bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Polyurethane with β‐Selenocarbonyl Structure Enabling the Combination of Plastic Degradation and Waste Upcycling
Authors: He Chaowei , Liu Cheng , Pan Shuojiong , Tan Yizheng , Guan Jun , Xu Huaping 
Published: December 2023

AbstractDegradable polymers offer a promising solution to mitigate global plastic pollution, but the degraded products often suffer from diminished value. Upcycling is a more sustainable approach to upgrade polymer waste into value‐added products. Herein, we report a β‐selenocarbonyl‐containing polyurethane (SePU), which can be directly degraded under mild conditions into valuable selenium fertilizers for selenium‐rich vegetable cultivation globally, enabling both plastic degradation and waste upcycling. Under oxidation condition, this polymer can be easily and selectively degraded via selenoxide elimination reaction from mixed plastic waste. The degraded product can serve as effective selenium fertilizers to increase selenium content in radish and pak choi. The SePU exhibits excellent mechanical properties. Additionally, we observed the formation of spherulites‐like selenium particles within the materials during degradation for the first time. Our research offers a successful application of selenoxide elimination reaction in the field of plastic degradation for the first time, endowing plastics with both degradability and high reusable value. This strategy provides a promising solution to reduce pollution and improve economy and sustainability of plastics.
DNAzyme‐Catalyzed Site‐Specific N‐Acylation of DNA Oligonucleotide Nucleobases
Authors: Kennebeck Morgan M. , Kaminsky Caroline K. , Massa Maria A. , Das Prakriti K. , Boyd Robert D. , Bishka Michelle , Tricarico J. Tomas , Silverman Scott K. 
Published: December 2023

AbstractWe used in vitro selection to identify DNAzymes that acylate the exocyclic nucleobase amines of cytidine, guanosine, and adenosine in DNA oligonucleotides. The acyl donor was the 2,3,5,6‐tetrafluorophenyl ester (TFPE) of a 5′‐carboxyl oligonucleotide. Yields are as high as >95 % in 6 h. Several of the N‐acylation DNAzymes are catalytically active with RNA rather than DNA oligonucleotide substrates, and eight of nine DNAzymes for modifying C are site‐specific (>95 %) for one particular substrate nucleotide. These findings expand the catalytic ability of DNA to include site‐specific N‐acylation of oligonucleotide nucleobases. Future efforts will investigate the DNA and RNA substrate sequence generality of DNAzymes for oligonucleotide nucleobase N‐acylation, toward a universal approach for site‐specific oligonucleotide modification.
On treatment options to improve the functionality of pea protein
Authors: Mathew Hannah Chacko , Kim Woojeong , Wang Yong , Clayton Celeste , Selomulya Cordelia 
Published: December 2023

AbstractPea proteins have garnered attention as a viable alternative to animal proteins, offering health, and sustainability benefits. However, their functional limitations, such as poor solubility, hinder their application in plant‐based food products. This review details the specific physical, chemical, and biological methods employed to enhance pea protein functionality. Chemical methods have been the most effective, particularly in improving solubility, emulsification, and foaming properties, which are essential for food applications like dairy alternatives and meat analogues. Biological methods significantly enhance water and oil retention, contributing to better food texture. Physical methods, including ultrasound and heat treatment, also show promise but require careful application to avoid protein denaturation. While chemical methods are efficacious, they raise concerns about cost‐effectiveness and environmental impact. The review identifies combined treatment approaches as a fertile area for future research, suggesting that a multi‐faceted strategy may provide comprehensive improvements to pea protein functionality.
Graphene oxide a promising formaldehyde scavenger of phenolic resin‐bonded plywood: From elaboration to evaluation
Authors: Ait Benhamou Anass , Salim Mohamed Hamid , Boussetta Abdelghani , Mennani Mehdi , Essifi Kamal , Kassab Zineb , El Achaby Mounir , Moubarik Amine 
Published: December 2023

AbstractA long‐standing manufactured and most frequently used resin is phenol‐formaldehyde resin, which has currently reached new horizons by incorporating nano reinforcements, even at lower loadings. Nanostructured materials, particularly graphene, have gained considerable interest in recent years because of their fascinating characteristics. Herein, this study explores for the first time the potential of prepared graphene oxide (GnO) as an effective formaldehyde scavenger in the development of plywood panels containing PF resins. The addition of 1% of GnO to the system resulted in a significant improvements in the mechanical properties by more than 45% in the shear strength (SS), 35% in modulus of elasticity, and 25% in modulus of rupture when compared with the reference panel. While the moisture resistance of panels were found to remarkably enhanced showing an increase in SS by 25% and 37% After 24 h in cold water (20°C) and 12 h of immersion in boiling water, respectively. The results also demonstrated that GnO exhibited exceptional formaldehyde capture efficiency, surpassing 60% reduction compared with the control. This innovative research not only unveils the novel potential of GnO in improving the performance of PF resins but also ushers in a new way of developing eco‐friendly wood‐based materials.
Unveiling Carrier Relaxation Mechanism in Protonated/Deprotonated Carbon Dots and Their Solvent Effects via Ultrafast Spectroscopy
Authors: Zhang Jihao , Yuan Chunze , Dou Hongbin , Zhu Ruixue , Li Lin , Weng Tsu‐Chien 
Published: December 2023

AbstractThe intricate nature of the surface structure of carbon dots (CDs) hinders a comprehensive understanding of their emission behavior. In this study, we employ two types of CDs created through acid‐alkali treatments, one with surface protonation and the other with surface deprotonation, with the objective of investigating the impact of these surface modifications on carrier behavior using ultrafast spectroscopy techniques. TEM, XRD, FTIR and Raman spectra demonstrate the CDs’ structure, featuring graphitic core and abundant surface functional groups. XPS confirms the successful surface modifications of CDs via protonation and deprotonation. Ultrafast transient absorption (TA) spectroscopy reveals that deprotonation modification may decelerate the relaxation process, thereby increasing the visible PL quantum yields (PLQY). Conversely, protonation may accelerate the relaxation process due to the induced low‐energy absorption band, resulting in self‐absorption and reduced PLQY. Furthermore, TA analysis of CDs in mixed solvents with different proportions of ethanol shows the beneficial effect of ethanol in decelerating the relaxation process, leading to an increased PLQY of 33.7 % for deprotonated CDs and 22.1 % for protonated CDs. This study illuminates the intricate relationship between surface deprotonation/protonation modifications and carrier behavior in CDs, offering a potential avenue for the design of high‐brightness CDs for diverse applications.
Factors associated with infant sex and preterm birth status for selected birth defects from the National Birth Defects Prevention Study, 1997–2011
Authors: Williford Eva M. , Yang Wei , Howley Meredith M. , Ma Chen , Collins Ronnie T. , Weber Kari A. , Heinke Dominique , Petersen Julie M. , Agopian A. J. , Archer Natalie P. , Olshan Andrew F. , Williams Lindsay A. , Browne Marilyn L. , Shaw Gary M. ,   the National Birth Defects Prevention Study
Published: December 2023

AbstractBackgroundBirth defects and preterm birth co‐occur, with some overlapping risk factors. Many birth defects and preterm births tend to have a male preponderance. We explored potential risk factors impacting sex and preterm (<37 weeks of gestation) birth differences among infants with selected birth defects delivered from 1997 to 2011 using data from the National Birth Defects Prevention Study (NBDPS).MethodsThe NBDPS was a large multisite, population‐based case–control study. Using random forests, we identified important predictors of male preterm, female preterm, and male term, each compared with female term births for each birth defect. Using logistic regression, we estimated odds ratios for associations between important predictors and sex‐preterm birth status by birth defect.ResultsWe examined 11,379 infants with nine specific birth defects. The top 10 most important predictors of sex‐preterm birth status from the random forests varied greatly across the birth defects and sex‐preterm comparisons within a given defect group, with several being novel factors. However, one consistency was that short interpregnancy interval was associated with sex‐preterm birth status for many of the studied birth defects. Although obesity has been identified as a risk factor for preterm birth and birth defects in other research, it was not associated with sex‐preterm birth status for any of the examined defects.ConclusionsWe confirmed expected associations for sex‐preterm birth status differences and found new potential risk factors for further exploration among the studied birth defects.
Leisure time television watching, computer use and risks of breast, colorectal and prostate cancer: A Mendelian randomisation analysis
Authors: Papadimitriou Nikos , Kazmi Nabila , Dimou Niki , Tsilidis Konstantinos K. , Martin Richard M. , Lewis Sarah J. , Lynch Brigid M. , Hoffmeister Michael , Kweon Sun‐Seog , Li Li , Milne Roger L. , Sakoda Lori C. , Schoen Robert E. , Phipps Amanda I. , Figueiredo Jane C. , Peters Ulrike , Dixon‐Suen Suzanne C. , Gunter Marc J. , Murphy Neil 
Published: December 2023

AbstractBackgroundSedentary behaviours have been associated with increased risks of some common cancers in epidemiological studies; however, it is unclear if these associations are causal.MethodsWe used univariable and multivariable two‐sample Mendelian randomisation (MR) to examine potential causal relationships between sedentary behaviours and risks of breast, colorectal and prostate cancer. Genetic variants associated with self‐reported leisure television watching and computer use were identified from a recent genome‐wide association study (GWAS). Data related to cancer risk were obtained from cancer GWAS consortia. A series of sensitivity analyses were applied to examine the robustness of the results to the presence of confounding.ResultsA 1‐standard deviation (SD: 1.5 h/day) increment in hours of television watching increased risk of breast cancer (OR per 1‐SD: 1.15, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.05–1.26) and colorectal cancer (OR per 1‐SD: 1.32, 95% CI: 1.16–1.49) while there was little evidence of an association for prostate cancer risk (OR per 1‐SD: 0.94, 95% CI: 0.84–1.06). After adjusting for years of education, the effect estimates for television watching were attenuated (breast cancer, OR per 1‐SD: 1.08, 95% CI: 0.92–1.27; colorectal cancer, OR per 1‐SD: 1.08, 95% CI: 0.90–1.31). Post hoc analyses showed that years of education might have a possible confounding and mediating role in the association between television watching with breast and colorectal cancer. Consistent results were observed for each cancer site according to sex (colorectal cancer), anatomical subsites and cancer subtypes. There was little evidence of associations between genetically predicted computer use and cancer risk.ConclusionsOur univariable analysis identified some positive associations between hours of television watching and risks of breast and colorectal cancer. However, further adjustment for additional lifestyle factors especially years of education attenuated these results. Future studies using objective measures of exposure can provide new insights into the possible role of sedentary behaviour in cancer development.
Evaluation of Food Effect on the Pharmacokinetics of Velufenacin, a New Muscarinic Receptor Antagonist, in Healthy Subjects
Authors: Khwarg Juyoung , Chung Woo Kyung , Lee Soyoung , Yang Eunsol , Ryu Chaelim , Lee Dae Young , Lee Min Jung , Jang In‐Jin , Yu Kyung‐Sang , Lee SeungHwan 
Published: December 2023

AbstractVelufenacin (DA‐8010) is a new muscarinic receptor antagonist under development for the treatment of overactive bladder. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of food on the pharmacokinetics (PK) and safety of velufenacin in healthy subjects. A randomized, open‐label, single‐dose, 4‐sequence, 4‐treatment, 4‐period crossover study was conducted. Subjects received a single oral dose of velufenacin 2.5 or 5 mg in a fasted or fed (high‐fat meal) state in each period with a 7‐day washout. PK parameters including maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) and area under the concentration‐time curve from time 0 to the last measurable point were compared between the fed and fasted states. Twenty‐seven subjects completed the study. The mean area under the concentration‐time curve from time 0 to the last measurable point of the velufenacin 2.5 and 5 mg doses under the fed condition showed a 1.5‐ and 1.3‐fold increase, respectively, compared to the fasted condition. The corresponding values for Cmax were a 2.3‐ and 2.0‐fold increase, respectively. The time to reach Cmax was comparable regardless of the dose or food intake, showing median values of 4.5‐5.0 hours. These results suggest a modest increase of velufenacin absorption by food intake. Velufenacin was generally safe and well tolerated at the 2.5 and 5 mg doses regardless of food.
Bring more than green? The impact of green human resource management on hospitality employees' organizational citizenship behaviors
Authors: Ma Yueru , Teng Yefan , Yan Bowen 
Published: December 2023

AbstractHotels are implementing green human resource management to achieve sustainable development in response to increasingly stringent environmental policies and to meet stakeholder expectations. This study aims to elucidate the impact of green human resource management (GHRM) on organizational citizenship behaviors (OCBs) implemented by hospitality employees in organizational, interpersonal, and customer contexts, respectively. Specifically, a mediation model with dual moderation from employees' personality, perceptual and cognitive perspectives simultaneously is proposed, which supported by organizational support theory, social identity theory and social cognitive theory. Structural equation modeling is used to evaluate 440 data collected from the Chinese hospitality industry based on conditional sampling method. This paper finds that GHRM can promote OCBs towards the organization and customers and perceived CSR has a mediating effect. Employees' environmental value positively moderates the promotion of perceived CSR through GHRM implementation, and the proactive personality positively moderates the relationship between perceived CSR and OCBs towards the organization and customers. The original value of the study lies in the simultaneous consideration of the three aspects of employees' cognition, perception, and personality, expanding the research perspective of GHRM and discovering the benefits beyond green that this green management model can bring. For hotel managers, this study helps them understand that GHRM brings hotels more than just green. Hotels should focus on matching potential employees' attributes with the organizational culture during recruitment and on improving employees' environmental value and proactive personality level during their subsequent training.
Optimized deep learning driven signal detection and adaptive channel estimation in underwater acoustic IoT networks
Authors: Kapileswar Nellore , Phani Kumar Polasi 
Published: December 2023

SummaryNowadays, multiple input multiple outputs with orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (MIMO‐OFDM) provide better communication performance that can be applied to the fast‐growing Internet of Things (IoTs). In underwater IoT, information fades away rapidly due to varying water conditions. Therefore, the MIMO model can be applied to the OFDM acoustic system, enabling high‐speed data transmission without affecting the channel effectively. However, detecting the underwater signal and estimating the channel is highly necessary for enhancing underwater acoustic communication (UWAC). Recently, many techniques have been introduced for effectively performing signal detection and channel estimation. However, those techniques face high time complexity due to increased channel interferences and noises during data transmission. Hence, this article brings a novel technique for SD and CE for the UWAC‐IoT‐enabled MIMO‐OFDM system. An adaptive recursive least square (ARLS) technique is proposed in this study for CE that aids in evaluating the acoustic channel parameters effectively. For performing SD, a bi‐directional deep pelican convolutional neural network (BDPCNN) technique is introduced to ensure the presence and absence of signals at the receiver end. The proposed method is analyzed via the MATLAB platform, and the performances are analyzed under different water types like turbid water, coastal water, clear ocean water, and pure seawater. Different performance metrics like bit error rate (BER), mean square error (MSE), energy efficiency (EE), and time complexity are analyzed with different existing techniques. The experimental section obtains the BER of 0.0086, 0.013, 0.017, and 0.021 for turbid, coastal, clear, and pure seawater, respectively.
Unlocking renewable energy potential: A case study of solar and wind site selection in the Kasserine region, central‐western Tunisia
Authors: Rekik Sassi , El Alimi Souheil 
Published: December 2023

AbstractDeveloping wind and solar photovoltaics on a large scale requires substantial financial investments, making it crucial to identify the most suitable locations beforehand. To address this issue, a spatial analysis is carried out to determine the most potential sites for hosting large‐scale solar photovoltaic and wind systems in the region of Kasserine, central‐western Tunisia. To this end, an integrated model based on Step‐wise Assessment Ratio Analysis (SWARA), Decision‐Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL), and Geographic Information System is proposed. An extensive literature survey is conducted to establish suitability criteria and constraints. The SWARA‐DEMATEL is used to assign weights and capture the interdependencies among the considered criteria, while the raster calculator tool from the ArcGis 10.8 software is utilized to extract the final suitability maps. The obtained results indicate that the region of Kasserine exhibits great solar and wind potential, with areas of 635 and 467 km2 extremely fit for installing solar and wind systems, respectively. Furthermore, 349 km2 are identified as potential locations for hosting solar‐wind hybrid systems. Considering these outcomes, policymakers can take the initiative to accelerate the deployment of these facilities, which would assist the country in achieving its plans by 2030.
Unleashing diversity through flexibility: The evolutionary journey of sex chromosomes in amphibians and reptiles
Authors: Uno Yoshinobu , Matsubara Kazumi 
Published: December 2023

AbstractSex determination systems have greatly diversified between amphibians and reptiles, with such as the different sex chromosome compositions within a single species and transition between temperature‐dependent sex determination (TSD) and genetic sex determination (GSD). In most sex chromosome studies on amphibians and reptiles, the whole‐genome sequence of Xenopous tropicalis and chicken have been used as references to compare the chromosome homology of sex chromosomes among each of these taxonomic groups, respectively. In the present study, we reviewed existing reports on sex chromosomes, including karyotypes, in amphibians and reptiles. Furthermore, we compared the identified genetic linkages of sex chromosomes in amphibians and reptiles with the chicken genome as a reference, which is believed to resemble the ancestral tetrapod karyotype. Our findings revealed that sex chromosomes in amphibians are derived from genetic linkages homologous to various chicken chromosomes, even among several frogs within single families, such as Ranidae and Pipidae. In contrast, sex chromosomes in reptiles exhibit conserved genetic linkages with chicken chromosomes, not only across most species within a single family, but also within closely related families. The diversity of sex chromosomes in amphibians and reptiles may be attributed to the flexibility of their sex determination systems, including the ease of sex reversal in these animals.
Assessment of methomyl‐induced adrenal gland disruption in rat fetuses and pups: Potential protective effects of propolis supplementation
Authors: Atallah Marwa N. , Badawy Gamal M. , Abdallah Fatma S. , El‐Borm Hend T. 
Published: December 2023

AbstractThe present study aimed to unravel the possible adverse effects of methomyl on the developing adrenal gland of rat fetuses and pups. Additionally, this study explored the potential improving effects of propolis against these possible hazards induced by methomyl exposure. To achieve that, pregnant rats were divided into four groups: control group, received 1 mL distilled water, propolis group, received 1 mL propolis at a dose of 300 mg/kg, methomyl group, received 1 mL methomyl at a dose of 2 mg/kg, and combined group, received 1 mL methomyl followed by 1 mL propolis, an hour later at the same previous doses. The results revealed that methomyl exposure, during pregnancy and lactation, induced many histological and ultrastructural changes, caused DNA damage and downregulated the expression of steroidogenic acute regulatory (StAR) and CYP11B2 genes in the adrenal glands of both rat fetuses and pups. Interestingly, propolis supplementation demonstrated a remarkable ability to mitigate these deleterious effects and restored the histology and ultrastructure architecture of the adrenal glands of both fetuses and pups, as well as decreased DNA damage and upregulated the expression of StAR and CYP11B2 genes in the adrenal gland of rat fetuses and pups. In conclusion, our study highlights the potential hazardous impact of methomyl exposure during pregnancy and lactation on the development of the adrenal gland in rat fetuses and pups, moreover, the study presents a new approach to alleviate these effects through propolis administration which could be used as a dietary supplement to mitigate the adverse effects of methomyl exposure.