bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A standardized and efficient technique to estimate seed traits in plants with numerous small propagules
Authors: Steinecke Christina , Lee Jeremiah , Friedman Jannice 
Published: October 2023

AbstractPremiseVariation in seed traits is common within and among populations of plant species and often has ecological and evolutionary implications. However, due to the time‐consuming nature of manual seed measurements and the level of variability in imaging techniques, quantifying and interpreting the extent of seed variation can be challenging.MethodsWe developed a standardized high‐throughput technique to measure seed number, as well as individual seed area and color, using a derived empirical scale to constrain area in Arabidopsis thaliana, Brassica rapa, and Mimulus guttatus. We develop a specific rational model using seed area measured at various spatial scales relative to the pixel count, observing the asymptotic value of the seed area as the modeled number of pixels approaches infinity.ResultsWe found that our model has high reliability in estimating seed traits and efficiently processes large numbers of images, facilitating the quantification of seed traits in studies with large sample sizes.DiscussionThis technique facilitates consistency between imaging sessions and standardizes the measurement of seed traits. These novel advances allow researchers to directly and reliably measure seed traits, which will enable tests of the ecological and evolutionary causes of their variation.
Contrasting patterns of biodiversity across wetland habitats using single‐time‐point environmental DNA surveys
Authors: Coleman Harrison T. , Matthews Ty G. , Sherman Craig D. H. , Holland Owen J. , Clark Zach S. R. , Farrington Lachlan , Prentice Gavin , Miller Adam D. 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Wildlife surveys are central to the conservation and restoration management of wetland habitats; however, the often laborious and costly nature of traditional survey methods can constrain the spatial and temporal extent and replication of survey efforts.
Environmental DNA (eDNA) technologies now provide the opportunity to reduce some of these limitations, but applications in temporary and permanent freshwater marshes and meadows (herein referred to as ‘wetland habitats’) remain limited. This study investigates the performance of single‐time‐point eDNA surveys for characterizing fish, amphibian and bird assemblages of wetland habitats in south‐eastern Australia. Comparisons were made between coastal and inland wetlands, between wetlands of varying condition and between eDNA and traditional surveys.
Findings show that eDNA surveys can provide comprehensive descriptions of faunal assemblages associated with wetland habitats, with resolution similar to that provided by traditional survey approaches. Analyses also revealed significant differences in patterns of biodiversity between wetland types (coastal vs. inland) but not between wetland habitats varying in condition.
Overall, this study confirms that eDNA surveys provide a reliable option for undertaking wetland biodiversity assessments aimed at improving biodiversity data coverage for otherwise data deficient wetlands.
Photoredox Metal‐Free Synthesis of Unnatural β‐Silyl‐α‐Amino Acids via Hydrosilylation
Authors: Wang Guo‐Qin , Wang Ting , Zhang Yue , Zhou Yuan‐Xia , Yang Dan , Han Pan , Jing Lin‐Hai 
Published: October 2023

AbstractAn efficient, practical and metal‐free methodology for the synthesis of β‐silyl‐α‐amino acid motifs via photoredox and hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) process is described. This protocol enables the direct hydrosilylation of dehydroalanine derivatives and tolerates a wide array of functional groups and synthetic handles, leading to valuable β‐silyl‐α‐amino acids with moderate to good yields.
Variation in Black students’ conceptions of academic support
Authors: Mimirinis Mike , Ventouris Annita , Wright Elina 
Published: October 2023

AbstractThe persistence of degree‐awarding gaps and anti‐Black racism warrant an exploration of the quality and effectiveness of academic support offered to Black undergraduate students in British higher education, and how such support is perceived by students. Our phenomenographic study found that Black students’ conceptions of academic support range from broad expectations of help with their studies to more advanced understandings of their own agency and the context of academic support. Our results highlight that attempts to enhance academic support should revisit three interconnected areas: what type of academic support is provided, where, and by whom. Most importantly, we propose a new inclusive direction that replaces existing deficit models with approaches that will strengthen Black students’ agential effectiveness within historically White institutions.
Proliferation of mammalian cells with Chlorococcum littorale algal compounds without serum support
Authors: Ghosh Jayeesha , Akiyama Yoshikatsu , Haraguchi Yuji , Yamanaka Kumiko , Asahi Toru , Nakao Yoichi , Shimizu Tatsuya 
Published: October 2023

AbstractIn recent years, serum‐free medium for mammalian cell cultivation has attracted a lot of attention, considering the high cost of production and environmental load involved in developing the conventional animal sera. The use of alternative growth‐promoting products in mammalian cell cultivation such as extracts from microalgae has proven to be quite beneficial and environmental‐friendly. This research aims to cultivate mammalian cells with growth‐promoting factors derived from Chlorococcum littorale. We have established a simple extraction using the ultrasonication method and applied the extract in place of serum on mammalian C2C12 cell lines, 3T3 cell lines, and CHO cell lines to compare and analyze the effectiveness of the extract. Cell passage was conducted in a suspended culture condition with the addition of the extract. The results indicate that the extract from microalgae shows a high proliferation rate in all cell lines without fetal bovine serum. Moreover, it is eco‐friendly and has huge potential to replace the traditional cell culture system. It could be applied in the fields of regenerative medicine, gene/cell therapies, as well as cultured meat production.
Extremely Slow Thermally‐Induced Spin Crossover in the Two‐Dimensional Network [Fe(bbtr)3](BF4)2
Authors: Książek Maria , Weselski Marek , Kaźmierczak Marcin , Półrolniczak Aleksandra , Katrusiak Andrzej , Paliwoda Damian , Kusz Joachim , Bronisz Robert 
Published: October 2023

AbstractCooling [Fe(bbtr)3](BF4)2 (bbtr=1,4‐di(1,2,3‐triazol‐1‐yl)butane) triggers very slow spin crossover below 80 K (T1/2↓=76 K). The spin crossover (SCO) is accompanied by a hysteresis loop (T1/2↑=89 K). In contrast to isostructural perchlorate analogue [Fe(bbtr)3](ClO4)2 in which spin crossover during cooling is preceded by phase transition at TPT=126 K in tetrafluoroborate phase transition does not occur to the beginning of spin crossover (80 K). Studies of mixed crystals [Fe(bbtr)3](BF4)2(1‐x)(ClO4)2x (0.5≤x≤0.9) showed that a phase transition precedes spin crossover, however, for x≅0.46 intersection of T1/2(x) and TPT(x) dependencies takes place. The application of pressure of 1 GPa shifts the spin crossover in [Fe(bbtr)3](BF4)2 to a temperature above 270 K. High‐pressure studies of neat tetrafluoroborate and perchlorate, as well as mixed crystals [Fe(bbtr)3](BF4)2(1‐x)(ClO4)2x (0.1≤x≤0.9), revealed that at 295 K P1/2 value changes linearly with x indicating similar mechanism of spin crossover under elevated pressure in all systems under investigation. Variable pressure single crystal X‐ray diffraction studies confirmed that in contrast to thermally induced spin crossover undergoing differently in tetrafluoroborate and perchlorate an application of high pressure removes this differentiation leading to a similar mechanism depending at first on start spin crossover and then P‐3→P‐1 phase transition occurs. In this report we have shown that 2D coordination polymer [Fe(bbtr)3](BF4)2 (bbtr=1,4‐di(1,2,3‐triazol‐1‐yl)butane) treated to date as spin crossover silent shows thermally induced spin crossover phenomenon. Spin crossover in tetrafluoroborate is extremely slow. Determination of the spin crossover curve required carrying measurement in the settle mode‐cooling from 85 to 70 K took about 600 h (average velocity of change of temperature ca. 0.0004 K/min).
A Proof‐of‐Principle Design for Through‐Space Transmission of Unidirectional Rotary Motion by Molecular Photogears**
Authors: Arpa Enrique M. , Stafström Sven , Durbeej Bo 
Published: October 2023

AbstractThe construction of molecular photogears that can achieve through‐space transmission of the unidirectional double‐bond rotary motion of light‐driven molecular motors onto a remote single‐bond axis is a formidable challenge in the field of artificial molecular machines. Here, we present a proof‐of‐principle design of such photogears that is based on the possibility of using stereogenic substituents to control both the relative stabilities of two helical forms of the photogear and the double‐bond photoisomerization reaction that connects them. The potential of the design was verified by quantum‐chemical modeling through which photogearing was found to be a favorable process compared to free‐standing single‐bond rotation (“slippage”). Overall, our study unveils a surprisingly simple approach to realizing unidirectional photogearing.
A phase 2 trial combining afatinib with cetuximab in patients with EGFR exon 20 insertion–positive non–small cell lung cancer
Authors: van Veggel Bianca A. M. H. , van der Wekken Anthonie J. , Paats Marthe S. , Hendriks Lizza E. L. , Hashemi Sayed M. S. , Daletzakis Antonios , van den Broek Daan , Bosch Linda J. W. , Monkhorst Kim , Smit Egbert F. , de Langen Adrianus J. 
Published: October 2023

AbstractBackgroundEpidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) exon 20 insertion (ex20ins) mutations are the third most common EGFR mutations in patients with non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and are associated with primary resistance to EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). There is evidence of activity of combining EGFR TKIs with monoclonal antibodies. This study reports on the efficacy and safety of afatinib in combination with cetuximab.MethodsIn this single‐arm phase 2 trial, patients with advanced NSCLC harboring an EGFR ex20ins mutation were treated with afatinib 40 mg once daily in combination with cetuximab 500 mg/m2 every 2 weeks. The primary end point was disease control rate (DCR) at 18 weeks of treatment.ResultsThirty‐seven patients started treatment, with a median age of 65 years (range, 40–80 years), 78% female, and 95% White. The study achieved its primary end point with a DCR of 54% at 18 weeks, an overall response rate (ORR) of 43%, and a 32% confirmed ORR. Best responses were partial (n = 16), stable (n = 16), progressive disease (n = 2), or not evaluable (n = 3). Median progression‐free survival was 5.5 months (95% CI, 3.7–8.3 months) and median overall survival was 16.8 months (95% CI, 10.7–25.8 months). The most common treatment‐related adverse events (TRAEs) were diarrhea (70%), rash (65%), dry skin (59%), paronychia (54%), and erythema (43%). Grade 3 TRAEs were reported in 54% of all patients.ConclusionsCombination treatment with afatinib and cetuximab demonstrated antitumor activity with a DCR of 54% at 18 weeks and a 32% confirmed ORR. Toxicity was significant, although manageable, after dose reduction.
The Pharmacokinetics, Safety, and Tolerability of Rimegepant 75 mg Are Similar in Elderly and Nonelderly Adults: A Phase 1, Open‐Label, Parallel‐Group, Single‐Dose Study
Authors: Bhardwaj Rajinder , Morris Beth , Bertz Richard , Croop Robert , Liu Jing 
Published: October 2023

AbstractRimegepant is a small‐molecule calcitonin gene‐related peptide receptor antagonist approved for the acute treatment of migraine ± aura and preventive treatment of migraine in adults. The pharmacokinetics of rimegepant in elderly and nonelderly subjects were evaluated. In an open‐label Phase 1 study, 14 elderly (aged 65 years or older) and 14 nonelderly (aged 18 to less than 45 years) subjects each received a single oral dose of rimegepant 75 mg. Blood samples were collected before dosing and through 96 hours after dosing. The pharmacokinetic parameters of rimegepant after a single dose were similar in both age groups. Geometric least‐squares mean ratios (elderly/nonelderly) of the natural log‐transformed maximum observed plasma concentration and natural log‐transformed area under the plasma concentration–time curve from time 0 extrapolated to infinity were 96.6 and 104.6, respectively. Eight (28.6%) subjects (4 elderly, 4 nonelderly) experienced 1 or more adverse events (AEs); all AEs were mild in intensity, and no serious AEs or AEs leading to discontinuation were reported. Following a single 75‐mg dose of oral rimegepant, pharmacokinetic parameters were similar in elderly and nonelderly adults; no dose adjustment is warranted in elderly subjects.
Isomer‐Dependent Escape Rate of Xenon from a Water‐Soluble Cryptophane Cage Studied by Ab Initio Molecular Dynamics
Authors: Pollet R. , Dognon J.‐P. , Berthault P. 
Published: October 2023

AbstractThe escape of xenon from the anti and syn diastereomers of hexacarboxylic‐cryptophane‐222 in water has been studied by ab initio molecular dynamics simulations. The structures of both complexes, when the xenon atom is trapped inside their cages, have been compared and show no major differences. The free‐energy profiles corresponding to the escape reaction have been calculated with the Blue Moon ensemble method using the distance between Xe and the center of mass of the cage as the reaction coordinate. The resulting free‐energy barriers are very different; the escape rate is much faster in the case of the syn diastereomer, in agreement with experimental data obtained in hyperpolarized 129Xe NMR. Our simulations reveal the mechanistic details for each diastereomer and provide an explanation for the different in‐out xenon rates based on the solvation structure around the cages.
A new multiplexed magnetic capture—Droplet digital PCR tool for monitoring wildlife population health and pathogen surveillance
Authors: Tschritter Christina M. , V. C. de Groot Peter , Branigan Marsha , Dyck Markus , Sun Zhengxin , Lougheed Stephen C. 
Published: October 2023

AbstractAnthropogenic stressors are exacerbating the emergence and spread of pathogens worldwide. In regions like the Arctic, where ecosystems are particularly susceptible, marked changes are predicted in regional diversity, intensity, and patterns of infectious diseases. To understand such rapidly changing host‐pathogen dynamics and mitigate the impacts of novel pathogens, we need sensitive disease surveillance tools. We developed and validated a novel multiplexed, magnetic capture, and ddPCR tool for the surveillance of multiple pathogens in polar bears, a sentinel species that is considered susceptible to climate change and other stressors with a pan‐Arctic distribution. Through sequence‐specific magnetic capture, we concentrated five target template sequences from three zoonotic bacteria (Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae, Francisella tularensis, and Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex) and two parasitic (Toxoplasma gondii and Trichinella spp.) pathogens from large quantities (<100 g) of host tissue. We then designed and validated two multiplexed probe‐based ddPCR assays for the amplification and detection of the low‐concentration target DNA. Validations used 48 polar bear tissues (muscle and liver). We detected 14, 1, 3, 4, and 22 tissue positives for E. rhusiopathiae, F. tularensis, M. tuberculosis complex, T. gondii, and Trichinella spp., respectively. These multiplexed assays offer a rapid, specific tool for quantifying and monitoring the changing geographical and host distributions of pathogens relevant to human and animal health.
Spatial patterns of reproduction suggest marginal habitat limits continued range expansion of black bears at a forest‐desert ecotone
Authors: Sultaire Sean M. , Montgomery Robert A. , Jackson Patrick J. , Millspaugh Joshua J. 
Published: October 2023

AbstractInvestigating spatial patterns of animal occupancy and reproduction in peripheral populations can provide insight into factors that form species range boundaries. Following historical extirpation, American black bears (Ursus americanus) recolonized the western Great Basin in Nevada from the Sierra Nevada during the late 1900s. This range expansion, however, has not continued further into the Great Basin despite the presence of additional habitat. We aimed to quantify whether reduced reproduction toward the range edge contributes to this range boundary. We analyzed black bear detections from 100 camera traps deployed across black bear distribution in western Nevada using a multistate occupancy model that quantified the probability of occupancy and reproduction (i.e., female bears with cubs occupancy) in relation to changes in habitat type and habitat amount toward the range boundary. We detected a strong effect of habitat amount and habitat type on the probability of black bear occupancy and reproduction. At similar levels of landscape‐scale habitat amount (e.g., 50%), estimated probability of occupancy for adult bears in piñon‐juniper woodlands near the range boundary was 0.39, compared to ~1.0 in Sierra Nevada mixed‐conifer forest (i.e., core habitat). Furthermore, estimated probability of cub occupancy, conditional on adult bear occupancy, in landscapes with 50% habitat was 0.32 in Great Basin piñon‐juniper woodlands, compared to 0.92 in Sierra Nevada mixed‐conifer forest. Black bear range in the western Great Basin conforms to the center–periphery hypothesis, with piñon‐juniper woodland at the range edge supporting ecologically marginal habitat for the species compared to habitat in the Sierra Nevada. Further geographic expansion of black bears in the Great Basin may be limited by lower occupancy of reproducing females in piñon‐juniper woodland. Center–periphery range dynamics may be common in large carnivore species, as their dispersal ability allows them to colonize low‐quality habitat near range edges.
Vertically inherited microbiota and environment‐modifying behaviors indirectly shape the exaggeration of secondary sexual traits in the gazelle dung beetle
Authors: Rohner Patrick T. , Moczek Armin P. 
Published: October 2023

AbstractMany organisms actively manipulate the environment in ways that feed back on their own development, a process referred to as developmental niche construction. Yet, the role that constructed biotic and abiotic environments play in shaping phenotypic variation and its evolution is insufficiently understood. Here, we assess whether environmental modifications made by developing dung beetles impact the environment‐sensitive expression of secondary sexual traits. Gazelle dung beetles both physically modify their ontogenetic environment and structure their biotic interactions through the vertical inheritance of microbial symbionts. By experimentally eliminating (i) physical environmental modifications and (ii) the vertical inheritance of microbes, we assess the degree to which (sym)biotic and physical environmental modifications shape the exaggeration of several traits varying in their degree and direction of sexual dimorphism. We expected the experimental reduction of a larva's ability to shape its environment to affect trait size and scaling, especially for traits that are sexually dimorphic and environmentally plastic. We find that compromised developmental niche construction indeed shapes sexual dimorphism in overall body size and the absolute sizes of male‐limited exaggerated head horns, the strongly sexually dimorphic fore tibia length and width, as well as the weakly dimorphic elytron length and width. This suggests that environmental modifications affect sex‐specific phenotypic variation in functional traits. However, most of these effects can be attributed to nutrition‐dependent plasticity in size and non‐isometric trait scaling rather than body‐size‐independent effects on the developmental regulation of trait size. Our findings suggest that the reciprocal relationship between developing organisms, their symbionts, and their environment can have considerable impacts on sexual dimorphism and functional morphology.
Long‐term outcome after upgrade to cardiac resynchronization therapy: A propensity score‐matched analysis
Authors: Trenson Sander , Voros Gabor , Martens Pieter , Ingelaere Sebastian , Betschart Pascal , Voigt Jens‐Uwe , Dupont Matthias , Breitenstein Alexander , Steffel Jan , Willems Rik , Ruschitzka Frank , Mullens Wilfried , Winnik Stephan , Vandenberk Bert 
Published: October 2023

AbstractAimCardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is a cornerstone in the management of chronic heart failure in patients with a broad or paced QRS. However, data on long‐term outcome after upgrade to CRT are scarce.Methods and resultsThis international, multicentre retrospective registry included 2275 patients who underwent a de novo or upgrade CRT implantation with a mean follow‐up of 3.6 ± 2.7 years. The primary composite endpoint included all‐cause mortality, heart transplantation, or ventricular assist device implantation. The secondary endpoint was first heart failure admission. Multivariable Cox regression and propensity score matching (PSM) analyses were performed. Patients who underwent CRT upgrade (n = 605, 26.6%) were less likely female (19.7% vs. 28.8%, p < 0.001), more often had ischeemic cardiomyopathy (49.8% vs. 40.2%, p < 0.001), and had worse renal function (median estimated glomerular filtration rate 50.3 ml/min/1.73 m2 [35.8–69.5] vs. 59.9 ml/min/1.73 m2 [43.0–76.5], p < 0.001). The incidence rate of the composite endpoint was 10.8%/year after CRT upgrade versus 7.1%/year for de novo implantations (p < 0.001). PSM for the primary endpoint resulted in 488 pairs. After propensity score matching, upgrade to CRT was associated with a higher chance to reach the composite endpoint (multivariable hazard ratio [HR] 1.35, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.08–1.70), for both upgrade from pacemaker (multivariable HR 1.33, 95% CI 1.03–1.70) and implantable cardioverter‐defibrillator (ICD) (multivariable HR 1.40, 95% CI 1.01–1.95). PSM for the secondary endpoint resulted in 277 pairs. After PSM, upgrade to CRT was associated with a higher chance for heart failure admission (HR 1.74, 95% CI 1.26–2.41).ConclusionIn this retrospective analysis, the outcome of patients who underwent upgrades to CRT differed significantly from patients who underwent de novo CRT implantation, particularly for upgrades from ICD. Importantly, this difference in outcome does not imply a causal relation between therapy and outcome but rather a difference between two different patient populations.