bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Predicting the fate of the most endangered marine invertebrate of the Mediterranean: The power of long‐term monitoring in conservation biology
Authors: Espinosa Free , Rivera‐Ingraham Georgina A. , Ostalé‐Valriberas Enrique , García‐Gómez José C. 
Published: August 2018

Abstract

Global climate change and other human‐induced alterations of the environment are causing a significant loss in biodiversity. Among the many species affected is the giant limpet Patella ferruginea, considered as the most endangered marine invertebrate within the Western Mediterranean basin.
The results of a 10‐year monitoring programme in an updated population viability analysis (PVA) model are provided, which indicate the unlikeliness of the population in Ceuta facing extinction within the next 50 years.
Evidence is provided for the possible role of this population as a source population for other sink populations in the Alboran Sea.
Large interannual variations in recruitment have been recorded, and the general linear model (GLM) indicates the influence of chlorophyll and temperature on recruitment rates. These results inform conservation strategies for this flagship species.
Properties of a novel carboxymethyl chitosan derived from silkworm pupa
Authors: Zhu Lin , Zou De‐Qing , Fan Zuo‐Qing , Wang Na , Bo Ying‐Ying , Zhang Yu‐Qing , Guo Guang 
Published: August 2018

AbstractIn this study, a carboxymethyl chitosan derived from silkworm pupa (SP‐carboxymethyl chitosan) was prepared. The physical characteristics of the SP chitin, chitosan, and carboxymethyl chitosan were analyzed. The scanning electron microscopy results showed that the surfaces of the samples from SP were more uneven, with more surface fractures compared with those of the reference substance (RS). Thermal analysis, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis showed that the main molecular chain structures of SP samples and RSs had no substantial differences. However, the crystallinity and thermal decomposition temperature of the SP samples were lower compared with those of the RSs. All of these results provide a theoretical basis for the development of applications for the SP‐carboxymethyl chitosan.
Nonlinear MPC for a Sensorless Multi‐Vectored Propeller Airship Based on Sliding Mode Observer with Saturation
Authors: Wen Yubin , Chen Li , Liang Kuankuan , Duan Dengping 
Published: August 2018

AbstractA nonlinear fault tolerant station keeping controller for a multi‐vectored propeller airship without velocity and angular velocity sensors is developed, which is composed of three modules: nonlinear model predictive controller (NMPC), sliding mode observer (SMO), and linear programming (LP) based control allocation. The kinematics and dynamics model of the airship are introduced. Based on the nonlinear model, with the assumption that the velocity and angular velocity sensors are damaged, a sliding mode observer is designed to estimate the velocity and angular velocity of the airship. To achieve good performance in the station keeping mission, an explicit nonlinear model predictive control is derived. A linear programming base control allocation method is proposed to solve both amplitude and rate constraint of the propulsion forces and deflection angles. Stability analysis is carried out to prove that the system can be stabilized in finite time. Simulation results for the station keeping control are illustrated to prove the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Offline Robust Model Predictive Control for Lipschitz Non‐Linear Systems Using Polyhedral Invariant Sets
Authors: Shokrollahi Ali , Shamaghdari Saeed 
Published: August 2018

AbstractIn this paper the concept of maximal admissible set (MAS) for linear systems with polytopic uncertainty is extended to non‐linear systems composed of a linear constant part followed by a non‐linear term. We characterize the maximal admissible set for the non‐linear system with unstructured uncertainty in the form of polyhedral invariant sets. A computationally efficient state‐feedback RMPC law is derived off‐line for Lipschitz non‐linear systems. The state‐feedback control law is calculated by solving a convex optimization problem within the framework of linear matrix inequalities (LMIs), which leads to guaranteeing closed‐loop robust stability. Most of the computational burdens are moved off‐line. A linear optimization problem is performed to characterize the maximal admissible set, and it is shown that an ellipsoidal invariant set is only an approximation of the true stabilizable region. This method not only remarkably extends the size of the admissible set of initial conditions but also greatly reduces the on‐line computational time. The usefulness and effectiveness of the method proposed here is verified via two simulation examples.
A 2017 global update on folic acid‐preventable spina bifida and anencephaly
Authors: Kancherla Vijaya , Wagh Kaustubh , Johnson Quentin , Oakley Godfrey P. 
Published: August 2018

BackgroundSpina bifida and anencephaly are largely preventable birth defects through mandatory folic acid fortification. Our objective was to estimate the proportion of folic acid‐preventable spina bifida and anencephaly (FAP SBA) prevented worldwide through mandatory fortification of wheat and/or maize flour with folic acid during the year 2017.MethodsUsing existing data, we identified countries with mandatory fortification policies that added at least 1.0 ppm folic acid to wheat and/or maize flour and had information on percentage of industrially milled flour that is fortified. We assumed mandatory folic acid fortification at 200 μg/day of folic acid fully protects against FAP SBA, reducing the prevalence of spina bifida and anencephaly to 0.5 per 1,000 live births.ResultsOverall, 59 countries met our criteria for implementing mandatory folic acid fortification of wheat and/or maize flour in 2017. These countries prevented about 50,270 out of 280,500 FAP SBA births in 2017. Thus, we have only achieved 18% prevention of FAP SBA worldwide. Several countries in Africa and Asia with a high number of FAP SBA‐affected births do not have mandatory fortification.ConclusionAbout 230,000 children unnecessarily developed FAP SBA globally in 2017. There is an urgent need for all countries to implement mandatory folic acid fortification, a proven, safe public health intervention that saves money and prevents infant mortality and disability. Prevention of FAP SBA can play an important role in helping countries to achieve their Sustainable Development Goals for health.
Blinded and unblinded sample size reestimation procedures for stepped‐wedge cluster randomized trials
Authors: Grayling Michael J. , Mander Adrian P. , Wason James M. S. 
Published: August 2018

AbstractThe ability to accurately estimate the sample size required by a stepped‐wedge (SW) cluster randomized trial (CRT) routinely depends upon the specification of several nuisance parameters. If these parameters are misspecified, the trial could be overpowered, leading to increased cost, or underpowered, enhancing the likelihood of a false negative. We address this issue here for cross‐sectional SW‐CRTs, analyzed with a particular linear‐mixed model, by proposing methods for blinded and unblinded sample size reestimation (SSRE). First, blinded estimators for the variance parameters of a SW‐CRT analyzed using the Hussey and Hughes model are derived. Following this, procedures for blinded and unblinded SSRE after any time period in a SW‐CRT are detailed. The performance of these procedures is then examined and contrasted using two example trial design scenarios. We find that if the two key variance parameters were underspecified by 50%, the SSRE procedures were able to increase power over the conventional SW‐CRT design by up to 41%, resulting in an empirical power above the desired level. Thus, though there are practical issues to consider, the performance of the procedures means researchers should consider incorporating SSRE in to future SW‐CRTs.
Dinoflagellaten – ein Dauerexperiment der Evolution?
Authors: Hoppenrath Mona , Saldarriaga Juan , Tillmann Urban 
Published: August 2018

ZusammenfassungDinoflagellaten sind wichtige Mitglieder mariner Nahrungsnetze, sowohl als Primärproduzenten als auch als heterotrophe Konsumenten. Sie verursachen spektakuläre Phänomene wie Meeresleuchten und rote Tiden, sind wesentliche Bestandteile von Korallenriffen und können einige der giftigsten natürlichen Biotoxine synthetisieren. Dinoflagellatenzellkerne sind extrem groß und biochemisch einzigartig, während ihre Mitochondriengenome sehr klein sind. Die Plastidendiversität der Dinoflagellaten ist einzigartig: nur etwa die Hälfte der Arten der Gruppe betreibt Photosynthese, und deren Plastiden haben sehr unterschiedliche Ursprünge und infolgedessen sehr verschiedene physiologische und biochemische Eigenheiten. Einige der kompliziertesten morphologischen Gebilde, die überhaupt von Einzellern bekannt sind, finden sich in dieser Gruppe. Dazu gehören z. B. „Harpunen“ zum Beutefang, oder „Augen“ mit subzellulären Strukturen, die Linse, Kornea und Pigmentbecher ähneln.
Development of an LC‐MS/MS‐based assay to determine artemitin in rat plasma and its application in a pharmacokinetic study
Authors: Han Xiaoli , He Jinhua , Chen Qinyue , Sun Yali , Zhang Xiulei , Gu Zhengyi , Sha Xianyi 
Published: August 2018

AbstractArtemitin, a significant flavonol compound existing in Laggera pterodonta (DC.) Benth., Artemisia rupestris L, etc., is the subject of attention by researchers owing to its pharmacological activities (such as antioxidative, anti‐inflammatory and antiviral). In this work, a highly sensitive and specific high‐performance liquid chromatography–electrospray ionization–tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC‐ESI‐MS/MS) assay combined with protein precipitation has been established and validated for determining artemitin concentration in rat plasma. Both artemitin and warfarin sodium (internal standard, IS) were separated on an Agela Venusil XBP Phenyl column through the isocratic elution mode of methanol–water containing 0.1% formic acid (80:20, v/v), at a flow rate of 0.4 mL/min. The MS/MS system was operated in a positive ion and ESI multiple reaction monitoring mode, and the multiple reaction monitoring transition was optimized as m/z 389.0 → 373.0 for artemitin and 309.2 → 163.0 for IS. The method showed good linearity in the range of 2.5–2000 ng/mL (R2 = 1.0000) and high sensitivity for artemitin with the lower limit of quantification of 2.5 ng/mL. The intra‐ and inter‐day accuracies were 97.4–100.9 and 93.4–100.3%, respectively. The intra‐ and inter‐day precisions were <4.8 and 6.5%, respectively. The extraction efficiency and absolute recovery were >66.5 and 71.3%, respectively. In addition, a good matrix effect of <9.5% was obtained. As a result, the method developed herein was successfully applied for the pharmacokinetic study of artemitin after an intravenous administration in rats.
Key elements in assessing circular economy implementation in small and medium‐sized enterprises
Authors: Prieto‐Sandoval Vanessa , Ormazabal Marta , Jaca Carmen , Viles Elisabeth 
Published: August 2018

AbstractThe circular economy has become an important issue in recent years because it makes sustainable development feasible by creating value in the economy and by closing the energy and materials loops. However, since most companies continue to operate under a linear model, it is particularly important to start providing companies with tools that facilitate their shift to the circular paradigm. The main objective of this research is to establish the key elements that are necessary for assessing the level of circular economy implementation. To that end, the Delphi method is used to validate and define the key elements of three categories: circular economy fields of action, industrial symbiosis, and environmental certifications. As a result, this study identifies the key elements that assess the degree of circular economy implementation and that allows small and medium‐sized enterprises to understand where they are and what they need to do to improve their performance.
Does competition prevent industrial pollution? Evidence from a panel threshold model
Authors: Polemis Michael L. , Stengos Thanasis 
Published: August 2018

AbstractThe objective of this paper is to assess the impact of competition on industrial toxic pollution by using, for the first time, a panel threshold model which allows evaluations of the main drivers of toxic releases under two different market regimes. The empirical analysis is based on a micro‐level panel dataset over the five‐year period 1987–2012. We show that this relationship is statistically significant and robust above and below the threshold, even after accounting for alternative specifications of market concentration. Specifically, we unmask an inverted V‐shaped relationship between market concentration and industrial pollution. We argue that the increasing non‐parametric regression line up to a certain concentration (threshold) level indicates a negative effect on facilities' emissions levels, whereas a decreasing line indicates a positive effect. This relationship provides new insights into environmental policy design towards abatement of industrial releases and sustainability. Finally, our empirical model remains robust under different specifications properly accounted for possible endogeneity.
Method of establishing breast cancer brain metastases affects brain uptake and efficacy of targeted, therapeutic nanoparticles
Authors: Wyatt Emily A. , Davis Mark E. 
Published: August 2018

AbstractHER2‐targeted therapies effectively control systemic disease, but their efficacy against brain metastases is hindered by their low penetration of the blood‐brain and blood‐tumor barriers (BBB and BTB). We investigate brain uptake and antitumor efficacy of transferrin receptor (TfR)‐targeted, therapeutic nanoparticles designed to transcytose the BBB/BTB in three murine models. Two known models involving intracranial (IC) or intracardiac (ICD) injection of human breast cancer cells were employed, as was a third model developed here involving intravenous (IV) injection of the cells to form whole‐body tumors that eventually metastasize to the brain. We show the method of establishing brain metastases significantly affects therapeutic BBB/BTB penetration. Free drug accumulates and delays growth in IC‐ and ICD‐formed brain tumors, while non‐targeted nanoparticles show uptake and inhibition only in IC‐established metastases. TfR‐targeted nanoparticles accumulate and significantly delay growth in all three models, suggesting the IV model maintains a more intact BBB/BTB than the other models.
Matrine induces senescence of human glioblastoma cells through suppression of the IGF1/PI3K/AKT/p27 signaling pathway
Authors: Zhou Wenjing , Wang Jiwei , Qi Qichao , Feng Zichao , Huang Bin , Chen Anjing , Zhang Di , Li Wenjie , Zhang Qing , Bjerkvig Rolf , Li Xingang , Wang Jian 
Published: August 2018

AbstractBackgroundMatrine, a traditional Chinese medicine, has recently been shown to have antitumor properties in diverse cancer cells. Here, we explored the effect of matrine on human glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) cells.MethodsGlioblastoma multiforme cell lines were treated with matrine to assess proliferation and viability using EdU and CCK8 assays. SA‐β‐gal assays were used to evaluate cellular senescence, and a cytokine array and ELISA assay were used to screen for secreted cytokines altered in GBM cells after matrine treatment. Immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis were performed to evaluate protein levels in matrine‐treated cell lines and in samples obtained from orthotopic xenografts. Specific activators of AKT and IGF1 were used to identify the pathways mediating the effect.ResultsMatrine potently inhibited growth of GBM cell lines in vitro. Based on in situ assays, growth arrest induced by matrine was primarily achieved through induction of cellular senescence. Matrine treatment led to decreased expression of proteins involved in promoting cell growth, IGF1, PI3K, and pAKT. Exposure of cells to a small molecule activating AKT (SC79) and recombinant IGF1 led to a reduced number of senescent SA‐β‐gal‐positive cells in the presence of matrine. Finally, matrine inhibited growth of orthotopic xenografts established from luciferase‐stable‐U251 or luciferase‐stable‐P3 cells and prolonged overall survival in mice.ConclusionsThese results indicated that matrine arrested cell growth through inhibition of IGF1/PI3K/AKT signaling. Matrine warrants further investigation as a potential therapy in the treatment of patients with GBM.
Who can we save after an intraprocedural catastrophe during TAVR?
Authors: Satler Lowell , Thourani Vinod H. 
Published: August 2018

KEY POINTS

Intraprocedural catastrophes during transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) are associated with a high mortality.
Even “operable patients” can suddenly be deemed inoperable during an intraprocedural TAVR complication.
The low incidence of a major complication prevents “crowd learning”; consequently, a high‐volume TAVR center will have the greatest capability for a robust salvage response.
SYNTAX II in the “real world” – A practical approach to coronary risk‐stratification
Authors: Reimold Fabian R. , Levy Michael S. 
Published: August 2018

Key Points

The SYNTAX II score is valid in the real world, and can be applied to international patient cohorts
It is an independent predictor of overall mortality and other cardiovascular endpoints
It is a practical tool for coronary risk stratification given its inclusion of pertinent clinical data in addition to anatomic data
The impact of the Rht‐B1b, Rht‐D1b, and Rht‐8 wheat semi‐dwarfing genes on flour milling, baking, and micronutrients
Authors: Jobson Emma M. , Martin John M. , Schneider Tavin M. , Giroux Michael J. 
Published: August 2018

AbstractBackground and objectivesThe introduction of the semi‐dwarfing Reduced Height (Rht) genes in wheat led to dramatic yield increases. The two most common forms of the gene, Rht‐B1b and Rht‐D1b have been widely incorporated into wheat varieties. However, despite their agronomic benefits and prevalence in modern wheat cultivars, much less is known regarding their impact on end‐use quality and nutrition. For this study, we compared near‐isogenic lines (NILs) carrying either Rht‐B1b, Rht‐D1b, Rht‐8 or no semi‐dwarfing alleles.FindingsOur agronomic results agreed with previous studies; we observed a 25% height reduction, 13% yield increase, and a 2% decrease in grain protein content in the semi‐dwarf NILs. However, despite the decreased protein content, the Rht‐B1b/Rht‐D1b NILs had increased bake mixing time (33%), but reduced loaf volume (7%). We also observed that although the semi‐dwarfing alleles decreased kernel weight by 15%, they were associated with a 2% increase in flour yield. Flours prepared from the semi‐dwarf NILs had decreased Zinc, Iron, and Manganese while having increased levels of Potassium and Calcium.ConclusionsThese findings demonstrate that while Rht‐B1b/Rht‐D1b negatively impact kernel size and protein content they positively impact flour yield and dough mixing strength.Significance and noveltyThe most common wheat semi‐dwarf alleles decrease kernel size, protein, and micronutrient content while increasing flour yield.
Effects of Charge, Size, and Shape of Transition States, Bound Intermediates, and Confining Voids in Reactions of Alkenes on Solid Acids
Authors: Sarazen Michele L. , Iglesia Enrique 
Published: August 2018

AbstractSolid acids with sites varying in acid strength and in confining environments are used here to examine, through kinetic experiments and theory, how size and shape of organic guests and inorganic hosts at ion‐pair transition states (TS) influence reactivity. Reactions of C2−C4 alkene mixtures serve as the illustrative example; they involve kinetically‐relevant C−C coupling between alkenes and bound alkoxides that saturate the surface on microporous (TON) and mesoporous (SiAl) aluminosilicates of similar acid strength and on stronger heteropolytungstic acids (HPW). Rate constants (per H+) increase with increasing TS size (number of C‐atoms) because of the combined effects of size/substitution on proton affinities of coupling products and on van der Waals (vdW) contacts between carbocations and voids. When the voids and organic moieties are similar in dimension, these contacts require framework distortions, leading to dispersive interactions that are compensated in part by enthalpic penalties associated with the distortions, which are quantified here with DFT‐derived atomic displacements and distortion energies. DFT‐derived proton affinities of the coupling products and vdW interaction energies between the TS and voids represent the most accurate and complete descriptors of reactivity, as the size and shape of TS structures vary in C−C coupling steps and more generally in acid‐catalyzed transformations, and can be used in designing voids for stabilizing specific host‐guest pairs.
Investigations on Catalyst Stability and Product Isolation in the Extractive Oxidative Desulfurization of Fuels Using Polyoxometalates and Molecular Oxygen
Authors: Bertleff Benjamin , Goebel Rebecca , Claußnitzer Johannes , Korth Wolfgang , Skiborowski Mirko , Wasserscheid Peter , Jess Andreas , Albert Jakob 
Published: August 2018

AbstractOur contribution adds important new insight to the recent finding that polyoxometalate catalysts, such as H8PV5Mo7O40 (HPA‐5), are very effective catalysts in the extractive oxidative desulfurization of fuels using molecular oxygen. Our contribution focuses on aspects of catalyst stability and deactivation caused by the accumulation of acidic products and intermediates, i. e. sulfuric acid, formic acid, acetic acid, sulfoacetic acid or 2‐sulfobenzoic acid. These compounds reduce the pH value of the aqueous catalyst phase during the course of the desulfurization reaction. At lower pH values, the higher V‐substituted species rearrange to lower V‐substituted species and VO2+. This rearrangement is responsible for a decreasing activity in extractive oxidative desulfurization. We show that formic acid, acetic acid, sulfoacetic acid and 2‐sulfobenzoic acid block active sites of the catalyst. Oxalic acid, in contrast, has been found to exert a remarkable positive effect on catalyst activity. The feasibility of catalyst recycling and efficient isolation of the decomposition products is demonstrated using four commercially available organic solvent nanofiltration membranes.
Synergistic Supports Beyond Carbon Black for Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cell Anodes
Authors: Huang Yiyin , Babu Dickson D. , Wu Maoxiang , Wang Yaobing 
Published: August 2018

AbstractPolymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFCs) are among the most advanced energy technologies with low operating temperatures, high energy densities, ease of transportation and storage. However, the deficiencies such as low activity and high cost of the electrocatalysts at anodes greatly hinder their commercialization. The commonly used carbon black supports lack the capacity of regulation over the supported noble metals towards efficient electro‐catalytic oxidation of fuels. In this Mini‐Review, the prerequisite factors in advanced supports are outlined, ranging from self‐supported precious metal alloys as well as non‐noble metal materials, while simultaneously revealing the superiorities of some advanced supports beyond carbon black in terms of electronic conductivity, synergy with surface precious metals, chemical and electrochemical stability, and other possible interactions. The effects arisen from microscopic morphology, nano‐structure, and composition on the electrocatalytic activity/stability are also discussed. Finally, several of the most promising supports are highlighted, and the research trends of synergistic supports in future PEFCs are predicted.