bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Assessment of Phosphate Laundries Wastewater Phytotoxicity and Biotreatment Assays
Authors: Moula Amel , Borgi Mohamed Ali , Loukil Slim , Chaieb Mohamed , Mekki Ali 
Published: September 2020

AbstractThe phytotoxicity potential of phosphate laundries wastewater (PLW) is assessed. Likewise, the assays of biotreatment of the PLW by microbial detoxification are investigated. Chemical characterization results show that PLW are alkaline, saline, highly turbid, and rich in suspended matter and total solids. PLW samples are loaded with potentially toxic metals, presented in decreasing order as follows: calcium (1230 mg L−1), potassium (1032 mg L−1), iron (275.45 mg L−1), lead (1.64 mg L−1), zinc (1.12 mg L−1), copper (1.04 mg L−1), and cadmium (1.03 mg L−1). Besides, PLW exhibits high phytotoxicity values for Raphanus sativus, Medicago sativa, and Sorghum bicolor seeds germination. The microbiological enumeration reveals considerable autochthonous microflora. Biotreatment includes five selected native strains (Se, S16, S19, S20, and S29) used as a tool of PLW detoxification. The strains tested manifest a bioprocessing performance according to the following decreasing order: S29 > S16 > S20 > S19 > Se. The biotreated phosphate laundries wastewater (BTPLW) achieves a noticeable reduction of toxicity. Indeed, analysis of the correlation matrix between the potentially toxic metal content and the germination index (GI) values shows significant correlations (p ≤ 0.01).
Highly Efficient Synthesis of Amino Acids by Amination of Bio‐Derived Hydroxy Acids with Ammonia over Ru Supported on N‐Doped Carbon Nanotubes
Authors: Xie Zhenbing , Chen Bingfeng , Peng Fangfang , Liu Mingyang , Liu Huizhen , Yang Guanying , Han Buxing 
Published: September 2020

AbstractThe amino acids have extensive applications, and their productions from biomass‐derived feedstocks are very attractive. In this work, the synthesis of amino acids by amination of bio‐derived hydroxy acids with ammonia over different metallic nano‐catalysts supported on various supports is studied. It is found that Ru nano‐catalysts on the nitrogen‐doped carbon nanotubes (Ru/N−CNTs) have an outstanding performance for the reaction. Different hydroxy acids can be catalytically converted into the corresponding amino acids with yields up to 70.0 % under mild conditions, which is higher than those reported. The reasons for the high efficiency of the catalyst are investigated, and the reaction pathway is proposed on the basis of control experiments.
Rational Route for Increasing Intercalation Capacity of Hard Carbons as Sodium‐Ion Battery Anodes
Authors: Katsuyama Yuto , Nakayasu Yuta , Kobayashi Hiroaki , Goto Yasuto , Honma Itaru , Watanabe Masaru 
Published: September 2020

AbstractHard carbon (HC) is the most promising candidate for sodium‐ion battery anode materials. Several material properties such as intensity ratio of the Raman spectrum, lateral size of HC crystallite (La), and interlayer distance (d002) have been discussed as factors affecting anode performance. However, these factors do not reflect the bulk property of the Na+ intercalation reaction directly, since Raman analysis has high surface sensitivity and La and d002 provide only one‐dimensional crystalline information. Herein, it was proposed that the crystallite interlayer area (Ai) defined using La, d002, and stacking height (Lc) governs Na+ intercalation behavior of various HCs. It was revealed that various wood‐derived HCs exhibited the similar total capacity of approximately 250 mAh g−1, whereas the Na+ intercalation capacity (Ci) was proportional to Ai with the correlation coefficient of R2=0.94. The evaluation factor of Ai was also adaptable to previous reports and strongly correlated with their Ci, indicating that Ai is more widely adaptable than the conventional evaluation methods.
Hierarchically Porous SnO2Coupled Organic Carbon for CO2Electroreduction
Authors: Kuang Zhaoyu , Zhao Wanpeng , Peng Chunlei , Zhang Qingming , Xue Yi , Li Zhaoxia , Yao Heliang , Zhou Xiaoxia , Chen Hangrong 
Published: September 2020

AbstractConverting CO2into value‐added chemicals or fuels by electrochemical CO2reduction reaction (CO2RR) has aroused great interest, whereas designing highly active and selective electrocatalysts is still a challenge. Herein, a novel kind of electrochemical catalyst composed with SnO2and organic carbon (OC), named as SnO2/OC, was facilely constructed for CO2RR. The obtained SnO2/OC exhibits both high faradaic efficiency for formate (∼75 %) and carbon products (∼95 %) as well as excellent stability. High surface area with hierarchically porous structure and the homogeneous formation of Sn−O−C linkages in SnO2/OC jointly promote the adsorption and activation of CO2, as well as fast transport of reactants and products.
The Drosophila CG1674 gene encodes a synaptopodin 2‐like related protein that localizes to the Z‐disc and is required for normal flight muscle development and function
Authors: Czajkowski Emily R. , Cisneros Marilyn , Garcia Bianca S. , Shen Jim , Cripps Richard M. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractBackgroundTo identify novel myofibrillar components of the Drosophila flight muscles, we carried out a proteomic analysis of chemically demembranated flight muscle myofibrils, and characterized the knockdown phenotype of a novel gene identified in the screen, CG1674.ResultsThe CG1674 protein has some similarity to vertebrate synaptopodin 2‐like, and when expressed as a FLAG‐tagged fusion protein, it was localized during development to the Z‐disc and cytoplasm. Knockdown of CG1674 expression affected the function of multiple muscle types, and defective flight in adults was accompanied by large actin‐rich structures in the flight muscles that resembled overgrown Z‐discs. Localization of CG1674 to the Z‐disc depended predominantly upon presence of the Z‐disc component alpha‐actinin, but also depended upon other Z‐disc components, including Mask, Zasp52, and Sals. We also observed re‐localization of FLAG‐CG1674 to the nucleus in Alpha‐actinin and sals knockdown animals.ConclusionsThese studies identify and characterize a previously unreported myofibrillar component of Drosophila muscle that is necessary for proper myofibril assembly during development.
In situ glacial survival maintains high genetic diversity of Mussaenda kwangtungensis on continental islands in subtropical China
Authors: Shi Miaomiao , Wang Yuyuan , Duan Tingting , Qian Xin , Zeng Tong , Zhang Dianxiang 
Published: September 2020

AbstractGenerally, island populations are predicted to have less genetic variation than their mainland relatives. However, a growing number of studies have nevertheless reported exceptions, indicating that the relationships were impacted by several factors, for example, historical processes. In the present study, we chose a group of subtropical islands located in South China as the study system, which are quite younger and much closer to the mainland than most of the previous studied island systems, to test the hypothesis that in situ glacial survival contributes to high levels of genetic diversity in island populations. We conducted a comparison of genetic variation between 12 island and 11 nearby mainland populations of Mussaenda kwangtungensis using eleven nuclear microsatellite and three chloroplast markers, evaluated effects of the island area and distance to mainland on genetic diversity of island populations, and simulated the potential distribution over the past by ecological niche modeling, together with the genetic data to detect the role of islands during the glacial periods. The island populations displayed comparable levels of genetic diversity and differentiation with mainland populations, overall high levels of unique polymorphisms, and the greatest values of specific within‐population genetic diversity. No significant correlation was detected between genetic diversity of island populations and distance to mainland, as well as area of islands, except that allelic richness was significantly positively correlated with the area of islands. Nuclear microsatellites revealed two main clusters, largely corresponding to islands and inland populations, which divergence dated to a time of island formation by ABC analysis. Ecological niche modeling predicted a highly climatic suitability on islands during the last glacial maximum (LGM). Our results suggest that the islands have acted as refugia during the LGM and highlight the role of in situ glacial survival in maintaining high levels of genetic diversity of M. kwangtungensis in continental islands of subtropical China.
Do fuel treatments decrease forest mortality or increase streamflow? A case study from the Sierra Nevada (USA)
Authors: Bart Ryan R. , Safeeq Mohammad , Wagenbrenner Joseph W. , Hunsaker Carolyn T. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractReduced forest mortality and increased streamflow have been promoted as hydrologic benefits of forest fuel treatments in water‐limited systems. These benefits, however, are often quite variable because they both rely upon the use of water made available through tree‐scale reductions in evapotranspiration. In this study, we examined whether forest mortality benefits and streamflow benefits from fuel treatments offset one another, because the allocation of unused water for one benefit implies less availability of that water for the other benefit. To do this, we took advantage of two paired‐watershed experiments in the Kings River Experimental Watersheds located in the southern Sierra Nevada. The fuel treatments, which included mechanical thinning and prescribed fire, began in 2012 and coincided with the 2012–2016 California drought and related forest mortality event. We found that in the higher‐elevation Bull watersheds, fuel treatments decreased forest mortality but had no effect on annual streamflow. In the lower‐elevation Providence watersheds, we observed the opposite result, as fuel treatments had no effect on forest mortality but depending on the model, increased annual streamflow at 95% and 90% confidence. The results suggest that the water made available from fuel treatments followed different hydrological pathways through the watersheds, with the water being taken up by neighbouring vegetation and decreasing water stress in Bull, and the water contributing to streamflow in Providence. These findings suggest that fuel treatments in water‐limited systems may not provide full hydrologic benefits to both forest mortality and streamflow concurrently in a given watershed.
Psychological aspects of childbirth: Evidence for a birth‐related mindset
Authors: Hoffmann Lisa , Banse Rainer 
Published: September 2020

AbstractPsychological research on childbirth is rare, even though research from other scientific fields such as obstetrics or midwifery highlights the importance of psychological factors in childbirth. In this article, the theoretical construct of a birth‐related mindset and direct and indirect measures for assessing the mindset are proposed. It is assumed that childbirth can be mentally presented as a rather natural (natural mindset) or a rather medicalized (medicalized mindset) event. In three online studies (Study 1: N = 117, Study 2: N = 206, Study 3: N = 192), we aimed to explore whether the proposed birth‐related mindset is related to the retrospectively reported process of labor and birth (operationalized, e.g., by performed interventions, duration of birth, place of birth). For this, the relation between the mothers’ birth‐related decisions and outcomes of childbirth and the mothers' birth‐related mindsets were analyzed. Results indicated that (1) birth‐related criteria such as place of birth, epidural anesthesia, and C‐sections were associated with the birth‐related mindset, (2) these aspects of the delivery were related to the evaluation of the birth (birth experience), (3) the birth‐related mindset moderated the relationship between C‐section and birth experience, and (4) the indirect measures had little to no added explanatory value to the developed Mindset and Birth Questionnaire. Thus, the results indicate that the birth process experienced by the women and the mental representations of birth (birth‐related mindset) are closely related. Future studies need to investigate to what extend the experienced birth process influences the mindset of birth, or the mindset the experienced birth process, or both.
Broadband Microwave Signal Dissipation in Nanostructured Copper Oxide at Air‐film Interface**
Authors: Amoah Papa K. , Košiček Martin , Perez Jesus , Sunday Christopher E. , Moreau Stéphane , Cvelbar Uroš , Obeng Yaw S. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractContactless broadband microwave spectroscopy (a.k.a., broadband dielectric spectroscopy (BDS)) enables the accurate operando analysis of the electrical and magnetic properties without compromising the kinetic conditions of the experiment. The BDS method is sensitive to the actual electronic structure of species, and it is most relevant to redox reactions involving charge‐transfer. In this paper, using BDS, we have studied and characterized the oxidation of a copper layer in a purposely built prototypical 3‐D integrated circuit (3D‐IC) during cycled high‐temperature storage. We show that the microwave signal loss in these devices is attributable to the energy dissipation through the signal's interactions with the copper oxidation product. The results demonstrate that contactless BDS could be leveraged into an excellent metrology for applications that use metal oxide as sensing elements.
Efficient data transfer in edge envisioned environment using artificial intelligence based edge node algorithm
Authors: Kumar V. D. Ambeth , Kumar Abhishek , Batth Ranbir Singh , Rashid Mamoon , Gupta Sachin Kumar , Raghuraman Manish 
Published: September 2020

AbstractEdge computing technology has drawn the keystone of future intelligent transportation systems, especially in smart cities, because of processing data that are near to the user location present at the edge of the cloud server. Generally, in smart cities where distributed things have access to computational resources, data transfer becomes inevitable because of high latency, thereby resulting in crucial situations. Even though numerous technologies have emerged for improving the data communication among geo‐distributed devices received from the cloud server but still, it lags in low learning performance. To address these challenges, an innovative artificial intelligence (AI) based edge node (E‐Node) algorithm is implemented to optimize the edge to edge learning for well‐organized data migration. To attain high reliability, AI‐K‐means neural network (KNN) and convolution neural network (CNN) is used initially for pre‐processing and filtering the edge node. Further, the proposed E‐Node algorithm outperforms the optimization technique effectively through the edge to edge computing The reliability performance is increased by reducing the node optimization time from 132 to 98 ms for 25 kb data and data transmission time is reduced from 93 to 45 ms for 80 kb data, thus reducing the latency in an edge envisioned environment.
The enduring effects of relational attributes on subsidiary evolution after mandate loss
Authors: Gillmore Edward , Andersson Ulf , Ekman Peter 
Published: September 2020

AbstractResearch SummaryWe explore the importance of the relational attributes, trust and commitment, and their association with subsidiary development after mandate loss. We examine how greenfield and acquired subsidiaries, through their interaction with headquarters and sister subsidiaries, develop relational attributes through mutual‐orientated adaption. These relational attributes are subsequently important elements in upholding and developing subsidiary activities despite the loss of a mandate. We trail this process through a longitudinal field study following the evolution of four multinational enterprise (MNE) subsidiaries. We explain how the subsidiaries relational attributes and part of their activities, associated with its mandates, remain even after the loss of a mandate. The study shows how these relational attributes mitigate and compensate for formal mandate loss.Managerial SummarySubsidiaries have been increasingly seen as the locomotive of MNEs value creation. This has coincided with the disaggregation of the MNEs value chain which has had a positive effect on the development of foreign subsidiaries. However, there is now more competition for responsibilities among subsidiaries leading to increased movement of responsibilities and activities between them. We find that the subsidiary managers relationship attributes (trust and commitment) between them, their headquarters and other subsidiaries in the MNE has a mitigating effect on the loss of these responsibilities for the subsidiary. By showing the impact of managerial micro‐activities in the MNE, our study offers insights for subsidiary managers on what they can leverage to pursue subsidiary charter consolidating activities and survival, or charter enhancing activities and growth.
The importance of cancer patients' functional recollections to explore the acceptability of an isometric‐resistance exercise intervention: A qualitative study
Authors: Hashem Ferhana , Corbett Kevin , Stephensen David , Swaine Ian , Ali Haythem , Hutchins Irena 
Published: September 2020

AbstractBackground and AimsAlthough it has been widely recognized the potential of physical activity to help cancer patients' preparation for and recovery from surgery, there is little consideration of patient reflections and recovery experiences to help shape adherence to exercise programs. The aim was to explore the acceptability of our newly proposed isometric exercise program in a large general hospital trust in England providing specialist cancer care by using patient recollections of illness and therapy prior to undertaking a randomized controlled trial.MethodsFour Focus groups (FGs) were conducted with cancer survivors with an explicit focus on patient identity, functional capacity, physical strength, exercise advice, types of activities as well as the timing of our exercise program and its suitability. Thematic framework analysis was used with NVivo 11.ResultsFG data was collected in January 2016. A total of 13 patients were participated, 10 were male and 3 were female with participants' ages ranging from 39 to 77. Data saturation was achieved when no new information had been generated reaching “information redundancy.” Participants reflected upon their post‐surgery recovery experiences on the appropriateness and suitability of the proposed intervention, what they thought about its delivery and format, and with hindsight what the psychological enablers and barriers would be to participation.ConclusionBased upon the subjective recollections and recovery experiences of cancer survivors, isometric‐resistance exercise interventions tailored to individuals with abdominal cancer has the potential to be acceptable for perioperative patients to help increase their physical activity and can also help with emotional and psychological recovery.
A QM/MM simulation study of transamination reaction at the active site of aspartate aminotransferase: Free energy landscape and proton transfer pathways
Authors: Dutta Banik Sindrila , Bankura Arindam , Chandra Amalendu 
Published: September 2020

AbstractTransaminase is a key enzyme for amino acid metabolism, which reversibly catalyzes the transamination reaction with the help of PLP (pyridoxal 5'‐phosphate) as its cofactor. Here we have investigated the mechanism and free energy landscape of the transamination reaction involving the aspartate transaminase (AspTase) enzyme and aspartate‐PLP (Asp‐PLP) complex using QM/MM simulation and metadynamics methods. The reaction is found to follow a stepwise mechanism where the active site residue Lys258 acts as a base to shuttle a proton from α‐carbon (CA) to imine carbon (C4A) of the PLP‐Asp Schiff base. In the first step, the Lys258 abstracts the CA proton of the substrate leading to the formation of a carbanionic intermediate which is followed by the reprotonation of the Asp‐PLP Schiff base at C4A atom by Lys258. It is found that the free energy barrier for the proton abstraction by Lys258 and that for the reprotonation are 17.85 and 3.57 kcal/mol, respectively. The carbanionic intermediate is 7.14 kcal/mol higher in energy than the reactant. Hence, the first step acts as the rate limiting step. The present calculations also show that the Lys258 residue undergoes a conformational change after the first step of transamination reaction and becomes proximal to C4A atom of the Asp‐PLP Schiff base to favor the second step. The active site residues Tyr70* and Gly38 anchor the Lys258 in proper position and orientation during the first step of the reaction and stabilize the positive charge over Lys258 generated at the intermediate step.
Preconception expanded carrier screening: Impact of information presented by text or video on genetic knowledge and attitudes
Authors: Conijn Thirsa , Nijmeijer Stephanie C. M. , Lakeman Phillis , Henneman Lidewij , Wijburg Frits A. , Haverman Lotte 
Published: September 2020

AbstractPreconception expanded carrier screening (ECS) aims to identify couples with an increased risk of having a child with an autosomal recessive (AR) disorder before pregnancy, thereby enabling reproductive choices. Genetic knowledge and experiential knowledge both influence the uptake of ECS. As people in the general public often lack such knowledge, it is essential to provide appropriate and understandable information when offering ECS. This study investigated the effect of an educational video, compared to an educational text, on the knowledge and attitudes toward preconception ECS in the general population. Both the text and video consisted of a brief educational summary on AR inheritance and on the type of disorders included in ECS, with the progressive neurodegenerative condition mucopolysaccharidosis type III (MPS III) as an example. Participants in the reproductive age were invited in collaboration with a research agency. Respondents (N = 789) were offered an educational video prior to completing an online questionnaire that examined genetic knowledge, the perceived severity of MPS III, perceived risk, and attitudes toward ECS. Outcomes were compared to reference data collected previously in which respondents had been offered an educational text (N = 781). We first again studied the attitudes toward ECS in a smaller educational text group (N = 266) in order to assess whether attitudes had changed over time due to increased media coverage on ECS, which did not reveal any significant changes. Respondents who were offered the video had a better genetic knowledge, perceived MPS III as more severe, perceived their risks higher and were more likely to participate in ECS compared to those who were offered text. Online video may well be used as supportive tool to the genetic counseling process, creating more knowledge on ECS and severe genetic disorders included in preconception screening panels.