bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Independent associations of women's age at marriage and first pregnancy with their height in rural lowland Nepal
Authors: Marphatia Akanksha A. , Saville Naomi M. , Manandhar Dharma S. , Cortina‐Borja Mario , Reid Alice M. , Wells Jonathan C. K. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractObjectivesIn many South Asian communities, the majority of women are married during adolescence and reproduce before 20 years. Early reproduction may adversely affect maternal nutrition and linear growth, however whether early marriage has similar effects is unknown. Shorter women might also be preferentially chosen for earlier marriage. We hypothesized that early marriage and early pregnancy may each be associated with women's shorter height, independent of any selection effects.Materials and MethodsWe analyzed cross‐sectional data on 7,146 women aged 20–30 years from rural lowland Nepal. Linear regression models tested associations of early marriage and early reproduction with height, adjusting for women's education and husbands' characteristics (education and wealth) that might index preferential selection of short young women for marriage.ResultsMedian ages at marriage and first pregnancy were 15 and 18 years, respectively, with 20% pregnant <16 years. Both early marriage and early pregnancy were independently associated with shorter stature, accounting for a decrement of 1.4 cm, which decreased to 1 cm after adjusting for women's education. Effects of early marriage and reproduction persisted after adjusting for the tendency of poorer and less educated men to marry young and short women, indicating a role for social selection.DiscussionThe decrements in height associated with early marriage and reproduction are indicative of broader adverse effects on maternal metabolism during a “critical period” of growth and maturation in the life‐course of women. Although the magnitudes of effect are relatively small, they affect large numbers of women in this population.
Transparent epoxy resin material with excellent fire retardancy enabled by a P/N/S containing flame retardant
Authors: Dai Shengsong , Yu Xuejun , Chen Rui , Zhou Hong , Pan Zhiquan 
Published: November 2020

AbstractAn epoxy resin (EP) with excellent fire retardancy, good transparency, and satisfactory thermal stability has been obtained by introducing a new N/P/S containing flame retardant (HBD) into EP composites. When the phosphorus content was 0.48 wt%, EP/HBD reached V‐0 rating with the limiting oxygen index of 33.5%. The cone calorimeter test (CC) indicated that the incorporation of HBD resulted in 1.5 times increase in ignition time, a 50% decrease in the maximum of heat release rates, 40% reduction of total heat release, and 50.7% decrease in total smoke production compared with EP. Besides, the fire‐resistant behavior of EP/8% HBD is much better than the EP materials modified by similar P/N/S flame retardants reported in literature. The fire‐retardant mechanism of HBD on EP was also analyzed by Raman, scanning electron microscope, Py‐GC/MS, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The results show that HBD plays an important role in the formation of a dense intumescent carbon layer and gas phase quenching.
Strengths and Weaknesses of Non‐enhanced and Contrast‐enhanced Cadaver Computed Tomography Scans in the Teaching of Gross Anatomy in an Integrated Curriculum
Authors: Paech Daniel , Klopries Kerstin , Nawrotzki Ralph , Schlemmer Heinz‐Peter , Giesel Frederik L. , Kirsch Joachim , Schultz Jobst‐Hendrik , Kuner Thomas , Doll Sara 
Published: November 2020

Cadaver‐specific postmortem computed tomography (PMCT) has become an integral part in anatomy teaching at several universities. Recently, the feasibility of contrast‐enhanced (CE)‐PMCT has been demonstrated. The purpose of this study was to identify particular strengths and weaknesses of both non‐enhanced and contrast‐enhanced PMCT compared to conventional cadaver dissection. First, the students’ perception of the learning effectiveness of the three different modalities have been assessed using a 34‐item survey (five‐point Likert scale) covering all anatomy course modules. Results were compared using the nonparametric Friedman Test. Second, the most frequent artifacts in cadaver CT scans, were systematically analyzed in 122 PMCT and 31 CE‐PMCT data sets to quantify method‐related limitations and characteristics. Perfusion quality was assessed in 57 vascular segments (38 arterial and 19 venous). The survey was answered by n = 257/320 (80.3%) students. Increased learning benefits of PMCT/ CE‐PMCT compared to cadaver dissection were found in osteology (2/3 categories, P < 0.001), head and neck (2/5 categories, P < 0.01), and brain anatomy (3/3 categories, P < 0.01). Contrast‐enhanced‐PMCT was perceived particularly useful in learning vascular anatomy (10/10 categories, P < 0.01). Cadaver dissection received significantly higher scores compared to PMCT and CE‐PMCT in all categories of the abdomen and thorax (7/7 categories, P < 0.001), as well as the majority of muscular anatomy (5/6 categories, P < 0.001). Frequent postmortem artifacts (total n = 28, native‐phase n = 21, contrast injection‐related n = 7) were identified and assessed. The results of this work contribute to the understanding of the value of integrating cadaver‐specific PMCT in anatomy teaching.
Sensors and Analytical Technologies for Air Quality: Particulate Matters and Bioaerosols
Authors: Su Xiaodi , Sutarlie Laura , Loh Xian Jun 
Published: November 2020

AbstractParticulate matters (PMs), e. g. dusts, fibres, smokes, fumes, mists, liquid droplets and airborne respirable solid or liquid particles, are the major sources of air pollution concerning outdoor and indoor air quality. Among various PMs, bioaerosols are airborne particles that are either living organisms (bacteria, viruses, and fungi) or originate from living organisms (endotoxin, allergen, etc). PMs and/or bioaerosols have adverse health effects of infection, allergy, and irritation. Proper management and source identification of PMs and bioaerosols will reduce their negative health impact. In this review, we will discuss the analytical technologies and sensors for PMs and bioaerosols. We will first introduce four types of PM analysers, namely, filter‐based gravimetric method (GMM), optical method, β‐ray absorption method (BAM), and tapered element oscillating microbalance (TEOM). We will provide examples of how commercial PM analyzers of different principles have been compared and calibrated for specific applications under different climate conditions of specific geographic locations. For bioaerosols, having more complex biological and biochemical identity, we will start from air sampling techniques, followed by a discussion of various detection methods (plate culture, molecular methods, immunoassays and biosensors) in association with compatible sampling technologies. Using Influenza A (H1 N1) virus and SARS‐CoV‐2 (COVID‐19) virus as examples, we have highlighted air sampling and detection challenges for viral aerosols relative to bacterial and fungal aerosols. Finally, we provide a perspective for future trends according to the limitation of current commercial products and the key challenges in this field.
Regional stability analysis of impulsive switched nonlinear systems with multiple equilibrium points
Authors: Wang Zhichuang , Feng Weizhen , Ba Hezhen 
Published: November 2020

AbstractThis paper addresses the regional stability problem for impulsive switched nonlinear systems (ISNSs) whose subsystems have more than one equilibrium point, that is, multiple equilibrium points (MEPs) coexist. Meanwhile, we derive analytical results and sufficient conditions about the regional stability. Through investigating the dynamical behavior of ISNSs with MEPs, the multiple Lyapunov functions (MLFs) method is established for the regional stability. It is shown that main results obtained in this paper not only guarantee the regional stability of ISNSs with MEPs under arbitrary switching signals but also provide a new method to determine the corresponding stable regions for the regional stability. Numerical simulations are given to illustrate and verify advantages of our proposed results.
Houston's Conversion From Groundwater to Surface Water
Authors: Rogers Randy , Kaleyatodi Ravi , Singh Rajinder , Crawford Susan , Lynk Steve 
Published: November 2020

Key TakeawaysHouston's Northeast Water Purification Plant expansion project is required to comply with subsidence district rules for conversion from groundwater to surface water supply.Innovative solutions for the expanded plant include two coagulation recipes to treat water from Lake Houston; treatment with chlorine dioxide, ozone, and biological filtration; and enhanced residuals treatment.A progressive design–build approach—used for the largest project of this kind presently underway in North America—maximized stakeholder involvement.
Our Water Future Requires Action Now
Authors: Roberson J. Alan , Wilkes Wendi 
Published: November 2020

Key TakeawaysOur public health history is strong. The water sector did many of the right things at the right time to effectively protect public health, such as starting chlorination in the early 1900s.The status quo is not an option. We are collectively losing ground on new and emerging contaminants, funding, and public trust, to name a few of our major challenges.Water sector leadership at the local, state, and federal levels can change our trajectory and achieve a better future through coordination, collaboration, creativity, and speed.New regulatory and nonregulatory approaches are needed, such as optimizing the regulatory development process and looking outside of federal mandates for solutions.
The molecular tug of war between immunity and fertility: Emergence of conserved signaling pathways and regulatory mechanisms
Authors: Naim Nikki , Amrit Francis R.G. , McClendon T. Brooke , Yanowitz Judith L. , Ghazi Arjumand 
Published: November 2020

AbstractReproduction and immunity are energy intensive, intimately linked processes in most organisms. In women, pregnancy is associated with widespread immunological adaptations that alter immunity to many diseases, whereas, immune dysfunction has emerged as a major cause for infertility in both men and women. Deciphering the molecular bases of this dynamic association is inherently challenging in mammals. This relationship has been traditionally studied in fast‐living, invertebrate species, often in the context of resource allocation between life history traits. More recently, these studies have advanced our understanding of the mechanistic underpinnings of the immunity‐fertility dialogue. Here, we review the molecular connections between reproduction and immunity from the perspective of human pregnancy to mechanistic discoveries in laboratory organisms. We focus particularly on recent invertebrate studies identifying conserved signaling pathways and transcription factors that regulate resource allocation and shape the balance between reproductive status and immune health.
Are endoplasmic reticulum subdomains shaped by asymmetric distribution of phospholipids? Evidence from a C. elegans model system
Authors: Cao Zhe , Wang Xiaowei , Huang Xuhui , Mak Ho Yi 
Published: November 2020

AbstractPhysical contact between organelles are widespread, in part to facilitate the shuttling of protein and lipid cargoes for cellular homeostasis. How do protein‐protein and protein‐lipid interactions shape organelle subdomains that constitute contact sites? The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) forms extensive contacts with multiple organelles, including lipid droplets (LDs) that are central to cellular fat storage and mobilization. Here, we focus on ER‐LD contacts that are highlighted by the conserved protein seipin, which promotes LD biogenesis and expansion. Seipin is enriched in ER tubules that form cage‐like structures around a subset of LDs. Such enrichment is strongly dependent on polyunsaturated and cyclopropane fatty acids. Based on these findings, we speculate on molecular events that lead to the formation of seipin‐positive peri‐LD cages in which protein movement is restricted. We hypothesize that asymmetric distribution of specific phospholipids distinguishes cage membrane tubules from the bulk ER.
Can BCG vaccine protect against COVID‐19 via trained immunity and tolerogenesis?
Authors: Basak Preetam , Sachdeva Naresh , Dayal Devi 
Published: November 2020

AbstractAs the number of infections and mortalities from the SARS‐CoV‐2 pandemic continues to rise, the development of an effective therapy against COVID‐19 becomes ever more urgent. A few reports showing a positive correlation between BCG vaccination and reduced COVID‐19 mortality have ushered in some hope. BCG has been suggested to confer a broad level of nonspecific protection against several pathogens, mainly via eliciting “trained immunity” in innate immune cells. Secondly, BCG has also been proven to provide benefits in autoimmune diseases by inducing tolerogenicity. Being an acute inflammatory disease, COVID‐19 requires a therapy that induces early priming of anti‐viral immune responses and regulates aberrant hyperactivity of innate‐immune cells. Here, we hypothesize that BCG can offer reliable spatiotemporal protection from COVID‐19 by triggering trained immunity and tolerogenesis, through multiple cellular pathways. We propose further research on BCG‐mediated immunoprotection, especially in vulnerable individuals, as a strategy to halt the progress of the SARS‐CoV‐2 pandemic. Also see the video abstract here https://youtu.be/P2D2RXfq6Vg.
The exploration of neuraminidase inhibitory activity on Fallopia denticulata, an ethnic herb in China
Authors: Zheng Yan , Zhang Xiang , Cao Yu , Huang Linfang 
Published: November 2020

AbstractThis study was designed to explore the bioactive ingredients in the extracts of Fallopia denticulata (C.C. Huang) Holub, a medicinal plant grown in China, which exhibits the best neuraminidase (NA) inhibition activity. Three fractions of ethyl acetate, ethanol, and water were tested on NA inhibition assay, and the best one was conducted by ultra‐performance liquid chromatography–time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry in the negative and positive modes to analyze the metabolic components. The results revealed the identification of the following 21 compounds: 3 organic acids, 11 flavonoids, 1 coumarin, and 6 others, such as β‐daucosterol, gallic acid, and syringic acid, of which 12 compounds were discovered for the first time in F. denticulata. In addition, we used the molecular docking technique to support the anti‐NA activity of each compound in the best extract. The results confirmed that the two better bioactive compounds were (−)‐epicatechin gallate and (+)‐catechin. Therefore, F. denticulata could be used as a potential material for new anti‐influenza drugs.
Semicontinuous system for the production of recombinant mCherry protein in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii
Authors: Arias Cesar Andres Diaz , Matsudo Marcelo Chuei , Ferreira‐Camargo Livia Seno , Molino João Vitor Dutra , Mayfield Stephen Patrick , de Carvalho João Carlos Monteiro 
Published: November 2020

AbstractBiotechnology advances have allowed bacteria, yeasts, plants, mammalian and insect cells to function as heterologous protein expression systems. Recently, microalgae have gained attention as an innovative platform for recombinant protein production, due to low culture media cost, compared to traditional systems, as well as the fact that microalgae such as Chlamydomonas reinhardtii are considered safe (GRAS) by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Previous studies showed that recombinant protein production in traditional platforms by semicontinuous process increased biomass and bio product productivity, when compared to batch process. As there is a lack of studies on semicontinuous process for recombinant protein production in microalgae, the production of recombinant mCherry fluorescent protein was evaluated by semicontinuous cultivation of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii in bubble column photobioreactor. This semicontinuous cultivation process was evaluated in the following conditions: 20%, 40%, and 60% culture portion withdrawal. The highest culture withdrawal percentage (60%) provided the best results, as an up to 161% increase in mCherry productivity (454.5 RFU h−1 – Relative Fluorescence Unit h−1), in comparison to batch cultivation (174.0 RFU h−1) of the same strain. All cultivations were carried out for 13 days, at pH 7, temperature 25°C and, by semicontinuous process, two culture withdrawals were taken during the cultivations. Throughout the production cycles, it was possible to obtain biomass concentration up to 1.36 g L−1.
Real‐world experience of carfilzomib‐associated cardiovascular adverse events: SEER‐Medicare data set analysis
Authors: Bishnoi Rohit , Xie Zhigang , Shah Chintan , Bian Jiang , Murthy Hemant S. , Wingard John R. , Farhadfar Nosha 
Published: November 2020

AbstractCarfilzomib was approved for the treatment of multiple myeloma in 2012 and since then there have been concerns for cardiovascular toxicity from its use. With this study, we aim to further study the hazards and underlying risk factors for cardiovascular adverse events associated with carfilzomib. This study was conducted using Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER)‐Medicare data set of multiple myeloma from 2001 to 2015. Data were analyzed for hazards ratio of cardiovascular adverse events between carfilzomib users and nonusers. We identified 7330 patients with multiple myeloma of whom 815 were carfilzomib users. Carfilzomib users had a statistically significant hazard ratio of 1.41 with p < 0.0001 for all cardiovascular adverse events as compared to nonusers. Carfilzomib use was significantly associated with increased risk of heart failure (HR 1.47, p = 0.0002), ischemic heart disease (HR 1.45, p = 0.0002), and hypertension (HR 3.33, p < 0.0001), whereas there was no association between carfilzomib use and cardiac conduction disorders (arrhythmia and heart blocks). Carfilzomib users were at higher risk of new‐onset edema (HR 5.09, p < 0.0001), syncope (HR 4.27, p < 0.0001), dyspnea (HR 1.33, p < 0.0001), and chest pain (HR 1.18, p < 0.0001) as compared to carfilzomib nonusers. Age above 75 years, preexisting cardiovascular disease, obesity, and twice a week carfilzomib schedule were significant risk factors associated with cardiovascular adverse events in carfilzomib users. The median time of the onset for all cardiovascular adverse events was 3.1 months. This study has identified a significantly higher likelihood of cardiovascular adverse events in elderly Medicare patients receiving carfilzomib.
Chemical Composition Analysis, Antioxidant, and Antibacterial Activities of Eggplant Leaves
Authors: Bouhajeb Rim , Selmi Salima , Nakbi Amel , Jlassi Ibrahim , Montevecchi Giuseppe , Flamini Guido , Zarrad Imen , Dabbou Samia 
Published: November 2020

AbstractAgricultural by‐products represent one of the biggest pollutants for the environment, therefore, investigating new sources for the extraction of bioactive compounds is a topic of great interest for the entire scientific community. This work is aimed at studying the chemical composition (pigments, phenolics, volatile compounds) and biological activities (antioxidant and antimicrobial properties) of young and mature leaves of five eggplant cultivars (Solanum melongena L.) grown in Tunisia (Tizona, A1014, Nawel, A336, and Mirval).Pigment analysis showed no statistical variations between the two types of leaves, whereas higher levels of anthocyanins were recorded in young leaves of three out of five cultivars (24.7–52.8 mg 100 g−1). Total phenolic compounds (966.5–2072.6 mg 100 g−1) and o‐diphenols (343.9–741.2 mg 100 g−1) contents varied significantly according to leaf age and cultivar. However, no statistically significant variation between young and mature leaves was found in flavonols and tannins content. As for volatile profiles, 62 constituents were characterized with non‐terpene derivatives (52.0–61.6 %) and apocarotenes (19.9–35.6 %) as major chemical classes.Regarding the antioxidant activity, methanol extracts of Tizona cultivar mature leaves displayed important antiradical properties using DPPH, ABTS, and phosphomolybdenum assays (IC50 0.1, 0.2 and 0.01 mg mL−1, respectively). With regards to reducing power determination, the most active extract was obtained from mature A1014 leaves. Further, young Mirval leaves proved to be significantly active from a bactericidal point of view against Candida albicans and Staphylococcus aureus of 3.1 mg mL−1 and 0.2 mg mL−1 MBC, respectively.In conclusion, eggplant leaves are a noteworthy source of antioxidant and antimicrobial compounds with potential use in the pharmaceutical, the cosmetics and the food industries.
The Antibacterial Drug Candidate SBC3 is a Potent Inhibitor of Bacterial Thioredoxin Reductase
Authors: O'Loughlin Jennie , Napolitano Silvia , Alkhathami Fahad , O'Beirne Cillian , Marhöfer Daniel , O'Shaughnessy Megan , Howe Orla , Tacke Matthias , Rubini Marina 
Published: November 2020

AbstractAntibiotic resistance is a growing problem for public health and associated with increasing economic costs and mortality rates. Silver and silver‐related compounds have been used for centuries due to their antimicrobial properties. In this work, we show that 1,3‐dibenzyl‐4,5‐diphenyl‐imidazol‐2‐ylidene silver(I) acetate/NHC*‐Ag‐OAc (SBC3) is a reversible, high affinity inhibitor of E. coli thioredoxin reductase (TrxR; Ki=10.8±1.2 nM). Minimal inhibition concentration (MIC) tests with different E. coli and P. aeruginosa strains demonstrated that SBC3 can efficiently inhibit bacterial cell growth, especially in combination with established antibiotics like gentamicin. Our results show that SBC3 is a promising antibiotic drug candidate targeting bacterial TrxR.
Silicosis in a paint‐production worker: Study of a lung histological specimen with scanning electron microscopy—Energy dispersive X‐ray spectrometer
Authors: De Maria Luigi , Caputi Antonio , Luisi Vito , Delfino Maria Celeste , Cavone Domenica , Acquafredda Pasquale , Pallara Mauro , Lovreglio Piero , Vimercati Luigi 
Published: November 2020

AbstractThe occupational risks in silica‐exposed workers have been greatly reduced over the last decades; however, only few studies investigated uncommon forms of exposure to crystalline silica as shown by this case of silicosis in a paint‐production worker.
Microtubular Gas Diffusion Electrode Based on Ruthenium‐Carbon Nanotubes for Ambient Electrochemical Nitrogen Reduction to Ammonia
Authors: Wei Xin , Vogel Dominik , Keller Laura , Kriescher Stefanie , Wessling Matthias 
Published: November 2020

AbstractThe drawback of the energy‐intensive Haber‐Bosch process promotes the research and development of alternative ammonia (NH3) synthesis approaches. The electrochemical nitrogen (N2) reduction reaction (eNRR) may offer a promising method to produce NH3 independent of fossil‐fuel‐based hydrogen production. However, the low solubility and the low‐efficiency mass transport of N2 in aqueous electrolytes are still among the challenges facing the feasibility of eNRR. Herein, we demonstrate a microtubular ruthenium‐carbon nanotube gas diffusion electrode (Ru−CNT GDE), for the first time, applying it to electrochemical NH3 synthesis in an H‐type cell under ambient conditions. The highest reported Ru‐catalyzed NH3 yield rate of 2.1×10−9 mol/cm2 s and high faradaic efficiency of 13.5 % were achieved, showing the superior effect of Ru−CNT GDEs on the eNRR performance. This work provides a new approach for the design and fabrication of self‐standing catalyst‐loaded GDEs for eNRR.