bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
24‐Epibrassinolide promotes activation of physiological compensation mechanisms in response to drought stress and rehydration and improves yield in soybean
Authors: Silva André Lucas Januário , Ferreira Vilma Marques , dos Santos Claudiana Moura , dos Santos Jônatas Vieira , de Moura Barros Juliany Mayra Teixeira , da Silva Barbosa Wemerson Saulo , da Silva Barrozo Marcos Antônio , Endres Laurício , Justino Gilberto Costa
Published: December 2022

Drought stress is the main limiting factor for the yield of soybean crop in the world. Alternatives to minimize the impacts of water deficit on plants involve the application of plant bioregulators, among which Brassinosteroids stand out. In this study, nodulated soybean plants were used to investigate the ability of the 24‐epibrassinolide (EBR) bioregulator to reduce the damage caused to physiological mechanisms, growth and yield, after application in the vegetative stage of soybean plants, subjected to drought stress and rehydration. Application of EBR in plants subjected to drought stress promoted better performance in the rates of transpiration, photosynthesis and instantaneous water use efficiency compared to plants without EBR. The lowest reductions in relative water content and leaf water potential were recorded in stressed soybean plants treated with EBR. Plants under drought stress treated with EBR showed increase in the effective photochemical efficiency of PSII. In addition, soybean plants that received EBR application showed lower oxidative damage to cell membranes. The positive effect of EBR remained after soybean rehydration. Plants treated with EBR showed better recovery with greater plant height, leaf area, lower number of aborted grains, in addition to an increase in stem (37.2%), root (62.8%), leaf (51.8%) dry matter and 1000 seed weight (33%) compared to plants without EBR. This information suggests that EBR not only mitigated the deleterious effect of drought stress but also improved plant growth and yield post‐stress.
Teaching an old dog a new trick: Reserve price and unverifiable quality in repeated procurement
Authors: Albano Gian Luigi , Cesi Berardino , Iozzi Alberto
Published: December 2022

This paper shows that, in a repeated competitive procurement, a buyer can use the reserve price in a low‐price auction as a “public”—hence nondiscriminatory—incentive device to elicit unverifiable quality. We study a model with many firms and one buyer, who is imperfectly informed on the firms' costs. When firms are ex ante identical, the provision of quality is sustained by a sufficiently high reserve price to reward firms for the quality provision and by the threat of setting a low reserve price forever, if quality is not delivered. The buyer can elicit the desired level of unverifiable quality provided her baseline valuation of the project is not too high and the net benefit from unverifiable quality is not too low. These results are robust to firms' heterogeneity in their time preferences when the punishment for a deviation is finite but sufficiently long.
OLIG2 is an in vivo bookmarking transcription factor in the developing neural tube in mouse
Authors: Hayashi Shinichi , Oe Souichi , Koike Taro , Seki‐Omura Ryohei , Nakano Yosuke , Hirahara Yukie , Tanaka Susumu , Ito Takeshi , Yasukochi Yoshiki , Higasa Koichiro , Kitada Masaaki
Published: December 2022

Cells possess intrinsic features that are inheritable via epigenetic regulation, such as DNA methylation and histone modification. These inheritable features maintain a unique gene expression pattern, underlying cellular memory. Because of the degradation or displacement of mitotic chromosomes, most transcription factors do not contribute to cellular memory. However, accumulating in vitro evidence indicates that some transcription factors can be retained in mitotic chromosomes called as bookmarking. Such transcription factors may contribute to a novel third mechanism of cellular memory. Since most findings of transcription factor bookmarking have been reported in vitro, little is currently known in vivo. In the neural tube of mouse embryos, we discovered that OLIG2, a basic helix loop helix (bHLH) transcription factor that regulates proliferation of neural progenitors and the cell fate of motoneurons and oligodendrocytes, binds to chromatin through every cell cycle including M‐phase. OLIG2 chromosomal localization coincides with mitotic cell features such as the phosphorylation of histone H3, KI67, and nuclear membrane breakdown. Chromosomal localization of OLIG2 is regulated by an N‐terminus triple serine motif. Photobleaching analysis revealed slow OLIG2 mobility, suggesting a high affinity of OLIG2 to DNA. In Olig2 N‐terminal deletion mutant mice, motoneurons and oligodendrocyte progenitor numbers are reduced in the neural tube, suggesting that the bookmarking regulatory domain is important for OLIG2 function. We conclude that OLIG2 is a de novo in vivo bookmarking transcription factor. Our results demonstrate the presence of in vivo bookmarking in a living organism and illustrate a novel function of transcription factors.

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Artificial intelligence in Dermatopathology
Authors: Jartarkar Shishira R. , Cockerell Clay J. , Patil Anant , Kassir Martin , Babaei Mahsa , Weidenthaler‐Barth Beate , Grabbe Stephan , Goldust Mohamad
Published: December 2022

Introduction

Ever evolving research in medical field has reached an exciting stage with advent of newer technologies. With the introduction of digital microscopy, pathology has transitioned to become more digitally oriented speciality. The potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in dermatopathology is to aid the diagnosis, and it requires dermatopathologists' guidance for efficient functioning of artificial intelligence.

Method

Comprehensive literature search was performed using electronic online databases “PubMed” and “Google Scholar.” Articles published in English language were considered for the review.

Results

Convolutional neural network, a type of deep neural network, is considered as an ideal tool in image recognition, processing, classification, and segmentation. Implementation of AI in tumor pathology is involved in the diagnosis, grading, staging, and prognostic prediction as well as in identification of genetic or pathological features. In this review, we attempt to discuss the use of AI in dermatopathology, the attitude of patients and clinicians, its challenges, limitation, and potential opportunities in future implementation.
Learning by Selling, Knowledge Spillovers, and Patents*
Authors: Guéron Yves , Lee Jihong
Published: December 2022

We examine the incentives for experimentation in the context of innovation and market competition. A monopolist chooses whether to sell early‐stage product or perform costly scale‐up R&D. Early market participation facilitates learning about demand but invites knowledge spillovers and competitors, while R&D acts as a barrier to entry. The firm's optimal policy can exhibit both under‐ and over‐experimentation vis‐à‐vis the socially optimal policy. Patents can control the pace of innovation and restore efficient experimentation. When the surplus from R&D is large, rewarding early‐stage innovation encourages market experimentation and limits wasteful R&D investment. We offer a theory of two‐tier patent policy involving ‘petty’ patents.
Adolescent Sexting, Violence, and Sexual Behaviors: An Analysis of 2014 and 2016 Pennsylvania Youth Risk Behavior Survey Data
Authors: Ruvalcaba Yanet , Mercer Kollar Laura M. , Everett Jones Sherry , Mercado Melissa C. , Leemis Ruth W. , Ma Zhen‐Qiang
Published: December 2022

BACKGROUND

Sexting is common among adolescents and is associated with numerous health risk behaviors and negative psychosocial constructs. This study examined the relationships between high school students' experiences with sexual violence victimization, dating violence victimization, and engagement in risky sexual behaviors with experiences of receiving sexts.

METHODS

Cross‐sectional data from the 2014 to 2016 data from Pennsylvania Youth Risk Behavior. Participants were selected using an independent 2‐stage cluster sample design to produce a statewide population‐based sample. The pencil and paper surveys were conducted in school. Participants included 6734 Pennsylvania high school students in grades 9‐12.

RESULTS

Overall, 29.0% of Pennsylvania high school students had received a sext, which varied by sex, race/ethnicity, school grade, and sexual identity. Students who engaged in sexual risk behaviors, experienced dating violence, or experienced lifetime sexual violence outside of the dating context had a significantly higher prevalence of receiving a sext than students who did not engage in those behaviors or have those experiences.

CONCLUSIONS

Early screening and prevention efforts that include discussions about sexting behaviors may help prevent other negative outcomes, such as risky sexual behaviors and interpersonal violence. Addressing sexting in the education and health sectors may help to prevent other related harmful health and violence experiences during adolescence.
GEOCHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF CRUDE OILS FROM THE SHARARA‐C OIL FIELD, MURZUQ BASIN, SOUTHWESTERN LIBYA
Authors: Saheed Ramadan Musbah M. , Knudsen Tatjana Šolević , Faraj Musbah Abduljalil M. , Nytoft Hans Peter , Jovančićević Branimir
Published: December 2022

Crude oil samples from the Sharara‐C oil field (Concession NC‐115, Murzuq Basin, SW Libya) were analysed by organic geochemical methods in order to infer the geochemical characteristics of their respective source rocks. Aromatic hydrocarbons were analysed by gas chromatography – mass spectrometry (GC‐MS), and gas chromatography – tandem mass spectrometry (GC‐MS‐MS) was used to analyse saturated biomarkers. The Sharara‐C oils are interpreted to have been generated by marine shales containing mixed terrigenous and marine organic materials deposited in an intermediate (suboxic) environment. Age‐specific biomarker ratios indicated that the oils are older than Cretaceous, and maturation‐related parameters pointed to their high thermal maturity. Consistent with previous studies, source rocks are inferred to be “hot” shales in the Lower Silurian Tanezzuft Formation.

Almost all the parameter ratios calculated varied over a very narrow range, indicating that the investigated oils were compositionally similar. The only significant difference that was noted concerned the sterane/hopane ratios whose variation suggested that there was some variability in the composition of the source organic material.

The organic geochemical parameters determined for the Sharara‐C crude oils were compared with published data on other crude oils from Concession NC‐115. Almost all the parameters agreed well with previously published data on oils from this part of the Murzuq Basin. The greatest deviation concerned the values of some of the maturity parameters. This tended to confirm the conclusions of previous studies concerning the presence of a number of distinct oil families and sub‐families in the Sharara oil field area which are genetically related but which have different maturities.
Possessive Processing in Bilingual Comprehension
Authors: Lago Sol , Stone Kate , Oltrogge Elise , Veríssimo João
Published: December 2022

Second language (L2) learners make gender errors with possessive pronouns. In production, these errors are modulated by the gender match between the possessor and possessee noun. We examined whether this so‐called match effect extends to L2 comprehension by attempting to replicate a recent study on gender predictions in first language (L1) German speakers (Stone, Veríssimo, et al., 2021). By comparing Spanish and English learners of L2 German whose languages have different possessive constraints, we were able to examine whether the match effect was modulated by the participants’ L1. A first experiment suggested that predictions and match effects were absent in setups with complex visual displays. A second experiment with simpler displays successfully elicited predictions and match effects, but their size was comparable in Spanish and English speakers, inconsistent with crosslinguistic influence. We interpret our results as evidence that processing difficulties with possessives result from memory interference that impacts both L1 and L2 comprehenders.
Pediatric and elderly polymorphous low‐grade neuroepithelial tumor of the young: Typical and unusual case reports and literature review
Authors: Furuta Takuya , Moritsubo Mayuko , Muta Hiroko , Shimamoto Hotetsu , Ohshima Koichi , Sugita Yasuo
Published: December 2022

Polymorphous low‐grade neuroepithelial tumor of the young (PLNTY), one of the pediatric‐type diffuse low‐grade gliomas, is characterized by a diffuse infiltrating pattern of oligodendroglioma‐like tumor cells showing CD34 positivity and harbors mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) alteration, such as vRAF murine sarcoma viral oncogene homolog B1 (BRAF) p.V600E or fibroblast growth factor fusion genetically. It occurs mainly in pediatric and adolescents with seizures due to the dominant location of the temporal lobe. However, there have been a few cases of PLNTY in adult patients, suggesting the wide range of this tumor spectrum. Here, we describe two cases of PLNTY, one in a 14‐year‐old female and the other in a 66‐year‐old female. The pediatric tumor showed typical clinical course and histopathology with BRAF p.V600E mutation, whereas the elderly tumor was unusual because of non‐epileptic onset clinically and ependymal differentiation histopathologically harboring KIAA1549‐BRAF fusion. There might be unusual but possible PLNTY, as in our elderly case. We also compared typical pediatric and unusual elderly tumors by reviewing the literature.
Repair mechanism of radiation‐induced salivary gland injury by hypoxia‐pretreated human urine‐derived stem cell exosomes
Authors: Xiao Xiang‐Yang , Zhang Ni‐Ni , Long Yuan‐Zhu , Huang Gui‐Lin
Published: December 2022

Objective

To explore the protective effect of human urine‐derived stem cell exosomes (hUSC‐Exos) on radiation‐induced salivary gland (SG) injuries in Sprague Dawley rats.

Methods

Fresh adult urine was collected, and primary hUSCs were isolated and identified. The hUSCs were hypoxia‐pretreated with 1% oxygen for 24 h and then transferred to a normoxic culture environment for 24 h. The hUSC‐Exos were collected and identified for exosomes. A radiation‐induced injury model was established in the rats, and exosomes were introduced by local injection in the SG and tail vein. The submandibular gland was excised for morphological observation 1 week later. Immunohistochemical detection of the glandular tissue was conducted by α‐smooth muscle actin (a‐SMA), stem cell growth factor receptor (c‐Kit) staining, and periodic acid–Schiff staining. Qualitative polymerase chain reaction and western blot analysis were adopted to detect the gene and protein expression of Wnt3a, GSK3β, and Axin.

Results

In both the normoxic and hypoxic hUSC‐Exo groups, microvesicular structures with bilayer membranes of approximately 80 nm in diameter were detected, and the expressions of CD9 and CD63 were detected by nanoflow cytometry. Compared with the control group, in the radiation‐induced injury model group, the expression of a‐SMA was significantly higher, the expression of c‐Kit was significantly lower, and the expressions of Wnt3a, GSK3β, and Axin were significantly upregulated; the differences were statistically significant (p < 0.05). Compared with the model group, in the normoxic and hypoxic hUSC‐Exo groups, the expression of a‐SMA was significantly decreased, the expression of c‐Kit was significantly increased, and the expressions of Wnt3a, GSK3β, and Axin were significantly upregulated; the differences were statistically significant (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Hypoxia‐pretreated hUSC‐Exos could repair radiation‐induced SG injuries by activating the Wnt3a/GSK3β pathway to suppress the expressions of a‐SMA and c‐Kit.
Habitat loss shapes the structure and species roles in tropical plant–frugivore networks
Authors: Bonfim Fernando César Gonçalves , Dodonov Pavel , Guimarães Paulo R. , Cazetta Eliana
Published: December 2022

Habitat loss is a global threat to biodiversity with pervasive effects on species and populations. These impacts may generate cascading effects on ecological processes propagating across ecological networks. Thus, understanding how habitat loss affects ecological networks is fundamental for conservation. We used a database of 25 plant–frugivore networks distributed across the whole Brazilian Atlantic Forest to understand how landscape‐scale habitat loss shapes network structure, robustness, species role and traits related to seed dispersal. We compared whether these network properties have linear or non‐linear relationships and used centrality metrics and indirect effects to evaluate if habitat loss change the role of species in plant–frugivore networks. We found linear and non‐linear relationships with negative effects of habitat loss on the network structure. As a consequence of shifts in species richness and number of links, the number of interactions and the proportion of possible interactions observed (connectance) were negatively associated with habitat loss. In contrast, nestedness increased with habitat loss. Network robustness, mean bill width and mean seed size were not significantly related to habitat loss. In addition to changes in interaction patterns at network level, habitat loss also favors changes in interaction among species, shifting the species playing central roles in network organization or contributing to indirect effects in the networks. In forested landscapes, obligate frugivores are the main central species in the network, and the ones potentially contributing to indirect effects, while in deforested landscapes these roles are fulfilled by occasional frugivores. Thus, our results emphasize the widespread effect of habitat loss on plant–frugivore systems, adding evidence that its pervasive effects on biodiversity also proliferate on mutualistic interactions with negative consequences for seed dispersal that potentially go beyond the direct pairs of interacting species.
Allergic disease and sensitization disparity in urban and rural China: A EuroPrevall‐INCO study
Authors: Fu Wanyi , Zheng Zhenyu , Zhao Jiefeng , Feng Mulin , Xian Mo , Wei Nili , Qin Rundong , Xing Yuhan , Yang Zhaowei , Wong Gary W. K. , Li Jing
Published: December 2022

Background

Studies in comparison with allergic diseases and sensitization between rural and urban environments in westernized countries might be biased and not adequately reflect countries undergoing rapid transition.

Methods

A total of 5542 schoolchildren from urban area and 5139 from rural area were recruited for the EuroPrevall‐INCO survey. A subsequent case–control sample with 196 children from urban area and 202 from rural area was recruited for a detailed face‐to‐face questionnaire and assessment of sensitization. Skin prick tests and serum‐specific IgE measurements were used to assess sensitizations against food and aeroallergens. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine associations between risk/protective factors, food adverse reactions (FAR), allergic diseases, and sensitizations.

Results

Prevalence of self‐reported allergic diseases, including asthma (6.6% vs.2.5%), rhinitis (23.2% vs.5.3%), and eczema (34.1% vs.25.9%), was higher in urban than in rural children. Urban children had a significantly higher prevalence of FAR and related allergic diseases, and lower food/inhalation allergen sensitization rate, than those of rural children. In urban children, frequent changing places of residency (odds ratio 2.85, 95% confidence interval: 1.45–5.81) and antibiotic usage (3.54, 1.77–7.32) in early life were risk factors for sensitization, while sensitization and family history of allergy were risk factors for allergic diseases. In rural children, exposure to rural environments in early life was protective against both allergen sensitizations (0.46, 0.21–0.96) and allergic diseases (0.03, 0.002–0.19).

Conclusion

We observed a disparity in rates of allergic diseases and allergen sensitization between rural and urban children. In addition to family history, the development of allergic diseases and allergen sensitization were associated with specific urban/rural environmental exposures in early life.
Do photosynthetic metabolism and habitat influence foliar water uptake in orchids?
Authors: Lima J. F. , Boanares D. , Costa V. E. , Moreira A. S. F. P.
Published: December 2022

Epiphytic and rupicolous plants inhabit environments with limited water resources. Such plants commonly use Crassulacean Acid Metabolism (CAM), a photosynthetic pathway that accumulates organic acids in cell vacuoles at night, so reducing their leaf water potential and favouring water absorption. Foliar water uptake (FWU) aids plant survival during drought events in environments with high water deficits. We hypothesized that FWU represents a strategy employed by epiphytic and rupicolous orchids for water acquisition and that CAM will favour increased water absorption.

We examined 6 epiphyte, 4 terrestrial and 6 rupicolous orchids that use C3 (n = 9) or CAM (n = 7) pathways. Five individuals per species were used to evaluate FWU, structural characteristics and leaf water balance.

Rupicolous species with C3 metabolism had higher FWU than other species. FWU (Cmax and k) could be related to succulence, SLM and leaf RWC. The results indicated that high orchid leaf densities favoured FWU, as area available for water storage increases with leaf density. Structural characteristics linked to water storage (e.g. high RWC, succulence), on the other hand, could limit leaf water absorption by favouring high internal leaf water potentials.

Epiphytic, rupicolous and terrestrial orchids showed FWU. Rupicolous species had high levels of FWU, probably through absorption from mist. However, succulence in plants with CAM appears to mitigate FWU.
Unearthing the alteration in plant volatiles induced by mycorrhizal fungi: A shield against plant pathogens
Authors: Sarkar Anup Kumar , Sadhukhan Sanjoy
Published: December 2022

Plants produce a large range of structurally varied low molecular weight secondary metabolites, which evaporate, known as volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Several of them are emitted in response to biotic stress as a defensive measure against pathogen attacks. Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMFs) can change the VOC pattern in parts of the plant and may promote plant defense via direct or indirect mechanisms. Mycorrhization of plants positively affects plant immunization along with growth and yield. The presence of AMF may raise the concentration of phenolic compounds and the activity of critical defense‐related enzymes. AMF‐induced changes in plant chemistry and associated volatile emissions lead to stronger immunity against pathogenic microorganisms. Despite substantial research into the origins of diversity in VOC‐mediated plant communication, very little is known about the mechanism of influence of several AMFs on plant VOC emissions and modulation of plant immunization. Moreover, the molecular mechanism for VOC sensing in plants and mycorrhizal association is still unclear. In the present review, we have presented an up‐to‐date understanding of the cross‐talk of AMF and VOC patterns in plants and the subsequent modulation of resistance against microbial pathogens.
Let's stay close: An examination of the effects of imagined contact on behavior toward children with disability
Authors: Cocco Veronica Margherita , Bisagno Elisa , Bernardo Gian Antonio Di , Bicocchi Nicola , Calderara Simone , Palazzi Andrea , Cucchiara Rita , Zambonelli Franco , Cadamuro Alessia , Stathi Sofia , Crisp Richard , Vezzali Loris
Published: December 2022

In line with current developments in indirect intergroup contact literature, we conducted a field study using the imagined contact paradigm among high‐status (Italian children) and low‐status (children with foreign origins) group members (N = 122; 53 females, mean age = 7.52 years). The experiment aimed to improve attitudes and behavior toward a different low‐status group, children with disability. To assess behavior, we focused on an objective measure that captures the physical distance between participants and a child with disability over the course of a five‐minute interaction (i.e., while playing together). Results from a 3‐week intervention revealed that in the case of high‐status children imagined contact, relative to a no‐intervention control condition, improved outgroup attitudes and behavior, and strengthened helping and contact intentions. These effects however did not emerge among low‐status children. The results are discussed in the context of intergroup contact literature, with emphasis on the implications of imagined contact for educational settings.
Street Experiments and COVID‐19: Challenges, Responses and Systemic Change
Authors: Verhulst Lennert , Casier Corneel , Witlox Frank
Published: December 2022

Cities have introduced street experiments, among others, in order to cope with the urgent health challenges caused by the COVID‐19 pandemic. They are primarily intended to allow people to move safely in urban spaces according to physical distancing requirements. It has been suggested that street experiments have the potential to not only respond to pressing needs, but to also trigger systemic change in mobility. This paper explores urban case studies and demonstrates how pandemic‐induced street experiments provide a solution to specific challenges to mobility and public space. There are, however, issues concerning equity and citizen participation. Finally, we find that pandemic‐induced street experiments have a higher acceptance among the public and authorities, a more permanent character and a greater embeddedness in long‐term planning agendas. The paper concludes that the pandemic stimulated the introduction of street experiments and fostered their potential to enable systemic change in urban mobility.
Statistical edutainment: An experimental way to teach for good measure
Authors: Pearl Dennis K. , Lesser Lawrence M.
Published: December 2022

Concepts of experimentation and measurement are explored using statistics educational fun items and illustrated by sharing our process in conducting an experiment on cartoon captions.
Infection evaluation in the early period after liver transplantation: A single‐center exploration
Authors: Tu Zhen‐Hua , Jin Ping‐Bo , Chen Di‐Yu , Chen Zhi‐Yun , Li Zhi‐Wei , Zhang Bao‐Shan , Zhang Lin , Zhang Wei , Bai Xue‐Li , Liang Ting‐Bo
Published: December 2022

Background

Infection is a significant risk factor that impacts for perioperative morbidity and mortality in liver transplantation (LTx) patients and is difficult to evaluate quantitatively in the early posttransplantation period. Thus, a biomarker to assess the risk of infection and the prognosis of the recipient is highly desirable.

Methods

A total of 128 consecutive patients with end‐stage liver diseases undergoing LTx between January 1, 2020 and December 31, 2021, at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, were screened retrospectively. Graft preservation fluid and blood samples were collected for culture, and other perioperative laboratory examination results were recorded, for assessment of infection status.

Results

After a follow‐up period of 30 days, the survival rate among the 128 LTx recipients was 94.5%. Multivariable regression analysis showed that the logarithmically transformed neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio (NLR) (HR = 3.548, 95% CI: ; p = .041) on post‐LTx day 1 and graft preservation fluid culture positivity (HR = 12.032, 95% CI: ; p = .006) were independent predictive factors for early prognosis after LTx.

Conclusions

Positive graft preservation fluid culture and the logarithmically transformed NLR on post‐LTx day 1 were independent predictive factors for early prognosis after LTx. The logarithmically transformed NLR could provide an earlier indication than culture results in clinical practice.

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Self S‐RNase inhibits ABF–LRX signaling to arrest pollen tube growth to achieve self‐incompatibility in pear
Authors: Wu Lei , Liu Xing , Zhang Ming‐Yue , Qi Kai‐Jie , Jiang Xue‐Ting , Yao Jia‐Long , Zhang Shao‐Ling , Gu Chao
Published: December 2022

Gametophytic self‐incompatibility (GSI) has been widely studied in flowering plants, but studies of the mechanisms underlying pollen tube growth arrest by self S‐RNase in GSI species are limited. In the present study, two leucine‐rich repeat extensin genes in pear (Pyrus bretschneideri), PbLRXA2.1 and PbLRXA2.2, were identified based on transcriptome and quantitative real‐time PCR analyses. The expression levels of these two LRX genes were significantly higher in the pollen grains and pollen tubes of the self‐compatible cultivar ‘Jinzhui’ (harboring a spontaneous bud mutation) than in those of the self‐incompatible cultivar ‘Yali’. Both PbLRXA2.1 and PbLRXA2.2 stimulated pollen tube growth and attenuated the inhibitory effects of self S‐RNase on pollen tube growth by stabilizing the actin cytoskeleton and enhancing cell wall integrity. These results indicate that abnormal expression of PbLRXA2.1 and PbLRXA2.2 is involved in the loss of self‐incompatibility in ‘Jinzhui’. The PbLRXA2.1 and PbLRXA2.2 promoters were directly bound by the ABRE‐binding factor PbABF.D.2. Knockdown of PbABF.D.2 decreased PbLRXA2.1 and PbLRXA2.2 expression and inhibited pollen tube growth. Notably, the expression of PbLRXA2.1, PbLRXA2.2, and PbABF.D.2 was repressed by self S‐RNase, suggesting that self S‐RNase can arrest pollen tube growth by restricting the PbABF.D.2–PbLRXA2.1/PbLRXA2.2 signal cascade. These results provide novel insight into pollen tube growth arrest by self S‐RNase.
Multi‐omics analyses reveal stone cell distribution pattern in pear fruit
Authors: Gong Xin , Qi Kaijie , Chen Juanli , Zhao Liangyi , Xie Zhihua , Yan Xin , Khanizadeh Shahrokh , Zhang Shaoling , Tao Shutian
Published: December 2022

Stone cells are the brachysclereid cells in pear (Pyrus) fruit, consisting almost entirely of lignified secondary cell walls. They are distributed mainly near the fruit core and spread radially in the whole fruit. However, the development of stone cells has not been comprehensively characterized, and little is known about the regulation of stone cell formation at the transcriptomic, proteomic, and metabolomic levels. In the present study, we performed phenomic analysis on the stone cells and their associated vascular bundles distributed near the fruit cores. Transcriptomic, proteomic, and metabolomic analyses revealed a significant positive regulation of biological processes which contribute to the lignification and lignin deposition in stone cells near the fruit core, including sucrose metabolism and phenylalanine, tyrosine, tryptophan, and phenylalanine biosynthesis. We found many metabolites generated from the phenylpropanoid pathway contributing to the cell wall formation of stone cells near the fruit core. Furthermore, we identified a key transcription factor, PbbZIP48, which was highly expressed near the fruit core and was shown to regulate lignin biosynthesis in stone cells. In conclusion, the present study provides insight into the mechanism of lignified stone cell formation near the pear fruit core at multiple levels.
A Theory of Cavitation Flow in Centrifugal-Pump Impellers
Authors: Gongwer Calvin A.
Published: December 2022

In this paper the present methods of describing pump cavitation performance are reviewed from the standpoint of the influence of eye design characteristics. From cavitation plots against three eye parameters, cavitation performance is related to eye design and the influence of the angle of attack of the vane leading edges on the flow is studied. Coefficients are derived for the pressure drop due to the vanes and shrouds separately. The parameter S or suction specific speed is related to the three eye parameters and interpreted as a design parameter. Cavitation design categories are suggested. The cavitation plots show that the discontinuity in the pump-discharge characteristic curves is due to a “stall” or separation of flow in the eye. A correlation is found between this separation and the angle of attack of the vane leading edges and design information is derived.
Parallel Versus Individual Operation of Multicyclones
Authors: Whiton L. C.
Published: December 2022

In this paper, the author discusses the problem of determining the comparative efficiencies of individual cyclone-type dust collectors and cyclones grouped with interconnecting ducts and hoppers. The test setup and procedure followed are described fully, while the results are completely tabulated. The conclusion is reached that, with a damper-equipped cyclone of the size used in actual practice and operated under identical conditions of resistance and temperature, performance of the individual cyclone is representative of the group in the field.
A Study of Circulation in High-Pressure Boilers and Water-Cooled Furnaces
Authors: Van Brunt John
Published: December 2022

This paper is devoted to a discussion of the elements of boiler and furnace design dealing with the problem of obtaining adequate circulation for the higher pressures now demanded by current practice. After explaining the action within a simple evaporating circuit, the author indicates the procedure in analyzing waterwall circuits and calculating the circulation in boiler tubes.
Multiple Phase Change Material-Based Heat Sink for Cooling of Electronics: A Combined Experimental and Numerical Study
Authors: Marri Girish Kumar , Srikanth R. , Balaji C.
Published: December 2022

This paper reports an investigation of the thermal performance of an energy storage heat sink incorporated with multiple phase change materials (PCMs). A six-cavity cylindrical heat sink heated at the base is chosen for the investigations with Docosane, n-Eicosane, and Tetracosane as candidate PCMs. The phase transition of PCMs has been visualized with a digital camera and three-dimensional numerical simulations. The results show that the latent heat exploitation process of PCMs in a heat sink with multiple PCMs is different from the single PCM heat sink, where the PCMs in all cavities melt distinctly rather at a time, thereby opening up windows for obtaining deeper insights that can lead to better performing heat sinks. A trained artificial neural network (ANN) with 78 representative heat sink configurations based on the arrangement of the PCMs in the cavities as input and charging and discharging times as output is used to swiftly drive the optimization engine. Finally, multi-objective optimization is performed using the artificial bee colony algorithm with simultaneous consideration of two conflicting objectives (i.e., maximizing charging cycle time and minimizing discharging cycle time) of the heat sink. From the optimization study, best performing nondominated Pareto optimal heat sink configurations are obtained and validated with the in-house experimental results. From the investigations, it is found that the heat sink configurations with multiple PCMs perform on par with the single PCMs in the charging process and show a superiority of up to 24% in discharging process over a heat sink with single PCMs in terms of time to reach set point temperature.
Optimization of Energy Storage Systems and Demand Side Management to Maximize Water Utility Savings: A Hawaii Case Study
Authors: Manoharan Yogesh , Olson Keith , Headley Alexander John
Published: December 2022

Energy conservation is a concern in many industries, and consequently, facility operators are turning to various efficiency measures or alternative power sources to reduce electricity costs. With the expanding use of intermittent resources, energy storage systems (ESSs) and demand side management (DSM) options are also gaining interest to maximize potential energy savings. Here, we study the potential of ESSs versus DSM for water utilities through a case study of the National Energy Laboratory of the Hawaii Authority (NELHA). NELHA is a multizone water utility in which most of its electricity usage is dedicated to pumping water. In this study, the optimization of the overall electricity charges for NELHA, using both ESSs or DSM via pump load shifting and optimization of pump house output is investigated. An optimization algorithm is created to determine the optimal size of the batteries for installation considering the water demand and energy costs in each zone. An extended approach of considering the characteristics of individual pumps on each pump house in the optimization model is applied to provide insight into the proper optimization framework for dispatching pumps depending on the current zonal load, given pump efficiencies, and maximum flowrates from each pump. The outcome from mathematical models using general quadratic pump efficiency functions and a simplified linear version of pump efficiency is compared to determine the significance of this difference in modeling methodology in estimations and evaluations. Additionally, the effect of increasing solar power on electricity purchased is analyzed. This work will help to establish the role of ESS and DSM in energy savings for water utility industry as well as show what methods should be used for evaluation of the potential of ESS and DSM interventions.
Technical Evaluation of a Surfactant Injection Process for Heavy Oil Recovery by Laboratory-Scale Numerical Simulation
Authors: Ceballos Payares Juan Diego , Gambús Ordaz Maika Karen , Muñoz Navarro Samuel Fernando
Published: December 2022

Surfactant flooding comes up as a potential enhanced oil recovery method for heavy oil exploitation as a solution to energy losses in thermal processes. This research aims to use an inverse problem to determine the most suitable application scenario of this process at the laboratory scale by the use of reservoir simulation. First of all, a numerical laboratory model was built, representing an alkali-surfactant flooding test of crude oil with a viscosity of 1800 MPa*s; second, an optimization process was carried out, where operational parameters, such as alkali and surfactant concentration, size of the main chemical slug and injection rate, were evaluated. Results showed that the most suitable scenario consisted of the injection of 0.5 PV from the combined mixture 0.2% Na2CO3 + 0.2% NaOH + 100 ppm Surfactant at an injection rate of 0.1 cm3/min, getting a final chemical-oil relation of about 0.0010 cm3 of chemical per cm3 of oil.
Assessing the SAC305 Solder Joint Fatigue in Ball Grid Array Assembly Using Strain-Controlled and Stress-Controlled Approaches
Authors: Wei Xin , Hamasha Sa'd , Alahmer Ali , Belhadi Mohamed El Amine
Published: December 2022

One of the crucial factors in determining the reliability of an electronic device is fatigue failure of the interconnecting solder joints. In most cases, large bulk samples are used to study the fatigue characteristics of the solder materials. Real solder joints often encountered in ball grid array (BGA) components have only been considered in limited investigations. In this study, a specialized sandwich BGA test vehicle with a 3 × 3 solder joint was connected to the two substrates. The alloys were tested at room temperature using an Instron micromechanical tester in both the stress-controlled and strain-controlled methods. The tests were performed at a constant strain rate. Four stresses and four strain levels of the solder alloy Sn-3.0Ag-0.5Cu (SAC305) were examined using organic solderability preservative (OSP) and electroless nickel-immersion silver (ENIG) surface finishes. The work per cycle and plastic strain range was computed based on a systematic recording of the stress–strain (hysteresis) loops of each sample. A novel approach based on inelastic work is developed to calculate the fatigue life of a BGA assembled test vehicle. The results of the stress-controlled and strain-controlled tests indicated that the OSP surface finishes outperformed the ENIG surface finish. Regardless of the testing process and surface finish, the Coffin–Manson and Morrow energy models were acceptable for SAC305.
Experimental realization of an additively manufactured monatomic lattice for studying wave propagation
Authors: Mork Nehemiah , Kuchibhatla Sai A. R. , Leamy Michael J. , Fronk Matthew D.
Published: December 2022

Increasing interest in wave propagation in phononic systems and metamaterials motivates the development of experimental designs, measurement techniques, and fabrication methods for use in basic research and classroom demonstrations. The simplest phononic system, the monatomic chain, exhibits rich physics such as dispersion and frequency-domain filtering. However, a limited number of experimental studies showcase monatomic chains for macroscale observation of phonons. Herein, we discuss the design, fabrication, and testing of monatomic lattices as enabled by three-dimensional (3D) printing. Using this widely available technology, we provide design guidelines for realization of a monatomic chain composed of 3D printed serpentine springs and press-fitted cylindrical masses. We also present measurement techniques that record propagating waves and algorithms for the experimental determination of dispersion behavior.
Resource Letter CP-3: Computational physics
Authors: Atherton Timothy J.
Published: December 2022

This Resource Letter provides information and guidance for those looking to incorporate computation into their courses or to refine their own computational practice. We begin with general resources, including policy documents and supportive organizations. We then survey efforts to integrate computation across the curriculum as well as provide information for instructors looking to teach a computational physics course specifically. An overview of education research into computation in physics, including materials from beyond Physics Education Research, is then provided, followed by suggestions for tools, languages, and environments. We conclude with some emerging topics for which only preliminary resources exist but represent important topics for future innovation.
Adaptable research-based materials for teaching quantum mechanics
Authors: Pollock Steven , Passante Gina , Sadaghiani Homeyra
Published: December 2022

We have developed a complete collection of freely available instructional materials to assist faculty in creating a student-centered quantum mechanics (QM) class that engages students while supporting them in developing both sense-making and calculational skills. Our materials are grounded in research on students' understanding of quantum mechanics and are intended to be adaptable to a variety of instructional settings and faculty styles or preferences. They were designed for a spins-first instructional paradigm and include a set of learning goals, concept (“clicker”) questions, pre-lecture surveys, and homework and exam questions, along with example lecture notes from three instructors at three different institutions. In this work, we describe what active learning can look like in the upper-division as well as describe each of the instructional tools and provide a few representative examples. We also discuss how these materials are used at each of our institutions, illustrating how they may be adapted for use at different institutions.
The law of entropy increase for bodies in mutual thermal contact
Authors: Johal Ramandeep S.
Published: December 2022

The law of entropy increase for bodies in mutual thermal contact may be argued using the fact that the final temperature in the thermal process is higher than the final temperature in a reversible process for work extraction.
Glassfrogs conceal blood in their liver to maintain transparency
Authors: Taboada Carlos , Delia Jesse , Chen Maomao , Ma Chenshuo , Peng Xiaorui , Zhu Xiaoyi , Jiang Laiming , Vu Tri , Zhou Qifa , Yao Junjie , O’Connell Lauren , Johnsen Sönke
Published: December 2022

Transparency in animals is a complex form of camouflage involving mechanisms that reduce light scattering and absorption throughout the organism. In vertebrates, attaining transparency is difficult because their circulatory system is full of red blood cells (RBCs) that strongly attenuate light. Here, we document how glassfrogs overcome this challenge by concealing these cells from view. Using photoacoustic imaging to track RBCs in vivo, we show that resting glassfrogs increase transparency two- to threefold by removing ~89% of their RBCs from circulation and packing them within their liver. Vertebrate transparency thus requires both see-through tissues and active mechanisms that “clear” respiratory pigments from these tissues. Furthermore, glassfrogs’ ability to regulate the location, density, and packing of RBCs without clotting offers insight in metabolic, hemodynamic, and blood-clot research.
Epigenetic clocks, aging, and cancer
Authors: Johnstone Sarah E. , Gladyshev Vadim N. , Aryee Martin J. , Bernstein Bradley E.
Published: December 2022

Global methylation changes in aging cells affect cancer risk and tissue homeostasis
Embracing disorder in solid-state batteries
Authors: Botros Miriam , Janek Jürgen
Published: December 2022

Enhanced ion transport is achieved by chemically induced structural distortion
Class switch toward noninflammatory, spike-specific IgG4 antibodies after repeated SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccination
Authors: Irrgang Pascal , Gerling Juliane , Kocher Katharina , Lapuente Dennis , Steininger Philipp , Habenicht Katharina , Wytopil Monika , Beileke Stephanie , Schäfer Simon , Zhong Jahn , Ssebyatika George , Krey Thomas , Falcone Valeria , Schülein Christine , Peter Antonia Sophia , Nganou-Makamdop Krystelle , Hengel Hartmut , Held Jürgen , Bogdan Christian , Überla Klaus , Schober Kilian , Winkler Thomas H. , Tenbusch Matthias
Published: December 2022

RNA vaccines are efficient preventive measures to combat the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic. High levels of neutralizing SARS-CoV-2 antibodies are an important component of vaccine-induced immunity. Shortly after the initial two mRNA vaccine doses, the immunoglobulin G (IgG) response mainly consists of the proinflammatory subclasses IgG1 and IgG3. Here, we report that several months after the second vaccination, SARS-CoV-2–specific antibodies were increasingly composed of noninflammatory IgG4, which were further boosted by a third mRNA vaccination and/or SARS-CoV-2 variant breakthrough infections. IgG4 antibodies among all spike-specific IgG antibodies rose, on average, from 0.04% shortly after the second vaccination to 19.27% late after the third vaccination. This induction of IgG4 antibodies was not observed after homologous or heterologous SARS-CoV-2 vaccination with adenoviral vectors. Single-cell sequencing and flow cytometry revealed substantial frequencies of IgG4-switched B cells within the spike-binding memory B cell population [median of 14.4%; interquartile range (IQR) of 6.7 to 18.1%] compared with the overall memory B cell repertoire (median of 1.3%; IQR of 0.9 to 2.2%) after three immunizations. This class switch was associated with a reduced capacity of the spike-specific antibodies to mediate antibody-dependent cellular phagocytosis and complement deposition. Because Fc-mediated effector functions are critical for antiviral immunity, these findings may have consequences for the choice and timing of vaccination regimens using mRNA vaccines, including future booster immunizations against SARS-CoV-2.
Erratum to: Transport and Possible Outcome of Lipofuscin in Mouse Myocardium
Authors: Wang L. , Xiao C.-Y. , Li J.-H. , Tang G.-C. , Xiao S.-S.
Published: December 2022

An Erratum to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1134/S2079057022310010