bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Electrochemical Sensing Based on Nanofibers Modified Electrodes for Application in Diagnostic, Food and Waste Water Samples
Authors: Nazari Maryam , Kashanian Soheila , Parnianchi Fatemeh , Hasanvand Zahra , Mohebbi Marjan , Joseph Yvonne , Rahimi Parvaneh 
Published: December 2023

AbstractElectrochemical sensors and biosensors are today important analytical and monitoring tools in various fields, from agriculture and the food industry to environmental and biomedical/pharmaceutical applications. In particular, the integration of nanotechnology with electrochemical sensors and biosensors to develop a new generation of sensor platforms has made enormous progress in recent years. The outstanding properties of one‐dimensional (1D) nanofibers (NFs), such as high porosity, superior mechanical properties and high specific surface area have made them attractive electrocatalysts, support materials for the immobilization of biomolecules as well as mimetic materials for sensing and biosensing applications. Moreover, the possibility of fabricating multifunctional composites based on NFs increases (bio)sensing capabilities through synergistic effects and additive properties. This review describes the progress made over the last decade in the use of multifunctional NFs‐based composites as modified electrodes for the sensing of various analytes in biomedical, food, and wastewater treatment applications. The aim of this review is to provide a comprehensive overview and a guide for researchers from different disciplines to fabricate and improve their selective NFs‐based (bio)sensor platforms for the detection of desired analytes or multi‐analytes.
Exploration of Strong Metal‐Support Interaction in Heterogeneous Catalysts by in situ Transmission Electron Microscopy
Authors: Jiang Yongjun , Dai Sheng 
Published: December 2023

AbstractThe phenomenon of strong metal‐support interaction (SMSI) observed in supported metal catalysts, usually accompanied by the formation of the encapsulation layer on metal nanoparticles, has attracted extensive research attention due to its significance in heterogeneous catalysis. Notably, great progress has been made in recent years in investigating SMSI by in situ transmission electron microscopy (TEM), along with an enhanced comprehension of the underlying mechanisms governing SMSI formation. This emerging topic summarizes recent progress utilizing in situ TEM to study the interaction between metal and support and the relationship between the structure and performance of the supported catalyst under reaction conditions. A brief perspective about the use of in situ TEM for further study of SMSI is also presented, showing prospects in this field that will stimulate further upsurging research in promoting the catalytic efficiency of supported catalysts.
The impact of environmental, social and governance (ESG) score on dividend payment of large family firms: What is the role of financial constraints? International evidence
Authors: Maquieira Carlos P. , Espinosa‐Méndez Christian , Arias José T. 
Published: December 2023

AbstractThis article studies the relationship between environmental, social and governance (ESG) score and dividend payment for 274 large family firms in the period 2015–2021. This research has three contributions to the literature. First, to the best of our knowledge this is the first article to focus on large family firms considering their greater importance in stock ownership around the world. Second, this sample covers both developed and emerging nations. Third, our study not only establishes a connection between ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) criteria and dividend payments but also considers how financial constraints moderate the relationship between ESG scores and dividend payments. The results indicate a positive influence of ESG scores on dividend payments. Furthermore, financial constraints of family firms are negatively related to dividend payments. Finally, the moderating effect of financial constraints on the relationship between dividend payment and ESG show that for high levels of financial constraints that dividends are less sensitive to ESG score. The opposite effect is reported when firms show low levels of financial constraints. Practically speaking, the study demonstrates the value of creating a dividend policy that is in line with the ESG score because they are complementary signals. Additionally, it is important to consider financial limitations when planning financial reserves in family firms. This is due to the diminished correlation between ESG score and dividend payments in the presence of financial constraints.
Evaluation of an electrochemical sensor and comparison with spectroscopic approaches as used today in practice for harm reduction in a festival setting—A case study: Analysis of 3,4‐methylenedioxymethamphetamine samples
Authors: Deconinck Eric , Polet Marie A. , Canfyn Michaël , Duchateau Céline , De Braekeleer Kris , Van Echelpoel Robin , De Wael Karolien , Gremeaux Lies , Degreef Maarten , Balcaen Margot 
Published: December 2023

AbstractMore and more countries and organisations emphasise the value of harm reduction measures in the context of illicit drug use and abuse. One of these measures is drug checking, a preventive action that can represent a quick win by tailored consultation on the risks of substance use upon analytical screening of a submitted sample. Unlike drop‐in centres that operate within a fixed setting, enabling drug checking in a harm reduction context at events requires portable, easy to use analytical approaches, operated by personnel with limited knowledge of analytical chemistry. In this case study, four different approaches were compared for the characterisation of 3,4‐methylenedioxymethamphetamine samples and this in the way the approaches would be applied today in an event context. The four approaches are mid‐infrared (MIR), near‐infrared, and Raman spectroscopy, which are today used in drug checking context in Belgium, as well as an electrochemical sensor approach initially developed in the context of law enforcement at ports. The MIR and the electrochemical approach came out best, with the latter allowing for a direct straightforward analysis of the percentage 3,4‐methylenedioxymethamphetamine (as base equivalent) in the samples. However, MIR has the advantage that, in a broader drug checking context, it allows to screen for several molecules and so is able to identify unexpected active components or at least the group to which such components belong. The latter is also an important advantage in the context of the growing emergence of new psychotropic substances.
Saproxylic beetles' morphological traits and higher trophic guilds indicate boreal forest naturalness
Authors: Wetherbee Ross , Birkemoe Tone , Burner Ryan C. , Sverdrup‐Thygeson Anne 
Published: December 2023

AbstractForests contribute to numerous ecosystem functions and services and contain a large proportion of terrestrial biodiversity, but they are being negatively impaced by anthropogenic activities. Forests that have never been clear‐cut and have old growth characteristics, termed “near‐natural,” often harbor different and richer species assemblages than managed forests. Alternative management strategies may be able to balance the needs of biodiversity with the demands of forestry, but evaluation efforts are limited by the challenges of measuring biodiversity. Species richness is frequently used as a simple measure of biodiversity, but research indicates that it may not adequately capture community‐level changes. Alternatively, trait‐based measures of biodiversity may prove to be useful, but research is lacking. In this paper, we use a large dataset that includes 339 obligate saproxylic beetle species collected over a decade in the boreal region throughout southern Norway to: (1) establish if there is a difference in beetle community composition between near‐natural and managed forests; and (2) determine which measures of beetle biodiversity best indicate forest naturalness. We arranged the sites in an ordination space and tested for differences in community composition between these forest types. We also tested different measures of biodiversity to determine which were the most predictive of forest naturalness. We found a clear difference in community composition between near‐natural and managed forests. Additionally, three measures of biodiversity were most predictive of forest naturalness: proportional abundance of predators, community weighted mean (CWM) of wing length, and CWM of body roundness. The probability that a forest was near‐natural increased with the proportional abundance of predators but decreased with CWM wing length and body roundness. Although species richness was higher in near‐natural forests, the effect was not significant. Overall, our findings underscore the conservation value of near‐natural forests and highlight the potential of several measures of biodiversity for determining forest quality.
Developing evolutionary anthropology in local ecosystems
Authors: Palkovitz Rachel E. , Lawler Richard R. 
Published: December 2023

AbstractThe traditional regional focus of evolutionary anthropology—typically defined as places where hominin fossils, nonhuman primates, and non‐western populations reside—forms the basis of much evolutionary anthropological research. Using the highly biodiverse temperate region of Appalachia as an example, we suggest that evolutionary anthropologists have much to gain by stepping outside of this traditional geographic area. Being purposely provocative, we argue that evolutionary anthropologists might also benefit from conducting research in Appalachia and other temperate ecosystems. We briefly discuss multiple areas of study—including studies of seed dispersal, functional redundancy, convergent evolution, human behavioral ecology, and conservation—and how they can be considered within the purview of integrative and evolutionary anthropology. We also highlight broader impacts to higher education that evolutionary anthropologists can help promote by working in local ecosystems.
The effect of Medicaid expansion on the take‐up of disability benefits by race and ethnicity
Authors: Staiger Becky , Helfer Madeline , Van Parys Jessica 
Published: December 2023

AbstractPublic disability programs provide financial support to 12 million working‐age individuals per year, though not all eligible individuals take up these programs. Mixed evidence exists regarding the impact of Medicaid eligibility expansion on program take‐up, and even less is known about the relationship between Medicaid expansion and racial and ethnic disparities in take‐up. Using 2009–2020 Current Population Survey data, we compare changes in Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) take‐up among respondents with disabilities living in Medicaid expansion states to respondents with disabilities living in non‐expansion states, before and after Medicaid expansion. We further explore heterogeneity by race/ethnicity. We find that Medicaid expansion reduced SSI take‐up by 10% overall, particularly among White and Hispanic respondents (10% and 21%, respectively). Medicaid expansion increased SSDI take‐up by 8% overall, particularly among White and Black respondents (9% and 11%, respectively). Moreover, we find that Medicaid expansion reduced the probability that respondents with disabilities had employer‐sponsored health insurance by approximately 8%, suggesting that expansion may have reduced job‐lock among the SSDI‐eligible, contributing to the observed increase in SSDI take‐up.
PRMT5 participates in B cell overactivation in patients with primary Sjogren's syndrome (pSS) through RSAD2‐mediated NF‐κB signaling
Authors: Zhu Hong , Zheng Jian , Zhou Yan , Wu Tong , Zhu Tiantian 
Published: December 2023

AbstractObjectiveThere are new evidences that protein arginine methyltransferase 5 (PRMT5) is widely involved in the progression of various diseases, but its effect is unclear on Primary Sjogren's syndrome (pSS). The main purpose of this study is to explore the regulatory effect of PRMT5 on pSS and its potential mechanisms.MethodsCD40L treated CD19 + B cells to construct a cell model of pSS. CCK‐8 assay and Annexin V‐FITC/PI kits were used to measure cell proliferation and apoptosis. ELISA assay was used to determine the contents of IL‐6 and TNF‐α in CD19 + B cells. And commercial kits were used to detect the levels of immunoglobins (IgG, IgM, and IgA) in CD40L‐treated CD19 + B cells. And successfully constructed a pSS mouse model.ResultsThe results revealed an increase in the expression of PRMT5 in CD19 + B cells from patients with pSS. After CD40L treatment, the knockdown of PRMT5 prominently decreased cell viability, the production level of immunoglobulins (IgG, IgM, and IgA), and the content of IL‐10, increased the content of IL‐6 and IL‐8, and promoted the apoptosis of pSS CD19 + B cells. Mechanistically, PRMT5 negatively regulated the RSAD2 and nuclear factor kappa‐B (NF‐κB) signaling pathway. Furthermore, overexpression of RSAD2 and p65 significantly rescued the effect of PRMT5 knockdown on proliferation, immunoglobin production and secreting cytokines in CD40L‐treated CD19 + B cells. More importantly, inhibition of PRMT5 significantly inhibited the symptoms of pSS mice.ConclusionsLow‐expression of PRMT5 through inactivation of RSAD2/NF‐κB signalling pathway alleviates the hyperactivity of B cells, which may provide theoretical basis and potential therapeutic targets for clinical treatment of pSS.
Increasing customer purchases at farmers markets using point‐of‐sale scanner data
Authors: Rigotti Luca , LeRoux Matthew N. , Schmit Todd M. 
Published: December 2023

AbstractUntil recently, lack of customer transaction data at farmers markets prevented strategic vendor decision making to increase customer purchases. We collect point‐of‐sale data on over 26,000 transactions in 2021 from 10 livestock farms at 22 farmers markets in New York State. We find noncash payment types, earlier sale hours, product differentiation, and lower customer densities are associated with higher customer transaction size, as is the number of product groups (species) and item variety offered by vendors. Marginal expenditure effects on over 30 meat product categories across seven livestock species provide valuable information on alternative product offerings and pricing.
ROS‐mediated anticancer effects of EGFR‐targeted nanoceria
Authors: Johnson Kochurani K. , Koshy Pramod , Kopecky Chantal , Devadason Michelle , Biazik Joanna , Zheng Xiaoran , Jiang Yue , Wang Xiaochun , Liu Yiling , Holst Jeff , Yang Jia‐Lin , Kilian Kristopher A. , Sorrell Charles C. 
Published: December 2023

AbstractThe therapeutic effectiveness of anticancer drugs, including nanomedicines, can be enhanced with active receptor‐targeting strategies. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is an important cancer biomarker, constitutively expressed in sarcoma patients of different histological types. The present work reports materials and in vitro biomedical analyses of silanized (passive delivery) and/or EGF‐functionalized (active delivery) ceria nanorods exhibiting highly defective catalytically active surfaces. The EGFR‐targeting efficiency of nanoceria was confirmed by receptor‐binding studies. Increased cytotoxicity and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production were observed for EGF‐functionalized nanoceria owing to enhanced cellular uptake by HT‐1080 fibrosarcoma cells. The uptake was confirmed by TEM and confocal microscopy. Silanized nanoceria demonstrated negligible/minimal cytotoxicity toward healthy MRC‐5 cells at 24 and 48 h, whereas this was significant at 72 h owing to a nanoceria accumulation effect. In contrast, considerable cytotoxicity toward the cancer cells was exhibited at all three times points. The ROS generation and associated cytotoxicity were moderated by the equilibrium between catalysis by ceria, generation of cell debris, and blockage of active sites. EGFR‐targeting is shown to enhance the uptake levels of nanoceria by cancer cells, subsequently enhancing the overall anticancer activity and therapeutic performance of ceria.
Corneal and Coronary Calcification in Maintenance Hemodialysis: The Face Is No Index to the Heart
Authors: Pessoa Maria Beatriz C. N. , Santo Ruth Miyuki , de Deus Aline A. , Duque Eduardo J , Crispilho Shirley F. , Jorgetti Vanda , Dalboni Maria Aparecida , Rochitte Carlos Eduardo , Moyses Rosa M. A. , Elias Rosilene M. 
Published: December 2023

ABSTRACTAlthough the eyes are the main site of metastatic calcification in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), corneal and conjunctival calcification (CCC) is poorly evaluated in this population. Whether CCC correlates with coronary artery calcification remains unknown since studies so far have relied on methods with low sensitivity. Our objective was to test the relationship between CCC and coronary calcification based on tomography. This was a cross‐sectional study that included patients on maintenance dialysis. Clinical, demographic, and biochemical data (calcium, phosphorus, parathormone, alkaline phosphatase, and 25(OH)‐vitamin D) were recorded. Hyperparathyroidism was defined as parathyroid hormone (PTH) > 300 pg/mL. CCC was evaluated by anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS‐OCT), and coronary calcium scores (Agatston method) were assessed by computed tomography. We compared no/mild with moderate/severe CCC. Twenty‐nine patients were included (49.6 ± 15.0 years, 62.1% female, on hemodialysis for 5.7 [2.7–9.4] years, 17.2% with diabetes mellitus, 75.9% with hyperparathyroidism). CCC was found in 82.7% of patients, with median scores of 9 (3, 14.5), ranging from 0 to 16. CCC was classified as absent/mild, moderate, and severe in 27.6%, 20.7%, and 51.7%, respectively. Coronary calcification was found in 44.8% of patients, with median scores of 11 (0, 464), varying from 0 and 6456. We found no significant correlation between coronary calcium scores and CCC (r = 0.203, p = 0.282). Hyperphosphatemia was more frequent in patients with moderate/severe CCC than in those with absent/mild CCC. We concluded that CCC was frequent in patients with CKD on dialysis and did not correlate with coronary calcium scores. Hyperphosphatemia appears to contribute to CCC. © 2023 The Authors. JBMR Plus published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Global epidemiological features and impact of osteosarcopenia: A comprehensive meta‐analysis and systematic review
Authors: Chen Shanping , Xu Xiao , Gong Huping , Chen Ruzhao , Guan Lijuan , Yan Xuedan , Zhou Lihua , Yang Yongxue , Wang Jiang , Zhou Jianghua , Zou Chuan , Huang Pan 
Published: December 2023

AbstractOsteosarcopenia is defined as the concurrent occurrence of osteopenia/osteoporosis and sarcopenia. The aim of the current study was to perform a systematic review with meta‐analysis to determine the global prevalence, risk factors and clinical outcomes of osteosarcopenia. This review was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42022351229). PubMed, Cochrane, Medline and Embase were searched from inception to February 2023 to retrieve eligible observational population‐based studies. Pooled osteosarcopenia prevalence was calculated with 95% confidence interval (CI), and subgroup analyses were performed. The risk factor of osteosarcopenia and its association with clinical outcomes were expressed as odds ratio (OR) and hazard ratio (HR), respectively. Heterogeneity was estimated using the I2 test. Study quality was assessed using validated instruments matched to study designs. The search identified 55 158 studies, and 66 studies (64 404 participants, mean age from 46.6 to 93 years) were analysed in the final analysis, including 48 cross‐sectional studies, 17 cohort studies and 1 case–control study. Overall, the pooled prevalence of osteosarcopenia was 18.5% (95% CI: 16.7–20.3, I2 = 98.7%), including 15.3% (95% CI: 13.2–17.4, I2 = 97.6%) in men and 19.4% (95% CI: 16.9–21.9, I2 = 98.5%) in women. The prevalence of osteosarcopenia diagnosed using sarcopenia plus osteopenia/osteoporosis was 20.7% (95% CI: 17.1–24.4, I2 = 98.55%), and the prevalence of using sarcopenia plus osteoporosis was 16.1% (95% CI: 13.3–18.9, I2 = 98.0%). The global osteosarcopenia prevalence varied in different regions with 22.9% in Oceania, 21.6% in Asia, 20.8% in South America, 15.7% in North America and 10.9% in Europe. A statistically significant difference was found in the subgroups of the study population between the hospital (24.7%) and community (12.9%) (P = 0.001). Frailty (OR = 4.72, 95% CI: 2.71–8.23, I2 = 61.1%), malnutrition (OR = 2.35, 95% CI: 1.62–3.40, I2 = 50.0%), female sex (OR = 5.07, 95% CI: 2.96–8.69, I2 = 73.0%) and higher age (OR = 1.10, 95% CI: 1.06–1.15, I2==86.0%) were significantly associated with a higher risk for osteosarcopenia. Meta‐analysis of cohort studies showed that osteosarcopenia significantly increased the risk of fall (HR = 1.54, 95% CI: 1.20–1.97; I2 = 1.0%, three studies), fracture (HR = 2.13, 95% CI: 1.61–2.81; I2 = 67.8%, seven studies) and mortality (HR = 1.75, 95% CI: 1.34–2.28; I2 = 0.0%, five studies). Despite the heterogeneity arising from varied definitions and criteria, our findings highlight a significant global prevalence of osteosarcopenia and its negative impact on clinical health. Standardizing diagnostic criteria for osteosarcopenia would be advantageous in the future, and early detection and management should be emphasized in this patient population.
Semi‐automated, high‐content imaging of drug transporter knockout sea urchin (Lytechinus pictus) embryos
Authors: Tjeerdema Evan , Lee Yoon , Metry Rachel , Hamdoun Amro 
Published: December 2023

AbstractA defining feature of sea urchins is their extreme fecundity. Urchins produce millions of transparent, synchronously developing embryos, ideal for spatial and temporal analysis of development. This biological feature has been effectively utilized for ensemble measurement of biochemical changes. However, it has been underutilized in imaging studies, where single embryo measurements are used. Here we present an example of how stable genetics and high content imaging, along with machine learning‐based image analysis, can be used to exploit the fecundity and synchrony of sea urchins in imaging‐based drug screens. Building upon our recently created sea urchin ABCB1 knockout line, we developed a high‐throughput assay to probe the role of this drug transporter in embryos. We used high content imaging to compare accumulation and toxicity of canonical substrates and inhibitors of the transporter, including fluorescent molecules and antimitotic cancer drugs, in homozygous knockout and wildtype embryos. To measure responses from the resulting image data, we used a nested convolutional neural network, which rapidly classified embryos according to fluorescence or cell division. This approach identified sea urchin embryos with 99.8% accuracy and determined two‐cell and aberrant embryos with 96.3% and 89.1% accuracy, respectively. The results revealed that ABCB1 knockout embryos accumulated the transporter substrate calcein 3.09 times faster than wildtypes. Similarly, knockouts were 4.71 and 3.07 times more sensitive to the mitotic poisons vinblastine and taxol. This study paves the way for large scale pharmacological screens in the sea urchin embryo.