bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Analysis of the flavour components, total phenolic content and antioxidant capacity between rice wine from two raw rice and starters
Authors: Lin Yudan , Yang Huaxia , Jiang Liang , Zhang Yongjun , Li Jia , Zhu Xiaoxu 
Published: October 2023

SummaryDifferent raw rice and starters will affect the quality of Chinese rice wine (CRW). This study focused on the quality (flavour components, total phenolic content and antioxidant capacity) between Hong Qu japonica rice wine and Wheat Qu glutinous rice wine. Free amino acids and volatile compounds were analysed respectively. Total phenolic content was compared using Folin–Ciocalteu methods and antioxidant activity using DPPH, ABTS+ and FRAP methods. The results indicated that total free amino acid content of CRW ranged from 0.959 ± 0.09 to 3.229 ± 0.24 g L−1. About 65 volatile compounds were obtained in wine samples, mainly including alcohols, esters, aldehydes, acids, phenols and ethers. Isopentanol, isobutanol, phenylethyl alcohol, ethyl lactate, diethyl succinate, benzaldehyde, furfural and 2,4‐ditert‐butylphenol were the prominent aroma components in samples. Total phenolic content in samples ranged from 0.27 ± 0.00 to 0.45 ± 0.01 mg GAE mL−1. Experimental samples showed different radical scavenging capacity and ferric‐reducing capacity. These results proved that japonica rice wine with Hong Qu had abundant flavour components and strongest antioxidant capacity, the brewing raw material can be better developed in the production of CRW.
A crystallisation protocol designed for the isolation of lycopene from tomato processing by‐products
Authors: Wu Nai‐Ying , Qiao Xuan‐Xuan , Gao Wei , Peng Jing‐Wei 
Published: October 2023

SummaryThe antioxidant and anticancer properties of lycopene make it an excellent ingredient for daily food supplements. The present study developed a novel protocol based on crystallisation to produce lycopene of high purity from a complex extract obtained by n‐hexane from tomato peel. The crystallisation process aimed to achieve a higher recovery and purity of lycopene. The crystallisation system was optimised using ethanol and n‐hexane at a volume ratio of 0.8:1 after evaporating the extract to a solid concentration of 66%. The recovery of lycopene reached 78.45% with a purity of 96.12%. The combination of the two crystallisation methods used, antisolvent and evaporation crystallisation, removed most impurities from the lycopene crystals. This novel protocol thus proved to be effective for recovering lycopene from tomato waste.
Structure‐guided discovery of aminopeptidase ERAP1 variants capable of processing antigens with novel PC anchor specificities
Authors: Pande Suchita , Guo Hwai‐Chen 
Published: October 2023

AbstractEndoplasmic reticulum aminopeptidase 1 (ERAP1) belongs to the oxytocinase subfamily of M1 aminopeptidases (M1APs), which are a diverse family of metalloenzymes involved in a wide range of functions and have been implicated in various chronic and infectious diseases of humans. ERAP1 trims antigenic precursors into correct sizes (8–10 residues long) for Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) presentation, by a unique molecular ruler mechanism in which it makes concurrent bindings to substrate N‐ and C‐termini. We have previously determined four crystal structures of ERAP1 C‐terminal regulatory domain (termed ERAP1_C domain) in complex with peptide carboxyl (PC)‐ends that carry various anchor residues, and identified a specificity subsite for recognizing the PC anchor side chain, denoted as the SC subsite to follow the conventional notations: S1 site for P1, S2 site for P2, and so forth. In this study, we report studies on structure‐guided mutational and hydrolysis kinetics, and peptide trimming assays to further examine the functional roles of this SC subsite. Most strikingly, a point mutation V737R results in a change of substrate preference from a hydrophobic to a negatively charged PC anchor residue; the latter is presumed to be a poor substrate for WT ERAP1. These studies validate the crystallographic observations that this SC subsite is directly involved in binding and recognition of the substrate PC anchor and presents a potential target to modulate MHC‐restricted immunopeptidomes.
Single‐use accessories and endoscopes in the era of sustainability and climate change—A balancing act
Authors: Nabi Zaheer , Tang Raymond S. Y. , Sundaram Sridhar , Lakhtakia Sundeep , Reddy D. Nageshwar 
Published: October 2023

AbstractGastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy is among the highest waste generator in healthcare facilities. The major reasons include production of large‐volume non‐renewable waste, use of single‐use devices, and reprocessing or decontamination processes. Single‐use endoscopic accessories have gradually replaced reusable devices over last two decades contributing to the rising impact of GI endoscopy on ecosystem. Several reports of infection outbreaks with reusable duodenoscopes raised concerns regarding the efficacy and adherence to standard disinfection protocols. Even the enhanced reprocessing techniques like double high‐level disinfection have not been found to be the perfect ways for decontamination of duodenoscopes and therefore, paved the way for the development of single‐use duodenoscopes. However, the use of single‐use endoscopes is likely to amplify the net waste generated and carbon footprint of any endoscopy unit. Moreover, single‐use devices challenge one of the major pillars of sustainability, that is, “reuse.” In the era of climate change, a balanced approach is required taking into consideration patient safety as well as financial and environmental implications. The possible solutions to provide optimum care while addressing the impact on climate include selective use of disposable duodenoscopes and careful selection of accessories during a case. Other options include use of disposable endcaps and development of effective high‐level disinfection techniques. The collaboration between the healthcare professionals and the manufacturers is paramount for the development of environmental friendly devices with low carbon footprint.
The m6A reader SiYTH1 enhances drought tolerance by affecting the messenger RNA stability of genes related to stomatal closure and reactive oxygen species scavenging in Setaria italica
Authors: Luo Weiwei , Tang Yuxiang , Li Shenglan , Zhang Linlin , Liu Yuwei , Zhang Renliang , Diao Xianmin , Yu Jingjuan 
Published: October 2023

ABSTRACTFoxtail millet (Setaria italica), a vital drought‐resistant crop, plays a significant role in ensuring food and nutritional security. However, its drought resistance mechanism is not fully understood. N6‐methyladenosine (m6A) modification of RNA, a prevalent epi‐transcriptomic modification in eukaryotes, provides a binding site for m6A readers and affects plant growth and stress responses by regulating RNA metabolism. In this study, we unveiled that the YT521‐B homology (YTH) family gene SiYTH1 positively regulated the drought tolerance of foxtail millet. Notably, the siyth1 mutant exhibited reduced stomatal closure and augmented accumulation of excessive H2O2 under drought stress. Further investigations demonstrated that SiYTH1 positively regulated the transcripts harboring m6A modification related to stomatal closure and reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging under drought stress. SiYTH1 was uniformly distributed in the cytoplasm of SiYTH1‐GFP transgenic foxtail millet. It formed dynamic liquid‐like SiYTH1 cytosol condensates in response to drought stress. Moreover, the cytoplasmic protein SiYTH1 was identified as a distinct m6A reader, facilitating the stabilization of its directly bound SiARDP and ROS scavenging‐related transcripts under drought stress. Furthermore, natural variation analysis revealed SiYTH1AGTG as the dominant allele responsible for drought tolerance in foxtail millet. Collectively, this study provides novel insights into the intricate mechanism of m6A reader‐mediated drought tolerance and presents a valuable genetic resource for improving drought tolerance in foxtail millet breeding.
“Fourth‐wall breakiness or whatevs”: Presumed self‐awareness in American superhero comics
Authors: Bausela Buccianti Lucía 
Published: October 2023

AbstractStudies on reflexivity in the field of comics studies have been scarce and, more often than not, disconnected from each other, which has resulted in overlapping, and sometimes even contradicting, classifications of reflexive devices. Therefore, this article analyzes different instances of self‐awareness in American superhero comics, as it has become quite a popular feature in recent years. In order to systematize the corpus of American comics which feature self‐aware characters, Pardo's theoretical model of reflexivity results highly advantageous due to the fact that its transmedia categories provide a useful framework to explore those elements which are particular to comics narration, such as panels, speech balloons, splash pages, and more of the like. At the same time, this theoretical model connects comics' self‐consciousness to the larger storytelling tradition of Western culture—after all, some of the most important studies on reflexivity stem from literary and film studies, from scholars such as Alter, Hutcheon, Waugh, and Stam, to mention a few. This article, then, provides a theoretical review of key definitions from the field of reflexivity before applying said categories to a corpus of American superhero comics which includes titles such as The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl, Black Hammer, and Empowered, as well as some Bat‐Mite strips and a few Deadpool and Harley Quinn issues. The analysis mainly focuses on the diegetic disruptions that self‐aware characters trigger in comics—particularly considering the formal elements of the medium—to prove that reflexivity, despite having been deemed as a tool to tackle serious existential and ontological issues in canonical works, operates as a bridge which brings readers as close as possible to the fictional realities in their favorite superhero comics.
The size of the fight in the girl: Violent girlhood in Ms. Marvel
Authors: Fabricius Charlotte Johanne 
Published: October 2023

AbstractThe rise of girl protagonists in superhero comics creates a dilemma, since violent girlhood is surrounded by cultural anxieties, yet super‐girls are expected to engage in violence. One of the most popular super‐girls of this century, Ms. Marvel/Kamala Khan, embodies this ambivalence in the fraught intersection of girlhood, racialization, and physical violence. This article investigates the affective economies and haptic line work of the Ms. Marvel series with the aim of discussing the visual strategies used to explore violent girlhood: pauses, lines of orientation, color work, and cuteness as a visual mood.
Associations of baseline obstructive sleep apnea and sleep macroarchitecture with cognitive function after 8 years in middle‐aged and older men from a community‐based cohort study
Authors: Parker Jesse L. , Vakulin Andrew , Naik Ganesh , Melaku Yohannes Adama , Stevens David , Wittert Gary A. , Martin Sean A. , Catcheside Peter G. , Toson Barbara , Appleton Sarah L. , Adams Robert J. 
Published: October 2023

SummaryPrevious prospective studies examining associations of obstructive sleep apnea and sleep macroarchitecture with future cognitive function recruited older participants, many demonstrating baseline cognitive impairment. This study examined obstructive sleep apnea and sleep macroarchitecture predictors of visual attention, processing speed, and executive function after 8 years among younger community‐dwelling men. Florey Adelaide Male Ageing Study participants (n = 477) underwent home‐based polysomnography, with 157 completing Trail‐Making Tests A and B and the Mini‐Mental State Examination. Associations of obstructive sleep apnea (apnea–hypopnea index, oxygen desaturation index, and hypoxic burden index) and sleep macroarchitecture (sleep stage percentages and total sleep time) parameters with future cognitive function were examined using regression models adjusted for baseline demographic, biomedical, and behavioural factors, and cognitive task performance. The mean (standard deviation) age of the men at baseline was 58.9 (8.9) years, with severe obstructive sleep apnea (apnea–hypopnea index ≥30 events/h) in 9.6%. The median (interquartile range) follow‐up was 8.3 (7.9–8.6) years. A minority of men (14.6%) were cognitively impaired at baseline (Mini‐Mental State Examination score <28/30). A higher percentage of light sleep was associated with better Trail‐Making Test A performance (B = −0.04, 95% confidence interval [CI] −0.06, −0.01; p = 0.003), whereas higher mean oxygen saturation was associated with worse performance (B = 0.11, 95% CI 0.02, 0.19; p = 0.012). While obstructive sleep apnea and sleep macroarchitecture might predict cognitive decline, future studies should consider arousal events and non‐routine hypoxaemia measures, which may show associations with cognitive decline.
A derived weedy rice × ancestral cultivar cross identifies evolutionarily relevant weediness QTLs
Authors: Li Xiang , Zhang Shulin , Lowey Daniel , Hissam Carter , Clevenger Josh , Perera Sherin , Jia Yulin , Caicedo Ana L. 
Published: October 2023

AbstractWeedy rice (Oryza spp.) is a weedy relative of the cultivated rice that competes with the crop and causes significant production loss. The BHA (blackhull awned) US weedy rice group has evolved from aus cultivated rice and differs from its ancestors in several important weediness traits, including flowering time, plant height and seed shattering. Prior attempts to determine the genetic basis of weediness traits in plants using linkage mapping approaches have not often considered weed origins. However, the timing of divergence between crossed parents can affect the detection of quantitative trait loci (QTL) relevant to the evolution of weediness. Here, we used a QTL‐seq approach that combines bulked segregant analysis and high‐throughput whole genome resequencing to map the three important weediness traits in an F2 population derived from a cross between BHA weedy rice with an ancestral aus cultivar. We compared these QTLs with those previously detected in a cross of BHA with a more distantly related crop, indica. We identified multiple QTLs that overlapped with regions under selection during the evolution of weedy BHA rice and some candidate genes possibly underlying the evolution weediness traits in BHA. We showed that QTLs detected with ancestor–descendant crosses are more likely to be involved in the evolution of weediness traits than those detected from crosses of more diverged taxa.
To be or not to be fragrant: floral scent of some bat‐pollinated cacti
Authors: Albuquerque‐Lima S. , Milet‐Pinheiro P. , Navarro D. M. A. F. , Taylor N. P. , Zappi D. C. , Machado I. C. 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Floral scent is a key olfactory cue in both diurnal and nocturnal pollination systems. In the case of nocturnal systems, such as bat‐pollinated flowers, odour seems to play a more important role than visual cues. Cactaceae include many bat‐pollinated species; however, few studies have investigated the olfactory cues in this family.

We analysed and compared the chemical composition of the floral bouquet of three chiropterophilous cactus species, among which are a pair of congeners that differ considerably in scent intensity.

Our research presents novel findings regarding the floral scent chemistry of chiropterophilous cactus species. We documented the first case of a bat‐pollinated cactus whose flowers lack perceptible floral scent and in which no volatile compounds were detected in our chemical analyses. Additionally, we provide a comprehensive analysis of the chemical composition of the floral bouquet of the other two bat‐pollinated species, revealing a resemblance among closely related species within the same genus.

We highlight the need for further studies using biotests to investigate the mechanisms through which bats find flowers lacking scent.
Parasitical elitism in a sectarianized political system with a rentier economy: The power and practice of the Iraqi political elite after 2003
Authors: Al‐Aloosy Massaab 
Published: October 2023

AbstractThis article theorizes the role of the elite in a sectarianized political system with a rentier economy. It argues that by virtue of the sectarian and ethnic representation of the sub‐identities, the long‐term interests of society are neglected. The reliance on natural resources creates a competition within the elite to seize the state's revenue for narrow interests. Finally, in such a setting, the elite attempts the monopolization of the flow of information to the public to shore up its legitimacy. The case study is Iraq since it is one of the few, if not the sole, sectarianized political system with a rentier economy. The political elite, despite an abysmal performance for nearly two decades, has been resilient and garnered more power. The continuous malpractice encompasses all the political players who agree on the governing rules by which they maintain their position within the system, and with limited circulation of the elite.Related ArticlesAli, Hamid E., and Shahjahan Bhuiyan. 2022. “Governance, Natural Resources Rent, and Infrastructure Development: Evidence from the Middle East and North Africa.” Politics & Policy 50(2): 408–40. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12451.Howie, Peter. 2018. “Policy Transfer and Diversification in Resource‐Dependent Economies: Lessons for Kazakhstan from Alberta.” Politics & Policy 46(1): 110–40. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12239.Khodr, Hiba. 2014. “A Preliminary Comparative Study of Policy Making in Two GCC Countries—Qatar and Kuwait: Processes, Politics, and Participants.” Politics & Policy 42(2): 271–310. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12068.
Drought‐induced fiber water release and xylem embolism susceptibility of intact balsam poplar saplings
Authors: Chu Cheyenne , Momayyezi Mina , Stobbs Jarvis A. , Soolanayakanahally Raju Y. , McElrone Andrew J. , Knipfer Thorsten 
Published: October 2023

AbstractBalsam poplar (Populus balsamifera L.) is a widespread tree species in North America with significant ecological and economic value. However, little is known about the susceptibility of saplings to drought‐induced embolism and its link to water release from surrounding xylem fibers. Questions remain regarding localized mechanisms that contribute to the survival of saplings in vivo of this species under drought. Using X‐ray micro‐computed tomography on intact saplings of genotypes Gillam‐5 and Carnduff‐9, we found that functional vessels are embedded in a matrix of water‐filled fibers under well‐watered conditions in both genotypes. However, water‐depleted fibers started to appear under moderate drought stress while vessels remained water‐filled in both genotypes. Drought‐induced xylem embolism susceptibility was comparable between genotypes, and a greater frequency of smaller diameter vessels in GIL‐5 did not increase embolism resistance in this genotype. Despite having smaller vessels and a total vessel number that was comparable to CAR‐9, stomatal conductance was generally higher in GIL‐5 compared to CAR‐9. In conclusion, our in vivo data on intact saplings indicate that differences in embolism susceptibility are negligible between GIL‐5 and CAR‐9, and that fiber water release should be considered as a mechanism that contributes to the maintenance of vessel functional status in saplings of balsam poplar experiencing their first drought event.
Volatilome and proteome responses to Colletotrichum lindemuthianum infection in a moderately resistant and a susceptible bean genotype
Authors: Monti Maurilia M. , Mancini Ilaria , Gualtieri Liberata , Domingo Guido , Beccaccioli Marzia , Bossa Rosanna , Bracale Marcella , Loreto Francesco , Ruocco Michelina 
Published: October 2023

AbstractWe analyzed the changes in the volatilome, proteome, stomatal conductance, salicylic and jasmonic acid contents of a susceptible and a moderately resistant genotype of common bean, Phaseoulus vulgaris L., challenged with Colletotrichum lindemuthianum, the causal agent of fungal anthracnose. Our results indicate differences at both proteome and volatilome levels between the two genotypes, before and after the infection, and different defense strategies. The moderately resistant genotype hindered pathogen infection, invasion, and replication mainly by maintaining epidermal and cell wall structure. The susceptible genotype was not able to limit the early stages of pathogen infection. Rather, stomatal conductance increased in the infected susceptible genotype, and enhanced synthesis of Green Leaf Volatiles and salicylic acid was observed, together with a strong hypersensitive response. Proteomic investigation provided a general framework for physiological changes, whereas observed variations in the volatilome suggested that volatile organic compounds may principally represent stress markers rather than defensive compounds per se.
Exploring the interplay between memory effects and vesicle dynamics: A five‐dimensional analysis using rigid sphere models and mapping techniques
Authors: Azroul E. , Diki G. , Guedda M. 
Published: October 2023

AbstractThe memory effect in vesicle dynamics refers to the persistence of shape changes in lipid vesicles, a type of lipid bilayer membrane that mimics some features of real cells, particularly red blood cells (RBCs). To study this effect, a fractional rigid sphere model in five dimensions has been investigated, which maps the dynamics of a vesicle using the Caputo operator. This model provides new insights into the mechanisms behind the memory effect as well as the emergence of two other motions, namely, tank‐treading with underdamped and tank‐treading with overdamped vesicle oscillations, in addition to the tank‐treading mode where the vesicle rotates about its axis while maintaining a constant shape. Overall, this work represents a significant advance in our understanding of vesicle dynamics and has important implications for understanding the behavior of RBCs.
Design of an Improved Modular Multilevel Converter Reconfigurable Equalization Scheme Based on Difference of Voltage Variation
Authors: Liao Li , Hu Xuantong , Li Hongguang , Sun Shu , Jiang Jiuchun 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
In order to solve the problem of lower available capacity and shorter cycle life due to the barrel effect of series-connected batteries, as well as the problem of pseudo-equalization caused by battery aging, this paper proposes a modified modular multilevel converter (MMC) reconfigurable equalization scheme with difference of voltage variation (DOVV) as the equalization variable. The equalization topology consists of an MMC circuit and a voltage regulator, which effectively solves the problems of low total available capacity, inefficient energy transfer, and slow equalization by reducing the number of switches and achieving independent control of the equalization and voltage regulator modules. A control strategy based on the Oxford aging dataset is proposed with DOVV as the equalization variable, and a fuzzy logic control algorithm is introduced according to the distribution characteristics of DOVV data. This equalization control strategy overcomes the pseudo-equalization phenomenon due to battery aging. The simulation results show that compared with the traditional DC–DC energy transfer equalization topology, the energy transfer efficiency of the proposed equalization topology is improved by 62.15% and the equalization time is reduced by about 16.36%, and the pseudo-equalization phenomenon caused by the aging of the battery pack during the equalization process is well overcome. The feasibility of the proposed equalization scheme is verified.