bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
SERPINA1 gene polymorphisms in a population‐based ALSPAC cohort
Authors: DeLuca David S. , Poluzioroviene Edita , Taminskiene Vaida , Wrenger Sabine , Utkus Algirdas , Valiulis Algirdas , Alasevičius Tomas , Henderson John , Bush Andrew , Welte Tobias , Janciauskiene Sabina , Valiulis Arunas 
Published: July 2019

AbstractBackgroundThere is an association between persistent preschool wheezing phenotypes and school‐age asthma. These wheezing/asthma phenotypes likely represent clinical entities having specific genetic risk factors. The SERPINA1 gene encodes α1‐antitrypsin (AAT), and mutations in the gene are important in the pathophysiology of pulmonary diseases. We hypothesized that there might be an association between SERPINA1 gene polymorphisms and the risk of developing wheezing/school age asthma.ObjectiveTo examine 10 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of SERPINA1 (rs6647, rs11832, rs17580, rs709932, rs1243160, rs2854254, rs8004738, rs17751769, rs28929470, and rs28929474) and relate them to childhood wheezing phenotypes and doctor‐diagnosed asthma in the population‐based Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) cohort.MethodsWheeze data, reports of physician‐diagnosed asthma and data on the SERPINA1 gene SNPs, were available for 7964 children. Binary logistic regression was used to assess the associations between allele prevalence and wheezing and asthma phenotypes.Pvalues were adjusted to account for multiple hypotheses using the Benjamini‐Hochberg false discovery rate.ResultsOnly within a subgroup of children with asthma who had no prior diagnosis of preschool wheeze was there a trend for association between rs28929474 (Glu342Lys, Pi*Z causing AAT deficiency;P = .0058, adjustedP = .058). No SNP was associated with wheezing and asthma in those with preschool wheeze.ConclusionAnalyzed SNPs in SERPINA1 are not associated with wheezing/asthma phenotypes. Only rs28929474, the most common pathologic SNP (Pi*Z) in the SERPINA1 gene, might be associated with a risk of developing school‐age asthma without exhibiting preschool wheeze.
Prediction of interresidue contacts with DeepMetaPSICOV in CASP13
Authors: Kandathil Shaun M. , Greener Joe G. , Jones David T. 
Published: July 2019

AbstractIn this article, we describe our efforts in contact prediction in the CASP13 experiment. We employed a new deep learning‐based contact prediction tool, DeepMetaPSICOV (or DMP for short), together with new methods and data sources for alignment generation. DMP evolved from MetaPSICOV and DeepCov and combines the input feature sets used by these methods as input to a deep, fully convolutional residual neural network. We also improved our method for multiple sequence alignment generation and included metagenomic sequences in the search. We discuss successes and failures of our approach and identify areas where further improvements may be possible. DMP is freely available at: https://github.com/psipred/DeepMetaPSICOV.
Pharmacokinetic variability of beta‐adrenergic blocking agents used in cardiology
Authors: Ågesen Frederik N. , Weeke Peter E. , Tfelt‐Hansen Peer , Tfelt‐Hansen Jacob ,   for ESCAPE‐NET
Published: July 2019

AbstractThe aim of this study was to evaluate the pharmacokinetic variability of beta‐adrenergic blocking agents used in cardiology by reviewing single‐dose and steady‐state pharmacokinetic studies from the literature. PubMed was searched for pharmacokinetic studies of beta‐adrenergic blocking agents, both single‐dose and steady‐state studies. The studies included reported maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) and/or area under the concentration curve (AUC). The coefficient of variation (CV%) was calculated for all studies, and a CV% <40% was considered low or moderate variability, and a CV% >40% was considered high variability. The Cmax and AUC were reported a total of 672 times in 192 papers. Based on AUC, metoprolol, propranolol, carvedilol, and nebivolol showed high pharmacokinetic variability (highest first), whereas bisoprolol, atenolol, sotalol, labetalol, nadolol, and pindolol showed low to moderate variability (lowest first). We have shown a high interindividual pharmacokinetic variability that varies markedly in different beta‐adrenergic blocking agents; the extreme being steady state ratios as high as 30 in metoprolol. A more personalized approach to the medical treatment of patients may be obtained by combining known pharmacokinetic information about variability, pharmaco‐genetics and ‐dynamics, and patient characteristics, to avoid adverse events or lack of treatment effect.
Efficacy of binary combinations between methyl salicylate and carvacrol against thrips Anaphothrips obscurus: laboratory and field trials
Authors: Lu Xiao‐Peng , Liu Jia‐Huan , Weng Hua , Ma Zhi‐Qing , Zhang Xing 
Published: July 2019

AbstractBACKGROUNDThrips Anaphothrips obscurus are one of the cosmopolitan major pests feeding on cereals and other grasses. In order to develop alternatives of chemical insecticides for thrips control, based on fumigant activity screening and evaluation of 22 essential oil (EO) compounds against the thrips, the binary interactions of methyl salicylate and carvacrol (MS‐C) with high fumigant toxicity were studied systematically by bioassay and field trials.RESULTSThe bioassay results showed that six in 22 EO compounds had high fumigant toxicity against both the second‐instar nymphs and adults of A. obscurus, including methyl salicylate, carvacrol, thymol, trans‐cinnamaldehyde, diallyl trisulfide, and L‐perillaldehyde. Furthermore, the combination of methyl salicylate mixed with carvacrol at a volume ratio of 5:5 exhibited the most significant synergism against A. obscurus, with a poison ratio value of 1.32 and a co‐toxicity coefficient of 151.15. The optimal formulation of microemulsion (ME) was composed of 5% methyl salicylate, 5% carvacrol, 46% adjuvant and 44% deionized water. The result of dynamic light scattering and stability showed that MS‐C 10% ME was a transparent, single‐phase and homogeneous liquid system. Field trials indicated that the ME displayed a significant control efficacy of about 89.17% on thrips in peppers, and 82.59% in broad bean on the seventh day post application with a dosage of 600.0 g A.I hm–2, respectively.CONCLUSIONThe binary combination of MS‐C possesses strikingly synergistic action against thrips A. obscurus, and the MS‐C 10% ME has the potential to be developed as a botanical pesticide product for thrips control. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Spatial trajectories in early life: Moving on or returning home?
Authors: Zorlu Aslan , Kooiman Niels 
Published: July 2019

AbstractThis paper investigates the residential mobility patterns of young adults upon leaving home, with an emphasis on the role of life course events in determining return migration to the home region. Using longitudinal register data for the Netherlands, the analysis shows that parental ties serve as an anchor attracting returnees: young adults appear to return to their home region when their parents still live in the region. This is more pronounced for women. It seems that women are more likely to return to provide assistance to parents, and men's return is more motivated by receiving assistance. The return inclination of men is, for instance, primarily induced by family life events, such as having children and becoming a lone father. The propensity for return is lower for graduates, young adults with a higher income, and individuals originating from less urbanised areas.
Correlation between the Estrada index and π‐electronic energies for benzenoid hydrocarbons with applications to boron nanotubes
Authors: Hayat Sakander , Imran Muhammad , Liu Jia‐Bao 
Published: July 2019

AbstractIn this article, we present an efficient computer‐based computational technique to compute the energy and Estrada index of graphs. It is shown that our computational method is more efficient and bears less computational and algorithmic complexity. We use our method to show the main result of this article, which asserts that the Estrada index correlates with the π‐electronic energies of lower benzenoid hydrocarbons with correlation coefficient 0.9993. This enhances the practical applicability of the Estrada index and warrants its further usage in quantitative structure activity relationships. We further apply our computational technique in computing the energy and Estrada index of two infinite families of boron triangular nanotubes. We perform simulation based on certain computer software packages to study the graph‐theoretic behavior of the obtained results. Our results help to correlate certain physicochemical properties of underlying chemical structures of these nanotubes.
Robust adaptive trajectory tracking control of underactuated autonomous underwater vehicles with prescribed performance
Authors: Li Jian , Du Jialu , Sun Yuqing , Lewis Frank L. 
Published: July 2019

SummaryIn this paper, a novel robust adaptive trajectory tracking control scheme with prescribed performance is developed for underactuated autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) subject to unknown dynamic parameters and disturbances. A simple error mapping function is proposed in order to guarantee that the trajectory tracking error satisfies the prescribed performance. A novel additional control based on Nussbaum function is proposed to handle the underactuation of AUVs. The compounded uncertain item caused by the unknown dynamic parameters and disturbances is transformed into a linear parametric form with only single unknown parameter called virtual parameter. On the basis of the above, a novel robust adaptive trajectory tracking control law is developed using dynamic surface control technique, where the adaptive law online provides the estimation of the virtual parameter. Strict stability analysis indicates that the designed control law ensures uniform ultimate boundedness of the AUV trajectory tracking closed‐loop control system with prescribed tracking performance. Simulation results on an AUV in two different disturbance cases with dynamic parameter perturbation verify the effectiveness of our adaptive trajectory tracking control scheme.
Stress‐related mental health and growth among first‐time grandparents: The moderating role of family support
Authors: Sobol Shira , Ben‐Shlomo Shirley 
Published: July 2019

AbstractGrandparents play a significant role in modern society, often while struggling to juggle the expectations, demands, and commitments of career and family. The current study examined the unique and combined contribution of stress‐related variables associated with multiple roles, such as work stress over commitment, economic stress, and grandchild care burden, to mental health and personal growth of first‐time grandparents. The study also examined the role of family support as a moderator of these associations. One hundred ninety‐seven first‐time Israeli grandparents were asked to complete a series of self‐report questionnaires. Higher levels of work‐related stress were associated with lower mental health, whereas grandchild care burden was associated with higher personal growth. Self‐mastery and family support contributed to the prediction of mental health. When family support was high, work commitment was positively related to mental health, and economic stress was positively related to personal growth. The findings point to the crucial role of family support in balancing and preserving resources that are important to the mental health of first‐time grandparents, while enabling grandparents to be challenged and thrive through their stressors. Therapists who meet with first‐time grandparents in the community should take these factors into account when assisting them in adjusting to their new role.
Spatial Organization in Proteinaceous Membrane‐Stabilized Coacervate Protocells
Authors: Li Junbo , Liu Xiaoman , Abdelmohsen Loai K. E. A. , Williams David S. , Huang Xin 
Published: July 2019

AbstractAs a model protocell, the membrane‐free coacervate microdroplet is widely utilized in functional studies to provide insights into the physicochemical properties of the cell and to engineer cytomimetic soft technologies; however, the lack of a discrete membrane contributes to its instability and limits further application. Herein, a strategy is developed to fabricate a hybrid protocell based on the self‐assembly of a proteinaceous membrane at the surface of coacervate microdroplets driven by a combination of electrostatic adhesion and steric/hydrophilic surface buoyancy. The semipermeable proteinaceous membrane can enhance coacervate stability obviously without compromising sequestration behavior. Significantly, such hybrid protocells demonstrate spatial organization whereby various functional enzymes can be located in discrete regions, which facilitates an on/off modulation for a cascade enzymatic reaction along with enhanced chemical communication between subpopulations.
Zur dehnungsbegrenzten Momententragfähigkeit von Flachdecken in Verbundbauweise
Authors: Schäfer Markus , Zhang Qingjie 
Published: July 2019

AbstractIn den letzten Jahren hat die Slim‐Floor‐Bauweise zunehmend an Bedeutung gewonnen, dies ist nicht zuletzt auf die Forderung nach schlanken Konstruktionen und einer Optimierung des Bauablaufs zurückzuführen. Die Bemessung solcher Bauteile kann jedoch nicht allein auf Grundlage der europäischen Regelwerke für den Verbundbau erfolgen. Es gelten einige Besonderheiten, die durch ergänzende Bemessungsregeln zu erfassen sind. Umfangreiche Untersuchungen verdeutlichen, dass eine Einstufung der Rotationskapazität und die Festlegung der Querschnittsklasse nicht allein basierend auf der Klassifizierung des Stahlquerschnitts erfolgen können, da der Beton bei derartigen Systemen einen wesentlichen Einfluss auf das Tragverhalten nimmt. In diesem Beitrag werden die Besonderheiten für kompakte Slim‐Floor‐Querschnitte im Rahmen der Biegebemessung erläutert.
Mechanisms of titanium dioxide nanoparticle‐induced oxidative stress and modulation of plasma glucose in mice
Authors: Hu Hailong , Fan Xingpei , Yin Yao , Guo Qian , Yang Daqian , Wei Xiangjuan , Zhang Boya , Liu Jing , Wu Qiong , Oh Yuri , Chen Kun , Feng Yujie , Hou Liping , Li Li , Gu Ning 
Published: July 2019

AbstractTitanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs) are reported to increase plasma glucose levels in mice at specific doses. The production and accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is potentially the most important factor underlying the biological toxicity of TiO2 NPs but the underlying mechanisms are unclear at present. Data from genome‐wide analyses showed that TiO2 NPs induce endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and ROS generation, leading to the inference that TiO2 NP‐induced ER stress contributes to enhancement of ROS in mice. Resveratrol (Res) effectively relieved TiO2 NP‐induced ER stress and ROS generation by ameliorating expression of a common set of activated genes for both processes, signifying that ER stress and ROS are closely related. TiO2 NP‐induced ER stress occurred earlier than ROS generation. Upon treatment with 4‐phenylbutyric acid to relieve ER stress, plasma glucose levels tended toward normal and TiO2 NP increased ROS production was inhibited. These results suggest that TiO2 NP‐induced ER stress promotes the generation of ROS, in turn, triggering increased plasma glucose levels in mice. In addition, Res that displays the ability to reduce ER stress presents a dietary polyphenol antioxidant that can effectively prevent the toxicological effects of TiO2 NPs on plasma glucose metabolism.
Low‐frequency dynamics of a floating wind turbine in wave tank–scaled experiments with SiL hybrid method
Authors: Azcona José , Bouchotrouch Faisal , Vittori Felipe 
Published: July 2019

AbstractThe design of floating wind turbines needs the validation of numerical models against measurements obtained from experiments that accurately represent the system dynamics. This requires solving the conflict in the scaling of the hydrodynamic and aerodynamic forces that arises in tests with wind and waves. To sort out this conflict, we propose a hybrid testing method that uses a ducted fan to replace the rotor and introduce a force representing the aerodynamic thrust. The force is obtained from a simulation of the rotor coupled in real time with the measured platform displacements at the basin. This method is applied on a test campaign of a semisubmersible wind turbine with a scale factor of 1/45. The experimental data are compared with numerical computations using linear and non‐linear hydrodynamic models. Pitch decays in constant wind show a good agreement with computations, demonstrating that the hybrid testing method correctly introduces the aerodynamic damping. Test cases with constant wind and irregular waves show better agreement with the simulations in the power spectral density's (PSD's) low‐frequency region when non‐linear hydrodynamics are computed. In cases with turbulent wind at rated wind speed, the low‐frequency platform motions are dominated by the wind, hiding the differences from hydrodynamic non‐linearities. In these conditions, the agreement between experiments using the proposed hybrid method and computations is good in all the frequency range both for the linear and the non‐linear hydrodynamic models. Conversely, for turbulent winds producing lower rotor thrust, non‐linear hydrodynamics are relevant for the simulation of the low‐frequency system dynamics.
Morphological study of the labial sensilla in Nabidae (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Cimicomorpha)
Authors: Taszakowski Artur , Nowińska Agnieszka , Brożek Jolanta 
Published: July 2019

AbstractThe study presents new data on the morphology and distribution of the labial tip sensilla of six species of two nabid subfamilies—Protosteminae and Nabinae (Heteroptera: Cimicomorpha), which were obtained using a scanning electron microscope. In both taxa, there are five morphologically distinct types of sensilla on the tip of the labium: peg sensilla with a terminal pore, nonporous peg sensilla, elongated placoid sensilla with wall pores (multiporous), and trichoid sensilla. In addition, oval plate sensilla with a terminal pore (Tp-opls) were observed in the genus Himacerus. Campaniform sensilla and nonporous chaetic sensilla were observed on the surface of the last segment of the labium in all of the studied species. Over a dozen trichoid sensilla were scattered on the last segment of the labium only in the genus Prostemma. Based on their external structure, it is likely that these sensilla are chemosensitive and mechanosensitive. The oval plate sensilla with a Tp-opls (gustatory) in Himacerus (Nabinae) represent a morphological novelty that probably evolved independently of other nabids.
Phase 1b study of a small molecule antagonist of human chemokine (C-C motif) receptor 2 (PF-04136309) in combination with nab-paclitaxel/gemcitabine in first-line treatment of metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma
Authors: Noel Marcus , O’Reilly Eileen M. , Wolpin Brian M. , Ryan David P. , Bullock Andrea J. , Britten Carolyn D. , Linehan David C. , Belt Brian A. , Gamelin Eric C. , Ganguly Bishu , Yin Donghua , Joh Tenshang , Jacobs Ira A. , Taylor Carrie T. , Lowery Maeve A. 
Published: July 2019

SummaryBackground In pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), the chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 2 (CCL2)/chemokine (C-C motif) receptor 2 (CCR2) axis plays a key role in immunosuppressive properties of the tumor microenvironment, patient prognosis, and chemoresistance. This phase Ib study assessed the effects of the orally administered CCR2 inhibitor PF-04136309 in combination with nab-paclitaxel and gemcitabine in patients with previously untreated metastatic PDAC. Methods Patients received PF-04136309 twice daily (BID) continuously plus nab-paclitaxel (125 mg/m2) and gemcitabine (1000 mg/m2) administered on days 1, 8, and 15 of each 28-day cycle. The primary objectives were to evaluate safety and tolerability, characterize dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs), and determine the recommended phase II dose (RP2D) of PF-04136309. Results In all, 21 patients received PF-04136309 at a starting dose of 500 mg or 750 mg BID. The RP2D was identified to be 500 mg BID. Of 17 patients treated at the 500 mg BID starting dose, three (17.6%) experienced a total of four DLTs, including grade 3 dysesthesia, diarrhea, and hypokalemia and one event of grade 4 hypoxia. Relative to the small number of patients (n = 21), a high incidence (24%) of pulmonary toxicity was observed in this study. The objective response rate for 21 patients was 23.8% (95% confidence interval: 8.2–47.2%). Levels of CD14 + CCR2+ inflammatory monocytes (IM) decreased in the peripheral blood, but did not accumulate in the bone marrow. Conclusions PF-04136309 in combination with nab-paclitaxel plus gemcitabine had a safety profile that raises concern for synergistic pulmonary toxicity and did not show an efficacy signal above nab-paclitaxel and gemcitabine. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02732938.
Modelling the determinants of car-sharing adoption intentions among young adults: the role of attitude, perceived benefits, travel expectations and socio-demographic factors
Authors: Acheampong Ransford A. , Siiba Alhassan 
Published: July 2019

AbstractMajor cities in developing countries are increasingly becoming motorized. Thus, effective solutions to address the negative impacts that come with rising car-ownership are needed as part of an overall travel demand management strategy. In developed and emerging economies, shared-mobility in the form of car-sharing is becoming popular as potentially low-cost and environmentally sustainable alternative to car-ownership. Yet, our understanding of car-sharing adoption and diffusion factors in developing countries is limited. In this study, we fill this gap by examining car-sharing adoption intentions among young adults aged between 18 and 35 years in Ghana, Sub-Saharan Africa. Using structural equation modelling, we model car-sharing adoption intentions based on a framework that integrates individuals’ perception of the benefits of car-sharing, attitudes towards the environment and technology, trust of stewardship in car-sharing, perception of innovativeness of car-sharing, travel expectations and socio-demographic factors. We found that pro-technology and pro-environmental attitudes correlate positively with perceived benefits of car-sharing. Perceived benefits of car-sharing, in turn, has the largest predictive effect on intentions to car-share. Other factors, including individuals’ previous experience using Uber on-demand taxi services, gender, education, driver’s licensure and expectation of comfortable and fast travel options, all predict car-sharing adoption intentions. While there exists an interest in both station-based and free-floating car-sharing services, more of the would-be users favour the latter than the former. Also, majority of the potential adopters (62%) would join a car-sharing service within the first 1 year of its introduction. An important finding is that dissatisfaction with existing public transit services underpins car-sharing intentions, implying that relying on car-sharing alone to meet travel needs, without a holistic strategy of providing quality and affordable public transit services, could lead to unsustainable outcomes.
On negative association of some finite point processes on general state spaces
Authors: Last Günter , Szekli Ryszard 
Published: July 2019

AbstractWe study negative association for mixed sampled point processes and show that negative association holds for such processes if a random number of their points fulfils the ultra log-concave (ULC) property. We connect the negative association property of point processes with directionally convex dependence ordering, and show some consequences of this property for mixed sampled and determinantal point processes. Some applications illustrate the general theory.