Composted tobacco waste increases the yield and organoleptic quality of leaf mustard

Tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) waste is produced in many countries and is phytotoxic due to the alkaloid content; in Vietnam the waste is usually burned causing air pollution. We composted tobacco waste with chicken manure in different proportions—1 t of waste ± accelerant (C1 and C2); 0.8 t of waste + 0.2 t of chicken manure ± accelerant (C3 and C4); and 0.7 t of waste + 0.3 t of chicken manure ± accelerant (C5 and C6)—for 30 d in covered heaps. Three mixtures containing the accelerant (C2, C4, and C6) reached temperatures of ∼55 °C, that 5s, hot enough to suppress disease and weeds. Composting decreased the alkaloid content from ∼6,000 to ∼200 mg kg−1, and C4 with a C/N ratio of 19:1, was used in a field trial. The compost treatments (0, 10, 15, and 20 t ha−1) were combined fertilizer with phosphorus (40 kg ha−1), nitrogen (60 kg ha−1) and potassium (90 kg ha−1) for leaf mustard (Brassica integrifolia). The yield increased from ∼17 to ∼29 t ha−1 with the amount of compost applied, and the nitrate concentration decreased concomitantly from ∼67 to ∼42 mg NO3–N kg−1 fresh weight, presumably due to ongoing composting (nitrogen drawdown). Organoleptic evaluation showed a preference for the crops grown with the compost amendments. Whether remains to be seen whether one-off compost applications >20 t ha−1 and repeated, large applications provide additional, long-term production benefits, or if the benefits may be outweighed by the accumulation of persistent, phytotoxic alkaloids

A covalently crosslinked bioink for multi-materials drop-on-demand 3D bioprinting of three-dimensional cell cultures

In vitro three-dimensional (3D) cell models have been accepted to better recapitulate aspects of in vivo organ environment than 2D cell culture. Currently, the production of these complex in vitro 3D cell models with multiple cell types and microenvironments remains challenging and prone to human error. Here we report a versatile bioink comprised of a 4-arm PEG based polymer with distal maleimide derivatives as the main ink component and a bis-thiol species as the activator that crosslinks the polymer to form the hydrogel in less than a second. The rapid gelation makes the polymer system compatible with 3D bioprinting. The ink is combined with a drop-on-demand 3D bioprinting platform consisting of eight independently addressable nozzles and high-throughput printing logic for creating complex 3D cell culture models. The combination of multiple nozzles and fast printing logic enables the rapid preparation of many complex 3D structures comprising multiple hydrogel environments in the one structure in a standard 96-well plate format. The platform compatibility for biological applications was validated using pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cancer (PDAC) cells with their phenotypic responses controlled by tuning the hydrogel microenvironment

Genetic effects on gene expression across human tissues

Characterization of the molecular function of the human genome and its variation across individuals is essential for identifying the cellular mechanisms that underlie human genetic traits and diseases. The Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx) project aims to characterize variation in gene expression levels across individuals and diverse tissues of the human body, many of which are not easily accessible. Here we describe genetic effects on gene expression levels across 44 human tissues. We find that local genetic variation affects gene expression levels for the majority of genes, and we further identify inter-chromosomal genetic effects for 93 genes and 112 loci. On the basis of the identified genetic effects, we characterize patterns of tissue specificity, compare local and distal effects, and evaluate the functional properties of the genetic effects. We also demonstrate that multi-tissue, multi-individual data can be used to identify genes and pathways affected by human disease-associated variation, enabling a mechanistic interpretation of gene regulation and the genetic basis of diseas

Genetic effects on gene expression across human tissues

Characterization of the molecular function of the human genome and its variation across individuals is essential for identifying the cellular mechanisms that underlie human genetic traits and diseases. The Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx) project aims to characterize variation in gene expression levels across individuals and diverse tissues of the human body, many of which are not easily accessible. Here we describe genetic effects on gene expression levels across 44 human tissues. We find that local genetic variation affects gene expression levels for the majority of genes, and we further identify inter-chromosomal genetic effects for 93 genes and 112 loci. On the basis of the identified genetic effects, we characterize patterns of tissue specificity, compare local and distal effects, and evaluate the functional properties of the genetic effects. We also demonstrate that multi-tissue, multi-individual data can be used to identify genes and pathways affected by human disease-associated variation, enabling a mechanistic interpretation of gene regulation and the genetic basis of disease

An evaluation of offsite construction recoveries after the pandemic : the case of the Southeast Asian region

Offsite construction (OSC) in Southeast Asia is facing many challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite its importance, there is scant research on this topic in the region. This study aims to review OSC and identify determinants of success and their correlation with success after the pandemic in the Southeast Asian region. This paper follows a sequential exploratory mixed methodology: (1) reviewing statistical data relevant to construction in four countries, (2) carrying out a configurative literature review and documentary research, (3) eliciting responses from in-depth interviews consisting of two phases, (4) collecting written consultancies, and (5) capturing experts’ opinions in four countries through a questionnaire survey. The study uses three statistical techniques to determine the correlations between factors: ordinal logistic regression with factors input, a generalized linear model with ordinal logistic response and covariates, and Spearman’s correlations. Based on 55 variables and 459 responses from 4 countries, the statistical calculations identify the 42 most significant pairs of relationships between determinants and success, from which the follow-up priorities involve economic differentiation, productivity in the factory setting, reducing uncertainty over the program, and minimizing disturbances in the vicinity of the site under post-COVID-19 controls. This empirical research generates three outcomes: (1) filling the gap of OSC review in the region, (2) offering topical solutions for the construction industry after COVID-19, and (3) helping four countries derive economic benefits from OSC

A data-driven approach based on long short-term memory and hidden Markov model for crack propagation prediction

We present in this paper a combined technique of long short-term memory and hidden Markov model to prediction problems of crack propagation in engineering. The primary advantage of the hidden Markov model is that the ability to learn with less information, in other words, its future states do not depend on past ones, based only on the present state. We use long short-term memory to train data, and output consequences improved by adding predicted different changes that are computed by hidden Markov model. Applying this combined method to numerical examples of forecasting crack propagation of singled-edge-notched beam forced by 4-point shear, crack-height growth in Marcellus shale under the hydraulic fracturing and deformations of dam structures made from fiber reinforced concrete material is addressed. The tests were carried out with many different sizes of experimental data. It was found that a combined long short-term memory - hidden Markov model results in more accurate solution than only using long short-term memory, especially in the case of the dataset that is lack of information

Chemical Composition and Health Attributes of Agri-Foods: A Scientific Overview on Black Foods

Several kinds of food can be analyzed by the human sensory organs. In this review, we demonstrate the relation and importance of the color and bioactive molecules of food and their health effects. This work focuses on black foods, which can be found in both natural and processed forms, present in our daily life for several years without being noticed. Besides, the chemistry underlying the black color of black foods has not yet been fully understood. More than 130 black foods are reported in the current review, which belong to 3 main groups and 12 sub-groups. In studied black foods, melanins and anthocyanins are the primary pigments, along with other pigments such as chlorophylls, carotenoids, and tannins. The health potential of black foods is also discussed. Due to their high concentration of phytochemical and phenolic compounds, black-colored foods are beneficial in preventing diseases and boosting the immune system. As a promising natural pigment and antioxidant compound source, black foods could be used as functional foods. Several questions on black foods are still open and need more investigation, especially the mechanisms by which the black color is formed in fruits and vegetables

Resources for Enhancing Alzheimer’s Caregiver Health in Vietnam (REACH VN): study protocol for a cluster randomized controlled trial to test the efficacy of a family dementia caregiver intervention in Vietnam

BackgroundAlzheimer's disease and related dementias (AD/ADRD) are a public health challenge for Vietnam because of its rapidly aging population. However, very few community-based programs exist to support people living with AD/ADRD and their family caregivers. Resources for Enhancing Alzheimer's Caregiver Health in Vietnam (REACH VN) is a culturally adapted family caregiver intervention shown in a pilot study to be feasible and promising in terms of preliminary efficacy. We describe the protocol for a larger cluster randomized controlled trial (RCT) to test the efficacy of REACH VN among family caregivers of people living with dementia in a semi-rural area outside of Hanoi, Vietnam.MethodsThirty-two clusters with approximately 350 caregivers will be randomized to either REACH VN intervention or enhanced usual care. REACH VN is a multicomponent intervention delivered in-home or by phone over the course of 2 to 3 months. To be eligible, family caregivers need to be ≥18 years old, be the person who provides the most day-to-day care for people living with dementia, and have a score ≥ 6 on the Zarit Burden Interview-4. The primary outcomes are caregiver burden (Zarit Burden Interview-12) and psychological distress (Patient Health Questionnaire-4). Secondary outcomes include caregiver somatic symptoms (Patient Health Questionnaire-15) and perceived stress (Perceived Stress Scale-10). These outcomes will be assessed at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months. Exploratory analyses to examine potential mediators of primary outcomes are also planned.DiscussionTo our knowledge, this is the first large-scale study to test the efficacy of a community-based family dementia caregiver intervention in Vietnam. Results from this study will help inform efforts to widely deliver the REACH VN intervention or similar community-based family dementia caregiver support programs in Vietnam and other low- and middle-income countries (LMIC).Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT04542317 . Registered on 9 September 2020