bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ESCO1 and CTCF enable formation of long chromatin loops by protecting cohesinSTAG1 from WAPL
Authors: Wutz Gordana , Ladurner Rene , St Hilaire Brian Glenn , Stocsits Roman R , Nagasaka Kota , Pignard Benoit , Sanborn Adrian , Tang Wen , Várnai Csilla , Ivanov Miroslav P , Schoenfelder Stefan , van der Lelij Petra , Huang Xingfan , Dürnberger Gerhard , Roitinger Elisabeth , Mechtler Karl , Davidson Iain Finley , Fraser Peter , Lieberman-Aiden Erez , Peters Jan-Michael
Published: February 2020

Eukaryotic genomes are folded into loops. It is thought that these are formed by cohesin complexes via extrusion, either until loop expansion is arrested by CTCF or until cohesin is removed from DNA by WAPL. Although WAPL limits cohesin’s chromatin residence time to minutes, it has been reported that some loops exist for hours. How these loops can persist is unknown. We show that during G1-phase, mammalian cells contain acetylated cohesinSTAG1 which binds chromatin for hours, whereas cohesinSTAG2 binds chromatin for minutes. Our results indicate that CTCF and the acetyltransferase ESCO1 protect a subset of cohesinSTAG1 complexes from WAPL, thereby enable formation of long and presumably long-lived loops, and that ESCO1, like CTCF, contributes to boundary formation in chromatin looping. Our data are consistent with a model of nested loop extrusion, in which acetylated cohesinSTAG1 forms stable loops between CTCF sites, demarcating the boundaries of more transient cohesinSTAG2 extrusion activity.
EDEM2 stably disulfide-bonded to TXNDC11 catalyzes the first mannose trimming step in mammalian glycoprotein ERAD
Authors: George Ginto , Ninagawa Satoshi , Yagi Hirokazu , Saito Taiki , Ishikawa Tokiro , Sakuma Tetsushi , Yamamoto Takashi , Imami Koshi , Ishihama Yasushi , Kato Koichi , Okada Tetsuya , Mori Kazutoshi
Published: February 2020

Sequential mannose trimming of N-glycan (Man9GlcNAc2 -> Man8GlcNAc2 -> Man7GlcNAc2) facilitates endoplasmic reticulum-associated degradation of misfolded glycoproteins (gpERAD). Our gene knockout experiments in human HCT116 cells have revealed that EDEM2 is required for the first step. However, it was previously shown that purified EDEM2 exhibited no α1,2-mannosidase activity toward Man9GlcNAc2 in vitro. Here, we found that EDEM2 was stably disulfide-bonded to TXNDC11, an endoplasmic reticulum protein containing five thioredoxin (Trx)-like domains. C558 present outside of the mannosidase homology domain of EDEM2 was linked to C692 in Trx5, which solely contains the CXXC motif in TXNDC11. This covalent bonding was essential for mannose trimming and subsequent gpERAD in HCT116 cells. Furthermore, EDEM2-TXNDC11 complex purified from transfected HCT116 cells converted Man9GlcNAc2 to Man8GlcNAc2(isomerB) in vitro. Our results establish the role of EDEM2 as an initiator of gpERAD, and represent the first clear demonstration of in vitro mannosidase activity of EDEM family proteins.
Funding of Agricultural Public Extension Service in a Deregulated Economy: A Study of Ebonyi State, Nigeria
Authors: N. Ezike K. N. , Okeowata E. N. , A. Chukwu V. , O. Osuafor Ogonna
Published: February 2020

Funding of Ebonyi State Nigeria Agricultural Public Extension Service in a deregulated economy was studied. The specific objectives were to describe the socio-economic characteristics of the respondents; identify the major recommended packages/technologies and services extended to the farmers and examine the trend in the funding of agricultural extension services from 2001 to 2010. A total of 240 contact farmers were selected using a multistage random sampling technique. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The study found that majority (65.42%) of the respondents were males; had a mean age of 49 years, married; had a relatively large household size of 8 persons; and relatively low educational status. Average farm holding was 0.90 ha and personal savings were the major sources of farm finance. Government funding of the agricultural public extension dwindled throughout the period with budget estimate at the peak of N220.4 m recorded in 2013 and the lowest of about N69.3 m in 2001, whereas the highest actual expenditure was about N99.5 m in 2010 and the lowest amount of about N37.1 m was also recorded in 2009. A big difference between the budget estimate and actual expenditure was observed in 2009 with a budget deficit of about 46.5%. The amount farmers were willing to pay for extension services was not also stable with the highest amount of about N9.2 m in 2005 and least amount of N800,000.00 in 2003. The amount expended by government was higher than the amount farmers are willing to pay with 98.2% difference in 2004. The study indicated that the proportion of farmers willing to pay for extension services is low. This could lead to reduced adoption and utilization of improved technologies and decline in farmers’ and farm productivity in a deregulated economy. Recommendations such as educating farmers on cost of extension services and the need for their contribution, backing up extension services with interest free loans, deregulating extension services in a gradual process and in phases, and improving the country’s educational system were made among others.
Sex Differences in Patients Hospitalized for Syncope: Experience in University Hospital of Middle-income Country and with a Predominance of Chagasic Etiology
Authors: Silva Rose Mary Ferreira Lisboa da , Paula Jéssica Silva de , Manso Daniela Tereza Gonçalves , Freitas Gabriela Veloso de , Carvalho Marcelo Augusto Antunes de , Pinto Paulo Victor Alves , Vitor Pollyanna Antônia Duarte , Roever Leonardo
Published: February 2020

Background: Syncope is a common sign with an inpatient rate of up to 83%. Data on sex differences of patients with syncope in the emergency and hospitalization are scarce.

Aim: The present study aimed to verify sex differences regarding clinical profile, risk scores, causes of syncope and treatment modalities.

Study Design: This is a single center, prospective, observational study.

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Hospital das Clínicas, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Brazil, between February 2015 and February 2017.

Methodology: We included 375 consecutive patients, 203 men and mean age of 52 years, hospitalized because of syncope. They underwent clinical evaluation, the laboratory tests, and the calculation of Martin, OESIL and EGSYS scores.

Results: 114 patients had chagasic cardiomyopathy. The causes of syncope due to arrhythmia were ventricular tachycardia in 127 patients (66.1% men), supraventricular in 117 (63.2% women) and bradyarrhythmias in 56 patients (66.1% men), p<0.0001. Odds ratio for ventricular tachycardia in chagasic patients was 8.78 (95% IC: 5.33-14.46). Heart disease was predominant among men (p=0.001), even among patients with Chagas' heart disease. Comparing male and female, median age was 57 versus 48 years (p=0.04) and ejection fraction was 53 versus 58% (p=0.03). Martin and OESIL scores were higher in males (p <0.0001). There was no difference in treatment. Applying the receiver operating characteristic curve for ventricular tachycardia, Martin score had the largest area under the curve (0.84), p <0.0001.

Conclusions: Men hospitalized for syncope were older, had more systolic ventricular dysfunction, and had higher Martin and OESIL scores. The main causes of syncope were ventricular tachycardia and bradyarrhythmias among men and supraventricular tachycardias among women.
Mineralogical Composition and Bioactive Molecules in the Pulp and Seed of Patauá (Oenocarpus bataua Mart.): A Palm from the Amazon
Authors: A. M. Saravia S. , F. Montero I. , M. Linhares B. , A. Santos R. , A. F. Marcia J.
Published: February 2020

The Patauá (Oenocarpus bataua Mart.) also known as Bataua or Patuá, is a palm native from the Amazon, consumed among the local populations as well as the wine obtained from its pulp with high energy value. It is a monocle palm tree reaching between 4-26 meters tall, distributed in the Amazon rainforest both in the wet forest of floodplains. The objective of this work was to study the proximal, mineralogical composition, as well as the total phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity of pulp and seed of Patauá. As for mineral composition, the high concentrations of sodium for the seed (84.21 mg 100 g-1) and pulp (71.21 mg 100 g-1), as well as magnesium values of 48.31 mg 100 g-1 for the seed and 41.23 mg 100 g-1 for the pulp. Among the micronutrients, the high concentration of iron in the pulp is 1.84 mg 100 g-1 for the pulps, and the manganese was 1.10 mg 100 g-1 for the seeds. The total phenolic compounds found in the seeds were relatively higher than for the pulps with values of 356.12 ± 0.12 mg GAEq g-1 and 321.03 ± 0.43 mg GAEq g-1, as well as the more significant antioxidant activity for the seeds than for the pulp. Carotenoids concentration in the seeds found of 2.52 ± 0.04 mg mL-1 and vitamin C concentrations were also quantified in trace concentrations, presenting the fruits of Patauá high biotechnological interest in the food and cosmetic industry.
Carbon Waste Powder Prepared from Carbon Rod Waste of Zinc-Carbon Batteries for Methyl Orange Adsorption
Authors: Rahmawati Fitria , Natalia Viona , Wijayanta Agung T. , Rondiyah Siti , Nakabayashi Koji , Miyawaki Jin
Published: February 2020

A research on the preparation of Carbon Waste Powder, CWP, was conducted and made from carbon rod waste which was extracted from used zinc-carbon batteries. This research was an effort to overcome environmental problem caused by battery waste by converting into adsorbent for methyl orange (MO) that frequently used by textile industries. The prepared powder was then analyzed to understand its characteristic peaks, crystallinity, and to compare the properties with other carbonaceous forms, i.e. a commercial Carbon Paper (CP), and a commercial meso- carbon micro-beads (MCMB). The analysis found that CWP is dominated by graphitic carbon. An adsorption experiment was then conducted to study their adsorption ability to methyl orange solution. The result found that those three carbonaceous materials have the ability to adsorb methyl orange with different activities. MCMB has the highest adsorption capacity of 0.197 mg.g-1. Meanwhile, CWP and CP show adsorption capacity of 0.066 mg.g-1 and 0.062 mg.g-1, respectively. Methyl orange adsorption on CWP and CP were under second order, which means the adsorption could be four times faster as the MO solution doubled. Moreover, the rate constant of MO adsorption on CWP is 8×10-4 min-1, which was higher than the rate constant of MO adsorption on CP. It confirmed that the CWP can be used as a promising adsorbent for dye waste water. Copyright © 2020 by Authors, Published by BCREC Group. This is an open access article under the CC BY-SA License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0).
Effect of Composition of Iron-Cobalt Oxide Catalyst and Process Parameters on The Hydrothermal Liquefaction of Sugarcane Bagasse
Authors: Govindasamy Gopalakrishnan , Sharma Rohit , Subramanian Sunu
Published: February 2020

Development of catalyst with high deoxygenation activity and optimum process parameters are the key for getting the highest biooil yield with the least oxygen content by hydrothermal liquefaction. With this view, iron-cobalt oxides of Co/Fe ratio 0.33, 1.09, 2.35, and 3.52 were prepared by co-precipitation method, and characterized by XRD, BET surface area, chemical composition by EDX method, and evaluated for hydrothermal liquefaction of sugarcane bagasse in a high-pressure batch reactor under subcritical conditions using CO as process gas to find the optimum Co/Fe ratio and process parameters. Optimum Co/Fe ratio was found to be 1.09 as it gave the highest bio-oil yield of 57.6% with the least oxygen content of 10.8%, attributed to the cobalt ferrite, the major phase present in it. The optimum temperature, initial CO pressure, water/biomass ratio, catalyst/biomass ratio and reaction time for the highest oil yield with the least oxygen content were found to be 250 °C, 45 bar, 28, 0.4, and 120 min,  respectively. From the effect of reaction time, it was found that much of the hydrolysis of lignocellulose to water soluble oxygenates, its deoxygenation to bio-oil and its deoxygenation to low oxygen containing bio-oil took place in initial 15 min, 15 to 60 min, and from 30 to 120 min, respectively. Total oil yield (%) was lower by 21% and % oxygen in total oil was higher by 9.9% for spent catalyst compared to fresh catalyst indicating the erosion in the deoxygenation activity of catalyst and thus need for improving its hydrothermal stability. Copyright © 2020 by Authors, Published by BCREC Group. This is an open access article under the CC BY-SA License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0).
Hydrazine and Urea Fueled-Solution Combustion Method for Bi2O3 Synthesis: Characterization of Physicochemical Properties and Photocatalytic Activity
Authors: Astuti Yayuk , Elesta Prisca Putri , Widodo Didik Setyo , Widiyandari Hendri , Balgis Ratna
Published: February 2020

Bismuth oxide synthesis using solution combustion method fuelled by hydrazine and urea has been conducted. This study aims to examine the effect of the applied fuels, urea and hydrazine, on product characteristics and photocatalytic activity in degrading rhodamine B dye. Bismuth oxide synthesis was initiated by dissolving bismuth nitrate pentahydrate (Bi(NO3)3.5H2O) in a nitric acid solvent. Fuel was added and then stirred. The solution formed was heated at 300 ºC for 8 hours. The product obtained was then calcined at 700 ºC for 4 hours. Bismuth oxide synthesized with urea (BO1) and hydrazine (BO2) as fuels both obtained form of yellow powder. The formation of bismuth oxide is indicated by the vibrations of the Bi–O–Bi and Bi–O groups and the crystal structure of a-Bi2O3 in both products. Photocatalytic activity test showed that BO1 has a photocatalyst activity in degrading rhodamine B higher than that of BO2 with constant values of  3.83×10-5 s-1 and 3.43×10-5 s-1, respectively. The high photocatalytic activity can be examined through several factors, such as: band gap values, crystal structure, morphology, and surface area, acquired as a result of the use of different fuels in the synthesis process. Copyright © 2020 by Authors, Published by BCREC Group. This is an open access article under the CC BY-SA License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0).
Activity Evaluation of CoMo Nanoparticles Supported on Meso-microporous Composites in Dibenzothiophene Hydrodesulphurization
Authors: Parsafard Nastaran , Peyrovi Mohammad Hasan , Mohammadian Zahra , Atashi Niloofar
Published: February 2020

CoMo-supported mesoporous catalysts were synthesized by 50 wt% of HZSM-5 and 50 wt% of FSM-16, KIT-6, and MCM-48. These catalysts were prepared by the wet-impregnation method and pre-sulfided with CS2. The catalytic performance was evaluated for HDS reaction of dibenzothiophene over a temperature range of 250-400 °C in a micro fixed-bed reactor under atmospheric pressure. The supported CoMo bimetallic catalysts were characterized by XRD, XRF, FT-IR, N2 adsorption-desorption, and SEM. The CoMo/KIT-6/HZSM-5 indicate higher activity than other catalysts at 400 °C for dibenzothiophene hydrodesulphurization. Also, the best selectivity to cyclohexylbenzene (CHB) is related to CoMo/FSM-16/HZSM-5. The activation energy was also calculated for all prepared catalysts for the conversions of less than 10%; according to which, the activation energy for CoMo/KIT-6/HZSM-5 is less than other catalysts (~21 kJ/mol) which can be related to the appropriate pore size and high surface area of the support. Copyright © 2020 by Authors, Published by BCREC Group. This is an open access article under the CC BY-SA License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0).
ZnO-Porous Clay Heterostructure from Saponite as Green Catalyst for Citronellal Cyclization
Authors: Rubiyanto Dwiarso , Prakoso Nurcahyo Iman , Sahroni Imam , Nurillahi Rico , Fatimah Is
Published: February 2020

Green conversion in organic synthesis is one of the interesting and important topics in green chemistry. The use of heterogeneous catalysis instead of homogeneous catalysis offers some advantages, such as easy separation and reusability. In this research, a heterogeneous acid catalyst was prepared from saponite by immobilizing ZnO in the form of a pillared clay (Zn/PILS) and Zn supported on porous clay heterostructure (Zn/PCH). Physicochemical studies involving X-ray diffraction measurement, surface analysis using a gas sorption analyzer, and surface acidity measurement were performed. Results indicated that the increasing surface acidity and the high specific surface area of the material were the relevant physicochemical properties that facilitate environment-friendly citronellal cyclization. The higher values for both parameters in Zn/PCH than in Zn/PILS linearly affected citronellal conversion and the selectivity for isopulegol production. Zn/PCH demonstrated a conversion rate of 98.9% for a 3-hour reaction and a selectivity of 100% for isopulegol production, and it exhibited reusability properties. Copyright © 2020 by Authors, Published by BCREC Group. This is an open access article under the CC BY-SA License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0).
Synthesis of Nano-Flakes Ag•ZnO•Activated Carbon Composite from Rice Husk as A Photocatalyst under Solar Light
Authors: Vu Anh-Tuan , Tuyet Pham Thi Anh , Tran Thi Thuy , Nguyen Xuan Truong , Tran Thu Quynh , Tran Quang Tung , Nguyen Trong Nghia , Doan Tuan Van , Vi Thao Duong , Nguyen Cong Long , Nguyen Minh Viet , Lee Chang-Ha
Published: February 2020

This study aimed to synthesize Ag•ZnO•Activated carbon (Ag•ZnO•AC ) composite from rice husk for degradation of dyes. The deposition of Ag and ZnO on AC led to decreasing the surface area and pore volume of Ag•ZnO•AC composite. In addition, when Ag and ZnO were dispersed on activated carbon, the Ag•ZnO flakes became denser and tighter, but the particle size of Ag became smaller from 5 to 7 nm. The photocatalytic ability of Ag•ZnO•AC composite was evaluated by degradation of Janus Green B (JGB) and compared with that of AC, ZnO, Ag•ZnO, and ZnO•AC samples. The effects of catalyst dosages, pH values, and initial dye concentrations on photocatalytic degradation were investigated in detail. The Ag•ZnO•AC composite had a high degradation efficiency of 100% in 60 min, showing the reaction rate of 0.120 min-1 and degradation capacity of 17.8 mg/g within 20 min. The photocatalytic performance of the Ag•ZnO•AC composite was also evaluated by cyclic test and the degradation of other persistent dyes such as Methylene Blue, Tartrazine, Congo Red, and organic compounds (Caffeine and Bisphenol A). Based on the experimental results, the possible destruction route of JGB by the as-synthesized Ag•ZnO•AC composite was suggested. Copyright © 2020 by Authors, Published by BCREC Group. This is an open access article under the CC BY-SA License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0).
Effect of Process Parameters on the Photocatalytic Degradation of Phenol in Oilfield Produced Wastewater using ZnO/Fe2O3 Nanocomposites.
Authors: Haiqi Omer Al , Nour Abdurahman Hamid , Bargaa Rushdi , Ayodele Bamidele Victor
Published: February 2020

The upstream processing of crude oil is often associated with the presence of phenolic compounds when not properly treated could result in adverse effects on human health. The objective of the study was to investigate the effect of process parameters on the photocatalytic degradation of phenol. The ZnO/Fe2O3 nanocomposite photocatalyst was prepared by sol-gel method and characterized using various instrument techniques. The characterized ZnO/Fe2O3 nanocomposite displayed suitable physicochemical properties for the photocatalytic reaction. The ZnO/Fe2O3 nanocomposite was employed for the phenol degradation in a cylindrical batch reactor under solar radiation. The photocatalytic runs show that calcination temperature of the ZnO/Fe2O3 nanocomposite, catalyst loading, initial phenol concentration and pH of the wastewater significantly influence the photocatalytic degradation of phenol. After 180 min of solar radiation, the highest phenol degradation of 92.7% was obtained using the ZnO/Fe2O3 photocatalyst calcined at 400 ºC. This study has demonstrated that phenol degradation is significantly influenced by parameters such as calcination temperature of the ZnO/Fe2O3 nanocomposite, catalyst loading, initial phenol concentration and pH of the wastewater resulting in highest phenol degradation using the ZnO/Fe2O3 nanocomposite calcined at 400 ºC, initial phenol concentration of 0.5 mg/L, catalyst loading of 3 mg/L and pH of 3. Copyright © 2020 by Authors, Published by BCREC Group. This is an open access article under the CC BY-SA License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0).
Design, Characterization and Application of The SCMNPs@PC/VB1-Zn as A Green and Recyclable Biocatalyst for Synthesis of Pyrano[2,3-c]pyrazole and 4H-benzo-[b]-pyran Derivatives
Authors: Hou Fang , Zheng Wei , Yousefi Nasser
Published: February 2020

Eco-friendly and reusable solid acid catalysts (SCMNPs@PC/VB1-Zn) were identified as one of the most effective basic catalysts for the composition of a pot, three-component pyrano[2,3-c]pyrazoles. Methyl-1-phenyl-1H-pyrazole-5(4H)-one, benzaldehyde and malononitrile in high yield at 80 °C. SCMNPs@ PC/VB1-Zn reports the simple and efficient catalysis of a three-component pot reaction of dimedone, aldehydes, and malononitrile to 4H-benzo-[b]-pyran derivatives. This magnetic nanocatalyst can be recycled more than 6 times without dramatically reducing performance with respect to reaction time and efficiency. Copyright © 2020 by Authors, Published by BCREC Group. This is an open access article under the CC BY-SA License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0).
One-pot Selective Conversion of Biomass-derived Furfural into Cyclopentanone/Cyclopentanol over TiO2 Supported Bimetallic Ni-M (M = Co, Fe) Catalysts
Authors: Astuti Maria Dewi , Kristina Ditya , Rodiansono Rodiansono , Mujiyanti Dwi Rasy
Published: February 2020

One-pot selective conversion of biomass-derived furfural (FFald) into cyclopentanone (CPO) or cyclopentanol (CPL) using bimetallic nickel-based supported on TiO2 (denoted as Ni-M(3.0)/TiO2; M = Co and Fe; 3.0 is Ni/M molar ratio) have been investigated. Catalysts were synthesized via a hydrothermal method at 150 °C for 24 h, followed by H2 reduction at 450 °C for 1.5 h. X-ray Diffraction (XRD) analysis  showed that the formation of Ni-Co alloy phase at 2θ = 44.2° for Ni-Co(3.0)/TiO2 and Ni-Fe alloy at 2θ = 44.1° for Ni-Fe(3.0)/TiO2. The amount of acid sites was measured by using ammonia-temperature programmed desorption (NH3-TPD). Ni-Co(3.0)/TiO2 has three NH3 desorption peaks at 180 °C, 353 °C, and 569 °C with acid site amounts of 1.30 µmol.g-1, 1.0 µmol.g-1, and 2.0 µmol.g-1,        respectively. On the other hand, Ni-Fe(3.0)/TiO2 consisted of NH3 desorption peaks at 214 °C and 626 °C with acid site amounts of 3.3 µmol.g-1and 2.0 µmol.g-1, respectively. Both Ni-Co(3.0)/TiO2 and Ni-Fe(3.0)/TiO2 catalysts were found to be active for the selective hydrogenation of FFald to furfuryl alcohol (FFalc) at low temperature of 110 °C, H2 3.0 MPa, 3 h with FFalc selectivity of 81.1% and 82.9%, respectively. High yields of CPO (27.2%) and CPL (41.0%) were achieved upon Ni-Fe(3.0)/TiO2 when the reaction temperature was increased to 170 °C, 3.0 MPa of H2, and a reaction time of 6 h. The yield of CPO+CPL on the reused catalyst decreased slightly after the second reaction run, but the activity was maintained for at least three consecutive runs. Copyright © 2020 by Authors, Published by BCREC Group. This is an open access article under the CC BY-SA License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0).
Activity and Stability of Immobilized Lipase for Utilization in Transesterification of Waste Cooking Oil
Authors: Gusniah Azianna , Veny Harumi , Hamzah Fazlena
Published: February 2020

Biodiesel is fatty acid methyl ester that commonly derived from vegetable oils and animal fats that can be produced through enzymatic transesterification using lipase. In this study, three different types of lipase were used, which are Lipase Immobilized Pseudomonas cepacia, PcL, Thermomyces lanuginosus, TLIM, and Candida Antarctica A (recombinant from Aspergillus oryzae), CALA. These lipases were compared based on their activity at different pH (6-10), temperature (30-50 °C), activation energy, and amount of lipase loading for hydrolysis of p-NPA into n-NP. The result indicates that among the lipase used in the study, CALA is the preferable biocatalyst in the hydrolysis of p-NPA due to the minimum energy required and higher enzymatic activity at 20 mg of enzyme loading. PcL and CALA used in the study gave the optimum activity at pH 9 except for TLIM at pH 8 and the optimum temperature at 40 °C. The kinetic data obtained for CALA in this reaction were Km = 57.412 mM and Vm = 70 µM/min. This finding shows that CALA is beneficial biocatalysts for the transesterification process to obtain a higher product with lower activation energy. Copyright © 2020 by Authors, Published by BCREC Group. This is an open access article under the CC BY-SA License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0).
Optimization of Oxidative Desulfurization Reaction with Fe2O3 Catalyst Supported on Graphene Using Box-Behnken Experimental Method
Authors: Alwan Hameed Hussein , Ali Ammar Ali , Makki Hasan F.
Published: February 2020

In this study, the catalyst activity of Fe2O3 supported on Graphene for Iraqi gas oil oxidation desulfurization (ODS) by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) was investigated. The prepared catalyst was synthesized by wet impregnation for ferric nitrate as a Fe2O3 precursor while Graphene represented as catalyst support. The synthesized catalyst was characterized by XRD, FTIR, and EDS analysis. The experiments were designed according to three-level for three variables by Box-Behnken experimental design; Stirring time, catalyst dosage and temperature while the sulfur removal efficiency acts as experiment response. Catalyst activity was studied by ODS reaction for Iraqi gas oil (sulfur content 9400 ppm) at temperature range (40-60 ºC), stirring time (160-240 minutes) and catalyst dosage (0.5-2.5 g), the results show maximum sulfur removal efficiency 90% at stirring time, catalyst dosage and temperature 240 min, 1.5 g, and 60 ºC, respectively. ANOVA analysis shows the important effect of each independent variable on sulfur removal efficiency (response) as following influential order; stirring time, reaction temperature and catalyst dosage. Kinetics calculation showed that the ODS reaction obeys pseudo first-order reaction with reaction rate constant equal 1.0837, 1.5893, and 2.5053 at temperature 40, 50, and 60 ºC, respectively, while activation energy equal 36.26 kJ/mol. Copyright © 2020 by Authors, Published by BCREC Group. This is an open access article under the CC BY-SA License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0).
Kinetics and Thermodynamics Study of Ultrasound-Assisted Depolymerization of k-Carrageenan in Acidic Solution
Authors: Ratnawati Ratnawati , Indriyani Nita
Published: February 2020

K-carrageenan is a natural polymer with high molecular weight ranging from 100 to 1000 kDa. The oligocarrageenan with low molecular weight is widely used in biomedical application. The aim of this work was to depolymerize k-carrageenan in an acidic solution with the assistance of ultrasound irradiation. The ultrasonication was conducted at various pH (3 and 6), temperatures (30-60 °C), and depolymerization time (0-24 minutes). The results show that the depolymerization reaction follows pseudo-first-order kinetic model with reaction rate constant of 1.856×10-7 to 2.138×10-6 s-1. The reaction rate constant increases at higher temperature and lower pH. The Q10-temperature coefficients of the depolymerization are 1.25 and 1.51 for pH 6 and 3, respectively. The enthalpy of activation (ΔH‡) and the Gibbs energy of activation (ΔG‡) are positive, while the entropy of activation (ΔS‡) is negative, indicating that the activation step of the ultrasound-assisted depolymerization of k-carrageenan is endothermic, non-spontaneous, and the molecules at the transition state is more ordered than at the ground state. The ΔH‡ and the ΔS‡ are not affected by temperature, while the ΔG‡ is a weak function of temperature. The ΔH‡ and ΔS‡ become smaller at higher pH, while the ΔG‡ increases with the increase of pH. The kinetics and thermodynamics analysis show that the ultrasound-assisted depolymerization of k-carrageenan in acidic solution is possibly through three mechanisms, i.e. bond cleavage due to cavitational effect of microbubbles, hydroxyl radical and hydrogen peroxide, as well as proton. Copyright © 2020 by Authors, Published by BCREC Group. This is an open access article under the CC BY-SA License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0).
Effects of downsizing care on the children and staff in a medical institution for disabled children after it was rebuilt
Authors: Suzuki Kenji , Yamawaki Hiroki
Published: February 2020

This study clarifies the impact of changes in the physical environment and the introduction of downsizing care in a medical institution for disabled children. The targeted facility was surveyed for over three years through behavioral observation, before and after it was rebuilt. Additionally, a questionnaire survey was conducted with the staff. The results show that: (1) the staff and two groups of children (self‐moving difficulty and self‐movable groups) often spent time in different places initially, but gradually spent more time in the same place, especially within a common space; (2) the postures of the children gradually diversified and became more relaxed in the new facility; (3) the postures of the staff rarely changed except in the common spaces where they became more relaxed; (4) as the staff spent considerable time in the same place as the children, they felt that the frequency of staying close to and interacting with the children and noticing their changes had increased; and (5) the increase in the number and size of seating areas was appreciated by and impacted the children and staff; however, the staff did not appreciate the entire seating area and the spaces nearby.
Receptor Adaptation Mechanisms
Authors: Shieh Bih‐Hwa , Gurevich Eugenia V , Gurevich Vsevolod V
Published: February 2020

Receptor adaptation mechanisms involve homeostatic regulation of the transmembrane receptors to maintain an optimal signalling response. Short‐term regulation of GPCRs is achieved when ligand‐/drug‐activated receptors become phosphorylated by GRKs, which reduces the G‐protein interaction. Phosphorylation of GPCRs also enhances the association with arrestins that block the G‐protein coupling, activate MAPK signalling and lead to internalisation of receptors. Internalised GPCRs may be recycled following dephosphorylation or degraded in the lysosome following ubiquitination. Prolonged drug treatments lead to desensitised receptors that require higher drug doses to achieve desirable responses, which may exacerbate adverse effects in nontarget tissues as the same receptor may be less desensitised. Long‐term regulation of receptors may be accomplished at the transcriptional and/or translational level to maintain receptor density.

Key Concepts

Receptors are temporally and spatially regulated in order to optimally transduce extracellular signals to modulate intracellular activities.

There are three major classes of receptors including G‐protein‐coupled receptors, or GPCRs, ligand‐gated ion channels and growth factor receptors.

Activated GPCRs elicit the canonical signalling by coupling to the heterotrimeric G‐proteins and may also activate other signalling pathways.

Short‐term regulation of GPCRs is achieved first by GRK phosphorylation of the activated receptor, followed by the interaction with arrestin that blunts the G‐protein coupling (homologous desensitisation).

Inactive GPCRs may be phosphorylated to reduce the G‐protein coupling following activation of a different GPCR that couples to the same G‐protein (heterologous desensitisation).

Arrestins scaffold activated GPCRs to orchestrate the arrestin‐dependent signalling and to trigger receptor internalisation.

Internalised GPCRs may be recycled following dephosphorylation and re‐inserted into the plasma membrane, or ubiquitinated and degraded in the lysosome.

Biased ligands for GPCRs are developed to preferentially activate either the G‐protein or the arrestin‐dependent signalling pathway as each contributes to distinct physiological responses.

GPCRs become desensitised following repeated pharmacological treatments, and desensitised GPCRs are less responsive to drugs/agonists.

Long‐term regulation of receptors may be accomplished at the transcriptional and/or the translational levels.
Olfaction
Authors: East Brett S , Wilson Donald A
Published: February 2020

Olfaction, the ability to recognise and discriminate myriad airborne molecules with great accuracy and sensitivity, is one of the most remarkable, but least understood senses. It permits continuous monitoring of the surroundings for small volatile molecules, including chemical signals that identify territories, food, predators and mates; thus, olfaction plays a key role in survival and adaptation in the animal world. Recent work suggests that in mammals, odour perception begins through volatile molecules binding to a subset of several hundred G‐protein‐coupled receptors on the olfactory sensory neurons in the nose. The identity of the odorant is encoded by a spatiotemporal pattern of activity within the first central relay, the olfactory bulb. The olfactory cortex then functions as a combinatorial array that allows recognition of those odorant‐specific patterns and forms synthetic odour percepts. This pattern recognition process is experience‐dependent, and thus odour discrimination and perception can be affected by a variety of memory and cognitive disorders.

Key Concepts

Odorous stimuli are transduced by olfactory sensory neurons through a large family of G‐protein‐coupled receptors, with individual sensory neurons expressing a single type of receptor.

Olfactory sensory neurons project axons directly into the mammalian forebrain targeting the olfactory bulb and are continually replaced throughout life.

Odorant identity is initially encoded by odour‐specific spatiotemporal patterns of activity in the olfactory bulb which emerges due to highly specific sensory neuron axonal projections.

In contrast to other sensory systems, the direct projection to the primary olfactory cortex does not pass through the thalamus, although there is an olfactory thalamocortical pathway.

Encoding of odour quality in the piriform cortex is performed by populations of highly distributed neurons, with no known odour‐specific spatial topography.

Information about internal state, emotion, expectation and past experience can influence odour processing as early as the first central synapse, and odour learning can influence processing through the entire olfactory pathway.

Given that most natural odours are mixtures of many volatile components, odour perception is based on an experience‐dependent combinatorial process resulting in the perception of synthetic odour objects.

Odour habituation is a central phenomenon involving changes in the strength of connections between specific neurons within the olfactory bulb and cortex.

Through extensive interaction with other sensory systems, olfaction plays a critical role in the perception of flavour and food perception.

Impairment in olfactory perception is a prevalent problem which is associated with a wide variety of neurological disorders.
Food Allergy
Authors: Harrison Faye C , Giovannini Mattia , Kalaichandran Amitha , Santos Alexandra F
Published: February 2020

Food allergy has recently become more common. There is no curative treatment for food allergy and management relies on allergen avoidance and emergency treatment of accidental allergic reactions. Food allergy can have a significant impact on the lives of patients and their families and an accurate diagnosis is, therefore, of utmost importance. A food allergy‐focused clinical history, together with evidence of allergen‐specific IgE, can be enough to confirm or exclude the diagnosis of food allergy; however, in the equivocal cases, exposure to the allergen in a controlled environment in hospital, called oral food challenge (OFC), is required. New tests are being developed to reduce the number of patients that need OFCs. Allergen‐specific immunotherapy has shown to reduce patients' sensitivity to the allergen but the majority of treated patients still remain food allergic. In the absence of a definitive treatment, prevention of food allergy is key.

Key Concepts

Food allergy prevalence is increasing, affecting about 7% of children and 2% of adults, with cow's milk, egg, peanut, tree nuts, sesame, fish and shellfish constituting more than 90% of food allergies in children.

Risk factors for food allergy are atopic eczema, family history of atopic diseases, black or Asian ethnicity, less diverse diet, low serum vitamin D and filaggrin loss‐of‐function mutations.

The diagnosis of food allergy is usually based on a combination of clinical history and evidence of allergen‐specific IgE, with oral food challenges being reserved for the equivocal cases.

There is no curative treatment for food allergy; management consists of allergen avoidance and emergency treatment plan for accidental allergic reactions.

Allergenic foods should be introduced in the diet at the time of weaning. Early peanut consumption in the first year of life can prevent the development of peanut allergy at school age.
Single‐Cell Transcriptomics
Authors: Ballouz Sara
Published: February 2020

Single‐cell transcriptomics is an emerging field with a variety of applications, from revealing tissue heterogeneity and cell identity to deepening our understanding of complex biological systems. Single‐cell RNA‐sequencing assays the transcriptome of individual cells, allowing for a refined resolution of transcription compared to the averaged profiles from bulk RNA‐sequencing. Advances in the technology have resulted in a surplus of protocols, computational methods and studies. Multiple experimental approaches to isolate and sequence single cells provide many levels of coverage and throughput, allowing for the growth of computational pipelines and methods to assess and analyse this plethora. These advances will allow for the transcriptional documentation of all cells and cell types, which brings forth yet unknown opportunities for understanding all cellular life.

Key Concepts

Single‐cell transcriptomics has revolutionised the field of functional genomics, allowing for the evaluation of the transcriptome at cellular resolution.

Novel technologies have made it simple to sequence 1000s–10 000s of cells at a time.

Computational methods continue to advance in order to analyse and integrate the millions of cell samples.

Cellular temporal resolutions, rather than bulk averages, have allowed for lineage tracing to study development and differentiation, the discovery of subpopulations and rare cell types to assess tissue heterogeneity, with particular applications to disease.

Technical and biological noise still remains a major challenge, along with computational scalability and costs.

Integration of transcriptional information along with genomic, epigenomic and spatial data at the single‐cell level will expand our understanding further.
Nutritional and Nutraceutical Value of Vegetable Crops as Affected by Biostimulants Application
Authors: Cocetta Giacomo , Ferrante Antonio
Published: February 2020

Biostimulants are formulated products of biological origin that are used in agriculture to improve plant productivity, produce quality and tolerance to certain stresses. The interest in this new heterogeneous class of compounds is increasing also due to the lower environmental impact of biostimulants in comparison to synthetic fertilisers and pesticides. In addition, the application of biostimulants can improve the health‐related properties of some plant‐derived foods, by stimulating the accumulation of secondary metabolites and phytonutrients in various organs. The heterogenicity of formulations composition and the difficulty to identify the exact mode and mechanisms of action of these products represent a challenge for the process of rationalisation of this sector. For these reasons, the number of researches and experimentations on biostimulants in increasing as well as the level of knowledge in this field.

Key Concepts

The use of biostimulants in agriculture is increasing due to the need of low impact and more sustainable agricultural management approaches.

The rationalisation of the biostimulants sector is a key aspect to be addressed in the next few years.

The positive effect of biostimulants is related to their capacity to improve the yield and quality of produce.

The consumers' awareness toward nutraceutical and nutritional quality attributes of vegetable crops is increasing.

The recent rise in scientific literature related to this topic suggests that biostimulants could play a relevant role in enhancing the nutritional and health‐related characteristics of plant‐derived food.
An Investigation of Strain‐Softening Phenomenon in Al–0.1% Mg Alloy during High‐Pressure Torsion Processing
Authors: Huang Yi , Millet Justine , Zhang Nian X. , Jenei Péter , Gubicza Jenő , Langdon Terence G.
Published: February 2020

An Al–0.1% Mg alloy is processed by high‐pressure torsion (HPT) at room temperature. The Al–0.1% Mg alloy displays strain‐softening phenomenon through hardness evolution: the hardness values in the disc center area are higher than at the disc edge area after 1/2, 1, and 3 turns, and the size of the hard region in the disc center gradually reduces as the number of turns increases from 1/2 to 3 turns. The hardness values evolve toward homogeneity along the disc diameters after 5 and 10 turns. Electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) and X‐ray line profile analysis suggest that the lower hardness values at the disc edge area in the Al–0.1% Mg alloy are related to a recovery/recrystallization mechanism where the material is subjected to heavy straining.
Growth‐Factor Free Multicomponent Nanocomposite Hydrogels That Stimulate Bone Formation
Authors: Okesola Babatunde O. , Ni Shilei , Derkus Burak , Galeano Carles C. , Hasan Abshar , Wu Yuanhao , Ramis Jopeth , Buttery Lee , Dawson Jonathan I. , D'Este Matteo , Oreffo Richard O. C. , Eglin David , Sun Hongchen , Mata Alvaro
Published: February 2020

Synthetic osteo‐promoting materials that are able to stimulate and accelerate bone formation without the addition of exogenous cells or growth factors represent a major opportunity for an aging world population. A co‐assembling system that integrates hyaluronic acid tyramine (HA‐Tyr), bioactive peptide amphiphiles (GHK‐Cu2+), and Laponite (Lap) to engineer hydrogels with physical, mechanical, and biomolecular signals that can be tuned to enhance bone regeneration is reported. The central design element of the multicomponent hydrogels is the integration of self‐assembly and enzyme‐mediated oxidative coupling to optimize structure and mechanical properties in combination with the incorporation of an osteo‐ and angio‐promoting segments to facilitate signaling. Spectroscopic techniques are used to confirm the interplay of orthogonal covalent and supramolecular interactions in multicomponent hydrogel formation. Furthermore, physico‐mechanical characterizations reveal that the multicomponent hydrogels exhibit improved compressive strength, stress relaxation profile, low swelling ratio, and retarded enzymatic degradation compared to the single component hydrogels. Applicability is validated in vitro using human mesenchymal stem cells and human umbilical vein endothelial cells, and in vivo using a rabbit maxillary sinus floor reconstruction model. Animals treated with the HA‐Tyr‐HA‐Tyr‐GHK‐Cu2+ hydrogels exhibit significantly enhanced bone formation relative to controls including the commercially available Bio‐Oss.
Light‐Emitting Devices Based on Electrochemiluminescence Gels
Authors: Cho Kyung Gook , Lee Jong Ik , Lee Seonjeong , Hong Kihyon , Kang Moon Sung , Lee Keun Hyung
Published: February 2020

Electrochemiluminescence (ECL) is a self‐emission of light from electrochemically excited luminophores via a series of redox reactions. Over the past decade, light‐emitting devices based on gel‐phase ECL active materials, i.e., gel electrolyte composites (referred to as ECL gels) containing an ECL luminophore, electrolyte, and network matrix, have attracted considerable attention as a complementary device platform to conventional electroluminescent devices for low‐cost printable displays and solid‐state light sources. Although the ECL phenomenon is extensively exploited in analytical diagnostics and sensing, the development of printable and fast‐response gel‐type luminescent materials may further expand the potential application of ECL in solid‐state flexible, bendable, and stretchable light‐emitting devices. This review summarizes the operation mechanisms of ECL‐based light‐emitting devices, ECL emitters and electrolytes, engineering strategies for obtaining printable high‐strength/high‐conductivity ECL gels, and emerging applications of gel‐type ECL devices.
Giant Strain Control of Antiferromagnetic Moment in Metallic FeMn by Tuning Exchange Spring Structure
Authors: Feng Chun , Li Yukun , Wang Lei , Cao Yi , Yao Mingke , Meng Fei , Yang Feng , Li Baohe , Wang Kaiyou , Yu Guanghua
Published: February 2020

Manipulation of the antiferromagnetic moment in antiferromagnets (AFMs) is a crucial issue for developing AFM‐based spintronic devices. Lattice strain is an effective strategy to modulate the antiferromagnetic moment and is traditionally based on a direct crystalline tailoring of AFMs. A novel method for strain tuning the antiferromagnetic moment by controlling the exchange spring in the AFM, which is applicable to other conventional AFM materials, is reported. Specifically, a TiNi(Nb) shape memory alloy (SMA) is used as the substrate of Ta/NiFe/FeMn multilayers. By thermally driven inverse martensitic phase transformation in the SMA, a significant strain of 1.3% is transferred into the film, which toggles a noticeable magnetic moment rotation of NiFe by nearly 90° in the film plane, resulting in a consequent twirling of the Néel vector of FeMn due to interfacial exchange interaction. In turn, the antiferromagnetic moment of FeMn is tailorable by tuning the exchange spring. Simultaneously, the exchange bias field is tuned significantly with a maximal variation of 350% due to the twist of the antiferromagnetic moment, which facilitates strain‐assisted magnetization reversal for developing a logic memory device. These findings provide an alternative strategy to advance the development of an AFM‐based memorizer by temperature‐driven strain engineering.
Robust Organoalkoxysilanes as Red Unconventional Fluorescent Platform
Authors: Zuo Yujing , Yang Tingxin , Gou Zhiming , Tian Minggang , Dong Baoli , Lin Weiying
Published: February 2020

Unconventional fluorescent materials have attracted intense and continuous attention due to the facile processability, excellent biocompatibility, and high availability. However, for the lack of suitable unconventional fluorescent platform, unconventional luminophore‐based fluorescent probes have not been applied in the biological field, especially in the detection of bioactive molecules. In this work, unconventional red fluorescence is observed from a series of organoalkoxysilanes for the first time. Particularly, the unique fluorescence derived from smart Si–O bridged structures prompt the fluorescent probe design strategy. The strategy involves applying the Si–O bridge to provide desirable red unconventional fluorescence, and ratiometric detection of endogenous nitric oxide in lysosomes and in vivo. It is expected that this novel strategy will expand the applications of unconventional fluorescence to the bioimaging field, and further provide valid approach for the future evolution of unconventional fluorescent probes.