bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Trophic ecology of the African riverine elephant fishes (Mormyridae)
Authors: Sommer Gina Maria , Njom Samuel Didier , Indermaur Adrian , Nyom Arnold Roger Bitja , Jandová Kateřina , Kukla Jaroslav , Petrtýl Miloslav , Horká Petra , Musilova Zuzana 
Published: August 2024

AbstractMultiple species of the elephant fishes (Mormyridae) commonly coexist in sympatry in most African tropical rivers and lakes. In this study, we investigated the trophic ecology and potential trophic niche partitioning of eleven mormyrid fish species from the Sanaga River system in Cameroon using the stable isotope composition of carbon and nitrogen in the muscle samples. Albeit most mormyrids mainly feed on invertebrates, we found differences in isotope ratios, and we report signs of the trophic niche partitioning among species. We further found significant differences in isotopic signatures within the Mormyrus genus, suggesting ecological niche diversification among three closely related species. We have also evaluated differences in the isotopic signals between seasons in four species, which could be possibly caused by species migration and/or anthropogenic agricultural activities. To evaluate body shape, we applied geometric morphometric analyses, and we show that most of the species are clearly morphologically separated. We focused on the mormyrid ecomorphology to identify a possible interaction between shape and ecology, and we found a relationship between the δ13C (but not δ15N) isotopic signal and morphology, suggesting their interplay during mormyrid evolution. Overall, we present robust evidence of the trophic niche partitioning within the mormyrid species community, and we integrate trophic ecology with morphometrics, shedding light on the enigmatic evolutionary history of these fascinating African fishes.
Skin derived branched‐chain fatty acids in fetal horse gut
Authors: Wang Dong Hao , Qi Lerong , Yang Tingxiang , Ren Yachen , Wang Zhen 
Published: August 2024

AbstractBranched‐chain fatty acids (BCFAs) are mostly saturated fatty acids with a methyl branch at the penultimate or antepenultimate position to the CH3 end. Very‐long‐chain BCFAs (C ≥ 20) are uniquely found in surface lipids. Human and California sea lion (Zalophus californianus) are the only two species that possess vernix at birth, and vernix particles carry loads of BCFA to the gut, potentially influencing the establishment of the first microbiota. Horse (Equus caballus) contains high levels of BCFA in its surface lipids, and the current study aims to investigate if BCFA are components of a neonatal foal's gut. Electron ionization tandem mass spectrometry was used to distinguish iso‐ and anteiso‐form of BCFA from straight‐chain fatty acids. Abundant very‐long‐chain iso‐BCFA, mainly even‐numbered iso‐20:0, iso‐22:0, iso‐24:0, and iso‐26:0 were found in horse meconium but not in their manure collected a few months later. There are little differences in BCFA types and concentrations between foal manure and adult manure. Moderate to high levels of very‐long‐chain anteiso‐BCFA were also found. Comparisons of horse meconium BCFA to horse skin cholesterol ester BCFA content and to meconium from human and sea lion suggest its skin derived origin. The study expands our knowledge on the gut nutritional environment of a newborn horse, and further study is needed to establish the relationship between gut BCFA and microbiota composition in the first few hours of life.Practical Applications: Branched‐chain fatty acids (BCFA) are bioactive compounds found in vernix caseosa, the lipid‐laden material covering the surface of a newborn baby. BCFA also reaches high concentrations from the third trimester of gestation until birth. However, the exact functionality and mechanisms of BCFA in the surface and gut of a fetus remain unclear. The current study aims to clarify the lipid conditions in the gut of newborn foals and to identify the associations between BCFA in the gut and on the skin at a critical point when the horse's microbiota establishes itself. The findings of the current study lay a path for studying the physiological functions of BCFA in horse models, potentially accelerating research related to BCFA.
Estimating erosion vulnerability within agricultural fields by downscaling the Daily Erosion Project (DEP): the OFEtool
Authors: Luquin Eduardo , Ferrie Chelsea , Gelder Brian , Herzmann Daryl , Zimmerman Emily , James David , Cruse Richard , Isenhart Thomas 
Published: August 2024

AbstractAgriculture continues to be one of the most important sources of nonpoint source pollution to surface water bodies. Consequently, it is critical to identify and prioritize high‐contributing agricultural fields and sub‐field areas for reducing soil erosion and sediment delivery by implementing best management practices (BMPs). Current erosion risk assessment tools are either complex modelling approaches or rely on a simplified reality and generalized assumption. The Daily Erosion Project (DEP) is a daily estimator of precipitation, hillslope runoff, detachment and soil loss covering ~630 000 km2 across the Midwest United States. These estimations are reported daily and publicly at the hydrologic unit code 12 watershed resolution (approximately 100 km2). The main objective of this study was to develop a new tool (named Overland Flow Element tool [OFEtool]) that downscales the watershed scale of DEP to estimate average runoff and soil displacement within a field, helping to locate erosive hotspots at multiple scales. We also demonstrated the applicability of OFEtool in Bennet Creek‐Sugar Creek in East Central Iowa (the United States) and compared its results with other erosion vulnerability tools such as the Soil Vulnerability Index for Cultivated Cropland (SVI‐cc) and a GIS‐based Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE). The same erosion risk classes and ranges (low, moderate, moderately high and high) were implemented for all indexes. The advantages of the OFEtool compared to the SVI‐cc and RUSLE models are related to the use of an event‐based modelling approach, such as DEP, with updated soil loss estimates based on temporal changes in climate inputs and land use and management. The OFEtool uses a 6‐year time frame and a more up‐to‐date field inputs, while RUSLE provides a long‐term average and SVI‐cc only considers soil and topographical factors for risk assessment. Results indicated that the spatial distribution of vulnerable fields (and parts of the fields) followed a similar trend as other tested indices. However, the risk level associated with each tool differed (SVI‐cc > RUSLE > OFEtool). These differences could arise from intrinsic disparities within the tools (inputs, timing, processes considered, assumptions). While currently limited to the DEP domain and relying on the DEP random sampling scheme, further research is warranted to validate the tool at other Midwest locations and ensure it captures the watershed's landscape variability (combination of terrain, soil, land use and management) required to identifying critical erosion hotspots.
A semantic axiomatic design for integrity in IoT
Authors: Abadeh Maryam Nooraei 
Published: August 2024

AbstractIn the complex, critical, and rapidly evolving era of Industry 4.0 manufacturing, mature engineering disciplines can be developed to validate system designs at an abstract level, enabling effective fault‐free environments. However, designing integrated IoT platforms presents significant challenges due to their inherent complexity and interoperability issues. To address this challenge, the proposed framework integrates axiomatic design principles with considerations for data integrity and domain ontology. Furthermore, this paper introduces a multi‐level integrity rule repository for IoT application to provides a robust foundation for designing and maintaining IoT systems. To validate the effectiveness of this approach, we conducted a study across four domains of smart cities. The design's quality was assessed using model quality parameters, including completeness, consistency and validity. Our analysis shows that the semantic‐aware axiomatic design framework can effectively address the problem of inconsistencies and low‐quality design in scientific IoT environments, providing a more reliable and efficient solution.
Icings as sentinels and modifiers of water flow through winter landscapes: An exploration of physico‐chemical processes on the lake‐dominated, discontinuous permafrost Taiga Shield
Authors: Alsafi Nora E. , Palmer Mike J. , Kokelj Steven V. , Ensom Timothy P. , Spence Christopher , Tank Suzanne E. 
Published: August 2024

AbstractThe winter hydrological period is in transition across the Canadian subarctic, as climate warming is shifting precipitation regimes, thawing permafrost, and altering active layer dynamics, and thus increasing the overall amount, and variability, of winter streamflow. Effects of these changes are poorly understood on the Taiga Shield, which comprises ~20% of North America's permafrost‐covered area, and is characterized by a unique ‘fill‐and‐spill’ hydrology whereby runoff generation requires the exceedance of lake basin storage thresholds. Here, we assessed lake hydrostatic levels and used trail camera images of icings, which are sheet‐like masses of layered ice that are common manifestations of wintertime flow on the Taiga Shield, to understand landscape controls on winter water movement in this region. We further used paired geochemical measurements to explore how source water characteristics affect icing chemistry, and the degree to which icings may modify the chemical composition of active winter flow. We undertake this work over 2 years, and across watersheds of different sizes and lake basin characteristics. We show that icing growth is driven by hydroclimatic controls that include fill‐and‐spill hydrologic constraints and winter air temperatures, and that pre‐freshet pulses of water flow are common within this landscape. Across winters with variable antecedent precipitation levels, a larger catchment was able to support icing growth via continued runoff generation, while small catchments were not. Icings were often chemically dilute compared with source waters, indicating that solute exclusion may actively enrich geochemical concentrations in flowing water. Across icings, chemical variation appeared related to source water type (groundwater versus lake; lake size) and apparent redox conditions. These results highlight that streamwater hydrology and biogeochemistry can be dynamic during the understudied winter period, and illustrate that icings may alter the composition of wintertime flow as it moves through fluvial networks.
Using 3H as a tracer to study streamflow components in large plain catchments on temperate climate
Authors: Alcaraz Emiliano , Basaldúa Alejandro , Quiroz‐Londoño Orlando Mauricio , Dapeña Cristina , Ibarra Eduardo , Copia Lorenzo , Martínez Daniel 
Published: August 2024

Abstract3H enters the hydrologic cycle after oxidizing in the 3H1HO molecule and it constitutes a very useful tracer for hydrological studies. One of these applications is streamflow component separation, which provides useful information to understand the hydrological cycle. This application is based on the fact that the contents in precipitation (runoff) tend to be markedly higher than those in groundwater (baseflow) because of decreasing activity in the last as a consequence of radioactive decay. The main objective of this paper is to test 3H for hydrograph separation in sub‐tropical South America, where it is favoured by high values in precipitation. The catchment of the Quequén Grande River, in Argentina, was selected. Total flow in surface water is a mixing between the baseflow and the event flow portion; the separation was done in three sections of the drainage network, and the proportion of baseflow were 36%, 88% and 47%.
Mechanisms of insulin resistance in type 1 diabetes mellitus: A case of glucolipotoxicity in skeletal muscle
Authors: Sammut Mitchell J. , Dotzert Michelle S. , Melling C. W. James 
Published: August 2024

AbstractInsulin resistance (IR), a hallmark of type 2 diabetes mellitus, develops in a significant number of patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) despite the use of insulin therapy to control glycemia. However, little is currently understood regarding the underlying mechanisms of IR in T1DM, especially within the context of chronic insulin treatment. Recent evidence suggests an important influence of glucolipotoxicity in skeletal muscle on insulin sensitivity in T1DM. Thus, this review summarizes our current knowledge regarding impairments in skeletal muscle lipid, glucose, and oxidative metabolism in the development of IR in insulin‐treated T1DM.
Alkaline shock protein 23 (Asp23)‐controlled cell wall imbalance promotes membrane vesicle biogenesis in Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Li Jia , Zhu Keting , Li Chao , Huang Wei , Tian Xing , Yan He , Zhao Yan , Zhou Jing , Gao Xindi , Rao Xiancai , Li Gang , Zhou Renjie , Li Ming 
Published: August 2024

AbstractMembrane vesicles (MVs) are produced by species across all domains of life and have diverse physiological functions as well as promising applications. While the mechanisms for vesiculation in Gram‐negative bacteria are well‐established, the genetic determinants and regulatory factors responsible for MV biogenesis in Gram‐positive bacteria remain largely unknown. Here, we demonstrate that a Q225P substitution in the alternative sigma factor B (SigB) triggers MV production in Staphylococcus aureus strain Newman by hindering the specific binding of SigB to the asp23 promoter, thereby repressing expression of alkaline shock protein 23 (Asp23). Isogenic deletion of asp23 also promotes MV formation in Newman, confirming the critical roles played by sigB and asp23 in modulating S. aureus vesiculation. While bacterial growth and cytoplasmic membrane fluidity are not impaired, mutation of asp23 weakens the cell wall and enhances autolysis, consistent with decreased expression of alpha‐type psm and lrgAB that modulate murein hydrolase activity. TEM and proteomic analysis show that Newman and asp23 deletion mutant generate MVs with nearly identical morphology and composition, but virulence‐associated factors are significantly enriched in MVs from the asp23 mutant. Overall, this study reveals novel genetic determinants underlying S. aureus vesiculation and advances the understanding of the physiology of MV biogenesis in S. aureus.
Glycan masking of NTD loops with a chimeric RBD of the spike protein as a vaccine design strategy against emerging SARS‐CoV‐2 Omicron variants
Authors: Hung Hao‐Chan , Tan Boon‐Fatt , Lin Wei‐Shuo , Wu Suh‐Chin 
Published: August 2024

AbstractThe N‐terminal domain (NTD) of the SARS‐CoV‐2 S protein comprises five exposed protruding loops. Deletions, insertions, and substitutions within these NTD loops play a significant role in viral evolution and contribute to immune evasion. We reported previously that introducing the glycan masking mutation R158N/Y160T in the NTD loop led to increased titers of neutralizing antibodies against the SARS‐CoV‐2 Wuhan‐Hu‐01 strain, as well as the Alpha, Beta, and Delta variants. In this study, we conducted further investigations on 10 additional glycan‐masking sites in the NTD loops. Our findings indicate that the introduction of glycan masking mutations, specifically N87/G89T, H146N/N148T, N185/K187T, and V213N/D215T significantly enhanced neutralizing antibody titers against the Delta variant. The combination of dual glycan‐masking mutations R158N/Y160T+V213N/D215T and R158N/Y160T+G219N results in a shift toward the Omicron BA.1. Furthermore, the introduction of the Omicron receptor binding domain (RBD) alongside these two dual glycan masking mutations of Wuhan‐Hu‐1 and XBB.1 NTD sequences resulted in a noticeable shift in antigenic distances, aligning with the Omicron BA.4/5, BA.2.75.2, BQ.1.1, and XBB.1 subvariants on the antigenic map. This strategic combination, which involves the dual glycan masking mutations R158N/Y160T+V213N/D215T and R158N/Y160T+G219N in the NTD loops, along with the domain swap incorporating the Omicron RBD, emerges as a promising vaccine design strategy for the continuous development of next‐generation SARS‐CoV‐2 vaccines.
Outcomes after multiligament knee injury worsen over time: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Klasan Antonio , Maerz Anne , Putnis Sven E. , Ernat Justin J. , Ollier Edouard , Neri Thomas 
Published: August 2024

AbstractPurposeMultiligament knee injuries (MLKIs) are devastating injuries that can have life‐long consequences. A management plan requires the decision to perform surgery or not, timing of surgery, consideration of repair versus reconstruction, reconstruction technique and reconstruction graft choice. The purpose of this study was to analyze development of clinical outcomes of MLKIs over time at a minimum of 2 years of follow‐up.MethodsFour databases were queried for surgical outcome‐based studies of MLKIs published from 01/2000 through 09/2022 with a minimum 2‐year follow‐up. Technique articles, nonoperative treatment, arthroplasty, pediatric and review articles were excluded. Study characteristics including design, number of patients, age, follow‐up period, anatomical region and posterior‐cruciate ligament (PCL)‐based injury were collected. Primary outcomes were Lysholm, International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) outcome scores and Tegner activity score. Random‐effects model analysis was performed.ResultsAfter the application of inclusion and exclusion criteria, 3571 patients in 79 studies were included in the analysis. The mean age at surgery was 35.6 years. The mean follow‐up was 4.06 years (range 2–12.7). The mean Lysholm score at 2‐year follow‐up was 86.09 [95% confidence interval [CI]: 82.90–89.28], with a yearly decrease of −0.80 [95% CI: −1.47 −0.13], (p = 0.0199). The mean IKDC at 2 years was 81.35 [95% CI: 76.56–86.14], with a yearly decrease of −1.99 [95% CI: −3.14 −0.84] (p < 0.001). Non‐PCL‐based injuries had a higher IKDC 83.69 [75.55–91.82] vs. 75.00 [70.75–79.26] (p = 0.03) and Lysholm score 90.84 [87.10–94.58] versus 84.35 [82.18–86.52] (p < 0.01) than PCL‐based injuries, respectively.ConclusionAccording to the present systematic review and meta‐analysis of MLKIs with minimum 2‐year follow‐ups, the patients who suffered an MLKI can expect to retain around 80‐85% of knee function at 2 years and can expect a yearly deterioration of knee function, depending on the score used. Inferior outcomes can be expected for PCL‐based injuries at 2 years postoperative.Level of EvidenceLevel IV meta‐analysis.
The Synergistic Potential of Hydrogel Microneedles and Nanomaterials: Breaking Barriers in Transdermal Therapy
Authors: Golshirazi Atefeh , Mohammadzadeh Mahsa , Labbaf Sheyda 
Published: August 2024

AbstractThe stratum corneum, which acts as a strong barrier against external agents, presents a significant challenge to transdermal drug delivery. In this regard, microneedle (MN) patches, designed as modern systems for drug delivery via permeation through the skin with the ability to pass through the stratum corneum, are known to be convenient, painless, and effective. In fact, MN have shown significant breakthroughs in transdermal drug delivery, and among the various types, hydrogel MN (HMNs) have demonstrated desirable inherent properties. Despite advancements, issues such as limited loading capacity, uncontrolled drug release rates, and non‐uniform therapeutic approaches persist. Conversely, nanomaterials (NMs) have shown significant promise in medical applications, however, their efficacy and applicability are constrained by challenges including poor stability, low bioavailability, limited payload capacity, and rapid clearance by the immune system. Incorporation of NMs within HMNs offers new prospects to address the challenges associated with HMNs and NMs. This combination can provide a promising field of research for improved and effective delivery of therapeutic agents and mitigate certain adverse effects, addressing current clinical concerns. The current review highlights the use of NMs in HMNs for various therapeutic and diagnostic applications.
Enhancement of mechanical properties and machinability of aluminium composites by cupola slag reinforcements
Authors: Chakravarty S. , Haldar P. , Nandi T. , Sutradhar G. 
Published: August 2024

AbstractRapid evolution in engineering and manufacturing demands light weight material with enhanced mechanical properties. Aluminium metal matrix composites with ceramic reinforcement particulates serve this demand due to their reduced density, improved strength and hardness along with higher resistance to wear and corrosion. However, the material cost and reduced machinability hinders the full potential of utilization. To overcome these challenges, in this work cupola slag, an industrial waste generated as by product of cast iron production, has been incorporated as reinforcement of aluminium composites using low cost stir casting method. The enhancement of material properties and machinability by cupola slag inclusion on base alloy has been investigated in detail. Moreover, introspection about the underlying mechanisms responsible for the improvement in material properties has been studied using detailed microstructure and fractographic analysis. The results show improvement of in material properties and machinability up to 7 wt.–% cupola slag inclusion, beyond which the reduced wettablity prohibits sound castings. The ultimate tensile strength and specific strength observed to be improved by 18.20 % and 33.23 % respectively for 7 wt.–% slag reinforced composites when compared with base alloy. This work can be a successful addition to the knowledge pool of ongoing research on low‐cost novel material with enhanced properties.
Randomized Controlled Trial Assessing Vitamin D's Role in Reducing BPPV Recurrence in Older Adults
Authors: Chua Kenneth W. De , Huang Xiaoting , Koh Xuan H. , Soh Joshua F. J. Y. , Barrera Vivian C. , Anaikatti Poongkulali , Jing Deng , Moh Shirlene , Yeo Miko , Yuen Heng W. , Low David , Rosario Barbara H. 
Published: August 2024

AbstractObjectiveTo determine if the recurrence rates of BPPV in older adults were lower in the vitamin D‐treated group as compared to placebo groups.Study DesignDouble‐blinded randomized control placebo trial.SettingA single‐centre study.MethodsDouble‐blinded randomized controlled trial design with 12 months follow‐up. Vitamin D3 deplete participants were randomized into treatment (Group A) or placebo groups (Group B). Treatment group received 13 weeks of 2000 IU vitamin D3 followed by 1000 IU for the next 13 weeks. Patients who were replete were allocated to a control group (Group C) for observation and follow up. All groups had dietary interventions for vitamin D3 and calcium.ResultsResults showed an 87% reduction in recurrence rates of BPPV in the treatment group (Group A), with 0.75 fewer clinical episodes per 1 person‐year as compared to placebo (Group B). Time to first recurrence was also significantly longer in Group A. There was no statistically significant difference between Group A and C in both recurrence rates and dizziness handicap scores.ConclusionsThis clinical trial has laid the foundation to expand the investigation of vitamin D as standard of care treatment in BPPV patients in future phase IIb and III studies.SummaryA reduction in BPPV episodes in older adults has implications on fall risk, as dizziness from BPPV may cause falls. With fewer BPPV episodes and longer time to recurrence, seniors may have better postural stability and hence reduced risk of falls.Level of Evidence2.