bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sol‐gel synthesized lithium orthosilicate as a reusable solid catalyst for biodiesel production
Authors: Nguyen Hoang Chinh , Pan Jing‐Wei , Su Chia‐Hung , Ong Hwai Chyuan , Chern Jia‐Ming , Lin Jeng‐Yu 
Published: November 2020

SummaryLithium orthosilicate (Li4SiO4) is a promising solid catalyst for biodiesel synthesis. However, Li4SiO4 is traditionally prepared by a solid‐state reaction, which results in the unstable activity for the reaction. In the present study, Li4SiO4 was successfully prepared using a simple sol‐gel method and employed as an efficient solid alkali catalyst for biodiesel synthesis. The molar ratio of precursors and calcination temperature were optimized for the synthesis of Li4SiO4 by using the sol‐gel method. The physical and chemical properties were determined using X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, laser diffraction particle size, and thermogravimetric analysis. The as‐prepared Li4SiO4 catalyst had much smaller particle size, pore volume, and pore size, but higher surface area and basicity than Li4SiO4 catalyst prepared by the solid‐state reaction. It was then used to transesterify methanol and soybean oil into biodiesel. The effect of reaction factors (reaction time from 1 to 3 hours, catalyst concentration from 3 to 9%; molar ratio of methanol to oil from 6:1 to 18:1, and temperature from 55°C to 75°C) on the Li4SiO4‐catalyzed transesterification was systematically examined. The highest biodiesel conversion of 91% was reached under the following conditions: reaction time of 2 hours, Li4SiO4 concentration of 6%, 12:1 methanol:oil molar ratio, and temperature of 65°C. Notably, Li4SiO4 could be efficiently reused for at least 10 times without significant loss of its activity; this suggests that the sol‐gel synthesized Li4SiO4 is a potential solid alkali catalyst for biodiesel synthesis.
Lightweight routing protocol for low‐tension narrowband powerline systems
Authors: El‐Awamry Ahmed 
Published: November 2020

AbstractThis article proposes a combination between source routing technique and on‐demand ad hoc routing algorithm to increase link reliability in power line communications over low‐tension power grid. The proposed methodology is an enhanced low‐complexity routing protocol for smart metering application (ELCSM). The algorithm considers data concentrator (DC) located directly after the low‐tension step‐down transformer. The data concentrator is polling the reachable meters connected to the power line and then it sends information about energy consumption, loading profile and any other crucial data to the utility through the cloud. The designed protocol minimizes the processing complexity at the meter's side, whereas most of the intelligence is shifted to the DC. The protocol takes into consideration the asymmetric characteristics of the power line channel, where some nodes could suffer from very bad downlink quality due to significant noise at the meter's side. These nodes that suffer from bad channel conditions and could not receive data sent from DC and/or other nodes are therefore classified as deaf nodes, although their transmission could be received properly by adjacent nodes. Moreover, unique lightweight packet structure is proposed to minimize algorithm overhead and to enhance the system robustness. The protocol performance is compared to LCSM and LOADng‐CTP in terms of protocol overhead, end‐to‐end delay, and packet delivery ratio.
Full space‐time adaptive method based on collocation strategy and implicit multirate time stepping
Authors: Malenica Luka , Gotovac Hrvoje 
Published: November 2020

AbstractIn this paper, we present a full space‐time Adaptive Fup Collocation Method (AFCM) for solving initial‐boundary value problems with particular application on advection‐dominated advection‐diffusion problems. The spatial adaptive strategy dynamically changes the computational grid at each global time step, while the adaptive time‐marching algorithm uses different local time steps for different collocation points based on temporal accuracy criteria. Contrary to the existing space‐time adaptive methods that are based on explicit temporal discretization and scale‐dependent local time stepping, the presented method is implicit and resolves all spatial and temporal scales independently of each other. This means that smaller local time steps are used only for spatial zones where temporal solution changes are intensive, which are not necessarily the zones with finest spatial discretization. In this manner, the computationally efficient full space‐time adaptive strategy accurately resolves small‐scale features and controls numerical error and spurious oscillations. The efficiency and accuracy of AFCM are verified with some classical one‐ and two‐dimensional benchmark test cases.
Type I interferon‐activated microglia are critical for neuromyelitis optica pathology
Authors: Wlodarczyk Agnieszka , Khorooshi Reza , Marczynska Joanna , Holtman Inge R. , Burton Mark , Jensen Kirstine Nolling , Blaabjerg Morten , Meyer Morten , Thomassen Mads , Eggen Bart J. L. , Asgari Nasrin , Owens Trevor 
Published: November 2020

AbstractNeuromyelitis optica (NMO) is an inflammatory disease of the central nervous system (CNS) most frequently mediated by serum autoantibodies against the water channel aquaporin 4, expressed on CNS astrocytes, resulting in primary astrocytopathy. There is no cure for NMO, and treatment with Type I interferon (IFNI)‐IFNβ is ineffective or even detrimental. We have previously shown that both NMO lesions and associated microglial activation were reduced in mice lacking the receptor for IFNβ. However, the role of microglia in NMO is not well understood. In this study, we clarify the pathomechanism for IFNI dependence of and the role of microglia in experimental NMO. Transcriptome analysis showed a strong IFNI footprint in affected CNS tissue as well as in microglial subpopulations. Treatment with IFNβ led to exacerbated pathology and further microglial activation as evidenced by expansion of a CD11c+ subset of microglia. Importantly, depletion of microglia led to suppression of pathology and decrease of IFNI signature genes. Our data show a pro‐pathologic role for IFNI‐activated microglia in NMO and open new perspectives for microglia‐targeted therapies.
Chronic stress has different immediate and delayed effects on hippocampal calretinin‐ and somatostatin‐positive cells
Authors: Ortiz J. Bryce , Newbern Jason , Conrad Cheryl D. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractPast studies find that chronic stress alters inhibitory, GABAergic circuitry of neurons in distinct hippocampal subregions. Less clear is whether these effects persist weeks after chronic stress ends, and whether these effects involve changes in the total number of hippocampal GABAergic neurons or modulates the function of specific GABAergic subtypes. A transgenic mouse line (VGAT:Cre Ai9) containing an indelible marker for GABAergic neurons (tdTomato) throughout the brain was used to determine whether chronic stress alters total GABAergic neuronal number or the expression of two key GABAergic cell subtypes, calretinin expressing (CR+) and somatostatin expressing (SOM+) neurons, and whether these changes endure weeks later. Male and female mice were chronically stressed in wire mesh restrainers for 6h/d/21d (Str) or not (Con), and then allowed a 3 week rest period (Str‐Rest) and compared to those without a rest period (Str‐NoRest). Epifluorescent microscope images of immunohistochemistry‐processed brains were quantified to estimate the total number of fluorescently‐labeled hippocampal GABAergic neurons and the proportion that were CR+ or SOM+. Neither chronic stress nor sex altered the total number of GABAergic cells. In contrast, chronic stress reduced the expression of CR+ in the CA3 region of the hippocampus in both males and females, with robust reductions in the DG region of males, but not females, and these changes reversed following a rest period. Chronic stress also reduced the proportion of hippocampal SOM+ neurons and this reduction persisted even with a rest period. These results show chronic stress dynamically reduced CR expression without changing total inhibitory neuronal number and point to CR as a potential new lead to understand mechanisms by which chronic stress alters hippocampal function.
P2Y12 antagonism results in altered interactions between platelets and regulatory T cells during sepsis
Authors: Albayati Samara , Vemulapalli Harika , Tsygankov Alexander Y , Liverani Elisabetta 
Published: November 2020

AbstractSepsis is a complex clinical condition resulting from a serious bloodstream infection. With mortality rates as high as 50%, improved treatments are needed. Regulatory T cells (Tregs), a subset of T lymphocytes, promote the resolution of inflammation. Septic patients have elevated levels of circulating Tregs. Platelets influence the proliferation and activation of Tregs in vitro. However, modulating platelet-Tregs interaction during sepsis may restraing Treg proliferation, leading to the restoration of immunologic homeostasis. P2Y12 is a purinergic receptor present on platelets and T lymphocytes. Blocking P2Y12 improves the outcome of sepsis. We investigated whether blocking P2Y12 alters platelet–Treg interaction in vivo. We used the murine model of sepsis, cecal ligation, and puncture (CLP) and we blocked P2Y12 using the P2Y12 antagonist, clopidogrel. Twenty-four hours after surgery, we measured Treg population sizes in the spleens of the Sham, CLP, and CLP + clopidogrel groups. We investigated the effect of blocking P2Y12 in vitro using cocultures of human platelets and T cells with or without anti-CD3/CD28. P2Y12 was blocked using AR-C69931MX. Treg population sizes were reduced in the septic mice treated with clopidogrel compared with untreated septic mice. Aggregation of platelets and CD4+ T cells was reduced in treated CLP mice compared with untreated CLP mice. P2Y12 antagonism changes how platelets influence T cells in vitro, depending on T-cell activation. In conclusion, blockade of the P2Y12 signaling pathway restrains Treg proliferation in vivo and in vitro. Targeting platelets to control Treg proliferation and activity may be a promising strategy for treating sepsis.
A detailed chemical kinetic modeling and experimental investigation of the low‐ and high‐temperature chemistry of n‐butylcyclohexane
Authors: Pitz William J. , Liang Jinhu , Kukkadapu Goutham , Zhang Kuiwen , Conroy Christine , Bugler John , Curran Henry J. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractChemical kinetic models of gasoline, jet, and diesel fuels and their mixtures with bioderived fuels are needed to assess fuel property effects on efficiency, emissions, and other performance metrics in internal combustion and gas turbine engines. As these real fuels have too many fuel components to be included in a chemical kinetic model, surrogate fuels containing fewer components are used to represent them. These surrogate fuels mimic the chemical classes or molecular structures contained in the real fuel. One of the important chemical classes in gasoline, jet, and diesel fuels comprises cyclohexanes. Cyclohexanes comprise about 30% or more by weight in diesel fuel. Also, Mueller et al (Energy Fuels. 2012;26(6):3284‐3303) proposed n‐butylcyclohexane (nBCH) as a component in a nine‐component surrogate palette to represent the ignition properties, distillation curve, density, and molecular structures of a diesel certification fuel. In this work, experimental measurements of the ignition delay times (IDTs) of nBCH in a shock tube and in a rapid compression machine are reported over a wide range of temperature, pressure, and equivalence ratio important for enabling the validation of a chemical kinetic model for nBCH for combustion in diesel engines. The range of conditions are temperatures of 630–1420 K, pressures of 10, 30, and 50 bar, and equivalence ratios of 0.3, 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 in ‘air’. A detailed chemical model is developed for nBCH to simulate its ignition at both low and high‐temperature conditions and at relevant elevated pressures. The experimentally measured IDTs are used to improve and validate the chemical kinetic model.
Effectiveness of high‐density polyethylene container and Super Grain Bag for the storage system of cowpea grain for smallholder farmers
Authors: Tivana Lucas D. , Nguenha Rafael J. , Viola Paula , Monjane Isabel , Lungu Olipa , Kafwamfwa Nswana 
Published: November 2020

AbstractThe present study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of high‐density polyethylene container combined or not with Super Grain Bag for cowpea grain storage. The experiments were conducted on‐station and on‐farm. The storage systems tested included high‐density polyethylene container (PC), Super Grain Bag (SGB), and polypropylene bag (PB). The insect infestation level and grain damage were determined monthly for 6 months at on‐station and every 2 months for 8 months at on‐farm trials. Acceptability test of the stored grain was carried out at the end of on‐station trials with farmers. Naturally infested grain was used, with an initial infestation level of 117 insects/kg and a percentage of damaged grain of 27%. After 6 months of storage on‐station, PB resulted in an increase of insect infestation to above 1300 insects/kg of cowpea grain and an increase of damaged grain to 79%. In the SGB and PC, the number of insects increased to 573 and 364 insects/kg, while the grain damage increased to 40% and 36%, respectively. After 4 months of storage the SGB was perforated by insects, compromising its hermeticity. The combination of PC with SGB (PC + SGB) reduced the proliferation of insects and grain damage, resulting in 257 insects/kg and 34%, respectively. The farmers highly accepted grain stored at PC and PC + SGB systems. The on‐farm trials confirmed the effectiveness of the polyethylene container on limiting insects multiplication and grain damage. Thus, the polyethylene container, associated or not with Super Grain Bag, showed to be effective for storage and preservation of cowpea grain, making it suitable for smallholder farmers, thereby reducing cowpea grain losses during storage.
Procyanidin B1 promotes in vitro maturation of pig oocytes by reducing oxidative stress
Authors: Gao Wei , Jin Yongxun , Hao Jindong , Huang Siyi , Wang Dongxu , Quan Fushi , Ren Wenzhi , Zhang Jiabao , Zhang Mingjun , Yu Xianfeng 
Published: November 2020

AbstractOxidative stress negatively affects the in vitro maturation (IVM) of oocytes. Procyanidin B1 (PB1) is a natural polyphenolic compound that has antioxidant properties. In this study, we investigated the effect of PB1 supplementation during IVM of porcine oocytes. Treatment with 100 μM PB1 significantly increased the MII oocytes rate (p <0.05), the parthenogenetic (PA) blastocyst rate (p <0.01) and the total cell number in the PA blastocyst (p < 0.01) which were cultured in regular in vitro culture (IVC) medium. The PA blastocyst rate of regular MII oocytes activated and cultured in IVC medium supplemented with 100 and 150 μM PB1 significantly increased compared with control (p < 0.01 and p < 0.05). We also evaluated the reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψm) levels, glutathione (GSH) levels, and apoptotic levels in MII oocytes and cumulus cells following 100 μM PB1 treatment. The results showed that the PB1 supplementation decreased ROS production and apoptotic levels. In addition, PB1 was found to increase Δψm levels and GSH levels. In conclusion, PB1 inhibited apoptosis of oocytes and cumulus cells by reducing oxidative stress. Moreover, PB1 improved the quality of oocytes and promoted PA embryo development. Taken together, our results suggest that PB1 is a promising antioxidant additive for IVM of oocytes.
Synthesis of Ti(OH)OF ⋅ 0.66 H2O in Imidazolium‐based Ionic Liquids
Authors: Sieland Melanie , Camus‐Genot Valentine , Djerdj Igor , Smarsly Bernd M. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractThe influence of the cation of imidazolium‐derived ionic liquids (ILs) on a low‐temperature solution‐based synthesis of hexagonal tungsten bronze (HTB) type Ti(OH)OF ⋅ 0.66 H2O and bronze‐type TiO2(B) is investigated. The IL (Cxmim BF4) acts as solvent and also as reaction partner with respect to the decomposition of [BF4]−, releasing F−. In the present study, the chain length of the alkyl chain side groups attached to the imidazolium ring was varied (C2mim BF4 to C10mim BF4), and the obtained solids were analyzed by Powder X‐Ray diffraction (PXRD) followed by Rietveld refinement. As a main finding these analyses indicate a transformation of Ti(OH)OF ⋅ 0.66 H2O into TiO2(B), and upon prolonged reaction time finally also into anatase TiO2. Rietveld analysis suggests that when using ILs with longer alkyl chains, the conversion of Ti(OH)OF ⋅ 0.66 H2O is slower compared to syntheses performed with smaller alkyl chains. Hence, Ti(OH)OF ⋅ 0.66 H2O appears to be metastable and is stabilized by long‐chain ILs serving as surfactant attached to the crystallites’ surface. In this view, the ILs shield the nanoparticles and thus slow down the conversion into the more stable compounds. This confirms previous findings that ILs act as both, solvent and reaction medium in this reaction, thus enabling the synthesis of peculiar Ti‐oxides.
WorldForestID: Addressing the need for standardized wood reference collections to support authentication analysis technologies; a way forward for checking the origin and identity of traded timber
Authors: Gasson Peter E. , Lancaster Cady A. , Young Roger , Redstone Sara , Miles‐Bunch Isabella A. , Rees Gareth , Guillery R. Philip , Parker‐Forney Meaghan , Lebow Elizabeth T. 
Published: November 2020

Societal Impact StatementForest products are the most used inedible renewable resource, but supplies are finite. It is difficult to know which tree species are in wood products or where they come from. Scientific evidence is needed to support or refute origin and species claims in traded products. We describe the building of a geo‐referenced wood reference collection (xylarium) supported by herbarium voucher specimens. The WorldForest ID program, hereinafter referred to as WFID (www.worldforestid.org), is embarking on large‐scale field collections of wood samples suitable for science‐based authentication technologies. By coordinating with regulatory and enforcement authorities in both producer and consumer countries the WFID xylarium is legally robust and commercially relevant.SummaryWe describe a program called WorldForestID which is being developed to monitor and support authentication and compliance in international trade of timber products. The program is being run by a consortium of government and non‐government organizations: US Forest Service International Programs (USFS IP), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), Agroisolab, and World Resources Institute (WRI). Initial funding has come from the US Department of State, USFS IP, US Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Forest Stewardship Council, and the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). The aim is to build a comprehensive collection of internationally traded timber species. The collection is used as reference material to validate forest products. Although there are a large number of xylaria (wood collections, Index Xylariorum IV) around the world, many of the specimens do not provide geo‐locations suitable as reference material for pinpointing provenance, many lack‐associated herbarium vouchers and some are misidentified. The samples being collected in this program address these issues and include bark, sapwood, and heartwood, ensuring that the material collected is suitable for current and future scientific analysis. We describe the process of collection and validation from field to laboratory and the advantages and disadvantages of the main techniques used to ascertain/verify identity and provenance. Ultimately, we envisage the day that scientific methods will be used routinely and successfully by timber traders, manufacturers, retailers, and law enforcement to accept or reject identity and provenance claims on internationally traded timber and forest products and, where necessary, to support prosecutions when laws such as EU Timber Regulations, Lacey Act and CITES are infringed.
Community health worker case‐detection of asthma or reactive airways disease in a resource‐poor community in Nicaragua
Authors: Crocker Mary , Loughlin Ceila E. , Esther Charles R. , Noah Terry , Fernández Sonia Picado , Woo Gabriela , Parajón Laura Chanchien , Parajón David , Becker‐Dreps Sylvia 
Published: November 2020

AbstractIntroductionAsthma is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in children worldwide, but many cases may remain undiagnosed. Community health worker (CHW) programs have improved detection of other diseases such as childhood pneumonia, but none have been validated for detection of asthma in resource‐poor settings. We hypothesized that a CHW administered questionnaire would be effective in case‐detection of asthma in a poor Nicaraguan community.MethodsWe enrolled children aged 2–17 from a small semiurban Nicaraguan community. A trained CHW administered a questionnaire based on a previously validated school‐based screening questionnaire, which was compared to pediatric pulmonologist evaluation as a reference standard. We determined the questionnaire's sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative likelihood ratios at different score cut‐points.ResultsA total of 199 out of 218 eligible children were enrolled. Total asthma prevalence based on physician diagnosis was 33%. Mean scores on the CHW questionnaire were 3.6 points out of 22 (SD = 4.3) for nonasthmatics and 11.0 points (SD = 5.3) for children with asthma (p < .001). Area under the curve was 0.87. Multivariable analysis showed increased association of asthma/reactive airways disease with respiratory infection in the first 3 months of life and with family history of asthma.ConclusionsPrevalence of asthma in this community was high compared to previously reported national prevalence (15.2%), possibly due to increased exposure to risk factors. The questionnaire had a high area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, making it an excellent screening tool. This questionnaire could greatly increase the detection of asthma, allowing for education and referral for ongoing care.