bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Age‐related phenotype and biomarker changes in SSADH deficiency
Authors: DiBacco Melissa L. , Roullet Jean‐Baptiste , Kapur Kush , Brown Madalyn N. , Walters Dana C. , Gibson K. Michael , Pearl Phillip L. 
Published: December 2018

AbstractObjectiveSuccinic Semialdehyde Dehydrogenase (SSADH) deficiency is a disorder of elevated gamma‐amino butyric acid (GABA) and gamma hydroxybutyric acid (GHB) and a complex neuropsychiatric profile. Adult reports suggest worsening epilepsy and high SUDEP risk.MethodsSubjects with confirmed SSADH deficiency were recruited into a longitudinal study. Plasma thyroid hormone and total GABA/GHB were quantified by standard clinical chemistry methodologies and mass spectrometry, respectively.ResultsA total of 133 subjects with SSADH deficiency are enrolled in the registry; 49 participated in the longitudinal study. The age range of the population is 8 weeks to 63 years (median 7.75 year; 44% male). There is a significant difference in proportions among the age groups in subjects affected with hypotonia, compulsive behavior, sleep disturbances, and seizures. Epilepsy is present in 50% of the total population, and more prevalent in subjects 12 years and older (P = 0.001). The median age of onset for absence seizures was 2 years, and 12 years for generalized tonic‐clonic seizures (P < 0.01). The SUDEP rate in adults was 12% (4/33). There was a significant age‐dependent negative correlation between GABA and T3 levels.InterpretationThere is an age‐dependent association with worsening of epilepsy, behavioral disturbances including obsessive‐compulsive behavior, and sleep disturbances with age in SSADH deficiency. There is a high risk of SUDEP. We have observed more absence seizures in younger patients, compared to tonic‐clonic in the older cohort, which correlates with age‐related changes in GABA and GHB concentration and thyroid function, as well as the natural history of seizures in the murine model.
Photonic Organolead Halide Perovskite Artificial Synapse Capable of Accelerated Learning at Low Power Inspired by Dopamine‐Facilitated Synaptic Activity
Authors: Ham Seonggil , Choi Sanghyeon , Cho Haein , Na Seok‐In , Wang Gunuk 
Published: December 2018

AbstractThe ability of high‐order tuning of the synaptic plasticity in an artificial synapse can offer significant improvement in the processing time, low‐power recognition, and learning capability in a neuro‐inspired computing system. Inspired by light‐assisted dopamine‐facilitated synaptic activity, which achieves rapid learning and adaptation by lowering the threshold of the synaptic plasticity, a two‐terminal organolead halide perovskite (OHP)‐based photonic synapse is fabricated and designed in which the synaptic plasticity is modified by both electrical pulses and light illumination. Owing to the accelerated migration of the iodine vacancy inherently existing in the coated OHP film under light illumination, the OHP synaptic device exhibits light‐tunable synaptic functionalities with very low programming inputs (≈0.1 V). It is also demonstrated that the threshold of the long‐term potentiation decreases and synaptic weight further modulates when light illuminates the device, which is phenomenologically analogous to the dopamine‐assisted synaptic process. Notably, under light exposure, the OHP synaptic device achieves rapid pattern recognition with ≈81.8% accuracy after only 2000 learning phases (60 000 learning phases = one epoch) with a low‐power consumption (4.82 nW/the initial update for potentiation), which is ≈2.6 × 103 times lower than when the synaptic weights are updated by only high electrical pulses.
Belowground annual ring growth coordinates with aboveground phenology and timing of carbon storage in two tallgrass prairie forb species
Authors: Dee Justin R. , Adams Henry D. , Palmer Michael W. 
Published: December 2018

Premise of the StudyHerb chronology, the study of belowground annual growth rings in perennial forbs, has much potential as a tool for monitoring plant growth as a function of environment. To harness this potential, understanding of the coordination between ring ontogeny, aboveground phenology, and the temporal allocation of carbon products belowground in herbaceous forbs must be improved.MethodsWe investigated these relationships in two southern United States tallgrass prairie perennial forb species, Asclepias viridis and Lespedeza stuevei, making monthly excavations for a year.Key ResultsBelowground xylogenesis began when starch reserves were at their seasonal low in the spring as shoots reached maximum height. The highest relative radial growth of the ring occurred concurrently with replenishment of root starch reserves in early summer. Xylogenesis concluded with leaf senescence in late summer and belowground starch reserves near saturation.ConclusionsBy demonstrating that ring ontogeny is tied to early summer starch replenishment, our results illustrate the mechanisms behind previous findings where ring width was highly correlated with summer climatic conditions for these two species. This study provides a new physiological link between how ring chronologies in herbs often accord with growing‐season environment; further dissecting this phenomenon is vital in unlocking the potential of herb chronology.
Microdialysis in awake macaque monkeys for central nervous system pharmacokinetics
Authors: Thiollier Thibaud , Wu Caisheng , Porras Gregory , Bezard Erwan , Li Qin , Zhang Jinlan , Contamin Hugues 
Published: December 2018

AbstractBackgroundThe brain bioavailability of novel small molecules developed to address central nervous system disease is classically documented through ex vivo or in vivo analyses conducted in rodent models. Data acquired in rodent models are, however, not easily transferrable to human as the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamics profiles of the species are quite different.MethodsUsing drugs selected for their differential transport across the blood‐brain barrier, we here demonstrate the feasibility of brain microdialysis in normal vigil macaque monkey by measuring brain extracellular fluid bioavailability of carbamazepine, digoxin, oxycodone, and quinidine.ResultsAll drugs, but digoxin, were found in dialysate samples. Drugs that are substrate of P‐glycoprotein show a difference of bioavailability or brain pharmacokinetic parameters between rodents and primates.ConclusionData suggest that brain microdialysis in vigil macaque monkey, the species of choice for classic pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamics studies could help predicting human brain bioavailability of a small molecule depending on the protein involved in the efflux transport from the brain.
Visible‐Light‐Driven MADIX Polymerisation via a Reusable, Low‐Cost, and Non‐Toxic Bismuth Oxide Photocatalyst
Authors: Hakobyan Karen , Gegenhuber Thomas , McErlean Christopher S. P. , Müllner Markus 
Published: December 2018

AbstractThe continuous amalgamation of photocatalysis into existing reversible deactivation radical polymerisation (RDRP) processes has initiated a rapidly propagating area of polymer research in recent years. We introduce bismuth oxide (Bi2O3) as a heterogeneous photocatalyst for polymerisations, operating at room temperature with visible light. We demonstrate formidable control over degenerative chain‐transfer polymerisations, such as macromolecular design by interchange of xanthate (MADIX) and reversible addition‐fragmentation chain‐transfer (RAFT) polymerisation. We achieved narrow molecular weight distributions and attribute the excellent temporal control of a photo‐induced electron transfer (PET) process. This methodology was employed to synthesise diblock copolymers combining differently activated monomers. The Bi2O3 catalyst system has the additional benefits of low toxicity, reusability, low‐cost, and ease of removal from the reaction mixture.
External Reversal of Chirality Transfer in Photoswitches
Authors: Jurissek Christoph , Berger Fabian , Eisenreich Fabian , Kathan Michael , Hecht Stefan 
Published: December 2018

AbstractThe transfer of stereoinformation is at the heart of asymmetric reactions. By incorporating the natural monoterpenel‐menthone into the backbone of a diarylethene, we achieved efficient chirality transfer upon photocyclization, resulting in the preferred formation of one major closed isomer in a diastereomeric ratio (d.r.) of 85:15. More significantly, we were able to completely reverse the diastereomeric outcome of the ring closure simply by altering the chemical environment or the irradiation conditions. As a result, we could selectively accumulate the less favored minor closed isomer, with remarkable d.r. values of >99:1 and 74:26, respectively. Computations revealed that a stability inversion after photocyclization is the basis for the observed unprecedented control over diastereoselectivity.
Preparation of activated carbon from spent catalyst with mercury by microwave‐induced CO2 activation
Authors: Liu Jian , Liu Chenhui , Zhang Libo , Liu Chao , Cheng Song , Chandrasekar Srinivasa Kannan 
Published: December 2018

AbstractThis study reported the regeneration of mercury‐loaded porous carbon catalyst utilized in the manufacture of PVC (Polyvinyl chloride) resin using the combined effect of microwave heating and CO2 purging. The porosity, functional, and surface chemistry was featured by means of low‐temperature nitrogen adsorption, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The result showed that the iodine number, methylene blue adsorption, and yield of FMC were 791.64 mg/g, 270 mg/g, and 84.2%, respectively, under the best conditions. Additionally, the mercury removal rates were above 99.5% at different temperatures. The regenerated samples at different temperatures were characterized to assess their physical binding capability and chemisorption abilities, which further revealed the impact of regeneration temperature on the improvement in the porosity of the regenerated catalyst. The findings revealed the potential of microwave heating for the regeneration of FMCs.
Redox‐responsive Fluorescent Nanoparticles Based on Diselenide‐containing AIEgens for Cell Imaging and Selective Cancer Therapy
Authors: Han Wenkun , Zhang Song , Qian Jingyu , Zhang Jianxu , Wang Xuanhang , Xie Zhigang , Xu Bin , Han Yanqiu , Tian Wenjing 
Published: December 2018

AbstractA fluorescent, diselenide‐containing 9,10‐distyrylanthracene (DSA) derivative (SeDSA) with aggregation‐induced emission (AIE) characteristic was successfully synthesized and SeDSA nanoparticles (NPs) were prepared through a nanoprecipitation method. SeDSA could coassemble with an antitumor prodrug, diselenide‐containing paclitaxel (SePTX), which could be obtained by precipitation, to form SeDSA‐SePTX Co‐NPs (Co‐NPs). Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations reveal that the driving forces for the self‐assembly behaviors of SeDSA NPs and SePTX NPs are π–π interactions and hydrophobic interactions, respectively, while the driving forces for Co‐NPs include hydrophobic interactions between SeDSA and SePTX, π–π interactions between SeDSA molecules and hydrophobic interactions between SePTX molecules. Meanwhile, Se‐Se bonds play a crucial role in balancing the intramolecular forces. These diselenide‐containing nanoparticles (SeDSA NPs, SePTX NPs and Co‐NPs) exhibit a high stability under physiological conditions and excellent reduction‐sensitivity in the presence of the redox agent glutathione (GSH) because of the selenium‐sulfur exchange reaction between diselenide and GSH. Both SeDSA NPs and Co‐NPs show strong orange fluorescence emissions on the account of the AIE feature of SeDSA and they were easily internalized by HeLa and HepG2 cells. Distinctively, the Co‐NPs combine the advantage of SeDSA and SePTX for cell imaging and antineoplastic activity, and exhibit selectivity of cytotoxicities between neoplasia cells and normal cells. This study highlights the development of diselenide‐containing AIEgens as a unique approach to prepare uniform and stable fluorescent nanoparticles for the application in cell imaging and tumor treatment.
A computational method for solving two‐dimensional nonlinear variable‐order fractional optimal control problems
Authors: Heydari Mohammad Hossein , Avazzadeh Zakieh 
Published: December 2018

AbstractIn this paper, a new class of two‐dimensional nonlinear variable‐order fractional optimal control problems (V‐OFOCPs) is introduced where the variable‐order fractional derivative is defined in the Caputo type. The general procedure for solving theses systems is expanding the state variable and the control variable based on the Legendre cardinal functions in the matrix form. Hence, we derive their operational matrix of derivative (OMD) and operational matrix of variable‐order fractional derivative (OMV‐OFD). More significantly, some properties of these basis functions are proved to be exploited in our approach. Using these achieved results, we simply expand the matrix form of the nonlinear performance index in terms of the Legendre cardinal functions and subsequently convert it to an algebraic equation. We emphasize that it is a valuable advantage of applying cardinal functions in approximation theory. Then, we implement the OMD and the OMV‐OFD of the Legendre cardinal functions to transform the variable‐order fractional dynamical system to a system of algebraic equations. Next, the method of constrained extremum is applied to adjoin the constraint equations including the given dynamical system and the initial‐boundary conditions to the performance index by a set of undetermined Lagrange multipliers. Finally, the necessary conditions of the optimality are derived as a system of nonlinear algebraic equations including the unknown coefficients of the state variable, the control variable and the Lagrange multipliers. The applicability and efficiency of the proposed approach are investigated through the various types of test problems.
Submarine exposure guideline recommendations for carbon dioxide based on the prenatal developmental effects of exposure in rats
Authors: Howard William R. , Wong Brian , Yeager Kimberly S. B. , Stump Donald G. , Edwards Tammye , Arden James Richard , Goodwin Michelle R. , Gargas Michael L. 
Published: December 2018

BackgroundTo protect crewmember health, the U.S. Navy sets exposure limits for more than 200 components of submarine atmospheres. The addition of females to nuclear submarines required a reevaluation of these exposure limits, originally established for all‐male crews. In the case of carbon dioxide (CO2), the only available data suitable for deriving an exposure limit were from a 2010 study sponsored by the British Royal Navy that reported a debatable interpretation casting doubt on whether current U.S. Navy exposure limits served to protect fetal developmental health.MethodsAbout 120 time‐mated female Sprague–Dawley rats (Crl: CD[SD]) were exposed to CO2 at levels of 1.5%, 2.0%, 2.5%, and 3.0% from gestation days 6 to 20. Dams were euthanized and fetuses were examined.ResultsFindings with implications for exposure limits for CO2 during pregnancy were an increased mean litter proportion of early resorptions and a lower mean litter proportion of viable fetuses in the 3.0% CO2 group.ConclusionThe results yield a No Observed Adverse Effect Level (NOAEL) of 2.5% and a Lowest Observed Adverse Effect Level (LOAEL) of 3.0%. The results reasonably allow a point of departure of 2.5% CO2 for deriving an exposure recommendation. An interspecies uncertainty factor was applied to derive a recommended 90‐day continuous exposure limit (CEL) of 0.8% for CO2. As reproductive endpoints that are developmental in nature must be assumed to result from a single exposure at a critical point during gestation, it is further recommended that the 24‐hr emergency exposure limit (EEL) also be 0.8%.
Spatially resolved abundances of antibiotic resistance genes and intI1 in wastewater treatment biofilms
Authors: Petrovich Morgan L. , Rosenthal Alex F. , Griffin James S. , Wells George F. 
Published: December 2018

AbstractAttached growth bioprocesses that use biofilms to remove organic matter or nutrients from wastewater are known to harbor antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). Biofilms in these processes are spatially heterogeneous, but little is known about depth stratification of ARGs in complex, mixed culture biofilms. To address this knowledge gap, we used an experimental approach combining cryosectioning and quantitative polymerase chain reaction to quantify the spatial distribution of three ARGs (sul1, ermB, and qnrS) and the class 1 integron‐integrase gene intI1 in biofilms from a lab‐scale rotating annular reactor fed with synthetic wastewater. We also used high throughput 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene sequencing to characterize community structure with depth in biofilms. The ARG sul1 and the integron‐integrase gene intI1 were found in higher abundances in upper layers of biofilm near the fluid‐biofilm interface than in lower layers and exhibited significant correlations between the distance from substratum and gene abundances. The genes ermB and qnrS were present in comparatively low relative abundances. Microbial community structure varied significantly by date of sampling and distance from the substratum. These findings highlight the genetic and taxonomic heterogeneity with distance from substratum in wastewater treatment biofilms and show that sul1 and intI1 are particularly abundant near fluid‐biofilm interfaces where cells are most likely to detach and flow into downstream portions of treatment systems and can ultimately be released into the environment through effluent.
Meropenem and ciprofloxacin in complicated gastric surgery for cancer patients: A simple SPE–UHPLC–PDA method for their determination in human plasma
Authors: Ferrone Vincenzo , Cotellese Roberto , Cichella Annadomenica , Raimondi Paolo , Carlucci Maura , Palumbo Paola , Carlucci Giuseppe 
Published: December 2018

AbstractA simple and rapid ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatographic (UHPLC) for the simultaneous determination of meropenem and ciprofloxacin in human plasma was developed and validated. All of the analytes were separated in <5 min. A solid‐phase extraction method was applied from sample preparation. Analytical separation was performed on a Poroshell SB C18 column (50 × 2.1 mm, 2.7 μm particle size) with photodiode array (PDA) detection. Meropenem and ciprofloxacin were determined at wavelengths of 300 and 277 nm, respectively. The mobile phase was a mixture of acetonitrile–10 mm ammonium acetate–methanol in gradient elution. The method has been validated for both drugs in gastric surgery for cancer patients. The method showed good linearity with correlation coefficients, r2 = 0.994 for the two drugs, as well as high precision (RSD < 10.5% in each case); accuracy ranged from −5.8 to +6.0%. The limit of quantitation of the two drugs was established at 0.02 and 0.01 μg/mL, respectively. Meropenem, ciprofloxacin and the internal standard were extracted from human plasma with a mean recovery ranging from 92.5 to 98.6%. The method was applied to quantify the drugs dosage in complicated gastric surgery patients.
Efficacy and perceptions of assessment digitization within a large‐enrollment mechanical and aerospace engineering course
Authors: Tian Tian , DeMara Ronald F. , Gao Su 
Published: December 2018

AbstractEngineering's design‐oriented and problem‐solving emphases pose considerable challenges to the use of multiple choice assessments, and thus the use of digitized forms of assessment within Engineering curricula warrants a substantive evaluation of their validity. To address this research need, novel computer‐based assessment infrastructures and delivery protocols were launched via a crossover study as defined below. The objective of the study was to investigate the impact of proctored digitized examination that was delivered using a secure or “lockdown” internet browser interface. Measures tracked in the study included test score validity, learning achievement, and student perceptions within a large‐size undergraduate Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering course. Using a crossover‐based study design, the class was divided into two cohorts. Half of each cohort's formative assessments were delivered in a computer‐based testing center via and the other half of the assessments were delivered on paper. Within each cohort, the intervention of computerized delivery was interchanged with paper‐based delivery during successive topic modules on a mutually‐exclusive basis. An identical paper‐based final exam was delivered to all students. The data collected was analyzed and de‐correlated to investigate the topic‐specific learning outcomes of digitized assessment. Test score validity and learning outcomes were studied using independent sample t‐test statistical analysis. Results indicate that well‐formed digitized exams can determine scores differing as little as 0.6% from paper‐based assessment. Moreover, when the labor hours of the grader which were freed up were reallocated to tutoring and remediation of formative assessments, the as much as 16.9% higher learning outcomes were obtained during summative assessment as compared to paper‐based delivery.
Metal‐free Semiconductor Photocatalysis for sp2 C−H Functionalization with Molecular Oxygen
Authors: Zheng Meifang , Ghosh Indrajit , König Burkhard , Wang Xinchen 
Published: December 2018

AbstractDesigning metal‐free catalysts for solar energy conversion is a long‐standing challenge in semiconductor photoredox catalysis (SPC). With visible‐light‐responsive hexagonal boron carbon nitride (h‐BCN) as a non‐metal photocatalyst, this system affords C−H/N−H coupling products with broad substitution tolerance and high efficiency with molecular oxygen as the terminal oxidant. The catalyst exhibits remarkable performance for the selective C−H functionalization of electron‐rich arenes to C−N products (yields up to 95 %) and good stability (6 recycles). Both nitrogen heteroarenes and amine salts are competent coupling nucleophiles. Mechanically, the reactive oxygen species are superoxide anion radical (O2−.) and H2O2, which are proved by electron spin resonance (ESR) data, KI‐starch, and control experiments. In addition, kinetic isotope effect (KIE) experiments indicate that C−H bond cleavage is not involved in the rate limiting step. This semiconductor‐based photoredox system allows for C−H amination free of any metals, ligands, strong oxidants, and additives. It provides a complementary avenue to C−H functionalizations and enables synthetic applications efficiently in a sustainable manner.
Synthesis, Structures, and Thermal Properties of Symmetric and Janus “Lantern Cage” Siloxanes
Authors: Uchida Taishi , Egawa Yasunobu , Adachi Takuto , Oguri Naoki , Kobayashi Masato , Kudo Takako , Takeda Nobuhiro , Unno Masafumi , Tanaka Ryoji 
Published: December 2018

AbstractSymmetric and asymmetric (Janus‐type) new “lantern cage” siloxanes (PhSiO1.5)4(Me2SiO)4(RSiO1.5)4 (R=Ph or iBu) were synthesized through reaction of all‐cis‐[PhSi(OSiMe2Br)O]4 with all‐cis‐[RSi(OH)O]4 (R=Ph or iBu). These precursors were obtained by facile two or three‐step reactions from commercially available compounds. The spectroscopic properties of the resulting products were fully characterized and they showed high thermal stability and sublimation without decomposition. The crystal structures clearly indicated that the internal vacancy volumes of the lantern cages are considerably larger than that of octaphenylsilsesquioxane (PhSiO1.5)8. DFT calculations of the lantern cage showed a distinctly different electronic state from that of octasilsesquioxane. These results suggest that lantern cage siloxanes have a characteristic “field” in the molecule.