bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Plasticizers
Authors: Howick Christopher J. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractA plasticizer is a substance the addition of which to another material makes that material softer and more flexible. Most often plasticizers are materials that, when added to a polymer, cause an increase in the flexibility and workability, brought about by a decrease in the glass‐transition temperature,Tg, of the polymer. The most widely plasticized polymer is poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) due to its excellent plasticizer compatibility characteristics, and the development of plasticizers closely follows the development of this commodity polymer. This article provides an overview of the important types of plasticizers that exist and gives details of the manufacture and how different production methods and starting materials affect the properties of the plasticizers. The mechanism of the action of plasticizers is described, in terms of plasticization theory and the chemical modifications that occur during this process, which accounts for the excellent performance of some plasticizer molecules and the apparently poor softening ability of others. These effects are used to make products that are familiar to daily life, and a change of plasticizer can produce changes in the properties of wall covering, cable sheathing, and so on. The current legislative and toxicological status of plasticizers is thoroughly reviewed to provide information about the environmental effects of the widespread use of these products.
Neglected Tropical Diseases: Reasons for ‘Neglect’ in Global Health and Directing Attention Towards Neglected Issues
Authors: Vanderslott Samantha 
Published: June 2021

AbstractWhy do some health topics attract attention, funding, action and resources, while others are neglected? How are priorities defined and agendas set in global health? What are the causes of persistent ignorance and inaction? Neglected tropical diseases are, as the name suggests, exemplary of a health issue that has been singled out as being neglected. Recently, a concerted effort has been made to address this neglect through a change in priorities and agenda‐setting that caused these diseases to be sidelined. However, the underlying reasoning and structures that led to neglect still remain, and attention must be redirected to prevent the continued neglect of these and other health issues.Key ConceptsAttention, funding, action and resources in global health are not determined exclusively by needs.Neglect of health issues, such as neglected tropical diseases, is a persistent problem.Priorities and agenda‐setting must be reappraised to make sure certain health topics are not sidelined.Neglected tropical diseases were able to move up the global policy agenda through advocacy.The role of scientist advocates and metrics was key.
Bromoviridae: A Family of Plant Viruses with Tripartite Genomes
Authors: Chakravarty Antara , Rao Ayala LN 
Published: June 2021

AbstractThe familyBromoviridaecontains six genera of tripartite, plant‐pathogenic ribonucleic acid (RNA) viruses, namelyAlfamovirus, Anulavirus, Bromovirus, Cucumovirus, IlarvirusandOleavirus. Viruses in this family exhibit the following salient features: (1) virions are nonenveloped with icosahedral or bacilliform geometries; (2) in each genus, the single‐strand, positive‐sense RNA genome of ∼8 kilobases (kb) is divided among three RNAs; (3) the 3' untranslated region of the viral RNAs adopts either a transfer ribonucleic acid‐like structure (TLS) or a series of stem loops that assume a TLS upon coat protein (CP) binding; (4) four progeny RNAs are packaged into either three homogeneous or four heterogeneous virions; (5) CP is required for the genome activation exclusively forAlfamovirusandIlarvirusgenera; (6) in all the genera, the replication and virion assembly occurs in the cytoplasmic compartment of the cell and (7) cell‐to‐cell and long‐distance spread involves both movement protein and CP. Finally, members ofBromoviridaeand other plant viruses commonly share mechanical and insect transmission properties.Key ConceptsThe genome of the member viruses of the familyBromoviridaecontains single‐strand, positive‐sense RNAs encoding few proteins.A group of three RNA components represents the genome in tripartite viruses.Vesicles or spherule‐like invaginations of host membranes induced by virus‐encoded gene products are the sites of viral replication.Progeny RNA of tripartite viruses is packaged into three or four virions having either spherical or bacilliform morphology.Genome packaging into stable virions requires specific interaction between the coat protein (CP) and the viral progeny RNA and is functionally coupled to replication, that is only the replicated progeny RNA is packaged into virions.Cell‐to‐cell spread of the tripartite viruses requires both movement protein and CP.
Ingestion in Mammals
Authors: Laird Myra F 
Published: June 2021

Abstract

Living and fossil mammals are incredibly diverse in their feeding morphology and behaviours. For example, mammalian feeding adaptations range from filter feeding in whales to bats catching insects mid‐flight. Mammals share aspects of their cranial morphology compared to other vertebrates including the bones of the skull, the dentition, the cheek and chewing muscles, the lips and the lip musculature, the palate, the tongue and the pharynx. In addition to their anatomy, mammals are behaviourally distinct from other vertebrates through their food‐processing abilities inside and outside of the oral cavity, mastication, swallowing and the presence of suckling in infants. The appearance of these anatomical features and adaptations associated with these behaviours are key to distinguishing the earliest mammals in the fossil record.

Key Concepts

Mammals are distinguished through aspects of their craniodental anatomy and their feeding behaviours.

Feeding in adult mammals can be divided into four stages: preingestion, ingestion, food transport and swallowing.

Ingestion is constrained by size and mechanical properties of the food item.

Infant mammals use two feeding stages: suckling and swallowing.

Early fossil mammals are distinguished by adaptations to the feeding system.
Palaeoenvironments
Authors: Aberhan Martin , Ullmann Clemens V 
Published: June 2021

AbstractPalaeoenvironments are depositional environments of the geological past. Palaeoenvironmental reconstructions use the combined evidence derived from physical characteristics of sedimentary deposits, fossil content and geochemical signatures of rocks and skeletal hard parts. Mineralogical composition, grain size, sedimentary structures and bedding of sediments provide essential information on environmental variables such as water depth, activity of currents and waves, substrate conditions and times of subaerial exposure. By incorporating information from neighbouring rocks, the ancient environment can be characterised by comparison with present‐day environments. Fossils allow to discriminate between marine and nonmarine palaeoenvironments. The abundance distribution of species in fossil assemblages and their diversity and ecological composition yield important information on the conditions of ancient ecosystems and can indicate the nature and degree of environmental stress. Sedimentological and palaeontological criteria are complemented by multifaceted geochemical data to combine into an effectively multidisciplinary approach to palaeoenvironmental reconstructions.Key ConceptsPalaeoecologists, sedimentologists and geochemists study the sedimentary rock record and fossils to reconstruct ancient environments.The physical characteristics of sedimentary deposits and rocks provide the fundamental source of information on the nature of ancient depositional environments.Palaeoecological approaches use the fossil remains preserved in sedimentary deposits to reconstruct ancient environments.The relative abundance of species in fossil assemblages and the diversity and ecological composition of palaeocommunities yield important information on the conditions of ancient ecosystems and can indicate stressed environments.Geochemical proxies allow for quantitative constraints on palaeoenvironmental parameters including climatic and redox conditions.The combination of sedimentological, palaeontological and geochemical data constitutes a powerful multiproxy approach to palaeoenvironmental reconstructions.
Tunable Néel–Bloch Magnetic Twists in Fe3GeTe2 with van der Waals Structure
Authors: Peng Licong , Yasin Fehmi S. , Park Tae‐Eon , Kim Sung Jong , Zhang Xichao , Nagai Takuro , Kimoto Koji , Woo Seonghoon , Yu Xiuzhen 
Published: June 2021

AbstractThe advent of ferromagnetism in 2D van der Waals (vdW) magnets has stimulated high interest in exploring topological magnetic textures, such as skyrmions for use in future skyrmion‐based spintronic devices. To engineer skyrmions in vdW magnets by transforming Bloch‐type magnetic bubbles into Néel‐type skyrmions, a heavy metal/vdW magnetic thin film heterostructure has been made to induce interfacial Dzyaloshinskii–Moriya interaction (DMI). However, the unambiguous identification of the magnetic textures inherent to vdW magnets, for example, whether the magnetic twists (skyrmions/domain walls) are Néel‐ or Bloch‐type, is unclear. Here we demonstrate that the magnetic twists can be tuned between Néel and Bloch‐type in the vdW magnet Fe3GeTe2 (FGT) with/without interfacial DMI. We use an in‐plane magnetic field to align the modulation wavevector q of the magnetizations in order to distinguish the Néel‐ or Bloch‐type magnetic twists. We observe that q is perpendicular to the in‐plane field in the heterostructure (Pt/oxidized‐FGT/FGT/oxidized‐FGT), while q aligns at a rotated angle with respect to the field direction in the FGT thin plate thinned from bulk. We find that the aligned domain wall twists hold fan‐like modulations, coinciding qualitatively with our computational results.
Visible Light Mediated Synthesis of Oxindoles
Authors: Singh Jitender , Sharma Anuj 
Published: June 2021

AbstractFunctionalized oxindoles are privileged heterocyclic scaffolds and common core structural motifs that are broadly present in numerous natural products and serve as key intermediates in the synthesis of biological products, agrochemicals, and pharmaceuticals. Oxindoles exhibit a broad pharmacological and physiological activities, and diverse range of applications in medicinal chemistry and biomedical research. Owing to these fascinating biological and physiological activities of oxindoles, several methodologies have been developed for the construction of oxindoles. In the past decade, the visible light mediated methodologies have attracted substantial attention and emerged as a promising approach for the construction of oxindoles. In this review, the visible light mediated synthesis of oxindoles have been described.magnified image
Base cation saturation ratios, soil health, and yield in organic field crops
Authors: Chaganti Vijayasatya N. , Culman Steven W. , Herms Catherine , Sprunger Christine D. , Brock Caroline , Leiva Soto Andrea , Doohan Douglas 
Published: June 2021

AbstractBase cation saturation ratio (BCSR) is a soil management philosophy that postulates having an ideal ratio of base cations for maximizing crop yields. This practice is widely used on organic farms, and BCSR practitioners commonly describe improvements in soil health and crop productivity. However, studies evaluating the efficacy of BCSR on soil biological and physical properties are lacking. This 6‐yr field study evaluated the effects of changing soil calcium/magnesium (Ca/Mg) ratios on organic corn (Zea mays L.) and soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] yields and comprehensive soil health properties at two sites in Ohio with contrasting soils. Three soil amendments—(a) control, (b) gypsum (calcium sulfate), and (c) epsom (magnesium sulfate)—were applied to drive soil Ca and Mg levels in opposite directions. Amendment application resulted in soil Ca/Mg ratios 1.6 and 2.5 times higher in gypsum soils relative to epsom soils. Soil biological health, measured by permanganate oxidizable carbon, mineralizable carbon, and soil protein, was not affected by either gypsum or epsom applications. Likewise, soil physical quality measured by aggregate stability, infiltration, and penetration resistance was not significantly affected by gypsum or epsom additions at either site. Amendment application did not affect crop yields and there was no significant relationship between crop yields and the range of soil Ca/Mg ratios. Results from this study do not provide any evidence that BCSR improves soil health and organic field crop productivity.
Covalently Aligned Molybdenum Disulfide–Carbon Nanotubes Heteroarchitecture for High‐Performance Electrochemical Capacitors
Authors: Wu Xingjiang , Zhu Xiaolin , Tao Houyu , Wu Guan , Xu Jianhong , Bao Ningzhong 
Published: June 2021

AbstractAdvanced two‐dimensional nanosheets that promote the dynamic transportation and storage capacity of ions are significant for high‐performance electrochemical capacitors (ECs). However, such materials often possess a low energy density. We have developed an ordered heteroarchitecture of molybdenum disulfide‐carbon nanotubes (MoS2‐CNTs) in which CNTs are vertically grafted within a MoS2 framework by C−Mo covalent bonds. Benefiting from this in situ vertical bridge, high‐speed interlaminar conductivity, unimpeded ion‐diffusion channels and sufficient pseudocapacitive reactivity, the MoS2‐CNTs presents ultralarge capacitance (5485 F g−1) and good structural stability in potassium hydroxide electrolyte. Moreover, the all‐unified solid‐state flexible ECs obtained through direct‐write printing construction deliver high energy density (226 mWh g−1), good capacitance (723 F g−1) and stable high/low‐temperature operating ability, which can power a wearable health‐monitoring device.
Azetidines of pharmacological interest
Authors: Parmar Deepa R. , Soni Jigar Y. , Guduru Ramakrishna , Rayani Rahul H. , Kusurkar Rakesh V. , Vala Anand G. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractAzetidines are almost unexplored among nitrogen‐containing saturated heterocycles due to difficulties associated with their synthesis. However, over the past few years, attempts have been made by scientists to advance their synthetic feasibility. Compounds with the azetidine moiety display an important and diverse range of pharmacological activities, such as anticancer, antibacterial, antimicrobial, antischizophrenic, antimalarial, antiobesity, anti‐inflammatory, antidiabetic, antiviral, antioxidant, analgesic, and dopamine antagonist activities, and are also useful for the treatment of central nervous system disorders and so forth. Owing to its satisfactory stability, molecular rigidity, and chemical and biological properties, azetidine has emerged as a valuable scaffold and it has drawn the attention of medicinal researchers. The present review sheds light on the traditional method of synthesis of azetidine and advancements in synthetic methodology over the past few years, along with its application with various examples, and its biological significance.
Simultaneous determination of monocrotaline and its N‐oxide metabolite in rat plasma using LC–MS/MS: Application to a pharmacokinetic study
Authors: Lin Feifei , Pan Anni , Ye Yang , Liu Jia 
Published: June 2021

AbstractMonocrotaline (MCT) is a pyrrolizidine alkaloid that can induce hepatic sinusoidal damage, pulmonary hypertension, renal toxicity, and heart disease. Monocrotaline N‐oxide (MNO), the primary metabolite of MCT, is less toxic; however, it can convert back to MCT to exhibit its toxicity. This study developed and validated a rapid and sensitive LC–MS/MS method for the simultaneous determination of MCT and monocrotaline N‐oxide in rat plasma. The method has a linearity over the concentration range of 1–2000 ng/mL with correlation coefficients (r) >0.997 for each analyte. The results of selectivity, matrix effect, accuracy and precision, and recovery were all within the acceptance criteria. The validated method has been successfully applied to study pharmacokinetic behaviors and bioavailability of MCT in rats. MCT was rapidly absorbed (Tmax: 0.400 ± 0.149 h) after oral administration, and the absolute bioavailability of MCT was 78.2%.
Associations between initiating antihypertensive regimens on stage I–III colorectal cancer outcomes: A Medicare SEER cohort analysis
Authors: Balkrishnan Rajesh , Desai Raj P. , Narayan Aditya , Camacho Fabian T. , Flausino Lucas E. , Chammas Roger 
Published: June 2021

AbstractPurposeColorectal cancer (CRC) diagnosis is associated with high mortality in the United States and thus warrants the study of novel treatment approaches. Vascular changes are well observed in cancers and evidence indicates that antihypertensive (AH) medications may interfere with both tumor vasculature and in recruiting immune cells to the tumor microenvironment based on preclinical models. Extant literature also shows that AH medications are correlated with improved survival in some forms of cancer. Thus, this study sought to explore the impact of AH therapies on CRC outcomes.Patients and MethodsThis study was a non‐interventional, retrospective analysis of patients aged 65 years and older with CRC diagnosed from January 1, 2007 to December 31st, 2012 in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End‐Results (SEER)‐Medicare database. The association between AH drug utilization on AJCC stage I–III CRC mortality rates in patients who underwent treatment for cancer was examined using Cox proportional hazards models.ResultsThe study cohort consisted of 13,982 patients diagnosed with CRC. Adjusted Cox proportional hazards regression showed that among these patients, the use of AH drug was associated with decreased cancer‐specific mortality (HR: 0.79, 95% CI: 0.75–0.83). Specifically, ACE inhibitors (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.84, 95% CI: 0.80–0.87), beta‐blockers (HR: 0.87, 95% CI: 0.84–0.91), and thiazide diuretics (HR: 0.83, 95% CI: 0.80–0.87) were found to be associated with decreased mortality. An association was also found between adherence to AH therapy and decreased cancer‐specific mortality (HR: 0.94, 95% CI: 0.90–0.98).ConclusionFurther research needs to be performed, but AH medications may present a promising, low‐cost pathway to supporting CRC treatment for stage I–III cancers.
An Electrochemical Route for Special Oxidative Ring‐Opening of Indoles
Authors: Qin Hong , Yang Zhao , Zhang Zhen , Liu Chengkou , He Wei , Fang Zheng , Guo Kai 
Published: June 2021

AbstractA novel electrochemical protocol for the oxidative cleavage of indoles has been developed, which oﬀers a simple way to access synthetically useful anthranilic acid derivatives. In undivided cells, a wide variety of indoles and alcohol compounds are examined to aﬀord amide ester aromatics without using extra oxidants and stoichiometric metal catalysts, which avoids the formation of undesired by‐products and exhibits high atom economy. The products we described in this perspective represent a synthetic intermediate in numerous drug molecules and industrial chemical reagents and remarkably show potential application in the future.
Molecular cell identities in the mediodorsal thalamus of infant mice and marmoset
Authors: Onishi Kohei , Kikuchi Satomi S. , Abe Takaya , Tokuhara Tomoko , Shimogori Tomomi 
Published: June 2021

AbstractThe mediodorsal thalamus (MD) is a higher‐order nucleus located within the central thalamus in many mammalian species. Emerging evidence from MD lesions and tracer injections suggests that the MD is reciprocally connected to the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and plays an essential role in specific cognitive processes and tasks. MD subdivisions (medial, central, and lateral) are poorly segregated at the molecular level in rodents, leading to a lack of MD subdivision‐specific Cre driver mice. Moreover, this lack of molecular identifiers hinders MD subdivision‐ and cell‐type‐specific circuit formation and function analysis. Therefore, using publicly available databases, we explored molecules separately expressed in MD subdivisions. In addition to MD subdivision markers, we identified several genes expressed in a subdivision‐specific combination and classified them. Furthermore, after developing medial MD (MDm) or central MD (MDc) region‐specific Cre mouse lines, we identified diverse region‐ and layer‐specific PFC projection patterns. Comparison between classified MD marker genes in mice and common marmosets, a nonhuman primate model, revealed diverging gene expression patterns. These results highlight the species‐specific organization of cell types and their projections in the MD thalamus.
The Issue of Tissue: Approaches and Challenges to the Light Control of Drug Activity
Authors: Sharma Mayank , Friedman Simon H. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractThe front cover artwork is provided by the group of Professor Simon H. Friedman at the School of Pharmacy, University of Missouri–Kansas City (USA). The image depicts, in an abstract and minimalistic way, a central challenge for photopharmacology: the attenuation of light as it passes through tissue. Read the full text of the Minireview at 10.1002/cptc.202100001.
Urban landscapes increase dispersal, gene flow, and pathogen transmission potential in banded mongoose (Mungos mungo) in northern Botswana
Authors: Verble Kelton , Hallerman Eric M. , Alexander Kathleen A. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractDisease transmission can be strongly influenced by the manner in which conspecifics are connected across a landscape and the effects of land use upon these dynamics. In northern Botswana, the territorial and group‐living banded mongoose (Mungos mungo) lives across urban and natural landscapes and is infected with a novel Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex pathogen, M. mungi. Using microsatellite markers amplified from DNA derived from banded mongoose fecal and tissue samples (n = 168), we evaluated population genetic structure, individual dispersal, and gene flow for 12 troops. Genetic structure was detectable and moderately strong across groups (FST = 0.086), with K = 7 being the best‐supported number of genetic clusters. Indications of admixture in certain troops suggest formation of new groups through recent fusion events. Differentiation was higher for troops inhabiting natural areas (FST = 0.102) than for troops in urban landscapes (FST = 0.081). While this suggests increased levels of gene flow between urban‐dwelling troops, the inclusion of a smaller number of study troops from natural land types may have influenced these findings. Of those individuals confirmed infected with M. mungi, the majority (73%, n = 11) were assigned to their natal group which is consistent with previous observations linking lower levels of dispersal with infection. Twenty‐one probable dispersing individuals were identified, with all suspected migrants originating from troops within the urban landscape. Findings suggest that urbanized landscapes may increase gene flow and dispersal behavior with a concomitant increase in the risk of pathogen spread. As urban landscapes expand, there is an increasing need to understand how land use and pathogen infection may change wildlife behavior and disease transmission potential.