bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Role of catalyst topology in methanol synthesis
Authors: Hastadi Kemal F. , Shah Milinkumar T. , Bhatelia Tejas , Sun Biao , Pareek Vishnu K. 
Published: April 2024

AbstractMethanol synthesis is carried out in a catalytic, packed bed reactor, where the shape and size of catalyst play a critical role in dictating overall reactor performance. In the current study, the effect of five different catalyst shapes including cylindrical, ring, trilobe, wagon wheel, and spherical on the reactor performance was investigated by conducting particle‐scale computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations. The predictions of pressure drop, velocity, temperature, reactant distribution and product yield were analyzed. When the performance of the simulated shapes was compared at the same tube Reynolds number of 50,000, internally contoured shapes (wagon wheel and ring) resulted in 40% higher pressure drops due to the tortuous flow path. However, the shape with internal void provided access for the reactant to reach the internal part of catalyst, resulting in higher yield produced per volume of catalyst. The wagon wheel shape produced 15% and 5% more yield per volume against the cylindrical shape and trilobe, respectively. The performance of the wagon wheel can be attributed to the lower diffusion limitation due to higher surface area available for reactant to penetrate the internal part of the catalyst.
Decolorization of anthraquinone dye by Brevibacillus laterosporus R81 via polysaccharides excreted
Authors: Zhang Yanzhou , Tang Xingyao , Wu Limeng , Shen Min , Kang Yijun 
Published: April 2024

AbstractThe aim of this research was to assess the efficacy of different microbial strains in the decolorization of anthraquinone dyes. Strain R81 was obtained from a textile company's wastewater discharge for its remarkable ability to decolorize reactive blue 19 (RB19). By employing physiological and biochemical analyses, along with 16S rRNA gene sequencing, strain R81 was determined to be Brevibacillus laterosporus. After optimization, the decolorization rate achieved a peak of 86.24% over a 48‐h timeframe, utilizing an initial dye concentration of 100 mg L–1. The decolorization capacity of strain R81 was observed to be impeded by heightened levels of salt and temperature in culture solutions, yet remained unaltered when R81 cells were directly introduced into dye solutions. Furthermore, cells that were induced through prior cultivation in a medium containing RB19 demonstrated enhanced efficacy in decolorization compared to noninduced cells. Subsequent analysis indicated that the development of biofilms and the synthesis of polysaccharides by strain R81 were augmented in a concentration‐dependent fashion by RB19. Nevertheless, the decolorization efficacy of R81 was impeded by the existence of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), both of which possess the capacity to eliminate polysaccharides. The decolorization capabilities were reinstated by the SDS or CTAB eluent containing polysaccharides, suggesting a reliance on the presence of polysaccharides. The employment of stepwise diethylaminoethyl (DEAE)‐cellulose chromatography and decolorization experiments elucidated the importance of a specific polysaccharide in the decolorization process. This study proposes a bacteria‐derived polysaccharide as a promising remedy for treating dyeing wastewater contaminated with anthraquinones.
Developing a Novel Enzalutamide‐Resistant Prostate Cancer Model via AR F877L Mutation in LNCaP Cells
Authors: Wang Ruifeng , Ma Shuhua , Xu Nengwei , Gan Yumiao , Li Pengya , Zhang Jingying , Zhang Zhixiang , Gu Qingyang , Xiang Jian 
Published: April 2024

AbstractProstate cancer is a leading diagnosis and major cause of cancer‐related deaths in men worldwide. As a typical hormone‐responsive disease, prostate cancer is commonly managed with androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) to curb its progression and potential metastasis. Unfortunately, progression to castration‐resistant prostate cancer (CRPC), a notably more aggressive phase of the disease, occurs within a timeframe of 2‐3 years following ADT. Enzalutamide, a recognized androgen receptor (AR) antagonist, has been employed as a standard of care for men with metastatic castration‐resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) since it was first approved in 2012, due to its ability to prolong survival. However, scientific evidence suggests that sustained treatment with AR antagonists may induce acquired AR mutations or splice variants, such as AR F877L, T878A, and H875Y, leading to drug resistance and thereby diminishing the therapeutic efficacy of these agents. Thus, the establishment of prostate cancer models incorporating these particular mutations is essential for developing new therapeutic strategies to overcome such resistance and evaluate the efficacy of next‐generation AR‐targeting drugs. We have developed a CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats)‐based knock‐in technology to introduce an additional F877L mutation in AR into the human prostate cell line LNCaP. This article provides comprehensive descriptions of the methodologies for cellular gene editing and establishment of an in vivo model. Using these methods, we successfully identified an enzalutamide‐resistant phenotype in both in vitro and in vivo models. We also assessed the efficacy of target protein degraders (TPDs), such as ARV‐110 and ARV‐667, in both models, and the corresponding validation data are also included here. © 2024 Wiley Periodicals LLC.Basic Protocol 1: Generation of AR F877L‐mutated LNCaP cell line using CRISPR technologyBasic Protocol 2: Validation of drug resistance in AR F877L‐mutated LNCaP cell line using the 2D CTG assaySupport Protocol: Testing of sgRNA efficiency in HEK 293 cellsBasic Protocol 3: Validation of drug resistance in AR F877L‐mutated LNCaP cell line in vivo
The impact of ISO 45001 on firms' performance: An empirical analysis
Authors: Podrecca Matteo , Molinaro Margherita , Sartor Marco , Orzes Guido 
Published: April 2024

AbstractThe aim of this study is to shed light on the relationship between ISO 45001 adoption and firm performance. To explore the issue, we conduct an event study and a weighted least squares regression on a dataset of 157 publicly listed companies – operating in various countries and sectors – that have given public announcement of the attainment of the ISO 45001 certification. The results show that, when compared to non‐adopters, ISO 45001‐certified companies display better performance in terms of productivity and profitability, while no significant differences emerge for sales. The effects of ISO 45001 adoption are significantly influenced by industry‐ and company‐related contextual factors. The study contributes to the academic literature by developing the first large‐scale empirical investigation on the performance implications of ISO 45001. Furthermore, it informs managers that by ensuring healthy and safe workplaces companies can also achieve higher financial performance.
Triazine‐Carbazole‐Based Covalent Organic Frameworks as Efficient Heterogeneous Photocatalysts for the Oxidation of N‐aryltetrahydroisoquinolines
Authors: Wang Wen , Meng Fanyu , Bai Yuhongxu , Lu Yongchao , Yang Qingru , Feng Jing , Su Qing , Ren Hao , Wu Qiaolin 
Published: April 2024

AbstractCovalent organic frameworks (COFs) have attracted growing interests as new material platform for a range of applications. In this study, a triazine‐carbazole‐based covalent organic framework (COF‐TCZ) was designed as highly porous material with conjugated donor‐acceptor networks, and feasibly synthesized by the Schiff condensation of 4,4′,4′′‐(1,3,5‐triazine‐2,4,6‐triyl)tr ianiline (TAPB) and 9‐(4‐formylphenyl)‐9H‐carbazole‐3,6‐dicarbaldehyde (CZTA) under the solvothermal condition. Considering the effect of linkage, the imine‐linked COF‐TCZ was further oxidized to obtain an amide‐linked covalent organic framework (COF‐TCZ‐O). The as‐synthesized COFs show high crystallinity, good thermal and chemical stability, and excellent photoactive properties. Two π‐conjugated triazine‐carbazole‐based COFs with tunable linkages are beneficial for light‐harvesting capacity and charge separation efficiency, which are empolyed as photocatalysts for the oxidation reaction of N‐aryltetrahydroisoquinoline. The COFs catalyst systems exhibit the outstanding photocatalytic performance with high conversion, photostability and recyclability. Photoelectrochemical tests were employed to examine the behavior of photogenerated charge carriers in photo‐illumination system. The control experiments provide further insights into the nature of photocatalysis. In addition, the current research also provided a valuable approach for developing photofunctional COFs to meet challenge in achieving the great potential of COFs materials in organic conversion.
Phosphotungstic Acid Clusters Decorated Znln2S4 Nanoflowers as Molecular‐Scale S‐Scheme Heterojunctions for Simultaneous H2 Evolution and Benzyl Alcohol Upgrading
Authors: Wang Weikang , Mei Shaobin , Khan Shahid , Hu Yujue , Sun Lijuan , Qaiser Muhammad Adnan , Zhu Chengzhang , Wang Lele , Liu Qinqin 
Published: April 2024

AbstractSimultaneous utilization of photogenerated electrons and holes to achieve overall redox reactions is attractive but still far from practical application. The emerging step (S)‐scheme mechanism has proven to be an ideal approach to inhibit charge recombination and supply photoinduced charges with highest redox potentials. Herein, a hierarchical phosphotungstic acid (H3PW12O40, HPW)@Znln2S4 (ZISW) heterojunction was prepared through one‐pot hydrothermal method for simultaneous hydrogen (H2) evolution and benzyl alcohol upgrading. The fabricated HPW‐based heterojunctions indicated much enhanced visible‐light absorption, promoted photogenerated charge transfer and inhibited charge recombination, owing to hierarchical architecture based on visible‐light responsive Znln2S4 microspheres, and S‐scheme charge transfer pathway. The S‐scheme mechanism was further verified by free‐radical trapping electron spin resonance (ESR) spectra. Moreover, the wettability of composite heterojunction was improved by the modification of hydrophilic HPW, contributing to gaining active hydrogen (H+) from water sustainably. The optimal ZISW‐30 heterojunction photocatalyst indicated an enhanced hydrogen evolution rate of 27.59 mmol g−1 h−1 in benzyl alcohol (10 vol. %) solution under full‐spectrum irradiation, along with highest benzaldehyde production rate is 8.32 mmol g−1 h−1. This work provides a promising guideline for incorporating HPW into S‐scheme heterojunctions to achieve efficient overall redox reactions.
Insights from a 31‐year study demonstrate an inverse correlation between recreational activities and red deer fecundity, with bodyweight as a mediator
Authors: Weterings Martijn J. A. , Ebbinge Estella Y. C. , Strijker Beau N. , Spek Gerrit‐Jan , Kuipers Henry J. 
Published: April 2024

AbstractHuman activity is omnipresent in our landscapes. Animals can perceive risk from humans similar to predation risk, which could affect their fitness. We assessed the influence of the relative intensity of recreational activities on the bodyweight and pregnancy rates of red deer (Cervus elaphus) between 1985 and 2015. We hypothesized that stress, as a result of recreational activities, affects the pregnancy rates of red deer directly and indirectly via a reduction in bodyweight. Furthermore, we expected non‐motorized recreational activities to have a larger negative effect on both bodyweight and fecundity, compared to motorized recreational activities. The intensity of recreational activities was recorded through visual observations. We obtained pregnancy data from female red deer that were shot during the regular hunting season. Additionally, age and bodyweight were determined through a post‐mortem examination. We used two Generalized‐Linear‐Mixed Models (GLMM) to test the effect of different types of recreation on (1) pregnancy rates and (2) bodyweight of red deer. Recreation had a direct negative correlation with the fecundity of red deer, with bodyweight, as a mediator as expected. Besides, we found a negative effect of non‐motorized recreation on fecundity and bodyweight and no significant effect of motorized recreation. Our results support the concept of humans as an important stressor affecting wild animal populations at a population level and plead to regulate recreational activities in protected areas that are sensitive. The fear humans induce in large‐bodied herbivores and its consequences for fitness may have strong implications for animal populations.
Cloning, characterization, and evolutionary patterns of KCNQ4 genes in anurans
Authors: Guo Yang , Zhu Yanjun , Shen Shiyuan , Lu Ningning , Zhang Jie , Chen Xiaohong , Chen Zhuo 
Published: April 2024

AbstractAcoustic communication plays important roles in the survival and reproduction of anurans. The perception and discrimination of conspecific sound signals of anurans were always affected by masking background noise. Previous studies suggested that some frogs evolved the high‐frequency hearing to minimize the low‐frequency noise. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the high‐frequency hearing in anurans have not been well explored. Here, we cloned and obtained the coding regions of a high‐frequency hearing‐related gene (KCNQ4) from 11 representative anuran species and compared them with orthologous sequences from other four anurans. The sequence characteristics and evolutionary analyses suggested the highly conservation of the KCNQ4 gene in anurans, which supported their functional importance. Branch‐specific analysis showed that KCNQ4 genes were under different evolutionary forces in anurans and most anuran lineages showed a generally strong purifying selection. Intriguingly, one significantly positively selected site was identified in the anuran KCNQ4 gene based on FEL model. Positive selection was also found along the common ancestor of Ranidae and Rhacophoridae as well as the ancestral O. tianmuii based on the branch‐site analysis, and the positively selected sites identified were involved in or near the N‐terminal ion transport and the potassium ion channel functional domain of the KCNQ4 genes. The present study revealed valuable information regarding the KCNQ4 genes in anurans and provided some new insights for the underpinnings of the high‐frequency hearing in frogs.
Insights into the evolution of herbivory from a leaf‐mining fly
Authors: Aguilar Jessica M. , Gloss Andrew D. , Suzuki Hiromu C. , Verster Kirsten I. , Singhal Malvika , Hoff Jordan , Grebenok Robert , Nabity Paul D. , Behmer Spencer T. , Whiteman Noah K. 
Published: April 2024

AbstractHerbivorous insects and their host plants comprise most known species on Earth. Illuminating how herbivory repeatedly evolved in insects from nonherbivorous lineages is critical to understanding how this biodiversity is created and maintained. We characterized the trophic niche of Scaptomyza flava, a representative of a lineage nested within the Drosophila that transitioned to herbivory ~10–15 million years ago. We used natural history studies to determine whether S. flava is a true herbivore or a cryptic microbe‐feeder, given that the ancestral character state for the family Drosophilidae is likely microbe‐feeding. Specifically, we quantified oviposition substrate choice and larval viability across food types, trophic‐related morphological traits, and nitrogen isotope and sterol profiles across putatively herbivorous and nonherbivorous drosophilids. The results of these studies show that S. flava is an obligate herbivore of living plants. Paired with its genetic model host, Arabidopsis thaliana, S. flava is a novel and powerful system for exploring mechanisms underlying the evolution of herbivory, a complex trait that enabled the exceptional diversification of insects.
Higher trophic levels and species with poorer dispersal traits are more susceptible to habitat loss on island fragments
Authors: Wang Zhonghan , Chase Jonathan M. , Xu Wubing , Liu Jinliang , Wu Donghao , Zhang Aiying , Wang Jirui , Luo Yuanyuan , Yu Mingjian 
Published: April 2024

AbstractOngoing habitat loss and fragmentation caused by human activities represent one of the greatest causes of biodiversity loss. However, the effects of habitat loss and fragmentation are not felt equally among species. Here, we examined how habitat loss influenced the diversity and abundance of species from different trophic levels, with different traits, by taking advantage of an inadvertent experiment that created habitat islands from a once continuous forest via the creation of the Thousand Island Lake, a large reservoir in China. On 28 of these islands with more than a 9000‐fold difference in their area (0.12–1154 ha), we sampled plants, herbivorous insects, and predatory insects using effort‐controlled sampling and analyses. This allowed us to discern whether any observed differences in species diversity were due to passive sampling alone or to demographic effects that disproportionately influenced some species relative to others. We found that while most metrics of sampling effort‐controlled diversity increased with island area, the strength of the effect was exacerbated for species in higher trophic levels. When we more explicitly examined differences in species composition among islands, we found that the pairwise difference in species composition among islands was dominated by species turnover but that nestedness increased with differences in island area, indicating that some species are more likely to be absent from smaller islands. Furthermore, by examining trends of several dispersal‐related traits of species, we found that species with lower dispersal propensity tended to be those that were lost from smaller islands, which was observed for herbivorous and predatory insects. Our results emphasize the importance of incorporating within‐patch demographic effects, as well as the taxa and traits of species when understanding the influence of habitat loss on biodiversity.
Temporal associations of plasma levels of the secreted phospholipase A2 family and mortality in severe COVID‐19
Authors: Lu Eric , Hara Aki , Sun Shudong , Hallmark Brian , Snider Justin M. , Seeds Michael C. , Watkins Joseph C. , McCall Charles E. , Zhang Hao Helen , Yao Guang , Chilton Floyd H. 
Published: April 2024

AbstractPrevious research suggests that group IIA‐secreted phospholipase A2 (sPLA2‐IIA) plays a role in and predicts lethal COVID‐19 disease. The current study reanalyzed a longitudinal proteomic data set to determine the temporal relationship between levels of several members of a family of sPLA2 isoforms and the severity of COVID‐19 in 214 ICU patients. The levels of six secreted PLA2 isoforms, sPLA2‐IIA, sPLA2‐V, sPLA2‐X, sPLA2‐IB, sPLA2‐IIC, and sPLA2‐XVI, increased over the first 7 ICU days in those who succumbed to the disease but attenuated over the same time period in survivors. In contrast, a reversed pattern in sPLA2‐IID and sPLA2‐XIIB levels over 7 days suggests a protective role of these two isoforms. Furthermore, decision tree models demonstrated that sPLA2‐IIA outperformed top‐ranked cytokines and chemokines as a predictor of patient outcome. Taken together, proteomic analysis revealed temporal sPLA2 patterns that reflect the critical roles of sPLA2 isoforms in severe COVID‐19 disease.
The immunosuppressive drug cyclosporin A has an immunostimulatory function in CD8+ T cells
Authors: Wißfeld Jannis , Hering Marvin , ten Bosch Nora , Cui Guoliang 
Published: April 2024

AbstractCyclosporin A is a well‐established immunosuppressive drug used to treat or prevent graft‐versus‐host disease, the rejection of organ transplants, autoimmune disorders, and leukemia. It exerts its immunosuppressive effects by inhibiting calcineurin‐mediated dephosphorylation of the nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT), thus preventing its nuclear entry and suppressing T cell activation. Here we report an unexpected immunostimulatory effect of cyclosporin A in activating the mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1), a crucial metabolic hub required for T cell activation. Through screening a panel of tool compounds known to regulate mTORC1 activation, we found that cyclosporin A activated mTORC1 in CD8+ T cells in a 3‐phosphoinositide‐dependent protein kinase 1 (PDK1) and protein kinase B (PKB/AKT)‐dependent manner. Mechanistically, cyclosporin A inhibited the calcineurin‐mediated AKT dephosphorylation, thereby stabilizing mTORC1 signaling. Cyclosporin A synergized with mTORC1 pathway inhibitors, leading to potent suppression of proliferation and cytokine production in CD8+ T cells and an increase in the killing of acute T cell leukemia cells. Consequently, relying solely on CsA is insufficient to achieve optimal therapeutic outcomes. It is necessary to simultaneously target both the calcineurin‐NFAT pathway and the mTORC1 pathway to maximize therapeutic efficacy.
Contribution of olive endogenous enzymes activities on virgin olive oil phenolic profile
Authors: Hbaieb Rim Hachicha , Kotti Faten , Gargouri Mohamed 
Published: April 2024

AbstractVirgin olive oil (VOO) quality has been essentially correlated to its minor component contents, mainly phenolic compounds. Nevertheless, the content and composition of these compounds could be affected by several factors, among them the composition and biochemical properties of olive fruits, principally olive endogenous enzyme activities. Otherwise, the activities of these enzymes could be influenced by numerous factors, such as olive cultivars, ripening degree, olive storage conditions, and VOO extraction process. Thus, the objective of this review article is the focus on the key variation of olive endogenous enzyme activities according to these factors and their eventual contribution to the VOO phenolic profile.
Low‐ and moderate‐intensity aerobic exercise improves the physiological acclimatization of lowlanders on the Tibetan plateau
Authors: Su Rui , Han Chenxiao , Chen Guiquan , Li Hao , Liu Wanying , Wang Chengzhi , Zhang Wenrui , Zhang Yuming , Zhang Delong , Ma Hailin 
Published: April 2024

AbstractThis study investigates whether exercise as a strategy for improving physical fitness at sea level also offers comparable benefits in the unique context of high altitudes (HA), considering the physiological challenges of hypoxic conditions. Overall, 121 lowlanders who had lived on the Tibetan Plateau for >2 years and were still living at HA during the measurements were randomly classified into four groups. Each individual of the low‐intensity (LI), moderate‐intensity (MI), and high‐intensity (HI) groups performed 20 sessions of aerobic exercise at HA (3680 m) over 4 weeks, while the control group (CG) did not undergo any intervention. Physiological responses before and after the intervention were observed. The LI and MI groups experienced significant improvement in cardiopulmonary fitness (0.27 and 0.35 L/min increases in peak oxygen uptake [O2peak], both p < 0.05) after exercise intervention, while the hematocrit (HCT) remained unchanged (p > 0.05). However, HI exercise was less efficient for cardiopulmonary fitness of lowlanders (0.02 L/min decrease in O2peak, p > 0.05), whereas both the HCT (1.74 %, p < 0.001) and glomerular filtration rate (18.41 mL/min, p < 0.001) increased with HI intervention. Therefore, LI and MI aerobic exercise, rather than HI, can help lowlanders in Tibet become more acclimated to the HA by increasing cardiopulmonary function and counteracting erythrocytosis.