bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Chinese urbanization promoted terrestrial ecosystem health by implementing high‐quality development and ecological management
Authors: Huang Chunbo , Liu Shuangshuang , Du Xixi , Qin Yi , Deng Lei 
Published: January 2024

AbstractHigh‐quality urbanization and a healthy ecosystem are both the material basis for sustainable social development. However, the tie between terrestrial ecosystem health (TEH) and urbanization is still unclear. Therefore, we assessed the spatial and temporal dynamics of urbanization and TEH at 368 cities in China from 2000 to 2020, then explored their spatial interaction and driving mechanisms by spatial autocorrelation analysis and structural equation modeling. The results showed: (1) China's comprehensive urbanization index (UI) improved from 0.08 in 2000 to 0.10 in 2020, contributing by some national urban agglomerations such as Beijing‐Tianjin‐Hebei, Yangtze River Delta, and Pearl River Delta. (2) China's terrestrial ecosystem health index (EHI) also increased from 0.67 to 0.68. Ecosystem vigor improved significantly, while ecosystem organization and resilience both decreased. (3) EHI and UI appeared to be locally spatially dependent, and path dependence was presented at municipal scales. (4) At the national scale, urbanization positively relates to EHI, which was enhanced by social, economic, and topography factors. The dominant drivers on EHI varied among regions, and urbanization improved EHI in all regions except for the southwest. Our study demonstrated that urbanization would promote TEH by implementing high‐quality development and ecological management simultaneously, providing theoretical support for urban sustainable development and ecological management.
Effect of different base oils on the friction behaviour of polycrystalline diamond compact
Authors: Gou Ruyi , Chen Jingjing , Luo Xun 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThis study analysed and discussed the friction and wear properties, as well as the interface evolution behaviour of polycrystalline diamond compact (PDC) under various base oils, through conducting friction experiments on PDC/Si3N4 with different base oils. The friction and lubrication mechanism of PDC under different base oils were examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), x‐ray energy dispersive spectrometry (EDS), three‐dimensional white light interferometry, and Raman spectroscopy. The results of the study demonstrated that PDC exhibited the best friction and wear performance when lubricated with synthetic oil PAO, followed by castor oil. The inferior performance of paraffin oil can be attributed to its low viscosity, resulting in a lower presence of ions capable of passivating the carbon dangling bond. Consequently, paraffin oil displayed inadequate oxidation stability and increased susceptibility to oil film destruction, ultimately leading to suboptimal friction and wear characteristics. Overall, this study provides valuable insights for industrial applications, aiding in the selection of appropriate base oils as cutting fluids for PDC cutting tools and enhancing the friction and wear properties of PDC.
Nanotechnology‐based CRISPR/Cas9 delivery system for genome editing in cancer treatment
Authors: Zhou Shiyao , Li Yingjie , Wu Qinjie , Gong Changyang 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThe clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR associated protein 9 (CRISPR/Cas9) systems initiate a revolution in genome editing, which have a significant potential for treating cancer. A significant amount of research has been conducted regarding genetic modification using CRISPR/Cas9 systems, and 33 clinical trials using ex vivo or in vivo CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing techniques have been carried out to treat cancer. Despite its potential advantages, the main obstacle to convert CRISPR/Cas9 technology into clinical genome editing applications is the safe and efficient transport of genetic material owing to various extra‐ and intracellular biological hurdles. We outline the characteristics of three forms of CRISPR/Cas9 cargos, plasmids, mRNA/sgRNA, and ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complexes in this review. The recent in vivo nanotechnology‐based delivery techniques for these three categories to treat cancer are then reviewed. In the end, we outline the prerequisites for effective and secure in vivo CRISPR/Cas9 delivery in clinical contexts and discuss challenges with current nanocarriers. This review offers a thorough overview of the CRISPR/Cas9 nano‐delivery system for the treatment of cancer, serving as a resource for the design and building of CRISPR/Cas9 delivery systems and offering fresh perspectives on the treatment of tumors.
The next phase of identifying illicit activity in Bitcoin
Authors: Nicholls Jack , Kuppa Aditya , Le‐Khac Nhien‐An 
Published: January 2024

AbstractIdentifying illicit behavior in the Bitcoin network is a well‐explored topic. The methods proposed over time have generated great insights into the deanonymization of the Bitcoin user base through the clustering of inputs and outputs. With advanced techniques being deployed by Bitcoin users, these heuristics are now being challenged in their ability to aid in the detection of illicit activity. In this paper, we provide a comprehensive list of methods deployed by malicious actors on the network and illicit transaction mining methods. We detail the evolution of the heuristics that are used to deanonymize Bitcoin transactions. We highlight the issues associated with conducting law enforcement investigations and propose recommendations for the research community to address these issues. Our recommendations include the release of public data by exchanges to allow researchers and law enforcement to further protect the network from malicious users. We recommend the enhancement of current heuristics through machine learning methods and discuss how researchers can take the fight head‐on against expert cybercriminals.
Concurrent multiscale and multi‐material optimization method for natural vibration design of porous structures
Authors: Shimoda Masatoshi , Fujita Junpei , Al Ali Musaddiq , Kamiya Ayu 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThis paper proposes a concurrent multiscale optimization method of macrostructure topology and microstructure shapes for porous structures, aimed at maximizing a specified natural frequency. The multi‐material distribution of the macrostructure and the shape of the microstructures are optimized by topology and shape optimization, respectively. The homogenized properties of the porous materials are calculated using the homogenization method, and the homogenized elastic tensor and density are applied to the macrostructure. The optimum distribution of the porous material in the macrostructure is determined by a multi‐material topology optimization using the generalized solid isotropic material with penalization (GSIMP) method, which is a method to obtain multi‐material topology by implementing the successive binarization. The KS (Kreisselmeier–Steinhauser) function is introduced to solve the repeated natural frequencies issue that lies in the maximization of a specified natural frequency. An area‐constrained multiscale optimization problem is formulated as a distributed‐parameter optimization problem, and the sensitivity functions are derived using the Lagrange multiplier method and the adjoint variable method. Based on the obtained sensitivity functions, the design variables are updated using the H1 gradient method (i.e., a nonparametric shape/topology optimization method). The effectiveness of the proposed method for maximizing a specified natural frequency is confirmed through 2D and 3D numerical examples, in which the influences of sub‐regions of the macrostructure and anisotropic material of the microstructures are also investigated and the results are discussed.
The role of adipogenic capacity and dysfunctional subcutaneous adipose tissue in the inheritance of type 2 diabetes mellitus: cross‐sectional study
Authors: Šiklová Michaela , Šrámková Veronika , Koc Michal , Krauzová Eva , Čížková Terezie , Ondrůjová Barbora , Wilhelm Marek , Varaliová Zuzana , Kuda Ondrej , Neubert Jana , Lambert Lukáš , Elkalaf Moustafa , Gojda Jan , Rossmeislová Lenka 
Published: January 2024

AbstractObjectiveThis study tested the hypothesis that limited subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) expansion represents a primary predisposition to the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), independent of obesity, and identified novel markers of SAT dysfunction in the inheritance of T2DM.MethodsFirst‐degree relatives (FDR) of T2DM patients (n = 19) and control individuals (n = 19) without obesity (fat mass < 25%) were cross‐sectionally compared. Body composition (bioimpedance, computed tomography) and insulin sensitivity (IS; oral glucose tolerance test, clamp) were measured. SAT obtained by needle biopsy was used to analyze adipocyte size, lipidome, mRNA expression, and inflammatory markers. Primary cultures of adipose precursors were analyzed for adipogenic capacity and metabolism.ResultsCompared with control individuals, FDR individuals had lower IS and a higher amount of visceral fat. However, SAT‐derived adipose precursors did not differ in their ability to proliferate and differentiate or in metabolic parameters (lipolysis, mitochondrial oxidation). In SAT of FDR individuals, lipidomic and mRNA expression analysis revealed accumulation of triglycerides containing polyunsaturated fatty acids and increased mRNA expression of lysyl oxidase (LOX). These parameters correlated with IS, visceral fat accumulation, and mRNA expression of inflammatory and cellular stress genes.ConclusionsThe intrinsic adipogenic potential of SAT is not affected by a family history of T2DM. However, alterations in LOX mRNA and polyunsaturated fatty acids in triacylglycerols are likely related to the risk of developing T2DM independent of obesity.image
Computational Study of the Fries Rearrangement Catalyzed by Acyltransferase from Pseudomonas protegens
Authors: Sheng Xiang , Kroutil Wolfgang , Himo Fahmi 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThe acyltransferase from Pseudomonas protegens (PpATase) catalyzes in nature the reversible transformation of monoacetylphloroglucinol to diacetylphloroglucinol and phloroglucinol. Interestingly, this enzyme has been shown to catalyze the promiscuous transformation of 3‐hydroxyphenyl acetate to 2′,4′‐dihydroxyacetophenone, representing a biological version of the Fries rearrangement. In the present study, we report a mechanistic investigation of this activity of PpATase using quantum chemical calculations. A detailed mechanism is proposed, and the energy profile for the reaction is presented. The calculations show that the acylation of the enzyme is highly exothermic, while the acetyl transfer back to the substrate is only slightly exothermic. The deprotonation of the C6−H of the substrate is rate‐limiting, and a remote aspartate residue (Asp137) is proposed to be the general base group in this step. Analysis of the binding energies of various acetyl acceptors shows that PpATase can promote both intramolecular and intermolecular Fries rearrangement towards diverse compounds.
Araucaria bidwillii genomics suggest Indigenous Peoples broadened translocation practices in response to settler colonialism
Authors: Fahey Monica , Rossetto Maurizio , Ens Emilie , Kerkhove Ray 
Published: January 2024

Abstract

Retracing past anthropogenic dispersal of culturally important taxa offers insights to the biogeographic history of species, as well as the history of the people who interacted with them. Bunya Pine (Araucaria bidwillii Hook.) is a culturally and spiritually significant conifer tree for several Indigenous groups in eastern Australia. Sharing the edible nuts and attending Bunya gatherings is an important way for these groups to maintain their cultural connections and it has been hypothesized that prior to European colonization, Indigenous Peoples facilitated the dispersal of Bunya Pine as part of these ancient traditions.

We used ethnohistorical information on the use of Bunya Pine by Indigenous Peoples to interpret genomic patterns within and between disjunct distributions of Bunya Pine.

We found signatures of long‐term isolation within the Australian Wet Tropics (AWT) and extensive gene flow within southeast Queensland (SEQ) that does not fit models of faunal or passive dispersal. Within SEQ, we found greater population structure amongst sites known to pre‐date European colonization, than when colonial‐era planted sites were included in our analyses, suggesting that pre‐colonial translocation was sporadic or localized rather than systematic and widespread. Increased Indigenous translocations in conjunction with plantings by European settlers appears to have erased the natural pre‐colonial population structure of SEQ Bunya Pine. Our stairway plot models suggest sharp population decline of SEQ Bunya Pine in the early and late Pleistocene, though we did not find evidence that anthropogenic dispersal facilitated effective population size growth of the species in the Holocene.

We concluded that pre‐colonial translocation of SEQ Bunya Pine was likely restricted by kinship‐based custodial rights, and that when Indigenous Peoples were displaced by European settlers, translocation was intensified to maintain cultural connectivity. This study is an example of how Indigenous Australian groups adapt plant management strategies to meet socio‐cultural needs and demonstrates the potential for plant genomics to supplement Indigenous Biocultural Knowledge that has been impacted by colonial dispossession.

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On mechanical characterization and damage analysis of additively manufactured continuous fiber/poly‐lactic acid bio‐composite using in‐nozzle technique
Authors: Mishra Vishal , Ror Ch Kapil , Negi Sushant , Mahesh Vinyas 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThe use of three‐dimensional (3D) printing technology for producing continuous fiber‐reinforced composites has given us the freedom to fabricate individual designs and lightweight composite structures with improved specific strength, modulus, and fatigue resistance. In this direction, utilizing in‐nozzle impregnation, 3D‐printed continuous cotton fiber (CCoF) reinforced poly lactic acid (PLA) bio‐composites have been fabricated, and the influence of varying layer widths (i.e., 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, and 0.8 mm) on the mechanical performance of the CCoF‐PLA composites was investigated. Results revealed that 3D printing of PLA/CCoF at 0.5 mm layer width enhanced the tensile and flexural strength by 1.2 times and 3.1 times compared with 3D printed neat PLA specimens. The relationships between layering width—microstructural characteristics—mechanical properties of PLA/CCoF composite were quantitatively analyzed based on experimental results.Highlights
CCoF‐reinforced PLA composites fabricated through a 3D printing routine.
CCoF/PLA samples were fabricated at different layer widths (0.5, 0.6, 0.7, and 0.8 mm).
Better mechanical performance is achieved at 0.5 mm layer width.
σy and UTS of composites enhanced by 1.19 times and 1.87 times, respectively.
Ef of composites printed at 0.5 mm layer width enhanced by two times.
Secretome processing for proteomics: A methods comparison
Authors: Almeida‐Marques Catarina , Rolfs Frank , Piersma Sander R. , Bijnsdorp Irene V. , Pham Thang V. , Knol Jaco C. , Jimenez Connie R. 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThe cancer cell secretome comprises a treasure‐trove for biomarkers since it reflects cross‐talk between tumor cells and their surrounding environment with high detectability in biofluids. In this study, we evaluated six secretome sample processing workflows coupled to single‐shot mass spectrometry: (1) Protein concentration by ultrafiltration with a molecular weight cut‐off (MWCO) filter and sample preparation through in‐gel digestion (IGD); (2) Acetone protein precipitation coupled to IGD; (3) MWCO filter‐based protein concentration followed by to in‐solution digestion (ISD); (4) Acetone protein precipitation coupled to ISD; (5) Direct ISD; (6) Secretome lyophilization and ISD. To this end, we assessed workflow triplicates in terms of total number of protein identifications, unique identifications, reproducibility of protein identification and quantification and detectability of small proteins with important functions in cancer biology such as cytokines, chemokines, and growth factors. Our findings revealed that acetone protein precipitation coupled to ISD outperformed the other methods in terms of the number of identified proteins (2246) and method reproducibility (correlation coefficient between replicates (r = 0.94, CV = 19%). Overall, especially small proteins such as those from the classes mentioned above were better identified using ISD workflows. Concluding, herein we report that secretome protein precipitation coupled to ISD is the method of choice for high‐throughput secretome proteomics via single shot nanoLC‐MS/MS.
Environmental effects of growth and global value chains: The case of East and Southeast Asian economies
Authors: Campos‐Romero Hugo , Rodil‐Marzábal Óscar 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThe Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) hypothesis has become an important topic in the literature on the effects of growth on the environment, albeit surrounded by some controversy and nuance. Although this hypothesis has been analyzed in the literature in multiple ways and using different variables, there is still a gap in the consideration of global value chains (GVCs), which delve into the international division of production. This is particularly important in the intermediate stages of production, as they include tasks with a greater environmental impact. This research aims to analyze the environmental effects of economic growth and foreign trade linked to GVCs in a sample of 12 countries of East and Southeast Asia, given their strong insertion in GVCs. Based on the EKC, variables such as GDP per capita, environmental impact, and renewable energy consumption are incorporated. As a novelty, the research also includes GVCs participation and position indexes, and different measures of CO2 emissions. Our results confirm the existence of a nonlinear relationship between economic activity and its environmental effects, although with important nuances depending on the mode of insertion of each country in GVCs. In this sense, although all the selected countries increased their total emissions, substantial disparities are observed depending on the perspective considered (producer, consumer, and exports). Ultimately, it is concluded that, for an effective reduction of the environmental impact in these countries, it is essential to design policy measures, targeting new technologies, consumption and production patterns, and attracting green foreign direct investment.
Russia‐Ukrainewar, the leadership question and sustainable food security in Africa
Authors: Ngwu Elias C. , Nwosumba Victor C. , Onah Vincent C. 
Published: January 2024

AbstractExtant analyses identified the various channels through which the ongoing Russia‐Ukraine war is hurting Africa's aspiration toward sustainable food security. They however acknowledged that the crisis presents a viable opportunity to kickstart the process of reversing Africa's food dependence and minimizing the continent's vulnerabilities to future external food shocks. It is however feared that the well‐known leadership deficit in the continent poses significant impediment for exploiting opportunities offered by such ‘good crisis’. The international community is, therefore, called upon to help Africa to better prepare for the next crisis. Taking this as our point of departure, we argue that the onus of reversing Africa's food dependence rests squarely on Africa's political leaders and policy makers and not on any external intervention. We then propose a residual option for tackling the leadership challenge and for launching Africa on the path of sustainable food security in line with the target of SDG‐2. The study relied on qualitative descriptive analysis of both primary and secondary data.
Photo‐Induced Geometry and Polarity Gradients in Covalent Organic Frameworks Enabling Fast and Durable Molecular Separations
Authors: Yin Congcong , Liu Lin , Zhang Zhe , Du Ya , Wang Yong 
Published: January 2024

AbstractAzobenzene, which activates its geometric and chemical structure under light stimulation enables noninvasive control of mass transport in many processes including membrane separations. However, producing azobenzene‐decorated channels that have precise size tunability and favorable pore wall chemistry allowing fast and durable permeation to solvent molecules, remains a great challenge. Herein, an advanced membrane that comprises geometry and polarity gradients within covalent organic framework (COF) nanochannels utilizing photoisomerization of azobenzene groups is reported. Such functional variations afford reduced interfacial transfer resistance and enhanced solvent‐philic pore channels, thus creating a fast solvent transport pathway without compromising selectivity. Moreover, the membrane sets up a densely covered defense layer to prevent foulant adhesion and the accumulation of cake layer, contributing to enhanced antifouling resistance to organic foulants, and a high recovery rate of solvent permeance. More importantly, the solvent permeance displays a negligible decline throughout the long‐term filtration for over 40 days. This work reports the geometry and polarity gradients in COF channels induced by the conformation change of branched azobenzene groups and demonstrates the strong capability of this conformation change in realizing fast and durable molecular separations.
Progress and Challenges in Tumor Ferroptosis Treatment Strategies: A Comprehensive Review of Metal Complexes and Nanomedicine
Authors: Su Yanhong , Liu Bing , Wang Binghan , Chan Leung , Xiong Chan , Lu Ligong , Zhang Xuanjun , Zhan Meixiao , He Weiling 
Published: January 2024

AbstractFerroptosis is a new form of regulated cell death featuring iron‐dependent lipid peroxides accumulation to kill tumor cells. A growing body of evidence has shown the potential of ferroptosis‐based cancer therapy in eradicating refractory malignancies that are resistant to apoptosis‐based conventional therapies. In recent years, studies have reported a number of ferroptosis inducers that can increase the vulnerability of tumor cells to ferroptosis by regulating ferroptosis‐related signaling pathways. Encouraged by the rapid development of ferroptosis‐driven cancer therapies, interdisciplinary fields that combine ferroptosis, pharmaceutical chemistry, and nanotechnology are focused. First, the prerequisites and metabolic pathways for ferroptosis are briefly introduced. Then, in detail emerging ferroptosis inducers designed to boost ferroptosis‐induced tumor therapy, including metal complexes, metal‐based nanoparticles, and metal‐free nanoparticles are summarized. Subsequently, the application of synergistic strategies that combine ferroptosis with apoptosis and other regulated cell death for cancer therapy, with emphasis on the use of both cuproptosis and ferroptosis to induce redox dysregulation in tumor and intracellular bimetallic copper/iron metabolism disorders during tumor treatment is discussed. Finally, challenges associated with clinical translation and potential future directions for potentiating cancer ferroptosis therapies are highlighted.