bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A comparative study on composition and antioxidant activities of supercritical carbon dioxide, hexane and ethanol extracts from blackberry (Rubus fruticosus) growing in Poland
Authors: Wajs‐Bonikowska Anna , Stobiecka Agnieszka , Bonikowski Radosław , Krajewska Agnieszka , Sikora Magdalena , Kula Józef 
Published: January 2017

AbstractBACKGROUNDLarge quantities of blackberry seeds are produced as a pomace during the processing of juice and jam production; this by‐product is a very interesting raw material both for oil manufacturing and as a source of bioactive compounds. In this work the composition, yield and antioxidant activity of three types of Rubus fructicosus pomace extracts isolated by liquid extraction using solvents of different polarity, as well with supercritical CO2 fluid extraction have been compared.RESULTSThe highest extract yield was reported for Soxhlet extraction using ethanol as a solvent (14.2%). Supercritical carbon dioxide and hexane extracts were characterised by the highest content of phytosterols (1445 and 1583 mg 100 g−1 of extract, respectively) among which β‐sitosterol was the main one, while the concentration of tocopherols, with predominant γ‐isomer, was the highest for both hexane and ethanol extracts, being 2364 and 2334 mg 100 g−1, respectively. Using a GC‐MS method 95 volatiles, in which non‐saturated aldehydes were predominant, were identified in the essential oil of seed pomace and in the volatile oil isolated from supercritical extract. The ethanolic extract which is characterised by the highest phenolic content (9443 mg GAE 100 g−1) exhibited the highest antioxidant activity (according to the ABTS•+ and DPPH• assays).CONCLUSIONAll pomace extracts examined were of high quality, rich in essential omega fatty acids and with a very high content of bioactive compounds, such as phytosterols and tocopherols. The high nutritional value of extracts from berry seed pomace could justify the commercialisation of specific extracts not only as food additives but also as cosmetic components. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Revisiting regulation of potassium homeostasis in Escherichia coli: the connection to phosphate limitation
Authors: Schramke Hannah , Laermann Vera , Tegetmeyer Halina E. , Brachmann Andreas , Jung Kirsten , Altendorf Karlheinz 
Published: January 2017

AbstractTwo‐component signal transduction constitutes the predominant strategy used by bacteria to adapt to fluctuating environments. The KdpD/KdpE system is one of the most widespread, and is crucial for K+ homeostasis. In Escherichia coli, the histidine kinase KdpD senses K+ availability, whereas the response regulator KdpE activates synthesis of the high‐affinity K+ uptake system KdpFABC. Here we show that, in the absence of KdpD, kdpFABC expression can be activated via phosphorylation of KdpE by the histidine kinase PhoR. PhoR and its cognate response regulator PhoB comprise a phosphate‐responsive two‐component system, which senses phosphate limitation indirectly through the phosphate transporter PstCAB and its accessory protein PhoU. In vivo two‐hybrid interaction studies based on the bacterial adenylate cyclase reveal pairwise interactions between KdpD, PhoR, and PhoU. Finally, we demonstrate that cross‐regulation between the kdpFABC and pstSCAB operons occurs in both directions under simultaneous K+ and phosphate limitation, both in vitro and in vivo. This study for the first time demonstrates direct coupling between intracellular K+ and phosphate homeostasis and provides a mechanism for fine‐tuning of the balance between positively and negatively charged ions in the bacterial cell.
Gene‐centric analysis implicates nuclear encoded mitochondrial protein gene variants in migraine susceptibility
Authors: Stuart Shani , Benton Miles C. , Eccles David A. , Sutherland Heidi G. , Haupt Larisa M. , Lea Rodney A. , Griffiths Lyn R. 
Published: January 2017

AbstractBackgroundMigraine is a common neurological disorder which affects a large proportion of the population. The Norfolk Island population is a genetically isolated population and is an ideal discovery cohort for genetic variants involved in complex disease susceptibility given the reduced genetic and environmental heterogeneity. Given that the majority of proteins responsible for mitochondrial function are nuclear encoded, this study aimed to investigate the role of Nuclear Encoded Mitochondrial Protein (NEMP) genes in relation to migraine susceptibility.MethodsA gene‐centric association analysis of NEMP genes was undertaken in the most related individuals (n = 315) within the genetically isolated Norfolk Island population. The discovery phase included genes with three or more SNP associations (P < 0.005), which were investigated further in a replication phase using an unrelated migraine case–control cohort (544 patients and 584 controls).ResultsThe discovery phase of the study implicated SNPs in 5 NEMP genes to be associated with migraine susceptibility (P < 0.005). Replication analysis validated some of these implicated genes with SNPs in three NEMP genes shown to be associated with migraine in the replication cohort. These were CSNK1G3 (P = 0.00037), ELOVL6 (P = 0.00035) and SARDH (P = 0.00081), which are involved in phosphorylation, fatty acid metabolism, and oxidative demethylation, respectively.ConclusionHere we provide evidence that variation in NEMP genes is associated with migraine susceptibility. This study provides evidence for a link between mitochondrial function and migraine susceptibility.
Optimized amplitude modulated multiband RF pulse design
Authors: Abo Seada Samy , Price Anthony N. , Hajnal Joseph V. , Malik Shaihan J. 
Published: January 2017

PurposeMultiband pulses are characterized by highly temporally modulated waveforms. Rapid phase or frequency modulation can be extremely demanding on the performance of radiofrequency (RF) pulse generation, which can lead to errors that can be avoided if pulses are restricted to amplitude modulation (AM) only. In this work, three existing multiband pulse design techniques are modified to produce AM waveforms.Theory and MethodsMultiband refocusing pulses were designed using phase‐optimization, time‐shifting, and root‐flipping. Each technique was constrained to produce AM pulses by exploiting conjugate symmetry in their respective frequency domain representations. Pulses were designed using the AM and unconstrained techniques for a range of multiband factors (ie, number of simultaneously excited slices), time‐bandwidth products, and slice separations. Performance was compared by examining the resulting effective pulse durations. Phantom and in vivo experiments were conducted for validation.ResultsAcquired data confirmed that AM pulses can produce precise results when unconstrained designs may produce artifacts. The average duration of AM pulses is longer than the unconstrained versions. Averaged across a range of parameters, the duration cost for AM pulses was 26, 38, and 20% for phase‐optimizing, time‐shifting and root‐flipping, respectively.ConclusionsAmplitude modulation multiband pulses can be produced for a relatively small increase in pulse duration. Magn Reson Med 78:2185–2193, 2017. © 2017 The Authors Magnetic Resonance in Medicine published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine. This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Improved recovery of admissible stress in domain decomposition methods — application to heterogeneous structures and new error bounds for FETI‐DP
Authors: Parret‐Fréaud A. , Rey V. , Gosselet P. , Rey C. 
Published: January 2017

SummaryThis paper investigates the question of the building of admissible stress field in a substructured context. More precisely, we analyze the special role played by multiple points. This study leads to (1) an improved recovery of the stress field, (2) an opportunity to minimize the estimator in the case of heterogeneous structures (in the parallel and sequential case), and (3) a procedure to build admissible fields for dual‐primal finite element tearing and interconnecting and balancing domain decomposition by constraints methods leading to an error bound that separates the contributions of the solver and of the discretization. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Bacterial subversion of cAMP signalling inhibits cathelicidin expression, which is required for innate resistance to Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Gupta Shashank , Winglee Kathryn , Gallo Richard , Bishai William R 
Published: January 2017

AbstractAntimicrobial peptides such as cathelicidins are important components of innate immune defence against inhaled microorganisms, and have shown antimicrobial activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis in in vitro models. Despite this, little is known about the regulation and expression of cathelicidin during tuberculosis in vivo. We sought to determine whether the cathelicidin‐related antimicrobial peptide gene (Cramp), the murine functional homologue of the human cathelicidin gene (CAMP or LL‐37), is required for regulation of protective immunity during M. tuberculosis infection in vivo. We used Cramp–/– mice in a validated model of pulmonary tuberculosis, and conducted cell‐based assays with macrophages from these mice. We evaluated the in vivo susceptibility of Cramp–/– mice to infection, and also dissected various pro‐inflammatory immune responses against M. tuberculosis. We observed increased susceptibility of Cramp–/– mice to M. tuberculosis as compared with wild‐type mice. Macrophages from Cramp–/– mice were unable to control M. tuberculosis growth in an in vitro infection model, were deficient in intracellular calcium influx, and were defective in stimulating T cells. Additionally, CD4+ and CD8+ T cells from Cramp–/– mice produced less interferon‐β upon stimulation. Furthermore, bacterial‐derived cAMP modulated cathelicidin expression in macrophages. Our results demonstrate that cathelicidin is required for innate resistance to M. tuberculosis in a relevant animal model and is a key mediator in regulation of the levels of pro‐inflammatory cytokines by calcium and cyclic nucleotides. Copyright © 2017 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Identification of NTRK fusions in pediatric mesenchymal tumors
Authors: Pavlick Dean , Schrock Alexa B. , Malicki Denise , Stephens Philip J. , Kuo Dennis J. , Ahn Hyunah , Turpin Brian , Allen Justin M. , Rosenzweig Mark , Badizadegan Kamran , Ross Jeffrey S. , Miller Vincent A. , Wong Victor , Ali Siraj M. 
Published: January 2017

AbstractBackgroundNTRK fusions are known oncogenic drivers and have recently been effectively targeted by investigational agents in adults. We sought to assess the frequency of NTRK fusions in a large series of pediatric and adolescent patients with advanced cancers.ProcedureGenomic profiles from 2,031 advanced cancers from patients less than 21 years old who were assayed with comprehensive genomic profiling were reviewed to identify NTRK fusions.ResultsTotal of nine cases (0.44%) harbored NTRK fusions, including novel partners. Four of these cases were in children less than 2 years old for which infantile fibrosarcoma was considered as a diagnosis, and two harbored the canonical ETV6‐NTRK3. The remaining cases carried other diagnoses, at least one that carried the diagnosis of inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor.ConclusionsNTRK fusions occur in a subset of young patients with mesenchymal or sarcoma‐like tumors at a low frequency, and are eminently druggable targets via either investigational agents or approved drugs.
Molecularly imprinted polymers by phase inversion technique for the selective recognition of saccharides of biomedical interest in aqueous solutions
Authors: Barbani Niccoletta , Rosellini Elisabetta , Donati Marco , Costantino Paolo , Cristallini Caterina , Ciardelli Gianluca 
Published: January 2017

AbstractThe purpose of this work was the preparation and characterization of polymeric membranes for the selective recognition of saccharides using molecular imprinting technology associated with phase inversion. A system able to bind saccharides with high selectivity is particularly important in the pharmaceutical sector, since some of these compounds are constituents of molecules which can exert serious toxic effects even at very low concentrations. Two polymeric matrices were prepared using poly(ethylene‐co‐vinyl alcohol) copolymers, with an ethylene molar content of 32% and 44%, and were imprinted with two different saccharide molecules: maltose and 2‐keto‐3‐deoxy‐d‐manno‐octulosonate (KDO). Matrices imprinted against maltose and KDO showed an easy template extraction, high binding capability and satisfactory selectivity, particularly for the matrix with an ethylene molar content of 44%. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Uncertainty Estimation in Flood Inundation Mapping: An Application of Non‐parametric Bootstrapping
Authors: Faghih M. , Mirzaei M. , Adamowski J. , Lee J. , El‐Shafie A. 
Published: January 2017

AbstractDisaster prevention planning is affected in a significant way by a lack of in‐depth understanding of the numerous uncertainties involved with flood delineation and related estimations. Currently, flood inundation extent is represented as a deterministic map without in‐depth consideration of the inherent uncertainties associated with variables such as precipitation, streamflow, topographic representation, modelling parameters and techniques, and geospatial operations. The motivation of this study is to estimate uncertainties in flood inundation mapping based on a non‐parametric bootstrapping method. The uncertainty is addressed through the application of non‐parametric bootstrap sampling to the hydrodynamic modelling software, HEC‐RAS, integrated with Geographic Information System (GIS). This approach was used to simulate different water levels and flow rates corresponding to different return periods from the available database. The study area was the Langat River Basin in Malaysia. The results revealed that the inundated land and infrastructure are subject to a flooding hazard of high‐frequency events and that the flood damage potential is increasing significantly for residential areas and valuable land‐use classes with higher return periods. The proposed methodology, as well as the study outcomes, of this paper could be beneficial to policymakers, water resources managers, insurance companies and other flood‐related stakeholders. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Protonation of Pyridine Monocarboxylate‐N‐Oxides – Determination of Thermodynamic, Absorbance and Ion Interaction Parameters
Authors: Dumpala Rama Mohana Rao , Rawat Neetika , Tomar Bhupendra S. 
Published: January 2017

AbstractThe thermodynamic parameters (pKa, ΔH, ΔG, ΔS) for the protonation of three isomeric pyridine monocarboxylate‐N‐oxides (PCNO) namely picolinate‐N‐oxide (PANO) nicotinate‐N‐oxide (NANO) isonicotinate‐N‐oxide (IANO) were determined in the present study. The pKa determined by potentiometry follow the order: PANO > IANO > NANO at all ionic strengths. The calorimetric results revealed that the PANO protonation was endothermic and the other are exothermic, indicating the entropy driven protonation of PANO while the other two has minor contribution of enthalpy as well. The ion interaction parameters for PCNOs are obtained by determining the pKa for the same at various ionic strengths (I=0.1 −3.0 M) and the data is extrapolated to find pKa0 (pKa at I=0) by specific ion interaction theory (SIT). The pKa / pKa0 determined by absorption spectra are also in line with potentiometric results. The energetics and variations in charge densities on individual atoms on protonation were calculated theoretically. PCNOs protonation are compared with its base moieties: pyridine monocarboxylates to interpret the effect of the N‐oxide moiety on the protonation thermodynamics.
Novel Mixed‐Mode Stationary Phases for Chromatographic Separation of Complex Mixtures of Decomposed Lignin
Authors: Dier Tobias K. F. , Rauber Daniel , Jauch Johann , Hempelmann Rolf , Volmer Dietrich A. 
Published: January 2017

AbstractElectrochemical degradation of lignin results in a large number of unknown products, formed by both oxidative and reductive decomposition pathways, which have previously been studied by direct mass spectrometry experiments without prior liquid chromatography separation, revealing the presence of many isobaric molecules. In this study, novel phosphonium‐based ionic liquid stationary phases were synthesized and applied in conjunction with high resolution mass spectrometry, to further increase the resolving power of the analytical methodology. The new stationary phases exhibited a wide range of interaction mechanisms in comparison to reversed‐phase materials, and the preliminary results of this proof‐of‐concept study illustrated class‐specific isolation and separation of the major chemical classes of the lignin breakdown products members into very specific retention time windows. For the investigated electrochemically decomposed lignin, the separations revealed predominantly aldehydes and alcohols, and also confirmed the presence of a significant number of isobars.
A Quaternary Ammonium Salt Promoted Regioselective Iodination of Terminal Alkynes: A Convenient Access to 1‐Iodoalkynes in Aqueous Media
Authors: Srujana Kodumuri , Swamy Peraka , Naresh Mameda , Durgaiah Chevella , Rammurthy Banothu , Sai Gajula Krishna , Sony Thokali , Narender Nama 
Published: January 2017

AbstractA new protocol for the synthesis of 1‐iodoalkynes from terminal alkynes under metal‐free conditions in aqueous media via quaternary ammonium iodide and oxone mediated oxidative iodination has been developed. Simple reaction conditions, low cost and commercial availability of reagents and the use of readily available, non‐toxic and universal solvent i. e., water as a reaction media makes this approach as an eco‐friendly and economically viable.
Modern impacts on an ancient landscape, the piedmont plain in southwest Turkmenistan
Authors: Berking Jonas , Beckers Brian , Reimann Tony , Pollock Susan , Bernbeck Reinhard 
Published: January 2017

The piedmont plain in southwestern Turkmenistan has experienced a millennia‐long settlement history despite prevailing arid climates. One of the prerequisites for the various agricultural efforts was irrigation. Most of the water used for irrigation measures came from the adjacent Kopet Dag mountain chain. This situation changed with the introduction of the Karakum canal in the middle of the 20th century. The present study evaluates the rich irrigation history of the piedmont plain by investigating two small catchments that drain the eastern ranges of the Kopet Dag. Within their catchments, geomorphological and hydrological analyses were conducted. We present several Optically Stimulated Luminescence and 14‐C dating results that add to the understanding of the landscape history from the Pleistocene until modern ages. Moreover, modern climatological and hydrological data were analyzed that show a remarkable drop in runoff from the Kopet Dag since the 1960s. WIREs Water 2017, 4:e1202. doi: 10.1002/wat2.1202This article is categorized under:

Engineering Water > Planning Water
Science of Water > Water and Environmental Change
Patient Preparation for Transitions of Surgical Care: Is Failing to Prepare Surgical Patients Preparing Them to Fail?
Authors: Martin Luke A. , Finlayson Samuel R. G. , Brooke Benjamin S. 
Published: January 2017

AbstractBackgroundTransitions of care before and after surgery are critical for patient preparation. We sought to determine whether the degree of exposure to health information resources before and after surgery increases preparedness and decreases hospital readmission.MethodsA national Web‐based, cross‐sectional survey was conducted of 1917 patients and caregivers who had a recent surgical encounter. Health information resources used before and after surgery were correlated with patient level of preparedness. We also evaluated the association between preparedness and hospital readmission.ResultsCompared to unprepared patients, those who felt prepared were most likely to be given multiple health information resources before surgery (92 vs. 77%, p < 0.001) and before leaving the hospital (91 vs. 69%, p = 0.02). Feeling prepared was positively correlated with the number of resources provided to patients by their surgical team and used before surgery and before leaving the hospital (p < 0.05, both). 30‐day readmission was significantly lower among patients who felt prepared either before (7% prepared vs. 22% not prepared, p = <0.001) or after surgery (9% prepared vs. 23% not prepared, p < 0.001).ConclusionsPatients with access to more health information resources during transitions before and after surgery feel better prepared and have lower rates of 30‐day readmission.
THE EFFECTS ON COMMODITY PRICES OF EXTRAORDINARY MONETARY POLICY
Authors: AMATOV AITBEK , DORFMAN JEFFREY H. 
Published: January 2017

AbstractThis article examines the relationship between Federal Reserve monetary policy and other macroeconomic indicators to both a broad commodity price index and an agricultural commodity price index by employing a vector error correction model. Excessive liquidity and the recent long period of ultralow interest rates appear to have played a statistically significant role in affecting prices in the commodities markets. The responses of commodity prices to monetary policy that we estimate generally conform to earlier findings, but the sensitivity of the responses appears different in the face of the unprecedented scope of recent Fed activism.
Reconciling Islamic Ethics, Fossil Fuel Dependence, and Climate Change in the Middle East
Authors: Ali Saleem H. 
Published: January 2017

AbstractThe dominance of fossil fuel economies in the Middle East with large Muslim majority populations has led to a recurring question about the role Islamic ethics might play in galvanizing action on climate change. However, the perceived clash of economic values versus environmental norms in Islam deserves more careful examination. This brief article considers the advent of the “Islamic Declaration on Climate Change” which was promulgated in 2015 and considers the tangible steps Muslim government leaders and civil society have taken on this matter. The tangible steps that are being considered with an action plan are discussed in the light of earlier environmental movements within Islam. A brief discussion of environmental norms within Islamic scriptures is also provided to give theological context to this narrative. The establishment of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) in the UAE as a treaty-based organization with United Nations affiliations is also considered. The environment can play an important peace-building role in the region as exemplified by organizations such as Eco-peace in Palestine, Israel, and Jordan. Based on the analysis of these developments, it is likely that Muslim countries will continue to play a more proactive role in addressing climate change than they are often given credit for in popular discourse.
Digitization of the Canadian Parliamentary Debates
Authors: Beelen Kaspar , Thijm Timothy Alberdingk , Cochrane Christopher , Halvemaan Kees , Hirst Graeme , Kimmins Michael , Lijbrink Sander , Marx Maarten , Naderi Nona , Rheault Ludovic , Polyanovsky Roman , Whyte Tanya 
Published: January 2017

AbstractThis paper describes the digitization and enrichment of the Canadian House of Commons English Debates from 1901 to present. We start by laying out the general framework in which this project took place and then present the structure of the database and provide guidelines to prospective users. The paper concludes with the introduction ofwww.lipad.ca, an online platform designed as a hub for archiving Canadian political data, with the parliamentary proceedings at the centre of its architecture.