bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Associations between natural blue and green space and preschool children's movement behaviours
Authors: George Phoebe , Murray Kevin , Trost Stewart G. , Boruff Bryan , Christian Hayley 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Natural outdoor environments provide important settings for children to engage in physical activity. It is unclear if these relationships also exist in preschool aged children.

We examined associations between amount and type of neighbourhood vegetation and blue space, proximity to the beach and preschooler's device‐measured movement behaviours.

Accelerometer data from 1081 preschool children were processed into physical activity and sedentary behaviours using a machine learned random forest physical activity classification model specifically developed for children under five. High‐resolution aerial imagery data and Geographic Information Systems were used to identify total percentage of neighbourhood vegetation and vegetation components (grass, shrubs and trees) and presence and total percentage of blue space (ocean, riverways and lakes and swamps) for 500, 1600 and 5000 m service areas around children's residences. Distance to the closest beach, patrolled beach, and dog beach were also calculated.

Amount of neighbourhood vegetation was inversely associated with boys sedentary time in the 500 m (β = −0.91 min/day, p = 0.006, 95% CI [−1.55, −0.33]) and 1600 m (β = −1.30 min/day, p = 0.001, 95% CI [−2.08, −0.53]) service area, and positively associated with walking time in the 1600 m (β = 0.12 min/day, p = 0.045, 95% CI [0.02, 0.22]) service area. The presence of local riverways was positively associated with girls walking time in the 1600 m (β = 2.34 min/day, p = 0.009, 95% CI [0.59, 4.09]), and 5000 m (β = 1.67 min/day, p = 0.019, 95% CI [0.27, 3.06]) buffer.

Distance to dog beach was positively associated with boys sedentary behaviours. Presence of lake and swamps were negatively associated with boys walking, and presence of riverways was negatively associated with girls moderate‐to‐vigorous activities and games and boys running in the 5000 m service area.

These findings suggest higher amounts of neighbourhood vegetation and certain types of blue space such as riverways and dog beaches could facilitate positive movement behaviours in young children. Our findings that natural outdoor environments are associated with preschool children's movement behaviours add to evidence which could contribute to policy implications for urban planning and the provision and protection of natural environments within cities.

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On the nonlinear buckling and postbuckling responses of sandwich FG‐GRC toroidal shell segments with corrugated core under axial tension and compression in the thermal environment
Authors: Hoai Nam Vu , Ngoc Ly Le , Thi Kieu My Do , Minh Duc Vu , Thi Phuong Nguyen 
Published: July 2024

AbstractThis paper presents an analytical approach for buckling and postbuckling analysis for functionally graded graphene‐reinforced composite (FG‐GRC) toroidal shell segments with the trapezoidal or round corrugated core under the axial tension and compression. The considered shells are placed in a thermal environment and surrounded by an elastic foundation. Based on the von Kármán‐Donnell shell theory with geometrical nonlinearities, Stein and McElman approximation, and a homogenization technique for corrugated shells, the basic equations of shells are established. The previous homogenization technique is improved by adding the thermal forces in the internal force expressions. The shell‐foundation interaction is expressed using the model of the Pasternak assumption. The Ritz energy method is used to obtain the pre‐buckling and postbuckling behaviors of the shells, from which the critical buckling tensions and compressions can be investigated. The influences of FG‐GRC face sheets, corrugated core, and foundation on the buckling behavior of sandwich shells can be shown in the numerical analysis.Highlights
Postbuckling of toroidal shell segments with the corrugated core is analyzed.
A homogenization technique is improved for the thermal forces in the core.
The shells are made of functionally graded graphene‐reinforced composite.
The nonlinear Kármán‐Donnell shell theory and Ritz energy method are applied.
Special effects of input parameters on the buckling behavior are investigated.
An improved Trizol method for extracting total RNA from Eleutherococcus senticosus (Rupr. & Maxim.) Maxim leaves
Authors: Xiao Siqiu , Zhang Ying , Tang Xiaoqing , Yang Jing , Zhong Weixue , Zhang Ye , Liu Ying , Li Dewen 
Published: July 2024

AbstractIntroductionHigh‐quality nucleic acids are the basis for molecular biology experiments. Traditional RNA extraction methods are not suitable for Eleutherococcus senticosus Maxim.ObjectiveTo find a suitable method to improve the quality of RNA extracted, we modified the RNA extraction methods of Trizol.MethodologyBased on the conventional Trizol method, the modified Trizol method 1 and modified Trizol method 2 were used as the control for extraction of RNA from E. senticosus Maxim leaves. The modified Trizol method 1 added β‐mercaptoethanol on the conventional Trizol method. After RNA was dissolved, a mixed solution of phenol, chloroform, and isoamyl alcohol was added to denature protein and inhibit the degradation of RNA. The modified Trizol method 2 adds PVPP to grind on the basis of modified Trizol method 1, so as to better remove phenols from leaves, and eliminates the step of incubation at −20°C to reduce extraction time and RNA degradation. Chloroform, CTAB, and CH3COONa were used instead of a phenol, chloroform, and isoamyl alcohol mixed solution to ensure complete separation of nucleic acid from plant tissues and to obtain high‐purity RNA.ResultsThe research results showed that the quality of RNA extracted by conventional Trizol method, modified Trizol method 1, was incomplete, accompanied with different degrees of contamination of polysaccharides, polyphenols, and DNA. The modified Trizol method 2 could better extract RNA from E. senticosus Maxim leaves. The ratio of A260/A280 was in the range of 1.8–2.0, and the yield of RNA was the highest, which was 1.68 and 1.15 times compared with that by conventional Trizol method and modified Trizol method 1 extraction, respectively. The reverse transcription cDNA was further tested through PCR with the specific primers. The amplified fragments are displayed in clear and bright bands in accordance with the expected size.ConclusionThe modified Trizol method 2 could better extract RNA from E. senticosus Maxim leaves. High‐quality RNA has more advantages in molecular biology study of E. senticosus Maxim.
Wheat NAC transcription factor NAC5‐1 is a positive regulator of senescence
Authors: Evans Catherine , Mogg Sophie Louise , Soraru Charline , Wallington Emma , Coates Juliet , Borrill Philippa 
Published: July 2024

AbstractWheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is an important source of both calories and protein in global diets, but there is a trade‐off between grain yield and protein content. The timing of leaf senescence could mediate this trade‐off as it is associated with both declines in photosynthesis and nitrogen remobilization from leaves to grain. NAC transcription factors play key roles in regulating senescence timing. In rice, OsNAC5 expression is correlated with increased protein content and upregulated in senescing leaves, but the role of the wheat ortholog in senescence had not been characterized. We verified that NAC5‐1 is the ortholog of OsNAC5 and that it is expressed in senescing flag leaves in wheat. To characterize NAC5‐1, we combined missense mutations in NAC5‐A1 and NAC5‐B1 from a TILLING mutant population and overexpressed NAC5‐A1 in wheat. Mutation in NAC5‐1 was associated with delayed onset of flag leaf senescence, while overexpression of NAC5‐A1 was associated with slightly earlier onset of leaf senescence. DAP‐seq was performed to locate transcription factor binding sites of NAC5‐1. Analysis of DAP‐seq and comparison with other studies identified putative downstream target genes of NAC5‐1 which could be associated with senescence. This work showed that NAC5‐1 is a positive transcriptional regulator of leaf senescence in wheat. Further research is needed to test the effect of NAC5‐1 on yield and protein content in field trials, to assess the potential to exploit this senescence regulator to develop high‐yielding wheat while maintaining grain protein content.
Effect of Ultrasound and Freeze‐Drying to Enhance the Extraction of Phenolic Compounds in Dragon Fruit Peels and Apply Them in Edible Starch‐Based Films
Authors: Santos Newton Carlos , Almeida Raphael Lucas Jacinto , Albuquerque Juliana Cruz , de Lima Thalis Leandro Bezerra , de Sousa Francisca Moisés , de Alcântara Silva Virgínia Mirtes , Melo Mylena Olga Pessoa , Filho Manoel Tolentino Leite , dos Santos Silva Rosenildo , da Silva Santos Pinheiro Larissa , dos Santos Oliveira Alison , Albuquerque Aline Pacheco , de Sousa Álison Bruno Borges 
Published: July 2024

ABSTRACTIn this study, dragon fruit peels were subjected to different times (5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 min) of ultrasound pretreatment (4.870 W m−2/25°C) and then freeze‐drying (FD) (−56°C/48 h) to obtain powder particles, which underwent physical–chemical, functional and structural characterisation. Additionally, the extraction of total phenolic compound (TPC) was evaluated through ultrasound‐assisted kinetics and mechanical agitation. Finally, films based on black rice starch were developed with the addition (0.5, 1.5 and 2.5%) of dragon fruit peel powder particles, and their physical, barrier, antioxidant, structural and mechanical properties were evaluated. The results obtained showed that all particles had low water content (4.21%–6.58%) and high solubility (84.62%–88.73%) with a reduction in particle size (23.21–39.32 μm). In the extraction of TPC, the synergistic effect of the tested conditions increased efficiency, reaching 686.66 mg GAE/100 g for pretreated dragon fruit peel powder particles (25 min) in 180 min of extraction. Furthermore, the type ‘A’ crystallinity structure did not change significantly with pretreatment, but there was a reduction in peak area, reflecting on relative crystallinity, with a maximum decrease of 29.04%. The starch‐based films produced with 2.5% dragon fruit peel powder particles showed low solubility (28.72%) and low water vapour permeability (5.03 × 10−8 g mm s−1 m2 Pa), however, they contained higher levels of TPC (31.78 mg GAE/100 g film) and antioxidant activity (8.17 μmol TE/g film) that were easily migrated in aqueous medium. Furthermore, they also presented low values of tensile strength at break (3.41 MPa) and Young's modulus (4.18 MPa), as well as a high value of elongation at break (45.82%). Finally, our results highlight the potential of ultrasound as a pretreatment for FD of dragon fruit peels, paving the way for the development of rice starch‐based food packaging.
Responsive Complementary Feeding Practices in Rural Muhanga District of Rwanda: A Mixed Methods Study
Authors: Ahishakiye Jeanine , Vaandrager Lenneke , Matsiko Eric , Kwizera Philemon , Koelen Maria 
Published: July 2024

ABSTRACTBackgroundResponsive feeding among infants and young children (IYC) determines their food acceptance and adequate dietary intake, which enhances growth and developmental opportunities. However, little is known about responsive feeding practices among IYC in Rwanda. This study explored the status and barriers of responsive feeding practices among mothers from rural areas of Muhanga District in Rwanda.MethodThis descriptive longitudinal and exploratory mixed methods study was conducted among 29 mothers from 2 rural health centers in Muhanga District. Mothers were interviewed, and their interactions with children during lunch meals at 6, 9, and 12 months were observed. The interviews were recorded, transcribed, and thematically analyzed using Atlas.ti software.ResultsThe study shows that the number of mothers who reported to verbally encourage their children to eat during feeding increased with the child's age. Less than half of mothers, at all three time points of data collection (at 6, 9, and 12 months), reported and were observed allowing their children to self‐feed, smiling and talking to them during feeding. The perceived major barriers to mother–child interaction during feeding were lack of time due to the burden of other responsibilities, and poverty. In addition, fear of messing up and food waste were barriers to child self‐feeding opportunities.ConclusionFindings indicate that responsive feeding was less practiced among study mothers due to lack of time, poverty, and fear of food waste during child self‐feeding. Nutrition interventions in this community should consider raising awareness of responsive feeding practices through education and encouraging mothers to devote sufficient time to interact with their children during feeding episodes.
Soil development and ancient Maya land use in the tropical karst landscape: Case of Busiljá, Chiapas, México
Authors: García‐Ramírez P. , Guillén K. , Sedov S. , Golden C. , Morell‐Hart S. , Scherer A. , Pi T. , Solleiro‐Rebolledo E. , Dine H. , Rivera Y. 
Published: July 2024

AbstractThe soil mantle of the tropical karstic landscapes of Southern Mexico was shaped by specific processes of pedogenesis and long‐term human impacts of ancient Maya agriculture. To understand the interaction between natural and human‐induced soil‐forming processes in the calcareous mountains of Chiapas state, we studied soil toposequences around the Classic Maya site of Budsilhá and related them to the archaeological evidence of settlement and land‐use distribution. Soil chemical analysis, micromorphological observations, and clay mineral identification were carried out in key soil profiles at the main geoforms. Limestone hills are occupied by shallow Rendolls which are usually perceived as incipient soils. However, high content of silicate clay composed of kaolinite and vermiculite and ferruginous clayey soil material observed at macro‐ and microscale backed the hypothesis that these soils were formed from the residues of thick Terra Rossa after their erosion. Swampy lowlands are occupied by thick clayey gleyic soils with clay mineral assemblages similar to those in the upland Rendolls. We suppose that the mineral matrix of the lowland soils is largely derived from the pedosediments of eroded upland Terra Rossa, which lost original ferruginous pigmentation and aggregation due to redoximorphic processes. Some wetland soils contain neoformed gypsum that is atypical for humid tropics; sulfide‐sulfate transformation under fluctuating redox conditions could promote gypsum synthesis. Ancient Maya land use was closely related to soil‐geomorphic conditions: settlements with homegardens occupied calcareous hills, whereas the primary agricultural domain was developed on lowland soils after their drainage by artificial canals.
Kinetic Studies on Ruthenium(III) Chloride‐Catalyzed Oxidation of Benzyl and Homobenzyl Alcohols Using Cerium(IV) Sulfate under Acidic Medium
Authors: Yadav Suresh C. , Srivastav Shalini , Singh Alok K. , Pandey Vijay , Tandon Praveen K. , Chandra Ajeet 
Published: July 2024

AbstractThis study investigates the kinetics of oxidative conversion of benzyl and homobenzyl alcohols to carbonyls using cerium(IV) sulfate in the presence of ruthenium(III) complex under mild acidic conditions. The results revealed that the low concentration of both alcohols and cerium(IV) ions drives the reaction to a first‐order kinetics, whereas a higher concentration induces zero‐order kinetics. In addition, the kinetics of the reaction were altered by the additives of hydrogen ions, cerium(III) ions, and chloride ions. We hope this study will be helpful in understanding the reaction kinetics of the oxidation of primary alcohols.
Nanotubes from Transition Metal Dichalcogenides: Recent Progress in the Synthesis, Characterization and Electrooptical Properties
Authors: Yadgarov Lena , Tenne Reshef 
Published: July 2024

AbstractInorganic layered compounds (2D‐materials), particularly transition metal dichalcogenide (TMDC), are the focus of intensive research in recent years. Shortly after the discovery of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in 1991, it was hypothesized that nanostructures of 2D‐materials can also fold and seam forming, thereby nanotubes (NTs). Indeed, nanotubes (and fullerene‐like nanoparticles) of WS2 and subsequently from MoS2 were reported shortly after CNT. However, TMDC nanotubes received much less attention than CNT until recently, likely because they cannot be easily produced as single wall nanotubes with well‐defined chiral angles. Nonetheless, NTs from inorganic layered compounds have become a fertile field of research in recent years. Much progress has been achieved in the high‐temperature synthesis of TMDC nanotubes of different kinds, as well as their characterization and the study of their properties and potential applications. Their multiwall structure is found to be a blessing rather than a curse, leading to intriguing observations. This concise minireview is dedicated to the recent progress in the research of TMDC nanotubes. After reviewing the progress in their synthesis and structural characterization, their contributions to the research fields of energy conversion and storage, polymer nanocomposites, andunique optoelectronic devices are being reviewed. These studies suggest numerous potential applications for TMDC nanotubes in various technologies, which are briefly discussed.
Photothermal responsive porous hollow microneedles as Chinese medicine versatile delivery system for wound healing
Authors: Zhang Wanyue , Cai Lijun , Gan Jingjing , Zhao Yuanjin 
Published: July 2024

AbstractChinese medicine is identified as a candidate for wound healing. Attempts in this field tend to develop efficient dosage forms for delivering Chinese medicine with low side effects. In this paper, we proposed novel photothermal responsive porous hollow microneedles (PRPH‐MNs) as a versatile Chinese medicine delivery system for efficient antibacterial wound treatment. The PRPH‐MNs are composed of porous resin shells with good mechanical property, hydrogel cores, and a photothermal graphene oxide hybrid substrate. The hollow structure provides sufficient space for loading the drug dispersed hydrogel, while the porous resin shells could not only block the direct contact between drugs and wound sites but also provide channels for facilitating the drug release from the core. In addition, benefiting from the photothermal effect of their substrate, the PRPH‐MNs could be heated under near‐infrared (NIR) irradiation for controllable promotion of drug release. Based on these features, we have proved that the antibacterial Chinese medicine Rhein loaded PRPH‐MNs were effective in promoting wound healing due to their good antibacterial property and on‐demand drug release. Thus, we believe that the proposed PRPH‐MNs are valuable for delivery of different drugs for clinical applications.
Inflow turbulence generator for large eddy simulation based on a novel block‐vorticity vortex method: Application on a tall building wind effect
Authors: Shen Lian , Han Yan , Wang Peijie , Zhou Pinhan , Cai C. S. , Deng Shuwen 
Published: July 2024

AbstractAccurately simulating turbulent wind fields is a significant challenge in wind engineering. This study proposes a novel block‐vorticity method aimed at overcoming the limitations of traditional turbulence generation methods. By superimposing a blocked vortex field at the inlet boundary of large eddy simulation (LES), the proposed method enables the generation of highly precise and anisotropic turbulent wind fields. To validate the effectiveness of the proposed method, the study investigates wind pressures on a high‐rise building structure and performs a comparative analysis with LES narrowband synthesis random flow generator (NSRFG), traditional LES, and SST k‐ω turbulence inlet models. The results demonstrate that the proposed method can effectively simulate turbulence characteristics of atmospheric boundary layer flow, including vortex structure and stochastic fluctuating wind field. Compared to traditional methods, the wind field characteristics of turbulence intensity, instantaneous vorticity, and turbulence self‐equilibrium had obvious advantages over traditional methods. Moreover, the LES vortex method is more accurate in simulating the mean wind pressure and fluctuating wind pressure of the high‐rise building compared to traditional models and is closer to the wind tunnel test results. The proposed method provides an effective approach for generating turbulent wind fields with anisotropic characteristics and can be used to predict the wind‐induced response of civil engineering structures.
Isolation of camel single domain antibodies against Yersinia pestis V270 antigen based on a semi‐synthetic single domain antibody library and development of a VHH‐based lateral flow assay
Authors: Wang Bo , Wang Chunsheng , Li Bo , Yang Jin , Lin Pengfei , Jin Xuefeng , Niu Yaojie , Zhang Wei , Zhang Xinshi , Huang Ying 
Published: July 2024

AbstractBackgroundAntibodies have been proven effective as diagnostic agents for detecting zoonotic diseases. The variable domain of camel heavy chain antibody (VHH), as an antibody derivative, may be used as an alternative for traditional antibodies in existing immunodiagnostic reagents for detecting rapidly spreading infectious diseases.ObjectivesTo expedite the isolation of specific antibodies for diagnostic purposes, we constructed a semi‐synthetic camel single domain antibody library based on the phage display technique platform (PDT) and verified the validity of this study.MethodsThe semi‐synthetic single domain antibody sequences consist of two parts: one is the FR1‐FR3 region amplified by RT‐PCR from healthy camel peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs), and the other part is the CDR3‐FR4 region synthesised as an oligonucleotide containing CDR3 randomised region. The two parts were fused by overlapping PCR, resulting in the rearranged variable domain of heavy‐chain antibodies (VHHs). Y. pestis low‐calcium response V protein (LcrV) is an optional biomarker to detect the Y. pestis infection. The semi‐synthetic library herein was screened using recombinant (LcrV) as a target antigen.ResultsAfter four cycles of panning the library, four VHH binders targeting 1–270 aa residues of LcrV were isolated. The four VHH genes with unique sequences were recloned into an expression vector and expressed as VHH‐hFc chimeric antibodies. The purified antibodies were identified and used to develop a lateral flow immunoassay (LFA) test strip using latex microspheres (LM) for the rapid and visual detection of Y. pestis infection.ConclusionsThese data demonstrate the great potential of the semi‐synthetic library for use in isolation of antigen‐specific nanobodies and the isolated specific VHHs can be used in antigen‐capture immunoassays.