bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Geocoronal Solar Wind Charge Exchange Process Associated With the 2006‐December‐13 Coronal Mass Ejection Event
Authors: Zhou Yu , Yamasaki Noriko Y. , Toriumi Shin , Mitsuda Kazuhisa
Published: December 2023

We report the discovery of a geocoronal solar wind charge exchange (SWCX) event corresponding to the well‐known 2006 December 13th coronal mass ejection (CME) event. Strong evidence for the charge exchange origin of this transient diffuse emission is provided by prominent non‐thermal emission lines at energies of O7+, Ne9+, Mg11+, Si12+, Si13+. Especially, a 0.53 keV emission line that most likely arises from the N5+ 1s15p1 → 1s2 transition is detected. Previously, the forecastability of SWCX occurrence with proton flares has been disputed. In this particular event, we found that the SWCX signal coincided with the arrival of the magnetic cloud inside CME, triggered with a time delay after the proton flux fluctuation as the CME shock front passed through the Earth. Moreover, a spacecraft orbital modulation in SWCX light curve suggests that the emission arises close to the Earth. The line of sight was found to always pass through the northern magnetospheric cusp. The SWCX intensity was high when the line of sight passed the dusk side of the cusp, suggesting an azimuthal anisotropy in the flow of solar‐wind ions inside the cusp. An axisymmetric SWCX emission model is found to underestimate the observed peak intensity by a factor of about 50. We suggest this discrepancy is related to the azimuthal anisotropy of the solar‐wind flow in the cusp.
Combined Effects of Fronts, Upwelling and the Biological Pump on Organophosphate Esters in the Changjiang (Yangtze) River Estuary During Summer
Authors: Zhang Jinghua , Ma Yuxin , Zhong Yisen , Lohmann Rainer
Published: December 2023

Estuarine and coastal environments are important transport pathways and regional sinks for anthropogenic pollutants. In this study, the occurrence and transport of the continuously released organophosphate esters (OPEs) was investigated together with physical and biochemical parameters throughout the water column in the Changjiang (Yangtze) River estuary during the summer. Total dissolved and particulate OPEs showed great spatial heterogeneity, with mean concentrations of 550 ± 280 ng/L in the estuary, 110 ± 270 ng/L in the front/upwelling zone, and 410 ± 450 ng/L in the continental shelf. OPE concentrations in the estuarine bottom waters were high due to massive terrestrial/sediment inputs. In contrast, the “surface enrichment and depth depletion” of OPEs in the continental shelf was closely related to seasonal stratification. Reduced OPE concentrations were observed in the frontal/upwelling zone due to isopycnal heaving. Frontal activity and upwelling induced phytoplankton blooms in the coastal regions, which jointly contributed to elevated OPEs beneath surface water with high phytoplankton aggregation. The OPEs mainly originated from wastewater treatment plant discharges, industrial pollution and consumer products. These OPEs generally posed a low ecological risk to aquatic lives, but their long‐term effects cannot be ignored due to their continuous high production, usage and release.
Composite healthy lifestyle, socioeconomic deprivation, and mental well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic: a prospective analysis
Authors: Hu Gang , Qin Huibo , Su Binbin , Bao Yanping , Liang Zhengting , Wang Yunhe
Published: December 2023

The adverse psychological and social impacts of COVID-19 pandemic are well characterized, but the role of composite, modifiable lifestyle factors that may interact to mitigate these impacts is not. The effect of socioeconomic deprivation on these lifestyle risks also remains unclear. Based on a nationally representative, longitudinal cohort, we assessed the association between a combination of pre-pandemic lifestyle factors and mental health conditions during pandemic, and the contribution of deprivation to it. Composite lifestyle factors included BMI, smoking status, alcohol consumption, physical activity, sedentary time, sleep duration, and fruit and vegetable intake, with lifestyle scores and lifestyle categories calculated for each participant. Symptoms of depression and anxiety, and personal well-being were assessed by validated scales during the pandemic. Socioeconomic deprivation was characterized by both individual-level (income, wealth, and education) and group-level factors (Index of Multiple Deprivation). Of the 5049 eligible participants (mean [SD] age, 68.1 [10.9] years; 57.2% were female) included in the study, 41.6% followed a favorable lifestyle, 48.9% followed an intermediate lifestyle, and 9.5% followed an unfavorable lifestyle. Compared with favorable lifestyle category, participants in the intermediate and unfavorable lifestyle category were at increased risk of mental health conditions, with the hazard ratio (HR) for trend per increment change towards unfavorable category of 1.17 (95% CI 1.09–1.26) for depression, 1.23 (1.07–1.42) for anxiety, and 1.39 (1.20–1.61) for low well-being. A significant trend of lower risk for mental health conditions with increasing number of healthy lifestyle factors was observed (P < 0.001 for trend). There were no significant interactions between lifestyle factors and socioeconomic deprivation for any of the outcomes, with similar HRs for trend per one increment change in lifestyle category observed in each deprivation group. Compared with those in the least deprived group with favorable lifestyle, participants in the most deprived group adherent to unfavorable lifestyle had the highest risk of mental health outcomes. These results suggest that adherence to a broad combination of healthy lifestyle factors was associated with a significantly reduced risk of mental health conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Lifestyle factors, in conjunction with socioeconomic deprivation, independently contribute to the risk of mental health issues. Although further research is needed to assess causality, the current findings support public health strategies and individual-level interventions that provide enhanced support in areas of deprivation and target multiple lifestyle factors to reduce health inequalities and promote mental well-being during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Analysis of off-tumour toxicities of T-cell-engaging bispecific antibodies via donor-matched intestinal organoids and tumouroids
Authors: Harter Marius F. , Recaldin Timothy , Gerard Regine , Avignon Blandine , Bollen Yannik , Esposito Cinzia , Guja-Jarosz Karolina , Kromer Kristina , Filip Adrian , Aubert Julien , Schneider Anneliese , Bacac Marina , Bscheider Michael , Stokar-Regenscheit Nadine , Piscuoglio Salvatore , Beumer Joep , Gjorevski Nikolche
Published: December 2023

Predicting the toxicity of cancer immunotherapies preclinically is challenging because models of tumours and healthy organs do not typically fully recapitulate the expression of relevant human antigens. Here we show that patient-derived intestinal organoids and tumouroids supplemented with immune cells can be used to study the on-target off-tumour toxicities of T-cell-engaging bispecific antibodies (TCBs), and to capture clinical toxicities not predicted by conventional tissue-based models as well as inter-patient variabilities in TCB responses. We analysed the mechanisms of T-cell-mediated damage of neoplastic and donor-matched healthy epithelia at a single-cell resolution using multiplexed immunofluorescence. We found that TCBs that target the epithelial cell-adhesion molecule led to apoptosis in healthy organoids in accordance with clinical observations, and that apoptosis is associated with T-cell activation, cytokine release and intra-epithelial T-cell infiltration. Conversely, tumour organoids were more resistant to damage, probably owing to a reduced efficiency of T-cell infiltration within the epithelium. Patient-derived intestinal organoids can aid the study of immune–epithelial interactions as well as the preclinical and clinical development of cancer immunotherapies.
Study of AEB and active seat belt on driver injury in vehicle–vehicle frontal oblique crash
Authors: Li Pingfei , Lei Yi , Liao Jingqian , Zhang Daowen , Dong Xinchi , Zhang Tianshu
Published: December 2023

The safety of vehicle occupants in oblique collision scenarios continues to pose challenges, even with the implementation of Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) systems. While AEB reduces collision risks, studies indicate it may heighten injury risks for out-of-position (OOP) occupants. To counteract this issue, the integration of active seat belts in vehicles equipped with AEB systems is recommended. Firstly, this study established an oblique angle collision scenario post-AEB activation using data from the Chinese National Automobile Accident In-depth Investigation System (NAIS) database, analyzed through Prescan software. The dynamic response of the vehicle was examined. Following this, finite element (FE) models were validated to assess the effects of collision overlap rate, AEB braking strategy, and active seat belt pre-tensioning on occupant injuries and kinematics. Under specific collision conditions, the impact of the timing and amount of seat belt pre-tensioning, as well as airbag deployment timing on occupant injuries, was also explored. Findings revealed that a 75% collision overlap rate significantly increases driver injury risk. Active seat belts effectively mitigate injuries caused by OOP statuses during AEB interventions, with the lowest Weighted Injury Criterion (WIC) observed at a pre-tensioning time of 200 ms for active seat belts. The study further suggests that optimal results in reducing occupant injuries are achieved when active pre-tensioning seat belts are complemented by appropriately timed airbag deployment.
Insights into isotherms, kinetics, and thermodynamics of adsorption of acid blue 113 from an aqueous solution of nutraceutical industrial fennel seed spent
Authors: Taqui Syed Noeman , Syed Akheel Ahmed , Mubarak Nabisab Mujawar , Farade Rizwan Abutaleeb , Khan M. A. Majeed , Kalam Md. Abul , Dehghani Mohammad Hadi , Soudagar Manzoore Elahi Mohammad , Rather Rauoof Ahmad , Shamshuddin Sathgatta Zaheeruddin Mohamed , Karri Rama Rao
Published: December 2023

Research studies have been carried out to accentuate Fennel Seed Spent, a by-product of the Nutraceutical Industry, as an inexpensive, recyclable and operational biosorbent for bioremediation of Acid Blue 113 (AB113) in simulated water-dye samples and textile industrial effluent (TIE). The physical process of adhesion of AB113 on the surface of the biosorbent depends on various parameters, such as the initial amount of the dye, amount and expanse of the biosorbent particles, pH of the solution and temperature of the medium. The data obtained was analyzed using three two-parameter and five three-parameter adsorption isotherm models to glean the adsorbent affinities and interaction mechanism of the adsorbate molecules and adsorbent surface. The adsorption feature study is conducted employing models of Weber-Morris, pseudo 1st and 2nd order, diffusion film model, Dumwald-Wagner and Avrami model. The study through 2nd order pseudo and Avrami models produced complementary results for the authentication of experimental data. The thermodynamic features, ΔG0, ΔH0, and ΔS0 of the adsorption process are acclaimed to be almost spontaneous, physical in nature and endothermic in their manifestation. Surface characterization was carried out using Scanner Electron Microscopy, and identification and determination of chemical species and molecular structure was performed using Infrared Spectroscopy (IR). Maximum adsorption evaluated using statistical optimization with different combinations of five independent variables to study the individual as well as combined effects by Fractional Factorial Experimental Design (FFED) was 236.18 mg g−1 under optimized conditions; pH of 2, adsorbent dosage of 0.500 g L−1, and an initial dye concentration of 209.47 mg L−1 for an adsorption time of 126.62 min with orbital shaking of 165 rpm at temperature 49.95 °C.
Return to work after traumatic spinal fractures and spinal cord injuries: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Keihanian Fateme , Homaie Rad Enayatollah , Samadi Shal Simin , Pourreza Nooshin , Eramsadati Leila Khoochakinejad , Hosseini Malekroudi Seyedeh Mitra , Khodadadi-Hassankiadeh Naema
Published: December 2023

This study aimed to determine the factors associated with return to work (RTW) after traumatic spinal fracture and spinal cord injury. It provided a predictive model for RTW among patients with spinal fractures and spinal cord injury and determined important factors influencing the time to RTW after injury. A retrospective cohort study was conducted in Poursina Tertiary Hospital, Guilan, Iran between May 2017 and May 2020. Patients aged 18 to 65 who were hospitalized with traumatic spinal fractures and spinal cord injuries were included. Demographic and clinical data were collected from the National Spinal Column/Cord Injury Registry of Iran (NSCIR-IR). A researcher-administered questionnaire was used through a telephone interview to obtain complementary data on social and occupational variables. Kaplan–Meier survival analysis was used to estimate the average time to RTW and the predictors of RTW were determined by multivariate Cox regression model. Of the 300 patients included, 78.6% returned to work and the average time to RTW was about 7 months. The mean age of the participants was 45.63 ± 14.76 years old. Among the study variables, having a Bachelor’s degree (HR 2.59; 95% CI 1.16–5.77; P = 0.019), complications after injury (HR 0.47; 95% CI 0.35–0.62; P = 0.0001), full coverage health insurance (HR 1.73; 95% CI 1.10–2.72; P = 0.016), opium use (HR 0.48; 95% CI 0.26–0.90; P = 0.023), number of vertebral fractures (HR 0.82; 95% CI 0.67–0.99; P = 0.046), and length of hospital stay (HR 0.95; 95% CI 0.93–0.98; P = 0.001) were found to be significant in predicting RTW in Cox regression analysis. Our analysis showed that wealthier people and those with high job mobility returned to work later.
Protein–protein interaction network module changes associated with the vertebrate fin-to-limb transition
Authors: Fernando Pasan C. , Mabee Paula M. , Zeng Erliang
Published: December 2023

Evolutionary phenotypic transitions, such as the fin-to-limb transition in vertebrates, result from modifications in related proteins and their interactions, often in response to changing environment. Identifying these alterations in protein networks is crucial for a more comprehensive understanding of these transitions. However, previous research has not attempted to compare protein–protein interaction (PPI) networks associated with evolutionary transitions, and most experimental studies concentrate on a limited set of proteins. Therefore, the goal of this work was to develop a network-based platform for investigating the fin-to-limb transition using PPI networks. Quality-enhanced protein networks, constructed by integrating PPI networks with anatomy ontology data, were leveraged to compare protein modules for paired fins (pectoral fin and pelvic fin) of fishes (zebrafish) to those of the paired limbs (forelimb and hindlimb) of mammals (mouse). This also included prediction of novel protein candidates and their validation by enrichment and homology analyses. Hub proteins such as shh and bmp4, which are crucial for module stability, were identified, and their changing roles throughout the transition were examined. Proteins with preserved roles during the fin-to-limb transition were more likely to be hub proteins. This study also addressed hypotheses regarding the role of non-preserved proteins associated with the transition.
Topographic comparison of the retinal microvascular changes between patients with compressive and glaucomatous optic neuropathies
Authors: Lim Hyunah , Lee Byung Joo , Kook Michael S. , Sung Kyung Rim , Kim Ko Eun , Moon Yeji
Published: December 2023

We investigated the difference in optical coherence tomography angiography characteristics between the patients with compressive optic neuropathy (CON, n = 26) and glaucomatous optic neuropathy (GON, n = 26), who were matched for the severity of visual field defect. The peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (pRNFL) thickness in the nasal and temporal sectors was thinner in the CON group, whereas the inferior pRNFL thickness was thinner in the GON group. Accordingly, the CON group had lower peripapillary vessel density (pVD) in the nasal and temporal sectors, and the GON group in the inferior sector. In the macular area, the CON group had a thinner macular ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer in the superior and nasal sectors, whereas the GON group in the inferior sector. However, the CON group did not have a lower macular VD than the GON group in any sector, whereas the GON group exhibited lower superficial capillary plexus VD in the superior, inferior, and temporal sectors. Comparison of the structure–vasculature correlation revealed a significant difference in the nasal and temporal peripapillary areas and superior and nasal macular sectors; a decrease in VD was greater in the GON group than in the CON group when the comparable structural change occurred.
Enantiomorph conversion in single crystals of the Weyl semimetal CoSi
Authors: Carrillo-Cabrera Wilder , Simon Paul , Schmidt Marcus , König Markus , Borrmann Horst , Winkelmann Aimo , Burkhardt Ulrich , Grin Yuri
Published: December 2023

Chiral intermetallic phases may show unusual chemical and physical properties with nontrivial structure-property relationship. It is therefore of particular interest to study the structural conversion between domains of different handedness. Here, the atomic decoration of the enantiomorph exchange area within single crystal of the Weyl semimetal CoSi is determined by a combination of atomic-resolution scanning transmission electron microscopy imaging, single crystal X-ray diffraction and quantum chemical analysis of atomic interactions. Two-atomic [CoSi] units are shown to be the bonding base for the FeSi-type structure and may be considered as ‘pseudo-molecules’, thinking of molecular organic crystals. Tiny reorganisation of atomic interactions within these units results in the appearance of sequence ‘faults’ in the structure pattern i.e. in a different structural motif in the enantiomorph exchange area, which – contrary to the A and B enantiomorphs of CoSi – contains an inversion centre and allows a local enantiomorph ‘conversion’. Due to the special features of atomic interactions, the reorganisation of multi-atomic bonds leads to slightly higher total energy. This appears within one and the same grain which is prepared by the short distance chemical vapor transport.
Deep learning and transfer learning identify breast cancer survival subtypes from single-cell imaging data
Authors: Yadav Shashank , Zhou Shu , He Bing , Du Yuheng , Garmire Lana X.
Published: December 2023

Background

Single-cell multiplex imaging data have provided new insights into disease subtypes and prognoses recently. However, quantitative models that explicitly capture single-cell resolution cell-cell interaction features to predict patient survival at a population scale are currently missing.

Methods

We quantified hundreds of single-cell resolution cell-cell interaction features through neighborhood calculation, in addition to cellular phenotypes. We applied these features to a neural-network-based Cox-nnet survival model to identify survival-associated features. We used non-negative matrix factorization (NMF) to identify patient survival subtypes. We identified atypical subpopulations of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) patients with moderate prognosis and Luminal A patients with poor prognosis and validated these subpopulations by label transferring using the UNION-COM method.

Results

The neural-network-based Cox-nnet survival model using all cellular phenotype and cell-cell interaction features is highly predictive of patient survival in the test data (Concordance Index > 0.8). We identify seven survival subtypes using the top survival features, presenting distinct profiles of epithelial, immune, and fibroblast cells and their interactions. We reveal atypical subpopulations of TNBC patients with moderate prognosis (marked by GATA3 over-expression) and Luminal A patients with poor prognosis (marked by KRT6 and ACTA2 over-expression and CDH1 under-expression). These atypical subpopulations are validated in TCGA-BRCA and METABRIC datasets.

Conclusions

This work provides an approach to bridge single-cell level information toward population-level survival prediction.
The shelterin component TRF2 mediates columnar stacking of human telomeric chromatin
Authors: Wong Sook Yi , Soman Aghil , Korolev Nikolay , Surya Wahyu , Chen Qinming , Shum Wayne , van Noort John , Nordenskiöld Lars
Published: December 2023

Telomere repeat binding factor 2 (TRF2) is an essential component of the telomeres and also plays an important role in a number of other non-telomeric processes. Detailed knowledge of the binding and interaction of TRF2 with telomeric nucleosomes is limited. Here, we study the binding of TRF2 to in vitro-reconstituted kilobasepair-long human telomeric chromatin fibres using electron microscopy, single-molecule force spectroscopy and analytical ultracentrifugation sedimentation velocity. Our electron microscopy results revealed that full-length and N-terminally truncated TRF2 promote the formation of a columnar structure of the fibres with an average width and compaction larger than that induced by the addition of Mg2+, in agreement with the in vivo observations. Single-molecule force spectroscopy showed that TRF2 increases the mechanical and thermodynamic stability of the telomeric fibres when stretched with magnetic tweezers. This was in contrast to the result for fibres reconstituted on the ‘Widom 601’ high-affinity nucleosome positioning sequence, where minor effects on fibre stability were observed. Overall, TRF2 binding induces and stabilises columnar fibres, which may play an important role in telomere maintenance.
Structural insight into the allosteric inhibition of human sodium-calcium exchanger NCX1 by XIP and SEA0400
Authors: Dong Yanli , Yu Zhuoya , Li Yue , Huang Bo , Bai Qinru , Gao Yiwei , Chen Qihao , Li Na , He Lingli , Zhao Yan
Published: December 2023

Sodium-calcium exchanger proteins influence calcium homeostasis in many cell types and participate in a wide range of physiological and pathological processes. Here, we elucidate the cryo-EM structure of the human Na+/Ca2+ exchanger NCX1.3 in the presence of a specific inhibitor, SEA0400. Conserved ion-coordinating residues are exposed on the cytoplasmic face of NCX1.3, indicating that the observed structure is stabilized in an inward-facing conformation. We show how regulatory calcium-binding domains (CBDs) assemble with the ion-translocation transmembrane domain (TMD). The exchanger-inhibitory peptide (XIP) is trapped within a groove between the TMD and CBD2 and predicted to clash with gating helices TMs1/6 at the outward-facing state, thus hindering conformational transition and promoting inactivation of the transporter. A bound SEA0400 molecule stiffens helix TM2ab and affects conformational rearrangements of TM2ab that are associated with the ion-exchange reaction, thus allosterically attenuating Ca2+-uptake activity of NCX1.3.
The IRE1β-mediated unfolded protein response is repressed by the chaperone AGR2 in mucin producing cells
Authors: Neidhardt Lisa , Cloots Eva , Friemel Natalie , Weiss Caroline A M , Harding Heather P , McLaughlin Stephen H , Janssens Sophie , Ron David
Published: December 2023

Effector mechanisms of the unfolded protein response (UPR) in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) are well-characterised, but how ER proteostasis is sensed is less well understood. Here, we exploited the beta isoform of the UPR transducer IRE1, that is specific to mucin-producing cells in order to gauge the relative regulatory roles of activating ligands and repressing chaperones of the specialised ER of goblet cells. Replacement of the stress-sensing luminal domain of endogenous IRE1α in CHO cells (normally expressing neither mucin nor IRE1β) with the luminal domain of IRE1β deregulated basal IRE1 activity. The mucin-specific chaperone AGR2 repressed IRE1 activity in cells expressing the domain-swapped IRE1β/α chimera, but had no effect on IRE1α. Introduction of the goblet cell-specific client MUC2 reversed AGR2-mediated repression of the IRE1β/α chimera. In vitro, AGR2 actively de-stabilised the IRE1β luminal domain dimer and formed a reversible complex with the inactive monomer. These features of the IRE1β-AGR2 couple suggest that active repression of IRE1β by a specialised mucin chaperone subordinates IRE1 activity to a proteostatic challenge unique to goblet cells, a challenge that is otherwise poorly recognised by the pervasive UPR transducers.
Recent bio-applications of covalent organic framework-based nanomaterials
Authors: Guo Jun , Kong Shuyue , Lian Ye , Zhao Meiting
Published: December 2023

This review provides a concise but comprehensive summary of recent advances in covalent organic frameworks (COFs) for biological applications.
Incorporating a built-in electric field into a NiFe LDH heterojunction for enhanced oxygen evolution and urea oxidation
Authors: Song Tianshan , Xue Hui , Sun Jing , Guo Niankun , Sun Jiawen , Hao Yi-Ru , Wang Qin
Published: December 2023

In this study, Co-NC and NiFe LDH composites with different work functions were successfully synthesized, and the impact of a built-in electric field on enhancing the electrocatalytic activity of NiFe LDH was comprehensively investigated.
A synthetic biology and green bioprocess approach to recreate agarwood sesquiterpenoid mixtures
Authors: Gutiérrez Sergio , Overmans Sebastian , Wellman Gordon B. , Samaras Vasilios G. , Oviedo Claudia , Gede Martin , Szekely Gyorgy , Lauersen Kyle J.
Published: December 2023

We show terpene diversity of endangered agarwoods, engineering a sustainable green algal host for terpene production, and a terpene ‘milking’ bioprocess coupled to green-chemistry functionalisation to produce terpenes like those found in agarwood.
Chemical fuel energy driving polymerization towards porous carbon nitride for energy storage application
Authors: Jackson Tatyana , Ray Schindra Kumar , Subedi Kiran , Ahamad Tansir , Bastakoti Bishnu Prasad
Published: December 2023

A chemical reaction network has been utilized as an energy and radical source to synthesize porous carbon nitride for energy storage applications.
Chickenpox: a cause for party or panic?
Authors: McDonald Aimee
Published: December 2023

The Biochemical Society identifies and celebrates outstanding science communication talent in the molecular biosciences with its annual Science Communication Prize. Aimee McDonald, from the University of Manchester, won the joint second prize in the media category for students in higher education. Aimee’s entry is titled ‘Chickenpox: a cause for party or panic?’
Why do perfumes smell different from the sum of their parts?
Authors: Koon Winnie
Published: December 2023

The Biochemical Society identifies and celebrates outstanding science communication talent in the molecular biosciences with its annual Science Communication Prize. Winnie Koon, from the National University of Singapore, won the joint second prize in the media category for students in higher education. Winnie’s entry is titled ‘Why do perfumes smell different from the sum of their parts?’
The use of tomato peel nanopowder as a natural antioxidant in low-fat mayonnaise
Authors: Evanuarini Herly , Susilo Agus , Amertaningtyas Dedes
Published: December 2023

The tomato processing industry produces waste products that are not utilized and add to the problem of environmental pollution. Tomato peel still contains high bioactive components, tomatoes as the main source of beta-carotene and lycopene are expected to improve food quality. Owned antioxidant activity can reduce the oxidation process in food products. Low-fat mayonnaise is a type of low-fat mayonnaise that has a fat content of less than 40%. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of adding tomato peel nanopowder to low-fat mayonnaise based on emulsion stability, viscosity, moisture content, fat content, antioxidant activity, and fatty acid profile. Low-fat mayonnaise was prepared using sunflower oil, vinegar, and egg yolk by giving 1%, 2%, and 3% tomato peels nanopowder treatment, and without the addition of control which was repeated 5 times. A completely randomized design was used as the research design. Analysis of variance was used as statistical analysis and continued with Duncan's test if there were significant or very significant differences. The results of the study adding nanopowder tomato peel with different percentages had a very significant effect (p<0.01) on emulsion stability, viscosity, water content, fat content, antioxidant activity, and the presence of various types of fatty acids in low-fat mayonnaise. The addition of tomato peel nanopowder can increase the stability of the emulsion, viscosity, and antioxidants, as well as reduce the water content and fat content. This study concludes that 3% tomato peel nanopowder is capable of being a natural antioxidant that can improve the physicochemical quality of low-fat mayonnaise.
Revealing the correlation between hatching weight and egg characteristics in Tukong chickens
Authors: Tribudi Yuli Arif , Ulfah Maria , Gusmalawati Dwi , Sari Aprilianna Putri Zahara Nafsina Luvita , Hariyono Dwi Nur Happy , Ibrahim Alek , Nurgiartiningsih Veronica Margareta Ani
Published: December 2023

The Tukong chicken, renowned for its unique rumpless trait, is indigenous to West Kalimantan, Indonesia. This study endeavors to explore the intricate associations among hatching weight, egg weight, and egg index within the Tukong chicken breed. A total of 104 Tukong chicken eggs served as the primary research material, sourced from 10 female hens paired with 5 male counterparts. To ensure consistent data, the chickens were reared under uniform conditions and management practices. The parameters examined encompassed hatching weight, egg weight, egg length, egg width, and egg index. Comprehensive data analysis, including descriptive and correlation analyses employing SPSS version 25 software, unveiled specific metrics for the Tukong chickens in these dimensions: hatching weight (31.09±2.47 g), egg weight (42.65±4.59 g), egg length (49.84±2.33 mm), egg width (38.84±1.96 mm), and egg index (78.04±4.55%). Noteworthy findings include a robust and statistically significant positive correlation (p<0.01) between hatching weight and egg weight (r=0.758), egg length (r=0.495), and egg width (r=0.522). However, no significant correlation emerged between egg index and either egg weight or hatching weight. In conclusion, this research contributes valuable insights into the complex relationships governing hatching weight and various egg attributes in Tukong chickens. These findings promise to enhance egg quality and optimize hatching outcomes within Tukong chicken breeding programs.
Comparation between maize and sorghum silage quality: A meta-analysis study
Authors: Alifia Ratnaningtyas Ferry , Abdullah Luki , Rochmah Kumalasari Nur
Published: December 2023

Forage maize silage and sorghum silage might be comparable in terms of nutrient content, especially in fermentation quality. Many studies have been conducted on this matter, but no comprehensive analysis exists. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the nutrient content of both maize and sorghum silage through a meta-analysis method. A total of 190 articles relevant to the keyword were further selected until 17 scientific articles according to the determined criteria for this study. The articles were entered into the database. Hedges'g effect was used to measure the estimate with a 95% confidence interval (CI) using random-effects models. The results showed that the pH of forage sorghum silage was significantly (p<0.05, Estimate = 1.029, 95% CI = 0.404 to 1.653) higher than that of forage maize silage. And then, lactic acid (Estimate = -1.174, 95% CI = -1.797 to -0.551) and ammonia (Estimate = -3.180, 95% CI = -4.885 to -1.484) were significantly (p<0.05) lower than maize silage and no effect (P>0.05) in ammonia value. Based on this study, sorghum silage potentially a substitute for maize silage.
The effects of dried betel (Piper betle Linn) leaf extract and betel leaf meal on the production of quail egg
Authors: Sudrajat Deden , Wahyuni Dewi , Singgih Singgih
Published: December 2023

One of the purposes of the inclusion of antibiotics in the ration is to improve production efficiency. Betel leaves are medicinal herbs containing essential oil which can be used as natural antibiotics. This research aimed to examine the effect of giving betel leaf extract and betel leaf flour on quail egg production. A completely randomized design with 4 treatments and 4 replicates was used. Treatments consisted of basal ration (P0), the inclusion of betel leaf meal (BLM) in ration by 1% (P1), the inclusion of dried betel leaf extract (DBLE) in ration by 0.5% (P2) and 1% (P3). The results showed that the inclusion of betel leaf extract and flour did not affect egg production, feed intake, and egg mass. But it improved the feed conversion ratio.
Measurement of some body parts of muscovy duck (Carina moschata) at age 3 weeks old fed by pellet feed under an intensive farming system
Authors: Pratama Firmansyah Budi , Djunaidi Irfan H. , Widodo Eko
Published: December 2023

This study was aimed to measure and determine the size of some body parts of the muscovy duck (Carina moschata) and their relationship with body weight. The research was be carried out for two months from August to September 2023 in local Intensive Muscovy Duck farm, Kademangan area, Blitar, East Java. The research material use were 60 muscovy ducks (unsexed), aged 3 weeks old, and reared in intensive farming system. This study used experiment quantitative methods (measurement). Muscovy duck sampling was carried out by random sampling. The variables observed were body weight, beak length, beak width, head length, head circumference, neck length, neck circumference, wing length, back length, chest length, chest width, shank length, shank circumference, and leg membrane width. Measurements were made on each individual using a measuring tape. The data obtained were tabulated and analyzed using normality test, correlation test and regression test. The results showed that there is a positive correlation between the morphological dimensions of livestock, including membrane width, shank length, beak width, wing length, head width, head length, neck length, shank circumference, beak length, breast length, breast width, neck circumference, back length, and body weight. And the length of the back has the largest contribution of 54% to the body weight of muscovy ducks (Carina moschata) aged 3 weeks old.
Effect of dietary acidifier on intestinal pH of New Zealand White rabbit
Authors: Tistiana Heli , Widodo Eko , Hermanto Hermanto
Published: December 2023

The microflora condition in the small intestine of weaning rabbits hasn’t developed yet. The use of acidifiers in rabbit feed aims to suppress harmful microorganisms and digestive disorders, especially in weaning rabbits. This research used different levels of acidifier as feed additives for weaning rabbits given on pellet feed. The acidifier addition level was control (T0), 0.1% (T1), 0.2% (T2) and 0.3% (T3). The parameter measured was the pH of the different parts of the small intestine. The research used 64 weaning rabbits (35 days old) which were kept for 6 weeks. Parameter measured was the pH of the parts of the small intestine consisting of the duodenum, jejunum and ileum. This research used a randomized group design with 4 treatments and 8 replications. The results showed that the addition of acidifiers had no significant difference effect (P>0.05) on pH of the duodenum and ileum, but there was a trend to decrease pH in all parts of intestine. While, the effect of acidifiers showed significant differences (P<0.05) on pH of jejunum. The conclusion is that the use of acidifier with a level of 0.3% gives the best effect to decrease of intestine pH of New Zealand White Rabbits.
Unveiling the digital persona image: the influence of social media on political candidates’ brand personality and voter behaviour in Kuwait
Authors: Alhaimer Rashed Salem
Published: December 2023

The research paper examined the interplay between social media, brand personality, and voter behaviour in Kuwait’s unique political environment. The study applied the Aaker model of brand personality to investigate how social media shapes the brand personality of political candidates, how voters perceive this brand personality, and the impact it has on their behaviour. Further, it explored the role of tribal and religious affiliations in shaping the perceived brand personality of candidates and their implications for election campaign strategies. Through a quantitative research design, data was collected from 363 Kuwaiti voters using a structured questionnaire. The findings revealed the significant influence of social media on voter behaviour, as well as the relevance of the Aaker model in the political context of Kuwait. The study uncovered the connection between voter demographics and preferences, highlighting the impact of socio-cultural factors on voter behaviour. The implications drawn from these findings provide valuable insights for election campaign strategies in Kuwait’s digitalised political environment.
Art, human rights, and threats from above
Authors: Salecl Renata
Published: December 2023

Art can present to people the dangers coming from above, like excessive surveillance, military attacks and climate change, which all threaten people's physical and mental well-being. Governments, however, also use art to legitimise new military and surveillance technologies. They often create seductive images which show the efficiency of these technologies, and they develop fiction related to pre-emptive measures which might try to predict and prevent crimes from occurring. In the last 20 years, especially after the 11 September terrorist attack, we have witnessed an essential change in the perception of human rights and reinterpretations of laws to allow pre-emptive strikes in the battle against terrorism. The concept of pre-crime, increased surveillance, and the belief that one can predict and prevent crimes have also altered the perceptions of subjectivity. While some critics regard human rights as obsolete or inefficient, political scientists like Claude Lefort have perceived them as always open to reinterpretation and expansion. People can invent new human rights. The increased threats from above require that we expand the existing rights corpus.
Raman scattering monitoring of thin film materials for atomic layer etching/deposition in the nano-semiconductor process integration
Authors: Kim Jae Bin , Kim Dae Sik , Kim Jin Seok , Choe Jin Hyun , Ahn Da Won , Jung Eun Su , Pyo Sung Gyu
Published: December 2023

According to Moore's law, the semiconductor industry is experiencing certain challenges in terms of adapting to highly sophisticated integrated technology. Therefore, controlling materials at the atomic scale is considered a mandatory requirement for further development. To this end, atomic layer deposition and etching skills are being increasingly researched as potential solutions. However, several considerations exist for adopting atomic technology with respect to surface analysis. This review primarily focuses on the use of Raman scattering for evaluating atomic-layered materials. Raman scattering analysis is expected to gradually expand as a semiconductor process and mass-production monitoring technology. As this can enhance the applications of this method, our review can form the basis for establishing Raman scattering analysis as a new trend for atomic-scale monitoring.
Linear eigenvalue statistics of XX′ matrices
Authors: A. S. Kiran Kumar , Maurya Shambhu Nath , Saha Koushik
Published: December 2023

This article focuses on the fluctuations of linear eigenvalue statistics of Tn×pTn×p′, where Tn×p is an n × p Toeplitz matrix with real, complex, or time-dependent entries. We show that as n → ∞ with p/n → λ ∈ (0, ∞), the linear eigenvalue statistics of these matrices for polynomial test functions converge in distribution to Gaussian random variables. We also discuss the linear eigenvalue statistics of Hn×pHn×p′, when Hn×p is an n × p Hankel matrix. As a result of our studies, we derive in-probability limit and a central limit theorem type result for the Schettan norm of rectangular Toeplitz matrices. To establish the results, we use the method of moments.
Highly flexible and robust HfOx-based memristor for wearable in-memory computing
Authors: Liu Xusheng , Qiu Jie , Li Bin , Cao Jie , Si Ziheng , Zhang Mengru , Liu Mengyang , Xu Qian , Chen Yan , Chen Jiewen , Li Yang , Wang Jingli , Wang Ming
Published: December 2023

Metal oxide-based memristors usually exhibit robust resistive switching characteristics but poor mechanical tolerance, limiting their applications in wearable intelligent electronics. Here, we report a highly flexible and robust hafnium oxide-based memristor by using the ultrathin substrate for wearable in-memory computing. The fabricated memristor can display reliable resistive switching behaviors, including low switching voltage, good endurance, and excellent uniformity, under an extremely bending state with the radius of 0.8 mm. The mechanical behavior of the flexible memristor with varying substrate thickness is systematically analyzed using the finite element method. Moreover, typical synaptic plasticity including long-term potentiation and long-term depression was verified under the extremely bending state. Based on the highly flexible and robust memristor device, a three-layer neural network was constructed using a software simulator, achieving a recognition accuracy of 90.49% for handwritten digit recognition under the bending state. These results demonstrate our robust memristor synapse shows high mechanical flexibility, paving a promising way to realizing wearable in-memory computing.
Reducibility of a class of operators induced by the dispersive third order Benjamin-Ono equation
Authors: Wu Xiaoping , Fu Ying , Qu Changzheng
Published: December 2023

We prove the reducibility of a class of quasi-periodically time dependent linear operators, which are derived from linearizing the dispersive third order Benjamin–Ono (BO) equation on the circle at a small amplitude quasi-periodic function, with a diophantine frequency vector ω∈O0⊂Rν. It is shown that there exists a set O∞⊂O0 of asymptotically full Lebesgue measure such that for any ω∈O∞, the operators can be reduced to the ones with constant coefficients by some linear transformations depending on time quasi-periodically. These transformations include a change of variable induced by a diffeomorphism of the torus, the flow of some partial differential equations and a pseudo-differential operator of order zero. We first reduce the linearized operator of order three to the one with constant coefficients plus a remainder of order zero, and then a perturbative reducibility scheme is performed. The major difficulties encountered are brought by the non-smooth character of the dispersive relation in view of the presence of the Hilbert operator H. We look for several appropriate transformations which are real, reversibility-preserving and satisfy the sharp tame bounds which are used for the reducibility. This work will be the first fundamental step in proving the existence of time quasi-periodic solutions for the dispersive third order BO equation.
Machine learning of kinetic energy densities with target and feature smoothing: Better results with fewer training data
Authors: Manzhos Sergei , Lüder Johann , Ihara Manabu
Published: December 2023

Machine learning (ML) of kinetic energy functionals (KEFs), in particular kinetic energy density (KED) functionals, is a promising way to construct KEFs for orbital-free density functional theory (DFT). Neural networks and kernel methods including Gaussian process regression (GPR) have been used to learn Kohn–Sham (KS) KED from density-based descriptors derived from KS DFT calculations. The descriptors are typically expressed as functions of different powers and derivatives of the electron density. This can generate large and extremely unevenly distributed datasets, which complicates effective application of ML techniques. Very uneven data distributions require many training datapoints, can cause overfitting, and can ultimately lower the quality of an ML KED model. We show that one can produce more accurate ML models from fewer data by working with smoothed density-dependent variables and KED. Smoothing palliates the issue of very uneven data distributions and associated difficulties of sampling while retaining enough spatial structure necessary for working within the paradigm of KEDF. We use GPR as a function of smoothed terms of the fourth order gradient expansion and KS effective potential and obtain accurate and stable (with respect to different random choices of training points) kinetic energy models for Al, Mg, and Si simultaneously from as few as 2000 samples (about 0.3% of the total KS DFT data). In particular, accuracies on the order of 1% in a measure of the quality of energy–volume dependence B′=EV0−ΔV−2EV0+E(V0+ΔV)ΔV/V02 (where V0 is the equilibrium volume and ΔV is a deviation from it) are obtained simultaneously for all three materials.
NbN thin films grown on silicon by molecular beam epitaxy for superconducting detectors
Authors: Iovan A. , Pedeches A. , Descamps T. , Rotella H. , Florea I. , Semond F. , Zwiller V.
Published: December 2023

Superconducting nanowire single photon detectors (SNSPDs) made with thin NbN films can reach high performances. While sputtering has been the deposition method of choice, here, we show that ammonia-molecular beam epitaxy (NH3-MBE) can produce pertinent epitaxial cubic NbN thin films on silicon substrates using an AlN buffer. Despite granular morphology and a high density of grain boundaries as well as the presence of rotational twins, Tc = 12.7 K for a 5.6 nm thick film and saturation of internal detection efficiency up to 850 nm are achieved. Morphology and stoichiometry as well as strain have a strong impact on the detector properties, highlighting the importance of a precise control of the growth parameters. These results pave the way for high fabrication yield of SNSPDs on large-scale silicon wafers using epitaxial NbN thin films grown by MBE.
An implicit electrolyte model for plane wave density functional theory exhibiting nonlinear response and a nonlocal cavity definition
Authors: Islam S. M. Rezwanul , Khezeli Foroogh , Ringe Stefan , Plaisance Craig
Published: December 2023

We have developed and implemented an implicit electrolyte model in the Vienna Ab initio Simulation Package (VASP) that includes nonlinear dielectric and ionic responses as well as a nonlocal definition of the cavities defining the spatial regions where these responses can occur. The implementation into the existing VASPsol code is numerically efficient and exhibits robust convergence, requiring computational effort only slightly higher than the original linear polarizable continuum model. The nonlinear + nonlocal model is able to reproduce the characteristic “double hump” shape observed experimentally for the differential capacitance of an electrified metal interface while preventing “leakage” of the electrolyte into regions of space too small to contain a single water molecule or solvated ion. The model also gives a reasonable prediction of molecular solvation free energies as well as the self-ionization free energy of water and the absolute electron chemical potential of the standard hydrogen electrode. All of this, combined with the additional ability to run constant potential density functional theory calculations, should enable the routine computation of activation barriers for electrocatalytic processes.