bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Investigation on the kinetics of cure reaction of acrylonitrile–butadiene rubber (NBR)/polyvinyl chloride (PVC)/graphene nanocomposite using various models
Authors: Barghamadi Mohammad , Ghoreishy Mir Hamid Reza , Karrabi Mohammad , Mohammadian‐Gezaz Somayyeh
Published: October 2019

This research work is devoted to the study of the kinetics of the cure reaction of rubber nanocomposites based on the blend of acrylonitrile–butadiene rubber/poly(vinyl chloride) (NBR/PVC) (70/30) reinforced by graphene. Two series of nanocomposites were prepared using two grades of NBR [33 and 45% of acrylonitrile (ACN)] with a general‐purpose PVC. In each series, three graphene contents including 1, 2, and 3 phr were chosen in conjunction with neat polymer blend. The cure behaviors of the samples were quantified using rubber process analyzer and differential scanning calorimeter. The experimentally measured degree‐of‐cure and rate‐of‐cure were fitted to five different kinetic equations including Isayev, modified Isayev, Kamal and Ryan, autocatalytic, and model‐free approach. The parameters of these models were calculated. The accuracy of each model was checked by comparison of the predicted degree‐of‐cure and rate‐of‐cure with their corresponding experimental values. It is shown that by increasing the graphene content at constant ACN content, the activation energy is reduced while the rate‐of‐cure is increased. On the other hand, the activation energy is increased with increasing the ACN content at constant graphene content. Moreover, the results showed that Isayev model could not predict the curing behavior as accurate as of the other models due to the complex interaction between polymer with curing system and graphene. In addition, the analysis of the computed activation energy using the model‐free approached suggested that an advanced equation needs to be employed for the description of this parameter for rubber‐based nanocomposites. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2020, 137, 48632.
Acaciain peptidase: The first South American pollen peptidase potentially involved in respiratory allergy
Authors: Barcia Cristina , Coelho Ana Sofia , Barberis Sonia , Veríssimo Paula
Published: October 2019

Acacia caven (Mol.) Molina pollen causes pollinosis in South America. The aim of this work was to isolate, purify, and characterize the proteolytic enzymes of A. caven pollen, and study their influence on allergy. A series of chromatographic steps were applied to purify the proteolytic extract of A. caven pollen. The purified fraction was partially characterized, and then it was assayed on airway bioactive peptides (substance P, vasoactive intestinal peptide, and bradykinin), and peptide degradation was visualized by direct protein sequencing. The cellular detachment of an airway‐derived epithelial cell line (A‐549) was measured by methylene blue binding assay. The degradation of proteins from intercellular junctions (occludin, claudin, and E‐cadherin) was visualized by Western blot. A 75‐kDa peptidase, named acaciain peptidase, was purified and classified as a serine peptidase. Acaciain peptidase degraded bioactive peptides involved in the maintenance and recovery of the bronchomotor tone; it caused cellular detachment of A‐549 cell line, and degradation of intercellular junction proteins. Acaciain peptidase can alter the integrity of the epithelium barrier, causing cell permeability, increasing the allergic sensitization and exacerbating the overall bronchoconstrictive effect detected in asthmatic lungs. This novel serine peptidase constitutes a relevant therapeutic target in the treatment of allergic disorders.
Three‐Sodium Ion Activity of a Hollow Spherical Na3V2(PO4)2F3 Cathode: Demonstrating High Capacity and Stability
Authors: Mukherjee Ayan , Sharabani Tali , Perelshtein Ilana , Noked Malachi
Published: October 2019

Na3V2(PO4)2F3 (NVPF) is a promising cathode material for sodium ion batteries, owing to its high voltage and promising cycling profile. Nevertheless, most previous reports demonstrated only approximately 100 mAh g−1 at limited operating voltage. Using a solvothermal synthesis route, we synthesized the NVPF cathode with a controlled architecture and spherical morphology. We used this electrode as the cathode for a sodium‐ion battery and managed to intercalate/deintercalate the third Na+ ion from the structure, demonstrating a high specific capacity (197 mAh g−1). Long‐term stability challenges of these electrodes under a wide potential regime are also presented here in.
Designer biocatalysts for direct incorporation of exogenous galactose into globotriose
Authors: Long Lingfeng , Azadi Parastoo , Chen Rachel
Published: October 2019

Galactose is ubiquitous. The synthesis of galactose‐containing oligosaccharides using Leloir galactosyltransferase requires uridine diphosphate (UDP)‐galactose as the precursor. Of all UDP‐galactose synthesis pathways developed for in vitro synthesis, the salvage pathway represents the simplest route. In this study, for the first time, we designed and constructed an Escherichia coli strain to use salvage pathway for UDP‐galactose synthesis, demonstrating effective and direct incorporation of exogenous galactose into globotriose (Gb3). Successful establishment of salvage pathway enabled a complete delineation of carbon and energy source. Consequently, the designed biocatalyst was able to achieve high yield synthesis from galactose (0.95 moles of Gb3/moles galactose consumed) and a high product titer (2 g/L) in shaker flask within 24 hr. Elimination of limitation in acceptor sugar via homologous overexpression of LacY, the transporter for lactose, further improved the synthesis, raising Gb3 titer to 6 g/L in 24 hr and 7.5 g/L in 48 hr. The design principles successfully demonstrated in this study could be broadly applied for synthesis of other galactose‐containing oligosaccharides. This study also illustrates a valid strategy to overcome limitation in the transport of acceptor sugar. As lactose is one of the most important basal structures, the significant improvement in synthesis through its enhanced transport could be emulated in numerous other lactose‐based oligosaccharides.
Pharmacokinetic study of eight bioactive components following oral administration of Zhiqiao Gancao decoction and observation of its clinical efficacy
Authors: Shen Xiaofeng , Li Ling , Ma Qihan , Chen Hua , Wang Jiangping , Lv Lei , Li Yuwei
Published: October 2019

Zhiqiao Gancao (ZQGC) decoction is widely used in China due to its therapeutic effect on lumbar disc herniation (LDH). In this study, we compared the clinical therapeutic effects among oral ZQGC decoction treatment, bed rest, and oral anti‐inflammatory drug celecoxib treatment using visual analog scale, Oswestry Disability Index, and MacNab scores. The results showed that ZQGC decoction can significantly improve the symptoms of patients with LDH. A selective, sensitive, and rapid ultra‐performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry method was developed and validated for the determination of eight bioactive components in rat plasma. The plasma samples were extracted by simple protein precipitation with methanol. The protonated analytes were quantitated simultaneously in positive and negative ion modes by multiple reaction monitoring with a mass spectrometer. The calibration curve of eight components in plasma showed good linearity (r > .996) and the extraction recovery was 81.19% ± 2.15% − 100.39 ± 3.36 (relative standard deviation: 1.21%–10.70%). The accuracy of all the lower limit of quantitation values was quantified within 80%–120%, and the precision was less than 15%. This validated method was successfully applied to the pharmacokinetics study in rat plasma after ZQGC decoction oral treatment. Our research can provide experimental basis for the rational clinical application of ZQGC decoction in the treatment of LDH.
Intranasal delivery of SDF‐1α‐preconditioned bone marrow mesenchymal cells improves remyelination in the cuprizone‐induced mouse model of multiple sclerosis
Authors: Beigi Boroujeni Fatemeh , Pasbakhsh Parichehr , Mortezaee Keywan , Pirhajati Vahid , Alizadeh Rafieh , Aryanpour Roya , Madadi Soheila , Ragerdi Kashani Iraj
Published: October 2019

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory and demyelinating disease of the central nervous system (CNS) that leads to disability in middle‐aged individuals. High rates of apoptosis and inappropriate homing are limitations for the application of stem cells in cell therapy. Preconditioning of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) with stromal cell‐derived factor 1α (SDF‐1α), also called C‐X‐C motif chemokine 12 (CXCL12), is an approach for improving the functional features of the cells. The aim of this study was to investigate the therapeutic efficacy of intranasal delivery of SDF‐1α preconditioned BMSCs in the cuprizone‐induced chronically demyelinated mice model. BMSCs were isolated, cultured, and preconditioned with SDF‐1α. Then, intranasal delivery of the preconditioned cells was performed in the C57BL/6 mice receiving cuprizone for 12 weeks. Animals were killed at 30 days after cell delivery. SDF‐1α preconditioning increased C‐X‐C chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4) expression on the surface of BMSCs, improved survival of the cells, and decreased their apoptosis in vitro. SDF‐1α preconditioning also improved CXCL12 level within the brain, and enhanced spatial learning and memory (assessed by Morris water maze [MWM]), and myelination (assessed by Luxol fast blue [LFB] and transmission electron microscopy [TEM]). In addition, preconditioning of BMSCs with SDF‐1α reduced the protein expressions of glial fibrillary acidic protein and ionized calcium‐binding adapter molecule (Iba‐1) and increased the expressions of oligodendrocyte lineage transcription factor‐2 (Olig‐2) and adenomatous polyposis coli (APC), evaluated by immunofluorescence. The results showed the efficacy of intranasal delivery of SDF‐1α‐preconditioned BMSCs for improving remyelination in the cuprizone model of MS.
Sorafenib for relapsed FLT3‐ITD‐positive acute myeloid leukemia postallogeneic stem cell transplantation presenting as leukemia cutis
Authors: Brodie Rachel , Langabeer Stephen E. , Quinn John , McMenamin Máirín E. , Hayden Patrick J.
Published: October 2019

Relapse of FLT3‐mutated acute myeloid leukemia (AML) following allogeneic stem cell transplantation is associated with poor survival. The clinical utility of sorafenib monotherapy in this setting is described in a patient presenting as leukemia cutis.
Synergistic Promotion of the Electrochemical Reduction of Nitrogen to Ammonia by Phosphorus and Potassium
Authors: Zhang Qikun , Liu Baoliang , Yu Liping , Bei Yiling , Tang Bo
Published: October 2019

In the process of electrochemical ammonia synthesis using an aqueous solution as the electrolyte, most protons will preferentially compete for electrons for hydrogen generation. Herein, the carbon cloth loaded with Nano‐Fe was used as the cathode, and a K3PO4 solution was used as the electrolyte. The electrochemical reduction of N2 to NH3 was investigated. It was found that the K3PO4 electrolyte had an obvious promotion effect on the ammonia synthesis efficiency compared with other electrolytes. It was confirmed that phosphorus and potassium had a synergistic effect on the ammonia synthesis efficiency. K+ can effectively prevent H+ from adsorbing to the active site of a catalyst surface, thus inhibiting the formation of hydrogen. The solubility of the phosphate solution for N2 is better than that of other aqueous electrolyte solutions, thus effectively improving the ammonia production efficiency. The highest ammonia yield was 79.0±5×10−11 mol ⋅ s−1 ⋅ cm−2, and the faraday efficiency reached 16.68 %. These results provide an effective way to improve the conversion yield of electrochemical ammonia synthesis in water systems.
Three‐Dimensional Hierarchical Porous Carbon/Graphitic Carbon Nitride Composites for Efficient Photocatalytic Hydrogen Production
Authors: Wang Chenlu , Liu Guigao , Song Kai , Wang Xinqian , Wang Hang , Zhao Naiqin , He Fang
Published: October 2019

Developing low‐cost, wide‐source, and nontoxicity photocatalysts is highly desirable for application in efficient solar energy conversion. In this work, a series of nanosheet‐assembled three‐dimensional (3D) hierarchical porous carbon/graphitic carbon nitride (3D C/g‐C3N4) composites have been successfully synthesized as efficient photocatalysts for hydrogen production. The optimal 3D C/g‐C3N4 shows the largest H2 evolution rate of 1610 μmol h−1 g−1, which is nearly seven times that of bulk g‐C3N4. Such remarkably improved photocatalytic performance is mainly attributed to that: i) the 3D carbon effectively prevents nanosheets from agglomeration as well as serves as high speed channels for electron transport; ii) the interconnected porous network is favorable for the multiple reflections and utilization of light; and iii) the interfacial interaction between g‐C3N4 and 3D carbon is beneficial to the charge separation and transfer.
Heterogeneous Manganese‐Catalyzed Oxidase C−H/C−O Cyclization to Access Pharmaceutically Active Compounds
Authors: Ferlin Francesco , Marini Alberto , Ascani Nicola , Ackermann Lutz , Lanari Daniela , Vaccaro Luigi
Published: October 2019

Heterogeneous manganese‐catalyzed C−H oxidative couplings were accomplished to gain access to pharmaceutically relevant 2‐aminophenoxazin‐3‐ones and to diaminophenazine and purpurogallin moieties in excellent yields. The user‐friendly K‐OMS‐2 oxidase strategy proved to be more versatile and robust than enzymatic catalysts‐based procedures allowing a wider substrate scope and being effectively reusable as proven by leaching measurements and XRD analyses.
A Tripeptide Approach to the Solid‐Phase Synthesis of Peptide Thioacids and N‐Glycopeptides
Authors: Schöwe Markus Julian , Keiper Odin , Unverzagt Carlo , Wittmann Valentin
Published: October 2019

A general and robust method for the incorporation of aspartates with a thioacid side chain into peptides has been developed. Pseudoproline tripeptides served as building blocks for the efficient fluorenylmethyloxycarbonyl (Fmoc) solid‐phase synthesis of thioacid‐containing peptides. These peptides were readily converted to complex N‐glycopeptides by using a fast and chemoselective one‐pot deprotection/ligation procedure. Furthermore, a novel side reaction that can lead to site‐selective peptide cleavage using thioacids (CUT) was discovered and studied in detail.
Reaction of Vinyl Aziridines with Arynes: Synthesis of Benzazepines and Branched Allyl Fluorides
Authors: Kaldas Sherif J. , Kran Eva , Mück‐Lichtenfeld Christian , Yudin Andrei K. , Studer Armido
Published: October 2019

We report the cycloaddition between vinyl aziridines and arynes. Depending on the reaction conditions and the choice of the aryne precursor, the aziridinium intermediate can be trapped through two distinct mechanistic pathways. The first one proceeds through a formal [5+2] cycloaddition to furnish valuable multi‐substituted benzazepines. In the second pathway, the aziridinium is intercepted by a fluoride ion to afford allylic fluorides in good yields. Both reactions proceed stereospecifically and furnish enantiopure benzazepines and allylic fluorides.
Formation of Perylenes by Oxidative Dimerization of Naphthalenes Bearing Radical Sources
Authors: Hirao Yasukazu , Okuda Tomoki , Hamamoto Yosuke , Kubo Takashi
Published: October 2019

The introduction of phenol groups at the 1,8‐positions of naphthalene allowed its one‐pot oxidative dimerization and subsequent oxidative cyclization to the perylene structures under mild conditions and upon addition of iron (III) chloride. Examination using various derivatives and DFT calculations revealed that these reactions are initiated by the oxidation of the phenol moiety to generate a radical cation, which is supplied as a radical source for the reactions. The delocalization of the spin density from the radical cation of the introduced phenol groups to the naphthalene ring is proposed to be responsible for the intermolecular oxidative homo‐coupling reactions at the peri‐positions of the naphthalene and the subsequent oxidative cyclization at the 8,8’‐positions of the 1,1’‐binaphthyl derivative.
Dual Roles for the TSPYL Family in Mediating Serotonin Transport and the Metabolism of Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors in Patients with Major Depressive Disorder
Authors: Qin Sisi , Eugene Andy R. , Liu Duan , Zhang Lingxin , Neavin Drew , Biernacka Joanna M. , Yu Jia , Weinshilboum Richard M. , Wang Liewei
Published: October 2019

We previously reported that testis‐specific Y‐encoded‐like protein (TSPYLs) are transcription regulators for CYP3A4, CYP2C9, and CYP2C19. Here, we observed dual roles for TSPYLs in mediating serotonin transport and the metabolism of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). The widely prescribed SSRIs, citalopram, and escitalopram are metabolized mainly by CYP2C19. The TSPYL1 rs3828743 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), which decreases its suppression of CYP2C19 expression, was associated with rapid escitalopram metabolism and worse treatment response in the Mayo PGRN‐AMPS clinical trial. We also found that TSPYLs can regulate expression of the serotonin transporter protein, SLC6A4, and, in turn, serotonin transport into cells. The SNPs in tight linkage disequilibrium with the TSPYL1 rs10223646 SNP were significantly correlated with baseline severity of depression in patients with MDD in the Sequenced Treatment Alternatives to Relieve Depression and International SSRI Pharmacogenomics Consortium clinical trials. Our findings suggest that genetic variation in TSPYL genes may be novel indicators for baseline severity of depression and SSRI poor response.
Physiologically‐Based Pharmacokinetic Models for Evaluating Membrane Transporter Mediated Drug–Drug Interactions: Current Capabilities, Case Studies, Future Opportunities, and Recommendations
Authors: Taskar Kunal S. , Pilla Reddy Venkatesh , Burt Howard , Posada Maria M. , Varma Manthena , Zheng Ming , Ullah Mohammed , Emami Riedmaier Arian , Umehara Ken‐ichi , Snoeys Jan , Nakakariya Masanori , Chu Xiaoyan , Beneton Maud , Chen Yuan , Huth Felix , Narayanan Rangaraj , Mukherjee Dwaipayan , Dixit Vaishali , Sugiyama Yuichi , Neuhoff Sibylle
Published: October 2019

Physiologically‐based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modeling has been extensively used to quantitatively translate in vitro data and evaluate temporal effects from drug–drug interactions (DDIs), arising due to reversible enzyme and transporter inhibition, irreversible time‐dependent inhibition, enzyme induction, and/or suppression. PBPK modeling has now gained reasonable acceptance with the regulatory authorities for the cytochrome‐P450‐mediated DDIs and is routinely used. However, the application of PBPK for transporter‐mediated DDIs (tDDI) in drug development is relatively uncommon. Because the predictive performance of PBPK models for tDDI is not well established, here, we represent and discuss examples of PBPK analyses included in regulatory submission (the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the European Medicines Agency (EMA), and the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency (PMDA)) across various tDDIs. The goal of this collaborative effort (involving scientists representing 17 pharmaceutical companies in the Consortium and from academia) is to reflect on the use of current databases and models to address tDDIs. This challenges the common perceptions on applications of PBPK for tDDIs and further delves into the requirements to improve such PBPK predictions. This review provides a reflection on the current trends in PBPK modeling for tDDIs and provides a framework to promote continuous use, verification, and improvement in industrialization of the transporter PBPK modeling.
Changes in Manufacturing Processes of Biologic Therapies Can Alter the Immunogenicity Profile of the Product
Authors: Vanderlaan Martin , Maniatis Aristides , Olney Robert , Rahmaoui Abdelkader , Yau Linda , Quarmby Valerie , Azzolino Craig , Woods Cynthia , Moawad Dalia
Published: October 2019

Manufacturing process changes may alter the characteristics of a protein therapeutic. In 2009, somatropin (version 1.0), a recombinant human growth hormone therapeutic, underwent a manufacturing update (version 1.1). The immunogenicity of somatropin version 1.1 as a daily subcutaneous injection was evaluated in 2014 in a prospective, open‐label, single‐arm clinical study of treatment‐naive pediatric patients with idiopathic human growth hormone deficiency for 1 year. The primary end point was the proportion of patients who developed antidrug antibodies (ADAs) after treatment. Eighty‐two patients were enrolled. The mean (SD) treatment duration was 347 (53) days. The incidence of ADAs was 3.7%. No neutralizing antibodies were observed in the three patients with ADA‐positive samples. Two patients (2.6%) had growth attenuation, but they were not ADA positive. The manufacturing changes for somatropin version 1.1 resulted in a similar safety and efficacy profile compared with somatropin version 1.0 and a different immunogenicity profile with a lower incidence of ADAs.
Comparative Renoprotective Effect of Febuxostat and Allopurinol in Predialysis Stage 5 Chronic Kidney Disease Patients: A Nationwide Database Analysis
Authors: Hsu Yun‐Shiuan O. , Wu I‐Wen , Chang Shang‐Hung , Lee Cheng‐Chia , Tsai Chung‐Ying , Lin Chan‐Yu , Lin Wan‐Ting , Huang Yu‐Tung , Wu Chao‐Yi , Kuo George , Hsiao Chih‐Yen , Lin Hsing‐Lin , Yang Chih‐Chao , Yen Tzung‐Hai , Chen Yung‐Chang , Hung Cheng‐Chieh , Tian Ya‐Chong , Kuo Chang‐Fu , Yang Chih‐Wei , Anderson Gerard F. , Yang Huang‐Yu
Published: October 2019

Hyperuricemia has been associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD) progression. The antihyperuricemic febuxostat's potential renoprotective effect has been demonstrated in stage 1–3 CKD. Large‐scale studies comparing the renoprotective potential of febuxostat and allopurinol in advanced CKD are lacking. We exclusively selected 6,057 eligible patients with predialysis stage 5 CKD prescribed either febuxostat or allopurinol using the National Health Insurance Research Database in Taiwan during 2012–2015. There were 69.57% of allopurinol users and 42.01% febuxostat users who required long‐term dialysis (P < 0.0001). The adjusted hazard ratio (HR) of 0.65 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.60–0.70) indicated near 35% lower hazards of long‐term dialysis with febuxostat use. The renal benefit of febuxostat was consistent across most patient subgroups and/or using the propensity score‐matched cohort. The adjusted HR was 0.66 (95% CI, 0.61–0.70) for long‐term dialysis or death. In conclusion, lower risk of progression to dialysis was observed in predialysis stage 5 CKD febuxostat users without compromising survival.
Developmental changes in elemental and configural perception of odor mixtures in young rabbits
Authors: Coureaud Gérard , Letagneaux Chloé , Thomas‐Danguin Thierry , Romagny Sébastien
Published: October 2019

Development can change the way organisms represent their environment and affect their behavior. In vision, complex stimuli are treated as the sum of their elements (elemental perception) in children or as a whole (configural perception) in adults. However, the influence of development in elemental/configural perception has never been tested in olfaction. Here we explored this issue in young rabbits, which are known to perceive during the neonatal period certain binary odor mixtures elementally and others weak configurally. Using conditioning and behavioral testing procedures, we set out six experiments evaluating the putative evolution of their odor perception between birth and weaning. Results highlighted that between postnatal days 2 and 9 the perception of an initially weak configural mixture became robust configural while that of two elemental mixtures did not. Additional switches from elemental to configural perception were observed at postnatal day 24. The use of a chemically more complex senary mixture resulted also in a shift from weak to robust configural perception between postnatal days 2 and 9. Thus, the perception of certain odor mixtures may rapidly evolve toward a more holistic mode in young rabbits, which may help simplifying their representation of the environment once out of the nest.
Multi‐method assessment of irritability and differential linkages to neurophysiological indicators of attention allocation to emotional faces in young children
Authors: Deveney Christen M. , Grasso Damion , Hsu Amy , Pine Daniel S. , Estabrook Christopher R. , Zobel Elvira , Burns James L. , Wakschlag Lauren S. , Briggs‐Gowan Margaret J.
Published: October 2019

Facilitated attention toward angry stimuli (attention bias) may contribute to anger proneness and temper outbursts exhibited by children with high irritability. However, most studies linking attention bias and irritability rely on behavioral measures with limited precision and no studies have explored these associations in young children. The present study explores irritability‐related attention biases toward anger in young children (N = 128; ages 4–7 years) engaged in a dot‐probe task with emotional faces, as assessed with event‐related brain potential (ERP) indices of early selective attention and multi‐method assessment of irritability. Irritability assessed via semi‐structured clinical interview predicted larger anterior N1 amplitudes to all faces. In contrast, irritability assessed via a laboratory observation paradigm predicted reduced P1 amplitudes to angry relative to neutral faces. These findings suggest that altered early attentional processing occurs in young children with high irritability; however, the nature of these patterns may vary with methodological features of the irritability assessments. Future investigations using different assessment tools may provide greater clarity regarding the underlying neurocognitive correlates of irritability. Such studies may also contribute to the ongoing debates about how to best define and measure irritability across the developmental spectrum in a manner that is most informative for linkage to neural processes.
Vegetation dynamics following compound disturbance in a dry pine forest: fuel treatment then bark beetle outbreak
Authors: Crotteau Justin S. , Keyes Christopher R. , Hood Sharon M. , Larson Andrew J.
Published: October 2019

In the western United States, restoration of forests with historically frequent, low‐severity fire regimes often includes fuel reduction that reestablish open, early‐seral conditions while reducing fuel continuity and loading. Between 2001 and 2016, fuel reduction (e.g., thinning, prescribed burning, etc.) was implemented on over 26 million hectares of federal lands alone in the United States, reflecting the urgency to mitigate risk from high‐severity wildfire. However, between 2001 and 2012, nearly 20 million hectares in the United States were impacted by mountain pine beetle (MPB;Dendroctonus ponderosae), compounding restoration effects in wildfire‐hazard‐treated stands. Knowledge of the effects of treatments followed by natural disturbance on long‐term forest structure and communities is needed, especially considering that fuel treatments are increasingly being implemented and warming climate is predicted to exacerbate disturbance frequency and severity. We tested the interacting effects of treatments designed to reduce high‐severity wildfire hazard in stands subsequently challenged by MPB outbreak on vegetation dynamics using a factorial experimental design (control, thin only, burn only, thin + burn) in a ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa)‐dominated forest. Stands were treated by 2002, then impacted by MPB outbreak from 2005 to 2012. We assessed change in overstory and understory forest community structure, composition, and diversity over time. There were distinct thinning, burning, and year effects. Thinning immediately reduced overstory density; pine density then declined 4.5 times more in unthinned than thinned treatments due to MPB. Burning immediately reduced graminoid, shrub, and total understory cover by as much as 52%, resulting in greater species evenness than unburned treatments, but differences disappeared by 2016 due to growth and MPB outbreak. Similarly, multivariate analyses indicated forest communities were starkly different after treatment but became more similar over time, though key understory and overstory attributes still distinguish control and thin + burn. This study shows the value of long‐term silvicultural experiments to evaluate treatment longevity and the compounded effects of treatment and natural disturbance. We demonstrate the homogenizing effects of treatment‐induced growth coupled with MPB‐caused tree mortality on management strategies that just treat the overstory (thinning) or understory (burning), showing that only combined treatments can provide the unique structural and compositional outcomes expected of restoration.
Warming and pollutants interact to modulate octocoral immunity and shape disease outcomes
Authors: Tracy Allison M. , Weil Ernesto , Harvell C. Drew
Published: October 2019

Warming environments can alter the outcome of host–parasite relationships with important consequences for biodiversity. Warming often increases disease risk, and interactions with other environmental factors can intensify impacts by modifying the underlying mechanisms, such as host immunity. In coastal ecosystems, metal pollution is a pervasive stressor that influences disease and immunity in many organisms. Despite the crisis facing coral reefs, which stems in part from warming‐associated disease outbreaks, the impacts of metal pollutants on scleractinian and octocoral disease are largely unknown. We investigated how warming oceans and copper pollution affect host immunity and disease risk for two diseases of the abundant Caribbean octocoral, the sea fan Gorgonia ventalina. Field surveys across a sediment copper concentration gradient in Puerto Rico, USA revealed that cellular immunity of sea fans increased by 12.6% at higher sediment copper concentrations, while recovery from multifocal purple spots disease (MFPS) tended to decrease. MFPS severity in the field increased at warmer sites. In a controlled laboratory experiment, sea fans were inoculated with live cultures of a labyrinthulid parasite to test the interactive effects of temperature and copper on immune activation. As in the field, higher copper induced greater immunity, but the factorial design of the experiment revealed that copper and temperature interacted to modulate the immune response to the parasite: immune cell densities increased with elevated temperature at lower copper concentrations, but not with high copper concentrations. Tissue damage was also greater in treatments with higher copper and warmer temperatures. Field and lab evidence confirm that elevated copper hinders sea fan immune defenses against damaging parasites. Temperature and copper influenced host–pathogen interactions in octocorals by modulating immunity, disease severity, and disease recovery. This is the first evidence that metal pollution affects processes influencing disease in octocorals and highlights the importance of immune mechanisms in environmentally mediated disease outbreaks. Although coral conservation efforts must include a focus on global factors, such as rapid warming, reducing copper and other pollutants that compromise coral health on a local scale may help corals fight disease in a warming ocean.
A critical Assessment of the Genotoxicity Profile of the Fungicide Tricyclazole
Authors: Corvaro Marco , Gollapudi B. Bhaskar , Mehta Jyotigna
Published: October 2019

Tricyclazole (8‐methyl‐[1,2,4]triazolo[3,4‐b][1,3]benzothiazole) is a fungicide used globally on rice for treatment of the seasonal rice blast disease. Human exposure to this fungicide can occur via dietary and nondietary routes. In a battery of in vitro assays, tricyclazole did not induce gene mutations in bacteria (Ames test) or at the Hprt locus of CHO cells. It was also negative for the induction of micronuclei in human lymphocyte cultures and unscheduled DNA synthesis (UDS) in primary rat hepatocyte. Paradoxically, tricyclazole induced a mutagenic response at the Tk locus of the mouse lymphoma L5178Ycells (MLA), which occurred equally among small/large colony phenotypes. Selection of preexisting mutants leading to a false‐positive response in the MLA was ruled out in follow‐up experiments. In vivo, tricyclazole was negative in the rat liver UDS assay, mouse bone micronucleus test and a transgenic (MutaMouse) gene mutation assay in glandular stomach, liver, and kidney. Other supporting evidence for the lack of genotoxicity for tricyclazole comes from an in vivo study for sister chromatid exchanges in Chinese hamsters, and a dominant lethal test in the male germ cells of mice. The combined evidence from the genotoxicity studies together with the evidence from toxicokinetic, carcinogenicity, developmental, and reproductive toxicity studies confirm that mutagenicity does not occur in relevant in vivo systems. Data were also compared to potential animal and human exposure, mechanistic data on biological targets and data on analogues, confirming adequacy of the available data for hazard identification and risk assessment. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 61:300–315, 2020. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Steady state operation exergy‐based optimization for solar thermal collectors
Authors: Grosu Lavinia , Mathieu Antoine , Rochelle Pierre , Feidt Michel , Ahmadi Mohammad H. , Sadeghzadeh Milad
Published: October 2019

In this investigation, exergy‐based optimization was carried out on two configurations of solar thermal collectors. A set of control sensors were utilized to control the performance of the system and monitor the design variables, that is, inlet and outlet temperature of the solar fluid, ambient temperature, incident solar flux, and required mechanical and electrical work in the system. The fluid temperature was considered to vary in the range of 120–180°C with respect to technical and economic considerations. The collector surface area was considered 606 m2 in both configurations, and a medium solar incident was considered about 520 W/m2. The maximum acceptable temperature difference is obtained as function of the input temperature. The technical limitation is plotted for both configurations of solar collectors. It was noticed that the exergy flow of simple evacuated tubes can reach the maximum value when the input temperature is greater than 115°C for an incident solar flow, from 250 W/m2 up to the limit of 950 W/m2. Exergy analysis demonstrated that more control is required on the temperature control to obtain the optimum performance of the solar collector. Thus, applying exergy optimization approach can be very useful to guide control system, the maximum outlet temperature being a key variable on the performance of the collectors.
Exergy analysis of large and impounded hydropower plants: Case study El Roseires Dam (280 MW)
Authors: Abuelnuor Abuelnuor A. A. , Ahmed Khadir , Saqr Khaled M. , Nogoud Yasser A. M. , Babiker Mohammed E. A. M.
Published: October 2019

Nowadays, one of the major and serious worldly concerns is the limitation of energy resources. Sudan, in specific, confronts a critical crisis in fossil fuel resources due to its separation science 2011, and mostly concerning the production of electricity energy. There are many sources of renewable energies in Sudan such as hydropower. Which it is widely used in Sudan, and one example is Elroseires hydropower plant. This research aims to conduct an exergy analysis of the performance of the Elroseires hydropower plant to identify areas for improvement using actual operation data. The exergy efficiency and exergy destruction rate of each unit in the plant were determined independently. The thermodynamic inefficiencies of all units of the plant were quantified for analysis to identify breakthrough points for further energy savings. Results indicated that the lowest exergy destruction rate occurs in August (20.6 MW) despite the lowest production of energy during this period. This outcome is due to the volumetric flow rate being less than those in other months, thereby leading to minimal flow turbulence that result in low exergy destruction. By contrast, the greatest exergy destruction occurs in December (106.1 MW) because of the high volumetric flow rate for the same pipe diameter. Such condition leads to turbulent flow and results in considerable exergy destruction. This study emphasizes that exergy analysis is useful in determining irreversibilities and losses in Elroseires hydropower plant to improve its thermodynamic performance.
Zinc oxide supported silver nanoparticles as a heterogeneous catalyst for production of biodiesel from palm oil
Authors: Laskar Ikbal B. , Rokhum Lalthazuala , Gupta Rajat , Chatterjee Sushovan
Published: October 2019

Biodiesel, also called fatty acid methyl esters (FAME), a promising alternative to petroleum diesel, has become more attractive in recent years due to its environmental friendliness coupled with its accessibility from renewable resources. This work investigated the novel zinc oxide supported silver nanoparticles (ZnO@Ag NPs) catalyzed transesterification of palm oil to biodiesel. Novel ZnO@Ag NPs were synthesized via homogeneous precipitation of Zn(OH)2 and reduction of Ag(I) to Ag (0). During the preparation of nanocatalyst, polyethylene glycol (PEG 4000) played a dual role as both the surfactant and reducing agent. The synthesized NPs were characterized by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and BET analysis. Biodiesel formation was confirmed by 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopic analysis. In addition, different constituents of FAME were identified using GC–MS analytical technique. Under the optimum reaction conditions (methanol to oil ratio, 10:1, catalyst loading, 10 wt%, temperature 60°C and time, 60 min), the percentage conversion of triglycerides to corresponding FAME was 97% as determined by 1H NMR. Catalyst recyclability tests confirmed that ZnO@Ag NPs could be reused at least for five successive cycles without appreciable loss in its activity.
Convergence of five‐point scheme with diagonally dominant characteristic for DLR k−ε model and its application
Authors: Guangbiao Jiang , Shi Shu , Yongsen He , Yingxiong Xiao , Shuiping Ying
Published: October 2019

In this paper, the equivalent equations of DLR k−ε turbulent model in the boundary‐fitted curvilinear coordinate are employed. Using the upwind idea that the contribution of the difference coefficients to the main node is positive contribution, and the other nodes are negative contribution or no contribution, new five‐point difference schemes with a full diagonally dominant coefficient matrix (5‐point‐DD difference scheme) are constructed. Finally, taking the
equation in the DLR k−ε turbulent model as an example, the mathematical characteristics of the 5‐point‐DD difference scheme are analyzed, and the uniform boundedness and convergence theorems of the Gauss‐Seidel iterative sequence are given. Numerical simulations show that the five‐point schemes are strictly diagonally dominant, and the calculated results are in good agreement with the experimental results.
Self‐regulation of ventromedial prefrontal cortex activation using real‐time fMRI neurofeedback—Influence of default mode network
Authors: Mayeli Ahmad , Misaki Masaya , Zotev Vadim , Tsuchiyagaito Aki , Al Zoubi Obada , Phillips Raquel , Smith Jared , Stewart Jennifer L. , Refai Hazem , Paulus Martin P. , Bodurka Jerzy
Published: October 2019

The ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) is involved in regulation of negative emotion and decision‐making, emotional and behavioral control, and active resilient coping. This pilot study examined the feasibility of training healthy subjects (n = 27) to self‐regulate the vmPFC activity using a real‐time functional magnetic resonance imaging neurofeedback (rtfMRI‐nf). Participants in the experimental group (EG, n = 18) were provided with an ongoing vmPFC hemodynamic activity (rtfMRI‐nf signal represented as variable‐height bar). Individuals were instructed to raise the bar by self‐relevant value‐based thinking. Participants in the control group (CG, n = 9) performed the same task; however, they were provided with computer‐generated sham neurofeedback signal. Results demonstrate that (a) both the CG and the EG show a higher vmPFC fMRI signal at the baseline than during neurofeedback training; (b) no significant positive training effect was seen in the vmPFC across neurofeedback runs; however, the medial prefrontal cortex, middle temporal gyri, inferior frontal gyri, and precuneus showed significant decreasing trends across the training runs only for the EG; (c) the vmPFC rtfMRI‐nf signal associated with the fMRI signal across the default mode network (DMN). These findings suggest that it may be difficult to modulate a single DMN region without affecting other DMN regions. Observed decreased vmPFC activity during the neurofeedback task could be due to interference from the fMRI signal within other DMN network regions, as well as interaction with task‐positive networks. Even though participants in the EG did not show significant positive increase in the vmPFC activity among neurofeedback runs, they were able to learn to accommodate the demand of self‐regulation task to maintain the vmPFC activity with the help of a neurofeedback signal.
Effects of ketamine and midazolam on resting state connectivity and comparison with ENIGMA connectivity deficit patterns in schizophrenia
Authors: Adhikari Bhim M. , Dukart Juergen , Hipp Joerg F. , Forsyth Anna , McMillan Rebecca , Muthukumaraswamy Suresh D. , Ryan Meghann C. , Hong L. Elliot , Eickhoff Simon B. , Jahandshad Neda , Thompson Paul M. , Rowland Laura M. , Kochunov Peter
Published: October 2019

Subanesthetic administration of ketamine is a pharmacological model to elicit positive and negative symptoms of psychosis in healthy volunteers. We used resting‐state pharmacological functional MRI (rsPhfMRI) to identify cerebral networks affected by ketamine and compared them to the functional connectivity (FC) in schizophrenia. Ketamine can produce sedation and we contrasted its effects with the effects of the anxiolytic drug midazolam. Thirty healthy male volunteers (age = 19–37 years) underwent a randomized, three‐way, cross‐over study consisting of three imaging sessions, with 48 hr between sessions. A session consisted of a control period followed by infusion of placebo or ketamine or midazolam. The ENIGMA rsfMRI pipeline was used to derive two long‐distance (seed‐based and dual‐regression) and one local (regional homogeneity, ReHo) FC measures. Ketamine induced significant reductions in the connectivity of the salience network (Cohen's d: 1.13 ± 0.28, p = 4.0 × 10−3), auditory network (d: 0.67 ± 0.26, p = .04) and default mode network (DMN, d: 0.63 ± 0.26, p = .05). Midazolam significantly reduced connectivity in the DMN (d: 0.77 ± 0.27, p = .03). The effect sizes for ketamine for resting networks showed a positive correlation (r = .59, p = .07) with the effect sizes for schizophrenia‐related deficits derived from ENIGMA's study of 261 patients and 327 controls. Effect sizes for midazolam were not correlated with the schizophrenia pattern (r = −.17, p = .65). The subtraction of ketamine and midazolam patterns showed a significant positive correlation with the pattern of schizophrenia deficits (r = .68, p = .03). RsPhfMRI reliably detected the shared and divergent pharmacological actions of ketamine and midazolam on cerebral networks. The pattern of disconnectivity produced by ketamine was positively correlated with the pattern of connectivity deficits observed in schizophrenia, suggesting a brain functional basis for previously poorly understood effects of the drug.
Increased Affinity of 2′‐O‐(2‐Methoxyethyl)‐Modified Oligonucleotides to RNA through Conjugation of Spermine at Cytidines
Authors: Decuypere Elodie , Lepikhina Anastasia , Halloy François , Hall Jonathan
Published: October 2019

Structural modification at the 2′‐O‐position of riboses in oligonucleotide therapeutics is of critical importance for their use as drugs. To date, the methoxyethyl (MOE) substituent is the most important and features in dozens of antisense oligonucleotides that have been tested in clinical trials. Yet, the search for new improved modifications continues in a quest for increased oligonucleotide potency, improved transport in vivo and favorable metabolism. Recently, we described how the conjugation of spermine groups to pyrimidines in oligonucleotides vastly increases their affinity for complementary RNAs through accelerated binding kinetics. Here we describe how spermines can be linked to the exocyclic amino groups of cytidines in MOE‐oligonucleotides employing a straightforward ‘convertible nucleoside approach’ during solid phase synthesis. Singly‐ or doubly‐modified oligonucleotides show greatly enhanced affinity for complementary RNA, with potential for a new generation of MOE‐based oligonucleotide drugs.
Radical hysterectomy for operable early cervical cancer in HIV‐positive and HIV‐negative women in western Kenya
Authors: Peter Itsura M. , Deraney Rachel N. , Orango Omenge , Philip Tonui , Rosen Barry , Cu‐Uvin Susan
Published: October 2019

Radical hysterectomy is well tolerated with no increase in complications in HIV‐infected women and is an appropriate form of treatment for early‐stage cervical cancer in HIV‐infected women.
In‐law‐perpetrated abuse against women in North Kivu, Democratic Republic of Congo
Authors: Scolese Anna , Roth Danielle , O'Connor Meghan , De Dieu Hategekimana Jean , Falb Kathryn L.
Published: October 2019

Using endline data from the IRC's Safe at Home program, we analyzed the associations between in‐law‐perpetrated abuse and demographic variables.
An update of a former FIGO Working Group Report on Management of Posterior Compartment Prolapse
Authors: Doumouchtsis Stergios K. , Raheem Ali Abdel , Milhem Haddad Jorge , Betschart Cornelia , Contreras Ortiz Oscar , Nygaard Christiana C. , Medina Carlos A. , La Torre Fillippo , Iancu George , Cervigni Mauro , Zanni Giuliano
Published: October 2019

Background

The FIGO Working Group (FWG) in Pelvic Floor Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery (2012–2015) established a consensus among international opinion leaders in evaluating current evidence and providing practice recommendations.

Objectives

To provide an update of the previous clinical opinion report on conservative and surgical treatment of posterior compartment prolapse.

Search strategy

Search of evidence was performed using Pubmed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases up to August 2018.

Selection criteria

Controlled trials on posterior colporrhaphy, site‐specific defect, transanal, abdominal, laparoscopic, and mesh repair.

Data collection and analysis

Collective consensus on surgical outcomes was based on a decision‐making process during meetings and multiple group consultations.

Main results

Basic evaluation and conservative treatment precede surgical management. Surgical techniques are performed by vaginal, transperineal, transanal, abdominal, or laparoscopic approach. The transvaginal surgical route without mesh appears superior to the transanal route. No conclusions can be drawn based on clinical studies or randomized controlled trials of posterior colporrhaphy and laparoscopic rectopexy.

Conclusions

Management of rectocele should include patients’ history, quality of life questionnaires, and, in case of complex anorectal symptoms, imaging and functional studies. Evidence on the best type of posterior vaginal wall repair is still scarce. Randomized controlled trials are needed to determine the best approach to achieve safe, effective, and long‐term anatomical and functional outcomes.