bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Modeling of an immune response: Queuing network analysis of the impact of zinc and cadmium on macrophage activation
Authors: Nitz Marissa , Smith Deandra , Wysocki Beata , Knoell Daren , Wysocki Tadeusz 
Published: September 2020

AbstractChronic obstructive pulmonary disease is characterized by progressive, irreversible airflow obstruction resulting from an abnormal inflammatory response to noxious gases and particles. Alveolar macrophages rely on the transcription factors, nuclear factor κB and mitogen‐activated protein kinase, among others, to facilitate the production of inflammatory mediators designed to help rid the lung of foreign pathogens and noxious stimuli. Building a kinetic model using queuing networks, provides a quantitative approach incorporating an initial number of individual molecules along with rates of the reactions in any given pathway. Accordingly, this model has been shown useful to model cell behavior including signal transduction, transcription, and metabolic pathways. The aim of this study was to determine whether a queuing theory model that involves lipopolysaccharide‐mediated macrophage activation in tandem with changes in intracellular Cd and zinc (Zn) content or a lack thereof, would be useful to predict their impact on immune activation. We then validate our model with biologic cytokine output from human macrophages relative to the timing of innate immune activation. We believe that our results further prove the validity of the queuing theory approach to model intracellular molecular signaling and postulate that it can be useful to predict additional cell signaling pathways and the corresponding biological outcomes.
Students' use of chemistry core ideas to explain the structure and stability of DNA
Authors: Roche Allred Zahilyn D. , Farias Anthony J. , Kararo Alex T. , Parent Kristin N. , Matz Rebecca L. , Underwood Sonia M. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractStudents tend to think of their science courses as isolated and unrelated to each other, making it difficult for them to see connections across disciplines. In addition, many existing science assessments target rote memorization and algorithmic problem‐solving skills. Here, we describe the development, implementation, and evaluation of an activity aimed to help students integrate knowledge across introductory chemistry and biology courses. The activity design and evaluation of students' responses were guided by the Framework for K‐12 Science Education as the understanding of core ideas and crosscutting concepts and the development of scientific practices are essential for students at all levels. In this activity, students are asked to use their understanding of noncovalent interactions to explain (a) why the boiling point differs for two pure substances (chemistry phenomenon) and (b) why temperature and base pair composition affects the stability of DNA (biological phenomenon). The activity was implemented at two different institutions (N = 441) in both introductory chemistry and biology courses. Students' overall performance suggests that they can provide sophisticated responses that incorporate their understanding of noncovalent interactions and energy to explain the chemistry phenomenon, but have difficulties integrating the same knowledge to explain the biological phenomenon. Our findings reinforce the notion that students should be provided with opportunities in the classroom to purposefully practice and support the use and integration of knowledge from multiple disciplines. Students' evaluations of the activity indicated that they found it to be interesting and helpful for making connections across disciplines.
Teaching virtual protein‐centric CUREs and UREs using computational tools
Authors: Bell Anthony , Christian Laura , Hecht David , Huisinga Kathryn , Rakus John , Bell Ellis 
Published: September 2020

AbstractReadily available, free, computational approaches, adaptable for topics accessible for first to senior year classes and individual research projects, emphasizing contributions of noncovalent interactions to structure, binding and catalysis were used to teach Course‐based Undergraduate Research Experiences that fulfil generally accepted main CURE components: Scientific Background, Hypothesis Development, Proposal, Experiments, Teamwork, Data Analysis of quantitative data, Conclusions, and Presentation.
Neural and physiological relations observed in musical beat and meter processing
Authors: Zhao T. Christina , Kuhl Patricia K. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractIntroductionMusic is ubiquitous and powerful in the world's cultures. Music listening involves abundant information processing (e.g., pitch, rhythm) in the central nervous system and can also induce changes in the physiology, such as heart rate and perspiration. Yet, previous studies tended to examine music information processing in the brain separately from physiological changes. In the current study, we focused on the temporal structure of music (i.e., beat and meter) and examined the physiology, neural processing, and, most importantly, the relation between the two areas.MethodsSimultaneous MEG and ECG data were collected from a group of adults (N = 15) while they passively listened to duple and triple rhythmic patterns. To characterize physiology, we measured heart rate variability (HRV), indexing the parasympathetic nervous system function (PSNS). To characterize neural processing of beat and meter, we examined the neural entertainment and calculated the beat‐to‐meter ratio to index the relation between beat‐level and meter‐level entrainment. Specifically, the current study investigated three related questions: (a) whether listening to musical rhythms affects HRV; (b) whether the neural beat‐to‐meter ratio differed between metrical conditions, and (c) whether neural beat‐to‐meter ratio is related to HRV.ResultsResults suggest that while at the group level, both HRV and neural processing are highly similar across metrical conditions, at the individual level, neural beat‐to‐meter ratio significantly predicts HRV, establishing a neural–physiological link.ConclusionThis observed link is discussed under the theoretical “neurovisceral integration model,” and it provides important new perspectives in music cognition and auditory neuroscience research.
Three‐dimensional and 3‐Tesla MRI morphometry of knee meniscus in normal and pathologic state
Authors: Kayfan Samar , Hlis Rocco , Pezeshk Parham , Shah Jay , Poh Feng , McCrum Christopher , Chhabra Avneesh 
Published: September 2020

AbstractIntroductionTo conduct a morphometric analysis of intact and torn menisci using isotropic meniscus plane three‐dimensional (3D) reconstructions on 3‐Tesla MRI and compare 2D versus 3D MRI for meniscus tear characterization.Materials and methodsOne hundred thirty three normal menisci from 92 patients (39 male, 53 female), and 38 arthroscopy‐proven torn menisci from 36 patients (23 male, 13 female) were evaluated using 3D isotropic multi‐planar MRI reconstructions and 2D MRI. Two observers measured the tibial plateau height and area, meniscal height, axial plane cross‐sectional areas, and extrusion of intact menisci. Two observers also measured the meniscal tear length, tear area, and residual area of pathological menisci on 2D and 3D MRI. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) were obtained. Institutional Review Board approval was obtained, and the informed consent was waived.ResultsMedial meniscus (MM) and lateral meniscus (LM) areas were 503.6 ± 85.1 mm2 and 396.6 ± 72.0 mm2 for Observer 1, and 515.8 ± 82.1 mm2 and 408.0 ± 68.3 mm2 for Observer 2 (ICC:0.86, 0.87). In torn menisci, average tear length, area, and residual area were 36.3 ± 13.6 mm, 182.6 ± 139.3 mm2, and 235.4 ± 140.3 mm2, respectively for Observer 1, and 38.9 ± 14.7 mm, 181.2 ± 135.6 mm2, 238.2 ± 140.5 mm2 for Observer 2. In the MM and LM, bucket‐handle and complex tears were largest in areas, respectively. ICCs were excellent (0.91–1.0) on 3D MRI and moderate‐good (0.57–0.81) on 2D MRI.ConclusionMeniscus morphometry on 3D MRI shows moderate to excellent inter‐observer reliability and meniscus tear extent is more reliably defined on 3D MRI than 2D MRI. Residual meniscus‐area calculation can be performed on 3D MRI.
Germline mutational profile of Chinese patients under 70 years old with colorectal cancer
Authors: Jiang Teng‐Jia , Wang Fang , Wang Ying‐Nan , Hu Jia‐Jia , Ding Pei‐Rong , Lin Jun‐Zhong , Pan Zhi‐Zhong , Chen Gong , Shao Jian‐Yong , Xu Rui‐hua , Zhao Qi , Wang Feng 
Published: September 2020

AbstractBackgroundInherited susceptibility accounts for nearly one‐third of colorectal cancer (CRC) predispositions and has an 80%‐100% lifetime risk of this disease. However, there are few data about germline mutations of hereditary CRC‐related genes in Chinese patients with CRC. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of gene mutations related to cancer susceptibility among Chinese patients with CRC, differences between Chinese and Western patients, and the phenotype‐genotype correlation.MethodsWe retrospectively collected tumor samples from 526 patients with CRC under 70 years old who underwent hereditary CRC genetic testing. A series of bioinformatic analyses, as well as statistical comparisons, were performed.ResultsWe found that 77 patients (14.6%) harbored functional variants of the 12 genes. The mutation frequencies of the top 5 mutated genes were 6.5% for MutL homolog 1 (MLH1), 5.1% for MutS homolog 2 (MSH2), 1.0% for MSH6, 0.8% for PMS1 homolog 2 (PMS2), and 0.8% for APC regulator of the WNT signaling pathway (APC). Our data showed much higher rates of mutations of MSH6 and PMS2 genes among all mismatch repair (MMR) genes as compared with those in Western populations. Mutations in MLH1, MSH2, and MSH6 were found to be mutually exclusive. Patients with MLH1 or MSH2 mutations had higher frequencies of personal history of cancer (MLH1: 20.6% vs. 8.7%; MSH2: 25.9% vs. 8.6%) and family history of cancer than those without these mutations (MLH1: 73.5% vs. 48.4%; MSH2: 70.4% vs. 48.9%), and the lesions were more prone to occur on the right side of the colon than on the left side (MLH1: 73.5% vs. 29.3%; MSH2: 56.0% vs. 31.0%). The proportion of stage I/II disease was higher in patients with MLH1 mutations than in those without MLH1 mutations (70.6% vs. 50.7%), and the rate of polyps was higher in patients with APC mutations than in those with wild‐type APC (75.0% vs. 17.4%).ConclusionThese results provide a full‐scale landscape of hereditary susceptibility over 12 related genes in CRC patients and suggest that a comprehensive multi‐gene panel testing for hereditary CRC predisposition could be a helpful analysis in clinical practice.
Sarcopenia and adverse health‐related outcomes: An umbrella review of meta‐analyses of observational studies
Authors: Xia Lin , Zhao Rui , Wan Qianyi , Wu Yutao , Zhou Yong , Wang Yong , Cui Yaping , Shen Xiaoding , Wu Xiaoting 
Published: September 2020

AbstractObjectiveThe purpose of this umbrella review was to assess the associations between sarcopenia and adverse health‐related outcomes.DesignAn umbrella review of meta‐analyses of observational studies.Setting and ParticipantsPatients with sarcopenia and controls without sarcopenia were included.MeasuresThe PubMed, Web of Science and Embase were searched for relevant systematic review and meta‐analysis. AMSTAR and GRADE system were used for methodological quality and evidence quality assessments, respectively.ResultsTotally 54 outcomes extracted from 30 meta‐analyses were analyzed. Twenty out of 21 prognostic outcomes indicated that sarcopenia was significantly associated with poorer prognosis of gastric cancer, hepatocellular cancer, urothelial cancer, head and neck cancer, hematological malignancy, pancreatic cancer, breast cancer, colorectal cancer, lung cancer, esophageal cancer, and ovarian cancer. Besides, 10 out of 16 postoperative outcomes suggested that sarcopenia significantly increased the risk of multiple postoperative complications and prolonged the length of hospitalization of patients with digestive cancer. In age‐related outcomes, sarcopenia significantly increased the risk of dysphagia, cognitive impairment, fractures, falls, hospitalization, and all‐cause mortality of elderly populations. Moreover, sarcopenia was also associated with higher level of albuminuria, risk of depression, and several metabolic diseases.Conclusions and ImplicationsSarcopenia significantly affected a wide range of adverse health‐related outcomes, particularly in patients of tumor and elderly populations. Because evidences of most outcomes were rated as “low” and “very low,” more prospective cohort studies are required in the future.
Percutaneous mitral valve repair in adults with congenital heart disease: Report of the first case‐series
Authors: Alshawabkeh Laith , Mahmud Ehtisham , Reeves Ryan 
Published: September 2020

AbstractBackgroundSystemic atrioventricular valve regurgitation (AVVR) is frequently encountered in adults with congenital heart disease (CHD). Surgical intervention is the mainstay of therapy, but in a specific high‐risk subset, percutaneous valve repair might offer a lower‐risk alternative.MethodsThree patients with complex CHD and severe symptomatic AVVR underwent percutaneous mitral valve repair at a single center. All were deemed to be high‐risk for surgery by a multidisciplinary CHD team and provided informed consent for the compassionate use of the MitraClip (Abbott, Santa Clara, CA). Three‐dimensional heart models were generated for the procedure, which was performed by an adult CHD cardiologist (who provided imaging support) and an interventional cardiologist with expertise in CHD and percutaneous mitral valve repair.ResultsThe first case was a 39 year‐old‐woman with [S,L,D] dextrocardia, double outlet right ventricle, mild tricuspid hypoplasia, and a secundum atrial septal defect, who was palliated at age 35 with a right bidirectional Glenn and later developed severe, symptomatic mitral regurgitation, and underwent placement of one MitraClip XTR device. Two patients with L‐loop transposition of the great arteries each successfully underwent placement of two MitraClip XTR devices; one patient had a single‐leaflet detachment of one of the clips with no change in regurgitation or clip position on follow‐up. All patients had significant reduction of AVVR and improvement in NYHA functional class.ConclusionsPercutaneous atrioventricular valve repair in adults with CHD is feasible with the MitraClip but requires significant preprocedural planning and a multidisciplinary team that combines CHD and interventional therapeutic expertise.
A case report of traumatic ulcerative granuloma with stromal eosinophilia (TUGSE) in a 21‐year‐old
Authors: Hannan Tufayl Ahmed , Umer Muhammed , Syed Labib , Anis‐Alavi Mohamed Areeb 
Published: September 2020

AbstractWe present an unusual case of a persistent solitary left palatoglossal ulcer with no history of trauma or associated risk factors. A TUGSE lesion, which mimics that of malignancy, must always be noted as a differential even in risk factor absence.
Cervical lymphatic malformation demonstrating thyroglobulin on fine needle aspirate washout
Authors: Agnihotri Ashwin , Lilic Nick , Chaplin John , Braadvedt Geoffrey , Bagg Warwick 
Published: September 2020

AbstractA case report highlighting the importance of cautious interpretation of thyroglobulin washouts in fine needle aspirates when deciding on management of differentiated thyroid cancer, so as to avoid unnecessary surgery.
BK virus‐induced nephritis and cystitis after matched unrelated donor stem cell transplantation: A case report
Authors: Gelbrich Nadine , Stope Matthias B. , Bekeschus Sander , Weigel Martin , Burchardt Martin , Zimmermann Uwe 
Published: September 2020

AbstractCurrently, there is no standard therapy for a BK virus infection of the urogenital tract in immunocompromised, stem cell transplanted patients, so that early diagnosis and introduction of supportive measures have the highest response rates to date.
Recent Progress of CeO2−TiO2 Based Catalysts for Selective Catalytic Reduction of NOx by NH3
Authors: Zeng Yiqing , Haw Kok‐Giap , Wang Yanan , Zhang Shule , Wang Zhigang , Zhong Qin , Kawi Sibudjing 
Published: September 2020

AbstractSelective catalytic reduction of NOx with NH3 (NH3−SCR) is one of the widely used process to abate NOx emission from both stationary and mobile sources. Recently, CeO2−TiO2 based NH3−SCR catalysts due to their excellent medium and high temperature activities, high N2 selectivity and environmentally friendly, have attracted much attention as great candidate to replace the commercial VOx−TiO2 based NH3−SCR catalysts. During the past years, extensive works have been done to achieve the industrial commercialization of CeO2−TiO2 based NH3−SCR catalyst. In this review, we summarize the recent studies on the mechanism, deactivation, preparation and modification of CeO2−TiO2 catalyst. The focus of this review is the modification strategies on improving the catalytic performance of CeO2−TiO2 catalyst. By comparing the effect of different modification strategies on the catalytic performance of CeO2−TiO2 catalyst, the perspectives and challenges of CeO2−TiO2 based catalyst for NH3−SCR of NOx are discussed.
Amorphous‐crystalline Co−B−P Catalyst for Synergistically Enhanced Hydrogen Evolution Reaction
Authors: Bao Xinghong , Li Yuting , Wang Juan , Zhong Qin 
Published: September 2020

AbstractThe development of highly practical and stable catalysts for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) remains challenging to accomplish continuous H2 production through water electrolysis. In this work, the porous network Co−B−P amorphous‐crystalline catalyst was synthesized through a hydrothermal‐alternating immersion boronization‐phosphidation pathway. The Co−B−P nanocomposite consists of the amorphous Co−B−O and crystalline Co2P2O7 compositions. The Co−B−P catalyst shows highly effective HER electrochemical performance with low overpotential of 51 mV at current density of 10 mA cm−2 and Tafel slope of 44 mV dec−1 in alkaline solution (pH=14). After 1000 cycles of CV scanning, the catalyst shows no significant reduction in HER performance. Such superior HER performance can be ascribed to (1) the amorphous Co−B−O structure accelerating charge transfer between active sites and intermediates and (2) the formed P−O bonds of crystalline Co2P2O7 promoting the dissociation course of water molecules. The combination of crystalline and amorphous substances provides prospects for the design of HER catalyst structures in the future.
Ethanol to Aromatics on Modified H‐ZSM‐5 Part I: Interdependent Dealumination Actions
Authors: Seifert Markus , Marschall Mathias S. , Gille Torsten , Jonscher Clemens , Busse Oliver , Paasch Silvia , Brunner Eike , Reschetilowski Wladimir , Weigand Jan J. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractIn this study a H‐ZSM‐5 zeolite (Si/Al=11) was modified by a stepwise treatment with steam, sodium hydroxide and hydrochloric acid. During progressing dealumination by various treatment methods, the drawbacks of initial post‐synthetic steps, e. g. pore‐filling by steam dealumination, are compensated by subsequent steps, e. g. washing by acid, which leads to a scientifically based preparation of required ZSM‐5 zeolite. Solid‐state properties of as‐synthesized and modified zeolites are determined by structural (XRD, ICP‐OES, NMR), textural (physisorption, laser scattering) and acid sites analysis (TPAD). Consequently, extended dealumination without structural damage is demonstrated. Its origin by framework dealumination and pore cleaning is verified in ethanol to hydrocarbon process (ETH) by shape‐selective formation of coke and aromatics, characterized by “aromatics index” (AI).
CO Oxidation on Ceria Studied by Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy
Authors: Vendrell Xavier , Kubyshin Yuri , Mestres Lourdes , Llorca Jordi 
Published: September 2020

AbstractElectrochemical impedance spectroscopy technique has been widely used to analyze the electrical properties of a large number of materials. In this study, the electrical properties of CeO2 pellets under CO oxidation conditions have been analyzed by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. CeO2 pellets have been prepared by a conventional precipitation method and sintered at low temperature to satisfy a compromise between large surface area and a high relative density of the pellet. The electrical properties of CeO2 have been investigated under different atmosphere conditions such as N2, O2, CO, CO2, or selected combinations. The electrical sensitivity of CeO2 to the surrounding atmosphere allows to follow the catalytic reaction as a function of the CO : O2 ratio and temperature. The appropriate analysis of the electrical response by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy could open a new insight to monitor the catalytic response and behavior of any catalyst.
Eco‐efficient Separation of Mono‐ and Dichloroacetic Acid by Thermally Coupled Extractive Distillation
Authors: Chandra Amit K. , Patraşcu Iulian , Bîldea Costin Sorin , Kiss Anton A. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractDue to its high reactivity, monochloroacetic acid (MCA) is an essential intermediate used in the manufacturing of a wide variety of chemicals. Its industrial production process is highly energy‐ and capital‐intensive, requiring costly purification steps to remove dichloroacetic acid (DCA) impurities. Here, an innovative eco‐efficient process for MCA‐DCA separation is proposed based on extractive distillation in a fully thermally coupled system (a dividing‐wall column (DWC) or an equivalent side‐rectifier configuration) using a new effective solvent: diethylene glycol dipentylether. The design was optimized by performing sensitivity analyses and varying key operating and design parameters. The study proves that separating MCA‐DCA by an extractive DWC (or thermally coupled) is feasible, efficient, controllable, economic, and sustainable.
A heat‐transfer model for tube fouling in the radiant section of once‐through steam generators
Authors: Herman Steven D. , Mehrotra Anil K. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractOnce‐through steam generators (OTSGs) produce steam by recycling produced water in the steam‐assisted‐gravity‐drainage (SAGD) process for extracting Alberta's oil sands via in situ recovery of bitumen. The industry's specifications for water quality, steam quality, and water recycle ratio, as well as high temperature and pressure operations, lead to the fouling of OTSG tubes, which has important economic, safety, and environmental consequences. The roles and mechanisms of inorganic and organic impurities on tube fouling also complicate the study of heat transfer in OTSGs. Heat transfer in OTSGs involves radiation, convection, conduction, forced convection, and boiling. In this investigation on OTSG fouling, a steady‐state mathematical model was built in Microsoft Excel, incorporating industry design data, to demonstrate the impact of tube fouling on heat transfer and tube‐wall temperature. The model predictions indicate that tube fouling introduces a significant thermal resistance that not only decreases the rate of heat transfer but also causes an increase in the tube‐wall temperature such that it could exceed the safe operating limits of the tube material, leading to potential tube failures. Predictions are provided for the average tube‐wall temperature exceeding the recommended operating limit of 700 K over a range of foulant thermal conductivity (ie, 0.05‐2 W m−1 K−1) and foulant thickness (ie, 0.4‐11 mm corresponding to 0.1%‐30% of the tube radius).