Large scale validation of an am fungal-based biofertilizer and its management with rhizobium for bean production, in central and western cuba

Non-Peer ReviewedForty workshops were given to teach farmers how to improve fertilizer use efficiency in bean through the use of biofertilizers. Experiments were set up in 50 fields on commercial farms. Two treatments were applied in all fields: coating of bean seeds with an inoculant of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (EcoMic®) and a non-inoculated control. In 15 fields, a third treatment, EcoMic ® plus a rhizobial inoculant with a nodulation enhancement factor (Azofert®), was applied. All field received half the recommended rate of N-P-K. The effect of EcoMic® was positive in all fields. Yield increase ranged between 0.2 and 0.4 t ha-1. The combined application of EcoMic ® and Azofert® yield was additive and averaged about 0.58 t ha-1, an increment corresponding to 52.5% yield increase

The impact of 8-aryl-and 8-heteroaryl-2'-deoxyguanosine derivatives on G-quadruplex formation

Guanine and G-rich oligonucleotides are known to self-assemble in the presence of a variety of cations to form higher ordered structures known as Gquadruplexes. We have synthesized a library of 8-aryl/heteroaryl-2'-deoxyguanosine derivatives (8ArGs) that are also able to self-assemble into quadruplex structures. We demonstrate that the properties of such quadruplexes can be modulated by the nature of the groups attached to the guanine base. These supramolecules are potentially useful in the development of self-assembled nanodevices

Evaluating assumptions of scales for subjective assessment of thermal environments – Do laypersons perceive them the way, we researchers believe?

International audienc

Optimal Lung Cancer Screening Criteria Among Persons Living With HIV

Background:The US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) 2021 updated recommendations on lung cancer screening with chest computed tomography to apply to individuals 50-80 years of age (previously 55-80 years), with a ≥20 pack-year history (previously ≥30), whether currently smoking or quit ≤15 years ago. Despite being at higher risk for lung cancer, persons with HIV (PWH) were not well-represented in the National Lung Screening Trial, which informed the USPSTF 2013 recommendations. It is unknown or unclear how PWH are affected by the 2021 recommendations.Setting:This study was a retrospective analysis of PWH with and without lung cancer in the Women's Interagency HIV Study and the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study.Methods:We identified PWH, ages 40-80 years, who currently or previously smoked, with (cases) and without lung cancer (noncases). The sensitivity and specificity of the old, new, and alternative screening criteria were evaluated in each cohort.Results:We identified 52 women and 19 men with lung cancer and 1950 women and 1599 men without lung cancer. Only 11 women (22%) and 6 men (32%) with lung cancer met 2013 screening criteria; however, more women (22; 44%) and men (12; 63%) met 2021 criteria. Decreased age and tobacco exposure thresholds in women further increased sensitivity of the 2021 criteria.Conclusions:The 2021 USPSTF lung cancer screening recommendations would have resulted in more PWH with lung cancer being eligible for screening at the time of their diagnosis. Further investigation is needed to determine optimal screening criteria for PWH, particularly in women

Update on the correlation of the highest energy cosmic rays with nearby extragalactic matter

Data collected by the Pierre Auger Observatory through 31 August 2007 showed evidence for anisotropy in the arrival directions of cosmic rays above the Greisen-Zatsepin-Kuz'min energy threshold, \nobreak{$6\times 10^{19}$eV}. The anisotropy was measured by the fraction of arrival directions that are less than $3.1^\circ$ from the position of an active galactic nucleus within 75 Mpc (using the V\'eron-Cetty and V\'eron $12^{\rm th}$ catalog). An updated measurement of this fraction is reported here using the arrival directions of cosmic rays recorded above the same energy threshold through 31 December 2009. The number of arrival directions has increased from 27 to 69, allowing a more precise measurement. The correlating fraction is $(38^{+7}_{-6})$, compared with $21$ expected for isotropic cosmic rays. This is down from the early estimate of $(69^{+11}_{-13})$. The enlarged set of arrival directions is examined also in relation to other populations of nearby extragalactic objects: galaxies in the 2 Microns All Sky Survey and active galactic nuclei detected in hard X-rays by the Swift Burst Alert Telescope. A celestial region around the position of the radiogalaxy Cen A has the largest excess of arrival directions relative to isotropic expectations. The 2-point autocorrelation function is shown for the enlarged set of arrival directions and compared to the isotropic expectation.Comment: Accepted for publication in Astroparticle Physics on 31 August 201