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Early seed germination significantly influences crop growth and production, prompting the exploration of seed priming as a pivotal technique. Despite the acknowledged importance of faster germination and emergence for successful seedling establishment, oilseed crops like Sinapis alba have received limited attention concerning seed priming methods, unlike cereal and grain crops. This study aimed to bridge this gap by subjecting S. alba seeds to six priming treatments: T1 = control, T2 = distilled water, T3 = NaCl (0.5%), T4 = KNO3 (0.5%), T5 = CaCl2 (0.5%), and T6 = Moringa leaf extract at a 1:30 ratio (30 times diluted), to assess their impact on various growth and yield parameters. The data analysis revealed significant effects of seed priming on various parameters, with exceptions in plant height unaffected by seed soaking. Seed priming notably enhanced germination percentage, germination rate index, and seedling vigor index, while reducing mean germination time to emergence significantly. Furthermore, primed seeds exhibited significant increases in seedling fresh and dry weights, crop growth rate, net assimilation rate, root and shoot lengths, leaf area, chlorophyll content, early flowering, branch numbers, pod counts, and 1000‐seed weight compared to non‐primed seeds. The biological yield was relatively higher in treated seeds. Additionally, seed yield and oil content were found to be higher in primed seeds compared to the control. Among the treatments, KNO3 along with Moringa, displayed the most desirable outcomes across overall seedling parameters, suggesting their recommendation for effective priming treatments to improve the growth and yield of S. alba. Core Ideas: Enhanced Sinapis alba germination and emergence through diverse seed priming techniques.Optimized seed priming notably boosts S. alba seedling vigor and growth.Improved S. alba yield and seed quality via targeted seed priming methods.KNO3 and Moringa seed priming emerge as effective solutions for enhancing S. alba growth.Priming treatments showcase substantial potential in elevating S. alba biological yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article deals with the analysis of the fractional COVID‐19 epidemic model (FCEM) with a convex incidence rate. Keeping in view the fading memory and crossover behavior found in many biological phenomena, we study the coronavirus disease by using the noninteger Caputo derivative (CD). Under the Caputo operator (CO), existence and uniqueness for the solutions of the FCEM have been analyzed using fixed point theorems. We study all the basic properties and results including local and global stability. We show the global stability of disease‐free equilibrium using the method of Castillo‐Chavez, while for disease endemic, we use the method of geometrical approach. Sensitivity analysis is carried out to highlight the most sensitive parameters corresponding to basic reproduction number. Simulations are performed via first‐order convergent numerical technique to determine how changes in parameters affect the dynamical behavior of the system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ionic liquids (ILs) and deep eutectic solvents (DESs) are designable solvents having widespread applications. They have gained tremendous attention in the last few decades due to their inherent physicochemical properties, making them distinctive solvents from technological point of view. There are a large number of research articles published on physicochemical properties and applications of ILs and DESs, however, limited research work is available on the phytotoxic effect of ILs and DESs. They are considered as environmentally friendly greener solvents, however, during experimental work, it has been found that they are not always as green as desired. It has been reported that ILs and DESs have phytotoxic properties and effect both aquatic and terrestrial plants. Here the phototoxic problems of ILs and DESs are reviewed. Similar to the traditional solvents, the aforementioned solvents are not safe, and it is important to determine their phytotoxicity prior to highlighting their potential applications. This review will help researchers to design new eco‐friendly ILs and DESs, which can fulfil the twelve principles of green chemistry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Self‐healable elastomeric materials (PUAxPU10–x‐PDMS, x = 4, 6, or 8) have been synthesized and utilized as substrates or encapsulation films on the top of barrier films (deposited on polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrates) to improve their gas barrier properties for packaging applications. Hexa‐layer (HL) assembly consisting of two inorganic 2D nanoplatelets, including Mg‐Al layered double hydroxide (LDH) and hexagonal boron nitride (hBN), and two oppositely charged polyelectrolytes, that is, polyethyleneimine (PEI) and poly(sodium styrene‐4‐sulfonate) (PSS), have been developed by alternative depositions of HL (i.e., PSS/LDH/PSS/PEI/hBN/PEI) sequentially. Then, a layer‐by‐layer technique is applied to produce multiple assemblies of hexa‐layer (HL)n and reduce water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) values of elastomeric PUA8PU2‐PDMS and PET substrates. The optimum WVTR values of 7.1 × 10−3 and 8.0 × 10−3 g m−2 day−1 are achieved using barrier PET/(HL)8/PUA8PU2‐PDMS (125/3/1 µm) and PUA8PU2‐PDMS/(HL)8 (125/3 µm) films, respectively. The self‐healable barrier PUA8PU2‐PDMS and PUA8PU2‐PDMS/(HL)8 films recover their initial WVTR values after self‐healing of mechanically damaged films. Organic light‐emitting diodes (OLEDs) encapsulated with PET/(HL)8/PUA8PU2‐PDMS and PUA8PU2‐PDMS/(HL)8 have 9–10 times longer half‐lifetime values than bare OLEDs. Accordingly, this report develops transparent, stretchable, and self‐healable gas barrier films for next‐generation flexible electronic device packaging applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microscopic visualization of micro‐morphological characters were analyzed using a scanning electron microscopic (SEM) tool, which has proven to be very successful to analyze the pollen surface peculiarities. The significant goal of this research was to perform microscopic examination of pollen of some of the most frequently visited honeybee floral species around apiaries. Micro‐morphological characterization of frequented honeybees foraged plants were discussed. A total of 15 species, belonging to 11 different families were identified for the foraging activities of honeybees, namely, Lantana camara, Jatropha integerrima, Helianthus annuus, Tecoma stans, Lagerstroemia indica, Duranta erecta, Cosmos sulphureus, Hymenocollis littoralis, Moringa oleifera, Cestrum nocturnum, Parthenium hysterophorus, Volkameria inermis, Catharanthus roseus, Malvastrum coromandelianum, and Citharexylum spinosum. The microscopic slides were prepared using the acetolysis method, and the qualitative and quantitative features were measured and described using microscopic tools. The pollen type sculpture varies from psilate scabrate to echinate and colpi from tricolpate to tetracolpate. Quantitative parameters such as polar diameter, mesocolpium distance, equatorial dimensions, aperture size, spine diameter, and exine thickness were calculated using IBM SPSS Statistics 20. The exine thickness was measured at its maximum in C. roseus (3.85 μm), whereas it was at its minimum of 0.90 μm in L. indica and D. erecta. Pollen fertility was estimated to be highest in H. annus (88%). The current research validates scanning microscopic features of pollen of the honeybee floral species, which is helpful for the accurate identification and commercializing of honey production to generate revenue for beekeepers through the exploration of bee floral diversity. Research Highlights: Pollen spectrum examination using microscopic imaging techniques.Variations examined through scanning microscopy in pollen ultrastructure.Micro‐morphology has taxonomic value for accurate identification of honeybee flora.Authentication of Honeybee floral species for sustainable beekeeping. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Microscopic pollen characters from 19 species of family Asteraceae collected from different areas of the Potohar Plateau of Pakistan have been investigated using light and scanning electron microscopy. This study uses microscopic techniques to provide detailed information on pollen and its exine structure based on qualitative and quantitative characters. The present study has observed three types of pollen grains based on their apertures, that is, trizonocolporate, tetrazonocolporate, and tricolporate. Exine sculpturing is echinate in all studied taxa. Some species also exhibit Lacunae which differ in their shape and sizes. The size of the spines and the number of spines between the colpi play a vital role in differentiating the species of the same genus. Pollen fertility ranges from 94.3 to 74.19, showing that these species are well established in the study area. For the correct identification of species, a light and scanning electron microscopy was used that provides sufficient information for a taxonomist to distinguish species taxonomically. Research Highlights: Light and Scanning electron microscope is comparatively used to investigate the pollen characters of some species of the family Asteraceae.A scanning electron microscopy is used to study the micro‐morphological characters of pollen grains.Qualitative and quantitative characters of pollen were studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study was aimed at assessing the associations of sarcopenia, muscle density, adiposity, and inflammation with overall survival (OS) after cytoreductive nephrectomy (CN) for metastatic renal cell carcinoma. Methods: In all, 158 patients undergoing CN from 2001 to 2014 had digitized preoperative imaging for tissue segmentation via Slice‐O‐Matic software (version 5.0) at the mid‐L3 level. The skeletal muscle index was calculated with the skeletal muscle area (cm2) normalized for height (m2), and the skeletal muscle density (SMD) was calculated with average Hounsfield units. Adiposity was measured with the cross‐sectional area (cm2) of visceral, subcutaneous, and intramuscular adiposity compartments and was similarly normalized for height. The average fat density was obtained in Hounsfield units. OS was estimated with the Kaplan‐Meier method. Associations between body composition, inflammation metrics, and relevant clinicopathology and OS were assessed with univariable and multivariate Cox analyses. Results: Seventy‐six of the 158 patients (48%) were sarcopenic. Sarcopenia was associated with elevated neutrophil to lymphocyte ratios (NLRs; P =.02), increased age (P =.001), lower body mass indices (P =.009), greater modified Motzer scores (P =.019), and lower SMD (P =.006). The median OS was 15.0 and 29.4 months for sarcopenic and nonsarcopenic patients, respectively (P =.04). Elevated inflammation (NLR or C‐reactive protein), in addition to sarcopenia, was independently associated with OS, with an elevated NLR ≥ 3.5 and sarcopenia associated with the poorest OS at 10.2 months. No associations were observed between measurements of muscle density or adiposity and OS. Conclusions: Sarcopenia and measures of high systemic inflammation are additively associated with inferior OS after CN and may be of use in preoperative risk stratification. Lay Summary: Body composition and sarcopenia (a deficiency in skeletal musculature) have been shown to affect outcomes in cancer.We found that sarcopenic patients had poor survival in comparison with nonsarcopenic patients in the setting of metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC).Patients with both elevated inflammation and sarcopenia had the poorest survival.Sarcopenia is an objective measure of nutrition that can assist in therapeutic counseling and decision‐making for individualized treatment in mRCC. Sarcopenia and measures of high systemic inflammation are additively associated with inferior overall survival after cytoreductive nephrectomy. This may be of use in preoperative risk stratification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biodiesel is a promising, bio‐based, renewable, nontoxic, environment friendly, and alternative fuel for petroleum derived fuels which helps to reduce dependency on conventional fossil fuels. In this study, six novel, nonedible seed oil producing feedstock were explored for their potential for sustainable production of biodiesel. It is very important to correctly identify oil yielding plant species. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used as reliable tool for authentic identification of oil yielding seeds. Macromorphological characters of seeds were studied with light microscopy (LM). Outcomes of LM of seeds exposed distinctive variation in seed size from 16.3 to 3.2 mm in length and 12.4 to 0.9 mm in width, shape varied from oval to triangular, and color from black to light brown. Oil content of nonedible seed ranged from 25 to 30% (w/w). Free fatty acid content of seed oil varied from 0.32 to 2.5 mg KOH/g. Moreover, ultra structural study of seeds via SEM showed variation in surface sculpturing, cell arrangement, cell shape, periclinal wall shape, margins, protuberances, and anticlinal wall shape. Surface sculpturing varied from rugged, reticulate, varrucose, papillate, and striate. Periclinal wall arrangements confirmed variation from rough, wavy, raised, depressed, smooth, and elevated whereas, anticlinal walls pattern showed variation from profuse undulating, smooth, raised, grooved, deep, curved, and depressed. It was concluded that SEM could be a latent and advanced technique in unveiling hidden micromorphological characters of nonedible oil yielding seeds which delivers valuable information to researchers and indigenous people for precise and authentic identification and recognition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to increase in energy catastrophe and accompanying environmental issues, the search for renewable and alternative energy resources is a fiercely disputed problem in the scientific world. Biodiesel has proven to be the finest sustainable alternative to gasoline. Because of their environment‐friendly character and cost‐effectiveness, nonedible oil‐bearing seeds could be the possible resource for biodiesel production. Therefore, the present study uses scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to investigate and identify micromorphological features of six novel, nonedible oil‐bearing seeds of Verbenaceae as potential biodiesel feed stocks. Selected seeds of Verbenaceae range in size from 1 to 5 mm in width and 1.8 to 6.4 mm in length, according to light microscopic studies. The oil content of seeds ranges from14 to 19%. Seed texture, color, shape, size, periclinal and anticlinal wall patterns, and cell outline are all more variable in SEM‐mediated seed ultrastructure analyses. The findings of this work imply that SEM could be a useful method for revealing hidden micromorphological features in a variety of nonedible oil‐producing seeds, which could aid to future investigation, proper identification, seed categorization, and authenticity. These seeds were hard to be identified by the native people due to their resemblance in seed color and shape, so there is a need to give a detailed description of seed characters for proper identification of these plants. This work will determine the new features of the seeds, which will be helpful in near future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Petiole anatomy of 15 species of family Asteraceae was examined which aimed to investigate petiolar anatomical structures for species level identification. Shandon Microtome was used for petiole histological preparations. Both qualitative and quantitative features were studied under microscope which showed significant variation in petiole, collenchyma, parenchyma shape/size, vascular bundles arrangement/size, and vessel elements quantity. Artemisia japonica Thunb., Cirsium vulgare (Savi) Ten., Myriactis nepalensis Less., Seriphidium brevifolium Ling & Y.R.Ling, Taraxacum officinale (L.) Weber ex F.H.Wigg., and Xanthium strumarium L. showed winged petioles. Maximum length and width of upper and lower epidermis was found in Tagetes erecta L. which is 23.05 ± 0.89 μm, 24.9 ± 1.257 μm length and 21.75 ± 1.38067 μm, 22.75 ± 0.467 μm width, respectively. Petioles of Parthenium hysterophorus L. was longest one with 9.85 ± 10.45 μm while A. japonica Thunb. showed highest number of vessel elements. Maximum size of vascular bundles was found in T. erecta L. with 5.05 ± 14.25 μm. Artemisia annua L., C. vulgare (Savi) Ten, Cyanthillium cinereum (L.) H.Rob., Helianthus annus L., M. nepalensis Less., P. hysterophorus L., Senecio chrysanthemoides DC. have trichomes while Tussilago farfara L. has highest number of vascular bundles. All species have angular collenchyma type except M. nepalensis Less., P. hysterophorus L., S. brevifolium Ling & Y.R.Ling, Tagetes minuta L., T. officinale L., S. chrysanthemoides DC., and T. farfara L. Cluster analysis implemented that distinct plant species in cluster. Petiolar anatomical structures and taxonomic key will helpful for distinguishing Asteraceous taxa at genus and species level. This taxonomic significant investigation will also provide baseline to taxonomists for other Asteraceae studies and phylogenetic research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In current study, 22 herbaceous plant specimens have been examined with the help of light microscope to carry out leaf epidermal anatomy. Foliar micro‐morphology of herbaceous plants from Tilla Jogian, Jhelum Pakistan was held first time. The plants were collected from different parts of Tilla Jogian at different elevations. The main objective of the study is to use this information as an aid in plant taxonomy. Significant variations were observed in both qualitative and quantitative features. With the help of microscopy significant variations in characters like stomata size, number, epidermal cell size, shape and number, guard cell size, trichomes, and subsidiary cells were recorded. On the basis of these findings, light microscopy of leaf epidermal anatomical features holds great interest for taxonomists to identify complete taxa. Foliar epidermal anatomy of herbaceous flora serves as baseline data along with taxonomical data and can be helpful in demarcation and limitation of nearly associated taxa to gain better use of anatomical characters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) is an important traditional crop having socioeconomic values. To best of literature review and our knowledge, there is a gap of taxonomic study on the role of morpho-anatomical features of date palm for correct identification of its varieties. With the advancement in the field of microscopy, anatomical features are considered very effective taxonomical markers. The present study was aimed to analyze the taxonomic variations using leaf epidermal anatomy and to highlight the importance of leaf epidermis to resolve identification ambiguities among the different varieties of date palms. The study includes analysis of leaf epidermal anatomy of 18 different commercial varieties of date palm collected from different areas of Pakistan. A diverse range of shape and size of epidermal cells, subsidiary cells, guard cells, stomata, stomatal pore was observed on abaxial as well as adaxial among studied date palm varieties via LM and found to be very helpful tool in discrimination of varieties. The shape of epidermal cells on both abaxial and adaxial surfaces varies including elongated, irregular, polygonal, curved, and spherical or sometime mixed of these. The values of stomatal indices on both surfaces showed wide variations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

LRRK2 serine/threonine kinase is associated with inherited Parkinson's disease. LRRK2 phosphorylates a subset of Rab GTPases within their switch 2 motif to control their interactions with effectors. Recent work has shown that the metal‐dependent protein phosphatase PPM1H counteracts LRRK2 by dephosphorylating Rabs. PPM1H is highly selective for LRRK2 phosphorylated Rabs, and closely related PPM1J exhibits no activity towards substrates such as Rab8a phosphorylated at Thr72 (pThr72). Here, we have identified the molecular determinant of PPM1H specificity for Rabs. The crystal structure of PPM1H reveals a structurally conserved phosphatase fold that strikingly has evolved a 110‐residue flap domain adjacent to the active site. The flap domain distantly resembles tudor domains that interact with histones in the context of epigenetics. Cellular assays, crosslinking and 3‐D modelling suggest that the flap domain encodes the docking motif for phosphorylated Rabs. Consistent with this hypothesis, a PPM1J chimaera with the PPM1H flap domain dephosphorylates pThr72 of Rab8a both in vitro and in cellular assays. Therefore, PPM1H has acquired a Rab‐specific interaction domain within a conserved phosphatase fold. Synopsis: PPM1H phosphatase belongs to the PPM (PP2C) family of enzymes that have a conserved Mg2+/Mn2+‐dependent catalytic domain. PPM1H counters the LRRK2 kinase pathway by dephosphorylating a subset of Rab GTPases. Through X‐ray, biochemical and cellular studies, the molecular basis for specificity can be attributed to a novel flap domain that has evolved to recognize Rab GTPases. Mutations in the flap domain reduce the ability of PPM1H to hydrolyze a phosphorylated threonine in the switch 2 helix of Rab8a and Rab10Grafting of the PPM1H flap domain onto PPM1J phosphatase is sufficient to enable PPM1J to dephosphorylate Rab8a and Rab10 both in vitro and in cellular assaysA hydrophobic N‐terminal anchor that is conserved in PPM1H, PPM1J and PPM1M contributes to folding of their catalytic domains [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rapid spread of COVID‐19 pandemic has caused a severe disorder in the global economy. The sudden imposition of lockdown is expected to largely impact the global as well as Indian economy. To overcome serious economic fallouts, the honorable Prime Minister of India, Sri Narendra Modi in his address to the nation called for "Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan" or "Self‐reliant India" as self‐reliance would help in making pragmatic developments of the economy. According to WHO, COVID‐19 is a new strain found among humans that are caused by SARS‐CoV‐2, mainly a respiratory tract infection. As a consequence, the COVID‐19 pandemic gives India a unique situation to face this period of crisis boldly for optimum utilization of the available resources, and shift towards a more resilient and sustainable economy. Attainment of self‐reliance and sustainable resource management will also help the nation to overcome various global challenges. The present study mainly focuses on two objectives: Firstly, to understand the different possibilities which will secure India to become self‐reliant; and secondly, to know the prospects of self‐reliant of India in the post‐COVID‐19 scenario. It has to be kept in mind that Covid‐19 may not be the last viral infection that the world might see. Therefore, Novel Coronavirus sets a distinctive chance for India and the countries alike to utilize the available resources strategically and transform its dreams of "local" India into "Glocal" India for a better and brighter future of her people. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Farmlands contamination with heavy metals (HMs) can be considered a global issue especially in developing countries. The current study investigates the various pollution indices, potential ecological risk index (PERI) and human health risk caused by HMs in selected regions of Punjab Province, Pakistan. Farmlands soil samples were collected, acid‐extracted, and analyzed using ICP‐MS (Agilent 7500c) for selected HMs. All the HMs were found within permissible limits set by worldwide regulatory authorities except Cd, which exceeded its limit in 68% farmland soils of the study area. The CF values for Cd showed high (CF ≥ 6) degree of contamination to considerable level of contamination (3 ≤ CF ≤ 6). The CD values indicated from low (CD ≤ 6) to moderate (6 ≤ CD ≤ 12) level of contamination. The Igeo indices for all HMs were unpolluted except for Cd (moderately polluted 1≤ Igeo ≤ 2). For Cd the EF values were extremely severe (EF ≥ 50) in the farmland soils of two regions (Lahore and Faisalabad), while moderately severe (5 ≤ EF ≤ 10) in one region (Multan). The PERI values were moderate (150 ≤ RI ≤ 300) in the same two regions and low (RI ≤ 150) in other localities. The HQ and HI values for adults and children were less than one and observed in order of ingestion > dermal > inhalation. Furthermore, the RI values were observed higher than 1.0 × 10−4 for Cd (Lahore and Faisalabad regions) and Cr (Multan and Faisalabad regions) in children working in farmlands and likely exposed to high cancer risk. This study helps to fill the knowledge gap existing about conventional agricultural practices responsible for farmlands degradation and associated health risk. In the past, no one has conducted such a comprehensive research work to identify farmlands degradation factors. Furthermore, the minimization of pollutants must be the top priority of the regulatory authorities and state to reduce contaminant inputs and immobilization in soil through implementation of environmental protection laws and regulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aimed to investigate the palyno‐morphological features of species of family Vitaceae from Pakistan. A total of nine species, belonging to four genera were collected, pressed, identified, and then analyzed microscopically. Both quantitative and qualitative characters of the pollen grains were recorded including polar and equatorial diameter, P/E ratio, number of colpi and pores, exine thickness and shapes of the pollen in both polar and equatorial view, and exine sculpturing using Leica microscope fitted with camera Meiji Infinity 1 and then analyzed statistically using software IBM SPSS Statistics 20. The results of the present study demonstrated the variations in polar and equatorial diameter, exine thickness, P/E ratio, pollen shape, and exine sculpturing of the studied species and highlighted the significance of pollen morphology as an identification tool. The present study may contribute to better understand the classification at genus level, which will support the future phylogenetic characterization of the family. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since February 2019, NASA's InSight lander is recording seismic signals on the planet Mars, which, for the first time, allows to observe ongoing tectonic processes with geophysical methods. A number of Marsquakes have been located in the Cerberus Fossae graben system in Elysium Planitia and further west, in the Orcus Patera depression. We present a first study of the focal mechanisms of three well‐recorded events (S0173a, S0183a, S0235b) to determine the processes dominating in the source region. We infer for all three events a predominantly extensional setting. Our method is adapted to the case of a single, multicomponent receiver and based on fitting waveforms of P and S waves against synthetic seismograms computed for the initial crustal velocity model derived by the InSight team. We explore the uncertainty due to the single‐station limitation and find that even data recorded by one station constrains the mechanisms (reasonably) well. For the events in the Cerberus Fossae region (S0173a, S0235b) normal faulting with a relatively steep dipping fault plane is inferred, suggesting an extensional regime mainly oriented E‐W to NE‐SW. The fault regime in the Orcus Patera region is not determined uniquely because only the P wave can be used for the source inversion. However, we find that the P and weak S waves of the S0183a event show similar polarities to the event S0173, which indicates similar fault regimes. Plain Language Summary: As time passes, the mysterious interior of Mars is slowly being unraveled due to the detection and analysis of Marsquakes recorded with a seismograph carried by the InSight lander. Close to 400 Marsquakes have so far been identified, yet only a handful of those show similarities to earthquakes. Those earth‐like events are located near the Cerberus Fossae and Orcus Patera regions. We take advantage of the similarity between Marsquakes and earthquakes and apply a methodology developed for earthquake characterization before seismic recorders became abundant on Earth. We find that the Marsquakes in these source regions are dominated by extensional rather than compressing features. This is important information to further understand what causes Marsquakes. Key Points: We infer the tectonic setting in Cerberus Fossae on Mars by seismic source inversionWe present a robust inversion strategy for single‐station moment tensor inversionThree Marsquakes recorded by InSight reveal a predominantly normal faulting regime [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We image the thermochemical structure of crust and mantle underneath the North American continent by inverting recordings of P‐to‐s (Ps) and S‐to‐p (Sp) converted seismic body waves (receiver functions [RFs]). Through careful data selection and processing, we construct a multifrequency Ps (5‐, 8‐, and 10 ‐s) and Sp (10‐ and 15‐ s) RF data set from USArray recordings. The inversion is interfaced with petrological phase equilibria computations to build self‐consistent radial seismic velocity and density models for RF waveform simulations. Inverted models are combined through back‐projection along converted raypaths and interpolation to tomographic images of crust and mantle structure. Through clustering analysis we identify three major tectonic regions based on mantle thermochemical and seismic structure: the tectonically active West (TAW), the central transition region (CTR), and the cratonic‐orogenic East (COE). TAW is chemically more fertile with a Mg# ∼ 0.90 (molar Mg# = Mg/(Mg + Fe)) and characterized by an elevated mantle potential temperature of 1490 ± 27°C relative to COE, which is chemically more depleted (Mg# ∼ 0.91) and colder (1419 ± 27°C). CTR is intermediate to TAW and COE. We find significant thermochemically induced topography associated with the base of the lithosphere (±90 km), while the mantle transition zone is mostly influenced by thermally induced topography on the 410‐km discontinuity (±15 km). In contrast, the 660‐km discontinuity, where variations are only ±5 km, reflects a more complex thermochemical interplay. To place the results in a tectonic context, thermobarometric estimates from basaltic rocks across the western United States are integrated with the seismic inversions to produce a thermal model of the underlying mantle. Key Points: We describe a method for inverting multifrequency Ps and Sp receiver functions for mantle thermochemical structureWe distinguish tectonic regions based on thermochemical characteristics across the United States from the active West to the cratonic‐orogenic EastWe observe strong thermochemically induced and interrelated topographic variations of the lithospheric base and the 410‐km discontinuity [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The seismometer deployed on the surface of Mars as part of the InSight mission (Interior Exploration using Seismic Investigations, Geodesy and Heat Transport) has recorded several hundreds of marsquakes in the first 478 sols after landing. The majority of these are classified as high‐frequency (HF) events in the frequency range from approximately 1 to 10 Hz on Mars' surface. All the HF events excite a resonance around 2.4 Hz and show two distinct but broad arrivals of seismic energy that are separated by up to 450 s. Based on the frequency content and vertical‐to‐horizontal energy ratio, the HF event family has been subdivided into three event types, two of which we show to be identical and only appear separated due to the signal‐to‐noise ratio. We show here that the envelope shape of the HF events is explained by guided Pg and Sg phases in the Martian crust using simple layered models with scattering. Furthermore, the relative travel times between these two arrivals can be related to the epicentral distance, which shows distinct clustering. The rate at which HF events are observed varies by an order of magnitude over the course of one year and cannot be explained by changes of the background noise only. The HF content and the absence of additional seismic phases constrain crustal attenuation and layering, and the coda shape constrains the diffusivity in the uppermost shallow layers of Mars. Plain Language Summary: The high‐frequency events are the most commonly observed class of marsquakes by the InSight mission. As the frequency content and signal shape over time is different from seismic events (i.e., events that excite elastic waves traveling in the subsurface such as earthquakes, impacts, or explosions) observed both on Earth and the Moon, these were not immediately recognized as signals of seismic origin. This paper shows that these signals can be explained by distant shallow small quakes together with wave propagation effects in the Martian crust. This interpretation opens the possibility to use these signals to probe the material properties of the crust and raises the question which physical process causes these events. Key Points: InSight's seismometers have recorded several hundreds of events at frequencies between 1 and 10 HzThe envelopes of these events can be explained by seismic waves guided in the crust over significant distancesThis observation helps to constrain the elastic properties of the shallow structure [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a new class of seismic signals that are recorded by the seismometer placed on the surface of Mars as part of the NASA InSight mission. The signals, termed super high frequency (SF) events, are of short duration (∼20 s), are often similar in amplitude, and feature high‐frequency energy between ∼5 and 30 Hz that is dominant on the horizontal components. For detection and characterization of SF events, we employ the available continuous 20 samples per second (sps) data from the Very Broadband instrument. Due to bandwidth limitations, 100 sps data from the short‐period sensor are only partially obtainable, but they aid in analysis of the frequency content above 10 Hz and in distinguishing the events from high‐frequency noise. From June 2019 to May 2020, 780 SF events have been detected. The events observed occur in repeatable patterns that last for weeks. Initially, the SF events were clustered in the hours before sunset, but more recently, they have been distributed across the evening period. Based on template matching techniques, we have identified 16 distinct families that generally follow the temporal clusters. A thermal origin of these events is suggested, since the majority of the events fall within a ±2 h time window around sunset with extreme temperature changes. The SF events have similarities with thermal events observed on the lunar surface from data collected during the Apollo missions. Plain Language Summary: The seismometers on Mars are recording high‐frequency signals of short duration. Seven hundred and eighty of these events have been found so far, that can be categorized into families with comparable signal shape. Each family repeats for a limited number of days at similar times of the day. At first, they occurred at or shortly before sunset, but more recently they are being observed later in the Martian evening. We infer these signals originate from close to the lander but not the lander itself, and may be related to thermal cracking, like the lunar thermal events observed during the Apollo missions. Key Points: Super high frequency events are a class of signals observed by the InSight seismometer on MarsSeven hundred and eighty events have been observed, typically lasting 20 s with energy mainly on horizontal components between 5 and 30 HzEvents appear in clusters and are likely associated with local thermal sources similar to observations on the Moon [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SEIS, the seismometer of the InSight mission, which landed on Mars on 26 November 2018, is monitoring the seismic activity of the planet. The goal of the Mars Structure Service (MSS) is to provide, as a mission product, the first average 1‐D velocity model of Mars from the recorded InSight data. Prior to the mission, methodologies have been developed and tested to allow the location of the seismic events and estimation of the radial structure, using surface waves and body waves arrival times, and receiver functions. The paper describes these validation tests and compares the performance of the different algorithms to constrain the velocity model below the InSight station and estimate the 1‐D average model over the great circle path between source and receiver. These tests were performed in the frame of a blind test, during which synthetic data were inverted. In order to propagate the data uncertainties on the output model distribution, Bayesian inversion techniques are mainly used. The limitations and strengths of the methods are assessed. The results show the potential of the MSS approach to retrieve the structure of the crust and underlying mantle. However, at this time, large quakes with clear surface waves have not yet been recorded by SEIS, which makes the estimation of the 1‐D average seismic velocity model challenging. Additional locatable events, especially at large epicentral distances, and development of new techniques to fully investigate the data, will ultimately provide more constraints on the crust and mantle of Mars. Key Points: In the framework on the InSight mission, a synthetic seismogram using a 3‐D crust and a 1‐D velocity model below is proposedThis signal is used to present inversion methods, relying on different parameterizations, to constrain the 1‐D structure of MarsThe results demonstrate the feasibility of the strategy to retrieve VS in the crust, and a fairly good estimation of the Moho depth [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rab GTPases are master regulators of membrane trafficking in eukaryotic cells. Phosphorylation of Rab GTPases was characterized in the 1990s and there have been intermittent reports of its relevance to Rab functions. Phosphorylation as a regulatory mechanism has gained prominence through the identification of Rabs as physiological substrates of leucine‐rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2). LRRK2 is a Ser/Thr kinase that is associated with inherited and sporadic forms of Parkinson disease. In recent years, numerous kinases and their associated signaling pathways have been identified that lead to phosphorylation of Rabs. These emerging studies suggest that serine/threonine and tyrosine phosphorylation of Rabs may be a widespread and under‐appreciated mechanism for controlling their membrane trafficking functions. Here we survey current knowledge of Rab phosphorylation and discuss models for how this post‐translational mechanism exerts control of membrane trafficking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The small GTPases Rab11, Rab14 and Rab25 regulate membrane trafficking through the recruitment of Rab11 family‐interacting proteins (FIPs) to endocytic compartments. FIPs are multi‐domain effector proteins that have a highly conserved Rab‐binding domain (RBD) at their C‐termini. Several structures of complexes of Rab11 with RBDs have previously been determined, including those of Rab11–FIP2 and Rab11–FIP3. In addition, the structures of the Rab14–FIP1 and Rab25–FIP2 complexes have been determined. All of the RBD structures contain a central parallel coiled coil in the RBD that binds to the switch 1 and switch 2 regions of the Rab. Here, the crystal structure of the uncomplexed RBD of FIP2 is presented at 2.3 Å resolution. The structure reveals antiparallel α‐helices that associate through polar interactions. These include a remarkable stack of arginine residues within a four‐helix bundle in the crystal lattice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, first, energy detection (ED) based spectrum sensing inorthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) system using National Instrument (NI) Universal Software Radio Peripheral (USRP) 2942R software defined radio platform has been implemented. It is observed that in practical scenario ED scheme gives poor performance at low gain (G) values. To overcome the shortcomings of energy detection, we propose eigenvalue based detection of the primary user (PU) signal, where the ratio of the maximum eigenvalue to the average eigenvalue is used to detect the PU signal in both the single and multiple antenna systems/SISO and multiple‐input and multiple‐output (MIMO) based CR user. The analytical expression of the performance metric (probability of detection [Pd]) has been derived. Further, the experimental studies show that proposed technique gives optimum (Pd) in both SISO and MIMO case. It has been observed that the proposed technique outperforms the ED based detection even if the Tx‐Rx separation increases. Key Points: Implementation of eigenvalue based spectrum sensing on software radio in single and MIMO systems has been performedThe ratio of the maximum to average eigenvalue is used to detect the presence of primary user signalOptimum detection threshold value and closed form expression of the performance metric are derived [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Body mass index (BMI) is used to define obesity, but it is an imperfect measure of body composition. In the current study, the authors explored the association between types of fat and survival in patients treated with immunotherapy.Methods: A retrospective analysis of 90 patients who were treated with immunotherapy on phase 1 clinical trials at the Winship Cancer Institute in Atlanta, Georgia, from 2009 through 2017 was performed. Overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were used to measure clinical outcomes. Baseline BMI and radiographic images at the middle of the third lumbar vertebrae were obtained. Fat densities were calculated and converted to indices (subcutaneous fat index [SFI], intermuscular fat index [IFI], and visceral fat index [VFI]) after dividing by height in meters squared. Risk groups were created using recursive partitioning and the regression trees method for SFI and IFI, which were selected by stepwise variable selection among all fat-related variables. The Cox proportional hazards model and Kaplan-Meier method were used for the association with OS and PFS.Results: The majority of patients (59%) were male and diagnosed with melanoma (33%) or gastrointestinal cancers (22%). The median BMI was 27.4 kg/m2 , the median SFI was 62.78, the median IFI was 4.06, and the median VFI was 40.53. Low-risk patients (those with an SFI ≥73) had a significantly longer OS (hazard ratio, 0.20; 95% CI, 0.09-0.46 [P < .001]) and PFS (hazard ratio, 0.38; 95% CI, 0.20-0.72 [P = .003]) compared with patients at intermediate risk (those with an SFI <73 and IFI <3.4) and poor risk (those with an SFI <73 and IFI ≥3.4). The Uno concordance statistics were found to be higher for fat risk groups than BMI in predicting OS (0.603 vs 0.574; P = .581) and PFS (0.602 vs 0.586; P = .71).Conclusions: Increased BMI, increased SFI, and decreased IFI may be associated with prolonged survival in patients with cancer who are treated with immunotherapy. Further studies are needed to elucidate the effect of adiposity on the host immune response to immunotherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of quality control tool for authentication of Jadwar (Delphinium denudatum Wall. ex Hook.f. & Thomson), a folk herbal drug used for the treatment of different ailments, was studied. People face problems of adulteration for this drug at global, regional, national and local levels. Two different plant species are commercially marketed in the Indo‐Pak Subcontinent under the same trade name of Jadwar. One is D. denudatum Wall. ex Hook.f. & Thomson and the other is Aconitum heterophyllum Wall. ex Royle. To focus on this problem, a marketable available drug sample of Jadwar was authenticated by using basic microscopy tools (LM) and advanced chemo‐taxonomic markers. Authentication, quality and standardization of this drug was achieved using morphology, organoleptography, UV and IR analyses, scanning electron microscopy of pollen and anatomical investigations. The techniques used for authentication marked the clear difference between the studied plants. Microscopic studies, chemotaxonomic investigation and other techniques used in this project provided the basis for the authentication of this species. Micro‐morphological investigation using LM and scanning electron microscopy revealed clear difference between both the herbal drug sources.The pollen of Delphinium denudatum is circular in polar view with scabrate sculpturing where as in Aconitum heterophyllum pollen is circular to inter semi‐angular in polar view, scabrate sculpturing with uniformly distributed over the tectum.Trichomes are different in both the herbal drug sources.Thin layer chromatography (TLC) of roots extract of D. denudatum under UV displays the manifestation of three minor flavonols, whereas roots of A. heterophyllum express the manifestation of four minor flavonols and a phenolic acid.Macro and micro‐morphological studies and other techniques used in this project provided the basis for the authentication of the herbal drug. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Here, we provide the first structural characterization of host–guest complexation between cucurbit[7]uril (Q7) and dimethyllysine (KMe2) in a model protein. Binding was dominated by complete encapsulation of the dimethylammonium functional group. While selectivity for the most sterically accessible dimethyllysine was observed both in solution and in the solid state, three different modes of Q7‐KMe2 complexation were revealed by X‐ray crystallography. The crystal structures revealed also entrapped water molecules that solvated the ammonium group within the Q7 cavity. Remarkable Q7‐protein assemblies, including inter‐locked octahedral cages that comprise 24 protein trimers, occurred in the solid state. Cucurbituril clusters appear to be responsible for these assemblies, suggesting a strategy to generate controlled protein architectures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Now-a-days, plant species are consumed globally for various purposes and this increasing demand leads to adulteration due to gradually exploitation in natural resources. The major causes of adulteration may be confusion in nomenclature, unawareness of authentic sources, unavailability of authentic sources, color resemblances, deficiencies in collection procedures, and misidentification. This study aims to use the microscopic techniques such as scanning electron microscopy for the authentication of the oil yielding seeds of four important and traditionally used species Prunus persica, Prunus domestica, and Eruca sativa and Argemone Mexicana from their adulterants. All of these are versatile in usage. Locally, these four plants are adulterated badly and there is need to provide a criteria and a complete monograph for correct identification. This research may prove to be helpful for quality control and as well for future studies to explore other novel aspects of these plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Palynological features as well as comparative foliar epidermal using light and scanning electron microscope (SEM) of 17 species (10genera) of Amaranthaceae have been studied for its taxonomic significance. Different foliar and palynological micro‐morphological characters were examined to explain their value in resolving the difficulty in identification. All species were amphistomatic but stomata on abaxial surface were more abundant. Taxonomically significant epidermal character including stomata type, trichomes (unicellular, multicellular, and capitate) and epidermal cells shapes (polygonal and irregular) were also observed. Pollens of this family are Polypantoporate, pores large, spheroidal, mesoporous region is sparsely to scabrate, densely psilate, and spinulose. All these characters can be active at species level for identification purpose. This study indicates that at different taxonomic levels, LM and SEM pollen and epidermal morphology is explanatory and significant to identify species and genera. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, we introduce the triple Laplace transform for the solution of a class of fractional order partial differential equations. As a consequence, fractional order homogeneous heat equation in 2 dimensions is investigated in detail. The corresponding solution is obtained by using the aforementioned triple Laplace transform, which is the generalization of double Laplace transform. Numerical plots to the concerned solutions are provided to demonstrate our results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glutamate dehydrogenases (EC 1.4.1.2-4) catalyse the oxidative deamination of l-glutamate to α-ketoglutarate using NAD(P)+ as a cofactor. The bacterial enzymes are hexameric, arranged with 32 symmetry, and each polypeptide consists of an N-terminal substrate-binding segment (domain I) followed by a C-terminal cofactor-binding segment (domain II). The catalytic reaction takes place in the cleft formed at the junction of the two domains. Distinct signature sequences in the nucleotide-binding domain have been linked to the binding of NAD+ versus NADP+, but they are not unambiguous predictors of cofactor preference. In the absence of substrate, the two domains move apart as rigid bodies, as shown by the apo structure of glutamate dehydrogenase from Clostridium symbiosum. Here, the crystal structure of a chimaeric clostridial/ Escherichia coli enzyme has been determined in the apo state. The enzyme is fully functional and reveals possible determinants of interdomain flexibility at a hinge region following the pivot helix. The enzyme retains the preference for NADP+ cofactor from the parent E. coli domain II, although there are subtle differences in catalytic activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glutamate dehydrogenases ( GDHs; EC 1.4.1.2-4) catalyse the oxidative deamination of l-glutamate to α-ketoglutarate, using NAD+ and/or NADP+ as a cofactor. Subunits of homo-hexameric bacterial enzymes comprise a substrate-binding domain I followed by a nucleotide-binding domain II. The reaction occurs in a catalytic cleft between the two domains. Although conserved residues in the nucleotide-binding domains of various dehydrogenases have been linked to cofactor preferences, the structural basis for specificity in the GDH family remains poorly understood. Here, the refined crystal structure of Escherichia coli GDH in the absence of reactants is described at 2.5-Å resolution. Modelling of NADP+ in domain II reveals the potential contribution of positively charged residues from a neighbouring α-helical hairpin to phosphate recognition. In addition, a serine that follows the P7 aspartate is presumed to form a hydrogen bond with the 2′-phosphate. Mutagenesis and kinetic analysis confirms the importance of these residues in NADP+ recognition. Surprisingly, one of the positively charged residues is conserved in all sequences of NAD+-dependent enzymes, but the conformations adopted by the corresponding regions in proteins whose structure has been solved preclude their contribution to the coordination of the 2′-ribose phosphate of NADP+. These studies clarify the sequence-structure relationships in bacterial GDHs, revealing that identical residues may specify different coenzyme preferences, depending on the structural context. Primary sequence alone is therefore not a reliable guide for predicting coenzyme specificity. We also consider how it is possible for a single sequence to accommodate both coenzymes in the dual-specificity GDHs of animals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Abstract: Rab GTPases localize to distinct sub-cellular compartments and regulate vesicle trafficking in eukaryotic cells. Yeast Rabs Ypt31/32 and Sec4 have 68% homology and bind to common interactors, yet play distinct roles in the transport of exocytic vesicles. The structures of Ypt31/32 have not previously been reported in the uncomplexed state. We describe the crystal structures of GTP and GDP forms of Ypt32 to understand the molecular basis for Rab function. The structure of Ypt32(GTP) reveals that the switch II conformation is distinct from Sec4(GTP) in spite of a highly conserved amino acid sequence. Also, Ypt32(GDP) reveals a remarkable change in conformation of the switch II helix induced by binding to GDI, which has not been described previously. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Effectors of the Rab small GTPases are large multi-domain proteins which have proved difficult to express in soluble form in Escherichia coli. Generally, effectors are recruited to a distinct subcellular compartment by active (GTP-bound) Rabs, which are linked to membranes by one or two prenylated Cys residues at their C-termini. Following recruitment via their Rab-binding domain (RBD), effectors carry out various aspects of vesicle formation, transport, tethering and fusion through their other domains. Previously, successful purification of the RUN-PLAT tandem domains (residues 683-1061) of the 1263-residue Rab6-interacting protein 1 (R6IP1) required co-expression with Rab6, as attempts to solubly express the effector alone were unsuccessful. R6IP1 is also known as DENN domain-containing protein 5 (DENND5) and is expressed as two isoforms, R6IP1A/B (DENND5A/B), which differ by 24 amino acids at the N-terminus. Here, a deletion in R6IP1 was engineered to enable soluble expression and to improve the quality of the crystals grown in complex with Rab6. A large 23-residue loop linking two α-helices in the RUN1 domain was removed and replaced with a short linker. This loop resides on the opposite face to the Rab6-binding site and is not conserved in the RUN-domain family. In contrast to wild-type R6IP1-Rab6 crystals, which took several weeks to grow to full size, the engineered R6IP1 (RPdel)-Rab6 crystals could be grown in a matter of days. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glutamate dehydrogenase (EC 1.4.1.2-4) from Peptoniphilus asaccharolyticus has been expressed as a selenomethionine-derivatized recombinant protein and diffraction-quality crystals have been grown that are suitable for structure determination. Preliminary structural analyses indicate that the protein assembles as a homohexameric enzyme complex in solution, similar to other bacterial and mammalian enzymes to which its sequence identity varies between 25 and 40%. The structure will provide insight into its preference for the cofactor NADH (over NADPH) by comparisons with the known structures of mammalian and bacterial enzymes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the relative earnings and wages of immigrants working in the hi-tech sector in Canada's cities. Between 1990 and 2000, a sizeable earnings advantage of immigrants over nonimmigrants employed in the hi-tech sector evaporated, and this change was most noticeable in the largest cities. We use population census microdata to examine the geographical dimensions of this shift. After controlling for individual characteristics, we show that immigrants in the largest and tech-intensive cities earn significantly less relative to nonimmigrants than those in midsized and smaller cities. We also present results comparing the hi-tech immigrant wage and earnings gap for the five largest Canadian cities. The findings are consistent with the notion that geographic differences are an important component of the overall earnings gap between immigrants and nonimmigrants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rab11-FIP3 is an endosomal recycling compartment (ERC) protein that is implicated in the process of membrane delivery from the ERC to sites of membrane insertion during cell division. Here we report that Rab11-FIP3 is critical for the structural integrity of the ERC during interphase. We demonstrate that knockdown of Rab11-FIP3 and expression of a mutant of Rab11-FIP3 that is Rab11-binding deficient cause loss of all ERC-marker protein staining from the pericentrosomal region of A431 cells. Furthermore, we find that fluorophore-labelled transferrin cannot access the pericentrosomal region of cells in which Rab11-FIP3 function has been perturbed. We find that this Rab11-FIP3 function appears to be specific because expression of the equivalent Rab11-binding deficient mutant of Rab-coupling protein does not perturb ERC morphology. In addition, we find that other organelles such as sorting and late endosomes are unaffected by loss of Rab11-FIP3 function. Finally, we demonstrate the presence of an extensive coiled-coil region between residues 463 and 692 of Rab11-FIP3, which exists as a dimer in solution and is critical to support its function on the ERC. Together, these data indicate that Rab11-FIP3 is necessary for the structural integrity of the pericentrosomal ERC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]