bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Population‐level effects of wind farms on a desert lizard
Authors: Keehn Jade E. , Shoemaker Kevin T. , Feldman Chris R. 
Published: September 2018

ABSTRACTRenewable forms of energy production can have major societal benefits including reduced carbon pollution and decreased dependence on fossil fuels but are not without associated costs. For example, habitat degradation at renewable energy production sites may affect the persistence of wildlife populations. We assessed the effects of wind farms in the San Gorgonio Wind Resource Area near Palm Springs, California, 2013–2015, on local populations of the side‐blotched lizard (Uta stansburiana). The side‐blotched lizard is a common and ubiquitous desert reptile that is a major consumer of invertebrates and, in turn, represents a key prey base for many avian, reptilian, and mammalian predators. We used spatially explicit capture‐recapture methods to compare a comprehensive set of population‐level vital signs (i.e., abundance, population growth rate, survival, recruitment, body condition, age structure, activity area size, movement rates) among populations at 4 wind farms and at 5 reference areas. Although our models indicate that wind facilities have a weak negative effect on side‐blotched lizard survival, our overall results suggest that wind farms do not substantially influence the demography or behavior of these small lizards. Population response to general anthropogenic disturbance (quantified as an index of road type and density) was more pronounced, with lower population growth rates, adult‐skewed age structure, and reduced body condition at highly disturbed wind farm and reference sites. We therefore conclude that wind‐power facilities can support healthy populations of side‐blotched lizards, indicating that wind energy development is compatible with a native Mojave Desert species. However, our results show that anthropogenic disturbance, as measured by the type and density of roadways, has a negative effect on lizard populations, and should be carefully planned whether associated with energy development or not. Our study demonstrates a methodological approach that can be applied to other species, including those with lower tolerances to disturbance, to measure their response to renewable energy development. © 2018 The Wildlife Society.
LEADING WITH INTEGRITY
Authors: O'Rourke Bill 
Published: September 2018

AbstractO'Rourke, a retired, longtime Alcoa senior executive, believes integrity is the most crucial differentiator for a great leader. He discusses examples of ethical dilemmas he navigated in his years with the company, including especially thorny situations when he was president of Alcoa‐Russia. He explains nuances of the concept of conflicts of interest, and writes about Paul O'Neill, Alcoa's chief executive officer (CEO) when O'Rourke worked there. O'Neill articulated a vision to be the best corporation in the world, particularly around the importance of worker safety. During O'Neill's 13‐year tenure as CEO, “Alcoa became known as the safest manufacturing corporation in the world because O'Neill made safety a true value in the company,” O'Rourke writes.
Combining Catalyst‐Free Click Chemistry with Coaxial Electrospinning to Obtain Long‐Term, Water‐Stable, Bioactive Elastin‐Like Fibers for Tissue Engineering Applications
Authors: Fernández‐Colino Alicia , Wolf Frederic , Rütten Stephan , Rodríguez‐Cabello José Carlos , Jockenhoevel Stefan , Mela Petra 
Published: September 2018

AbstractElastic fibers are a fundamental requirement for tissue‐engineered equivalents of physiologically elastic native tissues. Here, a simple one‐step electrospinning approach is developed, combining i) catalyst‐free click chemistry, ii) coaxial electrospinning, and iii) recombinant elastin‐like polymers as a relevant class of biomaterials. Water‐stable elastin‐like fibers are obtained without the use of cross‐linking agents, catalysts, or harmful organic solvents. The fibers can be directly exposed to an aqueous environment at physiological temperature and their morphology maintained for at least 3 months. The bioactivity of the fibers is demonstrated with human vascular cells and the potential of the process for vascular tissue engineering is shown by fabricating small‐diameter tubular fibrous scaffolds. Moreover, highly porous fluffy 3D constructs are obtained without the use of specially designed collectors or sacrificial materials, further supporting their applicability in the biomedical field. Ultimately, the strategy that is developed here may be applied to other click systems, contributing to expanding their potential in medical technology.
Comparative proteomic analysis of Methanothermobacter thermautotrophicus reveals methane formation from H2 and CO2 under different temperature conditions
Authors: Liu Cong , Mao Lihui , Zheng Xiongmin , Yuan Jiangan , Hu Beijuan , Cai Yaohui , Xie Hongwei , Peng Xiaojue , Ding Xia 
Published: September 2018

AbstractThe growth of all methanogens is limited to a specific temperature range. However, Methanothermobacter thermautotrophicus can be found in a variety of natural and artificial environments, the temperatures of which sometimes even exceed the temperature growth ranges of thermophiles. As a result, the extent to which methane production and survival are affected by temperature remains unclear. To investigate the mechanisms of methanogenesis that Archaea have evolved to cope with drastic temperature shifts, the responses of Methanothermobacter thermautotrophicus to temperature were investigated under a high temperature growth (71°C) and cold shock (4°C) using Isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation (iTRAQ). The results showed that methane formation is decreased and that protein folding and degradation are increased in both high‐ and low‐temperature treatments. In addition, proteins predicted to be involved in processing environmental information processing and in cell membrane/wall/envelope biogenesis may play key roles in affecting methane formation and enhancing the response of M. thermautotrophicus to temperature stress. Analysis of the genomic locations of the genes corresponding to these temperature‐dependent proteins predicted that 77 of the genes likely to form 32 gene clusters. Here, we assess the response of M. thermautotrophicus to different temperatures and provide a new level of understanding of methane formation and cellular putative adaptive responses.
Treatment planning based on water density image generated using dual‐energy computed tomography for pancreatic cancer with contrast‐enhancing agent: Phantom and clinical study
Authors: Ohira Shingo , Yagi Masashi , Iramina Hiraku , Karino Tsukasa , Washio Hayate , Ueda Yoshihiro , Miyazaki Masayoshi , Koizumi Masahiko , Teshima Teruki 
Published: September 2018

PurposeA contrast‐enhancing agent is imperative for the accurate target delineation of pancreatic tumors. This study demonstrates the potential use of treatment planning for patients with pancreatic tumors based on the water density image (WDI) generated by dual‐energy computed tomography (DECT).MethodsTissue characterization and multi‐energy phantom scanning were performed through DECT and the physical characteristics of the WDI and a virtual monochromatic image (VMI) were assessed. The measured and the corresponding theoretical electron density relative to water (RED) and mass density (MD) were compared. Treatment plans based on the WDI (TPWDI) and VMI (TPVMI) were compared for 22 pancreatic cancer patients who underwent contrast‐enhanced DECT scan.ResultsThe total absolute difference in the HU value between the conventional 120 kVp images and the VMI was the smallest at the energy level of 77 keV (3.3 HU), and the VMI at 77 keV was used for subsequent analysis. The difference between the measured and theoretical values of RED and MD for iodine using the VMI (>15%) was larger than that using WDI (<4%). In clinical cases, the maximum difference in the dosimetric parameters between TPWDI and TPWDI for the planning target volume was 3.0% when the doses were calculated using AXB, and for the duodenum, it was 1.7%.ConclusionsThe WDI estimated the RED and MD accurately and could form the basis for a new treatment planning approach for pancreatic cancer using contrast‐enhancing agent.
Determination of the dose rate constant through Monte Carlo simulations with voxel phantoms
Authors: Soares Abner D. , Paixão Lucas , Facure Alessandro 
Published: September 2018

PurposeThe main goal of this study was to determine the dose rate constant of radionuclides used in Nuclear Medicine when they are biodistributed in humans. The secondary goal was to calculate the effective half‐life for the same radionuclides in order to determine the realistic dose due to the incorporation of these nuclides for a variety of reasons.MethodsAnthropomorphic voxel phantoms, with characteristics based on ICRP‐110 were considered and the biodistributions of radionuclides were simulated using the Monte Carlo code MCNPX. In addition, the effective half‐lives for all simulated radionuclides were calculated.ResultsThe results for the dose rate constant, taking into account the patient body attenuation, showed no correlation between the biodistribution of the radionuclide and the energy of the radiation emitted. Body attenuation ranged between 6.7% and 94.1%. Also, the priority angle of radiation emission was determined. The values found for the body attenuation agree with the literature, corroborating the calculation of the body dose rate constant.ConclusionsThe results for the body dose rate constant calculated in this work, for 30 radionuclides and 57 radiopharmaceuticals, and their effective half‐lives, may be used to estimate the dose emitted by a person who has incorporated a radionuclide in the Nuclear Medicine activity range. This dose will be optimized when the body dose rate constant and the effective half‐life determined in this study are used together with dose reduction factors.
Computer‐assisted Curie scoring for metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) scans in patients with neuroblastoma
Authors: Sokol Elizabeth A. , Engelmann Roger , Kang Wenjun , Pinto Navin , Starkey Adam , Lai Hollie , Nadel Helen , Shulkin Barry L. , Pu Yonglin , Appelbaum Daniel , Yanik Gregory A. , Cohn Susan L. , Armato Samuel G. , Volchenboum Samuel 
Published: September 2018

AbstractBackgroundRadiolabeled metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) is sensitive and specific for detecting neuroblastoma. The extent of MIBG‐avid disease is assessed using Curie scores. Although Curie scoring is prognostic in patients with high‐risk neuroblastoma, there is no standardized method to assess the response of specific sites of disease over time. The goal of this study was to develop approaches for Curie scoring to facilitate the calculation of scores and comparison of specific sites on serial scans.ProcedureWe designed three semiautomated methods for determining Curie scores, each with increasing degrees of computer assistance. Method A was based on visual assessment and tallying of MIBG‐avid lesions. For method B, scores were tabulated from a schematic that associated anatomic regions to MIBG‐positive lesions. For method C, an anatomic mesh was used to mark MIBG‐positive lesions with automatic assignment and tallying of scores. Five imaging physicians experienced in MIBG interpretation scored 38 scans using each method, and the feasibility and utility of the methods were assessed using surveys.ResultsThere was good reliability between methods and observers. The user‐interface methods required 57 to 110 seconds longer than the visual method. Imaging physicians indicated that it was useful that methods B and C enabled tracking of lesions. Imaging physicians preferred method B to method C because of its efficiency.ConclusionsWe demonstrate the feasibility of semiautomated approaches for Curie score calculation. Although more time was needed for strategies B and C, the ability to track and document individual MIBG‐positive lesions over time is a strength of these methods.
L‐proline and betaine inhibit extracellular enzymes mediated abeta 1‐42 aggregation, oxidative stress, and toxicity
Authors: Ismail Tania , Vancha Sushma Reddy , Kanapathipillai Mathumai 
Published: September 2018

AbstractExtracellular amyloid plaques are characteristics of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The amyloid plaques mainly consist of amyloid‐β (abeta) fragments. Extracellular biomolecules play a key role in abeta aggregation and subsequent plaque formation during AD. Among them, extracellular enzymes are known to induce abeta aggregation by catalyzing the crosslinking of abeta proteins. Although several therapeutic strategies have been studied to combat AD, studies to treat extracellular enzymes mediated abeta aggregation and toxicity is not explored in detail yet. Here we study the potential of osmolyte molecules l‐proline and betaine to inhibit the abeta aggregation and toxicity promoted by extracellular enzymes transglutaminase and lysyl oxidase in vitro. Results reveal that l‐proline and betaine have the potential to inhibit extracellular matrix enzymes mediated abeta aggregation/fibril formation and toxicity and oxidative stress in brain endothelial cells. Hence osmolytes could have the potential to modulate the effects of extracellular molecules during AD.
Taxonomic Landscape of the Dark Proteomes: Whole‐Proteome Scale Interplay Between Structural Darkness, Intrinsic Disorder, and Crystallization Propensity
Authors: Hu Gang , Wang Kui , Song Jiangning , Uversky Vladimir N. , Kurgan Lukasz 
Published: September 2018

AbstractGrowth rate of the protein sequence universe dramatically exceeds the speed of expansion for the protein structure universe, generating an immense dark proteome that includes proteins with unknown structure. A whole‐proteome scale analysis of 5.4 million proteins from 987 proteomes in the three domains of life and viruses to systematically dissect an interplay between structural coverage, degree of putative intrinsic disorder, and predicted propensity for structure determination is performed. It has been found that Archaean and Bacterial proteomes have relatively high structural coverage and low amounts of disorder, whereas Eukaryotic and Viral proteomes are characterized by a broad spread of structural coverage and higher disorder levels. The analysis reveals that dark proteomes (i.e., proteomes containing high fractions of proteins with unknown structure) have significantly elevated amounts of intrinsic disorder and are predicted to be difficult to solve structurally. Although the majority of dark proteomes are of viral origin, many dark viral proteomes have at least modest crystallization propensity and only a handful of them are enriched in the intrinsic disorder. The disorder, structural coverage, and propensity are mapped for structural determination onto a novel proteome‐level sequence similarity network to analyze the interplay of these characteristics in the taxonomic landscape.
Centrifugal Field Guided Dual Templating Synthesis of Functional Macro‐Microporous Carbon
Authors: Ge Qiong , Chen Mengdi , Lou Xiaobing , Zhang Wei , Shen Ming , Yang Qi , Hu Bingwen 
Published: September 2018

AbstractDue to the important role of porous carbon in the development of sustainable materials, the synthesis of porous carbon materials with various pore structures and pore sizes is intensively developed. But it is still not an easy task to obtain uniform porous structures at different nanoscales, let alone the hierarchical structures which combine different uniform porosity. The objective of this paper is to investigate if centrifugal field is applicable in the synthesis of ordered macro‐microporous carbon structures and the performance of the obtained porous carbon used as the cathode of a lithium–oxygen cell. It is found that a centrifugal force can trap the nucleation and growth of ZIF‐8 nanocrystals in between the interstices of close‐packed polymeric spheres, and therefore result in ordered macro‐microporous carbon nanoparticles with smaller pores distributed in the wall of larger pores. The dual porosity structures significantly help the macro‐microporous carbon to deliver a much higher capacity when used as the cathodes of a lithium–oxygen battery.
Thioflavin T‐Amyloid Hybrid Nanostructure for Biocatalytic Photosynthesis
Authors: Son Giyeong , Lee Sahng Ha , Wang Ding , Park Chan Beum 
Published: September 2018

AbstractAmyloidogenic peptides can self‐assemble into highly ordered nanostructures consisting of cross β‐sheet‐rich networks that exhibit unique physicochemical properties and high stability. Light‐harvesting amyloid nanofibrils are constructed by employing insulin as a building block and thioflavin T (ThT) as a amyloid‐specific photosensitizer. The ability of the self‐assembled amyloid scaffold to accommodate and align ThT in high density on its surface allows for efficient energy transfer from the chromophores to the catalytic units in a similar way to natural photosystems. Insulin nanofibrils significantly enhance the photoactivity of ThT by inhibiting nonradiative conformational relaxation around the central CC bonds and narrowing the distance between ThT molecules that are bound to the β‐sheet‐rich amyloid structure. It is demonstrated that the ThT‐amyloid hybrid nanostructure is suitable for biocatalytic solar‐to‐chemical conversion by integrating the light‐harvesting amyloid module (for nicotinamide cofactor regeneration) with a redox biocatalytic module (for enzymatic reduction).
Thermally Switchable Liquid Crystals Based on Cellulose Nanocrystals with Patchy Polymer Grafts
Authors: Risteen Bailey , Delepierre Gwendoline , Srinivasarao Mohan , Weder Christoph , Russo Paul , Reichmanis Elsa , Zoppe Justin 
Published: September 2018

AbstractA thermally “switchable” liquid‐crystalline (LC) phase is observed in aqueous suspensions of cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) featuring patchy grafts of the thermoresponsive polymer poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM). “Patchy” polymer decoration of the CNCs is achieved by preferential attachment of an atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) initiator to the ends of the rods and subsequent surface‐initiated ATRP. The patchy PNIPAM‐grafted CNCs display a higher colloidal stability above the lower critical solution temperature (LCST) of PNIPAM than CNCs decorated with PNIPAM in a brush‐like manner. A 10 wt% suspension of the “patchy” PNIPAM‐modified CNCs displays birefringence at room temperature, indicating the presence of an LC phase. When heated above the LCST of PNIPAM, the birefringence disappears, indicating the transition to an isotropic phase. This switching is reversible and appears to be driven by the collapse of the PNIPAM chains above the LCST, causing a reduction of the rods' packing density and an increase in translational and rotational freedom. Suspensions of the “brush” PNIPAM‐modified CNCs display a different behavior. Heating above the LCST causes phase separation, likely because the chain collapse renders the particles more hydrophobic. The thermal switching observed for the “patchy” PNIPAM‐modified CNCs is unprecedented and possibly useful for sensing and smart packaging applications.
On the Structure of Amorphous Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles by Aberration‐Corrected STEM
Authors: Calderon V Sebastian , Ribeiro Tânia , Farinha José Paulo S. , Baleizão Carlos , Ferreira Paulo J. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractMesoporous silica materials have demonstrated a vast spectrum of applications, stimulating an intensive field of study due to their potential use as nanocarriers. Nonetheless, when produced at the nanoscale, their structural characterization is hindered due to the re‐arrangement of the pores. To address this issue, this work combines molecular dynamics simulations with electron microscopy computer simulations and experimental results to provide an insight into the structure of amorphous mesoporous silica nanoparticles. The amorphous silica model is prepared using a simple melt‐quench molecular dynamics method, while the reconstruction of the mesoporous nanoparticles is carried out using a methodology to avoid false symmetry in the final model. Simulated scanning transmission electron microscopy images are compared with experimental images, revealing the existence of structural domains, created by the misalignment of the pores to compensate the surface tension of these spherical nanoparticles.
Lighting Up MicroRNA in Living Cells by the Disassembly of Lock‐Like DNA‐Programmed UCNPs‐AuNPs through the Target Cycling Amplification Strategy
Authors: Zhang Keying , Song Shuting , Huang Shan , Yang Lin , Min Qianhao , Wu Xingcai , Lu Feng , Zhu Jun‐Jie 
Published: September 2018

AbstractIntracellular microRNAs imaging based on upconversion nanoprobes has great potential in cancer diagnostics and treatments. However, the relatively low detection sensitivity limits their application. Herein, a lock‐like DNA (LLD) generated by a hairpin DNA (H1) hybridizing with a bolt DNA (bDNA) sequence is designed, which is used to program upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs, NaYF4@NaYF4:Yb, Er@NaYF4) and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). The upconversion emission is quenched through luminescence resonance energy transfer (LRET). The multiple LLD can be repeatedly opened by one copy of target microRNA under the aid of fuel hairpin DNA strands (H2) to trigger disassembly of AuNPs from the UCNP, resulting in the lighting up of UCNPs with a high detection signal gain. This strategy is verified using microRNA‐21 as model. The expression level of microRNA‐21 in various cells lines can be sensitively measured in vitro, meanwhile cancer cells and normal cells can be easily and accurately distinguished by intracellular microRNA‐21 imaging via the nanoprobes. The detection limit is about 1000 times lower than that of the previously reported upconversion nanoprobes without signal amplification. This is the first time a nonenzymatic signal amplification method has been combined with UCNPs for imaging intracellular microRNAs, which has great potential for cancer diagnosis.
Outbreak investigations of foot and mouth disease virus in Nepal between 2010 and 2015 in the context of historical serotype occurrence
Authors: Adhikari Ganesh , Acharya Krishna P. , Upadhyay Mukul , Raut Rabin , Kaphle Krishna , Khanal Tanka , Bertram Miranda R. , Stenfeldt Carolina , Arzt Jonathan 
Published: September 2018

AbstractFoot and Mouth Disease (FMD) is endemic in Nepal and causes substantial economic losses in the livestock industry. The goal of this study was to perform an epidemiological analysis of FMD outbreaks reported to the Veterinary Epidemiology Center, Tripureshwor, Nepal during 2010–2015, in order to strengthen the National FMD Control Program. These current data were considered in the context of historical data on FMD virus (FMDV) serotypes detected in the country between 1965 and 2015. During 2010–2015, a total of 1333 livestock holdings reported FMD outbreaks in Nepal. On average, 71.2 animals were affected in each outbreak, with a case fatality rate of 3.6%. FMD was reported throughout the country, and the proportion of affected holdings was not significantly among eco‐zones, regions, or species. The Hill eco‐zone had the highest number of holdings affected (782), followed by Mountain (304), and Terai (247). When analysed by the developmental region, the Western (381) and Central (368) Developmental Regions had the highest numbers of holdings affected. Cattle were the most frequently affected species (39%), followed by buffalo (33%), and goats (19%). FMD occurred throughout the year, with peaks in winter (December/January) and in the pre‐monsoon period (April/May). Between 1965 and 2015 FMDV serotype O had the highest prevalence (81%), followed by Asia‐1 (11%), A (6%), and C (2%). Serotype C was not detected after 1996, and only serotype O was reported after 2011. These descriptive analyses provide critical landmarks to establish baselines, and document early progress of the ongoing Progressive Control Pathway of FMD (PCP‐FMD) which could be useful in Nepal and other South Asian nations.