bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Structural perturbations of substrate binding and oxidation state changes in a lytic polysaccharide monooxygenase
Authors: Walton Paul H. , Davies Gideon J.
Published: October 2022

LPMOs are enzymes which catalyse the oxidation of a C-H bond within polysaccharides, leading to their oxidative cleavage. To achieve this, LPMOs employ highly reactive oxidising intermediates, the generation of which is likely coupled to substrate binding to the enzyme. The nature of this coupling is unknown. Here we report a statistical comparison for four three-dimensional structures of an AA9 LPMO crystallised in the same space group but in different oxidation and substrate-binding states, to determine which significant structural perturbations occur at the enzyme upon either oxidation state change or the binding of substrate. In a novel step, we determine the global random error associated with the positional coordinates of atoms using the method of moments to ascertain the statistical estimators of Gaussian distributions of pairwise RMS differences between individual atoms in different structures. The results show that a change in the oxidation state of the copper leads to no significant structural changes, and that binding of the substrate leads to a single change in the conformation of a tryptophan residue. This tryptophan has previously been identified as part of a charge transfer pathway between the active site and the external surface of the protein, and the structural change identified herein may be part of the substrate-enzyme coupling mechanism.

Graphical abstract
Can serious games measure your cognitive profile in adults? An innovative proposal to evaluate and stimulate cognitive skills
Authors: Garmen Pablo , Areces Débora , García Trinidad , San-Pedro Juan Carlos , Rodríguez Celestino
Published: October 2022

The Theory of multiple intelligences suggests that it is necessary to develop new methods to assess and conceptualise the human intellect. It is envisaged that serious games can offer an alternative form of evaluation, as game designers can create gameplay environments that incorporate the different intelligences into clues, puzzles and game challenges, so that players can not only acquire knowledge, social support and self-efficacy, but also easily evaluate their skills and abilities. This study aims to analyse the classificatory precision of cognitive profiles acquired from the use of a serious game based on multiple intelligences as well as examine the agreement between the serious game results and a self-report questionnaire. The sample consisted of 209 participants (22.5% men), aged between 19 and 59 years (M = 22.83, SD = 6.36) from secondary to higher education. The results revealed that the serious game presented a different classification capacity compared to the self-report questionnaire. The possibility of identifying different cognitive profiles would have implications for educators and researchers. For educators, it would allow the incorporation of more individualised and inclusive education practices, by adapting teaching methods to each student’s learning style. For researchers, it would shed light on the various structures of multiple intelligences in different samples.
Seaweed for climate mitigation, wastewater treatment, bioenergy, bioplastic, biochar, food, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics: a review
Authors: Farghali Mohamed , Mohamed Israa M. A. , Osman Ahmed I. , Rooney David W.
Published: October 2022

The development and recycling of biomass production can partly solve issues of energy, climate change, population growth, food and feed shortages, and environmental pollution. For instance, the use of seaweeds as feedstocks can reduce our reliance on fossil fuel resources, ensure the synthesis of cost-effective and eco-friendly products and biofuels, and develop sustainable biorefinery processes. Nonetheless, seaweeds use in several biorefineries is still in the infancy stage compared to terrestrial plants-based lignocellulosic biomass. Therefore, here we review seaweed biorefineries with focus on seaweed production, economical benefits, and seaweed use as feedstock for anaerobic digestion, biochar, bioplastics, crop health, food, livestock feed, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics. Globally, seaweeds could sequester between 61 and 268 megatonnes of carbon per year, with an average of 173 megatonnes. Nearly 90% of carbon is sequestered by exporting biomass to deep water, while the remaining 10% is buried in coastal sediments. 500 gigatonnes of seaweeds could replace nearly 40% of the current soy protein production. Seaweeds contain valuable bioactive molecules that could be applied as antimicrobial, antioxidant, antiviral, antifungal, anticancer, contraceptive, anti-inflammatory, anti-coagulants, and in other cosmetics and skincare products.
Collaborative Work with Highly Automated Marine Navigation Systems
Authors: Veitch Erik , Dybvik Henrikke , Steinert Martin , Alsos Ole Andreas
Published: October 2022

In navigation applications, Artificial Intelligence (AI) can improve efficiency and decision making. It is not clear, however, how designers should account for human cooperation when integrating AI systems in navigation work. In a novel empirical study, we examine the transition in the maritime domain towards higher levels of machine autonomy. Our method involved interviewing technology designers (n = 9) and navigators aboard two partially automated ferries (n = 5), as well as collecting field observations aboard one of the ferries. The results indicated a discrepancy between how designers construed human-AI collaboration compared to navigators’ own accounts in the field. Navigators reflected upon their role as one of ‘backup,’ defined by ad-hoc control takeovers from the automation. Designers positioned navigators ‘in the loop’ of a larger control system but discounted the role of in-situ skills and heuristic decision making in all but the most controlled takeover actions. The discrepancy shed light on how integration of AI systems may be better aligned to human cooperation in navigation. This included designing AI systems that render computational activities more visible and that incorporate social cues that articulate human work in its natural setting. Positioned within the field of AI alignment research, the main contribution is a formulation of human-AI interaction design insights for future navigation and control room work.
Genomic prediction of drought tolerance during seedling stage in maize using low-cost molecular markers
Authors: Zhang Ao , Chen Shan , Cui Zhenhai , Liu Yubo , Guan Yuan , Yang Shuang , Qu Jingtao , Nie Juchao , Dang Dongdong , Li Cong , Dong Xiaomei , Fan Jinjuan , Zhu Yanshu , Zhang Xuecai , Crossa Jose , Cao Huiying , Ruan Yanye , Zheng Hongjian
Published: October 2022

Drought tolerance in maize is a complex and polygenic trait, especially in the seedling stage. In plant breeding, complex genetic traits can be improved by genomic selection (GS), which has become a practical and effective breeding tool. In the present study, a natural maize population named Northeast China core population (NCCP) consisting of 379 inbred lines were genotyped with diversity arrays technology (DArT) and genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) platforms. Target traits of seedling emergence rate (ER), seedling plant height (SPH), and grain yield (GY) were evaluated under two natural drought stress environments in northeast China. Adequate genetic variations were observed for all the target traits, but they were divergent across environments. Similarly, the heritability of the target trait also varied across years and environments, the heritabilities in 2019 (0.88, 0.82, 0.85 for ER, SPH, GY) were higher than those in 2020 (0.65, 0.53, 0.33) and cross-2-years (0.32, 0.26, 0.33). In total, three marker datasets, 11,865 SilicoDArT markers obtained from the DArT-seq platform, 7837 SNPs obtained from the DArT-seq platform, and 91,003 SNPs obtained from the GBS platform, were used for GS analysis after quality control. The results of phylogenetic trees showed that broad genetic diversity existed in the NCCP population. Genomic prediction results showed that the average prediction accuracies estimated using the DArT SNP dataset under the two-fold cross-validation scheme were 0.27, 0.19, and 0.33, for ER, SPH, and GY, respectively. The result of SilicoDArT is close to the SNPs from DArT-seq, those were 0.26, 0.22, and 0.33. For the trait with lower heritability, the prediction accuracy can be improved using the dataset filtered by linkage disequilibrium. For the same trait, the prediction accuracies estimated with two DArT marker datasets were consistently higher than that estimated with the GBS SNP dataset under the same genotyping cost. The prediction accuracy was improved by controlling population structure and marker quality, even though the marker density was reduced. The prediction accuracies were improved by more than 30% using the significant-associated SNPs. Due to the complexity of drought tolerance under the natural stress environments, multiple years of data need to be accumulated to improve prediction accuracy by reducing genotype-by-environment interaction. Modeling genotype-by-environment interaction into genomic prediction needs to be further developed for improving drought tolerance in maize. The results obtained from the present study provides valuable pathway for improving drought tolerance in maize using GS.
N-doped carbon materials produced by CVD with the compounds derived from LDHs
Authors: Pacuła Aleksandra , Drelinkiewicz Alicja , Ruggiero-Mikołajczyk Małgorzata , Pietrzyk Piotr , Socha Robert P. , Krzan Marcel , Nattich-Rak Małgorzata , Duraczyńska Dorota , Bielańska Elżbieta , Zimowska Małgorzata
Published: October 2022

Layered double hydroxides (LDHs) of various compositions, i.e. Mg–Al, Mg–Mn–Al, are applied as the precursors of metal oxides for the preparation of N-doped carbon materials via chemical vapour deposition (CVD) with acetonitrile (as carbon and nitrogen source) at 600 and 700 °C. The use of Mn-containing LDHs for the preparation of the carbon materials is a novelty. The impact of transition metal species, i.e. MnxOy, in a blend of metal oxides derived from LDHs on the amount of carbon deposit and its composition, morphology, textural and capacitive properties is investigated. Mn-containing species occurring in a mixture of metal oxides enhance the quantity of carbonaceous product compared to those derived from Mg–Al LDHs. Thermally heated Mg–Mn–Al LDHs contain structural defects due to manganese oxides, which promote the formation of carbon deposit, especially higher production of amorphous carbons. The addition of Mn into Mg–Al LDHs matrix leads to carbon particles with increased N-doping and enhanced volume of mesopores. Furthermore, graphitic domains occurring in the carbon materials obtained with Mg–Mn–Al LDHs are thicker than those in the corresponding samples obtained with Mg–Al LDHs as Mn-containing species influence the concentration and location of N-containing groups in graphitic array. The specific capacitance of the carbon materials produced by CVD with the compounds derived from Mg–Al LDHs or Mg–Mn–Al LDHs is comparable (20–25 μF cm−2). The formation of electrical double layer at electrode/electrolyte interface is easier for the carbon materials prepared at 700 °C than for the carbon materials prepared at 600 °C. The maximum charge is stored either in the shallow parts of carbon particles for the former, as they contain bottleneck mesopores, or in the deep parts of carbon particles for the latter, as they contain slit-shaped mesopores.

Graphical abstract
Optimization of biocorrosion resistance and mechanical properties of PM Ti–XAl–2Fe–3Cu alloys by response surface methodology
Authors: Najafizadeh Mojtaba , Ghasempour-Mouziraji Mehran , Hosseinzadeh Morteza , Yazdi Sahar , Sarrafan Ahmadreza , Bozorg Mansoor , Cavaliere Pasquale , Laska Aleksandra , Szkodo Marek
Published: October 2022

In the current study, the biocorrosion resistance and mechanical properties of the Ti–XAl–2Fe–3Cu (wt%) (X = 6, 4, 2 wt%) alloy produced by powder compact extrusion of blended elemental powders were optimized by using the response surface methodology in order to gain the best combination of processing parameters. To run the optimization process, central composite design with three equal levels of oxygen, hydrogen and aluminum was used and, by employing ANOVA, the analysis of variance was implemented. The results showed that the content of aluminum has a significant effect on the microstructure, mechanical properties, biocorrosion resistance and fracture behavior of the extruded rods. The highest aluminum content corresponds to the highest alloy strength and biocorrosion resistance. This was due to the reduction of the lamella thickness and of the material colonies as the aluminum content increases. Also, by running the experimental and optimization tests, the mechanical properties resulted 1245 MPa in yield strength and 1340 MPa in ultimate tensile strength with 0.1 µAcm−2 in corrosion current.
Aspirin/PLGA coated 3D-printed Ti-6Al-4V alloy modulate macrophage polarization to enhance osteoblast differentiation and osseointegration
Authors: You Yapeng , Wang Wanmeng , Li Ying , Song Yunjia , Jiao Jian , Wang Yao , Chen Bo , Liu Jialin , Qi Hui , Liang Yu
Published: October 2022

Although titanium (Ti) and Ti-based alloy have been widely used as dental and orthopedic implant materials, its bioinertness hindered the rapid osseointegration. Therefore, it is recommended to acquire ideal topographic and chemical characteristics through surface modification methods. 3D printing is a delicate manufacture technique which possesses superior controllability and reproducibility. While aspirin serve as a well-established non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent. Recently, the importance of immune system in regulating bone dynamics has attracted increasing attention. We herein superimposed the aspirin/poly (lactic–co–glycolic acid) (ASP/PLGA) coating on the 3D-printed Ti-6Al-4V surface with uniform micro-structure to establish the Ti64-M-ASP/PLGA substrate. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and contact angle test confirmed the successful fabrication of the Ti64-M-ASP/PLGA substrate, with increased wettability and sustained release pattern of ASP. Compared with the Ti64 base material, the Ti64-M-ASP/PLGA substrate showed enhanced M2 and depressed M1 genes and proteins expressions in macrophages. The novel Ti64-M-ASP/PLGA substrate also displayed enhanced osteoblast proliferation, adhesion, extracellular mineralization ability and osteogenic gene expressions when cultured with macrophage conditioned medium in vitro. Furthermore, rat femora implantation model was used for in vivo evaluation. After 4 weeks of implantation, push out test, micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) and histological analyses all confirmed the superior osseointegration capabilities of the Ti64-M-ASP/PLGA implant than the other groups. Our study revealed the synergistic role played by 3D-printed micro topography and immunoregulatory drug aspirin in promoting osteogenesis in vitro and accelerating osseointegration in vivo, thus providing a promising method for better modifying the implant surface.
Latest Results from the CUORE Experiment
Authors: Nutini I. , Adams D. Q. , Alduino C. , Alfonso K. , Avignone F. T. , Azzolini O. , Bari G. , Bellini F. , Benato G. , Beretta M. , Biassoni M. , Branca A. , Brofferio C. , Bucci C. , Camilleri J. , Caminata A. , Campani A. , Canonica L. , Cao X. G. , Capelli S. , Cappelli L. , Cardani L. , Carniti P. , Casali N. , Celi E. , Chiesa D. , Clemenza M. , Copello S. , Cremonesi O. , Creswick R. J. , D’Addabbo A. , Dafinei I. , Dell’Oro S. , Domizio S. Di , Dompè V. , Fang D. Q. , Fantini G. , Faverzani M. , Ferri E. , Ferroni F. , Fiorini E. , Franceschi M. A. , Freedman S. J. , Fu S. H. , Fujikawa B. K. , Ghislandi S. , Giachero A. , Gironi L. , Giuliani A. , Gorla P. , Gotti C. , Gutierrez T. D. , Han K. , Hansen E. V. , Heeger K. M. , Huang R. G. , Huang H. Z. , Johnston J. , Keppel G. , Kolomensky Yu. G. , Kowalski R. , Ligi C. , Liu R. , Ma L. , Ma Y. G. , Marini L. , Maruyama R. H. , Mayer D. , Mei Y. , Moggi N. , Morganti S. , Napolitano T. , Nastasi M. , Nikkel J. , Nones C. , Norman E. B. , Nucciotti A. , O’Donnell T. , Ouellet J. L. , Pagan S. , Pagliarone C. E. , Pagnanini L. , Pallavicini M. , Pattavina L. , Pavan M. , Pessina G. , Pettinacci V. , Pira C. , Pirro S. , Pozzi S. , Previtali E. , Puiu A. , Quitadamo S. , Rosenfeld C. , Rusconi C. , Sakai M. , Sangiorgio S. , Schmidt B. , Scielzo N. D. , Sharma V. , Singh V. , Sisti M. , Speller D. , Surukuchi P. T. , Taffarello L. , Terranova F. , Tomei C. , Vetter K. J. , Vignati M. , Wagaarachchi S. L. , Wang B. S. , Welliver B. , Wilson J. , Wilson K. , Winslow L. A. , Zimmermann S. , Zucchelli S.
Published: October 2022

The Cryogenic Underground Observatory for Rare Events (CUORE) is the first cryogenic experiment searching for $$0\nu \beta \beta $$

0
ν
β
β

decay that has been able to reach the one-tonne mass scale. The detector, located at the Laboratori Nazionali del Gran Sasso (LNGS) in Italy, consists of an array of 988 $${\mathrm{TeO}}_{2}$$

TeO
2

crystals arranged in a compact cylindrical structure of 19 towers. CUORE began its first physics data run in 2017 at a base temperature of about 10 mK and in April 2021 released its $$3{\mathrm{rd}}$$

3
rd

result of the search for $$0\nu \beta \beta $$

0
ν
β
β

, corresponding to a tonne-year of $$\mathrm{TeO}_{2}$$

TeO
2

exposure. This is the largest amount of data ever acquired with a solid state detector and the most sensitive measurement of $$0\nu \beta \beta $$

0
ν
β
β

decay in $${}^{130}\mathrm{Te}$$

130

Te

ever conducted . We present the current status of CUORE search for $$0\nu \beta \beta $$

0
ν
β
β

with the updated statistics of one tonne-yr. We finally give an update of the CUORE background model and the measurement of the $${}^{130}\mathrm{Te}$$

130

Te

$$2\nu \beta \beta $$

2
ν
β
β

decay half-life and decay to excited states of $${}^{130}\mathrm{Xe}$$

130

Xe

, studies performed using an exposure of 300.7 kg yr.
Zero-average Bias Bidirectional Single-electron Current Generation in a Hybrid Turnstile
Authors: Marín-Suárez Marco , Pashkin Yuri A. , Peltonen Joonas T. , Pekola Jukka P.
Published: October 2022

Hybrid turnstiles have proven to generate accurate single-electron currents. The usual operation consists of applying a periodic modulation to a capacitively coupled gate electrode and requires a nonzero DC source-drain bias voltage. Under this operation, a current of the same magnitude and opposite direction can be generated by flipping the polarity of the bias. Here, we demonstrate that accurate single-electron currents can be generated under zero average bias voltage. We achieve this by applying an extra periodic modulation with twice the frequency of the gate signal and zero DC level to the source electrode. This creates a time interval, which is otherwise zero, between the crossings of tunnelling thresholds that enable single-electron tunnelling. Furthermore, we show that within this operation the current direction can be reversed by only shifting the phase of the source signal.
Addendum to “uniqueness of unconditional basis of infinite direct sums of quasi-Banach spaces”
Authors: Albiac F. , Ansorena J. L.
Published: October 2022

After [Uniqueness of unconditional basis of infinite direct sums of quasi-Banach spaces, Positivity 26 (2022), Paper no. 35] was published, we realized that Theorem 4.2 therein, when combined with work of Casazza and Kalton (Israel J. Math. 103:141–175, 1998) , solves the long-standing problem whether there exists a quasi-Banach space with a unique unconditional basis whose Banach envelope does not have a unique unconditional basis. Here we give examples to prove that the answer is positive. We also use auxiliary results in the aforementioned paper to give a negative answer to the question of Bourgain et al. (Mem Am Math Soc 54:iv+111, 1985)*Problem 1.11 whether the infinite direct sum $$\ell _{1}(X)$$

ℓ
1

(
X
)

of a Banach space X has a unique unconditional basis whenever X does.
Precursors of reading text comprehension from paper and screen in first graders: a longitudinal study
Authors: Florit Elena , De Carli Pietro , Rodà Antonio , Domenicale Samantha , Mason Lucia
Published: October 2022

Research on text comprehension in relation to the reading medium (paper or screen) has mainly involved undergraduate or high school students. To advance current knowledge on the effects of reading medium, this longitudinal study focused on beginner readers, specifically, the role of precursors in first graders’ comprehension of narrative and expository linear texts from reading on paper and computer screen. Working memory and inference skills as cognitive precursors and basic digital skills were measured at the end of preschool (T1); reading text comprehension and word reading, as a control variable, were measured at the end of the first grade (T2). Sixty-three children participated in total. The first graders read four texts, one narrative and one expository, on both paper and computer screen, in a counterbalanced order. Results showed no main effects of the reading medium or text genre, but the interactive effect of these variables was significant. At T2, the children had higher comprehension scores after reading narrative than descriptive texts from paper. In addition, reading from the screen was preferred at post-test, after all texts were presented. As precursors, working memory and inference skills predicted both printed and digital text comprehension. In contrast, basic digital skills predicted only digital text comprehension after controlling for medium, text genre, and word reading.
SOS Application Under Android: Help Pro
Authors: Khan Ali Yousuf , Luque-Nieto Miguel-Ángel , Batool Samiya , Ahmed Hammad , Saeed Abdul Hadi , Asif Zaid
Published: October 2022

Information and Communication Technologies are regularly used in medical services and associations around the world. An increasing number of devices running Android as Smartphones, smart TV and tablets, are comprehensively utilized for numerous purposes. For these devices, there are distinctive types of health and medical applications that provide an easy access to patients and their caretakers to save time [1]. In this work, we develop an Android application named Help Pro with an important goal: save lives by a single tap. In case of emergency, Help Pro users could have an ambulance available within 100 m of the user’s real-time location. Through the Dijkstra algorithm, this application employs Google Maps API (Application Programming Interface) to trace the nearest way in order to an available ambulance arrives on time. Consequently, not only time is efficiently saved but also precious lives.
A Novel Combined Double Binary Turbo Coding and Color Shift Keying Technique for Flicker Mitigation in Multi Carrier Visible Light Communications
Authors: Savaşcıhabeş Asuman
Published: October 2022

Although radio frequency (RF) systems have been developed at a level that can operate almost within theoretical limits in terms of spectral efficiency due to increasing demands, the RF spectrum allocated for wireless mobile communication has started to fill up rapidly and become insufficient. Visible light communication (VLC), one of the optical wireless communication systems, stands out as a promising technology that can be an alternative to RF technology in some application areas and can help meet the demands by playing a complementary role in some application areas. However, VLC systems face the flickering problem. In this study, it is proposed to combine the double binary Turbo coding (DBTC) technique with color shift keying (CSK) modulation, which does not have a flickering problem, as a solution to the flicker problem of VLC systems. The proposed combined DBTC-CSK method is tested on optical OFDM systems from multi-carrier wireless communication systems. Monte-Carlo simulations are performed to verify the performance of the proposed DBTC-CSK-OFDM system in terms of bit-error-rate (BER) over AWGN channel, single-path optical LOS channel and multi-path optical channel. According to the simulation results it is observed that, DBTC-CSK-OFDM system has better BER performance than that of RS–CC coded CSK-OFDM and un-coded CSK-OFDM systems, providing 5.5 dB and 14 dB SNR gain at multi-path optical channel environments, respectively.
Marginality and the position value
Authors: Manuel C. , Ortega E. , Pozo M. del
Published: October 2022

We present a new characterization of the position value, one of the most prominent allocation rules for communication situations (graph-games or games with restricted communication). This characterization includes the PL-marginality property, an extension for communications situations of the classic marginality for TU-games, as well as component efficiency and balanced link contributions for necessary players.
Innovation intermediaries revised: a systematic literature review on innovation intermediaries’ role for knowledge sharing
Authors: Feser Daniel
Published: October 2022

The decision to collaborate for companies in knowledge exchange processes has become more complex due to a greater diversity of innovation intermediaries from companies, universities, government and societal actors. The aim of this study is to uncover and conceptualize the role of innovation intermediaries in knowledge sharing. Specifically in tacit knowledge sharing, intermediaries function as boundary spanners between various stakeholders in the innovation process. Despite this potential, which has been discussed in a large strand of case studies, there is no comprehensive concept to determine factors that influence innovation intermediaries in knowledge sharing. This paper develops an analytical framework of innovation intermediaries for prospective empirical work building on factors influencing innovation intermediaries in knowledge sharing by systematically reviewing related literature. It specifically presents what are the determinants, factors and indicators discussed empirically innovation intermediaries in knowledge sharing. The first results is that the measurement of innovative outcome intermediaries enables a broader perspective in comparison to traditional innovation indicators. The second results that literature discusses indirect innovation that enhances clients’ innovative capabilities and their entrepreneurial activities. The third results demonstrates, that while the internal perspective varies with the heterogeneous actors, the development of contextual knowledge of intermediaries in networks and its transfer is central for empirical analysis. The conceptualization of this framework paves the path for further research needed to uncover the role of intermediaries.
The intervertebral discs’ fibrocartilage as a DNA source for genetic identification in severely charred cadavers
Authors: Tomsia Marcin , Droździok Kornelia , Banaszek Przemysław , Szczepański Michał , Pałasz Artur , Chełmecka Elżbieta
Published: October 2022

Identifying charred human remains poses a challenge to forensic laboratories. High temperature completely incinerates the superficial tissues and partially destroys bones, forcing the forensics to seek an alternative, for bones and teeth, forensic material that should quickly and cheaply deliver DNA of sufficient quantity and quality. We sought, other than rib cartilage, types of cartilages that could serve as a DNA source. DNA was isolated from the fibrous cartilage of a fibrous ring of intervertebral L1-L2 discs sampled from charred cadavers or charred body fragments: 5 victims of car fires, 1 victim of combustion during a residential house gas explosion, and 3 victims of nitroglycerin explosion. DNA was isolated by the column method. DNA quality and concentration were assessed by RT-PCR and multiplex PCR for 23 autosomal and 17 Y chromosome STR loci. STR polymorphism results obtained by capillary electrophoresis served for likelihood ratio (LR) calculations. DNA concentration in relation to the cadaver’s age and post-mortem interval (PMI) were analyzed. All samples (n = 9) yielded good-quality DNA in quantities (0.57–17.51 ng/µL for T. Large autosomal sequence) suitable for STR-based amplification. The isolated DNA characterized a low degradation index (0.80–1.99), and we were able to obtain complete genetic profiles. In each of the nine cases, the genotyping results allowed identifying the victims based on comparative material from the immediate family. The results demonstrate the usefulness of human intervertebral disc fibrocartilage as an alternative DNA source for the genetic identification of charred bodies or charred torso fragments.
PRDX6 knockout restrains the malignant progression of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma
Authors: Li Hong , Wu Zhengsheng , Zhong Rulei , Zhang Qikun , Chen Qixin , Shen Yuxian
Published: October 2022

Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) has a poor prognosis. The bifunctional protein peroxiredoxin 6 (PRDX6), which has both calcium-independent phospholipase A2 (iPLA2) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity, participates in the development of multiple tumors. However, the function and clinical significance of PRDX6 in ICC remain unclear. In this study, we characterized PRDX6 in both human ICC and thioacetamide (TAA)-induced rat ICC. We found PRDX6 was significantly increased in ICC tissues, compared with the peritumoral tissues, and PRDX6 expression level was positively correlated with the malignant phenotype in ICC patients. Furthermore, PRDX6 genetic knockout significantly inhibited the tumor progression in rats. By using RNA sequencing analysis, we found 127 upregulated genes and 321 downregulated genes after PRDX6 knockout. In addition, we noticed a significant repression in the Wnt7a/b cascade, which has been shown to play an important role in the occurrence of ICC. We confirmed that gene expressions in the Wnt7a/b cascade were inhibited in ICC tissues after PRDX6 knockout by using qRT-PCR and immunohistochemistry analysis. Collectively, our findings suggest that PRDX6 may promote ICC by regulating the Wnt7a/b pathway, which could be a novel therapeutic target for ICC.
Interdisciplinary biophysical studies of membrane proteins bacteriorhodopsin and rhodopsin
Authors: Fahmy Karim , Sakmar Thomas P.
Published: October 2022

The centenary of the birth of H. Gobind Khorana provides an auspicious opportunity to review the origins and evolution of parallel advances in biophysical methodology and molecular genetics technology used to study membrane proteins. Interdisciplinary work in the Khorana laboratory in the late 1970s and for the next three decades led to productive collaborations and fostered three subsequent scientific generations whose biophysical work on membrane proteins has led to detailed elucidation of the molecular mechanisms of energy transduction by the light-driven proton pump bacteriorhodopsin (bR) and signal transduction by the G protein–coupled receptor (GPCR) rhodopsin. This review will highlight the origins and advances of biophysical studies of membrane proteins made possible by the application of molecular genetics approaches to engineer site-specific alterations of membrane protein structures.
Opposite Shear Sense from Quartz Shape and Crystallographic Preferred Orientation – a Dichotomy and Its Implications for Kinematic Analysis
Authors: Sarkar Arindam , Suryawanshi Abhijeet , Biswas Santu , Mamtani Manish A.
Published: October 2022

The present paper is written to bring to light a dichotomy that is noted in a naturally deformed rock, where the sense of shear inferred from quartz shape preferred orientation (SPO) is opposite to that deciphered from the crystallographic preferred orientation (CPO). Microstructural and quartz CPO data (obtained through SEM-EBSD analysis) from a quartz vein hosted in sinistrally sheared mylonitized granite of Gadwal region (Dharwar Craton) are presented. The vein thin section is prepared parallel to the kinematic reference frame (XZ section of the strain ellipsoid) using field-based information, which allows determination of sense of shear using microstructures. Three domains viz. Domain-I, II and III are identified in the rock thin section with grain size being 300-180 µm, 70-35 µm, and <20 µm, respectively. Of these, quartz grains of Domain-II show a well-defined quartz oblique grain shape fabric, which is indicative of dextral sense of shear. However, quartz CPO from the same Domain-II, as well as Domains-I and III, consistently shows a sinistral sense of shear; the latter complements the kinematics noted from the host rock mylonite. The dichotomy noted from Domain-II indicates that there maybe pitfalls in direct interpretation of kinematics based exclusively on quartz SPO analysis. Hence, caution must be exercised while extrapolating microscale kinematics based on quartz SPO to the regional scale.
Occurrences of Rare Earth Element (REE) Bearing Minerals in Migmatitic Gneiss and Granitoids of Chhotanagpur Granite Gneissic Complex, Bihar, India
Authors: Dhananjay Kumar Patel , Abdur Rahman , Mili Singh
Published: October 2022

This paper presents the geochemical characteristics, petrogenetic processes and source characteristics of Rare Earth Elements (REE) bearing migmatitic gneiss and granitoids near Tangeshwar village, Banka district, Bihar, in order to demarcate the potential zone of REE mineralization. These migmatitic gneiss and granitoids belongs to the Chhotanagpur granite gneissic complex (CGGC). The study of migmatitic gneiss and granitoids of CGGC suggest that they have high content of SiO2, low contents of Fe2O3 and MgO and SiO2 vs. Na2O and K2O shows positive correlation which suggest, they are dominated by sodic and alkali rich minerals and were derived from a felsic (granitic) source. Also LREE-LILE enrichment, HFSE depletion and calc-alkaline nature indicates that the magmatism is related to the subduction zone. Petrographic and EPMA studies of these migmatitic gneiss and granitoids confirms the presence of REE bearing mineral phases such as allanite, xenotime, monazite, and basnasite. They are generally present at the rim of biotite, as an inclusion in biotite and also along the grain boundaries and within the cracks of major silicate minerals. This suggest that the REE formation takes place at the deuteric stage of magma crystallisation followed by the formation of granite. Chemical analysis of bed rock samples for rare earth elements using ICPMS shows that the highest concentration is in migmatitic gneiss and granitoids, which varies from 47.85- 925.67 ppm and 47.85- 626.48 ppm respectively.
Finite Element Modeling of Tsunami-induced Water Levels and Associated Inundation Extent: A Case Study of the 26th December 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami
Authors: Murty P.L.N. , Kolukula Siva Srinivas , Pattabhi Ramarao E. , Srinivasa Kumar T.
Published: October 2022

In recorded history, the tsunami due to the Great Sumatra earthquake of 26th December 2004 has been the most devastating, causing the loss of over 230,000 lives besides extensive damage to most of the coastal provinces bordering the Indian Ocean. Real-time prediction of tsunami wave heights and resultant inundation of inland coastal areas are essential to safeguard the life and property of the coastal community. In the present work, a finite-element-based ADvanced CIRCulation (ADCIRC) model (widely used for storm surge simulations) is used to compute tsunami wave height and associated coastal inundation due to the 2004 event. The prime focus is on the Cuddalore coast along the east coast of India, which was heavily affected due to the tsunami. A grid resolution of around 50 m was used in the Cuddalore region to simulate the inundation in the area. Computed results are validated against the available observations. It is noticed that the model computations are in good agreement with the observations. Simulation results depict that because of its computational efficiency and accuracy, the ADCIRC can be used for near real-time prediction across the tsunami warning centers.
Application of e-TOPSIS for Ground Water Potentiality Zonation using Morphometric Parameters and Geospatial Technology of Vanvate Lui Basin, Mizoram, NE India
Authors: Barman Jonmenjoy , Biswas Brototi
Published: October 2022

Morphometric analysis is the mathematical analysis of a watershed. Groundwater storage is directly related to the morphometry of a watershed. Remote sensing and GIS gives an opportunity for the scientific and empirical investigation towards groundwater potentiality. The utilization of RS/GIS for scientific investigation into ground water potentiality is quite innovative for the hilly state of Mizoram of India, which faces acute water shortage during the winter season. Vanvate Lui basin of Mizoram was thus chosen for the present study. It is an important source of water for a significant number of rural villages like Zote, Chhipphir, and Lungmovi. The present study analyzed the groundwater potentiality of Vanvate lui basin and undertook groundwater potentiality zonation of Vanvate lui basin using eTOPSIS model. eTOPSIS is an intregated knowledge-based multi-criteria decision-making model assimilating TOPSIS objective weighting method and Shannon Entropy. Areal, relief and linear morphometric aspects of Vanvate lui basin were extracted from ALOS PALSAR DEM for conducting MCDM. It was found that sub-basins 1, 6, 8 and 2 have high potentiality for groundwater storage. Similar, studies were also done on the Donor basin adjacent to the study area for model validation. After applying e-TOPSIS in the Donor basin, it was found that the result of the study matches the groundwater data of Donor basin as provided by the PHE department, Mizoram. The zones found to be under high potential of groundwater in the sub-basins 14, 9, 2, 11, 6 and 5 are the ones where the ground water depth is less than 70 meters as measured by the ground water department of Mizoram state. The present study will help the policymakers, village governance system, district development authorities and P.W.D of Mizoram to take proper steps towards developing the rural life quality, identifying suitable groundwater storage and ensuring proper steps towards watershed management. It is hoped that the research work will help in mitigating the water scarcity problem of the study area during the dry winter season.
Human Health Risk Assessment of Harmful Heavy Metals and Uranium Exposure in Shallow Aquifer of Nagaon, the Highest Populated District of Assam, India
Authors: Barman Rinkumoni , Dutta Snigdha , Radhapyari Keisham , Datta Suparna , Raj Rishi , Ray Biplab , Srivastava Sudhir Kumar
Published: October 2022

The present investigation attempts to assess the harmful heavy metals and uranium exposure in shallow aquifers of the highest populated district Nagaon in the central Brahmaputra floodplain of Assam, India. Spatial distribution using the inverse distanced weighted interpolation method in Arc GIS, various pollution indices and health risk assessment indices pooled with statistical studies were employed to appraise the pollution scenario and potential health risk. The contamination degree index for the three locations was 14.09, 21.43 and 25.95, signifying a considerable degree of contamination. The excess cancer risk due to the radioactivity of uranium in adults and children of Nagaon district is negligible compared to the prescribed limit of 1.67×10-4 set by the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board. The average concentration of the analyzed heavy metal follows the order Mn > Fe > Zn > Cu > Ni > U > Pb > Cr > Cd. The notch box plot study reveals that the risk associated with the ingestion of water contaminated with heavy metals is higher than the dermal absorption. The HQIngestion of manganese in children shows a higher range (0.003-6.85) than in adults (0.002-4.12), with a median value of 0.14 compared to 0.08 in adults. Both adults and children are vulnerable to non- carcinogenic risks, and the risk is higher in children than in adults.
Implication of Weathering, Climatic Condition and Tectonic Setting of Source Rocks on the Geochemical Behaviour of Quaternary Sediments of the Ganga-Yamuna Interfluve in and around Haridwar, Uttarakhand, India
Authors: Satyam Gyan Prakash , Dubey R.K.
Published: October 2022

In this study, weathering intensity, provenance and tectonics setting of Quaternary sediment deposits of the Ganga river, the Yamuna river and their tributaries in and around Haridwar area, Uttarakhand, India is explicated. The channel and levee sediments are well preserved along these rivers. For the purpose, the concentration of major oxides in the channel and levee sediments of rivers were analysed and chemical indices and discriminant functions were determined to understand the mobility pattern of different chemical constituents under various climatic conditions. An overall view of variation in provenance, shifting of channels and mechanism of river sediments transportation and accumulation in varying energy conditions is emphasised and validated from the field evidences and the present condition. Geomorphologically, the area comprises of bedrock strata of various lithologies, small sediments mounds and high hills, and fault scarps. The accumulated sediments and debris in channel bars and levees, and deviated drainages are the prominent features observed along the catchment of studied rivers. The results reveal the distinct concentration of heavy minerals derived from multiple provinces under low to intermediate weathering intensity, due to frequent climatic changes, migration of river channels, activation of thrusts and neotectonic activities. The integrated outcome of the present study can be used to predict the dynamics of the Ganga and Yamuna rivers and their tributaries which may provide a holistic management of headwater region above the area and its influence in lower parts of river sediment deposits in plains.
Rainfall Induced Soil Erosion and Sediment Yield Assessment in Upper Brahmaputra River Basin
Authors: Pathan Shehnaj Ahmed , Pathan Briti Sundar
Published: October 2022

Riverbank erosion, aggradation, and river bed degradation are significant threats to most Indian watersheds. A quantitative valuation of the spatial distribution of soil erosion at a watershed level is vital for sustainable watershed planning and management practice. Very few studies can be found that focus on soil loss with sediment yield patterns in the upper Brahmaputra river basin due to massive erosion-deposition processes. Therefore, it is intended to study the soil loss and sediment yield pattern in the upper Brahmaputra river basin at the selected outlet of Majuli Island, located in South Asia. The principal objective is to evaluate soil erosion and sediment yield transported downstream of Majuli Island using the revised universal soil loss equation (RUSLE) and sediment delivery ratio (SDR) models, respectively, for 1979-2014. The study is conducted based on data availability and efficient models like RUSLE and SDR to measure soil erosion and sediment yield. Also, sediment yield maps for 36 years are prepared for the whole catchment considering rainfall as a variable. The maximum area contributing to soil erosion is observed around the hilly region having steep slopes. However, the highest sediment deposition is found near Majuli Island. This study would help take preventive measures for the erosion process and watershed management to minimize soil erosion in the watershed.
Too much, too soon? Two Swedish case studies of short-term deadwood recruitment in riparian buffers
Authors: Kuglerová Lenka , Nilsson Gustaf , Hasselquist Eliza Maher
Published: October 2022

Forested riparian buffers are retained along streams during forest harvest to maintain a number of ecological functions. In this paper, we examine how recently established riparian buffers along northern Swedish streams provide deadwood, a key objective for riparian buffer management in Sweden. We used observational and experimental data to show that the investigated buffers provided large volumes of deadwood to streams and riparian zones shortly after their establishment, likely jeopardizing continued recruitment over the long term. Deadwood volume decreased with increasing buffer width, and the narrowest buffers tended to blow down completely. Wider buffers (~ 15 m) provided similar volumes of deadwood as narrow buffers due to blowdowns but were, overall, more resistant to wind-felling. It is clear from our study, that wider buffers are currently a safer strategy for riparian management that aims to sustain provision of deadwood and other ecological objectives continuously on the long term.
Rigorous computation of Maass cusp forms of squarefree level
Authors: Seymour-Howell Andrei
Published: October 2022

We derive an algorithm to rigorously compute and verify Maass cusp forms of squarefree level and trivial character. The main tool we use is an explicit version of the Selberg trace formula with Hecke operators due to Strömbergsson. We use this algorithm to compute several thousand Maass forms for a range of levels and use this data to obtain numerical evidence towards various conjectures.
An Incidental Discovery of Caroli’s Disease in an 86-Year-Old Presenting with Cholangitis
Authors: O’Neill Robert Sean
Published: October 2022

An 86-year-old woman developed cholangitis post-femoral nail for a left pertrochanteric fracture and was found to have multilobulated intrahepatic bile ducts and hepatic cysts communicating with intrahepatic ducts, along with polycystic kidneys on abdominal imaging consistent with Caroli’s disease. Caroli’s disease is extremely rare and presentations in the elderly population are exceedingly uncommon. Treatment is usually supportive, with biliary drainage utilised in the first instance for management of cholangitis along with antibiotic therapy. Surgical resection and liver transplantation are utilised in those with end-stage liver disease.
Spectroscopic and kinetic characterization of photogenerated charge carriers in photocatalysts
Authors: Schneider Jenny , Curti Mariano
Published: October 2022

The catastrophic consequences of increased power consumption, such as drastically rising CO2 levels, natural disasters, environmental pollution and dependence on fossil fuels supplied by countries with totalitarian regimes, illustrate the urge to develop sustainable technologies for energy generation. Photocatalysis presents eco-friendly means for fuels production via solar-to-chemical energy conversion. The conversion efficiency of a photocatalyst critically depends on charge carrier processes taking place in the ultrafast time regime. Transient absorption spectroscopy (TAS) serves as a perfect tool to track those processes. The spectral and kinetic characterization of charge carriers is indispensable for the elucidation of photocatalytic mechanisms and for the development of new materials. Hence, in this review, we will first present the basics of TAS and subsequently discuss the procedure required for the interpretation of the transient absorption spectra and transient kinetics. The discussion will include specific examples for charge carrier processes occurring in conventional and plasmonic semiconductors.

Graphical abstract