bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Systematic reduction of natural enemies and competition across variable precipitation approximates buffelgrass invasiveness (Cenchrus ciliaris) in its native range
Authors: Rhodes Aaron C. , Plowes Robert M. , Bowman Elizabeth A. , Gaitho Aimee , Ng'Iru Ivy , Martins Dino J. , Gilbert Lawrence E. 
Published: May 2024

AbstractInvasive grasses cause devastating losses to biodiversity and ecosystem function directly and indirectly by altering ecosystem processes. Escape from natural enemies, plant–plant competition, and variable resource availability provide frameworks for understanding invasion. However, we lack a clear understanding of how natural stressors interact in their native range to regulate invasiveness. In this study, we reduced diverse guilds of natural enemies and plant competitors of the highly invasive buffelgrass across a precipitation gradient throughout major climatic shifts in Laikipia, Kenya. To do this, we used a long‐term ungulate exclosure experiment design across a precipitation gradient with nested treatments that (1) reduced plant competition through clipping, (2) reduced insects through systemic insecticide, and (3) reduced fungal associates through fungicide application. Additionally, we measured the interaction of ungulates on two stem‐boring insect species feeding on buffelgrass. Finally, we measured a multiyear smut fungus outbreak. Our findings suggest that buffelgrass exhibits invasive qualities when released from a diverse group of natural stressors in its native range. We show natural enemies interact with precipitation to alter buffelgrass productivity patterns. In addition, interspecific plant competition decreased the basal area of buffelgrass, suggesting that biotic resistance mediates buffelgrass dominance in the home range. Surprisingly, systemic insecticides and fungicides did not impact buffelgrass production or reproduction, perhaps because other guilds filled the niche space in these highly diverse systems. For example, in the absence of ungulates, we showed an increase in host‐specific stem‐galling insects, where these insects compensated for reduced ungulate use. Finally, we documented a smut outbreak in 2020 and 2021, corresponding to highly variable precipitation patterns caused by a shifting Indian Ocean Dipole. In conclusion, we observed how reducing natural enemies and competitors and certain interactions increased properties related to buffelgrass invasiveness.
The presence of predators constrains larval development process by influencing critical developmental windows in the endangered Chinhai spiny newt
Authors: Zhu Xihong , Qiu Xia , Chen Kaiyang , Li Wei , Xu Aichun 
Published: May 2024

AbstractPredators significantly impact the development process and subsequently influence the metamorphic decisions of amphibian larvae. Larvae often exhibit induced growth and metamorphic plasticity in response to the presence of predators. However, growth and development rates are not always perfectly correlated, growth responses can vary throughout ontogeny. It is crucial to consider the stage‐specific growth responses induced by predators. Here, we employ a critical windows experimental design and examine development‐related growth and metamorphic responses to predators in the endangered Chinhai spiny newt (Echinotriton chinhaiensis). Our findings reveal that predators constrain the development process of spiny newt larvae and also impact survival to metamorphosis. Inducible plasticity predominantly exhibits in the early and middle stages of larval development. Our results also suggest that diverse developmental plasticity has been adopted by larvae in response to predators. The presence of predators during early stage induces larvae to exhibit a same size at metamorphosis but a prolonged time to metamorphosis, while predators present during middle stage induce larvae to exhibit a large size at metamorphosis but a same time to metamorphosis. The presence of predators at the late developmental stage does not induce any plasticity in larval growth and metamorphosis. Moreover, these results also suggest that several stages of larval development are likely critical developmental windows for spiny newt larvae. This study not only provides basic biological information on predator‐induced developmental plasticity of the endangered Chinhai spiny newt but also likely provides biological insights for the implementation of in situ conservation and preservation efforts for endangered species.
Baseline characteristics of patients with heart failure with mildly reduced or preserved ejection fraction: The FINEARTS‐HF trial
Authors: Solomon Scott D. , Ostrominski John W. , Vaduganathan Muthiah , Claggett Brian , Jhund Pardeep S. , Desai Akshay S. , Lam Carolyn S.P. , Pitt Bertram , Senni Michele , Shah Sanjiv J. , Voors Adriaan A. , Zannad Faiez , Abidin Imran Zainal , Alcocer‐Gamba Marco Antonio , Atherton John J. , Bauersachs Johann , Ma Chang‐Sheng , Chiang Chern‐En , Chioncel Ovidiu , Chopra Vijay , Comin‐Colet Josep , Filippatos Gerasimos , Fonseca Cândida , Gajos Grzegorz , Goland Sorel , Goncalvesová Eva , Kang Seok‐Min , Katova Tzvetana , Kosiborod Mikhail N. , Latkovskis Gustavs , Lee Alex Pui‐Wai , Linssen Gerard C.M. , Llamas‐Esperón Guillermo , Mareev Vyacheslav , Martinez Felipe A. , Melenovský Vojtěch , Merkely Béla , Nodari Savina , Petrie Mark C. , Saldarriaga Clara Inés , Saraiva Jose Francisco Kerr , Sato Naoki , Schou Morten , Sharma Kavita , Troughton Richard , Udell Jacob A. , Ukkonen Heikki , Vardeny Orly , Verma Subodh , von Lewinski Dirk , Voronkov Leonid G. , Yilmaz Mehmet Birhan , Zieroth Shelley , Lay‐Flurrie James , van Gameren Ilse , Amarante Flaviana , Viswanathan Prabhakar , McMurray John J.V. 
Published: May 2024

AimsTo describe the baseline characteristics of participants in the FINEARTS‐HF trial, contextualized with prior trials including patients with heart failure (HF) with mildly reduced and preserved ejection fraction (HFmrEF/HFpEF). The FINEARTS‐HF trial is comparing the effects of the non‐steroidal mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist finerenone with placebo in reducing cardiovascular death and total worsening HF events in patients with HFmrEF/HFpEF.Methods and resultsPatients with symptomatic HF, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≥40%, estimated glomerular filtration rate ≥ 25 ml/min/1.73 m2, elevated natriuretic peptide levels and evidence of structural heart disease were enrolled and randomized to finerenone titrated to a maximum of 40 mg once daily or matching placebo. We validly randomized 6001 patients to finerenone or placebo (mean age 72 ± 10 years, 46% women). The majority were New York Heart Association functional class II (69%). The baseline mean LVEF was 53 ± 8% (range 34–84%); 36% of participants had a LVEF <50% and 64% had a LVEF ≥50%. The median N‐terminal pro‐B‐type natriuretic peptide (NT‐proBNP) was 1041 (interquartile range 449–1946) pg/ml. A total of 1219 (20%) patients were enrolled during or within 7 days of a worsening HF event, and 3247 (54%) patients were enrolled within 3 months of a worsening HF event. Compared with prior large‐scale HFmrEF/HFpEF trials, FINEARTS‐HF participants were more likely to have recent (within 6 months) HF hospitalization and greater symptoms and functional limitations. Further, concomitant medications included a larger percentage of sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors and angiotensin receptor–neprilysin inhibitors than previous trials.ConclusionsFINEARTS‐HF has enrolled a broad range of high‐risk patients with HFmrEF and HFpEF. The trial will determine the safety and efficacy of finerenone in this population.
High‐pressure/High‐temperature Synthesis of ErCd2B7O13(BO(OH)3): A Non‐centrosymmetric Erbium Cadmium Borate
Authors: Teichtmeister Tobias A. , Schwarzmüller Stefan , Huppertz Hubert 
Published: May 2024

AbstractExplorative high‐pressure/high‐temperature syntheses (7 GPa, 800 °C) starting from Er2O3, CdO, and H3BO3 yielded single‐crystals of the hitherto unknown compound ErCd2B7O13(BO(OH)3). This compound crystallizes trigonally in the non‐centrosymmetric space group R3c with the unit cell parameters a=8.8418(2) Å, c=22.4972(8) Å, and six formula units per cell. The crystal structure is composed of corner‐sharing trigonal planar [BO3] and tetrahedral [BO4] groups, forming a complex three‐dimensional framework. In this article, the structural data and characteristics of ErCd2B7O13(BO(OH)3) are presented in detail. Furthermore, the compound's infrared spectrum is discussed.
Developments of photo‐/electro‐catalysis based on covalent organic frameworks: A review
Authors: Yang Guiping , Xu Qing , Zeng Gaofeng 
Published: May 2024

AbstractPhoto‐/electro‐catalysis has the characteristics of low cost, high performance, and zero pollution, which meet the policies on environment and energy. Covalent organic frameworks (COFs), a type of crystalline organic skeleton polymers, have been widely applied and investigated in the area of photo‐/electro‐catalysis owing to their advantages of large specific surface area, regular pore size, excellent stability, flexible structural design, and massive active sites. This article reviews the structural characteristics of COFs and the strategies for strengthening the photo‐/electro‐catalytic activity of COF materials. Subsequently, deep insights were put into the photo‐/electro‐catalysis application of COF materials. In the end, the development prospects and challenges faced by COF materials in photo‐/electro‐catalysis are discussed.
Harnessing the Power of Light: The Synergistic Effects of Crystalline Carbon Nitride and Ti3C2Tx MXene in Photocatalytic Hydrogen Production
Authors: Wong Khai Jie , Foo Joel Jie , Siang Tan Ji , Khoo Valerine , Ong Wee‐Jun 
Published: May 2024

AbstractPhotocatalytic hydrogen evolution is an environmentally friendly means of energy generation. Although g‐C3N4 possesses fascinating features, its inherent shortcomings limit its photocatalytic applications. Therefore, modifying the intrinsic properties of g‐C3N4 and introducing cocatalysts are essential to ameliorate the photocatalytic efficiency. To achieve this, metal‐like Ti3C2Tx is integrated with crystalline g‐C3N4 via a combined salt‐assisted and freeze‐drying approach to form crystalline g‐C3N4/Ti3C2Tx (CCN/TCT) hybrids with different Ti3C2Tx loading amounts (0, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 1, 5, 10 wt.%). Benefiting from the crystallization of CN, as evidenced by the XRD graph, and the marvelous conductivity of Ti3C2Tx supported by EIS plots, CCN/TCT/Pt loaded with 0.5 wt.% Ti3C2Tx displays an elevated H2 (2) should be subscripted evolution rate of 2651.93 µmol g−1 h−1 and a high apparent quantum efficiency of 7.26% (420 nm), outperforming CN/Pt, CCN/Pt, and other CCN/TCT/Pt hybrids. The enhanced performance is attributed to the synergistic effect of the highly crystalline structure of CCN that enables fleet charge transport and the efficient dual cocatalysts, Ti3C2Tx and Pt, that foster charge separation and provide plentiful active sites. This work demonstrates the potential of CCN/TCT as a promising material for hydrogen production, suggesting a significant advancement in the design of CCN heterostructures for effective photocatalytic systems.
Research on driving factors and efficiency measures of low‐carbon levels in less‐developed regions: A case of Western China
Authors: Wang Minxi , Lu Nuo , Liu Lu , Chen Lu , Li Xin 
Published: May 2024

AbstractThe far‐reaching impacts of climate change have further strengthened the determination of governments around the world to pursue low‐carbon development, and low‐carbon efficiency in less developed regions has become a “shortcoming” in realizing low‐carbon aspirations. We analyze the carbon emission efficiency (CEE) and its temporal evolution in less‐developed regions in developing countries, such as Western China. The differentiation of Western China was evaluated in terms of spatial and influencing factors through the Theil index and the logarithmic mean divisia index (LMDI), and the innovative use of GDP gold content (GDPgc) to represent the absolute economic level in the Theil index. Considering the net carbon emissions (NCE) are undesirable outputs, the GDPgc is taken as the desired output. The Un‐Super‐SBM‐CRS method obtained the net carbon emission efficiency (NCEE) values. The results show that: (1) Western regions’ NCE differences can be categorized as high per capita NCE areas (more than 25 tons), medium per capita NCE areas (10–25 tons), and low per capita NCE areas (0–10 tons). (2) The per capita‐based T (Theil index) and the GDPgc are comparable and “intra‐group convergence and inter‐group differentiation” can be used to describe intra‐regional and inter‐regional NCE differences. (3) Both the level of the economy and the level of urban development are drivers of the 11 domains, and the level of the economy is driven more than the level of urban development overall. There are significant regional differences in other factors. (4) The NCEs and their evolutionary trends in each region can be divided into single‐variable and fluctuating‐variable. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Efficiency and productivity gains of robotic surgery: The case of the English National Health Service
Authors: Maynou Laia , McGuire Alistair , Serra‐Sastre Victoria 
Published: May 2024

AbstractThis paper examines the effect of new medical technology (robotic surgery) on efficiency gains and productivity changes for surgical treatment in patients with prostate cancer from the perspective of a public health sector organization. In particular, we consider three interrelated surgical technologies within the English National Health System: robotic, laparoscopic and open radical prostatectomy. Robotic and laparoscopic techniques are minimally invasive procedures with similar clinical benefits. While the clinical benefits in adopting robotic surgery over laparoscopic intervention are unproven, it requires a high initial investment cost and carries high on‐going maintenance costs. Using data from Hospital Episode Statistics for the period 2000–2018, we observe growing volumes of prostatectomies over time, mostly driven by an increase in robotic‐assisted surgeries, and further analyze whether hospital providers that adopted a robot see improved measures of throughput. We then quantify changes in total factor and labor productivity arising from the use of this technology. We examine the impact of robotic adoption on efficiency gains employing a staggered difference‐in‐difference estimator and find evidence of a 50% reduction in length of stay (LoS), 49% decrease in post‐LoS and 44% and 46% decrease in postoperative visits after 1 year and 2 years, respectively. Productivity analysis shows the growth in radical prostatectomy volume is sustained with a relatively stable number of urology surgeons. The robotic technique increases total production at the hospital level between 21% and 26%, coupled with a 29% improvement in labor productivity. These benefits lend some, but not overwhelming support for the large‐scale hospital investments in such costly technology.
Chiral twisted molecular carbons: Synthesis, properties, and applications
Authors: Zhang Yunqin , Guan Junjie , Luo Leiquan , Han Xiao , Wang Jie , Zheng Yongshen , Xu Jialiang 
Published: May 2024

AbstractIn recent years, the precisely controlled synthesis of chiral twisted molecular carbons has emerged as a forefront topic in the research of carbon materials. Molecular carbons refer to carbon nanomaterials synthesized with precision at the atomic level. Through rational design, rigid and stable chiral twisted structures can be synthesized. The exploration in the field of chiral twisted molecular carbons is key to fully understanding the various twisted configurations of carbon materials and delving into the relationship between structure design and functionality. This review explores chiral twisted configurations of carbon nanomaterials such as nanographene, carbon nanobelts, carbon nanosheets, graphdiyne, etc. It emphasizes the role of photocyclization, Scholl reaction, and Diels–Alder reactions in achieving precise chiral control and discusses a range of innovative design strategies. These strategies have led to the development of various twisted structures, such as helical, propeller, and Möbius strip configurations. The introduction of chirality, combined with the inherent exceptional optical properties of nanocarbon materials, has facilitated the creation of materials with superior chiroptical performances. This advancement is driving applications in fields such as optoelectronics and chiral optics.
Association between coffee and tea consumption and ovarian cancer incidence: A prospective analysis in the PLCO dataset
Authors: Huang Changzhen , Bu Hualei , Wang Yuanjian , Chu Ran , Zhao Wenna , Liu Yan , Wu Han , Yao Shu 
Published: May 2024

AbstractEpidemiological evidence regarding the relationship between coffee and tea consumption and the risk of ovarian cancer (OC) is inconsistent. Therefore, we aimed to quantitatively investigate this topic in a large prospective cohort study. This cohort study included 24,715 individuals recruited from the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian Cancer Screening Trials between 1993 and 2001. The data used for our analysis included the latest follow‐up information collected up to 2015. Coffee intake of ≥4 cups/day (hazard ratio [HR], 0.586; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.356–0.966) or caffeine intake of 458.787 mg/day (HR, 0.607; 95% CI: 0.411–0.895) were associated with the lowest HR of incident OC in the fully adjusted model. Participants who consumed varying amounts of tea did not exhibit a statistically significant reduction in the risk of OC. Our findings suggest that a higher consumption of coffee or caffeine is associated with a reduced risk of OC. However, no statistically significant association was observed between tea consumption and the risk of OC.
Biocompatible polyethersulfone membrane modified by hydrophilic polymer decorated magnetic nanoparticles gilded by facile external magnetic field
Authors: Hadi Mohammed Kamal , Zeng Huanzhong , Pantrangi Manasa , Sangaraju Sambasivam , Ran Fen 
Published: May 2024

AbstractPolymer‐based membranes such as polyethersulfone are widely used for hemodialysis and bio‐related applications; however, this type of membrane still fails to satisfy optimum performance in terms of clearance, safety, and bio‐adaptability. Herein, a polymer brush of polyvinylpyrrolidone is decorated on the surface of magnetic nanoparticles by using reversible addition‐fragmentation chain transfer polymerization (RAFT), and under the guidance of an external magnetic field, the prepared magnetic nanoparticles with the polymer brush system are blended with a polyethersulfone membrane during a liquid‐liquid phase inversion process. The prepared membranes with different loads of the pure magnetic nanoparticle and polyvinylpyrrolidone@magnetic nanoparticle polymer brushes are prepared, compared with the pristine membrane, the modified membrane shows a high flux value at 349 L m−2 h−1 and 99.9% bovine serum albumin protein rejection. This membrane also demonstrated improved hydrophilicity and pore structure compared with the pristine membrane. Concerning the blood biocompatibility analysis, the modified membranes acquire prolonged time for clotting factors such as prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, and thrombin time while exhibiting less fibrinogen concertation at 0.4 g L−1. Furthermore, for the first time, an innovative method for fouling detection based on magnetic field attenuation due to protein accumulation on the membrane surface is reported; the method in this work could be a positive booster for the safe use of polymeric membranes in hemodialysis and bio‐based applications.
Cholesteryl ester transfer protein knock‐down in conjunction with a cholesterol‐depleting agent decreases tamoxifen resistance in breast cancer cells
Authors: Gu Liang , Pillay Ruvesh Pascal , Aronson Ruth , Kaur Mandeep 
Published: May 2024

AbstractThe cholesterogenic phenotype, encompassing de novo biosynthesis and accumulation of cholesterol, aids cancer cell proliferation and survival. Previously, the role of cholesteryl ester (CE) transfer protein (CETP) has been implicated in breast cancer aggressiveness, but the molecular basis of this observation is not clearly understood, which this study aims to elucidate. CETP knock‐down resulted in a >50% decrease in cell proliferation in both ‘estrogen receptor‐positive’ (ER+; Michigan Cancer Foundation‐7 (MCF7) breast cancer cells) and ‘triple‐negative’ breast cancer (TNBC; MDA‐MB‐231) cell lines. Intriguingly, the abrogation of CETP together with the combination treatment of tamoxifen (5 μM) and acetyl plumbagin (a cholesterol‐depleting agent) (5 μM) resulted in twofold to threefold increase in apoptosis in both cell lines. CETP knockdown also showed decreased intracellular CE levels, lipid raft and lipid droplets in both cell lines. In addition, RT2 Profiler PCR array (Qiagen, Germany)‐based gene expression analysis revealed an overall downregulation of genes associated in cholesterol biosynthesis, lipid signalling and drug resistance in MCF7 cells post‐CETP knock‐down. On the contrary, resistance in MDA‐MB‐231 cells was reduced through increased expression in cholesterol efflux genes and the expression of targetable surface receptors by endocrine therapy. The pilot xenograft mice study substantiated CETP's role as a cancer survival gene as knock‐down of CETP stunted the growth of TNBC tumour by 86%. The principal findings of this study potentiate CETP as a driver in breast cancer growth and aggressiveness and thus targeting CETP could limit drug resistance via the reduction in cholesterol accumulation in breast cancer cells, thereby reducing cancer aggressiveness.
In vitro genotoxicological evaluation of protein‐rich powder derived fromXanthobactersp.SoF1
Authors: Klinzing Katharina , Aabrandt Søndergaard Ida , Chirom Teresa , Whitwell James , Bisini Laura , Marabottini Cristina , Nesslany Fabrice , Tervasmäki Petri , Pitkänen Juha‐Pekka 
Published: May 2024

AbstractOne way of limiting the environmental impact of food production and improving food security is to replace part of the animal‐ or plant‐based protein in the human diet with protein sourced from microorganisms. The recently discovered bacteriumXanthobactersp.SoF1(VTT‐E‐193585) grows autotrophically using carbon dioxide gas as the only carbon source, yielding protein‐rich biomass that can be processed further into a powder and incorporated into various food products. Since the safety of this microbial protein powder for human consumption had not been previously assessed, its genotoxic potential was evaluated employing three internationally recognized and standardized studies: a bacterial reverse mutation test, anin vitrochromosomal aberration assay in human lymphocytes, and anin vitromicronucleus test in human lymphocytes. No biologically relevant evidence of genotoxicity or mutagenicity was found.