bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Crystallization of Cocoa Butter in Cocoa Powder
Authors: Palmieri Paige A. , Hartel Richard W.
Published: June 2019

Cocoa powder quality is determined by its color, flavor, dispersion, and flow properties, which can be controlled via tempering. Design of a cocoa powder tempering profile, however, requires that the mechanism of cocoa butter crystallization in cocoa powder be fully understood. Low‐fat (8–12%) and high‐fat (20–24%) cocoas were sourced from two commercial manufacturers at varying degrees of alkalization and compared with two commercial cocoa butters. Unrefined paired cocoa powders and cocoa butters sampled from the hydraulic press were also evaluated. Isothermal crystallization kinetics and polymorphism of cocoa powders and cocoa butters were compared at 18, 21, and 24 °C using a direct time‐domain nuclear magnetic resonance method, differential scanning calorimetry, and x‐ray diffraction. Crystallization was also studied under dynamic tumbling conditions. It was found that cocoa butter in cocoa powder was nucleated by the cocoa powder matrix and transitioned to higher‐stability polymorphs more rapidly than bulk cocoa butters. High‐fat cocoas also exhibited enhanced crystallization kinetics relative to low‐fat cocoas, showing that differences in the cocoa microstructure may influence crystallization behavior. Notably, alkalization did not significantly affect the crystallization behavior of most cocoa powders. Finally, it was found that tumbling conditions led to crystallization of βV and that caking, especially of high‐fat cocoas, could be reduced by a static low‐temperature hold step prior to tumbling. Overall, these results demonstrated that crystallization of cocoa butter in cocoa powder is influenced both by the intrinsic attributes of the cocoa powder as well as the conditions of the tempering process.
Probing Deviation of Adhered Membrane Dynamics between Reconstituted Liposome and Cellular System
Authors: Mondal Prasenjit , Chowdhury Rajdeep , Nandi Somen , Amin Md. Asif , Bhattacharyya Kankan , Ghosh Surajit
Published: June 2019

The dynamics of cell‐cell adhesion are complicated due to complexities in cellular interactions and intra‐membrane interactions. In the present work, we have reconstituted a liposome‐based model system to mimic the cell‐cell adhesion process. Our model liposome system consists of one fluorescein‐tagged and one TRITC (tetramethyl‐rhodamine isothiocyanate)‐tagged liposome, adhered through biotin‐neutravidin interaction. We monitored the adhesion process in liposomes using Förster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) between fluorescein (donor) and TRITC (acceptor). Occurrence of FRET is confirmed by the decrease in donor lifetime as well as distinct rise time of the acceptor fluorescence. Interestingly, the acceptor's emission exhibits fluctuations in the range of ≈3±1 s. This may be attributed to structural oscillations associated in two adhered liposomes arising from the flexible nature of biotin‐neutravidin interaction. We have compared the dynamics in a cell‐mimicking liposome system with that in an in vitro live cell system. In the adhered live cell system, we used CPM (7‐diethylamino‐3‐(4‐maleimido‐phenyl)‐4‐methylcoumarin, donor) and nile red (acceptor), which are known to stain the membrane of CHO (Chinese Hamster Ovary) cells. The dynamics of the adhered membranes of two live CHO cells were observed through FRET between CPM and nile red. The acceptor fluorescence intensity exhibits an oscillation in the time‐scale of ≈1±0.75 s, which is faster compared to the reconstituted liposome system, indicating the contributions and involvement of multiple dynamic protein complexes around the cell membrane. This study offers simple reconstituted model systems to understand the complex membrane dynamics using a FRET‐based physical chemistry approach.
Identification and elucidation of proline‐rich antimicrobial peptides with enhanced potency and delivery
Authors: Lai Pin‐Kuang , Tresnak Daniel T. , Hackel Benjamin J.
Published: June 2019

Proline‐rich antimicrobial peptides (PrAMPs) kill bacteria via a nonlytic mechanism in which they permeate through the outer membrane, utilize protein‐mediated transport across the inner membrane, and target the ribosome to inhibit protein synthesis. We previously reported that substitutions of oncocin () with a pair of cationic residues improved the antimicrobial activity. In this study, we applied the design protocol to three other PrAMPs: apidaecin‐1b, pyrrhocoricin, and bactenecin 7(1–16) and found that the substitutions (R4K and I8K/R) for apidaecin‐1b improve the activity by twofold (p < .05) against nonpathogenic Escherichia coli. Moreover, the substitutions (L7K/R and R14K) for pyrrhocoricin improve the activity by 2–10‐fold (p < .05) against some strains of E. coli and Salmonella Typhimurium. We also performed activity tests against inner membrane protein (SbmA or YgdD) knockout strains. The result is consistent with previous studies that SbmA is the major transporter for apidaecin‐1b and pyrrhocoricin derivatives. However, bactenecin 7(1–16) functions independently of these transporters. In addition, several apidaecin‐1b derivatives exhibit enhanced activity relative to wild‐type only in the absence of SbmA, which is consistent with mutations that enhance transport across the inner membrane. A high performance liquid chromatography‐based kinetic assay for cellular association and internalization demonstrates that the selected cationic mutations can improve cellular association in minimal media, but this enhanced association is not required for increased activity, which suggests the importance of inner membrane transport. These functional studies on cationic mutants of PrAMPs advance understanding of potency and mechanism and advance the ability to engineer improved antimicrobials as evidenced by the identification of the pyrrhocoricin mutant (L7R and R14K) with 10‐fold elevated potency against pathogenic E. coli.
A simplified techno‐economic model for the molecular pharming of antibodies
Authors: Mir‐Artigues Pere , Twyman Richard M. , Alvarez Derry , Cerda Bennasser Pedro , Balcells Merce , Christou Paul , Capell Teresa
Published: June 2019

By the end of 2017, the Food and Drug Administration had approved a total of 77 therapeutic monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), most of which are still manufactured today. Furthermore, global sales of mAbs topped $90 billion in 2017 and are projected to reach $125 billion by 2020. The mAbs approved for human therapy are mostly produced using Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells, which require expensive infrastructure for production and purification. Molecular pharming in plants is an alternative approach with the benefits of lower costs, greater scalability, and intrinsic safety. For some platforms, the production cycle is also much quicker. But do these advantages really stack up in economic terms? Earlier techno‐economic evaluations have focused on specific platforms or processes and have used different methods, making direct comparisons challenging and the overall benefits of molecular pharming difficult to gauge. Here, we present a simplified techno‐economic model for the manufacturing of mAbs, which can be applied to any production platform by focusing on the most important factors that determine the efficiency and cost of bulk drug manufacturing. This model develops economic concepts to identify variables that can be used to achieve cost savings by simultaneously modeling the dynamic costs of upstream production at different scales and the corresponding downstream processing costs for different manufacturing modes (sequential, serial, and continuous). The use of simplified models will help to achieve meaningful comparisons between diverse manufacturing technologies.
To whom and when to give: Effects of intimacy and obligation on expressive motives, gift choice, and information search in gift giving
Authors: Kim Namin , Kim Sukho
Published: June 2019

When consumers purchase gifts for others, their behaviors are different from those when they buy something for themselves. The present study aims to understand the entire gift purchase process including perception of the recipient and occasion, formation of motives, gift type choices, and information search. For this purpose, an expressive motive (motive to express the relationship or givers' self through a gift) was introduced and hypotheses were developed on how perceived intimacy and obligation influence expressive motives and how these motives affect consumers' choice of gift types (hedonic vs. utilitarian) and information search modes (online vs. offline). A memory‐based survey involving a student sample (n = 355) was conducted, and three major findings were revealed. First, more intimacy and less obligation increased expressive motives. Second, expressive motives influenced the giver's choice of a gift type. More specifically, givers with high expressive motives tended to choose a gift with a high level of hedonic quality and a low level of utilitarian quality. Finally, gift types that givers intended to purchase influenced information search. Givers searched for information online more when they purchased gifts with high utilitarian quality whereas they searched for offline information more when they purchased gifts with high hedonic quality. Results have practical implications for manufacturers and retailers whose businesses involve gifts.
Interrogating the Surface Intermediates and Water Oxidation Products of Boron‐Doped Diamond Electrodes with Scanning Electrochemical Microscopy
Authors: Counihan Michael J. , Setwipatanachai Worapol , Rodríguez‐López Joaquín
Published: June 2019

Boron‐doped diamond (BDD) electrodes are widely used in electrochemical sensing and water purification owing to their chemical and structural stability under harsh reaction conditions. Water oxidation at BDD electrodes is known to produce reactive oxygen species, but the discharged and surface chemistries involved in these processes have not been studied in depth. Here, we present scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) studies of electrogenerated intermediates and products formed on sp2 carbon‐containing BDD electrodes that display stark differences in their reactivity as a function of electrolyte type and pH during water oxidation. The most reactive and abundant species discharged from the electrode were observed at pH 11 in sulfate electrolyte. With the surface interrogation mode of SECM, two kinetically distinct surface intermediates were clearly distinguished, with one forming two orders of magnitude faster than the other but displaying a slower desorption rate. The surface coverage of these species was estimated in the range of 4–7×10−5 mol/cm2 for the first, and 3–4.4×10−5 mol/cm2 for the second one. SECM imaging suggested that regions of increased product evolution have decreased electron transfer kinetics and limited surface sites for intermediate binding. This work establishes methods for studying highly reactive intermediates found in BDD and paves the way for the inspection of other interfaces where solvolysis impacts their reactivity and evolution.
Triarylborane‐Based Helical Donor–Acceptor Compounds: Synthesis, Photophysical, and Electronic Properties
Authors: Jia Xiangqing , Nitsch Jörn , Ji Lei , Wu Zhu , Friedrich Alexandra , Kerner Florian , Moos Michael , Lambert Christoph , Marder Todd B.
Published: June 2019

The synthesis and characterization of 10‐(dimesitylboryl)‐N,N‐di‐p‐tolylbenzo[c]phenanthren‐4‐amine (3‐B(Mes)2‐[4]helix‐9‐N(p‐Tol)2 1) and 13‐(dimesitylboryl)‐N,N‐di‐p‐tolyldibenzo[c,g]phenanthren‐8‐amine (3‐B(Mes)2‐[5]helix‐12‐N(p‐Tol)2 2) are reported herein. Their electrochemical and photophysical properties have been studied experimentally and theoretically. The donor and acceptor‐substituted helicene derivatives exhibit moderate fluorescence quantum yields in THF (Φf=0.48 and 0.61 for 1 and 2, respectively), which are higher than unsubstituted ones (Φf=0.18 for [4]helicene; Φf<0.05 for [n]helicenes (n≥5)). In the solid state, the Φf values are higher (Φf=1.00 and 0.55 for 1 and 2, respectively) than those in solution, most likely due to the restrictions of molecular motions. The S1←S0 transitions of 1 and 2 are predominately HOMO→LUMO transitions. Upon excitation with UV light, the interplanar angle between the two terminal aryl rings of the [5]helix core of 2 decreases (S1 state compared with S0 state), which is similar to placing a spring under an external force.
Catalytic Enantioselective Protonation of Monofluorinated Silyl Enol Ethers towards Chiral α‐Fluoroketones
Authors: Liao Kui , Hu Xiao‐Si , Zhu Ren‐Yi , Rao Ruo‐Han , Yu Jin‐Sheng , Zhou Feng , Zhou Jian
Published: June 2019

Summary of main observation and conclusion

Described herein is an organocatalytic enantioselective protonation of monofluorinated silyl enol ethers, affording an array of optically active α‐secondary α‐fluoroketones in good to high yields and enantioselectivities, under the catalysis of bifunctional cinchonidine derived squaramide C4. It represents a rare example of facile synthesis of enantioenriched α‐secondary α‐fluoroketones. With D2O as the deuterium source and MeOD as the solvent, the first highly enantioselective preparation of chiral α‐deuterated α‐fluoroketones in >92% deuteration is developed.
Rational Design of Efficient Organic Phototherapeutic Agents via Perturbation Theory for Enhancing Anticancer Therapeutics
Authors: Xu Yunjian , Zhao Menglong , Wu Licai , Li Feiyang , Li Mingdang , Xie Mingjuan , Liu Shujuan , Huang Wei , Zhao Qiang
Published: June 2019

The development of efficient phototherapeutic agents (PTA) through rational and specific principles exhibits great potential to the biomedical field. In this study, a facile and rational strategy was used to design PTA through perturbation theory. According to the theory, both the intersystem crossing rate for singlet oxygen generation and nonradiative transition for photothermal conversion efficiency can be simultaneously enhanced by the rational optimization of donor–acceptor groups, heavy atom number, and their functional positions, which can effectively decrease the energy gap between the singlet and triplet states and increase the spin‐orbit coupling constant. Finally, efficient PTA were obtained that showed excellent performance in multimode‐imaging‐guided synergetic photodynamic/photothermal therapy. This study therefore expands the intrinsic mechanism of organic PTA and should help guide the rational design of future organic PTA via perturbation theory.
Mechanoenzymatic Breakdown of Chitinous Material to N‐Acetylglucosamine: The Benefits of a Solventless Environment
Authors: Therien J. P. Daniel , Hammerer Fabien , Friščić Tomislav , Auclair Karine
Published: June 2019

Chitin is not only the most abundant nitrogen‐containing biopolymer on the planet, but also a renewable feedstock that is often treated as a waste. Current chemical methods to break down chitin typically employ harsh conditions, large volumes of solvent, and generate a mixture of products. Although enzymatic methods have been reported, they require a harsh chemical pretreatment of the chitinous substrate and rely on dilute solution conditions that are remote from the natural environment of microbial chitinase enzymes, which typically consists of surfaces exposed to air and moisture. We report an innovative and efficient mechanoenzymatic method to hydrolyze chitin to the N‐acetylglucosamine monomer by using chitinases under the recently developed reactive aging (RAging) methodology, based on repeating cycles of brief ball‐milling followed by aging, in the absence of bulk solvent. Our results demonstrate that the activity of chitinases increases several times by switching from traditional solution‐based conditions of enzymatic catalysis to solventless RAging, which operates on moist solid substrates. Importantly, RAging is also highly efficient for the production of N‐acetylglucosamine directly from shrimp and crab shell biomass without any other processing except for a gentle wash with aqueous acetic acid.
Ultrasound characteristics of thyroid nodules facilitate interpretation of the malignant risk of Bethesda system III/IV thyroid nodules and inform therapeutic schedule
Authors: Li Fu , Pan Denghua , Wu Yuquan , Peng Jinbo , Li Qing , Gui Xiaolong , Ma Wei , Yang Hong , He Yun , Chen Junqiang
Published: June 2019

Background

This study was designed to explore whether ultrasound of thyroid nodules facilitates the interpretation of the malignant risk of Bethesda III/IV thyroid nodules to inform further therapies.

Methods

We reviewed patient records in which the results of ultrasound‐guided fine‐needle aspiration (US‐FNA) were classified by the Bethesda III/IV in our institution between January 2016 and June 2018. Studies were retrieved from PubMed, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, ISI Web of Science, Science Direct, Wiley Online Library, EMBASE, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, WanFang, and Chinese VIP. The odds ratio (OR) was used to measure associations between risk factors and thyroid nodule malignancy.

Results

Fifty‐nine cases of Bethesda III/IV with corresponding surgeries were included, and the malignancy risk was 54.2%. Meta‐analysis revealed irregular borders, solitary nodules, hypoechogenicity, microcalcifications, and being taller than wide, all of which increased the malignancy risk of thyroid nodules. Combined ORs for these factors were 4.08 (95% CI: 2.34‐7.14, P < .001), 2.18 (95% CI: 1.39‐3.42, P = .001), 2.02 (95% CI: 1.35‐3.01, P = .001), 3.21 (95% CI: 2.26‐4.56, P < .001), and 4.35 (95% CI: 3.07‐6.15, P < .001), respectively.

Conclusion

As the risk of malignancy for papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is high, when any one of the five ultrasound features of malignancy were confirmed, repeated FNA is recommended to confirm PTC‐type malignancy, even though nodules were Bethesda III/IV classification. However, repeated FNA should be avoided when none of these ultrasound features are identified because repeated FNA does not contribute to identifying non‐PTC type malignancies, such as follicular thyroid carcinoma and poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma.
Supercritical flows overspilling from bypass‐dominated submarine channels and the development of overbank bedforms
Authors: McArthur Adam , Kane Ian , Bozetti Guilherme , Hansen Larissa , Kneller Benjamin C.
Published: June 2019

Overbank deposits of submarine channels are typically thin‐bedded, fine‐grained and predominantly characterized by a series of sedimentary structures interpreted to record a relatively simple history of waning flow. Here, a new type of bedform indicative of Froude‐supercritical flow is reported from successions of thin‐bedded turbidites interpreted as channel overbank deposits in the Upper Cretaceous Rosario Formation, Baja California, Mexico. A link is demonstrated between the development of overbank deposits in the form of depositional terraces or internal levees and contemporaneously active sediment transport, bypass and deposition of coarser‐grained material in a channel. The overbank bedforms overlie an erosion surface and contain a suite of sedimentary structures indicative of initially Froude‐supercritical flow conditions and a progressive waning of flow strength. In some cases, a stacked repetition of facies is interpreted to record a rejuvenation of flow energy. The characteristic sedimentary sequence observed is as follows: (a) long wavelength, low amplitude erosional surface with superimposed scours; (b) antidune backsets; (c) upper stage plane‐parallel lamination; (d) subcritical climbing ripples; (e) supercritical climbing ripples; (f) lower stage planar laminated tops; (g) a sharp upper surface. The exact vertical sequence of sedimentary structures encountered varies depending on the point of observation with respect to the bedform crest and distance from the parent channel. The recognition of these distinctive bedforms allows for interpretation of sediment bypass and proximity to a channel thalweg. These bedforms have not hitherto been described and provide a further example of the range of flow processes operating in submarine channel–levee systems, which aids depositional environment interpretation in both subsurface and outcrop studies.
How much do we really lose?—Yield losses in the proximity of natural landscape elements in agricultural landscapes
Authors: Raatz Larissa , Bacchi Nina , Pirhofer Walzl Karin , Glemnitz Michael , Müller Marina E. H. , Joshi Jasmin , Scherber Christoph
Published: June 2019

Natural landscape elements (NLEs) in agricultural landscapes contribute to biodiversity and ecosystem services, but are also regarded as an obstacle for large‐scale agricultural production. However, the effects of NLEs on crop yield have rarely been measured. Here, we investigated how different bordering structures, such as agricultural roads, field‐to‐field borders, forests, hedgerows, and kettle holes, influence agricultural yields. We hypothesized that (a) yield values at field borders differ from mid‐field yields and that (b) the extent of this change in yields depends on the bordering structure.

We measured winter wheat yields along transects with log‐scaled distances from the border into the agricultural field within two intensively managed agricultural landscapes in Germany (2014 near Göttingen, and 2015–2017 in the Uckermark).

We observed a yield loss adjacent to every investigated bordering structure of 11%–38% in comparison with mid‐field yields. However, depending on the bordering structure, this yield loss disappeared at different distances. While the proximity of kettle holes did not affect yields more than neighboring agricultural fields, woody landscape elements had strong effects on winter wheat yields. Notably, 95% of mid‐field yields could already be reached at a distance of 11.3 m from a kettle hole and at a distance of 17.8 m from hedgerows as well as forest borders.

Our findings suggest that yield losses are especially relevant directly adjacent to woody landscape elements, but not adjacent to in‐field water bodies. This highlights the potential to simultaneously counteract yield losses close to the field border and enhance biodiversity by combining different NLEs in agricultural landscapes such as creating strips of extensive grassland vegetation between woody landscape elements and agricultural fields. In conclusion, our results can be used to quantify ecocompensations to find optimal solutions for the delivery of productive and regulative ecosystem services in heterogeneous agricultural landscapes.
Opportunistic bacteria and mass mortality in ungulates: lessons from an extreme event
Authors: Robinson Sarah , Milner‐Gulland E. J. , Grachev Yuri , Salemgareyev Albert , Orynbayev Mukhit , Lushchekina Anna , Morgan Eric , Beauvais Wendy , Singh Navinder , Khomenko Sergei , Cammack Rosie , Kock Richard
Published: June 2019

Mass mortality events in wildlife are a growing concern. Under conditions of rapid global change, opportunistic responses in bacterial commensals, triggered by environmental stressors, may be increasingly implicated in die‐offs. In 2015, over 200,000 saiga antelope died of hemorrhagic septicemia caused by the pathogen Pasteurella multocida serotype B. We use this case to explore die‐offs from commensal bacteria more broadly, looking at factors which might favor such extreme events. We review other recorded disease outbreaks caused by Pasteurellaceae organisms, firstly in saiga and secondly in other wild ungulates, and ask whether the 2015 die‐off was unprecedented in terms of mortality rates, numbers dead, spatial scale, and in the nature of the predisposing or environmental factors involved. We also compare these outbreaks with mass mortality events associated with commensal bacteria in wildlife more generally. We identify three additional major die‐offs in saiga in which Pasteurellaceae organisms may be implicated, of which one in 1988 closely resembles the 2015 hemorrhagic septicemia event. No other recorded cases in wild ungulates approach the magnitude of these cases for any of the metrics considered, possible exceptions being die‐offs in Mongolian gazelles, in which the role of these pathogens is poorly substantiated. Environmental triggers were the most commonly suggested factor leading to pathogenesis, with warm humid conditions most commonly associated with hemorrhagic septicemia. Life history may also be significant—saigas are migratory and the largest pasteurellosis outbreaks outside this species also occur in migratory species of bird or other temperate ungulates aggregating in large numbers. Cases provoked by other commensals tend to be small in magnitude. Exceptions involve interactions between multiple pathogens and climatic conditions or sets of climatic conditions acting on different stages of the host–pathogen life cycle, leading to time lags between infection and subsequent disease. Overall, the scale and rapidity of the saiga die‐offs appear unprecedented among mortality events caused by bacterial commensals in wild mammals. Experimental research into the genetics and microbiology of host–pathogen interactions upon changes in the external environment, and monitoring of animals and conditions at calving sites, may eventually reveal the underlying causes of these die‐offs.
Index‐based approach for estimating vulnerability of Arctic biota to oil spills
Authors: Nevalainen Maisa , Vanhatalo Jarno , Helle Inari
Published: June 2019

Risk of an Arctic oil spill has become a global matter of concern. Climate change induced opening of shipping routes increases the Arctic maritime traffic which exposes the area to negative impacts of potential maritime accidents. Still, quantitative analyses of the likely environmental impacts of such accidents are scarce, and our understanding of the uncertainties related to both accidents and their consequences is poor. There is an obvious need for analysis tools that allow us to systematically analyze the impacts of oil spills on Arctic species, so the risks can be taken into account when new sea routes or previously unexploited oil reserves are utilized. In this paper, an index‐based approach is developed to study exposure potential (described via probability of becoming exposed to spilled oil) and sensitivity (described via oil‐induced mortality and recovery) of Arctic biota in the face of an oil spill. First, a conceptual model presenting the relevant variables that contribute to exposure potential and sensitivity of key Arctic marine functional groups was built. Second, based on an extensive literature review, a probabilistic estimate was assigned for each variable, and the variables were combined to an index representing the overall vulnerability of Arctic biota. The resulting index can be used to compare the relative risk between functional groups and accident scenarios. Results indicate that birds have the highest vulnerability to spilled oil, and seals and whales the lowest. Polar bears’ vulnerability varies greatly between seasons, while ice seals’ vulnerability remains the same in every accident scenario. Exposure potential of most groups depends strongly on type of oil, whereas their sensitivity contains less variation.
Negative impacts of summer heat on Sierra Nevada tree seedlings
Authors: Moran Emily V. , Das Adrian J. , Keeley Jon E. , Stephenson Nathan L.
Published: June 2019

Understanding the response of forests to climate change is important for predicting changes in biodiversity and ecosystem services, including carbon storage. Seedlings represent a key demographic stage in these responses, because seedling establishment is necessary for population persistence and spread, and because the conditions allowing seedlings to survive and grow are often more restrictive than those adults can tolerate. However, detailed long‐term data on the responses of individual seedlings to climatic variation are rare. Here, we analyze a decade of seedling growth and survival data collected in 25 long‐term plots located in Sequoia and Yosemite National Parks. The forest types represented range from lower‐elevation mixed conifer, to red fir‐dominated, to high‐elevation western white pine stands. Twelve species, including two oaks and ten conifers, are found across these plots. Survival and transition to larger size classes are modeled within a Bayesian framework as a function of species, size, fire, and various climate variables. We initially expected that precipitation‐related variables would have a strong effect on seedling survival and growth in this Mediterranean‐climate region and that some species might respond positively to higher temperatures if they are adapted to warmer low‐elevation areas or to higher‐than‐average temperatures if they are high‐elevation species whose growing seasons are limited by cold. However, we found that higher July maximum temperature or temperature anomalies were associated with lower survival and growth for most species, while precipitation and snow effects were weaker and more variable. Higher precipitation had a positive effect on survival of most species, but snow effects and precipitation effects on growth could be negative. Given the estimated climate responses, under potential future scenarios of higher summer temperatures and altered precipitation, most species are predicted to have lower survival and reduced growth. This is likely to favor species that have relatively high survival and growth and less negative responses to climatic shift (such as several of the pines) and perhaps lead to a more open forest structure—or potentially transition to non‐forest vegetation types where seedling recruitment does not keep pace with adult mortality.
Great Lakes Cladophora harbors phylogenetically diverse nitrogen‐fixing microorganisms
Authors: Byappanahalli Muruleedhara N. , Nevers Meredith B. , Przybyla‐Kelly Katarzyna , Ishii Satoshi , King Timothy L. , Aunins Aaron W.
Published: June 2019

Nitrogen‐fixing microorganisms are among the epiphytic communities in Cladophora, potentially benefitting the algae in nutrient‐deficient waters, but their abundance and diversity remain unexplored. In this study, we determined the abundance and taxonomic composition of these nitrogen‐fixing microorganisms in Cladophora growing on rocks, breakwall structures, or submerged dreissenid mussel beds around southern Lake Michigan (N = 33) during the summer 2015, using two complementary genomic techniques: quantitative PCR (qPCR) and shotgun metagenomic sequencing. Genomic DNA was extracted from processed algal pellets, and the nitrogen‐fixing microbes were quantified by qPCR by targeting the nifH gene. Mean nifH concentrations (log10 copy numbers/gram algae fresh weight ± SE) were 5.54 ± 0.09, ranging from 4.31 to 6.57. Mean nifH concentrations in water samples (log10 copy numbers/milliliter of water ± SE) were: 3.25 ± 0.06, ranging from 2.41 to 3.90. Shotgun sequencing of a subset of algal samples representing the four sampling locations (N = 10) revealed as many as 267 nifH reads from among the sequences of the 10 shotgun metagenomes (averaging 27 reads per metagenome), ranging from 5 to 91 reads from Jeorse Park (September) and North Beach (September) locations. Taxonomic assignment of nifH sequences identified members from bacteria and archaea domains showing a clear separation of reads at domain and lower taxonomic levels. Bacteria were relatively more abundant than archaea. Anabaena, Bradyrhizobium, Geobacter, Methylocystis, Oscillatoria sp., and Skermanella (all bacteria), and Methanoregula, Methanothrix, and Methanosarcina (archaea) were among the nitrogen‐fixing genera identified by the MEGAN Community Edition program. Collectively, these findings show that phylogenetically diverse nitrogen‐fixing microbial communities are part of the Cladophora microbiome, likely contributing to the algal nitrogen needs.
The influence of the fossil fuel and emission‐intensive industries on the stringency of mitigation policies: Evidence from the OECD countries and Brazil, Russia, India, Indonesia, China and South Africa
Authors: Stevens Daniela
Published: June 2019

The article assesses the effects of different industrial sectors on the design of market‐based policies that mitigate climate change. It claims that the emission‐intensive and fossil fuel industries, especially those exposed to trade, have a negative impact on the stringency of domestic market‐based mitigation policies, namely, carbon taxes and Emission Trading Systems (ETS). To address endogeneity between industrial and policy outputs, the empirical analysis resorts to a nontraditional instrumental variable method constructing instruments with heteroskedastic errors in the data. With a dataset that covers 34 countries from 1990 to 2015, the analysis shows that there is a negative and statistically significant association between these industries and policy stringency, albeit in a differentiated way. Whereas the upstream fossil fuel industries have a negative relationship with carbon taxes, the power industry was only negatively associated with ETS. Emission‐intensive manufacturers and the downstream fossil fuels industry have a negative effect on both policies. The design and practical applications of each policy explain the disparities; although ETS regulate larger emission‐intensive installations such as power plants, carbon taxes tend to impose tariffs on activities that are not necessarily emission‐intensive, such as oil extraction or specific fuels. The results, robust to different estimation methods, support that larger industrial outputs are significantly associated with less stringent mitigation policies.
Synthesis of a Highly Active and Stable Pt/Co3O4 Catalyst and Its Application for the Catalytic Combustion of Toluene
Authors: Hu Xuefeng , Zhang Zeshu , Zhang Yibo , Sun Liwei , Tian Heyuan , Yang Xiangguang
Published: June 2019

Catalytic combustion has become one of the most economical, feasible and effective tools for the abatement of VOCs. However, it is difficult to prepare supported Pt catalysts possessing both excellent catalytic activity and stability by traditional preparation methods, such as incipient‐wetness impregnation method and nanoparticle loading method. In this work, we prepared Pt/Co3O4 catalyst with high catalytic activity and stability for the catalytic combustion of toluene by galvanic displacement method. As comparing, additional reference samples were prepared using incipient‐wetness impregnation method and nanoparticle loading method, respectively. All of the samples were characterized by XRD, TEM, H2‐TPR, O2‐TPD and XPS techniques. The catalyst prepared by galvanic displacement method exhibited the best catalytic activity with the temperature of 90 % toluene conversion about 150 °C (T90 = 150 °C) and outstanding stability reflected in a continuous 100 h on‐stream toluene combustion lifetime experiment without catalytic activity decline at the GHSV = 60 000 mL g–1 h–1 compared to which prepared by traditional methods. These results are attributed to the excellent oxygen mobility, the high surface chemisorbed oxygen species concentration and the strong interaction between Pt and support Co3O4. Therefore, our work provided a universal strategy for designing high‐efficiency and stable catalyst for the abatement of VOCs at low temperature.
Direct Measurement of Acid Dissociation Constants of Trace Organic Compounds at Nanomolar Levels in Aqueous Solution by Condensed Phase–Membrane Introduction Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Feehan Jackelyn F. , Monaghan Joseph , Gill Chris G. , Krogh Erik T.
Published: June 2019

We report the use of condensed phase–membrane introduction mass spectrometry as a novel method for the determination of acid dissociation constants for hydrophobic organic acids in aqueous solution at nanomolar concentrations. The technique is based on the pH-dependent permeation of analytes through a semipermeable polydimethylsiloxane membrane probe that is immersed directly in aqueous samples. We describe the method and report the dissociation constant (pKa) values for compounds of biological and environmental relevance, including contaminants, pharmaceuticals, and naphthenic acids. The approach can be applied to individual compounds, combined suites, and complex mixtures at parts-per-billion levels. We report pKa values for 10 carboxylic acids with precision estimates and relative errors (where reliable literature values are available) of <0.1 log units. We report acidity constants for 2-methyl-3-methoxy-4-phenyl butanoic acid (a biomarker for microcystin algal toxins) and 4-t-butylcyclohexane carboxylic acid (a model naphthenic acid) as 4.28 ± 0.03 and 5.15 ± 0.05, respectively. Furthermore, we employ this approach to measure the effect of both temperature and deuterium oxide (heavy water) on acid dissociation, reporting the enthalpy and entropy changes for the ionization of a representative carboxylic acid and substituted phenol. Environ Toxicol Chem 2019;38:1879–1889. © 2019 SETAC.
Congenital Extrahepatic Portosystemic Shunts (Abernethy Malformation): An International Observational Study
Authors: Baiges Anna , Turon Fanny , Simón‐Talero Macarena , Tasayco Stephanie , Bueno Javier , Zekrini Kamal , Plessier Aurélie , Franchi‐Abella Stéphanie , Guerin Florent , Mukund Amar , Eapen C.E. , Goel Ashish , Shyamkumar Nidugala Keshava , Coenen Sandra , De Gottardi Andrea , Majumdar Avik , Onali Simona , Shukla Akash , Carrilho Flair José , Nacif Lucas , Primignani Massimo , Tosetti Giulia , La Mura Vicenzo , Nevens Frederik , Witters Peter , Tripathi Dhiraj , Tellez Luis , Martínez Javier , Álvarez‐Navascués Carmen , Fraile López Miguel López , Procopet Bogdan , Piscaglia Fabio , de Koning Barbara , Llop Elba , Romero‐Cristobal Mario , Tjwa Eric , Monescillo‐Francia Alberto , Senzolo Marco , Perez‐LaFuente Mercedes , Segarra Antonio , Sarin Shiv Kumar , Hernández‐Gea Virginia , Patch David , Laleman Wim , Hartog Hermien , Valla Dominique , Genescà Joan , García‐Pagán Juan Carlos ,   for the REHEVASC, VALDIG an EASL consortium, Abernethy group
Published: June 2019

Congenital extrahepatic portosystemic shunt (CEPS) or Abernethy malformation is a rare condition in which splanchnic venous blood bypasses the liver draining directly into systemic circulation through a congenital shunt. Patients may develop hepatic encephalopathy (HE), pulmonary hypertension (PaHT), or liver tumors, among other complications. However, the actual incidence of such complications is unknown, mainly because of the lack of a protocolized approach to these patients. This study characterizes the clinical manifestations and outcome of a large cohort of CEPS patients with the aim of proposing a guide for their management. This is an observational, multicenter, international study. Sixty‐six patients were included; median age at the end of follow‐up was 30 years. Nineteen patients (28%) presented HE. Ten‐, 20‐, and 30‐year HE incidence rates were 13%, 24%, and 28%, respectively. No clinical factors predicted HE. Twenty‐five patients had benign nodular lesions. Ten patients developed adenomas (median age, 18 years), and another 8 developed HCC (median age, 39 years). Of 10 patients with dyspnea, PaHT was diagnosed in 8 and hepatopulmonary syndrome in 2. Pulmonary complications were only screened for in 19 asymptomatic patients, and PaHT was identified in 2. Six patients underwent liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma or adenoma. Shunt closure was performed in 15 patients with improvement/stability/cure of CEPS manifestations. Conclusion: CEPS patients may develop severe complications. Screening for asymptomatic complications and close surveillance is needed. Shunt closure should be considered both as a therapeutic and prophylactic approach.
Understanding patients’ trust toward community healthcare providers under different primary care settings in China: Impact of hospital ownership and registration mode
Authors: Sun Na , Rau Pei‐Luen P. , Zhong Runting
Published: June 2019

China is currently undertaking healthcare reform, and promoting general practitioner (GP) practice is a major improvement. The key to the success of the GP practice is whether or not patients are willing to accept and trust in GPs in community healthcare centers (CHCs). The objective of this study is to evaluate the impact of hospital ownership (public or private) and registration mode (registering with a CHC or a GP on patients’ trust in community health services. A user experiment was conducted, and 204 nonstudent participants were invited to finish simulated registration tasks in a self‐developed online registration system. Patients’ trust in CHCs, GPs, and GPs’ treatment outcomes was measured. The results indicated that patients had a significantly higher level of trust in private CHCs and private sector GPs, but they showed a higher level of trust in the treatment outcomes of public sector GPs due to the influence of their past medical experience seeing community doctors. The registration mode only influenced patients’ trust in GPs’ professional skills, that is, patients had a higher level of trust in GPs’ professional skills when registering with CHCs compared to registering with individual GPs.
Exergy analysis of a 1.2 MW waste heat power generation project
Authors: Hou Zhonglan , Shao Long , Wei Xinli , Ma Xinling , Wu Tan
Published: June 2019

According to systematic features, analysis method based on exergy balance is established. Basic indicators in the system, the subsystem, and facilities are put forward in this paper. By using this method to analyze the generation system of megawatt‐scale in one chemical enterprise, it is found that the objective exergy efficiency of the system is 35.67%, and exergy loss of organic Rankine cycle (ORC) is the highest. The thermal efficiency of the total system is 9.61%. For the condenser, the thermal efficiency is 91.18%, and the exergy efficiency is only 23.44%. The objective exergy efficiency of the evaporator is 74.04%. The influence coefficient of exergy loss of condenser is higher than that of pump and expander, but input exergy of the condenser is lower than that of the expander. It is revealed that ORC subsystem is the part which needs to be focused on, and the condenser is the most important component of ORC subsystem which should be optimized firstly.
Deep learning and blockchain fusion for detecting driver's behavior in smart vehicles
Authors: Khan Muhammad Z. , Khan Muhammad U. G. , Irshad Omer , Iqbal Razi
Published: June 2019

Studies have been actively conducted on analyzing the driver's behavior inside the vehicle premises. Moreover, the transmission of the tempered proof multimedia content is also a major point of interest for the research community. At present, most of the techniques for detecting the distracted behavior of the driver is based on the detection of different face attributes like eyes and head posture etc, by using the traditional hand crafted features. In this paper we propose the deep learning based algorithm using the Convolution Neural Network. The proposed algorithm is independent of feature extraction of the specific parts, instead, it automatically picks the best features specific to the problem. We have utilized the State Form Distracted Driver Detection dataset to train our proposed algorithm. Furthermore, this paper also proposes a secure and tempered proof multimedia transaction. Original video data may be edited and fabricated with the false information. Multimedia blockchain can be helpful in tackling this problem. We have used Secure Hashing Algorithm (SHA‐256) algorithm for extracting the hashes of multimedia content. By utilizing the blockchain, we safely transmit the tempered proof video data coming from inside the vehicle, automatically detecting abnormal activities with our deep learning based algorithm. So, this paper combines the deep learning algorithms with blockchain techniques which is novel in research. Comparison between the results of proposed algorithm with the current state of the art work shows that proposed algorithm outperforms by achieving 86.02% accuracy on the test data.
Diagnostic and prognostic significance of mRNA expressions of apolipoprotein A and C family genes in hepatitis B virus‐related hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Wang Xiangkun , Gong Yizhen , Deng Teng , Zhang Linbo , Liao Xiwen , Han Chuangye , Yang Chengkun , Huang Jianlu , Wang Qiaoqi , Song Xiaowei , Zhang Tengfang , Yu Tingdong , Zhu Guangzhi , Ye Xinping , Peng Tao
Published: June 2019

Background

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is among the most common and lethal malignancies worldwide. Apolipoproteins (APOs) have been reported increasingly for their relationships with tumors. We aim at exploring the potential relationships of apolipoprotein A (APOA) and apolipoprotein C (APOC) family members with HCC.

Methods

A data set, containing 212 hepatitis B virus‐related HCC patients, was used for analysis. The diagnostic and prognostic ability of APOA and APOC family genes was figured out. Risk score models and nomograms were developed for the HCC prognosis prediction. Moreover, molecular mechanism exploration were identified biological processes and metabolic pathways of these genes involved in. Validation analysis was carried out using online website.

Results

APOA1, APOC1, APOC3, and APOC4 showed robust diagnosis significance (all P < 0.05). APOA4, APOC3, and APOC4 were associated with the overall survival (OS) while APOA4 and APOC4 were linked to recurrence‐free survival (RFS, all P ≤ 0.05). Risk score models and nomograms had the advantage of predicting OS and RFS for HCC. Molecular mechanism exploration indicated that these genes were involved in the steroid metabolic process, the PPAR signaling pathway, and fatty acid metabolism. Besides that, validation analysis revealed that APOC1 and APOC4 had an association with OS; and APOC3 was associated with OS and RFS (all P ≤ 0.05).

Conclusions

APOA1, APOC1, APOC3, and APOC4 are likely to be potential diagnostic biomarkers and APOC3 and APOC4 are likely to be potential prognostic biomarkers for hepatitis B virus‐related HCC. They may be involved in the steroid metabolic process, PPAR signaling pathway, and fatty acid metabolism.
Interfering with long chain noncoding RNA ANRIL expression reduces heart failure in rats with diabetes by inhibiting myocardial oxidative stress
Authors: Dai Wenxin , Lee Dongwon
Published: June 2019

This study is performed to elucidate whether long‐chain noncoding RNA ANRIL has an effect on diabetes, and further explore the mechanism of ANRIL in diabetes. The rat model of diabetes was established via intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin. The modeled rats were grouped into normal, diabetes, siRNA‐NC, and ANRIL siRNA groups. Besides, the expression of ANRIL, cardiac function, inflammatory factor levels, cardiomyocyte apoptosis, and levels of oxidative stress index were all determined. Upregulated ANRIL was found in myocardial tissue of diabetic rats. Downregulated ANRIL improved cardiac function index and the expression of inflammatory factors, improved the pathological state of myocardial tissue and myocardial remodeling, decreased myocardial collagen deposition area and cardiomyocyte apoptosis and reduced the oxidative level of myocardial tissue in diabetic rats. This present study suggests that upregulated ANRIL is found in myocardial tissue of diabetic rats. Additionally, silencing of ANRIL reduces myocardial injury in diabetes by inhibiting myocardial oxidative stress.