bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Exploration of the expeditious potential of Pseudomonas fluorescens lipase in the kinetic resolution of racemic intermediates and its validation through molecular docking
Authors: Soni Surbhi , Dwivedee Bharat P. , Sharma Vishnu K. , Patel Gopal , Banerjee Uttam C. 
Published: October 2017

AbstractA profoundly time‐efficient chemoenzymatic method for the synthesis of (S)‐3‐(4‐chlorophenoxy)propan‐1,2‐diol and (S)‐1‐chloro‐3‐(2,5‐dichlorophenoxy)propan‐2‐ol, two important pharmaceutical intermediates, was successfully developed using Pseudomonas fluorescens lipase (PFL). Kinetic resolution was successfully achieved using vinyl acetate as acylating agent, toluene/hexane as solvent, and reaction temperature of 30°C giving high enantioselectivity and conversion. Under optimized condition, PFL demonstrated 50.2% conversion, enantiomeric excess of 95.0%, enantioselectivity (E = 153) in an optimum time of 1 hour and 50.3% conversion, enantiomeric excess of 95.2%, enantioselectivity (E = 161) in an optimum time of 3 hours, for the two racemic alcohols, respectively. Docking of the R‐ and S‐enantiomers of the intermediates demonstrated stronger H‐bond interaction between the hydroxyl group of the R‐enantiomer and the key binding residues of the catalytic site of the lipase, while the S‐enantiomer demonstrated lesser interaction. Thus, docking study complemented the experimental outcome that PFL preferentially acylated the R form of the intermediates. The present study demonstrates a cost‐effective and expeditious biocatalytic process that can be applied in the enantiopure synthesis of pharmaceutical intermediates and drugs.
Transmitter receptors reveal segregation of the arcopallium/amygdala complex in pigeons (Columba livia)
Authors: Herold Christina , Paulitschek Christina , Palomero‐Gallagher Nicola , Güntürkün Onur , Zilles Karl 
Published: October 2017

AbstractAt the beginning of the 20th century it was suggested that a complex group of nuclei in the avian posterior ventral telencephalon is comparable to the mammalian amygdala. Subsequent findings, however, revealed that most of these structures share premotor characteristics, while some indeed constitute the avian amygdala. These developments resulted in 2004 in a change of nomenclature of these nuclei, which from then on were named arcopallial or amygdala nuclei and referred to as the arcopallium/amygdala complex. The structural basis for the similarities between avian and mammalian arcopallial and amygdala subregions is poorly understood. Therefore, we analyzed binding site densities for glutamatergic AMPA, NMDA and kainate, GABAergic GABAA, muscarinic M1, M2 and nicotinic acetylcholine (nACh; α4β2 subtype), noradrenergic α1 and α2, serotonergic 5‐HT1A and dopaminergic D1/5 receptors using quantitative in vitro receptor autoradiography combined with a detailed analysis of the cyto‐ and myelo‐architecture. Our approach supports a segregation of the pigeon's arcopallium/amygdala complex into the following subregions: the arcopallium anterius (AA), the arcopallium ventrale (AV), the arcopallium dorsale (AD), the arcopallium intermedium (AI), the arcopallium mediale (AM), the arcopallium posterius (AP), the nucleus posterioris amygdalopallii pars basalis (PoAb) and pars compacta (PoAc), the nucleus taeniae amgygdalae (TnA) and the area subpallialis amygdalae (SpA). Some of these subregions showed further subnuclei and each region of the arcopallium/amygdala complex are characterized by a distinct multi‐receptor density expression. Here we provide a new detailed map of the pigeon's arcopallium/amygdala complex and compare the receptor architecture of the subregions to their possible mammalian counterparts.
Localization under anchor node uncertainty for underwater acoustic sensor networks
Authors: Mridula K. M. , Ameer P. M. 
Published: October 2017

SummaryThis paper deals with the problem of sensor node localization in the presence of uncertainty in anchor node location. Aqueous environments are prone to adverse effects of underwater currents. This adversity causes non‐negligible mobility to the anchor nodes deployed under water. Localization in the presence of uncertainty in the anchor node location is quite challenging. Also, the authors consider the ray‐bending property of underwater medium due to depth dependent sound speed, to furnish the accurate position estimate of the target node. Standard ray equations are used to model the path followed by acoustic rays in water. Maximum likelihood estimation is proposed to estimate the location of target node with uncertainty in anchor node positions and is compared with the scheme with exact knowledge of anchor node positions, and the results are reported. Monte Carlo simulation is used to assess the performance of the proposed method. Also, the Cramer‐Rao lower bound with uncertainty in anchor nodes is derived and described. Simulation results of the proposed algorithm outperform the existing algorithm with known anchor location by up to 49.4%, and hence, accuracy is improved in the proposed method.
Aberrant single‐minded homolog 1 methylation as a potential biomarker for cervical cancer
Authors: Kim Hyun‐Jung , Kim Chan Young , Jin Jinghui , Bae Moon Kyoung , Kim Yun Hee , Ju Woong , Kim Yun Hwan , Kim Seung Cheol 
Published: October 2017

BackgroundThe aim of this study is to evaluate the possibility of using the methylation status of single‐minded homolog 1 (SIM1) as a diagnostic biomarker for cervical cancer.MethodsAll the patient and normal specimens including the normal cervix (n = 10), cervical cancer tissues (n = 45), blood (n = 45), and cervical brush specimens (n = 110) were retrospectively obtained. Quantitative methylation‐specific PCR was performed to detect SIM1 methylation in primary tumors, cervical brush specimens, and plasma circulating cell‐free DNA (ccfDNA). SIM1 expression was detected by western blot analysis.ResultsWe found that SIM1 was highly methylated in the majority of the cervical cancer tissues that we tested, but not in any of the normal tissues. Hypermethylation of SIM1 led to a pronounced reduction in SIM1 expression in cervical cancer tissues compared with normal cervix. SIM1 methylation status on cervical brush specimens also distinguished cervical cancer from normal, cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) 1 and 2. The degree of SIM1 methylation was significantly associated with the severity of the disease (Ptrend < .0001). We also investigated the possibility of detecting methylated SIM1 in plasma ccfDNA from cervical cancer patients. Methylated SIM1 was detected in 36.6% (15/41) of ccfDNA samples, and concordance rate with the matched cancer tissues was 41.5% (17/41) with sensitivity 38.5% and specificity 100%.ConclusionThis study has shown that SIM1 is frequently hypermethylated in cervical cancer, compared with normal cervix tissue, CIN1 and 2 samples, suggesting that the methylation status of SIM1 could be a potential diagnostic biomarker for cervical cancer.
Beaver‐mediated water table dynamics in a Rocky Mountain fen
Authors: Karran Daniel J. , Westbrook Cherie J. , Bedard‐Haughn Angela 
Published: October 2017

AbstractBeaver dams are known to raise water tables in mineral soil environments, but very little is known about their impact in wetlands, such as peatlands. Peatlands tend to have shallow water tables, and the position and tendency of the water table to fluctuate (i.e., stability) is a factor controlling the system's ability to store carbon and water. Many peatland environments, especially fens, offer ideal habitat for beaver, and the potential for beaver dams to influence this link by manipulating water tables requires investigation. Our objective was to determine the influence of beaver dams on the water table dynamics of a Rocky Mountain fen. We monitored water tables in the peatland for 4 years while beaver dams were intact and 2 years after they were breached by an extreme flood event. We found that, because of the unique way in which dams were built, they connected the peatland to the stream and raised and stabilized already high water tables within a 150‐m radius. Beaver‐mediated changes to peatland water table regimes have the potential to enhance carbon sequestration and the peatland's ability to respond to external pressures such as climate change. Furthermore, beaver dams increased surface and groundwater storage, which has implications for regional water balances, especially in times of drought.
Sampling scales define occupancy and underlying occupancy–abundance relationships in animals
Authors: Steenweg Robin , Hebblewhite Mark , Whittington Jesse , Lukacs Paul , McKelvey Kevin 
Published: October 2017

AbstractOccupancy–abundance (OA) relationships are a foundational ecological phenomenon and field of study, and occupancy models are increasingly used to track population trends and understand ecological interactions. However, these two fields of ecological inquiry remain largely isolated, despite growing appreciation of the importance of integration. For example, using occupancy models to infer trends in abundance is predicated on positiveOArelationships. Many occupancy studies collect data that violate geographical closure assumptions due to the choice of sampling scales and application to mobile organisms, which may change how occupancy and abundance are related. Little research, however, has explored how different occupancy sampling designs affectOArelationships. We develop a conceptual framework for understanding how sampling scales affect the definition of occupancy for mobile organisms, which drivesOArelationships. We explore how spatial and temporal sampling scales, and the choice of sampling unit (areal vs. point sampling), affectOArelationships. We develop predictions using simulations, and test them using empirical occupancy data from remote cameras on 11 medium‐large mammals. Surprisingly, our simulations demonstrate that when using point sampling,OArelationships are unaffected by spatial sampling grain (i.e., cell size). In contrast, when using areal sampling (e.g., species atlas data),OArelationships are affected by spatial grain. Furthermore,OArelationships are also affected by temporal sampling scales, where the curvature of theOArelationship increases with temporal sampling duration. Our empirical results support these predictions, showing that at any given abundance, the spatial grain of point sampling does not affect occupancy estimates, but longer surveys do increase occupancy estimates. For rare species (low occupancy), estimates of occupancy will quickly increase with longer surveys, even while abundance remains constant. Our results also clearly demonstrate that occupancy for mobile species without geographical closure is not true occupancy. The independence of occupancy estimates from spatial sampling grain depends on the sampling unit. Point‐sampling surveys can, however, provide unbiased estimates of occupancy for multiple species simultaneously, irrespective of home‐range size. The use of occupancy for trend monitoring needs to explicitly articulate how the chosen sampling scales define occupancy and affect the occupancy–abundance relationship.
Voltammetry of a Novel Antimycobacterial Agent 1‐Hydroxy‐N‐(4‐nitrophenyl)naphthalene‐2‐carboxamide in a Single Drop of a Solution
Authors: Gajdár Július , Goněc Tomáš , Jampílek Josef , Brázdová Marie , Bábková Zuzana , Fojta Miroslav , Barek Jiří , Fischer Jan 
Published: October 2017

AbstractThe aim of this study is the development of a miniaturized voltammetric method for the determination of an antimycobacterial agent 1‐hydroxy‐N‐(4‐nitrophenyl)naphthalene‐2‐carboxamide (HNN) in a single drop (20 μL) of a solution by cathodic and anodic voltammetry at a glassy carbon electrode. Cyclic voltammetry was used to investigate its redox properties followed by the optimization of differential pulse voltammetric determination in a regular 10 mL volume. The optimal medium for the analytical application of both cathodic and anodic voltammetry was found to be Britton‐Robinson buffer pH 7.0 and dimethyl sulfoxide (9 : 1, v/v). HNN gave one cathodic peak at around −0.6 V and one anodic peak at around +0.2 V vs. Ag|AgCl (3 mol L−1 KCl) reference electrode. Determination of HNN in a 10 mL volume gave the limit of quantification around 10 nmol L−1 by both adsorptive stripping anodic and cathodic voltammetry. Afterwards, miniaturized voltammetric methods in a single drop of solution (20 μL) were investigated. This approach requested some modifications of the cell design and voltammetric procedures. A novel method of removing dissolved oxygen in a single drop had to be developed and tested. Developed miniaturized voltammetric methods gave parameters comparable to the determination of HNN in 10 mL. The applicability of the miniaturized method was verified by the determination of HNN in a drop of a bacterial growth medium.
Green‐Synthesized Nitrogen‐Doped Carbon‐Based Aerogels as Environmentally Friendly Catalysts for Oxygen Reduction in Microbial Fuel Cells
Authors: Salvador Gian Paolo , Gerosa Matteo , Sacco Adriano , Garino Nadia , Castellino Micaela , Massaglia Giulia , Delmondo Luisa , Agostino Valeria , Margaria Valentina , Chiodoni Angelica , Quaglio Marzia 
Published: October 2017

AbstractA green approach to the synthesis of nitrogen‐doped, carbon‐based aerogels with good conductivity and catalytic properties is presented. With the aim to design an easily sustainable process, the starting precursors are selected from abundant waste‐related organic materials. The naturally derived polysaccharide agar acts as the carbon source in a water solution and an amino acid, glycine or lysine, is used as the nitrogen source. Using this synthesis approach, nitrogen defects are created in a 3D porous aerogel. They are shown to act as active catalytic sites for the reaction of oxygen reduction to water as demonstrated by electrochemical measurements. The best performing materials are tested as cathodes in microbial fuel cells for 50 days, in conditions close to those the device would face in a real environment. The glycine‐derived carbon aerogels with the higher content of pyridinic nitrogen exhibit the best performance, as confirmed by several morphological characterizations.
Defect‐Controlled Copper Iodide: A Promising and Ecofriendly Thermoelectric Material
Authors: Mulla Rafiq , Rabinal M. K. 
Published: October 2017

AbstractEarth‐abundant and non‐toxic materials are important in the utilization of thermoelectric technology. Here, the thermoelectric behavior of copper iodide (CuI), which is prepared in bulk using a simple synthetic approach, is reported. The as‐prepared CuI has a high Seebeck coefficient of ≈431 μV K−1 with a resistivity ≈0.26 Ω cm−1, resulting in a room temperature thermoelectric power factor of ≈70 μW m−1 K−2. The thermoelectric properties are tuned by changing the defect chemistry via thermal annealing. Annealing at moderate temperatures (≈400 K) improves thermoelectric power factor, from its room temperature value of ≈142 μW m−1 K−2 to ≈160 μW m−1 K−2 at 353 K. Detailed analysis reveals that this is caused by iodine depletion upon annealing, which compensates for the intrinsic defects present in the form of copper vacancies that are responsible for the p‐type conductivity of the CuI.
Differential involvement of nigral subregions in idiopathic parkinson's disease
Authors: Sung Young Hee , Lee Jongho , Nam Yoonho , Shin Hyeong‐Geol , Noh Young , Shin Dong Hoon , Kim Eung Yeop 
Published: October 2017

AbstractIn this study, the prevalence of abnormality in putative nigrosome 1 and nigrosome 4 (N1 and N4, respectively) was investigated in early versus late‐stage idiopathic Parkinson's disease (IPD) patients. A total of 128 IPD patients (early stage[n = 89]; late stage[n = 39]) and 15 healthy subjects were scanned for high‐resolution (0.5 × 0.5 × 1.0 mm3) multiecho gradient‐recalled echo MRI and dopamine transporter PET imaging. The MRI data were processed for susceptibility map‐weighted imaging (SMWI) to improve a contrast‐to‐noise ratio, and the images were resliced at 0.5 mm to define N1 and N4. When each side of N1 and N4 was assessed separately for the loss of hyperintensity by two independent reviewers, the consensus review results showed that in early‐stage IPD (178 substantia nigras [SNs]), the loss of hyperintensity was observed more often in only the N1 region (65.2%) when compared to in both N1 and N4 regions (34.8%). In late‐stage IPD (78 SNs), on the other hand, the loss in only the N1 region (25.6%) was less prevalent than in both N1 and N4 (74.4%) (P < 0.0001). Additionally, intact SNs (both in N1 and N4) were observed 17 SNs (9.6%) of the early‐stage IPD patients, whereas it was not found in any SNs of the late‐stage IPD patients (P = 0.005). Moreover, involvement of both N1 and N4 on both sides was found in 19.1% of the early‐stage IPD patients, whereas its incidence was higher (61.5%) in the late‐stage IPD patients (P < 0.0001), suggesting that the loss of hyperintensity in IPD progresses from N1 to N4 as the disease advances. Hum Brain Mapp 39:542–553, 2018. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Context Matters: Using Qualitative Inquiry to Inform Departmental Effectiveness and Student Success
Authors: Williams Elizabeth A. , Stassen Martha L.A. 
Published: October 2017

AbstractThis chapter describes efforts to gather and utilize qualitative data to maximize contextual knowledge at one university. The examples provided focus on how academic departments use qualitative evidence to enhance their students’ success as well as how qualitative evidence supports the institution's broader strategic planning goals.
Integration of mechanistic and pharmacokinetic information to derive oral reference dose and margin‐of‐exposure values for hexavalent chromium
Authors: Thompson Chad M. , Kirman Christopher R. , Hays Sean M. , Suh Mina , Harvey Seneca E. , Proctor Deborah M. , Rager Julia E. , Haws Laurie C. , Harris Mark A. 
Published: October 2017

AbstractThe current US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reference dose (RfD) for oral exposure to chromium, 0.003 mg kg−1 day−1, is based on a no‐observable‐adverse‐effect‐level from a 1958 bioassay of rats exposed to ≤25 ppm hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)] in drinking water. EPA characterizes the confidence in this RfD as “low.” A more recent cancer bioassay indicates that Cr(VI) in drinking water is carcinogenic to mice at ≥30 ppm. To assess whether the existing RfD is health protective, neoplastic and non‐neoplastic lesions from the 2 year cancer bioassay were modeled in a three‐step process. First, a rodent physiological‐based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model was used to estimate internal dose metrics relevant to each lesion. Second, benchmark dose modeling was conducted on each lesion using the internal dose metrics. Third, a human PBPK model was used to estimate the daily mg kg−1 dose that would produce the same internal dose metric in both normal and susceptible humans. Mechanistic research into the mode of action for Cr(VI)‐induced intestinal tumors in mice supports a threshold mechanism involving intestinal wounding and chronic regenerative hyperplasia. As such, an RfD was developed using incidence data for the precursor lesion diffuse epithelial hyperplasia. This RfD was compared to RfDs for other non‐cancer endpoints; all RfD values ranged 0.003–0.02 mg kg−1 day−1. The lowest of these values is identical to EPA's existing RfD value. Although the RfD value remains 0.003 mg kg−1 day−1, the confidence is greatly improved due to the use of a 2‐year bioassay, mechanistic data, PBPK models and benchmark dose modeling.
RECK inhibits cervical cancer cell migration and invasion by promoting p53 signaling pathway
Authors: Liu Yuan , Li Lei , Liu Yang , Geng Peng , Li Guilin , Yang Yanling , Song Hongjuan 
Published: October 2017

AbstractThe present study was conducted to investigate the effects of RECK on cervical cancer cell migration and invasion to help understand relevant molecular mechanisms. QRT‐PCR and western blot were respectively utilized to examine the transcriptional and translational levels of RECK in cervical cancer cell lines (HELA and C33A) and normal cell line (H8). After transfection with RECK overexpressing vectors, the expression of RECK mRNA, RECK and p53 signaling pathway‐related proteins (p21, p53, bcl‐2, and Bax) in cervical cancer cells were respectively examined using qRT‐PCR and western blot. Cervical cancer cell migration after transfection was detected by wound healing assay and transwell assay. RECK expression was much lower in cervical cancer cell lines compared with normal cell line. Results of wound‐healing assay results indicated that RECK could inhibit cervical cancer cell migration, and transwell assay results demonstrated that cell invasion was suppressed by RECK overexpression. Furthermore, western blot indicated that the overexpression of RECK could promote the activation of p53 signaling pathway by influencing related protein expression; whereas its inhibition by PFT‐α could antagonize the effect of RECK on migrative and invasive abilities of cervical cancer cells. RECK could inhibit the migration and invasion of cervical cancer cells by activating p53 signaling pathway.
A perspective on flotation: a review
Authors: Peleka Efrosyni N , Gallios George P , Matis Kostas A 
Published: October 2017

AbstractThe problem of fine particles processing has become important both in mineral processing and also for water and wastewater engineering. It is accepted, on the other hand, that the bubble–particle collection efficiency increases with decreasing bubble size. A decrease in bubble size can be obtained using different methods (dispersed‐air, where electroflotation is included, and/or dissolved‐air flotation), as discussed. Following an introduction of the subject, older laboratory results are presented in this review paper (based on 4 decades of experience), explaining the above, giving further ideas and possibly, assisting future researchers in the area. Examples given are: separation of fine mineral particles (such as pyrite and magnesite), and of metal ions (as chromium, arsenic, copper, zinc, germanium and so on); among the various available techniques, mention is given to ion, precipitate, adsorbing colloid, sorptive and biosorptive flotation ‐ including certain comparisons for the same application. The metal ion flotation application deserves further study and work, mainly for selective removal. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Effects of vitamin D deficiency on left atrial function as evaluated by 2D speckle‐tracking echocardiography
Authors: Akhavan‐Khaleghi Niloofar , Hosseinsabet Ali , Mohseni‐Badalabadi Reza 
Published: October 2017

AbstractPurposeVitamin D deficiency is prevalent the world over, and some of its effects on the cardiovascular system have been previously demonstrated. We evaluated left atrial (LA) function via 2D speckle‐tracking echocardiography (2DSTE) in subjects with and without vitamin D deficiency.MethodsNinety‐seven consecutive patients without significant coronary artery disease on selective coronary angiography were incorporated in our study and divided according to their serum level of vitamin D into 2 groups: with and without vitamin D deficiency.ResultsThe early diastolic strain rate, as a marker of LA conduit function, was increased in patients with vitamin D deficiency (P = .008) and after adjustment for age (P = .046). However, after adjustment for all the confounding factors, vitamin D deficiency showed only a trend to be the independent determinant of LA early diastolic longitudinal strain rate (SRE, P = .065).ConclusionsOur findings indicated that LA function, as evaluated by 2DSTE, was not different between subjects with and without vitamin D deficiency after adjustment for the confounding factors.