bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Elucidating the effect of TiO2 nanoparticles on mung bean rhizobia via in vitro assay: Influence on growth, morphology, and plant growth promoting traits
Authors: Kaur Harleen , Kalia Anu , Manchanda Pooja 
Published: January 2024

AbstractTitanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs) are among the most commonly used nanomaterials and are most likely to end up in soil. Therefore, it is pertinent to study the interaction of TiO2 NPs with soil microorganisms. The present in vitro broth study evaluates the impacts of low‐dose treatments (0, 1.0, 5.0, 10.0, 20.0, and 40.0 mg L−1) of TiO2 NPs on cell viability, morphology, and plant growth promoting (PGP) traits of rhizobia isolated from mung bean root nodule. Two types of TiO2 NPs, that is, mixture of anatase and rutile, and anatase alone were used in the study. These TiO2 NPs were supplemented in broth along with a multifunctional isolate (Bradyrhizobium sp.) and two reference cultures. The exposure of TiO2 (anatase+rutile) NPs at low concentrations (less than 20.0 mg L−1) enhanced the cell growth, and total soluble protein content, besides improving the phosphate solubilization, Indole‐3‐acetic acid (IAA) production, siderophore, and gibberellic acid production. The TiO2 (anatase) NPs enhanced exopolysaccharide (EPS) production by the test rhizobial cultures. The radical scavenging assay was performed to reveal the mode of action of the nano‐TiO2 particles. The study revealed higher reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation by the TiO2 (anatase) NPs as compared with TiO2 (anatase+rutile) NPs. Exposure to TiO2 NPs also altered the morphology of rhizobial cells. The findings suggest that TiO2 NPs could act as promoters of PGP traits of PGP bacteria when applied at appropriate lower doses.
Genetic structure of California's elk: a legacy of extirpations, reintroductions, population expansions, and admixture
Authors: Sacks Benjamin N. , Davis Taylor M. , Batter Thomas J. 
Published: January 2024

AbstractCalifornia, USA, is home to 3 subspecies of North American elk (Cervus canadensis): Roosevelt (C. c. roosevelti), Rocky Mountain (C. c. nelsoni), and tule (C. c. nannodes). Effective management requires a baseline understanding of each subspecies' range, admixture zones, and geographic patterns of genetic diversity. To address these questions, we genotyped 1,271 individual elk from California (n = 1,204) and reference populations of Rocky Mountain and Roosevelt elk from Nevada (n = 32) and Oregon (n = 35), USA. Using 19 polymorphic microsatellite loci, we detected admixture between Roosevelt and Rocky Mountain elk at a contact zone in northern California, and between Roosevelt and tule elk in north‐coastal California and central‐coastal California. We identified a genetically distinct population of Roosevelt elk in northwestern California, likely reflecting the remnant population that survived a large demographic decline from overhunting during the 1800s. Tule elk exhibited lower levels of heterozygosity (0.44 ± 0.03 [SD]) and allelic richness (2.9 ± 0.2) than Rocky Mountain (0.58 ± 0.05, 4.9 ± 0.4, respectively) and Roosevelt (0.50 ± 0.06, 4.4 ± 0.6, respectively) elk. Among tule elk populations, heterozygosity varied, with the lowest heterozygosity (0.23 ± 0.05) corresponding to the oldest enclosed herd used over the past century as a source of translocations. Among tule elk populations, genetic structure revealed several cases of successful and unsuccessful reintroduction or augmentation attempts. Results provide an essential baseline for future monitoring and decisions about harvest management, translocations to preserve genetic diversity, and landscape‐level conservation planning to maintain, enhance, or obstruct connectivity of elk populations. Genome‐wide sequencing and analyses are needed to quantify inbreeding absolutely and assess genetic load and the age of admixture where subspecies currently exchange genes.
Habitat suitability and crop damage risk caused by wild boar in Guizhou Plateau, China
Authors: Yang Guangmei , Peng Caichun , Yang Xiongwei , Guo Qunyi , Su Haijun 
Published: January 2024

AbstractCrop damage caused by wild boar (Sus scrofa) in many agroforestry regions of the world has affected agricultural development and farmers' livelihoods. Understanding the patterns of wild boar crop damage is important for properly managing these conflicts, and can improve the effectiveness of existing prevention strategies. We collected a comprehensive dataset from Guizhou Province, China, from 2017 to 2020, obtained from motion‐sensitive camera monitoring, transect surveys, interview surveys, and wildlife management administrations. These data include 3,156 records of wild boar activity in natural areas and 576 records of crop damage. We applied a multi‐scale MaxEnt model to map the regional distribution of wild boar habitat suitability and crop damage risk in Guizhou Province and focused on the role of habitat suitability in wild boar crop damage from a regional perspective. Wild boar habitat suitability exhibits a divergent pattern, expanding from the central area of Guizhou Province to the eastern, northern, southern, and northwestern regions, with a gradually increasing trend. Suitability of habitat for wild boar was associated with composite topographic index, mean coldest season temperature, isothermality, Shannon diversity index, edge density, and distance to village roads. Similarly, crop damage caused by wild boars in agroforestry areas is mainly concentrated in the northeast, with the risk increasing from west to east. The risk of damage was associated with temperature seasonality, roughness, distance to village roads, precipitation in the warmest quarter, edge density, and contagion index. Furthermore, in agroforestry areas, there is a positive correlation between wild boar habitat suitability and crop damage risk, with Spearman rank correlation coefficients ranging from 0.5759 to 0.5932. This correlation is not perfectly synchronized on a regional scale. This study indicates that the relationship between habitat suitability and crop damage caused by wild boar in Guizhou Province is primarily influenced by changes in population size rather than the habitat. Consequently, we emphasize the importance of controlling wild boar populations through hunting as a way to effectively reduce the risk of crop damage in agroforestry areas, without neglecting the need for proper habitat management.
Design, Processing, and Challenges of Multicomponent Polymer Composites for Improved Electromagnetic Interference Shielding Properties: A Review
Authors: Li Jixiang , Masghouni Emna , Granger Mathis , Sudre Guillaume , Alcouffe Pierre , Muller Didier , Nguyen Van Son , Bayard Bernard , Serghei Anatoli , Sauviac Bruno , Maazouz Abderrahim , Lamnawar Khalid 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThe colossal development of modern electronic devices has inevitably led to an increase in electromagnetic interference (EMI), which has gradually become the fourth most prevalent type of pollution in the world. It is therefore necessary to seek more effective EMI‐shielding materials to overcome the shortcomings of conventional metal‐based materials, which include high density, a lack of mechanical flexibility, low corrosion resistance and costly processing. Conductive polymer composites (CPCs) have attracted more and more attention due to their superiority in many aspects. However, their performances should be further enhanced for future applications. One polymer with only one type of filler often cannot meet this kind of requirement. In this paper, filled polymer materials for EMI shielding are reviewed in terms of their processing, rheological properties, conductivity, and shielding effectiveness. Moreover, the combination of different ingredients and fillers when fabricating multicomponent composites for EMI shielding is also highlighted. The coordination of various components in composites with different structures, including solid, segregated, layered/sandwiched, and foamed/porous structures, is then discussed.
Mycobacterium tuberculosis: immune response, biomarkers, and therapeutic intervention
Authors: Zhuang Li , Yang Ling , Li Linsheng , Ye Zhaoyang , Gong Wenping 
Published: January 2024

AbstractAlthough tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease, the progression of the disease following Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) infection is closely associated with the host's immune response. In this review, a comprehensive analysis of TB prevention, diagnosis, and treatment was conducted from an immunological perspective. First, we delved into the host's immune response mechanisms against MTB infection as well as the immune evasion mechanisms of the bacteria. Addressing the challenges currently faced in TB diagnosis and treatment, we also emphasized the importance of protein, genetic, and immunological biomarkers, aiming to provide new insights for early and personalized diagnosis and treatment of TB. Building upon this foundation, we further discussed intervention strategies involving chemical and immunological treatments for the increasingly critical issue of drug‐resistant TB and other forms of TB. Finally, we summarized TB prevention, diagnosis, and treatment challenges and put forward future perspectives. Overall, these findings provide valuable insights into the immunological aspects of TB and offer new directions toward achieving the WHO's goal of eradicating TB by 2035.
Long‐acting injectable antipsychotics as maintenance therapy for schizophrenia during the COVID‐19 pandemic: A micro‐narrative review
Authors: Oguchi Yoshiyo , Miyake Nobumi , Ando Kumiko 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThe coronavirus disease pandemic has presented healthcare systems with unprecedented challenges globally and substantially impacted the management of chronic diseases such as schizophrenia. This narrative review highlights the usefulness of long‐acting injectable antipsychotics (LAIs) as maintenance therapy for patients with schizophrenia during the pandemic. The analysis of relevant literature and psychiatric survey data revealed diverse trends in LAIs prescription and patient adherence with oral antipsychotics. Although some studies have reported a decrease in LAIs prescriptions owing to pandemic‐related disruptions, others have suggested stable patient adherence with oral antipsychotics. Approximately 70% of Japanese psychiatrists reported an increase in schizophrenia relapse rates in a survey, underscoring the critical role of LAIs in maintaining therapeutic stability. The potential benefits of LAIs with extended dosing intervals have been highlighted, including improving oral medication adherence and reducing the frequency of hospital visits. In conclusion, this review emphasizes the continued need for uninterrupted LAIs therapy in conjunction with community and home‐based care despite the disruptions caused by the coronavirus disease pandemic. Further development of LAIs maintenance therapy strategies considering the ongoing pandemic and potential future public health emergencies are required.
Wear‐resistant layers containing graphene derivatives
Authors: Mindivan Ferda , Dere Hilal 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThe effect of carbon filler wt% ratios on the microstructural and tribological properties of the ultra‐high molecular weight polyethylene (PE)/graphene nanoplatelets (GNP), PE/graphene oxide (GO), and PE/carbon nanotube (CNT) composites and PE/GNP‐GO hybrid composite layers was studied to determine the best tribological performance after the dry wear test. The layers had a semi‐crystalline structure like PE, but the shifts in the peaks showed the presence of interactions between the fillers and PE matrix, according to x‐ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. FTIR analysis results indicated that GO‐containing layers caused interactions and new bonds. The lowest values for the friction coefficient were found in layers containing GNP and GO, which had a lubricating effect. The friction coefficient decreased by 83.24% in the PE/0.7GO composite layer compared to PE. Wear resistance of the PE/3GNP and PE/1GO layers were the highest compared to PE and other layers. The PE/3GNP and PE/1GO layers improved the wear resistance of PE by 12% and 11%, respectively. Abrasive wear and fatigue wear tracks on the worn surface of the PE/3GNP and PE/1GO composite layer were significantly reduced compared to PE and other layers. This study suggests that layers that will provide the highest molecular interaction with PE and improve its wear resistance will be produced with GO and nano‐sized GNP.Highlights
The interaction of graphene‐derived fillers with PE and its effect on friction and wear properties were investigated.
GNP and GO are the best filler materials among the graphene derivatives for increasing wear resistance.
High wear resistant of layers achieved at 3 wt% GNP loadings.
Layers containing GO had the lowest friction coefficient values among the other layers.
Cellulose nanocrystals from oil palm trunk biomass as a bio‐reinforcing filler for improved mechanical properties of modified natural rubber composites
Authors: Koeipudsa Niracha , Phinyocheep Pranee 
Published: January 2024

AbstractCellulose nanocrystals (CNC) obtained from biomass are increasingly demanding as a candidate for rubber composite reinforcement due to their sustainability and environmentally friendly characteristics. This work explored CNC extracted from oil palm trunks, an agricultural waste, for its reinforcing efficacy for natural rubber (NR) composite. To achieve good compatibility of the hydrophilic CNC in non‐polar NR, the NR was modified in a simple and green epoxidation condition via its latex stage. The epoxidized natural rubbers (ENR) containing 15% and 25% epoxide content, symbolized as 15E and 25E, respectively, were prepared. The ENR/CNC nanocomposites were fabricated by mixing CNC aqueous suspension and ENR latex, followed by co‐coagulation by methanol. A low amount of CNC (0.5–5 phr) was incorporated into the rubber and it was found that the ENR/CNC nanocomposites showed improvement in mechanical properties compared to the NR/CNC nanocomposite. The 25E/CNC nanocomposite with 1 phr of CNC achieved a 22.6% increase in tensile strength while the 25E/CNC nanocomposite with 2 phr of CNC resulted in a 27.1% increase in tear strength. The enhanced performance of the fully bio‐based rubber nanocomposites is attributed to the CNC–rubber interaction and good CNC dispersion in the ENR matrices, evidenced by the results of SEM and crosslink density.Highlights
Cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) was successfully obtained from the oil palm trunk.
NR was modified into epoxidized natural rubber (ENR) for increased polarity.
ENR/CNC mixing was done in a simple and environmentally friendly latex process.
Only 2 phr of CNC resulted in a 27.1% increased tear strength of rubber composite.
SEM clearly evidenced improvement of CNC–ENR interaction.
Do college students with higher attachment anxiety or avoidance tend to have lower subjective social status? Evidence from a cross‐sectional and a longitudinal study
Authors: Wang Yangqian , Cheng Gang , Zhou Xianhong , Yang Haili , Fu Niuniu , Ding Fangyuan 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThe present study examined the relationship between adult attachment and subjective social status (SSS) in college students through a cross‐sectional survey (Study 1) and a longitudinal study (Study 2). In Study 1, 1300 college students were recruited via research flyers and online campus advertisements. They completed measures of adult attachment and SSS. The results showed that higher attachment anxiety and avoidance negatively predicted SSS. In Study 2, 958 freshmen students were recruited via the Freshmen Entrance Ceremony and underwent assessment four times (T1, T2, T3, and T4) at monthly intervals. The latent growth model results showed a significant decline in SSS during the first month of campus life, followed by a slow increase over the subsequent 2 months. While attachment avoidance did not predict a decline in SSS, attachment anxiety positively predicted the rate of decline in SSS, which meant that the higher the attachment anxiety was, the slower the rate of decline in SSS. Both studies indicated that both dimensions of attachment influence freshmen's SSS and that only attachment anxiety plays a role in the dynamics of SSS.
Barriers and facilitators for people with severe mental illness accessing cancer screening: A systematic review
Authors: Tuschick Emma , Barker Jill , Giles Emma L. , Jones Susan , Hogg Julie , Kanmodi Kehinde K. , Sill Jula , Sykes Kate 
Published: January 2024

AbstractObjectiveEvidence suggests that people with severe mental illness (PwSMI) are 2.1 times more likely to die from cancer before the age of 75, compared to people without Severe mental illness (SMI). Yet, cancer screening uptake is low among PwSMI. This mixed‐methods systematic review aimed to identify the barriers and facilitators for PwSMI deciding to access and attend primary cancer screening of the cervix, breast and colon.MethodsSix electronic databases and two grey literature sources were searched, with 1017 records screened against inclusion criteria. Included papers were appraised and data synthesised using the constructs of Normalisation Process Theory.ResultsTwenty papers met the inclusion criteria. Factors that impact upon uptake of PwSMI accessing cancer screening were found to include age, gender, race, and income. Common barriers to attending screening included poor communication from healthcare staff, stigmatising attitudes, and accessibility problems such as no access to transportation. While, facilitators included social support from friends, family, and healthcare providers.ConclusionsDue to ease and privacy, colorectal screening was found to have fewer barriers when compared to cervical and breast screening. The review identified multiple barriers that can be addressed and targeted to support decision‐making for cancer screening among PwSMI. The protocol was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42022331781).
Mechanistic study of the transmission pattern of the SARS‐CoV‐2 omicron variant
Authors: An Ke , Yang Xianzhi , Luo Mengqi , Yan Junfang , Xu Peiyi , Zhang Honghui , Li Yuqing , Wu Song , Warshel Arieh , Bai Chen 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThe omicron variant of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) characterized by 30 mutations in its spike protein, has rapidly spread worldwide since November 2021, significantly exacerbating the ongoing COVID‐19 pandemic. In order to investigate the relationship between these mutations and the variant's high transmissibility, we conducted a systematic analysis of the mutational effect on spike–angiotensin‐converting enzyme‐2 (ACE2) interactions and explored the structural/energy correlation of key mutations, utilizing a reliable coarse‐grained model. Our study extended beyond the receptor‐binding domain (RBD) of spike trimer through comprehensive modeling of the full‐length spike trimer rather than just the RBD. Our free‐energy calculation revealed that the enhanced binding affinity between the spike protein and the ACE2 receptor is correlated with the increased structural stability of the isolated spike protein, thus explaining the omicron variant's heightened transmissibility. The conclusion was supported by our experimental analyses involving the expression and purification of the full‐length spike trimer. Furthermore, the energy decomposition analysis established those electrostatic interactions make major contributions to this effect. We categorized the mutations into four groups and established an analytical framework that can be employed in studying future mutations. Additionally, our calculations rationalized the reduced affinity of the omicron variant towards most available therapeutic neutralizing antibodies, when compared with the wild type. By providing concrete experimental data and offering a solid explanation, this study contributes to a better understanding of the relationship between theories and observations and lays the foundation for future investigations.
Bearing‐based formation stabilization using event‐triggered control
Authors: Sewlia Mayank , Zelazo Daniel 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThis article studies two distributed bearing‐based event‐triggered schemes to achieve formation stabilization. We focus on systems with double‐integrator dynamics with bearings sensing capabilities. Firstly, we propose a bearing‐only event‐triggered condition (ETC) that is edge‐dependent which drives the control updates of the agents using only information dependent on relative sensed quantities. Secondly, along with bearing measurements we make use of local agent state measurements to arrive at an ETC that uses this collective measurement to drive the sensing and control updates of an agent. In doing so, we propose a new control law that renders the final formation stationary. Simulations are provided to verify the validity of the proposed algorithms.
Superior Strength, Toughness, and Damage‐Tolerance Observed in Microlattices of Aperiodic Unit Cells
Authors: Wang Xinxin , Li Xinwei , Li Zhendong , Wang Zhonggang , Zhai Wei 
Published: January 2024

AbstractCharacterized by periodic cellular unit cells, microlattices offer exceptional potential as lightweight and robust materials. However, their inherent periodicity poses the risk of catastrophic global failure. To address this limitation, a novel approach, that is to introduce microlattices composed of aperiodic unit cells inspired by Einstein's tile, where the orientation of cells never repeats in the same orientation is proposed. Experiments and simulations are conducted to validate the concept by comparing compressive responses of the aperiodic microlattices with those of common periodic microlattices. Indeed, the microlattices exhibit stable and progressive compressive deformation, contrasting with catastrophic fracture of periodic structures. At the same relative density, the microlattices outperform the periodic ones, exhibiting fracture strain, energy absorption, crushing stress efficiency, and smoothness coefficients at least 830%, 300%, 130%, and 160% higher, respectively. These improvements can be attributed to aperiodicity, where diverse failure thresholds exist locally due to varying strut angles and contact modes during compression. This effectively prevents both global fracture and abrupt stress drops. Furthermore, the aperiodic microlattice exhibits good damage tolerance with excellent deformation recoverability, retaining 76% ultimate stress post‐recovery at 30% compressive strain. Overall, a novel concept of adopting aperiodic cell arrangements to achieve damage‐tolerant microlattice metamaterials is presented.