bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Secular change in adult stature associated with modernization in Vanuatu
Authors: Olszowy Kathryn M. , Sun Cheng , Silverman Harold , Pomer Alysa , Dancause Kelsey N. , Chan Chim W. , Lee Gwang , Tarivonda Len , Kaneko Akira , Weitz Charles , Koji Lum J. , Garruto Ralph M. 
Published: April 2017

AbstractObjectiveTo determine whether: (1) there is a secular increase in adult stature in Vanuatu, and (2) whether adult stature is positively associated with modernization in Vanuatu.METHODSThis study reports on stature measurements collected on 650 adult (age > 17 years) men and women from four islands of varying economic development in Vanuatu. Measurements were collected as part of the Vanuatu Health Transitions Research Project in 2007 and 2011.RESULTSStature increased significantly in adults born between the 1940s and 1960s in Vanuatu, before leveling off in those born between the 1970s and 1990s. Adults are significantly taller on Efate, the most modernized island in the study sample, than on the less economically developed islands.CONCLUSIONSModernization is likely associated with improvements in child growth in Vanuatu, as assessed by gains in adult stature.
Structural Characterization of Chirality‐Organized Ferrocene–Dipeptide Conjugates that Contain Pyridine N‐Oxide Moieties
Authors: Moriuchi Toshiyuki , Wu Hao , Tayano Yoshiki , Hirao Toshikazu 
Published: April 2017

AbstractTwo ferrocene–dipeptide conjugates, Fc(l‐Ala−l‐Pro−PyO)2 (2) and Fc(l‐Ala−l‐Pro−PyO)1 (3), were synthesized by the introduction of an l‐Ala−l‐Pro dipeptide that contained a C‐terminal pyridine N‐oxide moiety into the ferrocene organometallic scaffold. Single‐crystal X‐ray structure determination of ferrocene–dipeptide conjugate 2, which was composed of two dipeptide chains, confirmed the formation of intramolecular antiparallel β‐sheet‐like hydrogen bonds between the CO (Ala) and NH (Ala of another chain) groups to induce a chirality‐organized structure in which the ferrocenoyl moiety adopted a P‐helical chirality. In the crystal packing of compound 2, the peptide chains adopted a right‐handed molecular arrangement through hydrogen‐bonding interactions. On the contrary, ferrocene–dipeptide conjugate 3, which was composed of only one dipeptide chain, self‐assembled into a tetramer structure through the formation of intermolecular hydrogen bonds and π–π interactions between pyridine N‐oxide moieties.
Four‐State Molecular Shuttling of [2]Rotaxanes in Response to Acid/Base and Alkali‐Metal Cation Stimuli
Authors: Kimura Masaki , Mizuno Takuma , Ueda Masahiro , Miyagawa Shinobu , Kawasaki Tsuneomi , Tokunaga Yuji 
Published: April 2017

AbstractIn this study, we synthesized [2]rotaxanes possessing three recognition sites—a dialkylammonium, an alkylarylamine, and a tetra(ethylene glycol) stations—in their dumbbell‐like axle component and dibenzo[24]crown‐8 (DB24C8) as their macrocyclic component. These [2]rotaxanes behaved as four‐state molecular shuttles: i) under acidic conditions, the DB24C8 unit encircled both the dialkylammonium and alkylarylammonium stations; ii) under neutral conditions, the dialkylammonium unit was the predominant station for the DB24C8 component; iii) under basic conditions, when both ammonium centers were deprotonated, the alkylarylamine unit became a suitable station for the DB24C8 component; and iv) under basic conditions in the presence of an alkali‐metal cation, the tetra(ethylene glycol) unit recognized the DB24C8 component through cooperative binding of the alkali‐metal ion. In addition, we observed that the [2]rotaxanes exhibited selective recognition for metal cations. These shuttling motions of the macrocyclic component proceeded reversibly.
Nasopharyngeal amyloidoma with osteolytic lesions leading to diagnosis of systemic light‐chain amyloidosis
Authors: Susanibar‐Adaniya Sandra , Mathur Pankaj , Henrich Lobo Rodolfo , Alapat Daisy , Kumar Manoj , Heuck Christoph , Thanendrarajan Sharmilan 
Published: April 2017

Key Clinical MessageAmyloidomas of the head and neck region are uncommon and generally considered a benign localized form of amyloidosis. Here, we describe “the unusual case of a young man” with a nasopharyngeal mass and osteolytic lesions caused by systemic light‐chain amyloidosis treated successfully with a combined surgical and chemotherapy approach.
Influence of the Electrolyte on the Internal Resistance of Lithium−Sulfur Batteries Studied with an Intermittent Current Interruption Method
Authors: Lacey Matthew J. 
Published: April 2017

AbstractGalvanostatic cycling combined with a modified intermittent current interruption resistance determination method is presented as a fast, accurate, and comparatively simple analytical tool for following internal resistance changes in batteries over long‐term cycling. The technique is demonstrated here to study the influence of electrolyte composition and volume on the internal resistance of lithium−sulfur (Li−S) batteries. This approach is found to be particularly useful for the study of the Li−S system, where resistance changes considerably during charge and discharge as a result of compositional changes to the positive electrode and the electrolyte, but may also be valuable in the study of other battery systems.
PtSn Electrocatalyst Supported on MWCNT‐COOH: Investigating the Ethanol Oxidation Reaction
Authors: Parreira Luanna Silveira , Silva Júlio César Martins , Simões Fábio Ruiz , Cordeiro Marco Aurélio Liutheviciene , Sato Roseli Hiromi , Leite Edson Roberto , dos Santos Mauro Coelho 
Published: April 2017

AbstractPt3Sn2 (a : a) electrocatalysts with 20 % metal loading on multiwalled carbon nanotube supports functionalized with carboxylic acid groups (MWCNT‐COOH) were prepared for studies on the ethanol oxidation reaction (EOR). Preparing and anchoring of the metallic nanoparticles increased the hydrophilicity of MWCNT‐COOH and decreased its surface roughness to a value close to that of the commercial electrocatalyst Pt3Sn1/C E‐TEK. Pt3Sn2/MWCNT‐COOH consisted of 32 % Pt3Sn alloy with a lattice parameter of 0.3979 nm. The mean particle size of 3.85±1.17 nm was measured by high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). The onset oxidation potential obtained for the EOR (in the cyclic voltammetry experiments) using Pt3Sn2/MWCNT‐COOH was the lowest (0.21 V vs. reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE)), with a normalized current peak of 250 mA mgPt−1. The highest normalized current in the chronoamperometric measurements for the EOR after 1800 seconds at 0.5 V (RHE) was 16 mA mgPt−1, whereas for Pt3Sn1/C E‐TEK it was 10 mA mgPt−1. FTIR‐ATR in situ analysis showed that the Pt3Sn2/MWCNT‐COOH electrocatalyst favoured acetaldehyde production at lower potentials and CO2 production at potentials greater than 0.5 V. In addition, the presence of oxygenated functional groups on the nanotube surfaces together with the anchoring of Pt and SnO2 formation contributed to the oxidation of ethanol to CO2 (bifunctional mechanism), enhancing the electrocatalytic activity of the material compared to commercial Pt3Sn1/C E‐TEK.
Immune responses and long‐term disease recurrence status after telomerase‐based dendritic cell immunotherapy in patients with acute myeloid leukemia
Authors: Khoury Hanna J. , Collins Robert H. , Blum William , Stiff Patrick S. , Elias Laurence , Lebkowski Jane S. , Reddy Anita , Nishimoto Kevin P. , Sen Debasish , Wirth Edward D. , Case Casey C. , DiPersio John F. 
Published: April 2017

BACKGROUNDTelomerase activity in leukemic blasts frequently is increased among patients with high‐risk acute myeloid leukemia (AML). In the current study, the authors evaluated the feasibility, safety, immunogenicity, and therapeutic potential of human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT)‐expressing autologous dendritic cells (hTERT‐DCs) in adult patients with AML.METHODShTERT‐DCs were produced from patient‐specific leukapheresis, electroporated with an mRNA‐encoding hTERT and a lysosomal‐targeting sequence, and cryopreserved. A total of 22 patients with a median age of 58 years (range, 30‐75 years) with intermediate‐risk or high‐risk AML in first or second complete remission (CR) were enrolled. hTERT‐DCs were generated for 24 patients (73%). A median of 17 intradermal vaccinations (range, 6‐32 intradermal vaccinations) containing 1×107 cells were administered as 6 weekly injections followed by 6 biweekly injections. A total of 21 patients (16 in first CR, 3 in second CR, and 2 with early disease recurrence) received hTERT‐DCs.RESULTShTERT‐DCs were well tolerated with no severe toxicities reported, with the exception of 1 patient who developed idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura. Of the 19 patients receiving hTERT‐DCs in CR, 11 patients (58%) developed hTERT‐specific T‐cell responses that primarily were targeted toward hTERT peptides with predicted low human leukocyte antigen (HLA)‐binding affinities. With a median follow‐up of 52 months, 58% of patients in CR (11 of 19 patients) were free of disease recurrence at the time of their last follow‐up visit; 57% of the patients who were aged ≥60 years (4 of 7 patients) also were found to be free of disease recurrence at a median follow‐up of 54 months.CONCLUSIONSThe generation of hTERT‐DCs is feasible and vaccination with hTERT‐DCs appears to be safe and may be associated with favorable recurrence‐free survival. Cancer 2017;123:3061–72. © 2017 American Cancer Society.
Spotlight on Anti‐CGRP Monoclonal Antibodies in Migraine: The Clinical Evidence to Date
Authors: Pellesi Lanfranco , Guerzoni Simona , Pini Luigi Alberto 
Published: April 2017

AbstractMigraine, a common neurovascular brain disorder, represents a severe and widespread health problem; along with medication‐induced (medication‐overuse) headache, it is the third‐leading cause of disability worldwide. Currently, its therapeutic management remains unsatisfactory for several reasons; up to 40% of migraineurs are eligible for prophylactic treatment, but there are issues of efficacy, safety, and adherence. In recent years the evidence on the role of calcitonin gene‐related peptide (CGRP) in migraine pathophysiology has been consolidated, so new and promising treatments for migraine pain and its possible prevention have been developed. The following review reports the results of the clinical trials conducted so far with each of the new monoclonal antibodies targeting CGRP or its receptor, with particular reference to safety, tolerance, and efficacy in migraine prevention. Moreover, the pharmacological characterization and further developments of each monoclonal antibody are reported, based on current knowledge.
Enhancing Lifetime and Efficiency of Organic Solar Cell by Applying an In Situ Synthesized Low‐Crystalline ZnO Layer
Authors: Arabpour Roghabadi Farzaneh , Ahmadi Vahid , Abdollahi Nejand Bahram , Oniy Aghmiuni Karim 
Published: April 2017

AbstractBy introducing an in situ synthesized low‐crystalline ZnO (LC‐ZnO) (amorphous) layer between the cathode and the active layer of PCPDTBT:CdSe solar cell {PCPDTBT: poly[2,6‐(4,4‐bis(2‐ethylhexyl)‐4H‐cyclopenta [2,1‐b:3,4‐b′]dithiophene)‐alt‐4,7(2,1,3‐benzothiadiazole)]}, the device keeps more than 80 and 40 % of its initial lifetime after 180 and 360 days without any encapsulation, respectively. In this regard, 180 days is the highest lifetime achieved for polymer‐based solar cells with direct configuration. In addition, the power conversion efficiency (PCE) is improved up to 70 % in the presence of the LC‐ZnO interfacial layer. The LC‐ZnO layer is synthesized during polymer annealing after solution‐deposition of the precursor at a low temperature (140 °C) and a short time. Highly crystalline ZnO (HC‐ZnO) nanoparticles are also synthesized and applied as an interfacial layer. The results show that the LC‐ZnO is superior to the HC‐ZnO in acting as cathode interfacial layer and moisture scavenger because of the high coverage and surface area provided by the in situ synthesis method.
Investigations into the improvement of the weather protection of unburnt brick masonry, part 1
Authors: Braun Jörg 
Published: April 2017

AbstractIn June 2006, the Chair of Structural Design at the Technical University of Dresden was commissioned by the Iranian cultural authority ICHHTO and the UNESCO to perform structural design services for the earthquake‐resistant repair and rebuilding of the Sistani House in the historic citadel Arg‐e‐Bam in the south of Iran. The citadel was until its almost complete destruction by an earthquake on 26 Dezember 2003 the largest building of unburnt brick masonry in the world and is listed as a World heritage Site by UNESCO because of its cultural and historical significance. Surveying and documentation work, archaeological rubble clearance and the rebuilding of the Sistani House after its destruction by the earthquake have taken the team from the department to Bam at regular intervals since 2006. In the course of the work, it became apparent that research was needed in the field of the repair of earthquake‐damaged unburnt brick masonry and into the improvement of the shear strength/earthquake resistance and the weather protection of unburnt brick masonry.The article is subdivided in Part 1, Introduction, test performance and assessment of results for additives to loam render as well as Part 2, Assessment of the results for surface treatment to unburnt bricks and the climatic chamber tests.
Geographical and climatic gradients of evergreen versus deciduous broad‐leaved tree species in subtropical China: Implications for the definition of the mixed forest
Authors: Ge Jielin , Xie Zongqiang 
Published: April 2017

AbstractUnderstanding climatic influences on the proportion of evergreen versus deciduous broad‐leaved tree species in forests is of crucial importance when predicting the impact of climate change on broad‐leaved forests. Here, we quantified the geographical distribution of evergreen versus deciduous broad‐leaved tree species in subtropical China. The Relative Importance Value index (RIV) was used to examine regional patterns in tree species dominance and was related to three key climatic variables: mean annual temperature (MAT), minimum temperature of the coldest month (MinT), and mean annual precipitation (MAP). We found the RIV of evergreen species to decrease with latitude at a lapse rate of 10% per degree between 23.5 and 25°N, 1% per degree at 25–29.1°N, and 15% per degree at 29.1–34°N. The RIV of evergreen species increased with: MinT at a lapse rate of 10% per °C between −4.5 and 2.5°C and 2% per °C at 2.5–10.5°C; MAP at a lapse rate of 10% per 100 mm between 900 and 1,600 mm and 4% per 100 mm between 1,600 and 2,250 mm. All selected climatic variables cumulatively explained 71% of the geographical variation in dominance of evergreen and deciduous broad‐leaved tree species and the climatic variables, ranked in order of decreasing effects were as follows: MinT > MAP > MAT. We further proposed that the latitudinal limit of evergreen and deciduous broad‐leaved mixed forests was 29.1–32°N, corresponding with MAT of 11–18.1°C, MinT of −2.5 to 2.51°C, and MAP of 1,000–1,630 mm. This study is the first quantitative assessment of climatic correlates with the evergreenness and deciduousness of broad‐leaved forests in subtropical China and underscores that extreme cold temperature is the most important climatic determinant of evergreen and deciduous broad‐leaved tree species’ distributions, a finding that confirms earlier qualitative studies. Our findings also offer new insight into the definition and distribution of the mixed forest and an accurate assessment of vulnerability of mixed forests to future climate change.
Process Analysis for the Production of Hydrogen and Liquid Fuels from Oil Shale
Authors: Raja Mohammad Afzal , Chen Hao , Wang Hongyan , Zhao Yongsheng , Shi Chunyan , Zhang Suojiang , Zhang Xiangping 
Published: April 2017

AbstractShale to liquid (STL) and syngas to liquid (GTL) fuel techniques are applied to vast discovered resources of oil shale to fulfil current and future liquid fuel demands. To utilize the different constituents of oil shale efficiently, cases 1 and 2 were designed to produce liquid fuels and hydrogen as end products. In case 1, which produces shale oil and retorting gas from oil shale that are further processed by shale oil hydrogenation and retorting gas steam reforming to produce liquid fuels and hydrogen, respectively. For comparison, case 2, including oil‐shale retorting, retorting gas steam reforming, shale oil hydrogenation, and Fischer–Tropsch synthesis technology, was also established. Cases 1 and 2 are compared (with respect to end products and energy efficiencies) with each other by modeling and simulating three scenarios for case 1 and four scenarios for case 2. The simulation results show that the third scenario of case 1 and the fourth scenario of case 2 provide the most important required end products, namely, hydrogen and hydrocarbon fuels. The overall production of hydrocarbon fuels in the fourth scenario of case 2 increases 0.95 wt % more than that of the third scenario of case 1, whereas the production of hydrogen reduces by 14.7 wt % and the external energy consumption is 20 % higher in the fourth scenario of case 2, relative to that of the third scenario of case 1. For the third scenario of case 1 and fourth scenario of case 2, the total energy efficiency of the system is 43.45 % (high heating value (HHV)) and 43.16 % (HHV), respectively. The whole system is modeled and simulated in the Aspen Plus V8.4 program and the results are compatible with those of industrial and experimental data. Sensitivity analyses are performed to show the effects of various key operating parameters on the production yield of shale oil, retorting gas, and hydrogen.
Single and combined effects of microcystin- and saxitoxin-producing cyanobacteria on the fitness and antioxidant defenses of cladocerans
Authors: da S. Ferrão-Filho Aloysio , de Abreu S. Silva Daniel , de Oliveira Taissa A. , de Magalhães Valéria Freitas , Pflugmacher Stephan , da Silva Eduardo Mendes 
Published: April 2017

Abstract

Cyanobacteria produce different toxic compounds that affect animal life, among them hepatotoxins and neurotoxins. Because cyanobacteria are able to produce a variety of toxic compounds at the same time, organisms may be, generally, subjected to their combined action. In the present study, we demonstrate the single and combined effects on cladocerans of cyanobacteria that produce microcystins (hepatotoxins) and saxitoxins (neurotoxins). Animals were exposed (either singly or combined) to 2 strains of cyanobacteria isolated from the same environment (Funil Reservoir, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil). The effects on clearance rate, mobility, survivorship, fecundity, population increase rate (r), and the antioxidant enzymes glutathione-S-transferase (GST) and catalase (CAT) were measured. Cladoceran species showed a variety of responses to cyanobacterial exposures, going from no effect to impairment of swimming movement, lower survivorship, fecundity, and general fitness (r). Animals ingested cyanobacteria in all treatments, although at lower rates than good food (green algae). Antioxidant defense responses were in accordance with fitness responses, suggesting that oxidative stress may be related to such effects. The present study emphasizes the need for testing combined actions of different classes of toxins, because this is often, and most likely, the scenario in a more eutrophic world with global climatic changes. Environ Toxicol Chem 2017;36:2689–2697. © 2017 SETAC
Comparative efficacy and safety of antiplatelet agents in cerebral ischemic disease: A network meta‐analysis
Authors: Wa Da , Zhu Pa , Long Ziwen 
Published: April 2017

AbstractWe performed a network meta‐analysis (NMA) to enhance the corresponding evidence of the relative efficacy and safety of different antiplatelet agents in cerebral ischemic disease. PubMed and EMBASE were searched systematically for relevant studies. Outcomes were compared using odds ratios and 95% credible intervals. Each agent was ranked according to the value of surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA). Publication bias was evaluated by funnel plots, while consistency between direct and indirect comparison was analyzed by node‐splitting and heat plots. Besides, the clustering technique was used to categorize similar agents. A number of 44 eligible studies with 148 578 patients were included in this NMA. In terms of efficacy (including mortality, recurrent stroke, and vascular event), all six interventions were better than placebo. clopidogrel (Clop) and aspirin (ASA)+Clop were the best two interventions from SUCRA. However, the performance of ASA+Clop declined significantly when considering safety (including myocardial infarction, all‐cause withdrawal, and intracranial hemorrhage), especially worse in intracranial hemorrhage. In conclusion, Clop was potentially the most preferable treatment for preventing cerebral ischemic in terms of efficacy and safety. However, the addition of ASA was associated with a potential increase in intracranial hemorrhage, therefore, combination therapy of ASA and Clop should be introduced with caution although it may be more effective than the monotherapy of ASA.
Tandem mass spectrometric analysis of novel peptide‐modified gemini surfactants used as gene delivery vectors
Authors: Al‐Dulaymi M. , El‐Aneed A. 
Published: April 2017

Diquaternary ammonium gemini surfactants have emerged as effective gene delivery vectors. A novel series of 11 peptide‐modified compounds was synthesized, showing promising results in delivering genetic materials. The purpose of this work is to elucidate the tandem mass spectrometric (MS/MS) dissociation behavior of these novel molecules establishing a generalized MS/MS fingerprint.Exact mass measurements were achieved using a hybrid quadrupole orthogonal time‐of‐flight mass spectrometer, and a multi‐stage MS/MS analysis was conducted using a triple quadrupole‐linear ion trap mass spectrometer. Both instruments were operated in the positive ionization mode and are equipped with electrospray ionization. Abundant triply charged [M+H]3+ species were observed in the single‐stage analysis of all the evaluated compounds with mass accuracies of less than 8 ppm in mass error. MS/MS analysis showed that the evaluated gemini surfactants exhibited peptide‐related dissociation characteristics because of the presence of amino acids within the compounds' spacer region. In particular, diagnostic product ions were originated from the neutral loss of ammonia from the amino acids' side chain resulting in the formation of pipecolic acid at the N‐terminus part of the gemini surfactants. In addition, a charge‐directed amide bond cleavage was initiated by the amino acids' side chain producing a protonated α‐amino‐ε‐caprolactam ion and its complimentary C‐terminus ion that contains quaternary amines. MS/MS and MS3 analysis revealed common fragmentation behavior among all tested compounds, resulting in the production of a universal MS/MS fragmentation pathway. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.