bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Oxidized Biochar as a Simple, Renewable Catalyst for the Production of Cyclic Carbonates from Carbon Dioxide and Epoxides
Authors: Vidal Juliana L. , Andrea Vincent P. , MacQuarrie Stephanie L. , Kerton Francesca M. 
Published: April 2019

AbstractHard‐ and softwood residues (from birch and pine respectively) of forestry, pulp, and paper industries (e. g. sawdust, branches) were used to prepare biochar, which was then oxidized using nitric acid to produce catalytic carboxylic acid functionalized biochar. This oxidized biochar, ox–bc, in the presence of a co‐catalyst, showed excellent catalytic activity towards the cycloaddition reaction between CO2 and epoxides using mild conditions (CO2 pressure, 10 bar). No differences in catalytic activity were seen between the two types of oxidized biochar despite the hardwood ox–bc having a significantly higher surface area. The catalysts function through activation of the epoxide reagent via hydrogen‐bonding with carboxylic acid groups on the surface. The number of surface acid groups was reduced by reaction with 3‐aminopropyltriethoxysilane and the resulting material was inactive in the reactions studied. The ox–bc catalysts are sustainable, economic, and renewable alternatives for currently used heterogeneous systems and are also the first carbon‐based materials derived from biomass to exhibit good recyclability (over five runs) with a broad substrate scope for the production of cyclic carbonates from epoxides and CO2.
Fast detection and DOA estimation of the unknown wideband signal sources
Authors: Bilgehan Bülent , Abdelbari Amr 
Published: April 2019

SummaryThe direction of arrival (DOA) estimation analysis requires prior knowledge of frequency‐related information of the incident wideband signals, eg, center frequency and bandwidth, which are not available in many cases. This research is based on applications where DOA estimation of the wideband signal source is unknown, eg, in astronomy and unauthorized transmissions. Therefore, this paper has two major contributions. The first contribution is to identify the frequency spectrum of the wideband signals transmitted from an unknown source. The method use edge detection prestage to identify the frequency spectrum of the received signal. The second contribution is to estimate the DOA of the wideband signal at higher accuracy while keeping a minimum computational cost. The estimation of the DOAs was analyzed by measuring the orthogonal relationship between the signal and the noise subspaces of multiple frequency components of the sources. The introduced method utilizes subband as a reference frequency based on the extracted frequency‐related information rather than examining the complete incoming signal spectrum and exploits the spatial information of a few subbands. The introduced algorithm is implemented based on the well‐known method, test of orthogonality of projected subspaces (TOPS). Tests are conducted on a range of wideband signals with extreme values of signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR). Considerable performance improvement is obtained.
Maternity waiting homes as a cost‐effective intervention in rural Liberia
Authors: Buser Julie M. , Munro‐Kramer Michelle L. , Carney Monica , Kofa Alphonso , Cole G. Gorma , Lori Jody R. 
Published: April 2019

AbstractObjectiveTo analyze the cost‐effectiveness of maternity waiting homes (MWHs) in rural Liberia by examining the cost per life saved and economic effect of MWHs on maternal mortality.MethodsA cost‐effectiveness analysis was used to evaluate costs and economic effect of MWHs on maternal mortality in rural Liberia to guide future resource allocation. A secondary data analysis was performed based on a prior quasi‐experimental cohort study of 10 rural primary healthcare facilities, five with a MWH and five without a MWH, that took place from October 30, 2010 to February 28, 2015.ResultsCalculations signified a low cost per year of life saved at MWHs in a rural district in Liberia. Total population‐adjusted number of women's lives saved over 3 years was 6.25.ConclusionWhile initial costs were considerable, over a period of 10 or more years MWHs could be a cost‐effective and affordable strategy to reduce maternal mortality rates in Liberia. Discussion of the scaling up of MWH interventions for improving maternal outcomes in Liberia and other low‐ and middle‐income countries is justified. Findings can be used to advocate for policy changes to increase the apportionment of resources for building more MWHs in low resource settings.
Protective effect of vildagliptin on TNF‐α‐induced chondrocyte senescence
Authors: Bi Jianping , Cai Wusheng , Ma Teng , Deng Aiwei , Ma Ping , Han Ye , Lou Chunbiao , Wu Leilei 
Published: April 2019

ABSTRACTOsteoarthritis (OA) is a common age‐related disorder. Chondrocytes in joint tissue play a critical role in normal articular cartilage function and tissue homeostasis. Local inflammatory cytokine‐induced chondrocyte senescence contributes to the development and progression of OA. Various dipeptidyl peptidase‐4 (DPP‐4) inhibitors have been widely used to treat type 2 diabetes. Here, we report a novel pharmacological role of the DPP‐4 inhibitor vildagliptin in chondrocyte senescence. Our data indicate that DPP‐4 is an inducible factor responsive to tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) treatment in chondrocytes. The inhibition of DPP‐4 by vildagliptin ameliorates TNF‐α‐induced chondrocyte senescence as determined by cellular senescence‐associated β‐galactosidase (SA‐β‐Gal) activity. Vildagliptin displayed protective capabilities against TNF‐α‐induced chondrocyte cell cycle arrest in the G1 phase. Moreover, vildagliptin suppresses the three major TNF‐α‐induced chondrocyte senescence proteins including p53, p21, and plasminogen activator inhibitor‐1 (PAI‐1). Vildagliptin also suppresses TNF‐α‐induced p53 acetylation at K382. Consistently, our findings demonstrate the inhibitory effect of vildagliptin on p53 acetylation, which is mediated by sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) as the inhibition of SIRT1 negated the inhibitory action of vildagliptin on p53 acetylation. Furthermore, we found that the effect of vildagliptin on SIRT1 protection is adenosine 5′‐monophosphate (AMP)‐activated protein kinase (AMPK) dependent, and the inhibition of AMPK activity negated the protection of vildagliptin against SIRT1 and chondrocytes senescence. In conclusion, our study explored the molecular mechanism and protective effect of the antidiabetic drug vildagliptin against chondrocyte senescence, and our findings imply that vildagliptin has a therapeutic potential in OA. © 2019 IUBMB Life, 1–2, 2019
Association of expression quantitative trait loci for long noncoding RNAs with lung cancer risk in Asians
Authors: Sun Qi , Wang Yuzhuo , Fan Jingyi , Li Zhihua , Zhang Jiahui , Wang Lijuan , Fan Xikang , Ji Mengmeng , Zhu Meng , Dai Juncheng , Ma Hongxia , Jin Guangfu , Hu Zhibin , Shen Hongbing 
Published: April 2019

AbstractIdentification of long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) expression quantitative trait loci (lncR‐eQTL) that associated with lung cancer can provide insights into regulatory mechanisms of lncRNA, and help reveal the role of lncRNA in lung cancer. A two‐stage case‐control design was implemented in this study. We first selected the lncRNAs that differently expressed based on the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) project (75 normal and 708 tumor tissues) and identified eQTLs for selected lncRNAs based on data of 278 normal lung tissues from the the genotype‐tissue expression database. Then we selected lncR‐eQTLs that associated with lung cancer based on two lung cancer GWAS datasets (7127 cases and 6818 controls). Promising lncR‐eQTLs were further replicated in an additional population (1056 cases and 1053 controls). Functional annotations of the identified lncR‐eQTLs and related lncRNAs were finally performed by using multiple public databases. Our eQTL analysis finally detected three lncRNA‐eQTLs, rs793544 in 3q13.12 (odds ratio [OR] = 1.15; confidence interval [CI]:1.09‐1.22; P = 2.30 × 10−6), rs7234707 in 18p11.31 (OR = 1.1; CI:1.05‐1.15; P = 9.01 × 10−5) and rs1600249 in 8p23.1 (OR = 1.1; CI:1.05‐1.16; P = 1.27 × 10−4), that were consistently associated with the risk of lung cancer. These findings indicate that lncR‐eQTLs may serve as novel susceptibility markers for lung cancer.
Efficacy and safety of lithium and lamotrigine for the maintenance treatment of clinically stable patients with bipolar disorder: A systematic review and meta‐analysis of double‐blind, randomized, placebo‐controlled trials with an enrichment design
Authors: Oya Kazuto , Sakuma Kenji , Esumi Satoru , Hashimoto Yasuhiko , Hatano Masakazu , Matsuda Yuki , Matsui Yuki , Miyake Nobumi , Nomura Ikuo , Okuya Makoto , Iwata Nakao , Kato Masaki , Hashimoto Ryota , Mishima Kazuo , Watanabe Norio , Kishi Taro 
Published: April 2019

AbstractAimWhether patients with adult bipolar disorder (BD) who have been clinically stabilized with lithium or lamotrigine should continue this medication is not established fully. This systematic review and meta‐analysis evaluated the efficacy and safety of lithium and lamotrigine for maintenance treatment in clinically stable patients with adult BD.MethodsThis meta‐analysis included only double‐blind, randomized, placebo‐controlled trials with an enrichment design that selected patients who responded acutely to lithium or lamotrigine. Reports prior to November 15, 2018, were retrieved from the PubMed/Cochrane Library/Embase. The primary outcome was the relapse rate due to any mood episode at the study endpoint. Other outcomes were relapse rates due to a manic/hypomanic/mixed episode or depression at the study endpoint, discontinuation rate, death, and death by suicide. Risk ratios (RRs) (95% confidence intervals) were calculated. When the random‐effects model showed significant differences between groups, the number‐needed‐to‐treat (NNT) was estimated.ResultsThe search retrieved two studies regarding lithium (N = 218) and four evaluating lamotrigine (N = 706). Both drugs were superior to placebo for reducing the relapse rate due to any mood episode [lithium: RR = 0.52 (0.41‐0.66), P < 0.00001, I2 = 0%, NNT = 2.3 (1.6‐4.2); lamotrigine: RR = 0.81 (0.70‐0.93), P = 0.004, I2 = 0%, NNT = 8.3 (5.0‐25.0)] and all‐cause discontinuation. There were no significant differences in other outcomes between lithium or lamotrigine and the placebo groups.ConclusionBoth drugs showed benefit for preventing relapse in clinically stable patients with adult BD. However, the number of studies and patients in this analysis was small.
Effect of processing parameters on the fabrication of fiber metal laminates by vacuum infusion process
Authors: Dariushi Soheil , Rezadoust Amir M. , Kashizadeh Roya 
Published: April 2019

AbstractFiber metal laminates (FMLs) are hybrid structures made of fibrous composite layers that are located between thin metal layers and joined together by resin. In the current fabrication process, FMLs require prepreg and use of an autoclave or press. This will increase the cost of production and limit the size of the piece to the dimensions of the autoclave or press. Hence, there is an interest in finding methods of construction that are affordable and have no dimensional limitations but also does not reduce the quality of the part. Vacuum infusion is a convenient and economical way to provide high‐quality composite components. In this article, the possibility to construct FMLs with this method, as well as the effects of different parameters such as the number of layers, the type of fiber, and the presence of holes in metal layers on the time and quality of parts, is investigated. The fibers used consisted of unidirectional fibers (300 and 600 g/m2), woven, and CFM (300 g/m2). The results show that, increasing the number of fibrous layers, metal sheets or using woven fibers increased the infusion time, and the presence of holes in aluminum layers or using CFM fibers reduced the infusion time. However, the presence of holes in aluminum layers significantly reduces the time of infusion but weakens the mechanical properties of the FMLs. The results of the tensile tests showed that, although the elastic modulus does not change, ultimate strength and fracture strain of the specimen containing holes were 9% and 27% less than the specimen without hole, respectively.
Property improvement of a fibrous composite using functionalized carbon nanofibers
Authors: Anjabin Reza , Khosravi Hamed 
Published: April 2019

AbstractThis work focuses on the preparation and characterization of multiscale epoxy‐matrix composites reinforced by basalt fibers and carbon nanofiber (CNF). CNF powders were first functionalized with 3‐aminopropyltrimethoxysilane and characterized by Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis; then, the epoxy resin was incorporated with 0.05 wt%, 0.1 wt%, 0.3 wt%, and 0.5 wt% f‐CNF. The influence of functionalized‐CNF (f‐CNF) loading on the interlaminar shear strength (ILSS), tensile, and wear behaviors of the multiscale basalt fiber/epoxy composites was studied. Whereas a relatively small improvement (12%) in tensile strength was achieved, a remarkable enhancement in ILSS (73%) was obtained for the multiscale specimen with an f‐CNF loading of 0.3 wt%. Also, the multiscale specimen filled with 0.5 wt% f‐CNF showed an improvement of 37% in tensile modulus. The wear rate and friction coefficient of the 0.3 wt% f‐CNF loaded composite were decreased by 56% and 38% with respect to the neat specimen, respectively. To establish the microstructure‐property relationship, the worn and fractured surfaces of the specimens were analyzed.
Herbicidal activity of isobenzofuranones and in silico identification of their enzyme target
Authors: Teixeira Milena G , Alvarenga Elson S , Lopes Dayane T , Oliveira Denilson F 
Published: April 2019

AbstractBACKGROUNDGiven the weed resistance to various herbicides with different mechanisms of action, the search for new compounds that are more effective and exhibit low levels of impact to other species in nature has been imperative in the field of the agriculture. For this purpose, 16 phthalides, and furan‐2(5H)‐one were synthetized and evaluated for their effectiveness as herbicides in seeds of Sorghum bicolor (sorghum), Cucumis sativus (cucumber), and Allium cepa (onion). Furthermore, a preliminary in silico study was carried out to identify the enzyme target of the most active compounds.RESULTSIn the assays with S. bicolor, the mixture rac‐(3aR,4R,5S,6S,7S,7aS)‐5,6‐dibromohexahydro‐4,7‐methanoisobenzofuran‐1(3H)‐one + rac‐(3aR,4R,5R,6R,7S,7aS)‐5,6‐dibromohexahydro‐4,7‐methanoisobenzofuran‐1(3H)‐one (15a + 15b) showed comparable inhibitory activity to (S)‐metolachlor, which was used as control herbicide at concentrations ranging from 50 μm to 1000 μm. The developments of the seeds evaluated were altered by all 17 compounds, either stimulating or inhibiting. The best results were presented by compounds 15a, and 15b, either in their pure form or as a mixture.CONCLUSIONThe results presented by 15a, and 15b were superior to the activity of the commercial herbicide (S)‐metolachlor in the assays with C. sativus, and A. cepa. The in silico study provides strong evidence that the most active compounds bind to strigolactones esterases D14 through the same binding site of (5R)‐5‐hydroxy‐3‐methylfuran‐2(5H)‐one (H3M), which is one of the strigolactones (SLs) cleavage products. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Two‐dimensional gas chromatographic method for direct determination of formalin
Authors: Tharpa Kalsang , Diwakar Makarand , Tantry Sudha , Naidu Kola S. , Rosa A. D. , Deshpande Raj 
Published: April 2019

AbstractA direct two‐dimensional gas chromatographic method is proposed for simultaneous determination of aqueous formaldehyde and other products present in the reaction sample. Using Deans switch, HCHO‐H2O peak pair eluting from the first dimension column is heart cut into the second column where H2O and HCHO are separated and quantified using thermal conductivity detection. Formaldehyde being a dissolved gas, the influence of the plunger speed on the repeatability was investigated. A reduction in the plunger speed from 300 (default) to 5 μL/min results in a major improvement in repeatability precision from 9.6 to 0.7 (RSD). The method is being used to quantify initial and final amount of HCHO in the range 0.02–0.36 g/g, along with other reaction products. The proposed method is validated by analyzing three commercial aqueous formaldehydes using two different techniques: USP29‐NF24 (by titrimetry) and derivatization method involving HCHO‐2,4‐dinitrophenylhydrazine derivative on a high‐performance liquid chromatography with UV detection system.
Large Deviation Principles of Obstacle Problems for Quasilinear Stochastic PDEs
Authors: Matoussi Anis , Sabbagh Wissal , Zhang Tusheng 
Published: April 2019

AbstractIn this paper, we first present a sufficient condition(a variant) for the large deviation criteria of Budhiraja, Dupuis and Maroulas for functionals of Brownian motions. The sufficient condition is particularly more suitable for stochastic differential/partial differential equations with reflection. We then apply the sufficient condition to establish a large deviation principle for obstacle problems of quasi-linear stochastic partial differential equations. It turns out that the backward stochastic differential equations will also play an important role.
Evolution of multicellularity: cheating done right
Authors: Veit Walter 
Published: April 2019

AbstractFor decades Darwinian processes were framed in the form of the Lewontin conditions: reproduction, variation and differential reproductive success were taken to be sufficient and necessary. Since Buss (The evolution of individuality, Princeton University Press, Princeton, 1987) and the work of Maynard Smith and Szathmary (The major transitions in evolution, Oxford University Press, Oxford, 1995) biologists were eager to explain the major transitions from individuals to groups forming new individuals subject to Darwinian mechanisms themselves. Explanations that seek to explain the emergence of a new level of selection, however, cannot employ properties that would already have to exist on that level for selection to take place. Recently, Hammerschmidt et al. (Nature 515:75–79, 2014) provided a ‘bottom-up’ experiment corroborating much of the theoretical work Paul Rainey has done since 2003 on how cheats can play an important role in the emergence of new Darwinian individuals on a multicellular level. The aims of this paper are twofold. First, I argue for a conceptual shift in perspective from seeing cheats as (1) a ‘problem’ that needs to be solved for multi-cellularity to evolve to (2) the very ‘key’ for the evolution of multicellularity. Secondly, I illustrate the consequences of this shift for both theoretical and experimental work, arguing for a more prominent role of ecology and the multi-level selection framework within the debate then they currently occupy.
Family well-being is valued more than personal well-being: A four-country study
Authors: Krys Kuba , Capaldi Colin A. , Zelenski John M. , Park Joonha , Nader Martin , Kocimska-Zych Agata , Kwiatkowska Anna , Michalski Piotr , Uchida Yukiko 
Published: April 2019

AbstractWell-being is recognized as a fundamental human goal and a universal human aspiration. However, some cross-country studies suggest that the desirability of the most often studied concept of well-being—personal life satisfaction—varies across countries, and we know little about the desirability of other types of well-being. Extending this novel area of research, we argue that focusing on the family (as compared to the individual) as the subject of well-being may be another important distinction in how well-being is conceptualized and valued. With data collected in four countries that tend to occupy different positions in rankings of personal life satisfaction (i.e., Canada, Colombia, Japan, and Poland), we document that, irrespective of cultural context, family well-being is valued over personal well-being. These findings suggest that policy makers and scientists may need to pay more attention to family well-being than they currently do.
Les guerriers et leurs domestiques dans la ville seigneuriale de Hagi
Authors: Tôru Morishita 
Published: April 2019

RésuméLa société du Japon de l’époque d’Edo était dominée par les guerriers (bushi), regroupés dans des villes sous la surveillance de leurs seigneurs, les daimyô. Ces guerriers, coupés de toute activité productive agricole ou artisanale, ou du commerce, vivaient de l’exploitation du travail des paysans et entretenaient une nombreuse domesticité. L’historiographie s’est longtemps interrogée sur la place de ces valets de guerriers dans la société des Tokugawa : étaient-ils aux derniers échelons de la condition guerrière ou devaient-ils être assimilés à la masse des domestiques employés par le reste de la population ? L’étude du cas du fief de Hagi montre que la domesticité guerrière était en réalité intimement liée au fonctionnement des vasselages et au prestige de la condition des bushi. Quoiqu’étant des travailleurs sans qualification et à l’origine sans patrimoine, les valets n’en recherchaient pas moins des moyens de sécuriser des positions avantageuses qu’ils avaient pu obtenir, en subvertissant ainsi les hiérarchies sociales.
The Emerging Infectious Challenge ofClostridium difficile-Associated Disease in Massachusetts Hospitals: Clinical and Economic Consequences
Authors: O'Brien Judith A. , Lahue Betsy J. , Caro J. Jaime , Davidson David M. 
Published: April 2019

Objective.To estimate the clinical and economic burden ofClostridium difficile-associated disease (CDAD) in Massachusetts over 2 years.Design.A retrospective analysis of Massachusetts hospital discharge data from 1999-2003 was conducted. Cases of CDAD in 2000 were identified using code 008.45 from theInternational Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification; patients were excluded if they had a hospitalization in the prior year during which a diagnosis of CDAD was recorded. Hospitalizations for CDAD during 2001 and 2002 were examined. For primary case patients (ie, those for which CDAD was the principal diagnosis), all inpatient costs were deemed to be related, whereas for secondary case patients, all-patient refined diagnosis-related group assignment, case severity level, and length of stay (LOS) were used to calculate incremental costs attributable to CDAD. Costs were adjusted to the national level and reported in 2005 US dollars.Results.The CDAD cohort consisted of 3,692 patients; 59% were women, and the mean age was 70 years. This group represented 1% of all patients hospitalized in Massachusetts in 2000 (96% of hospitals treated at least 1 case; range, 1-257 cases). Of patients who received a first hospital diagnosis of CDAD in 2000, a total of 28% were primary case patients; their mean LOS was 6.4 days, and the mean cost per stay was $10,212. For secondary case patients, the mean CDAD-related incremental LOS was 2.95 days, and the mean incremental cost per stay was $13,675 per patient. Of patients with CDAD who survived their index stay in 2000, a total of 455 (14%) had at least 1 readmission for CDAD within the subsequent 2 years (mean number of readmissions, 1.4 per patient; range, 1-7 readmissions), with a mean time to first readmission of 3 months. Over 2 years, a total of 55,380 inpatient-days and $51.2 million were consumed by CDAD management.Conclusion.CDAD is widespread in Massachusetts hospitals. Rehospitalization with CDAD, if it occurs, generally happens within a few months and happens multiple times for some patients. Based on this study's findings, a conservative estimate of the annual US cost for CDAD management is $3.2 billion dollars.