bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A new concept for the ecotoxicological assessment of plastics under consideration of aging processes
Authors: Lukas Marcus , Kittner Maria , Isernhinke Lisa , Altmann Korinna , Braun Ulrike 
Published: May 2023

AbstractMicroplastics are widely distributed in aquatic and terrestrial environments, but up to now less is known about (eco)toxicological impacts under realistic conditions. Research so far has focused mainly on impacts on organisms by fresh, single‐origin plastic fragments or beads. However, plastics found in the environment are complex in composition, this means different polymer types and sources, with and without additives and in all stages of age, and therefore, in a more or less advanced stage of degradation. For oxidized degradation products that might be released from plastic materials during aging, there is a lack of information on potentially adverse effects on aquatic biota. The latter is of particular interest as oxidized degradation products might become more water soluble due to higher polarity and are more bioavailable, therefore. The present study focused on plastic leachates of polystyrene (PS) and polylactic acid (PLA), which were derived from alternating stress by hydrolysis and ultraviolet (UV) radiation—representing a realistic scenario in the environment. Test specimens of PS, PLA, or a PLA/PS layer (each 50%) were alternately exposed to UV radiation for 5 days followed by hydrolysis for 2 days, for several weeks alternating. Ecotoxicological effects of the storage water (artificial freshwater) of the test specimens and additionally, in a second experimental setup, the effects of five potential polymer degradation products were detected by 72 h algae growth inhibition tests with Desmodesmus subspicatus. Results clearly indicate inhibitory effects on algae growth by contaminants in the storage water of stressed plastics with increasing growth inhibition of proceeding hydrolysis and UV stress times. Different polymers caused variable inhibitions of algae growth with stronger inhibitions by PS and less effects by PLA and the mixed layer of both. Moreover, not microplastic particles but the resulting dissolved degradation products after aging caused the ecotoxicological effects—with strong effects by the oxidized degradation products. The existing data highlight the relevance of plastic aging as a framework for microplastic ecotoxicity evaluation and allow a proof of concept.
Comparing the use of block‐based and robot programming in introductory programming education: Effects on perceptions of programming self‐efficacy
Authors: Coşkunserçe Ozan 
Published: May 2023

AbstractDespite the importance given to providing students with programming skills, there are significant problems in teaching programming, mainly at the entry level. Various programming education tools and methods have been developed to solve these problems in introductory programming education. For this reason, block‐based and robot programming tools are widely used at various education levels, especially at the novice level. Although the advantages of using block‐based and robot programming over classical or text‐based programming methods in introductory programming education have been demonstrated in various studies, the two methods have not been compared in experimental studies. The main purpose of this study was to compare the effects of using block‐based programming and robot programming methods in introductory programming education on students' perceptions of programming self‐efficacy. The results of the study indicated that the perceptions of programming self‐efficacy of the students who used the robot programming method in programming education were significantly more positive than those of the students who used the block‐based programming method. Moreover, the programming self‐efficacy perceptions of the male students who used robot programming in introductory programming education were significantly more positive than those of the female students. After the robot programming activities, the students had more fun with programming and their self‐confidence increased.
Unfolding under Pressure: An NMR Perspective
Authors: Pastore Annalisa , Temussi Piero Andrea 
Published: May 2023

AbstractThis review aims to analyse the role of solution nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy in pressure‐induced in vitro studies of protein unfolding. Although this transition has been neglected for many years because of technical difficulties, it provides important information about the forces that keep protein structure together. We first analyse what pressure unfolding is, then provide a critical overview of how NMR spectroscopy has contributed to the field and evaluate the observables used in these studies. Finally, we discuss the commonalities and differences between pressure‐, cold‐ and heat‐induced unfolding. We conclude that, despite specific peculiarities, in both cold and pressure denaturation the important contribution of the state of hydration of nonpolar side chains is a major factor that determines the pressure dependence of the conformational stability of proteins.
Structure‐Guided Mutagenesis Reveals the Catalytic Residue that Controls the Regiospecificity of C6‐Indole Prenyltransferases
Authors: Aoun Ahmed R , Mupparapu Nagaraju , Nguyen Diem N , Ho Kim Tae , Nguyen Christopher M. , Pan Zhengfeiyue , Elshahawi Sherif I. 
Published: May 2023

AbstractIndole is a significant structural moiety and functionalization of the C−H bond in indole‐containing molecules expands their chemical space, and modifies their properties and/or activities. Indole prenyltransferases (IPTs) catalyze the direct regiospecific installation of prenyl moieties on indole‐derived compounds. IPTs have shown relaxed substrate flexibility enabling them to be used as tools for indole functionalization. However, the mechanism by which certain IPTs target a specific carbon position is not fully understood. Herein, we use structure‐guided site‐directed mutagenesis, in vitro enzymatic reactions, kinetics and structural‐elucidation of analogs to verify the key catalytic residues that control the regiospecificity of all characterized regiospecific C6 IPTs. The presented results also demonstrate that substitution of PriB_His312 to Tyr leads to the synthesis of analogs prenylated at different positions than C6. This work contributes to understanding of how certain IPTs can access a challenging position in indole‐derived compounds.
A novel density ratio‐based batch active learning fault diagnosis method integrated with adaptive Laplacian graph trimming
Authors: Jiang Xue , Xu Yuan , Zhu Qun‐Xiong , Zhang Yang , He Yan‐Lin , Zhang Ming‐Qing , Ke Wei 
Published: May 2023

AbstractIn actual industrial processes, although a large number of original data are easy to obtain, only a few samples are effectively labelled, which is insufficient to construct a supervised fault diagnostic model. Facing the industrial demand of fault diagnosis, in this paper, a novel density ratio (DR)‐based batch active learning (BAL) fault diagnosis method integrated with adaptive Laplacian graph trimming (ALGT) method is proposed. First, under the active learning framework, a new index DR‐based on local reachability density (LRD) is proposed to search the low density and high uncertainty samples, in which the local outliers factor (LOF) is used to search the samples in low density region and the ratio of LRD and intra‐class LRD is calculated to search the samples with high uncertainty. Second, the samples are selected and manually labelled in batches according to the proposed index DR, and the labelled data set and the unlabelled data set are updated and reconstructed. Third, based on the reconstructed labelled dataset and remaining unlabelled dataset, a semi‐supervised classifier ALGT is constructed for fault diagnosis. In ALGT, the Laplacian weighted graph is initialized and iteratively optimized by ALGT. Finally, the proposed DR‐based BAL‐ALGT (DRBAL‐ALGT) fault diagnosis method is verified by the Tennessee Eastman process (TEP) and applied to grid‐connected photovoltaic systems (GPVS). The experimental results show that the proposed DRBAL‐ALGT method can achieve higher accuracy for fault diagnosis.
Recent Advance in Low‐Dielectric‐Constant Organosilicon Polymers
Authors: Hou Jiaren , Sun Jing , Fang Qiang 
Published: May 2023

Comprehensive SummaryLow dielectric (low‐k) organosilicon polymers have received extensive interests from industry and academia due to good electrical insulation, high temperature resistance, flame retardancy and hydrophobicity. These attractive properties enable them to be utilized as low‐k materials in fabrication of electronic devices in high‐frequency communication technology. This review summarizes recent progress in developing low‐k organosilicon polymers, including the synthetic methods and properties of different organosilicon polymers classified according to the chemical structures. It may provide some inspiration to design new low‐k organosilicon polymers for application in the future.
Review of Cholorosilicates as Phosphor Hosts
Authors: Sharma Khushbu , Moharil S.V. 
Published: May 2023

AbstractSilicates and halides have been known to be good luminescent materials for long. These two types of hosts have some positive aspects and certain drawbacks, for example, though silicates are stable, they require relatively higher synthesis temperatures. Halide lattices are better suited for several applications like optically stimulated luminescence, thermoluminescence, scintillation, etc. and defects/color center/exciton formation is important. Halides have lower melting points as well. On the other hand, except for fluorides, other halides are quite hygroscopic. Stability in the ambient can pose some problems in applications and some measures for protection have to be taken. To enjoy the benefits of both silicates and halides, chlorosilicate lattices can be suitable. Chlorosilicates can be synthesized at significantly lower temperatures as compared to silicates. They are also less hygroscopic than the constituent chlorides. Research work on chlorosilicates is not as extensive as that on silicates and halides. These are promising luminescent materials whose potential remains still unexploited. A review of various chlorosilicate phases, i.e., of the studies on synthesis, crystal structures, luminescence etc. already carried out, is presented here with the objective of providing impetus to research work on chlorosilicates.
Phase diagram of strongly coupled fine particle (dusty) plasmas with limited Spacial extents: Theory and simulation
Authors: Totsuji Hiroo 
Published: May 2023

AbstractPhase separations in strongly coupled fine particle (dusty, complex) plasmas are discussed and phase diagrams are expressed in the ‐‐plane or in terms of strengths of the Coulomb coupling between fine particles and the screening by the ambient electron‐ion plasma. Two possibilities, separations into phases with different electrons, ion, and fine particle densities and ones into phases with a common electron density, are analyzed and it is shown that, when the spacial extent is limited as in usual experiments, only the latter is realized. Based on a model of fine particle plasma as a Yukawa system with non‐uniformity taken into account, molecular dynamics simulations are performed with constant electron density. Fine particles are moved as particles while position‐dependent local averages of ion and fine particle distributions are treated as continuum. Though the critical point is located at a smaller coupling by about a factor of two compared with the theoretical prediction, the results of simulations confirm the existence of such phase separations with a common electron density.
Copper‐Catalyzed Acceptorless Dehydrogenative Coupling of 2‐Aminoaryl Methanols with Nitriles for Accessing Quinazolines and Quinolines
Authors: Chetia Swadhin , Sarmah Samprity , Dutta Apurba , Sarma Diganta 
Published: May 2023

AbstractA copper acetate monohydrate catalyzed simple, effective and economic protocol has been developed for the construction of quinazoline derivatives via acceptorless dehydrogenative coupling of easily available 2‐aminoaryl methanols and nitriles. The methodology was also highly effective for the synthesis of medicinally important quinolines analogues. The reactions proceeded in presence of KOtBu in toluene at 110 °C for 5 h without the requirement of inert condition, external additives and ligands.
Study on sealing integrity of cement sheath in ultra deep well reservoir reconstruction
Authors: Wang Jingpeng , Zhang Wei , Song Lin , Wu Jiwei , Wu Yanxian 
Published: May 2023

AbstractThis article mainly studies the influence of high temperature, high pressure, and ultra‐deep well reservoir renovation construction on wellbore barriers, and explores the impact of reservoir renovation on cement sheath under high temperature and high‐pressure conditions. Combining the coupling effect of casing, cement, and formation rock, a three‐dimensional numerical model is established to analyze the stress changes and distribution of the cement sheath during the volume fracturing process. By establishing a numerical model for the analysis of the integrity of the wellbore during the fracturing process of the ultra‐deep well vertical section, the stress changes and distribution of the cement sheath during the fracturing process are analyzed. A numerical calculation model for crack propagation during perforation and cement sheath reservoir renovation is constructed, and the model results are verified through laboratory experiments and computed tomography scans. The shear failure of the cement sheath interface under different conditions such as different casing pressure, cement sheath thickness, elastic modulus, and Poisson's ratio is analyzed during the fracturing process. The research results can provide technical support for the integrity of the wellbore and the design of the well structure in similar ultra‐deep well development processes.
Detrital zirconU–Pbages and Hf isotope analyses of modern and Quaternary sediments in China: A new dataset with preliminary analysis
Authors: Chen Xiyun , Wang Ping , Xie Hongsen , Zhu Longchen , Liao Xia , Kong Xinggong 
Published: May 2023

AbstractDevelopments of detrital zircon geochronology have resulted in an explosion of publications that report or discuss detrital zircon data. Combined detrital zircon U–Pb ages with Hf isotope analyses from modern and Quaternary sediments have been widely carried out with the aim of characterizing continental crustal evolution and tracing sediment provenance. Although several detrital zircon databases have compiled U–Pb and Hf data on global scale, the dataset of detrital zircon with a special focus on modern sediment has rarely been compiled. Here, we publish a new detrital zircon dataset of modern and Quaternary sediments in China with 59,535 U–Pb ages and 4,971 Hf isotope data, with detailed information of isotope ratios, ages, Th/U, etc. Four types of sediments have been classified according to sedimentary environments, including fluvial, marine, aeolian and alluvial sediments. Preliminary analysis is carried out on these compiled data to provide new insights into sedimentary provenance and crustal evolution in China. Eight age populations are identified corresponding to tectonic–thermal or magmatic events, including 2,300–2,700 Ma, 1,800–2,000 Ma, 700–1,000 Ma, 400–500 Ma, 200–300 Ma, 120–200 Ma, 80–120 Ma and < 60 Ma. Accompanying with quantitative comparison between sediments from various sedimentary environments, these U–Pb age distributions reveal the provenance link between “source” and “sink” in both exorheic and endorheic drainages. The compiled εHf(t) data reflect that the crustal history of China is apparently episodic, whose pattern is similar to that of global record. Further work will be implemented for database construction, including the integration of latest literatures, AI‐based data extraction and data aggregation.
Alisol A 24‐acetate ameliorates osteoarthritis progression by inhibiting reactive oxygen species and inflammatory response through the AMPK/mTOR pathway
Authors: Xu Guosong , He Zhensen , Liu Yinping 
Published: May 2023

AbstractIntroductionOsteoarthritis is a degenerative knee joint disease featured with articular cartilage degeneration and inflammation. Alisol A 24‐acetate (ALA‐24A) is an active triterpene that has antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory pharmacological properties. However, its effect and molecular mechanism on osteoarthritis progression have not been reported.MethodsIL‐1β‐induced chondrocyte injury model and monosodium iodoacetate (MIA)‐induced rat osteoarthritis model were used. The protective effects of ALA‐24A on osteoarthritis were evaluated by determining cell viability, extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation, inflammatory response and oxidative stress using CCK‐8 assay, Western blot, ELISA, and DCFH‐DA fluorescent probe. The severity and matrix degradation of articular cartilage were assessed by histopathological and immunohistochemical examination.ResultsWe found that ALA‐24A attenuated IL‐1β‐induced cell viability inhibition Moreover, ALA‐24A suppressed expression levels of ECM degradation‐related genes ADAMTS5 and MMP13, and promoted expression levels of ECM synthesis‐related genes Aggrecan and Collagen II. In addition, ALA‐24A treatment decreased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and increased antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT, and GSH‐px) activities, while increased MDA levels. The inflammatory levels of NO, PGE2, TNF‐α, and IL‐6 were also reduced following treatment with ALA‐24A. Our data also revealed that ALA‐24A treatment triggered p‐AMPK upregulation and p‐mTOR downregulation. In rat osteoarthritis model, ALA‐24A treatment significantly alleviated the severity and matrix degradation of articular cartilage comparted with model group.ConclusionsOur findings suggested a protective role of ALA‐24A against osteoarthritis by inhibiting ROS and inflammatory response. Furthermore, ALA‐24A might be a promising therapeutic option for osteoarthritis treatment.
Analysis of cytokine levels, cytological findings, and MP‐DNA level in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of children with Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia
Authors: Deng Fang , Cao Huiling , Liang Xiaohua , Li Qubei , Yang Yang , Zhao Zhihua , Tan Junjie , Fu Guo , Shu Chang 
Published: May 2023

AbstractBackgroundThe present study was conducted to determine the inflammatory response in the lungs of children with Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (MPP).MethodsThis study retrospectively analyzed cytokine levels, cytological findings, and M. pneumoniae (MP)‐DNA level in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of 96 children with MPP. The study utilized Spearman's correlation method to evaluate the contribution of BALF and blood parameters in MPP children.Results(1) A total of 96 MPP children were classified into the Low MP‐DNA MPP group (BALF MP‐DNA ≤ 105 copies/mL) and the High MP‐DNA MPP group (BALF MP‐DNA > 105copies/mL); the Non‐fever MPP group (no fever during the entire course of pneumonia) and the Fever MPP group; the Defervescence MPP group (fever had subsided at the time of bronchoscopy) and the Fervescence MPP group; and the Mild MPP group and the Severe MPP group. (2) The High MP‐DNA MPP, Fever MPP, Fervescence MPP, and Severe MPP groups had higher levels of interleukin (IL)‐6, IL‐10, and tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) in their BALF (all p < .05). (3) The proportions of neutrophils and macrophages in the BALF of the High MP‐DNA MPP and Fever MPP groups increased and decreased, respectively (all p < .05). (4) In the BALF of MPP children, MP‐DNA, IL‐6, IL‐10, TNF‐α, and interferon gamma (IFN‐γ) levels positively correlated with neutrophil proportion while negatively correlated with macrophage proportion (all p < .05). (5) The MP‐DNA, IL‐6, IL‐10, TNF‐α, and IFN‐γ levels in the BALF of MPP children were positively correlated with the levels of C‐reactive protein, procalcitonin, lactic dehydrogenase, fibrinogen, and d‐dimer, while they were negatively correlated with the albumin level (all p < .05).ConclusionsIn children with MPP, the pulmonary inflammatory immune response was stronger in the High MP‐DNA MPP, Fever MPP, Fervescence MPP, and Severe MPP groups. The relationship between pulmonary cytokine levels, MP‐DNA load, and serum inflammatory parameters were found to be weak.
Corporate strategy, board composition, and firm value
Authors: Al‐Shaer Habiba , Kuzey Cemil , Uyar Ali , Karaman Abdullah S. 
Published: May 2023

AbstractThis study addressed a gap in the literature by investigating the link between corporate strategy and board composition and how it connects to firm value. Most studies have explored whether board structure predicts firm outcomes rather than the other way around even though firm strategy plays a significant role in structuring the board. The sample covered the period between 2013 and 2018 and included 20,677 firm‐year observations, on which we executed country‐industry‐year fixed‐effects regression analysis. We found that, first, cost leadership strategy was positively associated with board size, board independence, board gender diversity, and board tenure, whereas it was negatively associated with board skills. Second, differentiation strategy was positively associated with board size and board gender diversity. Third, the moderating effects revealed that while board size and board tenure negatively moderated between cost leadership and firm value, board skills positively moderated between cost leadership and firm value. On the other hand, while board size, board gender diversity, and board tenure positively moderated between differentiation and firm value, board skills negatively moderated between differentiation and firm value. The results were robust to an alternative firm value proxy and endogeneity concerns. These findings provide firms with the opportunity to better shape their board structure in line with their corporate strategies and shareholder expectations.
LncRNA TSIX aggravates spinal cord injury by regulating the PI3K/AKT pathway via the miR‐532‐3p/DDOST axis
Authors: Dong Jiachun , Wei Zijian , Zhu Zezhang 
Published: May 2023

AbstractLong noncoding RNA (lncRNA)‐X‐inactive‐specific transcript (TSIX) expression is upregulated in spinal cord tissues following spinal cord injury (SCI). However, the role of lncRNA‐TSIX in SCI remains elusive. SCI animal model was established using C57BL/6 mice. LncRNA TSIX and miR‐532‐3p expression were determined using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT‒PCR). Apoptosis, cell proliferation, and migration were evaluated by transferase dUTP nick end labeling staining, CCK‐8, and Transwell assays, respectively. The interaction of miR‐532‐3p with lncRNA TSIX and DDOST was explored via a dual‐luciferase reporter system. Hematoxylin‐eosin staining and the Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan locomotor rating (BBB) scale were performed to investigate SCI progression. The expression of the lncRNA TSIX was found to be significantly upregulated in the serum of SCI patients and spinal cord tissues of SCI mice. The overexpression of lncRNA TSIX enhanced spinal cord neural stem cell (SC‐NSC) proliferation and migration in vitro while inhibiting apoptosis and inflammatory cell infiltration in vivo. Moreover, lncRNA TSIX acted as a molecular sponge for miR‐532‐3p, and the knockdown of miR‐532‐3p promoted proliferation and migration and inhibited apoptosis of SC‐NSCs. Moreover, DDOST was found to be the downstream target of miR‐532‐3p, and DDOST overexpression showed a similar effect as miR‐532‐3p silencing on the proliferation, migration, and apoptosis of SC‐NSCs. Furthermore, we found that lncRNA TSIX overexpression promoted the activation of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. LncRNA TSIX aggravates SCI by regulating the PI3K/AKT pathway via the miR‐532‐3p/DDOST axis, indicating potential applications for targeted therapy of SCI regeneration.