bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Oxidative DNA Cleavage with Clip‐Phenanthroline Triplex‐Forming Oligonucleotide Hybrids
Authors: Panattoni Alessandro , El‐Sagheer Afaf H. , Brown Tom , Kellett Andrew , Hocek Michal 
Published: November 2019

AbstractA systematic study of several new types of hybrids of Cu‐chelated clamped phenanthroline artificial metallonuclease (AMN) with triplex‐forming oligonucleotides (TFO) for sequence‐specific cleavage of double‐stranded DNA (dsDNA) is reported. The synthesis of these AMN–TFO hybrids is based on application of the alkyne–azide cycloaddition click reaction as the key step. The AMN was attached through different linkers at either the 5′‐ or 3′‐ends or in the middle of the TFO stretch. The diverse hybrids efficiently formed triplexes with the target purine‐rich sequence and their copper complexes were studied for their ability to cleave dsDNA in the presence of ascorbate as a reductant. In all cases, the influence of the nature and length of the AMN–TFO, time, conditions and amounts of ascorbate were studied, and optimum conjugates and a procedure that gave reasonably efficient (up to 34 %) cleavage of the target sequence, while rendering an off‐target dsDNA intact, were found. The footprint of cleavage on PAGE was identified only in one case, with low conversion; this means that cleavage does not proceed with single nucleotide precision. On the other hand, these AMN–TFO hybrids are useful for the selective degradation of target dsDNA sequences. Future improvements to this design may provide higher resolution and selectivity.
Taming the Reactivity of Monoterpene Synthases To Guide Regioselective Product Hydroxylation
Authors: Leferink Nicole G. H. , Ranaghan Kara E. , Battye Jaime , Johannissen Linus O. , Hay Sam , van der Kamp Marc W. , Mulholland Adrian J. , Scrutton Nigel S. 
Published: November 2019

AbstractMonoterpenoids are industrially important natural products with applications in the flavours, fragrances, fuels and pharmaceutical industries. Most monoterpenoids are produced by plants, but recently two bacterial monoterpene synthases have been identified, including a cineole synthase (bCinS). Unlike plant cineole synthases, bCinS is capable of producing nearly pure cineole from geranyl diphosphate in a complex cyclisation cascade that is tightly controlled. Here we have used a multidisciplinary approach to show that Asn305 controls water attack on the α‐terpinyl cation and subsequent cyclisation and deprotonation of the α‐terpineol intermediate, key steps in the cyclisation cascade which direct product formation towards cineole. Mutation of Asn305 results in variants that no longer produce α‐terpineol or cineole. Molecular dynamics simulations revealed that water coordination is disrupted in all variants tested. Quantum mechanics calculations indicate that Asn305 is most likely a (transient) proton acceptor for the final deprotonation step. Our synergistic approach gives unique insight into how a single residue, Asn305, tames the promiscuous chemistry of monoterpene synthase cyclisation cascades. It does this by tightly controlling the final steps in cineole formation catalysed by bCinS to form a single hydroxylated monoterpene product.
Oxidative Dehydrogenation of Cyclohexane by Cu vs Pd Clusters: Selectivity Control by Specific Cluster Dynamics
Authors: Halder Avik , Ha Mai‐Anh , Zhai Huanchen , Yang Bing , Pellin Michael J. , Seifert Sönke , Alexandrova Anastassia N. , Vajda Stefan 
Published: November 2019

AbstractSupported subnanometer clusters can exhibit catalytic properties not observed in their bulk analogues. Partially‐oxidized Pd and Cu clusters are reported to catalyze the oxidative dehydrogenation of cyclohexane with high activity, and with distinctly different selectivity, producing primarily benzene or cyclohexene, respectively. Under the appliedreaction conditions, the structure and oxidation state of the two catalysts evolve differently, which leads to either the desorption of the cyclohexene intermediate or to its deeper dehydrogenation. Under the applied reaction conditions, the initially oxidized Pd and Cu clusters undergo partial reduction, which we show to be required for the selectivity to emerge. Both systems also have thermal access to multiple distinct structural forms yielding statistical ensembles. The structures within these ensembles evolve with the changing nature of the bound reaction intermediates differently for the two metals; the evolution is found pronounced in the Cu clusters, but only modest in Pd. Ultimately, the different selectivity observed experimentally for the Cu versus Pd clusters is controlled by differences in the collective structural and redox dynamics of their ensembles.
Paper‐Based Microfluidics for Electrochemical Applications
Authors: Shen Liu‐Liu , Zhang Gui‐Rong , Etzold Bastian J. M. 
Published: November 2019

AbstractPaper‐based microfluidics is characteristic of fluid transportation through spontaneous capillary action of paper and has exhibited great promise for a variety of applications especially for sensing. Furthermore, paper‐based microfluidics enables the design of miniaturized electrochemical devices to be applied in the energy sector, which is especially attractive for the rapid growing market of small size disposable electronics. This review gives a brief summary on the basics of paper chemistry and capillary‐driven microfluidic behavior, and highlights recent advances of paper‐based microfluidics in developing electrochemical sensing devices and miniaturized energy storage/conversion devices. Their structural features, working principles and exemplary applications are comprehensively elaborated and discussed. Additionally, this review also points out the existing challenges and future opportunities of paper‐based microfluidic electronics.
Extending Surface‐Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy to Liquids Using Shell‐Isolated Plasmonic Superstructures
Authors: Wondergem Caterina S. , van Swieten Thomas P. , Geitenbeek Robin G. , Erné Ben H. , Weckhuysen Bert M. 
Published: November 2019

AbstractInvited for the cover of this issue is the group of Bert M. Weckhuysen at Utrecht University. The image on the cover shows SHIPS, shell‐isolated plasmonic superstructures, detecting the presence of picomoles Rhodamine 6G in an aqueous solution using shell‐isolated nanoparticle‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SHINERS). Read the full text of the article at 10.1002/chem.2019032004.
Population genetic structure and intraspecific genetic distance of Periplaneta americana (Blattodea: Blattidae) based on mitochondrial and nuclear DNA markers
Authors: Ma Jinnan , Liu Jinhua , Shen Yongmei , Fan Zhenxin , Yue Bisong , Zhang Xiuyue 
Published: November 2019

AbstractThe American cockroach (Periplaneta americana) is a globally invasive pest that can cause significant economic loss and threaten human health. Although it is abundant and lives in close proximity to humans, few studies have investigated the genetic diversity of P. americana. Our study analyzed 1,053 P. americana and other Periplaneta species' samples from different locations in China and the United States. A traditional tree‐based method using 17 unique mitochondrial COI haplotypes of P. americana and 20 haplotypes of the other Periplaneta species accurately identified P. americana with a barcoding threshold of 5.1%. To identify the population genetic structure of P. americana, we investigated wingless gene and pooled them with obtained mtDNA data for a combined analysis. Although the genetic diversity of the USA group was relatively higher than the China group, the number of haplotypes and alleles of both groups was small. The analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA), intraspecific phylogeny, and haplotype networks indicated that P. americana had very little global genetic differentiation. The weak geographic genetic structure might reflect the human‐mediated dispersal of P. americana. Despite no apparent phylogeographic assignment of mtDNA and nuclear lineages was observed in both BI trees, the integrated COI sequence data identified four distinct P. americana haplotype groups, showing four ancient maternal lineages of P. americana in China and the United States.
An ANN‐based failure pressure prediction method for buried high‐strength pipes with stray current corrosion defect
Authors: Liu Xiaoben , Xia Mengying , Bolati Dinaer , Liu Jianping , Zheng Qian , Zhang Hong 
Published: November 2019

AbstractWith continued increasing construction of both electrified facilities and buried high‐strength pipelines in China, stray current corrosion defects have become an nonignorable threat for these pipelines. A comprehensive investigation on a new failure pressure prediction model for high‐strength pipes with stray current corrosion defects was conducted in this study. The mechanism of stray current corrosion in steel pipes was firstly elaborated in brief. After that, a parameterized finite element model for stress analysis of pipes with external corrosion defects was programmed by APDL code developed by general software ANSYS. By comparing numerical results with full‐scale experimental results, both the numerical model and the failure criteria for pipe burst were proven to be reasonable. Based on the finite element model, parametric analysis was performed using a calculation matrix set by orthogonal testing method to investigate the effects of three main dimensionless factors, that is, ratio of pipe diameter to wall thickness, nondimensional corrosion defect length, and nondimensional corrosion defect depth on pipe's failure pressure. Utilizing the parametric analysis results as database, a multilayer feed‐forward artificial neural network (ANN) was developed for failure pressure prediction. By comparison with experimental burst test results and results of previous failure pressure estimation model, the ANN model results were proven to have both high accuracy and efficiency, which could be referenced in residual strength or safety assessment of high‐strength pipes with corrosion defects.
Liver Fat and Cardiometabolic Risk Factors Among School‐Age Children
Authors: Geurtsen Madelon L. , Santos Susana , Felix Janine F. , Duijts Liesbeth , Vernooij Meike W. , Gaillard Romy , Jaddoe Vincent W.V. 
Published: November 2019

Background and Aims
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is a major risk factor for cardiometabolic disease in adults. The burden of liver fat and associated cardiometabolic risk factors in healthy children is unknown. In a population‐based prospective cohort study among 3,170 10‐year‐old children, we assessed whether both liver fat accumulation across the full range and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease are associated with cardiometabolic risk factors already in childhood.

Approach and Results
Liver fat fraction was measured by magnetic resonance imaging, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease was defined as liver fat fraction ≥5.0%. We measured body mass index, blood pressure, and insulin, glucose, lipids, and C‐reactive protein concentrations. Cardiometabolic clustering was defined as having three or more risk factors out of high visceral fat mass, high blood pressure, low high‐density‐lipoprotein cholesterol or high triglycerides, and high insulin concentrations. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease prevalences were 1.0%, 9.1%, and 25.0% among children who were normal weight, overweight, and obese, respectively. Both higher liver fat within the normal range (<5.0% liver fat) and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease were associated with higher blood pressure, insulin resistance, total cholesterol, triglycerides, and C‐reactive protein concentrations (P values < 0.05). As compared with children with <2.0% liver fat, children with ≥5.0% liver fat had the highest odds of cardiometabolic clustering (odds ratio 24.43 [95% confidence interval 12.25, 48.60]). The associations remained similar after adjustment for body mass index and tended to be stronger in children who were overweight and obese.

Conclusions
Higher liver fat is, across the full range and independently of body mass index, associated with an adverse cardiometabolic risk profile already in childhood. Future preventive strategies focused on improving cardiometabolic outcomes in later life may need to target liver fat development in childhood.
A Pilot Genome‐Wide Analysis Study Identifies Loci Associated With Response to Obeticholic Acid in Patients With NASH
Authors: Gawrieh Samer , Guo Xiuqing , Tan Jingyi , Lauzon Marie , Taylor Kent D. , Loomba Rohit , Cummings Oscar W. , Pillai Sreekumar , Bhatnagar Pallav , Kowdley Kris V. , Yates Katherine , Wilson Laura A. , Chen Yii‐Der Ida , Rotter Jerome I. , Chalasani Naga ,   NASH Clinical Research Network
Published: November 2019

A significantly higher proportion of patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) who received obeticholic acid (OCA) had histological improvement relative to placebo in the FLINT (farnesoid X nuclear receptor ligand obeticholic acid for noncirrhotic, NASH treatment) trial. However, genetic predictors of response to OCA are unknown. We conducted a genome‐wide association study (GWAS) in FLINT participants to identify variants associated with NASH resolution and fibrosis improvement. Genotyping was performed using the Omni2.5 content GWAS chip. To avoid false positives introduced by population stratification, we focused our GWAS on white participants. Six regions on chromosomes 1, 4, 6, 7, 15, and 17 had multiple single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with suggestive association (P < 1 ×

) with NASH resolution. A sentinel SNP, rs75508464, near CELA3B on chromosome 1 was associated with NASH resolution, improvement in the nonalcoholic fatty liver disease activity score, portal inflammation, and fibrosis. Among individuals carrying this allele, 83% achieved NASH resolution with OCA compared with only 33% with placebo. Eight regions on chromosomes 1, 2, 3, 11, 13, and 18 had multiple SNPs associated with fibrosis improvement; of these, rs12130403 near TDRD10 on chromosome 1 was also associated with improvement in NASH and portal inflammation, and rs4073431 near ANO3 on chromosome 11 was associated with NASH resolution and improvement in steatosis. Multiple SNPs on chromosome 11 had suggestive association with pruritus, with rs1379650 near ANO5 being the top SNP. Conclusion: We identified several variants that may be associated with histological improvement and pruritus in individuals with NASH receiving OCA. The rs75508464 variant near CELA3B may have the most significant effect on NASH resolution in those receiving OCA.
The challenges of hepatitis C management in Iran: A qualitative study with patients
Authors: Behzadifar Masoud , Azari Samad , Gorji Hasan Abolghasem , Rezapour Aziz , Bragazzi Nicola Luigi 
Published: November 2019

SummaryBackgroundThe patient's perspective concerning the treatment process and the knowledge of the challenges and problems that they encounter can help to improve their treatment conditions.AimThe present study aimed at analyzing the experiences of hepatitis C virus (HCV) patients in Iran and the challenges encountered during the management and treatment process.MethodsSemi‐structured in‐depth and face‐to‐face interviews were conducted. The criteria for selecting patients were as follows: HCV‐positive subjects, with confirmed diagnosis of HCV, and under treatment. Content analysis was used to analyze the data. MAXQDA Ver11 software was used to better manage data. This study is based on the “Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research” (COREQ) checklist.ResultsTwenty‐one HCV patients were interviewed. The mean age of participants was 36.14 ± 11.29 years. Seven themes with 20 subthemes emerged from the content analysis of the interviews, namely, (a) disease‐related stigma, (b) lack of knowledge, (c) psychological problems, (d) financial problems, (e) complications of treatment, (f) lack of family and community support, and (g) health‐care system.ConclusionThe findings of this study showed that a range of economic, social, and cultural problems could affect the treatment of HCV patients. Health policy and decision makers should try to provide them with a better management.
The impact of primary health care reform on hospital emergency department overcrowding: Evidence from the Portuguese reform
Authors: Almeida Alvaro , Vales Joana 
Published: November 2019

SummaryContextThe reduction in inappropriate utilization of hospitals' emergency departments (EDs) is usually an important objective of primary health care (PHC) reforms. Existing literature provides mixed evidence on the effectiveness of PHC reforms in reducing inappropriate utilization of ED. We assess whether the specific PHC reforms ongoing in Portugal since 2005, and in particular the creation of family health units (FHUs), were successful in reducing inappropriate utilization of EDs and provide a contribution to the debate of which PHC models contribute to reduce overuse of EDs.MethodsWe use patient‐level data of 117 391 ED visits from two nonurban hospitals in Portugal to estimate a multivariate logistic regression that assesses the impact of different PHC models on inappropriate ED visits. Patients in our sample had four different models of PHC provision: the new FHU type A or type B and the old personalized health care units (PHUs), with or without a specific family physician assigned.ResultsThe percentage of episodes that correspond to appropriate visits to the ED is 2% higher for patients enrolled in an FHU type B and 0.8% higher for users of FHU type A, when compared with users enrolled in PHU. Having an assigned family physician increases appropriate use of the ED by 1%.ConclusionPortugal's PHC reform was successful in reducing inappropriate utilization of EDs.
Extrinsic motivation as a determinant of knowledge exchange in sales teams: A social network approach
Authors: David Natalie , Brennecke Julia , Rank Olaf 
Published: November 2019

AbstractThis paper investigates extrinsic motivation as a determinant of knowledge exchange among employees in sales teams. Applying a social network approach, we study different forms of knowledge‐exchange behaviors from the perspective of a focal employee and from the perspective of the dyad. From the focal employees' perspective, we disentangle knowledge seeking from knowledge providing, and argue that these two behaviors are affected differently by employees' extrinsic motivation. From the dyad perspective, we take similarity in motivation of tied‐to employees and reciprocity of exchange ties into account. To test our hypotheses, we apply exponential random graph models to data gathered from 138 employees in five different sales teams distributed across three companies in Central Europe. The results of our analysis from the focal employees' perspective show that extrinsically motivated employees generally engage in less knowledge exchange. The dyad perspective further highlights that sales employees proceed purposefully when they exchange knowledge with coworkers. For instance, two employees' relative levels of extrinsic motivation determine their willingness to engage in reciprocal knowledge exchange. We discuss the implications of our findings for research on the microfoundations of organizational knowledge management and draw conclusions concerning HRM practices used to foster extrinsic motivation, thereby affecting knowledge exchange.
A qualitative study on measuring patient‐centered care: Perspectives from clinician‐scientists and quality improvement experts
Authors: Ahmed Sadia , Djurkovic Andrea , Manalili Kimberly , Sahota Balreen , Santana Maria J. 
Published: November 2019

AbstractBackground and aimsPatient‐centered care (PCC) benefits patients, health‐care providers, and health‐care systems by providing delivery of care that addresses patient values and needs while improving provider experiences, and by decreasing health‐care expenditure. To improve PCC, health‐care systems need to measure it. Recently, we developed a PCC framework that is evidence based and patient informed. The purpose of this study was to gather the perspective of clinician‐scientists and quality improvement experts regarding the PCC domains included in the framework. Their perspectives were used to refine these domains, which ultimately will inform the development of PCC quality indicators.MethodsParticipants were recruited via expert and snowball sampling. Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with clinician‐scientists and quality improvement experts from Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom from October 2017 to January 2018. With the use of an interview guide developed using the PCC framework, interviews were audio recorded and transcribed for a thematic analysis using NVivo qualitative data analysis software. Inductive thematic analysis was used to identify themes and subthemes.ResultsSixteen semi‐structured interviews were conducted, which included four clinician‐scientists and 12 quality improvement experts. Twelve of the participants were from Canada, three from the United Kingdom, and one from the United States. From the thematic analysis, three major themes were identified: (a) measurability of PCC, (b) practical considerations for implementing measurement, and (c) policy and practice implications. Participants discussed barriers and recommendations to improve and increase the clarity of the PCC domains in health system reporting, resulting in several future directions to refine and target specific PCC domains.ConclusionClinician‐scientists and quality improvement experts provided key recommendations for the measurement of PCC. The perspectives of key stakeholders in PCC measurement will inform strategies for the implementation and uptake of patient‐centered quality indicators in health‐care systems. The views of these key experts can lay the foundation for the development of standardized measures of PCC, to ensure monitoring and improvement of PCC.
The impact of institutional investors on firms' performance in the context of financialization
Authors: Alexiou Constantinos , Mohamed Abdulkadir , Nellis Joe 
Published: November 2019

AbstractThis paper investigates the impact of U.K. institutional holdings on the financialization process. Using panel data analysis, we find that their holdings have a positive impact on the financialization. Investigating the source of this impact, we find that their portfolio companies outperform their peers matched by industry and size. Together, these findings suggest that institutional investors add value to the capital market and play an instrumental role in shaping the financialization process. Granger's causality test reveals that institutional holdings Granger cause financialization process, and the relationship is one‐way direction.