bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Boosting solid–solid conversion kinetics of sulfurized polyacrylonitrile via MoS2 doping for high‐rate and long‐life Li‐S batteries
Authors: Wang Linjun , Shi Haodong , Xie Yingpeng , Wu Zhong‐Shuai 
Published: March 2023

AbstractSulfurized polyacrylonitrile (SPAN) with a “solid‐solid” conversion mechanism in carbonated‐based electrolyte eradicating the polysulfides shutting issue is considered as an ideal cathode for stabilizing lithium–sulfur (Li‐S) batteries. However, the sluggish reaction kinetics and less sulfur content of the SPAN limit its practical application. Herein, the MoS2 doped SPAN (MoS2@SPAN) is demonstrated to rapidly accelerate the solid–solid conversion kinetics of SPAN for remarkably boosting high‐power and long‐life Li‐S batteries. Benefitting from the accelerated lithium‐ion (Li+) transfer rate, a fast ion transport channel and enhanced redox reaction kinetics of sulfur to Li2S2/Li2S is realized via MoS2 catalysis, and excellent electrochemical performance is achieved. Consequently, MoS2@SPAN delivers a high capacity of 626 mAh g−1 at 0.1 A g−1, and simultaneously shows ultralong cycling life of 500 cycles with only 0.089% capacity decay rate at 2 A g−1. Moreover, a superb capacity of 321 mAh g−1 at ultrahigh current density of 5 A g−1 is offered, outperforming most of the reported SPAN cathodes. This work provides a general and reliable strategy on the reliable design of SPAN cathode for high‐rate and long‐term Li‐S batteries.
Modeling a novel heuristic model for handling vehicle routing using multiobjective optimization
Authors: Velusamy Praveen , Periasamy Keerthika , Gurusamy Sivapriya , Kuppusamy Sangeetha 
Published: March 2023

SummaryElectric vehicles (EVs) are drastically growing, and their emergence is more popular. Moreover, with the constraint driving range, the batteries of these vehicles are rechargeable throughout the routes in various situations. Here, a new problem is formulated with the inclusion of both battery swapping and partial recharging decisions. The energy level and the routing directions are more important, and the investigators intend to handle these issues effectually. However, the major constraint is routing and time window. Here, a heuristic model (LTS‐RSS) is designed to find the best matching solution. A novel Random Sub‐Space (RSS) and local Tabu search (LTS) are modeled to handle these issues. The probabilistic model of RSS is anticipated by integrating the consequences of time windows and distances. The experimentation is done with an online database and used for performance validation. The outcomes show that the newly modeled (LTS‐RSS) approach enhances the significance of the model. The outcomes of all the instances with diverse strategies enhance the model's robustness and stability for resolving these issues. The empirical analysis is done with MATLAB 2020b simulator, and metrics like optimization of routing solution, the best vehicle, best distance, and numbers of vehicles are evaluated, and the outcomes are compared with various other approaches.
Audience effects in a group‐living bird: How contact call rate is affected by vegetation and group size and composition
Authors: Meaux Estelle , He Chao , Zeng Xiaolei , He Ruchuan , Jiang Aiwu , Goodale Eben 
Published: March 2023

AbstractContact calling is a ubiquitous behavior of group‐living animals. Yet in birds, beyond a general connection with group cohesion, its precise function is not well‐understood, nor is it clear what stimulates changes in contact call rate. In an aviary experiment, we asked whether Swinhoe's White‐eyes,Zosterops simplex, would regulate their own production of contact calls to maintain a specific rate at the group level. Specifically, we hypothesized that the sudden cessation of the group‐level call rate could indicate an immediate predation threat, and we predicted that birds in smaller groups would call more to maintain a high call rate. We also investigated the effects of environmental characteristics, such as vegetation density, and social stimuli, such as the presence of certain individuals, on the rate of three different contact call types. To calculate mean individual‐level rates, we measured the group‐level rate and divided it by the number of birds in the aviary. We found that the individual‐level rate of the most common call types increased with a greater group size, the opposite pattern to what would be expected if birds were maintaining a specific group‐level rate. Vegetation density did not affect any call rate. However, individual‐level rates of all call types decreased when birds were in subgroups with individuals of differing dominance status, and the rate of some call types increased when birds were with affiliated individuals. Our results do not support the hypothesis that contact calls are related to habitat structure or immediate predation risk. Rather, they appear to have a social function, used for communication within or between groups depending on the call type. Increases in call rates could recruit affiliated individuals, whereas subordinates could withhold calls so that dominants are unable to locate them, leading to fluctuations in contact calling in different social contexts.
Unhealthy herds and the predator–spreader: Understanding when predation increases disease incidence and prevalence
Authors: Richards Robert L. , Elderd Bret D. , Duffy Meghan A. 
Published: March 2023

AbstractDisease ecologists now recognize the limitation behind examining host–parasite interactions in isolation: community members—especially predators—dramatically affect host–parasite dynamics. Although the initial paradigm was that predation should reduce disease in prey populations (“healthy herds hypothesis”), researchers have realized that predators sometimes increase disease in their prey. These “predator–spreaders” are now recognized as critical to disease dynamics, but empirical research on the topic remains fragmented. In a narrow sense, a “predator–spreader” would be defined as a predator that mechanically spreads parasites via feeding. However, predators affect their prey and, subsequently, disease transmission in many other ways such as altering prey population structure, behavior, and physiology. We review the existing evidence for these mechanisms and provide heuristics that incorporate features of the host, predator, parasite, and environment to understand whether or not a predator is likely to be a predator–spreader. We also provide guidance for targeted study of each mechanism and quantifying the effects of predators on parasitism in a way that yields more general insights into the factors that promote predator spreading. We aim to offer a better understanding of this important and underappreciated interaction and a path toward being able to predict how changes in predation will influence parasite dynamics.
Variation and association of leaf traits for desert plants in the arid area, northwest China
Authors: Wang Hongyong , Yang Jie , Xie Tingting , Ma Li , Niu Furong , He Cai , Shan Lishan 
Published: March 2023

AbstractCharacterizing variation and association of plant traits is critical for understanding plant adaptation strategies and community assembly mechanisms. However, little is known about the leaf trait variations of desert plants and their association with different life forms. We used principal component analysis, Pearson's correlation, phylogenetic independent contrasts, linear mixed model, and variance decomposition to explore the variation and association of 10 leaf traits in 22 desert plants in the arid area of northwest China. We found that: (1) the contribution of interspecific variation to the overall variation was greater than the intraspecific variation of all the studied leaf traits; (2) intraspecific and interspecific variation in leaf traits differed among life forms. Some leaf traits, such as tissue density of shrubs and specific leaf area of herbs, exhibited greater intraspecific than interspecific variation, while other traits exhibited the inverse; (3) desert shrubs corroborate the leaf economic spectrum hypothesis and had a fast acquisitive resource strategy, but herbs may not conform to this hypothesis; (4) there were trade‐offs between leaf traits, which were mediated by phylogeny. Overall, our results suggest that interspecific variation of leaf traits significantly contributes to the total leaf traits variation in desert plants. However, intraspecific variation should not be overlooked. There are contrasts in the resource acquisition strategies between plants life forms. Our results support understanding of the mechanisms underlying community assembly in arid regions and suggest that future works may focus on the variation and association of plant traits at both intra‐ and interspecific scales.
Linked disturbance in the temperate forest: Earthworms, deer, and canopy gaps
Authors: Reed Samuel P. , Bronson Dustin R. , Forrester Jodi A. , Prudent Leah M. , Yang Anna M. , Yantes Austin M. , Reich Peter B. , Frelich Lee E. 
Published: March 2023

AbstractDespite the large body of theory concerning multiple disturbances, relatively few attempts have been made to test the theoretical assumptions of how and if disturbances interact. Of particular importance is whether disturbance events are linked, as this can influence the probability and intensity of ecological change. Disturbances are linked when one disturbance event increases or decreases the likelihood or extent of another. To this end, we used two long‐term, multi‐disturbance experiments in northern Wisconsin to determine whether earthworm invasion is linked to canopy gap creation and white‐tailed deer browsing. These three disturbances are common and influential within North American temperate forests, making any interactions among them particularly important to understand. We expected both deer and canopy gaps to favor invasive earthworms, particularly species that live close to or on the soil surface. However, we found only partial support of our hypotheses, as both deer exclosures and canopy gaps decreased earthworms in each experiment. Further, earthworm density increased the most over time in areas far from the gap center and in areas with deer present. Deer exclosures primarily decreased Aporrectodea and Lumbricus species, while gaps decreased Dendrobaena and Lumbricus species. Our findings show that earthworm invasion is linked to deer presence and gap‐creating disturbances, which provides new insight in multiple disturbance theory, aboveground–belowground dynamics, and temperate forest management.
Immunomodulation of neutrophil granulocyte functions by bacterial polyphosphates
Authors: Krenzlin Viola , Schöche Johannes , Walachowski Sarah , Reinhardt Christoph , Radsak Markus P. , Bosmann Markus 
Published: March 2023

AbstractPolyphosphates are highly conserved, linear polymers of monophosphates that reside in all living cells. Bacteria produce long chains containing hundreds to thousands of phosphate units, which can interfere with host defense to infection. Here, we report that intratracheal long‐chain polyphosphate administration to C57BL/6J mice resulted in the release of proinflammatory cytokines and influx of Ly6G+ polymorphonuclear neutrophils in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid causing a disruption of the physiologic endothelial–epithelial small airway barrier and histologic signs of lung injury. Polyphosphate‐induced effects were attenuated after neutrophil depletion in mice. In isolated murine neutrophils, long‐chain polyphosphates modulated cytokine release induced by lipopolysaccharides (LPS) from Gram‐negative bacteria or lipoteichoic acid from Gram‐positive bacteria. In addition, long‐chain polyphosphates induced immune evasive effects in human neutrophils. In detail, long‐chain polyphosphates downregulated CD11b and curtailed the phagocytosis of Escherichia coli particles by neutrophils. Polyphosphates modulated the migration capacity by inducing CD62L shedding resulting in CD62Llow and CD11blow neutrophils. The release of IL‐8 induced by LPS was also significantly reduced. Pharmacologic blockade of PI3K with wortmannin antagonized long‐chain polyphosphate‐induced effects on LPS‐induced IL‐8 release.In conclusion, polyphosphates govern immunomodulation in murine and human neutrophils, suggesting polyphosphates as a therapeutic target for bacterial infections to restore innate immune defense.
The effect of propylene glycol addition on the flavour compounds retention of peppermint powders
Authors: Chun Cui , Mingqi Gao , Xuewei Jia , Bingjie Ma , Tianxiao Li , Shu Tian , Chunping Xu 
Published: March 2023

AbstractCompared with peppermint oil, natural peppermint has more ingredients, a layered fragrance, and a green colour. It has been widely used as a nutritional additive, herbal tea, food flavouring or colouring. In this work, the retention of volatile flavour compounds of peppermint powders was enhanced by propylene glycol, a reagent that enhances hydrogen bonds and moisture absorption. The levels of influence of propylene glycol content on the retention of different volatile flavour compounds, moisture absorption and water distribution were evaluated by GC–MS, dynamic water absorption instrument (DVS), and low‐field nuclear magnetic resonance (LF‐NMR), respectively. GC–MS analysis showed that the volatile substances of peppermint powders (PMs) without propylene glycol were reduced to 22 kinds after storage for 90 days, and the total amount of volatile substances remained at 40.94%; PG2 with 2% propylene glycol had the best flavour retention. After 90 days of storage, the residual percentage of volatile flavour compounds of PG2 was approximately 72.56%, which was significantly increased compared with that of PM. The DVS results suggested that all the peppermint powders adopted a type III moisture absorption isotherm, and they all had multilayer adsorbed water. PG2 had the best moisture retention capacity and the highest hygroscopic hysteresis, while PG4 with a high propylene glycol content had a relatively poor moisture retention capacity. Similarly, LF‐NMR analysis showed that PG2 had a higher proportion of bound water and lower relaxation times T21 and T22 under different humidity conditions, indicating that it had the strongest water binding capacity. The correlation analysis showed that there was a significant positive correlation between the residual volatile compounds of peppermint powders and the peak area of bound water A21. The higher the proportion of strongly bound water in peppermint particles was, the more residual volatile substances were identified in peppermint particles. These results show that peppermint particles supplemented with propylene glycol can significantly improve the flavour retention ability of peppermint powders. In short, the results could be applied to the storage stability and quality control of peppermint products.
Thermal performance of dynamic, origami‐inspired geometries: An experimental study
Authors: Ahmed Farhan , Khatamifar Mehdi , Lin Wenxian , Situ Rong 
Published: March 2023

AbstractOrigami has become an increasingly popular geometry in thermal engineering, namely, heat regulatory applications such as heat sinks and radiators. In this study, the radiative heating and radiative and natural convective cooling of three origami geometries (W‐fold, Miura Ori (1), and Miura Ori (2)) made of heavy‐duty aluminum foil under a radiative heater with different powers (800, 1600, and 2400 W) and different compression lengths (0.15, 0.25, 0.35, and 0.45 m) were investigated. It was found that the Miura Ori (1) and Miura Ori (2) geometries have three to four times high‐temperature differences (the maximum temperature at the end of the heating process minus the initial temperature) than the W‐fold geometry. The Miura Ori (2) and Miura Ori (1) geometries produced high heat capacity enhancements of 1.2–3.2 times at high compression lengths that showed great potential for applications such as solar steam generators. The overall heat transfer coefficient for cooling can be controlled by changing the compression length of the origami geometry, allowing for dynamic surface temperature controls. This parameter decreases by up to 25.3%, 22.6%, and 45.9% for W‐fold, Miura Ori (1), and Miura Ori (2), respectively, in comparison to their flat states.
Neuro death through autophagy via the acetylation of FoxO1 by SIRT2 in the hippocampus of mice in a autism spectrum disorder mice model
Authors: Guo Lanmin , Jiang Zhi‐Mei , Zhan Yu‐Jun , Pan Wei , Wu Qing‐Wei , Song Fan‐Xu , Zhou Xue , Zhou Xin‐Yu , Liu Li‐Jun , Wang Jing‐Tao 
Published: March 2023

AbstractAutism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a series of complex neurodevelopmental disorders, which can affect children's social, behavioral and communication abilities. A member of the Sirtuins family of NAD + dependent deacetylases called SIRT2 could regulate the inflammation progress during stress, but the relevant mechanism has not been clearly defined. In the present study, the ASD model of wild type and SIRT2 knock out mice was established to evaluate the impact on the homeostasis of neurons in the hippocampus using western blotting, immunofluorescence and Nissl staining. The results showed that the amplification of neuronal richness was significantly decreased and neuroinflammation increased in the hippocampus following ASD due to autophagy, caused by enhancing the acetylation of FoxO1 using SIRT2 gene deletion and indicating this should be the target for ASD or other psychological stress treatment.
iPSC‐derived tenocytes seeded on microgrooved 3D printed scaffolds for Achilles tendon regeneration
Authors: Kaneda Giselle , Chan Julie L. , Castaneda Chloe M. , Papalamprou Angela , Sheyn Julia , Shelest Oksana , Huang Dave , Kluser Nadine , Yu Victoria , Ignacio Gian C. , Gertych Arkadiusz , Yoshida Ryu , Metzger Melodie F. , Tawackoli Wafa , Vernengo Andrea , Sheyn Dmitriy 
Published: March 2023

AbstractTendons and ligaments have a poor innate healing capacity, yet account for 50% of musculoskeletal injuries in the United States. Full structure and function restoration postinjury remains an unmet clinical need. This study aimed to assess the application of novel three dimensional (3D) printed scaffolds and induced pluripotent stem cell‐derived mesenchymal stem cells (iMSCs) overexpressing the transcription factor Scleraxis (SCX, iMSCSCX+) as a new strategy for tendon defect repair. The polycaprolactone (PCL) scaffolds were fabricated by extrusion through a patterned nozzle or conventional round nozzle. Scaffolds were seeded with iMSCSCX+ and outcomes were assessed in vitro via gene expression analysis and immunofluorescence. In vivo, rat Achilles tendon defects were repaired with iMSCSCX+‐seeded microgrooved scaffolds, microgrooved scaffolds only, or suture only and assessed via gait, gene expression, biomechanical testing, histology, and immunofluorescence. iMSCSCX+‐seeded on microgrooved scaffolds showed upregulation of tendon markers and increased organization and linearity of cells compared to non‐patterned scaffolds in vitro. In vivo gait analysis showed improvement in the Scaffold + iMSCSCX+‐treated group compared to the controls. Tensile testing of the tendons demonstrated improved biomechanical properties of the Scaffold + iMSCSCX+ group compared with the controls. Histology and immunofluorescence demonstrated more regular tissue formation in the Scaffold + iMSCSCX+ group. This study demonstrates the potential of 3D‐printed scaffolds with cell‐instructive surface topography seeded with iMSCSCX+ as an approach to tendon defect repair. Further studies of cell‐scaffold constructs can potentially revolutionize tendon reconstruction by advancing the application of 3D printing‐based technologies toward patient‐specific therapies that improve healing and functional outcomes at both the cellular and tissue level.
Evaluation of articular changes using a rat mono‐iodoacetate‐induced shoulder arthritis model by histology and radiology
Authors: Ise Shohei , Ochiai Nobuyasu , Hashimoto Eiko , Hirosawa Naoya , Kajiwara Daisuke , Shimada Yohei , Inagaki Kenta , Hiraoka Yu , Hattori Fumiya , Ohtori Seiji 
Published: March 2023

AbstractThe rat mono‐iodoacetate (MIA) arthritis model has been used in studies on the hip, knee, and ankle joints. Few studies have explored its utility in shoulder arthritis research, and none have evaluated the effects of time and different MIA doses on arthritis progression. Therefore, we developed a rat MIA shoulder arthritis model to evaluate articular changes through radiological and histological analyses. Sprague–Dawley rats (n = 108) were equally divided into groups that were intra‐articularly injected with 0.5 mg of MIA (in 50 µL of purified water), 2.0 mg of MIA (in 50 µL of purified water), or purified water (50 µL; sham group). Throughout the study period, 18 rats (six per group) were evaluated by computed tomography and assessed using the Larsen's classification system; 90 rats were further evaluated histologically using the Osteoarthritis Research Society International scoring system. Computed tomography revealed that the groups injected with MIA developed arthritis and osteophytes 14 days after injection, which progressed temporally. The Larsen's grades worsened over time; at all time points, the scores were higher in the group injected with 2.0 mg of MIA than in the group injected with 0.5 mg of MIA. Furthermore, concurrent with the worsening Larsen's grades, the Osteoarthritis Research Society International scores also significantly increased over time; at all time points, they were higher in the group injected with 2.0 mg of MIA than in the group injected with 0.5 mg of MIA. Our rat MIA shoulder arthritis model revealed radiologically and histologically confirmed temporal and MIA dose‐dependent arthritic changes.
Effects of co‐plasticization of glycerol and small molecular esters on the physicochemical properties of extrusion‐blown high‐content starch/poly(butylene adipate‐co‐terephthalate) films
Authors: Zhai Xiaosong , Zhang Rui , Cheng Yue , Wang Wentao , Hou Hanxue 
Published: March 2023

AbstractBACKGROUNDPoor mechanical and water barrier properties of starch‐based films severely restrict their applications as packaging materials. In this study, glycerol was combined with various small molecular esters (SMEs) with different molecular structures to plasticize high‐content starch/poly(butylene adipate‐co‐terephthalate) (80/20, w/w) films (SPFs) prepared by extrusion blowing. The effects of co‐plasticization on the physicochemical properties and film‐forming mechanism of SPFs were investigated.RESULTSThe addition of glycerides to SPFs reduced intermolecular interaction, increased molecular chain mobility, and decreased glass transition, melting temperatures, and crystallinity. Mechanical and water barrier properties of SPFs were improved significantly with the co‐plasticization of glycerol and SMEs. The incorporation of triacetate glyceride increased tensile strength of SPFs by 54% and the water contact angle by up to 95°. The SPF with diacetate glyceride exhibited the minimum water vapor permeability, which decreased by 39%.CONCLUSIONThe levels of hydrophilic/hydrophobic groups in SMEs and their molecular weights were essential for the plasticizing effects. Glycerides tended to infiltrate into starch for effective plasticization compared with citrates. The combination of glycerol and glycerides had better plasticizing effects on starch. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.