bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Recent advances in yeast genome evolution with stress tolerance for green biological manufacturing
Authors: Xu Ke , Zhang Yun‐feng , Guo Dong‐yu , Qin Lei , Ashraf Munaza , Ahmad Nadeem
Published: July 2022

Green biological manufacturing is a revolutionary industrial model utilizing yeast as a significant microbial cell factory to produce biofuels and other biochemicals. However, biotransformation efficiency is often limited owing to several stress factors resulting from environmental changes or metabolic imbalance, leading to the slow growth of cells, compromised yield, and enhanced energy consumption. These factors make biological manufacturing competitively less economical. In this regard, minimizing the stress impact on microbial cell factories and strong robust performance have been an interesting area of interest in the last few decades. In this review, we focused on revealing the stress factors and their associated mechanisms for yeast in biological manufacturing. To improve yeast tolerance, rational and irrational strategies were introduced, and the molecular basis of genome evolution in yeast was also summarized. Furthermore, strategies of genome‐directed evolution such as homology directed repair and nonhomologous end‐joining, and the synthetic chromosome recombination and modification by LoxP‐mediated evolution and their association with stress tolerance was highlighted. We hope that genome evolution provides new insights for solving the limitations of the natural phenotypes of microorganisms in industrial fermentation for the production of valuable compounds.
Physiological suitability of sulfate‐reducing granules for the development of bioconcrete
Authors: Chetty Kirthi , McCarthy Timothy , Hai Faisal , Zhang Shuxin , Song Yarong , Jiang Guangming
Published: July 2022

Regular monitoring and timely repair of concrete cracks are required to minimize further deterioration. Self‐healing of cracks has been proposed as an alternative to the crack maintenance procedures. One of the proposed techniques is to use axenic cultures to exploit microbial‐induced calcite precipitation (MICP). However, such healing agents are not cost‐effective for in situ use. As the market for bio‐based self‐healing concrete necessitates a low‐cost bio‐agent, nonaxenic sulfate reducing bacterial (SRB) granules were investigated in this study through cultivation in an upflow anaerobic sludge blanket reactor. The compact granules can protect the bacteria from adverse conditions without encapsulation. This study investigated the microbial activities of SRB granules at different temperatures, pH, and chemical oxygen demand concentrations which the microbes would experience during the concrete casting and curing process. The attenuation and recovery of microbial activities were measured before and after the exposure. Moreover, the MICP yield was also tested for a possible use in self‐healing bioconcrete. The results consistently showed that SRB granules were able to survive starvation, high temperature (50–60°C), and high pH (12), together with scanning electron microscope/energy dispersive spectrometry/X‐ray diffraction analysis evidence. Microbial staining analysis demonstrated the formation of spores in the granules during their exposure to harsh conditions. SRB granule was thus demonstrated to be a viable self‐healing nonaxenic agent for low‐cost bioconcrete.
From the inverted classroom to the online lecture hall: Effects on students' satisfaction and exam results
Authors: Dahmen Lena , Schneider Achim , Keis Oliver , Straßer Patrick , Kühl Michael , Kühl Susanne J.
Published: July 2022

On‐site teaching at Ulm University was restricted in the summer semester (SS) 2020 due to the Corona pandemic. The biochemistry seminar “From gene to protein” in the 2nd preclinical semester, which had been successfully conducted as an Inverted Classroom (IC), had to be changed to an online concept. The aim of this study was to analyze the concept conversion in terms of students' satisfaction and knowledge acquisition. In the seminar, human medical students of the 2nd semester acquired biochemical and competency‐oriented learning content. In SS2019, the course was taught using the IC concept. For the conversion to the online format in the SS2020, alternative teaching materials were developed and used. Students' satisfaction was assessed by an evaluation questionnaire and knowledge acquisition was tested by a written biochemistry exam. For both teaching concepts a high level of satisfaction was detected. Individual evaluation criteria were evaluated similarly by the students for both concepts. The online concept led up to significantly higher biochemistry exam scores. Due to the high levels of students' satisfaction in both concepts and the results of the biochemistry exam, it can be concluded that online teaching offers a suitable substitute. Based on these results, it is worth to undertake further research on digitization of studies.
The influence of pride emotion on executive function: Evidence from ERP
Authors: Bi Xiao Yan , Ma Xie , Abulaiti Aikeliya , Yang Juan , Tao Yun
Published: July 2022

Background

The current study examined the influence of positive “basic” emotions on executive function; there is limited evidence about the influence of positive “self‐conscious”emotions, such as pride, on executive functions processes.

Methods

Pride is a status‐related self‐conscious emotion and the present research explored the influence of pride on the subcomponents of executive function, using three experiments that adopted the digit size‐parity switching, N‐back, and dual choice oddball paradigms.

Results

The behavioral results suggested that cognitive load and behavior inhibition effects in the pride emotion were significantly higher than the neutral emotion. The ERP results showed that the pride emotion elicited smaller P3 difference wave for the switching task and dual choice oddball task. In the N‐back task, the pride emotion elicited larger N1 amplitude and smaller P2 difference wave compared to the neutral emotion. A comparison among results from the three experiments indicated that pride emotion restrains all subcomponents of executive function, though with different manifestations of the impact.

Conclusion

Experiencing positive emotions is typically viewed as desirable and adaptive in educational settings; however, pride as a unique positive emotion may damage people's cognitive performance, indicating that we need to be cautious when performing cognitive operations in a pride mood.
Association of serum Klotho levels with cancer and cancer mortality: Evidence from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey
Authors: Qiao Yating , Liu Fubin , Peng Yu , Wang Peng , Ma Bing , Li Limin , Si Changyu , Wang Xixuan , Zhang Ming , Song Fangfang
Published: July 2022

Background

Klotho has both anticancer and hormone‐like functions. But the research on Klotho and cancer is mainly based on animal experiments and small‐scale clinical research, thus we explored the association between serum Klotho and cancer and cancer mortality based on the National Health and Nutrition Survey (NHANES).

Methods

Participants were employed from the NHANES 2007–2016, excluding pregnant, chronic renal insufficiency, and incomplete data of cancer questionnaire and serum Klotho level. The association of serum Klotho with cancer and mortality was analyzed by weighted Logistic regression, weighted Cox regression and competitive risk model, respectively. Correlations between serum Klotho and testosterone and estradiol levels were analyzed by Spearman correlation and restricted cubic spline respectively.

Results

We found Klotho had an inverse effect with risk of pan‐cancer (all p < 0.02), with each unit increase in Klotho (1ug/g creatinine) associated with a 0.9%–2.2% reduction in the risk of cancer, and higher levels showing a stronger negative association (all p‐trend <= 0.0005). Whereas, we did not observe any association between serum Klotho level with all‐cause mortality and cancer‐specific mortality (all p > 0.05). Then, stratified analysis found that people aged 60–79, female, overweight and non‐Hispanic whites or Mexican Americans were less likely to develop cancer. In addition, there was a strong nonlinear and linear positive correlation of Klotho with estradiol (p‐nonlinear = 0.0178) and testosterone only among male participants (β = −0.513, p = 0.0137), respectively.

Conclusions

We found an inverse association between serum Klotho and cancer, but without cancer mortality. And this effect may be partially mediated by estradiol and testosterone. Further prospective studies are needed to prove these findings.
Study on pharmacokinetic interactions between SHR2554 and itraconazole in healthy subjects: A single‐center, open‐label phase I trial
Authors: Deng Kunhong , Zou Yi , Zou Chan , Wang Hong , Xiang Yuxia , Yang Xiaoyan , Yang Shuang , Cui Chang , Yang Guoping , Huang Jie
Published: July 2022

Background

SHR2554, a novel oral Enhancer of Zeste Homolog 2 inhibitor, shows broad‐spectrum anti‐tumor efficacy in preclinical studies. As SHR2554 is mainly metabolized by CYP3A4, it is helpful to conduct research on the effects of itraconazole, a strong inhibitor of CYP3A4‐metabolizing enzymes, on the pharmacokinetic characteristics and safety of SHR2554.

Methods

We conducted a single‐center, open‐label pharmacokinetic study of itraconazole on SHR2554 in 18 healthy Chinese subjects. Subjects were orally administrated SHR2554 50 mg on Day 1, itraconazole 200 mg Quaque Die (QD) from Days 4 to 7, SHR2554 50 mg co‐administrated with itraconazole 200 mg on Day 8, and itraconazole 200 mg QD from Days 9 to 12. Then, 4 ml of venous blood was collected at predetermined time points. Plasma SHR2554 concentrations were analyzed using a validated high‐performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry method. Pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated using Phoenix WinNonlin v8.1.

Results

The Cmax of SHR2554 alone and in combination was 10.197 ± 7.0262 ng·ml−1 versus 70.538 ± 25.0219 ng·ml−1, AUC0–∞ was 50.99 ± 19.358 h·ng·ml−1 versus 641.53 ± 319.538 h·ng·ml−1, and AUC0–t was 28.70 ± 18.913 h·ng·ml−1 versus 612.13 ± 315.720 h·ng·ml−1. Co‐administration of SHR2554 and itraconazole caused 7.73‐, 12.47‐, and 23.75‐fold adjusted geometric mean ratios increases in SHR2554 Cmax, AUC0−∞ and AUC0−t respectively. The co‐administration regimen was well tolerated and had a good safety profile.

Conclusions

Compared with a single dose of SHR2554 50 mg, the exposure of SHR2554 in vivo was significantly affected by the combined administration of itraconazole.
Identification of Ferroptosis‐related molecular model and immune subtypes of hepatocellular carcinoma for individual therapy
Authors: Long Shichao , Chen Yuqiao , Wang Ya , Yao Yuanbing , Xiao Shuai , Fu Kai
Published: July 2022

Background

Excessive iron accumulation and lipid peroxidation are primary characteristics of ferroptosis in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Ferroptosis inducer combined with immunotherapy has become a new hope for HCC patients. Therefore, the construction and validation of subtype‐specific sensitivity to ferroptosis inducer will be helpful for hierarchical management and precise individual therapy.

Methods

RNA‐seq transcriptome and clinical data of HCC patients were extracted from International Cancer Genome Consortium (ICGC) dataset and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) dataset. Consistency matrix and data clustering of the both cohorts were constructed by ‘ConsensusClusterPlus’ package. Single‐sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA) analysis was performed to evaluate immune infiltration. Cox analysis was utilized to construct a ferroptosis phenotype‐related prognostic model (FRPM) in HCC. The predictive efficiency of the constructed FRPM was evaluated through Kaplan Meier (K‐M) survival analyses and Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves. The expression levels of candidate genes were detected and validated by Real‐Time PCR between liver cancer tissues and adjacent non‐tumor liver tissues.

Results

45 differentially expressed ferroptosis‐related genes (FRGs) were identified between HCC tissues and non‐tumor liver tissues. Furthermore, four ferroptosis‐associated clusters (FACs) of HCC were established via consensus clustering. Subsequently, we established a FRPM, consisting of four prognostic genes (SLC7A11, SLC1A5, GCLM and SAT1), to evaluate the survival of HCC patients, based on which, patients were divided into high‐risk group and low‐risk group. The high‐risk group exhibited worse survival compared to low‐risk group (p < 0.0001 both in TCGA and ICGC cohorts). Patients belong to different FACs or different risk scores showed distinct clinical characteristics. Moreover, in the validation experiment, the transcriptional expression levels of the four prognostic genes were consistent with the results drew from datasets.

Conclusion

We revealed a novel FRGs signature, which may provide the molecular characteristic data for effectively prognostic evaluation and potential personalized therapy for HCC patients.
Isolation, Characterization and Anticomplementary Activity of Polysaccharides from the Rhizomes of Belamcanda chinensis (L.) DC.
Authors: Duan Yuanqi , Hu Zhengyu , Jin Long , Zong Tieqiang , Huang Yanyan , Sun Jinfeng , Zhou Wei , Li Gao
Published: July 2022

The polysaccharides from the rhizomes of Belamcanda chinensis (L.) DC. (BCPs) were obtained by optimal water extraction (extraction temperature 84 °C, liquid to solid ratio 42 mL/g and extraction time 100 min), the extraction yield of BCPs was 23.01±0.27 % (n=3). Furthermore, two novel polysaccharides (BCP‐A1 and BCP‐B1) were purified by column chromatography. The BCP‐A1 (6.0820×104 kDa) was composed of β‐D‐Manp‐(1→, β‐D‐Glcp‐(1→, →4)‐α‐D‐Galp‐(1→ and →3,4)‐β‐D‐Galp‐(1→, and BCP‐B1 (2.2744×104 kDa) was composed of →5)‐α‐L‐Araf‐(1→, β‐D‐Manp‐(1→, β‐D‐Glcp‐(1→, →4)‐α‐D‐Glcp, →4)‐α‐D‐Galp‐(1→, →4)‐α‐D‐GalpA‐(1→ and →3,4)‐β‐D‐Galp‐(1→. In anticomplementary experiments, BCP‐A1 (CH50: 0.009±0.003 mg/mL; AP50: 0.015±0.003 mg/mL) and BCP‐B1 (CH50: 0.004±0.001 mg/mL; AP50: 0.028±0.005 mg/mL) exhibited potent anticomplementary activity, and acted on C2‐, C4‐ and Factor B components. Our study provides a foundation for BCP‐A1 and BCP‐B1 as potential complement inhibitors to treat diseases involving with excessive activation of the complement system.
Modelling and gas–solid mixing characterization in the jiggled bed reactor (JBR)
Authors: Cai Timothy , Mao Pengzhi , Berruti Franco , Briens Cedric
Published: July 2022

The jiggled bed reactor (JBR) is a new multiphase laboratory‐scale microreactor consisting of a sealed container attached to a piston that is rapidly moved up and down by a pneumatically powered actuator. Particles and fluids in the container are mixed by this up and down motion instead of mechanical agitators or a fluidizing gas. This alternating motion provides intense mixing of all phases (gas, liquid, or solid) and intense contact between phases. Small rods inside the solids bed are heated by induction, allowing for excellent control of bed temperature and heating rate. The JBR is inexpensive and easy to operate, and it has been applied to catalytic gasification of bio‐oil, biomass pyrolysis, activated carbon production, high‐pressure oil hydrogenation, and hydrocarbons adsorption. Experiments demonstrated that solids mixing depends on the reactor platform maximum accelerations during both up and down strokes. A minimum acceleration, 55 m2/s for the tested JBR, was required to achieve good solids mixing. A physical model was developed to predict the reactor platform motion and its maximum acceleration. It requires a few preliminary experiments (around 10) to obtain its four empirical parameters. The model can then determine how to adjust the actuator compressed air pressure or modify the equipment to eliminate performance bottlenecks.
Recovery of valeric acid using green solvents
Authors: Mukherjee Sourav , Munshi Basudeb
Published: July 2022

In this work, extraction of valeric acid (VA) using tri‐n‐butyl phosphate (TBP) as a reactive extractant was carried out. To reduce the toxic effects of the conventional diluents on microorganisms, non‐toxic and green edible sunflower and soybean oils were tried as the diluents. The high values of the distribution coefficient and extraction efficiency advocated to use them in the bio‐refinery industries. Moreover, it shows intensification of the recovery of VA using reactive extraction process. Sunflower oil appeared to be a better diluent than soybean oil. The complexation reaction stoichiometry (m and n) and equilibrium complexation reaction constant were estimated by using the differential evolution technique. In spite of the loading ratio being less than 0.5, the estimated m/n was found to be more than 1.0. The higher values of occurred due to the 9higher stability of the VA‐TBP complex in sunflower oil than in soybean oil. The stoichiometry of VA decreased with increasing TBP concentration. The complex concentration, , was found to be higher for soybean oil. It increased with temperature and initial VA concentration but remained invariant with TBP concentration. Due to the decreasing trend of with temperature, the complexation reaction became exothermic. The enthalpy changes due to mass transfer stipulated easier mixing of the phases in sunflower oil than in soybean oil.
Two chemical engineers look at the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: De Visscher Alex , Pinheiro Patrício Paôlla Chrystine
Published: July 2022

Chemical engineering involves a skill set that is transferrable to a broad range of other areas. A case in point is the work that is being done by chemical engineers to better understand and fight the COVID‐19 epidemic. In this study, we consider a problem that has eluded the COVID‐19 research community, which is nevertheless very tractable with a chemical engineering mindset: the true or intrinsic mortality rate of COVID‐19, that is, the fraction or percentage of COVID‐19‐infected people that die of the disease. We solve this problem in two locations (Spain and the state of New York) for the epidemic's first wave using a combination of daily death data, a fit of a computer simulation of an epidemiological model with adjustable parameters, and independent results of immunological blood testing on a random sample of the population. Parallels are drawn with the problem of determining the turnover frequency of a catalyst based on a similar combination of data and approaches. It is concluded from the study that the intrinsic mortality rate of COVID‐19 was 1.45 ± 0.45% during the first wave, a number that reflects OECD countries. By incorporating data on the age dependence of the mortality rate, a relationship fmort = (3.0 ± 0.7) × 10−5 exp(0.1a), where a is the age in years, is tentatively put forward for the mortality rate as a fraction.
The art of painting rainbows—between color science and painter's practice
Authors: Kirchner Eric , Koken Phil
Published: July 2022

We present the first quantitative analysis of representing rainbow colors in historical paintings from Antiquity to the twentieth century. Using high‐resolution photographs of art works we determined and analyzed percentages of areas from painted rainbows covered by different color categories. Our results are the first to quantitatively show that up to the nineteenth century, painters generally did not follow contemporary color theories when painting rainbows. The only evidence of an influence from color theory on painted rainbows is the use of a color scheme consisting of three primary and three secondary colors as described by d'Aguilon (1613) and others. For painting rainbows, this scheme was used for the first time in the early nineteenth century, rising to 6% of all paintings created during that century, and reaching 24% in the twentieth century. We conclude that in the vast majority of paintings, individual color choices by the painter were decisive. Additionally, we identified a few weak trends: (1) color combinations in painted rainbows over time gradually become slightly more similar to the color proportions in natural rainbows; (2) from the Renaissance onward, circa 35%–40% of the painted rainbows consist of orange, yellow and green, sometimes with white as well. This trend may originate from Antiquity; (3) Already from Antiquity a white band was used as an artistic but unrealistic device to create the impression of a luminous arc. This trend reached its maximum in popularity in Baroque, but it is still used in many painted rainbows up to the twentieth century.
Improved chaos‐RSA‐based hybrid cryptosystem for image encryption and authentication
Authors: Gafsi Mohamed , Amdouni Rim , Hajjaji Mohamed Ali , Malek Jihene , Mtibaa Abdellatif
Published: July 2022

This article puts forward a fast chaos‐RSA‐based hybrid cryptosystem to secure and authenticate secret images. The SHA‐512 is used to generate a 512‐bit initial key. The RSA system is used to encrypt the initial secret key and signature generation for both the sender and image authentication. In fact, a powerful block‐cipher algorithm is developed to encrypt and decrypt images with a high level of security. At this stage, a strong PRNG based on four chaotic systems is propounded to generate high‐quality keys. Therefore, an improved architecture is suggested. It performs confusion and diffusion of images with low computational complexity. In the final step, the encrypted secret key, signature, and encrypted image are combined together in order to obtain an encrypted signed image. The block‐cipher algorithm is evaluated in‐depth for several ordinary and medical images with different types, content, and size. The obtained simulation results demonstrate that the system enables high‐level security. The entropy has achieved a value of 7.9998 which is the most important feature of randomness. A comparative study against numerous recent encryption algorithms demonstrates that the proposed algorithm provides good results.
On the Notation of Catastrophes in the Framework of Bonding Evolution Theory: Case of Normal and Inverse Electron Demand Diels‐Alder Reactions
Authors: Ayarde‐Henríquez Leandro , Guerra Cristian , Duque‐Noreña Mario , Rincón Elizabeth , Pérez Patricia , Chamorro Eduardo
Published: July 2022

This paper generalizes very recent and unexpected findings [J. Phys. Chem. A, 2021, 125, 5152–5165] regarding the known “direct‐ and inverse‐electron demand” Diels‐Alder mechanisms. Application of bonding evolution theory indicates that the key electron rearrangement associated with significant chemical events (e. g., the breaking/forming processes of bonds) can be characterized via the simplest fold polynomial. For the CC bond formation, neither substituent position nor the type of electronic demand induces a measurable cusp‐type signature. As opposed to the case of [4+2] cycloaddition between 1,3‐butadiene and ethylene, where the two new CC single bonds occur beyond the transition state (TS) in the activated cases, the first CC bond occurs in the domain of structural stability featuring the TS, whereas the second one remains located in the deactivation path connecting the TS with the cycloadduct.
Zero voltage switching high step‐up boost converter with coupled inductor for renewable energy applications
Authors: Sudarsan Reddy Duttaluri Venkata , Thangavel Subbaiyan
Published: July 2022

This paper proposes a zero‐voltage switching high step‐up boost converter with coupled inductor for renewable energy applications. In this proposed circuit, main and auxiliary switches are turned ON at zero voltage switching to reduce switching losses. The voltage gain of the converter is increased by varying the turns ratio between primary and secondary of the coupled inductor (CI). The voltage spikes at the main switch are mitigated by using active clamping technique. The reverse recovery problem in diodes is alleviated due to leakage inductance of the CI. Zero current switching turn OFF in output diode is achieved, which can enhance the efficiency of the converter. A real‐time model for 100 W proposed converter circuit is developed to verify the theoretical analysis.
A comparison of spectral unmixing to conventional compensation for the calculation of fluorochrome abundances from flow cytometric data
Authors: Novo David
Published: July 2022

Traditionally, flow cytometers acquired data using the same number of detectors as fluorochromes being measured in the experiment. More recently, spectral flow cytometers utilize a larger number of detectors than fluorochromes. This seemingly small difference opens the door to a wide variety of mathematical tools for the calculation of the true fluorochrome abundances from the raw detector values as compared with traditional compensation. This review will provide a brief overview of the mathematics and theory underlying traditional compensation and unmixing focusing on the differences between them and the additional information provided by unmixing approaches.
Predictable hydrology, habitat and food resources determine fish recruitment dynamics in an incised tropical Australian river
Authors: Godfrey Paul C. , Pusey Bradley J. , Pearson Richard G. , Arthington Angela H.
Published: July 2022

The critical role of hydrology in tropical floodplain river systems is well established, but there is limited information on the drivers of larval and juvenile recruitment of freshwater fishes in small tropical rivers. Herein, we describe the patterns of occurrence and abundance of fish larvae, juveniles and adults in the lower reaches of a short, deeply incised coastal river of the Australian Wet Tropics. We expected that several environmental factors, including site proximity to the coast and flow and salinity regimes, would influence the life‐history strategies, distribution and abundance of larval and juvenile fishes. Study sites contained the larval stages of 23 of the 38 native species present, including nine species for which there are no previous larval records from Wet Tropics rivers or elsewhere. Larvae and juvenile fishes of most species exhibited maximum abundance in the benign but productive dry season, but some diadromous species showed peak abundance in tidal riverine/estuarine waters during the wet season. Most species exhibited peak larval abundance during the same months of Years 1 and 2 under similar hydrological, physicochemical water quality and habitat conditions in both years. These results are summarised in a conceptual model depicting how seasonal hydrology interacts with channel and habitat characteristics to influence life‐history strategies and hence spatial and temporal variations in larval fish abundance in Wet Tropics rivers. Our results highlight the importance of seasonal contrasts in flow, habitat structure, water quality and food resources in supporting the variety of life‐history strategies in the fish assemblages.
Fish–parasite interactions: A dataset of continental waters in Mexico involving fishes and their helminth fauna
Authors: García‐Prieto Luis , Dáttilo Wesley , Rubio‐Godoy Miguel , Pérez‐Ponce de León Gerardo
Published: July 2022

Most of the available knowledge in the literature on Mexican fishes and their parasites refers to information within political divisions and/or hydrological basins in the country. Indeed, only a few studies have analyzed the helminth fauna of these vertebrates as a biological group distributed nation‐wide. This lack of available knowledge prevents the study of several basic and applied aspects involving fish–parasite interactions at different spatial and temporal scales. In this dataset, we compiled all the available geographic information on fish–helminth parasite interactions involving native and exotic fish species recorded in continental waters throughout the Mexican territory. After an exhaustive filtering and the curation of information, our data set contains 5999 records of 361 freshwater fish species (roughly 70% of known freshwater fish species occurring in Mexico) and 483 endo‐ and ectoparasitic helminths collected over an 85‐year period (from 1936–2021) in 1070 localities distributed throughout Mexico. These records are mainly concentrated in only a few states located to the south and east of the country; although all states have been sampled and all major basins in Mexico are represented. The fish order with the highest number of records was Perciformes (n = 2325, 38.75%) while the fish family with the highest number of records was Cichlidae (n = 1741, 29.02%). Native species of fishes corresponded to 92.14% of the records (n = 5528) and fish‐associated parasites were found in 41 habitat types in/on their host bodies. Regarding fish parasites, we found that most of the records are from the phylum Platyhelminthes (n = 4495, 74.92%). At the class level, we observed that Trematoda reached the highest number of records (n = 2965, 49.42%). Moreover, we found that Diplostomidae (n = 917, 15.25%) were the family of trematodes with the highest number of records. Most parasites were registered in their adult stage (n = 3730, 62.17%), followed by larval stages (n = 2267, 37.78%). We hope that the fish–parasite interactions data set will encourage researchers worldwide to explore different ecological and coevolutionary aspects of fishes and their helminth parasites, as well as provide useful information for the better implementation of conservation initiatives. There are no copyright restrictions; please cite this data paper when using its data in publications or teaching events.
Warm temperature and alkaline conditions accelerate environmental RNA degradation
Authors: Jo Toshiaki , Tsuri Kenji , Hirohara Takaya , Yamanaka Hiroki
Published: July 2022

Recent developments in environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis allow more rapid and extensive biomonitoring than traditional capture‐based surveys do. However, detection of eDNA not derived from living organisms may lead to false‐positive inferences of species presence. Such limitations may be overcome by utilizing RNA molecules present in the environment (environmental RNA [eRNA]) because of their physiochemical instability. Nevertheless, the biomonitoring performance of eRNA analysis remains unclarified because of the substantial lack of knowledge regarding basic eRNA properties, such as its persistence and degradation mechanisms. Here, we performed a factorial aquarium experiment to assess the effects of water temperature (10, 20, and 30°C) and pH (4, 7, and 10) conditions on the degradation of zebrafish (Danio rerio) eDNA and eRNA, targeting the mitochondrial cytochrome b (CytB) and nuclear beta‐2‐microglobulin (b2m) genes. A linear mixed‐model analysis showed that the degradation of eRNA was significantly faster than that of eDNA. Higher water temperatures promoted both eDNA and eRNA degradation, and alkaline conditions substantially promoted eRNA but not eDNA degradation. This might be explained by the physicochemical characteristics of DNA and RNA molecules, the membranous structure surrounding them, and their susceptibility to environmental microbial activity. Moreover, the relative concentrations of zebrafish eRNA to eDNA decreased over time, inferring that the ratio of eRNA to eDNA concentrations can be used for estimating the elapsed time since the genomic material was released and the freshness of the target eDNA signal in the field. Nevertheless, given that the confidence intervals of the eDNA and eRNA decay rates tended to overlap for each treatment level, this study indicates that fish eRNA is not always degraded rapidly and is, in fact, more abundant in water than previously expected. This result favors the application of eRNA analysis to indicate living biotic assemblages.
Exercise and nutritional interventions on sarcopenia and frailty in heart failure: a narrative review of systematic reviews and meta‐analyses
Authors: Prokopidis Konstantinos , Isanejad Masoud , Akpan Asangaedem , Stefil Maria , Tajik Behnam , Giannos Panagiotis , Venturelli Massimo , Sankaranarayanan Rajiv
Published: July 2022

The purpose of this review is to describe the present evidence for exercise and nutritional interventions as potential contributors in the treatment of sarcopenia and frailty (i.e. muscle mass and physical function decline) and the risk of cardiorenal metabolic comorbidity in people with heart failure (HF). Evidence primarily from cross‐sectional studies suggests that the prevalence of sarcopenia in people with HF is 37% for men and 33% for women, which contributes to cardiac cachexia, frailty, lower quality of life, and increased mortality rate. We explored the impact of resistance and aerobic exercise, and nutrition on measures of sarcopenia and frailty, and quality of life following the assessment of 35 systematic reviews and meta‐analyses. The majority of clinical trials have focused on resistance, aerobic, and concurrent exercise to counteract the progressive loss of muscle mass and strength in people with HF, while promising effects have also been shown via utilization of vitamin D and iron supplementation by reducing tumour necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐a), c‐reactive protein (CRP), and interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) levels. Experimental studies combining the concomitant effect of exercise and nutrition on measures of sarcopenia and frailty in people with HF are scarce. There is a pressing need for further research and well‐designed clinical trials incorporating the anabolic and anti‐catabolic effects of concurrent exercise and nutrition strategies in people with HF.
The development and initial validation of the PROMIS®+HF‐27 and PROMIS+HF‐10 profiles
Authors: Ahmad Faraz S. , Jackson Kathryn L. , Yount Susan E. , Rothrock Nan E. , Kallen Michael A. , Lacson Leilani , Bilimoria Karl Y. , Kho Abel N. , Mutharasan Raja Kannan , McCullough Peter A. , Bruckel Jeffrey , Fedson Savitri , Kimmel Stephen E. , Eton David T. , Grady Kathleen L. , Yancy Clyde W. , Cella David
Published: July 2022

Aims

Heart failure (HF) is a common and morbid condition impacting multiple health domains. We previously reported the development of the PROMIS®‐Plus‐HF (PROMIS+HF) profile measure, including universal and HF‐specific items. To facilitate use, we developed shorter, PROMIS+HF profiles intended for research and clinical use.

Methods and results

Candidate items were selected based on psychometric properties and symptom range coverage. HF clinicians (n = 43) rated item importance and clinical actionability. Based on these results, we developed the PROMIS+HF‐27 and PROMIS+HF‐10 profiles with summary scores (0–100) for overall, physical, mental, and social health. In a cross‐sectional sample (n = 600), we measured internal consistency reliability (Cronbach's alpha and Spearman–Brown), test–retest reliability (intraclass coefficient; n = 100), known‐groups validity via New York Heart Association (NYHA) class, and convergent validity with Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ) scores. In a longitudinal sample (n = 75), we evaluated responsiveness of baseline/follow‐up scores by calculating mean differences and Cohen's d and comparing with paired t‐tests. Internal consistency was good to excellent (α 0.82–0.94) for all PROMIS+HF‐27 scores and acceptable to good (α/Spearman–Brown 0.60–0.85) for PROMIS+HF‐10 scores. Test–retest intraclass coefficients were acceptable to excellent (0.75–0.97). Both profiles demonstrated known‐groups validity for the overall and physical health summary scores based on NYHA class, and convergent validity for nearly all scores compared with KCCQ scores. In the longitudinal sample, we demonstrated responsiveness for PROMIS+HF‐27 and PROMIS+HF‐10 overall and physical summary scores. For the PROMIS+HF overall summary scores, a group‐based increase of 7.6–8.3 points represented a small to medium change (Cohen's d = 0.40–0.42). For the PROMIS+HF physical summary scores, a group‐based increase of 5.0–5.9 points represented a small to medium change (Cohen's d = 0.29–0.35).

Conclusions

The PROMIS+HF‐27 and PROMIS+HF‐10 profiles demonstrated good psychometric characteristics with evidence of responsiveness for overall and physical health. These new measures can facilitate patient‐centred research and clinical care, such as improving care quality through symptom monitoring, facilitating shared decision‐making, evaluating quality of care, assessing new interventions, and monitoring during the initiation and titration of guideline‐directed medical therapy.
Transgelin exacerbates pulmonary artery smooth muscle cell dysfunction in shunt‐related pulmonary arterial hypertension
Authors: Zhou Jing‐jing , Yang Jian , Li Li , Quan Rui‐lin , Chen Xiao‐xi , Qian Yu‐ling , Huang Li , Wang Pei‐he , Li Yue , Meng Xian‐min , Chen Xi , Gu Qing , He Jian‐Guo
Published: July 2022

Aims

Orchestrating the transition from reversible medial hypertrophy to irreversible plexiform lesions is crucial for pulmonary arterial hypertension related to congenital heart disease (CHD‐PAH). Transgelin is an actin‐binding protein that modulates pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cell (PASMC) dysfunction. In this study, we aimed to probe the molecular mechanism and biological function of transgelin in the pathogenesis of CHD‐PAH.

Methods and results

Transgelin expression was detected in lung tissues from both CHD‐PAH patients and monocrotaline (MCT)‐plus aortocaval (AV)‐induced PAH rats by immunohistochemistry. In vitro, the effects of transgelin on the proliferation, migration, and apoptosis of human PASMCs (HPASMCs) were evaluated by the cell count and EdU assays, transwell migration assay, and TUNEL assay, respectively. And the effect of transgelin on the expression of HPASMC phenotype markers was assessed by the immunoblotting assay. (i) Compared with the normal control group (n = 12), transgelin expression was significantly overexpressed in the pulmonary arterioles of the reversible (n = 15) and irreversible CHD‐PAH group (n = 4) (reversible group vs. control group: 18.2 ± 5.1 vs. 13.6 ± 2.6%, P < 0.05; irreversible group vs. control group: 29.9 ± 4.7 vs. 13.6 ± 2.6%, P < 0.001; irreversible group vs. reversible group: 29.9 ± 4.7 vs. 18.2 ± 5.1, P < 0.001). This result was further confirmed in MCT‐AV‐induced PAH rats. Besides, the transgelin expression level was positively correlated with the pathological grading of pulmonary arteries in CHD‐PAH patients (r = 0.48, P = 0.03, n = 19). (ii) Compared with the normal control group (n = 12), TGF‐β1 expression was notably overexpressed in the pulmonary arterioles of the reversible (n = 15) and irreversible CHD‐PAH group (n = 4) (reversible group vs. control group: 14.8 ± 4.4 vs. 6.0 ± 2.5%, P < 0.001; irreversible group vs. control group: 20.1 ± 4.4 vs. 6.0 ± 2.5%, P < 0.001; irreversible group vs. reversible group: 20.1 ± 4.4 vs. 14.8 ± 4.4, P < 0.01). The progression‐dependent correlation between TGF‐β1 and transgelin was demonstrated in CHD‐PAH patients (r = 0.48, P = 0.04, n = 19) and MCT‐AV‐induced PAH rats, which was further confirmed at sub‐cellular levels. (iii) Knockdown of transgelin diminished proliferation, migration, apoptosis resistance, and phenotypic transformation of HPASMCs through repressing the TGF‐β1 signalling pathway. On the contrary, transgelin overexpression resulted in the opposite effects.

Conclusions

These results indicate that transgelin may be an indicator of CHD‐PAH development via boosting HPASMC dysfunction through positive regulation of the TGF‐β1 signalling pathway, as well as a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of CHD‐PAH.
Synergic Palladium Catalysis for Aerobic Oxidative Coupling
Authors: Tabaru Kazuki , Obora Yasushi
Published: July 2022

Aerobic oxidative coupling is a dehydrogenative organic transformation in which molecular oxygen acts as a re‐oxidant for the catalyst system. Pd has emerged as one of the most popular transition metal catalysts for such reactions. Combinations of Pd with other transition metal catalysts can also provide effective catalytic cycles together with highly atom‐ and step‐economical organic transformations. A synergic Pd catalyst system can promote such reactions with a high degree of efficiency based on a re‐oxidation step exhibiting improved kinetics in which two electrons are transferred from another transition metal. This occurs in conjunction with a lower energy barrier than that associated with direct re‐oxidation by molecular oxygen. This review highlights recent developments in aerobic oxidative coupling reactions catalyzed by synergic combinations of Pd with other transition metals. Highlighted reactions include dehydrogenative C−C bond formation such as arylation of arenes, heteroarenes, alkenes and dehydrogenative C−N and C−O bond formations with unsaturated hydrocarbons such as alkenes, 1,3‐dienes and allenes. Moreover, mechanistic insights into these aerobic reactions based on experimental, computational and optical studies are detailed.
A comparative assessment of performance, combustion, and emissions of a gasoline port and direct injection camless engine
Authors: Tripathy Srinibas , Srivastava Dhananjay Kumar
Published: July 2022

The lower part‐load efficiency of the spark‐ignition (SI) engine is because of the higher pumping loss during the gas exchange process. In this study, the part‐load efficiency of a port fuel injection (PFI) and gasoline direct injection (GDI) camless engines were investigated. An in‐house developed electro‐pneumatic variable valve actuation (VVA) system controls the camless engine's intake valve events. The effect of un‐throttled operation with early intake valve closings (EIVC) on performance, combustion, and emissions was analyzed. The IVC timing for GDI camless engine was found to be lower (2°–7° crank angle) than the PFI camless engine for all operating conditions due to the in‐cylinder charge cooling. Hence, the pumping mean effective pressure (PMEP) for GDI camless engine was reduced, and brake specific fuel consumption (BSFC) was improved (maximum 2.1%) compared to the PFI camless engine. The THC and CO emissions were higher for GDI camless engine due to the relatively in‐homogeneous mixture formation, whereas the NOx emission was lower for all operating conditions.
Ongoing landscape transience in the eastern Amazon Craton consistent with lithologic control of base level
Authors: Fadul Camila M. , Oliveira Pedro , Val Pedro
Published: July 2022

Geomorphic features such as drainage captures, knickpoints, paleochannels, and wind‐gaps have long been observed in the Amazon region and typically thought to result from climate change and intraplate tectonics. The influence of rock type as a trigger of these landscape transients is largely overlooked. In the eastern Guiana Shield of the Amazon Craton, shield rivers flow over to the sedimentary rocks of the Amazon Basin across a sharp lithologic transition before their confluence with the Amazon River. This transition is marked by an expressive main escarpment (ME) formed over resistant sandstones of the basal units of the Amazon Sedimentary Basin. Here, systematic patterns of divide migration and river captures provide a natural laboratory to study the influence of rock type in landscape transience in a cratonic setting. Through quantitative geomorphologic analysis of the topography, drainage divides, and rivers, we investigate if this sharp lithologic transition contributed to the observed patterns of drainage rearrangement. The results revealed that rivers of larger drainage areas flowing across shorter lengths over the resistant rocks of the ME systematically capture neighbouring basins. We argue that, as tributaries draining the shield respond to downcutting and/or base‐level fall of the Amazon River, bedrock incision and knickpoint propagation are differentially slowed down by the resistant rocks according to their incision capacity, generating a series of transients such as drainage capture and divide migration. The widespread and systematic geomorphic features suggest this mechanism could be an important autogenic control of drainage network rearrangement in the Amazon region and other post‐orogenic landscapes as well. The protracted exhumation of resistant rocks in cratons and intraplate settings may keep landscapes in perpetual disequilibrium depending on their lithological complexity and offer an exceptional natural laboratory to study landscape dynamics associated with rock type.
Coastal aeolian sediment transport in an active bed surface layer: Tracer study and conceptual model
Authors: Uphues Charlotte F. K. , van IJzendoorn Christa O. , Hallin Caroline , Pearson Stuart G. , van Prooijen Bram C. , Miot da Silva Graziela , de Vries Sierd
Published: July 2022

Coastal aeolian sediment transport is influenced by supply‐limiting factors caused by sediment sorting by grain size. Sorting processes can lead to coarsening of the bed surface and influence the formation of aeolian ripples. However, the influence sorting processes and bedforms might have on the magnitude of the transport is not fully understood. This study explores sorting processes and their influence on the magnitude and mode of aeolian transport by using sediment tracers. Sand was painted in different colors according to particle size and placed on a supratidal beach in Noordwijk, the Netherlands. Several experiments were conducted with varying wind speeds. Surface sampling and cameras tracked the sand color movement on the bed surface, and wind velocity was measured. The tracer experiments showed that ripples developed in moderate wind conditions. Once the ripples had formed, the supply of finer tracer grains in the downwind direction decreased over time, while the supply of coarser grains remained constant. A linear relationship between ripple migration speed and wind speed was found. For higher wind speeds, no ripples or differences in transport of grain size fractions were observed. Instead, alternating phases of erosion and deposition of the bed surface were observed, which could not be related to local variations in wind velocity. Based on these results and literature, a conceptual model was developed for an active bed surface layer with two transport regimes corresponding to moderate (I) and high (II) wind speeds. The conceptual model is intended to guide the selection of aeolian sediment transport models as a function of wind speed, bed characteristics, and upwind sediment supply. For Regime I, transport could be modeled using a linear relationship between sediment transport and wind speed and for Regime II using a third power relationship in combination with a process‐based model accounting for supply limitations.
Reversible hydrogen adsorption in Ti‐functionalized porous holey graphyne: Insights from first‐principles calculation
Authors: Dewangan Juhee , Mahamiya Vikram , Shukla Alok , Chakraborty Brahmananda
Published: July 2022

By performing the density functional theory simulations, we have studied the H2 adsorption and desorption properties of the Ti‐functionalized holey graphyne system. The simulation results revealed that the Ti atom is bonded strongly to the holey graphyne sheet with a binding energy of −4.16 eV through the Dewar interaction. The Ti‐functionalized holey graphyne can capture 7H2 molecules with an average H2 adsorption energy of −0.38 eV/H2, leading to a hydrogen gravimetric density of 10.52 wt%. The average desorption temperature is computed by the Van't Hoff relation and obtained to be 486 K, optimum for practical applications. The adsorbed H2 molecules are attached with the Ti‐functionalized holey graphyne via the Kubas interactions involving charge donation and back donation between Ti‐3d orbitals and H‐1 s orbital. Subsequently, the ab initio molecular dynamics simulations have been conducted to verify the structural constancy of the storage media. We have found a sufficiently high energy barrier of 2.3 eV that prevents the system from metal‐metal clustering. Therefore, the Ti‐functionalized holey graphyne can be utilized as a promising high‐capacity reversible hydrogen storage medium.