bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Dogs occupying grassy habitat near protected areas in eastern Madagascar rely on foods from forests
Authors: Hixon Sean W. , Neelin Mikhaela , Chan Stephanie , Mayo Dominic , Filla Caitlynn , Farris Zach J. , deFrance Susan , Krigbaum John , Valenta Kim 
Published: September 2022

Societal Impact StatementIdentifying where introduced animals fit in a food web relative to each other and to endemic species is key for biodiversity conservation planning. Using a multiproxy study of dog feces from eastern Madagascar, we infer that even dogs that spend time in derived grasslands typically eat forest‐derived foods. Regardless of the time that dogs spend in cleared forest, their impacts are likely concentrated on forest‐dwelling prey. If dogs in forests mostly consume threatened endemic animals (and not other introduced animals such as rats), then the exclusion of dogs from protected forests should be a priority.Summary

Introduced predators on islands can help control invasive species yet can also contribute to the extirpation and extinction of endemic taxa. The spread of dogs on Madagascar by ~1000 years ago coincided with the introduction of livestock and spread of grazer‐adapted grasslands, and we help evaluate the extent to which modern dogs are part of novel grassland food webs.
To infer dog diet, we identified food remains, where possible, and conducted stable isotope ratio analysis for n = 100 modern dog feces collected in derived grassland at varying distances from protected forest edges around Analamazoatra and Andasibe‐Mantadia National Park in eastern Madagascar.
Animal remains in feces and the observed range of fecal δ15N values are consistent with dog meals at multiple trophic levels. However, the observed distribution of fecal δ13C values suggest that few dogs in the study area consumed food derived from open C4 grasslands.
Existing data suggest that dogs rely primarily on C3 consumers inhabiting forest biomes (forest‐dwelling animals) for their prey, which may include endemics such as tenrecs, Malagasy rodents, and lemurs and introduced rodents such as rats. These findings indicate that dogs are not confined to the anthropogenic niche defined by grazer‐adapted grasslands, but rather use and impact animal food resources associated with protected forests. Higher resolution study of dog diet and mobility can further clarify the potential for dogs to exploit endemic prey, compete with endemic predators, and spread disease across ecotones.
Thermostabilizing mechanisms of canonical single amino acid substitutions at a GH1 β‐glucosidase probed by multiple MD and computational approaches
Authors: Rocha Rafael Eduardo Oliveira , Mariano Diego César Batista , Almeida Tiago Silva , CorrêaCosta Leon Sulfierry , Fischer Pedro Henrique Camargo , Santos Lucianna Helene , Caffarena Ernesto Raul , da Silveira Carlos Henrique , Lamp Leonida M. , Fernandez‐Quintero Monica Lisa , Liedl Klaus Roman , de Melo‐Minardi Raquel Cardoso , de Lima Leonardo Henrique França 
Published: September 2022

Abstractβ‐glucosidases play a pivotal role in second‐generation biofuel (2G‐biofuel) production. For this application, thermostable enzymes are essential due to the denaturing conditions on the bioreactors. Random amino acid substitutions have originated new thermostable β‐glucosidases, but without a clear understanding of their molecular mechanisms. Here, we probe by different molecular dynamics simulation approaches with distinct force fields and submitting the results to various computational analyses, the molecular bases of the thermostabilization of the Paenibacillus polymyxa GH1 β‐glucosidase by two‐point mutations E96K (TR1) and M416I (TR2). Equilibrium molecular dynamic simulations (eMD) at different temperatures, principal component analysis (PCA), virtual docking, metadynamics (MetaDy), accelerated molecular dynamics (aMD), Poisson‐Boltzmann surface analysis, grid inhomogeneous solvation theory and colony method estimation of conformational entropy allow to converge to the idea that the stabilization carried by both substitutions depend on different contributions of three classic mechanisms: (i) electrostatic surface stabilization; (ii) efficient isolation of the hydrophobic core from the solvent, with energetic advantages at the solvation cap; (iii) higher distribution of the protein dynamics at the mobile active site loops than at the protein core, with functional and entropic advantages. Mechanisms i and ii predominate for TR1, while in TR2, mechanism iii is dominant. Loop A integrity and loops A, C, D, and E dynamics play critical roles in such mechanisms. Comparison of the dynamic and topological changes observed between the thermostable mutants and the wildtype protein with amino acid co‐evolutive networks and thermostabilizing hotspots from the literature allow inferring that the mechanisms here recovered can be related to the thermostability obtained by different substitutions along the whole family GH1. We hope the results and insights discussed here can be helpful for future rational approaches to the engineering of optimized β‐glucosidases for 2G‐biofuel production for industry, biotechnology, and science.
3, 14, 19‐Triacetyl Andrographolide alleviates the cognitive dysfunction of 3 × Tg‐AD mice by inducing initiation and promoting degradation process of autophagy
Authors: Zhang Haiyu , Xie Xinmei , Shi Junzhuo , Zhao Qian , Luo Dongmei , Hao Jiaojiao , Zhou Yunfeng , Han Guang , Pang Xiaobin 
Published: September 2022

AbstractThe present study aims to investigate the cognition‐enhancing effect of 3, 14, 19‐Triacetyl andrographolide (ADA) on learning and memory deficits in 3 × Tg‐AD mice and to explore its underlying mechanism. Eight‐month‐old 3 × Tg‐AD mice and C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into three groups, namely wild‐type group, 3 × Tg‐AD group, and 3 × Tg‐AD+ADA group (5 mg/kg, for 21 days, i.p.). We found that ADA significantly improved learning and cognition impairment, inhibited the loss of Nissl body, and reduced Aβ load in the brains of 3 × Tg‐AD mice. In addition, ADA enhanced the levels of PSD95 and SYP, which were closely associated with synaptic plasticity. Accumulated autophagosomes, LC3II, and P62 in hippocampus and cortex of 3 × Tg‐AD mice were decreased by ADA treatment. Furthermore, ADA administration further down‐regulated the expressions of p‐AKT and p‐mTOR, reduced the level of CTSB, and increased the co‐localization of LC3 and LAMP1 in the brains of 3 × Tg‐AD mice, implying that ADA‐induced autophagy initiation and also promoted the degradation process. In Aβ25–35‐induced HT22 cells, ADA displayed similar effects on autophagy flux as observed in 3 × Tg‐AD mice. Our finding verified that ADA could improve synaptic plasticity and cognitive function, which is mainly attributed to the key roles of ADA in autophagy induction and degradation.
Piperine attenuates the inflammation, oxidative stress, and pyroptosis to facilitate recovery from spinal cord injury via autophagy enhancement
Authors: Zhang Haojie , Wu Chenyu , Yu Dong‐dong , Su Haohan , Chen Yanlin , Ni Wenfei 
Published: September 2022

AbstractSpinal cord injury (SCI) is a serious injury that can lead to irreversible motor dysfunction. Due to its complicated pathogenic mechanism, there are no effective drug treatments. Piperine, a natural active alkaloid extracted from black pepper, has been reported to influence neurogenesis and exert a neuroprotective effect in traumatic brain injury. The aim of this study was to investigate the therapeutic effect of piperine in an SCI model. SCI was induced in mice by clamping the spinal cord with a vascular clip for 1 min. Before SCI and every 2 days post‐SCI, evaluations using the Basso mouse scale and inclined plane tests were performed. On day 28 after SCI, footprint analyses, and HE/Masson staining of tissues were performed. On a postoperative Day 3, the spinal cord was harvested to assess the levels of pyroptosis, reactive oxygen species (ROS), inflammation, and autophagy. Piperine enhanced functional recovery after SCI. Additionally, piperine reduced inflammation, oxidative stress, pyroptosis, and activated autophagy. However, the effects of piperine on functional recovery after SCI were reversed by autophagy inhibition. The study demonstrated that piperine facilitated functional recovery after SCI by inhibiting inflammatory, oxidative stress, and pyroptosis, mediated by the activation of autophagy.
Asynchronous output feedback control for Markov jump systems under dynamic event‐triggered strategy
Authors: Xiao Zehui , Chen Jiawei , Xu Muxi , Zhang Xuexi , Tao Jie 
Published: September 2022

AbstractThis article addresses the synthesis of static output feedback stabilization via employing event‐based control, for discrete‐time Markov jump systems subject to limited bandwidth and mismatched modes. The event‐triggered communication strategy with an extra dynamic variable is considered in the design of controller to alleviate transmission burden. Then, for the purpose of further improving system performance, a special triggering threshold constructed as a diagonal matrix is introduced. Asynchronous behavior caused by mismatched modes between the controller and controlled systems is depicted by utilizing a hidden Markov model. With the assistance of output feedback theory, an asynchronous event‐based output feedback control law is sufficiently formulated to achieve the stochastic stabilization with desired performance. Ultimately, an illustrative example is implemented to verify the feasibility of theoretical results.
Multimodel evaluation of longitudinal stream temperature gradient and dominant influencing factors in Michigan streams
Authors: Andrews Ryan M. , Hayes Daniel B. , Zorn Troy G. 
Published: September 2022

AbstractStream temperature is an important determinant of fish growth, migration, and survival and can thus impact the structure and function of stream ecosystems. Many streams in Michigan and elsewhere in North America receive groundwater inputs that help regulate instream conditions by stabilizing discharge as well as stream temperature. However, groundwater withdrawal can cause reductions in streamflow which typically results in increased summer stream temperatures. Other atmospheric and hydrologic variables (i.e., overland discharge) also impact the rate at which stream temperature changes as it flows downstream. We deployed paired up‐ and downstream water pressure and temperature loggers within 21 stream reaches throughout the state of Michigan to quantify and model relationships between stream discharge, air temperature, and longitudinal change in stream temperature (i.e., temperature gradient). Using multimodel selection criteria, we evaluated the performance of a hierarchical suite of models that predict temperature gradient as a function of potential driving variables. The multimodel selection criteria identified a best‐fitting model that was able to model the diurnal, seasonal, and annual variations in rates of longitudinal temperature fluctuations across most sample streams. Partial regression analysis indicated that proxy variables representing solar radiation at the stream surface were generally the most influential predictors of longitudinal changes in stream temperature, but air temperature and components of streamflow including groundwater input were significant predictors and important in many streams.
The form evolution and environmental adaptaion of villages along a river: A case study of the dong villages in the Gaojin‐Bazhai Valley
Authors: Gao Mengyao , Yang Jingming , Chen Song , Pan Ziyan , Zhou Zhengxu 
Published: September 2022

AbstractWith the overall improvement of China's rural settlements, the spatial form of villages has undergone dramatic changes. The Dong villages in the mountainous regions of southwest China are closely tied to rivers and have always maintained remarkable water adaptability even under the intense development and construction disturbances of the past 30 years, providing a direct model for the sustainable development of modern communities. This paper takes the Gaojin‐Bazhai valley, Guizhou Province, and the eight Dong villages in it as a case study, using multisource data such as high‐resolution historical satellite imagery, participatory spatial mapping, interviews with key figures, and ethnography, and integrates the research methods of spatial analysis and anthropological field surveys to trace village spatial development at three levels: valley, village, and building groups. The study reveals the interaction between the Dong villages and the water environment over a long time period, and reveals a coupled artificial–natural interaction mechanism with water adaptation as the core, which is specifically interpreted as restriction, induced, adjustment, and synergy effects. With the aim of promoting a more effective succession of this mechanism, we also propose policy recommendations for the development of the water environment in the river basin as a response to the challenges arising from the ecological and ethnological conflict brought by modernization and tourism.
Innovative urban design for low‐carbon sustainable development: Evidence from China's innovative city pilots
Authors: Jiang Nana , Jiang Wei , Chen Haibo 
Published: September 2022

AbstractAs a sustainable urban design, innovative city pilots offer a way for developing countries to achieve carbon reduction goals. To date, a total of 78 innovative cities have been established in China. In this context, this study examines whether innovative city construction can contribute to meet carbon mitigation targets. On the basis of expounding the mechanism of innovative city pilots on carbon emissions, the multiperiod difference in differences method is applied to investigate the average treatment effect and the mediating effect model is used to validate the transmission mechanism. The results show that innovative city pilots significantly reduce carbon emissions. Compared to nonpilot areas, the pilot areas reduce carbon emissions by 15%. Specifically, technological innovation is the primary channels for innovative city pilots to influence carbon emissions but industrial structure effect does not work. Furthermore, the superimposed effect analysis indicates that the carbon reduction effect of the city as both innovative city pilot and other pilot (low‐carbon pilot, broadband China pilot, intellectual property pilot) is greater than that of a single pilot. Results of heterogeneity analysis indicate that carbon mitigation efforts are more effective in central and western cities, nonmega cities, resource‐based cities and cities with high human capital and financial development. In addition, the pilot policy has a positive spatial spillover effects on carbon reduction in cities with geographical proximity and economic ties. These results can contribute to precisely assess the environment benefits of promoting innovative city pilot projects and provide a decision making reference for fighting climate change in the era of knowledge economy.
Progression models for repeated measures: Estimating novel treatment effects in progressive diseases
Authors: Raket Lars Lau 
Published: September 2022

Mixed models for repeated measures (MMRMs) are ubiquitous when analyzing outcomes of clinical trials. However, the linearity of the fixed‐effect structure in these models largely restrict their use to estimating treatment effects that are defined as linear combinations of effects on the outcome scale. In some situations, alternative quantifications of treatment effects may be more appropriate. In progressive diseases, for example, one may want to estimate if a drug has cumulative effects resulting in increasing efficacy over time or whether it slows the time progression of disease. This article introduces a class of nonlinear mixed‐effects models called progression models for repeated measures (PMRMs) that, based on a continuous‐time extension of the categorical‐time parametrization of MMRMs, enables estimation of novel types of treatment effects, including measures of slowing or delay of the time progression of disease. Compared to conventional estimates of treatment effects where the unit matches that of the outcome scale (eg, 2 points benefit on a cognitive scale), the time‐based treatment effects can offer better interpretability and clinical meaningfulness (eg, 6 months delay in progression of cognitive decline). The PMRM class includes conventionally used MMRMs and related models for longitudinal data analysis, as well as variants of previously proposed disease progression models as special cases. The potential of the PMRM framework is illustrated using both simulated and historical data from clinical trials in Alzheimer's disease with different types of artificially simulated treatment effects. Compared to conventional models it is shown that PMRMs can offer substantially increased power to detect disease‐modifying treatment effects where the benefit is increasing with treatment duration.
Electronic Metal–Support Interaction Triggering Interfacial Charge Polarization over CuPd/N‐Doped‐C Nanohybrids Drives Selectively Electrocatalytic Conversion of Nitrate to Ammonia
Authors: Xu You , Shi Keke , Ren Tianlun , Yu Hongjie , Deng Kai , Wang Xin , Wang Ziqiang , Wang Hongjing , Wang Liang 
Published: September 2022

AbstractSelective electrocatalytic nitrate‐to‐ammonia conversion holds significant potential in treatment of nitrate wastewater and simultaneously produces high‐value‐added ammonia. However, today's development of nitrate‐to‐ammonia technology remains hindered by the lack of electrocatalysts with high activity and selectivity. In this work, metal‐organic framework‐derived CuPd bimetallic nanoparticles/nitrogen‐doped carbon (CuPd/CN) hybrid nanoarrays for efficient ammonia electrosynthesis from nitrate are designed and synthesized. Systematic characterization reveals that the electronic metal–support interaction between the CuPd nanoparticles and N‐doped nanocarbon matrix could trigger interfacial charge polarization over the CuPd/CN composite and make Cu sites electron deficient, which is conducive to the adsorption of nitrate ions. Moreover, the Pd atom sites separate by Cu atoms and could catalyze the dissociation of H2O molecules to form adsorbed H species, which evolves into hydrogen radicals and behaves as the dominant reactive species in accelerating nitrate‐to‐ammonia electrocatalysis. These advantages endow the CuPd/CN nanoarrays with high faradaic efficiency (96.16%), selectivity (92.08%) as well as excellent catalytic stability for electroreduction of nitrate to ammonia.
Crossing‐Gate Rod Breakage Detection in a Railway Telemeter System Using Machine Learning
Authors: Kashiwao Tomoaki , Tanoue Hiroya , Shiraishi Noriyuki , Misaki Yuki , Ando Takashi , Ikeda Kenji , Tanaka Daisuke 
Published: September 2022

AbstractShikoku Railway Company (JR Shikoku) has installed a telemeter system whose network spreads across all the railway lines in the Shikoku area. The telemeter system monitors and collects real‐time data, e.g. current, voltage, and relay signals of railway equipment. We propose a method of detecting the breakage of a crossing‐gate rod based on big data using representative machine‐learning techniques, namely, random forest and support vector machine. Moreover, we evaluate the proposed method for rod breakage cases at seven locations and demonstrate its effectiveness and versatility. © 2022 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.
Kurarinone attenuates hydrogen peroxide‐induced oxidative stress and apoptosis through activating the PI3K/Akt signaling by upregulating IGF1 expression in human ovarian granulosa cells
Authors: Li Weiwei , Yin Xiurong , Yan Yani , Liu Cong , Li Gang 
Published: September 2022

AbstractDysregulated follicular development may lead to follicular atresia, and this is associated with oxidative stress in granulosa cells. Kurarinone is a natural compound possessing multiple activities, including antioxidative ability. However, the role of kurarinone in granulosa cell damage during follicular atresia remains unknown. Human ovarian granulosa KGN cells were treated with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) to induce cellular damage. Cytotoxicity was investigated by lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release assay. Oxidative stress was evaluated by detection of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and oxidative biomarker levels. Cell apoptosis was evaluated by flow cytometry, a Cell Death Detection ELISA Kit, and a Caspase‐3 Assay Kit. The downstream target and related signaling pathway were analyzed by western blotting. Kurarinone attenuated H2O2‐induced LDH release in KGN cells. Kurarinone relieved H2O2‐induced increase in ROS generation and malondialdehyde level as well as decrease in superoxide dismutase‐1 activity and heme oxygenase 1 and NAD(P)H quinone dehydrogenase 1 mRNA levels. Kurarinone inhibited H2O2‐induced apoptosis in KGN cells. Kurarinone targeted insulin‐like growth factor 1 (IGF1) and upregulated IGF1 expression to activate the phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt) signaling. IGF1 silencing attenuated the suppressive effects of kurarinone on H2O2‐induced oxidative stress and apoptosis in KGN cells. In conclusion, kurarinone attenuates H2O2‐induced oxidative stress and apoptosis in KGN cells through activating the PI3K/Akt signaling by upregulating IGF1 expression, indicating the therapeutic potential of kurarinone in follicular atresia.
Multiple sacro‐coccygeal dermoid sinuses on a Thai Ridgeback
Authors: Manzanedo‐Delgado Alba , Mielke Ben , Sánchez‐Masián Daniel 
Published: September 2022

AbstractA 16‐month‐old, female entire, Thai Ridgeback was presented for evaluation of a two subcutaneous, non‐painful, fluctuant masses associated with two firm tubular tracts in the soft tissue dorsal to the sacrum and proximal caudal vertebrae originating at the skin surface slightly to the right of the tail base. Physical and neurological examination was otherwise normal. Magnetic resonance imaging of the lumbosacral spine revealed two dermoid sinuses type I and type II. Surgical resection and histopathological examination confirmed the presumed diagnosis. To the authors’ knowledge, the presence of two dermoid sinuses in this location has not been previously described in a Thai Ridgeback or in another dog breed in the veterinary literature. The prognosis following surgical resection appears favourable.