bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Environmental attitudes of polluting SMEs: Qualitative insights from a low‐income developing country
Authors: Hasan Md Nazmul , Anastasiadis Stephanos , Spence Laura J. , Uba Chijioke D. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractIn this paper we explore the environmental attitudes of polluting SMEs (small‐scale firms that produce or deal with environmentally sensitive goods) from the perspective of owner/managers in a low‐income developing country context. Utilising extensive qualitative data from SMEs operating in two of the most polluting industries in Bangladesh—leather tanning and textile dyeing, we provide a qualitative understanding of how the owner/managers formulate, interpret, and judge the environmental issues related to their business operations. Our analysis indicates that the owner/managers hold four types of distinct environmental attitudes towards the environmental issues relevant to their businesses: conscious, instrumental, resentful, and complacent. We differentiate these attitudes based on three salient dimensions: owner/managers' general interest in environmental issues, their commitment to act in environmentally responsible ways, and key stakeholder focus. Our study contributes to the small business literature by identifying complexity in the owner/managers' responses to relevant environmental issues and offering a nuanced understanding of the environmental attitudes of polluting SMEs in a low‐income developing country context. In addition, our findings inform policies designed with the practical needs of small‐scale polluting firms in mind.
T‐cell receptor repertoire analysis for the diagnosis and treatment of solid tumor: A methodology and clinical applications
Authors: Li Na , Yuan Jiani , Tian Wenjia , Meng Lin , Liu Yongyu 
Published: July 2020

AbstractT cells, which are involved in adaptive immunity, are essential in the elimination of tumor cells. Mature T cells can specifically recognize the antigen on the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecule through T‐cell receptors (TCR). The unique rearrangement mechanisms during T‐cell maturation provide great diversity to TCR, ensuring specific recognition between T cells and antigens. Thus, TCR repertoire analysis occupied an important position in T‐cell regarding research. Nowadays, next‐generation sequencing technology allows the simultaneous detection of TCR sequences with high throughput, and several evaluation indexes facilitate the measure of TCR repertoire. Based on this new methodology, discoveries are made across a range of tumor types. Results have shed light on the TCR repertoire differences between cancer patients and healthy control as well as between individual's lesions, paracancer, and peripheral blood samples. The potential of TCR repertoire as a biomarker for immunotherapy efficacy is also widely studied as TCR repertoire represents different baseline within individuals and shows dynamic change during treatment. Accurate delineation of the T‐cell repertoire can further the understanding of the immune system response to tumorigenesis. Still, existing researches are insufficient to clarify the specific clinical implications of TCR dynamic change and the definite role of TCR repertoire diversity during the treatment process. The results of some studies are even contrary. In this article, we reviewed TCR rearrangement mechanisms and analysis methods. Recent progress of TCR sequencing technology in tumor research is also discussed. In conclusion, intensive studies over an extended range of cancer types and a broadened group of subjects should be carried to solidify the TCR repertoire's position as an immunotherapy biomarker.
Tryptophan Synthase: Biocatalyst Extraordinaire
Authors: Watkins‐Dulaney Ella , Straathof Sabine , Arnold Frances 
Published: July 2020

AbstractTryptophan synthase (TrpS) has emerged as a paragon of noncanonical amino acid (ncAA) synthesis and is an ideal biocatalyst for synthetic and biological applications. TrpS catalyzes an irreversible, C−C bond‐forming reaction between indole and serine to make l‐tryptophan; native TrpS complexes possess fairly broad specificity for indole analogues, but are difficult to engineer to extend substrate scope or to confer other useful properties due to allosteric constraints and their heterodimeric structure. Directed evolution freed the catalytically relevant TrpS β‐subunit (TrpB) from allosteric regulation by its TrpA partner and has enabled dramatic expansion of the enzyme's substrate scope. This review examines the long and storied career of TrpS from the perspective of its application in ncAA synthesis and biocatalytic cascades.
Sporadic Creutzfeldt‐Jakob disease: A case report and review of literature
Authors: Ojha Rajeev , Nepal Gaurav , Jamarkattel Sujan , Prasad Gajurel Bikram , Karn Ragesh , Rajbhandari Reema 
Published: July 2020

AbstractCreutzfeldt‐Jakob Disease is a rare neurodegenerative disease and earlier diagnosis is usually difficult. Combining clinical features with electroencephalogram, laboratory parameters, and neuroimaging findings will facilitate the diagnosis.
Efficient Removal of Ammonia by Hierarchically Porous Carbons from a CO2 Capture Process
Authors: Choi Jeong Ho , Jang Jong Tak , Yun Soung Hee , Jo Won Hee , Lim Seong Seon , Park Joung Ho , Chun Il Soo , Lee Jung-Hyun , Yoon Yeo Il 
Published: July 2020

AbstractThe amine‐based post‐combustion carbon capture process is one of the most efficient methods for treating large‐scale CO2, but it produces hazardous products due to chemical transition and degradation of the absorbents. In this study, carbon‐based materials were used as adsorbents for the removal of NH3, and their adsorption capacities, adsorption rates, and stabilities were examined by comparing commercial activated carbon (AC) with hierarchically porous carbon (HPC). HPC‐Step4 possessed a higher number of total acid sites, resulting in higher NH3 adsorption compared to AC. Despite the similar porosity, HPC‐Step4 exhibited a higher adsorption rate constant and the improved kinetics was attributed to its increased portion of mesopores, enhancing the diffusion rate of the adsorbate. Furthermore, HPC‐Step4 exhibited better reaction stability than AC.
Effects of ABCB1, UGT1A1, and UGT1A9 Genetic Polymorphisms on the Pharmacokinetics of Sitafloxacin Granules in Healthy Subjects
Authors: Sun Lu‐Ning , Sun Guo‐Xian , Yang Yu‐Qing , Shen Ye , Huang Feng‐Ru , Xie Li‐Jun , Cheng Juan , Zhang Hong‐Wen , Zhang Xue‐Hui , Liu Yun , Wang Yong‐Qing 
Published: July 2020

AbstractSitafloxacin, a new fluoroquinolone, has strong antibacterial activity. We evaluated the effects of sitafloxacin granules in single‐dose and multidose cohorts and the effects of ABCB1, UGT1A1, and UGT1A9 genetic polymorphisms on the pharmacokinetics (PK) of sitafloxacin in healthy subjects. The single‐dose study included 3 fasted cohorts receiving 50, 100, and 200 mg of sitafloxacin granules and 1 cohort receiving 50 mg of sitafloxacin granules with a high‐fat meal. The multidose study included 1 cohort receiving 100 mg of sitafloxacin granules once daily for 5 days. PK parameters were calculated using noncompartmental parameters based on concentration‐time data. The genotypes for ABCB1, UGT1A1, and UGT1A9 single‐nucleotide polymorphisms were determined using Sanger sequencing. Subsequently, the association between sitafloxacin PK parameters and target single‐nucleotide polymorphisms was analyzed. Sitafloxacin granules were well tolerated up to 200 and 100 mg in the single‐dose and multidose studies, respectively. Sitafloxacin AUC and Cmax increased linearly within the detection range, and a steady state was reached within 3 days after the administration of multiple oral doses. Our findings showed that Cmax was lower in the ABCB1 (rs1045642) mutation group, whereas t1/2 was longer in the UGT1A1 (rs2741049) and UGT1A9 (rs3832043) mutation groups. In conclusion, sitafloxacin granules were safe at single doses and multiple doses up to 200 and 100 mg/day, respectively, with a linear plasma PK profile. However, ABCB1 (rs1045642), UGT1A1 (rs2741049), and UGT1A9 (rs3832043) genetic polymorphisms are likely to influence the Cmax or t1/2 and thereby merit further clinical evaluation.
6 min walk test is a strong independent predictor of death in outpatients with heart failure
Authors: Grundtvig Morten , Eriksen‐Volnes Torfinn , Ørn Stein , Slind Eva Kjøl , Gullestad Lars 
Published: July 2020

AbstractAimsThe aim of this study was to examine the prognostic value of the 6 min walk test (6MWT) in a large cohort of outpatients with heart failure.Methods and resultsA total of 5519 outpatients with heart failure from the National Norwegian Heart Failure Registry (NNHFR), which is part of the Norwegian Cardiovascular Disease Registry, were included in this analysis. The NNHFR recommended the use of the 6MWT for prognostic assessment of all patients included in the registry. Patients were categorized according to the 6MWT: Category 1 walked the longest and Category 3 the shortest. During a median (25th–75th percentiles) follow‐up of 24 (14–36), 12.9% of the patients died. Patients in Category 3 had the overall worst outcome than had patients in Categories 1 and 2. 6MWT used as a continuous variable was a highly significant independent predictor for mortality in a multivariate Cox regression model adjusted for 16 other variables with a hazard ratio of 0.979 [(95% confidence interval 0.972–0.986), P < 0.001]. The four most important predictors for mortality were active cancer in the last 5 years, age, 6MWT, and natriuretic peptides (all P < 0.001).Conclusions6MWT is a strong independent predictor of mortality in outpatients with HF. The findings support the use of the 6MWT in the prognostic assessment of patients with HF irrespective of HF aetiology.
Statistical optimization of the extraction of citric acid from the solid fermented substrate of empty fruit bunches
Authors: Bari Md Niamul , Alam Md Zahangir , Mamun Abdullah‐Al , Khatun Hanufa 
Published: July 2020

AbstractOptimization of the process parameters for the extraction of a product from a solid substrate after bioconversion is essentially important to maximize the yield. The extraction of citric acid from the solid substrate of oil palm empty fruit bunches (EFB) after bioconversion was initially optimized by following single factor variation. Following this, the extraction parameters were optimized statistically with the help of experimental design by Box‐Behnken Design under Response Surface Methodology through the development of a second order regression model. The statistical analysis of the result showed that in the range studied all three factors, that is, shaking speed, solvent ratio, and shaking time, had a significant influence on the citric acid extraction. The highest amount of citric acid extracted was 337.34 ± 1.1 g/kg‐dry EFB, for which the extraction parameters were a shaking speed of 125 rpm, a shaking time of 58.5 minutes, and a solvent ratio of 10.70. The coefficient of determination observed (R2) from the analysis was .9921, indicating a satisfactory fit of the model with the response. The analysis showed that all the terms of the model were highly significant with the P‐value <.05.
Mercury Uptake Affects the Development of Larus fuscus Chicks
Authors: Santos Cátia S.A. , Sotillo Alejandro , Gupta Trisha , Delgado Sergio , Müller Wendt , Stienen Eric W.M. , de Neve Liesbeth , Lens Luc , Soares Amadeu M.V.M. , Monteiro Marta S. , Loureiro Susana 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Current emission and mobilization rates of mercury (Hg) in the environment pose extensive threats to both wildlife and human health. Assessing the exposure risk and effects of Hg contamination in model species such as seabirds is essential to understand Hg risks at the population and ecosystem levels. The lesser black-backed gull (Larus fuscus), a generalist seabird species, is an excellent model species because it forages in both marine and terrestrial habitats, which in turn differ in their Hg exposure risk. To identify possible deleterious effects of Hg exposure on developing L. fuscus chicks, a dietary experiment was carried out and chicks were provided a marine, terrestrial, or mixed diet. The effects of embryonic and dietary Hg exposure on chick body condition and physiological state were assessed at different developmental stages until fledging age (30 d). Overall physiological condition was lower in chicks fed a predominantly marine diet, which coincided with higher Hg loads in blood and primary feathers. However, no effect of dietary uptake of Hg was observed on body condition or in terms of genotoxic damage. Body condition and genotoxic damage correlated instead with Hg exposure during embryonic development, which seems to indicate that embryonic exposure to Hg may result in carry-over effects on later chick development. Environ Toxicol Chem 2020;39:2008–2017. © 2020 SETAC
Abstract
Effects of mercury (Hg) transfer via maternal (egg) and dietary (chick) input on development and condition of lesser black-backed gull chicks. SMI = scaled mass index.
Blockchain for precision irrigation: Opportunities and challenges
Authors: Bodkhe Umesh , Tanwar Sudeep , Bhattacharya Pronaya , Kumar Neeraj 
Published: July 2020

AbstractIn modern cities, smart irrigation systems are designed to operate via Internet of things (IoT) based sensor units having precise measurements of irrigation requirements such as amount of water, crop temperature, and humidity to build a robust supply chain ecosystem. The usage of sensors and networking units enable the optimal usage of irrigation resources, and is termed as precision irrigation (PI). Thus, PI leverage an efficient solution to handle the scarcity of essential resources such as food, water, land units, and crop yields. Thus, farmers gets better returns in the market due to high production. However, in PI, the exchange of crop readings from sensor units to actuators are processed through open channels, that is, Internet. Thus, it open the doors for malicious intruders to deploy network and sensor‐based attacks on PI‐sensors, to drain the available resources, and battery power of sensor nodes in the network. This reduces the optimum and precise utilization of irrigation resources, low‐yield crops and damaged crops in supply chain systems. This leads to dissatisfaction among agriculture stakeholders such as quality control units, logistics, suppliers, and customers. Motivated from the above discussions, the survey presents the advantages of integrating blockchain (BC) with PI to handle issues pertaining to security, trust, and transactional payments among agriculture stakeholders. The survey is directed to achieve threefold objective‐ attack models and countermeasures in PI systems, integration of BC in PI to mitigate attack models, and research challenges in deploying BC in PI. To address the first objective, the survey proposes an in‐depth comparative analysis of traditional irrigation systems with PI, with discussions on attack models. To address the second objective, the survey proposes an integration model of BC with PI to secure IoT sensors, and maintain trust and transparency among stakeholders. Finally, the survey addresses the open research challenges of deploying BC in PI‐based irrigation systems, and presents a case‐study of AgriChain as an industry ready‐solution that envisions BC with PI ecosystem. Thus, the proposed survey acts as a roadmap for agriculture industry stakeholders, researchers, to deploy BC in IoT‐based PI that leverages an efficient, robust, trust‐worthy, and secure ecosystem.
Development of a database of capsaicinoid contents in foods commonly consumed in Korea
Authors: Cho Hoyoun , Kwon Youngjoo 
Published: July 2020

AbstractChili peppers (Capsicum annuum L.) are widely consumed worldwide, and the health benefits of capsaicinoids (the active compounds in chili peppers) have been suggested. However, the link between capsaicinoid consumption and the risk of certain cancers remains controversial. Capsaicinoid consumption level is an important determinant of its potential health effects. This study sought to construct a database of capsaicinoid contents in foods commonly consumed in Korea (CAPKO) to enable a more reliable estimation of capsaicinoid intake. Capsaicinoid‐containing foods were identified from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey datasets and divided into eight categories: chili peppers, red pepper powder, hot sauce, kimchi, salted seafood, red pepper paste, instant noodles, and convenience foods other than instant noodles. The capsaicinoid contents of primary capsaicinoid sources (chili peppers, red pepper powder, and hot sauce) were estimated from the literature. For the remaining food categories, the contents of primary capsaicinoid sources were identified from standardized recipes (kimchi) or food labels (salted seafood, red pepper paste, and convenience foods other than instant noodles). Then, capsaicinoid contents were estimated by calculation using the identified capsaicinoid source contents and the estimated capsaicinoid content in these sources. This information was unavailable for instant noodles, and capsaicinoid content was measured by HPLC analyses. This study developed the CAPKO database, which includes a variety of foods with varying levels of spiciness, which can be used in combination with dietary surveys to estimate capsaicinoid intakes. Therefore, this study established a framework for future database development for other compounds with potential health effects.
Leveraging existing GWAS summary data of genetically correlated and uncorrelated traits to improve power for a new GWAS
Authors: Xue Haoran , Wu Chong , Pan Wei 
Published: July 2020

AbstractIn spite of the tremendous success of genome‐wide association studies (GWAS) in identifying genetic variants associated with complex traits and common diseases, many more are yet to be discovered. Hence, it is always desirable to improve the statistical power of GWAS. Paralleling with the intensive efforts of integrating GWAS with functional annotations or other omic data, we propose leveraging other published GWAS summary data to boost statistical power for a new/focus GWAS; the traits of the published GWAS may or may not be genetically correlated with the target trait of the new GWAS. Building on weighted hypothesis testing with a solid theoretical foundation, we develop a novel and effective method to construct single‐nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)‐specific weights based on 22 published GWAS data sets with various traits, detecting sometimes dramatically increased numbers of significant SNPs and independent loci as compared to the standard/unweighted analysis. For example, by integrating a schizophrenia GWAS summary data set with 19 other GWAS summary data sets of nonschizophrenia traits, our new method identified 1,585 genome‐wide significant SNPs mapping to 15 linkage disequilibrium‐independent loci, largely exceeding 818 significant SNPs in 13 independent loci identified by the standard/unweighted analysis; furthermore, using a later and larger schizophrenia GWAS summary data set as the validation data, 1,423 (out of 1,585) significant SNPs identified by the weighted analysis, compared to 705 (out of 818) by the unweighted analysis, were confirmed, while all 15 and 13 independent loci were also confirmed. Similar conclusions were reached with lipids and Alzheimer's disease (AD) traits. We conclude that the proposed approach is simple and cost‐effective to improve GWAS power.
Treated Wastewater Reuse on Citrus in Morocco: Assessing the Economic Feasibility of Irrigation and Nutrient Management Strategies
Authors: Oubelkacem Abdellah , Scardigno Alessandra , Choukr-Allah Redouane 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Reuse of treated wastewater (TWW) for irrigation can be an effective strategy in Mediterranean countries to overcome the pressure on freshwater resources if its economic viability is demonstrated. In this work, the assessment of the economic feasibility of irrigation and nutrient management with TWW reuse was carried out in the citrus sector in the Souss Massa region of Morocco. Considering the effects of TWW reuse on yields, water, and fertilizer requirements, a mathematical nonlinear optimization model was used to identify the optimal allocation of land and nonuniform quality irrigation water and to assess the impacts on the economic performance of the citrus sector. Different water price and irrigation technology scenarios have been simulated. Overall results indicated that the reuse of TWW—with a current price higher than the conventional resource—must be subsidized to be proposed as a convenient alternative for irrigation. A reduction in the TWW price from its current level (0.23 Euro/m3) to a level equal to that of fresh water (0.15 Euro/m3) would encourage farmers to use TWW on 59% of the total cultivated area, leading to a 350 mm reduction in quantity of used fresh water per hectare. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2020;16:898–909. © 2020 SETAC
Impact of network‐targeted multichannel transcranial direct current stimulation on intrinsic and network‐to‐network functional connectivity
Authors: Mencarelli Lucia , Menardi Arianna , Neri Francesco , Monti Lucia , Ruffini Giulio , Salvador Ricardo , Pascual‐Leone Alvaro , Momi Davide , Sprugnoli Giulia , Rossi Alessandro , Rossi Simone , Santarnecchi Emiliano 
Published: July 2020

AbstractDynamics within and between functional resting‐state networks have a crucial role in determining both healthy and pathological brain functioning in humans. The possibility to noninvasively interact and selectively modulate the activity of networks would open to relevant applications in neuroscience. Here we tested a novel approach for multichannel, network‐targeted transcranial direct current stimulation (net‐tDCS), optimized to increase excitability of the sensorimotor network (SMN) while inducing cathodal inhibitory modulation over prefrontal and parietal brain regions negatively correlated with the SMN. Using an MRI‐compatible multichannel transcranial electrical stimulation (tES) device, 20 healthy participants underwent real and sham tDCS while at rest in the MRI scanner. Changes in functional connectivity (FC) during and after stimulation were evaluated, looking at the intrinsic FC of the SMN and the strength of the negative connectivity between SMN and the rest of the brain. Standard, bifocal tDCS targeting left motor cortex (electrode ~C3) and right frontopolar (~Fp2) regions was tested as a control condition in a separate sample of healthy subjects to investigate network specificity of multichannel stimulation effects. Net‐tDCS induced greater FC increase over the SMN compared to bifocal tDCS, during and after stimulation. Moreover, exploratory analysis of the impact of net‐tDCS on negatively correlated networks showed an increase in the negative connectivity between SMN and prefrontal/parietal areas targeted by cathodal stimulation both during and after real net‐tDCS. Results suggest preliminary evidence of the possibility of manipulating distributed network connectivity patterns through net‐tDCS, with potential relevance for the development of cognitive enhancement and therapeutic tES solutions.