bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Water‐soluble glutathione‐CdS QDs with exceptional antimicrobial properties synthesized via green route for fluorescence sensing of fluoroquinolones
Authors: Malik Rupal , Pinnaka Anil Kumar , Kaur Manpreet , Kumar Vinod , Tikoo Kulbhushan , Singh Sandeeep , Kaushik Anupama , Singhal Sonal 
Published: October 2018

AbstractBACKGROUNDContinual emergence of quinolones in the environment has raised concerns and the repercussions are almost unimaginable. Along with this an increase of antibiotic resistance in microbes has encouraged the pharmaceutical and food industry to create new antimicrobial agents. Nano‐range materials with exceptional antimicrobial properties synthesized via green routes for fluorescence sensing of fluoroquinolones have rarely been reported.RESULTSA facile, eco‐friendly and green approach was utilized for the synthesis of water soluble glutathione (GSH) functionalized CdS quantum dots (QDs) for the selective detection of fluoroquinolones. The prepared QDs exhibited a strong emission peak at 460 nm and the addition of fluoroquinolones caused enhancement and significant blue shift (∼ 50 nm) in the intensity, revealing sensitive and selective detection of fluoroquinolones. The limit of detection was found to be 2.2 µmol L‐1. Also, antimicrobial activities of the QDs were assessed against both Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria and the QDs were found to be effective against the Gram positive bacteria especially Bacillus species in comparison with the Gram negative bacteria.CONCLUSIONSThe current study offers a green route to synthesize water soluble and stable QDs for sensing with exceptional antimicrobial properties. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Short‐ and long‐term retrogradation of potato starches with varying amylose content
Authors: Dobosz Anna , Sikora Marek , Krystyjan Magdalena , Tomasik Piotr , Lach Radosław , Borczak Barbara , Berski Wiktor , Lukasiewicz Marcin 
Published: October 2018

ABSTRACTBackgroundGels of potato starches with varying amylose content were prepared and the degree of pasting and the course of retrogradation were studied. The average molar masses of granular and pasted starches were estimated. Determination of the degree of pasting involved use of optical microscopy and the study of pasting characteristics. The studies of susceptibility to retrogradation considered mechanical spectra, hardness, syneresis, resistant starch content, and X‐ray measurements.ResultsHeating of the starch suspensions at 95 °C resulted in almost complete deterioration of granules. Changes in storage modulus (G') exceeded these of loss modulus (G”). Values of G' and G”, hardness and syneresis increased with the period of the sample storage and, simultaneously, the relevant tangent of the phase shift angle (tg (G”/G')) decreased. A tendency was observed for the resistant starch (RS) content to increase on prolonged storage of gels. The patterns of diffractograms for the pasted and lyophilized samples only differed slightly.ConclusionThe pastes of all the studied potato starches were characterized by a similar degree of pasting. The most essential changes in the physicochemical properties of the gels were observed between the 30th and 90th days of storage. The susceptibility of potato starch gels to retrogradation, especially within the first 2 h, was controlled, mainly by the amylose content. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Interdependence of international tourism demand for Mediterranean countries: Impact of demand shocks
Authors: Kožić Ivan , Sorić Petar , Sever Ivan 
Published: October 2018

AbstractInterdependence of tourism demand is an underexplored topic in tourism economics literature. Besides the traditional procedure of cross elasticities calculation, shock analysis could be used to investigate the interconnections of tourism flows. This paper conducts an econometric analysis of international tourism demand for 10 most developed Mediterranean destinations: Croatia, Cyprus, France, Greece, Italy, Malta, Morocco, Spain, Tunisia, and Turkey. In particular, a vector autoregression model is estimated for each pair of 10 countries. Impulse response functions are applied to investigate how a shock in tourism demand for one country impacts the tourism demand for its substitutes and complements.
The impact of localized innovations on the stock returns of tourism companies
Authors: Napierała Tomasz , Szutowski Dawid 
Published: October 2018

AbstractThe aim of this study was to determine the role of source of innovation, its degree of novelty, and their interaction in shaping tourism companies' stock returns in different geographical contexts. The research employed the buy‐and‐hold method. It included 378 innovation announcements released in the years 2011–2016 for 111 tourism companies operating in European Union countries. Findings suggest that abnormal returns for the companies listed in the innovation leading countries were significantly smaller than those for the moderate innovators group. The study proposes a novel, geographical perspective to the analysis of the effects of innovation on stock returns in tourism.
Curing Reaction of Benzoxazine Under High Pressure and the Effect on Thermal Resistance of Polybenzoxazine
Authors: Zeng Ka , Huang Jiayue , Ren Junwen , Ran Qichao 
Published: October 2018

AbstractTwo benzoxazine monomers, bisphenol A/aniline type benzoxazine (BA‐a) and bisphenol A/tert‐butylamine type benzoxazine (BA‐tb), are prepared with high purity. Their curing behaviors and cure kinetics are studied by high pressure differential scanning calorimetry (HP DSC) at normal pressure and high pressure, respectively. Meanwhile, the apparent activation energy (E
a) is calculated by Kissinger and Ozawa methods. The results show that the curing reaction temperature and E
a of BA‐a are little influenced by high pressure, but for BA‐tb, its curing reaction temperature and E
a increase greatly. FTIR is used to analyze the difference in the hydrogen bonds in cross‐linking structures of cured BA‐a and BA‐tb. Also, molecular simulations are used to figure out the effect of the high pressure on chemical structures. It is found that the content of hydrogen bonds in polybenzoxazines cured at high pressure increases, resulting in the decrease of cross‐linking densities. Moreover, DSC and thermogravimetric analysis tests are carried out to study the thermal resistance of these polybenzoxazines, and the results indicate that their glass transition temperatures (T
gs) and thermal stability decrease after curing at high pressure.
The Past 40 Years of Macromolecular Sciences: Reflections on Challenges in Synthetic Polymer and Material Science
Authors: Binder Wolfgang H. 
Published: October 2018

AbstractTechnology and science are often successful in discontinuities (“disruptive innovations” or “leapfrogging”), in turn allowing true, big societal development by entire changes in technology rather than by minuscule stepwise improvements. Examples are the emergence of modern computer science by inventing the field‐effect transistor rather than further fine‐tuning the “Röhrentransistor”; the development of (organic) light‐emitting diodes in advance of the “Gasglühstrumpf”; CRISPR/Cas exceeding any previous genetic method or Ziegler–Natta polymerization enabling stereoregular polypropylene (PP) and high‐density polyethylene (HDPE) in advance of free‐radical polymerization. Where may the frogs in polymer science in the future “jump” to? Contemplating past achievements in (synthetic) polymer science, such as living polymerization, “click” chemistry, supramolecular chemistry, the potentially “leaping” areas of self‐healing and (bio)degradable materials, amyloids, and biomaterials are reflected upon.
Customized Dietary Intervention Avoids Unintentional Weight Loss and Modulates Circulating miRNAs Footprint in Huntington's Disease
Authors: Aganzo Miguel , Montojo María‐Teresa , López de Las Hazas María‐Carmen , Martínez‐Descals Asunción , Ricote‐Vila Marta , Sanz Raúl , González‐Peralta Irene , Martín‐Hernández Roberto , de Dios Olaya , Garcés Carmen , Galdón Alba , Lorenzo Óscar , Tomás‐Zapico Cristina , Dávalos Alberto , Vázquez Clotilde , González Nieves 
Published: October 2018

ScopeHuntington's disease (HD) is a rare progressive neurodegenerative disorder of genetic origin, with no definitive treatment. Unintentional weight loss (UWL) is a clinical feature of symptomatic HD subjects. To prevent UWL, a customized HD diet is designed and its impact on plasma miRNA HD footprint and neurological parameters is examined.Methods and resultsEleven participants are included, BMI ≤ 18 kg m–2 or UWL of 5% in 6 months or 10% in a year. Diet design is based on nutritional surveys and interviews of participants and caregivers and on published literature review. Twelve‐month dietary intervention, with follow‐up every 3 months, induces high diet adherence, which manages to curb UWL in all participants (73% gained weight). Noticeable increases in fat mass and leptin levels are obtained. The results also show significant decrease in the expression of 19 miRNAs, which are previously reported to be upregulated in HD‐patients versus healthy controls: revealing hsa‐miR‐338‐3p, hsa‐miR‐128‐3p, hsa‐miR‐23a‐3p, and hsa‐miR‐24‐3p as potential HD‐biomarkers. The diminished expression of hsa‐miR‐100‐5p reflects the general maintenance of the functional status. Cognitive status is improved in six of 11 participants, while only three present better motor‐score values.ConclusionA customized HD‐diet prevents UWL and modified miRNAs HD‐footprint. The normalization of miRNA values suggests its potentially use as HD‐biomarkers.
A retrospective analysis of postrehabilitation outcomes following total knee arthroplasty
Authors: Crawford Jennifer J. , Harenberg Sebastian , Bishop Scott , Hayes Terra , Zelada Lilyans , Fraser James 
Published: October 2018

AbstractBackground and purposeTotal knee arthroplasty (TKA) is one of the most frequently performed orthopaedic procedures in Canada. Despite the frequency at which TKAs are performed, few studies have examined the association between postoperative outcomes and long‐term functional outcomes following group‐based rehabilitation in Canada. The primary objective of the present study was to examine changes in flexion and extension from intake to discharge from rehabilitation in patients in Saskatchewan, Canada. A secondary objective was to explore the demographic and medical predictors of range of motion in TKA patients, and treatment duration.MethodsA retrospective chart review from an outpatient rehabilitation clinical database was conducted between September 2014 and December 2016, and assessed demographic and medical variables.ResultsA total of 672 patient charts were included in the study. Significant improvements (p < 0.001) were noted from intake to discharge from rehabilitation for flexion and extension. Right‐side TKA, flexion at intake and the length of treatment predicted flexion at discharge from rehabilitation (R2 = 0.23). Gender, right side TKA, extension at intake and the length of treatment predicted extension at discharge from rehabilitation (R2 = 0.23). Lastly, age, flexion at intake and extension at intake predicted length of treatment in the rehabilitation programme (R2 = 0.21).ConclusionsPatients who participated in rehabilitation following TKA experienced improvements in flexion and extension. Those with decreased flexion and extension after TKA may be less likely to experience a desirable range of motion, indicating a need for more intensive targeted rehabilitation in this group, and adjustments in hospital and community care.
Dynamic programming approaches for the traveling salesman problem with drone
Authors: Bouman Paul , Agatz Niels , Schmidt Marie 
Published: October 2018

AbstractA promising new delivery model involves the use of a delivery truck that collaborates with a drone to make deliveries. Effectively combining a truck and a drone gives rise to a new planning problem that is known as the traveling salesman problem with drone (TSP‐D). This paper presents exact solution approaches for the TSP‐D based on dynamic programming and provides an experimental comparison of these approaches. Our numerical experiments show that our approach can solve larger problems than the mathematical programming approaches that have been presented in the literature thus far. Moreover, we show that restrictions on the number of locations the truck can visit while the drone is away can help significantly reduce the solution times while having relatively little impact on the overall solution quality.
Weight Cycling Increases Longevity Compared with Sustained Obesity in Mice
Authors: Smith Daniel L. , Yang Yongbin , Nagy Tim R. , Patki Amit , Vasselli Joseph R. , Zhang Yiying , Dickinson Stephanie L. , Allison David B. 
Published: October 2018

Objective:Despite the known health benefits of weight loss among persons with obesity, observational studies have reported that cycles of weight loss and regain, or weight cycling, are associated with increased mortality. To study whether weight loss must be sustained to achieve health and longevity benefits, we performed a randomized controlled feeding study of weight cycling in mice.Methods:In early adult life, obese mice were randomized to ad libitum feeding to sustain obesity, calorie restriction to achieve a “normal” or intermediate body weight, or weight cycling (repeated episodes of calorie restriction and ad libitum refeeding). Body weight, body composition, and food intake were followed longitudinally until death. A subsample of mice was collected from each group for determination of adipose cell size, serum analytes, and gene expression.Results:Weight loss significantly reduced adipose mass and adipocyte size in both sexes, whereas weight cycling animals regained body fat and cell size during refeeding. Sustained weight loss resulted in a dose‐dependent decrease in mortality compared with ad libitum feeding.ConclusionsWeight cycling significantly increased life‐span relative to remaining with obesity and had a similar benefit to sustained modest weight loss.
Reduction in Comorbid Conditions Over 5 Years Following Bariatric Surgery in Medicaid and Commercially Insured Patients
Authors: Takemoto Erin , Wolfe Bruce M. , Nagel Corey L. , Boone‐Heinonen Janne 
Published: October 2018

ObjectiveThis study sought to determine changes in the prevalence of comorbid disease following bariatric surgery in Medicaid patients compared with commercially insured patients.MethodsData were obtained from the Longitudinal Assessment of Bariatric Surgery, an observational cohort study of adults undergoing bariatric surgery at one of six geographically diverse centers in the United States. A total of 1,201 patients who underwent Roux‐en‐Y gastric bypass with 5 years of follow‐up were identified. Poisson mixed models were used to estimate relative risks (RRs) and compare changes in common comorbidities between insurance groups within 0‐1 and 1‐5 years post surgery. Propensity scores were used to achieve balance in the baseline comorbidity burden between Medicaid and commercial patients.ResultsIn the first year, risk of all six comorbidities decreased substantially over time in both groups, ranging from a 32% to a 69% decrease from baseline. After 1 year post surgery, the risk of disease was stable in both groups (RRs ranged from 1.0 to 1.1). After propensity score weighting, the RRs in the first year were more similar in magnitude, while the RRs in the 1‐ to 5‐year period were unchanged.ConclusionsThese results suggest that Medicaid patients experience a medium‐term reduction in comorbid disease after bariatric surgery.
Resistance Training and Protein Supplementation Increase Strength After Bariatric Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Oppert Jean‐Michel , Bellicha Alice , Roda Celina , Bouillot Jean‐Luc , Torcivia Adriana , Clement Karine , Poitou Christine , Ciangura Cecile 
Published: October 2018

ObjectivePhysical activity and dietary regimens to optimize health outcomes after bariatric surgery are not well known. This study aimed to determine whether resistance training with dietary protein supplementation is effective in maintaining body composition and physical fitness after obesity surgery.MethodsSeventy‐six women with obesity undergoing Roux‐en‐Y gastric bypass were randomly assigned at the time of surgery to receive either usual care (controls [CON], n = 22), usual care and additional (whey) protein intake (PRO, n = 31), or usual care, additional protein intake, and supervised strength training for 18 weeks (PRO+EX, n = 23). The primary outcome was pre‐ to 6‐month postsurgery change in lean body mass (by dual‐energy x‐ray absorptiometry). Secondary outcomes included changes in muscle strength (by one‐repetition maximum testing).ResultsLoss over time in lean body mass did not differ between groups (CON: mean,−8.8 kg; 95% CI: −10.1 to −7.5 kg; PRO: mean, −8.2 kg; 95% CI: −9.3 to −7.1 kg; PRO+EX: mean, −7.7 kg; 95% CI: −9.0 to −6.5 kg; P = 0.899). The increase in relative lower‐limb muscle strength was higher in the PRO+EX group (+0.6 [0.3 to 0.8]) versus +0.1 (−0.1 to 0.4) and +0.2 (0.0 to 0.4) kg/kg body mass in CON and PRO groups, respectively (P = 0.021).ConclusionsLoss in muscle strength observed after bariatric surgery can be overcome by resistance training with additional protein intake.
Associations Among Dietary Fat Oxidation Responses to Overfeeding and Weight Gain in Obesity‐Prone and Resistant Adults
Authors: Rynders Corey A. , Pereira Rocio I. , Bergouignan Audrey , Kealey Elizabeth H. , Bessesen Daniel H. 
Published: October 2018

ObjectiveThis study tested the hypothesis that 3 days of overfeeding (OF) decreases dietary fat oxidation and predicts longitudinal weight change in adults classified as obesity prone (OP) and obesity resistant (OR) based on self‐identification and personal and family weight history. Changes in diurnal profiles of plasma metabolites and hormones were measured to probe mechanisms.MethodsAdults identified as OP (n = 22; BMI: 23.9  ±  2.4 kg/m2) and OR (n = 30; BMI: 20.5  ±  2.2 kg/m2) completed 3 days of eucaloric (EU) feeding and 3 days of OF. On day 3, the 24‐hour total and dietary fat oxidation was measured using room calorimetry and an oral 14C tracer. Plasma glucose, insulin, triglycerides, and nonesterified fatty acid (NEFA) concentrations were frequently sampled over 24 hours. Body composition was measured annually for 4.0  ±  1.4 years in a subsample (n = 19 OP and 23 OR).ResultsDietary fat oxidation over 24 hours was not altered by OF versus EU (P = 0.54). Weight gain in OP correlated with lower nocturnal NEFA concentrations during OF (r  = −0.60; P = 0.006) and impaired fuel selection over 24 hours (metabolic inflexibility, wake respiratory quotient‐sleep respiratory quotient) (r = −0.48; P  = 0.04).ConclusionsShort‐term OF did not alter dietary fat oxidation. Lower nocturnal NEFA availability and metabolic inflexibility to overfeeding may be factors contributing to weight gain.
Weight‐Loss Outcomes from a Pilot Study of African Dance in Older African Americans
Authors: Stillman Chelsea M. , Donahue Patrick T. , Williams Mihloti F. , Callas Mariah , Lwanga Charles , Brown Chrisala , Wollam Mariegold E. , Jedrziewski M. Kathy , Kang Chaeryon , Erickson Kirk I. 
Published: October 2018

ObjectiveObesity is a risk factor for both cognitive and physical impairment in late adulthood. Though the rates of obesity are high in many groups, older African Americans are disproportionately affected. A randomized pilot intervention of African Dance was conducted with 28 African American older adults with obesity (mean age = 68.4 ± 5.1 years; mean BMI = 33.4 ± 6.2). The goal of the study was to evaluate the physiological outcomes of a culturally sensitive exercise intervention and specifically changes in weight.MethodsParticipants were randomly assigned to an African Dance (experimental) or Culture Education (control) group. They attended their assigned class for 1 hour per session, 3 days per week, for 6 months.ResultsThere was a significant group × time interaction on weight (P  = 0.005) such that the African Dance group lost weight (mean = 4.0 ± 6.0 lb) while the Culture Education group gained weight (mean = 2.6 ± 3.9 lb).ConclusionsThese results suggest that a culturally sensitive form of physical activity, African Dance, may be effective for promoting weight loss in a population at increased risk for obesity and cognitive decline.
Gene Coexpression Networks in Whole Blood Implicate Multiple Interrelated Molecular Pathways in Obesity in People with Asthma
Authors: Croteau‐Chonka Damien C. , Chen Zhanghua , Barnes Kathleen C. , Barraza‐Villarreal Albino , Celedón Juan C. , Gauderman W. James , Gilliland Frank D. , Krishnan Jerry A. , Liu Andrew H. , London Stephanie J. , Martinez Fernando D. , Millstein Joshua , Naureckas Edward T. , Nicolae Dan L. , White Steven R. , Ober Carole , Weiss Scott T. , Raby Benjamin A. 
Published: October 2018

ObjectiveAsthmatic children who develop obesity through adolescence have poorer disease outcomes compared with those who do not. This study aimed to characterize the biology of childhood asthma complicated by adult obesity.MethodsGene expression networks are powerful statistical tools for characterizing human disease that leverage the putative coregulatory relationships of genes to infer relevant biological pathways. Weighted gene coexpression network analysis of gene expression data was performed in whole blood from 514 adult asthmatic subjects. Then, module preservation and association replication analyses were performed in 418 subjects from two independent asthma cohorts (one pediatric and one adult).ResultsA multivariate model was identified in which three gene coexpression network modules were associated with incident obesity in the discovery cohort (each P < 0.05). Two module memberships were enriched for genes in pathways related to platelets, integrins, extracellular matrix, smooth muscle, NF‐κB signaling, and Hedgehog signaling. The network structures of each of the obesity modules were significantly preserved in both replication cohorts (permutation P = 9.999E‐05). The corresponding module gene sets were significantly enriched for differential expression in subjects with obesity in both replication cohorts (each P < 0.05).ConclusionsThe gene coexpression network profiles thus implicate multiple interrelated pathways in the biology of an important endotype of asthma with obesity.
Comparing complex perspectives on obesity drivers: action‐driven communities and evidence‐oriented experts
Authors: McGlashan J. , Hayward J. , Brown A. , Owen B. , Millar L. , Johnstone M. , Creighton D. , Allender S. 
Published: October 2018

SummaryIntroductionThe Foresight obesity map represents an expert‐developed systems map describing the complex drivers of obesity. Recently, community‐led causal loop diagrams have been developed to support community‐based obesity prevention interventions. This paper presents a quantitative comparison between the Foresight obesity systems map and a community‐developed map of the drivers of obesity.MethodsVariables from a community‐developed map were coded against the thematic clusters defined in the Foresight map to allow comparison of their sizes and strength of adjoining causal relationships. Central variables were identified using techniques from network analysis. These properties were compared to understand the similarities and differences between the systems as defined by the two groups.ResultsThe community map focused on environmental influences, such as built physical activity environment (18% of variables) and social psychology (38%). The Foresight map's largest cluster was physiology (23%), a minimal focus in the community map (2%). Network analysis highlighted media and available time within both maps, but variables related to school and sporting club environments were unique to the community map.ConclusionCommunity stakeholders focus on modifiable social and environmental drivers of obesity. Capturing local perspectives is critical when using systems maps to guide community‐based obesity prevention.