bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Identification of ß‐Glucocerebrosidase Activators for Glucosylceramide hydrolysis
Authors: Schulze Monika‐Sarah E. D. , Scholz Diana , Jnoff Eric , Hall Adrian , Melin Jonathan , Sands Zara A. , Rodriguez Elizabeth , Andre Veronique M. 
Published: February 2024

AbstractSeveral novel chemical series were identified that modulate glucocerebrosidase (GCase). Compounds from these series are active on glucosylceramide, unlike other known GCase modulators. We obtained GCase crystal structures with two compounds that have distinct chemotypes. Positive allosteric modulators bind to a site on GCase and induce conformational changes, but also induce an equilibrium state between monomer and dimer.
Relationship between brightness perception and skin color influenced by experimental method
Authors: He Yuanyuan , Sato Hiromi , Phuangsuwan Chanprapha , Rattanakasamsuk Kitirochna , Mizokami Yoko 
Published: February 2024

AbstractFacial brightness perception is affected by skin color. It was reported that reddish skin was matched with a higher lightness scale stimulus than yellowish skin among Japanese observers. However, this trend is inconsistent among Thai, Korean, Chinese, and European observers, implying the influence factors, such as ethnicity, environment, and judgment criteria. In this study, we investigated the influence of the experimental method on facial brightness perception using test stimulus images with constant lightness and different hue angles. We examined two instructions (“Appearance match” vs. “Brightness match”) and the scale stimulus for matching (a uniform color patch vs. a face image). We further conducted an impression evaluation experiment of the whole face. The matching results from the Japanese showed a similar trend in both instructions and scale stimuli under most conditions, suggesting that matched brightness is not influenced by instruction and the complexity of scale stimuli. The impression evaluation results were similar for Thai, Japanese, and Chinese observers, with reddish faces being evaluated with higher scores in brightness. Our findings suggest the influence of experimental methods on facial brightness judgment. The holistic judgment of facial brightness would be universal among different East Asian groups, at least for the range of variation in skin color we used.
Spectroscopic Characterization of Thermal Methane Activation by Lewis‐Acid‐Base Pair in a Gas‐Phase Metal Nitride Anion Ta2N3−
Authors: Li Zi‐Yu , Liu Qing‐Yu , He Sheng‐Gui 
Published: February 2024

AbstractActivation and transformation of methane is one of the “holy grails” in catalysis. Understanding the nature of active sites and mechanistic details via spectroscopic characterization of the reactive sites and key intermediates is of great challenge but crucial for the development of novel strategies for methane transformation. Herein, by employing photoelectron velocity‐map imaging (PEVMI) spectroscopy in conjunction with quantum chemistry calculations, the Lewis acid‐base pair (LABP) of [Taδ+−Nδ−] unit in Ta2N3− acting as an active center to accomplish the heterolytic cleavage of C−H bond in CH4 has been confirmed by direct characterization of the reactant ion Ta2N3− and the CH4‐adduct intermediate Ta2N3CH4−. Two active vibrational modes for the reactant (Ta2N3−) and four active vibrational modes for the intermediate (Ta2N3CH4−) were observed from the vibrationally resolved PEVMI spectra, which unequivocally determined the structure of Ta2N3− and Ta2N3CH4−. Upon heating, the LABP intermediate (Ta2N3CH4−) containing the NH and Ta−CH3 unit can undergo the processes of C−N coupling and dehydrogenation to form the product with an adsorbed HCN molecule.
Amino Acid Modified Hyper‐Cross‐Linked Polymer Enabling High‐efficient Photocatalytic Amines Oxidation Coupled with H2O2 Production
Authors: Gao Wei , Fu Yuyang , Nie Xinhao , Zhao Ying , Sun Cuihong , Shang Ningzhao , Cheng Xiang , Gao Shutao , Tian Bin , Wang Chun 
Published: February 2024

AbstractThe simultaneous production of imine and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) via photocatalytic aerobic amine oxidation is a bright way to obtain value added products, however, rapid recombination of photogenerated charge leads to low conversion efficiency and selectivity. Herein, a metal‐free amino acid modified hyper‐cross‐linked polymer (H3LP‐HCPs) photocatalyst was synthesized for photocatalytic amines oxidation by regulating the ratio of L‐phenylalanine (L‐Phe) and hexaphenylbenzene (Hex). The results showed that the H3LP‐HCPs photocatalyst with 1 : 3 molar ratio of L‐Phe and Hex achieves close to 100 % conversion efficiency and 100 % selectivity toward benzylamine oxidation under 455 nm blue LED lamp irradiation. Furthermore, a high yield of H2O2 (9.2 mmol ⋅ gcat−1 ⋅ h−1) was synchronously obtained in benzylamine oxidation. Experiments and time‐dependent density functional theory calculation results revealed that the N‐functional groups in H3LP‐HCPs photocatalyst not only remarkably broadens light‐response range, but also facilitates electrons transfer from L‐Phe to the Hex, thus accelerating photogenerated charge separation efficiency and the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS).
Cytomorphology of metastatic dedifferentiated/undifferentiated melanoma to the gallbladder: A case report and review of literature
Authors: Hegazy Shaymaa , Kamaluddin Zarine , Naous Rana 
Published: February 2024

AbstractDedifferentiated/undifferentiated melanoma (DM/UM) is a distinct subtype of malignant melanoma that tends to lose all melanocytic markers of differentiation. DM/UM pose major diagnostic challenges as they could be easily confused with UM sarcoma or carcinoma, thus necessitating the use of molecular studies such as Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) for detecting melanoma‐compatible mutations to confirm such diagnosis. The capability of performing NGS molecular studies on small biopsy material with confirmation of adequacy via rapid on‐site evaluation (ROSE) has tremendous value in diagnosing DM/UM. Herein, we present the first reported case of metastatic DM/UM to the gall bladder arising in a 60‐year‐old female with a prior history of right knee melanoma. We also shed light on the cytomorphology of DM/UM, review the literature on such a challenging entity, and emphasize the crucial role of molecular testing in their diagnosis.
Quantifying droplet–solid friction using an atomic force microscope
Authors: Koh Xue Qi , Thenarianto Calvin , Jokinen Ville , Daniel Dan 
Published: February 2024

AbstractControlling the wetting and spreading of microdroplets is key to technologies such as microfluidics, ink‐jet printing, and surface coating. Contact angle goniometry is commonly used to characterize surface wetting by droplets, but the technique is ill‐suited for high contact angles close to . Here, we attach a micrometric‐sized droplet to an atomic force microscope cantilever to directly quantify droplet–solid friction on different surfaces (superhydrophobic and underwater superoleophobic) with sub‐nanonewton force resolutions. We demonstrate the versatility of our approach by performing friction measurements using different liquids (water and oil droplets) and under different ambient environments (in air and underwater). Finally, we show that underwater superoleophobic surfaces can be qualitatively different from superhydrophobic surfaces: droplet–solid friction is highly sensitive to droplet speeds for the former but not for the latter surface.
A meta‐analysis reveals increases in soil organic carbon following the restoration and recovery of croplands in Southwest China
Authors: Guo Zihao , Zhang Shuting , Zhang Lichen , Xiang Yangzhou , Wu Jianping 
Published: February 2024

AbstractIn China, the Grain for Green Program (GGP) is an ambitious project to convert croplands into natural vegetation, but exactly how changes in vegetation translate into changes in soil organic carbon remains less clear. Here we conducted a meta‐analysis using 734 observations to explore the effects of land recovery on soil organic carbon and nutrients in four provinces in Southwest China. Following GGP, the soil organic carbon content (SOCc) and soil organic carbon stock (SOCs) increased by 33.73% and 22.39%, respectively, compared with the surrounding croplands. Similarly, soil nitrogen increased, while phosphorus decreased. Outcomes were heterogeneous, but depended on variations in soil and environmental characteristics. Both the regional land use and cover change indicated by the landscape type transfer matrix and net primary production from 2000 to 2020 further confirmed that the GGP promoted the forest area and regional mean net primary production. Our findings suggest that the GGP could enhance soil and vegetation carbon sequestration in Southwest China and help to develop a carbon‐neutral strategy.
Effects of overgrazing on the functional diversity of rodents in desert areas
Authors: Zhu Na , Li Xin , Wu Xiaodong , Li Linlin , Yang Suwen , Fu Heping , Yuan Shuai 
Published: February 2024

AbstractEnvironmental stressors and disturbances can cause changes in an ecosystem's community structure, which can be reflected in its functional diversity. As grazing intensity increases, this causes changes in the environment that inevitably lead to changes in the community structure, which can especially affect rodents due to their sensitivity to the environment. The effects of grazing prohibition and overgrazing on the functional diversity of desert rodent communities in Alxa were studied in April, July, and October of 2018–2020. The trap‐day method was used to study rodent communities in disturbed habitats. Five functional traits were selected and quantified: nutrition, life history, physiology, morphology, and activity rhythm. The results showed that: (1) The species composition of rodent communities in the Alxa Desert in spring and autumn was significantly correlated with the functional traits of the hibernation, reproductive cycle, and feeding habits. The species composition in the summer was only significantly correlated with the functional traits of reproductive cycle and diet. (2) The effects of overgrazing on the functional diversity of rodents in desert areas have significant temporal and spatial characteristics. (3) In spring and summer, overgrazing made the Functional Richness index of the rodent community lower than that of areas where grazing is prohibited, but the Functional Evenness index was higher than that of grazing‐prohibition areas. In autumn, overgrazing increased the Functional Richness index of the rodent community and decreased the Functional Evenness index. The Functional Divergence index was higher in overgrazing areas than in grazing‐prohibited ones. These results suggest that, in spring and summer, overgrazing reduced the ecological space utilization ability of rodent communities; however, the impact on the degree of utilization of community resources is more comprehensive. In autumn, overgrazing increases the ability of rodent communities to use ecological space but reduces resource efficiency. Overgrazing makes the niche differentiation of rodent communities higher, the degree of overlap lower, and the competition between species weaker. Therefore, overgrazing will affect the functional diversity of the community through the utilization of ecological space, resource utilization, interspecific competition, and niche.
Identification and genetic characterization of a novel species of Choleoeimeria Schneider, 1875 from a captive‐bred bilby (Thylacomyidae; Macrotis lagotis) (Reid, 1837) in Western Australia
Authors: Brice Belinda , Gao Huimin , Berto Bruno P. , Thomas Gwyneth , Elloit Aileen , Zahedi Alireza 
Published: February 2024

AbstractA novel Eimeria sp. from a captive‐bred bilby (Macrotis lagotis Reid, 1837) has been identified in Western Australia. The bilby was bred at the Kanyana Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre, Perth, as part of the National Bilby Recovery Plan. Oocysts (n = 31) irregular blunt ellipsoidal, 17–18 × 11–12 (17.2 × 11.3); length/width (L/W) ratio 1.4–1.5 (1.5). Wall bi‐layered, 0.8–1.0 (0.9) thick, outer layer smooth, c.2/3 of total thickness. Micropyle barely discernible. Oocyst residuum is absent, but 2–3 small polar granules are present. Sporocysts (n = 31) ovoidal, 7–8 × 5–6 (7.8 × 5.7); L/W ratio 1.3–1.4 (1.4). Stieda, sub‐Stieda and para‐Stieda bodies absent or indiscernible; sporocyst residuum present, usually as an irregular body consisting of numerous granules that appear to be membrane‐bound or sometimes diffuse among sporozoites. Sporozoites vermiform with a robust refractile body. Further molecular characterization was conducted on the sporulated oocysts. At the 18S locus, it sat in a large clade of the phylogenetic tree with two isolates of Eimeria angustus from quendas (Isoodon obesulus Shaw, 1797) and the Choleoeimeria spp. It shared the highest identity with E. angustus (KU248093) at 98.84%; at the COI gene locus, it was unique and most closely related to Choleoeimeria taggarti, which is hosted by another species of marsupial, the yellow‐footed antechinus (Antechinus flavipes flavipes), with 90.58% genetic similarity. Based on morphological and molecular data, this isolate is a new species and named as Choleoeimeria yangi n. sp.
Limited associations between MHC diversity and reproductive success in a bird species with biparental care
Authors: Ferreira Diana , San‐Jose Luis M. , Roulin Alexandre , Gaigher Arnaud , Fumagalli Luca 
Published: February 2024

AbstractThe selective pressure from pathogens on individuals can have direct consequences on reproduction. Genes from the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) are central to the vertebrate adaptive immune system and pathogen resistance. In species with biparental care, each sex has distinct reproductive roles and levels of investment, and due to a trade‐off with immunity, one can expect different selective regimes acting upon the MHC of each parent. Here, we addressed whether couples combine each other's variation at MHC loci to increase their breeding success. Specifically, we used a 23‐year dataset from a barn owl population (Tyto alba) to understand how MHC class Iα and IIβ functional divergence and supertypes of each parent were associated with clutch size and fledging success. We did not detect associations between MHC diversity and supertypes with the clutch size or with the fledging success. In addition, to understand the relative contribution from the MHC of the genetic parents and the social parents, we analyzed the fledging success using only a cross‐fostered dataset. We found several associations of weak‐to‐moderate effect sizes between the father's MHC and fledging success: (i) lower MHC‐Iα divergence in the genetic father increases fledging success, which might improve paternal care during incubation, and (ii) one and two MHC‐IIβ DAB2 supertypes in the social father decrease and increase, respectively, fledging success, which may affect the paternal care after hatching. Furthermore, fledging success increased when both parents did not carry MHC‐IIβ DAB1 supertype 2, which could suggest conditional effects of this supertype. Although our study relied on a substantial dataset, we showed that the associations between MHC diversity and reproductive success remain scarce and of complex interpretation in the barn owl. Moreover, our results highlighted the need to incorporate more than one proxy of reproductive success and several MHC classes to capture more complex associations.
Species richness of Orthoptera declines with elevation while elevational range of individual species peaks at mid elevation
Authors: Thomas Jen , Segar Simon T. , Cherrill Andrew J. 
Published: February 2024

AbstractSpecies richness has been shown to decrease, and elevational range increase (the Rapoport effect), with elevation as a consequence of biotic and abiotic factors, but patterns are inconsistent across taxonomic groups. Despite being an important indicator taxon and a component of local communities, Orthoptera distributions at higher elevations in Europe remain unclear. We investigated the relationship of Orthoptera species richness and elevational range with elevation in the Pyrenees mountains, Europe. We conducted sweepnetting surveys supplemented by hand‐sampling, at 28 sites stratified by elevation, across three study areas. Using generalised linear models, we found that species richness declined with elevation. Elevation was an important predictor of species richness, but sampling effort and vegetation structure (height and cover) also contributed to estimates of species richness. Using a nonlinear regression to model the elevational range of species over the elevational gradient, we did not observe a Rapoport effect, with elevational range peaking at mid‐elevation instead. Smaller elevational ranges of species found at high elevations may be due to a combination of sampling over a restricted elevational range and the presence of specialist high‐elevation species. We argue that our findings are useful for understanding species distributions with elevation at the interface between local and regional scales. Clarifying the biotic and abiotic predictors of species distribution is important for informing conservation efforts and predicting consequences of climate change.
Response to MHC‐based olfactory cues in a mate choice context in two species of darter (Percidae: Etheostoma)
Authors: Million Kara M. , Proffit Melissa R. , Reese Sierra J. 
Published: February 2024

AbstractMate choice is hypothesized to play an important role in maintaining high diversity at major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genes in vertebrates. Many studies have revealed that females across taxa prefer the scent of males with MHC genotypes different to their own. In this study we tested the “opposites‐attract” hypothesis in two species of darter with known differences in female criteria used in mate choice: in the fantail darters (a paternal‐care species), females prefer males with visual traits related to nest guarding and egg tending, while in rainbow darters (not a paternal‐care species) female mate choice criteria are unknown. In dichotomous mate‐choice trials, we presented females of both species with the scents of conspecific males with MHC class IIb genotypes that were either similar or dissimilar to that of the focal female. We evaluated the proportion of time each female spent with each male and calculated the average strength of female preference for both species. Female fantail darters demonstrated a preference for the scent of males with similar (rather than dissimilar) MHC genotypes, but this result was not statistically significant. Rainbow darter females showed no preference for the scent of males with similar or dissimilar MHC genotypes. Our results do not support the “opposites‐attract” hypothesis in darters.
Examining the associations between a generalist feeder and a highly toxic host
Authors: Kropelin Grace , Scott Chialvo Clare H. 
Published: February 2024

AbstractUnderstanding the often antagonistic plant–herbivore interactions and how host defenses can influence herbivore dietary breadth is an area of ongoing study in ecology and evolutionary biology. Typically, host plants/fungi that produce highly noxious chemical defenses are only fed on by specialists. We know very little about generalist species that can feed and develop on a noxious host. One such example of generalists feeding on toxic host occurs in the mushroom‐feeding Drosophila found in the immigrans‐tripunctata radiation. Although these species are classified as generalists, their acceptable hosts include deadly Amanita species. In this study, we used behavioral assays to assess associations between one mushroom‐feeding species, Drosophila guttifera, and the deadly Amanita phalloides. We conducted feeding assays to confirm the presence of cyclopeptide toxin tolerance. We then completed host preference assays in female flies and larvae and did not find a preference for toxic mushrooms in either. Finally, we assessed the effect of competition on oviposition preference. We found that the presence of a competitor's eggs on the preferred host was associated with the flies increasing the number of eggs laid on the toxic mushrooms. Our results highlight how access to a low competition host resource may help to maintain associations between a generalist species and a highly toxic host.
Impact of the operative technique on mid‐ and long‐term results following paediatric heart transplantation
Authors: Rosenthal L. Lily , Grinninger Carola , Pozza Robert Dalla , Fischer Marcus , Zimmerling Linda , Ulrich Sarah M. , Kari Fabian A. , Haas Nikolaus A. , Michel Sebastian , Hörer Jürgen , Hagl Christian 
Published: February 2024

AbstractAimsThe aim of this study is to evaluate and compare the impact of the bicaval technique versus the biatrial technique (by Lower and Shumway) in paediatric heart transplant patients. Only a few studies investigate this matter regarding the long‐term outcome after paediatric heart transplantation. We compared the two surgical methods regarding survival, the necessity of pacemaker implantation.Methods and resultsAll 134 patients (aged <18 years) – (group‐1) biatrial (n = 84), versus (group‐2) bicaval (n = 50), who underwent heart transplantation between October 1988 and December 2021, were analysed. Freedom from events were estimated using the Kaplan–Meier method. Potential differences were analysed using the log rank test and Cox proportional hazard models. Mean ± standard deviation: Bypass time (per minutes) was higher in the group 1 as compared with group 2 (P = 0.050). Survival was not significantly different (P = 0.604) in either groups. Eighteen patients required permanent pacemaker implantation in the group 1 and only one patient required it in the group 2 (P = 0.001).ConclusionsPaediatric heart transplantation using bicaval technique results similar long‐term survival compared with the biatrial technique. The incidence of atrial rhythm disorders was significantly higher in the biatrial group, requiring a higher frequency of pacemaker implantation in this group. As a results, the bicaval technique has replaced the biatrial technique in our centre.
CAN Interceded Oxidative Coupling of β‐Dicarbonyl Compounds to 2‐Aryl/Heteroarylchromenes: A Regio‐ and Diastereoselective Synthesis of Tetrahydro‐benzofuro[3,2‐c]chromenones
Authors: Panja Sayanwita , Dhurey Arun , Maiti Gourhari , Pramanik Animesh 
Published: February 2024

AbstractA promising and useful method has been accomplished for regio‐ and diastereoselective synthesis of tetrahydro‐benzofuro[3,2‐c]chromenones through ceric(IV) ammonium nitrate (CAN) mediated oxidative coupling of cyclic/acyclic 1,3‐dicarbonyl compounds to 2‐aryl/heteroarylchromenes followed by a base assisted cyclization. The significant features of the method encircle easy accessibility of the starting materials, high air stability and low toxicity of oxidant CAN, high product yield, operationally simple and eco‐friendly reaction conditions. Trapping of a radical intermediate with radical scavenger TEMPO (detected by LC–MS) from the reaction mixture proved that the oxidative coupling is a radical mediated process.