bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Study of the Parameters Impacting the Photocatalytic Reduction of Carbon Dioxide in Ionic Liquids
Authors: Peng Yulan , Szeto Kai C. , Santini Catherine C. , Daniele Stéphane 
Published: March 2021

AbstractTo overcome the chemical inertness of CO2, one strategy consists of pre‐activating or destabilizing it, to lower the reduction barrier, by preparing a carbene‐CO2compound where the CO2is bent rather than linear. This pre‐activation has been studied in ionic liquids (IL) based on imidazolium as a cation with different anions under conditions of mild pressure, room temperature and UV/Vis light. This screening showed that only 1‐butyl‐3‐methyl‐imidazolium acetate (C1C4ImOAc) was capable of effectively pre‐activating CO2by chemical sorption to give a more reactive 1‐butyl‐3‐methyl‐imidazolium‐2‐carboxylate (C1C4ImCO2) species. A co‐solvent can be used to consume the photo‐generated holes in Pd/g‐C3N4as a sacrificial agent but also to provide the protons necessary to reduce CO2. In this study, the influence of several type of co‐solvents such as H2O, isopropanol (iPrOH), and 1‐(2‐hydroxyethyl)‐3‐methyl imidazolium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide [C1C2(OH)ImNTf2], has been tested on the activation of CO2in C1C4ImOAc. We first defined the optimal molar ratio of co‐solvent to be used in order not to compromise CO2pre‐activation for subsequent application in CO2transformation. Photocatalytic reductions of CO2to CO on Pd/g‐C3N4by varying different parameters demonstrated that CO2pre‐activation in a mixture of C1C4ImOAc and isopropanol was the most efficient to consider a prospective strategy of CO2photoreduction in an IL medium.
Tunable Photocatalytic Production of Syngas Using Co@C3N4 and Black Phosphorus
Authors: Pollak Nicholas , Huang Peipei , Bell Hannah , Li Gonghu , Caputo Christine A. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractPhotocatalytic syngas production is an attractive option to efficiently generate a feedstock for the Fischer‐Tropsch processes that can produce liquid fuels and other chemicals. One‐pot photocatalytic production of syngas (H2+CO) with specific and controllable ratios of H2/CO has proven to be a significant challenge to date. In this work, single Co2+ sites loaded onto carbon nitride (Co@C3N4) is combined with black phosphorus (BP) to form a hybrid material, which is capable of simultaneous photocatalytic evolution of H2 and CO. H2/CO syngas ratios can be controlled in the range from 0.30 to 5.16 by changing the % weight of BP in this system or by the addition of CoCl2 in the reaction solution. Maximum total gas evolution of 70 μmol g−1 h−1 was achieved with 20 wt % BP (BP20%/Co@C3N4) at a H2/CO ratio of 2.
Diagnosing heart failure in primary care: individual patient data meta‐analysis of two European prospective studies
Authors: Roalfe Andrea K. , Taylor Clare J. , Kelder Johannes C. , Hoes Arno W. , Hobbs F.D. Richard 
Published: March 2021

AbstractAimsNatriuretic peptides are helpful in detecting chronic heart failure (HF) in primary care; however, there are a lack of data evaluating thresholds recommended by clinical guidelines. This study assesses the diagnostic accuracy of N‐terminal pro‐B‐type natriuretic peptide (NT‐proBNP) using combined individual patient data from two studies in the UK and the Netherlands.Methods and resultsRandom effects methods were used to estimate the performance characteristics of NT‐proBNP thresholds recommended by the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) and the UK National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines. New onset HF was diagnosed in 313 of 1073 (29.2%) participants. Age, sex, and atrial fibrillation‐adjusted NT‐proBNP was a better predictor of HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) than HF preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), with area under receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.82 95% CI (0.78 to 0.86) vs. 0.71 (0.66 to 0.75). In persons aged 70 years and over, the ESC threshold at 125 ng/L for detection of all‐cause HF had summary negative predictive value (NPV) of 84.9% (81.6 to 88.2), positive predictive value (PPV) 68.1% (63.1 to 73.3), sensitivity 74.9% (69.5 to 80.3), and specificity 80.1% (76.9 to 83.4); the NICE threshold at 400 ng/L had summary NPV of 74.7% (72.1 to 77.2), PPV 81.8% (73.3 to 89.5), sensitivity 43.5% (37.2 to 49.8), and specificity 94.5% (92.3 to 96.7).ConclusionsN‐terminal pro‐B‐type natriuretic peptide is better at detecting HFrEF than HFpEF in a primary care setting. In persons aged 70 and over, the ESC threshold of 125 ng/L is more accurate at detecting and excluding HF than the higher level suggested in NICE guidelines. More prospective data are required to establish the optimal NP threshold for detecting chronic HF in general practice.
Bioavailability and Ecotoxicity of Lead in Soil: Implications for Setting Ecological Soil Quality Standards
Authors: Oorts Koen , Smolders Erik , Lanno Roman , Chowdhury M. Jasim 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Ecological soil quality standards for lead (Pb) that account for soil Pb bioavailability have not yet been derived. We derived such standards based on specific studies of the long-term bioavailability and toxicity of Pb to soil organisms and a compilation of field data on the bioaccumulation of Pb in earthworms. Toxicity thresholds of Pb to plants, invertebrates, or microorganisms vary over more than 2 orders of magnitude, and the lowest values overlap with the range in natural Pb background concentrations in soil. Soils freshly spiked with Pb2+ salts exhibit higher Pb bioavailability and lower toxic thresholds than long-term aged and leached equivalents. Comparative toxicity tests on leaching and aging effects suggest using a soil Pb threshold that is 4.0 higher, to correct thresholds of freshly spiked soils. Toxicity to plants and earthworms, and microbial N-transformation and bioaccumulation of Pb in earthworms increase with decreasing effective cation exchange capacity (eCEC) of the soil, and models were derived to normalize data for variation of the eCEC among soils. Suggested ecological quality standards for soil expressed as total soil Pb concentration are lower for Pb toxicity to wildlife via secondary poisoning compared with direct Pb toxicity to soil organisms. Standards for both types of receptors vary by factors of approximately 4 depending on soil eCEC. The data and models we have collated can be used for setting ecological soil quality criteria for Pb in different regulatory frameworks. Environ Toxicol Chem 2021;40:1948–1961. © 2021 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.
Astrocyte‐mediated purinergic signaling is upregulated in a mouse model of Fragile X syndrome
Authors: Reynolds Kathryn E. , Wong Chloe R. , Scott Angela L. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractFragile X syndrome (FXS) is the leading monogenic cause of intellectual disability and autism spectrum disorders. With increasing investigation into the molecular mechanisms underlying FXS, there is growing evidence that perturbations in glial signaling are widely associated with neurological pathology. Purinergic signaling, which utilizes nucleoside triphosphates as signaling molecules, provides one of the most ubiquitous signaling systems for glial‐neuronal and glial‐glial crosstalk. Here, we sought to identify whether purinergic signaling is dysregulated within the FXS mouse cortex, and whether this dysregulation contributes to aberrant intercellular communication. In primary astrocyte cultures derived from the Fmr1 knockout (KO) mouse model of FXS, we found that application of exogenous ATP and UTP evoked elevated intracellular calcium responses compared to wildtype levels. Accordingly, purinergic P2Y2 and P2Y6 receptor expression was increased in Fmr1 KO astrocytes both in vitro and in acutely dissociated tissue, while P2Y antagonism via suramin prevented intracellular calcium elevations, suggesting a role for these receptors in aberrant FXS astrocyte activation. To investigate the impact of elevated purinergic signaling on astrocyte‐mediated synaptogenesis, we quantified synaptogenic protein TSP‐1, known to be regulated by P2Y activation. TSP‐1 secretion and expression were both heightened in Fmr1 KO vs wildtype astrocytes following UTP application, while naïve TSP‐1 cortical expression was also transiently elevated in vivo, indicating increased potential for excitatory TSP‐1‐mediated synaptogenesis in the FXS cortex. Together, our results demonstrate novel and significant purinergic signaling elevations in Fmr1 KO astrocytes, which may serve as a potential therapeutic target to mitigate the signaling aberrations observed in FXS.
Human immune deficiency virus‐related structural alterations in the brain are dependent on age
Authors: Zhao Jing , Ma Zhe , Chen Feng , Li Li , Ren Meiji , Li Aixin , Jing Bin , Li Hongjun 
Published: March 2021

AbstractCurrently, it is still unknown whether human immune deficiency virus (HIV)‐related structural alterations in the brain are dependent on age. With people living with HIV at different ages, we aim to investigate age‐specific structural alterations in HIV patients. Eighty‐three male HIV patients and eighty‐three age‐matched male controls were enrolled, and high‐resolution T1 weighted images were collected and analyzed with four morphological metrics. Then, statistical analyses were respectively conducted to ascertain HIV effects, age effects, and medication effects in brain structure of HIV patients, and the relationship with neuropsychological evaluations were further explored. Finally, discriminative performances of these structural abnormalities were quantitatively testified with three machine learning models. Compared with healthy controls, HIV patients displayed lower gray matter volumes (GMV), lower gyrification index, deeper sulcus depth, and larger cortical thickness (CTH). Age‐specific differences were found in GMV and CTH: young‐aged HIV patients displayed more obvious morphological alterations than middle‐aged HIV patients when comparing corresponding age‐matched healthy controls. Furthermore, age‐specific long‐term medication effect of combination antiretroviral therapy were also presented. Additionally, several subcortical structural changes were negatively associated with language, attention and motor functions. Finally, three machine learning models demonstrated young‐aged HIV patients were easier to be recognized than middle‐aged HIV patients. Our study indicated young‐aged HIV patients were more vulnerable to HIV infection in brain structure than middle‐aged patients, and future studies should not ignore the age effect in studying the HIV‐related abnormalities.
Serum C1q concentration is associated with disease activity in Chinese Takayasu arteritis patients: A case‐control study
Authors: Chen Si , Luan Haixia , He Jianxun , Wang Yan , Zeng Xiaoli , Li Yongzhe , Yuan Hui 
Published: March 2021

AbstractBackgroundC1q is a crucial component of the classical complement pathway. This study is the first to assess the association between disease activity and serum levels of C1q in Chinese Takayasu arteritis (TA) patients.MethodsSerum C1q levels in 198 TA patients and 154 healthy controls were assessed, and the relationship between serum C1q levels and indices of TA disease activity was analyzed. Moreover, we examined the correlation between serum C1q levels and two traditional inflammatory biomarkers; erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and hypersensitive CRP (hs‐CRP).ResultsSerum C1q levels were increased in TA patients compared with healthy controls (P = .008). TA patients with active disease had higher levels of serum C1q than patients who had inactive disease (P < .0001). In addition, treatment‐naïve patients had higher serum C1q levels than those who had been treated with corticosteroids or at least one immunosuppressant (P = .001). Furthermore, a positive correlation between serum C1q levels and traditional inflammatory biomarkers in TA patients was found. The role of C1q in assessing disease activity was studied, and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of C1q for predicting active disease was 0.752, and a serum cutoff value of 167.15 mg/L C1q maximized the ability of disease activity assessment, with a sensitivity/specificity of 77.80%/64.90%. When the three indicators (C1q, ESR, and hs‐CRP) were combined, the AUC increased to 0.845, and the sensitivity to 84.40%.ConclusionsThe serum C1q is associated with the disease activity of TA and the combination of three indicators (C1q, ESR, and hs‐CRP) increases the sensitivity of disease activity assessment.
The Weierbach experimental catchment in Luxembourg: A decade of critical zone monitoring in a temperate forest ‐ from hydrological investigations to ecohydrological perspectives
Authors: Hissler Christophe , Martínez‐Carreras Núria , Barnich François , Gourdol Laurent , Iffly Jean François , Juilleret Jérôme , Klaus Julian , Pfister Laurent 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe Weierbach experimental catchment (0.45 km2) is the most instrumented and studied sub‐catchment in the Alzette River basin in Luxembourg. Within the last decade, it has matured towards an interdisciplinary critical zone observatory focusing on a better understanding of hydrological and hydro‐geochemical processes. The Weierbach catchment is embedded in an elevated sub‐horizontal plateau, characterized by slate bedrock and representative of the Ardennes Massif. Its climate is semi‐marine, with precipitation being rather evenly distributed throughout the year. Base flow is lowest from July to September, essentially due to higher losses through evapotranspiration in summer. The regolith is composed of Devonian slates, overlaid by Pleistocene slope deposits and entirely covered by forest with 70% deciduous and 30% coniferous trees. Since 2009, the Weierbach has been extensively equipped for continuously monitoring water fluxes and physico‐chemical parameters within different compartments of the critical zone. Additionally, these compartments are sampled fortnightly at several locations to analyze δ18O and δ2H isotopic composition of water including rainfall, throughfall, soil water, groundwater and streamwater. This ongoing monitoring and sampling programme is used for answering pressing questions related to fundamental catchment functions of water infiltration, storage, mixing and release in forest ecosystems. A recently started research line aims at investigating interactions between forest eco‐hydrosystems with the atmosphere and understanding how catchments will respond to a non‐stationary climate.
Dissolving the Complex Role Aggregation Plays in Neurodegenerative Disease
Authors: Croce Katherine R. , Yamamoto Ai 
Published: March 2021

AbstractProminent neuropathological hallmarks of many adult‐onset neurodegenerative diseases include the deposition and accumulation of misfolded proteins or conformers; however, their role in pathogenesis has remained unclear. This is in part due to the deceptive simplicity of the question and our limited understanding of how protein homeostasis is maintained in the compartmentalized cells of the central nervous system, especially in the context of the adult brain. Building on studies from simple cell‐based systems and invertebrate animals, we recently identified a protein central to the specific and selective turnover of aggregated proteins in the adult brain, the autophagy‐linked FYVE protein (Alfy)/Wdfy3. Depletion of Alfy levels in a mouse model of Huntington's disease showed that it accelerated the accumulation of the aggregated mutant huntingtin protein, as well as the onset of behavioral deficits. Although the motor dysfunction was accelerated in the model, this was in the absence of increasing overt cell loss, implicating protein aggregates as a modifier of circuit dysfunction rather than driving degeneration per se. We discuss these findings in the context of what is known about protein accumulation and how we can use proteins such as Alfy to determine if protein accumulation is a shared pathogenic event across different adult‐onset diseases. © 2021 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Claims‐Based Frailty and Outcomes: Applying an Aging Measure to Older Adults with Parkinson's Disease
Authors: Abraham Danielle S. , Pham Nguyen Thanh Phuong , Willis Allison W. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractBackgroundFrailty is a geriatric syndrome with negative health impacts not captured by comorbidity and disability alone. The prevalence of frailty in Parkinson's disease (PD) has been described, but data on frailty‐associated outcomes are limited.ObjectiveTo describe the level of frailty and investigate the association between frailty and outcomes in a Medicare sample of persons diagnosed with PD.MethodsWe used the claims‐based frailty index to assess frailty in a cohort of Medicare beneficiaries with PD in 2013. Frailty was categorized as non‐frail/pre‐frail, mildly frail, moderately frail, and severely frail. Adjusted logistic regression models examined the relationship between frailty and mortality, hospitalization, emergency department visits, and fall‐related injuries through 2014.ResultsOf 62,786 beneficiaries with PD in 2013, 55.3% were frail. Frail individuals were more likely to be female, older, Black, metropolitan dwelling, without neurologist care, nursing facility residents, or multimorbid. The average daily levodopa equivalent dose initially increased, then decreased from the pre‐frail to the severely frail groups. Compared to non‐frail/pre‐frail persons, severely frail persons had higher adjusted odds of 1‐year mortality (AOR 2.74, 95% CI 1.98, 3.78), hospitalization (AOR 2.34, 95% CI 1.74, 3.14), emergency department visits (AOR 2.97, 95% CI 2.14, 4.13), and fall‐related injury (AOR 1.43, 95% CI 0.90, 2.26).ConclusionsFrailty is common and differentially distributed among older adults with PD. Frailty in PD is associated with adverse health outcomes and death. Observational study analyses may benefit from adjustment for frailty; claims‐based frailty surveillance may identify vulnerable PD patients in health system, registry, or administrative data. © 2021 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Patients’ and caregivers’ maximum acceptable risk of death for non‐curative gene therapy to treat Duchenne muscular dystrophy
Authors: Peay Holly L. , Fischer Ryan , Mange Brennan , Paquin Ryan S. , Smith Edward C. , Sadosky Alesia , Russo Leo , Ricotti Valeria , Rensch Colin , Morris Carl , Martin Amy Strong , Ganot Annie , Beaverson Katherine , Mansfield Carol 
Published: March 2021

AbstractBackgroundGene therapy offers an etiologically targeted treatment for genetic disorders. Little is known about the acceptance of mortality risk among patients with progressive, fatal conditions. We assessed patients’ and caregivers’ maximum acceptable risk (MAR) of mortality for gene therapy when used to treat Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD).MethodsThe threshold technique was used to assess tolerance for mortality risks using a hypothetical vignette. Gene therapy was described as non‐curative and resulting in a slowing of progression and with a 10‐year benefit duration. MAR was analyzed using interval regression for gene therapy initiated “now”; in the last year of walking well; in the last year of being able to bring arms to mouth; and in newborns (for caregivers only).ResultsTwo hundred eighty‐five caregivers and 35 patients reported the greatest MAR for gene therapy initiated in last year of being able to lift arms (mean MAR 6.3%), followed by last year of walking well (mean MAR 4.4%), when used “now” (mean MAR 3.5%), and when used in the newborn period (mean MAR 2.1%, caregivers only). About 35% would accept ≥200/2000 risk in the last year of being able to lift arms. Non‐ambulatory status predicted accepting 1.8 additional points in MAR “now” compared with ambulatory status (p = 0.010). Respondent type (caregiver or patient) did not predict MAR.ConclusionIn this first quantitative study to assess MAR associated with first‐generation DMD gene therapy, we find relatively high tolerance for mortality risk in response to a non‐curative treatment scenario. Risk tolerance increased with disease progression. Patients and caregivers did not have significantly different MAR. These results have implications for protocol development and shared decision making.
Dedicated NMR sensor to analyze relaxation and diffusion in liquids and its application to characterize lubricants
Authors: Rudszuck Thomas , Zick Klaus , Groß Dieter , Nirschl Hermann , Guthausen Gisela 
Published: March 2021

AbstractA dedicated nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) sensor was designed for the analysis of liquids. The magnets are arranged in a V shape, creating a spatially dependent magnetic field in the gap. Measurements of samples with diverse diameters are possible underdefined magnetic field gradients at a given position. The magnet thus combines properties of single sided NMR with high static magnetic field gradients and classical time domain (TD) devices with lower to almost zero gradients. The sensor can easily be adapted to the requirements of the considered investigation; probes can be customized. On the example of lubricants and their aging, the added value and applicability of this sensor in quality control are highlighted in this publication. Relaxation and diffusion were measured by Carr–Purcell–Meiboom–Gill (CPMG) while varying the echo timeτeand quantified via numerical modeling. Especially, relaxation shows a high sensitivity towards aging of lubricants such as particulate abrasion and changes in molecular dynamics induced, for example, by additive depletion. The applicability of this NMR sensor in quality control is demonstrated on the example of engine and transmission oils as well as of lubrication greases.
Genetic Structure of Maryland Brook Trout Populations: Management Implications for a Threatened Species
Authors: Morgan Raymond P. , Kazyak David C. , King Tim L. , Lubinski Barbara A. , Sell Matthew T. , Heft Alan A. , Jones Jess W. 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Brook Trout Salvelinus fontinalis have declined across their native range due to multiple anthropogenic factors, including landscape alteration and climate change. Although coldwater streams in Maryland (eastern United States) historically supported significant Brook Trout populations, only fragmented remnant populations remain, with the exception of the upper Savage River watershed in western Maryland. Using microsatellite data from 38 collections, we defined genetic relationships of Brook Trout populations in Maryland drainages. Microsatellite analyses of Brook Trout indicated the presence of five major discrete units defined as the Youghiogheny (Ohio), Susquehanna, Patapsco/Gunpowder, Catoctin, and Upper Potomac, with a distinct genetic subunit present in the Savage River (upper Potomac). We did not observe evidence for widespread hatchery introgression with native Brook Trout. However, genetic effects due to fragmentation were evident in several Maryland Brook Trout populations, resulting in erosion of diversity that may have negative implications for their future persistence. Our current study supplements an increasing body of evidence that Brook Trout populations in Maryland are highly susceptible to multiple anthropogenic stresses, and many populations may be extirpated in the near future. Future management efforts focused on habitat protection and potential stream restoration, coupled with a comprehensive assessment framework that includes genetic considerations, may provide the best outlook for Brook Trout populations in Maryland.