bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Efficacy of soil‐borne Enterobacter sp. for carbofuran degradation: HPLC quantitation of degradation rate
Authors: Ekram Md. Akhtar‐E , Sarker Indrani , Rahi Md. Sifat , Rahman Md. Atikur , Saha Ananda K. , Reza Md. Abu 
Published: March 2020

AbstractExcessive use of pesticides in agricultural fields is a matter of great concern for living beings as well as the environment across the world, in particular, the third world countries. Therefore, there is an urgent need to find out an effective way to degrade these hazardous chemicals from the soil in an environment‐friendly way. In the current project, a bacterial species were isolated through enrichment culture from carbofuran‐supplemented rice‐field soil and identified as a carbofuran degrader. The rate of carbofuran degradation by this bacterial species was evaluated using reverse‐phase high‐performance liquid chromatography (RP‐HPLC), which confirmed the ability to utilize as a carbon source up to 4 µg/ml of 99% technical grade carbofuran. The morphological, physiological, biochemical characteristics and phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA sequence showed that this strain belongs to the genus of Enterobacter sp. (sequence accession number LC368285 in DDBJ), and the optimum growth condition for the isolated strain was 37°C at pH 7.0. Moreover, an antibiotic sensitivity test showed that it was susceptible to azithromycin, penicillin, ceftazidime, ciprofloxacin, and gentamycin, and the minimal inhibitory concentration value of gentamycin was 400 μg/ml against the bacteria. It shows beyond doubt from the RP‐HPLC quantification that the isolated bacterium has the ability to detoxify carbofuran (99% pure). Finally, the obtained results imply that the isolated strain of Enterobacter can be used as a potential and effective carbofuran degrader for bioremediation of contaminated sites through bioaugmentation.
Development of a solid‐phase microextraction LC–MS/MS method for determination of oxidative stress biomarkers in biofluids
Authors: Kahremanoglu Kubra , Temel Ezgi Rana , Korkut Tamara Ecem , Nalbant Atakan Arda , Azer Bersu Baştuğ , Durucan Caner , Volkan Murvet , Boyaci Ezel 
Published: March 2020

AbstractRecently the connection between oxidative stress and various diseases, including cancer and Alzheimer's, attracts notice as a pathway suitable for diagnostic purposes. 8‐Oxo‐deoxyguanosine and 8‐oxo‐deoxyadenosine produced from the interaction of reactive oxygen species with DNA become prominent as biomarkers. Several methods have been developed for their determination in biofluids, including solid‐phase extraction and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays. However, still, there is a need for reliable and fast analytical methods. In this context, solid‐phase microextraction offers many advantages such as flexibility in geometry and applicable sample volume, as well as high adaptability to high‐throughput sampling. In this study, a solid‐phase microextraction method was developed for the determination of 8‐oxo‐deoxyguanosine and 8‐oxo‐deoxyadenosine in biofluids. The extractive phase of solid‐phase microextraction consisted of hydrophilic–lipophilic balanced polymeric particles. In order to develop a solid‐phase microextraction method suitable for the determination of the analytes in saliva and urine, several parameters, including desorption solvent, desorption time, sample pH, and ionic strength, were scrutinized. Analytical figures of merit indicated that the developed method provides reasonable interday and intraday precisions (<15% in both biofluids) with acceptable accuracy. The method provides a limit of quantification for both biomarkers at 5.0 and 10.0 ng/mL levels in saliva and urine matrices, respectively.
Resveratrol and its dimers ε‐viniferin and δ‐viniferin in red wine protect vascular endothelial cells by a similar mechanism with different potency and efficacy
Authors: Wu Che Wei , Nakamoto Yoshihiro , Hisatome Takumaru , Yoshida Shigeki , Miyazaki Hitoshi 
Published: March 2020

AbstractRed wine compounds have been reported to reduce the rate of atherosclerosis by inducing nitric oxide (NO) production and antioxidant enzyme expression in vascular endothelial cells (VECs). The present study compared the effects of the three red wine compounds resveratrol and its dimers, ε‐viniferin and δ‐viniferin, on VECs function for the first time. Both 5 μM ε‐viniferin and δ‐viniferin, but not 5 μM resveratrol, significantly stimulated wound repair of VECs. Increased levels of wound repair induced by 10 and 20 μM ε‐viniferin were significantly higher than those stimulated by 10 and 20 μM resveratrol, respectively. These stimulatory effects of the three compounds were suppressed by the NO synthase inhibitor L‐NAME. When VECs were exposed to each compound, endothelial NO synthase was activated and the expression of sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) and HO‐1 was induced. Addition of the SIRT1 and HO‐1 inhibitors EX527 and ZnPPiX, respectively, suppressed wound repair stimulated by the three compounds, demonstrating that SIRT1 and HO‐1 are involved in these wound repair processes. Furthermore, each compound induced the suppression of H2O2‐dependent reduction of cell viability as well as the expression of the antioxidant enzyme catalase. These data suggest that not only resveratrol, but also its dimers, ε‐viniferin and δ‐viniferin, may be effective in preventing atherosclerosis by a similar molecular mechanism with different potency and efficacy.
Variability approaching the thermal limits can drive diatom community dynamics
Authors: Anderson Stephanie I. , Rynearson Tatiana A. 
Published: March 2020

AbstractOrganismal distributions are largely mediated by temperature, suggesting thermal trait variability plays a key role in defining species' niches. We employed a trait‐based approach to better understand how inter‐ and intraspecific thermal trait variability could explain diatom community dynamics using 24 strains from 5 species in the diatom genus Skeletonema, isolated from Narragansett Bay (NBay), where this genus can comprise up to 99% of the microplankton. Strain‐specific thermal reaction norms were generated using growth rates obtained at temperatures ranging from −2°C to 36°C. Comparison of thermal reaction norms revealed inter‐ and intraspecific similarities in the thermal optima, but significant differences approaching the thermal limits. Cellular elemental composition was determined for two thermally differentiated species and again, the most variation occurred approaching the thermal limits. To determine the potential impact of interspecific variability on community composition, a species succession model was formulated utilizing each species' empirically determined thermal reaction norm and historical temperature data from NBay. Seasonal succession in the modeled community resembled the timing of species occurrence in the field, but not species' relative abundance. The model correctly predicted the timing of the dominant winter–spring species, Skeletonema marinoi, within 0–14 d of its observed peak occurrence in the field. Interspecific variability approaching the thermal limits provides an alternative mechanism for temporal diatom succession, leads to altered cellular elemental composition, and thus has the potential to influence carbon flux and nutrient cycling, suggesting that growth approaching the thermal limits be incorporated into both empirical and modeling efforts in the future.
Phasic Knee Bending Dystonic and Parkinsonian Gait: A Characteristic Finding in X‐Linked Dystonia Parkinsonism
Authors: Stephen Christopher D. , Go Criscely L. , Acuna Patrick , Sharma Nutan 
Published: March 2020

ABSTRACTBackgroundX‐linked dystonia parkinsonism (XDP) is a rare disorder characterized by adult‐onset, progressive dystonia that, over time, is combined with or replaced by features of parkinsonism. Gait impairment is common.MethodsCase series of 4 XDP patients with a unique gait disorder.ResultsThe patients displayed a characteristic gait disorder with combined dystonic and parkinsonian gait features, with phasic knee bending. Of these patients, all had parkinsonism and three‐quarters had prominent dystonic features, but 1 had predominant parkinsonism and subtle dystonic features.ConclusionAlthough XDP is a classic form of dystonia parkinsonism, some cases can mimic idiopathic Parkinson's disease. We describe a gait disorder which appears unique to XDP, involving phasic dystonic knee bending superimposed on parkinsonian shuffling, and may help clinically differentiate one of our parkinsonian‐predominant patients from more‐common forms of parkinsonism. The gait is distinct from other complex dystonic disorders with gait involvement.
The effects of intermediate principle stress on the mechanical behavior of transversely isotropic rocks: Insights from DEM simulations
Authors: Faizi Saad Ali , Kwok Chung Yee , Duan Kang 
Published: March 2020

SummaryThe discrete element method (DEM) is used to study the response of anisotropic rocks under true triaxial testing. Numerical samples of seven different bedding orientations (β = 0o, 15o, 30o, 45o, 60o, 75o, and 90o) are created. Six series of test simulations (σ3 = 0, 10, 30, 50, 70, and 100 MPa) are conducted on each sample, with five different σ2 values, varied from σ3 to σ1. The effects of anisotropy and intermediate stress on the peak strength, brittle‐ductile transition, and degree of anisotropy are subsequently explained through underlying micromechanics. Results show a “fan‐shaped” variation of the peak strength with σ2, displaying an ascending‐then‐descending trend. An increasing brittleness with σ2 is observed at lower confining pressures for all, but medium anisotropy angles. For higher confining pressures, increasing ductility with σ2 is seen for every anisotropy angle. A U‐shaped variation of peak strength with anisotropy angles is noted that flattens under high intermediate stress. Hence, for numerical models of Posidonia shale under normalized σ2 higher than 0.76, the anisotropy effect is found to be negligible. Micromechanical analyses reveal that the stress asymmetry, suppression of weak plane action as well as the localization and coalescence of microcracks in the intact rock matrix, due to σ2, are the contributors towards the obtained trends. Since existing failure criteria do not weigh in these features in geotechnical assessments, this paper helps future studies by providing a deeper understanding of these effects and a comprehensive data set for the analyses of anisotropic rocks under polyaxial stress conditions.
Analytical solution for longitudinal seismic response of long tunnels subjected to Rayleigh waves
Authors: Yang Yusheng , Yu Haitao , Yuan Yong , Zhao Mi 
Published: March 2020

SummaryThe longitudinal seismic response of a long tunnel subjected to Rayleigh waves is investigated in this paper. The tunnel is assumed to be infinitely long, has a uniform cross section, and rests on a viscoelastic foundation. The free‐field deformation under Rayleigh waves traveling parallel to the tunnel axis is decomposed into two directions, namely, the axial motion and the vertical motion, and transformed into dynamic loads imposed on the tunnel. Based on the Fourier and Laplace integral transform techniques, the governing equations of tunnels are simplified into algebraic equations, and the analytical solutions are obtained with the convolution theorem. The final solutions of the tunnel responses in terms of deflection, velocity, acceleration, axial force, bending moment, and shear force are investigated. The proposed solution is verified by comparison of its results and those from the finite element program ABAQUS. Further parametric analysis is carried out to investigate the influence of soil‐structure relative stiffness ratio and wave frequency on dynamic longitudinal responses of the tunnel.
Pricing strategy and collusion in a market with delay sensitivity
Authors: Ravner Liron , Shamir Noam 
Published: March 2020

AbstractCollusion describes a situation in which firms coordinate their strategies to increase their profit compared with the competitive outcome. In this work, we explore the incentives and ability of service providers, serving delay‐sensitive customers to form a cartel. To do so, we develop an infinitely repeated game in which two service providers, each modeled as an M/M/1 queue, interact in the market repeatedly. We demonstrate that the incentives to collude depend on the competitive landscape in the market. When the competition in the market is high the incentives to form a cartel are strong since the cartel allows the service providers to extract all the surplus from the customers. However, operating under these market conditions does not imply that the ability to collude exists as well. We discuss the effect of market parameters such as delay sensitivity, service value and capacity level on the ability of the service providers to collude. We show that a high service value, high delay sensitivity and asymmetric capacity levels can actually hurt the service providers as they may impede their ability to form the cartel. We further discuss the welfare implications of collusive behavior, and the way it affects the incentives to invest in capacity.
Molecular and Supramolecular Multiredox Systems
Authors: Shukla Jyoti , Singh Vijay Pal , Mukhopadhyay Pritam 
Published: March 2020

AbstractThe design and synthesis of molecular and supramolecular multiredox systems have been summarized. These systems are of great importance as they can be employed in the next generation of materials for energy storage, energy transport, and solar fuel production. Nature provides guiding pathways and insights to judiciously incorporate and tune the various molecular and supramolecular design aspects that result in the formation of complex and efficient systems. In this review, we have classified molecular multiredox systems into organic and organic‐inorganic hybrid systems. The organic multiredox systems are further classified into multielectron acceptors, multielectron donors and ambipolar molecules. Synthetic chemists have integrated different electron donating and electron withdrawing groups to realize these complex molecular systems. Further, we have reviewed supramolecular multiredox systems, redox‐active host‐guest recognition, including mechanically interlocked systems. Finally, the review provides a discussion on the diverse applications, e. g. in artificial photosynthesis, water splitting, dynamic random access memory, etc. that can be realized from these artificial molecular or supramolecular multiredox systems.
Thin Coatings of α‐ and β‐Bi2O3 by Ultrasonic Spray Coating of a Molecular Bismuth Oxido Cluster and their Application for Photocatalytic Water Purification Under Visible Light
Authors: Hofmann Max , Rößner Leonard , Armbrüster Marc , Mehring Michael 
Published: March 2020

AbstractInvited this month′s cover picture are the groups of Professor Michael Mehring and Professor Marc Armbrüster at Chemnitz University of Technology. The cover pictures shows a graffiti displaying a distinctive part of the city center of the town. The artwork is oversprayed with the letters “TUC” (Technische Universität Chemnitz) using an bismuth oxido cluster from solution to obtain a yellow semiconductor coating of bismuth oxide, used to degrade the medicinal drug ethinyl estradiol under visible light irradiation. Read the full text of their Full Paper at 10.1002/open.201900323.
Sonne oder Treibhauseffekt?
Authors: Kleidon Axel 
Published: March 2020

ZusammenfassungDie Verbrennung von fossilen Energieträgern hat den atmosphärischen Treibhauseffekt verstärkt, was zur Erderwärmung führt. Doch woher wissen wir, dass der Treibhauseffekt einen so entscheidenden Einfluss auf das Klima hat? Alternativ könnte auch eine ansteigende Sonnenaktivität hinter der Erwärmung stecken. Doch ein erhöhter Treibhauseffekt wirkt sich anders auf das Erdklima aus als eine verstärkte Sonneneinstrahlung. Charakteristisch für den Treibhauseffekt ist zum Beispiel, dass sich die kälteren Regionen in Richtung der Pole stärker erwärmen, obwohl sie geringerer Solarstrahlung ausgesetzt sind. Warum das so ist, lässt sich mit einer relativ einfachen Energiebilanz zeigen, die wesentlichen Terme der Erwärmung und Kühlung berücksichtigt. Dieser Artikel stellt diesen Ansatz vor und demonstriert damit, dass die Oberflächentemperatur wesentlich vom Treibhauseffekt bestimmt wird.
Assessment of early lung disease in young children with CF: A comparison between pressure‐controlled and free‐breathing chest computed tomography
Authors: Oudraad Merel C. J. , Kuo Wieying , Rosenow Tim , Andrinopoulou Eleni‐Rosalina , Stick Stephen M. , Tiddens Harm A. W. M. 
Published: March 2020

AbstractBackgroundChest computed tomography (CT) in children with cystic fibrosis (CF) is sensitive in detecting early airways disease. The pressure‐controlled CT‐protocol combines a total lung capacity scan (TLC PC‐CT) with a near functional residual capacity scan (FRC PC‐CT) under general anesthesia, while another CT‐protocol is acquired during free breathing (FB‐CT) near functional residual capacity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the sensitivity in detecting airways disease of both protocols in two cohorts.MethodsRoutine PC‐CTs (Princess Margaret Children's Hospital) and FB‐CTs (Erasmus MC—Sophia Children's Hospital) were retrospectively collected from CF children aged 2 to 6 years. Total airways disease (%disease), bronchiectasis (%Bx), and low attenuation regions (%LAR) were scored on CTs using the Perth‐Rotterdam annotated grid morphometric analysis‐CF method. The Wilcoxon signed‐rank test was used for differences between TLC and FRC PC‐CTs and the Wilcoxon rank‐sum test for differences between FRC PC‐CTs and FB‐CTs.ResultsFifty patients with PC‐CTs (21 male, aged 2.5‐5.5 years) and 42 patients with FB‐CTs (26 male, aged 2.3‐6.8 years) were included. %Disease was higher on TLC PC‐CTs compared with FRC PC‐CTs (median 4.51 vs 2.49; P < .001). %Disease and %Bx were not significantly different between TLC PC‐CTs and FB‐CTs (median 4.51% vs 3.75%; P = .143 and 0.52% vs 0.57%; P = .849). %Disease, %Bx, and %LAR were not significantly different between FRC PC‐CTs and FB‐CTs (median 2.49% vs 3.75%; P = .055, 0.54% vs 0.57%; P = .797, and 2.49% vs 1.53%; P = .448).ConclusionsOur data suggest that FRC PC‐CTs are less sensitive than TLC PC‐CTs and that FB‐CTs have similar sensitivity to PC‐CTs in detecting lung disease. FB‐CTs seem to be a viable alternative for PC‐CTs to track CF lung disease in young patients with CF.
Early inhaled budesonide in extremely preterm infants decreases long‐term respiratory morbidity
Authors: Tukova Jana , Smisek Jan , Zlatohlavkova Blanka , Plavka Richard , Markova Daniela 
Published: March 2020

AbstractBackgroundThere is no strict correlation between early bronchopulmonary dysplasia and long‐term respiratory disease. Early inhaled corticosteroids seem to reduce the incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia, but the long‐term outcome remains unknown.Research QuestionThe aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of early inhaled corticosteroids on chronic respiratory morbidity.MethodsFifty‐nine survivors from the Prague cohort included in Neonatal European Study of Inhaled Steroids underwent further follow‐up comprising of respiratory morbidity monitoring during the first 2 years of life followed by objective lung function testing performed at the age of 5.9 years (range 5‐7 years). Both outcomes were pursued and finalized before the unblinding of budesonide subgroups.ResultsFifty randomized (budesonide vs placebo group, 56% vs 44%) survivors were included in the study. Spirometry was successfully performed in 48 children. No statistically significant differences were found in the lung function test (forced expiratory flow [FEF] ‐ FEF75, FEF50, FEF25, and FEF25‐75; FEV1, forced vital capacity [FVC], FEV1/FVC) although mild trend to the improvement of expiratory flow pattern was observed in the budesonide group (median z‐score of FEV1/FVC −0.376 vs −0.983, P = .13; median z‐score of FEF25‐75 −1.004 vs −1.458, P = .13; median z‐score of FEF75 −0.527 vs −0.996, P = .17). Children assigned to budesonide had a significantly lower rate of symptoms of chronic lung disease (34.6% vs 68.2%; P = .04) than children assigned to placebo.InterpretationOur study suggests that early inhaled budesonide was associated with the trend to the improvement of functional lung parameters and with a lower rate of symptoms of chronic lung disease within the first 2 years of life.
Impact of mannose‐binding lectin 2 gene polymorphisms on disease severity in noncystic fibrosis bronchiectasis in children
Authors: Dogru Deniz , Polat Sanem E. , Tan Çağman , Tezcan İlhan , Yalçın Sıddıka S. , Utine Eda , Oğuz Berna , Yaz İsmail , Emiralioğlu Nagehan , Hızal Mina , Yalçın Ebru , Özçelik Uğur , Çağdaş Deniz , Kiper Nural 
Published: March 2020

AbstractBackgroundMannose‐binding lectin (MBL) is a complement protein involved in the innate immune system, and is associated with some chronic respiratory diseases including noncystic fibrosis (non‐CF) bronchiectasis in adults. The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency of MBL2 gene polymorphisms in children with non‐CF bronchiectasis, and the effect of MBL deficiency on disease severity.MethodsFifty children with non‐CF bronchiectasis (bronchiectasis group) and 50 healthy controls (control group) were included. The demographic findings, number of acute pulmonary exacerbations in the previous year, airway cultures, pulmonary function tests, and radiologic scores of the bronchiectasis group were recorded. DNA extraction was performed in both groups and MBL2 gene polymorphisms in codons 52, 54, 57 in exon 1 and H/L, Y/X in the promoter region were studied using real‐time polymerase chain reaction. Haplotypes were made by genotypes, and MBL serum expression was classified according to the genotypes in the literature.ResultsThe bronchiectasis group consisted of 23 (46%) patients with primary ciliary dyskinesia, 5 (10%) with primary immunodeficiency diseases, and 22 (44%) with idiopathic bronchiectasis. There were no statistically significant differences between the bronchiectasis and control groups in terms of allele and genotype frequencies of polymorphisms in codons 52, 54, 57 in exon 1 and promoter H/L. However, the YX heterozygote genotype was more frequent in the control group (82%) compared with the bronchiectasis group (50%) (P = .002). The frequency of patients with intermediate serum MBL expression genotype was higher in the bronchiectasis group (20%) than in the control group (0%) (P = .001). In the bronchiectasis group, there were no significant differences in growth, annual pulmonary exacerbation rates in the last year, pulmonary function tests, radiologic scores, and microbiologic findings between low, intermediate, and high‐expressing genotypes.ConclusionsIn children with non‐CF bronchiectasis, MBL genotype was different from healthy controls. MBL deficiency associated only with MBL genotype was not related to disease severity in this group of patients.