bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Tuning a Protein‐Labeling Reaction to Achieve Highly Site Selective Lysine Conjugation
Authors: Pham Grace H. , Ou Weijia , Bursulaya Badry , DiDonato Michael , Herath Ananda , Jin Yunho , Hao Xueshi , Loren Jon , Spraggon Glen , Brock Ansgar , Uno Tetsuo , Geierstanger Bernhard H. , Cellitti Susan E. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractActivated esters are widely used to label proteins at lysine side chains and N termini. These reagents are useful for labeling virtually any protein, but robust reactivity toward primary amines generally precludes site‐selective modification. In a unique case, fluorophenyl esters are shown to preferentially label human kappa antibodies at a single lysine (Lys188) within the light‐chain constant domain. Neighboring residues His189 and Asp151 contribute to the accelerated rate of labeling at Lys188 relative to the ≈40 other lysine sites. Enriched Lys188 labeling can be enhanced from 50–70 % to >95 % by any of these approaches: lowering reaction temperature, applying flow chemistry, or mutagenesis of specific residues in the surrounding protein environment. Our results demonstrated that activated esters with fluoro‐substituted aromatic leaving groups, including a fluoronaphthyl ester, can be generally useful reagents for site‐selective lysine labeling of antibodies and other immunoglobulin‐type proteins.
Stability of CoPx Electrocatalysts in Continuous and Interrupted Acidic Electrolysis of Water
Authors: Goryachev Andrey , Gao Lu , Zhang Yue , Rohling Roderigh Y. , Vervuurt René H. J. , Bol Ageeth A. , Hofmann Jan P. , Hensen Emiel J. M. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractCobalt phosphides are an emerging earth‐abundant alternative to platinum‐group‐metal‐based electrocatalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Yet, their stability is inferior to platinum and compromises the large‐scale applicability of CoPx in water electrolyzers. In the present study, we employed flat, thin CoPx electrodes prepared through the thermal phosphidation (PH3) of Co3O4 films made by plasma‐enhanced atomic layer deposition to evaluate their stability in acidic water electrolysis by using a multi‐technique approach. The films were found to be composed of two phases: CoP in the bulk and a P‐rich surface CoPx (P/Co>1). Their performance was evaluated in the HER and the exchange current density was determined to be j0=−8.9 ⋅ 10−5 A/cm2. The apparent activation energy of HER on CoPx (Ea=81±15 kJ/mol) was determined for the first time. Dissolution of the material in 0.5 M H2SO4 was observed, regardless of the constantly applied cathodic potential, pointing towards a chemical instead of an electrochemical origin of the observed cathodic instability. The current density and HER faradaic efficiency (FE) were found to be stable during chronoamperometric treatment, as the chemical composition of the HER‐active phase remained unchanged. On the contrary, a dynamic potential change performed in a repeated way facilitated dissolution of the film, yielding its complete degradation within 5 h. There, the FE was also found to be changing. An oxidative route of CoPx dissolution has also been proposed.
Effects of vulture exclusion on carrion consumption by facultative scavengers
Authors: Hill Jacob E. , DeVault Travis L. , Beasley James C. , Rhodes Olin E. , Belant Jerrold L. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractVultures provide an essential ecosystem service through removal of carrion, but globally, many populations are collapsing and several species are threatened with extinction. Widespread declines in vulture populations could increase the availability of carrion to other organisms, but the ways facultative scavengers might respond to this increase have not been thoroughly explored. We aimed to determine whether facultative scavengers increase carrion consumption in the absence of vulture competition and whether they are capable of functionally replacing vultures in the removal of carrion biomass from the landscape. We experimentally excluded 65 rabbit carcasses from vultures during daylight hours and placed an additional 65 carcasses that were accessible to vultures in forested habitat in South Carolina, USA during summer (June–August). We used motion‐activated cameras to compare carrion use by facultative scavenging species between the experimental and control carcasses. Scavenging by facultative scavengers did not increase in the absence of competition with vultures. We found no difference in scavenger presence between control carcasses and those from which vultures were excluded. Eighty percent of carcasses from which vultures were excluded were not scavenged by vertebrates, compared to 5% of carcasses that were accessible to vultures. At the end of the 7‐day trials, there was a 10.1‐fold increase in the number of experimental carcasses that were not fully scavenged compared to controls. Facultative scavengers did not functionally replace vultures during summer in our study. This finding may have been influenced by the time of the year in which the study took place, the duration of the trials, and the spacing of carcass sites. Our results suggest that under the warm and humid conditions of our study, facultative scavengers would not compensate for loss of vultures. Carcasses would persist longer in the environment and consumption of carrion would likely shift from vertebrates to decomposers. Such changes could have substantial implications for disease transmission, nutrient cycling, and ecosystem functioning.
High Fidelity Model for Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell Power Module Considering Internal Power Losses
Authors: Moore A. , Huang X. , Pai R. , Jiang J. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractA high‐fidelity model has been developed in this paper to characterize a proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell power module. The uniqueness of this model is that it takes into account of the internal temperature of the stack and internal power consumptions by the auxiliary systems. To simplify the model representation, an equivalent circuit model is developed by using operating condition dependent fictitious circuit components. The parameters of these components are nonlinear functions of fuel cell operating conditions, most notably, the output power level and the stack temperature. The specific values of these parameters are determined through a series of experiments on a physical fuel cell power module. The data are then used to construct a nonlinear model to cover a wide fuel cell operating range. To validate the developed model, five characteristic features are used in the experiments. Comparing against the experimental results, it is shown that the developed model produces the minimal amount of errors in comparison with the theoretical model, and a previously developed model. When used to represent a physical fuel cell power source in practice, this model improves the quality of control system design and analysis.
Mobile device use when caring for children 0‐5 years: A naturalistic playground study
Authors: Mangan Elsa , Leavy Justine E. , Jancey Jonine 
Published: February 2018

AbstractIssue addressedOver the past decade, mobile device use has increased significantly. Adults are now using their mobile device whilst undertaking a range of work and social activities. This naturalistic study aimed to understand parents/carers’ use of mobile devices and their associated beliefs about mobile device use whilst caring for children aged five and younger in playgrounds.MethodsA mixed methods approach was used to collect quantitative and qualitative data from parents/carers. Data were collected by observations (n = 50) and interviews (n = 25) in playgrounds on the North Coast of New South Wales, Australia.ResultsOf the 50 observed parents/carers, 76% (n = 38) used their mobile device, with usage time extending to 17.2 minutes of the 20 minute observation period. Text‐/type‐related mobile device use was most often used (69.6%), followed by voice‐related (23.7%) and camera‐related mobile device use (6.7%). The 25 interviewed parents/carers beliefs on mobile device use were centred on three themes: diversity of mobile device use, child relationships and mobile device use and the physical environment and mobile device use.ConclusionThis study adds to the limited research into parent/carer mobile device use, which has become an integral part of peoples’ lifestyle. However, research is required to better understand how parent/carer mobile device use may impact on child supervision and interaction.So what?Mobile device use is increasing. We need to better understand its public health impact.
Circuit covers of cubic signed graphs
Authors: Wu Yezhou , Ye Dong 
Published: February 2018

AbstractA signed graph, denoted by , is a graph G associated with a mapping . A cycle of is a connected 2‐regular subgraph. A cycle C is positive if it has an even number of negative edges, and negative otherwise. A signed‐circuit of a signed graph is a positive cycle or a barbell consisting of two edge‐disjoint negative cycles joined by a path. The definition of a signed‐circuit of signed graph comes from the signed‐graphic matroid. A signed‐circuit cover of is a family of signed‐circuits covering all edges of . A signed‐circuit cover with the smallest total length is called a shortest signed‐circuit cover of and its length is denoted by . Bouchet proved that a signed graph has a signed‐circuit cover if and only if it is flow‐admissible (i.e., has a nowhere‐zero integer flow). In this article, we show that a 3‐connected flow‐admissible signed graph does not necessarily have a signed‐circuit double cover. For shortest signed‐circuit cover of 2‐edge‐connected cubic signed graphs , we show that if it is flow‐admissible.
Synthesis of molecularly imprinted dye‐silica nanocomposites with high selectivity and sensitivity: Fluorescent imprinted sensor for rapid and efficient detection of τ‐fluvalinate in vodka
Authors: Wang Yunyun , Wang Jixiang , Cheng Rujia , Sun Lin , Dai Xiaohui , Yan Yongsheng 
Published: February 2018

AbstractAn imprinted fluorescent sensor was fabricated based on SiO2 nanoparticles encapsulated with a molecularly imprinted polymer containing allyl fluorescein. High fluorine cypermethirin as template molecules, methyl methacrylate as functional monomer, and allyl fluorescein as optical materials synthesized a core‐shell fluorescent molecular imprinted sensor, which showed a high and rapid sensitivity and selectivity for the detection of τ‐fluvalinate. The sensor presented appreciable sensitivity with a limit of 13.251 nM, rapid detection that reached to equilibrium within 3 min, great linear relationship in the relevant concentration range from 0 to 150 nM, and excellent selectivity over structural analogues. In addition, the fluorescent sensor demonstrated desirable regeneration ability (eight cycling operations). The molecularly imprinted polymers ensured specificity, while the fluorescent dyes provided the stabile sensitivity. Finally, an effective application of the sensor was implemented by the detection of τ‐fluvalinate in real samples from vodka. The molecularly imprinted fluorescent sensor showed a promising potential in environmental monitoring and food safety.
Interactions between sunlight and microorganisms influence dissolved organic matter degradation along the aquatic continuum
Authors: Cory Rose M. , Kling George W. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractCO2 emissions from inland surface waters to the atmosphere are almost as large as the net carbon transfer from the atmosphere to Earth's land surface. This large flux is supported by dissolved organic matter (DOM) from land and its complete oxidation to CO2 in freshwaters. A critical nexus in the global carbon cycle is the fate of DOM, either complete or partial oxidation. Interactions between sunlight and microbes control DOM degradation, but the relative importance of photodegradation vs. degradation by microbes is poorly known. The knowledge gaps required to advance understanding of key interactions between photochemistry and biology influencing DOM degradation include: (1) the efficiencies and products of DOM photodegradation, (2) how do photo‐products control microbial metabolism of photo‐altered DOM and on what time scales, and (3) how do water and DOM residence times and light exposure interact to determine the fate of DOM moving across the landscape to oceans?
Vanille‐Mandel‐Aroma aus Bakterien
Authors: Sauer Susanne 
Published: February 2018

AbstractDarüber, ob man das Vanille‐Mandel‐Aroma Piperonal auf natürliche Weise herstellen kann, entbrannte im Jahr 2013 ein Streit zwischen dem Schokoladenhersteller Ritter Sport und der Stiftung Warentest. Jetzt haben Forscher aus Österreich ein biotechnisches Verfahren vorgestellt, mit dem das möglich sein soll.
Pflanzeninhaltsstoffe als Kontaminanten in der Lebensmittelkette
Authors: Kaltner Florian , Gottschalk Christoph , Gareis Manfred 
Published: February 2018

AbstractPyrrolizidinalkaloide stehen im Verdacht, Krebs zu erzeugen, und sind immer wieder in Tees oder Honig nachweisbar. Die problematische Analytik der Substanzen und ihr zum Teil ungeklärtes Verhalten in Lebens‐ und Futtermitteln machen eine Risikoeinschätzung schwierig.
Multi‐compartmental diffusion characterization of the human cervical spinal cord in vivo using the spherical mean technique
Authors: By Samantha , Xu Junzhong , Box Bailey A. , Bagnato Francesca R. , Smith Seth A. 
Published: February 2018

The purpose of this work was to evaluate the feasibility and reproducibility of the spherical mean technique (SMT), a multi‐compartmental diffusion model, in the spinal cord of healthy controls, and to assess its ability to improve spinal cord characterization in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients at 3 T. SMT was applied in the cervical spinal cord of eight controls and six relapsing‐remitting MS patients. SMT provides an elegant framework to model the apparent axonal volume fraction vax, intrinsic diffusivity Dax, and extra‐axonal transverse diffusivity Dex_perp (which is estimated as a function of vax and Dax) without confounds related to complex fiber orientation distribution that reside in diffusion MRI modeling. SMT's reproducibility was assessed with two different scans within a month, and SMT‐derived indices in healthy and MS cohorts were compared. The influence of acquisition scheme on SMT was also evaluated. SMT's vax, Dax, and Dex_perp measurements all showed high reproducibility. A decrease in vax was observed at the site of lesions and normal appearing white matter (p < 0.05), and trends towards a decreased Dax and increased Dex_perp were seen. Importantly, a twofold reduction in acquisition yielded similarly high accuracy with SMT. SMT provides a fast, reproducible, and accurate method to improve characterization of the cervical spinal cord, and may have clinical potential for MS patients.
Randomized Controlled Trial Examining the Ripple Effect of a Nationally Available Weight Management Program on Untreated Spouses
Authors: Gorin Amy A. , Lenz Erin M. , Cornelius Talea , Huedo‐Medina Tania , Wojtanowski Alexis C. , Foster Gary D. 
Published: February 2018

ObjectiveFor married couples, when one spouse participates in weight loss treatment, the untreated spouse can also experience weight loss. This study examined this ripple effect in a nationally available weight management program.MethodsOne hundred thirty dyads were randomized to Weight Watchers (WW; n = 65) or to a self‐guided control group (SG; n = 65) and assessed at 0, 3, and 6 months. Inclusion criteria were age ≥ 25 years, BMI 27 to 40 kg/m2 (≥ 25 kg/m2 for untreated spouses), and no weight loss contraindications. WW participants received 6 months of free access to in‐person meetings and online tools. SG participants received a weight loss handout. Spouses did not receive treatment.ResultsUntreated spouses lost weight at 3 months (WW = −1.5 ± 2.9 kg; SG = −1.1 ± 3.3 kg) and 6 months (WW = −2.2 ± 4.2 kg; SG = −1.9 ± 3.6 kg), but weight losses did not differ by condition. Overall, 32.0% of untreated spouses lost ≥ 3% of initial body weight by 6 months. Baseline weight was significantly correlated within couples (r = 0.26; P < 0.01) as were weight loss trajectories (r = 0.52; P < 0.001).ConclusionsEvidence of a ripple effect was found in untreated spouses in both formal and self‐guided weight management approaches. These data suggest that weight loss can spread within couples, and that widely available lifestyle programs have weight loss effects beyond the treated individual.
Effects of overexpression of jasmonic acid biosynthesis genes on nicotine accumulation in tobacco
Authors: Chen Hongxia , Wang Bingwu , Geng Sisi , Arellano Consuelo , Chen Sixue , Qu Rongda 
Published: February 2018

AbstractNicotine is naturally synthesized in tobacco roots and accumulates in leaves as a defense compound against herbivory attack. Nicotine biosynthesis pathway has been extensively studied with major genes and enzymes being isolated and functionally characterized. However, the molecular regulation of nicotine synthesis has not been fully understood. The phytohormone jasmonic acid (JA) mediates many aspects of plant defense responses including nicotine biosynthesis. In this study, five key genes (AtLOX2, AtAOS, AtAOC2, AtOPR3, AtJAR1) involved in JA biosynthesis from Arabidopsis were individually overexpressed, and a JA‐Ile hydrolysis‐related gene, NtJIH1, was suppressed by RNAi approach, to understand their effects on nicotine accumulation in tobacco. Interestingly, while transgene expression was high, levels of JA‐Ile (the biologically active form of JA) were often significantly reduced. Meanwhile, nicotine content in these transgenic plants did not increase. The research revealed a tightly controlled JA signaling pathway and a complicated regulatory network for nicotine biosynthesis by JA signaling.
Crystal structures of the extracellular domains of the CrRLK1L receptor‐like kinases ANXUR1 and ANXUR2
Authors: Du Shuo , Qu Li‐Jia , Xiao Junyu 
Published: February 2018

AbstractCatharanthus roseus Receptor‐Like Kinase 1‐like (CrRLK1L) proteins contain two tandem malectin‐like modules in their extracellular domains (ECDs) and function in diverse signaling pathways in plants. Malectin is a carbohydrate‐binding protein in animals and recognizes a number of diglucosides; however, it remains unclear how the two malectin‐like domains in the CrRLK1L proteins sense the ligand molecule. In this study, we reveal the crystal structures of the ECDs of ANXUR1 and ANXUR2, two CrRLK1L members in Arabidopsis thaliana that have critical functions in controlling pollen tube rupture during the fertilization process. We show that the two malectin‐like domains in these proteins pack together to form a rigid architecture. Unlike animal malectin, these malectin‐like domains lack residues involved in binding to the diglucosides, suggesting that they have a distinct ligand‐binding mechanism. A cleft is observed between the two malectin‐like domains, which might function as a potential ligand‐binding pocket.
Minimally Invasive Surgery (MIS) in Children and Adolescents with Pheochromocytomas and Retroperitoneal Paragangliomas: Experiences in 42 Patients
Authors: Walz Martin K. , Iova Laura D. , Deimel Judith , Neumann Hartmut P. H. , Bausch Birke , Zschiedrich Stefan , Groeben Harald , Alesina Pier F. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractBackgroundPheochromocytomas (PH) and paragangliomas (PGL) are rare tumours in children accounting for about 1% of the paediatric hypertension. While minimally invasive surgical techniques are well established in adult patients with PH, the experience in children is extremely limited. To the best of our knowledge, we herewith present the largest series of young patients operated on chromaffin tumours by minimally invasive access.MaterialsIn the setting of a prospective study (1/2001–12/2016), 42 consecutive children and adolescents (33 m, 9 f) were operated on. Thirty‐seven patients (88%) suffered from inherited diseases. Twenty‐six patients had PH, 11 presented retroperitoneal PGL, and five patients suffered from both. Altogether, 70 tumours (mean size 2.7 cm) were removed (45 PH, 25 PGL). All operations were performed by a minimally invasive access (retroperitoneoscopic, laparoscopic, extraperitoneal). Partial adrenalectomy was the preferred procedure for PH (31 out of 39 patients). Twenty patients received α‐receptor blockade preoperatively.ResultsOne patient died after induction of anaesthesia due to cardiac arrest. All other complications were minor. Conversion to open surgery was necessary in two cases with PGL. Median operating time for unilateral PH was 55 min, in bilateral cases 125, 143 min in PGs, and 180 min in combined cases. Median blood loss was 20 ml (range 0–1000). Blood transfusion was necessary in two cases. Intraoperative, systolic peak pressure was 170 ± 39 mmHg with α‐receptor blockade and 191 ± 33 mmHg without α‐receptor blockade (p = 0.41). The median post‐operative hospital stay was 3 days. After a mean follow‐up of 8.5 years, two patients presented ipsilateral recurrence (after partial adrenalectomy). All patients with bilateral PH (n = 13) are steroid independent post‐operatively.ConclusionsPH and PGL in children and adolescents should preferably be removed by minimally invasive surgery. Partial adrenalectomy provides long‐term steroid independence in bilateral PH and a low rate of (ipsilateral) recurrence. α‐Receptor blockade may not be necessary in these patients.
Comprehensive Analysis of the Neutrophil‐to‐Lymphocyte Ratio for Preoperative Prognostic Prediction Nomogram in Gastric Cancer
Authors: Choi Jong‐Ho , Suh Yun‐Suhk , Choi Yunhee , Han Jiyeon , Kim Tae Han , Park Shin‐Hoo , Kong Seong‐Ho , Lee Hyuk‐Joon , Yang Han‐Kwang 
Published: February 2018

AbstractBackgroundThe role of neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and preoperative prediction model in gastric cancer is controversial, while postoperative prognostic models are available. This study investigated NLR as a preoperative prognostic indicator in gastric cancer.MethodsWe reviewed patients with primary gastric cancer who underwent surgery during 2007–2010. Preoperative clinicopathologic factors were analyzed with their interaction and used to develop a prognosis prediction nomogram. That preoperative prediction nomogram was compared to a nomogram using pTNM or a historical postoperative prediction nomogram. The contribution of NLR to a preoperative nomogram was evaluated with integrated discrimination improvement (IDI).ResultsUsing 2539 records, multivariable analysis revealed that NLR was one of the independent prognostic factors and had a significant interaction with only age among other preoperative factors (especially significant in patients < 50 years old). NLR was constantly significant between 1.1 and 3.1 without any distinctive cutoff value. Preoperative prediction nomogram using NLR showed a Harrell’s C‐index of 0.79 and an R2 of 25.2%, which was comparable to the C‐index of 0.78 and 0.82 and R2 of 26.6 and 25.8% from nomogram using pTNM and a historical postoperative prediction nomogram, respectively. IDI of NLR to nomogram in the overall population was 0.65%, and that of patients < 50 years old was 2.72%.ConclusionsNLR is an independent prognostic factor for gastric cancer, especially in patients < 50 years old. A preoperative prediction nomogram using NLR can predict prognosis of gastric cancer as effectively as pTNM and a historical postoperative prediction nomogram.