bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characterization and Assessment of Natural Amazonian Clays for Cosmetics-Industry Applications
Authors: Kieling Antonio Claudio , Silva Cláudia Cândida , Júnior Sérgio Duvoisin , de Macedo Neto José Costa , de Oliveira Melquíades Miécio , del Pino Gilberto Garcia , de Souza Moreira Yago Ono , Panzera Túlio Hallak , da Silva Valenzuela Maria das Graças , Diáz Francisco Rolando Valenzuela
Published: January 2023

Clays are abundant materials in the Amazon region and have been used historically by ancient Amazonian people to produce ceramic and cosmetics products. The current study aimed to evaluate the potential of four clays from the metropolitan area of Manaus, each with a different color, for cosmetics applications. Two clays were collected in the Ponta Negra region (red and gray in color) in Manaus, one in Careiro (white), and one in Itacoatiara (black). After drying in an oven for 24 h at 105°C, the four clays were characterized by X-ray fluorescence (XRF), X-ray diffraction (XRD), infrared (IR) spectroscopy, thermogravimetry (TGA), differential thermal analysis (DTA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), particle-size analysis, and detection of microorganisms. The amounts of Al, Si, Cl, K, Ca, Ti, Cr, Fe, Zn, P, and S in all samples were below the limits for use in cosmetics. The main phases identified were kaolinite 1A, quartz, gibbsite, and the rare kaolinite 2M. Approximately 40 wt.% of each sample was in the < 20 μm particle-size range. Analyses by SEM revealed pseudo-hexagonal kaolinite structures with nano-islands and nanocrystallites. The low toxicity, mineralogic compositions, and particle-size findings suggest that Amazonian clays are promising for cosmetics applications.
Clinical application of circulating cell-free lymphoma DNA for fast and precise diagnosis of Burkitt lymphoma: Precision medicine for sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Chamba Clara , Mbulaiteye Sam M. , Balandya Emmanuel , Schuh Anna
Published: January 2023

Burkitt lymphoma (BL) has a cure rate of around 95% when treated with chemo-immunotherapy that is standard of care in high-income countries (Minard-Colin et al., 2020, New England Journal of Medicine 382, 2207–2219), but currently, more than 50% of children and young adults with endemic BL (Epstein Barr virus driven BL) in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) do not survive. Treatment for BL is largely free of charge, but there is limited access to reliable diagnostic services leading to significant delays and misdiagnoses. Innovations in histopathology such as whole slide imaging and the use of novel diagnostic approaches, in particular using circulating cell-free viral and/or lymphoma DNA (liquid biopsy), could increase access to timely and reliable diagnosis and improve outcomes in SSA.
ON THE SIZE, SPECTRAL RADIUS, DISTANCE SPECTRAL RADIUS AND FRACTIONAL MATCHINGS IN GRAPHS
Authors: LI SHUCHAO , MIAO SHUJING , ZHANG MINJIE
Published: January 2023

We first establish a lower bound on the size and spectral radius of a graph G to guarantee that G contains a fractional perfect matching. Then, we determine an upper bound on the distance spectral radius of a graph G to ensure that G has a fractional perfect matching. Furthermore, we construct some extremal graphs to show all the bounds are best possible.
Antonio Stoppani's ‘Anthropozoic’ in the context of the Anthropocene
Authors: Luciano Eugenio , Zanoni Elena
Published: January 2023

The figure of Antonio Stoppani (1824–91), an Italian priest, geologist and patriot, has re-emerged in the last decade thanks to discussions gravitating around the ‘Anthropocene’ – a term used to designate a proposed geological time unit defined and characterized by the mark left by anthropogenic activities on geological records. Among these discussions, Stoppani is often considered a precursor for popularizing the term ‘Anthropozoic’, which he used to describe and characterize the latest ‘era’ of Earth's geological time. His writings, largely unknown to an international audience before the ‘Anthropocene saga’, have been particularly in the spotlight after Valeria Federighi translated excerpts of his main geological work, Corso di Geologia, originally published in three volumes between 1871 and 1873. In the first edition of Corso di Geologia, namely Note ad un Corso Annual di Geologia, or simply Note, published between 1865 and 1870, Stoppani characterized the Anthropozoic in stratigraphic terms. In particular, Chapter 15 of the second volume of Note (1867) represents the first stratigraphic characterization that the author provides of the Anthropozoic. Our contribution here brings, for the first time, a translation of Chapter 15 to a broader international audience, accompanied by a critical commentary elucidating the broader social, political, religious and scientific context wherein the notion of Anthropozoic emerged in Stoppani's writings. The text of the original document and its translation can be found in the supplementary material tab at https://doi.org/10.1017/S0007087422000590.
Relationship between histopathological lesions and oxidative stress in mice infected with Angiostrongylus costaricensis
Authors: Zorzi N. R. , Benvegnú E. , Hermes C. , Rodriguez R. , Freddo N. , Webber B. , Amaral F. U. I. do , Scariot C. A. , Costa M. , Rossato-Grando L. G. , Vieira M. I. B.
Published: January 2023

This study describes changes in oxidative stress (OS) parameters in mice experimentally infected with Angiostrongylus costaricensis, which causes abdominal angiostrongyliasis. For this, 28 Swiss mice were used, divided into two groups (G1 and G2), with 14 animals each. Of these, eight were infected with ten infective larvae each, by gavage, and six were used as a control group. Mice from G1 and G2 were euthanized at 14 days and 24 days post-infection, respectively. Tissue samples were used for histopathological analysis and blood (serum) samples were taken to assess the levels of proteins, non-protein thiols (NPTs) and nitric oxide (NO), from centrifugation and subsequent collection of aliquots of the supernatant. Among OS parameters, infected mice in both groups had higher NO levels than the control group, due to the presence of: eosinophil infiltrate in the liver and intestine; pancreatitis; and intestinal granuloma. However, the infected mice of both groups showed a reduction in the levels of NPTs, in relation to the control group, due to the presence of: eosinophilic infiltrate in the liver and intestine; and intestinal granuloma. Our results suggest that A. costaricensis infection has important effects on the intestine, liver and pancreas, and the analyses were performed from the tissue of these organs. The mechanisms for these changes are related to the decrease in the body's main antioxidant defences, as demonstrated by the reduction of NPTs, thus contributing to the development of more severe tissue damage. Thus, the objective of the present study was to evaluate the relationship between histopathological lesions and markers for OS.
Observed and Parameterized Roughness Lengths for Momentum and Heat Over Rough Ice Surfaces
Authors: van Tiggelen Maurice , Smeets Paul C. J. P. , Reijmer Carleen H. , van den Broeke Michiel R. , van As Dirk , Box Jason E. , Fausto Robert S.
Published: January 2023

Turbulent heat fluxes, that is, the sensible heat flux and latent heat flux, are important sources/sinks of energy for surface melt over glaciers and ice sheets. Therefore, credible simulations of for example, future Greenland Ice Sheet mass loss need an accurate description of these fluxes. However, the parameterization of surface turbulent heat fluxes in climate models requires knowledge about the surface roughness lengths for momentum, heat and moisture, which are currently either unknown or tuned to indirect observations. In this study we take advantage of a large data set of eddy covariance observations acquired during multiple years and at multiple sites over the Greenland Ice Sheet. These in‐situ observations are used to develop an improved parameterization for the roughness length for momentum, and update the parameterization for the roughness lengths for heat and moisture over rough ice surfaces. The newly derived parameterizations are implemented in a surface energy balance model that is used to compute surface melt. Sensitivity experiments confirm the high sensitivity of surface melt to the chosen roughness length models. The new parameterization models the sensible heat flux to within 10 W m−2, and the cumulative ice ablation within 10% at three out of four sites. Two case studies demonstrate the important contribution of the turbulent heat fluxes to surface ablation. The presented roughness parameterizations can be implemented in climate models to improve the physical representation of surface roughness over rough snow and ice surfaces, which is expected to improve the modeled turbulent heat fluxes and thus surface melt.
Impact of the Low Wavenumber Structure in the Initial Vortex Wind Analyses on the Prediction of the Intensification of Hurricane Patricia (2015)
Authors: Zhong Quanjia , Wang Xuguang , Ding Ruiqiang , Lu Xu , Huang Yongjie , Duan Wansuo , Liu Lei
Published: January 2023

Ensemble clustering analysis was performed to explore the role of the initial hurricane vortex‐scale wind structure in the prediction of the intensification of Hurricane Patricia (2015). Convection‐allowing ensemble forecasts were classified into spin‐down (SPD) and spin‐up (SPU) groups. Specifically, 10 members with an intensification rate >0 m/s and 10 members with an intensification rate <0 m/s for the first 6 hr were defined as the SPD and SPU members. The result showed that the tangential winds outside the inner‐core region in the SPD members were weaker compared to the SPU members. Additionally, the SPD members had a weaker inflow near the surface and a weaker outflow between the heights of 8 and 12 km than the SPU members. The SPU members showed more significant azimuthal asymmetry than the SPD members in the surface, tangential and radial winds. Wavenumber analysis showed that the low wavenumber components dominated the differences between the SPD and SPU members. Numerical experiments were conducted to test the hypothesis generated by the clustering analysis. It was found that the storm's maximum wind speed (MWS) intensified during the first 6 hr of the model forecast if only the low wavenumber structure in the SPU members was included in the initial conditions, whereas it decayed during the first 6 hr if only the low wavenumber structure in the SPD members was included. This result confirms that the low wavenumber structure of the initial wind analyses was important in predicting the intensity changes of Hurricane Patricia (2015).
Model to Scale Rain Attenuation Time Series With Link Elevation Angle for LEO Satellite Based Systems
Authors: Tomaz L. M. , Capsoni C. , Luini L.
Published: January 2023

A model to scale time series of rain attenuation along an Earth‐to‐satellite path with variable elevation angle is proposed. Starting from the time series at the lowest elevation the algorithm scales up each sample to the elevation of interest while maintaining the space and time correlation of the rain process and by correctly reproducing the local long‐term rain attenuation statistics. Because of these peculiarities, the model represents a key element for the development of attenuation time series synthesizers for LEO satellite‐based applications, where the time decorrelation of the rain event during the quick spacecraft passage over the ground station (roughly 10 min) is quite limited. Moreover, the comparison with the simple geometric scaling (i.e., the cosecant law) carried out among the attenuation Complementary Cumulative Distribution Functions shows a definite improvement in the prediction accuracy, even more so when the elevation angle falls below 20°.
Micrococcus luteus-derived extracellular vesicles attenuate neutrophilic asthma by regulating miRNAs in airway epithelial cells
Authors: Sim Soyoon , Lee Dong-Hyun , Kim Kwang-sun , Park Hyeon Ju , Kim Yoon-Keun , Choi Youngwoo , Park Hae-Sim
Published: January 2023

Bacterial extracellular vesicles (EVs) have been shown to regulate various pulmonary diseases, but their functions in asthma remain uncertain. To demonstrate the clinical significance of Micrococcus luteus-derived EVs (MlEVs) in asthma, we enrolled 45 asthmatic patients (20 patients with neutrophilic asthma [NA], 25 patients with eosinophilic asthma [EA]) and 40 healthy controls (HCs). When the prevalence of IgG1 and IgG4 specific to MlEVs was evaluated in serum by ELISA, lower levels of MlEV-specific IgG4 (but not IgG1) were noted in asthmatic patients than in HCs. Among asthmatic patients, significantly lower levels of MIEV-specific IgG4 were noted in patients with NA than in those with EA. Moreover, there was a positive correlation between serum MlEV-specific IgG4 levels and FEV1 (%) values. In asthmatic C57BL/6 mice, MlEVs significantly attenuated neutrophilic airway inflammation by reducing the production of IL-1β and IL-17 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid as well as the number of group 3 innate lymphoid cells (ILC3s) in lung tissues. To clarify the functional mechanism of MlEVs in NA, the effect of MlEVs on airway epithelial cells (AECs) and immune cells was investigated ex vivo. According to microarray analysis, MlEVs upregulated hsa-miR-4517 expression in AECs. Moreover, this miRNA could suppress IL-1β production by monocytes, resulting in the inhibition of ILC3 activation and neutrophil recruitment. These findings suggest that MlEVs could be a novel therapeutic agent for managing unresolved NA by regulating miRNA expression in AECs.
Potential for mercury methylation by Asgard archaea in mangrove sediments
Authors: Zhang Cui-Jing , Liu Yu-Rong , Cha Guihong , Liu Yang , Zhou Xin-Quan , Lu Zhongyi , Pan Jie , Cai Mingwei , Li Meng
Published: January 2023

Methylmercury (MeHg) is a potent neurotoxin that bioaccumulates along food chains. The conversion of MeHg from mercury (Hg) is mediated by a variety of anaerobic microorganisms carrying hgcAB genes. Mangrove sediments are potential hotspots of microbial Hg methylation; however, the microorganisms responsible for Hg methylation are poorly understood. Here, we conducted metagenomic and metatranscriptomic analyses to investigate the diversity and distribution of putative microbial Hg-methylators in mangrove ecosystems. The highest hgcA abundance and expression occurred in surface sediments in Shenzhen, where the highest MeHg concentration was also observed. We reconstructed 157 metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) carrying hgcA and identified several putative novel Hg-methylators, including one Asgard archaea (Lokiarchaeota). Further analysis of MAGs revealed that Deltaproteobacteria, Euryarchaeota, Bacteroidetes, Chloroflexi, and Lokiarchaeota were the most abundant and active Hg-methylating groups, implying their crucial role in MeHg production. By screening publicly available MAGs, 104 additional Asgard MAGs carrying hgcA genes were identified from a wide range of coast, marine, permafrost, and lake sediments. Protein homology modelling predicts that Lokiarchaeota HgcAB proteins contained the highly conserved amino acid sequences and folding structures required for Hg methylation. Phylogenetic tree revealed that hgcA genes from Asgard clustered with fused hgcAB genes, indicating a transitional stage of Asgard hgcA genes. Our findings thus suggest that Asgard archaea are potential novel Hg-methylating microorganisms and play an important role in hgcA evolution.
General transcription factor TAF4 antagonizes epigenetic silencing by Polycomb to maintain intestine stem cell functions
Authors: Säisä-Borreill Susanna , Davidson Guillaume , Kleiber Thomas , Thevenot Andréa , Martin Elisabeth , Mondot Stanislas , Blottière Hervé , Helleux Alexandra , Mengus Gabrielle , Plateroti Michelina , Duluc Isabelle , Davidson Irwin , Freund Jean-Noel
Published: January 2023

Taf4 (TATA-box binding protein-associated factor 4) is a subunit of the general transcription factor TFIID, a component of the RNA polymerase II pre-initiation complex that interacts with tissue-specific transcription factors to regulate gene expression. Properly regulated gene expression is particularly important in the intestinal epithelium that is constantly renewed from stem cells. Tissue-specific inactivation of Taf4 in murine intestinal epithelium during embryogenesis compromised gut morphogenesis and the emergence of adult-type stem cells. In adults, Taf4 loss impacted the stem cell compartment and associated Paneth cells in the stem cell niche, epithelial turnover and differentiation of mature cells, thus exacerbating the response to inflammatory challenge. Taf4 inactivation ex vivo in enteroids prevented budding formation and maintenance and caused broad chromatin remodeling and a strong reduction in the numbers of stem and progenitor cells with a concomitant increase in an undifferentiated cell population that displayed high activity of the Ezh2 and Suz12 components of Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 (PRC2). Treatment of Taf4-mutant enteroids with a specific Ezh2 inhibitor restored buddings, cell proliferation and the stem/progenitor compartment. Taf4 loss also led to increased PRC2 activity in cells of adult crypts associated with modification of the immune/inflammatory microenvironment that potentiated Apc-driven tumorigenesis. Our results reveal a novel function of Taf4 in antagonizing PRC2-mediated repression of the stem cell gene expression program to assure normal development, homeostasis, and immune-microenvironment of the intestinal epithelium.
Biomechanical analysis analyzing association between bone mineral density and lag screw migration
Authors: Lee Hyeonjoon , Kim Soo Ah , Jo Sungmin , Jo Suenghwan
Published: January 2023

A proximal femoral nail using a helical blade (HB) is commonly utilized to treat proximal femoral fracture but cut through failure of the lag screws is one of the devastating complications following the surgery. While controversial, one of the potential risk factors for cut through failure is poor bone strength which can be predicted by measuring bone mineral density (BMD). In this study, we performed a biomechanical test on the fractured femoral head to validate whether the indirectly measured BMD from the contralateral hip or that measured directly from the retrieved femoral head can elucidate the structural strength of the fractured femoral head and thereby can be used to predict migration of lag screws. Our result showed that directly measured BMD has a significant correlation with the HB migration on the osteoporotic femoral head. However, while the BMDs measured from the contralateral femoral neck or total hip is the most widely used parameter to predict the bone strength of the fractured femur, this may have limited usability to predict HB migration.
Insufficient adenosine-induced hyperemia is a major determinant of discordance between non-hyperemic pressure ratio and fractional flow reserve
Authors: Matsumoto Hidenari , Higuchi Satoshi , Tanaka Hideaki , Masaki Ryota , Kondo Seita , Tsujita Hiroaki , Shinke Toshiro
Published: January 2023

Adenosine occasionally overestimates fractional flow reserve (FFR) values (i.e., insufficient adenosine-induced hyperemia), leading to low non-hyperemic pressure ratios (NHPR)–high FFR discordance. We investigated the impact of insufficient adenosine-induced hyperemia on NHPR–FFR discordance and the reclassification of functional significance. We measured resting distal-to-aortic pressure ratio (Pd/Pa) and FFR by using adenosine (FFRADN) and papaverine (FFRPAP) in 326 patients (326 vessels). FFRADN overestimation was calculated as FFRADN − FFRPAP. We explored determinants of low Pd/Pa − high FFRADN discordance (Pd/Pa ≤ 0.92 and FFRADN > 0.80) versus high Pd/Pa − low FFRADN discordance (Pd/Pa > 0.92 and FFRADN ≤ 0.80). Reclassification of functional significance was defined as FFRADN > 0.80 and FFRPAP ≤ 0.80. Multivariable analysis identified FFRADN overestimation (p = 0.002) and heart rate at baseline (p = 0.048) as independent determinants of the low Pd/Pa–high FFRADN discordance. In the low Pd/Pa–high FFRADN group (n = 26), papaverine produced a further decline in the FFR value in 21 vessels (81%) compared with FFRADN, and the reclassification was observed in 17 vessels (65%). Insufficient adenosine-induced hyperemia is a major determinant of the low resting Pd/Pa–high FFR discordance. Physicians should bear in mind that the presence of low NHPR–high FFR discordance may indicate a false-negative FFR result.
Variational autoencoder-based estimation of chronological age and changes in morphological features of teeth
Authors: Joo Subin , Jung Won , Oh Seung Eel
Published: January 2023

This study led to the development of a variational autoencoder (VAE) for estimating the chronological age of subjects using feature values extracted from their teeth. Further, it determined how given teeth images affected the estimation accuracy. The developed VAE was trained with the first molar and canine tooth images, and a parallel VAE structure was further constructed to extract common features shared by the two types of teeth more effectively. The encoder of the VAE was combined with a regression model to estimate the age. To determine which parts of the tooth images were more or less important when estimating age, a method of visualizing the obtained regression coefficient using the decoder of the VAE was developed. The developed age estimation model was trained using data from 910 individuals aged 10–79. This model showed a median absolute error (MAE) of 6.99 years, demonstrating its ability to estimate age accurately. Furthermore, this method of visualizing the influence of particular parts of tooth images on the accuracy of age estimation using a decoder is expected to provide novel insights for future research on explainable artificial intelligence.
Surface charge-directed borophene–phosphorous nitride nanodot heterojunction supports for enhanced photoelectrochemical performance
Authors: Mohanta Manoj Kumar , Qureshi Mohammad
Published: January 2023

Complimentary surface-charged, nanosized 0D–0D hybrids of phosphorous nitride dots (PNDs) (ς = +9.5 mV) and borophene dots (BDs) (ς = −26.2 mV) having favourable band alignments are proposed for a type-II heterojunction.
Benzophenone-containing phosphors with an unprecedented long lifetime of 1.8 s under ambient conditions
Authors: Su Yuming , Wu Minjian , Wang Guangming , Li Jiuyang , Chen Xuefeng , Li Xun , Wang Guoxiang , Zhang Kaka
Published: January 2023

Unlike benzophenone's phosphorescence lifetime of around 1 ms at 77 K, here the benzophenone-containing phosphor exhibits an ambient lifetime of 1.8 s.
Shedding light on the physical nature of ion pair interactions involving carba-closo-dodecaborate anions. Insights from computation
Authors: P. Madureira Letícia M. , Dias Luis G. , Parreira Renato L. T. , Caramori Giovanni F.
Published: January 2023

closo-Carboranes are compounds that have been studied for many decades due to their vast applicability in medicine, catalysis, and energy storage.
Graphitic carbon nitride-based nanostructures as emergent catalysts for carbon monoxide (CO) oxidation
Authors: Eid Kamel , Gamal Ahmed , Abdullah Aboubakr M.
Published: January 2023

This is the first review that emphasizes the engineering of carbon nitride-based catalysts for thermal, electrochemical, and photoelectrochemical CO oxidation reactions experimentally and theoretically.
Addressing the CO2 challenge through thermocatalytic hydrogenation to carbon monoxide, methanol and methane
Authors: Len Thomas , Luque Rafael
Published: January 2023

Addressing the CO2 challenge is mandatory for the well-being of Earth's ecosystem and humanity. CO2 catalytic hydrogenation is a suitable solution.
Applications of magnetic and electromagnetic forces in micro-analytical systems
Authors: Suwa M. , Tsukahara S. , Watarai H.
Published: January 2023

This review summarizes the recent attractive developments in the application of magnetic and electromagnetic forces in micro-analytical systems.
Mitochondrial Ca2+ handling as a cell signaling hub: lessons from astrocyte function
Authors: Cabral-Costa João Victor , Kowaltowski Alicia J.
Published: January 2023

Astrocytes are a heterogenous population of macroglial cells spread throughout the central nervous system with diverse functions, expression signatures, and intricate morphologies. Their subcellular compartments contain a distinct range of mitochondria, with functional microdomains exhibiting widespread activities, such as controlling local metabolism and Ca2+ signaling. Ca2+ is an ion of utmost importance, both physiologically and pathologically, and participates in critical central nervous system processes, including synaptic plasticity, neuron–astrocyte integration, excitotoxicity, and mitochondrial physiology and metabolism. The mitochondrial Ca2+ handling system is formed by the mitochondrial Ca2+ uniporter complex (MCUc), which mediates Ca2+ influx, and the mitochondrial Na+/Ca2+ exchanger (NCLX), responsible for most mitochondrial Ca2+ efflux, as well as additional components, including the mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mtPTP). Over the last decades, mitochondrial Ca2+ handling has been shown to be key for brain homeostasis, acting centrally in physiopathological processes such as astrogliosis, astrocyte–neuron activity integration, energy metabolism control, and neurodegeneration. In this review, we discuss the current state of knowledge regarding the mitochondrial Ca2+ handling system molecular composition, highlighting its impact on astrocytic homeostasis.
Mass spectrometric insights into protein aggregation
Authors: Pukala Tara L.
Published: January 2023

Protein aggregation is now recognized as a generic and significant component of the protein energy landscape. Occurring through a complex and dynamic pathway of structural interconversion, the assembly of misfolded proteins to form soluble oligomers and insoluble aggregates remains a challenging topic of study, both in vitro and in vivo. Since the etiology of numerous human diseases has been associated with protein aggregation, and it has become a field of increasing importance in the biopharmaceutical industry, the biophysical characterization of protein misfolded states and their aggregation mechanisms continues to receive increased attention. Mass spectrometry (MS) has firmly established itself as a powerful analytical tool capable of both detection and characterization of proteins at all levels of structure. Given inherent advantages of biological MS, including high sensitivity, rapid timescales of analysis, and the ability to distinguish individual components from complex mixtures with unrivalled specificity, it has found widespread use in the study of protein aggregation, importantly, where traditional structural biology approaches are often not amenable. The present review aims to provide a brief overview of selected MS-based approaches that can provide a range of biophysical descriptors associated with protein conformation and the aggregation pathway. Recent examples highlight where this technology has provided unique structural and mechanistic understanding of protein aggregation.
Forming equal-mass planetary binaries via pebble accretion
Authors: Konijn T. J. , Visser R. G. , Dominik C. , Ormel C. W.
Published: January 2023

Context. Binary Solar System objects are common, ranging from satellite systems with very large mass ratios, M1/M2, to those with mass ratios approaching unity. One well-known example of a binary is the Pluto-Charon system. With Charon being 'only' eight times less massive than Pluto, the question arises (as in the case of many other systems) as to why the mass ratio is still close to unity. There is much evidence that (binary) planet(esimal) formation happened early, when the protoplanetary gas disk was still present. It is likely that (at least some of) these binaries evolved together, as a result of pebble accretion. Pebble accretion is a new key paradigm in planetary formation and it is believed to play a major role in many aspects of the formation of planetary systems, from the radial transport of material to the rapid growth of planetary embryos throughout the system.

Aims. Here, we focus on the question of how the mass arriving in the gravitational influence zone of the binary during pebble accretion is distributed over the binary components for a given initial mass ratio. We also consider whether accretion over time leads to equal-mass binaries (converging mass ratio) or to a dominant primary mass with a small moon (diverging mass ratio).

Methods. We numerically integrated two-dimensional (2D) pebble trajectories in the same typical fashion as for a single mass that is subject to pebble accretion. We tracked the efficiency of accretion for the two separate binary components, compared to a single body with the same mass. These numerical simulations were done for a range of binary mass ratios, mutual separations, Stokes numbers, and two orbital distances, 2.5 and 39 au.

Results. We find that in the limit where pebbles start to spiral around the primary (this holds for relatively large pebbles), the pebble preferentially collides with the secondary, causing the mass ratio to converge towards unity. In our tested case, where the total binary mass is equal to that of the Pluto-Charon system, this takes place on ~Myr timescales. In this regime the total sweep-up efficiency can lower to half that of a pebble-accreting single body because pebbles that are thrown out of the system, after close encounters with the system. These timescales and sweep-up efficiency are calculated under the assumption our 2D simulations compare with the 3D reality. The results show that systems such as Pluto-Charon and other larger equal mass binaries may well have co-accreted by means of pebble accretion in the disk phase without producing binaries, with highly diverging mass ratios.
Chrono-chemodynamical analysis of the globular cluster NGC 6355: Looking for the fundamental bricks of the Bulge
Authors: Souza S. O. , Ernandes H. , Valentini M. , Barbuy B. , Chiappini C. , Pérez-Villegas A. , Ortolani S. , Friaça A. C. S. , Queiroz A. B. A. , Bica E.
Published: January 2023

The information on Galactic assembly time is imprinted on the chemodynamics of globular clusters. This makes them important probes that help us to understand the formation and evolution of the Milky Way. Discerning between in-situ and ex-situ origin of these objects is difficult when we study the Galactic bulge, which is the most complex and mixed component of the Milky Way. To investigate the early evolution of the Galactic bulge, we analysed the globular cluster NGC 6355. We derived chemical abundances and kinematic and dynamic properties by gathering information from high-resolution spectroscopy with FLAMES-UVES, photometry with the Hubble Space Telescope, and Galactic dynamic calculations applied to the globular cluster NGC 6355. We derive an age of 13.2 ± 1.1 Gyr and a metallicity of [Fe/H]  =   − 1.39 ± 0.08 for NGC 6355, with α-enhancement of [α/Fe]  =   + 0.37 ± 0.11. The abundance pattern of the globular cluster is compatible with bulge field RR Lyrae stars and in-situ well-studied globular clusters. The orbital parameters suggest that the cluster is currently confined within the bulge volume when we consider a heliocentric distance of 8.54 ± 0.19 kpc and an extinction coefficient of RV = 2.84 ± 0.02. NGC 6355 is highly likely to come from the main bulge progenitor. Nevertheless, it still has a low probability of being formed from an accreted event because its age is uncertain and because of the combined [Mg/Mn] [Al/Fe] abundance. Its relatively low metallicity with respect to old and moderately metal-poor inner Galaxy clusters may suggest a low-metallicity floor for globular clusters that formed in-situ in the early Galactic bulge.
Impact of corotation on gradual solar energetic particle event intensity profiles
Authors: Hutchinson A. , Dalla S. , Laitinen T. , Waterfall C. O. G.
Published: January 2023

Context. The corotation of particle-filled magnetic flux tubes is generally thought to have a minor influence on the time-intensity profiles of gradual solar energetic particle (SEP) events. For this reason, many SEP models solve the focussed transport equation within the corotating frame, thus neglecting corotation effects.

Aims. We use simulations to study the effects of corotation on gradual SEP intensity profiles at a range of observer longitudinal positions relative to the solar source. We study how corotation affects the duration and decay time constant of SEP events as well as the variation in the peak intensity with the observer’s position.

Methods. We used a 3D full-orbit test particle code with time-extended SEP injection via a shock-like source. In contrast to the case of focussed transport models, the test particle approach enables us to easily switch corotation on and off. While shock acceleration and downstream features are not modelled directly, our methodology allows us to study how corotation and the time-varying observer-shock magnetic connection influence the intensity profiles detected at several observers.

Results. We find that corotation has a strong effect on the SEP intensity profiles for a monoenergetic population of 5 MeV protons, having a dominant influence during the decay phase. Simulations that include corotation display dramatically shortened durations for western events, compared to ones where it is not included. When corotation effects are taken into account, for both eastern and western events, the decay time constant is reduced and its dependence on the value of the scattering mean free path becomes negligible. Corotation reduces the SEP peak intensity for western events and enhances it for eastern ones, thus making the east-west asymmetry in peak intensity stronger, compared to the non-corotation case. Modelling SEP intensity profiles without carefully accounting for the effects of corotation leads to artificially extended decay phases during western events, leading to profiles with a similar shape regardless of the observer’s longitudinal position.
Trends in the Era of Global Transformation as a Factor of Sustainable Development
Authors: Tsutsulaeva Sapiyat , Zulay Isakieva
Published: January 2023

The formation of ideas about the sustainable development of society in the modern era involves a critical examination of both environmental, economic and social processes, as well as the paradigmatic foundations of sustainable development itself. In the context of dynamic multi-paradigm, the problem of forming a new paradigm for the conceptual design of an innovative model of sustainable development of society arises. The scientific need to analyze the paradigmatic foundations of the generally recognized theory of sustainable development of society is determined by the fact that knowledge of the methodological foundations and logical structure of the existing generally recognized model of sustainable development will allow us to assess its potential and find out the boundary conditions for these ideas.
Resistance of Probiotic Bacteria Immobilized on PVP Nanofilaments in Gastrointestinal Juice
Authors: Lyashkov P.O. , Berezina O.Ya. , Sidorova N.A. , Rikkinen A.D. , Germanova M.A.
Published: January 2023

The article discusses the stability of various types of immobilized forms of probiotic bacteria in the analogue of gastric juice. Immobilization was carried out in an innovative way: bacterial cells are first fixed to the carrier in the form of PVP nanofilaments, after which the nanofilaments dissolve in the culture medium, and the bacteria, fixing on each other, form biofilms.
Priority Areas of Scientific and Technological Development
Authors: Salamova Ayna , Makazieva Zara , Kantemirova Mira
Published: January 2023

The accelerated scientific and technological development of Russia requires the development of both platform (end-to-end) technologies with significant multiplicative potential and targeted areas that form the basis of the Russian economy and are focused on solving the most important socio-economic problems. Accounting for the effects of global trends, combined with the expected demand for new technologies from the sectors of the economy, made it possible to form promising areas of scientific and technological development, which are presented in the report in the form of a three-level hierarchical structure.
Development of Clonal Micropropagation Technology for Ludisia Discolor (Ker Gawl.) A. Rich. In Vitro Conditions
Authors: Nazarov Vladimir , Semenova Ekaterina , Andronova Elena , Tsokalo Inna , Semenova Elena
Published: January 2023

The features of clonal micropropagation in three variations of Ludisia discolor were studied. Brood buds, apical shoot meristems, immature seeds and mature seeds were used as explants. They are grown using Murashige & Skoog modified medium. A special technique has been developed for the sterilization and planting of microscopic mature seeds. Mature seeds germinated for 60-70 days. Seeds from 25-day-old capsules showed the best results among immature seeds. They gave mass shoots already on the 25-30 day after planting. The roller of the future first leaf of the protocorms was laid in the dark 2 months after germination. Switching to the light mode induced rapid gemmorizogenesis - the formation of the first green leaves, stem and adventitious roots. Seeds from 15-day-old capsules did not germinate at all. Planting with immature seeds is the most effective method of clonal reproduction of L. discolor in vitro.
Study of Survival During Drying of Bacterial Cells of Starter Culture for Probiotic Fermented Milk Drinks
Authors: Musina Olga Nikolaevna , Ott Ekaterina Fedorovna , Funk Irina Andreevna , Dorofeev Roman Viktorovich , Filimonova Tatiana Vasilyevna
Published: January 2023

Five proprietary variants of bacterial starter culture with the following species composition were studied: No. 1 – Lac. diacetilactis, Lac. cremoris, Lac. acidophilus, No. 2 – Lb. plantarum, B. adolescentis, No. 3 – Lac. cremoris, No. 4 – Lac. lactis, Lac. diacetilactis, Lb. plantarum, No. 5 – Lac. lactis, Lac. diacetilactis, Lb. cremoris. Survival was assessed immediately after freeze-drying and during storage after 30, 90 and 180 days. It was found that the lactococci included in the bacterial starter culture of variants No. 1, 3-5 after drying and during storage showed the maximum survival of bacterial cells. Their number varied within the limits: after drying – 3.3-6.5 × 109 CFU/g, after 180 days – 1.0-2.0 × 109 CFU/g. A high degree of survival was noted in L. acidophilus (variant No. 1) – the number of viable cells after drying, as well as after 180 days of storage at the level of 1.0×108 CFU/g. The total amount of probiotic microflora of Lb. plantarum and B. adolescentis bacterial starter culture (variant No. 2) after drying was 3.2×109 CFU/g, and after 180 days of storage 1.0×109 CFU/g. Both cultures showed high survival of bacterial cells. The number of Lb. plantarum (variant No. 4) after drying and during storage was only 1.0×106 CFU / g, but it should be taken into account that this culture in the starter composition is additional, while the dominant microflora is represented by lactococci.
Determination of Taxonomic Affiliation and Assessment of Biotechnological Potential of an Indigenous Strain of Gram-Positive Spore-Forming Bacteria
Authors: Kuzubova Elena , Radchenko Alexandra , Shaidorova Galina , Lyakhovchenko Nikita , Sychev Anton
Published: January 2023

The search for new effective strains-producers of enzymes and biologically active substances for the development of new environmentally friendly plant protection products against phytopathogens is a very urgent task for the greening of agriculture. In our work, we used active strains of gram-positive spore-forming bacteria isolated from soil near the roadside zone of the Belgorod region to assess their antagonistic activity to phytopathogens and biotechnological potential. In the course of molecular genetic studies of the 16S rRNA gene of the isolated native strain, a complete similarity of the target with Bacillus subtilis was revealed. When studying morphological and cultural characteristics, it was determined that the cells of the target strain are rod-shaped, arranged singly or in pairs.The conditions of cultivation of the bacterium were revealed, which shows high growth in the composition of the medium containing 3% peptone for 20 hours, the specific increase in biomass exceeded 96%. When evaluating the antagonistic activity, it was revealed that the isolated strain suppresses the growth of cultures of Escherichia coli O157:H7, Aspergillus unguis VKM F-1754 and bacteria of the genus Ralstonia.
Antifungal Activity of Gram-Negative Pigment-Forming Bacteria Against Aspergillus Unguis
Authors: Lyakhovchenko Nikita , Efimova Viktoria , Seleznev Alexander , Ogneva Zlata , Solyanikova Inna
Published: January 2023

The paper presents a study of the antifungal activity of the pigment-forming strains Janthinobacterium lividum VKM B-3515, Pseudomonas chlororaphis VKM B-3546D and their mixture against the test culture Aspergillus unguis VKM F-1754. The growth rate of the colony and the average growth of A. unguis VKM F-1754 in the presence of J. lividum VKM B-3515 were 46.3% lower than the control variant. The growth rate of fungi in the presence of a mixture of two bacteria was 32% lower than in the control, and in the variant with a pure culture of Pseudomonas, it was 21%. The average increase in the diameter of the colonies of A. unguis VKM F-1754 cultivated with (P. chlororaphis VKM B-3546D-J. lividum VKM B-3515) was 33% lower than the control variant with Pseudomonas. While the mixture (P. chlororaphis VKM B-3546D-J. lividum VKM B-3515) showed less activity compared to the pure culture of J. lividum VKM B-3515. Thus, the use of two strains together may not be appropriate.
Plant Growth Promoting Properties of Four Arctic Seaweed Extracts
Authors: Shibaeva Tatjana , Sherudilo Elena , Bogolitsyn Konstantin , Parshina Anastasiya , Mamatmurodov Khurshed
Published: January 2023

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of the White Sea brown seaweed Ascophyllum nodosum, Fucus vesiculosus, Laminaria digitata and Saccharina latissimi extracts on plant growth and biomass accumulation. Extracts were obtained by isopropanol maceration method. Growth promoting effects of all four seaweed extracts were observed at the initial growth phase of Triticum aestivum and Cucumis sativus plants. A. nodosum and F. vesiculosus extracts were more effective at medium concentrations (60, 120 and 300 mg/L) while higher concentration (1200 mg/L) decreased the growth rate and biomass accumulation in wheat plants, but not in cucumber seedlings when compared to control. Higher phenolic content in A. nodosum and F. vesiculosus extracts can possibly be a reason of lower effectiveness of extracts with high concentration. These results suggest that investigated arctic seaweeds have biostimulatory properties that affect plant growth and biomass accumulation and after intensive future studies can be exploited for elaboration of innovative products for agriculture.
The Role of Agricultural Producers in Ensuring Food Security of the Region
Authors: Musostova D.Sh. , Markaryan V.R. , Kaloeva M.B.
Published: January 2023

The level of food security of the country should characterize, on the one hand, the degree of satisfaction of the population's need for high-quality food products, and, on the other hand, the reliability of food supply throughout its territory. Agricultural producers located in the region play a huge role in ensuring the food security of the region. Food security occupies a special place in the economic stability of the development of regions, it can be safely stated that it is food security that occupies a dominant position among other categories of economic security. The article analyses the main economic indicators of one of the representatives of the agricultural industry, assesses the effectiveness of this enterprise. One of the priority tasks of the management of the economy in the near future is to increase the volume of products and its range, which fully contributes to ensuring the food security of the region.
Design a Semi-Autonomous Fumigation Robot Using Line Tracking for COVID-19
Authors: Castillo Wilfredo Lontero , Garcia Eduardo Daniel , Magomedov Islam
Published: January 2023

The implementation of robotics has provided various solutions to the problematic caused by Covid-19 to reduce the exposure of people when alternating work, therefore the present project was designed and manufactured a semi-autonomous fumigation robot which is made using a sprinkler and a pump, to give it autonomy was incorporated line tracking that works utilizing infrared and ultrasonic sensors. For the development of the project, the V-based methodology was used, in which the 3 branches of mechatronics are integrated. As a result, the robot can be applied in commercial and industrial areas for disinfection of floors and surfaces to reduce exposure to the virus. A nozzle with an angle of 60° was used having a range of 3.2 m wide and reaches a height of 1.6 m. as a final result, it was obtained that the robot is capable of disinfecting 3.2 m2/s.
A Simulation Environment for enhancing the student experience in advanced networking concepts
Authors: Bhat Anjum Zameer , Ahmed Imran
Published: January 2023

Several subjects in Computer science necessitate practical and realistic classes in addition to supporting the theoretical underpinning taught to the students. In various subjects’ practical exposure & skill is imperative to meet the industry requirements. However, educational establishments can't provide an out-and-out environment for every student to practice. Providing an appropriate Lab for apprentices that bestows desired exposure and feel of a real Network has been a challenging task for every educational establishment. Virtual Labs have been a major milestone and are effectively implemented in numerous colleges and universities throughout the world. In this article, the author is providing a complete setup and functionality of Implementing Virtual Private Networks using virtual Labs to reflect a more realistic and appropriate Networking environment for instructional and educational purposes. Fresh graduates or Diploma holders rarely have practical exposure and experience in deploying and implementing VPNs. Establishing a Virtual Private Network is a cumbersome job, and lack of practical exposure makes it even difficult for a fresher to establish one exclusively for the employer. The Author is providinga guideline for the users so that they can establish Virtual Private Networks using virtual machines. Hencepresenting an environment wherein students can have numerous deployments of VPNs with different features. The students gain the required exposure and develop an understanding of Virtual Private Networks meticulously and pragmatically.
Exploring the impact of using alternative assessments on students' learning during the pandemic
Authors: Khan Mohamed Samiulla , Azeem Mohammed Abdul
Published: January 2023

Most of us are aware of the circumstances in which the learning has happened during the COVID-19 affected years. In this research paper we have taken up case study of one module named Data Structure and Algorithms to demonstrate the effects of new policy on this module. The main challenges faced while adopting to the new policy on alternate assessment design was retaining the quality of assessments to the tune of earlier appreciated levels. The appreciated efforts include the design of assignments that avoid similarity issues arising due to plagiarism, memorization, and coding against the clock. An effort has also been made to identify and utilize an on-line evaluation tool which is of immense help for the teachers involved in the evaluation process. A comparative analysis has been done to clearly distinguish between the top performers and the average performers. Further analysis and comparison of overall performance with the respective CGPA have shown exceptionally accurate results, which clearly indicate that the overall learning during the special semester is equally comparable with earlier semesters.