bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assembly of a Ternary Metallopeptide Complex at Specific DNA Sites Mediated by an AT‐Hook Adaptor
Authors: Learte‐Aymamí Soraya , Rodríguez Jéssica , Vázquez M. Eugenio , Mascareñas José L.
Published: April 2020

The nickel(II)‐mediated self‐assembly of a multimeric DNA binder is described. The binder is composed of two metal‐chelating peptides derived from a bZIP transcription factor (brHis2) and one short AT‐hook domain equipped with two bipyridine ligands (HkBpy2). These peptides reversibly assemble in the presence of NiII ions at selected DNA sequences of 13 base pairs.
Bulk Nanostructuring of Janus‐Type Metal Electrodes
Authors: Gao Dandan , Liu Si , Liu Rongji , Streb Carsten
Published: April 2020

The stable deposition of reactive nanostructures on metal electrodes is a key process for modern technologies including energy conversion/ storage, electrocatalysis or sensing. Here a facile, scalable route is reported, which allows the bulk nanostructuring of copper foam electrodes with metal, metal oxide or metal hydroxide nanostructures. A concentration‐gradient driven synthetic approach enables the fabrication of Janus‐type electrodes where one face features Cu(OH)2 nanowires, while the other face features CuO nanoflowers. Thermal or chemical conversion of the nanostructured surfaces into copper oxide or copper metal is possible whilst retaining the respective nanostructure morphologies. As proof of concept, the functionalized electrodes are promising in electrocatalytic water oxidation and water reduction reactions.
Small Gold(I) and Gold(I)–Silver(I) Clusters by C−Si Auration
Authors: Pei Xiao‐Li , Pereira Ana , Smirnova Ekaterina S. , Echavarren Antonio M.
Published: April 2020

Auration of o‐trimethylsilyl arylphosphines leads to the formation of gold and gold–silver clusters with ortho‐metalated phosphines displaying 3c–2e Au−C−M bonds (M=Au/Ag). Hexagold clusters [Au6L4](X)2 are obtained by reaction of (L−TMS)AuCl with AgX, whereas reaction with AgX and Ag2O leads to gold–silver clusters [Au4Ag2L4](X)2. Oxo‐trigold(I) species [Au3O]+ were identified as the intermediates in the formation of the silver‐doped clusters. Other [Au5], [Au4Ag], and [Au12Ag4] clusters were also obtained. Clusters containing PAu−Au−AuP structural motif display good catalytic activity in the activation of alkynes under homogeneous conditions.
Spironolactone metabolite concentrations in decompensated heart failure: insights from the ATHENA‐HF trial
Authors: de Denus Simon , Leclair Grégoire , Dubé Marie‐Pierre , St‐Jean Isabelle , Zada Yassamin Feroz , Oussaïd Essaïd , Jutras Martin , Givertz Michael M. , Mentz Robert J. , Tang W.H. Wilson , Ferreira João Pedro , Rouleau Jean , Butler Javed , Kalogeropoulos Andreas P.
Published: April 2020

Aims

In Aldosterone Targeted Neurohormonal Combined with Natriuresis Therapy in Heart Failure (ATHENA‐HF), high‐dose spironolactone (100 mg daily) did not improve efficacy endpoints over usual care [placebo or continued low‐dose spironolactone (25 mg daily) in patients already receiving spironolactone] in the treatment of acute heart failure (HF). We hypothesized that low concentrations of the long‐acting active metabolites of spironolactone [canrenone and 7α‐thiomethylspironolactone (7α‐TMS)] in the high‐dose group could have contributed to these neutral results.

Methods and results

In patients randomized to high‐dose spironolactone not previously treated with spironolactone (high‐dose‐naïve, n = 112), concentrations of canrenone and 7α‐TMS increased at 48 and 96 h compared to baseline, and between 48 and 96 h (all P < 0.005), indicating that steady‐state concentrations had not been reached by 48 h. In patients previously on low‐dose, high‐dose spironolactone (high‐dose‐previous, n = 37), concentrations of canrenone increased at 48 and 96 h compared to baseline (both P < 0.0005), with a marginal increase between 48 and 96 h (P = 0.0507). At 48 h, both high‐dose groups had higher concentrations of both metabolites than the low‐dose spironolactone group (P < 0.0001). Moreover, concentrations of both metabolites were higher in high‐dose‐previous vs. high‐dose‐naïve patients (P < 0.01), indicating that previous spironolactone use was significant, and that steady‐state has not been reached in high‐dose‐naïve patients at 48 h. We found limited and inconsistent evidence of correlation between metabolite concentrations and endpoints.

Conclusions

Lower‐than‐anticipated concentrations of spironolactone active metabolites were observed for at least 48 h in the high‐dose spironolactone group and may have contributed to the absence of pharmacological effects of spironolactone in the ATHENA‐HF trial.
Bond Activations Assisted by Redox Active Ligand Scaffolds
Authors: Khan Farheen Fatima , Chowdhury Abhishek Dutta , Lahiri Goutam Kumar
Published: April 2020

Invited for the cover of this issue is the group of Professor Goutam Kumar Lahiri from the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, India. The cover image shows a redox active ligand bound to a metal that brings about bond activation.
Recent Advances in the Synthesis and Direct Application of Sulfinate Salts
Authors: Liang Shuai , Hofman Kamil , Friedrich Marius , Manolikakes Georg
Published: April 2020

Sulfinate salts have attracted considerable attentions due to their versatile reactivity. They have emerged as highly useful building blocks for the construction of all kinds of sulfonyl‐group containing molecules, such as sulfones or sulfonamides, and for the construction of various carbon–carbon‐ and carbon–heteroatom‐bonds via sulfur dioxide (SO2) extrusion. Herein, we want to summarize the latest developments in the synthesis of sulfinate salts. Both improvement of classical methods and the development of various novel protocols will be discussed. Also selected one‐pot methods directly utilizing in situ generated sulfinate salts as intermediates will be covered in this review article.
Numerical modeling of fracture process using a new fracture constitutive model with applications to 2D and 3D engineering cases
Authors: Chen Junchao , Zhou Lei , Chemenda Alexandre I. , Xia Binwei , Su Xiaopeng , Shen Zhonghui
Published: April 2020

The overwhelming majority of experimental and numerical tests show the dependence of mechanical response on discontinuities (such as joints, faults, and bedding plane). In this study, fracture process is numerically investigated using finite‐difference method. A quasi‐continuum model (assuming that the real rock mass represents the sum of intact rock and fracture) has been developed to describe the fracture propagation in a fractured rock. First, this model has been validated against the experimental results and was shown to simulate satisfactorily the fracture propagation in the tensile, shear as well as the mixed (tensile and shear) modes. This model then has been used to investigate the fracture processes during the 2D long‐wall mining and 3D pillar failure. According to the 2D and 3D simulations, it was found that: (a) this model can provide a new reasonable approach to simulating fracture processes in either 2D or 3D cases; (b) roof failure is mainly caused by shear fractures rather than tensile fractures during the 2D long‐wall mining.
Gene‐based and pathway‐based testing for rare‐variant association in affected sib pairs
Authors: Romanescu Razvan G. , Green Jessica , Andrulis Irene L. , Bull Shelley B.
Published: April 2020

Next generation sequencing technologies have made it possible to investigate the role of rare variants (RVs) in disease etiology. Because RVs associated with disease susceptibility tend to be enriched in families with affected individuals, study designs based on affected sib pairs (ASP) can be more powerful than case–control studies. We construct tests of RV‐set association in ASPs for single genomic regions as well as for multiple regions. Single‐region tests can efficiently detect a gene region harboring susceptibility variants, while multiple‐region extensions are meant to capture signals dispersed across a biological pathway, potentially as a result of locus heterogeneity. Within ascertained ASPs, the test statistics contrast the frequencies of duplicate rare alleles (usually appearing on a shared haplotype) against frequencies of a single rare allele copy (appearing on a nonshared haplotype); we call these allelic parity tests. Incorporation of minor allele frequency estimates from reference populations can markedly improve test efficiency. Under various genetic penetrance models, application of the tests in simulated ASP data sets demonstrates good type I error properties as well as power gains over approaches that regress ASP rare allele counts on sharing state, especially in small samples. We discuss robustness of the allelic parity methods to the presence of genetic linkage, misspecification of reference population allele frequencies, sequencing error and de novo mutations, and population stratification. As proof of principle, we apply single‐ and multiple‐region tests in a motivating study data set consisting of whole exome sequencing of sisters ascertained with early onset breast cancer.
A new mathematical approach to the bleaching process of edible oils
Authors: Deniz Celal Utku , Bilici İbrahim , Tuncer Mehmet
Published: April 2020

BACKGROUND

As energy costs are constantly increasing, industries need to consider efficiency in all processes. Vegetable oils, which are among the daily staple foods, have large energy‐consuming processes during refining. Bleaching, one of the most important of these processes, is a process in which energy is used abundantly. In this study, system parameters of bleaching earths were experimentally investigated for a factory that processes soybean and sunflower oil.

RESULTS

The bleaching earth used was characterized using X‐ray diffraction and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) techniques, while the oils at the process outlet were analyzed according to ASTM standards. The amount of bleaching earth used and bleaching time were used as independent parameters, and color, acid and peroxide number values were determined. Furthermore, through the use of gathered experimental data, a model was developed to predict the color of products under different operating conditions. Two different approaches were used to estimate the color values of oils. According to the polynomial and thin plate spline approaches, 2–2.5 wt% bleaching earth and 60–80 min bleaching time were determined as optimum conditions.

CONCLUSION

It was determined that the ratio of bleaching earth and the bleaching time had a serious effect on the color, but their effects on acid and peroxide numbers were limited in comparison. There was no linear relationship between the bleaching time and the color change, and the excess time had a negative effect on the bleaching process depending on the amount of the bleaching earth. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
The Δ–∑ hypothesis: How contrast and reinforcement rate combine to generate suboptimal choice
Authors: González Valeria V. , Macías Alejandro , Machado Armando , Vasconcelos Marco
Published: April 2020

When given a choice between two alternatives, each offering food after the same delay with different but signaled probabilities, pigeons often prefer the low probability alternative. This preference is surprising because pigeons fail to maximize the rate of food intake; they exhibit a suboptimal preference. We advance a new explanation, the Δ–∑ hypothesis, in which the difference in probability of reinforcement within terminal links (Δ) and the overall reinforcement probability rate of each alternative (∑) are the key variables responsible for such suboptimal preference. We tested the Δ–∑ hypothesis in two experiments. In Experiment 1, we manipulated the Δs while maintaining constant all other parameters of the task, in particular the ∑s. We predicted a preference for the alternative with the larger Δ. In Experiment 2, we examined the effect of the overall reinforcement probabilities, the ∑s, while maintaining constant all other parameters of the task, in particular the Δs. We predicted a preference for the larger ∑. The results of both experiments support the Δ–∑ hypothesis.
Legacy phosphorus concentration–discharge relationships in surface runoff and tile drainage from Ohio crop fields
Authors: Osterholz William R. , Hanrahan Brittany R. , King Kevin W.
Published: April 2020

Legacy phosphorus (P) in agricultural soils can be transported to surface waters via runoff and tile drainage, where it contributes to the development of harmful and nuisance algal blooms and hypoxia. However, a limited understanding of legacy P loss dynamics impedes the identification of mitigation strategies. Edge‐of‐field data from 41 agricultural fields in northwestern Ohio, USA, were used to develop regressions between legacy P concentrations (C) and discharge (Q) for two P fractions: total P (TP) and dissolved reactive P (DRP). Tile drainage TP concentration (CTP) and DRP concentration (CDRP) both increased as Q increased, and CTP tended to increase at a greater rate than CDRP. Surface runoff showed greater variation in C–Q regressions, indicating that the response of TP and DRP to elevated Q was field specific. The relative variability of C and Q was explored using a ratio of CVs (CVC/CVQ), which indicated that tile drainage TP and DRP losses were chemodynamic, whereas losses via surface runoff demonstrated both chemodynamic and chemostatic behavior. The chemodynamic behavior indicated that legacy P losses were strongly influenced by variation in P source availability and transport pathways. In addition, legacy P source size influenced C, as demonstrated by a positive relationship between soil‐test P and the CTP and CDRP in both tile drainage and surface runoff. Progress towards legacy P mitigation will require further characterization of the drivers of variability in CTP and CDRP, including weather‐, soil‐, and management‐related factors.
Editorial for “Utility of Diffusion‐Weighted Imaging for Guiding Clinical Management of Patients With Kidney Transplant: A Prospective Study”
Authors: Hussain Shahid M.
Published: April 2020

Level of Evidence

5

Technical Efficacy Stage

5 J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2020;52:575–576.
Epidemiological analysis of COVID‐19 and practical experience from China
Authors: Ye Qing , Wang Bili , Mao Jianhua , Fu Junfen , Shang Shiqiang , Shu Qiang , Zhang Ting
Published: April 2020

The rapid spread of the epidemic has aroused widespread concern in the international community. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐COV‐2) was first reported in China, with bats as the likely original hosts and pangolins as potential intermediate hosts. The current source of the disease is mainly patients infected with SARS‐COV‐2. Patients in the incubation period may also become sources of infection. The virus is mainly transmitted via respiratory droplets and contact, and the population is generally susceptible. The epidemic has progressed through the local outbreak stage and community transmission stage due to exposure at Wuhan's Huanan wholesale seafood market and is now in the stage of large‐scale transmission due to the spread of the epidemic. The basic productive number (R0) at the beginning of the epidemic was 2.2, with an average incubation period of 5.2 days. The proportion of critically ill patients was 23.4%, the mortality rate was lower than those of SARS and Middle East respiratory syndrome, and 96.5% of deaths occurred in Hubei Province, where the outbreak occurred first. Among them, elderly men with underlying diseases had a higher mortality rate. Chinese medical staff have summarized a set of effective strategies and methods in the diagnosis and treatment of this disease that are worthy of reference for their international counterparts. With powerful government intervention and the efforts of Chinese medical staff, China's outbreak has gradually improved.
Addition of adjuvant hepatic artery infusion to systemic chemotherapy following resection of colorectal liver metastases is associated with reduced liver‐related mortality
Authors: Srouji Rami , Narayan Raja , Boerner Thomas , Buisman Florian , Seier Ken , Gonen Mithat , Balachandran Vinod P. , Drebin Jeffrey , Jarnagin William R. , Kingham T. Peter , Wei Alice , Kemeny Nancy E. , D'Angelica Michael
Published: April 2020

Background

After resection of colorectal liver metastases (CRLM), recurrent disease in the liver is a major cause of death but may be reduced with the addition of adjuvant hepatic arterial infusion (HAI) chemotherapy to systemic chemotherapy (SYS).

Objective

This study investigates organ‐specific causes of death in patients receiving adjuvant HAI and SYS compared to adjuvant SYS alone.

Methods

Between 2000 and 2007, patients undergoing complete CRLM resection were identified from a prospectively maintained liver resection database and categorized as receiving HAI + SYS or SYS only. Using newly constructed definitions, mortality was attributed to specific organs (liver, lung, peritoneum, and brain) or infection. Univariate models and cumulative incidence functions were generated using competing risk methods.

Results

Of 361 eligible patients, 208 (57.6%) received HAI + SYS and 153 (42.4%) received SYS. The median follow up among survivors was 142 months (range = 12‐217 months). Ten‐year overall survival was 50.6% in the HAI + SYS group compared to 30.9% in those receiving SYS (P = .004). The 5‐year cumulative incidence of liver‐related mortality was 6.8% in the HAI + SYS group compared to 14.3% in the SYS group (P = .007).

Conclusion

The addition of HAI to SYS after CRLM resection is associated with a 50% reduction in liver‐related mortality at 5 years.
Real‐World Nonmotor Changes in Patients with Parkinson's Disease and Motor Fluctuations: J‐FIRST
Authors: Watanabe Hirohisa , Saiki Hidemoto , Chiu Shih‐Wei , Yamaguchi Takuhiro , Kashihara Kenichi , Tsuboi Yoshio , Nomoto Masahiro , Hattori Nobutaka , Maeda Tetsuya , Shimo Yasushi ,   the J‐FIRST Group
Published: April 2020

Background

Nonmotor symptoms (NMSs) of Parkinson's disease (PD) impair health‐related quality of life.

Objectives

To identify changes in NMSs during 52 weeks in Japanese PD patients exhibiting motor fluctuations.

Methods

In PD patients with ≥1 NMS and wearing‐off, changes in total/subscore of the Movement Disorder Society Unified PD Rating Scale (MDS‐UPDRS) Part I and 8‐item PD Questionnaire were assessed. Group‐based trajectory models were used to characterize longitudinal patterns of MDS‐UPDRS Part I.

Results

Data from 996 patients were analyzed. MDS‐UPDRS Part I subscores for cognitive function decreased linearly over time. Total and subscores for apathy and lightheadedness on standing significantly deteriorated with fluctuations, whereas other subscores fluctuated without significant deterioration. Changes in the MDS‐UPDRS Part I total score correlated with changes in the 8‐item PD Questionnaire total score. Based on group‐based trajectory models, longitudinal pattern analysis of MDS‐UPDRS Part I scores yielded the following 3 separate groups: unchanged (63.8%), deteriorated (20.1%), and improved (16.2%). The improved group had significantly more NMSs at baseline, significantly higher MDS‐UPDRS Part I/8‐item PD Questionnaire total scores, and modified Hoehn and Yahr scores, and had received treatment for NMSs. The multivariate analysis revealed significant associations between severe motor disability and receiving any treatment for NMSs at baseline and improvement of MDS‐UPDRS Part I total scores.

Conclusions

Changes in MDS‐UPDRS Part I scores were variable and related to changes in health‐related quality of life in PD patients with motor fluctuations.
Volumetric mapping of intra‐ and extracellular pH in the human brain using 31P MRSI at 7T
Authors: Korzowski Andreas , Weinfurtner Nina , Mueller Sebastian , Breitling Johannes , Goerke Steffen , Schlemmer Heinz‐Peter , Ladd Mark E. , Paech Daniel , Bachert Peter
Published: April 2020

Purpose

In vivo 31P MRSI enables noninvasive mapping of absolute pH values via the pH‐dependent chemical shifts of inorganic phosphates (Pi). A particular challenge is the quantification of extracellular Pi with low SNR in vivo. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate feasibility of assessing both intra‐ and extracellular pH across the whole human brain via volumetric 31P MRSI at 7T.

Methods

3D 31P MRSI data sets of the brain were acquired from three healthy volunteers and three glioma patients. Low‐rank denoising was applied to enhance the SNR of 31P MRSI data sets that enables detection of extracellular Pi at high spatial resolutions. A robust two‐compartment quantification model for intra‐ and extracellular Pi signals was implemented.

Results

In particular low‐rank denoising enabled volumetric mapping of intra‐ and extracellular pH in the human brain with voxel sizes of 5.7 mL. The average intra‐ and extracellular pH measured in white matter of healthy volunteers were 7.00 ± 0.00 and 7.33 ± 0.03, respectively. In tumor tissue of glioma patients, both the average intra‐ and extracellular pH increased to 7.12 ± 0.01 and 7.44 ± 0.01, respectively, compared to normal appearing tissue.

Conclusion

Mapping of pH values via 31P MRSI at 7T using the proposed two‐compartment quantification model improves reliability of pH values obtained in vivo, and has the potential to provide novel insights into the pH heterogeneity of various tissues.
Carbon Monoxide and Exercise Prevents Diet‐Induced Obesity and Metabolic Dysregulation Without Affecting Bone
Authors: Gasier Heath G. , Yu Tianzheng , Swift Joshua M. , Metzger Corrine E. , McNerny Erin M. , Swallow Elizabeth A. , Piantadosi Claude A. , Allen Matthew R.
Published: April 2020

Objective

Carbon monoxide (CO) may counteract obesity and metabolic dysfunction in rodents consuming high‐fat diets, but the skeletal effects are not understood. This study investigated whether low‐dose inhaled CO (250 ppm) with or without moderate intensity aerobic exercise (3 h/wk) would limit diet‐induced obesity and metabolic dysregulation and preserve bone health.

Methods

Obesity‐resistant (OR) rats served as controls, and obesity‐prone (OP) rats were randomized to sedentary, sedentary plus CO, exercise, or CO plus exercise. For 10 weeks, OP rats consumed a high‐fat, high‐sucrose diet, whereas OR rats consumed a low‐fat control diet. Measurements included indicators of obesity and metabolism, bone turnover markers, femoral geometry and microarchitecture, bone mechanical properties, and tibial morphometry.

Results

A high‐fat, high‐sucrose diet led to obesity, hyperinsulinemia, and hyperleptinemia, without impacting bone. CO alone led only to a modest reduction in weight gain. Exercise attenuated weight gain and improved the metabolic profile; however, bone fragility increased. Combined CO and exercise led to body mass reduction and a metabolic state similar to control OR rats and prevented the exercise‐induced increase in bone fragility.

Conclusions

CO and aerobic exercise training prevent obesity and metabolic sequelae of nutrient excess while stabilizing bone physiology.
Intermittent High‐Fat Diet Intake Reduces Sensitivity to Intragastric Nutrient Infusion and Exogenous Amylin in Female Rats
Authors: Maske Calyn B. , Coiduras Isabel I. , Ondriezek Zeleen E. , Terrill Sarah J. , Williams Diana L.
Published: April 2020

Objective

Intermittent (INT) access to a high‐fat diet (HFD) can induce excessive‐intake phenotypes in rodents. This study hypothesized that impaired satiation responses contribute to elevated intake in an INT‐HFD access model.

Methods

First, this study characterized the intake and meal patterns of female rats that were subjected to an INT HFD in which a 45% HFD was presented for 20 hours every fourth day. To examine nutrient‐induced satiation, rats received intragastric infusions of saline or Ensure Plus prior to darkness‐onset food access. A similar design was used to examine sensitivity to the satiating effect of amylin. This study then examined whether an INT HFD influences amylin‐induced c‐Fos in feeding‐relevant brain areas.

Results

Upon INT HFD access, rats consumed meals of larger size. The anorexic response to intragastric Ensure infusion and exogenous amylin treatment was blunted in INT rats on both chow‐only and INT‐HFD days of the diet regimen, compared with chow‐maintained and continuous‐HFD rats. An INT HFD did not influence amylin‐induced c‐Fos in the area postrema, nucleus of the solitary tract, and lateral parabrachial nucleus.

Conclusions

Impaired satiation responses, mediated in part by reduced sensitivity to amylin, may explain the elevated intake observed upon INT HFD access and may play a role in disorders of INT overconsumption, including binge eating.
Price dispersion across Indian states: A club convergence analysis
Authors: Jangam Bhushan Praveen , Akram Vaseem , Sahoo Pradipta Kumar
Published: April 2020

This study examines the price convergence across 28 Indian states and 7 union territories at an aggregate and subgroups level over the period 2011–12 to 2017–18. We employ a novel approach of Phillips and Sul panel convergence technique, which accounts for transitional dynamics and heterogeneity in the panel. The results suggest price divergence and evidence of clubs across Indian states at both aggregate and subgroup level. The outcomes of this study help policymakers in addressing the price dispersion across states, which in turn improves the market integration, allocation of resources, and standard of living.
Investigation of the structure‐activity relationship in ponericin L1 from Neoponera goeldii
Authors: Senetra Alexandria S. , Necelis Matthew R. , Caputo Gregory A.
Published: April 2020

Naturally derived antimicrobial peptides have been an area of great interest because of high selectivity against bacterial targets over host cells and the limited development of bacterial resistance to these molecules throughout evolution. There are also a significant number of venom‐derived peptides that exhibit antimicrobial activity in addition to activity against mammals or other organisms. Many venom peptides share the same net cationic, amphiphilic nature as host‐defense peptides, making them an attractive target for development as potential antibacterial agents. The peptide ponericin L1 derived from Neoponera goeldii was used as a model to investigate the role of cationic residues and net charge on peptide activity. Using a combination of spectroscopic and microbiological approaches, the role of cationic residues and net charge on antibacterial activity, lipid bilayer interactions, and bilayer and membrane permeabilization were investigated. The L1 peptide and derivatives all showed enhanced binding to lipid vesicles containing anionic lipids, but still bound to zwitterionic vesicles. None of the derivatives were especially effective at permeabilizing lipid bilayers in model vesicles, in‐tact Escherichia coli, or human red blood cells. Taken together the results indicate that the lack of facial amphiphilicity regarding charge segregation may impact the ability of the L1 peptides to effectively permeabilize bilayers despite effective binding. Additionally, increasing the net charge of the peptide by replacing the lone anionic residue with either Gln or Lys dramatically improved efficacy against several bacterial strains without increasing hemolytic activity.
Selective molecularly imprinted polymer nanofiber sorbent for the extraction of bisphenol A in a water sample
Authors: Ardekani Razieh , Borhani Sedigheh , Rezaei Behzad
Published: April 2020

Novel molecularly imprinted polymer nanofibers (MIP‐NFs) were prepared for the adsorption of bisphenol A (BPA) in a water sample using the sol–gel process and the electrospinning technique. The effects of a number of synthesis parameters on the adsorption efficiency were investigated. The successful removal of BPA from MIP‐NFs was studied using UV–visible spectroscopy. The prepared MIP‐NFs were characterized by Fourier transform infrared, field emission SEM, TEM and energy dispersive X‐ray analysis. The results showed that the required molar ratio of 3‐aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) to BPA was 15:1, which indicates a good performance in the rebinding test. Likewise, the molar ratio of APTES:acid:water was 1:2:9. The nylon 6 polymer solution, with a concentration of 12 wt%, showed a maximum adsorption capacity for BPA due to a decrease in the nanofiber diameter and an increase in the accessible sites. Furthermore, the maximum adsorption capacity of BPA was achieved at pH 7. Concerning the binding of BPA on MIP‐NFs, the experimental data matched well with the pseudo‐second‐order kinetics data and the Sips isotherm model. The saturated binding capacity for MIP‐NFs was predicted to be 115.1 mg g−1, which was more than twice as high as that for non‐imprinted polymer nanofibers (46.82 mg g−1). The results obtained in this study confirmed that the prepared MIP‐NFs showed considerable binding specificity for BPA in comparison with similar structural compounds such as phenol, naphthol and Naphthol AS, in aqueous solution. The binding capacity of MIP‐NFs remained almost constant after five cycles of reuse. The real sample analysis indicated that MIP‐NFs could be utilized as a useful sorbent material for the extraction of BPA from a water sample.
Psychological distress and quality of life following positive fecal occult blood testing in colorectal cancer screening
Authors: Vermeer Nina C. A. , van der Valk Maxime J. M. , Snijders Heleen S. , Vasen Hans F. A. , Gerritsen van der Hoop Arthur , Guicherit Onno R. , Liefers Gerrit‐Jan , van de Velde Cornelis J. H. , Stiggelbout Anne M. , Peeters Koen C. M. J.
Published: April 2020

Objective

This study aimed to assess psychological functioning, quality of life, and regret about screening after a positive fecal immunochemical test (FIT) and subsequent colonoscopy, and to evaluate changes over time.

Methods

This is a prospective cohort study. Individuals aged 55 to 75 with a positive FIT that were referred for colonoscopy between July 2017 and November 2018, were invited to complete questionnaires related to psychological distress and health‐related quality of life at three predefined time points: before colonoscopy, after histopathology result notification, and after 6 months. Four questionnaires were used: the Psychological Consequences Questionnaire (PCQ), the six‐item Cancer Worry Scale (CWS), the Decision Regret Scale (DRS), and the 36‐item Short‐Form (SF‐36).

Results

A total of 1066 participants out of 2151 eligible individuals were included. Patients with cancer showed a significant increase in psychological dysfunction (P = .01) and cancer worry (P = .008) after colonoscopy result notification, and a decline to pre‐colonoscopy measurements after 6 months. In the no‐cancer groups, psychological dysfunction and cancer worry significantly decreased over time (P < .05) but there was no ongoing decline. After 6 months, 17% of participants with no cancer experienced high level of cancer worry (CWS ≥ 10). Yet, only 5% reported high level of regret about screening participation (DRS > 25). A good global quality of life was reported in participants with no cancer.

Conclusion

Some psychological distress remains up to 6 months after colonoscopy in participants who tested false‐positive in the Dutch bowel cancer screening program.
Cultivation of Agaricus bitorquis mushroom as an strategy for the Integrated Pest Management of the myceliophagous mite Microdispus lambi
Authors: Navarro María J , López‐Serrano Francisco R , Escudero‐Colomar Lucía A , Gea Francisco J
Published: April 2020

BACKGROUND

The phorid fly Megaselia halterata Winnertz (Diptera: Phoridae) is the principal vector of Microdispus lambi (Acari: Pygmephoroidea) in Spanish Agaricus bisporus Lange (Imbach) mushroom farms. This myceliophagous mite does not appear to be a pest in Agaricus bitorquis (Quél.) Sacc mushroom crops. This study explores the role of phorid flies as vectors of Microdispus lambi in Agaricus bitorquis mushroom crops.

RESULTS

The incidence of M. lambi in A. bitorquis growing substrates did not reach appreciable levels at any point during the growing cycle. The presence of phorid flies in A. bitorquis farms was normally higher than that in the case of Agaricus bisporus Lange (Imbach) species. The percentage of phorid vectors did not statistically differ between both Agaricus crops during infection periods. However, by the end of the crop, this percentage had increased only in A. bisporus crops, coinciding with a high incidence of mites in the substrate of this mushroom species; Megaselia halterata emerging from the mushroom substrate of A. bitorquis summer crops did not carry mites as they were absent from compost and casing.

CONCLUSION

M. halterata is a pest in Spanish A. bitorquis mushroom crops, meanwhile M. lambi, its phorectic mite, has shown not to be a pest of this species mushroom farms during the spring–summer growing season. A. bitorquis crops could potentially be used as an IPM measure to decrease the incidence and prevent the propagation of the myceliophagous mite M. lambi in A. bisporus mushroom growing farms. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Analysis of environment response effects on excitation energies within subsystem‐based time‐dependent density‐functional theory
Authors: Scholz Linus , Tölle Johannes , Neugebauer Johannes
Published: April 2020

We analyze the ability of subsystem time‐dependent density‐functional theory (sTDDFT) to describe environmental response effects. To this end, we utilize the recently proposed “exact” version of sTDDFT relying on projection‐based embedding (PbE), which so far was applied only for the special case of two subsystems. We confirm that PbE‐sTDDFT in combination with supersystem bases yields results equivalent to those of supermolecular TDDFT calculations for systems solvated by many solvent molecules, using the previously studied system of methylene‐cyclopropene⋯(H2O)17 as an example. By means of this exact reference embedding framework, we are able to disentangle solvent effects introduced in terms of the embedding potential from those caused by solvent response couplings, both for the PbE variant and for sTDDFT with approximate non‐additive kinetic energy functionals. Furthermore, we show that the use of a monomer basis introduces significant errors for the environmental response contribution. Employing a virtual‐orbital localization strategy on top of PbE‐sTDDFT, we can also directly assess the impact of inter‐subsystem charge‐transfer excitations on the entire solvent effect, which turn out to play a significant role for the environmental response. Finally, we analyze the response effects introduced by the individual solvent molecules and their interdependence, and show that a simple, pair‐wise additive correction for solvent response yields excellent results in the present example.
B13+is a Tri‐Spoke Wheel: A New Revelation through Electronic Structure Analysis
Authors: Ghosh Sourav Ranjan , Jana Atish Dipankar
Published: April 2020

B13+ cluster has drawn considerable attention of the scientific community due to its promising molecular motor behaviour where the outer ring of ten boron atoms freely rotates around a triangular core. During this rotor action, the cluster undergoes successive transformation between a transition state (TS) and a global minimum energy state (GS). The electron density distribution analysis reveals that the core is connected to the periphery at three regions by concentrated high electron density paths making the topology of the cluster analogous to that of a tri‐spoke wheel. Also the periphery and core act as two quasi‐independent entities. The pathway of inter conversion between TS and GS has been studied through surface electron density distribution, atomic connectivity index (CI), Fuzzy bond order (FBO), electron localization function (ELF), atom in molecules (AIM) analysis. The electron localization function (ELF) analysis has revealed that electron in GS is more globally delocalized compared to TS making it more stable.
Enhanced Methanol Electro‐Oxidation Activity of Pt/rGO Electrocatalyst Promoted by NbC/Mo2C Phases
Authors: Sahoo Malaya K. , Rao G. Ranga
Published: April 2020

Direct methanol fuel cells are attractive power conversion devices for portable and stationary applications. Many electrocatalysts have been explored for fuel cell applications but there is scope to design newer and more efficient electrocatalytic materials. For this purpose we have synthesized Mo2C and bimetallic NbC‐Mo2C carbide phases by carbothermic reduction process. The carbide catalysts are characterized by various analytical techniques. The carbide samples are higly porous and their surface areas are of the order of 630 m2 g−1. Usually Pt is the state‐of‐the‐art anode catalyst in direct methanol fuel cells. Here, Nb‐Mo2C and 10 wt% Pt nanoparticles are deposited on reduced graphene oxide support to obtain Pt/Nb‐Mo2C‐rGO. This material shows highest mass activity of 836.4 mA mgPt−1 when compared to 10 wt% Pt/Mo2C‐rGO and bare 20 wt% Pt/rGO catalysts. Notably, electrochemical tests show that the 10 wt% Pt/Nb‐Mo2C‐rGO catalyst exhibits lower onset potential, large electrochemical surface area, higher activity, and stability for methanol electro‐oxidation in acidic solution compared to the Pt/Mo2C‐rGO and Pt/rGO catalysts. The activty enhancement is atributed to the defective nature of the interface between Pt, Nb‐Mo2C and rGO. It is found that Nb‐Mo2C not only alleviates CO poisoning of Pt nanoparticles, but also generates oxygen containing species at lower potentials. This process helps scavenging the intermediate species such as COads on Pt surfaces and regenerates the active Pt sites for routine alcohol oxidation reaction. The chronopotentiometry and chronoamperometry studies also show that Pt/Nb‐Mo2C‐rGO exhibits lower alcohol oxidation overpotential and longer polarization time/stability compared to Pt/Mo2C‐rGO and bare Pt/rGO catalysts.
PSSCC: Provably secure communication framework for crowdsourced industrial Internet of Things environments
Authors: Dharminder Dharminder , Mishra Dheerendra , Rodrigues Joel J. P. C. , de A. L. Rabelo Ricardo , Saleem Kashif
Published: April 2020

Internet of things environment is adopted widely in different industries and business organizations with varying capacity. It provides a favorable environment to outsource the crowdsourced data in the cloud to minimize the cost of computation, which is called crowdsourcing. Crowdsourcing is a technique where individuals or organizations obtain goods and services. A professional or industry outsource the crowdsourced data in the cloud, where confidentiality and authenticity of data become essential. Signcryption is the cryptographic technique that serves both the authenticity and the privacy of transmitted messages. This technique ensures secure authentic data transmission and storage. Therefore, this paper proposes an identity‐based signcryption scheme. In the proposed PSSCC framework, the user does pairing free computation during signcryption, which makes efficient calculation on user‐side. Moreover, PSSCC framework is proved secure under modified bilinear Diffie‐Hellman inversion and modified bilinear strong Diffie‐Hellman problems. The performance analysis of PSSCC with related schemes indicates that the proposed system supports efficient communication along with less computation cost.
The circularity reading of Frege’s indefinability argument
Authors: Kim Junyeol ,   Philosophy Documentation Center
Published: April 2020

This paper criticizes the circularity reading of Frege's argument for the indefinability of truth. According to this reading, Frege is appealing to a sort of circularity in the argument. I argue that the circularity reading is interpretatively incorrect, or makes Frege's argument a non-starter.
Starting From Scratch (Jr.): Integrating Code Literacy in the Primary Grades
Authors: Delacruz Stacy
Published: April 2020

In today’s multimodal landscape, coding has a space in the elementary literacy curriculum. Coding and literacy have many parallels, which are described in further detail. The author also explains why coding should be integrated into the primary grades and the steps that teachers can take to implement coding in the literacy curriculum. The free app ScratchJr is used to illustrate how block coding can be integrated into literacy instruction. The author provides an example, embedded throughout, of how code literacy was implemented in a second‐grade classroom, with relation to content area literacy in science.
Gene Transcript Profiling in Desert Bighorn Sheep
Authors: Bowen Lizabeth , Longshore Kathleen , Wolff Peregrine , Klinger Robert , Cox Michael , Bullock Sarah , Waters Shannon , Miles A. Keith
Published: April 2020

Respiratory disease is a key factor affecting the conservation and recovery of bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) populations. Innovative, minimally invasive tools such as gene transcription–based diagnostics have the potential to improve our understanding of the broad range of factors that can affect the health of wild sheep. Evaluation of transcript levels for genes representative of multiple internal systems enables measurement of physiological responses of individuals as well as populations to environmental stressors such as pathogens, nutritional deficiency, or contaminants. We developed real‐time polymerase chain reaction assays for 14 genes of interest representing systems including inflammation, cell signaling, detoxification, antiviral, antibacterial, or general stress. Initial results from desert bighorn sheep (O. c. nelsoni) sampled from the River, Muddy, and Bare mountains as well as from the Pintwater Range, in southern Nevada, USA, indicated unique transcript profiles associated with each population. This initial study provides the framework from which controlled variable or longitudinal studies can be made, thus augmenting the potential to inform management actions in the future. © 2020 The Wildlife Society.
Modelling Annual Southern Appalachian Acorn Production Using Visual Surveys
Authors: Greenberg Cathryn H.
Published: April 2020

Acorn production varies considerably among species, locations, and years with potential effects on populations of acorn‐consuming wildlife, oak (Quercus spp.) regeneration, and forest ecology. Methods to estimate annual acorn crop size include acorn‐trapping (quantitative) or visual surveys (indices or ranks). Forest managers need a tool for converting visual survey data to quantitative estimates of acorn yield within specific years and areas. I used 7 years (2006–2010, 2012, 2016) of visual acorn survey data with acorn trap data from the same individual trees of 5 common eastern oak species in the Pisgah National Forest, North Carolina, USA, to determine whether a known within‐year relationship between the proportion of oaks bearing acorns (PBA) and acorn density using trap data (PBA‐trap) could be used to predict quantitative (no. of acorns per oak), within‐year acorn crops using visual survey data (PBA‐visual). At the individual tree level, visually determined percent crown with acorns (PCA‐visual) and number of acorns/m2 trap or per crown were correlated for all oak subgroups (species, subgenera, and all oaks combined). At the population level, mean PCA‐visual was correlated with the mean number of acorns/m2 trap or per crown for black oak (Q. velutina). Both PBA‐visual and mean PCA‐visual, and PBA‐visual and PBA‐trap were correlated for all oak subgroups. At the population level, PBA‐visual was a strong predictor of the mean number of acorns/m2 trap or per crown for most oak subgroups. Model results can be used as an index of crop size by comparing number of acorns/m2 trap or per crown among years or applied to oak inventory data to quantitatively estimate annual acorn crop sizes at the stand level or landscape level. This method enables users to estimate and compare the number of acorns produced within specific years and landscapes, rather than rely on qualitative hard‐mast indices. Published 2020. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
Covariant formulation of BPS black holes and the scalar weak gravity conjecture
Authors: Dall’Agata Gianguido , Morittu Matteo
Published: April 2020

Abstract

In this note we analyze the BPS black hole equations in extended supergravities and we find two interesting relations involving first and second derivatives of combinations of the central charges. One relation is a new identity that solely relies on the geometric properties of the scalar manifolds of extended supergravity theories. The other relation is a generalization of a scalar weak gravity conjecture relation conjectured by Palti and uses properties of the underlying black hole solution. We also provide for the first time an explicit covariant construction of the BPS squared action for such solutions.
General F-theory models with tuned (SU(3) × SU(2) × U(1))/ℤ6 symmetry
Authors: Raghuram Nikhil , Taylor Washington , Turner Andrew P.
Published: April 2020

Abstract

We construct a general form for an F-theory Weierstrass model over a general base giving a 6D or 4D supergravity theory with gauge group (SU(3) × SU(2) × U(1))/ℤ6 and generic associated matter, which includes the matter content of the standard model. The Weierstrass model is identified by unHiggsing a model with U(1) gauge symmetry and charges q ≤ 4 previously found by the first author. This model includes two distinct branches that were identified in earlier work, and includes as a special case the class of models recently studied by Cvetič, Halverson, Lin, Liu, and Tian, for which we demonstrate explicitly the possibility of unification through an SU(5) unHiggsing. We develop a systematic methodology for checking that a parameterized class of F-theory Weierstrass models with a given gauge group G and fixed matter content is generic (contains all allowed moduli) and confirm that this holds for the models constructed here.
Associations of birthweight and history of childhood obesity with beta cell mass in Japanese adults
Authors: Sasaki Hironobu , Saisho Yoshifumi , Inaishi Jun , Watanabe Yuusuke , Tsuchiya Tami , Makio Masayoshi , Sato Midori , Kitago Minoru , Yamada Taketo , Itoh Hiroshi
Published: April 2020

Aims/hypothesis

Low birthweight is associated with a high risk of diabetes, but there are no reports discussing birthweight and pancreatic tissues in humans. The purpose of this study was to examine the correlation between birthweight and beta and alpha cell mass in humans.

Methods

Sixty-four Japanese adults with and without diabetes who underwent pancreatectomy and were able to recall their weight history including birthweight were included. Pancreatic tissues were stained for insulin and glucagon, and fractional beta cell area (BCA) and alpha cell area (ACA) were quantified. Islet size and density and beta cell replication were also quantified and their associations with birthweight were evaluated.

Results

In participants without diabetes, there was a weak positive correlation between birthweight and BCA (R = 0.34, p = 0.03). The group with a history of childhood obesity, but not the group with a history of obesity in adulthood only, showed higher BCA compared with those without a history of obesity (1.78 ± 0.74% vs 0.99 ± 0.53%, p = 0.01), and the correlation coefficient between birthweight and BCA increased after excluding those with a history of childhood obesity (R = 0.51, p < 0.01). In those with diabetes, there was no correlation between birthweight and BCA. No correlation was found between birthweight and ACA in either those with or without diabetes.

Conclusions/interpretation

Birthweight and beta, but not alpha, cell mass are positively correlated in non-diabetic adults, and a history of childhood obesity may affect beta cell mass.