bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Exploring the Concepts of Concentration Addition and Independent Action Using a Linear Low-Effect Mixture Model
Authors: Escher Beate , Braun Georg , Zarfl Christiane 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Chemicals emitted into the environment are typically present at low concentrations but may act together in mixtures. Concentration–response curves of in vitro bioassays were often linear for effect levels &lt;30%, and the predictions for concentration addition (CA) of similarly acting chemicals and for independent action (IA) of dissimilarly acting chemicals overlapped. We derived a joint CA/IA mixture model for the low-effect level portion of concentration–response curves. In a first case study, we evaluated the cytotoxicity of over 200 mixtures of up to 17 components that were mixed in concentration ratios as they occurred in river water. The predictions of the full IA model were indistinguishable from the predictions of the full CA model up to 10% effect, confirming the applicability of the joint CA/IA mixture model at low effect levels. In a second case study, we evaluated if environmental concentrations trigger effects at levels low enough for the joint CA/IA mixture model to apply. The detected concentrations were scaled by their toxic potencies to estimate the mixture effect of the detected chemicals in a complex mixture. In 86% of 156 samples the effects fell in the validity range of the joint CA/IA mixture model (&lt;10% effect level), confirming the CA assumption for toxic unit summation. The joint CA/IA mixture model is not suitable for testing specific mixture hypotheses and interactions of chemicals in mixtures, where more refined models are required; but it is helpful for the interpretation of effects of complex (multicomponent) environmental mixtures, especially for water samples with relatively low effect level. Environ Toxicol Chem 2020;39:2552–2559. © 2020 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.
Abstract
Complex mixtures of organic chemicals that occur in water samples typically at low concentrations act together by a joint mixture model that integrates concentration addition and independent action.
Large‐scale simulation of shallow water waves via computation only on small staggered patches
Authors: Bunder Judith E. , Divahar Jayaraman , Kevrekidis Ioannis G. , Mattner Trent W. , Roberts Anthony J. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractA multiscale computational scheme is developed to use given small microscale simulations of complicated physical wave processes to empower macroscale system‐level predictions. By coupling small patches of simulations over unsimulated space, large savings in computational time are realizable. Here, we generalize the patch scheme to the case of wave systems on staggered grids in two‐dimensional (2D) space. Classic macroscale interpolation provides a generic coupling between patches that achieves consistency between the emergent macroscale simulation and the underlying microscale dynamics. Spectral analysis indicates that the resultant scheme empowers feasible computation of large macroscale simulations of wave systems even with complicated underlying physics. As an example of the scheme's application, we use it to simulate some simple scenarios of a given turbulent shallow water model.
Block bootstrap prediction intervals for parsimonious first‐order vector autoregression
Authors: Li Jing 
Published: September 2020

AbstractThis paper attempts to answer the question of whether the principle of parsimony can be applied to interval forecasting for multivariate series. Toward that end, this paper proposes the block bootstrap prediction intervals based on parsimonious first‐order vector autoregression. The new intervals generalize standard bootstrap prediction intervals by allowing for serially correlated prediction errors. The unexplained serial correlation is accounted for by the generalized multivariate block bootstrap, which resamples two‐dimensional arrays of residuals. Different methods of block bootstraps are compared. A Monte Carlo experiment shows that, in most cases, the new intervals from a parsimonious model outperform the standard bootstrap intervals from a complex model. The proposed block bootstrap prediction intervals are illustrated using financial data for interest rates and exchange rates.
Bacteriostatic activity and partial characterization of the bacteriocin produced by L. plantarum sp. isolated from traditional sourdough
Authors: Zangeneh Mina , Khorrami Sadegh , Khaleghi Moj 
Published: September 2020

AbstractThis study was aimed to isolate and partially characterizes the bacteriocin produced by an L. plantarum sp. isolated from traditional sourdough. The bacteriocin was partially purified, and after treating it with different harsh conditions, its antibacterial activity was evaluated against L. monocytogenes as an indicator. Also, the growth phase during which the bacteriocin is produced, and its mode of action, was examined. Finally, the molecular weight of this compound was evaluated by using SDS‐PAGE analysis. According to the results, this bacteriocin had a molecular weight well lower than 10 kDa that was mainly produced at the early stationary phase and reached its highest activity (3,200 AU/ml) at the same stage. It was tolerant toward a wide range of pH (2–10), temperatures (−20 to 120°C), and high concentrations of NaCl. Notably, the bacteriocin‐producing strain had proteolytic activity, while the bacteriocin produced by that showed resistance to proteolytic enzymes (pepsin, trypsin, and proteinase K). Also, it was revealed that the bacteriocin activity is mostly bacteriostatic so that it considerably inhibits pathogens’ growth, particularly S. aureus, E. coli, and L. monocytogenes. These characteristics prove that strain and its bacteriocin can be considered as one of the most promising agents to use in the food industry.
Biomimetic Antigravity Water Transport and Remote Harvesting Powered by Sunlight
Authors: Geng Hongya , Lv Cunjing , Wu Mingmao , Ma Hongyun , Cheng Huhu , Li Chun , Yuan Jiayin , Qu Liangti 
Published: September 2020

AbstractAntigravity water transport plays important roles in various applications ranging from agriculture, industry, and environmental engineering. In natural trees, ubiquitous water‐flow over 100 m high from roots through the hierarchical xylem to leaves is driven by sunlight‐powered continuous evaporation and the negative pressure. Inspired by natural trees, herein an artificial trunk‐leaf system is built up to structurally mimic natural trees for a continuous antigravity water delivery. The artificial tree consists of directional microchannels for antigravity water transport, and a top leaf‐like hybrid hydrogel that are acts as continuous solar steam evaporator, plus a purposely engineered steam collector. It is found that continuous uniform microchannels of acetylated chitin optimize and enhance capillary rise (≈37 cm at 300 min) and reduce vertical water transport resistance. A remote water harvesting, and purification is performed with a high rate of 1.6 kg m−2 h−1 and 184 cm in height under 1 sun irradiation and the collection efficiency up to 100% by evaporative cooling technique. It is envisioned that the basic design principles underlying the artificial tree can be used to transform solar energy into potential energy.
Distance matters! The role of employees' age distance on the effects of workforce age heterogeneity on firm performance
Authors: De Meulenaere Kim , Kunze Florian 
Published: September 2020

AbstractAge heterogeneity in Western workforces is increasing, generating potential informational benefits as well as harmful age‐based social categorizations. When can firms benefit from age heterogeneity? Building on the categorization‐elaboration model, we propose the average age distance between employees as a fundamental contingency. Using a longitudinal archival sample of 3,336 Belgian firms (2012–2015), we find that firms with a high level of age heterogeneity are less productive when employees' average distance is great (Study 1). Through an online experiment with 260 US participants, we show that employees in age‐heterogeneous workforces are less willing to engage in inter‐age cooperative contact and knowledge exchange under a great level of average age distance (Study 2). Our findings support that great distances foster age‐based social categorizations that undermine the productive information elaborations between employees of different ages. This broadens our knowledge on the implications of workforce age diversity and helps organizations understand when they can(not) reap the productivity benefits of their age‐diverse workforce. Moreover, this study's theory and implications are relevant to other types of diversity for which both heterogeneity and distance are meaningful constructs. We also discuss the practical implications of this study.
Evaluating the role of alcohol consumption in breast and ovarian cancer susceptibility using population‐based cohort studies and two‐sample Mendelian randomization analyses
Authors: Ong Jue‐Sheng , Derks Eske M. , Eriksson Mikael , An Jiyuan , Hwang Liang‐Dar , Easton Douglas F. , Pharoah Paul P. , Berchuck Andrew , Kelemen Linda E. , Matsuo Keitaro , Chenevix‐Trench Georgia , Hall Per , Bojesen Stig E. , Webb Penelope M. , MacGregor Stuart 
Published: September 2020

AbstractAlcohol consumption is correlated positively with risk for breast cancer in observational studies, but observational studies are subject to reverse causation and confounding. The association with epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is unclear. We performed both observational Cox regression and two‐sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses using data from various European cohort studies (observational) and publicly available cancer consortia (MR). These estimates were compared to World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) findings. In our observational analyses, the multivariable‐adjusted hazard ratios (HR) for a one standard drink/day increase was 1.06 (95% confidence interval [CI]; 1.04, 1.08) for breast cancer and 1.00 (0.92, 1.08) for EOC, both of which were consistent with previous WCRF findings. MR ORs per genetically predicted one standard drink/day increase estimated via 34 SNPs using MR‐PRESSO were 1.00 (0.93, 1.08) for breast cancer and 0.95 (0.85, 1.06) for EOC. Stratification by EOC subtype or estrogen receptor status in breast cancers made no meaningful difference to the results. For breast cancer, the CIs for the genetically derived estimates include the point‐estimate from observational studies so are not inconsistent with a small increase in risk. Our data provide additional evidence that alcohol intake is unlikely to have anything other than a very small effect on risk of EOC.
Agreement between prenatal ultrasound and 3.0T magnetic resonance imaging in the assessment of anomalies of the central nervous system: A single‐center experience in Slovakia
Authors: Jezberova Michaela , Kosutzka Zuzana , Waczulikova Iveta , Kolnikova Miriam , Cunderlik Anton , Lehotska Viera 
Published: September 2020

AbstractObjectiveTo assess the concordance of in‐utero magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings at 3.0T in fetuses with suspect abnormalities of the central nervous system (CNS) on ultrasonography.MethodsA retrospective study was done on 222 pregnant women indicated for fetal MRI, with the examination performed within 2 weeks from indication. The inclusion criteria for patients were age 18 years or older with the fetus at 18 weeks of gestation or more. Fetal CNS pathologies were divided into six categories: ventriculomegaly; supratentorial midline abnormalities (ACC); supratentorial space‐occupying lesions; abnormalities of the posterior fossa; destructive cerebral lesions; and cortical formation abnormalities (CFA). Chance‐adjusted agreement was assessed using unweighted Cohen’s kappa (κ).ResultsThe best agreement between ultrasound and MRI was observed in ventriculomegaly (κ=0.817; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.76–0.88). There was only a moderate agreement in ACC (κ=0.483; 95% CI 0.35–0.61). CFA pathologies had a poor agreement between the modalities (κ=0.140; 95% CI −0.03 to 0.31).ConclusionUltrasonography has good overall agreement with MRI in diagnosing fetal CNS anomalies. CFA had the most disagreement between ultrasound and MRI. The prognostic implication of these findings can be used for parental neuro‐counseling but should be investigated further.
Diverse species in the genus Cryptococcus: Pathogens and their non‐pathogenic ancestors
Authors: Gupta Shelly , Paul Karan , Kaur Sukhmanjot 
Published: September 2020

AbstractThe genus Cryptococcus comprises of more than 30 species. It consists of clinically significant pathogenic Cryptococcus neoformans/Cryptococcus gattii species complex comprising of a minimum of seven species. These pathogens cost more than 200,000 lives annually by causing cryptococcal meningoencephalitis. The evolution of the pathogenic species from closely related non‐pathogenic species of the Cryptococcus amylolentus complex is of particular importance and several advances have been made to understand their phylogenetic and genomic relationships. The current review briefly describes the sexual reproduction process followed by an individual description of the members focusing on their key attributes and virulence mechanisms of the pathogenic species. A special section on phylogenetic studies is aimed at understanding the evolutionary divergence of pathogens from non‐pathogens. Recent findings from our group pertaining to parameters affecting codon usage bias in six pathogenic and three non‐pathogenic ancestral species and their corroboration with existing phylogenetic reports are also included in the current review.
Evaluation of the Relationship of Glasdegib Exposure and Safety End Points in Patients With Refractory Solid Tumors and Hematologic Malignancies
Authors: Ruiz‐Garcia Ana , Shaik Naveed , Lin Swan , Jamieson Catriona , Heuser Michael , Chan Geoffrey 
Published: September 2020

AbstractGlasdegib is approved for treating acute myeloid leukemia in elderly patients at 100 mg once daily in combination with low‐dose cytarabine. Exposure‐efficacy analysis showed that the survival benefit of glasdegib was not glasdegib exposure‐dependent. The relationship between glasdegib exposure and adverse event (AE) cluster terms of clinical concern was explored in this analysis. The incidence and severity of dysgeusia, muscle spasms, renal toxicity, and QT interval prolonged was modeled using ordinal logistic regression. AEs were graded using the National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (version 4.03). Estimated pharmacokinetic parameters were used to derive glasdegib exposure metrics. Demographic characteristics, disease factors, and other variables of interest as potential moderators of safety signals were evaluated. Clinical trial data from patients who received single‐agent glasdegib (N = 70; 5–640 mg once daily); or glasdegib (N = 202, 100–200 mg once daily) with low‐dose cytarabine, decitabine, or daunorubicin and cytarabine were analyzed. Glasdegib exposure was statistically significantly associated with the cluster term safety end points dysgeusia, muscle spasms, renal toxicity, and QT interval prolonged. The impact of age on muscle spasms and baseline body weight and creatinine clearance on renal toxicity helped explain the AE grade distribution. At the 100 mg once daily clinical dose, the predicted probabilities of the highest AE grade were 11.3%, 6.7%, 7.7%, and 2.5% for dysgeusia, muscle spasms, renal toxicity, and QT interval prolonged, respectively. Overall, the predicted probability of developing an AE of any severity for these safety end points was low. Therefore, no starting dose adjustments are recommended for glasdegib based on the observed safety profile.
Development of a continuous‐flow anaerobic co‐digestion process of olive mill wastewater and municipal sewage sludge
Authors: Bovina Sara , Frascari Dario , Ragini Alessandro , Avolio Francesco , Scarcella GianNicola , Pinelli Davide 
Published: September 2020

AbstractBACKGROUNDOlive mill wastewater (OMW) represents an environmental problem due to its high organic load and relevant concentration of phenolic compounds (PCs). OMW treatment and disposal represents a relevant challenge and cost for olive mills and multi‐utilities in charge of waste management in Mediterranean countries. The goal of this study was to develop an anaerobic co‐digestion (co‐AD) process of OMW and sewage sludge (SwS) from municipal wastewater treatment.RESULTSDifferent volumetric OMW:SwS ratios up to 100% OMW were fed in continuous 1.7‐L bioreactors. The reactors fed with raw OMW (rOMW) performed better than those fed with OMW dephenolized by adsorption (dOMW). At a 23‐day hydraulic retention time, the best performances were obtained in the reactor fed with 25% rOMW, with a 105% increase in methane yield in comparison to the 100% SwS test. At a 40‐day hydraulic retention time, the reactor fed with 40% rOMW attained a 268 NLCH4/kgvolatile solids methane yield. The conversion of phenolic compoundsreached 70% when the hydraulic retention time was increased from 23 to 40 days. A cost–benefit analysis indicated that both rOMW co‐AD in existing digesters and phenolic compounds recovery from OMW followed by co‐AD of dOMW can lead to relevant additional revenues for the multi‐utilities in charge of wastewater management.CONCLUSIONThis work proves that, using the existing network of SwS anaerobic digesters, it is feasible to co‐digest the entire OMW production in regions characterized by intense olive oil production, thus attaining a relevant increase in methane production yield (a 144% increase in comparison to 100% SwS). © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI)
Effect of dopamine on early larvae of sea urchins, Mesocentrotus nudus and Strongylocentrotus intermedius
Authors: Kalachev Alexander V. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractLarvae of many echinoids are known to be phenotypically plastic and capable of changing the growth rate of their post‐oral arms depending on the microalgae concentration in their habitat. As literature data show, developing larvae use chemosensation to detect algae in the environment and “adjust” the rate of growth of their post‐oral arms through dopamine signaling. According to our results, dopamine has a significant effect on the post‐oral arm growth in early larvae of two sea urchin species, Mesocentrotus nudus and Strongylocentrotus intermedius. The dopamine effect depends on concentration: the higher the dopamine concentration in the water, the shorter the post‐oral arms. We suggest that the pattern of response to variation in dopamine concentration, manifested by early larvae of both species, is similar to that observed at different concentrations of microalgae.
Use of simple scoring systems for a public health approach in the management of non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease patients
Authors: Zain Shamsul Mohd , Tan Hwa‐Li , Mohamed Zahurin , Chan Wah‐Kheong , Mahadeva Sanjiv , Basu Roma Choudhury , Mohamed Rosmawati 
Published: September 2020

AbstractBackground and AimAdvanced fibrosis is the most important predictor of liver‐related mortality in non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The aim of this study was to compare the diagnostic performance of noninvasive scoring systems in identifying advanced fibrosis in a Malaysian NAFLD cohort and propose a simplified strategy for the management of NAFLD in a primary care setting.MethodsWe enrolled and reviewed 122 biopsy‐proven NAFLD patients. Advanced fibrosis was defined as fibrosis stages 3–4. Noninvasive assessments included aspartate aminotransferase/alanine aminotransferase (AST/ALT) ratio, AST‐to‐platelet ratio index (APRI), AST/ALT ratio, diabetes (BARD) score, fibrosis‐4 (FIB‐4) score, and NAFLD fibrosis score.ResultsFIB‐4 score had the highest area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) and negative predictive value (NPV) of 0.86 and 94.3%, respectively, for the diagnosis of advanced fibrosis. FIB‐4 score < 1.3 ruled out advanced fibrosis in 72% of the patients, with 6% being understaged. Further stratification of the indeterminate group patients by other non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) clinical predictors, such as abnormal gamma‐glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) level and presence diabetes mellitus (DM), could further reduce the number of patients who are unlikely to have advanced fibrosis by 52% and 35%, respectively.ConclusionWe found that FIB‐4 score outperforms other scoring systems based on AUROC and NPV. The use of a simple scoring system such as FIB‐4 as first‐line triage to risk‐stratify NAFLD patients in the primary care setting, with further stratification of those in the indeterminate group using clinical predictors of NASH, can help in the development of a simplified strategy for a public health approach in the management of NAFLD.
Obesity a predictor of outcomes of COVID‐19 hospitalized patients—A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Malik Preeti , Patel Urvish , Patel Karan , Martin Mehwish , Shah Chail , Mehta Deep , Malik Faizan Ahmad , Sharma Ashish 
Published: September 2020

AbstractCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic is a global health crisis. Very few studies have reported association between obesity and severity of COVID‐19. In this meta‐analysis, we assessed the association of obesity and outcomes in COVID‐19 hospitalized patients. Data from observational studies describing the obesity or body mass index and outcomes of COVID‐19 hospitalized patients from December 1, 2019, to August 15, 2020, was extracted following PRISMA guidelines with a consensus of two independent reviewers. Adverse outcomes defined as intensive care units, oxygen saturation less than 90%, invasive mechanical ventilation, severe disease, and in‐hospital mortality. The odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) were obtained and forest plots were created using random‐effects models. A total of 10 studies with 10,233 confirmed COVID‐19 patients were included. The overall prevalence of obesity in our study was 33.9% (3473/10,233). In meta‐analysis, COVID‐19 patient with obesity had higher odds of poor outcomes compared with better outcomes with a pooled OR of 1.88 (95% CI: 1.25–2.80; p = 0.002), with 86% heterogeneity between studies (p < 0.00001). Our study suggests a significant association between obesity and COVID‐19 severity and poor outcomes. Our results findings may have important suggestions for the clinical management and future research of obesity and COVID‐19.