bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Optimizing vertical flow aerated steel slag filter system with nitrifiers bacteria for nutrients' removal from domestic wastewater: a pilot study
Authors: Hamdan Rafidah , Ibrahim Izzati Izwani , Wan Mohamed Wan Afnizan , Al‐Gheethi Adel , Othman Norzila , Mohamed Radin 
Published: November 2020

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe present study aimed to optimize the removal efficiency of ammonia nitrogen (NH3‐N) and total kjeldhal nitrogen (TKN) from domestic wastewater as a function of hydraulic loading rates (HLRs) (0.16–5.44 m3 m–3 day–1) and the aeration rate (3, 5 and 10 L min–1) in a vertical flow aerated steel slag filter (VFASSF) system with nitrifier bacteria. The nitrifier bacterial cell morphology was determined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis.RESULTSThe HLRs affected the performance of the VFASSF in removing TKN and NH3‐N from domestic wastewater. The optimal air flow rate for removing NH3‐N and TKN was recorded with 10 L min–1 and HLR 2.72 m3 m–3 day–1, at which the removal efficiency was >91% compared to 90% and 88% with 3 L min–1 and 5 L min–1 air flow rate, respectively. The high removal was a consequence of the high aeration which enhances the nitrification process performed by the nitrifying bacteria in the VFASSF.CONCLUSIONSThese findings reflected the applicability of VFASSF in the treatment and removal of nutrients from domestic wastewater. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
No SARS‐CoV‐2 carriage observed in children attending daycare centers during the intial weeks of the epidemic in Belgium
Authors: Desmet Stefanie , Ekinci Esra , Wouters Ine , Decru Bram , Beuselinck Kurt , Malhotra‐Kumar Surbhi , Theeten Heidi 
Published: November 2020

AbstractTo gain knowledge about the role of young children attending daycare in the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) epidemic, a random sample of children (n = 84) aged between 6 and 30 months attending daycare in Belgium was studied shortly after the start of the epidemic (February 29th) and before the lockdown (March 18th) by performing in‐house SARS‐CoV‐2 real‐time polymerase chain reaction. No asymptomatic carriage of SARS‐CoV‐2 was detected, whereas common cold symptoms were common (51.2%). Our study shows that in Belgium, there was no sign of early introduction into daycare centers at the moment children being not yet isolated at home, although the virus was clearly circulating. It is clear that more evidence is needed to understand the actual role of young children in the transmission of SARS‐CoV‐2 and their infection risk when attending daycare.
Genetic variation of E6 and E7 genes of human papillomavirus 52 from Central China
Authors: Li Shuo , Ye Mengxia , Chen Yonglin , Gong Quan , Mei Bing 
Published: November 2020

AbstractCervical cancer is the fourth most common malignant tumor in women worldwide and is closely related to human papillomavirus (HPV). Women have the highest susceptibility to HPV‐52 type in Jingzhou, China. In this study, E6‐E7 sequences of 183 HPV‐52 positive samples were amplified by a polymerase chain reaction and sequenced. HPV‐52 E6‐E7 gene variations were analyzed. The phylogenetic tree was constructed using the Kimura 2‐parameter method. The secondary structure of the protein was analyzed. The selective pressure to E6‐E7 genes was estimated using PAML. In addition, the B cell epitopes of the E6‐E7 sequences in HPV‐52 were predicted by the ABCpred server. In E6 sequences, 15 single nucleotide variants were observed, including 6 nonsynonymous variants and 9 synonymous variants. In E7 sequences, 19 single nucleotide variants occurred, including 10 nonsynonymous variants and 9 synonymous variants. Six amino acid variants, including 3 nonconservative substitutions, were found in sequences encoding the alpha helix. Eight amino acid variants, including three nonconservative substitutions, occurred in sequences encoding the strand. Through phylogenetic analysis, the E6‐E7 sequences were mainly distributed in B lineage. In HPV‐52 E6‐E7 sequences, no positively selected site was found. The nonconservative substitutions, such as K93R, K93E in E6, T37I, and D38N in E7, affected multiple hypothetical epitopes in the B cell. This study provides information for the investigation of HPV epidemic characters. The discovery of new variants of HPV‐52 may lay the basis for the development of the virus diagnosis, further study of cervical cancer, and vaccine design in Central China.
Development, performance evaluation, and clinical application of a Rapid SARS‐CoV‐2 IgM and IgG Test Kit based on automated fluorescence immunoassay
Authors: Kang Keren , Huang Lingfang , Ouyang Chaolin , Du Jiaming , Yang Bin , Chi Yaqin , He Shuyu , Ying Le , Chen Guoling , Wang Jihua 
Published: November 2020

AbstractThe ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) epidemic has made a huge impact on health, economies, and societies all over the world. Although reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR)‐based nucleic acid detection has been primarily used in the diagnosis of COVID‐19, it is time‐consuming with limited application scenarios and must be operated by qualified personnel. Antibody test, particularly point‐of‐care antibody testing, is a suitable complement to nucleic acid test as it provides rapid, portable, and cost‐effective detection of infections. In this study, a Rapid Antibody Test Kit was developed based on fluorescence immunochromatography for the sensitive, accurate, and automated detection of immunoglobulin M (IgM) and IgG antibodies against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) in human serum, plasma, and whole blood samples within 10 min. The sensitivity, specificity, precision, and stability of the test kit were of good performance. No cross‐activity and no interference was observed. In the multiple‐center parallel study, 223 samples from hospitalized patients were used to evaluate the clinical specificity of the test. Both SARS‐CoV‐2 IgM and IgG achieved a clinical specificity of 98.21%. The clinical sensitivities of SARS‐CoV‐2 IgM and IgG were 79.54% and 87.45%, respectively, among 733 reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) confirmed SARS‐CoV‐2 samples. For the combined IgM and IgG assays, the sensitivity and specificity were 89.22% and 96.86%, respectively. Our results demonstrate that the combined use of IgM and IgG could serve as a more suitable alternative detection method for patients with COVID‐19, and the developed kit is of great public health significance for the prevention and control of the COVID‐19 pandemic.
Characterizing the long‐term dynamics of aerosol optical depth in the Yangtze River Middle‐Reach urban agglomeration, China
Authors: Zhang Ming , Zhang Lei , He Qingqing , Yuan Yanbin 
Published: November 2020

AbstractAlong with the rapid urbanization and economic development, the Yangtze River Middle‐Reach urban agglomeration (YRMR) has suffered from increasingly serious environmental problems. Characterizing the long‐term dynamics of aerosol optical depth (AOD) in YRMR is of important significance for scientific control of aerosol pollutants over this region. Previously, numerous researches have analysed the temporal and spatial characteristics of AOD in different regions through statistical values of AOD time series or using trend analysis methods based on linear regression models. It is challenging to approximate nonlinear trends and identify change points of AOD time series. This paper proposed a new methodology for investigating the dynamics of AOD over the YRMR region on a monthly basis by using the Terra MODIS Collection 6.1 Level 2 aerosol products (MOD04_L2) during 2001–2017. A three‐dimensional spatio‐temporal interpolation method was used to generate gap‐filled monthly AOD maps, and then a generic Bayesian time series decomposition algorithm was applied to analyse the trends and change points of monthly AOD time series. The results showed that the areas with high AOD values were mainly located in the core cities and the connecting belts. Strong positive AOD anomalies had been observed during 2006–2011, whereas the positive anomalies were typically intermingled with negative anomalies and it indicated that the evolution patterns of AOD for different regions were different and influenced by fluctuations. Trend analysis of the monthly mean AOD values indicated that AOD in YRMR increased first, then fluctuated, and finally decreased. Although it was difficult to separate the increasing and fluctuating periods from each other due to the fluctuation, the decreasing trend after 2011 was significant, and a significant drop of AOD had been observed since 2014. Long‐term AOD variations were closely related to national policies, and the results could provide useful references for regional environmental assessment and decision‐making.
Botanical origin discrimination of Greek honeys: physicochemical parameters versus Raman spectroscopy
Authors: Xagoraris Marinos , Lazarou Elisavet , Kaparakou Eleftheria H , Alissandrakis Eleftherios , Tarantilis Petros A , Pappas Christos S 
Published: November 2020

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe authenticity of honey is of high importance since it affects its commercial value. The discrimination of the origin of honey is of prime importance to reinforce consumer trust. In this study, four chemometric models were developed based on the physicochemical parameters according to European and Greek legislation and one using Raman spectroscopy to discriminate Greek honey samples from three commercial monofloral botanical sources.RESULTSThe results of physicochemical (glucose, fructose, electrical activity) parameters chemometric models showed that the percentage of correct recognition fluctuated from 92.2% to 93.8% with cross‐validation 90.6–92.2%, and the placement of test set was 79.0–84.3% successful. The addition of maltose content in the previous discrimination models did not significantly improve the discrimination. The corresponding percentages of the Raman chemometric model were 95.3%, 90.6%, and 84.3%.CONCLUSIONThe five chemometric models developed presented similar and very satisfactory results. Given that the recording of Raman spectra is simple, fast, a minimal amount of sample is needed for the analysis, no solvent (environmentally friendly) is used, and no specialized personnel are required, we conclude that the chemometric model based on Raman spectroscopy is an efficient tool to discriminate the botanical origin of fir, pine, and thyme honey varieties. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Trajectories of Posttraumatic Growth and Their Associations With Quality of Life After the 2011 Tohoku Earthquake and Tsunami
Authors: Kyutoku Yasushi , Dan Ippeita , Yamashina Mitsuru , Komiyama Ren , Liegey‐Dougall Angela J. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractThe 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami in Japan was an extraordinarily stressful incident that caused harmful psychological reactions, such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), among affected individuals. However, a proportion of exposed individuals experienced posttraumatic growth (PTG), characterized by a noticeable degree of personal strength, spirituality, life appreciation, perception of new possibilities in life, and enhanced relationships with others. Some researchers have argued that these positive reactions may be an illusory change related to coping with traumatic events. We examined trajectory patterns related to PTG Inventory (PTGI) subscales to elucidate the existence of both real and illusory growth regarding quality of life (QoL), utilizing group‐based trajectory models. Three online questionnaires were distributed at 6 months (N = 2,554; M age = 47.04 years, SD = 12.62), 12 months (N = 887; M age = 48.11 years, SD = 12.43), and 42 months (N = 560; M age = 48.86 years, SD = 12.25) postdisaster. Participants responded to items related to demographic characteristics, disaster experiences, posttraumatic stress symptoms, PTG, and QoL. Three main PTG trajectories emerged, characterized by growth, no growth, and illusory growth, with QoL as a time invariant covariate. Compared with the growth trajectory, the odds ratios (ORs) for no growth ranged from 2.27 to 5.04; for illusory growth, the ORs ranged from 2.09 to 4.67. To our knowledge, this was the first study to report growth trajectories related to PTGI subscales and their underlying differences in psychological mechanisms and processes following the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami.
Examining the Spin State and Redox Chemistry of Ni(Diimine) Catalysts during the Synthesis of π‐Conjugated Polymers
Authors: Pollit Adam A. , Lough Alan J. , Seferos Dwight S. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractKumada catalyst transfer polymerization (KCTP) is currently an unparalleled catalytic method for preparing π‐conjugated materials with well‐defined end‐groups, targeted molecular weights, and narrow dispersity. Polymerization control is both catalyst and monomer dependent. Polymerizations using bidentate Ni(phosphine) catalysts and 3‐alkylthiophene (or related) monomers lead to the highest degrees of polymerization control; however the scope of monomers that Ni(phosphines) can polymerize is quite limited. Here, two possible mechanistic limitations of Ni(diimine) catalysts are evaluated: 1) the role of spin states, and 2) the redox non‐innocence of diimine ligands. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations are utilized to evaluate singlet and triplet spin states of Ni(diimine) species throughout the KCTP catalytic cycle. It is found that in the energetically favored triplet state, Ni(diimine) catalyst dissociation from polymer chains is competitive with intramolecular oxidative addition, which reduces polymerization control. The redox activity of Ni(diimine) catalysts during polymerization is investigated and it is determined that a Ni(diimine)X2 precatalyst is converted into Ni(diimine)2 under reductive conditions analogous to KCTP, but surprisingly this species is also active during polymerization which leads to an interesting off‐cycle pathway that has not been previously considered. These insights differentiate the mechanisms of Ni(diimine) and Ni(phosphine) polymerizations, highlighting catalyst spin and redox activity as additional factors in KCTP.
Synthesis of Dendrimer‐Like Helical Poly(Phenyl Isocyanide)s Using Air‐Stable Palladium Complexes with Double Arms
Authors: Lin Min , Wu Qi‐Liang , Li Qian‐Wei , Hou Xiao‐Hua , Zou Hui 
Published: November 2020

AbstractA new stepwise iterative method is developed for the synthesis of well‐defined dendrimer‐like helical poly(phenyl isocyanide)s (PPIs). The method mainly involves the following three reaction steps in an iterative process: 1) the polymerization of decyl 4‐isocyanobenzoate (monomer 1) or 4‐isocyanobenzoyl‐2‐aminoisobutyric acid decyl ester (monomer 2) to afford the polymer, 2) reacting one pentafluorophenyl (PFP) ester‐functionalized phenyl isocyanide (monomer 3) at the end of the polymer, followed by the treating of PPh3 to remove the ‐Pd(PEt3)2Cl groups, and 3) the transesterification reaction of the PFP group with hydroxyl functionalized palladium catalyst (catalyst 1) to introduce two ‐Pd(PEt3)2Cl groups at the end of the polymer, which can be used as the next initiating site. Repeating the above three reaction steps, (1), (2) and (3), enables the synthesis of high‐generation and high‐molecular‐weight dendrimer‐like helical PPIs. In practice, a series of dendrimer‐like helical poly‐1ns and poly‐2ms up to the fourth generation (4G) are successfully synthesized. The molecular weight (Mn) of the final 4G dendrimer‐like poly‐1ns and poly‐2ms is 49.4 and 66.5 kDa, respectively and they are both with narrow molecular weight distribution.
Color me moral: White and black product colors influence prosocial behaviors
Authors: Chan Eugene Y. , Meng Yan 
Published: November 2020

AbstractThere are “moral meanings” that people ascribe to objects in white and black colors. Namely, it seems that people have been conditioned to see objects in white color as potentially “morally good” and those in black color as potentially “bad.” In the current inquiry, we would therefore hypothesize that consumers see buying a product in white color as an act that is morally good and buying a product in black color as an act that is morally bad. If so, then, in accordance with the moral regulation theory, those who buy white‐colored products should feel licensed to behave less prosocially afterward, while those who buy black‐colored products should be more prosocial as they feel a need to compensate for their initial misconduct. We investigate such a hypothesis in six studies, examining prosociality after buying white‐ or black‐colored products. The results are consistent with our hypothesizing and highlight a moral credentials framework in particular in explaining why the effect occurs. Consequently, product colors do not only satisfy the diversity of consumer tastes but they also impact consumers’ prosocial behavior well‐beyond product choice and outside of retail domains.
Ugi Reaction of Amino Acids: From Facile Synthesis of Polypeptoids to Sequence‐Defined Macromolecules
Authors: Tao Yue , Tao Youhua 
Published: November 2020

AbstractPolypeptoids have been prepared and researched for more than 20 years. However, the efficient generation of polypeptoids and sequence‐defined polypeptoids faces many challenges and difficulties. The Ugi reaction of amino acids has recently been introduced into polypeptoid chemistry as a new and powerful method to furnish polypeptoids. In the following mini review, the recent progress on the application of the Ugi reaction of amino acids in polypeptoid science, including polypeptoid from sustainable furfural, sequence‐defined polypeptoids, and more is summarized. Moreover, the future development of the Ugi reaction of amino acids in polypeptoid science is discussed.
Hand Dexterity and Pyramidal Dysfunction in Friedreich Ataxia, A Finger Tapping Study
Authors: Naeije Gilles , Rovai Antonin , Pandolfo Massimo , De Tiège Xavier 
Published: November 2020

ABSTRACTBackgroundLoss of hand dexterity has a profound impact on disability in patients with cerebellar, pyramidal, or extrapyramidal diseases. Analysis of multiple finger tapping (FT) parameters can contribute to identify the underlying physiopathology, while providing a quantitative clinical assessment tool, particularly in patients not reliably evaluated using clinical rating scales. Here, we used an automated method of FT analysis in Friedreich ataxia (FRDA) to disentangle cerebellar (prominent FT rate variability), extrapyramidal (FT progressive amplitude reduction without slowing of tapping rate), and pyramidal (progressive decrease of FT rate and amplitude) contribution to upper limb loss of dexterity. FT parameters were then related to FRDA clinical parameters and upper limbs motor evoked potential (MEPs).MethodsTwenty‐four FRDA patients and matched healthy subjects performed FT with the dominant hand for 90 seconds. FT rate, FT rate variability, FT amplitude, and linear regressions of FT movement parameters were automatically computed. Eleven patients underwent MEPs, measured at the first dorsal interosseous of the dominant hand to determine central motor conduction time (CMCT).ResultsFRDA patients had slower and more regular FT rate than controls. Eleven FRDA patients showed FT rate slowing. Those patients had longer disease duration and higher Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia (SARA) scores. Seven patients with FT rate slowing had MEP and all displayed prolonged CMCT, whereas the 4 other patients with constant FT rate had normal CMCT.ConclusionThis study provides evidence for a prominent involvement of pyramidal dysfunction in upper limb dexterity loss as well as a potential outcome measure for clinical studies in FRDA.
Delineation of Apathy Subgroups in Parkinson's Disease: Differences in Clinical Presentation, Functional Ability, Health‐related Quality of Life, and Caregiver Burden
Authors: Eglit Graham M.L. , Lopez Francesca , Schiehser Dawn M. , Pirogovsky‐Turk Eva , Litvan Irene , Lessig Stephanie , Filoteo J. Vincent 
Published: November 2020

AbstractBackgroundApathy is a prevalent, multidimensional neuropsychiatric condition in Parkinson's disease (PD). Several authors have proposed apathy subtypes in PD, but no study has examined the classification of PD patients into distinct apathy subtypes, nor has any study examined the clinical utility of doing so.ObjectivesThe current study used a data‐driven approach to explore the existence and associated clinical characteristics of apathy subtypes in PD.MethodThe Apathy Scale (AS) was administered to 157 non‐demented individuals with PD. Participants were classified into apathy subgroups through cluster analysis. Differences among apathy subtypes on external clinical indicators were explored across apathy subgroups.ResultsIndividuals with PD were classified into three subgroups: a Non‐Apathetic group with low levels of apathy symptoms, a Low Interest/Energy group, characterized by elevated symptoms of low interest/energy and minimal low initiation/emotional indifference symptoms, and a Low Initiation group, characterized by an absence of low interest/energy symptoms and elevated levels of low initiation/emotional indifference symptoms. Both Low Interest/Energy and Low Initiation groups exhibited worse depression, fatigue, anxiety, health‐related quality of life, and caregiver burden than the Non‐Apathetic subgroup. The Low Initiation group exhibited worse overall cognition, emotional well‐being, state anxiety, communicative ability, and functional ability than the Low Interest/Energy group. Importantly, disease‐related characteristics did not differ across apathy symptom subgroups.ConclusionsNon‐demented PD patients can be separated into distinct apathy symptom subgroups, which are differentially associated with important clinical variables. Apathy subgroup membership may reflect disruption to different neural systems independent of disease progression.
Pilot tone–based motion correction for prospective respiratory compensated cardiac cine MRI
Authors: Ludwig Juliane , Speier Peter , Seifert Frank , Schaeffter Tobias , Kolbitsch Christoph 
Published: November 2020

PurposeTo evaluate prospective motion correction using the pilot tone (PT) as a quantitative respiratory motion signal with high temporal resolution for cardiac cine images during free breathing.MethodsBefore cine data acquisition, a short prescan was performed, calibrating the PT to the respiratory‐induced heart motion using respiratory‐resolved real‐time images. The calibrated PT was then applied for nearly real‐time prospective motion correction of cine MRI through slice tracking (ie, updating the slice position before every readout). Additionally, in‐plane motion correction was performed retrospectively also based on the calibrated PT data. The proposed method was evaluated in a moving phantom and 10 healthy volunteers.ResultsThe PT showed very good correlation to the phantom motion. In volunteer studies using a long‐term scan over 7.96 ± 1.40 min, the mean absolute error between registered and predicted motion from the PT was 1.44 ± 0.46 mm in head‐feet and 0.46 ± 0.07 mm in anterior‐posterior direction. Irregular breathing could also be corrected well with the PT. The PT motion correction leads to a significant improvement of contrast‐to‐noise ratio by 68% (P ≤ .01) between blood pool and myocardium and sharpness of endocardium by 24% (P = .04) in comparison to uncorrected data. The image score, which refers to the cine image quality, has improved with the utilization of the proposed PT motion correction.ConclusionThe proposed approach provides respiratory motion‐corrected cine images of the heart with improved image quality and a high scan efficiency using the PT. The PT is independent of the MR acquisition, making this a very flexible motion‐correction approach.