bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Telechelic Triblock Poly(α‐Amino Acid)‐Poly(Tetrahydrofuran)‐Poly(α‐Amino Acid) Copolymers: Chain‐End Transformation, Polymerization and pH‐Responsive Hydrolysis†
Authors: Zhou Peng , Li Zixian , Lu Yanzhi , Kong Jie , Ling Jun 
Published: June 2021

Main observation and conclusionBlock copolymers not only combine properties of different segments but also generate new application prospects. Poly(α‐amino acid)‐b‐poly(tetrahydrofuran)‐b‐poly(α‐amino acid) (PAA‐PTHF‐PAA) is one of the copolymers. In this contribution, di‐hydroxyl‐ended HO‐PTHF‐OH is transferred into di‐oxyamino‐ended H2NO‐PTHF‐ONH2 quantitatively, which is used as a macroinitiator to polymerize sarcosine N‐thiocarboxyanhydride (Sar‐NTA) and N‐phenyoxycarbonyl N‐ε‐carbobenzyloxy‐D‐lysine (ZDL‐NPC). Well‐defined triblock PAA‐NHO‐PTHF‐ONH‐PAA is produced with high molecular weight (up to 25.3 kg/mol) and narrow dispersity. The amphiphilic PSar‐NHO‐PTHF‐ONH‐PSar (STS) self‐assembles into micelles with uniform diameters of 30—40 nm according to DLS. Owing to oxygen amide groups inside the backbone of these copolymers, the polyether‐poly(amino acid)s block copolymers are cleavable under an acidic environment and therefore have potential applications in smart biomedicine and engineering.
Unravelling the Reaction Mechanisms of N2 Fixation on Molybdenum Nitride: A Full DFT Study from the Pristine Surface to Heteroatom Anchoring
Authors: Kong Youchao , He Tianwei , Puente Santiago Alain R. , Liu Dong , Du Aijun , Wang Shuangpeng , Pan Hui 
Published: June 2021

AbstractTransition metal nitrides (TMNs)‐based materials have attracted increasing attention in electrochemical nitrogen reduction reaction (eNRR) because of their unique structures and inherent electronic properties. However, the eNRR mechanism on such nitrogen contained catalysts is still unclear, for example, which part of the catalyst act as the active sites, and how to achieve the optimal efficiency is also challenging. In this work, a comprehensive study was conducted to unravel the reaction mechanisms of N2 fixation on molybdenum nitride by using density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The activity and selectivity of eNRR on pristine (001) and (110) Mo5N6 surfaces as well as few specific numbers of heteroatom‐anchored N‐terminated surfaces were all evaluated and compared. It was found that the Mo and N atoms on the pristine Mo5N6 surface were both active for eNRR while following different pathways in mechanism. Moreover, the eNRR catalytic performance of Mo5N6 could be further boosted by specific metal atoms anchoring, such as single atom, metal dimer, and heterodiatom pair. Finally, a full map of eNRR mechanism on pristine and metal atom‐decorated Mo5N6 surfaces was illustrated. This work not only provides a fundamental understanding of eNRR mechanism on TMNs based materials but also offers powerful strategies towards the rational design of efficient NRR electrocatalysts.
Psychosocial factors, mental health, and coordination capacity in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction compared with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction
Authors: Bekfani Tarek , Nisser Jenny , Derlien Steffen , Hamadanchi Ali , Fröb Elisabeth , Dannberg Gudrun , Lichtenauer Michael , Smolenski Ulrich C. , Lehmann Gabriele , Möbius‐Winkler Sven , Schulze Paul Christian 
Published: June 2021

AbstractAimsPatients with heart failure (HF) suffer from reduced quality‐of‐life (QoL). We aimed to compare QoL, depression, and anxiety scores among outpatients with preserved (HFpEF) and reduced (HFrEF) ejection fraction and non‐HF controls and its relationship to coordination capacity.Methods and resultsFifty‐five participants were recruited prospectively at the University Hospital Jena, Germany (17 HFpEF, 18 HFrEF, and 20 non‐HF controls). All participants underwent echocardiography, cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET), 10 m walking test (10‐MWT), isokinetic muscle function and coordination tests, and QoL assessments using the short form of health survey (SF‐36), and hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS). Furthermore, inflammatory biomarkers such as growth differentiation factor‐15 (GDF‐15) were assessed. Patients with HFpEF showed compared with HFrEF and non‐HF controls reduced QoL [mental component score (MCS): 43.6 ± 7.1 vs. 50.2 ± 10.0 vs. 50.5 ± 5.0, P = 0.03), vitality (VT): 47.5 ± 8.4 vs. 53.6 ± 8.6 vs. 57.1 ± 5.2, P = 0.004), and elevated anxiety (6.5 ± 3.2 vs. 3.3 ± 2.8 vs. 3.8 ± 2. 8, P = 0.02) and depression scores (6.5 [3.5–10.0] vs. 3.0 [1.0–6.5] vs. 2.0 [0.75–3.0], P = 0.01)]. After adjusting to multiple comparisons, anxiety remained higher in HFpEF patients compared with HFrEF (ppost‐hoc = 0.009). HFpEF and HFrEF patients showed reduced coordination capacity compared with non‐HF controls (P < 0.05). In a logistic regression, the presence of depression score ≥8 remained an independent factor for predicting reduced coordination capacity after adjusting for peak VO2, GDF‐15, 10‐MWT, physical component score (PCS), and peak torque of the leg [odds ratio (OR): 0.1, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.004–0.626, P = 0.02].ConclusionOutpatients with HFpEF had worse QoL and higher anxiety and depression scores compared with HFrEF and non‐HF controls. Depression is associated with reduced QoL and is an independent predictor for reduced coordination capacity.
Subblock design aided orthogonal frequency division multiplexing with all index modulation using search algorithm
Authors: Shi Yuxin , Lu Xinjin , Luo Junshan , Wang Shilian 
Published: June 2021

AbstractOrthogonal frequency division multiplexing with index modulation (OFDM‐IM) harvests significantly better error performance compared with OFDM due to its design of the index bits. However, the structure of conventional OFDM‐IM scheme does not fully focus on the enhancement of the bit error rate (BER) performance. In the proposed subblock design aided OFDM with all index modulation (SD‐OFDM‐AIM), unconditional pairwise error probability (UPEP) is taken as the objective function to select the subblock realizations with low error rates, leading to the BER performance enhancement. Noticing that UPEP uses the channel state information (CSI), we fully discuss the calculation of CSI and analyze the effect on subblock design under imperfect channel evaluation. Moreover, inspired by sphere decoding method, we propose the low complexity decoder to remove the high burden of computational complexity in former OFDM with all index modulation (OFDM‐AIM) after the reconstruction of the look‐up table. The simulation results demonstrate its superiority at BER performance compared with the index modulated OFDM schemes and OFDM‐AIM.
A century-long record of plant evolution reconstructed from a coastal marsh seed bank
Authors: Blum Michael J. , Saunders Colin J. , McLachlan Jason S. , Summers Jennifer , Craft Christopher , Herrick Jeffrey D. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractEvidence is mounting that climate-driven shifts in environmental conditions can elicit organismal evolution, yet there are sparingly few long-term records that document the tempo and progression of responses, particularly for plants capable of transforming ecosystems. In this study, we “resurrected” cohorts of a foundational coastal marsh sedge (Schoenoplectus americanus) from a time-stratified seed bank to reconstruct a century-long record of heritable variation in response to salinity exposure. Common-garden experiments revealed that S. americanus exhibits heritable variation in phenotypic traits and biomass-based measures of salinity tolerance. We found that responses to salinity exposure differed among the revived cohorts, with plants from the early 20th century exhibiting greater salinity tolerance than those from the mid to late 20th century. Fluctuations in salinity tolerance could reflect stochastic variation but a congruent record of genotypic variation points to the alternative possibility that the loss and gain in functionality are driven by selection, with comparisons to historical rainfall and paleosalinity records suggesting that selective pressures vary according to shifting estuarine conditions. Because salinity tolerance in S. americanus is tightly coupled to primary productivity and other vital ecosystem attributes, these findings indicate that organismal evolution merits further consideration as a factor shaping coastal marsh responses to climate change.
Safety, probiotic properties, antimicrobial activity, and technological performance of Lactobacillus strains isolated from Iranian raw milk cheeses
Authors: Barzegar Hassan , Alizadeh Behbahani Behrooz , Falah Fereshteh 
Published: June 2021

AbstractThe objective of this study was to investigate probiotic, antimicrobial, technological and safety properties of lactobacillus strains isolated from local Iranian cheese made from raw milk. Six different samples were prepared, after serial dilution, culture was performed on MRS culture medium. The gram‐positive and catalase‐negative lactobacillus strains were subjected to grouping and identifying using biochemical tests, carbohydrates fermentation profiles, and 16S rDNA analysis. The results of sequence analysis showed the Lactobacillus spp. belonged to Lactobacillus brevis, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus plantarum, and Lactobacillus casei. After 3 hr incubation at pH=2, 3–6 log units of strains decreased which Lactobacillus acidophilus (B14) and Lactobacillus brevis (B2) showed highest resistance to low pH as well as simulated GIT juices. The highest and lowest hydrophobicity degree was belonged to L. acidophilus (B14) (65.9%) and L. casei (B22) (25.6%), respectively. Also, the highest auto‐aggregation and coaggregation were observed in L. acidophilus (B14) (51.3%) and L. plantarum (B20) (43.6%). The adhered percentage of strains varied from 2.5% to 14.6%. L. plantarum (B20) showed highest proteolytic activity followed by L. acidophilus (B14). Also, the highest autolytic activity belonged to L. acidophilus (B14). All of the strains showed low acidifying potential, except for L. acidophilus (B17) which decreased 2.05 unit of pH after 24 hr. The isolates did not show lipolytic activity as well as biogenic amines production (except L. brevis B3). All of the strains were sensitive to chloramphenicol and erythromycin except L. acidophilus (B15) and L. casei (B22). All strains showed no hemolysis activity which make them safe for consumption. Based on the obtained results, L. acidophilus (B14) presented the best probiotic and technological characteristics and is proposed for using as coculture in the dairy industrial.
Lipid composition and molecular species of phospholipid in oyster Crassostrea lugubris (Sowerby, 1871) from Lang Co Beach, Hue Province, Vietnam
Authors: Thi Le Thanh Tra , Tran Quoc Toan , Velansky PeteVladimirovich , Dam Tien Duc , Bach Long Giang , Pham Long Quoc 
Published: June 2021

AbstractOysters are widely distributed worldwide, but are mainly concentrated in tropics and subtropics. Total lipid (TL), fatty acid (FA) composition of TL and polar lipid (PoL) fractions, phospholipid (PL) class, and molecular species composition in soft tissues of Crassostrea lugubris were investigated for the first time from Vietnam. Phosphatidylglycolic acid (PGA) is the new phospholipid class first identified in marine species in general and Crassostrea lugubris in particular. Main eight classes of PL were determined in PoL fraction: diphosphatidylglycerol (DPG), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), phosphatidylcholine (PC), phosphatidylinositol (PI), phosphatidylserine (PS), ceramide aminoethylphosphonate (CAEP), CAEP with hydroxylated FAs (CAEP‐OH), and lysophosphatidylcholine. PE and PC accounted for approximately 63% of total known PL. Polyunsaturated FAs accounted for more than 30% of TL. Ninety molecular species of glycerophospholipids, including PGA, PE, PC, PS, PI, DPG, and PG, and sphingophosphonolipids (CAEP) were identified in PoL. Alkenyl‐acyl forms of glycerophospholipids were predominated in the molecular species of PGA, PE, and PS. PGA 38:1 (p18:0/20:1), PE 40:6 (p18:0/22:6 and p18:1/22:5), PC 30:0 (14:0/16:0), PS 38:1 (p18:0/20:1), PI 40:5 (20:1/20:4), PG 32:0 (16:0/16:0), DPG 88:24 (22:6/22:6/22:6/22:6), and CAEP 34:2 (d18:2/16:0) were major molecular species.
Location capabilities, institutional distance, and start‐up survival
Authors: Bustamante Carla V. , Matusik Sharon F. , Benavente Jose Miguel 
Published: June 2021

AbstractResearch summaryLocation considerations play a key role in shaping venture performance. Using data from the largest accelerator in the world, we examine the effects of institutional distance and location capabilities on international start‐ups' survival rates. We find that international start‐ups' survival is shaped by whether it internationalizes to a country with stronger or weaker institutions than those in its home country. Further, the interaction between the directionality of institutional distance and location capabilities is important such that ventures that develop location capabilities in contexts of positive institutional distance experience greater survival rates. Through this study, we make an important theoretical contribution at the intersection of institutional and resource based theory by developing more granular knowledge about institutional dynamics across home and host countries.Managerial summaryInternationalizing into emerging countries poses immense challenges to start‐ups. This study explores the factors that shape the survival rates of 268 start‐ups that have internationalized in the context of a business‐accelerator program. We find that their ability to survive is shaped by the difference between home and host‐country institutions, in addition to start‐up's location capabilities to engage with local resources in the host country. Developing location capabilities in the host country does not directly lead to increased survival rates. The value of developing location capabilities is affected by whether the venture is operating in a country with stronger or weaker institutions than those in start‐ups' home country; ventures that develop location capabilities in contexts of positive institutional distance experience greater survival rates.
Modeling and prediction of NOx emission in an LPG–diesel dual‐fuel CI engine
Authors: Murthy Krishna , Srinivas Vijay Gaddle , Kumar Shiva 
Published: June 2021

AbstractDifferent alternative fuels have been proposed by various researchers in diesel engines in view of increased NOx and particulate emissions. Out of the various methods proposed, dual fueling is one of the most important techniques that helps solve the different operational problems related to diesel engine combustion and emission. In the current study, modeling and predicting the formation of NOx emission in a duel fuel liquefied petroleum gas (LPG)–diesel engine has been undertaken. Simulations have been conducted for various LPG flow rates at different engine loads and the predicted NOx values are compared with the experimental values. The results found that there is a decent agreement between the forecasted and the investigational results, where the average difference is within 13.7%. Furthermore, it is found that minimum NOx emission was observed for an LPG flow rate in the range of 0.4–0.6 kg/h and when the engine is running with 75% loading.
Effects of HIV infection on metastatic cervical cancer and age at diagnosis among patients in Lusaka, Zambia
Authors: Trejo Mario Jesus , Soliman Amr S. , Chen Yuli , Kalima Mulele , Chuba Alick , Chama Eslone , Mwaba Catherine K. , Banda Lewis , Lishimpi Kennedy 
Published: June 2021

AbstractObjectiveTo examine the association between the duration of HIV infection and the stage of cervical cancer in Lusaka, Zambia.MethodsThis retrospective case‐case study included 1583 cervical cancer patients from the Cancer Diseases Hospital in Lusaka, Zambia. A sub‐population of HIV‐positive patients with additional clinical HIV information was identified following linkage of cancer and HIV databases. Logistic regression models examined the relationship between HIV status and early‐onset cervical cancer diagnosis, and between HIV infection duration and initial diagnosis of metastatic cervical cancer.ResultsThe study population had an average age of 49 years and 40.9% had an initial diagnosis of metastatic cancer. HIV‐positive women were more than twice as likely to be diagnosed at early‐onset cervical cancer compared with HIV‐negative women. Among the sub‐population of HIV‐positive patients, a longer duration of HIV infection was associated with 20% lowered odds of initial metastatic cancer diagnosis.ConclusionThe availability, accessibility, and impact of the cervical screening program in this population should be further examined to elucidate the relationship between cervical screening, age, and duration of HIV infection and the the stage of diagnosis of cervical cancer.
Structure‐based investigation of MARK4 inhibitory potential of Naringenin for therapeutic management of cancer and neurodegenerative diseases
Authors: Anwar Saleha , Khan Shama , Shamsi Anas , Anjum Farah , Shafie Alaa , Islam Asimul , Ahmad Faizan , Hassan Md. Imtaiyaz 
Published: June 2021

AbstractMAP/microtubule affinity‐regulating kinase 4 (MARK4) is a member of serine/threonine kinase family and considered an attractive drug target for many diseases. Screening of Indian Medicinal Plants, Phytochemistry, and Therapeutics (IMPPAT) using virtual high‐throughput screening coupled with enzyme assay suggested that Naringenin (NAG) could be a potent inhibitor of MARK4. Structure‐based molecular docking analysis showed that NAG binds to the critical residues found in the active site pocket of MARK4. Furthermore, molecular dynamics (MD) simulation studies for 100 ns have delineated the binding mechanism of NAG to MARK4. Results of MD simulation suggested that binding of NAG further stabilizes the structure of MARK4 by forming a stable complex. In addition, no significant conformational change in the MARK4 structure was observed. Fluorescence binding and isothermal titration calorimetric measurements revealed an excellent binding affinity of NAG to MARK4 with a binding constant (K) = 0.13 × 106 M−1 obtained from fluorescence binding studies. Further, enzyme inhibition studies showed that NAG has an admirable IC50 value of 4.11 µM for MARK4. Together, these findings suggest that NAG could be an effective MARK4 inhibitor that can potentially be used to treat cancer and neurodegenerative diseases.
A dynamic nomogram for predicting the risk of asthma: Development and validation in a database study
Authors: Yang Lifen , Li Meihua , Zheng Qinling , Ren Chaofeng , Ma Wei , Yang Yanxia 
Published: June 2021

AbstractBackgroundAsthma remains a serious health problem with increasing prevalence and incidence. This study was to develop and validate a dynamic nomogram for predicting asthma risk.MethodsTotally 597 subjects whose age ≥18 years old with asthma, an accurate age at first cigarette, and clear smoking status were selected from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) database (2013–2018). The dataset was randomly split into the training set and the testing set at a ratio of 4:6. Simple and multiple logistic regressions were used for identifying independent predictors. Then the nomogram was developed and internally validated using data from the testing set. The receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve was used for assessing the performance of the nomogram.ResultsAccording to the simple and multiple logistic regressions, smoking ≥40 years, female gender, the age for the first smoking, having close relative with asthma were independently associated with the risk of an asthma attack. The nomogram was thereby developed with the link of https://yanglifen.shinyapps.io/Dynamic_Nomogram_for_Asthma/. The ROC analyses showed an AUC of 0.726 (0.724–0.728) with a sensitivity of 0.887 (0.847–0.928) in the training set, and an AUC of 0.702 (0.700–0.703) with a sensitivity of 0.860 (0.804–0.916) in the testing set, fitting well in calibration curves. Decision curve analysis further confirmed the clinical usefulness of the nomogram.ConclusionOur dynamic nomogram could help clinicians to assess the individual probability of asthma attack, which was helpful for improving the treatment and prognosis of asthma.
Hidden morphological and structural characteristics in scales of mullid species (Teleostei: Mullidae) using light and scanning electron digital imaging
Authors: Echreshavi Sorour , Esmaeili Hamid Reza , Teimori Azad , Safaie Mohsen , Owfi Freedon 
Published: June 2021

AbstractThe scale morphology of nine Mullidae taxa consisting of three genera and nine species from the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman was described and compared using light and scanning electron microscopy from four different body regions. The general scale type in the studied mullid species was ctenoid except in the head region of Mulloidichthys vanicolensis and Parupeneus margaritatus, which had cycloid scales. The scales demonstrated a large focus with the central or centro‐posterior position. The large variations of scale morphology were observed for the scales from different body regions of a single species. The shape of focus was in five types with the round type being the most common. In the scales of most examined species, there were 5–6 radii present in the anterior field. No radii exist in the lateral and posterior fields, and the radii orientation was parallel in all the studied species. The rostral margin of scales represented five types among the studied species; waved (M. vanicolensis), smooth in (P. rubescens), dentate (Upeneus doriae), scalloped (U. vittatus), and fluted (U. tragula). The lepidont shape varied among the species from blunt to flat, pointed, tiny, sharp, pointed, triangle, short, and long. The results also showed that the relative scale size has a desirable contribution to separate the examined genera. The scale morphological‐based tree was largely consistent with the known systematics of the studied fishes. It was concluded that variation of scale characters has probably taxonomic and even phylogenetic information in both species and genus levels in the studied mullid fishes. However, variation of scale morphology between body regions, as shown in this study, suggests that scale characters should be used cautiously for taxonomic studies of these fishes.