bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mass spectrometric insights into protein aggregation
Authors: Pukala Tara L. 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
Protein aggregation is now recognized as a generic and significant component of the protein energy landscape. Occurring through a complex and dynamic pathway of structural interconversion, the assembly of misfolded proteins to form soluble oligomers and insoluble aggregates remains a challenging topic of study, both in vitro and in vivo. Since the etiology of numerous human diseases has been associated with protein aggregation, and it has become a field of increasing importance in the biopharmaceutical industry, the biophysical characterization of protein misfolded states and their aggregation mechanisms continues to receive increased attention. Mass spectrometry (MS) has firmly established itself as a powerful analytical tool capable of both detection and characterization of proteins at all levels of structure. Given inherent advantages of biological MS, including high sensitivity, rapid timescales of analysis, and the ability to distinguish individual components from complex mixtures with unrivalled specificity, it has found widespread use in the study of protein aggregation, importantly, where traditional structural biology approaches are often not amenable. The present review aims to provide a brief overview of selected MS-based approaches that can provide a range of biophysical descriptors associated with protein conformation and the aggregation pathway. Recent examples highlight where this technology has provided unique structural and mechanistic understanding of protein aggregation.
Forming equal-mass planetary binaries via pebble accretion
Authors: Konijn T. J. , Visser R. G. , Dominik C. , Ormel C. W. 
Published: January 2023

Context. Binary Solar System objects are common, ranging from satellite systems with very large mass ratios, M1/M2, to those with mass ratios approaching unity. One well-known example of a binary is the Pluto-Charon system. With Charon being 'only' eight times less massive than Pluto, the question arises (as in the case of many other systems) as to why the mass ratio is still close to unity. There is much evidence that (binary) planet(esimal) formation happened early, when the protoplanetary gas disk was still present. It is likely that (at least some of) these binaries evolved together, as a result of pebble accretion. Pebble accretion is a new key paradigm in planetary formation and it is believed to play a major role in many aspects of the formation of planetary systems, from the radial transport of material to the rapid growth of planetary embryos throughout the system.
Aims. Here, we focus on the question of how the mass arriving in the gravitational influence zone of the binary during pebble accretion is distributed over the binary components for a given initial mass ratio. We also consider whether accretion over time leads to equal-mass binaries (converging mass ratio) or to a dominant primary mass with a small moon (diverging mass ratio).
Methods. We numerically integrated two-dimensional (2D) pebble trajectories in the same typical fashion as for a single mass that is subject to pebble accretion. We tracked the efficiency of accretion for the two separate binary components, compared to a single body with the same mass. These numerical simulations were done for a range of binary mass ratios, mutual separations, Stokes numbers, and two orbital distances, 2.5 and 39 au.
Results. We find that in the limit where pebbles start to spiral around the primary (this holds for relatively large pebbles), the pebble preferentially collides with the secondary, causing the mass ratio to converge towards unity. In our tested case, where the total binary mass is equal to that of the Pluto-Charon system, this takes place on ~Myr timescales. In this regime the total sweep-up efficiency can lower to half that of a pebble-accreting single body because pebbles that are thrown out of the system, after close encounters with the system. These timescales and sweep-up efficiency are calculated under the assumption our 2D simulations compare with the 3D reality. The results show that systems such as Pluto-Charon and other larger equal mass binaries may well have co-accreted by means of pebble accretion in the disk phase without producing binaries, with highly diverging mass ratios.
Impact of corotation on gradual solar energetic particle event intensity profiles
Authors: Hutchinson A. , Dalla S. , Laitinen T. , Waterfall C. O. G. 
Published: January 2023

Context. The corotation of particle-filled magnetic flux tubes is generally thought to have a minor influence on the time-intensity profiles of gradual solar energetic particle (SEP) events. For this reason, many SEP models solve the focussed transport equation within the corotating frame, thus neglecting corotation effects.
Aims. We use simulations to study the effects of corotation on gradual SEP intensity profiles at a range of observer longitudinal positions relative to the solar source. We study how corotation affects the duration and decay time constant of SEP events as well as the variation in the peak intensity with the observer’s position.
Methods. We used a 3D full-orbit test particle code with time-extended SEP injection via a shock-like source. In contrast to the case of focussed transport models, the test particle approach enables us to easily switch corotation on and off. While shock acceleration and downstream features are not modelled directly, our methodology allows us to study how corotation and the time-varying observer-shock magnetic connection influence the intensity profiles detected at several observers.
Results. We find that corotation has a strong effect on the SEP intensity profiles for a monoenergetic population of 5 MeV protons, having a dominant influence during the decay phase. Simulations that include corotation display dramatically shortened durations for western events, compared to ones where it is not included. When corotation effects are taken into account, for both eastern and western events, the decay time constant is reduced and its dependence on the value of the scattering mean free path becomes negligible. Corotation reduces the SEP peak intensity for western events and enhances it for eastern ones, thus making the east-west asymmetry in peak intensity stronger, compared to the non-corotation case. Modelling SEP intensity profiles without carefully accounting for the effects of corotation leads to artificially extended decay phases during western events, leading to profiles with a similar shape regardless of the observer’s longitudinal position.
Performance of the HYPERSCINT scintillation dosimetry research platform for the 1.5 T MR-linac
Authors: Uijtewaal Prescilla , Côté Benjamin , Foppen Thomas , de Vries Wilfred , Woodings Simon , Borman Pim , Lambert-Girard Simon , Therriault-Proulx François , Raaymakers Bas , Fast Martin 
Published: January 2023

Abstract

Objective. Adaptive radiotherapy techniques available on the MR-linac, such as daily plan adaptation, gating, and dynamic tracking, require versatile dosimetric detectors to validate end-to-end workflows. Plastic scintillator detectors (PSDs) offer great potential with features including: water equivalency, MRI-compatibility, and time-resolved dose measurements. Here, we characterize the performance of the HYPERSCINT RP-200 PSD (MedScint, Quebec, CA) in a 1.5 T MR-linac, and we demonstrate its suitability for dosimetry, including in a moving target. Approach. Standard techniques of detector testing were performed using a Beamscan water tank (PTW, Freiburg, DE) and compared to microDiamond (PTW, Freiburg, DE) readings. Orientation dependency was tested using the same phantom. An RW3 solid water phantom was used to evaluate detector consistency, dose linearity, and dose rate dependence. To determine the sensitivity to motion and to MRI scanning, the Quasar MRI4D phantom (Modus, London, ON) was used statically or with sinusoidal motion (A = 10 mm, T = 4 s) to compare PSD and Semiflex ionization chamber (PTW, Freiburg, DE) readings. Conformal beams from gantry 0° and 90° were used as well as a 15-beam 8 × 7.5 Gy lung IMRT plan. Main results. Measured profiles, PDD curves and field-size dependence were consistent with the microDiamond readings with differences well within our clinical tolerances. The angular dependence gave variations up to 0.8% when not irradiating directly from behind the scintillation point. Experiments revealed excellent detector consistency between repeated measurements (SD = 0.06%), near-perfect dose linearity (R
2 = 1) and a dose rate dependence <0.3%. Dosimetric effects of MRI scanning (≤0.3%) and motion (≤1.3%) were minimal. Measurements were consistent with the Semiflex (differences ≤1%), and with the treatment planning system with differences of 0.8% and 0.4%, with and without motion. Significance. This study demonstrates the suitability of the HYPERSCINT PSD for accurate time-resolved dosimetry measurements in the 1.5 T MR-linac, including during MR scanning and target motion.
Reply to ‘comments on comparison study of bound states for diatomic molecules using kratzer, morse, and modified morse potentials’
Authors: Sandouqa A S 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
In this reply, I presented clarification for the difference in calculating bound-state energy eigenvalues for HCl obtained using the modified morse potential between our results and the results of Samant et al [Al-Othman and Sandouqa 2022 Phys. Scr. 97 035401]. In their comments, Samant et al [Samant R, Lotliker, and Desai, Phys. Scr.] stated that the reason for this difference is the wrong expression of the parameter used in the modified morse potential. But we found that this difference is a result of using different values of α and β. While we use approximate values of α and β, Samant et al [2] used optimized values of these parameters. Therefore, the results of Samant et al [2] are more accurate.
Fiber-optic lead ion sensor based on MXene film integrated michelson interference structure
Authors: Xiong Guo Liang , Zhuang Jing Hao , Feng Wen Lin 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
Ti3C2Tx (MXene), a two-dimensional material prepared by solution etching, has abundant functional groups on its surface, which makes it have a great prospect in the field of biosensing environmental detection. In this work, a new optical fiber sensor integrated with MXene is proposed and fabricated. The sensor is constituted of a three-core fiber (TCF), a single-mode fiber (SMF), and a no-core fiber (NCF) to form a Michelson interference structure. The results indicate that MXene decorated fiber-optic sensor can detect trace lead ions (Pb2+) and has a good response to the Pb2+ solutions with the concentration of 0–100 μM. At 0.001 μM (i.e., 0.286 ppb) Pb2+, the response time is about 2 min. In addition, the fiber-optic sensor has excellent temperature, pH, and time stability. The present work provides a new idea for the detection of Pb2+ in heavy metal pollution fields.
Is there evidence for CIDER in the Universe?
Authors: Barros Bruno J. , Castelão Diogo , da Fonseca Vitor , Barreiro Tiago , Nunes Nelson J. , Tereno Ismael 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
In this work we analyze the full linear behaviour of the constrained interacting dark energy (CIDER) model, which is a conformally coupled quintessence model tailored to mimic a ΛCDM expansion. We compute the matter and temperature anisotropies power spectra and test the model against recent observational data. We shed light on some particular subtleties of the background behaviour that were not fully captured in previous works, and study the physics of the linear cosmological observables. One novelty found was that matter perturbations are enhanced at large scales when compared with the ones of the standard ΛCDM. The reason and impact of this trend on the cosmological observables and on the physics of the early Universe are considered. We find that the introduction of the coupling parameter alleviates the σ
8 tension between early and late time probes although Planck data favours the ΛCDM limit of the model.
Exotic states with

QQQ′¯Q′¯

configuration
Authors: Asadi Z , Boroun G R 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
In the framework of a non-relativistic quark model, we have calculated the masses of the

QQ

Q
′

¯

Q
′

¯

(Q = c, b, s and

Q

¯

′
=

c

¯

,

b

¯

,

s

¯

) tetraquark states. Using the linear and quadratic confinement potentials inside a Cornell-type potential along with all possible spin and color configurations, the Schrödinger equation masses of these tetraquark states have been calculated. Based on our numerical analysis, linear confinement and quadratic confinement produce acceptable results. Models that use linear confinement estimate charmonium-like tetraquark mass close to experimental data, as well as bottomonium-like tetraquark mass below the threshold of their meson–meson channels.
Test and characterisation of STS/MuCh-XYTER and integration with multiple detectors of CBM-MuCh detector systems
Authors: Saini J. , Ghosh C. , Dubey A.K. , Ahammed Z. , Mondal M. , Ganai R. , Sikder G. , Negi V. , Chattopadhyay S. , Chakrabarti A. 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
Compressed Baryonic Matter (CBM) is a fixed target experiment at the upcoming Facility for Anti-proton and Ion Research in Germany, having collision rates up to 10 MHz. Due to the proximity of the target and secondaries produced in absorbers, Muon Chambers (MuCh) of the CBM experiment will face a very high particle hit rate of up to 400 kHz/cm2 in its first two stations. To cope with these particle rates, a Gas Electron Multiplier (GEM) detector will be used for the first two stations while, due to relatively lower particle rates, the last two stations will use a low resistivity Bakelite Resistive Plate Chamber (RPC) detector. The electronics of these two MuCh detectors need different dynamic ranges.
A Silicon Tracking Station (STS) system made of 300 μm thick silicon micro-strip sensors will be installed upstream of the MuCh detector system. The sensors will be read out through multi-line micro-cables with fast electronics. The micro-strip sensors will be double-sided with a stereo angle of 7.5°, a strip width of 58 μm, and strip lengths between 20 and 120 mm requiring high-density readout.
To meet the high rate and high density requirements of MuCh and STS, respectively, a specialized 128-channel readout ASIC with a dual-gain feature is designed.
This is a highly configurable ASIC with about 30,000 configurable register bits which control various bias and threshold settings of the ASIC.
To integrate this ASIC with both the detector systems, detailed testing and characterization of the ASIC are required.
Due to the high number of configurable registers and several operating conditions, characterizing this ASIC is very challenging. This paper describes the optimization procedures of several configurable bias parameters in detail and also explains how this ASIC is integrated with both GEM and RPC detectors of the MuCh system.
Revealing how intra- and inter-annual variability of carbon uptake (GPP) affects wood cell biomass in an eastern white pine forest
Authors: Puchi Paulina F , Khomik Myroslava , Frigo Davide , Arain M Altaf , Fonti Patrick , Arx Georg von , Castagneri Daniele 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
Forests are major terrestrial carbon (C) sinks and play a crucial role in climate change mitigation. Despite extensive studies on forest C sequestration, the relationship between seasonal C uptake and its allocation to woody biomass is poorly understood. Here we used a novel dendro-anatomical approach to investigate the relationships between climate variability, C uptake, and woody biomass growth in an 80 year-old eastern white pine (Pinus strobus) plantation forest in Ontario, Canada. We used eddy covariance (EC) gross primary productivity (GPP) from 2003–2018 and woody biomass estimated from chronologies of cell wall area (CWA, a proxy for C storage in individual wood cells) and ring wall area (RWA) for earlywood (EW) and latewood (LW) from 1970–2018. Warm temperatures in early spring and high precipitation in mid-spring and summer positively and strongly affected GPP, while high temperature and high vapor pressure deficit in the summer had a negative effect. From 2003 to 2018, there was a steady increase in both GPP and woody cell biomass. Moreover, we found strong positive correlations between GPP and CWA both in EW (May—July GPP, r= 0.65) and LW (July—August GPP, r = 0.89). Strong positive correlations were also found between GPP and RWA both in EW and LW (April—September, r =⩾ 0.79). All these associations were stronger than the association between annual GPP and tree-ring width (r = 0.61) used in previous studies. By increasing the resolution of tree-ring analysis to xylem-cell level, we captured intra-annual variability in biomass accumulation. We demonstrated a strong control of seasonal C assimilation (source) over C accumulation in woody biomass at this site. Coupling high-resolution EC fluxes (GPP) and wood anatomical measurements can help to reduce existing uncertainties on C source-sink relationships, opening new perspectives in the study of the C cycle in forests.
Maternal fasting glucose levels throughout the pregnancy and risk of adverse birth outcomes in newborns: a birth cohort study in Foshan city, Southern China
Authors: Yang Yin , Lin Qingmei , Ma Liming , Lai Zhihan , Xie Junxing , Zhang Zilong , Wu Xueli , Luo Weidong , Hu Pengzhen , Wang Xing , Guo Xiaoling , Lin Hualiang 
Published: January 2023

Abstract

Objective
We aimed to investigate the associations between maternal fasting plasma glucose (FPG) levels and glycemic fluctuations during different trimesters and adverse birth outcomes among newborns.

Methods
This cohort study used data from 63 213 pregnant women and their offspring in Foshan city from November 2015 to January 2019. Associations between maternal FPG and glycemic fluctuations during different trimesters and adverse birth outcomes [congenital heart defect (CHD), macrosomia, small/large for gestational age (SGA/LGA), and preterm birth (PTB)] in newborns were estimated using mixed-effects logistic regression models.

Results
A total of 45 516 participants accepted at least one FPG test throughout pregnancy, and 7852 of whom had glycemic trajectory data. In the adjusted model, higher maternal FPG throughout the pregnancy was associated with an increased risk of adverse birth outcomes (except for SGA). Each 1 mmol/L increase in maternal FPG during trimester 1 was associated with higher odds of CHD (OR = 1.14 (95% CI: 1.02, 1.26)). The same increase in maternal FPG during trimester 3 was associated with a higher risk of PTB (OR = 1.05 (95% CI: 1.01, 1.10)). Increment of maternal FPG during trimester 2 and trimester 3 was associated with a higher risk of macrosomia and LGA. Increase in FPG throughout the pregnancy was associated with slightly lower odds of SGA. Similar results were observed when analyzing the associations between glycemic fluctuations during different trimesters and adverse birth outcomes.

Conclusions
Our findings indicate higher maternal FPG levels during different trimesters were associated with different adverse birth outcomes, which suggests the importance of glycemic management throughout the pregnancy.
High frequency of heterozygous rare variants of the SLC34A1 and SLC9A3R1 genes in patients with atypical femur fracture
Authors: Marini Francesca , Giusti Francesca , Marasco Elena , Xumerle Luciano , Kwiatkowska Katarzyna Malgorzata , Garagnani Paolo , Biver Emmanuel , Ferrari Serge , Iolascon Giovanni , Iantomasi Teresa , Brandi Maria Luisa 
Published: January 2023

Abstract

Objective
Atypical femur fractures (AFFs) are rare fragility fractures originating at the lateral cortex of the femur, affecting the subtrochanteric or diaphyseal area of thebone with a transverse morphology. Occurrence of AFF is specifically associated with a small number of rare monogenic congenital metabolic bone disorders, such as hypophosphatasia, and with long-term treatment with antiresorptiondrugs. The exact pathogenesis of these fractures remains poorly understood and, except for cases of diagnosed HPP or other AFF-causing bone diseases, it is not possible to assess which patients are at higher riskof developing AFFs as a consequence of anti-resorption therapy.

Design
We genetically screened 25 unrelated patients who had developed at least one AFF.

Intervention
Genetic screening was performed through a nextgeneration sequencing analysis with a customized panel containing 76 human genes involved in the regulation of the mineralization processWe genetically screened 25 unrelated patients who had developed at least one AFF.

Results
We found a relatively high frequency (32.0%) of heterozygous rare variants inthe SLC34A1 and SLC9A3R1 genes, two genes whose heterozygous inactivating mutations have been respectively associated with autosomal dominant hypophosphatemic nephrolithiasis/osteoporosis types 1 and 2 (NPHLOP1and NPHLOP2). Other heterozygous rare variants were found in the BMPR1B, CYP27B1, FBN1, MEPE, PIGO, and PHOSPHO1 genes, each in a single AFF case (4.0%).

Conclusions and relevance
Our findings suggest that rarevariants of SLC34A1 and SLC9A3R1 could represent a possible genetic risk factor for the occurrence of AFFs. On the other hand, AFFs could represent an unsuspected clinical manifestation and/or an anti-resorption therapycorrelatedadverse event in patients with NPHLOP disorders.
State of African neurosurgical education: a protocol for an analysis of publicly available curricula
Authors: Ooi Setthasorn Zhi Yang , Dada Olaoluwa Ezekiel , Haizel-Cobbina Joseline , Bukenya George William , Mbangtang Celestin Bilong , Makambo Paix de Dieu Ngo , Djabo Adrien Tangmi , Kenfack Yves Jordan , Senyuy Wah Praise , Mbougo Olga Djoutsop , Abu-Bonsrah Nancy , Karekezi Claire , Mbaye Thioub , Konan Landry , Jokonya Luxwell , Alalade Andrew F , Kanmounye Ulrick Sidney 
Published: January 2023

Abstract

Background
Africa bears &gt;15% of the global burden of neurosurgical disease. Yet to date, Africa still has the lowest neurosurgical workforce density globally, and efforts to fill this gap by 2030 need to be multiplied. Although the past decade has seen an increase in neurosurgery residency programs in the continent, it is unclear how these residency programs are similar or viable. This study aims to highlight the current status of neurosurgical training in Africa as well as the differences within departments, countries or African regions.

Methods
A literature search using keywords related to ‘neurosurgery’, ‘training’, and ‘Africa’ and relevant names of African countries will be performed on PubMed and Google Scholar. If unavailable online, the authors will contact local neurosurgeons at identified training programmes for their curricula. The residency curricula collected will be analysed against a standardized and validated medical education curriculum viability tool.

Results
The primary aim will be the description of African neurosurgical curricula. In addition, the authors will perform a comparative analysis of the identified African neurosurgical curricula using a standardized and validated medical education curriculum viability tool.

Discussion
This study will be the first to evaluate the current landscape of neurosurgery training in Africa and will highlight pertinent themes that may be used to guide further research. The findings will inform health system strengthening efforts by local training programme directors, governments, policymakers and stakeholders.