bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Improving phospholipase activity of PLA1 by protein engineering and its effects on oil degumming
Authors: An Qun , Wang Fanghua , Lan Dongming , Khan Faez Iqbal , Durrani Rabia , Yang Bo , Wang Yonghua 
Published: May 2016

Enzymatic activity is important characteristic of enzymes for industrial application, which can be improved by protein engineering. PLA1 is a biocatalyst applied in phospholipid modification for its phospholipase activity and had obtained board attention for its application in oil degumming. Bioinformatics analysis suggested that three charged residues, R81, R84, and E87 located in the lid of the protein, may affect the conformational change of lid thus influence the activity of the enzyme. In the current study, mutagenesis of these residues was conducted with protein engineering. Five mutants such as R81A, R84A, R84M, R84K, and E87Q with higher phospholipase activity were screened out. Biochemical properties analysis showed that all of them had identical optimal pH value with wild‐type, while the optimal temperature was decreased to be 50°C and the kcat/KM was improved. Degumming soybean oil, three of five mutants, R81A, R84M, and E87Q, decreased phosphorous content lower than 8.3 mg/kg within 3 h, which was highly improved compared with wild‐type. R84M decrease phosphorus content less than 5 mg/kg within 5 h. These findings not only permit optimization of enzyme performance in degumming but also shed light on the application of bioinformatics techniques and protein engineering techniques on industry application.Practical applications: The results support that design proteins according to bioinformatics and protein engineering is desirable and the phospholipase with higher activity is more suitable for oil degumming.The phospholipase activity of PLA1 can be improved by protein engineering based on bioinformatics analysis. With its properties of hydrolyzing sn‐1 position ester bond of phospholipids, nonhydratable phospholipids were converted into their hydratable forms, PLA1 can be applied in oil degumming. PLA1 with higher phospholipase activity is more likely to suitable for oil degumming since it could decrease the phosphorous content of oil lower than 10 mg/kg within shorter reaction, which showed great potencial for degumming application.
Electrochemical Detection Using an Engraved Microchip – Capillary Electrophoresis Platform
Authors: Caxico de Abreu Fabiane , Costa Elton Elias M. 
Published: May 2016

AbstractThe present study describes a simple strategy to integrate electrochemical detection with an assembled microchip‐capillary electrophoresis platform. The electrochemical cell was integrated with a microfluidic device consisting of five plastic squares interconnected with fused silica capillaries, forming a four‐way injection cross between the separation channel and three side‐arms (each of 15 mm in length) acting as buffer/sample reservoirs. The performance of the system was evaluated using electrodes made with either carbon ink, carbon nanotubes, or gold and under different experimental conditions of pH, capillary length, and injection time. Using this system it was possible to separate the neurotransmitters dopamine and cathecol and to quantify phenol from a real sample using a linear calibration curve with a calculated LOD of 0.7 µM. A similar concept was applied to determine glucose, by including a pre‐reactor filled with beads modified with glucose oxidase (GOx). The latter system was used to determine glucose in a commercial sample, with a recovery of 95.2 %. Overall, the presented approach represents a simple, inexpensive, and versatile approach to integrate electrochemical detection with CE separations without requiring access to microfabrication facilities.
Wellbore integrity factors for CO2 storage in oil and gas producing areas in the Midwest United States
Authors: Sminchak J.R. , Moody Mark , Gupta Neeraj , Larsen Glenn 
Published: May 2016

AbstractThe condition of legacy oil and gas wells is an important issue for geologic CO2 storage projects. Many regions with large CO2 point sources coincide with historical oil and gas fields. This is especially apparent in the Midwestern United States, where over one million oil and gas wells are present dating back to the late 1800s. To investigate wellbore integrity factors in this region, the condition of oil and gas wells in Michigan and Ohio was summarized based on well status, depth, construction, age, and plugging specifications. To better understand the impact of well integrity on a local scale, six test study areas were also analyzed. These hypothetical test study areas were based on subsurface area necessary for an industrial scale CO2 storage application. Detailed records were used to categorize well conditions, and corrective actions necessary to repair the wells were then assigned. The results of the test study area analysis provide a real representation of the level of effort necessary to prepare sites for CO2 storage. Actions may involve relatively low‐effort tasks to examine wellheads or more extensive well re‐entry and plugging. The analysis indicated that many areas may have hundreds of wells, but no wells penetrating the deeper CO2 storage zones. At sites where many wells require corrective action, it may be challenging to efficiently plug and abandon wells. Options such as testing wellhead pressures, surface monitoring of CO2 leakage, and less extensive plugging requirements may help offset costs associated with remediating a large number of wells. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Prognostic significance of metabolic tumor volume in patients with piriform sinus carcinoma treated by radiotherapy with or without concurrent chemotherapy
Authors: Yabuki Kenichiro , Sano Daisuke , Shiono Osamu , Arai Yasuhiro , Takahashi Hideaki , Chiba Yoshihiro , Tanabe Teruhiko , Nishimura Goshi , Takahashi Masahiro , Taguchi Takahide , Kaneta Tomohiro , Hata Masaharu , Oridate Nobuhiko 
Published: May 2016

AbstractBackgroundThe purpose of this study was to elucidate the prognostic significance of the pretreatment metabolic tumor volume (MTV) in patients with piriform sinus carcinoma treated by radiation‐based therapy.MethodsThis retrospective study included 100 patients with piriform sinus carcinomas who had received treatment by radiation‐based therapy. The MTV values were obtained from pretreatment positron emission tomography (PET). The association between clinical factors, including the MTV, and survival was analyzed.ResultsKaplan–Meier estimates revealed the 5‐year disease‐free survival (DFS) rates were significantly poorer for patients with a high MTV compared to those with a low MTV. In the multivariate analysis, MTV (p < .001), nodal metastasis (p = .011), and applied chemotherapy regimen (p = .004) were found to be independent prognostic factors for DFS.ConclusionThe locoregional MTV is a prognostic factor for DFS in patients with piriform sinus carcinoma treated by radiation‐based therapy. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 38: 1708–1716, 2016
The June 2013 Alberta Catastrophic Flooding Event: Part 1—Climatological aspects and hydrometeorological features
Authors: Liu A. Q. , Mooney C. , Szeto K. , Thériault J. M. , Kochtubajda B. , Stewart R. E. , Boodoo S. , Goodson R. , Li Y. , Pomeroy J. 
Published: May 2016

AbstractIn June 2013, excessive rainfall associated with an intense weather system triggered severe flooding in southern Alberta, which became the costliest natural disaster in Canadian history. This article provides an overview of the climatological aspects and large‐scale hydrometeorological features associated with the flooding event based upon information from a variety of sources, including satellite data, upper air soundings, surface observations and operational model analyses. The results show that multiple factors combined to create this unusually severe event. The event was characterized by a slow‐moving upper level low pressure system west of Alberta, blocked by an upper level ridge, while an associated well‐organized surface low pressure system kept southern Alberta, especially the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains, in continuous precipitation for up to two days. Results from air parcel trajectory analysis show that a significant amount of the moisture originated from the central Great Plains, transported into Alberta by a southeasterly low level jet. The event was first dominated by significant thunderstorm activity, and then evolved into continuous precipitation supported by the synoptic‐scale low pressure system. Both the thunderstorm activity and upslope winds associated with the low pressure system produced large rainfall amounts. A comparison with previous similar events occurring in the same region suggests that the synoptic‐scale features associated with the 2013 rainfall event were not particularly intense; however, its storm environment was the most convectively unstable. The system also exhibited a relatively high freezing level, which resulted in rain, rather than snow, mainly falling over the still snow‐covered mountainous areas. Melting associated with this rain‐on‐snow scenario likely contributed to downstream flooding. Furthermore, above‐normal snowfall in the preceding spring helped to maintain snow in the high‐elevation areas, which facilitated the rain‐on‐snow event. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Lack of genotoxic mechanisms in early‐stage furan‐induced hepatocellular tumorigenesis in gpt delta rats
Authors: Hibi Daisuke , Yokoo Yu , Suzuki Yuta , Ishii Yuji , Jin Meilan , Kijima Aki , Nohmi Takehiko , Nishikawa Akiyoshi , Umemura Takashi 
Published: May 2016

AbstractFuran has been used as an intermediate in the chemical‐manufacturing industry and has been shown to contaminate various foods. Although furan induces hepatocellular tumors in rodents, equivocal results from in vitro and in vivo mutagenicity tests have caused controversy regarding the involvement of genotoxic mechanisms in furan‐induced carcinogenesis. In the present study, to elucidate the possible mechanisms underlying furan‐induced hepatocarcinogenesis, a comprehensive medium‐term analysis was conducted using gpt delta rats treated with furan at carcinogenic doses for 13 weeks. In the liver, the frequencies of gpt and Spi‐ mutants derived mainly from point and deletion mutations, respectively, were not changed, and there were no furan‐specific gpt mutations in furan‐treated rats. In contrast, the number and area of glutathione S‐transferase placental form (GST‐P)‐ positive foci were significantly increased in the high‐dose group. Also, the ratio of PCNA‐positive hepatocytes was significantly elevated in the same group, as supported by significant increases in cyclin d1 and cyclin e1 mRNA levels. Thus, it is highly probable that cell proliferation, but not genotoxic mechanisms, contribute to the development of GST‐P foci in furan‐treated rats. Based on the close relationship between GST‐P and neoplastic hepatocytes, these data allowed us to hypothesize that cell proliferation following signal transduction other than the mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK)/ERK pathway may play a crucial role in early‐stage furan‐induced hepatocarcinogenesis. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
In situ TEM studies of micron‐sized all‐solid‐state fluoride ion batteries: Preparation, prospects, and challenges
Authors: Hammad Fawey Mohammed , Chakravadhanula Venkata Sai Kiran , Reddy Munnangi Anji , Rongeat Carine , Scherer Torsten , Hahn Horst , Fichtner Maximilian , Kübel Christian 
Published: May 2016

ABSTRACTTrustworthy preparation and contacting of micron‐sized batteries is an essential task to enable reliable in situ TEM studies during electrochemical biasing. Some of the challenges and solutions for the preparation of all‐solid‐state batteries for in situ TEM electrochemical studies are discussed using an optimized focused ion beam (FIB) approach. In particular redeposition, resistivity, porosity of the electrodes/electrolyte and leakage current are addressed. Overcoming these challenges, an all‐solid‐state fluoride ion battery has been prepared as a model system for in situ TEM electrochemical biasing studies and first results on a Bi/La0.9Ba0.1F2.9 half‐cell are presented. Microsc. Res. Tech. 79:615–624, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The effects of acid erosion and remineralization on enamel and three different dental materials: FT‐Raman spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy analysis
Authors: Soares Luís Eduardo Silva , Soares Ana Lúcia Silva , De Oliveira Rodrigo , Nahórny Sidnei 
Published: May 2016

ABSTRACTObjectivesFT‐Raman spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were employed to test the hypothesis that the beverage consumption or mouthwash utilization would change the chemistry of dental materials and enamel inorganic content.Material and Methods: Bovine enamel samples (n = 36) each received two cavity preparations (n = 72), each pair filled with one of three dental materials (R: nanofilled composite resin, GIC: glass–ionomer cement, RMGIC: resin‐modified GIC). Furthermore, they were treated with three different solutions (S: artificial saliva, E: erosion/Pepsi Twist or EM: erosion + mouthwash/Colgate Plax).Results: Reduction of carbonate content of enamel was greater in RE than RS (P < 0.01). Increment of carbonate was greater in GICEM than in GICE and GICS (P < 0.01;P < 0.001). Significant material degradation was found in RE, REM, GICE, and GICEM than in RS and GICS (P < 0.01;P < 0.001). SEM showed clear enamel demineralization after erosion. Material degradation was greater after E and EM than S. GIC and RMGIC materials had a positive effect against acid erosion in the adjacent enamel after remineralization with mouthwash.Conclusions: The beverage and mouthwash utilization would change R and GIC chemical properties.Clinical Relevance: A professional should periodically monitor the glass–ionomer and resin restorations, as they degrade over time under erosive challenges and mouthwash utilization.Microsc. Res. Tech., 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.Microsc. Res. Tech. 79:646–656, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Cloning, Characterization, and Expression Profile of Estrogen Receptor in Common Chinese Cuttlefish, Sepiella japonica
Authors: Lü Zhen‐Ming , Liu Wan , Liu Li‐Qin , Wang Tian‐Ming , Shi Hui‐Lai , Ping Hong‐Ling , Chi Chang‐Feng , Yang Jing‐Wen , Wu Chang‐Wen 
Published: May 2016

ABSTRACTSex steroid hormones are widely detected in molluscs and play important roles in sex determination, gonadal tissue maturation, and gametogenesis. Nevertheless, the signaling pathways of sex steroids in cephalopod have not yet been clearly elucidated. In the present study, a full‐length sequence encoding the estrogen receptor (ER) was isolated from common Chinese cuttlefish, Sepiella japonica. The sjER cDNA clone was found to contain 1,788 nucleotides including a 1,470 bp open reading frame encoding 489 amino acid (aa) residues. The deduced ER protein consisted of six nuclear receptor characteristic domains. Based on a phylogenetic analysis, the ER DNA‐binding domain and ligand‐binding domain are highly conserved compared to other mollusc ERs. Highest aa identities were found for sjER with common octopus (Octopus vulgaris) ER (89%) and pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas) ER (61%). Tissue expression analysis confirmed that sjER was widely distributed among tissues and predominantly expressed in the brain, liver, gonad (testis and ovary), and other accessory sexual gland (nidamental gland). The ER expression was temporally upregulated in the brain, liver, and ovary during the early sexual maturation period in S. japonica, which is coincident with the fluctuation of ovary estradiol content. These suggest that sjER may be involved in regulating the reproductive cycle of S. japonica. A fusion protein transient transfections assay showed that sjER was mainly located in the nucleus, suggesting a possible orthodox working mechanism of S. japonica ER in the nucleus through a ligand‐dependent activation of specific gene transcription.
Effect of various microorganisms on phosphorus uptake from insoluble Ca‐phosphates by cucumber plants
Authors: García‐López Ana M. , Avilés Manuel , Delgado Antonio 
Published: May 2016

AbstractRhizospheric microorganisms can increase P availability to plants. The objective of this work was to elucidate the effects of two plant growth promoting rhizobacteria and biocontrol agents (Bacillus subtilis QST713 and B. Amyloliquefaciens FZB24), a biocontrol agent (the fungus Trichoderma asperellum T34), and Aspergillus niger CBS513.88 on P uptake from insoluble Ca‐phosphates by plants. An experiment involving microbial cultivation in liquid media and three involving cultivation of cucumber plants in a siliceous growing medium fertilized with 40 mg P kg−1 as phosphate rock (PR), a calcareous medium supplied with the same fertilizer, and one fertilized with KH2PO4 or PR at 200 mg P kg−1 were conducted. In spite of the observed PR solubilization in liquid culture, not all the microorganisms improved P uptake by plants from this P source. The effect of each microorganism also differed depending on the plant‐growing medium, revealing that its P‐solubilizing activity was affected by pH and P concentration in the medium. Overall, best results were obtained with Bacillus subtilis QST713 which increased P uptake from the siliceous growing medium and the calcareous medium fertilized with 200 mg P kg−1. Improved P nutrition of plants was the result not only of increased P solubilization, but also of enhanced ability of plants to absorb P. The other microorganisms studied provided less promising results despite the P mobilizing strategies they exhibited in the liquid culture (acidification and organic anion exudation). Therefore, these cannot be the only mechanisms contributing to P uptake by plants. Our results support the ability of B. subtilis QST713 to enhance the use of PR as a P source for calcareous soils or to improve uptake of residual P in the form of sparingly soluble Ca‐phosphates.
Desert bighorn sheep lambing habitat: Parturition, nursery, and predation sites
Authors: Karsch Rebekah C. , Cain James W. , Rominger Eric M. , Goldstein Elise J. 
Published: May 2016

ABSTRACTFitness of female ungulates is determined by neonate survival and lifetime reproductive success. Therefore, adult female ungulates should adopt behaviors and habitat selection patterns that enhance survival of neonates during parturition and lactation. Parturition site location may play an important role in neonatal mortality of desert bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis mexicana) when lambs are especially vulnerable to predation, but parturition sites are rarely documented for this species. Our objectives were to assess environmental characteristics at desert bighorn parturition, lamb nursery, and predation sites and to assess differences in habitat characteristics between parturition sites and nursery group sites, and predation sites and nursery group sites. We used vaginal implant transmitters (VITs) to identify parturition sites and capture neonates. We then compared elevation, slope, terrain ruggedness, and visibility at parturition, nursery, and lamb predation sites with paired random sites and compared characteristics of parturition sites and lamb predation sites to those of nursery sites. When compared to random sites, odds of a site being a parturition site were highest at intermediate slopes and decreased with increasing female visibility. Odds of a site being a predation site increased with decreasing visibility. When compared to nursery group sites, odds of a site being a parturition site had a quadratic relationship with elevation and slope, with odds being highest at intermediate elevations and intermediate slopes. When we compared predation sites to nursery sites, odds of a site being a predation were highest at low elevation areas with high visibility and high elevation areas with low visibility likely because of differences in hunting strategies of coyote (Canis latrans) and puma (Puma concolor). Parturition sites were lower in elevation and slope than nursery sites. Understanding selection of parturition sites by adult females and how habitat characteristics at these sites differ from those at predation and nursery sites can provide insight into strategies employed by female desert bighorn sheep and other species during and after parturition to promote neonate survival. © 2016 The Wildlife Society.
Targeting season and age for optimizing control of invasive rabbits
Authors: Wells Konstans , Cassey Phillip , Sinclair Ron G. , Mutze Greg J. , Peacock David E. , Lacy Robert C. , Cooke Brian D. , O'Hara Robert B. , Brook Barry W. , Fordham Damien A. 
Published: May 2016

ABSTRACTThe effectiveness of invasive species control can be influenced by seasonal fluctuations in reproduction in response to environmental conditions. However, it is difficult to determine how demography and environmental conditions affect the efficacy of different control efforts from field trials alone. We incorporated an ontogenetic growth model into a hierarchical Bayesian mark‐recapture model to estimate age‐structured seasonal survival rates for European rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) in Australia, based on a >15‐year data set. We integrated this demographic information into an individual‐based simulation model, which reproduces seasonal birth‐death processes, to test the effectiveness of pest‐management schemes that differed in intensity, specificity to age groups, and seasonal timing. Control measures that were simulated to affect only juveniles had a negligible effect on population size, whereas targeting subadults and adults led to considerable population declines when applied after the breeding season. Management that affected rabbits of all age groups caused significant population reductions. However, even repeated control efforts that caused 95% mortality each year only resulted in predictions of local population extirpation after an average of 119 calendar weeks in the absence of immigration. Our simulation study supports the use of pest rabbit control methods that account for demographic dynamics explicitly, and target those individuals with high reproductive potential. More broadly, we show that local and temporal population extirpation, or recovery, depends largely on the trade‐off between control intensity and frequency for species with recurrent population oscillations. © 2016 The Wildlife Society.
Sinking phytoplankton associated with carbon flux in the Atlantic Ocean
Authors: Durkin Colleen A. , Van Mooy Benjamin A. S. , Dyhrman Sonya T. , Buesseler Ken O. 
Published: May 2016

AbstractThe composition of sinking particles and the mechanisms leading to their transport ultimately control how much carbon is naturally sequestered in the deep ocean by the “biological pump.” While detrital particles often contain much of the sinking carbon, sinking of intact phytoplankton cells can also contribute to carbon export, which represents a direct flux of carbon from the atmosphere to the deep ocean by circumventing the surface ocean food web. Phytoplankton that contributed to carbon flux were identified in sinking material collected by short‐term sediment trap deployments conducted along a transect off the eastern shore of South America. Particulate organic carbon flux at 125 m depth did not change significantly along the transect. Instead, changes occurred in the composition and association of phytoplankton with detrital particles. The fluxes of diatoms, coccolithophores, dinoflagellates, and nano‐sized cells at 125 m were unrelated to the overlying surface population abundances, indicating that functional‐group specific transport mechanisms were variable across locations. The dominant export mechanism of phytoplankton at each station was putatively identified by principal component analysis and fell into one of three categories; (1) transport and sinking of individual, viable diatom cells, (2) transport by aggregates and fecal pellets, or (3) enhanced export of coccolithophores through direct settling and/or aggregation.