bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Optimization of extraction process and the antioxidant activity spectrum–effect relationship of Angelica dahurica
Authors: Yang Hanting , Li Qian 
Published: January 2022

AbstractDespite the large number of studies indicating that Angelica dahurica has strong antioxidant capacity, there are no clear details on the specific antioxidant components involved. In this study, the chromatograms and antioxidant activity of A. dahurica were obtained by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) and 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2‐azino‐bis‐(3‐ethylbenzothiazoline‐6‐sulfonic acid) (ABTS) and ferric ion reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) methods. The factors affecting free radical scavenging were investigated under different extraction conditions, on the basis of the single‐factor experiment. The results showed that the optimum conditions for the DPPH method were ultrasonic extraction, using 80% methanol as extract the extraction solvent, a 20:1 (ml/g) ratio of liquid to material and an extraction time of 30 min. Furthermore, the spectrum–effect relationship between the GC–MS chromatograms and the antioxidant effect of A. dahurica was established to evaluate the antioxidant components of A. dahurica using multiple data analysis methods. Isoimperatorin and byakangelicol made the greatest contribution to scavenging DPPH free radicals and ferric‐reducing antioxidant power. This result may provide the basis for developing new and effective products based on the antioxidant ingredients of A. dahurica.
Fabrication and Characterization of Thymol‐Loaded Chitosan Nanogels: Improved Antibacterial and Anti‐Biofilm Activities with Negligible Cytotoxicity
Authors: Piri‐Gharaghie Tohid , Beiranvand Sheida , Riahi Anali , Shirin Neda Jegargoshe , Badmasti Farzad , Mirzaie Amir , Elahianfar Yalda , Ghahari Somayeh , Ghahari Sajjad , Pasban Kamal , Hajrasouliha Shadi 
Published: January 2022

AbstractThymol is a monoterpene phenolic derivative extracted from the Thymus vulgaris which has antimicrobial effects. In the present study, thymol‐loaded chitosan nanogels were prepared and their physicochemical properties were characterized. The encapsulation efficiency of thymol into chitosan and its stability were determined. The in vitro antimicrobial and anti‐biofilm activities of thymol‐loaded chitosan nanogel (Ty‐CsNG), free thymol (Ty), and free chitosan nanogel (CsNG) were evaluated against both Gram‐negative and Gram‐positive multidrug‐resistant (MDR) bacteria including Staphylococcus aureus, Acinetobacter baumanii, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains using the broth microdilution and crystal violet assay, respectively. After treatment of MDR strains with sub‐minimum inhibitory concentration (Sub‐MIC) of Ty‐CsNG, free Ty and CsNG, biofilm gene expression analysis was studied. Moreover, cytotoxicity of Ty‐CsNG, free Ty, and CsNG against HEK‐293 normal cell line was determined using MTT (3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide) method. The average size of Ty‐CsNG was 82.71±9.6 nm, encapsulation efficiency was 76.54±0.62 % with stability up to 60 days at 4 °C. Antibacterial activity test revealed that Ty‐CsNG reduced the MIC by 4–6 times in comparison to free thymol. In addition, the expression of biofilm‐related genes including ompA, and pgaB were significantly down‐regulated after treatment of strains with Ty‐CsNG (P<0.05). In addition, free CsNG displayed negligible cytotoxicity against HEK‐293 normal cell lines and presented a biocompatible nanoscale delivery system. Based on the results, it can be concluded that Ty‐CsNG can be considered a promising candidate for enhancing antimicrobial and anti‐biofilm activities.
Pseudocapacitive Contribution in Amorphous FeVO4 Cathode for Lithium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Liu Tianwei , Liu Yadong , Niu Chaoqun , Chao Zisheng 
Published: January 2022

AbstractAmorphous iron vanadate (FeVO4) nanoparticle cathode materials are successfully synthesized through a facile, efficient, and high‐yielding ion exchange‐liquid precipitation method. The composition, structure, morphology, surface area, and electrochemical performances of the synthesized materials have been characterized by the Thermogravimetric‐Differential scanning calorimetry (TG‐DSC), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), X‐ray photon spectroscopy (XPS), Brunauer‐Emmet‐Teller (BET), cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), respectively. The electrochemical performance results indicate that the amorphous FeVO4 delivers a specific capacity as high as 275 mAh g−1 at 0.1 C in a voltage range of 1.5–4.5 V. The excellent electrochemical performances can be ascribed to the pseudocapacitive behavior. The systematic kinetic analysis demonstrates that the pseudocapacitive charge storage allows the amorphous FVO cathode delivering the excellent high specific capacity.
Combined in Silico and in Vitro Approaches To Uncover the Oxidation and Schiff Base Reaction of Baicalein as an Inhibitor of Amyloid Protein Aggregation
Authors: Brás Natércia F. , Ashirbaev Salavat S. , Zipse Hendrik 
Published: January 2022

AbstractThe oxidized form of baicalein (BA) leads to covalent binding with human amyloid proteins. Such adducts hamper the aggregation and deposition of fibrils. A novel reaction of BA with pentylamine (PA) as a model for the lysine side chain is described. This is the first study addressing the atomistic details of a Schiff base reaction with the trihydroxylated moiety of BA. Nuclear magnetic resonance and mass spectrometry approaches clearly indicate the formation of dehydrobaicalein in solution as well as its condensation with PA under aerobic conditions, yielding regioselectively C6‐substituted products. The combined results suggest initial ion pair formation between BA and PA, followed by a redox chain reaction: the initiation by oxygen/air; an o‐quinone‐based chain involving oxidation and reduction steps; and extra off‐chain formation of a doubly oxidized product. These mechanistic details support the anti‐amyloid activity of BA and endorse its trihydroxyphenyl moiety as a pharmacophore for drug‐design studies.
Tunable induced circular dichroism in gels
Authors: Xue Yu , Fehn Natalie , Brandt Viktoria Katharina , Stasi Michele , Boekhoven Job , Heiz Ueli , Kartouzian Aras 
Published: January 2022

AbstractThe ICD phenomenon has drawn a lot of attention in recent years in applicable fields such as chiral sensing and chiroptical devices. In this work, we first gaze at the issues of thin spin‐coated films not being able to deliver consistent ICD signals. A hypothesis of the underlying problem is proposed through a brief elucidation of the spin‐coating process. To confirm and eliminate the uncontrollable dynamic factors with spin coating, we then dedicate our efforts to develop a new gel system based on chiral L‐/D‐N′,N′‐Dibenzoyl‐cystine. Achiral dye molecules are intercalated in a DBC gel through a “one‐step” preparation procedure. Compared to the former spin‐coating system, significantly improved reproducibility of the new gel system is demonstrated. Besides, the ICD signals can be customized in a broad spectral range (wavelength tunability) by substituting dye molecules. Finally, we discuss the potential applications of this interesting system.
A comparison of long‐term clinical outcomes between percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and medical therapy in patients with chronic total occlusion in noninfarct‐related artery after PCI of acute myocardial infarction
Authors: Qin Qing , Chen Lu , Ge Lei , Qian Juying , Ma Jianying , Ge Junbo 
Published: January 2022

AbstractBackgroundChronic total occlusion (CTO) in a noninfarct‐related artery (IRA) is one of the risk factors for mortality after acute myocardial infarction (AMI). However, there are limited data comparing the long‐term outcomes of patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with patients having medical therapy (MT) in CTO lesion after AMI PCI.MethodsWe retrospectively enrolled 330 patients (successful CTO PCI in 166 patients, failed CTO PCI in 32 patients, MT in 132 patients) with non‐IRA CTO from a total of 4372 patients who underwent PCI after AMI in our center. Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to adjust for baseline differences.ResultsThe primary analysis is based on the intention‐to‐treat population. During a median follow‐up period of 946 days, patients in the PCI group (n = 198) had significantly higher cardiac death‐free survival (96.6% vs. 82.8%, p = .004) compared with patients in MT group (n = 132). However, no significant difference in the occurrence of cardiac death was observed after PSM. The analysis based on the per‐protocol population demonstrated significantly higher cardiac death‐free survival in the successful CTO PCI group (n = 166) compared with the occluded CTO group (n = 164) both before and after PSM. In subgroup analysis, successful CTO PCI was associated with less cardiac death in patients over 65 years old, with LVEF < 50%, left anterior descending (LAD) IRA, and non‐LAD CTO lesion compared with occluded CTO group.ConclusionsPatients undergoing successful revascularization of non‐IRA CTO after AMI might have a better long‐term prognosis. Moreover, patients with LVEF < 50% may benefit from successful non‐IRA CTO PCI after AMI.
Evaluation of the Pharmacokinetics of Felcisetrag (TAK‐954), a 5‐HT4 Receptor Agonist, in the Presence and Absence of Itraconazole, a Potent CYP3A4 Inhibitor
Authors: Chen Chunlin , Zhang Liming , Almansa Cristina , Rosario Maria , Cwik Michael , Balani Suresh K. , Lock Ruth 
Published: January 2022

AbstractThe 5‐hydroxytryptamine type‐4 receptor agonist felcisetrag (TAK‐954) is being investigated for improving gastrointestinal motility in postoperative gastrointestinal dysfunction. Polypharmacy often occurs in this setting, and as in vitro data indicate, felcisetrag is primarily metabolized by cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A4, its CYP3A4‐mediated drug‐drug interaction potential requires consideration. This phase 1, fixed‐sequence, open‐label, crossover trial (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT03173170) investigated the effect of itraconazole, a potent CYP3A4 inhibitor, on felcisetrag pharmacokinetics in healthy adults. Over 2 study periods (period 1, 6 days; period 2, 9 days), participants received a single felcisetrag 0.2‐mg intravenous dose (day 1, period 1; and day 4, period 2), and once‐daily oral itraconazole 200‐mg doses (days 1‐8, period 2). For felcisetrag alone, felcisetrag total systemic exposure was lower than with itraconazole coadministration. The geometric mean ratio for area under the plasma concentration–time curve from time 0 to infinity of felcisetrag plus itraconazole: felcisetrag alone was 1.49 (90% confidence interval, 1.39‐1.60). Peak exposure was similar between regimens (geometric mean ratio, 1.06; 90% confidence interval, 0.96‐1.18), and both treatments were well tolerated. These data suggest limited CYP3A4‐mediated drug‐drug interaction inhibition for felcisetrag.
High‐speed parallel reconfigurable Fp multipliers for elliptic curve cryptography applications
Authors: Javeed Khalid , Saeed Kamran , Gregg David 
Published: January 2022

AbstractElliptic curve cryptography (ECC) protocols due to higher security strength per bit have been widely accepted and deployed. Finite field multiplication is the most computational intensive operation in data security protocols developed using ECC. This paper presents two high‐speed parallel re‐configurable finite field multipliers: PIMD‐2 and PIMD‐3 over prime field (Fp) for ECC applications. The proposed designs are based on the new novel optimized interleaved multiplication algorithms. This work first identifies room of parallelism by investigating independent operations in the standard interleaved multiplication method and subsequently proposes high‐speed hardware architectures that allow the parallel execution of these operations. Due to the introduced modifications, the critical path delays and clock cycle consumption in the PIMD‐2 and PIMD‐3 designs are reduced simultaneously. The proposed Fp multipliers are synthesized using Xilinx ISE Design Suite and implemented on Virtex‐5 and Virtex‐6 field programmable gate array (FPGA) platforms for common ECC key sizes 160–521 bits. The implementation results reveal that the proposed designs are highly efficient, provided up to 3× improvement in latency with lower area‐delay product and higher throughput per FPGA slice as compared to the state‐of‐the‐art.
Improved loop stability approach in fully differential operational transconductance amplifier with common‐mode feedback circuit
Authors: Koozehkanani Reza Daie , Makouei Somaye , Toofan Siroos 
Published: January 2022

AbstractThis paper proposes a new approach to improve loop stability in a typical common‐mode feedback (CMFB) circuit of a differential operational transconductance amplifier (OTA). In this paper, a differential difference amplifier (DDA) with a current mirror load is employed as a CMFB circuit. The new approach is based on using two series diode‐connected transistors operating in subthreshold region in parallel with current mirror load. The proposed approach provides a reliable good function with no reduction in the OTA performance and dynamic operation of CMFB loop. The proposed scheme attains necessary high gain and large bandwidth with required phase margin for CMFB circuit. The proposed CMFB circuit is employed in a typical OTA structure. The post‐layout simulation results in TSMC 130‐nm CMOS technology show that the proposed approach leads to a better phase margin of 80°, a high unity gain bandwidth of 800 MHz, and a loop gain of 27 dB for the CMFB circuit.
Spatial adaptivity in SOLEDGE3X‐HDG for edge plasma simulations in versatile magnetic and reactor geometries
Authors: Piraccini G. , Schwander F. , Serre E. , Giorgiani G. , Scotto D'Abusco M. 
Published: January 2022

AbstractWith the ultimate goal to predict plasmas heat and particle fluxes in ITER operation, more efforts are required to deal with realistic magnetic configurations and tokamak geometries. In an attempt to achieve this goal, we propose an adaptive mesh refinement method added to a fluid solver based on a high‐order hybrid discontinuous Galerkin (HDG) method. Based on unstructured meshes, this magnetic equilibrium free numerical scheme has shown promising and encouraging features to solve 2D/3D transport reduced Braginski fluid equations. To improve its numerical efficiency, a mesh refinement based on h‐adpativity is investigated. We describe here an adaptive refinement strategy on a reduced edge particle transport model based on electron density and parallel momentum. This strategy is illustrated in realistic tokamak wall geometry. Computations performed show potential gains in the required number of degrees of freedom against benchmark computations with uniform meshes, along with the potential to give an automated, goal‐oriented, mesh generation technique for edge transport simulations in 2D.
A resource allocation and scheduling model for hierarchical distributed services in cloud environment using game theory
Authors: Al‐Iessa Suha Mubdir , Sheibani Reza , Veisi Gelareh 
Published: January 2022

SummaryIn this paper, a game theoretic‐based method has been proposed to solve the problem of allocating computing resources in a hierarchical cloud structure. The proposed method has two phases: “topology construction” and “game‐theoretic‐based resource allocation.” In the first phase, a hierarchical structure will be established to determine a reliable communication infrastructure between cloud computing resources. In the second phase, a game theoretic model is used to allocate cloud resources and schedule executing of tasks in the constructed hierarchical structure of cloud. In the proposed method, end user's tasks are collected through leaf resources in hierarchical tree structure. Then each computing resource will consider managing collected tasks using a game‐based model. The efficiency of the proposed method is evaluated in a simulated environment and the results are compared with some of the best previous studies. The results show that our proposed method reduces energy consumption and computational cost. Also, using the proposed game‐theoretic method, more computational tasks can be processed using cloud resources, so this method can be used more efficiently for real‐world scenarios.
Earth’s oldest tsunami deposit? Early Archaean high‐energy sediments in the ca 3.48 Ga Dresser Formation (Pilbara, Western Australia)
Authors: Runge Eric A. , Duda Jan‐Peter , Van Kranendonk Martin J. , Reitner Joachim 
Published: January 2022

AbstractDynamic sedimentary processes are a key parameter for establishing the habitability of planetary surface environments on Earth and beyond and thus critical for reconstructing the early evolution of life on our planet. This paper presents a sedimentary section from the ca 3.48 Ga Dresser Formation (Pilbara Craton, Western Australia) that contains high‐energy reworked sediments, possibly representing the oldest reported tsunami deposit on Earth to date. Field and petrographic evidence (e.g. up to 20 cm large imbricated clasts, hummocky bedding, Bouma‐type graded sequences) indicate that the high‐energy deposit represents a bi‐directional succession of two debrite–turbidite couplets. This succession can best be explained by deposition related to passage and rebound of tsunami waves. Sedimentary processes were possibly influenced by highly dense silica‐rich seawater. The tsunami was probably triggered by local fault‐induced seismic activity since the Dresser Formation was deposited in a volcanic caldera basin that experienced syndepositional extensional growth faulting. However, alternative triggers (meteorite impact, volcanic eruption) or a combination thereof cannot be excluded. The results of this work indicate a subaquatic habitat that was subject to tsunami‐induced high‐energy disturbance. Potentially, this was a common situation on the early Archaean Earth, which experienced frequent impacts of extraterrestrial bodies. This study thus adds to the scarce record of early Archaean high‐energy deposits and stresses the relevance of high‐energy depositional events for the early evolution of life on Earth.
SARS‐CoV‐2 induced post‐translational protein modifications: A trigger for developing autoimmune diabetes?
Authors: Catriona Chaplin , Paolo Pozzilli 
Published: January 2022

AbstractEmerging evidence indicates a bi‐directional relationship between SARS‐CoV‐2 and diabetes. The possibility exists that SARS‐CoV‐2 could induce diabetes, but it is not yet clear whether this might be a fulminant‐type diabetes, autoimmune diabetes, or a new‐onset transient hyperglycaemia. This viewpoint discusses mechanisms by which SARS‐CoV‐2 might trigger type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). Specifically, we looked at the role of post‐translational protein modifications (PTMs) and the generation of neoepitopes as a potential mechanism in the induction of islet autoimmunity, and the pathways via which coronavirus infections might exacerbate the formation of PTMs and, in so doing, provoke the onset of T1DM.
Ecological impacts of shortening fire return intervals on boreal peatlands and transition zones using integrated in situ field sampling and lidar approaches
Authors: Jones Emily , Chasmer Laura , Devito Kevin , Rood Stewart , Hopkinson Christopher 
Published: January 2022

AbstractAridity associated with rising air temperatures in northern latitudes is expected to contribute to increased frequency of wildland fires. Here, we examined regenerating vegetation following short return interval (SRI) fire (56 years post‐fire) compared to long return interval (LRI) fire (>80 years post‐fire) in boreal peatlands and their adjacent transitional areas. The objectives of this study were to quantify if differences exist between (1) peatland and transitional soil characteristics in LRI versus SRI areas and (2) regenerating vegetation species, structural characteristics and diversity. We also determined if patterns of vegetation structural characteristics observed using field data also occur across the broader landscape using airborne lidar data. The Utikuma Region Study Area (URSA) is located in central Alberta, Canada. Here, 19 peatlands were sampled, coincident with an airborne lidar survey of the broader region, where 120 peatlands in short and long fire return intervals were identified. We found that SRI transitional areas had significantly deeper organic soil deposits than those found in LRI (p < 0.0001). Proportions of regenerating species differed significantly between peatlands and transitional areas in SRI versus LRI, where greater proportion of coniferous species were observed in LRI. Deciduous transitional–upland species and taller post‐fire vegetation heights were more commonly found SRI peatlands compared with LRI. This suggest that fires with SRIs in this region may result in enhanced deciduous succession, which may transition boreal peatlands into ecosystems that have some characteristics of transitional and upland forests.
Angiotensin–neprilysin inhibition and renal outcomes across the spectrum of ejection fraction in heart failure
Authors: Mc Causland Finnian R. , Lefkowitz Martin P. , Claggett Brian , Packer Milton , Senni Michele , Gori Mauro , Jhund Pardeep S. , McGrath Martina M. , Rouleau Jean L. , Shi Victor , Swedberg Karl , Vaduganathan Muthiah , Zannad Faiez , Pfeffer Marc A. , Zile Michael , McMurray John J.V. , Solomon Scott D. 
Published: January 2022

AbstractAimsPatients with heart failure are at higher risk of progression to end‐stage renal disease (ESRD), regardless of ejection fraction (EF). We assessed the renal effects of angiotensin–neprilysin inhibition in a pooled analysis of 13 195 patients with heart failure with reduced and preserved EF.Methods and resultsWe combined data from PARADIGM‐HF (EF ≤40%; n = 8399) and PARAGON‐HF (EF ≥45%; n = 4796) in a pre‐specified pooled analysis. We assessed the effect of treatment (sacubitril/valsartan vs. enalapril or valsartan) on a composite of either ≥50% reduction in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), ESRD, or death from renal causes, in addition to changes in eGFR slope. We assessed whether baseline renal function or EF modified the effect of therapy on renal outcomes. At randomization, eGFR was 68 ± 20 ml/min/1.73 m2 in PARADIGM‐HF and 63 ± 19 ml/min/1.73 m2 in PARAGON‐HF. The composite renal outcome occurred in 70 of 6594 patients (1.1%) in the sacubitril/valsartan group and in 123 of 6601 patients (1.9%) in the valsartan or enalapril group (hazard ratio 0.56, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.42–0.75; p < 0.001). The mean eGFR change was −1.8 (95% CI −1.9 to −1.7) ml/min/1.73 m2/year for the sacubitril/valsartan group, compared with −2.4 (95% CI −2.5 to −2.2) ml/min/1.73 m2/year for the valsartan or enalapril group. The treatment effect on the composite renal endpoint was not modified by categories of baseline eGFR (p‐interaction = 0.64), but was most pronounced in those with baseline EF between 30% and 60% (p‐interaction = 0.001).ConclusionsIn patients with heart failure, sacubitril/valsartan reduced the risk of serious adverse renal outcomes and slowed decline in eGFR, compared with valsartan or enalapril, independent of baseline renal function.