bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Management and climate variability effects on understory productivity of forest and savanna ecosystems in Oklahoma, USA
Authors: Adhikari Arjun , Masters Ronald E. , Mainali Kumar P. , Zou Chris B. , Joshi Omkar , Will Rodney E. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractThe productivity of herbaceous and understory woody vegetation is critical for wildlife habitat, livestock forage, and biodiversity, and is influenced by both annual weather patterns and tree dominance. With the goals to inform management and understand climate change implications, we determined the effects of tree harvest, prescribed fire, and 31 yr of climate variability on understory aboveground net primary productivity (ANPP) for ecosystems ranging from mature forest to grassland in a long‐term study in southeastern Oklahoma, USA. In 1984, starting with a mature forest dominated byPinus echinataandQuercus stellata, replicated experimental units were created by various combinations of pine harvest, hardwood thinning, and subsequent fire return intervals (1–4 yr and none). Understory ANPP (forbs, grasses, and woody plants) was measured by clip plots at the end of each growing season. Stepwise regression models were developed between understory ANPP and tree basal area, litter accumulation, fire return interval, and monthly, seasonal, and annual weather variables. Understory ANPP was dominated by grasses and ranged from 27 g·m−2·yr−1for the mature forest to 374 g·m−2·yr−1for an annually burned grassland/savanna. In general, herbaceous ANPP was inversely related to tree dominance (basal area), litter accumulation, and early and late growing season temperatures, and positively related to June precipitation. Understory woody ANPP was influenced by tree basal area, positively influenced by precipitation, and negatively influenced by summer soil moisture deficits. Our results indicate that prescribed fire, through its negative influence on tree basal area and litter accumulation, is critical to maintaining highly productive understories and that a three‐year return interval is a threshold to stall redevelopment of forest. For herbaceous ANPP, timing of precipitation, especially mid‐growing season, appears more important than total precipitation, and higher temperatures within the range our site experienced did not have a large negative effect. In contrast, understory woody ANPP was negatively influenced by drought indicating climate change may have variable effects on different functional groups.
T cells at work: How post‐transcriptional mechanisms control T cell homeostasis and activation
Authors: Jurgens Anouk P. , Popović Branka , Wolkers Monika C. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractT cells are central players of the adaptive immune system by protecting us from recurring infections and by killing malignant cells. Protective T cell responses rely on the concerted production of effector molecules such as cytolytic mediators, granzymes, and perforins, as well as pro‐inflammatory cytokines and chemokines. Once activated, T cells drastically change their gene expression and rapidly respond to insults by producing ample amounts of effector molecules. In the absence of antigen, T cells remain in a quiescent state and survey our body for possible pathogenic insults. Resting T cells are, however, not inert, but continuously regulate their protein production to survive and to be prepared for possible re‐infections. Here, we review our current knowledge on the regulation of gene expression in activated and quiescent T cells. We specifically focus on post‐transcriptional mechanisms that define the protein output and that allow dormant cells to undergo active signaling and selective translation, keeping them poised for activation. Finally, we discuss which signals drive T cell survival and their preparedness to respond to insults and which mechanisms are involved in these processes.
Efficient Preparation of Methyl 2‐Oxo‐3‐aryl (heteroaryl)‐2H‐pyran‐5‐carboxylate via Pd‐Catalyzed Negishi Coupling
Authors: Xavier Tania , Pichon Christophe , Presset Marc , Le Gall Erwan , Condon Sylvie 
Published: June 2021

AbstractMethyl 3‐bromocoumalate, readily obtained from methyl 2‐pyrone‐5‐carboxylate (methyl coumalate), is easily substituted by cross‐coupling reactions with arylzinc reagents under palladium catalysis, leading to methyl 2‐oxo‐3‐aryl (heteroaryl)‐2H‐pyran‐5‐carboxylates.
Fabrication of microporous organic network@silica composite for high‐performance liquid chromatographic separation of drugs and proteins
Authors: Sun Hao‐Fei , Cui Yuan‐Yuan , Yang Cheng‐Xiong 
Published: June 2021

AbstractMicroporous organic networks (MONs) that exhibit good stability and hydrophobicity are promising candidates for performing HPLC separation of small organic compounds. However, their applications in separating large analytes as well as biomolecules are still limited by the microporous nature of MONs. Herein, we demonstrated the fabrication of a MON‐functionalized silica (MON@SiO2), exhibiting micro and mesopores for the HPLC separations of small drugs as well as large analytes, such as flavones, nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), and proteins. MON was successfully modified on SiO2 microspheres to yield the uniform and mono‐dispersed MON@SiO2. The separation mechanisms and performance of the MON@SiO2 packed column were evaluated for a wide range of analytes, including neutral, acidic, basic compounds, drugs, and proteins. Compared with commercial C18 and SiO2–NH2 packed columns, the proposed MON@SiO2 column afforded superior performance in the separations of flavones, NSAIDs, EDCs, and proteins. Moreover, the MON@SiO2 column also offered good repeatability with intraday RSDs (n = 7) of <0.1%, <2.0%, <2.3%, and <0.7% for the retention time, peak height, peak area, and half peak width, respectively, for separating EDCs. This work proved the potential of using MONs in the HPLC separations of drugs and proteins.
Preparation and characterization of a novel biodegradable film based on sulfated polysaccharide extracted from seaweed Ulva intestinalis
Authors: Davoodi Mohammad Nabi , Milani Jafar M. , Farahmandfar Reza 
Published: June 2021

AbstractSeaweeds can be a suitable, inexpensive, abundant, and renewable source for the production of biodegradable films as an alternative to plastics. Sulfated polysaccharides, which are abundant in Ulva intestinalis seaweed, have shown important biological activities such as anticoagulant, antioxidant, antitumor, anti‐inflammatory, and antiviral activities. Mechanical, physicochemical, barrier, and surface properties of sulfated polysaccharide films extracted from Ulva intestinalis using glycerol and polyethylene glycol (PEG) as plasticizers were studied. Ulva intestinalis sulfated polysaccharide films (USP films) were successfully prepared by the incorporation of three concentrations of plasticizers (30, 40, and 50%). The film properties depended on the type and concentration of the plasticizer. Based on the results, by increasing the concentration of the plasticizer, the thickness, moisture content, solubility, and elongation at break of the USP films increased and tensile strength, young's modulus, transparency, and barrier properties of the films decreased. The film plasticized with 30% PEG showed the highest value of tensile strength (36.95 MPa), and the lowest value for permeability to vapor water and oxygen were 1.9 g mm‐1 s‐1kPa‐1 × 10–11 and 7.45 cm‐3.cm/cm2.s.cmHg ×10–8, respectively. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observations indicated that the surface of the films was free of bubbles, cracks, or fractures. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy results revealed some interactions between plasticizers and the polymer.
Study of starch aging characteristics based on Terahertz technology
Authors: Wang Tao , Wang Shuya , Zhai Chen , Wang Liang , Xie Yunfeng , Li Qian , Zheng Xu 
Published: June 2021

AbstractTraditional methods for the determination of starch aging indicators often have a series of shortcomings such as time‐consuming, high cost, large human error, damage to samples, environmental pollution, and high requirements for inspectors. Therefore, it is meaningful to find or establish a dynamic fingerprint identification pattern that can detect the aging degree of starch during the process of processing or storage quickly and accurately. It not only provides guidance for starch food processing but also saves a lot of human, material resources, and time. Terahertz technology is an emerging molecular spectroscopy technology in the 21st century. It is with low energy and basically harmless to the human body. It can also realize nondestructive testing of samples. In the experiment, the samples were prepared by the tableting method and the samples containing 20% of 50 mg samples were prepared with polyethylene as the diluent. The thickness of the samples was 1 mm and the diameter was 13 mm. The terahertz time‐domain spectrometer was used to obtain the spectral information of aging starch at different aging times. After the pretreatment of the spectrum by vector normalization, first derivative, and multiple scattering correction, the prediction models of aging days, crystallinity, and resilience of aging starch were established, respectively. The determination coefficient (R2) of the established models is all greater than 95%, indicating that the established models are highly reliable and can be used to predict the aging days, crystallinity, and retrogradation degree of starch. And the R2 of the prediction model based on the refractive index spectrum is greater than that of the absorption coefficient spectrum. The experimental method obtains the dynamic fingerprint identification map of starch in the aging process, realizes the real‐time monitoring and detection of the starch aging process, and provides an effective means for the production and processing of starch‐related industries.
Dominant effect of gap junction communication in wound‐induced calcium‐wave, NFAT activation and wound closure in keratinocytes
Authors: Hudson Laura , Begg Malcolm , Wright Blythe , Cheek Tim , Jahoda Colin A. B. , Reynolds Nick J. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractWounding induces a calcium wave and disrupts the calcium gradient across the epidermis but mechanisms mediating calcium and downstream signalling, and longer‐term wound healing responses are incompletely understood. As expected, live‐cell confocal imaging of Fluo‐4‐loaded normal human keratinocytes showed an immediate increase in [Ca2+]i at the wound edge that spread as a calcium wave (8.3 µm/s) away from the wound edge with gradually diminishing rate of rise and amplitude. The amplitude and area under the curve of [Ca2+]i flux was increased in high (1.2 mM) [Ca2+]o media. 18α‐glycyrrhetinic acid (18αGA), a gap‐junction inhibitor or hexokinase, an ATP scavenger, blocked the wound‐induced calcium wave, dependent in part on [Ca2+]o. Wounding in a high [Ca2+]o increased nuclear factor of activated T‐cells (NFAT) but not NFkB activation, assessed by dual‐luciferase receptor assays compared to unwounded cells. Treatment with 18αGA or the store‐operated channel blocker GSK‐7975A inhibited wound‐induced NFAT activation, whereas treatment with hexokinase did not. Real‐time cell migration analysis, measuring wound closure rates over 24 h, revealed that 18αGA essentially blocked wound closure whereas hexokinase and GSK‐7975A showed relatively minimal effects. Together these data indicate that while both gap‐junction communication and ATP release from damaged cells are important in regulating the wound‐induced calcium wave, long‐term transcriptional and functional responses are dominantly regulated by gap‐junction communication.
Toward High‐Speed and Energy‐Efficient Computing: A WDM‐Based Scalable On‐Chip Silicon Integrated Optical Comparator
Authors: Feng Chenghao , Ying Zhoufeng , Zhao Zheng , Gu Jiaqi , Pan David Z. , Chen Ray T. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractIntegrated photonics has shown extraordinary potential in optical computing. Various optical computing modules have been investigated, among which the digital comparator is a significant element for any arithmetic logic unit. In this study, an architecture of a wavelength‐division‐multiplexing‐based (WDM‐based) electronic–photonic digital comparator is proposed, which can perform high‐bit comparisons for fixed‐point or floating‐point binary inputs. A silicon photonics‐based 2‐bit comparator operating at 20 Gb s−1 at a 1.55 µm wavelength is experimentally demonstrated. A detailed performance analysis reveals that this architecture outperforms the current transistor‐based electronic comparators in terms of both computational speed and power efficiency.
Localized Ferroelectric Domains via Laser Poling in Monodomain Calcium Barium Niobate Crystal
Authors: Mazur Leszek Mateusz , Liu Shan , Chen Xin , Krolikowski Wieslaw , Sheng Yan 
Published: June 2021

AbstractTightly focused femtosecond infrared optical pulses are employed to invert spontaneous polarization in the bulk of single–domain ferroelectric calcium barium niobate crystal. Such created localized ferroelectric domains could be arranged in 1D, 2D, and 3D patterns. The fabricated domain structures are subsequently used to demonstrate nonlinear diffraction via transverse second harmonic generation. This work constitutes the first realization of optically induced spatially localized ferroelectric domains in the bulk of a single domain ferroelectric medium and has a potential for applications in nonlinear light processing, frequency conversion, and others.
Tempering kinetics and corrosion resistance of quenched and tempered AISI 4130 medium carbon steel
Authors: Mosayebi Aliasghar , Soleimani Maryam , Mirzadeh Hamed , Dehghanian Changiz 
Published: June 2021

AbstractThe kinetics and the effects of tempering on the corrosion resistance of AISI 4130 steel were studied. The tempering activation energy was close to that for the diffusion of C in α‐iron. This implies that the tempering kinetics in this steel is controlled by carbon diffusion. By increasing the time and temperature of tempering, the corrosion current density (icorr) in the polarization curves decreased whereas the diameter of the semicircular arc in the Nyquist plots increased, which implies higher corrosion resistance. The icorr was successfully related to hardness, which actually indicates the effect of microstructure. Based on these findings, the quench and tempering treatment was used to adjust both the hardness and corrosion resistance of the AISI 4130 steel.
CSF Protein Level of Neurotransmitter Secretion, Synaptic Plasticity, and Autophagy in PD and DLB
Authors: Lerche Stefanie , Sjödin Simon , Brinkmalm Ann , Blennow Kaj , Wurster Isabel , Roeben Benjamin , Zimmermann Milan , Hauser Ann‐Kathrin , Liepelt‐Scarfone Inga , Waniek Katharina , Lachmann Ingolf , Gasser Thomas , Zetterberg Henrik , Brockmann Kathrin 
Published: June 2021

AbstractBackgroundMolecular pathways associated with α‐synuclein proteostasis have been detected in genetic studies and in cell models and include autophagy, ubiquitin‐proteasome system, mitochondrial homeostasis, and synaptic plasticity. However, we lack biomarkers that are representative for these pathways in human biofluids.ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to evaluate CSF protein profiles of pathways related to α‐synuclein proteostasis.MethodsWe assessed CSF protein profiles associated with neurotransmitter secretion, synapse plasticity, and autophagy in 2 monocentric cohorts with α‐synucleinopathy (385 PD patients and 67 DLB patients). We included 80 PD patients and 17 DLB patients with variants in the glucocerebrosidase gene to serve as proxy for accelerated α‐synuclein pathology with pronounced clinical trajectories.Results(1) Proteins associated with neurotransmitter secretion, synaptic plasticity, and endolysosomal autophagy were lower in PD and DLB patients compared with healthy controls. (2) These patterns were more pronounced in DLB than in PD patients, accentuated by GBA variant status in both entities. (3) CSF levels of these proteins were positively associated with CSF levels of total α‐synuclein, with lower levels of proteostasis proteins related to lower levels of total α‐synuclein. (4) These findings could be confirmed longitudinally. PD patients with low CSF profiles of proteostasis proteins showed lower CSF levels of α‐synuclein longitudinally compared with PD patients with a normal proteostasis profile.ConclusionCSF proteins associated with neurotransmitter secretion, synaptic plasticity, and endolysosomal autophagy might serve as biomarkers related to α‐synuclein proteostasis in PD and DLB. © 2021 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
A new constructive algorithm for random polydisperse dense disk pack generation
Authors: Lozano Elias , Gattass Marcelo 
Published: June 2021

AbstractThis article presents a novel strategy for the non‐overlapping disk‐packing problem for generating dense random assemblies. The proposed geometric algorithm adopts an advancing‐front approach that uses novel heuristics to determine the next positions for incoming particles with support from a polygonal mesh. Additionally, we propose strategies to improve generation at the pack's interior and near container borders. Experiments demonstrate that our algorithm outperforms previous methods in terms of the desired particle radius distribution function, packing density, and mean number of particle contacts.
Elobixibat Effectively Relieves Chronic Constipation in Patients with Cancer Regardless of the Amount of Food Intake
Authors: Ozaki Anna , Kessoku Takaomi , Kasai Yuki , Takeda Yuma , Okubo Naoki , Iwaki Michihiro , Kobayashi Takashi , Yoshihara Tsutomu , Honda Yasushi , Fuyuki Akiko , Higurashi Takuma , Ishiki Hiroto , Taguri Masataka , Oyamada Shunsuke , Kobayashi Noritoshi , Nakajima Atsushi , Ichikawa Yasushi 
Published: June 2021

Abstract

Background
Constipation is a common, distressing complication in patients with cancer receiving palliative care. Elobixibat is a novel inhibitor of the ileal bile acid transporter that is used to treat chronic constipation by stimulating bowel function. However, its efficacy in patients with cancer has not been examined. This study investigated the drug's effectiveness in patients with cancer with chronic constipation.

Patients and Methods
This prospective-sampling, single-center, observational study included hospitalized patients with cancer diagnosed, using the Rome IV criteria, with chronic constipation. Within 2 weeks of hospitalization, each participant was administered elobixibat (5–15 mg) daily until discharge. Spontaneous bowel movements (SBMs), complete spontaneous bowel movements (CSBMs), Bristol stool form scale (BSFS) scores, and the Patient Assessment of Constipation Quality of Life questionnaire (PAC-QOL) scores were assessed before and after elobixibat administration. We also evaluated the relationship between the amount of food consumed and the SBM frequency.

Results
Among the 83 participants, the mean pre- and post-treatment frequencies of daily SBMs were 0.3 and 1.2 (p &lt; .0001) and those of CSBMs were 0.1 and 0.6 (p &lt; .0001), respectively. The mean pretreatment BSFS score was 1.6, whereas the post-treatment value was 3.5 (p &lt; .0001); the mean PAC-QOL score (overall) improved from 1.01 to 0.74 (p = .01). There was no significant change in the daily SBM frequency between fasting and feeding states (1.2 vs. 1.3; p = .8), and there was no correlation between the amount of food intake and the SBM frequency after elobixibat administration (r = .03). Serious adverse events were not observed.

Conclusion
This study showed that elobixibat is safe and effective for patients with cancer with chronic constipation, regardless of the food intake amount.

Implications for Practice
Elobixibat was effective at relieving chronic constipation in patients with various cancers. Serious adverse events were not observed, and the relief of constipation was independent of variation in food intake.
Synthesis and characterization of comb‐like crosslinking polyurethane based form‐stable phase‐change materials for thermal energy storage
Authors: Yang Yunyun , Kong Weibo , Cai Xufu 
Published: June 2021

AbstractTo prevent the leakage of melting phase‐change materials (PCMs), form‐stable PCMs (FSPCMs), which usually contain organic PCMs and supporting materials, are prepared via several methods including microencapsulation, physical absorption, grafting PCMs on nanofillers, polymer coating, and so forth. However, the uneven distribution of PCMs in supporting materials affecting the energy storage efficiency is still a severe problem that needs to be considered. Herein, poly(ethylene glycol monomethyl ether)‐based trimethylolpropane (Ymer‐N120) with long side ethyoxyl segments is the first time used to prepare crosslinked polyurethane (PU) with symmetrical, regular flexible long chains that is designed to improve the distribution of polyethylene glycol (PEGs). The results of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry, accelerated thermal cycling testing, thermogravimetric analysis, and field emission scanning electron microscopy suggested a crosslinked PU containing uniform dispersed PEG crystal was prepared by thermal curing. The FSPCMs can store and release high latent heat (over 110 J/g) with good thermal stability (the initial decomposing‐temperature reaches 360°C) without leakage (after 500 times of accelerated thermal cycling testing).
Epstein–Barr virus‐induced sickle hepatopathy
Authors: Towerman Alison S. , Wilson David B. , Hulbert Monica L. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractSickle hepatopathy comprises a spectrum of disorders that vary in severity. Intravascular sickling and sinusoidal occlusion are the principal drivers of sickle hepatopathy, but infection or autoimmunity can act as triggers. We describe two cases of acute sickle hepatopathy initiated by primary Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) infection, a previously unreported association. The first case entailed a 14‐year‐old girl with hemoglobin SC (HbSC) disease who developed hepatic sequestration crisis that responded to a simple transfusion of erythrocytes. The second case was that of a 16‐year‐old boy with HbSC disease who experienced life‐threatening intrahepatic cholestasis with multiorgan failure.
‘Walton’, a new virginia‐type peanut suitable for Virginia and northern U.S. growing regions
Authors: Balota Maria , Tillman Barry L. , Paula‐Moraes Silvana V. , Anco Dan 
Published: June 2021

Abstract‘Walton’ (Reg. no. CV‐146, PI 695073) is a virginia‐type peanut (Arachis hypogaea L. subsp. hypogaea var. hypogaea) with desirable agronomic characteristics and yield stability in the northernmost peanut growing region of the United States, the Virginia–Carolina (VC) region. Walton was tested under the experimental designation 08x09‐3‐14‐1 and was released in 2019 jointly by the University of Florida and Virginia Tech. Walton was initially evaluated in Marianna, FL, during 2014 and subsequently in Virginia, North Carolina, Florida, and South Carolina during 2015–2018. In these tests, Walton was similar for yield, grade, and economic value to ‘Bailey’, ‘Bailey II’, and ‘Emery’ and outperformed ‘Sullivan’ and ‘Wynne’. Oleic fatty acid (C18:1) content was significantly higher than for Bailey II and Wynne. In Virginia, Walton produced greater yields regardless of digging time than Bailey, Sullivan, and Wynne. Under rainout shelters, Walton yielded highest under both water regimes—deficit and full irrigation. Under water deficit, Walton yielded similarly to GP‐NC WS17, a drought‐tolerant, species‐derived germplasm line, and significantly greater than the cultivars Bailey, ‘Florida‐07’, Sullivan, and Wynne. Thus, the release of Walton provides VC peanut producers with a profitable, high‐oleic option robust to weather fluctuations and digging dates.