bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Description of “Active Domain” Descriptor for Catalysis Center: N‐Doped MoS2 Catalysts as an Example
Authors: Xu Yixue , Zhang Xiaoyun , Zhu Shifan , Peng Chunlian , Wang Yuqiao
Published: April 2024

The development of descriptors to establish catalyst structure‐activity relationships is significant for the construction of efficient catalysts. In this work, we introduce the descriptor of “active domain” (ϕ) to describe the catalytic centers in N‐doped MoS2 with active edge perimeter and charge overlap ratio. The value of ϕ is quantified by the active edge perimeter related active site exposure ratio and charge overlap ratio corresponded product adsorption/desorption. The value of ϕ for rectangular‐like N‐MoS2, hexagonal‐like N‐MoS2, triangular‐like N‐MoS2 and quaternary‐like N‐MoS2 are 29.70, 22.17, 10.86, and 1, respectively. Therefore, the rectangular‐like N‐MoS2 active domains exhibit better catalytic activity than the other active domains. This descriptor based on catalyst geometric and electronic parameters contributes to design catalyst structures, predicts catalytic activity and investigates reaction mechanisms.
Development of 3β,4α‐dihydroxy‐5α‐androstan‐17‐one standard solution for doping analyses
Authors: Kuroe Miho , Yamazaki Taichi , Saito Naoki , Shimizu Yoshitaka , Ihara Toshihide , Numata Masahiko , Itoh Nobuyasu
Published: April 2024

Doping analyses are essential for sporting events because some athletes might use prohibited substances to win games. To obtain reliable results from doping analyses, it is important to use both reliable standard solutions and validated analytical methods at accredited laboratories. Among the focused compounds related to prohibited substances listed by the World Anti‐Doping Agency, we developed a certified reference material (CRM) for 3β,4α‐dihydroxy‐5α‐androstan‐17‐one (DHAS), a metabolite of formestane that is used to conceal prohibited anabolic steroids, in methanol solution (NMIJ CRM 6212‐a). To develop a CRM traceable to the International System of Units (SI), we newly applied different analytical methods with an SI‐traceable internal standard for quantitative NMR (qNMR) instead of mass balance approach because this CRM solution was required to develop rapidly using a limited amount of high‐purity DHAS. One method was gravimetric blending using the purity of DHAS powder evaluated by both qNMR and a combination of qNMR and high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and the other was direct quantification of the DHAS mass fraction in the candidate solution CRM by both qNMR and qNMR/HPLC. Because the values obtained by gravimetric blending and direct quantification of the mass fraction were comparable, the arithmetic mean was applied to obtain the certified value. Considering homogeneity and stability according to ISO Guide 35: 2017, the certified values with expanded uncertainties (coverage factor k = 2, approximate 95% confidence interval) were (135.2 ± 9.5) μg/g for the mass fraction and (107.0 ± 7.5) μg/ml for the mass concentration.
Trade‐offs among management objectives in mature Douglas‐fir forests of the Pacific Northwest
Authors: Williams Neil G. , Powers Matthew D.
Published: April 2024

Mature conifer‐dominated forests are an important component of the Pacific Northwest landscape, and the conservation of species associated with late‐successional forests has been a primary management focus in these forests for decades. Increasingly, these forests are also valued as carbon stores, with considerable climate change mitigation potential. However, there are also increasing concerns about the effects of climate change, particularly drought, on late‐successional forests. Despite the complexity of balancing these diverse management concerns, few studies have examined the compatibility of biodiversity conservation, carbon storage, and drought adaptation. We used a spatially and temporally synchronous empirical dataset from mature Douglas‐fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) stands representing three alternative management strategies, passive management (“unmanaged”), thinning, and retention harvest, to examine trade‐offs among management objectives related to drought adaptation, carbon storage, and the conservation of early‐successional and late‐successional forest songbirds. Although previous studies have evaluated drought adaptation in Douglas‐fir, none have focused on mature stands. Therefore, we also examined tree resistance and resilience to the 2001 drought. Trees in retention harvest stands displayed significantly higher drought resistance and resilience than trees in thinned or unmanaged stands, but no differences were observed between trees in the latter two management conditions, potentially due to the long (average of 22 years) period between treatment and drought in our thinned stands. Despite this, thinned stands provided a better multiobjective compromise than unmanaged or retention harvest stands in our trade‐off analysis. Across all mature stands, trade‐offs were largest for objective combinations that involved early‐ or late‐successional forest birds. While our analysis supports the consistency of managing late‐successional forest birds and carbon storage, trade‐offs between early‐successional birds and carbon storage were much larger. Given projected changes in climate, the substantial trade‐offs that we observed between drought adaptation and late‐successional forest birds are notable and imply that achieving these two objectives will be challenging at the stand scale. Our results suggest that a diversity of management approaches, incorporating both active management and reserve‐based strategies, may be necessary to foster a combination of drought adaptation, carbon storage, and biodiversity conservation goals in these forests.
A comprehensive framework for vegetation succession
Authors: Poorter Lourens , van der Sande Masha T. , Amissah Lucy , Bongers Frans , Hordijk Iris , Kok Jazz , Laurance Susan G. W. , Martínez‐Ramos Miguel , Matsuo Tomonari , Meave Jorge A. , Muñoz Rodrigo , Peña‐Claros Marielos , van Breugel Michiel , Herault Bruno , Jakovac Catarina C. , Lebrija‐Trejos Edwin , Norden Natalia , Lohbeck Madelon
Published: April 2024

Succession is defined as a directional change in species populations, the community, and the ecosystem at a site following a disturbance. Succession is a fundamental concept in ecology as it links different disciplines. An improved understanding of succession is urgently needed in the Anthropocene to predict the widespread effects of global change on succession and ecosystem recovery, but a comprehensive successional framework (CSF) is lacking. A CSF is needed to synthesize results, draw generalizations, advance successional theory, and make improved decisions for ecosystem restoration. We first show that succession is an integral part of socio‐ecological system dynamics and that it is driven by social and ecological factors operating at different spatial scales, ranging from the patch to the globe. We then present a CSF at the local scale (patch and landscape) at which succession takes place and explain the underlying successional processes and mechanisms operating at that scale. The CSF reflects the increasingly broader perspective on succession and includes recent theoretical advances by not only focusing on species replacement but also on ecosystem development, considering succession as part of a socio‐ecological system, and taking the effect of past and current land use, the landscape context, biotic interactions, and feedback loops into account. We discuss how the CSF can be used to integrate and synthesize successional studies, and its implications for ecosystem restoration.
Notes from the past show how local variability can stymie urchins and the rise of the reds in the Gulf of Maine
Authors: Byrnes Jarrett E. K. , Brown Andrea , Sheridan Kate , Peller Tianna , Lawlor Jake , Beaulieu Julien , Muñoz Jenny , Hesketh Amelia , Pereira Alexis , Knight Nicole S. , Super Laura , Bledsoe Ellen K. , Burant Joseph B. , Dijkstra Jennifer A. , Benes Kylla
Published: April 2024

The impacts of global change—from shifts in climate to overfishing to land use change—can depend heavily on local abiotic context. Building an understanding of how to downscale global change scenarios to local impacts is often difficult, however, and requires historical data across large gradients of variability. Such data are often not available—particularly in peer reviewed or gray literature. However, these data can sometimes be gleaned from casual records of natural history—field notebooks, data sheet marginalia, course notes, and more. Here, we provide an example of one such approach for the Gulf of Maine, as we seek to understand how environmental context can influence local outcomes of region‐wide shifts in subtidal community structure. We explore a decade of hand‐drawn algal cover maps around Appledore Island made by Dr. Art Borror while teaching at the Shoals Marine Lab. Appledore's steep wave exposure gradient—from exposed to the open ocean to fully protected—provides a living laboratory to test interactions between global change and local conditions. We then recreate Borror's methods two and a half decades later. We show that overfishing‐driven urchin outbreaks in the 1980s were slowed or stopped by wave exposure and benthic topography. Similarly, local variation appears to have curtailed current invasions by filamentous red algae. Last, some formerly dominant kelps have disappeared over the past 40 years—an observation verified by subtidal surveys. Global change is altering life in the seas around us. While underutilized, solid natural history observations stand as a key resource for us to begin to understand how global change will translate to the heterogeneous mosaic of life in a future Gulf of Maine and other ecosystems around the world.
Hunting habits die hard: Conserved prey preferences in army ants across two distant neotropical rainforests
Authors: Hoenle Philipp O. , Merkel Christoph , Donoso David A. , Argoti Adriana A. , Blüthgen Nico , von Beeren Christoph
Published: April 2024

Army ants are widely recognized as keystone species in neotropical rainforests due to their role as important arthropod predators. Their large‐scale raids involve thousands of workers scouring the forest floor in pursuit of prey, primarily capturing other invertebrates. Up to 20 species of army ants coexist in a rainforest, and dietary niche differentiation has been proposed as a mechanism to alleviate competition among them. Based on only a handful of study sites, however, our understanding of the precise dietary preferences and the extent of niche differentiation remains notably limited. In this study, we aimed to expand our knowledge of army ant communities by resolving an Ecuadorian predation network consisting of 244 prey species and 13 army ant species representing the five known neotropical army ant genera: Cheliomyrmex, Eciton, Labidus, Neivamyrmex, and Nomamyrmex. We collected 2156 prey items from 180 army ant raids/emigrations, and of these, we identified 1945 prey items to the family level, 1313 to the genus level, and 664 to the species level based on morphological identifications and DNA barcodes. Prey consisted primarily of other ants (1843 prey items; 153 ant species), to the largest part ant brood (N = 1726). Hence, most army ant species chiefly plundered the nests of other ants, while the three swarm raiding species, that is, Lab. praedator, Lab. spininodis, and Ec. burchellii, exhibited a relatively high proportion of non‐ant invertebrate prey in their diet. The predation network showed a high degree of specialization (H2′ = 0.65), characterized by little dietary niche overlap among sympatric species. We compared the Ecuadorian network with one previously studied in Costa Rica and found that, despite the large geographic distance, prey preferences remained remarkably similar. We discovered species‐specific preferences for captured ant genera and species, despite some species turnover in both army ants and prey. Additionally, army ants also exhibited consistent spatiotemporal raiding preferences across study sites. In conclusion, predation preferences within army ant communities exhibited consistency in multiple niche dimensions across two distant neotropical rainforests, suggesting a notable level of predictability within army ant predation networks.
Geographic drivers more important than landscape composition in predicting bee beta diversity and community structure
Authors: Landsman Andrew P. , Simanonok Michael P. , Savoy‐Burke Grace , Bowman Jacob L. , Delaney Deborah A.
Published: April 2024

The importance of microhabitat traits such as floral availability is well known; however, forest bee spatial dynamics have been variably studied across local to broad geographic scales. Past literature suggests that landscape factors from proximate to distal are important in determining forest bee community metrics, including richness, abundance, and taxonomic composition. Leveraging the interest and assistance of citizen science volunteers, we employed standard bee bowl trap transects across Maryland, Delaware, northern Virginia, and the District of Columbia and identified correlations between bee community composition, local and regional land cover, and broader geospatial patterns. We also identified the partial contributions of both specific species and sampling sites to total beta diversity. Various land cover metrics were significantly related to bee community structure, with bee abundance positively and negatively correlated with forest and wetland cover, respectively. In general, land cover metrics within 1000‐m buffer exhibited stronger correlations with bee communities; however, broader geographic variation, using Cartesian coordinates north and east as indices, was most significantly correlated with the bee community. Specifically, bee communities were less rich in the east and south of the study area. We also identified similar correlations with the bee community as categorized by both trophic and nesting behaviors, with both geographic northing and easting proving to be most strongly correlated with the forest bee community. Results of beta diversity and cluster analyses showed that the most species‐depauperate sites exhibited the highest contributions to beta diversity and that species‐poor sites consisted of a reduced subset of the greater community. Our results show that successful bee conservation must consider, beyond local‐scale resource availability, broad geospatial considerations and forest habitat connectivity across political and administrative boundaries.
Stand spatial structure and productivity based on random structural unit in Larix principis‐rupprechtii forests
Authors: Zhang Jing , Liu Chong , Ge Zhaoxuan , Zhang Zhidong
Published: April 2024

Stand spatial structure plays a key role in forest management, and in particular the random structural unit, comprising random tree and its neighbors, largely determines forest stability and its productivity. However, how the spatial structure of the random structural unit affects productivity remains unclear. The study focused on four larch forest types from Hebei and Shanxi provinces, China: 35‐year‐old larch (Larix principis‐rupprechtii) plantations (35LP), 39‐year‐old mixed larch–birch (Betula platyphylla) forests (39LB), 58‐year‐old natural larch forests (58LN), and 73‐year‐old mixed larch–birch–spruce (Picea asperata) forests (73LBS). The forest spatial structure index (FSSI) was employed to comprehensively evaluate the stand spatial structure. Additionally, the uniform angle index was used to discern whether the stand structure units were uniform, random, or clumped. A regression model was used to elucidate the effects of species mingling, diameter dominance, and crowding on the productivity of random trees. Results showed that the FSSI varied among the stand types, ranking as 35LP < 58LN < 39LB < 73LBS. The values of distribution frequency and the percentages of basal area increment (BAI) for random trees were above 0.5% and 40% in most stand types, respectively. The diameter dominance of random structural units in four stand types showed a significant negative correlation with the BAI of random trees, whereas the mingling and crowding of random structural units in the 73LBS displayed a significant positive correlation with BAI of random trees. Thus, increasing the size of random trees, as well as mingling and crowding in random structural units, can facilitate the formation of a rational stand spatial structure, thereby enhancing the productivity of larch forests.
Electronic Effect of the [Au(PPh3)]+ Fragment in the Stabilization of Imidazolium Salts and the Destabilization of NHCs
Authors: Rosero‐Mafla Miguel A. , Chaur Manuel N. , Mujica‐Martinez Cesar A. , Fernández‐Moreira Vanesa , Zapata‐Rivera Jhon , Gimeno M. Concepción , Visbal Renso
Published: April 2024

This work presents the synthesis and characterization of mono‐ (1) and di‐nuclear (2) imidazolium salts stabilized by [AuPPh3]+ fragments. The presence of the gold moiety induces a significant decrease in the carbenic proton‘s acidic character (high pKa). This high stability is consistent with the pronounced instability of the conjugate bases obtained through deprotonation using strong bases. The formation of carbene species is accompanied by the identification of a 1,2‐rearrangement process in which a preference for the C‐bound species over the N‐bound species is observed. Experimental techniques such as NMR, single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis, mass spectrometry, and computational calculations are employed to investigate the reactivity exhibited by the imidazolium salts. Additionally, the electrochemical properties of the two imidazolium salts were also investigated. This study reveals that both species 1 and 2 display two cathodic peaks which are related to two electro‐chemical irreversible reduction events. The results obtained from both experimental and theoretical studies of this system reveal a strong tendency of the [AuPPh3]+ fragment to stabilize imidazolium salts. Additionally, they demonstrate the preference of this fragment for C‐bound species over N‐bound ones, with the former proving to be highly unstable even under severe conditions of air and moisture exclusion.
Simple, fast, and simultaneous determination of orthophosphate, pyrophosphate, and tripolyphosphate by capillary electrophoresis with capacitively coupled contactless conductivity detection
Authors: Barboza Larissa J. , Rocha Kionnys N. , de Jesus Dosil P.
Published: April 2024

This work describes a novel analytical method using capillary electrophoresis (CE) with capacitively coupled contactless conductivity detection (C4D) for simultaneous, simple, and rapid determination of three inorganic phosphates (orthophosphate, pyrophosphate, and tripolyphosphate) widely used as food additives and in pharmaceutical formulations. A background electrolyte composed of 0.5 mol L–1 acetic acid provided fast separation (around 3.0 min) and good separation efficiency and peak resolution. Linearity in the concentration range of 10–500 mg L–1 was confirmed by the coefficients of determination (R2) higher than 0.99. The limits of detection varied from 0.41 to 0.58 mg L–1. The accuracy of the proposed method was assessed by recovery tests conducted at three concentration levels in tap water samples, food, and personal hygiene products. Recovery values varying from 81% to 118% were achieved, indicating an acceptable accuracy. The proposed CE‐C4D successfully determined the three inorganic phosphates in the analyzed samples.
Lateral load response and collapse probability of reinforced concrete shear walls retrofitted for repairability
Authors: Okumus Pinar , Basereh Sina , Aaleti Sriram
Published: April 2024

This paper demonstrates the efficacy of a new reinforced concrete shear wall seismic retrofit method through a series of nonlinear static and incremental dynamic analyses. Unlike traditional retrofit methods, the method investigated aims to convert conventional walls into self‐centering walls whose behavior is governed by rocking and flexure. The retrofit involves creating a cold joint at the foundation–wall interface, cutting some reinforcing bars to allow rocking, adding external post‐tensioning to enable self‐centering, and externally confining wall toes to prevent concrete crushing. The retrofit was applied to two building archetypes, each with two different shear wall designs. The four walls were retrofitted by varying retrofit parameters (portion of the vertical reinforcement bars cut, and external post‐tensioning amount). Nonlinear static and nonlinear response history analyses were performed using experimentally validated, computationally efficient models that simulate walls with fiber‐based beam–column elements. Incremental dynamic analysis was used to create collapse fragility functions for pre‐ and post‐retrofit walls. The results show that the retrofit is effective when some vertical reinforcement bars are left uncut across the foundation–wall interface. The retrofit is more effective for walls with vertical reinforcement distributed across cross‐section as compared to walls with reinforcement concentrated near boundary elements and for walls with structurally efficient amounts of reinforcement as compared to walls with higher amounts of reinforcement. This is attributed to the larger amount of reinforcement bars cut in walls with concentrated reinforcement layouts or heavy reinforcement amounts, leading to a larger loss of strength, recovery of which requires larger amounts of post‐tensioning.
Oxide‐based ternary composite solid‐state electrolyte for next‐generation lithium batteries
Authors: Ahmad Haseeb , Haseeb Hafiz Muhammad , Shabbir Altamash , Khan Zuhair S. , Noor Tayyaba , Ali Ghulam
Published: April 2024

Oxide‐based solid electrolytes are gaining popularity among researchers owing to their great structural stability. In this work, a novel oxide‐based ternary composite (AlPO4‐SiO2‐Li4P2O7) electrolyte is synthesized via a conventional solid‐state process with excellent water stability and high ionic conductivity. The crystallographic structure of ternary composite is confirmed using x‐ray diffraction and has a significant effect on ionic conductivity. The thermogravimetric analysis result shows a 22.26 wt% loss in the region of 25°C to 900°C due to the evaporation of volatile constituents, including nitrates, carbonates, and moisture. Surface analysis results revealed compact morphology and low porosity with arbitrary grain sizes. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy has been used to evaluate ionic conductivities. The Mn‐ternary composite sintered at 900°C has shown ionic conductivity of 1.63 × 10−6 S/cm at ambient temperature. 8 wt%‐LiBr enhanced the ionic conductivity up to 1.68 × 10−4 S/cm by significantly reducing the grain boundaries without high‐temperature sintering. Results suggested the suitability of LiBr mixed ternary composites as a favorite candidate for lithium batteries in terms of safety, stability, and high ionic conductivity.
Enhanced H2 storage in silicene through lithium decoration and single vacancy and Stone‐Wales defects: A density functional theory investigation
Authors: Seth Aqshat , Gattu Sai Spoorti , Sai Srinivasan K. V. , Sujith Ravindran
Published: April 2024

Defect engineering and metal decoration onto 2‐D materials have gained major attention as a means of creating viable hydrogen storage materials. This Density Functional Theory (DFT) based study presents lithium decorated single vacancy (SV) and Stone‐Wales (SW) defective silicene as a viable media for storing hydrogen via physisorption. Introducing defects increases the Li adatom's binding energy from −2.36 eV in pristine silicene to −3.44 and −2.73 eV in SV and SW silicene, respectively, preventing Li adatom clustering. The presence of defects and Li adatom further aid hydrogen adsorption onto the substrates with binding energies present between the US‐DOE set range of −0.2 to −0.7 eV/H2 with the highest binding energy measured to be −0.389 eV/H2. The enhanced H2 binding energies are a result of a combined contribution of the Li(p) and Li(s) orbitals with the H(s) orbital with an indirect electronic transfer from the silicene substrate to the Li adatom. Upon double side Li decoration, both the Li‐decorated defective systems were able to effectively store multiple H2 molecules up to 28 H2 with the highest gravimetric density being 5.97 wt%. Ab Initio molecular dynamic simulations conducted at 300 K and 310 K confirm the stability of the Li adatom as well as the adsorbed H2 molecules at room temperature and establish the viability of these systems as effective, high gravimetric density, physisorption‐based hydrogen storage media.
The alleviated symptoms in ovalbumin‐allergic mice treated with selenium‐enriched tea polysaccharide by modulation of intestinal flora and gut metabolites
Authors: Guo Peng , Lv Liuqing , Ma Jing , Luo Zining , Jia Yining , Ren Xiaojing , Sun Jiao , Long Fangyu
Published: April 2024

Ovalbumin (OVA) in egg is one of the predominant causes of food allergy around the world. In the present study, the alleviating effect of selenium‐enriched tea polysaccharide (Se‐TPS) on OVA allergy was evaluated, and the underlying mechanistic insights were investigated. Se‐TPS significantly alleviated the clinical manifestations and diarrhea of allergic mice, accelerated the recovery of jejunal injury, and decreased the immune organ index. Meanwhile, Se‐TPS decreased the levels of immunoglobulin E (IgE), histamine, and IL‐4 in serum, increased the levels of IFN‐γ, and promoted the balance of Th1/Th2 cells. Furthermore, the intervention of Se‐TPS reshaped the gut microbiota structure of OVA‐allergic mice. Se‐TPS increased the abundance of Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group, unclassified_f_Lachnospiraceae, and Alistipes, whereas decreased the Faecalibaculum abundance. Analysis of intestinal metabolites showed that Se‐TPS treatment caused a significant increase in homocitrulline and 7a‐hydroxyandrost‐4‐ene‐3,17‐dione levels. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment results indicated that Se‐TPS treatment may alleviate allergic symptoms by enhancing the anti‐inflammatory ability of OVA‐allergic mice through neuroimmunity.
Paleo‐stress reconstruction and implications for the Mesozoic tectonic evolution of the Guizhong Depression, South China Block
Authors: Cui Xiao , Wang Gen‐Hou , Zhang Shou‐Ting , Quaye Jonathan Atuquaye , Zhou Jie , Zhang Ying‐Jie , Cen Wen‐Pan , Gao Xi
Published: April 2024

The tectonic deformation reaction to multi‐plate convergence in the northern Guizhong Depression, as well as its geodynamic process, remain poorly understood. Two phases of intracontinental deformation are identified using field geological investigations, paleo‐stress inversion and seismic reflection sections: (1) early NE–SW‐directed compression during the Middle Triassic to Early Jurassic; (2) later NW–SE‐directed compression during the Middle Jurassic to Early Cretaceous. The reconstruction of paleo‐stress provides robust constraints on the spatiotemporal evolution of stress within the Guizhong Depression. The regional SW–NE‐directed compression during the Middle Triassic to Early Jurassic was driven by the collision and convergence between the Indochina and South China blocks, resulting in the formation of NW–SE‐directed compressional structures during the Indosinian Period. The later SE–NW‐directed paleo‐stress field was probably driven by the NW‐directed subduction of the Paleo–Pacific Plate during the Middle Jurassic to Early Cretaceous.
Do ESG funds engage in portfolio pumping to gain higher flows? An application of Benford's Law
Authors: Mallios Aineas , Mavruk Taylan
Published: April 2024

Portfolio pumping is identified as an ‘illegal’ trading practice that involves inflating quarter‐ and year‐end portfolio returns. Utilizing U.S. domestic equity mutual fund daily return data, we examine whether environmental, social, and governance (ESG) funds engage in portfolio pumping to generate higher flows. Our findings reveal that, on average, ESG funds attract 0.4% higher flows than other funds. However, they engage in portfolio pumping and achieve returns that are 5.3 basis points (bps) higher at quarter ends compared to their returns during the rest of the year. This practice does not result in additional fund flows. Notably, compared to other funds, ESG funds exhibit a significant 4 bps reduction through portfolio pumping. This implies that, on the last day of the quarter, ESG funds earn approximately 4 bps lower returns compared to other funds. Portfolio pumping is costly for both investors and financial markets since it leads to trading activities that cause stock prices to deviate from their fundamental values. ESG funds engage less in portfolio pumping than other funds, which indicates that their primary focus is to maximize fund flows rather than enhance or create a positive social impact on the underlying firm portfolio. Investors seem to understand this goal, particularly when ESG funds engage in portfolio pumping and avoid investing in ESG funds.
Five Perspectives on Transdisciplinary Systems Engineering
Authors: Brook Peter , Madni Azad M. , Pennotti Michael , Rousseau David , Sillito Hillary
Published: April 2024

This article offers insights from five INCOSE Fellows on the evolution and significance of transdisciplinarity in systems engineering. Michael Pennotti reviews the origins of systems engineering, emphasizing its inherent transdisciplinary nature and the need for continuous evolution. Azad Madni considers transdisciplinarity as systems engineering's true calling, crucial for the 21st century, and highlights his TRASEE™ education paradigm that underpins the Systems Architecting and Engineering program that he directs at the University of Southern California as pivotal for systems engineering's advancement. Hillary Sillitto sees the climate crisis as systems engineering's most critical and complex challenge, asserting transdisciplinarity's crucial role in addressing it. David Rousseau examines the cultural and scientific underpinnings of transdisciplinarity, presenting systems engineering as a prime example. Peter Brook envisions the joint evolution of systems sciences and systems engineering to confront future challenges, advocating for transdisciplinarity as an essential role in systems engineering leadership for addressing global challenges.
Optimization techniques for IDS‐Generated traffic congestion control in VANET
Authors: Kumar Yogendra , Kumar Vijay , Subba Basant
Published: April 2024

Vehicular Ad‐hoc Network (VANET) is an emerging field of wireless networks that enables a variety of vehicle safety and convenience applications. It employs Intrusion Detection System (IDS) frameworks in its different tiers to ensure reliable and secure communication among nodes. However, IDS requires a significant amount of data to process for monitoring intrusive activities in the network. As a result, the volume of traffic increases, resulting in the network congestion. Motivated by this fact, this study provides an overview of the optimization techniques for VANET traffic congestion control. It discusses a state‐of‐the‐art analysis along with the requirements for IDS‐generated traffic congestion control. It highlights the congestion control approaches for the traffic generated by an IDS and identifies the challenges in this domain. This study also proposes a novel IDS framework for reducing IDS‐generated network traffic by combining the Local Outlier Factor and Random Forest classifier. The proposed study achieved a high precision while yielding low false positive and false negative rates. The study outperformed the existing studies with an increase in accuracy of 1.16% and a reduction in attack detection time of 1.1869 seconds. Additionally, it discusses the possible future research directions that can be applied to address the issues of IDS‐generated traffic congestion. Overall, this study serves as a comprehensive guide to the current status of IDS‐generated traffic congestion control and diverse approaches to lessen it that can be employed by academicians and researchers.
SOX4 silencing alleviates renal injury in rats with acute renal failure by inhibiting the NF‐κB signaling pathway and reducing apoptosis and oxidative stress
Authors: Xie Fengyan , Xu Min
Published: April 2024

Acute renal failure (ARF) is a huge threat to the lives of most patients in intensive care units, and there is currently no satisfactory treatment strategy. SRY‐box transcription factor 4 (SOX4) plays a key role in the development of various diseases, but its effect on ARF is unknown. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the relationship between SOX4 and ARF. Blood samples were collected from 20 ARF patients and 20 healthy volunteers. We also established an ARF rat model by excising the right kidney and ligating the left renal artery, and SOX4 knockdown in ARF rats was achieved down by means of lentiviral infection. Subsequently, we used quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western bolt assays to detect the expression levels of SOX4 and nuclear factor‐κB (NF‐κB) signaling pathway‐related proteins in human blood or rat renal tissue and hematoxylin and eosin and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT) 2'‐deoxyuridine 5'‐triphosphate (dUTP) nick‐end labeling staining to observe the pathological changes and apoptosis of renal tissue. Enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay and biochemical kits were used to measure the levels of renal function‐related indicators (blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, and neutrophil gelatinase‐associated lipocalin) and inflammatory factors (interleukin [IL]−1β, IL‐6, and tumor necrosis factor‐alpha), as well as changes in oxidative stress‐related indicators (malondialdehyde [MDA], superoxide dismutase [SOD], and reactive oxygen species [ROS]) in rat serum. SOX4 expression levels in blood samples from ARF patients and renal tissue from ARF rats were significantly higher compared with those in healthy volunteers and control rats, respectively. ARF model rats displayed the typical ARF phenotype, while SOX4 silencing significantly improved pathological injury and apoptosis of renal tissue in ARF rats. Moreover, SOX4 silencing significantly inhibited increased levels of renal function‐related indicators and inflammatory factors and reduced the level of excessive oxidative stress (MDA and ROS were upregulated, and SOD was downregulated) in ARF rats. SOX4 also reduced the activity of the NF‐κB signaling pathway in ARF samples. Thus, SOX4 knockdown may reduce oxidative stress, the inflammatory response, and apoptosis by reducing the activity of the NF‐κB signaling pathway, thereby improving renal injury in ARF rats.
ALKBH5‐mediated m6A demethylation of pri‐miR‐199a‐5p exacerbates myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury by regulating TRAF3‐mediated pyroptosis
Authors: Li Jiarong , Wang Zhirong , Tan Huayi , Tang Mi
Published: April 2024

Myocardial ischemia‒reperfusion injury (MI/RI) is closely related to pyroptosis. alkB homolog 5 (ALKBH5) is abnormally expressed in the MI/RI models. However, the detailed molecular mechanism of ALKBH5 in MI/RI has not been elucidated. In this study, rats and H9C2 cells served as experimental subjects and received MI/R induction and H/R induction, respectively. The abundance of the targeted molecules was evaluated using RT‐qPCR, Western blotting, immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. The heart functions of the rats were evaluated using echocardiography, and heart injury was evaluated. Cell viability and pyroptosis were determined using cell counting Kit‐8 and flow cytometry, respectively. Total m6A modification was measured using a commercial kit, and pri‐miR‐199a‐5p m6A modification was detected by Me‐RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) assay. The interactions among the molecules were validated using RIP and luciferase experiments. ALKBH5 was abnormally highly expressed in H/R‐induced H9C2 cells and MI/RI rats. ALKBH5 silencing improved injury and inhibited pyroptosis. ALKBH5 reduced pri‐miR‐199a‐5p m6A methylation to block miR‐199a‐5p maturation and inhibit its expression. TNF receptor‐associated Factor 3 (TRAF3) is a downstream gene of miR‐199a‐5p. Furthermore, in H/R‐induced H9C2 cells, the miR‐199a‐5p inhibitor‐mediated promotion of pyroptosis was reversed by ALKBH5 silencing, and the TRAF3 overexpression‐mediated promotion of pyroptosis was offset by miR‐199a‐5p upregulation. ALKBH5 silencing inhibited pri‐miR‐199a‐5p expression and enhanced pri‐miR‐199a‐5p m6A modification to promote miR‐199a‐5p maturation and enhance its expression, thereby suppressing pyroptosis to alleviate MI/RI through decreasing TRAF3 expression.
Intraoperative reliability of the tibial anteroposterior axis “Akagi's Line” in total knee arthroplasty
Authors: Kawaguchi Kohei , Yamagami Ryota , Kenichi Kono , Kage Tomofumi , Murakami Ryo , Arakawa Takahiro , Inui Hiroshi , Taketomi Shuji , Tanaka Sakae
Published: April 2024

Purpose

The tibial anatomical anteroposterior (AP) axis “Akagi's line” was originally defined on computed tomography (CT) in total knee arthroplasty (TKA); however, its intraoperative reproducibility remains unknown. This study aimed to evaluate the intraoperative reproducibility of the Akagi's line and its effect on postoperative clinical outcomes.

Methods

This prospective study included 171 TKAs. The rotational angle of the intraoperative Akagi's line relative to the original Akagi's line (RAA) defined on CT was measured. The RAA was calculated based on the tibial component rotational angles relative to the intraoperative Akagi's line measured using the navigation system and CT. The effects of RAA on postoperative clinical outcomes and rotational alignments of components were also evaluated.

Results

The mean absolute RAA (standard deviation) value was 5.5° (3.9°). The range of RAA was 22° internal rotation to 16° external rotation. Intraoperative Akagi's line outliers (RAA > 10°) were observed in 14% of the knees (24 knees). In outlier analysis, the tibial component rotation angle was externally rotated 6.5° (5.6°) in the outlier group and externally rotated 3.7° (4.2°) in the nonoutlier group (≤10°), with a significant difference between the two groups. Additionally, the outlier group (RAA > 10°) showed lower postoperative clinical outcomes.

Conclusion

The original Akagi's line defined on CT showed insufficient reproducibility intraoperatively. The poor intraoperative detection of Akagi's line could be the reason for the tibial component rotational error and worse postoperative clinical outcomes.

Level of Evidence

Level IV, case series.
Best possible upper bounds on the restrained domination number of cubic graphs
Authors: Brešar Boštjan , Henning Michael A.
Published: April 2024

A dominating set in a graph is a set of vertices such that every vertex in is adjacent to a vertex in . A restrained dominating set of is a dominating set with the additional restraint that the graph obtained by removing all vertices in is isolate‐free. The domination number and the restrained domination number are the minimum cardinalities of a dominating set and restrained dominating set, respectively, of . Let be a cubic graph of order . A classical result of Reed states that , and this bound is best possible. To determine the best possible upper bound on the restrained domination number of is more challenging, and we prove that .
Bisimplicial separators
Authors: Milanič Martin , Penev Irena , Pivač Nevena , Vušković Kristina
Published: April 2024

A minimal separator of a graph is a set such that there exist vertices with the property that separates from in , but no proper subset of does. For an integer , we say that a minimal separator is ‐simplicial if it can be covered by cliques and denote by the class of all graphs in which each minimal separator is ‐simplicial. We show that for each , the class is closed under induced minors, and we use this to show that the 
Maximum Weight Stable Set problem can be solved in polynomial time for . We also give a complete list of minimal forbidden induced minors for . Next, we show that, for , every nonnull graph in has a ‐simplicial vertex, that is, a vertex whose neighborhood is a union of cliques; we deduce that the 
Maximum Weight Clique problem can be solved in polynomial time for graphs in . Further, we show that, for , it is NP‐hard to recognize graphs in ; the time complexity of recognizing graphs in is unknown. We also show that the 
Maximum Clique problem is NP‐hard for graphs in . Finally, we prove a decomposition theorem for diamond‐free graphs in (where the diamond is the graph obtained from by deleting one edge), and we use this theorem to obtain polynomial‐time algorithms for the 
Vertex Coloring and recognition problems for diamond‐free graphs in , and improved running times for the 
Maximum Weight Clique and 
Maximum Weight Stable Set problems for this class of graphs.
Carbon 14 and Carbon 13 Syntheses of Velagliflozin
Authors: Latli Bachir , Hrapchak Matt J. , Chevliakov Maxim , Shu Chutian
Published: April 2024

Velagliflozin is the active ingredient of the first oral liquid medication approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of diabetes in cats. This compound belongs to the known class of sodium‐glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors approved to treat diabetes in human. Here, we report the detailed synthesis of velagliflozin labeled with carbon 14 and carbon 13.
High‐resolution ion mobility separations coupled to mass spectrometry: What's next?
Authors: Nagy Gabe
Published: April 2024

Herein, I provide a personal perspective on high‐resolution multipass ion mobility spectrometry‐mass spectrometry (IMS‐MS), with a specific emphasis on cyclic (cIMS) and structures for lossless ion manipulations (SLIM IMS)‐based separations. My overarching goal for this perspective was to detail what I believe will be the key important areas in which IMS‐MS will help shape the bioanalytical community and especially omics‐based research.
Efficacy of ADIPOR1 and ADIPOR2 peptide‐agonist AdipoRon in preventing contracture in a rabbit model of arthrofibrosis
Authors: Salmons Harold I. , Carstens Mason F. , Limberg Afton K. , Bettencourt Jacob W. , Payne Ashley N. , Karczewski Daniel C. , Ryan Zachary T. , Morrey Mark E. , Sanchez‐Sotelo Joaquin , Berry Daniel J. , Dudakovic Amel , Abdel Matthew P.
Published: April 2024

AdipoRon is an adiponectin receptor 1, 2 (ADIPOR1 and ADIPOR2) agonist with potential antifibrotic effects. Whether AdipoRon can mitigate joint stiffness in a rabbit model of arthrofibrosis is unknown. We examined the efficacy of intravenous (IV) AdipoRon at mitigating contracture in a rabbit model of knee arthrofibrosis. Fifty‐six female New Zealand White rabbits were divided into three dosing groups: vehicle (dimethyl sulfoxide, DMSO), 2.5 mg/kg AdipoRon, and 5 mg/kg AdipoRon. AdipoRon, in DMSO, was administered IV preoperatively and for 5 days postoperatively (30 rabbits, Aim 1). AdipoRon was again dosed similarly after Kirschner wire (K‐wire) removal at 8 weeks (26 rabbits; Aim 2). The primary outcome of joint passive extension angle (PEA,°) was measured at 8, 10, 12, 16, and 24 weeks following index surgery. At 24 weeks, rabbits were euthanized and limbs were harvested to measure posterior capsular stiffness (N cm/°). In Aim 1, the 5 mg/kg treated rabbits had a significant increase in PEA when compared to controls at 16‐week (p < 0.05). In Aim 2, the 5 mg/kg treated rabbits had a significant increase in PEA when compared to controls at 10‐week (p < 0.05). In both aims, no significant differences were observed at later time points. Capsular stiffness was no different in any group. We are the first to report the efficacy of IV AdipoRon in a rabbit model of arthrofibrosis. We identified a significant dose‐dependent decrease in joint PEA at early time points; however, no differences were observed between groups at later time points. Clinical Significance: The present investigation provided the first assessment of AdipoRon's efficacy in mitigating knee stiffness in the current gold standard rabbit model of arthrofibrosis. Results of this investigation provided further evidence as to the potential role of AdipoRon as a preventative for arthrofibrosis in large mammals.
Cannabis use disorder and perioperative outcomes following complex cancer surgery
Authors: Munir Muhammad M. , Woldesenbet Selamawit , Endo Yutaka , Dillhoff Mary , Pawlik Timothy M.
Published: April 2024

Introduction

Cannabis usage is increasing in the United States, especially among patients with cancer. We sought to evaluate whether cannabis use disorder (CUD) was associated with higher morbidity and mortality among patients undergoing complex cancer surgery.

Methods

Patients who underwent complex cancer surgery between January 2016 and December 2019 were identified in the National Inpatient Sample database. CUD was defined according to ICD‐10 codes. Propensity score matching was performed to create a 1:1 matched cohort that was well balanced with respect to covariates, which included patient comorbidities, sociodemographic factors, and procedure type. The primary composite outcome was in‐hospital mortality and seven major perioperative complications (myocardial ischemia, acute kidney injury, stroke, respiratory failure, venous thromboembolism, hospital‐acquired infection, and surgical procedure‐related complications).

Results

Among 15 014 patients who underwent a high‐risk surgical procedure, a cohort of 7507 patients with CUD (median age; 43 years [IQR: 30−56 years]; n = 3078 [41.0%] female) were matched with 7507 patients who were not cannabis users (median age; 44 years [IQR: 30−58 years); n = 2997 [39.9%] female). CUD was associated with slight increased risk relative to postoperative kidney injury (CUD, 7.8% vs. no CUD, 6.1%); however, in‐hospital mortality was slightly lower (CUD, 0.9% vs. no CUD, 1.6%) (both p < 0.001). On multivariable analysis, after controlling for other risk factors, CUD was not associated with higher morbidity and mortality (adjusted odds ratio: 1.06, 95% CI: 0.98−1.15; p = 0.158).

Conclusion

CUD was not associated with a higher risk of postoperative morbidity and mortality following complex cancer surgery.