bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A generative model of electrophysiological brain responses to stimulation
Authors: Vidaurre Diego
Published: May 2023

Each brain response to a stimulus is, to a large extent, unique. However this variability, our perceptual experience feels stable. Standard decoding models, which utilise information across several areas to tap into stimuli distributed representations and processing, are fundamentally based on averages and, therefore, can focus precisely on the features that are most stable across stimulus presentations. But what are these stable features that may sustain stable perception across experiences is still poorly understood. This question is difficult to address in the absence of a generative model of the signal. Here, I introduce
genephys
, a generative model of brain responses to stimulation publicly available as a Python package that, when confronted with a decoding algorithm, can reproduce the structured patterns of decoding accuracy observed in real data. Using this approach, I characterise how these patterns may be brought about by the different aspects of the signal, which in turn may translate into distinct putative neural mechanisms. In particular, the model shows that the features in the data that support successful decoding —and, therefore, likely reflect stable mechanisms of stimulus representation— have an oscillatory component that spans multiple channels, frequencies and latencies of response; and an additive, slower response with a specific (cross-frequency) relation to the phase of the oscillatory, faster component. At the individual trial level, still, responses are found to be highly variable, which can be due to various factors including phase noise and probabilistic activations.
The scheduling of adolescence with Netrin-1 and UNC5C
Authors: Hoops Daniel , Kyne Robert , Salameh Samer , MacGowan Del , Avramescu Radu Gabriel , Ewing Elise , He Alina Tao , Orsini Taylor , Durand Anais , Popescu Christina , Zhao Janet Mengyi , Shatz Kelcie , Li LiPing , Carroll Quinn , Liu Guofa , Paul Matthew J , Flores Cecilia
Published: May 2023

Dopamine axons are the only axons known to grow during adolescence. Here, using rodent models, we examined how two proteins, Netrin-1 and its receptor, UNC5C, guide dopamine axons toward the prefrontal cortex and shape behaviour. We demonstrate in mice (Mus musculus) that dopamine axons reach the cortex through a transient gradient of Netrin-1-expressing cells – disrupting this gradient reroutes axons away from their target. Using a seasonal model (Siberian hamsters; Phodopus sungorus) we find that mesocortical dopamine development can be regulated by a natural environmental cue (daylength) in a sexually dimorphic manner – delayed in males, but advanced in females. The timings of dopamine axon growth and UNC5C expression are always phase-locked. Adolescence is an ill-defined, transitional period; we pinpoint neurodevelopmental markers underlying this period.
The scheduling of adolescence with Netrin-1 and UNC5C
Authors: Hoops Daniel , Kyne Robert F. , Salameh Samer , Ewing Elise , He Alina T. , Orsini Taylor , Durand Anais , Popescu Christina , Zhao Janet M. , Schatz Kelcie C. , Li LiPing , Carroll Quinn E. , Liu Guofa , Paul Matthew J. , Flores Cecilia
Published: May 2023

Dopamine axons are the only axons known to grow during adolescence. Here, using rodent models, we examined how two proteins, Netrin-1 and its receptor, UNC5C, guide dopamine axons towards the prefrontal cortex and shape behaviour. We demonstrate in mice (
Mus musculus
) that dopamine axons reach the cortex through a transient gradient of Netrin-1 expressing cells – disrupting this gradient reroutes axons away from their target. Using a seasonal model (Siberian hamsters;
Phodopus sungorus
) we find that mesocortical dopamine development can be regulated by a natural environmental cue (daylength) in a sexually dimorphic manner – delayed in males, but advanced in females. The timings of dopamine axon growth and UNC5C expression are always phase-locked. Adolescence is an ill-defined, transitional period; we pinpoint neurodevelopmental markers underlying this period.
Coordinated regulation of gene expression in Plasmodium female gametocytes by two transcription factors
Authors: Murata Yuho , Nishi Tsubasa , Kaneko Izumi , Iwanaga Shiroh , Yuda Masao
Published: May 2023

Gametocytes play key roles in the
Plasmodium
lifecycle. They are essential for sexual reproduction as precursors of the gametes. They also play an essential role in parasite transmission to mosquitoes. Elucidation of the gene regulation at this stage is essential for understanding these two processes at the molecular level and for developing new strategies to break the parasite life cycle. We identified a novel
Plasmodium
transcription factor (TF), designated as a partner of AP2-FG or PFG. In this paper, we report that this TF regulates the gene expression in female gametocytes in concert with another female-specific TF AP2-FG. Upon the disruption of
PFG
, majority of female-specific genes were significantly downregulated, and female gametocyte lost the ability to produce ookinetes. ChIP-seq analysis showed that it was located in the same position as AP2-FG, indicating that these two TFs form a complex. ChIP-seq analysis of PFG in
AP2-FG
-disrupted parasites and ChIP-seq analysis of AP2-FG in
PFG
-disrupted parasites demonstrated that PFG mediates the binding of AP2-FG to the ten-base motif and that AP2-FG binds another motif, GCTCA, in the absence of PFG. In promoter assays, this five-base motif was identified as another female-specific cis-acting element. Genes under the control of the two forms of AP2-FG, with or without PFG, partly overlapped; however, each form had target preferences. These results suggested that combinations of these two forms generate various expression patterns among the extensive genes expressed in female gametocytes.
voyAGEr, a free web interface for the analysis of age-related gene expression alterations in human tissues
Authors: Schneider Arthur L , Martins-Silva Rita , Kaizeler Alexandre , Saraiva-Agostinho Nuno , Barbosa-Morais Nuno L
Published: May 2023

We herein introduce voyAGEr, an online graphical interface to explore age-related gene expression alterations in 49 human tissues. voyAGEr offers a visualisation and statistical toolkit for the finding and functional exploration of sex- and tissue-specific transcriptomic changes with age. In its conception, we developed a novel bioinformatics pipeline leveraging RNA sequencing data, from the GTEx project, encompassing more than 900 individuals. voyAGEr reveals transcriptomic signatures of the known asynchronous ageing between tissues, allowing the observation of tissue-specific age periods of major transcriptional changes, associated with alterations in different biological pathways, cellular composition, and disease conditions. Notably, voyAGEr was created to assist researchers with no expertise in bioinformatics, providing a supportive framework for elaborating, testing and refining their hypotheses on the molecular nature of human ageing and its association with pathologies, thereby also aiding in the discovery of novel therapeutic targets. voyAGEr is freely available at https://compbio.imm.medicina.ulisboa.pt/app/voyAGEr.
Novel integrated matching algorithm using a deep learning algorithm for Wi-Fi fingerprint-positioning technique in the indoors-IoT era
Authors: Asaad Safar Maghdid , Maghdid Halgurd Sarhang
Published: May 2023

The Internet-of-Things (IoT) has been used with greater frequency to track peoples’ daily activities, particularly those conducted indoors. Wi-Fi technology has been also been used as an alternative to global navigation satellite system (GNSS) technologies to track indoor activities. The received signal strength indicator (RSSI) is widely used to assist in the positioning of Wi-Fi signals. However, the RSSI-based technique suffers from multipath, non-line-of-sight (NLOS) problems and the fluctuation of RSSI measurements via Wi-Fi chipsets. One of the most well-known RSSI-based approaches is to apply the fingerprinting method to do the positioning. However, the fingerprinting-based form has an additional problem due to the lack of RSSI data samples, specifically in harsh area with a huge number of classes or reference points (RPs) and an unstable matching process algorithm. To mitigate the problems of the RSSI-based fingerprinting approach, this research proposes a novel matching process algorithm called Norm_MSATE_LSTM. We first performed the augmentation process to increase the RSSI data records via the Mean Stander deviation Augmentation TEchnique (MSATE). The RSSI records were normalized (norm), and the long short-term memory (LSTM) technique was applied to estimate the correct positions. Finally, the proposed matching algorithm was compared with the stand-alone matching algorithms, including the weighted k-nearest neighbors (WkNN) and LSTM. The results obtained from the experiments and the simulated experiments using OMNeT++ show that the proposed matching algorithm may improve positioning accuracy by 33.1% and 57.5% when only augmentation and augmentation with normalization are applied, respectively.
Tolerogenic dendritic cell reporting: Has a minimum information model made a difference?
Authors: Sahar Ayesha , Nicorescu Ioana , Barran Gabrielle , Paterson Megan , Hilkens Catharien M.U. , Lord Phillip
Published: May 2023

Minimum information models are reporting frameworks that describe the essential information that needs to be provided in a publication, so that the work can be repeated or compared to other work. In 2016, Minimum Information about Tolerogenic Antigen-Presenting cells (MITAP) was created to standardize the reporting on tolerogenic antigen-presenting cells, including tolerogenic dendritic cells (tolDCs). tolDCs is a generic term for dendritic cells that have the ability to (re-)establish immune tolerance; they have been developed as a cell therapy for autoimmune diseases or for the prevention of transplant rejection. Because protocols to generate these therapeutic cells vary widely, MITAP was deemed to be a pivotal reporting tool by and for the tolDC community. In this paper, we explored the impact that MITAP has had on the tolDC field. We did this by examining a subset of the available literature on tolDCs. Our analysis shows that MITAP is used in only the minority of relevant papers (14%), but where it is used the amount of metadata available is slightly increased over where it is not. From this, we conclude that MITAP has been a partial success, but that much more needs to be done if standardized reporting is to become common within the discipline.
Isolated tooth reveals hidden spinosaurid dinosaur diversity in the British Wealden Supergroup (Lower Cretaceous)
Authors: Barker Chris T. , Naish Darren , Gostling Neil J.
Published: May 2023

Isolated spinosaurid teeth are relatively well represented in the Lower Cretaceous Wealden Supergroup of southern England, UK. Until recently it was assumed that these teeth were referable to Baryonyx, the type species (B. walkeri) and specimen of which is from the Barremian Upper Weald Clay Formation of Surrey. British spinosaurid teeth are known from formations that span much of the c. 25 Ma depositional history of the Wealden Supergroup, and recent works suggest that British spinosaurids were more taxonomically diverse than previously thought. On the basis of both arguments, it is appropriate to doubt the hypothesis that isolated teeth from outside the Upper Weald Clay Formation are referable to Baryonyx. Here, we use phylogenetic, discriminant and cluster analyses to test whether an isolated spinosaurid tooth (HASMG G369a, consisting of a crown and part of the root) from a non-Weald Clay Formation unit can be referred to Baryonyx. HASMG G369a was recovered from an uncertain Lower Cretaceous locality in East Sussex but is probably from a Valanginian exposure of the Hastings Group and among the oldest spinosaurid material known from the UK. Spinosaurid affinities are both quantitatively and qualitatively supported, and HASMG G369a does not associate with Baryonyx in any analysis. This supports recent reinterpretations of the diversity of spinosaurid in the Early Cretaceous of Britain, which appears to have been populated by multiple spinosaurid lineages in a manner comparable to coeval Iberian deposits. This work also reviews the British and global records of early spinosaurids (known mainly from dental specimens), and revisits evidence for post-Cenomanian spinosaurid persistence.
The significance of PD-1/PD-L1 imbalance in ulcerative colitis
Authors: Shi Wei , Zhang Yu , Hao Chonghua , Guo Xiaofeng , Yang Qin , Du Junfang , Hou Yabin , Cao Gaigai , Li Jingru , Wang Haijiao , Fang Wei
Published: May 2023

Objectives

To investigate the expression and significance of programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) and programmed cell death ligand-1 (PD-L1) in the mucosal tissues and peripheral blood of patients with ulcerative colitis (UC).

Methods

Eighty patients with UC were recruited from January 2021 to August 2022 from the Shanxi Province People’s Hospital. PD-1 and PD-L1 expression was assessed by immunohistochemistry in mucosal tissues. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to measure soluble PD-1 and PD-L1 levels in peripheral blood serum, and the membrane-bound forms of PD-1 (mPD-1), (T-helper cell) Th1 and Th17, in peripheral blood were determined by flow cytometry.

Result

PD-1 expression was observed only in the monocytes of the mucosal lamina propria of UC patients, while PD-L1 was mainly located in both epithelial cells and monocytes on the cell membrane. The expression level of PD-1/PD-L1 in the monocytes and epithelial cells of mucosal lamina propria increased with disease activity (P < 0.05). The percentages of PD-1/T and PD-1/CD4+T in the peripheral blood of moderate UC patients (PD-1/T 12.83 ± 6.15% and PD-1/CD4+T 19.67 ± 9.95%) and severe UC patients (PD-1/T 14.29 ± 5.71% and PD-1/CD4+T 21.63 ± 11.44%) were higher than in mild UC patients (PD-1/T 8.17 ± 2.80% and PD-1/CD4+T 12.44 ± 4.73%; P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in PD-1/CD8+T cells between mild and severe UC patients (P > 0.05). There was a statistically significant difference in the expression level of sPD-L1 between the UC groups and healthy controls, and the expression level of sPD-L1 increased with disease severity (P < 0.05); however, there was no statistically significant difference in sPD-1 expression levels between the UC groups and healthy controls (P > 0.05). The correlation coefficients between Th1 and sPD-L1, PD-1/T, PD-1/CD4+T and PD-1/CD8+T were 0.427, 0.589, 0.486, and 0.329, respectively (P < 0.001). The correlation coefficients between Th17 and sPD-L1, PD-1/T, PD-1/CD4+T and PD-1/CD8+T were 0.323, 0.452, 0.320, and 0.250, respectively (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

The expression level of PD-1/PD-L1 was correlated with UC disease activity, and two forms of PD-1 and PD-L1 may be used as a potential marker for predicting UC and assessing disease progression in UC patients. PD-1/PD-L1 imbalance was a significant phenomenon of UC immune dysfunction. Future research should focus on two forms of PD-1/PD-L1 signaling molecules to better understand the pathogenesis of UC and to identify potential drug therapies.
Evaluation of Evacuation Time for Each Evacuation Equipment in Neighborhood Facilities: Focused on Descending Lifeline and Elevating Equipment for Evacuation
Authors: Bae La-Sim , Oh Ryun-Seok , Choi Jun-Ho
Published: May 2023

At present, the standard for installing evacuation equipment that enables occupants to evacuate on their own is determined by the use of a building and its floor area. However, according to the "Installation Maintenance and Safety Control of Fire-Fighting Systems Act" and "Fire Safety Standards for evacuation equipment", the installation standard for evacuation equipment mentions only the minimum number of equipment to be installed based on the floor area. Thus, this installation standard fails to reflect the corresponding number of occupants in a building and the effectiveness of the evacuation equipment. Thus, there is a high probability that most of the evacuation equipment installed based on the "one-size-fits-all" legal regulation will not guarantee the safety of occupants in case of a fire. To address this, the performance evaluation of the effectiveness of evacuation and the distribution ratio of equipment per occupant needs to be prioritized. Therefore, we conduct mock experiments on the descending lifeline and elevating evacuation equipment to analyze their efficiencies. Moreover, we propose a model for calculating the evacuation time for the descending lifeline and elevating evacuation equipment based on the experimental results. Furthermore, we conduct effectiveness evaluation by using the evacuation equipment. The results show that most people cannot be evacuated using the evacuation equipment. That is, evacuation equipment was determined to be insufficient for ensuring safety as per the current standard. Therefore, the installation of evacuation equipment according to its efficiency and capacity is considered necessary.
Criação de recursos estratégicos na cadeia avícola e seus efeitos nos limites da firma
Authors: Schardong Bianca Jupiara Fortes , De Souza José Paulo
Published: May 2023

Este estudo objetivou compreender como se dá a integração vertical, ao se considerar a condição dos recursos estratégicos na cadeia produtiva de matrizes pesadas do SAG avícola da região Sul do Brasil. Realizou-se um estudo de casos múltiplos de natureza qualitativa, do tipo descritiva, com base nos anos de 2019 e 2020, por meio de entrevistas semiestruturadas com os gestores de dez empresas avícolas, localizadas no Sul do país. A partir da análise da formação dos recursos estratégicos alicerçados nos pressupostos da VBR, foi possível compreender a influência desses na internalização. Constatou-se que, para as fases em que se visa a proteção de recursos estratégicos que permitam a conquista de vantagem competitiva (ração, incubatório e recria), a forma de integração vertical se mostra como a melhor opção. A estratégia da manutenção de seu know-how interno tende a lhes dar maiores garantias de sanidade, qualidade e uniformidade, os quais representam os diferenciais e a identidade das empresas. Demonstrou-se que a condição do recurso no ex ante, mostra-se não só mais decisiva, como melhor compreendida pela condição de proteção e controle oferecida pela integração no ex post, contribuindo à agenda de pesquisa do framework da VBR na predição da integração.
A publicação voluntária de informações socioambientais como forma de legitimação das organizações do terceiro setor e acesso ao mercado de doações
Authors: E Pimenta Marcio Luiz Reis , Rosa Bruno Leonardo , Trigo Jose Aires
Published: May 2023

O objetivo desta pesquisa, realizada através de dados secundários, é responder qual o padrão mais propício para a publicação de relatórios socioambientais no Terceiro Setor, considerando os seus benefícios frente a legitimação das organizações e a captação de recursos junto ao mercado de doações. A situação atual marcada pelo empobrecimento do mundo, o anacronismo dos governos e suas políticas públicas e a forte tendência de desglobalização fizeram com que os recursos destinados ao Terceiro Setor fossem contingenciados causando uma enorme dependência do mercado de doações. Esta pesquisa é composta por uma sintética introdução, a fundamentação teórica que sustenta o trabalho realizado, as análises realizadas e, por fim, as conclusões, limitações e sugestões para novos estudos. Foi possível concluir que a divulgação de informações corporativas, de forma voluntária, além de apoiar a construção da legitimidade das organizações, é imprescindível como prática de governança e tende a ser um elemento catalizador para o sucesso da captação de recursos e o acesso ao mercado de doações do Terceiro Setor. Concluiu-se também que o Terceiro Setor ao realizar suas demonstrações socioambientais deve considerar o padrão preconizado pelo Global Reporting Initiative, sendo integradas com o Relato Integrado.
Study of Effective Promotional Tools for Enhancing the Use of Pre- Emergence Herbicide in Paddy Crop
Authors: Shivam  , Barker Nitin
Published: May 2023

The article on title “Study of effective Promotional Tools for enhancing the use of Pre-Emergence Herbicide in Paddy Crop” was carried out under the guidance of Dr. NITIN BARKER. Paddy (Oryza sativa) is the major staple food for a large population of world’s population especially in South and East Asia, 65% of the India’s population major staple food is rice. Rice is an important source of food worldwide. However, the growth of weeds in paddy fields pose a major biological threat to higher rice productivity and quality. Weeds have many variable characteristics compared to the crop for examples lack of seed dormancy, uniform growth and high yields. Thus, weeds tend to show larger potential capacity to adapt to stress (e.g., climate change) than crop plants. Consequently, effective management of weed is a vital pre-requisite notable production of rice. For instance, if crop losses of approximately 10–20 % are recovered through effective weed management with the use of appropriate herbicides, there will be additional yield of 0.3–0.6 t/ha. Different weed management practices were studied in paddy in present study were bensulfuron methyl 60 g + 600 g a.i ha-1 as pre emergence followed by mechanical weeding at 30 DAS/T, bispyribac sodium @ 25 g a.i ha-1, farmer’s practice and weedy check. among weed management practices, pre emergence application of bensulfuron methyl + pretilachlor mixture followed by mechanical weeding at 30 DAS/T resulted in higher B:C ratio compared to other methods of weed control. Finally, it could be concluded that there are good opportunities for Herbicide (Stilleto) to create a market space in the study area. The company need to focus on certain factors like farmer’s expectations, field demonstrations and creating awareness in the study area.
The Performance of L-Theanine as an Immunosimulant to Reduce Stress Levels in Motivant Fish (Helostoma temminkii)
Authors: Rojak  , Bijaksana Untung , Fitriliyani Indira
Published: May 2023

Farmed fish that are stressed are susceptible to various diseases that will affect their health, thereby reducing their reproductive abilities. Immunostimulants are substances that can enhance or stimulate the fish's immune system by interacting directly with cells that activate the immune system. The purpose of this study was to analyze the performance of L-theanine as an immunostimulant to reduce stress levels in monkfish. This research was conducted at the Wet Laboratory of the Faculty of Fisheries and Maritime Affairs, Lambung Mangkurat University, South Kalimantan Province. The treatment that will be given is as follows, namely Treatment A with feed added at a dose of L-Theanine 0 mg/kg. Treatment B feed was added with a dose of L-Theanine 300 mg/Kg. Treatment C was supplemented with a dose of L-Theanine 600 mg/Kg. Treatment D was supplemented with a dose of L-Theanine 900 mg/kg. The observed haematological conditions were hematocrit, erythrocytes and blood glucose. The addition of feed with a dose of  L-Theanine 300 mg/kg was able to maintain immunostimulants to reduce stress levels in animal fish according to hematological measurements in the form of hematocrit, erythrocytes and blood glucose.
Weed Management in Clusterbean under the Application of Different Agrochemicals and Phosphorus Levels
Authors: Kanwar Krishna , Yadav S. S.
Published: May 2023

Among the Kharif legumes clusterbean (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba L. Taub) is important crop and popularly known as “Guar” in India. A field experiment was conducted during Kharif 2013 at Agronomy Farm, S.K.N. College of Agriculture, Jobner, Jaipur (Rajasthan) to evaluate the weed management in clusterbean under the application of different agrochemicals and phosphorus levels. The treatments comprising 6 weed control treatments (Weedy check, one hand weeding at 20 DAS, two hand weeding at 20 and 40 DAS, pendimethalin at 0.75 kg/ha, imazethapyr at 100 g/ha and fenoxoprop-p-ethyl at 70 g/ha and four levels of phosphorus (0, 20, 40 and 60 kg/ha) assigned to main and sub plots of spilt plot design, respectively and replicated thrice. Results showed that HW twice at 20 and 40 DAS and pre emergence application of imazethapyr at 100 g/ha resulted significant reduction in weed density and weed dry matter in comparison to most of the treatments. Results further indicated that application of 60 kg P2O5/ha in clusterbean recorded the highest density and dry weight of weeds at all the stages. Maximum weed control efficiency was recorded under two hand weeding at 20 & 40 DAS.
Edible Coatings: Innovation to Improve the Shelf Life of Guava
Authors: Karthi J. S. , Johar Vishal , Singh Vikram , Rani Shalu
Published: May 2023

Fruit and vegetables are rich source of vitamins and minerals and due to their perishable nature, they have a very short shelf life thus making it difficult to store them for longer period. Approximately 30-40% of horticultural products are in lost due to the improper handling during transits, insect, pest attack and miss handling during the preservation of fruits and vegetables. Edible coating is the one of the most appropriate ways to solve this issue and improve the shelf life of the horticulture produce. The protective layer coated over the fruit and vegetables act as barrier for O2 and CO2 and water vapor which may result in the aging of produce. Hence,the different types of edible coating also help to improve the luster thereby making it more attractive to consumers and getting higher price in the market by reducing the post-harvest loss to a great extent. This review paper is an attempt to signify the use and importance of different edible types of edible coating to improve the shelf life of guava.
Resources Diversification in Bangladesh’s Electricity Generation: A Study on the Role of Renewable Energy Sources
Authors: Safi Md. , Chowdhury Shawon , Shahabuddin Gazi Md.
Published: May 2023

The diversity of resources used to produce power in Bangladesh in 2010-2022 is examined in this research paper. The need for energy has increased dramatically as Bangladesh's economy expands quickly. Natural gas has historically been the primary fuel used in Bangladesh to generate power, although there has been a greater diversification towards renewable energy sources in recent years. The paper examines the country's electrical sector's present level of resource diversity and evaluates the possibility of even more diversification. The study takes a qualitative approach by reviewing secondary data sources. The findings show that the government has made significant strides toward diversifying the country's energy generation, even if natural gas remains the main fuel and electricity generated from natural gas in Bangladesh was 51.05% in the fiscal year 2020–2022. Renewable energy sources, such as solar, wind, and hydropower, have grown in popularity in recent years, and the government has set ambitious goals for their eventual implementation. However, a variety of difficulties, such as inadequate infrastructure, constrained financing, and legislative limitations are impeding the growth of renewable energy. The study report underlines the necessity to diversify Bangladesh's power-producing resources in order to guarantee energy security, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and achieve sustainable development goals. According to our study, the government should improve infrastructure, offer suitable incentives, and resolve regulatory obstacles to foster investment in renewable energy. The results of this paper can direct stakeholders and policymakers in Bangladesh toward a more diverse, long-term, and robust electrical industry.
Optimization of submerged fermentation conditions for glucanase production by Burkholderia pyrrocinia B1213 using Jiuzao
Authors: Cheng Ruiwen  , Wang Fuqiang  , Xu Yiren  , Wei Lai  , Ma Jinghao  , Gao Peng  , Yang Ran  , Liu Xiaoyan  , Fan Guangsen
Published: May 2023

This study optimized the fermentation conditions for producing glucanase from Burkholderia pyrrocinia B1213 using Jiuzao, a residue from Baijiu distillation, as the carbon source. The effects of Jiuzao particle size and concentration, type of nitrogen source, urea concentration, initial pH, inoculum size, loading volume, shaking speed, temperature, surfactant type and incubation time on glucanase production by B. pyrrocinia B1213 were investigated separately through single factor design. Then, five variables, Jiuzao concentration, inoculum size, initial pH, temperature and incubation time, were found to significantly affect glucanase production using the Plackett-Burman design. Following, the optimal conditions for glucanase production by B. pyrrocinia B1213 were found using the steepest ascent path and response surface methodology designs as: particle size, 40-60 mesh; Jiuzao concentration, 58.4 g/L; urea concentration, 8 g/L; initial pH, 6; loading volume, 15 mL/250 mL; inoculum size, 0.63% (v/v); temperature, 26 °C; shaking speed, 160 rpm; and incubation time, 120 h. Under these conditions, the glucanase activity of the B. pyrrcinia B1213 strain was 1336 U/mL, producing the biological enzymes needed in Baijiu making from a by-product. This study has provided experimental data and theoretical information for using B. pyrrcinia B1213 in Baijiu production.
Keywords: Burkholderia pyrrocinia; Glucanase; Response surface methodology; Fermentation conditions; Jiuzao
Insects as a potential source of chitin and chitosan: Physicochemical, morphological and structural characterization. -A review
Authors: Saenz-Mendoza Alma Iveth , Zamudio-Flores Paul Baruk , García-Anaya Mayra Cristina , Velasco Claudio Rios , Acosta-Muñiz Carlos Horacio , Espino-Díaz Miguel , Tirado-Gallegos Juan Manuel , Hernández-González María , Vela-Gutiérrez Gilber , Salgado-Delgado René , Rendón-Villalobos J Rodolfo , Ortega-Ortega Adalberto
Published: May 2023

Insects are mega-diverse species. Structurally, insects are composed of the polysaccharide known as chitin and its deacetylated derivative, chitosan. Actually, exist few studies regarding to the physicochemical and structural characterization of these biopolymers in the main insect orders. The present study shows a review of chitin and chitosan obtained from insect sources; it was carried out on the similarities and differences between these biopolymers and those obtained from conventional sources. X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy with Fourier transform, and thermogravimetric analysis are presented which are important to determine how the structural, morphological and physicochemical properties of chitin and chitosan are affected depending on the source taxonomy of insects. The main techniques used for the isolation and the yields obtained are shown. Future research will be conducted to expand chitin and chitosan applications from insect in areas as diverse as food, biotechnology and biomedicine, emphasizing that insects can represent a potential raw material.Keywords: Biopolymeric materials; Physicochemical characterization; Insect order; Insect species; Chitin yield
Evaluation of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) lines for drought tolerance in Kyrgyzstan
Authors: Venera Karabekovna Isaeva
Published: May 2023

The study was carried out to explore drought stress indices in F4 hybrid generations of Triticum aestivum L. to select drought stress tolerant lines for rainfed areas of Kyrgyzstan. Wheat is the main food crop in Kyrgyzstan. There are about 0.3 million ha allotted for wheat, more than half of these sown areas (0.2 million ha) are in rainfed farming zones, where the amount of precipitation rarely exceeds 300-400 mm per year. The study was conducted in 2019 at the experimental field of Agricultural Faculty of Kyrgyz-Turkish Manas University. Eighteen hybrid lines of spring wheat and two released varieties (standard) were evaluated under irrigated and non-irrigated conditions. The results of the study show that the mean grain yield of evaluated lines under stress condition as compared to non-stressed condition was decreased by 51.72%. The analysis of correlation coefficient indicated that the productivity of lines under both conditions highly depends from their stress tolerance indexes (STI) (0.769 to 0.928). Tolerance index (TOL) and stress susceptibility index (STI) were negatively correlated (-0.411 to -0.813) with yield of genotypes under stress condition (YS). The correlation between yield stability index (YSI) and yield of genotypes under stress condition (YS) was strongly and highly positive (1.000). Based on provided analysis, Line-1, Line-3, Line-5, Line-12, Line-13, Line-14 and Line-15 were selected as potential genotypes to cultivate in drought areas of Kyrgyzstan and can be used as drought tolerance genetic resources in crop improvement programs.
Keywords: Correlation; Drought tolerance; Hybrid lines; Stress tolerance indices; Triticum aestivum L.
Over-the-Counter Birth Control Pill Could Be Available in the US by Year’s End
Authors: Rubin Rita
Published: May 2023

This Medical News feature discusses the prospect of the first birth control pill available without a prescription in the US.
Perception of Neighborhood Safety and Maternal and Neonatal Health Outcomes
Authors: Carter Julia G. , Feinglass Joe M. , Yee Lynn M.
Published: May 2023

This cross-sectional study examines whether perceived neighborhood safety is independently associated with adverse birth outcomes.
A cross‐cultural investigation of the reminiscence bumps for important personal events and word‐cued autobiographical memories
Authors: Coleman Justin T. , Janssen Steve M. J. , Belli Robert F.
Published: May 2023

The current study examines cross‐cultural differences in the reminiscence bump between samples of 119 African American and 106 European American adults aged 40 and up. Participants reported 10 word‐cued and 10 important autobiographical memories. For each, participants provided a description, the age at occurrence, and a rating of emotional valence. In total, 4225 autobiographical memories were reported. Like previous findings, results showed that the reminiscence bumps of both groups occurred earlier for word‐cued than important memories and that they occurred for positive but not negative events. Small cross‐cultural differences were observed in the shapes of the distributions and the proportions of memories within the reminiscence bumps for word‐cued, important, positive, and negative memories, and all memories combined. The findings support the cross‐cultural stability of effects associated with the reminiscence bump, while simultaneously demonstrating smaller cross‐cultural differences in the lifespan distributions within those broader patterns.
Investigation of Bone Regeneration Efficacy of New Bovine Bone Minerals in a Canine Mandibular Critical Defect Model
Authors: Park Sung‐Jin , Rahman Md. Mahbubur , Lee Jaebum , Kang Suk‐Woong , Kim Sokho
Published: May 2023

This study aims to investigate the bone regeneration effect of bovine hydroxyapatite‐processed biomaterials Bone‐XB and S1‐XB in a beagle mandibular defect model. A total of four saddle‐type critical sizes (15 mm × 10 mm) bone defects are created in each dog: two defects in the left mandible and two defects in the right mandible. The defect control (DC) group is kept unfilled, and the other three defects are filled with three different biomaterials as follows: positive control Bio‐Oss (Bio‐Oss group), Bone‐XB (XB group), and S1‐XB (S1‐XB group). Bone regeneration is evaluated by radiography, micro‐computed tomography, and histological analysis. It is revealed that Bone‐XB and S1‐XB significantly increase newly formed bone, defect filling percentage, and bone healing score compared to the DC group, which is confirmed by bone microstructure augmentation (bone volume/total volume, trabecular number, and trabecular thickness). Interestingly, no significant differences are observed between the Bone‐XB, S1‐XB, and Bio‐Oss groups. It is suggested that Bone‐XB or S1‐XB stimulates bone regeneration demonstrated by the increase in newly formed bone and bone microstructure, thereby improving bone defect filling, which is equivalent to the Bio‐Oss. Therefore, bovine hydroxyapatite‐processed Bone‐XB or S1‐XB can be considered effective biomaterials for correcting critical‐size bone defects or fractures.
Reactive Deposition Versus Strong Electrostatic Adsorption (SEA): A Key to Highly Active Single Atom Co‐Catalysts in Photocatalytic H2 Generation
Authors: Wang Yue , Qin Shanshan , Denisov Nikita , Kim Hyesung , Bad'ura Zdeněk , Sarma Bidyut Bikash , Schmuki Patrik
Published: May 2023

In recent years, the use of single atoms (SAs) has become of a rapidly increasing significance in photocatalytic H2 generation; here SA noble metals (mainly Pt SAs) can act as highly effective co‐catalysts. The classic strategy to decorate oxide semiconductor surfaces with maximally dispersed SAs relies on “strong electrostatic adsorption” (SEA) of suitable noble metal complexes. In the case of TiO2 – the classic benchmark photocatalyst – SEA calls for adsorption of cationic Pt complexes such as [(NH3)4Pt]2+ which then are thermally reacted to surface‐bound SAs. While SEA is widely used in literature, in the present work it is shown by a direct comparison that reactive attachment based on the reductive anchoring of SAs, e.g., from hexachloroplatinic(IV) acid (H2PtCl6) leads directly to SAs in a configuration with a significantly higher specific activity than SAs deposited with SEA – and this at a significantly lower Pt loading and without any thermal post‐deposition treatments. Overall, the work demonstrates that the reactive deposition strategy is superior to the classic SEA concept as it provides a direct electronically well‐connected SA‐anchoring and thus leads to highly active single‐atom sites in photocatalysis.
Effects of a range of phosphorus levels on yield, phosphorus efficiency, and canopy sunlight interception in direct‐seeded winter rapeseed
Authors: Wang Rui , Zheng Weidong , Wu Yanhua , Liu Duanmei , Peng Wenli
Published: May 2023

Phosphorus (P) fertilization is a crucial practice for winter rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) production. With the shift to a direct seeding cropping system, the P fertilizer supply should be re‐evaluated for the requirement of direct‐seeded winter rapeseed in southwest China. A two‐factor field experiment was conducted in 2017–18 and 2018–19 in the region. The experiment aimed to investigate the responses of a wide range of P levels (0, 45, 90, 135, and 180 kg P ha−1) on yield, P‐efficiency, and canopy sunlight interception of direct‐seeded winter rapeseed. The results demonstrated that winter rapeseed yield was enhanced as the P fertilizer rate increased from 0 to 90 kg P ha−1, and excessive P fertilizer supply did not significantly contribute to higher grain yield at high P levels. Rapeseed produced 7.1–10.1 kg seed ha−1 to supply 1 kg P ha−1 average across different five P levels from 0 to 180 kg P ha−1. Phosphorus efficiency significantly firstly increased (0–90 kg P ha−1) and then progressively decreased with the rise of P levels (around 120 kg P ha−1). Greater P fertilizer rates were absorbed by the stem and pericarp while playing a negligible role in boosting winter rapeseed yield. When the target yield of 3000 kg ha−1 was set, the corresponding winter rapeseed canopy area index should be 1.42–2.71 to facilitate yield formation depending on the growth stages. Meanwhile, it intercepted 30.8%–88.7% of sunlight by the rapeseed canopy. A reduced P‐fertilizer level of 90–120 kg P ha−1 was recommended to obtain target yield with less environmental risks in direct‐seeded winter rapeseed planting regions.
Acetic Acid‐Catalyzed 1,6‐Addition of Indolizine to para‐Quinone Methides
Authors: Lafzi Ferruh
Published: May 2023

This article describes the development of a metal and additive‐free protocol that utilizes acetic acid (AcOH) as a catalyst for the C3‐alkylation of indolizines using para‐Quinone Methides (p‐QMs) as an alkylation agent. The metal and additive free method offers an easy route to various substituted indolizine derivatives with good functional group tolerance and delivering acceptable good yields (up to 93%). A gram‐scale synthesis and further product derivatization show the synthetic potential of this technique. The significance of these findings for medicinal chemistry makes this easy and green approach relevant to both medicinal and synthetic organic chemists, given the crucial role of indolizine in the pharmaceutical industry.
Burnout among Japanese emergency medicine physicians: A multicentric questionnaire study
Authors: Morikawa Miki , Uechi Takahiro , Hanaki Nao , Goto Yukari , Funakoshi Hiraku , Takeuchi Shinya , Mizobe Michiko , Yajima Tsukasa , Kondo Yutaka , Tanaka Hiroshi
Published: May 2023

Objective

Burnout negatively affects the wellness and performance of emergency physicians (EPs). This study aimed to clarify the actual prevalence of burnout and its associated factors among Japanese EPs.

Methods

We conducted a cross‐sectional questionnaire study of selected 27 Japanese emergency departments (EDs). We examined the Maslach Burnout Inventory‐Human Services Survey score and its associations with ED‐level‐ and EP‐level factors in a multivariable analysis.

Results

A total of 267 EPs (81.9%) completed survey. Of these, 43 EPs (16.1%) scored severe emotional exhaustion (EE), 53 (19.8%) scored severe depersonalization (DP), and 179 (67.0%) scored severe personal accomplishment (PA), and 24 (8.9%) scored severely in all three domains. In our multivariable analysis, emergency medical service centers were associated with severe PA scores (odds ratio [OR], 10.56; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.78–62.66; p = 0.009). A 3 to 6 hour‐sleep period was associated with severe EE scores (OR, 2.04; 95% CI, 1.04–3.98; p = 0.036), and EPs in their 20s were associated with severe DP scores (OR, 7.37; 95% CI, 1.41–38.38; p = 0.018).

Conclusion

Our results suggest that 8.9% of Japanese EPs are in higher degrees of burnout. In particular, Japanese EPs scored more severely on PA. To avoid burnout in Japanese EPs, it is important to improve the working environment by ensuring more than 6 h of sleep, providing more support for young EPs, and taking effective action to combat low EP self‐esteem.
Techno‐economic comparison of different reactor types used in the manufacture of fructooligosaccharides from sucrose
Authors: Vacharanukrauh Treerat , Plubwungklam Sasina , Pichyangkura Rath , Soottitantawat Apinan
Published: May 2023

Fructooligosaccharides, a low‐calorie alternative sweetener with prebiotic effects, can be synthesized from sucrose via enzymatic reactions. Recently, methods for producing novel fructooligosaccharides using free and immobilized Bacillus licheniformis RN‐01 levansucrase were developed at the laboratory scale. However, there was a need to apply engineering knowledge in production process design and scale‐up to develop and evaluate the feasibility of this technology in the industrial scale. In this paper, three different types of reactors for fructooligosaccharides production using B. licheniformis RN‐01 levansucrase were compared in terms of technical and economic aspects. The previously collected experimental data, including enzyme activities, immobilization yields, product yields, and material balances, were used to estimate the capital and operating costs of fructooligosaccharides production using (a) immobilized enzyme in a stirred‐tank reactor, (b) immobilized enzyme in a packed‐bed reactor, and (c) free enzyme in a stirred‐tank reactor. The technical issues in reactor design and operation were also evaluated. The results showed that, in terms of minimum product selling prices, the process using immobilized enzyme had more economic advantages than the process using free enzyme because the cost savings from enzyme purchasing could compensate the additional equipment and chemical costs in the enzyme immobilization process. The results could be a guideline for selecting suitable reactor types for fructooligosaccharides production and provide directions for further reactor design and development.
Effects of tributyrin as plasticizer in poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate‐co‐3‐hydroxyvalerate) on processability, mechanical, and thermal properties
Authors: Carvalho Nathan K. , Silva Ana P. B. , Lemes Ana P.
Published: May 2023

The development of biodegradable polymers has been stimulated owing to the inappropriate litter disposing in order to replace conventional polymers with long‐time degradation. As their performance is a challenge to this replacement, the insertion of additives in biodegradable polymers such as poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate‐co‐3‐hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) consists in an effective way of adjusting their properties. For this reason, it was analyzed the incorporation of tributyrin (TB) in the matrix of PHBV as a plasticizer, so that higher plastic deformation is achieved. Samples of neat PHBV and with plasticizer concentrations of 5, 10, and 15 wt% were prepared by double screw extruder followed by press molding under temperature. Plasticizer exudation test confirmed the presence of TB in the samples of PHBV. Mechanical test showed the highest value of tensile strength and elongation at break for PHBV/5TB, with 23.4 MPa and 2.84%, respectively. It was observed at differential scanning calorimetry and dynamic mechanical thermal analysis that the PHBV/5TB resulted in an increase of 3% on crystallinity, a decrease of 3% on melting temperature, and a decrease of 46% and 29% on glass transition temperature by E″ and tan δ curves, respectively, compared with neat PHBV. Thus, PHBV/5TB was determined as the most appropriate composition for enhancing processability and properties of PHBV.
Analyzing paramagnetic NMR data on target DNA search by proteins using a discrete‐state kinetic model for translocation
Authors: Yu Binhan , Iwahara Junji
Published: May 2023

Before reaching their targets, sequence‐specific DNA‐binding proteins nonspecifically bind to DNA through electrostatic interactions and stochastically change their locations on DNA. Investigations into the dynamics of DNA‐scanning by proteins are nontrivial due to the simultaneous presence of multiple translocation mechanisms and many sites for the protein to nonspecifically bind to DNA. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy can provide information about the target DNA search processes at an atomic level. Paramagnetic relaxation enhancement (PRE) is particularly useful to study how the proteins scan DNA in the search process. Previously, relatively simple two‐state or three‐state exchange models were used to explain PRE data reflecting the target search process. In this work, using more realistic discrete‐state stochastic kinetics models embedded into an NMR master equation, we analyzed the PRE data for the HoxD9 homeodomain interacting with DNA. The kinetic models that incorporate sliding, dissociation, association, and intersegment transfer can reproduce the PRE profiles observed at some different ionic strengths. The analysis confirms the previous interpretation of the PRE data and shows that the protein's probability distribution among nonspecific sites is nonuniform during the target DNA search process.