bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Catalytically impaired fluorescent Class C β‐lactamase enables rapid and sensitive cephalosporin detection by stabilizing fluorescence signals: Implications for biosensor design
Authors: Tsang Man‐Wah , So Pui‐Kin , Liu Sze‐Yan , Tsang Chun‐Wai , Chan Pak‐Ho , Wong Kwok‐Yin , Leung Yun‐Chung 
Published: September 2014

AbstractBiosensors have found applications in many sectors including the food industry, where cephalosporin detection has played an important role in reducing the incidence of cephalosporin contamination, ensuring food safety, and reducing the spread of antibiotic resistance. Taking advantage of the specific interaction between β‐lactamase and its cephalosporin substrates/inhibitors, we previously constructed a biosensor based on a fluorescein‐labeled class C β‐lactamase mutant, V211Cf, for specific and reagentless detection of cephalosporins and class C β‐lactamase inhibitors (Anal. Chem. 2011, 83, 1996–2004). Upon the addition of substrate/ inhibitor (i.e. the biosensor's analyte), the analyte induced a change in the local environment of the fluorescein molecule that was covalently tethered to a site close to the enzyme's active site (the 211 position), triggering a fluorescence enhancement of V211Cf. To improve the performance of V211Cf for better cephalosporin detection of the biosensor, we have developed Y150S/V211Cf, a derivative of V211Cf constructed by introducing the Y150S mutation to suppress the hydrolytic activity of V211Cf thereby improving the stability of the fluorescence signal. From our results, Y150S/V211Cf not only demonstrated improved fluorescence signal sustainability over V211Cf, but also showed a rapid response towards cephalothin (a first generation cephalosporin). These features make it feasible to of use Y150S/V211Cf for the rapid and specific detection of cephalosporins, and illustrate the possibilities for rational biosensor design of catalytically impaired fluorescent enzymes for rapid and sensitive analyte detection purposes.
Fundamental Issues of Catalytic Conversion of Bio‐Ethanol into Butadiene
Authors: Ezinkwo Godwin O. , Tretyakov Valentine Philippovich , Aliyu Auwal , Ilolov Akhmadsho Mamadshoevich 
Published: September 2014

AbstractThis paper reviews issues related to butadiene production via bio‐ethanol conversion from the days of Lebedev until today. A catalogue of catalytic systems proposed till date were identified; the inevitable role of various dopants in enhancing catalytic activity, physico‐chemical analysis of certain catalytic trends and prospects for the development of the old process by the implementation of process initiators and the use of new generation catalysts with higher performance and better tolerance to coking problems, and the impact of shale gas exploitation on the supply and demand of butadiene were also discussed.
Design Strategies for Integrated β‐Galactosidase Purification Processes
Authors: Lemes Ailton C. , Machado Juliana Ribeiro , Brites Marcela Lazzare , Luccio Marco Di , Kalil Susana Juliano 
Published: September 2014

AbstractThe operational conditions for an aqueous two‐phase system (ATPS) for β‐galactosidase purification were optimized and applied to the design of a purification strategy as an alternative to the primary purification steps. The ATPS proved to be suitable for the recovery and primary enzyme purification. The purification process design developed by ATPS, diafiltration, ion exchange, and diafiltration/ultrafiltration was successful, yielding a more than tenfold purification. The purification strategy design resulted in a powerful integrated purification and recovery process, an evidence of the potential for a scale‐up of the β‐galactosidase purification process.
Mass Transfer Reaction Kinetics of β‐Isophorone Oxidation by Air in an Agitator Bubbling Reactor
Authors: Yin Hong , Sheng Caiping , Chen Zhirong , Yuan Shenfeng , Li Haoran , Mei Jun 
Published: September 2014

AbstractThe mass transfer reaction kinetics of β‐isophorone (β‐IP) oxidation reaction by air was investigated in a lab‐scale agitator bubbling reactor. This reaction can be regarded as instantaneous and there exists a critical concentration of β‐IP. When the catalyst concentration is kept unchanged, the reaction rate is only controlled by the gas film and the reaction kinetics is of zero order with respect to β‐IP when the β‐IP concentration lies over the critical concentration. The reaction rate is controlled by the dual film and the kinetics is of first order with respect to β‐IP when its concentration is below the critical concentration. Under the gas film‐controlling condition, the effect of temperature, agitator speed, and aeration on the reaction rate is evaluated. A correlation equation of gas phase volumetric mass transfer coefficients combining superficial gas velocity and agitator speed is defined.
Germylene Cyanide Complex: A Reagent for the Activation of Aldehydes with Catalytic Significance
Authors: Siwatch Rahul Kumar , Nagendran Selvarajan 
Published: September 2014

AbstractThe first example of a germanium(II) cyanide complex [GeCN(L)] (2) (L=aminotroponiminate (ATI)) has been synthesized through a novel and relatively benign route that involves the reaction of a digermylene oxide [(L)GeOGe(L)] (1) with trimethylsilylcyanide (TMSCN). Interestingly, compound 2 activates several aldehydes (RCHO) at room temperature and results in the corresponding cyanogermylated products [RC{OGe(L)}(CN)H] (R=H 3, iPr 4, tBu 5, CH(Ph)Me 6). Reaction of one of the cyanogermylated products (4) with TMSCN affords the cyanosilylated product [(iPr)C(OSiMe3)(CN)H] (7) along with [GeCN(L)] quantitatively, and insinuates the possible utility of [GeCN(L)] as a catalyst for the cyanosilylation reactions of aldehydes with TMSCN. Accordingly, the quantitative formation of several cyanosilylated products [RC(OSiMe3)(CN)H] (7–9) in the reaction between RCHO and TMSCN by using 1 mol % of [GeCN(L)] as a catalyst is also reported for the first time.
Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells with Improved Performance using Cone‐Calix[4]Arene Based Dyes
Authors: Tan Li‐Lin , Liu Jun‐Min , Li Shao‐Yong , Xiao Li‐Min , Kuang Dai‐Bin , Su Cheng‐Yong 
Published: September 2014

AbstractThree cone‐calix[4]arene‐based sensitizers (Calix‐1–Calix‐3) with multiple donor–π–acceptor (D–π–A) moieties are designed, synthesized, and applied in dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Their photophysical and electrochemical properties are characterized by measuring UV/Vis absorption and emission spectra, cyclic voltammetry, and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Calix‐3 has excellent thermo‐ and photostability, as illustrated by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and dye‐aging tests, respectively. Importantly, a DSSC using the Calix‐3 dye displays a conversion efficiency of 5.48 % in under standard AM 1.5 Global solar illumination conditions, much better than corresponding DSSCs that use the rod‐shaped dye M‐3 with a single D–π–A chain (3.56 %). The dyes offer advantages in terms of higher molar extinction coefficients, longer electron lifetimes, better stability, and stronger binding ability to TiO2 film. This is the first example of calixarene‐based sensitizers for efficient dye‐sensitized solar cells.
Genetic variation in nuclear and mitochondrial markers supports a large sex difference in lifetime reproductive skew in a lekking species
Authors: Verkuil Yvonne I. , Juillet Cedric , Lank David B. , Widemo Fredrik , Piersma Theunis 
Published: September 2014

AbstractSex differences in skews of vertebrate lifetime reproductive success are difficult to measure directly. Evolutionary histories of differential skew should be detectable in the genome. For example, male‐biased skew should reduce variation in the biparentally inherited genome relative to the maternally inherited genome. We tested this approach in lek‐breeding ruff (Class Aves,Philomachus pugnax) by comparing genetic variation of nuclear microsatellites (θn; biparental) versus mitochondrial D‐loop sequences (θm; maternal), and conversion to comparable nuclear (Ne) and female (Nef) effective population size using published ranges of mutation rates for each marker (μ). We provide a Bayesian method to calculateNe(θn = 4Neμn) andNef(θm = 2Nefμm) using 95% credible intervals (CI) ofθnandθmas informative priors, and accounting for uncertainty inμ. In 96 male ruffs from one population,Newas 97% (79–100%) lower than expected under random mating in an ideal population, whereNe:Nef = 2. This substantially lower autosomal variation represents the first genomic support of strong male reproductive skew in a lekking species.
Experimental evolution alters the rate and temporal pattern of population growth in Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, a lethal fungal pathogen of amphibians
Authors: Voyles Jamie , Johnson Leah R. , Briggs Cheryl J. , Cashins Scott D. , Alford Ross A. , Berger Lee , Skerratt Lee F. , Speare Rick , Rosenblum Erica Bree 
Published: September 2014

AbstractVirulence of infectious pathogens can be unstable and evolve rapidly depending on the evolutionary dynamics of the organism. Experimental evolution can be used to characterize pathogen evolution, often with the underlying objective of understanding evolution of virulence. We used experimental evolution techniques (serial transfer experiments) to investigate differential growth and virulence of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), a fungal pathogen that causes amphibian chytridiomycosis. We tested two lineages of Bd that were derived from a single cryo‐archived isolate; one lineage (P10) was passaged 10 times, whereas the second lineage (P50) was passaged 50 times. We quantified time to zoospore release, maximum zoospore densities, and timing of zoospore activity and then modeled population growth rates. We also conducted exposure experiments with a susceptible amphibian species, the common green tree frog (Litoria caerulea) to test the differential pathogenicity. We found that the P50 lineage had shorter time to zoospore production (Tmin), faster rate of sporangia death (ds), and an overall greater intrinsic population growth rate (λ). These patterns of population growth in vitro corresponded with higher prevalence and intensities of infection in exposed Litoria caerulea, although the differences were not significant. Our results corroborate studies that suggest that Bd may be able to evolve relatively rapidly. Our findings also challenge the general assumption that pathogens will always attenuate in culture because shifts in Bd virulence may depend on laboratory culturing practices. These findings have practical implications for the laboratory maintenance of Bd isolates and underscore the importance of understanding the evolution of virulence in amphibian chytridiomycosis.
Pan‐European, open‐label dose titration study of fentanyl buccal tablet in patients with breakthrough cancer pain
Authors: Kleeberg U.R. , Davies A. , Jarosz J. , Mercadante S. , Poulain P. , O'Brien T. , Schneid H. , Kress H.G. 
Published: September 2014

AbstractBackgroundFentanyl buccal tablet (FBT), a rapid onset opioid used to treat breakthrough cancer pain, must be titrated to an effective dose that provides adequate analgesia and minimizes undesirable events. This open‐label, randomized study compared the percentage of patients achieving an effective dose of FBT when starting titration at 100 or 200 μg.MethodsOpioid‐tolerant patients with chronic cancer‐related pain who experienced up to four breakthrough pain episodes daily were randomized to a starting dose of 100 or 200 μg for the titration period. The dose was increased until an effective dose (100, 200, 400, 600 or 800 μg) providing adequate analgesia with acceptable adverse events was achieved. Patients achieving an effective dose entered a treatment period during which they treated up to eight breakthrough pain episodes with their effective dose.ResultsA total of 442 patients from 135 sites in seven European countries were screened. Non‐inferiority was established with the percentage of patients achieving an effective dose starting titration at 200 μg (81.4%) compared with the 100‐μg (75.2%) starting dose. The most common effective doses of FBT were 200 μg (39.6%) and 400 μg (26.9%). No new safety concerns were identified with use of FBT at doses up to 800 μg per episode.ConclusionsThis study involving a real clinical practice setting showed a similar percentage of patients safely achieving an effective dose by titration starting with 100 versus 200 μg of FBT.
Further development in the assessment of psychological flexibility: A shortened Committed Action Questionnaire (CAQ‐8)
Authors: McCracken L.M. , Chilcot J. , Norton S. 
Published: September 2014

AbstractBackgroundCommitted action is a relatively understudied facet of the psychological flexibility model but a potentially important process of overt behaviour in relation to chronic pain. In this study, we take a previously developed measure of committed action, the Committed Action Questionnaire (CAQ), and validate a shorter version.MethodsA total of 664 adults seeking treatment for chronic pain participated in this study. They provided responses to the CAQ and also completed measures of acceptance and health‐related daily functioning. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses as well as Mokken scaling analysis were used to explore the structure of the CAQ and produce an 8‐item version (CAQ‐8).ResultsA two‐factor scale emerged from the analyses that both meets criteria for reliability and validity and performs comparably to the longer original version. In validity correlation analyses, committed action as measured by the CAQ‐8 was significantly associated with pain‐related and general acceptance and with depression, physical and social functioning, mental health, vitality and general health.ConclusionsThe CAQ‐8 appears equally adequate as the CAQ as a measure of committed action. Its development ought to facilitate further study of this process of engagement in activity and of the wider psychological flexibility model in relation to chronic pain.
Characterization and Electrochemical Properties of P(VdF‐co‐HFP) Based Electrospun Nanocomposite Fibrous Polymer Electrolyte Membrane for Lithium Battery Applications
Authors: Padmaraj O. , Venkateswarlu M. , Satyanarayana N. 
Published: September 2014

AbstractEffect of ZnAl2O4 nanofillers concentration on the physical and electrochemical properties of electrospun P(VdF‐co‐HFP) based nanocomposite electrolyte membranes were studied. By optimizing the spinning process parameters, the bead free and an average range (0.5–1.0 µm) of diametered fibrous membranes were developed using an electrospinning technique. The nanocomposite fibrous membrane with 5 wt% ZnAl2O4 fillers showed reduction of crystallinity, good thermal stability and smooth morphology were studied by X‐ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry and scanning electron microscopy techniques. The fibrous P(VdF‐co‐HFP) copolymer and nanocomposite P(VdF‐co‐HFP)/ZnAl2O4 polymer electrolytes were prepared by soaking the prepared electrospun fibrous membranes in 1 M LiPF6 in EC: DEC (1 : 1, v/v) and evaluated the wet‐ability properties by electrolyte uptake method. The activated nanocomposite fibrous polymer electrolyte membrane with 5 wt% ZnAl2O4 fillers content shows high ionic conductivity of 1.59×10−3 S cm−1 at room temperature and good electrochemical stability window higher than 4.3 V. Electrochemical performance of Li/PE, NCPE/LiCoO2 CR 2032 coin cells containing the prepared fibrous polymer electrolyte (PE) and nanocomposite polymer electrolyte (NCPE) membranes with 5 wt% ZnAl2O4 filler content is evaluated at current density 0.1 C‐rate over the potential range 2.8–4.2 V.
Electrochemical Performance of Lithium Titanate Submicron Rods Synthesized by Sol‐Gel/Electrospinning
Authors: Haridas Anulekha K. , Sharma Chandra S. , Rao Tata N. 
Published: September 2014

AbstractLithium titanate (LTO) submicron rods with grain sizes varying from 50–80 nm were synthesized without any polymer additive by sol‐gel assisted electrospinning. The obtained phase pure (spinal phase) LTO submicron structures exhibited fast charge/discharge profiles at varying charging rates (C rates). After initial charge/discharge studies at various C rates (0.1 C – 30 C) followed by at 1 C rate for 200 cycles, the cell has shown specific capacity of 140.6 mA h/g with columbic efficiency of 99.8 %. The ordered crystalline nanostructure enabling reduced diffusion path could explain this excellent performance of LTO submicron rods which may find potential applications as anode materials in lithium ion battery for electric vehicles.
Synthesis and Evaluation of Carbon Nanotubes Supported Silver Catalyst for Alkaline Fuel Cell
Authors: Fazil A. , Chetty R. 
Published: September 2014

AbstractSilver catalysts with three different metal loadings e.g. 10, 20 and 40 wt% were synthesised on carbon nanotubes (Ag/CNT) support by glycerol reduction method. The catalysts were characterised by X‐ray diffraction, electron microscopy and thermogravimetric analysis. The average crystalline size of Ag was found between 10 and 16 nm for the metal loading from 10 to 40 wt%. The catalytic activity towards oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in alkaline solution was studied for the Ag/CNT catalysts in terms of mass activity as well as specific activity. Cyclic voltammetry and rotating disc electrode studies showed higher current density for 40 wt% Ag/CNT catalyst, which maintained suitable durability in potential sweeping cycling in comparison to 10 and 20 wt% Ag/CNT. The fuel cell studies of the synthesized catalysts were conducted using an anion exchange membrane, and all the three Ag/CNT catalysts showed open circuit voltage above 1 V with 40 wt% Ag/CNT gave the highest peak power density of 26.1 mW cm−2 at room temperature, in good agreement with the kinetic data obtained from the half‐cell studies.
In vivo imaging of the time‐dependent apparent diffusional kurtosis in the human calf muscle
Authors: Marschar Anja Maria , Kuder Tristan Anselm , Stieltjes Bram , Nagel Armin Michael , Bachert Peter , Laun Frederik Bernd 
Published: September 2014

PurposeTo evaluate the time dependency of apparent diffusion coefficient Dapp and apparent diffusional kurtosis Kapp in vivo in the human calf.Materials and MethodsDiffusion‐weighted images of five healthy male volunteers were acquired using a 1.5T MR scanner. A stimulated echo sequence with echo planar imaging readout was used with diffusion gradients oriented along the three main axes. Mixing times (TM) of 100, 300, 500, and 700 ms and b‐values ranging from 0 to 5600 s/mm2 were used. Dapp and Kapp were determined.ResultsDapp and Kapp decreased with increasing TM. As an example for absolute values, Dapp of the tibialis anterior drops from 1.18 ± 0.04 μm2/ms (TM = 100 ms) to 0.86 ± 0.02 μm2/ms (TM = 700 ms) (P = 0.001) and Kapp from 0.38 ± 0.06 to 0.32 ± 0.03 (P = 0.046) for a diffusion weighting along the left–right direction. Kapp was smaller than 0.43 in all muscles and at all TMs.ConclusionThe clearly observed time‐dependence of Dapp and Kapp is an indicator of restricted diffusion in muscle tissue and may thus be a promising marker to investigate alterations of the microstructure. Compared to typical kurtosis values in white matter tissue of the brain, the kurtosis in muscle tissue is much smaller, which we attribute to the absence of the almost impermeable myelin sheath. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2015;41:1581–1590. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Neuroscience and organizational behavior: Avoiding both neuro‐euphoria and neuro‐phobia
Authors: Ashkanasy Neal M. , Becker William J. , Waldman David A. 
Published: September 2014

SummaryOrganizational neuroscience has great promise for advancing organizational research and practice. The field, however, is developing rapidly and has also become the subject of technological and methodological challenges that must be considered when conducting or interpreting neuroscience research as applied to organizational behavior. We explore four issues we deem to be important in understanding the role of neuroscience in organizational behavior research: (i) neuroscientific research and reductionism; (ii) the need to address methodological and technological challenges in conducting this type of research; (iii) how neuroscientific research is meaningful in organizations (the “So what?” issue); and (iv) neuroscience as just another management fad. In addressing these issues, we hope to set out a roadmap that will enable organizational scholars to avoid past mistakes and thus serve to advance multidisciplinary research in organizational behavior using neuroscientific approaches. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Peak inspiratory flow is a simple means of predicting decannulation success following head and neck cancer surgery: A prospective study of fifty‐six patients
Authors: Guerlain Joanne , Guerrero Jose A. S. , Baujat Bertrand , St Guily Jean L. , Périé Sophie 
Published: September 2014

Objectives/HypothesisTemporary tracheotomies are commonly performed in head and neck cancer surgery. The aim of this study was to propose a minimum peak inspiratory flow (PIF) as a standardized simple tool for successful decannulation after surgery.Study DesignProspective review between January 2011 and June 2013 in a university teaching hospital.MethodsFifty‐six patients after head and neck cancer surgery requiring tracheotomies were included. Decannulation failure was defined as the need to recannulate patients within 24 hours. PIF values did not influence the decisions to decannulate or recannulate. Pre‐ and postdecannulation PIF values, measured with a handheld PIF meter (In‐Check Dial), were registered until definitive decannulation.ResultsA total of 67 decannulation attempts were performed, with 47 positive and nine negative decannulations at the first attempt. Of the latter, seven were positive at the second attempt and two at the third. All patients were decannulated (mean, 6.3 days). PIF values of 40 L/min appear to be the threshold with the best sensitivity (90%) and specificity (95%) for predicting decannulation success. There was a significant difference (P < .001) between mean PIF in the positive (86 L/min) and negative (20 L/min) decannulation groups and between mean PIF values with (77 L/min) and without cannula (100 L/min).ConclusionsPIF ≥40 L/min with cannula (>60 L/min without) using the In‐Check Dial oral method is a threshold associated with decannulation success. PIF is a simple quantitative parameter for evaluating the upper airway, aiding the decision to decannulate safely.Level of Evidence4. Laryngoscope, 125:365–370, 2015