bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Purification of Lactobacillus acidophilus surface‐layer protein and its immunomodulatory effects on RAW264.7 cells
Authors: Zhang Dandan , Wu Mengting , Guo Yuxing , Xun Mingyue , Wang Wenwen , Wu Zhen , Pan Daodong 
Published: February 2017

AbstractBACKGROUNDSurface‐layer proteins (SLP) have been found in the outermost layer of the cell wall in many types of lactobacillus are considered to be an important factor with respect to intestinal immunity.RESULTSThe present study compared the effects of SLP extracted by different concentrations of LiCl and carbamide, and subsequently identified by sodium dodecyl sulfate‐polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, circular dichroism and differential scanning calorimetry. Furthermore, RAW 264.7 cells were used to evaluate the immunomodulatory effects of SLP. SLP were derived from Lactobacillus acidophilus CICC6074 with a molecular weight of 46 kDa, and consisted of 16.9% α‐helix, 42.3% β‐sheet, 20.8% β‐turns and 22.5% random coils. SLP promoted NO secretion and higher quantities of NO were produced as the SLP concentrations increased. SLP concentrations over 50 µg mL−1 significantly decreased the amount of tumor necrosis factor‐α secreted by RAW264.7 cells.CONCLUSIONSLP can trigger immunomodulatory effects in RAW 264.7 cells. This provides crucial information that will enable the further use of L. acidophilus in food, medicine and other products. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Correlating enzymatic browning inhibition and antioxidant ability of Maillard reaction products derived from different amino acids
Authors: Xu Haining , Zhang Xiaoming , Karangwa Eric , Xia Shuqin 
Published: February 2017

AbstractBACKGROUNDUp to now, only limited research on enzymatic browning inhibition capacity (BIC) of Maillard reaction products (MRPs) has been reported and there are still no overall and systematic researches on MRPs derived from different amino acids. In the present study, BIC and antioxidant capacity, including 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity and Fe2+ reducing power activity, of the MRPs derived from 12 different amino acids and three reducing sugars were investigated.RESULTSThe MRPs of cysteine (Cys), cystine, arginine (Arg) and histidine (His) showed higher BIC compared to other amino acids. Lysine (Lys)‐MRPs showed the highest absorbance value at 420 nm (A420) but very limited BIC, whereas Cys‐MRPs, showed the highest BIC and the lowest A420. The A420 can roughly reflect the trend of BIC of MRPs from different amino acids, except Cys and Lys. MRPs from tyrosine (Tyr) showed the most potent antioxidant capacity but very limited BIC, whereas Cys‐MRPs showed both higher antioxidant capacity and BIC compared to other amino acids. Partial least squares regression analysis showed positive and significant correlation between BIC and Fe2+ reducing power of MRPs from 12 amino acids with glucose or fructose, except Lys, Cys and Tyr. The suitable pH for generating efficient browning inhibition compounds varies depending on different amino acids: acidic pH was favorable for Cys, whereas neutral and alkaline pH were suitable for His and Arg, respectively. Increasing both heating temperature and time over a certain range could improve the BIC of MRPs of Cys, His and Arg, whereas any further increase deteriorates their browning inhibition efficiencies.CONCLUSIONThe types of amino acid, initial pH, temperature and time of the Maillard reaction were found to greatly influence the BIC and antioxidant capacity of the resulting MRPs. There is no clear relationship between BIC and the antioxidant capacity of MRPs when reactant type and processing parameters of the Maillard reaction are considered as variables. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Assessing Local Uncertainty of Soil Protection in an Olive Grove Area with Pruning Residues Cover: A Geostatistical Cosimulation Approach
Authors: Rodríguez‐Lizana Antonio , Pereira Maria João , Ribeiro Manuel C. , Soares Amilcar , Márquez‐García Francisco , Ramos Alzira , Gil‐Ribes Jesús 
Published: February 2017

AbstractThe spatial characterization of soil protection is important for preventing land degradation. Mulch covers of pruning residues are increasingly used by farmers, but little is known regarding their spatial variability. Thus, field research was conducted in a 14·7‐ha traditional olive grove located in Córdoba (Spain), to evaluate the variability of the initial density of pruning (Dpo), tree crown volume (V) and N content in residues (Np). Dry pruning weight and Np were characterized in 49 and 47 samples, respectively, covering approximately half of the area.Vwas measured in 178 locations covering all of the study area. The spatial continuity of these variables was described by spherical variograms. Geostatistical simulation algorithms were employed. One hundred realizations were made for Np through direct sequential simulation. Because the association withVwas large (rxy = 0·72,p‐value < 0·001), we ran a geostatistical cosimulation algorithm to obtain 100 maps of Dpo. The final density of pruning (FDp) was determined by applying a residue decomposition model for a 2‐year period to pairs of previously simulated maps of Np and Dpo. After setting soil protection cut‐off values for FDp, the soil protection probability was calculated for pruning strips of 2 and 4 m width. Finally, we converted the probability maps into binary maps and classified the farm into protected, unprotected and uncertain zones.Vprovided valuable input to evaluate soil protection. The application of stochastic simulations coupled with a decomposition model was useful to identify critical areas. This methodology can be easily applied to other crops. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Covering numbers of isotropic reproducing kernels on compact two‐point homogeneous spaces
Authors: Azevedo Douglas , Barbosa Victor S. 
Published: February 2017

AbstractIn this paper we present upper and lower estimates for the covering numbers of the unit ball of a reproducing kernel Hilbert space associated to a continuous isotropic kernel on a compact two‐point homogeneous space (CTPHS). These estimates are obtained from estimates on the decay of the Fourier–Jacobi coefficients of the kernel via applications of the Funk–Hecke formula and the Schoenberg series representation of an isotropic kernel on CTPHS and also by the use of cubature formulas on these spaces.
inhomogeneity mitigation in CEST using parallel transmission
Authors: Tse Desmond H.Y. , da Silva Nuno Andre , Poser Benedikt A. , Shah N. Jon 
Published: February 2017

PurposeIn order to benefit from the increased spectral bandwidth at ultrahigh field (UHF), the use of parallel transmission (pTx) to mitigate flip‐angle inhomogeneity in chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) imaging is investigated.Theory and MethodsA pTx basis pulse is homogenised by magnitude least‐squares (MLS) optimization and expanded to form a frequency‐selective saturation pulse for CEST. The pTx saturation pulse was simulated with a three‐pool Bloch‐McConnell equation to evaluate the impact of pTx on CEST contrast. In vivo CEST imaging performance (7 T) of the pTx saturation pulse and the standard Gaussian saturation in circularly polarized mode were compared. Two‐spokes pTx homogeneous excitation was used in all in vivo experiments to ensure fair comparison of the two saturation pulses. Magnetization transfer ratio and inverse Z‐spectrum analyses were used as metrics in evaluating the data from 3 healthy volunteers.ResultsBloch‐McConnell simulations showed that side bands of the pTx saturation pulse at ±20 ppm did not affect any CEST contrast. Improved homogeneity in contrasts and relaxation‐compensated CEST metrics were observed in our in vivo data when the pTx saturation pulse was used.ConclusionA pTx‐based pulsed CEST presaturation scheme is proposed and validated by simulations and 7T in vivo imaging. Magn Reson Med 78:2216–2225, 2017. © 2017 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.
Engineering Functions into Platinum and Platinum–Rhodium Nanoparticles in a One‐Step Microwave Irradiation Synthesis
Authors: Kalyva Maria , Wragg David S. , Fjellvåg Helmer , Sjåstad Anja O. 
Published: February 2017

AbstractPlatinum (Pt) and platinum–rhodium (PtRh) nanoparticles (NPs) are active catalysts for a range of important industrial reactions, and their response has been shown to be affected by size, morphology, composition, and architectural configuration. We report herein the engineering of these functionalities into NPs by suitably modifying our single‐step fabrication process by using microwave irradiation dielectric heating. NPs with different morphologies are acquired by manipulating the reaction kinetics with the concentration of the capping agent while keeping the reaction time constant. Pt@Rh core@shell octopod‐cube, Pt‐truncated‐cube, and cube and small‐sphere NPs having “near‐monodisperse” distributions and average sizes in the range of 4 to 18 nm are obtained. By increasing the microwave time the composition of Pt@Rh can be tuned, and NPs with a Rh‐rich shell and a tunable Pt100−xRhx (x≤41 at %) core are fabricated. Finally, alloy bimetallic PtRh NPs with controlled composition are designed by simultaneous tuning of the relative molar ratio of the metal precursors and the microwave irradiation time.
Traditional and complementary medicine used with curative intent in childhood cancer: A systematic review
Authors: Diorio Caroline , Salena Kristen , Ladas Elena J. , Lam Catherine G. , Afungcwhi Glenn M. , Njuguna Festus , Marjerrison Stacey 
Published: February 2017

AbstractTraditional and complementary medicine (T&CM) strategies are widely utilized in pediatric oncology, with many families reporting T&CM use with the intention to cure cancer. Study of T&CM agents presents many challenges, as a heterogeneous group of agents and techniques are used for a variety of different purpose in many different oncologic conditions. We present a systematic review of the literature examining published reports in which T&CM agents are used with an intention of cure. Twenty‐two reports were identified, with most reports being of poor quality. Novel paradigms are likely needed to further investigate T&CM agents.
Pelvis Ewing sarcoma: Local control and survival in the modern era
Authors: Ahmed Safia K. , Robinson Steven I. , Arndt Carola A. S. , Petersen Ivy A. , Haddock Michael G. , Rose Peter S. , Issa Laack Nadia N. 
Published: February 2017

AbstractPurposeLocal control for Ewing sarcoma (ES) has improved in modern studies. However, it is unclear if these gains have also been achieved for pelvis tumors. The purpose of this study is to evaluate local control and survival in pelvis ES patients treated in the modern era.MethodsAll pelvis ES patients diagnosed from 1990 to 2012 and seen at Mayo Clinic were identified. Factors relevant to survival and local control were analyzed.ResultsThe cohort consisted of 48 patients. Fifty‐two percent had metastatic disease at diagnosis. The 5‐year overall survival and event‐free survival was 73% and 65%, respectively, for localized disease. The 5‐year cumulative incidence of local recurrence was 19%, with a 26% incidence for radiation, 13% for surgery, and 0% for surgery + radiation (P = 0.54). All local failures occurred in‐field. Sacral involvement by tumor trended toward a higher incidence of local recurrence (hazard ratio 3.06, P = 0.09). Patients treated with definitive radiation doses ≥5,600 cGy had a lower incidence of local recurrence (17% vs. 28%, P = 0.61).ConclusionsOur study demonstrates excellent survival for localized tumors in the modern era. Anatomical localization within the pelvis likely correlates with outcomes. Local control remains problematic, especially for patients treated with definitive radiation. Though statistically not significant, surgery + radiation and definitive radiation dose ≥5,600 cGy were associated with the lowest incidence of local failure, suggesting treatment intensification may improve local control for pelvis ES.
Systematic analysis of residual density suggests that a major limitation in well‐refined X‐ray structures of proteins is the omission of ordered solvent
Authors: Wang Jimin 
Published: February 2017

AbstractIn the residual electron density map of a fully refined X‐ray protein model, there should be no peaks arising from modeling errors or missing atoms. Any residual peaks that do occur should be contributed by random residual intensity differences between the model and the data. If the model is incomplete (i.e., some atoms are missing), there will be more positive peaks than negative ones. On the other hand, if the model includes inappropriately located atoms, there will be an excess of negative peaks. In this study, random residual peaks are quantified using the probability density function P(x), which is defined as the probability for a peak having peak height between x and x + dx. It is found that P(x) is single‐exponential and symmetric for both positive and negative peaks. Thus, P(x) can be used to discriminate residual peaks contributed by random noise in complete models from residual peaks being attributable to modeling errors in incomplete models. For a number of representative structures in the PDB it is found that P(x) has far more large (greater than 5 sigma) positive peaks than large negative peaks. This excess of large positive peaks suggests that the main defect in these refined structures is the omission of ordered water molecules.
Distributed tracking control of uncertain mechanical systems with velocity constraints
Authors: Chen Chunyu , Dong Wenjie 
Published: February 2017

SummaryThis paper considers the leader‐following control problem of multiple mechanical systems with uncertainty and velocity constraints. So as to deal with the velocity constraints, a reduction procedure is applied to transform the model of each system to a cascaded system. With the aid of the cascade structure of each system and the properties of linear time‐varying systems, distributed robust feedback controllers are proposed such that the state of each follower system asymptotically converges to the state of a leader system with the aid of neighbors' information. So as to reduce the cost of the communication between systems, an event‐triggered leader‐following control problem is also considered, and event‐triggered distributed controllers are proposed. As an application of the proposed results, formation control of wheeled mobile robots is considered, and distributed controllers are obtained with the aid of the results in Theorems 1 and 2. Simulation results show the effectiveness of the proposed results. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Studies on Solution Behavior of Aqueous Mixtures of Nonionic Polymer in Presence of Cationic Surfactants
Authors: Sardar Najam , Kamil Mohammad , Kabir‐ud‐Din  
Published: February 2017

AbstractThe interactions of two gemini surfactants (16–s–16, s = 5, 6) and their conventional counterpart cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) with polyethylene glycols (PEG 3000 and PEG 35000) have been investigated using conductivity, steady state fluorescence, viscosity and TEM techniques. The results indicate that there is no interaction between the PEG 3000/CTAB complex at lower polymer concentrations. However, a very weak interaction is observed at higher concentrations (0.5 and 1.0 wt% PEG 3000), while PEG 3000 and PEG 35000 interact with the gemini surfactants. Both critical aggregation concentration (CAC) and critical micelle concentration (CMC) increases with polymer concentration but are independent of the polymer molecular weight. From steady state fluorescence it is found that the addition of PEG results in no drastic decrease in the aggregation number (N) for all surfactants. This suggests that the atmosphere surrounding the polyion‐bound micelles, with respect to the influence on the forces acting at the micelle surface, is equivalent to the counterion/water atmosphere surrounding free micelles. The relative viscosity (ηr) results show an enhancement in ηr for all the surfactants. The increase in ηr is quite significant with gemini surfactants. Polymer‐surfactant interaction also depends on the polymer molecular weight. Also, the interaction seems to affect both inter polymer–polymer association as well as chain expansion. Additionally the surfactant induced changes in the polymer conformation depicted by TEM study at the micro structural level confirmed previously observed interactions determined by different analytical techniques.
Is there a link between economic growth and insurance and banking sector activities in the G‐20 countries?
Authors: Pradhan Rudra P. , Arvin Mak B. , Nair Mahendhiran , Hall John H. , Gupta Atul 
Published: February 2017

AbstractRapid technological development over the last three decades has enabled different sectors of the economy to be seamlessly integrated. This has had an important spill‐over impact on the wealth of countries across the globe. In this paper we examine the inter‐linkages between the banking sector and the insurance industry on the economic growth of the G‐20 countries between 1980 and 2014. Using the vector auto‐regression model and the Granger causality test, the study shows that in the long run, developments in the banking sector and insurance industry have had a significant impact on the economic growth of the G‐20 countries. In the short term, the inter‐relationships between the three factors prove to be more complex in that they differ by countries in different stages of development. Based on the empirical findings, this paper discusses the policies and strategies policy makers and banks and insurance companies should have in place in order to create sustained economic growth in an increasingly inter‐connected world.
News and Comments
Authors: McClellan B. Edward 
Published: February 2017

Editor's reportAny report of this year's activity must begin with an acknowledgement of Bill Reese's central role. Every issue of 1995 has been put together by Bill, and several issues of next year will also bear his imprint. Over his seven years as editor, Bill Reese has set a high standard of editorial excellence. Under his leadership, the size of the Quarterly has increased markedly, as the number of articles, essay reviews, and book reviews has grown. In these same years, subscriptions and memberships have also increased steadily, which I take to be a measure of widespread approval of Bill's work. I am pleased that Bill will continue his affiliation with the Quarterly by serving as one of four associate editors.
Results of revision myringoplasty: are they different to those of primary myringoplasty?
Authors: Prinsley P 
Published: February 2017

AbstractAudit question:Does revision myringoplasty have worse outcomes than primary surgery?Methods:The International Otology Database has been used to record data on surgery for middle-ear disease in Norfolk, UK, over nine years. The data show the results of all myringoplasty cases and the results of revision cases. Outcome measures are perforation and hearing change. Comparison is made with benchmark centres of excellence.Results:A total of 611 operations included myringoplasty; 356 (58 per cent) of cases had a recorded follow up at 3 months. Twenty-nine patients (8.1 per cent) had a post-operative perforation. Benchmark centres performed 2319 operations; 1284 (55 per cent) of these had a follow up at 3 months, and 82 patients (6.4 per cent) had a perforation at follow up. Sixty-nine of the Norfolk patients were revision cases. Six of the 69 patients (8.7 per cent) had a perforation at follow up. The average hearing gain in the revision myringoplasty patients in Norfolk was 7 dB.Conclusion:The results of the revision myringoplasty cases are the same as those for the primary myringoplasty cases in this series.
A simple diagnostic scale based on the analysis and screening of clinical parameters in paediatric obstructive sleep apnoea hypopnea syndrome
Authors: Wu D , Li X , Guo X , Qin J , Li S 
Published: February 2017

AbstractObjective:This study aimed to develop a simple and accurate method to diagnose paediatric obstructive sleep apnoea hypopnea syndrome.Methods:A total of 311 children with suspected paediatric obstructive sleep apnoea hypopnea syndrome were included in the study. Multiple clinical parameters, including sex, age, body mass index, history of snoring or gasping, history of nasal obstruction, history of running nose, palatine tonsil size, adenoid to nasopharynx ratio, and tympanogram type, were compared with polysomnography results using relevant correlation and regression analyses. A diagnostic scale was established using the regression equation and the correlation between the polysomnography result and scale result was determined.Results:The apnoea–hypopnea index correlated significantly with a history of snoring or gasping, palatine tonsil size, and tympanogram type. Stepwise logistic regression analysis revealed that the polysomnography result correlated significantly with a history of snoring or gasping, palatine tonsil size, and the adenoid to nasopharynx ratio. The percentage correlation between the scale and polysomnography results was 77.8 per cent.Conclusion:The diagnostic scale can be used to diagnose paediatric obstructive sleep apnoea hypopnea syndrome for clinical application when polysomnography cannot be performed. However, it is not suitable for assessing the severity of paediatric obstructive sleep apnoea hypopnea syndrome.
High sedimentary oxygen consumption indicates that sewage input from small islands drives benthic community shifts on overfished reefs
Authors: FORD AMANDA K. , VAN HOYTEMA NANNE , MOORE BRADLEY R. , PANDIHAU LINA , WILD CHRISTIAN , FERSE SEBASTIAN C. A. 
Published: February 2017

SUMMARYSmall-island coral reef ecosystems are usually closely coupled to the activities of human inhabitants. Ahus Island (Papua New Guinea) is an isolated Pacific island with a rapidly growing population, heavy reliance on marine resources and limited infrastructure. We hypothesized that untreated sewage was driving distinct benthic assemblages around Ahus and neighbouring uninhabited Onetah. At sites with varying proximities to beach toilets, fore-reef herbivorous fish biomass and benthic composition were measured alongside reef-flat sedimentary oxygen consumption (SOC); a high SOC rate reflects high organic input into coastal waters, thus serving as a potential indicator of sewage input. Fish biomass was low (17.1–20.1 g m–2), but consistent between sites. However, cyanobacteria dominated the fore-reef closest to toilets (62 ± 3%) with highest reef-flat SOC, whereas hard corals dominated furthest away (63 ± 1%), where SOC was lowest. To our knowledge, this is the first study that used SOC to detect local differences in sewage pollution. The results indicate that whilst corals can maintain their dominance on overfished reefs, additional sewage stress may drive pronounced benthic shifts, highlighting the urgency to improve small-island waste management.
Investigation of stearic acid additive effects on the mechanochemical synthesis of silver nanoparticles
Authors: Khakan Behruz , Shahroozi Abbas , Afsari Ahmad , Hosseini Seyed Reza 
Published: February 2017

The silver (Ag) powder was synthesized in a mechanochemical (MC) process by inducing a solid-state displacement reaction between silver chloride (AgCl) and copper (Cu). This process was carried out in argon atmosphere conditions using a planetary ball mill. The reaction caused the mixture of AgCl and Cu to change the composition of the mixture to Ag and copper chloride (CuCl). CuCl was separated from MC product by leaching with ammonium hydroxide. Thus, Ag powder was obtained as the final product. Stearic acid (C18H36O2) was used as the additive to improve dispersion of Ag powder during the MC process. The ground powders, formed in the presence and absence of additive, were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The XRD determined that the reaction between AgCl and Cu was completed in 18 h milling. SEM and particle size analysis examinations revealed that the size of the particles in the synthesized metallic Ag powder was in the range of 30–300 nm.