bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A unified constitutive model for pressure sensitive shear flow transitions in moderate dense granular materials
Authors: Cheng Xiaohui , Xiao Shize , Cao Alex Sixie , Hou Meiying 
Published: October 2021

AbstractGranular shear flows exhibit complex transitional regimes that are dramatically affected by the pressure level and shear stress state. New advances in granular shear tests at low pressure have enlightened the understanding of the two granular shear flow transitions: between quasi-static and moderate shear flows, and between steady-state and transient shear flows. However, a unified constitutive model to describe these two transitions is yet to develop. In this work, a simplified and unified model is proposed based on innovative triaxial shear flow tests, using two dimensionless physical variables. Model results validated against experimental data suggest that the shear flow transition between a quasi-static to a moderate Isotach type flow state is highly pressure-dependent. At extremely low pressure, the granular viscosity becomes the primary mechanism, suppressing the quasi-static mechanism even under “quasi-static” shear rates. In transient to steady state granular flow transitions, a mobilized shear stress ratio or mobilized friction coefficient between zero and the critical state ratio for consolidated granular packings is taken into consideration. This is coupled with the mechanism of granular viscosity. These findings have not been discussed before and are of great relevance to granular mechanics as well as space and earthquake engineering.
Detection and analysis of COVID-19 in medical images using deep learning techniques
Authors: Yang Dandi , Martinez Cristhian , Visuña Lara , Khandhar Hardev , Bhatt Chintan , Carretero Jesus 
Published: October 2021

AbstractThe main purpose of this work is to investigate and compare several deep learning enhanced techniques applied to X-ray and CT-scan medical images for the detection of COVID-19. In this paper, we used four powerful pre-trained CNN models, VGG16, DenseNet121, ResNet50,and ResNet152, for the COVID-19 CT-scan binary classification task. The proposed Fast.AI ResNet framework was designed to find out the best architecture, pre-processing, and training parameters for the models largely automatically. The accuracy and F1-score were both above 96% in the diagnosis of COVID-19 using CT-scan images. In addition, we applied transfer learning techniques to overcome the insufficient data and to improve the training time. The binary and multi-class classification of X-ray images tasks were performed by utilizing enhanced VGG16 deep transfer learning architecture. High accuracy of 99% was achieved by enhanced VGG16 in the detection of X-ray images from COVID-19 and pneumonia. The accuracy and validity of the algorithms were assessed on X-ray and CT-scan well-known public datasets. The proposed methods have better results for COVID-19 diagnosis than other related in literature. In our opinion, our work can help virologists and radiologists to make a better and faster diagnosis in the struggle against the outbreak of COVID-19.
Iron homeostasis in the absence of ferricrocin and its consequences in fungal development and insect virulence in Beauveria bassiana
Authors: Jirakkakul Jiraporn , Wichienchote Nuchnudda , Likhitrattanapisal Somsak , Ingsriswang Supawadee , Yoocha Thippawan , Tangphatsornruang Sithichoke , Wasuwan Rudsamee , Cheevadhanarak Supapon , Tanticharoen Morakot , Amnuaykanjanasin Alongkorn 
Published: October 2021

AbstractThe putative ferricrocin synthetase gene ferS in the fungal entomopathogen Beauveria bassiana BCC 2660 was identified and characterized. The 14,445-bp ferS encodes a multimodular nonribosomal siderophore synthetase tightly clustered with Fusarium graminearum ferricrocin synthetase. Functional analysis of this gene was performed by disruption with the bar cassette. ΔferS mutants were verified by Southern and PCR analyses. HPLC and TLC analyses of crude extracts indicated that biosynthesis of ferricrocin was abolished in ΔferS. Insect bioassays surprisingly indicated that ΔferS killed the Spodoptera exigua larvae faster (LT50 59 h) than wild type (66 h). Growth and developmental assays of the mutant and wild type demonstrated that ΔferS had a significant increase in germination under iron depletion and radial growth and a decrease in conidiation. Mitotracker staining showed that the mitochondrial activity was enriched in ΔferS under both iron excess and iron depletion. Comparative transcriptomes between wild type and ΔferS indicated that the mutant was increased in the expression of eight cytochrome P450 genes and those in iron homeostasis, ferroptosis, oxidative stress response, ergosterol biosynthesis, and TCA cycle, compared to wild type. Our data suggested that ΔferS sensed the iron excess and the oxidative stress and, in turn, was up-regulated in the antioxidant-related genes and those in ergosterol biosynthesis and TCA cycle. These increased biological pathways help ΔferS grow and germinate faster than the wild type and caused higher insect mortality than the wild type in the early phase of infection.
The importance of three dimensional coronary artery reconstruction accuracy when computing virtual fractional flow reserve from invasive angiography
Authors: Solanki Roshni , Gosling Rebecca , Rammohan Vignesh , Pederzani Giulia , Garg Pankaj , Heppenstall James , Hose D. Rodney , Lawford Patricia V. , Narracott Andrew J. , Fenner John , Gunn Julian P. , Morris Paul D. 
Published: October 2021

AbstractThree dimensional (3D) coronary anatomy, reconstructed from coronary angiography (CA), is now being used as the basis to compute ‘virtual’ fractional flow reserve (vFFR), and thereby guide treatment decisions in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Reconstruction accuracy is therefore important. Yet the methods required remain poorly validated. Furthermore, the magnitude of vFFR error arising from reconstruction is unkown. We aimed to validate a method for 3D CA reconstruction and determine the effect this had upon the accuracy of vFFR. Clinically realistic coronary phantom models were created comprosing seven standard stenoses in aluminium and 15 patient-based 3D-printed, imaged with CA, three times, according to standard clinical protocols, yielding 66 datasets. Each was reconstructed using epipolar line projection and intersection. All reconstructions were compared against the real phantom models in terms of minimal lumen diameter, centreline and surface similarity. 3D-printed reconstructions (n = 45) and the reference files from which they were printed underwent vFFR computation, and the results were compared. The average error in reconstructing minimum lumen diameter (MLD) was 0.05 (± 0.03 mm) which was < 1% (95% CI 0.13–1.61%) compared with caliper measurement. Overall surface similarity was excellent (Hausdorff distance 0.65 mm). Errors in 3D CA reconstruction accounted for an error in vFFR of ± 0.06 (Bland Altman 95% limits of agreement). Errors arising from the epipolar line projection method used to reconstruct 3D coronary anatomy from CA are small but contribute to clinically relevant errors when used to compute vFFR.
Dynamics in C, N, and P stoichiometry and microbial biomass following soil depth and vegetation types in low mountain and hill region of China
Authors: Jiang Wenting , Gong Lei , Yang Lihui , He Shuping , Liu Xiaohu 
Published: October 2021

AbstractChanges in soil carbon (C):nitrogen (N):phosphorus (P) stoichiometry have great significance on understand regulatory mechanism and restoration of ecosystem functions. However, the responses of C, N and P stoichiometry to soil depth and different vegetation types remains elusive. To address this problem, the study aims to explore the effects of soil depth and vegetation types on soil C, N, and P stoichiometry, and their relationships with microbial biomass in low mountain and hill region of China. The results indicated that soil SOC and TN concentrations in oak forest were markedly higher than those in grassland, and the vertical distribution of SOC and TN concentration showed an inverted triangle trend as the soil deepens. However, there was no significant change in soil TP concentration among 0–20 cm, 20–40 cm, and 40–60 cm. Soil C/N among different layers (0–20, 20–40, and 40–60 cm) is narrower fluctuation margin, and its value is basically stable within a certain range (11–14.5). Both soil C/P and N/P showed significant variability in different vegetation types, and soil N/P decreased with soil layers deepen. Both the microbial biomass C (MBC) and N (MBN) showed a decreasing trend with the increase of soil depth, and three soil layers from high to low was: oak forest > pine forest > grassland. Our results will potentially provide useful information for the vegetation restoration and forest management and great significance to enrich the scientific theory of ecological stoichiometry.
Divergent connectomic organization delineates genetic evolutionary traits in the human brain
Authors: Bueichekú Elisenda , Gonzalez-de-Echavarri Jose M. , Ortiz-Teran Laura , Montal Victor , d’Oleire Uquillas Federico , De Marcos Lola , Orwig William , Kim Chan-Mi , Ortiz-Teran Elena , Basaia Silvia , Diez Ibai , Sepulcre Jorge 
Published: October 2021

AbstractThe relationship between human brain connectomics and genetic evolutionary traits remains elusive due to the inherent challenges in combining complex associations within cerebral tissue. In this study, insights are provided about the relationship between connectomics, gene expression and divergent evolutionary pathways from non-human primates to humans. Using in vivo human brain resting-state data, we detected two co-existing idiosyncratic functional systems: the segregation network, in charge of module specialization, and the integration network, responsible for information flow. Their topology was approximated to whole-brain genetic expression (Allen Human Brain Atlas) and the co-localization patterns yielded that neuron communication functionalities—linked to Neuron Projection—were overrepresented cell traits. Homologue-orthologue comparisons using dN/dS-ratios bridged the gap between neurogenetic outcomes and biological data, summarizing the known evolutionary divergent pathways within the Homo Sapiens lineage. Evidence suggests that a crosstalk between functional specialization and information flow reflects putative biological qualities of brain architecture, such as neurite cellular functions like axonal or dendrite processes, hypothesized to have been selectively conserved in the species through positive selection. These findings expand our understanding of human brain function and unveil aspects of our cognitive trajectory in relation to our simian ancestors previously left unexplored.
Simulation of nano elastic polymer chain displacement under pressure gradient/electroosmotic flow with the target of less dispersion of transition
Authors: Zakeri Ramin , Lee Eon Soo 
Published: October 2021

AbstractSince non-scattering transfer of polymer chain in nanochannel is one of the important issue in biology, in this research, the behavior study of a long polymer chain in the nanofluid in two modes of free motion and restricted motion (fixed two ends) under two different forces including constant force (pressure gradient (PG)) and variable force (electroosmotic force (EOF)) has been investigated using dissipative particle dynamics (DPD) method. Our aim is that displacement of polymer chain carries out with less dispersion. Initially, without the presence of polymer, the results have been validated in a nanochannel by analytical results for both cases (PG, EOF) with an error of less than 10%. Then, assuming 50 beads of polymer chain, the polymer chain motion in free motion and fixed two ends modes has been examined by different spring coefficients between beads and different forces including PG (0.01 DPD unite) and EOF (zeta potential =  − 25 mV, electric field = 250 V/mm, kh parameter = 8). The results show that in free polymer motion-PG mode, by increasing 1.6 times of spring coefficient of the polymer, a 40% reduction in transition of polymer is achieved, which high dispersion of polymer chain is resulted for this mode. In the EOF, the spring coefficient has a slight effect on transferring of polymer and also, EOF moves the polymer chain with extremely low polymer chain scattering. Also, for fixed two ends-PG mode, a 36% reduction in displacement is achieved and in the same way, in EOF almost 39% declining in displacement is resulted by enhancing the spring coefficients. The results have developed to 25 and 100 beads which less dispersion of polymer chain transfer for free polymer chain-EOF is reported again for both circumstances and for restricted polymer chain state in two PG and EOF modes, less differences are reported for two cases. The results show that the EOF has the benefit of low dispersion for free polymer chain transfer, also, almost equal displacement for restricted polymer chain mode is observed for both cases.
Uncovering the transcriptional response of popcorn (Zea mays L. var. everta) under long-term aluminum toxicity
Authors: Pinto Vitor Batista , Ferreira Priscila Gonçalves , Vidigal Pedro Marcus Pereira , de Oliveira Mendes Tiago Antônio , Dal-Bianco Maximiller , de Magalhaes Jurandir Vieira , Viana José Marcelo Soriano 
Published: October 2021

AbstractTo date, the investigation of genes involved in Al resistance has focused mainly on microarrays and short periods of Al exposure. We investigated genes involved in the global response under Al stress by tracking the expression profile of two inbred popcorn lines with different Al sensitivity during 72 h of Al stress. A total of 1003 differentially expressed genes were identified in the Al-sensitive line, and 1751 were identified in the Al-resistant line, of which 273 were shared in both lines. Genes in the category of “response to abiotic stress” were present in both lines, but there was a higher number in the Al-resistant line. Transcription factors, genes involved in fatty acid biosynthesis, and genes involved in cell wall modifications were also detected. In the Al-resistant line, GST6 was identified as one of the key hub genes by co-expression network analysis, and ABC6 may play a role in the downstream regulation of CASP-like 5. In addition, we suggest a class of SWEET transporters that might be involved in the regulation of vacuolar sugar storage and may serve as mechanisms for Al resistance. The results and conclusions expand our understanding of the complex mechanisms involved in Al toxicity and provide a platform for future functional analyses and genomic studies of Al stress in popcorn.
Effect of dietary tannin supplementation on cow milk quality in two different grazing seasons
Authors: Menci R. , Natalello A. , Luciano G. , Priolo A. , Valenti B. , Farina G. , Caccamo M. , Niderkorn V. , Coppa M. 
Published: October 2021

AbstractExtensive farming systems are characterized by seasons with different diet quality along the year, as pasture availability is strictly depending on climatic conditions. A number of problems for cattle may occur in each season. Tannins are natural polyphenolic compounds that can be integrated in cows’ diet to overcome these seasonal problems, but little is known about their effect on milk quality according to the season. This study was designed to assess the effects of 150 g/head × day of tannin extract supplementation on proximate composition, urea, colour, cheesemaking aptitude, antioxidant capacity, and fatty acid (FA) profile of cow milk, measured during the wet season (WS) and the dry season (DS) of Mediterranean climate. In WS, dietary tannins had marginal effect on milk quality. Conversely, in DS, the milk from cows eating tannins showed 10% lower urea and slight improvement in antioxidant capacity, measured with FRAP and TEAC assays. Also, tannin extract supplementation in DS reduced branched-chain FA concentration, C18:1 t10 to C18:1 t11 ratio and rumenic to linoleic acid ratio. Tannins effect on rumen metabolism was enhanced in the season in which green herbage was not available, probably because of the low protein content, and high acid detergent fibre and lignin contents in diet. Thus, the integration of tannin in the diet should be adapted to the season. This could have practical implications for a more conscious use of tannin-rich extracts, and other tannin sources such as agro-industrial by-products and forages.
Blood Volume as a new functional image-based biomarker of progression in metastatic renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Drljevic-Nielsen Aska , Rasmussen Finn , Mains Jill Rachel , Thorup Kennet , Donskov Frede 
Published: October 2021

AbstractRECIST v1.1 has limitations in evaluating progression. We assessed Dynamic Constrast Enhanced Computed Tomography (DCE-CT) identified Blood Volume (BV) for the evaluation of progressive disease (PD) in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC). BV was quantified prospectively at baseline, after one month, then every three months until PD. Relative changes (ΔBV) were assessed at each timepoint compared with baseline values. The primary endpoint was Time to PD (TTP), the secondary endpoint was Time to the scan prior to PD (PDminus1). Cox proportional hazard models adjusted ΔBV for treatments and International mRCC Database Consortium factors. A total of 62 patients had analyzable scans at the PD timepoint. Median BV was 23.92 mL × 100 g−1 (range 4.40–399.04) at PD and 26.39 mL × 100 g−1 (range 8.70–77.44) at PDminus1. In the final multivariate analysis higher ΔBV was statistically significantly associated with shorter Time to PD, HR 1.11 (95% CI 1.07–1.15, P < 0.001). Also assessed at PDminus1, higher ΔBV was significantly associated with shorter time to PD, HR 1.14 (95% CI 1.01–1.28, P = 0.031). In conclusion, DCE-CT identified BV is a new image-based biomarker of therapy progression in patients with mRCC.
The influence of the chemical composition of essential oils of Clausena lansium seeds on the growth of Candida strains
Authors: Ma Yinzheng , Wang Yuanxiao , Zhou Xia , Yang Heng , Zhang Huixin , Chen Wenhan , Zhang Haiying , Zhang Yunxia , He Xiaowen 
Published: October 2021

AbstractClausena lansium (Lour.) Skeels seeds have been shown to have diverse beneficial medical value due to their unique active components. This study analysed the composition of essential oils (EOs) of C. lansium seeds and investigated their potential antifungal effects against Candida strains. A total of forty-six components were identified in all samples by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS). The main components were sabinene, β-phellandrene and 4-terpineol. Thirteen EOs of C. lansium seeds were classified into three clusters based on their components. Cluster analysis showed that the difference between the tropics and subtropics was the greatest. These EOs and the three main chemicals showed different antifungal activities against five Candida species (C. albicans, C. tropicalis, C. glabrata, C. krusei and C. parapsilosis). The antifungal activity against C. glabrata and C. krusei was higher than that against other Candida strains. EOs of C. lansium seeds displayed noteworthy antifungal activity against both sensitive and fluconazole-resistant strains, with inhibition zone diameters in the range of 9.4–23.4 mm. Comprehensive analysis illustrated the importance of sabinene, β-phellandrene and 4-terpineol to antifungal activity, and there may be some synergistic effects with other components. These results represent the first report about the correlation between the chemical composition of EOs of C. lansium seeds and antifungal activity. Taken together, the results obtained provide scientific evidence for the traditional use of C. lansium seeds waste.
Plasmon-enhanced reduced graphene oxide photodetector with monometallic of Au and Ag nanoparticles at VIS–NIR region
Authors: Rohizat Nurul Syazwani , Ripain Atiena Husna Abdullah , Lim Chin Seong , Tan Chee Leong , Zakaria Rozalina 
Published: October 2021

AbstractHybrids plasmonic nanoparticles (NPs) and unique 2D graphene significantly enhanced the photoresponse of the photodetectors. The metallic NPs that exhibit localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) improves strong light absorption, scattering and localized electromagnetic field by the incident photons depending on the optimum condition of NPs. We report high-performance photodetectors based on reduced graphene oxide (rGO) integrated with monometallic of Au and Ag nanoparticles via a familiar fabrication technique using an electron beam evaporation machine. Under 680 nm illumination of light, our rGO photodetector exhibited the highest performance for Au-rGO with the highest responsivity of 67.46 AW−1 and the highest specific detectivity (2.39 × 1013 Jones). Meanwhile, Ag-rGO achieved the highest responsivity of 17.23 AW−1, specific detectivity (7.17 × 1011 Jones) at 785 nm. The response time are 0.146 µs and 0.135 µs for Au-rGO and Ag-rGO respectively for both wavelengths. The proposed photodetector with combining monometallic and graphene provide a new strategy to construct reliable and next-generation optoelectronic devices at VIS–NIR region.
Comparative genome-wide analysis of WRKY, MADS-box and MYB transcription factor families in Arabidopsis and rice
Authors: Abdullah-Zawawi Muhammad-Redha , Ahmad-Nizammuddin Nur-Farhana , Govender Nisha , Harun Sarahani , Mohd-Assaad Norfarhan , Mohamed-Hussein Zeti-Azura 
Published: October 2021

AbstractTranscription factors (TFs) form the major class of regulatory genes and play key roles in multiple plant stress responses. In most eukaryotic plants, transcription factor (TF) families (WRKY, MADS-box and MYB) activate unique cellular-level abiotic and biotic stress-responsive strategies, which are considered as key determinants for defense and developmental processes. Arabidopsis and rice are two important representative model systems for dicot and monocot plants, respectively. A comprehensive comparative study on 101 OsWRKY, 34 OsMADS box and 122 OsMYB genes (rice genome) and, 71 AtWRKY, 66 AtMADS box and 144 AtMYB genes (Arabidopsis genome) showed various relationships among TFs across species. The phylogenetic analysis clustered WRKY, MADS-box and MYB TF family members into 10, 7 and 14 clades, respectively. All clades in WRKY and MYB TF families and almost half of the total number of clades in the MADS-box TF family are shared between both species. Chromosomal and gene structure analysis showed that the Arabidopsis-rice orthologous TF gene pairs were unevenly localized within their chromosomes whilst the distribution of exon–intron gene structure and motif conservation indicated plausible functional similarity in both species. The abiotic and biotic stress-responsive cis-regulatory element type and distribution patterns in the promoter regions of Arabidopsis and rice WRKY, MADS-box and MYB orthologous gene pairs provide better knowledge on their role as conserved regulators in both species. Co-expression network analysis showed the correlation between WRKY, MADs-box and MYB genes in each independent rice and Arabidopsis network indicating their role in stress responsiveness and developmental processes.