Ergovaline (EV) was isolated from Acremonium coenophialum-infected tall fescue seed. Seed (2 kg) was extracted with 20 L of 5% lactic acid in water/methanol(4:1), filtered, and passed over an Amberlite XAD-2 column. Ergovaline was eluted with MeOH, concentrated, and chromatographed on two reversedphase C18 columns (purity > 95%, 40% overall recovery). It was administered to rats (15 pg/kg of BW, ip) a t 22 "C to determine time-related acute effects on thermoregulatory ability. Rectal temperature in EV-treated rats decreased 1.6 O C by 50 min (p 5 0.05), due to reduction in heat production ( p 5 0.05) and increase in heat loss across the tail ( p I 0.05) a t 10-20 min postinjection. This study provides a rapid, economical method for milligram-scale isolation of ergovaline and defines the thermoregulatory mechanisms responsible for ergovaline-induced hypothermia under nonstress conditions.

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Drawing on data from the 2016 National Assessment of Collegiate Capacity in China, the study on which this article reports explored the value‐added effects of critical thinking capacity in higher education. Specifically, the analysis was developed using the difference in residuals model based on the Hierarchical Linear Modelling approach. The results show that, first, critical thinking capacity is malleable and can be improved through undergraduate education. Second, the results demonstrate that the value‐added effects of undergraduate education on college students' critical thinking capacity are heterogeneous. Only half of the value‐added effects achieved in higher education in China were positive. Third, the size of value‐added effects was not fully aligned with the level of the institutions. High‐ranking universities did not always perform well in achieving high value‐added effects on critical thinking capacity. This study analyses the reasons why some universities in China face insurmountable challenges in efforts to improve college students' critical thinking capacity. Challenges are highlighted from multiple perspectives. Corresponding improvement strategies are proposed in the concluding discussion.

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