bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Co-remediation of Pb Contaminated Soils by Heat Modified Sawdust and Festuca arundinacea
Authors: Zhang Yan , Wang Xuemei , Ji Hongbing 
Published: March 2020

AbstractThis research aimed to explore the potential and mechanism of heat modified sawdust combined with Festuca arundinacea for the remediation of Pb-contaminated soil. We determined Pb concentration and biochemical indices in plants and soils, analyzed microbial communities in soil, and studied Pb distribution in subcellular and tissues. Under co-remediation of 5% material addition and Festuca arundinacea, the concentration of Pb in soil decreased. Pb toxicity of Festuca arundinacea was alleviated by 2% material addition through the promotion of plant growth and reduction of oxidative stress. In addition, soil enzyme activities and microbial community in contaminated soil were promoted by the application of co-remediation. Festuca arundinacea cell wall accumulated a large amount of Pb, and the addition of material promoted the accumulation of Pb in Festuca arundinacea root. The concentration of Pb in the shoot of the plant treated with 2% material was higher than that of the plant treated with 5% material, and the damage of Festuca arundinacea leaves was lower under 2% treatment. The combination of heat modified sawdust and Festuca arundinacea promoted the adsorption of Pb by plants, and protected the growth of plants.
Profiling haplotype specific CpG and CpH methylation within a schizophrenia GWAS locus on chromosome 14 in schizophrenia and healthy subjects
Authors: Alfimova Margarita , Kondratyev Nikolay , Golov Arkadiy , Golimbet Vera 
Published: March 2020

AbstractInterrogating DNA methylation within schizophrenia risk loci holds promise to identify mechanisms by which genes influence the disease. Based on the hypothesis that allele specific methylation (ASM) of a single CpG, or perhaps CpH, might mediate or mark the effects of genetic variants on disease risk and phenotypes, we explored haplotype specific methylation levels of individual cytosines within a genomic region harbouring the BAG5, APOPT1 and KLC1 genes in peripheral blood of schizophrenia patients and healthy controls. Three DNA fragments located in promoter, intronic and intergenic areas were studied by single-molecule real-time bisulfite sequencing enabling the analysis of long reads of DNA with base-pair resolution and the determination of haplotypes directly from sequencing data. Among 1,012 cytosines studied, we did not find any site where methylation correlated with the disease or cognitive deficits after correction for multiple testing. At the same time, we determined the methylation profile associated with the schizophrenia risk haplotype within the KLC1 fourth intron and confirmed ASM for cytosines located in the vicinity of rs67899457. These genetically associated DNA methylation variations may be related to the pathophysiological mechanism differentiating the risk and non-risk haplotypes and merit further investigation.
Metabolic Profiling Reveals Biochemical Pathways Responsible for Eelgrass Response to Elevated CO2 and Temperature
Authors: Zayas-Santiago Carmen C. , Rivas-Ubach Albert , Kuo Li-Jung , Ward Nicholas D. , Zimmerman Richard C. 
Published: March 2020

AbstractAs CO2 levels in Earth’s atmosphere and oceans steadily rise, varying organismal responses may produce ecological losers and winners. Increased ocean CO2 can enhance seagrass productivity and thermal tolerance, providing some compensation for climate warming. However, the metabolic shifts driving the positive response to elevated CO2 by these important ecosystem engineers remain unknown. We analyzed whole-plant performance and metabolic profiles of two geographically distinct eelgrass (Zostera marina L.) populations in response to CO2 enrichment. In addition to enhancing overall plant size, growth and survival, CO2 enrichment increased the abundance of Calvin Cycle and nitrogen assimilation metabolites while suppressing the abundance of stress-related metabolites. Overall metabolome differences between populations suggest that some eelgrass phenotypes may be better suited than others to cope with an increasingly hot and sour sea. Our results suggest that seagrass populations will respond variably, but overall positively, to increasing CO2 concentrations, generating negative feedbacks to climate change.
Spatial congruency bias in identifying objects is triggered by retinal position congruence: Examination using the Ternus-Pikler illusion
Authors: Sasaki Kyoshiro , Ariga Atsunori , Watanabe Katsumi 
Published: March 2020

AbstractWhen two different objects are sequentially presented at the same location, the viewer tends to misjudge them as identical (spatial congruency bias). The present study examined whether the spatial congruency bias would involve not only retinotopic but also non-retinotopic processing using the Ternus-Pikler illusion. In the experiments, two objects (central and peripheral) appeared in an initial frame. The target object was presented in the central area of the display, while the peripheral object was either on the left or right side of the target object. In the second frame, the target object was again presented in the central area, and the peripheral object was on the opposite side. Two kinds of inter-stimulus intervals were used. In the no-blank condition, the target object was perceived as stationary, and the peripheral object appeared to move to the opposite side. However, in the long-blank condition, the two objects were perceived to move together. Participants judged whether the target objects in the two frames were identical. As a result, the spatial congruency bias occurred irrespective of the ISI conditions. Our findings suggest that the spatial congruency bias is mainly based on retinotopic processing.
Future continental summer warming constrained by the present-day seasonal cycle of surface hydrology
Authors: Selten F. M. , Bintanja R. , Vautard R. , van den Hurk B. J. J. M. 
Published: March 2020

AbstractPresent-day land temperatures simulated by state-of-the-art global climate models exhibit considerable uncertainty. Generally it is assumed that these temperature biases do not affect the projected warming in response to rising greenhouse gas concentrations (i.e. drop out by subtracting projected and present-day temperatures), but for specific regions and seasons this assumption is invalid. Here we show that, on the contrary, for large continental regions, such as Europe, state-of-the art global climate models with a warm summer bias project a relatively strong warming. This is because continental summer temperatures depend chiefly on soil drying in response to spring and summer solar radiation increase: models that dry fastest (due to the interaction of clouds, convection and soil hydrology) exhibit the strongest reductions in evaporation and consequently a more pronounced end-of-summer warming. These physical mechanisms acting on a seasonal timescale also govern the long-term climate response to greenhouse forcing over continental regions in summer. Combining these findings, we use the current model biases to reduce the uncertainty range in the projected warming over Europe from 3.6–8.6 °C to 4.6–7.3 °C (a reduction of about 50%). Given the huge potential impacts of the warmest projections on health, agriculture and water management, constraining the range of future summer climate change is imperative for relevant mitigation and adaptation strategies.
Determination of pyrethroid residues in herbal tea using temperature-controlled ionic liquid dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction by high performance liquid chromatography
Authors: Zhang Rui , Tan Zhenchao , Zhao Junlong , Wen Yan , Fan Shuai , Liu Chenglan 
Published: March 2020

AbstractA simple and effective method for determining five pyrethroid residues in herbal tea by ultrasound-enhanced temperature-controlled (UETC) ionic liquid dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (IL-DLLME) coupled with high performance liquid chromatography-diode array detection (HPLC-DAD) was developed. The use of ultrasonication and heating improved the ability of the ionic liquid to extract the analytes. Various parameters that affect the extraction efficiency were investigated and optimized using single factor experiments and response surface design. The optimum conditions of the experiment were 121 µL of [HMIM][PF6] (extraction solvent), 794 µL of acetonitrile (dispersive solvent), a heating temperature of 40°C, a sonication time of 3.6 min and a pH of 2.9. Under optimized conditions, the linearity was in the range of 0.05–5 mg L−1with correlation coefficients above 0.9993. The limits of detection and quantification were 1.25–1.35 µg L−1and 5 µg L−1, respectively. The mean recoveries of the five pyrethroids ranged from 74.02% to 109.01%, with RSDs below 9.04%. The proposed method was reliable for the analysis of pyrethroids in Chinese herbal tea.
Potential use of mealworm frass as a fertilizer: Impact on crop growth and soil properties
Authors: Houben David , Daoulas Guillaume , Faucon Michel-Pierre , Dulaurent Anne-Maïmiti 
Published: March 2020

AbstractRearing insects is expected to dramatically increase during the next few years, and this will be associated with generating high quantities of frass (insect excreta). It is necessary to find solutions allowing the efficient valorization of these by-products before a major upscaling of the industry takes place. Therefore, this study aims at investigating the fertilizer potential of frass. A pot experiment was established and soil was amended either with mealworm (Tenebrio molitorL.) frass (10 Mg ha−1), with mineral fertilizer (NPK) at equivalent nutrient level to frass or with a mixture of 50% NPK and 50% frass. Changes of soil properties and growth and nutrient uptake by barley (Hordeum vulgareL.) were then analyzed. Due to its rapid mineralization and the presence of nutrient in a readily-available form, we found that frass is as efficient as mineral NPK fertilizer to improve biomass and N, P and K uptake by barley. Compared to mineral fertilizer, water soluble P concentration is five times lower in the presence of frass, which prevents P from loss and sorption onto soil constituents. More importantly, BIOLOG EcoPlate reveals that addition of frass stimulates soil microbial activity, especially when it is mixed with mineral fertilizer, suggesting a synergistic effect between both amendments. Taken together, our results indicate that frass has a great potential to be used as a partial or a complete substitute for mineral NPK fertilizer. This is especially relevant in the context of a reduced availability of mineral fertilizers while being consistent with circular economy’s principles.
Circulating re-entrant waves promote maturation of hiPSC-derived cardiomyocytes in self-organized tissue ring
Authors: Li Junjun , Zhang Lu , Yu Leqian , Minami Itsunari , Miyagawa Shigeru , Hörning Marcel , Dong Ji , Qiao Jing , Qu Xiang , Hua Ying , Fujimoto Nanae , Shiba Yuji , Zhao Yang , Tang Fuchou , Chen Yong , Sawa Yoshiki , Tang Chao , Liu Li 
Published: March 2020

AbstractDirected differentiation methods allow acquisition of high-purity cardiomyocytes differentiated from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs); however, their immaturity characteristic limits their application for drug screening and regenerative therapy. The rapid electrical pacing of cardiomyocytes has been used for efficiently promoting the maturation of cardiomyocytes, here we describe a simple device in modified culture plate on which hiPSC-derived cardiomyocytes can form three-dimensional self-organized tissue rings (SOTRs). Using calcium imaging, we show that within the ring, reentrant waves (ReWs) of action potential spontaneously originated and ran robustly at a frequency up to 4 Hz. After 2 weeks, SOTRs with ReWs show higher maturation including structural organization, increased cardiac-specific gene expression, enhanced Ca2+-handling properties, an increased oxygen-consumption rate, and enhanced contractile force. We subsequently use a mathematical model to interpret the origination, propagation, and long-term behavior of the ReWs within the SOTRs.
Whole-transcriptome sequencing (RNA-seq) analyses of the zebrafish liver cell line, ZFL, after acute exposure to Cu2+ ions
Authors: Kwok Man Long , Hu Xue Lei , Meng Qi , Chan King Ming 
Published: March 2020

AbstractAll cells require Cu as a cofactor, but Cu2+ induces toxicity and oxidative damage. A strict system is thus needed to maintain Cu homeostasis. Using the ZFL zebrafish liver cell line as a model, we studied the cellular responses after exposure to Cu2+, using whole-transcriptome shotgun sequencing (RNA-seq) to screen nearly all transcriptomes in cell samples and identify changes in gene expression. ZFL cells were treated with 100, 200, or 400 μM CuCl2 and harvested after 4 and 24 h. RNA was then extracted and subjected to RNA-Seq and qPCR validation. Exposure to 400 μM CuCl2 for 4 h and 24 h led to the regulation of 5993 and 4235 genes, respectively. In a gene ontology enrichment analysis, Cu2+ exposure enriched the nitrogen compound metabolic process and antioxidant activity but did not significantly affect cellular copper, zinc, iron and calcium ion homeostasis. In a KEGG pathway enrichment analysis, anti-oxidative stress induced the glutathione metabolism pathway. Furthermore, Cu2+ also induced genes related to apoptosis and arrested the cell cycle in the G2 phase. This study was based on the full gene expression profile combined with pathway analysis details, providing a full cellular response picture for Cu.
DC breakdown characteristics of XLPE/BNNS nanocomposites considering BN nanosheet concentration, space charge and temperature
Authors: Li Guochang , Zhou Xuguang , Li Xuejing , Wei Yanhui , Hao Chuncheng , Li Shengtao , Lei Qingquan 
Published: March 2020

Breakdown failure in insulation material is one of the key problems that threaten the safe operation of high‐voltage direct current cable. In this work, the effect of boron nitride nanosheets (BNNSs) concentration, space charge and temperature on DC breakdown strength have been explored. Cross‐linked polyethylene (XLPE)/BNNS nanocomposites were prepared by the melt blending method, and the basic characteristics of nanoparticles and composite were characterised. The experimental results indicate that DC breakdown strength of nanocomposite can be effectively improved when a small amount of BN nanosheet is doped into the matrix. The breakdown strength of the sample reaches the maximum value of 407.52 kV/mm when BNNS content is 0.5 wt%, which is about 33% higher than that of pure XLPE. Further, the effect of space charge on the breakdown of nanocomposites has been studied by pre‐injecting charges. For the samples with different BNNS contents, all the breakdown strength present ascending trend when the polarity of the applied voltage is the same as that of the pre‐injected charges. Besides, it can be found that the breakdown strength of the XLPE/BNNSs composite decreases significantly at 50°C, which is due to more charge accumulation at 50°C. It reaches 2.06 × 10−8 C which increases by about 2.2 times than the room temperature.
From clump to disc scales in W3 IRS4
Authors: Mottram J. C. , Beuther H. , Ahmadi A. , Klaassen P. D. , Beltrán M. T. , Csengeri T. , Feng S. , Gieser C. , Henning Th. , Johnston K. G. , Kuiper R. , Leurini S. , Linz H. , Longmore S. N. , Lumsden S. , Maud L. T. , Moscadelli L. , Palau A. , Peters T. , Pudritz R. E. , Ragan S. E. , Sánchez-Monge Á. , Semenov D. , Urquhart J. S. , Winters J. M. , Zinnecker H. 
Published: March 2020

Context.High-mass star formation typically takes place in a crowded environment, with a higher likelihood of young forming stars affecting and being affected by their surroundings and neighbours, as well as links between different physical scales affecting the outcome. However, observational studies are often focused on either clump or disc scales exclusively.Aims.We explore the physical and chemical links between clump and disc scales in the high-mass star formation region W3 IRS4, a region that contains a number of different evolutionary phases in the high-mass star formation process, as a case-study for what can be achieved as part of the IRAM NOrthern Extended Millimeter Array (NOEMA) large programme named CORE: “Fragmentation and disc formation in high-mass star formation”.Methods.We present 1.4 mm continuum and molecular line observations with the IRAM NOEMA interferometer and 30 m telescope, which together probe spatial scales from ~0.3−20′′ (600−40 000 AU or 0.003−0.2 pc at 2 kpc, the distance to W3). As part of our analysis, we usedXCLASSto constrain the temperature, column density, velocity, and line-width of the molecular emission lines.Results.The W3 IRS4 region includes a cold filament and cold cores, a massive young stellar object (MYSO) embedded in a hot core, and a more evolved ultra-compact (UC)H IIregion, with some degree of interaction between all components of the region that affects their evolution. A large velocity gradient is seen in the filament, suggesting infall of material towards the hot core at a rate of 10−3−10−4M⊙yr−1, while the swept up gas ring in the photodissociation region around the UCH IIregion may be squeezing the hot core from the other side. There are no clear indications of a disc around the MYSO down to the resolution of the observations (600 AU). A total of 21 molecules are detected, with the abundances and abundance ratios indicating that many molecules were formed in the ice mantles of dust grains at cooler temperatures, below the freeze-out temperature of CO (≲35 K). This contrasts with the current bulk temperature of ~50 K, which was obtained from H2CO.Conclusions.CORE observations allow us to comprehensively link the different structures in the W3 IRS4 region for the first time. Our results argue that the dynamics and environment around the MYSO W3 IRS4 have a significant impact on its evolution. This context would be missing if only high resolution or continuum observations were available.
Determining the Drug-Like Properties of Ailanthone, a Novel Chinese Medicine Monomer with Anti-CRPC Activity
Authors: Hu Pan , Guo Dandan , Xie Jiayi , Chen Huang , Hu Shixiu , Bian Aiwu , Xu Shifen , Yi Zhengfang , Peng Shihong , Liu Mingyao 
Published: March 2020

AbstractApproximately 40% of compounds with therapeutic potential cannot be successfully developed into drugs owing to their poor pharmaceutical properties, emphasising the need to profile their drug-like properties as early as possible during preclinical development. This study aimed to evaluate the drug-like properties of ailanthone, a novel Chinese medicine monomer that was shown to have activity against castration-resistant prostate cancer tumour growth and metastasis in our previous study. The drug-like properties detected in the present study included effects on permeability, liver microsome stability, plasma protein binding rate, plasma stability, and human ether-à-go-go-related gene inhibition. Additionally, the following results were obtained: the efflux ratio of ailanthone was > 32 during permeability detection; the half-life and intrinsic clearance (Clint) in mouse, rat, and human liver microsomes were > 145 min and < 9.6 µL/min/mg protein, respectively. The Clint(liver) of ailanthone was < 38.0, < 17.3, and < 8.6 mL/min/kg body weight in mice, rats, and humans, respectively. The plasma protein binding percentage of ailanthone was 16.6 ± 4.2% in human plasma, with 62.5% remaining at 120 min after incubation. The IC50 value of ailanthone for the human ether-à-go-go-related gene channels was > 30 µM. Collectively, these results and those from our previous study indicate that the pharmacokinetic properties of ailanthone are suitable for the potential development of this compound as an oral or intravenous drug for the treatment of castration-resistant prostate cancer.
The Potential of Natural Propolis Extract Combined with Bovine Bone Graft in Increasing Heat Shock Protein 70 and Osteocalcin on Socket Preservation
Authors: Kresnoadi Utari , Rahayu Retno Pudji , Ariani Maretaningtias Dwi , Soesanto Soesanto 
Published: March 2020

Abstract

Objective This study aims to combine natural propolis with bovine bone graft (BBG) as a means of extraction socket preservation after 3 and 7 days toward expression of heat shock protein (HSP) 70 and osteocalcin to regenerate bone.
Materials and Methods The Cavia cobaya were divided into eight groups, each consisting of seven samples. Their lower left incisors were extracted and induced with PEG, propolis extract, BBG, and a combination of propolis extract BBG. The research subjects were terminated on days 3 and 7 postextraction. Immunohistochemical and histopathological examinations were subsequently performed to observe HSP 70 expression, osteocalcin expression, osteoblasts, and osteoclasts.
Statistical Analysis Data obtained were then analyzed with one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey’s honestly significant difference (HSD) tests.
Results Both the groups with the combination of propolis extract and BBG on days 3 and 7 were found to present the highest number of HSP70 expression, osteocalcin expression, and osteoblast cells as well as the lowest number of osteoclasts.
Conclusion Both the groups with the combination of propolis extract and BBG on days 3 and 7 were found to present the highest number of HSP70 expression, osteocalcin expression, and osteoblast cells as well as the lowest number of osteoclasts.
A Comparison of 3D Facial Features in a Population from Zimbabwe and United States
Authors: Bhaskar Elvin , Kau Chung H. 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Objectives The purpose of this study was to determine the differences in three-dimensional (3D) facial features in a population from Zimbabwe and the United States. In addition, this study seeks to establish an average facial template of each population allowing clinicians to treat patients according to their cultural esthetic perceptions.
Materials and Methods Three hundred one subjects from Zimbabwe and the United States were carefully selected and recruited for the study. Each subject presented with a normal facial profile, no asymmetries, and normal body mass index. The 3D images were captured using the 3dMD cameras. All images were further separated into male and female groups of the respective populations and imported to a dedicated software for analysis.
Statistical Analysis The 3D facial images were constructed using Rapidform 6 software to recreate a composite facial average for each group representing a male and female average 3D face of Zimbabwean (Zim) and United States origin.
Results The linear measurements showed that the maximum average distance between the Zim-M and Zim-F was 1.24 mm and the minimum distance between the African American (AA)-M and AA-F was 0.24 mm. This was the absolute distance. When the signed linear measurements were taken into consideration, the maximum average distance between Zim-F and AA-M was 1.22 mm and the least average distance between the Zim-M and AA-M was 0.22 mm. The absolute color histograms showed greatest similarity between the Zim-M and AA-M at 58% and the Zim-F had a 25 and 27% similarity with the AA-F and Zim-M, respectively.
Conclusion The Zim-F showed the most variable features with a broader face, prominent forehead, and retruded alar base compared with their male counterparts and the Zim-M showed a wider prominent malar/zygomatic region, and prominent lateral supraorbital regions. There was a high similarity of 58% between the Zim-M and the AA-M, with the Zim-M showing a more protrusive superciliary arches, and a lateral zygomatic region tapering to the root of the nose.