bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
From liposomes to cells: Filling the gap between physicochemical and microbiological studies of the activity and selectivity of host‐defense peptides
Authors: Savini Filippo , Bobone Sara , Roversi Daniela , Mangoni Maria Luisa , Stella Lorenzo 
Published: February 2018

AbstractHost‐defense peptides (HPDs) are bactericidal and immunomodulatory molecules, part of the innate immune system of many organisms, including man. They kill bacteria mostly by perturbing their membranes, and for this reason they are a promising class of molecules to fight drug‐resistant microbes. However, their success towards clinical application is still limited, partly due to many unanswered questions on their activity and function. Our current understanding of HDPs has been reached by two parallel, but largely independent, approaches: microbiological studies on HDP effects on cells, and physicochemical investigations on model membranes. All current models for the mechanisms of HDP membrane perturbation and cell selectivity were derived from the latter kind of studies, but their relevance for real cells still had to be demonstrated. In the last few years, several studies led to quantitative insights into HDP behavior directly in cells: membrane‐binding and peptide‐induced pores in bacteria and liposomes were compared; the number of cell‐bound peptide molecules needed to kill a bacterium was determined; the variation of peptide activity and toxicity with the density of cells was characterized; selectivity was examined in a mixture of target and host cells; the sequence of events leading to bacterial death was observed in real time by microscopy on single cells. Overall, these approaches led to a new understanding of HDPs that will be helpful for their development into effective antibiotic drugs.
Aerobic exercise prior to task‐specific training to improve poststroke motor function: A case series
Authors: Valkenborghs S.R. , Visser M.M. , Nilsson M. , Callister R. , van Vliet P. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractBackgroundAerobic exercise can improve upper limb motor function in both healthy and stroke populations. Research in animals after stroke has shown that aerobic exercise combined with forelimb motor training improved forelimb motor function more than aerobic exercise or motor training alone. There is a lack of knowledge about this combined intervention in humans after stroke.PurposeThese 2 case reports describe the exploratory implementation of a combined aerobic exercise and task‐specific training intervention to improve upper limb motor function in one person in subacute stroke recovery and one person in chronic stroke recovery.MethodsCase descriptionsSubacute participant: 45‐year‐old female, 3 months after ischemic stroke resulting in left‐sided hemiparesis affecting her non‐dominant upper limb, with a baseline Action Research Arm Test (ARAT) score of 10/57 and Wolf Motor Function Test (WMFT) score of 39/75.Chronic participant: 69‐year‐old female, 14 years after ischemic stroke resulting in right‐sided hemiparesis affecting her non‐dominant upper limb, with a baseline ARAT score of 13/57 and WMFT score of 34/75.InterventionParticipants performed 30 min of lower limb cycling immediately prior to 30 min of upper limb task‐specific training. Sessions were undertaken 3 times a week for 8 weeks in a university rehabilitation laboratory.ResultsThe combined intervention was feasible and perceived as acceptable and beneficial. Participants improved their upper limb motor function on the ARAT (subacute participant = 4 points; chronic participant = 2 points) and WMFT (subacute participant = 5 points; chronic participant = 3 points). Participants improved their aerobic fitness (subacute participant = +4.66 ml O2/kg/min; chronic participant = +7.34 ml O2/kg/min) and 6‐minute walking distance (subacute participant = +50 m; chronic participant = +37 m).DiscussionCombining aerobic exercise with task‐specific training may be a worthwhile therapeutic approach to improve upper limb motor function suitable for persons in the subacute or chronic phase after stroke.
New methodology for automated SPOT synthesis of peptides on cellulose using 1,3,5‐triazine derivatives as linkers and as coupling reagents
Authors: Fraczyk Justyna , Walczak Małgorzata , Kaminski Zbigniew J. 
Published: February 2018

Two new rigid bi‐aromatic linkers for synthesis of peptide arrays by SPOT methodology were obtained from cellulose treated with 2,4‐dichloro‐6‐methoxy‐1,3,5‐triazine. Reaction with m‐phenylenediamine gave non‐cleavable TYPE I linker which enabled attachment of the peptides via resistant to harsh reaction conditions amide, ether, and amine bonds. Reaction with 3‐Fmoc‐aminobenzoic acid followed by thermal isomerization of the intermediate “superactive” ester producing an amide‐like bond gave TYPE II linker that was very stable during peptide synthesis. However, the peptide was cleavable, with fragment of the linker, in the presence of 1 M LiOH solution. The uniform loading of the cellulose and efficient synthesis of the peptide array was achieved by using N‐(4,6‐dimethoxy‐1,3,5‐triazin‐1‐yl)‐N‐methylmorpholinium 4‐toluenesulfonate as the coupling reagent.
Unsustainability at the crossroads of climate change and air pollution sciences: implications for sustainable development and the scholarship of sustainability
Authors: Hossain A.M.M. Maruf 
Published: February 2018

AbstractRelease of carbonaceous aerosols – comprising black carbon (BC) and organic carbon (OC) – from biomass burning into the atmosphere is dependent on the burning conditions as to the resultant relative abundances of the emitted BC and OC. This provides a way of managing biomass burning in terms of manipulating the types of emitted aerosol. The carbonaceous aerosols are concerned in different ways in different scientific fields. The BC and OC exert complex implications for (a) radiative forcing in climate change science but (b) public health concern in air pollution science. Referring to these complex implications, a case of sustainability is constructed, which is being unsustainably dealt with at the crossroads of the sciences. This reveals an inadequacy of the reductionist mode of enquiry, necessitating a new mode with unique epistemological orientation for the scholarship of sustainability. The necessity of integration of perspectives that are currently segregated for this sustainability issue and the implications for sustainable development are elucidated. Copyright © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment
Improving Sustainable Development within Indonesian Palm Oil: The Importance of the Reward System
Authors: Kadarusman Yohanes B. , Herabadi Astrid G. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractNowadays, standards play a central role in the governance of international business relations; palm oil is no exception. The focal issue of palm oil is sustainable processes of production and sourcing, thus multi‐stakeholder initiatives such as the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) set out the sustainability principles and standards, and manage the certification system (CSPO). Empirical evidence based on in‐depth interview with various stakeholders in the Indonesian palm oil industry indicates that the development of the RSPO sustainability standards is perceived to be in favor of a particular interest group due to the asymmetrical power and unbalanced control structure of the stakeholders. Thus the powerful stakeholders are able to exercise imperative power over other stakeholders, to the extent that it actually contradicts the others’ interests. This paper puts forward the notion that a more equitable governance system should be developed through the introduction of the reward system on the CSPO transaction. The reward system can demonstrate the original motivation of the RSPO toward consensus among all stakeholders to equally contribute in the implementation of sustainability Principles and Criteria (P&C) and standards. Copyright © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment
Minimization of Ion–Solvent Clusters in Gel Electrolytes Containing Graphene Oxide Quantum Dots for Lithium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Chen Yen‐Ming , Hsu Shih‐Ting , Tseng Yu‐Hsien , Yeh Te‐Fu , Hou Sheng‐Shu , Jan Jeng‐Shiung , Lee Yuh‐Lang , Teng Hsisheng 
Published: February 2018

AbstractThis study uses graphene oxide quantum dots (GOQDs) to enhance the Li+‐ion mobility of a gel polymer electrolyte (GPE) for lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs). The GPE comprises a framework of poly(acrylonitrile‐co‐vinylacetate) blended with poly(methyl methacrylate) and a salt LiPF6 solvated in carbonate solvents. The GOQDs, which function as acceptors, are small (3−11 nm) and well dispersed in the polymer framework. The GOQDs suppress the formation of ion−solvent clusters and immobilize anions, affording the GPE a high ionic conductivity and a high Li+‐ion transference number (0.77). When assembled into Li|electrolyte|LiFePO4 batteries, the GPEs containing GOQDs preserve the battery capacity at high rates (up to 20 C) and exhibit 100% capacity retention after 500 charge−discharge cycles. Smaller GOQDs are more effective in GPE performance enhancement because of the higher dispersion of QDs. The minimization of both the ion−solvent clusters and degree of Li+‐ion solvation in the GPEs with GOQDs results in even plating and stripping of the Li‐metal anode; therefore, Li dendrite formation is suppressed during battery operation. This study demonstrates a strategy of using small GOQDs with tunable properties to effectively modulate ion−solvent coordination in GPEs and thus improve the performance and lifespan of LIBs.
Frame‐type load bearing system for long‐span cantilevers
Authors: Sajedi Seyed Omid , Mirghaderi Seyed Rasoul , Keshavarzi Farhad 
Published: February 2018

SummaryCantilevers experience high risks of vulnerability against progressive collapse and vertical ground motion effects. In addition, despite common engineering practice that regards cantilevers dominated by vertical loads, it is shown that while subjected to lateral forces, they might undergo large deflections due to the formation of plastic hinges in the supporting structural subassemblage; even if cantilevers satisfy deflection limits proposed by design codes. To overcome such vulnerabilities, successive cantilever beams can be coupled in the height of the structure using vertical elements to develop a framed cantilever system. Frame behavior in cantilevers is formulized using spring models and by employing optimization procedures, economic efficiency is compared to the conventional method. The optimization results for 6 2‐D steel moment frames showed that employing framed cantilever system has the potential to reduce required material weight up to 40%. Furthermore, nonlinear pushdown and incremental dynamic analyses were conducted to extract capacity and fragility curves. The results reveal the superior performance of framed cantilevers in both lateral and vertical loads while offering better resistance against the progressive collapse.
Vacuum System Evacuation to Base Pressure
Authors: Grinham Rebecca , Chew Andrew 
Published: February 2018

SummaryA study has been made to compare the times taken to evacuate a turbomolecular and scroll pumped chamber to a base, high vacuum, pressure. A small test header (26.7 litre) was evacuated via two different paths: through a fore‐line, switching paths once ‘cross‐over’ pressure was reached, and directly through a turbomolecular pump (TMP) where the TMP was not operational until cross‐over pressure was reached. When starting the TMP/switching paths at 0.1 mbar, pump‐down times were significantly slower through the TMP; the time taken to reach 0.1 mbar increased by between 2 and 8 minutes dependent upon the TMP model (from a 24% increase in time with nEXT300 to a 232% increase for the nEXT240). For pressures below 8 · 10−6 mbar there was no significant difference in required pumpdown time between the two methods. The variation between methods being less than the ±30% uncertainty in pressure gauge measurement. The increase in pumpdown times to achieve pressures down to 10”5 mbar when evacuating through the TMP was seen for all TMP models tested, however a greater difference was seen for a TMP configured with Holweck drag stages than those containing Siegbahn drag stages. The best pumpdown time for pressures down to 10−5 mbar was achieved when pumping through the TMP whilst allowing the TMP to ‘start’ operation from atmospheric pressure.
Optische Interferenzfilter auf Polymerfolien
Authors: Rohwer Klaus , Jorke Helmut , Neubert Thomas , Vergöhl Michael 
Published: February 2018

SummaryOptical interference filter on polymer films ‐ Spectral channel separation in 3‐D projections by wavelength division multiplexingIn this work the preparation of optical interference filters on polymer foils for spectral channel separation for 3D projections is presented. The suitability of various polymer substrates for this purpose was investigated by measurements of the layer adhesion and the optical haze. Optimization of the energy input during the coating process and of the optical layer design offered a possibility to coat optical interference layer systems for spectral channel separation on PET polymer foil. It was possible to build working 3D glasses. Furthermore the application of gradient filters for the compensation of the spectral shift due to different incident angles and the processing of the coated filter foils were discussed.
The zebrafish: A fintastic model for hematopoietic development and disease
Authors: Gore Aniket V. , Pillay Laura M. , Venero Galanternik Marina , Weinstein Brant M. 
Published: February 2018

Hematopoiesis is a complex process with a variety of different signaling pathways influencing every step of blood cell formation from the earliest precursors to final differentiated blood cell types. Formation of blood cells is crucial for survival. Blood cells carry oxygen, promote organ development and protect organs in different pathological conditions. Hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) are responsible for generating all adult differentiated blood cells. Defects in HSPCs or their downstream lineages can lead to anemia and other hematological disorders including leukemia. The zebrafish has recently emerged as a powerful vertebrate model system to study hematopoiesis. The developmental processes and molecular mechanisms involved in zebrafish hematopoiesis are conserved with higher vertebrates, and the genetic and experimental accessibility of the fish and the optical transparency of its embryos and larvae make it ideal for in vivo analysis of hematopoietic development. Defects in zebrafish hematopoiesis reliably phenocopy human blood disorders, making it a highly attractive model system to screen small molecules to design therapeutic strategies. In this review, we summarize the key developmental processes and molecular mechanisms of zebrafish hematopoiesis. We also discuss recent findings highlighting the strengths of zebrafish as a model system for drug discovery against hematopoietic disorders.This article is categorized under:

Adult Stem Cells, Tissue Renewal, and Regeneration > Stem Cell Differentiation and Reversion
Vertebrate Organogenesis > Musculoskeletal and Vascular
Nervous System Development > Vertebrates: Regional Development
Comparative Development and Evolution > Organ System Comparisons Between Species
Cloud‐based data streams optimization
Authors: Najib Fatma M. , Ismail Rasha M. , Badr Nagwa L. , Tolba Mohamed F. 
Published: February 2018

Many modern applications of sensor networks and transaction analysis require real‐time processing of their stream data sets. These data streams vary continuously over time. Current stream processing approaches focus on only one of the two optimization perspectives, proposing optimization techniques for data streams processing regardless of the processing environment or improving the processing environment only. In this paper, a brief survey of recent approaches to data streams processing coming from the two optimizations perspectives is proposed; their shortcomings are presented as well. Then, a proposal to an innovative and integrative framework is developed; it is referred to as the continuous query optimization based on multiple plans (CQOMP) for data streams over the cloud environment. CQOMP combines the two optimization perspectives and provides an optimized stream clusters processing using multiple split query plans. Each plan is constructed for a cluster of data that has nearest characteristics and it processes streams tuples over the cloud. We also propose a novel algorithm called the optimized multiple plans (OMP) for processing data streams clusters on Cloud Computing. The OMP algorithm efficiently divides data streams and generates optimized multiple split plans. Each plan is for processing a group of data streams on the cloud. We present the experimental results of the OMP solution compared to the alternative state‐of‐the‐art data stream approaches. The experiments show the efficiency and the scalability of the combined OMP algorithm on different cloud environments, the real Amazon cloud environment, and the simulated windows azure cloud environment.This article is categorized under:

Fundamental Concepts of Data and Knowledge > Big Data Mining
Technologies > Classification
Technologies > Data Preprocessing
Technologies > Structure Discovery and Clustering
The role of acyl-CoA thioesterase ACOT8I in mediating intracellular lipid metabolism in oleaginous fungus Mortierella alpina
Authors: Guo Jing , Chen Haiqin , Yang Bo , Zhang Hao , Chen Wei , Chen Yong Q 
Published: February 2018

Abstract
Thioesterases (TEs) play an essential role in the metabolism of fatty acids (FAs). To explore the role of TEs in mediating intracellular lipid metabolism in the oleaginous fungus Mortierella alpina, the acyl-CoA thioesterase ACOT8I was overexpressed. The contents of total fatty acids (TFAs) were the same in the recombinant strains as in the wild-type M. alpina, whilst the production of free fatty acids (FFAs) was enhanced from about 0.9% (wild-type) to 2.8% (recombinant), a roughly threefold increase. Linoleic acid content in FFA form constituted about 9% of the TFAs in the FFA fraction in the recombinant strains but only about 1.3% in the wild-type M. alpina. The gamma-linolenic acid and arachidonic acid contents in FFA form accounted for about 4 and 25%, respectively, of the TFAs in the FFA fraction in the recombinant strains, whilst neither of them in FFA form were detected in the wild-type M. alpina. Overexpression of the TE ACOT8I in the oleaginous fungus M. alpina reinforced the flux from acyl-CoAs to FFAs, improved the production of FFAs and tailored the FA profiles of the lipid species.
Comparison of Practice Guidelines, BRCAPRO, and Genetic Counselor Estimates to Identify Germline BRCA1 and BRCA2 Mutations in Pancreatic Cancer
Authors: Grant Robert C. , Holter Spring , Borgida Ayelet , Dhani Neesha C. , Hedley David W. , Knox Jennifer J. , Akbari Mohammad R. , Zogopoulos George , Gallinger Steven 
Published: February 2018

AbstractGermline BRCA1 and BRCA2 (BRCA) mutation carriers with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) may benefit from precision therapies and their relatives should undergo tailored cancer prevention. In this study, we compared strategies to identify BRCA carriers with PDAC. Incident cases of PDAC were prospectively recruited for BRCA sequencing. Probands were evaluated using the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) and the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long‐Term Care (MOHLTC) guidelines. The probability of each proband carrying a mutation was estimated by surveying genetic counselors and using BRCAPRO. BRCA mutations were detected in 22/484 (4.5%) probands. 152/484 (31.2%) and 16/484 (3.3%) probands met the NCCN and MOHLTC guidelines, respectively. The NCCN guidelines had higher sensitivity than the MOHLTC guidelines (0.864 versus 0.227, P < 0.001) but lower specificity (0.712 versus 0.976, P < 0.001). One hundred and nineteen genetic counselors completed the survey. Discrimination was similar between genetic counselors and BRCAPRO (area‐under‐the‐curve: 0.755 and 0.775, respectively, P = 0.702). Genetic counselors generally overestimated (P = 0.008), whereas BRCAPRO severely underestimated (P < 0.001), the probability that each proband carried a mutation. Our results indicate that the NCCN guidelines and genetic counselors accurately identify BRCA mutations in PDAC, while the MOHLTC guidelines and BRCAPRO should be updated to account for the association between BRCA and PDAC.
Optimal deterministic algorithm generation
Authors: Mitsos Alexander , Najman Jaromił , Kevrekidis Ioannis G. 
Published: February 2018

Abstract
A formulation for the automated generation of algorithms via mathematical programming (optimization) is proposed. The formulation is based on the concept of optimizing within a parameterized family of algorithms, or equivalently a family of functions describing the algorithmic steps. The optimization variables are the parameters—within this family of algorithms—that encode algorithm design: the computational steps of which the selected algorithms consist. The objective function of the optimization problem encodes the merit function of the algorithm, e.g., the computational cost (possibly also including a cost component for memory requirements) of the algorithm execution. The constraints of the optimization problem ensure convergence of the algorithm, i.e., solution of the problem at hand. The formulation is described prototypically for algorithms used in solving nonlinear equations and in performing unconstrained optimization; the parametrized algorithm family considered is that of monomials in function and derivative evaluation (including negative powers). A prototype implementation in GAMS is provided along with illustrative results demonstrating cases for which well-known algorithms are shown to be optimal. The formulation is a mixed-integer nonlinear program. To overcome the multimodality arising from nonconvexity in the optimization problem, a combination of brute force and general-purpose deterministic global algorithms is employed to guarantee the optimality of the algorithm devised. We then discuss several directions towards which this methodology can be extended, their scope and limitations.
Foliar elemental profiles in the ultramafic flora of Kinabalu Park (Sabah, Malaysia)
Authors: van der Ent Antony , Mulligan David Robert , Repin Rimi , Erskine Peter Damian 
Published: February 2018

AbstractThe foliar elemental profile of most plants reflects that of the soil on which plants grow in their natural habitat. The aim of this study was to elucidate foliar elemental profiles in the ultramafic flora of Kinabalu Park in Sabah, Malaysia. Kinabalu Park is ideal for studying plant elemental profiles because of its exceptionally rich flora and diversity in soil types. Foliar elemental profiles of 594 plant species in 99 families were analysed (totalling 1710 samples). This included 495 species (90 families) from ultramafic soils, and 120 species (45 families) from non‐ultramafic soils (used as a comparison dataset). In general, the foliar elemental uptake ranges from exclusion of phytotoxic elements such as Ni and Mn, to a limited number of plant species characterised by extreme accumulation of specific elements, including trace elements (Co, Mn, Ni, Zn,), or non‐essential elements (Al). This research identified hyperaccumulator behaviour (as defined by exceedances of established threshold foliar concentrations) in numerous plant species: Al > 1000 μg g−1 (38 spp.), Mn > 10 mg g−1 (7 spp.), Co > 300 μg g−1 (3 spp.), Ni > 1000 μg g−1 (24 spp.) and Zn > 3000 μg g−1 (2 spp.). Distinct phylogenetic patterns emerged for Ni in which 18 of the identified 24 Ni hyperaccumulators were in the order Malpighiales, predominantly in the families Phyllanthaceae, Salicaceae and Violaceae.