bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Developmental changes within the extended face processing network: A cross‐sectional functional magnetic resonance imaging study
Authors: Sahraei Isabell , Hildesheim Franziska E. , Thome Ina , Kessler Roman , Rusch Kristin M. , Sommer Jens , Kamp‐Becker Inge , Stark Rudolf , Jansen Andreas 
Published: October 2021

AbstractIn the field of face processing, the so‐called “core network” has been intensively researched. Its neural activity can be reliably detected in children and adults using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). However, the core network's counterpart, the so‐called “extended network,” has been less researched. In the present study, we compared children's and adults’ brain activity in the extended system, in particular in the amygdala, the insula, and the inferior frontal gyrus (IFG). Using fMRI, we compared the brain activation pattern between children aged 7–9 years and adults during an emotional face processing task. On the one hand, children showed increased activity in the extended face processing system in relation to adults, particularly in the left amygdala, the right insula, and the left IFG. On the other hand, lateralization indices revealed a “leftward bias” in children's IFG compared to adults. These results suggest that brain activity associated with face processing is characterized by a developmental decrease in activity. They further show that the development is associated with a rightward migration of face‐related IFG activation, possibly due to the competition for neural space between several developing brain functions (“developmental competition hypothesis”).
Do southern seed or soil microbes mitigate the effects of warming on establishing prairie plant communities?
Authors: Jochems Louis W. , Lau Jennifer A. , Brudvig Lars A. , Grman Emily 
Published: October 2021

AbstractRestoration in this era of climate change comes with a new challenge: anticipating how best to restore populations to persist under future climate conditions. Specifically, it remains unknown whether locally adapted or warm‐adapted seeds best promote native plant community restoration in the warmer conditions predicted in the future and whether local or warm‐adapted soil microbial communities could mitigate plant responses to warming. This may be especially relevant for biomes spanning large climatic gradients, such as the North American tallgrass prairie. Here, we used a short‐term mesocosm experiment to evaluate how seed provenances (Local Northern region, Non‐local Northern region, Non‐local Southern region) of 10 native tallgrass prairie plants (four forbs, two legumes, and four grasses) responded to warmer conditions predicted in the future and how soil microbial communities from those three regions influenced these responses. Warming and seed provenance affected plant community composition and warming decreased plant diversity for all three seed provenances. Plant species varied in their individual responses to warming, and across species, we detected no consistent differences among the three provenances in terms of biomass response to warming and few strong effects of soil provenance. Our work provides evidence that warming, in part, may reduce plant diversity and affect restored prairie composition. Because the southern provenance did not consistently outperform others under warming and we found little support for the “local is best” paradigm currently dominating restoration practice, identifying appropriate seed provenances to promote restoration success both now and in future warmer environments may be challenging. Due to the idiosyncratic responses across species, we recommend that land managers compare seeds from different regions for each species to determine which seed provenance performs best under warming and in restoration for tallgrass prairies.
Contrasting plant responses to multivariate environmental variations among species with divergent elevation shifts
Authors: Zhang Bo , Zhang Jinchi , Hastings Alan , Fu Zhiyuan , Yuan Yingdan , Zhai Lu 
Published: October 2021

AbstractThe general predictions of climate impacts on species shifts (e.g., upward shift) cannot directly inform local species conservation, because local‐scale studies find divergent patterns instead of a general one. For example, our previous study found three shift patterns with elevation (strong down‐, moderate down‐, and up‐slope shifts) in temperate mountain forests. The divergent shifts are hypothesized to arise from both multivariate environmental variations with elevation and corresponding species‐specific responses. To test this hypothesis, we sampled soils and leaves to measure elevation variations in soil conditions and determined plant responses using discriminations against heavier isotopes, carbon (13C) and nitrogen (15N). Functional traits of the species studied were also extracted from a public trait dataset. We found that: (1) With low soil water contents at low elevations, only the leaves of up‐shifters had lower 13C discriminations at low vs. high elevations; (2) With low soil P contents at high elevations, only the leaves of moderate down‐shifters had higher 15N discriminations at high vs. low elevations; (3) The leaves of strong down‐shifters did not show significant elevation patterns of the discriminations; (4) The contrasting responses among the three types of shifters agree with their functional dissimilarity, suggested by their separate locations in a multitrait space. Taken together, the divergent shifts are associated with the elevation variations in environmental conditions and contrasting plant responses. The contrasting responses could result from the functional dissimilarity among species. Therefore, a detailed understanding of both local environmental variations and species‐specific responses can facilitate accurate predictions of species shifts to inform local species conservation.
(Non)Parallel developmental mechanisms in vertebrate appendage reduction and loss
Authors: Swank Samantha , Sanger Thomas J. , Stuart Yoel E. 
Published: October 2021

AbstractAppendages have been reduced or lost hundreds of times during vertebrate evolution. This phenotypic convergence may be underlain by shared or different molecular mechanisms in distantly related vertebrate clades. To investigate, we reviewed the developmental and evolutionary literature of appendage reduction and loss in more than a dozen vertebrate genera from fish to mammals. We found that appendage reduction and loss was nearly always driven by modified gene expression as opposed to changes in coding sequences. Moreover, expression of the same genes was repeatedly modified across vertebrate taxa. However, the specific mechanisms by which expression was modified were rarely shared. The multiple routes to appendage reduction and loss suggest that adaptive loss of function phenotypes might arise routinely through changes in expression of key developmental genes.
Seeing science: using graphics to communicate research
Authors: Perra Megan , Brinkman Todd 
Published: October 2021

AbstractProper science communication is quickly becoming a professional imperative in ecology, but many researchers are not practiced in diverse and effective communication strategies. Academic jargon and text‐heavy content are often cited as barriers for laypeople trying to access and understand research results. Here, we have presented scientific visualizations (infographics, figures, and illustrations) as a useful tool to reduce the information transfer gaps between researchers and the public. The graphics we have proposed are images with minimal text that convey ecological research concepts, methods, processes, and results. They are more captivating than text alone and more efficient at disseminating information to a broad audience because they reduce cognitive load. We applied tools and best practices from the fields of marketing and design to explain graphic construction and demonstrated how to build a visualization that is both aesthetic and effective. The basic principles of design are paramount to image composition, and we reviewed experimental literature to support the notions that the proper use of color, proximity, and balance helps to illuminate the main message or story that we wanted to communicate. We presented examples from wildlife ecology research in Alaska to highlight how researchers can use graphics for their own communication efforts, and emphasized the power of visual narratives to explain complex techniques and ecosystem processes. The best practices we outlined here are meant to help researchers understand the composition of science visualizations, build productive collaborations with artists, and ultimately create appealing and informative images that communicate research.
Selenomethionine alleviated Ochratoxin A induced pyroptosis and renal fibrotic factors expressions in MDCK cells
Authors: Mao Xinru , Li Hu , Ge Lei , Liu Shuiping , Hou Lili , Yue Dongmei , Du Heng , Pan Cuiling , Gan Fang , Liu Yunhuan , Huang Kehe , Chen Xingxiang 
Published: October 2021

AbstractOchratoxin A (OTA) is universally known to induce nephrotoxicity via inducing oxidative stress and apoptosis, inhibiting protein synthesis and activating autophagy. Our previous studies have proved that OTA induces nephrotoxicity in vitro and in vivo by adjusting the NOD‐like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome activation and caspase‐1‐dependent pyroptosis. Based on these findings, we further investigated the protective role of selenomethionine (SeMet) on OTA‐caused nephrotoxicity using the Madin‐Darby canine kidney (MDCK) epithelial cells as an in vitro model, proposing to offer a new way for remedying OTA‐induced nephrotoxicity by nutritional manipulation. We measured the cell vitality, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity and the expression of renal fibrotic genes, NLRP3 inflammasome and pyroptosis related genes. MTT and LDH results indicated that SeMet supplementation significantly mitigated 2.0 μg/ml OTA‐induced cytotoxicity in MDCK cells (p < 0.05). Meanwhile, SeMet alleviated OTA induced increase of reactive oxygen species in MDCK cells. Then, the expressions of α‐SMA, Vimentin, and TGF‐β were detected both in mRNA and protein levels. The results indicated 8 μM SeMet supplementation could significantly downregulate the expression of OTA‐induced renal fibrosis‐related genes (p < 0.05). In addition, the upregulation of OTA‐induced NLRP3 inflammasome and pyroptosis downstream genes was also significantly inhibited by 8 μM of SeMet (p < 0.05). In summary, SeMet could alleviate OTA‐induced renal fibrotic genes expression and reduce NLRP3‐caspase‐1‐dependent pyroptosis. Therefore, SeMet supplementation may become an effective approach for preserving animals from renal injury exposed to OTA.
Therapeutic time windows of compounds against NMDA receptors signaling pathways for ischemic stroke
Authors: Huo Yuexiang , Feng Xue , Niu Menghan , Wang Le , Xie Yinghua , Wang Long , Ha Jing , Cheng Xiaokun , Gao Zibin , Sun Yongjun 
Published: October 2021

AbstractMuch evidence has proved that excitotoxicity induced by excessive release of glutamate contributes largely to damage caused by ischemia. In view of the key role played by NMDA receptors in mediating excitotoxicity, compounds against NMDA receptors signaling pathways have become the most promising type of anti‐stroke candidate compounds. However, the limited therapeutic time window for neuroprotection is a key factor preventing NMDA receptor‐related compounds from showing efficacy in all clinical trials for ischemic stroke. In this perspective, the determination of therapeutic time windows of these kinds of compounds is useful in ensuring a therapeutic effect and accelerating clinical application. This mini‐review discussed the therapeutic time windows of compounds against NMDA receptors signaling pathways, described related influence factors and the status of clinical studies. The purpose of this review is to look for compounds with wide therapeutic time windows and better clinical application prospect.
Donor age and sex have limited effects on the mechanical and microstructural properties of human connective tissues
Authors: Castile Ryan M. , Cannon Paul C. , Smith Matthew V. , Brophy Robert H. , Lake Spencer P. 
Published: October 2021

AbstractConnective tissues, such as tendons, ligaments, and capsules, play a large role in locomotion and joint stability and are often subjected to traumatic injuries and degeneration. The purpose of this study was to evaluate if the mechanical and microstructural properties of connective tissues correlate with the age and sex of the human donor. Dissected samples were prepared for mechanical testing, consisting of 10 cycles of preconditioning, a stress‐relaxation ramp and hold, and a quasi‐static ramp to failure. During the testing protocol, the microstructural organization of tissues was analyzed using quantitative polarized light imaging. A linear mixed model was used to assess whether tissue type, donor age, or donor sex were significantly associated with mechanical and microstructural tissue properties. Tissue type had a significant effect on all parameters, while donor age and sex did not. Groupings by tissue type (i.e., tendon vs. ligament vs. capsule) were evident for microstructural data, with tendons having a tighter grouping and ligaments having a larger spread of values. The interaction of tissue type and age yielded a significant effect for linear modulus only (p = 0.007), with the palmaris tendon appearing to have the largest contribution to this effect. There were no significant interaction effects between sex and tissue type or donor age. Donor age appears to affect linear modulus in some, but not all, tissue types. Otherwise, age and sex do not have significant effects on the mechanical and microstructural properties of the range of connective tissues that were analyzed in this study.
Purification and characterization of Se‐enriched Grifola frondosa glycoprotein, and evaluating its amelioration effect on As3+‐induced immune toxicity
Authors: Zhang Zhe‐Han , Liao Tao‐Tao , Deng Chun‐Meng , Li Baorui , Okeke Emmanuel Sunday , Feng Wei‐Wei , Chen Yao , Zhao Ting , Mao Guang‐Hua , Wu Xiang‐Yang 
Published: October 2021

AbstractBACKGROUNDSelenium (Se)‐enriched glycoproteins have been a research highlight for the role of both Se and glycoproteins in immunoregulation. Arsenic (As) is a toxicant that is potentially toxic to the immune function and consequently to human health. Several reports suggested that Se could reduce the toxicity of heavy metals. Moreover, more and more nutrients in food had been applied to relieve As‐induced toxicity. Hence glycoproteins were isolated and purified from Se‐enriched Grifola frondosa, and their preliminary characteristics as well as amelioration effect and mechanism on As3+‐induced immune toxicity were evaluated.RESULTSFour factions, namely Se‐GPr11 (electrophoresis analysis exhibited one band: 14.32 kDa), Se‐GPr22 (two bands: 20.57 and 31.12 kDa), Se‐GPr33 (three bands: 15.08, 20.57 and 32.78 kDa) and Se‐GPr44 (three bands: 16.73, 32.78 and 42.46 kDa), were obtained from Se‐enriched G. frondosa via DEAE‐52 and Sephacryl S‐400 column. In addition, Se‐GPr11 and Se‐GPr44 are ideal proteins that contain high amounts of almost all essential amino acids. Thereafter, the RAW264.7 macrophage model was adopted to estimate the effect of Se‐GPr11 and Se‐GPr44 on As3+‐induced immune toxicity. The results showed that the pre‐intervention method was the best consequent and the potential mechanisms were, first, by improving the oxidative stress state (enhancing the activity of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase, decreasing the levels of reactive oxygen species and malondialdehyde); secondly, through nuclear factor‐κB and mitogen‐activated protein kinase‐mediated upregulation cytokines (interleukin‐2 and interferon‐γ) secretion induced by As3+.CONCLUSIONThe results suggested Se‐enriched G. frondosa may be a feasible supplement to improve health level of the As3+ pollution population. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.
An intrinsically eye safe approach to high apparent brightness augmented reality displays using computer‐generated holography
Authors: Newman Alfred J. , Widjanarko Taufiq , Spiess Alden O. , Milne Darran F. , Wilkinson Tim D. , Kaczorowski Andrzej 
Published: October 2021

AbstractAchieving the luminance of real‐world scenes is a challenge for many display technologies. Computer‐generated holography offers a number of advantages, due to both the high optical efficiency and the ability to redistribute available luminous flux to individual points. This is important while displaying sparse content that needs to be clearly perceived against a bright background in augmented reality. In this work, we consider a range of optical architectures and analyze the impact of each element on the overall display luminance. We conclude that the range of holographic projector efficiencies can vary from 50% to 0.05%, with the average of 3%. An example holographic projector with 2% efficiency is built to evaluate the analysis. Using a low‐power RGB laser module, outputting 1.78 mW, a mean luminance of 30,000 cd/m2 has been attained. In the presence of sparse content, peak luminance exceeding 300,000 cd/m2 is demonstrated. Both the calculation and the measurements confirm that by using holography, it is possible to achieve a display that is sufficiently bright to be clearly viewable in daylight, in a manner that can be intrinsically eye safe. The image is projected against daytime sky and appears several times brighter, hence adding visual validation to the analysis.
Construction of Quaternized Polysulfone/Polyquaternium‐10 Anion Exchange Membrane with Semi‐Interpenetrating Network for Alkaline Fuel Cell
Authors: Yang Zhaojie , Zhang Minghua , Zhao Zhixin , Zhang Xi , Fan Minmin 
Published: October 2021

AbstractThe quaternized polysulfone/polyquaternium‐10 (QPSU/PQ‐10) anion exchange membranes (AEMs) with a semi‐interpenetrating network are prepared by the simple solution casting method. The effects of the mass ratio of chloromethylated polysulfone (CMPSU) to PQ‐10 and the molar ratio of quaternized chloromethyl (QCM) to cross‐linked chloromethyl (CCM) on the performance of AEM are systematically investigated. The results show that the introduction of PQ‐10 endows the QPSU/PQ‐10 AEM with excellent mechanical performance. More specifically, the QPSU/PQ‐10 AEM has moderate water uptake, swelling ratio, and ion exchange capacity (IEC) at an appropriate composition ratio and crosslinking degree. In particular, the tensile strength and elongation at break of the QP0.5‐1 membrane with the optimal composition ratio and crosslinking degree are 23.63 MPa and 20.07%, respectively; and its ion conductivity is up to 69.91 mS cm−1 at 80 °C. Furthermore, the peak power density of the single fuel cell assembled from the QP0.5‐1 membrane is 75.64 mW cm−2 at 60 °C. Herein, the QPSU/PQ‐10 AEM has good thermal oxidation stability, mechanical properties, and ion conductivity, highlighting the potential of bio‐based PQ‐10 as an ion‐conducting functional molecule in AEMs.
Highly Accurate Filters to Flag Frequent Hitters in AlphaScreen Assays by Suggesting their Mechanism
Authors: Ghosh Dipan , Koch Uwe , Hadian Kamyar , Sattler Michael , Tetko Igor V. 
Published: October 2021

AbstractAlphaScreen is one of the most widely used assay technologies in drug discovery due to its versatility, dynamic range and sensitivity. However, a presence of false positives and frequent hitters contributes to difficulties with an interpretation of measured HTS data. Although filters do exist to identify frequent hitters for AlphaScreen, they are frequently based on privileged scaffolds. The development of such filters is time consuming and requires deep domain knowledge. Recently, machine learning and artificial intelligence methods are emerging as important tools to advance drug discovery and chemoinformatics, including their application to identification of frequent hitters in screening assays. However, the relative performance and complementarity of the Machine Learning and scaffold‐based techniques has not yet been comprehensively compared. In this study, we analysed filters based on the privileged scaffolds with filters built using machine learning. Our results demonstrate that machine‐learning methods provide more accurate filters for identification of frequent hitters in AlphaScreen assays than scaffold‐based methods and can be easily redeveloped once new data are measured. We present highly accurate models to identify frequent hitters in AlphaScreen assays.
Intermolecular Charge‐Transfer Luminescence by Self‐Assembly of Pyridinium Luminophores in Solutions
Authors: Leduskrasts Kaspars , Suna Edgars 
Published: October 2021

AbstractDesigning a luminophore for application both in solution and in the solid state is a highly challenging task given the distinct nature of intermolecular interactions in these phases. In this context, we demonstrate that self‐assembly of non‐emissive charged pyridinium luminophores enables luminescence in solutions through a mechanism that is characteristic for the crystal state. Specifically, protonation of pyridine luminophore subunits in a solution promotes oligomer formation through intermolecular π+‐π interactions, leading to an intermolecular charge‐transfer type luminescence. The luminescence turn‐on by protonation is utilized for a highly efficient solution‐state luminescent sensing of hydrogen chloride and sulfonic acids (TfOH, TsOH and MsOH) with detection limits spanning the range from 0.06 to 0.33 ppm. The protonation followed by self‐assembly results in a bathochromic shift of the emission from 420 nm to 550 nm.
Single crystal, Hirshfeld surface, DFT analyses of (E)‐2‐(2‐chloro‐6‐fluorobenzylidene)hydrazinecarbothioamide: Elastase inhibition and DNA binding studies
Authors: Ujan Rabail , Arshad Nasima , Perveen Fouzia , Abbas Qamar , Channar Pervaiz Ali , Saeed Aamer , Farooqi Shahid I. , Channar Kashif Ali , Hökelek Tuncer , Flörke Ulrich 
Published: October 2021

AbstractHere, a new (E)‐2‐(2‐chloro‐6‐fluorobenzylidene)hydrazinecarbothioamide hybrid 3 is reported for synthesis by using simple protocol. Compound was characterized, and its crystal structure was resolved by single crystal X‐ray analysis. The molecular structure showed perfect planarity with the 2,6‐halogen atoms disordered over the two positions. Hirshfeld surface (HS) analysis indicated H‐bonding and van der Waals interactions as leading intermolecular interactions in the crystal structure with most important contributions as H … H (24.10%), H … S/S … H (20.80%) and H … Cl/Cl … H (13.50%). Density functional theory (DFT) analysis further highlighted on molecular orbital's energy transitions and comparison of absorption maxima with experimentally calculated λmax. Crystal was evaluated against elastase enzyme by using molecular docking and in vitro enzyme inhibition methods. An intuitive look at elastase inhibition demonstrated higher binding efficacy and lower IC50. Results from both studies have shown potent inhibitory activity of 3 against elastase. Kb and ΔG for 3‐DNA complex evaluated from molecular docking and UV/visible spectroscopy efficiently complemented each other, and the binding mode observed through docked structure was verified by viscometry. Theoretical and experimental investigations have provided evidence of substantial binding of the title compound with the DNA via intercalation.