bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
“Two zones and three centers” distribution and suitable areas shift of an evergreen oak in subtropical China under climate scenarios
Authors: Zhang Jinkai , Huang Song , Li Jiaxiang , Liao Lingjuan , Jiang Xiaolong , Xu Yongfu , Yu Xunlin , Wu Lei , Zhao Lijuan , Fu Jin , Yang Yun , Chen Chunhua 
Published: September 2024

AbstractUnderstanding the impact of climate change on the geographical distribution of species is a fundamental requirement for biodiversity conservation and resource management. Quercus oxyphylla, an evergreen oak endemic to China, plays a crucial role in maintaining the ecological stability in subtropical regions and high economic value attributed to its dark and high‐density heartwood, but the existing resources are close to endangered. Currently, limited knowledge exists regarding its distribution and potential influences of climate change on suitable areas. This study utilized 63 occurrence records and Biomod2 platform, to predict changes in suitable areas for Q. oxyphylla under future climate change. The results revealed that (1) Q. oxyphylla showed a pattern of three disjunctive geographical centers in the eastern subregion of subtropical evergreen broad‐leaved forest region (IVA): Qinling‐Daba Mountains, Nanling Mountains and Wuyi Mountains center. Currently, the highly suitable areas concentrated in two zones divided by the Yangtze River, that is, the northern subtropical evergreen and deciduous broad‐leaved forest zone (IVAii) and the mid‐subtropical evergreen broad‐leaved forest zone (IVAi). (2) The temperature‐related variables, such as annual temperature range (Bio7), the mean diurnal range (Bio2), and annual mean temperature (Bio1), were identified as the key determinants of the distribution pattern. Because of its considerable climatic variations in temperature and water conditions, Q. oxyphylla's habitat displayed a wider climate niche and strong physiological tolerance to climate change. (3) Under future climate scenarios, the suitable area of the species was expected to overall expand with significant regional differences. The suitable area in IVAi was expected to expand significantly northward while that in IVAii was expected to gradually shrink. To address the impact of climate change, it is necessary to develop conservation plans focused around the three distribution centers, implement localized and regional conservation policies, and conduct educational outreach among local people.
Analysis of resting status reveals distinct elevational variation in metabolisms of lizards
Authors: Jiang Zhong‐Wen , Ma Liang , Tao Shi‐ang , Wenda Cheng , Cheng Chuyu , Wu Dan‐yang , Du Wei‐Guo 
Published: September 2024

AbstractAnimals spend a considerable proportion of their life span at rest. However, resting status has often been overlooked when investigating how species respond to environmental conditions. This may induce a large bias in understanding the local adaptation of species across environmental gradients and their vulnerability to potential environmental change. Here, we conducted an empirical study on montane agamid lizards, combined with mechanistic modeling, to compare elevational variations in body temperature and metabolisms (cumulative digestion and maintenance cost) between resting and active status. Our study on three populations of an agamid lizard along an elevational gradient revealed a trend of decreasing body temperature toward higher elevations, the main contributor of which was resting status of the lizards. Using population‐specific reaction norms, we predicted greater elevational variation in hourly and cumulative digestion for resting lizards than for active lizards. Climate‐change impacts, estimated as the change in cumulative digestion, also show greater elevational variation when resting status is factored into the analysis. Further, our global analysis of 98 agamid species revealed that in about half of their combined distributional range, the contribution of resting status in determining the elevational variation in cumulative digestion and maintenance cost of lizards was greater than the contribution made by a lizard's active status. Our study highlights the importance of considering resting status when investigating how species respond to environmental conditions, especially for those distributed over tropical and subtropical mountain areas.
Ultraflexible liposomes for transdermal delivery of atorvastatin calcium: Rheological and ex vivo evaluation
Authors: Akl Mohamed A. , Ryad Sherif , Ibrahime Mohamed F. , Kassem Alaa A. 
Published: September 2024

AbstractOur research aims to explore the possibility of incorporating atorvastatin calcium (ATC) in ultraflexible nanovesicles (UFNVs) to avoid the hepatic first metabolism and enhance its effectiveness as a potential alternative to oral treatment. ATC nanovesicles were developed utilizing the rotary evaporation‐sonication method and assessed in vitro concerning their vesicle diameter, zeta potential (ZP), entrapment efficiency (EE), as well as in vitro release studies. The chosen formulation of ATC‐UFNVs was integrated into a different gel base that was evaluated for content uniformity, pH, spreading ability, viscosity, and rheological behavior. The skin permeation of the prepared nanovesicles was assessed using an ex vivo permeation and confocal laser microscopy images (CLSM). In vitro evaluation of the ATC‐loaded UFNVs showed that the mean diameter of the nanovesicles ranging between 60.84 ± 0.53 nm and 91.68 ± 2.11 nm, the Zeta potential values ranged from of –15.8 ± 0.31 to –25.1 ± 0.81 mV, the EE% were between 84.33 ± 1.94 and 86.53 ± 2.02%, and the ATC release from the formulations was 75.25–90.89%. All release patterns were analyzed kinetically following Higuchi's diffusion approach. Carbapol 934 gel bases containing ATC‐UF exhibited non‐Newtonian pseudo‐plastic flow with thixotropy equal to 2.013 cm2. Ex vivo data showed that ATC‐UFNVs had better penetration compared to free AC. CLSM revealed that the UF‐nanovesicle exhibited stronger and deeper fluorescence signals up to 90 µm depth of permeation in skin versus the rhodamine B‐free solution (50 µm). The transdermal ability of the ATC‐UFNVs gel formulation has been conclusively demonstrated by our research.Practical Applications: The successful development of atorvastatin calcium‐loaded ultraflexible nanovesicles (ATC‐UFNVs) in this study offers promising applications for researchers and healthcare professionals. The ability of these nanovesicles to bypass hepatic first‐pass metabolism and enhance drug delivery to the skin presents a potential alternative to oral administration, which can be associated with gastrointestinal side effects and variable absorption. The findings of this research can be applied in the development of novel transdermal drug delivery systems for the treatment of various cardiovascular conditions. ATC‐UFNVs may be incorporated into topical formulations for the management of hypercholesterolemia, reducing the need for systemic medication. Additionally, the insights gained from this study could be utilized to explore the feasibility of using nanovesicles for the delivery of other lipophilic drugs, expanding their potential therapeutic applications.
A Direct Visible‐Light Mediated Coupling Of Azaarenes with Diversely Functionalized Alkyl Carbons via Organophotocatalytic Sp3C−H Bond Activation
Authors: Basumatary Joneswar , Protim Phukan Kimron , Bhuyan Samuzal , Gopal Roy Biswajit 
Published: September 2024

AbstractSubstituted azaarenes are one of the most ubiquitous moieties in natural products and drug molecules. An efficient organophotocatalytic method for direct coupling of diverse cyclic and acyclic alkyl carbons of alcohols, ethers, alkyl halides and alkanes with different azaaryl systems has been developed. It uses low loading of easily synthesizable efficient acridinium based photocatalyst and blue LED to generate highly reactive radicals on saturated hydrocarbons through sequential single electron transfer (SET) and hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) process. These in situ generated nucleophilic carbon radicals then undergo instantaneous regio‐selective coupling with azaarenes through Minisci type coupling to generate an array of important pharmacophores through sp2C−sp3C bond formation. With inexpensive organophotocatalysts, higher yield and wide substrate scope, this method provides a greener, efficient and versatile alternative to the previously reported syntheses.
Expanding the Scope of Chemoselective Reductive Cyclization: Synthesis of Unsubstituted 9H‐Thioxanthenes and 10‐Methyl 9,10‐Dihydroacridines and Beyond
Authors: Kant Verma Shashi , Basak Ashok K. 
Published: September 2024

AbstractUnsubstituted 9H‐thioxanthenes are obtained from 2‐(arylthio)benzaldehydes via In(OTf)3‐catalyzed chemoselective reductive cyclization in diisopropyl ether at elevated temperature. The reaction possesses broad substrate scope, good functional group compatibility and proceeds via chemoselective reduction of thioxanthylium ion in the presence of a highly reactive arylaldehyde. Similarly, unsubstituted 10‐methyl‐9,10‐dihydroacridines are also obtained via a Bronsted acid catalyzed chemoselective reductive cyclization of 2‐(methylphenylamino)benzaldehydes in isopropanol (solvent). The reductive cyclization method can also be utilized for the synthesis of 9‐trifluormethyl containing (thio)xanthenes. Mono‐deuterated 9H‐thioxanthene is obtained in moderate yield in deuterated solvent (THF‐d8).
Hydrazone Based pH‐Responsive Configurational Molecular Rotary Switches Containing a New Conjugated π‐Electronic Framework
Authors: Shee Subhankar , Khamaru Krishnendu , Banerji Biswadip 
Published: September 2024

AbstractA pyrido‐pyrimidinone heterocycle derived pH‐activated, hydrazone based molecular switch and its switching mechanism are reported here. The introduction of a new conjugated π electronic framework (enone part in the molecule) allowed the system to undergo hydrazone‐azo tautomerization, followed by E‐Z isomerization through rotation around the partial C−N single bond. Under acidic pH, protonation took place selectively on pyrimidinone nitrogen, and that turned the molecule to the corresponding ZH+ configuration. On the other hand, addition of triethylamine in the same solution reverted the molecule back to its original E‐configuration. Extensive proton‐NMR, and detailed X‐ray crystallography coupled with UV‐vis spectroscopy were carried out to establish the switching phenomena. Theoretical DFT calculations leading to free energy diagrams, transition states, and intermediates shed light on the mechanism behind the switching phenomenon.
Virtual reality to characterize anticipation skills of top‐level 4 x 100 m relay athletes
Authors: Chomienne Loïc , Egiziano Martin , Stefanuto Laurine , Bossard Martin , Verhulst Eulalie , Kulpa Richard , Mascret Nicolas , Montagne Gilles 
Published: September 2024

AbstractOne marker of expertise in sport is athletes' ability to anticipate future events. In the 4 × 100 m relay, these anticipation skills are an essential asset for initiating their run at the right time. However, no study has focused on describing the underlying perceptual‐motor processes involved. Virtual reality provides powerful tools to describe and understand these processes, overcoming the drastic constraints encountered in the real world. Nineteen athletes from the French national teams were immersed in a digital replica of the Stade de France and confronted with digital twins of potential partners based on motion capture. Their task was to initiate their run exactly when their virtual partner passed over a go‐mark placed on the ground. The timing of different body motor events and visual behavior were measured and analyzed. Results showed that the execution of this highly constrained task is the result of a significant reduction in the variability of motor events preceding the start. These findings reveal the implementation of a perceptual‐motor dialog until the initiation of the run. This study is a first step toward understanding the mechanisms underlying anticipation skills in the 4 × 100 m relay; it constitutes a preliminary step to the deployment of VR training protocols.
SIGHT—A System for Solvent‐Tight Incubation and Growth Monitoring in High Throughput
Authors: Rönitz Jakob , Herrmann Felix , Wynands Benedikt , Polen Tino , Wierckx Nick 
Published: September 2024

ABSTRACTPhysiological characterization of microorganisms in the context of solvent tolerance is a tedious process with a high investment of manual labor while often being limited in throughput capability simultaneously. Therefore, we developed a small‐scale solvent‐impervious cultivation system consisting of screw cap‐sealed glass vials in combination with a 3D‐printed vial holder for the Growth Profiler (EnzyScreen) platform. Components and cultivation conditions were empirically tested, and a suitable setup was found for the intended application. To demonstrate the capability of this cultivation system, an adaptive laboratory evolution was performed to further increase the tolerance of Pseudomonas taiwanensis GRC3 toward styrene. This approach yielded heterogenic cultures with improved growth performances in the presence of styrene from which individual clones were isolated and characterized in high throughput. Several clones with improved growth in the presence of 1% (v/v) styrene were analyzed through whole‐genome sequencing, revealing mutations in the co‐chaperone‐encoding gene dnaJ, RNA polymerase α subunit‐encoding gene rpoA, and loss‐of‐function mutations in the ttgGHI solvent efflux pump repressor encoded by ttgV. The developed cultivation system has proven to be a very useful extension of the Growth Profiler, as it reduces manual workload and allows high‐throughput characterization.
One‐year seizure freedom and quality of life in patients with drug‐resistant epilepsy receiving adjunctive vagus nerve stimulation in Japan
Authors: Tani Naoki , Dibué Maxine , Verner Ryan , Nishikawa Stephany Mai , Gordon Charles , Kawai Kensuke , Kishima Haruhiko 
Published: September 2024

AbstractObjectiveAmount of seizure‐free days is a critical determinant of quality of life (QoL) in patients with drug‐resistant epilepsy (DRE). The fractions of patients experiencing prolonged periods of seizure freedom with adjunctive vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) have yet to be assessed on a large scale.MethodsRetrospective analysis of patients in the Japanese VNS prospective observational registry who experienced at least 1 year of seizure freedom from all seizures, focal seizures, or tonic–clonic seizures (TCS), as well as patient‐reported change in QoL in these groups.ResultsThe study included 362 patients with DRE, 147 were female (40.6%), and the median age at VNS implant was 23.0 years (range: 1.0–73.0). A total of 225 patients reported focal seizures and 184 patients reported TCS. After 36 months of adjunctive VNS, the cumulative proportion of patients experiencing at least 1 year of complete seizure freedom was 11% (38/356) with an average duration of seizure freedom of 19.4 months. In patients with focal seizures, 25% (n = 57/225) experienced at least 1 year of freedom from focal seizures with an average duration of 24.8 months. Higher cumulative rates of freedom from TCS were observed: 55% (n = 101/184) experienced at least 1 year without TCS with an average duration of TCS‐free periods of 28.9 months. 82.1% of patients with 12‐month complete seizure freedom reported markedly improved or improved QoL compared with 51.9% of patients who were not seizure‐free. QoL changes in patients with 12‐month seizure freedom from TCS and focal seizures were similar: 61.8% and 63% of respective patients reported either markedly improved or improved QoL at 36 months.SignificanceComplete seizure freedom is rare in patients treated with VNS; however, this analysis found approximately half of patients who experienced TCS prior to VNS experienced prolonged periods of freedom from TCS with adjunctive VNS.Plain Language SummaryWe studied patients in Japan with epilepsy that is difficult to treat. To understand if adding vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) helps such patients, we looked at which patients stopped having all seizures or stopped having a specific seizure type (such as tonic–clonic seizures or focal seizures), and how long these periods lasted. With VNS treatment, about 2 out of 4 patients with tonic–clonic seizures and 1 out of 4 patients with focal seizures had more time without these seizure types. Without seizures, patients felt better about their daily lives. Even patients who still had seizures felt better about their daily lives after 3 years of VNS treatment.Trial RegistrationThe clinical trial registry number is UMIN000014728.
Affect and disordered eating behaviours in women's daily lives: The comparative explanatory roles of distinct momentary emotion dysregulation dimensions
Authors: Romano Kelly A. , Peterson Carol B. , Anderson Lisa M. , Heron Kristin E. 
Published: September 2024

AbstractObjectiveThe present study aimed to examine: (a) whether distinct momentary emotion dysregulation dimensions differentially mediated momentary associations between affect and disordered eating behaviours (DEBs) in the natural environment; (b) whether these associations differed based on affect, emotion dysregulation, and DEB type.Method150 women with eating disorder pathology (Mage = 20.95, SD = 4.14) completed 4 surveys targeting affect, emotion dysregulation, and DEBs each day for a 10‐day ecological momentary assessment period. Multilevel structural equation models examined whether four momentary emotion dysregulation dimensions (difficulties with emotional and behavioural modulation, lack of emotional acceptance, awareness, and clarity) mediated momentary associations between negative and positive affect (PA), and loss of control eating, overeating, and dietary restriction.ResultsMomentary difficulties with emotional and behavioural modulation mediated momentary associations between negative affect (NA) and women's loss of control eating and overeating. These findings did not extend to PA, the other emotion dysregulation dimensions, or dietary restriction.ConclusionsCollectively, these results support emotional and behavioural modulation deficits in the natural environment as potential transdiagnostic maintenance mechanisms of overeating and loss of control eating. These findings also support the potential benefits of targeting NA and this type of emotion dysregulation in existing and novel real‐time eating disorders interventions.
Prevalence and concentration of Ochratoxin A in beer: A global systematic review, meta‐analysis, and health risk assessment
Authors: Fakhri Yadolah , Ranaei Vahid , Pilevar Zahra , Belaia Olga F. , Kolaeva Natalia V. , Sarafraz Mansour , Mousavi Khaneghah Amin 
Published: September 2024

AbstractIn the current study, Ochratoxin A (OTA) levels and prevalence in beer were meta‐analyzed, and non‐carcinogenic risk was calculated using the target hazard quotient. Thirty papers with 70 data reports were included in our study. The pooled prevalence of OTA was 50.60%, 95% CI (confidence interval) (36.97–64.19). Five countries with the highest levels of OTA in beer were South Africa (1170.750 μg/L), Slovakia (31.300 μg/L), Portugal (3.140 μg/L), Tunisia (1.052 μg/L), and Greece (0.707 μg/L). The pooled levels of OTA were 0.089 μg/L, 95% CI (0.077–0.101 μg/L). Meta‐regression shows that OTA prevalence in beer decreased over time insignificantly (p value: .084). Except in South Africa and Slovakia, consumers in other countries are at an acceptable non‐carcinogenic risk due to OTA in beer. Hence, it is recommended that the quality of raw materials, especially barley, be controlled in the storage and processing conditions in South Africa and Slovakia.
Development of a multicomponent counter‐current flow model to evaluate the impact of oxygen and water vapor on CO2 removal performance in a hollow fiber membrane contactor
Authors: Yang Qiang , Lin Qianguo , Chong Cheng Tung , Zhang Yuyang 
Published: September 2024

AbstractMembrane contactor has emerged as a promising technology for flue gas carbon capture as it integrates the advantages of high capture efficiency of absorption technology and compact design of membrane technology. However, the integration performance could be affected by the presence of minor components such as water vapor and residual oxygen in real gas conditions, owing to vapor condensation and dynamic oxidation in gas‐liquid transfer interface. Therefore, it remains a need to develop a model that enables the prediction of CO2 removal performance of membrane contactor under industrial real gas conditions. In the present study, a multicomponent model considering the impact of water vapor and oxygen on CO2 removal in membrane contactors was developed. The model, based on mass transfer equilibrium, gas reaction kinetics, and diffusion coefficients, describes the transport and reaction dynamics of multicomponent gases within the gas, liquid, and membrane phases. Utilizing the finite element method (FEM) for solution, the model was demonstrated with a case study of CO2 separation from a quaternary gas mixture by a hollow fiber membrane contactor (HFMC). The results highlight the importance of considering water vapor and oxygen in the design and evaluation of industrial membrane contactor systems, offering valuable insights for enhancing CO2 separation efficiency in practical applications. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Comparing methods for estimating causal treatment effects of administrative health data: A plasmode simulation study
Authors: Ress Vanessa , Wild Eva‐Maria 
Published: September 2024

AbstractEstimating the causal effects of health policy interventions is crucial for policymaking but is challenging when using real‐world administrative health care data due to a lack of methodological guidance. To help fill this gap, we conducted a plasmode simulation using such data from a recent policy initiative launched in a deprived urban area in Germany. Our aim was to evaluate and compare the following methods for estimating causal effects: propensity score matching, inverse probability of treatment weighting, and entropy balancing, all combined with difference‐in‐differences analysis, augmented inverse probability weighting, and targeted maximum likelihood estimation. Additionally, we estimated nuisance parameters using regression models and an ensemble learner called superlearner. We focused on treatment effects related to the number of physician visits, total health care cost, and hospitalization. While each approach has its strengths and weaknesses, our results demonstrate that the superlearner generally worked well for handling nuisance terms in large covariate sets when combined with doubly robust estimation methods to estimate the causal contrast of interest. In contrast, regression‐based nuisance parameter estimation worked best in small covariate sets when combined with singly robust methods.