bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
CD8+ T‐Lymphocyte–Driven Limbic Encephalitis Results in Temporal Lobe Epilepsy
Authors: Pitsch Julika , van Loo Karen M. J. , Gallus Marco , Dik Andre , Kamalizade Delara , Baumgart Ann‐Kathrin , Gnatkovsky Vadym , Müller Johannes Alexander , Opitz Thoralf , Hicking Gordon , Naik Venu Narayanan , Wachsmuth Lydia , Faber Cornelius , Surges Rainer , Kurts Christian , Schoch Susanne , Melzer Nico , Becker Albert J.
Published: December 2020

Objective

Limbic encephalitis (LE) comprises a spectrum of inflammatory changes in affected brain structures including the presence of autoantibodies and lymphoid cells. However, the potential of distinct lymphocyte subsets alone to elicit key clinicopathological sequelae of LE potentially inducing temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) with chronic spontaneous seizures and hippocampal sclerosis (HS) is unresolved.

Methods

Here, we scrutinized pathogenic consequences emerging from CD8+ T cells targeting hippocampal neurons by recombinant adeno‐associated virus‐mediated expression of the model‐autoantigen ovalbumin (OVA) in CA1 neurons of OT‐I/RAG1−/− mice (termed "OVA‐CD8+ LE model").

Results

Viral‐mediated antigen transfer caused dense CD8+ T cell infiltrates confined to the hippocampal formation starting on day 5 after virus transduction. Flow cytometry indicated priming of CD8+ T cells in brain‐draining lymph nodes preceding hippocampal invasion. At the acute model stage, the inflammatory process was accompanied by frequent seizure activity and impairment of hippocampal memory skills. Magnetic resonance imaging scans at day 7 of the OVA‐CD8+ LE model revealed hippocampal edema and blood–brain barrier disruption that converted into atrophy until day 40. CD8+ T cells specifically targeted OVA‐expressing, SIINFEKL‐H‐2Kb–positive CA1 neurons and caused segmental apoptotic neurodegeneration, astrogliosis, and microglial activation. At the chronic model stage, mice exhibited spontaneous recurrent seizures and persisting memory deficits, and the sclerotic hippocampus was populated with CD8+ T cells escorted by NK cells.

Interpretation

These data indicate that a CD8+ T‐cell–initiated attack of distinct hippocampal neurons is sufficient to induce LE converting into TLE‐HS. Intriguingly, the role of CD8+ T cells exceeds neurotoxic effects and points to their major pathogenic role in TLE following LE. ANN NEUROL 2021;89:666–685
Arachidonic acid‐encapsulated microcapsules with core‐shell structure prepared by coaxial electrospray
Authors: Hu Meng‐Xin , Chen Xian‐Lin , Song Li‐Jie , He Fei
Published: December 2020

Arachidonic acid (AA) is an n‐6 polyunsaturated 20‐carbon fatty acid taking important immunomodulatory roles in infant growth, brain development, and health. However, one of the major drawbacks of polyunsaturated fatty acids is their high susceptibility to oxidation followed by unpleasant odors. Microencapsulation has been proposed as an excellent strategy to solve these problems. In this work, coaxial electrospray was utilized to fabricate AA/zein microcapsules with core‐shell structures which were verified by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and confocal laser scanning microscopy. Microcapsules morphology was conveniently controlled through electrospray parameters and AA was centralized in the core. The microcapsule diameter ranged from 1 to 7 μm. Results of peroxide values and GC–MS demonstrated that AA in microcapsules possess improved oxidative stability and the unpleasant odors of AA oil was inhibited. The results indicate coaxial electrospray is a useful and convenient tool to fabricate core‐shell microcapsules with immiscible materials, which will broaden the potential use of microcapsules as nutrition fortifiers in the food industry.
Self‐healable MnO2‐cured polysulfide sealant and the effect of fillers on its self‐healing ability
Authors: Gao Wentong , Li Shuhang , Cao Xiao , Li Wen , Han Bing
Published: December 2020

MnO2‐cured polysulfide sealants have been widely used in various industrial fields and the effects of MnO2 and three fillers on their mechanical behavior, thermal property and self‐healing ability were focused on in this paper. Under a moderate thermal stimulus, the tensile strength can be significantly restored due to the dynamic exchange of disulfide bonds in polysulfide segments. The residue of a small dosage of thiol promotes the healing process of polysulfide sealants. After healing at 75°C for 48 h, the tensile strength of 2 wt% MnO2 cured sealant is restored to more than 90%. Then, this sealant is modified with three fillers to enhance the tensile strength, however, the addition of fillers hinder the healing process to some extent. Significantly, the sealant modified with 2.5 wt% TiO2 can perform a certain enhancement without sacrificing the healing mechanical properties. These outcomes are helpful for the development of MnO2‐cured polysulfide sealants toward sustainable industrial applications.
Psychosocial response to COVID‐19 pandemic in India: Helpline counsellors’ experiences and perspectives
Authors: Joshi Aparna , Tammana Sindhura , Babre Tanuja , Kallianpur Ritika
Published: December 2020

The COVID‐19 pandemic presents a threat to physical and psychosocial health of individuals. In lieu of the subsequent lockdown and containment measures, helpline counselling becomes a viable method of accessing psychosocial services during the pandemic. The present paper describes experiences of counsellors working with a special COVID‐19 counselling helpline initiated by iCALL, a national‐level technology‐assisted counselling service of the Tata Institute of Social Sciences, India, which aims to address the psychosocial impact of the pandemic and the lockdown. The paper is based on two focus group interviews held with 11 counsellors during the initial two months of the helpline's functioning. Findings of the study highlight the diverse profile of the callers, with individuals belonging to different strata of society and to marginalised communities. The nature of concerns presented by the callers were often a mix of psychological, relational and practical issues. The resultant distress emanated from an interplay of these factors with the relational contexts, their social locations and social structures the individuals were embedded in. This highlighted the need for conceptualising and responding from a psychosocial lens, whereby interventions involved traditional counselling approaches and strategies for addressing determinants of distress by connecting callers to required ground‐level resources. Counsellors’ engagement with this process impacted their professional and personal selves, necessitating the need for structured and continuous training, supervision and support. At a larger level, the counsellors’ narratives asserted the need for adopting a psychosocial paradigm for conceptualising and addressing mental health concerns in India.
Megacalycosis: Sonographic findings of a rare clinical condition
Authors: Sosa Barrios Rosa Haridian , Rivera Gorrín Maite E.
Published: December 2020

Recurrent UTI’s represent a challenge for physicians and anatomic abnormalities should be investigated thoroughly in this setting. Not all urinary tract dilatations mean obstruction. Several entities can mimic hydronephrosis without actual interruption of urinary flow. Uniform calyceal dilatation without dilatation of pelvis and ureter suggests megacalycosis.
Classical control algorithms for permanent magnet synchronous generator driven by diesel engine for power quality
Authors: Arya Sabha Raj , Patel Mittal M. , Alam Sayed Javed , Srikakolapu Jayadeep , Giri Ashutosh K. , Babu B. Chitti
Published: December 2020

Permanent magnet synchronous generator (PMSG) has received much attention in energy conversion these days because of its self‐excitation through magnets, which allows a stator output operation at a better power factor and high efficiency. Therefore, this paper dealt the power quality issues such as reactive power compensation and power factor correction including voltage control in diesel engine‐based generation system where PMSG is employed as a standalone power source. The configuration proposed in this paper consists of a battery energy storage system (BESS) at the DC bus of the distribution static compensator (DSTATCOM). The BESS enables DSTATCOM to have control over the active power and reactive power of the system. The function of BESS is connected at the DC bus to charge and discharge during light‐load period and heavy load period, respectively. Extraction of fundamental in the control scheme is done using three different types of classical algorithm based on phase locked loops (PLLs). They are double synchronous reference frame PLL (DSRF‐PLL), double‐frequency and amplitude compensation PLL (DFAC‐PLL), and adaptive filter with frequency estimation loop PLL (AFFEL‐PLL). The complete distributed generation (DG) system is simulated in MATLAB environment and has been validated in laboratory environments.
Xenopus leads the way: Frogs as a pioneering model to understand the human brain
Authors: Exner Cameron R. T. , Willsey Helen Rankin
Published: December 2020

From its long history in the field of embryology to its recent advances in genetics, Xenopus has been an indispensable model for understanding the human brain. Foundational studies that gave us our first insights into major embryonic patterning events serve as a crucial backdrop for newer avenues of investigation into organogenesis and organ function. The vast array of tools available in Xenopus laevis and Xenopus tropicalis allows interrogation of developmental phenomena at all levels, from the molecular to the behavioral, and the application of CRISPR technology has enabled the investigation of human disorder risk genes in a higher‐throughput manner. As the only major tetrapod model in which all developmental stages are easily manipulated and observed, frogs provide the unique opportunity to study organ development from the earliest stages. All of these features make Xenopus a premier model for studying the development of the brain, a notoriously complex process that demands an understanding of all stages from fertilization to organogenesis and beyond. Importantly, core processes of brain development are conserved between Xenopus and human, underlining the advantages of this model. This review begins by summarizing discoveries made in amphibians that form the cornerstones of vertebrate neurodevelopmental biology and goes on to discuss recent advances that have catapulted our understanding of brain development in Xenopus and in relation to human development and disease. As we engage in a new era of patient‐driven gene discovery, Xenopus offers exceptional potential to uncover conserved biology underlying human brain disorders and move towards rational drug design.
Are British urban foxes (Vulpes vulpes) “bold”? The importance of understanding human–wildlife interactions in urban areas
Authors: Padovani Roberto , Shi Zhuoyu , Harris Stephen
Published: December 2020

Human–wildlife interactions are believed to be increasing in urban areas. In Britain, numerous media reports have stated that urban foxes (Vulpes vulpes) are becoming “bolder,” thereby posing a risk to public safety. However, such claims overlook how an individual's personality might influence urban fox behavior. Personality determines multiple aspects of an animal's interactions with both conspecifics and its environment, and can have a significant impact on how people perceive wildlife. Furthermore, describing urban foxes as “bold” confounds two different but inter‐related behaviors, both of which influence an animal's propensity to take risks. Neophobia affects an animal's reaction to novelty, wariness its reaction to potential threats. Since urban wildlife frequently encounters both novel and threatening stimuli, a highly adaptable species such as the red fox might be predicted to exhibit reduced neophobia and wariness. We investigated how social status influenced both behaviors in Bristol's fox population. Dominant foxes were significantly more neophobic and warier than subordinates, which adopt a more exploratory and risk‐taking lifestyle to meet their energetic and other needs. We found no seasonal effect on neophobia and wariness, although this may be due to sample size. The presence of conspecifics decreased neophobia for dominants, and wariness for both dominants and subordinates. We highlight the importance of considering animal social status and personality when planning management protocols, since interventions that destabilize fox social groups are likely to increase the number of subordinate foxes in the population, thereby increasing rather than decreasing the number of interactions between humans and urban foxes.
Comparative transcriptomics of spotted seatrout (Cynoscion nebulosus) populations to cold and heat stress
Authors: Song Jingwei , McDowell Jan R.
Published: December 2020

Resilience to climate change depends on a species' adaptive potential and phenotypic plasticity. The latter can enhance survival of individual organisms during short periods of extreme environmental perturbations, allowing genetic adaptation to take place over generations. Along the U.S. East Coast, estuarine‐dependent spotted seatrout (Cynoscion nebulosus) populations span a steep temperature gradient that provides an ideal opportunity to explore the molecular basis of phenotypic plasticity. Genetically distinct spotted seatrout sampled from a northern and a southern population were exposed to acute cold and heat stress (5 biological replicates in each treatment and control group), and their transcriptomic responses were compared using RNA‐sequencing (RNA‐seq). The southern population showed a larger transcriptomic response to acute cold stress, whereas the northern population showed a larger transcriptomic response to acute heat stress compared with their respective population controls. Shared transcripts showing significant differences in expression levels were predominantly enriched in pathways that included metabolism, transcriptional regulation, and immune response. In response to heat stress, only the northern population significantly upregulated genes in the apoptosis pathway, which could suggest greater vulnerability to future heat waves in this population as compared to the southern population. Genes showing population‐specific patterns of expression, including hpt, acot, hspa5, and hsc71, are candidates for future studies aiming to monitor intraspecific differences in temperature stress responses in spotted seatrout. Our findings contribute to the current understanding of phenotypic plasticity and provide a basis for predicting the response of a eurythermal fish species to future extreme temperatures.
Analysis on water use strategies of natural poplar in Hunshandake Sandy Land, China
Authors: Jia Debin , Li Xuesong , Zhang Yuqiang , Feng Yun , Liu Dong
Published: December 2020

The past decades have witnessed the increasingly severe desertification and high sandstorm frequency in Hunshandake desert, China, which evokes extensive concern regarding the ecological and environmental effects on natural plant fields. Herein, natural poplars in this area are studied in this work to analyze the water use efficiency (WUE), water absorption source (WAS), water consumption of poplar, and water use strategy (WUS). The results show that the intrinsically high WUE of poplar can be enhanced under water stress status. The 0–100 cm soil water or underground water constitutes the main WAS. Poplar uses deep soil water or underground water when there is insufficient precipitation in rainy season, which, however, turns to use easily‐absorbed precipitation water after rainfall and lives through the growing period by switching water absorption positions. The unique dimorphic root system, adjustable WUE, and adjustable WUS make poplar able to maximally use limited water resource, which is also the main strategy for its survival in arid and semi‐arid areas. The combined analyses help us to get insight into the survivability and adaptive ability of plants as well as to regulate the limited water resource. This work may pave a way for ecological community restoration and ecologically environmental improvement.
Evaluation of the performance and atmospheric emissions in a diesel engine of the biofuel obtained by hydrodeoxygenation of oleic acid with Pt/γ‐Al2O3 catalysts
Authors: Sánchez‐Cárdenas Manuel , Sánchez‐Olmos Luis A. , Kamaraj Sathish‐Kumar , Trejo‐Zarraga Fernando , Rodríguez‐Valadez Francisco J.
Published: December 2020

Pt/γ‐Al2O3 catalysts were prepared by incipient wet impregnation and tested in hydrodeoxygenation reactions for conversion of oleic acid to n‐C17 alkanes at optimal conditions. The high conversion of 96.5% to renewable biodiesel (RD) is justified with the characterization results, showing that the catalyst has good texture properties, presence of metallic Pt evidenced by 2θ reflections and binding energies, as well as adequate dispersion of active phase and nanoparticle size. 20% and 40% mixtures of RD with diesel were used. At full load a slight decrease in potency was observed when using RD mixtures and comparing them with petrodiesel; fortunately, the RD mixtures showed significant reductions in air pollutants, RD40 achieved reductions greater than 22% for CO, HC, and near 43% in emissions of smoke when compared to diesel.
Design and implementation of an islanded hybrid microgrid system for a large resort center for Penang Island with the proper application of excess energy
Authors: Shezan SK. A. ,   Rawdah, Ali S. Shafin , Rahman Ziaur
Published: December 2020

The energy demand is growing daily at an accelerated pace due to the internationalization and development of civilization. Yet proper economic utilization of additional energy generated by the Islanded Hybrid Microgrid System (IHMS) that was not consumed by the load is a major global challenge. To resolve the above‐stated summons, this research focuses on a multi‐optimal combination of IHMS for the Penang Hill Resort located on Penang Island, Malaysia, with effective use of redundant energy. To avail this excess energy efficiently, an electrical heater along with a storage tank has been designed concerning diversion load having proper energy management. Furthermore, the system design has adopted the HOMER Pro software for profitable and practical analysis. Alongside, MATLAB Simulink had stabilized the whole system by representing the values of 2068 and 19,072 kW that have been determined as the approximated peak and average load per day for the resort. Moreover, the optimized IHMS is comprehended of Photovoltaic (PV) cells, Diesel Generator, Wind Turbine, Battery, and Converter. Adjacent to this, the optimized system ensued in having a Net Present Cost (NPC) of $21.66 million, Renewable Fraction (RF) of 27.8%, Cost of Energy (COE) of $0.165/kWh, CO2 of 1,735,836 kg/year, and excess energy of 517.29MWh per annum. Since the diesel generator lead system was included in the scheme, a COE of $0.217/kWh, CO2 of 5,124,879 kg/year, and NPC of $23.25 million were attained. The amount of excess energy is effectively utilized with an electrical heater as a diversion load.
The nexus among climate change, economic growth, foreign direct investments, and financial development: New evidence from N‐11 countries
Authors: Aslan Alper , Altinoz Buket , Atay Polat Melike
Published: December 2020

The aim of this article is to investigate the relationship between air pollution, economic growth, energy use, trade openness, foreign direct investment, and financial development in N‐11 countries data period from 1980 to 2018. For this purpose, it is adopted the Panel Vector Autoregression (PVAR) model for the estimation of the long and short‐run effects. The results suggest that although energy consumption and financial development have a negative impact on CO2 emissions, foreign direct investment leads to an increase in pollution. In addition, there is bidirectional causality between financial development and CO2 emissions and energy use, carbon dioxide emissions and energy consumption, foreign direct investments and energy consumption, and financial development and energy consumption. In addition, there is unidirectional causality from carbon dioxide emissions to GDP, from energy consumption to GDP, from foreign direct investments to CO2 emissions and GDP, from financial development to GDP. Finally, impulse‐response functions indicate the validity of the EKC hypothesis in these countries.
Removal of emerging micropollutants from wastewater by nanofiltration and biofilm reactor (MicroStop)
Authors: Büning Bastian , Rechtenbach Dorothea , Behrendt Joachim , Otterpohl Ralf
Published: December 2020

Current wastewater treatment is not designed for the elimination of micropollutants (MP) and therefore these are released into the aquatic environment by means of the municipal wastewater. The MicroStop project investigates a combination of a fixed‐bed reactor (FBR) and a nanofiltration plant (NF) for the elimination of organic MP. NF acts as a barrier for MP while biological degradation of the pollutants is to be induced in the FBR. A simultaneous treatment of the retentate should be realized by its return to the FBR. The NF is to be supplied with energy by a large separation of organic matter in the primary clarification. The experiments showed that NF can eliminate more than 95% of the selected and detected MP on average, and therefore, this method represents a suitable barrier for these pollutants. The retentate of the NF was used to test the potential of the biological degradation in the FBR. The test results showed that a significant biological degradation of different MP took place in the FBR. The degradability of the substances could be verified by not detecting significant adsorption on sludge and fixed‐bed. For certain MP (sulfamethoxazole and carbamazepine) only little potential of biodegradation could be detected, which is confirmed by values from the literature. Apart from these two substances, the average degradation rate was 78%. The successful MP‐retention in connection with the biological degradation rates demonstrated the potential of the concept.

Statement of Industrial Relevance

It is undisputed that the conventional wastewater treatment has to be upgraded, since it is not able to eliminate residual MP. The following describes how the MicroStop‐process is able to address MP where competitive processes such as activated carbon or ozonation fail to do so:

The process is able to eliminate MP comprehensively and to retain microplastics, pathogenic germs and metabolites to a large extent before they reach the environment.

The retentate, which normally occurs as residue of the NF, is directly treated in the FBR. The only residue of the MicroStop‐process would be the excess sludge, which could easily be used for sludge treatment.

The effluent of the process is of high quality. This could be used in other regions of the world for irrigating plants, for industrial processes or even as tap water.

The potentially increased energy consumption (i.e., due to NF) is taken into account in our concept by the carbon extraction in the primary treatment.

Novelty or Significance

The combination of NF with biological degradation of MP in a FBR represents a process that has not yet been investigated in this form.

In addition, the combination with an elevated carbon extraction in the primary treatment (Powerstep‐process) represents the idea of a complete redesign of conventional municipal wastewater treatment plants.
Structure and contingency determine mutational hotspots for flower color evolution
Authors: Wheeler Lucas C. , Wing Boswell A. , Smith Stacey D.
Published: December 2020

Evolutionary genetic studies have uncovered abundant evidence for genomic hotspots of phenotypic evolution, as well as biased patterns of mutations at those loci. However, the theoretical basis for this concentration of particular types of mutations at particular loci remains largely unexplored. In addition, historical contingency is known to play a major role in evolutionary trajectories, but has not been reconciled with the existence of such hotspots. For example, do the appearance of hotspots and the fixation of different types of mutations at those loci depend on the starting state and/or on the nature and direction of selection? Here, we use a computational approach to examine these questions, focusing the anthocyanin pigmentation pathway, which has been extensively studied in the context of flower color transitions. We investigate two transitions that are common in nature, the transition from blue to purple pigmentation and from purple to red pigmentation. Both sets of simulated transitions occur with a small number of mutations at just four loci and show strikingly similar peaked shapes of evolutionary trajectories, with the mutations of the largest effect occurring early but not first. Nevertheless, the types of mutations (biochemical vs. regulatory) as well as their direction and magnitude are contingent on the particular transition. These simulated color transitions largely mirror findings from natural flower color transitions, which are known to occur via repeated changes at a few hotspot loci. Still, some types of mutations observed in our simulated color evolution are rarely observed in nature, suggesting that pleiotropic effects further limit the trajectories between color phenotypes. Overall, our results indicate that the branching structure of the pathway leads to a predictable concentration of evolutionary change at the hotspot loci, but the types of mutations at these loci and their order is contingent on the evolutionary context.
CFD simulation and experimental validation of in‐container thermal processing in Fesenjan stew
Authors: Soleymani Serami Maryam , Ramezan Yousef , Khashehchi Morteza
Published: December 2020

The purpose of the study was to develop and validate the CFD model for predicting temperature profile and determine the slowest heating zone (SHZ) during the thermal processing of Fesenjan stew. The temperature profile was recorded experimentally at a point where it was predicted to be the SHZ. The results showed that the SHZ was located at the geometric center of the containers, and the temperature reached 120.3 °C. The average temperatures of experiment versus predicted temperatures at the same positions, no significant difference were observed (p < .01). The RMSE calculation showed good agreement between simulation and experimental data (RMSE = 1.36). The container geometrical center F0 was measured 17.68 min and indicated that an additional process was applied. An 11.5 min reduction in holding time was estimated to optimize the process since the F0 of some meat and sauce‐based food is about 6–7.65 min.
Spontaneous regression of multiple pulmonary metastases accompanied by normalization of serum immune markers following cytoreductive nephrectomy in a patient with clear‐cell renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Okazaki Akihito , Kijima Toshiki , Schiller Philipp , Ishikawa Natsumi , Fuchizawa Hirotaka , Takei Kohei , Suzuki Issei , Sakamoto Kazumasa , Tsuzuki Toyonori , Kamai Takao
Published: December 2020

Introduction

The spontaneous regression of metastases, which mostly occurs after surgical resection of the primary tumor, has been described in various malignancies, including renal cell carcinoma. The involvement of the host immune system is currently postulated as the underlying mechanism.

Case presentation

We present a case of metastatic clear‐cell renal cell carcinoma that achieved complete spontaneous regression of multiple pulmonary metastases preceded by normalization of serum immune markers after cytoreductive nephrectomy. The patient remained disease free for 3 years without any systemic therapy, suggesting that postoperative normalization of serum immune markers may indicate recovery of the host immune system, which prevents tumor recurrence.

Conclusion

Monitoring of serum immune markers may be useful to identify patients with recovered immune function and, therefore, may not require systemic therapy. Similarly, the case suggests a potential role of cytoreductive nephrectomy in the contemporary management of metastatic renal cell carcinoma.
Mobile financial services in Bangladesh: Understanding the affordances
Authors: Hazra Ummaha , Priyo Asad Karim Khan
Published: December 2020

Mobile financial services (MFS) have the potential to impact developing countries by making financial services more accessible. To realize this potential, it is imperative to illuminate why and how people use these new platforms to accomplish their goals. Using affordance theory as a guiding tool, this study aims to uncover the underlying goal directed affordances and actualization techniques used by MFS users in Bangladesh. The data are collected through in‐depth interviews with MFS users and analyzed using thematic analysis to uncover affordances along with actualization techniques that are embedded in everyday social contexts of the users. The study finds that users in their attempts to accomplish specific goals uncover various latent affordances of MFS platforms such as financial services accessibility, self‐controlling ability, spatial and temporal mobility, disintermediation ability, self‐sustainability, secrecy maintainability, and networkability, and employ several techniques to actualize those affordances. These results have implications for utilizing MFS platforms to promote ICT4D goals.
IOData: A python library for reading, writing, and converting computational chemistry file formats and generating input files
Authors: Verstraelen Toon , Adams William , Pujal Leila , Tehrani Alireza , Kelly Braden D. , Macaya Luis , Meng Fanwang , Richer Michael , Hernández‐Esparza Raymundo , Yang Xiaotian Derrick , Chan Matthew , Kim Taewon David , Cools‐Ceuppens Maarten , Chuiko Valerii , Vöhringer‐Martinez Esteban , Ayers Paul W. , Heidar‐Zadeh Farnaz
Published: December 2020

IOData is a free and open‐source Python library for parsing, storing, and converting various file formats commonly used by quantum chemistry, molecular dynamics, and plane‐wave density‐functional‐theory software programs. In addition, IOData supports a flexible framework for generating input files for various software packages. While designed and released for stand‐alone use, its original purpose was to facilitate the interoperability of various modules in the HORTON and ChemTools software packages with external (third‐party) molecular quantum chemistry and solid‐state density‐functional‐theory packages. IOData is designed to be easy to use, maintain, and extend; this is why we wrote IOData in Python and adopted many principles of modern software development, including comprehensive documentation, extensive testing, continuous integration/delivery protocols, and package management. This article is the official release note of the IOData library.
Evaluation of Curam drug as an ecofriendly corrosion inhibitor for protection of stainless steel‐304 in hydrochloric acid solution: Chemical, electrochemical, and surface morphology studies
Authors: El‐Haddad Mahmoud N. , Fouda Abd El‐Aziz S.
Published: December 2020

In the present work, the Curam drug was used as an eco‐friendly corrosion inhibitor for the protection of stainless steel 304 (SS‐304) in 2.0 M HCl solution. The inhibition efficiency was determined by mass loss (ML), Potentiodynamic polarization (PDP), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements. The surface morphology analysis carried out using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). ML data prove that with an increase in the temperature, Curam still exhibits good anti‐corrosion performance. The inhibition efficiency of Curam can still be maintained at about 72% at 318 K. The data of electrochemical measurements indicate that Curam is the mixed‐type inhibitor. The adsorption process of Curam on the SS‐304 surface obeys the Langmuir adsorption isotherm. FT‐IR and AFM analysis showed the excellent inhibition performance of Curam for SS‐304 dissolution in an acidic medium. The data obtained by chemical and electrochemical measurements are in good agreement with one another.
Considerations in genetic counseling of transgender patients: Cultural competencies and altered disease risk profiles
Authors: von Vaupel‐Klein Alexander M. , Walsh Reubs J.
Published: December 2020

Transgender people are a growing population with specific healthcare needs, barriers to care, and disease risk factors. Cultural competencies for working with transgender people in healthcare settings are essential to reduce barriers to care and combat the associated health disparities. Genetic counselors support their patients to understand and manage medically and personally complex life events and decisions. A genetic counselor caring for a transgender patient or a patient with a transgender relative will therefore require specific cultural competencies and medical knowledge that may not have been covered in their training. Transgender health is also a relatively young field in which new insights may quickly become fundamental. The present paper therefore provides an overview of current best practices for culturally sensitive working with transgender patients, and an introduction to the additional considerations for assessment of disease risk in transgender people. Guidance on how to ensure communication with patients and other stakeholders is inclusive and affirming of transgender identities, is offered. Medical interventions used for gender transitions are described, and their (potential) effects on cancer and cardiovascular disease risk are discussed. Furthermore, the effects of sociocultural risk factors such as minority stress are outlined. In sum, we invite the reader to consider the specific biological, psychological, and social context of the consultation. Finally, we explore culturally competent approaches to pedigree charting and physical examinations with transgender people and provide recommendations for practice.
Anatomical basis of diverse jaw protrusion directionality in ponyfishes (Family Leiognathidae)
Authors: Roberts Alexus S. , Hodge Jennifer R. , Chakrabarty Prosanta , Wainwright Peter C.
Published: December 2020

Protrusion of the oral jaws is a key morphological innovation that enhances feeding performance in fishes. The mechanisms of protrusion and the basis of variation in its magnitude are well studied, but little attention has been paid to the functional morphology of protrusion directionality, despite wide variation among teleost species from slightly dorsal to strongly ventral. Ponyfishes (Leiognathidae) comprise a group of 52 species that exhibit striking diversity in the directionality of jaw protrusion, providing a promising system for exploring its underlying basis in a single clade. We examined the anatomical basis of protrusion directionality by measuring eight traits associated with the size and positioning of oral jaw bones. Measurements were made on cleared and stained specimens of 20 ponyfish species, representing every major lineage within the family. Species fell into three nonoverlapping clusters with respect to directionality including dorsal, rostral, and ventral protruders. A key correlate of protrusion direction is the anterior–posterior position of the articular‐quadrate jaw joint. As the joint position moves from a posterior to a more anterior location, the orientation of the relaxed mandible rotates from an almost horizontal resting position to an upright vertical posture. Abduction of the mandible from the horizontal position results in ventrally directed protrusion, while the more upright mandible rotates to a position that maintains dorsal orientation. The resting orientation of the premaxilla and maxilla, thus, vary consistently with protrusion direction. Mouth size, represented by length of the mandible and maxilla, is a second major axis of variation in ponyfishes that is independent of variation in protrusion directionality.
Ultrashort echo time time‐spatial labeling inversion pulse magnetic resonance angiography with denoising deep learning reconstruction for the assessment of abdominal visceral arteries
Authors: Mori Ryuichi , Kassai Yoshimori , Masuda Atsuro , Morita Yoshiaki , Kimura Tomoyoshi , Nagasaka Tatsuo , Nishina Takashi , Tanaka Sho , Miyazaki Mitsue , Takase Kei , Ota Hideki
Published: December 2020

Current contrast‐enhanced magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) and non‐contrast‐enhanced balanced steady‐state free precession (bSSFP) MRA cause susceptibility artifacts from metallic devices in assessing endovascular visceral‐artery interventions. The aims of this study are to investigate and compare image quality (IQ) and susceptibility artifacts of three‐dimensional (3D) ultrashort echo time (UTE) time‐spatial labeling inversion pulse (Time‐SLIP) with those of 3D bSSFP Time‐SLIP and to assess denoising deep learning reconstruction (dDLR) for the improvement of the signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) in 3D UTE with sparse sampling in phantoms and human subjects. This is a prospective type of study. Pulsatile glycerin‐water flow phantom with platinum‐tungsten‐alloy coil, stainless‐steel, nitinol, and cobalt‐alloy stents were used. Ten healthy volunteers (seven males) and three patients (two males) were included in this study. 3D UTE Time‐SLIP and 3D bSSFP Time‐SLIP at 3T were used. The phantom‐based study compared the signal‐intensity ratio of the device levels (SRdevice) and distal segments (SRdistal) to the proximal segments. The volunteer‐based study measured SNR, contrast ratio (CR), and IQ. The patient study evaluated local artifacts from metallic devices. Statistical tests included paired t‐tests, Wilcoxon‐signed rank tests, and Kruskal–Wallis tests. In the phantom‐based study, SRdevice was small with UTE Time‐SLIP, except the stainless‐steel stent. SRdistal was greater (49.1%–90.4%) on bSSFP images than UTE images (−11.1% to 9.6%). Among volunteers, dDLR in UTE images improved SNR (p < 0.05) and IQ (p < 0.05), but CR was unaffected. UTE Time‐SLIP showed inferior SNR and IQ than bSSFP Time‐SLIP in images with and without dDLR (p < 0.05 for each). However, among patients, UTE Time‐SLIP showed reduced metal artifacts compared to bSSFP Time‐SLIP. Irrespective of the lower SNR and IQ of 3D UTE Time‐SLIP than those of 3D bSSFP Time‐SLIP, the former appeared to better depict flow after stenting or coiling. This indicates the potential of 3D UTE Time‐SLIP to provide suitable diagnostic images of target vessels. dDLR improved SNR with reducing artifacts related to radial sampling, while maintaining the contrast.

Level of Evidence

2.

Technical Efficacy Stage

2.
Water footprint: applying the water footprint assessment method to Australian agriculture
Authors: Hossain Iqbal , Imteaz Monzur A , Khastagir Anirban
Published: December 2020

BACKGROUND

Water footprint assessment is essential for the evaluation of water scarcity that considers both direct and indirect water consumption along the supply chain. This paper presents the estimation of water footprint for locally grown fruits and vegetables in Australia. Water footprint was calculated based on the framework developed in the Water Footprint Assessment Manual for the crops which are the most practicable to grow in Australia. Nine different crops (apples, grapes, tomatoes, oranges, peaches/nectarines, cherries, potatoes, carrots/turnips and almonds) in the agricultural industry were selected and identified as the most water‐consumptive crop and least water‐consumptive crop. For each type of crop, the three main water footprint components (blue, green, and grey water) were calculated.

RESULTS

It was found that almond had the highest water footprint (6671.96 m3 ton−1) and tomato had the lowest water footprint (212.24 m3 ton−1) in Australia. From the global comparison, it is revealed that total water footprint for Australian crops is much higher than the corresponding international average values, except for tomatoes, potatoes and almonds. Also, almonds had the highest water footprint among the nine crops investigated.

CONCLUSION

The study provides an insight into future sustainable cropping patterns in Australia, which suggest that tomatoes, carrots/turnips, potatoes and apples should continue to be grown in Australia, whereas stone fruit (e.g., almonds) should no longer be grown because of its high water footprint. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Onion juice and extracts for the inhibition of enzymatic browning mechanisms in frozen Agaricus bisporus mushrooms
Authors: Bernaś Emilia , Jaworska Grażyna
Published: December 2020

BACKGROUND

The potential of onion juice, as well as extracts of waste (tunic) (5%) and fleshy scale leaves (25%), to inhibit enzymatic browning of frozen Agaricus bisporus was investigated. The onion materials were used for blanching and their effectiveness in conserving integrity and appearance of mushroom fruiting bodies was compared with the currently accepted method of blanching in a sodium metabisulfite (SM) solution.

RESULTS

It was observed that l‐phenylalanine content may be a useful indicator of the changes in enzymatic activity during frozen storage, and l‐tyrosine may be an indicator of a loss of lightness in color (parameter L*). The enzymes responsible for color changes were mainly monophenolase (MON) and, to a lesser degree, diphenolase (DIP). After being stored frozen for 8 months, these enzymes were detected at a 29:1 (DIP:MON) ratio in untreated mushrooms and a 2:1 (DIP:MON) ratio in mushrooms treated with onion juice.

CONCLUSION

Onion products may be a good alternative to an SM solution. The most effective method to conserve the light color of fruiting bodies was blanching in juice or in an extract of the fleshy scale leaves. The least effective inhibitor of MON was tunic extract, which did, however, cause a favourable increase in the reducing capacity (total polyphenols) and flavonoids. Although the onion waste (tunic) extract changed the color of mushrooms from white to creamy orange, the color of these products was attractive and positively evaluated by panellists. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Valorisation of fungal hydrolysates of exhausted sugar beet pulp for lactic acid production
Authors: Marzo Cristina , Díaz Ana Belén , Caro Ildefonso , Blandino Ana
Published: December 2020

BACKGROUND

Exhausted sugar beet pulp pellets (ESBPP) were used as raw material for lactic acid (LA) fermentation. The enzymatic hydrolysis of ESBPP was performed with the solid obtained after the fungal solid‐state fermentation of ESBPP as a source of hydrolytic enzymes. Subsequently, a medium rich in glucose and arabinose was obtained, which was used to produce LA by fermentation. For LA production, two Lactobacillus strains were assayed and the effects of the supplementation of the hydrolysate with a nitrogen source and the mode of pH regulation of the fermentation were investigated. Moreover, a kinetic model for LA fermentation by Lactobacillus plantarum of ESBPP hydrolysates was developed.

RESULTS

L. plantarum produced a LA concentration 34% higher than that produced by L. casei. The highest LA concentration (30 g L−1) was obtained with L. plantarum when the hydrolysate was supplemented with 5 g L−1 yeast extract and the pH was controlled with CaCO3. The concentration of acetic acid differed depending on the concentration of CaCO3 added, producing its maximum value with 27 g L−1 CaCO3. The proposed kinetic model was able to predict the evolution of substrates and products depending on the variation of the pH in the hydrolysate, according to the amount of CaCO3 added.

CONCLUSIONS

ESBPP can be revalorised to produce LA. A pure LA stream or a mixture of LA and acetic acid, depending on the pH control method of the fermentation, can be produced. Thus, this control is of great interest depending on the destination of the effluent. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Assessment of physicochemical and thermal properties of soluble dextrin fiber from potato starch for use in fruit mousses
Authors: Kapusniak (Jochym) Kamila , Wojcik Malwina , Wrobel Karolina , Rosicka‐Kaczmarek Justyna , Kapusniak Janusz
Published: December 2020

BACKGROUND

Fruit mousses are products with a relatively low amount of dietary fiber in a single portion, but with additional portions of soluble fiber they may be good alternative to fiber‐rich snacks as take‐away food. In the present study, the properties of new soluble dextrin fiber (SDexF) from potato starch were assessed to establish whether it could be used to enrich fruit mousses. The properties of SDexF that can affect processing and storage stability of enriched mousses were studied and compared with those of native potato starch and semiproducts (resulting from various drying temperatures). The effect of the addition of SDexF on the pasting properties of mousse was also analyzed.

RESULTS

The application of food‐grade hydrochloric and citric acids as catalysts in the dextrinization of food‐grade potato starch allowed to SDexF to be obtained. Despite the differences in characteristics of the semiproducts, the final SDexF preparations were very similar in the meaning of solubility, dextrose equivalent (DE), retrogradation, and pasting properties. SDexF preparations were characterized by a significantly lower retrogradation tendency, peak viscosity, final viscosity, and gelatinization enthalpy in comparison with both native starch and semiproducts. Soluble dextrin fiber was successfully added to banana‐apple mousse. The addition of SDexF to mousse did not cause any undesirable changes to the viscosity of the product, and surprisingly even resulted in mousse with lower viscosity. Turbidity and RVA studies revealed that SDexF was stable and retrogradation processes can be negligible during storage.

CONCLUSION

The SDexF obtained from potato starch can be a novel functional substance to increase the dietary fiber content of fruit or fruit and vegetable mousses. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Residue pattern of chlorpyrifos and its metabolite in tea from cultivation to consumption
Authors: Yin Peng , Dai Jinxia , Guo Guiyi , Wang Zihao , Liu Wei , Liu Xin , Chen Hongping
Published: December 2020

BACKGROUND

Chlorpyrifos (CPF) is a broad‐spectrum organophosphorus pesticide widely used to control tea geometrid (Ectropis oblique) and tea green leafhoppers (Empoasca pirisuga Matsumura) in tea trees. The major metabolite of CPF in water, plants, and animals is 3,5,6‐trichloro‐2‐pyridinol, which is more toxic than CPF. However, the dissipation pattern of CPF in tea is unknown.

RESULTS

An optimized QuEChERS sample preparation method combined with ultra‐performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry was applied to determine the residues of chlorpyrifos and its metabolite in tea during tea planting and green tea processing. During tea planting, the sum of chlorpyrifos and its metabolite dissipated rapidly with a half‐life of 1.93 days for tea shoots. The residues of chlorpyrifos and its metabolite in made green tea were 96.89 and 35.88 μg kg−1 on the seventh day. The values for processing factors of chlorpyrifos and its metabolite were all less than 1, showing that each green tea manufacturing step was responsible for the reduction. The transfer rates of chlorpyrifos and its metabolite from made green tea to its infusion were 0.68–4.62% and 62.93–71.79%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

The risk of chlorpyrifos was negligible to human health based on the hazard quotient, which was 7.4%. This study provides information relevant to the reasonable application of chlorpyrifos in tea planting and is potentially helpful for tea exporting and importing countries to establish harmonized maximum residue limits. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry