bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
First report of lionfish prey from Western Florida waters as identified by DNA barcoding
Authors: Santamaria Carlos A. , Locascio James , Greenan Taylor M.
Published: September 2020

DNA barcoding was used to identify prey fragments recovered from the stomachs of lionfish harvested during the 2016 Sarasota Lionfish Derby. A total of 305 prey fragments were recovered from 50 stomachs (mean = 4.6 per stomach), of which 184 (60.3%) fragments could be identified to either species or genus when Cytochrome Oxidase I (COI) sequences were queried against the Barcode of Life Database. We identified 21 fish prey species which represented fourteen families and accounted for 95.7% of genetically identifiable prey items. The remaining prey items identified corresponded to six crustacean species. The four most common prey taxa in lionfish stomachs werePtereleotris calliura(24.3%), an unidentifiedMicrogobiusspecies (20.4%),Diplectum formosum(14.3%), andApogon aurolineatus(12.2%). The most frequently observed crustacean species,Metapenaeopsis goodei, was found in only three stomachs (6.1%). We also report eleven taxa as putative novel lionfish prey species, most of which are common in Florida waters. Sixteen prey items were identified as lionfish (P. volitans); however, it was not definitive whether these detections were due to cross contamination or cannibalization. This represents the first report of lionfish diets from Florida waters in the Eastern Gulf of Mexico based on barcoding efforts. Our results are largely congruent with previous COI barcoding based studies of lionfish diets, indicating these predators to be generalists exhibiting preferences for specific prey traits but with regional differences in their diets.
Role Perception, Role Performance and Constraints of Trainers in KVKs Haryana
Authors: . Sulekha , Gupta Dileep , Chandra Prakash , Kumar Amit , Nath Prem , Yadav Kamlesh Kumar , Mehta Sudershan
Published: September 2020

The present investigation aimed at analyzing the role perception, role performance and constraints of trainers in KVKs of Haryana state. Agro climatically Haryana is divided into two zones i.e., western and eastern zone. 4 Krishi Vigyan Kendrs (KVKs), two each from western zone i.e. KVK Bhiwani and KVK Fatehabad whereas KVK Rohtak and KVK Jhajjar from eastern zone were selected. Overall 47.4 per cent trainers had high followed by medium (36.8%) role perception. Regarding role performance of the respondent’s irrespective of zones and KVKs had medium (52.6%) followed by high (36.8%) level of role performance. All the extension personnel of the selected KVKs who were directly involved in conduct of training programmes were selected for the study. There were, four (Bhiwani), six (Fatehabad), five (Rohtak) and four (Jhajjar) extension personnel respectively. Thus, 19 extension personnel were interviewed. Major constraints experienced by the trainers were: lot of paper work and reporting and feeling additional burden of work and responsibilities due vacant posts lying in each KVK.
Assessment of Balance Nutrition (N, P, K, Zn and B) and Green Manuring on Yield, Nutrient Uptake, Economics and Soil Fertility of Rainfed Rice (Oryza sativa L.) in Drought Prone Areas of Odisha
Authors: Udgata J. , Barik M. , Phonglosa A. , Joshi S. K. , Mishra P. J. , Rahman F. H. , Garnayak L. M. , Parida D.
Published: September 2020

A field experiment was carried out in participatory mode on farmers’ field at Bhoimunda village of Jharsuguda block under Jharsuguda district, Odisha during Kharif season of 2017, 2018 and 2019 to study the efficiency of nutrient management along with green manuring crop on productivity, profitability and soil fertility of rice under Western Central Table Land Zone of Odisha, India. The adopted village was selected by Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Jharsuguda, Odisha under National Innovations in Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA) project. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design with four treatments replicated five times taking rice (cv. Sahabhagi dhan) as test crop.  The treatments comprised of four viz. T1: Farmer’s practice (NPK @ 50:20:20 kg ha-1), T2: Recommended dose of fertilizer (NPK @ 60:30:30 kg ha-1), T3: 75% RDF + Green manuring of dhaincha  (Sesbania aculeata) with seed rate of @ 25 kg ha-1 and T4: Soil Test Based NPKZnB @ 75:38:30:6.25:1.25 kg ha-1 + Green manuring.  Results revealed that application of Soil Test Based NPKZnB @ 75:38:30:6.25:1.25 kg ha-1 along with green manuring producing dry biomass 5044 kg ha-1  (T4) recorded significantly higher growth and yield attributes, grain yield (4.04 t ha-1), straw yield (5.15 t ha-1), harvest index (43.92%) as well as nutrient uptake in grain and straw of the crop over farmers practice. The same treatment recorded significant improvement in soil pH, organic carbon, available macronutrients (N, P and K) and micronutrients (Zn and B) status of soil after harvest of the crop. The highest benefit: cost ratio (1.62) and returns (Rs. 28559 ha-1) were recorded with the same treatment (T4) over farmers practice. The present study showed that use of green manuring along with balance nutrition, is an important strategy to maintain and/or improve soil fertility for sustainable crop production in drought prone areas as well as remunerative rice production by the farmers in Odisha, India.
Land Use/Land Cover Change of Rabi Season of Rahuri Taluka of Ahmednagar District Maharashtra
Authors: Mahadule Payal A. , Atre A. A. , Kamble Ankita P. , Pande C. , Gorantiwar S. D.
Published: September 2020

Advanced change location procedures by utilizing multi-temporal satellite symbolism helps in understanding landscape dynamics. The present examination shows the spatio- temporal elements of land use of Rahuri Taluka, Ahmednagar District, Maharashtra, India.  Sentinel 2A satellite imageries of four different months of Rabi season (2019-2020) were acquired by United States Geological Survey (USGS) earth explorer site and quantify the changes in the Rahuri Taluka from October 2019 to January 2020 over a period of 3 months.This study applied supervised classification-maximum likelihood algorithm by using Arc GIS 10.1 Map envision to distinguish land use changes of Rahuri. Land Use/Land Cover (LULC) in the Rahuri has experienced a progression of changes in the course of the last three months. Four significant LULC classes viz; Water body, Built-up Land, Waste/Fallow land, Agriculture land have been distinguished and demonstrate that significant land use in the Rahuri Taluka. Results appears, water bodies was highest in month of October 15.68% (166.48 km2), Agriculture land was highest in month of November 59.77% (634.56 km2) and Waste/Fallow land was significantly higher in month of October 41.1% (437.47 km2) and December 41.7% (442.77 km2) than November 30.54% (324.28 km2). The examination and discoveries of the investigation features significant approach suggestions for the maintainable Land Use/Land Cover the board in the Rahuri.
Detection of H. pylori IgG by Using ELISA
Authors: Mahato Malabika
Published: September 2020

Background: Helicobacter pylori is a Gram-negative, winding, microaerophilic human pathogen and have indicated solid relationship with different gastroduodenal illnesses. Its contagion is one of the most widely recognized interminable diseases in humans since the isolation of the pathogen (1–3).

Aim and Objectives: This examination was directed to discover the affectability and particularity of ELISA in distinguishing H. pylori.

Materials and Methods: The investigation was completed in the Department of Pathology, Sri Balaji Medical College and Hospital, Chennai for a period from November 2016 to October 2018. The research was planned as Prospective study. The study recruited two population of respondents comprising of 50 symptomatic clinicians and 50 infection populations of either sex, over 18 years of age. Patients with signs identified with the upper gastrointestinal tract prompted by endoscopic examination and identified as having gastritis, peptic ulcer (PU) and those patients were recalled for this investigation. Patients who took treatment of pylori destruction and use of antimicrobial agents, neutron siphon agonists, bismuth containing mixtures during the month prior to endometrial biopsy were removed from the inquiry. All essential history, clinical breakthroughs and research facility records of each subject were methodically documented in Microsoft windows sensitive Excel sheet for the consequent examination. Arterial blood samples were collected for the Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) test. For this, 50 people of either sex matured over 18 years of age were considered.

Results: It was observed that, the normal age of the patient was 40 to 60 years, 56% of them were male and 44% female. In this examination, serology tests to recognize IgG counter acting agent demonstrated the affectability of (60%). By and large, low precision and affectability of IgG serological tests is because of the failure to separate among present and past disease. Conclusion: These examinations show that H. pylori contamination is a typical issue among individuals in tamilnadu, India. The titer of IgG antibodies to H. pylori in serum can be utilized as non-intrusive tests for the presence of gastritis.
Comparative Study of Clinico-Pathological Profiles of Patients with Proximal Versus Distal Gastric Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Krishnamoorthy Ashwini , Rajkumar Shreya , Kuberan K.
Published: September 2020

Background: Stomach adenocarcinoma has been a major source of malignant development through the greater part of the 20th century. In different parts of the world, the prevalence of this disease has decreased, mostly due to changes in diet and some other natural constituents.

Aim: To examine the clinical pathology of patients with proximal and distal gastric adenocarcinomas.

Methodology: This was the prospective work carried out with gastric adenocarcinoma patients treated at Sree Balaji Medical College and Hospital (SBMCH), Chennai, Tamilnadu, India. All patients were undergone upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and an imaging. In endoscopy, biopsies will be taken from the lesion and biopsies were subjected to histopathological examination.

Results: The most striking epidemiologic perceptions were the increasing frequency of adenocarcinomas of the proximal stomach and distal throat. We found that the occurrence of proximal gastric adenocarcinomas isn't expanding in our populace when contrasted with the rising rate of such proximal tumors in the Western Hemisphere.

Conclusion: In our investigation distal gastric adenocarcinomas were a more incessant finding than the proximal gastric adenocarcinomas.
Tofacitinib in Patients With Psoriatic Arthritis and Metabolic Syndrome: A Post hoc Analysis of Phase 3 Studies
Authors: Ritchlin Christopher T. , Giles Jon T. , Ogdie Alexis , Gomez‐Reino Juan J. , Helliwell Philip , Young Pamela , Wang Cunshan , Wu Joseph , Romero Ana Belén , Woolcott John , Stockert Lori
Published: September 2020

Objective

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a cluster of concurrent risk factors for cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. This post hoc analysis explored key efficacy and safety endpoints in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and MetS treated with tofacitinib.

Methods

Tofacitinib 5 and 10 mg twice daily and placebo data were pooled from two Phase 3 studies (OPAL Broaden [12 months; ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT01877668]; OPAL Beyond [6 months; ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT01882439]); patients received one background conventional synthetic disease‐modifying antirheumatic drug. Patients were stratified by baseline presence/absence of MetS. Efficacy and safety were reported to month 3 (tofacitinib and placebo) and 6 (tofacitinib only). Efficacy outcomes included: American College of Rheumatology (ACR)20/50/70, Health Assessment Questionnaire‐Disability Index (HAQ‐DI) response, Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI)75 response, and enthesitis/dactylitis resolution rates; and changes from baseline (Δ) in C‐reactive protein, HAQ‐DI, Patient’s/Physician’s Global Assessment of Arthritis, and patient‐reported outcomes. Safety outcomes included treatment‐emergent all‐causality adverse events (AEs), Δ in lipid/hepatic values, and liver parameter increases.

Results

Of 710 patients, 41.4% (n = 294) had baseline MetS. All efficacy outcomes improved with both tofacitinib doses versus placebo, to month 3; tofacitinib efficacy was consistent to month 6, regardless of MetS status. MetS did not appear to affect the incidence of AEs or Δ in lipid/hepatic values with tofacitinib up to month 3 or 6. Arterial thromboembolism and myocardial infarction (adjudicated major adverse cardiovascular events) were each reported once in tofacitinib‐treated patients with MetS.

Conclusion

Regardless of baseline MetS status, tofacitinib showed greater efficacy versus placebo in patients with active PsA. The tofacitinib safety profile appeared similar in patients with versus without MetS.
High Throughput Screening of Millions of van der Waals Heterostructures for Superlubricant Applications
Authors: Fronzi Marco , Tawfik Sherif Abdulkader , Ghazaleh Mutaz Abu , Isayev Olexandr , Winkler David A. , Shapter Joe , Ford Michael J.
Published: September 2020

The screening of novel materials is an important topic in the field of materials science. Although traditional computational modeling, especially first‐principles approaches, is a very useful and accurate tool to predict the properties of novel materials, it still demands extensive and expensive state‐of‐the‐art computational resources. Additionally, they can often be extremely time consuming. A time and resource efficient machine learning approach to create a dataset of structural properties of 18 million van der Waals layered structures is described. In particular, the authors focus on the interlayer energy and the elastic constant of layered materials composed of two different 2D structures that are important for novel solid lubricant and super‐lubricant materials. It is shown that machine learning models can predict results of computationally expansive approaches (i.e., density functional theory) with high accuracy.
Eliciting Language Samples for Analysis (ELSA): A New Protocol for Assessing Expressive Language and Communication in Autism
Authors: Barokova Mihaela D. , La Valle Chelsea , Hassan Sommer , Lee Collin , Xu Mengyuan , McKechnie Riley , Johnston Emily , Krol Manon A. , Leano Jennifer , Tager‐Flusberg Helen
Published: September 2020

Expressive language and communication are among the key targets of interventions for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and natural language samples provide an optimal approach for their assessment. Currently, there are no protocols for collecting such samples that cover a wide range of ages or language abilities, particularly for children/adolescents who have very limited spoken language. We introduce a new protocol for collecting language samples, eliciting language samples for analysis (ELSA), and a novel approach for deriving basic measures of verbal communicative competence from it that bypasses the need for time‐consuming transcription. Study 1 presents ELSA‐adolescents (ELSA‐A), designed for minimally and low‐verbal older children/adolescents with ASD. The protocol successfully engaged and elicited speech from 46 participants across a wide range of ages (6;6–19;7) with samples averaging 20–25 min. The collected samples were segmented into speaker utterances (examiner and participant) using real‐time coding as one is listening to the audio recording and two measures were derived: frequency of utterances and conversational turns per minute. These measures were shown to be reliable and valid. For Study 2, ELSA was adapted for younger children (ELSA‐Toddler [ELSA‐T]) with samples averaging 29 min from 19 toddlers (2;8–4;10 years) with ASD. Again, measures of frequency of utterances and conversational turns derived from ELSA‐T were shown to have strong psychometric properties. In Study 3, we found that ELSA‐A and ELSA‐T were equivalent in eliciting language from 17 children with ASD (ages: 4;0–6;8), demonstrating their suitability for deriving robust objective assessments of expressive language that could be used to track change in ability over time. We introduce a new protocol for collecting expressive language samples, ELSA, that can be used with a wide age range, from toddlers (ELSA‐T) to older adolescents (ELSA‐A) with ASD who have minimal or low‐verbal abilities. The measures of language and communication derived from them, frequency of utterances, and conversational turns per minute, using real‐time coding methods, can be used to characterize ability and chart change in intervention research.

Lay Summary

We introduce a new protocol for collecting expressive language samples, ELSA, that can be used with a wide age range, from toddlers (ELSA‐T) to older adolescents (ELSA‐A) with autism spectrum disorder who have minimal or low‐verbal abilities. The measures of language and communication derived from them, frequency of utterances and conversational turns per minute, using real‐time coding methods, can be used to characterize ability and chart change in intervention research.
Synthesis, Structure and Catalytic Properties of Faceted Oxide Crystals
Authors: Zhao Xiaohui , Susman Mariano D. , Rimer Jeffrey D. , Bollini Praveen
Published: September 2020

Bulk metal oxide catalysts are key components of numerous large‐scale industrial processes that possess a high degree of complexity in bulk and surface structure. Such complexity manifests itself in the form of large uncertainties with respect to the nature, density, and efficacy of active sites responsible for catalytic turnovers. Faceted oxide crystals present the prospect of exposing well‐defined oxide surfaces while also being amenable for investigation at realistic pressures and temperatures. Despite the opportunity faceted oxide crystals present for developing more rigorous relationships between atomic‐level structure and catalytic function, their use remains far less prevalent compared to their metallic counterparts. This review, focused on cuprous oxide and cerium oxide crystals, seeks to examine and highlight challenges in controlling and rationalizing metal oxide crystallization, as well as limitations preventing elucidation of the relationships between atomic‐level structures and catalytic properties. We postulate that a clearer understanding of these challenges will encourage researchers to further pursue the study of catalytic properties of faceted oxide crystals, aiding not only an enhanced molecular‐level knowledge of bulk oxide catalysis, but also the development of improved materials for large‐scale catalytic processes.
An Organometallic Gold(I) Bis‐N‐Heterocyclic Carbene Complex with Multimodal Activity in Ovarian Cancer Cells
Authors: Meier‐Menches Samuel M. , Neuditschko Benjamin , Zappe Katja , Schaier Martin , Gerner Marlene C. , Schmetterer Klaus G. , Del Favero Giorgia , Bonsignore Riccardo , Cichna‐Markl Margit , Koellensperger Gunda , Casini Angela , Gerner Christopher
Published: September 2020

The organometallic AuI bis‐N‐heterocyclic carbene complex [Au(9‐methylcaffeine‐8‐ylidene)2]+ (AuTMX2) was previously shown to selectively and potently stabilise telomeric DNA G‐quadruplex (G4) structures. This study sheds light on the molecular reactivity and mode of action of AuTMX2 in the cellular context using mass spectrometry‐based methods, including shotgun proteomics in A2780 ovarian cancer cells. In contrast to other metal‐based anticancer agents, this organogold compound is less prone to form coordinative bonds with biological nucleophiles and is expected to exert its drug effects mainly by non‐covalent interactions. Global protein expression changes of treated cancer cells revealed a multimodal mode of action of AuTMX2 by alterations in the nucleolus, telomeres, actin stress‐fibres and stress‐responses, which were further supported by pharmacological assays, fluorescence microscopy and cellular accumulation experiments. Proteomic data are available via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD020560.
Short‐term decline of Castanopsis fargesii adult trees promotes conspecific seedling regeneration: The complete process from seed production to seedling establishment
Authors: Huang Li , Zhou Lihua , Wang Jingmei , Jin Cheng , Hu Siwei , Qian Shenhua , Lin Dunmei , Zhao Liang , Yang Yongchuan
Published: September 2020

Declining forests usually face uncertain regeneration dynamics and recovery trajectories, which are challenging to forest management. In this study, we investigated the decline pattern of Castanopsis fargesii and examined the effects on conspecific seedling regeneration. We found that 61.45% of adult individuals were in decline and the smaller DBH size classes of trees (10–40 cm) had a greater probability of decline. Most of the intermediate decline (94.52%) and nondecline individuals (95.23%) did not worsen, and the crowns of 21.91% of the intermediate decline trees were recovered during 2013–2018. Adult tree decline had a negative effect on seed production (mean mature seed density of nondecline, intermediate decline, and high decline individuals was 167.3, 63.3, and 2.1 seeds/m2, respectively), but no effect on key seed traits. The seed survival rate of declining trees was greater than that of nondeclining trees at both the seed production and seed dispersal stages. The seed to seedling transition rates in canopy gaps, decline habitats, and nondecline habitats were 7.94%, 9.47%, and 109.24%, respectively. The survival rate and height growth of newly germinated seedlings were positively correlated with the light condition, which was notably accelerated in the canopy gaps. Taken together, these results indicate that the reduction in seed production of some adult trees had a weakly negative effect on new seedling recruitment, while the improved environmental condition after the decline significantly enhanced the survival and growth of both advanced and new germinated seedlings. Looking at the overall life history, the short‐term defoliation and mortality of some C. fargesii adult trees can be regarded as a natural forest disturbance that favors conspecific seedling regeneration. High‐intensity management measures would be unnecessary in cases of an emerging intermediate decline in this forest.
Fourier‐transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry for characterizing proteoforms
Authors: Tucholski Trisha , Ge Ying
Published: September 2020

Proteoforms contribute functional diversity to the proteome and aberrant proteoforms levels have been implicated in biological dysfunction and disease. Fourier‐transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FT‐ICR MS), with its ultrahigh mass‐resolving power, mass accuracy, and versatile tandem MS capabilities, has empowered top‐down, middle‐down, and native MS‐based approaches for characterizing proteoforms and their complexes in biological systems. Herein, we review the features which make FT‐ICR MS uniquely suited for measuring proteoform mass with ultrahigh resolution and mass accuracy; obtaining in‐depth proteoform sequence coverage with expansive tandem MS capabilities; and unambiguously identifying and localizing post‐translational and noncovalent modifications. We highlight examples from our body of work in which we have quantified and comprehensively characterized proteoforms from cardiac and skeletal muscle to better understand conditions such as chronic heart failure, acute myocardial infarction, and sarcopenia. Structural characterization of monoclonal antibodies and their proteoforms by FT‐ICR MS and emerging applications, such as native top‐down FT‐ICR MS and high‐throughput top‐down FT‐ICR MS‐based proteomics at 21 T, are also covered. Historically, the information gleaned from FT‐ICR MS analyses have helped provide biological insights. We predict FT‐ICR MS will continue to enable the study of proteoforms of increasing size from increasingly complex endogenous mixtures and facilitate the benchmarking of sensitive and specific assays for clinical diagnostics. © 2020 John Wiley & Sons Ltd. Mass Spec Rev
Recommendations for Palliative and Hospice Care in NCCN Guidelines for Treatment of Cancer
Authors: Mo Li , Urbauer Diana L , Bruera Eduardo , Hui David
Published: September 2020

Background

Integration of specialist palliative care into routine oncologic care improves patients’ quality of life and survival. National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) cancer treatment guidelines are instrumental in standardizing cancer care, yet it is unclear how palliative and hospice care are integrated in these guidelines. In this study, we examined the frequency of occurrence of “palliative care” and “hospice care” in NCCN guidelines and compared between solid tumor and hematologic malignancy guidelines.

Materials and Methods

We reviewed all 53 updated NCCN Guidelines for Treatment of Cancer. We documented the frequency of occurrence of “palliative care” and “hospice care,” the definitions for these terms if available, and the recommended timing for these services.

Results

We identified a total of 37 solid tumor and 16 hematologic malignancy guidelines. Palliative care was mentioned in 30 (57%) guidelines (24 solid tumor, 6 hematologic). Palliative care was mentioned more frequently in solid tumor than hematologic guidelines (median, 2 vs. 0; p = .04). Among the guidelines that included palliative care in the treatment recommendation, 25 (83%) only referred to NCCN palliative care guideline. Specialist palliative care referral was specifically mentioned in 5 of 30 (17%) guidelines. Only 14 of 24 (58%) solid tumor guidelines and 2 of 6 (33%) hematologic guidelines recommended palliative care in the front line setting for advanced malignancy. Few guidelines (n = 3/53, 6%) mentioned hospice care.

Conclusion

“Palliative care” was absent in almost half of NCCN cancer treatment guidelines and was rarely discussed in guidelines for hematologic malignancies. Our findings underscored opportunities to standardize timely palliative care access across NCCN guidelines.

Implications for Practice

Integration of specialist palliative care into routine oncologic care is associated with improved patient outcomes. National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology have an important role to standardize palliative care involvement for cancer patients. It is unclear how often palliative care referral is recommended in these guidelines. In this study involving 53 NCCN Guidelines for Treatment of Cancer, the researchers found that palliative care was not mentioned in over 40% of NCCN guidelines and was rarely discussed in guidelines for hematologic malignancies. These findings underscored opportunities to standardize timely palliative care access across NCCN guidelines.
Protective effect of supplementation with Ginseng, Lilii Bulbus and Poria against PM2.5 in air pollution‐induced cardiopulmonary damage among adults
Authors: Qiu Feng , Chen Liang , Wang Hanjin , Huang Min , Sun Xiaojie , Kan Juntao , Du Jun , Li Yuanyuan
Published: September 2020

Exposure to PM2.5 (particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter ≤ 2.5 μm) has been associated with increased cardiopulmonary outcomes, mediated by a hypothesized biological mechanism of systemic inflammation and oxidation. This randomized, double‐blinded and placebo‐controlled trial among 120 healthy adults in Wuhan, China, was conducted to evaluate whether the supplementation of herbal product composed of Ginseng, Lilii Bulbus and Poria (GLP) which have been shown to have anti‐inflammatory and anti‐oxidant activity offers protective effects on PM2.5‐induced damage to cardiopulmonary health. Participants received four rounds of health examinations and two rounds of blood sample collection from November 2018 to January 2019. Compared to the placebo group, the GLP group showed significant increased antioxidant biomarkers such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and paraoxonase1 (PON1). What is more, interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), an inflammatory biomarker, was significantly decreased in the GLP group. In addition, nitric oxide and club cell secretory protein (CC16) were increased but heart rate was decreased in the GLP group. As for pulmonary function indicators, significantly increased fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) was observed in the GLP group. Taken together, we concluded that GLP supplementation is associated with decreased inflammatory biomarker and increased antioxidant biomarkers suggesting cardiopulmonary benefits against PM2.5 exposure among young adults in China.
Assessing the impact of large barrages on habitat of the Ganga River dolphin
Authors: Sonkar Gaurav Kailash , Gaurav Kumar
Published: September 2020

Riverine habitats are degrading at an alarming rate due to anthropogenic interventions. Construction of large dams and barrages on the Ganga River has severely fragmented the riverine habitat of dolphins. This study examines the impact of structural barriers on the habitat of the Ganga River dolphin (Platanista gangetica) in a reach between Bijnor and Narora barrage in the middle Ganga and at the Farakka barrage in the lower Ganga Plain. We use time‐series remote sensing images and flow discharge data to assess the morphological and ecological impact in the proximity of these barrages. Our result suggests that after the construction of Bijnor barrage in 1985, the total bar area of the Ganga River has reduced from 150 to 45 km2, but the channel width has remained unchanged during the period between 1980 and 2010. A time‐series analysis of the discharge shows a slightly declining trend after the year 1982. However, this observed trend is not adequate to explain the habitat degradation of the Ganga River dolphins. Further width of the Ganga River in the downstream of the Farakka barrage has reduced from 4 to 1 km, and the total bar area has increased from about 5 to 35 km2 during the period between 1965 and 1980. Also during this period, the pre‐monsoon discharge of the Ganga River has reduced by one‐third in the downstream of Farakka barrage. This study concludes that the loss of dolphins in the downstream reaches of the Farakka barrage could be associated with the change in hydraulic geometry, flow characteristics, and loss of longitudinal and lateral connectivity. Conversely, the impoundments of water upstream of the Narora barrage have maintained the suitable habitat conditions for the dolphins to thrive. This has resulted in a reported growth in the dolphin population during the years 1993–2010.
Highly Stretchable Hydrogel Using Vinyl Modified Narrow Dispersed Silica Particles as Cross‐Linker
Authors: Rezaul Karim Md. , Harun‐Ur‐Rashid Mohammad , Imran Abu Bin
Published: September 2020

Hydrogel is advertently pertinent in numerous practical applications, but their breadth of use is often significantly restricted by their poor mechanical strength, including low toughness and reduced stretchability. A number of efforts to synthesize hydrogels with enhanced mechanical properties have already been rendered. However, a simple and widely adopted strategy for producing hydrogel with desirable strength and biocompatibility has yet to be materialized. Here, we have reported a hydrogel with incredible stretchability and toughness by strengthening the polyacrylamide (PAAm) network structure utilizing narrowly dispersed silica particles (SiO2) as a cross‐linker. SiO2 particles, grafted with vinyl end groups comprising 3‐(trimethoxysilyl)propyl methacrylate (MPTS), were used as a macro‐crosslinker (MSiO2) during the polymerization reaction of AAm to formulate hydrogel. The unique nature of synthesized hydrogel comprising both organic and inorganic compounds led to a rise in their wide‐spread applications as they have exceptional stretching and toughness of ∼59,400 Jm−2. Additionally, all synthesized hydrogels demonstrate high transparency in visible light wavelengths (above 75 %). The hydrogels exhibit significantly enhanced mechanical performance compared with the other ordinary type hydrogel prepared by conventional cross‐linker.
Cu2MoS4 Nanozyme with NIR‐II Light Enhanced Catalytic Activity for Efficient Eradication of Multidrug‐Resistant Bacteria
Authors: Shan Jingyang , Yang Kaili , Xiu Weijun , Qiu Qiu , Dai Sulai , Yuwen Lihui , Weng Lixing , Teng Zhaogang , Wang Lianhui
Published: September 2020

Nanozymes with unique enzyme‐like catalytic properties and versatile functionalities are particularly attractive for the treatment of bacterial infections, especially for combating drug‐resistant bacteria. However, inherently low catalytic activity significantly limits their antibacterial performance. Herein, a new near‐infrared II (NIR‐II) light responsive nanozyme (Cu2MoS4 nanoplates, CMS NPs) is developed for efficient eradication of multidrug‐resistant (MDR) bacteria. CMS NPs with intrinsic dual enzyme‐like property can generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) by catalysis. Importantly, CMS NPs show NIR‐II light enhanced oxidase‐ and peroxidase‐like catalytic activities to improve ROS generation for highly efficient killing of bacteria. In vitro results demonstrate that CMS NPs (40 µg mL−1) achieve rapid killing of 8 log MDR Escherichia coli and 6 log MDR Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) under NIR‐II light irradiation (1064 nm, 1 W cm−2) in 10 min. Moreover, CMS NPs exhibit excellent therapeutic efficacy of MDR S. aureus infection in vivo as well as negligible toxicity to cells and animals, indicating their potential use as antibacterial agents. This work provides a novel antibacterial strategy by combining the catalytic generation of ROS and NIR‐II photothermal effect of nanozymes for efficient treatment of MDR bacteria‐related infections.
Multi-purpose Syntax Definition with SDF3
Authors: de Souza Amorim Luís Eduardo , Visser Eelco
Published: September 2020

SDF3 is a syntax definition formalism that extends plain context-free grammars with features such as constructor declarations, declarative disambiguation rules, character-level grammars, permissive syntax, layout constraints, formatting templates, placeholder syntax, and modular composition. These features support the multi-purpose interpretation of syntax definitions, including derivation of type schemas for abstract syntax tree representations, scannerless generalized parsing of the full class of context-free grammars, error recovery, layout-sensitive parsing, parenthesization and formatting, and syntactic completion. This paper gives a high level overview of SDF3 by means of examples and provides a guide to the literature for further details.
FRed: Conditional Model Checking via Reducers and Folders
Authors: Beyer Dirk , Jakobs Marie-Christine
Published: September 2020

There are many hard verification problems that are currently only solvable by applying several verifiers that are based on complementing technologies. Conditional model checking (CMC) is a successful solution for cooperation between verification tools. In CMC, the first verifier outputs a condition describing the state space that it successfully verified. The second verifier uses the condition to focus its verification on the unverified state space. To use arbitrary second verifiers, we recently proposed a reducer-based approach. One can use the reducer-based approach to construct a conditional verifier from a reducer and a (non-conditional) verifier: the reducer translates the condition into a residual program that describes the unverified state space and the verifier can be any off-the-shelf verifier (that does not need to understand conditions). Until now, only one reducer was available. But for a systematic investigation of the reducer concept, we need several reducers. To fill this gap, we developed FRed, a Framework for exploring different REDucers. Given an existing reducer, FRed allows us to derive various new reducers, which differ in their trade-off between size and precision of the residual program. For our experiments, we derived seven different reducers. Our evaluation on the largest and most diverse public collection of verification problems shows that we need all seven reducers to solve hard verification tasks that were not solvable before with the considered verifiers.
Difference Verification with Conditions
Authors: Beyer Dirk , Jakobs Marie-Christine , Lemberger Thomas
Published: September 2020

Modern software-verification tools need to support development processes that involve frequent changes. Existing approaches for incremental verification hard-code specific verification techniques. Some of the approaches must be tightly intertwined with the development process. To solve this open problem, we present the concept of difference verification with conditions. Difference verification with conditions is independent from any specific verification technique and can be integrated in software projects at any time. It first applies a change analysis that detects which parts of a software were changed between revisions and encodes that information in a condition. Based on this condition, an off-the-shelf verifier is used to verify only those parts of the software that are influenced by the changes. As a proof of concept, we propose a simple, syntax-based change analysis and use difference verification with conditions with three off-the-shelf verifiers. An extensive evaluation shows the competitiveness of difference verification with conditions.
Multiple phases in a generalized Gross-Witten-Wadia matrix model
Authors: Russo Jorge G. , Tierz Miguel
Published: September 2020

Abstract

We study a unitary matrix model of the Gross-Witten-Wadia type, extended with the addition of characteristic polynomial insertions. The model interpolates between solvable unitary matrix models and is the unitary counterpart of a deformed Cauchy ensemble. Exact formulas for the partition function and Wilson loops are given in terms of Toeplitz determinants and minors and largeNresults are obtained by using Szegö theorem with a Fisher-Hartwig singularity. In the largeN(planar) limit with two scaled couplings, the theory exhibits a surprisingly intricate phase structure in the two-dimensional parameter space.
Moduli spaces of non-geometric type II/heterotic dual pairs
Authors: Gautier Yoan , Israël Dan
Published: September 2020

Abstract

We study the moduli spaces of heterotic/type II dual pairs in four dimensions with $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 2 supersymmetry corresponding to non-geometric Calabi-Yau backgrounds on the type II side and to T-fold compactifications on the heterotic side. The vector multiplets moduli space receives perturbative corrections in the heterotic description only, and non- perturbative correction in both descriptions. We derive explicitely the perturbative corrections to the heterotic four-dimensional prepotential, using the knowledge of its singularity structure and of the heterotic perturbative duality group. We also derive the exact hypermultiplets moduli space, that receives corrections neither in the string coupling nor in α′.
Urinary metabolic signatures reflect cardiovascular risk in the young, middle-aged, and elderly populations
Authors: Martinez Paula J. , Agudiez Marta , Molero Dolores , Martin-Lorenzo Marta , Baldan-Martin Montserrat , Santiago-Hernandez Aranzazu , García-Segura Juan Manuel , Madruga Felipe , Cabrera Martha , Calvo Eva , Ruiz-Hurtado Gema , Barderas Maria G , Vivanco Fernando , Ruilope Luis M , Alvarez-Llamas Gloria
Published: September 2020

The predictive value of traditional cardiovascular risk estimators is limited, and young and elderly populations are particularly underrepresented. We aimed to investigate the urine metabolome and its association with cardiovascular risk to identify novel markers that might complement current estimators based on age. Urine samples were collected from 234 subjects categorized into three age-grouped cohorts: 30–50 years (cohort I, young), 50–70 years (cohort II, middle-aged), and > 70 years (cohort III, elderly). Each cohort was further classified into three groups: (a) control, (b) individuals with cardiovascular risk factors, and (c) those who had a previous cardiovascular event. Novel urinary metabolites linked to cardiovascular risk were identified by nuclear magnetic resonance in cohort I and then evaluated by target mass spectrometry quantification in all cohorts. A previously identified metabolic fingerprint associated with atherosclerosis was also analyzed and its potential risk estimation investigated in the three aged cohorts. Three different metabolic signatures were identified according to age: 2-hydroxybutyrate, gamma-aminobutyric acid, hypoxanthine, guanidoacetate, oxaloacetate, and serine in young adults; citrate, cyclohexanol, glutamine, lysine, pantothenate, pipecolate, threonine, and tyramine shared by middle-aged and elderly adults; and trimethylamine N-oxide and glucuronate associated with cardiovascular risk in all three cohorts. The urinary metabolome contains a metabolic signature of cardiovascular risk that differs across age groups. These signatures might serve to complement existing algorithms and improve the accuracy of cardiovascular risk prediction for personalized prevention.

Key messages

• Cardiovascular risk in the young and elderly is underestimated.

• The urinary metabolome reflects cardiovascular risk across all age groups.

• Six metabolites constitute a metabolic signature of cardiovascular risk in young adults.

• Middle-aged and elderly adults share a cardiovascular risk metabolic signature.

• TMAO and glucuronate levels reflect cardiovascular risk across all age groups.
Thermal ageing of proteinaceous fouling layers during the growth phase
Authors: Schnöing Lukas , Augustin Wolfgang , Scholl Stephan
Published: September 2020

Fouling in heat exchangers can complicate the characterisation and interpretation of thermal effects because of ageing phenomena that occur within the deposited fouling layer. The prevailing process temperatures between the liquid bulk and heat-transferring surfaces create a large thermal conductivity distribution according to the position of the layer within the deposit. During the growth phase, an interaction occurs between the fouling layer formation and ageing. Therefore, deposition and ageing should always be considered in combination to obtain a better understanding of fouling. This paper discusses an experimental method for determining temperature-dependent ageing, expressed as a change in thermal conductivity with time and along the cross section of the fouling layer. An experimental setup is presented that includes a newly developed flow channel and an experimental implementation of an ageing model. In the first experiments, proteinaceous fouling layers were generated from whey protein concentrate (WPC) with and without simulated milk ultrafiltrate (SMUF), applied for different durations to create different fouling layer thicknesses. The thermal conductivity increased more rapidly near the heat-transferring surface than for the entire fouling layer. These findings can be related to the temperatures within the sublayers.
Milling byproducts are an economically viable substrate for butanol production using clostridial ABE fermentation
Authors: Thieme Nils , Panitz Johanna C. , Held Claudia , Lewandowski Birgit , Schwarz Wolfgang H. , Liebl Wolfgang , Zverlov Vladimir
Published: September 2020

Butanol is a platform chemical that is utilized in a wide range of industrial products and is considered a suitable replacement or additive to liquid fuels. So far, it is mainly produced through petrochemical routes. Alternative production routes, for example through biorefinery, are under investigation but are currently not at a market competitive level. Possible alternatives, such as acetone-butanol-ethanol (ABE) fermentation by solventogenic clostridia are not market-ready to this day either, because of their low butanol titer and the high costs of feedstocks. Here, we analyzed wheat middlings and wheat red dog, two wheat milling byproducts available in large quantities, as substrates for clostridial ABE fermentation. We could identify ten strains that exhibited good butanol yields on wheat red dog. Two of the best ABE producing strains, Clostridium beijerinckii NCIMB 8052 and Clostridium diolis DSM 15410, were used to optimize a laboratory-scale fermentation process. In addition, enzymatic pretreatment of both milling byproducts significantly enhanced ABE production rates of the strains C. beijerinckii NCIMB 8052 and C. diolis DSM 15410. Finally, a profitability analysis was performed for small- to mid-scale ABE fermentation plants that utilize enzymatically pretreated wheat red dog as substrate. The estimations show that such a plant could be commercially successful.

Key points

• Wheat milling byproducts are suitable substrates for clostridial ABE fermentation.

• Enzymatic pretreatment of wheat red dog and middlings increases ABE yield.

• ABE fermentation plants using wheat red dog as substrate are economically viable.
Toxicity with small molecule and immunotherapy combinations in non-small cell lung cancer
Authors: Adderley H. , Blackhall F. H. , Lindsay C. R.
Published: September 2020

Treatment stratification in stage IV NSCLC is guided by identification of oncogene driver mutations. Actionable mutations with current licenced therapeutic agents include epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), rearrangements of anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK), ROS-1 and BRAF V600. Alongside progress with small molecule therapy, developments in immune checkpoint inhibitors (CPIs) have transformed the landscape of stage III and stage IV NSCLC. The success of CPIs has led to evaluation with small molecule therapy in both concurrent and sequential settings. In this review we summarise recent results of combination CPIs and tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) in stage IV NSCLC, detailing significant toxicity and its potential mechanisms with both concurrent and sequential approaches. As more therapeutic targets are being discovered it is becoming increasingly important for clinicians to correctly sequence therapy for delivery of safe and effective treatment. In addition to stage IV disease we suggest that comprehensive molecular profiling of key NSCLC drivers, particularly in stage III disease, will help to inform optimal treatment sequencing and minimise potential toxicity.
Acute consequences of a unilateral VIIIth nerve transection on vestibulo-ocular and optokinetic reflexes in Xenopus laevis tadpoles
Authors: Soupiadou Parthena , Gordy Clayton , Forsthofer Michael , Sanchez-Gonzalez Rosario , Straka Hans
Published: September 2020

Loss of peripheral vestibular function provokes severe impairments of gaze and posture stabilization in humans and animals. However, relatively little is known about the extent of the instantaneous deficits. This is mostly due to the fact that in humans a spontaneous loss often goes unnoticed initially and targeted lesions in animals are performed under deep anesthesia, which prevents immediate evaluation of behavioral deficits. Here, we use isolated preparations of Xenopus laevis tadpoles with functionally intact vestibulo-ocular (VOR) and optokinetic reflexes (OKR) to evaluate the acute consequences of unilateral VIIIth nerve sections. Such in vitro preparations allow lesions to be performed in the absence of anesthetics with the advantage to instantly evaluate behavioral deficits. Eye movements, evoked by horizontal sinusoidal head/table rotation in darkness and in light, became reduced by 30% immediately after the lesion and were diminished by 50% at 1.5 h postlesion. In contrast, the sinusoidal horizontal OKR, evoked by large-field visual scene motion, remained unaltered instantaneously but was reduced by more than 50% from 1.5 h postlesion onwards. The further impairment of the VOR beyond the instantaneous effect, along with the delayed decrease of OKR performance, suggests that the immediate impact of the sensory loss is superseded by secondary consequences. These potentially involve homeostatic neuronal plasticity among shared VOR-OKR neuronal elements that are triggered by the ongoing asymmetric activity. Provided that this assumption is correct, a rehabilitative reduction of the vestibular asymmetry might restrict the extent of the secondary detrimental effect evoked by the principal peripheral impairment.