bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Soil characteristic changes and quality evaluation of degraded desert steppe in arid windy sandy areas
Authors: Ma Jing , Qin Jianrong , Ma Hongbin , Zhou Yao , Shen Yan , Xie Yingzhong , Xu Dongmei
Published: April 2022

Grassland degradation has become a serious problem in some areas, making it necessary to quantitatively evaluate this process and its related factors. The study area was the arid windy sandy area in eastern Ningxia. The purpose of this study was to explore how soil properties and quality change during the process of grassland degradation in arid windy sandy areas. We looked at undegraded, lightly degraded, moderately degraded, and severely degraded desert steppe to study the physical, chemical, and biological changes at 0–5 cm, 5–15 cm, and 15–30 cm soil depths at different degradation degrees. We also analyzed the correlations across soil factors, established the minimum data set, and used the soil quality index (SQI) to evaluate the soil quality of grassland at different degradation degrees. The results showed that with grassland degradation, the soil bulk density increased; the soil clay, moisture, organic matter, total nitrogen, and available potassium content decreased; and the number of soil bacteria, actinomycetes, and fungi, as well as the activity of urease, polyphenol oxidase, protease, phosphatase, and sucrase, decreased. As soil depth increased, soil bulk density increased; the soil moisture, organic matter, available potassium, and available phosphorus content decreased; and soil microorganisms accumulated in the upper soil of undegraded, lightly, and moderately degraded grassland. There was also a positive correlation among the soil clay content, moisture content, organic matter content, total nitrogen content, available potassium content, microorganism quantity, and enzyme activity, while soil bulk density was negatively correlated with the above factors. The minimum data set for the soil quality evaluation of the degraded desert steppe was comprised of soil organic matter content, soil total nitrogen content, soil available phosphorus content, and phosphatase activity. Based on the minimum data set, we calculated the SQI of the grassland at different degradation degrees and found that the ranking based on overall soil quality was undegraded >lightly degraded >moderately degraded >severely degraded grassland. The results showed that the degradation of desert steppe in arid windy sandy areas had relatively consistent effects on the physical, chemical, and biological traits of the soil. The minimum data set can be used to replace the total data set when evaluating the soil quality of the desert steppe at different degrees of degradation.
Prediction of Varietal Replacement in Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)
Authors: Kumar Mantoo , Singh Shri Niwas , Singh Pratap Narayan , Kant Shashi , Prasad Hariom , Maurya Upendra
Published: April 2022

Nine wheat genotypes, viz., K-508, K-17, K-818, RAJ4037, RAJ3404, K-8903, DBW-14, K-9357 and HD-2967 were evaluated in a randomized block design on nine parameters, viz., tillering ability, plant height, grain yield per plant, peduncle length, spikelets per spike, flag leaf area, thousand grain weight, days to maturity and grains per spike at experimental farm of BRD PG College, Deoria, Uttar Pradesh, India with objective of recommending suitable plant types to farmers of this region. Normalized cumulative ranks (NCR) were used as criteria for selecting suitable plant types. Small flag leaf and early maturity were the criteria of selection (left directional selection) and remaining seven characters were selected for higher values (right directional selection). The suitability order of varieties/genotypes, as per NCR values was DBW-14, HD-2967, K-508, RAJ-4037, K-818, RAJ-3404, K-17, K-9357 and K-8903. The top four varieties, namely DBW-14, HD-2967, K-508 and RAJ-4037 could be recommended for cultivation in this region. When all nine characters were selected for higher values, the suitability order came as HD2967, RAJ4037, DBW-14 and K-9357. High positive correlations were observed between peduncle length and test weight (0.831) and plant height and days to maturity (0.652). When peduncle length, test weight, plant height and days to maturity were made criteria of selection, the suitability order was DBW-14, K-818, HD-2967 and RAJ-3404. HD-2967 is the standard check variety and popular in this region. Therefore, a few of these selected/recommended varieties would give close fight to HD-2967 and might replace it eventually.
Paper Bags or Plastic Bags? – A Brief Review
Authors: Dolle Klaus , Brandt Serena L. , Castillo Rodrigo Medina , Contento William S. , Darius Jacob A. , Day Jonathan M. , Ferry Sean M. Jr. , Henkler Owen S. , Hicks Emily E. , Holmes Kevin D. , O’Keefe Kelly J. , Payette Joseph P. , Taylor Edith L.
Published: April 2022

Plastics are one of the most widely and abundant substances in today's society. Worldwide the usage of low-density polyethylene bags create pollution on land and in the oceans, especially when they break down in macro and micro plastics. On all continents, governments try to establish solutions on how to fight plastic pollution form shopping bags by banning their use, implant fees for their usage and replace plastic bags with a more renewable material. Paper bags are a valid solution, especially when manufactured from recycled materials. It is estimated, that In the United States, enough material is available to cover the replacement of the 100 billion plastic bags uses yearly with 100% recycled paper bags.

The required investment is roughly 6 billion dollars for new paper machines and mills, creating up to 10,000 new jobs in states where the paper machines would be installed and operated.
Siller Holes, West Linton
Authors: Dean Valerie E , Christiansen Carol , Gabra-Sanders Thea , Quye Anita , Thomas Clare , Young Maureen
Published: April 2022

Lead ore (galena) had been extracted from the site of Siller Holes, West Linton (NGR: NT 145 533), from medieval times if not earlier; there, according to tradition, silver was refined from the lead (Pb). Creation of a pond at the foot of Lead Law produced large quantities of textiles, leather and pottery which could be dated to the 12th to 14th centuries; lead, slag and ore were also recovered. As there is no documented reference to the site until the late 16th century, it has not yet been established who was exploiting the minerals.
Experimental Study for Downfall Pressure on the Floor behind Rubble-Mound Structure by Wave Overtopping: Non-Breaking Condition
Authors: Lee Jong-In , Moon Gang Il , Kim Young Il
Published: April 2022

The large uprush could be occurred when the waves hit the coastal structure and this uprush by wave could make the overtopping. The downfall of the wave overtopping water over the structure brought about the vertical impact loads. The vertical impact loads should be evaluated in order to design the pavement behind the crown wall however these loads were still unclear. In this study, the hydraulic model tests for the downfall impact loads by wave overtopping were performed and the various conditions were applied to the tests. The effect of the incident wave condition, the freeboard, the armour crest height and the height of the parapet were investigated. The test results showed that the parapet on the crown wall could reduce the wave overtopping however the inclusion of parapet could lead to the increased downfall wave pressures behind the crown wall. The empirical formulae were proposed for evaluating the maximum downfall pressures behind the crown wall of rubble mound structure.
Screening check test to confirm the relative reactivity and applicability of 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine impregnated-filters for formaldehyde on other compounds
Authors: Inoue Naoko , Takaya Mitsutoshi
Published: April 2022

Objectives

A simple check test method was designed to confirm whether a 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine (DNPH) filter for formaldehyde can be used to measure other compounds.

Methods

Sample mixtures containing the same concentrations of formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, and acetone were spiked to the DNPH-filter, extracted, and then measured using high performance liquid chromatography with photodiode array detector (HPLC-PDA). The amounts of DNPH-derivatives versus the amounts of spiked samples were then plotted.

Results

When the amount of DNPH << the total amount of spiked samples, the amount of DNPH-derivatives was formaldehyde > acetaldehyde >> acetone. This order corresponded to the relative rate constants for the reaction. Therefore, this study confirmed that acetone was not collected at the formaldehyde sampling rate.

Conclusions

This check test easily measured the reaction rate order and can be used as a simple test to determine whether other samples can be measured by the analytical methods used for the specified sample.
Digital training intervention on strategies for tackling physical misconceptions—Self‐explanation matters
Authors: Hefter Markus H. , Fromme Bärbel , Berthold Kirsten
Published: April 2022

Future teachers face the challenge of whether and how to address their students' misconceptions—naïve concepts that often conflict with the correct scientific concepts taught at school. We developed a short‐term digital training intervention on instructional knowledge about strategies for addressing students' misconceptions in physics. It comprised cognitive modelling of three instructional strategies (i.e. ignoring, refuting, and integrating) and self‐explanation prompts. In a web experiment with 58 teacher students, we found that our digital intervention fostered learning processes (self‐explanation quality) and learning outcomes (knowledge about three instructional strategies). It can thus help teacher students to acquire initial knowledge about how to tackle their future students' misconceptions. Self‐explanation quality mediated the intervention's effect on instructional knowledge both immediately and 3 weeks later. These mediation effects emphasise the impact of self‐explanations while learning from complex cognitive models. Finally, the intervention's positive side effect of reducing participants' own misconceptions is an additional practical advantage.
Towards control of dam and reservoir systems with forward–backward stochastic differential equations driven by clustered jumps
Authors: Yoshioka Hidekazu
Published: April 2022

We deal with a new maximum principle‐based stochastic control model for river management through operating a dam and reservoir system. The model is based on coupled forward–backward stochastic differential equations (FBSDEs) derived from jump‐driven streamflow dynamics and reservoir water balance. A continuous‐time branching process with immigration driven by a tempered stable subordinator efficiently describes clustered inflow streamflow dynamics. This is a completely new attempt in hydrology and control engineering. Applying a stochastic maximum principle to the dynamics based on an objective functional for designing cost‐efficient control of dam and reservoir systems leads to the FBSDEs as a system of optimality equations. The FBSDEs under a linear‐quadratic ansatz lead to a tractable model, while they are solved numerically in the other cases using a least‐squares Monte‐Carlo method. Optimal controls are found in the former, while only sub‐optimal ones are computable in the latter due to a hard state constraint. Model parameters are successfully identified from a real data of a river in Japan having a dam and reservoir system. We also show that the linear‐quadratic case can capture the real operation data of the system with underestimation of the outflow discharge. More complex cases with a realistic time horizon are analyzed numerically to investigate impacts of considering the environmental flows and seasonal operational purposes. Key challenges towards more sophisticated modeling and analysis with jump‐driven FBSDEs are discussed as well.
The interosseus crural nerve: An anatomical study of a rarely described structure
Authors: Iwanaga Joe , Gerard Nicholas , Ishak Basem , Olewnik Łukasz , Georgiev George P. , Patel Anand P. , Kitagawa Norio , Dumont Aaron S. , Tubbs R. Shane
Published: April 2022

The interosseous crural nerve (IOCn) is said to arise distally from muscular branches of the tibial nerve innervating the deep muscles of the posterior compartment of the leg. Here, we present the results of a cadaveric study of the IOCn to clarify this nerve's morphology and to discuss its potential clinical relevance. On 26 sides from 13 cadaveric specimens, the IOCn was dissected. The IOCn was identified on 14 out of 26 sides (53.8%). The mean diameter and length of the IOCn were 0.46 mm (range 0.3–0.72 mm) and 20.9 mm (range 13.5–33.0 mm), respectively. The origin of the IOCn was from a branch to the popliteus muscle on all sides. The nerve was found to have vascular, muscular, and ligamentous branches. In 53.8%, the nerve reached the inferior tibiofibular joint, and in 46.2%, the nerve terminated in the interosseous membrane of the leg. At its distal part, the IOCn gave off multiple vascular branches to the fibular artery. On one side (7.1%), the nerve pierced the interosseous membrane and innervated muscles of the anterior compartment of the leg. We believe this to be the first anatomical study of the IOCn. The nerve was found to have vascular, muscular, and ligamentous branches. Surgeons operating in the deep posterior compartment of the leg and ankle and clinicians treating patients with unusual presentations or pathology of the leg and ankle should be aware of this structure.
Investigation of the synthesis and the effect of precursor ratio of Al/Zn on annona squamosal‐like mesoporous particles ZnAl2O4
Authors: Hsiao Kuang‐Che , Chen Yi‐Jia , Liao Shih‐Chieh
Published: April 2022

Zinc aluminate ZnAl2O4 particles were synthesized using a spray pyrolysis technique. Aerosol droplets of the mixture of the zinc nitrate with concentration varied from 0.03 to 0.3 M and aluminum nitrate from 0.06 to 1.2 M were pyrolyzed in air at temperatures ranging from 600 to 800°C. The molar ratio of Al to Zn was in the range of 2–4. The produced ZnAl2O4 powders in single spinel phase have the primary and secondary particle sizes in the range of 10–30 nm and 0.5–7 μm, respectively. The primary particle size increased with the reaction temperature but decreased with precursor concentration (PC). The relative density of the particles increased with reaction temperature but decreased slightly with solution concentration at the constant pyrolysis temperature of 800°C. Particles synthesized under high PC with the molar ratio of Al/Zn equal to 4 tend to have an annona squamosal‐like exterior appearance but essentially mesoporous interior structure, with the highest surface area to 97 m2/g. The single spinel phase of ZnAl2O4 particles synthesized with molar ratios of Al/Zn equal to 3.5 or 4 may be explained by the increased solid solubility of Al in the ZnAl2O4 structure due to the nanosize effect.
Bubble generation in refractory porous plugs: The role of the ceramic surface composition
Authors: Falsetti Luís Otávio Zaparoli , Ferreira Muche Dereck Nills , Andreeta Marcello Rubens Barsi , Moreira Murilo Henrique , Pandolfelli Victor Carlos
Published: April 2022

Porous ceramic plugs are refractory devices applied in the steel ladle to inject gas bubbles into the liquid metal, aiming at its chemical and thermal homogenization, and the removal of non‐metallic inclusions. Regarding its wear and corrosion resistance, the plug composition typically exhibits a low wettability by liquid steel to limit its infiltration into the porous structure. However, an additional aspect for the performance of plugs is their ability to control the size of the generated bubble, maximizing the likelihood of capturing inclusions. Based on the importance of this process to attain high‐performance materials, this work studied the injection of gas into liquid media through ceramic capillary structures, focusing on the influence of the pore diameter and the contact angle upon the size of the generated bubble. The available models in the literature were analyzed and compared to the experimental results for a water–air system. As an outcome, a shape‐corrected model for bubbling is proposed highlighting the region where the material dominates over the pore diameter to dictate the bubble size. Extending the model to the steel ladle, the results suggest the composition of the ceramic plug's surface as a key aspect to improve the cleanliness of the molten steel.
Allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation resets T‐ and B‐cell compartments in sickle cell disease patients
Authors: Jarduli‐Maciel Luciana Ribeiro , de Azevedo Júlia Teixeira Cottas , Clave Emmanuel , Costa Thalita Cristina de Mello , Arruda Lucas Coelho Marlière , Fournier Isabelle , Palma Patrícia Vianna Bonini , Lima Keli Cristina , Elias Juliana Bernardes , Stracieri Ana Beatriz PL , Pieroni Fabiano , Cunha Renato , Darrigo‐Júnior Luiz Guilherme , Grecco Carlos Eduardo Settani , Covas Dimas Tadeu , Silva‐Pinto Ana Cristina , De Santis Gil Cunha , Simões Belinda Pinto , Oliveira Maria Carolina , Toubert Antoine , Malmegrim Kelen Cristina Ribeiro
Published: April 2022

Objectives

Allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo‐HSCT) is the only currently available curative treatment for sickle cell disease (SCD). Here, we comprehensively evaluated the reconstitution of T‐ and B‐cell compartments in 29 SCD patients treated with allo‐HSCT and how it correlated with the development of acute graft‐versus‐host disease (aGvHD).

Methods

T‐cell neogenesis was assessed by quantification of signal‐joint and β‐chain TCR excision circles. B‐cell neogenesis was evaluated by quantification of signal‐joint and coding‐joint K‐chain recombination excision circles. T‐ and B‐cell peripheral subset numbers were assessed by flow cytometry.

Results

Before allo‐HSCT (baseline), T‐cell neogenesis was normal in SCD patients compared with age‐, gender‐ and ethnicity‐matched healthy controls. Following allo‐HSCT, T‐cell neogenesis declined but was fully restored to healthy control levels at one year post‐transplantation. Peripheral T‐cell subset counts were fully restored only at 24 months post‐transplantation. Occurrence of acute graft‐versus‐host disease (aGvHD) transiently affected T‐ and B‐cell neogenesis and overall reconstitution of T‐ and B‐cell peripheral subsets. B‐cell neogenesis was significantly higher in SCD patients at baseline than in healthy controls, remaining high throughout the follow‐up after allo‐HSCT. Notably, after transplantation SCD patients showed increased frequencies of IL‐10‐producing B‐regulatory cells and IgM+memory B‐cell subsets compared with baseline levels and with healthy controls.

Conclusion

Our findings revealed that the T‐ and B‐cell compartments were normally reconstituted in SCD patients after allo‐HSCT. In addition, the increase of IL‐10‐producing B‐regulatory cells may contribute to improve immune regulation and homeostasis after transplantation.
Upscalable ultra thick rayon carbon felt based hybrid organic‐inorganic electrodes for high energy density supercapacitors
Authors: Wang Xin , Say Mehmet Girayhan , Brooke Robert , Beni Valerio , Nilsson David , Lassnig Roman , Berggren Magnus , Edberg Jesper , Engquist Isak
Published: April 2022

Low weight, small footprint, and high performances are essential requisites for the implementation of energy storage devices within consumer electronics. One way to achieve these goals is to increase the thickness of the active material layer. In this work, carbonized and graphitized rayon felt, a cellulose‐derived material, is used as a three‐dimensional current collector scaffold to enable the incorporation of large amount of active energy storage materials and ionic liquid‐based gel electrolyte in the supercapacitor devices. PEDOT:PSS, alone or in combination with active carbon, has been used as the active material. Three‐dimensional supercapacitors with high per unit area capacitance (more than 1.1 F/cm2) have been achieved owing to the loading of large amount of active material in the felt matrix. Areal energy density of more than 101 μWh/cm2 and areal power density of more than 5.9 mW/cm2 have been achieved for 0.8 V operating voltage at a current density of 1 mA/cm2. A nanographite material was found to be beneficial in reducing the internal serial resistance of the supercapacitor to lower than 1.7 Ω. Furthermore, it was shown that even after 2000 times cycling test, the devices could still retain its performance with at least 88% coulombic efficiency for all the devices. All the materials are readily available commercially, environmentally sustainable and the process can potentially be upscaled with industrial process.
The applications of β‐keto amides for heterocycle synthesis
Authors: Wu Xiaoqiang , Li Wanfang
Published: April 2022

β‐Keto amides have multiple nucleophilic and electrophilic reaction sites within their molecular structures, which make them excellent building blocks for the construction of various heterocyclic compounds. In this Review, we summarized the applications of structurally diversified β‐keto amides for the synthesis of (1) Five‐membered heterocycles including furans, thiophenes, pyrroles, indoles, pyrazoles, triazoles, and their derivatives; (2) six‐membered nitrogen‐ and oxygen‐containing heterocycles such as pyridones, dihydropyridines, pyridines, quinolones, quinolines, pyranones and the like; (3) various lactams and some aza‐aliphatic rings. The focus is on the multicomponent reactions which take advantage of the unique versatile reactivities of β‐keto amides.
Synthesis of new thiazine and thiazole derivatives via cyclization reactions; investigating their electronic properties and determination of antioxidant properties
Authors: Ergan Erdem , Tozlu Deniz
Published: April 2022

(4‐[2,4‐dimethoxyphenyl]‐6‐phenyl‐2‐thioxo‐1,2,3,4‐tetrahydropyrimidin‐5‐yl)(phenyl) methanone (1) have been prepared by Biginelli three‐component cyclocondensation reaction of catalyzed with p‐toluene sulfonic acid in ethanol. Pyrimido[2,1‐b]thiazine (2) and thiazolo[3,2‐a]pyrimidine (3) derivatives were obtained by a simple one‐pot condensation reaction of starting compound 1 and 3‐bromopropionic acid, bromoacetic acid and, respectively. By performing the reactions of compound 3 with heteroaromatic and aromatic aldehydes, arylidine‐bicyclic thiazolo pyrimidine compounds (4–9) were synthesized. Theoretical calculations and molecular electrostatic potential maps of all synthesized compounds were performed using the Gaussian software package Density Functional Theory (DFT/6‐31G: B3LYP). In addition, studies were carried out to determine the antioxidant properties of all the compounds obtained by the DPPH method, and compound 1 was found to be the most effective compound. The structures of the newly synthesized compounds were analyzed using spectroscopic methods such as IR, 1H, and 13C.
Study on halogen promoted cyclization of 2‐alkynylthiobenzimidazoles
Authors: Misiūnaitė Indrė , Bukšnaitienė Rita , Pošiūnas Justas , Brukštus Algirdas , Žutautė Ieva
Published: April 2022

Electrophile promoted nucleophilic cyclization of 2‐alkynylthiobenzimidazoles was investigated. N‐halosuccinimides were chosen as electrophile source in formation of substituted benzimidazo[2,1‐b]thiazoles and benzimidazo[2,1‐b][1,3]thiazines. Reaction pathway via 6‐endo‐dig or 5‐exo‐dig cyclization of substrates depended on substituents to the alkyne moiety, though with bromine electrophile in some cases benzimidazole moiety predominated alkyne and aromatic substitution reaction was observed. Compounds with prolonged linkage in 2‐(propynylthio)methylbenzimidazoles formed only 7‐endo‐dig products.
Production and optimization of l‐asparaginase by Streptomyces koyangensis SK4 isolated from Arctic sediment
Authors: Saleena Shahana K. , Johnson Jeslin I. , Joseph Joseph K. , Padinchati Krishnan K. , Abdulla Mohamed H. A.
Published: April 2022

Actinomycetes isolated from the Arctic sediment were evaluated for the production of the enzyme l‐asparaginase, an enzyme used to treat acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The most potent strain Streptomyces koyangensis SK4 was selected for
l‐asparaginase enzyme production by submerged fermentation. The effect of various fermentation parameters on enzyme production was analyzed statistically using the Plackett–Burman design and response surface method. Effects of eight parameters including temperature, pH, incubation time, inoculum size, agitation speed, the concentration of starch,
l‐asparagine, and yeast extract were studied on
l‐asparaginase production by the Arctic isolate S. koyangensis SK4. Factors such as temperature, pH, incubation time, agitation speed, and
l‐asparagine concentration were found to be important factors influencing 
l‐asparaginase production. Maximum enzyme activity of 136 IU/ml was obtained at 20°C on the seventh day of incubation in the asparagine dextrose broth maintained at pH 7.5, agitation speed 125 rpm, and
l‐asparagine concentration of 7.5 g/L. The statistical optimization method described in this study proved effective for increasing the
l‐asparaginase production by Arctic actinomycetes.
Elucidation of the impact of four different drying methods on the phenolics, volatiles, and color properties of the peels of four types of citrus fruits
Authors: Guclu Gamze , Polat Suleyman , Kelebek Hasim , Capanoglu Esra , Selli Serkan
Published: April 2022

BACKGROUND

Citrus fruit peels are considered to be process waste in the fruit juice industry but they are a valuable raw material due to their volatile and bioactive components. Drying is one of the most common methods to preserve this material. In this study, four drying processes were applied to the peels of four kinds of citrus fruits. The drying processes were convective drying (CD), microwave drying (MD), conductive hydro drying (CHD), and freeze drying (FD). The citrus fruits used were orange, bitter orange, grapefruit, and lemon.

RESULTS

The influence of dehydration on the aroma and phenolic composition, microstructure, and color properties were studied in detail. It was determined that drying increased the amount of both phenolics and volatiles in the dried samples. The MD and FD methods better preserved the color and phenolics of the samples, and the MD and CD processes increased the amount of aroma substances.

CONCLUSION

The MD method would be more suitable for drying citrus peels due to its shorter duration and its positive effects on the phenolic and aroma components. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
The role of the extension region on the structural and physicochemical characteristics of the α‐subunit of β‐conglycinin: implications of pH value and ionic strength
Authors: Yuan Yanqiu , He Zijie , Ju Qian , Zhao Sibo , Wu Chang , Hu Yayun , Zhou Shuyi , Luan Guangzhong
Published: April 2022

BACKGROUND

To clarify the role of the extension region on the structure–functional relationship of the α‐subunit of β‐conglycinin, α‐subunit and its segment of the core region (αc‐subunit) were expressed via an Escherichia coli system. Their physicochemical properties were compared under acid, neutral or alkaline conditions (pH 4.0, 7.0, and 8.0) and high or low ionic strength (μ = 0.05 and 0.5), respectively.

RESULTS

The results showed that the extension region contributed to increasing thermal stability, especially at low ionic strength under acidic and neutral conditions. The extension region stabilized the α‐subunit with high solubility, low turbidity, and small particle size under neutral and alkaline conditions, whereas these impacts were suppressed at a high ionic strength and acidic conditions. Surface hydrophobicity of the α‐subunit decreased under acidic and alkaline conditions without being interfered with by ionic strength.

CONCLUSION

It can be concluded that the extension region played different roles under different pH and ionic strength conditions. These factors should be specified carefully and speculated individually to explore the more detailed and profound nature of β‐conglycinin at the submolecular level. The results could benefit a better understanding of the relationship between domain structure and functions of soybean protein. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
Effect of mulberry leaf polysaccharides on the baking and staling properties of frozen dough bread
Authors: Xie Qianran , Liu Xiaorong , Xiao Shensheng , Pan Wen , Wu Yan , Ding Wenping , Lyu Qingyun , Wang Xuedong , Fu Yang
Published: April 2022

BACKGROUND

Deterioration in frozen dough bread easily occurs in store, resulting in tremendous economic waste. Therefore, it is imperative to find natural additives to improve storage staling. The effects of mulberry leaf polysaccharides (MLP) were studied in terms of baking, retrogradation and microstructural aspects in frozen dough bread.

RESULTS

The incorporation of MLP improved the specific volume and reduced the hardness of bread during room storage, with 1% MLP showing the best results. The results of X‐ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy showed that crystallinity was decreased and the formation of double helical structure was inhibited with the incorporation of MLP. Meanwhile, the results of low‐field nuclear magnetic resonance demonstrated that the addition of MLP was advantageous for retarding water migration and distribution, with reduced water loss. It can be seen intuitively from scanning electron microscopy that MLP improved the gluten network with a smoother and flatter system.

CONCLUSION

MLP improved the quality of bread during storage and delayed the degradation of internal structure, and can be used as an effective natural additive to improve the storage stability of baked food. 1% MLP showed the best results. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
Chiral analysis of β‐alanyl‐d,l‐tyrosine and its derivatives and estimation of binding constants of their complexes with 2‐hydroxypropyl‐β‐cyclodextrin by capillary electrophoresis
Authors: Sázelová Petra , Šolínová Veronika , Schimperková Tereza , Jiráček Jiří , Kašička Václav
Published: April 2022

Chiral CE methods were developed for the elucidation of l‐ or d‐configuration of tyrosine residue in antimicrobial dipeptide β‐alanyl‐tyrosine (β‐Ala‐Tyr) isolated from the hemolymph of larvae of fleshfly Neobellieria bullata and for the evaluation of enantiopurity of its synthetic isomers (β‐Ala‐d‐Tyr and β‐Ala‐l‐Tyr), and enantiomers of their amidated and acetylated derivatives, β‐Ala‐d,l‐Tyr‐NH2 and N‐Ac‐β‐Ala‐d,l‐Tyr, respectively. Baseline separations were achieved for all three pairs of enantiomers: (i) for β‐Ala‐d,l‐Tyr in acidic background electrolyte composed of 32/50 mM tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane/H3PO4, pH 2.5, and 20 mg/mL 2‐hydroxypropyl‐β‐cyclodextrin as chiral selector; (ii) for β‐Ala‐d,l‐Tyr‐NH2 enantiomers in acidic background electrolyte consisting of 48/50 mM tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane/H3PO4, pH 3.5, and 30 mg/mL 2‐hydroxypropyl‐β‐cyclodextrin; and (iii) for enantiomers of N‐Ac‐β‐Ala‐d,l‐Tyr in alkaline background electrolyte composed of 50/49 mM Na2B4O7/NaOH, pH 10.5, and 60 mg/mL 2‐hydroxypropyl‐β‐cyclodextrin. From CE analyses of mixed samples of isolated β‐Ala‐Tyr and synthetic standards β‐Ala‐l‐Tyr and β‐Ala‐d‐Tyr, it turned out that isolated β‐Ala‐Tyr was pure l‐enantiomer. In addition, the average apparent binding constants, Kb, and average actual ionic mobilities of the complexes of β‐Ala‐d,l‐Tyr and its above derivatives with 2‐hydroxypropyl‐β‐cyclodextrin were determined. These complexes were weak, with Kb values ranging from 11.2 to 79.1 L/mol. Their cationic mobilities were equal to (5.6–9.2) × 10–9 m2/V/s, and anionic mobilities to (‐1.3–1.6) × 10–9 m2/V/s.
Effects of planting quinoa on soil properties and microbiome in saline soil
Authors: Hu Huiying , Shao Tianyuan , Gao Xiumei , Long Xiaohua , Rengel Zed
Published: April 2022

Quinoa is widely cultivated for its nutritional value and its high tolerance to environmental problems. Our study was conducted at two planting densities (LD, 10 plants/m2; HD, 65 plants/m2) on ameliorated coastal mudflats in Jiangsu Province, China. The microbial composition in soil was determined by high‐throughput sequencing technology, and root metabolites were determined by a liquid chromatograph‐mass spectrometer (LC–MS). The results showed soil salinity and organic matter were higher at the HD than LD treatment and compared with the non‐rhizosphere (bulk) soil, the salinity of the rhizosphere soil was higher. Quinoa grown at HD was taller, with thicker stalks and lower yields per plant, but higher yield per unit area. Amplicon sequencing showed that Proteobacteria, Bacteroidota and Acidobacteria accounted for the absolute majority. Regarding the rhizosphere soil, the Shannon index was higher in the HD than LD, and Proteobacteria and Bacteroidota were more abundant in the HD treatment. Fifty‐one differential metabolites were identified by metabolomic assays, belonging to 14 annotated metabolic pathways. S‐adenosylmethionine was the most abundant and up‐regulated metabolite (fold change >1.67), and was more abundant in the roots from the LD than in HD treatment. Docosahexaenoic acid was more abundant in the HD than LD treatment, and was a down‐regulated metabolite. In conclusion, planting density was an important factor affecting quinoa yield; compared with unplanted soil, planting quinoa at low density increased the content of the important metabolite S‐adenosylmethionine in the root system of quinoa, and high‐density cultivation of quinoa increased soil salinity and microbial abundance and diversity.
Dynamic transitions and Turing patterns of the Brusselator model
Authors: Muntari Umar Faruk , Şengül Taylan
Published: April 2022

The dynamic transitions of the Brusselator model has been recently analyzed in Choi et al. (2021) and Ma and Wang (2011). Our aim in this paper is to address the relation between the pattern formation and dynamic transition results left open in those papers. We consider the problem in the setting of a 2D rectangular box where an instability of the homogeneous steady state occurs due to the perturbations in the direction of several modes becoming critical simultaneously. Our main results are twofold: (1) a rigorous characterization of the types and structure of the dynamic transitions of the model from basic homogeneous states and (2) the relation between the dynamic transitions and the pattern formations. We observe that the Brusselator model exhibits different transition types and patterns depending on the nonlinear interactions of the pattern of the critical modes.
Technical note: Characterization and practical applications of a novel plastic scintillator for online dosimetry for an ultrahigh dose rate (FLASH)
Authors: Poirier Yannick , Xu Junliang , Mossahebi Sina , Therriault‐Proulx François , Sawant Amit
Published: April 2022

Purpose

Although flash radiation therapy (FLASH‐RT) is a promising novel technique that has the potential to achieve a better therapeutic ratio between tumor control and normal tissue complications, the ultrahigh pulsed dose rates (UHPDR) mean that experimental dosimetry is very challenging. There is a need for real‐time dosimeters in the development and implementation of FLASH‐RT. In this work, we characterize a novel plastic scintillator capable of temporal resolution short enough (2.5 ms) to resolve individual pulses.

Methods

We characterized a novel plastic dosimeter for use in a linac converter to deliver 16‐MeV electrons at 100‐Gy/s UHPDR average dose rates. The linearity and reproducibility were established by comparing relative measurements with a pinpoint ionization chamber placed at 10‐cm water‐equivalent depth where the electrometer is not saturated by the high dose per pulse. The accuracy was established by comparing the plastic scintillator dose measurements with EBT‐XD Gafchromic radiochromic films, the current reference dosimeter for UHPDR. Finally, the plastic scintillator was compared against EBT‐XD films for online dosimetry of two in vitro experiments performed at UHPDR.

Results

Relative ion chamber measurements were linear with plastic scintillator response within ≤1% over 4–20 Gy and pulse frequencies (18–180 Hz). When characterized under reference conditions with NIST‐traceability, the plastic scintillator maintained its dose response under UHPDR conditions and agreed with EBT‐XD film dose measurements within 4% under reference conditions and 6% for experimental online dosimetry.

Conclusion

The plastic scintillator shows a linear and reproducible response and is able to accurately measure the radiation absorbed dose delivered by 16‐MeV electrons at UHPDR. The dose is measured accurately in real time with a greater level of precision than that achieved with a radiochromic film.
A universal concept for area‐selective assembly of metal oxide core‐shell nanoparticles, nanorods, and organic molecules via amide coupling reactions
Authors: Zubets Uladzislau , Zhao Baolin , Park Hyoungwon , Halik Marcus
Published: April 2022

The deposition of nanomaterials (NMs) on substrate is a pertinent for a variety of applications in nanometer‐sized electronics, mechanics, or catalysis. This paper establishes a universal and simple approach for assembly of functionalized metal oxide core nanoparticles (NPs) and nanorods (NRs) on a substrate with uniformity, area‐selectivity, and full order control. Particularly, the aluminium oxide (AlOx) NPs, titanium dioxide (TiO2) NRs, and TiO2 NPs functionalized by self‐assembled monolayer (SAM) molecules are deposited on substrate alternatively layer‐by‐layer. This assembling is performed in solution on the pre‐patterned surface with SAM molecules via amide coupling reactions in order to achieve the reaction‐orthogonality. Moreover, this stacking of inorganic NPs/NRs in a terminated implementation is progressed into latter layer of TiO2 NPs functionalized by 1‐aminopyrene molecules representing an example of hybrid organic‐inorganic formation with fluorescence emission. The deposited layers are characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and total internal reflection fluorescence microscope (TIRFM). The significant versatility of stacked metal oxide core‐shell NPs/NRs via based‐solution method represents excellent and efficient applicability in manufacture of hybrid organic–inorganic nanostructure.
Early versus late COVID‐19 Home Health Care patient population: Shifting sociodemographics and comparable outcomes
Authors: Videon Tami M. , Rosati Robert J. , Landers Steven H.
Published: April 2022

Early in the pandemic when hospitals reached capacity, Home Health Care (HHC) became a critical source of care for COVID‐19 patients and continues to be an important source of care for recovering COVID‐19 patients. Little is known about the COVID‐19 patient population treated in HHC. This retrospective observational cohort follows 1614 HHC patients with a COVID‐19 diagnosis and compares an “Early Cohort” between March 31 and May 31, 2020 to a “Late Cohort” between June 1 and December 31, 2020 for differences in: (1) sociodemographic and clinical characteristics (2) health care utilization, and (3) outcomes. Early patients were younger, more likely to be a minority, referred from hospitals or directly from emergency departments, started their care with greater independence in functional abilities, and had fewer comorbidities. Early patients were more likely to have COVID‐19 as their primary diagnosis (88.5% vs. 79.4%, p < 0.001), and were assessed as having more severe COVID‐19 symptoms. Early and Late Cohorts were assessed similarly for dyspnea at the start of care. COVID‐19 patients in the Early Cohort were more likely to have their vital signs monitored remotely (7.3% vs. 1.4%; p < 0.001), have received oxygen in their home (27.8% vs. 15.3%; p < 0.001), and received more virtual care than patients in the Late Cohort (2.04 visits vs. 0.86 visits; p < 0.001), although they had approximately two fewer total visits (12.48 vs. 14.45; p < 0.001). Patients in both cohorts had substantial improvement in dyspnea and functional ability during the course of HHC.
Proteomic profiling of human bone from different anatomical sites – A pilot study
Authors: Fretwurst Tobias , Tritschler Isabel , Rothweiler René , Nahles Susanne , Altmann Brigitte , Schilling Oliver , Nelson Katja
Published: April 2022

Purpose

The study aim is a comparative proteome‐based analysis of different autologous bone entities (alveolar bone [AB], iliac cortical [IC] bone, and iliac spongiosa [IS]) used for alveolar onlay grafting.

Experimental Design

Site‐matched bone samples of AB, IC, and IS were harvested during alveolar onlay grafting. Proteins were extracted using a detergent‐based (sodium dodecyl sulfate) strategy and trypsinized. Proteome analysis was performed using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC‐MS/MS). MaxQuant was used for peptide‐to‐spectrum matching, peak detection, and quantitation. Linear models for microarray analysis (LIMMA) were used to detect differentially abundant peptides and proteins.

Results

A total of 1730 different proteins were identified across the 15 samples at a false discovery rate of 1%. Partial least‐squares discriminant analysis approved segregation of AB, IC, and IS protein profiles. LIMMA statistics highlighted 66 proteins that were more abundant in AB then in IC (vs. 92 proteins were enriched in IC over AB). Gene Ontology enrichment analysis revealed a matrisomal versus an immune‐related proteome fingerprint in AB versus IC.

Conclusion and Clinical Relevance

This pilot study demonstrates an ECM protein‐related proteome fingerprint in AB and an immune‐related proteome fingerprint in IS and IC.
Further Refining Swampland Conjecture on Inflation in General Scalar‐Tensor Theories of Gravity
Authors: Yuennan Jureeporn , Channuie Phongpichit
Published: April 2022

An alternative refined de Sitter conjecture giving rise to a natural combination of the first and second derivatives of the scalar potential was proposed recently by David Andriot and Christoph Roupec (Fortsch. Phys. 67 (2019) no.1‐2, 1800105). In this work, we study the inflation models in a general scalar‐tensor theory with exponential and hyperbolic tangent forms of potential as well as model with quantum corrected potential and examine whether these three models of inflation can satisfy this further refining de Sitter swampland conjecture or not. Regarding our analysis with proper choices of parameters and q, we find that these three inflationary models can always satisfy this new refined swampland conjecture. Therefore, all three inflationary models might all be in “landscape” since the “further refining de Sitter swampland conjecture” is satisfied.
Analysis of Band Alignment Engineering and Interface Defects on a GaAs/GaSb Heterostructure Solar Cell
Authors: Sahoo Girija Shankar , Mishra Guru Prasad
Published: April 2022

In photovoltaic sector, optimal utilization of the solar spectrum combined with improved power conversion efficiency is the call of the day. Such elasticity is provided by heterostructure solar cells. But it is found that with a high lattice mismatch and band discontinuities, the open‐circuit voltage (Voc) and the fill factor deteriorates handsomely. As a result, the second requirement is still unsatisfied. To address such issues, band alignment engineering is introduced in this paper. Silvaco ATLAS is used to virtually create and verify the proposed model. Herein, different recombination events and their effects on the cell's Voc are investigated in depth. Furthermore, interface trap defect is introduced to investigate its effect on the lower efficiency and Voc. However, it is found that, in GaAs/GaSb heterostructures, the reduced Voc and efficiency issues can be avoided, because the proposed model is able to achieve a lower trap density of 105 cm−2.
Effects of Four Non‐Synonymous SNPs of SSIIa Gene on Amylopectin Structure and Gelatinization Characteristics in Rice
Authors: Zhou Huiying , Wang Bingqing , Liu Yantong , Ouyang Linjuan , Zhou Dahu , He Haohua , Liu Jin , Hu Jiaxiao , He Xiaopeng
Published: April 2022

Soluble starch synthase IIa gene (SSIIa) is one of the key genes involved in the synthesis of amylopectin and a major gene controlling the gelatinization temperature of rice. In this study, specific molecular markers are designed for the four functional SNPs of the SSIIa gene, namely 264 (SNP1), 1810 (SNP2), 2209 (SNP3), and 2340–2341 (SNP4). In addition, 91 rice varieties are tested and the correlation of these SNPs with the structure of amylopectin, RVA profile characteristics, and gelatinization temperature are also analyzed. The results show that SNP1 (C/G) and SNP2 (A/G) of the SSIIa gene are significantly associated with the A:B value, SBV, and gelatinization temperature. The SNP4 (GC/TT) is significantly associated with the gelatinization temperature. Among the four haplotypes, namely C‐A‐A‐GC (HP1), C‐A‐G‐TT (HP2), G‐G‐G‐GC (HP3), and C‐A‐G‐GC (HP4), HP1 varieties show shorter chain length (CL) and exterior chain length (ECL), HP3 show a lower A:B value, whereas HP3 and HP4 varieties show lower PKV, BDV, and higher CPV, SBV, gelatinization temperature. The results suggest that different nonsynonymous SNPs in SSIIa may alter the activity of the SSIIa enzyme and further affect the CL and ECL of amylopectin, resulting in a different RVA profile and gelatinization temperature of starch.
Orthogonal determinants of characters
Authors: Nebe Gabriele
Published: April 2022

For an irreducible orthogonal character $$\chi $$
χ
of even degree, there is a unique square class $$\det ({\chi })$$

det
(
χ
)

in the character field such that the invariant quadratic forms in any L-representation affording $$\chi $$
χ
have determinant in $$\det ({\chi })(L^{\times })^2$$

det

(
χ
)

(

L
×

)

2

.
Environmental degradation of foamed geopolymers
Authors: Korniejenko Kinga , Figiela Beata , Kozub Barbara , Azzopardi Brian , Łach Michał
Published: April 2022

Modern materials used in civil engineering should fulfill the numerous of requirements connected building standards, but not only. They should also be ecological and durable. Geopolymers are characterized by very good mechanical properties, high resistance against acids, chlorides and sulfates, high thermal resistance, and other properties confirmed by previous research. There is still a few amount of research connected with resistance, this materials for different environmental conditions, especially a lack of investigation connected with foamed geopolymers in this area. The main objective of the article is to analyze the possibilities of the development of new foamed geopolymer composites to increase durability, especially against degradation in corrosive water environments. This paper presents the influence on the mechanical properties of foamed geopolymer composites on the water environment. As raw materials, fly ash from the coal power plant ‘Skawina’ (located in: Skawina, Lesser Poland, Poland) and metakaolin (Czech Republic) were used. The chemical composition of the fly ash is typical for class F. Additionally, the composites were reinforced by flax fiber. Solid and foam samples were prepared. As a foaming agent, hydrogen peroxide (H$$_{2}$$

2

O$$_{2})$$

2

)

was applied. The following research methods were applied: compressive strength, flexural strength, porosity measurements, water absorption in fresh and salt water. The results show that, however, environmental conditions have a significant influence on the mechanical properties of geopolymer composites; the geopolymer composites can be successfully produced with the addition of natural fibers and have good strength parameters even after long-term use (materials were tested after 360 days).