bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Geometric regularity in webs of non‐orb‐weaving spiders
Authors: Ramírez Martín J. , Wolff Jonas O. , Jäger Peter , Pavlek Martina , Pérez‐González Abel , Magalhaes Ivan , Michalik Peter
Published: March 2023

Geometric regularity of spider webs has been intensively studied in orb‐weaving spiders, although it is not exclusive of orb weavers. Here, we document the geometrically regular, repetitive elements in the webs of the non‐orb‐weaving groups Leptonetidae and Telemidae for the first time. Similar to orb weavers, we found areas with regularly spaced parallel lines in the webs of Calileptoneta helferi, Sulcia sp., and cf. Pinelema sp. Furthermore, we provide a detailed account of the regular webs of Ochyrocera (Ochyroceratidae). The sections of the web with regularly disposed parallel lines are built as U‐shaped modules reminiscent of orb webs. It has been suggested that the regularly spaced parallel lines in the webs of Ochyroceratidae and Psilodercidae may be produced in a single sweep of their posterior lateral spinnerets, which have regularly spaced aciniform gland spigots, perhaps involving expansion of the spinnerets. To test this hypothesis, we compared the spacing between parallel lines with the spacing between spigots, searched for expansible membranes in the spinnerets, and examined the junctions of regularly spaced lines. The distance between parallel lines was 10–20 times the distance between spigots, and we found no expansible membranes, and the intersection of parallel lines are cemented, which opposes the single sweep hypothesis. Furthermore, we found cues of viscid silk in the parallel lines of the psilodercid Althepus and broadened piriform gland spigots that may be responsible of its production. Finally, we evaluated the presence or absence of geometrically regular web elements across the spider tree of life. We found reports of regular webs in 31 spider families, including 20 families that are not orb weavers and hypothesize that the two basic aspects of regularity (parallel lines spaced at regular intervals, and radial lines spaced at regular angles) probably appeared many times in the evolution of spiders.
New insights into the diversity of cryptobenthic Cirripectes blennies in the Mascarene Archipelago sampled using Autonomous Reef Monitoring Structures (ARMS)
Authors: Couëdel Marion , Dettai Agnes , Guillaume Mireille M. M. , Bruggemann Fleur , Bureau Sophie , Frattini Baptiste , Verde Ferreira Amélie , Azie Jean‐Lindsay , Bruggemann J. Henrich
Published: March 2023

Autonomous Reef Monitoring Structures (ARMS) are artificial mini‐reefs designed for standardized sampling of sessile and small motile cryptobenthic organisms. ARMS are also effective for collecting small cryptobenthic fishes, such as the combtooth blennies of the genus Cirripectes. Recent studies discovered several Cirripectes species endemic to islands or archipelagos, in spite of the generally broad distributions of tropical and subtropical blennies. Thus, to evaluate the diversity and distribution of Cirripectes species in the Mascarene Archipelago, a little‐studied region but an important biodiversity hotspot, complete mitochondrial genomes, and nuclear rhodopsin genes were sequenced for 39 specimens collected with ARMS deployed on outer reef slopes at Reunion and Rodrigues islands. Mitochondrial COI sequences were analyzed to integrate these specimens within the largest dataset of publicly available sequences. Three species were found in the Mascarene Archipelago, Cirripectes castaneus, Cirripectes randalli, and Cirripectes stigmaticus. C. castaneus and C. stigmaticus both have an Indo‐Pacific distribution with several haplotypes shared among distant localities. In agreement with the literature, C. randalli shows a small‐range endemism restricted to the Mascarenes. We confirmed the presence of C. castaneus, C. randalli, and C. stigmaticus in Rodrigues, and the presence of C. stigmaticus in Reunion. This study contributes to filling the gaps in taxonomic and molecular knowledge of the reef cryptobiome in the South‐West Indian Ocean, and provides the first complete mitogenomes for the genus, a crucial step for future molecular‐based inventories (e.g., eDNA).
Temporal variation in translocated Isle Royale wolf diet
Authors: Sovie Adia R. , Romanski Mark C. , Orning Elizabeth K. , Marneweck David G. , Nichols Rachel , Moore Seth , Belant Jerrold L.
Published: March 2023

Wolves (Canis lupus) can exert top‐down pressure and shape ecological communities through the predation of ungulates and beavers (Castor spp.). Therefore, understanding wolf foraging is critical to estimating their ecosystem‐level effects. Specifically, if wolves are consumers that optimize tradeoffs between the cost and benefits of prey acquisition, changes in these factors may lead to prey‐switching or negative‐density dependent selection with potential consequences for community stability. For wolves, factors affecting cost and benefits include prey vulnerability, risk, reward, and availability, which can vary temporally. We described the wolf diet by the frequency of occurrence and percent biomass and characterized the diet using prey remains found in wolf scats on Isle Royale National Park, Michigan, USA, during May–October 2019 and 2020. We used logistic regression to estimate prey consumption over time. We predicted prey with temporal variation in cost (availability and/or vulnerability) such as adult moose (Alces alces), calf moose, and beaver (Castor canadensis) to vary in wolf diets. We analyzed 206 scats and identified 62% of remains as beaver, 26% as moose, and 12% as other species (birds, smaller mammals, and wolves). Adult moose were more likely to occur in wolf scats in May when moose are in poor condition following winter. The occurrence of moose calves peaked during June–mid‐July following birth but before calf vulnerability declined as they matured. By contrast, beaver occurrence in wolf scat did not change over time, reflecting the importance of low‐handling cost prey items for recently introduced lone or paired wolves. Our results demonstrate that the wolf diet is responsive to temporal changes in prey costs. Temporal fluctuation in diet may influence wolves' ecological role if prey respond to increased predation risk by altering foraging or breeding behavior.
Estimating the distribution of Oryzomys palustris, a potential key host in expanding rickettsial tick‐borne disease risk
Authors: Lippi Catherine A. , Canfield Samuel , Espada Christina , Gaff Holly D. , Ryan Sadie J.
Published: March 2023

Increasingly, geographic approaches to assessing the risk of tick‐borne diseases are being used to inform public health decision‐making and surveillance efforts. The distributions of key tick species of medical importance are often modeled as a function of environmental factors, using niche modeling approaches to capture habitat suitability. However, this is often disconnected from the potential distribution of key host species, which may play an important role in the actual transmission cycle and risk potential in expanding tick‐borne disease risk. Using species distribution modeling, we explore the potential geographic range of Oryzomys palustris, the marsh rice rat, which has been implicated as a potential reservoir host of Rickettsia parkeri, a pathogen transmitted by the Gulf Coast tick (Amblyomma maculatum) in the southeastern United States. Due to recent taxonomic reclassification of O. palustris subspecies, we reclassified geolocated collections records into the newer clade definitions. We modeled the distribution of the two updated clades in the region, establishing for the first time, range maps and distributions of these two clades. The predicted distribution of both clades indicates a largely Gulf and southeastern coastal distribution. Estimated suitable habitat for O. palustris extends into the southern portion of the Mid‐Atlantic region, with a discontinuous, limited area of suitability in coastal California. Broader distribution predictions suggest potential incursions along the Mississippi River. We found considerable overlap of predicted O. palustris ranges with the distribution of A. maculatum, indicating the potential need for extended surveillance efforts in those overlapping areas and attention to the role of hosts in transmission cycles.
Blooms and flows: Effects of variable hydrology and management on reservoir water quality
Authors: Painter Kristin J. , Venkiteswaran Jason J. , Baulch Helen M.
Published: March 2023

Flow management has the potential to significantly affect ecosystem condition. Shallow lakes in arid regions are especially susceptible to flow management changes, which can have important implications for the formation of cyanobacterial blooms. Here, we reveal water quality shifts associated with changing source water inflow management. Using in situ monitoring data, we studied a seven‐year time span during which inflows to a shallow, eutrophic drinking water reservoir transitioned from primarily natural landscape runoff (2014–2015) to managed flows from a larger upstream reservoir (Lake Diefenbaker; 2016–2020) and identified significant changes in cyanobacteria (as phycocyanin) using generalized additive models to classify cyanobacterial bloom formation. We then connected changes in water source with shifts in chemistry and the occurrence of cyanobacterial blooms using principal components analysis. Phycocyanin was greater in years with managed reservoir inflow from a mesotrophic upstream reservoir (2016–2020), but dissolved organic matter (DOM) and specific conductivity, important determinants of drinking water quality, were greatest in years when landscape runoff dominated lake water source (2014–2015). Most notably, despite changing rapidly, it took multiple years for lake water to return to a consistent and reduced level of DOM after managed inflows from the upstream reservoir were resumed, an observation that underscores how resilience may be hindered by weak resistance to change and slow recovery. Environmental flows for water quality are rarely defined, yet we show that trade‐offs exist between poor water quality via elevated conductivity and DOM and higher bloom risk, depending on water source. Our work highlights the importance of source water quality, not just quantity, to water security, and our findings have important implications for water managers who must protect ecosystem services while adapting to projected hydroclimatic change.
Rationale and design of the Biventricular Evaluation of Gliflozins effects In chroNic Heart Failure: BEGIN‐HF study
Authors: Correale Michele , Antohi Elena‐Laura , Inciardi Riccardo M. , Mazzeo Pietro , Coiro Stefano , Ishihara Shiro , Petroni Renata , Monitillo Francesco , Leone Marta , Triggiani Marco , Sarwar Chaudhry M.S. , Dungen Hans‐Dirk , Talha Khawaja M. , Brunetti Natale D. , Butler Javed , Nodari Savina ,   Master Program Group on Drug Development for Heart Failure
Published: March 2023

Aims

Sodium‐glucose cotransporter type 2 inhibitors (SGLT‐2i) represent a unique class of anti‐hyperglycaemic agents for type 2 diabetes mellitus that selectively inhibit renal glucose reabsorption, thereby increasing urinary excretion of glucose. Several studies have demonstrated the cardioprotective effects of SGLT‐2i in patients with heart failure (HF), unrelated to its glucosuric effect. It is unclear whether the benefits of SGLT‐2i therapy also rely on the improvement of left ventricular (LV) and/or right ventricular (RV) function in patients with HF. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of SGLT‐2i on LV and RV function through conventional and advanced echocardiographic parameters with a special focus on RV function in patients with HF.

Methods and results

The Biventricular Evaluation of Gliflozins effects In chroNic Heart Failure (BEGIN‐HF) study is an international multicentre, prospective study that will evaluate the effect of SGLT‐2i on echocardiographic parameters of myocardial function in patients with chronic stable HF across the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) spectrum. Patients with New York Heart Association Class II/III symptoms, estimated glomerular filtration rate > 25 mL/min/1.73 m2, age > 18 years, and those who were not previously treated with SGLT‐2i will be included. All patients will undergo conventional, tissue‐derived imaging (TDI), and strain echocardiography in an ambulatory setting, at time of enrolment and after 6 months of SGLT‐2i therapy. The primary endpoint is the change in LV function as assessed by conventional, TDI, and myocardial deformation speckle tracking parameters. Secondary outcomes include changes in RV and left atrial function as assessed by conventional and deformation speckle tracking echocardiography. Univariate and multivariate analyses will be performed to identify predictors associated with primary and secondary endpoints.

Conclusions

The BEGIN‐HF will determine whether SGLT‐2i therapy improves LV and/or RV function by conventional and advanced echocardiography in patients with HF irrespective of LVEF.
Recent Progress of Single‐Atom Alloys in Heterogeneous Catalytic Reactions
Authors: Geng Baokang , Zhang Lingling , Wang Fei , Wang Xiao , Song Shuyan , Zhang Hongjie
Published: March 2023

In decades, heterogeneous catalysis has played a more significant role in social progress. However, the exorbitant price and low reserves vastly limit the application of noble metal catalysts, which are extensively used in heterogeneous catalysis. The single‐atom‐alloy catalysts (SAAs) have been regarded as a crucial way to improve the dispersion ratio of noble metal while maintaining great heterogeneous catalytic performance by dispersing noble metal single atoms on the surface of another metal. Besides the benefit from the metal bonds between noble metals and support metals, SAAs is also a unique method to construct metallic metal single atoms and obtain its characteristic catalytic performance, which is not possessed by other single atoms catalysts with positive electricity metal atoms. Most recently, SAAs have been demonstrated to catalyze a lot of significant heterogeneous reactions. This review will introduce the synthesis methods of SAAs and then summarize their applications in heterogeneous catalysis.
Enhancing the Electrochemical Properties of Silicon Nanoparticles by Graphene‐Based Aerogels
Authors: Kuruahmet Deniz , Singil Mustafa Mahmut , Guler Aslihan , Yildirim Sidika , Gungor Hatice , Uzun Esma , Alkan Engin , Guler Mehmet Oguz , Akbulut Hatem
Published: March 2023

Herein, silicon nanoparticles (nSi) are produced by magnesiothermic reduction methods. nSi are then obtained in the form of a 3D graphene aerogel (GA), prepared by a simple one‐step freeze‐drying process using L‐ascorbic acid. By a simple freeze‐drying process, nSi is neatly decorated between sheets of graphene. GA forms a conductive structure for nSi whose mechanical mesh acts as a buffer layer. This conductive structure greatly improves the structural integrity and conductivity of the anode material. Nanoparticles silicon/graphene aerogel (nSi/GA) nanocomposite is investigated by X‐ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. nSi/GA nanocomposite demonstrates a superior capacity of 550 mAh g−1 after 500th cycle. As a result, the nSi/GA anodes show improvement in cycling stability compared with pure nSi. Tests are conducted at different rate capability to measure the velocity characteristic and the resulting anode exhibits average specific discharge capacities of 1217, 976, 919, 825, 674, and 572 mAh g−1 at charge/discharge rates of C/20, C/10. C/5, 1C, 3C, and 5C, respectively. Benefiting from easy synthesis and excellent cyclic stability, nSi/GA are expected to play an important role in the lithium‐ion battery.
Implications of the European gas market for the long‐term construction of underground gas storage in China
Authors: Du Xueping , Liu Menglin , Qiu Shuo , Wu Jiangtao , Meng Xianyang
Published: March 2023

Underground gas storage (UGS) is an important part of the natural gas industry. Its peaking characteristics and storage capacity are critical to national energy supply and energy security. Compared with the mature gas market in Europe, the construction of UGSs in China faces many challenges. This study is expected to provide references for China UGS through a detailed analysis and calculations of the European natural gas market and underground storage. First, the current status and development of the European gas market were summarized. And the situation of primary energy structure, gas utilization, and UGSs construction was compared between the EU and China. Second, the working gas volume of UGSs in Europe was analyzed from the perspective of its relationship with total consumption and peak‐shaving volume. Finally, the simulation and prediction of the working curve of the energy storage facilities and the reasonable ratio of the energy storage to load were solved by the numerical fitting method. Meanwhile, the recommendations for China's natural gas market and UGSs were provided. It is appropriate to set the planning target of China UGS capacity to load at 5% of total consumption and the actual peaking gas volume will be 14.4 billion cubic meters by 2030.
An integrated security approach for vehicular networks in smart cities
Authors: Devarajan Ganesh Gopal , Thirunnavukkarasan M. , Amanullah Sardar Irfanullah , Vignesh T. , Sivaraman Audithan
Published: March 2023

Fog computing, which is an extension of cloud computing is one of the cornerstone for Internet of Things, that witnessed rapid growth because of its ability to enhance several difficult problems such as network congestion, latency, and the lack of regional autonomy. However, privacy concerns and the resulting inefficiency are causing the performance of fog computing to suffer. While suffering from poisoning attacks, the vast majority of current works do not take into consideration of proper balance between them. Specifically, we present blockchain‐enabled secure federated learning in vehicle network (BSFLVN) system model for traffic flow prediction in urban computing to overcome the aforementioned difficulties and narrow the gap. When vehicle devices trade local learning updates, BSFLVN enables them to be exchanged with a blockchain‐based global learning model, which is confirmed by miners. To improve accuracy of classification we proposed federated learning‐based gated recurrent unit for local model update using FL‐GRNN algorithm and global model update using FL‐AGG algorithm. The BSFLVN, which is built on top of this, allows autonomous deep learning‐based GRU to take place without the need for a centralized authority to maintain the global model and coordinate by using the PoW consensus mechanism of blockchain. For preserving privacy and security of local and global model updates we employ the LDP mechanism. For the analysis of the latency performance of BSFLVN, as well as the derivation of the best block production rate we consider communication, consensus delays, and computing cost. The results of a thorough examination demonstrate that BSFLVN outperforms its competitors in terms of privacy protection, efficiency, and resistance to poisoning attacks, among other areas. Various deadline time iteration process is simulated for result evaluation using Fashion MINIST data in which over 93% of accuracy is obtained.
Arroyo Vega flood relief tunnel design
Authors: Vicente Bruno Andrés
Published: March 2023

This article aims to present structural and geotechnical design challenges of the flood relief project ”Segundo Emisario del Arroyo Vega“, part of Buenos Aires city hydraulic master plan. Works comprised the execution of an 8.4 km‐long tunnel for relief of the existing sewer network. Tunnel alignment develops in a highly populated area, with important interferences such as two metro lines, three railway lines and a main potable water tunnel. All tunnel sections extend mostly within firm, silty soils. Overburden varies between 15 and 25 m. The downstream section was executed with a 6.1 m‐diameter Earth pressure Balance Tunnel Boring Machine (EPB TBM) launched from a 35 m‐diameter shaft with water table pressures up to 200 kPa. Break‐in was performed across a watertight, plastic diaphragm wall cell, which allowed safe shaft wall manual demolition, resulting in a very safe TBM launch. The tunnel upstream section, 2.85 m in diameter, was executed using pipe jacking technology, with the peculiarity of using bidirectional launch shafts along its alignment. To allow water entrance from existing system – through flow diversion chambers – into the new relief tunnel, openings were made in the TBM tunnel, with connection areas of 4 to 7 m2. Its design was particularly challenging, given that unbolted segmental lining was used.
Magnetic resonance evidence of increased iron content in subcortical brain regions in asymptomatic Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Lin Qixiang , Shahid Salman , Hone‐Blanchet Antoine , Huang Shuai , Wu Junjie , Bisht Aditya , Loring David , Goldstein Felicia , Levey Allan , Crosson Bruce , Lah James , Qiu Deqiang
Published: March 2023

While iron over‐accumulation has been reported in late stage Alzheimer's disease (AD), whether this occurs early in the asymptomatic stage of AD remains unknown. We aimed to assess brain iron levels in asymptomatic AD using quantitative MR relaxometry of effective transverse relaxation rate (R2*) and longitudinal relaxation rate (R1), and recruited 118 participants comprised of three groups including healthy young participants, and cognitively normal older individuals without or with positive AD biomarkers based on cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) proteomics analysis. Compared with the healthy young group, increased R2* was found in widespread cortical and subcortical regions in the older groups. Further, significantly higher levels of R2* were found in the cognitively normal older subjects with positive CSF AD biomarker (i.e., asymptomatic AD) compared with those with negative AD biomarker in subcortical regions including the left and right caudate, left and right putamen, and left and right globus pallidus (p < .05 for all regions), suggesting increased iron content in these regions. Subcortical R2* of some regions was found to significantly correlate with CSF AD biomarkers and neuropsychological assessments of visuospatial functions. In conclusion, R2* could be a valuable biomarker for studying early pathophysiological changes in AD.
Synthesis and Reversible H2 Activation by Coordinatively Unsaturated Rhodium NHC Complexes
Authors: Lutz Marius D. R. , Zhong Hongyu , Trapp Nils , Morandi Bill
Published: March 2023

We report the synthesis of coordinatively unsaturated cationic rhodium complexes bearing the sterically encumbered electron‐rich NHC ligand IPr*OMe. The COD (1,5‐cyclooctadiene) complex [Rh(IPr*OMe)(COD)]BF4 adopts a tilted, pseudo‐square planar coordination geometry, where bonding to the ipso‐carbon of the NHC aryl substituent was observed in the solid state. Hydrogenation of this complex afforded a metastable dihydride complex [Rh(IPr*OMe)(H)2]BF4 with an unusual internal coordination to an arene of the ligand. In the absence of a hydrogen atmosphere, spontaneous reductive elimination of H2 afforded a rhodium complex [Rh(IPr*OMe)]BF4 with a single chelating ligand that stabilizes the highly unsaturated metal by two‐fold π‐face donation as suggested by NMR spectroscopy and computational studies. This unusual complex might serve as a versatile precatalyst for a variety of transformations.
Evaluation of antibiotics resistance in Southern Iran in light of COVID‐19 pandemic: A retrospective observational study
Authors: Raoofi Rahim , Namavari Negin , Rahmanian Vahid , Dousthaghi Mohammad Hadi
Published: March 2023

Background and Aims

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) was taken as one of the high‐priority long‐lasting public health issues, although it might have been underrated in terms of COVID‐19 pandemic emergence. Regarding limited data on assessing the pandemic effect on AMR trend in Iran, this study aimed to describe the epidemiology of antibiotics resistance during the COVID pandemic in southern Iran.

Methods

This descriptive study was conducted on 2675 patients' samples collected and processed in a referral COVID‐19 center hospital in southern Iran from March 21, 2019, to February 18, 2020 (prepandemic), and February 19, 2020, to March 21, 2021 (pandemic). Susceptibility test results in sensitivity and resistance levels were compared in prepandemic and pandemic periods.

Results

Compared to prepandemic, the inpatient number has increased almost three times. On the other hand, there are around four times fewer outpatients now. More than 85% of the specimens were found in urine samples. In all, 92.22% of all bacteria samples were Gram‐negative isolates, with Escherichia coli accounting for 59.19% of them. The change rate of Gram‐negative bacteria resistance to antimicrobials is an average of 7.74% (p < 0.001). On the other hand, the average change rate of Gram‐positive bacteria resistant to antibiotics has decreased by 19.3% (p = 008). As a forerunner among other Gram‐negative bacteria, the average change rate for Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumonia resistance to monitored antibiotics was 89% and 66.3%, respectively (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

During the Covid‐19 pandemic, the increase in AMR among Gram‐negative bacteria, particularly P. aeruginosa and K. pneumonia, was observed compared to the prepandemic. This further limits treatment options, and endangers global public health.
Corporate governance, cash holding, and firm performance in an emerging market
Authors: Jiang Yushi , Mubarik Muhammad Shujaat , Zaman Syed Imran , Alam Syed Hasnain , Arif Muhammad
Published: March 2023

Extant literature highlights the significance of the corporate governance (CG) mechanism in mitigating agency conflict. Literature also confirms the instrumentality of the board structure (measured as size, diversity, independence and CEO duality) in overcoming the agency problem. In this context, the present study examines the impact of board structure on a firm's cash holding (CH) levels. Likewise, the study tests the role of cash‐holding (CH) in the association between board structure and a firm's performance. Secondary data from 262 PSX‐listed manufacturing and servicing sector firms have been taken for analysis. Panel regression and Generalized Methods of Movement (GMM) were employed to test the modelled relationships. Results show that most of the CG variables, that is, CEO duality, board size, executive compensation, and diversity, do not affect a firm's CH levels in the service and manufacturing sectors. However, the results display a negative and significant impact of block holders (BH), measured as the ratio of the top five shareholders, on cash holding in manufacturing. Likewise, the sector‐wise analysis shows that cash holding significantly mediates between board size and ROA. In contrast, its role between other dimensions of CG and RoA was insignificant. The findings also revealed that firms with frailer CG structures tend to have less CH and can be prone to external environmental risk.
Insights into the binding mechanism between α‐TOH and CYP4F2: A homology modeling, molecular docking, and molecular dynamics simulation study
Authors: Liang Leilei , Zheng Qingchuan
Published: March 2023

α‐Tocopherol (α‐TOH) is a potent antioxidant. The concentrations of α‐TOH in plasma are closely related to human health. α‐TOH can be regulated by the metabolism of cytochrome P450 4F2 (CYP4F2). However, the atomic‐level basis for this regulation process remains elusive. Here, we successfully constructed the structure of CYP4F2 by homology modeling and obtained the α‐TOH–CYP4F2 complex models using molecular docking. Three parallel 500 ns molecular dynamics simulations were performed on each complex model to investigate the details of the interaction between α‐TOH and CYP4F2. MM–GBSA method combined with principal component analysis shows that 8 key residues establish a hydrophobic cavity stabilizing α‐TOH in the pocket of CYP4F2 and S423 forms an important hydrogen bond with α‐TOH anchoring α‐TOH in the favorable position for ω‐hydroxylation. Based on our simulation results and the experimental facts, we designed mutation simulation experiments to clarify the important role of two key residues (S423 and V433) in the binding of α‐TOH with CYP4F2. The results show that the mutations directly or indirectly change the binding mode of α‐TOH and decrease its binding affinity with CYP4F2, which is unfavorable for ω‐hydroxylation. Our results could enrich the information on structure‐function relationships of CYP4F2 and provide valuable insights into the regulatory mechanism of CYP4F2 on the metabolism of α‐TOH.
Long noncoding RNAs induced control of ferroptosis: Implications in cancer progression and treatment
Authors: Shi Wei , Sethi Gautam
Published: March 2023

A novel kind of nonapoptotic, iron‐dependent cell death brought on by lipid peroxidation is known as ferroptosis. Numerous pathological processes, including neurotoxicity, neurological disorders, ischemia‐reperfusion damage, and particularly cancer, have been demonstrated to be influenced by changes in the ferroptosis‐regulating network. Recent studies have established the critical roles that ferroptosis can play in cancer development and the evolution of resistance to standard chemoradiotherapy, thus suggesting that ferroptosis may be a feasible therapeutic strategy for cancer management. Gene expression may be regulated at the transcriptional and posttranscriptional levels by long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs). They have been implicated in tumorigenesis. Some lncRNAs participate in the biological process of ferroptosis, which represents an exciting alternative to regulate ferroptosis as a means of cancer therapy. Even though there is evidence that lncRNAs have a mechanistic role in the ferroptosis of cancer cells, research on the mechanism and potential treatments for these lncRNAs is still lacking. We elucidate the potential mechanisms by which lncRNAs modulate ferroptosis in cancer and examine the promise and challenges of employing lncRNAs as novel therapeutic targets in cancer.
HIPK2 mediates M1 polarization of microglial cells via STAT3: A new mechanism of depression‐related neuroinflammation
Authors: Han Chenyang , Pei Hongyan , Sheng Yongjia , Wang Jin , Zhou Xiaohong , Li Wenyan , Zhang Caiqun , Guo Li , Yang Yi
Published: March 2023

This study aimed to investigate the role of protein kinase HIPK2 in depression and its associated mechanism. The chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUSM) model was constructed to simulate mice with depression to detect the mouse behaviors. Moreover, by using mouse microglial cells BV2 as the model. After conditional knockdown of HIPK2, the depressive behavior disorder of mice was improved, meanwhile, neuroinflammation was alleviated, and the M1 cell proportion was reduced. Similar results were obtained after applying the HIPK2 inhibitor tBID or ASO‐HIPK2 treatment. HIPK2 was overexpressed in BV2 cells, which promoted M1 polarization of cells, while tBID suppressed the effect of HIPK2 and reduced the M1 polarized level in BV2 cells. Pull‐down assay results indicated that HIPK2 bound to STAT3 and promoted STAT3 phosphorylation. We found that HIPK2 can bind to STAT3 to promote its phosphorylation, which accelerates M1 polarization of microglial cells, aggravates the depressive neuroinflammation, and leads to abnormal behaviors. HIPK2 is promising as the new therapeutic target of depression.
Identification of circular dorsal ruffles as signal platforms for the AKT pathway in glomerular podocytes
Authors: Hua Rui , Wei Jinzi , Torres Mauricio , He Yuxin , Li Yanan , Sun Xiaowei , Wang Li , Inoki Ken , Yoshida Sei
Published: March 2023

Circular dorsal ruffles (CDRs) are rounded membrane ruffles induced by growth factors to function as precursors of the large‐scale endocytosis called macropinocytosis. In addition to their role in cellular uptake, recent research using cell line systems has shown that CDRs/macropinocytosis regulate the canonical AKT–mTORC1 growth factor signaling pathway. However, as CDRs have not been observed in tissues, their physiological relevance has remained unclear. Here, utilizing ultrahigh‐resolution scanning electron microscopy, we first report that CDRs are expressed in glomerular podocytes ex vivo and in vivo, and we visually captured the transformation process to macropinocytosis. Moreover, through biochemical and imaging analyses, we show that AKT phosphorylation localized to CDRs upstream of mTORC1 activation in podocyte cell lines and isolated glomeruli. These results demonstrate the physiological role of CDRs as signal platforms for the AKT–mTORC1 pathway in glomerular podocytes at the tissue level. As mTORC1 plays critical roles in podocyte metabolism, and aberrant activation of mTORC1 triggers podocytopathies, our results strongly suggest that targeting CDR formation could represent a potential therapeutic approach for these diseases.
Effective utilization of wheat gluten by lipopeptide biosurfactant in the formulation of cookies
Authors: Ravindran Amrudha , Selvin Joseph , Seghal Kiran George
Published: March 2023

BACKGROUND

Gluten‐free food products are in demand due to the gluten sensitivity of individuals around the globe. Lipopeptide biosurfactants are widely used in food formulations for wetting, foaming, emulsion stabilization, anti‐adhesive and anti‐microbial properties. Lipopeptide biosurfactants can be used for gluten utilization and the formulation of food products.

RESULTS

The strain Bacillus licheniformis MS48 was isolated from the marine sponge associated bacteria and found to be the ideal biosurfactant producer with an emulsification activity of 70%. Biosurfactant production was optimized using lactose, yeast extract, and sodium chloride (NaCl). The 1,1‐diphenyl‐ 2‐picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity was found to increase with an increase in the concentration of biosurfactant. The conformation changes in the gluten  due to the treatment of lipopeptide biosurfactant was identified by thiol quantification and scanning electron microscopy. With the addition of lipopeptide MS48 to cookie dough, cookies with softer and smooth textures were developed. The conformation changes in the gluten   in the lipopeptide incorporated  cookie dough was visualized by scanning electron microscopy. The lipopeptide biosurfactant incorporation in cookie dough causes appropriate changes in the structural network of gluten. The lipopeptide‐incorporated cookies had improved the spread factor and texture.

CONCLUSION

Lipopeptide biosurfactant with effective radical scavenging activity aided in the utilization of gluten. Incorporating lipopeptide in cookie dough assisted in the production of cookies with improved textural and sensory properties. This study is a novel approach to the application of lipopeptide biosurfactant in gluten utilization for the development of cookies. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
Solubilization mechanism of self‐assembled walnut protein nanoparticles and curcumin encapsulation
Authors: Lv Jiao , Zhou Xin , Wang Wenjie , Cheng Yifan , Wang Fengjun
Published: March 2023

BACKGROUND

Native walnut protein is an alkali‐soluble protein that seriously limits the application of walnut protein. The pH‐shifting method could improve the solubility of walnut proteins and enable the encapsulation of active ingredients. The present study aimed to prepare water‐soluble nanoparticles of curcumin using walnut protein and evaluate the process of walnut protein self‐assembly, interaction between walnut protein and curcumin, encapsulation properties, and stability of nanoparticles.

RESULTS

The solubility of native walnut protein was poor, but the solubility of walnut protein nanoparticles (WPNP) formed by walnut protein after pH‐shifting significantly improved to 91.5 ± 1.2%. This is because, during the process of pH changing from 7 to 12 and back to 7, walnut protein first unfolded under alkaline conditions and then refolded under pH drive, finally forming an internal hydrophobic and external hydrophilic shell‐core structures. The quenching type of walnut protein and curcumin was static quenching, and the quenching constant was 2.0 × 1014 mol−1 L−1 s−1, indicating that the interaction between walnut protein and curcumin was non‐covalent. Adding curcumin resulted in the formation of nanoparticles with small particle size compared with the no‐load. The loading capacity of curcumin‐loaded walnut protein nanoparticles (WPNP‐C) was 222 mg g−1 walnut protein isolate. Under the same mass, the curcumin equivalent concentration in aqueous solution of WPNP‐C was 17 000 times higher than that of the native curcumin.

CONCLUSION

The solubility of the self‐assembled WPNP significantly increased after pH‐shifting treatment. The walnut protein carrier could improve the stability of the encapsulated curcumin. Therefore, walnut proteins could be used as water‐soluble carriers for hydrophobic drugs. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
Chemoinformatic modelling of the antioxidant activity of phenolic compounds
Authors: Idrovo‐Encalada Alondra M , Rojas Ana M , Fissore Eliana N , Tripaldi Piercosimo , Pis Diez Reinaldo , Rojas Cristian
Published: March 2023

BACKGROUND

Antioxidants are chemicals used to protect foods from deterioration by neutralizing free radicals and inhibiting the oxidative process. One approach to investigate the antioxidant activity is to develop quantitative structure–activity relationships (QSARs).

RESULTS

A curated database of 165 structurally heterogeneous phenolic compounds with the Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) was developed. Molecular geometries were optimized by means of the GFN2‐xTB semiempirical method and diverse molecular descriptors were obtained afterwards. For model development, V‐WSP unsupervised variable reduction was used before performing the genetic algorithms–variable subset selection (GAs‐VSS) to construct the best five‐descriptor multiple linear regression model. The coefficient of determination and the root mean square error were used to measure the performance in calibration (R2 = 0.789 and RMSEC = 0.381), and test set prediction (Q2 = 0.748 and RMSEP = 0.416), along several cross‐validation criteria. To thoroughly understand the TEAC prediction, a fully explained mechanism of action of the descriptors is provided. In addition, the applicability domain of the model defined a theoretical chemical space for reliable predictions of new phenolic compounds.

CONCLUSION

This in silico model conforms to the five principles stated by the Organisation for Economic Co‐operation and Development. The model might be useful for virtual screening of the antioxidant chemical space and for identifying the most potent molecules related to an experimental measurement of TEAC activity. In addition, the model could assist chemists working on computer‐aided drug design for the synthesis of new targets with improved activity and potential uses in food science. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
Impacts of shrubs on soil quality in the native Monte rangelands of Southwestern Buenos Aires, Argentina
Authors: Ambrosino Mariela Lis , Torres Yanina Alejandra , Lucero Cinthia Tamara , Lorda Graciela Susana , Ithurrart Leticia Soledad , Martínez Juan Manuel , Armando Lorena Vanesa , Garayalde Antonio , Busso Carlos Alberto
Published: March 2023

Shrub cover in semiarid rangelands may induce changes in soil resources and ecosystem functioning. However, it is unknown the real influence that shrub vegetation has on soil quality in rangelands used for livestock purposes. We evaluated the shrub cover effect on 12 chemical and biochemical parameters of soil quality. In a semiarid Monte rangeland of Argentina, 6 paddocks were selected and 10 m transects were placed in a patch with (Sh) and without shrubs (WSh). Then, sites with grasses (Sh‐G and WSh‐G), bare ground‐litter (Sh‐BL and WSh‐BL), and under shrub cover (Sh‐S) were selected. In spring 2017 and 2018, a composite soil sample (0–10 cm in depth) was taken at each site (n = 6). Sh‐G and Sh‐S sites presented high values of soil organic matter, soil organic nitrogen, particulate organic matter (POM), and cellulase activity (CA); WSh‐BL and Sh‐BL sites were associated with the lowest contents of these variables. For the rest of the soil quality parameters, the soil sampling sites showed similar values. These results show that woody presence should not be directly linked to soil quality loss. Although we did not detect a shrub effect in all parameters studied, in the context of appropriate grazing management, the presence of plant species of different functional groups has a positive effect on organic matter and N content of soil close to them. Moreover, in these sites, high POM values represent an important reservoir of potentially available nutrients, and promote CA necessary for fresh litter decomposition improving the soil quality of semiarid rangelands.
Soil quality variation and its driving factors within tropical forests on Hainan Island, China
Authors: Sun Rui , Lan Guoyu , Yang Chuan , Wu Zhixiang , Chen Bangqian , Fraedrich Klaus
Published: March 2023

Soil quality is a critically important component of soil within ecosystems, and our understanding of soil quality variation and its driving factors in tropical forests is limited. This study collected soil samples at 0–20 cm depths from two typical tropical forests (tropical rainforest and rubber plantation) on Hainan Island, China's largest tropical island, during dry and rainy seasons. A soil quality index (SQI) using principal component analysis was applied to measure soil quality based on 21 soil properties. The soil properties' spatial and seasonal changes and their driving factors were simultaneously collected for a holistic analysis of the ecosystems. The results were summarized as follows: (i) The SQI of the rubber plantation decreased by 26.48% compared to the tropical rainforest on the island, while four soil properties investigated (soil pH, total phosphorus, cellulose decomposition, and actinomycetes) increased. (ii) The SQI of different soil types in the two tropical forests displayed an apparent discrepancy. Within the same soil type, the SQI of tropical rainforests showed no obvious differences, while there was a notable spatial discrepancy among rubber plantations in dispersed geographical positions belonging to varied climatic zones. (iii) The SQI of the tropical rainforest was significantly higher in the wet season than in the dry season. In contrast, there were no significant differences between the two seasons for rubber plantations, indicating that soil quality in the tropical rainforest was more sensitive to seasonal changes than soil quality in rubber plantations. Overall, we concluded that except for land use and soil type, spatial variability and seasonal pattern also played essential roles in soil quality on the tropical island. The results from the SQI are expected to provide novel information regarding the sustainable use of tropical forests on Hainan Island.
Perspectives on pain in Down syndrome
Authors: Shaikh Ammara , Li Yun‐Qing , Lu Jie
Published: March 2023

Down syndrome (DS) or trisomy 21 is a genetic condition often accompanied by chronic pain caused by congenital abnormalities and/or conditions, such as osteoarthritis, recurrent infections, and leukemia. Although DS patients are more susceptible to chronic pain as compared to the general population, the pain experience in these individuals may vary, attributed to the heterogenous structural and functional differences in the central nervous system, which might result in abnormal pain sensory information transduction, transmission, modulation, and perception. We tried to elaborate on some key questions and possible explanations in this review. Further clarification of the mechanisms underlying such abnormal conditions induced by the structural and functional differences is needed to help pain management in DS patients.
Strong attractors and their stability for the structurally damped Kirchhoff wave equation with supercritical nonlinearity
Authors: Ding Pengyan , Yang Zhijian
Published: March 2023

This paper investigates the complete regularity of the weak solutions, the existence of the strong ‐global and exponential attractors, and their stability on dissipative index for the structurally damped Kirchhoff wave equation: , together with the Dirichlet boundary condition, where the perturbed parameter is called a dissipative index, is energy space, and is strong solution space. We show that when the nonlinearity is of supercritical growth: , (i) the weak solutions of the model are just the strong ones; (ii) the global and exponential attractors of the related dynamical system obtained in literature before are exactly the strong ‐ones, and the family of strong ‐global attractors is upper semicontinuous on in ‐topology; (iii) for each , has a family of strong ‐exponential attractors , which is Hölder continuous at in ‐topology. The method developed here allows establishing the above‐mentioned results, which breakthrough the restriction on this topic in literature before.
Continuity of weak solutions to an elliptic problem on p$$ p $$‐fractional Laplacian
Authors: Chen Wei , Han Qi , Zhan Guoping
Published: March 2023

In this paper, we study an elliptic variational problem regarding the
‐fractional Laplacian in
on the basis of recent result which generalizes some nice published work, and then give some sufficient conditions under which some weak solutions to our studied elliptic variational problem are continuous in
. In the final appendix, we correct the proofs of two published lemmas for
.
Ultrasound: Imaging, development, application
Authors: Carson Paul L.
Published: March 2023

A brief summary is given of my work in ultrasound imaging and therapy, with some information on the role of this journal in those fields.