bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Long‐lived marine species may be resilient to environmental variability through a temporal portfolio effect
Authors: Maselko Jacek , Andrews Kimberly R. , Hohenlohe Paul A.
Published: May 2020

Maintenance of genetic variation may provide resilience of populations to natural environmental variability. We used Pacific ocean perch (POP; Sebastes alutus) to test for the maintenance of adaptive variation across overlapping generations. POP are a long‐lived species characterized by widespread larval dispersal in their first year and a longevity of over 100 years. In order to understand how early marine dispersal affects POP survival and population structure, we used restriction site‐associated DNA sequencing (RADseq) to obtain 11,146 single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from 401 young‐of‐the‐year (YOY) POP collected during surveys conducted in 2014 (19 stations) and 2015 (4 stations) in the eastern Gulf of Alaska. Population clustering analysis showed that the POP samples represented four distinct ancestral populations mixed throughout the sampling area. Based on prior work on larval dispersal of POP, these larvae are most likely from distinct parturition locations that are mixing during their pelagic dispersal life stage. Latent factor mixed models revealed that POP larvae face significant selection during their first year at sea, which is specific to the year of their birth. Thus each adult cohort's genetic composition is heavily influenced by the environmental conditions experienced during their first year at sea. Long‐lived species relying on broadcast spawning strategies may therefore be uniquely resilient to environmental variability by maintaining a portfolio of cohort‐specific adaptive genotypes, and age truncation due to overfishing of older cohorts may have detrimental effect on the population viability.
An assessment of the niche centroid hypothesis: Pteropus lylei (Chiroptera)
Authors: Chaiyes Aingorn , Escobar Luis E. , Willcox Emma V. , Duengkae Prateep , Suksavate Warong , Watcharaanantapong Pattarawan , Pongpattananurak Nantachai , Wacharapluesadee Supaporn , Hemachudha Thiravat
Published: May 2020

Recent ecological theories propose that species reach their highest abundance and genetic diversity in the center of their ecological niche and decline toward the edges. We assessed whether Lyle's flying fox, Pteropus lylei, abundance and genetic diversity were correlated with niche centroid distance using an ecological niche model as a proxy for fundamental niche (NF). Alternatively, we assessed whether P. lylei abundance and genetic diversity were correlated with fine‐scale environmental factors as a proxy of the species’ realized niche (NR). We examined relationships between abundance and environmental factors at coarse and fine scales as proxies of NF and NR, respectively. For coarse scale, ecological niche of P. lylei was modeled using all available occurrence records in Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam, coupled with climatic data. We conducted field measurements of P. lylei abundance and used genetic structure data across a large portion of the species’ range. We measured Euclidean distances between abundance and genetic data and the niche centroid in environmental dimensions. Spearman’s correlation was estimated between abundance and genetic diversity vs. distance to the niche centroid. Complementarily, for the fine‐scale test, we measured multiple regression models between abundance and genetic diversity versus the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), local temperature, percent area of waterbodies, human density, and number of Buddhist temples. We failed to detect relationships between abundance and genetic diversity with the distance to the niche centroid in the coarse‐scale model. When using the fine‐scale, landscape‐level data, we found negative correlation between genetic diversity and number of temples. The data available were unable to support niche centroid hypothesis for the current distribution and abundances of P. lylei. We note that our failure to find an association does not support nor reject the niche centroid hypothesis. Instead, our capacity to test the niche centroid hypothesis may be limited by our ability to use empirical data to accurately reconstruct NF from field observations only. Future research may require physiology‐based experimental approaches to explore relationships between species abundances and the niche structure.
Historical comparisons of body size are sensitive to data availability and ecological context
Authors: Elahi Robin , Miller Luke P. , Litvin Steven Y.
Published: May 2020

Historical comparisons of body size often lack pertinent details, including information on the sampling protocol and relevant ecological covariates that influence body size. Moreover, historical estimates of body size that rely on museum specimens may be biased towards larger size classes because of collector preferences, and thus size thresholds have been used to focus attention on maximum body size. We tested the consequences of sampling design, ecological covariates, and size thresholds on inferences of body‐size change using field‐contextualized historical records, rather than museum specimens. In 2014–2015, we revisited historical (1947–1963) size‐frequency distributions of three gastropods (Tegula funebralis, Lottia digitalis/L. austrodigitalis, Littorina keenae) in the context of population density and tidal height. In general, gastropods declined in size. However, our inferences regarding body‐size decline were tempered when the variation between sampling units was taken into consideration, resulting in greater uncertainty around the estimate of proportional change in body size. Gastropod size was correlated with population density and tidal height, and these relationships varied over time. Finally, the magnitude and direction of body‐size change varied with the amount of data available for analysis, demonstrating that the use of size thresholds can lead to incomplete conclusions.
Full lifetime perspectives on the costs and benefits of lay‐date variation in tree swallows
Authors: Winkler David W. , Hallinger Kelly K. , Pegan Teresa M. , Taff Conor C. , Verhoeven Mo A. , Chang van Oordt David , Stager Maria , Uehling Jennifer J. , Vitousek Maren N. , Andersen Michael J. , Ardia Daniel R. , Belmaker Amos , Ferretti Valentina , Forsman Anna M. , Gaul Jennifer R. , Llambias Paulo E. , Orzechowski Sophia C. , Shipley Jeremy Ryan , Wilson Maya , Yoon Hyun Seok
Published: May 2020

Animals must balance various costs and benefits when deciding when to breed. The costs and benefits of breeding at different times have received much attention, but most studies have been limited to investigating short‐term season‐to‐season fitness effects. However, breeding early, versus late, in a season may influence lifetime fitness over many years, trading off in complex ways across the breeder’s lifespan. In this study, we examined the complete life histories of 867 female tree swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) breeding in Ithaca, New York, between 2002 and 2016. Earlier breeders outperformed later breeders in short‐term measures of reproductive output and offspring quality. Though there were weak indications that females paid long‐term future survival costs for breeding early, lifetime fledgling output was markedly higher overall in early‐breeding birds. Importantly, older females breeding later in the season did not experience compensating life history advantages that suggested an alternative equal‐fitness breeding strategy. Rather, most or all of the swallows appear to be breeding as early as they can, and differences in lay dates appear to be determined primarily by differences in individual quality or condition. Lay date had a significant repeatability across breeding attempts by the same female, and the first lay date of females fledged in our population was strongly influenced by the first lay date of their mothers, indicating the potential for ongoing selection on lay date. By examining performance over the entire lifespan of a large number of individuals, we were able to clarify the relationship between timing of breeding and fitness and gain new insight into the sources of variability in this important life history trait.
Patiromer versus placebo to enable spironolactone use in patients with resistant hypertension and chronic kidney disease (AMBER): results in the pre‐specified subgroup with heart failure
Authors: Rossignol Patrick , Williams Bryan , Mayo Martha R. , Warren Suzette , Arthur Susan , Ackourey Gail , White William B. , Agarwal Rajiv
Published: May 2020

Aims

The AMBER trial demonstrated that concomitant use of patiromer enabled the more persistent use of spironolactone by reducing the risk of hyperkalaemia in patients with resistant hypertension and advanced chronic kidney disease. We report herein the pre‐specified subgroup analysis in patients with heart failure (HF).

Methods and results

Participants were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive either placebo or patiromer (8.4 g once daily), in addition to open‐label spironolactone (starting at 25 mg once daily) and their baseline blood pressure medications. Dose titrations were permitted after 1 week for patiromer/placebo and after 3 weeks for spironolactone. The primary endpoint was the between‐group difference at week 12 in the proportion of patients on spironolactone. Efficacy endpoints and safety were assessed in all randomized patients (intention to treat). A total of 295 patients were enrolled, of whom 132 (45%) had HF. In the HF subgroup, 68.1% of patients receiving placebo remained on spironolactone at week 12, compared with 84.1% of patients receiving patiromer (P = 0.0504). The reason for discontinuation from spironolactone use was hyperkalaemia in the majority of both groups. There was no significant interaction between the subgroups with HF and without HF (P = 0.8085) for the primary endpoint.

Conclusions

Consistent with the overall AMBER trial results, this pre‐specified subgroup analysis in patients with HF, resistant hypertension and advanced chronic kidney disease demonstrated that patiromer enabled more persistent use of spironolactone by reducing the risk of hyperkalaemia.
Pulmonary hypertension and right ventricular dysfunction in heart failure: prognosis and 15‐year prospective longitudinal trajectories in survivors
Authors: Santiago‐Vacas Evelyn , Lupón Josep , Gavidia‐Bovadilla Giovana , Gual‐Capllonch Francisco , de Antonio Marta , Domingo Mar , Núñez Julio , Zamora Elisabet , Teis Albert , Moliner Pedro , Codina Pau , Santesmases Javier , Bayes‐Genis Antoni
Published: May 2020

Aims

Systolic pulmonary artery pressure (SPAP), tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), and TAPSE/SPAP ratio trajectories are not fully characterized in chronic heart failure (HF). We assessed very long‐term longitudinal SPAP, TAPSE and TAPSE/SPAP trajectories in HF patients, and their dynamic changes in outcomes.

Methods and results

Prospective, consecutive, observational registry of real‐life HF patients, performing echocardiography studies at baseline and according to a prospectively structured schedule after 1 year, and then every 2 years, up to 15 years. Pulmonary hypertension (PH) was defined as SPAP ≥40 mmHg; right ventricular dysfunction (RVD) was defined at TAPSE ≤16 mm; and TAPSE/SPAP ratio was dichotomized at 0.36 mm/mmHg. The clinical endpoints were all‐cause death, the composite endpoint of mortality or HF hospitalization and the number of recurrent HF hospitalizations. The study cohort included 1557 patients. Long‐term SPAP trajectory Loess curves were U‐shaped with a nadir at 7 years. TAPSE Loess curves showed a marked rise during the first year, with stabilization thereafter. TAPSE/SPAP ratio Loess splines were similar to the later with a smooth decline towards the end. Patients who died had higher SPAP, lower TAPSE and lower TAPSE/SPAP ratio in the preceding period than survivors. Baseline PH and/or RVD were independently associated with mortality and HF‐related hospitalizations, and the persistence of one or both entities at 1 year conferred a worse long‐term prognosis.

Conclusions

Long‐term trajectories for SPAP, TAPSE and TAPSE/SPAP ratio are reported in patients with chronic HF. An increasing SPAP and declining TAPSE and TAPSE/SPAP ratio in the preceding period is associated with higher mortality.
Contemporary survival trends and aetiological characterization in non‐ischaemic dilated cardiomyopathy
Authors: Merlo Marco , Cannatà Antonio , Pio Loco Carola , Stolfo Davide , Barbati Giulia , Artico Jessica , Gentile Piero , De Paris Valerio , Ramani Federica , Zecchin Massimo , Gigli Marta , Pinamonti Bruno , Korcova Renata , Di Lenarda Andrea , Giacca Mauro , Mestroni Luisa , Camici Paolo G. , Sinagra Gianfranco
Published: May 2020

Aim

Contemporary survival trends in dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) are largely unknown. The aim of this study is to investigate clinical descriptors, survival trends and the prognostic impact of aetiological characterization in DCM patients.

Methods and results

Dilated cardiomyopathy patients were consecutively enrolled and divided into four groups according to the period of enrolment (1978–1984; 1985–1994; 1995–2004; and 2005–2015). A subset of patients with DCM of specific aetiology, enrolled from 2005 to 2015, was also analysed. Over a mean follow‐up of 12 ± 8 years, 1284 DCM patients (52 in the 1978–1984 group, 326 in the 1985–1994 group, 379 in the 1995–2004 group, and 527 in the 2005–2015 group) were evaluated. Despite older age (mean age 51 ± 15, 43 ± 15, 45 ± 14, and 52 ± 15 years for the 1978–1984, 1985–1994, 1995–2004, and 2005–2015 groups, respectively; P < 0.001), most of the baseline clinical characteristics improved in the 2005–2015 group, suggesting a less advanced disease stage at diagnosis. Similarly, at competing risk analysis, the annual incidence of all outcome parameters progressively decreased over time (global P < 0.001). At multivariable analysis, the last period of enrolment emerged as independently associated with a reduction in all‐cause mortality/heart transplantation (HTx)/ventricular assist device (VAD) implantation (1.46 events/100 patients/year), cardiovascular death/HTx/VAD implantation (0.82 events/100 patients/year) and sudden cardiac death (0.15 events/100 patients/year). Lastly, in 287 patients with DCM of specific aetiology, patients with environmental, toxic, or removable factors appeared to have different phenotypes and prognosis compared to those with genetic, post‐myocarditis, or idiopathic DCM (P < 0.001).

Conclusions

Contemporary survival trends in DCM significantly improved, mainly due to a reduction of cardiovascular events. Appropriate aetiological characterization might help in prognostication of DCM patients.
Novel Cobalt Bis(dicarbollide) Based on Terminal Alkynes and Their Click‐Reactions
Authors: Druzina Anna A. , Kosenko Irina D. , Zhidkova Olga B. , Ananyev Ivan V. , Timofeev Sergey V. , Bregadze Vladimir I.
Published: May 2020

Novel cobalt bis(dicarbollide) terminal alkynes with charge‐compensated group were synthesized by the cleavage reactions of oxonium derivatives of cobalt bis(dicarbollide) with N,N‐dimethylprop‐2‐yn‐1‐amine. The solid‐state molecular structures of alkynes prepared from 1,4‐dioxane and tetrahydropyran derivatives of cobalt and iron bis(dicarbollide) were determined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. A series of zwitterionic conjugates of cobalt/iron bis(dicarbollide) with cholesterol were prepared using the copper(I)‐catalyzed azide–alkyne cycloaddition reaction.
Subsurface strata failure and movement based for improving gas emission control: Model development and application
Authors: Cheng Jianwei , Wang Zui , Li Siyuan , Song Wanting , Lu Weidong , Zhang Yongjun , Zhao Kang
Published: May 2020

In underground mining operations, the overlying strata move, deform, and crack as the underground working face advances due to strata breakage, failure, and subsidence, forming a “vertical three zone” over the mined out area. The permeability of strata under mining changes differently in different zones. Therefore, studying the distribution of strata permeability is very important to obtain knowledge of gas migration pattern in the overlying strata in order to increase the gas extraction efficiency. In this study, a series of numerical models are developed to describe the overlying strata movement for three different zones. In detail, models for calculating the strata subsidence for fracture and bending zones and analyzing strata collapsing development for the caving zone are proposed based on the influence function method and mechanical analyses. In addition, on the basis of such models, a new comprehensive model to describe the strain‐porosity‐permeability of strata is developed. In the case study of applying such models in an underground mine, the reliability of the strata movement model is verified and the permeability change is also calculated, which gives a good guidance to design the location of gas drainage roadway practices in the future. The field engineering practice shows its good application.
Experimental evaluation of ASP flooding to improve oil recovery in heterogeneous reservoirs by layered injection approach
Authors: Huang Bin , Hu Xinyu , Fu Cheng , Wang Li
Published: May 2020

To improve the oil displacement effect of ASP (alkali/surfactant/polymer) solution in heterogeneous oil reservoirs, layered injection technology is proposed for the first time for Daqing Oilfield. The technology uses partial pressure tools to control the injection amount of ASP solution in high‐permeability oil layers and uses a partial quality tool in low‐permeability oil layers. To study the experimental effect of this layered injection technology, the relationships between the different permeability, molecular weight, and concentration of the ASP solution, as well as the resistance coefficient and residual resistance coefficient, are first established, and then, a layered injection experimental model is established to carry out experimental research on injection capacity and oil displacement capacity. The experimental results show that the smaller the range of the core permeability is, the larger the molecular weight and concentration of the ASP solution are, and the poorer the injection capacity of the ASP solution is. After the action of a partial pressure tool and a partial quality tool, the injection capacity of ASP solution is improved to different degrees, and the oil displacement effect of low‐permeability cores is significantly improved, while the total oil recovery is increased, and the total oil recovery of heterogeneous cores under different conditions is increased by 1.4%‐4.05%. This experiment is of great significance to the study of improving the oil recovery of heterogeneous reservoirs.
Research progress in coal and gas co‐mining modes in China
Authors: Liu Jun , Yang Tong , Wang Lin , Chen Xiangjun
Published: May 2020

High gas mines and outburst mines contribute to more than 30% of the coal production capacity in China. In view of this, coordinating the development and use of coal and gas has become an urgent concern for China's coal industry. After years of efforts, the concept of a co‐mining mode for coal and gas in China has gone through many stages, including theoretical discussion, engineering application, and assumption of concepts. Three modes have been gradually developed: the Huainan mode, based on pressure relief co‐mining of a protective layer; the Jincheng mode, based on directional long borehole co‐mining; and the YangQuan/SongZao mode, based on cross‐layer borehole co‐mining. These modes provide strong direction and the impetus to solve current predicaments and challenges of coal mining in China. Under the concept of “green” extraction and the corresponding urgent needs for environmental protection, high efficiency, and energy‐saving extraction, experts and scholars in the coal industry are also exploring development trends for coal in the future. For example, researchers have suggested idealized mining methods for replacing traditional mining methods, including fluidized mining technology, intelligent unmanned mining technology, precision mining technology, green development of abandoned mines technology, and mining based on other technical means.
Application of Biomarker Tools Using Bivalve Models Toward the Development of Adverse Outcome Pathways for Contaminants of Emerging Concern
Authors: Khan Bushra , Ho Kay T. , Burgess Robert M.
Published: May 2020

As contaminant exposures in aquatic ecosystems continue to increase, the need for streamlining research efforts in environmental toxicology using predictive frameworks also grows. One such framework is the adverse outcome pathway (AOP). An AOP framework organizes and utilizes toxicological information to connect measurable molecular endpoints to an adverse outcome of regulatory relevance via a series of events at different levels of biological organization. Molecular endpoints or biomarkers are essential to develop AOPs and are valuable early warning signs of the toxicity of pollutants, including contaminants of emerging concern. Ecological risk-assessment approaches using tools such as biomarkers and AOPs benefit from identification of molecular targets conserved across species. Bivalve models are useful in such approaches and integral to our understanding of ecological and human health risks associated with contaminant exposures. We discuss the value of using biomarker approaches in bivalve models to meet the demands of twenty-first-century toxicology. Environ Toxicol Chem 2020;39:1472–1484. © 2020 SETAC
Estimating Environmental Hazard and Risks from Exposure to Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFASs): Outcome of a SETAC Focused Topic Meeting
Authors: Johnson Mark S. , Buck Robert C. , Cousins Ian T. , Weis Christopher P. , Fenton Suzanne E.
Published: May 2020

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of highly fluorinated synthetic chemicals that were originally developed for uses as surfactants and surface protectors. Increasingly, specific substances of this class are being found in environmental media (e.g., surface water, soils, sediments, food sources), and concerns regarding exposure to humans and environmental receptors have been described by the public, legislators, and the general population. Data suggest that some PFAS (such as certain of the long-chain ones) bioaccumulate and have long biological half-lives, particularly in humans. Toxicity data in various organisms are variable as are their toxicokinetics. A Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC) Focused Topic Meeting and workshop entitled Environmental Risk Assessment of PFAS convened during 12 to 15 August, 2019 in Durham, North Carolina (USA) and brought together experts from around the globe to highlight recent advances in research pertinent to evaluating environmental and human health risks from exposures. The objectives of the Focused Topic Meeting and workshop were: 1) to review new and emerging information on PFAS chemical classification and grouping, environmental chemistry, detection technology, fate and transport, exposure potential, human health toxicity, and ecological toxicity; and 2) to harness the expertise of attendees to discuss and formulate a roadmap to prioritize the study of specific PFAS with the goal of developing a risk assessment approach that considers mechanistic (including computational) data for extrapolating exposure and data across different species/scenarios and compounds within environmental exposure pathways. We present the key issues that were discussed. Environ Toxicol Chem 2021;40:543–549. © 2020 SETAC
Antioxidative activity of oyster protein hydrolysates Maillard reaction products
Authors: He Shan , Chen Yaonan , Brennan Charles , Young David James , Chang Kun , Wadewitz Peter , Zeng Qingzhu , Yuan Yang
Published: May 2020

A two‐step process of enzymatic hydrolyzation followed by Maillard reaction was used to produce oyster meat hydrolysate Maillard reaction products (MRPs). The flavor of oyster meat hydrolysate MRPs was significantly improved through an optimized orthogonal experimental design. Comparisons between the antioxidative activities of oyster meat hydrolysates and their MRPs were made using lipid peroxidation inhabitation, hydroxyl radical scavenging radical activity, and radical scavenging activity of 2,2 diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH). These methods indicated that an improvement of Maillard reaction on the oyster meat hydrolysates antioxidative activity. Gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry illustrated that the increase was due to the newly formed antioxidative compounds after Maillard reaction, mainly of acids from 22.45% to 37.77% and phenols from 0% to 9.88%.
Implementing a second generation CCS facility on a coal fired power station – results of a feasibility study to retrofit SaskPower's Shand power station with CCS
Authors: Giannaris Stavroula , Bruce Corwyn , Jacobs Brent , Srisang Wayuta , Janowczyk Dominika
Published: May 2020

In 2018, the International CCS Knowledge Centre (CCS Knowledge Centre) conducted a feasibility study with SaskPower to determine if a business case could be made for a postcombustion, carbon capture retrofit of SaskPower's Shand Power station, a 305‐MW, single‐unit, lignite coal‐fired power station located near Estevan, Saskatchewan. Specifically, Mitsubishi heavy industries’ KM CDR technology was evaluated for this study. While no decision has been made, should SaskPower decide to proceed, the Shand carbon capture and storage (CCS) project would produce the second, full‐scale capture facility in Saskatchewan with a nominal capacity of 2 million tonnes of CO2 (Mt) per year. This paper summarizes the key technical and economic findings of this study. Notably this study found that the capital costs of the potential Shand CCS facility are decreased by 67% on a per tonne of CO2 captured basis when compared to the CCS retrofit of Unit 3 at the Boundary Dam Power Station (the world's first industrial scale CCS installation on a coal fired power station). The proposed capture facility would also have a load following operational profile, reduction in parasitic loses by employing heat integration strategies, and need no additional water draw to provide the required increase in cooling duty. © 2020 The Authors. Greenhouse Gases: Science and Technology published by Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Circulating asymmetric dimethylarginine and cognitive decline: A 4‐year follow‐up study of the 1936 Aberdeen Birth Cohort
Authors: Malden Deborah E. , Mangoni Arduino A. , Woodman Richard J. , Thies Frank , McNeil Chris , Murray Alison D. , Soiza Roy L.
Published: May 2020

Background

The underlying mechanisms leading to dementia and Alzheimer's disease (AD) are unclear. Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), an endogenous inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase, may be associated with cognitive decline, but population‐based evidence is lacking.

Methods

Change in cognitive performance was assessed in participants of the Aberdeen Birth Cohort of 1936 using longitudinal Raven's progressive matrices (RPM) between 2000 and 2004. Multiple linear regression was used to estimate the association between ADMA concentrations in 2000 and change in cognitive performance after adjustment for potential confounders.

Results

A total of 93 participants had complete information on cognitive performance between 2000 and 2004. Mean plasma ADMA concentrations were approximately 0.4 μmol/L lower in those participants with stable or improved RPM scores over follow‐up compared with participants whose cognitive performance worsened. In confounder‐adjusted analysis, one SD (0.06 μmol/L) increase in ADMA at 63 years of age was associated with an average reduction in RPM of 1.26 points (95% CI 0.14‐2.26) after 4 years.

Conclusion

Raised plasma ADMA concentrations predicted worsening cognitive performance after approximately 4 years in this cohort of adults in late‐middle age. These findings have implications for future research, including presymptomatic diagnosis or novel therapeutic targets for dementia and AD.
Unraveling the Relationship Between Itching, Scratch Scales, and Biomarkers in Children With Alagille Syndrome
Authors: Kamath Binita M. , Spino Cathie , McLain Richard , Magee John C. , Fredericks Emily M. , Setchell Kenneth D. , Miethke Alexander , Molleston Jean P. , Mack Cara L. , Squires Robert H. , Alonso Estella M. , Murray Karen F. , Loomes Kathleen M. , Kyle Jensen M. , Karpen Saul J. , Rosenthal Philip , Thomas Danny , Sokol Ronald J. , Shneider Benjamin L. ,   for the Childhood Liver Disease Research Network (ChiLDReN)
Published: May 2020

Pruritus is a debilitating symptom for patients with Alagille syndrome (ALGS). In a previously reported trial of maralixibat, an investigational antipruritic agent, itching was assessed using a digital diary based on twice‐daily caregiver observation of itching severity (Itch Reported Outcome, ItchRO[Observer]). The goal of this study was to characterize pruritus in participants with ALGS at baseline in this trial, as assessed by the ItchRO instrument and the physician‐observed clinician scratch scale (CSS), relative to biomarkers putatively associated with pruritus and health‐related quality of life assessment. Thirty‐seven participants with ALGS (median age of 6 years; range 1‐17 years) were enrolled. No association was identified between CSS and ItchRO(Obs) (r = 0.22, P = 0.2). Neither CSS nor ItchRO were associated with serum bile acids (r = −0.08, P = 0.6 for both) or autotaxin (r = 0.22, P = 0.2; r = 0.28, P = 0.12). There was no significant association between Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory total parent scores and CSS or ItchRO (r = −0.23, P = 0.2; r = −0.16, P = 0.36). There was a significant association between ItchRO and Multidimensional Fatigue Scale and Family Impact Module total scores (Pearson correlation coefficient −0.575, P = 0.0005; 0.504, P = 0.002). In exploratory analysis, selected questions relating to fatigue and sleep disturbance (n = 12) from Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory, Multidimensional Fatigue Scale, and Family Impact Module were correlated with pruritus scores; positive associations were identified. Conclusion: Itching scores did not correlate with each other, nor with putative serum biomarkers of pruritus, and further, did not correlate with quality of life. Hypothesis‐generating analyses implicate sleep disturbance and fatigue as key associations with caregiver observations of itching. This is highly relevant to the selection of surrogate endpoints for clinical trials of pruritus therapies.
Entropy and exergy analysis on peristaltic pumping in a curved narrow channel
Authors: Narla V. K. , Tripathi Dharmendra
Published: May 2020

A mathematical model is presented to study the thermal characteristics in terms of entropy generation rate and thermodynamic potential of improvement for peristaltic pumping of a viscous fluid in a curved channel. Radial magnetic field effect is also taken into account. Avoidable and unavoidable exergy destruction concepts are further utilized. Computations of the entropy generation rate are evaluated in terms of stream function and temperature field. Avoidable exergy destruction is computed through entropy function and its minimum value. Impacts of parameters like the curvature ratio, Hartmann number, and viscous dissipation parameters on the average entropy generation rate, Bejan number, and avoidable exergy destruction are analyzed through graphs. Contours for the temperature field and entropy generation are also illustrated to examine the effects of curvature effects on thermal characteristics. Computed results indicate that the curvature of the channel and magnetic strength strongly influence the sources of entropy generation rate and avoidable exergy destruction. The observations demonstrate promising features of the bioinspired peristaltic pumping that can be utilized in various thermal systems.
The latent heat recovery from boiler exhaust flue gas using shell and corrugated tube heat exchanger: A numerical study
Authors: Mohammadi Sharare , Mousavi Ajarostaghi Seyed Soheil , Pourfallah Mohsen
Published: May 2020

The excessively increasing environmental concerns along with reducing fossil fuel resources introduce the trend of increasing the efficiency of boiler via implementing waste heat recovery. In the present study, the potential of latent heat recovery is investigated in the middle‐size boiler exhaust flue gas using the shell and corrugated tube heat exchanger. The main purpose of the present study is efficiency growth in flue gases using latent heat recovery of the steam energy. The heat recovery analysis is evaluated by a validated computational fluid dynamics model by a commercial software. For this study, the effect of different tube arrangements, number of tubes, and flow direction in the shell on heat transfer and pressure drop were investigated. The results showed that in‐line arrangement of the tubes in the shell presents better thermal performance and also high pressure drop among the other arrangements. As a result, by considering the thermal performance and pressure drop, radial arrangement shows higher performance. According to the obtained results from Section 2 of the present study, by considering the radial arrangement of tubes in the shell, as the number of tube rises, the thermal performance declines.
Characterizing the variability of transit time distributions and young water fractions in karst catchments using flux tracking
Authors: Zhang Zhicai , Chen Xi , Cheng Qinbo , Soulsby Chris
Published: May 2020

Hydrological and biogeochemical processes in karst environments are strongly controlled by heterogeneous fracture‐conduit networks. Quantifying the spatio‐temporal variability of water transit time and young water fractions in such heterogeneous hydrogeological systems is fundamental to linking discharge and water quality dynamics in the karst critical zone. We used a tracer‐aided conceptual hydrological model to track the fate of each hour of rain input individually. Using this approach, the variability of transit time distributions and young water fraction were estimated in the main landscape units in a karst catchment of Chenqi in Guizhou Province, Southwest China. The model predicted that the mean young water (i.e., <~2 months old) fraction of ground conduit flow is 0.31. Marked seasonal variabilities in water storage and hydrological connectivity between the conduit network and fractured matrix, as well as between hillslopes and topographic depression, drive the dynamics of young water fraction and travel time distributions in each landscape unit. Especially, the strong hydrological connectivity between the land surface and underground conduits caused by the direct infiltration through large fractures and sinkholes, leads the drastic increasement in young water fraction of runoff after heavy rain. Even though the contribution of young water to runoff is greater, the strong mixing and drainage of small fractures accelerate the old water release during high flows during the wet season. It is notable that the young water may sometimes be the most contaminated component contributing to the underground conduit network in karst catchments, because of the direct transfer of contaminants from the ground surface with rain water via large fractures and sinkholes.
Quantifying the role of karstic groundwater in a snowmelt‐dominated hydrologic system
Authors: Tobin Benjamin W. , Schwartz Benjamin F.
Published: May 2020

River discharge in mountainous regions of the world is often dominated by snowmelt, but base flows are sustained primarily by groundwater storage and discharge. Although numerous recent studies have focused on base‐flow discharge in mountain systems, almost no work has explicitly investigated the role of karst groundwater in these systems across a full range of flow conditions. We directly measured groundwater discharge from 48 karst springs in the Kaweah River and its five forks in the Sierra Nevada mountains, California, United States. Relationships between spring and river discharge showed that karst aquifers and springs provide significant storage and delayed discharge to the river. Regression models showed that, of all potential seasonal groundwater storage compartments in the river basin, the area of karst (0.1–4.4%) present provides the best explanation of base‐flow recession in each fork of the Kaweah River (directly measured contributions from karst springs ranged from 3.5 to 16% during high‐flow to 20 to 65% during base‐flow conditions). These results show that, even in settings where karst represents a small portion of basin area, it may play an over‐sized role in seasonal storage and water resources in mountain systems. Karst aquifers are the single most important non‐snow storage component in the Kaweah River basin, and likely provide similar water storage capacities and higher base flows in other mountain river systems with karst when compared with systems without karst.
Constructing Data Ethically
Authors: Johnson Jeffrey Alan
Published: May 2020

Ethical issues are structurally present in the design and choice of data; the interaction between problem, model, and intervention; and the scientism that supports data analytics’ claims to authority. In this chapter, I argue against three social assumptions behind common implementations of learning analytics: data realism, technological neutrality, and scientism. Recognizing the need to create a mindset of conscious ethical awareness for learning analytics, I challenge institutional researchers to consider learning analytics through three critical lenses: a professional ethics lens, a responsibility lens, and an equity lens.
Privacy, Ethics, and Institutional Research
Authors: Rubel Alan
Published: May 2020

Despite widespread agreement that privacy in the context of education is important, it can be difficult to pin down precisely why and to what extent it is important, and it is challenging to determine how privacy is related to other important values. This chapter seeks to better understand the concept of privacy in institutional research, canvas a number of important moral values underlying privacy generally, and examines how those moral values should bear upon institutional research.
Ethical Learning Analytics: “Do No Harm” Versus “Do Nothing”
Authors: Fritz John , Whitmer John
Published: May 2020

In this chapter, we explore the obligations for individuals and institutions that emerge from the newfound insights that are enabled through learning analytics. While ethical concerns are raised through learning analytics, a misplaced trend is a “do nothing” approach as a way to assure we “do no harm.” We suggest that this is a misplaced notion that reduces our impact on student success.
On the adsorption kinetics and mechanism of enhanced photocatalytic activity of Fe3O4‐SiO2‐TiO2 core‐multishell nanoparticles against E. coli
Authors: Esfandiari Naeemeh , Kashefi Mehrdad , Mirjalili Mostafa , Afsharnezhad Sima
Published: May 2020

In the present study, a Fe3O4‐TiO2 (FT) core‐shell and a core‐multishell structure of Fe3O4‐SiO2‐TiO2 (FST) were synthesized, and their bactericidal capability was investigated on Escherichia coli (E. coli). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy (UV–vis), X‐ray diffraction, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller, zeta potential, and fluorimetry were carried out to characterize properties of synthesized nanoparticles. An efficiency of 98% adsorption and harsh bacterial damage was observed when E. coli was put in contact with FST. Weaker adsorption of bacteria in contact with FT demonstrated that heterojunction has destructive effects on nanostructure. Further investigation proved that more OH were produced on the surface of FST, which is a sign of its longer lifetime. Moreover, results revealed that the presence of SiO2 in the structure caused enhanced coverage, surface area, and porosity in TiO2 outer layer, all of which have positive effects on adsorption. However, UV–vis showed smaller band gap for FT. It suggests that although photoactivity of FST is less influenced by light absorption, it possesses more e/h lifetime for generation of reactive oxygen species. Results point to the importance of SiO2 as an obstacle of heterojunction on both adsorption and photoactivity. It was also proposed that increasing band gap in FST can be attributed to the porosity of SiO2 that causes suppression of TiO2 nanocrystallite growth.
Disruption of BMP Signaling Prevents Hyperthyroidism-Induced Bone Loss in Male Mice
Authors: Lademann Franziska , Weidner Heike , Tsourdi Elena , Kumar Ravi , Rijntjes Eddy , Köhrle Josef , Hofbauer Lorenz C , Rauner Martina
Published: May 2020

Thyroid hormones (TH) are key regulators of bone health, and TH excess in mice causes high bone turnover–mediated bone loss. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms of TH actions on bone remain poorly defined. Here, we tested the hypothesis whether TH mediate their effects via the pro-osteogenic bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling pathway in vitro and in vivo. Primary murine osteoblasts treated with 3,3′,5-triiodo-L-thyronine (T3) showed an enhanced differentiation potential, which was associated with activated canonical BMP/SMAD signaling reflected by SMAD1/5/8 phosphorylation. Blocking BMP signaling at the receptor (LDN193189) and ligand level (noggin, anti-BMP2/BMP4 neutralizing antibodies) inhibited T3-induced osteogenic differentiation. In vivo, TH excess over 4 weeks in male C57BL/6JRj mice led to severe trabecular bone loss with a high bone turnover that was completely prevented by treatment with the BMP ligand scavenger ALK3-Fc. Thus, TH activate the canonical BMP pathway in osteoblasts to promote their differentiation and function. Importantly, this study indicates that blocking the BMP pathway may be an effective strategy to treat hyperthyroidism-induced bone loss. © 2020 The Authors. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research published by American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
S‐allyl cysteine, an active ingredient of garlic, attenuates acute liver dysfunction induced by lipopolysaccharide/d‐galactosamine in mouse: Underlying mechanisms
Authors: Rousta Ali‐Mohammad , Mirahmadi Seyed‐Mohamad‐Sadegh , Shahmohammadi Alireza , Ramzi Samira , Baluchnejadmojarad Tourandokht , Roghani Mehrdad
Published: May 2020

In the present study, beneficial effect of S‐allyl cysteine (SAC) was evaluated in the lipopolysaccharide/d‐galactosamine (LPS/d‐Gal) model of acute liver injury (ALI). To mimic ALI, LPS and d‐Gal (50 μg/kg and 400 mg/kg, respectively) were intraperitoneally administered and animals received SAC per os (25 or 100 mg/kg/d) for 3 days till 1 hour before LPS/d‐Gal injection. Pretreatment of LPS/d‐Gal group with SAC‐lowered activities of alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase, and aspartate aminotransferase and partially reversed inappropriate alterations of hepatic oxidative stress‐ and inflammation‐related biomarkers including liver reactive oxygen species, malondialdehyde, and hepatic activity of the defensive enzyme superoxide dismutase, ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), toll‐like receptor‐4 (TLR4), cyclooxygenase 2, NLR family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3), caspase 1, nuclear factor κB (NF‐κB), interleukin 1β (IL‐1β), IL‐6, tumor necrosis factor‐α, and myeloperoxidase activity. Additionally, SAC was capable to ameliorate apoptotic biomarkers including caspase 3 and DNA fragmentation. In summary, SAC can protect liver against LPS/d‐Gal by attenuation of neutrophil infiltration, oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, and pyroptosis which is partly linked to its suppression of TLR4/NF‐κB/NLRP3 signaling.
COVID‐19 under spotlight: A close look at the origin, transmission, diagnosis, and treatment of the 2019‐nCoV disease
Authors: Sheervalilou Roghayeh , Shirvaliloo Milad , Dadashzadeh Nahid , Shirvalilou Sakine , Shahraki Omolbanin , Pilehvar‐Soltanahmadi Younes , Ghaznavi Habib , Khoei Samideh , Nazarlou Ziba
Published: May 2020

Months after the outbreak of a new flu‐like disease in China, the entire world is now in a state of caution. The subsequent less‐anticipated propagation of the novel coronavirus disease, formally known as COVID‐19, not only made it to headlines by an overwhelmingly high transmission rate and fatality reports, but also raised an alarm for the medical community all around the globe. Since the causative agent, SARS‐CoV‐2, is a recently discovered species, there is no specific medicine for downright treatment of the infection. This has led to an unprecedented societal fear of the newly born disease, adding a psychological aspect to the physical manifestation of the virus. Herein, the COVID‐19 structure, epidemiology, pathogenesis, etiology, diagnosis, and therapy have been reviewed.
The role of HSP90 molecular chaperones in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Nouri‐Vaskeh Masoud , Alizadeh Leila , Hajiasgharzadeh Khalil , Mokhtarzadeh Ahad , Halimi Monireh , Baradaran Behzad
Published: May 2020

Misfolded proteins have enhanced formation of toxic oligomers and nonfunctional protein copies lead to recruiting wild‐type protein types. Heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) is a molecular chaperone generated by cells that are involved in many cellular functions through regulation of folding and/or localization of large multi‐protein complexes as well as client proteins. HSP90 can regulate a number of different cellular processes including cell proliferation, motility, angiogenesis, signal transduction, and adaptation to stress. HSP90 makes the mutated oncoproteins able to avoid misfolding and degradation and permits the malignant transformation. As a result, HSP90 is an important factor in several signaling pathways associated with tumorigenicity, therapy resistance, and inhibiting apoptosis. Clinically, the upregulation of HSP90 expression in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is linked with advanced stages and inappropriate survival in cases suffering from this kind of cancer. The present review comprehensively assesses HSP90 functions and its possible usefulness as a potential diagnostic biomarker and therapeutic option for HCC.