bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Molecular phylogeography and historical demography of a widespread herbaceous species from eastern North America, Podophyllum peltatum
Authors: Wang Chenxi , Yap Zhao‐Yan , Wan Penglei , Chen Kuangqi , Folk Ryan A. , Damrel Dixie Z. , Barger Wayne , Diamond Alvin , Horn Charles , Landry Garrie P. , Samarakoon Tharanga , Harvey Stephanie , Morgan David R. , Qiu Yingxiong , Li Pan 
Published: November 2023

AbstractPremiseGlacial/interglacial cycles and topographic complexity are both considered to have shaped today's diverse phylogeographic patterns of taxa from unglaciated eastern North America (ENA). However, few studies have focused on the phylogeography and population dynamics of wide‐ranging ENA herbaceous species occurring in forest understory habitat. We examined the phylogeographic pattern and evolutionary history of Podophyllum peltatum L., a widely distributed herb inhabiting deciduous forests of ENA.MethodsUsing chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) sequences and nuclear microsatellite loci, we investigated the population structure and genetic diversity of the species. Molecular dating, demographic history analyses, and ecological niche modeling were also performed to illustrate the phylogeographic patterns.ResultsOur cpDNA results identified three main groups that are largely congruent with boundaries along the Appalachian Mountains and the Mississippi River, two major geographic barriers in ENA. Populations located to the east of the Appalachians and along the central Appalachians exhibited relatively higher levels of genetic diversity. Extant lineages may have diverged during the late Miocene, and range expansions of different groups may have happened during the Pleistocene glacial/interglacial cycles.ConclusionsOur findings indicate that geographic barriers may have started to facilitate the population divergence in P. peltatum before the Pleistocene. Persistence in multiple refugia, including areas around the central Appalachians during the Quaternary glacial period, and subsequent expansions under hospitable climatic condition, especially westward expansion, are likely responsible for the species’ contemporary genetic structure and phylogeographic pattern.
Taxonomic insights from floral scents of western North American sessile‐flowered Trillium
Authors: Wayman Kjirsten A. , Reilly Matthew J. , Petlewski Alaina R. 
Published: November 2023

AbstractPremiseChemical composition of floral volatiles can be an important complement to morphological characters in describing and identifying species. Four of the five species of western sessile‐flowered Trillium are challenging to distinguish morphologically due to wide intraspecific variation and overlapping characters among taxa. Characterizing their floral volatile compositions could aid future taxonomic, ecological, and evolutionary studies of Trillium and related taxa. We addressed two major questions: How do western sessile Trillium taxa vary in floral chemistry? Can floral scent be used to distinguish species?MethodsWe collected petals from 600 individuals at 42 wild populations of four sessile Trillium species across California, Oregon, and Washington. Volatile organic compounds from the petals were extracted using solid‐phase microextraction, and the volatiles were identified and quantified by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. The utility of floral scent composition in distinguishing species was tested using nonmetric multidimensional scaling and random forest analysis.ResultsFloral volatiles of the white‐petaled T. albidum were dominated by oxygenated monoterpenes and showed considerable geographic variation that paralleled morphological variation. The maroon‐petaled T. angustipetalum and T. kurabayashii produced floral scents characterized by aliphatic esters, but each had a distinct chemical composition. Petal color of Trillium chloropetalum is highly variable, as were its scent compositions, which were blends of volatiles from both white‐petaled and maroon‐petaled congeneric taxa.ConclusionsDifferences in floral scent compositions are consistent with current taxonomy of the western sessile Trillium group. In cases where species delimitations are difficult based on morphology, floral scent composition provides taxonomic insight and suggests a potential hybrid origin for T. chloropetalum.
A novel KNL1 intronic splicing variant likely destabilizes the KMN complex, causing primary microcephaly
Authors: Fellows Bridget J. , Tolezano Giovanna Cantini , Pires Sara Ferreira , Ruegg Mischa S. G. , Knapp Karen M. , Krepischi Ana Cristina Victorino , Bicknell Louise S. 
Published: November 2023

AbstractPrimary microcephaly (MCPH) is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by head circumference of at least two standard deviations below the mean. Biallelic variants in the kinetochore gene KNL1 is a known cause of MCPH4. KNL1 is the central component of the KNL1–MIS12–NSL1 (KMN) network, which acts as the signaling hub of the kinetochore and is required for correct chromosomal segregation during mitosis. We identified biallelic KNL1 variants in two siblings from a non‐consanguineous family with microcephaly and intellectual disability. The two siblings carry a frameshift variant predicted to prematurely truncate the transcript and undergo nonsense mediated decay, and an intronic single nucleotide variant (SNV) predicted to disrupt splicing. An in vitro splicing assay and qPCR from blood‐derived RNA confirmed that the intronic variant skips exon 23, significantly reducing levels of the canonical transcript. Protein modeling confirmed that absence of exon 23, an inframe exon, would disrupt a key interaction within the KMN network and likely destabilize the kinetochore signaling hub, disrupting mitosis. Therefore, this splicing variant is pathogenic and, in trans with a frameshift variant, causes the MCPH phenotype associated with KLN1. This finding furthers the association of splicing variants as a common pathogenic variant class for KNL1.
Azonia‐Naphthalene: A Cationic Hydrophilic Building Block for Stable N‐Type Organic Mixed Ionic‐Electronic Conductors**
Authors: Huang Zhen , Li Peiyun , Lei Yuqiu , Deng Xin‐Yu , Chen Yu‐Nan , Tian Shuangyan , Pan Xiran , Lei Xun , Song Cheng , Zheng Yuting , Wang Jie‐Yu , Zhang Zhi , Lei Ting 
Published: November 2023

AbstractConjugated polymers that can efficiently transport both ionic and electronic charges have broad applications in next‐generation optoelectronic, bioelectronic, and energy storage devices. To date, almost all the conjugated polymers have hydrophobic backbones, which impedes efficient ion diffusion/transport in aqueous media. Here, we design and synthesize a novel hydrophilic polymer building block, 4a‐azonia‐naphthalene (AN), drawing inspiration from biological systems. Because of the strong electron‐withdrawing ability of AN, the AN‐based polymers show typical n‐type charge transport behaviors. We find that cationic aromatics exhibit strong cation‐π interactions, leading to smaller π–π stacking distance, interesting ion diffusion behavior, and good morphology stability. Additionally, AN enhances the hydrophilicity and ionic‐electronic coupling of the polymer, which can help to improve ion diffusion/injection speed, and operational stability of organic electrochemical transistors (OECTs). The integration of cationic building blocks will undoubtedly enrich the material library for high‐performance n‐type conjugated polymers.
Adsorption of uranium (VI) from aqueous solutions using boron nitride/polyindole composite adsorbent
Authors: Emre Deniz , Zorer Özlem Selçuk , Bilici Ali , Budak Erhan , Yilmaz Selehattin , Kilic Necla Caliskan , Sogut Eda Gokirmak 
Published: November 2023

AbstractTurbostratic boron nitride (tBN) surface is modified with polyindole (PIn) by a facile polymerization technique and the uranyl adsorption efficiency of this mesoporous hybrid is investigated. The successful surface modification is confirmed by FT‐IR, Raman, XRD, TEM, SEM, EDX, EDS mapping XPS, BET, and zeta potential techniques. The batch experiments are performed in various temperatures (T), contact times (t), pH, and initial solution concentrations (C0) to evaluate its adsorption performance. The optimum adsorption performance is achieved at pH = 5.0–5.5, T = 307 K, t = 10 min, C0 = 18 mg L−1. These experimental results are evaluated using Freundlich, Redlich–Peterson, and Langmuir isotherm models, which presents equivalent regression coefficients. Maximum adsorption capacity (qm) of the nanoadsorbent (tBN/PIn), determined by the Langmuir isotherm, is 315.29 mg g−1. The adsorption kinetics of uranyl ions on tBN/PIn are in harmony with the pseudo‐second order model. tBN/PIn nanoadsorbent provides high adsorption efficiency even at exceptionally low UO22+ concentration range (4–40 mg L−1) and low adsorbent mass (0.005 g). XPS analysis results show that 0.05% of uranium is adsorbed on tBN/PIn via mainly U‐O coordination. The results of present study demonstrate that tBN/PIn can a potential adsorbent for removing uranium from aqueous solutions.
Degradation kinetics of epoxidized soybean oil composites filled with sisal fiber
Authors: Severo Amanda , Barreto Vinícius , Nicácio Pedro , Souza Matheus , Luna Carlos , Fook Marcus , Silva Ingridy , Dantas Lorena , Ries Andreas , Wellen Renate 
Published: November 2023

AbstractEpoxidized soybean oil (ESO) composites were cured with methyl tetrahydrophthalic anhydride (MTHPA) and 2,4,6‐tris(dimethylaminomethyl)phenol (DEH 35) as a catalyst, sisal fibers were added at 10% and 30% of percent per weight. Composites curing was monitored using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, whereas the thermal stability and the degradation kinetics were investigated using thermogravimetry (TG). ESO/MTHPA/DEH35/S10 and ESO/MTHPA/DEH35/S30 composites displayed curing temperatures approximately 100°C lower related to ESO/MTHPA/DEH35, as well as higher degree of conversion. Sisal addition improved the thermal stability, shifting the weight loss shifting the weight loss onset to higher temperature (from 82 to 120°C). Thermal degradation energy was determined using Friedman, Kissinger‐Akahira‐Sunose and Ozawa‐Flynn‐Wall models. Sisal significantly increased , especially in the intermediate phase (α = 0.2 and 0.8). The degradation kinetics was investigated by TG, and the degradation mechanisms modeled using Kamal‐Sourour, Sestack‐Berggren, and 1st order (F1), showed excellent fit, with R2 > 0.99. Acquired results demonstrate that sisal fiber addition benefited the curing process and increased the thermal stability of ESO composites.
The oldest known rhynchocephalian reptile from the Middle Triassic (Ladinian) of Germany and its phylogenetic position among Lepidosauromorpha
Authors: Sues Hans‐Dieter , Schoch Rainer R. 
Published: November 2023

AbstractSkeletal remains of a small lepidosaurian reptile from the Middle Triassic (Ladinian: Longobardian) Erfurt Formation, exposed in a commercial limestone quarry near Vellberg (Germany), represent the oldest rhynchocephalian known to date. The new taxon, Wirtembergia hauboldae, is diagnosed by the following combination of features: Premaxilla with four teeth, first being largest and decreasing in size from first to fourth. Jugal with tiny, spur‐like posterior process. Lateral surface of dentary strongly convex dorsoventrally for much of length of bone, bearing distinct longitudinal ridge and sculpturing in large specimens. Coronoid eminence of dentary low, subrectangular, and with dorsoventrally concave lateral surface in larger specimens. Dentition with pleurodont anterior and acrodont posterior teeth. Posterior (=additional) teeth with (in side view) triangular, at mid‐crown level labiolingually somewhat flattened crowns, and with oval bases. Phylogenetic analysis recovered the new rhynchocephalian as the earliest‐diverging member of its clade known to date.
Synthesis and molecular docking simulation of new benzimidazole–thiazole hybrids as cholinesterase inhibitors
Authors: Dawood Dina H. , Srour Aladdin M. , Omar Mohamed A. , Farghaly Thoraya A. , El‐Shiekh Riham A. 
Published: November 2023

AbstractDementia is a cognitive disturbance that is generally correlated with central nervous system diseases, especially Alzheimer's disease. The limited number of medications available is insufficient to improve the lifestyle of the patients suffering from this disease. Thus, new benzimidazole–thiazole hybrids (3–10) were designed and synthesized as acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) inhibitory agents. The in vitro evaluation displayed that the derivatives 4b, 4d, 5b, 6a, 7a, and 8b demonstrated dual inhibitory efficiency against both AChE with IC50 ranging from 4.55 to 8.62 µM and BChE with IC50 ranging from 3.50 to 8.32 µM. By analyzing the Lineweaver–Burk plot, an uncompetitive form of inhibition was determined for the highly active compound 4d, revealing its inhibition type. The human telomerase reverse transcriptase‐immortalized retinal pigment epithelial cell line was used to ensure the safety of the most potent cholinesterase inhibitors. Furthermore, compounds 4b, 4d, 5b, 6a, 7a, and 8b were evaluated for their neuroprotective and antioxidant properties, as well as their ability to suppress COX‐2. The results demonstrated that compounds 4d, 5b, and 8b presented significant neuroprotection efficiency against H2O2‐induced damage in SH‐SY5Y cells with % cell viability of 67.42 ± 7.90%, 62.51 ± 6.71%, and 72.61 ± 8.10%, respectively, while the tested candidates did not reveal significant antioxidant activity. Otherwise, compounds 4b, 6a, 7a, and 8b displayed outstanding COX‐2 inhibition effects with IC50 ranging from 0.050 to 0.080 μM relative to celecoxib (IC50 = 0.050 µM). In addition, molecular docking was carried out for the potent benzimidazole–thiazole hybrids with the active sites of both AChE (PDB ID: 4EY7) and BChE (PDB code: 1P0P). The tested candidates fit well in the active sites of both portions, with docking scores ranging from −8.65 to −6.64 kcal/mol (for AChE) and −8.71 to −7.73 kcal/mol (for BChE). In silico results show that the synthesized benzimidazole–thiazole hybrids have good physicochemical and pharmacokinetic properties with no Lipinski rule violations. The preceding results exhibited that compound 4d could be used as a new template for developing more significant cholinesterase inhibitors in the future.
Alkylation and Arylation at Boron in NHC‐Stabilized Phosphaborenes
Authors: Li Jiancheng , Mei Yanbo , Wang Xin‐Feng , Liu Liu Leo 
Published: November 2023

AbstractPhosphaborenes, featuring a phosphorus‐boron multiple bond, remain a relatively untapped area in chemical research due to the limited synthetic methods. Introducing leaving groups as substituents to the phosphorus or boron can pave the way for enhanced functionalization and modification. In this study, we present the synthesis of phosphaborenes featuring an N‐heterocyclic boryl group on phosphorus and halogen substituent on boron, with stabilization provided by an N‐heterocyclic carbene. Straightforward alkylation/arylation of these phosphaborenes is achieved by substituting the halogen with benzyl and aryl groups at the boron terminus. Our approach offers an efficient route to produce a diverse array of phosphaborene structures.
Mechanochemical Reactivity of a 1,2,4‐Triazoline‐3,5‐dione‐Anthracene Diels‐Alder Adduct
Authors: Chang Hao‐Chun , Liang Min‐Chieh , Luc Van‐Sieu , Davis Chelsea , Chang Chia‐Chih 
Published: November 2023

AbstractForce‐responsive molecules that produce fluorescent moieties under stress provide a means for stress‐sensing and material damage assessment. In this work, we report a mechanophore based on Diels‐Alder adduct TAD‐An of 4,4′‐(4,4′‐diphenylmethylene)‐bis‐(1,2,4‐triazoline‐3,5‐dione) and initiator‐substituted anthracene that can undergo retro‐Diels‐Alder (rDA) reaction by pulsed ultrasonication and compressive activation in bulk materials. The influence of having C−N versus C−C bonds at the sites of bond scission is elucidated by comparing the relative mechanical strength of TAD‐An to another Diels‐Alder adduct MAL‐An obtained from maleimide and anthracene. The susceptibility to undergo rDa reaction correlates well with bond energy, such that C−N bond containing TAD‐An degrades faster C−C bond containing MAL‐An because C−N bond is weaker than C−C bond. Specifically, the results from polymer degradation kinetics under pulsed ultrasonication shows that polymer containing TAD‐An has a rate constant of 1.59×10−5 min−1, while MAL‐An (C−C bond) has a rate constant of 1.40×10−5 min−1. Incorporation of TAD‐An in a crosslinked polymer network demonstrates the feasibility to utilize TAD‐An as an alternative force‐responsive probe to visualize mechanical damage where fluorescence can be “turned‐on” due to force‐accelerated retro‐Diels‐Alder reaction.
Supported liquid extraction combined with liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry for the quantitative analysis of a TLR7 agonist imiquimod LFX453 in plasma at low picograms per milliliter: Method validation and its application to a pharmacokinetic study in minipig
Authors: Heudi Olivier , Winter Serge 
Published: November 2023

AbstractSample preparation is essential for low‐level compound determination. In the present work, supported liquid extraction (SLE) was used as sample preparation for the low‐level determination of a new TLR7 agonist imiquimod compound, LFX453. Samples were extracted on ISOLUTE® SLE 96‐well plates using tert‐butyl‐methyl ether followed by evaporation and dry residue reconstitution with 150 μl of a mixture of 0.1% formic acid in acetonitrile–water (50/50, v/v). Samples were eluted using a flow rate of 0.750 ml/min on a C18 column (50 × 2.1 mm, 2.7 μm) with a mobile phase consisting of 0.1% formic acid in water (A) and 0.1% formic acid in acetonitrile (B). Tandem mass spectrometry was used to analyze the samples in positive mode. The method run time was 6.5 min, and the low limit of quantification was 1.00 pg/ml with 0.100 ml of minipig plasma. Intra‐run and inter‐run precision and accuracy were within the acceptance criteria at four concentration levels over a concentration ranging from 1.00 to 200 pg/ml. There was no matrix effect and recovery, three freeze–thaw cycles and incurred samples reanalysis were validated. The method was successfully applied for measuring LFX453 in minipig plasma after application on minipig skin.
Do prosocial‐certified companies walk the talk? An analysis of B Corps' contributions to Sustainable Development Goals
Authors: Boni Leonardo , Chiodo Veronica , Gerli Francesco , Toschi Laura 
Published: November 2023

AbstractThis paper investigates the contribution of the B Corp movement in Europe to achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) compared with non‐B Corps. B Corp certification aims to identify organisations that utilise business as ‘a force for good’, but there is limited empirical evidence on how effectively certified organisations translate their prosocial claims into measurable SDG contributions. We address this through cluster analysis, comparing 313 B Corp‐certified and 1506 non‐certified European companies by way of the SDG Action Manager tool. Our findings reveal three clusters of B Corp‐certified organisations with varying contribution levels across all SDGs, indicating that the certification does not consistently identify organisations with significant SDG impacts. Non‐certified companies, meanwhile, do not exhibit distinct patterns. These results raise doubts about whether the B Corp category identifies a distinctive prototype member that can define clear prosocial norms and practices. The paper contributes to understanding B Corp organisations' narratives by providing insights into their empirical performance compared with non‐certified organisations. It also offers potential explanations for these discrepancies and proposes strategies to strengthen B Corp certification bodies in alignment with the SDGs, while acknowledging the presence of intra‐category variations.
Evaluating a helpline for post‐secondary students: Caller distress, ability to face concern and satisfaction with helpline
Authors: Erbach Madison , Danseco Evangeline , Schutte Valerie 
Published: November 2023

AbstractBackgroundHelplines for post‐secondary students have emerged in the last decade to address the growing mental health needs and increasing help‐seeking of this population in ways that are responsive to their needs and preferences. However, there is no publicly available evidence of the effectiveness of helplines for post‐secondary students.AimsThis study evaluated the outcomes of Good2Talk, a helpline for post‐secondary students in Ontario, Canada, that offers professional counselling and information and referral services related to mental health, addictions and well‐being.MethodsIn this cross‐sectional study, purposive sampling was used to recruit post‐secondary students who contacted Good2Talk between March 2016 and March 2020. Data were collected using post‐call questionnaires. Paired samples t‐tests and multinomial logistic regression analyses were used to analyse the data from 619 post‐secondary students.ResultsParticipants reported significant decreases in distress and increases in their ability to face their concern after contacting the helpline. Feeling understood and low pre‐call distress were significant predictors of low post‐call distress. Confidence in their abilities and having a better plan were significant predictors of high post‐call ability to face their concern. Age, gender and number of previous calls to the helpline were not significant predictors of positive outcomes. Most participants reported that they would recontact the helpline and recommend the helpline to a peer.ConclusionThe study indicates that counselling and information and referral services can be effective in reducing distress and increasing post‐secondary students' abilities to address their mental health concerns.
The effect of lactic acid in association with steam in reducing microorganisms in hard red winter wheat
Authors: Musa Shpresa , Stratton Jayne , Rose Devin J. , Manthena Vamsi , Bianchini Andréia 
Published: November 2023

AbstractBackground and ObjectivesEven though wheat‐based products are a low‐moisture food, and most of the finished products are thermally processed, there have been several reported outbreaks associated with wheat flour. The objective of this study was (a) to evaluate the effect of steam alone or in combination with lactic acid, to reduce the natural microbial load of hard red winter wheat, and (b) to evaluate the impact of these interventions on the functional properties of hard wheat flour.FindingsHard red winter wheat was treated by adding acid to the tempering water, steaming the kernels, or adding a combination of both. Samples were placed on sieves (bed depth 0.5 and 1.0 cm) for those treatments where steam was included and then treated in a steam table until grain temperature achieved 80°C and 85°C. After treatment was applied, wheat was allowed to temper to 15.5% moisture. The combination of acid and steam achieved the highest overall microbial reductions, with 4.0, 4.1, and 4.3 log CFU/g, for APC, Eb, and coliforms, respectively. When flour functionality was evaluated, the interventions applied resulted in some minor differences for individual parameters associated with pasting properties, baking performance, and bread image analysis.ConclusionsThe addition of lactic acid and steam effectively enhanced the microbiological quality of hard wheat and the consequent flour, with no compromise in its functional properties.Significance and NoveltyThis research addresses the food safety concern of microbial contamination in wheat flour and introduces a novel method involving lactic acid and steam treatment to significantly reduce microbial loads without compromising the flour's functional properties.