bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Accelerated mineralization of textile wastewater under 222 nm irradiation from Kr/Cl2 excilamp: an environmentally friendly and energy efficient approach
Authors: Ahlawat Kiran , Jangra Ramavtar , Prakash Ram 
Published: May 2024

AbstractThe textile dyeing and manufacturing industry is the major producer of significant amounts of wastewater that contain persistent substances such as azo dyes that require adequate remediation measures. Far ultraviolet at 222 nm light may provide an advantage for contaminants degradation as compared to conventional UV sources (254 nm). In this paper, the degradation of reactive black 5 (RB5) in artificial wastewater has been performed using a 222 nm Kr/Cl2 excimer source under direct photolysis and an advanced oxidation process using TiO2/H2O2. The solution pH, catalyst concentration, 222 nm intensity, initial concentration of dye, and addition of H2O2 influence the degradation rate constant. The molar absorption coefficient, quantum yield of RB5 at 222 nm and the electrical energy per order (EEO) from different treatment methods have been reported. RB5 shows 1.26 times higher molar absorption at 222 nm than at 254 nm. The EEO for excimer-222/H2O2 ($$\sim$$
∼
13 kWh/m3) is five times lower than that of the excimer-222/TiO2 process, which makes the process energy efficient. The degradation of wastewater has been carried out at three distinct pH values (2, 6, and 10), and the pH level of 10 exhibited the highest degree of degradation. The degradation rate in the alkaline medium is 8.27 and 2.05 times higher than in the acidic or ambient medium. Since textile effluent is highly alkaline, this result is significant, as no neutralization of the wastewater is required, and direct treatment is possible. A possible degradation pathway has been established based on Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and high resolution mass spectroscopy (HRMS) analysis. The phytotoxicity of the treated wastewater has also been evaluated for its suitability for reuse in agriculture. The study reveals that the excimer-222/H2O2 treated wastewater significantly enhanced the germination percentage of Raphanus sativus seed (97%) compared to dye wastewater-grown seeds (75%). This work offers crucial information for future studies on the direct and indirect photolysis of azo dyes, as well as insight into the process of RB5 degradation under Kr/Cl2 excimer radiation.
Leveraging the fundamentals of heat transfer and fluid mechanics in microscale geometries for automated next-generation sequencing library preparation
Authors: Ott Olivia , Tolppi Sabrina , Figueroa-Cruz Jennifer , Myagmar Khaliun , Unurbuyan Khulan , Tripathi Anubhav 
Published: May 2024

AbstractNext-generation sequencing (NGS) is emerging as a powerful tool for molecular diagnostics but remains limited by cumbersome and inefficient sample preparation. We present an innovative automated NGS library preparation system with a simplified mechanical design that exploits both macro- and microfluidic properties for optimizing heat transfer, reaction kinetics, mass transfer, fluid mechanics, adsorption–desorption rates, and molecular thermodynamics. Our approach introduces a unique two-cannula cylindrical capillary system connected to a programmable syringe pump and a Peltier heating element able to execute all steps with high efficiency. Automatic reagent movement, mixing, and magnetic bead-based washing with capillary-based thermal cycling (capillary-PCR) are completely integrated into a single platform. The manual 3-h library preparation process is reduced to less than 15 min of hands-on time via optimally pre-plated reagent plates, followed by less than 6 h of instrument run time during which no user interaction is required. We applied this method to two library preparation assays with different DNA fragmentation requirements (mechanical vs. enzymatic fragmentation), sufficiently limiting consumable use to one cartridge and one 384 well-plate per run. Our platform successfully prepared eight libraries in parallel, generating sequencing data for both human and Escherichia coli DNA libraries with negligible coverage bias compared to positive controls. All sequencing data from our libraries attained Phred (Q) scores > 30, mapping to reference genomes at 99% confidence. The method achieved final library concentrations and size distributions comparable with the conventional manual approach, demonstrating compatibility with downstream sequencing and subsequent data analysis. Our engineering design offers repeatability and consistency in the quality of sequence-able libraries, asserting the importance of mechanical design considerations that employ and optimize fundamental fluid mechanics and heat transfer properties. Furthermore in this work, we provide unique insights into the mechanisms of sample loss within NGS library preparation assays compared with automated adaptations and pinpoint areas in which the principles of thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and heat transfer can improve future mechanical design iterations.
No man’s land support the endemic Red Sea ghost crab (Ocypode saratan) in the Gulf of Eilat
Authors: Yosef Reuven , Elharar Royi , Kosicki Jakub Z. 
Published: May 2024

AbstractTourism pressure on the Red Sea ecosystem have posed significant threats to numerous endemic species, including the Ghost Crab Ocypode saratan, which is exclusively found along a small stretch of beach in the Eilat/Aqaba Red Sea Gulf. Due to the limited understanding of their ecology, we investigated how tourism impacts the behavior of this species. Employing a natural setup, we compared burrow dimensions, pyramid structures, and density across three distinct beach sections subjected to varying levels of human interference. Access to a secluded beach, referred to as “No Man’s Land,” provided a crucial control for our study. This facilitated a comparative analysis of ghost crab activity among beaches experiencing differing levels of human disturbances: (1) a tourist beach characterized by continual high disturbance, (2) a naval beach subject to moderate and sporadic disturbances, and (3) the isolated “no man’s land” beach devoid of human presence. Our observations revealed notable differences in ghost crab density among the three beaches. Furthermore, we observed that on the secluded beach, larger individuals tended to establish burrows farther from the waterline and construct taller sand pyramids. Given the significance of sexual selection processes, their conservation becomes imperative for the survival and potential expansion of the ghost crab population across the Gulf of Eilat/Aqaba. We propose a straight-forward and cost-effective strategy: the designation of short, secluded beach enclaves along this gulf. We believe that this approach will mitigate adverse impacts of tourisms while simultaneously benefiting various sandy beach species.
CILP2 is a potential biomarker for the prediction and therapeutic target of peritoneal metastases in colorectal cancer
Authors: Ha Ye Jin , Park Seong-Hwan , Tak Ka Hee , Lee Jong Lyul , Kim Chan Wook , Kim Jeong-Hwan , Kim Seon-Young , Kim Seon-Kyu , Yoon Yong Sik 
Published: May 2024

AbstractPeritoneal metastases (PM) in colorectal cancer (CRC) is associated with a dismal prognosis. Identifying and exploiting new biomarkers, signatures, and molecular targets for personalised interventions in the treatment of PM in CRC is imperative. We conducted transcriptomic profiling using RNA-seq data generated from the primary tissues of 19 CRC patients with PM. Using our dataset established in a previous study, we identified 1422 differentially expressed genes compared to non-metastatic CRC. The profiling demonstrated no differential expression in liver and lung metastatic CRC. We selected 12 genes based on stringent criteria and evaluated their expression patterns in a validation cohort of 32 PM patients and 84 without PM using real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. We selected cartilage intermediate layer protein 2 (CILP2) because of high mRNA expression in PM patients in our validation cohort and its association with a poor prognosis in The Cancer Genome Atlas. Kaplan–Meier survival analysis in our validation cohort demonstrated that CRC patients with high CILP2 expression had significantly poor survival outcomes. Knockdown of CILP2 significantly reduced the proliferation, colony-forming ability, invasiveness, and migratory capacity and downregulated the expression of molecules related to epithelial-mesenchymal transition in HCT116 cells. In an in vivo peritoneal dissemination mouse knockdown of CILP2 also inhibited CRC growth. Therefore, CILP2 is a promising biomarker for the prediction and treatment of PM in CRC.
Investigating the efficacy of purified tannin extracts from underutilized temperate forages in reducing enteric methane emissions in vitro
Authors: Verma S. , Akpensuen T. T. , Wolffram S. , Salminen J.-P. , Taube F. , Blank R. , Kluß C. , Malisch C. S. 
Published: May 2024

AbstractThe study investigated how the concentration and composition of purified tannin extracts, at various inclusion rates, affect the ruminal in vitro fermentation parameters. Tannin extracts were isolated from four different forage species: birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus), sulla (Hedysarum coronarium), big trefoil (Lotus pedunculatus), and salad burnet (Sanguisorba minor). Plants extracts were purified by Sephadex LH-20 gel chromatography and analyzed by UPLC–ESI–MS/MS. The results showed a large variation among the extracts from different species in terms of tannin composition and structural features. The extracts from salad burnet were dominated by hydrolysable tannins, comprising mainly ellagitannins. The extracts derived from sulla and big trefoil contained predominantly proanthocyanidins (PA), primarily composed of prodelphinidins with high mean degree of polymerisation (mDP). Birdsfoot trefoil extracts comprised procyanidin-rich PAs with low mDP. To determine whether the combined presence of tannins and flavonoid together lead to synergistic or antagonistic effects, the tannin extracts were incubated both with or without rutin at concentrations of 10, 20, and 30 g/kg DM, using a base substrate of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne, control). In general, all the tannin extracts decreased methane (CH4) production compared to the control, while no significant effect of rutin was observed on both gas (GP) and CH4 production, neither pure, nor in the simultaneous presence of tannins. The highest CH4 reduction (15%, at 30 g/kg DM) was observed from sulla and big trefoil extracts compared to control, but this was also supplemented with a concomitant reduction in GP (11%) indicating a reduction in feed digestibility. The extracts from birdsfoot trefoil and salad burnet reduced CH4 by up to 12% without significantly reducing GP, indicating the importance of tannin composition on ruminal fermentation.
An ethologically relevant paradigm to assess defensive response to looming visual contrast stimuli
Authors: Calanni Juan S. , Aranda Marcos L. , Dieguez Hernán H. , Dorfman Damian , Schmidt Tiffany M. , Rosenstein Ruth E. 
Published: May 2024

AbstractIn the animal kingdom, threat information is perceived mainly through vision. The subcortical visual pathway plays a critical role in the rapid processing of visual information-induced fear, and triggers a response. Looming-evoked behavior in rodents, mimicking response to aerial predators, allowed identify the neural circuitry underlying instinctive defensive behaviors; however, the influence of disk/background contrast on the looming-induced behavioral response has not been examined, either in rats or mice. We studied the influence of the dark disk/gray background contrast in the type of rat and mouse defensive behavior in the looming arena, and we showed that rat and mouse response as a function of disk/background contrast adjusted to a sigmoid-like relationship. Both sex and age biased the contrast-dependent response, which was dampened in rats submitted to retinal unilateral or bilateral ischemia. Moreover, using genetically manipulated mice, we showed that the three type of photoresponsive retinal cells (i.e., cones, rods, and intrinsically photoresponsive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs)), participate in the contrast-dependent response, following this hierarchy: cones > > rods > >  > ipRGCs. The cone and rod involvement was confirmed using a mouse model of unilateral non-exudative age-related macular degeneration, which only damages canonical photoreceptors and significantly decreased the contrast sensitivity in the looming arena.
Consumption of interesterified palm oil leads inflammation of white adipose tissue and triggers metabolic disturbances in mice on a high-fat diet
Authors: Martins Bruna Cadete , da Silva Ribeiro Mayara , Teixeira Ananda Vitoria Silva , Peixoto Thamara Cherem , Lisboa Patrícia Cristina , Martins Fabiane Ferreira , Souza-Mello Vanessa , Daleprane Julio Beltrame 
Published: May 2024

AbstractGrowing obesity is linked to shifts in dietary patterns, particularly the increased intake of ultra-processed high-fat foods. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of interesterified palm oil consumption on glucose homeostasis, adipose tissue remodeling, and hepatic lipogenesis in C57BL/6 mice fed a high-fat diet. Sixty C57BL/6 mice were divided into four groups (n = 15): the control group (C) fed a standard diet (4% soybean oil), the high-fat group (HF) (23.8% lard), the high palm oil fat group (HFP) (23.8% palm oil), and the high interesterified palm fat group (HFI) (23.8% interesterified palm oil) for 8 weeks (all groups received 50% energy from lipids). The HFI group exhibited higher body mass than the HF group (+ 11%, P < 0.05), which was attributed to an increased percentage of fat mass. Plasma concentrations of IL-6, insulin, and HOMA-IR were also elevated in the HFI group. Both the HFP and HFI groups showed hypertrophied adipocytes and pancreatic islets, increased alpha and beta cell masses, hepatic steatosis, low expression of genes related to beta-oxidation, and upregulated lipogenesis. In conclusion, the consumption of interesterified palm oil alters inflammatory and glucose profiles.
The impact mechanism of telework on job performance: a cross-level moderation model of digital leadership
Authors: Liao Meihui , Li Shiyuan , Liu Hongda 
Published: May 2024

AbstractTraditional enterprise management believes that telecommuting activities are out of the enterprise's control, which may reduce staff performance. We use the extension of job demand-resource theory and work embeddedness theory to develop and test the intermediary mechanism of embedded in and out of work in telework. Moreover, it judges the mediating effect of job embeddedness on telecommuting → job performance. With the help of family conflict theory, we have revealed the possible performance changes in telework and the impact of family on telework. We predict embedding outside of work may reduce job performance. However, this worry will not happen under the adjustment of digital leadership and job insecurity. We collected survey data from 36 enterprise teams and 328 members. We have confirmed that work performance will not be reduced by telecommuting. Digital leadership magnifies the embedding of telecommuting resources into employees’ work to a certain extent and inhibits the embedding problem outside work caused by telecommuting requirements. The telecommuting requirement may become a positive factor for employees staying home and avoiding workplace conflicts. We confirmed the inhibitory effect of job embeddedness on turnover rate and expanded the antecedent model of job embeddedness theory.
Design of osteosynthesis plate for detecting bone union using wire natural frequency
Authors: Chancharoen Pisitpong , Tangpornprasert Pairat , Amarase Chavarin , Tantavisut Saran , Virulsri Chanyaphan 
Published: May 2024

AbstractWe have developed a novel osteosynthesis plate with bone union detection using a wire's natural frequency (BUDWF) to provide the quantitative result of bone union detection. The concept for detecting bone union is measuring the rate of frequency change. The frequency is measured from sound generated from the wire attached to a modified plate. The plate is modified from a Syncera ADLER B0409.10 and attached with 0.3 mm diameter 316L stainless steel wire. The sound generation mechanism was created by PEEK and installed on the plate to generate the sound. The preliminary experiments were conducted on a Sawbones tibia composite mimic. We used the cut Sawbones to create fracture samples with a 0, 0.5, 1-, 2-, and 5-mm gap representing the fractured bone with different gap sizes and prepared uncut Sawbones as a union sample. These samples were tested five times, and the sound was recorded from a condenser microphone and analyzed. We found that the BUDWF can differentiate samples with a fracture gap above 2 mm from the union sample, as the differences in the rates of frequency change between samples with a fracture gap above 2 mm and union samples were statistically significant. However, there was a limitation that the BUDWF plate was still unable to differentiate the 0 mm fracture gap and the union sample in this study.
Mediator kinase inhibition impedes transcriptional plasticity and prevents resistance to ERK/MAPK-targeted therapy in KRAS-mutant cancers
Authors: Nussbaum Daniel P. , Martz Colin A. , Waters Andrew M. , Barrera Alejandro , Liu Annie , Rutter Justine C. , Cerda-Smith Christian G. , Stewart Amy E. , Wu Chao , Cakir Merve , Levandowski Cecilia B. , Kantrowitz David E. , McCall Shannon J. , Pierobon Mariaelena , Petricoin Emanuel F. , Joshua Smith J. , Reddy Timothy E. , Der Channing J. , Taatjes Dylan J. , Wood Kris C. 
Published: May 2024

AbstractAcquired resistance remains a major challenge for therapies targeting oncogene activated pathways. KRAS is the most frequently mutated oncogene in human cancers, yet strategies targeting its downstream signaling kinases have failed to produce durable treatment responses. Here, we developed multiple models of acquired resistance to dual-mechanism ERK/MAPK inhibitors across KRAS-mutant pancreatic, colorectal, and lung cancers, and then probed the long-term events enabling survival against this class of drugs. These studies revealed that resistance emerges secondary to large-scale transcriptional adaptations that are diverse and cell line-specific. Transcriptional reprogramming extends beyond the well-established early response, and instead represents a dynamic, evolved process that is refined to attain a stably resistant phenotype. Mechanistic and translational studies reveal that resistance to dual-mechanism ERK/MAPK inhibition is broadly susceptible to manipulation of the epigenetic machinery, and that Mediator kinase, in particular, can be co-targeted at a bottleneck point to prevent diverse, cell line-specific resistance programs.
Reducing the fatal attraction of nocturnal insects using tailored and shielded road lights
Authors: Dietenberger Manuel , Jechow Andreas , Kalinkat Gregor , Schroer Sibylle , Saathoff Birte , Hölker Franz 
Published: May 2024

AbstractThe attraction of insects to artificial light is a global environmental problem with far-reaching implications for ecosystems. Since light pollution is rarely integrated into conservation approaches, effective mitigation strategies towards environmentally friendly lighting that drastically reduce insect attraction are urgently needed. Here, we tested novel luminaires in two experiments (i) at a controlled experimental field site and (ii) on streets within three municipalities. The luminaires are individually tailored to only emit light onto the target area and to reduce spill light. In addition, a customized shielding renders the light source nearly invisible beyond the lit area. We show that these novel luminaires significantly reduce the attraction effect on flying insects compared to different conventional luminaires with the same illuminance on the ground. This underlines the huge potential of spatially optimized lighting to help to bend the curve of global insect decline without compromising human safety aspects. A customized light distribution should therefore be part of sustainable future lighting concepts, most relevant in the vicinity of protected areas.
Resource theory of imaginarity in distributed scenarios
Authors: Wu Kang-Da , Kondra Tulja Varun , Scandolo Carlo Maria , Rana Swapan , Xiang Guo-Yong , Li Chuan-Feng , Guo Guang-Can , Streltsov Alexander 
Published: May 2024

AbstractThe resource theory of imaginarity studies the operational value of imaginary parts in quantum states, operations, and measurements. Here we introduce and study the distillation and conversion of imaginarity in distributed scenario. This arises naturally in bipartite systems where both parties work together to generate the maximum possible imaginarity on one of the subsystems. We give exact solutions to this problem for general qubit states and pure states of arbitrary dimension. We present a scenario that demonstrates the operational advantage of imaginarity: the discrimination of quantum channels without the aid of an ancillary system. We then link this scenario to local operations and classical communications(LOCC) discrimination of bipartite states. We experimentally demonstrate the relevant assisted distillation protocol, and show the usefulness of imaginarity in the aforementioned two tasks.
Precise control balances epidemic mitigation and economic growth
Authors: Wang Yiheng , Zheng Guanjie , Jin Hexi , Sun Yi , Wu Kan , Fang Jie 
Published: May 2024

AbstractThe outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in 2019 has profoundly affected public health and the global economy. Policymakers face the challenge of evolving virus mutations and one key measure involves the use of Health Code to classify the public and enforce quarantine policies. Despite widespread adoption, its effectiveness in mitigating the epidemic is not well understood. Here, we proposed an infection component model to assess the Health Code’s effectiveness. We found that “Precise control” using Health Code can strike a balance between economic growth and public health, reducing 97% of deaths and improving 1% of GDP compared to “No control” or city shutdown policies. Moreover, its medical costs are only 43% of the latter. However, its effectiveness diminishes if the basic reproductive number ($${R}_{0}$$

R

0

) exceeds 16.5, indicating the end of this epidemic with “Precise control”. These findings have important implications for policymakers in developing effective strategies to combat the pandemic.
A shift in transitional forests of the North American boreal will persist through 2100
Authors: Montesano Paul M. , Frost Melanie , Li Jian , Carroll Mark , Neigh Christopher S. R. , Macander Matthew J. , Sexton Joseph O. , Frost Gerald V. 
Published: May 2024

AbstractHigh northern latitude changes with Arctic amplification across a latitudinal forest gradient suggest a shift towards an increased presence of trees and shrubs. The persistence of change may depend on the future scenarios of climate and on the current state, and site history, of forest structure. Here, we explore the persistence of a gradient-based shift in the boreal by connecting current forest patterns to recent tree cover trends and future modeled estimates of canopy height through 2100. Results show variation in the predicted potential height changes across the structural gradient from the boreal forest through the taiga-tundra ecotone. Positive potential changes in height are concentrated in transitional forests, where recent positive changes in cover prevail, while potential change in boreal forest is highly variable. Results are consistent across climate scenarios, revealing a persistent biome shift through 2100 in North America concentrated in transitional landscapes regardless of climate scenario.