bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Phenolic Glycosides from Viburnum chinshanense Leaves and their α‐Amylase and α‐Glucosidase Inhibitory Activity
Authors: Zhou Hongjuan , Yang Mengya , Chen Jia , Tang Yiyuan , Shao Jianhua , Wang Zihan , Zhao Chunchao 
Published: February 2024

AbstractThe phytochemical investigation of Viburnum chinshanense leaves led to the isolation and identification of four new phenolic glycosides, viburninsides A–D (1–4), and eight known analogues (5–12). The structures of the four undescribed compounds were determined by spectroscopic techniques, including 1D NMR, 2D NMR, and HRESIMS, and their containing sugar units were confirmed by acid hydrolysis and HPLC analysis of the monosaccharide's chiral derivatives. Additionally, the α‐amylase and α‐glucosidase inhibitory activities of the isolated compounds were assessed. Compounds 1, 2, 4, 9, and 10 exhibited potential inhibitory activities against α‐amylase and α‐glucosidase with IC50 values ranging from 35.07 μM to 47.42 μM and 18.27 μM to 43.65 μM, respectively. Molecular docking analysis of compound 4 with the strongest inhibition against the target enzymes was also conducted.
CAR‐T cell therapeutic avenue for fighting cardiac fibrosis: Roadblocks and perspectives
Authors: Abdalla Ahmed M. E. , Miao Yu , Ahmed Ahmed I. M. , Meng Ning , Ouyang Chenxi 
Published: February 2024

AbstractHeart diseases remain the primary cause of human mortality in the world. Although conventional therapeutic opportunities fail to halt or recover cardiac fibrosis, the promising clinical results and therapeutic efficacy of engineered chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy show several advancements. However, the current models of CAR‐T cells need further improvement since the T cells are associated with the triggering of excessive inflammatory cytokines that directly affect cardiac functions. Thus, the current study highlights the critical function of heart immune cells in tissue fibrosis and repair. The study also confirms CAR‐T cell as an emerging therapeutic for treating cardiac fibrosis, explores the current roadblocks to CAR‐T cell therapy, and considers future outlooks for research development.
A C3‐Symmetric Amino Organocatalyst for Asymmetric Synthesis of Warfarin and Analogues: Mechanistic Insight from ESI‐MS Spectrometry and Computational Calculations
Authors: Sorato Andrea , De Angelis Martina , Badasa Oljira Shilashi , Pierini Marco , Mazzoccanti Giulia , Donzello Maria Pia , Ciogli Alessia 
Published: February 2024

AbstractA novel C3‐symmetric multi–amino catalyst was synthesized and evaluated in the asymmetric Michael addition to produce warfarin and its analogues. The multi–amino catalyst turned out to be efficient up to 1 % molar without the use of acidic additives providing the desired product in 82 % yield and maintaining good level of enantioselectivity. ESI‐MS experiments together with data supplied by theoretical models allowed us the understand the operating mechanism of the catalyst, clarifying the role of the amine functions and confirming the catalyst's multifunctionality. The presence of three active catalytic sites makes it easy its anchoring to silica as solid support for applications in heterogeneous phase catalysis.
Cross‐Coupling Reaction of Alkyl Halides with Aldehydes through NHC Catalysis
Authors: Zhang Zhuo‐Zhuo , Zeng Rong , Liu Yan‐Qing , Li Jun‐Long 
Published: February 2024

AbstractDuring the past decades, N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC)‐catalyzed reactions have emerged as a versatile tool in synthetic chemistry. In particular, NHC‐catalyzed cross‐coupling reaction has been significantly developed in many respects, including new reaction development and mechanistic investigation. This concept article presents recent advances towards direct cross‐coupling reactions of aldehydes with alkyl halides enabled by NHC organocatalysis.
Chiral Bis‐phosphate Macrocycles for Catalytic, Efficient, and Enantioselective Electrophilic Fluorination
Authors: Zhang Lie‐Wei , Wang Xu‐Dong , Ao Yu‐Fei , Wang De‐Xian , Wang Qi‐Qiang 
Published: February 2024

AbstractIncorporation of privileged catalytic scaffolds into a macrocyclic skeleton represents an attractive strategy to furnish supramolecular catalysis systems with enzyme‐mimetic cavity and multi‐site cooperation. Herein we reported the synthesis, structure, binding properties and catalytic application of a series of chiral bis‐phosphate macrocycles toward the challenging asymmetric electrophilic fluorination. With a large, integrated chiral cavity and two cooperative phosphate sites, these macrocycles exhibited good inclusion toward 1,4‐diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (DABCO) dicationic ammoniums through complementary ion‐pair and C−H⋅⋅⋅O interactions, as confirmed by crystallographic and solution binding studies. In fluorocyclization of tryptamines with Selectfluor reagent which has a similar DABCO‐based dicationic structure, only 2 mol% macrocycle catalyst afforded the desired pyrroloindoline products in moderate yields and up to 91 % ee. For comparison, the acyclic mono‐phosphate analogue gave obviously lower reactivity and enantioselectivity (<20 % ee), suggesting a remarkable macrocyclic effect. The high catalytic efficiency and superior stereocontrol were ascribed to the tight ion‐pair binding and cavity‐directed noncovalent interaction cooperation.
Experimental investigation, modelling, and order of magnitude analysis of oxygen mass transfer in pulsed plate column with α‐Fe2O3 nanofluid
Authors: Shet Amruta S. , Shetty K. Vidya 
Published: February 2024

AbstractVolumetric oxygen mass transfer coefficient (kLa) is an important parameter in the design of various reactors and bioreactors. In the present work, the influence of α‐Fe2O3 nanofluid on the enhancement of kLa is studied in a pulsed plate column (PPC). An enhancement factor of greater than one showed that the nanofluid is favourable in enhancing the mass transfer rate. The effect of pulsing velocity on kLa is observed to fall under two regimes: the dispersion regime and emulsion regime. The kLa enhancement factor is found to be higher in TiO2 nanofluid than in α‐Fe2O3 nanofluid, indicating that the type of nanofluid influences the enhancement factor. The order of magnitude analysis showed that localized convection triggered by the Brownian motion of nanoparticles is the phenomenon responsible for kLa enhancement. A dimensionless multiple regression analysis (MRA) model was developed to predict kLa in the nanoparticle loading range of 0.003–0.019 (v/v%), relating the Sherwood number with oscillating Reynolds number (1200 ≤ Reo ≤ 20,000), gas flow Reynolds number (0.135 ≤ Reg ≤0.370), Schmidt number (1300 ≤ Sc ≤2700), and Brownian Reynolds number (2.81 × 10−4 ≤ ReB ≤5 × 10−4). The pseudo‐homogeneous model could accurately predict the enhancement until critical loading conditions.
A study on the impressions induced by lipstick colors
Authors: Wu Yu‐An , Gong Shi‐Min , Lee Wen‐Yuan 
Published: February 2024

AbstractOwing to the need for beauty in modern society, cosmetics are essential to enhance femininity and attractiveness. Lipstick is effective in reinforcing femininity and increasing beauty. This study conducted a psychophysical experiment to investigate the association between lipstick colors and the impressions they create. Thirty‐five observers were invited to participate in the experiment. They were asked to assess 20 lipstick colors on 23 impression scales. The results showed that the impressions created by the lipstick colors comprised three factors: charm, cuteness, and contemporary. Charm was correlated with a* and lightness value of lipstick color and the color difference between lipstick‐skin colors. Cuteness was negatively correlated with the hue angle of the lipstick colors and lightness differences between lipstick‐skin colors. Contemporary was correlated with chroma differences and negatively correlated with b* of lipstick color. These lipstick colors can be classified into three groups based on impression factors. The results showed that a* value of lipstick color and the color difference () between lipstick and skin color are identified to determine the grouping of lipstick colors.
Does firms' ESG information disclosure have contagion effect? Evidence from China
Authors: Zhang Zhengyong , You Jiayi 
Published: February 2024

AbstractThe increasing concern of the society on environmental issues has driven research on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues. Among the existing academic studies on the influencing factors of ESG disclosure, few scholars have investigated the contagion effect of ESG disclosure, that is, whether the ESG disclosure behavior of peer firms affect the ESG disclosure of individual firms. Therefore, based on dynamic competition theory and social learning theory, this paper examines the contagion effect of ESG information disclosure from the perspective of peer relationship networks, using a sample of A‐share listed firms in China from 2009 to 2021. The study finds that there is a contagion effect in the level of firms' ESG disclosure, that is, when other firms in the same industry have a higher average ESG disclosure level, individual firm also tend to have a higher ESG disclosure level; and at the same time, this contagion effect is more pronounced among firms with state‐owned nature, a high degree of marketization, financing constraints and environmental uncertainty. By exploring the mechanism of its effect, we find that the contagion effect of ESG disclosure mainly originates from the competitive imitation mechanism and the information acquisition imitation mechanism. This paper theoretically enriches the research on the factors influencing the level of ESG disclosure and the contagion effect of inter‐firm behavior, and practically provides a reference for regulators to effectively supervise and improve firms' level of ESG disclosure.
Simulation study of the influence of the cross‐field anomalous diffusion on the tungsten impurity transport in the scrape‐off layer with activated drifts
Authors: Guo Jin , Xu Yuchen , Mao Shifeng , Xu Guoliang , Ye Minyou 
Published: February 2024

AbstractTungsten (W) impurity eroded from the divertor target can degrade the confinement performance of future fusion reactors. The mechanism of the effect of E × B drift on the W transport in the scrape‐off layer (SOL) was investigated with a fixed cross‐field anomalous particle diffusion coefficient for W ions (D⊥,W) of 1 m2s−1 in our previous simulation work, which indicates that the W flux entering the confined region (Γenter) and mean W concentration in the confined region () can be increased by more than one order of magnitude by drifts. In this work, the influence of the cross‐field anomalous diffusion on the W transport in the SOL is further investigated. The basic flow pattern of the W ion flux (ΓW) keeps when D⊥,W varying from 0.5 to 3 m2s−1, and Γenter mainly comes from the hotter divertor region. Results show that D⊥,W value affects the W leakage from divertor region and entry into confined region. Therefore, Γenter and both decrease with increasing D⊥,W. Mechanisms for cases w/wo drifts are compared.
mRNA biomarkers sensitive and specific to micro‐dose erythropoietin treatment at sea level and altitude
Authors: Loria Francesco , Breenfeldt Andersen Andreas , Bejder Jacob , Bonne Thomas , Grabherr Silke , Kuuranne Tiia , Leuenberger Nicolas , Baastrup Nordsborg Nikolai 
Published: February 2024

AbstractRecombinant human erythropoietin (rhEPO) is prohibited by the World Anti‐Doping Agency. rhEPO abuse can be indirectly detected via the athlete biological passport (ABP). However, altitude exposure challenges interpretation of the ABP. This study investigated whether 5′‐aminolevulinate synthase 2 (ALAS2) and carbonic anhydrase 1 (CA1) in capillary dried blood spots (DBSs) are sensitive and specific markers of rhEPO treatment at altitude. ALAS2 and CA1 expression was monitored in DBS collected weekly before, during, and after a 3‐week period at sea level or altitude. Participants were randomly assigned to receive 20 IU kg bw−1 epoetin alpha (rhEPO) or placebo injections every second day for 3 weeks while staying at sea level (rhEPO, n = 25; placebo, n = 9) or altitude (rhEPO, n = 12; placebo, n = 27). ALAS2 and CA1 expression increased up to 300% and 200%, respectively, upon rhEPO treatment at sea‐level and altitude (P‐values <0.05). When a blinded investigator interpreted the results, ALAS2 and CA1 expression had a sensitivity of 92%. Altitude did not confound the interpretation. Altitude affected ALAS2 and CA1 expression less than actual ABP markers when compared between sea level and altitude results. An individual athlete passport‐like approach simulation confirmed the biomarker potential of ALAS2 and CA1. ALAS2 and CA1 were sensitive and specific biomarkers of micro‐dose rhEPO treatment at sea level and altitude. Altitude seemed less a confounding factor for these biomarkers, especially when they are combined. Thus, micro‐dose rhEPO injections can be detected in a longitudinal blinded setting using mRNA biomarkers in DBS.
Sex‐specific recruitment rates contribute to male‐biased sex ratio in Adélie penguins
Authors: Morandini Virginia , Dugger Katie M. , Schmidt Annie E. , Varsani Arvind , Lescroël Amélie , Ballard Grant , Lyver Phil O'B. , Barton Kerry , Ainley David G. 
Published: February 2024

AbstractSex‐related differences in vital rates that drive population change reflect the basic life history of a species. However, for visually monomorphic bird species, determining the effect of sex on demographics can be a challenge. In this study, we investigated the effect of sex on apparent survival, recruitment, and breeding propensity in the Adélie penguin (Pygoscelis adeliae), a monochromatic, slightly size dimorphic species with known age, known sex, and known breeding history data collected during 1996–2019 (n = 2127 birds) from three breeding colonies on Ross Island, Antarctica. Using a multistate capture–mark–recapture maximum‐likelihood model, we estimated apparent survival (), recapture (resighting) probability (), and the probability of transitioning among breeding states and moving between colonies (; colony‐specific non‐juvenile pre‐breeders, breeders, and non‐breeders). Survival rate varied by breeding status and colony, but not sex, and pre‐breeders had higher survival rates than breeders and non‐breeders. Females had a higher probability of recruiting into the breeding population each year and may enter the breeding pool at younger ages. In contrast, both sexes had the same probability of breeding from year to year once they had recruited. Although we detected no direct sex effects on survival, the variation in recruitment probability and age‐at‐first reproduction, along with lower survival rates of breeders compared to pre‐breeders, likely leads to shorter lifespans for females. This is supported by our findings of a male‐biased mean adult sex ratio (ASR) of 1.4 males for every female ( proportion of males = 0.57, SD = 0.07) across all colonies and years in this metapopulation. Our study illustrates how important it can be to disentangle sex‐related variation in population vital rates, particularly for species with complex life histories and demographic dynamics.
The effect of urbanization and temperature on thermal tolerance, foraging performance, and competition in cavity‐dwelling ants
Authors: Harris Brooke A. , Stevens Dale R. , Mathis Kaitlyn A. 
Published: February 2024

AbstractHuman disturbance including rapid urbanization and increased temperatures can have profound effects on the ecology of local populations. Eusocial insects, such as ants, have adapted to stressors of increasing temperature and urbanization; however, these evolutionary responses are not consistent among populations across geographic space. Here we asked how urbanization and incubation temperature influence critical thermal maximum (CTmax) and various ecologically relevant behaviors in three ant species in urban and rural locations in Worcester, MA, USA. We did this by incubating colonies of three species of cavity dwelling ant (Aphaenogaster picea, Tapinoma sessile, and Temnothorax longispinosus) from 2 habitat types (Rural and Urban), for 60‐days at multiple temperatures. We found that incubation temperature, urbanization, and species of ant all significantly affected overall colony critical thermal maximum. We also found that recruitment time, colonization time, and defense response were significantly affected by incubation temperature and varied between species of ant, while recruitment and colonization time were additionally affected by urbanization. These variable changes in performance and competitive traits across species suggest that responses to urbanization and shifting temperatures are not universal across species. Changes in behavioral responses caused by urbanization may disrupt biodiversity, creating unusual competitive environments as a consequence of natural adaptations and cause both direct and indirect mechanisms for which human disturbance can lead to local species extinction.
Habitat diversification associated with urban development has a little effect on genetic structure in the annual native plant Commelina communis in an East Asian megacity
Authors: Taichi Nakata , Nakahama Naoyuki , Ohmido Nobuko , Ushimaru Atushi 
Published: February 2024

AbstractUrban development greatly alters the natural and semi‐natural habitats of native plants. Urbanisation results in a range of diverse habitats including remnant agricultural lands, urban parks, and roadside habitats. This habitat diversity often promotes trait divergence within urban areas. However, the mechanisms by which diverse urban habitats influence the population genetic structure of individual plant species remain poorly understood. We investigated the effects of urbanisation on genetic diversity and structure within 24 Commelina communis populations across diverse habitat types (rural agricultural land, urban agricultural land, urban park land, and urban roadsides) within the Kyoto–Osaka–Kobe megacity in Japan. We conducted multiplexed inter‐simple sequence repeat genotyping to compare genetic diversity among populations in different habitats. We also examined the correlation between Nei's genetic distance and geographic and environmental distances and performed principal coordinate analysis (PCoA) to evaluate genetic differentiation among urban habitats. There were no significant differences in genetic diversity indices between urban and rural populations and among urban habitat types. Although we detected no isolation‐by‐distance structure in population pairs of the same habitat type and in those of different habitats, the difference in surrounding landscape facilitated genetic differentiation not only between urban and rural habitats but also between different urban habitats. PCoA revealed no clear genetic differentiation among rural and urban habitat populations. Our findings indicate that the establishment of diverse habitat types through urbanisation has no and little impact on genetic diversity and structure, respectively, in C. communis, likely due to its high selfing rate and ability to adapt to urban conditions.
Modeling the drivers of large herbivore distribution in human‐dominated southern African savannas
Authors: Roque Dionísio V. , Göttert Thomas , Zeller Ulrich , Macandza Valério A. 
Published: February 2024

AbstractAfrican savanna ecosystems are home to the world's richest large herbivore (LH) assemblages. However, its landscapes are changing faster than any other region on Earth due to human activities and natural events. Therefore, understanding the factors influencing the distribution of LH in these human‐dominated environments is crucial for decision‐making on wildlife and habitat management. We combined ecological aerial surveys, camera trap, and dung count data to investigate how ecological (habitat types, perennial rivers, and rainfall) and anthropogenic (human settlements and cattle grazing areas) factors influence the distribution of LH species in Limpopo National Park (LNP). We used generalized linear models fitting binary logistic regression models to distinguish 25‐km2 cells occupied (where the species were detected) by elephants (Loxodonta africana), buffalos (Syncerus caffer), zebras (Equus quagga), kudus (Tragelaphus strepsiceros), nyalas (Tragelaphus angasii), and impalas (Aepyceros melampus) from unoccupied regions (where the species were not detected) in the LNP landscape. We found that habitat type and rainfall were the most influential factors shaping the pattern of LH distribution in the LNP, except for elephants, whose prevalence was not associated with rainfall. The prevalence of zebras was positively associated with the proximity to perennial rivers, while kudus avoided these areas. While some species (zebras, kudus, and impalas) tended to avoid settlements, others (elephants, buffalos, and nyala) seemed attracted to settlements. Cattle grazing areas were the worst predictors of the distribution of all study species. Our results disclosed the role of ecological factors for the distribution of LH and showed that anthropogenic disturbances seemed to either (partially) prevent the occurrence of LH or show the potential for human–wildlife conflict risk in the study area. Therefore, the results highlight the need to investigate/quantify the potential human–wildlife conflict risk at finer spatial scales to improve future management.
The influence of the food matrix on the content of cholesterol and oxysterols during simulated process of digestion
Authors: Derewiaka D. 
Published: February 2024

AbstractThe purpose of the study was to evaluate the influence of the simulated digestion process on the content of the standard cholesterol and this sterol found in fats. Additionally, the content of cholesterol oxides formed after the thermal processing of fats and standard of cholesterol was investigated in samples after performing in vitro digestion procedure. The next step was to evaluate changes in the concentration of cholesterol and cholesterol oxidation products in all analyzed samples. On that basis, the bioaccessibility of cholesterol and cholesterol oxidation products in analyzed samples was established. Cholesterol bioaccessibility ranged from 1.05% to 28.38% in thermally processed samples, while cholesterol standard samples accounted for 7.16% and 5.00%. The bioaccessibility of cholesterol oxides found in analyzed fats and fats with 0.2% addition of cholesterol standard ranged from 5.44% to 19.20%, and only in butter heated at 180°C per 1 h, it reached 47.61%. Studies show that cholesterol present in the food matrix is better protected from degradation, and oxidation during thermal treatment than the standard of cholesterol (processed without food matrix). The results of this study confirm that the bioavailability of cholesterol and its oxides are influenced by the food matrix.Practical applications: The results of our experiment can be used for further scientific analyzes related to the process of estimating the bioavailability of cholesterol and cholesterol oxidation products, which can be found in food products.