bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Phenology mediates direct and indirect interactions among co‐occurring invasive plant species
Authors: Reeb Rachel A. , Kuebbing Sara E. 
Published: October 2024

AbstractWhy nonnative invasive plant species commonly co‐occur, despite their competitive superiority and propensity to displace native species, remains a paradox in invasion biology. Negative interactions among competitively dominant invaders are potentially alleviated by two understudied mechanisms: seasonal priority effects, where phenological separation weakens the effect of competition on species with early phenology; and indirect facilitation, where competition between two species is mitigated by a third species. Although phenological separation has been speculated as a mechanism for explaining co‐occurrence patterns of invasive plants, it has never been directly tested. In a greenhouse experiment, we tested the effect of phenological separation on direct and indirect interactions between three co‐occurring invasive plant species found in the riparian forests of North America. These species have distinct natural phenological separation with reproduction in early spring (Ficaria verna), mid‐spring (Alliaria petiolata), and late summer (Microstegium vimineum). When phenology was experimentally synchronized, direct pairwise interactions among invasive species were overwhelmingly negative, asymmetric, and unlikely to promote co‐occurrence. However, increasing phenological separation generated seasonal priority effects, which weakened the effect of competition on species with early phenology. Furthermore, the addition of a third species generated indirect facilitative effects, which balanced competitive outcomes among the two weakest competitors. Based on these findings, we conclude that phenological separation modulates the strength of both seasonal priority effects and indirect facilitation within species interaction networks and may promote the co‐occurrence of three common invasive species within this study system. We articulate how future studies can test the external validity of these findings in more complex environmental conditions and with a larger range of invasive plants.
Gestational Diabetes Mellitus and Risk Factors in a Multi‐Ethnic National Case–Control Study
Authors: Daly Barbara M. , Wu Zhenqiang , Chepulis Lynne , Scragg Robert K. R. 
Published: October 2024

ABSTRACTIntroductionGestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) continues to increase particularly for non‐European women. This study aimed to identify and quantify risk factors for women diagnosed with gestational diabetes in New Zealand to identify women at higher risk.MethodsA national dataset of 601,166 eligible women who had ≥ 1 birth in New Zealand between January 2001 and December 2010 identified 11,459 women with gestational diabetes of whom 11,447 were randomly matched with 57,235 control women for age and year of delivery.ResultsAdjusted odds ratios (95% CI) showed higher odds of gestational diabetes for Asian (3.60, 3.39–3.82), Pacific (2.76, 2.57–2.96) and Māori (1.23, 1.15–1.31) women compared with European/Other women. Women most economically disadvantaged (1.44, 1.34–1.56), not registered with a lead maternity carer (1.16, 1.04–1.30) and those identified as smokers (1.20, 1.11–1.31) were more likely than control women to develop gestational diabetes. In contrast, women residing in rural (0.83, 0.77–0.88) and remote areas (0.68, 0.60–0.77) were less likely to develop gestational diabetes compared with women living in urban areas, and similarly for non‐New Zealand resident women (0.78, 0.72–0.85) compared with resident women.ConclusionsWomen who were diagnosed with gestational diabetes were more likely to be non‐European, economically disadvantaged, residing in urban areas, unregistered with a lead maternity carer and more likely to smoke. In addition to universal screening for pre‐existing diabetes, all women at risk of gestational diabetes should be identified and supported to undertake to a 75 g glucose challenge test between 24 and 28 weeks.
Exploring the multifaceted therapeutic potentials of Brassaiopsis palmata (leaves) through in‐vitro and in‐vivo approaches
Authors: Islam Mohidul , Fahad Fowzul Islam , Karim Ahasanul , Sultana Arifa , Kamal A. T. M. Mostafa , Rana Md. Sohel , Islam Mohammad Nazmul 
Published: October 2024

AbstractBrassaiopsis palmata, an androgynous tree from Araliaceae family, has been widely found in the Asian subcontinent, and reported to have potentiality against skin infection, and many therapeutic properties still unidentified. Here, our current investigation aims to discover the innovative pharmacological potentials of the methanol extract of B. palmata leaves (MEBPL) through in‐vivo and in‐vitro approaches. Several secondary metabolites were revealed throughout the qualitative phytochemical screening of the plant extracts. MEBPL exhibited strong radical scavenging properties (IC50 178.13 µg/mL) through the 2, 2‐diphenyl‐1‐picryhydrazyl (DPPH) assay, and through the quantitative (phenolic and flavonoid) assays with a moderate (LD50 153.14 µg/mL) toxic effect. In anti‐inflammatory screening, MEBPL showed significant dose dependent inhibitory activity; and the peak inhibition were found 78.01 ± 1.22% and 82.46 ± 1.52% at 1000 µg/mL concentration on hypotonic‐induce RBC hemolysis & protein denaturation test respectively. Moreover, the plant extracts manifested moderate percentage of clot lysis (28.24 ± 2.50%) on the investigation of thrombolytic assay. The anti‐nociceptive activity of MEBPL was analyzed through acetic acid and formalin induce pain tests. Both 200 and 400 mg/kg dose of MEBPL exerted significant (p ˂ 0.001) dose depending depletion of acetic acid induced writhing and formalin stimulated licking test which indicated strong analgesic properties of plant extracts. In addition, the outcomes of anti‐depressant evaluation suggested that treatment with both 200 and 400 mg/kg doses showed potential dose depending activity on both FST and TST model. Furthermore, the plant extracts manifested dose dependent reduction of anxiety like behaviors in the rodent model. Particularly, mice administrated with 400 mg/kg dose of MEBPL significantly (p ˂ 0.05) enhanced the percentage of entries and time spent in the open arm in EPM, and also showed the highest amount of head dipping tendency in HBT. In contrast, the outcomes of this research suggest that B. palmata could be another source of antioxidant, cytotoxic, anti‐inflammatory, thrombolytic, anti‐nociceptive, anti‐depressant, and anxiolytic agents. Further research on the mechanisms underlying bioactivities is required.
The effects of sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors on the ‘forgotten’ right ventricle
Authors: Qu Liangzhen , Duan Xueting , Chen Han 
Published: October 2024

AbstractWith the progress in diagnosis, treatment and imaging techniques, there is a growing recognition that impaired right ventricular (RV) function profoundly affects the prognosis of patients with heart failure (HF), irrespective of their left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). In addition, right HF (RHF) is a common complication associated with various diseases, including congenital heart disease, myocardial infarction (MI), pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), and it can manifest at any time after left ventricular assist devices (LVADs). The sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibition by gliflozins has emerged as a cornerstone medicine for managing type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and HF, with an increasing focus on its potential to enhance RV function. In this review, we aim to present an updated perspective on the pleiotropic effects of gliflozins on the right ventricle and offer insights into the underlying mechanisms. We can ascertain their advantageous impact on the right ventricle by discussing the evidence obtained in animal models and monumental clinical trials. In light of the pathophysiological changes in RHF, we attempt to elucidate crucial mechanisms regarding their beneficial effects, including alleviation of RV overload, reduction of hyperinsulinaemia and inflammatory responses, regulation of nutrient signalling pathways and cellular energy metabolism, inhibition of oxidative stress and myocardial fibrosis, and maintenance of ion balance. Finally, this drug class's potential application and benefits in various clinical settings are described, along with a prospective outlook on future clinical practice and research directions.
Synthesis, Structural Analysis and Bright Emission Performance of a New Family of 3D Lanthanide Coordination Polymers Based on 1,3‐phenylenediacetic Acid
Authors: Pastrana‐Dávila Andrea , Manuel Muñoz Juan , Macías Mario A. , Insuasty Daniel , Ernesto Gomez Germán , D'Vries Richard F. 
Published: October 2024

AbstractA novel series of isostructural lanthanide coordination polymers with the general formula [Ln2(PDA)3(DMF)2] (where Ln3+= La, Nd, Pr, Tb, Sm and Eu, DMF= N,N’‐dimethylformamide and PDA =1,3‐phenylenediacetate) were hydrothermally synthesized and further characterized by vibrational spectroscopy, thermal analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X‐ray (EDX) analysis, and powder and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction techniques. In addition, from the crystallographic data, it was possible to determine the topology of the structure, finding that the network consists of 5‐connected nodes with topological type: nov; 5/4/o8 and point symbol (44.66). To study the luminescence properties regarding potential energy transfers among the building blocks, lanthanum‐based samples doped with Tb (III) and Eu (III) (1 %, 2 %, 5 % and 10 %) were analyzed in solid state. Upon ligand sensitization, 4 f transitions could be observed confirming an “antenna effect” of the PDA ligand. These new compounds are potential materials for the construction of photoluminiscent devices.
Multifunctional Organometallic Compounds: An Interesting Luminescent NLO‐Active Alkynylplatinum (II) Complex
Authors: Colombo Alessia , Dragonetti Claudia , Fagnani Francesco , Roberto Dominique , Guerchais Véronique , Roisnel Thierry , Fantacci Simona , Marinotto Daniele 
Published: October 2024

AbstractReaction of 4‐methylphenylacetylide with the known chlorido platinum(II) complex bearing the cyclometalated 1,3‐bis(pyridin‐2‐yl)‐4,6‐difluoro‐benzene ligand afforded a novel alkynyl platinum(II) complex, 1, that was fully characterized by elemental analysis, NMR and UV‐visible spectroscopies, by photoluminescence measurements, and by computational modelling. Its structure was determined by X‐ray diffraction studies on a single crystal whereas its second‐order nonlinear optical (NLO) properties were determined in solution by the Electric‐Field Induced Second Harmonic generation method. The novel multifunctional complex 1 is characterized by good luminescence properties, like the related chlorido Pt(II) complex, but by a much higher second‐order NLO response.
Locus coeruleus co‐activation patterns at rest show higher state persistence in patients with dissociative seizures: A Pilot Study
Authors: Weber Samantha , Jungilligens Johannes , Aybek Selma , Popkirov Stoyan 
Published: October 2024

AbstractObjectiveDissociative seizures are paroxysmal disruptions of awareness and behavioral control in the context of affective arousal. Alterations in stress‐related endocrine function have been demonstrated, but the timescale of dissociation suggests that the central locus coeruleus (LC) noradrenergic system is likely pivotal. Here, we investigate whether LC activation at rest is associated with altered brain network dynamics.MethodsA preliminary co‐activation pattern (CAP) analysis of resting‐state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in 14 patients with dissociative seizures and 14 healthy controls was performed by using the LC as a seeding region. The red nucleus served as a control condition. Entry rates, durations, and state transition probabilities of identified CAPs were calculated. Analyses were corrected for demographic, technical, and clinical confounders including depression and anxiety.ResultsThree LC‐related CAPs were identified, with the dominant two showing inverse activations and deactivations of the default mode network and the attention networks, respectively. Analysis of transition probabilities between and within the three CAPs revealed higher state persistence in patients compared to healthy controls for both CAP2LC (Cohen's d = −0.55; p = 0.01) and CAP3LC (Cohen's d = −0.57; p = 0.01). The control analysis using the red nucleus as a seed yielded similar CAPs, but no significant between‐group differences in transition probabilities.SignificanceHigher state persistence of LC‐CAPs in patients with dissociative seizures generates the novel hypothesis that arousal‐related impairments of network switching might be a candidate neural mechanism of dissociation.Plain Language SummaryDissociative seizures often arise during high affective arousal. The locus coeruleus is a brain structure involved in managing such acute arousal states. We investigated whether the activity of the locus coeruleus correlates with activity in other regions of the brain (which we refer to as “brain states”), and whether those brain states were different between patients with dissociative seizures and healthy controls. We found that patients tended to stay in certain locus coeruleus‐dependent brain states instead of switching between them. This might be related to the loss of awareness and disruptions of brain functions (“dissociation”) that patients experience during seizures.
Exploration of epileptic networks in temporal lobe encephaloceles with stereotactic EEG: Electroclinical characteristics and surgical outcomes
Authors: Zillgitt Andrew J. , Mong Eric R. , Manasseh Angelique M. , Guider Hannah C. , Baki Nour , Staudt Michael D. 
Published: October 2024

AbstractObjectiveTemporal lobe encephaloceles (TLEN) have been implicated as a cause of temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE), the treatment which is primarily surgical; however, there is no clear consensus on the optimal surgical approach, because it is unclear whether TLE related to TLEN can be addressed by a restricted encephalocele resection or if a more extensive resection is required. The aim of the current article is to report the clinical and electrophysiological profile of patients with TLE secondary to TLEN who underwent stereotactic electroencephalography (SEEG) implantation to identify the epileptogenic network.MethodsA retrospective review was performed of patients with TLE related to TLEN who underwent SEEG implantation. Medical charts were reviewed for demographic data, the results of noninvasive and invasive investigations, and operative details. Surgical outcomes were based on Engel classification with at least 6 months follow‐up.ResultsNine patients were identified. The mean age at epilepsy onset was 28 years (range, 15–41 years), and 7/9 patients were female. Scalp EEG revealed interictal epileptiform activity most often maximum in the frontotemporal and/or temporal regions. A discrete TLEN was often not identified on initial imaging, but was identified during re‐review or at the time of surgery. Seizure onset zones during SEEG were localized to the mesial temporal structures, the temporal pole, or both. One patient became seizure‐free following SEEG and another refused further surgery. Of the 7 patients who underwent epilepsy surgery, 5/7 underwent an anterior temporal lobectomy—surgical outcomes were favorable, with 5/7 achieving Engel I outcomes.SignificanceInvasive SEEG monitoring demonstrated ictal onsets may not be restricted to the TLEN, and often the temporal pole and mesial structures are involved at seizure onset. Ictal propagation patterns vary significantly, which may be related to the underlying pathology and explain the variability in semiology. These findings may inform surgical treatment options.Plain language summaryTemporal lobe encephaloceles can cause intractable epilepsy, although their presence may be missed on routine imaging. The management of encephaloceles is primarily surgical; however, the optimal surgical approach can be unclear. Invasive monitoring with SEEG may help characterize the epileptogenic network and result in more optimal surgical outcomes.
Local and global integrative retrofitting of reinforced concrete frames using in‐plane buckling steel braces
Authors: Tewatia Devyani , Kumar P. C. Ashwin 
Published: October 2024

AbstractTwo large‐scale, single‐storey, single‐bay reinforced concrete (RC) moment frames, designed as per an outdated seismic code to represent a typical framing detail of a four‐storey building, have been tested under displacement‐controlled quasi‐static loading protocol as per ACI 374.1‐05. The RC frames include a plinth beam with brick infill underneath, a slab monolithically cast with the top beam and provision for applying axial load to the column to simulate real construction scenario. One of the frames has been tested as a bare frame, and the second one has been retrofitted with conventional steel braces designed to undergo in‐plane buckling. The size of the brace has been selected based on the result of a nonlinear time history analysis of representative low‐ to mid‐rise open‐ground storey RC buildings. Post‐installed chemical anchors have been utilized to connect the steel braces to the narrow RC frame members following the outcomes of an experimental investigation by the same authors. Local‐level retrofitting by steel jacketing using adhesives has been designed and utilized on columns and beams to achieve the desired seismic response. The seismic performance of the retrofitted frame has been compared with the bare frame in terms of strength, stiffness, ductility, energy dissipation and hysteretic damping. The tests provide insight into the role of the plinth beam, effect of RC slab on the strong‐column weak‐beam aspect and the achievement of the desirable hinge mechanism through a precise design and detailing of global and local level retrofitting technique.
Simulating column splice fracture and post‐fracture response for seismic assessment of steel moment frames
Authors: Jhunjhunwala Aditya , Maity Arka , Kanvinde Amit 
Published: October 2024

AbstractMitigating fracture in welded column splices is an important challenge for the safety of existing steel moment‐resisting frames. While models to predict splice fracture have recently been developed, suitable approaches are not available to simulate the response of frames after splice fracture. Motivated by this, a two‐dimensional displacement‐based fiber element construct, termed the Splice Fracture Element (SFE), is presented. The SFE includes numerous features: (1) representation of the loss of strength in any fiber at a critical stress determined from fracture mechanics, (2) the ability to simulate the loss of shear strength of the cross‐section when the entire section is severed – a phenomenon not readily simulated in conventional fiber elements, and (3) the ability to track the kinematics of the severed parts of the column to represent transfer of compressive stresses on contact. This formulation is implemented into an open‐source software (OpenSees) and applied to conduct Nonlinear Response History Analysis (NLRHA) of two demonstration problems, including a 1‐story frame and a 20‐story frame. Benchmark simulations that do not simulate splice fracture or represent it without the loss of shear strength are also conducted. The results indicate that the SFE element can successfully simulate the key phenomena associated with splice fracture and post‐fracture response.
Which Way Does the Wind Blow Between SPX Futures and VIX Futures?
Authors: Aikins Ekow A. , Kurov Alexander 
Published: October 2024

ABSTRACTThe negative correlation between returns and volatility is well known. However, there is no consensus on whether returns cause changes in volatility or vice versa. In this paper, we investigate the contemporaneous relation between the VIX futures and E‐mini S&P 500 futures markets with the aim of shedding new light on the relation between market returns and implied volatility. We use the E‐mini S&P 500 futures (often referred to as SPX futures) as a proxy for stock market returns and VIX futures as a proxy for expectations of implied volatility. We consistently find that stock returns cause changes in expectations of implied volatility. To estimate the coefficients of interest, we use an identification through heteroskedasticity approach which takes advantage of predictable intraday shifts in volatility in the two futures markets.
Effect of fermented total mixed rations on rumen microbial communities and serum metabolites in lambs
Authors: Liu Mingjian , Zhang Yulan , Liu Yichao , Li Yuyu , Wang Zhijun , Ge Gentu , Jia Yushan , Du Shuai 
Published: October 2024

AbstractBackgroundDiet regulates rumen microbiota, which in turn affects animal health. The present study evaluated the response of rumen microbiota and the immune system of lambs to a fermented total mixed ration diet.MethodsA total of 30 lambs were assigned into two groups: a group fed an unfermented high‐fiber diet (total mixed ration [TMR]) and a group fed an fermented low‐fiber diet (fermented TMR [FTMR]).ResultsThe results showed that FTMR markedly (p < 0.05) increased average daily gain and dry matter intake compared to TMR. The FTMR diet increased the relative abundance of Veillonellaceae_UCG‐001 and decreased the diversity of undesirable microbiota despite stable overall microbial community diversity. Serum metabolomic analysis combined with enrichment analysis showed that serum metabolites were affected by the FTMR and metabolic pathways, and the FTMR diet significantly (p < 0.05) influenced amino acid metabolism of lambs. There was a decrease in inflammatory factors in the FTMR treatment, indicating that inflammatory factors followed the same trajectory as changes in microbial community structure and function.ConclusionsOverall, the FTMR diet reduced undesirable microbiota diversity, thereby regulating host amino acid metabolism and improving immune status.
RELAX‐Jr: An Automated Pre‐Processing Pipeline for Developmental EEG Recordings
Authors: Hill Aron T. , Enticott Peter G. , Fitzgerald Paul B. , Bailey Neil W. 
Published: October 2024

ABSTRACTAutomated EEG pre‐processing pipelines provide several key advantages over traditional manual data cleaning approaches; primarily, they are less time‐intensive and remove potential experimenter error/bias. Automated pipelines also require fewer technical expertise as they remove the need for manual artefact identification. We recently developed the fully automated Reduction of Electroencephalographic Artefacts (RELAX) pipeline and demonstrated its performance in cleaning EEG data recorded from adult populations. Here, we introduce the RELAX‐Jr pipeline, which was adapted from RELAX and designed specifically for pre‐processing of data collected from children. RELAX‐Jr implements multi‐channel Wiener filtering (MWF) and/or wavelet‐enhanced independent component analysis (wICA) combined with the adjusted‐ADJUST automated independent component classification algorithm to identify and reduce all artefacts using algorithms adapted to optimally identify artefacts in EEG recordings taken from children. Using a dataset of resting‐state EEG recordings (N = 136) from children spanning early‐to‐middle childhood (4–12 years), we assessed the cleaning performance of RELAX‐Jr using a range of metrics including signal‐to‐error ratio, artefact‐to‐residue ratio, ability to reduce blink and muscle contamination, and differences in estimates of alpha power between eyes‐open and eyes‐closed recordings. We also compared the performance of RELAX‐Jr against four publicly available automated cleaning pipelines. We demonstrate that RELAX‐Jr provides strong cleaning performance across a range of metrics, supporting its use as an effective and fully automated cleaning pipeline for neurodevelopmental EEG data.