bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Volatility forecasts embedded in the prices of crude‐oil options
Authors: Gilder Dudley , Tsiaras Leonidas
Published: April 2020

This paper evaluates the ability of alternative option‐implied volatility measures to forecast crude‐oil return volatility. We find that a corridor implied volatility measure that aggregates information from a narrow range of option contracts consistently outperforms forecasts obtained by the popular Black–Scholes and model‐free volatility expectations, as well as those generated by a realized volatility model. This measure ranks favorably in regression‐based tests, delivers the lowest forecast errors under different loss functions, and generates economically significant gains in volatility timing exercises. Our results also show that the Chicago Board Options Exchange's “oil‐VIX” index performs poorly, as it routinely produces the least accurate forecasts.
Deploying Digital Assets: Natural Gas Utilities Using Smart Grid Technologies to Modernize Infrastructure
Authors: Lamb Michael , Agarwal Rohit
Published: April 2020

Grid modernization is a critical component in transforming today's electric, gas, and water utilities to meet the growing expectations of regulators and customers. Grid modernization is the integration and use of connected devices from the customer premises to the rest of the transmission and distribution networks. The connected devices are the meters, monitoring equipment, and controllers that allow utility employees to remotely access data and operate the network. These devices are the backbone that enables electric utilities to improve reliability, maximize operational efficiencies, and accommodate the increasing proliferation of distributed renewable generation and changing loads throughout the system. Natural gas utilities are beginning to experience the same evolution electric utilities have been going through for the past two decades, but many are now well positioned to leverage lessons learned from their electric counterparts to execute some other, and perhaps less controversial, infrastructure‐modernization plans.
Cretaceous exhumation history of the southwestern South China Block: Constraints from fission‐track thermochronology
Authors: Chen Jiahao , Wang Qingfei , Qiao Long , Liu Xuefei , Zhang Qizuan
Published: April 2020

To detect the exhumation history of the southwestern South China Block (SCB), we performed fission track (FT) analysis on zircon and apatite grains in granitoid and sedimentary samples. From east to west, the study area includes the Yunkai Massif, Lingshan granitic belt, Shiwandashan Basin, and eastern margin of the Youjiang Basin. The granite sample of the Yunkai Massif has two peaks of 75 and 92 Ma for zircon FT dating. The Lingshan granitic belt samples yield zircon FT central ages from 135 to 132 Ma. The Permian bauxite samples of the Youjiang Basin yield zircon FT central ages from 109 to 93 Ma and display age peaks at ~97–93 Ma. The Yunkai Massif granite sample has two peaks at 74 and 104 Ma for apatite FT dating, while the Lingshan granitic belt sample has two peaks at 81 and 111 Ma. The cooling paths of the Yunkai Massif sample started with an Early Cretaceous (~120–100 Ma) cooling event that brought the granitoids into the apatite partial annealing zone (PAZ). Through comparative studies, we suggest that the southwestern SCB underwent three periods of crustal uplift during ~135–132, ~111–92, and ~ 81–74 Ma, respectively, which is consistent with the regional stratigraphic unconformity and crustal extension. Only the Yunkai Massif and Lingshan granitic belt were uplifted during ~135–132 Ma. During ~111–92 Ma, the southwestern SCB experienced crustal uplift, and the basal conglomerate began to deposit in the Shiwandashan Basin. Late Cretaceous uplifted occurred during ~81–74 Ma, and the Yunkai Massif was uplifted throughout the Cretaceous. From 97 to 92 Ma, the Permian bauxite deposits in the Youjiang Basin were uplifted, which provided the basis of the later transformation to Quaternary bauxite.
Prevalence and determinants of loneliness in people living with dementia: Findings from the IDEAL programme
Authors: Victor Christina R. , Rippon Isla , Nelis Sharon M. , Martyr Anthony , Litherland Rachael , Pickett James , Hart Nicola , Henley Josie , Matthews Fiona , Clare Linda ,   IDEAL programme team
Published: April 2020

Objective

To establish the prevalence and determinants of loneliness among people living with dementia.

Methods

Using data from the baseline wave of the Improving the experience of Dementia and Enhancing Active Life (IDEAL) cohort study, we examined the prevalence and predictors of loneliness in 1547 people with mild‐to‐moderate dementia. Loneliness was assessed using the six‐item De Jong Gierveld loneliness scale.

Results

About 30.1% of people with dementia reported feeling moderately lonely and 5.2% severely lonely. Depressive symptoms and increased risk of social isolation were associated with both moderate and severe loneliness. Those living alone were more likely to experience severe loneliness as were those reporting poorer quality of life. Marital status was not associated with loneliness nor were dementia diagnosis or cognitive function.

Conclusions

This is one of the few large‐scale studies to explore the prevalence of and determinants of loneliness among people living with dementia. Social isolation, depression and living alone were associated with experiencing loneliness. Longitudinal studies are needed to determine the directionality of these associations.
Joint trajectories of cognition and gait speed in Mexican American and European American older adults: The San Antonio longitudinal study of aging
Authors: Gonzales Mitzi M. , Wang Chen‐Pin , Quiben Myla , MacCarthy Daniel , Seshadri Sudha , Jacob Mini , Hazuda Helen
Published: April 2020

Objectives

Cognitive decline and gait speed slowing are independent predictors of disability and mortality. While both factors increase in prevalence with advancing age, little is known about their combined patterns of change. The study goal was to identify joint trajectories of cognition and gait speed within an aging bi‐ethnic cohort of Mexican Americans and European Americans.

Methods/Design

Participants included 182 Mexican Americans and 188 European Americans, ages 65 to 74, who were followed over a mean of 9.5 years. Cognition was assessed with the mini‐mental state examination and gait speed was examined with a timed 10‐ft walk. Joint trajectory classes of cognition and gait speed were identified with latent growth mixture modeling. Odd‐ratios assessed predictors for trajectory classes.

Results

Three latent trajectory classes were identified: (a) relatively stable cognition and gait (termed stable cognition and gait class, 65.4%); (b) deteriorating cognition and gait (termed cognitive and physical vulnerability class, 22.2%); (c) stable cognition and deteriorating gait (termed physical vulnerability class, 12.4%). The odds of classification in the cognitive and physical vulnerability class vs stable cognition and gait class was associated with Mexican American ethnicity (OR = 3.771, P = .016), age (OR = 1.186, P = .017), income (OR = 0.828, P = .029), education (OR = 0.703, P < .001), and diabetes (OR = 4.547, P = .010). The odds of classification in the physical vulnerability class was associated with female sex (OR = 6.481, P = .004) and body mass index (OR = 1.118, P = .025).

Conclusions

The trajectories of cognition and gait speed were generally parallel, suggesting the two domains may act synergistically to shape important health outcomes. Socioeconomic disparities and Mexican American ethnicity independently conferred risk for accelerated decline.
Transition Metal‐Free Alkyne‐Aldehyde Reductive C−C Coupling trough Cascade Borylation/Olefin Isomerization
Authors: Khan Imran , Luo Zhibin , Xu Yin , Xie Jimin , Zhu Weihua , Liu Bin
Published: April 2020

A direct approach to γ‐keto esters through cascade alkyne‐aldehyde reductive C−C coupling of propargyl esters and aromatic aldehydes under transition‐metal‐free (TM‐free) fashion was developed. Compared with multistep processes, this procedure provides a fast path using commercially available materials and could be handled conveniently to produce various γ‐keto esters in moderate yields.
The mRNA‐Binding Protein HuR Is a Kinetically‐Privileged Electrophile Sensor
Authors: Poganik Jesse R. , Van Hall‐Beauvais Alexandra K. , Long Marcus J. C. , Disare Michael T. , Zhao Yi , Aye Yimon
Published: April 2020

The key mRNA‐binding proteins HuR and AUF1 are reported stress sensors in mammals. Intrigued by recent reports of sensitivity of these proteins to the electrophilic lipid prostaglandin A2 and other redox signals, we here examined their sensing abilities to a prototypical redox‐linked lipid‐derived electrophile, 4‐hydroxynonenal (HNE). Leveraging our T‐REX electrophile delivery platform, we found that only HuR, and not AUF1, is a kinetically‐privileged sensor of HNE in HEK293T cells, and sensing functions through a specific cysteine, C13. Cells depleted of HuR, upon treatment with HNE, manifest unique alterations in cell viability and Nrf2‐transcription‐factor‐driven antioxidant response (AR), which our recent work shows is regulated by HuR at the Nrf2‐mRNA level. Mutagenesis studies showed that C13‐specific sensing alone is not sufficient to explain HuR‐dependent stress responsivities, further highlighting a complex context‐dependent layer of Nrf2/AR regulation through HuR.
Experimental study of exergetic performance of Al2O3 nanofluid in a double‐pipe heat exchanger fitted by a new modified twisted tape
Authors: Shirazi Robab
Published: April 2020

The use of nanofluids and surface enhancers today are among the new technologies used to increase heat transfer. In this study, heat transfer phenomena in heat exchanger were investigated using Al2O3 nanoparticles and modified spiral band as flow turbulator. Results are verified with well‐known correlations. The results show that the tube with cross‐hollow twisted tape inserts has the best exergetic performance for different hollow widths of the tape. Clearance, which is defined as the width between the tube and twisted tape, also affects the heat transfer performance. The smaller the clearance, the better is the exergetic performance. The tube can achieve the best exergetic performance when the number of unilateral twisted tapes is four. The results showed that increasing nanofluid concentration improves exergetic performance.
CFD analysis of the thermal losses on the upper part of a flat solar collector
Authors: Mekahlia Alaeddine , Boumaraf Latra , Abid Chérifa
Published: April 2020

To investigate the reduction of heat losses on the upper part of a flat solar collector, a two‐dimensional study was carried out by CFD analysis using Fluent. For this purpose, the heat transfer behavior in the air gap over a wide range of thicknesses of the latter (1‐20 mm) and the addition of a second glass cover fixed at midheight of the air gap spacing have been investigated. For small thicknesses of the air gap (1‐8 mm), the heat transfer is essentially conductive. An increase in the thickness leads to the intensification of the natural convection which induces high thermal losses. The simulation results have shown that the addition of a second cover glazing leads to the weakening of the natural convection and thus to an average enhancement of the solar collector temperature over the range of thicknesses studied of approximately 17%. The overall thermal losses coefficient is then reduced by an average of 26% compared with the single‐glazed solar collector. They have also shown that the thickness of the air gaps resulting in the minimum overall heat losses is 8 mm and that the thickness of the second glass cover has no significant effect on these results. In addition, this study has highlighted the importance of taking into account the radiation heat transfer in establishing the thermal balance of a flat solar collector. Indeed, this consideration leads to an average decrease of the absorber temperature of about 30%.
Transient streambed hydraulic conductivity in channel and bar environments, Loup River, Nebraska
Authors: Korus Jesse T. , Fraundorfer Wilhelm P. , Gilmore Troy E. , Karnik Kelsey
Published: April 2020

Streambed hydraulic conductivity (K) and vertical K (K
v) are key controls on groundwater and surface water exchange and biogeochemical fluxes through the hyporheic zone, but drivers of transient hydraulic properties in different fluvial environments are poorly understood. This study combines hydrogeology, geophysics, and sedimentology to reveal mechanisms of K and K
v transience in the upper 0.5 m of a sandy streambed during low discharge. Hydraulic tests (44 slug tests, 130 falling‐head permeameter tests) and 130 grain‐size analyses were repeated three times over 8 weeks on a 1,200 m2 grid spanning: (a) a channel with continuously flowing water and mobile bed load; (b) an adjacent mid‐channel bar that was stationary and infrequently submerged. Aerial photographs and ground‐penetrating radar show scour and complete reworking of fluvial sediments in the channel. Bar sediments below the water table remained immobile, but infrequent flows of moderate discharge reworked the uppermost few centimetres of the bar top. Despite differences in sediment mobility and stream flow characteristics across environments, K and K
v exhibited order‐of‐magnitude differences in spatial heterogeneity and temporal variability in both the channel and bar. Mean K and K
v values in the channel were comparatively stable over time. In the immobile bar, mean K declined 20% and K
v declined 26% after increased discharge temporarily inundated the bar. Grain‐size distributions were steady across both environments over time, but repeat geophysical surveys of the bar show a decrease in electrical conductivity, likely from porosity reduction. These findings suggest that sediment dynamics and stream flow characteristics in different streambed environments are important drivers of K transience during low discharge conditions. Specifically, pore clogging can be an important mechanism of transience over short durations (weeks to months) in immobile sediments subject to infrequent flows and minor reworking.
More than fantasy: Prosocial daydreams relate to prosocial dispositions and behaviour
Authors: Kearns Peter O. , Tyler James M. , Graziano William G.
Published: April 2020

The current studies examined the relationship between the penchant to daydream about helping others and prosocial traits and behaviour. We reasoned that fantasising about prosocial acts should be positively associated with a more prosocial disposition and real behaviour. Across both studies, the findings suggest that people who exhibit prosocial characteristics (e.g., empathic concern, fantasy/fictional empathy, moral reasoning) are more likely to fantasise about prosocial behaviour, and these characteristics are reliably associated with increased helping behaviours. From Study 1, the correlational results showed that people higher in agreeableness exhibited a stronger tendency to engage in prosocial fantasising, and empathy, in part, mediated the relationship. The experimental results from Study 2 conceptually support those from Study 1; when prompted to fantasise about prosocial behaviour, those higher in agreeableness and openness to experience engaged in more helping behaviour, whereas in a control condition, no helping differences emerged. Finding that empathic concern was most consistently related to daydreaming is consistent with the theory in that people are more intrinsically motivated to promote other's welfare at a personal cost when they feel empathy. Engaging in prosocial fantasising may increase empathy, which in turn, may enhance one's prosocial disposition and increase one's helping behaviour.
The contributions of child–mother attachment, maternal parenting stress, and military status to the prediction of child behavior problems
Authors: Tupper Rachel , Bureau Jean‐François , Deneault Audrey‐Ann , Dixon‐Luinenburg Titania , St‐Laurent Diane
Published: April 2020

Studies show that children with a military parent are at heightened risk of the development of behavior problems. However, there is limited work examining how other factors experienced by military families may also influence behavior problems. In the current study, we recruited three types of Canadian families with a preschooler: families with a deployed military member, families with a nondeployed military member, and nonmilitary families. We examined whether the nonmilitary parent's (in all cases the mother) parenting stress and attachment relationship with the child are associated with behavior problems, and whether deployment status further contributes to the prediction. Child–mother dyads participated in an observed attachment assessment, and mothers reported on their stress levels and their child's behavior. Results showed that both child attachment insecurity and parenting stress were associated with elevated levels of internalizing problems; however, only parenting stress was associated with conduct problems. Military deployment predicted higher levels of internalizing and conduct problems beyond the contributions of attachment and stress. Furthermore, having a father in the military (whether deployed or not) also contributed to internalizing problems. These findings shed light on how the military lifestyle impacts early childhood mental health through the complex interplay between various parts of their environment.
Dimensions that characterize and mechanisms that cause the misuse of information systems for corrupt practices in the Nigerian public sector
Authors: Inuwa Ibrahim , Ononiwu Chidi , Kah Muhammadou M. O.
Published: April 2020

This article explores the dimensions and structural mechanisms that can foster the misuse of information systems (IS) for corrupt practices. Using the abductive‐retroductive strategy native to critical realism, we present a realist conceptualization of why the misuse of IS for corrupt practices occurs in the Nigerian public sector. Routine activity, reintegrative shaming, model of emergent IT use, and normalization theories were adopted as theoretical lenses. Danermark et al's six‐stage explanatory framework embedded with a single case study was adopted as the methodology. Focus group and semistructured interviews were used as primary sources of data, while archival documents and press media reports were used as secondary data sources. From the data analysis, malleability structures of the IS artifacts, dysfunctional structures of the Nigerian state, embeddedness of corrupt routines into IS artifacts, institutionalization, socialization, rationalization, and negative reintegrative shaming were identified as core causal structural mechanisms generating the misuse of IS for corrupt practices in the study context. Such corrupt practices were clustered in motivated offenders, suitable targets, and absence of a capable guardian as dimensions that characterized the misuse of IS by our findings. Our findings contribute to theory, practice, and the methodology of critical realism.
TGFβ Regulation of Perilacunar/Canalicular Remodeling Is Sexually Dimorphic
Authors: Dole Neha S , Yee Cristal S , Mazur Courtney M , Acevedo Claire , Alliston Tamara
Published: April 2020

Bone fragility is the product of defects in bone mass and bone quality, both of which show sex-specific differences. Despite this, the cellular and molecular mechanisms underpinning the sexually dimorphic control of bone quality remain unclear, limiting our ability to effectively prevent fractures, especially in postmenopausal osteoporosis. Recently, using male mice, we found that systemic or osteocyte-intrinsic inhibition of TGFβ signaling, achieved using the 9.6-kb DMP1 promoter-driven Cre recombinase (TβRIIocy−/− mice), suppresses osteocyte perilacunar/canalicular remodeling (PLR) and compromises bone quality. Because systemic TGFβ inhibition more robustly increases bone mass in female than male mice, we postulated that sex-specific differences in bone quality could likewise result, in part, from dimorphic regulation of PLR by TGFβ. Moreover, because lactation induces PLR, we examined the effect of TGFβ inhibition on the female skeleton during lactation. In contrast to males, female mice that possess an osteocyte-intrinsic defect in TGFβ signaling were protected from TGFβ-dependent defects in PLR and bone quality. The expression of requisite PLR enzymes, the lacunocanalicular network (LCN), and the flexural strength of female TβRIIocy−/− bone was intact. With lactation, however, bone loss and induction in PLR and osteocytic parathyroid hormone type I receptor (PTHR1) expression, were suppressed in TβRIIocy−/− bone, relative to the control littermates. Indeed, differential control of PTHR1 expression, by TGFβ and other factors, may contribute to dimorphism in PLR regulation in male and female TβRIIocy−/− mice. These findings provide key insights into the sex-based differences in osteocyte PLR that underlie bone quality and highlight TGFβ signaling as a crucial regulator of lactation-induced PLR. © 2020 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Di‐functional magnetic nanoflowers: A highly efficient support for immobilizing penicillin G acylase
Authors: Zhaoyu Zheng , Ping Xue , Keren Shi , Weiwei Zhang , Chunmiao Hu , Peng Li
Published: April 2020

The novel di‐functional magnetic nanoflowers (DMNF) which had both epoxy groups and hydrophilic catechol as well as phthaloquinone groups capable of covalently coupling of penicillin G acylase (PGA) were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscope (TEM), vibrating sample magnetometer, N2 adsorption, and so on. The studies showed that DMNF possessed “hierarchical petal” structure of nanosheets had specific saturation magnetization of 39.7 emu/g and average pore diameter of 25.4 nm as well as specific surface area of 17.28 m2/g. For hydrolysis of penicillin G potassium catalyzed by the PGA immobilized on DMNF with enzyme loading of 106 mg/g‐support, its apparent activity reached 2,667 U/g, which benefited from the “hierarchical petal” and large pore structure of the magnetic DMNF leading to high enzyme loading and fast diffusion of substrate molecules to the immobilized PGA to reaction. The apparent activity of the immobilized PGA could keep 2,408 U/g (above 90% of its initial activity) after repeating use for 10 cycles. The magnetic immobilized PGA exhibited excellent operational stability due to covalently coupling of the enzyme molecules between the support by covalent interaction of the amino groups of PGA and the reactive groups of epoxy, catechol, and phthaloquinone groups on DMNF. Furthermore, the PGA displayed good acid and alkaline resistance as well as thermal stability by immobilization using DMNF.
The potential of circulating microRNA‐125a and microRNA‐125b as markers for inflammation and clinical response to infliximab in rheumatoid arthritis patients
Authors: Cheng Peng , Wang Jun
Published: April 2020

Objective

This study was to investigate the changes in circulating microRNA (miR)‐125a and miR‐125b during infliximab (IFX) treatment, and their value in predicting clinical response to IFX in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients.

Methods

The plasma samples were obtained from 96 active RA patients who underwent 24‐week IFX treatment and from 96 healthy controls to detect miR‐125a and miR‐125b expressions by RT‐qPCR. Clinical response was assessed according to EULAR criteria based on disease activity alleviation at week 4, week 12, and week 24.

Results

MiR‐125a and miR‐125b expressions were both elevated in RA patients compared with healthy controls, and they could differentiate RA patients from healthy controls by receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. Baseline miR‐125a positively correlated with C‐reactive protein (CRP) level; meanwhile, baseline miR‐125b positively correlated with tender joint count (TJC), swollen joint count (SJC), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), CRP, and DAS28‐ESR score in RA patients. With the 24‐week IFX treatment, clinical response rate was gradually increased, while miR‐125a and miR‐125b expressions were gradually decreased in RA patients. At week 24, 69 (71.9%) patients responded to IFX treatment, while 27 (28.1%) patients did not respond to IFX treatment. Importantly, baseline miR‐125a and miR‐125b expressions were higher in responders than that in non‐responders, further multivariate logistic regression analysis disclosed that miR‐125b but not miR‐125a could independently predict better clinical response to IFX in RA patients.

Conclusion

Circulating miR‐125a and miR‐125b displays the potency for guiding personalized treatment strategy and improving clinical outcomes in RA patients.
Identification of potential metabolite markers for colon cancer and rectal cancer using serum metabolomics
Authors: Wu Jianping , Wu Minyi , Wu Qianxia
Published: April 2020

Background

To determine the metabolic characteristics of patients with colon cancer (CC) and rectal cancer (RC) using gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry (GC‐MS)‐based metabolomics.

Methods

In this study, serum samples were collected from 22 CC patients and 23 RC patients preoperatively and postoperatively and 45 healthy volunteers (HVs), and subjected to metabolomics analysis by GC‐MS. Differential metabolites in the preoperative RC and CC samples and HVs were identified as potential biomarkers and evaluated for their utilities by receiver operating characteristic analyses.

Results

The different metabolic markers between CC and RC patients were identified, which may assist in distinguishing the two types of cancers. The area under the curve (AUC) was 0.805 for combination of d‐glucose and d‐mannose for CC diagnosis, and 0.889 for combination of 2‐aminobutanoic acid, 3‐hydroxypyridine, d‐glucose, d‐mannose, isoleucine, l‐tryptophan, urea, and uric acid for RC diagnosis. The combinations of metabolite markers showed a better predictability than CEA and CA199 two commonly used protein markers for CRC diagnosis in clinical practice. Combining the metabolite markers with these two protein markers effectively improved the diagnostic accuracy with the AUC reaching 0.936 and 0.937 for CC and RC diagnosis, respectively.

Conclusions

Metabolic profiles are different in the blood samples between CC and RC patients. The study has established a panel of metabolic markers as a predictive and multiplexing signature for CC and RC diagnosis.
Solar light responsive TiO2‐ZnO, modified with graphitic carbon nitride nano‐sheet for degradation of AB29
Authors: Ani Ijeoma J , Akpan Uduak G , Olutoye Moses A , Hameed Bassim H
Published: April 2020

BACKGROUND

Photodegradation has drawn much attention in recent decades due to the technique’s ability to mineralize nonbiodegradable pollutants. Renewable energy sources, such as solar light energy, can be used to aid the reaction in the present of a solar light‐responsive photocatalyst. Mixed metal oxides (TiO2‐ZnO) modified with graphitic carbon nitride (gCNS‐3TiZn) were synthesized successfully and employed for the degradation of AB29 under artificial solar light. Ultrasonication–hydrothermal treatment was used to develop gCNS‐3TiZn.

RESULTS

Surface analysis investigation showed that the material is mesoporous with 5 nm pore diameter and 195 m2 g–1 surface area. The optical analysis showed successful reduction in the band gap of the material, making it capable of efficiently absorbing light energy in the visible wave region. The developed gCNS‐3TiZn was 3.33‐fold faster at AB29 degradation than the unmodified mixed oxides under the same reaction conditions, and this was attributed to the reduction in band‐gap energy of the catalyst resulting in a better absorption of solar light. It took 60 min to attain complete degradation of 50 ppm AB29 using 1.25 g L–1 gCNS‐3TiZn loading, whereas the AB29 degradation by the unmodified catalyst under the same conditions took 200 min to attain complete degradation. Recyclability study on gCNS‐3TiZn revealed that it can be used up to 10 cycles in the degradation of the selected pollutant without diminished performance.

CONCLUSION

The synthesized photocatalyst is a potential candidate for real wastewater treatment due to its reusability, stability and ability to utilize solar light as renewable energy source. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Synthesis of glycidyl methacrylate modified hyper‐cross‐linked resins and enhancing their adsorptions toward levulinic acid and furfural from sugarcane bagasse hydrolysate
Authors: Zhang Liquan , Wang Can , Zhang Hairong , Guo Haijun , Xiong Lian , Li Hailong , Chen Xuefang , Chen Xinde
Published: April 2020

BACKGROUND

Levulinic acid (LA) and furfural are important biomass‐based platform compounds. During the preparation of LA and furfural from lignocellulosic biomass, other organic chemicals including sugars, formic acid, acetic acid, and acid‐soluble lignin (ASL) will be produced simultaneously. Thus, the purification of LA and furfural is an important process. In this work, a series of glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) modified hyper‐cross‐linked resins were synthesized and the mechanism of pore formation of the resins was studied. Furthermore, the effect of their textural properties on adsorption performance towards LA and furfural was investigated.

RESULTS

The hyper‐cross‐linked resin modified with 50 wt% GMA (PC‐4) achieved the best adsorption performance. The adsorption capacities of LA and furfural onto PC‐4 were 100.81 and 40.22 mg g−1, respectively, which were 2423.76% and 249.24% higher than the un‐modified resin HQ‐8, and 31.0% and 22.7% higher than its precursor PR‐4. During desorption process, the average desorption ratio of LA and furfural were 94.96% and 97.86%, respectively. Moreover, PC‐4 also showed a good adsorption performance towards formic acid, acetic acid, and ASL, while sugar loss rate was about 5%.

CONCLUSION

This study not only reported a potential adsorbent, PC‐4, for the comprehensive utilization of sugarcane bagasse hydrolysate, but it also studied the relationship between synthesis conditions, resin structures, and its adsorption performance of GMA modified hyper‐cross‐linked resins, which provides a guidance for new adsorbent design. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Saltwater based fractionation and valorisation of macroalgae
Authors: Jones Edward S , Raikova Sofia , Ebrahim Sharif , Parsons Sophie , Allen Michael J , Chuck Christopher J
Published: April 2020

BACKGROUND

Macroalgae are gaining increasing interest as an important biomass feedstock. Yet when valorising marine biomass, the presence of salt can pose a substantial obstacle to the effectiveness of downstream biological and chemical processes, as well as the engineering infrastructure required. Accordingly, dewatering, washing and drying are often considered the first and crucial primary steps in processing marine biomass such macroalgae. The high costs of these processes can make further marine biorefinery commercialisation prohibitive. This investigation assesses simple pre‐treatments for macroalgal biomass in saltwater, thereby reducing the freshwater footprint, and removing the need for an energy‐intensive washing and drying stage.

RESULTS

Using acid and basic catalysts, the carbohydrate and soluble protein components were fractionated into a soluble aqueous phase, for further fermentation and a solid phase suitable for hydrothermal liquefaction. The presence of saltwater was found to aid the fractionation process, solubilising more of the biomass. The use of H2SO4 produced more monosaccharides, whereas NaOH solubilised higher levels of biomass at lower temperatures. The aqueous phase was demonstrated to be suitable for biological processing with the salt tolerant yeast Metschnikowia pulcherrima, and the residual solids suitable for processing via hydrothermal liquefaction.

CONCLUSION

By contrast with existing pre‐treatment strategies, we demonstrate that an entirely salt‐based biochemical conversion route is a potentially viable option. For the first time this work demonstrates that, rather than a hindrance, the presence of saltwater can be advantageous, and could provide an alternative, more cost‐effective pathway to achieving a successful macroalgal‐based biorefinery.
Comparative gross and scanning electron microscopical study of the oropharyngeal roof of young and adult domestic pigeons (Columba livia domestica)
Authors: Mahdy Mohamed A. A.
Published: April 2020

The present study aims to compare the morphology of the oropharyngeal roof of young and adult domestic pigeon (Columba livia domestica) by gross observation, morphometric measurements, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The oropharyngeal roof was divided into the palate and pharyngeal roof. The palate was narrow triangular in shape and concave along its length. It could be divided into a rostral part contained three longitudinal palatine ridges and a caudal part contained the choanal slit. The choanal slit consisted of narrow rostral and wide caudal parts. The edges of the narrow part were encircled by small caudomedially directed papillae. On the contrary, the edges of the wide part of slit were free from papillae. By SEM, the palatal mucosa in young pigeon showed primordia of small papillae which increased in number and size forming a longitudinal row of papillae parallel to the edges of the rostral narrow part of slit in adult pigeon. The surface of the pharyngeal roof appeared smooth in young pigeon, while in adult pigeon, it showed dome‐shaped elevations. The infundibular cleft had smooth edges. The caudal part of the pharyngeal roof formed an elevated transverse mucosal fold on which a transverse row of conical‐shaped papillae was present. In conclusion, our results documented the presence of some differences between the oropharyngeal roof of young and adult pigeon, which suggest a high degree of functional adaptation in adult pigeon to their diet compared to young pigeon. Such adaptations might increase the efficiency of food prehension in adult pigeon.

The present study compared the morphology of the oropharyngeal roof of young and adult domestic pigeon by gross observation, morphometry, and scanning electron microscopy.

The morphometrical data showed higher values in adult pigeon compared to young pigeon.

The palatal mucosa and the pharyngeal roof of adult pigeon showed papillae and elevations that were not present in young pigeon.

Our results suggest a high degree of functional adaptation in adult pigeon to their diet compared to young pigeon. Such adaptations might increase the efficiency of food prehension in adult pigeon.
Improving Leader Effectiveness Across Multi‐Generational Workforces
Authors: Lowe Joshua B. , Barry Erin S. , Grunberg Neil E.
Published: April 2020

There currently are four generations of people in the workforce which presents a potential challenge for leaders to navigate differences in generational perspectives, values, and priorities. The current paper addresses several questions: Do generational differences exist relative to work relationships? Are generational differences independent of time period and stage of life? Is there a skillset to improve effectiveness of leaders of multiple generations? Perception of generational differences exist and result in workplace issues for leaders to address. However, differences among workers are based more on individual differences and stage of life than on “membership” in a given generation. Regardless of generation, all people want to be respected and valued by leaders, and leaders should consider people as individuals rather than as a member of a stereotyped generation.
Beneficial outcome of early dietary lysine restriction as an adjunct to pyridoxine therapy in a child with pyridoxine dependant epilepsy due to Antiquitin deficiency
Authors: Kava Maina P. , Bryant Leah , Rowe Peter , Lewis Barry , Greed Lawrence , Balasubramaniam Shanti
Published: April 2020

Pyridoxine‐dependent epilepsy (PDE) is a potentially treatable vitamin‐responsive epileptic encephalopathy. The most prevalent form of PDE is due to an underlying genetic defect in ALDH7A1 encoding Antiquitin (ATQ), an enzyme with α‐aminoadipic semialdehyde dehydrogenase (AASADH) activity which facilitates cerebral lysine degradation. Devastating outcomes including intellectual disability and significant developmental delays are still observed in 75% to 80% of pyridoxine responsive individuals with good seizure control, potentially attributable to the accumulation of toxic intermediates α‐aminoadipic semialdehyde (AASA) and its cyclic form Δ1‐piperideine‐6‐carboxylate (P6C) in plasma, urine and CSF. Thus, adjunct treatment strategies incorporating lysine restriction and arginine supplementation, separately or in combination with pyridoxine have been attempted to enhance seizure control and improve cognitive function. We describe a 4 year old girl with classical PDE who demonstrated significant improvements in clinical, neurological and developmental outcomes including absence of clinical seizures and cessation of antiepileptic medications since age 3 months, normalisation of EEG, significant improvement in the white matter signal throughout the cerebrum on neuroimaging and significant reduction in urine P6C and pipecolic acid levels post‐ combined therapy with lysine restricted diet in conjunction with pyridoxine and folinic acid. Lysine restriction was well tolerated with impressive compliance and plasma lysine levels remained within the lower reference ranges; mean level 70 μmol/L (ref range 52‐196 μmol/L). This case further emphasizes the benefit of early dietary intervention as an effective adjunct in the management of PDE.
Variation of Tpeak‐end, corrected Tpeak‐end, QT, and corrected QT intervals, Tpeak‐end/QT, Tpeak‐end/corrected QT ratios and heart rate variability according to decades in the healthy male subjects aged between 30 and 79 years
Authors: Cosgun Ayhan , Oren Huseyin
Published: April 2020

Background

Heart rate variability (HRV) is a predictor of cardiac autonomic functions. Ventricular repolarization markers can indicate ventricular arrhythmias. We aimed to evaluate variations of HRV and these repolarization markers in five healthy male groups between age 30 and 79 years according to decades.

Materials and Methods

The study group consisted of 500 healthy male subjects between October 2018 and May 2019. The male subjects were divided into five categories according to their ages. Then, electrocardiograms (ECG), transthoracic echocardiograms (TTE), and treadmill exercise test (TET) were performed. T‐wave peak‐end (Tp‐e) interval was defined as the time between the peak point and end of T‐wave. Tp‐e, corrected Tp‐e (cTp‐e), QT, and corrected QT (QTc) were measured from the resting ECGs and HRV temporal parameters (SDNN, SDNN Index, SDANN Index, RMSSD, sNN50, and pNN50), and HRV frequency parameters (VLF, LF, HF, and LF/HF) were obtained from 24‐hour Holter monitorization recordings. One‐way ANOVA test was used for the differences between the groups. Pearson correlation test was used to determine the correlations between the values of all groups.

Results

Considering the repolarization parameters, there are significant differences in five groups in terms of Tp‐e interval, but not Tp‐e/QT and Tp‐e/QTc ratios. Considering the HRV parameters, there were statistically significant differences between the five male healthy groups in terms of HRV temporal parameters and there are no significant differences in terms of HRV frequency parameters.

Conclusion

As the age increases, basal Tp‐e interval increases and HRV temporal parameters decrease significantly in the male subjects aged between 30 and 79 years, but HRV frequency parameters do not change.
Infective Endocarditis in Patients With Intestinal Failure: Experience From a National Referral Center
Authors: Sawbridge David , Taylor Michael , Teubner Antje , Abraham Arun , Woolfson Peter , Abidin Nik , Chadwick Paul R. , Lal Simon
Published: April 2020

Background

Infective endocarditis (IE) is a recognized complication of central line–associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI). Central venous access devices (CVADs) are essential for the delivery of long‐term parenteral nutrition (PN), yet there are no published data as to the prevalence, characteristics and outcomes of IE in this population.

Methods

A prospectively maintained database of patients with intestinal failure (IF) types 2 and 3, managed by a national intestinal failure center between January 2010 and December 2018, was analyzed retrospectively and relevant factors extracted from case records.

Results

A total of 745 patients with IF and CVADs in situ on admission, or placed during their stay, were admitted over the duration of this study, 640 with type 2 IF and 105 with type 3 IF. Two hundred eighty‐two echocardiograms were performed to investigate potential IE associated with a CLABSI event. Four cases of IE were identified in the entire cohort of 782,666 catheter days (IE incidence rate: 0.005 per 1000 catheter days and 187 per 100,000 person‐years for the entire cohort; 0.048 per 1000 inpatient catheter days for acute type 2 IF, 0.0026 per 1000 outpatient catheter days [ie, 99 per 100,000 person‐years for outpatients with type 3 IF]).

Conclusion

IE is rare in the type 3 IF population and a rare consequence of CLABSI in inpatient acute type 2 IF. However, mortality and morbidity are high. Routine echocardiography may not be warranted for investigation of CLABSI unless there is a high risk of IE or a virulent organism is involved.
Epidemiology and reporting characteristics of non‐Cochrane updates of systematic reviews: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Rombey Tanja , Lochner Valerie , Puljak Livia , Könsgen Nadja , Mathes Tim , Pieper Dawid
Published: April 2020

Background

It is important that systematic reviews (SRs) are up‐to‐date, otherwise they cannot be relied upon to guide decision‐making in practice and policy. Our aim was to investigate epidemiological, descriptive and reporting characteristics of a cross‐section of recently published updates of SRs.

Methods

A SR update was defined as a new edition of a SR, either published by the same or new authors. We searched PubMed for SR updates published from January 01, 2016 to January 22, 2018 and included a random sample of n = 100 non‐Cochrane updates of SRs on interventions reported in English.

Results

Most SR updates had a corresponding author from the United Kingdom, United States, or Canada (in total 48/100) and dealt with nonpharmacological interventions (63/100). The SR updates were published a median of 5 years (interquartile range [IQR] 3‐7) after the previous SR and included a median of 19 (IQR 9‐28) studies. 31/100 SR updates reported that the conclusion had changed since the previous version. Only 51/100 SR updates used the term “update” in the title and none reported having based the decision to update the previous SR on an existing method/decision tool. The number of newly included studies and participants and the number of studies and participants included in/from the previous SR were often not reported.

Conclusions

The included non‐Cochrane updates were frequently missing important information that would be expected to be present in a SR update. Thus, structured and detailed reporting guidance specific to SR updates is needed. It should focus particularly on appropriate labeling and justification of updates, and how to incorporate information regarding the previous SR.
Comparative transcriptome and phenotype analysis revealed the role and mechanism of ompR in the virulence of fish pathogenic Aeromonas hydrophila
Authors: Zhang Mengmeng , Kang Jianping , Wu Bin , Qin Yingxue , Huang Lixing , Zhao Lingmin , Mao Leilei , Wang Suyun , Yan Qingpi
Published: April 2020

Aeromonas hydrophila B11 strain was isolated from diseased Anguilla japonica, which had caused severe gill ulcers in farmed eel, causing huge economic losses. EnvZ‐OmpR is a model two‐component system in the bacteria and is widely used in the research of signal transduction and gene transcription regulation. In this study, the ompR of A. hydrophila B11 strain was first silenced by RNAi technology. The role of ompR in the pathogenicity of A. hydrophila B11 was investigated by analyzing both the bacterial comparative transcriptome and phenotype. The qRT‐PCR results showed that the expression of ompR in the ompR‐RNAi strain decreased by 97% compared with the wild‐type strain. The virulence test showed that after inhibition of the ompR expression, the LD50 of A. hydrophila B11 decreased by an order of magnitude, suggesting that ompR is involved in the regulation of bacterial virulence. Comparative transcriptome analysis showed that the expression of ompR can directly regulate the expression of several important virulence‐related genes, such as the bacterial type II secretion system; moreover, ompR expression also regulates the expression of multiple genes related to bacterial chemotaxis, motility, adhesion, and biofilm formation. Further studies on the phenotype of A. hydrophila B11 and ompR‐RNAi also confirmed that the downregulation of ompR expression can decrease bacterial chemotaxis, adhesion, and biofilm formation.
FF‐QuantSC: accurate quantification of fetal fraction by a neural network model
Authors: Yuan Yuying , Chai Xianghua , Liu Na , Gu Bida , Li Shengting , Gao Ya , Zhou Lijun , Liu Qiang , Yang Fan , Liu Jingjuan , Qiu Jiao , Zhang Jinjin , Hou Yumei , Cen Miaolan , Tian Zhongming , Tang Weijiang , Zhang Hongyun , Chen Fang , Yin Ye , Wang Wei
Published: April 2020

Background

Noninvasive prenatal testing (NIPT) is one of the most commonly employed clinical measures for screening of fetal aneuploidy. Fetal Fraction (ff) has been demonstrated to be one of the key factors affecting the performance of NIPT. Accurate quantification offfplays vital role in NIPT.

Methods

In this study, we present a new approach, the accurate Quantification of Fetal Fraction with Shallow‐Coverage sequencing of maternal plasma DNA (FF‐QuantSC), for the estimation offfin NIPT. The method employs neural network model and utilizes differential genomic patterns between fetal and maternal genomes to quantifyff.

Results

Our results show that the predictedffby FF‐QuantSC exhibit high correlation with the Y chromosome–based method on male pregnancies, and achieves the highest accuracy compared with otherffestimation approaches. We also demonstrate that the model generates statistically similar results on both male and female pregnancies.

Conclusion

FF‐QuantSC achieves high accuracy inffquantification. The method is suitable for application in both male and female pregnancies. Since the method does not require additional information upon NIPT routines, it can be easily incorporated into current NIPT settings without causing extra costs. We believe that FF‐QuantSC shall provide valuable additions to NIPT.