bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Microbial Biotransformation of Iridoid Glycosides from Gentiana Rigescens by Penicillium Brasilianum
Authors: Xu Li‐Li , Liu Chang , Han Zhu‐Zhen , Han Han , Yang Li , Wang Zheng‐Tao 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThis study aimed to investigate the metabolic effects of endophytic fungi in Gentiana rigescens. From the 100 selected morphospecies, strain 7‐2 (Penicillium brasilianum) showed a remarkable biocatalytic activity for gentiopicroside and swertiamarin, yielding seven products, including one new compound, 5‐ethylidene‐8‐hydroxy‐4,5,6,8‐tetrahydropyrano[3,4‐c]pyran‐1‐one (M04), alongside six known compounds. Gentianine (M01) was the only metabolite of swertiamarin in this study, while the remaining ones were all gentiopicroside metabolites. Among these, five compounds: gentianine (M01), (5S,6S)‐5‐(hydroxymethyl)‐6‐methyl‐5,6‐dihydro‐1H,3H‐pyrano[3,4‐c]pyran‐1‐one (M02), (5R,6S)‐5‐(hydroxymethyl)‐6‐methyl‐5,6‐dihydro‐1H,3H‐pyrano[3,4‐c]pyran‐1‐one (M03), 2‐(3‐formyl‐2‐oxo‐3,6‐dihydro‐2H‐pyran‐4‐yl)but‐3‐enoic acid (M06), and 2‐oxo‐4‐(1‐oxobut‐3‐en‐2‐yl)‐3,6‐dihydro‐2H‐pyran‐3‐carboxylic acid (M07) were similar to gentiopicroside metabolites in humans. Screening the metabolic potential of endophytic fungi in Gentiana rigescens provides an outstanding source for assessing the bioactive metabolites of iridoid glycosides. The above findings suggested that the endophytic fungi of G. rigescens possess multi‐enzyme systems that mimic metabolic reactions in mammalian organisms.
Competency‐based learning (CBL): Developing a competency‐based geometry methods course
Authors: Lee Joohi , Pant Mohan 
Published: October 2020

AbstractObjectivesThis study aims to investigate the feasibility and efficacy of competencybased course (Conceptual Geometry). In addition, this paper presents the procedures of developing competency‐based course which include mapping out competencies of the course, developing a set of assessment instruments (e.g., diagonal, pre‐and post‐unit assessments, CBL comprehensive pre‐and post‐assessments).MethodsOne hundred seventy‐nine graduate students who enrolled in a 5‐week Conceptual Geometry online course participated in this study. During the session, three sets of assessments were administered to assess the baseline of student knowledge (diagonal assessment), effectiveness (comprehensive pre‐and post‐assessments, and student content knowledge (5 sets of pre‐and post‐unit assessments).ResultsThe results of this study showed that implementing an online CBL course is feasible and effective at a course level. Students showed higher scores on all of the post‐unit assessments (M = 95.45, SD = 4.62) than on the pre‐unit assessments (M = 69.42, SD = 7.77). This result supports the increase of student knowledge associated with geometry contents and pedagogy. The post‐comprehensive assessment results show an increase of student efficacy in geometry knowledge and skills using CBL course (pre‐assessment: M = 4.49, SD = 0.86; and post‐assessment: M = 5.14, SD = 0.40) which supports the increase of student efficacy of both content and pedagogical knowledge.
Potential effects of transdermal nitric oxide donor on fetal growth restriction and oligohydramnios: A case report
Authors: Murata Tsuyoshi , Fukuda Toma , Sato Tetsu , Kanno Aya , Kyozuka Hyo , Yasuda Shun , Yamaguchi Akiko , Kin Shogo , Fujimori Keiya 
Published: October 2020

AbstractTransdermal nitric oxide donor may be a relatively safe treatment strategy for fetal growth restriction and oligohydramnios due to placental insufficiency.
Plasmonic Materials: Opportunities and Challenges on Reticular Chemistry for Photocatalytic Applications
Authors: Becerra Jorge , Gopalakrishnan Vishnu Nair , Quach Toan‐Anh , Do Trong‐On 
Published: October 2020

AbstractSolar‐light harvesting materials currently represent a hot topic in catalysis due to the several applications where they can be used. Among the recent strategies to enhance the photocatalytic performance of semiconductor materials, plasmonic metals are trending. Coupling plasmonic metal nanoparticles with a semiconductor material can give unique synergistic effects and properties. Especially when reticular materials, like metal organic frameworks, are used to generate these plasmonic nanocomposites. Herein, a brief introduction to the localized surface plasmon resonance and reticular materials design and fabrication is given. Also, the advantages of plasmonic with reticular nanostructures are discussed. The following highlights summarize recent advances in sunlight‐driven plasmonic reactions (CO2 photoreduction, water depollution, gas sensing, and optical reactions). Theoretical and experimental approaches are discussed, regarding mechanistic phenomena of nanocomposites with reticular materials and surface plasmon metals. A proper discussion and perspective of the remaining challenges and future opportunities for plasmonic metals with reticular materials in the field of photocatalysis is given in the overview and conclusion.
In Situ Depositing Ag NPs on PDA/SiW11V Co‐encapsulated Fe3O4@TiO2 Magnetic Microspheres as Highly Efficient and Durable Visible‐light‐driven Photocatalysts
Authors: Wu Panfeng , Xue Qi , Liu Jiquan , Wang Tianyu , Feng Caiting , Liu Bin , Hu Huaiming , Xue Ganglin 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThe design and preparation of highly efficient and durable visible‐light‐driven photocatalysts remain a great challenge in the environment remediation. In this paper, a new multi‐component composite, Fe3O4@TiO2@PDA/SiW11V−Ag, is successfully fabricated by in situ assembling Ag nanoparticles (NPs) onto polydopamine (PDA) and mono‐vanadium substituted silicotungstate (SiW11VO406−, simplified as SiW11V) co‐encapsulated Fe3O4@TiO2 magnetic microspheres. In the photodegradation of methyl orange (MO) and photocatalytic reduction of Cr(VI) under visible light, the multi‐component composite displays the enhanced catalytic efficiency in comparison with other catalysts with less‐components. Structure‐reactivity relationship is established based on the correlation between photocatalytic efficiency and transient photocurrent intensity. Notably, the multi‐component composite exhibits high stability and durability in wide range of pH aqueous solutions and most of organic solvents. The successful preparation of this novel type of materials provides a promising approach for constructing stable photocatalysts with multi‐components, where poor compatibility of each component can be well bridged via PDA as an efficient linker and charge transport.
Surface analysis of polymer films for wettability and ink adhesion
Authors: Aydemir Cem , Altay Bilge Nazli , Akyol Merve 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThe interaction between inks and substrates is critical during printing. Adhesion of the ink film is determined by the reciprocal interactions of polar and nonpolar (dispersive) components between polymer films and inks. The greater the similarity between the polar and dispersive components of inks, coating and substrates, the better the wetting and adhesion on the surface of printing substrate. Various liquid materials in printing such as inks, varnishes, lacquers, and adhesives contain high ratios of water. The highly polar nature of water makes the interaction of these materials unsuitable with predominantly disperse polymer surfaces. Some films with polyolefin structure, especially polypropylene, and polyethylene, are nonpolar and cannot form strong bonds with ink, varnish, or lacquer coatings due to their chemical structure. Increasing surface energy components overcomes the poor wetting and adhesion on polymer surfaces. In this review, the topics of water contact angle measurement and determination of surface energy, surface tension, and using sessile drop method for the wettability and ink adhesion of polymer films are surveyed. Information on structural and chemical processes was given that assists in obtaining wettable film surfaces. Recommendations were made for good adhesion and printability based on surface treatment methods and ink modification.
Designed Single Atom Bifunctional Electrocatalysts for Overall Water Splitting: 3d Transition Metal Atoms Doped Borophene Nanosheets
Authors: Xu Mingxia , Zhang Xiuyun , Liu Yaqi , Zhao Xinli , Liu Yongjun , Wu Ruchun , Wang Jinlan 
Published: October 2020

AbstractSingle atom catalysts (SAC) for water splitting hold the promise of producing H2 in a highly efficient and economical way. As the performance of SACs depends on the interaction between the adsorbate atom and supporting substrate, developing more efficient SACs with suitable substrates is of significance. In this work, inspired by the successful fabrications of borophene in experiments, we systematically study the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) activities of a series of 3d transition metal‐based SACs supported by various borophene monolayers (BMs=α_sheet, α1_sheet, and β1_sheet borophene), TM/BMs, using density functional theory calculations and kinetic simulations. All of the TM/BMs systems exhibit superior HER performance compared to Pt with close to zero thermoneutral Gibbs free energy (ΔGH*) of H adsorption. Furthermore, three Ni‐deposited systems, namely, Ni/α_BM, Ni/α1_BM and Ni/β1_BM, were identified to be superior OER catalysts with remarkably reduced overpotentials. Based on these results, Ni/BMs can be expected to serve as stunning bifunctional electrocatalysts for water splitting. This work provides a guideline for developing efficient bifunctional electrocatalysts.
Walking the talk in family firms. An empirical investigation of CSR communication and practices
Authors: Venturelli Andrea , Principale Salvatore , Ligorio Lorenzo , Cosma Simona 
Published: October 2020

AbstractFamily firms are embarking on a virtuous path increasingly oriented toward sustainable development. The corporate social responsibility (CSR), more and more regarded as a positive driver for the reputation and preservation in the medium to long term for the company, is now an element that falls within the credit valuations of banking firms. Our research investigates CSR communication and practices in small and medium‐sized family businesses. Using the socioemotional wealth perspective, we analyze the effect of family control and influence on CSR behavior. We perform a Poisson regression on an Italian regional sample of 200 family businesses. Our study reveals a greater propensity of family businesses to practices rather than CSR communication. Family control has a positive effect on CSR practices, while family involvement has an adverse effect on CSR communication. Besides, strong control and involvement have a negative effect on CSR communication.
Design and control of a reconfigurable high‐gain battery integrated dc‐dc boost converter for time‐varying loads
Authors: Saxena Anmol Ratna , Kumar Deepak 
Published: October 2020

SummaryIn this paper, a reconfigurable, low component count high‐gain battery integrated dc‐dc boost converter (HGBIBC) is proposed for power management of time‐varying loads (TVLs). The battery is integrated between the two switches and the two diodes, which provides an inherent feature of pulse‐charging and pulse‐discharging of the battery, thereby increasing its lifetime. The converter operation, in various modes, is explained, and the steady‐state and time‐domain analyses are performed to establish the high‐voltage gain feature of the converter, which makes it suitable for interfacing sources with low output voltages. The guidelines for the design of converter parameters and selection of switching devices are presented. Small‐signal models are derived, and the relative gain array (RGA) analysis is performed, which revealed that the control loops are of decoupled nature and hence the controllers, for each loop, can be designed independently, as in the case of a single‐input single‐output (SISO) converter. The PID controllers are designed to simultaneously regulate the load voltage and source current. The theoretical concepts developed in the paper are validated experimentally using the laboratory prototype of the converter. The experimental results, demonstrating power management, at load voltages of 60 and 48 V are presented, which are found to be in close correlation with the theoretical and simulation studies.
Influenza‐specific IgG1+ memory B‐cell numbers increase upon booster vaccination in healthy adults but not in patients with predominantly antibody deficiency
Authors: Hartley Gemma E , Edwards Emily S J , Bosco Julian J , Ojaimi Samar , Stirling Robert G , Cameron Paul U , Flanagan Katie , Plebanski Magdalena , Hogarth Philip Mark , O’Hehir Robyn E , van Zelm Menno C 
Published: October 2020

AbstractBackgroundAnnual influenza vaccination is recommended to all individuals over 6 months of age, including predominantly antibody deficiency (PAD) patients. Vaccination responses are typically evaluated by serology, and because PAD patients are by definition impaired in generating IgG and receive immunoglobulin replacement therapy (IgRT), it remains unclear whether they can mount an antigen‐specific response.ObjectiveTo quantify and characterise the antigen‐specific memory B (Bmem) cell compartment in healthy controls and PAD patients following an influenza booster vaccination.MethodsRecombinant hemagglutinin (HA) from the A/Michigan/2015 H1N1 (AM15) strain with an AviTag was generated in a mammalian cell line, and following targeted biotinylation, was tetramerised with BUV395 or BUV737 streptavidin conjugates. Multicolour flow cytometry was applied on blood samples before and 28 days after booster influenza vaccination in 16 healthy controls and five PAD patients with circulating Bmem cells.ResultsRecombinant HA tetramers were specifically recognised by 0.5–1% of B cells in previously vaccinated healthy adults. HA‐specific Bmem cell numbers were significantly increased following booster vaccination and predominantly expressed IgG1. Similarly, PAD patients carried HA‐specific Bmem cells, predominantly expressing IgG1. However, these numbers were lower than in controls and did not increase following booster vaccination.ConclusionWe have successfully identified AM15‐specific Bmem cells in healthy controls and PAD patients. The presence of antigen‐specific Bmem cells could offer an additional diagnostic tool to aid in the clinical diagnosis of PAD. Furthermore, alterations in the number or immunophenotype of HA‐specific Bmem cells post‐booster vaccination could assist in the evaluation of immune responses in individuals receiving IgRT.
Tracking rates of postfire conifer regeneration vs. deciduous vegetation recovery across the western United States
Authors: Vanderhoof Melanie K. , Hawbaker Todd J. , Ku Andrea , Merriam Kyle , Berryman Erin , Cattau Megan 
Published: October 2020

AbstractPostfire shifts in vegetation composition will have broad ecological impacts. However, information characterizing postfire recovery patterns and their drivers are lacking over large spatial extents. In this analysis, we used Landsat imagery collected when snow cover (SCS) was present, in combination with growing season (GS) imagery, to distinguish evergreen vegetation from deciduous vegetation. We sought to (1) characterize patterns in the rate of postfire, dual‐season Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) across the region, (2) relate remotely sensed patterns to field‐measured patterns of re‐vegetation, and (3) identify seasonally specific drivers of postfire rates of NDVI recovery. Rates of postfire NDVI recovery were calculated for both the GS and SCS for more than 12,500 burned points across the western United States. Points were partitioned into faster and slower rates of NDVI recovery using thresholds derived from field plot data (n = 230) and their associated rates of NDVI recovery. We found plots with conifer saplings had significantly higher SCS NDVI recovery rates relative to plots without conifer saplings, while plots with ≥50% grass/forbs/shrubs cover had significantly higher GS NDVI recovery rates relative to plots with <50%. GS rates of NDVI recovery were best predicted by burn severity and anomalies in postfire maximum temperature. SCS NDVI recovery rates were best explained by aridity and growing degree days. This study is the most extensive effort, to date, to track postfire forest recovery across the western United States. Isolating patterns and drivers of evergreen recovery from deciduous recovery will enable improved characterization of forest ecological condition across large spatial scales.
Channel network structure determines genetic connectivity of landward–seaward Avicennia marina populations in a tropical bay
Authors: Triest Ludwig , Van der Stocken Tom , Allela Akinyi Abbie , Sierens Tim , Kairo James , Koedam Nico 
Published: October 2020

AbstractMangrove ecosystems along the East African coast are often characterized by a disjunct zonation pattern of seaward and landward Avicennia marina trees. This disjunct zonation may be maintained through different positions in the tidal frame, yielding different dispersal settings. The spatial configuration of the landscape and coastal processes such as tides and waves is expected to largely influence the extent of propagule transport and subsequent regeneration. We hypothesized that landward sites would keep a stronger genetic structure over short distances in comparison with enhanced gene flow among regularly flooded seaward fringes. We tested this hypothesis from densely vegetated A. marina transects of a well‐documented mangrove system (Gazi Bay, Kenya) and estimated local gene flow and kinship‐based fine‐scale genetic structure. Ten polymorphic microsatellite markers in 457 A. marina trees revealed no overall significant difference in levels of allele or gene diversities between sites that differ in hydrological proximity. Genetic structure and connectivity of A. marina populations however indicated an overall effect of geographic distance and revealed a pronounced distinction between channels and topographic setting. Migration models allowed to infer gene flow directionality among channels, and indicated a bidirectional steppingstone between seaward and nearest located landward stands. Admixed gene pools without any fine‐scale structure were found within the wider and more exposed Kidogoweni channel, suggesting open systems. Elevated kinship values and structure over 5 to 20 m distance were only detected in two distant landward and seaward transects near the mouth of the Mkurumuji River, indicating local retention and establishment. Overall, our findings show that patterns of A. marina connectivity are explained by hydrological proximity, channel network structure, and hydrokinetic energy, rather than just their positioning as disjunct landward or seaward zones.
Endless forms most stupid, icky, and small: The preponderance of noncharismatic invertebrates as integral to a biologically sound view of life
Authors: Czekanski‐Moir Jesse E. , Rundell Rebecca J. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractBig, beautiful organisms are useful for biological education, increasing evolution literacy, and biodiversity conservation. But if educators gloss over the ubiquity of streamlined and miniaturized organisms, they unwittingly leave students and the public vulnerable to the idea that the primary evolutionary plot of every metazoan lineage is “progressive” and "favors" complexity. We show that simple, small, and intriguingly repulsive invertebrate animals provide a counterpoint to misconceptions about evolution. Our examples can be immediately deployed in biology courses and outreach. This context emphasizes that chordates are not the pinnacle of evolution. Rather, in the evolution of animals, miniaturization, trait loss, and lack of perfection are at least as frequent as their opposites. Teaching about invertebrate animals in a “tree thinking” context uproots evolution misconceptions (for students and the public alike), provides a mental scaffold for understanding all animals, and helps to cultivate future ambassadors and experts on these little‐known, weird, and fascinating taxa.
The promise and the perils of resurveying to understand global change impacts
Authors: Stuble Katharine L. , Bewick Sharon , Fisher Mark , Forister Matthew L. , Harrison Susan P. , Shapiro Arthur M. , Latimer Andrew M. , Fox Laurel R. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractHistorical data sets can be useful tools to aid in understanding the impacts of global change on natural ecosystems. Resampling of historically sampled sites (“snapshot resampling”) has often been used to detect long‐term shifts in ecological populations and communities, because it allows researchers to avoid long‐term monitoring costs and investigate a large number of potential trends. But recent simulation‐based research has called the reliability of resampling into question, and its utility has not been comprehensively evaluated. Here we combine long‐term empirical data sets with novel community‐level simulations to explore the accuracy of snapshot resampling of both population‐ and community‐level metrics under a variety of conditions. We show that snapshot resampling often yields spurious conclusions, but the accuracy of results increases when inter‐annual variability in the response variable is low or the magnitude of change through time is high. Snapshot resampling also generally performs better for community‐level metrics (e.g., species richness) as opposed to population‐level metrics pertaining to a single species (e.g., abundance). Finally, we evaluate strategies to improve the accuracy of snapshot resampling, including sampling multiple years at the end of the study, but these produce mixed results. Ultimately, we find that snapshot resampling should be used with caution, but under certain circumstances, can be a useful for understanding long‐term global change impacts.
Population neighborhood density at different scales between grazed and ungrazed communities
Authors: Wang Xinting , Jiang Chao , Yonghong Li Frank , Tai Yang , Liang Cunzhu , Hou Yali , Zhang Weihua 
Published: October 2020

AbstractIt is well recognized that ecological processes are scale‐dependent. Despite this recognition, the influence of scale on population density has still not been explored in detail. While the relationship between population density and overall sampling area is well known, understanding how neighborhood density varies with scale is a persistent challenge. Here, neighborhood density refers to the density of individuals occurring within a ring of radiusrand widthwlocated at distancerfrom the typical individual. In this study, we examined the relationship between population neighborhood density and scale. We then compared the results from the O‐ring analysis between grazed and ungrazed communities in a temperate steppe ecosystem in China. The primary grazers in this ecosystem are domesticated sheep. Our results show that (1) the relationship between neighborhood density and scale can be well described by the O‐ring function; (2) grazing has a substantial impact on neighborhood density and the impact is dependent on spatial scale; specifically, grazing increases the rate of change in neighborhood density across scales and increases plant aggregation at small scales (<0.5 m); and (3) the greater aggregation in grazed communities at larger scales can be attributed to habitat heterogeneity, while the greater aggregation at small scales is likely a result of facilitation between individuals. Together, our results demonstrate that understanding neighborhood density across scales is useful for detecting ecological phenomena and for answering important questions in community ecology, while studies without considering scale dependency of neighborhood density will result in spurious or biased conclusions.