bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Improving trophic position estimates from amino acid stable isotopes by accounting for physiology and environment
Authors: Karlson Agnes M. L. , Ek Caroline , Jones Douglas 
Published: August 2024

AbstractNitrogen isotope analyses of amino acids (δ15N‐AA) are being increasingly used to decipher trophic dynamics. Interpretation of δ15N‐AA in consumers relies on the assumption that consumer physiological status and nutritional status of prey have negligible influences on the trophic discrimination factor (TDF), hence a constant TDF value is used in trophic position (TP) equations. Recent experiments have shown that this is not always the case and there is also a need to validate derived TP estimates in the field. We take advantage of the uniquely long time series of environmental monitoring data and archived (frozen) samples from the species‐poor Baltic Sea. We analyzed δ15N‐AA in similar sized individuals of cod and in its prey herring from four decades, 1980–2018; including time periods where dramatic reduction in condition status of cod has occurred. We expected that TDF in trophic AAs would increase during periods of poor cod condition, resulting in inflated TP estimates. We found that calculated TP and empirical estimates of TDF (difference in δ15N in trophic AAs between cod and herring) for cod increased in recent decades and that this was linked to condition status, herring (prey) lipid content and the hypoxic state of the ecosystem. Statistically adjusting TP for condition and prey lipid content as well as environmental stress (hypoxia) resulted in lower cod TP which better resembled the observed decrease in herring TP in recent decades. TP calculated from stomach analysis data in cod individuals over the same period showed no trend over time and confirmed that adjusted TP estimates mirror the real dietary TP better than unadjusted. By simultaneously measuring condition/nutritional status in both predator and prey it is possible to adjust for them as confounding variables and decipher actual consumer TP, partly overcoming the issues of unknown and variable TDF‐values. Our study also highlights the importance of including environmental stressors (here hypoxia) when interpreting TP and reconstructing food webs.
A framework for modeling the impacts of adaptive search intensity on the efficiency of abundance surveys
Authors: Jiménez Laura , Fieberg John R. , McCartney Michael , Ferguson Jake M. 
Published: August 2024

AbstractWhen planning abundance surveys, the impact of search intensity on the quality of the density estimates is rarely considered. We constructed a time‐budget modeling framework for abundance surveys using principles from optimal foraging theory. We link search intensity to the number of sample units surveyed, searcher detection probability, the number of detections made, and the precision of the estimated population density. This framework allowed us to determine how a searcher should behave to produce optimized density estimates. Using data collected from quadrat and removal surveys of zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) in central Minnesota, we applied this framework to evaluate potential improvements. We found that by tuning searcher behavior, density estimates from removal surveys of zebra mussels could be improved by up to 60% in some cases, without changing the overall survey time. Our framework also predicts a critical population density where the best survey method switches from removal surveys at low densities to quadrat surveys at high densities, consistent with past empirical work. In addition, we provide simulation tools to apply this form of analysis to a number of other commonly used survey designs. Our results provide insights into how to improve the performance of many survey methods in high‐density environments by either tuning searcher behavior or decoupling the estimation of population density and detection probability.
Biomarkers of lung congestion and injury in acute heart failure
Authors: Guazzi Marco , Novello Gabriele , Bursi Francesca , Caretti Anna , Furlotti Noemi , Arena Ross , Argiento Paola , Núñez Julio , Bayes‐Genis Antoni , Metra Marco 
Published: August 2024

AbstractAcute heart failure (AHF) classification and management are primarily based on lung congestion and/or hypoperfusion. The quantification of the vascular and tissue lung damage is not standard practice though biomarkers of lung injury may play a relevant role in this context. Haemodynamic stress promotes alveolar and vascular derangement with loss of functional units, impaired lung capillary permeability and fluid swelling. This culminates in a remodelling process with activation of inflammatory and cytokines pathways. Four families of lung surfactant proteins (i.e., SP‐A, SP‐B, SP‐C, and SP‐D), essential for the membrane biology and integrity are released by alveolar type II pneumocites. With deregulation of fluid handling and gas exchange pathways, SPs become sensitive markers of lung injury. We report the pathobiology of lung damage; the pathophysiological and clinical implications of alveolar SPs along with the newest evidence for some classical HF biomarkers that have also shown to reflect a vascular and/or a tissue lung‐related activity.
Modelling the Tuning of the Cooperativity in Spin Crossover Sandwiched Layers
Authors: Railean Anastasia , Coltuneac Denisa , Mandal Ritwika , Stoleriu Laurentiu , Lorenc Maciej , Enachescu Cristian 
Published: August 2024

AbstractThis work is devoted to the investigation of the influence of the embedding surfaces (substrates) on a spin crossover layer in the framework of a mechanoelastic model. We analyze how the properties of the spin crossover molecules (i. e. the thermal transition or the cluster spreading) situated inside a 2D layer are influenced by interactions between them and the inert molecules situated on two parallel surfaces, embedding the spin crossover layer. We conclude that the thermal transition is influenced both at the macroscopic scale (the shape and wdith of the hysteresis accompanying the thermal transition) and at the microscopic scale (formation of clusters) by the presence of epitaxial interactions with substrates. Equally, we analyse how the spin transition modulates the pressure exerted by the middle layer on the two substrates. The last part of the paper is devoted to the study of the possibility to induce the switching of molecules in the inner layer by heating the embedding surfaces.
The Crystal Structure, Band Gap, and Optoelectronic Performance of Lead‐free Cs2PdBr4 Metal Halide Single Crystal and its Thin Film
Authors: Cao Wenhuan , Chen Yan , Wang Chen , Shen Huimeng , Yin Jie , Zhou Huawei 
Published: August 2024

AbstractPd‐based halide materials play an important role in organic synthesis, catalysis, and optoelectronic areas. As a typical metal halide, Pb‐based perovskite materials have the potential to become a newcomer in the field of photodetectors due to their excellent optoelectronic properties. However, the toxicity of lead has led to its unfriendliness to the environment. Herein, we synthesized the lead‐free Cs2PdBr4 metal halide single crystal (SC). The crystal structure of needle‐like Cs2PdBr4 SC is resolved and identified to monoclinic crystal system and C2 space group by X‐ray diffraction. The band gap of Cs2PdBr4 SC is extrapolated to 1.54 eV by absorption and reflection spectra. Cs2PdBr4 thin films (TFs) on ITO Interdigitated electrodes (IEs) were prepared by methods of vacuum evaporation. The photodetectors based on Cs2PdBr4‐ITO IEs exhibit regular responses under 397–564 nm monochromatic light, stable operation at weak light intensity of 1 mW/cm2 (397 nm), a responsivity of 0.27 mA/W and a detectivity of 1.13×106 Jones. This study can arouse interest in catalysis and photodetector.
1,2‐Diaza‐1,3‐Dienes as a Multifaceted Synthons for the Synthesis of Heterocycles: A Fifteen‐Years Update
Authors: De Crescentini Lucia , Mari Giacomo , Santeusanio Stefania , Favi Gianfranco , Mantellini Fabio 
Published: August 2024

AbstractThe discovery of structurally unique scaffolds entities with increased complexity and balanced physicochemical properties has the potential to allow synthetic chemists to exploit areas of chemical space that were previously inaccessible. Among the different strategies employed for generating N‐heterocycles, cyclization and cycloaddition reactions represent a valuable synthetic tool. The purpose of this minireview is to summarize the recent advances (2009‐present) from our laboratory on the generation of intriguing five‐, six‐ and seven‐membered mono‐ or poly‐heterocyclic architectures (linear, fused and spiro) employing 1,2‐diaza‐1,3‐dienes (DDs) as key synthons.
Palladium‐Catalyzed Cascade Carbonylation/Heck Reaction/Esterification En Route to Benzofuran‐3(2H)‐One‐Containing γ‐Ketoesters
Authors: Guo Wenting , Wu Wenting , Xu Ying , Pei Xiaoqin , Wang Huiyan , Hu Huayou , Hu Weiming , Wang Lei 
Published: August 2024

AbstractA facile palladium‐catalyzed cascade carbonylation/Heck reaction/esterification has been developed. A large variety of alcohols and phenols were all tolerated well to access a series of benzofuran‐3(2H)‐one‐containing γ‐ketoesters in moderate to good yields, broadening the application of carbonylation. The current research exhibits broad substrate scope, good functional‐group compatibility and straightforward scale‐up.
Central sensitization inventory is associated with psychological functioning but not with psychophysical assessment of pain amplification
Authors: Salbego Rafaela Stocker , Conti Paulo César Rodrigues , Soares Flávia Fonseca Carvalho , Ferreira Dyna Mara Araújo Oliveira , Herreira‐Ferreira Matheus , de Lima‐Netto Beatriz Amaral , Costa Yuri Martins , Bonjardim Leonardo Rigoldi 
Published: August 2024

AbstractBackgroundThe central sensitization inventory (CSI) is a questionnaire that has been widely used as a tool for assessing symptoms associated with sensitization. However, its ability to identify individuals with this phenomenon has recently been questioned. The aim of this study was to assess the correlation of CSI with psychosocial and psychophysical factors in patients with painful TMD diagnosed according to diagnostic criteria for temporomandibular disorders (DC/TMD) and asymptomatic controls, as well as to determine the influence of these variables on the CSI scores variations.MethodsThis cross‐sectional study with 77 patients diagnosed with painful TMD according to DC/TMD and 101 asymptomatic controls realized correlations between CSI, WUR, PPT, CPM and psychosocial questionnaires (HADS, PSQI, PCS and PSS). In cases where significant correlations existed, the potential influence of these variables on CSI variation was explored through linear regression analysis.ResultsIt has been found that the CSI correlates with psychosocial variables (anxiety, depression, catastrophizing, sleep and stress) (p < 0.0006) regardless of the presence of TMD, and that 68.9% of the variation in CSI scores can be influenced by all these variables (except stress). On the contrary, the CSI does not correlate with psychophysical parameters indicative of pain amplification (wind‐up ratio and conditioned pain modulation) (p > 0.320).ConclusionCSI is more associated with psychosocial factors than with more robust indicators of probable central sensitization (CS), thus limiting its utility in detecting this phenomenon both in TMD patients and healthy individuals.Significance StatementThe research highlights a noteworthy relationship between the central sensitization inventory and psychological factors, emphasizing their substantial influence on inventory values. This correlation offers crucial insights into mental health markers within the questionnaire. Additionally, the lack of connection with pain amplification implies a necessary re‐evaluation of the inventory's diagnostic suitability, especially in cases of painful temporomandibular disorders. Thus, caution is urged in its application for identifying CS in these individuals.
The validity and reliability of quadriceps twitch force as a measure of skeletal muscle fatigue while cycling
Authors: MacDougall Keenan B. , Aboodarda Saied J. , Westergard Paulina H. , MacIntosh Brian R. 
Published: August 2024

AbstractThe measurement of skeletal muscle fatigue in response to cycling exercise is commonly done in isometric conditions, potentially limiting its ecological validity, and creating challenges in monitoring the time course of muscle fatigue across an exercise bout. This study aimed to determine if muscle fatigue could be reliably assessed by measuring quadriceps twitch force evoked while pedaling, using instrumented pedals. Nine participants completed three laboratory visits: a step incremental test to determine power output at lactate threshold, and on separate occasions, two constant‐intensity bouts at a power output 10% above lactate threshold. Femoral nerve electrical stimulation was applied to elicit quadriceps twitch force both while pedaling (dynamic) and at rest (isometric). The test–retest reliability of the dynamic twitch forces and the agreement between the dynamic and isometric twitch forces were evaluated. Dynamic twitch force was found to have excellent reliability in an unfatigued state (intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) = 0.920 and mean coefficient of variation (CV) = 7.5%), and maintained good reliability at task failure (ICC = 0.846 and mean CV = 11.5%). When comparing dynamic to isometric twitch forces across the task, there was a greater relative decline in the dynamic condition (P = 0.001). However, when data were normalized to the 5 min timepoint when potentiation between conditions was presumed to be more similar, this difference disappeared (P = 0.207). The reliability of this method was shown to be commensurate with the gold standard method utilizing seated isometric dynamometers and offers a new avenue to monitor the kinetics of muscle fatigue during cycling in real time.
Label‐free detection of ConA‐induced T‐lymphocyte activation at single‐cell level by microfluidics
Authors: Liu Yameng , Wang Xiaohu , Lan Yuxia 
Published: August 2024

AbstractLymphocyte activation is critical in regulating immune responses. The resulting T‐cell proliferation has been implicated in the pathogenesis of a variety of autoimmune diseases, such as SLE and rheumatoid arthritis. ConA (concanavalin A)‐induced activation has been widely used in the T lymphocytes model of immune‐mediated liver injury, autoimmune hepatitis, and so on. In those works, it usually requires fluorescent labeling or cell staining to confirm whether the cells are transformed successfully after medicine treatment to figure out efficacy/pharmacology. The detection preparation steps are time‐consuming and have limitations for further proteomic/genomic identifications. Here, a label‐free microfluidic method is established to detect lymphocyte activation degree. The lymphocyte and ConA‐activated lymphocyte were investigated by a microfluidic device. According to where single cells in the sample were captured in the designed channel, lymphocyte and ConA‐activated samples are differentiated and characterized by population electric field factors, 2.08 × 104 and 2.21 × 104 V/m, respectively. Furthermore, salidroside, a herbal medicine that was documented to promote the transformation, was used to treat lymphocyte cells, and the treated cell population is detected to be 2.67 × 104 V/m. The characterization indicates an increasing trend with the activation degree. The result maintains a high consistency with traditional staining methods with transformed cells of 15.8%, 28.8%, and 48.3% in each cell population. Dielectrophoresis is promising to work as a tool for detecting lymphocyte transformation and medical efficacy detection.
Estimation of friction factor and bed shear stress considering bedform effect in rivers
Authors: Lee Minjae , Park Yong Sung , Lee Mikyung , Song Yong‐Sik , Park Chanho 
Published: August 2024

AbstractThe roughness height plays a crucial role, especially in shallow‐water environments with rough‐bed conditions. Specifically, it is a key parameter for predicting flow velocity and bed shear stress. Therefore, an accurate determination of roughness height is essential for precise predictions of hydraulic phenomena. In this study, we propose a method to estimate form roughness height and friction factor using bathymetry data, with a focus on cross‐sectional data in the transverse direction. To overcome the limitations of using lateral direction data, we derived an empirical formula for estimating bedform length from the bed profiles in the streamwise direction. To assess the validity of bedform analysis and estimated form roughness height based on lateral direction data, we compared the characteristics of bedform and form roughness height analysed using lateral direction data with those analysed using the streamwise direction data. Furthermore, we confirmed the importance of considering the form roughness height in estimating bed shear stress through a comparison with bed shear stress calculations considering only grain roughness height.
First Evidence of Microplastic Ingestion by Riverine Fish From the Freshwater of Northwest Peninsular Malaysia
Authors: Yamen Siti Norabiatulaiffa Mohd , Samsudin Mohd Saiful , Azid Azman , Norizan Mohd Nurazzi , Suradee Aidee Putera Kamal , Rosli Muhammad Izzul Fahmi Mohd 
Published: August 2024

Abstract
In a baseline study, we investigated microplastic contamination in fish from the Pinang and Kerian Rivers in Northwest Peninsular Malaysia. In recognition of the growing concern over microplastic pollution in aquatic environments, we aimed to assess the abundance and characteristics of microplastics ingested by various fish species. Fish samples were collected from local fishermen, followed by a digestion process using 10% potassium hydroxide (KOH). Microplastics were isolated and analyzed through visual examination and attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The results revealed a high prevalence of microplastics, with Johnius borneensis and Oreochromis sp. exhibiting the highest abundance, averaging 48.6 and 42.8 microplastics/g, respectively. The predominant shapes were fibers (55.6%) and fragments (25.9%), with colors primarily transparent (48.19%) and black (30.12%). Our results indicate significant contamination levels in freshwater fish, emphasizing the need for further research and effective mitigation strategies. These findings provide crucial baseline data on microplastics in Malaysian freshwater ecosystems. Environ Toxicol Chem 2024;43:2189–2198. © 2024 SETAC
Food Waste Governance Architectures in Europe: Actors, Steering Modes, and Harmonization Trends
Authors: Szulecka Julia , Bradshaw Carrie , Principato Ludovica 
Published: August 2024

AbstractThe scale of food waste across Europe is alarming, and its reduction is becoming an important public policy and governance issue. Sustainable Development Goal Target 12.3 constitutes a global attempt to galvanize system‐level reductions. In response, layers of varied regulation and governance at regional and national levels have emerged. This paper studies the types of governance architectures visible across Europe, what policy interventions they bring, and whether responses to the food waste challenge are converging. It looks at four leading food waste jurisdictions—France, England, Norway, and Italy—and investigates the hidden realities obscured by the simplistic division of legislative/top‐down versus voluntary/bottom‐up approaches. It applies a governance matrix to understand the variety of food waste “steering modes”, exploring both the extent to which a regime is hierarchical and/or non‐hierarchical and why. Notably, the paper also identifies some general tendencies in food waste governance, including legislative threats, challenges in distributing responsibility across the actors, focus on “low hanging fruits”, and an overall harmonization of policy responses in a neoliberal paradigm, with redistribution often pursued as a panacea for the food waste crisis.
Comparison of the effect of dydrogesterone and natural micronized progesterone for luteal‐phase support in assisted reproductive technology cycles: A single‐blind randomized clinical trial study
Authors: Atarieh Masoomeh , Javadian Maryam , Basirat Zahra , Kashifard Mehdi , Yazdani Shahla , Adib‐Rad Hajar , Abdollahzade‐Delavar Maryam , Gholinia Hemmat 
Published: August 2024

AbstractBackground and AimsOne of the causes of preterm labor and recurrent abortion is progesterone deficiency in the luteal phase. The aim of the study was a comparison of the effect of oral dydrogesterone and vaginal progesterone for luteal‐phase support (LPS) in assisted reproductive technology cycles (ART).MethodsThis randomized clinical control trial study was conducted on 207 infertile women. Samples were randomly divided into two groups. The first group received a natural micronized vaginal progesterone (MVP) of 400 mg once daily and the second group received dydrogesterone (Duphestone) 20 mg twice daily. Then chemical pregnancy, abortion, and live births were compared in two groups.ResultsThe results of the study showed that the vaginal form of the drug could increase the chance of pregnancy (positive β‐human chorionic gonadotropin) versus the oral form. According to the results of multiple logistic regression analysis after adjusting for other variables, the live birth rate in the vaginal group was more than five times that of the oral group (odds ratio = 5.07; 95% confidence interval = 1.24–20.65; p = 0.023).ConclusionThe vaginal form of the progesterone could increase the chance of pregnancy and the outcome of fertility (live birth). Thus, vaginal progesterone is effective for LPS in women undergoing fresh embryo transfer.
Electroacupuncture at Zusanli regulates the pathological phenotype of inflammatory bowel disease by modulating the NLRP3 inflammasome pathway
Authors: Chen Yanqiang , Cai Miaomiao , Shen Boyuan , Fan Changchang , Zhou Xiang 
Published: August 2024

AbstractBackgroundThis study sought to explore the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) intervention at Zusanli (ST36) acupoint on modulating the NLRP3 inflammasome pathway for treating inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).MethodsC57BL/6 mice were administrated with 3% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) to construct the IBD model. DSS mice were then administrated with EA (10 Hz, 1.5 mA) at ST36 for 7 days or intragastric administration of sulfasalazine (SASP) each day during the entire course. The control group animals were administered with distilled water. Then, partial least squares discriminant analysis revealed differences in the relative content of metabolites. The pathological changes of colon and spleen tissues were observed by H&E and immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining. qPCR determined the mRNA expression levels, while ELISA and western blot analysis determined the protein expression.ResultsCompared with the control groups, DSS‐induced decreases of body weight were reversed after EA stimulation at ST36 or SASP treatment. The DAI of DSS mice was significantly higher relative to the control groups, whereas the DAI of DSS mice were decreased after EA stimulation at ST36 or SASP treatment. The intestinal weight/length ratio increased significantly in DSS groups; however, EA at ST36 significantly improved the macroscopic/microscopic characteristics and the weight and length of the colon. EA reversed inflammation and leukocyte infiltration and normalized the elevated levels of IL‐1β, IL‐18, and NLRP3. Furthermore, EA improved the expression levels of ZO‐1, occludin, and claudin 1, exhibiting normalization of the colon's tight junctions.ConclusionsEA at Zusanli acupoint of colon tissue significantly improved the pathological phenotype, showing a therapeutic effect on IBD.