bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Bacteriological water quality and biofilm formation in the treatment system of the hemodialysis unit in Tlemcen, Algeria
Authors: Morghad Touhami , Hassaine Hafida , Boutarfi Zakaria , Gaouar Sarah , Bellifa Samia , Meziani Zahera 
Published: July 2020

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate and compare the microbiological quality of osmosis water at the distribution loop, at the dialysis generator inlet and to study the prevalence of biofilm in the tubing.MethodsMicrobiological analysis of 20 water loop samples, 10 water samples were taken at the machine entry and 10 pipe segments from tubing connecting the machines to the loop was done.ResultsThe bacterial enumeration results of the loop water vary from 90 to 150 CFU/mL, while the average number of bacteria at the entry of the machines was 182 CFU/mL. The counts of the adhered bacteria in the tubing were worrying with rates ranging from 4.30 to 6.74 Log CFU/ cm2. Fifty percentage of the strains isolated wereBacillus, followed byEnterobacter cloacae23.52%, Staphylococcus, and others such asKlebsiella pneumoniae,Pseudomonas aeruginosa, andAcinetobacter baumanii. More than half of the tubing strains were highly formative of biofilm, 13 strains with medium capacity and 10 were weakly.ConclusionThis study indicates bacterial water contamination. The formation of a biofilm will certainly harm the effectiveness of the various disinfection methods in this unit. Water quality is influenced not only by the high rate of bacterial colonization, but also differences in standards for dialysis water.
Distribution of contourite drifts on convergent margins: Examples from the Hikurangi subduction margin of New Zealand
Authors: Bailey William S. , McArthur Adam D. , McCaffrey William D. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractContourite drift systems form a significant component of the marine clastic sedimentary record. Although contourites form in all tectonic settings, few studies have described their development along convergent margins; such characterization is needed to underpin oceanographic and palaeoenvironmental studies in active settings. This study is the first to document contourite drift development along the Hikurangi subduction margin of New Zealand. Integration of bathymetric, seismic and well data enables five classes of drift to be recognized around the subduction wedge, occurring in three principal associations: (i) an upper slope drift association of giant elongate mounded (ca 150 km long, 50 km wide and up to 1100 m thick) and plastered drifts (ca 300 km long, 8 km wide and <600 m thick), which occurs upon and inboard of a major intrabasinal thrust‐cored high, whose long axis parallels the coast; shallow bottom currents disperse sub‐parallel to this axis; (ii) a spatiotemporally discontinuous association of confined and mounded hybrid drifts (ca 500 m long, <2 km wide and up to 500 m thick) that occurs along the mid‐to‐outer slope domain of the wedge, recording the interaction of along‐slope and downslope currents within trench‐slope basins; and (iii) a trench fill assemblage that implies the passage of abyssal bottom currents across a 40 km reach of the trench‐axial Hikurangi Channel‐levée, with associated modification of the channel form and of overbank sediment waves. The fundamental presence of contourites along this margin appears to depend on the orientation and strength of oceanographic bottom currents. However, drift type and evolution vary depending on the slope gradient and the presence of irregular seafloor topography created by tectonic structures. The documented drifts are generally smaller, less continuous, and develop more intermittently than similar styles of drifts documented on passive margins; this mode of occurrence may be characteristic of contourite development on convergent margins.
The value of preoperative high‐resolution MRI with microscopy coil for facial nonmelanoma skin cancers
Authors: Sheng Meiying , Tang Mengxiao , Lin Wei , Guo Lingchuan , He Wenjun , Chen Weixin , Li Ke , Liu Jianjiang , Xiao Can , Li Yonggang 
Published: July 2020

AbstractBackgroundThe extent and depth of facial nonmelanoma skin cancers and the involvement of adjacent structures are critical features for surgical planning, but they are difficult to assess clinically. High‐resolution MRI (HR‐MRI) with microscopy coil may facilitate detailed evaluation of skin lesions. The authors performed this prospective study to determine the value of high‐resolution microscopy coil MRI in the preoperative evaluation of nonmelanoma skin cancer.Materials and MethodsBetween October 2018 and August 2019, 16 lesions from fifteen consecutive patients with facial nonmelanoma skin cancer were evaluated using high‐resolution microscopy coil MRI about tumor extent, depth, margins, characteristic, and their spatial relationship with adjacent structures. The preoperative HR‐MRI results were compared with the intraoperative findings and with the histopathology, with special note to the depth of invasion.ResultsAmong the 16 lesions, HR‐MRI imaging was found to provide accurate evaluation of tumor extent, depth, and margins and determine whether there was involvement of adjacent structures. The tumor depth measured on HR‐MRI showed good correlation with histopathologic results (CCC: 0.973), and Bland‐Altman analysis finding no significant bias existed between the two measurements. All lesions except one were completely resected with primary excision. Only one lesion required further excision. During follow‐up for 3‐15 months, no tumor recurrence was observed in any case.ConclusionsHR‐MRI is an accurate, noninvasive imaging technique that can be used as preoperative evaluation tool for facial nonmelanoma skin cancer. It can accurate predict tumor depth, margins, and involvement of structure. The valuable information it provided facilitates surgeons optimize surgical planning.
A COP1‐PIF‐HEC regulatory module fine‐tunes photomorphogenesis in Arabidopsis
Authors: Kathare Praveen K. , Xu Xiaosa , Nguyen Andrew , Huq Enamul 
Published: July 2020

SummaryLight responses mediated by the photoreceptors play crucial roles in regulating different aspects of plant growth and development. An E3 ubiquitin ligase complex CONSTITUTIVELY PHOTOMORPHOGENIC1 (COP1)1/SUPPRESSOR OF PHYA (SPA), one of the central repressors of photomorphogenesis, is critical for maintaining skotomorphogenesis. It targets several positive regulators of photomorphogenesis for degradation in darkness. Recently, we revealed that basic helix‐loop‐helix factors, HECATEs (HECs), function as positive regulators of photomorphogenesis by directly interacting and antagonizing the activity of another group of repressors called PHYTOCHROME‐INTERACTING FACTORs (PIFs). It was also shown that HECs are partially degraded in the dark through the ubiquitin/26S proteasome pathway. However, the underlying mechanism of HEC degradation in the dark is still unclear. Here, we show that HECs also interact with both COP1 and SPA proteins in darkness, and that HEC2 is directly targeted by COP1 for degradation via the ubiquitin/26S proteasome pathway. Moreover, COP1‐mediated polyubiquitylation and degradation of HEC2 are enhanced by PIF1. Therefore, the ubiquitylation and subsequent degradation of HECs are significantly reduced in both cop1 and pif mutants. Consistent with this, the hec mutants partially suppress photomorphogenic phenotypes of both cop1 and pifQ mutants. Collectively, our work reveals that the COP1/SPA‐mediated ubiquitylation and degradation of HECs contributes to the coordination of skoto/photomorphogenic development in plants.
CURLED LATER1 encoding the largest subunit of the Elongator complex has a unique role in leaf development and meristem function in rice
Authors: Matsumoto Hikari , Yasui Yukiko , Ohmori Yoshihiro , Tanaka Wakana , Ishikawa Tetsuya , Numa Hisataka , Shirasawa Kenta , Taniguchi Yojiro , Tanaka Junichi , Suzuki Yasuhiro , Hirano Hiro‐Yuki 
Published: July 2020

SUMMARYThe Elongator complex, which is conserved in eukaryotes, has multiple roles in diverse organisms. In Arabidopsis thaliana, Elongator is shown to be involved in development, hormone action and environmental responses. However, except for Arabidopsis, our knowledge of its function is poor in plants. In this study, we initially carried out a genetic analysis to characterize a rice mutant with narrow and curled leaves, termed curled later1 (cur1). The cur1 mutant displayed a heteroblastic change, whereby the mutant leaf phenotype appeared specifically at a later adult phase of vegetative development. The shoot apical meristem (SAM) was small and the leaf initiation rate was low, suggesting that the activity of the SAM seemed to be partially reduced in cur1. We then revealed that CUR1 encodes a yeast ELP1‐like protein, the largest subunit of Elongator. Furthermore, disruption of OsELP3 encoding the catalytic subunit of Elongator resulted in phenotypes similar to those of cur1, including the timing of the appearance of mutant phenotypes. Thus, Elongator activity seems to be specifically required for leaf development at the late vegetative phase. Transcriptome analysis showed that genes involved in protein quality control were highly upregulated in the cur1 shoot apex at the later vegetative phase, suggesting the restoration of impaired proteins probably produced by partial defects in translational control due to the loss of function of Elongator. The differences in the mutant phenotype and gene expression profile between CUR1 and its Arabidopsis ortholog suggest that Elongator has evolved to play a unique role in rice development.
CAFRI‐Rice: CRISPR applicable functional redundancy inspector to accelerate functional genomics in rice
Authors: Hong Woo‐Jong , Kim Yu‐Jin , Kim Eui‐Jung , Kumar Nalini Chandran Anil , Moon Sunok , Gho Yun‐Shil , Yoou Myeong‐Hyun , Kim Sun Tae , Jung Ki‐Hong 
Published: July 2020

SUMMARYRice (Oryza sativa L.) is a staple crop with agricultural traits that have been intensively investigated. However, despite the variety of mutant population and multi‐omics data that have been generated, rice functional genomic research has been bottlenecked due to the functional redundancy in the genome. This phenomenon has masked the phenotypes of knockout mutants by functional compensation and redundancy. Here, we present an intuitive tool, CRISPR applicable functional redundancy inspector to accelerate functional genomics in rice (CAFRI‐Rice; cafri‐rice.khu.ac.kr). To create this tool, we generated a phylogenetic heatmap that can estimate the similarity between protein sequences and expression patterns, based on 2,617 phylogenetic trees and eight tissue RNA‐sequencing datasets. In this study, 33,483 genes were sorted into 2,617 families, and about 24,980 genes were tested for functional redundancy using a phylogenetic heatmap approach. It was predicted that 7,075 genes would have functional redundancy, according to the threshold value validated by an analysis of 111 known genes functionally characterized using knockout mutants and 5,170 duplicated genes. In addition, our analysis demonstrated that an anther/pollen‐preferred gene cluster has more functional redundancy than other clusters. Finally, we showed the usefulness of the CAFRI‐Rice‐based approach by overcoming the functional redundancy between two root‐preferred genes via loss‐of‐function analyses as well as confirming the functional dominancy of three genes through a literature search. This CAFRI‐Rice‐based target selection for CRISPR/Cas9‐mediated mutagenesis will not only accelerate functional genomic studies in rice but can also be straightforwardly expanded to other plant species.
Use of perfusion index to detect hemodynamic changes in endotoxemic pigs
Authors: Endo Yusuke , Miyasho Taku , Imahase Hisashi , Kawamura Yoshio , Sakamoto Yuichiro , Yamashita Kazuto 
Published: July 2020

AbstractObjectiveThe perfusion index (PI) derived from plethysmographic signals provides a noninvasive indication of peripheral perfusion. This study aimed to investigate changes in PI and other hemodynamic variables in pigs subjected to endotoxemia.DesignProspective experimental study.SettingUniversity teaching hospital.AnimalsTwelve healthy pigs weighing a mean (± standard deviation [SD]) of 31.7 ± 2.0 kg.InterventionsPigs were divided into control and endotoxin groups (n = 6 each). Endotoxemia was induced by IV infusion of lipopolysaccharide. Heart rate, mean arterial pressure, cardiac index (CI), central venous pressure, systemic vascular resistance index (SVRI), extravascular lung water index (ELWI), Global end‐diastolic volume (GEDV) index, and pulmonary permeability index were measured using a transpulmonary thermodilution monitor in all pigs. PI was measured using a pulse oximeter probe attached to the tail. Pao2, Paco2, and plasma lactate concentration were measured by blood gas analysis. Measurements were taken at baseline (T0). Saline or lipopolysaccharide was then administered for 30 min to all pigs (control or endotoxemia group, respectively), and each parameter was measured every 30 min up to 270 min. Data were analyzed by analysis of variance and Student's t‐tests.Measurements and Main ResultsThere were no significant changes in any variables in the control group, but CI, SVRI, PI, ELWI, blood lactate concentration, and Pao2 changed significantly from baseline in the endotoxin group (P < 0.001, P = 0.0048, P < 0.001, P = 0.0064, P < 0.001, and P = 0.0220, respectively). In the endotoxin group, mean (± SD) %PI increased from T0 to 154 ± 34% at T60 (P = .001) and 135 ± 50% at T90 (P =0 .004), which mirrored significant changes in %CI and %SVRI.ConclusionThe PI may be useful to detect changes in CI and SVRI.
Influence of a purpose‐built frame on the accuracy of computer‐assisted orthopedic surgery of equine extremities
Authors: de Preux Mathieu , Vidondo Beatriz , Koch Christoph 
Published: July 2020

AbstractObjectiveTo determine the influence of a purpose‐built frame on the accuracy of screw placement during computer‐assisted orthopedic surgery (CAOS) of the equine extremity.Study designExperimental cadaveric study.Sample populationTwenty‐four paired equine cadaveric limbs obtained from seven horses.MethodsThree 4.5‐mm cortex screws were inserted in lag technique in three different planes of orientation in the proximal phalanx (P1) by means of CAOS. In the study group (n = 12 limbs), the tracker was anchored on a purpose‐built frame designed to stabilize the extremity. In the control group (n = 12 limbs), a conventional tracker array was used that was anchored directly on P1. The stability of both tracker arrays was assessed during the procedure by using fiducial markers. After screw placement, preoperative and postoperative computed tomographic images were assessed to measure surgical accuracy aberrations (SAA) between the planned and achieved screw position. Descriptive statistics and repeated‐measures analysis of variance were performed to compare SAA measurements between the study and control group.ResultsBoth tracker arrays remained consistently stable in all specimens. Mean overall SAA of screw insertion were lower in the study group (0.7 mm; median, 0.5; range 0‐3.4) than in the control group (1.2 mm; median, 0.9; range, 0‐4.2 mm).ConclusionThe mean SAA achieved in cortex screw placement using CAOS lies within the range of approximately 1 mm. The use of a purpose‐built frame avoided additional drilling of the target bone and improved surgical accuracy compared with the conventional tracker array.Clinical significanceThe purpose‐built frame described in this report can be used to facilitate CAOS in equine orthopedics without compromising surgical accuracy.
The impact of damage‐associated molecular patterns on the neurotransmitter release and gene expression in the ex vivo rat carotid body
Authors: Mkrtchian Souren , Kåhlin Jessica , Gómez‐Galán Marta , Ebberyd Anette , Yoshitake Takashi , Schmidt Staffan , Kehr Jan , Hildenborg Malin , Jonsson Fagerlund Malin , Erlandsson Harris Helena , Eriksson Lars I 
Published: July 2020

New Findings

What is the central question of this study?
Are carotid bodies (CBs) modulated by the damage‐associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) and humoral factors of aseptic tissue injury?

What are the main findings and their importance?
DAMPs (HMGB1, S100 A8/A9) and blood plasma from rats subjected to tibia surgery, a model of aseptic injury, stimulate the release of neurotransmitters (ATP, dopamine) and TNF‐α from ex vivo rat CBs. All‐thiol HMGB1 mediates upregulation of immune‐related biological pathways. These data suggest regulation of CB function by endogenous mediators of innate immunity.

AbstractThe glomus cells of carotid bodies (CBs) are the primary sensors of arterial partial O2 and CO2 tensions and moreover serve as multimodal receptors responding also to other stimuli, such as pathogen‐associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) produced by acute infection. Modulation of CB function by excessive amounts of these immunomodulators is suggested to be associated with a detrimental hyperinflammatory state. We have hypothesized that yet another class of immunomodulators, endogenous danger‐associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), released upon aseptic tissue injury and recognized by the same pathogen recognition receptors as PAMPs, might modulate the CB activity in a fashion similar to PAMPs. We have tested this hypothesis by exposing rat CBs to various DAMPs, such as HMGB1 (all‐thiol and disulfide forms) and S100 A8/A9 in a series of ex vivo experiments that demonstrated the release of dopamine and ATP, neurotransmitters known to mediate CB homeostatic responses. We observed a similar response after incubating CBs with conditioned blood plasma obtained from the rats subjected to tibia surgery, a model of aseptic injury. In addition, we have investigated global gene expression in the rat CB using an RNA sequencing approach. Differential gene expression analysis showed all‐thiol HMGB1‐driven upregulation of a number of prominent pro‐inflammatory markers including Il1α and Il1β. Interestingly, conditioned plasma had a more profound effect on the CB transcriptome resulting in inhibition rather than activation of the immune‐related pathways. These data are the first to suggest potential modulation of CB function by endogenous mediators of innate immunity.
Properties and Corrosion Behavior of Chromium and Vanadium Carbide Composite Coatings Produced on Ductile Cast Iron by Thermoreactive Diffusion Technique
Authors: Günen Ali , Kalkandelen Müge , Karahan İsmail Hakkı , Kurt Bülent , Kanca Erdoğan , Gök Mustafa Sabri , Serdar Karakaş Mustafa 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Ductile iron (DI) owes many of its attractive mechanical properties to the graphite nodules in its structure. However, since galvanic coupling can occur between the graphite nodules and the matrix in aggressive environments, these nodules can, at the same time, reduce its corrosion resistance. In this study, composite carbide coatings were grown on the surface of GGG-80 using the thermoreactive diffusion (TRD) process. The process was carried out at 900, 1000, and 1100 °C for 1 h using nanosized Fe-V and Fe-Cr powders. The coatings were characterized by X-ray diffractometry (XRD), two-dimensional profilometry, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and microhardness tests. The corrosion behavior of the coatings were evaluated in three different solutions (3.5 wt% NaCl, 5 wt% H2SO4, and 5 wt% HNO3) using electrochemical open-circuit potential (OCP) and potentiodynamic polarization measurements. Microstructures and hardness tests showed that the nodular graphite in the surface was dissolved at the TRD process temperatures and that a coating of 12–36 µm thickness and 2461–3200 HV0.05 hardness was obtained. The corrosion resistance of the composite coating was up to 10, 33.5, and 75 times higher than the uncoated GGG-80 in NaCl, H2SO4, and HNO3, respectively. The improvement in corrosion resistance was a direct result of the formation of complex carbides and the elimination of graphite nodules in the surface of the alloy.
Multifunctional Fused Deposition Modeled Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene-Based Structures With Embedded Conductive Channels
Authors: Youssef George , Smilo Jordan , Blourchian Aryan , Huynh Nha Uyen , Karapetian Arbi V. 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
The applicability of additive manufacturing (AM) continues to expand because of research and development efforts in industrial, academic, and governmental institutions. The lure of additive manufacturing lies in the quick time-to-market and ability to produce parts and components with high degrees of topographical complexity empowered by the layer-by-layer production approach. One challenge that is attracting a significant amount of attention is improving the multi-functionality of additively manufactured parts, as enabling multi-functionality will result in transitioning AM to a broader application domain. The objective of this paper is to report novel developments that improve the functionality of polymer-based parts by adding electrical conductivity and fluid management to the existing load-bearing capabilities. A space structure was 3D-printed using acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) with embedded internal channels throughout the entire structure and then sealed using an acetone-diluted epoxy. The inner surfaces of the embedded channels of the sealed structure were then metallized using an electroless silver-coating process; these processes were found to be robust and independent of the inner diameter and length of the structure. The electromechanical performance of the structure was verified by applying mechanical loading while monitoring the change in electrical resistivity. The latter was found to remain nearly constant up to the point of ultimate mechanical failure. Finite element modeling was used to identify the areas of structural weaknesses and assist in elucidating the failure modes. The results were found to be in good agreement with the experimental data.
The Effect of Texture Floor Profile on the Lubricant Film Thickness in a Textured Hard-On-Soft Bearing With Relevance to Prosthetic Hip Implants
Authors: Allen Quentin , Raeymaekers Bart 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Polyethylene wear debris limits the longevity of prosthetic hip implants. We design a pattern of axisymmetric texture features to increase hydrodynamic pressure and lubricant film thickness and, thus, reduce solid-on-solid contact, friction, and wear in hard-on-soft prosthetic hip implant bearings. Specifically, we study the effect of the texture floor profile on the lubricant film thickness using a soft elastohydrodynamic lubrication model. We compute the optimum texture parameters that maximize the lubricant film thickness for different texture floor profiles, as a function of bearing operating conditions. Flat texture floor profiles create thicker lubricant films than sloped or curved texture floor profiles for their respective optimum texture design parameters. We find that the texture feature volume is the most important parameter in terms of maximizing the lubricant film thickness, because a linear relationship exists between the texture feature volume with optimum texture parameters and the corresponding optimum lubricant film thickness, independent of the texture floor profile.