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Abstract This research assessed the quantitative and qualitative reactions of commercially grown sugar beets to four different harvest dates and their yield stability. The study followed a split-plot design within a randomized complete block design over 3 years. The main plot involved 10 sugar beet cultivars, while the subplot involved four harvest dates: August 13 (HD1), September 7 (HD2), October 3 (HD3), and November 12 (HD4). The study found that environmental conditions, genotypes, and harvest dates significantly affected various traits of sugar beet. Yearly environmental variations and their interactions with genotypes and harvest dates had substantial impacts on all measured traits at the 1% probability level. Additive main effect and multiplicative interaction analysis based on white sugar yield indicated that genotype and environment's additive effects, as well as the genotype–environment interaction, were significant at 1% probability level. Shokoufa and Arya, which exhibit high white sugar yield (WSY) and low first interaction principal component (IPC1) values, are identified as desirable due to their stability across different environments. Among the harvest dates in different years, the fourth and third dates showed a higher yield than the total average. Perfekta and Ekbatan exhibited high specific adaptability. According to the multi-trait stability index, Arta, Arya and Sina were recognized as stable and superior across all measured traits.

Rhizomania destroys sugar beet globally, but breeding disease-resistant genotypes is crucial in fighting it. In this study, 13 modern genotypes were examined based on the list provided by the Iraniai Seed Registration and Certification Institute. Genotypes grown in a randomized complete block design, with four replications in Iran's Karaj, Mashhad, Miandoab, Shiraz, and Hamedan stations. Results revealed that F-21375 and F-21092 genotypes achieved the highest white sugar yield in all five investigated stations. The results of additive mean effect multiplicative interaction (AMMI) analysis based on white sugar yield showed that the additive effects of genotype and environment and the multiplicative effect of G×E accounted for 13.11, 51.29, and 10.60% of the total data variance, respectively. The AMMI stability parameters identified the F-21376 genotype as a stable variety that produces a high white sugar yield in five locations. Also, the first two components of the interaction effect (G×E) explained 80.70% of the variance. The biplot analysis showed that F-21376 was the genotype that produced the greatest white sugar yield and stability in infected conditions. Based on the results of the multi-trait stability index (MTSI), F-21375, and F-21372 genotypes were selected as ideal genotypes. Finally, it can be concluded that two genotypes, F-21375 and F-21376, can be introduced as high-yielding and disease-resistant genotypes in the beet cultivation areas due to their white sugar yield and stability in experimental environments.

Abstract Background Supportive care and dental treatment for older adults are crucial in addressing the global emergency of population aging, requiring specialized healthcare services and knowledge-based practices. Methods This cross-sectional content analysis study was conducted on 150 general dentists in Kerman in 2021. The participants were selected using cluster sampling. The data were collected using a questionnaire with four sections assessing the participants’ demographic characteristics, knowledge, attitudes, and performance. The data were analyzed with SPSS-26 software using the t-test, ANOVA, and linear regression analysis. Results The dentists’ mean age was 36.10 ± 7.60 years. The mean knowledge score of the participants was 5.29 ± 1.49 (out of 9). The mean attitude score was 59.42 ± 11.6 (out of 85), and the mean performance score was 24.13 ± 4.96 (out of a maximum of 35). The data showed a positive relationship between the dentists’ knowledge, attitudes, and performance. However, the participants’ gender had no significant correlation with their knowledge, attitudes, or performance. It was also shown that 50% of dentists had adequate experience treating elderly patients with complex medical problems. Conclusions The participants had an adequate level of knowledge and performance and a positive attitude toward dental care for older adults. Health officials and administrators need to organize and hold effective training and refresher courses on geriatric dentistry to promote dentists’ knowledge and performance. Trial registration Ethics code IR.KMU.REC.1401.007.

In recent years, recruiting international students has become a strategic issue. International students have social, economic, political, cultural, and scientific benefits, and they improve the quality of higher education. Leading countries create the conditions for attracting and retaining students and talent by aligning and cohering policies, increasing actors, and establishing institutions. "Recruitment agencies" are one of these players. These agencies have a large network in various countries and are familiar with the higher education systems of the destination countries, providing useful information to future students and assisting them in selecting the appropriate university. They also assist the university in attracting qualified applicants. While increasing international student recruitment is the goal of higher education in Iran, the capacity of institutions for recruiting students has been underutilized, and their activity has been fraught with difficulties. This research aimed to identify the challenges of recruitment agency activities in Iran. Using the "thematic analysis" method, we discovered twelve challenges categorized into four categories: structural challenges (lack of appropriate policies and laws; lack of sufficient actors; multiple decision makers); contextual challenges (economic, cultural, and social); procedural challenges (incorrect executive procedures; incompetence of executive actors; misconduct and corruption in recruitment processes); and also content challenges (linguistic barriers; limited and low-quality educational programs; limited international cooperation). Finally, solutions and policy recommendations for better utilizing the recruiting institutions' capacities were presented.

In the present study, the relationship between the qualitative information of the auditor's report and the quality of accounting has been discussed. In particular, the relationship between the tone of the auditor's report and the audit fee (audit quality criterion based on the input of the audit process) has been examined with respect to the concepts of risk, client business risk, and litigation risk. To test the research hypotheses, 360-year-firms data of Iranian Stock Exchange were used during a period of 6-years, three years before and three years after the revision of Auditing Standard No. 700. Textual data were analyzed using Maxqda10 text analysis software and after quantification along with other quantitative data were analyzed using multivariate linear regression in Ives software and SPSS Eviews 9. The results indicate a weak inverse relationship between the optimistic tone and the audit fee variable. In addition, the findings showed that the acceptance of the requirements of Auditing Standard No. 700 does not make significant changes in the relationship between the tone of the auditor's report and the remuneration compared to the period before the review. In general, the results of the research indicate evidence of the predominance of the signaling effect (albeit poorly) in the sample.

A split-plot experiment was conducted based on a randomized complete block design with four replications in two years to study the effect of melatonin on the biochemical properties and the gene expression related to antioxidant enzyme activity in bread wheat. Irrigation levels (normal (FC = 80%)), mild stress (FC = 60%), and severe stress (FC = 40%)) were assigned to the main plots, and melatonin foliar applications (zero, 50, 100, 150, and 200 μM) were assigned to Subplots. Results showed that, with the intensification of water stress, the 1000 kernel weight decreased, and the activity of ascorbate peroxidase enzyme and flavonoid content increased. Also, the level of 100 μM melatonin had the highest 1000 kernel weight, flavonoid content, and ascorbate peroxidase enzyme activity. In this study, the highest number of grains per spike, biological yield, grain yield, chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, carotenoids, and the lowest amount of malondialdehyde recorded for foliar treatment with 50 μM of melatonin under normal irrigation conditions and the highest proline content, total phenol, superoxide dismutase, and catalase were allocated to the 100 μM melatonin foliar treatment under severe water stress conditions. The synergistic effect of water deficit stress and melatonin foliar application increased the activity and expression level of genes related to antioxidant enzymes. So, the content of superoxide dismutase (21.30% and 65.16% respectively) and catalase (50.60% and 54.44% respectively) enzyme activity increased significantly under 100- and 150-mM melatonin foliar application in water severe water stress compared to the corresponding control treatment. Furthermore, mentioned melatonin levels increased the gene expression levels of superoxide dismutase (16.67% and 38.19% respectively), ascorbate peroxides (73.76% and 47.57% respectively), polyphenol oxidase (39.32 and 51.15%) and catalase (39.95% and 50.0% respectively) under an extreme water shortage compared with corresponding control treatment. In general, the application of 100- and 150-mM melatonin induced resistance to water deficit stress in wheat by increasing the expression of antioxidant genes.

IntroductionSalt stress is one of the most important abiotic stresses, which decreases crop yields and limits the land use. Three hectares of agricultural land are being destroyed in each minute by salinity In Iran, salinity is one of the most important factors which limit the agriculture. Salt stress studies were very important in the most sugar beet planting regions of Iran based on sugar beet experts and farmers opinions producing sugar beet salt tolerant varieties, improving planting methods, irrigation and fertilizer use are the most Sugar Beet Seed Institute (SBSI) strategies for optimizing the production in saline lands. Materials and methodsIn order to investigate the effect of salinity stress on quantitative and qualitative characteristics of sugar beet genotypes in normal and salinity stress conditions an experiment was conducted in a completely randomized block design with three replications in Miandoab Agricultural and Natural Resources Research Station at 2016-17 Crop seasons. In this research, 16 sugar beet genotypes were tested under two normal conditions and saline conditions with salinity of 12.1 dS/m. In this research, root yield, sugar content, white sugar content, sugar yield, the amount of sodium, nitrogen, and potassium of root, white sugar yield percent of sugar extraction was measured.Data was analyzed by using SAS 9.2 software.Results and discussionThe results showed that the effect of the environment on all studied traits wasn’t significant. Differences between genotypes were significant for all traits except for white sugar content, also the interaction of genotype in environment on all traits except the white sugar content was significant. Results showed that the highest root yield, white sugar yield and sugar yield in normal and salinity conditions were allocated to genotypes 14 and 15. Based on the results of correlation analysis in both environmental conditions, white sugar yield had positively and significantly correlated with root yield, white sugar content and sugar yield. Based on the results of stepwise regression analysis, root yield, percent of sugar extraction and sugar yield in normal conditions with justified 93 percent of white sugar yield variation and in salt stress condition with justified 84 percent of the total white sugar yield variation were identified as the most effective traits on white sugar yield. ConclusionsIn the present study, there was no significant difference between two years in term of studied traits. It can be concluded that climate conditions in the two years studied did not have a significant difference in terms of effect on the studied traits. In the present study, there wasn’t significant difference between normal and salinity stress conditions in terms of all traits and salinity Therefore, it can be said that sugar beet genotypes were resistant to salinity. In both environmental conditions, genotypes number 14 and 15 had the highest root yield, white sugar yield and sugar yield, Selection of these genotypes is recommended for future breeding programs. In both normal and salinity conditions root yield, percent of sugar extraction and sugar yield recommended as Criteria for selecting high-yielding genotypes.

Background and purpose: Learning difficulty in mathematics is one of the most common problems in students. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of maternal stress management skills training on improvement of problem-solving skills in students with dyscalculia. Materials and methods: A quasi-experimental study with pre-test post-test control group design was carried out in 30 elementary level school girls (grades 3 and 4) with disabilities in learning mathematics in Qaemshahr, north of Iran. Schools and classes were selected using cluster sampling. The students were selected based on interviews and were randomly assigned into control group or experimental group (n=15 per group). Data were collected using DSM-IV-TR diagnostic checklist, the KeyMath Diagnostic Assessment, the Raven's Progressive Matrices, and General Health Questionnaire-28 (GHQ-28). Both groups received metacognitive training on problem-solving (14 sessions/ 5 weeks). Meanwhile, mothers of students in experimental group attended a training course on stress management (8 sessions/ 4 weeks). Data analysis was done in SPSS V19 applying univariate analysis of variance and P values of less than 0.01 were regarded as astatisctically significant. Results: Students in both groups showed improvements in problem-solving skills but in experimental group whose mothers received stress management skills training, the students were found with significant improvements compared to the control group (P

To Investigate the effect of super-adsorbent and irrigation levels on quantitative and qualitative characteristics Rastar cultivar of sugar beet a split plots experiment was conducted based on randomized complete block design with three replicas was conducted at the Agricultural University of Mahabad in 2017. Irrigation in three levels (Irrigation after 60, 120 and 180 mm evaporation from class A pan) is assigned to main plats and super-absorbents A200 in four levels (0, 50, 150 and 200 kg.ha-1) to the subplots. The simple effects of irrigation regime and superabsorbent on all traits, except for the coefficient of sugar extraction, was significant. The interaction of treatments were significant on the dry weight of shoot, sugar content, root yield, and sugar yield and white sugar yield. In this research, the highest leaf area index, root length, and leaf relative water content and the lowest amount of white sugar content belonged to irrigation after 60 mm evaporation. Application of 50 and 150 kg.ha-1 super-absorbent highly increased leaf area index, root length, and leaf relative water content while it decrease the percent of white sugar content. The highest shoot dry weight (3.97 t.ha-1), root yield (69.35 t.ha-1), sugar yield (10.51 t.ha-1) and white sugar yield (9.39 t.ha-1) and the lowest percentage of sugar (15.20%) caused by irrigation interval after 60 mm evaporation and using 200 kg.ha-1 super-absorbent. Interactions due to irrigation and use of super-absorbent showed that there was the non-significant difference between irrigation regime after 60 mm in control treatment (not applicable super-absorbent) with the application of 50, 150 and 200 kg.ha-1super-adsorbent in irrigation regime after 120 mm and application of 150 and 200 kg.ha-1super-absorbent in irrigation regime after 180 mm. Thus, using of 150 kg.ha-1 super-absorbent in irrigation regime after 180 mm evaporation can have similar white sugar yield as it was under irrigation regime after 60 mm in control treatment (not applicable super-absorbent) while saving about 8650 m3 per hectare by using this treatment.

In this paper, we defend the rule-based interpretation of John Stewart Mill's utilitarianism. First, we will explain briefly this recent and new dualism in the philosophy of utilitarian ethics. In general, Utilitarianists are divided into two categories: Rule-based and action-oriented. This is a recent division, but in our opinion, Mill's Utilitarian is rule-based. He uses the principle of utility through the intermediation of rules, not direct and immediate and he uses that fundamental principle only when creating rules or contradicting the rules. In order to defend this claim, we first refer to Ermeson’s interpretation and then we will examine seven arguments of adherents and opponents of Mill's rule utilitarianism and in this review, we will amplify the words of supporters like Ermeson and criticize the words of opponents like Crisp. Then we will bring five witnesses to consolidate our claims which according to them, our interpretation of the rule-based utilitarianism of Mill is strengthened and supported.

Conclusions Remote evaluation of the US skills might be a reliable way to evaluate trainees enrolled in the ISUOG Basic training program. To evaluate the feasibility of a remote evaluation in the assessment of ultrasound (US) skills by an evaluator who is not present in the examination room. [Extracted from the article]

Human is an end in itself; this is Kant’s second formulation of categorical imperative, which has proved to be the most practical one for him. What is meant by "end in itself" as opposed to being "merely as a means"? How can we apply this formula in practice? What is the relationship between this formula, which appears to be teleological, and consequentialism and utilitarianism in ethics? These three basic questions form the focus of the present paper. However, our emphasis is on the third one. First, we will briefly explicate the second formula. Then, we will discuss the application of this formula as well as the negative and positive judgments drawn from it. Finally, we will refer to an interpretation by David Cummiskey who argues that a normative consequential moral system can be deduced from this formula. This interpretation will be meticulously examined.

Introduction and goal: Religiosity and spirituality decreasesof the impact of life stress on the tendency to substance use. Everyday addedto the number of people who believe that spirituality is the way to treat neuroses and mental problems. This study aimed to determine the relationship between spiritual health and mental health in patients undergoing to methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) dependent on the private and government sector in Sari. Method: This study was cross- sectional study. The target populations of this study were 123 women and men undergoing to methadone maintenance treatment (MMT). The data collected by spiritual and mental health questionnaire and were analyzed using two-sample t-test and spearman correlationin theSPSS (18) software. Findings: The grade average of spiritual health was 43/29 and mental health was 41/26.The results showed that a significant correlation between spiritual health with mental health. The highest correlation was between spiritual healthwith the social function and the lowestcorrelation was with physical problems. There was no significant relationshipbetween of marital status, number of children, sex and spiritual health. Conclusion: According to positive and significant role spiritual health in mental health, so, strengthen the spiritual dimension can to promote mental health and reduce mental disorders and the tendency to addiction.

The early steps of large-ribosomal-subunit assembly feature among the least understood steps of ribosome synthesis in eukaryotes. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the box C/D chaperone small nucleolar ribonucleoprotein (snoRNP) snR190 and the Npa1 complex, composed of the α-solenoid scaffold proteins Npa1 and Npa2, the DEAD-box helicase Dbp6, the RNA-binding protein Nop8, and Rsa3, are likely involved in early 25S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) folding events. Here, we report for the first time the existence outside pre-ribosomal particles of an independent macromolecular assembly constituted by the Npa1 complex and the chaperone snoRNP snR190. Nop8 mediates the formation of this assembly and can associate on its own with free snR190 snoRNP. Moreover, Nop8 RNA Recognition Motif (RRM) helps tether the snR190 snoRNP to pre-ribosomal particles. The snR190 snoRNA features a specific central stem-loop structure, which is required for high-affinity binding between free snR190 snoRNP and the Npa1 complex. Deleting this extension does not prevent snR190 snoRNA association with pre-ribosomal particles but impairs snR190 activity in early pre-rRNA processing events. This work establishes the importance of association with auxiliary protein complexes for optimum snoRNP chaperone activity during rRNA folding events., (© The Author(s) 2025. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Nucleic Acids Research.)

The effects of random dislocations on the vibrational properties of finite-length RNA and DNA macro-structures have been investigated by means of a harmonic Hamiltonian and the Green's function method. The RNA molecule has been modeled using a half ladder model, and three models (a fishbone model and two different strand models) have been employed to model the structure of DNA. The lengths of the finite and cyclic systems are gradually increased to more accurately approximate the structures of RNA and DNA. Springs whose behaviors are governed by Hooke's constitutive law have been used to represent the bonds between the masses, with the stiffness of the vertical springs randomly changing along the length of each model. This results in a more realistic representation of the inherent randomness of the studied structures. To investigate the effect of random dislocations on the mechanical response of the studied systems, it has been assumed that a random mass-spring ensemble has been knocked out of place by an external force. It has been found that increasing the number of building blocks along the length of the models suppresses the influence of dislocations on the vibration spectra of RNA and DNA. It was also observed that at low frequencies, the influence of dislocations becomes more pronounced. Besides, taking into account the collective mass of the sugar-phosphate backbone results in the appearance of gaps in the vibration spectra. By introducing dislocations into the models, additional dislocation-induced vibrational states appear in the DOS curves. What stands out from the results is that the responses of the studied systems to these changes are strictly nonlinear. The employed methodology can be applied to investigate the mechanical response of damaged RNA and DNA., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Intrinsically disordered regions (IDRs) are highly enriched in the nucleolar proteome but their physiological role in ribosome assembly remains poorly understood. Our study reveals the functional plasticity of the extremely abundant lysine-rich IDRs of small nucleolar ribonucleoprotein particles (snoRNPs) from protists to mammalian cells. We show in Saccharomyces cerevisiae that the electrostatic properties of this lysine-rich IDR, the KKE/D domain, promote snoRNP accumulation in the vicinity of nascent rRNAs, facilitating their modification. Under stress conditions reducing the rate of ribosome assembly, they are essential for nucleolar compaction and sequestration of key early-acting ribosome biogenesis factors, including RNA polymerase I, owing to their self-interaction capacity in a latent, non-rRNA-associated state. We propose that such functional plasticity of these lysine-rich IDRs may represent an ancestral eukaryotic regulatory mechanism, explaining how nucleolar morphology is continuously adapted to rRNA production levels., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

In Brief: Bovine embryos lacking SMC2 (a core component of condensins I and II) are unable to survive maternal recognition of pregnancy. SMC2 KO embryos are able to form blastocysts, exhibiting a reduced cell proliferation ability, and arrest their development shortly after hatching., Abstract: Condensins are large protein complexes required for chromosome assembly and segregation during mitosis and meiosis. Mouse or bovine embryos lacking SMC2 (a core component of condensins I and II) do not complete development to term, but it is unknown when they arrest their development. Herein, we have assessed the developmental ability of bovine embryos lacking SMC2 due to a naturally occurring mutation termed HH3 (Holstein Haplotype 3) or by CRISPR-mediated gene ablation. To determine if embryos homozygous for the HH3 allele survive to maternal recognition of pregnancy, embryonic day (E)14 embryos were flushed from superovulated carrier cows inseminated with a carrier bull. Mendelian inheritance of the HH3 allele was observed at E14 conceptuses but conceptuses homozygous for HH3 failed to achieve elongation and lacked an embryonic disc. To assess the consequence of the ablation of condensins I and II at earlier developmental stages, SMC2 KO bovine embryos were generated in vitro using CRISPR technology. SMC2 KO embryos were able to form blastocysts but exhibited reduced cell proliferation as evidenced by a significantly lower number of total, trophectoderm (CDX2+), and inner cell mass (SOX2+) cells at Day (D) 8 post-fertilization compared to their WT counterparts and were unable to survive to D12 in vitro. SMC2 ablation did not alter relative telomere length at D8, D12, or E14. In conclusion, condensins I and II are required for blastomere mitosis during early development, and embryos lacking those complexes arrest their development shortly after blastocyst hatching.

Perceptual grouping, a fundamental mechanism in our visual system, significantly influences our interpretation of and interaction with the surrounding world. This study explores the impact of the proximity principle from the perspective of the Two Visual Systems (TVS) model. The TVS model argues that the visual system comprises two distinct streams: the ventral stream, which forms the neural basis for "vision-for-perception," and the dorsal stream, which underlies "vision-for-action." We designed a perceptual grouping task using dot lattices as well as a line-orientation discrimination task. Data were collected using vocal and mouse methods for the vision-for-perception mode, and joystick and pen-paper methods for the vision-for-action mode. Each method, except for vocal, included separate blocks for right and left hands. The proximity data were fitted using exponential and power models. Linear mixed-effects models were used for the statistical analyses. The results revealed similar line-orientation discrimination accuracy across all conditions. The exponential model emerged as the best fit, demonstrating adherence to the Pure Distance Law in both perceptual modes. Sensitivity to the proximity principle was higher in the vision-for-action mode compared to the vision-for-perception. In terms of orientation biases, a strong preference for vertical orientation was observed in the vision-for-perception mode, whereas a noticeable preference toward either of the oblique orientations was detected in the vision-for-action mode. Analysis of free-drawn lines demonstrated an affordance bias in the vision-for-action mode. This suggests a remarkable tendency to perceive organizations within specific orientations that offer more affordances due to the interaction between the body postures and tools., (© 2024. The Psychonomic Society, Inc.)

The dispersion curves and density of states are used to analyze the vibrational characteristics of DNA and RNA segments. This is done using a harmonic Hamiltonian and the Green's function technique. Two configurations of DNA and RNA, finite and cyclic, have been investigated and compared to their infinite counterparts. For the DNA molecule, three models, including a fishbone model, a ldder model, and a fishbone ladder model, have been employed, while the RNA molecule has been represented using a half fishbone model. To enhance the realism of DNA and RNA simulations, the unit cells within each infinite system as well as the length of the finite and cyclic cases are gradually enlarged. The connections between the sub-sites have been modeled using linear springs, where the stiffness of the vertical springs exhibits random variations throughout the length of the DNA and RNA models. Shorter DNA and RNA segments exhibit additional peaks in their density of states, resulting in more bands in dispersion curves. This indicates that as the number of building blocks grows in these segments, their curves resemble those of infinite systems. These findings have practical implications for studying the vibration characteristics of similar macro-systems., (© 2024. European Biophysical Societies' Association.)

When ecological and evolutionary dynamics occur on comparable timescales, persistence of the ensuing eco-evolutionary dynamics requires both ecological and evolutionary stability. This unites key questions in ecology and evolution: How do species coexist, and what maintains genetic variation in a population? In this work, we investigated a host-parasitoid system in which pea aphid hosts rapidly evolve resistance to Aphidius ervi parasitoids. Field data and mathematical simulations showed that heterogeneity in parasitoid dispersal can generate variation in parasitism-mediated selection on hosts through time and space. Experiments showed how evolutionary trade-offs plus moderate host dispersal across this selection mosaic cause host-parasitoid coexistence and maintenance of genetic variation in host resistance. Our results show how dispersal can stabilize both the ecological and evolutionary components of eco-evolutionary dynamics.

During ribosome biogenesis a plethora of assembly factors and essential enzymes drive the unidirectional maturation of nascent pre-ribosomal subunits. The DEAD-box RNA helicase Dbp10 is suggested to restructure pre-ribosomal rRNA of the evolving peptidyl-transferase center (PTC) on nucleolar ribosomal 60S assembly intermediates. Here, we show that point mutations within conserved catalytic helicase-core motifs of Dbp10 yield a dominant-lethal growth phenotype. Such dbp10 mutants, which stably associate with pre-60S intermediates, impair pre-60S biogenesis at a nucleolar stage prior to the release of assembly factor Rrp14 and stable integration of late nucleolar factors such as Noc3. Furthermore, the binding of the GTPase Nug1 to particles isolated directly via mutant Dbp10 bait proteins is specifically inhibited. The N-terminal domain of Nug1 interacts with Dbp10 and the methyltransferase Spb1, whose pre-60S incorporation is also reduced in absence of functional Dbp10 resulting in decreased methylation of 25S rRNA nucleotide G2922. Our data suggest that Dbp10's helicase activity generates the necessary framework for assembly factor docking thereby permitting PTC rRNA methylation and the progression of pre-60S maturation., (© The Author(s) 2023. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Nucleic Acids Research.)

Traumatic retrobulbar hemorrhage may be rapidly progressive, converts to a sight-threatening emergency with potentially devastating complications. Assisted-escape systems in fast jet aircraft can lead to the pilot's facial/orbital injuries at any stage of the ejection sequences, which may result in retrobulbar hemorrhage. Orbital traumas are common and rarely result in retrobulbar hemorrhage and orbital compartment syndrome. However, early diagnosis and urgent out-of-the-hospital lateral canthotomy with cantholysis were recommended to save the patient's vision., Competing Interests: The authors have none to declare., (© 2021 Director General, Armed Forces Medical Services. Published by Elsevier, a division of RELX India Pvt. Ltd.)

The COVID-19 pandemic has posed clinical and public health challenges worldwide. The use of corticosteroids has become an evidence-based practice to reduce the hyperinflammatory process involved in severe COVID-19 disease. However, this can result in the reactivation of parasitic infestations, even with a short course. We report the case of a 64-year-old Cuban born patient who passed away from S. stercoralis hyperinfection syndrome following treatment with dexamethasone for severe COVID-19 disease on a background of prolonged immunosuppression for rheumatoid arthritis. Clinicians should be aware of the risk of strongyloidiasis as a complication of the treatment for severe COVID-19 and other immunosuppressive therapies. We recommend empiric Strongyloides treatment for those who are from, or who have accumulated risk by travelling to endemic areas, and are being treated with corticosteroids for severe COVID-19 disease., (© 2023. BioMed Central Ltd., part of Springer Nature.)

Climate change could adversely impact the best management practices (BMPs) designed to build a sustainable agro-ecological environment. Cover cropping is a conservation practice capable of reducing nitrate-nitrogen (NO 3 -N) loadings by consuming water and nitrate from the soil. The objective of this study was to investigate how climate change would impact the proven water quality benefits of cereal rye as a winter cover crop (CC) over the climate divisions of Illinois using the DSSAT model. Moreover, this study explores the sustainability of the CC with the changing climate conditions by using five regional climate models (RCMs) projections of two warming scenarios-rcp45 (a medium emission scenario - radiative forcing of 4.5 W/m 2 ) and rcp85 (a high emission scenario - radiative forcing of 8.5 W/m 2 )). The CC impact simulated in the warming scenarios for the near-term (2021-2040) and the far-term future (2041-2060) were compared with the baseline scenario (2001-2020). Our results conclude that the climate change may negatively impact [average of CC and no CC (NCC)] maize yield (-6.6%) while positively affecting soybean yield (17.6%) and CC biomass (73.0%) by the mid-century. Increased mineralization caused by rising temperature could increase the nitrate loss via tile flow (NLoss) and nitrate leached (NLeached) up to 26.3% and 7.6% on average by the mid-century in Illinois. Increasing CC biomass could reduce the NLoss more considerably in all the scenarios compared to the baselines. Nevertheless, the NLoss level in the CC treatment can increase from the near-term to far-term future and could get closer to the baseline levels in the NCC treatment. These results suggest that CC alone may not address nitrate loss goals via subsurface drainage (caused by increasing N mineralization) in future. Therefore, more robust and cost-effective BMPs are needed to aid the CC benefits in preventing nutrient loss from the agricultural fields., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Plastics and microplastics (MPs) are toxic, pervasive and threatening the biotic and abiotic components of the earth, and they threaten food safety and food security by moving in the food chain. In this study, the amounts and characteristics of 40 table salt samples with different brands, including sea salt (No = 13), rock (No = 13), bulk (No = 8) and non-standard (No = 6), were investigated with a combination of sieving, filtration, observation and FTIR, Micro-Raman and SEM techniques. The results showed that all the salts were contaminated with MPs. In general, the abundance range of detected particles was 700-5470 MPs/kg. The abundance of MPs was higher in counterfeit and non-standard salts (1825 ± 1808 MPs/kg). Investigating the relationship between the effect of the purification process (Kruskal-Wallis Test, P = 0.841), the type of packaging (Kruskal-Wallis Test, P = 0.609), and the type of salt (Kruskal-Wallis Test, P = 0.942), on the abundance of MPs using a comparison test Kruskal-Wallis was not significant. However, the numerical difference was recognizable. The most identified polymer in the salts was cellulose acetate, which probably causes by unmanaged plastic litter in the environment (especially cigarette butts). The dominant form of particles was fragment-shaped, which is the most abundant form of identified MPs in the environment. Both environmental pollution and secondary pollution (during production and packaging), respectively, contribute to the contamination of salts with MPs. The estimated human dietary intake (EDI) and the amount of estimated annual intake (EAI) for different ages in Iran were obtained EDI = 5-59 MPs/capita/day and EAI = 1967-21563 MPs/capita/year. The surface morphology of the particles showed that the MPs were affected by continuous weathering, mechanical fracture and oxidation. MPs are a threat to human health due to the absorption and transmission of dangerous pollutants and their inherent toxicity. Therefore, a solution must be thought of to prevent the contamination of the food chain through salts by MPs, (with protective measures at the salt source, and by improving its production processes., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (© 2023 The Authors.)

Extensive tile drainage usage combined with excess nitrogen fertilization has triggered nutrient loss and water quality issues in Illinois, which over time endorsed the hypoxia formation in the Gulf of Mexico. Past research reported that the use of cereal rye as a winter cover crop (CC) could be beneficial in reducing nutrient loss and improving water quality. The extensive use of CC may aid in reducing the hypoxic zone in the Gulf of Mexico. The objective of this study is to analyze the long-term impact of cereal rye on soil water‑nitrogen (N) dynamics and cash crops growth in the maize-soybean agroecosystem in the state of Illinois. A gridded simulation approach was developed using the DSSAT model for the CC impact analysis. The CC impacts were estimated for the last two decades (2001-2020) for two fertilization scheduling (FA-SD = Fall and side-dress N and SP-SD = Spring pre-plant and side-dress N) comparing between CC scenario (FA-SD-C/SP-SD-C) with no CC (NCC) scenario (FA-SD-N/SP-SD-N). Our results suggest that the nitrate-N loss (via tile flow) and leaching reduced by 30.6 % and 29.4 %, assuming extensive adaptation of cover crop. The tile flow and deep percolation decreased by 20.8 % and 5.3 %, respectively, due to cereal rye inclusion. The model performance was relatively poor in simulating the CC impact on soil water dynamics in the hilly topography of southern Illinois. Generalizing changes in the soil properties (due to cereal rye inclusion) from the field scale to whole state (regardless of soil type) could be one of the possible limitations in this research. Overall, these findings substantiated the long-term benefits of cereal rye as a winter cover crop and found the spring N fertilizer application reduced nitrate-N loss compared to fall N application. These results could be helpful in promoting the practice in the Upper Mississippi River basin., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: Efficient personnel is the most important Armed Forces capital. Many studies have shown the relationship between health and performance. Understanding the factors leading to disability has preventive importance. This study was aimed to identify diseases leading to permanent disqualification of Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force (IRIAF) non-pilot crew (NPC) to identify existing deficiencies and prevent personnel disqualification., Methods: The study was designed as descriptive, cross-sectional, retrospective research. Medical causes and diseases leading to early and permanent medical disqualification (EPMD) of IRIAF NPC from 1986 to 2016 were collected from their medical records and council files. Data were registered and sorted in predesigned electronic sheets for analysis by SPSS version 26., Results: Of all the 155 cases with permanent disqualifications, 126 persons had medical disqualification, and others were killed or missed in actions. Flight engineers, navigators, and loadmasters had the most medical disqualification. The highest number of killed or missed persons in actions was for navigators, loadmasters, and crew chiefs. The main reasons for EPMD were psychiatric, cardiac, and neurologic, wherein common diseases included generalized anxiety disorder, myocardial infarction, and lumbar discopathy. The total lost service years were 1569 person-years. Its average was 12.45 person-years per individual with a standard deviation of ±2.4., Conclusion: Due to the similarity in the work environment, we compared NPC results with similar studies in other flight crew. Nonetheless, the main causes and diseases leading to early EPMD of the flight crew were similar in different studies, but their orders and frequencies were different., Competing Interests: The authors have none to declare., (© 2021 Director General, Armed Forces Medical Services. Published by Elsevier, a division of RELX India Pvt. Ltd.)

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the quality and readability of online resources on keratoconus treatment., Methods: A Google.com search was conducted on August 9, 2020; 32 web sites were selected for analysis. Popularity was assessed by Google and Alexa rank. The quality of web sites was analyzed using the quality criteria for consumer health information (DISCERN) tool, the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) benchmark, and the Health On the Net Code of Conduct Certification (HONcode). The readability of the web sites was assessed using the Fleschwebr hea Reading Ease, the Automated Readability Index, and the Fleschted Readability RESULTS: The JAMA benchmark scores, unlike the DISCERN scores, were correlated with the Google and Alexa rank. One web site (3.1%) met all the JAMA benchmark criteria, and 3 (9.3%) others had HONcode certification. The median DISCERN score was 33 (range, 29.6-43.1; maximum possible, 80). Rnib.org.uk scored the highest at 57 (71.0%). The mean Flesch-Kincaid Reading Ease score (52.9 ± 7.1) corresponded to uk" n DIdifficult to read." Thirty-one web sites (96.8%) had a Flesch-Kincaid Grade higher than the American Medical Association recommendation of sixth grade level. The median Automated Readability Index score was 7 (range, 6.2-7.3)., Conclusion: The majority of online information currently available on keratoconus treatment is complex and highly variable. Rnib.org.uk is the best currently available source. Clinicians should inform patients on how to assess the credibility of online information and recommend suitable information sources., (Copyright © 2021 Canadian Ophthalmological Society. All rights reserved.)

We describe the synthesis and characterization of two classes of hybrid phosphino ligands functionalized with amino ester or amino acid groups. These compounds are built either on a rigid planar phenyl platform or on a functionalized - conformationally controlled - rotational ferrocene backbone. Modifications at the -PR 2 phosphino groups (R=aryl and alkyl, with various steric bulk, Ph, Mes, i-Pr, Cy) and at the amino acid/amino ester functions are reported, showing a valuable high modularity. The coordination chemistry of these compounds regarding palladium and gold was investigated, in particular with respect to the coordination mode of the phosphino groups and the preferred interaction with metals for the amino ester and amino acid functions. For all the hybrid ligands, based either on ferrocenyl or phenyl platforms, the (P,N)-chelating effect dominates in solution for coordination to Pd(II), while linear P-Au(I) complexes without interaction with the amino groups are assumed. The investigation of the catalytic activity of these new ligands in the demanding palladium-catalyzed Suzuki-Miyaura coupling of o-dibromoarenes with fluorophenylboronic acid underlined the importance of the amino ester dicyclohexylphosphinoferrocene for avoiding the deleterious homocoupling and arene oligomerization side-reactions that were otherwise observed with the other phosphine ligands., (© 2023 The Authors. Published by Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

The fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster represents a classic genetic model organism that is amenable to a plethora of comprehensive analyses including proteomics. SILAC-based quantitative proteomics is a powerful method to investigate the translational and posttranslational regulation ongoing in cells, tissues, organs, and whole organisms. Here we describe a protocol for routine SILAC labeling of Drosophila adults within one generation to produce embryos with a labeling efficiency of over 92%. In combination with genetic selection markers, this method permits the quantification of translational and posttranslational changes in embryos mutant for developmental and disease-related genes., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

Vestibular neuritis was first reported in 1952 by Dix and Hallpike, and 30% of patients reporting a flu-like symptom before acquiring the disorder. The most common causes are viral infections, often resulting from systemic viral infections or bacterial labyrinthitis. Here we presented a rare case of acute vestibular neuritis after the adenoviral vector-based COVID-19 vaccination. A 51-year-old male pilot awoke early in the morning with severe vertigo, nausea, and vomiting after receiving the first dose of the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine 11 days ago. Nasopharyngeal SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR test and chest CT scan were inconclusive for COVID-19 pneumonia. Significant findings were a severe spontaneous and constant true-whirling vertigo which worsened with head movement, horizontal-torsional spontaneous nystagmus, abnormal caloric test, positive bedside head impulse tests, and inability to tolerate head-thrust test. PTA, MRI of the brain and internal auditory canal, and cerebral CT arteriography were normal. According to the clinical, imaging, and laboratory findings, he was admitted to the neurology ward and received treatment for vestibular neuritis. His vertigo increased gradually over 6-8 h, peaking on the first day, and gradually subsided over 7 days. Ten days later, the symptoms became tolerable; the patient was discharged with advice for home-based vestibular rehabilitation exercises. Despite the proper treatment and rehabilitation, signs of dynamic vestibular imbalances persisted after 1 year. Based on the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations, the Air Medical Council (AMC) suspended him from flight duties until receiving full recovery. Several cases of vestibular neuritis have been reported in the COVID-19 patients and after the COVID-19 vaccination. This is the first case report of acute vestibular neuritis after the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccination in a healthy pilot without past medical history. However, the authors believe that this is a primary clinical suspicion that must be considered and confirmed after complete investigations., (© 2022. Journal of NeuroVirology, Inc.)

A 32-year-old male, Mil Mi-17 (air medical transport) helicopter pilot presented to the emergency department with a headache and visual blurring 12 days after the first dose of the Sputnik V vaccine. He had no past medical history; he successfully passed his last annual medical examination, and his vital signs were in the normal range. The significant findings were decreased visual acuity, papilledema, severe visual field narrowing, and increased nerve fiber layer thickness in both eyes. The aviation medical examiner suspended him from flight duties and referred him for a complete neuro-ophthalmic investigation. The patient underwent a lumbar puncture; his cerebrospinal fluid pressure was 39 cm H 2 O, and his cerebrospinal fluid biochemical analysis and blood tests were normal. He refused ventriculoperitoneal shunt surgery and received methylprednisolone with acetazolamide. After 10 days, the patient reported a significant improvement. One month later, his visual acuity and visual field were better, papilledema resolved, and disc pallor appeared. Three months later, he needed no medical treatment; he had normal visual acuity and near-normal visual fields. Based on the aviation medical regulations and the importance of flight safety in air medical transportation operations, he cannot return to flight duties until full neuro-ophthalmic recovery is confirmed., (Copyright © 2022. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

This systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate the effect of COVID-19 on thyroid function and the role of thyroid hormones alterations in predicting the severity of COVID-19. Online databases, including Scopus, Medline/PubMed, EMBASE, Google Scholar, and Cochrane were searched up to August 2, 2022. After screening titles, abstracts, and full manuscripts, respectively, 30 reports were enrolled. The risk of bias (ROB) was evaluated using the QUADAS-2 tool. In addition, odds ratio (OR) and hazard ratio (HR) analysis for assessing the OR of abnormal thyroid function tests (TFT) in predicting the COVID-19 severity and poor outcomes. Among 30 enrolled studies, ROB of the current study is estimated low to moderate. The average number of patients in each study was 325 (range: 40-3,703), with an overall mean age of 57.6, and the female proportion of 40.4%. Overall, the pooled analysis showed that the prevalence of thyroid dysfunction among 9,707 COVID-19 cases was 15%. Among mild to moderate COVID-19 patients, 6.2% had abnormal TFT, and among patients who experienced severe to critical COVID-19, 20.8% had abnormal TFT. The pooled OR for abnormal TFT and the severity of COVID-19 obtained from 3,865 COVID-19 patients was 3.77 (2.03, 6.99). The pooled HR of TSH level of COVID-19 mortality was 1.57 (0.91, 2.72). Our results demonstrate a high prevalence of thyroid dysfunction in COVID-19, and that among patients severe cases had a 3.77-fold higher risk of abnormal TFT compared to mild to moderate COVID-19. Further studies are required to evaluate the longer-term prognostic role of thyroid dysfunction in severe COVID-19, and investigate potential therapeutic strategies., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2022 Darvishi, Nazer, Shahali and Nouri.)

A 43-year-old male Bell 214C helicopter pilot presented to the emergency ward with flu-like syndrome. His nasopharyngeal severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 real-time polymerase chain reaction test was positive, and a chest computed tomographic scan confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 pneumonia. He was admitted, received treatment, was discharged, and returned to flying. During the mission debrief, copilots who had flown with him reported that he experienced episodes of in-flight dizziness and blacked out. They occurred briefly during the cruise and hovering flight, perhaps for a few seconds of disorientation and unconsciousness. Rapid identification of the copilot and control of the helicopter prevented any incident or accident. Afterward, he explained the sudden onset and unexpected brief periods of loss of consciousness after a headache. The flight safety office referred him to the aviation medical center for further investigations. The cardiovascular, neurologic, laboratory, and toxicologic assessments were inconclusive with the approach to sudden-onset transient loss of consciousness. The only abnormal finding was hippocampus lesions on brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Because of the possible diagnosis of transient global amnesia, the aviation medical examiner suspended him from flight duties until complete recovery and the absence of any probable complications., (Copyright © 2022 Air Medical Journal Associates. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

As we face today's large-scale agricultural issues, the need for robust methods of agricultural forecasting has never been clearer. Yet, the accuracy and precision of our forecasts remains limited by current tools and methods. To overcome the limitations of process-based models and observed data, we iteratively designed and tested a generalizable and robust data-assimilation system that systematically constrains state variables in the APSIM model to improve forecast accuracy and precision. Our final novel system utilizes the Ensemble Kalman Filter to constrain model states and update model parameters at observed time steps and incorporates an algorithm that improves system performance through the joint estimation of system error matrices. We tested this system at the Energy Farm, a well-monitored research site in central Illinois, where we assimilated observed in situ soil moisture at daily time steps for two years and evaluated how assimilation impacted model forecasts of soil moisture, yield, leaf area index, tile flow, and nitrate leaching by comparing estimates with in situ observations. The system improved the accuracy and precision of soil moisture estimates for the assimilation layers by an average of 42% and 48%, respectively, when compared to the free model. Such improvements led to changes in the model's soil water and nitrogen processes and, on average, increased accuracy in forecasts of annual tile flow by 43% and annual nitrate loads by 10%. Forecasts of aboveground measures did not dramatically change with assimilation, a fact which highlights the limited potential of soil moisture as a constraint for a site with no water stress. Extending the scope of previous work, our results demonstrate the power of data assimilation to constrain important model estimates beyond the assimilated state variable, such as nitrate leaching. Replication of this study is necessary to further define the limitations and opportunities of the developed system., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Lacunar strokes occur when a branch of a large cerebral artery is blocked. The thalamus is often affected, causing uncontrollable motions. A 72-year-old previously healthy man presented with involuntary motions in the right limbs, which were present at rest, and exacerbated during voluntary actions. He had received the first dose of the adenoviral vector-based coronavirus disease 2019 vaccine (ChAdOx1 nCoV-19) 9 days ago. Severe thrombocytopenia and elevated levels of lactate dehydrogenase, ferritin, C-reactive protein, and D-dimer were found, without any evidence of connective tissue disease. Electromyography demonstrated typical choreiform movements, and the brain magnetic resonance imaging indicated a small high signal lesion on the left side of the thalamus. Detection of the immunoglobulin G antibodies against platelet factor 4 in the blood, negative heparin-induced platelet activation (HIPA) test, and positive modified HIPA test confirmed the thalamic stroke due to the vaccine-induced prothrombotic immune thrombocytopenia (VIPIT). He was admitted to the intensive care unit and received nadroparin, sodium ozagrel, edaravone, methylprednisolone, and haloperidol. His hemi-chorea improved gradually over 2 weeks, and he was discharged after 21 days with rehabilitation advice. VIPIT due to the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 is a novel immune-mediated response that needs clinicians' awareness and further investigations., Competing Interests: No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported., (© Korean Vaccine Society.)