bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Preparation and properties of soybean oil–based curing agents for epoxy resin
Authors: Zhang Hui , Yang Liting , Li Yantao , Tang Zijian , Zheng Zhihuan , Zhang Li 
Published: January 2017

ABSTRACTIn order to improve the flexibility properties of conventional epoxy resin, two novel soybean oil–based curing agents were synthesized. The curing agent obtained from the reaction between epoxy soybean oil and ethylene diamine was named EEDA, and another curing agent derived from epoxy soybean oil and isophorone diamine was named EIPDA. Several techniques were used to systematically investigate the effects of the structure and content of the two curing agents on the properties of the cured products. The Fourier transform infrared analysis demonstrated that epoxy resin reacted with soybean oil–based curing agents. The differential scanning calorimetry analysis showed that the curing process between diglycidyl ether of bisphenol‐A (DGEBA) and soybean oil–based curing agents only had an exothermic peak. Thermogravimetric analysis indicated that the cured DGEBA/EIPDA system was more stable than the DGEBA/EEDA system below 300 °C. Mechanical tests and Shore D hardness tests suggested that excessive EEDA greatly enhanced the toughness of cured products because of the introduction of aliphatic chains.© 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017, 134, 44754.
Impact of substrate geometry on electrospun fiber deposition and alignment
Authors: Wang Baolin , Zhou Wenyan , Chang Ming‐Wei , Ahmad Zeeshan , Li Jing‐Song 
Published: January 2017

ABSTRACTAligned, uniform fiber matrixes are highly desirable in numerous engineering and physical science applications. Here, modified electrospinning (ES) deposition substrates (paired and in parallel) are explored to achieve rapid preparation of multiple topographies. Three ES substrates with well‐defined geometries (rectangular, concave, and E‐shaped) were investigated (arranged in parallel) for their impact on fiber size, morphology, orientation, and cell behavior. The results indicate fiber alignment and orientation can be improved and modulated based on the substrate geometry. In addition, altering the interdistance space between various parallel substrates has a clear impact on fiber diameter size and alignment (random, aligned, and perpendicular orientation). Electric field simulations based on substrate geometries show greater probable regions of aligned electric field vectors and distribution, which indicates the most likely deposition attributes of electrospun PCL fibers. Fibrous PCL membranes were biocompatible, and cell growth and guidance were along the fiber path, with evidence of branching at intersecting fibers for multiaxial fibrous topographies. These findings show that the substrate geometry can be optimized to effectively assemble multiaxial layered and well‐aligned fibers in a controlled fashion, which is ideal to support several application developments dependent on fiber topography, integrity, and morphology. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017, 134, 44823.
Identification of highly selective MMP‐14 inhibitory Fabs by deep sequencing
Authors: Lopez Tyler , Nam Dong Hyun , Kaihara Evan , Mustafa Zahid , Ge Xin 
Published: January 2017

ABSTRACTMatrix metalloproteinase (MMP)‐14 is an important target for cancer treatment due to its critical roles in tumor invasion and metastasis. Previous failures of all compound‐based broad‐spectrum MMP inhibitors in clinical trials suggest that selectivity is the key for a successful therapy. With inherent high specificity, monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) therefore arise as attractive inhibitors able to target the particular MMP of interest. As a routine screening method, enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) have been applied to panned phage libraries for the isolation of mAbs inhibiting MMP‐14. However, because of suboptimal growth conditions and insufficient antibody expression associated with monoclonal ELISA, a considerable number of potentially inhibitory clones might not be identified. Taking advantage of next‐generation sequencing (NGS), we monitored enrichment profiles of millions of antibody clones along three rounds of phage panning, and identified 20 Fab inhibitors of MMP‐14 with inhibition IC50 values of 10–4,000 nM. Among these inhibitory Fabs, 15 were not found by monoclonal phage ELISA. Particularly, Fab R2C7 exhibited an inhibition potency of 100 nM with an excellent selectivity to MMP‐14 over MMP‐9. Inhibition kinetics and epitope mapping suggested that as a competitive inhibitor, R2C7 directly bound to the vicinity of the MMP‐14 catalytic site. This study demonstrates that deep sequencing is a powerful tool to facilitate the systematic discovery of mAbs with protease inhibition functions. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2017;114: 1140–1150. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Liquid chromatography high resolution mass spectrometry for the determination of baclofen and its metabolites in plasma: Application to therapeutic drug monitoring
Authors: Labat Laurence , Goncalves Antonio , Marques Ana Rita , Duretz Bénédicte , Granger Bernard , Declèves Xavier 
Published: January 2017

AbstractBaclofen is used to manage alcohol dependence. This study describes a simple method using liquid chromatography coupled to high‐resolution mass spectrometry (LC‐HR‐MS) developed in plasma samples. This method was optimized to allow quantification of baclofen and determination of metabolic ratio of its metabolites, an oxidative deaminated metabolite of baclofen (M1) and its glucuronide form (M2). The LC‐HR‐MS method on Exactive® apparatus is a newly developed method with all the advantages of high resolution in full‐scan mode for the quantification of baclofen and detection of its metabolites in plasma. The present assay provides a protein precipitation method starting with 100 μL plasma giving a wide polynomial dynamic range (R2 > 0.999) between 10 and 2000 ng/mL and a lower limit of quantitation of 3 ng/mL for baclofen. Intra‐ and inter‐day precisions were <8.1% and accuracies were between 91.2 and 103.3% for baclofen. No matrix effect was observed. The assay was successfully applied to 36 patients following baclofen administration. Plasma concentrations of baclofen were determined between 12.2 and 1399.9 ng/mL and metabolic ratios were estimated between 0.4 and 81.8% for M1 metabolite and on the order of 0.3% for M2 in two samples.
An Exceptionally Selective DNA Cooperatively Binding Two Ca2+ Ions
Authors: Zhou Wenhu , Saran Runjhun , Huang Po‐Jung Jimmy , Ding Jinsong , Liu Juewen 
Published: January 2017

AbstractCa2+ is a highly important metal ion in biology and in the environment, and thus there is extensive work in developing sensors for Ca2+ detection. Although many Ca2+‐binding proteins are known, few nucleic acids can selectively bind Ca2+. DNA‐based biosensors are attractive for their high stability and excellent programmability. We report a RNA‐cleaving DNAzyme, EtNa, cooperatively binding two Ca2+ ions but to only one Mg2+. Four DNAzymes with known Ca2+‐dependent activity were compared, and the EtNa had the best selectivity for Ca2+. The EtNa is 90 times more active in Ca2+ than in Mg2+. Phosphorothioate (PS) modification showed that both non‐bridging oxygen atoms at the scissile phosphate contribute equally to Ca2+ binding. The pH–rate profile suggests two concurrent deprotonation reactions. EtNa was further engineered for Ca2+ sensing, and found to have a detection limit of 17 μm Ca2+ and excellent selectivity. The detection of Ca2+ in tap water was performed, and the result was comparable with that by ICP‐MS. This study offers new fundamental insights into Ca2+ binding by nucleic acids and improved metal selectivity by having multiple cooperative metal binding sites.
Dense Semi‐Clathrates at High Pressure: A Study of the Water–tert‐Butylamine System
Authors: Granero‐García Rubén , Falenty Andrzej , Fabbiani Francesca P. A. 
Published: January 2017

AbstractIn situ high‐pressure crystallization and diffraction techniques have been applied to obtain two very structurally distinct semi‐clathrates of the tert‐butylamine–water system with hydration numbers 5.65 and 5.8, respectively, thereby considerably reducing a notable hydration gap between the monohydrate and the 7
‐hydrate that results when crystallization space is explored by temperature alone. Both structures can be considered as an intriguing solid‐state example of hydrophobic hydration, in which the water network creates wide tert‐butylamine‐filled channels stabilized by cross‐linking hydrogen bonds. The existence of interconnected channels might also add low hydration structures to a list of potential targets for hydrogen storage. A detailed analysis of the topology of host water and host–guest interactions is reported and extended to those of other hydrates of the compound. This analysis offers new insight into properties of the tert‐butylamine–water system and provides some clues as to the occurrence of the sizable number of hydrates of this compound.
Rückgewinnung von Gadolinium aus pharmazeutischen Abwässern mittels gepulster elektrischer Entladung
Authors: Lorenz Tom , Seifert Martin , Jacob‐Seifert Karin , Fröhlich Peter 
Published: January 2017

AbstractAdvanced Oxidation Process (AOP) steht für eine In‐situ‐Oxidation, bei der reaktive Sauerstoffspezies durch eine Folge gepulster Plasmaentladungen im wässrigen Medium erzeugt werden. Im Gegensatz zu Verfahren bei denen Ozon durch äußere UV‐Strahler generiert wird, eignet sich der AOP auch für trübe Medien. Aktuell wird der AOP zur Reinigung von chemisch belasteten Abwässern eingesetzt. In dieser Arbeit dient der AOP zum partiellen Abbau des organischen Ligandensystems eines gadoliniumhaltigen Röntgenkontrastmittels, um Gadolinium im Folgeschritt durch Zugabe von Natronlauge mit einem Fällungsgrad > 99 % abzutrennen.
Bedeutung des EU Kreislaufwirtschaftspakets für das Metallrecycling
Authors: Hagelüken Christian 
Published: January 2017

AbstractAus der Perspektive des Metallrecyclings werden die Herausforderungen des nachhaltigen Stoffstrom‐Managements im Kontext des aktuellen Kreislaufwirtschaftspakets der EU analysiert. Die Untersuchung der Recyclingtreiber zeigt die Schlüsselrolle der gesetzlichen Rahmenbedingungen für die Kreislaufschließung von Edel‐ und Sondermetallen in Konsumprodukten. Besondere Herausforderungen für ein effizientes und umweltgerechtes Recycling werden am Beispiel von Elektronikschrott herausgearbeitet. Hier ist die Etablierung von verpflichtenden Verfahrensstandards und Zertifizierungssystemen wichtig, um hohe Metallausbeuten im fairen Wettbewerb zu erzielen.
Unconventional Coupling between Ligand Recognition and Allosteric Control in the Multidrug Resistance Gene Regulator, BmrR
Authors: Bachas Sharrol , Kohrs Bryan , Wade Herschel 
Published: January 2017

AbstractBmrR is a multidrug resistance (MDR) regulator that responds to diverse ligands. To obtain insight into signal recognition, allosteric control, and cooperativity, we used a quantitative in vitro transcription assay to determine the ligand‐dependent activation profiles for a diverse set of cations, zwitterions, and uncharged ligands. As for many other biological switch systems, the data are well described by a modified Hill equation. Parameters extracted from curve fits to the data include L50, RMAX and N. We found that L50 values correlate directly with ΔGBIND values, suggesting that the parameter reflects binding, whereas RMAX and N reflect allosteric control and cooperativity, respectively. Our results suggest unconventional coupling between ligand binding and allosteric control, with weakly interacting ligands exhibiting the highest levels of activation. Such properties are in stark contrast to those often exhibited by biological switch proteins, whereby ligand binding and allostery are tightly coupled, yielding both high selectivity and ultrasensitivity. We propose that weakened coupling, as observed for BmrR, may be important for providing robust activation responses to unrelated ligands. We also propose that other MDR proteins and other polyspecific switch systems will show similar features.
A decentralized redundancy generation scheme for codes with locality in distributed storage systems
Authors: Pei Xiaoqiang , Wang Yijie , Ma Xingkong , Xu Fangliang 
Published: January 2017

SummaryThe increasing data volume in a large number of applications presents a dire need for supporting the reliable data management in distributed storage systems. Existing classical erasure codes, such as the Reed‐Solomon codes and locally reconstruction codes, are widely adopted by many distributed storage systems. However, existing researches mainly focus on proposing new optimized codes, ignoring the optimization of the encoding process with the classical codes, where inefficient encoding process greatly degrades the encoding performance of the distributed storage systems. Thus, how to complete the encoding process in an efficient way has become the challenge for adopting the classical codes. In this paper, we propose a decentralized redundancy generation scheme on the basis of the codes with locality, called D2CP, where a 2‐step framework is proposed to support both the data patterns (replication to encoding and direct encoding) and codes with locality with any parameter set. For improving the insertion throughput, D2CP adopts a data placement technique with consistent hashing to guide the selection of nodes. For reducing the network traffic cost, D2CP adopts a data sending scheduling technique to schedule the transmission of the source nodes and a cooperative parity generation technique to generate the parity data cooperatively. To evaluate the performance of D2CP, we conduct experiments on our RAID distributed storage system under various parameter settings with both 30 physical and 200 virtual servers. Extensive experiments confirm that D2CP can improve the encoding throughput by 20% and 32% and reduce the network traffic cost by 16% and 33% compared with the typical approaches on average for the 2 data patterns respectively.
Torrefaction assessment and kinetics of deoiled karanja seed cake
Authors: Kotaiah Naik D. , Shuaib Ahmed M. , Aniya Vineet , Parthasarathy R. , Satyavathi B. 
Published: January 2017

This study demonstrated the efficiency of torrefaction process in upgrading the efficiency of lignocellulosic bioresource, deoiled Karanja seed cake. Torrefaction was carried out at different temperatures within the residence time ranging from 10 to 90 min. Elemental analysis clearly shows that there is a significant reduction in H/C and O/C ratio. The mass loss was found to be higher than that of carbon loss which eventually leads to the energy densification. For an average weight loss of 30–35%, the HHV was found in the range of 19.5–21.5 MJ/kg and the total energy that remained in the fuel was around 80–85%. Torrefaction kinetics of karanja deoiled cake was followed to study the thermochemical decomposition and global one step reaction mechanism gave the best representation of the data. The kinetic model proposed provides the recommendations for industrial torrefaction process conditions, remarkably the operating temperature and residence time. The activation energies and pre‐exponential factors for thermal degradation, charification, and volatilization were calculated to be 10.55, 30.39, and 3.16 kJ/mol and 0.341, 8.728, and 0.446 min−1, respectively. © 2017 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 36: 758–765, 2017
Big Five personality characteristics are associated with depression subtypes and symptom dimensions of depression in older adults
Authors: Koorevaar A.M.L. , Hegeman J.M. , Lamers F. , Dhondt A.D.F. , van der Mast R.C. , Stek M.L. , Comijs H.C. 
Published: January 2017

ObjectiveThis study examined the associations of personality characteristics with both subtypes and symptom dimensions of depression in older adults.MethodsThree hundred and seventy‐eight depressed older adults participated in the Netherlands Study of Depression in Older Persons. Personality characteristics were assessed by the NEO‐Five Factor Inventory. Subtypes and symptom dimensions of depression were determined using the Composite International Diagnostic Interview and the Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology (IDS). Multinomial logistic regression analyses were performed to examine the associations between personality and atypical, melancholic, and unspecified subtypes of major depression. Linear regression analyses examined the associations between personality and the IDS mood, somatic, and motivation symptom dimensions. The analyses were adjusted for confounders and additionally adjusted for depression severity.ResultsNeuroticism, Extraversion, Conscientiousness, and Agreeableness were associated with specified (atypical or melancholic) major depression compared with unspecified major depression in the bivariate analyses but lost their significance after adjustments for functional limitations and severity of depression. Neuroticism was positively associated with the IDS mood and motivation symptom dimensions, also in the adjusted models. Further, Extraversion and Agreeableness were negatively associated with the IDS mood symptom dimension, and Extraversion and Conscientiousness were negatively associated with the IDS motivation symptom dimension. None was associated with the IDS somatic symptom dimension.ConclusionsThis study demonstrated the association of personality characteristics with mood and motivational symptoms of late‐life depression. The lacking ability of personality to differentiate between melancholic and atypical depression seems to be largely explained by severity of depressive symptoms. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A review of the preventability of maternal mortality in one hospital system in Louisiana, USA
Authors: Morong James J. , Martin Jane K. , Ware Robert S. , Robichaux Alfred G. 
Published: January 2017

AbstractObjectiveTo determine preventability of in‐hospital maternal mortality in the Ochsner Health System (OHS) in the US state of Louisiana.MethodsA retrospective study was undertaken of all known cases of in‐hospital maternal death (during pregnancy or within 42 days of termination) that occurred within OHS facilities in 1995–2013. Associations between characteristics and mortality and preventability were investigated. Incidence rate ratios (IRRs) were calculated in view of varying reference values.ResultsAmong 16 eligible deaths, 12 (75%) were deemed potentially preventable. The incidences of overall and preventable maternal death were higher if the patient had late entry to prenatal care (IRR 6.3 [P=0.004] and 8.8 [P=0.004], respectively). Maternal mortality was increased if the patient had required transfer to the OHS (IRR 15.8 [P<0.001] overall and 15.8 [P=0.002] for preventable mortality). Deaths of patients with private insurance were more likely to be not preventable than were those of patients without such insurance (P=0.003). Uninsured patients had the highest MMR, with an IRR of 13.8 (P=0.014) when compared with Medicaid patients.ConclusionThe factors most predictive of mortality were late entry to prenatal care, critical status requiring transfer from an outside facility, and non‐private insurance status.
Overview of the benefits and potential issues of the nonavalent HPV vaccine
Authors: Mariani Luciano , Preti Mario , Cristoforoni Paolo , Stigliano Carlo M. , Perino Antonio 
Published: January 2017

AbstractHPV‐related diseases affect anogenital and oropharyngeal regions, heavily affecting the psychosexual dimension of both male and female individuals. HPV vaccination programs based on a bivalent or quadrivalent vaccine have opened broad perspectives for primary prevention. A nonavalent HPV vaccine (9vHPV), covering nine genotypes (HPV6, HPV11, HPV16, HPV18, HPV31, HPV33, HPV45, HPV52, and HPV58), might provide further improvement in terms of direct protection. In the present report, efficacy and safety data from 9vHPV vaccine development programs are examined. Efficacy data come from a pivotal trial, which was conducted among women aged 16–26 years randomly assigned to receive either the 9vHPV or the quadrivalent HPV (4vHPV) vaccine. The 9vHPV vaccine was shown to have potential benefits as compared with 4vHPV, increasing the overall estimated rate of prevention to 90% for cervical cancer and up to 80% for precancerous cervical lesions. For all other HPV‐related pre‐invasive and invasive lesions, 9vHPV showed potentially greater disease reduction, depending on the anatomic region examined. Thus, the 9vHPV vaccine shows clinical potential for the prevention of HPV‐related diseases in both sexes. Future adoption of 9vHPV will depend on factors including market price, cost‐effectiveness data, use of a two‐dose schedule, and safety and efficacy monitoring in real‐life programs.
Associations between pre‐eclampsia and protein C and protein S levels among pregnant Nigerian women
Authors: Okoye Helen C. , Eweputanna Lisa I. , Okpani Anthony O.U. , Ejele Oseikhuemen A. 
Published: January 2017

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate levels of protein C and free protein S among women with pre‐eclampsia, and determine whether there is a relationship between deficiencies and pre‐eclampsia.MethodsA cross‐sectional study was conducted at a hospital in Nigeria from July 2013 to March 2014 among 90 pregnant women with pre‐eclampsia (blood pressure ≥140/90 mm Hg, proteinuria ≥300 mg in 24 hours) and 90 normotensive pregnant women (control group). Plasma levels of protein C and free protein S were analyzed by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay, and protein C activity by a chromogenic method.ResultsMean protein C antigen and activity levels did not differ between groups (P=0.639 and P=0.444, respectively). The incidence of protein C antigen and activity deficiency also did not differ (P=0.288 and P>0.99, respectively). The mean free protein S antigen level was higher among women with pre‐eclampsia (54.48%±19.58%) than in the control group (47.23%±10.27%; P=0.004). No woman in the control group had protein S deficiency, as compared with 2 (2%) of the women with pre‐eclampsia (P=0.497). No association was found between deficiencies of these proteins and pre‐eclampsia.ConclusionDeficiencies of protein C and free protein S are unlikely to be etiopathogenetic for pre‐eclampsia; therefore, therapeutic intervention should focus on other potential pathogenetic pathways.
Fecal calprotectin level in healthy children aged less than 4 years in South Korea
Authors: Song Joo Young , Lee Yoo Mi , Choi You Jin , Jeong Su Jin 
Published: January 2017

BackgroundFecal calprotectin (FC) is non‐invasive inflammatory marker indicating various bowel diseases. However, the median‐specific cut‐off values and the standard deviations (SD) of the FC levels in each age group <4 years were not elucidated.MethodsHealthy volunteers were enrolled from four kindergartens. A questionnaire was used to confirm that the children met the inclusion criteria, and several demographics and history of bowel symptoms were collected. The FC level was measured.ResultsA total of 234 healthy children aged between 6 months and 4 years were recruited. The median FC concentration of all participants was 245 μg/g (range 12–1033 μg/g, mean 68.5 μg/g, SD 123.12 μg/g). The children were divided into six age groups. The upper limit of 95% CI of median FC values was 135 μg/g in 7–12 months group, 65 μg/g in 13–18 months group, 55 μg/g in 19–24 months group, 40 μg/g in 25–30 months group, 21 μg/g in 31–36 months group, and 12 μg/g in 37–48 months group. A negative correlation trend was found between the age and the FC concentration.ConclusionThis is the first study to present the FC median levels in the specific age groups <4 years in Korea. We found a FC level reduction with age, indicating a bowel maturation process and decreased intestinal permeability of the intestinal mucosa. In our study, FC levels reached the values of 50 μg/g around the age of 2 years.