bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mapping the planet’s critical areas for biodiversity and nature’s contributions to people
Authors: Neugarten Rachel A. , Chaplin-Kramer Rebecca , Sharp Richard P. , Schuster Richard , Strimas-Mackey Matthew , Roehrdanz Patrick R. , Mulligan Mark , van Soesbergen Arnout , Hole David , Kennedy Christina M. , Oakleaf James R. , Johnson Justin A. , Kiesecker Joseph , Polasky Stephen , Hanson Jeffrey O. , Rodewald Amanda D. 
Published: January 2024

AbstractMeeting global commitments to conservation, climate, and sustainable development requires consideration of synergies and tradeoffs among targets. We evaluate the spatial congruence of ecosystems providing globally high levels of nature’s contributions to people, biodiversity, and areas with high development potential across several sectors. We find that conserving approximately half of global land area through protection or sustainable management could provide 90% of the current levels of ten of nature’s contributions to people and meet minimum representation targets for 26,709 terrestrial vertebrate species. This finding supports recent commitments by national governments under the Global Biodiversity Framework to conserve at least 30% of global lands and waters, and proposals to conserve half of the Earth. More than one-third of areas required for conserving nature’s contributions to people and species are also highly suitable for agriculture, renewable energy, oil and gas, mining, or urban expansion. This indicates potential conflicts among conservation, climate and development goals.
Levels of complement factor H-related 4 protein do not influence susceptibility to age-related macular degeneration or its course of progression
Authors: Zouache M. A. , Richards B. T. , Pappas C. M. , Anstadt R. A. , Liu J. , Corsetti T. , Matthews S. , Seager N. A. , Schmitz-Valckenberg S. , Fleckenstein M. , Hubbard W. C. , Thomas J. , Hageman J. L. , Williams B. L. , Hageman G. S. 
Published: January 2024

AbstractDysregulation of the alternative pathway (AP) of the complement system is a significant contributor to age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a primary cause of irreversible vision loss worldwide. Here, we assess the contribution of the liver-produced complement factor H-related 4 protein (FHR-4) to AMD initiation and course of progression. We show that FHR-4 variation in plasma and at the primary location of AMD-associated pathology, the retinal pigment epithelium/Bruch’s membrane/choroid interface, is entirely explained by three independent quantitative trait loci (QTL). Using two distinct cohorts composed of a combined 14,965 controls and 20,741 cases, we ascertain that independent QTLs for FHR-4 are distinct from variants causally associated with AMD, and that FHR-4 variation is not independently associated with disease. Additionally, FHR-4 does not appear to influence AMD progression course among patients with disease driven predominantly by AP dysregulation. Modulation of FHR-4 is therefore unlikely to be an effective therapeutic strategy for AMD.
Ligand coupling mechanism of the human serotonin transporter differentiates substrates from inhibitors
Authors: Gradisch Ralph , Schlögl Katharina , Lazzarin Erika , Niello Marco , Maier Julian , Mayer Felix P. , Alves da Silva Leticia , Skopec Sophie M. C. , Blakely Randy D. , Sitte Harald H. , Mihovilovic Marko D. , Stockner Thomas 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThe presynaptic serotonin transporter (SERT) clears extracellular serotonin following vesicular release to ensure temporal and spatial regulation of serotonergic signalling and neurotransmitter homeostasis. Prescription drugs used to treat neurobehavioral disorders, including depression, anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive disorder, trap SERT by blocking the transport cycle. In contrast, illicit drugs of abuse like amphetamines reverse SERT directionality, causing serotonin efflux. Both processes result in increased extracellular serotonin levels. By combining molecular dynamics simulations with biochemical experiments and using a homologous series of serotonin analogues, we uncovered the coupling mechanism between the substrate and the transporter, which triggers the uptake of serotonin. Free energy analysis showed that only scaffold-bound substrates could initiate SERT occlusion through attractive long-range electrostatic interactions acting on the bundle domain. The associated spatial requirements define substrate and inhibitor properties, enabling additional possibilities for rational drug design approaches.
Photogenerated outer electric field induced electrophoresis of organic nanocrystals for effective solid-solid photocatalysis
Authors: Guo Yan , Zhu Bowen , Tang Chuyang Y. , Zhou Qixin , Zhu Yongfa 
Published: January 2024

AbstractRapid mass transfer in solid-solid reactions is crucial for catalysis. Although phoretic nanoparticles offer potential for increased collision efficiency between solids, their implementation is hindered by limited interaction ranges. Here, we present a self-driven long-range electrophoresis of organic nanocrystals facilitated by a rationally designed photogenerated outer electric field (OEF) on their surface. Employing perylene-3,4,9,10-tetracarboxylic dianhydride (PTCDA) molecular nanocrystals as a model, we demonstrate that a directional OEF with an intensity of 13.6-0.4 kV m−1 across a range of 25–200 μm. This OEF-driven targeted electrophoresis of PTCDA nanocrystals onto the microplastic surface enhances the activity for subsequent decomposition of microplastics (196.8 mg h−1) into CO2 by solid-solid catalysis. As supported by operando characterizations and theoretical calculations, the OEF surrounds PTCDA nanocrystals initially, directing from the electron-rich (0 1 1) to the hole-rich $$(11\bar{2})$$

(

11

2

¯

)

surface. Upon surface charge modulation, the direction of OEF changes toward the solid substrate. The OEF-driven electrophoretic effect in organic nanocrystals with anisotropic charge enrichment characteristics indicates potential advancements in realizing effective solid-solid photocatalysis.
ROCK1/2 signaling contributes to corticosteroid-refractory acute graft-versus-host disease
Authors: Maas-Bauer Kristina , Stell Anna-Verena , Yan Kai-Li , de Vega Enrique , Vinnakota Janaki Manoja , Unger Susanne , Núñez Nicolas , Norona Johana , Talvard-Balland Nana , Koßmann Stefanie , Schwan Carsten , Miething Cornelius , Martens Uta S. , Shoumariyeh Khalid , Nestor Rosa P. , Duquesne Sandra , Hanke Kathrin , Rackiewicz Michal , Hu Zehan , El Khawanky Nadia , Taromi Sanaz , Andrlova Hana , Faraidun Hemin , Walter Stefanie , Pfeifer Dietmar , Follo Marie , Waldschmidt Johannes , Melchinger Wolfgang , Rassner Michael , Wehr Claudia , Schmitt-Graeff Annette , Halbach Sebastian , Liao James , Häcker Georg , Brummer Tilman , Dengjel Joern , Andrieux Geoffroy , Grosse Robert , Tugues Sonia , Blazar Bruce R. , Becher Burkhard , Boerries Melanie , Zeiser Robert 
Published: January 2024

AbstractPatients with corticosteroid-refractory acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) have a low one-year survival rate. Identification and validation of novel targetable kinases in patients who experience corticosteroid-refractory-aGVHD may help improve outcomes. Kinase-specific proteomics of leukocytes from patients with corticosteroid-refractory-GVHD identified rho kinase type 1 (ROCK1) as the most significantly upregulated kinase. ROCK1/2 inhibition improved survival and histological GVHD severity in mice and was synergistic with JAK1/2 inhibition, without compromising graft-versus-leukemia-effects. ROCK1/2-inhibition in macrophages or dendritic cells prior to transfer reduced GVHD severity. Mechanistically, ROCK1/2 inhibition or ROCK1 knockdown interfered with CD80, CD86, MHC-II expression and IL-6, IL-1β, iNOS and TNF production in myeloid cells. This was accompanied by impaired T cell activation by dendritic cells and inhibition of cytoskeletal rearrangements, thereby reducing macrophage and DC migration. NF-κB signaling was reduced in myeloid cells following ROCK1/2 inhibition. In conclusion, ROCK1/2 inhibition interferes with immune activation at multiple levels and reduces acute GVHD while maintaining GVL-effects, including in corticosteroid-refractory settings.
Synthesis of core@shell catalysts guided by Tammann temperature
Authors: Xiong Pei , Xu Zhihang , Wu Tai-Sing , Yang Tong , Lei Qiong , Li Jiangtong , Li Guangchao , Yang Ming , Soo Yun-Liang , Bennett Robert David , Lau Shu Ping , Tsang Shik Chi Edman , Zhu Ye , Li Molly Meng-Jung 
Published: January 2024

AbstractDesigning high-performance thermal catalysts with stable catalytic sites is an important challenge. Conventional wisdom holds that strong metal-support interactions can benefit the catalyst performance, but there is a knowledge gap in generalizing this effect across different metals. Here, we have successfully developed a generalizable strong metal-support interaction strategy guided by Tammann temperatures of materials, enabling functional oxide encapsulation of transition metal nanocatalysts. As an illustrative example, Co@BaAl2O4 core@shell is synthesized and tracked in real-time through in-situ microscopy and spectroscopy, revealing an unconventional strong metal-support interaction encapsulation mechanism. Notably, Co@BaAl2O4 exhibits exceptional activity relative to previously reported core@shell catalysts, displaying excellent long-term stability during high-temperature chemical reactions and overcoming the durability and reusability limitations of conventional supported catalysts. This pioneering design and widely applicable approach has been validated to guide the encapsulation of various transition metal nanoparticles for environmental tolerance functionalities, offering great potential to advance energy, catalysis, and environmental fields.
Hydrogen evolution with hot electrons on a plasmonic-molecular catalyst hybrid system
Authors: Dey Ananta , Mendalz Amal , Wach Anna , Vadell Robert Bericat , Silveira Vitor R. , Leidinger Paul Maurice , Huthwelker Thomas , Shtender Vitalii , Novotny Zbynek , Artiglia Luca , Sá Jacinto 
Published: January 2024

AbstractPlasmonic systems convert light into electrical charges and heat, mediating catalytic transformations. However, there is ongoing controversy regarding the involvement of hot carriers in the catalytic process. In this study, we demonstrate the direct utilisation of plasmon hot electrons in the hydrogen evolution reaction with visible light. We intentionally assemble a plasmonic nanohybrid system comprising NiO/Au/[Co(1,10-Phenanthrolin-5-amine)2(H2O)2], which is unstable at water thermolysis temperatures. This assembly limits the plasmon thermal contribution while ensuring that hot carriers are the primary contributors to the catalytic process. By combining photoelectrocatalysis with advanced in situ spectroscopies, we can substantiate a reaction mechanism in which plasmon-induced hot electrons play a crucial role. These plasmonic hot electrons are directed into phenanthroline ligands, facilitating the rapid, concerted proton-electron transfer steps essential for hydrogen generation. The catalytic response to light modulation aligns with the distinctive profile of a hot carrier-mediated process, featuring a positive, though non-essential, heat contribution.
Eddy activity in the Arctic Ocean projected to surge in a warming world
Authors: Li Xinyue , Wang Qiang , Danilov Sergey , Koldunov Nikolay , Liu Caili , Müller Vasco , Sidorenko Dmitry , Jung Thomas 
Published: January 2024

AbstractOcean eddies play a critical role in climate and marine life. In the rapidly warming Arctic, little is known about how ocean eddy activity will change because existing climate models cannot resolve Arctic Ocean mesoscale eddies. Here, by employing a next-generation global sea ice–ocean model with kilometre-scale horizontal resolution in the Arctic, we find a surge of eddy kinetic energy in the upper Arctic Ocean, tripling on average in a four-degree-warmer world. The driving mechanism behind this surge is an increase in eddy generation due to enhanced baroclinic instability. Despite the decline of sea ice, eddy killing (a process in which eddies are dampened by sea ice and winds) will not weaken in its annual mean effect in the considered warming scenario. Our study suggests the importance of adequately representing Arctic eddy activity in climate models for understanding the impacts of its increase on climate and ecosystems.
New approach into human health risk assessment associated with heavy metals in surface water and groundwater using Monte Carlo Method
Authors: Eid Mohamed Hamdy , Eissa Mustafa , Mohamed Essam A. , Ramadan Hatem Saad , Tamás Madarász , Kovács Attila , Szűcs Péter 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThis study assessed the environmental and health risks associated with heavy metals in the water resources of Egypt's northwestern desert. The current approaches included the Spearman correlation matrix, principal component analysis, and cluster analysis to identify pollution sources and quality-controlling factors. Various indices (HPI, MI, HQ, HI, and CR) were applied to evaluate environmental and human health risks. Additionally, the Monte Carlo method was employed for probabilistic carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risk assessment via oral and dermal exposure routes in adults and children. Notably, all water resources exhibited high pollution risks with HPI and MI values exceeding permissible limits (HPI > 100 and MI > 6), respectively. Furthermore, HI oral values indicated significant non-carcinogenic risks to both adults and children, while dermal contact posed a high risk to 19.4% of samples for adults and 77.6% of samples for children (HI > 1). Most water samples exhibited CR values exceeding 1 × 10–4 for Cd, Cr, and Pb, suggesting vulnerability to carcinogenic effects in both age groups. Monte Carlo simulations reinforced these findings, indicating a significant carcinogenic impact on children and adults. Consequently, comprehensive water treatment measures are urgently needed to mitigate carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic health risks in Siwa Oasis.
BrainSwarming, blockchain, and bioethics: applying Innovation Enhancing Techniques to healthcare and research
Authors: Vazirani Anuraag A. , McCaffrey Tony , Savulescu Julian , Porsdam Mann Sebastian 
Published: January 2024

AbstractInnovation in healthcare and biomedicine is in decline, yet there exist no widely-known alternatives to traditional brainstorming that can be employed for innovative idea generation. McCaffrey's Innovation Enhancing Techniques (IETs) were developed to enhance creative problem-solving by helping the solver to overcome common psychological obstacles to generating innovative ideas. These techniques were devised for engineering and design problems, which involve solving practical goals using physical materials. Healthcare and science problems however often involve solving abstract goals using intangible resources. Here we adapt two of McCaffrey’s IETs, BrainSwarming and the Generic Parts Technique, to effectively enhance idea generation for such problems. To demonstrate their potential, we apply these techniques to a case study involving the use of blockchain technologies to facilitate ethical goals in biomedicine, and successfully identify 100 potential solutions to this problem. Being simple to understand and easy to implement, these and other IETs have significant potential to improve innovation and idea generation in healthcare, scientific, and technological contexts. By catalysing idea generation in problem-solving, these techniques may be used to target the innovative stagnation currently facing the scientific world.
Short-term effects of community-based marine reserves on green abalone, as revealed by population studies
Authors: Bauer Jeremie , Segovia-Rendón Jaime , Lorda Julio , Abadía-Cardoso Alicia , Malpica-Cruz Luis , Alvarado-Graef Patricia , Searcy-Bernal Ricardo , Vázquez-Vera Leonardo , Beas-Luna Rodrigo 
Published: January 2024

AbstractMarine reserves (MRs) are implemented worldwide to protect, restore, and manage marine ecosystems and species. However, it is important to document the positive effects those marine reserves have on slow-growth, temperate invertebrates such as abalone. Abalone, Haliotis spp., are marine gastropods of high economic value extracted worldwide for decades, which has led to fisheries-driven population decreases. In this work, we focused on a case study and assessed the short-term (1–2 years) effects of marine reserves established and managed by a local fishing cooperative at Guadalupe Island, Mexico. We evaluated the population status of green abalone, H. fulgens, by conducting (1) an assessment of the green abalone population around Guadalupe Island through subtidal monitoring and (2) an evaluation of the effect of two recently established marine reserves on population parameters such as the increase in density (individuals·m2), biomass, number of aggregated abalone, egg production, and proportion of individuals bigger than 150 mm (minimum harvest size) compared to fished areas. To assess the population around Guadalupe Island, we surveyed 11,160 m2 during 2020 and 2021. We recorded 2327 green abalones with a mean ± SE shell length of 135.978 ± 0.83 mm and a mean density of 0.21 ± 0.02 individuals·m2. All variables were statistically higher at the MRs except for shell length in 2021. In this work, we report for the first time the green abalone population status at Guadalupe Island and a positive short-term biological response to community-based marine reserves. This study suggests that a network of MRs combined with good management could help abalone populations in the short term in Guadalupe Island, potentially leading to more sustainable fishing practices and social-ecological resilience.
Effects of grassland controlled burning on symbiotic skin microbes in Neotropical amphibians
Authors: Schuck Laura K. , Neely Wesley J. , Buttimer Shannon M. , Moser Camila F. , Barth Priscila C. , Liskoski Paulo E. , Caberlon Carolina de A. , Valiati Victor Hugo , Tozetti Alexandro M. , Becker C. Guilherme 
Published: January 2024

AbstractClimate change has led to an alarming increase in the frequency and severity of wildfires worldwide. While it is known that amphibians have physiological characteristics that make them highly susceptible to fire, the specific impacts of wildfires on their symbiotic skin bacterial communities (i.e., bacteriomes) and infection by the deadly chytrid fungus, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, remain poorly understood. Here, we address this research gap by evaluating the effects of fire on the amphibian skin bacteriome and the subsequent risk of chytridiomycosis. We sampled the skin bacteriome of the Neotropical species Scinax squalirostris and Boana leptolineata in fire and control plots before and after experimental burnings. Fire was linked with a marked increase in bacteriome beta dispersion, a proxy for skin microbial dysbiosis, alongside a trend of increased pathogen loads. By shedding light on the effects of fire on amphibian skin bacteriomes, this study contributes to our broader understanding of the impacts of wildfires on vulnerable vertebrate species.
Perceived functional resilience in schools according to key stakeholders
Authors: Kaim Arielle , Siman-Tov Maya , Lev-Ari Shahar , Adini Bruria 
Published: January 2024

AbstractAmid the COVID-19 outbreak, Israel and numerous other governments closed schools as a precaution, leading to a sudden shift to online learning. The aim of the current study is to provide foundational insight into the perceived readiness of the school system to withstand future adversities, based on the challenges, complexities, as well as successes in adaptation faced by stakeholders during COVID-19. In this cross-sectional study, we assess the perceived levels of functional resilience of the school system among the key stakeholders of the Israeli education system-high school students, parents, teachers, and principals, as well as a composite functional resilience scale. The composite functional resilience consists of 10 main indexes: communication during distance learning (DL) and frontal learning (FL); Perceived stress scale-4 (PSS); psychosocial aspects during distance learning (DL) and frontal learning (FL); digital literacy; pedagogic support; resources; infrastructure; and distance versus frontal learning. The study findings demonstrate differences according to the stakeholders with regard to the perceived functional resilience and the composite functional resilience scores (e.g., students with respect to both of these scores exhibit the lowest results, while teachers display the highest scores). Furthermore, no one variable was significant across the board for all stakeholders in predicting the perceived functional resilience, with the most common predictors among the stakeholders being digital literacy, pedagogic support, PSS, as well as communication during distance and frontal learning. The findings of this study reveal areas for recommended priority actions to be conducted among school system stakeholders.
Multifunctional metallic nanocomposite for overcoming the strength–ductility trade-off
Authors: Lanba Asheesh R. , Hamilton Reginald F. , Melanson Adrien N. , Perry Emma S. , Gordon Richard F. 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThe actualization of high strength and ductility in alloys, in addition to providing strong, formable materials, can lead to reduced weights in practical applications. However, increasing strength typically comes at the cost of lowering the ductility and vice-versa, referred to as the strength–ductility trade-off. In this work, we investigate the thermo-mechanical response of a 3-element multifunctional NiTi–Nb nanocomposite material that overcomes this trade-off, as it exhibits a high strength of 980 MPa and an ultrahigh ductility of 58% at fracture. The remarkable properties are attributed to the underlying microstructure of Nb nanofibers dispersed in an NiTi matrix. Deformation is accommodated via the shape memory transformation of the active NiTi matrix in concert with elastoplastic deformation of Nb nanofibers embedded within the matrix. Consequently, the material exhibits multifunctionality and recovers deformation during heating via the reversion of the stress-induced martensitic transformation in the NiTi matrix. The high strength and high ductility of this 3-element nanocomposite material puts it amongst the best performing high-entropy alloys (HEAs) that are typically made up of five or more elements.