bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Modeled performance of forage mixtures and annual crops grown in eastern Canada under climate change
Authors: Payant Camille , Jégo Guillaume , Ouellet Véronique , Grenier Patrick , Tremblay Gaëtan F. , Bélanger Gilles , Charbonneau Édith 
Published: November 2021

AbstractTimothy (Phleum pratense L.) is expected to be more affected by climate change than other forage grasses. Therefore, alternatives to timothy, such as tall fescue [Schedonorus arundinaceus (Shreb.) Dumort.], meadow fescue [S. pratensis (Huds.) P. Beauv.], or meadow bromegrass (Bromus biebersteinii Roem. & Schult.) should be explored. Our objective was to simulate and compare the yield and nutritive value of four alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.)–grass mixtures and annual crops grown on two virtual dairy farms representative of eastern Canada under future climate conditions. The Integrated Farm System Model (IFSM) was used for these projections under the reference (1971–2000), near future (2020–2049), and distant future (2050–2079) climates for two climatically contrasting agricultural areas in eastern Canada (eastern Quebec; southwestern Quebec). In both future periods, annual forage dry matter (DM) yields of the four alfalfa–grass mixtures are projected to increase because of additional harvests, with greater DM yield increases projected in the colder area than in the warmer area. In both areas, the highest yield increase is projected for alfalfa–tall fescue mixture and the lowest for alfalfa–timothy mixture. The nutritive value of all mixtures should increase due to a greater proportion of alfalfa. In both areas, yields of silage and grain corn (Zea mays L.), and soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] are projected to increase, but not those of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and barley (Hordeum vulgare L.). Tall fescue, meadow bromegrass, and meadow fescue are adequate alternatives to timothy grown in association with alfalfa under future climate conditions.
The influence of farmers markets' characteristics on vendor sales
Authors: O'Hara Jeffrey K. , Dutton Nony , Stavely Nick 
Published: November 2021

AbstractUS farmers market managers must be strategic in deciding which vendors sell at their markets. They would benefit from understanding how market characteristics impact vendor sales, although the few studies that have explored this topic have found inconclusive results. We use a unique panel database of sales at 13 farmers markets to estimate how vendors' sales are influenced by the characteristics of their farmers market. We find that average sales at weekend farmers markets becomes increasingly large as farmers markets increase in size. At weekday markets, average sales increase as small markets add vendors but eventually decline as markets become larger. These results could occur if weekend markets attract shoppers from increasingly greater distances as they become larger, while average sales eventually decline as weekday markets increase in size due to vendor competition. Produce vendors experience higher average sales at weekend markets than weekday markets and experience a relatively small increase in sales as market size increases. Vendors of hot prepared foods experience higher sales at weekday markets [EconLit Citations: Q10, Q12, Q13].
N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate (NMDA) receptor genetics: The power of paralog homology and protein dynamics in defining dominant genetic variants
Authors: Charron Jacob G. , Hernandez Angel , Bilinovich Stephanie M. , Vogt Daniel L. , Bedinger Laura A. , Seaver Laurie H. , Williams Michael , Devries Seth , Campbell Daniel B. , Bupp Caleb P. , Prokop Jeremy W. 
Published: November 2021

AbstractPredicting genotype‐to‐phenotype correlations from genomic variants has been challenging, particularly for genes that have a complex balance of dominant and recessive inheritance for phenotypes. Variants in NMDA receptor components GRIN1, GRIN2A, and GRIN2B cause a myriad of dominant disease phenotypes, with the most common being epilepsy and autism spectrum disorder. Starting from the analysis of a variant of uncertain significance (VUS, GRIN2A G760S), we realized the need for tools to map dominant variants for the components of the NMDA receptor. Some variants within GRIN1, GRIN2A, and GRIN2B exert dominant epilepsy and developmental delay, yet other amino acid variants are conserved and predicted to alter protein function but do not have dominant phenotypes. Common variant annotation tools are not powered to determine pathogenic dominant outcomes. To address this gap, we integrated sequence and structural analyses for GRIN1, GRIN2A, and GRIN2B. Using this approach, we determined that paralog homology mapping and topology can segregate dominant variants, with an elevation of intermolecular contacts between the subunits. Furthermore, demonstrating the general utility of our methodology, we show that 25 VUS within ClinVar also reach a dominant variant annotation, including the GRIN2A G760S variant. Our work suggests paralog homology and protein topology as a powerful strategy within the receptor complex to resolve dominant genetic variants relative to variants that would fit a recessive inheritance, requiring two damaging variants. These strategies should be tested in additional dominant genetic disorders to determine the broader utility.
Predicting skeletal stature using ancient DNA
Authors: Cox Samantha L. , Moots Hannah M. , Stock Jay T. , Shbat Andrej , Bitarello Bárbara D. , Nicklisch Nicole , Alt Kurt W. , Haak Wolfgang , Rosenstock Eva , Ruff Christopher B. , Mathieson Iain 
Published: November 2021

AbstractObjectivesAncient DNA provides an opportunity to separate the genetic and environmental bases of complex traits by allowing direct estimation of genetic values in ancient individuals. Here, we test whether genetic scores for height in ancient individuals are predictive of their actual height, as inferred from skeletal remains. We estimate the contributions of genetic and environmental variables to observed phenotypic variation as a first step towards quantifying individual sources of morphological variation.Materials and methodsWe collected stature estimates and femur lengths from West Eurasian skeletal remains with published genome‐wide ancient DNA data (n = 182, dating from 33,000–850 BP). We also recorded genetic sex, genetic ancestry, date and paleoclimate data for each individual, and δ13C and δ15N stable isotope values where available (n = 69). We tested different methods of calculating polygenic scores, using summary statistics from four different genome wide association studies (GWAS) for height, and three methods for imputing missing genotypes.ResultsA polygenic score for height predicts 6.3% of the variance in femur length in our data (n = 132, SD = 0.0069%, p = 0.001), controlling for sex, ancestry, and date. This is consistent with the predictive power of height PRS in present‐day populations and the low coverage of ancient samples. Comparatively, sex explains about 17% of the variance in femur length in our sample. Environmental effects also likely play a role in variation, independent of genetics, though with considerable uncertainty (longitude: R2 = 0.033, SD = 0.008, p = 0.011). Genotype imputation did not improve polygenic prediction, and results varied based on the GWAS summary statistics we used.DiscussionPolygenic scores explain a small but significant proportion of the variance in height in ancient individuals, though not enough to make useful predictions of individual phenotypes. However, environmental variables also contribute to phenotypic outcomes and understanding their interaction with direct genetic predictions will provide a framework with which to model how plasticity and genetic changes ultimately combine to drive adaptation and evolution.
Bio‐based polydimethylsiloxane porous sponge materials with programmable hydrophobicity and porosity for efficient separation of hydrophobic liquids from water
Authors: Pandey Niharika , Ojha Umaprasana 
Published: November 2021

AbstractIn this report, the fabrication of a bio‐based PDMS sponge possessing programmable hydrophobicity to effectively separate oil and organic constituents from water, using Adenium fibers available from plant sources (Adenium obesum) as the fillers is reported. A green fabrication procedure devoid of organic solvents is utilized to fabricate the sponge samples. The hydrophobicity increased with the amount of Adenium fibers in the samples and the contact angle value increased from 107 to 139° with 20 wt% fiber loading. The presence of fibers also helped to enhance the pore volume from 4.6 to 13.5 cc/g and compressive strength from 0.8 to ~10 MPa of the samples, which are two important parameters for further practical applications. The samples exhibited sorption capacity value up to 60 g/g with chloroform as the absorbate. Importantly, desorption of the organic solvent was also swift from these sponge samples and mild squeezing released most of the absorbed solvent. The samples exhibited no loss in separation activity up to 20 cycles studied. Overall, a sustainable bio‐based hydrophobic sponge is fabricated for effective handling of oil spills and separation of organic components from aqueous emulsions and mixtures.
Birth Outcomes in Women Who Have Taken Hydroxycholoroquine During Pregnancy: A Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Chambers Christina D. , Johnson Diana L. , Xu Ronghui , Luo Yunjun , Felix Robert , Fine Minh , Lessard Chloe , Adam Margaret P. , Braddock Stephen R. , Robinson Luther K. , Burke Leah , Jones Kenneth Lyons ,   OTIS Collaborative Research Group
Published: November 2021

ObjectiveFindings from previous small studies have been reassuring regarding the safety of treatment with hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) during pregnancy. In one recent study, it was demonstrated that the frequency of major birth defects was increased in women who had received HCQ at a dose of ≥400 mg/day during pregnancy. This study was undertaken to examine pregnancy outcomes among women following the use of HCQ.MethodsThe study cohort comprised pregnant women who were prospectively enrolled in the MotherToBaby/Organization of Teratology Information Specialists Autoimmune Diseases in Pregnancy Study and were receiving treatment with HCQ. For the control groups, disease‐matched women without HCQ exposure and healthy women were randomly selected from the same source, with subject matching using a 1:1 ratio. Data were collected through interviews, medical records, and dysmorphology examinations. Pregnancy outcome measures included the presence or absence of major and minor birth defects, rates of spontaneous abortion, rates of preterm delivery, and infant growth measures.ResultsBetween 2004 and 2018, 837 pregnant women met the criteria for study inclusion, including 279 women exposed to HCQ during pregnancy and 279 women in each unexposed control group. Sixty pregnant women (7.2%) were lost to follow‐up. Among the women with live births, major birth defects occurred as a pregnancy outcome in 20 (8.6%) of 232 women with HCQ exposure in the first trimester, compared to 19 (7.4%) of 256 disease‐matched unexposed controls (odds ratio [OR] 1.18, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 0.61–2.26) and 13 (5.4%) of 239 healthy controls (adjusted OR 0.76, 95% CI 0.28–2.05). Risks did not differ in women who were receiving an HCQ dose of ≥400 mg/day. No pattern of birth defects was identified. There were no differences in the rates of spontaneous abortion or preterm delivery between groups. Occurrence of infant growth deficiencies did not differ in the HCQ‐exposed group compared to the disease‐matched unexposed control group, except in the infant's head circumference at birth (adjusted OR 1.85, 95% CI 1.07–3.20).ConclusionIn this study, there was no evidence of an increased risk of structural birth defects or other adverse outcomes among women receiving HCQ during pregnancy, with the exception of infant head circumference at birth. For pregnant women being treated with HCQ, these findings are reassuring.
Evaluating the separate and combined effects of enriched environment and punishment for self‐injury in school
Authors: Vascelli Luca , Iacomini Silvia , Artoni Vanessa , Berardo Federica 
Published: November 2021

AbstractWe conducted a systematic replication of Thompson et al. (1999) for decreasing the emission of hand‐mouthing for a boy with severe intellectual disability in a school setting. We evaluated the separate and combined effects of enriched environment and punishment in a multi‐element comparison design. We also evaluated the effects of punishment on object manipulation and the number of interactions with peers. Results showed that the highest SIB suppression level occurred under the combined effects of the enriched environment and punishment. Punisher delivery did not reduce object manipulation. The number of interactions increased throughout the phases of the study.
Toxicokinetic and bioavailability studies on retrorsine in mice, and ketoconazole‐induced alteration in toxicokinetic properties
Authors: Li Jing , Zhou Mengyue , Lai Xiaoqiong , Wang Yang , Zou Ying , Li Kunna , Li Weiwei , Zheng Jiang 
Published: November 2021

AbstractRetrorsine (RTS) is a toxic retronecine‐type pyrrolizidine alkaloid, which is widely distributed. The purpose of this study was to develop a high‐performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometric (LC–MS/MS) method for serum RTS determination in mice. Serum samples were deproteinated by acetonitrile, separated on a C18‐PFP column and delivered at 0.8 ml/min with an eluting system composed of water containing 0.1% (v/v) formic acid and acetonitrile containing 0.1% (v/v) formic acid as mobile phases. RTS and the internal standard S‐hexylglutathione (H‐GSH) were quantitatively monitored with precursor‐to‐product transitions of m/z 352.1 → 120.1 and m/z 392.2 → 246.3, respectively. The method showed excellent linearity over the concentration range 0.05–50 μg/ml, with correlation coefficient r2 = 0.9992. The extraction recovery was >86.34%, and the matrix effect was not significant. Inter‐ and intra‐day precisions (RSD) were <4.99%. The validated LC–MS/MS method was successfully applied to study the toxicokinetic profiles of serum RTS in mice after intravenous, oral administration and co‐treated with ketoconazole, which showed that RTS displayed a long half‐life (~11.05 h) and good bioavailability (81.80%). Co‐administration of ketoconazole (KTZ) increased the peak serum concentration and area under the concentration–time curve and decreased the clearance and mean residence time. Summing up, a new standardized method was established for quantitative determination of RTS in sera.
Mixed‐Up Sugars: Glycosyltransferase Cross‐Reactivity in Cancerous Tissues and Their Therapeutic Targeting
Authors: Cid Emili , Yamamoto Miyako , Yamamoto Fumiichiro 
Published: November 2021

AbstractThe main categories of glycan changes in cancer are: (1) decreased expression of histo‐blood group A and/or B antigens and increased Lewis‐related antigens, (2) appearance of cryptic antigens, such as Tn and T, (3) emergence of genetically incompatible glycans, such as A antigen expressed in tumors of individuals of group B or O and heterophilic expression of Forssman antigen (FORS1), and (4) appearance of neoglycans. This review focuses on the expression of genetically incompatible A/B/FORS1 antigens in cancer. Several possible molecular mechanisms are exemplified, including missense mutations that alter the sugar specificity of A and B glycosyltransferases (AT and BT, respectively), restoration of the correct codon reading frame of O alleles, and modification of acceptor specificity of AT to synthesize the FORS1 antigen by missense mutations and/or altered splicing. Taking advantage of pre‐existing natural immunity, the potential uses of these glycans for immunotherapeutic targeting will also be discussed.
The mental health trajectories of male prisoners and their female (ex‐)partners from pre‐ to post‐release
Authors: Souza Karen , Lanskey Caroline , Ellis Sophie , Lösel Friedrich , Markson Lucy , Barton‐Crosby Jenni 
Published: November 2021

AbstractBackgroundThere are high rates of mental disorders among prisoners. Prisoners are also likely to have difficulties with intimate relationships, perhaps related to the imprisonment, but their mental health may be relevant. There is a dearth of research on intimate relationship qualities and mental health of offenders and their partners over time.AimsTo explore mental health and relationship trajectories among men in prison, and their partners, before the men's release, through a time 6 months post‐release, and then again 8 years later, and to test associations between relationship quality and mental health.MethodData stem from the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC)‐funded longitudinal ‘Families and Imprisonment Research’ (FAIR) project on paternal imprisonment and family resilience. Inclusion criteria for the study were men serving a short‐ to medium‐term prison sentence who were within 4 months of release; with a current or ex‐partner with whom they have at least one child; and for whom there were data on mental health and relationship factors during imprisonment, and at 6 months and 8 years post‐release. Similar data were also obtained for their (ex‐)partners.ResultsThe main sample comprised 39 men and 39 women who were in the same ‘family set’ for the first two waves, and after 8 years, 26 men and 30 women were retained. Just over 40% of the men and their (ex‐)partners each disclosed that they had a mental health problem preceding his release. Proportions fluctuated slightly over time, with some dissonance between self‐perceived disorder and self‐ratings on a symptoms rating scale. Twenty‐nine couples sustained their relationship during the transition between prison and release, but after 8 years, only four remained together. There was little evidence of association between measures of mental health and relationship quality among either the men or their partners.ConclusionsThe findings challenge assumptions about the extent to which partners can play fully supportive roles in a former prisoner's transition from institutional life back into the community, as partners are also likely to be experiencing difficulties during this time. Thus, former prisoners and their families should be afforded equal access to support and assistance during offender rehabilitation.
Effects of Surface Finish of Nonwoven Fabric Bag Filters on Filter Efficiency
Authors: Fukasawa Tomonori , Kanaoka Chikao , Ishigami Toru , Fukui Kunihiro 
Published: November 2021

AbstractThe effects of the surface finish of the bag filter for industrial use on the spatial distributions of the fiber mass, air permeability, and thickness were examined using a nonwoven fabric filter made of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) with no surface finish and two nonwoven fabric filters made of PTFE with different surface finishes, i.e., resin finish and membrane finish. The surface finish had no impact on the non‐uniformity in air permeability distribution. However, the air permeability of the filters was reduced with the use of a surface finish. In addition, the specific filtration resistance of the filter media increased by approximately 1.2 times in the case of the resin finish and 4.2 times for the membrane finish. Hence, the influence of the membrane finish on the filter efficiency is extremely strong.
Experimental and Numerical Investigation of a Novel Spiral Micromixer with Sinusoidal Channel Walls
Authors: Bahrami Dariush , Bayareh Morteza 
Published: November 2021

AbstractA novel spiral micromixer with sinusoidal channel walls was designed to enhance the mixing index in the low to intermediate Reynolds number range (1 < Re < 100). To analyze the fluid flow, a set of numerical simulations were performed using the finite‐difference method. The microchip was fabricated from polydimethylsiloxane, employing the soft‐lithography technique. The degree of mixing was increased by 99.11 % when using the proposed micromixer, compared to 59.44 % for a simple spiral micromixer. The introduced microchannel drastically reduced the mixing length, increasing the mixing index of a 0.5‐loop spiral‐sinusoidal microchannel compared to that of the simple spiral microchannel with 1.5 loops. The mixing index of the 3‐loop mixer was higher than that of the microchannel with 1.5 loops, and its pressure drop was increased.
Shorter Alkyl Chains Enhance Molecular Diffusion and Electron Transfer Kinetics between Photosensitisers and Catalysts in CO2‐Reducing Photocatalytic Liposomes
Authors: Klein David M. , Rodríguez‐Jiménez Santiago , Hoefnagel Marlene E. , Pannwitz Andrea , Prabhakaran Amrutha , Siegler Maxime A. , Keyes Tia E. , Reisner Erwin , Brouwer Albert M. , Bonnet Sylvestre 
Published: November 2021

AbstractCovalent functionalisation with alkyl tails is a common method for supporting molecular catalysts and photosensitisers onto lipid bilayers, but the influence of the alkyl chain length on the photocatalytic performances of the resulting liposomes is not well understood. In this work, we first prepared a series of rhenium‐based CO2‐reduction catalysts [Re(4,4’‐(CnH2n+1)2‐bpy)(CO)3Cl] (ReCn; 4,4’‐(CnH2n+1)2‐bpy=4,4’‐dialkyl‐2,2’‐bipyridine) and ruthenium‐based photosensitisers [Ru(bpy)2(4,4’‐(CnH2n+1)2‐bpy)](PF6)2 (RuCn) with different alkyl chain lengths (n=0, 9, 12, 15, 17, and 19). We then prepared a series of PEGylated DPPC liposomes containing RuCn and ReCn, hereafter noted Cn, to perform photocatalytic CO2 reduction in the presence of sodium ascorbate. The photocatalytic performance of the Cn liposomes was found to depend on the alkyl tail length, as the turnover number for CO (TON) was inversely correlated to the alkyl chain length, with a more than fivefold higher CO production (TON=14.5) for the C9 liposomes, compared to C19 (TON=2.8). Based on immobilisation efficiency quantification, diffusion kinetics, and time‐resolved spectroscopy, we identified the main reason for this trend: two types of membrane‐bound RuCn species can be found in the membrane, either deeply buried in the bilayer and diffusing slowly, or less buried with much faster diffusion kinetics. Our data suggest that the higher photocatalytic performance of the C9 system is due to the higher fraction of the more mobile and less buried molecular species, which leads to enhanced electron transfer kinetics between RuC9 and ReC9.
Photo‐stability and Photo‐damage of SPASER Nanoparticles under Nanosecond Pulsed‐laser
Authors: Wang Jian‐Hua , Wang Shao‐Peng , Melentiev Pavel N. , Kang Bin , Xu Jing‐Juan , Chen Hong‐Yuan 
Published: November 2021

Comprehensive SummarySPASER nanoparticle (NP), with small size, ultranarrow spectral‐line and good biocompatibility, is a potential biomedical nanoprobe. However, owning to the striking light absorption capacity of Au‐resonator, huge energy could accumulate under strong pumping‐laser, which would lead to poor photo‐stability and unexpected photo‐damage to SPASER NP, and is harmful to its future practical application but hasn't been systematically studied in experiment. In this paper, our experimental and theoretical researches revealed that the photo‐stability of SPASER NP is largely determined by its structure parameters: smaller Au‐core diameter, thicker silica‐shell will contribute to better photo‐stability. And the possibility and extent of photo‐damage of SPASER NP depend on not only its intrinsic stability but also the external pumping‐laser. Notably, the strong pumping condition for two‐level SPASER system could lead to heating‐melting‐evaporation or even phase‐explosion of SPASER NP, resulting in obvious photo‐damage, while, the weak pumping condition for three‐level SPASER system is quite friendly. This study provides reliable bases for the structural‐properties optimization of SPASER NPs, which is of great significance for its future application as a novel luminescence probe.