bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
How, why, where and when people feed birds?—Spatio‐temporal changes in bird‐feeding in Finland
Authors: Deshpande Purabi , Haukka Anna , Rönkä Katja , Aivelo Tuomas , Santangeli Andrea , Thorogood Rose , Lehikoinen Aleksi 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Providing food to animals, especially birds, during winter is a common activity in many countries. While bird‐feeding can increase connections between people and nature, there are increasing calls from researchers and the general public to limit this activity due to emerging knowledge of potential negative ecological impacts (e.g. biased competition and spread of pathogens). However, what motivates changes in bird‐feeding habits remains largely unknown, despite the ‘provisioners’ perspective’ being critical for designing and implementing policy that benefits both animals and people.

Here, we investigate changes in how and why people feed birds in urban and rural areas of Finland as a case study. We made use of two long‐term annual bird monitoring data sets (the Winter bird census and Finnish bird feeder monitoring scheme) to investigate how the number of bird‐feeding sites and the amount of food provisioned have changed since the 1980s. Additionally, we conducted an online questionnaire in 2021 (over 14,000 respondents) to examine reasons for the changes that we detected.

We find that, over 40 years, the annual amount of food provided has increased significantly in rural areas, while the number of bird‐feeding sites has decreased and especially so in urban areas. Questionnaire answers indicated that this decline was likely due to changing regulations of local governments and housing organisations, with increased concerns of attracting pests leading to restrictions on providing food for birds. In rural areas, people who reduced feeding more often identified concerns over avian diseases and the effort required to access, clean and refill bird‐feeding sites.

Policy implications: Our results highlight that provisioning food to wild animals involves complex decision‐making depending on habitat, geography and economic factors. Therefore, policies designed to curb (or promote) this activity should take into account its multifaceted nature.

Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.
Language Mindsets and Strategic Approaches to Studying: The Mediating Roles of Control‐Value Appraisals and Emotions
Authors: Chou Mu‐Hsuan 
Published: November 2024

ABSTRACTLanguage mindsets influence learners' behavior, motivation, and strategic approaches to studying a language. These mindsets impact how learners perceive control and value in achievement activities, which, in turn, affect their achievement emotions and ultimately their learning strategies and academic performance. This study investigates the effects of growth and fixed language mindsets on strategic approaches to studying English, with perceived academic control, task value, and positive/negative achievement emotions serving as mediators. Questionnaire surveys were administered to 517 university students in Taiwan. The structural models revealed that students with growth language mindsets exhibited stronger academic control and task value, experienced more positive emotions, and employed more study strategies. These factors partially mediated the relationship between growth language mindsets and study strategies. In contrast, fixed language mindsets did not predict task value or study strategies, but they negatively predicted academic control. No mediating effects were found between fixed language mindsets and study strategies.
Unveiling the Impact of Operating Current on Active Species Generation in Pin‐To‐Water Plasma Activated Water System
Authors: Punith N. , Avaneesh Athreya V. , Prasad Boggavarapu , Ravikrishna R. V. , Rao Lakshminarayana 
Published: November 2024

ABSTRACTThis study explores plasma‐activated water (PAW) generation in a pin‐to‐water (P2W) setup, examining how operating current affects gas production and its interaction with neutral pH range water. High‐current mode (HCM‐32.3 mA) significantly increases hydrogen peroxide ( by 2x and nitrite () by 1.5x over low‐current mode (LCM‐19.5 mA), with and concentrations reaching 161 mg/L and 1070 mg/L, respectively. These findings align with increased gas production. The study underscores the air–water interface's role in PAW chemistry, with ICCD emission and chemical‐workbench (CWB) simulations providing further reaction insights. Overall, it highlights operating current as a critical factor in PAW chemistry and the role of in reactive nitrogen species formation.
Tracheal bronchogenic cyst: a rare cause of stridor
Authors: Potti Priyanka , Madhusudan Manoj , Chandra Tejaswi , Kamble Ravindra B. , Srikanta J. T. 
Published: November 2024

AbstractA 6‐month‐old child with stridor from 3 months of age presented with interim worsening following a respiratory infection. Airway evaluation revealed a smooth, polypoidal mass herniating in and out of the airway with each respiratory cycle, from the anterior surface of the upper trachea. Computerized tomography showed a non‐enhancing cystic mass in anterior neck protruding into the upper trachea through an anterior tracheal defect. Surgical resection was performed and pathological examination revealed a bronchogenic cyst. Tracheal bronchogenic cyst is a rare cause of stridor and can occur anywhere along the tracheobronchial tree.
A pressure‐jump EPR system to monitor millisecond conformational exchange rates of spin‐labeled proteins
Authors: Grosskopf Julian D. , Sidabras Jason W. , Altenbach Christian , Anderson Jim R. , Mett Richard R. , Strangeway Robert A. , Hyde James S. , Hubbell Wayne L. , Lerch Michael T. 
Published: November 2024

AbstractSite‐directed spin labeling electron paramagnetic resonance (SDSL‐EPR) using nitroxide spin labels is a well‐established technology for mapping site‐specific secondary and tertiary structure and for monitoring conformational changes in proteins of any degree of complexity, including membrane proteins, with high sensitivity. SDSL‐EPR also provides information on protein dynamics in the timescale of ps–μs using continuous wave lineshape analysis and spin lattice relaxation time methods. However, the functionally important time domain of μs–ms, corresponding to large‐scale protein motions, is inaccessible to those methods. To extend SDSL‐EPR to the longer time domain, the perturbation method of pressure‐jump relaxation is implemented. Here, we describe a complete high‐pressure EPR system at Q‐band for both static pressure and ms‐timescale pressure‐jump measurements on spin‐labeled proteins. The instrument enables pressure jumps both up and down from any holding pressure, ranging from atmospheric pressure to the maximum pressure capacity of the system components (~3500 bar). To demonstrate the utility of the system, we characterize a local folding–unfolding equilibrium of T4 lysozyme. The results illustrate the ability of the system to measure thermodynamic and kinetic parameters of protein conformational exchange on the ms timescale.
ESM‐scan—A tool to guide amino acid substitutions
Authors: Totaro Massimo G. , Vide Uršula , Zausinger Regina , Winkler Andreas , Oberdorfer Gustav 
Published: November 2024

AbstractProtein structure prediction and (re)design have gone through a revolution in the last 3 years. The tremendous progress in these fields has been almost exclusively driven by readily available machine learning algorithms applied to protein folding and sequence design problems. Despite these advancements, predicting site‐specific mutational effects on protein stability and function remains an unsolved problem. This is a persistent challenge, mainly because the free energy of large systems is very difficult to compute with absolute accuracy and subtle changes to protein structures are hard to capture with computational models. Here, we describe the implementation and use of ESM‐Scan, which uses the ESM zero‐shot predictor to scan entire protein sequences for preferential amino acid changes, thus enabling in silico deep mutational scanning experiments. We benchmark ESM‐Scan on its predictive capabilities for stability and functionality of sequence changes using three publicly available datasets and proceed by experimentally testing the tool's performance on a challenging test case of a blue‐light‐activated diguanylate cyclase from Methylotenera species (MsLadC), where it accurately predicted the importance of a highly conserved residue in a region involved in allosteric product inhibition. Our experimental results show that the ESM‐zero shot model is capable of inferring the effects of a set of amino acid substitutions in their correlation between predicted fitness and experimental results. ESM‐Scan is publicly available at https://huggingface.co/spaces/thaidaev/zsp.
Sickle Cell Disease and Sickle Cell Trait on Curaçao: Pregnancy‐Related Outcomes and Complications: A Retrospective Cohort Study From a Single Centre
Authors: de Vries Colleen , Landman Hans , Hammoud Nurah 
Published: November 2024

ABSTRACTObjectivesTo describe the pregnancy‐related outcomes and complications as well as neonatal outcomes among patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) and sickle cell trat (SCT) on Curaçao over the past half decade.MethodsA retrospective cohort study was conducted. Patients with SCD and SCT were included who gave birth from 1 December 2016 to 9 November 2019 in St. Elisabeth Hospital and from 10 November 2019 to 1 November 2023 in Curaçao Medical Center, Curaçao. Various data regarding participant characteristics, pregnancy‐related outcomes and complications and neonatal data were gathered and analysed. Descriptive statistics were utilized and p values calculated.ResultsThe most common pregnancy‐related complications in patients with SCD were pre‐eclampsia (4; 23.5%), vaso‐occlusive crisis (10; 58.8%), anaemia (15; 88.2%) and urinary tract infection (6; 35.3%). Intrauterine growth restriction was recorded in four (22.2%) pregnancies, five (29.4%) patients delivered preterm and eight (44.4%) neonates had a birth weight below 2500 g. The need for blood transfusion was significantly higher in patients with HbSS compared to patients with HbSC (88.9% HbSS vs. 12.5% HbSC, p = 0.002) and significantly more neonates from patients with HbSS were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (66.7% HbSS vs. 11.1% HbSC, p = 0.016). Regarding SCT, anaemia occurred in 78 (25.2%) patients and 73 (23.5%) times the amniotic fluid was stained with meconium.ConclusionThe data of this study support the results of previous studies, displaying a high rate of maternal and neonatal complications and adverse outcomes during pregnancy in patients with SCD. Close observation and a multidisciplinary approach are essential. SCT does not appear to be associated with adverse effects on maternal or foetal outcomes and complications, except for a high rate of meconium‐stained amniotic fluid.
Synthesis of Novel Phenylalanine Carboxamides Derivatives Bearing Sulfonamides Functionality and Their Molecular Docking, In Vitro Antimalarial, and Antioxidant Properties
Authors: Achilonu Chinwendu Faustina , Okoro Uchechukwu Christopher , Achilonu Matthew Chilaka , Onoyima Samson Chinekwu 
Published: November 2024

AbstractA new series of phenylalanine‐derived carboxamides with sulfonamide functionality is designed, synthesized, and assessed for their in silico studies, in vitro antimalarial, and antioxidant activities. The interaction of 4‐nitrobenzene sulfonyl chloride with phenylalanine in a basic aqueous solution yielded an intermediate ((4‐nitrophenyl)sulfonyl)phenylalanine. The reaction of various cyclic amines with the intermediate, utilizing phenylboronic acid as the coupling agent, yielded the carboxamides derivatives. The derived‐carboxamides passed in silico test and fulfilled all the allowed ranges for molecular descriptors. Optimization was achieved before compounds were deployed as ligands in molecular docking studies using density functional theory utilizing the functional B3LYP and the basis set 6–31G**. The docking experiments were done on the active site of FKBP35 binding domain of Plasmodium falciparum for antimalarial impact whereas that of antioxidants was performed on the active site of PDB ID:IXAN. The computational antimalarial and antioxidant study demonstrated that the compounds displayed a high binding affinity with the target protein residues via hydrogen bonding, π‐π, π‐alkyl, π‐sigma, and π‐cation bonding interactions. Additionally, the new compounds were evaluated for in vitro antimalarial and antioxidant properties. The screening findings suggest that the new compounds exhibit effective antimalarial and antioxidant action compared to traditional medicines.
Noble‐Metal‐Free Modified TiO2 Nanotube Arrays (TNTAs) for Efficient Photocatalytic Reduction of CO2 to CO Under Visible Light
Authors: Ikreedeegh Riyadh Ramadhan , Hossen Md. Arif , Tahir Muhammad 
Published: November 2024

AbstractIn the past decades, TiO2 nanotube arrays (TNTAs) have gained a great attention as a durable photocatalyst for CO2 reduction due to their unique properties. TNTAs have been widely modified with noble metals for increasing their absorption of visible light and limiting their associated rapid electron‐hole recombination rate. However, these metals are extremely expensive, which limits their practical applications in the fields of energy and environment. In this study, three noble‐metal‐free materials of graphitic carbon nitrides, metal–organic framework, and reduced graphene oxide were used for modifying pure TNTAs through a simple drying‐deposition method. The modified TNTAs samples were characterized by X‐ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared, field emission scanning electron microscopy and energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy analyses for approving successful synthesis of these nanocomposites. Finally, the modified TNTAs nanocomposites were investigated for their ability in converting the CO2 gas to CO under visible light. However, the TNTAs modified with graphitic carbon nitrides displayed the highest CO productions of 27551 µmol m−2 which represents 16% enhancement compared to that of pure TNTAs (23871 µmol m−2). The enhanced CO2 photoreduction performance of modified TNTAs is attributed to promoted light absorption, increased surface area, and improved electrical conductivity.
Design of AIE‐active Schiff‐bases: Mechanochromic, Thermochromic and Sensing Studies
Authors: Malla Mahraj Din , Malik Asif A. , Ahangar Aadil A. , Dey Somnath , Sharma Nandini , Jose D. Amilan , Chopra Deepak , Dar Aijaz A. 
Published: November 2024

AbstractThere is a notable shift toward organic functional materials for their advantages in terms of availability, processability and biodegradability. Solid‐state organic emitters, though rare, are fascinating with diverse range of applications. In this work we utilize crystal engineering principles to design Schiff bases 1 and 2, to realize solid state emission and its tuning. The products have been characterized and studied through crystallographic, Hirshfeld, and optical studies. Structural studies validate crystallization of 1 and 2 with a molecule of methanol and water, respectively, and their packing is predominantly aided by solvent assisted hydrogen bonding, while the π‐π stacking interactions are absent. Crystalline solids are emissive: 1 (λ max 474 nm, τ 0.35 ± 0.04 ns) and 2 (481 nm, 1.80 ± 0.07 ns) and aggregation induced emission (AIE) active. Mechano and thermo‐fluorochromic responses of the products are attributed to phase changes triggered by grinding and desolvation, respectively. The nonemissive solutions of 1 and 2 detect presence of Pb(II) /Hg(II) through emission turn‐on, with limit of detection (LOD) values in the range of 0.0017–0.0022 ppb, while picric acid sensing is reported by their AIE luminogen (AIEgen) forms with LOD values of 0.0017 ppb and 0.0034 ppb, respectively.
Visible Light‐Active Copper Cobaltite Supported Film for Hexavalent Chromium Photocatalytic Reduction
Authors: Cárdenas Vasquez Nataly , Mehling Simon , Alarcón Cavero Hugo , Schnabel Tobias 
Published: November 2024

AbstractCopper cobaltite (CuCo2O4) films were synthesized on titanium dioxide (TiO2) and on fluorine‐doped tin oxide (FTO) substrates using a hydrothermal method and characterized by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), and cyclic voltammetry. This research addresses the challenge of hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) pollution by employing CuCo2O4/TiO2/FTO as visible light‐active photocatalyst. The films demonstrated strong absorption in the visible spectrum. The heterostructure comprising CuCo2O4 and TiO2 films was synthesized to enhance the photocatalytic reduction of Cr(VI) through synergetic effects. The CuCo2O4/TiO2/FTO film exhibited superior photoreduction performance, achieving photoreduction efficiencies of ∼62.9% under UV‐A and ∼72.3% under visible light, outperforming individual TiO2/FTO and CuCo2O4/FTO films. Reaction rates were 0.00433 min−1 (R2: 0.98893) under UV and 0.00638 min−1 (R2: 0.98787) under visible light, with a half‐life of 1.81 h, indicating significant improvement in photocatalytic activity. However, it is necessary to optimize the synthesis parameters to analyze their impact on its physicochemical properties and its behavior as a photocatalyst. Making possible its applicability is due to the appropriate charge transport, visible light absorption, reduced recombination of electron‐holes pairs, and improved photocatalytic performance.
Interfacial Engineering of Polymer Solid‐State Lithium Battery Electrolytes and Li‐Metal Anode: Current Status and Future Directions
Authors: Majeed Muhammad Kashif , Hussain Arshad , Hussain Ghulam , Majeed Muhammad Umar , Ashfaq Muhammad Zeeshan , Iqbal Rashid , Saleem Adil 
Published: November 2024

AbstractA combination of material innovations, advanced manufacturing, battery management systems, and regulatory standards is necessary to improve the energy density and safety of lithium (Li) batteries. High‐energy‐density solid‐state Li‐batteries have the potential to revolutionize industries and technologies, making them a research priority. The combination of improved safety and compatibility with high‐capacity electrode materials makes solid‐stateLi‐batteries with polymer solid‐electrolytes an attractive option for applications where energy density and safety are critical. While polymer‐based solid‐state Li‐batteries hold enormous promise, there are still several challenges that must be addressed, particularly regarding interface between polymer solid‐electrolyte and Lianode. There are significant advancements in improving the performance of solid‐state Li batteries, and researchers continue to explore new methods to address these challenges. These improvements are critical for enabling the widespread adoption of solid‐state Li‐batteries invariety of applications, from electrical vehicles to portable electronics. Here, common polymer solid‐electrolyte and its interface challenges with Lianode are first introduced, highlighting the trend in polymer solid‐state‐electrolyte research toward enhancing stability, safety, and performance of solid‐state Li‐batteries. This includes developing novel polymer materials with improved properties, exploring advanced fabrication techniques, and integrating these electrolytes into battery designs that optimize both safety and energy density.
Refractory Metal‐Based MXenes: Cutting‐Edge Preparation and Applications
Authors: Sun Ruiyan , Hu Ping , Wang Jin , Yang Fan , Zhu Fei , Xing Hairui , Luo Jiao , Gao Lili , Wang Kuaishe , Yin Zongyou 
Published: November 2024

AbstractRefractory metal‐based MXenes refer to MXenes with M as a refractory metal. Due to their high conductivity, large specific surface area, multiple active sites, high photothermal conversion efficiency, adjustable surface groups, and controllable nanolayer spacing, they hold broad application prospects in various fields such as photoelectrocatalysis, biomedicine, water treatment, electromagnetic shielding, and sensors. The unique physical properties of refractory metal‐based MXenes are related to their electronic and crystal structures. The interstitial layer causes the carbides to exhibit different behavior compared to the original metal. At the same time, different preparation methods have a great influence on the interlayer spacing and surface termination of refractory metal‐based MXenes, thus affecting their performance. This review systematically summarizes the latest progress in the preparation methods and frontier applications of refractory metal‐based MXenes, offering new insights for further development. Additionally, various characterization techniques and first‐principles calculations are summarized, which are crucial for optimizing refractory metal‐based MXenes for applications such as catalysis, energy storage, and sensors. In summary, the current challenges and future development prospects of refractory metal‐based Mxenes are addressed, aiming to provide indispensable information for the intelligent design of 2D materials in the future.
Circular Adhesion Substrates Inhibiting Cell Polarization and Proliferation via Graded Texture of Geometric Micropatterns
Authors: Nie Yifeng , Lu Xi , Zhu Yuting , Shi Yahong , Ren Keli , Li Zhongxian , Chen Peipei , Han Dong , Li Xiang 
Published: November 2024

AbstractMost melanomas that occur on the skin surface originate from a newly formed nevus and grow outward in a circular pattern and metastasize from the nevus center. Herein, a circular microfabricated substrate is constructed to explore the growth behavior of melanoma cells. Modeling software is used to calculate appropriate parameters, including shape and size, and then the substrates are processed with microfabrication technologies. The results show that the melanoma cells on the circular adhesion substrate are oval and are significant changes in cell spread length, nuclei, area, aspect ratio, Young's modulus, and orientation angles, indicating inhibition of cell polarization. Moreover, three different layers from circular adhesion substrates are selected to construct new substrates, which indicates that the polarization degree of cells is closely related to the number of micropillar arrays on the circular geometric substrate. In addition, flow cytometry demonstrates that the circular substrate reduced the transition from resting/gap 1 phase (G0/G1) to synthesis phase (S phase), thereby decreasing DNA synthesis and proliferation, reminding a potential method for treatment strategy. More importantly, the circular adhesion substrate influences the integrin signaling pathway, which has a potential application and research prospect in the treatment of melanoma.