bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Red bat fatality: Geographic extents through deuterium and niche models
Authors: Murtaugh Rachael A. , Capparella Angelo P. , Kostelnick John C. , Johnson Greg D. 
Published: July 2019

ABSTRACTBat fatality at wind energy facilities is a conservation issue, but its effect on bat populations is difficult to estimate. We have little understanding of wind turbine effects on bat population persistence, in part because we have poor knowledge of bat migration pathways and hence the source populations for individual fatalities. We used deuterium ratio analysis combined with genetic algorithm for rule‐set prediction and the web‐based isoscapes modeling, analysis, and prediction in a geographic information system environment as a novel approach. Our objectives were to explore the utility of these methods together and map the geographic extents of eastern red bat (Lasiurus borealis) specimens salvaged in 2008–2010 from a single, 92‐km2 wind energy facility in Illinois, USA. Results indicate that combining these methods can be successful and support their use with species where ranges may be less well defined. Because of the migratory nature of this species and the range of deuterium values of pixels in our isotope model, we predicted that 18% and 82% of the specimens would have isotope results inside and outside of the wind facility's isocline respectively. We concluded that 71.4% of the specimens had isotope signatures placing them outside the wind facility's isocline. It could be argued that the wide distribution of bat fatalities dilutes the overall effect of those fatalities on the bat species; however, if other facilities show a similar pattern, each facility could have cumulative and far reaching population‐level effects. © 2019 The Wildlife Society.
Biadhesive Peptides for Assembling Stainless Steel and Compound Loaded Micro‐Containers
Authors: Apitius Lina , Buschmann Sven , Bergs Christian , Schönauer David , Jakob Felix , Pich Andrij , Schwaneberg Ulrich 
Published: July 2019

AbstractBiadhesive peptides (peptesives) are an attractive tool for assembling two chemically different materials—for example, stainless steel and polycaprolactone (PCL). Stainless steel is used in medical stents and PCL is used as a biodegradable polymer for fabrication of tissue growth scaffolds and drug delivering micro‐containers. Biadhesive peptides are composed of two domains (e.g., dermaseptin S1 and LCI) with different material‐binding properties that are separated through a stiff peptide‐spacer. The peptesive dermaseptin S1‐domain Z‐LCI immobilizes antibiotic‐loaded PCL micro‐containers on stainless steel surfaces. Immobilization is visualized by microscopy and field emission scanning electron microscopy analysis and released antibiotic from the micro‐containers is confirmed through growth inhibition of Escherichia coli cells.
Progress and Current Trends in the Synthesis of Novel Polymers with Enhanced Mucoadhesive Properties
Authors: Brannigan Ruairí P. , Khutoryanskiy Vitaliy V. 
Published: July 2019

AbstractMucoadhesion is defined as the adherence of a synthetic or natural polymer to a mucosal membrane via physical or chemical interactions. Mucoadhesive materials are widely used to develop dosage forms for transmucosal drug delivery via ocular, nasal, esophageal, oral, vaginal, rectal, and intravesical routes of administration. This review will discuss some of the most prominent and recent synthetic methodologies employed to modify polymeric materials in order to enhance their mucoadhesive properties. This includes chemical conjugation of polymers with molecules bearing thiol‐, catechol‐, boronate‐, acrylate‐, methacrylate‐, maleimide‐, and N‐hydroxy(sulfo)succinimide ester‐ groups.
Mussel‐Inspired, Surface‐Attachable Initiator for Grafting of Antimicrobial and Antifouling Hydrogels
Authors: Su Yajuan , Feng Tao , Feng Wei , Pei Yangyang , Li Ziyue , Huo Jingjing , Xie Chao , Qu Xue , Li Peng , Huang Wei 
Published: July 2019

AbstractIn this work, a novel biomimetic surface‐attachable initiator is successfully synthesized by the conjugation of 3,4‐dihydroxyphenylacetic acid and thermal 2,2′‐azobis(2‐methylpropionamide) dihydrochloride (V‐50). The synthesized initiator (DOPV) can adhere to various material surfaces in a mussel‐inspired way and initiate the surface grafting polymerization. Hydrogel coatings are facilely prepared by the thermal‐initiated radical copolymerization of antimicrobial polyhexamethylene guanidine and antifouling polyethylene glycol oligomers. The developed hydrogel coatings not only show antimicrobial activity toward gram‐negative and gram‐positive bacteria but also demonstrate protein resistance, antibiofilm efficacy, hemocompatibility, and low cytotoxicity in vitro. Most importantly, the hydrogel coatings reveal excellent antimicrobial efficacy with a log reduction above 5 in a rodent subcutaneous infection model. These results demonstrate the potential fabrication of bio‐functional coatings for biomedical devices or implants through an inexpensive, facile, and environmentally friendly mussel‐inspired technique.
Multilevel, multiplayer R&D investment decisions: Cooperation or competition?
Authors: Ben Brahim Mouna , Ben Abdelaziz Fouad 
Published: July 2019

AbstractOur paper studies multilevel strategic R&D investment decisions. We distinguish between exogenous and endogenous knowledge transfers and focus the relationship between optimal market structure and technological progress. In general, R&D cooperation leads to high levels of R&D investment when firms are supposed to be symmetrical. However, the relaxation of the symmetry hypothesis, considering multiplayer models (innovators and free‐riders), contradicts previous findings. We show how absorptive capacity concepts explain the incentives and mechanisms of R&D investment. We attempt to answer, through our survey, to the central question: Should firms cooperate or compete in industrial markets?
Blood–brain barrier opening with focused ultrasound in experimental models of Parkinson's disease
Authors: Karakatsani Maria Eleni , Blesa Javier , Konofagou Elisa Evgenia 
Published: July 2019

AbstractParkinson's disease has many symptomatic treatments, but there is no neuroprotective therapy currently available. The evolution of this disease is inexorably progressive, and halting or stopping the neurodegenerative process is a major unmet need. Parkinson's disease motor features at onset are typically limited to 1 body segment, that is, focal signs, and the nigrostriatal degeneration is highly asymmetrical and mainly present in the caudal putamen. Thus, clinically and neurobiologically the process is fairly limited early in its evolution. Tentatively, this would allow the possibility of intervening to halt neurodegeneration at the most vulnerable site. The recent use of new technologies such as focused ultrasound provides interesting prospects. In particular, the possibility of transiently opening the blood–brain barrier to facilitate penetrance of putative neuroprotective agents is a highly attractive approach that could be readily applied to Parkinson's disease. However, because there are currently effective treatments available (ie, dopaminergic pharmacological therapy), more experimental evidence is needed to construct a feasible and practical therapeutic approach to be tested early in the evolution of Parkinson's disease patients. In this review, we provide the current evidence for the application of blood–brain barrier opening in experimental models of Parkinson's disease and discuss its potential clinical applicability. © 2019 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Performance of the cone beam computed tomography‐based patient positioning system on the Gamma Knife Icon™
Authors: Xu Andy Y. , Wang Yi‐Fang , Wang Tony J. C. , Cheng Simon K. , Elliston Carl D. , Savacool Michelle K. , Dona Lemus Olga , Sisti Michael B. , Wuu Cheng‐Shie 
Published: July 2019

PurposeCone beam computed tomography (CBCT) imaging has been implemented on the Leksell Gamma Knife® Icon™ for assessing patient positioning in mask‐based Gamma Knife radiosurgery. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the performance of the CBCT‐based patient positioning system as a tool for frameless Gamma Knife radiosurgery.MethodsDaily quality assurance (QA) CBCT precision test results from a 12‐month period were analyzed for the geometric accuracy and the stability of the imager. The performance of the image acquisition module and the image registration algorithm was evaluated using an anthropomorphic head phantom (CIRS Inc., Norfolk, VA) and a XYZR axis manual positioning stage (TOAUTO Inc., Guangdong, China). The head phantom was fixed on a mask adaptor and manually translated in the X, Y, Z directions or rotated around the X, Y, Z axes in the range of ±10 mm or ±10º. A CBCT scan was performed after each manual position setup followed by an image registration to the reference scan. To assess the overall setup uncertainties in fractionated treatment, two cylindrical Presage phantoms (Heuris Inc., Skillman, NJ) of 15 cm diameter and 10 cm height were irradiated with identical prescription dose and shot placement following standard mask‐based treatment workflow according to two different fraction schedules: a single fraction treatment of 7.5 Gy and a 5‐fraction treatment with 1.5 Gy per fraction.ResultsThe averaged vector deviations of the four marks from their preset values are 0.087, 0.085, 0.095, and 0.079 mm from the 212 daily QA tests. The averaged displacements in the X, Y, Z coordinates and the pitch, yaw, roll angles from the image registration tests are 0.23, 0.27, 0.14, 0.32º, 0.19º, 0.31º from the manual setup. The corresponding maximum differences are 0.41, 0.33, 0.29 mm, 0.45º, 0.31º, and 0.43º, respectively. Compared to the treatment plan using the 2% & 1 mm criteria, the averaged 2D Gamma passing rate is 98.25% for the measured dose distribution from the Presage phantom with 1‐fraction irradiation and 95.12% for the 5‐fraction irradiation. The averaged Gamma passing rates are 99.53% and 98.16% for the 1‐fraction and 5‐fraction irradiations using the 2% & 2 mm criteria.ConclusionsThe CBCT imager and the image registration algorithm can reproduce phantom position with <0.5 mm/0.5º uncertainty. A systematic contribution from the interfraction phantom repositioning procedure was observed in the Gamma analysis over the irradiated volumes of two end‐to‐end test phantoms.
Ultrasound therapy adds no benefit to splinting in carpal tunnel syndrome
Authors: Jothi Kamalakannan P. , Bland Jeremy D. P. 
Published: July 2019

AbstractIntroductionTherapeutic ultrasound has been suggested as a treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), but existing trial evidence is of poor quality and inconclusive.MethodsWe conducted a randomized, controlled trial of therapeutic ultrasound in mild to moderate CTS. Forty patients were treated with wrist splints plus either real or sham therapeutic ultrasound and followed for 1 year posttreatment. The primary outcome was change in symptom severity scale score. Secondary outcomes were functional status scale score, nerve conduction studies, and ultrasound imaging of the median nerve.ResultsBoth groups showed significant clinical and neurophysiological improvement at 6 and 12 months compared with baseline. There were no significant differences between groups at any time. In a multivariate analysis, the only independently significant predictors of the primary outcome were pretreatment symptom severity and additional treatments during follow‐up.DiscussionWe found no clinically significant benefit from ultrasound treatment for CTS.
Adaptive denoising for chemical exchange saturation transfer MR imaging
Authors: Breitling Johannes , Deshmane Anagha , Goerke Steffen , Korzowski Andreas , Herz Kai , Ladd Mark E. , Scheffler Klaus , Bachert Peter , Zaiss Moritz 
Published: July 2019

High image signal–to–noise ratio (SNR) is required to reliably detect the inherently small chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) effects in vivo. In this study, it was demonstrated that identifying spectral redundancies of CEST data by principal component analysis (PCA) in combination with an appropriate data–driven extraction of relevant information can be used for an effective and robust denoising of CEST spectra. The relationship between the number of relevant principal components and SNR was studied on fitted in vivo Z–spectra with artificially introduced noise. Three different data–driven criteria to automatically determine the optimal number of necessary components were investigated. In addition, these criteria facilitate straightforward assessment of data quality that could provide guidance for CEST MR protocols in terms of SNR. Insights were applied to achieve a robust denoising of highly sampled low power Z–spectra of the human brain at 3 and 7 T. The median criterion provided the best estimation for the optimal number of components consistently for all three investigated artificial noise levels. Application of the denoising technique to in vivo data revealed a considerable increase in image quality for the amide and rNOE contrast with a considerable SNR gain. At 7 T the denoising capability was quantified to be comparable or even superior to an averaging of six measurements. The proposed denoising algorithm enables an efficient and robust denoising of CEST data by combining PCA with appropriate data–driven truncation criteria. With this generally applicable technique at hand, small CEST effects can be reliably detected without the need for repeated measurements.
Assembly of (l+d)‐Tryptophan Derivatives Containing an Imidazole Group Selectively Forms a Rare Purple Ni2+‐Hydrogel
Authors: Wang Xiao‐Juan , Wei Chuan‐Wan , Gao Shu‐Qin , He Bo , Lin Ying‐Wu 
Published: July 2019

AbstractDesign of metal‐selective hydrogels is attractive due to potential applications in materials and biological sciences. Although much progress has been made, assembly of both l‐ and d‐amino acid derivatives was less explored for design of metallohydrogels. In this study, we synthesized a facile and small tryptophan derivative containing an imidazole ligand with both l‐ and d‐ configurations (denoted as l/d‐ImW). Intriguingly, the assembly of (l+d)‐ImW gelators was found to selectively form a Ni2+‐hydrogel in aqueous medium at room temperature, which shows a rare purple color and exhibits excellent multi‐responsiveness. In addition to insights into the gelation mechanism, this study provides a novel approach to the design of metallohydrogels, by the assembly of (l+d)‐amino acid derivatives containing both aromatic rings and multiple metal coordination sites.
Time‐resolved analysis of the precursor fragmentation kinetics in an hybrid PVD/PECVD dusty plasma with pulsed injection of HMDSO
Authors: Garofano Vincent , Bérard Remy , Glad Xavier , Joblin Christine , Makasheva Kremena , Stafford Luc 
Published: July 2019

AbstractPlasma sampling mass spectrometry (PSMS) has been carried out to study the fragmentation kinetics of hexamethyldisiloxane (HMDSO) in a low‐pressure, axially asymmetric argon rf discharge designed for the growth of nanocomposite thin films through a hybrid PVD/PECVD method. Experiments have been conducted with a pulsed injection of HMDSO over a 5‐s period. Plasma conditions have been chosen to favor formation and disappearance of dust occurring in cycles of a few hundred seconds. The dissociation degree of HMDSO and the relative intensities of HMDSO‐related fragments are reported and analyzed regarding these two specific time‐scales. PSMS showed that formation of dust increases HMDSO dissociation. The same result can be deduced from the particle balance equation of HMDSO using the electron density and temperature obtained from optical emission spectroscopy as the only input parameters. For HMDSO, electron‐impact dissociation is the dominant loss pathway over diffusion and recombination on the reactor walls. Small C
xH
y compounds and H
2 are mostly generated from surface recombination mechanisms and lost by electron‐impact dissociation.
On the role of secondary electron emission in capacitively coupled radio‐frequency plasma sheath: A theoretical ground
Authors: Sun Guang‐Yu , Li Han‐Wei , Sun An‐Bang , Li Yuan , Song Bai‐Peng , Mu Hai‐Bao , Li Xiao‐Ran , Zhang Guan‐Jun 
Published: July 2019

AbstractWe propose a theoretical ground for emissive capacitively coupled radio‐frequency (rf) plasma sheath under low pressure. The rf sheath is assumed to be collisionless and oscillates with external source. A known sinusoidal voltage instead of current is taken as prerequisite to derive sheath dynamics. Kinetic studies are performed to determine mean wall potential as a function of secondary emission coefficient and applied voltage amplitude, with which the complete mean direct current sheath is resolved. Analytical analyses under homogeneous model and numerical analyses under inhomogeneous model are conducted to deduce real‐time sheath properties including space potential, sheath capacitance, and stochastic heating. Obtained results are validated by a continuum kinetic simulation without ionization. The influences of collisionality and ionization induced by secondary electrons are elucidated with a particle‐in‐cell simulation, which further formalizes proposed theories and inspires future works.
Methionine in proteins: The Cinderella of the proteinogenic amino acids
Authors: Aledo Juan C. 
Published: July 2019

AbstractMethionine in proteins, apart from its role in the initiation of translation, is assumed to play a simple structural role in the hydrophobic core, in a similar way to other hydrophobic amino acids such as leucine, isoleucine, and valine. However, research from a number of laboratories supports the concept that methionine serves as an important cellular antioxidant, stabilizes the structure of proteins, participates in the sequence‐independent recognition of protein surfaces, and can act as a regulatory switch through reversible oxidation and reduction. Despite all these evidences, the role of methionine in protein structure and function is largely overlooked by most biochemists. Thus, the main aim of the current article is not so much to carry out an exhaustive review of the many and diverse processes in which methionine residues are involved, but to review some illustrative examples that may help the nonspecialized reader to form a richer and more precise insight regarding the role‐played by methionine residues in such processes.
Compound asset sharing initiatives between pharmaceutical companies, funding bodies, and academia: Learnings and successes
Authors: Hayes Ann G. , Nutt David J. 
Published: July 2019

AbstractOver recent years, there have been several initiatives to gain access to compounds which have been deprioritized by pharmaceutical companies, but which have a data package allowing them to be used in human experimental medicine studies. Such compounds provide an invaluable resource for probing human biology and disease pathology, for improving translational capabilities, and ultimately for repurposing to new therapeutic indications. The authors have been involved with the setting up of the Medicine's Chest initiative, which aimed to access compounds for the use in clinical studies of the central nervous system. Other initiatives include those set up by AstraZeneca, the Medical Research Council in the UK and the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences in the US. The purpose of this editorial is to provide an update on progress with some of these initiatives, and to identify some learnings for future endeavours.
Gene flow across host‐associated populations of the rice stem borer Chilo suppressalis Walker (Lepidoptera: Crambidae): implications for Bt resistance management in rice
Authors: Wang Yongmo , Huang Chen , Hu Bing , Liu Yue , Walter Gimme H , Hereward James P 
Published: July 2019

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe rice stem borer, Chilo suppressalis, is a serious pest of rice, but also damages an aquatic vegetable, water oats (Zizania latifolia Turcz.). The time at which mating occurs is different between populations of rice stem borer associated with rice and those associated with water‐oats, which suggests that undetected cryptic species may be associated with these plant hosts. If true, this would have significant management implications. This study is the first empirical test of this idea, using population genetic tools from two sampling cohorts. We genotyped 320 rice stem borer individuals from 2014, collected from rice and water‐oats across five locations (where they exist in sympatry), using seven microsatellite loci.RESULTSWe found no genetic structuring associated with host plant species. On water oats, some rice stem borers were found that had a similar mating time to the rice population, so in 2016, a second cohort of samples was screened by their timing of mating to get ‘pure rice feeders’ and ‘pure water oats feeders’. These samples were genotyped with microsatellites, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) (COI and COII), and a nuclear gene (EF1‐α). Our mtDNA data suggest a relatively low amount of population subdivision associated with plant host, but the microsatellite data revealed no such genetic structure, and we were only able to identify one haplotype of EF1‐α.CONCLUSIONSOur results indicate gene flow between rice and water oats populations of rice stem borer, indicating that water oats will likely provide a refuge for resistance management of Bt rice. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Nardostachys chinensis Batalin: A review of traditional uses, phytochemistry, and pharmacology
Authors: Rehman Tayyeba , Ahmad Saeed 
Published: July 2019

Nardostachys chinensis Batalin (Valerianaceae) has been widely used in different traditional systems of medicine, including Islamic, Ayurvedic, Chinese, and Korean folk medicine. It has been used in traditional medicine as a tranquilizer, hepatotonic, cardiotonic, diuretic, and analgesic. Preliminary in vitro and in vivo studies have provided valuable scientific evidence for its traditional uses. This review aims to summarize reported traditional uses, phytochemistry, and pharmacological potential of N. chinensis while identifying potential areas of further research of plant. The review comprises literature pertaining to the pharmacological potential and phytochemistry of N. chinensis using worldwide accepted scientific databases via electronic search (Elsevier, Google Scholar, Pub Med, Scopus, Springer, Wiley online library). Moreover, data from ethno botanical text books available in library and electronic search were also included. The Plant List and Kew Herbarium Catalogue databases were used to authenticate the scientific name. Different pharmacological experiments in many in vitro and in vivo models have proved the potential of N. chinensis, namely, anti‐inflammatory, anticonvulsant, antibacterial, antihypertensive, antifungal, neuroprotective, cardioprotective, aldose reductase inhibition, and antioxidant activities. The plant contains sesquiterpenenes of various varieties including aristolane, guaiane, and nardosinane types. Moreover, it also contains coumarins, phenols, lignans, neolignans, and glycosides. Reported activities suggested that there may be pharmacological potential for developing N. chinensis as a drug for infections, hypertension, cardiac diseases, Alzheimer's disease, insomnia, epilepsy, cancer, gastric, and liver diseases. More toxicological studies should be performed that will aid the progress to clinical trial studies of N. chinensis.