bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The role of mutual funds in the sustainable energy sector
Authors: Marti‐Ballester Carmen‐Pilar 
Published: April 2019

AbstractThe integration of renewable energy criteria in mutual fund investment decisions could channel private resources into the funding of environmentally related projects implemented by firms contributing to sustainable development. This paper examines the performance of European renewable energy funds that invest globally by comparing their risk‐adjusted returns with those achieved by black energy and conventional mutual funds. It uses Carhart's model on a sample of 81 renewable energy funds, 125 black energy funds, and 4,337 conventional mutual funds. The results indicate that 32.1% of renewable mutual funds—most of which adopt energy producers, renewable energy technology, and energy efficiency‐focused criteria—perform significantly better than the S&P Clean Energy market benchmark, this percentage being affected by the different states of the economy. However, none of them are able to beat the fossil fuel energy (S&P Global 1200 Energy Index) or conventional market benchmarks (S&P Global 1200 Index). Furthermore, 37.04% of renewable energy funds significantly underperform the S&P Global 1200 benchmark. Therefore, the investment in renewable energy funds has a financial cost for investors in relation to conventional fund investors.
Optimization of continuous purification of recombinant patchoulol synthase from Escherichia coli with membrane adsorbers
Authors: Brämer Chantal , Ekramzadeh Kimia , Lammers Frank , Scheper Thomas , Beutel Sascha 
Published: April 2019

AbstractThe natural production of patchouli oil in developing countries cannot meet the increasing demand any more. This leads to socioecological consequences, such as the use of arable land, which is actually intended for food. Hence, the world market price increased up to $150/kg. An alternative is the biotechnological production of patchouli oil using a multiproduct sesquiterpene synthase, the patchoulol synthase (PTS). Here, we report the optimization of recombinant PTS purification from Escherichia coli lysate using continuous immobilized metal affinity chromatography. First, the purification conditions of the batch process were optimized in regard to optimal buffer composition and optimized chromatographic conditions. The best purification result was achieved with Co2+‐immobilized metal affinity chromatography (Sartobind® IDA 75) with a triethanolamine buffer at pH 7, 0.5 M NaCl, 10% [vol/vol] glycerol, 5 mM MgCl2 and 250 mM imidazole for product elution. This optimized method was then transferred to a continuous chromatography system using three membrane adsorber units (surface of 75 cm2 each). Within 1.5 hr in total, 4.55 mg PTS with a final purity of 98% and recovery of 68% could be gained. The purified enzyme was used to produce 126 mg/L (‐)‐patchoulol from farnesyl pyrophosphate. Here, for the first time bioactive PTS was successfully purified using membrane adsorbers in a continuous downstream process.
Reciprocal modulation of cell functions upon direct interaction of adipose mesenchymal stromal and activated immune cells
Authors: Bobyleva Polina , Gornostaeva Aleksandra , Andreeva Elena , Ezdakova Mariia , Gogiya Badri , Buravkova Ludmila 
Published: April 2019

The interaction of adipose mesenchymal stromal cells (ASCs) and allogeneic peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) is regulated either through direct or paracrine mechanisms. Here, we examined the impact of direct contact in reciprocal regulation of ASC‐PBMC functions. Activated PBMCs in vitro induced ASC immunomodulatory activity, while direct and paracrine intercellular interactions regulated PBMCs themselves: the functional state of the organelles was altered, and activation decreased. Direct contact with immune cells affected the activity of ASC intracellular compartments, in particular, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and decreased the growth rate. Some ASC properties, including motility, intercellular adhesion molecule‐1 (ICAM‐1), and major histocompatibility complex class I and II antigens (HLA‐ABC and HLA‐DR, respectively) expression, did not depend on contact with PBMCs and were only regulated by paracrine means. Direct ASC and PBMC contact favoured an angiogenesis‐supportive microenvironment, possibly due to the greater production of VEGF by ASCs; this microenvironment also contained a higher leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) level. Thus, a change in the functional activity of ASCs and PBMCs upon interaction promoted the formation of an immunosuppressive, anti‐inflammatory, and proangiogenic microenvironment. This environment could help resolve inflammation and further restore damaged tissue.Significance of the studyNumerous studies have demonstrated the beneficial effects of transplanted mesenchymal stromal cells, particularly ASCs, for the treatment of a number of autoimmune diseases as well as various tissue injuries. To improve the efficiency of these methods, it is necessary to understand the principal events that occur when ASCs are introduced, primarily the molecular mechanisms of interaction between ASCs and the recipient immune system. We demonstrated that an anti‐inflammatory, immunosuppressive, and angiostimulatory shift in the paracrine profile upon the interaction of activated PBMCs and ASCs changes the functional activity of both cell types, a phenomenon that is potentiated by direct cell‐cell contact.
Stimuli‐Responsive DNA Self‐Assembly: From Principles to Applications
Authors: Yu Yang , Jin Bang , Li Yulin , Deng Zhaoxiang 
Published: April 2019

AbstractStimuli‐responsive DNA self‐assembly shares the advantages of both designed stimuli‐responsiveness and the molecular programmability of DNA structures, offering great opportunities for basic and applied research in dynamic DNA nanotechnology. In this minireview, we summarize the most recent progress in this rapidly developing field. The trigger mechanisms of the responsive DNA systems are first divided into six categories, which are then explained with illustrative examples following this classification. Subsequently, proof‐of‐concept applications in terms of biosensing, in vivo pH‐mapping, drug delivery, and therapy are discussed. Finally, we provide some remarks on the challenges and opportunities of this highly promising research direction in DNA nanotechnology.
Elektrochemische Reaktoren für die Wasserbehandlung
Authors: Muddemann Thorben , Haupt Dennis , Sievers Michael , Kunz Ulrich 
Published: April 2019

AbstractBei der Aufbereitung von (Ab‐)Wasser haben elektrochemische Verfahren verschiedene Vorteile gegenüber anderen Aufbereitungsmethoden. Sie sind robust, einfach in der Betriebsführung und flexibel bei Schwankungen der Abwasserfracht. Zudem kann ein relativ breites Spektrum an organischen und anorganischen Verunreinigungen entfernt werden. Dieser Beitrag gibt eine Übersicht zu den elektrochemischen Reaktoren, die in der Aufbereitung von Wasser, Prozesswasser und Abwasser bereits eingesetzt oder beforscht werden. Es werden zunächst einige wesentliche Grundlagen der elektrochemischen Verfahren zur Behandlung von Wasser vorgestellt und Beispiele für Anwendungen gegeben. Daran schließt sich die Beschreibung der verwendeten Reaktoren an.
Yoga for symptom management in oncology: A review of the evidence base and future directions for research
Authors: Danhauer Suzanne C. , Addington Elizabeth L. , Cohen Lorenzo , Sohl Stephanie J. , Van Puymbroeck Marieke , Albinati Natalia K. , Culos‐Reed S. Nicole 
Published: April 2019

Because yoga is increasingly recognized as a complementary approach to cancer symptom management, patients/survivors and providers need to understand its potential benefits and limitations both during and after treatment. The authors reviewed randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of yoga conducted at these points in the cancer continuum (N = 29; n = 13 during treatment, n = 12 post‐treatment, and n = 4 with mixed samples). Findings both during and after treatment demonstrated the efficacy of yoga to improve overall quality of life (QOL), with improvement in subdomains of QOL varying across studies. Fatigue was the most commonly measured outcome, and most RCTs conducted during or after cancer treatment reported improvements in fatigue. Results also suggested that yoga can improve stress/distress during treatment and post‐treatment disturbances in sleep and cognition. Several RCTs provided evidence that yoga may improve biomarkers of stress, inflammation, and immune function. Outcomes with limited or mixed findings (eg, anxiety, depression, pain, cancer‐specific symptoms, such as lymphedema) and positive psychological outcomes (such as benefit‐finding and life satisfaction) warrant further study. Important future directions for yoga research in oncology include: enrolling participants with cancer types other than breast, standardizing self‐report assessments, increasing the use of active control groups and objective measures, and addressing the heterogeneity of yoga interventions, which vary in type, key components (movement, meditation, breathing), dose, and delivery mode.
Prevalence of germline variants in inflammatory breast cancer
Authors: Rana Huma Q. , Sacca Rosalba , Drogan Christine , Gutierrez Stephanie , Schlosnagle Emily , Regan Meredith M. , Speare Virginia , LaDuca Holly , Dolinsky Jill , Garber Judy E. , Overmoyer Beth A. 
Published: April 2019

BackgroundInflammatory breast cancer (IBC) is an uncommon and aggressive subtype of breast cancer associated with early disease recurrence and short survival. The prevalence of germline variants in cancer predisposition genes has not been systematically evaluated in women with IBC.MethodsAmong 301 women enrolled in the clinical IBC registry at a single institution between 2010 and 2017, 168 had documented genetic testing. A second cohort of 200 IBC cases who had panel‐based germline testing performed through a commercial testing laboratory from 2012 to 2017 was added to the analyses. Personal and family cancer histories and genetic testing results were evaluated when they were available for both cohorts.ResultsAmong 501 IBC cases, 368 had documented genetic testing. Germline mutations (56 total) were identified in 53 cases (14.4%). BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations were found in 7.3% of the subjects, 6.3% had a mutation in other breast cancer genes (PALB2, CHEK2, ATM, and BARD1), and 1.6% had mutations in genes not associated with breast cancer. The prevalence of mutations was 24% (22 of 92) among women with triple‐negative IBC, 13% (13 of 99) among women with estrogen receptor– and/or progesterone receptor–positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)–negative disease, and 9.3% (10 of 108) among women with HER2‐positive IBC.ConclusionsThe prevalence and diversity of germline genetic mutations among patients with IBC suggest that further studies should be performed to assess the role of inherited mutations in IBC carcinogenesis in comparison with non‐IBC breast cancer. Since IBC has a high metastatic potential associated with poor prognostic outcomes, proposed future studies may also inform targeted treatment options.
Pharmacokinetic Properties of Single and Multiple Doses of Ertugliflozin, a Selective Inhibitor of SGLT2, in Healthy Chinese Subjects
Authors: Li Yinhua , Mu Yuting , Shi Haihong , Liang Yali , Liu Zeyuan , Matschke Kyle , Hickman Anne , Krishna Rajesh , Sahasrabudhe Vaishali 
Published: April 2019

AbstractErtugliflozin, a sodium‐glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus, prevents renal glucose reabsorption resulting in urinary glucose excretion. This open‐label, parallel cohort, randomized study conducted in healthy Chinese adults residing in China assessed the pharmacokinetics, tolerability, and safety of 5 mg and 15 mg of ertugliflozin following single (fasted condition) and multiple‐dose (fed condition) administration. Sixteen subjects were randomized and completed the study. Ertugliflozin absorption was rapid, with maximum plasma concentrations observed 1 hour after dosing under fasted conditions and 2 to 4 hours after dosing under fed conditions. Following single‐ and multiple‐dose administration, ertugliflozin exhibited dose‐proportional exposures with an apparent mean terminal half‐life of approximately 9.5 to 11.9 hours. Steady state was reached after 4 once‐daily doses. The accumulation ratio based on the area under the plasma concentration–time curve after multiple‐dose administration was approximately 1.3 and 1.2 for ertugliflozin 5 mg and 15 mg, respectively. Ertugliflozin was generally well tolerated following administration of single and multiple oral doses of 5 mg and 15 mg in healthy Chinese subjects. Pharmacokinetic comparison with non‐Asian subjects indicated that there are no clinically meaningful racial differences and no dose modification of ertugliflozin is required based on race or body weight.
Low vitamin D is associated with diabetes peripheral neuropathy in older but not in young and middle‐aged patients
Authors: Niu Yang , Li Ji , Peng Rongxia , Zhao Xuelin , Wu Jiang , Tang Qingya 
Published: April 2019

AbstractBackgroundThe relationship between vitamin D and diabetes peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is not consistent among epidemiologic studies. Thus, we aimed to investigate this relationship in different age groups.MethodsIn this cross‐sectional study, 1461 patients admitted to the Department of Endocrinology at Xinhua Hospital from June 2016 to September 2017 were divided into three age groups: a Youth group (24‐44 years, n = 127), a Middle‐age group (45‐64 years, n = 779), and an Elderly group (≥65 years, n = 555). Basic information and laboratory results were collected from medical records.ResultsAmong the patients, 32.72% had DPN, with 12.59% in the Youth group, 33.63% in the Middle‐age group, and 36.04% in the Elderly group. For the total sample and the Elderly group, serum 25(OH)D concentrations in DPN patients were lower than in non‐DPN patients (P < .05). The results of multivariate logistic regression indicated a low vitamin D concentration to be a risk factor for DPN in the Elderly group (P < .05), but such relationship was not found in the Youth or Middle‐age groups. Moreover, according to ROC analysis, a serum 25(OH)D level < 34.87 nmol/L suggests the occurrence of DPN in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes (P < .001).ConclusionsThis study is the first to report that a low vitamin D level is associated with DPN in diabetic patients over 65 years of age and might be used as a predictor of DPN in this population. The interaction between vitamin D and age in the development of DPN and its underlying mechanisms need to be further explored.
Climate and lawn management interact to control C4 plant distribution in residential lawns across seven U.S. cities
Authors: Trammell Tara L. E. , Pataki Diane E. , Still Christopher J. , Ehleringer James R. , Avolio Meghan L. , Bettez Neil , Cavender‐Bares Jeannine , Groffman Peter M. , Grove Morgan , Hall Sharon J. , Heffernan James , Hobbie Sarah E. , Larson Kelli L. , Morse Jennifer L. , Neill Christopher , Nelson Kristen C. , O'Neil‐Dunne Jarlath , Pearse William D. , Chowdhury Rinku Roy , Steele Meredith , Wheeler Megan M. 
Published: April 2019

AbstractIn natural grasslands, C4 plant dominance increases with growing season temperatures and reflects distinct differences in plant growth rates and water use efficiencies of C3 vs. C4 photosynthetic pathways. However, in lawns, management decisions influence interactions between planted turfgrass and weed species, leading to some uncertainty about the degree of human vs. climatic controls on lawn species distributions. We measured herbaceous plant carbon isotope ratios (δ13C, index of C3/C4 relative abundance) and C4 cover in residential lawns across seven U.S. cities to determine how climate, lawn plant management, or interactions between climate and plant management influenced C4 lawn cover. We also calculated theoretical C4 carbon gain predicted by a plant physiological model as an index of expected C4 cover due to growing season climatic conditions in each city. Contrary to theoretical predictions, plant δ13C and C4 cover in urban lawns were more strongly related to mean annual temperature than to growing season temperature. Wintertime temperatures influenced the distribution of C4 lawn turf plants, contrary to natural ecosystems where growing season temperatures primarily drive C4 distributions. C4 cover in lawns was greatest in the three warmest cities, due to an interaction between climate and homeowner plant management (e.g., planting C4 turf species) in these cities. The proportion of C4 lawn species was similar to the proportion of C4 species in the regional grass flora. However, the majority of C4 species were nonnative turf grasses, and not of regional origin. While temperature was a strong control on lawn species composition across the United States, cities differed as to whether these patterns were driven by cultivated lawn grasses vs. weedy species. In some cities, biotic interactions with weedy plants appeared to dominate, while in other cities, C4 plants were predominantly imported and cultivated. Elevated CO2 and temperature in cities can influence C3/C4 competitive outcomes; however, this study provides evidence that climate and plant management dynamics influence biogeography and ecology of C3/C4 plants in lawns. Their differing water and nutrient use efficiency may have substantial impacts on carbon, water, energy, and nutrient budgets across cities.
American marten and fisher do not segregate in space and time during winter in a mixed‐forest system
Authors: Croose Elizabeth , Bled Florent , Fowler Nicholas L. , Beyer Jr Dean E. , Belant Jerrold L. 
Published: April 2019

AbstractUnderstanding the mechanisms of coexistence between ecologically similar species is an important issue in ecology. Carnivore coexistence may be facilitated by spatial segregation, temporal avoidance, and differential habitat selection. American martens Martes americana and fishers Pekania pennanti are medium‐sized mustelids that occur sympatrically across portions of North America, yet mechanisms of coexistence between the two species are not fully understood. We assessed spatial and temporal partitioning in martens and fishers in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, USA, using camera trap data collected during winter 2013–2015. To investigate spatial segregation, we used a dynamic occupancy model to estimate species’ occupancy probabilities and probabilities of persistence and colonization as a function of covariates and yearly occupancy probability for the other species. Temporal segregation was assessed by estimating diel activity overlap between species. We found weak evidence of spatial or temporal niche partitioning of martens and fishers. There was high overlap in forest cover selection, and both marten and fisher occupancy were positively correlated with deciduous forests (excluding aspen [Populus tremuloides]). There was strong temporal overlap (; CI = 0.79–0.82) with both species exhibiting largely crepuscular activity patterns. Co‐occurrence of martens and fishers appears to be facilitated by mechanisms not investigated in this study, such as partitioning of snow features or diet. Our results add additional insights into resource partitioning of mesocarnivores, but further research is required to enhance our understanding of mechanisms that facilitate marten and fisher coexistence.
Toward a mechanistic understanding of “peat collapse” and its potential contribution to coastal wetland loss
Authors: Chambers Lisa G. , Steinmuller Havalend E. , Breithaupt Joshua L. 
Published: April 2019

AbstractCoastal wetlands are susceptible to loss in both health and extent via stressors associated with global climate change and anthropogenic disturbance. Peat collapse may represent an additional phenomenon contributing to coastal wetland loss in organic‐rich soils through rapid vertical elevation decline. However, the term “peat collapse” has been inconsistently used in the literature, leading to ambiguities regarding the mechanisms, timing, and spatial extent of its contribution to coastal wetland loss. For example, it is unclear whether peat collapse is distinct from general subsidence, or what biogeochemical changes or sequence of events may constitute peat collapse. A critical analysis of peer‐reviewed literature related to peat collapse was supplemented with fundamental principles of soil physics and biogeochemistry to develop a conceptual framework for coastal wetland peat collapse. We propose that coastal wetland peat collapse is a specific type of shallow subsidence unique to highly organic soils in which a loss of soil strength and structural integrity contributes to a decline in elevation, over the course of a few months to a few years, below the lower limit for emergent plant growth and natural recovery. We further posit that coastal wetland peat collapse is driven by severe stress or death of the vegetation, which compromises the supportive structure roots provide to low‐density organic soils and shifts the carbon balance of the ecosystem toward a net source, as mineralization is no longer offset by sequestration. Under these conditions, four mechanisms may contribute to peat collapse: (1) compression of gas‐filled pore spaces within the soil during dry‐down conditions; (2) deconsolidation of excessively waterlogged peat, followed by transport; (3) compaction of aerenchyma tissue in wetland plant roots, and possibly collapse of root channels; and (4) acceleration of soil mineralization due to the addition of labile carbon (dying roots), oxygen (decreased flooding), nutrients (eutrophication), or sulfate (saltwater intrusion). Scientists and land managers should focus efforts on monitoring vegetation health across the coastal landscape as an indicator for peat collapse vulnerability and move toward codifying the term “peat collapse” in the scientific literature. Once clarified, the contribution of peat collapse to coastal wetland loss can be evaluated.
The scale‐dependent effect of environmental filters on species turnover and nestedness in an estuarine benthic community
Authors: Menegotto André , Dambros Cristian S. , Netto Sérgio A. 
Published: April 2019

AbstractEnvironmental filtering is a major mechanism structuring ecological communities. However, it is still not clear how different abiotic drivers composing the environmental filter interact with each other to determine local species assemblage and create spatial patterns in species distribution. Here, we evaluated the effects of two strong and uncorrelated environmental variables (salinity and sediment properties) on the β‐diversity of an estuarine macrobenthic community while accounting for spatial effects. Our results show that the benthic community composition has a strong spatial structure along the estuary, which can be greatly explained by salinity and sediment variation. Salinity is most associated with species replacement (turnover), whereas sediment is more important for species loss (nestedness). However, the effects of sediment variation on nestedness are mainly detected at a smaller spatial scale (estuarine sectors), whereas the effects of salinity on species turnover are stronger as spatial scale increases (entire estuary). Our findings suggest that environmental filters can drive both turnover and nestedness components of β‐diversity, but that their relative importance depends on the spatial scale of investigation. Although abiotic drivers associated with detrimental effects (sediment) usually result in nestedness, larger spatial scales encompass abiotic drivers associated with different suitable conditions (salinity), increasing the relative importance of the replacement component of species β‐diversity.