bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Investigating the effects of laryngotracheal stenosis on upper airway aerodynamics
Authors: Cheng Tracy , Carpenter David , Cohen Seth , Witsell David , Frank‐Ito Dennis O. 
Published: October 2017

ObjectiveVery little is known about the impact of laryngotracheal stenosis (LTS) on inspiratory airflow and resistance, especially in air hunger states. This study investigates the effect of LTS on airway resistance and volumetric flow across three different inspiratory pressures.MethodsHead‐and‐neck computed tomography scans of 11 subjects from 2010 to 2016 were collected. Three‐dimensional reconstructions of the upper airway from the nostrils to carina, including the oral cavity, were created for one subject with a normal airway and for 10 patients with LTS. Airflow simulations were conducted using computational fluid dynamics modeling at three different inspiratory pressures (10, 25, 40 pascals [Pa]) for all subjects under two scenarios: 1) inspiration through nostrils only (MC), and 2) through both nostrils and mouth (MO).ResultsVolumetric flows in the normal subject at the three inspiratory pressures were considerably higher (MC: 11.8–26.1 L/min; MO: 17.2–36.9 L/min) compared to those in LTS (MC: 2.86–6.75 L/min; MO: 4.11–9.00 L/min). Airway resistances in the normal subject were 0.051 to 0.092 pascal seconds per milliliter (Pa.s)/mL (MC) and 0.035–0.065 Pa.s/mL (MO), which were approximately tenfold lower than those of subjects with LTS: 0.39 to 0.89 Pa.s/mL (MC) and 0.45 to 0.84 Pa.s/mL (MO). Furthermore, subjects with glottic stenosis had the greatest resistance, whereas subjects with subglottic stenosis had the greatest variability in resistance. Subjects with tracheal stenosis had the lowest resistance.ConclusionThis pilot study demonstrates that LTS increases resistance and decreases airflow. Mouth breathing significantly improved airflow and resistance but cannot completely compensate for the effects of stenosis. Furthermore, location of stenosis appears to modulate the effect of the stenosis on resistance differentially.Level of EvidenceNA. Laryngoscope, 128:E141–E149, 2018
Characterization of carotenoids in Rhodothermus marinus
Authors: Ron Emanuel Y. C. , Plaza Merichel , Kristjansdottir Thordis , Sardari Roya R. R. , Bjornsdottir Snaedis H. , Gudmundsson Steinn , Hreggvidsson Gudmundur Oli , Turner Charlotta , van Niel Ed W. J. , Nordberg‐Karlsson Eva 
Published: October 2017

AbstractRhodothermus marinus, a marine aerobic thermophile, was first isolated from an intertidal hot spring in Iceland. In recent years, the R. marinus strain PRI 493 has been genetically modified, which opens up possibilities for targeted metabolic engineering of the species, such as of the carotenoid biosynthetic pathway. In this study, the carotenoids of the R. marinus type‐strain DSM 4252T, strain DSM 4253, and strain PRI 493 were characterized. Bioreactor cultivations were used for pressurized liquid extraction and analyzed by ultra‐high performance supercritical fluid chromatography with diode array and quadropole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry detection (UHPSFC‐DAD‐QTOF/MS). Salinixanthin, a carotenoid originally found in Salinibacter ruber and previously detected in strain DSM 4253, was identified in all three R. marinus strains, both in the hydroxylated and nonhydroxylated form. Furthermore, an additional and structurally distinct carotenoid was detected in the three strains. MS/MS fragmentation implied that the mass difference between salinixanthin and the novel carotenoid structure corresponded to the absence of a 4‐keto group on the ß‐ionone ring. The study confirmed the lack of carotenoids for the strain SB‐71 (ΔtrpBΔpurAcrtBI’::trpB) in which genes encoding two enzymes of the proposed pathway are partially deleted. Moreover, antioxidant capacity was detected in extracts of all the examined R. marinus strains and found to be 2–4 times lower for the knock‐out strain SB‐71. A gene cluster with 11 genes in two operons in the R. marinusDSM 4252T genome was identified and analyzed, in which several genes were matched with carotenoid biosynthetic pathway genes in other organisms.
Design of Nonlinear Model‐Based Control Using Bifurcation Analysis for Solution Polymerizations Carried Out in Lumped‐Distributed Reactors
Authors: Vega Márcia P. , Oliveira Gabrielle F. M. , Lima Enrique L. , Pinto José Carlos 
Published: October 2017

AbstractIn order to implement nonlinear control, nonlinear system identification must be performed, however, there are open questions concerning this field of process control, for example, experimental planning, model structure selection, parameter estimation, and validation. Therefore, the study of nonlinear model identification is a relevant unsolved problem that needs to be handled for nonlinear control synthesis. This paper presents the use of bifurcation theory, dynamic and stability analysis for nonlinear identification, and control of polymerization reactors. Peroxide‐initiated styrene‐solution polymerization reactors (lumped‐distributed) are investigated: batch, continuous stirred‐tank reactor (CSTR), and tubular reactors. Open and closed loop analyses are carried out using jacket temperature and weight average molecular weight setpoints as the bifurcation parameters. Phenomenological mathematical models, neural network nonlinear models, and an experimental data from a polymerization unit are employed for validating the proposed methodology in order to implement confident nonlinear controllers.
Development of novel and non‐invasive diagnostic markers for lower urinary tract symptoms using urothelial cells in voided urine
Authors: Shimura Hiroshi , Mitsui Takahiko , Tsuchiya Sachiko , Miyamoto Tatsuya , Ihara Tatsuya , Kira Satoru , Nakagomi Hiroshi , Sawada Norifumi , Imai Yuki , Mochizuki Takanori , Takeda Masayuki 
Published: October 2017

ObjectivesWe evaluated the association between lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and the expression of connexin (Cx) and transient receptor potential (TRP) channel on urothelial cells non‐invasively collected from voided urine in humans.MethodsA total of 55 patients (36 males and 19 females, median age: 71 years old), who were followed up at University of Yamanashi Hospital, were enrolled in the present study. Urothelial cells were collected from voided urine of patients, and the mRNA expression of each subtype of Cxs and TRP channels was measured using quantitive real‐time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. We then analyzed the correlation between the expression of Cxs and TRP channels and symptom scores in International Prostate Symptom Scoreand Overactive Bladder Symptom Score, in addition to Interstitial Cystitis Symptom Index (ICSI) from only interstitial cystitis (IC) patients.ResultsNon‐adjusted statistical procedure using Spearman's rank‐correlation showed that there were significant correlations between the following expressions and symptom scores; (positive correlations) Cx26 versus urgency score, Cx40 versus nocturia, TRPM2 versus intermittency, TRPV1 versus urge incontinence, (negative correlation) Cx40 versus intermittency, TRPM7 versus pollakisuria. However, a multiple comparison adjustment using Bonferroni correction showed that only Cx40 had a trend of correlation with nocturia in ICSI.ConclusionsThe expressions of Cxs and TRP channels on urothelial cells in voided urine could be related to LUTS. Further analysis of urothelial cells in voided urine has the potential to reveal the mechanism of the LUTS and develop new markers with non‐invasive methods.
Fabrication and optimization of proton conductive polybenzimidazole electrospun nanofiber membranes
Authors: Jahangiri Sassan , Aravi İpek , Işıkel Şanlı Lale , Menceloğlu Yusuf Z. , Özden‐Yenigün Elif 
Published: October 2017

Phosphoric acid (PA)–doped polybenzimidazole (PBI) proton exchange membranes have received attention because of their good mechanical properties, moderate gas permeability, and superior proton conductivity under high temperature operation. Among PBI‐based film membranes, nanofibrous membranes withstand to higher strain because of strongly oriented polymer chains while exhibiting higher specific surface area with increased number of proton‐conducting sites. In this study, PBI electrospun nanofibers were produced and doped with PA to operate as high temperature proton exchange membrane, while changes in proton conductivity and morphologies were monitored. Proton conductive PBI nanofiber membranes by using the process parameters of 15 kV and 100 μL/h at 15 wt% PBI/dimethylacetamide polymer concentration were prepared by varying PA doping time as 24, 48, 72, and 96 hours. The morphological changes associated with PA doping addressed that acid doping significantly caused swelling and 2‐fold increase in mean fiber diameter. Tensile strength of the membranes is found to be increased by doping level, whereas the strain at break (15%) decreased because of the brittle nature of H‐bond network. 72 hour doped PBI membranes demonstrated highest proton conductivity whereas the decrease on conductivity for 96‐hour doped PBI membranes, which could be attributed to the morphological changes due to H‐bond network and acid leaking, was noted. Overall, the results suggested that of 72‐hour doped PBI membranes with proton conductivity of 123 mS/cm could be a potential candidate for proton exchange membrane fuel cell.
Mechanical properties of rigid polyurethane composites reinforced with surface treated ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene fibers
Authors: Meng Li , Li Weiwei , Ma Renliang , Huang Momo , Cao Yingbo , Wang Jiawen 
Published: October 2017

The mechanical properties of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fibers reinforced rigid polyurethane (PU) composites were studied, and the effects of the fiber surface treatment and the mass fraction were discussed. Chromic acid was used to treat the UHMWPE fibers, and polyurethane composites were prepared with 0.1 to 0.6 wt% as‐received and treated UHMWPE fibers. Attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared demonstrated that oxygen‐containing functional groups were efficiently grafted to the fiber surface. The mechanical performance tests of the UHMWPE fibers/PU composites were conducted, and the results revealed that the treated UHMWPE fibers/PU composites had better tensile, compression, and bending properties than as‐received UHMWPE fibers/PU composites. Thermal gravimetric analyzer showed that the thermal stability of the treated fiber composites were improved. The interface bonding of PU composites were investigated by scanning electron microscopy and dynamic mechanical analysis, and the results indicated that the surface modification of UHMWPE fiber could improve the interaction between fiber and PU, which played a positive role in mechanical properties of composites.
Observational Comparative Effectiveness of Pharmaceutical Treatments for Obesity within the Veterans Health Administration
Authors: Grabarczyk Ted R. 
Published: October 2017

Study ObjectiveTo compare the effectiveness of weight‐management medications used to assist with weight loss in real‐world clinical practice in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA).DesignRetrospective, multicenter, observational cohort study.Data SourceNational VA Corporate Data Warehouse.PatientsA total of 66,035 VA patients aged 18 years or older with a body mass index of 25 kg/m2 or greater who had an initial fill for a study medication (orlistat [6153 patients], phentermine [304 patients], lorcaserin [298 patients], or phentermine‐topiramate extended release [233 patients]) or participation in the VA's MOVE! weight‐management program with at least three total visits in a clinic coded as a MOVE clinic in the subsequent 24 weeks (59,047 patients) between January 1, 2012, and July 1, 2016.Measurements and Main ResultsThe primary outcome was the percentage change in weight from baseline to at least 20 weeks or later (i.e., closest weight to 6 months). Secondary outcomes were difference in the percentage of weight loss at 12 and 36 weeks; changes in blood pressure, hemoglobin A1c, high‐density and low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglyceride levels; and percentage of patients who achieved at least a 5% and 10% weight loss at 6 months from baseline in each group after at least 20 weeks. For the primary outcome, the percentage decrease in weight from baseline after at least 20 weeks in the lorcaserin, phentermine‐topiramate, phentermine, orlistat, and MOVE! groups were 3.6%, 4.1%, 3.6%, 2.1%, and 1.6%, respectively (phentermine‐topiramate group vs. MOVE! group, p<0.05). Achievement of at least a 5% weight loss after at least 20 weeks differed significantly among groups, ranging from 26.2% for the MOVE! Program only group to 40.3% for patients in the phentermine‐topiramate group.ConclusionIn the VA population, the effectiveness of four available weight‐management medications was similar. Patients receiving phentermine‐topiramate had a greater proportion of weight loss after at least 20 weeks compared with those solely enrolled in the VA's MOVE! weight‐management program.
How good is CuAAC “click” chemistry for polymer coupling reactions?
Authors: Leophairatana Porakrit , De Silva Chathuranga C. , Koberstein Jeffrey T. 
Published: October 2017

ABSTRACT1H NMR and SEC analyses are used to investigate the overall efficiency of Copper Catalyzed Azide Alkyne Cycloaddition (CuAAC) “click” coupling reactions between alkyne‐ and azide‐terminated polymers using polystyrene as a model. Quantitative convolution modeling of the entire molecular weight distribution is applied to characterize the outcomes of the functional polymer synthesis reactions (i.e., by atom transfer radical polymerization), as well as the CuAAC coupling reaction. Incomplete functionality of the azide‐terminated polystyrene (∼92%) proves to be the largest factor compromising the efficacy of the CuAAC coupling reaction and is attributed primarily to the loss of terminal bromide functionality during its synthesis. The efficiency of the SN2 reaction converting bromide to azide was found to be about 99%. After taking into account the influence of non‐functional polymer, we find that, under the reaction conditions used, the efficiency of the CuAAC coupling reaction determined from both techniques is about 94%. These inefficiencies compromise the fidelity and potential utility of CuAAC coupling reactions for the synthesis of hierarchically structured polymers. While CuAAC efficiency is expected to depend on the specific reaction conditions used, the framework described for determining reaction efficiency does provide a means for ultimately optimizing the reaction conditions for CuAAC coupling reactions. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2018, 56, 75–84
Comparison of NMR and crystal structures of membrane proteins and computational refinement to improve model quality
Authors: Koehler Leman Julia , D'Avino Andrew R. , Bhatnagar Yash , Gray Jeffrey J. 
Published: October 2017

AbstractMembrane proteins are challenging to study and restraints for structure determination are typically sparse or of low resolution because the membrane environment that surrounds them leads to a variety of experimental challenges. When membrane protein structures are determined by different techniques in different environments, a natural question is “which structure is most biologically relevant?” Towards answering this question, we compiled a dataset of membrane proteins with known structures determined by both solution NMR and X‐ray crystallography. By investigating differences between the structures, we found that RMSDs between crystal and NMR structures are below 5 Å in the membrane region, NMR ensembles have a higher convergence in the membrane region, crystal structures typically have a straighter transmembrane region, have higher stereo‐chemical correctness, and are more tightly packed. After quantifying these differences, we used high‐resolution refinement of the NMR structures to mitigate them, which paves the way for identifying and improving the structural quality of membrane proteins.
Definition and classification of evaluation units for tertiary structure prediction in CASP12 facilitated through semi‐automated metrics
Authors: Abriata Luciano A. , Kinch Lisa N. , Tamò Giorgio E. , Monastyrskyy Bohdan , Kryshtafovych Andriy , Dal Peraro Matteo 
Published: October 2017

AbstractFor assessment purposes, CASP targets are split into evaluation units. We herein present the official definition of CASP12 evaluation units (EUs) and their classification into difficulty categories. Each target can be evaluated as one EU (the whole target) or/and several EUs (separate structural domains or groups of structural domains). The specific scenario for a target split is determined by the domain organization of available templates, the difference in server performance on separate domains versus combination of the domains, and visual inspection. In the end, 71 targets were split into 96 EUs. Classification of the EUs into difficulty categories was done semi‐automatically with the assistance of metrics provided by the Prediction Center. These metrics account for sequence and structural similarities of the EUs to potential structural templates from the Protein Data Bank, and for the baseline performance of automated server predictions. The metrics readily separate the 96 EUs into 38 EUs that should be straightforward for template‐based modeling (TBM) and 39 that are expected to be hard for homology modeling and are thus left for free modeling (FM). The remaining 19 borderline evaluation units were dubbed FM/TBM, and were inspected case by case. The article also overviews structural and evolutionary features of selected targets relevant to our accompanying article presenting the assessment of FM and FM/TBM predictions, and overviews structural features of the hardest evaluation units from the FM category. We finally suggest improvements for the EU definition and classification procedures.
Using SDS–PAGE gel fingerprinting to identify soft‐bodied wood‐boring insect larvae to species
Authors: O'Neill Mark A , Denos Mia , Reed Daniel 
Published: October 2017

AbstractBACKGROUNDThis paper describes the progress that we have made in assessing the feasibility of ‘fingerprinting’ using imaged SDS–PAGE gels of haemolymph proteins, to identify soft‐bodied wood‐boring insect larvae such as the Asian longhorn beetle,Anoplophora glabripennis(Motscholsky, 1853) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae). Because of stringent import restrictions and difficulty in obtaining licences to work with these organisms, we opted to work with four species of scarab beetle,Mecynorhina polyphemus(Fabricius, 1781),Pachnoda sinuata(Fabricius, 1775),Eucidella shiratica(Csiki, 1909) andEucidella shultzeorum(Kolbe, 1906) which have near identical larval morphologies.RESULTSWe show that this technology when combined with an advanced pattern matching system (Digital Automated Identification SYstem ‐ DAISY) can classify soft‐bodied insect larvae that are almost identical morphologically to species at a level of accuracy is in excess of 98%. The study also indicates that the technology copes well with noisy data and small training sets.CONCLUSIONThe experience gained in undertaking this study gives us confidence that we will be able to develop a field deployable system in the medium term. We believe that as a high‐throughput identification tool, this technology is superior to competitor technologies (e.g. fingerprinting of imaged DNA gels) in terms of speed, cost and ease of use; and therefore, is suitable for low‐cost deployment in the field. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Use of biocontrol agents and botanicals in integrated management of Botrytis cinerea in table grape vineyards
Authors: Rotolo Caterina , De Miccolis Angelini Rita M , Dongiovanni Crescenza , Pollastro Stefania , Fumarola Giulio , Di Carolo Michele , Perrelli Donato , Natale Patrizia , Faretra Francesco 
Published: October 2017

AbstractBACKGROUNDThere is increasing interest in the use of biological control agents (BCAs) and botanicals (BOTs) due to increasing awareness of the environmental and human health risks associated with synthetic plant protection products. The BCAs Bacillus subtilis strain QST713, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain D747 and Aureobasidium pullulans strains DSM14940 and DSM14941, and the BOTs Melaleuca alternifolia and terpenic extracts are proposed for the control of grey mould in vineyards. This study was aimed at evaluating their effectiveness in integrated crop management strategies and their outcomes in terms of the management of fungicide resistance and residues.RESULTSIn field trials carried out on table grapes in southern Italy, use of BCAs or BOTs alternately or mixtures of BCAs or BOTs with the succinate dehydrogenase inhibitor fungicide fluopyram showed efficacy of up to 96% against grey mould on bunches, comparable with the chemical reference strategy (up to 87%). By contrast, use of BCAs or BOTs (up to 11 sprays) alone was not effective (< 30%) under high disease pressure. The integrated use of BCAs or BOTs reduced the spread of succinate dehydrogenase inhibitor‐resistant conidia, as well as fungicide residues in grapes.CONCLUSIONSSpray schedules based on integration of BCAs or BOTs with fungicides are effective against grey mould and reduce the risk of fungicide resistance in B. cinerea and fungicide residues in grapes. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Two cases of reversible male infertility due to congenital adrenal hyperplasia combined with testicular adrenal rest tumor
Authors: Tanaka Mikito , Enatsu Noritoshi , Chiba Koji , Fujisawa Masato 
Published: October 2017

AbstractCasesTesticular adrenal rest tumor (TART) is one of the possible causes of male infertility, accompanied by congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH). Here are reported two cases of TARTs that were referred to Kobe City Medical Center West Hospital for the treatment of infertility and testicular tumors.OutcomeIn one case, the semen analysis was improved from oligoasthenozoospermia to normozoospermia after taking oral glucocorticoid supplementation. The other case of original azoospermia showed that sperm had ejaculated into the semen after taking oral glucocorticoid supplementation.ConclusionAlthough the prevalence of TARTs in male infertility is very rare, it is important to know how to approach this disease, considering the curable pathology of spermatogenesis and tumors resembling an appearance to germ cell tumors.
50 keV H+ ion beam irradiation of Al doped ZnO thin films: Studies of radiation stability for device applications
Authors: Sahoo Susanta Kumar , Mangal Sutanu , Mishra D.K. , Singh Udai P. , Kumar Pravin 
Published: October 2017

Thin films of Al doped ZnO (Al:ZnO) were deposited on two substrates (Si and glass) at room temperature and 300°C using DC magnetron sputtering. These films were bombarded with 50 keV H+ beam at several fluences. The pristine and ion beam irradiated films were analysed by X‐ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and UV‐Vis spectroscopy. The X‐ray diffraction analysis, Hall measurements, Raman and UV‐Vis spectroscopy confirm that the structural and transport properties of Al:ZnO films do not change substantially with beam irradiation at chosen fluences. However, in comparison to film deposited at room temperature, the Al:ZnO thin film deposited at 300°C shows increased transmittance (from 70% to approximately 90%) with ion beam irradiation at highest fluence. The studies of surface morphology by scanning electron microscopy reveal that the ion irradiation yields smoothening of the films, which also increases with ion fluences. The films deposited at elevated temperature are smoother than those deposited at room temperature. In the paper, we discuss the interaction of 50 keV H+ ions with Al:ZnO films in terms of radiation stability in devices.