bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Catalytic deoxygenation of methyl laurate as a model compound to hydrocarbons on hybrid catalysts composed of Ni–Zn alloy and HY zeolite
Authors: Pan Zhengyi , Wang Rijie , Chen Jixiang 
Published: January 2019

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe deoxygenation of renewable vegetable oils in a hydrogen atmosphere is feasible for yielding diesel‐like hydrocarbons. In this work, hybrid catalysts composed of Ni–Zn alloy and HY zeolite were designed to achieve a highly efficient deoxygenation.RESULTSNiZn‐LDH‐HY, NiZn‐O‐HY and NiZn/HY hybrid catalysts composed of Ni‐rich Ni–Zn alloy and HY zeolite were prepared by various methods. NiZn/HY prepared by a deposition–precipitation method gave higher Ni dispersion than NiZn‐LDH‐HY and NiZn‐O‐HY obtained by mortar milling. In the deoxygenation of methyl laurate as a model compound at 330 °C and 3.0 MPa, the hybrid catalysts led to higher reaction rates (ca 9.0 × 10−5 mol g−1Ni s−1) than NiZnAl not combined with HY (2.5 × 10−5 mol g−1Ni s−1). Particularly, NiZn/HY gave higher total selectivity to C11 and C12 hydrocarbons (80.2%) than NiZn‐O‐HY and NiZn‐LDH‐HY (47.4 and 41.5%, respectively).CONCLUSIONSThis work provides an approach for preparing highly efficient catalysts for deoxygenation of esters to hydrocarbons by combining Ni–Zn alloy and HY zeolite. We deem that the closer proximity between metallic Ni and acid sites facilitates the deoxygenation via a synergetic effect between the two kinds of sites. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Microbial degradation of four dispersed crude oils by Rhodococcus sp. evaluated using carbon stable isotope analysis
Authors: Pi Yongrui , Chen Bing , Bao Mutai , Zhang Baiyu 
Published: January 2019

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe high frequency and wide distribution of oil spills pose serious threats to the marine environmental ecosystem and human health. Microbial degradation is considered to be the most applicable means to process oil spills. Carbon isotope fractionation was employed as a crucial tool for evaluating the biodegradation of four crude oils by Rhodococcus sp. with Corexit 9500A as oil dispersant.RESULTSFollowing biodegradation, carbon isotope fractionation of n‐alkanes in four dispersed crude oil samples was measured by gas chromatography–isotope ratio mass spectrometry. A relationship between the carbon isotope ratios and residual concentrations of n‐alkanes was established based upon the Rayleigh equation, with a correlation coefficient, R2, ranging from 0.67 to 0.83. The carbon isotope enrichment factors for n‐alkanes of the four crude oil samples tended to be 0.04–0.25‰ in the residuals. The biodegradation level of n‐alkanes calculated from the Rayleigh equation agreed with the biodegradation results analyzed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry.CONCLUSIONSThe degree of microbial degradation was positively correlated to the carbon isotope fractionation in n‐alkanes. Compound‐specific stable isotope analysis is capable of quantifying the biodegradation level of crude oil or oil spills. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Cortisol does not increase risk of mortality to predation in juvenile bluegill sunfish: A manipulative experimental field study
Authors: Lawrence Michael J. , Zolderdo Aaron J. , Godin Jean‐Guy J. , Mandelman John W. , Gilmour Kathleen M. , Cooke Steven J. 
Published: January 2019

AbstractThe hypothalamic‐pituitary‐interrenal (HPI) or stress axis in teleost fishes produces their primary glucocorticoid, cortisol. Although generally an adaptive response, prolonged HPI axis stimulation can impair organismal performance. Previous work has shown that stressed teleosts have higher mortality to predation than unstressed conspecifics, suggesting a role for HPI axis in modulating predator–prey interactions. Our current study investigated whether elevated cortisol levels altered the predation rate of a wild teleost fish, the bluegill sunfish (Lepomis macrochirus). Wild juvenile bluegill were given intraperitoneal implants of cocoa butter (i.e., sham), or cocoa butter containing cortisol or cortisol and the glucocorticoid receptor antagonist RU486. After 24 hr, fish were tethered along the bottom of the lake and their survival under natural predation was recorded following 24 hr. A subset of fish was used to validate the efficacy of cortisol implants in this setting. No treatment effect on survival was observed, suggesting that elevated cortisol has minimal involvement in mediating predator–prey interactions in this context. However, experimental fish may have demonstrated resiliency to physiological perturbations owing to the relatively acute duration of our experimental series, and negative effects might be manifested over a more chronic period.
The HIV care continuum among resident and non‐resident populations found in venues in East Africa cross‐border areas
Authors: Edwards Jessie K , Arimi Peter , Ssengooba Freddie , Mulholland Grace , Markiewicz Milissa , Bukusi Elizabeth A , Orikiiriza Judy T , Virkud Arti , Weir Sharon 
Published: January 2019

AbstractIntroductionHIV care and treatment in cross‐border areas in East Africa face challenges perhaps not seen to the same extent in other geographic areas, particularly for mobile and migrant populations. Here, we estimate the proportion of people with HIV found in these cross‐border areas in each stage of the HIV care and treatment cascade, including the proportion who knows their status, the proportion on treatment and the proportion virally suppressed.MethodsParticipants (n = 11,410) working or socializing in public places in selected East Africa cross border areas were recruited between June 2016 and February 2017 using the Priorities for Local AIDS Control Efforts method and administered a behavioural survey and rapid HIV test. This approach was designed to recruit a stratified random sample of people found in public spaces or venues in each cross border area. For participants testing positive for HIV, viral load was measured from dried blood spots. The proportion in each step of the cascade was estimated using inverse probability weights to account for the sampling design and informative HIV test refusals. Estimates are reported separately for residents of the cross border areas and non‐residents found in those areas.ResultsOverall, 43% of participants with HIV found in cross‐border areas knew their status, 87% of those participants were on antiretroviral therapy (ART), and 80% of participants on ART were virally suppressed. About 20% of people with HIV found in cross border areas were sampled outside their subdistrict or subcounty of residence. While both resident and non‐resident individuals who knew their status were likely to be on ART (85% and 96% respectively), people on ART recruited outside their area of residence were less likely to be suppressed (64% suppressed; 95% CI: 43, 81) compared to residents (84% suppressed; 95% CI: 75, 93).ConclusionsPeople living in or travelling through cross‐border areas may face barriers in learning their HIV status. Moreover, while non‐residents were more likely to be on treatment than residents, they were less likely to be suppressed, suggesting gaps in continuity of care for people in East Africa travelling outside their area of residence despite timely initiation of treatment.
Hierarchical processing of visual stimuli in nephropathic cystinosis
Authors: Sathappan Aakash , Trauner Doris 
Published: January 2019

AbstractPrevious studies have shown that individuals with cystinosis may exhibit difficulty with visuospatial tasks. Global and local (hierarchical) processing are specific types of visuospatial tasks mediated by the right and left parietal lobes respectively. The study objective was to determine whether individuals with cystinosis and carriers of the cystinosin gene mutation show deficits in global and/or local processing. The study included 48 children (32 controls, 16 cystinosis) and 56 adults (25 controls, 25 carriers, and 6 cystinosis). Participants were instructed to replicate 10 hierarchical stimuli to assess global‐local processing. The primary outcome measure was mean global and local performance on the hierarchical stimuli task between subgroups. Error subtypes were included to further assess each image. Compared to the control subgroups, adult and child cystinosis patients as well adult carriers demonstrated significant deficits in the global processing of a hierarchical stimulus against a background of unimpaired local processing. Child cystinosis patients performed significantly more poorly than controls on all error subtypes except local shape distortion. Adult cystinosis patients and carriers made significantly more global shape distortion errors than the controls. Our study shows that the cognitive profile documented in cystinosis patients and carriers includes significant difficulties with the global processing of an image. Results of the carrier population are important since they suggest that the cognitive impairments observed in patients cannot be attributed to symptomatic manifestations of the disease. Instead, the global processing deficits observed provide insight into the potential role of the cystinosin gene mutation on neurodevelopmental differences seen in these individuals.
A new metabolic disorder in human cationic amino acid transporter‐2 that mimics arginase 1 deficiency in newborn screening
Authors: Yahyaoui Raquel , Blasco‐Alonso Javier , Benito Carmen , Rodríguez‐García Enrique , Andrade Fernando , Aldámiz‐Echevarría Luis , Muñoz‐Hernández María C. , Vega Ana I. , Pérez‐Cerdá Celia , García‐Martín María L. , Pérez Belén 
Published: January 2019

AbstractPurposeWe report a patient with a human cationic amino acid transporter 2 (CAT‐2) defect discovered due to a suspected arginase 1 deficiency observed in newborn screening (NBS).MethodsA NBS sample was analyzed using tandem mass spectrometry. Screen results were confirmed by plasma and urine amino acid quantification. Molecular diagnosis was done using clinical exome sequencing. Dimethylated arginines were determined by HPLC and nitrate/nitrite levels by a colorimetric assay. The metabolomic profile was analyzed using 1D nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy.ResultsA Spanish boy of nonconsanguineous parents had high arginine levels in a NBS blood sample. Plasma and urinary cationic amino acids were high. Arginase enzyme activity in erythrocytes was normal and no pathogenic mutations were identified in the ARG1 gene. Massive parallel sequencing detected two loss‐of‐function mutations in the SLC7A2 gene. Currently, the child receives a protein‐controlled diet of 1.2 g/kg/day with protein‐and amino‐acid free infant formula, 30 g/day, and is asymptomatic.ConclusionWe identified a novel defect in human CAT‐2 due to biallelic pathogenic variants in the SLC7A2 gene. The characteristic biochemical profile includes high plasma and urine arginine, ornithine, and lysine levels. NBS centers should know of this disorder since it can be detected in arginase 1 deficiency screening.
20-Hydroxy- and 20-carboxy-leukotriene (LT) B4 downregulate LTB4-mediated responses of human neutrophils and eosinophils
Authors: Archambault Anne-Sophie , Poirier Samuel , Lefebvre Julie-S , Robichaud Philippe-Pierre , Larose Marie-Chantal , Turcotte Caroline , Martin Cyril , Provost Véronique , Boudreau Luc H , McDonald Patrick P , Laviolette Michel , Surette Marc E , Flamand Nicolas 
Published: January 2019

Abstract
Leukotriene B4 (LTB4) plays a prominent role in innate immunity as it induces phagocyte recruitment, the release of antimicrobial effectors, and as it potentiates the ingestion and killing of pathogens. In humans, LTB4 has a short half-life and is rapidly metabolized by leukocytes, notably into 20-OH- and 20-COOH-LTB4 by neutrophils. Although these LTB4 metabolites bind to the BLT1 receptor with high affinity, they activate neutrophils to a much lower extent than LTB4. We thus postulated that LTB4 metabolites could dampen BLT1-mediated responses, therefore limiting the impact of LTB4 on human neutrophil functions. We found that 20-OH-LTB4 and 20-COOH-LTB4 inhibited all of the LTB4-mediated neutrophil responses we tested (migration, degranulation, leukotriene biosynthesis). The potencies of the different compounds at inhibiting LTB4-mediated responses were 20-OH-LTB4 = CP 105,696 (BLT1 antagonist) &gt; &gt; 20-COOH-LTB4 ≥ resolvin E1 (RVE1). In contrast, the fMLP- and IL-8-mediated responses we tested were not affected by the LTB4 metabolites or RVE1. 20-OH-LTB4 and 20-COOH-LTB4 also inhibited the LTB4-mediated migration of human eosinophils but not that induced by 5-KETE. Moreover, using 20-COOH-LTB4, LTB4, and LTB4-alkyne, we show that LTB4 is a chemotactic, rather than a chemokinetic factor for both human neutrophils and eosinophils. In conclusion, our data indicate that LTB4 metabolites and RVE1 act as natural inhibitors of LTB4-mediated responses. Thus, preventing LTB4 ω-oxidation might result in increased innate immunity and granulocyte functions.
Fast myocardial T1 mapping using shortened inversion recovery based schemes
Authors: Huang Li , Neji Radhouene , Nazir Muhummad Sohaib , Whitaker John , Reid Fiona , Bosio Filippo , Chiribiri Amedeo , Razavi Reza , Roujol Sébastien 
Published: January 2019

BackgroundMyocardial T1 mapping shows promise for assessment of cardiomyopathies. Most myocardial T1 mapping techniques, such as modified Look–Locker inversion recovery (MOLLI), generate one T1 map per breath‐held acquisition (9–17 heartbeats), which prolongs multislice protocols and may be unsuitable for patients with breath‐holding difficulties.PurposeTo develop and characterize novel shortened inversion recovery based T1 mapping schemes of 2–5 heartbeats.Study TypeProspective.Population/PhantomNumerical simulations, agarose/NiCl2 phantom, 16 healthy volunteers, and 24 patients.Field Strength/Sequence1.5T/MOLLI.AssessmentAll shortened T1 mapping schemes were characterized and compared with a conventional MOLLI scheme (5‐(3)‐3) in terms of accuracy, precision, spatial variability, and repeatability.Statistical TestsKruskal–Wallis, Wilcoxon rank sum tests, analysis of variance, Student's t‐tests, Bland–Altman analysis, and Pearson correlation analysis.ResultsAll shortened schemes provided limited T1 time variations (≤2% for T1 times ≤1200 msec) and limited penalty of precision (by a factor of ~1.4–1.5) when compared with MOLLI in numerical simulations. In phantom, differences between all schemes in terms of accuracy, spatial variability, and repeatability did not reach statistical significance (P > 0.71). In healthy volunteers, there were no statistically significant differences between all schemes in terms of native T1 times and repeatability for myocardium (P = 0.21 and P = 0.87, respectively) and blood (P = 0.79 and P = 0.41, respectively). All shortened schemes led to a limited increase of spatial variability for native myocardial T1 mapping with respect to MOLLI (by a factor of 1.2) (P < 0.0001). In both healthy volunteers and patients, the two‐heartbeat scheme and MOLLI led to highly linearly correlated T1 times (correlation coefficients ≥0.83).Data ConclusionThe proposed two‐heartbeat T1 mapping scheme yields a 5‐fold acceleration compared with MOLLI, with highly linearly correlated T1 times, no significant difference of repeatability, and limited spatial variability penalty at 1.5T. This approach may enable myocardial T1 mapping in patients with severe breath‐holding difficulties and reduce the examination time of multislice protocols.Level of Evidence: 1Technical Efficacy Stage: 3J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2019;50:641–654.
Intellectual property—The Foundation of Innovation: A scientist's guide to intellectual property
Authors: Poticha David , Duncan Mark W. 
Published: January 2019

AbstractIncreasingly, the activities of the practicing scientist inextricably intersect with the business world. Science is central to the development and delivery of many goods or services, and scientific discovery can directly, or indirectly, lead to substantial revenue generation. Scientists, however, have little training in the complex issues of intellectual property (IP), and often little understanding of their rights and obligations. Here, we define IP and disuss what it means to be an inventor or creator of IP. We define and differentiate between the primary forms of IP—trade secrets, copyright, trademarks, and patents—and discuss their implementation and implications for the practicing scientist.
Quantification of enantiomers by mass spectrometry based on chemical derivatization and spectral shape deformation quantitative theory
Authors: Zhu Yan‐Li , Peng Zu‐Bin , Chen Zeng‐Ping , Wang Ji‐Kai , Shi Cai‐Xia , Chen Yao , Yu Ru‐Qin 
Published: January 2019

AbstractA facile mass spectrometric kinetic method for quantitative analysis of chiral compounds was developed by integrating mass spectrometry based on chemical derivatization and the spectral shape deformation quantitative theory. Chemical derivatization was employed to introduce diastereomeric environments to the chiral compounds of interest, resulting in different abundance distribution patterns of fragment ions of the derivatization products of enantiomers in mass spectrometry. The quantitative information of the chiral compounds of interest was extracted from complex mass spectral data by an advanced calibration model derived based on the spectral shape deformation quantitative theory. The performance of the proposed method was tested on the quantitative analysis of R‐propranolol in propranolol tablets. Experimental results demonstrated that it could achieve accurate and precise concentration ratio predictions for R‐propranolol with an average relative predictive error (ARPE) of about 4%, considerably better than the corresponding results of the mass spectrometric method based on chemical derivatization and the univariate ratiometric model (ARPE: about 12%). The limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) of the proposed method for the concentration ratio of R‐propranolol were estimated to be 1.5% and 6.0%, respectively. The proposed method is complementary to the existing methods designed for the quantification of enantiomers such as the Cooks kinetic method.
Comparison of ESI‐MS/MS and APCI‐MS methods for the quantification of folic acid analogs in C. elegans
Authors: Annibal Andrea , Tam Hannah , Latza Christian , Antebi Adam 
Published: January 2019

AbstractFolic acid (FA) plays a vital role in central metabolism, including the one carbon cycle, nucleotide, and amino acid biosynthesis. The development of sensitive, accurate analytical methods to measure FA intermediates in tissues is critical to understand their biological roles in diverse physiological and pathological contexts. Here, we developed a highly sensitive method for the simultaneous quantification of FA intermediates in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans as a model to dissect metabolic networks. The method was further validated by analyzing the worm folate pool upon RNAi knockdown of the dihydrofolate reductase gene dhfr‐1. Comparative mass spectrometry behavior of the FA analogs using two different ion sources, electrospray ionization (ESI) and atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI), revealed ESI‐MS/MS to be more sensitive, but APCI‐MS provided more detailed structure inferences, which can elucidate chemical investigation and synthesis of FA analogs. Finally, we report on the use of in vitro oxidation coupled with high‐resolution mass spectrometry as a tool to discover new endogenous FA derivatives in the nematode.
Distinct differences in rates of oxygen consumption and ATP synthesis of regionally isolated non‐synaptic mouse brain mitochondria
Authors: Andersen Jens V. , Jakobsen Emil , Waagepetersen Helle S. , Aldana Blanca I. 
Published: January 2019

AbstractBrain mitochondrial dysfunction has been implicated in several neurodegenerative diseases. The distribution and efficiency of mitochondria display large heterogeneity throughout the regions of the brain. This may imply that the selective regional susceptibility of neurodegenerative diseases could be mediated through inherent differences in regional mitochondrial function. To investigate regional cerebral mitochondrial energetics, the rates of oxygen consumption and adenosine‐5′‐triphosphate (ATP) synthesis were assessed in isolated non‐synaptic mitochondria of the cerebral cortex, hippocampus, and striatum of the male mouse brain. Oxygen consumption rates were assessed using a Seahorse XFe96 analyzer and ATP synthesis rates were determined by an online luciferin‐luciferase coupled luminescence assay. Complex I‐ and complex II‐driven respiration and ATP synthesis, were investigated by applying pyruvate in combination with malate, or succinate, as respiratory substrates, respectively. Hippocampal mitochondria exhibited the lowest basal and adenosine‐5′‐diphosphate (ADP)‐stimulated rate of oxygen consumption when provided pyruvate and malate. However, hippocampal mitochondria also exhibited an increased proton leak and an elevated relative rate of oxygen consumption in response to the uncoupler carbonyl cyanide 4‐(trifluoromethoxy)phenylhydrazone (FCCP), showing a large capacity for uncoupled respiration in the presence of pyruvate. When the complex II‐linked substrate succinate was provided, striatal mitochondria exhibited the highest respiration and ATP synthesis rate, whereas hippocampal mitochondria had the lowest. However, the mitochondrial efficiency, determined as ATP produced/O2 consumed, was similar between the three regions. This study reveals inherent differences in regional mitochondrial energetics and may serve as a tool for further investigations of regional mitochondrial function in relation to neurodegenerative diseases.
Effect of thermal conductivity of substrate on laser‐induced phase transition of MoTe2
Authors: Chen Zhirong , Nan Haiyan , Liu Zheng , Wang Xiaoya , Gu Xiaofeng , Xiao Shaoqing 
Published: January 2019

AbstractThe phase transition of molybdenum ditelluride (MoTe2) has aroused great interest for enormous potential application in two‐dimensional (2D) optoelectronic sensors and nonvolatile information storage. Many in situ synthesis such as chemical vapor deposition and tellurization of Mo as well as postgrowth methods including thermal and strain engineering have been reported to realize the 2H‐to‐1T′ phase transition in MoTe2. Laser irradiation as one of thermal engineering has been demonstrated to be efficient and convenient for phase transition in MoTe2 flakes, but the substrate effect especially the thermal conductivity of substrate has not been studied. In this work, we systematically investigate the effect of four substrates (SiO2, Si, PDMS, and GaAs) with different thermal conductivities on the laser‐induced phase transition of MoTe2. The evolutions of Raman spectra clearly reveal the phase transition from 2H to 1T′ phase in MoTe2 on four different substrates with the increase in laser power. The laser power required for the phase transition is proportional to the substrate thermal conductivity. The PDMS substrate with the lowest thermal conductivity of 0.35 W/MK requires the lowest laser power of 2 mW to complete the phase transition. We have also fabricated a micro pattern heterostructure through artificial manipulation of the laser beam. Our work may provide valuable insights on the laser‐induced phase transition in MoTe2 and be helpful for phase transition of other TMDs.