fit the tails directly with a straight line on a log-log scale. In order to ascertain BS, DK or nDK behavior, all fits include their confidence intervals and p-values are evaluated for the data points to check whether they can come from the respective distributions. Full article

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is an increasingly prevalent and serious health problem. Its onset is typically associated with metabolic disorders and disturbances in the gut microbiota. Previous studies have reported the anti-T2DM effects of Pueraria thomsonii Radix as a functional food. However, the mechanism of action is still unknown. In this study, rich polyphenols and polysaccharides from Pueraria Thomsonii Radix water extract (PTR) were quantitatively determined, and then the effects of PTR on db/db mice were evaluated by pharmacology, metabolomics, and 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The results showed that PTR could alleviate pancreatic tissue damage, significantly decrease fasting blood glucose (FBG), fasting serum insulin (FINS), homeostasis model assessment insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), urinary glucose (UGLU), and urinary albumin/creatinine ratio (UACR). Metabolomics showed that the Diabetes Control (DM) group produced 109 differential metabolites, of which 74 could be regulated by PTR. In addition, 16S rRNA sequencing was performed in fecal samples and results showed that PTR could reduce the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes(F/B) ratio and regulate three beneficial bacteria and one harmful bacterium. In conclusion, the results showed that PTR could ameliorate the T2DM symptoms, metabolic disorder, and gut microbiota imbalance of db/db mice, and it was superior to metformin in some aspects. We suggested for the first time that γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) may be involved in the regulation of the microbiota–gut–brain axis (MGB) and thus affects the metabolic disorders associated with T2DM. This study will provide a scientific basis for the development of functional food with PTR. Full article

We report the optimization of a high-throughput, compliant DNA extraction method that uses standard format 96-well plates and a commercial automated DNA purification system (ABI PRISM^® 6100 Nucleic Acid PrepStation). The procedure was set up for maize and soybean, the most common GMO crops and the main ingredients of several foodstuffs, and compared with an EU-validated CTAB-based method. Optimization of the DNA extraction was achieved by applying self-prepared buffers (for DNA extraction, binding, and washing) on the PrepStation loaded with proprietary glass-fiber-coated purification plates. Quantification of extracted DNA was performed by real-time PCR using previously reported endogenous soybean lectin and maize starch synthase genes and a novel plant-specific universal TaqMan MGB probe that targets the 18S rRNA multiple copy gene. Using serial dilutions of both maize and soybean genomic DNAs, we show low PCR sensitivity and efficiency for the official TransPrep DNA extraction protocol compared to the CTAB-based one. On the other hand, using serial dilutions of a standard reference plasmid containing a 137 bp sequence cloned from the 18S rRNA plant-specific ribosomal gene, we demonstrate the high PCR sensitivity and efficiency of the optimized DNA extraction protocol setup with self-prepared buffers. The limits of detection and quantification of the 18S rDNA reiteration were consistent with the calculated values, supporting the suitability of the DNA extraction procedure for high-throughput analyses of large populations and small amounts of tissue. Full article

The Special Nature Reserve, a part of the nature “Meadows of Great Bustard” (MGB), is a protected area with an extremely rare and sensitive ecosystem. The MGB spreads in the northeast of Vojvodina in Serbia. The natural potentials of MGB, in addition to diverse flora and fauna, are symbolized by a jeopardized species of bird called the Great Bustard (Otis tarda). Only a few specimens of this species live in this protected area, and they need to be protected. Globally, the Great Bustard is vulnerable species (VU) and a seriously protected species in Serbia. The goal of the research in this paper is to determine whether sustainable tourism affects the satisfaction of residents, using a quantitative method through the Prism of Sustainability (PoS) research model, which includes the technique of surveying respondents (residents). In this part of Vojvodina lives a population that has specific social characteristics. The cultural legacy, customs of this part of Banat, way of treating nature, local crafts, and local events stand out among those characteristics. The favorable geographical position of MGB, the proximity of Romania and Hungary, and good traffic connections with numerous cities in Serbia and the region represent significant potential for tourism development. The natural motives of MGB and ecological interests should be a priority in planning and developing tourism. A nature-based tourism destination can be formed by combining natural and social motives. The main forms of tourism, important for the development of this area, are ecotourism, scientific research tourism, and birdwatching tourism in the MGB. The significant results of the research are those that point out that the respondents rated ecological and socio-cultural sustainability as the most important. Also, these two dimensions have the greatest impact on sustainable tourism in the MGB. After the conducted research, it can be concluded that the residents are satisfied with sustainable tourism, i.e., sustainable tourism significantly affects the satisfaction of residents. Full article

The experimental data in the literature concerning the Paramagnetic Meissner Effect (PME) or also called Wohlleben effect are reviewed with the emphasis on the PME exhibited by metallic, s-wave superconductors. The PME was observed in field-cool cooling (FC-C) and field-cool warming (FC-W) $m\left(T\right)$-measurements on Al, Nb, Pb, Ta, in compounds such as, e.g., NbSe${}_2$, In-Sn, ZrB${}_{12}$, and others, and also in MgB${}_2$, the metallic superconductor with the highest transition temperature. Furthermore, samples with different shapes such as crystals, polycrystals, thin films, bi- and multilayers, nanocomposites, nanowires, mesoscopic objects, and porous materials exhibited the PME. The characteristic features of the PME, found mainly in Nb disks, such as the characteristic temperatures $T_1$ and $T_p$ and the apparative details of the various magnetic measurement techniques applied to observe the PME, are discussed. We also show that PME can be observed with the magnetic field applied parallel and perpendicular to the sample surface, that PME can be removed by abrading the sample surface, and that PME can be introduced or enhanced by irradiation processes. The PME can be observed as well in magnetization loops (MHLs, $m\left(H\right)$) in a narrow temperature window $T_p<T_c$, which enables the construction of a phase diagram for a superconducting sample exhibiting the PME. We found that the Nb disks still exhibit the PME after more than 20 years, and we present the efforts of magnetic imaging techniques (scanning SQUID microscopy, magneto-optics, diamond nitrogen-vacancy (NV)-center magnetometry, and low-energy muon spin spectroscopy, (LE-$\mu$SR)). Various attempts to explain PME behavior are discussed in detail. In particular, magnetic measurements of mesoscopic Al disks brought out important details employing the models of a giant vortex state and flux compression. Thus, we consider these approaches and demagnetization effects as the base to understand the formation of the paramagnetic signals in most of the materials investigated. New developments and novel directions for further experimental and theoretical analysis are also outlined. Full article

Two MgB₂ samples were prepared using the spark plasma sintering (SPS) technique at different temperatures—950 °C (S1) and 975 °C (S2)—for 2 h under 50 MPa pressure to study the influence of preparation temperature on different facets, namely those perpendicular (PeF) and parallel (PaF) to the compression direction of uniaxial pressure during the SPS of MgB₂ samples. We analyzed the superconducting properties of the PeF and PaF of two MgB₂ samples prepared at different temperatures from the curves of the critical temperature (T_C), the curves of critical current density (J_C), the microstructures of MgB₂ samples, and the crystal size from SEM. The values of the onset of the critical transition temperature, T_c,onset, were around 37.5 K and the transition widths were about 1 K, which indicates that the two samples exhibit good crystallinity and homogeneity. The PeF of the SPSed samples exhibited slightly higher J_C compared with that of the PaF of the SPSed samples over the whole magnetic field. The values of the pinning force related to parameters h₀ and K_n of the PeF were lower than those of the PaF, except for K_n of the PeF of S1, which means that the PeF has a stronger GBP than the PaF. In low field, the most outstanding performance was S1-PeF, whose critical current density (J_C) was 503 kA/cm² self-field at 10 K, and its crystal size was the smallest (0.24 µm) among all the tested samples, which is consistent with the theory that a smaller crystal size can improve the J_C of MgB₂. However, in high field, S2-PeF had the highest J_C value, which is related to the pinning mechanism and can be explained by grain boundary pinning (GBP). With an increase in preparation temperature, S2 showed a slightly stronger anisotropy of properties. In addition, with an increase in temperature, point pinning becomes stronger to form effective pinning centers, leading to a higher J_C. Full article

The current study investigated the determinants of the desire and intention to participate in an inner-city ‘running crew’ among social runners using a theoretical framework of the model of goal-directed behavior (MGB). Data were obtained from 245 social runners in Korea using an online questionnaire and primarily analyzed with the structural equation modeling technique. The results indicated that the desire to participate in a running crew was influenced most by positive anticipated emotions, followed (in descending order) by attitudes, negative anticipated emotions, social norms, perceived behavioral control, and the frequency of past behaviors. Runners’ behavioral intentions were predicted by desire but not directly related to perceived behavioral control and the frequency of past behavior. Overall, the study emphasized the importance of positive anticipated emotions and behavioral desire, among others, to encourage recreational runners’ participation in social running activities. Given that social runners rely on mobile apps to participate in running crew activities, the current study’s results have practical implications for running crew organizers, sports-branded app developers, and health promotion agencies. Full article

Polyphenols are secondary metabolites of plants and play a potential role in the prevention and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases (NND) such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Parkinson’s disease (PD) due to their unique physiological functions such as acting as antioxidants, being anti-inflammatory, being neuroprotective, and promoting intestinal health. Since dietary polyphenols exist in plant foods in the form of glycosylation or esterification or are combined with polymers, they need to undergo extensive metabolism through phase I and phase II biotransformations by various intestinal enzymes, as well as metabolism by the intestinal microbiota before they can be fully absorbed. Polyphenols improve intestinal microbiota disorders by influencing the structure and function of intestinal microbiota, inducing beneficial bacteria to produce a variety of metabolites such as short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), promoting the secretion of hormones and neurotransmitters, and playing an important role in the prevention and treatment of NND by affecting the microbe–gut–brain axis. We review the ways in which some polyphenols can change the composition of the intestinal microbiota and their metabolites in AD or PD animal models to exert the role of slowing down the progression of NND, aiming to provide evidence for the role of polyphenols in slowing the progression of NND via the microbiota–gut–brain (MGB) axis. Full article