bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Continuous Hydrothermal Liquefaction for Biofuel and Biocrude Production from Microalgal Feedstock
Authors: Lababpour Abdolmajid 
Published: February 2018

AbstractMicroalgal biomass processing by continuous hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) has recently received much interest and can be used to convert microalgal biomass to biocrude oil and drop‐in fuels. This review focuses on the conversion of microalgae biomass to energy production through continuous HTL processes. In addition, processes for upgrading feedstocks and biocrude are also discussed. The feed of the biomass slurry is treated according to size and moisture regulations. Following separation of the gaseous, liquid, and solid phases, the determination of elemental, physical, and chemical fragments, yield of energy, and other properties of the various products is carried out. Homogeneous or heterogeneous catalysts improve the biocrude yield and quality as does higher moisture content. The high percentage of N2 and O2 in the feedstock results in lower quality products. This may be resolved through pre‐processing of the biomass, controlling of HTL processes conditions, and post‐upgrading processing of the HTL products. The promising potential of microalgae biomass for biocrude and drop‐in fuels may have an important contribution to the world's renewable energy sources through HTL in the near future.
Proof of Equivalent Catalytic Functionality upon Photon‐Induced and Thermal Activation of Supported Isolated Vanadia Species in Methanol Oxidation
Authors: Kortewille Bianca , Wachs Israel E. , Cibura Niklas , Pfingsten Oliver , Bacher Gerd , Muhler Martin , Strunk Jennifer 
Published: February 2018

AbstractIn this study, evidence is provided that isolated surface vanadia (VO4) species on SiO2 can similarly act as a thermal heterogeneous catalyst and as a heterogeneous photocatalyst. Structurally identical surface VO4 species catalyze the selective oxidation of methanol both by thermal activation and by UV‐light induction. Selectivity to formaldehyde appears to be unity. For the photocatalytic reaction at room temperature, formaldehyde desorption is rate limiting. With larger agglomerates or V2O5 nanoparticles, on the contrary, only the thermal reaction is feasible. This is tentatively attributed to the different positions of electronic states (HOMO/LUMO, valence/conduction band) on the electrochemical energy scale owing to the quantum size effect. Besides providing new fundamental insight into the mode of action of nanosized photocatalysts, our results demonstrate that tuning the photocatalytic reactivity of supported transition‐metal oxides by adjusting the degree of agglomeration is feasible.
Tuning Mg(II) Selectivity: Comparative Analysis of the Photophysical Properties of Four Fluorescent Probes with an Alkynyl‐Naphthalene Fluorophore
Authors: Walter Edward R. H. , Williams J. A. Gareth , Parker David 
Published: February 2018

AbstractFour alkynyl‐1‐naphthyl fluorophores have been synthesised with tri‐ or pentadentate ligating groups suited to the binding of magnesium. Their photophysical and binding properties for magnesium, calcium and zinc ions have been assessed using absorption, emission and excitation spectroscopy. Each compound has a pKa value between 6.2 and 5.1 and exhibits no significant pH response around pH 7.2. Enhanced selectivity for Mg2+ over Ca2+ was observed with a pentadentate phosphinate substituted system, compared to its carboxylate analogue, due to a 10‐fold lowering of affinity for the Ca2+ ion. In each case, the overall dissociation constants for Mg2+ fall in the low mm range.
Transition Metal Ions Promote the Bioavailability of Hydrophobic Therapeutics: Cu and Zn Interactions with RNA Polymerase I Inhibitor CX5461
Authors: Prosser Kathleen E. , Leung Ada W. Y. , Harrypersad Shane , Lewis Andrew R. , Bally Marcel B. , Walsby Charles J. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractLow aqueous solubility is a major barrier to the clinical application of otherwise promising drug candidates. We demonstrate that this issue can be resolved in medicinal molecules containing potential ligating groups, through the addition of labile transition‐metal ions. Incubation of the chemotherapeutic CX5461 with Cu2+ or Zn2+ enables solubilization at neutral pH but does not affect intrinsic cytotoxicity. Spectroscopic and computational studies demonstrate that this arises from coordination to the pyrazine functionality of CX5461 and may involve bidentate coordination at physiological pH.
Accurate pH Sensing using Hyperpolarized 129Xe NMR Spectroscopy
Authors: Léonce Estelle , Dognon Jean‐Pierre , Pitrat Delphine , Mulatier Jean‐Christophe , Brotin Thierry , Berthault Patrick 
Published: February 2018

AbstractIn the search for powerful non‐invasive methods for pH measurement, NMR usually suffers from biases, especially for heterogeneous samples or tissues. In this Communication, using the signals of hyperpolarized 129Xe encapsulated in a pair of water‐soluble cryptophanes, we show that a differential pH measurement can be achieved, free from most of these biases, by monitoring the difference between their chemical shifts.
An Expeditious Route to trans‐Configured Tetrahydrothiophenes Enabled by Fe(OTf)3‐Catalyzed [3+2] Cycloaddition of Donor–Acceptor Cyclopropanes with Thionoesters
Authors: Matsumoto Yohei , Nakatake Daiki , Yazaki Ryo , Ohshima Takashi 
Published: February 2018

AbstractA synthetic route to trans‐configured tetrahydrothiophenes (THTs) through Fe(OTf)3‐promoted [3+2] cycloaddition of donor–acceptor cyclopropanes with thionoesters was developed. The cycloaddition proceeded in high yield with high diastereoselectivity, affording transient α‐alkoxy THTs. Not only aromatic and aliphatic thionoesters, but also thionolactone were applicable to the present iron catalysis. Further transformation of the S,O‐ketal functionality of the product was achieved in a highly trans diastereoselective manner. Moreover, the utility of our methodology was clearly demonstrated by the synthesis of enantioenriched trans‐configured THTs.
Moderne Zahnpflege aus chemischer Sicht
Authors: Epple Matthias , Enax Joachim 
Published: February 2018

ZusammenfassungDie Mundgesundheit spielt in unserer Gesellschaft eine zentrale Rolle. Deshalb gibt es eine Vielzahl von wirkungsvollen Zahnpflegepräparaten, die die Mundgesundheit verbessern und Zahn‐ und Zahnfleischerkrankungen vorbeugen können. Neben der Zahnbürste (Handzahnbürste, elektrische Zahnbürste) ist dabei insbesondere die Zahnpasta von Bedeutung. Als zentraler Wirkstoff wird Fluorid angesehen, wobei es auch interessante Entwicklungen von biomimetischen Ansätzen auf der Basis von Calciumphosphat gibt.
Health equity for displaced children with cancer in the Middle East
Authors: Armenian Saro H. 
Published: February 2018

Armed conflicts in the Middle East during the past decade have forced people to flee in vast numbers to neighboring countries, and this has added substantial strains to existing resources. In this context, the needs of displaced children with noncommunicable diseases such as cancer can unfortunately be overlooked because of the complexities of coordinating multidisciplinary care and a lack of resources for managing the acute toxicities of therapy. Innovative transnational collaborations in countries such as Lebanon can serve as models for the delivery of equitable cancer care during times of geopolitical turmoil.See also pages 1464‐72.
Displaced children with cancer in Lebanon: A sustained response to an unprecedented crisis
Authors: Saab Raya , Jeha Sima , Khalifeh Haifaa , Zahreddine Lama , Bayram Layal , Merabi Zeina , Abboud Miguel , Muwakkit Samar , Tarek Nidale , Rodriguez‐Galindo Carlos , El Solh Hassan 
Published: February 2018

BACKGROUNDThe unrest in Syria has resulted in an escalating refugee crisis. The postwar lack of health care infrastructure in Iraq has also resulted in Iraqis seeking health care in neighboring countries. Pediatric cancer is largely curable, although its treatment is expensive and complex. Strategies to implement pediatric cancer care with curative intent in these vulnerable populations are lacking.METHODSTo assess the feasibility of a collaborative approach for the provision of care to displaced children with cancer, this study reviewed the experience of the authors over the past 6 years in Lebanon, the country with the highest number of refugees per capita in the world.RESULTSThe American University of Beirut Medical Center and the Children's Cancer Center of Lebanon Foundation, in partnership with St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and the American Lebanese Syrian Associated Charities, established 3 successive funding programs to treat displaced children with cancer along with a continuous assessment of resource utilization. Between 2011 and 2017, 575 non‐Lebanese children suspected to have cancer were evaluated. Of those, 311 received direct medical support, with 107 receiving full‐treatment coverage and 204 receiving limited‐workup/specialty services; the remaining 264 patients received medical consultations.CONCLUSIONSIn addition to providing lifesaving humanitarian support, the coordination of care delivery, including the establishment of guidelines for prioritization, can help direct future efforts. Many patients continue to be in dire need of support, and this should be addressed via collaboration among governmental, nongovernmental, and health care organizations. Cancer 2018;124:1464‐72. © 2018 American Cancer Society.
Distorted weight perception correlates with disordered eating attitudes in Kuwaiti college women
Authors: Alkazemi Dalal , Zafar Tasleem A. , Ebrahim Mariam , Kubow Stan 
Published: February 2018

AbstractObjectiveWe investigated the presence of disordered eating attitudes and weight perception among young women at body mass index (BMI) values that correspond to underweight, normal weight, overweight, and obese weight status.MethodData were collected from 1,147 female undergraduate students (89% Kuwaiti nationals) recruited from Kuwait University through employment of the eating attitude test (EAT‐26) together with an anonymous, self‐administered questionnaire to determine the prevalence of symptomatology indicative of anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa.ResultsThe mean EAT‐26 scores differed significantly between the weight categories. More students with overweight and obesity scored above the established EAT‐26 cut off value indicating at risk of disordered eating compared to students who were at a normal weight or underweight (52.1% vs. 38.8%, respectively, X2(1) =16.1, p < .001). Logistic regression analyses showed significantly higher odds ratios (ORs) for the groups with overweight and obesity for dieting and bulimic behaviors, while women at normal and underweight had higher ORs for restrictive oral control behaviors associated with anorexia nervosa. Distorted weight perception was found in all weight categories.DiscussionThe high proportion of disordered eating attitudes among Kuwaiti college women could not be attributed to obesity alone as the type of disordered eating behavior varied more by weight perception than by weight status. The high levels of eating disorder related symptoms could be due to a combination of the social influences, diet, and lifestyle of college students. Such factors need to be considered by healthcare professionals as early as possible with more focused programs towards promotion of healthy weight for college students.
Variability and drivers of burn severity in the northwestern Canadian boreal forest
Authors: Whitman Ellen , Parisien Marc‐André , Thompson Dan K. , Hall Ronald J. , Skakun Robert S. , Flannigan Mike D. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractBurn severity (ecological impacts of fire on vegetation and soils) influences post‐fire stand structure and species composition. The spatial pattern of burn severity may compound the ecological impacts of fire through distances to seed sources and availability of bud banks and seedbeds. Land managers require spatial burn severity data to manage post‐fire risks, ecosystem recovery, and assess the outcomes of fires. This research seeks to characterize and explain variability in burn severity in the northwestern boreal forest. We assessed burn severity one year post‐fire in six large wildfires that burned in 2014. We measured burn severity using the Composite Burn Index, surface Burn Severity Index, Canopy Fire Severity Index, and percent overstory mortality, describing a range of surface and overstory fire effects. Burn severity was variable, ranging from unburned residuals to complete overstory mortality and intense combustion. We related field measurements to remotely sensed multispectral burn severity metrics of the differenced Normalized Burn Ratio (dNBR), the Relativized dNBR, and the Relativized Burn Ratio. Diagnostic models of burn severity using relativized metrics had lower errors and better (though not significantly so) fits to the field data. Spatial patterns of burn severity were consistent with those observed in other large fires in North America. Stand‐replacing patches were large, aggregated, and covered the largest proportion of the landscape. These patterns were not consistent across the four mapped burn severity field metrics, suggesting such metrics may be viewed as related, but complementary, as they depict different aspects of severity. Prognostic models indicated burn severity was explained by pre‐fire stand structure and composition, topoedaphic context, and fire weather at time of burning. Wetlands burned less severely than uplands, and open stands with high basal areas experienced lower burn severity in upland vegetation communities. This research offers an enhanced understanding of the relationship between ground observations and remotely sensed severity metrics, in conjunction with stand‐level drivers of burn severity. The diverse fuel complexes and extreme fire weather during the 2014 fire season produced the complex patterns and broad range of burn severity observed.
Treatment with insulin is associated with worse outcome in patients with chronic heart failure and diabetes
Authors: Cosmi Franco , Shen Li , Magnoli Michela , Abraham William T. , Anand Inder S. , Cleland John G. , Cohn Jay N. , Cosmi Deborah , De Berardis Giorgia , Dickstein Kenneth , Franzosi Maria Grazia , Gullestad Lars , Jhund Pardeep S. , Kjekshus John , Køber Lars , Lepore Vito , Lucisano Giuseppe , Maggioni Aldo P. , Masson Serge , McMurray John J.V. , Nicolucci Antonio , Petrarolo Vito , Robusto Fabio , Staszewsky Lidia , Tavazzi Luigi , Teli Roberto , Tognoni Gianni , Wikstrand John , Latini Roberto 
Published: February 2018

AimsUp to one‐third of patients with diabetes mellitus and heart failure (HF) are treated with insulin. As insulin causes sodium retention and hypoglycaemia, its use might be associated with worse outcomes.Methods and resultsWe examined two datasets: 24 012 patients with HF from four large randomized trials and an administrative database of 4 million individuals, 103 857 of whom with HF. In the former, survival was examined using Cox proportional hazards models adjusted for baseline variables and separately for propensity scores. Fine–Gray competing risk regression models were used to assess the risk of hospitalization for HF. For the latter, a case–control nested within a population‐based cohort study was conducted with propensity score. Prevalence of diabetes mellitus at study entry ranged from 25.5% to 29.5% across trials. Insulin alone or in combination with oral hypoglycaemic drugs was prescribed at randomization to 24.4% to 34.5% of the patients with diabetes. The rates of death from any cause and hospitalization for HF were higher in patients with vs. without diabetes, and highest of all in patients prescribed insulin [propensity score pooled hazard ratio for all‐cause mortality 1.27 (1.16–1.38), for HF hospitalization 1.23 (1.13–1.33)]. In the administrative registry, insulin prescription was associated with a higher risk of all‐cause death [odds ratio (OR) 2.02, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.87–2.19] and rehospitalization for HF (OR 1.42, 95% CI 1.32–1.53).ConclusionsWhether insulin use is associated with poor outcomes in HF should be investigated further with controlled trials, as should the possibility that there may be safer alternative glucose‐lowering treatments for patients with HF and type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Parents' Insights on Their Perceptions of and Their Children's Experiences in a College Access Program
Authors: Millett Catherine M. , Rojas Erick , Kevelson Marisol J. C. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractThis report summarizes the findings of focus groups conducted with parents of former and current participants in the Princeton University Preparatory Program (PUPP), a college access and preparation program for low‐income and high‐achieving students attending public high schools in Princeton, New Jersey, and its surrounding communities. Conducted as part of the evaluation of PUPP by Educational Testing Service, the parent focus groups provided insights into the perceptions parents have of PUPP, its impacts on their children, and their suggestions for programmatic improvements. Findings suggest that parents perceived that PUPP prepared their children for academically rigorous environments and supported the development of their social–emotional skills. Parents also praised PUPP's assistance with the college and financial aid application processes but noted that their children continued to face financial challenges despite receiving sizeable aid packages. Overall, parents would like to see PUPP expanded to serve more students in more public high schools.
A Preliminary Investigation of the Factors Related to the Design and Scoring of Video‐Based Oral Communication Performance Tasks in Higher Education
Authors: Roohr Katrina Crotts , Burkander Kri , Mao Liyang 
Published: February 2018

AbstractOral communication has been identified as an important skill by higher education institutions and by the workforce community. Despite its importance, minimal research has been conducted around the development of tasks to measure oral communication skills and behaviors. The purpose of this preliminary study is to evaluate the different factors related to the design and scoring of oral communication tasks. For this study, oral communication refers specifically to video‐based oral presentations using a webcam. The study administered 2 informative and 2 persuasive speech tasks of varying length (2 or 4 minutes) to 8 college students. Performance was scored holistically on overall performance, and on content and delivery dimensions by 2 raters. Results show that (a) interrater reliability estimates may be impacted by task type and length, (b) there is no variation in the three scoring criteria, (c) a minimum of 2 tasks is necessary to achieve satisfactory reliability on an oral communication measure, and (d) supporting materials may impact student performance. Results of this preliminary study provide guidance on how to further this foundational research. Future research and next steps are discussed.
An augmented aging process in brain white matter in HIV
Authors: Kuhn Taylor , Kaufmann Tobias , Doan Nhat Trung , Westlye Lars T. , Jones Jacob , Nunez Rodolfo A. , Bookheimer Susan Y. , Singer Elyse J. , Hinkin Charles H. , Thames April D. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractObjectiveHIV infection and aging are both associated with neurodegeneration. However, whether the aging process alone or other factors associated with advanced age account for the progression of neurodegeneration in the aging HIV‐positive (HIV+) population remains unclear. Methods: HIV+ (n = 70) and HIV‐negative (HIV−, n = 34) participants underwent diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and metrics of microstructural properties were extracted from regions of interest (ROIs). A support vector regression model was trained on two independent datasets of healthy adults across the adult life‐span (n = 765, Cam‐CAN = 588; UiO = 177) to predict participant age from DTI metrics, and applied to the HIV dataset. Predicted brain age gap (BAG) was computed as the difference between predicted age and chronological age, and statistically compared between HIV groups. Regressions assessed the relationship between BAG and HIV severity/medical comorbidities. Finally, correlation analyses tested for associations between BAG and cognitive performance. Results: BAG was significantly higher in the HIV+ group than the HIV− group F (1, 103) = 12.408, p = .001). HIV RNA viral load was significantly associated with BAG, particularly in older HIV+ individuals (R2 = 0.29, F(7, 70) = 2.66, p = .021). Further, BAG was negatively correlated with domain‐level cognitive function (learning: r = −0.26, p = .008; memory: r = −0.21, p = .034). Conclusions: HIV infection is associated with augmented white matter aging, and greater brain aging is associated with worse cognitive performance in multiple domains.
High contrast imaging and flexible photomanipulation for quantitative in vivo multiphoton imaging with polygon scanning microscope
Authors: Li Yongxiao , Montague Samantha J. , Brüstle Anne , He Xuefei , Gillespie Cathy , Gaus Katharina , Gardiner Elizabeth E. , Lee Woei Ming 
Published: February 2018

In this study, we introduce two key improvements that overcome limitations of existing polygon scanning microscopes while maintaining high spatial and temporal imaging resolution over large field of view (FOV). First, we proposed a simple and straightforward means to control the scanning angle of the polygon mirror to carry out photomanipulation without resorting to high speed optical modulators. Second, we devised a flexible data sampling method directly leading to higher image contrast by over 2‐fold and digital images with 100 megapixels (10 240 × 10 240) per frame at 0.25 Hz. This generates sub‐diffraction limited pixels (60 nm per pixels over the FOV of 512 μm) which increases the degrees of freedom to extract signals computationally. The unique combined optical and digital control recorded fine fluorescence recovery after localized photobleaching (r ~10 μm) within fluorescent giant unilamellar vesicles and micro‐vascular dynamics after laser‐induced injury during thrombus formation in vivo. These new improvements expand the quantitative biological‐imaging capacity of any polygon scanning microscope system.image