bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Efficiency of Biodegradable and pH‐Responsive Polysuccinimide Nanoparticles (PSI‐NPs) as Smart Nanodelivery Systems in Grapefruit: In Vitro Cellular Investigation
Authors: Xin Xiaoping , He Zhenli , Hill Megan R. , Niedz Randall P. , Jiang Xianjun , Sumerlin Brent S. 
Published: June 2018

AbstractBiodegradable pH‐responsive polysuccinimide nanoparticles (PSI‐NPs) are synthesized for directly delivering agrochemicals to plant phloem to improve their efficacy. The PSI‐NPs have an average size of 20.6 nm with negative charge on the surface. The desired responsiveness to changes in pH is demonstrated by release efficiency of the model molecule (Coumarin 6), which increases with increasing pH over 24 h. The internalization of PSI‐NPs into grapefruit cells occurs in 10 min, and into nucleus in 2 h, with most of the PSI‐NPs being distributed in cytoplasm and nucleus. The proportion of PSI‐NPs in plant cells significantly increases with time, from 19.1% at 10 min to 55.5% at 2 h of administering. The PSI‐NPs do not show significant inhibitory effects on soil microbial growth and activity. These results indicate that this smart nanodelivery system has potential of application in agriculture for mitigating phloem‐limited diseases, such as citrus huanglongbing.
Altered serum levels of glial cell line‐derived neurotrophic factor in male chronic schizophrenia patients with tardive dyskinesia
Authors: Ye Fei , Zhan Qiongqiong , Xiao Wenhuan , Sha Weiwei , Zhang Xiaobin 
Published: June 2018

AbstractObjectivesMany research indicate that the tardive dyskinesia (TD) is generally linked with long‐term antipsychotic therapy for schizophrenia. Glial cell line‐derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) is a critical role in the protection of catecholaminergic, dopaminergic, and cholinergic neurons. Thus, we examined the serum GDNF levels in schizophrenia patients with TD (WTD) and without TD (NTD) and compared with healthy controls (HC), respectively.MethodsTotally 75 males with schizophrenia were recruited into this study. All were measured by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition, the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale, and the Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale (AIMS). The patient group was divided into two subgroups: WTD (n = 32) and NTD (n = 43) according to the AIMS score. Fifty‐three healthy controls matching in age and gender were also enlisted from the region. GDNF levels were examined with sandwich enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay.ResultsAnalysis of variance indicated significant differences between the three groups (P = 0.012); GDNF levels in the WTD group were significantly different from those in the NTD (P = 0.030) and HC (P = 0.003) groups.ConclusionDecreased GDNF levels in TD patients indicated that alterations in neurotrophic factors may be involved in the pathophysiology of TD, but the exact mechanisms need further investigation.
Examining the role of social support and spirituality on the general health perceptions of Hispanic cancer survivors
Authors: Ochoa Carol Y. , Haardörfer Regine , Escoffery Cam , Stein Kevin , Alcaraz Kassandra I. 
Published: June 2018

AbstractObjectiveAlthough cancer survival rates continue to improve, overall disparities persist for ethnic minority survivors, who have a disproportionately high risk of experiencing poor quality of life, despite documented higher levels of self‐reported spirituality. Yet little is known about the relationship between spirituality and social support and health outcomes among Hispanic survivors. This study examined (1) differences between Hispanic and non‐Hispanic white survivors on health, social support, and spirituality and (2) the potential mediating roles of mental health and emotional distress on general health perceptions.MethodsWe analyzed data (N = 7778) from the American Cancer Society's Study of Cancer Survivors‐II, a national cross‐sectional study of adult cancer survivors. Preliminary analysis compared sociodemographic and medical characteristics between the 2 groups to identify significant covariates. Structural equation modeling assessed whether mental health and emotional distress mediate the impact of social support and spirituality on Hispanics' general health perceptions.ResultsOverall, 693 survivors were Hispanic and 7085 were non‐Hispanic whites. Hispanics reported poorer health and were more likely to have comorbid conditions such as diabetes and depression compared with non‐Hispanic whites. Structural equation modeling indicated that the impact of spirituality on general health perceptions was fully mediated through mental health. Emotional distress did not have a direct effect on general health perceptions nor did it mediate effects of spirituality and social support and on general health perceptions. There was a mediated effect of social support on general health perceptions.ConclusionsSpirituality is an important factor in the health of Hispanic survivors. Future studies should explore the impact and effectiveness of spiritual interventions and the beneficial effect for mental health on general health perceptions.
Acyclic peptides incorporating the d‐Phe‐2‐Abz turn motif: Investigations on antimicrobial activity and propensity to adopt β‐hairpin conformations
Authors: Cameron Alan J. , Varnava Kyriakos G. , Edwards Patrick J. B. , Harjes Elena , Sarojini Vijayalekshmi 
Published: June 2018

Three linear peptides incorporating d‐Phe‐2‐Abz as the turn motif are reported. Peptide 1, a hydrophobic β‐hairpin, served as a proof of principle for the design strategy with both NMR and CD spectra strongly suggesting a β‐hairpin conformation. Peptides 2 and 3, designed as amphipathic antimicrobials, exhibited broad spectrum antimicrobial activity, with potency in the nanomolar range against Staphylococcus aureus. Both compounds possess a high degree of selectivity, proving non‐haemolytic at concentrations 500 to 800 times higher than their respective minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) against S. aureus. Peptide 2 induced cell membrane and cell wall disintegration in both S. aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa as observed by transmission electron microscopy. Peptide 2 also demonstrated moderate antifungal activity against Candida albicans with an MIC of 50 μM. Synergism was observed with sub‐MIC levels of amphotericin B (AmB), leading to nanomolar MICs against C. albicans for peptide 2. Based on circular dichroism spectra, both peptides 2 and 3 appear to exist as a mixture of conformers with the β‐hairpin as a minor conformer in aqueous solution, and a slight increase in hairpin population in 50% trifluoroethanol, which was more pronounced for peptide 3. NMR spectra of peptide 2 in a 1:1 CD3CN/H2O mixture and 30 mM deuterated sodium dodecyl sulfate showed evidence of an extended backbone conformation of the β‐strand residues. However, inter‐strand rotating frame Overhauser effects (ROE) could not be detected and a loosely defined divergent hairpin structure resulted from ROE structure calculation in CD3CN/H2O. The loosely defined hairpin conformation is most likely a result of the electrostatic repulsions between cationic strand residues which also probably contribute towards maintaining low haemolytic activity.
Payload‐centric autonomy for in‐space robotic assembly of modular space structures
Authors: Karumanchi Sisir , Edelberg Kyle , Nash Jeremy , Bergh Charles , Smith Russell , Emanuel Blair , Carlton Jason , Koehler John , Kim Junggon , Mukherjee Rudranarayan , Kennedy Brett , Backes Paul 
Published: June 2018

AbstractThe paper addresses the problem of constructing large space structures (∼100 m) by using autonomous robots to assemble modular components in space. We are motivated by the problem of creating space structures at a scale greater than what is feasible with a single self‐deploying design. We had two goals in this work. The first was to investigate and demonstrate the feasibility of long‐order multitask autonomy. The second was to study the balance between required tolerances in hardware design and robotic autonomy. This paper reports on a payload‐centric autonomy paradigm and presents results from laboratory demonstrations of automated assembly of structures using a multilimbed robotic platform. We present results with deployable 20 lb payloads (1 m trusses) that are robotically assembled to form a 3‐m diameter kinematically closed loop structure to subcentimeter accuracy. The robot uses its limbs to deploy the stowed modular structural components, manipulate them in free space, and assemble them via dual‐arm force control. We report on results and lessons learned from multiple successful end‐to‐end in‐lab demonstrations of autonomous truss assembly with JPL's RoboSimian robot originally developed for the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). Videos of these demonstrations can be seen at https://goo.gl/muNLJp (JPL, ). Each end‐to‐end run took precisely 26 min to execute with very little variance across runs. We present changes/improvements to the RoboSimian system post‐DARPA Robotics Challenge (DRC) (Karumanchi et al., ). The new architecture has been improved with a focus on scalable autonomy as opposed to semiautonomy as required at the DRC.
Upgrading of HMF and Biomass‐Derived Acids into HMF Esters Using Bifunctional Ionic Liquid Catalysts under Solvent Free Conditions
Authors: Kumar Komal , Dahiya Aditi , Patra Tanmoy , Upadhyayula Sreedevi 
Published: June 2018

AbstractCatalytic conversions of biomass‐derived compounds like 5‐hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) and levulinic acid (LA) to value‐added compounds have drawn tremendous interest in recent years. In this study, we report the catalytic upgrading of HMF into HMF levulinate and HMF esters under solvent‐free condition using laboratory‐synthesized bifunctional ionic liquid (IL) catalysts. The synthesized ILs were characterized using 1H NMR and 13C NMR spectroscopy. Pyridine Fourier transform Infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR) studies were carried out for their detailed Brønsted and Lewis acidity characterization. Catalytic activity of these ILs was tested in the conversion of HMF into HMF levulinate in the temperature range of 75 to 120 °C and 5 h reaction time using 150 mg each of IL catalyst and 4 Å molecular sieves with LA to HMF molar ratio of 5:1. It was found that strong dual acidic catalyst [SMIM][FeCl4] was found to exhibit highest catalytic activity with 97.0% HMF conversion and 78.1% yield of HMF levuliante. Catalytic activity decreased in the order: [SMIM][FeCl4]> [BSO3HMIm][FeCl4]> [SMIM][Cl]> [BSO3HMIm][Cl]> [BMIM][FeCl4]> [BMIM][Cl]. The reaction parameters such as reaction time, temperature, mole ratio of the reactants, and effect of catalyst loading were optimized.The recyclability of these bifunctional catalysts was also tested and found to be intact for three recycles.
Bestimmung von Ausgas‐ und Desorptionsraten mittels Restgasanalysator
Authors: Barfuss Heinz , Pfeifer Frank 
Published: June 2018

SummaryDetermination of Outgassing and Desorption Rates by Means of Residual Gas AnalysisEspecially when using plastic materials in vacuum chambers it is essential to know the amount of gases outgassing from the surface of those materials. Depending on the so‐called outgassing or desorption rate one can decide if the proposed plastic material is suited for the desired application and how the vacuum system has to be configured, so that the use of the particular material makes sense. The article will demonstrate by means of 2 examples that there exist temperature‐dependent outgassing behaviors of different materials. It also gives an overview of the measuring equipment set up to determine the outgassing rates.
Metabolomics profiling reveals the mechanism of increased pneumocandin B0 production by comparing mutant and parent strains
Authors: Song Ping , Yuan Kai , Qin Tingting , Zhang Ke , Ji Xiao-jun , Ren Lujing , Guan Rongfeng , Wen Jianping , Huang He 
Published: June 2018

Abstract
Metabolic profiling was used to discover mechanisms of increased pneumocandin B0 production in a high-yield strain by comparing it with its parent strain. Initially, 79 intracellular metabolites were identified, and the levels of 15 metabolites involved in six pathways were found to be directly correlated with pneumocandin B0 biosynthesis. Then by combining the analysis of key enzymes, acetyl-CoA and NADPH were identified as the main factors limiting pneumocandin B0 biosynthesis. Other metabolites, such as pyruvate, α-ketoglutaric acid, lactate, unsaturated fatty acids and previously unreported metabolite γ-aminobutyric acid were shown to play important roles in pneumocandin B0 biosynthesis and cell growth. Finally, the overall metabolic mechanism hypothesis was formulated and a rational feeding strategy was implemented that increased the pneumocandin B0 yield from 1821 to 2768 mg/L. These results provide practical and theoretical guidance for strain selection, medium optimization, and genetic engineering for pneumocandin B0 production.
Advances in functional magnetic resonance imaging data analysis methods using Empirical Mode Decomposition to investigate temporal changes in early Parkinson's disease
Authors: Cordes Dietmar , Zhuang Xiaowei , Kaleem Muhammad , Sreenivasan Karthik , Yang Zhengshi , Mishra Virendra , Banks Sarah J. , Bluett Brent , Cummings Jeffrey L. 
Published: June 2018

AbstractIntroductionPrevious neuroimaging studies of Parkinson's disease (PD) patients have shown changes in whole‐brain functional connectivity networks. Whether connectivity changes can be detected in the early stages (first 3 years) of PD by resting‐state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) remains elusive. Research infrastructure including MRI and analytic capabilities is required to investigate this issue. The National Institutes of Health/National Institute of General Medical Sciences Center for Biomedical Research Excellence awards support infrastructure to advance research goals.MethodsStatic and dynamic functional connectivity analyses were conducted on early stage never‐medicated PD subjects (N = 18) and matched healthy controls (N = 18) from the Parkinson's Progression Markers Initiative.ResultsAltered static and altered dynamic functional connectivity patterns were found in early PD resting‐state fMRI data. Most static networks (with the exception of the default mode network) had a reduction in frequency and energy in specific low‐frequency bands. Changes in dynamic networks in PD were associated with a decreased switching rate of brain states.DiscussionThis study demonstrates that in early PD, resting‐state fMRI networks show spatial and temporal differences of fMRI signal characteristics. However, the default mode network was not associated with any measurable changes. Furthermore, by incorporating an optimum window size in a dynamic functional connectivity analysis, we found altered whole‐brain temporal features in early PD, showing that PD subjects spend significantly more time than healthy controls in a specific brain state. These findings may help in improving diagnosis of early never‐medicated PD patients. These key observations emerged in a Center for Biomedical Research Excellence–supported research environment.
Collisionless distribution functions for force-free current sheets: using a pressure transformation to lower the plasma beta
Authors: Wilson F. , Neukirch T. , Allanson O. 
Published: June 2018

So far, only one distribution function giving rise to a collisionless nonlinear force-free current sheet equilibrium allowing for a plasma beta less than one is known (Allansonet al.,Phys. Plasmas, vol. 22 (10), 2015, 102116; Allansonet al.,J. Plasma Phys., vol. 82 (3), 2016a, 905820306). This distribution function can only be expressed as an infinite series of Hermite functions with very slow convergence and this makes its practical use cumbersome. It is the purpose of this paper to present a general method that allows us to find distribution functions consisting of a finite number of terms (therefore easier to use in practice), but which still allow for current sheet equilibria that can, in principle, have an arbitrarily low plasma beta. The method involves using known solutions and transforming them into new solutions using transformations based on taking integer powers ($N$) of one component of the pressure tensor. The plasma beta of the current sheet corresponding to the transformed distribution functions can then, in principle, have values as low as$1/N$. We present the general form of the distribution functions for arbitrary$N$and then, as a specific example, discuss the case for$N=2$in detail.
Response of Walnuts to Simulated Drift Rates of Bispyribac-Sodium, Bensulfuron-Methyl, and Propanil
Authors: Galla Mariano F. , Al-Khatib Kassim , Hanson Bradley D. 
Published: June 2018

AbstractA field study was established to study symptoms, growth and yield of 2-year-old walnut trees exposure to simulated drift of several herbicides commonly used in rice production. Bispyribac-sodium, bensulfuron-methyl, and propanil were applied at four rates representing 0.5%, 1%, 3% and 10% of the normal use rate in rice (45, 70, and 6725 g ai ha−1, for the three herbicides respectively). Symptoms started to appear approximately 7 days after application (DAT) and peaked 28 DAT. At that time, bispyribac-sodium caused greater injury at low drift rates (6% and 15% visual injury for 0.5% and 1% rate, respectively) compared to bensulfuron-methyl and propanil. Bispyribac-sodium also appeared to slow walnut shoot elongation compared to nontreated trees; however, no yield reductions were observed either in the year after drift exposure. The effect of bispyribac-sodium simulated drift on the yield and nut quality in the year of drift exposure was evaluated in a separate study on 3-year-old walnut trees. While no yield or nut quality reductions were observed, a linear correlation between rate of bispyribac-sodium and color, an important quality factor, was found: higher herbicide rates tended to be associated with darker kernel color. Bispyribac-sodium may damage nearby walnut orchards if drifted at significant amounts. However, it is unlikely that in a field situation bispyribac-sodium would drift at high enough levels to cause the symptoms observed from the 10% use rates in this study.
Large‐Scale Droughts Responsible for Dramatic Reductions of Terrestrial Net Carbon Uptake Over North America in 2011 and 2012
Authors: He Wei , Ju Weimin , Schwalm Christopher R. , Sippel Sebastian , Wu Xiaocui , He Qiaoning , Song Lian , Zhang Chunhua , Li Jing , Sitch Stephen , Viovy Nicolas , Friedlingstein Pierre , Jain Atul K. 
Published: June 2018

AbstractRecently, severe droughts that occurred in North America are likely to have impacted its terrestrial carbon sink. However, process‐based understanding of how meteorological conditions prior to the onset of drought, for instance warm or cold springs, affect drought‐induced carbon cycle effects remains scarce. Here we assess and compare the response of terrestrial carbon fluxes to summer droughts in 2011 and 2012 characterized by contrasting spring conditions. The analysis is based on a comprehensive ensemble of carbon cycle models, including FLUXCOM, TRENDY v5, SiBCASA, CarbonTracker Europe, and CarbonTracker, and emerging Earth observations. In 2011, large reductions of net ecosystem production (NEP; −0.24 ± 0.17 Pg C/year) are due to decreased gross primary production (−0.17 ± 0.18 Pg C/year) and slightly increased ecosystem respiration (+0.07 ± 0.17 Pg C/year). Conversely, in 2012, NEP reductions (−0.17 ± 0.25 Pg C/year) are attributed to a larger increase of ecosystem respiration (+0.48 ± 0.27 Pg C/year) than gross primary production (+0.31 ± 0.29 Pg C/year), induced predominantly by an extra warmer spring prior to summer drought. Two temperate ecoregions crops/agriculture and the grass/shrubs contribute largest to these reductions and also dominate the interannual variations of NEP during 2007–2014. Moreover, the warming spring compensated largely the negative carbon anomaly due to summer drought, consistent with earlier studies; however, the compensation occurred only in some specific ecoregions. Overall, our analysis offers a refined view on recent carbon cycle variability and extremes in North America. It corroborates earlier results but also highlights differences with respect to ecoregion‐specific carbon cycle responses to drought and heat.
Trenddiäten und Modekostformen
Authors: Poschwatta-Rupp Sabine 
Published: June 2018

ZusammenfassungAuch in Zeiten des Internets und von Smartphone-Apps werden die offiziellen, für den Verbraucher leicht verständlich aufbereiteten Ernährungsempfehlungen nicht
oder unzureichend umgesetzt. Stattdessen befolgen viele die Vorgaben wissenschaftlich nicht immer nachvollziehbarer Ernährungstrends.
Digitale Bereitstellung von Informationen für Ärzte zum Thema Rehabilitation und Rente – ein Praxistest
Authors: Deck Ruth , Waschkau Alexander , Götz Katja , Schwill Simon , Flum Elisabeth , Steinhäuser Jost 
Published: June 2018

Zusammenfassung
Hintergrund Jährlich werden bei der Deutschen Rentenversicherung ca. 1,6 Mio. Rehabilitationsanträge eingereicht. Niedergelassene Ärzte spielen bei der Antragstellung eine entscheidende Rolle. Studien zeigen, dass bei diesen unterschiedlichen Fachgruppen Wissensdefizite zu den Themen medizinische Rehabilitation, Erkennung von Rehabilitationsbedarf und dem Prozess der Antragstellung existieren. Vor diesem Hintergrund wurde eine eigens an niedergelassene Ärzte adressierte Homepage Infos für Ärzte zu Reha & Rente entwickelt. Ziel der hier vorgestellten Studie war es, diese Homepage einem Praxistest zu unterziehen.
Methodik Der Praxistest wurde mit einem Mixed-Methods-Ansatz durchgeführt: 1) Quantitative Erhebung zum Wissenszuwachs nach Nutzung der Homepage, 2) Beurteilung von Fällen hinsichtlich einer Reha-Indikation und 3) Beurteilung der Benutzerfreundlichkeit der Homepage durch die teilnehmenden Ärzte mittels Think-aloud-Technik.
Ergebnisse Am Praxistest beteiligten sich 79 Ärzte in Weiterbildung zum Facharzt für Allgemeinmedizin. Es bestand ein hoher reha-spezifischer Informationsbedarf, der z. T. durch die Nutzung der Homepage gedeckt werden konnte. Die korrekte Beurteilung von Reha-Fällen verbesserte sich unter Zuhilfenahme der Homepage für Ärzte mit Antragserfahrung. Die Homepage wurde als übersichtlich und hilfreich, die Texte als zu umfangreich erlebt.
Schlussfolgerungen Die Homepage ist gut geeignet, um niedergelassene Ärzte im Gebiet medizinische Rehabilitation zu unterstützen. Einige Impulse für die Optimierung der Inhalte wurden identifiziert und können helfen, die Effektivität der Nutzung noch zu steigern.
Organotin(IV) Complexes Containing Sn–O–Se Moieties: A Structural Inventory
Authors: Plasseraud Laurent 
Published: June 2018

This review focuses on organotin compounds exhibiting Sn–O–Se moieties, the molecular structures of which have been previously resolved by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Three distinct classes of compounds have been identified. Thus, the various modes of coordination of selenite, selenate and organoseleninate anions with tin atoms of organotin(IV) fragments are illustrated and detailed.1	Introduction2	Organotin(IV) Selenite Complexes3	Organotin(IV) Selenate Complexes4	Organotin(IV) Organoseleninate Complexes5	Summary
Bilateral Anatomical Variation in the Formation of Trunks of the Brachial Plexus - A Case Report
Authors: Lasch E. , Nazer M. , Bartholdy L. 
Published: June 2018

AbstractThis study presents a bilateral variation in the formation of trunks of brachial plexus in a male cadaver. The right brachial plexus was composed of six roots (C4-T1) and the left brachial plexus of five roots (C5-T1). Both formed four trunks thus changing the contributions of the anterior divisions of the cervical nerves involved in the formation of the cords and the five main somatic motor nerves for the upper limb. There are very few case reports in the scientific literature on this topic; thus making the present study very relevant.