bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A natural resource and institutional theory‐based view of green‐lean‐six sigma drivers for environmental management
Authors: Farrukh Amna , Mathrani Sanjay , Sajjad Aymen 
Published: November 2021

AbstractGreen‐lean‐six sigma (GLSS) is an evolving strategy that can be applied in the manufacturing context to address pressing environmental issues. However, due to a lack of research in this area, investigating the motivations behind GLSS implementation is crucial to develop a deeper understanding of factors that shape the overall environmental management strategy of a firm. Drawing on the natural‐resource‐based view and institutional theory, we explore the GLSS drivers and compare developed and developing country contexts by conducting in‐depth interviews with senior consultants specializing in GLSS implementation from New Zealand (NZ) and Pakistan (PK). Findings reveal that the key drivers of GLSS adoption in NZ are general environmental awareness, creating a company image, and government pressure, whereas the main drivers for PK include cost reduction, international customers' influence, and competitiveness. These findings throw light on the reasons for GLSS adoption in different regions and have significant theoretical and practical implications towards improving environmental performance.
A Three‐Component Synthesis of 3‐Functionally Substituted 5,6‐Dihydropyrrolo[2,1‐a]isoquinolines
Authors: Miftyakhova Almira R. , Borisova Tatiana N. , Titov Alexander A. , Sidakov Matvey B. , Novikov Roman A. , Efimov Ilya V. , Varlamov Alexey V. , Voskressensky Leonid G. 
Published: November 2021

AbstractSynthesis of novel C3‐substituted 5,6‐dihydropyrrolo[2,1‐a]isoquinolines via a three‐component domino reaction of 1‐aroyl‐3,4‐dihydroisoquinolines, terminal alkynes and CH‐acids under microwave irradiation in dry acetonitrile is described. The method developed enables the obtainment of highly functionalized compounds with pharmacophore groups, which are potentially biologically active.
Highly Potent Inhibition of Tyrosinase by Mulberrosides and the Inhibitory Mechanism in Vitro
Authors: Liu Xiang , Rao Jinqiu , Wang Kai , Wang Meijun , Yao Tie , Qiu Feng 
Published: November 2021

AbstractMany stilbene glycosides can alleviate skin hyperpigmentation due to their inhibitory effect on tyrosinase. Mulberrosides in Morus alba L. are stilbene glycosides. In the present study, the inhibition of tyrosinase by five mulberrosides (S1–5), isolated from Morus alba L. was investigated and compared, and the inhibitory mechanism was explored. These five mulberrosides exhibited obvious inhibitory effects on tyrosinase only in a concentration‐dependent manner, without time‐dependence, indicating that they are reversible inhibitors of tyrosinase. S2, S1 and S5 inhibited tyrosinase activity with IC50 values of 28.93, 75.94 and 151.72 μM, respectively, and were more active than kojic acid (IC50=169.13 μM). Kinetic studies revealed that S1, S2 and S4 were competitive inhibitors, while S3 and S5 were mixed inhibitors. Analysis of the fluorescent spectra showed that mulberrosides S1, S2 and S4 quenched the intrinsic fluorescence intensity of tyrosinase. A molecular docking study indicated that the interaction of tyrosinase with mulberrosides was reflected by compound scores as follows: S2>S5>S1>S3/S4>kojic acid, and hydroxy groups in the side chain of mulberrosides may play a crucial role in the binding of the enzyme. Our results suggest that mulberrosides in Morus alba L. could be further developed as whitening agents for enhanced performance against hyperpigmentation.
Synchronous Synthesis of Polymeric Vesicles with Controllable Size and Low‐Polydispersity by Polymerization‐Induced Self‐Assembly
Authors: Zhu Ren‐Man , Yang Cheng‐Lin , Chang Zi‐Xuan , Pan Cai‐Yuan , Zhang Wen‐Jian , Hong Chun‐Yan 
Published: November 2021

Comprehensive SummaryThe size and size distribution of polymeric nanoparticles have great impact on their physicochemical and biological properties. Polymerization‐induced self‐assembly (PISA) has been demonstrated to be an efficient method to fabricate various polymeric nanoparticles, among which polymeric vesicles have attracted great interest due to their unique hollow structure. However, polymeric vesicles with relatively broad size distributions and random size are normally formed, which is problematic for many potential applications. Herein, we report the synthesis of polymeric vesicles with low‐polydispersity and controllable size by polymerization‐induced self‐assembly. A mixed macro RAFT agent of three different poly(ethylene glycol) (PEGm‐CPADB) was used to mediate the RAFT dispersion copolymerization of 7‐(2‐methacryloyloxyethoxy)‐4‐methylcoumarin (CMA) and benzyl methacrylate (BzMA), which generated vesicles with low‐polydispersity (< 0.1) and controllable size in the scope of sub‐100 nm. In comparison, RAFT dispersion copolymerization of CMA and BzMA using a single PEG‐CPADB as the macro RAFT agent generated vesicles with adjustable but obviously larger size and broader size distributions (> 0.1). The results demonstrate that the ternary stabilizers play a crucial role in the formation of small and low‐polydispersity vesicles.
Anticancer Activity and Mechanism of Action Evaluation of an Acylhydrazone Cu(II) Complex toward Breast Cancer Cells, Spheroids, and Mammospheres
Authors: Balsa Lucia M. , Rodriguez Maria R. , Parajón‐Costa Beatriz S. , González‐Baró Ana C. , Lavecchia Martin J. , León Ignacio E. 
Published: November 2021

AbstractThe purpose of this work was to screen the anticancer activity and mechanisms of action of Cu(II)‐acylhydrazone complex [Cu(HL)(H2O)](NO3)⋅H2O, (CuHL), to find a potential novel agent for breast chemotherapies. Cytotoxicity studies on MCF7 cells demonstrated that CuHL has stronger anticancer properties than cisplatin over breast cancer cell models. Computational simulations showed that CuHL could interact in the minor groove of the DNA dodecamer, inducing a significant genotoxic eﬀect on both cancer cells from 0.5 to 1 μM. In this sense, molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations showed that the compound could interact with 20S proteasome subunits. Also, cell proteasome experiments using breast cancer cells revealed that the complex can inhibit proteasomal activity. Moreover, CuHL induced apoptosis in breast cancer cells at very low micromolar concentrations (0.5–2.5 μM) and displayed relevant anticancer activity over spheroids derived from MCF7 cells. Ultimately, CuHL diminished the number of mammospheres formed, disturbing their morphology and size.
Autotuning PolyBench benchmarks with LLVM Clang/Polly loop optimization pragmas using Bayesian optimization
Authors: Wu Xingfu , Kruse Michael , Balaprakash Prasanna , Finkel Hal , Hovland Paul , Taylor Valerie , Hall Mary 
Published: November 2021

AbstractWe develop a ytopt autotuning framework that leverages Bayesian optimization to explore the parameter space search and compare four different supervised learning methods within Bayesian optimization and evaluate their effectiveness. We select six of the most complex PolyBench benchmarks and apply the newly developed LLVM Clang/Polly loop optimization pragmas to the benchmarks to optimize them. We then use the autotuning framework to optimize the pragma parameters to improve their performance. The experimental results show that our autotuning approach outperforms the other compiling methods to provide the smallest execution time for the benchmarks syr2k, 3mm, heat‐3d, lu, and covariance with two large datasets in 200 code evaluations for effectively searching the parameter spaces with up to 170,368 different configurations. We find that the Floyd–Warshall benchmark did not benefit from autotuning. To cope with this issue, we provide some compiler option solutions to improve the performance. Then we present loop autotuning without a user's knowledge using a simple mctree autotuning framework to further improve the performance of the Floyd–Warshall benchmark. We also extend the ytopt autotuning framework to tune a deep learning application.
Syria's uneasy peace: Where does it come from?
Authors: Matveeva Anna 
Published: November 2021

AbstractThe paper explores the challenges faced by societies affected by active conflict, as they regain peace and social cohesion, by discussing perspectives from Syria. It argues that an “uneasy peace” that stays strained, but nevertheless holds, is emerging and likely to prevent the war from recurring. This peace emerges out of the conflict milieu, which creates losses and bitterness, but also opens possibilities for shifting and changing. These effects are characteristic for the half‐war/half peace period and could be assets to build peace upon, but they are unlikely to stay. Now is a pivotal time, when changes in society are taking place that will determine the shape of its future.
A wide circularly polarized dual‐band isosceles trapezoidal monopole antenna with modified ground plane
Authors: Bag Biplab , Biswas Sushanta , Sarkar Partha Pratim 
Published: November 2021

SummaryIn this paper, a simple wideband circularly polarized monopole antenna for different wireless and satellite communication applications is proposed. The top plate of the antenna is composed of an isosceles trapezoidal patch with an inverted L‐shaped strip connected along with this. The bottom side (ground plane) has been modified by embedding two right‐angle triangular stubs for enhancing the impedance and CP performances. The proposed antenna is designed and fabricated on commercially available FR4 substrate occupying the volume of 0.525λ₀ × 0.42λ₀ × 0.0168λ₀. The −10‐dB reflection coefficient bandwidth exhibits two wide bands of 1530 MHz (2.6 GHz to 4.13 GHz) and 2040 MHz (6.93 GHz to 8.97 GHz). The measured 3‐dB AR bandwidth is 1800 MHz (6.6 GHz to 8.4 GHz), covering International Tele‐communication Union for satellite communication bands (uplink and downlink). In addition, the proposed monopole antenna has also provided good gain ≥5dBi for both the bands.
Study of cobalt doping control via various routes in thoroughbred horses
Authors: Kwak Young Beom , Yu Jundong , Im Eo Jin , Jeong Bok Son , Yoo Hye Hyun 
Published: November 2021

AbstractCobalt is a substance that has been abused for athletic performance enhancement and has thus been prohibited by human and animal sports doping control authorities. However, because cobalt is present in humans and animals as a trace element, a certain level of cobalt is naturally present in their excretions. In the racing industry, cobalt is a controlled substance with a threshold concentration specified by the International Agreement on Breeding, Racing and Wagering (IABRW) for international harmonization. Due to environmental and feed consumption differences among countries, regional cobalt concentration trends should be evaluated before cobalt testing is introduced. In this study, we conducted a preliminary evaluation of the urinary concentration of cobalt among a population of racehorses in Korea using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP‐MS) analysis, followed by analysis of the urinary release of cobalt after the administration of cobalt chloride in various situations. The normal distribution for the Korea‐based racehorses was used to determine a urine concentration limit (96.5 ng/ml, risk factor of 1 in 10,000). After the intravenous (IV) administration of CoCl2, the initial elimination of cobalt was rapid. A high concentration (over 2,000 ng/ml) and a slow excretion pattern were observed during the final 2 weeks of the 3‐week observation period. When CoCl2 was administered orally, maximum concentration (Cmax, 92–992 ng/ml) was observed at 6–8 h.
Archolaemus janeae (Gymnotiformes, Teleostei): First insights into karyotype and repetitive DNA distribution in two populations of the Amazon
Authors: Rodrigues Paula Pinto , Machado Milla de Andrade , Pety Ananda Marques , Silva Danillo dos Santos , de Souza Augusto Cesar Paes , Pieczarka Julio Cesar , Nagamachi Cleusa Yoshiko 
Published: November 2021

AbstractArcholaemus, one of the five genera of Neotropical freshwater fish of the family Sternopygidae (Gymnotiformes), was long considered a monotypic genus represented by Archolaemus blax. Currently, it consists of six species, most of them occurring in the Amazon region. There are no cytogenetic data for species of this genus. In the present study, we used classical cytogenetics (conventional staining and C‐banding) and molecular cytogenetics (probes of telomeric sequences and multigenic families 18S rDNA, 5S rDNA, and U2 snDNA) to study the karyotype of Archolaemus janeae from Xingu and Tapajós rivers in the state of Pará (Brazil). The results showed that the two populations have identical karyotypes with 46 chromosomes: four submetacentric and 42 acrocentric (2n = 46; 4m/sm + 42a). Constitutive heterochromatin occurs in the centromeric region of all chromosomes, in addition to small bands in the interstitial and distal regions of some pairs. The 18S rDNA occurs in the distal region of the short arm of pair 2; the 5S rDNA occurs in five chromosome pairs; and the U2 snDNA sequence occurs in chromosome pairs 3, 6, and 13. No interstitial telomeric sequence was observed. These results show karyotypic similarity between the studied populations suggesting the existence of a single species and are of great importance as a reference for future cytotaxonomic studies of the genus.
Variation in behavior drives multi‐scale responses to habitat conditions in timber rattlesnakes (Crotalus horridus)
Authors: Hoffman Andrew S. , Tutterow Annalee M. , Gade Meaghan R. , Adams Bryce T. , Peterman William E. 
Published: November 2021

AbstractVariations in both the behavior of wildlife and the scale at which the environment most influences the space use of wild animals (i.e., scale of effect) are critical, but often overlooked in habitat selection modeling. Ecologists have proposed that biological responses happening over longer time frames are influenced by environmental variables at larger spatial scales, but this has rarely been empirically tested. Here, we hypothesized that long‐term patterns of behavior (i.e., lasting multiple weeks to months) would be associated with larger scales of effect than more sporadic behaviors. We predicted site use by 43 radio‐telemetered timber rattlesnakes (Crotalus horridus) exhibiting four distinct, time‐varying behaviors (foraging, digestion, ecdysis, and gestation) using remotely sensed environmental variables related to forest structure and landscape topography. Among sites used by snakes, warmer temperatures and higher levels of forest disturbance were predictive of behaviors dependent on thermoregulation including gestation and ecdysis while more moderate temperatures and drier, more oak‐dominated sites were predictive of foraging. Long‐term behaviors were associated with larger spatial scales across most variables, supporting our hypothesis that the scale at which habitat selection occurs is linked to the temporal scale of relevant behaviors. Management recommendations based on single‐scale models of habitat use that do not account for fine‐scale variations in behavior may obscure the importance of potentially limiting habitat features needed for infrequent behaviors that are important for growth and reproduction of this and related species.
eDNA metabarcoding as a means to assess distribution of subterranean fish communities: Iranian blind cave fishes as a case study
Authors: Hashemzadeh Segherloo Iraj , Tabatabaei Seyedeh Narjes , Abdolahi‐Mousavi Eisa , Hernandez Cecilia , Normandeau Eric , Laporte Martin , Boyle Brian , Amiri Mohsen , GhaedRahmati Nabiallah , Hallerman Eric , Bernatchez Louis 
Published: November 2021

AbstractOne of the most important steps in conservation of the subterranean life forms is to decipher their distribution and ecology, which is challenging using traditional approaches. Development of an environmental DNA (eDNA) assay provides an efficient means for discovering and monitoring subterranean life forms. In this study, the distribution of three Iranian blind cave fish species (blind Iran cave barbGarra typhlops, blind Lorestan cave barbGarra lorestanensis, and blind cave loachEidinemacheilus smithi) was assessed using12S rRNAeDNA metabarcoding performed using MiFish‐U PCR primers and preliminary species distribution modeling (SDM) using bioclimatic data. The majority of sampling localities with positive detection of cave barb eDNA fall within suitable habitats in the Zagros Mountains of Iran. Our results revealed that Lorestan and Iran cave barbs have differential distribution patterns, with some extent of habitat overlap in the vicinity of the originally discovered cave barb locality. According to the observed distribution patterns, the blind Lorestan cave barb and cave loach are mostly distributed in habitats close to the Sezar River (Dez River drainage, Iran), and the blind Iran cave barb is distributed towards the west and probably in a few springs in the Karkheh River drainage. Our data support the previously proposed distribution pattern for the cave barbs, in which the species show partial niche separation and reproductive isolation, with the Lorestan cave barb being a water flow‐dependent species and the Iran cave barb being a generalist species preferring variable flow rates. We showed eDNA metabarcoding to be a useful approach for ecological surveys of subterranean fish biodiversity with implications for conservation.
Optical Determination of Solid Fat Content in Fats and Oils: Effects of Wavelength on Estimated Accuracy
Authors: Grossi Marco , Valli Enrico , Glicerina Virginia Teresa , Rocculi Pietro , Gallina Toschi Tullia , Riccò Bruno 
Published: November 2021

AbstractThe melting profile of solid fat content (SFC) is a parameter of primary importance for the food industry since it affects many important product characteristics such as stability, physical appearance, spreadability, and sensation in the mouth. Reference techniques to measure SFC in fats and oils include pulsed nuclear magnetic resonance (pNMR) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), which are reliable and accurate, but require expensive instrumentation and trained personnel. Herein, the accuracy of a recently proposed optical technique to measure SFC is investigated in terms of peak wavelength of incident radiation. A sensor system featuring an array of seven LEDs with peak wavelength in the visible and NIR range is built, and the results compared with data from DSC. All the wavelengths investigated have high accuracy in SFC estimation, especially at 590 (yellow) and 880 nm (NIR). Practical applications: Quick and easy determination of solid fat content in fats and oils by a simple experimental setup. The technique is based on optical attenuation measurements during a thermal cycle. The technique can be implemented in a measurement instrument for in‐situ analysis of solid fat content.
Nickel‐Catalyzed Aminofluoroalkylation of Alkenes: Access to Difluoroalkylated N‐Containing Heterocyclic Compounds
Authors: Fu Xiaoyi , Zhang Tianyu , Wu Jingjing , Sun Yijie , Wu Fanhong 
Published: November 2021

AbstractA nickel‐catalyzed aminofluoroalkylative cyclization of unactive alkenes with iododifluoromethyl ketones was developed to construct versatile difluoroalkylated Nitrogen‐containing heterocycles including aziridines, pyrrolidines and piperidines in moderate to high yields. This method features a broad substrate scope and has been demonstrated on gram scale.
Pediatric Off‐Label Use of Covid‐19 Vaccines: Ethical and Legal Considerations
Authors: Lanphier Elizabeth , Fyfe Shannon 
Published: November 2021

AbstractWhen the U.S. Food and Drug Administration fully approved the Pfizer‐BioNTech Covid‐19 vaccine for people sixteen and older, questions arose. Parents, pediatricians, and the media wondered whether Covid‐19 vaccines could be used off‐label—and whether they should be. The American Academy of Pediatrics cautioned against pediatric off‐label use of the vaccine, and the vaccine provider agreement from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention appears to prohibit it. After briefly contextualizing ethical and legal precedents regarding off‐label use, we offer an analysis of the ethical permissibility of and considerations for pediatric off‐label Covid‐19 vaccination based on individual benefits, risks, and available alternatives. Our analysis challenges the ethics of a blanket prohibition on off‐label pediatric Covid‐19 vaccination, as it limits clinician ability to provide care they may determine to be clinically and ethically appropriate. At the same time, our analysis acknowledges that Covid‐19 creates population‐level ethical considerations that are at times in tension with individual health interests.
Comparison of two modeling frameworks for unifying the toxicant-affected percentage of aquatic species, individuals, and time into a single metric
Authors: Delos Charles G. 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
To address time-variable exposure to toxicants, this work compares simple and complex approaches to unifying the affected percentage of aquatic species, individuals, and time into a single metric. The simple approach uses only information on the probability distribution of exposure concentrations, a species sensitivity distribution (SSD) of chronic values, and the distribution of tolerance within species. The complex approach involves time-series simulation with a kinetics-based toxicity model coupled with a population model for each species in the SSD. Unlike the simple approach, this takes into account the exposure duration needed to elicit toxicity, differing sensitivities of life stages within a species, differing effects on survival versus reproduction, and species differences in their model population's response to press disturbance and recovery time from pulse disturbance. The probability distribution approach indicated that, for SSD assemblages challenged with moderately variable toxicant concentrations exceeding the aquatic life criterion a few percent of the time, most of the predicted aggregate effect is usually experienced by the most sensitive 10% of species and individuals. The kinetics-population simulation approach indicated that, for time-variable exposure (but not for constant exposure), the severity of the population effect depended on the type of effect and life stage affected. The results from both approaches suggest that moderately time-variable exposure is best viewed as a fluctuating press disturbance, not as a sporadic pulse disturbance. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2022;18:1364–1374. © 2021 SETAC
KEY POINTS
To address time-variable exposure of aquatic ecosystems to toxicants, this work sets forth two modeling approaches for generating a stress-response relationship for an entire species sensitivity distribution (SSD), accounting for the affected percentage of aquatic species, individuals, and time. Although the two approaches differ greatly in ease of use, the simpler probability distribution approach, which relies on information commonly obtained for aquatic life criteria derivation, yielded results rather similar to the more complex toxicokinetic population simulation approach. Modeling results indicated that when exposed to moderately variable concentrations exceeding an aquatic life criterion a few percent of the time, most of the time-averaged effect on the SSD is typically experienced by the most sensitive 10% of species and 10% of individuals within species. Results suggested that such exposure is behaving more as a press disturbance, not a sporadic pulse disturbance.