bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Acylated ghrelin treatment normalizes skeletal muscle mitochondrial oxidative capacity and AKT phosphorylation in rat chronic heart failure
Authors: Barazzoni Rocco , Gortan Cappellari Gianluca , Palus Sandra , Vinci Pierandrea , Ruozi Giulia , Zanetti Michela , Semolic Annamaria , Ebner Nicole , von Haehling Stephan , Sinagra Gianfranco , Giacca Mauro , Springer Jochen 
Published: November 2017

AbstractBackgroundChronic heart failure (CHF) is associated with skeletal muscle abnormalities contributing to exercise intolerance, muscle loss, and negative impact on patient prognosis. A primary role has been proposed for mitochondrial dysfunction, which may be induced by systemic and tissue inflammation and further contribute to low insulin signalling. The acylated form of the gastric hormone ghrelin (AG) may improve mitochondrial oxidative capacity and insulin signalling in both healthy and diseased rodent models.MethodsWe investigated the impact of AG continuous subcutaneous administration (AG) by osmotic minipump (50 nmol/kg/day for 28 days) compared with placebo (P) on skeletal muscle mitochondrial enzyme activities, mitochondrial biogenesis regulators transcriptional expression and insulin signalling in a rodent post‐myocardial infarction CHF model.ResultsNo statistically significant differences (NS) were observed among the three group in cumulative food intake. Compared with sham‐operated, P had low mitochondrial enzyme activities, mitochondrial biogenesis regulators transcripts, and insulin signalling activation at AKT level (P < 0.05), associated with activating nuclear translocation of pro‐inflammatory transcription factor nuclear factor‐κB. AG completely normalized all alterations (P < 0.05 vs P, P = NS vs sham‐operated). Direct AG activities were strongly supported by in vitro C2C12 myotubes experiments showing AG‐dependent stimulation of mitochondrial enzyme activities. No changes in mitochondrial parameters and insulin signalling were observed in the liver in any group.ConclusionsSustained peripheral AG treatment with preserved food intake normalizes a CHF‐induced tissue‐specific cluster of skeletal muscle mitochondrial dysfunction, pro‐inflammatory changes, and reduced insulin signalling. AG is therefore a potential treatment for CHF‐associated muscle catabolic alterations, with potential positive impact on patient outcome.
Impact of boreal summer intra‐seasonal oscillations on warm season diurnal convection activity in Taiwan
Authors: Huang Wan‐Ru , Chang Ya‐Hui 
Published: November 2017

ABSTRACTDiurnal convection (DC), which is characterized by rainy days with maximum rainfall during the afternoon without strong synoptic disturbances, is the most frequently observed weather system that affects local rainfall in Taiwan. In this study, we investigate the impact of boreal summer intra‐seasonal oscillations (BSISOs) on the modulation of warm season (May–September) DC activities in Taiwan. Our analyses focus on (1) identifying the relationships between changes in DC characteristics (e.g. DC days and the mean rainfall intensities on DC days) and the phase evolutions of two types of BSISOs (including the 30–60‐day ISO named BSISO1 and the 10–30‐day ISO named BSISO2) and (2) the related maintenance mechanisms. Analyses of DC days demonstrate that the contribution of DC days to the total quantity of rainy days in Taiwan generally reaches a maximum value when Taiwan is being modulated by intensified southwesterly winds, intensified local sea breeze circulations, and intensified local thermal instabilities (i.e. phase 3 of BSISO1 and phase 7 of BSISO2). Analyses of the mean rainfall intensities on DC days show that maximum values are generally reached when the moisture convergence line propagates northwards over Taiwan (i.e. phase 1 of BSISO1 and phase 3 of BSISO2). Further examinations indicate that the abovementioned findings are not dependent upon the strengths of the BSISOs.
Ultrafine fibers of zein and anthocyanins as natural pH indicator
Authors: Prietto Luciana , Pinto Vania Zanella , El Halal Shanise Lisie Mello , de Morais Michele Greque , Costa Jorge Alberto Vieira , Lim Loong‐Tak , Dias Alvaro Renato Guerra , Zavareze Elessandra da Rosa 
Published: November 2017

AbstractBACKGROUNDpH‐sensitive indicator membranes, which are useful for pharmaceutical, food, and packaging applications, can be formed by encapsulating halochromic compounds within various solid supports. Accordingly, electrospinning is a versatile technique for the development of these indicators, by entrapping pH dyes within ultrafine polymer fibers.RESULTSThe ultrafine zein fibers, containing 5% (w/v) anthocyanins, had an average diameter of 510 nm. The pH‐sensitive membrane exhibited color changes from pink to green when exposed to acidic and alkaline buffers, respectively. The contact angle was negligible after 10 and 2 s for neat and 5% anthocyanin‐loaded zein membranes, respectively.CONCLUSIONThe pH membranes exhibited color changes in a board pH range, which can potentially be used in various active packaging applications. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Metabonomics study of the effects of traditional Chinese medicine formula Ermiaowan on hyperuricemic rats
Authors: Wei Zhongbao , Xu Chen , Liu Shu , Song Fengrui , Liu Zhiqiang , Qu Xiaobo 
Published: November 2017

AbstractTo explore the global mechanism of Ermiaowan on hyperuricemia regulation, the holistic function of Ermiaowan for hyperuricemia in rats was firstly assessed by the urinary metabonomics method which was based on ultra‐high performance liquid chromatography with electrospray ionization quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry. The urinary targeted metabonomics approach combined with the serum biochemical analysis and histological assay was conducted to verify the research result. As a result, the significant differences in metabolic profiles were observed from Ermiaowan‐treated group, model group, and healthy control group by using multivariate statistical approaches. Twenty therapeutic related metabolites were identified in response to the therapeutic effects of Ermiaowan, which were mainly associated with purine metabolism, pyrimidine metabolism, tryptophan metabolism, tricarboxylic acid cycle, and tyrosine metabolism. In addition, the urinary targeted metabonomics study showed that Ermiaowan can better restore the disturbed pathways than Phellodendri cortex and Atractylodis rhizome. The biochemical assay and histopathological assay confirmed that Ermiaowan could significantly reduce uric acid and fibrosis areas of kidney. These results provided new insights into the mechanism of Ermiaowan on hyperuricemia.
Carnivore abundance near motorways related to prey and roadkills
Authors: Planillo Aimara , Mata Cristina , Manica Andrea , Malo Juan E. 
Published: November 2017

ABSTRACTLandscape disturbance by roads may increase abundance of prey in verges (i.e., strips of terrain adjacent to roadways) or create other features that can attract carnivores and expose them to a higher risk of mortality by vehicle collision. We studied a system that included European rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) and their predators in central Spain near 3 motorways during 2011 and 2012. We analyzed carnivore and rabbit abundance and the potential effect of prey populations on carnivore roadkill. We estimated rabbit and carnivore abundance index by surveying scats in 1‐km transects in the landscape, and calculated a roadkill index in motorway stretches parallel to the transects from roadkill data obtained in a roadkill monitoring survey from 2007 to 2011. We analyzed carnivore response for the entire carnivore community and for 2 groups of species: the red fox, which is the most synanthropic carnivore in our study area, and the other carnivores. Fox abundance was higher near motorways compared to control sites, whereas the abundance of other species was related only to rabbit abundance. Furthermore, motorway stretches with higher carnivore abundance presented higher values of carnivore roadkills. Thus, motorways are a source of mortality for carnivores that should be managed carefully. The potential cascading effect of food resources near roads on carnivore mortality should be considered in management and food abundance near roads should be minimized in areas inhabited by carnivores of conservation concern. © 2017 The Wildlife Society.
On the homology groups of the Brauer complex for a triquadratic field extension
Authors: Sivatski Alexander S. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractThe homology groups , , and of the Brauer complex for a triquadratic field extension are studied. In particular, given , we find equivalent conditions for the image of D in to be zero. We consider as well the second divided power operation , and show that there are nonstandard elements with respect to γ2. Further, a natural transformation , which turns out to be nondegenerate on the left, is defined. As an application we construct a field extension such that the cohomology group of the Brauer complex contains the images of prescribed elements of , provided these elements satisfy a certain cohomological condition. At the final part of the paper examples of triquadratic extensions with nontrivial are given. As a consequence we show that the homology group can be arbitrarily big.
Well‐posedness of fractional degenerate differential equations with finite delay on vector‐valued functional spaces
Authors: Bu Shangquan , Cai Gang 
Published: November 2017

AbstractWe study the well‐posedness of the fractional degenerate differential equations with finite delay on Lebesgue–Bochner spaces , periodic Besov spaces and periodic Triebel–Lizorkin spaces , where A and M are closed linear operators on a Banach space X satisfying , F is a bounded linear operator from (resp. and ) into X, where is given by when and . Using known operator‐valued Fourier multiplier theorems, we give necessary or sufficient conditions for the well‐posedness of in the above three function spaces.
The assessment of nonverbal behavior in schizophrenia through the Formal Psychological Assessment
Authors: Granziol Umberto , Spoto Andrea , Vidotto Giulio 
Published: November 2017

AbstractThe nonverbal behavior (NVB) of people diagnosed with schizophrenia consistently interacts with their symptoms during the assessment. Previous studies frequently observed such an interaction when a prevalence of negative symptoms occurred. Nonetheless, a list of NVBs linked to negative symptoms needs to be defined. Furthermore, a list of items that can exhaustively assess such NVBs is still needed. The present study aims to introduce both lists by using the Formal Psychological Assessment. A deep analysis was performed on both the scientific literature and the DSM‐5 for constructing the set of nonverbal behaviors; similarly, an initial list of 138 items investigating the behaviors was obtained from instruments used to assess schizophrenia. The Formal Psychological Assessment was then applied to reduce the preliminary list. A final list of 23 items necessary and sufficient to investigate the NVBs emerged. The list also allowed us to analyze specific relations among items. The present study shows how it is possible to deepen a patient's negative symptomatology, starting with the relations between items and the NVBs they investigate. Finally, this study examines the advantages and clinical implications of defining an assessment tool based on the found list of items.
Effective behavior signature extraction method using sequence pattern algorithm for traffic identification
Authors: Shim Kyu‐Seok , Yoon Sung‐Ho , Sija Baraka D. , Park Jun‐Sang , Cho Kyunghee , Kim Myung‐Sup 
Published: November 2017

SummaryWith the rapid development of the internet and a vigorous emergence of new applications, traffic identification has become a key issue. Although various methods have been proposed, there are still several limitations to achieving fine‐grained and application‐level identification. Therefore, we previously proposed a behavior signature model for extracting a unique traffic pattern of an application. Although this signature model achieves a good identification performance, it has trouble with the signature extraction, particularly from a huge amount of input traffic, because a Candidate‐Selection method is used for extracting the signature. To improve this inefficiency in the extraction process, in this paper, we propose a novel behavior signature extraction method using a sequence pattern algorithm. The proposed method can extract a signature regardless of the volume of input traffic because it excludes certain unsatisfactory candidates using a predefined support value during the early stage of the process. We proved experimentally the feasibility of the proposed extraction method for 7 popular applications.
Weight‐adjusted discontinuous Galerkin methods: Matrix‐valued weights and elastic wave propagation in heterogeneous media
Authors: Chan Jesse 
Published: November 2017

SummaryWeight‐adjusted inner products are easily invertible approximations to weighted L2 inner products. These approximations can be paired with a discontinuous Galerkin (DG) discretization to produce a time‐domain method for wave propagation which is low storage, energy stable, and high‐order accurate for arbitrary heterogeneous media and curvilinear meshes. In this work, we extend weight‐adjusted DG methods to the case of matrix‐valued weights, with the linear elastic wave equation as an application. We present a DG formulation of the symmetric form of the linear elastic wave equation, with upwind‐like dissipation incorporated through simple penalty fluxes. A semidiscrete convergence analysis is given, and numerical results confirm the stability and high‐order accuracy of weight‐adjusted DG for several problems in elastic wave propagation.
Phosphorylated chitosan‐cobalt complex: A novel green flame retardant for polylactic acid
Authors: Shi Xingxing , Jiang Saihua , Hu Yuan , Peng Xiangfang , Yang Hongyu , Qian Xiaodong 
Published: November 2017

The exploration of green flame retardants is of great significance for fire safety, ecological environment protection, and resource saving. Herein, a novel phosphorus containing chitosan‐cobalt complex (CS‐P‐Co) was successfully synthesized for the first time and then introduced into polylactic acid matrix. Owning to the formation of cobalt salts, the CS‐P‐Co exhibits good thermal stability and catalytic char effect. The as‐fabricated biodegradable polylactic acid/CS‐P‐Co composites with small amounts of CS‐P‐Co (≤ 4.0 wt%) show remarkably improved flame retardancy, such as decreased peak heat release rate and total heat release by 23.0% and 20.0%, respectively. Scanning electron microscopy, Thermogravimetric analysis, and Raman results demonstrate that compact graphitized char layers are formed on the composite surface during combustion, attributed to the catalytic effect of CS‐P‐Co. The char inhibits diffusion of heat, mass, and oxygen, which plays a key role in the flame retardancy enhancement.
Polyurethane‐mesoporous silica gas separation membranes
Authors: Ghalei Behnam , Pournaghshband Isfahani Ali , Sadeghi Morteza , Vakili Eshagh , Jalili Alireza 
Published: November 2017

The concept of mixed matrix membrane comprising dispersed inorganic fillers into a polymer media has revealed appealing to tune the gas separation performance. In this work, the membranes were prepared by incorporation of mesoporous silica into polyurethane (PU). Mesoporous silica particles with different pore size and structures, MCM‐41, cubic MCM‐48 and SBA‐16, were synthesized by templating method and functionalized with 3‐aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES). High porosity and aminated surface of the mesoporous silica enhance the adhesion of the particles to the PU matrix. The SEM and FTIR results showed strong interactions between the particles and the PU chains. Moreover, the thermal stability of the hybrid PUs improved compared to the pure polymer. Gas transport properties of the membranes were measured for pure CO2, CH4, O2, and N2 gases at 10 bar and 25°C. The results showed that the gas permeabilities enhanced with increasing in the loading of modified mesoporous silica particles. High porosity and amine‐functionalized particles render opportunities to enhance the gas diffusivity and solubility through the membranes. The enhanced gas transport properties of the mixed matrix membranes reveal the advantages of mesoporous silica to improve the gas permeability (CO2 permeability up to ~70) without scarifying the gas selectivity (α(CO2/N2)~ 30 for 5 wt% SBA‐16 content).
Impact of Penicillin Allergy on Empirical Carbapenem Use in Gram‐Negative Bloodstream Infections: An Antimicrobial Stewardship Opportunity
Authors: Al‐Hasan Majdi N. , Acker Emily C. , Kohn Joseph E. , Bookstaver Paul Brandon , Justo Julie Ann 
Published: November 2017

ObjectivesRetrospective matched‐cohort study evaluating association between penicillin allergy and empirical carbapenem use in gram‐negative bloodstream infections (BSIs) and utility of antimicrobial stewardship interventions in reducing carbapenem utilization.MethodsHospitalized adults with community‐onset gram‐negative BSI from January 1, 2010, to June 30, 2015, at two large community hospitals in Columbia, SC, were identified. Antimicrobial stewardship interventions targeting penicillin allergy and carbapenem utilization were fully implemented January 1, 2014. Multivariate logistic regression was used to examine impact of penicillin allergy and antimicrobial stewardship interventions on empirical carbapenem use. Kaplan‐Meier analysis was used to evaluate time to carbapenem deescalation in patients with penicillin allergy before and after interventions.ResultsPatients with penicillin allergy (n=140) were more likely to receive empirical carbapenem therapy for community‐onset gram‐negative BSI compared to those without penicillin allergy (n=140) (27% vs 12%, p=0.002). After adjustments in the multivariate model, penicillin allergy (odds ratio [OR] 3.98, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.98–8.45) and prior β‐lactam use (OR 2.72, 95% CI 1.07–6.64) were independently associated with empirical carbapenem use, whereas antimicrobial stewardship interventions were associated with decline in carbapenem utilization (OR 0.41, 95% CI 0.16–0.94). Among patients with penicillin allergy who were prescribed empirical carbapenems, median time to carbapenem deescalation was significantly shorter in the postintervention versus preintervention period (2.0 vs 4.2 days, p=0.004).ConclusionPenicillin allergy was a significant contributor to carbapenem use in community‐onset gram‐negative BSI. This was subject to modification by antimicrobial stewardship interventions, which successfully reduced overall carbapenem use and duration of carbapenem therapy in patients with penicillin allergy.
Solar photovoltaics demand for the global energy transition in the power sector
Authors: Breyer Christian , Bogdanov Dmitrii , Aghahosseini Arman , Gulagi Ashish , Child Michael , Oyewo Ayobami Solomon , Farfan Javier , Sadovskaia Kristina , Vainikka Pasi 
Published: November 2017

AbstractThe power sector is faced with strict requirements in reducing harmful emissions and substantially increasing the level of sustainability. Renewable energy (RE) in general and solar photovoltaic (PV) in particular can offer societally beneficial solutions. The LUT energy system transition model is used to simulate a cost‐optimised transition pathway towards 100% RE in the power sector by 2050. The model is based on hourly resolution for an entire year, the world structured in 145 regions, high spatial resolution of the input RE resource data, and transition steps of 5‐year periods. The global average solar PV electricity generation contribution is found to be about 69% in 2050, the highest ever reported. Detailed energy transition results are presented for representative countries in the world, namely, Poland, Britain and Ireland, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Brazil, Ethiopia, and Indonesia. The global average energy system levelised cost of electricity gradually declines from 70 €/MWh in 2015 to 52 €/MWh in 2050 throughout the transition period, while deep decarbonisation of more than 95% around 2040, referenced to 2015, would be possible. The targets of the Paris Agreement can be well achieved in the power sector, while increasing societal welfare, given strong policy leadership.
Belief in narcissistic insecurity: Perceptions of lay raters and their personality and psychopathology relations
Authors: Stanton Kasey , Watson David , Clark Lee Anna 
Published: November 2017

AbstractThis study advances research on interpersonal perceptions of narcissism by examining the degree to which overt displays of narcissism (e.g. being boastful and arrogant) are viewed by lay raters as resulting from covert insecurity. We wrote a brief set of items to assess this view and collected responses from a large sample of community adults (n = 5 528). We present results both for participants reporting (n = 617; patient subsample) and not reporting (n = 4 911; non‐patient subsample) current psychiatric treatment. Results revealed that (1) overt grandiose narcissistic traits generally are viewed as being linked to covert insecurity and vulnerability and (2) items intended to assess this link define a meaningful construct, referred to here as Belief in Narcissistic Insecurity. Patient subsample participants also completed measures of personality and psychopathology. Belief in Narcissistic Insecurity showed modest positive relations with self‐rated narcissism and with favourable views of one's personality (i.e. seeing oneself as extraverted and conscientious). These findings contribute to research aimed at explicating how perceptions of narcissism are related to self‐views and interpersonal functioning. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cryotherapy to treat and prevent airway stenosis in a patient with granulomatosis with polyangiitis
Authors: Spencer Chantal Y. , Harkin Timothy J. , Vicencio Alfin G. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractWe report our use of cryotherapy delivered via flexible bronchoscopy in a 15‐year old girl with granulomatosis with polyangiitis to both treat established airway stenosis and prevent multi‐level progression of disease.
Synthetic Studies of 2,6‐Diamino‐3,5‐Dinitropyrazine‐ 1‐Oxide (LLM‐105) from Discovery to Multi‐Kilogram Scale
Authors: Pagoria Philip , Zhang Mao‐Xi , Zuckerman Nathaniel , Lee Gregory , Mitchell Alexander , DeHope Alan , Gash Alexander , Coon Clifford , Gallagher Patrick 
Published: November 2017

AbstractA description of the various approaches to the synthesis of the insensitive energetic compound, 2,6‐diamino‐3,5‐dinitropyrazine‐1‐oxide (LLM‐105), developed at LLNL over the past 20 years will be described.