bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Rapid geographical indication of peppercorn seeds using corona discharge mass spectrometry
Authors: Charoensumran Preeyarad , Rauytanapanit Monrawat , Sricharoen Nontawat , Smith Barry L. , Wongravee Kanet , Maher Simon , Praneenararat Thanit 
Published: August 2021

AbstractWith increasing demands for more rapid and practical analyses, various techniques of ambient ionization mass spectrometry have gained significant interest due to the speed of analysis and abundance of information provided. Herein, an ambient ionization technique that utilizes corona discharge was applied, for the first time, to analyze and categorize whole seeds of black and white peppers from different origins. This setup requires no solvent application nor gas flow, thus resulting in a very simple and rapid analysis that can be applied directly to the sample without any prior workup or preparation. Combined with robust data pre-processing and subsequent chemometric analyses, this analytical method was capable of indicating the geographical origin of each pepper source with up to 98% accuracies in all sub-studies. The simplicity and speed of this approach open up the exciting opportunity for onsite analysis without the need for a highly trained operator. Furthermore, this methodology can be applied to a variety of spices and herbs, whose geographical indication or similar intellectual properties are economically important, hence it is capable of creating tremendous impact in the food and agricultural industries.
Effect of EPSPS gene copy number and glyphosate selection on fitness of glyphosate-resistant Bassia scoparia in the field
Authors: Lim Charlemagne Ajoc , Jha Prashant , Kumar Vipan , Dyer Alan T. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractThe widespread evolution of glyphosate-resistant (GR) Bassia scoparia in the U.S. Great Plains poses a serious threat to the long-term sustainability of GR sugar beet. Glyphosate resistance in B. scoparia is due to an increase in the EPSPS (5-enolpyruvyl-shikimate-3-phosphate) gene copy number. The variation in EPSPS gene copies among individuals from within a single GR B. scoparia population indicated a differential response to glyphosate selection. With the continued use of glyphosate in GR sugar beet, the effect of increasing glyphosate rates (applied as single or sequential applications) on the fitness of GR B. scoparia individuals with variable EPSPS gene copies was tested under field conditions. The variation in EPSPS gene copy number and total glyphosate rate (single or sequential applications) did not influence any of the reproductive traits of GR B. scoparia, except seed production. Sequential applications of glyphosate with a total rate of 2214 g ae ha−1 or higher prevented seed production in B. scoparia plants with 2–4 (low levels of resistance) and 5–6 (moderate levels of resistance) EPSPS gene copies. Timely sequential applications of glyphosate (full recommended rates) can potentially slow down the evolution of GR B. scoparia with low to moderate levels of resistance (2–6 EPSPS gene copies), but any survivors (highly-resistant individuals with ≥ 8 EPSPS gene copies) need to be mechanically removed before flowering from GR sugar beet fields. This research warrants the need to adopt ecologically based, multi-tactic strategies to reduce exposure of B. scoparia to glyphosate in GR sugar beet.
Validating deep learning inference during chest X-ray classification for COVID-19 screening
Authors: Sadre Robbie , Sundaram Baskaran , Majumdar Sharmila , Ushizima Daniela 
Published: August 2021

AbstractThe new coronavirus unleashed a worldwide pandemic in early 2020, and a fatality rate several times that of the flu. As the number of infections soared, and capabilities for testing lagged behind, chest X-ray (CXR) imaging became more relevant in the early diagnosis and treatment planning for patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 infection. In a few weeks, proposed new methods for lung screening using deep learning rapidly appeared, while quality assurance discussions lagged behind. This paper proposes a set of protocols to validate deep learning algorithms, including our ROI Hide-and-Seek protocol, which emphasizes or hides key regions of interest from CXR data. Our protocol allows assessing the classification performance for anomaly detection and its correlation to radiological signatures, an important issue overlooked in several deep learning approaches proposed so far. By running a set of systematic tests over CXR representations using public image datasets, we demonstrate the weaknesses of current techniques and offer perspectives on the advantages and limitations of automated radiography analysis when using heterogeneous data sources.
The relationship between cholinergic system brain structure and function in healthy adults and patients with mild cognitive impairment
Authors: Peter Jessica , Mayer Isabella , Kammer Thomas , Minkova Lora , Lahr Jacob , Klöppel Stefan , Grothe Michel J. , Orth Michael 
Published: August 2021

AbstractWe assessed the structure–function relationship of the human cholinergic system and hypothesized that structural measures are associated with short-latency sensory afferent inhibition (SAI), an electrophysiological measure of central cholinergic signal transmission. Healthy volunteers (n = 36) and patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI, n = 20) underwent median nerve SAI and 3T structural MRI to determine the volume of the basal forebrain and the thalamus. Patients with MCI had smaller basal forebrain (p < 0.001) or thalamus volumes (p < 0.001) than healthy volunteers. Healthy SAI responders (> 10% SAI) had more basal forebrain volume than non-responders (p = 0.004) or patients with MCI (p < 0.001). More basal forebrain volume was associated with stronger SAI in healthy volunteers (r = 0.33, p < 0.05) but not patients with MCI. There was no significant relationship between thalamus volumes and SAI. Basal forebrain volume is associated with cholinergic function (SAI) in healthy volunteers but not in MCI patients. The in-vivo investigation of the structure–function relationship could further our understanding of the human cholinergic system in patients with suspected or known cholinergic system degeneration.
Targeted activity of the small molecule kinase inhibitor Pz-1 towards RET and TRK kinases
Authors: Moccia Marialuisa , Yang Donglin , Lakkaniga Naga Rajiv , Frett Brendan , McConnell Nicholas , Zhang Lingtian , Brescia Annalisa , Federico Giorgia , Zhang Lingzhi , Salerno Paolo , Santoro Massimo , Li Hong-yu , Carlomagno Francesca 
Published: August 2021

AbstractWe have recently described Pz-1, a benzimidazole-based type-2 RET and VEGFR2 inhibitor. Based on a kinome scan, here we show that Pz-1 is also a potent (IC50 < 1 nM) TRKA/B/C inhibitor. Pz-1 potently inhibited proliferation of human cancer cells carrying either RET- or TRKA oncoproteins (IC50 ~ 1 nM), with a negligible effect against RET- and TRKA-negative cells. By testing mutations, known to mediate resistance to other compounds, RET G810R/S, but not L730I/V, E732K, V738A and Y806N, showed some degree of resistance to Pz-1. In the case of TRKA, G595R and F589L, but not G667C, showed some degree of resistance. In xenograft models, orally administered Pz-1 almost completely inhibited RET- and TRKA-mutant tumours at 1–3 mg/kg/day but showed a reduced effect on RET/TRKA-negative cancer models. The activity, albeit reduced, on RET/TRKA-negative tumours may be justified by VEGFR2 inhibition. Tumours induced by NIH3T3 cells transfected by RET G810R and TRKA G595R featured resistance to Pz-1, demonstrating that RET or TRKA inhibition is critical for its anti-tumourigenic effect. In conclusion, Pz-1 represents a new powerful kinase inhibitor with distinct activity towards cancers induced by oncogenic RET and TRKA variants, including some mutants displaying resistance to other drugs.
Solar cell design using graphene-based hollow nano-pillars
Authors: Raad Shiva Hayati , Atlasbaf Zahra 
Published: August 2021

AbstractIn this paper, the full solar spectrum coverage with an absorption efficiency above 96% is attained by shell-shaped graphene-based hollow nano-pillars on top of the refractory metal substrate. The material choice guarantees the high thermal stability of the device along with its robustness against harsh environmental conditions. To design the structure, constitutive parameters of graphene material in the desired frequency range are investigated and its absorption capability is illustrated by calculating the attenuation constant of the electromagnetic wave. It is observed that broadband absorption is a consequence of wideband retrieved surface impedance matching with the free-space intrinsic impedance due to the tapered geometry. Moreover, the azimuthal and longitudinal cavity resonances with different orders are exhibited for a better understanding of the underlying wideband absorption mechanism. Importantly, the device can tolerate the oblique incidence in a wide span around 65°, regardless of the polarization. The proposed structure can be realized by large-area fabrication techniques.
Hyperspectral data as a biodiversity screening tool can differentiate among diverse Neotropical fishes
Authors: Kolmann M. A. , Kalacska M. , Lucanus O. , Sousa L. , Wainwright D. , Arroyo-Mora J. P. , Andrade M. C. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractHyperspectral data encode information from electromagnetic radiation (i.e., color) of any object in the form of a spectral signature; these data can then be used to distinguish among materials or even map whole landscapes. Although hyperspectral data have been mostly used to study landscape ecology, floral diversity and many other applications in the natural sciences, we propose that spectral signatures can be used for rapid assessment of faunal biodiversity, akin to DNA barcoding and metabarcoding. We demonstrate that spectral signatures of individual, live fish specimens can accurately capture species and clade-level differences in fish coloration, specifically among piranhas and pacus (Family Serrasalmidae), fishes with a long history of taxonomic confusion. We analyzed 47 serrasalmid species and could distinguish spectra among different species and clades, with the method sensitive enough to document changes in fish coloration over ontogeny. Herbivorous pacu spectra were more like one another than they were to piranhas; however, our method also documented interspecific variation in pacus that corresponds to cryptic lineages. While spectra do not serve as an alternative to the collection of curated specimens, hyperspectral data of fishes in the field should help clarify which specimens might be unique or undescribed, complementing existing molecular and morphological techniques.
Fabrication and characterization of scaffolds containing different amounts of allantoin for skin tissue engineering
Authors: Nokoorani Yeganeh Dorri , Shamloo Amir , Bahadoran Maedeh , Moravvej Hamideh 
Published: August 2021

AbstractUsing the skin tissue engineering approach is a way to help the body to recover its lost skin in cases that the spontaneous healing process is either impossible or inadequate, such as severe wounds or burns. In the present study, chitosan/gelatin-based scaffolds containing 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, and 1% allantoin were created to improve the wounds’ healing process. EDC and NHS were used to cross-link the samples, which were further freeze-dried. Different in-vitro methods were utilized to characterize the specimens, including SEM imaging, PBS absorption and degradation tests, mechanical experiments, allantoin release profile assessment, antibacterial assay, and cell viability and adhesion tests. The results indicated that the scaffolds’ average pore sizes were approximately in the range of 390–440 µm, and their PBS uptake amounts were about 1000% to 1250% after being soaked in PBS for 24 h. Around 70% of the specimens were degraded in 6 days, but they were not fully degraded after 21 days. Besides, the samples showed antibacterial activity against S. aureus and E. coli bacteria. In general, the MTT cell viability test indicated that the cells’ density increased slightly or remained the same during the experiment. SEM images of cells seeded on the scaffolds indicated appropriate properties of the scaffolds for cell adhesion.
Dimension effect on ferroelectricity: a first-principles study on GeS nanoribbons
Authors: Su Haishan , Hu Ting , Kan Erjun 
Published: August 2021

H-terminated armchair GeSNRs exhibit large in-plane polarization along the ribbon direction which converges to the value of 2D GeS as the width increases, while out-of-plane polarization only arises in those with n = odd number.
Double agent indole-3-acetic acid: mechanistic analysis of indole-3-acetaldehyde dehydrogenase AldA that synthesizes IAA, an auxin that aids bacterial virulence
Authors: Shah Ateek , Mathur Yamini , Hazra Amrita B. 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
The large diversity of organisms inhabiting various environmental niches on our planet are engaged in a lively exchange of biomolecules, including nutrients, hormones, and vitamins. In a quest to survive, organisms that we define as pathogens employ innovative methods to extract valuable resources from their host leading to an infection. One such instance is where plant-associated bacterial pathogens synthesize and deploy hormones or their molecular mimics to manipulate the physiology of the host plant. This commentary describes one such specific example—the mechanism of the enzyme AldA, an aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) from the bacterial plant pathogen Pseudomonas syringae which produces the plant auxin hormone indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) by oxidizing the substrate indole-3-acetaldehyde (IAAld) using the cofactor nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) (Bioscience Reports (2020) 40(12), https://doi.org/10.1042/BSR20202959). Using mutagenesis, enzyme kinetics, and structural analysis, Zhang et al. established that the progress of the reaction hinges on the formation of two distinct conformations of NAD(H) during the reaction course. Additionally, a key mutation in the AldA active site ‘aromatic box’ changes the enzyme’s preference for an aromatic substrate to an aliphatic one. Our commentary concludes that such molecular level investigations help to establish the nature of the dynamics of NAD(H) in ALDH-catalyzed reactions, and further show that the key active site residues control substrate specificity. We also contemplate that insights from the present study can be used to engineer novel ALDH enzymes for environmental, health, and industrial applications.
Creating Culturally Supportive Settings That Foster Literacy Development: Guidance for SLPs
Authors: Knight Carrie , Gregory Kyomi , Nellenbach Kristin 
Published: August 2021

PurposeThe purpose of our tutorial is to provide a set of fundamental, research-based guidelines for speech-language pathologists (SLPs) who want to begin the process of creating culturally supportive settings that foster adolescent literacy development.MethodPertinent literature related to culturally relevant literacy practices for SLPs is reviewed. SLPs perceived barriers to providing general literacy services in schools and levels of cultural competence are identified, along with articles that support service ideas to meet the literacy-based needs of culturally diverse students on our caseloads.ResultsDrawing on the literature base and our collective research and clinical experiences, we propose four key guidelines SLPs can adopt to support their initial efforts in building culturally supportive settings: develop a shared vocabulary and accompanying concepts, curate and use culturally relevant texts, establish ongoing dialogue with key groups, and set high expectations.ConclusionsSLPs are in a unique position to provide services that enable students from all cultural backgrounds to successfully support literacy development. Clinical applications of the guiding principles are provided.
Efficient indoor propagation channel prediction based on deep learning approach
Authors: Kedjar Khaled , Talbi Larbi , Nedil Mourad 
Published: August 2021

AbstractIn this study, efficient channel characterisation and modelling based on deep learning algorithms are developed and presented in a line‐of‐sight (LOS) scenario. The learning and the validation processes are performed using measurements from only one environment, enabling robust model learning and prediction results. Then, the model efficiency is analysed and validated using measurements from different environments that are not included in the learning process. Finally, the channel characterisation is made with the predicted and measured ones. The designed model achieved a highly accurate channel frequency response prediction within different environments without any prior information. The model root‐mean‐square error achieves up to 2% compared with the latest proposed models in the literature. Hence, an efficient modelling tool is provided for the future wireless communication design in a complex confined environment in LOS scenarios.
Data‐driven operation of the resilient electric grid: A case of COVID‐19
Authors: Noorazar H. , Srivastava A. , Pannala S. , K Sadanandan Sajan 
Published: August 2021

AbstractElectrical energy is a vital part of modern life, and expectations for grid resilience to allow a continuous and reliable energy supply has tremendously increased even during adverse events (e.g. Ukraine cyberattack, Hurricane Maria). The global pandemic COVID‐19 has raised the electric energy reliability risk due to potential workforce disruptions, supply chain interruptions, and increased possible cybersecurity threats. Additionally, the pandemic introduces a significant degree of uncertainty to the grid operation in the presence of other challenges including aging power grids, high proliferation of distributed generation, market mechanism, and active distribution network. This situation increases the need for measures for the resiliency of power grids to mitigate the impact of the pandemic as well as simultaneous extreme events including cyberattacks and adverse weather events. Solutions to manage such an adverse scenario will be multi‐fold: (a) emergency planning and organisational support, (b) following safety protocol, (c) utilising enhanced automation and sensing for situational awareness, and (d) integration of advanced technologies and data points for ML‐driven enhanced decision support. Enhanced digitalisation and automation resulted in better network visibility at various levels, including generation, transmission, and distribution. These data or information can be employed to take advantage of advanced machine learning techniques for automation and increased power grid resilience. In this paper, the resilience of power grids in the face of pandemics is explored and various machine learning tools that can be helpful to augment human operators are discused by: (a) reviewing the impact of COVID‐19 on power grid operations and actions taken by operators/organisations to minimise the impact of COVID‐19, and (b) presenting recently developed tools and concepts of machine learning and artificial intelligence that can be applied to increase the resiliency of power systems in normal and extreme scenarios such as the COVID‐19 pandemic.
Thermal radiation pressure as a possible mechanism for losing small particles on asteroids
Authors: Bach Yoonsoo P. , Ishiguro Masateru 
Published: August 2021

Context.Recent observations of dust ejections from active asteroids, including (3200) Phaethon, have drawn considerable interest from planetary astronomers studying the generation and removal of small dust particles on asteroids.Aims.In this work, we aim to investigate the importance of thermal radiation pressure from asteroid regolith (AR) acting on small dust particles over the surface of the AR. In particular, we aim to understand the role of thermal radiation in the near-Sun environment.Methods.We describe the acceleration of particles over the AR within the radiation fields (direct solar, reflected (scattered) solar, and thermal radiation) in addition to the asteroid’s rotation and gravitational field. Mie theory is used because the particles of interest have sizes comparable to thermal wavelengths (~1–100 μm), and thus the geometric approximation is not applicable. A new set of formalisms is developed for the purpose.Results.We find that the acceleration of particles with spherical radius ≲1 μm to ~10 μm is dominated by the thermal radiation from the AR when the asteroid is in the near-Sun environment (heliocentric distancerh≲ 0.8 au). Under thermal radiation dominance, the net acceleration is towards space, that is, outwards from the AR. This outward acceleration is the strongest for particles of ~1 μm in radius, regardless of other parameters. A preliminary trajectory integration using the Phaethon-like model shows that such particles escape from the gravitational field within about 10 min. Our results are consistent with the previous observational studies on Phaethon in that the ejected dust particles have a spherical radius of ~1 μm.
XMM-Newton spectrum of the radio-loud quasar 3C 215: Slim accretion disk or SMBH binary
Authors: Mei A. , Tombesi F. 
Published: August 2021

Context. Radio-loud active galactic nuclei (RL AGN) exhibit very powerful jet emission in the radio band, while the radio-quiet (RQ) AGN do not. This RL-RQ dichotomy would imply a sharp difference existing among these two classes, however, modern theoretical models and observations suggest a common nuclear environment that is possibly characterized by different working regimes.
Aims. We explore the geometrical structure and mutual interactions of the innermost components of the broad line radio galaxy 3C 215, with a particular focus on the accretion and ejection mechanisms involving the central supermassive black hole (SMBH). We compare these observational features with those of the RQ Seyfert 1 galaxies. Investigating their differences is aimed at improving our understanding of the jet launching mechanisms and devising an explanation for why this phenomenon is efficient only in a small fraction of all the AGNs.
Methods. Using high-quality data from a ∼60 ks observation with XMM-Newton, we carried out a detailed X-ray spectral analysis of 3C 215 in the broad energy range of 0.5−10 keV. We modeled the spectrum with an absorbed double power-law model for the primary continuum, reprocessed by reflection from ionized and cold neutral material and modified by relativistic blurring. We also compared our results with those of earlier multi-wavelength observations.
Results. We obtained a primary continuum photon index from the corona, namely, Γ1 = 1.97 ± 0.06, along with evidence of a jet contribution, modeled as a power law with photon index of Γ2 ≃ 1.29. The reflector, which is possibly attributed to the accretion disk and portions of the broad-line region (BLR), is ionized (logξ = 2.31−0.27+0.37 erg s−1 cm) and relatively distant from the SMBH (Rin > 38 Rg), where Rg = GMBH/c2 is the gravitational radius. The obscuring torus seems patchy, dust-poor, and inefficient, while the jet emission shows a twisted and knotted geometry. We propose three scenarios to describe the following characteristics: 1. An ADAF state in the inner disk; 2. A slim accretion disk; and 3. A sub-pc SMBH binary system (SMBHB).
Conclusions. While the first scenario is not in agreement with the SMBH accretion regime, the slim disk scenario is consistent with the observational features of this radio galaxy, showing that 3C 215 is similar to non-jetted AGNs, accreting at a high rate. Nonetheless, the first two scenarios are unable to account for the particular shape of 3C 215 jet emission. The SMBHB scenario seems to be in agreement with almost all 3C 215 observational features, but we are not able to unequivocally determine this source as a strong SMBHB candidate. A final determination will require further analysis.