bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Development of symmetric monounsaturated triacylglycerols by Rhodosporidium toruloides cell factory for cocoa butter equivalent
Authors: Yang Hang , Lu Shuling , Sun Chaofan , Liu Xiaoxue , Zhang Linshang , Cheong Lingzhi , Bi Yanlan 
Published: March 2024

AbstractIn the present study, various factors including carbon source, nitrogen source, Mg2+, and pH value were investigated to determine the optimal conditions for producing cocoa butter equivalent using R. toruloides. The maximum of biomass, lipid content, and lipid production were achieved at levels of 7.8 g/L, 61.0%, and 4.4 g/L, respectively. The oil from R. toruloides mainly consisted of 16:0, 18:0, and 18:1 with 18:1 dominating at the sn‐2 position, which was further confirmed by 13C NMR analysis. UPLC‐MS analysis showed that the sum of sn‐POP, sn‐POS, and sn‐SOS accounted for up to 27.11% in the triacylglycerol species of the oil produced, which allows those triacylglycerols to be further separated and isolated from other triacylglycerols and used for cocoa butter equivalent. Notably, the production of cocoa butter equivalent reached 1.13 g/L, demonstrating the scientific feasibility of producing CBE through fermentation. These findings indicate a promising future for the fermentation‐based production of cocoa butter equivalent.
Contribution of the serotonergic system to developmental brain abnormalities in autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Wegiel Jarek , Chadman Kathryn , London Eric , Wisniewski Thomas , Wegiel Jerzy 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThis review highlights a key role of the serotonergic system in brain development and in distortions of normal brain development in early stages of fetal life resulting in cascades of abnormalities, including defects of neurogenesis, neuronal migration, neuronal growth, differentiation, and arborization, as well as defective neuronal circuit formation in the cortex, subcortical structures, brainstem, and cerebellum of autistic subjects. In autism, defects in regulation of neuronal growth are the most frequent and ubiquitous developmental changes associated with impaired neuron differentiation, smaller size, distorted shape, loss of spatial orientation, and distortion of cortex organization. Common developmental defects of the brain in autism include multiregional focal dysplastic changes contributing to local neuronal circuit distortion, epileptogenic activity, and epilepsy. There is a discrepancy between more than 500 reports demonstrating the contribution of the serotonergic system to autism's behavioral anomalies, highlighted by lack of studies of autistic subjects' brainstem raphe nuclei, the center of brain serotonergic innervation, and of the contribution of the serotonergic system to the diagnostic features of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Discovery of severe fetal brainstem auditory system neuronal deficits and other anomalies leading to a spectrum of hearing deficits contributing to a cascade of behavioral alterations, including deficits of social and verbal communication in individuals with autism, is another argument to intensify postmortem studies of the type and topography of, and the severity of developmental defects in raphe nuclei and their contribution to abnormal brain development and to the broad spectrum of functional deficits and comorbid conditions in ASD.
Two green and sensitive spectrofluorimetric approaches for determination of Ambroxol and guaifenesin in their single and combined pharmaceutical formulations
Authors: Elawadi Ghidaa G. , Elsebaei Fawzi , Fathy Mona E. , Metwally Mohammed E.‐S. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractAmbroxol hydrochloride (AMX) and guaifenesin (GFN) are approved drugs utilized to treat coughs through their potent mucolytic and expectorant properties. Due to their massive, combined administration in many illnesses, there is a persistent need for their concurrent estimation in different pharmaceutical formulations. Two sensitive, environmentally friendly spectrofluorimetric methods were developed. AMX was determined using the first method (I) without interference from GFN. This method depends on the quenching of Erythrosine B (EB) native fluorescence at 552 nm after excitation at 527 nm due to the formation of a non‐fluorescent AMX‐EB ion‐pair complex in Britton–Robinson buffer (BRB) solution pH (3.5). The concentration plot is linear over the 0.25–5.0 μg/mL range, with a mean percent found value of 99.74%. Method (II) depends on measuring the native fluorescence of aqueous GFN solution at two analytical wavelengths, either 300 or 600 nm, after excitation at 274 nm. Relative fluorescence intensity (RFI)–concentration plots are linear over the ranges of 0.02–0.5 and 0.1–2.0 μg/ml, with mean percent found at 99.96% and 99.91% at dual wavelengths, respectively. The proposed methods were successfully applied to assay both drugs in raw materials and different single and combined pharmaceutical formulations. These methods have been thoroughly validated following International Committee on Harmonisation (ICH) guidelines. National Environmental Methods Index, Analytical Eco‐Scale, and Green Analytical Procedure Index were used to prove greenness, thereby enhancing their applicability. The proposed techniques provide straightforward, precise, and cost‐effective solutions for routine formulation analysis in quality control laboratories.
Chemical characterization, multivariate analysis and comparison of biological activities of different parts of Fraxinus mandshurica
Authors: Guo Jianjin , Liu Shaojing , Guo Yan , Bai Lu , Ho Chi‐Tang , Bai Naisheng 
Published: March 2024

AbstractFraxinus mandshurica (Oleaceae) is used as a traditional medicinal plant for the treatment of red eyes, menstrual disorders, excessive leucorrhea, chronic bronchitis and psoriasis. To perform chemical characterization of the secondary metabolites of F. mandshurica roots, bark, stems and leaves, 32 samples were collected from eight provinces in this study. A total of 64 chemical components were detected from four different parts of F. mandshurica by ultra‐performance liquid chromatography–quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry. Meanwhile, a total of nine secoiridoids were obtained by natural product chemical extraction, isolation and identification methods. Quantitative analysis by high‐performance liquid chromatography–diode array detection–mass spectrometry showed the highest total content of secoiridoids in the bark, which is also consistent with the traditional medicinal parts. The results of methodological validation showed that the correlation coefficient (R2) values were all >0.9993, indicating a good linear range of the standard curve, while the relative standard deviations of precision, reproducibility and stability were <3%, and the spiked recoveries ranged from 98.22 to 102.27%, indicating that the experimental method was reliable and stable. In addition, fingerprinting and a heatmap were established to demonstrate the content trends of F. mandshurica more visually from different origins. Multivariate analysis, including principal component analysis and partial least squares discriminant analysis, was performed to determine the chemical characteristics of different parts of F. mandshurica, and six characteristic secoiridoids that could be used to distinguish different origins were screened. Finally, the inhibition of tyrosinase, α‐glucosidase, acetylcholinesterase and pancreatic lipase activities by the nine characteristic compounds and extracts from different parts were investigated, and the results showed that they all exhibited different degrees of enzyme activity inhibition and thus have potential applications in whitening and blemish removal, hypoglycemia, anti‐Alzheimer's disease and anti‐obesity as a new source of natural enzyme activity inhibitors. This study establishes an identification and evaluation method applicable to phytochemistry of different origins, which is a guideline for quality control, origin evaluation and clinical application of traditional medicinal plants. This is also an unprecedented study on the identification of the chemical composition of different parts of F. mandshurica, characteristic compounds and the inhibition of enzyme activity of extracts from different parts.
Insights and dynamics of circular business model in developing countries' context: The empirical analysis of the returnable glass bottles process
Authors: Ezeudu Obiora , Kennedy Christopher 
Published: March 2024

AbstractDespite the growing understanding that circular business models (CBMs) play a pivotal role in facilitating the transition from a linear to a circular economy, there is a lack of relevant literature on how CBMs can be implemented in businesses in developing countries. This study addresses this significant gap in the literature by revealing the insights and dynamics of the implementation of a CBM in a typical developing economy—Nigeria. A notable business model adopted by breweries and beverage companies in Nigeria—a returnable glass bottle process—was investigated through an in‐depth exploration of six companies in a qualitative case study that involves collecting data through interviews, exploratory field observation, and documented evidence (literature). The study generated empirical‐based evidence on how CBM can be implemented in a business value chain where formal and informal actors co‐exist and interact. It also discloses several barriers and enablers associated with CBM implementation in the context of developing economies. Collaboration, social inclusiveness, waste management, durable product design, and cost reductions are some of the enablers identified in the study. The key barriers are largely external and conspicuously linked to the socio‐economic disadvantages peculiar to developing economies such as the absence of effective legislature, lack of infrastructure, lack of technological innovation, unavailability of finance, and the emergence of large retail stores that operate on a disruptive business model. Finally, the current research provides practical suggestions and recommendations for the appropriate designing and transitioning of CBMs in developing countries' context.
Do firms' sustainability practices pay off during global crises? Evidence from Asia and the Pacific
Authors: Rahman Md Lutfur , Uddin Gazi Salah , Park Donghyun 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThis paper examines the relationship between firms' sustainability practices and their value during a crisis when overall trust and support are lacking in the economy. While a handful of studies explore this research agenda concentrating on the US context and a standalone crisis, we provide novel evidence on the Asia Pacific region considering three global crises. Applying difference‐in‐differences regressions, we find that high‐sustainability companies posted superior value during the global financial crisis and the European debt crisis. This result, however, does not hold for the COVID‐19 crisis. This key finding passes several endogeneity tests (firm‐fixed effect, propensity score matching, and post‐crisis interaction). As we explore potential mechanisms of firm resistance during crises and apply a triple difference approach, we find evidence that firm value was intensified during the crises due to sustainability activities coupled with high customer loyalty, high institutional ownership, and a low degree of information asymmetry. Finally, although high sustainability performance generally positively impacted firm value during crises, this relationship was negative (weaker) for the highly impacted industries (the emerging countries) included in the sample. Our key finding continues to hold for a set of robustness checks. The outcome of this study provides significant policy directions to regulators, corporate managers, and investment professionals.
Social judgement and approval of Burkinabè immigrants by their peers in the country of origin: The role of separation acculturation strategy
Authors: Ouoba Nestor Motemba , Nugier Armelle , Alnajjar Yara , Badea Constantina 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThe aim of this research was to examine how Burkinabè who emigrated to France are evaluated and approved by their peers in their country of origin (N = 266), depending on the congruency between their acculturation strategies and those preferred by participants. Participants read one of two fictional portraits about a Burkinabè who emigrated to France and who was presented either as having adopted the French culture (assimilation) or as having maintained his original culture (separation). In line with our hypothesis, the target was rated as more moral in the separation condition. In addition, participants who preferred the separation strategy approved more the target who chose the same strategy. Please refer to the Supplementary Material section to find this article's Community and Social Impact Statement.
Chemical Composition of Artemisia Scoparia and Their Bioactivities
Authors: Kuerban Guziliayi , Turak Ablajan , Begmatov Nurmirza Boymirzayevich , Zhao Jiangyu , Aisa Haji Akber 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThree undescribed sesquiterpenes (1–3), two enantiomeric pairs of monoterpenes (4a/4b–5a/5b), one alkyne (6), two known alkynes (7–8) and eight known coumarins (9–16) were isolated from the aerial parts extracts of Artemisia scoparia. The structures of these compounds were fully elucidated by their 1D and 2D NMR, HRESIMS spectral data analyses, and comparison with literature. The absolute configurations of compounds were determined by single‐crystal X‐ray crystallography (1), a comparison of experimental and calculated electronic circular dichroism (ECD) data (2–6). 15 showed moderate inhibitory activity with the NO release in LPS‐induced RAW264.7 cells. 9–16 showed varying degrees of promoting melanogenesis and tyrosinase activity in B16 cells.
MOF‐derived 1D/3D N‐doped porous carbon for spatially confined electrochemical CO2 reduction to adjustable syngas
Authors: Zhang Wei , Li Hui , Feng Daming , Wu Chenglin , Sun Chenghua , Jia Baohua , Liu Xue , Ma Tianyi 
Published: March 2024

AbstractElectrochemical reduction of CO2 to syngas (CO and H2) offers an efficient way to mitigate carbon emissions and store intermittent renewable energy in chemicals. Herein, the hierarchical one‐dimensional/three‐dimensional nitrogen‐doped porous carbon (1D/3D NPC) is prepared by carbonizing the composite of Zn‐MOF‐74 crystals in situ grown on a commercial melamine sponge (MS), for electrochemical CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR). The 1D/3D NPC exhibits a high CO/H2 ratio (5.06) and CO yield (31 mmol g−1 h−1) at −0.55 V, which are 13.7 times and 21.4 times those of 1D porous carbon (derived from Zn‐MOF‐74) and N‐doped carbon (carbonized by MS), respectively. This is attributed to the unique spatial environment of 1D/3D NPC, which increases the adsorption capacity of CO2 and promotes electron transfer from the 3D N‐doped carbon framework to 1D carbon, improving the reaction kinetics of CO2RR. Experimental results and charge density difference plots indicate that the active site of CO2RR is the positively charged carbon atom adjacent to graphitic N on 1D carbon and the active site of HER is the pyridinic N on 1D carbon. The presence of pyridinic N and pyrrolic N reduces the number of electron transfer, decreasing the reaction kinetics and the activity of CO2RR. The CO/H2 ratio is related to the distribution of N species and the specific surface area, which are determined by the degree of spatial confinement effect. The CO/H2 ratios can be regulated by adjusting the carbonization temperature to adjust the degree of spatial confinement effect. Given the low cost of feedstock and easy strategy, 1D/3D NPC catalysts have great potential for industrial application.
Moisture relationships among conventional and brown‐midrib corn hybrids for silage
Authors: Cherney J. H. , Cherney D. J. R. , Digman M. F. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractMuch of the corn acreage in New York state is harvested as corn silage and moisture assessment in the field is necessary for predicting harvest timing, but moisture estimation visually is very problematic, particularly for brown‐midrib (BMR) hybrids. Our goal was to assess plant moisture relationships between BMR and conventional (CONV) corn hybrids, and to identify metadata that may assist in the prediction of whole plant moisture based on ear moisture estimations. In 2023, 202 corn fields were sampled in central New York from August 18 to September 27. A total of 41 different corn hybrids were sampled, with relative maturity (RM) ranging from 84 to 112 days, and 29% of the fields sampled were planted to BMR hybrids. Five representative plants per field were evaluated for plant height, ear length and width, and ear, stover, and whole plant moisture. Estimation of dry ear:stover ratio would be helpful in estimating whole plant moisture based on ear moisture. Ear length was not related to ear:stover ratio, while plant height and ear width were weakly but significantly correlated with ear:stover ratio. Ear moisture was highly correlated with ear:stover ratio (BMR, r = −0.95; CONV, r = −0.90), and highly correlated with whole plant moisture (BMR, r = 0.97; CONV, r = 0.98). Ear moisture averaged 1 to 2% units lower throughout the sampling season for BMR compared to CONV hybrids, while stover moisture averaged 1 to 2% units higher for BMR compared to CONV hybrids prior to optimum harvest moisture. Whole plant moisture declined about 0.6%units/day and was relatively similar across RM groups.
Drivers of adaptive capacity of rural women farmers: The role of climate action and information mediums in rural Ghana
Authors: Gyimah Amma Birago Kantanka , Antwi‐Agyei Philip , Adom‐Asamoah Gifty , Baffour‐Ata Frank 
Published: March 2024

AbstractGender‐differentiated roles, responsibilities, access, rights, and knowledge gaps shape women's vulnerability to climate change. This is especially critical for women farmers whose livelihoods are climate‐dependent. A key component in building women farmers’ resilience to climate change is deepening their adaptive capacity. Therefore, this research sought to measure the adaptive capacity of women farmers from two unique districts of Ghana using the sustainable livelihood capitals and investigate how access to climate information and the uptake of climate action can influence women's adaptive capacity. Rural women farmers (n = 497) were interviewed through a survey and supported with key informant interviews from six agricultural staff at the selected districts. The adaptive capacity of respondents was rated moderate at 0.405. Differences between the adaptive capacity of women from different agroecological zones (Dormaa East—0.422; East Gonja—0.388) were statistically insignificant (p > 0.05). All climate information mediums except the TV medium had a significant prediction on women farmers’ adaptive capacity. The odds of a decreasing relationship of predictor variables, such as extension officer medium, radio, and adaptation action, require strategic structuring to accrue holistic benefit. The study thus recommends deepening women's benefit from extension services by attracting and retaining female extensionists, while training extensionists on tailored techniques for engaging female farmers. Again, extensionists who report high outreach to female farmers should be incentivized. Traditional and modern Information and Communication Technology mediums must be explored and integrated as alternatives. Co‐benefit practices for both adaptation and mitigation should be encouraged among women farmers to deepen climate action.
Anatomical organization of the cerebrum of the praying mantis Hierodula membranacea
Authors: Althaus Vanessa , Exner Gesa , von Hadeln Joss , Homberg Uwe , Rosner Ronny 
Published: March 2024

AbstractMany predatory animals, such as the praying mantis, use vision for prey detection and capture. Mantises are known in particular for their capability to estimate distances to prey by stereoscopic vision. While the initial visual processing centers have been extensively documented, we lack knowledge on the architecture of central brain regions, pivotal for sensory motor transformation and higher brain functions. To close this gap, we provide a three‐dimensional (3D) reconstruction of the central brain of the Asian mantis, Hierodula membranacea. The atlas facilitates in‐depth analysis of neuron ramification regions and aides in elucidating potential neuronal pathways. We integrated seven 3D‐reconstructed visual interneurons into the atlas. In total, 42 distinct neuropils of the cerebrum were reconstructed based on synapsin‐immunolabeled whole‐mount brains. Backfills from the antenna and maxillary palps, as well as immunolabeling of γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), further substantiate the identification and boundaries of brain areas. The composition and internal organization of the neuropils were compared to the anatomical organization of the brain of the fruit fly (Drosophila melanogaster) and the two available brain atlases of Polyneoptera—the desert locust (Schistocerca gregaria) and the Madeira cockroach (Rhyparobia maderae). This study paves the way for detailed analyses of neuronal circuitry and promotes cross‐species brain comparisons. We discuss differences in brain organization between holometabolous and polyneopteran insects. Identification of ramification sites of the visual neurons integrated into the atlas supports previous claims about homologous structures in the optic lobes of flies and mantises.
A Flow Injection Amperometric Sensor for Nitrate Detection Based on Cu Foam/Ordered Mesoporous Carbon Modified Glassy Carbon Electrode
Authors: Junlapak Nuttakorn , Numnuam Apon , Nontipichet Natha , Kangkamano Tawatchai , Thavarungkul Panote , Kanatharana Proespichaya , Khumngern Suntisak 
Published: March 2024

AbstractNitrate (NO3−) contamination from agricultural and industrial waste affects environmental water quality and can cause severe diseases if consumed in drinking water. Therefore, the detection of NO3−is a necessary precaution. This work describes the development of an electrochemical sensor for NO3−detection that combines the advantages of ordered mesoporous carbon (OMC) and copper foam (Cu foam) on a glassy carbon electrode (Cu foam/OMC/GCE). The large surface area, uniform pore structure, and large pore volume of OMC supported the electrodeposition of Cu foam to create a highly porous electrocatalytic structure for NO3−reduction. Under optimal conditions, the developed electrochemical sensor exhibited linearity from 1.0 μM to 5.0 mM and a detection limit of 1.0 μM (S/N=3). Moreover, the proposed electrochemical sensor exhibited acceptable selectivity, and good stability and reproducibility. The developed sensor detected NO3−in drinking water samples with recoveries of 88.2±0.9 to 112.5±6.3 %.