bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Inoculation with the mycorrhizal fungus Rhizophagus irregularis modulates the relationship between root growth and nutrient content in maize (Zea mays ssp. mays L.)
Authors: Ramírez‐Flores M. Rosario , Bello‐Bello Elohim , Rellán‐Álvarez Rubén , Sawers Ruairidh J. H. , Olalde‐Portugal Víctor 
Published: December 2019

AbstractPlant root systems play a fundamental role in nutrient and water acquisition. In resource‐limited soils, modification of root system architecture is an important strategy to optimize plant performance. Most terrestrial plants also form symbiotic associations with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi to maximize nutrient uptake. In addition to direct delivery of nutrients, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi benefit the plant host by promoting root growth. Here, we aimed to quantify the impact of arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis on root growth and nutrient uptake in maize. Inoculated plants showed an increase in both biomass and the total content of twenty quantified elements. In addition, image analysis showed mycorrhizal plants to have denser, more branched root systems. For most of the quantified elements, the increase in content in mycorrhizal plants was proportional to root and overall plant growth. However, the increase in boron, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, sulfur, and strontium was greater than predicted by root system size alone, indicating fungal delivery to be supplementing root uptake.
Bronchiectasis in common variable immunodeficiency: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Ramzi Nasim , Jamee Mahnaz , Bakhtiyari Mahmood , Rafiemanesh Hosein , Zainaldain Hamed , Tavakol Marzieh , Rezaei Amir , Kalvandi Mustafa , Zian Zeineb , Mohammadi Hamed , Jadidi‐Niaragh Farhad , Yazdani Reza , Abolhassani Hassan , Aghamohammadi Asghar , Azizi Gholamreza 
Published: December 2019

AbstractBackgroundCommon variable immunodeficiency (CVID) is the most prevalent symptomatic primary immunodeficiency disorder characterized by infectious and noninfectious complications. Bronchiectasis continues to be a common respiratory problem and therapeutic challenge in CVID. The aim of this study is to estimate the overall prevalence of bronchiectasis and its associated phenotype in patients with CVID.MethodsA systematic literature search was performed in Web of Science, PubMed, and Scopus from the earliest available date to February 2019 with standard keywords. All pooled analyses of bronchiectasis prevalence and the corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were based on random‐effects models.ResultsFifty‐five studies comprising 8535 patients with CVID were included in the meta‐analysis. Overall prevalence of bronchiectasis was 34% (95% CI: 30‐38; I2 = 90.19%). CVID patients with bronchiectasis had significantly lower serum immunoglobulin A (IgA) and IgM levels at the time of diagnosis compared with those without bronchiectasis. Among the clinical features, the frequencies of splenomegaly, pneumonia, otitis media, and lymphocytic interstitial pneumonia were significantly higher in CVID patients with bronchiectasis compared with those without bronchiectasis, respectively.ConclusionA higher prevalence of bronchiectasis in patients with CVID should be managed by controlling recurrent and severe pneumonia episodes which are immune dysregulation since this complication is associated with poor prognosis in these patients.
Anatomical study of the prostatic urethra using vinyl polysiloxane casts
Authors: Chen Henry , Zhang Chiyuan A. , Gill Harcharan S. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractBackgroundThere are limited studies describing the detailed nonhistologic anatomy of the prostatic urethra. We studied radical prostatectomy specimens to describe the ex vivo anatomical details of its shape and size.MethodsWe conducted an observational study examining the prostatic urethra anatomy. Prostatic urethra casts (molds) were made using vinyl polysiloxane immediately after fresh specimens had been retrieved following prostatectomy for organ‐confined prostate cancer. The following measurements were taken from the casts: anterior length, posterior length, maximal diameter, bladder neck to verumontanum, verumontanum to apex length, and prostate urethral angle (PUA). Prostate volume was calculated using the ellipsoid formula: ((p/6) × transverse × length × height).ResultsThirty‐three prostatic urethral casts were obtained. The mean prostate volume was 38.59 cc. The mean PUA was 127.6°. The mean transverse, apex, and length of the prostate were 4.65, 4.06, and 3.63 cm, respectively. The mean distance from the verumontanum to sphincter was 1.2 cm. The ratio between the anterior and posterior length of the prostatic urethra was 0.82 cm and did not correlate with prostatic size (Figure 8).ConclusionThe distance from the verumontanum to the apex does not change with prostate size; it is uniform with a mean length of 1.2 cm. The anterior length, posterior length, and maximum diameter of the prostatic urethra increase with prostate size. The mean difference between the anterior and posterior length is 0.8 cm and did not correlate with prostate size. Urethral angulation decreased with prostate size but was not significant. Information obtained from this study is of value designing prostatic stents and devices for benign prostatic hyperplasia.
Structural and functional characterization of Solanum tuberosum VDAC36
Authors: Lopes‐Rodrigues Maximilien , Matagne André , Zanuy David , Alemán Carlos , Perpète Eric A. , Michaux Catherine 
Published: December 2019

AbstractAs it forms water‐filled channel in the mitochondria outer membrane and diffuses essential metabolites such as NADH and ATP, the voltage‐dependent anion channel (VDAC) protein family plays a central role in all eukaryotic cells. In comparison with their mammalian homologues, little is known about the structural and functional properties of plant VDACs. In the present contribution, one of the two VDACs isoforms of Solanum tuberosum, stVDAC36, has been successfully overexpressed and refolded by an in‐house method, as demonstrated by the information on its secondary and tertiary structure gathered from circular dichroism and intrinsic fluorescence. Cross‐linking and molecular modeling studies have evidenced the presence of dimers and tetramers, and they suggest the formation of an intermolecular disulfide bond between two stVDAC36 monomers. The pore‐forming activity was also assessed by liposome swelling assays, indicating a typical pore diameter between 2.0 and 2.7 nm. Finally, insights about the ATP binding inside the pore are given by docking studies and electrostatic calculations.
Modeling cationic adduction of oligonucleotides using electrospray desorption ionization
Authors: Sutton J. Michael , Bartlett Michael G. 
Published: December 2019

RationaleCationic adduction causes poor sensitivity and increases spectral complexity during mass spectral analysis of oligonucleotides and alkylamines are used to reduce this adduction. It is unclear the effect of the physiochemical properties of the alkylamines on the reduction of the cationic adduction.MethodsAll samples were directly infused into a Synapt G2 HDMS quadrupole time‐of‐flight (TOF) hybrid mass spectrometer in negative ion electrospray ionization mode through the native built‐in fluidics system. The infusion flow rate was set to 50 μL/min. The TOFMS tuning parameters were as follows: capillary voltage −2.0 kV, cone voltage 25 V, extraction cone voltage 2 V, source temperature 125°C, desolvation temperature 450°C, cone gas flow rate 0 L/h, and desolvation gas (nitrogen) flow rate 1000 L/h.ResultsA quantitative model was created to predict the optimized alkylamine for MS analysis, while a qualitative model was generated to explain the most important physiochemical properties: proton affinity (13.83%), gas‐phase basicity (11.79%), pKa (11.47%), boiling point (10.73%), MW (10.3%), Henry's Law Constant (9.56%), and partition coefficient (logP) (9.44%). The quantitative model was applied to RNA (microRNA) and a phosphorothioate and predicts the trend of cationic adduction.ConclusionsTwo models are described to understand the physiochemical properties that contribute to the adduction and to provide users a quick mathematical tool to predict the best choice of alkylamine to lower cationic adduction and decrease spectral complexity while enhancing sensitivity.
Prevalence and burden of dengue infection in Europe: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Ahmed Ali Mahmoud , Mohammed Abdelrahman Tarek , Vu Thao T. , Khattab Mohammed , Doheim Mohamed Fahmy , Ashraf Mohamed Ahmed , Abdelhamed Mai Mahmoud , Shamandy Bahaa Eldin , Dawod Mahmoud Tamer , Alesaei Wafaa Ali , Kassem Mahmoud Attia , Mattar Omar Mohamed , Smith Chris , Hirayama Kenji , Huy Nguyen Tien 
Published: December 2019

SummaryImported dengue cases are thought to be important source for transmission of autochthonous dengue in Europe. We aimed to investigate the prevalence of dengue in Europe, its severity, and factors associated with it. Out of 5287 reports resulting from the search of nine electronic search engines, we included 174 reports. Meta‐analysis was performed by pooling the event rate and 95% confidence interval (CI). Subgroup meta‐analyses were performed to test the effect of the covariates. Among 20 284 reported cases, 130 autochthonous dengue cases were reported in eight countries with the highest number of cases reported in Israel (n = 41). The highest number of imported dengue cases was in Germany (n = 6638) then France (n = 6610). Most cases were imported from Southeast Asia (n = 2533) especially Thailand. Dengue infection cases increased with time, with 4157 cases reported in 2010. Second dengue infection and dengue serotype 2 were positively associated with dengue severity. The proportion of autochthonous dengue infection increased with time to reach 14.8% (95% CI, 7.6‐26.9) in 2015. The pooled proportion of severe dengue was 6.18% (95% CI, 2.7‐13.3). The United Kingdom and France had the highest rate of severe dengue (25%; 95% CI, 6.3‐62.3, and 21.4%; 95% CI, 24.5‐18.7, respectively). This change may be due to the surveillance efforts instead of true biological phenomenon; thus, the lack of surveillance is an obvious limitation. In conclusion, imported and autochthonous dengue has been increasing in Europe. Severe dengue began to increase recently in Europe. European health authorities should pay more attention for the diagnosis and control of dengue infection among returning travelers, especially the travelers with fever of unknown origin.
Tracking and load sway reduction for double‐pendulum rotary cranes using adaptive nonlinear control approach
Authors: Ouyang Huimin , Xu Xiang , Zhang Guangming 
Published: December 2019

SummaryBecause of the existence of rotational boom motion, the load sway characteristics is more complex. In particular, when the sway presents double‐pendulum phenomenon, the design of the controller is more challenging. Furthermore, the uncertain parameters and external disturbances in crane system make it difficult for traditional control methods to obtain satisfactory control performance. Hence, this paper presents an adaptive nonlinear controller based on the dynamic model of double‐pendulum rotary crane. Unlike a traditional method, the proposed one does not need to linearize the crane system for controller design; therefore, the control performance can be guaranteed even if the system states are far away from the equilibrium point. By using Lyapunov technique and LaSalle's invariance theorem, it is strictly proved that the whole control system is asymptotically stable at the equilibrium point. The effectiveness of the presented controller is demonstrated via comparative simulations.
Stereoselective Synthesis of Hagen's Gland Lactones by Employing Vinylogous Mukaiyama Type Reaction
Authors: Chowhan L. Raju , Singh Vipin , Raj Lakshmi Shanta 
Published: December 2019

AbstractConcise and stereoselective synthesis of Hagen's Gland Lactones is achieved by employing vinylogous Mukaiyama type reaction, Epimerization followed by oxy‐Michael addition reaction to form bicyclic lactone as key steps with 54% overall yield. The synthetic route is economical and scalable within 5 steps without use of any toxic metals. The methodology could be useful for the synthesis of natural products containing bicyclic lactones and tetra substituted THF ring.
Sweet Corn (Zea mays L. var. rugosa) Derived Fluorescent Carbon Quantum Dots for Selective Detection of Hydrogen Sulfide and Bioimaging Applications
Authors: Rajendran Kalimuthu , Rajendran Ganapathy , Kasthuri Jayapalan , Kathiravan Krishnan , Rajendiran Nagappan 
Published: December 2019

AbstractWe report a green, simple, and facile fluorometric method for the detection of hydrogen sulfide (S2−) using bluish green carbon quantum dots (CQDs) derived from sweet corn (Zea mays L. var. rugosa) as carbon source. The optical properties of the CQDs were studied using UV‐visible, PL spectra and lifetime measurements. High‐resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR‐TEM), atomic force microscope (AFM) and dynamic light scattering (DLS) were used for morphological studies. X‐ray diffraction (XRD) technique was used for phase analysis. Zeta potential, Fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR), Raman and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) were used to measure the charge and composition of QDs. The prepared CQDs having size less than 2.4 nm with bluish green emission at ∼470 nm and showed excellent stability for more than 6 months in aqueous medium. The synthesized CQDs showed highly sensitive and selective detection of sulfide ions (S2−) in aqueous medium over other toxic metal ions and inorganic salts, and the detection limit was 8 nM in the linear range from 5 to 100 nM. The synthesized CQDs had excellent hemocompatibility as evidenced from the hemolytic assay (2.86 %) and ESR estimation (7.5 mm/h) on human RBCs. The cell viability of CQDs was evaluated on Vero and A549 cell line by MTT assay, which produced more than 90 % of cell viability in both cell lines at 250 μg/mL concentration. Owing to their biocompatible nature, the synthesized CQDs were used as a fluorescent probe for in vitro bioimaging applications.
Electrically Controlled Localized Charge Trapping at Amorphous Fluoropolymer–Electrolyte Interfaces
Authors: Wu Hao , Dey Ranabir , Siretanu Igor , van den Ende Dirk , Shui Lingling , Zhou Guofu , Mugele Frieder 
Published: December 2019

AbstractCharge trapping is a long‐standing problem in electrowetting on dielectric, causing reliability reduction and restricting its practical applications. Although this phenomenon is investigated macroscopically, the microscopic investigations are still lacking. In this work, the trapped charges are proven to be localized at the three‐phase contact line (TPCL) region by using three detecting methods—local contact angle measurements, electrowetting (EW) probe, and Kelvin probe force microscopy. Moreover, it is demonstrated that this EW‐assisted charge injection (EWCI) process can be utilized as a simple and low‐cost method to deposit charges on fluoropolymer surfaces. Charge densities near the TPCL up to 0.46 mC m−2 and line widths of the deposited charge ranging from 20 to 300 µm are achieved by the proposed EWCI method. Particularly, negative charge densities do not degrade even after a “harsh” testing with a water droplet on top of the sample surfaces for 12 h, as well as after being treated by water vapor for 3 h. These findings provide an approach for applications which desire stable and controllable surface charges.
Diverse Functions of Lipids and Lipid Metabolism in Development
Authors: Yao Yan , Ding Long , Huang Xun 
Published: December 2019

AbstractDevelopmental processes result from interactions between the external environment and internal factors. Recent discoveries have demonstrated the essential roles of lipid metabolic homeostasis in adapting to environmental changes and fulfilling many cellular requirements during development. Lipids not only constitute biological membranes, but they also provide the most efficient form to store and supply energy upon demand, and they act as signals/messengers in diverse developmental pathways. Lipid metabolism also influences gene transcription by affecting the chromatin state and modulates protein function through post‐translational modification. This review mainly focuses on summarizing recent findings about the critical roles of lipids and lipid metabolism during development. How new lipid imaging or tracing techniques will further strengthen authors' understanding of the tight link between lipid metabolism and diverse developmental processes are also discussed.
Seismic fragility analysis of strength eccentric structures subjected to pulse‐like ground motions
Authors: Bu Guobin , Liu Fangcheng , Bin Jia , Zhang Zhe 
Published: December 2019

AbstractThe seismic fragility of reinforced concrete (RC) frame systems considering the disadvantages of both structural eccentricities and pulse‐like earthquake effects is investigated. A total of 24,000 nonlinear time history analyses are performed using CANNY program. The influence of pulse‐like ground motion and strength eccentricity on the seismic fragility is studied quantitatively, in terms of interstorey drift, ductility, and floor rotation. The results show that the probability of reaching and exceeding a predefined damage state (Pf) is apparently higher for pulse‐like case than for non‐pulse‐like case. At a moderate eccentricity level of 0.2 and a moderate damage state (selected moderate case) with a peak ground acceleration (PGA) of 0.4 g, the Pf values of interstorey drift and ductility for pulse‐like case are 14 and 10% larger, respectively, than those for non‐pulse‐like case. The strength eccentricity also has a great effect on the structural seismic fragility. The PGA at a given probability level decreases with increasing eccentricity. For the selected moderate case, the PGAs at an exceeding probability of 50% are 0.40, 0.56, and 1.15 g for the Pf values of interstorey drift, ductility, and floor rotation, respectively. The obtained fragility curves could help to quantitatively evaluate the seismic behavior of eccentric RC frame structures subjected to pulse‐like ground motions.
Addition of pre‐wetted lightweight aggregate and steel/polypropylene fibers in high‐performance concrete to mitigate autogenous shrinkage
Authors: Zhao Yanhua , Xu Bohan , Chang Jianmei 
Published: December 2019

AbstractThe paper investigates the effects of ceramic sand as pre‐wetted lightweight aggregate together with steel fiber (SF) and polypropylene fiber (PPF) on the shrinkage and mechanical properties of high‐performance concrete (HPC). Four replacement levels of fine aggregate with presoaked ceramic sand (0, 10, 15, and 20% in volume) were first adopted to explore the possibility of ceramic sand as an internal curing material. Thereafter, SF and PPF were added for the replacement level 20% to study the combining effects of internal curing technology and fibers on the shrinkage and mechanical properties of HPC. The results show that the inclusion of pre‐wetted ceramic sand in HPC decreased autogenous deformation, and the risk of cracking in HPC under restrained conditions could be also effectively reduced. But the improvement in dimensional stability was achieved at the cost of deteriorated mechanical properties of HPC. Favorably, internal curing technology combined with SF/PPF could be a better solution for this contradictory: significantly reducing autogenous deformation, prolonging the onset time of crack, decreasing crack width, and cracking area without compromising mechanical properties of HPC.
Recent Development of Polyolefin‐Based Microporous Separators for Li−Ion Batteries: A Review
Authors: Heidari Ali Akbar , Mahdavi Hossein 
Published: December 2019

AbstractSecondary Li−ion batteries have been paid attention to wide‐range applications of power source for the portable electronics, electric vehicle, and electric storage reservoir. Generally, lithium‐ion batteries are comprised of four components including anode, cathode, electrolyte and separator. Although separators do not take part in the electrochemical reactions in a lithium‐ion (Li−ion) battery, they conduct the critical functions of physically separating the positive and negative electrodes to prevent electrical short circuit while permitting the free flow of lithium ions through the liquid electrolyte that fill in their open porous structure. Hence, the separator is directly related to the safety and the power performance of the battery. Among a number of separators developed thus far, polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) porous membrane separators have been the most dominant ones for commercial Li−ion batteries over the decades because of their superior properties such as cost‐efficiency, good mechanical strength and pore structure, electrochemical stability, and thermal shutdown properties. However, there are main issues for vehicular storage, such as nonpolarity, low surface energy and poor thermal stability, although the polyolefin separators have proven dependable in portable applications. Hence, in this review, we decide to provide an overview of the types of polyolefin microporous separators utilized in Li−ion batteries and the methods employed to modify their surface in detail. The remarkable results demonstrate that extraordinary properties can be exhibited by mono‐ and multilayer polyolefin separators if they are modified using suitable methods and materials.
Metal Functionalized Diketopyrrolopyrroles: A Promising Class of Materials for Optoelectronic Applications
Authors: Patil Yuvraj , Misra Rajneesh 
Published: December 2019

AbstractAfter first report on diketopyrrolopyrrole in 1974 by Farnum et al., a wide variety of its derivatives have been reported for material and biological applications. In this review we discuss various design strategies used for the synthesis of metal functionalized diketopyrrolopyrrole derivatives along with their photophysical and electrochemical studies with respect to material and biological applications. Some exciting applications of ferrocenyl functionalized diketopyrrolopyrrole derivatives such as non‐linear optics, organic solar cells and photothermal therapy were recently reported, which are also discussed in this review.
Swelling‐Deswelling Microencapsulation‐Enabled Ultrastable Perovskite−Polymer Composites for Photonic Applications
Authors: He Ziqian , He Juan , Zhang Caicai , Wu Shin‐Tson , Dong Yajie 
Published: December 2019

AbstractMetal halide perovskite nanocrystals are emerging as novel optoelectronic materials. Owing to their excellent optical and electronic properties such as tunable band gap, narrow‐band emission and high charge mobility, they are quite promising in various fields including liquid‐crystal display backlighting, solid‐state lighting and other energy conversion applications. However, the intrinsic low formation energy makes them vulnerable to external stimulus, e. g. water, oxygen, heat, etc. Among many methods, swelling‐deswelling microencapsulation emerges as one of the most promising strategies to improve their stability. Herein, recent developments and future research directions in swelling‐deswelling microencapsulation‐enabled ultrastable perovskite−polymer composites are summarized. We believe this strategy has great potential to deliver successful perovskite‐based commercial products for many photonics applications.