bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Thermostable keratinase from Bacillus cereus L10: optimization and some potential biotechnological applications
Authors: Derhab Neama , Mabrouk Mona E. M. , El-Metwally Mohammad M. , Mohammed Youssef M. M. 
Published: September 2023

AbstractThe accumulation of feather waste is a critical problem in solid waste management; therefore, microbial management of waste is highly significant. Consequently, the keratinolytic capacity of some bacteria isolated from the keratinous waste area was evaluated. The most promising isolate coded as L10 showed the highest feather degradation efficiency 72.7% was identified as Bacillus cereus L10 using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The effect and contribution of independent process variables were studied by Plackett–Burman design. The optimal values of the independent variables obtained from the Plackett–Burman design were chicken feather, 1%; K2HPO4, 0.3%; KH2PO4, 0.05%; MgSO4 7H2O, 0.01%; yeast extract, 0.05%; inoculum size 4% with pH 7 and incubation period 5 days at 35 °C. The optimal parameters were validated resulting in the enhancement of keratinase production (9.602 U/ml), protein concentration (521.17 µg/ml), and feather degradation (94%) along with a 4.56-fold increased of keratinase production. The enzyme is relatively thermostable, completely stable between 30 and 80 °C for 1 h and retained 97.66% of its activity at 100 °C. B. cereus L10 was able to degrade different types of keratins. Interestingly, the feather hydrolysate from optimized keratinase production medium showed plant growth promoting activity by producing indole-3-acetic acid (IAA). The feathers hydrolysate produced a great benefit by its use as a soil biofertilizer through enhancing the germination of Triticum aestivum. The important implication of keratinase in laundry detergent and leather industry was examined. Results revealed that the enzyme achieved great efficiency in removing protein and blood-rich stains within 30 min at 36 °C in addition to its thoroughly dehairing of cow-hide after 40 h incubation without any damage. The dehaired pelt exhibited a smooth, velvety, and white color surface, good flexibility. Therefore, our study presents an effective method to turn waste into wealth.
Graphical Abstract
The effect of aging and emotions on time processing
Authors: La Malva Pasquale , Prete Giulia , Di Crosta Adolfo , Ceccato Irene , Mammarella Nicola , Palumbo Rocco , Di Domenico Alberto 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
Background
Time perception is an automatic process that can be influenced by intrinsic and extrinsic factors.

Aims
This study aimed to investigate the effect of age and emotions on the ability to keep track of short suprasecond intervals.

Methods
Younger adults (N = 108, age range: 18–35) and older adults (N = 51, age range: 65–87) were asked to reproduce, bisect, or double the duration of facial stimuli randomly presented for 1500, 3000, and 4500 ms. The experiment included facial stimuli with positive, negative, or neutral expressions.

Results
The participants across age correctly reproduced intervals but overestimated and underestimated them when asked to bisect and double the intervals, respectively. Overall, when faces were presented with a positive or negative expression, an overestimation of time intervals emerged compared to faces with neutral expressions. Emotions had a greater effect on older adults, who showed a greater overestimation of positive facial expressions and an underestimation of sad, but not angry, facial expressions.

Discussion
The results provide evidence that time perception is influenced by age and emotions, with older adults showing a greater effect of emotions on time processing.

Conclusion
The study suggests an interaction among time processing, age, and emotions, highlighting an automatic relationship among these domains, often considered independent.
Imputing Monthly Values for Quarterly Time Series: An Application Performed with Swiss Business Cycle Data
Authors: Abberger Klaus , Graff Michael , Müller Oliver , Siliverstovs Boriss 
Published: September 2023

AbstractThis paper compares algorithms to deal with the problem of missing values in higher frequency data. We refer to Swiss business tendency survey data at monthly and quarterly frequency. There is a wide range of imputation algorithms. To evaluate the different approaches, we apply them to series that are de facto monthly, from which we create quarterly data by deleting two out of three data points from each quarter. At the same time, the monthly series are ideal to deliver higher frequency information for multivariate imputation algorithms. With this set of indicators, we conduct imputations of monthly values, resorting to two univariate and four multivariate algorithms. We then run tests of forecasting accuracy by comparing the imputed monthly data with the actual values. Finally, we take a look at the congruence of an imputed monthly series from the quarterly survey question on firms’ capacity utilisation with other monthly data reflecting the Swiss business cycle. The results show that an algorithm based on the Chow and Lin approach, amended with a variable pre-selection procedure, delivers the most precise imputations, closely followed by the standard Chow-Lin algorithm and then multiple regression. The cubic spline and the EM algorithm do not prove useful.
Biophysical investigation to assess the toxicity of the herbicide 2, 4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid on rats blood serum: a FTIR spectroscopic study
Authors: Dakhakhni Tahani H. , Alsufyani Daniah 
Published: September 2023

AbstractThis study utilized the FTIR technique to investigate and assess the herbicide 2, 4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid-induced blood serum toxicity. The study was conducted on 15 albino Wistar rats, divided into two groups: a control group (5 rats) and an intoxicated group (10 rats). Serum samples were investigated using the FTIR technique, and the obtained spectra from both groups were analyzed. Our results indicated a reduction in glucose, lipid, and protein content and remarkable changes in the secondary structure of protein in response to herbicide toxicity. A rise in the DNA content was also noticed. Our findings prove the FTIR technique's capability to detect biochemical changes in biological samples due to toxicity.
Dielectric and energy harvesting properties of functionalized composite nanofibers consisting of Boc-Phe-Leu self-assembled dipeptide inclusions in biocompatible polymeric matrices
Authors: Handa Adelino , Baptista Rosa M. F. , Santos Daniela , Silva Bruna , Oliveira João , Almeida Bernardo , de Matos Gomes Etelvina , Belsley Michael 
Published: September 2023

AbstractHybrid bionanomaterials were produced through electrospinning, incorporating the dipeptide Boc-l-phenylalanyl-l-leucine into nanofibers of biocompatible polymers. Scanning electron microscopy confirmed the uniformity of the nanofibers, with diameters ranging from 0.56 to 1.61 µm. The dielectric properties of the nanofibers were characterized using impedance spectroscopy, assessing temperature and frequency dependencies. Notably, the composite micro/nanofibers exhibited semiconducting dielectric behavior with bandgap energies of 4–5 eV, and their analysis revealed increased dielectric constant with temperature due to enhanced charge mobility. The successful incorporation of the dipeptide was verified by Maxwell–Wagner interfacial polarization, and the Havriliak–Negami model disclosed insights into electric permittivity. Furthermore, the fibers demonstrated pyroelectric and piezoelectric responses, with Boc-Phe-Leu@PLLA nanofibers having the highest piezoelectric coefficient of 85 pC/N. These findings highlight the influence of dipeptide nanostructures on dielectric, pyroelectric, and piezoelectric properties, suggesting the potential of polymeric micro/nanofibers as efficient piezoelectric energy generators for portable and wearable devices.
Graphical Abstract
Constitutive Behavior of Rocks During the Seismic Cycle
Authors: Barbot Sylvain 
Published: September 2023

AbstractEstablishing a constitutive law for fault friction is a crucial objective of earthquake science. However, the complex frictional behavior of natural and synthetic gouges in laboratory experiments eludes explanations. Here, we present a constitutive framework that elucidates the rate, state, and temperature dependence of fault friction under the relevant sliding velocities and temperatures of the brittle lithosphere during seismic cycles. The competition between healing mechanisms, such as viscoelastic collapse, pressure‐solution creep, and crack sealing, explains the low‐temperature stability transition from steady‐state velocity‐strengthening to velocity‐weakening as a function of slip‐rate and temperature. In addition, capturing the transition from cataclastic flow to semi‐brittle creep accounts for the stabilization of fault slip at elevated temperatures. We calibrate the model using extensive laboratory data on synthetic albite and granite gouge, and on natural samples from the Alpine Fault and the Mugi Mélange in the Shimanto accretionary complex in Japan. The constitutive model consistently explains the evolving frictional response of fault gouge from room temperature to 600°C for sliding velocities ranging from nanometers to millimeters per second. The frictional response of faults can be uniquely determined by the in situ lithology and the prevailing hydrothermal conditions.
Quantifying the Impact of the Surface Roughness of Hexagonal Ice Crystals on Backscattering Properties for Lidar‐Based Remote Sensing Applications
Authors: Saito Masanori , Yang Ping 
Published: September 2023

AbstractImpacts of small‐scale surface irregularities, or surface roughness, of atmospheric ice crystals on lidar backscattering properties are quantified. Geometric ice crystal models with various degrees of surface roughness and state‐of‐the‐science light‐scattering computational capabilities are utilized to simulate the single‐scattering properties across the entire practical size parameter range. The simulated bulk lidar and depolarization ratios of polydisperse ice crystals at wavelength 532 nm are strongly sensitive to the degree of surface roughness. Comparisons of these quantities between the theoretical simulations and counterparts inferred from spaceborne lidar observations for cold cirrus clouds suggest a typical surface‐roughness‐degree range of 0.03–0.15 in the cases of compact hexagonal ice crystals, which is most consistent with direct measurements of scanning electron microscopic images. To properly interpret lidar backscattering observations of ice clouds, it is necessary to account for the degree of surface roughness in light‐scattering computations involving ice crystals.
Solving a Seismic Mystery With the Audio From a Diver's Camera: A Case of Shallow Water T‐Waves in the Persian Gulf
Authors: Salaree Amir , Spica Zack , Huang Yihe 
Published: September 2023

AbstractSparse offshore coverage of seismic networks has hindered detailed studies of submarine earthquakes and their associated seismic hazard. We present results of our analysis of a diver's recording of acoustic signals from an ML = 5.6 earthquake in the Persian Gulf. We model the signals as a set of several shallow water T phases the frequency and group velocity of which are determined by bathymetry. We show that the audio track from this recording can provide reliable estimates of earthquake location and seismic moment. We also show that the reported shaking in the southern Persian Gulf, >170 km from the source of this small earthquake could result from T waves traveling through the entire width of the basin. Our results point to rudimentary and affordable underwater microphones similar to those used in the divers' cameras as tools to build efficient, low‐cost networks for the study of offshore events and early warning.
Weakly Forced Thunderstorms in the Southeast US Are Stronger Near Urban Areas
Authors: Miller P. , Debbage N. 
Published: September 2023

AbstractWhile cities are well documented to enhance precipitation through the urban rainfall effect (URE), the distinguishing characteristics of urban‐influenced storms that help establish the URE are poorly understood. The purpose of this study is to examine the morphological traits (i.e., size, duration, intensity, etc.) and near‐storm environmental conditions of weakly forced thunderstorms (WFTs) occurring near urban areas in the Southeast US relative to storms forming in surrounding rural areas. Urban WFTs are found to have higher reflectivities, are more likely to contain hail, and produce more lightning than nearby non‐urban storms, but their sizes and shapes are statistically indistinguishable. When disaggregated across individual urban areas, the increase in maximum composite reflectivity among urban storms is the most pervasive morphological difference, with 24 of the 31 cities displaying elevated reflectivities. Urban WFTs also benefit from near‐storm environments with greater instability and higher precipitation efficiency, which may further contribute to the URE.
The Sensitivity of an Idealized Weddell Gyre to Horizontal Resolution
Authors: Styles Andrew F. , Bell Michael J. , Marshall David P. 
Published: September 2023

AbstractEstimates of the Weddell Gyre transport vary widely between climate simulations. Here, we investigate if inter‐model variability can originate from differences in the horizontal resolution of the ocean model. We run an idealized model of the Weddell Gyre at eddy‐parameterized, eddy‐permitting, and eddy‐rich resolutions and find that the gyre is strongly sensitive to horizontal resolution. The gyre transport is largest at eddy‐permitting resolutions (45 Sv with a noisy bathymetry) and smallest at eddy‐parameterized resolutions (12 Sv). The eddy‐permitting simulations have the largest horizontal density gradients and the weakest stratification over the gyre basin. The large horizontal density gradients induce a significant thermal wind transport and increase the mean available potential energy for mesoscale eddies. The distribution of eddy kinetic energy indicates that explicit eddies in simulations intensify the bottom circulation of the gyre via non‐linear dynamics. If climate models adopt horizontal resolutions that the Weddell Gyre is most sensitive to, then simulations of the Weddell Gyre could become more disparate.
A Warmer and Wetter Arctic: Insights From a 20‐Years AIRS Record
Authors: Boisvert Linette , Parker Chelsea , Valkonen Elina 
Published: September 2023

AbstractArctic sea ice has undergone significant change in areal coverage, thickness, ice type since the 1980s and more recently since the early 2000s, where a “New Arctic” regime now exists. Since the sea ice modulates exchanges of energy from the ocean to the atmosphere, this changing sea ice environment has profound effects on the local climate. However, due to the Arctic's remote location, wide‐spread and long‐term data records of the atmosphere are few and far between. The Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS) onboard NASA's Aqua satellite was launched in May 2002 has been collecting twice daily, global data of the Earth's temperature and humidity for over 20 years. We use AIRS temperature and humidity data to investigate relationships between the sea ice, and surface and atmospheric conditions between 2003 and 2022. The Arctic atmosphere is becoming warmer and wetter with sea ice loss and the change is most pronounced near the surface. Strongest correlations occur in the fall when the surface and lower atmosphere are tightly coupled. When comparing the first (2003–2012) and last (2013–2022) decade of the New Arctic, results show that the warming and moistening is slowing down as the sea ice regime and sea ice loss has stabilized in 2013–2022. Cooling and drying is occurring in winter in the Barents and other peripheral seas in the last decade possibly due to a negative feedback loop, where winter sea ice regrowth is occurring at a faster pace. This work highlights the importance of sea ice atmosphere interactions and long‐term climate data records, specifically in remote and drastically changing places like the Arctic.
Comparison of hemodynamic effects of chest compression delivered via machine or human in asphyxiated piglets
Authors: O’Reilly Megan , Lee Tze-Fun , Cheung Po-Yin , Schmölzer Georg M. 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
Background
High-quality chest compressions (CC) are an important factor of neonatal resuscitation. Mechanical CC devices may provide superior CC delivery and improve resuscitation outcomes. We aimed to compare the hemodynamic effects of CC delivered by machine and human using a neonatal piglet model.

Methods
Twelve asphyxiated piglets were randomized to receive CC during resuscitation using an automated mechanical CC device (“machine”) or the two-thumb encircling technique (“human”). CC was superimposed with sustained inflations.

Results
Twelve newborn piglets (age 0–3 days, weight 2.12 ± 0.17 kg) were included in the study. Machine-delivered CC resulted in an increase in stroke volume, and minimum and maximum rate of left ventricle pressure change (dp/dtmin and dp/dtmax) compared to human-delivered CC.

Conclusions
During machine-delivered CC, stroke volume and left ventricular contractility were significantly improved. Mechanical CC devices may provide improved cardiopulmonary resuscitation outcomes in neonatal cardiac arrest induced by asphyxia.

Impact

Machine chest compression leads to changes in hemodynamic parameters during resuscitation of asphyxiated neonatal piglets, namely greater stroke volume and left ventricular contractility, compared with standard two-thumb compression technique. Mechanical chest compression devices may provide improved cardiopulmonary resuscitation outcomes in neonatal and pediatric asphyxia-induced cardiac arrest.
Resource partitioning and amino acid assimilation in a terrestrial geothermal spring
Authors: Lai Dengxun , Hedlund Brian P , Mau Rebecca L , Jiao Jian-Yu , Li Junhui , Hayer Michaela , Dijkstra Paul , Schwartz Egbert , Li Wen-Jun , Dong Hailiang , Palmer Marike , Dodsworth Jeremy A , Zhou En-Min , Hungate Bruce A 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
High-temperature geothermal springs host simplified microbial communities; however, the activities of individual microorganisms and their roles in the carbon cycle in nature are not well understood. Here, quantitative stable isotope probing (qSIP) was used to track the assimilation of 13C-acetate and 13C-aspartate into DNA in 74 °C sediments in Gongxiaoshe Hot Spring, Tengchong, China. This revealed a community-wide preference for aspartate and a tight coupling between aspartate incorporation into DNA and the proliferation of aspartate utilizers during labeling. Both 13C incorporation into DNA and changes in the abundance of taxa during incubations indicated strong resource partitioning and a significant phylogenetic signal for aspartate incorporation. Of the active amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) identified by qSIP, most could be matched with genomes from Gongxiaoshe Hot Spring or nearby springs with an average nucleotide similarity of 99.4%. Genomes corresponding to aspartate primary utilizers were smaller, near-universally encoded polar amino acid ABC transporters, and had codon preferences indicative of faster growth rates. The most active ASVs assimilating both substrates were not abundant, suggesting an important role for the rare biosphere in the community response to organic carbon addition. The broad incorporation of aspartate into DNA over acetate by the hot spring community may reflect dynamic cycling of cell lysis products in situ or substrates delivered during monsoon rains and may reflect N limitation.
A novel SLC25A1 inhibitor, parthenolide, suppresses the growth and stemness of liver cancer stem cells with metabolic vulnerability
Authors: Zhang Zhichun , Qiao Yuan , Sun Qiuyue , Peng Liang , Sun Lichao 
Published: September 2023

AbstractLiver cancer stem cells (LCSCs) are recognized as key contributors to hepatocarcinogenesis, progression, and recurrence. Consequently, eradicating LCSCs has a great chance of increasing long-term survival in patients with liver cancer. Parthenolide (PTL), a natural sesquiterpene lactone product, possesses robust antitumor activity. However, the effects of PTL on LCSCs and underlying mechanisms remain unknown. Here we show that administration of PTL stimulated cell cycle arrest at the G1 phase, induced apoptosis, and decreased the stemness of LCSCs. Further research indicates that PTL caused the production of ROS and the reduction of oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) levels of LCSCs. RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) further shows that PTL decreased SLC25A1 expression at the mRNA level and that inhibition of SLC25A1 synergistically decreased the expression of IDH2 and several pivotal genes involved in mitochondrial respiratory chain complex, resulting in the production of ROS and mitochondrial dysfunction. In addition, the inhibitory effect of PTL on mitochondrial function and self-renewal capacity of LCSCs was abolished by the knockdown of SLC25A1 or treatment with SLC25A1 inhibitor CTPI-2. Importantly, PTL prevented liver cancer growth in vivo without clearly causing toxicity. Our research shows that PTL inhibits the growth and stemness of LCSCs through SLC25A1-mediated mitochondrial function. PTL may be a potential candidate natural agent for liver cancer treatment.
A sign-inverted receptive field of inhibitory interneurons provides a pathway for ON-OFF interactions in the retina
Authors: Jo Andrew , Deniz Sercan , Xu Jian , Duvoisin Robert M. , DeVries Steven H. , Zhu Yongling 
Published: September 2023

AbstractA fundamental organizing plan of the retina is that visual information is divided into ON and OFF streams that are processed in separate layers. This functional dichotomy originates in the ON and OFF bipolar cells, which then make excitatory glutamatergic synapses onto amacrine and ganglion cells in the inner plexiform layer. We have identified an amacrine cell (AC), the sign-inverting (SI) AC, that challenges this fundamental plan. The glycinergic, ON-stratifying SI-AC has OFF light responses. In opposition to the classical wiring diagrams, it receives inhibitory inputs from glutamatergic ON bipolar cells at mGluR8 synapses, and excitatory inputs from an OFF wide-field AC at electrical synapses. This “inhibitory ON center - excitatory OFF surround” receptive-field of the SI-AC allows it to use monostratified dendrites to conduct crossover inhibition and push-pull activation to enhance light detection by ACs and RGCs in the dark and feature discrimination in the light.
An inverse agonist of orphan receptor GPR61 acts by a G protein-competitive allosteric mechanism
Authors: Lees Joshua A. , Dias João M. , Rajamohan Francis , Fortin Jean-Philippe , O’Connor Rebecca , Kong Jimmy X. , Hughes Emily A. G. , Fisher Ethan L. , Tuttle Jamison B. , Lovett Gabrielle , Kormos Bethany L. , Unwalla Rayomand J. , Zhang Lei , Dechert Schmitt Anne-Marie , Zhou Dahui , Moran Michael , Stevens Kimberly A. , Fennell Kimberly F. , Varghese Alison E. , Maxwell Andrew , Cote Emmaline E. , Zhang Yuan , Han Seungil 
Published: September 2023

AbstractGPR61 is an orphan GPCR related to biogenic amine receptors. Its association with phenotypes relating to appetite makes it of interest as a druggable target to treat disorders of metabolism and body weight, such as obesity and cachexia. To date, the lack of structural information or a known biological ligand or tool compound has hindered comprehensive efforts to study GPR61 structure and function. Here, we report a structural characterization of GPR61, in both its active-like complex with heterotrimeric G protein and in its inactive state. Moreover, we report the discovery of a potent and selective small-molecule inverse agonist against GPR61 and structural elucidation of its allosteric binding site and mode of action. These findings offer mechanistic insights into an orphan GPCR while providing both a structural framework and tool compound to support further studies of GPR61 function and modulation.