bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Real‐time ALT and LDH activities determined in viable precision‐cut mouse liver slices using hyperpolarized [1‐13C]pyruvate—Implications for studies on biopsied liver tissues
Authors: Lev‐Cohain Naama , Sapir Gal , Harris Talia , Azar Assad , Gamliel Ayelet , Nardi‐Schreiber Atara , Uppala Sivaranjan , Sosna Jacob , Gomori J. Moshe , Katz‐Brull Rachel 
Published: December 2018

Precision‐cut liver slices (PCLS) are widely used in liver research as they provide a liver model with all liver cell types in their natural architecture. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the use of PCLS for hyperpolarized metabolic investigation in a mouse model, for potential future application in liver biopsy cores.Fresh normal liver was harvested from six mice. 500 μm PCLS were prepared and placed in a 10 mm NMR tube in an NMR spectrometer and perfused continuously. 31P spectra were acquired to evaluate the presence of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and validate viability in all samples. Hyperpolarized [1‐13C]pyruvate was flushed into the NMR tube in the spectrometer. Consecutive 13C NMR spectra were acquired immediately after the injection using both non‐selective (five injections, two livers) and selective RF excitation (six injections, three livers).The 31P spectra showed the characteristic signals of ATP, confirming the viability of the PCLS for more than 2.5 h in the spectrometer. After each of the [1‐13C]pyruvate injections, both [1‐13C]lactate and [1‐13C]alanine signals were detected. Selective RF excitation aimed at both [1‐13C]lactate and [1‐13C]alanine enabled better visualization and quantification of the metabolic activity. Using this acquisition approach only the newly formed metabolites are observed upon excitation, and their intensities relative to those of hyperpolarized pyruvate enable quantification of metabolite production rates. This rate of lactate and alanine production appeared to be constant throughout the measurement time, with alanine production about 2.3 times higher than lactate.In summary, the viability of PCLS in an NMR spectrometer was demonstrated and hyperpolarized [1‐13C]pyruvate metabolism was recorded. This study opens up the possibility of evaluating alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activities in human liver biopsies, while preserving the tissue architecture and viability. In healthy, well‐perfused liver slices the ratio of ALT to LDH activity is about 2.3.
Six‐minute walk, lung clearance index, and QOL in bronchiolitis obliterans and cystic fibrosis
Authors: Gur Michal , Masarweh Kamal , Toukan Yazeed , Nir Vered , Bar‐Yoseph Ronen , Hanna Moneera , Manor Eynav , Hakim Fahed , Bentur Lea 
Published: December 2018

AbstractIntroductionThe 6‐min walk test (6MWT) predicts outcome in pulmonary hypertension. Recently, its use was reported in both cystic fibrosis (CF) and bronchiolitis obliterans (BO). While the 6MWT is a simple, non‐invasive and inexpensive tool, lung clearance index (LCI) measurement requires expensive equipment and expertise. We aimed to evaluate 6MWT in BO and CF, and to compare to MBW (multiple breath washout), pulmonary function tests and quality of life (QOL).MethodsA prospective single center study assessing 6MWT, MBW, spirometry, whole‐body plethysmography and QOL (SF‐36 questionnaire) in BO and CF patients and correlations between them.ResultsThirty‐three BO patients and 37 CF patients. LCI was significantly higher in BO (12.4 ± 4.2 vs 10.5 ± 3.4, P = 0.044) while FEF 25‐75% was significantly lower in BO (43.9 ± 24.4 vs 60.8 ± 30.8, P = 0.014). 6MWD was 474.8 ± 76.3 in BO and 506.6 ± 70 in CF (P > 0.05). There was no correlation between 6MWD and LCI in these small study groups There were few correlation between spirometry prameters and 6MWD. In CF, SF‐36 scores correlated with pulmonary functions.ConclusionsThe 6MWT is an easy‐to‐perform test that may be helpful in chronic lung diseases in regions with limited resources. However,with the current limited data, 6MWT cannot replace LCI or spirometry as a marker of disease progression. Is is suggested that, together with QOL, the 6MWT may provide a global estimation of the physiological and general well‐being of these patients. Further larger multi‐center studies are warranted to evaluate the correlations of 6MWT with pulmonary physiology parameters in various chronic diseases.
Rain‐based soil solarization for reducing the persistent seed banks of invasive plants in natural ecosystems – Acacia saligna as a model
Authors: Cohen Oded , Bar (Kutiel) Pua , Gamliel Abraham , Katan Jaacov , Kurzbaum Eyal , Weber Gil , Schubert Iris , Riov Joseph 
Published: December 2018

AbstractBACKGROUNDA large persistent seed bank of invasive plants is a significant obstacle to restoration programs. Soil solarization was demonstrated to be an effective method for reducing the seed bank of Australian acacias. However, use of this method in natural habitats might be limited due to the requirement to moisten the soil by irrigation. This study examined the possibility of replacing irrigation by trapping the soil moisture caused by the most recent rainfall, i.e. rain‐based soil solarization (RBS).RESULTSExposure of Acacia saligna seeds to 57 °C at 20% soil moisture for 68 h resulted in almost complete loss of seed viability. Similarly, RBS treatment significantly reduced the viability of A. saligna seeds buried at a soil depth of 1–19 cm as well as seed density in the natural seed bank, and almost completely eliminated seedling emergence from natural seed banks of A. saligna and other environmental weeds.CONCLUSIONOur results indicate that RBS is an effective method for reducing the seed bank of invasive plants in natural habitats located in various climate regions characterized by different soil types. This is the first demonstration of a successful application of RBS for soil disinfestation. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Performance‐oriented quasi‐LPV modeling of nonlinear systems
Authors: Robles Ruben , Sala Antonio , Bernal Miguel 
Published: December 2018

SummaryPolytopic quasi–linear parameter‐varying (quasi‐LPV) models of nonlinear processes allow the usage linear matrix inequalities (LMIs) to guarantee some performance goal on them (in most cases, locally, over a so‐called modeling region). In order to get a finite number of LMIs, nonlinearities are embedded on the convex hull of a finite set of linear models. However, for a given system, the quasi‐LPV representations are not unique, yielding different performance bounds depending on the model choice. To avoid such drawback, earlier literature on the topic used annihilator‐based approaches, which require gridding on the modeling region, and nonconvex BMI conditions for controller synthesis; optimal performance bounds are obtained, but with a huge computational burden. This paper proposes building a model by minimizing the projection of the nonlinearities onto directions, which are deleterious for performance. For a small modeling region, these directions are obtained from LMIs with the linearized model. Additionally, these directions will guide the selection of the polytopic embedding's vertices. The procedure allows gridding‐free LMI controller synthesis, as in standard LPV setups, with a very reduced performance loss with respect to the aforementioned BMI+gridding approaches, at a fraction of the computational cost.
Comparing ANN and ARIMA model in predicting the discharge of River Opeki from 2010 to 2020
Authors: Fashae Olutoyin A. , Olusola Adeyemi O. , Ndubuisi Ijeoma , Udomboso Christopher Godwin 
Published: December 2018

AbstractMany attempts have been made in the recent past to model and forecast streamflow using various techniques with the use of time series techniques proving to be the most common. Time series analysis plays an important role in hydrological research. Traditionally, the class of autoregressive moving average techniques models has been the statistical method most widely used for modelling water discharge, but it has been shown to be deficient in representing nonlinear dynamics inherent in the transformation of runoff data. In contrast, the relatively newly improved and efficient soft computing technique artificial neural networks has the capability to approximate virtually any continuous function up to an arbitrary degree of accuracy, which is not otherwise true of other conventional hydrological techniques. This technique corresponds to human neurological system, which consists of a series of basic computing elements called neurons, which are interconnected together to form networks. The aim of the study is to compare the artificial neural network and autoregressive integrated moving average to model River Opeki discharge (1982–2010) and to use the best predictor to forecast the discharge of the river from 2010 to 2020. The performance of the two models was subjected to statistical test based on correlation coefficient (r) and the root‐mean‐square error. The result showed that autoregressive integrated moving average performs better considering the level of root‐mean‐square error and higher correlation coefficient.
Establishing minimum counts for semiquantitative bank‐to‐bank river transect mussel studies in species‐poor rivers
Authors: Leppänen Jaakko Johannes 
Published: December 2018

AbstractRiverine mussel investigations involve laborious fieldwork, yet acquiring adequate sample sizes is of high importance. This paper presents the calculated minimum sample size required for the bank‐to‐bank transect method in species‐poor rivers. Data were collected from 50 transect dives from four Finnish rivers, and individual‐based rarefaction calculations were used to detect the minimum sample size at which the number of new species plateaus (i.e., species richness curve reaches an asymptote). The results indicate that a minimum of 100 mussels per transect is necessary for general semiquantitative investigations using bank‐to‐bank transect surveys. Because riverine systems typically exhibit high variation in habitats, expert evaluation should always be used to determine the number and location of transects. The effort must be increased if very rare species need to be collected.
A Simple and Efficient Approach for the Synthesis of 1,3‐Oxazolidines from β‐Amino Alcohols Using Grinding Technique
Authors: Singh Nasseb , Dar Alamgir A. , Kumar Anil 
Published: December 2018

AbstractAn environment‐friendly and efficient method for synthesis of 1, 3‐oxazolidines from β‐amino alcohols has been developed using paraformaldehyde in the presence of 10 mol% alkali as a green reaction medium. The method is concise, simple, transition metal free, and high yielding at room temperature with wide substrate scope and functional group compatibility. The optimized method can be used for the synthesis of 1, 3‐oxazolidines intermediates, which are used as prodrug moieties to improve therapeutic potential of the parent drug. Structure and formation of the synthesized compounds has been characterized and confirmed through conventional spectroscopic techniques, such as 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), 13C NMR, and mass spectroscopy.
Novel Blue‐Emitter‐Containing o‐Terphenyl‐Substituted Fluorene and Diphenylanthracene Units
Authors: Mishra Alok V. , Hasija Deepika C. , Patil Vishwanath R. 
Published: December 2018

AbstractThe light emitting polymers (LEPs) were synthesized by aromatic nucleophilic substitution reaction containing o‐terphenyl substituted fluorene (TERF) and diphenylanthracene (DPA) units. The obtained polymers showed emission in the blue region. The polymers were successfully characterized by elemental analysis, FTIR and 1H NMR spectroscopic studies. Polymers were thermally stable and soluble in various organic solvents. The electrochemical measurements and optical properties of the polymers were also studied. These light emitting materials showed high photoluminescence efficiency, making them good candidates as organic materials for light‐emitting devices.
Structural Engineering of Zinc‐Blend/Wurtzite BN Superlattices
Authors: Ming Bangming , Wang Changhao , Guo Gencai , Xu Lichun , Wang Ruzhi , Yan Hui 
Published: December 2018

AbstractBy constructing Zinc‐Blende (ZB)/Wurtzite (WZ) boron nitride (BN) (ZB1‐x/WZx‐BN) superlattices (SLs), their electronic structure and mechanical properties were investigated by first‐principles techniques based on density functional theory. It is found that the band structure is significantly modulated by the ratio of WZ phase in ZB/WZ‐BN SLs. With the increase of WZ ratio, the band gap of SLs decreases and then increases dramatically. More importantly, transformation from type‐I to type‐II band alignment between ZB and WZ can be tuned by adjusting the ratio of WZ to be >0.6. In addition, a universal expression of the band gap is proposed to reveal a nonlinear dependence of the band gap within the structure of SLs as induced by from the interface effect achieved via structural transformation. The elastic constants results revealed that the change of ZB/WZ ratio poses no significant effect on the mechanical properties. The effect of structure modulation on band structure and mechanical properties is significantly important for future engineering of novel semiconductor SLs.
Zn Phthalocyanine Derivatives for Solution‐Processed Small Molecule Organic Solar Cells
Authors: Sarı Fatma Aslıhan , Kazici Mehmet , Harputlu Ersan , Bozar Sinem , Koyun Özge , Sahin Yücel , Ugur Naz , Ince Mine , Günes Serap 
Published: December 2018

AbstractZinc phthalocyanine derivatives, 1 and 2, having either electron donating octyl‐thiol group or electron accepting octyl‐sulfonyl groups have been synthesized to serve as new electron donor components for bulk heterojunction (BHJ) solar cells. BHJ solar cells, in which the active layer consist of zinc phthalocyanine (ZnPc) as an electron donor and a soluble fullerene derivative, namely PCBM, as an electron acceptor component were produced and characterized. The device consisting of octylthiol‐ZnPc:PCBM (1:4) gave power‐conversion efficiencies of 0.42%. On the other hand, the device having octyl‐sulfonyl substituted ZnPc gave very low efficiency due to both low Voc and Jsc values.
Porous Covalent Organic Gels: Design, Synthesis and Fluoroquinolones Adsorption
Authors: Dong Jun , Xu Fei‐Fan , Liu Zhi , Yu Hai‐Yang , Yan Yan , Li Yang‐Xue 
Published: December 2018

AbstractWe report the design and synthesis of three highly stable and porous covalent organic gels (HCOGs) based on C3‐symmetric benzene‐1,3,5‐tricarbohydrazides. The resultant HCOGs beared excellent adsorption properties and represented good reusability towards fluoroquinolones from aqueous solutions. The external adsorption behavior as well as internal mechanisms were both discussed. Using kinetic and isotherm analysis, we found that the adsorption processes of the three HCOGs keep to the pseudo‐second order kinetic model and abide by the Langmuir isotherm model. Furthermore, the adsorption efficiency and maximum adsorption capacity were demonstrated to be as a result of the internal mechanisms involving proper poriness, electrostatic interactivity, hydrophobic interaction, π‐π stacking/interactions and hydrogen bonding. The work thus pays a new way for the preparation of novel porous materials for removing fluoroquinolones from wastewater.
Oxidation of 1‐Phenylethane‐1,2‐Diol to 2‐Hydroxy‐1‐Phenylethan‐1‐One Catalyzed by Gold Nanocrystals
Authors: Zhang Fangwei , Zhang Jiali , Guo Shouwu 
Published: December 2018

AbstractWe demonstrate here that under a mild condition (aqueous solution, pH 7, 50 °C, 6 MPa O2) gold nanocrystals (AuNCs) can catalyze the oxidation of 1‐phenylethane‐1,2‐diol to 2‐hydroxy‐1‐phenylethan‐1‐one selectively. And the yield can reach 87% when 94% the reactant is converted. Through comparing with different substrates, we show that the high selectivity of the AuNCs for 2‐hydroxy‐1‐phenylethan‐1‐one is due to the activity difference between the two hydroxy groups in the diol. AuNCs tend to catalyze the oxidation of the hydroxy group that locates in α‐C position of benzyl diol.
Silicalite‐1 Encapsulated Fe Particles over an In‐situ Crystal Process for Syngas to Gasoline with Low CO2Selectivity
Authors: Cheng Shilin , Mazonde Brighton , Zhang Guihua , Javed Mudassar , Amoo Cederick , Shi Yanwen , Guo Kailiang , Yao Miaohong , Lu Chengxue , Yang Guohui , Yang Ruiqin , Xing Chuang 
Published: December 2018

AbstractZeolite synthesis involved use of large volumes of solvent that resulted in waste and enhanced production costs. In our study, we selected a solvent‐free synthesis route that involved mixing, grinding and crystallization at various times creating Fe@Silicalite‐1. This synthesis method produced a hierarchical in‐situ microporous crystal morphology with Fe particles caged inside zeolite displaying a high gasoline (C5‐C11) selectivity of 66.0% with a relatively low CO2and CH4selectivity (18.5% and 10.0%, respectively) in Fischer‐Tropsch synthesis. Prolonged crystallization time of 72 h and other subsequent procedures contributed to zeolite structure and performance. Iron moieties were appropriately immobilized over silicalite support. The characterization results were correlated with the zeolite activity and selectivity. This novel zeolite at its best possesses all the potential to be advanced in other related material synthesis because of its expedient procedure, characteristics and worthwhile outcomes.
Synthesis, Structures and DFT Computational Studies of [3.1.1]Metacyclophanes Containing Benzofuran Rings
Authors: Islam Md. Monarul , Wang Chuan‐Zeng , Feng Xing , Rahman Shofiur , Georghiou Paris E. , Alodhayb Abdullah , Yamato Takehiko 
Published: December 2018

Abstract[3.1.1]Metacyclophane ([3.1.1]MCP) 6 a containing two benzofuran rings was obtained by treatment of [3.3.3]MCP‐dione 5 with trimethylsilyl iodide. The precursor 5 was synthesized using (p‐tolylsulfonyl)methyl isocyanide (TosMIC) as the cyclization reagent. The 1H‐NMR spectrum of 6 a at room temperature reveals that it undergoes very fast conformational changes relative to the NMR time scale and that the phenolic hydrogen forms weak intramolecular hydrogen bonding with the oxygen of one of the benzofurans. O‐Methylation of 6 a afforded the calixarene analogue, macrocyclic [3.1.1]MCP 7 a whose 1H‐NMR spectrum reveals that it adopts a cone‐likeconformation in solution at room temperature and the alkoxy group is pointing above and away from the macrocyclic cavity.
Relationship‐building between climate scientists and publics as an alternative to information transfer
Authors: Cook Brian R. , Overpeck Jonathan T. 
Published: December 2018

This review is written for climate experts dissatisfied with current approaches for contributing to societal responses to climate change via their interactions with publics. We review the origins and contemporary manifestations of the deficit model, showing that it is the underlying basis for how experts imagine and conduct their interactions with publics. Rather than simply raising awareness among experts concerning their role(s) in perpetuating the deficit model, we use experts and their assumptions to organize our synthesis. Our review will challenge climate experts by demonstrating that educative approaches are inadequate if their goal is to influence behavior by publics. We demonstrate that experts' prevailing means of contributing to socioscientific controversies are crippled, not by public indifference or ignorance, but by experts' allegiance to the assumption that information transfer can prompt behavior change. The transfer of climate experts' knowledge by itself has little chance of changing publics' behaviors. It may be that such approaches work with people already disposed to the information or who defer to experts, but it is unlikely to affect publics who are doubtful, those whose livelihoods are precarious, or those who do not want to consider the terrifying implications of climate change. We propose relationship building as an alternative that can avoid resuscitating the deficit model and its inherent problems. We argue that, to have the impacts that they are seeking, experts will need to negotiate their ends honestly, admit the values driving those ends, and coproduce the means that can accomplish the collaboratively chosen ends.This article is categorized under:
Perceptions, Behavior, and Communication of Climate Change > Communication
Social Status of Climate Change Knowledge > Sociology/Anthropology of Climate Knowledge
Genetic characterization of kit foxes at their northern range extent and monitoring recommendations
Authors: Sacks Benjamin N. , Milburn Philip J. 
Published: December 2018

ABSTRACTThe kit fox (Vulpes macrotis) appears to be in decline in the northernmost and other peripheral portions of its range, yet its abundance, genetic diversity, and connectivity to core populations are unknown. We used 16 microsatellites and a sex marker to characterize population size and genetic diversity of the northernmost population in southeastern Oregon, USA, which we compared with a core population to the south. We identified 20 individuals from southeastern Oregon, sampled an average of 1.7 times each, resulting in a population size estimate of 28 (95% CI = 20–39) individuals on the study area. We estimated the genetic effective population size of the Oregon population at 14.7 (95% CI = 10.2–22.4) breeding individuals, which was <50% that estimated for the California, USA, core population. Relative to the core population, Oregon kit foxes exhibited similar heterozygosity but a deficiency in the number of alleles, which was consistent with a recent population decline. The use of 16 loci and a sex marker in this study enabled us to construct pedigrees, which provided insights about spatial organization of family groups and long distance dispersal. Continued monitoring of this peripheral Oregon population is essential to an effective conservation plan and noninvasive genetic methods are likely to provide the most effective means of doing so. Use of large numbers of markers will enable pedigree reconstruction to be integrated into such a program to obtain estimates of demographic parameters, habitat quality, and expansion–contraction dynamics in addition to abundance. © 2018 The Wildlife Society.
Clinical Decision Support Systems
Authors: Wasylewicz A. T. M. , Scheepers-Hoeks A. M. J. W. 
Published: December 2018

AbstractClinical decision support (CDS) includes a variety of tools and interventions computerized as well as non- computerized. High-quality clinical decision support systems (CDSS), computerized CDS, are essential to achieve the full benefits of electronic health records and computerized physician order entry. A CDSS can take into account all data available in the EHR making it possible to notice changes outside the scope of the professional and notice changes specific for a certain patient, within normal limits. However, to use of CDSS in practice, it is important to understand the basic requirements of these systems.This chapter shows in what way CDSS can support the use of clinical data science in daily clinical practice. Moreover, it explains what types of CDSS are available and how such systems can be used. However, to achieve high-quality CDSS which is effective in use requires thoughtful design, implementation and critical evaluation. Therefore, challenges surrounding implementation of a CDSS are discussed, as well as a strategies to develop and validate CDSS.