bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Chlorination disadvantages and alternative routes for biofouling control in reverse osmosis desalination
Authors: Al-Abri Mohammed , Al-Ghafri Buthayna , Bora Tanujjal , Dobretsov Sergey , Dutta Joydeep , Castelletto Stefania , Rosa Lorenzo , Boretti Albert 
Published: January 2019

AbstractWith an ever-increasing human population, access to clean water for human use is a growing concern across the world. Seawater desalination to produce usable water is essential to meet future clean water demand. Desalination processes, such as reverse osmosis and multi-stage flash have been implemented worldwide. Reverse osmosis is the most effective technology, which uses a semipermeable membrane to produce clean water under an applied pressure. However, membrane biofouling is the main issue faced by such plants, which requires continuous cleaning or regular replacement of the membranes. Chlorination is the most commonly used disinfection process to pretreat the water to reduce biofouling. Although chlorination is widely used, it has several disadvantages, such as formation of disinfection by-products and being ineffective against some types of microbes. This review aims to discuss the adverse effect of chlorination on reverse osmosis membranes and to identify other possible alternatives of chlorination to reduce biofouling of the membranes. Reverse osmosis membrane degradation and mitigation of chlorines effects, along with newly emerging disinfection technologies, are discussed, providing insight to both academic institutions and industries for the design of improved reverse osmosis systems.
Development of a high sensitivity TaqMan-based PCR assay for the specific detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex in both pulmonary and extrapulmonary specimens
Authors: Wang Hsin-Yao , Lu Jang-Jih , Chang Ching-Yu , Chou Wen-Pin , Hsieh Jason Chia-Hsun , Lin Chien-Ru , Wu Min-Hsien 
Published: January 2019

AbstractTuberculosis (TB) causes a heavy health burden worldwide, especially in developing countries. The need for the rapid and accurate diagnosis of TB has not been satisfied, especially for extra-pulmonary specimens or specimens with acid fast stain (AFS)-negative condition. Development and validation of a novel, sensitive and specific assay for diagnosing TB is essential. We developed IS4 primer/probe based on insertion sequence 6110 (IS6110). A qPCR assay was designed for detecting a specific region in IS6110 by BLAST. The IS4 primer/probe concentration, qPCR efficiency and various of PCR additives were evaluated and optimized. Thirty-four species of commonly isolated microorganisms were used for evaluating the analytical specificity. Moreover, 130 clinical specimens were collected for evaluating the performance versus Cobas TaqMan MTB (CTM) assay kit and culture. The amplification efficiencies of IS4 were 99.61% and 102.61% without and with internal control DNA (Bacteriophage Lambda), respectively. Dimethyl sulfoxide outperformed glycerol or BSA for eliciting the most effective amplification and the lowest limit of detection. In evaluating the clinical performance, various specimen types were collected. IS4 demonstrated a high degree of agreement (kappa = 0.71) with CTM. The clinical sensitivity and specificity of IS4 and CTM were 92.11% (35/38), 82.61% (76/92), 84.21% (32/38) and 95.65% (88/92), respectively. The clinical sensitivity and specificity of IS4 were similar for both pulmonary [92.00% (23/25) and 76.92% (30/39), respectively] and extrapulmonary [92.31% (12/13) and 86.79% (46/53), respectively] specimens. Among AFS-negative cases, the clinical sensitivity and specificity remained 90.48% (19/21) and 83.91% (73/87), respectively, with culture as the gold standard. We concluded that IS4, a new primer/probe pair for TaqMan based qPCR assay, was developed, optimized, and validated for the sensitive and specific detection of TB among various specimen types. The performance was not compromised under AFS-negative conditions.
Role of ultrasonographic features and quantified BRAFV600E mutation in lymph node metastasis in Chinese patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma
Authors: Guo Liang , Ma Ya-qi , Yao Yao , Wu Meng , Deng Zi-hui , Zhu Feng-wei , Luo Yu-kun , Tang Jie 
Published: January 2019

AbstractThe association between cervical lymph node metastasis (LNM) and ultrasonographic features as well as BRAFV600E mutations in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) remained controversial. This study investigated the association between LNM and ultrasonographic features as well as BRAFV600E mutation in Chinese patients with PTC. A total of 280 patients with PTC in China were included in this study. 108 had cervical lymph node metastasis, while 172 had not. Younger age (<45years) and several ultrasonographic features were significantly associated with cervical LNM (Ps < 0.05). The BRAFV600E mutation was detected in 81.0% of patients with PTC (226/280). The status of BRAFV600E mutation was not associated with cervical LNM. However, Ct values by PCR and intensity of reactions by immunohistochemistry (IHC) for BRAFV600E expression had shown significant difference between group with and without LNM. Furthermore, an increased proportion of LNM was also found with the incremental intensity of IHC for BRAFV600E expression from weak to strong reaction after adjusted potential confounders. Further studies are required to verify this association and explore the intrinsic mechanism.
Adjuvanted influenza vaccine dynamics
Authors: Parra-Rojas César , Messling Veronika von , Hernandez-Vargas Esteban A. 
Published: January 2019

AbstractAdjuvanted influenza vaccines constitute a key element towards inducing neutralizing antibody responses in populations with reduced responsiveness, such as infants and elderly subjects, as well as in devising antigen-sparing strategies. In particular, squalene-containing adjuvants have been observed to induce enhanced antibody responses, as well as having an influence on cross-reactive immunity. To explore the effects of adjuvanted vaccine formulations on antibody response and their relation to protein-specific immunity, we propose different mathematical models of antibody production dynamics in response to influenza vaccination. Data from ferrets immunized with commercial H1N1pdm09 vaccine antigen alone or formulated with different adjuvants was instrumental to adjust model parameters. While the affinity maturation process complexity is abridged, the proposed model is able to recapitulate the essential features of the observed dynamics. Our numerical results suggest that there exists a qualitative shift in protein-specific antibody response, with enhanced production of antibodies targeting the NA protein in adjuvanted versus non-adjuvanted formulations, in conjunction with a protein-independent boost that is over one order of magnitude larger for squalene-containing adjuvants. Furthermore, simulations predict that vaccines formulated with squalene-containing adjuvants are able to induce sustained antibody titers in a robust way, with little impact of the time interval between immunizations.
Identification of extracellular vesicles and characterization of miRNA expression profiles in human blastocoel fluid
Authors: Battaglia R. , Palini S. , Vento M. E. , La Ferlita A. , Lo Faro M. J. , Caroppo E. , Borzì P. , Falzone L. , Barbagallo D. , Ragusa M. , Scalia M. , D’Amato G. , Scollo P. , Musumeci P. , Purrello M. , Gravotta E. , Di Pietro C. 
Published: January 2019

AbstractIn this study, for the first time, we demonstrated the presence of microRNAs and extracellular vesicles in human blastocoel fluid. The bioinformatic and comparative analyses identified the biological function of blastocoel fluid microRNAs and suggested a potential role inside the human blastocyst. We found 89 microRNAs, expressed at different levels, able to regulate critical signaling pathways controlling embryo development, such as pluripotency, cell reprogramming, epigenetic modifications, intercellular communication, cell adhesion and cell fate. Blastocoel fluid microRNAs reflect the miRNome of embryonic cells and their presence, associated with the discovery of extracellular vesicles, inside blastocoel fluid, strongly suggests their important role in mediating cell communication among blastocyst cells. Their characterization is important to better understand the earliest stages of embryogenesis and the complex circuits regulating pluripotency. Moreover, blastocoel fluid microRNA profiles could be influenced by blastocyst quality, therefore, microRNAs might be used to assess embryo potential in IVF cycles.
Identification of Chondrocyte Genes and Signaling Pathways in Response to Acute Joint Inflammation
Authors: Lv Mengxi , Zhou Yilu , Polson Shawn W. , Wan Leo Q. , Wang Meiqing , Han Lin , Wang Liyun , Lu X. Lucas 
Published: January 2019

AbstractTraumatic joint injuries often result in elevated proinflammatory cytokine (such as IL-1β) levels in the joint cavity, which can increase the catabolic activities of chondrocytes and damage cartilage. This study investigated the early genetic responses of healthy in situ chondrocytes under IL-1β attack with a focus on cell cycle and calcium signaling pathways. RNA sequencing analysis identified 2,232 significantly changed genes by IL-1β, with 1,259 upregulated and 973 downregulated genes. Catabolic genes related to ECM degeneration were promoted by IL-1β, consistent with our observations of matrix protein loss and mechanical property decrease during 24-day in vitro culture of cartilage explants. IL-1β altered the cell cycle (108 genes) and Rho GTPases signaling (72 genes) in chondrocytes, while chondrocyte phenotypic shift was observed with histology, cell volume measurement, and MTT assay. IL-1β inhibited the spontaneous calcium signaling in chondrocytes, a fundamental signaling event in chondrocyte metabolic activities. The expression of 24 genes from 6 calcium-signaling related pathways were changed by IL-1β exposure. This study provided a comprehensive list of differentially expressed genes of healthy in situ chondrocytes in response to IL-1β attack, which represents a useful reference to verify and guide future cartilage studies related to the acute inflammation after joint trauma.
Contrasting responses of grain yield to reducing nitrogen application rate in double- and single-season rice
Authors: Huang Min , Fan Long , Zou Yingbin 
Published: January 2019

AbstractReducing N rate without sacrificing grain yield is crucial for sustainable rice production in China. In this study, field experiments were conducted in 2016 and 2017 to determine whether the response of grain yield to reducing N rate varied between double-season rice (DSR) and single-season rice (SSR). Three N rates were applied for each rice crop, i.e. 150 kg ha−1 (N150, the locally recommended N rate), 90 kg ha−1 (N90), and 0 kg ha−1 (N0). Grain yield was lower under N90 than under N150 in DSR by 11–18%, whereas the difference was not significant in SSR. Grain yield under N0 was 36–63% lower in DSR than in SSR. There was a significant relationship between percentage change in grain yield comparing N90 to N150 with grain yield under N0. Furthermore, it was observed that grain yield under N0 was not significantly associated with growth duration but was closely associated with daily grain yield under N0, and the relationships of daily grain yield under N0 with seasonal average daily mean temperature and solar radiation were not significant. These results indicate that response of grain yield to reducing N rate was more sensitive in DSR compared to SSR due to lower soil N productivity. Growth duration and climatic conditions did not explain the difference in soil N productivity between DSR and SSR. The findings of this study should encourage more research into comparing the inherent traits of plants, especially the morphology and physiology of the root system, between DSR and SSR.
Macro-scale transport of the excitation energy along a metal nanotrack: exciton-plasmon energy transfer mechanism
Authors: Khmelinskii Igor , Skatchkov Serguei N. , Makarov Vladimir I. 
Published: January 2019

AbstractPresently we report (i) excited state (exciton) propagation in a metal nanotrack over macroscopic distances, along with (ii) energy transfer from the nanotrack to adsorbed dye molecules. We measured the rates of both of these processes. We concluded that the effective speed of exciton propagation along the nanotrack is about 8 × 107 cm/s, much lower than the surface plasmon propagation speed of 1.4 × 1010 cm/s. We report that the transmitted energy yield depends on the nanotrack length, with the energy emitted from the surface much lower than the transmitted energy, i.e. the excited nanotrack mainly emits in its end zone. Our model thus assumes that the limiting step in the exciton propagation is the energy transfer between the originally prepared excitons and surface plasmons, with the rate constant of about 5.7 × 107 s−1. We also conclude that the energy transfer between the nanotrack and the adsorbed dye is limited by the excited-state lifetime in the nanotrack. Indeed, the measured characteristic buildup time of the dye emission is much longer than the characteristic energy transfer time to the dye of 81 ns, and thus must be determined by the excited state lifetime in the nanotrack. Indeed, the latter is very close to the characteristic buildup time of the dye emission. The data obtained are novel and very promising for a broad range of future applications.
Carnivoran hunting style and phylogeny reflected in bony labyrinth morphometry
Authors: Schwab Julia A. , Kriwet Jürgen , Weber Gerhard W. , Pfaff Cathrin 
Published: January 2019

AbstractCarnivorans are a highly diverse and successful group of mammals, found on the top of the food chain. They originated in the Palaeocene (ca. 60 Ma) and have developed numerous lifestyles, locomotion modes and hunting strategies during their evolutionary history. Mechanosensory organs, such as the inner ear (which houses senses of equilibrium and hearing), represent informative anatomical systems to obtain insights into function, ecology and phylogeny of extant and extinct vertebrates. Using µCT scans, we examined bony labyrinths of a broad sample of various carnivoran species, to obtain new information about hunting behaviours of ancient carnivorans. Bony labyrinths were digitally reconstructed and measurements were taken directly from these 3D models. Principal component analyses generally separated various hunting strategies (pursuit, pounce, ambush and occasional), but also support their phylogenetic relationships (Canoidea vs. Feloidea). The height, width and length of all three semicircular canals show functional morphological adaptations, whereas the diameter of the canals, the height of the cochlea and particularly the angle between the lateral semicircular canal and the cochlea indicate a phylogenetic signal. The results demonstrate that the bony labyrinth provides a powerful ecological proxy reflecting both predatory habits as well as phylogenetic relationships in extinct and extant carnivorans.
Bayesian selection for coarse-grained models of liquid water
Authors: Zavadlav Julija , Arampatzis Georgios , Koumoutsakos Petros 
Published: January 2019

AbstractThe necessity for accurate and computationally efficient representations of water in atomistic simulations that can span biologically relevant timescales has born the necessity of coarse-grained (CG) modeling. Despite numerous advances, CG water models rely mostly on a-priori specified assumptions. How these assumptions affect the model accuracy, efficiency, and in particular transferability, has not been systematically investigated. Here we propose a data driven comparison and selection for CG water models through a Hierarchical Bayesian framework. We examine CG water models that differ in their level of coarse-graining, structure, and number of interaction sites. We find that the importance of electrostatic interactions for the physical system under consideration is a dominant criterion for the model selection. Multi-site models are favored, unless the effects of water in electrostatic screening are not relevant, in which case the single site model is preferred due to its computational savings. The charge distribution is found to play an important role in the multi-site model’s accuracy while the flexibility of the bonds/angles may only slightly improve the models. Furthermore, we find significant variations in the computational cost of these models. We present a data informed rationale for the selection of CG water models and provide guidance for future water model designs.
Rapidly increasing ethanol concentrations in rainwater and air
Authors: Willey Joan D. , Avery G. Brooks , Felix J. David , Kieber Robert J. , Mead Ralph N. , Shimizu Megumi S. 
Published: January 2019

AbstractRainwater and gas phase ethanol concentrations increased approximately fourfold between 2010 and 2017 in Wilmington, NC, USA. This 8-year study demonstrates that the gas phase and rainwater concentrations of ethanol have risen due to increased production and use of ethanol as a biofuel. Rainwater ethanol concentrations are close to equilibrium with local atmospheric gas phase concentrations and have increased in proportion to increased air concentrations. Ethanol emissions are important because they impact the oxidizing capacity of the atmosphere due to the reactivity of the alcohol towards hydroxyl radical. Gas phase ethanol contributes to air pollution through oxidation to acetaldehyde, with subsequent production of ozone, and in high NOx regions production of peroxyacetyl nitrate (PAN). However, combustion of ethanol can also lower emissions of acetaldehyde precursors such as alkenes, suggesting that the potential impact of ethanol combustion is complex. The large increase in the concentration of ethanol in both the gas and condensed phases indicates that existing sinks are not sufficient to remove the excess alcohol being added to the atmosphere from biofuel use. This suggests that the projected growth of ethanol as a biofuel will result in considerable increases in atmospheric concentrations within the next few years with direct ramifications on a host of fundamentally important atmospheric processes.
Recent advances in arsenic metabolism in plants: current status, challenges and highlighted biotechnological intervention to reduce grain arsenic in rice
Authors: Shri Manju , Singh Pradyumna Kumar , Kidwai Maria , Gautam Neelam , Dubey Sonali , Verma Giti , Chakrabarty Debasis 
Published: January 2019

Abstract
Arsenic (As), classified as a “metalloid” element, is well known for its carcinogenicity and other toxic effects to humans. Arsenic exposure in plants results in the alteration of the physiochemical and biological properties and consequently, loss of crop yield. Being a staple food for half of the world's population, the consumption of As-contaminated rice grain by humans may pose serious health issues and risks for food security. In this study, we have described the principal understanding of the molecular basis of arsenic toxicity and accumulation in plant parts. We described the measures for decreasing As accumulation in rice and understanding the mechanism and transport of As uptake, its transport from root to shoot to rice grain, its metabolism, detoxification, as well as the mechanisms lying behind its accumulation in rice grains. There are various checkpoints, such as the tuning of AsV/Pi specific Pi transporters, arsenate reductase, transporters that are involved in the efflux of As to either the vacuole or outside the cell, xylem loading, loading and unloading to the phloem, and transporters involved in the loading of As to grain, that can be targeted to reduce As accumulation in rice grain. Genes/proteins involved in As detoxification, particularly the glutathione (GSH) biosynthesis pathway, phytochelatin (PC) synthesis, and arsenic methyltransferase, also provide a great pool of pathways that can also be castellated for the low As in rice grains. Paddy rice is also used as fodder for animals, enhancing vacuolar sequestration and using constitutive promoters, which may be of concern for animal health. Therefore, using a root-specific promoter and/or converting inorganic arsenic into volatile organic arsenic might be a better strategy for low As in grain. Furthermore, in this review, the other specific approaches, such as bio-remediation, bio-augmentation practices, and molecular breeding, which have great potential to reduce As uptake from soil to rice grains, have also been highlighted.
Design structure of tunnel FET by combining thermionic emission with tunneling phenomenon
Authors: Yadav Shivendra , Vemulapaty Madhuri , Sharma Dheeraj , Gedam Anju , Sharma Neeraj 
Published: January 2019

This study proposes a novel electrically doped tunnel field effect transistor (ED‐TFET), which combines thermionic emission and band to band tunnelling by using an additional metal source (MS) of appropriate work function (WF; 3.9 eV) by forming an ohmic junction between metal and silicon. The ohmic junction is created below the channel region near the source channel junction by depositing of appropriate workfunction metal (lower than silicon) which injects extra electrons through over the barrier along with band to band tunneling (BTBT) in the channel of the device. Therefore, a drastic improvement in the ON state current is observed which is numerically about 107 times greater than conventional ED‐TFET. Furthermore, the radiofrequency figures of merit such cut‐off frequency, gain band width product, and maximum oscillating frequency are enhanced by ∼, 20 and 1000 times, respectively, however, intrinsic gain and transconductance generation factor have nearly 66.66 and 14.28% improvement compared to conventional ED‐TFET. Furthermore, the concepts of drain underlapping and dual metal gate have been used to checkout OFF‐state current and negative conductance as a final proposal. In addition, this study has also investigated the performance variations in the proposed structure due to the WF change of CG2, length of and position of MS.