bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Biodiversity impact assessment (BIA+) – methodological framework for screening biodiversity
Authors: Winter Lisa , Pflugmacher Stephan , Berger Markus , Finkbeiner Matthias 
Published: November 2017

Abstract

For the past 20 years, the life cycle assessment (LCA) community has sought to integrate impacts on biodiversity into the LCA framework. However, existing impact assessment methods still fail to do so comprehensively because they quantify only a few impacts related to specific species and regions. This paper proposes a methodological framework that will allow LCA practitioners to assess currently missing impacts on biodiversity on a global scale. Building on existing models that seek to quantify the impacts of human activities on biodiversity, the herein proposed methodological framework consists of 2 components: a habitat factor for 14 major habitat types and the impact on the biodiversity status in those major habitat types. The habitat factor is calculated by means of indicators that characterize each habitat. The biodiversity status depends on parameters from impact categories. The impact functions, relating these different parameters to a given response in the biodiversity status, rely on expert judgments. To ensure the applicability for LCA practitioners, the components of the framework can be regionalized on a country scale for which LCA inventory data is more readily available. The weighting factors for the 14 major habitat types range from 0.63 to 1.82. By means of area weighting of the major habitat types in a country, country-specific weighting factors are calculated. In order to demonstrate the main part of the framework, examples of impact functions are given for the categories “freshwater eutrophication” and “freshwater ecotoxicity” in 1 major habitat type. The results confirm suitability of the methodological framework. The major advantages are the framework's user-friendliness, given that data can be used from LCA databases directly, and the complete inclusion of all levels of biodiversity (genetic, species, and ecosystem). It is applicable for the whole world and a wide range of impact categories. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2018;14:282–297. © 2017 SETAC

Key Points
Impact assessment methods can help to evaluate human made impacts on biodiversity in order to stop the alarming decrease of life on earth. The proposed methodological framework brings life cycle assessment and biodiversity together in order to assess product environmental impacts on biodiversity. A new approach is developed based on existing ideas. This approach can be applied globally and with regard to different human-made impacts.
Decision Models for the Ranking of Agricultural Water Demand Management Strategies in an Arid Region
Authors: Banihabib Mohammad Ebrahim , Shabestari Mohammad Hadi 
Published: November 2017

AbstractThe agricultural sector is the largest consumer of water and its demand management has a significant impact on water resources of arid areas. This research proposes a hybrid multi‐criteria decision‐making (MCDM) model to prioritize agricultural water demand management (AWDM) strategies based on surveys carried out with 35 Iranian experts in an arid region. It hybridized the advantages of the modified technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution (MTOPSIS) and the analytical hierarchy process (AHP) methods, and it is called MTAHP. The AHP model is used to determine the relative weights and consistency ratio assessment and finally the MTOPSIS model is used to rank the strategies. Moreover, ELimination and Choice Expressing REality III (ELECTRE III) as a non‐compensatory model and simple additive weighting (SAW) as a compensatory model were used for comparison with the proposed model. The proposed model result was similar to the SAW model but different from ELECTRE III. High‐ranked strategies are training farmers, improvement of cropping patterns and land levelling and modernization of the irrigation systems in the region, respectively. The results of this research show the ability of the hybrid model of AHP and MTOPSIS to prioritize the strategies for AWDM which is recommended for other similar regions. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
MiR 376c inhibits osteoblastogenesis by targeting Wnt3 and ARF‐GEF‐1 ‐facilitated augmentation of beta‐catenin transactivation
Authors: Kureel Jyoti , John Aijaz A. , Prakash Ravi , Singh Divya 
Published: November 2017

AbstractWnt signaling pathway plays important role in all aspects of skeletal development which include chondrogenesis, osteoblastogenesis, and osteoclastogenesis. Induction of the Wnt‐3 signaling pathway promotes bone formation while inactivation of the pathway leads to bone related disorders like osteoporosis. Wnt signaling thus has become a desired target to treat osteogenic disorders. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) represent an important category of elements that interact with Wnt signaling molecules to regulate osteogenesis. Here, we show that miR‐376c, a well‐characterized tumor suppressor which inhibits cell proliferation and invasion in osteosarcoma by targeting to transforming growth factor‐alpha, suppresses osteoblast proliferation, and differentiation. Over‐expression of miR‐376c inhibited osteoblast differentiation, whereas inhibition of miR‐376c function by antimiR‐376c promoted expression of osteoblast‐specific genes, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, and matrix mineralization. Target prediction analysis tools and experimental validation by luciferase 3′ UTR reporter assay along with qRT‐PCR identified Wnt‐3 and ARF‐GEF‐1 as direct targets of miR‐376c. It was seen that over‐expression of miR‐376c leads to repression of canonical Wnt/β‐catenin signaling. Our overall results suggest that miR‐376c targets Wnt‐3 and ARF‐GEF‐1 suppresses ARF‐6 activation which prevents the release of β‐catenin and its transactivation thereby inhibiting osteoblast differentiation. Although miR‐376c is known to be a tumor repressor; we have identified a second complementary function of miR‐376c where it inhibits Wnt‐3‐mediated osteogenesis and promotes bone loss.
Usability of Functional MRI in Clinical Studies for Fast and Reliable Assessment of Renal Perfusion and Quantification of Hemodynamic Effects on the Kidney
Authors: Getzin Tobias , May Marcus , Schmidbauer Martina , Gutberlet Marcel , Martirosian Petros , Oertel Reinhard , Wacker Frank , Schindler Christoph , Hueper Katja 
Published: November 2017

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to evaluate contrast‐media–free arterial spin labeling, a technique of functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), for assessment of kidney perfusion in a clinical study. We examined renal perfusion by arterial spin labeling in 15 healthy adults using a clinical 1.5‐T MRI system, twice under baseline conditions and 60 minutes after a single oral dose of 50 mg captopril. Data evaluation included assessment of interstudy and interrater reproducibility in addition to the pharmacological effect of captopril on kidney perfusion and a sample size calculation for potential application of the technique in pharmacological intervention studies. Interstudy reproducibility of cortical and medullary kidney perfusion was excellent (intraclass correlation coefficients 0.77 and 0.83, respectively). Interrater reproducibility was excellent in the cortex and good in the medulla (intraclass correlation coefficients 0.97 and 0.66, respectively). Ingestion of 50 mg captopril was associated with an 11% drop of systolic blood pressure and a rise in kidney perfusion by 22% in the cortex (369 ± 48 vs 452 ± 56 mL/[min·100 g], P < .001) and 26% in the medulla (157 ± 39 to 198 ± 45 ml/[min·100 g]; P < .01). Statistical power analysis revealed that a small sample size of only 6 participants is needed in a clinical trial to capture an equal change in kidney perfusion to the one induced by 50 mg captopril with a statistical power of 82% and an α error of 0.05. In conclusion, funtional MRI with arterial spin labeling is a reliable method for quantification of kidney perfusion and for fast assessment of pharmacologically induced renal perfusion changes, allowing low case numbers.
Improvement of enzyme stability for alkyl esters synthesis in miniemulsion systems by using media engineering
Authors: de Barros Dragana PC , Pinto Fátima , Pfluck Ana CD , Dias Andreia SA , Fernandes Pedro , Fonseca Luís P 
Published: November 2017

AbstractBACKGROUNDOil‐in‐water miniemulsions have been suggested to display potential for application as a ‘green’ system for enzymatic alkyl ester synthesis. Still, a realistic assessment of the feasibility of this approach for practical applications requires further insight, namely the relation between enzyme stability and reaction operational conditions. The objective of this work is within such scope. Accordingly, it extends previous research on esterification catalyzed by Fusarium solani pisi cutinase, by addressing medium‐chain length substrates, and aims to contribute to the optimization of reaction conditions and towards the design of an efficient set‐up.RESULTSThe esterification yield was significantly enhanced (e.g. 50% increase for octyl octanoate system) through the correction of the initial pH of the reaction medium to pH 6. Under such environment, conformational changes of the enzyme were negligible after 24 h, resulting in improved enzyme stability for all systems under study. Maximum esterification rate (3.59 mmol min‐1) and product yield (91%) were achieved for octyl decanoate synthesis. Fed‐batch mode of operation allowed for the production of 1 mol L‐1 hexyl octanoate, while retaining enzyme activity over 5 days. Consecutive batch runs allowed for the cumulative production of 1.1 mol L‐1 hexyl octanoate after four cycles.CONCLUSIONSMedium engineering enabled the use of miniemulsion systems for the synthesis of medium‐chain alkyl esters and increase in the final concentration of the intended product. Through a fed‐batch mode the enzyme stability and reutilization were tuned allowing long‐term utilization of the free enzyme which could not be achieved through a repeated batch system. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Continuous cell flocculation for recombinant antibody harvesting
Authors: Burgstaller Daniel , Krepper Walpurga , Haas Josselyn , Maszelin Marine , Mohoric Jure , Pajnic Katja , Jungbauer Alois , Satzer Peter 
Published: November 2017

AbstractBACKGROUNDIntegrated continuous production technology is of great interest in biopharmaceutical industry. Efficient, flexible and cost effective methods for continuous cell removal have to be developed, before a fully continuous and integrated product train can be realized. The paper describes the development and testing of such an integrated continuous and disposable set‐up for cell separation by flocculation combined with depth filtration.RESULTSScreening of multiple flocculation agents, depth filters, and conditions demonstrated that the best performance was obtained with 0.0375% polydiallyldimethylammonium chloride (pDADMAC; a polycationic flocculation agent) in combination with Clarisolve® depth filters. Using this set‐up, a 4‐fold decrease of filtration area was achieved relative to standard filtration without flocculation, with yields of ≥97% and DNA depletion of up to 99%. Continuous operation was accomplished using a simple tubular reactor design with parallelization of the filtration. The reactor length was selected to allow a 13.2‐min residence time, which was sufficient to complete flocculation in batch experiments. Continuous flocculation performance was monitored on‐line using focused beam reflectance measurement. Filter switch cycles based on upstream pressure were controlled by in‐line pressure sensors, and were stable from one filter to the next.CONCLUSIONIt was demonstrated that stable and efficient continuous flocculation associated with depth filtration can be easily accomplished using tubular reactors and parallelization. Continuous cell separation is essential for the development of fully continuous integrated process trains. This cost‐efficient disposable design run in continuous mode significantly reduces facility foot print, process costs and enables great flexbility. © 2017 The Authors. Journal of Chemical Technology & Biotechnology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
Gemini‐type cationic surfactant‐directed synthesis of hollow ZSM‐5 zeolite with intracrystalline mesopores and its application in the hydroxylation of phenol
Authors: Shen Yu , Wang Fumin , Han Zongzhuang , Zhang Xubin 
Published: November 2017

AbstractBACKGROUNDZSM‐5 zeolites are of great importance in industrial catalysis. However, the diffusion limitations caused by small pore opening restrict the extent of catalytic conversions over conventional ZSM‐5. Many studies have shown that mass transfer in zeolite channels can be improved by controlling the morphology or creating additional mesoporosity. Here, the catalytic performance is further improved by the creation of hollow structure and intracrystalline mesopores in ZSM‐5 zeolite.RESULTSThe characterization results demonstrated that hollow ZSM‐5 with intracrystalline mesopores can be synthesized by using a simple one‐step hydrothermal strategy with a commercial gemini‐type cationic surfactant containing hydrophilic hydroxyl groups. Compared with the Fe‐substituted conventional ZSM‐5, the Fe‐substituted hollow ZSM‐5 with intracrystalline mesopores show remarkably enhanced catalytic performance in the hydroxylation of phenol. About 52.2% conversion of phenol can be obtained with almost 96.8% selectivity to dihydroxybenzenes. The catalytic activity remained almost unchanged after five cycles.CONCLUSIONThe newly created hollow structure and intracrystalline mesopores in ZSM‐5 zeolite showed enhanced catalytic activity and reusability for the hydroxylation of phenol, which is higher than most reported systems. The prepared catalyst is a promising alternative material for the hydroxylation of phenol. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Removal of heavy metals by Klebsiella sp. 3S1. Kinetics, equilibrium and interaction mechanisms of Zn(II) biosorption
Authors: Muñoz Antonio Jesús , Espínola Francisco , Ruiz Encarnación 
Published: November 2017

AbstractBACKGROUNDIn this work, the ability of biosorption and bioaccumulation of Zn (II) ions by Klebsiella sp. 3S1 has been investigated. This bacterium had already demonstrated its ability to remove Pb and Ag ions by different mechanisms. The mechanisms involved in the process have been studied using four techniques: FTIR, SEM–EDX, TEM‐EDX and confocal microscopy. Kinetic and equilibrium studies have also been performed.RESULTSThe main operating variables were optimized by a Rotatable Central Composite Design (RCCD) that yielded the following values: 0.36 g L‐1 biomass, pH 5.20 and 34 °C temperature, although the equilibrium data were obtained at a temperature of 25 °C, more in line with the environmental conditions. The model that best fitted the experimental kinetic data turned out to be the pseudo‐first‐order one. Maximum capacity of biosorption under the Langmuir model was 48.4 mg g‐1. Finally, the presence of two general mechanisms in the biosorption process was confirmed: cytoplasmic bioaccumulation and complex surface adsorption.CONCLUSIONSKlebsiella sp. 3S1 can be an effective and inexpensive microorganism to remove heavy metals from contaminated effluents, which along with its ubiquity and great ability to form biofilms, make it a promising biosorbent for use in biofilters. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Factors affecting the separation performance of graphene oxide membranes: mechanical support, properties of graphene oxide, and exotic species
Authors: Mo Yinghui , Zhao Xin , Yuan Tingting , He Benqiao 
Published: November 2017

AbstractBACKGROUNDGraphene oxide (GO) membrane with 2‐dimensional nanocapillaries has gained worldwide attention. To manipulate the membrane separation performance, most existing studies focused on sandwiching appropriate species between GO layers. This study aimed to provide multiple strategies to manipulate the GO membrane separation performance, including the mechanical support, properties of GO nanosheets, and exotic species (i.e. cross‐linkers and residual water molecules).RESULTSUsed as the support material, compared with the nitrocellulose membrane, the polyvinylidene fluoride membrane offered stronger mechanical strength to ensure a stable flux. Additional mechanical support could be provided by the non‐woven cloth underneath the GO membrane. The use of GO nanosheets with smaller sizes obtained by centrifugation of the GO suspension increased the water flux and NaCl rejection. Cross‐linking GO layers by Ca2+ resulted in a decreased water flux but increased salt rejection. The same phenomena was observed for the GO membranes post‐treated by vacuum drying, which, compared with air drying, evaporated more residual water molecules from the nanocapillaries.CONCLUSIONResults suggested that the mechanical support, properties of GO nanosheets, cross‐linkers, and residual water molecules greatly affected the membrane water flux and rejections, which could be utilized as strategies to manipulate the GO membrane separation performance. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Changing world extreme temperature statistics
Authors: Finkel J. M. , Katz J. I. 
Published: November 2017

ABSTRACTWe use the Global Historical Climatology Network – daily database to calculate a nonparametric statistic that describes the rate at which all‐time daily high‐ and low‐temperature records have been set in nine geographic regions (continents or major portions of continents) during periods mostly from the mid‐20th century to the present. This statistic was defined in our earlier work on temperature records in the 48 contiguous United States. In contrast to this earlier work, we find that in every region except North America all‐time high records were set at a rate significantly (at least 3σ) higher than in the null hypothesis of a stationary climate. Except in Antarctica, all‐time low records were set at a rate significantly lower than in the null hypothesis. In Europe, North Africa and North Asia the rate of setting new all‐time highs increased suddenly in the 1990s, suggesting a change in regional climate regime; in most other regions there was a steadier increase.
Resonance Raman studies of Bacillus megaterium cytochrome P450 BM3 and biotechnologically important mutants
Authors: Liu Yilin , McLean Kirsty J. , Munro Andrew W. , Kincaid James R. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractCytochrome P450 BM3 is an important model system for mammalian P450s and has great potential for biotechnological applications owing to its high catalytic activity, facilitated by its fused diflavin reductase domain. Mutagenesis studies have shown that Ala‐82 and Phe‐87 are important in controlling molecular selectivity and regioselectivity in BM3 substrate oxidation, with the A82F, F87V, and A82F/F87V double mutant effectively enhancing the affinity for the human P450 drug omeprazole and related proton pump inhibitor drugs. Herein, resonance Raman spectroscopy is used to probe the heme structure and coordination environments of these BM3 mutants, which are known to afford substantial changes in omeprazole recognition. Specifically, it is demonstrated that binding of omeprazole to these BM3 mutants leads to differing degrees of low spin to high spin state conversion of the heme iron. Furthermore, the ferrous‐CO adducts of these proteins are analyzed by resonance Raman to interrogate the effect of substrate binding on the distal pocket architecture, with differing values for the internal modes associated with the Fe‐C‐O fragment reflecting distinct interactions with distal pocket residues.
The nature of plasmon‐exciton codriven surface catalytic reaction
Authors: Liu Wen , Lin Weihua , Zhao Haofei , Wang Peijie , Sun Mengtao 
Published: November 2017

AbstractIn this communication, we propose physical mechanism of plasmon‐exciton codriven surface catalytic reaction, based on the electrochemical graphene mediated surface‐enhanced Raman scattering spectroscopy. It is found that with the help of graphene, the Fermi Level of the graphene‐roughened Ag electrode hybrid system can be significantly increased, which can efficiently promote the efficiency of surface catalytic reaction compared with that driven by roughened Ag electrode alone.
Field findings about milk ethanol stability: a first report of interrelationship between α‐lactalbumin and lactose
Authors: Fagnani Rafael , de Araújo João Paulo Andrade , Botaro Bruno Garcia 
Published: November 2017

AbstractBACKGROUNDMilk ethanol stability is not only associated with microbiological acidification, but is a phenomenon with many variables that influence the balance of soluble salts, mainly calcium ion activity. On this basis, we wanted to find out more about milk ethanol stability by studying its relationship with milk protein fractions and others major components. The influence of milk composition on ethanol stability was assessed through a predictive model comprising 180 individual raw milk samples. An additional model was used to assess the ethanol stability status as a response to the proteins fractions quantified by electrophoresis.RESULTSOf the total samples, 68% were classified as stable and 32% as unstable to alcohol. Milk ethanol instability increased at low values of lactose content and high values of ash percentage. α‐Lactalbumin (α‐La) was also associated with ethanol stability, and the higher the α‐La percentage the lower were the chances of ethanol instability.CONCLUSIONThe lower values of α‐La in unstable milk samples might be related to lower content of lactose, as α‐La promotes lactose synthesis, a key component for the osmotic balance of milk and thus its ethanol stability. This is the first field report linking ethanol stability indirectly with α‐La. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Near‐infrared hyperspectral imaging for detection and quantification of azodicarbonamide in flour
Authors: Wang Xiaobin , Zhao Chunjiang , Huang Wenqian , Wang Qingyan , Liu Chen , Yang Guiyan 
Published: November 2017

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe present study aimed to establish a method for the detection and quantification of azodicarbonamide (ADC) in flour using hyperspectral imaging technology. Hyperspectral images of pure flour, pure ADC and flour–ADC mixtures with different concentrations of ADC were collected. F‐values of one‐way analysis of variance for all possible wavebands within the spectra of the flour and ADC were calculated, and the maximum value indicated that the two wavebands have more significant differences, i.e. the optimal two wavebands. Threshold segmentation was used for band ratio images of two wavebands to create a binary image. This allowed visual identification of ADC‐rich pixels in the mixtures.RESULTSThe two wavebands with the largest difference between flour and ADC were 2039 nm and 1892 nm. Using the binary image construction method, different concentrations of ADC in flour were identified. The minimum detected concentration was 0.2 g kg−1. In the mixtures, the number of ADC‐rich pixels detected had a good linear relationship with the ADC concentrations, with a correlation coefficient of 0.9845.CONCLUSIONThis study indicated that the band ratio algorithm combination with threshold segmentation for hyperspectral images provides a non‐destructive method for detecting and quantifying of ADC in flour. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry