bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Enhancing growth and yield parameters of Sinapis alba through optimized seed priming techniques
Authors: Rehman Zia Ur , Haq Rashid Ul , Ullah Safi , Iqbal Aamir , Khan Amir Muhammad , Assogba Cedric Mankponse Antoine , Awais Muhammad 
Published: January 2024

AbstractEarly seed germination significantly influences crop growth and production, prompting the exploration of seed priming as a pivotal technique. Despite the acknowledged importance of faster germination and emergence for successful seedling establishment, oilseed crops like Sinapis alba have received limited attention concerning seed priming methods, unlike cereal and grain crops. This study aimed to bridge this gap by subjecting S. alba seeds to six priming treatments: T1 = control, T2 = distilled water, T3 = NaCl (0.5%), T4 = KNO3 (0.5%), T5 = CaCl2 (0.5%), and T6 = Moringa leaf extract at a 1:30 ratio (30 times diluted), to assess their impact on various growth and yield parameters. The data analysis revealed significant effects of seed priming on various parameters, with exceptions in plant height unaffected by seed soaking. Seed priming notably enhanced germination percentage, germination rate index, and seedling vigor index, while reducing mean germination time to emergence significantly. Furthermore, primed seeds exhibited significant increases in seedling fresh and dry weights, crop growth rate, net assimilation rate, root and shoot lengths, leaf area, chlorophyll content, early flowering, branch numbers, pod counts, and 1000‐seed weight compared to non‐primed seeds. The biological yield was relatively higher in treated seeds. Additionally, seed yield and oil content were found to be higher in primed seeds compared to the control. Among the treatments, KNO3 along with Moringa, displayed the most desirable outcomes across overall seedling parameters, suggesting their recommendation for effective priming treatments to improve the growth and yield of S. alba.
Micro‐feeding of nanoparticles under ultrasonic vibration
Authors: Lu Haifeng , Zhang Liang , Du Hui , Zhu Lizhuo , Guo Xiaolei , Liu Haifeng 
Published: January 2024

AbstractUnderstanding the collective flow of nanoparticles is important for handling the storing, dosing, and conveying of nanoparticles. We experimentally studied the discharge characteristics of nanoparticles from the hopper through a microchannel under ultrasonic vibration. Results show that ultrasonic vibration can effectively trigger the flow of jammed nanoparticles, which flows in the form of aggregates at a controllable discharge rate as low as 0.1 mg/s. The aggregate properties were obtained from high‐speed image processing technology. The multi‐stage flow mechanism was revealed: particle re‐arrangement at low amplitude and wall slip at high amplitude. Given this, the discharge rate model was developed by introducing an exponential function G(Fr) into the traditional Beverloo equation. The modified model describes both the self‐organized behavior at low amplitudes and velocity scaling caused by acceleration at high amplitudes, successfully predicting the discharge rate within ± 10% errors.
X‐linked congenital adrenal hypoplasia: Report of long clinical follow‐up and description of a new complex variant in the NR0B1 gene
Authors: Esquiaveto‐Aun Adriana Mangue , de Mello Maricilda Palandi , Guaragna Mara Sanches , da Silva Lopes Vera Lúcia Gil , Francese‐Santos Ana Paula , dos Santos Cruz Piveta Cristiane , Mazolla Taís Nitsh , de Lemos‐Marini Sofia Helena Valente , Guerra‐Junior Gil 
Published: January 2024

AbstractAdrenal hypoplasia congenita, attributed to NR0B1 pathogenic variants, accounts for more than 50% of the incidence of primary adrenal insufficiency in children. Although more than 250 different deleterious variations have been described, no genotype–phenotype correlation has been defined to date. We report a case of an adopted boy who reported the onset of an adrenal crisis at 2 weeks of age, requiring replacement therapy with mineralocorticoids and glucocorticoids for 4 months. For 3 years, he did well without treatment. At almost 4 years of age, the disorder was restarted. A long follow‐up showed the evolution of hypogonadotropic hypogonadism. Molecular studies on NR0B1 revealed a novel and deleterious deletion–insertion–inversion–deletion complex rearrangement sorted in the 5′‐3′ direction, which is described as follows: (1) deletion of the intergenic region (between TASL and NR0B1 genes) and 5′ region, (2) insertion of a sequence containing 37 bp at the junction of the intergenic region of the TASL gene and a part of exon 1 of the NR0B1 gene, (3) inversion of a part of exon 1, (4) deletion of the final portion of exon 1 and exon 2 and beginning of the 3′UTR region, (5) maintenance of part of the intergenic sequence (between genes MAGEB1 and NR0B1, telomeric sense), (6) large posterior deletion, in the same sense. The path to molecular diagnosis was challenging and involved several molecular biology techniques. Evaluating the breakpoints in our patient, we assumed that it was a nonrecurrent rearrangement that had not yet been described. It may involve a repair mechanism known as nonhomologous end‐joining (NHEJ), which joins two ends of DNA in an imprecise manner, generating an “information scar,” represented herein by the 37 bp insertion. In addition, the local Xp21 chromosome architecture with sequences capable of modifying the DNA structure could impact the formation of complex rearrangements.
An integrated passive acoustic monitoring and deep learning pipeline for black‐and‐white ruffed lemurs (Varecia variegata) in Ranomafana National Park, Madagascar
Authors: Batist Carly H. , Dufourq Emmanuel , Jeantet Lorène , Razafindraibe Mendrika N. , Randriamanantena Francois , Baden Andrea L. 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThe urgent need for effective wildlife monitoring solutions in the face of global biodiversity loss has resulted in the emergence of conservation technologies such as passive acoustic monitoring (PAM). While PAM has been extensively used for marine mammals, birds, and bats, its application to primates is limited. Black‐and‐white ruffed lemurs (Varecia variegata) are a promising species to test PAM with due to their distinctive and loud roar‐shrieks. Furthermore, these lemurs are challenging to monitor via traditional methods due to their fragmented and often unpredictable distribution in Madagascar's dense eastern rainforests. Our goal in this study was to develop a machine learning pipeline for automated call detection from PAM data, compare the effectiveness of PAM versus in‐person observations, and investigate diel patterns in lemur vocal behavior. We did this study at Mangevo, Ranomafana National Park by concurrently conducting focal follows and deploying autonomous recorders in May–July 2019. We used transfer learning to build a convolutional neural network (optimized for recall) that automated the detection of lemur calls (57‐h runtime; recall = 0.94, F1 = 0.70). We found that PAM outperformed in‐person observations, saving time, money, and labor while also providing re‐analyzable data. Using PAM yielded novel insights into V. variegata diel vocal patterns; we present the first published evidence of nocturnal calling. We developed a graphic user interface and open‐sourced data and code, to serve as a resource for primatologists interested in implementing PAM and machine learning. By leveraging the potential of this pipeline, we can address the urgent need for effective primate population surveys to inform conservation strategies.
Total Synthesis of Incarnatapeptins A and B
Authors: Han Feipeng , Li Jie , Li Shupeng , Wang Zhuo , Guo Yian , Ye Tao 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThe first total synthesis of incarnatapeptins A and B, two novel marine natural products, was accomplished from readily available (S)‐1‐benzyloxycarbonylhexahydropyridazine‐3‐carboxylic acid. This route, whose longest linear sequence was 12 steps, provided the incarnatapeptins A and B in yields of 26.5 % and 19.7 %, respectively, and enabled the structure and stereochemistry of both natural products to be unambiguously confirmed. Highlights of our synthesis include the photoredox‐mediated decarboxylative 1,4‐addition reaction and a novel and practical N‐acylation paradigm promoted by silver carbonate. The unusual facile atropisomerism of some linear peptidic intermediates was also observed by TLC analysis in the course of this work.
Unveiling Möbius/Hückel Topology and Aromaticity in A Core‐Expanded [10]Annulene at Different Oxidation States
Authors: Wu Shaofei , Han Yi , Ni Yong , Hou Xudong , Wei Haipeng , Li Zhengtao , Wu Jishan 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThe exploration of annulene's conformation, electronic properties and aromaticity has generated enduring interest over the years, yet it continues to present formidable challenges for annulenes with more than ten carbon atoms. In this study, we present the synthesis of a stable [10]cyclo‐para‐phenylmethine derivative (1), which bears a resemblance to [10]annulene. 1 can be readily oxidized into its respective cations, wherein electrons are effectively delocalized along the backbone, resulting in different conformations and aromaticity. Both 1 and its tetracation (14+ ⋅ 4SbF6−) exhibit a nearly planar conformation with a rectangular shape, akin to the E,Z,E,Z,Z‐[10]annulene. In contrast, the radical cation (1⋅+ ⋅ SbCl6−) possesses a doubly twisted Hückel topology. Furthermore, the dication (12+ ⋅ 2SbCl6−) displays conformational flexibility in solution and crystalizes with the simultaneous presence of Möbius‐twisted (1a2+ ⋅ 2SbCl6−) and Hückel‐planar (1b2+ ⋅ 2SbCl6−) isomers in its unit cell. Detailed experimental measurements and theoretical calculations reveal that: (1) 1 demonstrates localized aromaticity with an alternating benzenoid/quinoid structure; (2) 1a2+ ⋅ 2SbCl6− and 1b2+ ⋅ 2SbCl6− with 48π electrons are weakly Möbius aromatic and Hückel antiaromatic, respectively; (3) 14+ ⋅ 4SbF6− exhibits Hückel aromaticity (46π) and open‐shell diradical character.
A High‐Energy Aqueous All‐Sulfur Battery
Authors: Wang Huimin , Bi Songshan , Zhang Yanyu , Tian Jinlei , Niu Zhiqiang 
Published: January 2024

AbstractRechargeable aqueous batteries are promising energy storage devices because of their high safety and low cost. However, their energy densities are generally unsatisfactory due to the limited capacities of ion‐inserted electrode materials, prohibiting their widespread applications. Herein, a high‐energy aqueous all‐sulfur battery was constructed via matching S/Cu2S and S/CaSx redox couples. In such batteries, both cathodes and anodes undergo the conversion reaction between sulfur/metal sulfides redox couples, which display high specific capacities and rational electrode potential difference. Furthermore, during the charge/discharge process, the simultaneous redox of Cu2+ ion charge‐carriers also takes place and contributes to a more two‐electron transfer, which doubles the capacity of cathodes. As a result, the assembled aqueous all‐sulfur batteries deliver a high discharge capacity of 447 mAh g−1 based on total mass of sulfur in cathode and anode at 0.1 A g−1, contributing to an enhanced energy density of 393 Wh kg−1. This work will widen the scope for the design of high‐energy aqueous batteries.
Localized Oxidation Embellishing Strategy Enables High‐Performance Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Liu Minchao , Wang Yiyang , Lu Chenxing , Zhu Can , Liu Zhe , Zhang Jinyuan , Yuan Meng , Feng Yishun , Jiang Xin , Li Siguang , Meng Lei , Li Yongfang 
Published: January 2024

AbstractPerovskite solar cell (pero‐SC) has attracted extensive studies as a promising photovoltaic technology, wherein the electron extraction and transfer exhibit pivotal effect to the device performance. The planar SnO2 electron transport layer (ETL) has contributed the recent record power conversion efficiency (PCE) of the pero‐SCs, yet still suffers from surface defects of SnO2 nanoparticles which brings energy loss and phase instability. Herein, we report a localized oxidation embellishing (LOE) strategy by applying (NH4)2CrO4 on the SnO2 ETL. The LOE strategy builds up plentiful nano‐heterojunctions of p‐Cr2O3/n‐SnO2 and the nano‐heterojunctions compensate the surface defects and realize benign energy alignment, which reduces surface non‐radiative recombination and voltage loss of the pero‐SCs. Meanwhile, the decrease of lattice mismatch released the lattice distortion and eliminated tensile stress, contributing to better stability of the devices. The pero‐SCs based on α‐FAPbI3 with the SnO2 ETL treated by the LOE strategy realized a PCE of 25.72 % (certified as 25.41 %), along with eminent stability performance of T90>700 h. This work provides a brand‐new view for defect modification of SnO2 electron transport layer.
Screening stabilisers for cyanoenone triterpenoid TX101 in rat plasma samples by simultaneous analysis of parent drug and the epoxidation product
Authors: Tian Lynn , Tian Qingguo , Tamer Edward 
Published: January 2024

AbstractIn the development of bioanalytical methods, stabilizing drug molecules in biological matrices is crucial for ensuring reliable exposure data in pharmacokinetic and toxicokinetic sample analyses. This study focuses on the evaluation of stabilizing effects on the synthetic triterpenoid TX101, a cyanoenone triterpenoid Nrf2 activator with known instability in plasma samples. The molecule's unsaturated double bond is susceptible to oxidation, either nonenzymatically via oxygen or enzymatically through cytochrome P450 enzyme‐catalyzed epoxidation. The research explores the impact of antioxidants (L‐ascorbic acid, sodium metabisulfite, sodium sulfite) and P450 enzyme inhibitors (sodium diethyldithiocarbamate, memantine hydrochloride, 1‐aminobenzotriazole) on TX101 stability in rat plasma samples. Results reveal that adding 2.5 mg/mL sodium sulfite or sodium metabisulfite effectively inhibits the nonenzymatic oxidation of TX101 to TX101‐epoxide, while L‐ascorbic acid shows minimal stabilizing effect. Among P450 enzyme inhibitors, sodium diethyldithiocarbamate and memantine hydrochloride exhibit modest stabilizing effects, likely attributed to their antioxidant activity. The developed High‐formance liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) method, incorporating Supported Liquid Extraction for sample cleanup, allows simultaneous monitoring of TX101 and TX101‐epoxide. Application of this method in a rat dose‐range finding study confirms successful inhibition of TX101‐epoxide formation in samples treated with sodium sulfite or sodium metabisulfite. Overall, the study emphasizes the importance of stabilizers in preventing nonenzymatic oxidation reactions during sample storage, providing valuable insights for bioanalytical method development and validation.
Lipophrys pholis is larger, grows faster and is in better condition in protected than in unprotected rocky shores
Authors: Compaire Jesus C. , Visintini Natalia , Soriguer Milagrosa C. , Johnson Magnus L. , Hull Susan L. , Barrett Christopher J. 
Published: January 2024

Abstract

Intertidal fish are a key component of littoral food webs, contributing to the diets of birds and commercial fish species. Ascertaining their growth and condition can therefore help understand the health status of local communities.
Lipophrys pholis is a fish of the rocky intertidal with a wide distribution throughout the North‐eastern Atlantic (NE Atlantic) that has been recommended for use as an indicator in the environmental biomonitoring of marine ecosystems. However, it is unclear yet if this species is sensitive to the reserve effect.
In this study, the size, growth and body condition of specimens caught at protected and unprotected rocky shores of two contrasting marine provinces of the NE Atlantic were analysed to address whether L. pholis is sensitive to the reserve effect.
L. pholis were larger, grew faster in weight and were in better condition in the protected shores of both provinces. A faster growth rate was observed in the populations of the warmer province.
Inshore waters of unprotected sites in the Northern European Seas sampled in this study have recently been incorporated into a protected area. Thus, these results can help assess the success of the marine conservation programme and the time L. pholis needs to improve its population's health at these shores.
Regulating access to shores to avoid trampling and harvesting is a protection measure that can help enhance the health and conservation of L. pholis populations.
Limitations of the modified blackbody fit method for determining molecular cloud properties
Authors: Zielinski Niko , Wolf Sebastian 
Published: January 2024

AbstractAchieving a comprehensive understanding of the star and planet formation process is one of the fundamental tasks of astrophysics, requiring detailed knowledge of the physical conditions during the different phases of this process. During the earliest stages, that is, concerning physical processes in molecular clouds and filaments, the column density N(H2), dust temperature and dust emissivity index of these objects can be derived by adopting a modified blackbody fit of the far‐infrared (FIR) to (sub‐)millimeter spectral energy distributions (SEDs). However, this often applied method is based on various assumptions. In addition, the observational basis and required, but only assumed cloud properties, such as a limited wavelength‐coverage of the SED and dust properties, respectively, may differ between different studies. We review the basic limitations of this method and evaluate their impact on the derived physical properties of the objects of interest, that is, molecular clouds and filaments. We find that the highest uncertainty when applying this method is introduced by the often poorly constrained dust properties. Therefore, we propose to first derive the optical depth and subsequently the column density with the help of a suitable dust model as the optical depth can be obtained with high accuracy, especially at longer wavelengths. The method provides reliable results up to the high densities and corresponding optical depths observed in molecular clouds. Considering typically used observational data, that is, measurements obtained with FIR instruments like Herschel/PACS, JCMT/SCUBA‐2 and SOFIA/HAWC+, data at four wavelengths are sufficient to obtain accurate results. Furthermore, we find that the dust emissivity index derived from this method is not suitable as an indicator of dust grain size.
Using Digital Twins to Improve Pumping and Distribution System Operations
Authors: Bernard Michael 
Published: January 2024

Key TakeawaysDigital twins of water systems can give utility staff the real‐time, detailed analyses they need to manage the complexities of pumping and distribution operations.Among others, the benefits yielded by investing in digital twins include cost savings, improved staff efficiency, optimal equipment operation, and the ability to quickly and accurately identify system issues.Five utility case studies illustrate how real‐time data analysis effortlessly produced information that helped solve significant problems, some of which might not have been discovered otherwise.
Computational exploration of microsomal cytochrome P450 3A1 enzyme modulation by phytochemicals ofCichorium intybusL.: Insights into drug metabolism
Authors: Pathak Abhishek , Singh Satya Pal , Singh Dev Bukhsh , Anjaria Pranav , Tiwari Apoorv 
Published: January 2024

AbstractDrug metabolism plays a crucial role in drug fate, including therapeutic inactivation or activation, as well as the formation of toxic compounds. This underscores the importance of understanding drug metabolism in drug discovery and development. Considering the substantial costs associated with traditional drug development methods, computational approaches have emerged as valuable tools for predicting the metabolic fate of drug candidates. With this in mind, the present study aimed to investigate the potential mechanisms underlying the modulation of microsomal cytochrome P450 3A1 (CYP3A1) enzyme activity by various phytochemicals found inCichorium intybusL., commonly known as chicory. To achieve this goal, severalin silicomethods, including molecular docking and molecular dynamics (MD) simulation, were employed to explore computationally the microsomal CYP3A1 enzyme. Schrodinger software was utilized for the molecular docking study, which involved the interaction analysis between CYP3A1 and 28 phytoconstituents ofCichorium intybus. Virtual screening of 28 compounds from chicory led to the identification of the top five ranked compounds. These compounds were evaluated for drug‐likeness properties, pharmacokinetic profiles, and predicted binding affinities to CYP3A1. Caffeoylshikimic acid and cichoric acid emerged as promising candidates due to their favorable characteristics, including good oral bioavailability and high binding affinities to CYP3A1. Molecular dynamics simulations were conducted to assess the stability of caffeoylshikimic acid within the CYP3A1 binding pocket. The results demonstrated that caffeoylshikimic acid maintained stable interactions with the enzyme throughout the simulation, suggesting its potential as an effective modulator of CYP3A1 activity. The findings of this study have the potential to provide valuable insights into the complex molecular mechanisms by whichCichorium intybusL. acts on hepatocytes and modulates CYP3A1 enzyme expression or activity. By elucidating the impact of these phytochemicals on drug metabolism, this research contributes to our understanding of how chicory may interact with drugs and influence their efficacy and safety profiles.
Synthesis and investigation of novel boron‐ and magnesium‐doped YAG:Ce and LuAG:Ce phosphor ceramics
Authors: Inkrataite Greta , Skruodiene Monika , Skaudzius Ramunas 
Published: January 2024

AbstractYAG:Ce and LuAG:Ce ceramics are widely used as scintillator materials that convert high‐energy radiation into visible light. For the practical application of such compounds, short decay times are a necessity. One way of shortening the existing decay times even more is to change the local environment of emitting ions by means of doping the matrix with additional elements, for example, boron or magnesium. Furthermore, boron ions also can help absorb gamma rays more efficiently, therefore improving overall applicability. Due to the aforementioned reasons, YAG and LuAG ceramics doped with cerium, boron, and magnesium were synthesized. Initial amorphous powders have been obtained by means of sol–gel synthesis and pressed into pellets under isostatic pressure and finally calcinated to form crystalline ceramics. The effects of boron and magnesium doping on the morphological, structural, and luminescence properties were investigated. The key results showed that doping with boron has indeed shortened the decay times of the garnet pellets. Overall, boron doping of ceramics is a relatively new research area; however, it is rather promising as it helps both to improve the luminescence properties and to increase particle growth rate.