bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
How to design optimal eDNA sampling strategies for biomonitoring in river networks
Authors: Carraro Luca , Stauffer Julian B. , Altermatt Florian 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
The current biodiversity crisis calls for appropriate methods for assessing biodiversity. In this respect, environmental DNA (eDNA) holds great promise, especially for aquatic ecosystems. While initial eDNA studies assessed biodiversity at single sites, technology now allows analyzing samples from many points simultaneously. However, the selection of these sites has been mostly motivated on an ad‐hoc basis. To this end, hydrology‐based models might offer a unique guidance on where to sample eDNA to most effectively reconstruct spatial patterns of biodiversity. Here, we performed computer simulations to identify best‐practice criteria for the choice of positioning of eDNA sampling sites in river networks. To do so, we combined a hydrology‐based eDNA transport model with a virtual river network reproducing the scaling features of real rivers. In particular, we conducted simulations investigating scenarios of different number and location of eDNA sampling sites in a riverine network, different spatial taxon distributions, and different eDNA measurement errors. We found that, due to hydrological controls, non‐uniform patterns of eDNA concentration arise even if the taxon distribution is uniform and decay is neglected. Best practices for sampling site selection depend on the taxon's spatial distribution: when taxa are concentrated in some hotspots and only few sampling sites can be placed, it is better to preferentially locate them in the downstream part of the catchment; when taxa are more evenly distributed, and/or many sites can be placed, these should be preferentially located upstream. We also found that uncertainties in eDNA concentration estimates do not necessarily hamper model predictions. Knowledge of eDNA decay rates improves model predictions, highlighting the need for empirical estimates of these rates under relevant environmental conditions. Our simulations help define strategies for designing eDNA sampling campaigns in river networks and can guide the sampling effort of field ecologists and environmental authorities.
Fatal lymphocytic cardiac damage in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19): autopsy reveals a ferroptosis signature
Authors: Jacobs Werner , Lammens Martin , Kerckhofs Annelies , Voets Evy , Van San Emily , Van Coillie Samya , Peleman Cédric , Mergeay Matthias , Sirimsi Sabriya , Matheeussen Veerle , Jansens Hilde , Baar Ingrid , Vanden Berghe Tom , Jorens Philippe G. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractAimsCardiovascular complications, including myocarditis, are observed in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19). Major cardiac involvement is a potentially lethal feature in severe cases. We sought to describe the underlying pathophysiological mechanism in COVID‐19 lethal cardiogenic shock.Methods and resultsWe report on a 48‐year‐old male COVID‐19 patient with cardiogenic shock; despite extracorporeal life support, dialysis, and massive pharmacological support, this rescue therapy was not successful. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 RNA was detected at autopsy in the lungs and myocardium. Histopathological examination revealed diffuse alveolar damage, proliferation of type II pneumocytes, lymphocytes in the lung interstitium, and pulmonary microemboli. Moreover, patchy muscular, sometimes perivascular, interstitial mononuclear inflammatory infiltrates, dominated by lymphocytes, were seen in the cardiac tissue. The lymphocytes ‘interlocked’ the myocytes, resulting in myocyte degeneration and necrosis. Predominantly, T‐cell lymphocytes with a CD4:CD8 ratio of 1.7 infiltrated the interstitial myocardium, reflecting true myocarditis. The myocardial tissue was examined for markers of ferroptosis, an iron‐catalysed form of regulated cell death that occurs through excessive peroxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acids. Immunohistochemical staining with E06, a monoclonal antibody binding to oxidized phosphatidylcholine (reflecting lipid peroxidation during ferroptosis), was positive in morphologically degenerating and necrotic cardiomyocytes adjacent to the infiltrate of lymphocytes, near arteries, in the epicardium and myocardium. A similar ferroptosis signature was present in the myocardium of a COVID‐19 subject without myocarditis. In a case of sudden death due to viral myocarditis of unknown aetiology, however, immunohistochemical staining with E06 was negative. The renal proximal tubuli stained positively for E06 and also hydroxynonenal (4‐HNE), a reactive breakdown product of the lipid peroxides that execute ferroptosis. In the case of myocarditis of other aetiology, the renal tissue displayed no positivity for E06 or 4‐HNE.ConclusionsThe findings in this case are unique as this is the first report on accumulated oxidized phospholipids (or their breakdown products) in myocardial and renal tissue in COVID‐19. This highlights ferroptosis, proposed to detrimentally contribute to some forms of ischaemia–reperfusion injury, as a detrimental factor in COVID‐19 cardiac damage and multiple organ failure.
An Electrochemical ATP Biosensor with Enzymes Entrapped within a PEDOT Film
Authors: Peteu Serban F. , Russell Skye A. , Galligan James J. , Swain Greg M. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractThis paper reports on the electrochemical behavior of an ATP biosensor that utilizes glucose oxidase (GOx) and hexokinase (Hex) immobilized within the electroactive polymer, polyethylenedioxythiophene (PEDOT). This biosensor design detects ATP indirectly at 0.85 V vs. Ag/AgCl based on the oxidation current for enzymatically generated H2O2, and at −0.20 V; a potential at which improved analyte selectivity is achieved. The detection figures of merit at both detection potentials are a response time of 15±1 s, an experimental detection limit of 10.0±0.2 μmol L−1 (S/N=3), and a sensitivity in the range of 100–500 mA M−1cm−2.
Kinetic characteristics of long‐term repeated fed‐batch (LtRFb) l‐lactic acid fermentation by a Bacillus coagulans strain
Authors: Zhang Fan , Liu Jiongqin , Han Xiao , Gao Chao , Ma Cuiqing , Tao Fei , Xu Ping 
Published: September 2020

AbstractApplication of degradable plastics is the most critical solution to plastic pollution. As the precursor of biodegradable plastic PLA (polylactic acid), efficient production of l‐lactic acid is vital for the commercial replacement of traditional plastics. Bacillus coagulans H‐2, a robust strain, was investigated for effective production of l‐lactic acid using long‐term repeated fed‐batch (LtRFb) fermentation. Kinetic characteristics of l‐lactic acid fermentation were analyzed by two models, showing that cell‐growth coupled production gradually replaces cell‐maintenance coupled production during fermentation. With the LtRFb strategy, l‐lactic acid was produced at a high final concentration of 192.7 g/L, on average, and a yield of up to 93.0% during 20 batches of repeated fermentation within 487.5 h. Thus, strain H‐2 can be used in the industrial production of l‐lactic acid with optimization based on kinetic modeling.
Optimal Sizing and Assessment of an Islanded Photovoltaic‐Battery‐Diesel Generator Microgrid Applicable to a Remote School of Bangladesh
Authors: Ishraque Md. Fatin , Shezan Sk. A. , Nur Jannati Nabiha , Islam Md. Shafiul 
Published: September 2020

AbstractElectricity has become a part and parcel of modern life. The world is constantly developing, and the electricity demand is inevitably increasing with it. It is a big challenge for the power generation organizations to cope up with this increasing demand. For a developing country like Bangladesh, this challenge is even bigger. Bangladesh has many remote areas which are deprived of grid connectivity. In this article, system design and performance evaluation are conducted on a solar battery‐based hybrid renewable energy system (HRES) with diesel backup for a school in a remote area located in the northern part of the country, where conventional power grid connectivity is not available. From field survey, a load demand of 10.468 kWh/day for a normal working day and a peak demand of 3.3 kW are considered in this work for the proposed site. For simulation purpose hybrid optimization model for electric renewable, very well‐known software is used. The solar radiation data required for the work are collected from NASA Surface meteorology and Solar Energy database. Analyzing the load requirements and metrological data a solar‐battery diesel generator‐based HRES is proposed for the school. From the analysis and simulation, the Net Present Cost (NPC) for the proposed system is found USD 6191 with a Cost of Energy (COE) of $0.125/kWh. Further, a comparative study is done and the proposed system can reduce the COE and Green House Gas (GHG) emission of about 29.85% and 69% respectively than the conventional power plants. Finally, a techno‐economic analysis is conducted with sensitivity analysis, time series analysis, and multiyear analysis to prove the rigidity of the proposed system.
Optimization of arrayed waveguide grating‐filtering response for efficient analog radio‐over‐fiber fronthaul over a wavelength‐division multiplexing passive optical network
Authors: Plazas Caio L. M. P. , de Souza Adelcio M. , Celino Daniel R. , Romero Murilo A. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractWavelength‐division multiplexing passive optical network (WDM‐PON) is a promising solution to cope with the exponential data traffic growth, particularly regarding future mobile fronthaul. WDM‐PON schemes, based on self‐seeded wavelength agnostic transmitters using reflective semiconductor optical amplifiers (RSOAs), are seen as an option to provide an analog radio‐over‐fiber (A‐RoF) alternative to the current digital fronthaul. Although these A‐RoF have been already successfully demonstrated, it was observed that the arrayed waveguide grating (AWG)‐filtering characteristics affect both the optical seed generation and the radio signal integrity, requiring a design optimization. In order to do so, in this article, we optimize the A‐RoF transmission performance by comparing Bessel, Gaussian, and flat‐top AWG‐filter formats. The impact of seed linewidth and red‐shift on the signal error‐vector magnitude (EVM) and phase rotation is also investigated. We have found that EVM performance for BPSK and 16QAM transmission provided an improvement of 45% when compared to our previous results, with a phase offset of 0.8°, indicating little to no distortion, as a result of the selection of the optimal AWG filtering response.
Putting ethnographic flesh on new materialist bones: Lyme disease and the sex/gender binary
Authors: Dumes Abigail A. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractIn the United States, there is heated debate over the biological reality of chronic Lyme disease (the persistence of Lyme disease beyond standard antibiotic treatment). Like other bodily conditions whose biological basis is disputed, chronic Lyme disease is perceived to be more common among women, a phenomenon for which physicians and patients often provide gender‐based explanations. However, influenced by the field of sex‐based biology, Lyme disease patients and their physicians are increasingly navigating how and whether to make claims to biological legitimacy through the science of sex‐based differences. Drawing on ethnographic research among Lyme disease patients, physicians, and scientists throughout the northeastern United States, I explore the mutually reinforcing relationship between feminist scholarship on the sex/gender binary and emerging ideas about sex and gender in the context of health.
Impact of increasing concentration of tart and sweet cherries juices concentrates on healthy mice gut microbiota
Authors: Al Othaim Ayoub , Marasini Daya , Carbonero Franck 
Published: September 2020

AbstractCherries are an excellent source of dietary polyphenols and are marketed as sports and health dietary supplements. However, there are still limited direct evidence for their purported nutritional and health benefits. Gut microbiota modulation ought to be tested because most polyphenols reach the colon where they undergo microbial metabolization to bioactive and bioavailable metabolites. In the present study, varying dilutions of three concentrate cherries juices, Montmorency tart cherry juice, Balaton tart cherry juice, and sweet cherry juice, were examined to determine their potential effect on the murine gut microbiota composition. Forty‐five mice were randomly assigned to three different groups. Each group received an increased concentration of its assigned juices (1/20, 1/15, 1/10, 1/7, and 1/4 [v/v]) every 5 days for 25 days. Fecal samples were collected after each concentration change for microbiota characterization by high‐throughput 16S rRNA gene sequencing using Illumina Miseq. The results revealed consistent gut microbiota modulation based on concentration regardless of the juice type, but not in a true dose‐dependent manner. The two median concentrations and the two highest were significantly different from each other and from the baseline and lowest concentration. Increasing cherries consumption consistently resulted in significant increase of the relative abundance of Barnesiella and Akkermansia, whereas Bacteroides abundance was negatively correlated with the concentration of the juice. Overall, we demonstrate that cherries induce a beneficial modulation of the murine gut microbiota, and that amounts of fruits consumed need to be considered to devise appropriate health and nutrition studies.
Astrocytes are necessary for blood–brain barrier maintenance in the adult mouse brain
Authors: Heithoff Benjamin P. , George Kijana K. , Phares Aubrey N. , Zuidhoek Ivan A. , Munoz‐Ballester Carmen , Robel Stefanie 
Published: September 2020

AbstractIn the adult brain, multiple cell types are known to produce factors that regulate blood–brain barrier (BBB) properties, including astrocytes. Yet several recent studies disputed a role for mature astrocytes at the BBB. To determine if astrocytes contribute a nonredundant and necessary function in maintaining the adult BBB, we used a mouse model of tamoxifen‐inducible astrocyte ablation. In adult mice, tamoxifen induction caused sparse apoptotic astrocyte cell death within 2 hr. Indicative of BBB damage, leakage of the small molecule Cadaverine, and the large plasma protein fibrinogen into the brain parenchyma indicative of BBB damage was detected as early as astrocyte ablation was present. Vessels within and close to regions of astrocyte loss had lower expression of the tight junction protein zonula occludens‐1 while endothelial glucose transporter 1 expression was undisturbed. Cadaverine leakage persisted for several weeks suggesting a lack of barrier repair. This is consistent with the finding that ablated astrocytes were not replaced. Adjacent astrocytes responded with partial nonproliferative astrogliosis, characterized by morphological changes and delayed phosphorylation of STAT3, which restricted dye leakage to the brain and vessel surface areas lacking coverage by astrocytes 1 month after ablation. In conclusion, astrocytes are necessary to maintain BBB integrity in the adult brain. BBB‐regulating factors secreted by other cell types, such as pericytes, are not sufficient to compensate for astrocyte loss.
Overdiagnosis in lung cancer screening: Estimates from the German Lung Cancer Screening Intervention Trial
Authors: González Maldonado Sandra , Motsch Erna , Trotter Anke , Kauczor Hans‐Ulrich , Heussel Claus‐Peter , Hermann Silke , Zeissig Sylke Ruth , Delorme Stefan , Kaaks Rudolf 
Published: September 2020

AbstractOverdiagnosis is a major potential harm of lung cancer screening; knowing its potential magnitude helps to optimize screening eligibility criteria. The German Lung Screening Intervention Trial (“LUSI”) is a randomized trial among 4052 long‐term smokers (2622 men), 50.3 to 71.9 years of age from the general population around Heidelberg, Germany, comparing five annual rounds of low‐dose computed tomography (n = 2029) with a control arm without intervention (n = 2023). After a median follow‐up of 9.77 years postrandomization and 5.73 years since last screening, 74 participants were diagnosed with lung cancer in the control arm and 90 in the screening arm: 69 during the active screening period; of which 63 screen‐detected and 6 interval cancers. The excess cumulative incidence in the screening arm (N = 16) represented 25.4% (95% confidence interval: −11.3, 64.3] of screen‐detected cancer cases (N = 63). Analyzed by histologic subtype, excess incidence in the screening arm appeared largely driven by adenocarcinomas. Statistical modeling yielded an estimated mean preclinical sojourn time (MPST) of 5.38 (4.76, 5.88) years and a screen‐test sensitivity of 81.6 (74.4%, 88.8%) for lung cancer overall, all histologic subtypes combined. Based on modeling, we further estimated that about 48% (47.5% [43.2%, 50.7%]) of screen‐detected tumors have a lead time ≥4 years, whereas about 33% (32.8% [28.4%, 36.1%]) have a lead time ≥6 years, 23% (22.6% [18.6%, 25.7%]) ≥8 years, 16% (15.6% [12.2%, 18.3%]) ≥10 years and 11% (10.7% [8.0%, 13.0%]) ≥12 years. The high proportions of tumors with relatively long lead times suggest a major risk of overdiagnosis for individuals with comparatively short remaining life expectancies.
The role of reproductive coercion in women’s risk for HIV: A case‐control study of outpatients in Gauteng, South Africa
Authors: McCloskey Laura Ann , Hitchcock Sonia , Eloff Irma , Dinh Paul , Masemola Khomotso 
Published: September 2020

AbstractObjectivesTo investigate how reproductive coercion, or men’s attempts to control their partners’ use of contraception, may contribute to adverse reproductive health outcomes for women including abortions, sexually transmitted infections, and HIV for young women in South Africa.MethodsFindings are based on a case‐control interview study of 882 South African women outpatients aged 15–29 years, 48.5% (n=427) of whom were HIV seropositive. Covariates include demographics, intimate partner violence, sexually transmitted infections, having an abortion, using long‐acting reversible contraception, and unequal sexual relationship power.ResultsMost covariates with the exceptions of abortion and unequal relationship power increase the risk of HIV, and all relate to reproductive coercion. Intimate partner violence is strongly associated with reproductive coercion (odds ratio 3.86, 95% confidence interval 2.89–5.15). When intimate partner violence is included in the full model reproductive coercion remains a significant predictor of HIV by 42%, and acts as a partial mediator between IPV and HIV.ConclusionFindings confirm the significance of reproductive coercion as a risk marker for HIV. Reproductive coercion undermines women’s reproductive health and warrants clinical intervention. Recommendations are offered for clinical practice within the South African context to increase training and assessment and provide covert long‐acting reversible contraception as one pathway towards promoting women’s reproductive autonomy.
Assessing four different macroscopic water uptake models for maize plant (ZEA mays L.) under salinity stress*
Authors: Jalali Vahidreza , Asadi Kapourchal Safoora 
Published: September 2020

AbstractThe global shortage of fresh water in arid/semi‐arid regions has inevitably led to the use of unconventional sources of water. One of the strategies for managing saline water consumption is by using simulator models that can help in understanding the physiological response of crops. In this study the number of germinated seeds, shoot fresh weight and plant leaf area index as three of the main parameters of the vegetative stage of maize plants were investigated. In order to quantify the effect of different salinities on vegetative growth parameters, the macroscopic models of Homaee et al., Dirksen et al., van Genuchten and Hoffman and Maas and Hoffman were tested. The fitting of different models to measured data of germinated seeds showed that the Maas and Hoffman model was superior over the other three models with r and NSE values of 0.87 and 0.79, respectively. Similarly, the model of Homaee et al. with the values of r = 0.98 and NSE = 0.89 was the best model for the maize fresh weight variable. Finally, for the leaf area index variable, the van Genuchten and Hoffman model having values of r = 0.95 and NSE = 0.91 was able to provide a better estimate than the other models.
Characterization of bonding modes in metal complexes through electron density cross‐sections
Authors: de Beer Shane , Cukrowski Ignacy , de Lange Jurgens H. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractQualitative inspection of molecular orbitals (MOs) remains one of the most popular analysis tools used to describe the electronic structure and bonding properties of transition metal complexes. In symmetric coordination complexes, the use of group theory and the symmetry‐adapted linear combination (SALC) of fragment orbitals allows for a very accurate and informative interpretation of MOs, but the same procedure cannot be performed for asymmetric complexes, such as Schrock and Fischer carbenes. In this work, we present a straight‐forward approach for classifying and quantifying MO contributions to a particular metal–ligand interaction. Our approach utilizes the topology of MO density contributions to a cross‐section of an inter‐nuclear region, and is computationally inexpensive and applicable to symmetric and asymmetric complexes alike. We also apply the same approach with similar decompositions using Natural Bond Orbitals (NBO) and the recently developed Fragment, Atomic, Localized, Delocalized and Interatomic (FALDI) density decomposition scheme. In particular, FALDI analysis provides additional insights regarding the multi‐centric nature of metal‐carbene bonds without resorting to expensive multi‐reference calculations.
2‐Oxothiazolidine‐4‐carboxylic acid inhibits vascular calcification via induction of glutathione synthesis
Authors: Patel Jessal J. , Bourne Lucie E. , Thakur Shori , Farrington Ken , Gorog Diana A. , Orriss Isabel R. , Baydoun Anwar R. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractArterial medial calcification (AMC), the deposition of hydroxyapatite in the medial layer of the arteries, is a known risk factor for cardiovascular events. Oxidative stress is a known inducer of AMC and endogenous antioxidants, such as glutathione (GSH), may prevent calcification. GSH synthesis, however, can be limited by cysteine levels. Therefore, we assessed the effects of the cysteine prodrug 2‐oxothiazolidine‐4‐carboxylic acid (OTC), on vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) calcification to ascertain its therapeutic potential. Human aortic VSMCs were cultured in basal or mineralising medium (1 mM calcium chloride/sodium phosphate) and treated with OTC (1–5 mM) for 7 days. Cell‐based assays and western blot analysis were performed to assess cell differentiation and function. OTC inhibited calcification ≤90%, which was associated with increased ectonucleotide pyrophosphatase/phosphodiesterase activity, and reduced apoptosis. In calcifying cells, OTC downregulated protein expression of osteoblast markers (Runt‐related transcription factor 2 and osteopontin), while maintaining expression of VSMC markers (smooth muscle protein 22α and α‐smooth muscle actin). GSH levels were significantly reduced by 90% in VSMCs cultured in calcifying conditions, which was associated with declines in expression of gamma‐glutamylcysteine synthetase and GSH synthetase. Treatment of calcifying cells with OTC blocked the reduction in expression of both enzymes and prevented the decline in GSH. This study shows OTC to be a potent and effective inhibitor of in vitro VSMC calcification. It appears to maintain GSH synthesis which may, in turn, prevent apoptosis and VSMCs gaining osteoblast‐like characteristics. These findings may be of clinical relevance and raise the possibility that treatment with OTC could benefit patients susceptible to AMC.