bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Green synthesis and chemical characterization of gold nanoparticle synthesized using Camellia sinensis leaf aqueous extract for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia in comparison to daunorubicin in a leukemic mouse model
Authors: Ahmeda Ahmad , Zangeneh Akram , Zangeneh Mohammad Mahdi
Published: January 2020

According to chemotherapeutic properties of medicinal plants, pharmacologists have always tried to synthesize and formulate the new chemotherapeutic supplements or drugs of metallic nanoparticles using plants. In this study, Camellia sinensis leaf aqueous extract‐based gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are reported for the first time to exert a dietary therapeutic potential compared to Daunorubicin in an animal model of acute myeloid leukemia. The synthesized AuNPs were characterized using different techniques including UV‐Vis., FT‐IR spectroscopy, TEM, EDS, FE‐SEM, and XRD. DPPH free radical scavenging test was done to evaluate the antioxidant potentials of HAuCl4, C. sinensis, AuNPs, and daunorubicin. For the analyzing of cytotoxicity effects of HAuCl4, C. sinensis, AuNPs, and daunorubicin, MTT assay was used on HUVEC, Human HL‐60/vcr, 32D‐FLT3‐ITD, and Murine C1498 cell lines. In vivo design, induction of acute myeloid leukemia was done by 7,12‐Dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) in 75 mice. Then, the animals were randomly divided into six subgroups, including control, untreated, HAuCl4, C. sinensis, AuNPs, and daunorubicin. FTIR findings suggested antioxidant compounds in the nanoparticles were the sources of reducing power, reducing gold ions to AuNPs. SEM and TEM images exhibited a uniform spherical morphology and diameters of ~20‐30 nm for the nanoparticles. DPPH test revealed similar antioxidant potentials for daunorubicin and AuNPs. These nanoparticles similar to daunorubicin had low cell viability dose‐dependently against Human HL‐60/vcr, 32D‐FLT3‐ITD, and Murine C1498 cell lines without any cytotoxicity on HUVEC cell line. AuNPs similar to daunorubicin, significantly (p≤0.05) increased the anti‐inflammatory cytokines and the lymphocyte, platelet, and RBC parameters and decreased the weight and volume of liver and spleen, the pro‐inflammatory cytokines, and the total WBC, blast, neutrophil, monocyte, eosinophil, and basophil counts, as compared to the untreated mice. According to the above results, it appears that AuNPs can be used as a chemotherapeutic drug for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia in the clinical trial.
Potential distribution and population trends of the smalltail shark Carcharhinus porosus inferred from species distribution models and historical catch data
Authors: Feitosa Leonardo Manir , Martins Lucas Pereira , de Souza Junior Leandro Augusto , Lessa Rosangela Paula
Published: January 2020

Updated distribution ranges are crucial for conservation status assessments. Comprehensive analyses combining published literature and available data on historical catches and species distribution models (SDMs) are effective tools that could improve the prediction of more realistic scenarios for some species, especially those with limited information available and facing multiple threats.

The present study aimed at generating an updated distribution for the smalltail shark Carcharhinus porosus, one of the most threatened and understudied shark species of the western Atlantic Ocean. Estimates of the key areas for this species conservation based on the SDMs, and trends in catch probabilities throughout its distribution range are provided.

Four algorithms (BIOCLIM, Domain, Mahalanobis, and Maximum Entropy) were used to model the distribution of C. porosus and calculate its habitat suitability based on marine environmental variables. To assess historical catch probability trends, we built a generalized linear model from published and grey literature data. This analysis was used to estimate catch probability as an indication of population trends.

SDMs suggest that the northern coast of South America (NCSA) harbours the most suitable habitats for C. porosus in the world, which was expected given its historically high catch rate in this region. In addition, there was a continuously declining catch probability trend starting in the 1970s. However, the decline was smaller for the NCSA as compared with the Gulf of Mexico and the eastern South America coast.

Results indicate that the NCSA should be considered the currently most important area in the world for this species conservation. Furthermore, the lack of data throughout Central and South American marine regions hampers the evaluation of extinction risk throughout its updated distribution. Thus, research in these areas is urgently required for a more comprehensive conservation status assessment.
BIM im konstruktiven Ingenieurbau – ein Erfahrungsbericht der DEGES
Authors: Nordhaus Ines , Pelych Margarita , Pott Burkhard , Tandler Jens , Breinig Werner
Published: January 2020

Die Anwendung der Methode Building Information Modeling (BIM) hat natürlich auch im konstruktiven Ingenieurbau und in der Infrastrukturplanung Einzug gehalten. Nach einer umfassenden Implementierungsphase und ersten Pilotprojekten nutzt die DEGES die BIM‐Methodik mittlerweile regelmäßig. Zu den größten BIM‐Projekten der DEGES gehören der Umbau des Autobahndreiecks Funkturm (A 100/A 115) Berlin, der Ersatzneubau der Westendbrücke (A 100) in Berlin, der Ersatzneubau der Schwelmetalbrücke (A 1) in Nordrhein‐Westfalen und der Neubau der B 31 in Baden‐Württemberg. Die ersten positiven Effekte sind vielfältig und das Potenzial der Methodik ist bestechend. Dennoch sind auf dem Weg zu einer flächendeckenden Nutzung von BIM noch verschiedene Herausforderungen zu bewältigen.

Die Digitalisierung des Bauwesens bedeutet einen tief greifenden methodischen – aber auch kulturellen – Wandel im Planungs‐ und Ausführungsprozess. Das Projekt rückt wieder in den Mittelpunkt. Die Anpassungen der erforderlichen Technologie, wie z. B. der Hard‐ und Software, sind groß, erscheinen aber auf den zweiten Blick als die kleinere Herausforderung. Viel größer dagegen sind die Anstrengungen, die zur Anpassung der Prozesse und der Standards noch vor uns liegen. Zweifelsohne kann aber auch festgehalten werden, dass die Anforderungen an die beteiligten Menschen – Qualifikation, Veränderung, Bereitschaft und Mut für neue Wege – zu den größten Herausforderungen zählen, die noch zu bewältigen sind.
Dyadic judgments based on conflicting samples: The failure to ignore invalid input
Authors: Fiedler Klaus , Krüger Tobias , Koch Alex , Kutzner Florian
Published: January 2020

The present research demonstrates a so far unrecognized impediment of group performance, metacognitive myopia (Fiedler, 2012). Judges and decision‐makers follow the given samples of information uncritically and neglect the metacognitive assessment of the samples' validity. Applying this notion to dyadic judgments, we instructed dyads to jointly estimate conditional probabilities p (Win|A) and p (Win|B) of Lotteries A and B. One person per dyad experienced a valid sample (winning rates conditional on lotteries). The other person experienced an invalid, reverse sample (lotteries conditional on winning). Whereas valid samples provide unbiased estimates of lotteries' winning probabilities, invalid samples can greatly misrepresent the association of winning and lotteries (depending on lottery base rates). Across three experiments, metacognitive myopia—both at the individual and at the dyadic group level—prevented participants from discriminating valid and invalid samples. Group judgments were biased toward erroneous implications of invalid samples, reflecting an equality bias among unequal group members.
Nachträgliche Durchstanzertüchtigung mittels Betonschrauben
Authors: Spiegl Matthias , Walkner Rupert , Feix Jürgen
Published: January 2020

An der Universität Innsbruck wurde ein nachträgliches Verstärkungssystem entwickelt, das den Durchstanzwiderstand von Betonbauteilen durch den Einbau von Betonschrauben signifikant anheben kann. Gerade der Bereich des Stützenanschlusses weist bei bestehenden Plattenbrücken und Flachdecken, verglichen mit den nach aktuellen Normen anzusetzenden Einwirkungen, oft Defizite hinsichtlich des Durchstanzwiderstands auf. In vier Versuchsserien wurde das Verstärkungssystem auf seine Wirksamkeit und Effizienz untersucht. Dabei konnte gezeigt werden, dass das System zu einer signifikanten Erhöhung des Durchstanzwiderstands führt. In diesem Aufsatz wird ein numerisches Modell beschrieben, das die Prognose der Durchstanzwiderstände von schraubenverstärkten Platten erlaubt. Dazu werden ausgewählte Durchstanzplatten aus den Laborversuchen nachgerechnet. Es zeigt sich, dass das numerische Modell sowohl die Traglasten von unverstärkten Durchstanzplatten als auch jene von schraubenverstärkten Platten sehr gut prognostiziert. Die in den Laborversuchen und in den numerischen Simulationen erhaltenen Traglasten werden anschließend mit den Ergebnissen eines Bemessungsansatzes verglichen. Dieser ermöglicht es, die Wirkung der Durchstanzverstärkung mit Betonschrauben in der Bemessung zu berücksichtigen. Die Berechnungen zeigen, dass der Bemessungsansatz die Durchstanzwiderstände mit hinreichender Sicherheit prognostiziert.
A colorimetric probe for detection of Cu2+ by the naked eye and application in test paper
Authors: Cao Xiaorui , Gao Qi , He Xiaotao , Bai Yinjuan , Sun Wei
Published: January 2020

A novel colorimetric probe RP1 was synthesized using rhodamine derivatives and heterocyclic compounds for the purpose of detecting Cu2+. RP1 showed good selectivity, high sensitivity and affinity toward Cu2+ over other competing ions in CH3OH–H2O (1/1, v/v) solution. Absorbance intensity showed a good linear fit between probe R1 and Cu2+ over the concentration range 1–8 μM and the association constant was also calculated to be 1.145 × 105 M−1. The sensing mechanism was deduced using Job's plot, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and density functional theory studies. In addition, the colorimetric experiment indicated that probe RP1 could be made into test paper to detect Cu2+ with a colour change from colourless to pink.
Evaluating environmental sustainability strategies in freight transport and logistics industry
Authors: Centobelli Piera , Cerchione Roberto , Esposito Emilio , Shashi
Published: January 2020

This paper provides a conceptual framework on green initiatives adoption in companies operating in freight transport and logistics industry and presents an overview on the emerging green practices and information systems adopted. On the basis of a literature review on the topic, a research question was identified and addressed through an analysis conducted in a sample of freight transport and logistics companies. This research question regards the behaviours of freight transporters in adopting green practices and information systems. As for the adoption of both green practices and information systems, the paper shows that freight transporters are not a homogeneous industry, but different types of behaviour emerge. As for the relationship between the degree of adoption of green practices and information systems, the paper proposes a taxonomy bringing together sustainable strategies for adopting green initiatives. Specifically, four strategies are identified: sustainability leaders, green practice adopters, information system adopters, and sustainability followers. These sustainable strategies highlight the different phases of the process of adoption of green initiatives.
Double stent fracture and in‐stent restenosis due to nodular calcification treated with Shockwave coronary intravascular lithotripsy
Authors: McCutcheon Keir , Bennett Johan , Adriaenssens Tom
Published: January 2020

We describe the fracture of a double layer of stents caused by nodular calcification. This resulted in recurrent in‐stent restenosis, which was treated with Shockwave coronary intravascular lithotripsy.
Comparison of locally weighted PLS strategies for regression and discrimination on agronomic NIR data
Authors: Lesnoff Matthieu , Metz Maxime , Roger Jean‐Michel
Published: January 2020

In multivariate calibrations, locally weighted partial least squared regression (LWPLSR) is an efficient prediction method when heterogeneity of data generates nonlinear relations (curvatures and clustering) between the response and the explicative variables. This is frequent in agronomic data sets that gather materials of different natures or origins. LWPLSR is a particular case of weighted PLSR (WPLSR; ie, a statistical weight different from the standard 1/n is given to each of the n calibration observations for calculating the PLS scores/loadings and the predictions). In LWPLSR, the weights depend from the dissimilarity (which has to be defined and calculated) to the new observation to predict. This article compares two strategies of LWPLSR: (a) “LW”: the usual strategy where, for each new observation to predict, a WPLSR is applied to the n calibration observations (ie, entire calibration set) vs (b) “KNN‐LW”: a number of k nearest neighbors to the observation to predict are preliminary selected in the training set and WPLSR is applied only to this selected KNN set. On three illustrating agronomic data sets (quantitative and discrimination predictions), both strategies overpassed the standard PLSR. LW and KNN‐LW had close prediction performances, but KNN‐LW was much faster in computation time. KNN‐LW strategy is therefore recommended for large data sets. The article also presents a new algorithm for WPLSR, on the basis of the “improved kernel #1” algorithm, which is competitor and in general faster to the already published weighted PLS nonlinear iterative partial least squares (NIPALS).
Summer survival is a major limitation to interseeding Poaceae cover crops in Kentucky
Authors: Stanton Victoria L. , Haramoto Erin R. , Phillips Timothy D.
Published: January 2020

Interseeding cover crops (CCs) may increase adoption in corn (Zea mays L.)–soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] rotations in areas with a limited establishment window after harvest. Interseeding could provide an additional use for grass varieties that have been developed from breeding programs. Interseeded CC species must survive through the summer, not cause yield loss in the main cash crop, and produce sufficient biomass to provision ecosystem services. We examined the potential of locally adapted forage grasses, most from the University of Kentucky's grass‐breeding program, as CCs interseeded in corn using field trials conducted over 2 yr (2016 and 2017) in Lexington and Princeton, KY. Grasses were drill‐interseeded when the corn was V5 or V6; density was measured through the summer and biomass measured the following spring prior to CC termination. Percent establishment was generally higher for the festulolium cultivars (× Schedolium braunii (K. Richt.) Stace [Schedonorus pratensis × Lolium perenne ssp. multiflorum]), one of the larger‐seeded entries. In all but one site‐year, most of the forage grass plants did not survive the summer, and biomass by the following spring was minimal. Tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) had the best summer survival in most site‐years though spring biomass prior to termination was less than 1700 lb acre−1 (1905 kg ha−1). Establishment of cool‐season interseeded CCs will remain a challenge in Kentucky due to hot summer temperatures. Future research on interseeding CCs in this region should focus on finding tolerant species as well as evaluating soil and crop management strategies to support interseeding CCs.
Sudangrass as companion crop to establish alfalfa
Authors: Matteau Caroline , Seguin Philippe , Baurhoo Bushansingh , Mustafa Arif F.
Published: January 2020

When establishing alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), the use of companion crops often suppresses weed growth and increases harvestable forage biomass. In Quebec, small‐grain cereals are traditionally used as companion crops, but the use of other recently introduced species such as sudangrass [Sorghum × drummondii (Nees ex. Steud.) Millsp. & Chase] has not yet been evaluated. This project was conducted to evaluate the impact of sudangrass, annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lamarck), and oat (Avena sativa L.) used as companion crops on alfalfa establishment, forage yield, forage quality, and persistence. When sown in June, sudangrass used as a companion crop may result in higher forage yields in the sowing year than other species. Moreover, sudangrass was less competitive overall with alfalfa than annual ryegrass, resulting in higher alfalfa yields and limited impact on alfalfa stand density. However, when weed pressure was high, sudangrass appeared to have lower weed suppression potential than other species. Alfalfa established with sudangrass produced forage with a similar nutritive value to alfalfa established with oat or annual ryegrass when sudangrass was planted in May but lower nutritive value than with annual ryegrass or solo‐sown alfalfa when sudangrass was planted in June. The effects of companion crops on alfalfa yields in the post‐sowing year were minimal overall. The results apply to the specific sowing rates used here and further studies should evaluate the performance of each companion crop at a wider range of sowing rates.
The influence of water pH on efficacy of fungicides for turf disease control
Authors: Stacy Trevor , Latin Richard
Published: January 2020

Fungicides are often mixed with water and applied as a dilute spray for controlling diseases on golf course turf. Although published reports show that water quality can influence the performance of certain herbicides, evidence of similar effects on fungicide efficacy is weak and largely anecdotal. The objective of this research was to investigate the influence of water pH on efficacy of fungicides commonly used against dollar spot, a problematic disease of creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera L.). Here, three fungicides (metconazole, thiophanate‐methyl, and iprodione) were mixed with water stabilized at three pH levels (pH = 5.0, 7.0, and 9.0) in in vitro and field experiments. A time factor was also considered (i.e., the time between mixing and application, where T0 indicated that the fungicides were applied immediately after mixing and T24 indicated that the fungicides were applied 24 h after mixing). Field experiments revealed little or no difference in fungicide performance when mixed in acidic (pH = 5.0), near‐neutral (pH = 7.0), and alkaline (pH = 9.0) water. The time factor was also not significant for all fungicides and water pH levels. Results from in vitro work on culture media supported field observations: few differences in pathogen growth were observed for pH and time factors. Although tank‐mixing products to neutralize water pH may be important, our results support the null hypothesis that the carrier water pH does not influence the efficacy of these three fungicides for controlling dollar spot on creeping bentgrass.
In‐row subsoiling benefits maize yield on soil with a shallow fragipan
Authors: Duiker Sjoerd W.
Published: January 2020

Past research showed no yield improvement with subsoiling compared with no‐tillage on well‐drained soils in Pennsylvania. However, subsoiling may benefit crop yields on soils with a compacted subsoil, such as a fragipan. Fragipan soils cover 30% of the land surface of Pennsylvania and 27 million acres in the United States. This study was conducted to determine whether subsoiling an Andover loam soil (fine‐loamy, mixed, active, mesic Typic Fragiaquult) with a fragipan starting at 19 inches and a seasonally high water table would result in maize (Zea mays L.) yield improvements compared with no‐till. The research took place at Rock Springs, central Pennsylvania, from 2012 to 2014. Soil was subsoiled every spring to a 17‐inch depth with a straight‐shank subsoiler with straight tips and fluted coulters behind it. Approximately 80% of the soil surface remained undisturbed, guaranteeing soil erosion protection by crop residue and soil health maintenance. Penetration resistance was reduced by subsoiling to 14 inches the first year, and penetration resistance was still significantly lower than under no‐tillage 1 year later at 7 to 13 inches deep. On average, subsoiling increased maize yields by 11%. This research shows that subsoiling with reduced surface disturbance can increase maize yields on soils with a shallow fragipan while maintaining the benefits of conservation tillage for soil health.
PET Recycling – Contributions of Crystallization to Sustainability
Authors: Pudack Claudia , Stepanski Manfred , Fässler Peter
Published: January 2020

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is one of the most common thermoplastic polymers and its durability has become a major environmental concern. The current public debate on plastic debris also triggered the revision of PET recycling technologies. This Research Article focuses on the chemical recycling of PET by means of methanolysis. The process degrades PET into two main reaction products, dimethyl terephthalate (DMT) and ethylene glycol (EG). Subsequent separation by distillation combined with crystallization removes critical impurities and non‐PET components from co‐polymers, providing monomers of high purity needed for re‐polymerization purposes.
The liquid‐gas mass transfer coefficient in open channel flow is correlated to the turbulent kinetic energy at the interface
Authors: Springer Fanny , Carrera Lucie , Lipeme Kouyi Gislain , Claro‐Barreto Alejandro , Buffiere Pierre
Published: January 2020

Mass transfer coefficients at the gas‐liquid interface were investigated for different flow configuration systems, a stirred tank reactor and a gravity pipe. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations were performed for all tested experimental conditions. Since a poorly soluble gas (oxygen) was used, the overall mass transfer coefficient was clearly correlated to the hydrodynamic conditions in the liquid phase. However, a generic correlation between averaged interfacial liquid velocity and mass transfer coefficients was not found for both geometries. Finally, the averaged turbulent kinetic energy (TKE) at the interface is the most relevant parameter that was correlated to the mass transfer coefficient for both systems. The same relationship between oxygen mass transfer coefficient
K
L,O2 and TKE () can be applied for the two geometries investigated.
Automated segmentation of abdominal organs from contrast‐enhanced computed tomography using analysis of texture features
Authors: Danilov Alexander , Yurova Alexandra
Published: January 2020

Generation of three‐dimensional personalized geometric models of anatomical structures is an important process for many practical tasks: computer‐aided diagnosis, treatment planning and numerical modeling in biomedical applications. Despite many efforts done by different research groups, automatic segmentation of organs still does not have any general solution. The main difficulties are caused by peculiarities of different medical imaging modalities, image variability (for the same modality) resulting from the wide range of imaging devices, noise and artifacts, large patient anatomical variability and overlapping of intensity ranges of neighboring anatomical structures. In this article, we propose segmentation method based on analysis of texture features and developed specially for segmentation of abdominal organs. Its main advantage is robustness to interpatient gray level and anatomical variability. The proposed method was validated on the patient data. The method implementation was accelerated using graphics processing unit (GPU).
Predictive factors for differential changes in grief symptoms following group bereavement intervention for Chinese widowed older adults
Authors: Xiu Daiming , Chow Amy Y.M. , Tang Suqin
Published: January 2020

This study aimed to delineate changes in the patterns of prolonged grief severity in widowed adults following group bereavement interventions and to identify the predictive factors impacting these patterns. We performed a secondary analysis of data from a randomized trial of 125 Chinese widowed older adults who participated in either LOGBI or DPGBI. Self‐ratings of prolonged grief symptoms via Inventory of Complicated Grief (ICG) were subjected to latent class growth analysis to identify subgroups according to symptomatic changes among baseline, post‐treatment, and 8‐week follow‐up. Multinomial regression analysis examined whether participant classification could be predicted by demographics, loss‐related characteristics, and the relationship with the deceased and baseline symptom severity. In the results, intervention sample comprised 96 completers with an attendance greater than 60%. A three‐class categorization yielded the best model fit for changes in prolonged grief severity for both randomized and intervention samples: improved class (41.6% in the randomized sample, 42.8% in the intervention sample), partial responded class (48.1%/45.5%), and relapse class (10.3%/11.8%). Older widowed adults experiencing a high level of grief at baseline and bereavement following chronic illness had an elevated risk of symptomatic relapse after the completion of intervention. These findings indicated that Chinese widowed adults experienced different changing patterns of prolonged grief severity following group bereavement interventions. Practically, widowed adults with a higher risk of symptomatic relapse might need more intensive or longer term intervention or follow‐up support.
Time‐interleaved SAR ADC design with background calibration
Authors: Yasin Adıyaman Muhammed , Karalar Tufan Coşkun
Published: January 2020

In this article, a low power time‐interleaved SAR (TI‐SAR) ADC is presented. Background calibration is used to improve the linearity of the ADC. Offset, gain, and capacitor mismatches between interleaved channels are calibrated by postprocessing the ADC output. Besides, a novel trimming‐based calibration algorithm is used to calibrate the timing mismatches between channels. The proposed calibration algorithm is more power‐efficient compared with most of its counterparts. The ADC consists of 18 parallel channels, a reference channel with two dummy channels, and a channel for timing calibration. The timing calibration channel is clocked only when the reference channel samples. The dummy channels are utilized to equalize the input load over time as they sample one after another to fill the gap where the reference channel does not sample. There is no need for any other dummy channels for timing calibration channel since it has low kickback noise over input driver. Each parallel channel operates at 111 ms/s while the reference channel runs at 105 ms/s. The aggregate sampling speed of the converter is 2 GS/s, and 52‐dB SNDR is accomplished near Nyquist frequencies.
Functional responses are maximized at intermediate temperatures
Authors: Uiterwaal Stella F. , DeLong John P.
Published: January 2020

Functional responses describe how consumer foraging rates change with resource density. Despite extensive research looking at the factors underlying foraging interactions, there remains ongoing controversy about how temperature and body size control the functional response parameters space clearance (or attack) rate and handling time. Here, we investigate the effects of temperature, consumer mass, and resource mass using the largest compilation of functional responses yet assembled. This compilation contains 2,083 functional response curves covering a wide range of foragers and prey types, environmental conditions, and habitats. After accounting for experimental arena size, dimensionality of the foraging interaction, and consumer taxon, we find that both space clearance rate and handling time are optimized at intermediate temperatures (a unimodal rather than monotonic response), suggesting that the response to global climate change depends on the location of the consumer’s current temperature relative to the optimum. We further confirm that functional responses are higher and steeper for large consumers and small resources, and models using consumer and resource masses separately outperformed models using consumer:resource mass ratios, suggesting that consumer and resource body mass act independently to set interaction strengths. Lastly, we show that the extent to which foraging is affected by temperature or mass depends on the taxonomic identity of the consumer and the dimensionality of the consumer–resource interaction. We thus argue that although overall body size and temperature effects can be identified, they are not universal, and therefore food web and community modeling approaches could be improved by considering taxonomic identity along with body size and unimodal temperature effects.
The influence of host‐plant connectivity on fungal assemblages in the root microbiota of Brachypodium pinnatum
Authors: Mony Cendrine , Vannier Nathan , Brunellière Philomène , Biget Marine , Coudouel Sophie , Vandenkoornhuyse Philippe
Published: January 2020

Dispersal limitation may drive the structure of fungal microbiota of plant roots at small spatial scales. Fungal root microorganisms disperse through the plant rooting systems from hosts to hosts. Due to a pronounced host‐preference effect, the composition of endophytic root microbiota may follow plant distribution. A given plant community may hence include a matrix of host‐plant species that represent various habitat permeabilities to fungal dispersal in the floristic landscape. We experimentally tested the effect of host‐plant isolation on endophytic fungal assemblages (Ascomycota, Basidiomycota, Glomeromycotina) inhabiting Brachypodium pinnatum roots. We calculated host‐plant isolation using Euclidean distance (distance‐based dispersal limitation) and resistance distance (functional‐based dispersal limitation), based on host presences. All fungal groups were more influenced by the resistance distance between B. pinnatum than by the Euclidean distance. Fungal dispersal was hence strongly related to the spatial distribution of the host plants. The fungal groups displayed however different responses (in richness, abundance, and composition) to host isolation. Additionally, fungal assemblages were more strongly controlled by the degree of connectivity between host plants during the prior year than by current connectivity. This discrepancy may be due to changes in plant species coverage in a year and/or to the delay of dispersal response of fungi. This study it the first to demonstrate how small‐scale host‐plant distributions mediate connectivity in microorganisms. The consequences of plant distributions for the permeability of the floristic landscape to fungi dispersal appear to control fungal assemblages, but with possibly different mechanisms for the different fungal groups.
Neutrophils suppress mucosal‐associated invariant T cells in humans
Authors: Schneider Marion , Hannaway Rachel F. , Lamichhane Rajesh , de la Harpe Sara M. , Tyndall Joel D.A. , Vernall Andrea J. , Kettle Anthony J. , Ussher James E.
Published: January 2020

Mucosal‐associated invariant T (MAIT) cells are innate‐like T lymphocytes that are abundant in mucosal tissues and the liver where they can respond rapidly to a broad range of riboflavin producing bacterial and fungal pathogens. Neutrophils, which are recruited early to sites of infection, play a nonredundant role in pathogen clearance and are crucial for controlling infection. The interaction of these two cell types is poorly studied. Here, we investigated both the effect of neutrophils on MAIT cell activation and the effect of activated MAIT cells on neutrophils. We show that neutrophils suppress the activation of MAIT cells by a cell‐contact and hydrogen peroxide dependent mechanism. Moreover, highly activated MAIT cells were able to produce high levels of TNF‐α that induced neutrophil death. We therefore provide evidence for a negative regulatory feedback mechanism in which neutrophils prevent overactivation of MAIT cells and, in turn, MAIT cells limit neutrophil survival.
The review of Lab‐on‐PCB for biomedical application
Authors: Zhao Wenhao , Tian Shulin , Huang Lei , Liu Ke , Dong Lijuan
Published: January 2020

Prevention of infectious diseases, diagnosis of diseases, and determination of treatment options all rely on biosensors to detect and analyze biomarkers, which are usually divided into four parts: cell analysis, biochemical analysis, immunoassay, and molecular diagnosis. However, traditional biosensing devices are expensive, bulky, and require a lot of time to detect, which also limited its application in resource‐limited areas. In recent years, Lab‐on‐PCB, which combines biosensing technology and PCB technology, has been widely used in biomedical applications due to its high integration, personalized design, and easy mass production. Among these Lab‐on‐PCB sensing devices, the PCB circuit plays an important role. It can be directly used as a resistance sensor to count cells, and also used as a control device to automatically control the detection device. Flexible PCBs can be used to make wearable medical biosensors. In addition, due to the high degree of integration of the PCB circuit, Lab‐on‐PCB can perform multiple inspections on the same platform, which reduces the inspection time equivalently. Therefore, in this review paper, we discuss the application of Lab‐on‐PCB in four analysis methods of cell analysis, biochemical analysis, immunoassay, and molecular diagnosis, and give some suggestions for improvement and future development trends at the end.
High energy density of multivalent glass‐ceramic cathodes for Li‐ion rechargeable cells and as an efficient photocatalyst for organic degradation
Authors: Kirubakaran Kiran Preethi , Senthil Chenrayan , Priyadarshini Marimuthu , Kamalakannan Shanmugasundaram , Prakash Muthuramalingam , Vinesh Vasudevan , Neppolian Bernaurdshaw , Ganesh Vattikondala , Lee Chang Woo , Vediappan Kumaran
Published: January 2020

The tavorite‐structured materials remain unfathomed as positive electrodes in rechargeable batteries. Reasoning of this fact, borate, and silicate‐based tavorites are investigated for utilization in Li‐ion batteries (LIBs) and as a photocatalyst for organic contaminant degradation. The physiochemical, electrochemical, dielectric, and photoelectrochemical properties are analyzed to learn the fact that LiVBO4F has resulted in a glass‐ceramic nature owing to the embodiment of boron oxyfluoride glasses. This nature has made them effective as cathodes even under sensitive mode operations compared to their counterpart. Additionally, a multiredox behaviour was witnessed for both the materials, which boosts the specific capacity for LIB system. Besides, LiVSiO4F display immense degradation efficiency for tetracycline, an organic contaminant. These materials unveil expedient properties, promising its multiple usage in the field of conversion cum storage devices as photoelectrodes and cathodes in LIBs.
A deep residual compensation extreme learning machine and applications
Authors: Chen Yinghao , Xie Xiaoliang , Zhang Tianle , Bai Jiaxian , Hou Muzhou
Published: January 2020

The extreme learning machine (ELM) is a type of machine learning algorithm for training a single hidden layer feedforward neural network. Randomly initializing the weight between the input layer and the hidden layer and the threshold of each hidden layer neuron, the weight matrix of the hidden layer can be calculated by the least squares method. The efficient learning ability in ELM makes it widely applicable in classification, regression, and more. However, owing to some unutilized information in the residual, there are relatively huge prediction errors involving ELM. In this paper, a deep residual compensation extreme learning machine model (DRC‐ELM) of multilayer structures applied to regression is presented. The first layer is the basic ELM layer, which helps in obtaining an approximation of the objective function by learning the characteristics of the sample. The other layers are the residual compensation layers in which the learned residual is corrected layer by layer to the predicted value obtained in the previous layer by constructing a feature mapping between the input layer and the output of the upper layer. This model is applied to two practical problems: gold price forecasting and airfoil self‐noise prediction. We used the DRC‐ELM with 50, 100, and 200 residual compensation layers respectively for experiments, which show that DRC‐ELM does better in generalization and robustness than classical ELM, improved ELM models such as GA‐RELM and OS‐ELM, and other traditional machine learning algorithms such as support vector machine (SVM) and back‐propagation neural network (BPNN).
Conductive Magnetite Nanoparticles Enhance the Microbial Electrosynthesis of Acetate from CO2 while Diverting Electrons away from Methanogenesis
Authors: Viggi C. Cruz , Colantoni S. , Falzetti F. , Bacaloni A. , Montecchio D. , Aulenta F.
Published: January 2020

Microbial electrosynthesis (MES) is an emerging technology which exploits microbial cells to convert CO2 into fuels, and value‐added chemicals using electrons supplied by a solid‐state cathode. Methane and acetic acid are typically the main CO2‐reduction products attained in microbial electrosynthesis studies, although the production of other more valuable products has also been reported. So far, however, practical strategies to manipulate and steer the distribution of CO2 reduction products during microbial electrosynthesis, particularly when mixed microbial cultures are employed as catalysts, are lacking.

To specifically address this issue, here we investigated the influence of magnetite nanoparticles (NPs) supplementation (to a final concentration of 300 mg Fe L−1) on the microbial electrosynthesis process. Results demonstrated, that cells supplemented with magnetite NPs, exhibited a substantially higher yield of acetate production relative to unamended controls (up to 8.5 times higher, during the run with the cathode set at a potential of −700 mV vs. SHE, with a corresponding cathode capture efficiency of 17%) and, correspondingly, a lower yield of methane production (52% in the magnetite‐supplemented cell vs. 74% in the unamended control cell). Abiotic experiments indicated that the observed effects derived from magnetite catalyzing the biotic and abiotic hydrogen evolution reaction.
Re‐examining the effects of public health insurance: The case of nonpoor children in Vietnam
Authors: Nguyen Minh T.
Published: January 2020

This paper focuses on the effects of a 2005 health insurance reform in Vietnam. Through this reform, public health insurance was newly offered to nonpoor children under 6 years old, but it required the use of community health facilities. This requirement potentially limited the value of the insurance. Employing difference‐in‐discontinuities and triple‐difference methods and using data from 2002, 2004, and 2006, I show that, despite health coverage among nonpoor children increasing by nearly three times, there is little or no evidence that the reform significantly increased health care utilization, changed care locations from private to public sites, lowered out‐of‐pocket costs, or improved health status for nonpoor young children. My results suggest a “bypassing” phenomenon whereby nonpoor families skipped free health care at low‐quality facilities.
Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis With Features of Autoimmune Hepatitis: Exploring the Global Variation in Management
Authors: Milkiewicz Piotr , Krawczyk Marcin , Wunsch Ewa , Ponsioen Cyriel , Hirschfield Gideon M. , Hubscher Stefan G.
Published: January 2020

Patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) frequently manifest features of autoimmune hepatitis (AIH). We sought to understand factors affecting expert management, with the goal of facilitating uniformity of care. A Survey Monkey questionnaire with four hypothetical cases suggesting a potential AIH/PSC variant was sent to hepatologists spanning global practices. Eighty responses from clinicians in 23 countries were obtained. Most of the respondents would request a liver biopsy, and stated that the cases presented could not be appropriately managed without a biopsy. Despite the fact that histology did not unequivocally support an AIH/PSC variant in three of the four cases, this diagnosis was reached by most of the respondents for all cases, except case 1, in which 49% were diagnosed with AIH/PSC. There was a wide variation of suggested medical treatment. For three cases, the most commonly chosen treatment options did not exceed 35%, indicating a lack management consensus. Most respondents would treat with ursodeoxycholic acid, despite current American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases guidelines, either alone or in combination with immunosuppression. European clinicians recommended ursodeoxycholic acid more frequently than their counterparts in North America (P < 0.05 in three out of four cases), who advocated the use of immunosuppression alone more commonly than Europeans (P = 0.005 in case 2). Conclusions: We document a wide variation in clinical decision making in the context of managing patients with a potential AIH/PSC variant. Guidance, likely based on systematic studies arising from prospective registries, is needed to better address this difficult clinician problem.
Iron Plaque Prevents Partitioning of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons on Rice (Oryza sativa) Root Surface
Authors: Lv Xiaofei , Nie Zhiyuan , Zhang Dongchen , Hu Lifang , Wu Yuping , Hu Linfei
Published: January 2020

Adsorption of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) on root surfaces has essential impacts on PAH phytoremediation. An Fe plaque is commonly formed on the root surface of aquatic plants. Therefore, it is worth investigating the impact of the Fe plaque on PAH adsorption on rice root surfaces. Using Bayesian linear water–methanol cosolvent models, we estimated accurate water–biosorbent partition coefficient values for phenanthrene, pyrene, and benzo[a]pyrene between water and rice root biosorbent fractions, including rice root materials with Fe plaque, removed Fe plaque, and removed Fe plaque and lipids. Our results showed that Fe plaque inhibited the adsorption of PAHs on rice root surface; the inhibition impacts increased with hydrophobicity of PAHs. This result highlights the need for considering the impact of Fe plaque on PAH adsorption during phytoremediation. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2020;16:392–399. © 2020 SETAC

KEY POINTS

We demonstrate that iron plaque could inhibit PAH adsorption on rice roots and the inhibition effect will increase with hydrophobicity of PAHs. Comparing to rice root biosorbents with iron plaque, the contribution of roots without iron plaque increases two times for pyrene and benzo[a]pyrene. It is necessary to consider the impact of iron plaque of rice roots on the adsorption of HOCs on rhizosphere interface during phytoremediation.
Is there “smoke without fire”? Applying the theory of values to the study of motivational aspects of ethnic stereotypes: The case of Jewish stereotypes in Russia
Authors: Tartakovsky Eugene , Walsh Sophie D. , Lebedeva Nadezhda , Tatarko Alexander , Patrakov Eduard , Nikulina Marina
Published: January 2020

Few studies have examined to what extent commonly held stereotypes reflect real intergroup differences in motivational goals. Taking a values perspective (Schwartz et al., 2012), the study examines value preferences among Jews and Russians in Russia, to assess the extent to which commonly held stereotypes reflect values of group members. Results showed that Jews reported substantially higher levels of universalism‐tolerance, benevolence (both caring and dependability), and tradition values, and lower levels of power (both dominance and resources), and universalism‐nature values, than Russians. Results indicated that the widespread Jewish stereotypes of power, achievement, and rootlessness/cosmopolitanism are ungrounded, while the stereotypes of liberalism and particularism are upheld by the reported differences in the value preferences between Jews and the majority population in Russia. The present study underscores the importance of value comparisons between ethnic minority and majority groups for understanding their motivational goals and thus fighting prejudices and discrimination.
Nitrate availability affects denitrification in Phragmites australis sediments
Authors: Soana Elisa , Gavioli Anna , Vincenzi Fabio , Fano Elisa Anna , Castaldelli Giuseppe
Published: January 2020

Understanding relationships between an increase in nitrate (NO3−) loading and the corresponding effects of wetland vegetation on denitrification is essential to designing, restoring, and managing wetlands and canals to maximize their effectiveness as buffers against eutrophication. Although Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin. ex Steud. is frequently used to remediate nitrogen (N) pollution, no information is available on how NO3− concentration may affect plant‐mediated denitrification. In the present study, denitrification was measured in outdoor vegetated and unvegetated mesocosms incubated in both summer and winter. After spiking the mesocosms with NO3− concentrations typical of agricultural drainage water (0.7−11.2 mg N L−1), denitrification was quantified by the simultaneous measurement of NO3− consumption and dinitrogen gas (N2) production. Although denitrification rates varied with vegetation presence and season, NO3− availability exerted a significant positive effect on the process. Vegetated sediments were more efficient than bare sediments in adapting their mitigation potential to an increase in NO3−, by yielding a one‐order‐of‐magnitude increase in NO3− removal rates, under both summer (743−6007 mg N m−2 d−1) and winter (43−302 mg N m−2 d−1) conditions along the NO3− gradient. Denitrification was the dominant sink for water NO3− in winter and only for vegetated sediments in summer. Nitrification likely contributed to fuel denitrification in summer unvegetated sediments. Since denitrification rates followed Michaelis–Menten kinetics, P. australis‐mediated depuration may be considered optimal up to 5.0 mg N L−1. The present outcomes provide experimentally supported evidence that restoration with P. australis can work as a cost‐effective means of improving water quality in agricultural watersheds.
Autophagy related gene expression status in patients diagnosed with azoospermia: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Asgari Rezvan , Bakhtiari Mitra , Rezazadeh Davood , Vaisi‐Raygani Asad , Mansouri Kamran
Published: January 2020

Background

Autophagy affects various aspects of the male reproductive system. Any defects in this process may lead to azoospermia. However, the exact molecular mechanisms of the autophagy pathway have remained largely obscure. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate levels of autophagy pathway gene expression (i.e. Lc3B, Beclin1, ATG5 and Bcl2) in azoospermic patients.

Methods

The levels of Lc3B, Beclin1, ATG5 and Bcl2 mRNA expression in azoospermic patients and fertile males were evaluated by a real‐time polymerase chain reaction technique. In addition, diagnostic evaluation based on the receiver‐operating characteristic (ROC) curve was performed.

Results

The results obtained showed the decreased expression of Lc3B, Beclin1 and ATG5 genes in infertile patients compared to the control group (p < 0.05), whereas Bcl2 expression was increased in samples (p < 0.05). A diagnostic evaluation by ROC curve and calculation of the area under the curve showed that, using a cut‐off relative quantification of 4.550, 0.052, 0.056 and 0.012, the sensitivity of Lc3B, Beclin1, ATG5 and Bcl2 genes was 87.5%, 93.8%, 93.8% and 90%, respectively. In addition, a specificity of 76.7%, 76.7%, 93.3% and 81.2%, respectively, was observed.

Conclusions

As a first study, the current research suggests that an alteration in the expression of autophagy pathway genes may be associated with male infertility. Based on our finding, the increased expression of Bcl2 and formation of Becline1/Bcl2 complex, which inhibits Beclin1 recruitment, may lead to a decrease of the autophagy process in azoospermic patients. Accordingly, upon further investigation, the autophagy could be considered as an important aspect during spermatogenesis.