bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Superradiance study of molecular clusters in different cavities formed by the tip and substrate of a scanning tunneling microscope
Authors: LIU Zhihua  , LYU Siyuan  , ZHOU Meng  , WANG Luxia  ,   Institute of Theoretical Physics, Department of Physics, School of Mathematics and Physics, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, China
Published: February 2025

The plasmon cavity system formed by the scanning tunneling microscope tip and substrate has attracted much attention due to its ability to break through the diffraction limit, enhance the electromagnetic field by hundreds of times, and localize it at the nanometer or even sub-nanometer scale. The plasmon cavity system formed by the scanning tunneling microscope tip and substrate can serve as an advanced platform for studying superradiance phenomena at the ultrafast scale. Methylene blue molecules have a wide range of applications in the field of optics due to their significant light absorption and fluorescence emission characteristics. This article applies macroscopic quantum electrodynamics and open quantum system theory to explore the radiation dynamics of methylene blue molecular clusters with three different configurations: cyclic, two-dimensional planar, and one-dimensional chain, in specific scanning tunneling microscope nanocavity and picocavity. Taking the cyclic molecular clusters as an example, the radiation effects of different external field excitations on the molecular clusters in the cavity are studied. The research results indicate that for the same molecular cluster configuration, the scanning tunneling microscope picocavity has a more significant superradiance intensity, while the scanning tunneling microscope nanocavity has a longer duration of superradiance. From the perspective of symmetry, one-dimensional chain molecular clusters only have axial symmetry, while two-dimensional planar and cyclic molecular clusters have both axial symmetry and central symmetry. Cyclic molecular clusters also have multiple rotational symmetries, so in the same scanning tunneling microscope cavity, the higher the arrangement symmetry of molecular clusters, the easier it is to generate obvious superradiance pulses. In addition, the scanning tunneling microscope picocavity is more sensitive to changes in external conditions such as excitation wavelength due to its higher spatial resolution and stronger local field enhancement effect. These results indicate that by designing the cavity structure and geometric configuration of molecular clusters reasonably, the occurrence and enhancement of superradiance phenomena can be effectively controlled, and the time scale of superradiance pulses can be extended to the picosecond level, providing new ideas and methods for future practical applications in the fields of optics and nanotechnology.
Study on the Spectral Characteristics of Floquet-EIT dressed by Radio Frequency Field in a DC Electric Field
Authors: DUAN Haonan  , JI Zhonghua  , LIU Weixin  , SU Dianqiang  , LI Jingkuan  , ZHAO Yanting  ,   1 State Key Laboratory of Quantum Optics Technologies and Devices, Institute of Laser Spectroscopy, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China;,   2 Collaborative Innovation Center of Extreme Optics, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China;,   3 Department of Physics, Xinzhou Teachers' University, Xinzhou 034000, China;,   4 School of Electric Power, Civil Engineering and Architecture, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030013, China
Published: February 2025

Rydberg atoms are a type of atoms characterized by high principal quantum numbers. Due to their large polarizability, electric field sensors based on Rydberg atoms have attracted considerable attention. However, research on direct current (DC) electric fields or lowfrequency electric fields utilizing Rydberg atoms is currently scarce, primarily due to the shielding effects associated with atomic vapor cells in regard to low-frequency electric fields, which make precise measurements of the electric field extremely challenging.
In this paper, we construct a Rydberg ladder configuration using probe laser at 852 nm and coupling laser at 510 nm in a room temperature cesium vapor cell with integrated electrode plates. Thereby this enables the realization of a Floquet-EIT (electromagnetically induced transparency) spectrum dressed by a radio frequency (RF) field in the presence of a DC electric field, and we further study the influence from DC electric field on spectral characteristic. In experiments, it has been observed that when only the RF electric field is applied, the EIT spectrum displays solely even-order sidebands. Furthermore, when both the RF field and the DC electric field are simultaneously present, the first-order sideband signal of the Floquet-EIT are observed. As the intensity of the DC electric field increases, the amplitude of the firstorder sidebands gradually increases. However, increasing the DC electric field to a sufficient magnitude induces sidebands interference, which results in a reduction of the sideband amplitudes. Furthermore, increasing the RF frequency can alleviate the interference effects induced by the DC electric field on the first-order sidebands. Finally, comparing the relative standard deviation of the sideband amplitudes of the Floquet-EIT spectra with the frequency shifts of the DC-Stark spectra under weak DC electric fields, we find that the measurement accuracy of the former is significantly superior to the latter.
This work make use of a Cs atomic vapor cell with an integrated electrode to avoid shielding effects. By observing Floquet-EIT spectra, the response of the spectra to DC electric fields is investigated. This experiment offers novel insights for quantum sensing measurements of DC and low-frequency electric fields.
Statistical learning beyond words in human neonates
Authors: Fló Ana , Benjamin Lucas , Palu Marie , Dehaene-Lambertz Ghislaine
Published: February 2025

Interest in statistical learning in developmental studies stems from the observation that 8-month-olds were able to extract words from a monotone speech stream solely using the transition probabilities (TP) between syllables (Saffran et al., 1996). A simple mechanism was thus part of the human infant’s toolbox for discovering regularities in language. Since this seminal study, observations on statistical learning capabilities have multiplied across domains and species, challenging the hypothesis of a dedicated mechanism for language acquisition. Here, we leverage the two dimensions conveyed by speech –speaker identity and phonemes– to examine (1) whether neonates can compute TPs on one dimension despite irrelevant variation on the other and (2) whether the linguistic dimension enjoys an advantage over the voice dimension. In two experiments, we exposed neonates to artificial speech streams constructed by concatenating syllables while recording EEG. The sequence had a statistical structure based either on the phonetic content, while the voices varied randomly (Experiment 1) or on voices with random phonetic content (Experiment 2). After familiarisation, neonates heard isolated duplets adhering, or not, to the structure they were familiarised with. In both experiments, we observed neural entrainment at the frequency of the regularity and distinct Event-Related Potentials (ERP) to correct and incorrect duplets, highlighting the universality of statistical learning mechanisms and suggesting it operates on virtually any dimension the input is factorised. However, only linguistic duplets elicited a specific ERP component, potentially an N400 precursor, suggesting a lexical stage triggered by phonetic regularities already at birth. These results show that, from birth, multiple input regularities can be processed in parallel and feed different higher-order networks.
Neurons in the medial prefrontal cortex that are not modulated by hippocampal sharp-wave ripples are involved in spatial tuning and signaling upcoming choice
Authors: den Bakker Hanna , Kloosterman Fabian
Published: February 2025

The hippocampus is known to encode spatial information and reactivate experienced trajectories during sharp-wave ripple events. These events are thought to be key time-points at which information about learned trajectories is transferred to the neocortex for long-term storage. It is unclear, however, how this information may be transferred and integrated in downstream cortical regions. In this study, we performed high-density probe recordings across the full depth of the medial prefrontal cortex and in the hippocampus simultaneously in rats while they were performing a task of spatial navigation. We find that neurons in the medial prefrontal cortex encode spatial information and reliably predict upcoming choice on a maze, and we find that a subset of neurons in the mPFC is modulated by hippocampal sharp-wave ripples. However, the neurons that are involved in predicting upcoming choice are not the neurons that are modulated by hippocampal sharp-wave ripples. This indicates that the integration of spatial information requires the collaboration of different specialized populations of neurons.
Parkinson’s disease-associated Pink1 loss disrupts vesicle trafficking in Ensheathing glia causing dopaminergic neuron synapse loss
Authors: Ghezzi Lorenzo , Pech Ulrike , Schoovaerts Nils , Poovathingal Suresh , Davie Kristofer , Lamote Jochen , Praschberger Roman , Verstreken Patrik
Published: February 2025

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is commonly associated with the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the
substantia nigra
, but many other cell types are affected even before neuron loss occurs. Recent studies have linked oligodendrocytes to early stages of PD, though their precise role is still unclear.
Pink1
is mutated in familial PD and through unbiased single-cell sequencing of the entire brain of
Drosophila Pink1
models, we observed significant gene deregulation in ensheathing glia (EG); cells that share functional similarities with oligodendrocytes. We found that the loss of
Pink1
leads to the activation of EG, similar to the reactive response of EG seen upon nerve injury. Using cell-type specific transcriptomics, we identified deregulated genes in EG as potential functional modifiers. Specifically, downregulating two trafficking factors, Rab7 and Vps13, also mutated in PD, or the direct regulators of Rab7, Mon1 and Ccz1, specifically in EG was sufficient to rescue neuronal function and protect against dopaminergic synapse loss. Our findings demonstrate that Pink1 loss in neurons triggers an injury response in EG, and that Pink1 loss in EG in turn disrupts neuronal function. Vesicle trafficking components, which regulate membrane interactions between organelles within EG, play a crucial role in maintaining neuronal health and preventing dopaminergic synapse loss. Our work highlights the essential role of glial support cells in the pathogenesis of PD and identifies vesicle trafficking within these cells as a key point of convergence in disease progression.
Clathrin-independent endocytosis and retrograde transport in cancer cells promote cytotoxic CD8 T cell activation
Authors: Xu Shiqiang , Buridant Alix , Hirsch Thibault , Shafaq-Zadah Massiullah , Dransart Estelle , Ledoux Benjamin , Johannes Ludger , van der Bruggen Pierre , Morsomme Pierre , Renard Henri-François
Published: February 2025

Endophilin A3-mediated clathrin-independent endocytosis (EndoA3-mediated CIE) mediates the internalization of immunoglobulin-like proteins, including key immune synapse components. Here, we identify ICAM1 as a novel EndoA3-dependent cargo, alongside ALCAM. We demonstrate that both proteins subsequently undergo retromer-dependent retrograde transport to the
trans
-Golgi network (TGN) in cancer cells. From there, they undergo polarized redistribution to the plasma membrane, where they contribute to immune synapse formation between cancer cells and cytotoxic CD8 T cells. Disruption of EndoA3 or retromer components significantly impairs the activation of autologous cytotoxic CD8 T cells, as demonstrated by decreased cytokine production. Concomitantly, we observed a reduced localization of ICAM1 at the immune synapse, indicating impaired immune synapse integrity. Indeed, cancer cells lacking EndoA3-mediated CIE or retromer form enlarged immune synapses that fail to restore full T cell activation, suggesting a compensatory attempt by T cells to overcome the defective synapse. Together, these findings reveal that EndoA3-mediated CIE and retrograde transport act in concert in cancer cells to relocate immune synapse components via the Golgi, thereby promoting the activation of cytotoxic CD8 T cells. Our study paves the way for the design of future therapeutic strategies targeting these pathways to enhance T cell-mediated anti-tumor immunity.
A deep learning framework for automated and generalized synaptic event analysis
Authors: O’Neill Philipp S , Baccino-Calace Martín , Rupprecht Peter , Lee Sungmoo , Hao Yukun A , Lin Michael Z , Friedrich Rainer W , Müller Martin , Delvendahl Igor
Published: February 2025

Quantitative information about synaptic transmission is key to our understanding of neural function. Spontaneously occurring synaptic events carry fundamental information about synaptic function and plasticity. However, their stochastic nature and low signal-to-noise ratio present major challenges for the reliable and consistent analysis. Here, we introduce miniML, a supervised deep learning- based method for accurate classification and automated detection of spontaneous synaptic events. Comparative analysis using simulated ground-truth data shows that miniML outperforms existing event analysis methods in terms of both precision and recall. miniML enables precise detection and quantification of synaptic events in electrophysiological recordings. We demonstrate that the deep learning approach generalizes easily to diverse synaptic preparations, different electrophysiological and optical recording techniques, and across animal species. miniML provides not only a comprehensive and robust framework for automated, reliable, and standardized analysis of synaptic events, but also opens new avenues for high-throughput investigations of neural function and dysfunction.
Combination of machine learning and data envelopment analysis to measure the efficiency of the Tax Service Office
Authors: Soffan Shofinurdin , Bramantoro Arif , Alzahrani Ahmad A.
Published: February 2025

The Tax Service Office, a division of the Directorate General of Taxes, is responsible for providing taxation services to the public and collecting taxes. Achieving tax targets efficiently while utilizing available resources is crucial. To assess the performance efficiency of decision-making units (DMUs), data envelopment analysis (DEA) is commonly employed. However, ensuring homogeneity among the DMUs is often necessary and requires the application of machine learning clustering techniques. In this study, we propose a three-stage approach: Clustering, DEA, and Regression, to measure the efficiency of all tax service office units. Real datasets from Indonesian tax service offices were used while maintaining strict confidentiality. Unlike previous studies that considered both input and output variables, we focus solely on clustering input variables, as it leads to more objective efficiency values when combining the results from each cluster. The results revealed three clusters with a silhouette score of 0.304 and Davies Bouldin Index of 1.119, demonstrating the effectiveness of fuzzy c-means clustering. Out of 352 DMUs, 225 or approximately 64% were identified as efficient using DEA calculations. We propose a regression algorithm to measure the efficiency of DMUs in new office planning, by determining the values of input and output variables. The optimization of multilayer perceptrons using genetic algorithms reduced the mean squared error by about 75.75%, from 0.0144 to 0.0035. Based on our findings, the overall performance of tax service offices in Indonesia has reached an efficiency level of 64%. These results show a significant improvement over the previous study, in which only about 18% of offices were considered efficient. The main contribution of this research is the development of a comprehensive framework for evaluating and predicting tax office efficiency, providing valuable insights for improving performance.
Optimized hybrid SVM-RF multi-biometric framework for enhanced authentication using fingerprint, iris, and face recognition
Authors: Sonal  , Singh Ajit , Kant Chander
Published: February 2025

This article introduces a hybrid multi-biometric system incorporating fingerprint, face, and iris recognition to enhance individual authentication. The system addresses limitations of uni-modal approaches by combining multiple biometric modalities, exhibiting superior performance and heightened security in practical scenarios, making it more dependable and resilient for real-world applications. The integration of support vector machine (SVM) and random forest (RF) classifiers, along with optimization techniques like bacterial foraging optimization (BFO) and genetic algorithms (GA), improves efficiency and robustness. Additionally, integrating feature-level fusion and utilizing methods such as Gabor filters for feature extraction enhances overall performance of the model. The system demonstrates superior accuracy and reliability, making it suitable for real-world applications requiring secure and dependable identification solutions.
A retrospective study of the correlation between high serum ferritin levels and the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus in midpregnant women
Authors: Fan Xizhenzi , Zhang Pan , Wang Lingli , Song Wenhui , Su Achou , Yu Tianxiao
Published: February 2025

Aims

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is any degree of glucose intolerance with onset or first detection during pregnancy, with an inconsistent association with serum ferritin (SF). We aimed to ascertain the relationship between SF and the risk of GDM in mid-pregnancy and provide evidence for implementing clinical individualized and reasonable iron supplementation regimens.

Methods

A retrospective study was conducted to investigate 1,052 pregnant women at 24–28 weeks of gestation who were examined in the obstetrics department of The Fourth Hospital of Shijiazhuang from January 2019 to December 2021. Questionnaires were used to obtain the general information. The levels of serum ferritin (SF), serum calcium, glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) and Oral-Glucose-Tolerance-Test (OGTT) were reviewed. The GDM was diagnosed by glucose tests. Multivariate logistic regression was used to determine the relationship between serum ferritin and GDM.

Results

Compared to the non-GDM group, the GDM group had significantly higher level of SF (13.95 (8.59–23.65) ng/mL vs. 12.11 (7.27–19.86) ng/mL, (p = 0.012)). While SF levels positively correlated with 1-hour plasma glucose levels (PG1H) (r = 0.061, p = 0.047), there was a negative correlation between SF and HbA1c levels (r =  − 0.078, p = 0.011). The risk of GDM with higher levels of SF was increased (1.010 (95% CI [1.001–1.020], p = 0.025)). In the univariate logistic regression model, the risk of GDM in pregnant women with high ferritin levels was 1.010 (95% CI [1.001–1.020], p = 0.025). After adjustment for age and pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI), the risk of GDM was significantly increased by 44% and 42% respectively (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 1.440, 95% CI [1.025–2.023], p = 0.035), AOR = 1.420 (95% CI [1.011–1.995], p = 0.043). After multivariate adjustment for age and pre-pregnancy BMI, the results were moderately revised (AOR = 1.427, 95%CI [1.013–2.008], p = 0.042).

Conclusions

Elevated SF levels of mid-pregnancy was associated with risk of GDM, which may guide the implementation of pregnancy-specific supplementation to some extent with the support of further clinical trials.
The micro-niche explains allotopy and syntopy in South American Liolaemus (Iguania: Liolaemidae) lizards
Authors: Quinteros Andrés S. , Portelli Sabrina N.
Published: February 2025

Species distribution models have been established as essential tools for projecting the effects of changing environmental conditions on species distribution across space and time. The microclimatic niche denotes the environmental conditions within a habitat at a small scale or localized area. These conditions have a direct influence on several ecological traits and on species distribution as these conditions determine which organisms can survive and/or reproduce. This study examines the microclimate data from four sites located in Northwestern Salta Province, Argentina. Four South American Liolaemus lizard species were found to inhabit these four sites in allotopy or syntopy, with Liolaemus irregularis inhabiting all four sites. Liolaemus irregularis is the sole Liolaemus species inhabiting Site 1; L. irregularis inhabits Site 2 in syntopy with L. multicolor; L. irregularis inhabits Site 3 in syntopy with L. yanalcu; and L. irregularis inhabits Site 4 in syntopy with L. albiceps. To characterize the four sites, a microclimate model was generated for an interval from 10 AM to 6 PM every day, for 10 years. The sites exhibited some differences in the combination of climatic and soil characteristics. Site 1 was characterized by low relative humidity, high temperature, high wind speed, and Cambisol soil type. Site 2 had high relative humidity, low temperature, moderate wind speed, and Andosol soil type. Site 3 had high relative humidity, high temperature, low wind speed, and Cambisol soil type. Site 4 had high relative humidity, low temperature, moderate wind speed, and Regosol soil type. Temperature, humidity, wind speed, soil type, and species diet influenced the presence of lizard species at each site. It is evident that microenvironmental conditions profoundly influence lizard distribution and biological interactions.
A Comparison of 2D and 3D CNN for Lung CT Image Tuberculosis Severity Assessment
Authors: Alebiosu David Olayemi , Hassan Farrukh , Folayan Adeola , Yeow Mathew Yit Hang
Published: February 2025

Tuberculosis is an infectious disease that usually affects the lungs. However, early diagnosis of tuberculosis increases the chance of cure. Practical analysis of lung Computed Tomography (CT) images from tuberculosis patients is one of the primary methods used to determine the severity of the disease. Handcrafted CT image analysis techniques such as grey level concurrence matrix, Fourier transform, etc, used for medical image pre-processing techniques have been ineffective due to their limitations in extracting discriminating features from the images. The application of deep learning, a branch of machine learning, is gaining increased acceptance in medical image analysis. The challenges such as high cost, human error, and slow speed encountered during manual labelling are gradually eliminated in various scales with deep learning techniques. This study explores two deep-learning approaches to classify TB severity in Lung CT Images. Two-Dimensional (2D) and three-Dimensional (3D) convolutional neural networks (CNNs) were used separately to classify the ImageCLEF 2021 lung CT dataset into ‘High’ and ‘Low’ severity categories. The proposed 3D-CNN in this study outperformed the 2D CNNs; it produced an overall average accuracy and Area Under the ROC curve (AUC) of 0.9929 and 0.9982 respectively.
A Case Report on the Impact of Particulate Matter and Gaseous Emissions from Sawmills on the Health of Sawmill Workers in Osisioma Nngwa, Abia State, Nigeria
Authors: Diagi Bridget E. , Okorondu Justin , Amangabara Gordon T , Iwuji Martin , Ajiere Susan I. , Victor Agidi , Edokpa David , Ekweogu Chinonye , Acholonu Chidinma , O Egbuawa Irene , O. Diagi Deborah , Tochukwu Omenachi
Published: February 2025

Sawmill workers are exposed to wood dust, which may cause skin irritation, allergy, and respiratory symptoms including asthma. This study investigates the concentration level of air pollutants in two major saw mills in Osisioma L.G.A in Abia state, Nigeria. Comprehensive air quality measurements were conducted using Hand held mobile multi-gas monitor, BLATN air quality monitor (model BR—Smart Series) and Air quality multimeter (model B SIDE EET100) focusing on key pollutants such as ammonia, hydrogen sulphide, sulphur dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, methane, ozone, photochemical smog, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10). Results revealed elevated concentrations of several pollutants, with particulate matter significantly exceeding permissible limits. At Timber Plaza, PM2.5 levels reached 70.0 mg/m³ and PM10 levels increased to 130.0 mg/m³ in the working hours, both far above the regulatory limits of 0.25 mg/m³ and 0.50 mg/m³ respectively. Similarly, at Uratta Timber Market, PM2.5 concentrations were as high as 60.0 mg/m³, and PM10 levels reached 120.0 mg/m³ in some locations. Health impact assessments conducted through questionnaires among sawmill workers revealed a high prevalence of respiratory problems, including shortness of breath, frequent coughing, chest tightness, wheezing, throat irritation, and nasal congestion. For instance, in Uratta Timber Market, 23 (92%) out of 25 respondents experienced shortness of breath, with 64% reporting it occurring 'often' or 'sometimes'. Similar patterns were observed in Timber Plaza, where 22 (88%) of the respondents reported shortness of breath. Majority of respondents reported a perceived impact of poor air quality on their health, with frequent visits to doctors and reliance on medication for respiratory issues. The findings show the urgent need for implementing effective dust control measures, regular air quality monitoring, and health surveillance programs to mitigate the adverse effects on workers’ health.
Physico-chemical and Sensory Evaluation of Shrikhand Prepared from Cow and Goat Milk
Authors: B. D. Patil , K. B. Kubade , D. K. Kamble , V. E Narwade
Published: February 2025

Shrikhand is a semi-solid, sweetish-sour, wholesome indigenous fermented dairy product of western India. It is most popular in Gujarat, Maharashtra and Karnataka. It is popular because of its characteristics flavour, taste, palatable nature and therapeutic value. The present study was made with an attempt to develop a Goat milk shrikhand blended with cow milk. Studied for its sensory quality on various attributes such as flavour, body and texture, color and appearance, and over all acceptability by semi trained panelist using 9-point hedonic scale. In the present investigation treatment T0, T1, T2, T3 and T4 were formulated in which shrikhand was prepared by using 40% sugar with various proportion of cow milk and goat milk blended chakka, in the ratio of 100:00, 75:25, 50:50, 25:75 and 0:100, respectively. The sensory scores for overall acceptability of cow and goat milk blended shrikhand of treatments T0, T1, T2, T3 and T4 were 8.14, 8.15, 8.20, 8.17 and 8.14 respectively. It was found that among all treatments under study, treatment T2 scored higher in sensory evaluation and was considered as optimized product of goat milk shrikhand. The sensorily superior treatment T2 contain fat, protein, reducing sugar, total sugar, total solids, moisture and ash 8.50, 7.65, 2.24, 42.22, 58.37 and 41.63 per cent, respectively.
Microbial Mediated Fabrication of Ag and TiO2 Nanoparticles for Bacterial Inhibition
Authors: Akpeji B.H , Jimoh A.A. , Akusu P.O. , Okhuarobo L.O , Ayomanor B.O. , Okologume J.O. , Udoji N.J. , Elemike E.E.
Published: February 2025

Introduction: Microorganisms are world of their own multiplying in millions by reproduction and creating problems to human lives and environment. In this light, it is necessary to transform them into useful product to solving challenges by investigating their inhibition to bacterial growth.
Method: In the current study, Pseudomonas aeruginosa was applied for the synthesis of silver and titanium oxide nanoparticles (Ag NPs and TiO2 NPs). The nanoparticles were prepared from the supernatant solution of the cultured organism of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and the silver nitrate solution and titanium tetraisopropoxide solution. The microbial assisted synthesized nanoparticles were characterized for UV-Visible spectrophotometer, Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectrophotometer, Powder X-ray Diffraction (PXRD), Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM), Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and Energy Dispersive Spectrophotometer (EDS).
Results: UV–Visible spectra provided the absorption maxima at the wavelength of 414 nm for Ag NPs and 390 nm for TiO2 NPs. The FTIR spectra provided N–H stretch absorption for peptide linkages, O–H stretch of carboxylic acid, amide bend and –C––O stretch which may could have be linked to the micro-organism. The PXRD analysis of both Ag NPs and TiO2 NPs confirmed their crystallography structures. SEM results showed that both nanoparticles show true sphericity with porous surface. TEM analysis revealed that the particles were well dispersed without agglomeration with average particle size of 7.27 and 6.83 nm respectively. The EDS revealed elemental constituents showing Ag and Ti to be more dominant in their weight percentages. The antibacterial characterization using the biosynthesized nanoparticles provided a significant inhibition against disease causing microorganisms, and TiO2 NPs was found to be superior to Ag NPs and the control drugs.
Survey and Identification of Plant Parasitic Nematodes Associated with Tea Gardens in Dibrugarh District of Assam, India
Authors: Gogoi Hemanga Jyoti , Borah Aparajita , Mahanta Bornali
Published: February 2025

The present investigation was carried out to determine the occurrence and distribution of plant parasitic nematodes associated with tea plants in different tea gardens in Dibrugarh district. A survey of plant parasitic nematodes revealed that eight genera of plant parasitic nematodes were found to be associated with tea plants in the Dibrugarh district. The genera of plant parasitic nematodes recorded were viz., Helicotylenchus, Hoplolaimus, Tylenchorhynchus, Paratylenchus, Meloidogyne Xiphinema, and also nematode genera found under Tylenchus and Criconematids. Community analysis of plant parasitic nematodes revealed that the genus Helicotylenchus ranked first in relative frequency, absolute frequency, absolute density, relative density, and prominence value. The genus Hoplolaimus ranked second in relative frequency, absolute frequency, absolute density, relative density, and prominence value. Paratylenchus ranked third in relative frequency, absolute frequency, absolute density, relative density, and prominence value.
Ueber die galactolipide und fettsäuren in normalen und glucosestimulierten kulturen von Spirodela oligorrhiza
Authors: Grob E.C. , Eichenberger W.
Published: July 2002

The levels of galactosyl diglycerides and the composition of fatty acids of Spirodela oligorrhiza (Lemnaceae) plants cultivated on a nutrient containing 1% glucose were studied. Controls were grown on a medium without glucose. Between the 10th and the 25th day of growth the ether‐soluble lipids of glucose‐stimulated plants contained less monogalactosyl diglyceride (MG) but more digalactosyl diglyceride (DG) than controls. In the same time a marked decrease of the relative amount of C18:3 acid and an increase of that of C18:2 and C16:0 acids was observed. These changes of the lipid composition might be one reason for the structural changes in the chloroplast fine structure of glucose‐stimulated Spirodela plants.
Changes in phosphoproteins of chicken bone matrix in vitamin D‐deficient rickets
Authors: Lian Jane B. , Cohen-Solal Lola , Kossiva Dora , Glimcher Melvin J.
Published: July 2002

Vitamin D‐deficiency and rickets was produced in growing chicks. The resulting decrese in mineralization of whole bone and of fractions separated by density centrifugation was accompanied by a very significant decrease in the contents of O‐phosphoserine and O‐phosphothreonine. Likewise, the total amount of O‐phosphoserine and O‐phosphothreonine and the concentrations of these phosphoamino acids in EDTA extracts and in fractions obtained by molecular sieving was also reduced. These data provide the first in vivo evidence that phosphoproteins may be critically involved in the calcification of bone.
Natural chirality of methylene sites applied to the recognition of origin and to the study of biochemical mechanisms
Authors: Martin Maryvonne L. , Zhang Benli , Martin Gérard J.
Published: July 2002

Naturel abundance deuterium NMR has been applied to the quantitative determination of natural methylene chirality in amino acids of different configurations and in ethanols of different origins. An enantiomeric enrichment is detected for aspartic acid of the L series obtained from fermentation and the technique therefore provides an absolute method for identifying the natural origin of a given substance. In ethanols of different origins the pro‐R and pro‐S positions appear as naturally equally populated at the present level of precision of the experiments. These results provide a new source of information about reaction mechanisms in the natural conditions.
Two site‐specific endonucleases BinSI and BinSII from Bifidobacterium infantis
Authors: Khosaka Toshiyuki , Kiwaki Mayumi , Rak Bodo
Published: July 2002

Two site‐specific endonucleases, BinSI and BinSII, were isolated from Bifidobacterium infantis S76e. BinSI was found to be an isoschizomer of EcoRII, while BinSII was shown to have the same sequence and cutting specificity as BbeI, 5′‐GGCGCC‐3′. Both BinSII‐ and BbeI‐generated DNA fragments could be ligated with HaeII‐generated DNA fragments.
Interaction of trifluoperazine with porcine calmodulin 19F NMR and induced CD spectral studies
Authors: Shimizu Toru , Hatano Masahiro
Published: July 2002

We have used 19F NMR and CD spectra to study interactions of TFP with CaM under various conditions where no aggregation of TFP occurs. It was found that TFP is bound to CaM in the absence of Ca2+ with K
a >4 × 104 M in terms of 19F NMR of TFP and that KCl markedly influences the interaction of TFP with CaM. It was also found that TFP causes quite strong induced CD bands corresponding with the absorption bands of the aromatic ring of TFP when TFP is bound to Ca2+ ‐CaM. The induction of the CD bands was time‐dependent and was composed of fast and slow phases.
Characteristics of platelet aggregation induced by the monoclonal antibody ALB6 (acute lymphoblastic leukemia antigen p 24)
Authors: Boucheix Claude , Soria Claudine , Mirshahi Massoud , Soria Jeannette , Perrot Jean-Yves , Fournier Noëlle , Billard Martine , Rosenfeld Claude
Published: July 2002

The leukemia‐associated cell surface antigen p 24 is found on normal platelets as well as on Bernard Soulier syndrome and thrombasthenia type I platelets. ALB6 IgG (a monoclonal antibody against p 24) induces the aggregation of platelets from normal donors but not from thrombasthenia. In contrast, ALB6 Fab inhibits platelet aggregation induced by collagen, ADP, thrombin, ionophore A 23187 and ALB6 IgG. The results suggest that ALB6 interferes with a mechanism common to all aggregation pathways; the possible mechanisms are discussed.
Decreased adenylate cyclase responsiveness of transformed cells correlates with the presence of a viral transforming protein
Authors: Beckner Suzanne K.
Published: July 2002

The adenylate cyclase responsiveness of transformed fibroblastic and epithelial cell lines to forskolin, fluoride, guanine nucleotides and cholera toxin was reduced compared to their parental counterparts. This phenomenon was observed in lines transformed by either RNA or DNA tumor viruses, and in the case of polyoma virus, coincided with the expression of middle T antigen. The data suggest that decreased responsiveness of adenylate cyclase to non‐hormone activators is a general consequence of viral transformation and may be related to viral regulation of protein kinase activity.
The major androgen‐dependent protease in dog prostate belongs to the kallikrein family: confirmation by partial amino acid sequencing
Authors: Lazure C. , Leduc R. , Seidah N.G. , Chrétien M. , Dubé J.Y. , Chapdelaine P. , Frenette G. , Paquin R. , Tremblay R.R.
Published: July 2002

Canine prostate fluids and seminal plasma contain a major androgen‐dependent protein which was identified as a proteolytic enzyme exhibiting an Arg‐esterase activity. This protease, as characterized, is shown to be present as a two‐chain structure held together by at least one disulfide bridge and composed of approximately 220 amino acids. Amino acid sequence determination of both chains has revealed a clear homology to other known amino acid sequences of serine proteases. Furthermore, the comparison of the presented 58 amino acids of the Arg‐esterase with the other sequences revealed a very strong homology (larger than 50%) to members of the kallikrein family. The two chain structure could thus result from autolysis of a single chain enzyme in the ‘kallikrein autolysis loop’. Amino acid composition of the canine prostatic enzyme suggests that it is related, but not identical, to pancreatic canine kallikrein.
Solubilization in high yield of opioid receptors retaining high‐affinity delta, mu and kappa binding sites
Authors: Demoliou-Mason Catherine D. , Barnard Eric A.
Published: July 2002

The binding sites for opiates (agonist and antagonist) and opioid peptides can be solubilized from rat brain membranes with digitonin in the presence of Mg2+ (10 mM). High affinity and high capacity binding to the soluble δ, μ, and κ receptors is obtainable when the membranes are treated in Mg2+ (30°C, 60 min) prior to solubilization. The yields of solubilized binding sites extracted with digitonin, 40–90%, are higher than those obtained from Mg2+‐pretreated membranes with other detergents commonly used for receptor solubilization. The stability of the digitonin‐soluble opioid receptor at room temperature makes it useful for purification and characterization.
Primary structure of porcine Cu,Zn Superoxide dismutase
Authors: Schininà M.E. , Barra D. , Simmaco M. , Bossa F. , Rotilio G.
Published: July 2002

The complete amino acid sequence of Cu,Zn Superoxide dismutase from porcine erythrocytes has been determined. Comparison of the sequence with that of the bovine enzyme shows an overall high degree of homology with conservation of the crucial residues and the presence of two regions prone to variation. In one of these hypervariable regions the insertion of one residue with respect to the bovine enzyme and evidence of structural microheterogeneity has been observed. On the basis of the three‐dimensional structure of the bovine enzyme no obvious relationship is apparent between a specific amino acid replacement and the unique pH‐dependence pattern of the activity of the porcine enzyme.
Enhancement of Ca2+‐induced catecholamine release by the phorbol ester TPA in digitonin‐permeabilized cultured bovine adrenal chromaffin cells
Authors: Brocklehurst Keith W. , Pollard Harvey B.
Published: July 2002

Phorbol ester
Cathecholamine
Protein kinase C
Chromaffin
Secretion
Ca2+‐induced release
Detection of the tripeptide Tyr‐Gly‐Gly, a putative enkephalin metabolite in brain, using a sensitive radioimmunoassay
Authors: Llorens-Cortes Catherine , Schwartz Jean-Charles , Gros Claude
Published: July 2002

A sensitive and specific radioimmunoassay has been developed for YOG. The tripeptide was previously derivatised with p‐benzoquinone to prepare the immunogen and the 125 tracer as well as in samples submitted to the RIA. The sensitivity is about 1 nM as compared with 8000 nM for underivatised YGG. Measurable amounts of endogenous YGG immunoreactivity, co‐eluting in HPLC with authentic YGG, were detected in mouse striatal extracts.
Cytoskeletal accumulation of a specific iso‐actin during chemotaxis of Dictyostelium
Authors: McRobbie Stuart J. , Newell Peter C.
Published: July 2002

We have previously reported that stimulation of Dictyostelium amoebae with the chemoattractants folate or cAMP elicits a rapid (3–5 s) accumulation of actin in the Triton‐insoluble cytoskeleton, a response which may be involved in amoeboid movement (McRobbie and Newell, 1983, 1984). We have now measured the changes in the three major isoactin species A1 A2, and A3 present in the amoebal cytoskeletons and find that it is the most acidic isoactin A1 that preferentially accumulates in the cytoskeleton in response to these chemotactic pulses. The differing roles of the isoactins are discussed
Polymerized liposomes as stable oxygen‐carriers
Authors: Hayward James A. , Levine Daniel M. , Neufeld Lawrence , Simon Sanford R. , Johnston David S. , Chapman Dennis
Published: July 2002

We have produced a surrogate erythrocyte (‘hemosomes’) by encapsulating human hemoglobin in polymerized vesicles composed of diacetylenic phospholipids plus or minus cholesterol. Hemoglobin (in the presence or absence of allosteric effectors) was encapsulated by a freeze‐thaw method in large, unilamellar vesicles composed of monomeric lipids. Entrapment was demonstrated by molecular‐sieve chromatography. Brief irradiation with ultraviolet light produced polymeric hemosomes with polymerization kinetics and conversions similar to liposomes in the absence of protein. Photo‐induced oxidation of the heme was eliminated or severly limited by a combination of prior ligation with CO and the maintenance of high intravesicular hemoglobin concentrations (5–10 mM internal hemoglobin). The inclusion of allosteric effectors within polymerized hemosomes facilitated near‐quantitative conversion to the oxy‐HbA form. Gas permeability of monomeric and polymeric hemosomes was demonstrated by spectroscopic methods. Reversible spectral shifts, corresponding to oxygenation‐deoxygenation, were obtained after brief evacuation and exposure to oxygen or nitrogen. The gas permeability of polymerized hemosomes appears sufficient for the vesicles to act as oxygen carriers in vivo, a notion that is strengthened by their apparent hemocompatibility.
Partial purification of a high density lipoprotein‐binding protein from rat liver and kidney membranes
Authors: Fidge Noel H.
Published: July 2002

The existence of a cell receptor which recognises plasma high density lipoprotein (HDL) has been suggested from studies which demonstrate specific binding of HDL3 to cultured cells derived from various tissues in the body. This study provides evidence of a specific HDL‐binding protein in crude plasma membranes prepared from rat kidney and liver. Following separation of solubilised membrane proteins on polyacrylamide gel slabs and ‘Western’ blotting, one major band was identified which bound HDL3, or apo AI or apo AII The protein, which was present in both liver and kidney membranes, was partially purified by repetitive preparative SDS‐polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and although accompanied by considerable loss of binding activity, could still be detected by the ligand‐blotting procedure used initially to detect its presence in cell membranes.
Membrane current responses to intracellular injections of inositol 1,3,4,5‐tetrakisphosphate and inositol 1,3,4‐trisphosphate in NG108‐15 hybrid cells
Authors: Higashida Haruhiro , Brown David A.
Published: July 2002

Iontophoretic injections of inositol 1,4,5‐trisphosphate inside neuroblastoma × glioma NG108‐15 hybrid cells evoked an outward K+ current across the outer cell membrane, probably activated by the release of intracellular Ca2+. No such current was produced by equivalent intracellular injections of inositol 1,3,4‐trisphosphate or inositol 1,3,4,5‐tetrakisphosphate. Instead, these compounds evoked an inward current with a reversal potential of about −20 mV, and which may therefore be due to a non‐specific cation conductance. This suggests that these derivatives are unable to release sufficient Ca2+ to activate the Ca2+‐dependent K+ current in these cells.
A secretory phospholipase C‐like enzyme in the bovine epididymal caput
Authors: Vanha-Perttula Tapani , Kasurinen Juha
Published: July 2002

Phospholipase C
(Bovine epididymis)
Enzyme characterization
Radioactively labeled ether lipids by biotransformation of symmetrical alkylglycerols in cell suspension cultures of rape
Authors: Weber Nikolaus , Mangold Helmut K.
Published: July 2002

Biotransformation of 2‐O‐[1'‐14C]hexadecylglycerol by photomixotrophic rape (Brassica napus) cells in suspension culture leads in appreciable yield (> 60%) to 1‐acyl‐2‐O‐[1'‐14C]hexadecyl‐sn‐glycero‐3‐phosphocholines. Alkaline hydrolysis of the acyl moiety in these phospholipids yields 2‐O‐[1'‐14C]hexadecyl‐sn‐glycero‐3‐phosphocholine which is acetylated to 1‐acetyl‐2‐O‐[1'‐14C]hexadecyl‐sn‐glycero‐3‐phosphocholine, i.e. a positional isomer of platelet‐activating factor.
N‐terminal amino acid sequence analysis of the subunits of pea photosystem I
Authors: Dunn Paul P.J. , Packman Leonard C. , Pappin Darryl , Gray John C.
Published: July 2002

Six ‘core’ subunits of pea photosystem I have been isolated and their N‐terminal amino acid sequences determined by gas‐phase or solid‐phase sequencing. On average more than thirty residues were determined from the N‐terminus of each polypeptide. This sequence analysis has revealed three polypeptides with charged N‐terminal regions (21, 17 and 11 kDa subunits), one polypeptide with a predominantly hydrophobic N‐terminal region (9 kDa subunit), one polypeptide which is cysteine‐rich (8 kDa subunit) and one which is alanine‐rich (13 kDa subunit).
Differentiated analysis of the secondary structure of hydrophilic and hydrophobic regions in α‐ and β‐subunits of Na+,K+‐ATPase by Raman spectroscopy
Authors: Ovchinnikov Yu.A. , Arystarkhova E.A. , Arzamazova N.M. , Dzhandzhugazyan K.N. , Efremov R.G. , Nabiev I.R. , Modyanov N.N.
Published: July 2002

Raman spectra of active Na+,K+‐ATPase from pig kidney and membrane‐bound products of its two‐stage trypsinolysis, including α‐subunit hydrophobic regions as well as the intact β‐subunit and hydrophobic regions of α‐ and β‐subunits, were measured to calculate the secondary structure of hydrophilic and hydrophobic regions of the enzyme. Consequent comparison demonstrated unambiguously that (i) membrane‐bound hydrophobic parts of polypeptide chains of Na+,K+‐ATPase subunits are in the α‐helical conformation; (ii) essential contents of the α‐helix as well as β‐sheet are estimated to form the hydrophilic (mainly cytoplasmic) domain of the Na+,K+‐ATPase α‐subunit; (iii) the exoplasmic hydrophilic domain of the β‐subunit is shown to include several antiparallel β‐pleated sheets and a small amount of the α‐helix and unordered conformations. The model of the secondary structure organization of hydrophilic domains as well as 8 hydrophobic transmembrane segments of the enzyme molecule was proposed on the basis of experimental results and predictional calculations.
Depolarization of human neuroblastoma cells as a result of muscarinic receptor‐induced rise in cytosolic Ca2+
Authors: Åkerman Karl E.O.
Published: July 2002

The role of intracellular free Ca2+ in muscarinic‐receptor linked depolarization of SH‐SY5Y neuroblastoma cells has been determined by using the bisoxonol membrane potential probe DiBaC4−(3) and intracellular Ca2+ indicator fura‐2‐respectively. Carbachol and the Ca2+ ionophore, ionomycin, at concentrations which caused similar rises in intracellular Ca2+ increased the bisoxonol fluorescence (depolarization) to the same extent. The membrane potential responses, but not the changes in intracellular Ca2+, were dependent on extracellular Na+. Ionomycin depletion of intracellular Ca2+ with EGTA and ionomycin or loading the cells with a Ca2+ buffer, BAPTA, reduced the carbachol‐induced depolarization. The results suggest that a rise in intracellular Ca2+ may cause depolarization through an increase in the Na+ permeability.
An improved system for expressing pancreatic ribonuclease in Escherichia coli
Authors: McGeehan Gerard M. , Benner Steven A.
Published: July 2002

An improved method for expressing and purifying bovine pancreatic ribonuclease from a synthetic gene using the λ promoter controlled by a temperature‐sensitive repressor is described. The procedure involves isolation in the presence of a refolding buffer containing oxidized and reduced glutathione, under conditions where RNase can refold, but where proteases presumably do not. Yields are approx. 2 mg purified protein per 1 ferment.