bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
In situ fibrillation of isotactic polypropylene in ethylene‐vinyl acetate: Toward enhanced rheological and mechanical properties
Authors: Luo Shanshan , Sun Jing , Huang Anrong , Zhang Tingting , Wei Liangqiang , Qin Shuhao 
Published: January 2019

ABSTRACTIn situ microfibrillar reinforced composites with ethylene‐vinyl acetate (EVA) as matrix and isotactic polypropylene (iPP) as dispersed fibrils were successfully fabricated by multistage stretching extrusion with an assembly of laminating‐multiplying elements (LMEs). Four types of EVA with different apparent viscosity were utilized to study the influence of viscosity ratio on the morphology and mechanical properties of EVA/iPP in situ microfibrillar blends. The scanning electron micrographs revealed that the dividing–multiplying processes in LMEs could effectively transform the morphology of iPP phase into microfibrils and the morphology of iPP microfibrils strongly depended on the viscosity ratio. Higher viscosity ratio was favorable for formation of finer microfibrils with narrower diameter distribution. The morphology development of iPP with different viscosity ratio greatly affected the rheological and mechanical properties of EVA/iPP blends. The dynamic rheological results shown that the iPP microfibrils were helpful to increase the storage modulus and loss modulus. The tensile test indicated that the mechanical properties of EVA/iPP blends were controlled by the morphology of iPP phase and the polarity of EVA matrix. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019, 136, 47557.
Differential population dynamics of a coastal porpoise correspond to the fishing effort in a large estuarine system
Authors: Lin Wenzhi , Karczmarski Leszek , Li Jun , Chan Stephen C.Y. , Guo Lang , Wu Yuping 
Published: January 2019

AbstractThe finless porpoise (genusNeophocaena) is susceptible to fishery‐caused mortality, and its numbers are thought to be in decline across its entire range. However, population demographics have rarely been quantified for this genus, with a few exceptions of the narrow‐ridged form (Neophocaena asiaeorientalis) in waters off Japan, Korea, and in the Yangtze River of China, all of which show a drastic decline in recent decades. Similar analyses have not been performed for the Indo‐Pacific (known also as the wide‐ridged) finless porpoise (Neophocaena phocaenoides) that inhabits (sub‐)tropical waters; thus, reliable risk assessments are lacking.The demographic dynamics of the Indo‐Pacific finless porpoise in the Pearl River Delta (PRD) region were investigated by analysing 307 cases of beached carcasses that were recovered between 1996 and 2014. The mean instantaneous rate of increaserindicated a declining trend of 3.6% loss per annum during 1996–2005, and a subsequent recovering trend with 0.76% increase per annum during 2006–2014. The individual‐based Leslie matrix model constructed with the most up‐to‐date demographic parameters suggests that the conservation status of the finless porpoise in the PRD region corresponds to Near Threatened (NT) according to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature criterion A3.This temporal demographic change may be due to changes in fishing effort, which has been declining locally since the late 1990s. Although more quantitative evidence is needed, it is shown that regulated management of coastal fisheries can serve as an effective tool in securing the long‐term persistence of Indo‐Pacific finless porpoise in the PRD region, which likely applies also elsewhere in the genus/species' range where coastal fisheries overlap with the porpoise habitat. Results provide baseline ecological indicators that can facilitate further monitoring of the population status and trend.
Predictors of mental health and well‐being in employed adults with autism spectrum disorder at 12‐month follow‐up
Authors: Hedley Darren , Uljarević Mirko , Bury Simon M. , Dissanayake Cheryl 
Published: January 2019

People with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) commonly experience poor outcomes in adulthood. Previous research on adult outcomes has focused on negative aspects of health and well‐being, while positive well‐being remains understudied. The current study charted 12‐month change in daily living skills, job satisfaction, depression, anxiety, and positive well‐being in 36 (32 male) newly employed adults with ASD aged 18 to 57 years who were participating in a supported employment program. There was a small increase in daily living skills, and a slight decrease in job satisfaction, with all other measures remaining stable over time. Regression analyses revealed that, controlling for baseline depression, positive well‐being negatively predicted depression at follow‐up. No significant predictors of anxiety were identified. Social support and depression at baseline were associated with positive well‐being at follow‐up; however, they were no longer significant predictors after the effects of baseline positive well‐being were taken into account. The findings provide evidence that positive well‐being may buffer against depression in people with ASD. Our finding of stability of mental health and well‐being measures over time indicates more research is required to uncover the mechanisms underpinning mental health and well‐being outcomes in employed adults with ASD. Autism Res 2019, 12: 482–494 © 2019 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.Lay SummaryPeople with autism commonly experience poor outcomes in adulthood. We studied mental health and well‐being in newly employed adults with autism who were participating in a supported employment program. Apart from a slight increase in daily living skills and a slight decrease in job satisfaction, other measures of mental health and well‐being remained stable over time. Our findings suggest that positive well‐being may protect against symptoms of depression in people with autism.
Ermittlung einer Naturbrandkurve für Brände in abgehängten Decken und Systemböden
Authors: Koh Suet Kwan , Mensinger Martin , Meyer Patrick , Schaumann Peter 
Published: January 2019

AbstractEine Integration der brennbaren Installationen der technischen Gebäudeausrüstung im Hohlraum von Stahl‐Beton‐Verbunddecken stellt ein Problem für die ungeschützte Tragkonstruktion hinsichtlich der Brandschutzanforderungen dar. Im Normalfall werden dabei die Hohlräume in integrierten und abgehängten Decken sowie Systemböden nicht vom Raum getrennt betrachtet. Dies führt dazu, dass die innen liegende Stahlkonstruktion für das Brandszenario des Gesamtraums zu bemessen ist.Basierend auf der Brandlast von elektrischen Kabeln und Leitungen sowie den typischen Randbedingungen in den Hohlräumen wird daher das Naturbrandszenario „Brand im Hohlraum“ aus kleinmaßstäblichen Brandversuchen entwickelt. Schlussendlich stellt diese Naturbrandkurve damit eine Möglichkeit zu einer realitätsnahen Bemessung der stählernen Tragkonstruktion dar. Neben dieser Betrachtung ist es erforderlich, den Einfluss von durchdringenden Installationen bei einer Brandbeanspruchung durch die Einheits‐Temperaturzeitkurve (ETK) auf die Temperaturentwicklung in den Hohlräumen zu beurteilen. Dabei ist insbesondere von Interesse, inwieweit aufgrund eines Brands im Raum ebenfalls ein Brand im Hohlraum ohne Abschottung entsteht. Dies wird anhand von zwei Großbrandversuchen mit abgehängten Decken und Systemböden mit unterschiedlichen Größen und Positionen von Öffnungen unter der Einwirkung der ETK untersucht. Es zeigt sich, dass fehlende Abschottungen bis zu einem gewissen Grad nicht zu einem Brand im Hohlraum führen.
Current achievements in the mechanically pretreated conversion of plant biomass
Authors: Bychkov Aleksey , Podgorbunskikh Ekaterina , Bychkova Elena , Lomovsky Oleg 
Published: January 2019

AbstractAt present, “mechanochemistry” is synonymous with “grinding,” according to the views of a significant number of scientists and technologists. Often, one comes across the opinion that “the less the particle size, the better.” The cases of considering chemical reactions occurring during pretreatment, as well as considering changes in the ultrastructure of cell walls are extremely rare. Also, the wrong choice of the type of mechanical impact and the equipment used in most cases leads to excessive consumption of electrical energy and reduce economic efficiency. The review presents the currently available published data on mechanically activated processes for the pretreatment of plant materials and shows that when using mechanical treatment, it is necessary to look more closely at the phenomena occurring, rather than reducing everything to the production of fine and ultrafine powders. As a result of mechanical action, active surface radicals can form, hydrothermal chemical processes can occur, and mechanocomposites can form. The role of interphase processes, changes in surface chemistry, related dimensional effects, and the disordering of the crystal structure and amorphization should be taken into account. In addition, the physicochemical insights in mechanical pretreatment make it possible to more efficiently use the energy delivered to the material, and, consequently, increase the economic efficiency of the activation process.
Perfusion cultures require optimum respiratory ATP supply to maximize cell‐specific and volumetric productivities
Authors: Becker Max , Junghans Lisa , Teleki Attila , Bechmann Jan , Takors Ralf 
Published: January 2019

AbstractPerfusion processes are an emerging alternative to common fed‐batch processes in the growing biopharmaceutical industry. However, the challenge of maintaining high cell‐specific productivities remains. In this study, glucose limitation was applied to two perfusion steady states and compared with a third steady state without any detectable limitation. The metabolic phenotype was enhanced under glucose limitation with a decrease of 30% in glucose uptake and 75% in lactate formation. Cell‐specific productivities were substantially improved by 50%. Remarkably, the productivities showed a strong correlation to respiratory adenosine triphosphate (ATP) supply. As less reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) remained in the cytosol, the ATP generation from oxidative phosphorylation was increased by almost 30%. Consequently, the efficiency of carbon metabolism and the resulting respiratory ATP supply was crucial for maintaining the highly productive cellular state. This study highlights that glucose limitation can be used for process intensification in perfusion cultures as ATP generation via respiration is significantly increased, leading to elevated productivities.
Potential regulates metabolism and extracellular respiration of electroactive Geobacter biofilm
Authors: Li Dao‐Bo , Li Jie , Liu Dong‐Feng , Ma Xin , Cheng Lei , Li Wen‐Wei , Qian Chen , Mu Yang , Yu Han‐Qing 
Published: January 2019

AbstractDissimilatory metal reducer Geobacter sulfurreducens can mediate redox processes through extracellular electron transfer and exhibit potential‐dependent electrochemical activity in biofilm. Understanding the microbial acclimation to potential is of critical importance for developing robust electrochemically active biofilms and facilitating their environmental, geochemical, and energy applications. In this study, the metabolism and redox conduction behaviors of
G. sulfurreducens biofilms developed at different potentials were explored. We found that electrochemical acclimation occurred at the initial hours of polarizing
G. sulfurreducens cells to the potentials. Two mechanisms of acclimation were found, depending on the polarizing potential. In the mature biofilms, a low level of biosynthesis and a high level of catabolism were maintained at +0.2 V versus standard hydrogen electrode (SHE). The opposite results were observed at potentials higher than or equal to +0.4 V versus SHE. The potential also regulated the constitution of the electron transfer network by synthesizing more extracellular cytochrome
c such as OmcS at 0.0 and +0.2 V and exhibited a better conductivity. These findings provide reasonable explanations for the mechanism governing the electrochemical respiration and activity in
G. sulfurreducens biofilms.
Unveiling the molecular crosstalk in a human induced pluripotent stem cell‐derived cardiac model
Authors: Abecasis Bernardo , Gomes‐Alves Patrícia , Rosa Susana , Gouveia Pedro J. , Ferreira Lino , Serra Margarida , Alves Paula M. 
Published: January 2019

AbstractIn vitro cell‐based models that better mimic the human heart tissue are of utmost importance for drug development and cardiotoxicity testing but also as tools to understand mechanisms related with heart disease at cellular and molecular level. Besides, the implementation of analytical tools that allow the depiction and comprehensive understanding of the molecular mechanisms of the crosstalk between the different cell types is also relevant. In this work, we implemented a human cardiac tissue‐like in vitro model, derived from human‐induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC), and evaluated the relevance of the cell–cell communication between the two of the most representative cell populations of the human heart: cardiomyocytes (hiPSC‐CM) and endothelial cells (hiPSC‐EC). We observed that heterotypic cell communication promotes: (a) structural maturation of hiPSC‐CM and (b) deposition of several extracellular matrix components (such as collagens and fibronectin). Overall, the toolbox of analytical techniques used in our study not only enabled us to validate previous reports from the literature on the importance of the presence of hiPSC‐EC on hiPSC‐CM maturation, but also bring new insights on the molecular mechanisms involved in the communication between these two cell types when cocultured in vitro.
Construction of mini‐chemostats for high‐throughput strain characterization
Authors: Bergenholm David , Liu Guodong , Hansson David , Nielsen Jens 
Published: January 2019

AbstractTo achieve large‐scale, high‐throughput experiments for systems biology research of microorganisms, reliable data from robust cultivation systems are needed. Chemostats are such systems, ensuring reproducibility and quality by providing a stable, well‐controlled environment for the cells. However, many of the available chemostat systems require large amounts of media and are complex to set up and expensive to purchase and maintain. To address these concerns, we developed a mini‐chemostat (MC) system with 16 reactors, each at a working volume of 40 ml. Sensors measure dissolved oxygen in the reactor, while OD600 is measured in the outflow. We further developed a CO2 and pH sensor array that can be plugged into the outflow of the reactors. The system was used to characterize yeast physiology at four metabolically different conditions: limitations of glucose, both aerobic and anaerobic, nitrogen, and ethanol. The physiology of yeast cells grown at the four different conditions in the MC system was compared with the yeast cells grown in a DASGIP 1 L system using RNAseq analysis. The results show that the MC system provides the same environmental conditions as the DASGIP system and that the MC system is reproducible between different runs. The system is built to be easily scalable with more reactors and to include more sensors, if available. Our study shows that a robust, reproducible chemostat system for high‐throughput and large‐scale experiments can be built at low costs.
Decoupling of recombinant protein production from Escherichia coli cell growth enhances functional expression of plant Leloir glycosyltransferases
Authors: Lemmerer Martin , Mairhofer Juergen , Lepak Alexander , Longus Karin , Hahn Rainer , Nidetzky Bernd 
Published: January 2019

AbstractSugar nucleotide‐dependent (Leloir) glycosyltransferases from plants are important catalysts for the glycosylation of small molecules and natural products. Limitations on their applicability for biocatalytic synthesis arise because of low protein expression (≤10 mg/L culture) in standard microbial hosts. Here, we showed two representative glycosyltransferases: sucrose synthase from soybean and UGT71A15 from apple. A synthetic biology‐based strategy of decoupling the enzyme expression from the
Escherichia coli BL21(DE3) cell growth was effective in enhancing their individual (approximately fivefold) or combined (approximately twofold) production as correctly folded, biologically active proteins. The approach entails a synthetic host cell, which is able to shut down the production of host messenger RNA by inhibition of the
E. coli RNA polymerase. Overexpression of the enzyme(s) of interest is induced by the orthogonal T7 RNA polymerase. Shutting down of the host RNA polymerase is achieved by
l‐arabinose‐inducible expression of the T7 phage‐derived Gp2 protein from a genome‐integrated site. The glycosyltransferase genes are encoded on conventional pET‐based expression plasmids that allow T7 RNA polymerase‐driven inducible expression by isopropyl‐β‐
d‐galactoside. Laboratory batch and scaled‐up (20 L) fed‐batch bioreactor cultivations demonstrated improvements in an overall yield of active enzyme by up to 12‐fold as a result of production under growth‐decoupled conditions. In batch culture, sucrose synthase and UGT71A15 were obtained, respectively, at 115 and 2.30 U/g cell dry weight, corresponding to ∼5 and ∼1% of total intracellular protein. Fed‐batch production gave sucrose synthase in a yield of 2,300 U/L of culture (830 mg protein/L). Analyzing the isolated glycosyltransferase, we showed that the improvement in the enzyme production was due to the enhancement of both yield (5.3‐fold) and quality (2.3‐fold) of the soluble sucrose synthase. Enzyme preparation from the decoupled production comprised an increased portion (61% compared with 26%) of the active sucrose synthase homotetramer. In summary, therefore, we showed that the expression in growth‐arrested
E. coli is promising for recombinant production of plant Leloir glycosyltransferases.
Diagnostic accuracy of percutaneous biopsy in retroperitoneal sarcoma
Authors: Almond L M , Tirotta F , Tattersall H , Hodson J , Cascella T , Barisella M , Marchianò A , Greco G , Desai A , Ford S J , Gronchi A , Fiore M , Morosi C 
Published: January 2019

Abstract

Background
Percutaneous biopsy is recommended before surgery for suspected retroperitoneal sarcoma (RPS) to confirm the histological diagnosis and guide surgical strategy. The present study aimed to establish the diagnostic accuracy of percutaneous core biopsy with respect to histological diagnosis and tumour grade.

Methods
Data on patients with suspected RPS who underwent percutaneous biopsy followed by surgical resection between 2005 and 2016 at one of two tertiary European sarcoma units were reviewed. Histological tumour type and tumour grade on biopsy were correlated with postoperative histology to evaluate diagnostic accuracy.

Results
A total of 239 patients underwent percutaneous core biopsy followed by surgical resection in Milan (163, 68·2 per cent) or Birmingham (76, 31·8 per cent). Diagnostic accuracy varied with histological diagnosis (P &lt; 0·001), but demonstrated overall concordance with final pathology following resection in 67·2 per cent of biopsies (κ = 0·606). The majority of discrepancies occurred in dedifferentiated liposarcoma (DDLPS), owing to under-recognition of dedifferentiation in this group. Concordance between pathology on biopsy and resection improved to 81·1 per cent when DDLPS and well differentiated liposarcoma were grouped together as liposarcoma. Grade on biopsy was concordant with grade on resection specimen in 60·4 per cent of tumours (κ = 0·640). Diagnosis of high-grade tumours on biopsy had a high specificity (98 per cent), and moderate positive predictive value (85 per cent) and negative predictive value (78 per cent).

Conclusion
A diagnosis of DDLPS or leiomyosarcoma on percutaneous biopsy is highly reliable. High-grade sarcomas can be identified with high specificity, which opens the door to a study on neoadjuvant therapy in these patients.
Validated liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry method for quantification of ticagrelor and its active metabolite in human plasma
Authors: Xu Xiaomin , Ding Xiaohong , Yuan Bo , Li Weiwei , Wang Yimei , Jin Yi , Xu Haiyan 
Published: January 2019

AbstractA rapid, simple and sensitive LC–MS/MS method was established and validated for simultaneous quantification of ticagrelor and its active metabolite AR‐C124910XX in human plasma. After plasma samples were deproteinized with acetonitrile, the post‐treatment samples were chromatographed on a Dikma C18 column interfaced with a triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometer. Electrospray negative ionization mode and multiple reaction monitoring were adopted to assay ticagrelor and AR‐C124910XX. Acetonitrile and 5 mΜ ammonium acetate was used as the mobile phase with a gradient elution at a flow rate of 0.5 mL/min. The method was linear in the range of 0.781–800 ng/mL for both ticagrelor and AR‐C124910XX with a correlation coefficient ≥0.994. The intra‐ and inter‐day precisions were within 12.61% in terms of relative standard deviation and the accuracy was within ±7.88% in terms of relative error. The LC–MS/MS method was fully validated for its sensitivity, selectivity, stability, matrix effect and recovery. This convenient and specific LC–MS/MS method was successfully applied to the pharmacokinetic study of ticagrelor and AR‐C124910XX in healthy volunteers after an oral dose of 90 mg ticagrelor.
Competitive Transient Electrostatic Adsorption for In Situ Regeneration of Poisoned Catalyst
Authors: Pan Yanbo , Shen Xiaochen , Yao Libo , Bentalib Abdulaziz , Yang Jinlong , Zeng Jie , Peng Zhenmeng 
Published: January 2019

AbstractCatalyst deactivation by poisoning species is one important concern in catalysis processes and causes significant catalyst material and operation costs due to process shutdown and catalyst replacement. We report one new in situ catalyst regeneration method, which utilizes competitive electrostatic adsorption of charged ions which are generated with moderate DC voltage supply following the Townsend discharge mechanism to desorb poisoning species and the transient characteristic of electrostatically adsorbed ions to recover the active sites for catalysis. We demonstrate effectiveness of this new concept using HCOOH decomposition on Pt catalyst as model reaction and find the deactivated Pt regains the activity in presence of Ar+ generation. DFT simulations and classical electrical discharge calculations show Ar+ ions have significantly higher electrostatic adsorption energy than desorption energy of CO poisoning species that helps to desorb CO from Pt and generate more available active sites. This new in situ catalyst regeneration method, with convenient, noninvasive and low operation cost features, provides a promising strategy to overcome the challenges associated with current technologies that handle catalyst deactivation.