bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Significant cell differences in pod ventral suture in shatter‐resistant and shatter‐susceptible common vetch accessions
Authors: Jia Chenglin , Dong Deke , Zhou Qiang , Searle Iain Robert , Liu Zhipeng 
Published: December 2020

AbstractCommon vetch (Vicia sativa subsp. sativa L.) is a self‐pollinating annual forage legume with high nutritional value. However, pod shattering can cause severe yield loss at maturity and therefore is a significant trait for crop improvement. Our previous studies indicated that the ventral suture is critical to pod shattering in common vetch. To better understand the anatomy of the ventral suture, we evaluated eight shatter‐susceptible and 18 shatter‐resistant accessions for pod dehiscing characteristics over three consecutive years by comprehensively comparing the vascular bundle anatomical structure of the ventral suture. Four traits, specifically vascular bundle cell volume, bundle cap slope, single vascular bundle width, and external valve margin cells, were significantly different between the shatter‐susceptible and ‐resistant accessions. We found that the shatter‐resistant common vetches had a larger vascular bundle cell volume and bundle cap slope, an increased single vascular bundle width, and external valve margin cells that were significantly thicker than those of shatter‐susceptible accessions. All of the shatter‐susceptible pods had clear abscission layers. On the basis of these data, we propose a seesaw model of pod shattering in common vetch. Our morphological traits provide a novel insight into the pod shattering mechanism of common vetch, which will be valuable for breeding shatter‐resistant legumes.
Flow cytometry: An accurate tool for screening P2RX7 modulators
Authors: Barczyk Amélie , Bauderlique‐Le Roy Hélène , Jouy Nathalie , Renault Nicolas , Hottin Audrey , Millet Régis , Vouret‐Craviari Valérie , Adriouch Sahil , Idziorek Thierry , Dezitter Xavier 
Published: December 2020

AbstractThe P2X purinergic receptor 7 (P2RX7) is a poorly selective ATP‐gated ion channel. Although P2RX7 binds ATP with relatively low affinity, prolonged activation can lead to nonselective membrane pore formation. Indeed, brief exposure to ATP triggers a rapid Ca2+ influx, whereas prolonged exposure to high ATP concentrations results in the passage of larger organic molecules. P2RX7 is involved in the physiopathology of a number of diseases and has notably emerged as a potential therapeutic target in inflammation, neuropathic pain, Alzheimer's disease, and cancer—prompting growing interest in the synthesis of novel P2RX7 modulators and the development of reliable, stringent screening methods. In the present study, we developed methods based on conventional flow cytometry, imaging flow cytometry and spectral flow cytometry and used them to measure P2RX7's activity upon activation by 3'‐O‐(4‐benzoyl)benzoyl ATP. We also demonstrated the use of the highly sensitive DNA‐intercalating dye TO‐PRO‐3 to determine P2RX7's large pore activity. The simultaneous quantification of calcium influx (Fluo‐3 AM), large pore opening (TO‐PRO‐3), and viability (propidium iodide) is a very efficient method for low‐ to medium‐throughput screening of P2RX7 modulators. Agonist and antagonist potencies can be accurately evaluated. Spectral cytometry notably enabled us to assay several biological activities while correcting for the intrinsic fluorescence of the screened compounds—otherwise a well‐known limitation of fluorescence‐based screening. Hence, spectral cytometry appears to be a useful, novel tool for drug candidate screening.
Alpine treeline ecotones are potential refugia for a montane pine species threatened by bark beetle outbreaks
Authors: Maher Colin T. , Millar Constance I. , Affleck David L. R. , Keane Robert E. , Sala Anna , Tobalske Claudine , Larson Andrew J. , Nelson Cara R. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractWarming‐induced mountain pine beetle (Dendroctonus ponderosae; MPB) outbreaks have caused extensive mortality of whitebark pine (Pinus albicaulis; WBP) throughout the species’ range. In the highest mountains where WBP occur, they cross alpine treeline ecotones (ATEs) where growth forms transition from trees to shrub‐like krummholz, some of which survived recent MPB outbreaks. This observation motivated the hypothesis that ATEs are refugia for WBP because krummholz growth forms escape MPB attack and have the potential to produce viable seed. To test this hypothesis, we surveyed WBP mortality along transects from the ATE edge (locally highest krummholz WBP) downslope into the forest and, to distinguish if survival mechanisms are unique to ATEs, across other forest ecotones (OFEs) from the edge of WBP occurrence into the forest. We replicated this design at 10 randomly selected sites in the U.S. Northern Rocky Mountains. We also surveyed reproduction in a subset of ATE sites. Mortality was nearly absent in upper ATEs (mean ± SE percent dead across all sites of 0.03% ± 0.03% 0–100 m from the edge and 14.1% ± 1.7% 100–500 m from the edge) but was above 20% along OFEs (21.4 ± 5.2% 0–100 m and 32.4 ± 2.7% 100–500 m from the edge). We observed lower reproduction in upper ATEs (16 ± 9.9 cones/ha and 12.9 ± 5.3 viable seeds/cone 0–100 m from the edge) compared to forests below (317.1 ± 64.4 cones/ha and 32.5 ± 2.5 viable seeds/cone 100–500 m from the edge). Uniquely high WBP survival supports the hypothesis that ATEs serve as refugia because krummholz growth forms escape MPB attack. However, low reproduction suggests ATE refugia function over longer time periods. Beyond our WBP system, we propose that plant populations in marginal environments are candidate refugia if distinct phenotypes result in reduced disturbance impacts.
Sustainability assessment of different land tenure farming systems in tea farming: The effect of decisional and structural variables
Authors: ul Haq Shamsheer , Boz Ismet , Shahbaz Pomi 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
This study focuses on the sustainability of different land tenure farms in tea farming and explores the effect of structural and decisional variables on tea farm sustainability. For this, a total of 138 tea growers from the Rize province of Turkey were selected through a stratified sampling approach and interviewed directly. The positive and negative effects of independent variables on all dimensions of sustainability were emphasized after an extensive review of the literature. This reviewing activity also facilitated hypothesizing the possible influences of variables on overall tea sustainability. A tobit model was used to examine the influence of the structural and decisional variables on tea farm sustainability. The results described that owners were more sustainable compared with shareholders. Their economic and social sustainability levels were not significantly different from each other. However, environmental sustainability at owners' tea farms was more satisfactory than that of shareholders. Among structural variables, land slope, age of tea orchard, and farmers' age were negative influences, whereas cooperative membership and terrace status affected tea farm sustainability positively. Similarly, among decisional variables, family labor, fertilizer application methods, farmers' willingness to perform a soil test, and sale value of tea had positive influences, whereas the cost of chemical fertilizers had a negative influence on tea farm sustainability. The land tenure was found to have a significant effect on sustainability when the tea farmer was the owner of the farm. Thus, farmers should replant their orchards on time, and adopt sustainable practices such as terracing and employing environment-friendly fertilizer application methods for increasing tea sustainability in the locality. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2021;17:814–834. © 2020 SETAC
KEY POINTS
The owners were more sustainable as compared to shareholders. The sustainability of owner farming system decrease with the decline in their farm size. The land tenure was found to have a significant effect on sustainability, when tea farmer was the owner of the farm. Fertilizer quantity and application methods negatively affect the sustainability of tea farms.
Dating currency crises and designing early warning systems: Meta‐possibilistic fuzzy index functions
Authors: Tak Nihat , Gök Adem 
Published: December 2020

AbstractIn order to analyse the currency crises in Turkey over the period of January 1990 and October 2019, we first dated currency crises with meta‐possibilistic fuzzy index functions. Then, we determined the significant predictors or leading indicators of currency crisis with logistic regression. Finally, we tried to measure and compare the in‐sample and out‐of‐sample performances of our method with an index generated by principal component analysis (PCA). We found that the models using the currency crisis index generated by our method have higher in‐sample and out‐of‐sample performances than the models using the currency crisis index generated by PCA. We concluded that the change in real exchange rate, bank loans over bank deposits, bank reserves over bank assets, growth in foreign reserves, growth in central bank foreign assets, M2 over foreign assets, change in exports, change in imports, industrial production index, M1 growth, M2 growth, foreign reserves over M1, central bank foreign assets over M1 and public sector credit growth are the leading indicators of currency crisis among 20 explanatory variables. As policy implications, we recommend that government and the monetary authority should strictly monitor the ratio of bank loans over bank deposits, public sector credit growth, the volatility of foreign trade, ratio of foreign reserves and central bank foreign assets over money supply among significant explanatory variables to avoid currency crisis as policy implications.
Inflation and economic activity in advanced and emerging economies
Authors: Serletis Apostolos , Liu Jinan 
Published: December 2020

AbstractAlthough the inflation rates have been low in recent years, the uncertainties that put downward pressure on inflation remain the key uncertainties that economies around the world are facing, and they could be unexpectedly persistent. In this article, we investigate the relation between nominal uncertainty and macroeconomic performance in the G7 and EM7 countries. We use a bivariate VARMA GARCH‐in‐mean asymmetric BEKK model to estimate the response of output growth to inflation uncertainty. We find that inflation uncertainty is persistent in most of the G7 and EM7 countries. The uncertainty surrounding future inflation lowers output growth in most of the G7 countries; however, the effect is mixed in the EM7 countries.
Effects of manipulated precipitation on aboveground net primary productivity of grassland fields: Controlled rainfall experiments in Inner Mongolia, China
Authors: Xu Xiaotian , Liu Hongyan , Wang Wei , Hu Guozheng , Wu Xiuchen , Song Zhaoliang 
Published: December 2020

AbstractRecovery from grassland degradation caused by climate change and human disturbance is critical to the sustainable development of drylands. Grassland in China accounts for 13% of the global grassland area, and more than half of it is still recovering from degradation. How climate change will contribute to the recovery of degraded grassland has not been clarified through field experiments. Here, we report the effects of manipulated precipitation regimes on above ground net primary productivity (ANPP) in five grassland fields along a degradation gradient using a 3‐year controlled rainfall manipulation experiment in Inner Mongolia, China. We found that differences of approximately 20–30% in growing season precipitation have limited impacts on the ANPP of grasslands, and the responses can depend crucially on the degradation status indicated by vegetation and soil features. ANPP sensitivity to spring drought increased with increasing degradation level, which was mainly determined by vegetation composition. ANPP was generally insensitive to summer drought except for mature grassland, in which drought led to severe soil water deficit, mainly mediated by soil water holding capacity. Our results suggest that the recovery of degraded grassland is expected to be delayed by increasing drought early in the growing season, and mature grassland would be more vulnerable to extreme summer drought. These findings highlight the negative impacts of seasonal drought on degraded grassland and emphasize the importance of accounting for climate change and degradation status in future grassland ecosystem restoration and management policies.
Homogeneously Emitting, Mechanically Stable, and Efficient fs‐Laser‐Machined Fiber Diffusers for Medical Applications
Authors: Ströbl Stephan , Wäger Felix , Domke Matthias , Rühm Adrian , Sroka Ronald 
Published: December 2020

Background and ObjectivesLight delivery is an essential part of therapy forms like photodynamic therapy (PDT), laser‐induced thermotherapy, and endovenous laser therapy. While there are approaches to the light application for all three therapies, there is no diffuser that can be used for all three approaches. This diffuser must meet the following criteria: Homogeneous radiation profile over a length of 40 mm, efficient light extraction in the diffuser area, mechanical breakage resistance as well as thermal stability when applying high power.Study Design/Materials and MethodsAn ultrashort pulse laser was used to inscribe inhomogeneities into the core of a fused‐silica fiber core while scanning the laser focus within a linear arrangement of cuboids centered around the fiber axis. The manufactured diffuser was optically and mechanically characterized and examined to determine the maximum power that can be applied in a tissue environment.ResultsBased on the analysis of all examined diffusers, the manufactured diffuser exhibits an emission efficiency ε = (81.5 ± 5.9)%, an intensity variability of (19 ± 5)% between distal and proximal diffuser end, and a minimum bending radius Rb = (15.4 ± 1.5) mm. It was taken advantage of the fact that the outer areas of the fiber core do not undergo any structural changes due to the machining and therefore do not suffer a major loss of stability. Tissue experiments revealed that a maximal power of 15 W was deliverable from the diffuser without harming the diffuser itself.ConclusionsIt could be shown that a diffuser manufactured by ultrafast‐laser processing can be used for low power applications as well as for high power applications. Further tests have to show whether the mechanical stability is still maintained after the application of high power in a tissue environment. Lasers Surg. Med. © 2020 Wiley Periodicals LLC
Mapping lung ventilation through stress maps derived from biomechanical models of the lung
Authors: Cazoulat Guillaume , Balter James M. , Matuszak Martha M. , Jolly Shruti , Owen Dawn , Brock Kristy K. 
Published: December 2020

PurposeMost existing computed tomography (CT)‐ventilation imaging techniques are based on deformable image registration (DIR) of different respiratory phases of a four‐dimensonal CT (4DCT) scan of the lung, followed by the quantification of local breathing‐induced changes in Hounsfield Units (HU) or volume. To date, only moderate correlations have been reported between these CT‐ventilation metrics and standard ventilation imaging modalities for adaptive lung radiation therapy. This study evaluates the use of stress maps derived from biomechanical model‐based DIR as an alternative CT‐ventilation metric.Materials and methodsSix patients treated for lung cancer with conventional radiation therapy were retrospectively analyzed. For each patient, a 4DCT scan and Tc‐99m SPECT‐V image acquired for treatment planning were collected. Biomechanical model‐based DIR was applied between the inhale and exhale phase of the 4DCT scans and stress maps were calculated. The voxel‐wise correlation between the reference SPECT‐V image and map of the maximum principal stress was measured with a Spearman correlation coefficient. The overlap between high (above the 75th percentile) and low (below the 25th percentile) functioning volumes extracted from the reference SPECT‐V and the stress maps was measured with Dice similarity coefficients (DSC). The results were compared to those obtained when using two classical CT‐ventilation metrics: the change in HU and Jacobian determinant.ResultsThe mean Spearman correlation coefficients were: 0.37 ± 18 and 0.39 ± 13 and 0.59 ± 0.13 considering the changes in HU, Jacobian and maximum principal stress, respectively. The corresponding mean DSC coefficients were 0.38 ± 0.09, 0.37 ± 0.07 and 0.52 ± 0.07 for the high ventilation function volumes and 0.48 ± 0.13, 0.44 ± 0.09 and 0.52 ± 0.07 for the low ventilation function volumes.ConclusionFor presenting a significantly stronger and more consistent correlation with standard SPECT‐V images than previously proposed CT‐ventilation metrics, stress maps derived with the proposed method appear to be a promising tool for incorporation into functional lung avoidance strategies.
Electronic and compositional properties of the rear‐side of stoichiometric CuInSe2 absorbers
Authors: Kameni Boumenou Christian , Elizabeth Amala , Babbe Finn , Debot Alice , Mönig Harry , Redinger Alex 
Published: December 2020

AbstractIn‐depth understanding and subsequent optimization of the contact layers in thin film solar cells are of high importance in order to reduce the amount of nonradiative recombination and thereby improve device performance. In this work, the buried MoSe2/CuInSe2 interface of stoichiometric absorbers is investigated with scanning tunneling spectroscopy and Kelvin probe force microscopy combined with compositional measurements acquired via photo‐electron spectroscopy after a mechanical lift‐off process. We find that the local density of states, as measured with scanning tunneling spectroscopy, is similar to the front‐side of ultra‐high vacuum annealed CISe absorbers. The grain boundaries exhibit a weak upward band bending, opposite to Cu‐poor CuGaSe2, and we measure an increased Cu accumulation at the rear CISe surface compared to the bulk composition and a non‐zero concentration of Cu on the Mo‐side. Grazing incidence X‐ray diffraction measurements corroborate that a small amount of a CuxSe secondary phase is present at the MoSe2/CuInSe2 interface in contrast to reports on Cu‐poor material. Our findings shed new light into the complex interface formation of CuInSe2‐based thin film solar cells grown under Cu‐rich conditions.
Ants reduce fruit damage caused by psyllids in Mediterranean pear orchards
Authors: Sanchez Juan Antonio , Carrasco‐Ortiz Aline , López‐Gallego Elena , Ramírez‐Soria Maria José , La Spina Michelangelo 
Published: December 2020

AbstractBACKGROUNDPsyllids are principal pests of pear orchards. Pest control based on the intensive use of chemicals is facing difficulties and strategies with a low impact on natural enemies are considered as the most suitable for psyllid control. Ants have been reported as the main predators ofCacopsylla pyri(Hemiptera: Psyllidae) in the southern Mediterranean area. The aim of this work was to determine the contribution of ants to the reduction of the fruit damage caused by psyllids at different intensities of spraying. Five levels of spraying intensity and ant exclusion were tested in a pear orchard with three blocks of five plots each.RESULTSThe incidence of russet on fruits increased with the abundance of psyllids and with ant exclusion. In the absence of ants, the impact of russet increased progressively from the highest to lowest intensity of spraying. By contrast, when ants were present no significant differences were found between the lowest (two application of paraffinic oil) and the highest (six applications of abamectin plus paraffinic oil) spraying levels. In the presence of ants, the incidence of russet in the plots with three applications of paraffinic oil was similar to those with three or six applications of paraffinic oil plus abamectin).CONCLUSIONSThe importance of ants for the control of psyllids and the reduction of fruit damage is shown. Reduction in the frequency of spraying and the use of low toxic insecticides for natural enemies is presented as the most sustainable strategy for psyllid control in pear orchards. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
A Co3O4/C Composite for use as a High‐Performance Lithium‐Ion Battery Anode
Authors: Yang Zhixiong , Pan Guangxing , Hu Yuanyuan , Wu Wanbao , Cao Miaomiao , Zhang Xueting , Zhang Ling , Zhu Zhenye , Zhang Jiaheng 
Published: December 2020

AbstractDue to advantages such as low environmental impact, low price, and high theoretical specific capacity, Co3O4 has been widely studied. However, its low conductivity and volume expansion during the charging and discharging processes caused pulverization and agglomeration ultimately leads to a rapid decline in battery capacity during the cycle. The creation of nano structured composite of carbon materials and Co3O4 can be used to form a highly conductive matrix that improves the electronic conductivity, and improves the dispersion of Co3O4 to reduce agglomeration and volume expansion. In this work, the rigid conjugated plane structure of 1,10‐phenanthroline was selected to coordinated with cobalt nitrate to form a precursor complex. After heating, the crystal core of Co3O4 becomes more uniform in size with a more regular geometry. Additionally, a calcining temperature of 350 °C was shown to result in an optimal amount of carbon residue that improved electronic conductivity of the whole composite while not excessively hindering lithium‐ion transport. As a result, these properties improved the electron conductivity and protect the crystals from damage caused by volume change during charge and discharge to a certain extent, thus contributing to improved electrochemical performance.
Synthesis and Application of ZIF‐8 MOF Incorporated in a TiO2@Chitosan Nanocomposite as a Strong Nanocarrier for the Drug Delivery of Acyclovir
Authors: Akbari Mahdiyeh , Ghasemzadeh Mohammad Ali , Fadaeian Manoochehr 
Published: December 2020

AbstractRecently, metal‐organic frameworks (MOFs) have been effectively established as potential nanocarriers for the drug delivery. In this study, we have examined a novel framework containing TiO2@Chitosan@ZIF‐8 for the delivery of acyclovir (ACV). The structure elucidation and physicochemical characterization of the prepared nanocarrier were investigated by various spectroscopic techniques such as Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR), ultraviolet‐visible spectroscopy (UV‐Vis), energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDX), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE‐SEM), brunauer‐emmett‐teller (BET), and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA). The obtained results demonstrated that 90 % of the acyclovir was loaded on the TiO2@Chitosan@ZIF‐8 framework. The drug release study was performed in PBS (phosphate buffer saline, pH:7.4) and AB (acetate buffer, pH:5) solutions, which showed 78 % and 82 % release within 3 days.
Current Trends in Analytical Methods for the Determination of Hydroxychloroquine and Its Application as Treatment for COVID‐19
Authors: El Mhammedi Moulay Abderrahim , Saqrane Sanaa , Lahrich Sara , Laghrib Fathellah , El Bouabi Younes , Farahi Abdelfettah , Bakasse Mina 
Published: December 2020

AbstractHydroxychloroquine (HCQ) is a drug indicated in rheumatology for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus for its anti‐inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties. Many countries such as Morocco have recommended the use of HCQ for the treatment of COVID‐19 infection. This medication is responsible for severe acute poisoning. Therefore, Hospital laboratories have a fundamental role in affirming the diagnosis and assessing the severity of intoxication by measuring HCQ, carried out in the urine and preferably in whole blood. The analytical techniques used are essentially chromatographic. Unfortunately, these reference methods for forensic analyzes are difficult to adapt to emergency due to their delay in reporting results.