bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Processamento digital de imagens de plântulas na avaliação do vigor de sementes de <i>Moringa oleifera</i> Lam.
Authors: Pereira Márcio Dias , Reis João Antonio dos , Ferrari Cibele Dos Santos , Vale Alessandra Mendes Pacheco Guerra 
Published: June 2020

A utilização de técnicas que envolvam a análise computadorizada de plântulas na avaliação da qualidade de lotes de sementes tem se mostrado muito eficiente. Assim, objetivou-se, neste trabalho, verificar a eficiência do Sistema de Análise de Plântulas (SAPL) na detecção de diferenças de vigor entre lotes de sementes de moringa, em comparação às informações fornecidas por testes de vigor tradicionalmente utilizados. Para tanto, determinou-se o teor de água das sementes e a sua qualidade fisiológica pelos testes de germinação, primeira contagem de germinação, índice de velocidade de germinação, massa seca de plântulas, emergência, índice de velocidade de emergência, envelhecimento acelerado tradicional, envelhecimento acelerado com solução salina e utilizando-se o SAPL. A caracterização fisiológica das sementes determinou que os lotes 1 e 3 apresentaram qualidade superior aos demais, sendo o lote 4 o menos vigoroso. Os parâmetros obtidos na análise computadorizada (comprimento da parte aérea, comprimento da raiz primária, comprimento total de plântula, índice de crescimento, índice de uniformidade e índice de vigor) com o software SAPL foram eficientes para diferenciar os lotes de sementes em comparação aos testes tradicionalmente utilizados, não somente entre lotes de baixo e alto vigor, mas também para aqueles de qualidade intermediária, corroborando com os resultados obtidos nos testes tradicionalmente empregados na avaliação da qualidade de sementes.
GIVING VOICE TO OUR CORE FRENCH STUDENTS: IMPLICATIONS FOR ATTRITION AND THE DISCOURSE ON THE BENEFITS OF LEARNING FSL IN ONTARIO
Authors: Arnott Stephanie 
Published: June 2020

This article explores student motivation to learn French as a second language (FSL) in school. Ontario Grade 9 students (N = 63) were surveyed on their intention to (dis)continue studying French in the Core French (CF) program in Grade 10 when FSL becomes optional. Survey participants shared their reasoning, and a subset (n = 7) took part in a focus group. Although motivating factors to (dis)continue in CF align with previous studies, participants openly contemplated the relevance of these factors to their lives. In response, this article explores the discourse on the benefits of learning French and debates its applicability to adolescent FSL learners. The implications for efforts to address CF attrition and promote FSL learning are also discussed.
Comparative study of gut microbiota in Tibetan wild asses (Equus kiang) and domestic donkeys (Equus asinus) on the Qinghai-Tibet plateau
Authors: Liu Hongjin , Zhao Xinquan , Han Xueping , Xu Shixiao , Zhao Liang , Hu Linyong , Xu Tianwei , Zhao Na , Zhang Xiaoling , Chen Dongdong , He Fuquan , Chen Xin 
Published: June 2020

Tibetan wild asses (Equus Kiang) are the only wild species of perissodactyls on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and appears on the International Union for Conversation of Nature (IUCN) 2012 Red List of threatened species. Therefore, understanding the gut microbiota composition and function of wild asses can provide a theoretical for the situ conservation of wild animals in the future.In this study, we measured the dry matter digestion by the 4 molar hydrochloric acid (4N HCL) acid-insoluble ash method and analyzed the intestinal microbiota of wild asses and domestic donkeys by high-throughput sequencing of the 16s rDNA genes in V3–V4 regions. The results showed that the dry matter digestion in wild asses was significantly higher than in domestic donkeys (P < 0.05). No significant difference in alpha diversity was detected between these two groups. Beta diversity showed that the bacterial community structure of wild asses was acutely different from domestic donkeys. At the phylum level, the two dominant phyla Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes in wild asses were significantly higher than that in domestic donkeys. At the genus level, Ruminococcaceae_NK4A214, Phascolarctobacterium, Coprostanoligenes_group, Lachnospiraceae_XPB1014_group and Akkermansia in wild asses were significantly higher than in domestic donkeys. Moreover, statistical comparisons showed that 40 different metabolic pathways exhibited significant differences. Among them, 29 pathways had richer concentrations in wild asses than domestic donkeys, mainly included amino acid metabolism, carbohydrate metabolism, and energy metabolism. Of note, network analysis showed that wild asses harbored a relatively more complex bacterial network than domestic donkeys, possibly reflecting the specific niche adaption of gut bacterial communities through species interactions. The overall results indicated that wild asses have advantages over domestic donkeys in dry matter digestion, gut microbial community composition and function, and wild asses have their unique intestinal flora to adapt high altitudes on the Qinghai-Tibet plateau.
Screening of Restorable WA-CMS Rice Genotypes for Bacterial Blight (BB) Resistance
Authors: Sinha Surabhi , Sinha Sweta , Kumar Mankesh , Singh Suresh Prasad , Kumar Anand , Kumar Amarendra , . Satyendra 
Published: June 2020

Aim: To screen and evaluate rice genotypes which were found to be having restorability for WA-CMS cytoplasm for their further use in the hybrid breeding program.
Study Design: Laboratory-experimental design was used in the study.
Place and Duration of the Study: The genotypes used in the study were comprised of promising lines from various experiments, local varieties and landraces, etc. The study was conducted during June 2017 to May 2018.
Methodology: In the present study, 55 rice lines which were found to have restorable capacity for WA-CMS system were screened for 4 Bacterial Blight resistance genes viz. Xa4, xa5, xa13, Xa21, against most prevalent races of the pathogen throughout the country, using PCR based molecular markers namely, MP1+MP2, xa5 multiplex, xa13 prom and pTA248, respectively.
Results: Bacterial Blight (BB) is considered to be one of the most important diseases of the rice crop. As hybrids are one of the most viable options to increase rice yields, the parental material used for the development of hybrids, must be having genes which show resistance against BB. Out of 55 restorer lines, 43 genotypes amplified for Xa4, 7 genotypes namely R. Bhagwati, IRBB5-9, Narendra Usar Dhan 3, Pratikhya, IR 88964-24-2-1-4, IR 94314-20-2-1B, HHZ 5-DT8-DT1-Y1 showed positive bands for xa5, 3 genotypes namely PAU 3220, N. Usar Dhan 3 and Pratikhya showed positive bands for xa13. However, only one genotype namely Pratikhya amplified for Xa21. In combinations, Narendra Usar Dhan 3 amplified for xa5 and xa13. Pratikhya was the only genotype found to have all 4 BB (Xa4, xa5, xa13, Xa21) resistance genes under consideration.
Conclusion: Genotypes having different BB resistant genes in combinations along with good capability of restoration for prevalent WA-CMS system can further be used as male parent in the hybrid breeding programme for development of BB resistant hybrids.
STAT3‐mediated MLST8 gene expression regulates cap‐dependent translation in cancer cells
Authors: Lee Hyunji , Chin Hyunjung , Kim Hyeyoung , Jung Hosung , Lee Daekee 
Published: June 2020

Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) regulates cell growth, cell survival, angiogenesis, metastasis of cancer cells, and cancer immune evasion by regulating gene expression as a transcription factor. However, the effect of STAT3 on translation is almost unknown. We demonstrated that STAT3 acts as a trans‐acting factor for MLST8 gene expression and the protein level of mLST8, a core component of mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 and 2 (mTORC1/2), positively regulates the mTORC1/2 downstream pathways. Suppression of STAT3 by siRNA attenuated 4E‐BP1 phosphorylation, cap‐dependent translation, and cell proliferation in a variety of cancer cells. In HCT116 cells, STAT3 knockdown‐induced decreases in 4E‐BP1 and AKT phosphorylation levels were further attenuated by MLST8 knockdown or recovered by mLST8 overexpression. STAT3 knockdown‐induced G2/M phase arrest was partially restored by co‐knockdown of 4EBP1, and the attenuation of cell proliferation was enhanced by the expression of an mTORC1‐mediated phosphorylation‐defective mutant of 4E‐BP1. ChIP and promoter mapping using a luciferase reporter assay showed that the −951 to −894 bp of MLST8 promoter seems to include STAT3‐binding site. Overall, these results suggest that STAT3‐driven MLST8 gene expression regulates cap‐dependent translation through 4E‐BP1 phosphorylation in cancer cells.
Protein‐Derived Cofactors
Authors: Davidson Victor L 
Published: June 2020

Abstract

Protein‐derived cofactors are catalytic or redox‐active centres in proteins that are formed by covalent irreversible posttranslational modification of one or more amino acid residues. The mechanisms by which these posttranslational modifications are catalysed are quite diverse. In some cases, these modifications occur autocatalytically, and in other cases, an enzyme is required for their catalysis. The formation of protein‐derived cofactors expands the range of chemical reactions that may be catalysed by enzymes in the absence of exogenous metal or organic cofactors. Protein‐derived cofactors typically function as electrophiles in catalysis and sometimes stabilise free‐radical intermediates or mediate biological electron transfer. This article describes the structures and functions of several protein‐derived cofactors and the diverse mechanisms of posttranslational modification through which they are generated.

Key Concepts

Protein‐derived cofactors are formed by irreversible posttranslational modification of amino acid residues.

Protein‐derived cofactors typically serve as electrophiles or stabilise free radicals during enzyme catalysis.

Amino acid residues may acquire new catalytic or redox functions from posttranslational modification.

Modification of amino acids that provide ligands for metals can alter the properties of metalloenzymes.

Protein‐derived cofactors are formed by a variety of autocatalytic and enzyme‐catalysed processes.
Biological Chemistry of Toxic Metals and Metalloids, Such as Arsenic, Cadmium, and Mercury
Authors: Sarpong‐Kumankomah Sophia , Miller Kerri , Gailer Jürgen 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Pollution is the largest environmental cause of disease and premature death in the world which causes an estimated nine million annual premature deaths. Owing to the exceptional longevity of highly toxic arsenic, cadmium, and mercury species in the environment, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ASTDR) has ranked them within the top 7 chemicals of concern in terms of their frequency, toxicity, and potential for human exposure at national priority sites. Accordingly, the chronic exposure of human populations – including children – to these pollutants via the diet, drinking water and air is of increasing public health concern as it may be causally linked to human diseases, which have no known etiology. To unravel potential toxic metal exposure‐disease relationships, the elucidation of their bioinorganic chemistry in the bloodstream is critical as these processes determine which and how much of an absorbed toxic metal species and/or its metabolites will reach toxicological target organs. Considering the analytical complexity of this biological fluid, appropriate analytical techniques must be employed. We highlight advanced instrumental analytical approaches that can be used and provide examples of how their application has revealed new insight into the mechanisms of chronic toxicity of arsenic, cadmium and mercury species in mammals. A comprehensive understanding of the bioinorganic chemistry of individual toxic metal species is urgently needed to reassess current environmental regulations to reduce the global disease burden.
Structural Stabilization and Piezoelectric Enhancement in Epitaxial (Ti1−xMgx)0.25Al0.75N(0001) Layers
Authors: Wang Baiwei , Aryana Kiumars , Gaskins John T. , Hopkins Patrick E. , Khare Sanjay V. , Gall Daniel 
Published: June 2020

AbstractEpitaxial (Ti1−xMgx)0.25Al0.75N(0001)/Al2O3(0001) layers are used as a model system to explore how Fermi‐level engineering facilitates structural stabilization of a host matrix despite the intentional introduction of local bonding instabilities that enhance the piezoelectric response. The destabilizing octahedral bonding preference of Ti dopants and the preferred 0.67 nitrogen‐to‐Mg ratio for Mg dopants deteriorate the wurtzite AlN matrix for both Ti‐rich (x < 0.2) and Mg‐rich (x ≥ 0.9) alloys. Conversely, x = 0.5 leads to a stability peak with a minimum in the lattice constant ratio c/a, which is caused by a Fermi‐level shift into the bandgap and a trend toward nondirectional ionic bonding, leading to a maximum in the expected piezoelectric stress constant e33. The refractive index and the subgap absorption decrease with x, the optical bandgap increases, and the elastic constant along the hexagonal axis C33 = 270 ± 14 GPa remains composition independent, leading to an expected piezoelectric constant d33 = 6.4 pC N−1 at x = 0.5, which is 50% larger than for the pure AlN matrix. Thus, contrary to the typical anticorrelation between stability and electromechanical coupling, the (Ti1−xMgx)0.25Al0.75N system exhibits simultaneous maxima in the structural stability and the piezoelectric response at x = 0.5.
Ultrasensitive Strain Gauges Enabled by Graphene‐Stabilized Silicone Emulsions
Authors: O’Mara Marcus A. , Ogilvie Sean P. , Large Matthew J. , Amorim Graf Aline , Sehnal Anne C. , Lynch Peter J. , Salvage Jonathan P. , Jurewicz Izabela , King Alice A. K. , Dalton Alan B. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractHere, an approach is presented to incorporate graphene nanosheets into a silicone rubber matrix via solid stabilization of oil‐in‐water emulsions. These emulsions can be cured into discrete, graphene‐coated silicone balls or continuous, elastomeric films by controlling the degree of coalescence. The electromechanical properties of the resulting composites as a function of interdiffusion time and graphene loading level are characterized. With conductivities approaching 1 S m−1, elongation to break up to 160%, and a gauge factor of ≈20 in the low‐strain linear regime, small strains such as pulse can be accurately measured. At higher strains, the electromechanical response exhibits a robust exponential dependence, allowing accurate readout for higher strain movements such as chest motion and joint bending. The exponential gauge factor is found to be ≈20, independent of loading level and valid up to 80% strain; this consistent performance is due to the emulsion‐templated microstructure of the composites. The robust behavior may facilitate high‐strain sensing in the nonlinear regime using nanocomposites, where relative resistance change values in excess of 107 enable highly accurate bodily motion monitoring.
PEG Modified CsPbIBr2 Perovskite Film for Efficient and Stable Solar Cells
Authors: You Yibo , Tian Wei , Wang Min , Cao Fengren , Sun Haoxuan , Li Liang 
Published: June 2020

AbstractCesium lead mixed‐halide perovskite (CsPbIBr2), as one of the all‐inorganic perovskites, has attracted great attention owing to its great ambient stability and suitable bandgap. Unfortunately, due to its low film coverage, high density of defects and unfavorable band energy level, the CsPbIBr2 based solar cells suffer from low efficiency. In this work, the Lewis base poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) is adopted as additive to modify the pure CsPbIBr2. By optimizing the molecular weight and dosage of PEG, the resultant PEG:CsPbIBr2 film possesses suppressed non‐radiative electron–hole recombination, a favorable energy band structure and a weaker sensitive to the moisture. As a result, the device based on the PEG:CsPbIBr2 yields a champion power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 11.10%, with a open‐circuit voltage of 1.21 V, a short‐circuit current of 12.25 mA cm−2, and a fill factor of 74.82%, which is 44.3% higher than its counterpart without PEG. Moreover, the PEG modified device shows excellent long‐term stability, retaining over 90% of the initial efficiency after 600 h storage in ambient condition without encapsulation. In comparison, the device without PEG shows an inferior stability with PCE sharply dropping to 0% within 50 h.
Improving Metal Adsorption on Triethylenetetramine (TETA) Functionalized SBA‐15 Mesoporous Silica Using Potentiometry, EPR and ssNMR
Authors: Lachowicz Joanna Izabela , Emwas Abdul‐Hamid , Delpiano Giulia Rossella , Salis Andrea , Piludu Marco , Jaremko Lukasz , Jaremko Mariusz 
Published: June 2020

AbstractNanomaterials have received growing attention in the treatment and diagnosis of neurological disorders because the low blood brain barrier permeability hinders the classical pharmacological approach. Metal ion chelators combined with nanoparticles prove effective in the treatment of neurodegeneration and are under extensive studies. Most chelating agents and metallodrugs compete with endogenous molecules for metal coordination, and do not reach the active site. Determining the competition between metallodrugs and endogenous molecules requires knowing the stability constants of formed metal complexes. In this study, for the first time, potentiometric titrations are used to determine metal complex formation constants, and to quantify ligand content in functionalized materials. This new potentiometric approach allows physico–chemical characterization of mesoporous functionalized materials and their metal adsorption capacity in water solution. The potentiometric results are compared with isotherm models obtained by spectroscopic measurements and yield rewarding data fitting. The potentiometric method described here can be extended to different types of nanostructured materials carrying surface ionizable groups.
The Neolithic Pitted Ware culture foragers were culturally but not genetically influenced by the Battle Axe culture herders
Authors: Coutinho Alexandra , Günther Torsten , Munters Arielle R. , Svensson Emma M. , Götherström Anders , Storå Jan , Malmström Helena , Jakobsson Mattias 
Published: June 2020

AbstractObjectivesIn order to understand contacts between cultural spheres in the third millennium BC, we investigated the impact of a new herder culture, the Battle Axe culture, arriving to Scandinavia on the people of the sub‐Neolithic hunter‐gatherer Pitted Ware culture. By investigating the genetic make‐up of Pitted Ware culture people from two types of burials (typical Pitted Ware culture burials and Battle Axe culture‐influenced burials), we could determine the impact of migration and the impact of cultural influences.MethodsWe sequenced and analyzed the genomes of 25 individuals from typical Pitted Ware culture burials and from Pitted Ware culture burials with Battle Axe culture influences in order to determine if the different burial types were associated with different gene‐pools.ResultsThe genomic data show that all individuals belonged to one genetic population—a population associated with the Pitted Ware culture—irrespective of the burial style.ConclusionWe conclude that the Pitted Ware culture communities were not impacted by gene‐flow, that is, via migration or exchange of mates. These different cultural expressions in the Pitted Ware culture burials are instead a consequence of cultural exchange.
Strong Anisotropic Thermal Conductivity in Polycrystalline Layers of (AgxSn1‐xS)1.2(TiS2)2 with Prospects Toward Improved Thermoelectric Performance
Authors: Yin Cong , Guo Xuming , Liu Hangtian , Chen Zhiyu , Hu Qing , Ang Ran 
Published: June 2020

AbstractAnisotropic tuning is of crucial importance for designing and developing high‐performance thermoelectric materials. Here, a prominent anisotropic thermoelectric characteristic of Ag‐substituted misfit‐layered (SnS)1.2(TiS2)2 alloys is investigated in the perpendicular (in‐plane) and parallel (out‐of‐plane) to the pressing direction. In the in‐plane direction, the (AgxSn1‐xS)1.2(TiS2)2 alloys possess a highest power factor of 0.86 mW K−2 m−1 at 520 K, while in the out‐of‐plane direction the lowest lattice thermal conductivity (0.37 W K−1 m−1) is achieved, which is driven by the natural intercalated structure where the out‐of‐plane phonon is strongly scattered without affecting the in‐plane mobility. Moreover, along the in‐plane orientation, the introduced point defects due to the substitution of Sn by Ag trigger a significant reduction of lattice thermal conductivity. In contrast, along the out‐of‐plane orientation, the decreased carrier concentration enables a large Seebeck coefficient and power factor, ultimately ensuring high thermoelectric performance. The present finding in the misfit‐layered chalcogenide opens up a new route to manipulating thermoelectrics via anisotropy engineering.
In‐situ sol–gel synthesis of zirconia networks in flexible and conductive composite films
Authors: Azarian Mohammad Hossein , Mahmood Wan Ahmad Kamil 
Published: June 2020

AbstractThe conductive and stretchable films with improved hardness are suitable for the fabrication of flexible electronic devices. This study describes the sol–gel technique to prepare a novel conductive and flexible film consisting of epoxidized natural rubber (ENR), doped polyaniline (PD) and zirconia. The zirconia networks were directly synthesized in‐situ in ENR/PD solution and flexible conductive composite film with improved hardness was obtained. The morphology study revealed the size of PD decreased significantly from 77.89 ± 43.95 nm to 4.32 ± 1.13 nm and highest electrical conductivity of 1.9 × 10−3 S/cm was achieved with 10 wt.% percolation threshold of zirconia precursor. The binding energy of Zr3d5/2 and Zr3d3/2 decreased, suggesting that zirconia was converted to the lower oxidation state. Furthermore, the shape of PD changed from spherical to rod‐like structure with root mean square value of 2 nm, while the hardness and reduced modulus improved to 1.72 MPa and 36.7 MPa, respectively.