bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Energy-dependent protein folding: modeling how a protein folding machine may work
Authors: Sahakyan Harutyun , Nazaryan Karen , Mushegian Arcady , Sorokina Irina 
Published: January 2021

Background: Proteins fold robustly and reproducibly in vivo, but many cannot fold in vitro in isolation from cellular components. Despite the remarkable progress that has been achieved by the artificial intelligence approaches in predicting the protein native conformations, the pathways that lead to such conformations, either in vitro or in vivo, remain largely unknown. The slow progress in recapitulating protein folding pathways in silico may be an indication of the fundamental deficiencies in our understanding of folding as it occurs in nature. Here we consider the possibility that protein folding in living cells may not be driven solely by the decrease in Gibbs free energy and propose that protein folding in vivo should be modeled as an active energy-dependent process. The mechanism of action of such a protein folding machine might include direct manipulation of the peptide backbone. Methods: To show the feasibility of a protein folding machine, we conducted molecular dynamics simulations that were augmented by the application of mechanical force to rotate the C-terminal amino acid while simultaneously limiting the N-terminal amino acid movements. Results: Remarkably, the addition of this simple manipulation of peptide backbones to the standard molecular dynamics simulation indeed facilitated the formation of native structures in five diverse alpha-helical peptides. Steric clashes that arise in the peptides due to the forced directional rotation resulted in the behavior of the peptide backbone no longer resembling a freely jointed chain. Conclusions: These simulations show the feasibility of a protein folding machine operating under the conditions when the movements of the polypeptide backbone are restricted by applying external forces and constraints. Further investigation is needed to see whether such an effect may play a role during co-translational protein folding in vivo and how it can be utilized to facilitate folding of proteins in artificial environments.
The Motion of Strawberry Leaves in an Air-Assisted Spray Field and its Influence on Droplet Deposition
Authors: Wu Shuo , Liu Jizhan , Wang Jiangshan , Hao Dianhe , Wang Rongkai 
Published: January 2021

HighlightsA visualization method for the motion of strawberry leaves in an air-assisted spray field is proposed.Strawberry leaves showed two motion states in different critical velocity ranges of the sprayer airflow.The airflow instability and the turbulence effect are considered important factors for the leaf vibrations.A strawberry leaf azimuth angle in the range of 90° to 270° can provide good deposition with smaller droplets.Abstract. The reasonable motion of crop plants in an air-assisted spray field can improve droplet deposition. Therefore, this study focuses on the motion of strawberry leaves and the droplet deposition mechanism in an air-assisted spray field. First, this study proposes a descriptive method for strawberry leaf motion in an air-assisted spray field and clarifies the important influence of strawberry leaf motion on droplet deposition. Second, an experiment was performed on the motion and droplet capture of single strawberry leaves in multi-position postures in an air-assisted spray field. The results showed that the leaves had two motion states (i.e., low amplitude with low frequency and high amplitude with high frequency) at different airflow velocities and inclination angles, and the critical airflow velocity corresponding to the two motion states was determined to be 8.7 m s-1. When the azimuth angle of the strawberry leaves is in the range of 90° to 270°, a reasonable inclination angle of the airflow and the high frequency and high amplitude vibration state of the leaves driven by the airflow will provide good deposition and canopy penetration of droplets with smaller diameters. Keywords: Air-assisted spray field, Droplet deposition, Motion, Spray, Strawberry leaves.
Toward generation of mid-infrared orbital angular momentum beams by tailoring four-wave mixing in chalcogenide photonic crystal fiber
Authors: Gao Weiqing , Jiang Wenhui , Tong Liang , Dai Wenwen , Liu Shaoqing , Chen Wu , Zhang Zhengxiong , Ma Xiaohui , Zhou Yong , Zhang Wei , Fang Wentan , Liao Meisong 
Published: January 2021

The nonlinear process of orbital angular momentum (OAM) beams in
multimode fiber has attracted renewed interest due to its enhanced
intermodal nonlinear interactions. Here, we designed and simulated a
novel photonic crystal fiber (PCF) based on

A
s

2

S
e

3

glass that supports stable OAM modes.
By optimizing the structure parameters of the fiber, both the
effective index separation and the phase-matching condition of OAM
modes were satisfied in the fiber. Mid-infrared OAM light can be
generated by intermodal four-wave mixing in the chalcogenide fiber.
The idler conversion efficiency at the 5 µm waveband and the signal
optical gain spectrum near 1.9 µm is calculated when the pump light is
around 2.8 µm. Furthermore, the crosstalk of the FWM process from the
other vector modes vanished due to the lower overlap factor compared
with the interacting OAM modes. Our work demonstrates that the vortex
beam at 5 µm could be generated, and its conversion efficiency can
reach 21.96% with appropriate optimization.
Periodic poling with a micrometer-range period in thin-film lithium niobate on insulator
Authors: Younesi Mohammadreza , Geiss Reinhard , Rajaee Shakiba , Setzpfandt Frank , Chen Yen-Hung , Pertsch Thomas 
Published: January 2021

We present our experimental results on electric field poling of X-cut
thin-film lithium niobate with poling periods of 1–4 µm. We used
polarization contrast microscopy combined with digital image
processing to study the impact of the experimental parameters of the
poling process such as electric field strength, poling pulse duration,
and layout of metal electrodes on the domain growth and quality of
resulting poling patterns. High-quality results with excellent
homogeneity of the domain pattern on large areas [i.e., 16 µm along
the domain (

z

axis) and millimeter long domain
gratings along the

y

axis with a period down to 1 µm]
allow for the integration of numerous devices and structures.
Coefficient effect of rare earth and metal ions in phosphor combined glass materials for a wide color gamut display
Authors: Dou Benle , Zhang Xin , Huang Feifei , Ma Hongping , Hua Youjie , Zhang Junjie , Xu Shiqing 
Published: January 2021

The surface plasmon resonance (SPR) of metal nanostructures is known to affect the optical properties of solid luminescent materials. Ag nanoparticles were first used to obtain a wider color gamut in rare-earth-doped phosphor-in-glass for application as color filters for white light emitting diodes. The existence of Ag nanocrystallites at nanometer scale and the independent integrity of the phosphor luminescence center in the amorphous glass environment were demonstrated. Using UV–Vis spectroscopy, the localized SPR absorption band was observed at 480 nm, and the optical properties of the nanostructures were found to be dependent on the annealing temperature. Hence, an expansion of the color gamut from 79.07% to 93.31% was realized by the coefficient effect of

N
d

3
+

active ions and Ag nanoparticles. These results suggest that

N
d

3
+

-ion-co-doped phosphor-in-glass modified by Ag nanoparticles could be potentially applied as a novel optical material with a wide color gamut.
Appropriateness and affordability of prescriptions to diabetic patients attending a tertiary hospital in Eastern Uganda: A retrospective cross-sectional study
Authors: Obakiro Samuel Baker , Kiyimba Kenedy , Napyo Agnes , Kanyike Andrew Marvin , Mayoka Wilberforce John , Nnassozi Aishah Ggalabuzi , Aguti Beatrice , Akech Gabriel Madut , Waako John Paul 
Published: January 2021

Background
Irrational prescription of drugs can lead to high cost of treatment thus limiting access to essential medicines. We assessed the affordability and appropriateness of prescriptions written for diabetic patients in Eastern Uganda.

Methods
We collected secondary data from the health management information system registers of patients who attended the outpatient medical clinic at Mbale regional referral hospital from January 2019 to December 2019. The average cost of the prescriptions was calculated and adjusted odds ratios for predictors for unaffordability estimated using logistic regression. Computed scores for indicators of rational drug prescription were used to assess the extent of rational prescribing.

Results
The median cost per prescription was USD 11.34 (IQR 8.1, 20.2). Majority of the diabetic patients (n = 2462; 94.3%, 95% CI: 93.3–95.1%) could not afford the prescribed drugs. Predictors for unaffordability were if a prescription contained: ≥ 4 medicines (AOR = 12.45; 95% CI: 3.9–39.7); an injectable (AOR = 5.47; 95%CI: 1.47–20.32) and a diagnosis of diabetes mellitus with other comorbidities (AOR = 3.36; 95%CI: 1.95–5.78). Having no antidiabetic drug prescribed was protective for non-affordability (AOR = 0.38; 95%CI: 0.24–0.61). The average number of drugs per prescription was 2.8. The percentage prescription of drugs by generic name and from the essential medicine and health supplies list of Uganda were (6160/7461; 82.6%, 96% CI: 81.7%-83.4%) and (6092/7461; 81.7%, 95% CI: 80.8%-82.5%) respectively against WHO standard of 100%.

Conclusion
The majority of diabetic patients (94.3%) in Eastern Uganda cannot afford to buy prescribed medicines. The government should therefore ensure that essential medicines are readily accessible in public health facilities.
Neuron-Specific FMRP Roles in Experience-Dependent Remodeling of Olfactory Brain Innervation during an Early-Life Critical Period
Authors: Golovin Randall M. , Vest Jacob , Broadie Kendal 
Published: January 2021

Critical periods are developmental windows during which neural circuits effectively adapt to the new sensory environment. Animal models of fragile X syndrome (FXS), a common monogenic autism spectrum disorder (ASD), exhibit profound impairments of sensory experience-driven critical periods. However, it is not known whether the causative fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP) acts uniformly across neurons, or instead manifests neuron-specific functions. Here, we use the genetically-tractableDrosophilabrain antennal lobe (AL) olfactory circuit of both sexes to investigate neuron-specific FMRP roles in the odorant experience-dependent remodeling of the olfactory sensory neuron (OSN) innervation during an early-life critical period. We find targeted OSN class-specific FMRP RNAi impairs innervation remodeling within AL synaptic glomeruli, whereas globaldfmr1null mutants display relatively normal odorant-driven refinement. We find both OSN cell autonomous and cell non-autonomous FMRP functions mediate odorant experience-dependent remodeling, with AL circuit FMRP imbalance causing defects in overall glomerulus innervation refinement. We find OSN class-specific FMRP levels bidirectionally regulate critical period remodeling, with odorant experience selectively controlling OSN synaptic terminals in AL glomeruli. We find OSN class-specific FMRP loss impairs critical period remodeling by disrupting responses to lateral modulation from other odorant-responsive OSNs mediating overall AL gain control. We find that silencing glutamatergic AL interneurons reduces OSN remodeling, while conversely, interfering with the OSN class-specific GABAAsignaling enhances remodeling. These findings reveal control of OSN synaptic remodeling by FMRP with neuron-specific circuit functions, and indicate how neural circuitry can compensate for global FMRP loss to reinstate normal critical period brain circuit remodeling.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTFragile X syndrome (FXS), the leading monogenic cause of intellectual disability and autism spectrum disorder (ASD), manifests severe neurodevelopmental delays. Likewise, FXS disease models display disrupted neurodevelopmental critical periods. In the well-mappedDrosophilaolfactory circuit model, perturbing the causative fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP) within a single olfactory sensory neuron (OSN) class impairs odorant-dependent remodeling during an early-life critical period. Importantly, this impairment requires activation of other OSNs, and the olfactory circuit can compensate when FMRP is removed from all OSNs. Understanding the neuron-specific FMRP requirements within a developing neural circuit, as well as the FMRP loss compensation mechanisms, should help us engineer FXS treatments. This work suggests FXS treatments could use homeostatic mechanisms to alleviate circuit-level deficits.
Characterization tests for predicting the mechanical performance of SFRC floors: identification of fibre distribution and orientation effects
Authors: Martinelli Paolo , Colombo Matteo , Pujadas Pablo , de la Fuente Albert , Cavalaro Sergio , di Prisco Marco 
Published: January 2021

AbstractIn the context of the evaluation of the load-bearing capacity of a steel fibre reinforced concrete (SFRC) elevated slab recently built in northern Italy, this paper presents the study addressing the effects of fibre distribution and orientation. An extensive experimental programme was carried out in a collaboration between Politecnico di Milano and Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya. The programme included mechanical tests on four shallow beams and six notched standard beams. Additionally, uniaxial tensile tests (UTTs), double edge wedge splitting tests (DEWSTs) and double punching tests (DPTs) on 192 drilled core samples extracted from the shallow beams were performed. Inductive tests, measuring the self-induction change that occurs when a SFRC sample is placed inside a coil, were performed on all samples subjected to DPTs to assess fibre distribution. This paper compares direct and indirect tensile tests for the definition of the FRC post-cracking constitutive law, highlighting advantages and disadvantages of each test type. A comparison between standard and non-standard mechanical tests is also presented. Mechanical and non-destructive tests on drilled core samples extracted in different directions and at different locations have allowed the evaluation of the effects of fibre distribution and fibre orientation which provide an estimation of the possibility of using these tests as simplified tests for production control.
EEG education in neurology residency: background knowledge and focal challenges
Authors: Nascimento Fábio A. , Maheshwari Atul , Chu Jennifer , Gavvala Jay R. 
Published: January 2021

AbstractAims. To assess the baseline EEG knowledge among adult neurology residents at our institution and their perspectives on EEG learning experience during residency.Methods. We evaluated baseline EEG knowledge and resident perception of EEG education utilizing an EEG quiz and an online EEG survey, respectively. The EEG quiz was divided in two parts, composed of normal (n=27) and abnormal (n=10) EEG examples. The EEG survey focused on the importance of EEG, EEG milestones and EEG education.Results. Twenty‐one residents completed the EEG quiz; all 21 completed the normal EEG part whereas 19 of these 21 completed the abnormal EEG part. The overall score (mean±SEM) was 42±4.5% for the normal EEG part and 44±5.5% for the abnormal EEG part. The EEG survey was completed by 28 residents. Forty‐three percent of the respondents reported not being able to read EEGs even with supervision. The most commonly reported education barriers were insufficient exposure, insufficient responsibility to read EEGs, and inability to link EEG learning to direct patient care.Conclusion. On average, adult neurology residents were able to correctly identify less than half of normal and abnormal EEG findings. Almost half of residents reported not being able to read EEGs even with supervision.
LINGUISTIC IDENTITY AND THE IRISH POLITICAL CONFLICT IN BRIAN FRIEL'S TRANSLATIONS: A CULTURAL PERSPECTIVE
Authors: Kitishat Amal Riyadh , Alkayid Majd 
Published: January 2021

Purpose of the study: The study will shed light on Friel's political and national doctrines. The premise of this paper is to define and address the politics of language and language role as a cultural marker in Friel's Translations (1980). The study aims at showing the cultural and political dimensions of linguistic identity.
Methodology: The methodology adopted in this study is New Historicism. Friel related the historical and cultural context in Ireland to the political scene; the North Irish conflict in particular. Also, the study applied Post-Colonialism as a methodology since translation from Irish to English is not placed in a linguistic form; rather Friel sees it as a betrayal to the Irish national identity.
Main Findings: The study proved Friel's Translations comes as an affirmation of Friel's cultural and political visions which presented Irish conflict in a dramatic form, yet it proclaims symptomatic employment of the political conflict in North Ireland. The study concludes that the recurrence of the national themes confirmed Friel's plain awareness of the national identity.
Applications of this study: The findings of this study are useful for researchers who are interested in researching the relation between language and politics. Many politicians have carefully chosen certain expressions either to clarify or mislead people by their language. It would be relevant to investigate the pragmatical aspect of language about political situations.
Novelty/Originality of this study: This study benefits researcher interested in tracing the cultural depth of the language where culture and politics are interrelated to form an independent identity. The importance of the study is related to its treatment of the issue of translation from the language of the colonized to the language of the colonizer as an act of treason to one's national identity.
Reduced Breeding Success Suggests Trophic Mismatch Despite Timely Arrival in an Alpine Songbird
Authors: Sander Martha , Chamberlain Dan , Mermillon Camille , Alba Riccardo , Jähnig Susanne , Rosselli Domenico , Lisovski Simeon 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
A steady advance in the onset of spring is one of the most prominent footprints of climate warming and requires organisms, including migratory birds, to adapt their annual routines. As lower trophic levels typically adapt faster than higher trophic levels, observations of reduced fitness due to trophic mismatches are becoming more frequent, especially in long-distance migratory birds. We aimed to identify key phenological events, and quantify potential mismatches and their consequences in a migratory songbird population of the Northern wheatear (Oenanthe oenanthe) breeding at high elevations in the European Alps.We used light-level geolocators to track wheatears, and collected information on individual breeding activity and breeding success as well as environmental conditions during the reproductive season. In addition, we used citizen science data and remote sensed images to quantify longer term phenological trends.Snow melt and green-up showed an exceptionally early spring in the study region in 2020, preceded by a relatively average year in 2019. Yet, tracked individuals arrived well before the snowmelt in 2020 and clutch initiation dates across the population were earlier in 2020 compared to 2019. However, this shift lagged behind the advance in environmental conditions. While hatching success was similar in both years, fledging success and overall nest success was significantly reduced in 2020.Our results show that, despite the timely arrival at the breeding grounds, wheatears did not advance breeding activities in synchrony with environmental conditions during the exceptionally early year in 2020. The reduced fledging success suggests a trophic mismatch. However, the underlying mechanisms for hatchling mortality and nest failure remain unknown. Earlier reproductive seasons are expected to become more frequent in the future. We show that the negative effects of changing seasons in Alpine migratory birds might be similar to birds breeding at high latitudes, despite their shorter migratory distance.
Asymbiotic Germination of Mature Seeds and the Seed Development of Vanilla Planifolia
Authors: Yeh Chih-Hsin , Chen Kai-Yi , Lee Yung-I 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background: Vanilla planifolia is an important tropical orchid for production of natural vanilla flavor. Traditionally, V. planifolia is propagated by stem cuttings, which produces identical genotype that are sensitive to virulent pathogens. However, sexual propagation with seed germination of V. planifolia is intricate and unstable because of the extremely hard seed coat. A better understanding of seed development, especially the formation of impermeable seed coat would provide insights into seed propagation and conservation of genetic resources of Vanilla.Results: We found that soaking mature seeds in 4 % sodium hypochlorite solution from 75 to 90 min significantly increased germination and that immature seeds collected at 45 days after pollination (DAP) had the highest germination percentage. We then investigated the anatomical features during seed development that associated with the effect of seed pretreatment on raising seed germination percentage. The 45-DAP immature seeds have developed globular embryos and the thickened non-lignified cell wall at the outermost layer of the outer seed coat. After 60 DAP, the cell wall of the outermost layer of the outer seed coat became lignified and finally compressed into a thick envelope. These features matches the significant decreases of immature seed germination percentage after 60 DAP. Conclusion: We report a reliable protocol for seed pretreatment of mature seeds and for immature seeds culture based on a defined time schedule of V. plantifolia seed development. The thickened and lignified seed coat formed an impermeable envelope surrounding the embryo, and might play an important role in seed dormancy of V. plantifolia.