bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Performance of the Abbott i2000 for Measuring Serum Markers of Infectious Diseases
Authors: Wang Linchuan , Chen Wei , Yu Yan 
Published: June 2016

BackgroundTo date, there is a trend that the chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassays (CMIA) and electrochemiluminescence immunoassays (ECIA) technology gradually replacing the enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). But the performance such as the limit of quantitation (LOQ), precision, linear range of CMIA, or ECIA for serum markers of infectious diseases has rarely been reported.MethodsUsing proficiency testing samples and standard materials, we confirmed the LOQ of the ELISA and the precision, linear range, LOQ, and instrument biases of the Abbott i2000 for eight serum markers. We used the Abbott i2000 and ELISAs to assess five HIV samples; the researchers were blinded to the true status of the samples.ResultsFor the Abbott i2000, the coefficients of variation (CV) for the low, medium, and high concentration samples ranged from 1.06 to 12.74%, which were less than the allowable error; the linear ranges of HBsAg and HBsAb were 0.66–304.11 IU/ml and 8.16–1205.9 mIU/ml, respectively. For the Abbott i2000, the LOQs of HBsAg, HBsAb, HBeAg, HBeAb, HBcAb, anti‐HCV, anti‐TP, and anti‐HIV were 0.026 IU/ml, 4 mIU/ml, 0.14 NCU/ml, 0.56 NCU/ml, 0.99 NCU/ml, 0.5 NCU/ml, 8.8 mIU/ml, and 1.92 NCU/ml, respectively, and these values were 0.16 IU/ml, 6.97 mIU/ml, 1.16 NCU/ml, 1.63 NCU/ml, 1.79 NCU/ml, 1.03 NCU/ml, 8.33 mIU/ml, and 1.3 NCU/ml, respectively, for the ELISA. When five HIV samples were blindly assessed, two cases were missed by the Abbott i2000 and the ELISA results were consistent with the expected results.ConclusionsThe Abbott i2000 performed significantly better than the ELISA on HBV and HCV screening; however, for anti‐TP and anti‐HIV, the ELISA remained the preferred method.
Selective hydrogenation of fatty acids and methyl esters of fatty acids to obtain fatty alcohols–a review
Authors: Sánchez María A , Torres Gerardo C , Mazzieri Vanina A , Pieck Carlos L 
Published: June 2016

AbstractIn this paper, a review is presented of the evolution of different catalytic systems and operating conditions used in the selective hydrogenation of acids and esters of fatty acids to obtain fatty alcohols, which have broad industrial applications in the oleochemical industry. In addition, the current status of the different technologies used industrially (Lurgi, Davy and Henkel) for obtaining fatty alcohols, as well as major global sources of raw materials for the oleochemical industry are put forward. Finally, the reaction mechanisms of the selective hydrogenation process of oleic acid and methyl oleate to obtain the corresponding unsaturated alcohol as well as the new catalysts proposed by researchers are described. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry
Partitioning Perfect Graphs into Stars
Authors: van Bevern René , Bredereck Robert , Bulteau Laurent , Chen Jiehua , Froese Vincent , Niedermeier Rolf , Woeginger Gerhard J. 
Published: June 2016

AbstractThe partition of graphs into “nice” subgraphs is a central algorithmic problem with strong ties to matching theory. We study the partitioning of undirected graphs into same‐size stars, a problem known to be NP‐complete even for the case of stars on three vertices. We perform a thorough computational complexity study of the problem on subclasses of perfect graphs and identify several polynomial‐time solvable cases, for example, on interval graphs and bipartite permutation graphs, and also NP‐complete cases, for example, on grid graphs and chordal graphs.
Higher‐resolution MR elastography reveals early mechanical signatures of neuroinflammation in patients with clinically isolated syndrome
Authors: Fehlner Andreas , Behrens Janina Ruth , Streitberger Kaspar‐Josche , Papazoglou Sebastian , Braun Jürgen , Bellmann‐Strobl Judith , Ruprecht Klemens , Paul Friedemann , Würfel Jens , Sack Ingolf 
Published: June 2016

PurposeTo assess if higher‐resolution magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) is a technique that can measure the in vivo mechanical properties of brain tissue and is sensitive to early signatures of brain tissue degradation in patients with clinically isolated syndrome (CIS).Materials and MethodsSeventeen patients with CIS and 33 controls were investigated by MRE with a 3T MRI scanner. Full‐wave field data were acquired at seven drive frequencies from 30 to 60 Hz. The spatially resolved higher‐resolution maps of magnitude |G*| and phase angle φ of the complex‐valued shear modulus were obtained in addition to springpot model parameters. These parameters were spatially averaged in white matter (WM) and whole‐brain regions and correlated with clinical and radiological parameters.ResultsSpatially resolved MRE revealed that CIS reduced WM viscoelasticity, independent of imaging markers of multiple sclerosis and clinical scores. |G*| was reduced by 14% in CIS (1.4 ± 0.2 kPa vs. 1.7 ± 0.2 kPa, P < 0.001, 95% confidence interval [CI] [–0.4, –0.1] kPa), while φ (0.66 ± 0.04 vs. 0.67 ± 0.04, P = 0.65, 95% CI [–0.04, 0.02]) remained unaltered. Springpot‐based shear elasticity showed only a trend of CIS‐related reduction (3.4 ± 0.5 kPa vs. 3.7 ± 0.5 kPa, P = 0.06, 95% CI [–0.6, 0.02] kPa) in the whole brain.ConclusionWe demonstrate that CIS leads to significantly reduced elasticity of brain parenchyma, raising the prospect of using MRE as an imaging marker for subtle and diffuse tissue damage in neuroinflammatory diseases. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2016;44:51–58.
Multi‐decadal variability of soil moisture–temperature coupling over the contiguous United States modulated by Pacific and Atlantic sea surface temperatures
Authors: Ford Trent W. , Quiring Steven M. , Frauenfeld Oliver W. 
Published: June 2016

ABSTRACTRegions of strong land–atmosphere coupling are often depicted as static in time. However, the mechanisms through which the land surface impacts atmospheric conditions vary on sub‐daily to multi‐decadal timescales. Therefore, characterizing the long‐term variability of land–atmosphere interactions may provide a means of predicting when surface‐induced extreme temperature events will be more or less likely to occur. We evaluate the coupling strength between soil moisture, as represented by in situ observations and 1‐month Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI), and subsequent monthly maximum temperature (TMAX) over the contiguous United States. We find that the utility of SPI as a proxy for soil moisture anomalies is limited to the summer, as the correlations between SPI and TMAX are not significantly related in the other seasons. We examine the variability in summer SPI–TMAX coupling in four regions of the United States. In general, we find the strongest relationships between SPI and TMAX in the Southern Great Plains. However, our results demonstrate that the coupling strength varies considerably over time in most regions of the United States. The long‐term variability in SPI–TMAX coupling strength is strongly related to the Pacific Decadal Oscillation in the northwest and midwest United States, and the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation in the southeast United States The results of this study suggest that land–atmosphere coupling in the contiguous United States is modulated by multi‐decadal oscillations in Pacific and Atlantic sea surface temperatures.
Can significant trends be detected in surface air temperature and precipitation over South America in recent decades?
Authors: de Barros Soares Daniel , Lee Huikyo , Loikith Paul C. , Barkhordarian Armineh , Mechoso Carlos R. 
Published: June 2016

ABSTRACTTrends in near‐surface air temperature and precipitation over South America are examined for the periods 1975–2004 and 1955–2004, respectively, using multiple observational and climate model data sets. The results for observed near‐surface air temperature show an overall warming trend over much of the continent, with the largest magnitudes over central Brazil. These observed trends are found to be statistically significant using pre‐industrial control simulations from the fifth phase of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP5) as the baseline to estimate natural climate variability. The observed trends are compared with those obtained in natural‐only CMIP5 simulations, in which only natural forcings (i.e. volcanoes and solar variability) are included, and in historical CMIP5 simulations, in which anthropogenic forcings (i.e. changes in the atmospheric composition) are further incorporated. The historical CMIP5 simulations are more successful in capturing the observed temperature trends than the simulations with natural forcings only. It is suggested that anthropogenic warming is already evident over much of South America. Unlike the warming trends, observed precipitation trends over South America are less spatially coherent with both negative and positive values across the continent. Significant positive trends are found over South America in only one of the data sets used, and over a region that roughly encompasses the southern part of La Plata Basin (southern Brazil, Uruguay, and northeastern Argentina) in all data sets used. The historical CMIP5 simulations do not capture this feature. No firm conclusions are reached, therefore, for anthropogenic influences on precipitation changes in the period selected for study.
Virtual stress testing of fracture stability in soldiers with severely comminuted tibial fractures
Authors: Petfield Joseph L. , Hayeck Garry T. , Kopperdahl David L. , Nesti Leon J. , Keaveny Tony M. , Hsu Joseph R. ,   on Behalf of the Skeletal Trauma Research Consortium (STReC)
Published: June 2016

ABSTRACTVirtual stress testing (VST) provides a non‐invasive estimate of the strength of a healing bone through a biomechanical analysis of a patient's computed tomography (CT) scan. We asked whether VST could improve management of patients who had a tibia fracture treated with external fixation. In a retrospective case‐control study of 65 soldier‐patients who had tibia fractures treated with an external fixator, we performed VST utilizing CT scans acquired prior to fixator removal. The strength of the healing bone and the amount of tissue damage after application of an overload were computed for various virtual loading cases. Logistic regression identified computed outcomes with the strongest association to clinical events related to nonunion within 2 months after fixator removal. Clinical events (n = 9) were associated with a low tibial strength for compression loading (p < 0.05, AUC = 0.74) or a low proportion of failed cortical bone tissue for torsional loading (p < 0.005, AUC = 0.84). Using post‐hoc thresholds of a compressive strength of four times body‐weight and a proportional of failed cortical bone tissue of 5%, the test identified all nine patients who failed clinically (100% sensitivity; 40.9% positive predictive value) and over three fourths of those (43 of 56) who progressed to successful healing (76.8% specificity; 100% negative predictive value). In this study, VST identified all patients who progressed to full, uneventful union after fixator removal; thus, we conclude that this new test has the potential to provide a quantitative, objective means of identifying tibia‐fracture patients who can safely resume weight bearing. © 2016 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 35:805–811, 2017.
Production and evaluation of potassium fertilizers from silicate rock
Authors: Santos Wedisson Oliveira , Mattiello Edson Marcio , Vergutz Leonardus , Costa Rodolfo Fagundes 
Published: June 2016

AbstractRising price and limited geographical availability of traditional sources of potassium (K) fertilizers have stimulated a search for alternative K sources in different parts of the world. We evaluated mineral transformations and agronomic properties of an alternative source of K produced through thermal and chemical treatment of the verdete rock (VR). Chemical and mineralogical characteristics were evaluated before and after each treatment. Four K sources (verdete rock, KCl, acidified verdete, and calcinated verdete) were applied to a Typic Hapludox at different rates. Eucalyptus and sequentially cropped maize and grass were grown in the treated soils. Verdete rock, which contained glauconite and microcline as K crystalline minerals, had very low solubility in water and in citric acid. Thermal and chemical treatments increased the concentration of water soluble K and citric acid soluble K. These treatments also caused crystalline K minerals to collapse and form sylvite and arcanite. Untreated verdete rock was not suitable as a K source for maize (Zea mays L.) and eucalyptus (Eucaliptus urograndis I144). Thermal and chemical treatments increased agronomic performance of VR to be similar to KCl. When K was applied as K‐calcined verdete, 82% of the total K was recovered in maize and grass cultivations. Less K was recovered in plant following addition of K‐acidified verdete and KCl (72% and 77%, respectively). Potassium recoveries by eucalyptus were about 52, 53, and 60% of the amount applied of calcined verdete, acidified verdete, and KCl, respectively. Both calcination and thermal treatment increased the K uptake and dry matter production for all plant species tested to be similar to KCl suggesting that this silicate rock could be beneficiated to be an effective K fertilizer.
Health‐beneficial properties of potato and compounds of interest
Authors: Visvanathan Rizliya , Jayathilake Chathuni , Chaminda Jayawardana Barana , Liyanage Ruvini 
Published: June 2016

AbstractPotatoes have shown promising health‐promoting properties in human cell culture, experimental animal and human clinical studies, including antioxidant, hypocholesterolemic, anti‐inflammatory, antiobesity, anticancer and antidiabetic effects. Compounds present such as phenolics, fiber, starch and proteins as well as compounds considered antinutritional such as glycoalkaloids, lectins and proteinase inhibitors are believed to contribute to the health benefits of potatoes. However, epidemiological studies exploring the role of potatoes in human health have been inconclusive. Some studies support a protective effect of potato consumption in weight management and diabetes, while other studies demonstrate no effect and a few suggest a negative effect. As there are many biological activities attributed to the compounds present in potato, some of which could be beneficial or detrimental depending on specific circumstances, a long‐term study investigating the association between potato consumption and diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease and cancer while controlling for fat intake is needed. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry
The accuracy of an electromagnetic navigation system in lateral skull base approaches
Authors: Komune Noritaka , Matsushima Ken , Matsuo Satoshi , Safavi‐Abbasi Sam , Matsumoto Nozomu , Rhoton Albert L. 
Published: June 2016

Objectives/HypothesisImage‐guided optical tracking systems are being used with increased frequency in lateral skull base surgery. Recently, electromagnetic tracking systems have become available for use in this region. However, the clinical accuracy of the electromagnetic tracking system has not been examined in lateral skull base surgery. This study evaluates the accuracy of electromagnetic navigation in lateral skull base surgery.Study DesignCadaveric and radiographic study.MethodsTwenty cadaveric temporal bones were dissected in a surgical setting under a commercially available, electromagnetic surgical navigation system. The target registration error (TRE) was measured at 28 surgical landmarks during and after performing the standard translabyrinthine and middle cranial fossa surgical approaches to the internal acoustic canal. In addition, three demonstrative procedures that necessitate navigation with high accuracy were performed; that is, canalostomy of the superior semicircular canal from the middle cranial fossa,1 cochleostomy from the middle cranial fossa,2 and infralabyrinthine approach to the petrous apex.3ResultsEleven of 17 (65%) of the targets in the translabyrinthine approach and five of 11 (45%) of the targets in the middle fossa approach could be identified in the navigation system with TRE of less than 0.5 mm. Three accuracy‐dependent procedures were completed without anatomical injury of important anatomical structures.ConclusionThe electromagnetic navigation system had sufficient accuracy to be used in the surgical setting. It was possible to perform complex procedures in the lateral skull base under the guidance of the electromagnetically tracked navigation system.Levels of EvidenceN/A. Laryngoscope, 2016 127:450–459, 2017
Medicinal Chemistry Strategies to Disrupt the p53–MDM2/MDMX Interaction
Authors: Lemos Agostinho , Leão Mariana , Soares Joana , Palmeira Andreia , Pinto Madalena , Saraiva Lucília , Sousa Maria Emília 
Published: June 2016

AbstractThe growth inhibitory activity of p53 tumor suppressor is tightly regulated by interaction with two negative regulatory proteins, murine double minute 2 (MDM2) and X (MDMX), which are overexpressed in about half of all human tumors. The elucidation of crystallographic structures of MDM2/MDMX complexes with p53 has been pivotal for the identification of several classes of inhibitors of the p53–MDM2/MDMX interaction. The present review provides in silico strategies and screening approaches used in drug discovery as well as an overview of the most relevant classes of small‐molecule inhibitors of the p53–MDM2/MDMX interaction, their progress in pipeline, and highlights particularities of each class of inhibitors. Most of the progress made with high‐throughput screening has led to the development of inhibitors belonging to the cis‐imidazoline, piperidinone, and spiro‐oxindole series. However, novel potent and selective classes of inhibitors of the p53–MDM2 interaction with promising antitumor activity are emerging. Even with the discovery of the 3D structure of complex p53–MDMX, only two small molecules were reported as selective p53–MDMX antagonists, WK298 and SJ‐172550. Dual inhibition of the p53–MDM2/MDMX interaction has shown to be an alternative approach since it results in full activation of the p53‐dependent pathway. The knowledge of structural requirements crucial to the development of small‐molecule inhibitors of the p53–MDMs interactions has enabled the identification of novel antitumor agents with improved in vivo efficacy.
In vivo free‐breathing DTI and IVIM of the whole human heart using a real‐time slice‐followed SE‐EPI navigator‐based sequence: A reproducibility study in healthy volunteers
Authors: Moulin Kevin , Croisille Pierre , Feiweier Thorsten , Delattre Benedicte M.A. , Wei Hongjiang , Robert Benjamin , Beuf Olivier , Viallon Magalie 
Published: June 2016

PurposeIn this study, we proposed an efficient free‐breathing strategy for rapid and improved cardiac diffusion‐weighted imaging (DWI) acquisition using a single‐shot spin‐echo echo planar imaging (SE‐EPI) sequence. Methods: A real‐time slice‐following technique during free‐breathing was combined with a sliding acquisition‐window strategy prior Principal Component Analysis temporal Maximum Intensity Projection (PCAtMIP) postprocessing of in‐plane co‐registered diffusion‐weighted images. This methodology was applied to 10 volunteers to quantify the performance of the motion correction technique and the reproducibility of diffusion parameters. Results: The slice‐following technique offers a powerful head–foot respiratory motion management solution for SE‐EPI cDWI with the advantage of a 100% duty cycle scanning efficiency. The level of co‐registration was further improved using nonrigid motion corrections and was evaluated with a co‐registration index. Vascular fraction f and the diffusion coefficients D and D* were determined to be 0.122 ± 0.013, 1.41 ± 0.09 × 10−3 mm2/s and 43.6 ± 9.2 × 10−3 mm2/s, respectively. From the multidirectional dataset, the measured mean diffusivity was 1.72 ± 0.09 × 10−3 mm2/s and the fractional anisotropy was 0.36 ± 0.02. Conclusion: The slice‐following DWI SE‐EPI sequence is a promising solution for clinical implementation, offering a robust improved workflow for further evaluation of DWI in cardiology. Magn Reson Med 76:1–2, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Advances in targeted proteomics and applications to biomedical research
Authors: Shi Tujin , Song Ehwang , Nie Song , Rodland Karin D. , Liu Tao , Qian Wei‐Jun , Smith Richard D. 
Published: June 2016

Targeted proteomics technique has emerged as a powerful protein quantification tool in systems biology, biomedical research, and increasing for clinical applications. The most widely used targeted proteomics approach, selected reaction monitoring (SRM), also known as multiple reaction monitoring (MRM), can be used for quantification of cellular signaling networks and preclinical verification of candidate protein biomarkers. As an extension to our previous review on advances in SRM sensitivity (Shi et al., Proteomics, 12, 1074–1092, 2012) herein we review recent advances in the method and technology for further enhancing SRM sensitivity (from 2012 to present), and highlighting its broad biomedical applications in human bodily fluids, tissue and cell lines. Furthermore, we also review two recently introduced targeted proteomics approaches, parallel reaction monitoring (PRM) and data‐independent acquisition (DIA) with targeted data extraction on fast scanning high‐resolution accurate‐mass (HR/AM) instruments. Such HR/AM targeted quantification with monitoring all target product ions addresses SRM limitations effectively in specificity and multiplexing; whereas when compared to SRM, PRM and DIA are still in the infancy with a limited number of applications. Thus, for HR/AM targeted quantification we focus our discussion on method development, data processing and analysis, and its advantages and limitations in targeted proteomics. Finally, general perspectives on the potential of achieving both high sensitivity and high sample throughput for large‐scale quantification of hundreds of target proteins are discussed.
Influence of free surfaces on microstructure evolution of radiation damage in Fe from molecular dynamics and object kinetic Monte Carlo calculations
Authors: Aliaga Maria J. , Dopico Ignacio , Martin‐Bragado Ignacio , Caturla Maria J. 
Published: June 2016

The influence of surfaces on the evolution of damage of irradiated Fe is studied using object kinetic Monte Carlo with input from molecular dynamics simulations and ab initio calculations. Two effects are analysed: the influence of traps and the initial distribution of damage in the cascade. These simulations show that for a trap concentration of around 100 appm, there are no significant differences between defect concentrations in bulk and thin films. However, the initial distribution of defects plays an important role not only on total defect concentration but also on defect type, for the model used in this study.Damage produced by a 100 keV Fe ion impinging a Fe thin film. Blue (dark) spheres are self‐interstitials, red (light) spheres are vacancies.