bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Development of a novel hybrid antimicrobial peptide for enhancing antimicrobial spectrum and potency against food-borne pathogens
Authors: Han Jinzhi , Wu Peifen , Yang Jie , Weng Yanlin , Lin Yayi , Chen Zhiying , Yu Fengfan , Lü Xucong , Ni Li 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

Aims
To address the increasingly serious challenge of the transmission of foodbrone pathogens in the food chain.

Methods and results
In this study, we employed rational design strategies, including truncation, amino acid substitution, and heterozygosity, to generate seven engineered peptides with α-helical structure, cationic property, and amphipathic characteristics based on the original Abhisin template. Among them, as the hybird antimicrobial peptide (AMP), AM exhibits exceptional stability, minimal toxicity, as well as broad-spectrum and potent antimicrobial activity against foodborne pathogens. Besides, it was observed that the electrostatic incorporation demonstrates by AM results in its primary targeting and disruption of the cell wall and membrane of Escherichia coli O157: H7 (EHEC) and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), resulting in membrane perforation and enhanced permeability. Additionally, AM effectively counteracts the deleterious effects of lipopolysaccharide, eradicating biofilms and ultimately inducing the demise of both food spoilage and pathogenic microorganisms.

Conclusions
The findings highlight the significant potential of AM as a highly promising candidate for a novel food preservative and its great importance in the design and optimization of AMP-related agents.
Denoising CSAMT signals in the time domain based on long short-term memory
Authors: Xu Bingcheng , An Zhiguo , Han Ying , Ye Gaofeng 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Controlled-source audio frequency magnetotellurics (CSAMT) is an artificial-source electromagnetic technique that partially mitigates the limitations of weak natural-field signals. However, practical field surveys inevitably encounter strong interference, severely affecting signal quality. Traditional methods such as Fourier transformation, which directly computes apparent resistivity from frequency-domain information, are inadequate in this context, so we need alternative denoising approaches. However, research on CSAMT denoising is currently limited. Given the excellent performance of long short-term memory (LSTM) neural networks in the processing of magnetotelluric (MT) data, as demonstrated by previous studies, this paper proposes the use of LSTM to denoise CSAMT signals in the time domain. Unlike traditional denoising methods, we aim to directly extract the target frequency signal from the time-series data for denoising. For MT data, target frequency signals and noise are all mixed together, so noise suppression can only be achieved by identifying noise characteristics in the time series. However, unlike MT data, CSAMT data has an artificial transmitting source, and the frequency of the valid signal is fixed within a time interval. This allows for the direct extraction of target frequency signals without considering the complex characteristics of noise. In this study, we developed a neural network based on bidirectional LSTM to accomplish the task of noise suppression. After conducting both simulated and measured data tests, this method was able to, on average, improve the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of CSAMT data by approximately 20 dB and partially address the challenge of denoising when the data's SNR falls below 0 dB.
A drying climate and habitat availability drive extirpations of a southward advancing ground squirrel
Authors: Nash Austin L , McCain Christy M 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Ground squirrels act as important members of grassland ecosystems by serving as both ecosystem engineers and as a prey base for carnivores. There is mounting evidence that climate change is driving ground squirrel population declines. We resurveyed 54 historical localities throughout the Wyoming Basin and western Colorado where Wyoming Ground Squirrel (Urocitellus elegans) specimens were collected to investigate if climate change was driving extirpations at these historically occupied sites. We detected extirpations at 12 sites and used binomial generalized linear models in an information-theoretic framework to investigate if climate change was associated with these extirpations. Additionally, we investigated if land cover change was associated with persistence and if land cover ameliorated or exacerbated the effects of climate change. We found that changes in climate, especially increasingly dry summer air and increasing mean summer temperatures, were associated with a reduced probability that U. elegans persisted at a historically occupied site. In addition, we found that current forest cover at a site and increasing rangeland cover at the regional level were associated with reduced probability that U. elegans persisted, although these associations were weaker than the climate associations. The effects of climate change and land cover change did not interact. Our findings build on mounting evidence that montane-associated ground squirrels throughout the Western United States are negatively impacted by climate change. The reduction in ground squirrel abundance or their extirpation due to climate change could lead to changes in ecosystem structure or reductions in trophic complexity.
Diversity of MHC class II DRB alleles in the Northern chamois genus Rupicapra
Authors: Stipoljev Sunčica , Buzan Elena , Iacolina Laura , Safner Toni , Rezić Andrea , Galov Ana , Križanović Krešimir , Ambarlı Hüseyin , Arnal MariaCruz , Babaev Elmar , Bego Ferdinand , Farkas Attila , Gačić Dragan , Lazar Peter , Maletić Vladimir , Markov Georgi , Milošević Dragana , Papaioannou Haritakis , Scandura Massimo , Šprem Nikica 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genes are commonly used markers for monitoring adaptive genetic and evolutionary potential of species. In this study, we investigated genetic variation of the MHC class II DRB locus in the chamois genus Rupicapra by using next-generation sequencing. Sequencing of 102 samples led to the identification of 25 alleles, 11 of which are novel. The high ratio of the relative rates of nonsynonymous to synonymous mutations (dN/dS) suggests a signal of positive selection on this locus. We analyzed patterns of genetic variation within and among 2 subspecies of Northern Chamois and compared them to previously published studies using neutral markers to provide a basis for assessing the effects of demographic processes. Our analyses have shown that alleles are likely to be maintained by balancing selection in different populations with similar frequencies and that this mechanism also works in small, isolated populations that are strongly affected by genetic drift.
Returning to Work After Traumatic Spine Fractures: Current Status in a Military Hospital
Authors: Alhabeeb Abdulrahman Yousef , Konbaz Faisal , Aleissa Sami , Alhamed Ghada S , Alhowaish Thamer S , Alhamadh Moustafa S , Masuadi Emad , Abalkhail Majed , AlHelal Fahad , Bourghli Anouar 
Published: February 2024

ABSTRACT

Introduction
The consequences of traumatic spine fracture (TSF) are complex and have a major burden on patients’ social life and financial status. In this study, we aimed to investigate the return to work (RTW) after surgically treated TSFs, develop eventual predictors of delayed or failure to RTW, and assess narcotics use following such injuries.

Methods
This was a single-center retrospective cohort study that was performed in a tertiary care center. TSF patients who required surgical intervention from 2016 to 2021 were enrolled. Demographic, operative, and complication data, as well as narcotics use, were recorded. RTW was modeled using multivariate logistic regression analysis.

Results
Within the 173 patients with TSF, male patients accounted for 82.7%, and motor vehicle accidents were the most common mechanism of injury (80.2%). Neurologically intact patients represented 59%. Only 38.15% returned to work after their injury. Majority of the patients didn’t use narcotics more than 1 week after discharge (93.1%). High surgical blood loss, operation time, and hospital length of stay were significantly associated with not returning to work. In multivariant regression analysis, every increase of 100 ml of surgical blood loss was found to decrease the chance of RTW by 25% (P = 0.04). Furthermore, every increase of one hour in operation time decreases the chance of RTW by 31% (P = 0.03).

Conclusion
RTW is an important aspect that needs to be taken into consideration by health care providers. We found that age and high surgery time, blood loss, and hospital stay are significantly impacting patients’ RTW after operated TSF.
Catalogue of nearby blue and near-solar gas metallicity SDSS dwarf galaxies
Authors: Guo Yan , Sengupta Chandreyee , Scott Tom C , Lagos Patricio , Luo Yu 
Published: February 2024

ABSTRACT
A less explored aspect of dwarf galaxies is their metallicity evolution. Generally, dwarfs have lower metallicities than Hubble sequence late-type galaxies, but in reality, dwarfs span a wide range of metallicities with several open questions regarding the formation and evolution of the lowest and the highest metallicity dwarfs. We present a catalogue of 3459 blue, nearby, star-forming dwarf galaxies extracted from SDSS DR-16 including calculation of their metallicities using the mean of several calibrators. To compile our catalogue we applied redshift, absolute magnitude, stellar mass, optical diameter, and line flux signal-to-noise criteria. This produced a catalogue from the upper end of the dwarf galaxy stellar mass range. Our catalogued dwarfs have blue g – i colours and Hβ equivalent widths, indicative of having undergone a recent episode of star formation, although their star formation rates (SFRs) suggest only a moderate to low enhancement in star formation, similar to the SFRs in low surface brightness and evolved tidal dwarfs. While the catalogued dwarfs cover a range of metallicities, their mean metallicity is ∼0.2 dex below solar metallicity, indicating relatively chemically evolved galaxies. The vast majority of the catalogue, with clean photometry, are relatively isolated dwarfs with only modest SFRs and a narrow range of g – i colour, consistent with internally driven episodic mild bursts of star formation. The presented catalogue’s robust metallicity estimates for nearby SDSS dwarf galaxies will help target future studies to understand the physical processes driving the metallicity evolution of dwarfs.
AT2020ohl: its nature and probable implications
Authors: Roy Rupak , Mandal Samir , Sahu D K , Anupama G C , Nandi Sumana , Kumar Brijesh 
Published: February 2024

ABSTRACT
ASASSN-20hx, a.k.a AT2020ohl, is an ambiguous nuclear transient, which was discovered in the nearby galaxy NGC6297 by the All-Sky Automated Survey for Supernovae. We have investigated the evolution of AT2020ohl using a multiwavelength data set to explain the geometry of the system and the energy radiated by it between X-ray and radio wavelengths. Our X-ray, UV/optical, and radio observations of the object jointly clarify the association of AT2020ohl with the nuclear activity of NGC6297. We detected radio counterpart of AT2020ohl 111 and 313 d after the discovery in Jansky Very Large Array X-band with flux densities 47 ± 14 and 34 ± 3 $\mu$Jy, respectively. Using multiwavelength data analysis, we nullify the possibility of associating any stellar disruption process with this event. We found some evidence showing that the host galaxy is a merger remnant, so the possibility of a binary supermassive black hole (SMBH) system cannot be ruled out. The central SMBH has a mass of ∼1.2 × 107 M⊙. We propose the accretion disc activity as the origin of AT2020ohl – it is either due to disc accretion event on to the central SMBH or due to the sudden accretion activity in a pre-existing accretion disc of the system during the interaction of two SMBHs which became gravitationally bound during a merger process. However, we also admit that with the existing data set, it is impossible to say definitively, among these two probabilities, which one is the origin of this nuclear transient.
Time evolution of X-ray bright points observed with NuSTAR
Authors: Paterson Sarah , Hannah Iain G , Grefenstette Brian W , Hudson Hugh S , Krucker Säm , Glesener Lindsay , White Stephen M , Smith David M 
Published: February 2024

ABSTRACT
We present analysis on two X-ray bright points observed over several hours during the recent solar minimum (2020 February 21 and 2020 September 12–13) with the Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array (NuSTAR), a sensitive hard X-ray imaging spectrometer. This is so far the most detailed study of bright points in hard X-rays, emission which can be used to search for faint hot and/or non-thermal sources. We investigate the bright points’ time evolution with NuSTAR, and in extreme ultraviolet (EUV) and soft X-rays with Solar Dynamic Observatory/Atmospheric Imaging Assembly (SDO/AIA) and Hinode/X-Ray Telescope. The variability in the X-ray and EUV time profiles is generally not well matched, with NuSTAR detecting spikes that do not appear in EUV. We find that, for the 2020 February bright point, the increased X-ray emission during these spikes is due to material heated to ∼ 4.2–4.4 MK (found from fitting the X-ray spectrum). The 2020 September bright point also shows spikes in the NuSTAR data with no corresponding EUV signature seen by SDO/AIA, though in this case, it was due to an increase in emission measure of material at ∼ 2.6 MK and not a significant temperature change. So, in both cases, the discrepancy is likely due to the different temperature sensitivity of the instruments, with the X-ray variability difficult to detect in EUV due to cooler ambient bright point emission dominating. No non-thermal emission is detected, so we determine upper limits finding that only a steep non-thermal component between 3 and 4 keV could provide the required heating whilst being consistent with a null detection in NuSTAR.
cecilia: a machine learning-based pipeline for measuring metal abundances of helium-rich polluted white dwarfs
Authors: Badenas-Agusti Mariona , Viaña Javier , Vanderburg Andrew , Blouin Simon , Dufour Patrick , Xu Siyi , Sha Lizhou 
Published: February 2024

ABSTRACT
Over the past several decades, conventional spectral analysis techniques of polluted white dwarfs have become powerful tools to learn about the geology and chemistry of extrasolar bodies. Despite their proven capabilities and extensive legacy of scientific discoveries, these techniques are, however, still limited by their manual, time-intensive, and iterative nature. As a result, they are susceptible to human errors and are difficult to scale up to population-wide studies of metal pollution. This paper seeks to address this problem by presenting cecilia, the first machine learning (ML)-powered spectral modelling code designed to measure the metal abundances of intermediate-temperature (10 000 ≤ Teff ≤ 20 000 K), Helium-rich polluted white dwarfs. Trained with more than 22 000 randomly drawn atmosphere models and stellar parameters, our pipeline aims to overcome the limitations of classical methods by replacing the generation of synthetic spectra from computationally expensive codes and uniformly spaced model grids, with a fast, automated, and efficient neural-network-based interpolator. More specifically, cecilia combines state-of-the-art atmosphere models, powerful artificial intelligence tools, and robust statistical techniques to rapidly generate synthetic spectra of polluted white dwarfs in high-dimensional space, and enable accurate (≲0.1 dex) and simultaneous measurements of 14 stellar parameters – including 11 elemental abundances – from real spectroscopic observations. As massively multiplexed astronomical surveys begin scientific operations, cecilia’s performance has the potential to unlock large-scale studies of extrasolar geochemistry and propel the field of white dwarf science into the era of Big Data. In doing so, we aspire to uncover new statistical insights that were previously impractical with traditional white dwarf characterization techniques.
Horizontal branch structure, age, and chemical composition for very metal-poor extragalactic globular clusters
Authors: Sharina M E , Maricheva M I , Kniazev A Y , Shimansky V V , Acharova I A 
Published: February 2024

ABSTRACT
This paper presents the results of analysing the integrated light (IL) low-resolution spectra of globular clusters (GCs) in the M31 and Centaurus A groups of galaxies. The sample consists of eight very metal-poor GCs ($\rm [Fe/H]\le -2$ dex) with high signal-to-noise ratio spectra acquired with the telescopes: the 6-m SAO RAS (BTA), the Southern African Large (SALT), and the 6.5-m Magellan (MMT). We study the influence of contribution of the horizontal branch stars on the hydrogen Balmer line profiles in the IL spectra. By modelling the Balmer lines, as well as the metal lines in the observed spectra, we determine the optimum parameters of stellar evolution isochrones and, consequently, the parameters of the atmospheres of the cluster stars. For all the studied GCs, the parameters of horizontal branch stars set by the selected isochrones, the corresponding ages, and carbon abundances are presented for the first time. The abundances of several other elements (Mg, Ca, Ti, Cr, and Mn) were determined for five GCs for the first time. All the studied GCs have blue horizontal branches and are older than 10 Gyr. Their chemical abundances, with the exception of Mg and Mn, are in good agreement with the abundances of stars in the Galactic field. The reasons of low [Mg/Fe] and of high [Mn/Fe] are discussed. Study of the fundamental properties of stellar populations in old GCs facilitates a better understanding of the formation processes of their parent galaxies and nucleosynthesis in the early Universe.
Chromatin damage generated by DNA intercalators leads to degradation of RNA Polymerase II
Authors: Espinoza Jaime A , Kanellis Dimitris C , Saproo Sheetanshu , Leal Karla , Martinez Johana Fernandez , Bartek Jiri , Lindström Mikael S 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
In cancer therapy, DNA intercalators are mainly known for their capacity to kill cells by inducing DNA damage. Recently, several DNA intercalators have attracted much interest given their ability to inhibit RNA Polymerase I transcription (BMH-21), evict histones (Aclarubicin) or induce chromatin trapping of FACT (Curaxin CBL0137). Interestingly, these DNA intercalators lack the capacity to induce DNA damage while still retaining cytotoxic effects and stabilize p53. Herein, we report that these DNA intercalators impact chromatin biology by interfering with the chromatin stability of RNA polymerases I, II and III. These three compounds have the capacity to induce degradation of RNA polymerase II and they simultaneously enable the trapping of Topoisomerases TOP2A and TOP2B on the chromatin. In addition, BMH-21 also acts as a catalytic inhibitor of Topoisomerase II, resembling Aclarubicin. Moreover, BMH-21 induces chromatin trapping of the histone chaperone FACT and propels accumulation of Z-DNA and histone eviction, similarly to Aclarubicin and CBL0137. These DNA intercalators have a cumulative impact on general transcription machinery by inducing accumulation of topological defects and impacting nuclear chromatin. Therefore, their cytotoxic capabilities may be the result of compounding deleterious effects on chromatin homeostasis.
Retention of the RNA ends provides the molecular memory for maintaining the activation of the Csm complex
Authors: Irmisch Patrick , Mogila Irmantas , Samatanga Brighton , Tamulaitis Gintautas , Seidel Ralf 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
The type III CRISPR-Cas effector complex Csm functions as a molecular Swiss army knife that provides multilevel defense against foreign nucleic acids. The coordinated action of three catalytic activities of the Csm complex enables simultaneous degradation of the invader's RNA transcripts, destruction of the template DNA and synthesis of signaling molecules (cyclic oligoadenylates cAn) that activate auxiliary proteins to reinforce CRISPR-Cas defense. Here, we employed single-molecule techniques to connect the kinetics of RNA binding, dissociation, and DNA hydrolysis by the Csm complex from Streptococcus thermophilus. Although single-stranded RNA is cleaved rapidly (within seconds), dual-color FCS experiments and single-molecule TIRF microscopy revealed that Csm remains bound to terminal RNA cleavage products with a half-life of over 1 hour while releasing the internal RNA fragments quickly. Using a continuous fluorescent DNA degradation assay, we observed that RNA-regulated single-stranded DNase activity decreases on a similar timescale. These findings suggest that after fast target RNA cleavage the terminal RNA cleavage products stay bound within the Csm complex, keeping the Cas10 subunit activated for DNA destruction. Additionally, we demonstrate that during Cas10 activation, the complex remains capable of RNA turnover, i.e. of ongoing degradation of target RNA.
AGAMOUS-LIKE24 controls pistil number in Japanese apricot by targeting the KNOTTED1-LIKE gene KNAT2/6-a
Authors: Bai Yang , Zhou Pengyu , Ni Zhaojun , Iqbal Shahid , Ouma Kenneth Omondi , Huang Xiao , Gao Feng , Ma Chengdong , Shi Ting , Gao Zhihong 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
The formation of multi-pistil flowers reduces the yield and quality in Japanese apricot (Prunus mume). However, the molecular mechanism underlying the formation of multi-pistil flowers remains unknown. In the current study, overexpression of PmKNAT2/6-a, a class I KNOTTED1-like homeobox (KNOX) member, in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) resulted in a multi-pistil phenotype. Analysis of the upstream regulators of PmKNAT2/6-a showed that AGAMOUS-like 24 (PmAGL24) could directly bind to the PmKNAT2/6-a promoter and regulate its expression. PmAGL24 also interacted with Like Heterochromatin Protein 1 (PmLHP1) to recruit lysine trimethylation at position 27 on histone H3 (H3K27me3) to regulate PmKNAT2/6-a expression, which is indirectly involved in multiple pistils formation in Japanese apricot flowers. Our study reveals that the PmAGL24 transcription factor, an upstream regulator of PmKNAT2/6-a, regulates PmKNAT2/6-a expression via direct and indirect pathways and is involved in the formation of multiple pistils in Japanese apricot.
A Trinitarian Reading of Gerard Manley Hopkins’s ‘The Windhover’
Authors: Hawlin Stefan 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
The rhetorical and emotional verve of ‘The Windhover’ reflect not the moment of stasis of Christ’s cross but the energy of Trinitarian interrelation in creation. Readings of the sonnet usually foreground the second divine person. Countering such a perspective, this essay rehearses the Scholastic theology and the Scholastically based faith that the poet took for granted in the original moment of experience and in the moment of composition, and so reads the sonnet in a more fully Trinitarian way. For Hopkins the energetic dynamic of love and relation within the Trinity is that into which he is drawn via the creation made through Christ, the Word (John 1:3, Col. 1:16), and as used here the energy of the sonnet form is his response to this. The Athanasian Creed and the ‘Veni Creator Spiritus’ are identified as neglected Trinitarian intertexts. Hopkins believed, in Ignatian terms, that Christ ‘labours for me in all things created on the face of the earth’; and so, in the poem, Christ works dynamically through the Holy Spirit, ‘the fire’ (l. 10) who is Love itself, the vector of bird–poet interrelation, engaging him with the windhover and awakening his delight. The sonnet is the poet’s open acknowledgement of the love of the Triune tri-personal God which greets him every moment in the humblest glories of creation.