bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Causes of Intraoperative Pain among Elective Caesarean Section Patients under Sub-Arachnoid Block at the Tamale Teaching Hospital
Authors: Asirifi Samuel Kwame Amoako , Boateng Keren-Happuch Twumasiwaa , Yabasin Iddrisu Baba
Published: August 2024

Background: Intraoperative pain is a possible complication of neuraxial anaesthesia for caesarean delivery. Possible causes of intraoperative pain following caesarean section under spinal anaesthesia have been proposed. The potential consequences include inadequate anaesthesia, nerve injury during needle insertion, manipulation of internal organs during surgery, and psychological factors such as anxiety and fear. This study was conducted to assess the causes of intraoperative pain among patients undergoing elective caesarean section under sub-arachnoid block at the Tamale Teaching Hospital.
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional research design was employed in this study. A total of 55 women who have had elective caesarean section under sub-arachnoid block were selected for the study. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire and analysed with the SPSS.
Results: Findings from the study showed a high incidence of intraoperative pain among women during elective caesarean section under sub-arachnoid block (96.4%). These were mainly sharp and aching pain. However, the levels of the pain experienced intraoperative were mild (52.7%) and moderate (43.6%). Increased length of time spent during surgery and ineffectiveness of medications/ injections given to prevent pain were the main factors contributing to intraoperative pain among patients during elective caesarean section under sub-arachnoid block.
Conclusions: The study found a substantial incidence of intraoperative pain during caesarean delivery. To mitigate intraoperative discomfort and enhance the overall surgical experience for patients having elective CS, it is crucial to address these issues by employing optimised anaesthesia techniques, implementing effective pain management measures, and utilising preoperative psychological therapies.
Enhanced Biogas Production Using Anaerobic Co-digestion of Animal Waste and Food Waste: A Review
Authors: Phillip Akash , Bhatt S. M. , Sharma Navneet , Poudel Bishan
Published: August 2024

The current review is based on various reports that utilize a variety of kitchen waste & cafeteria leftovers like banana peels, orange peels, onion residues, and kiwi peels and their procedure of methane production under varied conditions. This review also covers the anaerobic digestion [AD] process which is reported to enhance biogas production under enhanced nitrogen supply such as ammonium chloride. We also covered an analysis of biogas production utilizing a mixture of cow dung slurry and kitchen refuse at various environmental conditions. Combining food waste and cow manure through anaerobic co-digestion can generate renewable biogas, reduce environmental impact and improve methane quality, making it a viable method for enhancing biogas production efficiency. Biogas derived from fruit waste and cow manure through anaerobic co-digestion shows increased production compared to processing fruit waste alone. Some factors affecting biogas production include temperature, pH levels and microbial activity. The study explores the dual functionality of fruit waste as an energy source and organic fertilizer. Combining fruit waste and cow manure under mesophilic conditions enhances biogas production. The study suggests that biogas production can improve agricultural practices, reduce environmental impact and serve as an alternative to traditional fuels like firewood.
Development of a Standardized Likert Scale to Gauge Extension Personnel Attitude Towards ICT
Authors: Pal Ayushi , Singh Dharminder
Published: August 2024

Information and communication technology (ICT) is readily assisting extension workers towards addressing various obstacles of agricultural extension system. Major responsibility of extension is to disseminate information, skills, and attitudes that are not readily acquired through formal education. In light of this, a standardized scale was developed based on the technique of scale construction devised by Rensis Likert also known as summated rating scale. The procedure began with dimension identification, item collection, relevancy and item analysis, reliability and validity checks to ensure accuracy and consistency of the results. A list of tentative 80 items which intends to measure attitude towards ICT was collected for the relevancy test. One hundred judges were approached online using Google forms for relevancy of statements. In order to find out the discriminating index for each item, ‘t’ score value was calculated using the formula and procedure given by Edwards. Finally, 19 statements made up the final scale based on the relevancy test and ‘t’ score values more than 1.75 resulting from item analysis. Cronbach's alpha value was found to be 0.70 and Spearman-Brown coefficient was found to be 0.55 which depicted high reliability. Furthermore, the Spearman-Brown Prophecy formula was used to calculate the overall test reliability, which was found to be 0.55. Expert opinion on 19 items for content validity and coefficient of correlation the validity and reliability measures of the scales indicated the precision and consistency. Policymakers would find it easier to make the proper decisions by using the standardized scale to practically assess the attitude level of extension personnel towards ICT use in extension services.
Empirical Analysis of the Macroeconomic Drivers of Banking Industry Stability in Nigeria
Authors: Enebeli-Uzor Sunday
Published: August 2024

The main purpose of this study is to determine the macroeconomic drivers of banking industry stability in Nigeria. The study employed Quantitative Research method using ex-post research design to analyse the impact of exchange rate, interest rate, inflation rate, economic growth rate, and unemployment rate on bank credit-asset ratio from 1991 to 2023. Based on preliminary estimations from the Phillips-Perron unit root and F-Bounds tests, the study employed the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) technique to establish the following key findings. Macroeconomic variables collectively and significantly influence banking industry stability. Specifically, high economic growth rate, moderate inflation rate, and low unemployment rate are the core drivers of banking industry stability, while high interest rate and volatile exchange rate exert a significant negative influence on banking industry stability. Consequently, bankers and macroeconomic policymakers should collaborate to ensure that macroeconomic policy frameworks provide banks with the opportunities for capital mobilisation necessary to effectively perform their financial intermediation roles for the overall benefit of the economy. The study recommends balancing macroeconomic targets and bank stability through growth-inflation-employment targeting policies to improve households' loan repayment resilience and reduce the credit risk of Nigerian banks. Additionally, exchange rate stabilisation through government intervention is suggested to help banks hedge against asset and credit value loss due to exchange rate volatility.
Propagation of Pi2 pulsations in a dipole model of the magnetosphere
Authors: Lysak R. L. , Song Y. , Sciffer M. D. , Waters C. L.
Published: December 2014

Localized fast flows that impinge on the inner magnetosphere from the plasma sheet are observed to oscillate on time scales of minutes. The compression ahead of these flows will launch fast mode waves, while the velocity shears at the edges of these flows directly excite shear Alfvén waves. These waves, which are coupled by gradients in the Alfvén speed, have been suggested as a source for the Pi1 and Pi2 waves that are observed at both high and low latitudes in the ionosphere. A new three‐dimensional simulation of the propagation of ULF waves in the dipolar region of the magnetosphere has been developed to study these coupled wave modes. This model includes a height‐resolved ionospheric conductivity so that ionospheric fields can be more realistically determined, as well as a direct calculation of ground magnetic fields to compare with ground magnetometers using an inductive ionosphere model. Results from this model show that a plasmaspheric resonance can be set up by waves with periods about 1 min and that field line resonances can be excited both inside and outside the plasmasphere. The use of the inductive ionosphere model leads to the conclusion that even a uniform Hall conductivity can break the dawn‐dusk symmetry of the convection pattern. Waves from a source at 10 Earth radii reach the ionosphere with time delays between high and low latitudes of tens of seconds, with implications for the timing of substorm phenomena observed by spacecraft and by ground magnetometers and radars.
Mesoscale eddies cases study at Xisha waters in the South China Sea in 2009/2010
Authors: Wang Qiang , Zeng Lili , Zhou Weidong , Xie Qiang , Cai Shuqun , Yao Jinglong , Wang Dongxiao
Published: December 2014

Analyzing the observed currents at Xisha (110.3899°E, 17.1038°N) during May 2009 to May 2010, it is found that the kinetic energy has significant mesoscale variability, and each peak responds to large positive/negative ocean surface current curl caused by mesoscale eddies. Compared the kinetic energy with the wind stress work and the pressure work, it is also found that the barotropic pressure work which is mainly contributed by the sea surface height (SSH) corresponding to the mesoscale eddies behaves like the kinetic energy. The contribution of the mesoscale eddies to the kinetic energy can be up to 90% sometimes and reach deep level every time. Using the satellite altimeter data, the paths of mesoscale eddies contributing to the kinetic energy variability are traced back. In the winter half of the year, the mesoscale eddies propagating along the northern South China Sea shelf or across the basin from the west of the Philippines toward Xisha arrive at Xisha, influencing the kinetic energy. In the summer half of the year, the mesoscale eddies are mainly from the south, which were shed from the Vietnam coast current. And the cause for eddy shedding may be related to the relaxation of the Ekman transport anomalies.
Atmospheric circulation processes contributing to a multidecadal variation in reconstructed and modeled Indian monsoon precipitation
Authors: Wu Qianru , Hu Qi
Published: December 2014

An analysis of the recently reconstructed gridded May–September total precipitation in the Indian monsoon region for the past half millennium discloses significant variations at multidecadal timescales. Meanwhile, paleo‐climate modeling outputs from the National Center for Atmospheric Research Community Climate System Model 4.0 show similar multidecadal variations in the monsoon precipitation. One of those variations at the frequency of 40–50 years per cycle is examined in this study. Major results show that this variation is a product of the processes in that the meridional gradient of the atmospheric enthalpy is strengthened by radiation loss in the high‐latitude and polar region. Driven by this gradient and associated baroclinicity in the atmosphere, more heat/energy is generated in the tropical and subtropical (monsoon) region and transported poleward. This transport relaxes the meridional enthalpy gradient and, subsequently, the need for heat production in the monsoon region. The multidecadal timescale of these processes results from atmospheric circulation‐radiation interactions and the inefficiency in generation of kinetic energy from the potential energy in the atmosphere to drive the eddies that transport heat poleward. This inefficiency creates a time delay between the meridional gradient of the enthalpy and the poleward transport. The monsoon precipitation variation lags that in the meridional gradient of enthalpy but leads that of the poleward heat transport. This phase relationship, and underlining chasing process by the transport of heat to the need for it driven by the meridional enthalpy gradient, sustains this multidecadal variation. This mechanism suggests that atmospheric circulation processes can contribute to multidecadal timescale variations. Interactions of these processes with other forcing, such as sea surface temperature or solar irradiance anomalies, can result in resonant or suppressed variations in the Indian monsoon precipitation.
Mars Global Ionosphere‐Thermosphere Model: Solar cycle, seasonal, and diurnal variations of the Mars upper atmosphere
Authors: Bougher S. W. , Pawlowski D. , Bell J. M. , Nelli S. , McDunn T. , Murphy J. R. , Chizek M. , Ridley A.
Published: December 2014

A new Mars Global Ionosphere‐Thermosphere Model (M‐GITM) is presented that combines the terrestrial GITM framework with Mars fundamental physical parameters, ion‐neutral chemistry, and key radiative processes in order to capture the basic observed features of the thermal, compositional, and dynamical structure of the Mars atmosphere from the ground to the exosphere (0–250 km). Lower, middle, and upper atmosphere processes are included, based in part upon formulations used in previous lower and upper atmosphere Mars GCMs. This enables the M‐GITM code to be run for various seasonal, solar cycle, and dust conditions. M‐GITM validation studies have focused upon simulations for a range of solar and seasonal conditions. Key upper atmosphere measurements are selected for comparison to corresponding M‐GITM neutral temperatures and neutral‐ion densities. In addition, simulated lower atmosphere temperatures are compared with observations in order to provide a first‐order confirmation of a realistic lower atmosphere. M‐GITM captures solar cycle and seasonal trends in the upper atmosphere that are consistent with observations, yielding significant periodic changes in the temperature structure, the species density distributions, and the large‐scale global wind system. For instance, mid afternoon temperatures near ∼200 km are predicted to vary from ∼210 to 350 K (equinox) and ∼190 to 390 k (aphelion to perihelion) over the solar cycle. These simulations will serve as a benchmark against which to compare episodic variations (e.g., due to solar flares and dust storms) in future M‐GITM studies. Additionally, M‐GITM will be used to support MAVEN mission activities (2014–2016).
Generation of a Genetically Encoded, Photoactivatable Intein for the Controlled Production of Cyclic Peptides
Authors: Böcker Jana K. , Friedel Kristina , Matern Julian C. J. , Bachmann Anne‐Lena , Mootz Henning D.
Published: December 2014

Cyclic peptides are important natural products and hold great promise for the identification of new bioactive molecules. The split‐intein‐mediated SICLOPPS technology provides a generic access to fully genetically encoded head‐to‐tail cyclized peptides and large libraries thereof (SICLOPPS=split‐intein circular ligation of peptides and proteins). However, owing to the spontaneous protein splicing reaction, product formation occurs inside cells, making peptide isolation inconvenient and precluding traditional in vitro assays for inhibitor discovery. The design of a genetically encoded, light‐dependent intein using the photocaged tyrosine derivative ortho‐nitrobenzyltyrosine incorporated at an internal, non‐catalytic position is now reported. Stable intein precursors were purified from the E. coli expression host and subsequently subjected to light activation in vitro for both the regular protein splicing format and cyclic peptide production, including the natural product segetalin H as an example. The activity of the intein could also be triggered in living cells.
Fabrication of thermoresponsive, core‐crosslinked micelles based on poly[N‐isopropyl acrylamide‐co‐3‐(trimethoxysilyl)propylmethacrylate]‐b‐poly{N‐[3‐(dimethylamino)propyl]methacrylamide} for the codelivery of doxorubicin and nucleic acid
Authors: Chang Cong , Dan Hong , Zhang Li‐Ping , Chang Ming‐Xiang , Sheng Yin‐Feng , Zheng Guo‐Hua , Zhang Xian‐Zheng
Published: December 2014

Thermoresponsive amphiphilic copolymer, poly[N‐isopropyl acrylamide‐co‐3‐(trimethoxysilyl)propylmethacrylate]‐b‐poly{N‐[3‐(dimethylamino)propyl]methacrylamide} with a branched structure was designed and synthesized by consecutive reversible addition–fragmentation chain‐transfer polymerization. The further hydrolysis of trimethoxysilyl functions in 3‐(trimethoxysilyl) propyl methacrylate units led to the fabrication of core‐crosslinked (CCL) micelles with silica crosslinks at temperatures above the lower critical solution temperature of the poly(N‐isopropyl acrylamide) block. The thermally induced structural and morphological changes of the CCL micelles in aqueous solution were investigated by transmission electron microscopy and 1H‐NMR analyses. The resulting CCL micelles were further explored as nanocarriers for the codelivery of an anticancer drug and nucleic acid for enhanced therapeutic efficacy. The CCL micelles effectively condensed the nucleic acid and mediated higher gene transfer in the presence of serum than in serum‐free transduction. A cytotoxicity study revealed that whereas the pure CCL micelles exhibited unapparent cytotoxicity, the codelivery of p53 and doxorubicin with the CCL micelle formulation resulted in better treatment efficiency than sole chemotherapy. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, 132, 41752.
Hydrophobic and nanoporous chitosan–silica composite aerogels for oil absorption
Authors: Ma Qian , Liu Yanfei , Dong Zhe , Wang Jianglang , Hou Xin
Published: December 2014

Hydrophobic and nanoporous chitosan–silica composite aerogels with low density, high porosity, and superior oil absorbency were successfully prepared by a typical sol–gel method and a two‐step hydrophobic treatment. The morphologies, porosity characteristics, mechanical properties, thermal stability, hydrophobicity, and oil absorbencies of the composite aerogels were systematically investigated. The nitrogen physisorption analysis showed that composite aerogels had large specific surface areas and uniform nanoporous structures. In addition, the composite aerogels could support 7000 times its own weight; this indicated the role of the supporting skeleton played by chitosan. The hydrophobicity and lipophilicity was demonstrated with a water contact angle of 137° and an oil contact angle of 0°. Importantly, the composite aerogel with 20 wt % chitosan had a relatively high oil absorbency of 30 g/g and could be reused up to 10 times. Therefore, the chitosan–silica composite aerogels in this study had a broad prospect to be used as efficient and recyclable oil absorbents. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, 132, 41770.
A β‐Hairpin‐Binding Protein for Three Different Disease‐Related Amyloidogenic Proteins
Authors: Shaykhalishahi Hamed , Mirecka Ewa A. , Gauhar Aziz , Grüning Clara S. R. , Willbold Dieter , Härd Torleif , Stoldt Matthias , Hoyer Wolfgang
Published: December 2014

Amyloidogenic proteins share a propensity to convert to the β‐structure‐rich amyloid state that is associated with the progression of several protein‐misfolding disorders. Here we show that a single engineered β‐hairpin‐binding protein, the β‐wrapin AS10, binds monomers of three different amyloidogenic proteins, that is, amyloid‐β peptide, α‐synuclein, and islet amyloid polypeptide, with sub‐micromolar affinity. AS10 binding inhibits the aggregation and toxicity of all three proteins. The results demonstrate common conformational preferences and related binding sites in a subset of the amyloidogenic proteins. These commonalities enable the generation of multispecific monomer‐binding agents.
Comprehensive expression map of transcription regulators in the adult zebrafish telencephalon reveals distinct neurogenic niches
Authors: Diotel Nicolas , Rodriguez Viales Rebecca , Armant Olivier , März Martin , Ferg Marco , Rastegar Sepand , Strähle Uwe
Published: December 2014

The zebrafish has become a model to study adult vertebrate neurogenesis. In particular, the adult telencephalon has been an intensely studied structure in the zebrafish brain. Differential expression of transcriptional regulators (TRs) is a key feature of development and tissue homeostasis. Here we report an expression map of 1,202 TR genes in the telencephalon of adult zebrafish. Our results are summarized in a database with search and clustering functions to identify genes expressed in particular regions of the telencephalon. We classified 562 genes into 13 distinct patterns, including genes expressed in the proliferative zone. The remaining 640 genes displayed unique and complex patterns of expression and could thus not be grouped into distinct classes. The neurogenic ventricular regions express overlapping but distinct sets of TR genes, suggesting regional differences in the neurogenic niches in the telencephalon. In summary, the small telencephalon of the zebrafish shows a remarkable complexity in TR gene expression.

The adult zebrafish telencephalon has become a model to study neurogenesis. We established the expression pattern of more than 1200 transcription regulators (TR) in the adult telencephalon. The neurogenic regions express overlapping but distinct sets of TR genes suggesting regional differences in the neurogenic potential. J. Comp. Neurol. 523:1202–1221, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Roles of histone H3K27 trimethylase Ezh2 in retinal proliferation and differentiation
Authors: Iida Atsumi , Iwagawa Toshiro , Baba Yukihiro , Satoh Shinya , Mochizuki1 Yujin , Nakauchi Hiromitsu , Furukawa Takahisa , Koseki Haruhiko , Murakami Akira , Watanabe Sumiko
Published: December 2014

The histone modification H3K27me3 regulates transcription negatively, and Jmjd3 and Ezh2 demethylate and methylate H3K27me3 and H3K27, respectively. We demonstrated previously that Jmjd3 plays pivotal roles in the differentiation of subsets of bipolar (BP) cells by regulating H3K27me3 levels at the Bhlhb4 and Vsx1 loci, both of which are transcription factors essential for the maturation of BP cell subsets. In this study, we examined the role of Ezh2 in retinal development using retina‐specific Ezh2 conditional knockout mice (Ezh2‐CKO). The eyes of the Ezh2‐CKO mice were microphthalemic, and the proliferation of retinal cells was diminished postnatally in Ezh2‐CKO. Differentiation of all examined retinal subsets was observed with higher proportion of BP cell subsets, which was determined by immunostaining using specific retinal markers. The onsets of Müller glia and rod photoreceptor differentiation were accelerated. The expression of Bhlhb4 was increased in postnatal retinas, which was accompanied by the loss of H3K27me3 modifications at these genetic loci. Decreased expression of proneural genes in postnatal stage was observed. As reported previously in other Ezh2‐KO tissues, increased expression of Arf/Ink4a was observed in the Ezh2‐CKO retinas. The ectopic expression of Arf or Ink4a in the retina suppressed proliferation and increased apoptosis. In addition, earlier onset of Müller glia differentiation was observed in Ink4a‐expressing cells. These results support an important role for histone H3K27me3 modification in regulating the proliferation and maturation of certain subsets of interneurons in the retina. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol 75: 947–960, 2015
The influence of activity on axon pathfinding in the optic tectum
Authors: Kita Elizabeth M. , Scott Ethan K. , Goodhill Geoffrey J.
Published: December 2014

The relative importance of neural activity versus activity‐independent cues in shaping the initial wiring of the brain is still largely an open question. While activity is clearly critical for circuit rearrangements after initial connections have been made, whether it also plays a role in initial axon pathfinding remains to be determined. Here, we investigated this question using the guidance of zebrafish retinal ganglion cell axons to their targets in the tectum as a model. Recent results have implicated biased branching as a key feature of pathfinding in the zebrafish tectum. Using tetrodotoxin to silence neural activity globally, we found a decrease in the area covered by axon branches during pathfinding. After reaching the target, there were dynamic differences in axon length, area and the number of branches between conditions. However, other aspects of pathfinding were unaffected by silencing, including the ratio of branches directed toward the target, length, and number of branches, as well as turning angle, velocity, and number of growth cones per axon. These results challenge the hypothesis that neural connections develop in sequential stages of molecularly guided pathfinding and activity‐based refinement. Despite a maintenance of overall guidance, axon pathfinding dynamics can nevertheless be altered by activity loss. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol 75: 608–620, 2015
Measurements of nanomaterials in environmentally relevant water matrices using liquid nebulization/differential mobility analysis
Authors: Mader Brian T. , Ellefson Mark E. , Wolf Susan T.
Published: December 2014

A liquid nebulization-differential mobility analysis methodology was evaluated for the measurement of the size distribution and quantitative mass concentration of nanomaterials in environmentally relevant aqueous media. The analysis time is 8 min, and the method requires little routine sample preparation and less than 8 mL of sample. The method can be used for rapid, direct analysis of nanomaterials in aqueous media with a particular application to dose verification in ecotoxicology studies, analysis of manufacturing process waste streams, and raw material analysis. Twelve reference materials having a diameter traceable to the National Institute of Standards and Technology were spiked into 6 different aqueous matrices that included drinking water, groundwater, industrial wastewater, as well as the algae and daphnia media used in ecotoxicology testing. Measurement of the diameter of a reference material was within the expected range for the reference material. Individual response factors for each reference material were determined in each medium and the accuracy and precision of the concentration measurements evaluated. In ecotoxicology test media, measurements of the concentration of nanoparticles having diameter ≥ 30 nm, had corresponding accuracies and precisions of 103% and 7%, respectively. Over 28 d 86% of the samples had concentrations within 20% of the initial concentration. The method limit of quantification depended primarily on matrix complexity and particle diameter; the limit of quantification ranged from 0.01 mg/L to 3 g/L. Environ Toxicol Chem 2015;34:833–842. © 2014 SETAC
Ammonia stress on the carbon metabolism of Ceratophyllum demersum
Authors: Gao Jingqing , Li Linshuai , Hu Zhiyuan , Zhu Songfeng , Zhang Ruiqin , Xiong Zhiting
Published: December 2014

In the present study, carefully controlled pH ranges (7 and 9) were used to distinguish between the effects of un-ionized NH3 and the NH4+ ion. The objective was to find the effect of different total ammonia nitrogen concentrations and pH values on the carbon metabolism of Ceratophyllum demersum. The authors investigated the effects of ammonia on the nonstructural carbohydrate content in shoots of C. demersum. Ammonia treatment decreased the contents of nonstructural carbohydrate, soluble sugar, sucrose, fructose, and starch in leaves. Meanwhile, increasing the pH value exacerbated the decline of the C. demersum nonstructural carbohydrate content. In addition, the activity of invertase was increased during the experiment. These results suggest that ammonia severely inhibits plant growth by disturbing nonstructural carbohydrate content. It has been suggested that ammonia has toxic effects on C. demersum and that the higher the pH in water, the more obvious the physiological responses that C. demersum exhibits. The results of the present study can provide some reference for studying the living conditions of submersed macrophytes under the stress of NH3. Environ Toxicol Chem 2015;34:843–849. © 2014 SETAC
Planktonic and biofilm-grown nitrogen-cycling bacteria exhibit different susceptibilities to copper nanoparticles
Authors: Reyes Vincent C. , Opot Stephen O. , Mahendra Shaily
Published: December 2014

Proper characterization of nanoparticle (NP) interactions with environmentally relevant bacteria under representative conditions is necessary to enable their sustainable manufacture, use, and disposal. Previous nanotoxicology research based on planktonic growth has not adequately explored biofilms, which serve as the predominant mode of bacterial growth in natural and engineered environments. Copper nanoparticle (Cu-NP) impacts on biofilms were compared with respective planktonic cultures of the ammonium-oxidizing Nitrosomonas europaea, nitrogen-fixing Azotobacter vinelandii, and denitrifying Paracoccus denitrificans using a suite of independent toxicity diagnostics. Median inhibitory concentration (IC50) values derived from adenosine triphosphate (ATP) for Cu-NPs were lower in N. europaea biofilms (19.6 ± 15.3 mg/L) than in planktonic cells (49.0 ± 8.0 mg/L). However, in absorbance-based growth assays, compared with unexposed controls, N. europaea growth rates in biofilms were twice as resilient to inhibition than those in planktonic cultures. Similarly, relative to unexposed controls, growth rates and yields of P. denitrificans in biofilms exposed to Cu-NPs were 40-fold to 50-fold less inhibited than those in planktonic cells. Physiological evaluation of ammonium oxidation and nitrate reduction suggested that biofilms were also less inhibited by Cu-NPs than planktonic cells. Furthermore, functional gene expression for ammonium oxidation (amoA) and nitrite reduction (nirK) showed lower inhibition by NPs in biofilms relative to planktonic-grown cells. These results suggest that biofilms mitigate NP impacts, and that nitrogen-cycling bacteria in wastewater, wetlands, and soils might be more resilient to NPs than planktonic-based assessments suggest. Environ Toxicol Chem 2015;34:887–897. © 2014 SETAC
Do particle size and surface functionality affect uptake and depuration of gold nanoparticles by aquatic invertebrates?
Authors: Park Sujung , Woodhall James , Ma Guibin , Veinot Jonathan G.C , Boxall Alistair B.A.
Published: December 2014

Because of the widespread use of engineered nanoparticles (ENPs) in consumer and industrial products, it is inevitable that these materials will enter the environment. It is often stated that the uptake of ENPs into organisms in the environment is related to the particle size and surface functionality. To test this assumption, the present study investigated the uptake and depuration of gold nanoparticle (Au NPs) coated with either citrate (Au-citrate NPs), mercaptoundecanoic acid (Au-MUDA NPs), amino polyethylene glycol (PEG) thiol (Au-NH2 NPs), or PEG (Au-PEG NP) by the aquatic invertebrate Gammarus pulex. The studies were performed using a range of standard ecotoxicity media and natural waters, resulting in varying degrees of aggregation of the different NPs. Uptake of gold by G. pulex varied depending on the surface coatings, with Au-MUDA and Au-citrate NPs being taken up to a greater extent than Au-NH2 and Au-PEG NPs in all test media and natural waters. In all test media evaluated, higher amounts of amino and PEG-coated ENPs were eliminated compared with MUDA- and citrate-coated ENPs. No obvious relationships were seen between the aggregation state of the different Au NPs in treatment and uptake, suggesting that the widely accepted assumption that Au NP uptake is related to particle size does not hold for the range of aggregation states studied (67.1–178.8 nm). Positive correlations between particle number concentration in the media and uptake were observed, indicating that this factor might partly explain the differences in uptake of a particle from different media types. Environ Toxicol Chem 2015;34:850–859. © 2014 SETAC
Development and application of a multimetal multibiotic ligand model for assessing aquatic toxicity of metal mixtures
Authors: Santore Robert C. , Ryan Adam C.
Published: December 2014

A multimetal, multiple binding site version of the biotic ligand model (mBLM) has been developed for predicting and explaining the bioavailability and toxicity of mixtures of metals to aquatic organisms. The mBLM was constructed by combining information from single-metal BLMs to preserve compatibility between the single-metal and multiple-metal approaches. The toxicities from individual metals were predicted by assuming additivity of the individual responses. Mixture toxicity was predicted based on both dissolved metal and mBLM-normalized bioavailable metal. Comparison of the 2 prediction methods indicates that metal mixtures frequently appear to have greater toxicity than an additive estimation of individual effects on a dissolved metal basis. However, on an mBLM-normalized basis, mixtures of metals appear to be additive or less than additive. This difference results from interactions between metals and ligands in solutions including natural organic matter, processes that are accounted for in the mBLM. As part of the mBLM approach, a technique for considering variability was developed to calculate confidence bounds (called response envelopes) around the central concentration–response relationship. Predictions using the mBLM and response envelope were compared with observed toxicity for a number of invertebrate and fish species. The results show that the mBLM is a useful tool for considering bioavailability when assessing the toxicity of metal mixtures. Environ Toxicol Chem 2015;34:777–787. © 2014 SETAC
Pathway‐Based Association Study of Multiple Candidate Genes and Multiple Traits Using Structural Equation Models
Authors: Romdhani Hela , Hwang Heungsun , Paradis Gilles , Roy‐Gagnon Marie‐Helene , Labbe Aurelie
Published: December 2014

There is increasing interest in the joint analysis of multiple genetic variants from multiple genes and multiple correlated quantitative traits in association studies. The classical approach involves testing univariate associations between genotypes and phenotypes and correcting for multiple testing that results in loss of power to detect associations. In this paper, we propose modeling complex relationships between genetic variants in candidate genes and measured correlated traits using structural equation models (SEM), taking advantage of prior knowledge on clinical and genetic pathways. We adopt generalized structured component analysis (GSCA) as an approach to SEM and develop a single association test between multiple genetic variants in a gene and a set of correlated traits, taking into account all available data from other genes and other traits. The performance of this test is investigated by simulations. We apply the proposed method to the Quebec Child and Adolescent Health and Social Survey (1999) data to investigate genetic associations with cardiovascular disease‐related traits.
Olfactory performance and resting state functional connectivity in non‐demented drug naïve patients with Parkinson's disease
Authors: Sunwoo Mun Kyung , Cha Jungho , Ham Jee Hyun , Song Sook K. , Hong Jin Yong , Lee Jong‐Min , Sohn Young H. , Lee Phil Hyu
Published: December 2014

Olfactory performance in Parkinson's disease (PD) is closely associated with subsequent cognitive decline. In the present study, we analyzed the olfaction‐dependent functional connectivity with a hypothesis that olfactory performance would influence functional connectivity within key brain areas of PD. A total of 110 nondemented drug‐naïve patients with PD were subdivided into three groups of high score (PD‐H, n = 23), middle score (PD‐M, n = 64), and low score (PD‐L, n = 23) based on olfactory performance. We performed the resting‐state functional connectivity with seed region of interest in the posterior cingulate cortex (PCC) and caudate. An analysis of functional connectivity revealed that PD‐L patients exhibited a significant attenuation of cortical functional connectivity with the PCC in the bilateral primary sensory areas, right frontal areas, and right parietal areas compared to PD‐H or PD‐M patients. Meanwhile, PD‐L patients exhibited a significant enhancement of striatocortical functional connectivity in the bilateral occipital areas and right frontal areas compared to PD‐H or PD‐M patients. In the voxel‐wise correlation analysis, olfactory performance was positively associated with cortical functional connectivity with the PCC in similar areas of attenuated cortical connectivity in PD‐L patients relative to PD‐H patients. On the other hand, the cortical functional connectivity with the caudate was negatively correlated with olfactory performance in similar areas of increased connectivity in PD‐L patients relative to PD‐H patients. The present study demonstrated that resting state functional connectivity exhibits a distinctive pattern depending on olfactory performance, which might shed light on a meaningful relationship between olfactory impairment and cognitive dysfunction in PD. Hum Brain Mapp 36:1716–1727, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A S2O32−‐Enhanced Fluorogenic Chemosensor for Fe3+ in Aqueous Media Based on a Boron–Fluorine Derivative
Authors: Ping Shen , Mingxun Yan , Wei Zhang , Shuzhang Xiao , Changying Yang
Published: December 2014

A fluorescent “turn‐on” probe for Fe3+ was investigated in an aqueous system based on a boron 2‐(2′‐pyridyl) imidazole complex (BOPIM‐dma). BOPIM‐dma shows weak or no fluorescence in polar solvents due to twisted intramolecular charge transfer, but the addition of Fe3+ to BOPIM‐dma leads to fluorescence switch‐on responses. The binding is highly selective to Fe3+ over other metal ions, indicating that BOPIM‐dma is a chemodosimeter for Fe3+. Furthermore, the existence of S2O32− could much enhance and stabilize the emission significantly, indicating that the BOPIM‐dma/Fe3+/S2O32− complexes are a strong fluorescence system, and can be used as a sensitive detector for Fe3+, with the limit of detection of 6.0 × 10−7 mol L−1.
A site-specific ecological risk assessment for corn-associated insecticides
Authors: Whiting Sara A , Lydy Michael J
Published: December 2014

A site-specific ecological risk assessment (ERA) was conducted to examine the simultaneous use of genetically modified corn (Bt corn) with a neonicotinoid seed coating, clothianidin, and use of a granular insecticide, tefluthrin, to protect crops from pest damage. A field study was conducted on site, and exposure data from the literature were summarized to determine the matrices and exposure concentrations that nontarget species could typically experience within an agricultural ecosystem. To determine ecological effects on nontarget species, acute toxicity bioassays were conducted on earthworms (Eisenia fetida), amphipods (Hyalella azteca), and Elmid riffle beetle larvae (Ancyronyx spp.) in which the test species were exposed to single insecticides as well as the mixture of the 3 insecticides. In the risk characterization section of the ERA, stressor–response profiles for each species tested were compared with field distributions of the insecticides, and a margin of safety at the 10th percentile (MOS10) was calculated to estimate risk. No acute toxicity was observed in any of the 3 nontarget species after exposure to senescent Bt corn leaf tissue. Large MOS10 values were calculated for clothianidin to the nontarget species. When bioassays were compared with tefluthrin field distributions, very low MOS10 values were calculated for earthworms (0.06) and H. azteca (0.08) because the environmental concentrations often exceeded the stressor–response profile. No increased toxicity was observed when nontarget species were exposed to a mixture of the 3 insecticides. In summary, the genetically modified corn insecticidal proteins and clothianidin were not found at environmental concentrations exceeding benchmark values for ecological effects, but tefluthrin was consistently detected in the environment at levels that could be causing toxicity to nontarget species, especially if this pyrethroid is able to travel off site. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2015;11:445–458. © 2015 SETAC

Key Points

We employed the EPA framework to enhance our review of the use of 3 different insecticides commonly used together in corn production in the US. This is the first environmental risk assessment to evaluate three unique pesticides and mixtures of this type. The 3 insecticides examined in our risk assessment were the genetically modified protein used in corn production, Bt Cry1Ab; the neonicotinoid, clothianidin; and the pyrethroid, tefluthrin. Our findings will assist policy makers and scientists when making decisions on the ecological safety of employing this control method for corn production.
Beyond the throwaway society: A life cycle-based assessment of the environmental benefit of reuse
Authors: Castellani Valentina , Sala Serenella , Mirabella Nadia
Published: December 2014

In the context of a circular economy, sustainable consumption is often seen as the antithesis of current consumption patterns, which have led to the definition of the so-called throwaway society. Reuse may provide a preferred alternative to other waste management options, because it promotes resource efficiency and may significantly reduce environmental impacts. To appraise the environmental benefits related to reuse of goods, a methodology adopting life cycle assessment (LCA) has been developed. A standardized procedure has been developed, identifying reference products within product category subject to reuse, and collecting reliable inventory data as a basis for calculating environmental impact through LCA. A case study on a second-hand shop is presented, and the avoided impacts are quantified. Inventory data were taken both from the literature and directly from sales and surveys submitted to customers. The results are presented, highlighting: 1) for each product category, the average avoided impacts for 1 unit of reused product considered; and 2) for the overall activities of the second-hand shop, the cumulative avoided impacts in 1 yr. In the case study, the higher contribution to avoided impacts comes from the apparel sector, due to the high amount of items sold, followed by the furniture sector, because of the high amount of environmental impacts avoided by the reuse of each single item. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2015;11:373–382. © 2015 SETAC

Key Points

The proposed methodology defines a standardized procedure for assessing reuse practice in LCA, identifying reference products and collecting reliable inventory data. The reuse of large items is likely to provide higher environmental benefits, whereas small items generate lower benefits per item but are usually sold in larger amounts and provide higher environmental benefits as a whole The methodology 1) allows for the assessment of interventions of waste prevention and reuse, and 2) may help raise awareness of the environmental value of secondhand shops. The results highlight the need for future research focused on reducing uncertainties. This entails expanding current basket of reference products, including best- and worst-case product performance, and exploring various logistic options.
Does a cleansing enema improve image quality of 3T surface coil multiparametric prostate MRI?
Authors: Lim Christopher , Quon Jeff , McInnes Matt , Shabana Wael M. , El‐Khodary Mohamed , Schieda Nicola
Published: December 2014

Purpose

To assesses the utility of a preparatory enema in the interpretation of prostate multiparametric (MP) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Materials and Methods

Under a waiver from the Institutional Review Board (IRB), 32 patients without bowel preparation and 28 patients who underwent a self‐administered enema were imaged consecutively with 3T MP‐MRI over 6 months. Two blinded radiologists independently assessed image quality on T2‐weighted (T2W), trace b 1000 mm2/sec echo‐planar (EPI) and apparent‐diffusion coefficient (ADC) and assessed for motion/blur on T2W and distortion/blur on EPI and ADC. Radiologists also quantified rectal stool and gas. A third blinded radiologist generated contrast curves from dynamic contrast‐enhanced (DCE) data at six locations and measured the number of corrupted data points, defined as >10% aberrant signal intensity change. Subjective scores were compared using Wilcoxon sign rank test. Rectal contents were correlated to artifact using Spearman correlation. Contrast curves were evaluated with independent t‐tests.

Results

There was no difference in image quality on T2W (P = 0.66–0.74), EPI (P = 0.13–0.36) or ADC (P = 0.49–0.59). There was less rectal stool in the enema group (P = 0.004) and amount of stool correlated with motion artifact on T2W (r = 0.23, P = 0.02); however, there was no difference in motion artifact between groups (P = 0.47–0.94). Only a minority of patients in the non‐enema group had moderate or large amounts of stool (16%) and none of these patients had severe or extensive artifact on T2. There was less rectal gas in the enema group (P = 0.002); however, amount of gas did not correlate with distortion artifact on EPI or ADC (P = 0.17–0.41) and there was no difference in blur (P = 0.41–0.91) or distortion (P = 0.31–0.99) on EPI or ADC between groups. There was no difference in corrupted data points on DCE (P = 0.46).

Conclusion

In this study the use of a preparatory enema did not improve image quality or reduce artifact in prostate MP‐MRI. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2015;42:689–697.
Using automated recorders and occupancy models to monitor common forest birds across a large geographic region
Authors: Furnas Brett J. , Callas Richard L.
Published: December 2014

Automated recorders and occupancy models can be used together to monitor population trends of multiple avian species across a large geographic region. Automated recorders are an attractive method for monitoring birds, because they leave a record that can be independently validated and multiple units can be programmed to repeatedly survey different locations at the same daily times. We assessed the use of automated recorders and single‐species, single‐season occupancy models to monitor common forest birds across a 5.4‐million‐ha region of northern California. Using a survey protocol of 5‐minute recordings at 3 times of the morning repeated over 3 consecutive days at 453 sites, we detected 32 species at >10% of these sites. Five of these species (Steller's jay [Cyanocitta stelleri], mountain chickadee [Poecile gambeli], red‐breasted nuthatch [Sitta canadensis], dark‐eyed junco [Junco hyemalis], and western tanager [Piranga ludoviciana]) were dominant with occupancies >0.5. We also modeled occupancy associations with elevation and canopy cover for brown creeper (Certhia americana), MacGillivray's warbler (Geothlypis tolmiei), and western tanager and found the environmental conditions at which occupancy was maximized differed by up to 399 m in elevation and 17.9% canopy cover for these species. Given a sampling effort of 100 new sites per year, we demonstrated 80% power (α = 0.1) to detect occupancy declines as small as 2.5% per year over 20 years for the 32 most common species. The effective radius of automated recorder surveys was approximately 50 m. In a field test, surveys conducted concurrently using automated recorders and point counts yielded similar occupancy estimates despite differences in detection probability. Our results suggest that automated recorders, used alone or in conjunction with point counts, can provide a practical means of monitoring common forest birds across a large geographic area. © 2014 The Wildlife Society.