bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Validity and reliability of the 6‐min step test in individuals with coronary artery disease
Authors: Travensolo Cristiane de Fátima , Arcuri Juliano Ferreira , Polito Marcos Doederlein 
Published: October 2019

AbstractObjectiveTo assess the validity and reliability of the 6‐min step test (6MST) in individuals with coronary artery disease (CAD).MethodsIn a randomized and crossover design, 35 patients with CAD (65.8 ± 9.6 years), referred by a physician of a cardiology ambulatory, performed two 6MSTs and two 6‐min walk tests (6MWTs) in order to assess reliability in patients with arterial coronary disease. The order of performance of the tests was established by a draw.Results6MST test–retest reliability was excellent (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.967; 95% CI: 0.766, 0.989; p < .05). There was an increase of 7.9 ± 8.2 steps from the first to the second 6MST, with a technical error of measurement = 8.0; p < .001. The correlations between distance walked in the 6MWT and number of steps in the 6MST in the first and second tests were 0.6 and 0.7 (p < .001), respectively.ConclusionThe 6MST is a reliable test to measure functional capacity in individuals with CAD. The test is valid when using 6MWT as the gold standard. There is an 88% chance of a subject classified in a given tertile by the 6MWT being in the same tertile in the 6MST.
MotifAnalyzer‐PDZ: A computational program to investigate the evolution of PDZ‐binding target specificity
Authors: Valgardson Jordan , Cosbey Robin , Houser Paul , Rupp Milo , Van Bronkhorst Raiden , Lee Michael , Jagodzinski Filip , Amacher Jeanine F. 
Published: October 2019

AbstractRecognition of short linear motifs (SLiMs) or peptides by proteins is an important component of many cellular processes. However, due to limited and degenerate binding motifs, prediction of cellular targets is challenging. In addition, many of these interactions are transient and of relatively low affinity. Here, we focus on one of the largest families of SLiM‐binding domains in the human proteome, the PDZ domain. These domains bind the extreme C‐terminus of target proteins, and are involved in many signaling and trafficking pathways. To predict endogenous targets of PDZ domains, we developed MotifAnalyzer‐PDZ, a program that filters and compares all motif‐satisfying sequences in any publicly available proteome. This approach enables us to determine possible PDZ binding targets in humans and other organisms. Using this program, we predicted and biochemically tested novel human PDZ targets by looking for strong sequence conservation in evolution. We also identified three C‐terminal sequences in choanoflagellates that bind a choanoflagellate PDZ domain, the Monsiga brevicollis SHANK1 PDZ domain (mbSHANK1), with endogenously‐relevant affinities, despite a lack of conservation with the targets of a homologous human PDZ domain, SHANK1. All three are predicted to be signaling proteins, with strong sequence homology to cytosolic and receptor tyrosine kinases. Finally, we analyzed and compared the positional amino acid enrichments in PDZ motif‐satisfying sequences from over a dozen organisms. Overall, MotifAnalyzer‐PDZ is a versatile program to investigate potential PDZ interactions. This proof‐of‐concept work is poised to enable similar types of analyses for other SLiM‐binding domains (e.g., MotifAnalyzer‐Kinase). MotifAnalyzer‐PDZ is available at http://motifAnalyzerPDZ.cs.wwu.edu.
The Urfold: Structural similarity just above the superfold level?
Authors: Mura Cameron , Veretnik Stella , Bourne Philip E. 
Published: October 2019

AbstractWe suspect that there is a level of granularity of protein structure intermediate between the classical levels of “architecture” and “topology,” as reflected in such phenomena as extensive three‐dimensional structural similarity above the level of (super)folds. Here, we examine this notion of architectural identity despite topological variability, starting with a concept that we call the “Urfold.” We believe that this model could offer a new conceptual approach for protein structural analysis and classification: indeed, the Urfold concept may help reconcile various phenomena that have been frequently recognized or debated for years, such as the precise meaning of “significant” structural overlap and the degree of continuity of fold space. More broadly, the role of structural similarity in sequence↔structure↔function evolution has been studied via many models over the years; by addressing a conceptual gap that we believe exists between the architecture and topology levels of structural classification schemes, the Urfold eventually may help synthesize these models into a generalized, consistent framework. Here, we begin by qualitatively introducing the concept.
Accessory mutations balance the marginal stability of the HIV‐1 protease in drug resistance
Authors: Weikl Thomas R. , Hemmateenejad Bahram 
Published: October 2019

AbstractThe HIV‐1 protease is a major target of inhibitor drugs in AIDS therapies. The therapies are impaired by mutations of the HIV‐1 protease that can lead to resistance to protease inhibitors. These mutations are classified into major mutations, which usually occur first and clearly reduce the susceptibility to protease inhibitors, and minor, accessory mutations that occur later and individually do not substantially affect the susceptibility to inhibitors. Major mutations are predominantly located in the active site of the HIV‐1 protease and can directly interfere with inhibitor binding. Minor mutations, in contrast, are typically located distal to the active site. A central question is how these distal mutations contribute to resistance development. In this article, we present a systematic computational investigation of stability changes caused by major and minor mutations of the HIV‐1 protease. As most small single‐domain proteins, the HIV‐1 protease is only marginally stable. Mutations that destabilize the folded, active state of the protease therefore can shift the conformational equilibrium towards the unfolded, inactive state. We find that the most frequent major mutations destabilize the HIV‐1 protease, whereas roughly half of the frequent minor mutations are stabilizing. An analysis of protease sequences from patients in treatment indicates that the stabilizing minor mutations are frequently correlated with destabilizing major mutations, and that highly resistant HIV‐1 proteases exhibit significant fractions of stabilizing mutations. Our results thus indicate a central role of minor mutations in balancing the marginal stability of the protease against the destabilization induced by the most frequent major mutations.
Remote Light‐Responsive Nanocarriers for Controlled Drug Delivery: Advances and Perspectives
Authors: Zhao Wei , Zhao Yongmei , Wang Qingfu , Liu Tianqing , Sun Jingjiang , Zhang Run 
Published: October 2019

AbstractEngineering of smart photoactivated nanomaterials for targeted drug delivery systems (DDS) has recently attracted considerable research interest as light enables precise and accurate controlled release of drug molecules in specific diseased cells and/or tissues in a highly spatial and temporal manner. In general, the development of appropriate light‐triggered DDS relies on processes of photolysis, photoisomerization, photo‐cross‐linking/un‐cross‐linking, and photoreduction, which are normally sensitive to ultraviolet (UV) or visible (Vis) light irradiation. Considering the issues of poor tissue penetration and high phototoxicity of these high‐energy photons of UV/Vis light, recently nanocarriers have been developed based on light‐response to low‐energy photon irradiation, in particular for the light wavelengths located in the near infrared (NIR) range. NIR light‐triggered drug release systems are normally achieved by using two‐photon absorption and photon upconversion processes. Herein, recent advances of light‐responsive nanoplatforms for controlled drug release are reviewed, covering the mechanism of light responsive small molecules and polymers, UV and Vis light responsive nanocarriers, and NIR light responsive nanocarriers. NIR‐light triggered drug delivery by two‐photon excitation and upconversion luminescence strategies is also included. In addition, the challenges and future perspectives for the development of light triggered DDS are highlighted.
RuO2 Particles Anchored on Brush‐Like 3D Carbon Cloth Guide Homogenous Li/Na Nucleation Framework for Stable Li/Na Anode
Authors: Ye Shufen , Liu Fanfan , Xu Rui , Yao Yu , Zhou Xuefeng , Feng Yuezhan , Cheng Xiaolong , Yu Yan 
Published: October 2019

AbstractLithium (sodium)‐metal batteries are the most promising batteries for next‐generation electrical energy storage due to their high volumetric energy density and gravimetric energy density. However, their applications have been prevented by uncontrollable dendrite growth and large volume expansion during the stripping/plating process. To address this issue, the key strategy is to realize uniform lithium (sodium) deposition during the stripping/plating process. Herein, a thin lithiophilic layer consisting of RuO2 particles anchored on brush‐like 3D carbon cloth (RuO2@CC) is prepared by a simple solution‐based method. After infusion of Li, the RuO2@CC transfers to Li‐Ru@CC. Ru nanoparticles not only play a role in leading Li+ (Na+) to plate on the 3D carbon framework, but also lower local current density because of the good electrical conductivity. Furthermore, density functional theory calculations demonstrate that Ru metal, the reaction product of alkali metal and Ru, can lead Li+ to plate evenly around carbon fiber owing to the strong binding energy with Li+. The Li‐Ru@CC anode shows ultralong cycle life (1500 h at 5 mA cm−2). The full cell of Li‐Ru@CC|LiFePO4 exhibits lower polarization (90% capacity retention after 650 cycles). In addition, sodium metal batteries based on Na‐Ru@CC anodes can achieve similar improvement.
Nanofluidic Behaviors of Water and Ions in Covalent Triazine Framework (CTF) Multilayers
Authors: Wei Mingjie , Zhou Wei , Xu Fang , Wang Yong 
Published: October 2019

AbstractCovalent triazine frameworks (CTFs) hosting arrays of highly ordered sub‐2‐nm pores are expected to exhibit unusual nanofluidic behaviors, which may enable important applications such as desalination. Herein, nonequilibrium molecular dynamics simulations are applied to investigate transport of water and ions inside two typical CTFs—CTF‐1, and CTF‐2—having intrinsic pores of 1.2 and 1.5 nm, respectively. Their monolayers exhibit extremely high water permeance but weak ion rejection. CTF multilayers are then investigated. Transport resistances composed of interior and interfacial contribution are correlated with stacking numbers of CTF monolayers to develop equations of predicting water permeance. It is revealed that both the stacking fashion and the number of CTF monolayers forming multilayers significantly influence permeation and ion rejection. Staggered multilayers exhibit much higher ion rejection than eclipsed ones. Staggered CTF‐2 multilayers completely reject ions because the interlayer paths between two adjacent staggered monolayers allow only water molecules to pass through. Importantly, it is predicted from the equations that few‐layered staggered CTF‐2 multilayers, which can be relatively easily produced by experimental methods, exhibit 100% NaCl rejection and up to 100 times higher permeance than commercial reverse osmosis membranes, implying their great potential as building blocks to prepare next‐generation desalination membranes.
Eleganz und Vibration: Doppelwohnhaus in Bolligen
Authors: Stebler Jan , Mühlethaler Rolf 
Published: October 2019

AbstractDas Doppelwohnhaus für zwei Familien liegt im nordwestlichen Teil der Gemeinde Bolligen. Die leichte Hanglage ist die eigentliche Besonderheit des Ortes: die einzigartige Topografie erlaubt gegen Süden den weiten Panoramablick vom Gantrischgebirge bis in den Jura. Der dreigeschossige Neubau weist ein Untergeschoss, ein Erdgeschoss und ein Attikageschoss auf und ist in Längsrichtung achssymmetrisch aufgebaut. Die Einheiten des Carports als Nebenbau, des Wohn‐Hauptgeschosses und des großzügigen Balkons bilden die drei Kernelemente des Projekts. Das helle, gewellte Metall der Fassade stärkt die Leichtigkeit und schlichte Eleganz der skelettartig aufgebauten Gebäudestruktur aus Stahl. Das feine Metall verbindet sich oszillierend mit den Einflüssen der Umgebung und des Himmels. Formal und im Inhalt stringent, ordnet sich das Doppelwohnhaus in der einzigartigen topografischen Situation wie selbstverständlich ein.
Experimentelle Untersuchung von Lärmschutzwandstehern und deren Befestigung auf Kunstbauten
Authors: Reiterer Michael 
Published: October 2019

AbstractDas Ermüdungsverhalten von Lärmschutzwandstehern und deren Befestigung auf Kunstbauten wird experimentell untersucht und bewertet. Die durchgeführten Analysen behandeln neben dem Ermüdungsverhalten des Schweißnahtanschlusses zwischen Lärmschutzwandsteher und Fußplatte auch die zur Befestigung der Steherkonstruktion im Betonbauteil verankerten Gewindebolzen. Als dynamische Einwirkung wird die bei Zugvorbeifahrt sich einstellende impulsförmige Druck‐/Sog‐Belastung betrachtet und die zu erwartende Lebensdauer der Konstruktion rechnerisch prognostiziert. Die experimentellen Untersuchungen werden in der Form von Dauerschwingversuchen mit bis zu 5 Mio. Lastspielen durchgeführt. Die dynamische Belastung wird in realitätsnaher Größe durch einen servohydraulischen Zylinder aufgebracht und die Reaktionen der Lärmschutzwandsteher werden über die gesamte Versuchsdauer messtechnisch dokumentiert. Es wurden unterschiedliche Typen von Lärmschutzwandstehern getestet und die Auswirkungen von Ausführungsmängeln auf die Dauerhaftigkeit experimentell untersucht. Die Ergebnisse der durchgeführten Ermüdungsversuche werden umfassend dargelegt und diskutiert.
Experimentelle und numerische Untersuchungen zur Schwingfestigkeit an Schweißdetails in Stahlrohrtürmen für Windenergieanlagen
Authors: Glienke Ralf , Wegener Filip , Gericke Andreas , Hobbacher Adolf F. , Henkel Knuth‐Michael , Marten Frithjof , Günther Hans‐Peter 
Published: October 2019

AbstractAn Schwachwindstandorten ist ein wirtschaftlicher Betrieb von Windenergieanlagen (WEA) zumeist nur mit großen Rotordurchmessern und Nabenhöhen möglich. Große Nabenhöhen stellen große Herausforderungen an die Tragfähigkeit und Ermüdungsfestigkeit der Türme, die für den sicheren Betrieb der Anlage bestimmte statische und dynamische Eigenschaften erfüllen müssen. In Kombination mit steigenden Nennleistungen führt dies zu höheren Betriebslasten bei derartigen WEA. Für materialeffiziente Stahlrohrturmstrukturen sind daher erhöhte Anforderungen an die Schwingfestigkeit geschweißter Kerbdetails notwendig. Dieser Aufsatz befasst sich mit Untersuchungen zur Bewertung der Schwingfestigkeit eines typischen Konstruktionsdetails, der Schweißbuchse. Darüber hinaus werden alternative Konzepte mit dem Ziel der Schwingfestigkeitssteigerung vorgestellt und bewertet, welche einerseits auf die Reduktion des Wärmeeintrags und anderseits auf die Randschichtverfestigung setzen. Neben experimentellen Untersuchungen zum Blechdicken‐ und Mittelspannungseinfluss werden auf Basis der neu erschienenen Norm DIN 18088‐3 [1] die Möglichkeiten einer praxisnahen Anwendung von numerisch basierten Nachweiskonzepten zur Ermüdungsfestigkeit beleuchtet und den Versuchsergebnissen vergleichend gegenübergestellt.
Social readiness of adaptation technologies
Authors: Bellamy Rob 
Published: October 2019

AbstractDespite growing recognition that Europe must adapt to climate variability and change, there is still limited evidence of adaptation implementation. At the same time, despite knowing that successful adaptation will be contingent on societal factors just as much as on technical ones, there has been very little research into social perceptions of adaptation technologies. To address this gap, I undertake an interdisciplinary synthesis of stable beliefs and values about technology—those that are less susceptible to change across different situations—from five major but hitherto disconnected theoretical perspectives on perceptions of technology: the psychometric paradigm, the technology control dilemma, cultural theory, technology acceptance models, and responsible innovation. Four common dimensions of perception were identified: knowledge of technology, scope of technological projects, impacts of technology, and trust in the control of technology. These dimensions can be used to develop a concept of and framework for social readiness, whereby aspects of adaptation technologies that are likely to be perceived negatively or positively, and by whom, can be identified. This is by no means a panacea to the challenges of adaptation implementation, but one that contributes to and would join in constructive exchange with wider efforts to evaluate adaptation technologies. I end this review by discussing the need for bridging the gap between opposing epistemic cultures that favor different styles of knowledge production around adaptation technology perception.This article is categorized under:Vulnerability and Adaptation to Climate Change > Institutions for Adaptation
Robot controlled, continuous passive movement of the ankle reduces spinal cord excitability in participants with spasticity: a pilot study
Authors: Noble Steven , Pearcey Gregory E. P. , Quartly Caroline , Zehr E. Paul 
Published: October 2019

Abstract
Spasticity of the ankle reduces quality of life by impeding walking and other activities of daily living. Robot-driven continuous passive movement (CPM) is a strategy for lower limb spasticity management but effects on spasticity, walking ability and spinal cord excitability (SCE) are unknown. The objectives of this experiment were to evaluate (1) acute changes in SCE induced by 30 min of CPM at the ankle joint, in individuals without neurological impairment and those with lower limb spasticity; and, (2) the effects of 6 weeks of CPM training on SCE, spasticity and walking ability in those with lower limb spasticity. SCE was assessed using soleus Hoffmann (H-) reflexes, collected prior to and immediately after CPM for acute assessments, whereas a multiple baseline repeated measures design assessed changes following 18 CPM sessions. Spasticity and walking ability were assessed using the Modified Ashworth Scale, the 10 m Walk test, and the Timed Up and Go test. Twenty-one neurologically intact and nine participants with spasticity (various neurological conditions) were recruited. In the neurologically intact group, CPM caused bi-directional modulation of H-reflexes creating ‘facilitation’ and ‘suppression’ groups. In contrast, amongst participants with spasticity, acute CPM facilitated H-reflexes. After CPM training, H-reflex excitability on both the more-affected and less-affected sides was reduced; on the more affected side H@Thres, H@50 and H@100 all significantly decreased following CPM training by 96.5 ± 7.7%, 90.9 ± 9.2%, and 62.9 ± 21.1%, respectively. After training there were modest improvements in walking and clinical measures of spasticity for some participants. We conclude that CPM of the ankle can significantly alter SCE. The use of CPM in those with spasticity can provide a temporary period of improved walking, but efficacy of treatment remains unknown.
How accurately can the climate sensitivity to $$\hbox {CO}_{2}$$ be estimated from historical climate change?
Authors: Gregory J. M. , Andrews T. , Ceppi P. , Mauritsen T. , Webb M. J. 
Published: October 2019

Abstract
The equilibrium climate sensitivity (ECS, in K) to $$\hbox {CO}_{2}$$CO2 doubling is a large source of uncertainty in projections of future anthropogenic climate change. Estimates of ECS made from non-equilibrium states or in response to radiative forcings other than $$\hbox {2}\times \hbox {CO}_{2}$$2×CO2 are called “effective climate sensitivity” (EffCS, in K). Taking a “perfect-model” approach, using coupled atmosphere–ocean general circulation model (AOGCM) experiments, we evaluate the accuracy with which $$\hbox {CO}_{2}$$CO2 EffCS can be estimated from climate change in the “historical” period (since about 1860). We find that (1) for statistical reasons, unforced variability makes the estimate of historical EffCS both uncertain and biased; it is overestimated by about 10% if the energy balance is applied to the entire historical period, 20% for 30-year periods, and larger factors for interannual variability, (2) systematic uncertainty in historical radiative forcing translates into an uncertainty of $${\pm }\,30\, {\rm to} \,45\%$$±30to45% (standard deviation) in historical EffCS, (3) the response to the changing relative importance of the forcing agents, principally $$\hbox {CO}_{2}$$CO2 and volcanic aerosol, causes historical EffCS to vary over multidecadal timescales by a factor of two. In recent decades it reached its maximum in the AOGCM historical experiment (similar to the multimodel-mean $$\hbox {CO}_{2}$$CO2 EffCS of 3.6 K from idealised experiments), but its minimum in the real world (1.6 K for an observational estimate for 1985–2011, similar to the multimodel-mean value for volcanic forcing). The real-world variations mean that historical EffCS underestimates $$\hbox {CO}_{2}$$CO2 EffCS by 30% when considering the entire historical period. The difference for recent decades implies that either unforced variability or the response to volcanic forcing causes a much stronger regional pattern of sea surface temperature change in the real world than in AOGCMs. We speculate that this could be explained by a deficiency in simulated coupled atmosphere–ocean feedbacks which reinforce the pattern (resembling the Interdecadal Pacific Oscillation in some respects) that causes the low EffCS. We conclude that energy-balance estimates of $$\hbox {CO}_{2}$$CO2 EffCS are most accurate from periods unaffected by volcanic forcing. Atmosphere GCMs provided with observed sea surface temperature for the 1920s to the 1950s, which was such a period, give a range of about 2.0–4.5 K, agreeing with idealised $$\hbox {CO}_{2}$$CO2 AOGCM experiments; the consistency is a reason for confidence in this range as an estimate of $$\hbox {CO}_{2}$$CO2 EffCS. Unless another explosive volcanic eruption occurs, the first 30 years of the present century may give a more accurate energy-balance historical estimate of this quantity.