bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Affordable voltammetric sensor based on anodized disposable pencil graphite electrodes for sensitive determination of dopamine and uric acid in presence of high concentration of ascorbic acid
Authors: Sankaranarayanan Preethi , Venkateswaran Sangaranarayanan V.
Published: March 2020

A simple, disposable and low - cost voltammetric sensor based on the anodized pencil graphite electrode (APGE) for the simultaneous determination of dopamine (DA) and uric acid (UA) is demonstrated. The physico-chemical properties of the pencil graphite electrode (PGE) before and after anodization were analyzed using FT-IR, FT-Raman, SEM and EIS characterization techniques. In comparison to PGE, APGE exhibited excellent electrochemical activity towards the simultaneous detection of DA and UA with peak-to-peak separation of about 0.18 V even in the presence of high concentration (2 mM) of ascorbic acid (AA). The discrimination of APGE towards AA was rationalized through the absence of favorable surface interactions between oxygen rich functional groups on the surface of APGE and AA. Using DPV without any pre-concentration step and under optimized conditions, APGE displayed a linear range of 1 – 80 μM with an estimated limit of detection (LOD, 3σ/m) of 0.008 μM and 0.014 μM for DA and UA, respectively. Moreover, a higher sensitivity in comparison to other previously reported pretreated pencil graphite electrodes was observed for DA (34.32 μA/μM) and UA (12.33 μA/μM). The practical applicability of APGE was demonstrated through the estimation of DA in human blood serum and UA in urine samples.
Los problemas jurídicos derivados de la contratación pública irregular en los municipios españoles. La revisión de oficio de los actos de adjudicación de los contratos nulos
Authors: Pérez López Estefanía
Published: March 2020

En este estudio se aborda la problemática derivada de la contratación irregular realizada por los municipios españoles. En concreto, se analiza el cauce a seguir para abonar las facturas presentadas por los proveedores de las prestaciones que la Administración ha obtenido de modo incorrecto, prescindiendo de forma absoluta del procedimiento debido y con ausencia de crédito para la atención de las obligaciones contraídas. La proscripción del enriquecimiento injusto de la Administración obliga a esta a abonar las obras, servicios o suministros recibidos pero no podrá hacerlo más que acudiendo a la vía de la revisión de oficio de los actos de adjudicación de los contratos indebidamente adjudicados. Igualmente, se realiza un estudio de los importes que deberán ser efectivamente abonados en concepto de liquidación del contrato poniendo especial interés en la posibilidad de impago del denominado beneficio industrial del contratista.This paper refers the problems arising from irregular contracting by Spanish municipalities. Specifically, the channel to be followed is analyzed to pay the invoices presented by the providers of benefits that the Administration has obtained in an irregular manner, dispensing with an absolute form of the due procedure and with absence of credit for the attention of the contracted obligations. The prohibition of the unjust enrichment of the Administration obliges the Administration to pay the compensation received, but it can only do so by resorting to the way of the ex officio review of the award acts of the contracts improperly awarded. A study refers the amounts that must be effectively paid for the liquidation of the contracts with special interest in the possibility of payment of the industrial benefit.
Foralidad y fiscalidad en Guipuzcoa durante la guerra de la convencion (1793-1795)
Authors: Martín Gómez Justo
Published: March 2020

Guipúzcoa mantenía en 1793 un régimen foral que permitía un sistema fiscal particular, a la vez que asumía una serie de obligaciones con respecto a la defensa de su frontera y de su Rey. Los pueblos mantenían, por su parte, un sistema fiscal propio para cubrir sus necesidades y contribuir, según se acordase en la Junta Provincial, a los gastos de la Provincia. Los gastos originados por la guerra fueron cubiertos tanto por los pueblos como por la Provincia, asumiendo cada uno la parte que les correspondía y valiéndose de su propio sistema de financiación. Al estar la Provincia exhausta económicamente, no tuvo otra alternativa que solicitar a los Obispos de Pamplona y Calahorra que les entregasen la plata y alhajas de las iglesias y conventos de la Provincia, con obligación de reintegro, para obtener con su producto los medios económicos con que hacer frente al invasor francés, conjuntamente con el ejército del Rey. In 1793 Guipuzkoa maintained a specific local regime and institutions collectively called “régimen foral” that provided For a particular tax system along with a number of customs and duties to pay for the defense of its borders and its King. Likewise, the Towns maintained their own tax system to cover their needs and contribute to the Province’s expenses, as agreed by the local governmental body called the “Junta Provincial”. The Towns on the one hand, and the Province on the other, each paid their share of the war expenses, using their own finances. Due to the financial collapse of the Province, it had no other choice but to ask the Bishop of Pampelune and Calahorra to hand over the silver and jewels belonging to the local Churches and Convents, which would be returned, in order for the Province to obtain the necessary resources to finance both the war against the French invader, together with the King’s army.
Radiographic Features and Treatment Strategies of Impacted Maxillary Canines
Authors: ALTAN Ahmet , ÇOLAK Sefa , AKBULUT Nihat , ALTAN Halenur
Published: March 2020

Objective: Treatment of impacted maxillary canines is essential, both aesthetically and functionally. This study aims to define the radiographic features of maxillary impacted canines, evaluate treatment options, and to detect related pathologies.Materials and Methods: In this retrospective study, orthopantomographs, treatment options, and demographic features of the patients were analyzed. Impacted maxillary canines were classified according to the study of Yamamoto et al. According to this classification, maxillary canines are evaluated under seven types according to the occlusal plane and their relative location to adjacent teeth. Moreover, the pathologies around impacted canines were detected via panoramic radiographies.Results: 323 impacted maxillary canines of 270 patients were analyzed. Two hundred fifteen of these teeth (66.6%) belonged to females, while the rest 108 (33.4%) belonged to males. It was observed that impacted maxillary canines were bilateral in 53 patients and unilateral in 217 patients. In the classification based on direction and position of impacted maxillary canines, the highest rates was Type 2 (55.42%) which was followed by Type 4 (26.93%), Type 1 (12.38%), Type 7 (2.79%), Type 3 (1.86%) and Type 5 (0.62%), respectively. Twenty-eight patients with cystic lesion related to impacted maxillary canines were detected. Impacted maxillary canines concomitant with odontoma was detected in 4 patients. In 52 of the patients, it was detected that maxilla was edentulous except for the impacted canines, and the extractions of impacted canine teeth were due to prosthetic reasons. Thirty impacted maxillary canines of 24 patients (n=30, 9.28%) were placed buttons for orthodontic maintenance, while surgical tooth extraction was preferred as a treatment option in other patients.Conclusions: Orthodontic, surgical treatments or combinations may be preferred depending on the impact level of the canine. Early diagnosis and correct orientation of the patient is essential for the success of the treatment.
Investigations of Variability of Morphometric Characteristics in Stone Crayfish in Order to Preserve Autochthonous Genome
Authors: Roljić Rajko , Nikolić Vera , Savić Nebojša
Published: March 2020

This paper presents the information about morphological variability and sexual dimorphism of the stone crayfish (Austropotamobius torrentium) in the area of Korana River in Mrkonjic Grad. The crayfish were caught by hand made baited traps from October 2018 to May 2019. A total of 46 crayfish were caught, of which 33 males and 13 females. The dimensions of eight morphometric characteristics: body weight (W), body length (TBL), rostrum length (ROL), rostrum width (ROW), claw length (CLL), carapace length (CPL), carapace width (CPW) and abdomen length (ABL), were analyzed, both in males and females. Also, the body condition was determined for all individuales. The measurements results of morphometric characteristics partially matched into the alredy known range of variations. These data presens first ones for the observed area. By using Mann-Whitey U-test, it was noted that there are significant differences between the sexes for W, TBL, CLL, CPL, CPW and ABL. These resuls could be explained by sexual dimorphism of the stone crayfish.
On the origins of anthropological criminology. Discussion on monomania (moral insanity)
Authors: Bakharev Dmitry Vadimovich
Published: March 2020

This article presents a brief excurse into the history of the conception of one of the leading movements of criminological science – anthropological criminology. Analytical review of the opinion of leading psychiatrists and forensic pathologists of the early XIX century is given regarding the facts of commission of motiveless violent crimes by individuals without evident mental disorder, which were increasingly recorded by law enforcement of that time. This phenomenon was sequentially named “delirium-free mania”, “monomania”, “moral insanity”, and other terms. The methodology is based on the retrospective analysis of the discourse field formed in the early XIX century around the phenomenon of “monomania” (moral insanity) in Russian and foreign literature on law and forensic psychiatry. The materials presented in this article allow reallocating emphases in the scientific discourse on the origins of criminal anthropology branch within criminology. The main conclusion of the conducted research consists in the fact that beginning of the study of monomania (moral insanity) should be viewed as the starting point in formation of anthropological criminology – one of the two leading branches of criminological science (alongside sociology of crime). This conclusion is made on the basis of analysis of the rarest foreign and Russian literature, most of which has not been republished for approximately 200 years.  
Wikidata as a knowledge graph for the life sciences
Authors: Waagmeester Andra , Stupp Gregory , Burgstaller-Muehlbacher Sebastian , Good Benjamin M , Griffith Malachi , Griffith Obi L , Hanspers Kristina , Hermjakob Henning , Hudson Toby S , Hybiske Kevin , Keating Sarah M , Manske Magnus , Mayers Michael , Mietchen Daniel , Mitraka Elvira , Pico Alexander R , Putman Timothy , Riutta Anders , Queralt-Rosinach Nuria , Schriml Lynn M , Shafee Thomas , Slenter Denise , Stephan Ralf , Thornton Katherine , Tsueng Ginger , Tu Roger , Ul-Hasan Sabah , Willighagen Egon , Wu Chunlei , Su Andrew I
Published: March 2020

Wikidata is a community-maintained knowledge base that has been assembled from repositories in the fields of genomics, proteomics, genetic variants, pathways, chemical compounds, and diseases, and that adheres to the FAIR principles of findability, accessibility, interoperability and reusability. Here we describe the breadth and depth of the biomedical knowledge contained within Wikidata, and discuss the open-source tools we have built to add information to Wikidata and to synchronize it with source databases. We also demonstrate several use cases for Wikidata, including the crowdsourced curation of biomedical ontologies, phenotype-based diagnosis of disease, and drug repurposing.
Effects of alkali treatment on the mechanical and thermal properties of sisal/cattail polyester commingled composites
Authors: Mbeche Silas Mogaka , Omara Timothy
Published: March 2020

Environmental and energy conservation pressure has led to a dramatic increase in the need for economically feasible lightweight materials that can be better substitutes for non-biodegradable materials in reinforced composites. In this study, the mechanical and thermal properties of polyester resin composites hybridized with a blend of untreated and alkali treated sisal (Agave sisalana) and cattail (Typha angustifolia) fibers were evaluated. Composites were fabricated by a hand lay-up technique at an optimal hybrid fiber weight fraction of 20 wt% and a constant sisal/cattail fiber blend ratio of 75/25. Flexural, tensile, compressive and impact strengths and moduli, as well as thermal conductivity of the composites, were evaluated following ASTM and ISO test methods. Analytical results indicated that alkali pre-treatment of the fibers enhanced the mechanical properties of the hybrid polyester composites though only marginal differences were recorded in the thermal conductivity of the composites fabricated with treated and untreated fiber blends. Morphological examination revealed that the major failure modes were fiber pull-outs and fiber fracture in composites fabricated with untreated and treated fiber blends, respectively. The composites produced could find non-structural applications as ceiling boards, electronic and food packaging materials but their properties such as wettability, crystallinity, flammability and other thermal properties need to be further investigated.
Overexpression of Myo1e promotes albumin endocytosis by mouse glomerular podocytes mediated by Dynamin
Authors: Shen Huijun , Bao Yu , Feng Chunyue , Fu Haidong , Mao Jianhua
Published: March 2020

Background

As a fundamental process internalizing molecules from the plasma membrane, endocytosis plays a crucial role in podocyte biology. Our previous study has identified that overexpression of Myole may enhance podocyte endocytosis. However, its potential mechanism has been not well understand. Thus, we aimed to analyze whether albumin endocytosis by mouse glomerular podocytes is dependent on Myo1e expression. Also, we aimed to elucidate whether the underlying mechanism is mediated by Dynamin.

Methods

Firstly, mouse podocyte cells (MPC5) were treated with different concentrations of FITC-bovine serum albumin (BSA). The fluorescence intensity and cell viability were detected by flow cytometry and MTT assays, respectively. Afterwards, the optimal concentration of FITC-BSA was determined. Secondly, MPC5 cells were treated with Myole overexpression or knockdown. Cell morphology was observed under microscope. Immunofluorescence assay was used to determine the expression of F-actin. The protein expression of nephrin and podocin was detected by western blot. Flow cytometry was used to detect MPC5 cell apoptosis with annexin V. Finally, MPC5 cells were treated with Myole overexpression and/or Dynasore (a GTPase inhibitor of Dynamin). The fluorescence intensity was detected using flow cytometry assay.

Results

MPC5 endocytosis BSA was elevated with a concentration-dependent manner. MTT results showed that MPC5 cell viability was inhibited with a concentration-dependent manner. Myo1e overexpression promoted podocyte endocytic FITC-BSA, which was contrary to its knockdown. Under microscope, after inhibition of Myo1e, podocyte foot process fusion was observed. Myo1e overexpression promoted the expression of cytoskeleton F-actin and podocyte-specific molecules (nephrin and podocin) in podocyte endocytic FITC-BSA. Furthermore, we found that Myo1e promoted the apoptosis of podocytes. Dynasore attenuated the increase in endocytosis of FITC-BSA induced by Myo1e overexpression, suggesting that podocytes might mediate albumin endocytosis via Myo1e-Dynamin-Albumin.

Conclusion

Our findings revealed that overexpression of Myo1e promotes albumin endocytosis in mouse glomerular podocyte endocytic albumin mediated by Dynamin.
Biochemical and biophysical characterisation of immunoglobulin free light chains derived from an initially unbiased population of patients with light chain disease
Authors: Sternke-Hoffmann Rebecca , Boquoi Amelie , Lopez Y. Niedenhoff David , Platten Florian , Fenk Roland , Haas Rainer , Buell Alexander K.
Published: March 2020

In light chain (LC) diseases, monoclonal immunoglobulin LCs are abundantly produced with the consequence in some cases to form deposits of a fibrillar or amorphous nature affecting various organs, such as heart and kidney. The factors that determine the solubility of any given LC in vivo are still not well understood. We hypothesize that some of the biochemical properties of the LCs that have been shown to correlate with amyloid fibril formation in patients also can be used as predictors for the degree of kidney damage in a patient group that is only biased by protein availability. We performed detailed biochemical and biophysical investigations of light chains extracted and purified from the urine of a group of 20 patients with light chain disease. For all samples that contained a sufficiently high concentration of LC, we quantified the unfolding temperature of the LCs, the monomer-dimer distribution, the digestibility by trypsin and the formation of amyloid fibrils under various conditions of pH and reducing agent. We correlated the results of our biophysical and biochemical experiments with the degree of kidney damage in the patient group and found that most of these parameters do not correlate with kidney damage as defined by clinical parameters. However, the patients with the greatest impairment of kidney function have light chains which display very poor digestibility by trypsin. Most of the LC properties reported before to be predictors of amyloid formation cannot be used to assess the degree of kidney damage. Our finding that poor trypsin digestibility correlates with kidney damage warrants further investigation in order to probe a putative mechanistic link between these factors.
Non-relativistic Energy Spectrum of the Deng-Fan Oscillator via the WKB Approximation Method
Authors: Omugbe Ekwevugbe
Published: March 2020

The energy spectrum of the radial Schrodinger equation with the molecular Deng Fan potential has been obtained through the WKB approximation scheme. The radial WKB solution yields a transcendental or an implicit equation. The energy eigenvalues for non-physical and real molecular interacting systems are presented. In comparison with the numerical eigenvalues obtained with MATHEMATICA 3.0 package, the WKB approximation method produces improved results over the results obtained with other analytical methods in the literature.
Assessment of Nutritive and Preservative Impact of Enriching Zobo (Hibiscus sabdariffa Calyx) Drink with Moringa Extract
Authors: Bassey Stella Oyom , David-Oku Essien , Ehumile Mary
Published: March 2020

This study was aimed to determine the nutritive and preservative potential of enriching Zobo drink with Moringa leaf extract. Hot water extraction of Zobo drink produced with ginger and garlic gloves was separated into four different samples M0, M10, M20 and M30. To samples M10, M20 and M30 40 g, 80 g and 120 g of Moringa leaf powder respectively, were added. Samples analyzed in triplicate for their sensory characteristics, vitamins, minerals and microbial content. Sensory evaluation showed no significant difference in flavour, colour, tartness and sweetness amongst the samples. Overall acceptability was significantly (p<0.05) higher in sample M30 (6.90±2.36) probably due to high levels of tartness. Vitamin C was significantly (p<0.05) higher in sample M30 (4.50±0.10), compared to M0 (4.00 ±0.01), M10 (4.00 ±0.02) and M20 (4.20 ±0.01) samples. Vitamin A content (mg/100 mL) of M30 (0.13±0.300) was also significantly (p<0.05) higher than values obtained for M0 (0.1 0 ±0.20), M10 (0.12 ±0.30) and M20 (0.12 ±0.10) samples. pH differed significantly (p<0.05) amongst the different samples, i.e. M0 (2.70 ±0.00), M10 (2.80±0.00), M20 (3.00±0.00) and M30 (3.20±0.00). Microbial load result revealed the presence of coliform, total viable count, total aerobic, Salmonella typhi, Aspagillus niger and Strep. Spp. which was absent in sample M0 but were present in significantly (p<0.05) higher levels in sample M30 (867.00±0.20, 982.00±0.10, 982.00±0.10, 28.00±0.10, 7.00±0.10 and 93.00±0.10 respectively). Significantly (p<0.05) higher levels of iron (1.30 ±0.12 mg/100 mL) in M30 compared with M10 (0.34±0.02), M20 (0.83±0.02) and M30 (1.30 ±0.12) and magnesium was highest in M20 (0.05 ±0.03 mg/100 mL) compared with M0 (0.00 ±0.00), M10 (0.00±0.00) and M30 (0.02±0.31) samples, In conclusion, this study has revealed that Moringa improve the nutritive and overall sensory characteristics of Zobo drink but result in a limited shelf life.
Efficiency of the Adapted Automatic Row Hoe for Weed Control in Organic Soybean
Authors: Fey Emerson , Costa Neumárcio Vilanova da , Ferreira Silvio Douglas , Kuhn Vitor Gustavo , Gibbert Anderson Marcel , Canavessi Hiago
Published: March 2020

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the row hoe model CHOPSTAR®, the mechanical control of weeds in between the rows of soybean implanted in organic direct sowing system, associated with the camera-guided system. Two experiments were carried, being that in the first experiment an experimental design with sub-subdivided plots with four replicates. The plots corresponded to two soybean varieties (‘Embrapa BRS 284’ and ‘Coodetec CD 216’), the subplots corresponded to the sowing densities of 329.2 and 574.6 thousand plants ha-1; and the sub-subplots corresponded to four managements of weeds: one mechanized hoe (2 days after sowing – DAS), two mechanized hoes (22 and 47 DAS), one control manually hoed and other control without hoeing. In the second experiment a randomized block design in subdivided plots with three replicates was used. The plots corresponded to two soybean varieties (‘BRS 284’ and ‘DF 2353’), the subplots constituted of different times when the hoes were made, being: one (14 DAS); two (7 and 21 DAS; two (14 and 28 DAS); three (7, 14 and 28 DAS); besides one control manually hoed up to 28 DAS. In the first experiment it was observed that the automatized hoe was efficient in controlling the weeds and it was necessary only one mechanized hoe (22 DAS) for the ‘BRS 284’ independent of the sowing density, while for the ‘CD 216’ the number of mechanized hoes depended on the sowing density. In the second experiment, it was necessary only one mechanized hoe (14 DAS) to avoid production losses in the varieties ‘BRS 284’ and ‘DF 2353’. The automatized hoe is an alternative to control weeds in areas of organic soybean in direct sowing system, however, damages to the crop can occur depending on the sowing density, mainly in the late management of the mechanized hoe.
Design of Sequencing Batch Reactor (SBR) Treatment Plant for Abattoir Wastewater (A Case of Apa Mmini Stream)
Authors: Daniel Ogbebor , Onyedikachukwu Ndekwu, Benneth
Published: March 2020

Aim: The study aimed at designing a wastewater treatment method for removal of (Biological Oxygen Demand) BOD5 using Sequencing batch reactor (SBR).

Study Design: SBR functions as a fill-and-draw type of activated sludge system involving a single complete-mix reactor where all steps of an activated sludge process take place.

Methodology: The intermittent nature of slaughterhouse wastewaters favours batch treatment methods like sequence batch reactor (SBR). Attempts to remediate the impact of this BOD5 on the stream, led to the design of a sequence batch reactor which was designed to treat slaughterhouse effluent of 1000 L.

Results: The oxygen requirement for effective removal of BOD5 to 95% was determined to be 21.10513 kgO2/d, while L:B  of 3:1 was considered for the reactor. Also, air mixing pressure for the design was 0.16835 bar, while settling velocity was .

Conclusion: To ensure proper treatment of BOD5 load of the slaughterhouse, a sequencing Batch reactor of 1000 litre carrying capacity was designed. For effective operation of this design, the pressure exerted by the mixing air was 0.16835 bar which was far greater than the pressure exerted by the reactor content and the nozzle. Settling velocity of 0.0003445 m/s for 0.887 hrs was required for the reactor to be stable and a theoretical air requirement of 1.6884 m³/d was calculated. Hence the power dissipated by the rising air bubbles to ensure efficient mixing of oxygen in the reactor was calculated as 26530003.91 Kilowatts. With these design parameters, the high BOD5 load downstream of the river can be treated to fall below the FMEnv recommended limit of 50 mg/l.
Complement evasion mechanisms of the systemic pathogens Yersiniae and Salmonellae
Authors: Krukonis Eric S. , Thomson Joshua J.
Published: March 2020

Pathogens that colonize deep tissues and spread systemically encounter the innate host resistance mechanism of complement‐mediated lysis and complement opsonization leading to engulfment and degradation by phagocytic cells. Yersinia and Salmonella species have developed numerous strategies to block the antimicrobial effects of complement. These include recruitment of complement regulatory proteins factor H, C4BP, and vitronectin (Vn) as well as interference in late maturation events such as assembly of C9 into the membrane attack complex that leads to bacterial lysis. This review will discuss the contributions of various surface structures (proteins, lipopolysaccharide, and capsules) to evasion of complement‐mediated immune clearance of the systemic pathogens Yersiniae and Salmonellae. Bacterial proteins required for recruitment of complement regulatory proteins will be described, including the details of their interaction with host regulatory proteins, where known. The potential role of the surface proteases Pla (Yersinia pestis) and PgtE (Salmonella species) on the activity of complement regulatory proteins will also be addressed. Finally, the implications of complement inactivation on host cell interactions and host cell targeting for type 3 secretion will be discussed.
Improved prognostication of glioblastoma beyond molecular subtyping by transcriptional profiling of the tumor microenvironment
Authors: Jeanmougin Marine , Håvik Annette B. , Cekaite Lina , Brandal Petter , Sveen Anita , Meling Torstein R. , Ågesen Trude H. , Scheie David , Heim Sverre , Lothe Ragnhild A. , Lind Guro E.
Published: March 2020

Glioblastoma (GBM), the most aggressive form of brain cancer, is characterized by a high level of molecular heterogeneity, and infiltration by various immune and stromal cell populations. Important advances have been made in deciphering the microenvironment of GBMs, but its association with existing molecular subtypes and its potential prognostic role remain elusive. We have investigated the abundance of infiltrating immune and stromal cells in silico, from gene expression profiles. Two cohorts, including in‐house normal brain and glioma samples (n = 70) and a large sample set from TCGA (n = 393), were combined into a single exploratory dataset. A third independent cohort (n = 124) was used for validation. Tumors were clustered based on their microenvironment infiltration profiles, and associations with known GBM molecular subtypes and patient outcome were tested a posteriori in a multivariable setting. We identified a subset of GBM samples with significantly higher abundances of most immune and stromal cell populations. This subset showed increased expression of both immune suppressor and immune effector genes compared to other GBMs and was enriched for the mesenchymal molecular subtype. Survival analyses suggested that tumor microenvironment infiltration pattern was an independent prognostic factor for GBM patients. Among all, patients with the mesenchymal subtype with low immune and stromal infiltration had the poorest survival. By combining molecular subtyping with gene expression measures of tumor infiltration, the present work contributes with improving prognostic models in GBM.
The temperature and pH repertoire of the transglutaminase family is expanding
Authors: Lerner Aaron , Ramesh Ajay , Matthias Torsten
Published: March 2020

Transglutaminases (TGs) play important roles in the food industry, pharmacology, and biotechnology, but as protein cross‐linkers, their complexes are stable, resistant, immunogenic, and potentially pathogenic. Many TGs have been characterized, but they operate in narrow temperature and pH range limits. In a research article in this issue, Clemens Furnes and colleagues describe a novel cold‐adapted TG from Atlantic cod, which expands the operating boundaries to a lower temperature and a wider pH. In this accompanying commentary, we discuss how this TG opens new applications in cold environments and can be deactivated by heating. New sources of TGs should be explored in hot environments like hot springs, in order to increase the temperature and widen the pH ranges for human and industrial benefits.
Biogeomorphology
Authors: Coombes Martin A.
Published: March 2020

Biogeomorphology is the scientific study of interactions and feedbacks between the living and nonliving parts of the landscape. Straddling the disciplines of geomorphology and ecology, biogeomorphological research is inherently interdisciplinary. Micro‐organisms, plants, and animals contribute to the development of landforms and landscapes in many different ways, both actively and passively, through processes of bioconstruction, bioweathering, bioerosion, and bioprotection. Equally, geomorphological processes create and alter habitat, and influence environmental conditions for organisms. As an overarching field of environmental study, the scope and diversity of biogeomorphological research is immense, ranging from the scale of interactions between individual mineral grains and micro‐organisms up to global biogeochemical cycling and climate change over geological time. Not only of academic interest, biogeomorphology is proving useful to many applied fields, including environmental management, biodiversity conservation, and environmental resilience.
Agriculture
Authors: Robinson Guy M.
Published: March 2020

Land used for growing crops occupies around 11% of the world's land surface, with approximately half of the remaining area used as pasture or extensive grazing for animals. The various systems of agricultural production make profound environmental demands creating agroecosystems in which human activity modifies soil fertility, vegetation, flora, and microclimate. These dynamic systems utilize natural resource inputs, principally climate, water supply, and soils. Microclimate modification and irrigation are prime examples of ways in which farmers modify the environment to produce conditions favorable to the growth of agricultural crops. “Agricultural” soils have been created, acting as reservoirs of water, minerals, and nutrients needed for plant growth. Concerns over the future viability of agriculture acknowledge that many aspects of human‐induced climate change may be antithetical to maintaining current patterns of production. However, agriculture itself contributes to climate change via its role in greenhouse gas emissions. Future demands to increase output to feed rising population numbers may involve further intensifications to production systems using advances in biotechnology and thereby further modifying agroecosystems. These advances have given rise to the term Agriculture 4.0, signifying the threshold of a fourth worldwide agricultural revolution.
Water Conflicts
Authors: Petersen‐Perlman Jacob D. , Wolf Aaron T.
Published: March 2020

The transboundary nature of water may lead to conflicts regarding its use. Yet, entities, both national and international, are more likely to cooperate over water than to engage in conflict. While the risk of water conflict may be exacerbated by several factors, institutional capacity, in the form of treaties or river basin organizations, has been found to both prevent water conflict and enhance water cooperation.
Eolian Depositional Processes and Landforms
Authors: Bauer Bernard O.
Published: March 2020

Deposits of sand and silt emplaced by wind are widespread on Earth and some extraterrestrial bodies. The processes leading to eolian deposition always involve erosion and transportation of sediment from a source region to a depositional sink, even though the deposits differ considerably in scale (e.g., small‐scale ripples versus extensive sand seas), surface topology (e.g., linear versus star dunes), internal structure (e.g., cross‐bedded lamination in dune fields versus massive structure in loess deposits), and age (e.g., recent sediments versus ancient sandstones). Wind moves silt‐sized material mainly in suspension, over tens to thousands of kilometers, whereas sand‐sized materials are moved shorter distances (0.1 m to thousands of meters), predominantly by saltation and surface creep. The geometry of eolian deposits depends on sediment supply, strength and directionality of prevailing winds, transport pathways and distance from source, and the influence of vegetation, if present.
Spatial Data Science
Authors: Anselin Luc
Published: March 2020

Spatial data science is a subset of data science that takes into account the special characteristics of spatial data in analytical methods and software tools. Its emergence was stimulated by the advent of big data, much of which is georeferenced (and time stamped). This required a rethinking of traditional spatial analytical and geocomputation methods, algorithms, and software tools to store, retrieve, explore, analyze, visualize, and learn from such data.
Connectivity in Geomorphology
Authors: Wohl Ellen
Published: March 2020

Connectivity refers to the degree to which materials and organisms can move between components of a geomorphic system such as a drainage basin or mountain range. Geomorphic systems can be represented as networks with compartments, links, and nodes that exhibit connectivity at differing spatial and temporal scales. Although connectivity can be difficult to measure, metrics of connectivity can be applied to explaining disparities between observed, short‐term rates of sediment flux and inferred longer‐term rates of landscape change; understanding and predicting how geomorphic systems respond to disturbance; identifying processes that cross spatial landscape boundaries; characterizing disconnectivity that facilitates storage of materials; and identifying human alterations of connectivity and mitigating undesirable consequences of those alterations.
Intrafractional relationship changes between an external breathing signal and fiducial marker positions in pancreatic cancer patients
Authors: Pettersson Niclas , Oderinde Oluwaseyi M. , Murphy James , Simpson Daniel , Cerviño Laura I.
Published: March 2020

Background and purpose

The purpose of this study of pancreatic cancer patients treated with respiratory‐guided stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) on a standard linac was to investigate (a) the intrafractional relationship change (IRC) between a breathing signal and the tumor position, (b) the impact of IRC on the delivered dose, and (c) potential IRC predictors.

Materials and methods

We retrospectively investigated 10 pancreatic cancer patients with 2–4 implanted fiducial markers in the tumor treated with SBRT. Fluoroscopic images were acquired before and after treatment delivery simultaneously with the abdominal breathing motion. We quantified the IRC as the change in fiducial location for a given breathing amplitude in the left–right (LR), anterior–posterior (AP), and superior–inferior (SI) directions from before to after treatment delivery. The treatment plans were re‐calculated after changing the isocenter coordinates according to the IRCs. Four treatment‐ or patient‐related factors were investigated as potential predictors for IRC using linear models.

Results

The average (±1 SD) absolute IRCs in the LR, AP, and SI directions were 1.2 ± 1.2 mm, 0.7 ± 0.7 mm, and 1.1 ± 0.8 mm, respectively. The average 3D IRC was 2.0 ± 1.3 mm (range: 0.4–5.3 mm) for a median treatment delivery time of 8.5 min (range: 5.7–19.9 min; n = 31 fractions). The dose coverage of the internal target volume (ITV) decreased by more than 3% points in three of 31 fractions. In those cases, the 3D IRC had been larger than 4.3 mm. The 3D IRC was found to correlate with changes in the minimum breathing amplitude during treatment delivery.

Conclusion

On average, 2 mm of treatment delivery accuracy was lost due to IRC. Periodical intrafractional imaging is needed to safely deliver respiratory‐guided SBRT.
Measurement‐based study on characterizing symmetric and asymmetric respiratory motion interplay effect on target dose distribution in the proton pencil beam scanning
Authors: Lee Eunsin , Perry Daniel , Speth Joseph , Zhang Yongbin , Xiao Zhiyan , Mascia Anthony
Published: March 2020

Pencil beam scanning proton therapy makes possible intensity modulation, resulting in improved target dose conformity and organ‐at‐risk (OAR) dose sparing. This benefit, however, results in increased sensitivity to certain clinical and beam delivery parameters, such as respiratory motion. These effects can cause plan degeneration, which could lead to decreased tumor dose or increased OAR dose. This study evaluated the measurements of proton pencil beam scanning delivery made with a 2D ion chamber array in solid water on a 1D motion platform, where respiratory motion was simulated using sine and cosine4 waves representing sinusoidal symmetric and realistic asymmetric breathing motions, respectively. Motion amplitudes were 0.5 cm and 1 cm corresponding to 1 cm and 2 cm of maximum respiratory excursions, respectively, with 5 sec fixed breathing cycle. The treatment plans were created to mimic spherical targets of 3 cm or 10 cm diameter located at 5 cm or 1 cm depth in solid water phantom. A reference RBE dose of 200 cGy per fraction was delivered in 1, 5, 10, and 15 fractions for each dataset. We evaluated dose conformity and uniformity at the center plane of targets by using the Conformation Number and the Homogeneity Index, respectively. Results indicated that dose conformity as well as homogeneity was more affected by motion for smaller targets. Dose conformity was better achieved for symmetric breathing patterns than asymmetric breathing patterns regardless of the number of fractions. The presence of a range shifter with shallow targets reduced the motion effect by improving dose homogeneity. While motion effects are known to be averaged out over the course of multifractional treatments, this might not be true for proton pencil beam scanning under asymmetrical breathing pattern.
Association of Child Abuse and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus in Black Women During Adulthood
Authors: Cozier Yvette C. , Barbhaiya Medha , Castro-Webb Nelsy , Conte Carolyn , Tedeschi Sara , Leatherwood Cianna , Costenbader Karen H. , Rosenberg Lynn
Published: March 2020

Objective

Exposure to psychosocial stressors may contribute to the onset of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) through dysregulation of the adaptive stress response. The present study was undertaken to assess the relationship of childhood physical and sexual abuse to risk of SLE among Black women.

Methods

Using data from the Black Women’s Health Study, we followed 36,152 women from 1995 through 2015 with biennial questionnaires. Women reported on exposure to abuse during childhood (up to age 11) in 2005. Self‐reported cases of incident SLE were confirmed as meeting the American College of Rheumatology SLE classification criteria by medical record review. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) for SLE among women exposed to physical or sexual abuse during childhood, controlling for potential confounders.

Results

We confirmed 101 cases of incident SLE and identified patients who had completed questions on child abuse during 670,822 person‐years of follow‐up. Both physical and sexual abuse during childhood were associated with statistically significant increases in SLE incidence. The HR for SLE associated with ≥2 episodes of severe sexual abuse compared to no abuse was 2.51 (95% CI 1.29–4.85) after adjustment for alcohol consumption, smoking, body mass index, oral contraceptive use, age at menarche, and parental education. The multivariable‐adjusted HR for SLE with ≥5 episodes of severe physical abuse was 2.37 (95% CI 1.13–4.99).

Conclusion

Our results suggest that sexual and physical abuse during childhood increase SLE risk during adulthood among Black women. Research is necessary both to confirm this finding and to understand potential mediating mechanisms.
Fatherhood Experiences of Men With Inflammatory Arthritis: A Preliminary Grounded Theory
Authors: Avrech Bar Michal , Dao Thao T. , DeBlock Vlodarchyk Leah R. , Backman Catherine L.
Published: March 2020

Objective

Minimal prior research has examined the impact of inflammatory arthritis (IA) on men’s perspectives on parenting. We aimed to describe fathering roles and experiences, the effect of IA on parenting activities, and strategies used by fathers with IA to fulfill this role.

Methods

A grounded theory approach guided data gathering and analysis. Nine men with IA, parenting at least 1 child age <19 years, were recruited through rheumatology practices, therapy clinics, and social media. Each engaged in 1 in‐depth personal interview. Transcripts were analyzed using inductive and iterative steps to identify key themes and a preliminary explanatory framework of fathering experiences of men with IA.

Results

All men were married, ages 31–62 years, with 1 to 5 children ages 6 months to 28 years. “Being an involved father” describes participants’ perspectives on fulfilling their role as hands‐on parents, role models, and financial providers. “Taking ownership” explains how participants managed daily life, comprising 2 subthemes, “taking care of yourself,” using strategies like exercise and communicating with loved ones, and “redefining yourself,” a process of adapting to reframed identity and lifestyle adjustments. “Accessing support” indicates men who felt well‐supported by social networks (most critically their wives), health care providers, and informational and educational resources.

Conclusion

This small, grounded theory study offers an enriched understanding of fatherhood experiences of men with IA. When social, practical, and educational supports are in place, these men found parenting joyful and rewarding. Despite task limitations, their perspectives on being involved fathers was unrestricted by arthritis.
Research: AA is better pathway to abstinence than psychotherapy
Authors: Knopf Alison
Published: March 2020

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is the best way to get to abstinence, according to a comprehensive literature review published last week in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. The study, “Alcoholics Anonymous and other 12‐step programs for alcohol use disorder” evaluates 35 studies and shows that AA was almost always more effective than psychotherapy in achieving alcohol abstinence, and that it was also less expensive. According to co‐author Keith Humphreys, Ph.D., professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at the Stanford University School of Medicine, the reason AA works is the social interaction. “If you want to change your behavior, find some other people who are trying to make the same change,” he said.
Advocates see flaws in judge's ruling favoring city crackdown on sober homes
Authors: Enos Gary
Published: March 2020

A federal court ruling favoring a California city that has sought to impose strict regulations on developers of sober homes could be impactful less for its long‐term legal ramifications than for how it may persuade other communities to target recovery residence operators as well.
Kent, leaving OASAS, reflects on high points and challenges
Authors: Knopf Alison
Published: March 2020

Rob Kent, longtime general counsel for the New York Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS), is leaving April 1 for a new position with the American Association of Orthodontists in St. Louis. A masterful negotiator with a progressive view toward substance use disorders (SUDs), which made him beloved by treatment providers and harm reductionists alike, Kent also knew and could articulately discuss nuances of legal and regulatory issues affecting the state's SUD treatment providers. We talked to him last week to get his perspective on the high points and challenges of his career at OASAS, which he joined in 2007; before then, he was with the state's Office of Mental Health (OMH).
Rapidly Detachable Microneedles Using Porous Water‐Soluble Layer for Ocular Drug Delivery
Authors: Lee YeJin , Park SeungHyun , Kim Seon Il , Lee KangJu , Ryu WonHyoung
Published: March 2020

Detachable microneedle (MN) technology is highly desired for treatment of ocular diseases such as keratitis or glaucoma because of its minimally invasiveness and sustained drug delivery. However, shortening of administration time during insertion into target tissues still remains an important issue, although various approaches using mechanical and chemical separation mechanisms have been attempted. Here, a rapidly detachable microneedle pen (RD‐MNP) containing a porous dissolvable sacrificial layer is fabricated for instant separation of the tip. The porous sacrificial layer is fabricated between a drug‐loaded tip and a base by freeze drying. The sacrificial layer is comprised of water soluble polymers: poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP). Porous structure can accelerate dissolution rate compared to solid structure due to its capillary effect that relies on pore size and distribution. The pore size and distribution of the sacrificial layer are controlled and detachment of an RD‐MNP with the optimum pore structures is immediate upon dipping the MNP in PBS. Furthermore, the insertion characteristics of the system are investigated using the gelatin phantom and porcine eye sclera. With the optimized sacrificial layer, a MN tip is almost immediately detached and embedded to the porcine sclera with the aid of impact insertion.
Overcoming Multidrug‐Resistant MRSA Using Conventional Aminoglycoside Antibiotics
Authors: Tan Lei , Zhou Ziao , Liu Xiangmei , Li Jun , Zheng Yufeng , Cui Zhenduo , Yang Xianjin , Liang Yanqin , Li Zhaoyang , Feng Xiaobo , Zhu Shengli , Yeung Kelvin Wai Kwok , Yang Cao , Wang Xianbao , Wu Shuilin
Published: March 2020

Global multidrug‐resistant (MDR) bacteria are spreading rapidly and causing a great threat to human health due to the abuse of antibiotics. Determining how to resensitize MDR bacteria to conventional inefficient antibiotics is of extreme urgency. Here, a low‐temperature photothermal treatment (PTT, 45 °C) is utilized with red phosphorus nanoparticles to resensitize methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) to conventional aminoglycoside antibiotics. The antibacterial mechanism is studied by the proteomic technique and molecular dynamics (MD) simulation, which proves that the aminoglycoside antibiotics against MRSA can be selectively potentiated by low‐temperature PTT. The catalytic activity of 2‐aminoglycoside phosphotransferase (APH (2″))—a modifying enzyme—is demonstrated to be obviously inhibited via detecting the consumption of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) in the catalytic reaction. It is also found that the active site of aspartic acid (ASP) residues in APH (2″) is thermally unstable from the results of molecular dynamics simulation. Its catalytic ability is inhibited by preventing the deprotonating procedure for the target OH of gentamycin. The combined therapy also exhibits great biocompatibility and successfully treats MRSA infections in vivo. This low‐temperature PTT strategy has the potential to be an exogenous‐modifying enzyme inhibitor for the treatment of MDR bacterial infection.