bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Production of 2,3‐butanediol byKlebsiella pneumoniaeBLh‐1 andPantoea agglomeransBL1 cultivated in acid and enzymatic hydrolysates of soybean hull
Authors: Cortivo Paulo R. D. , Machado Jonas , Hickert Lilian R. , Rossi Daniele M. , Ayub Marco A. Z. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractWe investigated the production of 2,3‐butanediol by two enterobacteria isolated from an environmental consortium,Klebsiella pneumoniaeBLh‐1 andPantoea agglomeransBL1, in a bioprocess using acid and enzymatic hydrolysates of soybean hull as substrates. Cultivations were carried out in orbital shaker under microaerophilic conditions, at 30°C and 37°C, for both bacteria. Both hydrolysates presented high osmotic pressures, around 2,000 mOsm/kg, with varying concentrations of glucose, xylose, and arabinose. Both bacteria were able to grow in the hydrolysates, at both temperatures, and they efficiently converted sugars into 2,3‐butanediol, showing yields varying from 0.25 to 0.51 g/g of sugars and maximum 2,3‐butanediol concentrations varying from 6.4 to 21.9 g/L. Other metabolic products were also obtained in lower amounts, notably ethanol, which peaked at 3.6 g/L in cultures using the enzymatic hydrolysate at 30°C. These results suggest the potential use of these recently isolated bacteria to convert lignocellulosic biomass hydrolysates into value‐added products.
Synthesis and Antimicrobial Properties of Novel Phosphonium Salts Bearing 1,4‐Dihydroxyaryl Fragment
Authors: Khasiyatullina Nadezhda R. , Mironov Vladimir F. , Voloshina Alexandra D. , Sapunova Anastasiya S. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractA versatile two‐step pathway to the synthesis of triaryl(2,5‐dihydroxy‐6‐methyl‐3‐(propan‐2‐yl)phenyl)‐ and triaryl(1,4‐dihydroxynaphthyl)phosphonium salts from triarylphosphonium trifluoroacetates was developed. The reaction proceeds under mild conditions (20 °C, CH2Cl2) with high yields (88–95 %). Some representatives of this series possess low hemolytic and high bactericidal activity against Gram‐positive bacteria.
Iron Doping Effect for Oxygen Evolution Hybrid Catalysts based on Nickel Phosphate/Nitrogen‐Doped Carbon Nanoflakes
Authors: Cheng Xian , Zheng Jianfeng , Li Jintang , Luo Xuetao 
Published: February 2019

AbstractDeveloping highly eﬃcient and earth‐abundant oxygen evolution reaction (OER) electrocatalysts is of great significance for sustainable energy conversion technologies. Herein, a facile thermal transformation strategy was developed to synthesize nickel iron phosphate nanoparticles incorporated in N‐doped carbon (NiFeP/N−C) nanoflakes as highly efficient OER electrocatalysts based on a metal organophosphonate precursor. The amino trismethylene phosphonic acid ligand used here has excellent affinity toward various metals and thus can act as a P, C, and N source on a molecular scale, which simplifies the synthesis of conductive material‐supported multi‐metal phosphates. Benefiting from the derived N‐doped carbon and the synergistic effect of bimetal ions, the sample denoted NiFeP/N−C‐700 exhibits outstanding electrocatalytic activity. It exhibits a lower overpotential of 280 mV, a small Tafel slope of 48 mV dec−1 at a current density of 10 mA/cm2, and superior stability in 1 M KOH solution.
Patients and informal caregivers' experience of surgical and transcatheter aortic valve replacement: Real‐world data contributing to establish value‐based medicine in Denmark
Authors: Rosseel Liesbeth , Bieliauskas Gintautas , Brodersen Bente B. , Olsen Peter S. , Søndergaard Lars , De Backer Ole 
Published: February 2019

BackgroundThe concept of value‐based medicine (VBM) is increasingly implemented in therapeutic decision‐making processes, but only few data on patient‐perceived values are available in the field of aortic stenosis treatment.HypothesisThis study aimed to deliver data on patient‐perceived values and health‐related quality of life (HR‐QoL) following surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) and transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) in a real‐world, all‐comers patient population.MethodsQuestionnaires were sent to 637 patients who had undergone elective AVR 12 to 24 months earlier in the period September 2015 to August 2016. The questionnaires were specifically designed to assess physical and mental impact of the entire AVR process on patients and their nearest relative and to capture HR‐QoL.ResultsQuestionnaires were completed by 429 patients (SAVR: N = 265; TAVR: N = 164). Both physical and mental impact of the intervention and its recovery period were experienced more stressful by SAVR as compared with TAVR patients. Also, nearest relatives of SAVR patients experienced the entire process mentally more stressful and enduring than relatives of TAVR patients. In both groups, 10% of patients reported no change in HR‐QoL, whereas HR‐QoL improved in 76% vs 83% (P = 0.092) and worsened in 14% vs 7% (P = 0.040) of the SAVR and TAVR populations, respectively.ConclusionThe perioperative experience tends to be more stressful for SAVR as compared with TAVR patients; however, HR‐QoL finally improves to a similar degree in both groups. Given the increasing importance of VBM, patient‐perceived values will have to be considered in future decision‐making processes, both at individual and public policy‐making level.
Topology optimization of fixed complete denture framework
Authors: Park Jaejong , Lee Damian , Sutradhar Alok 
Published: February 2019

AbstractThe functionality of a denture is directly related to the quality of life of the edentulous patients because treatment failure results in demoralizing consequences including difficulties in oral activities. Framework for fixed complete dentures plays a crucial role by transferring loads from the denture to the implants, which are integrated into the remaining bones and gingiva, thereby providing stability to the denture. Current techniques utilize 3D scan data of the implant site to capture the locations and soft tissue contours to design customized framework using computer‐aided design (CAD) and computer‐aided manufacturing (CAM) technology to properly support the denture teeth in their position. The performance and efficiency of these frameworks may be enhanced by incorporating a design optimization in the design process. We tested the feasibility of using the topology optimization to design patient‐specific dental frameworks. The shapes of the optimized frameworks may be significantly different from the traditional designs, but better structural integrity is likely to be achieved with potentially less material. The numerical study reveals that commercially available dental framework would experience 16% less maximum stress when topology optimized even with a compliance minimization formulation with 50% volume fraction constraint. Topology optimization for designing dental frameworks might improve current clinical methods and provide better long‐term patient satisfaction.
Dose‐Response Pharmacological Study of Mephedrone and Its Metabolites: Pharmacokinetics, Serotoninergic Effects, and Impact of CYP2D6 Genetic Variation
Authors: Olesti Eulàlia , Farré Magí , Carbó Marcel·lí , Papaseit Esther , Perez‐Mañá Clara , Torrens Marta , Yubero‐Lahoz Samanta , Pujadas Mitona , Pozo Óscar J. , de la Torre Rafael 
Published: February 2019

Mephedrone (MEPH), the most widely consumed synthetic cathinone, has been associated with acute toxicity episodes. The aim of this report was to study its metabolic disposition and the impact of genetic variation of CYP2D6 on MEPH metabolism, in a dose range compatible with its recreational use. A randomized, crossover, phase I clinical trial was performed. Subjects received 50 and 100 mg (n = 3) and 150 and 200 mg (n = 6) of mephedrone and were genetically and phenotypically characterized for the CYP2D6 allelic variation. Our results showed a linear kinetics of mephedrone at the dose range assayed: plasma concentrations, cardiovascular and subjective effects, and blood serotonin concentrations all correlated in a dose‐dependent manner. Mephedrone metabolic disposition is mediated by CYP2D6. Mephedrone pharmacology presented a linear dose‐dependence within the range of doses tested. The metabolism of mephedrone by CYP2D6 implies that recreational users with no or low CYP2D6 functionality are exposed to unwanted acute toxicity episodes.
A Cobalt‐Free Li(Li0.17Ni0.17Fe0.17Mn0.49)O2 Cathode with More Oxygen‐Involving Charge Compensation for Lithium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Wei Hezhuan , Cheng Xiaolu , Fan Hongwei , Shan Qian , An Shengli , Qiu Xinping , Jia Guixiao 
Published: February 2019

AbstractHigh‐energy‐density and low‐cost lithium‐ion batteries are sought to meet increasing demand for portable electronics. In this study, a cobalt‐free Li(Li0.17Ni0.17Fe0.17Mn0.49)O2 (LNFMO) cathode material is chosen, owing to the reversible anionic redox couple O2−/O−. The aim is to elucidate the Fe‐substitution function and oxygen redox mechanism of experimentally synthesized Li(Li0.16Ni0.19Fe0.18Mn0.46)O2 by DFT. The redox processes of cobalt‐containing Li(Li0.17Ni0.17Co0.17Mn0.49)O2 (LNCMO) are compared with those of LNFMO. Redox couples including Ni2+/Ni3+/Ni4+, Fe3+/Fe4+ or Co3+/Co4+, and O2−/O− are found, confirmed by a X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and explained by redox competition between O and transition metals. In LNFMO and LNCMO, O ions with an Li‐O‐Li configuration readily participate in oxidation, and the most active O ions are coordinated to Mn4+ and Li+. Oxidation of O in LNCMO is triggered earlier, along with that of Co. Fe substitution activates O ions, contributes additional oxygen redox charge compensation of 0.44 e per formula unit, avoids concentrated accumulation of oxygen oxidation, and improves structural stability. This work provides new scope for designing cobalt‐free, low‐cost, and higher‐energy‐density cathode materials for Li‐ion batteries.
A reliable and efficient single‐phase modular multilevel inverter topology
Authors: Maddugari Santosh Kumar , Borghate Vijay B. , Sabyasachi Sidharth 
Published: February 2019

SummaryBilevel inverters are replaced by multilevel inverters due to their capability of producing quality output voltage with low total harmonic distortion (THD). On the contrary, increase in number of semiconductor switches has questioned the reliability of the multilevel inverter topologies. To enhance the reliability, this paper proposes a single‐phase five‐level inverter topology with inherent fault‐tolerant feature. The proposed inverter can sustain faults in sources and semiconductor switches by amending the switching combinations. No healthy switch is needed to be bypassed during the fault to ensure the optimum utilization of the switches. An analysis on the basis of reliability, cost, and efficiency is carried out of the proposed inverter and compared with the existing topologies. To prove the claim, the experimental results of the developed hardware model is analyzed and compared with the simulation results of MATLAB/SIMULINK.
Elucidating the challenges for the praxis of fog computing: An aspect‐based study
Authors: Martin John Paul , Kandasamy A. , Chandrasekaran K. , Joseph Christina Terese 
Published: February 2019

SummaryThe evolutionary advancements in the field of technology have led to the instigation of cloud computing. The Internet of Things paradigm stimulated the extensive use of sensors distributed across the network edges. The cloud datacenters are assigned the responsibility for processing the collected sensor data. Recently, fog computing was conceptuated as a solution for the overwhelmed narrow bandwidth. The fog acts as a complementary layer that interplays with the cloud and edge computing layers, for processing the data streams. The fog paradigm, as any distributed paradigm, has its set of inherent challenges. The fog environment necessitates the development of management platforms that effectuates the orchestration of fog entities. Owing to the plenitude of research efforts directed toward these issues in a relatively young field, there is a need to organize the different research works. In this study, we provide a compendious review of the research approaches in the domain, with special emphasis on the approaches for orchestration and propose a multilevel taxonomy to classify the existing research. The study also highlights the application realms of fog computing and delineates the open research challenges in the domain.
SKWN: Smart and dynamic key management scheme for wireless sensor networks
Authors: Mesmoudi Samira , Benadda Belkacem , Mesmoudi Amin 
Published: February 2019

SummaryIn the era of the Internet of Things (IoT), we are witnessing to an unprecedented data production because of the massive deployment of wireless sensor networks (WSNs). Typically, a network of several hundred sensors is created to ensure the interactions between the cyber world and the physical world. Unfortunately, the intensive use of this kind of networks has raised several security issues. Indeed, many WSN‐based applications require secure communication in order to protect collected data. This security is generally ensured by encryption of communication between sensors, which requires the establishment of many cryptographic keys. Managing these keys, within a protocol, is an important task that guarantees the effectiveness of the security mechanism. The protocol should be intelligently adaptable not only to intrusion events but also to the security level needed by some applications. An efficient protocol optimizes also sensors energy and consequently increases the network life cycle. In this paper, we propose, a smart and dynamic key management scheme for hierarchical wireless sensor networks (SKWN). Our protocol offers three subschemes to deal with key establishment, key renewal, and new node integration. Regarding existing schemes, SKWN does not only provide reliable security mechanisms, but it also optimizes energy consumption and overheads related to the communication and memory usage. Furthermore, our approach relies on a machine learning approach to monitor the state of the network and decide the appropriate security level. We provide a formal approach and its implementation, together with simulations allowing to compare resources usage with respect to existing approaches.
Island biogeography theory explains the genetic diversity of a fragmented rock ptarmigan (Lagopus muta) population
Authors: Costanzi Jean‐Marc , Steifetten Øyvind 
Published: February 2019

AbstractThe island biogeography theory is one of the major theories in ecology, and its applicability to natural systems is well documented. The core model of the theory, the equilibrium model of island biogeography, predicts that species diversity on an island is positively related to the size of the island, but negatively related by the island's distance to the mainland. In recent years, ecologists have begun to apply this model when investigating genetic diversity, arguing that genetic and species diversity might be influenced by similar ecological processes. However, most studies have focused on oceanic islands, but knowledge on how the theory applies to islands located on the mainland (e.g., mountain islands, forest islands) is scarce. In this study, we examined how the size and degree of isolation of mountain islands would affect the genetic diversity of an alpine bird, the rock ptarmigan (Lagopus muta). Within our study area, we defined the largest contiguous mountain area as the mainland, while smaller mountains surrounding the mainland were defined as islands. We found that the observed heterozygosity (Ho) was significantly higher, and the inbreeding coefficient (Fis) significantly lower, on the mainland compared to islands. There was a positive significant relationship between the unbiased expected heterozygosity (Hn.b.) and island size (log km2), but a negative significant relationship between Ho and the cost distance to the mainland. Our results are consistent with the equilibrium model of island biogeography and show that the model is well suited for investigating genetic diversity among islands, but also on islands located on the mainland.
Investigating the effect of mono‐ and multivalent counterions on the conformation of poly(styrenesulfonic acid) by nanopores
Authors: Zhao Yating , Liu Lei , Tu Yingfeng , Wu Hai‐Chen 
Published: February 2019

AbstractPolyelectrolytes are useful materials that have many technical, medical, physiological and biological applications. The properties of polyelectrolytes are determined not only by their chemical composition but also by their conformational states. However, the conformations of polyelectrolytes in solution are very difficult to characterize. Herein, we propose to use a protein nanopore to investigate the effect of mono‐ and multivalent counterions on the conformational changes of a simple polyelectrolyte, sodium poly(styrenesulfonic acid) (NaPSS). High concentration of KCl induced a conformational transition of NaPSS from “swollen random coil” form in low salt concentration to “random coil” form and was evidenced by the changes of the translocation event pattern. Addition of Mg2+ in buffer solution did not cause notable changes of NaPSS translocation events, but Dy3+ and Y3+ were shown to have remarkable effects on the translocation profile of NaPSS. Bridging events caused by Dy3+ or Y3+ between polyelectrolyte chains largely affected current blockage and dwell time of the translocation events. Our results provide experimental evidence for the classical theories of conformational transitions of polyelectrolytes and may find applications in many other polyelectrolyte‐related researches.
Improving the qualitative indicators of apple juice by Chitosan and ultrasound
Authors: Belgheisi Saba , EsmaeilZadeh Kenari Reza 
Published: February 2019

AbstractToday's consumers desire for tasty, nutritious, and safe food products, so researchers are looking for new ways in which little heat or no heat at all is used for processing. This study was to evaluate the effect of treatment using an ultrasonic bath (for 15, 30, and 60 min at 40 and 60°C) and ultrasonic probe (for 10, 15, and 20 min at 40 and 60°C), treatment with Chitosan, and combination of them on the quality of apple juice that includes physicochemical features (pH, acidity, total solid matter), total polyphenol, total antioxidant capacity, the cloud point, and color values of Hunter (L*, a*, b*) in the treated samples and comparing them with each other. The results showed that ultrasound has no effect on the pH and acidity, while the total solid of ultrasound treatment was higher than controls in combination with Chitosan (p < 0.05). Total polyphenols of apple juice samples treated by ultrasonic probe are higher than an ultrasonic bath (p < 0.05). The total antioxidant capacity has improved in treatments (p < 0.05). According to the results there is a significant difference between the cloud point of control samples and Chitosan (p < 0.05). The L* (brightness) increased in ultrasonic probe method and had a significant decline in Chitosantreatment (p < 0.05). Findings from this study suggest that the use of ultrasound treatment in the production of apple juice can improve quality factors, and in this regard, ultrasonic probe is more effective.
Low intakes of dietary fiber and magnesium are associated with insulin resistance and hyperandrogenism in polycystic ovary syndrome: A cohort study
Authors: Cutler Dylan A. , Pride Sheila M. , Cheung Anthony P. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractBackgroundWomen with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) often have insulin resistance (IR) which may be worsened by obesity. The roles of dietary intake and activity are unclear. Our objectives were to determine whether (a) high caloric intake or inactivity explains obesity in PCOS, and (b) dietary composition is associated with PCOS phenotypes.MethodsEighty‐seven women with PCOS and 50 women without PCOS participated in this cohort study at a reproductive medicine center. Data collected included 3‐day food and physical activity records, anthropometrics, and metabolic and hormonal assays.ResultsWomen with PCOS had increased body mass index (BMI) but similar caloric intake and activity to women without PCOS. There were no differences in protein, carbohydrates, fat, or glycemic load consumption, but women with PCOS consumed less fiber (medians: 19.6 vs. 24.7 g) and less magnesium (medians: 238.9 vs. 273.9 mg). In women with PCOS, those with IR consumed less fiber, less magnesium, and greater glycemic load than those without IR (medians: 18.2 vs. 22.1 g, 208.4 vs. 264.5 mg, 89.6 vs. 83.5). Fiber intake of women with PCOS was negatively correlated with IR, fasting insulin, glucose tolerance, testosterone, and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate. Magnesium intake was negatively correlated with IR, C‐reactive protein, and testosterone, but positively correlated with HDL cholesterol. Fiber intake and BMI accounted for 54.0% of the variance observed in IR.ConclusionsObesity in women with PCOS could not be explained by overeating or inactivity. Increasing dietary fiber and magnesium intakes may assist in reducing IR and hyperandrogenemia in women with PCOS.
Does hospital competition improve efficiency? The effect of the patient choice reform in England
Authors: Longo Francesco , Siciliani Luigi , Moscelli Giuseppe , Gravelle Hugh 
Published: February 2019

AbstractWe use the 2006 relaxation of constraints on patient choice of hospital in the English NHS to investigate the effect of hospital competition on dimensions of efficiency including indicators of resource management (admissions per bed, bed occupancy rate, proportion of day cases, and cancelled elective operations) and costs (reference cost index for overall and elective activity, cleaning services costs, laundry and linen costs). We employ a quasi differences‐in‐differences approach and estimate seemingly unrelated regressions and unconditional quantile regressions with data on hospital trusts from 2002/2003 to 2010/2011. Our findings suggest that increased competition had mixed effects on efficiency. An additional equivalent rival increased admissions per bed by 1.1%, admissions per doctor by 0.9% and the proportion of day cases by 0.38 percentage points, but it also increased the number of cancelled elective operations by 2.5%.
Long noncoding RNA SOX2‐OT facilitates laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma development by epigenetically inhibiting PTEN via methyltransferase EZH2
Authors: Tai Yong , Ji Yuzi , Liu Fei , Zang Yanzi , Xu Dingyuan , Ma Song , Qin Litao , Ma Jiqing 
Published: February 2019

AbstractLong noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play important roles in the initiation and progression of various cancers, including laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC). Recently, lncRNA Sox2 overlapping transcript (SOX2‐OT) has been identified as an oncogene in various cancers. However, the functional role and the regulatory mechanism of SOX2‐OT in LSCC remains unclear. In this study, we found that SOX2‐OT expression was increased and negatively correlated with PTEN expression in LSCC tissues. Furthermore, SOX2‐OT overexpression promoted LSCC cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and suppressed cell apoptosis in vitro, as well as facilitated the in vivo tumorigenicity. By contrast, SOX2‐OT silencing exerted the opposite effect. Mechanically, SOX2‐OT interacted with EZH2 and recruited EZH2 to induce H3K27me3 and epigenetically inhibited PTEN expression in LSCC cells. Additionally, EZH2 silencing and PTEN overexpression significantly abrogated the SOX2‐OT overexpression‐mediated promotion of LSCC cell malignant behavior. Collectively, our findings demonstrate that SOX2‐OT inhibits PTEN expression to facilitate LSCC development through EZH2‐mediated H3K27me3. © 2019 IUBMB Life, 71(9):1230–1239, 2019