bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sex ratios, damage and distribution ofMyrianthus holstiiEngl.: a dioecious afromontane forest tree
Authors: Kissa David Ocama , Ssali Fredrick , Sheil Douglas 
Published: January 2023

AbstractMale and female dioecious tropical trees are subjected to distinct demands that may influence their ecology. An example isMyrianthus holstiiEngl. that produces persistent fruit eaten by elephants and other large mammals that frequently damage the trees.Myrianthus holstiipopulations were assessed with 24 2-km transects, spanning an elevation range of 1435–2495 m in the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda. Of 1089 stems ≥ 5 cm diameter 449 were female, 383 were male and the rest were non-fertile. We also noted one apparently monoecious individual. Males produced flowers at smaller sizes than did females (minimum recorded diameters 5.5 cm and 6.8 cm, respectively). Both sexes had similar distributions, favouring moderately closed forest and mid-slope locations. Female trees were more frequently damaged and typically slightly shorter than males at large diameters. Seedling densities were positively associated with the presence of larger female trees. Our results are consistent with a life history where both sexes have similar requirements, but fruiting females experience a greater frequency of severe damage.
The Cultural Governance of Death in Shenzhen
Authors: Guo Man , Herrmann-Pillath Carsten 
Published: January 2023

AbstractFor decades, funeral reform has been a key concern for cultural governance in China as the state has attempted to manage “feudal” and “superstitious” practices and economize resources such as land devoted to cemeteries. We analyse the status of funeral reforms in Shenzhen, combining general observations with a case study of an urban village. We show how the business of funeral service providers mediates between cultural governance and grassroots-level needs and demands, resulting in distinct forms of ritual hybridization. In the case of native villagers, we observe the bifurcation of rituals at the central municipal parlour and at the home of the deceased. For understanding the adaptability of death rituals under the regime of cultural governance, it is essential to distinguish between funeral rites and their modular structure on the one hand, and rites for the disposal of the body on the other.
Moral Distress Under Structural Violence: Clinician Experience in Brazil Caring for Low-Income Families of Children with Severe Disabilities
Authors: Sale Ana Carolina Gahyva , Smith-Morris Carolyn 
Published: January 2023

AbstractRigorous attention has been paid to moral distress among healthcare professionals, largely in high-income settings. More obscure is the presence and impact of moral distress in contexts of chronic poverty and structural violence. Intercultural ethics research and dialogue can help reveal how the long-term presence of morally distressing conditions might influence the moral experience and agency of healthcare providers. This article discusses mixed-methods research at one nongovernmental social support agency and clinic in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Chronic levels of moral distress and perceptions of moral harm among clinicians in this setting were both violent, following Nancy Scheper-Hughes’ use of that term, and a source of exceptional and innovative care. Rather than glossing over the moral variables of work in such desperate extremes, ethnography in these settings reveals novel skills and strategies for managing moral distress.
Association of race and ethnicity with resource utilisation among children with CHD: an evaluation of the National Health Interview Survey, 2010–2018
Authors: Reddy Kriyana P. , Jones Andrea L. , Naim Maryam Y. , Mercer-Rosa Laura 
Published: January 2023

AbstractIntroduction:Racial and ethnic disparities in resource use among children with CHD remain understudied. We sought to evaluate associations between race, ethnicity, and resource utilisation in children with CHD.Materials and methods:Annual data from the National Health Interview Survey were collected for years 2010–2018. Children with self-reported CHD and Non-Hispanic White race, Non-Hispanic Black race, or Hispanic ethnicity were identified. Resource use in the preceding year was identified with four measures: primary place of care visited when sick, receiving well-child checkups, number of emergency department visits, and number of office visits. Cohort characteristics were compared across racial and ethnic groups using Kruskal–Wallis and Fisher’s exact tests. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine the association of race and ethnicity with likelihood of having an emergency department visit.Results:We identified 209 children for the primary analysis. Non-Hispanic Black children had significantly more emergency department visits in the prior year, with 11.1% having ≥6 emergency department visits compared to 0.7% and 5.6% of Non-Hispanic White and Hispanic children. Further, 35.2% of Hispanic children primarily received care at clinics/health centres, compared to 17% of Non-Hispanic White children and 11.1% of Non-Hispanic Black children (p = 0.03). On multivariable analysis, Black race was associated with higher odds of emergency department visit compared to White race (odds ratio = 4.19, 95% confidence interval = 1.35 to 13.04, p = 0.01).Conclusion:In a nationally comprehensive, contemporary cohort of children with CHD, there were some significant racial and ethnic disparities in resource utilisation. Further work is needed to consider the role of socio-economics and insurance status in perpetuating these disparities.
Domestic Investment Laws and State Capitalism
Authors: Qian Xu 
Published: January 2023

AbstractState capitalism and the liberal economic order have had an antagonistic relationship. While the international economic law rules have sought to reduce the role of the state in the economy, state-controlled entities have more recently increased in size and importance – both domestically, as well as internationally. In this connection, the article analyses the effects of state capitalism's expansion simultaneously with the domestic investment law of States. The article analyses the underlying principles of state capitalism in an effort to answer the question of whether domestic laws promoting investment – as defined in the special issue – are positive, negative, or neutral to state capitalists. The article further interprets the trends spawned by the propagation of the liberal international economic order as states realize their development targets and envisage to actively contribute to the regulation of international trade and cross-border transactions globally.
Corrosive Influence of Carbon Dioxide on Crack Initiation in Quartz: Comparison With Liquid Water and Vacuum Environments
Authors: Simeski Filip , Ihme Matthias 
Published: January 2023

AbstractThe stimulation of crack growth in quartz and siliceous materials by injecting carbon dioxide (CO2) represents a key technology in long‐term carbon storage and in the development of natural gas wells. While this technology is widely used, the molecular impact of CO2 interactions on the solid matrix is only incompletely understood. In this work, we employ reactive molecular dynamics simulations to study how the CO2 fluid environment affects the mechanical properties of pre‐cracked single‐crystal quartz. The thermodynamic conditions of interest are those relevant to subsurface reservoirs. We report how structural properties of quartz—bond length distribution and crack tip shape—evolve upon introduction of a fluid. These properties are directly related to macroscopic quantities of the global stress–strain curves, thus reaffirming the inherent coupling across multiple scales for fluid–solid interactions in the subsurface. We find that CO2 reduces the fracture toughness of quartz by 12.1% compared to that of quartz in vacuum, thereby promoting crack growth and enhancing fluid transport in the subsurface.
Flood Increase and Drought Mitigation Under a Warming Climate in the Southern Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Shao Xingmin , Zhang Yongqiang , Ma Ning , Zhang Xuanze , Tian Jing , Liu Changming 
Published: January 2023

AbstractUnderstanding the runoff response to climate change in the Tibetan Plateau (TP) is critical to water resources management since TP is the “Water Tower of Asia” and is sensitive to climate change. However, previous studies have paid more attention to the changes in annual and monthly runoff. Therefore, the changes in the characteristics of floods and droughts are still unknown, particularly in the Yarlung Zangbo River basin (YRB) in the southern TP. Therefore, this study simulates the runoff in four subbasins in the YRB using the GR4J_SNOW model to depict the characteristics (including frequency, severity, peak, and duration) of floods on a daily scale and those of droughts on a monthly scale. It is done in historical (1979–2014) and future (2049–2084) periods under different climate scenarios (RCP4.5 and RCP8.5), and then the changes in floods and droughts between the two periods are comprehensively compared. The results indicate that the YRB has experienced marginal streamflow change during the historical period. Under future varying climate change scenarios, however, the YRB might become wetter with increasing frequency, volume, and peak of floods, along with decreasing frequency, severity, and duration of droughts. In the upstream YRB, covered by more snow with a drier climate, the flood and drought characteristics appear to be more sensitive to climate change than in the downstream YRB. This study is helpful for a better understanding of the hydrological process in the TP under climate change and for forming sustainable water resource strategies for the surrounding regions of the TP.
Machine learning-driven synthesis of TiZrNbHfTaC5 high-entropy carbide
Authors: Pak Alexander Ya. , Sotskov Vadim , Gumovskaya Arina A. , Vassilyeva Yuliya Z. , Bolatova Zhanar S. , Kvashnina Yulia A. , Mamontov Gennady Ya. , Shapeev Alexander V. , Kvashnin Alexander G. 
Published: January 2023

AbstractSynthesis of high-entropy carbides (HEC) requires high temperatures that can be provided by electric arc plasma method. However, the formation temperature of a single-phase sample remains unknown. Moreover, under some temperatures multi-phase structures can emerge. In this work, we developed an approach for a controllable synthesis of HEC TiZrNbHfTaC5 based on theoretical and experimental techniques. We used Canonical Monte Carlo (CMC) simulations with the machine learning interatomic potentials to determine the temperature conditions for the formation of single-phase and multi-phase samples. In full agreement with the theory, the single-phase sample, produced with electric arc discharge, was observed at 2000 K. Below 1200 K, the sample decomposed into (Ti-Nb-Ta)C, and a mixture of (Zr-Hf-Ta)C, (Zr-Nb-Hf)C, (Zr-Nb)C, and (Zr-Ta)C. Our results demonstrate the conditions for the formation of HEC and we anticipate that our approach can pave the way towards targeted synthesis of multicomponent materials.
Microbial diversity and proxy species for human impact in Italian karst caves
Authors: Biagioli Federico , Coleine Claudia , Piano Elena , Nicolosi Giuseppe , Poli Anna , Prigione Valeria , Zanellati Andrea , Varese Cristina , Isaia Marco , Selbmann Laura 
Published: January 2023

AbstractTo date, the highly adapted cave microbial communities are challenged by the expanding anthropization of these subterranean habitats. Although recent advances in characterizing show-caves microbiome composition and functionality, the anthropic effect on promoting the establishment, or reducing the presence of specific microbial guilds has never been studied in detail. This work aims to investigate the whole microbiome (Fungi, Algae, Bacteria and Archaea) of four Italian show-caves, displaying different environmental and geo-morphological conditions and one recently discovered natural cave to highlight potential human-induced microbial traits alterations. Results indicate how show-caves share common microbial traits in contrast to the natural one; the first are characterized by microorganisms related to outdoor environment and/or capable of exploiting extra inputs of organic matter eventually supplied by tourist flows (i.e.ChaetomiumandPhomafor fungi andPseudomonasfor bacteria). Yet, variation in microalgae assemblage composition was reported in show-caves, probably related to the effect of the artificial lighting. This study provides insights into the potential microbiome cave contamination by human-related bacteria (e.g.LactobacillusandStaphylococcus) and commensal/opportunistic human associated fungi (e.g.Candida) and dermatophytes. This work is critical to untangle caves microbiome towards management and conservation of these fragile ecosystems.
Effective simulations of interacting active droplets
Authors: Kulkarni Ajinkya , Vidal-Henriquez Estefania , Zwicker David 
Published: January 2023

AbstractDroplets form a cornerstone of the spatiotemporal organization of biomolecules in cells. These droplets are controlled using physical processes like chemical reactions and imposed gradients, which are costly to simulate using traditional approaches, like solving the Cahn–Hilliard equation. To overcome this challenge, we here present an alternative, efficient method. The main idea is to focus on the relevant degrees of freedom, like droplet positions and sizes. We derive dynamical equations for these quantities using approximate analytical solutions obtained from a sharp interface limit and linearized equations in the bulk phases. We verify our method against fully-resolved simulations and show that it can describe interacting droplets under the influence of chemical reactions and external gradients using only a fraction of the computational costs of traditional methods. Our method can be extended to include other processes in the future and will thus serve as a relevant platform for understanding the dynamics of droplets in cells.
Isolation of Listeria monocytogenes from poultry red mite (Dermanyssus gallinae) infesting a backyard chicken farm in Greece
Authors: Sioutas Georgios , Petridou Evanthia , Minoudi Styliani , Papageorgiou Konstantinos V. , Symeonidou Isaia , Giantsis Ioannis A. , Triantafyllidis Alexandros , Papadopoulos Elias 
Published: January 2023

AbstractThe poultry red mite (PRM), Dermanyssus gallinae, is arguably the most harmful, ubiquitous haematophagous ectoparasite infesting egg-laying hens. PRM is a vector of various microorganisms, with some being important for food microbiology and public health. The present study aimed to investigate the presence of specific pathogens, including Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp. and Listeria spp., carried by PRM infesting a chicken farm in Greece. Mites were caught using cardboard traps (Avivet), and 100 unwashed PRM were homogenized and used for microbiological cultures. Microbiological cultures were carried out on general and selective substrates to detect the above-mentioned bacteria. Specifically for Listeria spp., DNA was extracted from bacteria grown in Tryptone Soya Yeast Extract Agar using a commercial kit. The hly gene encoding the Listeriolysin O protein was amplified by PCR. Mites were identified as D. gallinae using morphological keys as well as by COI DNA barcoding. Microbiological cultures and PCR assays were positive for Listeria monocytogenes. No other bacteria were detected. The current study constitutes the first molecular isolation of L. monocytogenes from D. gallinae, confirming that PRM can carry this food-borne pathogen. PRM control measures and hygiene practices should be applied to minimize any possible contamination risk of poultry products with L. monocytogenes and safeguard public health.
Improving the activity and thermostability of PETase from Ideonella sakaiensis through modulating its post-translational glycan modification
Authors: Deng Binyang , Yue Yu , Yang Jun , Yang Mingjun , Xing Qiong , Peng Hang , Wang Fei , Li Ming , Ma Lixin , Zhai Chao 
Published: January 2023

AbstractThe large-scale preparation of Polyehylene terephthalate (PET) hydrolysing enzymes in low-cost is critical for the biodegradation of PET in industry. In the present study, we demonstrate that the post-translational glycosylation ofPichia pastorismakes it a remarkable host for the heterologous expression of PETase fromIdeonella sakaiensis201-F6 (IsPETase). Taking advantage of the abundant N- and O-linked glycosylation sites inIsPETase and the efficient post-translational modification in endoplasmic reticulum,IsPETase is heavily glycosylated during secretory expression withP. pastoris, which improves the specific activity and thermostability of the enzyme dramatically. Moreover, the specific activity ofIsPETase increased further after the bulky N-linked polysaccharide chains were eliminated by Endo-β-N-acetylglucosaminidase H (Endo H). Importantly, the partially deglycosylatedIsPETase still maintained high thermostability because of the remaining mono- and oligo-saccharide residues on the protein molecules. Consequently, the partially deglycosylatedIsPETase was able to be applied at 50 °C and depolymerized raw, untreated PET flakes completely in 2 to 3 days. This platform was also applied for the preparation of a famous variant ofIsPETase, Fast-PETase, and the same result was achieved. Partially deglycosylated Fast-PETase demonstrates elevated efficiency in degrading postconsumer-PET trays under 55 °C than 50 °C, the reported optimal temperature of Fast-PETase. The present study provides a strategy to modulate thermostableIsPETase through glycosylation engineering and paves the way for promoting PET biodegradation from laboratories to factories.
Multivariate chemogenomic screening prioritizes new macrofilaricidal leads
Authors: Wheeler Nicolas J. , Ryan Kaetlyn T. , Gallo Kendra J. , Henthorn Clair R. , Ericksen Spencer S. , Chan John D. , Zamanian Mostafa 
Published: January 2023

AbstractDevelopment of direct acting macrofilaricides for the treatment of human filariases is hampered by limitations in screening throughput imposed by the parasite life cycle. In vitro adult screens typically assess single phenotypes without prior enrichment for chemicals with antifilarial potential. We developed a multivariate screen that identified dozens of compounds with submicromolar macrofilaricidal activity, achieving a hit rate of >50% by leveraging abundantly accessible microfilariae. Adult assays were multiplexed to thoroughly characterize compound activity across relevant parasite fitness traits, including neuromuscular control, fecundity, metabolism, and viability. Seventeen compounds from a diverse chemogenomic library elicited strong effects on at least one adult trait, with differential potency against microfilariae and adults. Our screen identified five compounds with high potency against adults but low potency or slow-acting microfilaricidal effects, at least one of which acts through a novel mechanism. We show that the use of microfilariae in a primary screen outperforms model nematode developmental assays and virtual screening of protein structures inferred with deep learning. These data provide new leads for drug development, and the high-content and multiplex assays set a new foundation for antifilarial discovery.
Comparative site-specific N-glycoproteome analysis reveals aberrant N-glycosylation and gives insights into mannose-6-phosphate pathway in cancer
Authors: Chen Minyong , Assis Diego M. , Benet Matthieu , McClung Colleen M. , Gordon Elizabeth A. , Ghose Shourjo , Dupard Steven J. , Willetts Matthew , Taron Christopher H. , Samuelson James C. 
Published: January 2023

AbstractN-glycosylation is implicated in cancers and aberrant N-glycosylation is recognized as a hallmark of cancer. Here, we mapped and compared the site-specific N-glycoproteomes of colon cancer HCT116 cells and isogenic non-tumorigenic DNMT1/3b double knockout (DKO1) cells using Fbs1-GYR N-glycopeptide enrichment technology and trapped ion mobility spectrometry. Many significant changes in site-specific N-glycosylation were revealed, providing a molecular basis for further elucidation of the role of N-glycosylation in protein function. HCT116 cells display hypersialylation especially in cell surface membrane proteins. Both HCT116 and DKO1 show an abundance of paucimannose and 80% of paucimannose-rich proteins are annotated to reside in exosomes. The most striking N-glycosylation alteration was the degree of mannose-6-phosphate (M6P) modification. N-glycoproteomic analyses revealed that HCT116 displays hyper-M6P modification, which was orthogonally validated by M6P immunodetection. Significant observed differences in N-glycosylation patterns of the major M6P receptor, CI-MPR in HCT116 and DKO1 may contribute to the hyper-M6P phenotype of HCT116 cells. This comparative site-specific N-glycoproteome analysis provides a pool of potential N-glycosylation-related cancer biomarkers, but also gives insights into the M6P pathway in cancer.
The role of transient plasma photonic structures in plasma-based amplifiers
Authors: Vieux Grégory , Cipiccia Silvia , Welsh Gregor H. , Yoffe Samuel R. , Gärtner Felix , Tooley Matthew P. , Ersfeld Bernhard , Brunetti Enrico , Eliasson Bengt , Picken Craig , McKendrick Graeme , Hur MinSup , Dias João M. , Kühl Thomas , Lehmann Götz , Jaroszynski Dino A. 
Published: January 2023

AbstractHigh power lasers have become useful scientific tools, but their large size is determined by their low damage-threshold optical media. A more robust and compact medium for amplifying and manipulating intense laser pulses is plasma. Here we demonstrate, experimentally and through simulations, that few-millijoule, ultra-short seed pulses interacting with 3.5-J counter-propagating pump pulses in plasma, stimulate back-scattering of nearly 100 mJ pump energy with high intrinsic efficiency, when detuned from Raman resonance. This is due to scattering off a plasma Bragg grating formed by ballistically evolving ions. Electrons are bunched by the ponderomotive force of the beat-wave, which produces space-charge fields that impart phase correlated momenta to ions. They inertially evolve into a volume Bragg grating that backscatters a segment of the pump pulse. This, ultra-compact, two-step, inertial bunching mechanism can be used to manipulate and compress intense laser pulses. We also observe stimulated Compton (kinetic) and Raman backscattering.