bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Exploring relationships between autistic traits and body temperature, circadian rhythms, and age
Authors: Hidaka Souta , Gotoh Mizuho , Yamamoto Shinya , Wada Makoto 
Published: April 2023

AbstractThe number of clinical diagnoses of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is increasing annually. Interestingly, the human body temperature has also been reported to gradually decrease over the decades. An imbalance in the activation of the excitatory and inhibitory neurons is assumed to be involved in the pathogenesis of ASD. Neurophysiological evidence showed that brain activity decreases as cortical temperature increases, suggesting that an increase in brain temperature enhances the inhibitory neural mechanisms. Behavioral characteristics specific to clinical ASD were observed to be moderated when people with the diagnoses had a fever. To explore the possible relationship between ASD and body temperature in the general population, we conducted a survey study using a large population-based sample (N ~ 2000, in the age groups 20s to 70s). Through two surveys, multiple regression analyses did not show significant relationships between axillary temperatures and autistic traits measured by questionnaires (Autism Spectrum (AQ) and Empathy/Systemizing Quotients), controlling for covariates of age and self-reported circadian rhythms. Conversely, we consistently observed a negative relationship between AQ and age. People with higher AQ scores tended to have stronger eveningness. Our findings contribute to the understanding of age-related malleability and the irregularity of circadian rhythms related to autistic traits.
The bared external anal sphincter (BEAS), a new technique for high horseshoe anal fistula: a hospital-based cohort study
Authors: Zhu Jingyi , Du Peixin , Wang Zhenyi , Zheng De , Wang Qingming , Mei Zubing 
Published: April 2023

AbstractThe aim of this study was to introduce a new technique, the bared external anal sphincter technique, and to evaluate its effectiveness and safety for primary or recurrent high horseshoe anal fistula (HHAF). We used data from a tertiary referral hospital’s prospective database of a hospital-based cohort. All the patients underwent the bared external anal sphincter procedure. The main outcomes were short‐term clinical outcomes including the 6-month cure rate, Visual Analog Scale pain score (VAS-PS) and Cleveland Clinic Florida incontinence score (CCF-IS). The secondary outcomes included the Quality of Life in Patients with Anal Fistula Questionnaire score (QoLAF-QS), Bristol stool chart and postoperative complications. A total of 48 HHAF patients (39 males) with a mean age of 34.2 years (SD 9.04; range, 21–54) were analyzed in this retrospective study. At the 6-month follow-up, the average VAS-PS and CCF-IS were 0.81 (SD 2.28; range, 0–10) and 1.29 (SD 2.87; range, 0–13), respectively. QoLAF-QS showed that the bared external anal sphincter procedure had no impact over their quality of life in 45 patients (93.75%), limited impact in 2 patients (4.16%), and moderate impact in one patient (2.08%). The Bristol stool scale showed that all patients had normal stool characteristics. The 6-month cure rate was 93.75%. Three patients (6.25%) experienced recurrent symptoms but recovered after surgical management. Urinary retention occurred in 1 case (2.78%). No other postoperative complications were reported. No patient had anal incontinence. The bared external anal sphincter procedure is a safe, effective and sphincter-sparing approach for patients with primary or recurrent HHAF in terms of short‐term results.
Combined X-ray absorption and SEM–EDX spectroscopic analysis for the speciation of thorium in soil
Authors: Ratnayake Sanduni , Lützenkirchen Johannes , Finck Nicolas , Schild Dieter , Heberling Frank , Gil-Díaz Teba , Dardenne Kathy , Rothe Jörg , Geckeis Horst 
Published: April 2023

AbstractMobility and bioavailability of radionuclides in the environment strongly depend on their aqueous speciation, adsorption behavior and the solubility of relevant solid phases. In the present context, we focus on naturally occurring Th-232 at a location in central Sri Lanka presenting high background radiation levels. Four different soil samples were characterized using X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy (XAS) at the Th L3-edge (16.3 keV), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy. X-ray Absorption Near Edge Structure (XANES) spectra are applied as a fingerprint indication for Th existing in different chemical environments. Linear combination fitting (LCF) of the Extended X-ray Absorption Fine Structure (EXAFS) data involving reference Th-monazite (phosphate) and thorianite (oxide) compounds suggested that Th is mostly present as Th-phosphate (76 ± 2%) and Th-oxide (24 ± 2%), even though minor amounts of thorite (silicate) were also detected by SEM–EDX. Further studies on selected individual particles using micro-focus X-ray Fluorescence (μ-XRF) and micro-X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy (μ-XAS) along with SEM–EDX elemental mapping provided information about the nature of Th-bearing mineral particles regarding mixed phases. This is the first study providing quantitative and XAS based speciation information on Th-mineral phases in soil samples from Sri Lanka.
Identification of genomic regions associated with cereal cyst nematode (Heterodera avenae Woll.) resistance in spring and winter wheat
Authors: Chaturvedi Deepti , Pundir Saksham , Singh Vikas Kumar , Kumar Deepak , Sharma Rajiv , Röder Marion S. , Sharma Shiveta , Sharma Shailendra 
Published: April 2023

AbstractCereal cyst nematode (CCN) is a major threat to cereal crop production globally including wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). In the present study, single-locus and multi-locus models of Genome-Wide Association Study (GWAS) were used to find marker trait associations (MTAs) against CCN (Heterodera avenae) in wheat. In total, 180 wheat accessions (100 spring and 80 winter types) were screened against H. avenae in two independent years (2018/2019 “Environment 1” and 2019/2020 “Environment 2”) under controlled conditions. A set of 12,908 SNP markers were used to perform the GWAS. Altogether, 11 significant MTAs, with threshold value of −log10 (p-values) ≥ 3.0, were detected using 180 wheat accessions under combined environment (CE). A novel MTA (wsnp_Ex_c53387_56641291) was detected under all environments (E1, E2 and CE) and considered to be stable MTA. Among the identified 11 MTAs, eight were novel and three were co-localized with previously known genes/QTLs/MTAs. In total, 13 putative candidate genes showing differential expression in roots, and known to be involved in plant defense mechanisms were reported. These MTAs could help us to identify resistance alleles from new sources, which could be used to identify wheat varieties with enhanced CCN resistance.
Robust, motion-free optical characterization of samples using actively-tunable Twyman–Green interferometry
Authors: Imeri Arjent , Reza Syed Azer 
Published: April 2023

AbstractOptical interferometry-based techniques are ubiquitous in various measurement, imaging, calibration, metrological, and astronomical applications. Repeatability, simplicity, and reliability of measurements have ensured that interferometry in its various forms remains popular—and in fact continues to grow—in almost every branch of measurement science. In this paper, we propose a novel actively-controlled optical interferometer in the Twyman–Green configuration. The active beam control within the interferometer is a result of using an actively-controlled tunable focus lens in the sample arm of the interferometer. This innovation allows us to characterize transparent samples cut in the cubical geometry without the need for bulk mechanical motion within the interferometer. Unlike thickness/refractive index measurements with conventional Twyman–Green interferometers, the actively-tunable interferometer enables bulk-motion free thickness or refractive index sample measurements. With experimental demonstrations, we show excellent results for various samples that we characterized. The elimination of bulk motion from the measurement process promises to enable miniaturization of actively-tunable Twyman–Green interferometers for various applications.
Positive selection in cytochrome P450 genes is associated with gonad phenotype and mating strategy in social bees
Authors: Lago Denyse Cavalcante , Nora Luísa Czamanski , Hasselmann Martin , Hartfelder Klaus 
Published: April 2023

AbstractThe honey bee, Apis mellifera differs from all other social bees in its gonad phenotype and mating strategy. Honey bee queens and drones have tremendously enlarged gonads, and virgin queens mate with several males. In contrast, in all the other bees, the male and female gonads are small, and the females mate with only one or very few males, thus, suggesting an evolutionary and developmental link between gonad phenotype and mating strategy. RNA-seq comparisons of A. mellifera larval gonads revealed 870 genes as differentially expressed in queens versus workers and drones. Based on Gene Ontology enrichment we selected 45 genes for comparing the expression levels of their orthologs in the larval gonads of the bumble bee Bombus terrestris and the stingless bee, Melipona quadrifasciata, which revealed 24 genes as differentially represented. An evolutionary analysis of their orthologs in 13 solitary and social bee genomes revealed four genes with evidence of positive selection. Two of these encode cytochrome P450 proteins, and their gene trees indicated a lineage-specific evolution in the genus Apis, indicating that cytochrome P450 genes may be involved in the evolutionary association of polyandry and the exaggerated gonad phenotype in social bees.
Seasonal climatic instability in the western Chinese Loess Plateau during Marine Isotope Stages 12–10
Authors: Li Fengjiang , Wu Naiqin , Dong Yajie , Yang Yiquan , Zhang Yueting , Zhang Dan , Hao Qingzhen , Lu Houyuan 
Published: April 2023

AbstractBecause of similar astronomical background, Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 11 is viewed as an analogue of the Holocene, but the evolution of seasonal climatic instability during MIS 11 has not been well investigated. Here we present a time series of land-snail eggs—a recently-developed proxy of seasonal cooling events—from the Chinese Loess Plateau (CLP) to investigate seasonal climatic instability during MIS 11 and adjacent glacials. Due to the impact of low temperatures on egg hatching, egg-abundance peaks document seasonal cooling events. A total of five egg-abundance peaks were recorded in the CLP during MIS 12, MIS 11 and MIS 10. Three peaks are strong and occur close to glacial inception or interglacial-to-glacial transition; two weaker peaks occur during MIS11. These peaks imply seasonal climatic instability intensifies mainly during glacial initiation or transition. All these events correspond to ice-sheet growth and the loss of ice-rafted debris at high northern latitudes. Moreover, they occurred at the minima of local spring insolation during the MIS 12 and MIS 10 glacials, but at the maxima during the MIS 11 interglacial. This may contribute to the difference in the intensity of seasonal cooling events between low-eccentricity glacials and interglacials. Our results provide new evidence for understanding low-eccentricity interglacial–glacial evolution.
Adult expression of Semaphorins and Plexins is essential for motor neuron survival
Authors: Vaikakkara Chithran Aarya , Allan Douglas W. , O’Connor Timothy P. 
Published: April 2023

AbstractAxon guidance cues direct the growth and steering of neuronal growth cones, thus guiding the axons to their targets during development. Nonetheless, after axons have reached their targets and established functional circuits, many mature neurons continue to express these developmental cues. The role of axon guidance cues in the adult nervous system has not been fully elucidated. Using the expression pattern data available on FlyBase, we found that more than 96% of the guidance genes that are expressed in the Drosophila melanogaster embryo continue to be expressed in adults. We utilized the GeneSwitch and TARGET systems to spatiotemporally knockdown the expression of these guidance genes selectively in the adult neurons, once the development was completed. We performed an RNA interference (RNAi) screen against 44 guidance genes in the adult Drosophila nervous system and identified 14 genes that are required for adult survival and normal motility. Additionally, we show that adult expression of Semaphorins and Plexins in motor neurons is necessary for neuronal survival, indicating that guidance genes have critical functions in the mature nervous system.
Deep-trap dominated degradation of the endurance characteristics in OFET memory with polymer charge-trapping layer
Authors: Yu Tianpeng , Liu Zhenliang , Wang Yiru , Zhang Lunqiang , Hou Shuyi , Wan Zuteng , Yin Jiang , Gao Xu , Wu Lei , Xia Yidong , Liu Zhiguo 
Published: April 2023

AbstractOrganic field-effect transistors (OFETs) with polymer charge-trapping dielectric, which exhibit many advantages over Si-based memory devices such as low cost, light weight, and flexibility, still suffer challenges in practical application due to the unsatisfied endurance characteristics and even the lack of fundamental of behind mechanism. Here, we revealed that the degradation of endurance characteristics of pentacene OFET with poly(2-vinyl naphthalene) (PVN) as charge-storage layer is dominated by the deep hole-traps in PVN by using the photo-stimulated charge de-trapping technique with the fiber-coupled monochromatic-light probes. The depth distribution of hole-traps in PVN film of pentacene OFET is also provided.
Assessment of the trophic state of the Soła River dam cascade, Polish Carpathians: a comparison of the methodology
Authors: Jachniak Ewa , Jaguś Andrzej 
Published: April 2023

AbstractThe aim of this research was to determine the trophic state of mountain dam reservoirs, which are characterized by greater hydrological and ecological dynamics than lowland reservoirs. The trophic state of three dam reservoirs forming a cascade system was investigated. Trophic evaluation was carried out based on multiple criteria, i.e., (1) the content of chlorophyll a in the water, (2) planktonic algal biomass, (3) groups and species of algae, (4) the total phosphorus concentration in the water, and (5) the Integral Trophic State index (ITS). The analyzed parameters were characterized by high variability during the study period, which to a large extent may have resulted from the mountain environmental conditions. The greatest dynamics concerned parameters related to phytoplankton development. Unequivocal determinations of the trophic states of the reservoirs were difficult; however, it was found that in successive reservoirs of the cascade (from the highest to the lowest), a reduction in water fertility occurred.
A modulated fingerprint assisted machine learning method for retrieving elastic moduli from resonant ultrasound spectroscopy
Authors: Liu Juejing , Zhao Xiaodong , Zhao Ke , Goncharov Vitaliy G. , Delhommelle Jerome , Lin Jian , Guo Xiaofeng 
Published: April 2023

AbstractWe used deep-learning-based models to automatically obtain elastic moduli from resonant ultrasound spectroscopy (RUS) spectra, which conventionally require user intervention of published analysis codes. By strategically converting theoretical RUS spectra into their modulated fingerprints and using them as a dataset to train neural network models, we obtained models that successfully predicted both elastic moduli from theoretical test spectra of an isotropic material and from a measured steel RUS spectrum with up to 9.6% missing resonances. We further trained modulated fingerprint-based models to resolve RUS spectra from yttrium–aluminum-garnet (YAG) ceramic samples with three elastic moduli. The resulting models were capable of retrieving all three elastic moduli from spectra with a maximum of 26% missing frequencies. In summary, our modulated fingerprint method is an efficient tool to transform raw spectroscopy data and train neural network models with high accuracy and resistance to spectra distortion.
Characterization of rumen microbiome and metabolome from oro-esophageal tubing and rumen cannula in Holstein dairy cows
Authors: da Cunha Lais L. , Monteiro Hugo F. , Figueiredo Caio C. , Canisso Igor F. , Bicalho Rodrigo C. , Cardoso Felipe C. , Weimer Bart C. , Lima Fabio S. 
Published: April 2023

AbstractLess invasive rumen sampling methods, such as oro-esophageal tubing, became widely popular for exploring the rumen microbiome and metabolome. However, it remains unclear if such methods represent well the rumen contents from the rumen cannula technique. Herein, we characterized the microbiome and metabolome in the rumen content collected by an oro-esophageal tube and by rumen cannula in ten multiparous lactating Holstein cows. The 16S rRNA gene was amplified and sequenced using the Illumina MiSeq platform. Untargeted metabolome was characterized using gas chromatography of a time-of-flight mass spectrometer. Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, and Proteobacteria were the top three most abundant phyla representing ~ 90% of all samples. Although the pH of oro-esophageal samples was greater than rumen cannula, we found no difference in alpha and beta-diversity among their microbiomes. The overall metabolome of oro-esophageal samples was slightly different from rumen cannula samples yet more closely related to the rumen cannula content as a whole, including its fluid and particulate fractions. Enrichment pathway analysis revealed a few differences between sampling methods, such as when evaluating unsaturated fatty acid pathways in the rumen. The results of the current study suggest that oro-esophageal sampling can be a proxy to screen the 16S rRNA rumen microbiome compared to the rumen cannula technique. The variation introduced by the 16S rRNA methodology may be mitigated by oro-esophageal sampling and the possibility of increasing experimental units for a more consistent representation of the overall microbial population. Studies should consider an under or over-representation of metabolites and specific metabolic pathways depending on the sampling method.
Fabrication of N-doping activated carbons from fish waste and sawdust for Acid Yellow 36 dye removal from an aquatic environment
Authors: El-Nemr Mohamed A. , Hassaan Mohamed A. , Ashour Ibrahim 
Published: April 2023

AbstractAcid Yellow 36 (AY36) dye is a synthetic azo dye that is excessively used in various industries, causing hazardous environmental effects. The main target of this study is the preparation of self-N-doped porous activated carbon (NDAC) and the investigation in eliminating the AY36 dye from the water solution. The NDAC was prepared by mixing fish waste (60% protein content) which was considered a self-nitrogen dopant. A combination of Fish waste, sawdust, zinc chloride and urea with a mass ratio (5:5:5:1) was submitted to hydrothermal process at 180 °C for 5 h followed by pyrolysis for 1 h under N2 stream at 600, 700, and 800 °C. Fabricated NDAC was qualified as an adsorbent for recovering AY36 dye from water using batch trials. The fabricated NDAC samples were characterized by FTIR, TGA, DTA, BET, BJH, MP, t-plot, SEM, EDX, and XRD methods. The results showed the successful formation of NDAC with nitrogen mass percentage content (4.21, 8.13 and 9.85%). The NDAC prepared at 800 °C had the largest nitrogen content (9.85%) and was labeled as NDAC800. This later had 727.34 m2/g, 167.11 cm3/g, and 1.97 nm for specific surface area, the monolayer volume and the mean pores diameter respectively. By being the more efficient adsorbent, NDAC800 was chosen to test AY36 dye removal. Therefore, it is selected to investigate the removal of AY36 dye from aqueous solution by varying important parameters such as solution pH, initial dye concentration, adsorbent dosage and contact time. The removal of AY36 dye by NDAC800 was pH-dependent, with the optimum pH value 1.5 giving 85.86% removal efficiency and 232.56 mg/g maximum adsorption capacity (Qm). The kinetic data exhibited the best fit model with the pseudo-second-order (PSOM), while the equilibrium data fit well with the Langmuir (LIM) and Temkin (TIM). The mechanism of AY36 dye adsorption may be ascribed to the electrostatic contact between the dye and the available charged sites on NDAC800 surface. The prepared NDAC800 may be considered as an efficient, available, and eco-friendly adsorbent for AY36 dye adsorption from simulated water.
The combination of multiple plant growth promotion and hydrolytic enzyme producing rhizobacteria and their effect on Jerusalem artichoke growth improvement
Authors: Sritongon Natthawat , Boonlue Sophon , Mongkolthanaruk Wiyada , Jogloy Sanun , Riddech Nuntavun 
Published: April 2023

AbstractRhizobacteria are well recognized for their beneficial multifunctions as key promoters of plant development, suppressing pathogens, and improving soil health. In this study, experiments focused on characterizing the plant growth promotion (PGP) and extracellular hydrolase production traits of rhizobacteria, and their impact on Jerusalem artichoke growth. A total of 50 isolates proved capable of either direct PGP or hydrolase-producing traits. Two promising strains (Enterobactercloacae S81 and Pseudomonasazotoformans C2-114) showed potential on phosphate and potassium solubilization, IAA production, and 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid deaminase activity and hydrolase production. A hydrolase-producing strain (Bacillussubtilis S42) was able to generate cellulase, protease, amylase, β-glucosidase, and phosphatase. These three selected strains also gave positive results for indirect PGP traits such as siderophore, ammonia, oxalate oxidase, polyamine, exopolysaccharide, biofilm, motility, and tolerance to salinity and drought stress. Colonization was observed using a scanning electron microscope and rhizobacteria appeared at the root surface. Interestingly, inoculation with consortia strains (S42, S81, and C2-114) significantly increased all plant parameters, including height, biomass, root (length, surface, diameter, and volume), and tuber fresh weight. Therefore, we recommend that potential consortia of PGP and hydrolase-producing rhizobacteria be employed as a biofertilizer to improve soil and boost crop productivity.
Quantum hash function based on controlled alternate lively quantum walks
Authors: Hou Penglin , Shang Tao , Zhang Yuanjing , Tang Yao , Liu Jianwei 
Published: April 2023

AbstractQuantum hash function is an important area of interest in the field of quantum cryptography. Quantum hash function based on controlled alternate quantum walk is a mainstream branch of quantum hash functions by virtue of high efficiency and flexibility. In recent development of this kind of schemes, evolution operators determined by an input message depend on not only coin operators, but also direction-determine transforms, which usually are hard to extend. Moreover, the existing works ignore the fact that improper choice of initial parameters may cause some periodic quantum walks, and further collisions. In this paper, we propose a new quantum hash function scheme based on controlled alternate lively quantum walks with variable hash size and provide the selection criteria for coin operators. Specifically, each bit of an input message determines the magnitude of an additional long-range hop for the lively quantum walks. Statistical analysis results show excellent performance in the aspect of collision resistance, message sensitivity, diffusion and confusion property, and uniform distribution property. Our study demonstrates that a fixed coin operator, along with different shift operators, can effectively work on the design of a quantum hash function based on controlled alternate quantum walks, and shed new light on this field of quantum cryptography.