bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Biasing the Formation of Solution‐Unstable Intermediates in Coordination Self‐Assembly by Mechanochemistry
Authors: Liu Yan , Liu Fang‐Zi , Li Shi , Liu Hua , Yan KaKing
Published: September 2023

Due to the reversible nature of coordination bonds and solvation effect, coordination self‐assembly pathways are often difficult to elucidate experimentally in solution, as intermediates and products are in constant equilibration. The present study shows that some of these transient and high‐energy self‐assembly intermediates can be accessed by means of ball‐milling approaches. Among them, highly aqueous‐unstable Pd3L11 and Pd6L14 open‐cage intermediates of the framed Fujita Pd6L14 cage and Pd2L22, Pd3L21 and Pd4L22 intermediates of Mukherjee Pd6L24 capsule are successfully trapped in solid‐state, where Pd=tmedaPd2+, L1=2,4,6‐tris(4‐pyridyl)‐1,3,5‐triazine and L2=1,3,5‐tris(1‐imidazolyl)benzene). Their structures are assigned by a combination of solution‐based characterization tools such as standard NMR spectroscopy, DOSY NMR, ESI‐MS and X‐ray diffraction. Collectively, these results highlight the opportunity of using mechanochemistry to access unique chemical space with vastly different reactivity compared to conventional solution‐based supramolecular self‐assembly reactions.
Supporting Management Decisions in Forage Production with Soil Health Measurements and Assessment
Authors: Cloutier Mara , Liptzin Daniel
Published: September 2023

This is the second article in our series on soil health and greenhouse gas emissions on U.S. dairies associated with crop production. This article will focus on the first objective of the Dairy Soil and Water Regeneration (DSWR) project, which is to benchmark soil health and soil carbon stocks in dairy forage production systems. Earn 1 CEU in Sustainability by reading this article and taking the quiz at https://web.sciencesocieties.org/Learning‐Center/Courses.
Interfacial Electron Regulation and Composition Evolution of NiFe/MoC Heteronanowire Arrays for Highly Stable Alkaline Seawater Oxidation
Authors: Fan Xiaocheng , Zhu Chunling , He Yuqian , Yan Feng , Chou Shu‐Lei , Liu Minjie , Zhang Xiaoli , Chen Yujin
Published: September 2023

In alkaline seawater electrolysis, the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is greatly suppressed by the occurrence of electrode corrosion due to the formation of hypochlorite. Herein, a catalyst consisting of MoC nanowires modified with NiFe alloy nanoparticles (NiFe/MoC) on nickel foam (NF) is prepared. The optimized catalyst can deliver a large current density of 500 mA cm−2 at a very low overpotential of 366 mV in alkaline seawater, respectively, outperforming commercial IrO2. Remarkably, an electrolyzer assembled with NiFe/MoC/NF as the anode and NiMoN/NF as the cathode only requires 1.77 V to drive a current density of 500 mA cm−2 for alkaline seawater electrolysis, as well as excellent stability. Theory calculation indicates that the initial activity of NiFe/MoC is attributed to increased electrical conductivity and decreased energy barrier for OER due to the introduction of Fe. We find that the change of the catalyst in the composition occurred after the stability test; however, the reconstructed catalyst has an energy barrier close to that of the pristine one, which is responsible for its excellent long‐term stability. Our findings provide an efficient way to construct high‐performance OER catalysts for alkaline seawater splitting.
Translational implications of targeting annexin A2: From membrane repair to muscular dystrophy, cardiovascular disease and cancer
Authors: Kayejo Victor G. , Fellner Hannah , Thapa Roshan , Keyel Peter A.
Published: September 2023

Background

Annexin A2 contributes to several key cellular functions and processes, including membrane repair. Effective repair prevents cell death and degeneration, especially in skeletal or cardiac muscle, epithelia, and endothelial cells. To maintain cell integrity after damage, mammalian cells activate multiple membrane repair mechanisms. One protein family that facilitates membrane repair processes are the Ca2+‐regulated phospholipid‐binding annexins.

Body

Annexin A2 facilitates repair in association with S100A10 and related S100 proteins by forming a plug and linking repair to other physiologic functions. Deficiency of annexin A2 enhances cellular degeneration, exacerbating muscular dystrophy and degeneration. Downstream of repair, annexin A2 links the membrane with the cytoskeleton, calcium‐dependent endocytosis, exocytosis, cell proliferation, transcription, and apoptosis to extracellular roles, including vascular fibrinolysis, and angiogenesis. These roles regulate cardiovascular disease progression. Finally, annexin A2 protects cancer cells from membrane damage due to immune cells or chemotherapy. Since these functions are regulated by post‐translational modifications, they represent a therapeutic target for reducing the negative consequences of annexin A2 expression.

Conclusion

Thus, connecting the roles of annexin A2 in repair to its other physiologic functions represents a new translational approach to treating muscular dystrophy and cardiovascular diseases without enhancing its pro‐tumorigenic activities.
Are rare plant species less resistant than common ones to herbivores? A multi‐plant species study using above‐ and below‐ground generalist herbivores
Authors: Bürli Sarah , Ensslin Andreas , Kempel Anne , Fischer Markus
Published: September 2023

Rare plant species are suggested to be less resistant to herbivores than common species. Their lower apparency and the fact that they often live in isolated populations, resulting in fewer herbivore encounters, might have led to the evolution of reduced defences. Moreover, their frequent lower levels of genetic diversity compared with common species could negatively affect their resistance against enemies. However, the hypothesis that plant resistance depends on plant regional and local rarity, independently of habitat and competitive and growth strategy, lacks evidence. To test this hypothesis, we assessed the performance and preference of one belowground and three aboveground generalist invertebrate herbivores from different taxonomic groups as indicators of plant resistance. Herbivores were fed a total of 62 regionally and locally rare and common plant species from Switzerland. We accounted for differences in a plant's growth and competitive strategy and habitat resource availability. We found that regionally and locally rare and common plant species did not generally differ in their resistance to most generalist herbivores. However, one herbivore species even performed better and preferred locally and regionally common plant species over rarer ones, indicating that common species are not more resistant, but tend to be less resistant. We also found that all herbivore species consistently performed better on competitive and large plant species, although different herbivore species generally preferred and performed better on different plant species. The latter indicates that the use of generalist herbivores as indicators of plant‐resistance levels can be misleading. Synthesis: Our results show that rare plant species are not inherently less resistant than common ones to herbivores. Instead, our results suggest that the ability of plants to allocate resources away from defence towards enhancing their competitive ability might have allowed plants to tolerate herbivory, and to become locally and regionally common.
Reed bamboos drive skull shape evolution in bush frogs of the Western Ghats, Peninsular India
Authors: Das Kalpana , Rödel Mark‐Oliver , Stanley Edward , Srikanthan Achyuthan N. , Shanker Kartik , Vijayakumar Seenapuram Palaniswamy
Published: September 2023

Reed bamboo is a major ecological and economic resource for many animals, including humans. Nonetheless, the influence of this plant's evolutionary role on the morphology of animal species remains unexplored. Here, we investigated the significance of bamboo habitats as ecological opportunities in shaping the skull morphology of bush frogs (Raorchestes) from the Western Ghats, Peninsular India. We applied a three‐dimensional (3D) geometric morphometric approach to capture the skull shape of 55 species of bush frogs. We visualized the skull shape variables in phylomorphospace with principal component analysis and performed phylogenetic generalized least‐squares analysis to assess the impact of cranial size (evolutionary allometry) and habitat (bamboo or non‐bamboo) on cranial shape. We quantified the morphological disparity between bamboo and non‐bamboo bush frogs' skull shape, and employed RRphylo, a phylogenetic ridge regression method, to access the evolutionary rate and rate shifts of skull shape change. The phylomorphospace delineated bamboo and non‐bamboo bush frogs. While cranial shape exhibited a significant but smaller association with size, its association with habitat type was non‐significant. We detected, however, significant differences in skull shape between the two frog groups, with bamboo frogs showing higher morphological disparity and a remarkable shift in the evolutionary rate of skull shape diversification. These findings underscore the role of reed bamboo in the evolution of skull shape in the radiation of frogs, endemic to the Western Ghats. We demonstrate that the association between the members of two distinct endemic clades (bamboo reeds and bamboo frogs) is the outcome of a deep‐time ecological opportunity that dates back to the Miocene.
Discordant spatiotemporal dynamics of functional and phylogenetic diversity of rotiferan communities exposed to aquaculture effluent
Authors: Tóth Flórián , Zsuga Katalin , Kerepeczki Éva , Kovács Balázs , Magura Tibor , Körmöczi László , Lövei Gábor L.
Published: September 2023

The growth of the human population brought about the global intensification of aquacultural production, and aquaculture became the fastest growing animal husbandry sector. Effluent from aquaculture is an anthropogenic environmental burden, containing organic matter, nutrients and suspended solids that affect water quality especially in the water bodies of high biodiversity and conservation value. Water quality assessment often relies on bioindicators, analysing changes in taxonomic diversity of various freshwater organismal groups. Stepping beyond taxon diversity, we used functional and phylogenetic diversities of rotifers to identify factors affecting their community organization in response to an aquaculture effluent gradient in the largest oxbow lake in the Carpathian Basin, Hungary. Sampling was carried out three times per season at five points along a 3.5 km section of the oxbow lake, including the point of effluent inflow. We used eight traits to evaluate functional diversity: body size, trophi type, feeding mode, protection type, body wall type, corona type, habitat preference and tolerance level. Functional and phylogenetic distances among the 24 species identified indicated trait conservatism. Rotiferan diversity increased with increasing distance from the point of influx in spring and summer. Among the factors affecting community organization in spring and summer, we find examples of environmental filtering, while in autumn the role of biotic interaction is more frequent. Under nutrient‐rich conditions in spring and summer, organisms belonging to the same functional group were dominant, whereas under oligotrophic conditions, more diverse but less abundant groups were present. Considering functional and phylogenetic traits allowed us to identify organising forces of rotifer communities in the largest oxbow lake of the Hungarian Lowland.
Morphological and molecular characterization of Isospora elliotae n. sp. (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from the Australian magpie Gymnorhina tibicen (Latham, 1801) (Passeriformes: Artamidae) in Western Australia
Authors: Yang Rongchang , Egan Siobhon , Gao Huimin , Brice Belinda , Berto Bruno P.
Published: September 2023

A new coccidian species, Isospora elliotae n. sp., from the Australian magpie Gymnorhina tibicen (Latham, 1801) in Western Australia, is described and characterized morphologically and molecularly. Microscopic analysis of a faecal sample identified subspheroidal oocysts (n = 20), 20–22 × 18–20 (20.7 × 18.7); length/width (L/W) ratio 1.05–1.14 (1.10). Wall bi‐layered, 1.0–1.3 (1.2) thick, outer layer smooth, c. 2/3 of total thickness. Micropyle and oocyst residuum absent, but usually two polar granules are present. Sporocysts (n = 28) ovoidal, 12–13 × 9–11 (12.6 × 9.7); L/W ratio 1.22–1.35 (1.30). Stieda body present, flattened to half‐moon‐shaped, c. 0.5 deep × 2.0 wide; sub‐Stieda indistinct or barely discernible, c. 1.0 deep × 2.5 wide; para‐Stieda body absent; sporocyst residuum present, composed of granules dispersed among the sporozoites. Sporozoites vermiform, with anterior and posterior refractile bodies and nucleus. Segments of three gene loci (18S rRNA, 28S rRNA and COI) were sequenced and I. elliotae n. sp. exhibited 99.8% genetic similarity to Isospora sp. MAH‐2013a (KF648870) followed by 99.7% genetic similarity to Isospora neochmiae (Yang, Brice & Ryan, 2016) (KT224380) at the 18S rRNA gene locus. It shared 97.0% genetic similarity with an unnamed Isospora sp. (AY283852) at the 28S rRNA gene locus and it also shared the highest genetic similarity of 99.8% with the unnamed Isospora sp. from an American crow (OL999120) at the COI gene locus. Based on morphological and molecular data, this isolate is a new species named as I. elliotae n. sp.
Opposite trends in environmental DNA distributions of two freshwater species under climate change
Authors: Wu Qianqian , Zhou Jinxin , Komoto Tatsuya , Ishikawa Toshiyuki , Goto Naoshige , Sakata Masayuki K. , Kitazawa Daisuke , Minamoto Toshifumi
Published: September 2023

Changes in the thermal structure of lake ecosystems have been documented as a response to climate change, but the dynamics of biomass distribution, which fundamentally determines species conservation, has been less studied. An interdisciplinary approach was used to demonstrate the influence of climate‐driven changes on the environmental DNA (eDNA) distribution of two species (Gymnogobius isaza and Palaemon paucidens) in Lake Biwa, the largest monomictic lake in Japan. In field surveys in 2016–2017 (full water circulation) and 2019 (partial water circulation), eDNA concentrations of these species were measured for 43 and 47 samples, respectively, collected from the lake bottom. The correlative relationship was investigated between species' eDNA concentrations and environmental variables. The species–environment relationship was then applied to species' eDNA distributions under existing and future environments calculated by a lake ecosystem model. Based on differences in the estimated eDNA distributions, we suggest that different species respond differently to climate change. The distribution of G. isaza will expand in the future if full water circulation occurs, although it appears to be independent of water circulation at present. Partial water circulation enlarges the distribution area of P. paucidens, but its eDNA concentrations will be low in the future, regardless of the extent of water circulation. These results indicate that species such as P. paucidens, which is now abundant but vulnerable to climate change, require special attention. Furthermore, our study emphasizes the potential application of interdisciplinary methodologies for improved species conservation.
Female treefrog preference for breeding sites matches offspring performance in the presence of two anuran competitors
Authors: Dimitrie David A. , Benard Michael F.
Published: September 2023

Preference‐performance theory predicts that females should select breeding sites that maximize offspring performance. Amphibians have been a model system for investigating habitat selection, yet most studies have focused on habitat selection in response to predators and conspecifics. We investigated female oviposition site selection and larval performance in eastern gray treefrogs (Hyla versicolor) among pools with and without one of two ecologically distinct heterospecific larvae, the green frog (Rana clamitans) and the American bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana). Pools without heterospecifics were used on more nights and had more eggs deposited compared to pools with heterospecifics. In a competition experiment, treefrog larval performance matched this female preference: tadpoles developed faster and grew larger in the absence of either heterospecific. Although we hypothesized that bullfrogs would more strongly affect female treefrog preference and offspring performance because of previous work demonstrating that bullfrogs had stronger negative effects on other tadpoles, both heterospecifics elicited similar responses. The effects of heterospecifics on anuran breeding site selection are understudied and not well understood, and our results demonstrate that female selection of breeding sites is an adaptive behavior for offspring in the presence of heterospecific competitors.
Fruit and seed traits and vertebrate–fruit interactions of tree species occurring in Guyana, Suriname, and French Guiana
Authors: Vaessen Rens W. , van Wijngaarden Klaske , Boeschoten Laura , Knippers Ronja , Durazzo Livia , Verkuil Loes , van Kuijk Marijke
Published: September 2023

Seed dispersal is widely considered an important mechanism for the conservation of plant diversity. In tropical regions, over 80% of woody plant species are dispersed by vertebrates, often through the consumption of fruits. Our understanding of what drives interactions between vertebrates and fruits is limited. Through a systematic literature search, we compiled a database of fruit and seed traits and vertebrate–fruit interactions for tree and vertebrate species occurring in the Guianas, with the aim of facilitating research into seed dispersal and seed predation of tree species in the Guianas. The database was compiled by extracting data from 264 published sources. It consists of 21,082 records, of which 19,039 records contain information about 19 different fruit and seed traits belonging to 1622 different tree species. The other 2043 records contain information on vertebrate–fruit interactions between 161 vertebrate species and 464 tree species. Our analyses showed a taxonomic bias, particularly in the interaction data, toward large‐bodied vertebrates, with most interactions recorded for the bearded saki (Chiropotes chiropotes), followed by the lowland tapir (Tapirus terrestris). For plants we found an overrepresentation of the Sapotaceae and Moraceae families and an underrepresentation of the Rubiaceae, Myrtaceae, and Lauraceae families in the interactions. There are no copyright restrictions on the data set; please cite this publication when using these data.
Fungal pathogens increase community temporal stability through species asynchrony regardless of nutrient fertilization
Authors: Zhao Yimin , Liu Xiang , Wang Jianbin , Nie Yu , Huang Mengjiao , Zhang Li , Xiao Yao , Zhang Zhenhua , Zhou Shurong
Published: September 2023

Natural enemies and their interaction with host nutrient availability influence plant population dynamics, community structure, and ecosystem functions. However, the way in which these factors influence patterns of community stability, as well as the direct and indirect processes underlying that stability, remains unclear. Here, we investigated the separate and interactive roles of fungal/oomycete pathogens and nutrient fertilization on the temporal stability of community biomass and the potential mechanisms using a factorial experiment in an alpine meadow. We found that fungal pathogen exclusion reduced community temporal stability mainly through decreasing species asynchrony, while fertilization tended to reduce community temporal stability by decreasing species stability. However, there was no interaction between pathogen exclusion and nutrient fertilization. These effects were largely due to the direct effects of the treatments on plant biomass and not due to indirect effects mediated through plant diversity. Our findings highlight the need for a multitrophic perspective in field studies examining ecosystem stability.
In‐hospital changes in the red blood cell distribution width and mortality in critically ill patients with heart failure
Authors: Zhang Qi , Zhou Bingyang , Li Ximing , Cong Hongliang
Published: September 2023

Aims

A high red blood cell distribution width (RDW) at admission or discharge is associated with a worse prognosis in hospitalized patients with heart failure (HF), and the prognostic value of the in‐hospital change in RDW (∆RDW) remains debatable.

Methods and results

We included 5514 patients with critical illness and HF from the MIMIC‐IV database. The ΔRDW was calculated by the RDW at discharge minus that at admission. Clinical outcomes included all‐cause mortality at 90 day, 180 day, and 1 year after discharge. The median age of the patients was 73.91 years, and 46.37% were women. Kaplan–Meier curve and Cox regression analyses were used to examine the association between the ΔRDW and all‐cause mortality at different time points. A multivariable Cox proportional hazard model showed that the ΔRDW (per 1% increase) was independently associated with all‐cause mortality at 90 day, 180 day, and 1 year after adjusting for confounding factors (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.17, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.13–1.21, P < 0.001; HR = 1.17, 95% CI = 1.14–1.20, P < 0.001; and HR = 1.18, 95% CI = 1.15–1.20, P < 0.001, respectively). Restricted cubic splines showed a non‐linear relationship between the ΔRDW and the risk of clinical outcomes. High ΔRDW was associated with a high risk of mortality at different time points. A subgroup analysis showed that this positive association remained consistent in pre‐specified subgroups.

Conclusions

Our study suggests that an increased RDW during hospitalization is independently associated with short‐ or long‐term all‐cause mortality in critical‐ill patients with HF.
Impella and venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in cardiogenic shock complicating acute myocardial infarction
Authors: Bogerd Margriet , ten Berg Sanne , Peters Elma J. , Vlaar Alexander P.J. , Engström Annemarie E. , Otterspoor Luuk C. , Jung Christian , Westermann Dirk , Pöss Janine , Thiele Holger , Schrage Benedikt , Henriques José P.S.
Published: September 2023

Aims

This study aimed to give contemporary insight into the use of Impella and venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA‐ECMO) in acute myocardial infarction‐related cardiogenic shock (AMICS) and into associated outcomes, adverse events, and resource demands.

Methods and results

This nationwide observational cohort study describes all AMICS patients treated with Impella (ABIOMED, Danvers, MA, USA) and/or VA‐ECMO in 2020–2021. Impella and/or VA‐ECMO were used in 20% of all AMICS cases (n = 4088). Impella patients were older (34% vs. 13% >75 years, p < 0.001) and less frequently presented after an out‐of‐hospital cardiac arrest (18% vs. 40%, p < 0.001). In‐hospital mortality was lower in the Impella versus VA‐ECMO cohort (61% vs. 67%, p = 0.001). Adverse events occurred less frequently in Impella‐supported patients: acute haemorrhagic anaemia (36% vs. 68%, p < 0.001), cerebrovascular accidents (4% vs. 11%, p < 0.001), thromboembolisms of the extremities (5% vs. 8%, p < 0.001), systemic inflammatory response syndrome (21% vs. 25%, p = 0.004), acute kidney injury (44% vs. 53%, p < 0.001), and acute liver failure (7% vs. 12%, p < 0.001). Impella patients were discharged home directly more often (20% vs. 11%, p < 0.001) whereas VA‐ECMO patients were more often discharged to another care facility (22% vs. 19%, p = 0.031). Impella patients had shorter hospital stays and lower hospital costs.

Conclusion

This is the largest, most recent European cohort study describing outcomes, adverse events, and resource demands based on claims data in patients with Impella and/or VA‐ECMO. Overall, adverse event rates and resource consumption were high. Given the current lack of beneficial evidence, our study reinforces the need for prospectively established, high‐quality evidence to guide clinical decision‐making.
α‐Ga2O3@Chitosan‐Derived Carbon as High‐Performance Anode for Lithium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Lv Yamin , Wang Kaizhao , Fu Jiaxin , Wang Kaijun , Zhang Weijun , Wang Jing , Hu Jin
Published: September 2023

Gallium oxide is one of the most promising anode materials for lithium‐ion batteries due to its high theoretical specific capacity and ability to maintain self‐healing behavior during the reaction process. However, the susceptibility to volume expansion during the alloying reaction, which affects cycling performance, and the unclear lithium storage mechanism limit the application of Ga2O3. For this purpose, α‐Ga2O3@ chitosan‐derived carbon nanocomposites (α‐Ga2O3@CS NPs) are synthesized by introducing biomass materials. Due to the capacity contribution of Ga2O3 and the inhibition of biomass carbon on volume expansion, the composites exhibit excellent electrochemical performance. A high reversible capacity is shown in the long‐cycle test, with a discharge capacity of 505.1 mAh g−1 after 130 cycles at 0.2 A g−1, with no significant decrease from the initial capacity. During the periodic rate performance test of 0.1–5 A g−1, the reversible discharge capacity of the electrode material is maintained at 482.2 mAh g−1 when the current is restored to 0.1 A g−1. In addition, the lithium storage process of the electrode is investigated by in situ X‐ray diffraction, which, together with the low‐cost synthesis process, promotes the practical application prospect of Ga2O3.
Simulation Study on Thermal Performance of an Indirect Boiling Cooling Cylindrical Battery System with Two‐Phase Coolant R141b
Authors: Tang Zhiguo , Ji Yongtao , Sun Ran , Cheng Jianping
Published: September 2023

In this study, a novel indirect boiling cooling battery thermal management system with two‐phase coolant R141b is proposed for the commercial cylindrical lithium‐ion battery pack. The heat conduction blocks are used to enlarge the heat transfer area between batteries and straight round tubes, and the R141b coolant flows and boils inside tubes to remove heat generated from batteries. Three‐dimensional simulation models are built and used to study the influence of partial structural parameters (height of heat conduction blocks, number and diameter of round tubes), the flow pattern layout, the coolant flow rate, and the battery discharge rate on the cooling performance of battery thermal management system (BTMS). The results show that the cross‐flow layout significantly improves the temperature uniformity of the batteries, with the maximum temperature difference reduced by 30% compared to the concurrent flow. Meanwhile, the appropriate geometrical parameters can further improve both cooling capacity of the BTMS and the temperature uniformity of the batteries. When the optimized structure with a coolant flow rate of 0.1  under the cross‐flow layout, the maximum temperature and maximum temperature difference of batteries discharged at 2 C reduced to 38.6 and 3.81  which are 97% and 64% of those in the concurrent flow, respectively.
Photo-Enhanced Oil Toxicity to Alcid Immune Function
Authors: Counihan Katrina L. , McKenna Amy M. , Hebert Deja , Tomco Patrick , Zito Phoebe
Published: September 2023

Oil spills are devastating to seabirds, causing high levels of mortality and toxic physiological effects, especially to immune function. Sunlight exposure can further enhance the toxicity of oil to marine species by generating photodegradation products. Photo-enhanced oil toxicity to marine birds has not been studied. Therefore, the goal of the present study was to investigate the toxicity and photo-enhanced toxicity of oil to lymphocyte proliferation, macrophage phagocytosis, and reactive oxygen species production in three alcid species, common murres (Uria aalge), tufted puffins (Fratercula cirrhata), and horned puffins (Fratercula corniculata). Intrinsic factors (species, age, and sex) had a more significant effect on lymphocyte proliferation than exposure to oil or photoactivated oil. Macrophage phagocytosis was significantly reduced in oil and photoactivated oil treatments, whereas hydrogen peroxide production was significantly increased. Interestingly, nonphotoactivated oil stimulated significantly more hydrogen peroxide than photoactivated oil. The results suggest that alcid immune function could be variably influenced during an oil spill depending on the species, sex, and age of the bird as well as the season and level of sunlight exposure. Environ Toxicol Chem 2023;42:2701–2711. © 2023 SETAC
The effects of superheated steam roasting on proximate analysis, antioxidant activity, and oil quality of black seed (Nigella sativa)
Authors: Harivaindaran K. V. , Hữu Tiến Nguyễn , Nguyễn Song Đinh Toàn , Samsudin Hayati , Ariffin Fazilah , Mohammadi Nafchi Abdorreza
Published: September 2023

Nigella sativa, commonly known as the black seed, is a culinary spice therapeutic against many ailments. Common preparation practice of roasting or heating the seeds often deteriorates bioactive compounds, which can be remedied with superheated steam (SHS). With roasting temperatures of 150, 200, and 250°C and roasting times of 10, 15, and 20 min, convection and SHS roasting media were tested, and their effects on proximate analysis, antioxidant assays, and oil quality were evaluated. For proximate content, moisture significantly decreased from 9.08% in unroasted seeds to 4.18%–1.04% in roasted seeds, while fat increased to as high as 44.76% from 32.87% in unroasted seeds. Roasting only slightly increased ash content and had no significant impact on protein and carbohydrate content. SHS roasted black seeds had better DPPH (2,2‐Diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging capacity (RSC) than convection roasted seeds. DPPH RSC decreased with elevated roasting time and temperature, conversely related to total phenolic content, which increased with increased roasting time and temperature. Oil of roasted seeds developed an increasingly intense brown color from an initial light, yellow, unroasted oil with better extraction efficiency in SHS roasting. For oil quality analysis, free fatty acid values were significantly lower in both roasted samples. Peroxide value was initially recorded at 84 in convection and 48 (meq O2/kg of oil) in SHS roasted samples. In contrast, p‐anisidine values were initially recorded at 28.36 in convection roasted samples compared to 23.73 in SHS roasted samples. Based on all quality analyses, SHS showed better potential in black seed quality preservation.
Oxygen diffusion and surface exchange coefficients measurements under high pressure: Comparative behavior of oxygen deficient versus over‐stoichiometric air electrode materials
Authors: Laurencin Jérôme , Gamon Jacinthe , Flura Aurélien , Sdanghi Giuseppe , Fourcade Sébastien , Vibhu Vaibhav , Bassat Jean‐Marc
Published: September 2023

Mixed ionic electronic conductors (MIECs) oxides are used as electrode materials for solid oxide cell (SOC) application, as they combine high electronic conductivity as well as high oxygen diffusivity and oxygen surface exchange coefficients. The ionic transport properties can be directly determined thanks to the isotopic exchange depth profiling (IEDP) method. To date, the reported measurements have been performed at ambient pressure and below. However, for a higher efficiency of hydrogen production at the system level, it is envisaged to operate the cell between 10 and 60 bar. To characterize the MIEC oxides properties in such conditions, an innovative setup able to operate up to a total pressure of 50 bar and 900°C has been developed. The main goal of this study was to compare the behavior of two types of reference materials: the oxygen deficient La‐Sr‐Fe‐Co perovskites, and the overstoichiometric lanthanide nickelates Ln2NiO4+δ (Ln = La, Pr, Nd). Diffusion and surface exchange coefficients obtained under 6.3 bar of oxygen are measured and their evolution discussed in light of the change in oxygen stoichiometries. This analysis allows better understanding of the dependency of the surface exchange coefficient with the oxygen partial pressure.
Pinaceae Pine Resins (Black Pine, Shore Pine, Rosin, and Baltic Amber) as Natural Dielectrics for Low Operating Voltage, Hysteresis‐Free, Organic Field Effect Transistors
Authors: Coppola Maria Elisabetta , Petritz Andreas , Irimia Cristian Vlad , Yumusak Cigdem , Mayr Felix , Bednorz Mateusz , Matkovic Aleksandar , Aslam Muhammad Awais , Saller Klara , Schwarzinger Clemens , Ionita Maria Daniela , Schiek Manuela , Smeds Annika I. , Salinas Yolanda , Brüggemann Oliver , D'Orsi Rosarita , Mattonai Marco , Ribechini Erika , Operamolla Alessandra , Teichert Christian , Xu Chunlin , Stadlober Barbara , Sariciftci Niyazi Serdar , Irimia‐Vladu Mihai
Published: September 2023

Four pinaceae pine resins analyzed in this study: black pine, shore pine, Baltic amber, and rosin demonstrate excellent dielectric properties, outstanding film forming, and ease of processability from ethyl alcohol solutions. Their trap‐free nature allows fabrication of virtually hysteresis‐free organic field effect transistors operating in a low voltage window with excellent stability under bias stress. Such green constituents represent an excellent choice of materials for applications targeting biocompatibility and biodegradability of electronics and sensors, within the overall effort of sustainable electronics development and environmental friendliness.
A 5‐km gridded product development of daily temperature and precipitation for Bangladesh, Nepal, and Pakistan from 1981 to 2016
Authors: Ali Shaukat , Bhutta Zulfiqar A. , Reboita Michelle S. , Goheer Muhammad Arif , Ebrahimi Shiva , Rozante Jose Roberto , Kiani Rida S. , Muhammad Sher , Khan Firdos , Rahman Md Mizanur , Shreshta Madan L. , Dan Li
Published: September 2023

Many efforts have been made by the scientific community to produce gridded datasets with high spatial resolution because they are essential for climate change assessment, impact studies, decision‐making, etc. This study fits into this context and describes the methods used to prepare a 5‐km gridded product of precipitation and minimum and maximum temperatures by merging observed data from meteorological stations, from 1981 to 2016, of Bangladesh, Nepal, and Pakistan with ERA5 reanalysis. The step‐by‐step methods for station data quality control and the development of the 5‐km gridded data are presented. Additionally, we use the 5‐km dataset to show the main climate features of the three countries, which facilitate comparison with other data sources in the literature.
Inhibiting astrocyte connexin‐43 hemichannels blocks radiation‐induced vesicular VEGF‐A release and blood–brain barrier dysfunction
Authors: Schumacher Steffi , Tahiri Hanane , Ezan Pascal , Rouach Nathalie , Witschas Katja , Leybaert Luc
Published: September 2023

Therapeutic brain irradiation with ionizing radiation exerts multiple side effects including barrier leakage that disturbs glial‐neuronal functioning and may affect cognition. Astrocytes contribute to barrier leakage by endfeet release of various vasoactive substances acting on capillary endothelial cells forming the barrier. Here, we investigated X‐ray effects on astrocytic vesicular transport in mice and determined whether interfering with astrocyte connexins affects radiation‐induced barrier leakage. We found that astrocytic VEGF‐A‐loaded VAMP3 vesicles drastically reorganize starting from 6 h post‐irradiation and move in a calcium‐ and Cx43‐dependent manner towards endfeet where VEGF‐A is released, provoking barrier leakage. Vesicular transport activation, VEGF‐A release and leakage 24 h post‐irradiation were all potently inhibited by astrocytic Cx43 KO, Cx43S255/262/279/282A (MK4) mutant mice and TATGap19 inhibition of Cx43 hemichannel opening. Astrocyte VEGF release is a major player in complications of brain irradiation, which can be mitigated by anti‐VEGF treatments. Targeting Cx43 hemichannels allows to prevent astrocyte VEGF release at an early stage after brain irradiation.
Challenges in co‐produced dementia research: A critical perspective and discussion to inform future directions
Authors: Warran Katey , Greenwood Frankie , Ashworth Rosalie , Robertson Martin , Brown Paula
Published: September 2023

Key points

There is a move towards meaningful collaboration of people living with dementia in the research process, but these processes are rarely critiqued, with more critical reflection needed.

Current academic structures, frameworks, and funding processes limit meaningful collaboration, particularly in relation to academic language and hierarchies of evidence.

There is a need for an environment that can enable the collaboration that is at the heart of a co‐produced ethos, but creating such an environment of reciprocity in dementia research requires extensive time, resources and emotional support.

It is important to embrace the tensions of the contexts we, as researchers, work within and continue to strive towards learning and growth, and fairer and more equitable ways of working in co‐produced dementia research.
How can human factors close the gender data gap?
Authors: Parnell Katie J. , Plant Katherine L.
Published: September 2023

This commentary paper will describe how the discipline of human factors and ergonomics (HFE) can help to close the gender data gap, which is prevalent across many domains and arises due to a lack of data capturing female metrics and viewpoints. HFE is a domain‐independent discipline that seeks to understand human performance and well‐being with respect to the interactions that humans engage in and the environments that they inhabit. HFE therefore presents an opportunity to understand how gender influences human performance, effective design, social interactions, and environmental factors. This paper argues that a sociotechnical systems approach is essential when reviewing equality, diversity, and inclusivity issues, without which attempts to close the gender data gap will not go far enough. Following the sociotechnical systems approach in HFE, the micro‐, meso‐, and macro‐levels of system design with respect to closing the gender data gap are reviewed. We discuss these issues in relation to a case study example of a crash test dummy. A checklist approach for researchers is presented, which identifies key questions that prompt where gender should be considered in the research process across these levels of sociotechnical systems.
Appendicitis and its associated mortality and morbidity in infants up to 3 months of age: A systematic review
Authors: The Sarah‐May M. L. , The Anne‐Fleur M. H. , Derikx Joep P. M. , Bakx Roel , Visser Douwe H. , de Meij Tim G. J. , Ket Johannes C. F. , van Heurn Ernest L. W. , Gorter Ramon R.
Published: September 2023

Background and Aims

Although appendicitis is rare in young infants, the reported mortality is high. Primary aim of this systematic review was to provide updated insights in the mortality and morbidity (postoperative complications, Clavien‐Dindo grades I–IV) of appendicitis in infants ≤3 months of age. Secondary aims comprised the evaluation of patient characteristics, diagnostic work‐up, treatment strategies, comorbidity, and factors associated with poor outcome.

Methods

This systematic review was reported according to the PRISMA statement with a search performed in Pubmed, Embase and Web of Science (up to September 5th 2022). Original articles (published in English ≥1980) reporting on infants ≤3 months of age with appendicitis were included. Both patients with abdominal appendicitis and herniated appendicitis (such as Amyand's hernia) were considered. Data were provided descriptively.

Results

In total, 131 articles were included encompassing 242 cases after identification of 4294 records. Overall, 184 (76%) of the 242 patients had abdominal and 58 (24%) had herniated appendicitis. Two‐hundred (83%) of the patients were newborns (≤28 days) and 42 (17%) were infants between 29 days and ≤3 months of age. Either immediate, or after initial conservative treatment, 236 (98%) patients underwent surgical treatment. Some 168 (69%) patients had perforated appendicitis. Mortality was reported in 20 (8%) patients and morbidity in an additional 18 (8%). All fatal cases had abdominal appendicitis and fatal outcome was relatively more often reported in newborns, term patients, patients with relevant comorbidity, nonperforated appendicitis and those presented from home.

Conclusion

Mortality was reported in 20 (8%) infants ≤3 months of age and additional morbidity in 18 (8%). All patients with fatal outcome had abdominal appendicitis. Several patient characteristics were relatively more often reported in infants with poor outcome and adequate monitoring, early recognition and prompt treatment may favour the outcome.
MHD dissipative flow past a permeable vertical plate in a porous medium in the presence of constant heat, mass flux, and diffusion‐thermo effect
Authors: Khanam Masuma , Ahmed Nazibuddin
Published: September 2023

An analytical study of heat and mass transport in magnetohydrodynamic convective flow over an indefinitely long porous plate, which is vertically immersed in the porous medium, is investigated when heat sink, diffusion‐thermo, and thermal radiation are present. A magnetic field with uniform strength has been applied transversely directed into the fluid region. Analysis of diffusion‐thermo impact within the flow problem with constant heat and constant mass flux in the presence of thermal radiation and heat sink is the novelty of the current work. By using the Eckert number E as the perturbation parameter, the regular perturbation approach is used to solve nondimensional governing equations. On the flow and transport characteristics, the effects of Prandtl number, Grashof number, Eckert number, Dufour number, Schmidt number, radiation, magnetic field, and heat sink parameter have been investigated graphically and in tabular form, respectively. The innovative aspect of the current study is the inclusion of the Dufour effect, in addition to constant heat and mass flux at the plate. The Dufour effect can be utilized to improve separation processes, such as distillation, extraction, and chromatography. When the Dufour number and radiation parameter increase, the fluid velocity increases, and while the heat sink parameter increases, it decreases. As dissipation increases, the velocity of the fluid also increases. The concentration of the fluid is enhanced as mass diffusivity increases. When the heat absorption sink grows, the temperature of the fluid decreases.
Use of dry bean fields by birds and mammals in Brazil: Insights from a field study and its use in pesticide risk assessment
Authors: Santos Gustavo Souza , Artal Mariana Coletty , Paniago Mario del Giudice , Cione Ana P. Paola , Casallanovo Fábio , Farrelly Eamonn , Kragten Steven , Maul Jonathan D.
Published: September 2023

The relationship between agriculture and wildlife can be both synergetic and challenging, as the increased surface of agricultural land makes it increasingly important for agriculture and wildlife to coexist. This study aims to describe the use of freshly drilled dry bean fields by birds and mammals in Brazilian Cerrado and Atlantic Forest sites and their diversity and abundance within in-crop and off-crop areas (with native permanent vegetation and other surrounding crop fields) at four different farms. A comprehensive survey was conducted, using various sampling methods, including point counts, foraging counts, trail cameras, and occasional encounters. In all, contacts for 12 518 birds across 306 species and 313 mammals across 34 species were registered. The off-crop areas exhibited greater species richness, abundance, and diversity than the in-crop areas on all farms. For birds, 47 species were recorded in-crop, of which 15 were classified as insectivores, 15 as granivores, seven as omnivores, seven as carnivores, and three as frugivores. The number of in-crop observations per species was small. The abundance off-crop was greater for 31 species observed in-crop, indicating that dry bean fields are probably not a preferred habitat for those species. Species classified as granivorous are most likely to feed on dry bean seeds. However, almost all granivorous species observed in-crop areas are too small to be able to feed on dry bean seeds. For mammals, nine species were recorded in-crop, of which four were classified as carnivores, three as omnivores, one as insectivore, and one as granivore. Additionally, despite the considerable effort in this study, no evidence was found that birds and mammals feed on dry bean seeds. The results highlight the importance of off-crop areas in dry bean fields, characterized by a more diverse and abundant bird community than in-crop. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2024;20:864–874. © 2023 The Authors. Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Society of Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry (SETAC).
Metastasis and recurrence patterns in the molecular subtypes of urothelial bladder cancer
Authors: Sjödahl Gottfrid , Eriksson Pontus , Holmsten Karin , Abrahamsson Johan , Höglund Mattias , Bernardo Carina , Ullén Anders , Liedberg Fredrik
Published: September 2023

Urothelial cancer of the urinary bladder frequently metastasizes to lymph‐nodes, lungs, liver and bone. A taxonomy for molecular classification exists, but it is unknown if molecular subtypes show tropism for different organs. Here, we study 146 patients with de novo metastatic disease or recurrence after curative treatment. We classify primary tumors using two transcriptomic methods and immunostaining and identify enrichment and depletion of metastatic sites in molecular subtypes using permutation tests. We observed significant depletion of bone metastases in the Basal/squamous molecular subtype, whereas the Urothelial‐like subtype entailed an enrichment for metastases to bone. The Genomically unstable subtype was depleted of lung metastases, but enriched for atypical sites, including six out of seven patients with brain metastases. Stroma‐rich primary tumor samples were associated with local recurrence, but not with distant sites. Additionally, the proportion with brain or testis metastases differed between systemic chemotherapy regimens (GC vs MVAC) suggesting a sanctuary effect. In conclusion, molecular subtypes of urothelial bladder cancer are significantly associated with specific metastatic sites, suggesting that subtype‐specific molecular determinants could exist at various steps in the metastatic cascade.
Evaluating the impact of human rights education on the adjustment of Greek primary school students
Authors: Stavrou Vaia , Brouzos Andreas , Vassilopoulos Stephanos P. , Koutras Vasilios
Published: September 2023

Human rights education has an encouraging effect on children's school routine. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effectiveness of a 12‐session transformative human rights education intervention in improving children's school adjustment. Participants were 340 Greek primary school students assigned to intervention group (n = 187) and control group (n = 153). All members completed a written questionnaire 1 week before the implementation of the intervention, measuring their knowledge of human rights, school engagement, perceptions of the school environment, interpersonal relationships, empathy and perceptions, attitudes and feelings towards school. The completion process of the same questionnaire was repeated 1 week after the termination of the intervention and 4 months later. The results showed that the intervention was particularly beneficial as the intervention group members demonstrated a significant increase in their knowledge of human rights, school engagement, perceptions of the school environment, empathy and school liking, while experiencing a significant decrease in school avoidance and loneliness. Members of the control group did not report any significant improvement over time. The study's implications for future research on school‐based human rights interventions are discussed.