bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Modeling of biocatalytic reactions: A workflow for model calibration, selection, and validation using Bayesian statistics
Authors: Eisenkolb Ina , Jensch Antje , Eisenkolb Kerstin , Kramer Andrei , Buchholz Patrick C. F. , Pleiss Jürgen , Spiess Antje , Radde Nicole E.
Published: November 2019

We present a workflow for kinetic modeling of biocatalytic reactions which combines methods from Bayesian learning and uncertainty quantification for model calibration, model selection, evaluation, and model reduction in a consistent statistical framework. Our workflow is particularly tailored to sparse data settings in which a considerable variability of the parameters remains after the models have been adapted to available data, a ubiquitous problem in many real‐world applications. Our workflow is exemplified on an enzyme‐catalyzed two‐substrate reaction mechanism describing the symmetric carboligation of 3,5‐dimethoxy‐benzaldehyde to (R)‐3,3′,5,5′‐tetramethoxybenzoin catalyzed by benzaldehyde lyase fromPseudomonas fluorescens. Results indicate a substrate‐dependent inactivation of enzyme, which is in accordance with other recent studies.
Resveratrol addition to Chinese hamster ovary cell culture media: The effect on cell growth, monoclonal antibody synthesis, and its chemical modification
Authors: Toronjo‐Urquiza Luis , Acosta‐Martin Adelina E. , James David C. , Nagy Tibor , Falconer Robert J.
Published: November 2019

The effect of the addition of resveratrol to cell culture media during the production of monoclonal antibodies was investigated. Treatments of Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells expressing immunoglobulin G (IgG) with 25 and 50 μM resveratrol showed that resveratrol was capable of slowing cell growth while almost doubling cell‐specific productivity to 4.7 ± 0.6 pg IgG/cell·day, resulting in up to a 1.37‐fold increase of the final IgG titer. A resveratrol concentration of 50 μM slowed the progression through the cell cycle temporarily by trapping cells in the S‐phase. Cation exchange chromatography showed no significant difference in the composition of acidic or basic IgG species and size exclusion chromatography indicated no change in fragmentation or aggregation of the recombinant IgG in the treatment groups. Resveratrol could be used as a chemical additive to CHO media where it would enhance IgG productivity and provide a degree of protection against hydroxyl and superoxide free radicals, expanding the range of options for process improvement available to monoclonal antibody manufacturers.
Synthesis of Pyridoclax Analogues: Insight into Their Druggability by Investigating Their Physicochemical Properties and Interactions with Membranes
Authors: De Pascale Martina , Iacopetta Domenico , Since Marc , Corvaisier Sophie , Vie Véronique , Paboeuf Gilles , Hennequin Didier , Perato Serge , De Giorgi Marcella , Sinicropi Maria Stefania , Sopkova‐De Oliveira Santos Jana , Voisin‐Chiret Anne‐Sophie , Malzert‐Freon Aurélie
Published: November 2019

Pyridoclax is considered a promising anticancer drug, acting as a protein‐protein interaction disruptor, with potential applications in the treatment of ovarian, lung, and mesothelioma cancers. Eighteen sensibly selected structural analogues of Pyridoclax were synthesized, and their physicochemical properties were systematically assessed and analyzed. Moreover, considering that drug‐membrane interactions play an essential role in understanding the mode of action of a given drug and its eventual toxic effects, membrane models were used to investigate such interactions in bulk (liposomes) and at the air‐water interface. The measured experimental data on all original oligopyridines allowed the assessment of relative differences in terms of physicochemical properties, which could be determinant for their druggability, and hence for drug development.
Adult neurogenesis in crayfish: Origin, expansion, and migration of neural progenitor lineages in a pseudostratified neuroepithelium
Authors: Brenneis Georg , Beltz Barbara S.
Published: November 2019

Two decades after the discovery of adult‐born neurons in the brains of decapod crustaceans, the deutocerebral proliferative system (DPS) producing these neural lineages has become a model of adult neurogenesis in invertebrates. Studies on crayfish have provided substantial insights into the anatomy, cellular dynamics, and regulation of the DPS. Contrary to traditional thinking, recent evidence suggests that the neurogenic niche in the crayfish DPS lacks self‐renewing stem cells, its cell pool being instead sustained via integration of hemocytes generated by the innate immune system. Here, we investigated the origin, division and migration patterns of the adult‐born neural progenitor (NP) lineages in detail. We show that the niche cell pool is not only replenished by hemocyte integration but also by limited numbers of symmetric cell divisions with some characteristics reminiscent of interkinetic nuclear migration. Once specified in the niche, first generation NPs act as transit‐amplifying intermediate NPs that eventually exit and produce multicellular clones as they move along migratory streams toward target brain areas. Different clones may migrate simultaneously in the streams but occupy separate tracks and show spatio‐temporally flexible division patterns. Based on this, we propose an extended DPS model that emphasizes structural similarities to pseudostratified neuroepithelia in other arthropods and vertebrates. This model includes hemocyte integration and intrinsic cell proliferation to synergistically counteract niche cell pool depletion during the animal's lifespan. Further, we discuss parallels to recent findings on mammalian adult neurogenesis, as both systems seem to exhibit a similar decoupling of proliferative replenishment divisions and consuming neurogenic divisions.
Retracted: Distributed buildings energy storage charging load forecasting method considering parallel deep learning model
Authors: Yang Shengying , Wu Jianfeng , Qin Huibin , Xie Qiangqiang , Xu Zhiwang , Hua Yongzhu
Published: November 2019

At present, with total building energy consumption accounts for about 21.33% of the energy consumption of social terminals, the building energy consumption has a tendency to continue to grow. According to the geographical location of users and the local weather conditions, we analyze the energy resources available to users and design a multienergy complementary coupling system. We have taken full account of the use of renewable energy and recovery of waste heat resources. Large‐scale increase of electrical equipment, a large number of charging load access to the grid, the power system planning, operation and operation of the electricity market will have a profound impact. The current mode of the supercapacitor and the DC bus determines the mode of operation of the converter. Based on a detailed analysis of each working mode, we design a corresponding control scheme and achieve a smooth transition and switching between modes. Simulation and experiment verify the correctness and effectiveness of the converter and hybrid energy storage control strategy.
Mass Spectrometry‐Based Untargeted Plant Metabolomics
Authors: Perez de Souza Leonardo , Alseekh Saleh , Naake Thomas , Fernie Alisdair
Published: November 2019

Metabolomics has grown into one of the major approaches for systems biology studies, in part driven by developments in mass spectrometry (MS), providing high sensitivity and coverage of the metabolome at high throughput. Untargeted metabolomics allows for the investigation of metabolic phenotypes involving several hundreds to thousands of metabolites. In this approach, all signals in a mass chromatogram are processed in an unbiased way, allowing for a deeper investigation of metabolic phenotypes, but also resulting in significantly more complex data processing and post‐processing steps. In this article, we discuss all the intricacies involved in extracting and analyzing metabolites by chromatography coupled to MS, as well as the processing and analysis of such datasets. © 2019 The Authors.

Basic Protocol 1: Metabolite extraction for LC‐MS

Alternate Protocol: Methyl tert‐butyl ether (MTBE) extraction for multiple mass spectrometry platforms (GC‐polar, LC‐polar, LC‐lipid)

Basic Protocol 2: LC‐MS analysis

Support Protocol 1: GC‐MS derivatization and analysis

Support Protocol 2: Lipid analysis

Basic Protocol 3: LC‐MS data processing

Basic Protocol 4: Data analysis

Basic Protocol 5: Metabolite annotation

Support Protocol 3: Molecular networking using MetNet

Support Protocol 4: Co‐injection of authentic standards
Including Pregnant Women in Clinical Research: Practical Guidance for Institutional Review Boards
Authors: Payne Pamela
Published: November 2019

Scanty evidence exists about the safety and effectiveness of drugs—and of their efficacious dosing—that women may need to treat acute and chronic health issues during their pregnancies. This lack of evidence puts pregnant women and their fetuses at risk of harm from the use or avoidance of drugs during pregnancy. In light of the protectionist approach in regulations governing research with pregnant women and fetuses, trial sponsors, researchers, clinicians, and institutional review boards (IRBs) have been reluctant to include pregnant women in clinical drug trials, applying ethical reasoning for exclusions that reflects a default exclusionary approach. Yet in recent years, many clinicians, researchers, bioethicists, and professional societies have called for a reexamination of the routine practice of excluding pregnant women from clinical research. This paper proposes a practical approach to an ethical framework for IRBs that supports fair inclusion, rather than routine exclusion, of pregnant women in clinical research. This guidance will aid IRBs in ethically including and appropriately protecting pregnant women in research.
Assessment of the population of Ostrea edulis in Sweden: A marginal population of significance?
Authors: Thorngren Linnea , Bergström Per , Dunér Holthuis Thomas , Lindegarth Mats
Published: November 2019

The European flat oyster Ostrea edulis is an economically and ecologically important species subjected to extensive protection and restoration efforts, due to sharp population declines in Europe. In Sweden, O. edulis occurs at the northern fringe of its range. Knowledge of the distribution and abundance of the species is limited, and the size of the population has never been estimated. Oyster fishery sustainability has never been assessed.

Using a random sampling approach and towed video, we collected data on oyster occurrence at 435 sites to estimate abundance and distribution of O. edulis in the Swedish Skagerrak region. Furthermore, the size of the population was assessed and the current management and legislation strategy of the species was analyzed.

Living O. edulis was found in 27% of all sampled sites above 6 m, and the size of the population was estimated to 36.6 ± 16.3 million individuals (total population ± SE). The distribution was patchy, and approximately 60% of the population was found in oyster bed densities (≥5 oysters/m2), which corresponds to around 1% of the sampled sites.

The nondestructive sampling method and representative design provided useful estimates of population size and error, which indicate that the marginal population of O. edulis in Sweden constitutes a significant part of the remaining European population. We argue that the relatively good status of the Swedish population can be explained by (a) private ownership of fishing rights, (b) a small‐scale fishery that exploits <0.5% of the estimated population annually, conducted using nondestructive methods, and (c) parasite‐free waters, potentially due to effective prevention of spread of infection.

Open Research Badges

This article has earned an Open Data Badge for making publicly available the digitally‐shareable data necessary to reproduce the reported results. The data is available at https://osf.io/jgpxw/?view_only=d070b45802a4426da028efffde3d0f76.
Habitat selection and potential fitness consequences of two early‐successional species with differing life‐history strategies
Authors: Catlin Daniel , Gibson Daniel , Friedrich Meryl J. , Hunt Kelsi L. , Karpanty Sarah M. , Fraser James D.
Published: November 2019

Habitat selection and its relationship to fitness is a fundamental concept in ecology, but the mechanisms driving this connection are complex and difficult to detect. Despite the difficulties in understanding such intricate relationships, it is imperative that we study habitat selection and its relationship with fitness. We compared habitat selection of least terns (Sternula antillarum) and piping plovers (Charadrius melodus) on the Missouri River (2012–2014) to examine the consequences of those choices on nest and chick survival. We hypothesized that plovers and terns would select habitat that minimized the chance of flooding and predation of eggs, chicks, and adults, but that plovers would also select habitat that would provide foraging habitat for their chicks. We developed an integrated habitat selection model that assessed selection across multiple scales (sandbar and nest scales) and directly modeled the effect of selection on nest and chick survival. In general, the species selected habitat in keeping with our hypotheses, such that predation and flooding, in particular, may have been reduced. Sandbar selection had either a negative or no appreciable effect on nest survival for both species across years. Nest‐site selection in 2012 had a generally positive effect on nest survival and chick survival for both terns and plovers, and this trended toward a negative effect by 2014. This result suggested that early selection decisions appeared to be adaptive, but we speculate that relatively high site fidelity and habitat degradation led to reduced benefit over time. Our results highlight the complex nature of habitat selection and its relationship to fitness.
Land use from water quality: development of a water quality index across Pennsylvania streams
Authors: Wertz Timothy A. , Shank Matthew K.
Published: November 2019

Anthropogenic stressors to lotic environments are diverse and often act in complex and synergistic ways through space and time. The need to adequately quantify and communicate these stressors in lotic environments is important for assessing stream health and informing management decisions. We used 21 physicochemical parameters from water quality samples and weighted each parameter by relationships with land use to develop a water quality index (WQI) across lotic environments in Pennsylvania. Four dominant land use categories were identified from water quality analysis: forested, urban, agriculture, and land disturbance. These categories were indexed (0–100) with low scores representing disturbed and high scores representing least‐disturbed conditions for each land use category. We propose an interpretation and validation schema for establishing an overall measure of stress, while providing insight into both expected and unexpected sources of stress. The WQI was highly correlated with land use at a coarse scale, where scores decreased in response to non‐forested landscapes. We then present two case studies that serve as examples of stressor quantification and communication. In addition to outperforming static measures of land use/cover, the resulting WQI serves multiple functions by communicating stream health to policy makers and citizens in an easily understood form, providing a stressor gradient for biological assessments and measuring stream condition across Pennsylvania's diverse water resources.
Biogeographic origin prediction of three continental populations through 42 ancestry informative SNPs
Authors: Jin Xiao‐Ye , Cui Wei , Chen Chong , Guo Yu‐Xin , Tao Yong‐Wei , Lan Qiong , Kong Ting‐Ting , Zhu Bo‐Feng
Published: November 2019

A biogeographic estimate of a certain population can not only discern population substructure in the whole genome association study, but also provide informative clues for forensic investigations when obtained DNA genotypes do not find a match in the available forensic DNA database. In this study, 100 ancestry informative single nucleotide polymorphisms (AISNPs) were first presented to differentiate three continental ancestries (African, East Asian and European). Ultimately, forty‐two AISNPs were chosen from the 100 AISNPs. Distinguishing power of the 100 and 42 AISNPs for differentiating continental populations was further evaluated with population cluster analyses. Results indicated both of AISNP sets could efficiently differentiate 11 training populations from the three continents. Further validation of 42 AISNPs in testing population set indicated these 42 AISNPs performed well for ancestry inferences of these testing individuals. Ancestry components of Uyghur group were assessed by comparing with different continental populations based on these 42 AISNPs. Results revealed that East Asian populations contributed more ancestry components to the studied Uyghur group than European populations. In conclusion, our study is expected to provide more AISNP markers and enrich extant reference database.
Anisotropic modeling of layered rocks incorporating planes of weakness and volumetric stress
Authors: Hu Shanchao , Tan Yunliang , Zhou Hui , Ru Wenkai , Ning Jianguo , Wang Jun , Huang Dongmei , Li Zhen
Published: November 2019

Layered rocks exhibit notable transverse isotropy and have a significant impact on the deformation and failure characteristics of underground structures. To a large extent, the mechanical properties of layered rocks are related to the structure and stress state of their bedding planes. To obtain an in‐depth understanding of the deformation and yield characteristics of layered rocks, a mechanical model for layered rocks incorporating planes of weakness and volumetric stress is proposed by improving the strain‐hardening/softening ubiquitous‐joint model based on continuum mechanics methods. In this mechanical model, elastoplastic equations for the matrix and bedding planes of layered rocks are established. The evolution of the mechanical parameters of the matrix and bedding planes of layered rocks with the internal variable is determined. In addition, the sensitivity of the model parameters is analyzed, and a method for determining the parameters is provided to reduce the complexity in obtaining these parameters. The numerical calculation results for the laboratory tests on layered sandstone specimens under various stress levels agree relatively well with the test results, thereby validating the effectiveness of the improved model. The methods and results of this study provide a significant reference for the analysis of the deformation and failure of other layered rocks.
Engineering LiNi0.5Co0.2Mn0.3O2/poly(propylene carbonate) interface by graphene oxide modification for all‐solid‐state lithium batteries
Authors: Zhuang Zilong , Yang Lezhi , Ju Bowei , Yin Ao , Lei Gang , Zhou Qian , Tang Yating , Deng Zhiyuan , Tu Feiyue , Qin Shibiao
Published: November 2019

Electrochemical and chemical interfacial reaction mechanisms between LiNi0.5Co0.2Mn0.3O2 (NMC532) and poly(propylene carbonate) solid polymer electrolyte (PPC‐SPE) are studied. Ni3+ and Co4+ species which are electrochemically oxidized from Ni2+ and Co3+ during the charging process will induce the decomposition of PPC. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR) and 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analysis confirm that the decomposition products of PPC contains ether, which might produce through condensation reaction of alcohol compounds. To retard this side reaction, graphene oxide is applied to coat commercial LiNi0.5Co0.2Mn0.3O2 particles via a facile chemical approach. Compared with pristine cathode, the coated sample displays higher initial capacity, better cycle stability and lower interfacial resistance after cycled. After 300 cycles, the capacity retention is 69.2% at 0.3 C and the resistance is only 25 Ω after 180 cycles. This is due to the graphene layer facilitates the interfacial charge‐transfer process and slows the cathode/electrolyte interfacial side reaction. Consequently, the study illuminated the interface issues of PPC based solid‐state lithium batteries.
Thermodynamic analysis of an underground sensible energy storage system
Authors: Erguvan Mustafa , Mahmud Roohany , MacPhee David W.
Published: November 2019

Electricity production from concentrated solar power (CSP) plants has been more commonplace in the last decade since the sun is one of the most abundant, renewable energy sources. The heat transfer fluid temperature in a CSP plant may go up to 1000°C; however, most of the current power plants operate on temperature ranges between 220°C and 565°C due to decomposition of molten salts in high temperatures. Since the sun is not available at nights and cloudy days, an important consideration is how to store the energy received by the sun to use at other times. In this study, a three‐dimensional borehole heat exchanger model is developed to store solar energy underground using concrete and molten salt as a storage medium and heat transfer fluid, respectively. While molten salt is circulating through a pipe, which is placed into the concrete, heat is transferred from the molten salt to the concrete or vice versa during the charging and discharging processes. Numerous simulations are conducted using ANSYS Fluent, with varying borehole diameters, mass flow rates, and thermal resistances of the borehole wall. Average concrete temperature, outlet heat transfer fluid temperature, and energy and exergy efficiencies are investigated for each case. It was found here that while concrete temperature increases with increasing mass flow rate, the increasing trend is minimal after the mass flow rate increases beyond 6 kg/s. There exists a negative relation between the borehole diameter and average concrete temperature during the charging process, and vice versa in discharging. Energy and exergy efficiencies varied from 0.2% to 98.1% and 0.1% to 77.9%, respectively. While the most efficient system was found at a borehole diameter of 550 mm for adiabatic cases, it was found to be 750 mm when heat leakage is taken into consideration. Borehole diameters of 2000 mm performed the worst among all cases due to low heat transfer rates. Heat leakage was found to have a significant impact on energy and exergy efficiencies, especially in energy efficiencies for higher borehole diameters and low mass flow rates in the discharging process.
Soil and management‐related factors contributing to maize yield gaps in western Kenya
Authors: Munialo Sussy , Dahlin A. Sigrun , Onyango M. Cecilia , Oluoch‐Kosura W. , Marstorp Håkan , Öborn Ingrid
Published: November 2019

The solution to reducing existing yield gaps on smallholder farms lies in understanding factors limiting yield in areas with agricultural intensification potential. This study applied an integrated analysis approach comprising Classification and Regression Tree (CART), generalized linear mixed model (GLMM), and factor analysis (FA), to explain soil and management‐related factors influencing maize yield gaps, in order to enhance yields. The study was conducted in Mukuyu and Shikomoli in western Kenya, sites with, respectively, high and low agroecological potential regarding soil fertility. Maize yield gaps were quantified by comparing yields on the 90th percentile of farms to yields determined in 189 fields on 70 randomly sampled smallholdings. Soil and management‐related factors were determined at early and late maize development stages.

Maize yield on the 90th percentile of farms in Mukuyu and Shikomoli was 5.1 and 4.8 t/ha, respectively, and the average yield gap was 1.8 and 2.6 t/ha, representing 35% and 54% unachieved yield for Mukuyu and Shikomoli, respectively. In FA, soil was revealed to be the main factor influencing maize yield gaps at both sites, rather than management‐related variables. The CART method identified maize density, chlorophyll values, maize height, and depth to compact layer as consistent factors affecting yield at both sites, while GLMM identified soil texture (silt content) as important. According to CART, weed cover at early stages and maize density at late stages were the most limiting factor in maize production in Mukuyu and Shikomoli, respectively. Generalized linear mixed model analysis identified agroecology‐specific factors influencing maize yield gaps as soil‐available phosphorus and zinc, plus weed pressure at early maize stages in Mukuyu, and plus soil cation exchange capacity and exchangeable magnesium in Shikomoli. Through an integrated approach, it was possible to identify both consistent and agroecology‐specific factors limiting crop yields. This can increase the applicability of the findings to smallholder farms.
Body image in older, inpatient women and the relationship to BMI, anxiety, depression, and other sociodemographic factors
Authors: Dean Elspeth , Haywood Cilla , Hunter Peter , Austin Nicole , Prendergast Luke
Published: November 2019

Objectives

To determine the prevalence of body image dysfunction in a cohort of older, inpatient women, and to examine any associated health or sociodemographic factors.

Methods

In this cross‐sectional, observational study, 50 older women admitted to a subacute hospital completed the Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ‐34), Geriatric Depression Screen (GDS), and Geriatric Anxiety Index (GAI). Additional sociodemographic and health‐related data including body mass index (BMI) were collected on all participants.

Data were first analysed to determine the prevalence of body image dysfunction. To examine factors significantly associated with body image impairment, partial correlation analyses were initially performed between BSQ‐34 score and included variables, followed by stepwise regression analysis undertaken to determine significantly contributing independent variables.

Results

Only three out of 50 women displayed body image dysfunction using suggested cut‐off scores from the BSQ‐34, giving a prevalence rate of only 6%. After controlling for multiple variables however, both higher GDS score and higher BMI were found to be significantly and independently associated with poorer body image, with the strongest association being between higher BSQ‐34 score and higher BMI (Spearman rank r = 0.455, P < 0.001). Furthermore, when high BMI and depression occurred together, this association was even greater, accounting for over 50% of the impact on body image scores (P = 0.0001).

Conclusion

For this small cohort of older, inpatient women, rates of body image dysfunction were low. There did however appear to be an association between poorer body image and higher BMI and depression rates in the group, which may be worth exploring further in less frail, community‐dwelling cohorts.
Does volume really matter? A risk management perspective using cross‐country evidence
Authors: Patra Saswat , Bhattacharyya Malay
Published: November 2019

This paper examines the impact of volume on conditional volatility and value at risk (VaR) in the context of mixture of distribution hypothesis (MDH). We test whether the support for or against the hypothesis is unconditional and holds true universally irrespective of the time period under study, the stock market under study, and the distributional assumptions so made on the residuals of the returns. We find that the persistence in volatility shows negligible reduction in all the indices across subperiods, thus refuting the claims of the MDH: that volume can explain the heteroscedasticity of returns. However, we do find that volume can act as a proxy for information post the sub‐prime financial crisis, and it does impact VaR as the estimates improve significantly for some of these indices, which exhibit a strong correlation between volume and volatility.
Real‐time fiber‐based fluorescence lifetime imaging with synchronous external illumination: A new path for clinical translation
Authors: Lagarto João L. , Shcheslavskiy Vladislav , Pavone Francesco S. , Cicchi Riccardo
Published: November 2019

Time‐correlated single photon counting is the “gold‐standard” method for fluorescence lifetime measurements and has demonstrated potential for clinical deployment. However, the translation of the technology into clinic is hindered by the use of ultrasensitive detectors, which make the fluorescence acquisition impractical with bright lighting conditions such as in clinical settings. We address this limitation by interleaving periodic fluorescence detection with synchronous out‐of‐phase externally modulated light source, thus guaranteeing specimen illumination and a fluorescence signal free from bright background light upon temporal separation. Fluorescence lifetime maps are generated in real‐time from single‐point measurements by tracking a reference beam and using the phasor approach. We demonstrate the feasibility and practicality of this technique in a number of biological specimens, including real‐time mapping of degraded articular cartilage. This method is compatible and can be integrated with existing clinical microscopic, endoscopic and robotic modalities, thus offering a new pathway towards label‐free diagnostics and surgical guidance in a number of clinical applications.
Surface treatments and functionalization of metal‐ceramic membranes for improved enzyme immobilization performance
Authors: Zeuner Birgitte , Ovtar Simona , Persson Åsa H , Foghmoes Søren , Berendt Kasper , Ma Nicolaj , Kaiser Andreas , Negra Michela Della , Pinelo Manuel
Published: November 2019

BACKGROUND

Enzyme immobilization in porous membranes often improves enzyme performance. This work reports the preparation and characterization of robust and scalable asymmetric metal‐ceramic microfiltration membrane. The surface of the porous metal‐ceramic membrane was treated by impregnation with a ceramic oxide for enzyme adsorption and corrosion protection. Finally, enzyme immobilization in the support was investigated.

RESULTS

The bilayer membrane was successfully fabricated by combining a ceramic microfiltration layer with a metal support by tape casting, lamination and co‐sintering. A pore size in the ceramic microfiltration layer of 0.4 μm resulted in high water permeability (12 000 L/(m2 h bar)). Two different surface treatments were compared: heat treatment and yttrium(III) oxide (Y2O3) impregnation. Corrosion stability tests under enzyme‐relevant conditions gave no detectable chemical or structural changes. Alcohol dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.1) was immobilized in the membrane by physical adsorption and by two covalent immobilization methods. Covalent immobilization significantly improved enzyme loading, activity, and recyclability. Membrane reuse by heat treatment removed fouling, but decreased immobilization performance.

CONCLUSION

The improved microstructure obtained by Y2O3‐impregnation had a significant effect on enzyme loading yield and activity. This indicates the potential of this surface modification method and of these metal‐supported ceramic membranes in enzyme immobilization. Covalent immobilization was superior. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Effective low‐temperature catalytic abatement of benzene over porous Mn‐Ni composite oxides synthesized via the oxalate route
Authors: Guo Hao , Li Yizhuo , Jiang Zhi , Zhang Zhixiang , Chen Mingxia , Einaga Hisahiro , Shangguan Wenfeng
Published: November 2019

BACKGROUND

Benzene (C6H6) is a typical kind of volatile organic compound (VOC) which can exert great harm to both human health and the environment, and, thus, which needs to be eliminated before its emission. In this work, porous manganese–nickel (Mn‐Ni) composite oxide catalysts were synthesized through the oxalate route and applied to thermal catalytic oxidation of C6H6. By means of activity tests and relative physico‐chemical characterizations, the factors affecting the activity of those Mn‐Ni composite oxides were explored.

RESULTS

Nitrogen (N2)‐adsorption/desorption and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) measurements indicated that the Brunauer–Elmett–Teller (BET) surface area and the content of surface‐adsorbed oxygen species were increased due to the addition of Ni into Mn oxide (MnOx). Meanwhile, the oxygen mobility and reducibility also were improved in the Mn‐Ni composite oxides. Accordingly, compared with MnOx, the Mn‐Ni catalysts showed higher activity for thermal catalytic oxidation of C6H6. Moreover, porous Mn‐Ni composite oxides with a Mn:Ni molar ratio of 4:1 (Mn4Ni1) displayed the best catalytic activity. Further investigation indicated that the excellent catalytic performance of Mn4Ni1 composite oxides could be ascribed mainly to the larger BET surface area and the richer content of surface‐adsorbed oxygen species, as well as stronger oxygen mobility and better reducibility compared with other Mn‐Ni catalysts.

CONCLUSIONS

The Mn4Ni1 composite oxides showed a lowest T90 value of 172 °C (C6H6 concentration 200 ppm, WHSV 60 000 mL g−1 h−1) among all of the obtained Mn‐Ni composite oxides. Moreover, it also exhibited favourable catalytic stability at 210 °C in the presence or absence of moisture. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Developmental Humanitarianism, Resilience and (Dis)empowerment in a Syrian Refugee Camp
Authors: Pasha Suraina
Published: November 2019

Through a case study on Za'atari camp in Jordan, this paper joins a growing body of critical studies highlighting discrepancies between developmental humanitarian policies promoting the resilience and empowerment of refugees vis‐à‐vis realities inside camps. It shows how camp authorities incrementally unwound and stifled refugee self‐governance structures and informal entrepreneurialism. It also highlights the influence of Jordanian state priorities over the aid operation and the supportive role played by the UN Refugee Agency in affirming state priorities. The paper argues that even if well‐intentioned developmental humanitarianism can ultimately diminish the scope for meaningful refugee empowerment. © 2019 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Optimal repeater insertion for horizontal and vertical graphene nanoribbon interconnects
Authors: Li Wen , Zhao Wen‐Sheng , Liu Peng‐Wei , Wang Jing , Wang Gaofeng
Published: November 2019

A comparative study on the repeater insertion designs in horizontal and vertical graphene nanoribbon (GNR) interconnects is presented. The optimal numbers and sizes of repeaters are calculated by using the particle swarm optimization algorithm, and then the results are employed to train back‐propagation neural networks. By virtue of the trained neural networks, the optimal repeater designs can be quickly conducted for the GNR interconnects. The proposed optimal repeater design approach is more flexible and more adaptive than conventional analytical methods. By utilizing the proposed approach, it is found that the vertical GNR interconnects need less repeaters yet result in better performance than their horizontal counterparts.
Comparison of Temporary Epiphysiodesis With RigidTacks™ and Blount‐Staples in a Porcine Animal Model Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Authors: Hillebrand Hauke , Sattelberger Julia , Gosheger Georg , Frommer Adrien , Moller‐Madsen Bjarne , Rahbek Ole , Gottliebsen Martin , Abood Ahmed Abdul‐Hussein , Roedl Robert , Vogt Bjoern
Published: November 2019

RigidTack™ is a newly developed implant for total temporary epiphyseodesis. The implant combines the technical advantages of the traditionally used rigid Blount‐staples and the newer flexible eight‐plates™. Thus, the implant is rigid like the Blount‐staples, which may be a biomechanical advantage in temporary epiphyseodesis, and has an easy and guided implantation technique like the eight‐plate™. As in eight‐plates™, supposedly only two RigidTacks™ are sufficient for temporary epiphyseodesis compared to six Blount‐staples in traditional treatment. The goal of this study was to compare Blount‐staples and RigidTacks™ in regard to the total potential of growth arrest, the occurrence of postoperative implant‐associated complications, secondary angular deformities, and central joint deformations. Twelve pigs were allocated in two groups (n = 6) for treatment of the proximal tibia. Total temporary epiphysiodesis was performed with either four Blount‐staples or two RigidTacks™. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)‐scans were performed before and 14 weeks after surgery, and the amount and distribution of growth arrest were evaluated by measuring the interphyseal distance in nine defined zones. Total temporary epiphysiodesis with two RigidTacks™ resulted in a similar amount of growth arrest as that of four Blount‐staples. No significant coronal or sagittal angular deformities or joint deformities were observed in either group; however, one secondary loosening of a Blount‐staple occurred. The study concluded that Blount‐staples and RigidTacks™ are adequate implants for total temporary epiphysiodesis. Whether or not the precise implant‐placement through the guided implantation technique of RigidTacks™ and a reduced number of implants indeed lead to a reduction of secondary angular deformities has to be investigated in further clinical trials. © 2019 The Authors. Journal of Orthopaedic Research® published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of Orthopaedic Research Society. J Orthop Res 38:946‐953, 2020
Nutrition Approach for Inpatients With Anorexia Nervosa: Impact of a Clinical Refeeding Guideline
Authors: Gjoertz Mathea , Wang Jen , Chatelet Solène , Monney Chaubert Carole , Lier Françoise , Ambresin Anne‐Emmanuelle
Published: November 2019

Objective

This study assesses the impact of a clinical refeeding guideline on weight restoration, length of stay, rate of refeeding complications, and rehospitalizations.

Method

This retrospective study included patient records of 107 participants aged 13–55 years with a diagnosis of AN, admitted for at least 7 days for renutrition before and after introduction of the refeeding guideline. Weight evolution graphs were rated by 2 clinical experts independently. Binary logistic regression models were erected to identify clinical outcomes associated independently with the guideline as well as to control for potential confounding by sociodemographic and clinical characteristics at admission.

Results

The proportion of patients achieving optimal weight gain after the first 2 weeks increased significantly from 6.3% pre‐guideline to 41.8% post guideline (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 37.6; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.77–510.3; P = 0.006). Average length of hospitalization was reduced from 96.7 (SD 48.3) days pre‐guideline to 62.2 (SD 45.5) days post guideline (AOR = 0.99; 95% CI, 0.97–1.01; P = 0.18). None of the patients developed a full refeeding syndrome. There was no significant change in the rate of rehospitalization: 48.5% pre‐guideline to 43.2% post guideline (OR = 0.81; 95% CI, 0.36–1.84; P = 0.62).

Discussion

The clinical guideline proved highly effective in bolstering weight gain via intensive refeeding procedures while also being safe. Harmonizing clinical practices improves quality of care for patients with anorexia and, interestingly, may decrease costs by cutting average length of stay by a third without increasing the rehospitalization rate.
Hedgehog proteins and parathyroid hormone‐related protein are involved in intervertebral disc maturation, degeneration, and calcification
Authors: Bach Frances C. , de Rooij Kim M. , Riemers Frank M. , Snuggs Joseph W. , de Jong Willem A. M. , Zhang Ying , Creemers Laura B. , Chan Danny , Le Maitre Christine , Tryfonidou Marianna A.
Published: November 2019

Parathyroid hormone‐related protein (PTHrP) and hedgehog signaling play an important role in chondrocyte development, (hypertrophic) differentiation, and/or calcification, but their role in intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration is unknown. Better understanding their involvement may provide therapeutic clues for low back pain due to IVD degeneration. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the role of PTHrP and hedgehog proteins in postnatal canine and human IVDs during the aging/degenerative process. The expression of PTHrP, hedgehog proteins and related receptors was studied during the natural loss of the notochordal cell (NC) phenotype during IVD maturation using tissue samples and de‐differentiation in vitro and degeneration by real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT‐qPCR) and immunohistochemistry. Correlations between their expression and calcification levels (Alizarin Red S staining) were determined. In addition, the effect of PTHrP and hedgehog proteins on canine and human chondrocyte‐like cells (CLCs) was determined in vitro focusing on the propensity to induce calcification. The expression of PTHrP, its receptor (PTHR1) and hedgehog receptors decreased during loss of the NC phenotype. N‐terminal (active) hedgehog (Indian hedgehog/Sonic hedgehog) protein expression did not change during maturation or degeneration, whereas expression of PTHrP, PTHR1 and hedgehog receptors increased during IVD degeneration. Hedgehog and PTHR1 immunopositivity were increased in nucleus pulposus tissue with abundant vs no/low calcification. In vitro, hedgehog proteins facilitated calcification in CLCs, whereas PTHrP did not affect calcification levels. In conclusion, hedgehog and PTHrP expression is present in healthy and degenerated IVDs. Hedgehog proteins had the propensity to induce calcification in CLCs from degenerated IVDs, indicating that in the future, inhibiting hedgehog signaling could be an approach to inhibit calcification during IVD degeneration.
Distinct shifts in bacterioplankton community composition and functional gene structure between macrophyte‐ and phytoplankton‐dominated regimes in a large shallow lake
Authors: Wang Yujing , Cao Xinyi , Zeng Jin , Li Huabing , Zhao Dayong , Wu Qinglong L.
Published: November 2019

Shallow lakes often exhibit a macrophyte‐dominated (MD) clear state or a phytoplankton‐dominated (PD) turbid state, each of which has profound impacts on biological communities, including bacterioplankton community composition (BCC). However, the response of microbial functional gene structure (FGS) to regime shift has not been thoroughly elucidated to date. In this study, we used a functional gene array (GeoChip 5.0) in combination with high‐throughput sequencing of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene to investigate the FGS and BCC between the two regimes in Lake Taihu, a large shallow freshwater lake in China. A simultaneous change in the BCC and FGS was observed between the two different regimes. We observed higher numbers of bacterial operational taxonomic units and functional genes detected by the GeoChip 5.0 in the MD samples than in the PD samples. By performing network analyses, we observed stronger microbe‐microbe interactions but weaker functional gene interactions involved in nutrient metabolism in the MD community than in the PD community. We speculate that at higher concentrations of phosphorus, the domination of Microcystis bloom may weaken the interactions among microbial species by releasing more labile dissolved organic carbon, but enhance the selection and interactions of functional genes involved in carbon cycling in the PD community. In contrast, the lower levels of phosphorus may enhance microbe‐microbe interactions but weaken the interactions between the primary nutrients and particular genes. Overall, this study demonstrated contrasting patterns in the BCC and FGS between the MD and PD communities in a large shallow freshwater lake.
Insights into protist diversity and biogeography in intertidal sediments sampled across a range of spatial scales
Authors: Pan Yongbo , Yang Jun , McManus George B , Lin Senjie , Zhang Wenjing
Published: November 2019

The relative importance of different ecological processes that shape community structure is a central but poorly understood topic in protist ecology. This study used an 18S rRNA gene sequencing approach to examine the relative contributions of environmental selective (environmental filtering) and neutral processes (dispersal and ecological drift) in the community assembly of three diverse protist groups (Bacillariophyta, Cercozoa, and Ciliophora) from intertidal sediment samples spanning a geographical distance up to 12,000 km. All three protist communities exhibited similar and distinct biogeographical patterns, and followed strong distance–decay relationships at continental scale (ca. 12,000 km), regional scale (ca. 1500 km), and local scale (ca. 50 km). Network analysis showed that temperature, salinity, nitrite and nitrate nitrogen, total nitrogen, and 0.1–0.25 mm grain size together associated with 60.8%, 55.5%, and 50.0% of the OTUs, which represented 68.1%, 58.5%, and 59.2% of sequence abundances for Bacillariophyta, Cercozoa, and Ciliophora co‐occurrence networks, respectively, indicating that these environmental variables played the central roles in influencing community composition. On the other hand, a neutral community model explained 73.6%, 64.2%, and 70.2% of community variation for Bacillariophyta, Cercozoa, and Ciliophora, respectively. More importantly, variation partitioning and partial Mantel tests showed that environmental selection exhibited a slightly greater influence on Ciliophora compared to spatial factors, but both components were roughly equivalent in Bacillariophyta and Cercozoa communities. Taken together, these results demonstrate that both environmental selection and neutral processes play important roles in creating the biogeographical patterns of protist communities in intertidal sandy beach ecosystems.
Inhibition of mild steel corrosion in CO2 and H2S‐saturated acidic media by a new polyurea‐based material
Authors: Abdulazeez Ismail , Al‐Hamouz Othman Charles S. , Khaled Mazen , Al‐Saadi Abdulaziz A.
Published: November 2019

Oil well acidizing is a common practice used to boost oil well productivity in the industry. This practice, however, exposes the mild steel components of the wells to extremely harsh corrosive environments. Under such conditions, highly efficient inhibitors are used to minimize corrosion attack. In the present study, corrosion inhibition of mild steel in simulated acidic medium saturated with CO2 and H2S gases by a newly synthesized polyurea‐based material (PUCorr‐1) was investigated. Electrochemical studies supported with quantum chemical density‐functional theory calculations and surface characterization revealed that PUCorr‐1 adsorbs onto mild steel through a chemisorption mechanism yielding a stable protective film. The polyurea exhibited an excellent efficiency of 99.9% at a temperature of 50°C and a low concentration of 100 ppm, yielding a corrosion current density of 0.3 µA/cm2. In the presence of CO2 and H2S gases, PuCorr‐1 exhibited a remarkable performance (>93% efficiency) making it a potential corrosion inhibitor in industrial processes that involve the use of acid solutions in the presence of CO2 and H2S gases.
Asymptotics of determinants of 4‐th order operators at zero
Authors: Badanin Andrey , Korotyaev Evgeny L.
Published: November 2019

We consider fourth order ordinary differential operators on the half‐line and on the line, where the perturbation has compactly supported coefficients. The Fredholm determinant for this operator is an analytic function in the whole complex plane without zero. We describe the determinant at zero. We show that in the generic case it has a pole of order 4 in the case of the line and of order 1 in the case of the half‐line.