bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Inhibition of glycosidase by ursolic acid: in vitro, in vivo and in silico study
Authors: Wang Jing , Zhao Jiang , Yan Yong , Liu Dong , Wang Chengtao , Wang Hao 
Published: October 2019

AbstractBACKGROUNDControlling the blood glucose level is an effective method to reduce type 2 diabetes and prevent diabetes‐related complications. Ursolic acid is a plant extract that can reduce postprandial hyperglycemia effectively. This study aimed to explore the inhibitory effect and interaction mechanism of ursolic acid against α‐amylase and α‐glucosidase.RESULTSIn this study, the effect of ursolic acid on glycosidase was studied in vitro, in vivo, and in silico. The half‐maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of ursolic acid on α‐amylase and α‐glucosidase was 0.482 ± 0.12 mg mL−1 and 0.213 ± 0.042 mg mL−1, respectively. The results of enzymatic kinetics showed that ursolic acid inhibited α‐amylase and α‐glucosidase activity in a non‐competitive manner. The fluorescence spectrum showed that the combination of ursolic acid and glycosidase caused the intrinsic fluorescence quenching of glycosidase. The observation of starch granules revealed that the activity of α‐amylase was inhibited and the hydrolysis of starch granules was prevented in the presence of ursolic acid. Molecular docking results showed that ursolic acid bound to the inactive site of α‐amylase and α‐glucosidase through the formation of ursolic acid–glucosidase complex. Ursolic acid interacted with α‐amylase and α‐glucosidase mainly through hydrogen bonding. The postprandial hypoglycemic effect of ursolic acid in C57BL/6J mice showed that the high concentration of ursolic acid could quickly reduce postprandial blood glucose level.CONCLUSIONUrsolic acid can be considered as a natural ingredient in functional foods to control postprandial blood glucose levels and prevent diabetes by delaying the digestion of starch in foods. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Instrumentation for direct measurements of wave‐driven flow over a fringing reef crest
Authors: Hefner Benjamin B. , Rogers Justin S. , Maticka Samantha A. , Monismith Stephen G. , Woodson C. Brock 
Published: October 2019

AbstractShallow dynamic flows are very important processes in environmental systems, yet they are notoriously difficult to measure. For example, on coral reefs, shallow flows over the reef crest typically range from 0 to 1 m depth and velocity up to 1–2 m s−1 including oscillatory motion of waves. To directly measure depth and velocity in this challenging environment, we retrofitted a vertical acoustic Doppler current profiler (ADCP, Teledyne, RDI) designed for streams into a new shallow water acoustic Doppler current profiler system (SW‐ADCP) to expand memory and power limitations and allow for deployment in wave‐dominated environments. We captured variations in shallow reef crest depth and flow over a period of 3 weeks in the reef/lagoon system of Ofu Island, American Samoa. The new SW‐ADCPs recorded water depth and three‐dimensional velocity in 3 cm bins every 3 s. We then used velocity profiles to estimate volumetric flow and drag coefficients and verified these estimates using boundary layer theory. We observe that the mean velocity profile is well approximated by a log‐layer formulation with z0 of 3.5 cm, despite the shallow depths, strong flows, and breaking waves. Our observations validated the use of SW‐ADCPs as a tool for measuring flows in shallow (0.1–1 m), dynamic coastal marine environments.
BlastGUI: A Python‐based Cross‐platform Local BLAST Visualization Software
Authors: Du Zongjun , Wu Qing , Wang Tianzhu , Chen Defang , Huang Xiaoli , Yang Wei , Luo Wei 
Published: October 2019

AbstractMany researchers use BLAST+ software to build databases and perform sequence alignments. However, command‐line operations are required and this created a barrier for researchers with weak computer skills. Therefore, we designed BlastGUI, a Local BLAST visualization software based on Python programming language, to enable users to build databases and perform sequence filtering and sequence alignment through a graphical user interface. The operation visualization, automatic sequence filtering, and cross‐platform utilization significantly facilitate biological data analysis and information mining. Our designed software is freely available under the terms of the GNU GPLv3 at https://github.com/byemaxx/BlastGUI.
Far‐field potentials in the compound muscle action potential
Authors: Sonoo Masahiro 
Published: October 2019

AbstractIt has long been believed that the compound muscle action potential (CMAP) in motor‐nerve conduction studies (MCSs) records the action potential beneath the active electrode over the muscle belly. However, recent studies have revealed the contribution of the reference electrode to the CMAP, most prominent in the tibial nerve, followed by the ulnar nerve. This “reference electrode potential” is recorded when the conventional reference electrode distal to the muscle belly is connected to a proximal reference. It must be a far‐field potential (FFP) considering its distribution, although the precise mechanism of its generation has not been clarified. The conventional theory of termination of the action potential at the muscle‐tendon junction is insufficient. Regarding the ulnar CMAP, interosseous muscles mostly contribute to the FFPs. New understanding of CMAP based on the FFP theory may provide new insights into the interpretation of MCSs and related techniques, including motor unit number estimation.
Loss of appetite in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is associated with weight loss and decreased calorie consumption independent of dysphagia
Authors: Mezoian Taylor , Belt Emily , Garry Jamie , Hubbard Jane , Breen Christopher T. , Miller Leah , Levine‐Weinberg Mark , Nalipinski Paige , Sullivan Stacey , Chan James , Wills Anne‐Marie 
Published: October 2019

AbstractBackgroundLoss of appetite has been reported to affect up to half of people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and to be associated with weight loss. We wished to test whether loss of appetite correlates with reduced dietary intake independent of dysphagia.MethodsAppetite was measured repeatedly using the Council on Nutrition Appetite Questionnaire (CNAQ) in participants in the Electronic health Application To Measure Outcomes REmotely study. Dietary intake and weight were compared to appetite, ALS Functional Rating Scale‐Revised total and bulbar scores (dysphagia).ResultsThe average baseline CNAQ score was 30.4 (n = 61; SD = 3.9) with 18.0% scoring <28 points (severe loss of appetite). Lower CNAQ scores correlated with greater weight loss since diagnosis (Pearson correlation coefficient, r = ‐0.34; P = 0.009) and lower baseline energy intake (P = 0.007), independent of dysphagia.ConclusionsOur results support an association between loss of appetite and decreased calorie intake and weight in ALS which is independent of dysphagia.
Pharmacokinetics of Capecitabine and Four Metabolites in a Heterogeneous Population of Cancer Patients: A Comprehensive Analysis
Authors: Jacobs Bart A.W. , Deenen Maarten J. , Joerger Markus , Rosing Hilde , de Vries Niels , Meulendijks Didier , Cats Annemieke , Beijnen Jos H. , Schellens Jan H.M. , Huitema Alwin D.R. 
Published: October 2019

Capecitabine is an oral prodrug of the anticancer drug 5‐fluorouracil (5‐FU). The primary aim of this study was to develop a pharmacokinetic model for capecitabine and its metabolites, 5′‐deoxy‐5‐fluorocytidine (dFCR), 5′‐deoxy‐5‐fluorouridine (dFUR), 5‐FU, and fluoro‐β‐alanine (FBAL) using data from a heterogeneous population of cancer patients (n = 237) who participated in seven clinical studies. A four‐transit model adequately described capecitabine absorption. Capecitabine, dFCR, and FBAL pharmacokinetics were well described by two‐compartment models, and dFUR and 5‐FU were subject to flip‐flop pharmacokinetics. Partial and total gastrectomy were associated with a significantly faster capecitabine absorption resulting in higher capecitabine and metabolite peak concentrations. Patients who were heterozygous polymorphic for a genetic mutation encoding dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase, the DPYD*2A mutation, demonstrated a 21.5% (relative standard error 11.2%) reduction in 5‐FU elimination. This comprehensive population model gives an extensive overview of capecitabine and metabolite pharmacokinetics in a large and heterogeneous population of cancer patients.
A simulation comparison of some distance‐based EWMA control charts for monitoring the covariance matrix with individual observations
Authors: Ning Xiu , Li Pingke 
Published: October 2019

AbstractIt is common in modern manufacturing to simultaneously monitor more than one process quality characteristic. In such a multivariate scenario, the monitoring of the covariance matrix, along with the mean vector, plays an important role in assessing whether a process stays in control or not. However, monitoring the covariance matrix is technically more difficult, especially when there is only one observation available in each subgroup, disabling the usual sample covariance matrix as an effective estimator. To monitor the covariance matrix with individual observations in Phase II stage, several exponentially weighted moving average (EWMA) control charts have been constructed based on the distance between the estimated process covariance matrix and its target value. In this paper, two new control charts are devised using the sum of the square roots of the absolute deviations and its combination with the sum of squared deviations. These distance‐based control charts are compared via the simulation experiments on different simulated out‐of‐control covariance matrices with respect to the number of quality characteristics being monitored, the shift pattern, and the shift magnitude. The simulation results identify the control charts that perform relatively robust and show that these various control charts may have their respective merits on different out‐of‐control scenarios.
A path planning and path‐following control framework for a general 2‐trailer with a car‐like tractor
Authors: Ljungqvist Oskar , Evestedt Niclas , Axehill Daniel , Cirillo Marcello , Pettersson Henrik 
Published: October 2019

AbstractManeuvering a general 2‐trailer with a car‐like tractor in backward motion is a task that requires a significant skill to master and is unarguably one of the most complicated tasks a truck driver has to perform. This paper presents a path planning and path‐following control solution that can be used to automatically plan and execute difficult parking and obstacle avoidance maneuvers by combining backward and forward motion. A lattice‐based path planning framework is developed in order to generate kinematically feasible and collision‐free paths and a path‐following controller is designed to stabilize the lateral and angular path‐following error states during path execution. To estimate the vehicle state needed for control, a nonlinear observer is developed, which only utilizes information from sensors that are mounted on the car‐like tractor, making the system independent of additional trailer sensors. The proposed path‐planning and path‐following control framework is implemented on a full‐scale test vehicle and results from simulations and real‐world experiments are presented.
Synthesis of Biodiesel from Soybean Oil with Methanol Catalyzed by Ni‐Doped CaO‐MgO Catalysts
Authors: Pan Langsheng , Xiang Fuyun , Cheng Zhipeng , Zhao Xiaoyu , Fu Lin , Li Yongfei , Liu Yuejin 
Published: October 2019

AbstractIn order to improve the activity and stability of calcium‐based catalysts, a mixing method with other metal oxides was proposed to increase the interaction among the active ingredients to prevent the active components being leached off. A new Ni/CaO‐MgO catalyst was prepared by a double drop addition co‐precipitation method at alkaline condition around pH 10. The catalyst was characterized by XRD, TG‐TGA, FT‐IR, SEM, TEM, BET and CO2‐TPD. The results showed that Mg2+ had been partly replaced by Ni2+ which coordinated with oxygen octahedron to form strong basic sites at MgO defected lattices. The effect of different Ni addition on the catalytic performance was investigated in the transesterification reaction of renewable bio‐oils to biodiesel. Under the optimal reaction conditions of reaction temperature 120 °C, methanol/oil molar ratio of 27:1, catalyst dosage 5 wt%, the yield of biodiesel reached 97.6% only in 60 minutes of reaction time.
A Study on the Coordination of Fully Substituted Cyclopentano Cucurbit[5, 6]uril with Copper and Zinc Ions
Authors: Zhao Wei Wei , Wei Lian Tong , Zhou Kai Zhi , Chen Ming Hua , Cheng Si Yuan , Jiang Dao Fa , Ma Pei Hua 
Published: October 2019

AbstractHerein, we report the supramolecular self‐assembly of fully substituted cyclopentano cucurbit[5]uril (CyP5Q[5]) and cucurbit[6]uril (CyP6Q[6]) with Cu(ClO4)2 and Zn(ClO4)2 in a solution of formic acid. Single crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis showed that CyP5Q[5]‐Cu(ClO4)2 forms a W‐type molecular capsule complex and CyP5Q[5]‐Zn(ClO4)2 forms alternate Z‐type and V‐type molecular capsule complexes. Both CyP6Q[6]‐Cu(ClO4)2 and CyP6Q[6]‐Zn(ClO4)2 form Z‐type molecular capsule complexes. These two coordination systems have the same unit cell parameters and are isomorphic complexes. In these four systems the ClO4– ions are coordinated around the cucurbituril via ion‐dipole interactions and induce the self‐assembly of the cucurbituril and metal ions.
Structure constants from modularity in warped CFT
Authors: Song Wei , Xu Jianfei 
Published: October 2019

AbstractWe derive a universal formula for the asymptotic growth of the mean value of three-point coefficient for Warped Conformal Field Theories (WCFTs), and provide a holographic calculation in BTZ black holes. WCFTs are two dimensional quantum field theories featuring a chiral Virasoro and U(1) Kac-Moody algebra, and are conjectured to be holographically dual to quantum gravity on asymptotically AdS3 spacetime with Compère- Song-Strominger boundary conditions. The WCFT calculation amounts to the calculation of one-point functions on torus, whose high temperature limit can be approximated by using modular covariance of WCFT, similar to the derivation of Cardy formula. The bulk process is given by a tadpole diagram, with a massive spinning particle propagates from the infinity to the horizon, and splits into particle and antiparticle which annihilate after going around the horizon of BTZ black holes. The agreement between the bulk and WCFT calculations indicates that the black hole geometries in asymptotically AdS3 spacetimes can emerge upon coarse-graining over microstates in WCFTs, similar to the results of Kraus and Maloney in the context of AdS/CFT [1].
Does the effect of disability acquisition on mental health differ by employment characteristics? A longitudinal fixed-effects analysis
Authors: Aitken Zoe , Simpson Julie Anne , Bentley Rebecca , Milner Allison , LaMontagne Anthony Daniel , Kavanagh Anne Marie 
Published: October 2019

Abstract

Purpose
Longitudinal studies have suggested a causal relationship between disability acquisition and mental health, but there is substantial heterogeneity in the magnitude of the effect. Previous studies have provided evidence that socioeconomic characteristics can buffer the effect but have not examined the role of employment characteristics.

Methods
We used data from 17 annual waves of the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia Survey to compare the mental health of working age individuals before and after disability acquisition, using the Mental Health Inventory, a subscale of the SF-36 health questionnaire. Linear fixed-effects regression models were used to estimate the effect of disability acquisition on mental health. We tested for effect modification by two characteristics of people’s employment prior to disability acquisition: occupational skill level and contract type. Multiple imputation using chained equations was used to handle missing data.

Results
Disability acquisition was associated with a substantial decline in mental health score (estimated mean difference: − 4.3, 95% CI − 5.0, − 3.5). There was evidence of effect modification by occupational skill level, with the largest effects seen for those in low-skilled jobs (− 6.1, 95% CI − 7.6, − 4.5), but not for contract type.

Conclusions
The findings highlight the need for social and health policies that focus on increasing employment rates, improving the sustainability of employment, and providing employment services and education and training opportunities for people who acquire a disability, particularly for people in low-skilled occupations, to reduce the mental health inequalities experienced by people with disabilities.
Temporal trends in incidence of hospital-treated self-harm among adolescents in Denmark: national register-based study
Authors: Steeg Sarah , Carr Matthew J. , Mok Pearl L. H. , Pedersen Carsten B. , Antonsen Sussie , Ashcroft Darren M. , Kapur Nav , Erlangsen Annette , Nordentoft Merete , Webb Roger T. 
Published: October 2019

Abstract

Background
Studies conducted in the UK and in Ireland have reported increased rates of self-harm in adolescent females from around the time of the 2008 economic recession and through periods of subsequent national austerity programme implementation. It is not known if incidence rates have increased similarly in other Western European countries during this period.

Methods
Data from interlinked national administrative registers were extracted for individuals born in Denmark during 1981–2006. We estimated gender- and age-specific incidence rates (IRs) per 10,000 person-years at risk for hospital-treated non-fatal self-harm during 2000–2016 at ages 10–19 years.

Results
Incidence of self-harm peaked in 2007 (IR 25.1) and then decreased consistently year on year to 13.8 in 2016. This pattern was found in all age groups, in both males and females and in each parental income tertile. During the last 6 years of the observation period, 2011–2016, girls aged 13–16 had the highest incidence rates whereas, among boys, incidence was highest among 17–19 year olds throughout.

Conclusions
The temporal increases in incidence rates of self-harm among adolescents observed in some Western European countries experiencing major economic recession were not observed in Denmark. Restrictions to sales of analgesics, access to dedicated suicide prevention clinics, higher levels of social spending and a stronger welfare system may have protected potentially vulnerable adolescents from the increases seen in other countries. A better understanding of the specific mechanisms behind the temporal patterns in self-harm incidence in Denmark is needed to help inform suicide prevention in other nations.
Neoaortic Regurgitation in Patients with Transposition Long Term After an Arterial Switch Operation and Its Relation to the Root Diameters and Surgical Technique Used
Authors: Michalak Krzysztof W. , Sobczak-Budlewska Katarzyna , Moll Jacek J. , Szymczyk Konrad , Moll Jadwiga A. , Łubisz Monika , Moll Maciej 
Published: October 2019

Abstract
Neoaortic regurgitation and root dilatation are common findings in patients with transposition after an arterial switch operation. The aim of this study was to describe the relation between neoaortic regurgitation long term after an arterial switch procedure, aortic root diameters, and surgical technique used. We also assessed the agreement of the neoaortic regurgitation grade and root diameters in different imaging modalities. For this retrospective study, we qualified 56 consecutive patients who, according to our institutional protocol, had a routine postoperative evaluation of more than 16 years with multimodality imaging studies. Neoaortic regurgitation was assessed by both transthoracic echocardiography and magnetic resonance imaging, and the root diameters obtained by echocardiography and tomography were compared to the reference values and associated with the presence of neoaortic insufficiency. Neoaortic insufficiency was present in 75% of examined patients; the vast majority of them had trace or mild regurgitation, and its qualitative evaluation was significantly different between echocardiography and magnetic resonance imaging. In our study group, the neoaortic valve and aortic sinus were larger in relation to the normal values, and they were significantly correlated with the presence of neoaortic insufficiency, but not with the surgical technique used. Values obtained by echocardiography and tomography correlated well but were significantly different. Transthoracic echocardiography has a tendency to overestimate the severity of regurgitation compared to magnetic resonance imaging. Neoaortic valve and sinus dilatation are significantly correlated with valve insufficiency, but in most cases of root dilatation, the valve remains competent.
Water turbidity constrains male mating success in a marine fish
Authors: Järvenpää Marja , Diaz Pauli Beatriz , Lindström Kai 
Published: October 2019

AbstractHuman-induced eutrophication, resulting in increased algal growth and water turbidity, is an alarming problem in aquatic systems. Many studies have focused on the effects of algal turbidity on mate choice and sexual selection in fish, but little emphasis has been given to the ways it can constrain mating success. Here we experimentally investigated the effects of algal turbidity on maximum male mating success and parental care in the sand goby,Pomatoschistus minutus, a fish with a resource-defence mating system and male parental care. For this purpose, we introduced to 1 nest-holding male 5 random-sized ripe females in either clear or in turbid water. After spawning, we observed how many mates and eggs the male received and followed his parental behaviour and egg survival for 6 days under turbid or clear water conditions. When spawning took place in clear water, the number of eggs the male received into his nest increased with the total weight of five females in his tank. However, when spawning took place in turbid water, there was no relationship between female size and the number of eggs laid, although the number of females that spawned was the same as in clear water. The results indicate that females adjust the number of eggs they lay according to water turbidity. This could explain previous findings that mating success is more evenly distributed among males in turbid than clear water conditions.Significance statementThe first responses of animals to human-induced changes in the environment are behavioural. Subtle changes in the behaviour of individuals can have profound consequences for populations and communities. Human-induced eutrophication, leading to algal blooms and water turbidity, is a major environmental problem in aquatic systems worldwide. Our results on the sand goby suggest a new mechanism by which water turbidity may affect fish mating systems and weaken sexual selection. When spawning takes place in clear water, the number of eggs accumulated in a males’ nest is an increasing function of the fecundity of the females. However, when spawning in turbid water, this positive relationship between female size and egg numbers disappears. We believe this is because females do not perceive the competition from other females in turbid water and therefore invest less in present reproduction.