bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Phenotypic plasticity in tropical butterflies is linked to climatic seasonality on a macroevolutionary scale
Authors: Halali Sridhar , Brakefield Paul M , Brattström Oskar 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Phenotypic plasticity can be adaptive in fluctuating environments by providing rapid environment–phenotype matching and this applies particularly in seasonal environments. African Bicyclus butterflies have repeatedly colonized seasonal savannahs from ancestral forests around the late Miocene, and many species now exhibit seasonal polyphenism. On a macroevolutionary scale, it can be expected that savannah species will exhibit higher plasticity because of experiencing stronger environmental seasonality than forest species. We quantified seasonality using environmental niche modeling and surveyed the degree of plasticity in a key wing pattern element (eyespot size) using museum specimens. We showed that species occurring in highly seasonal environments display strong plasticity, while species in less seasonal or aseasonal environments exhibit surprisingly variable degrees of plasticity, including strong to no plasticity. Furthermore, eyespot size plasticity has a moderate phylogenetic signal and the ancestral Bicyclus likely exhibited some degree of plasticity. We propose hypotheses to explain the range of plasticity patterns seen in less seasonal environments and generate testable predictions for the evolution of plasticity in Bicyclus. Our study provides one of the most compelling cases showing links between seasonality and phenotypic plasticity on a macroevolutionary scale and the potential role of plasticity in facilitating the colonization of novel environments.
Quantifying genome-specific carbon fixation in a 750-meter deep subsurface hydrothermal microbial community
Authors: Coskun Ömer K , Gomez-Saez Gonzalo V , Beren Murat , Özcan Doğacan , Günay Suna D , Elkin Viktor , Hoşgörmez Hakan , Einsiedl Florian , Eisenreich Wolfgang , Orsi William D 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Dissolved inorganic carbon has been hypothesized to stimulate microbial chemoautotrophic activity as a biological sink in the carbon cycle of deep subsurface environments. Here, we tested this hypothesis using quantitative DNA stable isotope probing of metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) at multiple 13C-labeled bicarbonate concentrations in hydrothermal fluids from a 750-m deep subsurface aquifer in the Biga Peninsula (Turkey). The diversity of microbial populations assimilating 13C-labeled bicarbonate was significantly different at higher bicarbonate concentrations, and could be linked to four separate carbon-fixation pathways encoded within 13C-labeled MAGs. Microbial populations encoding the Calvin–Benson–Bassham cycle had the highest contribution to carbon fixation across all bicarbonate concentrations tested, spanning 1–10 mM. However, out of all the active carbon-fixation pathways detected, MAGs affiliated with the phylum Aquificae encoding the reverse tricarboxylic acid (rTCA) pathway were the only microbial populations that exhibited an increased 13C-bicarbonate assimilation under increasing bicarbonate concentrations. Our study provides the first experimental data supporting predictions that increased bicarbonate concentrations may promote chemoautotrophy via the rTCA cycle and its biological sink for deep subsurface inorganic carbon.
Genomic insights into Spiroplasma endosymbionts that induce male-killing and protective phenotypes in the pea aphid
Authors: Arai Hiroshi , Legeai Fabrice , Kageyama Daisuke , Sugio Akiko , Simon Jean-Christophe 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
The endosymbiotic bacteria Spiroplasma (Mollicutes) infect diverse plants and arthropods, and some of which induce male killing, where male hosts are killed during development. Male-killing Spiroplasma strains belong to either the phylogenetically distant Citri-Poulsonii or Ixodetis groups. In Drosophila flies, Spiroplasma poulsonii induces male killing via the Spaid toxin. While Spiroplasma ixodetis infects a wide range of insects and arachnids, little is known about the genetic basis of S. ixodetis-induced male killing. Here, we analyzed the genome of S. ixodetis strains in the pea aphid Acyrthosiphon pisum (Aphididae, Hemiptera). Genome sequencing constructed a complete genome of a male-killing strain, sAp269, consisting of a 1.5 Mb circular chromosome and an 80 Kb plasmid. sAp269 encoded putative virulence factors containing either ankyrin repeat, ovarian tumor-like deubiquitinase, or ribosome inactivating protein domains, but lacked the Spaid toxin. Further comparative genomics of Spiroplasma strains in A. pisum biotypes adapted to different host plants revealed their phylogenetic associations and the diversity of putative virulence factors. Although the mechanisms of S. ixodetis-induced male killing in pea aphids remain elusive, this study underlines the dynamic genome evolution of S. ixodetis and proposes independent acquisition events of male-killing mechanisms in insects.
Nicotinic acid availability impacts redox cofactor metabolism in Saccharomyces cerevisiae during alcoholic fermentation
Authors: Duncan James D , Setati Mathabatha E , Divol Benoit 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Anaerobic alcoholic fermentation, particularly in high-sugar environments, presents metabolic challenges for yeasts. Crabtree-positive yeasts, including Saccharomyces cerevisiae, prefer fermentation even in the presence of oxygen. These yeasts rely on internal NAD+ recycling and extracellular assimilation of its precursor, nicotinic acid (vitamin B3), rather than de novo NAD+ production. Surprisingly, nicotinic acid assimilation is poorly characterized, even in S. cerevisiae. This study elucidated the timing of nicotinic acid uptake during grape juice-like fermentation and its impact on NAD(H) levels, the NAD+/NADH ratio, and metabolites produced. Complete uptake of extracellular nicotinic acid occurred premid-exponential phase, thereafter small amounts of vitamin B3 were exported back into the medium. Suboptimal levels of nicotinic acid were correlated with slower fermentation and reduced biomass, disrupting redox balance and impeding NAD+ regeneration, thereby affecting metabolite production. Metabolic outcomes varied with nicotinic acid concentrations, linking NAD+ availability to fermentation efficiency. A model was proposed encompassing rapid nicotinic acid uptake, accumulation during cell proliferation, and recycling with limited vitamin B3 export. This research enhances the understanding of nicotinic acid uptake dynamics during grape juice-like fermentation. These insights contribute to advancing yeast metabolism research and have profound implications for the enhancement of biotechnological practices and the wine-making industry.
Hydroboration
Authors: Thomas Susan E. 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
This chapter focuses on the characteristics of the hydroboration reaction. It begins with defining hydroboration as the addition of a boron-hydrogen bond to either the carbon-carbon double of an alkene or the carbon-carbon triple bond of an alkyne. The chapter reveals that the first examples of hydroboration were reported in 1956 from the laboratories of H.C Brown. The chapter then proceeds to show how the hydroboration reaction has found many applications in organic chemistry. It elaborates on the simplest boron hydride: borane. It then investigates how borane transforms a wide range of alkenes into trialkylboranes under mild conditions. Finally, the chapter reviews how the trifunctional nature of borane and its trialkylborane products imposes some limitations on its use. It then analyses the role of alkylboranes as hydroborating reagents and how it is used in asymmetric hydroboration.
Alkene synthesis (Peterson olefination)
Authors: Thomas Susan E. 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
This chapter highlights the key compounds in the application of organosicilicon chemistry to the synthesis of alkenes: β-hydroxysilanes. It describes the three methods of generating them starting with the addition of α-metallated silanes to carbonyl compounds. α-Metallated silanes may be generated in several ways including addition of organometallic nucleophiles to vinylsilanes, deprotonation of α to silicon, and metal-halogen exchange. The chapter then investigates another method of generating β-hydroxysilanes: the addition of dialkylcuprates to α, β-epoxysilanes. α, β-epoxysilanes are readily synthesized by epoxidation of vinyl silanes. They react with organocuprate reagents in a regiospecific manner to give β-hydroxysilanes. Finally, the chapter elaborates on the last method of generating β-hydroxysilanes: the addition of hydride sources or organometallic reagents to β-ketosilanes. It also considers the conversion of β-hydroxysilanes into alkenes and some examples of silicon-based alkene synthesis.
Leading the post-industrial revolution? Policy windows, issue linkage and decarbonization dynamics in the UK’s net-zero strategy (2010–2022)
Authors: Sovacool Benjamin K , Iskandarova Marfuga , Geels Frank W 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Industrial decarbonization and the net-zero climate strategy has arisen as one of the most important policy challenges of the modern era. But how do industrial decarbonization policy efforts link with other issues? The UK claims to be the first major economy in the world to posit a net-zero target. In this paper, drawn from an original qualitative dataset involving expert interviews (N = 46), site visits (N = 20), and a review of the literature, we explore ongoing policy windows and efforts to decarbonize both the Humber and Merseyside. These regions have aggressive implementation plans in place for the deployment of net-zero infrastructure, with Zero Carbon Humber and HyNet seeking billions of dollars of investment to build green and blue hydrogen facilities coupled with carbon storage networks. These two clusters are leading national net-zero ambitions, with actual, enforceable timetables to achieve decarbonization. Investigating the unfolding efforts being undertaken by these two regions to decarbonize industry offers insight into the “green gold rush” and nascent business opportunities in the so-called carbon economy, including large-scale investment of capital into the policies nominally designed to tackle climate change. Through the identification of 24 different issues linked to decarbonization, the paper also offers more conceptual depth into the interplay between policy windows and issue linkage, which coevolve and shape each other as net-zero ambitions solidify.
A proof-of-concept study: advantages of the subxiphoid over the lateral intercostal approach
Authors: He Gengxu , Yao Tong , Zhao Lei , Geng Hong , Ji Qiang , Zuo Kun , Luo Yuanzhi , Zhou Kai 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
The study was designed to evaluate the superiority of the subxiphoid approach compared with the lateral intercostal approach during the operation and other perioperative indices.

METHODS
Patients diagnosed with anterior mediastinal disease in our hospital between January 2018 and October 2019 were prospectively assigned to 2 groups; 1 group underwent the lateral intercostal approach and 1 group underwent the subxiphoid approach of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery to resect the diseased tissue. The PaCO2, SaO2, PaO2 and circulation changes were recorded during the operation; the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and other perioperative outcomes, including clinical and surgical results, operating time, blood loss, postoperative complication and postoperative pain score were compared.

RESULTS
A total of 59 patients diagnosed with an anterior mediastinal tumour or myasthenia gravis underwent a video-assisted thoracoscopic resection. Thirty-one patients were treated via the subxiphoid approach, and 28 patients were treated via the lateral intercostal approach. The PaCO2 increased significantly and the SaO2 remained stable in the subxiphoid group during the operation, whereas PaCO2 increased significantly and SaO2 decreased at the same time in the lateral intercostal group. Operations were more frequently interrupted for the hypoxia or circulation disturbance during the process of dissecting the thymus in the lateral intercostal approach. Compared with the lateral intercostal approach, patients treated via the subxiphoid approach experienced less inflammation and exhibited lower pain scores and shorter postoperative hospital stays. There were no significant differences in postoperative complications between the 2 groups. All of the patients recovered well when discharged.

CONCLUSIONS
Our study results suggested that the subxiphoid approach has less of an influence on the pulmonary circulation than the lateral intercostal approach, that the whole procedure is safer and easier and that the subxiphoid approach may be the ideal choice for patients with anterior mediastinal disease.
Clinical Severity of Enteric Viruses Detected Using a Quantitative Molecular Assay Compared With Conventional Assays in the Global Enteric Multicenter Study
Authors: Cates Jordan , Powell Helen , Platts-Mills James , Nasrin Dilruba , Panchalingam Sandra , Sow Samba O , Traore Awa , Sur Dipika , Ramamurthy Thandavarayan , Zaidi Anita K M , Kabir Furqan , Faruque Abu S G , Ahmed Dilruba , Breiman Robert F , Omore Richard , Ochieng John Benjamin , Hossain M Jahangir , Antonio Martin , Mandomando Inácio , Vubil Delfino , Nataro James P , Levine Myron M , Parashar Umesh D , Kotloff Karen L , Tate Jacqueline E 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Background
Quantitative molecular assays are increasingly used for detection of enteric viruses.

Methods
We compared the clinical severity using the modified Vesikari score (mVS) of enteric viruses detected by conventional assays (enzyme immunoassays [EIAs] for rotavirus and adenovirus 40/41 and conventional polymerase chain reaction for astrovirus, sapovirus, and norovirus) and a quantitative molecular assay (TaqMan Array Card [TAC]) among children aged 0–59 months in the Global Enteric Multicenter Study. For rotavirus and adenovirus 40/41, we compared severity between EIA-positive and TAC-positive cases assigned etiologies using different cycle threshold (Ct) cutoffs.

Results
Using conventional assays, the median mVS (interquartile range) was 10 (8–11) for rotavirus, 9 (7–11) for adenovirus 40/41, 8 (6–10) for astrovirus, sapovirus, and norovirus GII, and 7 (6–9) for norovirus GI. Compared with rotavirus EIA-positive cases, the median mVS was 2 and 3 points lower for EIA-negative/TAC-positive cases with Ct &lt;32.6 or Ct ≥32.6 and &lt;35, respectively (P &lt; .001). Adenovirus 40/41 EIA-positive and EIA-negative/TAC-positive cases were similar, regardless of Ct cutoff.

Conclusions
Quantitative molecular assays compared with conventional assays, such as EIA, may influence the severity of identified cases, especially for rotavirus. Cutoffs to assign etiology for quantitative assays should be considered in the design and interpretation of enteric virus studies.
A review of AppalachianDasycerusBrongniart and the recognition of cryptic diversity withinDasycerus carolinensis(Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Dasycerinae)
Authors: Caterino Michael S , Harden Curt W 
Published: April 2024

AbstractPrevious analyses have revealed deep divergences among populations of the relictual and enigmatic rove beetle, Dasycerus carolinensis Horn. New data from additional populations, molecular markers, and morphology unambiguously reveal this “species” to represent a complex of closely related species, distinguishable by characters of the male genitalia and corresponding closely to geographically coherent clades discovered by molecular analyses. Calibrated dating analyses show Appalachian Dasycerus to have been diverging in the region for more than 10 million years, yet largely respecting important biogeographic barriers in the region, such as the French Broad and Little Tennessee River drainages. In addition to discussing finer scale biogeographic patterns in the group, we formally recognize 9 new species from within what was formerly known as Dasycerus carolinensis: Dasycerus virginiensis sp. nov., Dasycerus tuckasegee sp. nov., Dasycerus pacolet sp. nov., Dasycerus chattooga sp. nov., Dasycerus itseyi sp. nov., Dasycerus unicoi sp. nov., Dasycerus nikwasi sp. nov., Dasycerus egwanulti sp. nov., and Dasycerus gadalutsi sp. nov. It was not, however, possible to assign all samples to one of these species, and specimens from some sparsely sampled outlying areas, northern Alabama and central Tennessee in particular, may represent additional species.
Two new clades recovered at high temperatures provide novel phylogenetic and genomic insights into Candidatus Accumulibacter
Authors: Xie Xiaojing , Deng Xuhan , Chen Jinling , Chen Liping , Yuan Jing , Chen Hang , Wei Chaohai , Liu Xianghui , Qiu Guanglei 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Candidatus Accumulibacter, a key genus of polyphosphate-accumulating organisms, plays key roles in lab- and full-scale enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR) systems. A total of 10 high-quality Ca. Accumulibacter genomes were recovered from EBPR systems operated at high temperatures, providing significantly updated phylogenetic and genomic insights into the Ca. Accumulibacter lineage. Among these genomes, clade IIF members SCELSE-3, SCELSE-4, and SCELSE-6 represent the to-date known genomes encoding a complete denitrification pathway, suggesting that Ca. Accumulibacter alone could achieve complete denitrification. Clade IIC members SSA1, SCUT-1, SCELCE-2, and SCELSE-8 lack the entire set of denitrifying genes, representing to-date known non-denitrifying Ca. Accumulibacter. A pan-genomic analysis with other Ca. Accumulibacter members suggested that all Ca. Accumulibacter likely has the potential to use dicarboxylic amino acids. Ca. Accumulibacter aalborgensis AALB and Ca. Accumulibacter affinis BAT3C720 seemed to be the only two members capable of using glucose for EBPR. A heat shock protein Hsp20 encoding gene was found exclusively in genomes recovered at high temperatures, which was absent in clades IA, IC, IG, IIA, IIB, IID, IIG, and II-I members. High transcription of this gene in clade IIC members SCUT-2 and SCUT-3 suggested its role in surviving high temperatures for Ca. Accumulibacter. Ambiguous clade identity was observed for newly recovered genomes (SCELSE-9 and SCELSE-10). Five machine learning models were developed using orthogroups as input features. Prediction results suggested that they belong to a new clade (IIK). The phylogeny of Ca. Accumulibacter was re-evaluated based on the laterally derived polyphosphokinase 2 gene, showing improved resolution in differentiating different clades.
Convergence effect during spatiotemporal succession of lacustrine plastisphere: loss of priority effects and turnover of microbial species
Authors: Zhang Weihong , Liang Shuxin , Grossart Hans-Peter , Christie-Oleza Joseph Alexander , Gadd Geoffrey Michael , Yang Yuyi 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Succession is a fundamental aspect of ecological theory, but studies on temporal succession trajectories and ecological driving mechanisms of plastisphere microbial communities across diverse colonization environments remain scarce and poorly understood. To fill this knowledge gap, we assessed the primary colonizers, succession trajectories, assembly, and turnover mechanisms of plastisphere prokaryotes and eukaryotes from four freshwater lakes. Our results show that differences in microbial composition similarity, temporal turnover rate, and assembly processes in the plastisphere do not exclusively occur at the kingdom level (prokaryotes and eukaryotes), but also depend on environmental conditions and colonization time. Thereby, the time of plastisphere colonization has a stronger impact on community composition and assembly of prokaryotes than eukaryotes, whereas for environmental conditions, the opposite pattern holds true. Across all lakes, deterministic processes shaped the assembly of the prokaryotes, but stochastic processes influenced that of the eukaryotes. Yet, they share similar assembly processes throughout the temporal succession: species turnover over time causes the loss of any priority effect, which leads to a convergent succession of plastisphere microbial communities. The increase and loss of microbial diversity in different kingdoms during succession in the plastisphere potentially impact the stability of entire microbial communities and related biogeochemical cycles. Therefore, research needs to integrate temporal dynamics along with spatial turnovers of the plastisphere microbiome. Taking the heterogeneity of global lakes and the diversity of global climate patterns into account, we highlight the urgency to investigate the spatiotemporal succession mechanism of plastisphere prokaryotes and eukaryotes in more lakes around the world.
The Shadow of Official Development Assistance: ODA, Corruption, and the Shadow Economy in Recipients
Authors: Moon Chungshik , Kim Youngwan , Kim Da Sul 
Published: April 2024

Abstracts
While the shadow economy seems to have both positive and negative effects on a country’s macroeconomy, almost all governments have attempted to control the shadow economy to prevent the loss of tax revenues and the attendant impact on the government budget. Even though official development assistance (ODA) has no formal link with the shadow economy, we often observe a relationship between the two in recipient countries. We argue that ODA can increase the size of the shadow economy in recipient countries through both government and individual-level flows of ODA to the shadow economy. We analyzed data on the shadow economies of 107 ODA recipients from 1990 to 2018 using both fixed effect and Driscoll–Kraay estimators. The results show that recipients receiving a higher volume of ODA are more likely to have a larger shadow economy. Moreover, the relationship between ODA and the shadow economy is stronger in more corrupt recipients. We dealt with endogeneity issues using the generalized method of moments, which supported our findings.
Joy as Contextualized Feeling: Two Contrasting Pictures of Joy in East Asian Yogācāra
Authors: Li Jingjing 
Published: April 2024

AbstractIn this article, I elaborate on the approach to joy preserved in East Asian Yogācāra texts authored by Xuanzang and his disciple, Kuiji. I argue that these Yogācāra Buddhists propose a contextualist approach that does not presume joy to be an emotion with an essential property but rather perceives joy as always contextualized in lifeworlds at the personal and interpersonal levels. As such, Xuanzang and Kuiji outline two contrasting pictures of joy to capture how it is experienced in the lifeworld of ignorance and the lifeworld of wisdom, respectively. Upon delineating what joy is and how it is experienced, I continue to explore what joy can promise. Since joy does not have an inherent property, people can always make a collaborative effort to recontextualize joy for inclusion and emancipation. As such, I hope to draw on the Yogācāra analysis of joy to enrich the feminist discussion on happiness.