bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessment of Pharmacokinetics and Metabolism Profiles of SCH 58261 in Rats Using Liquid Chromatography–Mass Spectrometric Method
Authors: Park Yuri , Park Min-Ho , Byeon Jin-Ju , Shin Seok-Ho , Lee Byeong ill , Choi Jang-mi , Kim Nahye , Park Seo-jin , Park Min-jae , Lim Jeong-hyeon , Shin Young G.
Published: May 2020

5-Amino-7-(2-phenylethyl)-2-(2-furyl)-pyrazolo(4,3-e)-1,2,4-triazolo(1,5-c) pyrimidine (SCH 58261) is one of the new chemical entities that has been developed as an adenosine A2A receptor antagonist. Although SCH 58261 has been reported to be beneficial, there is little information about SCH 58261 from a drug metabolism or pharmacokinetics perspective. This study describes the metabolism and pharmacokinetic properties of SCH 58261 in order to understand its behaviors in vivo. Rats were used as the in vivo model species. First, an LC–MS/MS method was developed for the determination of SCH 58261 in rat plasma. A GastroPlus™ simulation, in vitro microsomal metabolic stability, and bile duct-cannulated studies were also performed to understand its pharmacokinetic profile. The parameter sensitivity analysis of GastroPlus™ was used to examine the factors that influence exposure when the drug is orally administered. The factors are as follows: permeability, systemic clearance, renal clearance, and liver first-pass effect. In vitro microsomal metabolic stability indicates how much the drug is metabolized. The extrapolated hepatic clearance value of SCH 58261 was 39.97 mL/min/kg, indicating that the drug is greatly affected by hepatic metabolism. In vitro microsomal metabolite identification studies revealed that metabolites produce oxidized and ketone-formed metabolites via metabolic enzymes in the liver. The bile duct-cannulated rat study, after oral administration of SCH 58261, showed that a significant amount of the drug was excreted in feces. These results imply that the drug is not absorbed well in the body after oral administration. Taken together, SCH 58261 showed quite a low bioavailability when administered orally and this was likely due to significantly limited absorption, as well as high metabolism in vivo.
Influence of Molecular Orbitals on Magnetic Properties of FeO2Hx
Authors: Shorikov Alexey O. , Skornyakov Sergey L. , Anisimov Vladimir I. , Streltsov Sergey V. , Poteryaev Alexander I.
Published: May 2020

Recent discoveries of various novel iron oxides and hydrides, which become stable at very high pressure and temperature, are extremely important for geoscience. In this paper, we report the results of an investigation on the electronic structure and magnetic properties of the hydride FeO 2 H x , using density functional theory plus dynamical mean-field theory (DFT+DMFT) calculations. An increase in the hydrogen concentration resulted in the destruction of dimeric oxygen pairs and, hence, a specific band structure of FeO 2 with strongly hybridized Fe- t 2 g -O- p z anti-bonding molecular orbitals, which led to a metallic state with the Fe ions at nearly 3+. Increasing the H concentration resulted in effective mass enhancement growth which indicated an increase in the magnetic moment localization. The calculated static momentum-resolved spin susceptibility demonstrated that an incommensurate antiferromagnetic (AFM) order was expected for FeO 2 , whereas strong ferromagnetic (FM) fluctuations were observed for FeO 2 H.
Positive Selection of Specific Antibodies Produced against Fusion Proteins
Authors: Kramberger-Kaplan Lukas , Austerlitz Tina , Bohlmann Holger
Published: May 2020

A method for the positive selection of specific antibodies for target proteins expressed as fusion proteins for the production of antiserum is presented. As proof of concept, the fusion protein FLAG::His::GFP::His::FLAG was expressed in Escherichia coli, purified, and used for the immunization of rabbits. The obtained serum was precleared via protein A affinity. A CusF::FLAG fusion protein was expressed in the periplasm of E. coli and purified. GFP without tags was also expressed in E. coli and purified via organic extraction. These proteins were then coupled to NHS-activated sepharose and used for the positive selection of Anti-GFP and Anti-FLAG antibodies. The obtained sera were tested for their specificity against different protein samples and fusion proteins in Western blots. A high specificity of the antibodies could be achieved by a single affinity chromatography step. In general, we advise to express the target protein with different tags and in different E. coli compartments for antibody production and affinity chromatography.
Why Is Zeaxanthin the Most Concentrated Xanthophyll in the Central Fovea?
Authors: Widomska Justyna , SanGiovanni John Paul , Subczynski Witold K.
Published: May 2020

Diet-based xanthophylls (zeaxanthin and lutein) are conditionally essential polar carotenoids preferentially accreted in high concentrations (1 mM) to the central retina, where they have the capacity to impart unique physiologically significant biophysical biochemical properties implicated in cell function, rescue, and survival. Macular xanthophylls interact with membrane-bound proteins and lipids to absorb/attenuate light energy, modulate oxidative stress and redox balance, and influence signal transduction cascades implicated in the pathophysiology of age-related macular degeneration. There is exclusive transport, sequestration, and appreciable bioamplification of macular xanthophylls from the circulating carotenoid pool to the retina and within the retina to regions required for high-resolution sensory processing. The distribution of diet-based macular xanthophylls and the lutein metabolite meso-zeaxanthin varies considerably by retinal eccentricity. Zeaxanthin concentrations are 2.5-fold higher than lutein in the cone-dense central fovea. This is an ~20-fold increase in the molar ratio relative to eccentric retinal regions with biochemically detectable macular xanthophylls. In this review, we discuss how the differences in the specific properties of lutein and zeaxanthin could help explain the preferential accumulation of zeaxanthin in the most vulnerable region of the macula.
Dietary Protein Intake during Pregnancy Is Not Associated with Offspring Insulin Sensitivity during the First Two Years of Life
Authors: Allman Brittany R. , Williams D. Keith , Børsheim Elisabet , Andres Aline
Published: May 2020

Literature describing a relationship between dietary protein intake during pregnancy and offspring insulin resistance are equivocal perhaps because of the lapse between maternal and offspring measurements (~9–40 years). Thus, we evaluated protein intake in healthy women [n = 182, mean ± SD; body mass index (BMI): 26.2 ± 4.2 kg/m2] in early pregnancy (8.4 ± 1.6 weeks, EP), late pregnancy (30.1 ± 0.4 weeks, LP), and averaged throughout pregnancy, and determined the relationship between protein intake and offspring homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA2-IR) at 12 (12mo) and 24 (24mo) months. EP protein (g·kg−1·day−1) did not associate with HOMA2-IR at 12mo (β = 0.153, p = 0.429) or 24mo (β = −0.349, p = 0.098). LP protein did not associate with HOMA2-IR at 12mo (β = 0.023, p = 0.916) or 24mo (β = −0.442, p = 0.085). Finally, average protein did not associate with HOMA2-IR at 12mo (β = 0.711, p = 0.05) or 24mo (β = −0.445, p = 0.294). Results remained unchanged after adjusting for plant protein intake quartiles during pregnancy, maternal BMI, and offspring sex and body fat percentage. Additionally, these relationships did not change after quartile analysis of average protein intake, even after considering offspring fasting time and HOMA2-IR outliers, and maternal under-reporters of energy intake. Protein intake during pregnancy is not associated with indirect measurements of insulin sensitivity in offspring during the first two years of life.
Predicted Metabolic Pathway Distributions in Stool Bacteria in Very-Low-Birth-Weight Infants: Potential Relationships with NICU Faltered Growth
Authors: Groer Maureen , Miller Elizabeth M. , Sarkar Anujit , Dishaw Larry J. , Dutra Samia V. , Youn Yoo Ji , Morgan Katherine , Ji Ming , Ho Thao
Published: May 2020

Many very-low-birth-weight (VLBW) infants experience growth faltering in early life despite adequate nutrition. Early growth patterns can affect later neurodevelopmental and anthropometric potentials. The role of the dysbiotic gut microbiome in VLBW infant growth is unknown. Eighty-four VLBW infants were followed for six weeks after birth with weekly stool collection. DNA was extracted from samples and the V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene was sequenced with Illumina MiSeq. A similar microbiota database from full-term infants was used for comparing gut microbiome and predicted metabolic pathways. The class Gammaproteobacteria increased or remained consistent over time in VLBW infants. Out of 228 metabolic pathways that were significantly different between term and VLBW infants, 133 pathways were significantly lower in VLBW infants. Major metabolic differences in their gut microbiome included pathways involved in decreased glycan biosynthesis and metabolism, reduced biosynthetic capacity, interrupted amino acid metabolism, changes that could result in increased infection susceptibility, and many other system deficiencies. Our study reveals poor postnatal growth in a VLBW cohort who had dysbiotic gut microbiota and differences in predicted metabolic pathways compared to term infants. The gut microbiota in VLBW infants likely plays an important role in postnatal growth.
About Calculation of Massless and Massive Feynman Integrals
Authors: Kotikov Anatoly V.
Published: May 2020

We report some results of calculations of massless and massive Feynman integrals particularly focusing on difference equations for coefficients of for their series expansions.
Clinical Outcomes of a Zika Virus Mother–Child Pair Cohort in Spain
Authors: Soriano-Arandes Antoni , Frick Marie Antoinette , García López-Hortelano Milagros , Sulleiro Elena , Rodó Carlota , Sánchez-Seco María Paz , Cabrera-Lafuente Marta , Suy Anna , De la Calle María , Santos Mar , Antolin Eugenia , Viñuela María del Carmen , Espiau María , Salazar Ainara , Guarch-Ibáñez Borja , Vázquez Ana , Navarro-Morón Juan , Ramos-Amador José-Tomás , Martin-Nalda Andrea , Dueñas Eva , Blázquez-Gamero Daniel , Reques-Cosme Resurrección , Olabarrieta Iciar , Prieto Luis , De Ory Fernando , Thorne Claire , Byrne Thomas , Ades Anthony E. , Ruiz-Burga Elisa , Giaquinto Carlo , Mellado-Peña María José , García-Alix Alfredo , Carreras Elena , Soler-Palacín Pere
Published: May 2020

Background: Zika virus (ZIKV) infection has been associated with congenital microcephaly and other neurodevelopmental abnormalities. There is little published research on the effect of maternal ZIKV infection in a non-endemic European region. We aimed to describe the outcomes of pregnant travelers diagnosed as ZIKV-infected in Spain, and their exposed children. Methods: This prospective observational cohort study of nine referral hospitals enrolled pregnant women (PW) who travelled to endemic areas during their pregnancy or the two previous months, or those whose sexual partners visited endemic areas in the previous 6 months. Infants of ZIKV-infected mothers were followed for about two years. Results: ZIKV infection was diagnosed in 163 PW; 112 (70%) were asymptomatic and 24 (14.7%) were confirmed cases. Among 143 infants, 14 (9.8%) had adverse outcomes during follow-up; three had a congenital Zika syndrome (CZS), and 11 other potential Zika-related outcomes. The overall incidence of CZS was 2.1% (95%CI: 0.4–6.0%), but among infants born to ZIKV-confirmed mothers, this increased to 15.8% (95%CI: 3.4–39.6%). Conclusions: A nearly 10% overall risk of neurologic and hearing adverse outcomes was found in ZIKV-exposed children born to a ZIKV-infected traveler PW. Longer-term follow-up of these children is needed to assess whether there are any later-onset manifestations.
A Systematic Review Analyzing the Prevalence and Circulation of Influenza Viruses in Swine Population Worldwide
Authors: Chauhan Ravendra P. , Gordon Michelle L.
Published: May 2020

The global anxiety and a significant threat to public health due to the current COVID-19 pandemic reiterate the need for active surveillance for the zoonotic virus diseases of pandemic potential. Influenza virus due to its wide host range and zoonotic potential poses such a significant threat to public health. Swine serve as a “mixing vessel” for influenza virus reassortment and evolution which as a result may facilitate the emergence of new strains or subtypes of zoonotic potential. In this context, the currently available scientific data hold a high significance to unravel influenza virus epidemiology and evolution. With this objective, the current systematic review summarizes the original research articles and case reports of all the four types of influenza viruses reported in swine populations worldwide. A total of 281 articles were found eligible through screening of PubMed and Google Scholar databases and hence were included in this systematic review. The highest number of research articles (n = 107) were reported from Asia, followed by Americas (n = 97), Europe (n = 55), Africa (n = 18), and Australia (n = 4). The H1N1, H1N2, H3N2, and A(H1N1)pdm09 viruses were the most common influenza A virus subtypes reported in swine in most countries across the globe, however, few strains of influenza B, C, and D viruses were also reported in certain countries. Multiple reports of the avian influenza virus strains documented in the last two decades in swine in China, the United States, Canada, South Korea, Nigeria, and Egypt provided the evidence of interspecies transmission of influenza viruses from birds to swine. Inter-species transmission of equine influenza virus H3N8 from horse to swine in China expanded the genetic diversity of swine influenza viruses. Additionally, numerous reports of the double and triple-reassortant strains which emerged due to reassortments among avian, human, and swine strains within swine further increased the genetic diversity of swine influenza viruses. These findings are alarming hence active surveillance should be in place to prevent future influenza pandemics.
Antimicrobial Resistance, Genetic Diversity and Multilocus Sequence Typing of Escherichia coli from Humans, Retail Chicken and Ground Beef in Egypt
Authors: Ramadan Hazem , Jackson Charlene R. , Frye Jonathan G. , Hiott Lari M. , Samir Mohamed , Awad Amal , Woodley Tiffanie A.
Published: May 2020

Contamination of retail foods with foodborne pathogens, particularly the antimicrobial resistant ones, poses a persistent threat to human health. There is a dearth of information about the overlapping Escherichia coli (E. coli) lineages circulating among retail foods and humans in Egypt. This study aimed to determine the clonal diversity of 120 E. coli isolates from diarrheic patients (n = 32), retail chicken carcasses (n = 61) and ground beef (n = 27) from Mansoura, Egypt using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and multilocus sequence typing (MLST). Simpson’s index of diversity was calculated to compare the results of both typing methods. Antimicrobial resistance phenotypes, genotypes and phylogrouping of the isolates were also determined. Higher frequencies of antimicrobial resistance were found among chicken isolates compared to beef and human isolates; regardless of isolate source, the predominant antimicrobial resistances were found against ampicillin (87/120, 72.5%), tetracycline and sulfisoxazole (82/120, 68.3%, each), and streptomycin (79/120, 65.8%). None of the isolates displayed resistance to meropenem. The prevalent genes detected were tetA (64.2%), blaTEM (62.5%), sul1 (56.7%), floR (53.3%), sul2 (50%), strB (48.3%) and strA (47.5%) corresponding with resistance phenotypes. Alarmingly, blaCTX was detected in 63.9% (39/61) of chicken isolates. The majority of E. coli isolates from humans (90.6%), beef (81.5%) and chicken (70.5%) belonged to commensal phylogroups (A, B1, C). Using PFGE analysis, 16 out of 24 clusters (66.7%) contained isolates from different sources at a similarity level ≥75%. MLST results assigned E. coli isolates into 25, 19 and 13 sequence types (STs) from chicken, human and beef isolates, respectively. Six shared STs were identified including ST1011, ST156, ST48, ST224 (chicken and beef), ST10 (human and chicken) and ST226 (human and beef). Simpson’s index of diversity was higher for MLST (0.98) than PFGE (0.94). In conclusion, the existence of common genetic determinants among isolates from retail foods and humans in Egypt as well as the circulation of shared STs indicates a possible epidemiological link with potential zoonotic hazards.
PCR-RFLP Detection and Genogroup Identification of Piscirickettsia salmonis in Field Samples
Authors: Aravena Pamela , Pulgar Rodrigo , Ortiz-Severín Javiera , Maza Felipe , Gaete Alexis , Martínez Sebastián , Serón Ervin , González Mauricio , Cambiazo Verónica
Published: May 2020

Piscirickettsia salmons, the causative agent of piscirickettsiosis, is genetically divided into two genomic groups, named after the reference strains as LF-89-like or EM-90-like. Phenotypic differences have been detected between the P. salmonis genogroups, including antibiotic susceptibilities, host specificities and pathogenicity. In this study, we aimed to develop a rapid, sensitive and cost-effective assay for the differentiation of the P. salmonis genogroups. Using an in silico analysis of the P. salmonis 16S rDNA digestion patterns, we have designed a genogroup-specific assay based on PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). An experimental validation was carried out by comparing the restriction patterns of 13 P. salmonis strains and 57 field samples obtained from the tissues of dead or moribund fish. When the bacterial composition of a set of field samples, for which we detected mixtures of bacterial DNA, was analyzed by a high-throughput sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene amplicons, a diversity of taxa could be identified, including pathogenic and commensal bacteria. Despite the presence of mixtures of bacterial DNA, the characteristic digestion pattern of the P. salmonis genogroups could be detected in the field samples without the need of a microbiological culture and bacterial isolation.
Rethinking Competence: A Nexus of Educational Models in the Context of Lifelong Learning
Authors: Bajis Dalia , Chaar Betty , Moles Rebekah
Published: May 2020

Competency-based education (CBE) “derives a curriculum from an analysis of a prospective or actual role in modern society and attempts to certify students’ progress on the basis of demonstrated performance in some or all aspects of that role”. This paper summarizes pertinent aspects of existing CBE models in health professions education; pharmacy education presented as an example. It presents a synthesis of these models to propose a new diagrammatic representation. A conceptual model for competency-based health professions education with a focus on learning and assessment is discussed. It is argued that various elements of CBE converge to holistically portray competency-based learning and assessment as essential in initial education and relevant to practitioners’ continuing professional development, especially in the context and importance of pursing lifelong learning practices.
Gibberellin Promotes Bolting and Flowering via the Floral Integrators RsFT and RsSOC1-1 under Marginal Vernalization in Radish
Authors: Jung Haemyeong , Jo Seung Hee , Jung Won Yong , Park Hyun Ji , Lee Areum , Moon Jae Sun , Seong So Yoon , Kim Ju-Kon , Kim Youn-Sung , Cho Hye Sun
Published: May 2020

Gibberellic acid (GA) is one of the factors that promotes flowering in radish (Raphanus Sativus L.), although the mechanism mediating GA activation of flowering has not been determined. To identify this mechanism in radish, we compared the effects of GA treatment on late-flowering (NH-JS1) and early-flowering (NH-JS2) radish lines. GA treatment promoted flowering in both lines, but not without vernalization. NH-JS2 plants displayed greater bolting and flowering pathway responses to GA treatment than NH-JS1. This variation was not due to differences in GA sensitivity in the two lines. We performed RNA-seq analysis to investigate GA-mediated changes in gene expression profiles in the two radish lines. We identified 313 upregulated, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and 207 downregulated DEGs in NH-JS2 relative to NH-JS1 in response to GA. Of these, 21 and 8 genes were identified as flowering time and GA-responsive genes, respectively. The results of RNA-seq and quantitative PCR (qPCR) analyses indicated that RsFT and RsSOC1-1 expression levels increased after GA treatment in NH-JS2 plants but not in NH-JS1. These results identified the molecular mechanism underlying differences in the flowering-time genes of NH-JS1 and NH-JS2 after GA treatment under insufficient vernalization conditions.
Natural Products, Traditional Uses and Pharmacological Activities of the Genus Biebersteinia (Biebersteiniaceae)
Authors: Zhang Benyin , Jin Xiaona , Yin Hengxia , Zhang Dejun , Zhou Huakun , Zhang Xiaofeng , Tran Lam-Son Phan
Published: May 2020

Medicinal plants have been known as a rich source of natural products (NPs). Due to their diverse chemical structures and remarkable pharmacological activities, NPs are regarded as important repertoires for drug discovery and development. Biebersteinia plant species belong to the Biebersteiniaceae family, and have been used in folk medicines in China and Iran for ages. However, the chemical properties, bioactivities and modes of action of the NPs produced by medicinal Biebersteinia species are poorly understood despite the fact that there are only four known Biebersteinia species worldwide. Here, we reviewed the chemical classifications and diversity of the various NPs found in the four known Biebersteinia species. We found that the major chemical categories in these plants include flavonoids, alkaloids, phenylpropanoids, terpenoids, essential oils and fatty acids. We also discussed the anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antibacterial, antioxidant, antihypertensive and hypoglycemic effects of the four Biebersteinia species. We believe that the present review will facilitate the exploration of traditional uses and pharmacological properties of Biebersteinia species, extraction of the NPs and elucidation of their molecular mechanisms, as well as the development of novel drugs based on the reported properties and mode-of-action.
Why so Complex? The Intricacy of Genome Structure and Gene Expression, Associated with Angiosperm Mitochondria, May Relate to the Regulation of Embryo Quiescence or Dormancy—Intrinsic Blocks to Early Plant Life
Authors: Best Corinne , Mizrahi Ron , Ostersetzer-Biran Oren
Published: May 2020

Mitochondria play key roles in cellular-energy metabolism and are vital for plant-life, such as for successful germination and early-seedling establishment. Most mitochondria contain their own genetic system (mtDNA, mitogenome), with an intrinsic protein-synthesis machinery. Although the challenges of maintaining prokaryotic-type structures and functions are common to Eukarya, land plants possess some of the most complex organelle composition of all known organisms. Angiosperms mtDNAs are characteristically the largest and least gene-dense among the eukaryotes. They often contain highly-variable intergenic regions of endogenous or foreign origins and undergo frequent recombination events, which result in different mtDNA configurations, even between closely-related species. The expression of the mitogenome in angiosperms involves extensive mtRNA processing steps, including numerous editing and splicing events. Why do land-plant’s mitochondria have to be so complex? The answer to this remains a matter of speculation. We propose that this complexity may have arisen throughout the terrestrialization of plants, as a means to control embryonic mitochondrial functions —a critical adaptive trait to optimize seed germination. The unique characteristics of plant mtDNA may play pivotal roles in the nuclear-regulation of organellar biogenesis and metabolism, possibly to control embryos quiescence or dormancy, essential determinants for the establishment of viable plantlets that can survive post-germination.
The Xylanase Inhibitor TAXI-I Increases Plant Resistance to Botrytis cinerea by Inhibiting the BcXyn11a Xylanase Necrotizing Activity
Authors: Tundo Silvio , Paccanaro Maria Chiara , Elmaghraby Ibrahim , Moscetti Ilaria , D’Ovidio Renato , Favaron Francesco , Sella Luca
Published: May 2020

During host plant infection, pathogens produce a wide array of cell wall degrading enzymes (CWDEs) to break the plant cell wall. Among CWDEs, xylanases are key enzymes in the degradation of xylan, the main component of hemicellulose. Targeted deletion experiments support the direct involvement of the xylanase BcXyn11a in the pathogenesis of Botrytis cinerea. Since the Triticum aestivum xylanase inhibitor-I (TAXI-I) has been shown to inhibit BcXyn11a, we verified if TAXI-I could be exploited to counteract B. cinerea infections. With this aim, we first produced Nicotiana tabacum plants transiently expressing TAXI-I, observing increased resistance to B. cinerea. Subsequently, we transformed Arabidopsis thaliana to express TAXI-I constitutively, and we obtained three transgenic lines exhibiting a variable amount of TAXI-I. The line with the higher level of TAXI-I showed increased resistance to B. cinerea and the absence of necrotic lesions when infiltrated with BcXyn11a. Finally, in a droplet application experiment on wild-type Arabidopsis leaves, TAXI-I prevented the necrotizing activity of BcXyn11a. These results would confirm that the contribution of BcXyn11a to virulence is due to its necrotizing rather than enzymatic activity. In conclusion, our experiments highlight the ability of the TAXI-I xylanase inhibitor to counteract B. cinerea infection presumably by preventing the necrotizing activity of BcXyn11a.
Characterizations of Biomasses for Subsequent Thermochemical Conversion: A Comparative Study of Pine Sawdust and Acacia Tortilis
Authors: Charis Gratitude , Danha Gwiranai , Muzenda Edison
Published: May 2020

The bioenergy production potential from biomasses is dependent on their characteristics. This study characterized pine sawdust samples from Zimbabwe and acacia tortilis samples from Botswana using conventional and spectrometry techniques. The ultimate analysis results for pine were 45.76% carbon (C), 5.54% hydrogen (H), 0.039% nitrogen (N), 0% sulphur (S) and 48.66% oxygen (O) and, for acacia, were 41.47% C, 5.15% H, 1.23% N, 0% S and 52.15% O. Due to the low N and S in the biomasses, they promise to provide cleaner energy than fossil-based sources. Proximate analysis results, on a dry basis, for acacia were 3.90% ash, 15.59% fixed carbon and 76.51% volatiles matter and 0.83%, 20% and 79.16%, respectively, for pine. A calorific value of 17.57 MJ/kg was obtained for pine, compared with 17.27 MJ/kg for acacia, suggesting they are good thermochemical feedstocks. Acacia’s bulk energy density is five times that of pine, making it excellent for compressed wood applications. Though the ash content in acacia was much higher than in pine, it fell below the fouling and slagging limit of 6%. In pyrolysis, however, high ash contents lead to reduced yields or the quality of bio-oil through catalytic reactions. Fourier transform infrared spectrometry indicated the presence of multiple functional groups, as expected for a biomass and its derivatives.
Effects of Clear-Sky Assimilation of GPM Microwave Imager on the Analysis and Forecast of Typhoon “Chan-Hom”
Authors: Xu Dongmei , Shu Aiqing , Shen Feifei
Published: May 2020

The module of assimilating a new GMI (GPM Microwave Imager) satellite detector was built in the framework of the Weather Research and Forecasting Model (WRF) and its three-dimensional variational (3DVar) data assimilation system (WRFDA). Typhoon “Chan-Hom” in the 2015 Pacific typhoon season was selected to verify the effectivity of the GMI clear-sky assimilation. The results show that, after assimilating the GMI radiance data, the background information in the model is modified positively when compared with the experiment without any assimilation and the one with assimilation of the conventional data. The obvious warm core structure of the typhoon, the modified geopotential height field, and the intensified circulation of the typhoon are favorable for the northwest twist of the typhoon, thus contributing to a better track forecast with a maximum error below 160 km in the 48-h deterministic forecast.
Intimate Partner Violence: Innovations in Theory to Inform Clinical Practice, Policy, and Research
Authors: McLeod David Axlyn , Havig Kirsten , Natale Anthony , Pharris Angela
Published: May 2020

Intimate partner violence (IPV) and intergenerational transmission of IPV in families are destructive social issues in need of considerable attention. Knowledge of the multi-level, complex causes, and consequences of IPV in the United States has increased significantly over the last two decades. Given these gains in learning, the authors’ aim here is to highlight recent critical and emerging theoretical perspectives on IPV. Frameworks included for application are intersectionality theory, historical trauma and decolonization, human rights, constructivist self-development theory, the posttraumatic growth paradigm, and adverse childhood experiences. This discussion will help to illuminate the dynamics of IPV that are actionable by practitioners using frameworks that promote cultural sensitivity, inclusion, and strengths-based practice with diverse populations. The authors discuss the scope of IPV while focusing on critical vulnerable people and exploring issues of relative privilege and oppression. Next, the authors review the historical body of theory informing understandings of IPV, and emerging theoretical frameworks on IPV. We offer conclusions throughout as they relate to the application of highlighted theories to IPV.
Demand Responsive Transport Service of ‘Dead-End Villages’ in Interurban Traffic
Authors: Lakatos András , Tóth János , Mándoki Péter
Published: May 2020

Providing a sustainable public transport service for areas with several small villages or hamlets is a challenge for the whole of Europe. To serve ‘dead-end villages’, vehicles must make a to-and-fro detour to each village, which requires considerable performance from the operator, and the service must also be ordered from the responsible bodies. The number of inhabitants in rural areas is constantly decreasing, and the remaining residents are aging. This process is due to the fact that economically active people in the country tend to move into towns offering jobs and public institutions instead of commuting to work. The performance requirement of serving low transport demand areas like ‘dead-end villages’ is high, while the number of passengers is very low. Furthermore, passengers are economically less active, and thus their transport must largely be subsidized. The present study hypothesizes that replacing traditional public transport with demand responsive transport (DRT) can make the service of rural areas with less public transport service and low demand sustainable. To prove this hypothesis, a generally applicable, innovative method of analysis based on performance–allocation is introduced, and the application of this method is illustrated by a case study conducted in northeastern Hungary. The number of ‘dead-end villages’ is high in the surveyed area; consequently, the results are impressive. The mathematical model applied here uses several parameters (e.g., population, traffic surveys, trip distance, operational costs), thus the analysis is highly complex.
How Green Transformational Leadership Affects Green Creativity: Creative Process Engagement as Intermediary Bond and Green Innovation Strategy as Boundary Spanner
Authors: Zhang Wengang , Xu Feng , Wang Xuefeng
Published: May 2020

Focusing on China’s steel industry, the effect of green transformational leadership on employee green creativity, its underlying mechanisms, and the conditions that govern the situation are examined. The sample analysis of 298 employees working with 46 supervisors from 23 companies indicates that green transformational leadership positively affects employee green creativity, and creative process engagement plays a mediating role in the relationship of green transformational leadership to employee green creativity. Moreover, the mediated role is moderated by green innovation strategy, which is used as a boundary spanner to affect the whole path linked by creative process engagement, so that this effect is strengthened when the level of green innovation strategy is high, rather than low. The results verify the hierarchical linear hypothesized model, which is helpful to sketch a more complete view of the relationship between green transformational leadership, creative process engagement, green innovation strategy, and green creativity, and to provide beneficial insights for innovative practice and the green management of steel enterprises.
Fully Human Monoclonal Antibodies Effectively Neutralizing Botulinum Neurotoxin Serotype B
Authors: Matsumura Takuhiro , Amatsu Sho , Misaki Ryo , Yutani Masahiro , Du Anariwa , Kohda Tomoko , Fujiyama Kazuhito , Ikuta Kazuyoshi , Fujinaga Yukako
Published: May 2020

Botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) is the most potent natural toxin known. Of the seven BoNT serotypes (A to G), types A, B, E, and F cause human botulism. Treatment of human botulism requires the development of effective toxin-neutralizing antibodies without side effects such as serum sickness and anaphylaxis. In this study, we generated fully human monoclonal antibodies (HuMAbs) against serotype B BoNT (BoNT/B1) using a murine–human chimera fusion partner cell line named SPYMEG. Of these HuMAbs, M2, which specifically binds to the light chain of BoNT/B1, showed neutralization activity in a mouse bioassay (approximately 10 i.p. LD50/100 µg of antibody), and M4, which binds to the C-terminal of heavy chain, showed partial protection. The combination of two HuMAbs, M2 (1.25 µg) and M4 (1.25 µg), was able to completely neutralize BoNT/B1 (80 i.p. LD50) with a potency greater than 80 i.p. LD50/2.5 µg of antibodies, and was effective both prophylactically and therapeutically in the mouse model of botulism. Moreover, this combination showed broad neutralization activity against three type B subtypes, namely BoNT/B1, BoNT/B2, and BoNT/B6. These data demonstrate that the combination of M2 and M4 is promising in terms of a foundation for new human therapeutics for BoNT/B intoxication.
New Imaging Parameters to Predict Sudden Cardiac Death in Chagas Disease
Authors: Moll-Bernardes Renata J. , Rosado-de-Castro Paulo Henrique , Camargo Gabriel Cordeiro , Mendes Fernanda Souza Nogueira Sardinha , Brito Adriana S. X. , Sousa Andréa Silvestre
Published: May 2020

Chronic Chagas’ cardiomyopathy is the most severe and frequent manifestation of Chagas disease, and has a high social and economic burden. New imaging modalities, such as strain echocardiography, nuclear medicine, computed tomography and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, may detect the presence of myocardial fibrosis, inflammation or sympathetic denervation, three conditions associated with risk of sudden death, providing additional diagnostic and/or prognostic information. Unfortunately, despite its high mortality, there is no clear recommendation for early cardioverter-defibrillator implantation in patients with Chagas heart disease in the current guidelines. Ideally, the risk of sudden cardiac death may be evaluated in earlier stages of the disease using new image methods to allow the implementation of primary preventive strategies.
Multi-Level Climate Governance in Bangladesh via Climate Change Mainstreaming: Lessons for Local Climate Action in Dhaka City
Authors: Fatemi Md. Nawrose , Okyere Seth Asare , Diko Stephen Kofi , Kita Michihiro
Published: May 2020

Over the last three decades, Bangladesh has implemented various initiatives to address different climate change impacts. In a multi-level governance arrangement, addressing climate change impacts is often constrained by climate change mainstreaming. In Bangladesh, a crucial question that arises is how mitigation and adaptation efforts are addressed at both national and sub-national levels. This paper examines the integration of climate change issues into national, sectoral, and city development plans with a particular focus on Dhaka using a framework developed based on the United Nations Development Program’s (UNDP) climate change mainstreaming guidelines for national development processes. The review finds evidence that mainstreaming of climate change is strong in national and sectoral development plans and has been incremental since 2002. However, climate change mainstreaming in Dhaka city development plans is moderate, especially in terms of climate risk and opportunity assessment, institutional arrangement, and capacity building for climate action. To augment existing efforts at mainstreaming at the sub-national level, the paper suggests the need to build sub-national level climate capacity with particular attention to institutional coordination and cooperation among agencies at different levels of development planning and to establish a national financing arrangement that allows sub-national agencies to harness climate finance.
Importance of the Influence of Drained Clay Soil Retention Properties on Flood Risk Reduction
Authors: Szejba Daniel
Published: May 2020

Subsurface drainage is a common water management practice in rural areas whose soil has poor permeability and where the groundwater table is periodically high. In addition, drainage systems are used to prevent waterlogging and flooding. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of drained clay water retention properties on flood risk reduction. Field research was conducted at the Lidzbark Warmiński experimental site (Poland). Three case studies were considered: early spring, spring, and late autumn/early winter. In the first case, soil moisture was found to be close to the saturated water content. Snow melting and even light rainfall had caused an immediate reaction from the drainage system. In the second case, soil moisture decreased steadily, so the soil water retention capacity increased. The response time between precipitation and outflow was four days. In the third case, melting snow and further precipitation during the days that followed caused a rapid increase in drainage outflow (after 24 h). Two values were introduced: the precipitation retention rate (prr) and drainage outflow factor (df). In all cases, the prr value was in the range 32–34%; the df oscillated around 29% in the first and second cases, and reached a value of 68% in the third case.
Impact of Storage Conditions on the Methanogenic Activity of Anaerobic Digestion Inocula
Authors: Astals Sergi , Koch Konrad , Weinrich Sören , Hafner Sasha D. , Tait Stephan , Peces Miriam
Published: May 2020

The impact of storage temperature (4, 22 and 37 °C) and storage time (7, 14 and 21 days) on anaerobic digestion inocula was investigated through specific methanogenic activity assays. Experimental results showed that methanogenic activity decreased over time with storage, regardless of storage temperature. However, the rate at which the methanogenic activity decreased was two and five times slower at 4 °C than at 22 and 37 °C, respectively. The inoculum stored at 4 °C and room temperature (22 °C) maintained methanogenic activity close to that of fresh inoculum for 14 days (<10% difference). However, a storage temperature of 4 °C is preferred because of the slower decrease in activity with lengthier storage time. From this research, it was concluded that inoculum storage time should generally be kept to a minimum, but that storage at 4 °C could help maintain methanogenic activity for longer.
Pressure Regulation vs. Water Aging in Water Distribution Networks
Authors: Patelis Menelaos , Kanakoudis Vasilis , Kravvari Anastasia
Published: May 2020

In this paper, the effects of pressure regulation in a water distribution network (WDN) are being examined. Quality is hammered the most when pressure is reduced in a WDN and this occurs due to the increase in the age of water flowing inside the network pipes (water age is actually the total time the water remains inside the pipes before reaching the customer’s tap). Kos town WDN is used as the case study network. Kos town is the capital of the homonymous Greek island, among the most famous and popular of the Greek islands. The specific WDN is quite typical but very interesting, as it is extended along the seafront. The network’s hydraulic simulation model was developed through the WaterCad V8i software. As Kos experiences too high-water demand peaks and lows during summer and winter time, respectively, its WDN has already been thoroughly studied, in order to regulate the pressure and reduce its annual water loss rates. Nevertheless, these scenarios have never been examined regarding the impact on water quality. In the current study, the division of the WDN in District Metered Areas (DMAs) and the use of a Pressure Reducing Valve (PRV) in the entering node of each DMA are being evaluated in terms of water age. Additionally, a swift optimization process takes place to produce different DMAs’ borders, based on the criteria of minimum nodal water age, instead of optimal pressure. Different scenarios were tested on the calibrated and validated hydraulic model of Kos town WDN.
Farmer Cooperation in Participatory Irrigation in South Asia: Insights from Game Theory
Authors: Hone Simon , Crase Lin , Burton Michael , Cooper Bethany , Gandhi Vasant , Ashfaq Muhammad , Lashari Bakhshal , Ahmad Bashir
Published: May 2020

Participatory irrigation, where farmers are given greater control and management responsibility, has been a topic of controversy for many years. Initially seen as a panacea for dealing with weaknesses in state-run irrigation, participatory irrigation has generated mixed results, especially in South Asia. Part of the challenge of understanding the conditions that promote and undermine participatory irrigation is that it is seldom deployed in the same way. For example, irrigation fees collected by farmers are not handled in the same manner, even within a single country. In some instances, a large portion of collected monies is retained locally and in others, only a small portion is kept for local use. In this paper, we use game theory to contemplate how the portion of irrigation fees retained locally might impact on the effectiveness of participatory irrigation. We show that there are multiple plausible equilibria, and that allowing farmers to retain more funds locally might shift behaviour from an uncooperative equilibrium to a cooperative outcome. However, we also find that it is unlikely for there to be a singular fix and we use empirical evidence to demonstrate the conundrums of making participatory irrigation sustainable.
Numerical Assessment of Shear Boundary Layer Formation in Sewer Systems with Fluid-Sediment Phases
Authors: Song Yang Ho , Joo Jin Gul , Lee Jung Ho , Yoo Do Guen
Published: May 2020

Numerical and empirical studies of soil slurry transport and deposition in urban stormwater sewers are few, presumably due to the difficulty of direct observation of soil slurry flow in stormwater pipes. Slurry in a sewer system includes both suspended load and bedload, but few studies have attempted to demarcate these two components. A boundary layer is a crucial determinant of sediment transport capacity. Stormwater runoff enters the sewer in turbulent flow, mostly mixed with soil slurry generated by rainfall. In this paper, we attempt analysis using ANSYS Fluent commercial CFD software. We describe the development of a numerical analytical methodology capable of predicting the flow of soil slurry in stormwater pipes, and propose a method for estimating the sediment–flow boundary layer. Using this model, we simulated stormwater runoff with a large content of soil slurry during a rainfall event. We investigated soil slurry transport and predict the formation of shear boundary layer by varying the inlet conditions (volume of soil slurry entering the stormwater sewer system) and by analyzing the flow velocity field and soil slurry volume fraction in the pipes under various experimental flow conditions. Based on the shear and settling velocity of sediment particles, we propose criteria for the formation of a shear boundary layer in stormwater pipes.
Comparison of Diatom Paleo-Assemblages with Adjacent Limno-Terrestrial Communities on Vega Island, Antarctic Peninsula
Authors: Bulínová Marie , Kohler Tyler , Kavan Jan , Van de Vijver Bart , Nývlt Daniel , Nedbalová Linda , Coria Silvia , Lirio Juan , Kopalová Kateřina
Published: May 2020

Diatoms are useful ecological and paleolimnological indicators routinely used to reconstruct past conditions and monitor environmental change. Despite this, diatom assemblages from lake sediment cores are often difficult to interpret due to a limited knowledge of the ecology of some species, some of which may originate from the adjacent limno-terrestrial landscape. Here, we compare diatom assemblages from two recently published Antarctic lake sediment cores collected from the northeast and southwest sides of Vega Island, Antarctic Peninsula. We further compare the sediment core assemblages with adjacent modern communities inhabiting four different limno-terrestrial habitat types to gauge the importance of landscape connectivity in determining paleo-assemblage structure. We found that diatom assemblage composition was significantly different between the two cores, and our survey of modern habitats further revealed habitat type to be an important factor determining the composition of limno-terrestrial samples. Differences in modern habitats were driven primarily by Chamaepinnularia krookiformis in mosses, Nitzschia paleacea in ponds, and Fistulifera pelliculosa in streams. When modern communities were compared with paleo-assemblages through ordination, the cored lake from the northeast side, which exhibited greater hydrological connectivity with its surroundings, clustered more closely with the adjacent modern samples. Meanwhile, the cored lake from the southwest side, which was more hydrologically isolated, formed a distinct cluster separate from the others. Overall, species richness and diversity were greater on the southwest side of the island than the northeast, and the known distributions of diatom taxa supported the notion that Vega Island was a transitional zone between the Maritime and Continental Antarctic bioregions. These results collectively suggested that while environmental and spatial controls may be influential in determining diatom community composition, the unique hydrogeological setting of individual waterbodies was an important consideration for determining the assemblage structure of lake cores. This paper furthermore expanded ongoing research of diatom diversity and distributions on maritime Antarctic islands, which will improve diatom-based interpretations for regional ecological monitoring and paleolimnology in the future.
Tamil Literary dictionaries - the need and uses of Encyclopedia
Authors: C Arunan
Published: May 2020

Though Tamil is recognised as the world’s oldest language, its a matter of great concern that there aren’t persistent efforts to create and maintain Tamil language dictionaries. While there have been many instances right from the sangam era in creating dictionaries and encyclopedia, they haven’t been continually updated to refine, remove errors or to add in the developments to the language by way of new words introduced. With English being used as the main language across the board, it’s important to have well maintained dictionaries and encyclopedia without which there will be no growth of the language. This paper traces the history of Tamil language dictionaries, about the pioneers and their attempts to bring out encyclopedia in various fields and emphasises the need to create a comprehensive dictionary and encyclopedia, update it yearly and the need to make it a mandatory subject of study in schools.