bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Identification and characterisation of a major outer membrane protein from Methylacidiphilum fumariolicum SolV
Authors: Liu Changqing , Mesman Rob , Pol Arjan , Angius Federica , Op den Camp Huub J. M. 
Published: September 2023

AbstractThe outer membrane (OM) protects Gram-negative bacteria against a hostile environment. The proteins embedded in the OM fulfil a number of tasks that are crucial to the bacterial cell. In this study, we identified and characterised a major outer membrane protein (WP_009059494) from Methylacidiphilum fumariolicum SolV. PRED-TMBB and AlphaFold2 predicted this protein to form a porin with a β-barrel structure consisting of ten antiparallel β-sheets and with a small amphipathic N-terminal α-helix in the periplasm. We purified soluble recombinant protein WP_009059494 from E. coli using Tris–HCl buffer with SDS. Antibodies were raised against two peptides in the two large extracellular loops of protein WP_009059494 and immunogold localisation showed this protein to be mainly present in the OM of strain SolV. In addition, this protein is tightly associated with the OM, and is resistant to extraction. Only a small amount can be isolated from the cell envelope using harsh conditions (SDS and boiling). Despite this resistance to extraction, WP_009059494 most likely is an outer membrane protein. A regular lattice could not be detected by negative staining TEM of strain SolV and isolated protein WP_009059494. Considering the specific ecological niche of strain SolV living in a geothermal environment with low pH and high temperatures, this major protein WP_009059494 may act as barrier to resist the extreme conditions found in its natural environment. In addition, we found an absence of the BamB, BamC and BamE proteins of the canonical BAM complex, in Methylacidiphilum and Methylacidimicrobium species. This suggests that these bacteria use a simple BAM complex for folding and transport of OM proteins.
The Spherical Parametrisation for Correlation Matrices and its Computational Advantages
Authors: Lucchetti Riccardo , Pedini Luca 
Published: September 2023

AbstractIn this paper, we analyse the computational advantages of the spherical parametrisation for correlation matrices in the context of Maximum Likelihood estimation via numerical optimisation. By using the special structure of correlation matrices, it is possible to define a bijective transformation of an $$n \times n$$

n
×
n

correlation matrix $$R$$
R
into a vector of $$n(n-1)/2$$

n
(
n
-
1
)
/
2

angles between 0 and $$\pi$$
π
. After discussing the algebraic aspects of the problem, we provide examples of the use of the technique we propose in popular econometric models: the multivariate DCC-GARCH model, widely used in applied finance for large-scale problems, and the multivariate probit model, for which the computation of the likelihood is typically accomplished by simulated Maximum Likelihood. Our analysis reveals the conditions when the spherical parametrisation is advantageous; numerical optimisation algorithms are often more robust and efficient, especially when R is large and near-singular.
Saturating systems and the rank-metric covering radius
Authors: Bonini Matteo , Borello Martino , Byrne Eimear 
Published: September 2023

AbstractWe introduce the concept of a rank-saturating system and outline its correspondence to a rank-metric code with a given covering radius. We consider the problem of finding the value of$$s_{q^m/q}(k,\rho )$$sqm/q(k,ρ), which is the minimum$$\mathbb {F}_q$$Fq-dimension of aq-system in$$\mathbb {F}_{q^m}^k$$Fqmkthat is rank-$$\rho $$ρ-saturating. This is equivalent to the covering problem in the rank metric. We obtain upper and lower bounds on$$s_{q^m/q}(k,\rho )$$sqm/q(k,ρ)and evaluate it for certain values ofkand$$\rho $$ρ. We give constructions of rank-$$\rho $$ρ-saturating systems suggested from geometry.
Momentary PERMA: An Adapted Measurement Tool for Studying Well-Being in Daily Life
Authors: Heshmati Saeideh , Kibrislioglu Uysal Nermin , Kim Sharon H. , Oravecz Zita , Donaldson Stewart I. 
Published: September 2023

AbstractPERMA is a multidimensional framework that explains well-being through five hedonic and eudaimonic psychological elements–Positive emotions, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, Accomplishment. Soon after the PERMA framework was proposed, PERMA-Profiler was introduced as a validated assessment tool for measuring these five elements of well-being from a global perspective. The current study aimed to shed further light onto the measurement of PERMA elements, extending it beyond global evaluations, to daily life assessments and the examination of individual differences in their dynamic characteristics. We introduce mPERMA (momentary PERMA), as an EMA-adapted version of the PERMA-Profiler measure, to assess well-being in daily life. Using data collected in an Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) study (N = 160), we first demonstrate the factor structure of mPERMA through a multilevel factor analysis and next examine within-person means and the dynamics of change (e.g., intra-individual variability) in the PERMA elements. Findings revealed that mPERMA displays convergent validity with two global measures of hedonic and eudaimonic well-being, namely Flourishing and Subjective Well-Being. Moreover, dynamical characteristics of the five elements of well-being measured over time, map onto their corresponding hedonic or eudaimonic global measures of well-being. Results of this paper present how dynamical features of well-being in daily life provide novel insights into predicting global well-being.
Investigating the Effect of Substituting a Single Cysteine Residue on the Thermal Stability of an Engineered Sweet Protein, Single-Chain Monellin
Authors: Ohnuma Kyosuke , Yamashita Atsuko , Yasui Norihisa 
Published: September 2023

AbstractSingle-chain monellin (SCM) is an engineered protein that links the two chains of monellin, a naturally sweet-tasting protein. This protein is an attractive candidate for use as a sugar replacement in food and beverages and has numerous other applications. Therefore, generating SCM mutants with improved stability is an active area of research to broaden the range of its potential applications. In this study, we focused on the Cys41 residue of SCM, which is a single cysteine residue present at a structurally important position. This residue is often substituted with Ser. However, this substitution may destabilize SCM because Cys41 is buried in the hydrophobic core of the protein. Therefore, we designed mutants that substituted Ala, Val, and Leu for this residue, namely C41A, C41V, and C41L. We characterized these three mutants, SCM C41S, and wild type (WT). Differential scanning fluorimetric analysis revealed that substituting Cys41 with Ala or Val increased the thermal stability of SCM, while substitution with Ser or Leu decreased its stability. Determination of the crystal structures of SCM C41A and C41V mutants revealed that the overall structures and main chain structures around the 41st residue of both mutants were almost identical to the WT. On the other hand, the orientations of the amino acid side chains near the 41st residue differed among the SCM variants. Taken together, our results indicate that substituting Cys41 with Ala or Val increases the stability of SCM and provide insight into the structural basis of this improvement.
Is Geographical Mobility Beneficial? The Impact of the South-to-North Internal Migration on Occupational Achievement in Italy
Authors: Panichella Nazareno , Cantalini Stefano 
Published: September 2023

AbstractGeographical mobility plays a crucial role in shaping demographic and social change, yet few studies have examined its impact on occupational success and the transmission of social inequality across generations. This study aims to investigate the effect of internal migration on occupational status in Italy, exploring whether men and women experience a benefit or disadvantage from South-to-North migration, and if this effect is influenced by family status and social class of origin. The research is based on the Italian Household Longitudinal Survey and utilizes a set of fixed effects linear regression panel models combined with Coarsened Exact Matching (CEM). Results show that only men benefit from migration, while women experience a disadvantage, which increases when they move after union formation and the transition to parenthood. Furthermore, the impact of geographical mobility on occupational status varies based on social class of origin only for men, with those from higher classes experiencing a much greater migration benefit than those from medium and lower classes. These findings demonstrate that geographical mobility serves as an additional source of advantage for individuals from higher social classes. The positive effect on male occupational success compounds with family-related benefits, further widening social disparities between individuals in different social strata.
Deep learning techniques for in-crop weed recognition in large-scale grain production systems: a review
Authors: Hu Kun , Wang Zhiyong , Coleman Guy , Bender Asher , Yao Tingting , Zeng Shan , Song Dezhen , Schumann Arnold , Walsh Michael 
Published: September 2023

AbstractWeeds are a significant threat to agricultural productivity and the environment. The increasing demand for sustainable weed control practices has driven innovative developments in alternative weed control technologies aimed at reducing the reliance on herbicides. The barrier to adoption of these technologies for selective in-crop use is availability of suitably effective weed recognition. With the great success of deep learning in various vision tasks, many promising image-based weed detection algorithms have been developed. This paper reviews recent developments of deep learning techniques in the field of image-based weed detection. The review begins with an introduction to the fundamentals of deep learning related to weed detection. Next, recent advancements in deep weed detection are reviewed with the discussion of the research materials including public weed datasets. Finally, the challenges of developing practically deployable weed detection methods are summarized, together with the discussions of the opportunities for future research. We hope that this review will provide a timely survey of the field and attract more researchers to address this inter-disciplinary research problem.
Emerging alternatives to traditional anthelmintics: the in vitro antiparasitic activity of silver and selenium nanoparticles, and pomegranate (Punica granatum) peel extract against Haemonchus contortus
Authors: Kaiaty Ahmed M. , Salib Fayez A. , El-Gameel Sohila M. , Abdel Massieh Emil S. , Hussien Ahmed M. , Kamel Mohamed S. 
Published: September 2023

AbstractHaemonchus contortus (H. contortus) is one of the most prevalent gastrointestinal nematodes, causing health problems and economic losses in ruminants. Nanotechnology holds great promise as a field of science, with potential applications in veterinary medicine. This study investigated the in vitro anthelmintic activity of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs), and pomegranate peel extract (Punica granatum; PPE) on different stages of H. contortus: eggs, larvae, and adults. The in vitro anthelmintic efficacy was evaluated using the egg hatching inhibition assay (EHA), the third larval stage paralysis assay (LPA), and the adult worm motility inhibition assay (WMI). Six dilutions of PPE were utilized for EHA, LPA, and WMI, ranging from 0.25 to 6 mg/ml. AgNPs dilutions ranged from 0.00001 to 1.0 μg/ml for EHA and LPA and 1 to 25 μg/ml for WMI. SeNPs were utilized at dilutions of 1, 5, 10, and 15 μg/ml for EHA, LPA, and WMI. The results showed that the lowest concentration of AgNPs, SeNPs, and PPE significantly inhibited egg hatching. To further assess larvicidal activity, AgNPs at the highest concentration of 1 μg/ml induced a strong larvicidal effect, as did SeNPs at the lowest concentration. On the contrary, PPE displayed a significant larvicidal effect at 1 mg/ml compared to the control. The percentage mortality of adult H. contortus was measured as follows (mortality (%) = the number of dead adult H. contortus/total number of adult H. contortus per test × 100). The death of the adult H. contortus was determined by the absence of motility. Adult H. contortus mortality percentage was also significantly affected by all three agents when compared to the control. The AgNPs, SeNPs, and PPE have effective antiparasitic activity on gastrointestinal parasitic nematodes. These results provide evidence of the excellent antiparasitic properties of AgNPs, SeNPs, and PPE, demonstrating their effectiveness in controlling eggs, larvae, and adult H. contortus in vitro.
Bridging communities and schools in Urban development: community and citizen science
Authors: Magnussen Rikke , Hod Yotam 
Published: September 2023

AbstractThis paper presents the results of two community and citizen science research projects – Cities at Play and Community Drive – in which young students (aged 11–15) from vulnerable residential areas in Copenhagen, Denmark, collaborated with architects and urban developers to engage in urban development initiatives in their neighborhoods. An educational design was developed over the two research projects in which students underwent phases of discovery, interpretation, ideation, and experimentation. Data were collected from surveys, observations, and interviews to elucidate the ways that three bridges central to community and citizen science projects can function. These include professional (bridges student learning in school and professional communities outside school), citizen (bridges student learning in school and local communities), and student (bridges student learning in school and new student communities) bridges. This research makes both theoretical and practical advancements. Theoretically, it advances our thinking about the diverse roles that participants in multi-sector partnerships can have, as well as how CCS widens the view of cultural asset-based learning by viewing students as experts of their local communities. Practically, we offer four guidelines that were gleaned from the results that can be instructive for the design of future educational community and citizen science projects.
The ecosystem services supplied by urban green infrastructure depend on their naturalness, functionality and imperviousness
Authors: Hanna Elie , Bruno Daniel , Comín Francisco A. 
Published: September 2023

AbstractUrban green infrastructure (UGI) can provide key ecosystem services (ES) for human well-being. For this purpose, it is critical to ascertain which characteristics regulate the provision of ES by UGI. In this study, eight ES (water supply, water regulation, waste regulation, nutrient regulation, soil formation, carbon sequestration, air temperature regulation and air humidity regulation) of thirty UGI sites of Zaragoza (Spain), were evaluated using proxy indicators derived from analyzed soil samples, and in-situ measured air temperature and humidity. A principal component analysis was performed to group different ES, and to study the dispersion of different types of UGI along the distinct ES. Additionally, relationships, between the evaluated ES and predictors; flatness, imperviousness, regularity, naturalness and functioning of the UGI sites were studied through linear and quadratic regressions. Large UGI sites such as riparian zones, meanders and natural forests showed relatively high values of ES in contrast with more artificial sites. Moreover, the study showed that water supply, water regulation, soil formation, carbon sequestration and air temperature regulation were significantly and positively related to ecological naturalness and functioning, while imperviousness was the main predictor explaining the reduction of five ES. Our findings provide evidence for the existence of important interactions between predictor variables and ES in UGI. It also showed that the provision of urban ES can be improved expanding the variety and type of green infrastructure sites, decreasing impervious area, and increasing the naturalness and functioning of UGI.
Anticoccidial activity of Aloe Vera Leafs’ aqueous extract and vaccination against Eimeria tenella: pathological study in broilers
Authors: Hassan Shahenaz M.H. , Zayeda Rasha , Elakany H. , Badr Sohair , Abou-Rawash A. , Abd-Ellatieff Hoda 
Published: September 2023

AbstractThis study aimed to assess the efficacy of an anticoccidial vaccine and the anticoccidial activity of Aloe vera in broiler chickens infected with Eimeria tenella (E. tenella). A total of 225 healthy, sexless, one-day-old broiler chicks (avian48) from a commercial broiler company were randomized into nine experimental groups of 25 chicks. The groups were as follows: Group 1 (control, vaccinated, non-infected), Group 2 (vaccinated and infected with 5 × 104 sporulated oocysts), Group 3 (vaccinated, infected with 5 × 104 sporulated oocysts, and treated with Aloe vera), Group 4 (infected with 5 × 104 sporulated oocysts and treated with Aloe vera), Group 5 (positive control, infected with 5 × 104 sporulated oocysts), Group 6 (challenged with 5 × 104 sporulated oocysts and then treated with amprolium), Group 7 (treated with amprolium), Group 8 (blank control negative group), and Group 9 (treated with Aloe vera gel).Various parameters were evaluated, including clinical signs, growth performance, oocyst shedding, hematological and immunological parameters, and pathological lesion scoring. The results demonstrated that Aloe vera improved growth performance, reduced oocyst shedding, and decreased caecal lesion scores in E. Tenella-infected broiler chicks. The use of Aloe vera in combination with either amprolium or anticoccidial vaccines provided a potential solution to the issues of drug resistance and drug residues.In conclusion, this study provides valuable insights regarding the control of coccidiosis in broilers. Supplementing the chicken diet with Aloe vera had beneficial effects on the pathogenicity and infectivity of E. tenella, making it a cost-effective alternative as an herbal extract with no adverse side effects for coccidiosis control. These findings suggest that Aloe vera can be considered a potential candidate for inclusion in broiler diets for effective coccidiosis control.
Nach der Aufdeckung von Gewalt
Authors: Henn Sarah 
Published: September 2023

ZusammenfassungDer Beitrag geht anhand einer Fallstudie der Frage nach, wie nach der Aufdeckung von Gewalt in einer stationären Einrichtung für Menschen mit Behinderung Supervision einen Beitrag zur nachhaltigen Aufarbeitung leisten kann. Es werden Spaltungstendenzen und ihre Genese in der Geschichte der Organisation analysiert und die Rolle der Supervisorin reflektiert. Die Darstellung folgt der Prozessentwicklung und den anschließenden Reflexionen, die in der Diagnose eines Modernisierungskonflikts münden. Im Fazit wird erläutert, warum Supervision nur einen eingeschränkten Beitrag zur Aufarbeitung von Gewalt in Institutionen leisten kann, wenn sie diesen Auftrag nicht explizit hat.
Human Amygdala Volumetric Patterns Convergently Evolved in Cooperatively Breeding and Domesticated Species
Authors: Cerrito Paola , Burkart Judith M. 
Published: September 2023

AbstractThe amygdala is a hub in brain networks that supports social life and fear processing. Compared with other apes, humans have a relatively larger lateral nucleus of the amygdala, which is consistent with both the self-domestication and the cooperative breeding hypotheses of human evolution. Here, we take a comparative approach to the evolutionary origin of the relatively larger lateral amygdala nucleus in humans. We carry out phylogenetic analysis on a sample of 17 mammalian species for which we acquired single amygdala nuclei volumetric data. Our results indicate that there has been convergent evolution toward larger lateral amygdala nuclei in both domesticated and cooperatively breeding mammals. These results suggest that changes in processing fearful stimuli to reduce fear-induced aggression, which are necessary for domesticated and cooperatively breeding species alike, tap into the same neurobiological proximate mechanism. However, humans show changes not only in processing fearful stimuli but also in proactive prosociality. Since cooperative breeding, but not domestication, is also associated with increased proactive prosociality, a prominent role of the former during human evolution is more parsimonious, whereas self-domestication may have been involved as an additional stepping stone.
The Central Limit Theorem for Markov Processes that are Exponentially Ergodic in the Bounded-Lipschitz Norm
Authors: Czapla Dawid , Horbacz Katarzyna , Wojewódka-Ściążko Hanna 
Published: September 2023

AbstractIn this paper, we establish a version of the central limit theorem for Markov–Feller continuous time processes (with a Polish state space) that are exponentially ergodic in the bounded-Lipschitz distance and enjoy a continuous form of the Foster–Lyapunov condition. As an example, we verify the assumptions of our main result for a specific piecewise-deterministic Markov process, whose deterministic component evolves according to continuous semiflows, switched randomly at the jump times of a Poisson process.
Preoperative serum cortisone levels are associated with cognition in preschool-aged children with tetralogy of Fallot after corrective surgery: new evidence from human populations and mice
Authors: Ma Si-Yu , Liu Yu-Ting , Cun Yue-Shuang , Wang Qiang , Fu Ming-Cui , Wu Ke-De , Cai Xin-Yu , Cheng Shu-Ting , Patel Nishant , Da Min , Hu Liang , Deqin Zhuoga , Kang Xue-Jun , Yang Ming , Mo Xu-Ming 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
Background
Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) is the most common cyanotic congenital heart disease. Children with TOF would be confronted with neurological impairment across their lifetime. Our study aimed to identify the risk factors for cerebral morphology changes and cognition in postoperative preschool-aged children with TOF.

Methods
We used mass spectrometry (MS) technology to assess the levels of serum metabolites, Wechsler preschool and primary scale of intelligence-Fourth edition (WPPSI-IV) index scores to evaluate neurodevelopmental levels and multimodal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to detect cortical morphological changes.

Results
Multiple linear regression showed that preoperative levels of serum cortisone were positively correlated with the gyrification index of the left inferior parietal gyrus in children with TOF and negatively related to their lower visual spaces index and nonverbal index. Meanwhile, preoperative SpO2 was negatively correlated with levels of serum cortisone after adjusting for all covariates. Furthermore, after intervening levels of cortisone in chronic hypoxic model mice, total brain volumes were reduced at both postnatal (P) 11.5 and P30 days.

Conclusions
Our results suggest that preoperative serum cortisone levels could be used as a biomarker of neurodevelopmental impairment in children with TOF. Our study findings emphasized that preoperative levels of cortisone could influence cerebral development and cognition abilities in children with TOF.