bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fabrication of CoFe‐layered double hydroxide for flame retardant and smoke suppression of silicone rubber foam
Authors: Shang Ke , Jiang Huijing , Zhao Jing , Zhao Bi , Jin Xing , Lin Guide , Yang Jinjun , Wang Junsheng
Published: August 2024

In order to improve the flame retardancy and smoke suppression of silicone rubber foam (SRF), the CoFe‐LDH was fabricated by coprecipitation method and used as flame‐retardant ingredient in SRF. The influence of CoFe‐LDH on the flame retardancy, combustion behavior, and thermal stability of SRF was investigated. The results demonstrate that SRF containing only 1.0 phr CoFe‐LDH can pass V‐0 rating in the vertical combustion test, with a limiting oxygen index of 28.6%. The total heat release and total smoke production are 22.2% and 61.1% lower than that of SRF, respectively. Moreover, CoFe‐LDH can improve the thermal stability of SRF in the high temperature range, and the char residue at 900°C of SRF/LDH composite is obviously higher than that of pure SRF. In addition, to further understand the flame‐retardant mechanism of CoFe‐LDH, the micromorphology of the char residue and the gaseous products during heating for SRF and SRF/LDH composite were analyzed. The results indicate that CoFe‐LDH exhibits excellent flame‐retardant effects in both condensed and gaseous phases for its functions of catalysis, carbonization, and nonflammable gas release. This study provides a more efficient and convenient strategy for the flame retardant and smoke suppression research of SRF.
Impact of lignocellulosic nanofiber source on the performance of polylactic acid
Authors: Linares Maidelys González , Delgado Aguilar Marc , Tarrés Joaquim , Aguado Roberto , Pereira Miguel , Valerio Oscar
Published: August 2024

Composites based on polylactic acid (PLA) were developed, using lignocellulosic nanofibers (LCNF) dispersed in polyethylene glycol (PEG). To evaluate the impact of LCNF sources, suspensions were prepared from different pulps, including only cellulose; other with cellulose and hemicellulose; and cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin. The PLA/PEG ratio was 80/20, with LCNF concentrations of 1.25%, 2.5%, and 3.75% (w/w) relative to the PLA/PEG weight. The best results were achieved with 2.5% (w/w) of LCNF containing a blend of cellulose and hemicellulose, showing a 26% increase in tensile strength and 102% in Young's modulus compared with the PLA/PEG matrix. The hemicellulose in LCNF acts as a physical barrier between cellulose chains, demonstrating a lower tendency for agglomeration and greater compatibility with PEG and PLA, as evidenced by decreased zeta potential due to the adsorption of PEG and shifts in the CO peak in the FTIR spectra. At 3.75 LCNF concentration, micrometer‐sized fibers were observed in SEM images, impacting the mechanical properties of the composites. Thermograms show no phase separation, and the change in crystallinity due to the addition of nanofibers has minimal influence on mechanical properties. These findings highlight the importance of selecting appropriate lignocellulosic nanoparticles for improved material performance.
The impact of extraction method and pollen concentration on community composition for pollen metabarcoding
Authors: Devriese Arne , Peeters Gerrit , Brys Rein , Jacquemyn Hans
Published: August 2024

Premise

Plants and pollinators closely interact with each other to form complex networks of species interactions. Metabarcoding of pollen collections has recently been proposed as an advantageous method for the construction of such networks, but the extent to which diversity and community analyses depend on the extraction method and pollen concentration used remains unclear.

Methods

In this study, we used a dilution series of two pollen mixtures (a mock community and pooled natural pollen loads from bumblebees) to assess the effect of mechanical homogenization and two DNA extraction kits (spin column DNA extraction kit and magnetic bead DNA extraction kit) on the detected pollen richness and community composition.

Results

All species were successfully detected using the three methods, even in the most dilute samples. However, the extraction method had a significant effect on the detected pollen richness and community composition, with simple mechanical homogenization introducing an extraction bias.

Discussion

Our findings suggest that all three methods are effective for detecting plant species in the pollen loads on insects, even in cases of very low pollen loads. However, our results also indicate that extraction methods can have a profound impact on the ability to correctly assess the community composition of the pollen loads on insects. The choice of extraction methodology should therefore be carefully considered to ensure reliable and unbiased results in pollen diversity and community analyses.
HFIP‐Mediated Dual C(Ar)‐Alkylation Process Towards the Regioselective Synthesis of Triarylmethanes (TRAMs)
Authors: Teli Yaqoob A. , Reetu Reetu , Chanu S. Aleena , Kant Kamal , Keremane Kavya S. , Almeer Rafa , Singh Virender , Malakar Chandi C.
Published: August 2024

The distinct roles of different chemical species are essential for the discovery of novel chemical transformations in organic synthesis. Here, we have designed a potential strategy for the synthesis of triarylmethanes (TRAMs) using the dual C(aryl)‐alkylation process. This protocol was influenced by 1,1,1,3,3,3‐hexafluoroisopropanol (HFIP) as a pivotal reagent and proceeds through the selective para C−H functionalization method. The described approach has been proven to be highly efficient in terms of substrate scope with excellent functional group tolerance and gram scale synthesis of the desired product with 90 % yield. The recyclability and reusability of HFIP has enhanced the feasibility of this protocol towards the sustainable synthesis of TRAMs.
Harnessing green purchase intention of generation Z consumers through green marketing strategies
Authors: Aldaihani Faraj Mazyed Faraj , Islam Md Asadul , Saatchi Seyed Ghasem , Haque Md Anamul
Published: August 2024

Drawing on value‐belief‐norm theory and the theory of planned behavior, this study examines the gap between the application of green marketing strategies and their effectiveness in harnessing green purchase intentions through green attitudes and the use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) by Generation Z consumers. This study explores a mediated moderating model using partial least squares structural equation modeling with data collected from 357 randomly selected Generation Z consumers. The results reveal that among three green marketing strategies—green advertising, green labeling, and green packaging—only green packaging has a direct and positive influence on purchase intention, while the others do not. Moreover, green attitude has been found to be a positive and significant mediator in the relationship between green marketing strategies and purchase intention. This suggests that green marketing strategies cannot directly spark green purchase intentions; instead, the effectiveness of these depends on intervening variables like green attitude. Furthermore, the study also shows that the use of generative AI by young consumers enhances the positive role of green attitude toward purchase intention. Based on the findings, implications for theory and practice are provided, followed by arguments on research limitations and directions for future studies.
Fc receptor‐like A promotes malignant behavior in renal cell carcinoma and correlates with tumor immune infiltration
Authors: Liu Jun‐peng , Jiang Yi‐fan , Liu Jin‐wen , Tian Chong‐jiang , Lin Yu‐zhao , Yang Yun‐zhi , Zhang Ze‐ke , Fang Yi‐liang , Huang Bin , Lin Hao
Published: August 2024

Background

Our study aims to investigate the mechanisms through which Fc receptor‐like A (FCRLA) promotes renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and to examine its significance in relation to tumor immune infiltration.

Materials and Methods

The correlation between FCRLA and data clinically related to RCC was explored using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), then validated using Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) gene chip data. Enrichment and protein–protein interaction (PPI) network analyses were performed for FCRLA and its co‐expressed genes. FCRLA was knocked down in RCC cell lines to evaluate its impact on biological behavior. Then the potential downstream regulators of FCRLA were determined by western blotting, and rescue experiments were performed for verification. The relevance between FCRLA and various immune cells was analyzed through GSEA, TIMER, and GEPIA tools. TIDE and ESTIMATE algorithms were used to predict the effect of FCRLA in immunotherapy.

Results

Fc receptor‐like A was associated with clinical and T stages and could predict the M stage (AUC = 0.692) and 1–3‐ and 5‐year survival rates (AUC = 0.823, 0.834, and 0.862) of RCC patients. Higher expression of FCLRA predicted an unfavorable overall survival (OS) in TCGA‐RCC and GSE167573 datasets (p = 0.03, p = 0.04). FCRLA promoted the malignant biological behavior of RCC cells through the pERK1/2/‐MMP2 pathway and was associated with tumor immune microenvironment in RCC.

Conclusion

Fc receptor‐like A is positively correlated with poor outcomes in RCC patients and plays an oncogenic role in RCC through the pERK1/2‐MMP2 pathway. Patients with RCC might benefit from immunotherapy targeting FCRLA.
RBBP4: A novel diagnostic and prognostic biomarker for non‐small‐cell lung cancer correlated with autophagic cell death
Authors: Zhan Yajing , Zhang Zhiqian , Yin Ankang , Su Xiyang , Tang Nan , Chen Yi , Zhang Zebin , Chen Wei , Wang Juan , Wang Wei
Published: August 2024

Background

Non‐small‐cell lung cancer (NSCLC) often presents at later stages, typically associated with poor prognosis. Autophagy genes play a role in the progression of tumors. This study investigated the clinical relevance, prognostic value, and biological significance of RBBP4 in NSCLC.

Methods

We assessed RBBP4 expression using the GSE30219 and TCGA NSCLC datasets and NSCLC cells, exploring its links with clinical outcomes, tumor immunity, and autophagy genes through bioinformatics analysis after transcriptome sequencing of RBBP4‐knockdown and control PC9 cells. We identified differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and conducted Gene Ontology, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment, and protein–protein interaction network analyses. The significance of autophagy‐related DEGs was evaluated for diagnosis and prognosis using the GSE30219 dataset. Experiments both in vivo and in vitro explored the biological mechanisms behind RBBP4‐mediated autophagic cell death in NSCLC.

Results

RBBP4 overexpression in NSCLC correlates with a poorer prognosis. Eighteen types of immune cell were significantly enriched in cultures that had low RBBP4 expression compared high expression. DEGs associated with RBBP4 are enriched in autophagy pathways. Transcriptomic profiling of the PC9 cell line identified autophagy‐related DEGs associated with RBBP4 that exhibited differential expression in NSCLC, suggesting prognostic applications. In vitro experiments demonstrated that RBBP4 knockdown induced autophagy and apoptosis in PC9 cells, promoting cell death, which was inhibited by 3‐MA. In vivo, targeted siRNA against RBBP4 significantly reduced tumor development in PC9 cell‐injected nude mice, elevating autophagy‐related protein levels and inducing apoptosis and necrosis in tumor tissues.

Conclusion

In NSCLC, RBBP4 upregulation correlates with poor prognosis and altered immunity. Its knockdown induces autophagic cell death in NSCLC cells. These results indicate RBBP4 as a potential NSCLC diagnostic marker and its autophagy modulation as a prospective therapeutic target.
Guthrie's legacy: The scientific discipline of cereal chemistry
Authors: Békés Ferenc
Published: August 2024

This article is a transcript of the distinguished Guthrie Award lecture presented by Dr. Frank Bekes at the 73rd Australasian Grain Science Conference in September 2023. The lecture gives a fascinating account of the origin of the discipline of cereal chemistry.
Novel cable‐like tin@carbon whiskers derived from the Ti2SnC MAX phase for ultra‐wideband electromagnetic wave absorption
Authors: Hu Feiyue , Ding Pei , Wu Fushuo , Zhang Peigen , Zheng Wei , Sun Wenwen , Zhang Rui , Cai Longzhu , Fan Bingbing , Sun ZhengMing
Published: August 2024

One‐dimensional (1D) metals are well known for their exceptional conductivity and their ease of formation of interconnected networks that facilitate electron migration, making them promising candidates for electromagnetic (EM) attenuation. However, the impedance mismatch from high conductivity and their singular mode of energy loss hinder effective EM wave dissipation. Construction of cable structures not only optimizes impedance matching but also introduces a multitude of heterojunctions, increasing attenuation modes and potentially enhancing EM wave absorption (EMA) performance. Herein, we showcase the scalable synthesis of tin (Sn) whiskers from a Ti2SnC MAX phase precursor, followed by creation of a 1D tin@carbon (Sn@C) cable structure through polymerization of PDA on their surface and annealing in argon. The EMA capabilities of Sn@C significantly surpass those of uncoated Sn whiskers, with an effective absorption bandwidth reaching 7.4 GHz. Remarkably, its maximum radar cross section reduction value of 27.85 dB m2 indicates its exceptional stealth capabilities. The enhanced EMA performance is first attributed to optimized impedance matching, and furthermore, the Sn@C cable structures have rich SnO2/C and Sn/SnO2 heterointerfaces and the associated defects, which increase interfacial and defect‐induced polarization losses, as visually demonstrated by off‐axis electron holography. The development of the Sn@C cable structure represents a notable advancement in broadening the scope of materials with potential applications in stealth technology, and this study also contributes to the understanding of how heterojunctions can improve EMA performance.
Structure‐Activity Relationship of Fluorinated Benzenesulfonamides as Inhibitors of Amyloid‐β Aggregation
Authors: Žvirblis Mantas , Sakalauskas Andrius , Ali Janvand Saeid Hadi , Dudutienė Virginija , Žiaunys Mantas , Sniečkutė Rūta , Otzen Daniel E. , Smirnovas Vytautas , Matulis Daumantas
Published: August 2024

Amyloid‐beta aggregation is considered one of the factors influencing the onset of the Alzheimer's disease. Early prevention of such aggregation should alleviate disease condition by applying small molecule compounds that shift the aggregation equilibrium toward the soluble form of the peptide or slow down the process. We have discovered that fluorinated benzenesulfonamides of particular structure slowed the amyloid‐beta peptide aggregation process by more than three‐fold. We synthesized a series of ortho‐para and meta‐para double‐substituted fluorinated benzenesulfonamides that inhibited the aggregation process to a variable extent yielding a detailed picture of the structure‐activity relationship. Analysis of compound chemical structure effect on aggregation in artificial cerebrospinal fluid showed the necessity to arrange the benzenesulfonamide, hydrophobic substituent, and benzoic acid in a particular way. The amyloid beta peptide aggregate fibril structures varied in cross‐sectional height depending on the applied inhibitor indicating the formation of a complex with the compound. Application of selected inhibitors increased the survivability of cells affected by the amyloid beta peptide. Such compounds may be developed as drugs against Alzheimer's disease.
EU Regulatory Compliance of Renewable Fuels from Steel Mill Gases and Exhaust Gases
Authors: Tenhumberg Nils
Published: August 2024

The production of renewable and sustainable fuels must comply with the EU regulatory framework (Renewable Energy Directive (EU) 2023/2413, Commission Delegated Regulations (EU) 2023/1184, and (EU) 2023/1185) for the use of renewable energy in the transport sector. The utilization of steel mill gases (SMGs) and alternative CO2 sources (waste incineration plants (WIPs), lime industry) to produce renewable fuels of non‐biological origin (RFNBOs) and recycled carbon fuels (RCFs) are attractive options as a high share of RFNBOs can be achieved with a significant reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions compared to fossil fuel use.
RuO2/Cysteine Nanocomposites for High‐Performance Supercapacitors
Authors: Zhang Rui , Guo Yan , Zhu Xiaoyu , Dou Maoyan , Tao Tao , He Hui , Gong Ziqin
Published: August 2024

RuO2/Cysteine (RuO2/Cys) nanocomposites were synthesized using a facile high‐temperature hydrothermal method, with improved specific capacitance and good electrochemical durability. The advantage of using cysteine is that its molecule is rich in ligands such as carboxyl, sulfhydryl, and amino groups, which can be easily bound to hydrated RuO2, thus facilitating its effective dispersion. Analyses of its morphology, structure, and chemical composition showed that the incorporation of L‐cysteine greatly inhibited the agglomeration of RuO2 and improved its dispersion, and the scale of RuO2 was reduced from the original micrometer scale to the nanometer scale. Such structures facilitated proton transfer and electron transfer, so RuO2/Cys nanocomposites showed significantly improved specific capacitance, up to 1221.7 F g−1, and the energy density was up to 108.6 Wh kg−1 with a power density of 400.2 W kg−1 at 1 A g−1 in a 0.5 M H2SO4 electrolyte. The combination of L‐cysteine with RuO2 also effectively prevented the deformation of RuO2 in the redox process, and the capacitance retention rate was increased to 87.7% compared to 48.8% of pristine RuO2 after 10,000 charging‐discharging cycles. High capacitance performance and improved cyclic stability enable RuO2/Cys nanocomposite to be a favorable electrode material for wide applications in energy storage.
Population Pharmacokinetics of Naloxegol in Pediatric Subjects Receiving Opioids
Authors: Hruska Matthew W. , Mascelli Mary Ann , Liao Sam , Liao Lori , Davies Patrick , Kong Jennifer , Marsteller Douglas A.
Published: August 2024

The pharmacokinetics (PK) of naloxegol were characterized in pediatric subjects, aged 6 months or older to less than 18 years who either have or are at risk of developing opioid‐induced constipation following single dose administration. Subjects grouped as aged 12 years or older to less than 18 years, 6 months or older to less than 12 years, and 6 months or older to less than 6 years, received a single oral dose of naloxegol at doses that were estimated to achieve plasma exposures comparable to adult 12.5‐ or 25‐mg doses. Intensive and sparse plasma naloxegol samples were collected to assess naloxegol concentrations. Data were combined with previously collected adult PK data and used to estimate PK parameters using population PK analyses. Naloxegol PK was described using a 2‐compartment model with Weibull‐type absorption. Neither age nor body weight was identified as a significant covariate indicating similar PK properties in adult and pediatric subjects. PK estimates in the youngest age group were approximately 80% less than those in adults (12.5‐mg equivalent dose). Exposures in the other pediatric groups were similar to those in adult equivalent doses. The PK of naloxegol were characterized as linear over the dose range, with no clinically significant covariates and comparable PK characteristics in adults and pediatric subjects aged 6 months or older.
Runtime performance of a GAMESS quantum chemistry application offloaded to GPUs
Authors: Sosonkina Masha , Mateescu Gabriel , Xu Peng , Sattasathuchana Tosaporn , Pham Buu , Gordon Mark S. , Leang Sarom S.
Published: August 2024

Computational chemistry is at the forefront of solving urgent societal problems, such as polymer upcycling and carbon capture. The complexity of modeling these processes at appropriate length and time scales is mainly manifested in the number and types of chemical species involved in the reactions and may require models of several thousand atoms and large basis sets to accurately capture the chemical complexity and heterogeneity in the physical and chemical processes. The quantum chemistry package General Atomic and Molecular Electronic Structure System (GAMESS) has a wide array of methods that can efficiently and accurately treat complex chemical systems. In this work, we have used the GAMESS Effective Fragment Molecule Orbital (EFMO) method for electronic structure calculation of a challenging mesoporous silica nanoparticle (MSN) model surrounded by about 4700 water molecules to investigate the strong scaling and GPU offloading on hybrid CPU‐GPU nodes. Experiments were performed on the Perlmutter platform at the National Energy Research Scientific Computing Center. Good strong scaling and load balancing have been observed on up to 88 hybrid nodes for different settings of the execution parameters for the calculation considered here. When GPUs are oversubscribed by offloading work from multiple CPU processes, using the NVIDIA multi‐process service (MPS) has consistently reduced time to solution and energy consumed. Additionally, for some configuration parameter settings, oversubscription with MPS improved performance by up to 5.8% over the case without oversubscription.
Production of Jet Fuel Range Aromatics by Alkylation of Benzene with Olefins over Bifunctional Ga/ZSM‐5 Catalyst
Authors: Wu Yushan , Guo Shuai , Wang Jida , Xu Junchen , Ding Mingyue
Published: August 2024

Aromatic components of C8−C15 are playing indispensable roles in multi‐functional properties of jet fuel. Here, we reported the controllable alkylation of benzene with mixed olefins of ethylene and propylene toward C8−C15 aromatic hydrocarbons for jet fuels over the bifunctional Ga/ZSM‐5 catalyst. The resultant 2Ga/ZSM‐5 exhibited a superior selectivity of 86.4 % (yield of 55.5 %) to C8−C15 range aromatics, at benzene conversion of 40.3 %, ethylene and propylene conversion of 99.5 % and 99.2 %, respectively. The incorporation of Ga species could effectively weaken the strong acid sites of ZSM‐5 and endow 2Ga/ZSM‐5 catalyst with appropriate acidity, therefore facilitating the benzene alkylation process and suppressing the undesired hydrogen transfer or aromatization side reactions as well, thus improving the yield of desired C8−C15aromatics for jet fuels. This work provided insight into the development of promising bifunctional catalyst for the oriented transformation of biomass‐derived chemicals to aviation fuels.
Blood Parameters in Children and Adolescents With Underweight and Atypical Anorexia Nervosa
Authors: Flamarique I. , Pineda M. , Tasa‐Vinyals E. , Borràs R. , Susana Andrés‐Perpiñá , Moreno E. , Martínez E. , Hilker I. , Plana M. T. , Mora M. , Castro‐Fornieles J.
Published: August 2024

Objective

This study aimed to identify biochemical, hematological, and endocrinological abnormalities in a sample of children and adolescents with underweight AN and atypical AN and to compare these results between the two groups.

Method

Based on the 5th BMI‐percentile admission, adolescents with underweight AN (n = 520) and atypical AN (n = 255) were included and medical records were reviewed.

Results

Low prealbumin (35%) and neutropenia (39%), and several abnormalities in endocrinological parameters (50%) were the most common alterations found in the whole sample. Compared to the atypical AN group, the underweight AN group had significantly higher frequencies of elevated cholesterol (OR = 2.50; p < 0.001) and alanine aminotransferase (OR = 0.22; p = 0.005) and of reduced insulin‐like growth (IGF) factor‐1 (OR = 0.29; p < 0.001), T3 (OR = 0.46; p < 0.001), luteinizing hormone (OR = 0.24; p < 0.001), follicle stimulating hormone (OR = 0.58; p = 0.004), and 17b‐estradiol (OR = 0.39; p < 0.001). However, other blood parameters showed similar alterations in both groups.

Discussion

Both groups showed abnormalities in the same blood parameters, but some abnormal parameters were more common in the underweight AN group. These results suggest that atypical AN and underweight AN could present similar risks of certain medical complications.
Influence of conspecifics and road noise on the properties of the advertisement call of Phyllodytes luteolus (Anura, Hylidae)
Authors: Marques de Abreu Leonardo , Guerra Vinicius , Solé Mirco
Published: August 2024

Acoustic communication in animals can be affected by multiple biotic (intra and interspecific) and abiotic (e.g., wind and rain) natural noises. In addition, human beings produce additional novel sources of noise, which can reduce or inhibit the reception of acoustic signals by conspecifics, leading to behavioral changes. In this study, we investigated whether sound of conspecifics and road noise additively affect the acoustic parameters of the advertisement call of males of a Yellow Heart‐tongued Frog (Phyllodytes luteolus). We hypothesized that males that vocalize in choruses (males calling nearby) and in areas close to highways (anthropic noise) will increase their temporal and spectral acoustic parameters, respectively, to avoid acoustic signal masking. We recorded the vocalizations of 38 males in environments close (N = 18) to and distant (N = 20) from highways in different social contexts (many or few individuals calling nearby). Contrary to our expectation, the results indicated that males calling in areas close to highways had lower dominant frequency calls than those from natural areas (far from highways), and that the density of males in the chorus had no influence on the acoustic parameters. Furthermore, we found a positive relationship between body size and intensity, indicating that larger individuals can emit calls that can reach greater distances. The advertisement call of Phyllodytes luteolus has a high dominant frequency, with little overlap with the frequency of anthropic noises (roads), which may explain its presence and reproductive success of this species in bromeliads from urbanized areas.
Spatiotemporal and weather effects on the reproductive success of piping plovers on Prince Edward Island, Canada
Authors: Guild Ryan , Wang Xiuquan , Hirtle Sarah , Mader Shannon
Published: August 2024

Piping plovers (Charadrius melodus sp.) rank among North America's most endangered shorebird species, facing compounding environmental challenges that reduce habitat availability and suppress recruitment and survival rates. Despite these challenges, research on the direct effects of climate variability and extremes on their breeding ecology remains limited. Here, we employ a spatiotemporal modelling approach to investigate how location, nest timing and weather conditions influence reproductive success rates in a small breeding population of C. m. melodus in Prince Edward Island (PEI), Canada from 2011 to 2023. Analysis of 40 years of monitoring records from a subset of nesting sites revealed that flooding and predation have been persistent sources of reproductive failures in this population, with unexplained losses increasing in recent years. Contrary to our hypotheses, our modelled results did not support a negative impact of extreme high temperatures and strong precipitation events on reproductive outcomes. Instead, we identified a positive effect of TMAX and no effect of strong precipitation, perhaps due to limited exposure to extreme high temperatures (>32°C) and context‐specific risks associated with precipitation‐induced flooding. However, trends in regional climate change are likely to increase exposure to—and the influence of—such factors in the near future. Our models also identified spatiotemporal variability in apparent hatch success over the study period, as well as worse hatch outcomes across popular beachgoing regions and for delayed nesting attempts. While our results offer preliminary insights into factors affecting breeding success in this population, further research will be imperative to enhance understanding of constraints on recruitment. To this end, we encourage the collection and analysis of additional time‐series data of prey populations, human activities, fine‐scale weather data and predator/flood risks associated with each nest on PEI.
Phenotypic covariation predicts diversification in an adaptive radiation of pupfishes
Authors: Dunker Julia C. , St. John Michelle E. , Martin Christopher H.
Published: August 2024

Phenotypic covariation among suites of traits may constrain or promote diversification both within and between species, yet few studies have empirically tested this relationship. In this study, we investigate whether phenotypic covariation of craniofacial traits is associated with diversification in an adaptive radiation of pupfishes found only on San Salvador Island, Bahamas (SSI). The radiation includes generalist, durophagous, and lepidophagous species. We compared phenotypic variation and covariation (i.e., the P matrix) between (1) allopatric populations of generalist pupfish from neighboring islands and estuaries in the Caribbean, (2) SSI pupfish allopatric lake populations with only generalist pupfish, and (3) SSI lake populations containing the full radiation in sympatry. Additionally, we examine patterns observed in the P matrices of two independent lab‐reared F2 hybrid crosses of the two most morphologically distinct members of the radiation to make inferences about the underlying mechanisms contributing to the variation in craniofacial traits in SSI pupfishes. We found that the P matrix of SSI allopatric generalist populations exhibited higher levels of mean trait correlation, constraints, and integration with simultaneously lower levels of flexibility compared to allopatric generalist populations on other Caribbean islands and sympatric populations of all three species on SSI. We also document that while many craniofacial traits appear to result from additive genetic effects, variation in key traits such as head depth, maxilla length, and lower jaw length may be produced via non‐additive genetic mechanisms. Ultimately, this study suggests that differences in phenotypic covariation significantly contribute to producing and maintaining organismal diversity.
Dolphins, sharks, and barnacles: Use of photographs to examine intra‐ and inter‐specific interactions in bottlenose dolphins in Mozambique
Authors: Marley Sarah A. , McConnell Laura , Allen Chloe , Wettner Shaye , Hunt Thomas , Rocha Diana , Gullan Angie
Published: August 2024

Understanding interactions within and between species is crucial to ecological research. However, for cetaceans such interactions can be difficult to observe in the field. Photographs offer an opportunity to study intra‐ and inter‐specific interactions, by capturing ‘snapshots’ of their occurrence over space and time. At‐surface and underwater photographs of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops aduncus) inhabiting Ponta do Ouro Partial Marine Reserve (PPMR), Mozambique, were used to examine evidence of interactions with other dolphins, predators and ectoparasites. Intra‐specific scarring levels significantly differed by sex and age class, with males displaying more scarring than females. Similarly, adults had more scarring than juveniles or calves. Shark bites significantly differed in their distribution across dolphin body areas, with the dorsal side being more frequently wounded than the ventral side. The presence of barnacles was exclusive to fluke, dorsal and pectoral fins, and showed strong seasonal trends. Overall, this study demonstrates the value of photographs for examining marine ecological interactions. It provides the first insights regarding dolphin social behaviour, predation risk and health for this population. These in turn will support future research into the population dynamics and conservation of the PPMR dolphins, which is urgently required in the face of locally increasing anthropogenic pressures.
Dining in danger: Resolving adaptive fish behavior increases realism of modeled ecosystem dynamics
Authors: Schnedler‐Meyer Nicolas A. , Andersen Tobias K.
Published: August 2024

Animals occupying higher trophic levels can have disproportionately large influence on ecosystem structure and functioning, owning to intricate behavioral responses to their environment, but the effects of behavioral adaptations on aquatic ecosystem dynamics are underrepresented, especially in model studies. Here, we explore how adaptive behavior of fish can affect the dynamics of aquatics ecosystems. We frame fish behavior in the context of the central trade‐off between feeding and predation, calculating the optimal level of feeding determined by ambient food availability and predation risk. To explore whole‐ecosystem consequences of fish behavior, we embed our behavioral model within the Water Ecosystems Tool (WET), a contemporary end‐to‐end aquatic ecosystem model. The principle of optimality provides a robust and mechanistic framework for representing animal behavior that is relevant for complex models, and can provide a stabilizing effect on model dynamics. The model predicts an emergent functional response similar to Holling type III, but with richer dynamics and a more rigorous theoretical foundation. We show how adaptive fish behavior works to stabilize food web dynamics compared to a control model with no optimal behavior, and how changing the strength of the underlying trade‐off has profound effects on trophic control and food web structure. Furthermore, we demonstrate how including fish behavior allows for an overall more realistic response of the model system to environmental perturbation in the form of nutrient enhancement. We discuss the structuring effects of behavioral adaptations in real ecosystems, and how approaches like this one may benefit aquatic ecological modeling. Our study further highlights how a mechanistic approach based on concepts from theoretical ecology can be successfully implemented in complex operational models resulting in improved dynamics and descriptive power.
Phenotypic variation in hypocotyl elongation among elite sand rice (Agriophyllum squarrosum) lines
Authors: Liu Yujie , Cui Xiaoyun , Li Xiaofeng , Ran Ruilan , Chen Guoxiong , Zhao Pengshan
Published: August 2024

Sand rice (Agriophyllum squarrosum), widely distributed in Central Arid Asia and prevalent in the sand dunes of northern China, presents a promising potential as a climate‐resilient crop. The plasticity of hypocotyl growth is the key trait for sand rice to cope with wind erosion and sand burial, ensure seedling emergence, and determine plant architecture. In this study, we assessed the overall hypocotyl phenotype of six sand rice elite lines, which were collected from different regions of northern China, and selected by our group over past decade through common garden trials. Significant phenotypic variations were observed in thousand‐seed weight (TSW), seedling emergence percentage, hypocotyl length and diameter, and seedling fresh weight among the lines. The elite line Aerxiang (AEX) exhibited excellent agronomic performance with superior and synchronous emergence, and high survival percentage, distinguishing itself as a prime candidate for further large‐scale cultivation. Contrastingly, the lines from the arid regions showed markedly lower performance. Partial Least Squares Path Modeling (PLSPM) was used to assess the impact of seed provenance climate factors, including annual mean temperature (AMT) and annual mean precipitation (AMP), on trait variability among lines. The findings indicate a significant correlation between climate factors and hypocotyl length, highlighting the intricate adaptation of sand rice to local climate. The comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms behind phenotypic variations offers valuable insights for sand rice de novo domestication and innovative germplasm resources, and lays the foundation for ecological restoration in sandy areas.
Assessing the information‐content of messy data to reconstruct population recovery dynamics for the world's rarest primate
Authors: Turvey Samuel T. , Lau Erika Y. X. , Duncan Clare , Ma Heidi , Liu Hui
Published: August 2024

Understanding the dynamics of population recovery in threatened species requires robust longitudinal monitoring datasets. However, evidence‐based decision‐making is often impeded by variable data collection approaches, necessitating critical evaluation of restricted available baselines. The Hainan gibbon, the world's rarest primate, had possibly declined to only seven or eight individuals in 1978 at Bawangling National Nature Reserve but has experienced subsequent population growth. Past population estimates lack detailed reporting of survey effort, and multiple conflicting estimates are available, hindering assessment of gibbon recovery. We investigated all reported estimates of Bawangling gibbon population size from 1978 to 2022, to evaluate the biological signal of population trends and the extent to which noise associated with varying survey effort, reporting and estimation may mask or misrepresent any underlying signal. This longitudinal dataset demonstrates that the Bawangling population experienced a series of bottlenecks and recoveries, with three successive periods of growth interspersed by population crashes (1978–1989, 1989–2000 and 2000–2022). The rate of gibbon population recovery was progressively slower over time in each successive period of growth, and this potential decline in recovery rate following serial bottlenecks suggests that additional management strategies may be required alongside “nature‐based solutions” for this species. However, population viability analysis suggests the 1978 founder population is unlikely to have been as low as seven individuals, raising concerns for interpreting reported historical population counts and understanding the dynamics of the species' recovery. We caution against overinterpreting potential signals within “messy” conservation datasets, and we emphasise the crucial importance of standardised replicable survey methods and transparent reporting of data and effort in all future surveys of Hainan gibbons and other highly threatened species.
Combining spaceborne lidar from the Global Ecosystem Dynamics Investigation with local knowledge for monitoring fragmented tropical landscapes: A case study in the forest–agriculture interface of Ucayali, Peru
Authors: Cooley Savannah S. , Pinto Naiara , Becerra Milagros , Alvarado Jorge Washington Vela , Fahlen Jocelyn C. , Rivera Ovidio , Fricker G. Andrew , Dantas Augusto Rafael De Los Ríos , Aguilar‐Amuchastegui Naikoa , Reygadas Yunuen , Gan Julie , DeFries Ruth , Menge Duncan N. L.
Published: August 2024

Improving our ability to monitor fragmented tropical ecosystems is a critical step in supporting the stewardship of these complex landscapes. We investigated the structural characteristics of vegetation classes in Ucayali, Peru, employing a co‐production approach. The vegetation classes included three agricultural classes (mature oil palm, monocrop cacao, and agroforestry cacao plantations) and three forest regeneration classes (mature lowland forest, secondary lowland forest, and young lowland vegetation regrowth). We combined local knowledge with spaceborne lidar from NASA's Global Ecosystem Dynamics Investigation mission to classify vegetation and characterize the horizontal and vertical structure of each vegetation class. Mature lowland forest had consistently higher mean canopy height and lower canopy height variance than secondary lowland forest (μ = 29.40 m, sd = 6.89 m vs. μ = 20.82 m, sd = 9.15 m, respectively). The lower variance of mature forest could be attributed to the range of forest development ages in the secondary forest patches. However, secondary forests exhibited a similar vertical profile to mature forests, with each cumulative energy percentile increasing at similar rates. We also observed similar mean and standard deviations in relative height ratios (RH50/RH95) for mature forest, secondary forest, and oil palm even when removing the negative values from the relative height ratios and interpolating from above‐ground returns only (mean RH50/RH95 of 0.58, 0.54, and 0.53 for mature forest, secondary forest, and oil palm, respectively) (p < .0001). This pattern differed from our original expectations based on local knowledge and existing tropical forest succession studies, pointing to opportunities for future work. Our findings suggest that lidar‐based relative height metrics can complement local information and other remote sensing approaches that rely on optical imagery, which are limited by extensive cloud cover in the tropics. We show that characterizing ecosystem structure with a co‐production approach can support addressing both the technical and social challenges of monitoring and managing fragmented tropical landscapes.
Palladium‐Catalyzed Amide Directed Regioselective γ‐Alkenylation of Unactivated Alkenes with Vinylcyclopropanes
Authors: Keerthana Meledath Sudhakaran , Jeganmohan Masilamani
Published: August 2024

Herein, we have demonstrated a palladium‐catalyzed γ‐alkenylation of unactivated alkenes with vinylcyclopropanes. A bidentate 8‐aminoquinoline directing group was utilized for the regioselective γ‐C(alkenyl)−H functionalization of unactivated alkenes with vinylcyclopropanes. This protocol exhibits wide substrate scope and good selectivity. Additionally, substrate diversification was performed to demonstrate the synthetic utility of the protocol. Mechanistic investigations were carried out to provide an insight to the reaction mechanism. A plausible mechanism was also proposed for the present methodology.
Enhancing understanding of the rotating magnetic field in electric machines through active learning and visualization
Authors: Abbasian Mohammadali
Published: August 2024

This paper presents a method aimed at improving comprehension of AC electric machine principles by facilitating the learning of the Rotating Magnetic Field (RMF) through visualization tools provided by Finite Element Method (FEM) software. First, traditional methods used in textbooks to explain RMF in electric machines are reviewed, with an analysis of various instructional strategies. Acknowledging the limitations of these conventional approaches and the inherent complexity of RMF comprehension, a novel visualization method is proposed. Understanding RMFs in electric machines is fundamental for electrical engineers due to their crucial role in electric machine design and optimization. While textbooks typically rely on mathematical explanations and simple sketches, advancements in computer and software technology offer opportunities to utilize finite element tools for enhanced comprehension. Through dynamic animations and interactive simulations, emphasis is placed on prioritizing conceptual understanding over mathematical descriptions. Furthermore, this paper explores the development of pre‐simulation models in FEM tools to facilitate RMF learning in AC electric machines, and the process of creating a model to teach rotating magnetic fields in electric machines is carefully outlined. This approach holds promise for engineers seeking a deeper understanding of electric machines and can also be utilized by educators to enhance their teaching methodologies.
Preliminary development and validation of the Indonesian Pediatric Epilepsy Questionnaire (INA‐PEPSI) to determine epilepsy and distinguish focal and generalized epilepsy in infants and children with unprovoked seizure in low‐resource settings
Authors: Handryastuti Setyo , Tiansyah Rizal Agus , Mangunatmadja Irawan , Saputra Deddy R. , Octaviana Fitri , Budikayanti Astri , Alatas Fatima Safira , Pusponegoro Hardiono D. , Tridjaja Bambang , Soebandi Amanda
Published: August 2024

Objective

To outline the preliminary development and validation of a questionnaire for diagnosing epilepsy and distinguishing focal and generalized epilepsy among infants and children in Indonesia, where electroencephalography and pediatric neurologists are generally not available.

Methods

A 10‐question questionnaire comprising of 43 items was developed through literature review and expert panel discussions. Then, the questionnaire was administered by pediatricians to 75 children aged 1 month to 18 years old presenting with >1 episode of unprovoked seizures at an interval of >24 h. Subsequently, the questionnaire was assessed for content validity with item‐level and scale‐level content validity indices and ratio, construct validity with item‐total correlation tests, criterion validity with diagnostic parameter assessments, and inter‐rater reliability using Cohen's kappa (κ) and internal consistency with Cronbach's alpha (α) coefficient.

Results

The questionnaire exhibited favorable internal validity and reliability in diagnosing epilepsy and distinguishing focal and generalized epilepsy, with excellent content (both indices and ratio at 1) and construct validity (rcount > rtable at p < 0.001), inter‐rater reliability (κ = 0.86 and κ = 0.84), and internal consistency (α = 0.634 and α = 0.806). The questionnaire had a sensitivity and specificity of 96.4% (95%CI 89.1–99.5%) and 95.0% (79.5–99.6%) (area under the curve [AUC] 0.946 [0.900–0.992, p < 0.001]) in diagnosing epilepsy and 80.0% (57.4–95.7%) and 97.4% (89.7–99.2%) (AUC 0.889 [0.783–0.995, p < 0.001]) in distinguishing focal and generalized epilepsy, with a misdiagnosis rate of 4.0%.

Significance

The questionnaire shows promising potential in diagnosing epilepsy and distinguishing focal and generalized epilepsy. Further external validation studies in larger and more diverse populations are required to confirm our findings.

Plain Language Summary

The diagnosis of epilepsy in children is challenging, particularly in resource‐limited settings such as Indonesia, where advanced diagnostic tests and pediatric neurologists are scarce. The Indonesian Pediatric Epilepsy Questionnaire (INA‐PEPSI) is designed to address these limitations by enabling healthcare professionals in Indonesia to diagnose epilepsy and classify its types without relying on advanced diagnostic tools. Although the questionnaire is still in the early stages of development and validation, this study demonstrates that the questionnaire exhibits good overall diagnostic performance in diagnosing epilepsy and distinguishing epilepsy types among Indonesian children.
Investigation of an eco‐friendly polyacrylic acid binder system on LiFePO4 cathode electrode processing to enhance the performance of coin‐cell and pouch‐cell graphite||LiFePO4 batteries
Authors: Vo Tram Tran Bich , Nguyen Minh Thu , Pham Thanh Liem , Nguyen Trung Thien , Tran Van Gia , Tran Van Man , Le Phung My Loan
Published: August 2024

This study investigates the influence of two types of binders (aqueous and nonaqueous) on the LiFePO4 (LFP) electrode processing and its electrochemical properties. Specifically, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) and polyacrylic acid (PAA) were dissolved in NMP (N‐methyl‐2‐pyrrolidone) or the aqueous solvent (H2O) at varying mass ratios of 5%, 10%, and 15%. Binder durability and inertness were assessed by immersing prepared LFP electrodes in an electrolyte comprising 1.0 M LiPF6 in EC:DEC:DMC (1:1:1 in vol%). Notably, PVDF/NMP 10% and PAA/H2O 10%‐based electrodes displayed good durability without peeling. Electrochemical characteristics were evaluated through cycling voltammetry and galvanostatic cycling with potential limitation. The PAA/H2O 10%‐based‐LFP electrode exhibited a specific capacity of ~148.9 mAh g−1 with a Coulombic efficiency (CE) of around 97.27%, surpassing PVDF/NMP 10%. The graphite||PAA/H2O 10%‐based‐LFP electrode in a full cell demonstrated higher capacity and superior retention after 30 cycles. In a pouch cell (6 cm × 4 cm), utilizing graphite||LFP with PAA/H2O 10%, a capacity of 25.5 mAh was achieved, maintaining 93% capacity with a CE of about 99% after 30 cycles at a rate of 0.1C.