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Acidovorax citrulli is a causative pathogen for bacterial fruit blotch (BFB) in Cucurbitaceae, including watermelon. The most effective method to control this plant disease is to cultivate resistant cultivars. Herein, this study aimed to establish an efficient screening method to determine the resistance of watermelon cultivars against A. citrulli. To this end, we explored the virulence of seven A. citrulli isolates belonging to clonal complex group I or II based on gltA gene analysis. Furthermore, we evaluated the BFB occurrence in the seedlings of two arbitrarily selected watermelon cultivars according to the growth stage of the watermelon seedlings, inoculum concentration, and incubation temperature after inoculation in a humidity chamber. Taken together, we established the following method to determine the resistance of watermelon cultivars against A. citrulli: watermelon seedlings at the fully expanded two-leaf stage can be spray-inoculated with an A. citrulli bacterial suspension at a concentration of 1.0 × 106 cfu/ml; after incubation for 48 h at 28°C in a humidity chamber, the plants were cultivated in a growth chamber at 25°C with 80% relative humidity under a 12-h light/dark cycle; and BFB occurrence on the plants can be investigated at 7 dpi by visual estimation of the diseased leaf area (%). Based on these experimental methods, we investigated the resistance degree of 43 commercial watermelon cultivars against A. citrulli KACC 17005. Therefore, our results can provide important information for the development of resistant cultivars against A. citrulli.

Clubroot caused by Plasmodiophora brassicae is an important disease of crucifer crops worldwide. This study aimed to establish an efficient screening method to determine resistant cultivars of Chinese cabbage against P. brassicae. To do this, we investigated the virulence of seven P. brassicae isolates using seedlings of susceptible Chinese cabbage cultivar. The isolates exhibited different virulence in the plants and were divided into three groups based on their virulence. When we explored the disease occurrence in Chinese cabbage seedlings according to photoperiod after inoculation of P. brassicae and incubation temperature, the plants with all-day light showed higher disease severity than seedlings cultivated under 14 hr of light a day. The occurrence of clubroot disease was most severe at 25°C, followed by 20°C and 18°C, but the fresh weight of clubroot of the seedlings cultivated at 20°C was the highest, followed by plants grown at 25°C and 18°C. When the seedlings of two commercial resistant cultivars were inoculated with the mixed spore suspensions of two different pathotype isolates of P. brassicae, disease severity increased as the spore concentration of the susceptible P. brassicae isolate among the two strains increased, suggesting that the clubroot development by different pathotype isolates was independent and not influenced by each other. Taken together, our results provide a faster and more accurate screening methods to determine the resistance of Chinese cabbage against P. brassicae.

Highlights Blue micro-light-emitting diodes (μLED)-integrated gas sensors were fabricated as monolithic structure by directly loading sensing materials onto the μLED. SnO2 nanoparticles are activated by blue μLED and exhibit outstanding sensitivity to NO2 at μ-Watt power levels. Noble metal (Au, Pd, Pt)-decorated SnO2 showed the tunable gas selectivity for 4 target gases under blue light illumination.

Abstract Nucleic acid amplification testing has great potential for point-of-need diagnostic testing with high detection sensitivity and specificity. Current sample preparation is limited by a tedious workflow requiring multiple steps, reagents and instrumentation, hampering nucleic acid testing at point of need. In this study, we present the use of mixed cellulose ester (MCE) paper for DNA binding by ionic interaction under molecular crowding conditions and fluid transport by wicking. The poly(ethylene) glycol-based (PEG) reagent simultaneously provides the high pH for alkaline lysis and crowding effects for ionic binding of the DNA under high salt conditions. In this study, we introduce Paper-based Abridged Solid-Phase Extraction with Alkaline Poly(ethylene) Glycol Lysis (PASAP). The anionic mixed cellulose ester (MCE) paper is used as solid phase and allows for fluid transport by wicking, eliminating the need for pipetting skills and the use of a magnet to retain beads. Following the release of DNA from the cells due to the lytic activity of the PASAP solution, the DNA binds to the anionic surface of the MCE paper, concentrating at the bottom while the sample matrix is transported towards the top by wicking. The paper was washed by dipping it in 40% isopropanol for 10 s. After air-drying for 30 s, the bottom section of the paper (3 mm × 4 mm) was snapped off using the cap of a PCR tube and immersed in the colourimetric loop-mediated isothermal amplification (cLAMP) solution for direct amplification and colourimetric detection. The total sample processing was completed in 15 min and ready for amplification. cLAMP enabled the detection of 102 CFU/mL of Escherichia coli (E. coli) from culture media and the detection of E. coli in milk

Abstract Background Recent intravesical administration of adenoviral vectors, either as a single injection or in combination with immune checkpoint inhibitors, exemplified by cretostimogene grenadenorepvec and nadofaragene firadenovec, has demonstrated remarkable efficacy in clinical trials for non-muscle invasive bladder cancer. Despite their ability to induce an enhanced immune reaction within the lesion, the intracellular survival signaling of cancer cells has not been thoroughly addressed. Methods An analysis of the prognostic data revealed a high probability of therapeutic efficacy with simultaneous inhibition of mTOR and STAT3. Considering the challenges of limited pharmaco-accessibility to the bladder due to its pathophysiological structure and the partially undruggable nature of target molecules, we designed a dual siRNA system targeting both mRNAs. Subsequently, this dual siRNA system was encoded into the adenovirus 5/3 (Ad 5/3) to enhance in vivo delivery efficiency. Results Gene-targeting efficacy was assessed using cells isolated from xenografted tumors using a single-cell analysis system. Our strategy demonstrated a balanced downregulation of mTOR and STAT3 at the single-cell resolution, both in vitro and in vivo. This approach reduced tumor growth in bladder cancer xenograft and orthotopic animal experiments. In addition, increased infiltration of CD8+ T cells was observed in a humanized mouse model. We provided helpful and safe tissue distribution data for intravesical therapy of siRNAs coding adenoviruses. Conclusions The bi-specific siRNA strategy, encapsulated in an adenovirus, could be a promising tool to augment cancer treatment efficacy and overcome conventional therapy limitations associated with “undruggability.” Hence, we propose that dual targeting of mTOR and STAT3 is an advantageous strategy for intravesical therapy using adenoviruses. Graphical Abstract The current investigation introduces an innovative conceptualization of bispecific short hairpin RNA (bs_shRNA) tailored for the equilibrated modulation of dual genes within a singular cellular context. This novel bs_shRNA was loaded into the genome of an oncolytic adenovirus to augment the therapeutic efficacy of oncolytic viral interventions via the targeted inhibition of mTOR and STAT3 pathways. In addition, the administration of BSV significantly reduced the volume of bladder cancer tumors, concomitantly facilitating an enhanced recruitment of CD8+T lymphocytes in vivo.

To investigate the impact of the recently released pediatric reference voxel phantoms (0-, 1-, 5-, 10-, 15-year-old males and females) of the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) on organ dose estimates for radioactive iodine (RAI) treatment in pediatric patients, we calculated and analyzed pediatric-specific iodine-131 S values (rT ← thyroid) for the 30 radiosensitive organs by conducting Monte Carlo simulations using the Geant4. The gender dependency in the S values was frequently seen for the 15-year-old phantoms with higher S values of female than male. In addition, the age dependency in the S values was observed for most target organs; that is, the S values tend to decrease for older ages (e.g., ∼120 times for the gonads between the adult and newborn) due mainly to the inter-organ distances generally longer for older ages. Moreover, we observed that the iodine-131 S values tend to be significantly greater by up to ∼145.5 times than those of the stylized phantoms that have been widely used for organ dose estimates of pediatric RAI patients. We believe that the pediatric-specific iodine-131 S values (rT ← thyroid) of the ICRP pediatric reference voxel phantoms should be beneficial to improve the dosimetry of pediatric RAI patients.

Bacterial soft rot caused by Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. carotovorum (Pcc) is one of the most severe diseases in radish cultivation. To control this plant disease, the most effective method has been known to cultivate resistant cultivars. Previously, we developed an efficient bioassay method for investigating resistance levels with 21 resistant and moderately resistant cultivars of radish against a strain Pcc KACC 10421. In this study, our research expanded to investigate the resistance of radish cultivars against six Pcc strains, KACC 10225, KACC 10421, ATCC 12312, ATCC 15713, LY34, and ECC 301365. To this end, the virulence of the six Pcc strains was determined based on the development of bacterial soft rot in seedlings of four susceptible radish cultivars. The results showed that the Pcc strains exhibited different virulence in the susceptible cultivars. To explore the race differentiation of Pcc strains corresponding to the resistance in radish cultivars, we investigated the occurrence of bacterial soft rot caused by the six Pcc strains on the 21 resistant and moderate resistant cultivars. Our results showed that the average values of the area under the disease progress curve were positively correlated with the virulence of the strains and the number of resistant cultivars decreased as the virulence of Pcc strains increased. Taken together, our results suggest that the resistance to Pcc of the radish cultivars commercialized in Korea is more likely affected by the virulence of Pcc strains rather than by race differentiation of Pcc.

Recently, a new monkey computational phantom, called Visible Monkey, was developed for non-ionizing radiation studies in animal research. In this study, we extended its applications to ionizing radiation studies by implementing the voxel model of the Visible Monkey into three general-purpose Monte Carlo (MC) codes: MCNP6, PHITS, and Geant4. The implementation work for MCNP and PHITS was conducted using the LATTICE, UNIVERSE, and FILL cards. The G4VNestedParameterisation class was used for Geant4. Then, organ dose coefficients (DCs) for idealized photon beams in the antero-posterior direction were calculated using the three codes and compared, showing excellent agreement (differences

Fusarium wilt, caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. niveum (Fon) is a serious disease in watermelon cultivation. Most of commercialized watermelon cultivars to Fusarium wilt are susceptible in Korea. Fon isolates were divided into four races (races 0, 1, 2, and 3), based on pathogenicity in four watermelon differentials including ‘Sugar baby’, ‘Charleston gray’, ‘Calhoun gray’ and ‘PI-296341-FR’. We obtained 7 isolates of Fon and tested to determine race of the fungal strains. Fon KACC 40902 and Fon HA were race 0 and Fon NW1, Fon NW2, Fon CW and Fon KACC 40901 were race 1. And Fon KACC 40905 was race 2, but race 3 isolate of Fon was not founded. We also tested virulence of seven Fon isolates on three-susceptible cultivars of watermelon. The isolates showed different virulence on the cultivars. In addition, to study the resistance characteristics of watermelon to Fon, we selected three moderately or highly resistant cultivars of watermelon and occurrence of Fusarium wilt in seedlings of the cultivars by seven Fon isolates was investigated. Among them, ‘Calhoun gray’ is highly resistant to six Fon isolates except Fon KACC 40905. On the other two cultivars, disease severity of Fusarium wilt caused by each isolate was positively correlated with the virulence of the Fon isolates. The results suggest that resistance of the watermelon cultivars to Fon isolates is likely affected by the virulence of the pathogen.

Black rot of Chinese cabbage caused by Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris (Xcc) is one of the most severe diseases in crop cultivation. To define the resistance characteristics of Chinese cabbage to Xcc, we tested the virulence of eight Xcc isolates in four susceptible cultivars of Chinese cabbage. The isolates of Xcc showed different the virulence on the cultivars. On the other hand, we selected 22 resistant or moderately resistant cultivars of Chinese cabbage to Xcc and tested the occurrence of black rot on the cultivars caused by the isolates of Xcc. Mean disease severity of black rot on the Chinese cabbage caused by each isolate was also positively correlated with the virulence of Xcc isolates. Furthermore, the development of black rot in each cultivar increased according to virulence of Xcc isolates. The number of resistant cultivars of Chinese cabbage to eight isolates of Xcc decreased according to the virulence increase of bacteria. Taken together, these results suggest that resistance of Chinese cabbage cultivars to Xcc is likely affected by the virulence of Xcc isolates, but not result from race differentiation.

The International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) Publication 116 was released to provide a comprehensive dataset of the dose coefficients (DCs) for external exposures produced with the adult reference voxel phantoms of ICRP Publication 110. Although an advanced skeletal dosimetry method for photons and neutrons using fluence-to-dose response functions (DRFs) was introduced in ICRP Publication 116, the ICRP-116 skeletal DCs were calculated by using the simple method conventionally used (i.e., doses to red bone marrow and endosteum approximated by doses to spongiosa and/or medullary cavities). In the present study, the photon and neutron DRFs were used to produce skeletal DCs of the ICRP-110 reference phantoms, which were then compared with the ICRP-116 DCs. For photons, there were significant differences by up to ∼2.8 times especially at energies

Summary: Tumor suppressor p53 plays a pivotal role in suppressing cancer, so various drugs has been suggested to upregulate its function. However, drug resistance is still the biggest hurdle to be overcome. To address this, we developed a deep learning model called AnoDAN (anomalous gene detection using generative adversarial networks and graph neural networks for overcoming drug resistance) that unravels the hidden resistance mechanisms and identifies a combinatorial target to overcome the resistance. Our findings reveal that the TGF-β signaling pathway, alongside the p53 signaling pathway, mediates the resistance, with THBS1 serving as a core regulatory target in both pathways. Experimental validation in lung cancer cells confirms the effects of THBS1 on responsiveness to a p53 reactivator. We further discovered the positive feedback loop between THBS1 and the TGF-β pathway as the main source of resistance. This study enhances our understanding of p53 regulation and offers insights into overcoming drug resistance.

The electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide (EC CO2RR) is a promising technology to achieve a carbon‐neutral society. EC CO2RR can directly convert the greenhouse gas emitted from stacks into valuable fuels and chemical feedstocks for various industrial applications. Numerous metal‐based electrocatalysts have been researched to reduce overpotential and enhance the product selectivity of CO2RR. Recently, single‐atom catalysts (SACs) are attracting intensive attention due to their low‐cost, extremely high activities per loading amounts, and extensive stability of catalytic active sites due to the strong chemical interaction with coordination atoms. The coordination environments of SACs affect the electronic structure of active sites and change the energetics of the CO2RR pathways. Herein, the principles of EC CO2RR, including reaction mechanisms, figures of merits, and electrolysis systems, are first discussed. Then, the recent progress in the synthesis and characterization of SACs on various supports is accessed. Most importantly, the coordination environments of single‐metal atoms and their influence on CO2RR catalytic ability, product selectivity, and active site stabilization are focused. This review provides a milestone along the design of SACs from the perspective of optimizing atomic configuration surrounding the active sites for EC CO2RR.

Nucleic acid amplification testing facilitates the detection of disease through specific genomic sequences and is attractive for point-of-need testing (PONT); in particular, the early detection of microorganisms can alert early response systems to protect the public and ecosystems from widespread outbreaks of biological threats, including infectious diseases. Prior to nucleic acid amplification and detection, extensive sample preparation techniques are required to free nucleic acids and extract them from the sample matrix. Sample preparation is critical to maximize the sensitivity and reliability of testing. As the enzymatic amplification reactions can be sensitive to inhibitors from the sample, as well as from chemicals used for lysis and extraction, avoiding inhibition is a significant challenge, particularly when minimising liquid handling steps is also desirable for the translation of the assay to a portable format for PONT. The reagents used in sample preparation for nucleic acid testing, covering lysis and NA extraction (binding, washing, and elution), are reviewed with a focus on their suitability for use in PONT.

Although Apiospora Sacc. has previously been considered a sexual morph of Arthrinium species on the basis of phylogenetic, morphological, and ecological diagnoses, a recent study delimited these as different species. Recently, 14 species, including eight new species, of marine Arthrinium have been reported from Korea. Six known species have previously been renamed as species in the genus Apiospora (A. arundinis, A. marii, A. piptatheri, A. rasikravindrae, A. sacchari, and A. saccharicola). However, the eight new species of marine Arthrinium (Ar. agari, Ar. arctoscopi, Ar. fermenti, Ar. koreanum, Ar. marinum, Ar. pusillispermum, Ar. sargassi, and Ar. taeanense) are yet to be studied, and thus the taxonomic status of these species remains to be clarified. In this study, we conducted phylogenetic analyses using the internal transcribed spacer, 28S large subunit ribosomal RNA gene, translation elongation factor 1-alpha, and beta-tubulin regions to confirm the phylogenetic position of these eight species. Based on these analyses, we re-identified the eight Arthrinium species as new combinations in Apiospora. Additionally, among the six known Apiospora species, two (A. piptatheri and A. rasikravindrae) have not previously been recorded in Korea. On the basis of morphological and molecular analyses, we report these as new species in Korea. Herein, we present scanning electron micrographs detailing the morphologies of these species, along with phylogenetic trees and detailed descriptions.

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) cultivation is threatened by various environmental stresses, especially disease. Genome editing technologies are effective tools for generating pathogen-resistant potatoes. Here, we established an efficient RNP-mediated CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing protocol in potato to develop Phytophthora infestans resistant mutants by targeting the susceptibility gene, Signal Responsive 4 (SR4), in protoplasts. Mutations in StSR4 were efficiently introduced into the regenerated potato plants, with a maximum efficiency of 34%. High co-expression of StEDS1 and StPAD4 in stsr4 mutants induced the accumulation of salicylic acid (SA), and enhanced the expression of the pathogen resistance marker StPR1. In addition, increased SA content in the stsr4 mutant enhanced its resistance to P. infestans more than that in wild type. However, the growth of stsr4_3-19 and stsr4_3-698 mutants with significantly high SA was strongly inhibited, and a dwarf phenotype was induced. Therefore, it is important to adequate SA accumulation in order to overcome StSR4 editing-triggered growth inhibition and take full advantages of the improved pathogen resistance of stsr4 mutants. This RNP-mediated CRISPR/Cas9-based potato genome editing protocol will accelerate the development of pathogen-resistant Solanaceae crops via molecular breeding.

Purpose Elderly population will comprise a substantial proportion of colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. We examined patients older than 80 years according to their clinical and pathological characteristics to fully understand the elderly patients. Methods CRC patients, 60 years or older at diagnosis, admitted between 2009 and 2014 at our hospital were enrolled. The patients were divided into 2 groups: elderly (aged > 80 years, n = 133), and controls (aged 60 to 79 years, n = 596). Patient’s demographics, risk factors for prognosis of CRC, Clinicopathological parameters, treatment, and survival rates were compared. Results The mean ages were 83.9 and 64.8 years, respectively. Male-to-female ratio and tumor sidedness were comparable in both groups. Prognostic factors found in univariate analysis; differentiation, stage, lymphovascular invasion, and carcinoembryonic antigen showed no statistical difference. The microsatellite instability status and number of retrieved lymph nodes were also similar (17.2 vs 21.6, P = 0.505). A significant difference was found in the treatment approach for chemotherapy as the elderly patients with stage III and IV tend to have omitted adjuvant (43.6% vs. 92.8%, P < 0.001) or palliative (35.8% vs. 89.4%, P = 0.016) chemotherapy. Except in stage I, elderly patients showed significantly lower overall survival rates. Conclusion Current study shows far-elderly patients with CRC were less likely to receive standard treatments, which might have resulted in an inferior outcome. As the number of elderly patients with CRC increase, our results provide a basis for further clinical and molecular investigations of elderly CRC patients.

Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. carotovorum (Pcc) causes bacterial soft rot on a wide range of crops worldwide, especially in countries with warm and humid climates. This study was conducted to establish an efficient screening method for resistant cultivars of Chinese cabbage to bacterial soft rot. Resistance degrees of 65 commercial Chinese cabbage cultivars to the Pcc KACC 10225 isolate were investigated. For further study, three Chinse cabbage cultivars (Taebong, Hadaejangkun, CR Alchan) showing different level of resistance to the bacterium were selected. The development of bacterial soft rot on the cultivars was tested according to several conditions such as growth stage of Chinse cabbage seedling, inoculum concentration, and incubation temperature after inoculation. On the basis of the results, we suggest that an efficient screening method for resistant Chinses cabbage to Pcc is to inoculate twenty one-day-old seedlings with a bacterial suspension of Pcc at a concentration of 1×107 cfu/ml, and to incubate the plants in a dew chamber at 25°C for 24 hr and then to cultivate in a growth room at 25°C and 80% relative humidity with 12-hr light per day.

Access to previous research facilitates scientific progress by preventing replication and allowing other researchers to build on reported developments. Quality articles need to provide the information required to facilitate reproduction of the experiments by others. This is a challenge for research in a single discipline like analytical chemistry that rapidly grows when reporting cross disciplinary research outcomes, as a minimum level of information needs to be provided for each of the disciplines covered. Where custom processes or devices are used, higher level of experimental detail is required to ensure repeatability, and data may be required to validate the approach. For analytical articles in microfluidics and flow analysis, aspects that need to be covered include the device design and manufacture, instrumentation, the assay and the data processing and analysis.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are chronic inflammatory disorders of the intestines. The underlying inflammation activates the coagulation cascade leading to an increased risk of developing arterial and venous thromboembolic events such as deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. Patients with IBD are at a 2–3-fold increased risk of developing thromboembolism. This risk increases in patients with active IBD disease, flare-ups, surgery, steroid treatment, and hospitalization. These complications are associated with significant morbidity and mortality making them important in clinical practice. Clinicians should consider the increased risk of thromboembolic events in patients with IBD and manage them with appropriate prophylaxis based on the risk. In this review, we discuss the literature associated with the pathophysiology of thromboembolism in patients with IBD, summarize the studies describing the various thromboembolic events, and the management of thromboembolism in patients with IBD.

Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. carotovorum (Pcc) causes bacterial soft rot on a wide range of crops worldwide, especially in countries with warm and humid climates. This study was conducted to establish an efficient screening method for resistant cultivars of radish (Raphanus sativus) to bacterial soft rot. Resistance degrees of 60 commercial radish cultivars to the Pcc KACC 10421 isolate were investigated. For further study, six radish cultivars (Awooriwoldong, YR Championyeolmu, Jeonmuhumu, Bitgoeunyeolmu, Sunbongaltari, Housecheongok) showing different level of resistance to the bacterium were selected. The development of bacterial soft rot on the cultivars was tested according to several conditions such as incubation temperature, seedling stage of radish, inoculum concentration to develop the disease. On the basis of the results, we suggest that an efficient screening method for resistant radish to Pcc is to inoculate twenty-day-old seedlings with a bacterial suspension of Pcc at a concentration of 8×10⁵ cfu/ml and then to cultivate the plants in a growth room at 25°C and 80% RH with 12-hour light per day.

Background and Objectives: This study sought to investigate the natural course, the chronicity and recurrence rate, and the risk factors of chronic and recurrent herpes zoster ophthalmicus (HZO). We also evaluated the effects of long-term treatment for HZO. Materials and Methods: Patients diagnosed and treated for HZO were included in the retrospective medical chart review. Multivariable-adjusted logistic and Cox regression models were used to show risk factors for chronic and recurrent HZO along with hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: Among a total 130 of HZO patients, 31 patients (23.85%) had chronic disease and 19 patients (14.62%) had recurrent disease. The rate of chronic disease was higher in HZO with conjunctivitis, epithelial keratitis, and stromal keratitis. The recurrence rate increased in patients with chronic HZO (HR: 34.4, 95% CI: 3.6–324.6), epithelial keratitis (HR: 5.5, 95% CI: 1.3–30.0), stromal keratitis (HR: 18.8, 95% CI: 3.0–120.8), and increased intraocular pressure (IOP) (HR: 7.3, 95% CI: 1.6–33.2). Length of systemic antiviral therapy and anti-inflammatory eyedrop treatment were not associated with recurrent HZO (p = 0.847 and p = 0.660, respectively). The most common ocular manifestation for recurrent HZO was stromal keratitis. Conclusions: This study demonstrated a considerable frequency of chronic and recurrent HZO. Chronic HZO in the form of epithelial or stromal keratitis with increased IOP provoked a significant rise in the risk of recurrence.

Abstract Growing bioenergy crops on degraded and underutilized land is a promising solution to meet the requirement for energy security, food security, and land restoration. This paper assesses the socioeconomic and environmental benefits of agroforestry systems based on nyamplung (tamanu) (Calophyllum inophyllum L.) in the Wonogiri district of Central Java, Indonesia. Data were collected through field observations and focus group discussions involving 20 farmers who intercrop nyamplung with maize, rice, and peanuts and utilize the species in honey production. Calculating each crop's net present value (NPV) demonstrates that when grown as monocultures, staple crops rice and peanuts lead to negative profitability, while maize generates only a marginal profit; yet honey production utilizing nyamplung produces a NPV nearly 300 times greater than maize. However, when utilizing nyamplung, honey is also the commodity most sensitive to decreases in production, followed by nyamplung–peanut and nyamplung–rice combinations. While decreases in production have little effect on the NPVs of rice, peanuts, and maize, these annual crops can only be cultivated for a maximum of 6 years within the nyamplung's 35‐year cycle, due to canopy closure after this time. Nyamplung‐based agroforestry systems can provide economic, social, and environmental gains on different scales. However, when considering the high profit potential of nyamplung combined with honey production, further research is needed to improve and develop bee husbandry practices so this becomes a viable option for local farmers.

Acupuncture has been used to treat a variety of diseases and symptoms for more than 2,500 years. While a number of studies have shown that nerves are responsible for initiating the effects of acupuncture, several lines of study have emphasized the role of connective tissue in the initiation of acupuncture signals. To determine whether nerves or connective tissue mediate the action of acupuncture, we constructed a robotic acupuncture needle twister that mimicked the twisting of the needle by an acupuncturist, and we examined the role of nerves and connective tissues in the generation of acupuncture effects in rat cocaine-induced locomotion, stress-induced hypertension, and mustard oil-induced visceral pain models. Robotic or manual twisting of acupuncture needles effectively suppressed cocaine-induced hyperactivity, elevated systemic blood pressure or mustard oil-induced visceral pain in rats. These acupuncture effects were completely abolished by injecting bupivacaine, a local anesthetic, into acupoints. However, disruption of connective tissue by injecting type I collagenase into acupoints did not affect these acupuncture effects. Our findings suggest that nerve tissue, but not connective tissue, is responsible for generating the effects of acupuncture.

This study optimizes furfural production from pentose released in the liquid hydrolysate of hardwood using an aqueous biphasic system. Dilute acid pretreatment with 4% sulfuric acid was conducted to extract pentose from liquid Quercus mongolica hydrolysate. To produce furfural from xylose, a xylose standard solution with the same acid concentration of the liquid hydrolysate and extracting solvent (tetrahydrofuran) were applied to the aqueous biphasic system. A response surface methodology was adopted to optimize furfural production in the aqueous biphasic system. A maximum furfural yield of 72.39% was achieved at optimal conditions as per the RSM; a reaction temperature of 170 °C, reaction time of 120 min, and a xylose concentration of 10 g/L. Tetrahydrofuran, toluene, and dimethyl sulfoxide were evaluated to understand the effects of the solvent on furfural production. Tetrahydrofuran generated the highest furfural yield, while DMSO gave the lowest yield. A furfural yield of 68.20% from pentose was achieved in the liquid hydrolysate of Quercus mongolica under optimal conditions using tetrahydrofuran as the extracting solvent. The aqueous and tetrahydrofuran fractions were separated from the aqueous biphasic solvent by salting out using sodium chloride, and 94.63% of the furfural produced was drawn out through two extractions using tetrahydrofuran.

Large areas of deforested and degraded land, particularly degraded peatlands, need a viable long-term solution for restoration, ideally one that ensures energy security without compromising food security or biodiversity conversation. To address a knowledge gap on the most adaptive bioenergy crop(s) for degraded lands, this research project assessed the survival and growth performance of potential bioenergy crops to restore burned and degraded peatlands. Our methodology compared the bioenergy species with the potential to survive in extreme environments, i.e., gamal [Gliricidia sepium (Jacq.) Walp.], kaliandra (Calliandra calothyrsus Meissner), kemiri sunan [Reutealis trisperma (Blanco) Airy Shaw], and nyamplung (Calophyllum inophyllum L.). Observed parameters are plant survival rates, tree height, and circular stem growth. The experiment was conducted between March 2016 to February 2017 in a two-hectare demonstration plot on burned and degraded peatland in Buntoi village, Pulang Pisau, Central Kalimantan province. Using a split plot design, two treatments were given to each species, i.e., monoculture plantation and agroforestry (intercropped with Ananas comosus (L.) Merr.); with each treatment, the species were replicated on two separate plots. Results indicate that nyamplung is the most adoptable species followed by kemiri sunan, however both species performed very well under agroforestry treatment when compared with monoculture. Further study is needed to assess the productivity and associate biofuel yield.

The term "Energy Budget" represents the incoming solar energy, outgoing amounts of energy, and the energy retained in the Earth's atmosphere. This article aims to analyze the energy budget trend in the Korean Peninsula over the period from 2001 to 2022, focusing on the Earth's Energy Imbalance (EEI) and the role of cloud cover and how it influences shortwave (SW) and longwave (LW) radiation. Using the dataset obtained from NASA's CERES satellite, the article investigates the amount of reflected and emitted energy globally and compares it with the Korean peninsula. The findings indicate that globally, the total wave which is the sum of all longwave, shortwave, and cloud shortwave radiation has increased in trend. The plot also displays a decrease in Cloud fraction (CL fraction) or cloud coverage. Contrary to this, the Korean peninsula displayed a relatively stable level of total radiation and an increase in CL fraction. However, further analysis is needed to understand the factors behind these regional differences, including the potential influence of monsoon circulation patterns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]