bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Hot‐air drying of corn kernels: Drying kinetics and quality improvement
Authors: Sun Tongsheng , Wang Jinzhi , Ling Feng , Zhu Long 
Published: May 2023

AbstractBackground and ObjectivesDuring the hot‐air drying process of corn kernels, excessive stress can cause cracks to develop. For this reason, it's essential to identify the optimum parameters that can minimize stress during hot‐air drying.FindingsIn this study, a three‐dimensional fitness model was established based on the average geometric size of corn kernels. Additionally, a hot‐air drying model was constructed on the basis of heat and mass transfer, stress‐strain theory, and conservation law of heat and mass transfer. Simulated calculations of heat and mass transfer were performed to obtain the temperature and moisture gradient distribution. This distribution was then coupled with a stress model to reveal the variation of drying stress. Verification experiments were conducted on the drying model. The results indicated that the temperature and moisture gradient were symmetrically distributed about the geometric center of corn kernels. At symmetrical positions about the geometric center, their sizes were almost equal but their directions are opposite. The thermal stress and moisture gradient stress showed the fact of larger surface but smaller interior of corn kernels. Furthermore, they both increased rapidly in the initial stage and then slowly decreased. The maximum value of thermal stress was 4.57 kPa, and the maximum value of moisture gradient stress was 0.49 MPa.ConclusionsMass transfer plays a significant role in the hot‐air drying process, and cracks can develop as a result of excessive moisture gradient stress. To mitigate these issues, it's important to increase the air humidity in a controlled manner to significantly reduce the total stress. The maximum error in temperature between simulated and experimental results was 8.5%. This suggests that our drying model can be effectively utilized to explore temperature gradient, moisture gradient, and stress distribution of corn kernels.Significance and NoveltyThis study provides insights into the mechanism of stress generation that occurs during the hot‐air drying process of corn kernels. Our analysis indicates that properly increasing the air humidity can significantly reduce drying stress and consequently prevent the formation of cracks. This ultimately leads to improved product quality and economic value.
Super Hygroscopic Non‐Stoichiometric Cerium Oxide Particles as Electrode Component for PEM Fuel Cells
Authors: Mazzapioda Lucia , Moscatelli Gabriele , Carboni Nicholas , Brutti Sergio , Navarra Maria Assunta 
Published: May 2023

AbstractThe design of highly efficient promoters for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is an important challenge in the large‐scale distribution of proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells. Hygroscopic cerium oxide (CeO2) is here proposed as co‐catalyst in combination with Pt. Physical chemical characterizations, by means of X‐ray diffraction, vibrational spectroscopy, morphological and thermal analyses, were carried out, demonstrating high water affinity of the synthesized CeO2 nanoparticles. Composite catalysts (i. e., Pt : CeO2 1 : 0.5 and 1 : 1 wt:wt), were studied by either rotating disk electrode (RDE) and fuel cell tests performed at 80 °C and 110 °C. Interestingly, the cell adopting the Pt : CeO2 1 : 0.5 catalyst enabled the achievement of high power densities reaching ∼80 and ∼35 mW cm−2 under low relative humidity and high temperatures. This result demonstrates that tuning material surface properties (e. g. oxygen vacancies) could significantly boost the electrochemical performance of cathodes as a combined result of optimized water retention and improved ORR kinetic.
Fast Visualized Conformational Transition of Polyphenylacetylenes with Stepwise Tunable Circularly Polarized Luminescence
Authors: Wang Sheng , Sun Xiaoqian , Zeng Hua , Zhang Jie , Wan Xinhua 
Published: May 2023

AbstractTwo novel poly(3,5‐diamide substituted phenylacetylene)s bearing L‐ or D‐alanine residues with a long alkyl chain were synthesized. In low polar or apolar solvents, the polymers adopted contracted cis‐cisoid helix showing strong yellow fluorescence, which was transferred to stretched cis‐transoid helix by adding polar solvents or decreasing temperature, accompanied with the disappearance of fluorescence. The critical conformational transition temperature could be readily tuned in a wide range by altering the content of polar solvent, and the conformational variation at molecular level could be directly read out via the change in fluorescent property. The synergistical participation of amide and ester groups in the formation of intramolecular hydrogen bonds accelerated the conformational transition rate, resulting in remarkable reduction of hysteresis. Moreover, the polymers displayed switchable CPL performance and the luminescent dissymmetry factor could be stepwise amplified by forming chiral aggregates or liquid crystalline structure. This study may open a new avenue for the development of controllable helical structure‐based smart CPL materials.
Cyanine‐ and Rhodamine‐Derived Alkynes for the Selective Targeting of Cancerous Mitochondria through Radical Thiol‐Yne Coupling in Live Cells
Authors: Köckenberger Johannes , Klemt Insa , Sauer Caroline , Arkhypov Anton , Reshetnikov Viktor , Mokhir Andriy , Heinrich Markus R. 
Published: May 2023

AbstractDespite their long history and their synthetic potential underlined by various recent advances, radical thiol‐yne coupling reactions have so far only rarely been exploited for the functionalization of biomolecules, and no examples yet exist for their application in live cells ‐ although natural thiols show widespread occurrence therein. By taking advantage of the particular cellular conditions of mitochondria in cancer cells, we have demonstrated that radical thiol‐yne coupling represents a powerful reaction principle for the selective targeting of these organelles. Within our studies, fluorescently labeled reactive alkyne probes were investigated, for which the fluorescent moiety was chosen to enable both mitochondria accumulation as well as highly sensitive detection. After preliminary studies under cell‐free conditions, the most promising alkyne‐dye conjugates were evaluated in various cellular experiments comprising analysis by flow cytometry and microscopy. All in all, these results pave the way for improved future therapeutic strategies relying on live‐cell compatibility and selectivity among cellular compartments.
Making the connection: The relation of structural and energetic representations in Organic Chemistry
Authors: Braun Irina , Buchczyk Ramon , Graulich Nicole 
Published: May 2023

AbstractUm Reaktionsverläufe in der Organischen Chemie zu verstehen, ist ein Verständnis energetischer Zusammenhänge unerlässlich. Energieprofile stellen dabei wichtige Repräsentationsformen zur Darstellung energetischer Veränderungen dar, durch welche verschiedene thermodynamische und kinetische Aspekte einer chemischen Reaktion visualisiert werden können. Energieprofile sind in ihrer Interpretation jedoch komplex, sodass in der fachdidaktischen Forschung bereits unterschiedliche lernbezogene Schwierigkeiten und alternative Vorstellungen dokumentiert wurden. Kaum betrachtet wurde bisher, wie Lernende Überlegungen zu Reaktionsverläufen ausgehend von strukturellen Darstellungen in Energieprofile überführen. Daher stellt der vorliegende Beitrag eine qualitative Studie mit Studierenden der Organischen Chemie (N = 20) vor, in welcher neben der Analyse der generierten Energieprofil‐Darstellungen die Schwierigkeiten bei der Verknüpfung beider Repräsentationsformen, von strukturellen und energetischen Repräsentationen, untersucht werden.
Parents reporting partner violence: Reaching or not reaching agreement in mediation or litigating without mediation
Authors: Jiang Lily J. , Applegate Amy G. , Tomlinson Claire S. , Rossi Fernanda S. , Beck Connie J. , Adams Jeannie M. , Holtzworth‐Munroe Amy 
Published: May 2023

AbstractUsing data from a study examining forms of mediation designed to be safer for separating parents reporting high levels of intimate partner violence (IPV; Holtzworth‐Munroe, Applegate, et al., 2021; Holtzworth‐Munroe, Beck, et al., 2021), the current study compares three groups, cases that reached mediation agreement (“mediation agreement group”), did not reach mediation agreement and returned to court (“no mediation agreement group”), or went to court without attempting mediation (“court group”). Ninety‐eight cases started mediation and 68% did not reach agreement. Sixty‐six cases went to court without mediation. The mediation agreement group reported better outcomes, immediately (e.g., felt safer, less upset, higher satisfaction, faster case resolution, more likely to address issues and interparental communication limits) and one‐year later (e.g., higher satisfaction, fewer court orders), than the other groups. The court group only differed from both mediation groups on a few measures (e.g., lower satisfaction, less likely to exchange children at parents' homes). The no mediation agreement group reported more negative outcomes than one or both other groups (e.g., less satisfaction, more harassment from other parent, less social support at follow‐up). In mediation designed to be safer for cases reporting high levels of IPV and with parties willing to try mediation, reaching agreement was associated with positive outcomes, and not reaching agreement was associated with potentially concerning outcomes. Research is needed to identify risk factors for not reaching agreement. Additional services may need to be provided to such cases.
When and why moral exemplars fail to motivate intergroup reconciliation
Authors: Szabó Zsolt Péter , Witkowska Marta , Szekeres Hanna 
Published: May 2023

AbstractThe present study examines the effectiveness of moral‐exemplar interventions in the context of recurring oppression and historical trauma. Moral exemplars are individuals who have risked important aspects of their lives to save the lives of members of other social groups. In two experimental studies (totalN = 405), we tested the hypothesis that presenting ingroup or outgroup moral exemplars improves intergroup relationships. We also tested the effects of the prototypicality of moral exemplars by manipulating the frequency of helping behavior in the perpetrator group. We used open‐ended questions to qualitatively investigate how participants viewed moral exemplars. We failed to find positive effects of moral‐exemplar interventions. The qualitative analysis confirmed that the in‐group moral exemplar could be used as an “alibi” to justify the in‐group's transgressions, while the outgroup moral exemplar was subtyped. Importantly, our findings do not invalidate, but complement, the moral‐exemplar intervention literature by offering insights into future work with such interventions.
Synthesis of tricyclic and tetracyclic benzo[6,7]cycloheptane derivatives linked morpholine moiety as CDK2 inhibitors
Authors: Farghaly Thoraya A. , Abbas Eman M. H. , Al‐Sheikh Mariam A. , Medrasi Hanadi Y. , Masaret Ghada S. , Pashameah Rami Adel , Qurban Jihan , Harras Marwa F. 
Published: May 2023

AbstractWith the aim of developing cyclin‐dependent kinase 2 (CDK2) inhibitors with strong antibreast cancer efficacy, new tricyclic and tetracyclic benzo[6,7]cycloheptane derivatives were synthesized. The newly synthesized tri‐ and tetracyclic derivatives were achieved from the reaction of 4‐(4‐morpholin‐4‐yl‐phenyl)−1,3,4,5,6,7‐hexahydro‐benzo[6,7]cyclohepta[1,2‐d]pyrimidine‐2‐thione (5) with α‐haloketone derivatives as hydrazonyl chlorides, phenacyl bromide derivatives, chloroacetone, and ethyl substituted acetate derivatives. The MCF‐7 and MDA‐MB‐231 breast cancer cell lines were utilized to examine the anticancer properties. Compounds 5 and 8 were shown to be the most effective, with half‐maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values between 5.73 and 9.11 µM, which are on the level with doxorubicin. Mechanistic studies showed that 5 and 8 caused tumor cell death by inducing apoptosis and they also produced cancer arrest in the S phase of the cell cycle. In addition, compounds 5 and 8 showed strong anti‐CDK2 action (IC50 = 0.112 and 0.18 µM, respectively) comparable to roscovitine (IC50 = 0.127 µM). Moreover, the docking result demonstrated that derivatives 5 and 8 fit into the CDK2 active site in the proper orientation.
Seasonal and elevational changes of plant‐pollinator interaction networks in East African mountains
Authors: Dzekashu Fairo F. , Pirk Christian W. W. , Yusuf Abdullahi A. , Classen Alice , Kiatoko Nkoba , Steffan‐Dewenter Ingolf , Peters Marcell K. , Lattorff H. Michael G. 
Published: May 2023

AbstractAcross an elevation gradient, several biotic and abiotic factors influence community assemblages of interacting species leading to a shift in species distribution, functioning, and ultimately topologies of species interaction networks. However, empirical studies of climate‐driven seasonal and elevational changes in plant‐pollinator networks are rare, particularly in tropical ecosystems. Eastern Afromontane Biodiversity Hotspots in Kenya, East Africa. We recorded plant‐bee interactions at 50 study sites between 515 and 2600 m asl for a full year, following all four major seasons in this region. We analysed elevational and seasonal network patterns using generalised additive models (GAMs) and quantified the influence of climate, floral resource availability, and bee diversity on network structures using a multimodel inference framework. We recorded 16,741 interactions among 186 bee and 314 plant species of which a majority involved interactions with honeybees. We found that nestedness and bee species specialisation of plant‐bee interaction networks increased with elevation and that the relationships were consistent in the cold‐dry and warm‐wet seasons respectively. Link rewiring increased in the warm‐wet season with elevation but remained indifferent in the cold‐dry seasons. Conversely, network modularity and plant species were more specialised at lower elevations during both the cold‐dry and warm‐wet seasons, with higher values observed during the warm‐wet seasons. We found flower and bee species diversity and abundance rather than direct effects of climate variables to best predict modularity, specialisation, and link rewiring in plant‐bee‐interaction networks. This study highlights changes in network architectures with elevation suggesting a potential sensitivity of plant‐bee interactions with climate warming and changes in rainfall patterns along the elevation gradients of the Eastern Afromontane Biodiversity Hotspot.
Out of the stable: Social disruption and concurrent shifts in the feral mare (Equus caballus) fecal microbiota
Authors: Vaziri Grace J. , Jones Maggie M. , Carr Haley A. , Nuñez Cassandra M. V. 
Published: May 2023

AbstractThe disruption of animals' symbiotic bacterial communities (their microbiota) has been associated with myriad factors including changes to the diet, hormone levels, and various stressors. The maintenance of healthy bacterial communities may be especially challenging for social species as their microbiotas are also affected by group membership, social relationships, microbial transfer between individuals, and social stressors such as increased competition and rank maintenance. We investigated the effects of increased social instability, as determined by the number of group changes made by females, on the microbiota in free‐living, feral horses (Equus caballus) on Shackleford Banks, a barrier island off the North Carolina coast. Females leaving their groups to join new ones had fecal microbial communities that were similarly diverse but compositionally different than those of females that did not change groups. Changing groups was also associated with the increased abundance of a several bacterial genera and families. These changes may be significant as horses are heavily dependent upon their microbial communities for nutrient absorption. Though we cannot identify the particular mechanism(s) driving these changes, to the best of our knowledge, ours is the first study to demonstrate an association between acute social perturbations and the microbiota in a free‐ranging mammal.
Molecular characterization of a new strain of Aspergillus and ricinoleic acid production from castor oil by the fungus
Authors: Singh Shikha , Sharma Sumit , Sarma Saurabh Jyoti , Brar Satinder Kaur 
Published: May 2023

AbstractThe derivatives of castor oil have wide industrial applications. Different strains were isolated that metabolize the castor oil. Among these, Isolate D which was later identified as Aspergillus flavus BU22S was selected for further study. Major metabolite produced by the strain was extracted and identified using mass spectrometry (MS) followed by HPLC analysis. The metabolite was found to be ricinoleic acid. Ricinoleic acid is widely used in polymer industries, cosmetics, pharmaceutical industries, lubricants, and in textiles. The product yield of the selected isolate was studied with different castor oil concentrations under different process conditions. Agitation speed as well as oil concentration were found to have a significant effect on ricinoleic acid production. The best yield, that is, 79.5 g/kg of total oil was obtained at a lower agitation speed. The strain consumed some amount of oil, which can be reduced from 90% to 29% by optimizing the process parameters.
Electrographic seizure duration and inter‐seizure intervals in focal status epilepticus
Authors: Meletti Stefano , Turchi Giulia , Orlandi Niccolò , Vaudano Anna Elisabetta , Cioclu Maria Cristina , Pugnaghi Matteo , Giovannini Giada 
Published: May 2023

AbstractObjectiveTo characterize the duration of seizures and inter‐seizure intervals in focal status epilepticus (SE).MethodsWe reviewed consecutive scalp EEG recordings from adult patients who were admitted for a first episode of focal status epilepticus. We identified electrographic seizure duration and inter‐seizure intervals in the first diagnostic pretreatment EEG. We also reviewed isolated focal self‐limiting seizures in epilepsy patients, as a comparison group for seizure duration.ResultsWe recorded 307 focal seizures in 100 consecutive focal SE episodes, with a median seizure duration of 107 s (IQR: 54–186), and 134 isolated focal self‐limiting seizures in 42 epilepsy patients, with a median duration of 59 s (IQR: 30–90; p < .001). The only clinical feature of SE that significantly increased seizure duration was acute symptomatic etiology. In SE, 15% and 7% of seizures lasted longer than 300 and 600 s, respectively (t1 of the actual definition for tonic–clonic and focal SE), while only 1% of self‐limiting seizures lasted longer than 300 s, and none lasted longer than 600 s. The analysis of inter‐seizure intervals in SE with multiple seizures showed that 50% of the inter‐seizure periods were shorter than 60 s, and 95% were shorter than 540 s (9 min). Patients who had an increase in seizure duration (last versus first) of at least 1.4 times showed an increased 30‐day mortality.SignificanceFocal seizures within a SE episode showed a wide range of duration, partly overlapping with the duration of focal self‐limiting seizures but with a longer median duration. Inter‐seizure intervals within an episode of SE were shorter than 1 min in 50% of the seizures and never lasted more than 10 min. Finally, an increase in seizure duration could represent an “electrophysiological biomarker” of a more severe SE episode, which may require more aggressive and rapid treatment.
Peri‐ictal EEG in infants with PRRT2‐related self‐limited infantile epilepsy
Authors: Fearn Nicola , Macdonald‐Laurs Emma , Moylan Laura , Howell Katherine B. 
Published: May 2023

AbstractObjectivePathogenic PRRT2 variants cause self‐limited (familial) infantile epilepsy (SeLIE), which is responsive to sodium channel blocking antiseizure medications. The interictal EEG is typically normal. We describe a cohort of infants with PRRT2‐related SeLIE with striking peri‐ictal EEG abnormalities.MethodsWe included all infants diagnosed with PRRT2‐related SeLIE during July 2020 to November 2021 at the Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne. Clinical features and results of aetiologic investigations were collected from electronic medical records. All EEGs were reviewed independently by two epileptologists.ResultsTen infants presented with focal seizures at a median age of 5 months (range: 3–6 months). Eight had a family history of epilepsy, paroxysmal kinesigenic dyskinesia (PKD) or hemiplegic migraine. Seven of the eight infants with an EEG performed within 24 h of the most recent seizure had epileptiform discharges. Their EEGs showed focal sharp waves, spikes, polyspikes or fast activity independently over the left and right temporo‐occipital regions. Conversely, the two infants with last known seizure greater than 24 h prior to their EEG had no epileptiform discharges. Oxcarbazepine was commenced in two infants and was effective. Eight infants were initially treated with levetiracetam, and all were subsequently switched to oxcarbazepine due to ongoing seizures or side effects.SignificancePosterior polymorphic focal epileptiform discharges on a peri‐ictal EEG recording are a feature of PRRT2‐related SeLIE. This finding, particularly in the presence of a family history of infantile epilepsy, PKD or hemiplegic migraine, suggests a diagnosis of PRRT2‐related SeLIE and has important treatment implications.
Integration of interictal EEG source localization in presurgical epilepsy evaluation – A single‐center prospective study
Authors: Miron Gadi , Baag Thomas , Götz Kara , Holtkamp Martin , Vorderwülbecke Bernd J. 
Published: May 2023

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate cost in working hours for initial integration of interictal EEG source localization (ESL) into clinical practice of a tertiary epilepsy center, and to examine concordance of results obtained with three different ESL pipelines.MethodsThis prospective study covered the first year of using ESL in the Epilepsy‐Center Berlin‐Brandenburg. Patients aged ≥14 years with drug‐resistant focal epilepsy referred for noninvasive presurgical evaluation were included. Interictal ESL was based on low‐density EEG and individual head models. Source maxima were obtained from two freely available software packages and one commercial provider. One physician and computer scientist documented their working hours for setting up and processing ESL. Additionally, a survey was conducted among epilepsy centers in Germany to assess the current role of ESL in presurgical evaluation.ResultsOf 40 patients included, 22 (55%) had enough interictal spikes for ESL. The physician's working times decreased from median 4.7 hours [interquartile range 3.9‐6.4] in the first third of cases to 2.0 hours [1.9‐2.4] in the remaining two thirds; P < 0.01. In addition, computer scientist and physician spent a total of 35.5 and 33.0 working hours on setting up the digital infrastructure, and on training and testing. Sublobar agreement between all three pipelines was 20%, mean measurement of agreement (kappa) 0.13. Finally, the survey revealed that 53% of epilepsy centers in Germany currently use ESL for presurgical evaluation.SignificanceThis study provides information regarding expected effort and costs for integration of ESL into an epilepsy surgery program. Low result agreement across different ESL pipelines calls for further standardization.