bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Energy transfer analysis and realization of cool to warm white light in Dy3+/Sm3+/Er3+ triply doped multicomponent borosilicate glass for white light generation
Authors: Jose Adon , T Krishnapriya , Anna Jose Twinkle , A C Saritha , Joseph Cyriac , Biju P. R. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractA series of Dy3+/Sm3+/Er3+ triply doped multicomponent borosilicate glasses (DSE) was synthesized using varying Er3+ ions concentrations through a conventional melt quenching technique. The influence of triple doping on the optical characteristics of the prepared glass was evaluated to estimate the possibility of achieving white light emission through optical absorption, photoluminescence excitation (PLE), and emission (PL) measurements. Based on the PLE and PL spectral profiles, the presence of energy transfer processes between Dy3+, Sm3+, and Er3+ was confirmed. Furthermore, for Dy3+/Sm3+/Er3+ triply doped glass, an enhancement in Er3+ green luminescence and a noticeable decrease in Dy3+ and Sm3+ emissions were detected with the increase in Er3+concentration. The nature of energy transfer in DSE glass was investigated through Dexter's energy transfer mechanisms and the obtained result suggested that a dipole–dipole interaction was responsible for the dominant Sm3+ to Dy3+ and Dy3+ to Er3+ energy transfer processes. The precise characteristic colours that emanated from the as‐prepared samples were evaluated using Commission Internationale de l'Éclairage co‐ordinates and correlated colour temperature values and suggested its suitability for white light emission. The quantum efficiency of the prepared glass was determined experimentally. The aforementioned results recommend that the Dy3+/Sm3+/Er3+ triply doped multicomponent borosilicate glass irradiated with ultraviolet light sources might be useful for the generation of cool/warm white light‐emitting applications.
Mendelian randomization suggests that head circumference, but not birth weight and length, associates with intelligence
Authors: Qian Li , Gao Fengjie , Yan Bin , Yang Lihong , Wang Wei , Bai Ling , Ma Xiancang , Yang Jian 
Published: May 2021

AbstractIntroductionBirth parameters have long been reported to have a role in human intelligence. However, the causalities reported in previous observational studies were controversial. Our study aims to provide an unbiased investigation of the causal associations between birth parameters and human intelligence using the Mendelian randomization (MR) approach.MethodsGenetic instrumental variables for MR analyses were extracted from large genome‐wide association studies of infant head circumference (N = 10,768), birth length (N = 28,489), and birth weight (N = 321,223). Data for intelligence were obtained from a meta‐analysis of genome‐wide association studies of 269,867 individuals of the European ancestry. Primary MR analysis was performed using the standard inverse‐variance weighted method, and sensitivity analyses were performed using the weighted median, MR‐Egger, and MR‐PRESSO methods.ResultsUsing 10 single nucleotide polymorphisms as instrumental variables, we found that 1 standard deviation increase in infant head circumference was associated with 0.14‐fold higher scores in intelligence tests (β = 0.14, 95% confidence interval: 0.09 to 0.18, PIVW=2.05 × 10–9). The causal relationship was robust when sensitivity analyses were performed. However, birth length and birth weight had no significant associations with intelligence.ConclusionOur findings suggested infant head circumference, but not birth weight and length were associated with intelligence, which might indicate that brain development rather than general fetal growth was responsible for the development of intelligence.
Case study‐based learning using a computational tool to improve the understanding of the jet engine cycle for aerospace engineering degree students
Authors: Piqueras Pedro , De la Morena Joaquín , Bares Pau , Sanchis Enrique J. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractIn the current paper, a methodology combining a case study with a computational tool for aerospace engineering students is presented and discussed. The aim of this methodology is to improve the understanding of jet engine's operation through their thermodynamic cycle analysis, particularly focused on the effects of the main boundary conditions for an aircraft engine: altitude and flight velocity (or Mach). Additionally, the organization of the methodology as a case study performed in groups helps to facilitate student engagement, as well as the development of soft skills, such as teamwork ability. The experience of this methodology over the last 5 years shows that the activity is generally well perceived by the students, and also that there is a correlation between the engagement in this activity and the overall results achieved in the subject, confirming that the methodology helps to improve students' comprehension of the concepts behind engine performance. However, a few points of improvement for the near future are identified.
Phosphetes via Transition Metal Free Ring Closure – Taking the Proper Turn at a Thermodynamic Crossing
Authors: Roesler Fabian , Kovács Máté , Bruhn Clemens , Kelemen Zsolt , Pietschnig Rudolf 
Published: May 2021

AbstractA transition metal free route to phosphetes featuring an exocyclic alkene unit is presented. In this approach phosphanides are added to a variety of diynes generating phosphaallylic intermediates which depending on the reaction conditions transform either to phosphetes or the corresponding phospholes. Investigation of the reaction mechanism by combined quantum chemical and experimental means identifies phosphole formation as thermodynamically controlled reaction path, whereas kinetic control furnishes the corresponding phosphetes. Structural and luminescence properties of the rare class of phosphetes are explored, as well as for selected key intermediates.
Upgrading a maize breeding program via two‐cycle genomewide selection: Same cost, same or less time, and larger gains
Authors: Bernardo Rex 
Published: May 2021

AbstractIt would be helpful to have genomewide selection schemes that increase genetic gains within the same cost and same time as currently required in breeding programs. My objective was to assess if and how two‐cycle genomewide selection can increase maize (Zea mays L.) genetic gains in a cost‐neutral and time‐neutral manner. As per industry sources, per‐unit costs were assumed equal for genotyping, doubled haploidy, testcrossing, and phenotyping at one location. The values of genomewide prediction accuracy (rMG) (0.20–0.80) and entry‐mean heritability (0.60) mimicked those for maize yield. In simulations, two‐cycle genomewide selection conducted as follows led to large gains: (a) genomewide selection among 200 to 240 Cycle 0 F2 plants, (b) genomewide selection among 200 to 240 Cycle 1 doubled haploids, and (c) phenotyping of 35 to 45 doubled haploids at 12 locations. The largest gains from two‐cycle genomewide selection were 124 to 178% of the largest gain from phenotypic selection and 112 to 135% of the largest gains (given the same rMG) from one‐cycle genomewide selection. When 8 to 10 Cycle 0 F2 plants were intermated to form Cycle 1, the gains were numerically greater with two‐cycle genomewide selection than with phenotypic selection at least 78% of the time. The best resource allocations for two‐cycle genomewide selection were tantamount to substituting genomewide predictions for first‐year phenotyping, thereby reducing the time required to release hybrid cultivars. The results indicated no reason for commercial maize breeders to rely solely on phenotypic selection during inbred development.
On the potential of microscale electrokinetic cascade devices
Authors: Hill Nicole , De Peña Adriana Coll , Miller Abbi , Lapizco‐Encinas Blanca H. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractPhages used for phage therapy of multidrug resistant bacteria must be highly purified prior to use. There are limited purification approaches that are broadly applicable to many phage types. Electrokinetics has shown great potential to manipulate phages, but obstructions from the cell debris produced during phage propagation can severely diminish the capacity of an electrokinetic device to concentrate and purify phage samples. A multipart insulator‐based electrokinetic device is proposed here to remove the larger, undesirable components of mixtures from phage preparations while transferring the freshly purified and concentrated sample to a second stage for downstream analysis. By combining the large debris prescreen and analysis stages in a streamlined system, this approach simultaneously reduces the impact of clogging and minimizes the sample loss observed during manual transferring of purified samples. Polystyrene particles were used to demonstrate a diminished sample loss of approximately one order of magnitude when using the cascade device as opposed to a manual transfer scheme. The purification and concentration of three different phage samples were demonstrated using the first stage of the cascade device as a prescreen. This design provides a simple method of purifying and concentrating valuable samples from a complex mixture that might impede separation capacity in a single channel.
Properties of electrochemically copolymerized aniline and melamine on functionalized multiwalled‐carbon nanotube film electrodes
Authors: Tham Guo Xiong , Subrata Arnold , Fisher Adrian C. , Webster Richard D. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractThe electrochemical properties of polymerized aniline (PANI) and polymerized melamine (PMEL) that were electrochemical copolymerized (PANIMEL) on a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) that had been coated with functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes (fMWCNT) to form a PANIMEL/fMWCNT/GCE film electrode were studied, with an aim toward electrochemical energy storage (EES). A number of factors, such as the choice of working electrode, electrolyte, switching potential, applied scan rate, and type of fMWCNTs, were initially investigated and evaluated during the individual electrochemical polymerization of aniline and melamine via successive potential cycling. The electrochemical copolymerisation of aniline and melamine was then studied with an ideal monomeric ratio of 1:3 that gave an optimal ratio of the voltammetric peak current heights with distinguishable redox peak potentials. Variable scan rate cyclic voltammetry (CV) of the electrosynthesized copolymer film electrode confirmed the dominance of the surface‐confined electron transfer process at the electrode. The electrochemical stability of the copolymer film electrode was also assessed and revealed a limited cyclability of the daughter polymeric melamine, which was hypothesized to be due to an excessive nitrogen content combined with a low porosity that led to a poor ion intercalation‐deintercalation mechanism. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) was performed to evaluate the electrochemical performance of the copolymerized film electrode with other control electrodes. The corresponding EIS results suggested that the copolymerized film electrode was electrochemically superior to the PMEL/fMWCNT/GCE film electrode but was inferior to the PANI/fMWCNT/GCE film electrode.
In Vivo Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy of Hyperpolarized [1‐13C]Pyruvate and Proton Density Fat Fraction in a Guinea Pig Model of Non‐Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Development After Life‐Long Western Diet Consumption
Authors: Smith Lauren M. , Pitts Conrad B. , Friesen‐Waldner Lanette J. , Prabhu Neetin H. , Mathers Katherine E. , Sinclair Kevin J. , Wade Trevor P. , Regnault Timothy R.H. , McKenzie Charles A. 
Published: May 2021

BackgroundAlterations in glycolysis are central to the increasing incidence of non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), highlighting a need for in vivo, non‐invasive technologies to understand the development of hepatic metabolic aberrations.PurposeTo use hyperpolarized magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) and proton density fat fraction (PDFF) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques to investigate the effects of a chronic, life‐long exposure to the Western diet (WD) in an animal model resulting in NAFLD; to investigate the hypothesis that exposure to the WD will result in NAFLD in association with altered pyruvate metabolism.Study TypeProspective.Animal ModelTwenty‐eight male guinea pigs weaned onto a control diet (N = 14) or WD (N = 14).Field Strength/Sequence3 T; T1‐weighted gradient echo, T2‐weighted spin‐echo, three‐dimensional gradient multi‐echo fat‐water separation (IDEAL‐IQ), and broadband point‐resolved spectroscopy (PRESS) chemical‐shift sequences.AssessmentMedian PDFF was calculated in the liver and hind limbs. [1‐13C]pyruvate dynamic MRS in the liver was quantified by the time‐to‐peak (TTP) for each metabolite. Animals were euthanized and tissue was analyzed for lipid and cholesterol concentration and enzyme level and activity.Statistical TestsUnpaired Student's t‐tests were used to determine differences in measurements between the two diet groups. The Pearson correlation coefficient was calculated to determine correlations between measurements.ResultsLife‐long WD consumption resulted in significantly higher liver PDFF and elevated triglyceride content in the liver. The WD group exhibited a decreased TTP for lactate production, and ex vivo analysis highlighted increased liver lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity.Data ConclusionPDFF MRI results suggest differential fat deposition patterns occurring in animals fed a life‐long WD characteristic of lean, or lacking excessive subcutaneous fat, NAFLD. The decreased liver lactate TTP and increased ex vivo LDH activity suggest lipid accumulation occurs in association with a shift from oxidative metabolism to anaerobic glycolytic metabolism in WD‐exposed livers.Level of Evidence2Technical Efficacy Stage1
Multiparametric Magnetic Resonance Imaging‐Based Peritumoral Radiomics for Preoperative Prediction of the Presence of Extracapsular Extension With Prostate Cancer
Authors: Bai Honglin , Xia Wei , Ji Xuefu , He Dong , Zhao Xingyu , Bao Jie , Zhou Jian , Wei Xuedong , Huang Yuhua , Li Qiong , Gao Xin 
Published: May 2021

BackgroundPreoperative prediction of extracapsular extension (ECE) of prostate cancer (PCa) is important to guide clinical decision‐making and improve patient prognosis.PurposeTo investigate the value of multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI)‐based peritumoral radiomics for preoperative prediction of the presence of ECE.Study TypeRetrospective.PopulationTwo hundred eighty‐four patients with PCa from two centers (center 1: 226 patients; center 2: 58 patients). Cases from center 1 were randomly divided into training (158 patients) and internal validation (68 patients) sets. Cases from center 2 were assigned to the external validation set.Field Strength/SequenceA 3.0 T MRI scanners (three vendors). Sequence: Pelvic T2‐weighted turbo/fast spin echo sequence and diffusion weighted echo planar imaging sequence.AssessmentThe peritumoral region (PTR) was obtained by 3–12 mm (half of the tumor length) 3D dilatation of the intratumoral region (ITR). Single‐MRI radiomics signatures, mpMRI radiomics signatures, and integrated models, which combined clinical characteristics with the radiomics signatures were built. The discrimination ability was assessed by area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) in the internal and external validation sets.Statistical TestsFisher's exact test, Mann–Whitney U‐test, DeLong test.ResultsThe PTR radiomics signatures demonstrated significantly better performance than the corresponding ITR radiomics signatures (AUC: 0.674 vs. 0.554, P < 0.05 on T2‐weighted, 0.652 vs. 0.546, P < 0.05 on apparent diffusion coefficient, 0.682 vs. 0.556 on mpMRI in the external validation set). The integrated models combining the PTR radiomics signature with clinical characteristics performed better than corresponding radiomics signatures in the internal validation set (eg. AUC: 0.718 vs. 0.671, P < 0.05 on mpMRI) but performed similar in the external validation set (eg. AUC: 0.684, vs. 0.682, P = 0.45 on mpMRI).Data ConclusionThe peritumoral radiomics can better predict the presence of ECE preoperatively compared with the intratumoral radiomics and may have better generalization than clinical characteristics.Evidence Level4Technical Efficacy2
In vivo CRISPR screening for novel noncoding RNA functional targets in glioblastoma models
Authors: Attenello Frank Joseph , Tsung Kathleen , Bishara Isaac , Loh Yong‐Hwee Eddie , Chen Thomas C. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractCRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat)‐based genetic screens offer unbiased and powerful tools for systematic and specific evaluation of phenotypes associated with specific target genes. CRISPR screens have been utilized heavily in vitro to identify functional coding and noncoding genes in a large number of cell types, including glioblastoma (GB), though no prior study has described the evaluation of CRISPR screening in GB in vivo. Here, we describe a protocol for targeting and transcriptionally repressing GB‐specific long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) by CRISPR interference (CRISPRi) system in vivo, with tumor growth in the mouse cerebral cortex. Given the target‐specific parameters of each individual screen, we list general steps involved in transducing guide RNA libraries into GB tumor lines, maintaining sufficient coverage, as well as cortically injecting and subsequently isolating transduced screen tumor cell populations for analysis. Finally, in order to demonstrate the use of this technique to discern an essential lncRNA, HOTAIR, from a nonessential lncRNA, we injected a 1:1 (HOTAIR:control nonessential lncRNA knockdown) mixture of fluorescently tagged U87 GB cells into the cortex of eight mice, evaluating selective depletion of HOTAIR‐tagged cells at 2 weeks of growth. Fluorescently tagged populations were analyzed via flow cytometry for hiBFP (control knockdown) and green fluorescent protein (HOTAIR knockdown), revealing 17% (p = 0.007) decrease in fluorescence associated with HOTAIR knockdown relative to control. The described in vivo CRISPR screening methodology thus appears to be an effective option for identifying noncoding (and coding) genes affecting GB growth within the mouse cortex.
Artificial intelligence and technical efficiency: The case of Indian commercial banks
Authors: Mor Surender , Gupta Geetu 
Published: May 2021

AbstractThe deployment of artificial intelligence (AI) in chatbots, virtual assistants, and ATMs reduces technical inefficiency in Indian commercial banks. The impact of (AI) on the technical efficiency of 47 examined commercial banks in India has reduced technical inefficiency to 11%, primarily due to internal factors or decision making. The verdict endorses the speeding up of (AI) deployment besides raising the level of assets, reducing the nonperforming assets, especially banks functioning in the public sector.
Effect of operating parameters on the physical and chemical stability of an oil gelled‐in‐water emulsified curcumin delivery system
Authors: Vellido‐Perez Jose Antonio , Ochando‐Pulido Javier Miguel , Brito‐de la Fuente Edmundo , Martinez‐Ferez Antonio 
Published: May 2021

AbstractBACKGROUNDCurcumin is a natural antioxidant with important beneficial properties for health, although its low bioavailability and sensitivity to many environmental agents limits its use in the food industry. Furthermore, some studies mention a potential synergistic effect with omega‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, comprising other bioactive compounds extremely unstable and susceptible to oxidation. A relatively novel strategy to avoid oxidation processes is to transform liquid oils into three‐dimensional structures by adding a gelling agent and forming a self‐assembled network that can later be vectorized by incorporating it into other systems. The present study aimed to design and optimize an oil gelled‐in‐water curcumin‐loaded emulsion to maximize curcumin stability and minimize lipid oxidation in terms of some critical operating parameters, such as dispersed phase, emulsifier and stabilizer concentrations, and homogenization rate.RESULTSThe operating conditions that had a significant effect on the formulation were the dispersed phase weight fraction affecting droplet size and total lipid oxidation, homogenization conditions affecting droplet size and primary lipid oxidation, and emulsifier concentration affecting droplet size (significance level = 95%). The optimal formulation for maximizing curcumin load and minimizing lipid oxidation in the oleogelified matrix was 140.4 g kg−1 dispersed phase, 50.0 g kg−1 emulsifier, 4.9 g kg−1 stabilizer and homogenization speed 1016 × g.CONCLUSIONThe results obtained in the present study provide a valuable tool for the rational design and development of oil gelled‐in‐water emulsions that stabilize and transport bioactive compounds such as curcumin. © 2021 The Authors. Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
Using Fecal DNA and Closed‐Capture Models to Estimate Feral Horse Population Size
Authors: Schoenecker Kathryn A. , King Sarah R. B. , Ekernas L. Stefan , Oyler‐McCance Sara J. 
Published: May 2021

ABSTRACTAccurate population estimates provide the foundation for managing feral horses (Equus caballus ferus) across the western United States. Certain feral horse populations are protected by the Wild and Free‐Roaming Horses and Burros Act of 1971 and managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) or the United States Forest Service on designated herd management areas (HMAs) or wild horse territories, respectively. Horses are managed to achieve an appropriate management level (AML), which represents the number of horses determined by BLM to contribute to a thriving natural ecological balance and avoid deterioration of the range. To achieve AML for each HMA, BLM resource managers need accurate and precise population estimates. We tested the use of non‐invasive fecal samples in a genetic capture‐recapture framework to estimate population size in a closed horse population at the Little Book Cliffs HMA, Colorado, USA, with a known size of 153 individuals. We collected 1,957 samples over 3 independent sampling periods in 2014 and amplified them at 8 microsatellite loci. We applied mark‐recapture models to determine population size using 954 samples that amplified at all 8 loci. We subsampled and reanalyzed our dataset to simulate different data collection protocols and evaluated effects on accuracy and precision of estimates using N‐mixture modeling, full likelihood closed‐capture modeling, and capwire single‐occasion modeling that used data from all 3 sampling periods. Our model results were accurate and precise for analyses that used data from all 3 occasions; however, capwire single‐occasion modeling was not accurate when we analyzed each sampling period separately. For all subsampling analysis scenarios, reducing sample size decreased precision, whether by reducing number of field staff, field days, or geographic areas surveyed on each period. Reducing spatial coverage of the survey area did not result in accurate population estimates and only marginally lowered the number of samples that would need to be collected to maintain accuracy. Because laboratory analysis contributes the greatest expense for this method ($80 U.S./sample), reducing fecal sample size is advantageous. Our results demonstrate that non‐invasive sampling combined with good survey design and careful genetic and capture‐recapture analyses can provide an alternative method to estimate the number of feral horses in a closed population. This method may be especially appropriate in situations where aerial inventories are not practical or accurate because of low sighting conditions. But the higher costs associated with laboratory sample analyses may reduce the method's feasibility compared to helicopter surveys. © 2021 The Wildlife Society. This article has been contributed to by US Government employees and their work is in the public domain in the USA.