bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Towards a new strategy of a chitosan‐based molecularly imprinted membrane for removal of 4‐nitrophenol in real water samples
Authors: Di Bello Maria Pia , Mergola Lucia , Scorrano Sonia , Del Sole Roberta 
Published: March 2017

AbstractThe issue of water contaminants, which affects human and environmental health, is not trivial. It is thus paramount to find new cheap and user friendly ways to detect and remove them from the environment. Here, the synthesis of a green chitosan (CS) based molecularly imprinted membrane for the detection and quantification of 4‐nitrophenol (4‐NO2Ph) in aqueous media is proposed. The concentration of 4‐NO2Ph in a water solution was measured by HPLC analysis. CS as a functional polymer, 4‐NO2Ph as template, 4‐[(4‐hydroxy)phenylazo]benzenesulfonic acid as ligand, and glutaraldehyde as crosslinker in the presence of polyethylene glycol as porogen were used. The membrane was characterized by SEM and Fourier transform IR analyses, which confirmed the CS and polyethylene glycol backbone of the membrane. Kinetic studies of the detection system were performed by using pseudo‐first‐order and pseudo‐second‐order models. Then, the binding efficiency between 195.33 µmol L−1 and 9235.55 µmol L−1 of 4‐NO2Ph was evaluated, finding a maximum adsorption of 723.25 µmol 4‐NO2Ph per gram of membrane consistent with the Qmax calculated from the Langmuir isotherm. The selectivity of the membrane versus three phenolic competitor molecules, sharing very similar molecular structure to 4‐NO2Ph, was demonstrated. Finally, the applicability of the membrane to real‐world samples was evaluated, by using drinking water spiked with 7.19 µmol L−1 of 4‐NO2Ph, obtaining a removal efficiency of 70.6%. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Characterization of structural and immunological properties of a fusion protein between flagellin from Salmonella and lumazine synthase from Brucella
Authors: Hiriart Y. , Rossi A. H. , Biedma M. E. , Errea A. J. , Moreno G. , Cayet D. , Rinaldi J. , Blancá B. , Sirard J. C. , Goldbaum F. , Berguer P. , Rumbo M. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractAiming to combine the flexibility of Brucella lumazine synthase (BLS) to adapt different protein domains in a decameric structure and the capacity of BLS and flagellin to enhance the immunogenicity of peptides that are linked to their structure, we generated a chimeric protein (BLS‐FliC131) by fusing flagellin from Salmonella in the N‐termini of BLS. The obtained protein was recognized by anti‐flagellin and anti‐BLS antibodies, keeping the oligomerization capacity of BLS, without affecting the folding of the monomeric protein components determined by circular dichroism. Furthermore, the thermal stability of each fusion partner is conserved, indicating that the interactions that participate in its folding are not affected by the genetic fusion. Besides, either in vitro or in vivo using TLR5‐deficient animals we could determine that BLS‐FliC131 retains the capacity of triggering TLR5. The humoral response against BLS elicited by BLS‐FliC131 was stronger than the one elicited by equimolar amounts of BLS + FliC. Since BLS scaffold allows the generation of hetero‐decameric structures, we expect that flagellin oligomerization on this protein scaffold will generate a new vaccine platform with enhanced capacity to activate immune responses.
Distributed attitude and translation consensus for networked rigid bodies based on unit dual quaternion
Authors: Wang Yinqiu , Yu Changbin 
Published: March 2017

SummaryThis paper provides unified solutions for distributed attitude and translation consensus problems for networked fully actuated rigid bodies under the fixed and undirected communication topology with the tool of unit dual quaternion. We investigate two kinds of consensus, that is, leaderless consensus and leader‐following consensus with a static leader. Firstly, the dynamics of rigid bodies are presented by unit dual quaternion. The control inputs of rigid bodies are also obtained from unit dual quaternion. Secondly, we propose a distributed consensus law in the form of dual quaternion to guarantee that the attitudes and translations of all rigid bodies reach consensus, respectively, without a leader. Thirdly, the leader‐following consensus problem with a static leader is studied. With the proposed leader‐following consensus law, the states of all rigid bodies converge to the corresponding states of the static leader, including the attitude and the translation. Finally, numerical examples are provided to validate the effectiveness of the theoretical results. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Evaluation of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
Authors: Fisichella P. Marco , Andolfi Ciro , Orthopoulos George 
Published: March 2017

AbstractIntroductionGastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) may present with heartburn, regurgitation, dysphagia, chronic cough, laryngitis, or even asthma. The clinical presentation of GERD is therefore varied and poses certain challenges to the physician, especially given the limitations of the diagnostic testing.DiscussionThe evaluation of patients with suspected GERD might be challenging. It is based on the evaluation of clinical features, objective evidence of reflux on diagnostic testing, correlation of symptoms with episodes of reflux, evaluation of anatomical abnormalities, and excluding other causes that might account for the presence of the patient’s symptoms.ConclusionsThe diagnostic evaluation should include multiple tests, in addition to a thorough clinical examination.
Ljusternik–Schnirelmann theory on $C^1$-manifolds
Authors: Szulkin Andrzej 
Published: March 2017

Let

\mathrm M

be a complete Finsler manifold of class

\mathrm C^1

. It is shown that if

\mathrm M

contains a compact subset of category

k

(in

\mathrm M

), then each function

f \in \mathrm{C}^{1}\left(\mathrm{M},\:ℝ\right)

which is bounded below and satisfies the Palais–Smale condition must necessarily have

k

critical points. This should be compared with the known result that

f

has at least

\mathrm{cat}(\mathrm M)

critical points provided

\mathrm M

is of class

\mathrm C^2

. An application is given to an eigenvalue problem for a quasilinear differential equation involving the

p

-Laplacian

−\mathrm{div}(|∇u|^{p−2}∇u)

,

1 < p < ∞

.

Résumé

Soit

\mathrm M

une variété de Finsler complète de classe

\mathrm C^1

. On démontre que si

\mathrm M

contient un sous-ensemble compacte de catégorie

k

(dans

\mathrm M

), alors toute fonction

f \in \mathrm{C}^{1}(\mathrm{M},\:ℝ)

qui est bornée inférieurement et satisfait à la condition de Palais–Smale doit nécessairement avoir

k

point critique. Ce résultat est à rapprocher du théorème connu selon lequel

f

a au moins

\mathrm{cat}(\mathrm M)

point critique lorsque

\mathrm M

est de classe

\mathrm C^2

. On donne une application à un problème de valeur propre pour une équation différentielle quasi-linéaire faisant intervenir le

p

-Laplacien

−\mathrm{div}(|∇u|^{p−2}∇u)

,

1 < p < ∞

.
The porous medium equation as a finite-speed approximation to a Hamilton-Jacobi equation
Authors: Aronson D.G. , Vazquez J.L. 
Published: March 2017

It is known that solutions of the porous medium equation

u_t = (u^m)_{xx}

converge to solutions of the heat equation

u_t = u_{xx}

as

m ↓ 1

if the initial datum

u(x, 0)

is kept fixed. For porous medium flow

u

represents a suitably scaled density and

v = mu^{m − 1}/(m − 1)

represents the pressure. We prove that

v

converges to a solution of the Hamilton–Jacobi equation

v_t = (v_x)^2

as

m ↓ 1

if

v(x, 0)

is fixed. Moreover, if

v(x, 0)

has compact support the interface for the porous medium equation tends to the interface for the latter equation. The limit

m ↑ 1

is also discussed. In this fast-diffusion case no interfaces appear.

Résumé

On sait que les solutions de l’equation des milieux poreux

u_t = (u^m)_{xx}

convergent quand

m ↓ 1

vers des solutions de l’équation de la chaleur

u_t = u_{xx}

si l’on fixe la donnée initiale

u(x, 0)

. Comme modèle de l’écoulement d’un gaz dans un milieu poreux

u

représente la densité et

v = mu^{m − 1}/(m − 1)

est la pression. Nous démontrons que

v

converge quand

m ↓ 1

vers une solution de l’équation de Hamilton–Jacobi

v_t = (v_x)^2

si

v(x, 0)

reste fixée. Si en plus

v(x, 0)

est à support compact alors l’interface de la solution de l’équation des milieux poreux tend vers celle correspondant à

v_t = (v_x)^2

. On discute aussi le cas de diffusion rapide

m ↑ 1

où il n’y a pas d’interfaces.
Large scale oscillatory behaviour in loaded asymmetric systems
Authors: Lazer A.C. , Mckenna P.J. 
Published: March 2017

We consider equations

u'' + g(u) = s(\mathbf 1 + ε h(t))

, where

s ≠ 0

is a constant,

ε

a small parameter,

h(t)

a

2π

-periodic function, and

g'(−∞) ≠ g'(+∞)

. According to the values of

g'(+∞)

and

g'(−∞)

, we show that there exist many

2π

-periodic solutions, the amplitude which are close to

s

.

Résumé

On considère des équations du type

u'' + g(u) = s(\mathbf 1 + ε h(t))

, où

s ≠ 0

est une constante,

ε

un petit paramètre,

h(t)

une fonction

2π

-périodique, et où la fonction

g

vérifie

g'(-∞) ≠ g'(+∞)

. Suivant les valeurs de

g'(+∞)

et

g'(-∞)

, on montre l’existence d’un grand nombre de solutions

2π

-périodiques d’amplitude voisine de

s

.
A Process Model of Dynamic Capability Development: Evidence from the Chinese Manufacturing Sector
Authors: Zeng Jing , Simpson Colin , Dang Binh-Le 
Published: March 2017

ABSTRACTBased on longitudinal case studies of manufacturing strategy and implementation at two Chinese manufacturing firms, this paper investigates how these firms develop, manage, and deploy dynamic capabilities to renew their resource bases in order to respond to the operational challenges associated with radical technological development. Our analysis suggests that dynamic capability development is not simply about renewing one specific type of capability, but rather, it is a meta-capability to learn how to repeatedly renew the firm's overall capability set as a fully integrated package. We further highlight the importance of looking beyond the property of the firm to understand the network level of capability development, including the capabilities of the firm's partners. This is particularly salient in the context of smart manufacturing where a high level of connectivity among a broader network of partners is required to reap the benefits generated by new technological advances. Our findings provide an important contribution to our knowledge of dynamic capability development in emerging economies in the era of digitalized manufacturing.
Head Injuries in Skiers and Snowboarders in British Columbia
Authors: Hentschel Stephen , Hader Walter , Boyd Michael 
Published: March 2017

ABSTRACT:Background:At the Vancouver General Hospital Neurosurgical Service there have been a significant number of seriously brain injured snowboarders, seemingly out of proportion to the number of skiers. The purpose of this study was to determine whether snowboarders suffered more serious head injuries than skiers in the Vancouver catchment area.Methods:The British Columbia Trauma Registry was searched for patients incurring head injuries while skiing or snowboarding on British Columbia mountains during the period from January 1992 to December 1997. Patients were included if they were admitted to hospital and underwent neurosurgical consultation.Results:A total of 40 skiers and 14 snowboarders met the above criteria. Of the skiers, 15% sustained a severe head injury by Glasgow Coma Score, another 30% sustaining moderate head injuries, while 29% of snowboarders had a severe injury and 36% a moderate injury. A concussion was present in 60% of the skiers and 21% of the snowboarders. Snowboarders suffered an intracranial hemorrhage in 71% of the cases compared to 28% of the skiers. A craniotomy was performed acutely in 10% of skiers and in 29% of snowboarders. Three deaths occurred as a direct result of head injury, one while snowboarding. All but one of the surviving skiers were able to return home, whereas four of 13 surviving snowboarders required additional inpatient rehabilitation or transfer to another acute hospital for ongoing care.Conclusions:Snowboarders suffer more significant head injuries compared to skiers in this series and are much more likely than skiers to require an intracranial procedure. In our opinion, this indicates that additional safety measures, in particular the use of mandatory helmets, should be considered by ski areas and their patrons.
Gait Analysis in Advanced Parkinson's Disease – Effect of Levodopa and Tolcapone
Authors: Shan Din-E , Lee Shwn-Jen , Chao Ling-Yi , Yeh Shyh-Ing 
Published: March 2017

ABSTRACT:Objective:To determine the therapeutic effect of levodopa/benserazide and tolcapone on gait in patients with advanced Parkinson's disease.Methods:Instrumental gait analysis was performed in 38 out of 40 patients with wearing-off phenomenon during a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of tolcapone.Results:Gait analysis disclosed a significant improvement by levodopa/benserazide in walking speed, stride length and the range of motion of hip, knee and ankle joints. At the end of the study, both the UPDRS motor scores during off-period and the percentage of off time improved significantly using tolcapone. However, gait analysis could not confirm this improvement. With respect to levodopa/benserazide effect, the reduction in rigidity correlated with improved angular excursion of the ankle, whereas the decreased bradykinesia correlated with improved stride length and angular excursion of the hip and knee joints.Conclusion:The results of our gait analysis confirmed that in parkinsonian patients with fluctuating motor symptoms levodopa/benserazide, but not tolcapone, produced a substantial improvement.
Wernicke's Encephalopathy Following Gastroplasty for Morbid Obesity
Authors: Toth Cory , Voll Chris 
Published: March 2017

ABSTRACT:Background:The syndrome of Wernicke's encephalopathy consists of two of four features of (1) dietary deficiency; (2) oculomotor abnormality; (3) cerebellar dysfunction; and (4) confusion or mild memory impairment. Predisposing risk factors include alcoholism, hyperemesis gravidarum and prolonged intravenous feeding.Methods:A 35-year-old female developed refractory emesis, severe weight loss, and hypokalemia following banded gastroplasty for morbid obesity. Reversal of gastroplasty was performed four months following initial surgery. Following reversal, the patient developed confusion, ataxia, leg weakness and nystagmus.Results:Examination of the patient demonstrated disorientation with confusion, vertical nystagmus worse on downgaze, diffuse weakness of the lower extremities, and bilateral dysmetria. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain demonstrated symmetrical areas of increased T2 signal present bilaterally in the medial thalamic nuclei. The patient did not demonstrate any initial improvement with intravenous thiamine but improved over two months of follow-up.Conclusion:Wernicke's encephalopathy has been reported in the European literature as a complication of gastroplasty, with rare recognition of this clinical entity in the North American literature. This potential complication of gastroplasty may be preventable by nutritional intervention in subjects experiencing severe weight loss and emesis following surgery.
The Pediatric Neurologist as Expert Witness with Particular Reference to Perinatal Asphyxia
Authors: Shevell Michael I. 
Published: March 2017

ABSTRACT:The frequency of litigation related to alleged medical malpractice is increasing in Canada. For the neurologist, involvement in such litigation most often takes place in the context of acting as an expert witness and, for the pediatric neurologist, the most common clinical situation for which expertise is requested is that of possible perinatal asphyxia. The medical expert's primary role is to provide necessary guidance and assistance to the court, which may permit the rendering of decisions that are scientifically valid. This article will review the attributes of the medical expert witness. Aspects of perinatal asphyxia cases under litigation that commonly require the assistance of pediatric neurology expertise such as etiology, timing, extent of disability and life expectancy will also be reviewed in detail. The aim is to provide for the neurologist a clearer understanding of the responsibilities inherent in this increasing professional role.
Modified Brooks PosteriorWiring Technique for Three-Point C1-C2 Arthrodesis
Authors: Vecil Giacomo G. , Chan Clayton F.G. , Hurlbert R. John 
Published: March 2017

ABSTRACT:Background:The optimal surgical treatment of atlanto-axial instability remains controversial despite the variety of modifications and supplemental techniques currently available.Methods:We describe a modification of the Brooks posterior wiring technique supplemented with transarticular screws for C1-C2 instability.Results:This method has been implemented in 30 patients in our institution with no radiological failures.Conclusions:The modification provides several technical advantages and potentially stronger fixation compared to methods currently in use.
A Case-Control Study of Parkinson's Disease in Urban Population of Southern Israel
Authors: Herishanu Yuval O. , Medvedovski Mordechai , Goldsmith John R. , Kordysh Ella 
Published: March 2017

ABSTRACT:Background:In recent years, an increased prevalence of Parkinson's disease (PD) in southern Israel was observed. The aim of this study was to determine which exposures are associated with PD in the urban population of this region.Methods:Ninety-three PD patients living in towns were compared to 93 age and sex matched controls. A previously validated questionnaire, including demographic data, education, data on exposures, previous diseases, family history and habits, was administered.Results:In multivariate logistic regression analysis, it was found that history of work in construction sites was the strongest predictor of PD risk, followed by exposure to pesticides. In contrast, there was a negative association with smoking and history of mechanical factory employment. When the same statistical analysis was limited to association of PD with smoking, pesticides and construction work, the latter was found to be the strongest risk factor.Conclusion:The risk factors for PD in this population are work on a construction site and exposure to pesticides.
Subacute Femoral Compressive Neuropathy from Iliacus Compartment Hematoma
Authors: Pirouzmand Farhad , Midha Rajiv 
Published: March 2017

ABSTRACT:Background:Traumatic retroperitoneal hematoma in the iliacus muscle is an unusual but potentially serious cause of femoral compression neuropathy.Case report:We describe the clinical, imaging, and management features of a case of traumatic iliacus retroperitoneal hematoma with delayed manifestation of femoral neuropathy.Discussion:The anatomical substrate for hematoma formation with subacute compression of the femoral nerve is emphasized. A subacute compartment syndrome with progressive edema, swelling and ischemia of iliacus compartment is suggested as the underlying cause. Early fasciotomy with or without hematoma evacuation should be considered in order to provide rapid decompression and to minimize the chance of permanent nerve injury.
Genetic and regulatory mechanism of susceptibility to high-hyperdiploid acute lymphoblastic leukaemia at 10q21.2
Authors: Studd James B. , Vijayakrishnan Jayaram , Yang Minjun , Migliorini Gabriele , Paulsson Kajsa , Houlston Richard S. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractDespite high-hyperdiploid acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (HD-ALL) being the most common subgroup of paediatric ALL, its aetiology remains unknown. Genome-wide association studies have demonstrated association at 10q21.2. Here, we sought to determine how this region influences HD-ALL risk. We impute genotypes across the locus, finding the single nucleotide polymorphism rs7090445 highly associated with HD-ALL (P=1.54 × 10−38), and residing in a predicted enhancer element. We show this region physically interacts with the transcription start site of ARID5B, that alleles of rs7090445 have differential enhancer activity and influence RUNX3 binding. RUNX3 knock-down reduces ARID5B expression and rs7090445 enhancer activity. Individuals carrying the rs7090445-C risk allele also have reduced ARID5B expression. Finally, the rs7090445-C risk allele is preferentially retained in HD-ALL blasts consistent with inherited genetic variation contributing to arrest of normal lymphocyte development, facilitating leukaemic clonal expansion. These data provide evidence for a biological mechanism underlying hereditary risk of HD-ALL at 10q21.2.
Conductive porous vanadium nitride/graphene composite as chemical anchor of polysulfides for lithium-sulfur batteries
Authors: Sun Zhenhua , Zhang Jingqi , Yin Lichang , Hu Guangjian , Fang Ruopian , Cheng Hui-Ming , Li Feng 
Published: March 2017

AbstractAlthough the rechargeable lithium–sulfur battery is an advanced energy storage system, its practical implementation has been impeded by many issues, in particular the shuttle effect causing rapid capacity fade and low Coulombic efficiency. Herein, we report a conductive porous vanadium nitride nanoribbon/graphene composite accommodating the catholyte as the cathode of a lithium–sulfur battery. The vanadium nitride/graphene composite provides strong anchoring for polysulfides and fast polysulfide conversion. The anchoring effect of vanadium nitride is confirmed by experimental and theoretical results. Owing to the high conductivity of vanadium nitride, the composite cathode exhibits lower polarization and faster redox reaction kinetics than a reduced graphene oxide cathode, showing good rate and cycling performances. The initial capacity reaches 1,471 mAh g−1 and the capacity after 100 cycles is 1,252 mAh g−1 at 0.2 C, a loss of only 15%, offering a potential for use in high energy lithium–sulfur batteries.
Rational design of inducible CRISPR guide RNAs for de novo assembly of transcriptional programs
Authors: Ferry Quentin R. V. , Lyutova Radostina , Fulga Tudor A. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractCRISPR-based transcription regulators (CRISPR-TRs) have transformed the current synthetic biology landscape by allowing specific activation or repression of any target gene. Here we report a modular and versatile framework enabling rapid implementation of inducible CRISPR-TRs in mammalian cells. This strategy relies on the design of a spacer-blocking hairpin (SBH) structure at the 5′ end of the single guide RNA (sgRNA), which abrogates the function of CRISPR-transcriptional activators. By replacing the SBH loop with ligand-controlled RNA-cleaving units, we demonstrate conditional activation of quiescent sgRNAs programmed to respond to genetically encoded or externally delivered triggers. We use this system to couple multiple synthetic and endogenous target genes with specific inducers, and assemble gene regulatory modules demonstrating parallel and orthogonal transcriptional programs. We anticipate that this ‘plug and play’ approach will be a valuable addition to the synthetic biology toolkit, facilitating the understanding of natural gene circuits and the design of cell-based therapeutic strategies.