bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of berberine and barberry on selected inflammatory biomarkers in adults: A systematic review and dose–response meta‐analysis of randomized clinical trials
Authors: Vahedi‐Mazdabadi Yasaman , Shahinfar Hossein , Toushih Mohammad , Shidfar Farzad 
Published: September 2023

AbstractThe previous meta‐analysis showed an advantageous effect of berberine supplementation on interleukin 6 (IL‐6), tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α), and serum C‐reactive protein (CRP) concentrations; however, it is unknown the dosage that this component influences inflammatory biomarkers. A comprehensive search was done in Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science until September 2022 to find randomized controlled trials (RCT) that assessed the effects of berberine/barberry on IL‐6, TNF‐α, and CRP in adults but not trials without a control group. Studies bias was assessed using RoB 2. A random‐effects model was performed to calculate the weighted mean difference (WMD). A dose‐dependent effect was calculated. Eighteen clinical trials with 1600 participants were included in the current meta‐analysis. These interventions significantly mitigate IL‐6 levels (−1.18 pg/mL), TNF‐α levels (−3.72 pg/mL), and CRP levels (−1.33 mg/L). In addition, the non‐linear analysis showed a significant lowering effect of berberine/barberry on IL‐6 and TNF‐α levels in doses <1000 mg/day and less than 5 weeks of intervention. There are limitations to our findings, including low‐quality studies and significant heterogeneity. These interventions might be considered adjunct therapy to managing inflammation status. However, more investigation and high‐quality evidence must be conducted to obtain more comprehensive and generalizable results.
δ13C and δ18O heterogeneities in carbonates: Nonlinear mixing in the application of dual‐carbonate‐clumped isotope thermometer
Authors: White Jackson H. , Defliese William F. 
Published: September 2023

RationaleDual‐carbonate‐clumped isotope thermometry assumes any departure from Δ47 and Δ48 co‐equilibrium is due to disequilibrium processes; however, the effects of endmember mixing have not been evaluated for Δ48. We show that variations in δ13C and δ18O values within a sample can lead to offsets in Δ47 and Δ48 that can be mistaken for kinetic fractionation.MethodsA numerical mixing model was developed to calculate the Δ48 and Δ47 values of samples with heterogeneous isotope compositions. The model was used to test a variety of possible endmember mixing scenarios and produce a dataset of mixing offsets in both Δ48 and Δ47.ResultsDifferent mixing patterns arise from endmember mixing, with different patterns between Δ48 and Δ47. Δ47 can be both positively and negatively offset from equilibrium values by mixing; however, Δ48 can only be offset in a positive direction, producing an underestimate of formation temperature. The overall results suggest that endmember mixing can mimic kinetic fractionation caused by CO2 degassing in dual‐clumped isotope measurements.ConclusionsMixing between endmembers can result in patterns that resemble that of CO2 degassing. However, these effects require a variation of greater than 5‰ in endmember δ18O values to have a significant effect relative to measurement errors on Δ48 with the detection limits of modern mass spectrometers. Δ47 remains more sensitive to endmember mixing effects and will display measurable mixing effects at 2‰ variation or less in endmember isotopic values.
Bioinspired Heterogeneous Construction of Lignocellulose‐Reinforced COF Membranes for Efficient Proton Conduction
Authors: Zhu Liyu , Ye Peng , Zhang Limei , Ren Yuting , Liu Jing , Lei Jiandu , Wang Luying 
Published: September 2023

AbstractThe exponential interest in covalent organic frameworks (COFs) arises from the direct correlation between their diverse and intriguing properties and the modular design principle. However, the insufficient interlamellar interaction among COF nanosheets greatly hinders the formation of defect‐free membranes. Therefore, developing a methodology for the facile fabrication of these materials remains an enticing and highly desirable objective. Herein, ultrahigh proton conductivity and superior stability are achieved by taking advantage of COF composite membranes where 2D TB‐COF nanosheets are linked by 1D lignocellulosic nanofibrils (LCNFs) through π‐π and electrostatic interactions to form a robust and ordered structure. Notably, the high concentration of ‐SO3H groups within the COF pores and the abundant proton transport paths at COFs‐LCNFs interfaces impart composite membranes ultrahigh proton conductivity (0.348 S cm−1 at 80 °C and 100% RH). Moreover, the directional migration of protons along the stacked nanochannels of COFs is facilitated by oxygen atoms on the keto groups, as demonstrated by density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The simple design concept and reliable operation of the demonstrated mixed‐dimensional composite membrane are expected to provide an ideal platform for next‐generation conductive materials.
Broadband Van‐der‐Waals Photodetector Driven by Ferroelectric Polarization
Authors: Kim Sungjun , Lee Sunghun , Oh Seyong , Lee Kyeong‐Bae , Lee Je‐Jun , Kim Byeongchan , Heo Keun , Park Jin‐Hong 
Published: September 2023

AbstractThe potential for various future industrial applications has made broadband photodetectors beyond visible light an area of great interest. Although most 2D van‐der‐Waals (vdW) semiconductors have a relatively large energy bandgap (>1.2 eV), which limits their use in short‐wave infrared detection, they have recently been considered as a replacement for ternary alloys in high‐performance photodetectors due to their strong light‐matter interaction. In this study, a ferroelectric gating ReS2/WSe2 vdW heterojunction‐channel photodetector is presented that successfully achieves broadband light detection (>1300 nm, expandable up to 2700 nm). The staggered type‐II bandgap alignment creates an interlayer gap of 0.46 eV between the valence band maximum (VBMAX) of WSe2 and the conduction band minimum (CBMIN) of ReS2. Especially, the control of poly(vinylidene fluoride‐trifluoroethylene) (P(VDF‐TrFE)) ferroelectric dipole polarity for a specific wavelength allows a high photoresponsivity of up to 6.9 × 103 A W−1 and a low dark current below 0.26 nA under the laser illumination with a wavelength of 405 nm in P‐up mode. The achieved high photoresponsivity, low dark current, and full‐range near infrared (NIR) detection capability open the door for next‐generation photodetectors beyond traditional ternary alloy photodetectors.
Circ_UBAP2 exacerbates proliferation and metastasis of OS via targeting miR‐665/miR‐370‐3p/HMGA1 axis
Authors: Ma Weiguo , Gao Yun , Yao Xiaobin , Zhang Junhua , Jia Lina , Wang Dan , Lin Lin , Bi Li‐Jun , Xu Qingxia 
Published: September 2023

AbstractCirc_UBAP2 is extensively engaged in regulating the development of various malignancies, containing osteosarcoma (OS). However, its biological significance and function are not fully understood. In this study, we found that circ_UBAP2 and HMGA1 levels were up‐regulated, and miR‐370‐3p and miR‐665 expressions were decreased in osteosarcoma tissues. Inhibition of circ_UBAP2 or HMGA1 expression in OS cells, cell viability, invasion and migration abilitities were notably hindered, and cell apoptosis abilities were increased. Bioinformatics analysis predicted that miR‐665 and miR‐370‐3p were the downstream targets of circ_UBAP2, and the dual luciferase experiment demonstrated the correlation between them. In addition, inhibition of miR‐665 and miR‐370‐3p expression could significantly reverse the impact of knocking down circ_UBAP2 on OS cells. HMGA1 was discovered to become the downstream target of both miR‐665 and miR‐370‐3p. It was shown that over‐expression of miR‐665 or miR‐370‐3p notably stimulated the cell growth, invasion, and migration of osteosarcoma cells, while hindered cell apoptosis. Nevertheless, this effect could be reversed by concurrent over‐expression of HMGA1. Our data strongly prove that circ_UBAP2 makes a vital impact on promoting the proliferation, invasion as well as migration of osteosarcoma cells via down‐regulating the level of miR‐665 and miR‐370‐3p, and later up‐regulating the level of HMGA1. In conclusion, circ_UBAP2 is upregulated in osteosarcoma, and it competitively adsorbs miR‐370‐3p and miR‐665, resulting in up‐regulation of HMGA1, thus promoting OS development.
Solid waste management: Case of the cities of Rabat, Sale, and Temara
Authors: Bouaouda Soukaina , Bouyakhsass Roukaya , Taleb Abdeslam , Madinzi Abdelaziz , Layssi Amina , Fels Loubna El , Hafidi Mohamed , Souabi Salah 
Published: September 2023

AbstractDue to population growth, the generation of solid waste in Morocco constantly increases, considerably impacting water, soil, and air. To minimize this impact, proper waste management is necessary. This research examines waste generation development in Rabat, Sale, and Temara cities in 2015, 2018, and 2019. This allows us to propose solutions to environmental problems and to discuss upstream and downstream management modalities. According to this study, the total amount of waste in Sale changes between 17,947.6 t/month, 21,256.6 t/month, and 20,852 t/month, whereas it ranges between 25,017.6 t/month, 24,031.7 t/month, and 24,038.1 t/month for Rabat in 2015, 2018, and 2019. The lowest quantities are 12,901.3 t/month, 10,104.3 t/month, and 1032.5 t/month in Temara for 2015, 2018, and 2019. The data obtained will serve as an aid to decision‐making to guide proper management. Moreover, sensitizing the population on the issue of waste management is necessary to protect the environment and human health.
Infrastructure and Deployment Models
Authors: Mendes Felipe Cardeneti , Sarna Piotr , Emelyanov Pavel , Dunlop Cynthia 
Published: September 2023

AbstractAs noted in the previous chapter, many modern databases offer capabilities beyond “just” storing and retrieving data. But all databases are ultimately built from the ground up in order to serve I/O in the most efficient way possible. And it’s crucial to remember this when selecting your infrastructure and deployment model of choice.
Topology Considerations
Authors: Mendes Felipe Cardeneti , Sarna Piotr , Emelyanov Pavel , Dunlop Cynthia 
Published: September 2023

AbstractAs mentioned in Chapter 5, database servers are often combined into intricate topologies where certain nodes are grouped in a single geographical location; others are used only as a fast cache layer, and yet others store seldom-accessed cold data in a cheap place, for emergency purposes only. That chapter covered how drivers work to understand and interact with that topology to exchange information more efficiently.
The Biopsychosocial Welfare State: A Theoretical Framework
Authors: Reibling Nadine , Bleckmann Lisa 
Published: September 2023

AbstractMedicalization and psychologization have developed as two separate concepts. In this chapter, Reibling and Bleckmann introduce the reader to both bodies of literature and provide a basic introduction to the processes behind the concepts. The authors argue that medicine and psychology should not be subsumed under a therapeutization framework and that instead, comparing the two processes highlights the relevance of the specifics of both disciplines. Central to this discussion are questions regarding the causes of the medicalization and psychologization of social problems as well as regarding the consequences of these processes. Reibling and Bleckmann provide extensive answers to these questions based on the literature and additionally offer their own take on medicalization and psychologization.
Evaluating Markov chains and Bayesian networks as probabilistic meteorological drought forecasting tools in the seasonally dry tropics of Costa Rica
Authors: Gutiérrez-García Kenneth , Avilés Alex , Nauditt Alexandra , Arce Rafael , Birkel Christian 
Published: September 2023

AbstractMeteorological drought is a climatic phenomenon that affects all global climates with social, political, and economic impacts. Consequently, it is essential to develop drought forecasting tools to minimize the impacts on communities. Here, probabilistic models based on Markov chains (first and second order) and Bayesian networks (first and second order) were explored to generate forecasts of meteorological drought events. A Ranked Probability Score (RPS) metric selected the best-performing model. Long-term precipitation data from Liberia Airport in Guanacaste, Costa Rica, from 1937 to 2020 were used to estimate the 1-month Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI-1) characterizing four meteorological drought states (no drought, moderate drought, severe drought, and extreme drought). The validation results showed that both models could reflect the climatic seasonality of the dry and rainy seasons without mistaking 4–5 months of the rain-free dry season for a drought. Bayesian networks outperformed Markov chains in terms of the RPS at both reproducing probabilities of drought states in the rainy season and when compared to the months in which a drought state was observed. Considering the forecasting capability of the latter method, we conclude that these models can help predict meteorological drought with a 1-month lead time in an operational early warning system.
Investigating Periodic Table Interpolation for the Rational Design of Nanoalloy Catalysts for Green Hydrogen Production from Ammonia Decomposition
Authors: Parker Luke A. , Richards Nia , Bailey Liam , Carter James H. , Nowicka Ewa , Pattisson Samuel , Dummer Nicholas F. , He Qian , Lu Li , Kiely Christopher J. , Golunski Stanislaw E. , Roldan Alberto , Hutchings Graham J. 
Published: September 2023

AbstractDeveloping highly active catalysts for the decomposition of ammonia to produce hydrogen is an important goal in the context of renewable energy. Allied with this is a need for identification strategies to efficiently design novel catalysts integral to ensuring rapid progress in this research field. We investigated the efficacy of N–binding energy and periodic table interpolation to predict active bimetallic nanoparticle catalysts. Supported iron-platinum and iron-palladium were identified and experimentally shown to be more active than their monometallic analogues. Atomic resolution electron microscopy indicated that the most active catalyst (5 wt% Fe80Pt20/γ-Al2O3) was principally formed of alloyed nanoparticles. It restructured during testing, yet no activity loss was noted at 20 h time-on-line. While these findings show that periodic table interpolation may be a viable tool for identifying active combinations of metals, the activity of the catalysts in the current work were not able to outperform the Ru/Al2O3 benchmark. Further catalyst optimization or refinement of reaction descriptors may facilitate the development of catalysts with higher intrinsic activity than the current state-of-the-art catalysts.
Graphical Abstract
Maritime Energy Transition: Future Fuels and Future Emissions
Authors: Ramsay William , Fridell Erik , Michan Mario 
Published: September 2023

AbstractThe lifecycle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions (Well-to-Wake) from maritime transport must be reduced by at least 50% in absolute values by 2050 to contribute to the ambitions of the Paris Agreement (2015). A transition from conventional fuels to alternative fuels with zero or lower GHG emissions is viewed as the most promising avenue to reach the GHG reductions. Whereas GHG and toxic pollutants emitted from the use of fossil fuels (heavy fuel oil (HFO) and marine gas/diesel oil (MGO/MDO)) are generally well understood, the emissions associated with the new fuel options are only now being measured and communicated. This review provides an outlook on fuels that could help shipping respond to the decarbonization effort including Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), methanol, ammonia, and hydrogen. A quantification of the pollutants associated from the use of these fuels is provided and challenges and barriers to their uptake are discussed.
No Victims Without Sacrifice, No Sacrifice Without Victims: Conceptualizing Violence and the “Oklahoma City Bombing”
Authors: Troy Jodok 
Published: September 2023

AbstractThis article proposes a conceptualization of violence that builds on a tripartite relationship between violence, victims, and sacrifice that frames violence as a self-justifying sacrificial act. This conceptualization delineates the nature of violence by addressing its transformation from an instrumental act to a constitutional act, making violence possible, ongoing, contagious, and productive. In particular, I argue, with the help of René Girard’s theoretical framework, that conceptual accounts of violence can gain further insights through an engagement with his concepts of sacrifice and victims. Violence, this article illustrates, becomes a societal feature by producing victims via sacrifice rather than drawing simplified boundaries between the relation of perpetrator and victim, mediated by the act of violence. To illustrate the epistemological value of this conceptualization, the article re-examines Timothy McVeigh’s justification of his Oklahoma City bombing. The article concludes that not only terrorism’s atrocities reflect this proposed conceptualization of violence but also potentially all acts of political violence.
The foodplant fitness landscape of Wonderboom and possible implications for Middle Pleistocene foragers of the Magaliesberg, South Africa
Authors: Lombard Marlize , Lotter Matt G. , Caruana Matthew V. 
Published: September 2023

AbstractWith this contribution, we provide a species and edible part list for the foodplant population of the Wonderboom landscape at the eastern end of the Magaliesberg range in Gauteng, South Africa, as a current proxy to hypothesise about past foraging behaviours. The greater Magaliesberg region is an ancient, relatively stable ecotone between the Grassland and Savanna Biomes, with its roots in the plateau uplift at ~ 4 Ma. We present the foraging landscape (foraging-scape) in a three-tier model at intervals of ~ 12.5 km, ~ 35 km, and ~ 70 km to assess proportional increases in foodplant species and edible parts when the foraging range is increased. We demonstrate that foraging within a ~ 12.5 km radius from the site provides an exceptionally rich foodplant landscape today. Thus, if the foodplant fitness potential during the Middle Pleistocene was roughly similar, it is reasonable to hypothesise that the Wonderboom foragers may have had little reason—apart from perhaps famine or drought—to go beyond a daily range for collecting plant foods. The Wonderboom ~ 12.5 km radius surface area is broadly similar to the footprint of the Cradle of Humankind ~ 40–70 km to its southwest. Directly comparing their foodplant species inventories shows that currently, 185 more foodplants grow around Wonderboom than in the Cradle. Our results suggest that the ecotone locality of Wonderboom, between the Grassland Biome to the south and the Savanna Biome to the north, may have had adaptive advantages in terms of its foodplant foraging potential.
Spondias mombin: biosafety and GC–MS analysis of anti-viral compounds from crude leaf extracts
Authors: Boadu Akwasi , Karpoormath Rajshekhar , Nlooto Manimbulu 
Published: September 2023

AbstractEssential oils are combinations of naturally occurring phytochemicals that, alone or in synergy with other compounds, can therapeutically attenuate disease-causing viral infections such as SARS-CoV-2, Ebola, and Marburg viruses. This study aimed to investigate the biosafety of and identification of antiviral phytochemicals of Spondias mombin (Linn) leaf crude extracts by GC–MS analysis. GC–MS analysis showed that the compound concentrations were dependent on the polarity of extracting solvent SMH (34), SMDCM (36), SMEA (12), SME (50) and SMM (36). Toluene (15.13%) and di-isooctyl phthalate (14.21%) were identified as the basic constituents of SMH. In SMDCM, n-nonadecanol-1 (19.64%) and eicosane (13.93%) were the main compounds, while in SMEA it was ethanol, 2-butoxy-(83.29%). Both SME and SMM showed the presence of Tetradecyl trifluoroacetate (15.43%). Pentadecanoic acid (12.18%), Propane, 2,2-diethoxy- (33.83%) and o-Xylene (15.87%). The identified antiviral compounds in the crude extracts, were d-Limonene (1.33%), p-Cymene (1.31%), Thymol (0.50%) and Carvacrol (0.87%) in SMM and SMH extracts, with Phytol, acetate being a common constituent in all the essential oils, except SMEA. In vitro cytotoxicity studies of crude S. mombin leaf extracts were performed using the MTT method in three cell lines: MCF-7, A-549 and HEK-293, with IC50 values between 15.91 and 178.5 μg/mL. Therefore, the results indicated that crude extracts from S. mombin leafs had low toxicity and could be used safely. Compared with hexane extracts (1), methanol extracts have more compounds with antiviral properties (3) and can be used as reusable therapeutic candidates, natural dietary supplements or in the fight against SARS-CoV-2, Ebola and Marburg viruses. This can be valuable in pharmaceutical preparations of drug candidates for the treatment of these viruses.
Effect of Pigmented Rice Consumption on Cardiometabolic Risk Factors: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors: Mendoza-Sarmiento Diane , Mistades Emmanuele V. , Hill Alison M. 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
Purpose of Review
Dietary patterns that include polyphenols may help manage cardiometabolic risk factors. Pigmented rice contains phenolic acids and flavonoids that contribute to its antioxidant properties. This review examined the effect of polyphenol-containing pigmented rice on antioxidant status, lipid profile, glucose/insulin, blood pressure, and weight among adults. Four electronic databases including PubMed, ProQuest, EBSCOhost, and Google Scholar were systematically searched for relevant articles published in English since 2000, using PRISMA guidelines (PROSPERO registration: CRD42022358132). Two-staged screening resulted in the inclusion of seventeen (seven acute, ten chronic) randomized controlled trials. A random effects model was conducted on cardiometabolic outcomes reported in at least three studies.

Recent Findings
Acute intake increased plasma antioxidant activity and lowered postprandial glucose and insulin levels. Chronic consumption was associated with reductions in fasting glucose (WMD: -1.60 mg/dL; 95% CI:-3.05,-0.14, p = 0.03, k = 5, n = 349), weight (WMD: -0.23 kg, 95% CI: -0.44, -0.02, p = 0.03, k = 3, n = 182), and diastolic blood pressure (WMD: -1.39 mmHg, 95% CI: -2.21, -0.56, p = 0.001, k = 3, n = 185). No effect on total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, high-density lipoprotein, triglycerides, body mass index, and systolic blood pressure was found.

Summary
The consumption of pigmented rice may improve cardiometabolic risk factors. However, the small number of studies and differences in study design, including participants’ health status, form of rice utilized, and duration of intervention, support the need for more high-quality trials to further investigate these findings.