bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Leptin suppresses development of GLP-1 inputs to the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus
Authors: Biddinger Jessica E , Lazarenko Roman M , Scott Michael M , Simerly Richard
Published: November 2020

The nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS) is critical for the central integration of signals from visceral organs and contains preproglucagon (PPG) neurons, which express leptin receptors in the mouse and send direct projections to the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVH). Here, we visualized projections of PPG neurons in leptin-deficient Lepob/ob mice and found that projections from PPG neurons are elevated compared with controls, and PPG projections were normalized by targeted rescue of leptin receptors in LepRbTB/TB mice, which lack functional neuronal leptin receptors. Moreover, Lepob/ob and LepRbTB/TB mice displayed increased levels of neuronal activation in the PVH following vagal stimulation, and whole-cell patch recordings of GLP-1 receptor-expressing PVH neurons revealed enhanced excitatory neurotransmission, suggesting that leptin acts cell autonomously to suppress representation of excitatory afferents from PPG neurons, thereby diminishing the impact of visceral sensory information on GLP-1 receptor-expressing neurons in the PVH.
Humans disrupt access to prey for large African carnivores
Authors: Mills Kirby L , Harris Nyeema C
Published: November 2020

Wildlife respond to human presence by adjusting their temporal niche, possibly modifying encounter rates among species and trophic dynamics that structure communities. We assessed wildlife diel activity responses to human presence and consequential changes in predator-prey overlap using 11,111 detections of 3 large carnivores and 11 ungulates across 21,430 camera trap-nights in West Africa. Over two-thirds of species exhibited diel responses to mainly diurnal human presence, with ungulate nocturnal activity increasing by 7.1%. Rather than traditional pairwise predator-prey diel comparisons, we considered spatiotemporally explicit predator access to several prey resources to evaluate community-level trophic responses to human presence. Although leopard prey access was not affected by humans, lion and spotted hyena access to three prey species significantly increased when prey increased their nocturnal activity to avoid humans. Human presence considerably influenced the composition of available prey, with implications for prey selection, demonstrating how humans perturb ecological processes via behavioral modifications.
Subthalamic beta-targeted neurofeedback speeds up movement initiation but increases tremor in Parkinsonian patients
Authors: He Shenghong , Mostofi Abteen , Syed Emilie , Torrecillos Flavie , Tinkhauser Gerd , Fischer Petra , Pogosyan Alek , Hasegawa Harutomo , Li Yuanqing , Ashkan Keyoumars , Pereira Erlick , Brown Peter , Tan Huiling
Published: November 2020

Previous studies have explored neurofeedback training for Parkinsonian patients to suppress beta oscillations in the subthalamic nucleus (STN). However, its impacts on movements and Parkinsonian tremor are unclear. We developed a neurofeedback paradigm targeting STN beta bursts and investigated whether neurofeedback training could improve motor initiation in Parkinson’s disease compared to passive observation. Our task additionally allowed us to test which endogenous changes in oscillatory STN activities are associated with trial-to-trial motor performance. Neurofeedback training reduced beta synchrony and increased gamma activity within the STN, and reduced beta band coupling between the STN and motor cortex. These changes were accompanied by reduced reaction times in subsequently cued movements. However, in Parkinsonian patients with pre-existing symptoms of tremor, successful volitional beta suppression was associated with an amplification of tremor which correlated with theta band activity in STN local field potentials, suggesting an additional cross-frequency interaction between STN beta and theta activities.
Regulation of RUVBL1-RUVBL2 AAA-ATPases by the nonsense-mediated mRNA decay factor DHX34, as evidenced by Cryo-EM
Authors: López-Perrote Andres , Hug Nele , González-Corpas Ana , Rodríguez Carlos F , Serna Marina , García-Martín Carmen , Boskovic Jasminka , Fernandez-Leiro Rafael , Caceres Javier F , Llorca Oscar
Published: November 2020

Nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD) is a surveillance pathway that degrades aberrant mRNAs and also regulates the expression of a wide range of physiological transcripts. RUVBL1 and RUVBL2 AAA-ATPases form an hetero-hexameric ring that is part of several macromolecular complexes such as INO80, SWR1, and R2TP. Interestingly, RUVBL1-RUVBL2 ATPase activity is required for NMD activation by an unknown mechanism. Here, we show that DHX34, an RNA helicase regulating NMD initiation, directly interacts with RUVBL1-RUVBL2 in vitro and in cells. Cryo-EM reveals that DHX34 induces extensive changes in the N-termini of every RUVBL2 subunit in the complex, stabilizing a conformation that does not bind nucleotide and thereby down-regulates ATP hydrolysis of the complex. Using ATPase-deficient mutants, we find that DHX34 acts exclusively on the RUVBL2 subunits. We propose a model, where DHX34 acts to couple RUVBL1-RUVBL2 ATPase activity to the assembly of factors required to initiate the NMD response.
Evidence of facultative parthenogenesis in three Neotropical pitviper species of the Bothrops atrox group
Authors: Cubides-Cubillos Sergio D. , Patané José S.L. , Pereira da Silva Karina Maria , Almeida-Santos Selma Maria , Polydoro Denise S. , Galassi Guilherme Guidolin , Travaglia Cardoso Silvia Regina , Silva Maria José de J.
Published: November 2020

We examined four suspected cases of facultative parthenogenesis in three species of a neotropical lineage of pitvipers of the Bothrops atrox group. Reproduction without mating was observed in captive females of B. atrox, B. moojeni and B. leucurus housed alone for seven years (the two former species) and nine years (the latter one). In addition to the observation of captivity data, we investigated molecularly this phenomenon using heterologous microsatellites. DNA was extracted from the mothers’ scales or liver, from embryo and newborn fragments, and yolked ova. Four of the microsatellites showed good amplification using Polymerase Chain Reaction and informative band segregation patterns among each mother and respective offspring. Captivity information, litter characteristics (comparison of the number of newborns, embryos and yolked ova) and molecular data altogether agreed with facultative parthenogenesis predictions in at least three out of the four mothers studied: B. atrox (ID#933) was heterozygous for three out of the four markers, and the sons S1 and S2 were homozygous; B. moojeni (BUT86) was heterozygous for two out of four markers, offspring S1, S3, E2, and E4, and O1 to O6 were homozygous; and B. leucurus (MJJS503) was heterozygous for three out of four markers, and son E1 and O1 were homozygous. B. moojeni (BUT44) was homozygous for all loci analyzed in the mother and offspring, which although not informative is also consistent with parthenogenesis. This study represents the first molecular confirmation of different pitviper species undergoing facultative parthenogenesis among Neotropical endemic snakes.
Indomethacin augments lipopolysaccharide-induced expression of inflammatory molecules in the mouse brain
Authors: Mohamed Mona Yasin , Masocha Willias
Published: November 2020

Indomethacin and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are used to relieve pain and fever including during infections. However, some studies suggest that NSAIDs protect against neuroinflammation, while some find no effects or worsening of neuroinflammation. We evaluated the effect of indomethacin alone on in combination with minocycline, a drug that inhibits neuroinflammation, on the expression of transcripts of neuroinflammatory molecules-induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in the brain of mice. Inoculation of male BALB/c mice with LPS induced the expression of the microglia marker ionized calcium binding adaptor molecule protein, mRNA expression of the genes for cytokines interleukin-1beta (Il1b) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (Tnf) and inducible nitric oxide synthase gene (Nos2), but not Il10, in the brain. Treatment with indomethacin had no significant effect on the cytokines or Nos2 mRNA expression in naïve animals. However, pretreatment with indomethacin increased LPS-induced Nos2 mRNA and inducible nitric oxide (iNOS) protein expression, but had no significant effect on LPS-induced mRNA expression of the cytokines. Minocycline reduced LPS-induced Il1b and Tnf, but not Nos2, mRNA expression. Treatment with indomethacin plus minocycline had no effect on LPS-induced Il1b, Tnf and Nos2 mRNA expression. In conclusion these results show that indomethacin significantly augments LPS-induced Nos2 mRNA and iNOS protein expression in the brain. In the presence of indomethacin, minocycline could not inhibit LPS-induced pro-inflammatory cytokine expression. Thus, indomethacin could exacerbate neuroinflammation by increasing the expression of iNOS and also block the anti-inflammatory effects of minocycline.
Optimal planning of multi‐day invasive species surveillance campaigns
Authors: Yemshanov Denys , Haight Robert G. , MacQuarrie Chris J. K. , Koch Frank H. , Liu Ning , Venette Robert , Ryall Krista
Published: November 2020

Multi‐day survey campaigns are critical for timely detection of biological invasions. We propose a new modelling approach that helps allocate survey inspections in a multi‐day campaign aimed at detecting the presence of an invasive organism.

We adopt a team orienteering problem to plan daily inspections and use an acceptance sampling approach to find an optimal surveillance strategy for emerald ash borer in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. The manager's problem is to select daily routes and determine the optimal number of host trees to inspect with a particular inspection method in each survey location, subject to upper bounds on the survey budget, daily inspection time, and total survey time span.

We compare optimal survey strategies computed with two different management objectives. The first problem minimizes the expected number of survey sites (or area) with undetected infestations. The second problem minimizes slippage – the expected number of undetected infested trees in sites that were not surveyed or where the surveys did not find infestation.

We also explore the impact of uncertainty about site infestation rates and detection probabilities on the surveillance strategy. Accounting for uncertainty helps address temporal and spatial variation in infestation rates and yields a more robust surveillance strategy. The approach is generalizable and can support delimiting survey programs for biological invasions at various spatial scales.
The spectrum of brain malformations and disruptions in twins
Authors: Park Kaylee B. , Chapman Teresa , Aldinger Kimberly A. , Mirzaa Ghayda M. , Zeiger Jordan , Beck Anita , Glass Ian A. , Hevner Robert F. , Jansen Anna C. , Marshall Desiree A. , Oegema Renske , Parrini Elena , Saneto Russell P. , Curry Cynthia J. , Hall Judith G. , Guerrini Renzo , Leventer Richard J. , Dobyns William B.
Published: November 2020

Twins have an increased risk for congenital malformations and disruptions, including defects in brain morphogenesis. We analyzed data on brain imaging, zygosity, sex, and fetal demise in 56 proband twins and 7 less affected co‐twins with abnormal brain imaging and compared them to population‐based data and to a literature series. We separated our series into malformations of cortical development (MCD,N = 39), cerebellar malformations without MCD (N = 13), and brain disruptions (N = 11). The MCD group included 37/39 (95%) with polymicrogyria (PMG), 8/39 (21%) with pia‐ependymal clefts (schizencephaly), and 15/39 (38%) with periventricular nodular heterotopia (PNH) including 2 with PNH but not PMG. Cerebellar malformations were found in 19 individuals including 13 with a cerebellar malformation only and another 6 with cerebellar malformation and MCD. The pattern varied from diffuse cerebellar hypoplasia to classic Dandy–Walker malformation. Brain disruptions were seen in 11 individuals with hydranencephaly, porencephaly, or white matter loss without cysts. Our series included an expected statistically significant excess of monozygotic (MZ) twin pairs (22/41 MZ, 54%) compared to population data (482/1448 MZ, 33.3%;p = .0110), and an unexpected statistically significant excess of dizygotic (DZ) twins (19/41, 46%) compared to the literature cohort (1/46 DZ, 2%;p < .0001. Recurrent association with twin–twin transfusion syndrome, intrauterine growth retardation, and other prenatal factors support disruption of vascular perfusion as the most likely unifying cause.
Genetic admixture in Brazil
Authors: Pena Sergio D. J. , Santos Fabrício R. , Tarazona‐Santos Eduardo
Published: November 2020

We review studies from our laboratories using different molecular tools to characterize the Amerindian, European and African ancestry of Brazilians. Initially we used uniparental DNA markers to investigate the contribution of distinct Y chromosome and mitochondrial DNA lineages to present‐day populations. High levels of genetic admixture and strong directional mating between European males and Amerindian and African females were unraveled. We next analyzed different types of biparental autosomal polymorphisms. Especially useful was a set of 40 insertion–deletion polymorphisms (indels) that when studied worldwide proved exquisitely sensitive in discriminating between Amerindians, Europeans and Sub‐Saharan Africans. When applied to the study of Brazilians these markers confirmed extensive genomic admixture. We then studied ancestry differences in different regions by statistically controlling them to eliminate color considerations. The European ancestry was predominant in all regions studied, with proportions ranging from 60.6% in the Northeast to 77.7% in the South. We propose that the immigration of 6 million Europeans to Brazil in the 19th and 20th centuries is in large part responsible for dissipating previous ancestry dissimilarities that reflected region‐specific population histories. Brazilians should be assessed individually, as 210 million human beings, and not as members of specific regions or color groups.
Optically transparent polymer composites: A study on the influence of filler/dopant on electromagnetic interference shielding mechanism
Authors: Ray Bishakha , Parmar Saurabh , Date Kalyani , Datar Suwarna
Published: November 2020

Composite materials made of polymers and carbon‐based ferromagnetic filler are attractive for electromagnetic interference shielding through a combination of reflection and microwave absorption. It is possible to enhance their shielding properties by controlling electrical conductivity, dielectric, and magnetic properties. In this work, the aforementioned properties are tailored to achieve optically transparent films with microwave absorbing properties. Nanocarbon materials, namely carbon nanotubes, graphene nanoribbons (GNR) and their ferromagnetic nanocomposites with Fe3O4 and cobalt in PVA‐PEDOT:PSS matrix were made and tested in X‐band. The highest shielding effectiveness for PVA films with nanocarbon filler was observed for 0.5 wt% GNR − Fe3O4 at 16.36 dB (9.7 GHz) with 79.8% transmittance.
Economical conductive graphite‐filled polymer composites via adjustable segregated structures: Construction, low percolation threshold, and positive temperature coefficient effect
Authors: Zhao Lei , Xia Wei , Zhang Peng
Published: November 2020

The economical graphite‐filled thermoplastic urethane/ultra‐high molecular weight polyethylene (TPU/UHMWPE) composites with the segregated structure were constructed by the combination of mechanical crushing and melt blending method. The low percolation threshold of 1.89 wt% graphite in the adjustable segregated composites was obtained and high electrical conductivity was about 10−1 S m−1 at 10 wt% graphite loadings owing to the formation of three‐dimensional conductive networks. Moreover, when the graphite loadings were over the percolation threshold, the remarkable positive temperature coefficient (PTC) effect of electrical resistivity for TPU/UHMWPE‐Graphite composites were achieved, originating from the combined thermal motion of TPU and UHMWPE. Meanwhile, the outstanding repeatability of PTC effects was obtained after 5‐time cycles. Therefore, economical conductive polymer composites were still the promising field in the practical application of PTC materials.
Domesticating olfaction: Dog breeds, including scent hounds, have reduced cribriform plate morphology relative to wolves
Authors: Bird Deborah J. , Jacquemetton Christiane , Buelow Sophie A. , Evans Andrew W. , Van Valkenburgh Blaire
Published: November 2020

The domestic dog is assumed by nearly everyone to be the consummate smeller. Within the species Canis familiaris individual breeds, such as the bloodhound or beagle, are known as olfactory stars. These are “scent breeds,” a grouping variably defined as a genetic clade or breed class commonly used for scent detection tasks. Previous work suggests that the dog has a more robust olfactory anatomy than many mammal species. Now we undertake a closer investigation of the dog's olfactory system, both in relationship to its closest wild relatives, the wolf and coyote, and across individual breeds. First, we seek to resolve whether the dog has lost olfactory capacity through its domestication from the wolf lineage. Second, we test the inertial lore that among dogs, “scent breeds,” have a superior olfactory facility. As a measure of relative olfactory capacity, we look to the cribriform plate (CP), a bony cup in the posterior nasal cavity perforated by passageways for all olfactory nerve bundles streaming from the periphery to the brain. Using high‐resolution computed tomography (CT) scans and digital quantification, we compare relative CP size in 46 dog breeds, the coyote and gray wolf. Results show the dog has a reduced CP surface area relative to the wolf and coyote. Moreover, we found no significant differences between CP size of “scent” and “non‐scent” breeds. Our study suggests that the dog lost olfactory capacity as a result of domestication and this loss was not recovered in particular breed groupings through directed artificial selection for increased olfactory facility.
Vibrational Spectra and Molecular Vibrational Behaviors of All‐Carboatomic Rings, cyclo[18]carbon and Its Analogues
Authors: Liu Zeyu , Lu Tian , Chen Qinxue
Published: November 2020

The vibrational spectra of cyclo[18]carbon and its analogues, cyclo[2n]carbon (n=3 to 15), were carefully simulated and characterized. The in‐plane C−C stretching vibrations shows strong rigidity, while out‐of‐plane motions seem to be extremely flexible. The solvation effect can enhance signal strengths of the vibrational spectra, but does not evidently change the shape of the spectral curves. The infrared and Raman spectra of cyclo[2n]carbons are quite sensitive to ring size in the range of n=3 to 7, while the size only modestly affects peak positions and strengths for larger rings. Molecular dynamic trajectories show that the fluctuation period of the skeleton of cyclo[18]carbon is basically constant at different temperatures, and they are all about 300 fs. With increase of simulation temperature, the ring distortion due to thermal motion is notable and becomes much stronger. However, neither ring breaking nor isomerization in cyclo[18]carbon is observed during the simulations untill 298.15 K.
Enhancing green product and process innovation: Towards an integrative framework of knowledge acquisition and environmental investment
Authors: Awan Usama , Arnold Marlen Gabriele , Gölgeci Ismail
Published: November 2020

Despite the increasing interest in green innovation literature, little is known on how and under what conditions firms' knowledge transfer activities affect green innovation. There is lack of research that on how particular organizational capabilities are seen more useful and how it influences on green innovation performance. To address this research gap, we examine a mediation model in which we explore whether a firm's knowledge acquisition capability and investment in environmental management mediate the impact of buyer‐driven knowledge transfer activities on green product innovation and green process innovation. On the basis of an analysis of a sample of 239 manufacturing firms, we find that buyer‐driven knowledge activities have a greater positive impact on green product innovation than green process innovation. Investment in environmental management fully mediates the relationship between buyer‐driven knowledge transfer activities and green process innovation, and knowledge acquisition capability partially mediates the relationship between buyer‐driven knowledge transfer activities and green product innovation. The current study provides evidence that internal competencies and the role of buyers in knowledge transfer are critical for explaining the green product innovation and green process innovation. Our results suggest that buyer involvement pushes firms to develop resource acquisition capability to enhance green product innovation. Our results also highlight the importance of investment in environmental management for overcoming the environmental challenges in the manufacturing firms.
Diverticulitis in the sigmoid colon presenting with only lower anterior chest pain
Authors: Tago Masaki , Hirata Risa , Hisata Yoshio , Satsuki Oie , Yoshinori Tokushima , Aihara Hidetoshi , Fujiwara Motoshi , Yamashita Shu‐ichi
Published: November 2020

An 80‐year‐old man who presented with only lower anterior chest pain was diagnosed as sigmoid colon diverticulitis. His chest pain was considered to be referred pain from a disease at sigmoid colon, which should be suspected when other major causes of chest pain are excluded.
Kinetics and Efficiency of Triplet‐Triplet Annihilation Photon Upconversion under Pulsed Excitation Conditions
Authors: Ye Chen , Albinsson Bo , Börjesson Karl
Published: November 2020

Triplet‐triplet annihilation is a promising method to convert low energy photons to high energy ones. Due to the long time‐scales and the bimolecular nature of the process, the overall efficiency of triplet‐triplet annihilation greatly depends on the excitation type and intensity. Upconversion efficiencies are usually measured using continuous wave conditions. Here we develop an analytical and experimental method to investigate how the excitation modulation affects the triplet‐triplet annihilation efficiency. The simulated and experimental results demonstrate high consistency. The triplet‐triplet annihilation efficiency drops as expected with increasing excitation frequency at a fixed average power density, which our simulations accurately predicts. The method described here allows to relate efficiencies measured at pulsed conditions with those measured at continuous wave conditions.
Smart meter‐based home energy report: Design and operation of automatic generation system of hourly usage indication message
Authors: Mukai Toshihiro , Nishio Ken‐ichiro , Komatsu Hidenori , Kobayashi Kazuyuki , Sasaki Masanobu , Maeki Wataru
Published: November 2020

Home Energy Report (HER) is gathering attention as a method to promote energy conservation behavior in residential sector. Most of the existing efforts about HER assume the use of total monthly usage data. These usually compare customers’ monthly usages with that of similar neighbors. In our study, we developed a HER that uses smart meter data to give graphical information on customers’ monthly, weekly, daily and hourly electricity usages. In the smart meter‐based HER, the graphs that show hourly usage patterns are applied the method of automatically generating a message commenting the time zone to be paid attention by each customer. The automatic generation method uses smart meter data and several types of baseline hourly usages to analyze which time zone each customer should pay attention. In this paper, we provide a detailed explanation about the structure of the automatic generation method, and show analysis results of how the method have been worked by using the HER generation log data of approximately forty thousand households for twelve months.
The overlooked benefits of synzoochory: rodents rescue seeds from aborted fruits
Authors: Fedriani Jose M. , Calvo Gemma , Delibes Miguel , Ayllón Daniel , Garrote Pedro J.
Published: November 2020

Large‐scale abortion of immature fruits is a pervasive phenomenon across seed plants due to maternal physiological decisions associated with matching resources with fruit crop size. Aborted fruits are usually disqualified from studies of both fruit production and seed dispersal. However, a considerable number of developing seeds occur within immature aborted fruits. We evaluated the untested hypotheses that seeds within aborted fruits are viable and that incomplete predation of seeds within aborted fruits by hoarding rodents provides, in addition to seed movement, increased germination and seedling emergence. To this end, we studied the system composed by the Iberian pear Pyrus bourgaeana and several rodent species in Mediterranean Spain. About a third of aborted fruits found beneath tree canopies (n = 2430) were partially eaten by rodents. Using a seed sowing experiment, we revealed that a considerable fraction of seeds from P. bourgaeana aborted fruits are viable, germinating, and emerging seedlings. Paradoxically, however, these seeds are de facto unviable since they are confined within the extremely hard pericarp of aborted fruits, which prevents any seedling emergence and thus any contribution to tree recruitment. We show that only when rodents partially gnaw the pericarp walls of aborted fruits, seeds that escaped from predation have the prospect of emerging and thus potentially contributing to tree regeneration. Thus, in this and probably in many other similar synzoochore systems, rodents act as rescuers of seeds confined within aborted fruits, conferring the plants a largely overlooked benefit that could shape the reproductive strategy of many plant species.
Halide perovskites: A dark horse for direct X‐ray imaging
Authors: Xu Xiuwen , Qian Wei , Xiao Shuang , Wang Jian , Zheng Shizhao , Yang Shihe
Published: November 2020

The high cost and difficulty of fabricating high‐quality, thick, large‐area X‐ray absorbers limit their widespread applications in flat‐panel direct hard X‐ray imaging. Then it comes to the recently rising halide perovskites, which show large carrier mobility and lifetime, contain high atomic number elements and are solution processible, making them ideal for large‐area direct hard X‐ray imaging. Over the past few years, direct X‐ray detectors based on a variety of perovskites have been developed, showing impressive progress in achieving high sensitivity and low detection limit. Alongside the developments, the underlying correlations between the intrinsic properties of the perovskites and their X‐ray detection performance have been intensively studied, providing valuable information to tackle the remaining challenges, such as large dark current, baseline drifting and so forth. However, it is surprising to find that there have been no efforts to bring together a comprehensive review and comparative analysis on these previous research endeavors, and some general principles and guidelines of engineering the perovskites toward advanced X‐ray detectors have yet to be creamed off. Here, recent advances in engineering perovskites for direct X‐ray detection are reviewed in the hope of providing fundamental understanding of this fast‐developing field. First, the operation principles of direct X‐ray detectors targeting flat‐panel X‐ray imaging will be introduced, particularly relevant to perovskite materials. Then, recent innovative works regarding the preparation and manipulation of single‐crystalline and poly‐crystalline perovskites are discussed in detail, through which specific effects of the intrinsic properties of the perovskite upon X‐ray detection are highlighted. This is followed by a summary of the review and outlook of future directions.

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Effects of flue gas recirculation on energy, exergy, environment, and economics in oxy‐coal circulating fluidized‐bed power plants with CO2 capture
Authors: Kim Semie , Lim Young‐Il , Lee Doyeon , Seo Myung Won , Mun Tae‐Young , Lee Jae‐Goo
Published: November 2020

CO2 capture and storage(CCS) are required for coal‐fired power plants, which are major sources of anthropogenic CO2 emission. In this study, energy, exergy, environment, and economic (4E) analyses were performed for a 500‐MWe oxy‐coal ultra‐supercritical circulating fluidized‐bed (CFB) power plant with CO2 capture. The effect of the location of flue‐gas recirculation (FGR) on the 4E values was investigated for wet FGR (wFGR) at 170°C, dry FGR (dFGR) at 68°C, and 80% wet and 20% dry FGR (wdFGR). The net electricity efficiencies of the wFGR and dFGR power plants were 37% and 36%, respectively. The exergy loss was the largest in the combustor and boiler area, where process improvement was possible. The levelized cost of electricity was approximately 60 $/MWh. The return on investment was 6.7% and 6.1%/y for the wFGR and dFGR plants, respectively. The CO2 emission rate decreased by 90% (from 690 to 76 kg‐CO2/MWh) in the oxy‐coal power plants with CO2 capture. Relative to the wFGR, the dFGR was advantageous for preventing material corrosion because of the lower sulfur content in the FGR stream. For the wdFGR power plant, the process performance was intermediate, that is, between that of the wFGR plant and that of the dFGR plant. The study provided an effective tool for identifying the technological and economic effects of the FGR location for the oxy‐coal power plant with CCS via 4E analyses.
Angiopoietin‐like protein 4 promotes very‐low‐density lipoprotein assembly and secretion in bovine hepatocytes in vitro
Authors: Kong Yezi , Zhao Chenxu , Huang Yan , Liu Yaoquan , Liu Siqi , Guo Yazhou , Li Manxia , Xu Tingxuan , Zhao Baoyu , Wang Jianguo
Published: November 2020

In dairy cows, fatty liver is one of the most common metabolic diseases that occurs during the periparturient period. Angiopoietin‐like protein 4 (ANGPTL4) is a well‐known downstream target of peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptors (PPARs), which regulate the glucose and fatty acid metabolisms. The inhibition of lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activity interferes with the storage of triglycerides (TG) in adipocytes, which plays an essential role in lipid metabolism in rodents. However, it remains unclear whether ANGPTL4 is involved in the pathological process of fatty liver in dairy cows as a result of the regulation of the hepatocellular lipid transport system. This study intended to investigate the effect of ANGPTL4 on the very‐low‐density lipoprotein (VLDL) assembly and secretion in bovine hepatocytes. Bovine hepatocytes were isolated using a modified two‐step perfusion and collagenase digestion process, and treated with different concentrations of ANGPTL4 (0, 4, 12, and 24 ng/ml) for 24 hr. The results showed that a high concentration of ANGPTL4 could significantly increase the extracellular concentration of VLDL while reducing the intracellular content of TG. Thus, it was confirmed that ANGPTL4 could promote the transport of TG in the form of VLDL by partially regulating the expression of related proteins in hepatocytes, thereby contributing to the partial adaptive regulation of lipid transport in dairy cows.
Synthesis, anti‐inflammatory activity, and molecular docking study of novel azo bis antipyrine derivatives against cyclooxygenase‐2 enzyme
Authors: Bhuvaneswari Kaliyan , Nagasundaram Nagarajan , Lalitha Appaswami
Published: November 2020

We have synthesized a new series of azo‐bis antipyrine derivatives from a one‐pot multicomponent Knoevenagel/Michael addition reaction of antipyrine, with a diversity of azo aldehydes in ethanol and L‐Proline as a catalyst under reflux condition. The anti‐inflammatory activity of the final products was assessed using the inhibition of albumin denaturation technique. Compound 3f showed an inhibitory effect with IC50 values of 3.6 μM with respect to the standard anti‐inflammatory drug Aspirin, with IC50 values of 2 μM. In addition, molecular docking was performed to confirm the in vitro results against the enzymatic inhibition activity of COX‐2 enzymes in which compound 3f showed good binding affinity with an inhibition constant (Ki) of 1.79 nM.
Application of PBPK Modeling and Simulation for Regulatory Decision Making and Its Impact on US Prescribing Information: An Update on the 2018‐2019 Submissions to the US FDA's Office of Clinical Pharmacology
Authors: Zhang Xinyuan , Yang Yuching , Grimstein Manuela , Fan Jianghong , Grillo Joseph A. , Huang Shiew‐Mei , Zhu Hao , Wang Yaning
Published: November 2020

Since 2016, results from physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) analyses have been routinely found in the clinical pharmacology section of regulatory applications submitted to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). In 2018, the Food and Drug Administration's Office of Clinical Pharmacology published a commentary summarizing the application of PBPK modeling in the submissions it received between 2008 and 2017 and its impact on prescribing information. In this commentary, we provide an update on the application of PBPK modeling in submissions received between 2018 and 2019 and highlight a few notable examples.
Scanning Electron Microscopy‐based palynological characterization of selected Euphorbiaceae taxa colonized in Pakistan
Authors: Alyas Tahira , Shaheen Shabnum , Hussain Farzeen , Harun Nidaa , Hussain Khadim , Sajjad Sumera , Ahmed Mushtaq , Khan Farah
Published: November 2020

The present study was carried out on scanning electron microscopic‐based palynological characterization of selected 20 Euphorbiaceae taxa. In this study, important pollen qualitative and quantitative features of selected Euphorbiaceae species such as polar diameter, equatorial diameter, P/E ratio, sculpturing of pollen, exine thickness, intine thickness, presence or absence of colpi and length of colpi, and pollen fertility were examined. Remarkable variations in these pollen characters had been observed among these species. In both polar and equatorial views, Riccinus communis L. exhibited the highest pollen size (polar = 264.1 μm, Equatorial = 270 μm), while Acalypha wilkesiana Mull Arg. showed lowest pollen size (Polar = 17 μm, Equatorial = 18.5 μm). Most of the pollen varied from oblate to spheroidal in shape. With regard to the P/E ratio, Sapium sebiferum L. Roxb showed the highest ratio while Bischofia javanica Blume showed minimum, that is, 1.18 and 0.85, respectively. Intine and exine thickness also varied. Most of the pollen grains were monade. Tricolporate, tricolpate, monocolpate, pentaporate, and polyporate pollen aperture types have been observed. Most of the plants showed regular, reticulate, and echinate pollen sculpturing. Pollen fertility also varied from species to species but most of the plant showed pollen fertility between 70 and 80%. Through this work, it has been concluded that quantitative and qualitative pollen features are helpful at the specific level as well as the generic level and can provide a fruitful taxonomic solution.
Inducing regulated necrosis and shifting macrophage polarization with anti-EMMPRIN antibody (161-pAb) and complement factors
Authors: Hijaze Nizar , Ledersnaider Max , Simanovich Elina , Kassem Sameer , Rahat Michal A
Published: November 2020

Treatment of solid tumors is often hindered by an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) that prevents effector immune cells from eradicating tumor cells and promotes tumor progression, angiogenesis, and metastasis. Therefore, targeting components of the TME to restore the ability of immune cells to drive anti-tumoral responses has become an important goal. One option is to induce an immunogenic cell death (ICD) of tumor cells that would trigger an adaptive anti-tumoral immune response. Here we show that incubating mouse renal cell carcinoma (RENCA) and colon carcinoma cell lines with an anti-extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer polyclonal antibody (161-pAb) together with complement factors can induce cell death that inhibits caspase-8 activity and enhances the phosphorylation of receptor-interacting protein kinase 3 (RIPK3) and mixed-lineage kinase-like domain (MLKL). This regulated necrotic death releases high levels of dsRNA molecules to the conditioned medium (CM) relative to the necrotic death of tumor cells induced by H2O2 or the apoptotic death induced by etoposide. RAW 264.7 macrophages incubated with the CM derived from these dying cells markedly enhanced the secretion of IFNβ, and enhanced their cytotoxicity. Furthermore, degradation of the dsRNA in the CM abolished the ability of RAW 264.7 macrophages to secrete IFNβ, IFNγ-induced protein 10 (IP-10), and TRAIL. When mice bearing RENCA tumors were immunized with the 161-pAb, their lysates displayed elevated levels of phosphorylated RIPK3 and MLKL, as well as increased concentrations of dsRNA, IFNβ, IP-10, and TRAIL. This shows that an antigen-targeted therapy using an antibody and complement factors that triggers ICD can shift the mode of macrophage activation by triggering regulated necrotic death of tumor cells.
Effects of serum amyloid protein A on influenza A virus replication and viral interactions with neutrophils
Authors: White Mitchell R , Hsieh I-Ni , De Luna Xavier , Hartshorn Kevan L
Published: November 2020

Innate immunity is vital for the early control of influenza A virus (IAV) infection. Serum amyloid A (SAA1) is an acute phase reactant produced in the liver and lung that rises dramatically during IAV infection. The potential role of SAA1 in host defense against IAV is unknown. SAA1 has been reported to directly activate neutrophils and to recruit them to the lung during infectious and inflammatory processes. Neutrophils are the most abundant cell recruited to the lung in the early phase of IAV infection. There are different forms and preparations of SAA1 that have found to have different effects on phagocyte responses, through various receptors. In this paper, we test the direct effects of various preparations of serum derived or recombinant SAA on IAV and how it modulates the interactions of IAV with neutrophils. All SAA preparations bound to IAV in vitro but caused minimal hemagglutination inhibition or viral aggregation. The human serum-derived SAA1 or the complex of SAA1 with HDL did have IAV neutralizing activity in vitro, whereas the recombinant SAA1 preparations did not. We found that different SAA preparations also had markedly different effects on neutrophil functions, with E. coli-derived SAA1 triggering some responses in neutrophils on its own or in presence of IAV whereas mammalian cell-derived SAA1 did not. This discrepancy could be explained by the reported contamination of the former preparation with bacterial components. Of interest, however, serum SAA alone, serum SAA complexed with HDL, or HDL alone potentiated some neutrophil responses to IAV. Our results suggest that SAA may play some role in host response to IAV, but further work needs to be done to clarify the role of different variants of SAA alone or complexed with HDL.
Lignin‐Based Polyurethane: Recent Advances and Future Perspectives
Authors: Ma Xiaozhen , Chen Jing , Zhu Jin , Yan Ning
Published: November 2020

Polyurethane (PU), as a polymer material with versatile product forms and excellent performance, is used in coatings, elastomers, adhesives, and foams widely. However, the raw materials (polyols and isocyanates) of PU are usually made using petroleum‐derived chemicals. With the concern for depletion of petroleum resources and the associated negative impact on the environment, developing technologies that can use renewable raw materials as feedstock has become a research hotspot. Lignin, as an abundant, natural, and renewable organic carbon resource, has been explored as raw material for making polyurethanes because it possesses rich hydroxyl groups on its surface. Meanwhile, compared to vegetable oils, lignin does not compete with food supply and performance of the resulting products is superior. Lignin or modified lignin has been shown to impart the polyurethane material with additional functionalities, such as UV‐blocking ability, hydrophobicity, and flame retardancy. However, the utilization of lignin has encountered some challenges, such as product isolation, heterogeneity, aggregation, steric hindrance, and low activity. This paper summarizes recent research progress on utilizing lignin and modified lignin for bio‐based polyurethane synthesis with a focus on elastomers and foams. Opportunities and challenges for application of the lignin‐based polyurethanes in various fields are also discussed.
Immobilization of Ionic Liquids with a New Cellulose Ester Containing Imidazolium Cation for High‐Performance CO2 Separation Membranes
Authors: Cheng Yaohui , Zhang Xin , Yin Chunchun , Zhang Jinming , Yu Jian , Zhang Jun
Published: November 2020

CO2 gas separation is of significant importance to protect the environment and utilize the carbon resource. In this work, two kinds of new cellulose esters containing imidazolium cation, cellulose acetate (CA) 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium chloride and CA 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethane sulfonyl)imide (CA‐BmimTf2N), are designed and synthesized. The resultant cationized cellulose esters effectively lock various ionic liquids (ILs) via electrostatic interactions. Due to the strong attraction interactions, the obtained cellulose ester/ILs composite membranes are uniform, smooth, and highly transparent. Moreover, the added ILs with a long alkyl chain in the cation and a bis(trifluoromethane sulfonyl)imide anion remarkably improve the CO2 permeability of the cellulose ester/ILs membranes, because of the dramatic increase of the CO2 diffusion rate. The CA‐BmimTf2N/C10mimTf2N membranes exhibit the highest CO2 permeability, which is 3800% higher than that of CA membrane and 1700% higher than that of CA‐BmimTf2N membrane. More importantly, the CA‐BmimTf2N/C10mimTf2N membranes have good mechanical properties and thermal stability. Such high‐performance CO2 separation membranes with high CO2 permeability, high transparency, and good mechanical property have a huge potential in the practical utilization for gas separation.
On new exact solutions of the generalized Fitzhugh–Nagumo equation with variable coefficients
Authors: Hashemi Mir Sajjad , Akgül Ali
Published: November 2020

In this article, Heir‐equations method has been used to investigate nonclassical symmetries and new exact solutions of the generalized Fitzhugh–Nagumo equation with variable coefficients. Different types of variable coefficients with corresponding exact solutions have been considered.
Analysis and prediction of COVID‐19 trajectory: A machine learning approach
Authors: Majhi Ritanjali , Thangeda Rahul , Sugasi Renu Prasad , Kumar Niraj
Published: November 2020

The outbreak of Coronavirus 2019 (COVID‐19) has impacted everyday lives globally. The number of positive cases is growing and India is now one of the most affected countries. This paper builds predictive models that can predict the number of positive cases with higher accuracy. Regression‐based, Decision tree‐based, and Random forest‐based models have been built on the data from China and are validated on India's sample. The model is found to be effective and will be able to predict the positive number of cases in the future with minimal error. The developed machine learning model can work in real‐time and can effectively predict the number of positive cases. Key measures and suggestions have been put forward considering the effect of lockdown.
Structural insights into the tropomodulin assembly at the pointed ends of actin filaments
Authors: Tolkatchev Dmitri , Kuruba Balaganesh , Smith Garry E. , Swain Kyle D. , Smith Kaitlin A. , Moroz Natalia , Williams Trenton J. , Kostyukova Alla S.
Published: November 2020

Tropomodulins are a family of important regulators of actin dynamics at the pointed ends of actin filaments. Four isoforms of tropomodulin, Tmod1‐Tmod4, are expressed in vertebrates. Binding of tropomodulin to the pointed end is dependent on tropomyosin, an actin binding protein that itself is represented in mammals by up to 40 isoforms. The understanding of the regulatory role of the tropomodulin/tropomyosin molecular diversity has been limited due to the lack of a three‐dimensional structure of the tropomodulin/tropomyosin complex. In this study, we mapped tropomyosin residues interacting with two tropomyosin‐binding sites of tropomodulin and generated a three‐dimensional model of the tropomodulin/tropomyosin complex for each of these sites. The models were refined by molecular dynamics simulations and validated via building a self‐consistent three‐dimensional model of tropomodulin assembly at the pointed end. The model of the pointed‐end Tmod assembly offers new insights in how Tmod binding ensures tight control over the pointed end dynamics.
NFPA 652: The gap between industry's understanding and compliance
Authors: Ebadat Vahid , Cartwright Paul
Published: November 2020

The requirements of NFPA 652 Standard regarding Dust Hazard Analysis on the Fundamentals of Combustible Dust had to be fully implemented in 2020. In this article, we present the results of a survey that tested how well those with responsibility for NFPA 652 compliance have understood its requirements. We find that although there is a good level of understanding about what is required there are never‐the‐less a number of areas where the standard has been misunderstood.
Total saponin extract, ginsenoside Rb1, and compound K alleviate peripheral and central neuropathic pain through estrogen receptors on rats
Authors: Lee Jee Youn , Choi Hae Young , Park Chan Sol , Kim Dong Hyun , Yune Tae Young
Published: November 2020

In this study, we investigated whether total saponin extract (TSE), ginsenoside Rb1, and Rb1 metabolite compound K, which are isolated from red ginseng, have antinociceptive effects on peripheral and central neuropathic pain (PNP and CNP, respectively). PNP and CNP were induced by tail nerve injury (TNI) at S1 and by contusive spinal cord injury (SCI) at T9 in male Sprague–Dawley rats, respectively. Two weeks after TNI or 4 weeks after SCI, pain‐induced rats were orally administered vehicle, TSE (50 mg/kg), Rb1 (12.5 mg/kg), compound K (7 mg/kg), or gabapentin (GBP, 60 mg/kg), and the antinociceptive effects were examined by von Frey filament, cold/warm water, and hot plate analyses. Allodynia and hyperalgesia were significantly alleviated by TSE, Rb1, and GBP 1 hr after drug administration. The immunohistochemistry and real‐time RT‐PCR results showed that the activation of microglia/astrocytes and the expression of inflammatory mediators such as Il‐1β, Il‐6, iNOS, and Cox‐2 were also significantly inhibited in L4‐L5 spinal cord of CNP‐induced rats 1 hr after drug administration. Furthermore, the antinociceptive effects of TSE and Rb1 were reversed by treatment with the estrogen receptor (ER) antagonist ICI182780. In particular, compound K also significantly alleviated both PNP and CNP. Therefore, our results indicate that TSE, Rb1, and compound K have potential antinociceptive effects against neuropathic pain that might be mediated through the ER.