bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Extracellular protease production regulated by nitrogen and carbon sources in Trichoderma reesei
Authors: Sun Yu , Qian Yuanchao , Zhang Jiaxin , Wang Yifan , Li Xihai , Zhang Weican , Wang Lushan , Liu Hong , Zhong Yaohua 
Published: January 2021

AbstractThe filamentous fungus Trichoderma reesei is an important producer of industrial enzymes, and possesses abundant extracellular protease genes based on the genome sequence data. However, the production of extracellular proteases remains poorly understood. Here, protease production was extensively investigated on different carbon (glucose and lactose) and nitrogen sources ((NH4)2SO4, NaNO3, peptone, and corn steep liquor). It was found that protease production was dominantly regulated by nitrogen sources. Organic nitrogen sources were beneficial for protease production, while the preferred nitrogen source (NH4)2SO4 inhibited the expression of proteases. As for carbon sources, lactose was a more effective inducer than glucose for protease production. The protease activity was further examined by protease inhibitors, which suggested that protease activity was predominantly inhibited by phenylmethanesulfonyl fluoride (PMSF) and slightly suppressed by ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA). Moreover, proteomic analysis revealed a total of 29 extracellular proteases, including 13 serine proteases, 6 aspartic proteases, and 10 metalloproteases. In addition, seven proteases were found to be present among all conditions. These results showed the regulatory profile of extracellular protease production in Trichoderma reesei grown on various carbon and nitrogen sources, which will facilitate the development of T. reesei to be an effective workhorse for enzyme or high‐value protein production in industry.
Preparation of Branch Polyethyleneimine (BPEI) Crosslinked Anion Exchange Membrane Based on Poly(styrene‐b‐(ethylene‐co‐butylene)‐b‐styrene) (SEBS)
Authors: Xiao Yafei , Zhang Minghua , Dong Dawei , Yang Zhaojie , Cao Ya , Wang Ke , Fan Minmin 
Published: January 2021

AbstractAnion exchange membranes with chemical stability, high conductivity, and high mechanical properties play an important role in alkaline fuel cells. Here, a series of CPX anion exchange membranes based on poly(styrene‐b‐(ethylene‐co‐butylene)‐b‐styrene) (SEBS) and branch polyethyleneimine (BPEI) are achieved by casting, in which BPEI acts as both a crosslinking agent and an OH− conducting functional group. The introduction of BPEI facilitates the formation of good hydrophilic/hydrophobic microphase separation structure, thus improving the ion transport channel of CPX membrane. The physicochemical and electrochemical properties of the CPX membrane are significantly improved when the mass ratio of SEBS to BPEI is within an appropriate range. The OH− conductivity of the CP2 membrane (the mass ratio of SEBS to BPEI is 2) can reach 66.63 mS cm−1 at 80 °C, and more than 80% initial OH− conductivity is maintained in 1.0 m NaOH solution for 20 d at 60 °C. The strategy of using a polymer with excellent alkali resistance and oxidation resistance as the main body and introducing a conductive group that can construct microphase separation can simultaneously improve the conductivity and membrane stability. This viable strategy is a promising construction method for anion exchange membranes that can be applied to fuel cells.
Therapeutic targets and potential agents for the treatment of COVID‐19
Authors: Wu Yinuo , Li Zhe , Zhao Yun‐Song , Huang Yi‐You , Jiang Mei‐Yan , Luo Hai‐Bin 
Published: January 2021

AbstractThe outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19), which is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) infection, has become a global crisis. As of November 9, COVID‐19 has already spread to more than 190 countries with 50,000,000 infections and 1,250,000 deaths. Effective therapeutics and drugs are in high demand. The structure of SARS‐CoV‐2 is highly conserved with those of SARS‐CoV and Middle East respiratory syndrome‐CoV. Enzymes, including RdRp, Mpro/3CLpro, and PLpro, which play important roles in viral transcription and replication, have been regarded as key targets for therapies against coronaviruses, including SARS‐CoV‐2. The identification of readily available drugs for repositioning in COVID‐19 therapy is a relatively rapid approach for clinical treatment, and a series of approved or candidate drugs have been proven to be efficient against COVID‐19 in preclinical or clinical studies. This review summarizes recent progress in the development of drugs against SARS‐CoV‐2 and the targets involved.
Viscosity characterization and flow simulation and visualization of polytetrafluoroethylene paste extrusion using a green and biofriendly lubricant
Authors: Schmidt George A. , Lin Yu‐Jyun , Xu Yiyang , Wang Dongfang , Yilmaz Galip , Turng Lih‐Sheng 
Published: January 2021

AbstractPolytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and expanded PTFE (ePTFE) are ideal for various applications. Because PTFE does not flow, even when heated above its melting point, PTFE components are fabricated using a process called paste extrusion. This process entails blending PTFE powder particles with a lubricant to form PTFE paste, which is subsequently preformed, extruded, expanded (in the case of ePTFE), and sintered. In this study, ethanol was proposed as an alternative green lubricant for PTFE processing. Not only is ethanol benign and biofriendly, it provides excellent wettability and processing benefits. Using ethanol as a lubricant, the shear viscosity of PTFE paste and its flow behavior during paste extrusion were investigated. Frequency sweeps using a parallel‐plate rheometer were performed on PTFE paste samples and various grits of sandpaper were used to reduce wall slip of PTFE paste. A viscosity model was generated and a multiphysics software was used to simulate PTFE paste extrusion. The simulated extrusion pressure was compared to experimental data of actual paste extrusion. Flow visualization experiments using colored PTFE layers were conducted to reveal the flow profile of the PTFE paste. The morphology of the expanded ePTFE tubes was examined using scanning electron microscopy and the effect of expansion ratio on ePTFE morphology was quantified.
Kleiner Punkt – große Wirkung
Authors: Mathelitsch Leopold , Thaller Sigrid 
Published: January 2021

ZusammenfassungDer Schwerpunkt spielt im Sport eine zentrale Rolle. Im Hochsprung gelingt es sogar, den Körperschwerpunkt unter der Latte durchzuschieben. Dazu wirken beim Fosbury‐Flop das Drehmoment einer Anlaufkurve und das Durchbiegen des Körpers in Rückenlage zusammen. Beim Weitsprung wiederum kann das Anheben und Senken der Arme die Sprungweite verlängern, obwohl die Flugparabel des Körperschwerpunkts nicht veränderbar ist. Genauere Analysen von Bewegungsabläufen erfordern eine genauere Kenntnis der Schwerpunkte des Körpers und seiner Segmente. Bei Frauen liegt der Gesamtschwerpunkt relativ niedriger als bei Männern. Beim Wurfspeer musste eine Reglementänderung die Lage des Schwerpunkts verschieben, um gefährliche Wurfweiten in Stadien auszuschließen.
Synthesis of dihydroxy telechelic oligomers of β‐butyrolactone catalyzed by titanium(IV)‐alkoxides and their use as macrodiols in polyurethane chemistry
Authors: Altmann Hagen J. , Machat Martin R. , Wolf Aurel , Gürtler Christoph , Wang Dongren , Buchmeiser Michael R. 
Published: January 2021

AbstractWe report on a solvent‐free approach for the synthesis of low molecular weight, α,ω‐dihydroxy telechelic poly(β‐butyrolactone). In the presence of Ti(IV) alkoxides, mixtures of β‐butyrolactone and diols, like di‐ or triethylene glycol, were reacted in ratios between 4:1 and 10:1. The oligomerization proceeds at elevated temperatures (80–100°C). Different alkoxide substituents (R = Me, iPr, tBu) of the Ti(IV)(OR)4 catalyst were investigated. The resulting oligomers were characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), infra‐red (IR), gel‐permeation chromatography (GPC), titration, and matrix‐assisted laser desorption‐time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (MALDI‐ToF‐MS) analysis. Aside from low molecular weight products, special effort was devoted to achieve high O‐acyl cleavage selectivity and to circumvent the formation of unsaturated end‐groups in order to form exclusively dihydroxy‐telechelic oligomers. Optimized results in terms of selectivity and reaction rates were achieved at 100°C using catalyst loadings of 0.2 mol% with respect to the monomer. The molecular weights determined by GPC were in good accordance with the ratio of monomer to diol used, confirming successful oligomer formation. Polyurethanes prepared from crude macrodiols without any additional catalyst feature molecular weights up to 50,000 g/mol. The reported work serves as concept to utilize β‐lactones for tailored polyol synthesis; the resulting products are suitable for polyurethane chemistry.
On the swelling behavior of poly(N‐Isopropylacrylamide) hydrogels exposed to perfluoroalkyl acids
Authors: Savage Dustin T. , Briot Nicolas J. , Hilt J. Zach , Dziubla Thomas D. 
Published: January 2021

AbstractPer‐ and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have rapidly accumulated in the environment due to their widespread use prior to commercial discussion in the early 21st century, and their slow degradation has magnified concerns of their potential toxicity. Monitoring their distribution is, therefore, necessary to evaluate and control their impact on the health of exposed populations. This investigation evaluates the capability of a simple polymeric detection scheme for PFAS based on crosslinked, thermoresponsive poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) hydrogels. Surveying swelling perturbations induced by several hydrotropes and comparable hydrocarbon analogs, tetraethylammonium perfluorooctane sulfonate (TPFOS) showed a significantly higher swelling ratio on a mass basis (65.5 ± 8.8 at 15°C) than any of the other analytes tested. Combining swelling with the fluorimetric response of a solvachromatic dye, nile red, revealed the fluorosurfactant to initiate observable aggregation (i.e., its critical aggregation concentration) at 0.05 mM and reach saturation (i.e., its charge neutralization concentration) at 0.5 mM. The fluorosurfactant was found to homogeneously distribute throughout the polymer matrix with energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, marking the swelling response as a peculiar nexus of fluorinated interfacial positioning and delocalized electrostatic repulsion. Results from the current study hold promise for exploiting the physiochemical response of PNIPAM to assess TPFOS's concentration.
Current and future approaches to wet weather flow management: A review
Authors: Peters Paige E. , Zitomer Daniel H. 
Published: January 2021

AbstractSewers can become hydraulically overburdened during high‐intensity precipitation resulting in untreated water entering receiving streams. Combined (CSOs) and sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs) cause adverse public health and environmental impacts as well as management challenges for many wastewater utilities. This novel review presents information regarding wet weather flow regulation, impacts, and current management methods, and offers ideas for future approaches in the United States. Currently, storage followed by conventional municipal water reclamation facility treatment after precipitation events is often employed. Stand‐alone alternative technologies include high‐rate solids removal, rapid disinfection, filtration, and green infrastructure. However, most current stand‐alone approaches do not address soluble BOD5 or emerging contaminants in stormwater and wastewater. As the needs for wet weather flow management change, future approaches should include a goal of zero overflows and achieve effluent quality as good as or better than conventional treatment. To help achieve zero overflows and complete treatment, the “peaker facility” concept is proposed. The peaker facility often remains idle but treats excess flow when needed. Considering the challenges of remaining idle for long periods, starting up quickly, and handling high flows, chemical oxidation may be an applicable peaker facility component. However, more research and development are needed to determine best practices.Practitioner points

Combined (CSO) and sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs) pose both environmental and public health risks as untreated water is discharged into lakes and rivers during high‐intensity rain events.
Current stand‐alone approaches for managing or treating CSOs focus on particulate BOD/COD and solids removal, and do not typically address soluble BOD or emerging contaminants in stormwater and wastewater (including pathogens).
New wet weather policies and regulations encourage more holistic approaches by wastewater utilities, and future approaches should include a zero‐overflow goal for all CSOs and SSOs.
To help achieve zero overflows, the concept of the “peaker facility” is proposed.
Chemical oxidation may be an applicable component of peaker facilities for its short detention time and ability to remove, oxidize, or inactive water impairment‐causing contaminants.
Maximally self-interacting dark matter: models and predictions
Authors: Kamada Ayuki , Kim Hee Jung , Kuwahara Takumi 
Published: January 2021

AbstractWe study self-interacting dark matter (SIDM) scenarios, where thes-wave self-scattering cross section almost saturates the Unitarity bound. Such self-scattering cross sections are singly parameterized by the dark matter mass, and are featured by strong velocity dependence in a wide range of velocities. They may be indicated by observations of dark matter halos in a wide range of masses, from Milky Way’s dwarf spheroidal galaxies to galaxy clusters. We pin down the model parameters that saturates the Unitarity bound in well-motivated SIDM models: the gaugedLμ− Lτmodel and composite asymmetric dark matter model. We discuss implications and predictions of such model parameters for cosmology like theH0tension and dark-matter direct-detection experiments, and particle phenomenology like the beam-dump experiments.
Analysis of influencing factors for the dressing process in double side face grinding
Authors: Uhlmann Eckart , Lichtschlag Linus 
Published: January 2021

AbstractIn grinding, the design of the dressing process is an essential part of work preparation and restoration of the grinding wheel’s profile and cutting ability. In contrast to most grinding processes, the choice of dressing parameters in double face grinding with planetary kinematics has so far only been experience-based. As a consequence, the dressing process causes a higher degree of tool wear than the machining of the workpieces. A focused design of the dressing process based on a scientific data could help to improve the ecological and the economic efficiency by reducing tool wear and the amount of dressing tools used. In this paper, methods for determining the wear condition and the result of the dressing process, including macro- and microscopic characteristic are presented. This includes a correlation analysis between parameters of wear characteristics and workpiece surface quality. Furthermore, technological investigations are carried out in order to systematically limit the main influencing factors on the dressing process. As a result, the parameters dresser grain sizedgd, rotational speed rationldand the machined dresser height ∆hdare identified as significant for dressing. The knowledge about their principal influence on the dressing result could provide the basis for further research.
Evaluation of cytokines in the tumor microenvironment of lung cancer using bronchoalveolar lavage fluid analysis
Authors: Bezel Pascal , Valaperti Alan , Steiner Urs , Scholtze Dieter , Wieser Stephan , Vonow-Eisenring Maya , Widmer Andrea , Kowalski Benedikt , Kohler Malcolm , Franzen Daniel P. 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Introduction
Lung cancer is the leading cause of death by cancer. In recent years, immunotherapy with checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) emerged as a promising new therapeutic approach. However, a deeper understanding of the immunologic responses adjacent to the tumor known as tumor microenvironment (TME) is needed. Our study investigated TME of lung cancer by analyzing cytokines in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF).

Materials and methods
Between January 2018 and June 2019, 119 patients were prospectively enrolled in this study. For each cancer patient, levels of 16 cytokines (fractalkine, granulocyte–macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), interferon gamma (IFN-γ), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), and interleukins (IL): IL-1b, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-7, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12p70, IL-13, IL-17A, and IL-23) were measured in BALF and serum and compared to healthy individuals and patients with other lung diseases.

Results
There were several significant differences of cytokine levels of patients with lung cancer compared to healthy individuals. However, none of them remained in the multivariate analysis compared to other lung diseases in either BALF or serum. Furthermore, there were no significant differences between the groups in cell differentiation of either BALF or serum. Cytokine levels in BALF were generally near the lower detection limit and showed almost no correlation with their respective levels measured in serum of the same individual.

Conclusions
Cytokines in BALF and serum of lung cancer patients may indicate unspecific inflammation. BAL is not recommendable as a tool to investigate TME of lung cancer. Therefore, cytokines measured in BALF are probably not appropriate as predictors in patients treated with ICIs.
MRI features of the normal prostatic peripheral zone: the relationship between age and signal heterogeneity on T2WI, DWI, and DCE sequences
Authors: Bura Vlad , Caglic Iztok , Snoj Ziga , Sushentsev Nikita , Berghe Alexandra S. , Priest Andrew N. , Barrett Tristan 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Objectives
To assess the multiparametric MRI (mpMRI) appearances of normal peripheral zone (PZ) across age groups in a biopsy-naïve population, where prostate cancer (PCa) was subsequently excluded, and propose a scoring system for background PZ changes.

Methods
This retrospective study included 175 consecutive biopsy-naïve patients (40–74 years) referred with a suspicion of PCa, but with subsequent negative investigations. Patients were grouped by age into categories ≤ 54, 55–59, 60–64, and ≥ 65 years. MpMRI sequences (T2-weighted imaging [T2WI], diffusion-weighted imaging [DWI]/apparent diffusion coefficient [ADC], and dynamic contrast-enhanced imaging [DCE]) were independently evaluated by two uro-radiologists on a proposed 4-point grading scale for background change on each sequence, wherein score 1 mirrored PIRADS-1 change and score 4 represented diffuse background change. Peripheral zone T2WI signal intensity and ADC values were also analyzed for trends relating to age.

Results
There was a negative correlation between age and assigned background PZ scores for each mpMRI sequence: T2WI: r = − 0.52, DWI: r = − 0.49, DCE: r = − 0.45, p < 0.001. Patients aged ≤ 54 years had mean scores of 3.0 (T2WI), 2.7 (DWI), and 3.1 (DCE), whilst patients ≥ 65 years had significantly lower mean scores of 1.7, 1.4, and 1.9, respectively. There was moderate inter-reader agreement for all scores (range κ = 0.43–0.58). Statistically significant positive correlations were found for age versus normalized T2WI signal intensity (r = 0.2, p = 0.009) and age versus ADC values (r = 0.33, p = 0.001).

Conclusion
The normal PZ in younger patients (≤ 54 years) demonstrates significantly lower T2WI signal intensity, lower ADC values, and diffuse enhancement on DCE, which may hinder diagnostic interpretation in these patients. The proposed standardized PZ background scoring system may help convey the potential for diagnostic uncertainty to clinicians.

Key Points
• Significant, positive correlations were found between increasing age and higher normalized T2-weighted signal intensity and mean ADC values of the prostatic peripheral zone.
• Younger men exhibit lower T2-weighted imaging signal intensity, lower ADC values, and diffuse enhancement on dynamic contrast-enhanced imaging, which may hinder MRI interpretation.
• A scoring system is proposed which aims towards a standardized assessment of the normal background PZ. This may help convey the potential for diagnostic uncertainty to clinicians.
Effect of atmospheric circulation on surface air temperature trends in years 1979–2018
Authors: Räisänen Jouni 
Published: January 2021

AbstractThe effect of atmospheric circulation on monthly, seasonal and annual mean surface air temperature trends in the years 1979–2018 is studied by applying a trajectory-based method on the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts ERA5 reanalysis data. To the extent that the method captures the effects of atmospheric circulation, the results suggest that circulation trends only had a minor impact on observed annual mean temperature trends in most areas. Exceptions include, for example, a decrease in annual mean warming by about 1 °C in western Siberia, and increased warming in central Europe and the Arctic Ocean. However, the effect of circulation trends on seasonal and particularly monthly temperature trends is more substantial. Subtracting the effect of circulation changes from the ERA5 temperature trends leaves residual trends with a smoother annual cycle than the original trends. The residual monthly mean temperature trends also tend to agree better with the multi-model mean temperature trends from models in the 5th Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP5) than the original ERA5 trends do, with a 42% decrease in the mean square difference over the global land area. However, the corresponding decrease in the mean square difference of the annual mean temperature trends is only 6%.
Marginal Players? The Third Sector and Employability Services for Migrants, Refugees and Asylum Seekers in the UK
Authors: Calò Francesca , Montgomery Tom , Baglioni Simone 
Published: January 2021

AbstractLiterature in the field of employability and the third sector has focused upon the impact of marketisation on third sector providers, elaborating how commissioning processes have led to a contraction of (smaller) third sector organisations (TSOs) and an expansion of larger private sector bodies. Extant research does not however explore the role of third sector organisations in the employability of migrants, refugees and asylum seekers. Therefore, our paper explores this gap by adopting a qualitative approach via a total of 36 interviews involving migrants, refugees, asylum seekers and managers of third sector organisations, alongside a categorisation of TSOs. Our findings reveal that TSOs are the primary (and for asylum seekers perhaps the only) providers of integration support services and training or education services. We found that only a limited number of organisations provide formal employability services or skills development services which seem to be only residual in terms of the range of activities that TSOs can organise. Thus, perhaps the main function that TSOs perform that enables integration into the UK labour market is providing a safe and trusted environment that people can use to increase their confidence, improve their well-being, broaden their social circle, learn the language or increase their work experience.