cometadata/datacite-rtg-text-other-reclassification-records huggingface dataset:
Study on 2-arylbenzo[b]furans from Itea omeiensis and their fragmentation patterns with Q-Orbitrap mass spectrometry
Creators: name: Feng, Yun-Qian
name: Zhang, Pan
name: Jian, Jin-Zhen
name: Wang, Zhi-Wei
name: Tian, Xiao-Long
name: Luo, Guo-Yong
name: Yang, Wu-De
Publisher: name: Taylor & Francis
Year: 2023
Subjects: subject: Biochemistry
subject: Medicine
subject: Cell Biology
subject: Environmental Sciences not elsewhere classified
subject: Chemical Sciences not elsewhere classified
subject: Ecology
subject: FOS: Biological sciences
subject: Biological Sciences not elsewhere classified
subject: Cancer

description: One new 2-arylbenzo[b]furan named iteafuranal F (1) as well as two known analogues (2–3) were isolated from the 95% EtOH extract of aerial parts of Itea omeiensis. Their chemical structures were constructed based on extensive analyses of UV, IR, 1D/2D NMR and HRMS spectra. Antioxidant assays revealed significant superoxide anion radical scavenging capacity of 1 with IC50 value of 0.66 mg/mL, which was comparable to the efficiency of positive control of luteolin. In addition, the preliminary MS fragmentation patterns in negative ion mode were established to distinguish 2-arylbenzo[b]furans with C-10 in different oxidation states: the characteristic loss of CO molecule [M-H-28]- was observed for 3-formyl-2-arylbenzo[b]furans, and the loss of CH2O fragment [M-H-30]- for 3-hydroxymethyl-2-arylbenzo[b]furans, and the loss of CO2 fragment [M-H-44]- for 2-arylbenzo[b]furan-3-carboxylic acids.
A Surface-Focused Biotinylation Procedure Identifies the Yersinia pestis Catalase KatY as a Membrane-Associated but Non-Surface-Located Protein
Creators: name: Gray, M. E.
name: Parker, C. E.
name: Wulff, C. R.
name: Cowan, C.
name: Straley, S. C.
name: Myers-Morales, T.
name: Borchers, C. H.
Publisher: name: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill University Libraries
Year: 2007

description: This study identified major surface proteins of the plague bacterium Yersinia pestis. We applied a novel surface biotinylation method, followed by NeutrAvidin (NA) bead capture, on-bead digestion, and identification by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS-MS). The use of stachyose during biotinylation focused the reaction to the surface. Coupled with NA pulldown and immunoblot analysis, this method determined whether a protein was accessible to the surface. We applied the method to test the hypothesis that the catalase KatY is a surface protein of the plague bacterium Y. pestis. A rabbit serum recognized the catalase KatY as a major putative outer membrane-associated antigen expressed by Y. pestis cells grown at 37°C. Similar findings by other groups had led to speculations that this protein might be exposed to the surface and might be a candidate for evaluation as a protective antigen for an improved plague vaccine. KatY was obtained only in the total membrane fraction, and stachyose greatly reduced its biotinylation as well as that of the periplasmic maltose binding protein, indicating that KatY is not on the bacterial surface. LC-MS-MS analysis of on-bead digests representing ca. 109 cells identified highly abundant species, including KatY, Pal, and OmpA, as well as the lipoprotein Pcp, all of which bound in a biotin-specific manner. Pla, Lpp, and OmpX (Ail) bound to the NA beads in a non-biotin-specific manner. There was no contamination from abundant cytoplasmic proteins. We hypothesize that OmpX and Pcp are highly abundant and likely to be important for the Y. pestis pathogenic process. We speculate that a portion of KatY associates with the outer membrane in intact cells but that it is located on the periplasmic side. Consistent with this idea, it did not protect C57BL/6 mice against bubonic plague.
One undescribed glycoside benzofuran derivative and a new p-hydroxybenzoate glycoside from the leaves of Illicium dunnianum Tutcher
Creators: name: He, Xiao-qing
name: Li, Hai-bo
name: Li, Ting
name: Chen, Xin-yin
name: Wang, Zhen-zhong
name: Yao, Xin-sheng
name: Xiao, Wei
name: Yu, Yang
Publisher: name: Taylor & Francis
Year: 2023
Subjects: subject: Biochemistry
subject: Space Science
subject: Pharmacology
subject: Chemical Sciences not elsewhere classified
subject: Ecology
subject: FOS: Biological sciences
subject: Biological Sciences not elsewhere classified

description: One undescribed benzofuran derivative (illiciumphenolicacid A, 1) and one new phenolic glycoside (illiciumphenolicacid B, 2), together with six known compounds (3–8) were isolated from the leaves of Illicium dunnianum Tutcher. Their structures were elucidated by detailed spectroscopic data (UV, IR, HR-ESI-MS, 1D and 2D NMR). In addition, we determined the α-glucosidase inhibitory activity of the isolates in vitro using spectrophotometric methods. Compared with the positive control acarbose (IC50 306.2 ± 4.1 μM), compounds 1–8 were shown to be moderate potential α-glucosidase inhibitory activity with IC50 values in the range 380–655 μM.
The Computational Limit to Quantum Determinism and the Black Hole Information Loss Paradox
Creators: name: Bolotin, Arkady
Publisher: name: arXiv
Year: 2014
Subjects: subject: Quantum Physics (quant-ph)
subject: General Relativity and Quantum Cosmology (gr-qc)
subject: FOS: Physical sciences

description: The present paper scrutinizes the principle of quantum determinism, which maintains that the complete information about the initial quantum state of a physical system should determine the system's quantum state at any other time. As it shown in the paper, assuming the strong exponential time hypothesis, SETH, which conjectures that known algorithms for solving computational NP-complete problems (often brute-force algorithms) are optimal, the quantum deterministic principle cannot be used generally, i.e., for randomly selected physical systems, particularly macroscopic systems. In other words, even if the initial quantum state of an arbitrary system were precisely known, as long as SETH is true it might be impossible in the real world to predict the system's exact final quantum state. The paper suggests that the breakdown of quantum determinism in a process, in which a black hole forms and then completely evaporates, might actually be physical evidence supporting SETH.
description: 11 pages
Vertical Transmission of a Phylogenetically Complex Microbial Consortium in the Viviparous Sponge Ircinia felix
Creators: name: Schmitt, S.
name: Lindquist, N.
name: Hentschel, U.
name: Weisz, J. B.
Publisher: name: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill University Libraries
Year: 2007

description: Many marine demosponges contain large amounts of phylogenetically complex yet highly sponge-specific microbial consortia within the mesohyl matrix, but little is known about how these microorganisms are acquired by their hosts. Settlement experiments were performed with the viviparous Caribbean demosponge Ircinia felix to investigate the role of larvae in the vertical transmission of the sponge-associated microbial community. Inspections by electron microscopy revealed large amounts of morphologically diverse microorganisms in the center of I. felix larvae, while the outer rim appeared to be devoid of microorganisms. In juveniles, microorganisms were found between densely packed sponge cells. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) was performed to compare the bacterial community profiles of adults, larvae, and juvenile sponges. Adults and larvae were highly similar in DGGE band numbers and banding patterns. Larvae released by the same adult individual contained highly similar DGGE banding patterns, whereas larvae released by different adult individuals showed slightly different DGGE banding patterns. Over 200 bands were excised, sequenced, and phylogenetically analyzed. The bacterial diversity of adult I. felix and its larvae was comparably high, while juveniles showed reduced diversity. In total, 13 vertically transmitted sequence clusters, hereafter termed “IF clusters,” that contained sequences from both the adult sponge and offspring (larvae and/or juveniles) were found. The IF clusters belonged to at least four different eubacterial phyla and one possibly novel eubacterial lineage. In summary, it could be shown that in I. felix, vertical transmission of microorganisms through the larvae is an important mechanism for the establishment of the sponge-microbe association.
Signal Analysis of the M5.1 Sparta Aftershock Sequence to Identify Clustered Waveforms and Changes in Seismic Velocity Associated with the Little River Fault
Creators: name: Blankenship, Lindsey
Publisher: name: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill University Libraries
Year: 2023

description: Following the M5.1 earthquake that occurred on August 9, 2020 in historically aseismic Sparta, 786 aftershocks were recorded over six days, 86 of which were located and further studied. Prior to location, a shallow one-dimensional velocity model describing the Sparta region was derived from a scheduled quarry blast by utilizing linear regression methods. These 86 aftershocks were located using an iterative Levenberg-Marquardt algorithm, where 67 more events were identified than USGS during this time, and by comparing the seismic signals to other events across all stations, 22% of located aftershocks exhibited clustered waveforms, or repeat earthquakes. Comparing the distribution of aftershock and clustered event locations to the fault scarp’s vertical displacement, areas with larger displacements did not correspond to many notable events or large groupings within the distribution. While a couple of stations showed similar patterns in travel time residuals, slowness associated with the fault plane was inconclusive.
Comparison of Transcription-Mediated Amplification and Growth-Based Methods for the Quantitation of Enterococcus Bacteria in Environmental Waters
Creators: name: Buttigieg, N. D.
name: Kirs, M.
name: Morgan, R. R.
name: Weeks, I.
name: Noble, R. T.
name: Morris, C. A.
name: Hogan, J. J.
name: Blackwood, A. D.
Publisher: name: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill University Libraries
Year: 2008

description: An assay based on transcription-mediated amplification (TMA) technology was used to quantitate Enterococcus fecal indicator bacteria in environmental water samples. The results generated by this and two growth-based methods relative to the 104 most-probable-number or CFU-per-100-ml threshold show that the three methods are in good qualitative agreement when tested against a range of water samples taken from different locations. The results demonstrate sensitive and rapid detection (approximately 4 h from sample collection to result) and quantitation of Enterococcus bacteria compared to the results with the growth-based methods.
title: Social Networking Sites to Learn Spanish as a Foreign Language: An Investigation of Busuu and Wespeke as Tools for Blended Language Learning
Creators: name: Saona-Vallejos, MA
Publisher: name: Liverpool John Moores University
Year: 2022

description: Research on Language Learning Social Networking Sites (LLSNS) and Spanish as a Foreign Language (SFL) has been limited to date. English as a Foreign Language (EFL) has dominated LLSNS, and the existing research typically focuses on informal/autonomous language learning. This thesis is original in that it investigates Busuu and Wespeke, two LLSNS not previously researched in combination, and explores their use in a Spanish course in the higher education sector. The study fills several gaps in the literature related to the social dimension of LLSNS and uses Hinkelman’s (2018) ecological framework to investigate how LLSNS can be used in a blended learning context. Two research questions guided the study: 1) What theories of SLA do LLSNS adhere to? And 2) How do the features of LLSNS develop SFL learning skills? An exploratory research design was used involving two stages in a blended Spanish beginners’ course developed by the teacher-researcher in a university in North-West England involving twelve students. A mixed-methods approach was designed to collect data via user experience questionnaires, feedback questionnaires, logon sheets and focus groups and analysed by thematic analysis and descriptive statistics. While LLSNS are often promoted in line with social constructivist learning principles, findings suggested that not all LLSNS follow them, and many, like Busuu, tend to rely on behaviourist exercises involving repetitive practice. Conversely, Wespeke largely followed a social constructivist approach, encouraging language exchange and online social interaction. While LLSNS can help improve core language skills, learners in the study were surprisingly more interested in using their online features to improve writing rather than speaking. This study’s main limitation was that no linguistic performance was measured. However, it has implications for the effective design of blended language courses. Future research is required to measure learner performance in LLSNS and to investigate the attrition and/or disengagement experienced by some students.
Detection and Identification of Fungi Intimately Associated with the Brown Seaweed Fucus serratus
Creators: name: Draeger, S.
name: Mitchell, J. I.
name: Spatafora, J. W.
name: Schoch, C. L.
name: Kohlmeyer, J.
name: Zuccaro, A.
Publisher: name: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill University Libraries
Year: 2008

description: The filamentous fungi associated with healthy and decaying Fucus serratus thalli were studied over a 1-year period using isolation methods and molecular techniques such as 28S rRNA gene PCR-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) and phylogenetic and real-time PCR analyses. The predominant DGGE bands obtained from healthy algal thalli belonged to the Lindra, Lulworthia, Engyodontium, Sigmoidea/Corollospora complex, and Emericellopsis/Acremonium-like ribotypes. In the culture-based analysis the incidence of recovery was highest for Sigmoidea marina isolates. In general, the environmental sequences retrieved could be matched unambiguously to isolates recovered from the seaweed except for the Emericellopsis/Acremonium-like ribotype, which showed 99% homology with the sequences of four different isolates, including that of Acremonium fuci. To estimate the extent of colonization of A. fuci, we used a TaqMan real-time quantitative PCR assay for intron 3 of the beta-tubulin gene, the probe for which proved to be species specific even when it was used in amplifications with high background concentrations of other eukaryotic DNAs. The A. fuci sequence was detected with both healthy and decaying thalli, but the signal was stronger for the latter. Additional sequence types, representing members from the Dothideomycetes, were recovered from the decaying thallus DNA, which suggested that a change in fungal community structure had occurred. Phylogenetic analysis of these environmental sequences and the sequences of isolates and type species indicated that the environmental sequences were novel in the Dothideomycetes.
Histo-Blood Group Antigen Assay for Detecting Noroviruses in Water
Creators: name: Vinje, J.
name: Cannon, J. L.
Publisher: name: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill University Libraries
Year: 2008

description: We evaluated a novel, magnetic-bead-based histo-blood group antigen assay for the recovery of low numbers of norovirus particles. Using this assay, with Norwalk virus seeded in environmental waters as a model, we were able to recover 30 to 300 genomic copies of the virus.
Molecular Microbial Diversity Survey of Sponge Reproductive Stages and Mechanistic Insights into Vertical Transmission of Microbial Symbionts
Creators: name: Lindquist, N.
name: Hentschel, U.
name: Schiller, R.
name: Schmitt, S.
name: Angermeier, H.
Publisher: name: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill University Libraries
Year: 2008

description: Many marine sponges, hereafter termed high-microbial-abundance (HMA) sponges, harbor large and complex microbial consortia, including bacteria and archaea, within their mesohyl matrices. To investigate vertical microbial transmission as a strategy to maintain these complex associations, an extensive phylogenetic analysis was carried out with the 16S rRNA gene sequences of reproductive (n = 136) and adult (n = 88) material from five different Caribbean species, as well as all published 16S rRNA gene sequences from sponge offspring (n = 116). The overall microbial diversity, including members of at least 13 bacterial phyla and one archaeal phylum, in sponge reproductive stages is high. In total, 28 vertical-transmission clusters, defined as clusters of phylotypes that are found both in adult sponges and their offspring, were identified. They are distributed among at least 10 bacterial phyla and one archaeal phylum, demonstrating that the complex adult microbial community is collectively transmitted through reproductive stages. Indications of host-species specificity and cospeciation were not observed. Mechanistic insights were provided using a combined electron microscopy and fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis, and an indirect mechanism of vertical transmission via nurse cells is proposed for the oviparous sponge Ectyoplasia ferox. Based on these phylogenetic and mechanistic results, we suggest the following symbiont transmission model: entire microbial consortia are vertically transmitted in sponges. While vertical transmission is clearly present, additional environmental transfer between adult individuals of the same and even different species might obscure possible signals of cospeciation. We propose that associations of HMA sponges with highly sponge-specific microbial communities are maintained by this combination of vertical and horizontal symbiont transmission.
Morphological and Genetic Evidence that the Cyanobacterium Lyngbya wollei (Farlow ex Gomont) Speziale and Dyck Encompasses at Least Two Species
Creators: name: Paerl, H. W.
name: Joyner, J. J.
name: Litaker, R. W.
Publisher: name: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill University Libraries
Year: 2008

description: Dense blooms of the cyanobacterium Lyngbya wollei are increasingly responsible for declining water quality and habitat degradation in numerous springs, rivers, and reservoirs. This research represents the first molecular phylogenetic analysis of L. wollei in comparison with the traditional morphological characterization of this species. Specimens were collected from several springs in Florida and a reservoir in North Carolina. Segments of the small-subunit (SSU) rRNA and nifH genes were PCR amplified, cloned, and sequenced. The phylogenetic analysis of the SSU rRNA gene revealed sequences that fell into three distinct subclusters, each with >97% sequence similarity. These were designated operational taxonomic unit 1 (OTU1), OTU2, and OTU3. Similarly, the nifH sequences fell into three distinct subclusters named S1, S2, and S3. When either bulk samples or individual filaments were analyzed, we recovered OTU1 with S1, OTU2 with S2, and OTU3 with S3. The coherence between the three SSU rRNA gene and nifH subclusters was consistent with genetically distinct strains or species. Cells associated with subclusters OTU3 and S3 were significantly wider and longer than those associated with other subclusters. The combined molecular and morphological data indicate that the species commonly identified as L. wollei in the literature represents two or possibly more species. Springs containing OTU3 and S3 demonstrated lower ion concentrations than other collection sites. Geographical locations of Lyngbya subclusters did not correlate with residual dissolved inorganic nitrogen or phosphorus concentrations. This study emphasizes the need to complement traditional identification with molecular characterization to more definitively detect and characterize harmful cyanobacterial species or strains.
Polysaccharides Cellulose, Poly- -1,6-N-Acetyl-D-Glucosamine, and Colanic Acid Are Required for Optimal Binding of Escherichia coli O157:H7 Strains to Alfalfa Sprouts and K-12 Strains to Plastic but Not for Binding to Epithelial Cells
Creators: name: Deora, R.
name: Torres, A. G.
name: Matthysse, A. G.
name: Mishra, M.
Publisher: name: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill University Libraries
Year: 2008

description: When Escherichia coli O157:H7 bacteria are added to alfalfa sprouts growing in water, the bacteria bind tightly to the sprouts. In contrast, laboratory K-12 strains of E. coli do not bind to sprouts under similar conditions. The roles of E. coli O157:H7 lipopolysaccharide (LPS), capsular polysaccharide, and exopolysaccharides in binding to sprouts were examined. An LPS mutant had no effect on the binding of the pathogenic strain. Cellulose synthase mutants showed a significant reduction in binding; colanic acid mutants were more severely reduced, and binding by poly-β-1,6-N-acetylglucosamine (PGA) mutants was barely detectable. The addition of a plasmid carrying a cellulose synthase gene to K-12 strains allowed them to bind to sprouts. A plasmid carrying the Bps biosynthesis genes had only a marginal effect on the binding of K-12 bacteria. However, the introduction of the same plasmid allowed Sinorhizobium meliloti and a nonbinding mutant of Agrobacterium tumefaciens to bind to tomato root segments. These results suggest that although multiple redundant protein adhesins are involved in the binding of E. coli O157:H7 to sprouts, the polysaccharides required for binding are not redundant and each polysaccharide may play a distinct role. PGA, colanic acid, and cellulose were also required for biofilm formation by a K-12 strain on plastic, but not for the binding of E. coli O157:H7 to mammalian cells.
Quantitative PCR for Detection and Enumeration of Genetic Markers of Bovine Fecal Pollution
Creators: name: Seifring, S.
name: Sivaganesan, M.
name: Blackwood, A. D.
name: Haugland, R. A.
name: Lu, J.
name: Shanks, O. C.
name: Noble, R. T.
name: Domingo, J. S.
name: Atikovic, E.
Publisher: name: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill University Libraries
Year: 2008

description: Accurate assessment of health risks associated with bovine (cattle) fecal pollution requires a reliable host-specific genetic marker and a rapid quantification method. We report the development of quantitative PCR assays for the detection of two recently described bovine feces-specific genetic markers and a method for the enumeration of these markers using a Markov chain Monte Carlo approach. Both assays exhibited a range of quantification from 25 to 2 × 106 copies of target DNA, with a coefficient of variation of <2.1%. One of these assays can be multiplexed with an internal amplification control to simultaneously detect the bovine-specific genetic target and presence of amplification inhibitors. The assays detected only cattle fecal specimens when tested against 204 fecal DNA extracts from 16 different animal species and also demonstrated a broad distribution among individual bovine samples (98 to 100%) collected from five geographically distinct locations. The abundance of each bovine-specific genetic marker was measured in 48 individual samples and compared to quantitative PCR-enumerated quantities of rRNA gene sequences representing total Bacteroidetes, Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron, and enterococci in the same specimens. Acceptable assay performance combined with the prevalence of DNA targets across different cattle populations provides experimental evidence that these quantitative assays will be useful in monitoring bovine fecal pollution in ambient waters.
Recovery and Sequence Analysis of Hepatitis A Virus from Springwater Implicated in an Outbreak of Acute Viral Hepatitis
Creators: name: Tallon, L. A.
name: Moore, Z. S.
name: Love, D. C.
name: Sobsey, M. D.
Publisher: name: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill University Libraries
Year: 2008

description: An outbreak of acute hepatitis A virus in North Carolina was linked to drinking water from a contaminated shallow spring by phylogenetic analysis of hepatitis A virus (HAV) genomic sequences. Detection of HAV and fecal indicators in the water provided useful and timely information to assist with public health prevention and control measures.
Biotransformations of 2-Methylisoborneol by Camphor-Degrading Bacteria
Creators: name: Sandusky, P.
name: Eaton, R. W.
Publisher: name: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill University Libraries
Year: 2009

description: Many camphor-degrading bacteria that are able to transform 2-methylisoborneol (2-MIB) have been identified. Three of these strains have been examined in detail. Rhodococcus ruber T1 metabolizes camphor through 6-hydroxycamphor but converts 2-MIB to 3-hydroxy-2-MIB. Pseudomonas putida G1, which metabolizes camphor through 5-hydroxycamphor, converts MIB primarily to 6-hydroxy-2-MIB. Rhodococcus wratislaviensis DLC-cam converts 2-MIB through 5-hydroxy-2-MIB to 5-keto-2-MIB. Together, these three strains produce metabolites resulting from hydroxylation at all of the three available secondary carbons on the six-member ring of 2-MIB.
Two new lignan glycosides from Acanthus ilicifoliusL. with their NO inhibition and cytotoxic activity
Creators: name: Nga, Tran Thuy
name: Hoan, Lai Thi
name: Anh, Bui Thi Mai
name: Thi, Nguyen
name: Huong, Phan Thi Thanh
name: Nhiem, Nguyen Xuan
name: Van Kiem, Phan
name: Tai, Bui Huu
Publisher: name: Taylor & Francis
Year: 2023
Subjects: subject: Biochemistry
subject: Pharmacology
subject: Environmental Sciences not elsewhere classified
subject: Chemical Sciences not elsewhere classified
subject: Biological Sciences not elsewhere classified
subject: Inorganic Chemistry
subject: FOS: Chemical sciences

description: A phytochemical investigation of the methanolic extract of aerial parts of the Acanthus ilicifolius led to the isolation of two new lignan glycosides, acaniliciosides A and B (1 and 2), together with ten known compounds (3-12). The structures of isolated compounds were elucidated based on HR-ESI-MS, 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic data. The absolute configurations of two new compounds were established by CD spectra. With the exception of compound 12, other compounds inhibited NO production in LPS activated RAW264.7 cells with IC50 values of 2.14-28.18 µM, as potent as that of the positive control of NG-monomethyl-L-arginine acetate (L-NMMA, IC50 of 32.50 µM). In addition, compounds 5-8 showed cytotoxic effects against SK-LU-1 and HepG2 cell lines with the IC50 values ranging from 16.48 to 76.40 μM compared to the positive control (ellipticine) with the IC50 values ranging from 1.23 to 1.46 μM.
Identification of Particle Size Classes Inhibiting Protozoan Recovery from Surface Water Samples via U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Method 1623
Creators: name: Krometis, L.-A. H.
name: Sobsey, M. D.
name: Characklis, G. W.
Publisher: name: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill University Libraries
Year: 2009

description: Giardia species recovery by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency method 1623 appears significantly impacted by a wide size range (2 to 30 μm) of particles in water and organic matter. Cryptosporidium species recovery seems negatively correlated only with smaller (2 to 10 μm), presumably inorganic particles. Results suggest constituents and mechanisms interfering with method performance may differ by protozoan type.
SURF 2023 Final Presentation: The Effects of Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation on Sleep and Memory Recall in Older Adults
Creators: name: Christian Sodano
Publisher: name: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill University Libraries
Year: 2023

description: Presented here is a progress report after three months of developing a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blinded pilot trial of transcranial alternating current stimulation for enhancing memory recall in older adults. This project was completed as part of the Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship program in the summer of 2023.
Approximate probability distributions of the master equation
Creators: name: Thomas, Philipp
name: Grima, Ramon
Publisher: name: arXiv
Year: 2014
Subjects: subject: Statistical Mechanics (cond-mat.stat-mech)
subject: FOS: Physical sciences

description: Master equations are common descriptions of mesoscopic systems. Analytical solutions to these equations can rarely be obtained. We here derive an analytical approximation of the time-dependent probability distribution of the master equation using orthogonal polynomials. The solution is given in two alternative formulations: a series with continuous and a series with discrete support both of which can be systematically truncated. While both approximations satisfy the system size expansion of the master equation, the continuous distribution approximations become increasingly negative and tend to oscillations with increasing truncation order. In contrast, the discrete approximations rapidly converge to the underlying non-Gaussian distributions. The theory is shown to lead to particularly simple analytical expressions for the probability distributions of molecule numbers in metabolic reactions and gene expression systems.
description: 13 pages, 3 figures
Linking Microbial Community Function to Phylogeny of Sulfate-Reducing Deltaproteobacteria in Marine Sediments by Combining Stable Isotope Probing with Magnetic-Bead Capture Hybridization of 16S rRNA
Creators: name: MacGregor, B. J.
name: Miyatake, T.
name: Boschker, H. T. S.
Publisher: name: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill University Libraries
Year: 2009

description: We further developed the stable isotope probing, magnetic-bead capture method to make it applicable for linking microbial community function to phylogeny at the class and family levels. The main improvements were a substantial decrease in the protocol blank and an approximately 10-fold increase in the detection limit by using a micro-elemental analyzer coupled to isotope ratio mass spectrometry to determine 13C labeling of isolated 16S rRNA. We demonstrated the method by studying substrate utilization by Desulfobacteraceae, a dominant group of complete oxidizing sulfate-reducing Deltaproteobacteria in marine sediments. Stable-isotope-labeled [13C]glucose, [13C]propionate, or [13C]acetate was fed into an anoxic intertidal sediment. We applied a nested set of three biotin-labeled oligonucleotide probes to capture Bacteria, Deltaproteobacteria, and finally Desulfobacteraceae rRNA by using hydrophobic streptavidin-coated paramagnetic beads. The target specificities of the probes were examined with pure cultures of target and nontarget species and by determining the phylogenetic composition of the captured sediment rRNA. The specificity of the final protocol was generally very good, as more than 90% of the captured 16S rRNA belonged to the target range of the probes. Our results indicated that Desulfobacteraceae were important consumers of propionate but not of glucose. However, the results for acetate utilization were less conclusive due to lower and more variable labeling levels in captured rRNA. The main advantage of the method in this study over other nucleic acid-based stable isotope probing methods is that 13C labeling can be much lower, to the extent that δ13C ratios can be studied even at their natural abundances.
On the initial conditions for inflation with plateau potentials: the $R+R^2$ (super)gravity case
Creators: name: Dalianis, Ioannis
name: Farakos, Fotis
Publisher: name: arXiv
Year: 2015
Subjects: subject: General Relativity and Quantum Cosmology (gr-qc)
subject: High Energy Physics - Theory (hep-th)
subject: FOS: Physical sciences

description: We discuss the initial conditions problem for inflation driven by the vacuum energy of a plateau potential, and in particular the Starobinsky inflation. We show that the supergravity embedding of the $R+R^2$ theory naturally decreases the size of the acausal homogeneity, required for the low-scale inflation to occur, thanks to the presence of the dynamical pure supergravitational "auxiliary" fields. We examine the evolution of the $R+R^2$ fields within a FLRW Universe. We also find a dependence of the initial conditions problem on the background spatial curvature.
description: published version
Pepper Mild Mottle Virus as an Indicator of Fecal Pollution
Creators: name: Stewart, J.
name: Breitbart, M.
name: Sinigalliano, C.
name: Rosario, K.
name: Symonds, E. M.
Publisher: name: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill University Libraries
Year: 2009

description: Accurate indicators of fecal pollution are needed in order to minimize public health risks associated with wastewater contamination in recreational waters. However, the bacterial indicators currently used for monitoring water quality do not correlate with the presence of pathogens. Here we demonstrate that the plant pathogen Pepper mild mottle virus (PMMoV) is widespread and abundant in wastewater from the United States, suggesting the utility of this virus as an indicator of human fecal pollution. Quantitative PCR was used to determine the abundance of PMMoV in raw sewage, treated wastewater, seawater exposed to wastewater, and fecal samples and/or intestinal homogenates from a wide variety of animals. PMMoV was present in all wastewater samples at concentrations greater than 1 million copies per milliliter of raw sewage. Despite the ubiquity of PMMoV in human feces, this virus was not detected in the majority of animal fecal samples tested, with the exception of chicken and seagull samples. PMMoV was detected in four out of six seawater samples collected near point sources of secondary treated wastewater off southeastern Florida, where it co-occurred with several other pathogens and indicators of fecal pollution. Since PMMoV was not found in nonpolluted seawater samples and could be detected in surface seawater for approximately 1 week after its initial introduction, the presence of PMMoV in the marine environment reflects a recent contamination event. Together, these data demonstrate that PMMoV is a promising new indicator of fecal pollution in coastal environments.
One new 12, 8-guaianolide sesquiterpene lactone with antihyperglycemic activity from the roots of Cichorium intybus
Creators: name: Meng, Xiu-hua
name: Pan, Yin-an
name: Lv, Han
name: Ding, Xiao-qin
name: Yin, De-quan
name: Gai, Ya-nan
name: Niu, Guan-ting
name: Ren, Bing-ru
name: Qian, Xiao-guo
name: Chen, Jian
Publisher: name: Taylor & Francis
Year: 2023
Subjects: subject: Biochemistry
subject: Pharmacology
subject: Chemical Sciences not elsewhere classified
subject: Ecology
subject: FOS: Biological sciences
subject: Sociology
subject: FOS: Sociology
subject: Immunology
subject: FOS: Clinical medicine
subject: Biological Sciences not elsewhere classified
subject: Inorganic Chemistry
subject: FOS: Chemical sciences

description: Three 12, 8-guaianolide sesquiterpene lactones, including a new compound intybusin F (1), and a new natural product cichoriolide I (2), along with six known 12, 6-guaianolide compounds (4–9) were isolated from the roots of Cichorium intybus L. Their structures were determined by extensive spectroscopic analysis. The absolute configurations of new compounds were elucidated based on analysis of the experimental and calculated electronic circular dichroism spectra. Compounds 1, 2, 4, 7, 8 showed significant effects on facilitating the glucose uptake in oleic acid plus high glucose-stimulated HepG2 cells at 50 μM. In addition, compounds 1, 2, 3, 6, 7 exhibited obvious inhibitory effects against NO production, of them, compounds 1, 2, 7 can significantly decrease the secretion of inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6 and COX-2) levels in this hyperglycemic HepG2 cell model.
Comparison of Rapid Quantitative PCR-Based and Conventional Culture-Based Methods for Enumeration of Enterococcus spp. and Escherichia coli in Recreational Waters
Creators: name: McGee, C. D.
name: Noble, R. T.
name: Blackwood, A. D.
name: Griffith, J. F.
name: Weisberg, S. B.
Publisher: name: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill University Libraries
Year: 2010

description: Recreational water quality is currently monitored using culture-based methods that require 18 to 96 h for results. Quantitative PCR (QPCR) methods that can be completed in less than 2 h have been developed, but they could yield different results than the conventional methods. We present two studies in which samples were processed simultaneously for Enterococcus spp. and Escherichia coli using two culture-based methods (EPA method 1600 and Enterolert/Colilert-18) and QPCR. The proprietary QPCR assays targeted the 23S rRNA (Enterococcus spp.) and uidA (E. coli) genes and were conducted using lyophilized beads containing all reagents. In the first study, the QPCR method developers processed 54 blind samples that were inoculated with sewage or pure cultures or were ambient beach samples. The second study involved 163 samples processed by water quality personnel. The correlation between results of QPCR and EPA 1600 during the first study (r2) was 0.69 for Enterococcus spp., which was less than that observed between the culture-based methods (r2, 0.87). During the second study, the correlations were similar. No false positives occurred in either study when QPCR-based assays were used with blank samples. Levels of reproducibility measured through coefficients of variation were similar for results by Enterococcus QPCR and culture-based methods during both studies but were higher for E. coli QPCR results in the first study. Regarding the concentration at which beach management decisions are issued in the State of California, the agreement between results of Enterococcus QPCR and EPA method 1600 was 88%, compared to 94% agreement between EPA method 1600 and Enterolert. The beach management decision agreement between E. coli QPCR and Colilert-18 was 94%. The samples showing disagreement suggested an underestimation bias for QPCR.
Efficient preparation of hyperoside and quercitrin from Zanthoxylum bungeanum Maxim leaves using an integrated surfactant-based aqueous two-phase system, back-extraction and adsorption separation
Creators: name: Han, Nuan
name: Chen, Xiaoqi
name: Wang, Hong
name: Wang, Nana
name: Nian, Miaoxiang
name: Wang, Dongmei
Publisher: name: Taylor & Francis
Year: 2023
Subjects: subject: Biophysics
subject: Space Science
subject: Physical Sciences not elsewhere classified
subject: Biotechnology
subject: Environmental Sciences not elsewhere classified
subject: Chemical Sciences not elsewhere classified
subject: Ecology
subject: FOS: Biological sciences
subject: Biological Sciences not elsewhere classified
subject: Science Policy

description: Zanthoxylum bungeanum leaves (ZBL) are of great medicinal value for being rich in hyperoside and quercitrin. In this study, a novel, efficient and economical continuous process was established. First, aqueous two-phase system (ATPS) composed of Triton X-100/(NH4)2SO4 was employed to enrich hyperoside and quercitrin from ZBL extracts and the recoveries reached 98.53% and 99.12%. Then back-extraction with dichloromethane-water system was adopted to separate hyperoside and quercitrin from Triton X-100 micelles which were recycled and the recoveries reached 86.58% and 85.19%. Finally, S-8 macroporous resin was used for removing the salt introduced in ATPS and the final recoveries reached 82.38% and 81.81%, much higher than the total flavonoids recovery as 69.08%. Furthermore, scale-up experiment certified that the continuous process was feasible for industrial production. Efficiently and economically, this method achieved a great breakthrough in purity and provided a novel reference for further purification and phase-forming component recycle.
On the Billaud Conjecture and related problems
Creators: name: Lopaciuk, Szymon
Publisher: name: Loughborough University
Year: 2022
Subjects: Other information and computing sciences not elsewhere classified

description: The Billaud Conjecture, which has been open since 1993, is a fundamental problem on finite words $w$ and their heirs, i.e., the words obtained by deleting every occurrence of a given letter from some word $w$. The Conjecture posits that every morphically primitive word, i.e., a word which is only a fixed point of the identity on the set of symbols of the word, has at least one morphically primitive heir. In this thesis we introduce the Conjecture, and give a comprehensive overview of the current state of knowledge about it. In particular, we recall the known special cases in which the Conjecture holds. Based on the previous special case results we develop a `blueprint' for solving the Conjecture for an arbitrary alphabet size, i.e., we identify an enumeration of the cases which need to be solved in order to prove the Billaud Conjecture for a fixed alphabet size. We apply the blueprint to the proof of the next major case of the Conjecture, i.e., the case for quaternary alphabets, and discuss the potential for generalising our reasoning to larger alphabets. Subsequently, we introduce and investigate the related class of so-called Billaud words, i.e., words whose all heirs are morphically imprimitive. We provide a characterisation of morphically imprimitive Billaud words, using a new concept. We show that there are two phenomena through which words can have morphically imprimitive heirs, and we highlight that only one of those occurs in morphically primitive words. We examine our concept further, and we use it to rephrase and study the Billaud Conjecture in more detail. Finally, we relate the notions associated with the Billaud Conjecture to other concepts available in the literature. In particular, we show that the Conjecture can be expressed as a problem of characterising the outcome of the application of a synchronised shuffle operation to certain classes of languages. We assert that these classes of languages are expressible using the so-called pattern expressions, which we show are not closed under the synchronised shuffle. Finally, we show equivalence of a relevant class of pattern expression languages to a certain kind of languages of regular expressions extended with backreferences.
The Shortest Path Problem for the Distant Graph of the Projective Line Over the Ring of Integers
Creators: name: Matraś, Andrzej
name: Siemaszko, Artur
Publisher: name: arXiv
Year: 2015
Subjects: subject: Combinatorics (math.CO)
subject: FOS: Mathematics
subject: 51C05, 05C12

description: The distant graph $G = G(\mathbb{P}(Z),\triangle)$ of the projective line over the ring of integers is considered. The shortest path problem in this graph is solved by use of Klein's geometric interpretation of Euclidean continued fractions. In case the minimal path is non-unique, all the possible splitting are described which allows us to give necessary and sufficient conditions for existence of a unique shortest path.
description: 20 pages, 4 figures, Bulletin of the Malaysian Mathematical Sciences Society, online 2015
Critical Analysis and Synthesis of an Ethical Problem.pdf
Creators: name: FLEURY, NILSA
Publisher: name: figshare
Year: 2023
Subjects: classificationCode: 390403
subject: Educational administration, management and leadership
classificationCode: 390402
subject: Education assessment and evaluation

description: Ethical perspectives make employees more responsible and make better decisions. On the other hand, unethical behavior brings untrust, corruption, lack of responsiblity and generate a bad climate . Ethical leaders motivate, encourage, and value employees. Transparent information can be ethical itself. The leadership style also has a huge influence in ethics that makes followers to trust, they have more responsibility, and they will be more secure about their decision-making.
Knowledge of and attitude toward animal-assisted interventions among healthcare students and professionals
Creators: name: Hemangi Narvekar
Publisher: name: Open Science Framework
Year: 2023
Subjects: subject: Medicine and Health Sciences
subject: Social and Behavioral Sciences
subject: human-animal bond
subject: India
subject: animal-assisted therapy
subject: animal-assisted interventions
subject: Healthcare
subject: Medicine
subject: rehabilitation
subject: Survey

description: During the last decade, the popularity of animal-assisted interventions (AAI) has been increasing in India. However, considering the novelty of the intervention it becomes imperative to understand the familiarity of this intervention in the healthcare industry. This study aims to explore the knowledge of AAI and attitude toward AAI among healthcare students and professionals in India.
Effects of Air Temperature and Relative Humidity on Coronavirus Survival on Surfaces
Creators: name: Weber, D. J.
name: Casanova, L. M.
name: Jeon, S.
name: Sobsey, M. D.
name: Rutala, W. A.
Publisher: name: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill University Libraries
Year: 2010

description: Assessment of the risks posed by severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) coronavirus (SARS-CoV) on surfaces requires data on survival of this virus on environmental surfaces and on how survival is affected by environmental variables, such as air temperature (AT) and relative humidity (RH). The use of surrogate viruses has the potential to overcome the challenges of working with SARS-CoV and to increase the available data on coronavirus survival on surfaces. Two potential surrogates were evaluated in this study; transmissible gastroenteritis virus (TGEV) and mouse hepatitis virus (MHV) were used to determine effects of AT and RH on the survival of coronaviruses on stainless steel. At 4°C, infectious virus persisted for as long as 28 days, and the lowest level of inactivation occurred at 20% RH. Inactivation was more rapid at 20°C than at 4°C at all humidity levels; the viruses persisted for 5 to 28 days, and the slowest inactivation occurred at low RH. Both viruses were inactivated more rapidly at 40°C than at 20°C. The relationship between inactivation and RH was not monotonic, and there was greater survival or a greater protective effect at low RH (20%) and high RH (80%) than at moderate RH (50%). There was also evidence of an interaction between AT and RH. The results show that when high numbers of viruses are deposited, TGEV and MHV may survive for days on surfaces at ATs and RHs typical of indoor environments. TGEV and MHV could serve as conservative surrogates for modeling exposure, the risk of transmission, and control measures for pathogenic enveloped viruses, such as SARS-CoV and influenza virus, on health care surfaces.
A Conformally Invariant Theory of Gravitation in Metric Measure Space
Creators: name: Rahmanpour, Nafiseh
name: Shojaie, Hossein
Publisher: name: arXiv
Year: 2014
Subjects: subject: General Relativity and Quantum Cosmology (gr-qc)
subject: Mathematical Physics (math-ph)
subject: FOS: Physical sciences

description: In this manuscript, a conformally invariant theory of gravitation in the context of metric measure space is studied. The proposed action is invariant under both diffeomorphism and conformal transformations. Using the variational method, a generalization of the Einstein equation is obtained, wherein the conventional tensors are replaced by their conformally invariant counterparts, living in metric measure space. The invariance of the geometrical part of the action under a diffeomorphism leads to a generalized contracted second Bianchi identity. In metric measure space, the covariant derivative is the same as it is in the Riemannian space. Hence, in contrast to the Weyl space, the metricity and integrability are maintained. However, it is worth noting that in metric measure space the divergence of a tensor is not simply the contraction of the covariant derivative operator with the tensor that it acts on. Despite the fact that metric measure space and integrable Weyl space, are constructed based on different assumptions, it is shown that some relations in these spaces, such as the contracted second Bianchi identity, are completely similar.
description: 11 pages