bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on retail dairy prices
Authors: Liu Yizao , Rabinowitz Adam N. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractThis article focuses on the immediate impacts of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) on retail prices of dairy products in the United States. Using weekly data from the US Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Marketing Service, we analyze a change in dairy prices coinciding with COVID‐19 restrictions. Using a regression discontinuity design, we find that prices of all dairy products decreased by 8% at the time that stay at home orders and changes in retail activities took place. When focusing on specific dairy categories, we find a varying degree of price declines, but also many prices that did not change. We also analyze store promotional advertisements for dairy products and find the expected decline in the number of store ads. This study has implications for policymakers concerned about the impact of COVID‐19 on retail food prices in the United States. [EconLit citations: Q11; Q18]
Functional Genomic Analysis of a RUNX3 Polymorphism Associated With Ankylosing Spondylitis
Authors: Vecellio Matteo , Chen Liye , Cohen Carla J. , Cortes Adrian , Li Yan , Bonham Sarah , Selmi Carlo , Brown Matthew A. , Fischer Roman , Knight Julian C. , Wordsworth B. Paul 
Published: December 2020

ObjectiveTo investigate the functional consequences of the single‐nucleotide polymorphism rs4648889 in a putative enhancer upstream of the RUNX3 promoter associated with susceptibility to ankylosing spondylitis (AS).MethodsUsing nuclear extracts from Jurkat cells and primary human CD8+ T cells, the effects of rs4648889 on allele‐specific transcription factor (TF) binding were investigated by DNA pull‐down assay and quantitative mass spectrometry (qMS), with validation by electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA), Western blotting of the pulled‐down eluates, and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP)–quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) analysis. Further functional effects were tested by small interfering RNA knockdown of the gene for interferon regulatory factor 5 (IRF5), followed by reverse transcription–qPCR (RT‐qPCR) and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to measure the levels of IFNγ messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein, respectively.ResultsIn nuclear extracts from CD8+ T cells, results of qMS showed that relative TF binding to the AS‐risk A allele of rs4648889 was increased 3.7‐fold (P < 0.03) for Ikaros family zinc‐finger protein 3 (IKZF3; Aiolos) and components of the NuRD complex, including chromodomain helicase DNA binding protein 4 (CHD4) (3.6‐fold increase; P < 0.05) and retinoblastoma binding protein 4 (RBBP4) (4.1‐fold increase; P < 0.03). In contrast, IRF5 bound significantly more to the AS‐protective G allele compared to the AS‐risk A allele (fold change 8.2; P = 0.003). Validation with Western blotting, EMSA, and ChIP‐qPCR confirmed the differential allelic binding of IKZF3, CHD4, RBBP4, and IRF5. Silencing of IRF5 in CD8+ T cells increased the levels of IFNγ mRNA as measured by RT‐qPCR (P = 0.03) and IFNγ protein as measured by ELISA (P = 0.02).ConclusionThese findings suggest that the association of rs4648889 with AS reflects allele‐specific binding of this enhancer‐like region to certain TFs, including IRF5, IKZF3, and members of the NuRD complex. IRF5 may have crucial influences on the functions of CD8+ lymphocytes, a finding that could reveal new therapeutic targets for the management of AS.
Epidemic/Pandemic Emergency Planning for Water Utilities
Authors: States Stanley 
Published: December 2020

Key TakeawaysEpidemics and pandemics are natural disasters that water utilities must prepare for and respond to.There are mitigation measures that utilities can employ during an epidemic or pandemic to reduce the impact of these disasters on their operations and the communities that they serve.The guidance and resources in this article should help drinking water utilities deal with present and future COVID‐19 concerns, as well as other public health emergencies that will undoubtedly occur in the future.
Frameworks for Assessing and Optimizing Utility Operations
Authors: Roth Frank 
Published: December 2020

Key TakeawaysThe Effective Utility Management framework provides utilities with best practices by helping utility leaders improve system performance through planning, measurement, monitoring, and implementation.Utilities can use AWWA's Utility Benchmarking Survey to advance management expertise to improve efficiency, quality, and effectiveness by addressing gaps, setting priorities, and making changes.The Partnership Programs help utilities assess their operations and develop improvements to address system performance deficiencies.Two case studies show how utilities developed structured action plans for continuous performance improvement with lessons learned in implementing improvement initiatives.
Utility Intelligence Builds a More Sustainable Water Cycle
Authors: Smith Travis 
Published: December 2020

Key TakeawaysClimate change, aging infrastructure, and the global pandemic all present challenges that will require utilities to use innovative tools.To address unique problems, two utilities have used smart utility networks to set their cities on paths to a more water‐secure future.Smart utility networks can leverage data for a more proactive approach to utility management and better customer service.
Myocardial infarction biomarker C‐reactive protein detection on nanocomposite aptasensor
Authors: Li Jing , Li Haitao , Xu Jinpeng , Zhao Xingzhou , Song Shujiang , Zhang Huitao 
Published: December 2020

AbstractMyocardial infarction (MI) is considered as one of the major life‐threatening health issues worldwide. Growing number of cases every year is demanding rapid, portable, and early detection by the sensing devices for the identification of MI. This research work introduces a modified interdigitated electrode (IDE) sensing surface constructed with single‐walled carbon nanotube (SWCN) to detect the cardiac biomarker, C‐reactive protein (CRP). CRP‐specific aptamer was conjugated with gold nanoparticle and attached on SWCN‐constructed IDE surface. This probe‐modified sensing surface has reached the limit of CRP detection to 10 pM on a linear regression curve with the regression coefficient of R² = 0.9223 [y = 0.9198x − 0.4326]. Further, control molecules, such as random aptamer sequence and nontarget cardiac biomarker (Troponin I), did not show the current response, indicating the specific CRP detection. This sensing strategy helps to detect the lower level of CRP and diagnose the MI at its earlier stages.
Prevalence of Lynch syndrome in women with mismatch repair‐deficient ovarian cancer
Authors: Hodan Rachel , Kingham Kerry , Cotter Kristina , Folkins Ann K. , Kurian Allison W. , Ford James M. , Longacre Teri 
Published: December 2020

AbstractBackgroundThere are limited data on the prevalence of Lynch syndrome (LS) in women with primary ovarian cancer with mismatch repair deficiency (MMR‐D) by immunohistochemistry (IHC).Materials and MethodsThree hundred and eight cases of primary ovarian, fallopian, and peritoneal cancer between January 2012 and December 2019 were evaluated for MMR‐D by IHC. The incidence of LS in this cohort was evaluated.ResultsMMR‐D by IHC was identified in 16 of 308 (5.2%) (95% CI: 3.2%–8.3%) primary ovarian‐related cancers. Most cases with MMR‐D were endometrioid (n = 11, 68.7%); (95% CI: 44.2%–86.1%). MSH2/MSH6 protein loss was detected in eight cases (50.0%); (95% CI: 28.0%–72.0%) and MLH1/PMS2 protein loss was detected in four cases (25.0%); (95% CI: 9.7%–50.0%). MSH6 protein loss was detected in two cases (12.5%); (95% CI: 2.2%–37.3%) and PMS2 protein loss was detected in two cases (12.5%); (95% CI: 2.2%–37.3%). All four cases with MLH1/PMS2 protein loss had MLH1 promotor hypermethylation. All 12 women with ovarian cancer suggestive of LS underwent germline testing and 8 (66.6%); (95% CI: 38.8%–86.5%) were confirmed to have LS.ConclusionsMost ovarian cancers with somatic MMR‐D were confirmed to have LS in this cohort. Germline testing for LS in addition to BRCA1/2 for all women with an epithelial ovarian cancer would be efficient and would approach 100% sensitivity for identifying Lynch syndrome. Utilization of a multigene panel should also be considered, given the additional non‐Lynch germline mutation identified in this cohort.
Reactivity of Single Transition Metal Atoms on a Hydroxylated Amorphous Silica Surface: A Periodic Conceptual DFT Investigation
Authors: Deraet Xavier , Turek Jan , Alonso Mercedes , Tielens Frederik , Cottenier Stefaan , Ayers Paul W. , Weckhuysen Bert M. , De Proft Frank 
Published: December 2020

AbstractThe drive to develop maximal atom‐efficient catalysts coupled to the continuous striving for more sustainable reactions has led to an ever‐increasing interest in single‐atom catalysis. Based on a periodic conceptual density functional theory (cDFT) approach, fundamental insights into the reactivity and adsorption of single late transition metal atoms supported on a fully hydroxylated amorphous silica surface have been acquired. In particular, this investigation revealed that the influence of van der Waals dispersion forces is especially significant for a silver (98 %) or gold (78 %) atom, whereas the oxophilicity of the Group 8–10 transition metals plays a major role in the interaction strength of these atoms on the irreducible SiO2 support. The adsorption energies for the less‐electronegative row 4 elements (Fe, Co, Ni) ranged from −1.40 to −1.92 eV, whereas for the heavier row 5 and 6 metals, with the exception of Pd, these values are between −2.20 and −2.92 eV. The deviating behavior of Pd can be attributed to a fully filled d‐shell and, hence, the absence of the hybridization effects. Through a systematic analysis of cDFT descriptors determined by using three different theoretical schemes, the Fermi weighted density of states approach was identified as the most suitable for describing the reactivity of the studied systems. The main advantage of this scheme is the fact that it is not influenced by fictitious Coulomb interactions between successive, charged reciprocal cells. Moreover, the contribution of the energy levels to the reactivity is simultaneously scaled based on their position relative to the Fermi level. Finally, the obtained Fermi weighted density of states reactivity trends show a good agreement with the chemical characteristics of the investigated metal atoms as well as the experimental data.
Cobalt Bis(dicarbollide) Alkylsulfonamides: Potent and Highly Selective Inhibitors of Tumor Specific Carbonic Anhydrase IX
Authors: Grüner Bohumír , Kugler Michael , El Anwar Suzan , Holub Josef , Nekvinda Jan , Bavol Dmytro , Růžičková Zdeňka , Pospíšilová Klára , Fábry Milan , Král Vlastimil , Brynda Jiří , Řezáčová Pavlína 
Published: December 2020

AbstractInvited for this month's cover is a collaboration from three institutes from the Czech Academy of Sciences: Institute of Inorganic Chemistry, Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, and Institute of Molecular Genetics, and the University of Pardubice. The cover picture shows a family of potent and selective CA IX inhibitors that combines the structural motif of a bulky inorganic cobalt bis(dicarbollide) polyhedral ion with a propylsulfonamido anchor group. Read the full text of the article at 10.1002/cplu.202000574.
Retracted: Learning‐based stacking and caching for improving network lifetime in wireless sensor networks
Authors: Eljack Sarah Mustafa , Mustafa Mohammed 
Published: December 2020

SummaryEljack SM, Mustafa M. Learning–based stacking and caching for improving network lifetime in wireless sensor networks, International Journal of Communication Systems 2020, (https://doi.org/10.1002/dac.4707). The above article published online on 25 December 2020 in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com), has been retracted by agreement between the Editor and John Wiley and Sons Ltd. Following publication, it has come to our attention that the people named as the Guest Editors of the Special Issue were being impersonated by a fraudulent entity and the articles were not reviewed in line with the journal's peer review standards. The Editor has determined that the articles do not meet the required scholarly standards of the journal, and therefore has taken the decision to retract the article. We did not find any evidence of misconduct by the authors. The authors have been informed of the decision to retract.
Combined carbon flows through detritus, microbes, and animals in reference and experimentally enriched stream ecosystems
Authors: Benstead Jonathan P. , Cross Wyatt F. , Gulis Vlad , Rosemond Amy D. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractTracking carbon (C) flow through ecosystems requires quantification of myriad biophysical processes, including C routing through microbial and metazoan food webs. Yet detailed organic matter budgets are rarely combined with simultaneous measurement of C flows supporting microbial and animal production. Here, we synthesize concurrent data sets on organic matter, microbes, and macroinvertebrates from two detritus‐based stream ecosystems, one of which was subject to experimental nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) enrichment. Our synthesis provides new insights into C flow through forest stream ecosystems. Over 3 yr, the reference stream showed a striking balance of inputs and outputs, with a mean surplus of only 7 g C·m−2·yr−1 (~1% of annual inputs), presumably stored in sediments as fine particulate organic matter (FPOM). In contrast, N and P enrichment over 2 yr resulted in severe deficits of C (−576 g C·m−2·yr−1 or ~170% of annual inputs), a shortfall presumably met by stored C. Our data set provides an ecosystem‐based estimate of the fate of forest litter C at ambient nutrient concentrations: 6.2% was leached as dissolved organic C, 40.6% and 8.5% flowed to litter‐associated fungi and bacteria, respectively, 7.5% was consumed by macroinvertebrates, 1.8% was exported as coarse particles, and the remainder (35.4%) was presumably fragmented by biophysical processes. Our calculations also allowed an estimate of inputs into the heterogeneous FPOM pool, which is otherwise difficult to obtain. At naturally low nutrient concentrations, 50.7% was derived from fragmented litter, 39.1% from microbial biomass (mostly fungal), and 10.2% from macroinvertebrate egesta. Nutrient addition drove large changes in C fluxes in the experimental stream, especially in flows of leaf litter to fungi (×1.7 pretreatment) and macroinvertebrates (×2.7), and of FPOM to hydrologic export (×2.6). Our results underscore the key roles of both microbes and metazoans in controlling C flow through detritus‐based ecosystems, as well as how release from persistent nutrient limitation may perturb steady‐state conditions of C inputs vs. outputs. Our analysis also suggests areas for future research, including assessing the relative importance of stored vs. recycled C in fueling detrital food webs subject to altered nutrient regimes and other global‐change drivers.
Effect of baffle structure on the dynamic transportation behavior of s‐liked biomass fuels in a rotating drum
Authors: Gu Conghui , Fan Jiabin , Pan Danping , Yao Shouguang , Dai Li , Guan Lei , Wu Kai , Yuan Zhulin 
Published: December 2020

AbstractThe booming progress of biomass fuels in the enhancement of energy sustainability has been witnessed over the past few decades. Drying or moisture content reduction is a critical pretreatment step for the efficient utilization of wet biomass fuels whose improvement requires this study to focus on the effect of the transportation behavior of biomass fuels inside drying facilities. Experiments were performed under a variety of operating conditions in order to determine the residence time distribution (RTD) and flow characteristics of s‐liked biomass fuels in the process of transportation. A series of experiments are carried out in a rotary drum with different baffle structures, a length of 1850 mm and a diameter of 770 mm. Meanwhile, s‐liked and CO2 expanded biomass particles were taken as standard and tracer materials. RTD and scattering and fallout angles are measured and studied under the conditions of different baffle heights (64‐184 mm), numbers (2‐8), installation slopes (70°‐110°), rectangular bend heights (24.8‐62.5 mm), and bend slopes (90°‐150°). The Taylor model can appropriately estimate the mean residence time (MRT) of particles in a rotating drum with variety of baffle structures, such as baffle height, number, and bend slope.
Psychiatric symptoms during the COVID‐19 outbreak in older adults with bipolar disorder
Authors: Orhan Melis , Korten Nicole , Paans Nadine , de Walle Bodine , Kupka Ralph , van Oppen Patricia , Kok Almar , Sonnenberg Caroline , Schouws Sigfried , Dols Annemiek 
Published: December 2020

AbstractObjectivesOlder adults with bipolar disorder (OABD) are vulnerable for a COVID‐19 infection via multiple pathways. It is essential for OABD to adhere to the COVID‐19 measures, with potential consequences for the psychiatric symptoms. This situation offers the unique opportunity to investigate factors of vulnerability and resilience that are associated with psychiatric symptoms in OABD.MethodsThis study included 81 OABD patients aged over 50 years. Factors measured at baseline in patients that participated in 2017/2018 were compared with factors measured during the COVID‐19 outbreak.ResultsParticipants experienced less psychiatric symptoms during COVID‐19 than (67.9% euthymic) than at baseline (40.7% euthymic). There was no difference in loneliness between COVID‐19 and baseline. Not having children, more feelings of loneliness, lower mastery, passive coping style and neuroticism were associated with more psychiatric symptoms during COVID‐19 measures.ConclusionsParticipants experienced less psychiatric symptoms during COVID‐19 measures when compared to baseline. Our results indicate promising targets for psychological interventions aimed at curing and preventing recurrence in OABD and improving quality of life in this growing vulnerable group.
Therapeutic Potential of TLR8 Agonist GS‐9688 (Selgantolimod) in Chronic Hepatitis B: Remodeling of Antiviral and Regulatory Mediators
Authors: Amin Oliver E. , Colbeck Emily J. , Daffis Stephane , Khan Shahzada , Ramakrishnan Dhivya , Pattabiraman Divya , Chu Ruth , Micolochick Steuer Holly , Lehar Sophie , Peiser Leanne , Palazzo Adam , Frey Christian , Davies Jessica , Javanbakht Hassan , Rosenberg William M.C. , Fletcher Simon P. , Maini Mala K. , Pallett Laura J. 
Published: December 2020

Background and Aims
GS‐9688 (selgantolimod) is a toll‐like receptor 8 agonist in clinical development for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B (CHB). Antiviral activity of GS‐9688 has previously been evaluated in vitro in HBV‐infected hepatocytes and in vivo in the woodchuck model of CHB. Here we evaluated the potential of GS‐9688 to boost responses contributing to viral control and to modulate regulatory mediators.

Approach and Results
We characterized the effect of GS‐9688 on immune cell subsets in vitro in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of healthy controls and patients with CHB. GS‐9688 activated dendritic cells and mononuclear phagocytes to produce IL‐12 and other immunomodulatory mediators, inducing a comparable cytokine profile in healthy controls and patients with CHB. GS‐9688 increased the frequency of activated natural killer (NK) cells, mucosal‐associated invariant T cells, CD4+ follicular helper T cells, and, in about 50% of patients, HBV‐specific CD8+ T cells expressing interferon‐γ. Moreover, in vitro stimulation with GS‐9688 induced NK‐cell expression of interferon‐γ and TNF‐α, and promoted hepatocyte lysis. We also assessed whether GS‐9688 inhibited immunosuppressive cell subsets that might enhance antiviral efficacy. Stimulation with GS‐9688 reduced the frequency of CD4+ regulatory T cells and monocytic myeloid‐derived suppressor cells (MDSCs). Residual MDSCs expressed higher levels of negative immune regulators, galectin‐9 and programmed death‐ligand 1. Conversely, GS‐9688 induced an expansion of immunoregulatory TNF‐related apoptosis‐inducing ligand+ NK cells and degranulation of arginase‐I+ polymorphonuclear MDSCs.

Conclusions
GS‐9688 induces cytokines in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells that are able to activate antiviral effector function by multiple immune mediators (HBV‐specific CD8+ T cells, CD4+ follicular helper T cells, NK cells, and mucosal‐associated invariant T cells). Although reducing the frequency of some immunoregulatory subsets, it enhances the immunosuppressive potential of others, highlighting potential biomarkers and immunotherapeutic targets to optimize the antiviral efficacy of GS‐9688.
Predictors of Outcomes of Patients Referred to a Transplant Center for Urgent Liver Transplantation Evaluation
Authors: Alshuwaykh Omar , Kwong Allison , Goel Aparna , Cheung Amanda , Dhanasekaran Renumathy , Ahmed Aijaz , Daugherty Tami , Dronamraju Deepti , Kumari Radhika , Kim W. Ray , Nguyen Mindie H. , Esquivel Carlos O. , Concepcion Waldo , Melcher Marc , Bonham Andy , Pham Thomas , Gallo Amy , Kwo Paul Yien 
Published: December 2020

Liver transplantation (LT) is definitive treatment for end‐stage liver disease. This study evaluated factors predicting successful evaluation in patients transferred for urgent inpatient LT evaluation. Eighty‐two patients with cirrhosis were transferred for urgent LT evaluation from January 2016 to December 2018. Alcohol‐associated liver disease was the common etiology of liver disease (42/82). Of these 82 patients, 35 (43%) were declined for LT, 27 (33%) were wait‐listed for LT, 5 (6%) improved, and 15 (18%) died. Psychosocial factors were the most common reasons for being declined for LT (49%). Predictors for listing and receiving LT on multivariate analysis included Hispanic race (odds ratio [OR], 1.89; P = 0.003), Asian race (OR, 1.52; P = 0.02), non‐Hispanic ethnicity (OR, 1.49; P = 0.04), hyponatremia (OR, 1.38; P = 0.04), serum albumin (OR, 1.13; P = 0.01), and Model for End‐Stage Liver Disease (MELD)‐Na (OR, 1.02; P = 0.003). Public insurance (i.e., Medicaid) was a predictor of not being listed for LT on multivariate analysis (OR, 0.77; P = 0.02). Excluding patients declined for psychosocial reasons, predictors of being declined for LT on multivariate analysis included Chronic Liver Failure Consortium (CLIF‐C) score >51.5 (OR, 1.26; P = 0.03), acute‐on‐chronic liver failure (ACLF) grade 3 (OR, 1.41; P = 0.01), hepatorenal syndrome (HRS) (OR, 1.38; P = 0.01), and respiratory failure (OR, 1.51; P = 0.01). Predictors of 3‐month mortality included CLIF‐C score >51.5 (hazard ratio [HR], 2.52; P = 0.04) and intensive care unit (HR, 8.25; P < 0.001). Conclusion: MELD‐Na, albumin, hyponatremia, ACLF grade 3, HRS, respiratory failure, public insurance, Hispanic race, Asian race, and non‐Hispanic ethnicity predicted liver transplant outcome. Lack of psychosocial support was a major reason for being declined for LT. The CLIF‐C score predicted being declined for LT and mortality.
Causal relationship among international crude oil, gold, exchange rate, and stock market: Fresh evidence fromNARDLtesting approach
Authors: Kumar Suresh , Kumar Ankit , Singh Gurcharan 
Published: December 2020

AbstractThere is a continuous debate on how commodity prices affect the stock prices of emerging countries. We contribute to this debate by study the causal relationship between international prices of crude oil, gold, exchange rate, and Indian stock market. India is one of the major oil and gold importing and major petroleum products exporting country. On the daily prices of all the above mentioned variables from “January 1994 to December 2019”, the nonlinear autoregressive distributed lag model (NARDL) is employed to examine cointegration (Shin et al., 2014). The findings of the study revealed that crude oil prices positively affect the Indian stock market and exchange rate negatively affects the stock market in the short run. Stock market is unaffected by gold prices. Our findings have essential implications for the various policymakers, investors, and traders.