bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Can allelopathic potentialities of Mediterranean plant species reduce the spread of invasive plant species, Acacia dealbata and Ailanthus altissima?
Authors: Brasseur Solène , Santonja Mathieu , Rébufa Catherine , Affre Laurence , Dupouyet Sylvie , Dumas Estelle , Tatoni Thierry , Farnet Da Silva Anne‐Marie , Bousquet‐Mélou Anne 
Published: June 2024

AbstractBeyond ecological and health impacts, invasive alien plant species can generate indirect and direct costs, notably through reduced agricultural yields, restoration, and management of the invaded environment. Acacia dealbata and Ailanthus altissima are invasive plant species that cause particularly significant damage to the railway network in the Mediterranean area. The allelopathic properties of Mediterranean plant species could be used as nature‐based solutions to slow down the spread of such invasive plant species along railway borders. In this context, a mesocosm experiment was set‐up: (i) to test the potential allelopathic effects of Cistus ladanifer, Cistus albidus, and Cotinus coggygria leaf aqueous extracts on seed germination and seedling growth of A. dealbata and A. altissima; (ii) to evaluate whether these effects depend on the extract dose; and finally, (iii) to estimate whether these effects are modified by soil amendment. Leaf aqueous extracts of the three native plant species showed negative effects on both seed germination and seedling growth of the two invasive species. Our results show that the presence of allelochemicals induces a delay in seed germination (e.g., A. dealbata germination lasted up to 269% longer in the presence of high‐dose leaf aqueous extracts of C. coggygria), which can lead to a decrease in individual recruitment. They also highlight a decrease in seedling growth (e.g., high‐dose C. coggygria leaf aqueous extracts induced a 26% decrease in A. dealbata radicle growth), which can alter the competitiveness of invasive species for resource access. Our results also highlight that compost addition limits the inhibitory effect of native Mediterranean plants on the germination of invasive alien plants, suggesting that soil organic matter content can counteract allelopathic effects on invasive alien plants. Thus, our findings revealed that the allelopathic potential of certain Mediterranean plant species could be a useful tool to manage invasive plant species.
Constitutive immune function is not associated with fuel stores in spring migrating passerine birds
Authors: Ronanki Shivani , Hegemann Arne , Eikenaar Cas 
Published: June 2024

AbstractMigratory birds may either upregulate their immune system during migration as they might encounter novel pathogens or downregulate their immune system as a consequence of trade‐offs with the resource costs of migration. Support for the latter comes not least from a study that reports a positive correlation in autumn migrating birds between fuel stores and parameters of innate and acquired immune function, that is, energy‐exhausted migrants appear to have lowered immune function. However, to our knowledge, no study has tested whether this pattern exists in spring migrating birds, which may face other trade‐offs than autumn migrants. Here, we investigate if in spring there is a relationship between fuel stores and microbial‐killing ability, a measure of innate immune function, and total immunoglobulin (IgY), a measure of acquired immune function, in four migrating bird species: chaffinches (Fringilla coelebs), dunnocks (Prunella modularis), song thrushes (Turdus philomelos) and northern wheatears (Oenanthe oenanthe). Our findings indicate no significant correlation between fuel stores and either microbial killing ability or IgY levels when considering all species collectively. When analysing species separately, we found a significant negative correlation between fuel stores and microbial‐killing ability in chaffinches and a positive correlation between fuel stores and IgY levels in wheatears. In song thrushes, but not in any of the other species, there was a significant negative correlation between relative arrival date and microbial‐killing ability and between arrival date and IgY levels. Sex did not affect immune function in any of the species. Our study suggests that the relationship between immune function and fuel stores may be different during spring migration compared to autumn migration. Differences in the speed of migration or pathogen pressure may result in different outcomes of the resource trade‐off between investment in immune function and migration among the seasons.
Capture rates of Eptesicus fuscus increase following white‐nose syndrome across the eastern US
Authors: Simonis Molly C. , Hartzler Lynn K. , Turner Gregory G. , Scafini Michael R. , Johnson Joseph S. , Rúa Megan A. 
Published: June 2024

AbstractEmerging infectious diseases threaten wildlife globally. While the effects of infectious diseases on hosts with severe infections and high mortality rates often receive considerable attention, effects on hosts that persist despite infection are less frequently studied. To understand how persisting host populations change in the face of disease, we quantified changes to the capture rates of Eptesicus fuscus (big brown bats), a persisting species susceptible to infection by the invasive fungal pathogen Pseudogymnoascus destructans (Pd; causative agent for white‐nose syndrome), across the eastern US using a 30‐year dataset. Capture rates of male and female E. fuscus increased from preinvasion to pathogen establishment years, with greater increases to the capture rates of females than males. Among females, capture rates of pregnant and post‐lactating females increased by pathogen establishment. We outline potential mechanisms for these broad demographic changes in E. fuscus capture rates (i.e., increases to foraging from energy deficits created by Pd infection, increases to relative abundance, or changes to reproductive cycles), and suggest future research for identifying mechanisms for increasing capture rates across the eastern US. These data highlight the importance of understanding how populations of persisting host species change following pathogen invasion across a broad spatial scale. Understanding changes to population composition following pathogen invasion can identify broad ecological patterns across space and time, and open new avenues for research to identify drivers of those patterns.
Local variation in stress response of juvenile anadromous brown trout, Salmo trutta
Authors: Berry Madeleine , Zena Lucas A. , Roques Jonathan A. C. , Sandblom Erik , Thorstad Eva B. , Höjesjö Johan 
Published: June 2024

AbstractHabitat fragmentation may cut off anadromous salmonids from parts of their potential native habitat and separate previously connected populations. Understanding the consequences of this is vital for fish management and prioritization of restoration activities. Here, we show that there is a significant difference in the body morphology, physiological stress response, and aspects contributing to aerobic capacity between juvenile anadromous brown trout, Salmo trutta, collected at a downstream site and an upstream site, separated by 2 km and several challenging stream sections, in a small unfragmented stream system in western Sweden. Following a standardized stress test, there were significant differences between fish from the upstream and downstream sites (plasma cortisol concentration, plasma osmolality, hematocrit, hemoglobin concentration, and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration). Plasma glucose concentration did not significantly differ between fish from the two sites. Fish from the upstream site had larger spleen mass, although there was no evidence of differences in ventricle mass or proportion of compact ventricular myocardium. These physiological differences indicate local variation in stress response and highlight the importance of considering local trait variation in river management. If a section of the river becomes fragmented or degraded, and there are differences in the juveniles in different parts of the river, the consequence for the population might be larger than the proportional loss of habitat.
Combining potential and realized distribution modeling of telemetry data for a bycatch risk assessment
Authors: Frantz Bethany H. , Sepúlveda Maritza , García‐Reyes Marisol , Vega Rodrigo , Palacios Daniel M. , Bedriñana‐Romano Luis , Hückstädt Luis A. , Santos‐Carvallo Macarena , Davis Jerry D. , Hines Ellen 
Published: June 2024

AbstractEstablishing marine species distributions is essential for guiding management and can be estimated by identifying potential favorable habitat at a population level and incorporating individual‐level information (e.g., movement constraints) to inform realized space use. In this research, we applied a combined modeling approach to tracking data of adult female and juvenile South American sea lions (Otaria flavescens; n = 9) from July to November 2011 to make habitat predictions for populations in northern Chile. We incorporated topographic and oceanographic predictors with sea lion locations and environmentally based pseudo‐absences in a generalized linear model for estimating population‐level distribution. For the individual approach, we used a generalized linear mixed‐effects model with a negative exponential kernel variable to quantify distance‐dependent movement from the colony. Spatial predictions from both approaches were combined in a bivariate color map to identify areas of agreement. We then used a GIS‐based risk model to characterize bycatch risk in industrial and artisanal purse‐seine fisheries based on fishing set data from scientific observers and artisanal fleet logs (2010–2015), the bivariate sea lion distribution map, and criteria ratings of interaction characteristics. Our results indicate population‐level associations with productive, shallow, low slope waters, near to river‐mouths, and with high eddy activity. Individual distribution was restricted to shallow slopes and cool waters. Variation between approaches may reflect intrinsic factors restricting use of otherwise favorable habitat; however, sample size was limited, and additional data are needed to establish the full range of individual‐level distributions. Our bycatch risk outputs identified highest risk from industrial fisheries operating nearshore (within 5 NM) and risk was lower, overall, for the artisanal fleet. This research demonstrates the potential for integrating potential and realized distribution models within a spatial risk assessment and fills a gap in knowledge on this species' distribution, providing a basis for targeting bycatch mitigation outreach and interventions.
Spatial prediction of plant invasion using a hybrid of machine learning and geostatistical method
Authors: Shen Liang , LaRue Elizabeth , Fei Songlin , Zhang Hao 
Published: June 2024

AbstractModeling ecological patterns and processes often involve large‐scale and complex high‐dimensional spatial data. Due to the nonlinearity and multicollinearity of ecological data, traditional geostatistical methods have faced great challenges in model accuracy. As machine learning has increased our ability to construct models on big data, the main focus of the study is to propose the use of statistical models that hybridize machine learning and spatial interpolation methods to cope with increasingly large‐scale and complex ecological data. Here, two machine learning algorithms, boosted regression tree (BRT) and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO), were combined with ordinary kriging (OK) to model plant invasions across the eastern United States. The accuracies of the hybrid models and conventional models were evaluated by 10‐fold cross‐validation. Based on an invasive plants dataset of 15 ecoregions across the eastern United States, the results showed that the hybrid algorithms were significantly better at predicting plant invasion when compared to commonly used algorithms in terms of RMSE and paired‐samples t‐test (with the p‐value < .0001). Besides, the additional aspect of the combined algorithms is to have the ability to select influential variables associated with the establishment of invasive cover, which cannot be achieved by conventional geostatistics. Higher accuracy in the prediction of large‐scale biological invasions improves our understanding of the ecological conditions that lead to the establishment and spread of plants into novel habitats across spatial scales. The results demonstrate the effectiveness and robustness of the hybrid BRTOK and LASOK that can be used to analyze large‐scale and high‐dimensional spatial datasets, and it has offered an optional source of models for spatial interpolation of ecology properties. It will also provide a better basis for management decisions in early‐detection modeling of invasive species.
Kelp forest community structure and demography in Kongsfjorden (Svalbard) across 25 years of Arctic warming
Authors: Düsedau Luisa , Fredriksen Stein , Brand Markus , Fischer Philipp , Karsten Ulf , Bischof Kai , Savoie Amanda , Bartsch Inka 
Published: June 2024

AbstractThe Arctic archipelago of Svalbard is a hotspot of global warming and many fjords experience a continuous increase in seawater temperature and glacial melt while sea‐ice cover declines. In 1996/1998, 2012–2014, and 2021 macroalgal biomass and species diversity were quantified at the study site Hansneset, Kongsfjorden (W‐Spitsbergen) in order to identify potential changes over time. In 2021, we repeated the earlier studies by stratified random sampling (1 × 1 m2, n = 3) along a sublittoral depth transect (0, 2.5, 5, 10, and 15 m) and investigated the lower depth limits of dominant brown algae between 3 and 19 m. The maximum fresh weight (FW) of all seaweeds was 11.5 kg m−2 at 2.5 m and to 99.9% constituted of kelp. Although biomass distribution along the depth transect in 2021 was not significantly different compared to 2012/2013, the digitate kelp community (Laminaria digitata/Hedophyllum nigripes) had transformed into an Alaria esculenta‐dominated kelp forest. Consequently, a pronounced shift in kelp forest structure occurred over time as we demonstrate that biomass allocation to thallus parts is kelp species‐specific. Over the past decade, kelp demography changed and in 2021 a balanced age structure of kelps (juveniles plus many older kelp individuals) was only apparent at 2.5 m. In addition, the abundances and lower depth limits of all dominant brown algae declined noticeably over the last 25 years while the red algal flora abundance remained unchanged at depth. We propose that the major factor driving the observed changes in the macroalgal community are alterations in underwater light climate, as in situ data showed increasing turbidity and decreasing irradiance since 2012 and 2017, respectively. As a consequence, the interplay between kelp forest retreat to lower depth levels caused by coastal darkening and potential macroalgal biomass gain with increasing temperatures will possibly intensify in the future with unforeseen consequences for melting Arctic coasts and fjord ecosystem services.
Chemoselective and Triggered Decomposition of Diazo Esters by the [(IMes)Rh2(OAc)4] Complex: En Route to Assisted Tandem Catalysis from Mixtures of Diazo Compounds
Authors: Hammoud Jana , Gandon Vincent , Joosten Antoine Y. P. , Lecourt Thomas 
Published: June 2024

AbstractDecomposition of aryl and unsubstituted diazo ester into Rh(II)‐carbenes by the [(IMes)Rh2(OAc)4] complex is shown to be slower than with Rh2(OAc)4. Diazo esters substituted by a second electron‐withdrawing group do not suffer nitrogen extrusion when exposed for several hours to this (NHC)Rh(II) complex at room temperature. This chemoselective decomposition of diazo esters depending on their substituent (Ar, H, EWG) can furthermore be achieved on a mixture of substrates. The catalytic activity of [(IMes)Rh2(OAc)4] towards electron‐poor diazo compounds is also restored by heating to reflux in chloroform, or after decomplexation of the NHC by addition of GaCl3. The [(IMes)Rh2(OAc)4] complex was then used to induce a fully selective reaction cascade from a mixture of two diazo esters. First, a donor/acceptor diazo compound was decomposed selectively at room temperature to give an intermolecular O−H insertion product without any decomposition of the electron poor diazo compound. Addition of GaGl3 then triggered nitrogen extrusion from the diazo malonate to give a 1,5‐C−H insertion product. This transformation, where decomposition of diazo compounds catalyzed by Rh(II) complexes can be externally controlled, represents the first example of assisted tandem catalysis with two metal carbene precursors.
Cost‐effective amperometric sensor for monitoring levofloxacin in groundwater
Authors: Alvarez‐Serna Bryan E. , García‐Mejía Tania A. , Arzate Sandra , Yañez‐Aulestia Ana , Ramírez‐Chavarría Roberto G. , Ramírez‐Zamora Rosa María 
Published: June 2024

AbstractThe presence of water micropollutants, such as antibiotics, has proved the necessity to develop novel and cost‐effective devices for their identification and quantification. These devices aim to save time, reagent usage, and costs associated with conventional analytical methods. In this work, we introduce poly(methylene blue) based screen‐printed electrodes (SPE‐PMB) as electrochemical sensors designed for the quantification of levofloxacin (LVX), given its current prevalence as a micropollutant. Integrating the fabrication and measurement processes into a single electrochemical device is a significant step in creating affordable detection tools. The proposed sensor was assessed using LVX solutions prepared in real groundwater samples, demonstrating its selectivity and achieving a detection limit of 3.3 μM. Finally, we compared the SPE‐PMB sensor and high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) to validate its operation and performance. Consequently, our results suggest that the sensor can be a viable alternative to chromatographic methods for identifying and quantifying micropollutants at very low concentrations in complex matrices.
The international league against epilepsy primary healthcare educational curriculum: Assessment of educational needs
Authors: Singh Gagandeep , Braga Patricia , Carrizosa Jaime , Prevos‐Morgant Marielle , Mehndiratta Man Mohan , Shisler Priscilla , Triki Chahnez , Wiebe Samuel , Wilmshurst Jo , Blümcke Ingmar 
Published: June 2024

AbstractObjectiveTo assess the need for an epilepsy educational curriculum for primary healthcare providers formulated by the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) and the importance attributed to its competencies by epilepsy specialists and primary care providers and across country‐income settings.MethodsThe ILAE primary care epilepsy curriculum was translated to five languages. A structured questionnaire assessing the importance of its 26 curricular competencies was posted online and publicized widely to an international community. Respondents included epilepsy specialists, primary care providers, and others from three World Bank country‐income categories. Responses from different groups were compared with univariate and ordinal logistic regression analyses.ResultsOf 785 respondents, 60% noted that a primary care epilepsy curriculum did not exist or they were unaware of one in their country. Median ranks of importance for all competencies were high (very important to extremely important) in the entire sample and across different groups. Fewer primary care providers than specialists rated the following competencies as extremely important: definition of epilepsy (p = .03), recognition of seizure mimics (p = .02), interpretation of test results for epilepsy care (p = .001), identification of drug‐resistant epilepsy (0.005) and management of psychiatric comorbidities (0.05). Likewise, fewer respondents from LMICs in comparison to UMICs rated 15 competencies as extremely important.SignificanceThe survey underscores the unmet need for an epilepsy curriculum in primary care and the relevance of its competencies across different vocational and socioeconomic settings. Differences across vocational and country income groups indicate that educational packages should be developed and adapted to needs in different settings.
Bioengineer mesenchymal stem cell for treatment of glioma by IL‐12 mediated microenvironment reprogramming and nCD47‐SLAMF7 mediated phagocytosis regulation of macrophages
Authors: Li Man , Lu Lisen , Xiao Qungen , Maalim Ali Abdi , Nie Bin , Liu Yanchao , Kahlert Ulf D. , Shu Kai , Lei Ting , Zhu Mingxin 
Published: June 2024

AbstractHigh expression of cellular self‐activated immunosuppressive molecules and extensive infiltration of suppressive immune cells in the tumor microenvironment are the main factors contributing to glioma's resistance to immunotherapy. Nonetheless, technology to modify the expression of glioma cellular self‐molecules through gene editing requires further development. This project advances cell therapy strategies to reverse the immunosuppressive microenvironment of glioma (TIME). Bone marrow‐derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are engineered to express bioactive proteins and demonstrate tumor‐homing characteristics upon activation by TGF‐β. These MSCs are designed to secrete the anti‐tumor immune cytokine IL‐12 and the nCD47‐SLAMF7 fusion protein, which regulates T‐cell activity and macrophage phagocytosis. The engineered MSCs are then injected in situ into the glioma site, circumventing the blood‐brain barrier to deliver high local concentrations of bioactive proteins. This approach aims to enhance the M1 polarization of infiltrating macrophages, stimulate macrophage‐mediated tumor cell phagocytosis, activate antigen‐presenting cells, and promote effector CD8+ T cell infiltration, effectively controlling glioma. Additionally, the engineered MSCs may serve as a universal treatment for other tumors that express TGF‐β at high levels. This study proposes a novel treatment strategy for the clinical management of glioma patients.
Phosphoric Acid Electrolyte Uptake and Retention Analysis on UiO‐66‐NH2 Polybenzimidazole Nanocomposite Membranes
Authors: Wu Bo , Choo Hui Leng , Ng Wei Keat , Pang Ming Meng , Yoon Li Wan , Wong Wai Yin 
Published: June 2024

ABSTRACTHigh‐temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cells (HT‐PEMFCs) have a major advantage over low‐temperature fuel cells due to their better tolerance to higher carbon monoxide content in the hydrogen feed, simpler fuel processing, and better heat management. However, a key challenge in the development of HT‐PEMFCs is the potential for acid leaching from phosphoric acid‐doped polybenzimidazole membranes, which can reduce overall fuel cell performance. This study investigates the effect of post‐synthetic modification of the UiO‐66‐NH2 metal–organic framework (MOF) on the acid electrolyte uptake and retention of MOF/poly(4,4ʹ‐diphenylether‐5,5ʹ‐bibenzimidazole) (OPBI) nanocomposite membranes. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) was used to correlate the membrane properties with acid uptake. This work revealed that the presence of MOF with functional groups that can form hydrogen bonds with phosphoric acid molecules was able to alleviate the acid retention in the OPBI membrane with lower acid uptake. TGA demonstrated that the lower bound moisture content in the nanocomposite membranes was correlated to the lower acid uptake. In addition, the thermal stability of the nanocomposite membranes was found to improve.