bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Development of a L‐cysteine Sensor Based on Thallium Oxide Coupled Multi‐walled Carbon Nanotube Nanocomposites with Electrochemical Approach
Authors: Musarraf Hussain Mohammad , Asiri Abdullah M. , Uddin Jamal , Marwani Hadi M. , Rahman Mohammed M. 
Published: December 2021

AbstractHere, nanocomposites of thallium oxide doped multi‐walled carbon nanotube (Tl2O MWCNT NCs) were prepared by utilizing a wet‐chemical method (WCM) in an alkaline phase at low temperature. Different optical procedures (FTIR: Fourier Transform Infra‐Red Spectroscopy, XRD: Powder X‐ray diffraction, FESEM: Field‐Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy, XEDS: X‐ray Electron Dispersive Spectroscopy, TEM: Tunneling Electron Microscopy, and XPS: X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy) were used to fully characterize (optical, structural, crystalline, morphological, and elemental etc.) of the prepared Tl2O MWCNT NCs. Modification of the thin‐layer with NCs onto glassy carbon electrode (GCE) is prepared and applied for the selective and sensitive enzyme‐free detection of L‐cysteine by an electrochemical approach. Using a reliable current‐voltage approach, analytical sensing indexes such as sensitivity, LDR, LOD, LOQ, durability, and interference were assessed by fabricated sensor probe (GCE/Tl2O MWCNT NCs/CPM) in selective detection of L‐cysteine at room temperature, whereas nafion was used as conducting polymer matrix (CPM) during the fabrication of GCE with NCs. L‐cysteine calibration plot was found to be linear over an extensive range of concentration. The calibration curve was used to calculate the sensing parameters such as sensitivity (316.46 pAμM−1cm−2), LOD down to (∼18.90±1.89 pM), and LOQ (63.0 pM) of the prepared sensor. The use of a simple WCM to validate the Tl2O.MWCNT NCs is a good approach for developing a NCs‐based sensor for enzyme‐free biomolecule identification and detection in the biomedical and health care fields in a broad scale. This proposed sensor (GCE/Tl2O MWCNT NCs/CPM) is used to detect selective L‐cysteine in real biological samples such as human, mouse, and rabbit serum and found acceptable and satisfactory results.
All‐Solid‐State Flexible Symmetric Supercapacitor Based on Morphology Oriented Amorphous Cu−Co−B Alloy Nanosheets for Energy Storage
Authors: Muhommad Javed , Kumar Lakshya , Baruah Purna K. , Das Manash R. , Deka Sasanka 
Published: December 2021

AbstractMetastable amorphous alloys having 2‐dimensional morphology are expected to be an excellent electrode materials for supercapacitors because of their defect rich nature, high degree of compositional as well as topological disorder and internal stresses. Herein, we investigated and demonstrated a new series of Cu−Co−B amorphous alloy nanosheets for energy storage. A clear and significant energy storage improvement by this Cu−Co−B nanosheets over the state‐of‐the‐art materials and flexible devices are manifested. Among the as‐synthesized materials, CuCo2B nanosheets exhibits an excellent specific capacity of 3503.6 F g−1 (389.2 mAh g−1) and a 99 % (at 50 A g−1) retention rate after 3000 cycles. An all‐solid state flexible symmetric Cu−Co−B|[EMIM][BF4] supercapacitor device (0–180° bending, 2.5 V) demonstrates a high energy density of 90.2 Wh kg−1, specific capacity (289.2 mAh g−1), power density (4623.6 W kg−1) and prolonged cycling stability (89 %) and Coulombic efficiency (104 %) over 10000 charge‐discharge cycles.
Real‐world first‐line systemic therapy patterns in metastatic castration‐resistant prostate cancer
Authors: Anton Angelyn , Pillai Sruti , Semira Marie Christine , Wong Shirley , Shapiro Julia , Weickhardt Andrew , Azad Arun , Kwan Edmond M. , Spain Lavinia , Gunjur Ashray , Torres Javier , Parente Phillip , Parnis Francis , Goh Jeffrey , Baenziger Olivia , Gibbs Peter , Tran Ben 
Published: December 2021

AbstractIntroductionSeveral systemic therapies have demonstrated a survival advantage in metastatic castration resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). Access to these medications varies significantly worldwide. In Australia until recently, patients must have received docetaxel first, unless unsuitable for chemotherapy, despite no evidence suggesting superiority over androgen receptor signalling inhibitors (ARSIs). Our study investigated real‐world systemic treatment patterns in Australian patients with mCRPC.MethodsThe electronic CRPC Australian Database (ePAD) was interrogated to identify mCRPC patients. Clinicopathological features, treatment and outcome data, stratified by first‐line systemic therapies, were extracted. Comparisons between groups utilised Kruskal–Wallis tests and Chi‐Square analyses. Time‐to‐event data were calculated using Kaplan–Meier methods and groups compared using log‐rank tests. Factors influencing overall survival (OS) and time to treatment failure (TTF) were analysed through Cox proportional hazards regression models.ResultsWe identified 578 patients who received first‐line systemic therapy for mCRPC. Enzalutamide (ENZ) was most commonly prescribed (n = 240, 41%), followed by docetaxel (DOC, n = 164, 28%) and abiraterone (AA, n = 100, 17%). Patients receiving ENZ or AA were older (79, 78.5 years respectively) compared with DOC (71 years, p = 0.001) and less likely to have ECOG performance status 0 (45%, 44%, 59% in ENZ, AA and DOC groups respectively p < 0.0001). Median TTF was significantly higher in those receiving ENZ (12.4 months) and AA (11.9 months) compared to DOC (8.3 months, p < 0.001). PSA50 response rates and OS were not statistically different. Time to developing CRPC > 12 months was independently associated with longer TTF (HR 0.67, p < 0.001) and OS (HR 0.49, p = 0.002).ConclusionIn our real‐world population, ENZ and AA were common first‐line systemic therapy choices, particularly among older patients and those with poorer performance status. Patients receiving ENZ and AA demonstrated superior TTF compared to DOC, while OS was not statistically different. Our findings highlight the important role of ARSIs, given the variability of access worldwide.
Toward an Orthogonal Protein Lysine Acylation and Deacylation System
Authors: Xiao Ruotong , Zhao Lei , Ma Hongpeng , Liu Qiaoli , Qin Hongqiang , Luo Xiaozhou , Xuan Weimin 
Published: December 2021

AbstractLysine acetylation is one of the most basic molecular mechanisms to mediate protein functions in living organisms, and its abnormal regulation has been linked to many diseases. The drug development associated to this process is of great significance but severely hindered by the complex interplay of lysine acetylation and deacetylation in thousands of proteins, and we reasoned that targeting a specific protein acetylation or deacetylation event instead of the related enzymes should be a feasible solution to this issue. Toward this goal, we devised an orthogonal lysine acylation and deacylation (OKAD) system, which potentially could precisely dissect the biological consequence of an individual acetylation or deacetylation event in living cells. The system includes a genetically encoded acylated lysine (PhOAcK) that is not a substrate of endogenous deacetylases, and an evolved sirtuin (CobB2/CobB3) that displays PhOAcK deacylase activities as well as reduced deacetylase activities. We believe the strategy introduced here holds potential for future in‐depth biological applications.
Extension of the Terpene Chemical Space: the Very First Biosynthetic Steps
Authors: Couillaud Julie , Duquesne Katia , Iacazio Gilles 
Published: December 2021

AbstractThe structural diversity of terpenes is particularly notable and many studies are carried out to increase it further. In the terpene biosynthetic pathway this diversity is accessible from only two common precursors, i. e. isopentenyl diphosphate (IPP) and dimethylallyl diphosphate (DMAPP). Methods recently developed (e. g. the Terpene Mini Path) have allowed DMAPP and IPP to be obtained from a two‐step enzymatic conversion of industrially available isopentenol (IOH) and dimethylallyl alcohol (DMAOH) into their corresponding diphosphates. Easily available IOH and DMAOH analogues then offer quick access to modified terpenoids thus avoiding the tedious chemical synthesis of unnatural diphosphates. The aim of this minireview is to cover the literature devoted to the use of these analogues for widening the accessible terpene chemical space.
Surface‐Bonding‐Enhanced Self‐Co‐Reactant Electrogenerated Chemiluminescence for Sensitive and Selective Detection of Thioglycolic Acid in Cosmetics
Authors: Kitte Shimeles Addisu , Bushira Fuad Abduro , Li Haijuan , Jin Yongdong 
Published: December 2021

AbstractThioglycolic acid (TGA) is an organic compound widely used in cosmetics that cause a variety of health problems when overexposed to it. So far many attempts have been made to develop methods for TGA detection, but most of them need sophisticated instrumentations and are a little bit complicated. Therefore, a simple, cheap and sensitive detection method of TGA is highly desired. Herein, we demonstrated for the first time an Au−S bonding amplified, highly sensitive electrochemiluminescence (ECL) sensing method for TGA detection using tris(2,2′‐bipyridyl)ruthenium(II) (Ru(bpy)32+) as a luminophore and TGA as a self‐co‐reactant, via an anodic reaction at the Au electrode surface. Due to different molecular coordination environments of the TGA at the electrode surface, the ECL signal intensity of the developed ECL system gives much higher ECL signal in borate buffer than phosphate buffer of the same pH. Under the optimized experimental conditions, the ECL intensity has a direct relationship with the concentration of TGA in the range of 0.03 μM to 300 μM and a limit of detection of 0.013 μM (3σ/m). The reported ECL system has further been applied for the detection of TGA in cosmetics with acceptable recoveries.
PROTOCOL: Searching and reporting in Campbell Collaboration systematic reviews: An assessment of current methods
Authors: Young Sarah , Bethel Alison , Keenan Ciara , Ghezzi‐Kopel Kate , Moreton Elizabeth , Pickup David , Premji Zahra A. , Rogers Morwenna , Viinholt Bjørn C. A. 
Published: December 2021

AbstractThis is the protocol for a Campbell review. The aim of this study is to comprehensively assess the quality and nature of the search methods and reporting across Campbell systematic reviews. The search methods used in systematic reviews provide the foundation for establishing the body of literature from which conclusions are drawn and recommendations made. Searches should be comprehensive and reporting of search methods should be transparent and reproducible. Campbell Collaboration systematic reviews strive to adhere to the best methodological guidance available for this type of searching. The current work aims to provide a comprehensive assessment of the quality of the search methods and reporting in Campbell Collaboration systematic reviews. Our specific objectives include the following: To examine how searches are currently conducted in Campbell systematic reviews. To identify any machine learning or automation methods used, or emerging and less commonly used approaches to web searching. To examine how search strategies, search methods and search reporting adhere to the Methodological Expectations of Campbell Collaboration Intervention Reviews (MECCIR) and PRISMA guidelines. The findings will be used to identify opportunities for advancing current practices in Campbell reviews through updated guidance, peer review processes and author training and support.
Convolutional neural network and its pretrained models for image classification and object detection: A survey
Authors: Jena Biswajit , Nayak Gopal Krishna , Saxena Sanjay 
Published: December 2021

AbstractAt present, in the age of computers and automation of services, deep learning (DL) technology, mainly the subset of machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI), is expressively used in innumerable domains of computer vision such as data analysis, image recognition, classification, natural language processing, and many more. It has become the foremost choice of researchers as of its effectiveness in producing decent results. This paper presents detailed and analytical literature starting from the very elementary level to the recent trends of this trending technology while focusing on the most used DL model, that is, convolutional neural network and its pretrained models for image classification and object detection. It also reviews diverse existing current literature based on this. Further, a brief introduction of AI, ML, and DL has also been presented, making the foundation for the readers. As pretrained models continuously give an upper edge to DL over ML and other technologies, 23 most popular pretrained models with their architectural diagrams have also been presented. This paper aims to summarize and analyze all the concepts used to formulate DL and its models. Also, we have emphasized more on the GoogleNet models and the entire Inception modules in detail. Finally, the fascinating applications and discussion on integral components of DL have been presented. This paper will definitely draw the attention of the students and researchers working in the area of DL and its models.
Single operator experience of endoscopic submucosal dissection for Barrett's neoplasia in a North American academic center
Authors: Motomura Douglas , Bechara Robert 
Published: December 2021

AbstractObjectivesEndoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is carving out an increasing role in the treatment of Barrett's associated neoplasia. ESD provides the advantage of en‐bloc resections and greater R0 resection rates. We aim to present outcomes from one of the largest single‐center cohorts of esophageal ESD in North America.MethodsAll patients undergoing esophageal ESD for Barrett's neoplasia between Oct 2016 and June 2020 at a Canadian tertiary care center were included. Demographic, procedural data, and lesion characteristics are presented. Subgroup analysis was performed on patients who underwent extensive resection (≥75% of esophageal circumference) and the patients who developed strictures.ResultsThirty‐four patients were included in the series. The median lesion diameter was 5.7 cm and the median procedure time was 129 min. The en‐bloc resection rate was 97%, and the R0 resection rate was 91%. Curative resection was achieved in 82% of patients. Upstaging in histology occurred in 59% of cases. Two adverse events occurred, and there were no perforations. Procedural outcomes were similar in patients with extensive resections, but those with ≥75% circumferential resection developed more strictures (65% vs. 6.3%, p < 0.01). Stricture formation was associated with extensive resection (odds ratio [OR]: 27.5, p < 0.01) and longer lesion diameter (OR: 1.7, p = 0.02).ConclusionOur experience with ESD for Barrett's related neoplasia shows excellent en‐bloc and R0 resection rate, and provides more accurate histological specimens. Curative resection is possible in the majority of cases, including those with extensive resections. Further investigation into stricture prophylaxis will be useful as near circumferential resections are attempted.
Three phylogenetically distinct and culturable diazotrophs are perennial symbionts of leaf‐cutting ants
Authors: Zani Renata de Oliveira Aquino , Ferro Milene , Bacci Maurício 
Published: December 2021

AbstractThe obligate mutualistic basidiomycete fungus, Leucocoprinus gongylophorus, mediates nutrition of leaf‐cutting ants with carbons from vegetal matter. In addition, diazotrophic Enterobacteriales in the fungus garden and intestinal Rhizobiales supposedly mediate assimilation of atmospheric nitrogen, and Entomoplasmatales in the genus Mesoplasma, as well as other yet unidentified strains, supposedly mediate ant assimilation of other compounds from vegetal matter, such as citrate, fructose, and amino acids. Together, these nutritional partners would support the production of high yields of leafcutter biomass. In the present investigation, we propose that three phylogenetically distinct and culturable diazotrophs in the genera Ralstonia, Methylobacterium, and Pseudomonas integrate this symbiotic nutrition network, facilitating ant nutrition on nitrogen. Strains in these genera were often isolated and directly sequenced in 16S rRNA libraries from the ant abdomen, together with the nondiazotrophs Acinetobacter and Brachybacterium. These five isolates were underrepresented in libraries, suggesting that none of them is dominant in vivo. Libraries have been dominated by four uncultured Rhizobiales strains in the genera Liberibacter, Terasakiella, and Bartonella and, only in Acromyrmex ants, by the Entomoplasmatales in the genus Mesoplasma. Acromyrmex also presented small amounts of two other uncultured Entomoplasmatales strains, Entomoplasma and Spiroplasma. The absence of Entomoplasmatales in Atta workers implicates that the association with these bacteria is not mandatory for ant biomass production. Most of the strains that we detected in South American ants were genetically similar with strains previously described in association with leafcutters from Central and North America, indicating wide geographic dispersion, and suggesting fixed ecological services.
Mechanical defensive adaptations of three Mediterranean sea urchin species
Authors: Voulgaris Konstantinos , Varkoulis Anastasios , Zaoutsos Stefanos , Stratakis Antonios , Vafidis Dimitris 
Published: December 2021

AbstractIn the Mediterranean, Paracentrotus lividus and Sphaerechinus granularis are important drivers of benthic ecosystems, often coexisting in sublittoral communities. However, the introduction of the invasive diadematoid Diadema setosum, which utilizes venomous spines, may affect these communities. To describe the mechanical properties of the test and spines of these three species, specimens were collected in winter of 2019 from the sublittoral zone of the Dodecanese island complex, southeastern Aegean Sea. This region serves as a gateway for invasive species to the Mediterranean Sea. Crushing test was conducted on live individuals, while 3‐point bending test was used to estimate spine stiffness. Porosity and mineralogy of the test and spine, thickness of the test, and breaking length of the spine were measured and compared, while the microstructural architecture was also determined. The test of S. granularis was the most robust (194.35 ± 59.59 N), while the spines of D. setosum (4.76 ± 2.13 GPa) exhibited highest flexibility. Increased porosity and thickness of the test were related to increased robustness, whereas increased flexibility of the spine was attributed to high porosity, indicating that porosity in the skeleton plays a key role in preventing fracture. The spines of S. granularis exhibited highest length after fracture % (71.54 ± 5.5%). D. setosum exhibited higher values of Mg concentration in the test (10%) compared with the spines (4%). For the first time, the mineralogy of an invasive species is compared with its native counterpart, while a comparison of the mechanical properties of different species of the same ecosystem also takes place. This study highlights different ways, in which sea urchins utilize their skeleton and showcases the ecological significance of these adaptations, one of which is the different ways of utilization of the skeleton for defensive purposes, while the other is the ability of D. setosum to decrease the Mg % of its skeleton degrading its mechanical properties, without compromising its defense, by depending on venomous bearing spines. This enables this species to occupy not only tropical habitats, where it is indigenous, but also temperate like the eastern Mediterranean, which it has recently invaded.
How urbanization affects sexual communication
Authors: Heinen‐Kay Justa L. , Kay Adam D. , Zuk Marlene 
Published: December 2021

AbstractUrbanization is rapidly altering landscapes worldwide, changing environmental conditions, and creating novel selection pressures for many organisms. Local environmental conditions affect the expression and evolution of sexual signals and mating behaviors; changes in such traits have important evolutionary consequences because of their effect on reproduction. In this review, we synthesize research investigating how sexual communication is affected by the environmental changes associated with urbanization—including pollution from noise, light, and heavy metals, habitat fragmentation, impervious surfaces, urban heat islands, and changes in resources and predation. Urbanization often has negative effects on sexual communication through signal masking, altering condition‐dependent signal expression, and weakening female preferences. Though there are documented instances of seemingly adaptive shifts in trait expression, the ultimate impact on fitness is rarely tested. The field of urban evolution is still relatively young, and most work has tested whether differences occur in response to various aspects of urbanization. There is limited information available about whether these responses represent phenotypic plasticity or genetic changes, and the extent to which observed shifts in sexual communication affect reproductive fitness. Our understanding of how sexual selection operates in novel, urbanized environments would be bolstered by more studies that perform common garden studies and reciprocal transplants, and that simultaneously evaluate multiple environmental factors to tease out causal drivers of observed phenotypic shifts. Urbanization provides a unique testing ground for evolutionary biologists to study the interplay between ecology and sexual selection, and we suggest that more researchers take advantage of these natural experiments. Furthermore, understanding how sexual communication and mating systems differ between cities and rural areas can offer insights on how to mitigate negative, and accentuate positive, consequences of urban expansion on the biota, and provide new opportunities to underscore the relevance of evolutionary biology in the Anthropocene.
Increasing temperature weakens the positive effect of genetic diversity on population growth
Authors: Singleton Alexandra L. , Liu Megan H. , Votzke Samantha , Yammine Andrea , Gibert Jean P. 
Published: December 2021

AbstractGenetic diversity and temperature increases associated with global climate change are known to independently influence population growth and extinction risk. Whether increasing temperature may influence the effect of genetic diversity on population growth, however, is not known. We address this issue in the model protist system Tetrahymena thermophila. We test the hypothesis that at temperatures closer to the species’ thermal optimum (i.e., the temperature at which population growth is maximal, or Topt), genetic diversity should have a weaker effect on population growth compared to temperatures away from the thermal optimum. To do so, we grew populations of T. thermophila with varying levels of genetic diversity at increasingly warmer temperatures and quantified their intrinsic population growth rate, r. We found that genetic diversity increases population growth at cooler temperatures, but that as temperature increases, this effect weakens. We also show that a combination of changes in the amount of expressed genetic diversity (G) in r, plastic changes in population growth across temperatures (E), and strong G × E interactions underlie this temperature effect. Our results uncover important but largely overlooked temperature effects that have implications for the management of small populations with depauperate genetic stocks in an increasingly warming world.