bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Antibacterial activity of chitosan against Burkholderia pseudomallei
Authors: Kamjumphol Watcharaporn , Chareonsudjai Pisit , Chareonsudjai Sorujsiri 
Published: November 2017

AbstractThe ability of Burkholderia pseudomallei to persist and survive in the environment is a health problem worldwide. Therefore, the antibacterial activities of chitosan against four environmental isolates of B. pseudomallei from soil in Khon Kaen, Thailand, were investigated. Antibacterial activities were assessed by a plate count technique after treatment with 0.2, 0.5, 1, 2 or 5 mg ml−1 chitosan for 0, 24 and 48 hr. Chitosan at 5 mg ml−1 completely killed all four B. pseudomallei isolates within 24 hr, whilst 2 mg ml−1 chitosan lowered the viability of B. pseudomallei by 20% within the same time span. Chitosan may act by disruption of the cell membrane, releasing intracellular components that can be detected spectrophotometrically at 260 and 280 nm. Transmission electron microscopy inspection of chitosan‐treated B. pseudomallei revealed damage to the bacterial membranes. This study demonstrated the effective antibacterial activity by chitosan against B. pseudomallei. Chitosan causes disruption of the bacterial cell membrane, release of intracellular constituents and cell death. This study revealed the inhibitory potential of chitosan for mitigating B. pseudomallei occurrences.
Meloxicam inhibits biofilm formation and enhances antimicrobial agents efficacy by Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: She Pengfei , Wang Yangxia , Luo Zhen , Chen Lihua , Tan Ruichen , Wang Yanle , Wu Yong 
Published: November 2017

AbstractMicrobial biofilms are communities of surface‐adhered cells enclosed in a matrix of extracellular polymeric substances. Bacterial cells in biofilm are 10~1,000‐fold more resistant to antimicrobials than the planktonic cells. Burgeoning antibiotic resistance in Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm has necessitated the development of antimicrobial agents. Here, we have investigated the antibiofilm effect of meloxicam against P. aeruginosaPAO1 and its potential mechanisms. Further, we have explored whether meloxicam could enhance the susceptibility of bacterial biofilms to treatment with conventional antimicrobials. Here, we found that meloxicam could significantly inhibit PAO1 biofilm formation in a dose‐dependent manner at the concentration without influence on planktonic cell growth. Meloxicam could also significantly inhibit the motilities, production of extracellular matrix, and expression of quorum sensing‐related genes and virulence factors of PAO1. Furthermore, synergistic interaction was observed when meloxicam combined with tetracycline, gentamicin, tobramycin, ciprofloxacin, ceftriaxone, ofloxacin, norfloxacin, ceftazidime, and DNase at subminimal inhibitory concentrations against PAO1 bioiflm. Collectively, our study lays the foundation for further investigation of repurposing meloxicam as a topical antibiofilm agent to treat P. aeruginosa biofilm‐related infections.
Action Myoclonus and Seizure in Kufor‐Rakeb Syndrome
Authors: Rohani Mohammad , Lang Anthony E. , Sina Farzad , Elahi Elahe , Fasano Alfonso , Hardy John , Bras Jose , Alavi Afagh 
Published: November 2017

AbstractView Supplementary Video 1View Supplementary Video 2View Supplementary Video 3View Supplementary Video 4View Supplementary Video 5BackgroundKufor‐Rakeb syndrome (KRS) is a rare autosomal recessive neurologic disease with diverse phenotypic features. Herein we report an Iranian KRS family with seizure and action myoclonus in addition to other typical manifestations of this syndrome.MethodAll family members underwent careful neurologic examination. Exome sequencing was performed and ATP13A2 variation genotyped in all family members.ResultsCognitive deficits, hypokinesia, rigidity, spasticity, brisk deep tendon reflexes, upward gaze palsy, tremor, and facial‐faucial‐finger mini‐myoclonus were the common manifestations of all affected siblings. Two cases had seizure and the most severely affected sibling demonstrated severe action myoclonus. Exome sequencing identified a homozygous nonsense mutation c.2455C>T;p.Arg819* in ATP13A2 gene.ConclusionsWe reported five KRS affected siblings who manifested myoclonus and seizure. The most severely affected one demonstrated action myoclonus, which has not been reported so far.
Correction of solar irradiation effects on air temperature measurement using a dual‐thermistor radiosonde at low temperature and low pressure
Authors: Lee Sang‐Wook , Park Eun Uk , Choi Byung Il , Kim Jong Chul , Woo Sang‐Bong , Park Seongchong , Yang Seung Gu , Kim Yong‐Gyoo 
Published: November 2017

ABSTRACTThe correction of heat‐biased temperatures measured by radiosondes during the daytime is affected by other environmental parameters such as ventilation, air temperature and pressure. Among them, the effect of low temperature on temperature sensors under irradiation is not well known. This paper studies the combined effect of low temperature and low pressure on the air‐temperature measurement under irradiation to obtain a correction formula using dual thermistors with different emissivities. The temperature variation of both thermistors under irradiation (about 1500 W m–2) is increased as temperature and pressure are decreased from 25 to −80 °C and from 1000 to 10 hPa, respectively. The observed behaviour is explained using heat‐transfer equations. In order to calculate the irradiance with no pyranometer, the temperature difference between dual thermistors is formulated as a function of irradiance, temperature and pressure through chamber‐based experiments. After the relationship between parameters is established, the temperature difference between thermistors is solely used to calculate the irradiance. The uncertainty of the calculated irradiance using dual thermistors is 6.2% (94 W m−2) at the coverage factor k = 1. The calculated irradiance is used for the correction of the heat‐biased temperatures measured by the thermistors. The combined uncertainty of corrected temperature is 0.79 K (k = 1), which includes uncertainties owing to the irradiance, pressure and temperature sensors as well as modelling. The dual thermistor‐based technique using ground‐calibration facilities can provide the traceability to the International System of Units (SI) in the measurement of irradiance and temperature in the upper air.
The Effect of Different l‐Carnitine Administration Routes on the Development of Atherosclerosis in ApoE Knockout Mice
Authors: Zhao Ying , Yang Ning , Gao Jinmao , Li Hanying , Cai Wei , Zhang Xin , Ma Yongqiang , Niu Xiulong , Yang Guohong , Zhou Xin , Li Yuming 
Published: November 2017

Scopel‐Carnitine (LC) is abundant in red meat and is widely added to health supplements and food. This study focuses on the adverse effects of oral supplementation of 1.3% LC in ApoE−/− mice and whether the parenteral administration of LC (subcutaneously, sub) has any impact on the development of atherosclerosis.Methods and resultsMice are randomly divided into three groups (n = 15). All mice are fed a high‐fat diet (HFD). The number of Ly6Chi monocytes; degree of atherosclerosis; plasma LC, γ‐butyrobetaine (γBB), and trimethylamine‐N‐oxide (TMAO) levels; and microbial community composition are analyzed. Compared with the HFD and HFD ± LC (sub) groups, the number of Ly6Chi monocytes, atherosclerotic plaque area, and plasma γBB and TMAO levels are increased in the HFD ± LC (oral) group (p < 0.001). Plasma LC levels in the HFD ± LC (sub) group are higher than those in other groups. The levels of γBB, TMAO, and Ly6Chi monocytes are positively correlated with atherosclerotic plaque area (p < 0.01), and TMAO is positively correlated with Bacteroidetes and negatively correlated with Firmicutes at the phylum level.ConclusionIn contrast with oral LC administration, subcutaneous LC administration, which bypasses its conversion to TMAO in the liver, does not have a detrimental effect on the development of atherosclerosis in male ApoE−/− mice. Taking LC parenterally may be preferable among patients who require LC supplementation.
Behavioral Weight Loss Intervention for Migraine: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Bond Dale S. , Thomas J. Graham , Lipton Richard B. , Roth Julie , Pavlovic Jelena M. , Rathier Lucille , O'Leary Kevin C. , Evans E. Whitney , Wing Rena R. 
Published: November 2017

ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to test whether behavioral weight loss (BWL) intervention decreases headaches in women with comorbid migraine and overweight or obesity.MethodsThis randomized, single‐blind trial allocated women 18 to 50 years old with 4 to 20 migraine days per month and a BMI = 25.0‐49.9 kg/m2 to 16 weeks of BWL (n = 54), which targeted exercise and eating behaviors for weight loss, or to migraine education control (ME, n = 56), which delivered didactic instruction on migraine and treatments. Participants completed a 4‐week smartphone headache diary at baseline, posttreatment (16‐20 wk), and follow‐up (32‐36 wk). The primary outcome was posttreatment change in migraine days per month, analyzed via linear mixed effects models.ResultsOf 110 participants randomly assigned, 85 (78%) and 80 (73%) completed posttreatment and follow‐up. Although the BWL group achieved greater weight loss (mean [95% CI] in kilograms) than the ME group at posttreatment (−3.8 [−2.5 to −5.0] vs. + 0.9 [−0.4 to 2.2], P < 0.001) and follow‐up (−3.2 [−2.0 to −4.5] vs. + 1.1 [−0.2 to 2.4], P < 0.001), there were no significant group (BWL vs. ME) differences (mean [95% CI]) in migraine days per month at posttreatment (−3.0 [−2.0 to −4.0] vs. −4.0 [−2.9 to −5.0], P = 0.185) or follow‐up (−3.8 [−2.7 to −4.8] vs. −4.4 [−3.4 to −5.5], P = 0.378).ConclusionsContrary to hypotheses, BWL and ME yielded similar, sustained reductions in migraine headaches. Future research should evaluate whether adding BWL to standard pharmacological and/or nonpharmacological migraine treatment approaches yields greater benefits.
Angular‐dependent spectral responsivity—Traceable measurements on optical losses in PV devices
Authors: Plag F. , Kröger I. , Fey T. , Witt F. , Winter S. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractAngular‐dependent optical losses can have an effect on the spectral responsivity of photovoltaic devices. When these devices with differing angular‐dependent spectral responsivity are exposed to incident direct and diffuse solar spectral irradiance they will perform differently compared with direct and perpendicular beam exposure only. However, if the angular and polarization‐dependent spectral responsivity is known, optical losses can be determined for any given angular distributed solar spectrum. Here, we show the capabilities of a newly developed laser‐based calibration facility for traceable measurements on reference solar cells angular‐dependent spectral responsivity for device areas of up to 156 × 156 mm2. Our investigation is focused on a comprehensive analysis on all related measurement uncertainties. We present the results of measurements on a variety of reference solar cells as well as an industry type solar cell with and without encapsulation showing that strong differences in their optical properties occur. Additionally, we compare the results obtained with a conventional broadband characterization approach using a halogen lamp as light source. An agreement, better than 1%, was observed for the broadband measurement and the spectral measurements weighted by the spectral responsivity and the lamp spectrum. It is shown why different light sources lead to different angular‐dependent responsivities. In conclusion, validation measurements of solar simulator‐based or natural sunlight‐based angular responsivity facilities at testing and calibrations laboratories can be offered. Furthermore, by means of traceable angular‐dependent spectral responsivity measurements and multidimensional models under consideration of diffuse light components, optical losses for photovoltaic performance measurements, energy rating, and related uncertainties can be studied.
Pb5Sb8S17 quantum dot‐sensitized solar cells with an efficiency of 6% under 0.05 sun: Theoretical and experimental studies
Authors: Sie Sheng‐Fong , Suriyawong Nipapon , Shi Jen‐Bin , He Xin , Zhang Lijun , Singh David J. , Lee Ming‐Way 
Published: November 2017

AbstractPb5Sb8S17 has recently been demonstrated to be a potential solar absorber material having an efficiency of 4.14% under 0.1 sun. This work reports on the improved performance of solid‐state Pb5Sb8S17 quantum dot‐sensitized solar cells (QDSCs). Density functional calculations revealed indirect and direct energy gaps of 1.64 and 1.70 eV, respectively, large optical absorption coefficients approximately 105 cm−1 in the visible range, and a large static dielectric function (ε0 = 44) facilitating charge collection. Pb5Sb8S17 nanoparticles were synthesized using the successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction process. Solid‐state QDSCs were fabricated from the synthesized nanoparticles with spiro‐OMeTAD as the hole‐transporting material. The best cell yielded a short‐circuit current density Jsc of 11.88 mA/cm2, an open‐circuit voltage Voc of 0.48 V, a fill factor FF of 45.7%, and an efficiency η of 2.61% under 1 sun. The η increased to 5.13% at the reduced light of 0.1 sun and further increased to 6.04% at 0.05 sun with Jsc = 1.33 mA/cm2, Voc = 0.41 V, and FF = 55.7%. The present result represents a 24% improvement over the best previous result. This efficiency of approximately 6% can be categorized as one of the highest‐efficiency ternary QDSCs (except the widely studied Cu‐In‐Se system) and is comparable to the performance of other high‐efficiency QDSCs based on single‐layered semiconductor absorbers, suggesting that Pb5Sb8S17 could be an efficient absorber material for solar cells.
Core–Shell Bi2Se3@mSiO2‐PEG as a Multifunctional Drug‐Delivery Nanoplatform for Synergistic Thermo‐Chemotherapy with Infrared Thermal Imaging of Cancer Cells
Authors: Li Zhuo , Li Zhenglin , Sun Lei , Du Baosheng , Wang Yuanlin , Zhao Gongyuan , Yu Dengfeng , Yang Sisi , Sun Ye , Yu Miao 
Published: November 2017

AbstractThermo‐chemotherapy combining photothermal therapy (PTT) with chemotherapy has become a potent approach for antitumor treatment. In this study, a multifunctional drug‐delivery nanoplatform based on polyethylene glycol (PEG)‐modified mesoporous silica‐coated bismuth selenide nanoparticles (referred to as Bi2Se3@mSiO2‐PEG NPs) is developed for synergistic PTT and chemotherapy with infrared thermal (IRT) imaging of cancer cells. The product shows no/low cytotoxicity, strong near‐infrared (NIR) optical absorption, high photothermal conversion capacity, and stability. Utilizing the prominent photothermal effect, high‐contrast IRT imaging and efficient photothermal killing effect on cancer cells are achieved upon NIR laser irradiation. Moreover, the successful mesoporous silica coating of the Bi2Se3@mSiO2‐PEG NPs cannot only largely improve the stability but also endow the NPs high drug loading capacity. As a proof‐of‐concept model, doxorubicin (DOX) is successfully loaded into the NPs with rather high loading capacity (≈50.0%) via the nanoprecipitation method. It is found that the DOX‐loaded NPs exhibit a bimodal on‐demand pH‐ and NIR‐responsive drug release property, and can realize effective intracellular drug delivery for chemotherapy. The synergistic thermo‐chemotherapy results in a significantly higher antitumor efficacy than either PTT or chemotherapy alone. The work reveals the great potential of such core–shell NPs as a multifunctional drug‐delivery nanosystem for thermo‐chemotherapy.
Nitric oxide inhalations in bronchiolitis: A pilot, randomized, double‐blinded, controlled trial
Authors: Tal Asher , Greenberg David , Av‐Gay Yossef , Golan‐Tripto Inbal , Feinstein Yael , Ben‐Shimol Shalom , Dagan Ron , Goldbart Aviv D. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractAimThe aims of this pilot study were to determine safety, tolerability (primary outcome) and efficacy (secondary outcome) of high‐dose inhaled nitric oxide for the treatment of infants with moderately severe bronchiolitis.MethodsThis was a pilot, double‐blinded, randomized controlled study (phase IIa). Intermittent inhalations of nitric oxide 160 ppm for 30 min or oxygen/air (control) were given 5 times/day to hospitalized infants (2–11 months) with acute bronchiolitis. Oxygen saturation, methemoglobin, and nitric dioxide (NO2) levels and vital signs were monitored.ResultsForty‐three infants were enrolled. Baseline characteristics were comparable in both study groups. Mean clinical score, comprised of four components: respiratory rate, use of accessory muscles, wheezes and crackles, and % room‐air oxygen saturation, was 7.86 (±1.1) and 8.09 (±1.2) in the NO and control groups, respectively, consistent with moderate severity. The overall frequency of adverse events was similar between the groups. Repeated nitric oxide inhalations did not result in increased inhaled NO2 levels or cumulative effect on methemoglobin levels. Secondary outcomes of efficacy were measured by length of hospitalization (LOS) in hours: LOS did not differ between groups. However, in a post‐hoc analysis of a subgroup of infants hospitalized for >24 h (n = 24), the median LOS was shorter in the nitric oxide (41.9 h) than in the control group (62.5 h) (P = 0.014).ConclusionOur study was unable to detect a difference in side effects using intermittent high‐dose nitric‐oxide inhalation or supportive treatment alone, in infants with moderate bronchiolitis. Preliminary efficacy outcomes are encouraging.
Complementarity of stability patches at the interfaces of protein complexes: Implication for the structural organization of energetic hot spots
Authors: Kuttner Yosef Y. , Engel Stanislav 
Published: November 2017

AbstractA rational design of protein complexes with defined functionalities and of drugs aimed at disrupting protein–protein interactions requires fundamental understanding of the mechanisms underlying the formation of specific protein complexes. Efforts to develop efficient small‐molecule or protein‐based binders often exploit energetic hot spots on protein surfaces, namely, the interfacial residues that provide most of the binding free energy in the complex. The molecular basis underlying the unusually high energy contribution of the hot spots remains obscure, and its elucidation would facilitate the design of interface‐targeted drugs. To study the nature of the energetic hot spots, we analyzed the backbone dynamic properties of contact surfaces in several protein complexes. We demonstrate that, in most complexes, the backbone dynamic landscapes of interacting surfaces form complementary “stability patches,” in which static areas from the opposing surfaces superimpose, and that these areas are predominantly located near the geometric center of the interface. We propose that a diminished enthalpy–entropy compensation effect augments the degree to which residues positioned within the complementary stability patches contribute to complex affinity, thereby giving rise to the energetic hot spots. These findings offer new insights into the nature of energetic hot spots and the role that backbone dynamics play in facilitating intermolecular recognition. Mapping the interfacial stability patches may provide guidance for protein engineering approaches aimed at improving the stability of protein complexes and could facilitate the design of ligands that target complex interfaces.
Sliding mode control for robust and smooth reference tracking in robot visual servoing
Authors: Muñoz‐Benavent Pau , Gracia Luis , Solanes J. Ernesto , Esparza Alicia , Tornero Josep 
Published: November 2017

SummaryAn approach based on sliding mode is proposed in this work for reference tracking in robot visual servoing. In particular, 2 sliding mode controls are obtained depending on whether joint accelerations or joint jerks are considered as the discontinuous control action. Both sliding mode controls are extensively compared in a 3D‐simulated environment with their equivalent well‐known continuous controls, which can be found in the literature, to highlight their similarities and differences. The main advantages of the proposed method are smoothness, robustness, and low computational cost. The applicability and robustness of the proposed approach are substantiated by experimental results using a conventional 6R industrial manipulator (KUKA KR 6 R900 sixx [AGILUS]) for positioning and tracking tasks.
Packing perfect matchings in random hypergraphs
Authors: Ferber Asaf , Vu Van 
Published: November 2017

AbstractWe introduce a new procedure for generating the binomial random graph/hypergraph models, referred to as online sprinkling. As an illustrative application of this method, we show that for any fixed integer , the binomial ‐uniform random hypergraph contains edge‐disjoint perfect matchings, provided , where is an integer depending only on . Our result for is asymptotically optimal and for is optimal up to the factor. This significantly improves a result of Frieze and Krivelevich.
Interpolating between random walk and rotor walk
Authors: Huss Wilfried , Levine Lionel , Sava‐Huss Ecaterina 
Published: November 2017

AbstractWe introduce a family of stochastic processes on the integers, depending on a parameter and interpolating between the deterministic rotor walk () and the simple random walk (). This p‐rotor walk is not a Markov chain but it has a local Markov property: for each the sequence of successive exits from is a Markov chain. The main result of this paper identifies the scaling limit of the p‐rotor walk with two‐sided i.i.d. initial rotors. The limiting process takes the form , where is a doubly perturbed Brownian motion, that is, it satisfies the implicit equation

urn:x-wiley:10429832:media:rsa20747:rsa20747-math-0008

for all . Here is a standard Brownian motion and are constants depending on the marginals of the initial rotors on and respectively. Chaumont and Doney have shown that Equation 1 has a pathwise unique solution , and that the solution is almost surely continuous and adapted to the natural filtration of the Brownian motion. Moreover, and . This last result, together with the main result of this paper, implies that the p‐rotor walk is recurrent for any two‐sided i.i.d. initial rotors and any .
THC alters alters morphology of neurons in medial prefrontal cortex, orbital prefrontal cortex, and nucleus accumbens and alters the ability of later experience to promote structural plasticity
Authors: Kolb Bryan , Li Yilin , Robinson Terry , Parker Linda A. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractPsychoactive drugs have the ability to alter the morphology of neuronal dendrites and spines and to influence later experience‐dependent structural plasticity. If rats are given repeated injections of psychomotor stimulants (amphetamine, cocaine, nicotine) prior to being placed in complex environments, the drug experience interferes with the ability of the environment to increase dendritic arborization and spine density. Repeated exposure to Delta 9‐Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) changes the morphology of dendrites in medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and nucleus accumbens (NAcc). To determine if drugs other than psychomotor stimulants will also interfere with later experience‐dependent structural plasticity we gave Long‐Evans rats THC (0.5 mg/kg) or saline for 11 days before placing them in complex environments or standard laboratory caging for 90 days. Brains were subsequently processed for Golgi‐Cox staining and analysis of dendritic morphology and spine density mPFC, orbital frontal cortex (OFC), and NAcc. THC altered both dendritic arborization and spine density in all three regions, and, like psychomotor stimulants, THC influenced the effect of later experience in complex environments to shape the structure of neurons in these three regions. We conclude that THC may therefore contribute to persistent behavioral and cognitive deficits associated with prolonged use of the drug.