bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Improving Meter Testing Procedures
Authors: Chadwick John R. , Weller Ryan P. , Barfuss Steven L. , Johnson Michael C.
Published: January 2020

Key Takeaways

Through sound meter‐testing methods, water utilities can better determine a meter's accuracy in measuring flow.

In the interest of providing guidance to water utilities, a recent study was conducted to observe the ability of 12 utilities to accurately test meters, especially at low flow rates.

A 2013 study was used as a model to continue investigation into how utilities test meters and how their procedures can improve.
Highly Concentrated KTFSI : Glyme Electrolytes for K/Bilayered‐V2O5 Batteries
Authors: Liu Xu , Elia Giuseppe Antonio , Gao Xinpei , Qin Bingsheng , Zhang Huang , Passerini Stefano
Published: January 2020

Highly concentrated glyme‐based electrolytes are friendly to a series of negative electrodes for potassium‐based batteries, including potassium metal. However, their compatibility with positive electrodes has been rarely explored. In this work, the influence of the molar fraction of potassium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide dissolved in glyme on the cycling ability of K/bilayered‐V2O5 batteries has been investigated. At high salt concentration, the interaction between K+ ions with the glyme is strengthened, leading to a limited number of free glyme molecules. Therefore, the anodic decomposition of the electrolyte solvent, as well as the dissolution of the Al current collectors, is effectively suppressed, resulting in the improved cycling ability of the K/bilayered‐V2O5 cells. In these cells, the positive electrode active material exhibits reversible capacities of 93 and 57 mAh g−1 at specific current densities of 50 and 1000 mA g−1, respectively. After 200 charge‐discharge cycles at 500 mA g−1, the cell retains 94 % of the initial capacity. The promising rate performance and capacity retention demonstrate the importance of proper electrolyte engineering for the K/bilayered‐V2O5 batteries, and the good compatibility of highly concentrated glyme‐based electrolytes with positive electrode materials for potassium batteries.
Chemiluminescence of 3‐aminophthalic acid anion–hydrogen peroxide–cobalt (II)
Authors: Huang Kai , Sun Yonghua , Liu Lin , Hu Chaoyu
Published: January 2020

The 3‐aminophthalic acid anion is a light emitter in luminol chemiluminescence. In the present study, the chemiluminescence of the 3‐aminophthalic acid anion itself in the presence of hydrogen peroxide–cobalt (II) was studied. The results indicated that 3‐aminophthalic acid anion is highly chemiluminescent in the typical hydrogen peroxide–cobalt (II) system. The peak wavelength of this chemiluminescence and the kinetic profile of the 3‐aminophthalic acid anion–hydrogen peroxide–cobalt (II) reaction showed similarity with that of luminol, but the chemiluminescence of 3‐aminophthalic acid anion had a much lower background signal. In addition, the chemiluminescence mechanism of 3‐aminophthalic acid anion–hydrogen peroxide–cobalt (II) was also discussed and speculated as the interaction between 3‐aminophthalic acid anion and singlet oxygen.
Resistance and outcome expectations in cognitive‐behavioural therapy for generalised anxiety disorder
Authors: Mamedova Khuraman , Westra Henny A. , Constantino Michael J. , Shekarak Ghashghaei Nazanin , Antony Martin M.
Published: January 2020

Greater client resistance has been consistently found to be negatively associated with outcome in psychotherapy. However, the pathways through which resistance impacts such outcomes are underexplored. Given that client outcome expectation (OE) has been identified as an important common factor in psychotherapy, the goals of the present study were to examine: (a) the impact of resistance on subsequent client and therapist OE (COE & TOE, respectively); and (b) whether COE and/or TOE mediate the relationship between resistance and outcome. These relationships were tested among 44 clients with severe generalised anxiety disorder treated with cognitive‐behavioural therapy in the context of a randomised controlled trial (Westra, Constantino, & Antony, 2016). Resistance was measured at a mid‐treatment session, and COE and TOE were assessed at baseline and immediately after the resistance session. Treatment outcome was measured via client‐rated worry severity at post‐treatment. As predicted, higher resistance was associated with lower subsequent COE and TOE; B = −.73, p < .001 and B = −.46, p < .001, respectively. In turn, lower post‐resistance COE predicted higher post‐treatment worry (B = −.5, p < .001), indicating mediation. In contrast, TOE did not mediate the relationship between resistance and outcome (B = −.02, p = .876). These results suggest that resistance can be demoralising to both clients and therapists. However, only lower client morale may be detrimental to therapy outcome. This study contributes to understanding outcome pathways through two common therapy processes.
Investigation of Anti‐Fatigue Effect and Simultaneous Determination of Eight Nucleosides in Different Parts of Velvet Antler in Red Deer and Sika Deer
Authors: Zhang Ping , Guo Zhenghong , Ma Lu , Wang Guiyan , Zhao Yuqing
Published: January 2020

Velvet antler (VA) is crucial and precious nourishment in China and some countries in Southeast Asia and has excellent anti‐fatigue effect. The incidence of fatigue syndrome has increased gradually. VA can be a potential source of anti‐fatigue products. Therefore, we investigated the anti‐fatigue activity of different sections (upper, middle, and basal section) of VA from different species (red deer and sika deer) via loading swimming test in mice. Furthermore, nucleosides are one kind of active components in VA which could considerably reduce fatigue in mice. In order to explore whether the nucleosides are correlated with anti‐fatigue effect, the contents of eight nucleosides (uracil, cytidine, hypoxanthine, xanthine, thymine, inosine, guanosine, and adenosine) were determined simultaneously using high‐performance liquid chromatography. The results indicated that the swimming time in mice was increased from basal to upper section, which was consistent with the change trend of the total contents of eight nucleosides of VA. Therefore, we speculated that the contents of nucleosides in VA may affect its anti‐fatigue effect. Furthermore, the contents of nucleosides were also used as a reference for evaluating the quality of different parts of VA obtained from red and sika deer.
BciC‐Catalyzed C132‐Demethoxycarbonylation of Metal Pheophorbide a Alkyl Esters
Authors: Hirose Mitsuaki , Teramura Misato , Harada Jiro , Tamiaki Hitoshi
Published: January 2020

Bacteriochlorophyll c molecules self‐aggregate to form large oligomers in the core part of chlorosomes, which are the main light‐harvesting antenna systems of green photosynthetic bacteria. In the biosynthetic pathway of bacteriochlorophyll c, a BciC enzyme catalyzes the removal of the C132‐methoxycarbonyl group of chlorophyllide a, which possesses a free propionate residue at the C17‐position and a magnesium ion as the central metal. The in vitro C132‐demethoxycarbonylations of chlorophyll a derivatives with various alkyl propionate residues and central metals were examined by using the BciC enzyme derived from one green sulfur bacteria species, Chlorobaculum tepidum. The BciC enzymatic reactions of zinc pheophorbide a alkyl esters were gradually suppressed with an increase of the alkyl chain length in the C17‐propionate residue (from methyl to pentyl esters) and finally the hexyl ester became inactive for the BciC reaction. Although not only the zinc but also nickel and copper complexes were demethoxycarbonylated by the BciC enzyme, the reactions were largely dependent on the coordination ability of the central metals: Zn>Ni>Cu. The above substrate specificity indicates that the BciC enzyme would not bind directly to the carboxy group of chlorophyllide a, but would bind to its central magnesium to form the stereospecific complex of BciC with chlorophyllide a, giving pyrochlorophyllide a, which lacks the (132R)‐methoxycarbonyl group.
Physicochemical and morphological changes in corn grains and starch during the malting for Palomero and Puma varieties
Authors: Hernández‐Becerra Ezequiel , Contreras‐Jiménez Brenda , Vuelvas‐Solorzano Alma , Millan‐Malo Beatriz , Muñoz‐Torres Carolina , Oseguera‐Toledo Miguel E. , Rodriguez‐Garcia Mario E.
Published: January 2020

Background and objective

Although corn is the most consumed and studied cereal in Mexico as food, its potential in fermented beverage production is less considered. The objective was to study the morphological and physiochemical changes during malting for Palomero and Puma corns, and to compare them with malted barley to determine the potentials of this cereal in the beer industry.

Findings

The SEM images of the malted starches showed a selective enzymatic attack and germination rate and reducing sugars behaved as S‐shape (logistic curve). The X‐ray diffraction patterns showed that the process did not modify the crystalline structure of these starches. The pasting profile showed changes in the peak viscosity and final viscosity, associated with amylose degradation, debranching of amylopectin, and the increase in reducing sugars. The IR analysis showed that during the malting time, the lipids had a drastic change.

Conclusions

Significant changes were found in the nutrimental composition after malting such as loss in fat and carbohydrates, while no significant differences were found in protein and ashes. The SEM images of the malting showed a selective enzymatic attack, and X‐ray diffraction patterns showed that process does not modify the crystalline structure of this starch. Changes in the pasting profile indicate that the malting decreases the peak and final viscosity.

Significance and novelty

The X‐ray results clearly showed that the enzymatic attack takes place on the amorphous component of the starch, while in the case of corn the crystalline A‐type orthorhombic structure does not suffer any change. These results indicate that corn malt can be suitable for brewing purposes.
Effect of fermentation time on the physicochemical and functional properties of pea protein‐enriched flour fermented by Aspergillus oryzae and Aspergillus niger
Authors: Kumitch Hayley M. , Stone Andrea K. , Nickerson Michael T. , Korber Darren R. , Tanaka Takuji
Published: January 2020

Background and objectives

Pea protein‐enriched flour (PPEF) was inoculated with Aspergillus oryzae NRRL 5,590 or Aspergillus niger NRRL 334 to obtain limited protein hydrolysis (0%–10%). Fermented PPEF was analyzed for surface properties, water hydration capacity (WHC), oil‐holding capacity (OHC), and nitrogen solubility and emulsification and foaming properties at pH values of 3.0, 5.0, and 7.0.

Findings

The surface charge of fermented PPEF increased over fermentation time for both fungi, whereas surface hydrophobicity decreased. In all samples, functionality (based on solubility, emulsification, and foaming) was greatest at pH 3.0 and 7.0 and lowest at pH 5.0. Fermented PPEF significantly decreased in solubility over fermentation time for both fungi, and in turn, the foaming properties were negatively impacted, whereas the emulsifying properties remained relatively unchanged. However, fermentation improved the water and oil binding properties of fermented PPEF; WHC increased from 1.46 to 2.03 g/g with A. oryzae, and OHC increased from 1.18 to 2.27 g/g with A. niger.

Conclusions

Fermentation of PPEF with A. oryzae or A. niger may be considered for applications requiring high WHC and OHC, respectively.

Significance and novelty

Fermented PPEF represents a novel protein material that should be further explored for specific food applications.
Primary biliary cholangitis presenting as acute ischemic stroke: A rare association
Authors: Park Bumsoo , Islam Sumaiya , Vemulapalli Raghavendra C. , Shreve Maria E.
Published: January 2020

Primary biliary cholangitis is associated with hyperlipidemia, but studies show that the condition does not increase cardiovascular risks. The case presents acute ischemic stroke with no underlying risk factors and subsequent new diagnosis of primary biliary cholangitis, which can suggest possible association between primary biliary cholangitis and acute stroke.
A rare case of acral persistent papular mucinosis
Authors: Toh Joseph Jia‐Hong , Goh Nicholas Seng-Geok , Wang Ding Yuan
Published: January 2020

In patients with asymptomatic papules of hands and feet, a clinical differential of acral persistent papular mucinosis should be thought of.
Clinical efficacy of osimertinib for a patient with ileus due to peritoneal carcinomatosis
Authors: Kawaguchi Yo , Hanaoka Jun , Hayashi Hideki , Fukuda Yoshihisa , Iihara Hirotoshi , Suzuki Akio , Sugiyama Tadashi
Published: January 2020

We report a patient of stage IV lung adenocarcinoma who developed ileus due to peritoneal carcinomatosis. We placed an ileus tube and started an oral intake of osimertinib. Within one month, the tumor had shrunk, and the ileus was controlled.
Self‐Supported Electrocatalysts for Efficient Oxygen Evolution Reaction: Hierarchical CuOx@CoO Nanorods Grown on Cu Foam
Authors: Li Pan , Wang Jianzhi , Cai Ning , Wang Lei , Tong Jing , Yu Faquan
Published: January 2020

The fabrication of cost‐effective and performance‐advanced electrocatalysts is in great requirements for water splitting to achieve sustainable oxygen production. A simple and effective precursor of ZIF‐67 particles mounted on Cu(OH)2 nanorods was induced by a template alignment method. After annealing, hierarchical CoO polyhedron‐decorated CuO/Cu2O (CuOx) nanorods on Cu foam (denoted as CuOx@CoO NRs/CF) were achieved, which displayed the heterojunction in CuOx components, hierarchical configuration and outward active sites. These features, verified by HRTEM, SEM, XPS and EDX, optimized the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) electrocatalyst. Benefiting from its large electrochemical surface area and the synergetic effect between CuOx and CoO, CuOx@CoO NRs/CF exhibited considerable catalytic activity with a low overpotential of 254 mV to obtain a current density of 10 mA cm−2 in alkaline electrolyte and a scarce loss of the initial catalyst activity over 24 h and over 5000 cycles. This work provides a channel to enhance the performance in OER.
Maximized Energy Density of RuO2//RuO2 Supercapacitors through Potential Dependence of Specific Capacitance
Authors: Wang Yilun , Gu Dawei , Guo Jiaren , Xu Mingyang , Sun Hongshun , Li Jishu , Wang Lei , Shen Linjiang
Published: January 2020

In this study, a stepwise cyclic voltammetry approach was proposed to clarify the potential dependence of specific capacitance for reduced graphene oxide and ruthenium oxide electrodes. Based on the relationship between specific capacitance and potential, the working voltage window and energy density of RuO2//RuO2 supercapacitors (SCs) were maximized by modulating the mass ratio. The working voltage window of RuO2//RuO2 with a mass ratio of 2.03 (close to optimum mass ratio
) was extended by about 188 % when compared to that calculated at a mass ratio of 0.56. The former was equivalent to a 304 % increase in energy density. In addition, the source of wasted potential window of electrodes on RuO2//RuO2 was investigated in an effort to design and produce better SCs.
Electrochemical Cross‐Dehydrogenative Coupling between Phenols and β‐Dicarbonyl Compounds: Facile Construction of Benzofurans
Authors: Wang Yandong , Tian Bailin , Ding Mengning , Shi Zhuangzhi
Published: January 2020

Preparative electrochemical synthesis is an ideal method for establishing green, sustainable processes. The major benefits of an electro‐organic strategy over that of conventional chemical synthesis are the avoidance of reagent waste and mild reaction conditions. Here, an intermolecular cross‐dehydrogenative coupling between phenols and β‐dicarbonyl compounds has been developed to build various benzofurans under undivided electrolytic conditions. Neither transition metals nor external chemical oxidants are required to facilitate the dehydrogenation and dehydration processes. The key factor in success was the use ofnBu4NBF4as the electrolyte and hexafluoroisopropanol as the solvent, which play key roles in the cyclocondensation step. This electrolysis is scalable and can be used as a key step in drug synthesis. On the basis of several experimental results, the mechanism, particularly of the remarkable anodic oxidation and cyclization process, was illustrated.
Assessing semantic similarity between concepts: A weighted‐feature‐based approach
Authors: Wasti Shahbaz Hassan , Hussain Muhammad Jawad , Huang Guangjian , Akram Aftab , Jiang Yuncheng , Tang Yong
Published: January 2020

Traditional feature‐based semantic similarity (SS) approaches exploit the Wikipedia features in term of sets. They evaluate the similarity of concepts based on the commonalities among their feature sets. However, these feature‐based approaches treat all the features equally in similarity evaluation. Therefore, they ignore the underlying statistics of the features and consequently lose the essential semantic details about them. One solution is that each feature can be assigned a specific weight using its statistics. This weight will reflect the relative importance of a feature in similarity evaluation. Therefore, in this paper, based on two statistical models, ie, information content and TFIDF, we propose some hybrid semantic similarity measurement methods. Firstly, we propose some new methods called weighting functions to compute the weights of the features and feature sets in Wikipedia. Secondly, based on the weighting functions, we propose some new weighted feature‐based SS approaches for Wikipedia concepts. Thirdly, we evaluate the proposed methods on well‐known benchmarks for English, German, French, and Spanish languages. Finally, we compare the performance of our methods with the traditional feature‐based and some state‐of‐the‐art SS approaches. The experimental evaluation shows that our weighted methods perform better than the traditional feature‐based and some state‐of‐the‐art approaches in similarity evaluation.
Task scheduling based on deep reinforcement learning in a cloud manufacturing environment
Authors: Dong Tingting , Xue Fei , Xiao Chuangbai , Li Juntao
Published: January 2020

Cloud manufacturing promotes the transformation of intelligence for the traditional manufacturing mode. In a cloud manufacturing environment, the task scheduling plays an important role. However, as the number of problem instances increases, the solution quality and computation time always go against. Existing task scheduling algorithms can get local optimal solutions with the high computational cost, especially for large problem instances. To tackle this problem, a task scheduling algorithm based on a deep reinforcement learning architecture (RLTS) is proposed to dynamically schedule tasks with precedence relationship to cloud servers to minimize the task execution time. Meanwhile, the Deep‐Q‐Network, as a kind of deep reinforcement learning algorithms, is employed to consider the problem of complexity and high dimension. In the simulation, the performance of the proposed algorithm is compared with other four heuristic algorithms. The experimental results show that RLTS can be effective to solve the task scheduling in a cloud manufacturing environment.
Proton Pump Inhibitors Augment the Risk of Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events and End‐Stage Renal Disease in Patients With Acute Kidney Injury After Temporary Dialysis
Authors: Tsai I‐Jung , Lai Tai‐Shuan , Shiao Chih‐Chung , Huang Tao‐Min , Wang Chih‐Hsien , Tsao Chun-Hao , Chen Liang-Wen , Lin Yen‐Hung , Chen Likwang , Wu Vin‐Cent , Chu Tzong‐Shinn ,   the National Taiwan University Hospital Study Group on Acute Renal Failure (NSARF)
Published: January 2020

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) have been reported to increase the risk of acute and chronic renal disease. However, the data are unclear in patients with acute kidney injury (AKI) requiring dialysis (AKI‐D) who are often candidates for PPIs. To investigate this important issue, we identified 26,052 AKI‐D patients from Taiwan’s National Health Insurance Research Database weaning from dialysis. During a mean follow‐up period of 3.52 years, the PPI users had a higher incidence of end‐stage renal disease (ESRD) than the PPI nonusers (P < 0.001). After propensity score matching and treating mortality as a competing risk factor, the PPI users had a higher risk of ESRD (subhazard ratio (sHR) 1.40; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.31–1.50) and major adverse cardiac events (MACE, sHR 1.53; 95% CI, 1.37–1.71) compared with the PPI nonusers with AKI‐D survivors. In conclusion, the use of PPIs was associated with a higher risk of ESRD and MACE, compared with the PPI nonusers in AKI‐D patients who weaned from dialysis.
Normalized Testosterone Glucuronide as a Potential Urinary Biomarker for Highly Variable UGT2B17 in Children 7–18 Years
Authors: Zhang Haeyoung , Basit Abdul , Wolford Chris , Chen Kuan‐Fu , Gaedigk Andrea , Lin Yvonne S. , Leeder J. Steven , Prasad Bhagwat
Published: January 2020

UDP‐glucuronosyltransferase 2B17 (UGT2B17) is a highly variable androgen‐metabolizing and drug‐metabolizing enzyme. UGT2B17 exhibits a unique ontogeny profile characterized by a dramatic increase in hepatic protein expression from prepubertal age to adulthood. Age, sex, copy number variation (CNV), and single nucleotide polymorphisms only explain 26% of variability in protein expression, highlighting the need for a phenotypic biomarker for predicting interindividual variability in glucuronidation of UGT2B17 substrates. Here, we propose testosterone glucuronide (TG) normalized by androsterone glucuronide (TG/AG) as a urinary UGT2B17 biomarker, and examine the associations among urinary TG/AG and age, sex, and CNV. We performed targeted metabolomics of 12 androgen conjugates with liquid‐chromatography tandem mass spectrometry in 63 pediatric subjects ages 7–18 years followed over 7 visits in 3 years. Consistent with the reported developmental trajectory of UGT2B17 protein expression, urinary TG/AG is significantly associated with age, sex, and CNV. In conclusion, TG/AG shows promise as a phenotypic urinary UGT2B17 biomarker.
Genomic prediction and quantitative trait locus discovery in a cassava training population constructed from multiple breeding stages
Authors: Somo Mohamed , Kulembeka Heneriko , Mtunda Kiddo , Mrema Emmanuel , Salum Kasele , Wolfe Marnin D. , Rabbi Ismail Y. , Egesi Chiedozie , Kawuki Robert , Ozimati Alfred , Lozano Roberto , Jannink Jean‐Luc
Published: January 2020

Assembly of a training population (TP) is an important component of effective genomic selection‐based breeding programs. In this study, we examined the power of diverse germplasm assembled from two cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) breeding programs in Tanzania at different breeding stages to predict traits and discover quantitative trait loci (QTL). This is the first genomic selection and genome‐wide association study (GWAS) on Tanzanian cassava data. We detected QTL associated with cassava mosaic disease (CMD) resistance on chromosomes 12 and 16; QTL conferring resistance to cassava brown streak disease (CBSD) on chromosomes 9 and 11; and QTL on chromosomes 2, 3, 8, and 10 associated with resistance to CBSD for root necrosis. We detected a QTL on chromosome 4 and two QTL on chromosome 12 conferring dual resistance to CMD and CBSD. The use of clones in the same stage to construct TPs provided higher trait prediction accuracy than TPs with a mixture of clones from multiple breeding stages. Moreover, clones in the early breeding stage provided more reliable trait prediction accuracy and are better candidates for constructing a TP. Although larger TP sizes have been associated with improved accuracy, in this study, adding clones from Kibaha to those from Ukiriguru and vice versa did not improve the prediction accuracy of either population. Including the Ugandan TP in either population did not improve trait prediction accuracy. This study applied genomic prediction to understand the implications of constructing TP from clones at different breeding stages pooled from different locations on trait accuracy.
Ratooning as a management strategy for lodged or drought‐damaged rice crops
Authors: Torres Rolando O. , Natividad Mignon A. , Quintana Marinell R. , Henry Amelia
Published: January 2020

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) plants have the ability to develop ratoon tillers if the terminal growing point is lost, such as when the panicle has been aborted, matured, or harvested. We examined postharvest and midseason ratooning as management strategies for damaged rice crops, both in irrigated and rainfed conditions. Genotypic variation was observed in terms of postharvest ratoon tillering, midseason ratoon crop growth after lodging, and midseason ratoon crop growth after drought stress. The genotypic variation in postharvest ratoon tillering was related to stem carbohydrate levels at the time of main crop harvest and was affected by soil moisture levels at the time of main crop harvest. Drought‐tolerant varieties did not consistently show improved ratoon crop growth. After lodging, cutting stems at a height of 30 cm produced the highest numbers of ratoon tillers, and the contribution of the ratoon crop to the total harvestable grain yield was highest when the ratoon crop was initiated at earlier growth stages. The highest ratoon grain yields recovered from lodged crops ranged up to 3.58 t ha−1. Total grain yield after drought was improved by trimming the leaves and panicles only in certain conditions and did not appear to be correlated with stem carbohydrate levels. These results suggest that management strategies may be recommended to farmers that exploit the ratooning ability of rice for improved recovery after midseason crop damage.
Hybrid beamforming design based on unsupervised machine learning for millimeter wave systems
Authors: Costa Neto Francisco Hugo , Costa Araújo Daniel , Ferreira Maciel Tarcisio
Published: January 2020

This article proposes a hybrid beamforming design with reduced channel state information (CSI) feedback. We use a beam sweeping procedure to provide channel measurements and feed a CSI report scheme. Thereby, the base station (BS) can perform an adequate estimation of the channel characteristics with reduced signaling overhead. Consequently, we need short pilot sequences and very few precoding matrix indicators (PMIs) to properly describe channel behavior. Moreover, we also evaluate different user selection strategies based on unsupervised machine learning framework that exploits the channel information provided by the proposed beam sweeping scheme. Our performance evaluation indicates that the user selection based on fuzzy c‐means is able to efficiently explore the reduced CSI. The proposed hybrid beamforming scheme reduces the multi‐user interference and achieves significant gains in total data rate as channel conditions and interference environment becomes more challenging.
Heterozygous mutation of the splicing factor Sf3b4 affects development of the axial skeleton and forebrain in mouse
Authors: Yamada Takahiko , Takechi Masaki , Yokoyama Norisuke , Hiraoka Yuichi , Ishikubo Harumi , Usami Takako , Furutera Toshiko , Taga Yuki , Hirate Yoshikazu , Kanai‐Azuma Masami , Yoda Tetsuya , Ogawa‐Goto Kiyoko , Iseki Sachiko
Published: January 2020

Background

Splicing factor 3B subunit 4 (SF3B4) is a causative gene of an acrofacial dysostosis, Nager syndrome. Although in vitro analyses of SF3B4 have proposed multiple noncanonical functions unrelated to splicing, less information is available based on in vivo studies using model animals.

Results

We performed expression and functional analyses of Sf3b4 in mice. The mouse Sf3b4 transcripts were found from two‐cell stage, and were ubiquitously present during embryogenesis with high expression levels in several tissues such as forming craniofacial bones and brain. In contrast, expression of a pseudogene‐like sequence of mouse Sf3b4 (Sf3b4_ps) found by in silico survey was not detected up to embryonic day 10. We generated a Sf3b4 knockout mouse using CRISPR‐Cas9 system. The homozygous mutant mouse of Sf3b4 was embryonic lethal. The heterozygous mutant of Sf3b4 mouse (Sf3b4+/−) exhibited smaller body size compared to the wild‐type from postnatal to adult period, as well as homeotic posteriorization of the vertebral morphology and flattened calvaria. The flattened calvaria appears to be attributable to mild microcephaly due to a lower cell proliferation rate in the forebrain.

Conclusions

Our study suggests that Sf3b4 controls anterior‐posterior patterning of the axial skeleton and guarantees cell proliferation for forebrain development in mice.
Defective coronary vessel organization and reduction of VEGF‐A in mouse embryonic hearts with gestational mild hypoxia
Authors: Cai Lawrence X. , Alkassis Fariz F. , Kasahara Hideko
Published: January 2020

Background

Vasculature is formed by responding to homeostatic tissue demands including in developing hearts. Hypoxia generally stimulates vascular formation in which vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF‐A) plays a critical role. Gestational hypoxia increases the risk of low intrauterine growth and low birth weight, both of which are known to increase the risk of the fetus developing cardiovascular defects. In fact, continuous gestational mild hypoxia (14% O2) from the mid‐embryonic stage causes cardiac anomalies accompanied by a thinning compact layer in mice in vivo. Because coronary vasculature formation is necessary for compact layers to thicken, we hypothesized that defective coronary vessel organization is related to the thinning compact layer under gestational hypoxia conditions.

Results

Continuous gestational mild hypoxia (14% O2) applied from embryonic day 10.5 (E10.5) reduced the expression of VEGF‐A mRNA and proteins by over 60% in E12.5 hearts relative to control normoxic hearts. Formation of CD31‐positive vascular plexus, blood islands, and microvessels in embryonic ventricles were stunted by gestational hypoxia compared to control E12.5 hearts.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that mild hypoxia (14% O2) does not induce coronary vessel organization or VEGF‐A expression in developing mouse hearts, opposing the general effects of hypoxia‐triggering vascular organization and VEGF‐A expression.
Specialized bacteriome uncovered in the coralloid roots of the epiphytic gymnosperm, Zamia pseudoparasitica
Authors: Bell‐Doyon Philip , Laroche Jérôme , Saltonstall Kristin , Villarreal Aguilar Juan Carlos
Published: January 2020

Epiphytes face several constraints regarding nutrient acquisition: They are disconnected from soil minerals and they have to mainly rely on nutrients leached by precipitation and microbes. The cycad, Zamia pseudoparasitica Yates, is the only known strictly epiphytic gymnosperm, and it is endemic to Panamanian rainforests. Cycads have evolved specialized coralloid roots that host endophytic cyanobacteria specialized in nitrogen fixation. We collected coralloid roots from plants in the Omar Torrijos National Park, Provincia de Coclé. DNA was extracted from fresh inner coralloid roots, and the bacteriome was described using two molecular markers: rbcL‐rbcX (targeting cyanobacteria) and 16S (all bacteria). Sixteen samples were sequenced for rbcL‐rbcX yielding sequences belonging to a monophyletic group within the order Nostocales. One hundred and sixty‐five amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) were found in at least two of our 27 samples amplified for 16S. Nostocales, Rhizobiales, and Acetobacterales were the three most diverse and abundant orders of bacteria found within the coralloid roots, and the candidate phylum WPS‐2 was also found in many samples. We performed a de novo assembly from a single culture of the endophytic cyanobacteria. A phylogenomic analysis of the isolate places the cyanobacterium in a sister clade to mostly symbiotic taxa from mosses, liverworts, and lichens. Additionally, the isolate has genes putatively involved in symbiotic signaling, hormogonium differentiation, ammonium transport, nitrogen fixation, heterocyst differentiation, sulfate transport, and secondary metabolites. Although dominated by organisms with the capacity to fix nitrogen, coralloid roots are also inhabited by a diverse community of other taxa which may also play biologically important roles.
A Novel Cinnamic Acid‐Based Organogel: Effect of Oil Type on Physical Characteristics and Crystallization Kinetics
Authors: Yu Dianyu , Wang Xu , Li Dan , Zhang Xin , Yu Changhua , Pei Xingwu , Cheng Jinju , Wang Liqi
Published: January 2020

Oil sources (canola, sunflower, and flax‐seed oil) characterized by unsaturated fatty acids are gelled by using cinnamic acid. The physical characteristics and crystallization kinetics of cinnamic acid‐based organogels are investigated. A phase diagram with cinnamic acid concentrations ranging from 1% to 7% (w/w) shows that both canola and sunflower oil organogels are formed at 3.0% (w/w) cinnamic acid at 5 °C. The flax‐seed oil organogels are formed at 4.0% (w/w) at 5 °C. Firmness is shown to be dependent on the fatty acid composition and viscosity of the oil. Flax‐seed oil with a higher degree of unsaturation and lower viscosity tends to produce harder organogels. This result is consistent with the observations of polarized light microscopy. The organogels have low solid fat content at 35 °C which is close to the human body temperature, and no effect of oil type is found. The X‐ray diffraction measurements show β'‐form crystal exists in three types of organogels. The thermal properties vary in different types of organogels. The crystallization kinetics results suggest that three types of organogels crystallize by 1D and 2D mixed growth and instantaneous nucleation.

Practical Applications: These findings provide in‐depth characteristics of cinnamic acid‐based organogels, which are a substitute for solid fats.
Palladium‐Catalyzed Allylation of Cyclopropyl Acetylenes with Oxindoles to Construct 1,3‐Dienes
Authors: Lu Chuan‐Jun , Yu Xin , Chen Yu‐Ting , Song Qing‐Bao , Yang Zhen‐Ping , Wang Hong
Published: January 2020

A novel palladium‐catalyzed allylic alkylation of oxindoles with cyclopropyl acetylenes has been developed. Various 1,3‐diene oxindole framework bearing a quaternary stereocenter at the C3 position were synthesized straightforwardly in good to excellent yields with high regio‐, and stereoselectivities. The reaction exhibited high atom economy and good functional group tolerance.
New Access to Six‐Membered Phosphacycle Annulated Polyaromatic Ring System
Authors: Si Erbing , Zhao Peng , Wang Lili , Duan Zheng , Mathey François
Published: January 2020

A facile Ag‐catalyzed intramolecular C–P bond formation reaction from easily accessible phosphine oxides has been developed. Several new heteroatoms fused π‐conjugated molecules were synthesized from this procedure with their structures confirmed by X‐ray structure analyses.
From regulation to projection: Reliance on regulatory mode in predictions about others
Authors: Woltin Karl‐Andrew , Yzerbyt Vincent Y.
Published: January 2020

Past research showed that people project their goals onto unknown others. The present research investigates whether they also rely on their motivational orientation in terms of regulatory mode (locomotion vs. assessment). In line with work on self‐judgments, a stronger chronic personal focus on locomotion over assessment decreased predictions of others' experiences of nostalgia (Study 1) and increased predictions of others' preference for, motivation by, and evaluation of a transformational over a transactional leader (Study 2). Furthermore, an experimentally induced locomotion mode compared to an assessment mode increased peoples' predictions of others' motivation to reconcile after interpersonal conflict (Study 3). We examined process evidence via the Testing‐Process‐by‐Interaction‐Strategy: As predicted, effects only emerged under time pressure (vs. ample deliberation; Study 2) and for ingroup (vs. outgroup) members (Study 3). These findings suggest that people's regulatory mode is a basis for predicting others' reactions and preferences. We discuss implications and future research directions.
Numerical study of electroosmotic slip flow of fractional Oldroyd‐B fluids at high zeta potentials
Authors: Wang Xiaoping , Jiang Yuting , Qiao Yanli , Xu Huanying , Qi Haitao
Published: January 2020

In this paper, an investigation of the electroosmotic flow of fractional Oldroyd‐B fluids in a narrow circular tube with high zeta potential is presented. The Navier linear slip law at the walls is considered. The potential field is applied along the walls described by the nonlinear Poisson–Boltzmann equation. It's worth noting here that the linear Debye–Hückel approximation can't be used at the condition of high zeta potential and the exact solution of potential in cylindrical coordinates can't be obtained. Therefore, the Matlab bvp4c solver method and the finite difference method are employed to numerically solve the nonlinear Poisson–Boltzmann equation and the governing equations of the velocity distribution, respectively. To verify the validity of our numerical approach, a comparison has been made with the previous work in the case of low zeta potential and the excellent agreement between the solutions is clear. Then, in view of the obtained numerical solution for the velocity distribution, the numerical solutions of the flow rate and the shear stress are derived. Furthermore, based on numerical analysis, the influence of pertinent parameters on the potential distribution and the generation of flow is presented graphically.
Enhanced viscoelastic focusing of particle in microchannel
Authors: Fan Liang‐Liang , Zhao Zhi , Tao Yi‐Yi , Wu Xu , Yan Qing , Zhe Jiang , Zhao Liang
Published: January 2020

A novel method is reported to enhance the focusing of microparticle in the viscoelastic fluid. Gradually contracted geometry is designed in microchannel, which changes the distribution of the elastic lift force on the cross section. Additionally, it induces the viscous drag force and the Saffman lift force in the lateral direction. Under the combined effect of these forces, microparticles fast migrate to the center of the channel. In comparison to the channel with constant cross section, the present channel significantly enhances the particle's lateral migration, leading to efficient viscoelastic particle focusing in a short channel length. The influence of flow rate, channel length, particle size and fluid property on the particle focusing is also investigated. With simple structure, small footprint and perfect particle focusing performance, the present device has great potential in the particle focusing processes in various lab‐on‐a‐chip applications.
Precise generation of dynamic biochemical signals by controlling the programmable pump in a Y‐shaped microfluidic chip with a “christmas tree” inlet
Authors: Na Jing‐Tong , Xue Chun‐Dong , Li Yong‐Jiang , Wang Yu , Liu Bo , Qin Kai‐Rong
Published: January 2020

The generation of dynamic biochemical signals in a microfluidic control system is of importance for the study of the interaction between biological cells and their niches. However, most of microfluidic control systems are not able to provide dynamic biochemical signals with high precision and stability due to inherent mechanical vibrations caused by the actuators of the programmable pumps. In this paper, we propose a novel microfluidic feedback control system integrating an external feedback control system with a Y‐shaped microfluidic chip with a “Christmas tree” inlet. The Proportional Integral Derivative (PID) controller is implemented to reduce the influence of vibrations. In order to regulate the control parameters efficiently, a mathematical model is built to describe the actuator of the programmable pump, in which a fractional‐order model is utilized. Both simulation and experimental studies are carried out, confirming that the microfluidic feedback control system can precisely and stably generate desired dynamic biochemical signals.
Electricity Arbitration and Sector Coupling with an Experimentally Validated Reversible Solid Oxide Cell Reactor System Connected to the Natural Gas Grid
Authors: Santhanam Srikanth , Heddrich Marc P. , Friedrich Kasper Andreas
Published: January 2020

Chemical energy storage offers an attractive solution for the arbitration of intermittent renewable electricity due to its higher energy storage capacity and storage duration. Reversible solid oxide cell (rSOC) reactor systems can efficiently operate in electrolysis operation to convert electrical energy to chemical energy or in fuel cell mode to convert chemical energy back to electrical energy. Natural gas is widely used in the chemical industry as a source of energy and hydrogen. Hence, storing electrical energy in the form of synthetic natural gas can couple electricity arbitration with chemical process industries. A methane‐based rSOC system concept for the purpose of energy storage and sector coupling is investigated. A process system analysis is performed based on an experimental study of a commercially available rSOC reactor. A validated rSOC reactor model is used to identify optimal system operating conditions. The proposed system concept achieves a chemical to electrical energy conversion efficiency of 57% and electrical to chemical energy conversion efficiency of 93% based on first law and lower heating value. A net electrical storage efficiency of 53% can be achieved.
Energy Harvesting and Storage by Water Infiltration of Eggshell Membrane
Authors: Gao Dan , Liu Changhong , Fan Shoushan
Published: January 2020

As a domestic waste in daily life, eggshell membrane (ESM) is a unique biomaterial due to its biocompatibility, bioadsorption, and the structure of interwoven and coalescing fibers with many pores which can be utilized in many fields. Herein, a new kind of potentially biocompatible energy harvesting and storage device based on polymer polyaniline/carbon nanotube (PANI/CNT) composite electrodes and ESM is designed. Without external electric power, a single device can extract a maximal output voltage of 0.26 V from water osmosis. The energy can be stored directly and released circularly, and the output voltage can achieve superposition by integrating devices in series. This self‐charging bioelectric phenomenon can be explained by the membrane potential of the ESM induced by water movement. Due to the biocompatible feature of the ESM, and sufficiently high electric output, this study provides a new idea for sustainable and biocompatible energy harvesting and storage devices.
Solid versus Liquid—A Bottom‐Up Calculation Model to Analyze the Manufacturing Cost of Future High‐Energy Batteries
Authors: Schnell Joscha , Knörzer Heiko , Imbsweiler Anna Julia , Reinhart Gunther
Published: January 2020

All‐solid‐state batteries (ASSB) are promising candidates for future energy storage. However, only a little is known about the manufacturing costs for industrial production. Herein, a detailed bottom‐up calculation is performed to estimate the required investment and to facilitate comparison with conventional lithium‐ion batteries (LIB). Results indicate that sulfide‐based ASSBs can indeed be competitive if the material compatibility issues can be solved and production is successfully scaled. In contrast, oxide‐based ASSBs will probably not be able to compete if cost is the decisive factor. A sensitivity analysis with Monte Carlo simulation reveals that the inert gas atmosphere required for sulfide‐based ASSBs contributes little to the overall cell costs, whereas the sintering step for oxide‐based ASSBs is highly critical. The calculation also indicates that in‐house manufacturing of the lithium anode will be cheaper than purchasing the lithium foil externally if the cell producer has sufficient processing know‐how. Finally, the aerosol deposition method is investigated, revealing that a deposition rate far above 1000 mm3 min−1 would be required to make the technology economically feasible in ASSB production. The results of this study will help researchers and industry prioritize development efforts and push the scale‐up of future high‐energy batteries with improved performance.
Terrestrial Toxicity of Synthetic Gas-to-Liquid versus Crude Oil–Derived Drilling Fluids in Soil
Authors: Arneson Westbrook Lisa , Chase Darcy A. , Mudge Joseph , Hughes Sarah A. , Lyon Delina , Dong Meijun , Carr Deborah , Anderson Todd A.
Published: January 2020

Unlike most other conventional petroleum products that are derived from crude oil, gas-to-liquids (GTLs) are petroleum products that are synthesized from natural gas (methane). This process results in GTL products having no sulfur and low aromatic content, so they should have less impact on human health and the environment compared with crude oil–derived products. The GTLs have been registered for use as nonaqueous base fluids (NABFs) in drilling muds, which aid in the process of drilling wells for oil and gas extraction; it is through these uses and others that they enter terrestrial environments. The primary objective of the present study was to determine whether GTLs were less toxic to terrestrial soil biota than conventional NABFs used for land-based drilling, such as diesel and low-toxicity mineral oil (LTMO). A second objective was to understand the fate and impact of these fluids under more realistic soil and aging conditions of a common west Texas (USA) oil-producing region (i.e., sandy loam soil with low organic matter and a hot arid climate). Acute terrestrial toxicity studies were conducted on the soft-bodied terrestrial invertebrate earthworm (Eisenia fetida) along with 3 plant species—alfalfa (Medicago stavia), thickspike wheatgrass (Elymus lanceolatus), and fourwing saltbrush (Atriplex canescens). We also assessed changes in microbial community structure of the soils following additions of NABF. Overall, the GTL NABFs had lower toxicity compared with conventional NABFs like diesel and LTMO, as measured by invertebrate toxicity, plant seed germination, and impact on the microbial community. Environ Toxicol Chem 2020;39:721–730. © 2020 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of SETAC.
Selenium Bioaccumulation Across Trophic Levels and Along a Longitudinal Gradient in Headwater Streams
Authors: Cianciolo Thomas R. , McLaughlin Daniel L. , Zipper Carl E. , Timpano Anthony J. , Soucek David J. , Whitmore Keridwen M. , Schoenholtz Stephen H.
Published: January 2020

Toxic effects of selenium (Se) contamination in freshwaters have been well documented. However, study of Se contamination has focused on lentic and larger order lotic systems, whereas headwater streams have received little scrutiny. In central Appalachia, surface coal mining is a common Se source to headwater streams, thus providing a useful system to investigate Se bioaccumulation in headwater food chains and possible longitudinal patterns in Se concentrations. Toward that end, we assessed Se bioaccumulation in 2 reference and 4 mining-influenced headwater streams. At each stream, we sampled ecosystem media, including streamwater, particulate matter (sediment, biofilm, leaf detritus), benthic macroinvertebrates, salamanders, and fish, every 400 m along 1.2- and 1.6-km reaches. We compared media Se concentrations within and among streams and evaluated longitudinal trends in media Se concentrations. Selenium concentrations in sampled media were higher in mining-influenced streams compared with reference streams. We found the highest Se concentrations in benthic macroinvertebrates; however, salamanders and fish bioaccumulated Se to potentially harmful levels in mining-influenced streams. Only one stream demonstrated dilution of streamwater Se with distance downstream, and few longitudinal patterns in Se bioaccumulation occurred along our study reaches. Collectively, our results provide a field-based assessment of Se bioaccumulation in headwater food chains, from streamwater to fish, and highlight the need for future assessments of Se effects in headwater streams and receiving downstream waters. Environ Toxicol Chem 2020;39:692–704. © 2020 SETAC