bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Inhibition of human constitutive 20S proteasome and 20S immunoproteasome with novel N‐terminally modified peptide aldehydes and their antitumor activity
Authors: Lubos Marta , Dębowski Dawid , Barcińska Ewelina , Meid Annika , Inkielewicz‐Stepniak Iwona , Burster Timo , Rolka Krzysztof 
Published: October 2018

AbstractThe conversion of primary structures of novel, highly selective and sensitive, internally quenched peptide substrates of the human 20S proteasome into peptide aldehydes is presented. Such covalent and reversible inhibitors differ in their primary structures and chemical moieties attached to their N‐terminal amino group. Inhibitory potency is primarily tested against proteolytic subunits of human constitutive 20S proteasome (β1c, β2c, and β5c subunits), but in some cases, also against 20S immunoproteasome β5i. Most of the peptide aldehydes act nonspecifically and bind equipotently to the corresponding proteolytic subunits of both forms of proteasome (β5c and β5i). Two inhibitors are 2.7‐times more specific for immunoproteasome over its constitutive counterpart. The antitumor activity of the selected inhibitors and MG132 (used here as the reference) is analyzed using MTT assay against nonmalignant human fetal osteoblastic hFOB 1.19, malignant human osteosarcoma MG‐63, human pancreatic cancer MiaPaCa‐2, and human acute leukemia Jurkat T cell lines. All inhibitors tested are able to decrease cell viability in a concentration‐dependent manner. One of the peptide aldehydes exerted stronger, as compared to the MG132, activity against human glioblastoma cell line U87‐MG. Moreover, its combination with dinaciclib, which is a novel, potent inhibitor of cyclin‐dependent kinases, reduces cellular metabolic activity more potently as compared to either proteasome inhibitor or dinaciclib alone.
The potential and design principle for next‐generation spectrum‐splitting photovoltaics: Targeting 50% efficiency through built‐in filters and generalization of concept
Authors: Lan Dongchen , Green Martin A. 
Published: October 2018

AbstractIncreasing the sunlight to electricity conversion efficiency is a key driver for on‐going photovoltaic cost reduction. One of the most successful approaches for improving the efficiency is to split sunlight into suitable spectral bands for a set of solar cells with appropriate energy band gaps. Using this concept, in 2014, our group demonstrated the first photovoltaic conversion efficiency above 40%, where an external filter directed a portion of the sunlight normally wasted by commercial InGaP/InGaAs/Ge triple‐junction cells to a silicon cell. Here, we analyze the primary power losses in state‐of‐the‐art spectrum‐splitting photovoltaic modules and evaluate the potential for further efficiency increase. Two further developments, applying built‐in filters and generalizing the present concept, are proposed for next‐generation spectrum‐splitting photovoltaics, which can make 50% efficiency a realistic target. The design principal is briefed as is the comparison with monolithic multijunction cells.
MicroRNA MIMIC binding sites: Minor flanking nucleotide alterations can strongly impact MIMIC silencing efficacy in Arabidopsis
Authors: Wong Gigi , Alonso‐Peral Maria , Li Bingjun , Li Junyan , Millar Anthony A. 
Published: October 2018

AbstractIn plants, microRNA (miRNA) target MIMICs (MIMs) have been widely used to inhibit miRNA function. They are based on the Arabidopsis INSENSITIVE TO PHOSPATE STARVATION 1 (IPS1) gene that corresponds to a non‐coding RNA containing a miR399 binding site that can be modified to sequester and inhibit any miRNA of interest. However, the efficacy of miRNA inhibition of these different MIMs can vary greatly. Using MIMs that have strong efficacy (MIM159) and poor efficacy (MIM165), we investigate the underlying cause of this variation. Firstly, sequence alignments of IPS1 homologs from the Brassicaceae identified a highly conserved sequence immediately downstream of the miRNA binding site. Mutating this sequence in the context of the MIM159 attenuates its strong efficacy. This conserved flanking region contains a predicted stem‐loop structure that is also predicted to be present in most modified MIMs that appear to have a strong efficacy, but not in MIM165 that has a poor efficacy. Restoring this predicted stem‐loop in MIM165 via mutation of only three or five nucleotides within the conserved flanking region resulted in MIM165 variants that have very strong efficacies of miRNA inhibition. However, specifically mutating this predicted stem‐loop in the MIM159 context failed to significantly reduce efficacy, and additional mutations to restore this predicted stem‐loop weakened efficacy further. Although this shows there is no simple correlation between this predicted stem‐loop and efficacy, these results add to the growing evidence that the sequence context of miRNA binding sites is important, and that minor nucleotide substitutions to flanking sequences of miRNA binding sites can strongly enhance or attenuate the miRNA‐target interaction.
Polysomnography Provides Useful Clinical Information in the Liberation from Respiratory Technology: A Retrospective Review
Authors: Bashir Ahsan , Henningfeld Jennifer K. , Thompson Nathan E. , D'Andrea Lynn A. 
Published: October 2018

AbstractBackground The prevalence of respiratory‐technology dependent children is increasing although for most children the goal is liberation from technology. Liberation from home mechanical ventilation (HMV) and decannulation strategies vary due to the lack of clinical practice standards. The primary objective of this study was to describe our practice utilizing a polysomnography (PSG) in the liberation from respiratory‐technology process.Methods Retrospective study of tracheostomized children with and without HMV who underwent an evaluation for decannulation between January 2006 and June 2016. Patient demographics, indication for tracheostomy, indication for PSG, PSG results and interventions performed after the PSG were collected.ResultsWe identified 153 decannulation attempts in 148 children. Ninety‐nine children had a tracheostomy only and 49 children had a tracheostomy with HMV. There were 190 PSGs performed. Almost two‐thirds of the children (N = 92) had at least one PSG, 37 children (25%) had two and 19 children (13%) had more than 2 PSGs. Children with tracheostomy and HMV had more PSGs compared to children with tracheostomy only. PSGs were performed at four points: (1) prior to tracheostomy placement (N = 23); (2) to titrate HMV (N = 19); (3) off‐HMV support (N = 43); and with a capped tracheostomy (N = 101). Most of the off‐HMV PSGs (N = 39) were favorable for discontinuing HMV. About two‐thirds of the capped PSGs (N = 73) were favorable for decannulation; of the unfavorable capped PSGs (N = 28), thirteen required airway surgeries following the unfavorable PSG.Conclusion: Overnight PSG provides useful information to the liberation process, particularly when determining readiness for discontinuing HMV and decannulation.
Polypharmacy and medication deprescribing: A survey among multimorbid older adults in Denmark
Authors: Schiøtz Michaela L. , Frølich Anne , Jensen Anette K. , Reuther Lene , Perrild Hans , Petersen Tonny S. , Kornholt Jonatan , Christensen Mikkel B. 
Published: October 2018

AbstractPolypharmacy is common among multimorbid adults and associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Excessive polypharmacy (ie, ≥10 medicine) is strongly associated with inappropriate medication use, but little is known about attitudes toward deprescribing in patients with excessive polypharmacy. We surveyed 100 Danish individuals aged 65 years and above with ≥10 prescribed medications, using the validated Patients’ Attitudes Towards Deprescribing (PATD) instrument. Most participants (81, 81%) thought they took a large number of medications, and 79 (79%) believed that their medications were necessary. Even so, 85 (85%) reported that they would be willing to stop taking one or more of their regular medications if their doctor told them they could, and 11 (11%) felt that they took at least one regular medication that they no longer needed. When presented with visual presentation of various amounts of tablets and capsules, 62 (62%) of participants reported that they would be comfortable taking fewer medications than they did. Forty‐two (42%) participants had experience with stopping a regular medication. Almost all participants (92%) wanted to receive follow‐up by various means if a medication was discontinued. Forty‐one (41%) participants were interested in a consultation at an outpatient clinic specializing in polypharmacy. Overall, the answers to the PATD questionnaire suggest that our cohort of Danish, multimorbid outpatients with extensive polypharmacy have a high confidence in their healthcare providers for medication‐related decisions, even though some feel that they are taking more medications than they would like to and feel that some medications may be unnecessary. Our results underline the need for healthcare providers to offer medication reviews in patients with multimorbidity.
Role of the neuropeptide F 1 in regulating the appetite for food in Locusta migratoria
Authors: Tan Shuqian , Li Aomei , Wang Yang , Shi Wangpeng 
Published: October 2018

AbstractBACKGROUNDNeuropeptide F (NPF) is an intercellular signaling molecule that mediates many physiological and behavioral processes. However, the function of neuropeptide F in mediating the feeding behavior of Locusta migratoria has been unclear.RESULTSThe neuropeptide F 1 precursor cDNA from L. migratoria was obtained and analyzed, and its amino acid sequence deduced. Mature LmiNPF1 was composed of 36 amino acids and was similar to that of Schistocerca gregaria. The spatial and temporal expression profiles of LmiNPF1 were investigated. LmiNPF1 was primarily expressed in the central nervous system, especially in the brain, and the expression levels were higher during the day than during the night. However, starvation activated LmiNPF1 expression increases, and downregulation of LmiNPF1 inhibited locust feeding behavior.CONCLUSIONLmiNPF1 promotes the feeding behavior of the locust and is a potential molecular target to control locust feeding. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Migration to two mines in Laos
Authors: Jackson Richard T. 
Published: October 2018

AbstractThis paper considers migration patterns to the Sepon and Phu Kham copper‐gold mining projects in Laos. Data collected biennially at these two mining ventures to monitor socio‐economic change is analysed to establish numbers, sources and types of migrants towards these mines and the distribution of project‐generated cash flows captured by such groups in comparison with those accruing to pre‐existing populations. The bulk of migration is demonstrated to be due to personal ties between migrants and pre‐existing residents. It is argued that in‐migration ultimately tends to dilute and partly undermine the immediate and positive impact of any intentional efforts to maximize local economic opportunities. Efforts to maximize employment for pre‐existing populations are shown to have been significantly undermined by numerous factors. Variations between different state policies on the distribution of and eligibility for receipt of project benefits are key to determining the extent of inward migration. The mines considered here, like many such operations elsewhere and throughout history, are located in relatively remote areas where the prospects for any form of economic development, other than mining, have been minimal. It is unlikely, therefore, that the higher levels of income and the increased opportunities (both social and economic) generated in mine impact areas during operations will be maintained after mine closure. The challenge to mining companies (and host governments) is not so much to create a sustainable economy in the places where they operate but rather to create sustainable improvements in the opportunities for the people who were living in such places prior to the start of their operations.
The ethnic migrant inventor effect: Codification and recombination of knowledge across borders
Authors: Choudhury Prithwiraj , Kim Do Yoon 
Published: October 2018

Research SummaryEthnic migrant inventors may differ from locals in terms of the knowledge they bring to host firms. Using a unique dataset of Chinese and Indian herbal patents filed in the United States, we find that an increase in the supply of first‐generation ethnic migrant inventors increases the rate of codification of herbal knowledge at U.S. assignees by 4.5%. Our identification comes from an exogenous shock to the quota of H1B visas and from a list of entities exempted from the shock. We also find that ethnic migrant inventors are more likely to engage in reuse of knowledge previously locked within the cultural context of their home regions, whereas knowledge recombination is more likely to be pursued by teams comprising inventors from other ethnic backgrounds.
Managerial SummaryManagers and policy makers around the world face a vigorous debate on whether to hire skilled migrants or hire locals. We argue that if western firms stop hiring ethnic migrants, innovation at these firms would suffer in two ways: knowledge transfer and knowledge recombination would both be impeded. We argue and show that skilled ethnic migrants bring to their employers, unique knowledge from the cultural context of their host country. Also, local inventors engage in “knowledge recombination” by combining their existing knowledge to knowledge transferred by migrants. Our empirical results relate to the patenting of Chinese and Indian herbal formulations at western pharmaceutical firms before and after an immigration shock related to the admittance of skilled migrants from these two countries.
In Situ Growth and Size Regulation of Single Gold Nanoparticles in Composite Microgels
Authors: Thies Sabrina , Simon Paul , Zelenina Iryna , Mertens Luc , Pich Andrij 
Published: October 2018

AbstractHerein, a novel method for the in situ growth of single gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) in microgel (MG) networks is presented. The key feature in this approach is the localization of β‐diketone groups capable of both complexation and reduction of aurate ions in the MGs’ core, which allows localization of the nucleation and growth of single AuNPs. The MG synthesis is carried out via precipitation polymerization in water with N‐vinylcaprolactam as the main monomer and with the two comonomers acetoacetoxyethyl methacrylate (AAEM) and acrylic acid (AAc), where AAEM is mainly located in the MGs’ core and AAc in their shell. For the synthesis of AuNPs, a certain amount of chloroauric acid (HAuCl4) is added to the dispersion, followed by fast reduction with sodium borohydride (NaBH4). In situ synthesized AuNPs in MGs possess a spherical shape, with a diameter of 8.1 ± 0.8 nm, being localized in the center of every MG. In addition, these AuNPs embedded into MG networks can be used as seeds that grow in their size after the addition of HAuCl4 up to 46.0 ± 9.5 nm under mild reaction conditions (room temperature, aqueous dispersion) and without the use of any additional reducing and stabilizing agents.
DjangoChecker: Applying extended taint tracking and server side parsing for detection of context‐sensitive XSS flaws
Authors: Steinhauser Antonín , Tůma Petr 
Published: October 2018

SummaryCross‐site scripting (XSS) flaws are a class of security flaws that permit the injection of malicious code into a web application. In simple situations, these flaws can be caused by missing input sanitizations. Sometimes, however, all application inputs are sanitized, but the sanitizations are not appropriate for the browser contexts of the sanitized values. Using an incorrect sanitizer can make the application look protected, when it is in fact vulnerable as if no sanitization was used, creating a context‐sensitive XSS flaw. To discover context‐sensitive XSS flaws, we introduce DjangoChecker. DjangoChecker combines extended dynamic taint tracking with a model browser for context analysis. We demonstrate the practical application of DjangoChecker on eight mature web applications based on Django, discovering previously unknown flaws in seven of the eight applications, including highly severe flaws that allow arbitrary JavaScript execution in the seven flawed applications.
The DFT/MRCI method
Authors: Marian Christel M. , Heil Adrian , Kleinschmidt Martin 
Published: October 2018

In the past two decades, the combined density functional theory and multireference configuration interaction (DFT/MRCI) method has developed from a powerful approach for computing spectral properties of singlet and triplet excited states of large molecules into a more general multireference method applicable to states of all spin multiplicities. In its original formulation, it shows great efficiency in the evaluation of singlet and triplet excited states which mainly originate from local one‐electron transitions. Moreover, DFT/MRCI is one of the few methods applicable to large systems that yields the correct ordering of states in extended π‐systems where double excitations play a significant role. A recently redesigned DFT/MRCI Hamiltonian extends the application range of the method to bi‐chromophores such as hydrogen‐bonded or π‐stacked dimers and loosely coupled donor–acceptor systems. In conjunction with a restricted‐open shell Kohn–Sham optimization of the molecular orbitals, even electronically excited doublet and quartet states can be addressed. After a short outline of the general ideas behind this semi‐empirical method and a brief review of alternative approaches combining density functional and multireference wavefunction theory, formulae for the DFT/MRCI Hamiltonian matrix elements are presented and the adjustments of the two‐electron contributions are discussed. The performance of the DFT/MRCI variants on excitation energies of organic molecules and transition metal compounds against experimental or ab initio reference data is analyzed and case studies are presented which show the strengths and limitations of the method. Finally, an overview over the properties available from DFT/MRCI wavefunctions and further developments is given.This article is categorized under:

Electronic Structure Theory > Density Functional Theory
Electronic Structure Theory > Semiempirical Electronic Structure Methods
Software > Quantum Chemistry
Potential effects of neonicotinoid insecticides on northern bobwhites
Authors: Ertl Hannah M. , Mora Miguel A. , Boellstorff Diane E. , Brightsmith Donald , Carson Katherine 
Published: October 2018

ABSTRACTNorthern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) populations have been declining in Texas, USA, for nearly 3 decades. Reasons for the decline are unclear; however, a variety of factors have been considered, including pesticides and other environmental contaminants. We assessed potential effects of neonicotinoid insecticides on bobwhites by analyzing liver tissues from specimens collected in 3 selected regions of Texas. Fifty‐seven bobwhites were collected from the South Texas Plains, Rolling Plains, and Gulf Coast Prairies and Marshes regions during autumn 2014 and spring 2015. Neonicotinoid compounds were detected in trace amounts in the livers of 7 quail, including samples from all 3 field sites and during both collecting periods. Signs of testicular degeneration (n = 2) and hepatocellular vacuolation (n = 10) were consistent with known results of neonicotinoid intoxication. Overall, we identified evidence of bobwhite exposure to neonicotinoid insecticides, which correlates with a previous study that suggests that neonicotinoid use may be contributing to quail decline in some ecoregions in Texas, particularly the High Plains, Rolling Plains, Gulf Coast Prairies and Marshes, South Texas Plains, and Edwards Plateau. © 2018 The Wildlife Society.
Thermally induced large deflection analysis of shear deformable FGM shallow curved tubes using perturbation method
Authors: Babaei H. , Kiani Y. , Eslami M. R. 
Published: October 2018

AbstractIn the present investigation, geometrically nonlinear response of a shallow curved tube subjected to thermal loading is analyzed. The tube is made of a functionally graded material (FGM), where properties are distributed across the tube radius. Thermomechancal properties of the constituents are assumed to be temperature dependent. The simple case of uniform temperature rise loading is considered. A higher order displacement field is considered for the tube which satisfies the conditions of zero tangential tractions on the inner and outer surfaces of the tube. With the aid of von Kármán strain‐displacement relations, linear thermoelastic constitutive law, and Hamilton's principle the governing equations of the tube are obtained. These equations are reduced to new two coupled equations for the case of axially immovable tubes. These new equations are solved using the two step perturbation technique for pinned and clamped tubes. Closed form expressions are provided to estimate the deflections in the FGM temperature dependent curved tubes under uniform thermal load. The effect of boundary conditions, temperature dependency of material properties, and geometrical properties are discussed via numerical examples.
Analysis of the Effect of Early Versus Conventional Nasogastric Tube Removal on Postoperative Complications After Transthoracic Esophagectomy: A Single‐Center, Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Hayashi Masato , Kawakubo Hirofumi , Shoji Yoshiaki , Mayanagi Syuhei , Nakamura Rieko , Suda Koichi , Wada Norihito , Takeuchi Hiroya , Kitagawa Yuko 
Published: October 2018

AbstractBackgroundAlthough esophagectomy is the only curative option for esophageal cancer, the associated invasiveness is high. Nasogastric (NG) tube use may prevent complications; however, its utility remains unclear, and the decompression period depends on the doctor. This study aimed to reveal the effect of conventional versus early NG tube removal on postoperative complications after esophagectomy.MethodsThis single‐center prospective randomized controlled clinical trial enrolled patients aged 20–80 years with histologically proven primary esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Eighty patients admitted for transthoracic first‐stage esophagectomy reconstructed with gastric conduit were randomly assigned (1:1) to the conventional and early NG tube removal groups. In the conventional NG tube removal group, the tube was removed on postoperative day (POD) 7; in the other, it was removed on POD 1. The occurrence rate of major complications, length of postoperative hospital stay, and NG tube reinsertion rate were compared between the groups.ResultsThe incidence of postoperative major complications such as pneumonia, anastomotic leakage, recurrent nerve palsy and gastrointestinal bleeding, and the NG tube reinsertion rate was not different between the groups. However, recurrent nerve palsy was more commonly observed in the conventional removal group; this difference was not significant. In terms of postoperative pneumonia, tumor location and field of lymph node dissection were significant risk factors.ConclusionAlthough early NG tube removal did not reduce the rate of postoperative pneumonia, it could be performed safely. Hence, the NG tube can be removed earlier than conventional methods.