bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Following the water? Landscape‐scale temporal changes in bat spatial distribution in relation to Mediterranean summer drought
Authors: Amorim Francisco , Jorge Inês , Beja Pedro , Rebelo Hugo 
Published: May 2018

AbstractUnderstanding how the spatial distribution of ecological resources shapes species’ diversity and abundance in human‐modified landscapes is a central theme in conservation biology. However, studies often disregard that such patterns may vary over time, thereby potentially missing critical environmental constraints to species persistence. This may be particularly important in highly mobile species such as bats, which are able to track temporal variations in spatial resource distribution. Here we test the hypothesis that bats in Mediterranean landscapes are strongly affected by the progressive reduction in water availability during the seasonal summer drought. We analyzed the effects of landscape composition and structure on bat diversity and activity, during pregnancy, lactation, and postlactation periods, and identified the most influential variables within and across periods. Water bodies showed the strongest positive effect on bats, followed by riparian habitats and areas with steeper (>30%) slopes. However, while during pregnancy, there were only small landscape effects, these increased during lactation and postlactation, highlighting a progressively stronger association with water habitats during the summer drought. The spatial projection of habitat models showed that the landscape distribution of bat diversity and activity hotspots changed markedly over time. During pregnancy, the spatial pattern of hotspot distribution was weakly defined, while during lactation and particularly postlactation, there was a concentration of hotspots along permanently flowing watercourses. Our study highlights that permanently flowing watercourses are critical for bat conservation in Mediterranean landscapes, calling for measures to counteract their ongoing degradation due in particular to climate change, water abstraction and damming. More generally, our study underlines the importance of considering the temporal dimension in habitat selection studies, without which there is the risk of overlooking the importance of habitats that are key for species persistence only at certain times of the year.
Three‐dimensional digitization of the arid land plant Haloxylon ammodendron using a consumer‐grade camera
Authors: Huang Hongyu , Zhang Hao , Chen Chongcheng , Tang Liyu 
Published: May 2018

AbstractPlant structural parameters are important for ecological studies and for monitoring the environment. Terrestrial laser scanning has become a widely accepted technique for acquiring accurate high‐density three‐dimensional information about plant surfaces; however, this instrument is expensive, technically challenging to operate, heavy, and difficult to transport to hard‐to‐reach areas such as dense forests and undeveloped areas without easy vehicle access. Using Haloxylon ammodendron, a plant widely distributed in arid lands, as an example, we used a consumer‐grade handheld camera to take a series of overlapping images of this plant. Computer vision and photogrammetric software were used to reconstruct highly detailed three‐dimensional data of the plant surface. This surface data was compared to the point cloud of the plant acquired from concomitant terrestrial laser scanning. We demonstrated that the accuracy and degree of completeness of the image‐derived point clouds are comparable to that of laser scanning. Plant structural parameters (such as tree height and crown width) and three‐dimensional models extracted from the point clouds also agree well with a relative difference of less than 5%. Our case study shows that a common camera and image processing software can be an affordable, highly portable, and viable option for acquiring accurate and detailed high‐density and high‐resolution three‐dimensional information about plant structure in the environment. This digitization technique can record the plant and its surrounding environment effectively and efficiently, and it can be applied to many ecological fields and studies.
“Asian Carp” is Societally and Scientifically Problematic. Let's Replace It
Authors: Kočovský Patrick M , Chapman Duane C , Qian Song 
Published: May 2018

Abstract
Bighead Carp Hypophthalmichthys nobilis, Black Carp Mylopharyngodon piceus, Grass Carp Ctenopharyngodon idella, and Silver Carp H. molitrix are considered invasive species in North America and Europe. In North America, they are typically referred to collectively as “Asian carp,” a reference to their native range. The category “Asian carp” fails to acknowledge the cultural value and the ecological differences of these fishes, causes confusion when translated into Chinese, and frequently causes communication problems with the public and occasionally among professionals when some species are intentionally or inadvertently included or excluded when referred to collectively. Herein, we review the long history of aquaculture of these species in China, their human cultural significance, the origin of the category “Asian carp,” and the problems the term “Asian carp” might cause when used in cross-cultural communication. We recommend discontinuing the use of this term and replacing it with individual species names. When a group term is required, there are several more favorable alternatives, including existing Chinese terms that have been used for centuries.
Protein cross‐linking and the Maillard reaction decrease the solubility of milk protein concentrates
Authors: Fan Fengjiao , Liu Meng , Shi Pujie , Xu Xianbing , Lu Weihong , Wang Zhenyu , Du Ming 
Published: May 2018

AbstractMilk protein concentrate (MPC) is a widely used material in the food industry. However, despite its widespread use, the mechanism underlying the decreased solubility of MPC that occurs during storage has not yet been clarified. In this study, the solubility changes, protein cross‐linking, and Maillard reaction and the relationships between them were investigated in modified MPC powders (MMPC) containing different concentrations of protein and/or lactose stored at 50°C for 15–45 days. The results demonstrated that both the protein and lactose contents affected solubility. The proteins interacted through hydrogen bonding, disulfide bonding, hydrophobic interactions, and nondisulphide covalent bonding, which led to cross‐linking. The Maillard reaction promoted protein cross‐linking and was in turn influenced by protein cross‐linking. The Maillard reaction was slower when the degree of protein cross‐linking was greater. These results improve our understanding of the mechanism leading to poor solubility of MPC powders during storage.
Treating cachexia using soluble ACVR2B improves survival, alters mTOR localization, and attenuates liver and spleen responses
Authors: Nissinen Tuuli A. , Hentilä Jaakko , Penna Fabio , Lampinen Anita , Lautaoja Juulia H. , Fachada Vasco , Holopainen Tanja , Ritvos Olli , Kivelä Riikka , Hulmi Juha J. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractBackgroundCancer cachexia increases morbidity and mortality, and blocking of activin receptor ligands has improved survival in experimental cancer. However, the underlying mechanisms have not yet been fully uncovered.MethodsThe effects of blocking activin receptor type 2 (ACVR2) ligands on both muscle and non‐muscle tissues were investigated in a preclinical model of cancer cachexia using a recombinant soluble ACVR2B (sACVR2B‐Fc). Treatment with sACVR2B‐Fc was applied either only before the tumour formation or with continued treatment both before and after tumour formation. The potential roles of muscle and non‐muscle tissues in cancer cachexia were investigated in order to understand the possible mechanisms of improved survival mediated by ACVR2 ligand blocking.ResultsBlocking of ACVR2 ligands improved survival in tumour‐bearing mice only when the mice were treated both before and after the tumour formation. This occurred without effects on tumour growth, production of pro‐inflammatory cytokines or the level of physical activity. ACVR2 ligand blocking was associated with increased muscle (limb and diaphragm) mass and attenuation of both hepatic protein synthesis and splenomegaly. Especially, the effects on the liver and the spleen were observed independent of the treatment protocol. The prevention of splenomegaly by sACVR2B‐Fc was not explained by decreased markers of myeloid‐derived suppressor cells. Decreased tibialis anterior, diaphragm, and heart protein synthesis were observed in cachectic mice. This was associated with decreased mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) colocalization with late‐endosomes/lysosomes, which correlated with cachexia and reduced muscle protein synthesis.ConclusionsThe prolonged survival with continued ACVR2 ligand blocking could potentially be attributed in part to the maintenance of limb and respiratory muscle mass, but many observed non‐muscle effects suggest that the effect may be more complex than previously thought. Our novel finding showing decreased mTOR localization in skeletal muscle with lysosomes/late‐endosomes in cancer opens up new research questions and possible treatment options for cachexia.
Controlled Delivery of Insulin Using Rapidly Separating Microneedles Fabricated from Genipin‐Crosslinked Gelatin
Authors: Chen Bo Zhi , Ashfaq Mohammad , Zhu Dan Dan , Zhang Xiao Peng , Guo Xin Dong 
Published: May 2018

AbstractRapidly separating genepin‐crosslinked gelatin (RS‐GC) microneedles (MNs) mounted on the polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)‐coated polylactic acid (PLA) MNs (RS‐PGC‐MNs) are fabricated, in which GC‐MNs deliver insulin within the skin and the PLA supporting array is easily separated by the dissolution of the PVA layer. The release of insulin is controlled by utilizing the virtue of genipin as a crosslinking agent for producing biocompatible GC‐MNs. The degree of crosslinking enhances the mechanical strength as well as humidity resistance. The in vitro and in vivo insulin release tests show significant changes in the release rates in the RS‐PGC‐MNs with different crosslinking degree. The hypoglycemic effect in diabetic mice demonstrate that the higher crosslinking GC‐MNs result in characteristic controlled insulin release compared with other treatments and prolonged effectiveness of the RS‐PGC‐MNs. The proposed RS‐PGC‐MNs is a promising device for effective use as a noninvasive and painless controlled insulin delivery system.
A Robust, Self‐Healable, and Shape Memory Supramolecular Hydrogel by Multiple Hydrogen Bonding Interactions
Authors: Feng Zhanbin , Zuo Hongli , Gao Weisheng , Ning Nanying , Tian Ming , Zhang Liqun 
Published: May 2018

AbstractA versatile double‐network (DN) hydrogel with two noncovalent crosslinked networks is synthesized by multiple hydrogen bonding (H‐bonding) interactions. The DN hydrogels are synthesized via a heating–cooling photopolymerization process by adding all reactants of agar, N‐acryloyl glycinamide (NAGA) and N‐benzylacrylamide (NBAA) monomers, UV initiators to a single water pot. Poly(N‐acryloyl glycinamide‐co‐N‐benzyl acrylamide) (P(NAGA‐co‐NBAA)) with a triple amide in one side group is synthesized via UV‐light polymerization between NAGA and NBAA, forming a strong intermolecular H‐bonding network. Meanwhile, the intramolecular H‐bonding network is formed between P(NAGA‐co‐NBAA) and agars. The sol–gel phase transition of agars at 86 °C generates the molecular entanglement network. Such a double network enables the hydrogel high self‐healing efficiency (about 95%), good shape memory ability, and high mechanical strength (1.1 MPa). Additionally, the DN hydrogel is completely crosslinked by multiple hydrogen bonds (H‐bonds) and the physical crosslinking of agar without extra potential toxic chemical crosslinker. The DN hydrogels find extensive applications in the biomedical materials due to their excellent biocompatibility.
Assessing Natural Substrates for Restricting Movement of California Sea Cucumbers Parastichopus californicus
Authors: Haddad Colleen A , Cross Stephen F , Davies Hailey L , Duff Stefanie D , Fortune Angela C , Pearce Christopher M 
Published: May 2018

Abstract
California sea cucumbers Parastichopus californicus are reported to prefer hard over soft substrates and can be found associated with shell hash at bivalve farms. We predicted that soft substrates and oyster shells might restrict the movement of sea cucumbers and tested this hypothesis in a laboratory experiment. Small (contracted length, ~4.5 cm) and large (~10 cm) sea cucumbers were placed in the middle of tanks on a uniform, hard substrate (30 × 30-cm PVC sheet) surrounded by various substrates: no substrate (control); silt, fine sand, and very coarse sand (grain sizes: 2–50 μm, 100–250 μm, and 1–2 mm, respectively); and Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas shells (~10-cm border around the PVC sheet) with or without silt surrounding the shells. Movement of individuals was monitored over 24 h in six replicate trials. The mean percent (±SE) of sea cucumbers remaining on the PVC sheet was not significantly different among the control (22 ± 7%), silt (28 ± 8%), fine sand (37 ± 8%), and very coarse sand (20 ± 7%) treatments. Low percentages (&lt;40%) indicated that the animals were not averse to emigrating to the soft substrates. However, significantly more sea cucumbers remained on the hard substrates (PVC and oyster shells) in the treatments comprised of oyster shell (83 ± 7%) and silt with oyster shell (82 ± 8%) than on the PVC sheet in the soft substrate treatments, indicating an affinity of the sea cucumbers for the oyster shells. Significantly more small individuals (95 ± 5%) than large ones (69 ± 9%) remained on the hard substrates. This study demonstrates that soft substrates do not prevent the movement of sea cucumbers under laboratory conditions, while oyster shells may cause a decrease in movement, which has implications for benthic ranching of commercially-farmed sea cucumbers.
Enantioselective Addition of Cyanide to CF3‐Substituted Alkylidenemalonates: Construction of Trifluoromethylated All‐Carbon Quaternary Stereocenters
Authors: Jakhar Ajay , Nazish Mohd , Gupta Naveen , Khan Noor‐ul H. , Kureshy Rukhsana I. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractThe construction of a new class of chiral organofluorine compounds with an all‐carbon stereocenter bearing a CF3 group was disclosed. The cinchona alkaloid based phase transfer catalyzed asymmetric conjugated cyanation of CF3 substituted alkylidene malonates have been developed. The nitrile products were achieved in excellent yield with good enantioselectivity. The chirality of product increased up to 98% by recrystallization.
Metal‐Free Epoxidation of Internal and Terminal Alkenes with tert‐Butyl Hydroperoxide/Isobutyraldehyde/Oxygen System
Authors: Hong Mei , Min Jie , Wang Shifa 
Published: May 2018

AbstractThe epoxidation of several alkenes was studied using oxygen as green oxidant, isobutyraldehyde (IBA) as co‐reagent and tert‐butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP) as radical initiator at mild conditions (60 oC, atmospheric pressure with an oxygen balloon). TBHP could accelerate the production of carbonyl radical and its peroxidation, without using a metal catalyst. The factors influencing the conversion of the substrates and selectivity of the epoxides have been well investigated. Under optimized reaction conditions, the epoxidation of linear terminal, cyclic and aromatic alkenes was evaluated. Most performed reactions were high selectivity for production of the corresponding epoxides.
Construction of Novel Kojic Acid Fused Furans by Domino Reactions of a Kojic Acid Derivative with (Z)‐Bromonitroalkenes
Authors: Yu Shuo‐Wen , Zhao Si‐Han , Chen Hui , Xu Xiao‐Ying , Yuan Wei‐Cheng , Zhang Xiao‐Mei 
Published: May 2018

AbstractA series of novel kojic acid fused furans have been synthesized by domino cyclization‐elimination reactions of a kojic acid derivative with (Z)‐bromonitroalkenes. In the presence of a bifunctional thiourea‐tertiary amine organocatalyst and sodium bicarbonate, the reactions provided the products in up to quantitative yields.
A Quest towards Eccentric Piedfort Pairs
Authors: Mehrotra Sonam , Raje Sakthi , Jain Anant Kumar , Jain Ankit , Kandasamy Parameswaran , Butcher Ray J. , Angamuthu Raja 
Published: May 2018

AbstractA group of symmetrically‐trisubstituted‐1,3,5‐triazine‐based molecules have been studied extensively in order to create Piedfort pairs that are intended to be employed in sequestration of small molecules. Extensive inter and intramolecular interactions observed in the solid‐state of the studied triazine molecules lead to the formation of one‐dimensional ribbon and two‐dimensional sheet motifs. Koneramine formation was applied as a new strategy to increase the bulkiness of the substituents on 1,3,5‐triazine ring that prevented the formation of ribbons and sheets yet yielded hydrogen‐bonded dimer. The protonated forms of one of the triazine compound showed that the triazine ring nitrogens are more basic than amine nitrogens on the periphery; protonated N2,N4,N6‐triphenyl‐1,3,5‐triazine‐2,4,6‐triamine resulted in eccentric Piedfort pairs that displayed aesthetic structural patterns possessing variety of inter and intramolecular interactions including stacking between electron deficient triazine ring of one member and electron rich aryl ring of another member.
Hierarchically Porous Co and N‐Codoped Carbon Hollow Structure Derived from PS@ZIF‐67 as an Electrocatalyst for Oxygen Reduction
Authors: Lin Xiangjun , Wang Yameng , Liu Ting , Chen Heng , Jiang Zhongjie , Chen Yan , Liu Jiang , Huang. Jianlin , Liu Meilin 
Published: May 2018

AbstractThe development of low‐cost, highly efficient, and durable electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is vital to commercialization of a new generation of rechargeable metal‐air batteries and fuel cells. Here we report a facile, efficient, template‐assisted strategy for fabrication of hierarchically porous Co, N‐codoped carbon hollow structures as ORR eletrocatalysts. The unique architecture of the catalyst was constructed through in situ growth of Co‐based zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF‐67) on the surface of carboxylated polystyrene (PS) nanosphere and pyrolysis for removal of PS and carbonization of ZIF‐67. The resulting catalyst exhibited outstanding ORR activity in both alkaline and acidic electrolyte solution, comparable to that of a commercial Pt/C catalyst, and better than those reported for most Co, N‐codoped carbon catalysts. Such superior performance is attributed to the unique features of the catalyst: large specific surface area, openly exposed active sites, high content of the pyridinic‐N and graphitic‐N active sites, and fast transfer of electrons and ions. Moreover, the catalyst also displayed much better tolerance to methanol and durability than the commercial Pt/C catalyst, ascribed to strong coupling of active sites and highly graphitic carbon sheets. Further, the simple, effective and low‐cost synthesis strategy for creation of hierarchically porous electrodes is applicable to fabrication of other energy storage and conversion devices as well.
The rise of two‐dimensional van der Waals ferroelectrics
Authors: Wu Menghao , Jena Puru 
Published: May 2018

Recent research on ferroelectrics based on two‐dimensional (2D) materials may lead to a technological revolution, offering much higher density for integration as well as a better combination of semiconductor properties and non‐volatile memories at the nanoscale compared with traditional ferroelectrics. In addition, ferroelectricity can be much more robust than ferromagnetism in 2D. In this study, we review the studies on 2D ferroelectricity starting from 2013, which are mainly first‐principles predictions, including functionalization‐induced 2D ferroelectricity in prevalent non‐polar 2D materials as well as 2D intrinsic ferroelectricity, which are either in‐plane or vertical. Although the number of reports on 2D ferroelectricity is still small compared to the large amount of research on 2D ferromagnetism, the potential of these materials to unravel new science and technology has stimulated considerable interest in 2D ferroelectricity, making it a fast developing field. It is interesting to note that 2D ferroelectricity was experimentally realized a year before 2D ferromagnetism, and the large difference in the Curie temperatures of these materials has further demonstrated that 2D ferroelectricity could be much more robust than 2D ferromagnetism.This article is categorized under:

Structure and Mechanism > Computational Materials Science
Out‐compute drug side effects: Focus on cytochrome P450 2D6 modeling
Authors: Don Charleen G. , Smieško Martin 
Published: May 2018

Understanding the way in which drugs are metabolized by cytochrome P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) and hence the underlying mechanisms that define potential toxicity is crucial to avoid adverse reactions. The high occurrence of CYP2D6 polymorphs enhances the complexity of the toxicity assessment of a drug candidate and should be tackled from early drug discovery phase on. The recent increase in available mammalian CYP2D6 X‐ray structures opens the gateway to the development of in silico three‐dimensional CYP2D6 toxicity prediction techniques that address also the major clinically relevant allelic variants. This review presents the basic principles needed for comprehending the enzyme particularities, gives a concise overview of several clinical relevant allelic CYP2D6 variants, and explores the state‐of‐the‐art CYP2D6 research field to accelerate the development and use of such integrative in silico modeling technologies.This article is categorized under:

Structure and Mechanism > Computational Biochemistry and Biophysics
Structure and Mechanism > Molecular Structures
Software > Molecular Modeling
Axisymmetric indentation of an elastic thin plate by a rigid sphere revisited
Authors: Li Min , Ru C.Q. , Gao Cun‐Fa 
Published: May 2018

AbstractA simple analytical model based on a Kerr‐type differential relation is proposed to study the indentation problem of a circular elastic thin plate indented by a rigid sphere. Unlike some existing methods which matched two solutions inside and outside the contact zone, the present method is based on a simple differential relation between contact pressure and the normal deflection of the pressured surface of elastic plate, which holds both inside and outside the contact zone and makes it possible to analyze both zones by a single governing differential equation. Explicit relations between the contact‐zone radius, indentation displacement and indentation load are derived for different boundary conditions. The proposed model is validated by good agreement between the predicted results and some known data available in existing literature. In particular, the present model confirms that the indenter will lose contact with the plate around the center of the plate as the indentation load exceeds a certain critical value, and then the contact zone becomes to an annular zone. Detailed analytical and numerical results beyond existing literature are demonstrated for the annular contact zone regarding the critical contact‐zone radius, the width of annular contact zone and the associated contact pressure distribution.