bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Rapid Colorimetric Detection of Ca(II) Based on Surface Plasmon Resonance Absorbances of 5‐PBA@AuNPs Sensor
Authors: Ma Jingyi , Li Guona , Duan Xueqi , Xue Jin‐Peng , Li Xing , Li Yun 
Published: July 2024

AbstractCalcium ions (Ca2+) are essential for a myriad of physiological functions, including excitability, neurotransmitter release, gene transcription, cell proliferation, synaptic plasticity, and hormone secretion. Consequently, the detection of Ca2+ concentrations in water is of fundamental and practical significance. In this study, a novel method for the simple, visual, and rapid colorimetric detection of Ca2+ is introduced, leveraging the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) absorbances of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) modified with 5‐Pyrimidinylboronic acid (5‐PBA). A color change from wine‐red to gray‐blue was observed with increasing concentrations of Ca2+, indicative of the agglomeration of AuNPs. This agglomeration displayed favorable anti‐interference properties and selectivity. The limits of detection (LOD) were determined to be 0.08 mM by the unaided eye and 3.29 μM by UV‐visible spectroscopy. Moreover, an excellent linear relationship (R2=0.9879) was maintained within the Ca2+ concentration range of 0.0 to 0.5 mM. These results suggest that AuNPs modified with 5‐PBA are suitable for the quantitative determination of Ca2+. Subsequent testing on actual samples confirmed that this new method could be effectively applied to the monitoring of Ca2+ in water.
Invasive sorghum aphid: A decade of research on deciphering plant resistance mechanisms and novel approaches in breeding for sorghum resistance to aphids
Authors: Thudi Mahendar , Reddy M. S. Sai , Naik Yogesh Dashrath , Cheruku Varun Kumar Reddy , Sangireddy Manoj Kumar Reddy , Cuevas Hugo E. , Knoll Joseph E. , Louis Joe , Kousik Chandrasekar S. , Toews Michael D. , Ni Xinzhi , Punnuri Somashekhar M. 
Published: July 2024

AbstractDuring the last decade, the sorghum aphid (Melanaphis sorghi), previously identified as sugarcane aphid (Melanaphis sacchari), became a serious pest of sorghum, spreading to all sorghum‐producing regions in the United States, Mexico, and South America, where crop losses of 50%–100% have been reported. Developing sorghum cultivars with resistance to this insect is the most sustainable strategy for long‐term pest management. To design cultivars with aphid resistance, comprehensively understanding the mechanisms underlying aphid survival, host plant resistance, and aphid–sorghum interactions is critical. In this review, we summarize the comprehensive efforts to characterize the aphid populations as well as their interaction with sorghum plants via hormonal pathways that trigger various genes including leucine rich repeats, WRKY transcription factors, lipoxygenases, calmodulins, and others. We discuss efforts made during the last decade to identify specific genomic regions and candidate genes that confer aphid resistance, as well as describe recent successes and potential challenges in breeding for aphid resistance. Furthermore, we discuss the use of disruptive technologies like high‐throughput phenotyping, artificial intelligence, or machine learning for developing aphid resistant sorghum cultivars. Integration of these new technologies has the potential to accelerate the development and design of novel traits that confer durable aphid resistance in new sorghum cultivars to defend sorghum against new aphid genotype development.
A bibliometric analysis of B Corps and sustainable business ecosystems
Authors: Alonso‐Martínez Daniel , González‐Álvarez Nuria 
Published: July 2024

AbstractComprehending the state of the art of certified B Corps and sustainable business ecosystems (SBE) is crucial to affirming the role of B Corps in SBE development. The aim of this paper is to systematise the scientific knowledge related to both concepts and explore the role and contributions of these enterprises in the SBE. To date, no study has jointly carried out a bibliometric analysis and discussed the state of the art of B Corps and SBEs in management literature. A sample of 696 research documents from 2006 to 2024, extracted from the Web of Science and Scopus databases, has been analysed. The results show a strong relationship with the stakeholder and circular economy theories and a weaker relationship with the institutional theory, among others. The SBE literature is closely connected to sustainable and innovation business models, social entrepreneurship, and it is especially associated with social and environmental impact.
Empowering change: The role of gender diversity in steering ESG integration into executive compensation
Authors: Ahmed Ammad , Tessema Abiot , Hussain Atia 
Published: July 2024

AbstractThis study investigates the influence of boardroom gender diversity (BGD) on the adoption of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) metrics in executive compensation, a concept emerging from the stakeholderism debate. Prior research has focused on the impact of BGD on traditional compensation metrics, but the role of BGD in ESG‐linked compensation remains underexplored. Our research fills this gap by examining whether BGD contributes to the incorporation of ESG considerations in executive pay structures. Additionally, we analyze how board members' external affiliations might moderate this relationship, considering that these affiliations can provide diverse perspectives and insights into ESG issues. Using data from 14 countries, our findings reveal a positive and significant association between BGD and ESG metrics in executive compensation, suggesting that women directors significantly influence the integration of sustainability and ethical considerations in corporate strategic planning. Moreover, the impact of BGD on ESG‐linked compensation is found to be more pronounced with higher levels of board members' affiliations. Our results are robust to alternate estimation techniques such as propensity score matching (PSM) and generalized methods of moments (GMM). Our study contributes to the existing literature on gender diversity, corporate governance, and sustainability, offering insights for policymakers and corporate boards on aligning corporate strategies with ESG goals.
Continuous and changing stakeholder engagement for organisational sustainability: Proposing the stakeholder engagement flow model
Authors: Fobbe Lea , Niss Camilla , Hilletofth Per 
Published: July 2024

AbstractStakeholder engagement has been at the forefront of the organisational sustainability debate, particularly focusing on operational sustainability practices (OSP). While sustainability literature increasingly focuses on sustainable business models (SBMs) and the relationship to OSP, research on stakeholder engagement in SBMs and how this relates to engagement in OSP has been scarce. Based on case study research, this paper contributes to the debate by first providing empirical evidence on engagement practices for implementing SBMs. Second, this paper proposes the stakeholder engagement flow model, highlighting how stakeholder engagement for implementing SBMs need to be adapted in relation to stakeholder engagement in OSP. While stakeholder engagement is often continuous for a broad range of stakeholders, successfully implementing SBMs may also require changing engagement practices both in terms of engagement approach and role of stakeholders. The results advance the theoretical debate on stakeholder engagement for organisational sustainability and support practitioners to rethink and evaluate their stakeholder engagement efforts when aiming to implement OSP and SBMs.
One‐Pot Conversion of Xylose to 1,2‐Pentanediol Catalyzed by an Organic Acid‐Assisted Pt/NC in Aqueous Phase
Authors: Wang Quan , Shao Yongjie , Zhang Tianyu , Liu Chun‐Ling , Dong Wen‐Sheng 
Published: July 2024

AbstractThe direct synthesis of 1,2‐pentanediol (1,2‐PeD) from renewable xylose and its derivatives derived from hemicellulose is appealing yet challenging due to its low selectivity for the target product. In this study, one‐pot catalytic conversion of xylose to 1,2‐PeD was performed by using nitrogen‐doped carbon (NC) supported Pt catalysts with the assistance of organic acids. A remarkable yield of 49.3 % for 1,2‐PeD was achieved by reacting 0.1869 g xylose in 30 mL water at 200 °C under a hydrogen pressure of 3 MPa for 8 h in the presence of 0.1 g of 2.5Pt/NC600 catalyst and 0.1869 g propanoic acid co‐catalyst. The presence of vicinal Pt‐acid pair sites on the surface of the 2.5Pt/NC600 catalyst exhibited a synergistic effect in promoting the hydrogenation of furfural (FF) to furfuryl alcohol (FFA) intermediate and subsequent hydrogenation and ring‐opening reactions leading to the formation of 1,2‐PeD. The addition of organic acids, may serve as both acid catalyst for dehydration of xylose and hydrogen donor for hydrogenation of FF and FFA, thereby promoting the one‐pot conversion of xylose to 1,2‐PeD. Remarkably, the 2.5Pt/NC600 catalyst demonstrated outstanding catalytic performance and good reusability over five consecutive cycles without significant deactivation.
A Chemically Robust 2D Ni‐MOF as an Efficient Heterogeneous Catalyst for One‐Pot Synthesis of Therapeutic and Bioactive 2‐Amino‐3‐Cyano‐4H‐Pyran Derivatives
Authors: Mondal Supriya , Pramanik Bikram , Sahoo Rupam , Das Madhab C. 
Published: July 2024

AbstractDespite possessing numerous catalytic advantages of MOFs, developing 2D frameworks having excellent chemical stability along with new catalytic properties remains a grand challenge. Herein, by employing a mixed ligand synthetic approach, we have constructed a 2D Ni‐MOF, IITKGP‐52, which exhibits excellent framework robustness in open air, water, as well as over a wide range of aqueous pH solutions (2–12). Benefitting from its robustness and abundant Lewis acidic open metal sites (OMSs), IITKGP‐52 is explored in catalyzing the heterogeneous three‐component condensation reaction for the tandem synthesis of bioactive 2‐amino‐3‐cyano‐4H‐pyran derivatives with low catalytic loading, greater compatibility for a wide range of substrates, excellent recyclability and superior catalytic efficiency than the previously employed homo and heterogeneous systems. IITKGP‐52 inaugurates the employment of MOF‐based catalysts for one‐pot synthesis of therapeutic and bioactive 2‐amino‐3‐cyano‐4H‐pyran derivatives.
Research on driving technology of radio‐over‐fiber (ROF) compact optical transmitter module
Authors: Wang Chong , Zhang Zhiyi , Fan Tingting , Hou Tiankai , Zhou Jiashen 
Published: July 2024

AbstractIn response to the problems of communication capacity and spectrum resource constraints, radio over fiber (ROF) technology has gained widespread adoption, and the quality and performance of the optical transmitter module also directly affect the transmission of the link. This paper presents the design of a direct modulation optical transmitter module in the frequency band ranging from 2.6 kHz to 206.8 MHz using OPA690 broadband voltage feedback op‐amp. The module features a tunable bias voltage range from 0 to 5 V to accommodate different threshold voltages for modulation power supply. It offers a gain of 12 dB and a signal‐to‐noise ratio exceeding 50 dB while demonstrating excellent stability, high signal purity, good spectral response characteristics, and compact size advantages. Based on this design, we further optimized the system circuit by adding a fourth‐order Butterworth filter structure, reducing the lower cut‐off frequency to about 500 Hz, increasing the gain by 6 dB, reducing the return loss to −26.91 dB, and the module's signal‐to‐noise ratio exceeding 90 dB. This optimization scheme improves the stability and signal purity of the optical transmitter module and improves the spectral response characteristics. In this paper, Multisim is used to analyze and verify the proposed optical transmitter circuit. In addition, a complete link experiment was carried out using an optical receiving module designed in the same laboratory to verify the feasibility of our proposed module.
Study of biological quality of lake waters based on phycocyanin using tree‐based methodologies
Authors: Kheimi Marwan , Almadani Mohammad , Ramezani‐Charmahineh Abdollah , Zounemat‐Kermani Mohammad 
Published: July 2024

AbstractThe provision of drinking water, agricultural, and industrial applications by reservoirs has made lake exploration and monitoring unavoidable. The features of the ecosystem, particularly physical and chemical elements, influence the evaluation of the quality of water resources. Lakes undergo extensive qualitative changes due to their vast amount of water. In general, these bodies of water represent geological conditions as well as water contamination produced by natural and human activities. In the present research, the prediction of the amount of phycocyanin (fPC) in the water of Lake Michigan has been implemented employing four tree‐based machine learning techniques based on seasonality factors. Phycocyanin has significant effects on quality parameters such as turbidity, chlorophyll concentration, algal bloom, and dissolved oxygen in water by affecting the photosynthesis process of algae. Therefore, in this study, the prediction of the amount of phycocyanin dissolved in the lake water using the mentioned variables, along with the temperature of the water, specific conductance, and pH, has been able to interpret the quality of the water and the occurrence of phenomena such as algal blooms. The results of the models in predicting fPCs equal to 0.44 and 0.55 μg/L were consistent with the natural conditions of the lake, and it seems that ensemble tree–based models, along with the biological index of fPC, formed the right combination of input and output parameters in modeling and obtained the lowest prediction error (root‐mean‐square error [RMSE] boosted trees = 0.0140 and RMSE random forests = 0.0141 μg/L).
Water‐controlled ecosystems as complex networks: Evaluation of network‐based approaches to quantify patterns of connectivity
Authors: Tiwari Shubham , Brizuela Sonia Recinos , Hein Thomas , Turnbull Laura , Wainwright John , Funk Andrea 
Published: July 2024

AbstractThis study provides a new perspective on understanding the intricacies of water‐mediated connectivity in ecosystems, bridging landscape ecology and geomorphology through network science. We highlight dryland and river‐floodplain ecosystems as distinct examples of contrasting water‐controlled systems. We (1) discuss central considerations in developing structural connectivity and functional connectivity networks of water‐mediated connectivity; (2) quantify the emergent patterns in these networks; and (3) evaluate the capacity of network science tools for investigating connectivity characteristics. With a focus on strength (weights) and direction, connectivity is quantified using seven parameters at both network and node levels. We find that link density, betweenness centrality and page rank centrality are highly sensitive to directionality; global efficiency and degree centrality are particularly sensitive to weights; and relative node efficiency remains unaffected by weights and directions. Our study underscores how network science approaches can transform how we quantify and understand water‐mediated connectivity, especially in consideration of the role(s) of weights and directionality. This interdisciplinary perspective, linking ecology, hydrology and geomorphology, has implications for both theoretical insights and practical applications in environmental management and conservation efforts.
Lymphocyte‐to‐C‐reactive protein ratio and score in patients with heart failure: Nutritional status, physical function, and prognosis
Authors: Maeda Daichi , Matsue Yuya , Kagiyama Nobuyuki , Fujimoto Yudai , Sunayama Tsutomu , Dotare Taishi , Nakade Taisuke , Jujo Kentaro , Saito Kazuya , Kamiya Kentaro , Saito Hiroshi , Ogasahara Yuki , Maekawa Emi , Konishi Masaaki , Kitai Takeshi , Iwata Kentaro , Wada Hiroshi , Hiki Masaru , Kasai Takatoshi , Nagamatsu Hirofumi , Ozawa Tetsuya , Izawa Katsuya , Yamamoto Shuhei , Aizawa Naoki , Wakaume Kazuki , Oka Kazuhiro , Momomura Shin‐ichi , Minamino Tohru 
Published: July 2024

AbstractAimsIn heart failure (HF), inflammation is linked to malnutrition and impaired physical function. In this study, we aimed to assess how novel nutritional–inflammatory markers and lymphocyte‐to‐C‐reactive protein ratio (LCR) and score (LCS) are associated with the nutritional status, physical function, and prognosis of patients with HF.Methods and resultsThis study was a secondary analysis of the FRAGILE‐HF study, a prospective observational study conducted across 15 hospitals in Japan. We included 1212 patients (mean age, 80.2 ± 7.8 years; 513 women) hospitalized with HF, who were classified into three groups according to their LCS score: 0 (n = 498), 1 (n = 533), and 2 (n = 181). Baseline data on physical examination, echocardiography, blood test results (including lymphocyte counts and CRP levels), and oral medication usage were collected in a clinically compensated state before discharge. Nutritional status and physical function were evaluated using several indices and tests. The primary outcome of this study was all‐cause death within 2 years. Univariate and multivariate linear regression analyses were performed to evaluate the associations among the nutritional status, physical function, and LCR/LCS. Patients with an LCS score of 2 were older and had a lower body mass index than those in the other two groups. Multivariate linear regression analysis revealed that lower LCR and higher LCS were independently associated with worse nutritional status, lower handgrip strength, shorter physical performance battery score, and shorter 6‐min walk distance. At 2 years, all‐cause death occurred in 254 patients: 86 (17.6%), 113 (21.5%), and 55 (30.9%) with LCS scores of 0, 1, and 2, respectively (P = 0.001). Cox proportional hazards analysis revealed that LCR and LCS were significantly associated with 2‐year mortality even after adjusting for the conventional risk model (LCS score, 0 vs. 2: hazard ratio, 1.64; 95% confidence interval [CI]; 1.14–2.35; P = 0.007; log‐transformed LCR: hazard ratio, 0.88; 95% CI, 0.81–0.95; P = 0.002). LCR yielded additional prognostic predictability compared with the conventional risk model (continuous net reclassification improvement, 0.153; 95% CI, 0.007–0.299; P = 0.041).ConclusionsLCR and LCS emerge as potential predictors of nutritional status, physical function, and prognosis in older patients with HF.
Synthesis and Anticancer Activity of Palladium‐Butadienyl Complexes Bearing Picolyl‐NHC and Phosphine Ligands
Authors: Scattolin Thomas , Mauceri Matteo , Demitri Nicola , Rizzolio Flavio , Visentin Fabiano 
Published: July 2024

AbstractThis work presents the synthesis and full characterization of Pd(II)‐butadienyl complexes incorporating picolyl‐NHC or phosphine ligands (PPh3 or PTA). These complexes were evaluated against four different cancer cell lines and human lung fibroblasts. Our findings indicate a slightly lower antiproliferative activity of picolyl‐NHC Pd(II)‐butadienyl complexes compared to recently published ones featuring N−N, P−P, and C−C ligands but, above all, they exhibited selectivity for ovarian cancer cells. Additionally, trans‐[PdX (phosphine)2C4(COOMe)4Y)] derivatives (X=Br, Cl and Y=CH3, Br) proved excellent anticancer activity across all tested cancer cell lines, especially the bisPTA complexes. Importantly, the IC50 values suggest minimal impact from the halide coordinated to palladium or that present in the butadienyl terminal position. Furthermore, the low activity observed towards non‐cancerous cells underscores the potential of these synthesized Pd(II)‐butadienyl compounds as promising candidates for further investigation in anticancer research.
Complexation of ThoriumIV with Fluorinated Heterocyclic β‐Diketones in Aqueous Hydrochloric Solutions
Authors: Lutoshkin Maxim A. , Taydakov Ilya V. , Patrusheva Anastasia A. , Matveev Petr I. 
Published: July 2024

AbstractThe interaction of Thorium(IV) with a group of non‐symmetric CF3‐diketones has been studied by means of electronic absorption spectroscopy in HCl aqueous solutions at I=0.5 M (NaCl) and T=298 K. Six heterocyclic dicarbonyl ligands (2‐thenoyl‐trifluoroacetone, 2‐furoyl‐trifluoroacetone, 2‐selenophen‐trifluoroacetone, 2‐tellurophen‐trifluoroacetone, phenyl‐trifluoroacetone, and 2‐naphthyl‐trifluoroacetone) demonstrate the chelation activity toward ThIV in the acidic pH range. Obtained values of the “true” stability constants lie in the range 6.2–6.8 logarithmic units, respectively. A significant (10–15 nm) bathochromic shift between the maximum absorption wavelength of lanthanide and actinide monocomplexes has been detected. Observed spectral shift increases with the atomic number of substituted chalcogen atoms in the heterocyclic ring of the corresponding ligand: 10 nm for furan, 11 nm for thiophen, 14 nm for selenophen, and 15 nm for tellurophene rings. The complexation with Thorium occurs in an acidic media, where studied ligands do not interact with transition and rare earth metals. Spectral and pH shifts make studied ligands useful reagents for the detection and analytical determination of Thorium in the mixture with other metals without prior separation. Quantum‐chemical simulations (DFT and TD‐DFT) demonstrate that the nine‐ and deco‐coordinated structures of ThoriumIV complexes reproduce experimental values within reasonable errors.
Improving Zonisamide Manufacturing: Insights into Stereochemistry and Mechanisms for Continuous Optimization
Authors: Travagin Fabio , Vladiskovic Chiara , Giovenzana Giovanni B. , Mantegazza Simone , Razzetti Gabriele 
Published: July 2024

AbstractZonisamide is a heterocyclic sulfonamide widely employed as anticonvulsant. In this work, we report an efficient process for the preparation of zonisamide, obtained in a six‐step synthesis from phenyl salicylate with an overall 31 % yield. The key step is represented by a base‐promoted intramolecular rearrangement of a β‐ketosultone oxime, leading to the concomitant formation of the benzisoxazole ring and of the exocyclic sulfonic group. This intriguing transformation is investigated with a combination of analytical techniques (NMR, HRMS, PXRD), leading to a preliminary mechanistic proposal.
Effect of curing conditions on heat resistance in white chocolate
Authors: Laughter Julie A. , Brown B. Douglas , Anantheswaran Ramaswamy C. 
Published: July 2024

AbstractHeat‐resistant chocolate is of much interest to confectionery companies for marketing in tropical areas. Methods exist to produce heat‐resistant chocolate by exposing the product to high relative humidity (RH) and increased temperatures. The overall objective of this research project was to explore the curing of white chocolate (30% whole milk powder, 44% sucrose, and 26% cocoa butter) to make it heat resistant and able to be picked up at 33 and 55°C. The curing involved storing solid chocolate samples at 83% RH at 29°C for 1 week. Moisture content before and after curing was measured using the Karl Fischer technique. Force required to penetrate (hardness) was measured at 29°C using a texturometer. Curing samples of white chocolate bars at a lower relative humidity (50% RH at 18°C for 12 weeks or 50% RH at 29°C for 12 weeks) also resulted in a heat‐resistant chocolate that exhibited internal structure, as monitored by SEM. The moisture content in heat‐resistant milk chocolate increased from an average value of 0.84% to 4.6% during the curing process. Curing increased the penetration force, indicating the development of internal structure. This study showed that heat resistance in white chocolate can be achieved by curing solid chocolate samples at controlled humidity and temperature conditions.