bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Synergistic enhancement of toughness and antibacterial properties of plant cellulose/glycerin/chitosan degradable composite membranes
Authors: Yin Longfei , Yin Fengwei , Huang Dan , Zheng Weilong , Li Lan , Fu Yongqian 
Published: September 2020

AbstractBACKGROUDWith the development of modern industry, the task of replacing ordinary plastic products with environmentally friendly antibacterial materials is a high priority. In this study, natural cellulose from sugarcane was compounded with glycerin and chitosan to prepare a cellulose/glycerin/chitosan (CGC) degradable composite membrane with antibacterial properties. The physical and chemical structure of the CGC composite film was characterized by X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis and mechanical testing. Then antibacterial properties of CGC composite membranes were measured.RESULTSThe data showed that the raw materials used in the composite film had interacted showing the compatibility of the three components. The addition of chitosan and glycerin can improve the toughness of cellulose‐based membranes. The samples CGC‐5/2, CGC‐10/2 and CGC‐15/2 showed four‐, three‐ and 2.7‐fold greater elongation at break, respectively, than with the cellulose membrane. Hygroscopic and water solubility test showed that the higher the chitosan content, the greater the water absorption of the composite membrane and the weaker the water solubility. However, the higher the glycerin content, the weaker the hygroscopicity of the CGC composite membrane and the greater its water solubility. Additionally, the antibacterial performance of the CGC composite membrane was significantly improved and the glycerin:chitosan ratio affects its antibacterial ability against different bacteria.CONCLUSIONSThis research provides a low‐cost and green method for preparing antibacterial film, which can be applied to environmentally friendly packaging films, medical films and electronic product encapsulation films. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI)
Semi‐quantitative and quantitative detection of ochratoxin A in agricultural by‐products using a self‐assembling immunochromatographic strip
Authors: Mao Yuhao , Sun Mingna , Hong Xia , Chakraborty Sagnik , Duan Jinsheng , Li Ming , Du Daolin 
Published: September 2020

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe toxicity and health risks of mycotoxins have encouraged increased awareness and strict monitoring of these contaminants in agricultural by‐products. In this paper, we developed and tested a sensitive, selective, and self‐assembling immunochromatographic (IC) strip for on‐site detection of ochratoxin A (OTA). We were able to demonstrate semi‐quantitative and quantitative detection of OTA in agricultural by‐product samples.RESULTSThe optimized IC strip had a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.5 ng mL−1 OTA using the naked eye for semi‐quantitative detection. When a digitized strip reader was used to achieve quantitative results, the LOD for OTA was reduced to 0.1 ng mL−1 with a linear detection range of 0.1–10 ng mL−1. We also evaluated the specificity, stability, accuracy, and precision of the IC strip and demonstrated high performance in all of these areas. We then confirmed the ability of the IC strip to visually detect OTA contamination in authentic agricultural by‐product samples from the markets in China. Furthermore, quantitative detection of OTA using the IC strip showed that the concentration of OTA ranged from 1.7 to 101.3 ng g−1 in the positive agricultural by‐product samples, correlating well with the measurements obtained via liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry.CONCLUSIONThe results indicated that this proposed IC strip was capable of sensitive, semi‐quantitative, quantitative, and on‐site detection of OTA contamination in agricultural by‐product samples. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Tracing Lactobacillus plantarum within the intestinal tract of mice: green fluorescent protein‐based fluorescent tagging
Authors: Cui Shumao , Chen Cailing , Gu Jiayu , Mao Bingyong , Zhang Hao , Zhao Jianxin , Chen Wei 
Published: September 2020

AbstractBackgroundLactobacillus plantarum is an important probiotic with a variety of physiologic functions. Studies have focused on the effects of L. plantarum on host physiology and microbiota, but studies of the fate of strains after they enter the intestine are lacking. In this study, L. plantarum ST‐III was genetically engineered to express green fluorescent protein (GFP). Mice were administered ST‐III‐GFP, and fluorescence imaging was used to study the distribution, location and quantity of strains within 8 h after entry into the intestine.ResultsThe results indicated that genetic modification did not affect the growth of ST‐III, tolerance to simulated gastric juice and intestinal fluid or tolerance to antibiotics (with the exception of chloramphenicol). Fluorescence imaging and colony counting indicated that ST‐III‐GFP can be detected in the small intestine 5 min after oral gavage. After 30 min, nearly all ST‐III‐GFP was located in the small intestine. After 1.5 h, ST‐III‐GFP was detected in both the cecum and large intestine. After 4 and 8 h, ST‐III‐GFP was mainly concentrated in the cecum and large intestine. Compared to the initial amount ingested, the survival rate of ST‐III‐GFP within the intestine of mice was 10% after 8 h. In addition, a strong linear relationship was found between the fluorescence intensity and the viable count of ST‐III‐GFP.ConclusionsThe obtained data indicate that the amount of ST‐III‐GFP can be estimated by measuring the fluorescence intensity of this novel strain within the intestinal tract. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
A 2‐year study of the impact of reduced nitrogen application combined with double inhibitors on soil nitrogen transformation and wheat productivity under drip irrigation
Authors: Tao Rui , Li Jun , Hu Baowei , Shah Jawad Ali , Chu Guixin 
Published: September 2020

AbstractBACKGROUNDNitrification inhibitors (NIs) and urease inhibitors (UIs) can decrease the risk of nitrogen (N) loss and extend N uptake by plants. However, there are few case studies about reduced N application combined with double inhibitors (DIs, NI plus UI), especially under drip irrigation systems. A 2‐year field experiment was therefore conducted to explore the effect of 80% N application rate combined with NI or DIs on soil N transformation, wheat productivity and N use efficiency (NUE) in a drip‐irrigated field. The four treatments included a no‐fertilizer control, 100% urea, 80% urea + NI (nitrapyrin) and 80% urea + DIs (nitrapyrin and N‐(n‐butyl) thiophosphorictriamide (NBPT)).RESULTSOur results showed that the 80% urea + DIs treatment significantly increased the ratio of NH4+ to NO3− and N content (urea‐N, NH4+‐N and NO3−‐N) in soil at 0–20 cm depth (P < 0.05) at the heading stage and the filling stage of wheat in both 2013 and 2014, relative to the 100% urea treatment. A total of 80% urea + NI treatment decreased wheat N uptake and wheat productivity (plant biomass and yield) compared to 100% urea treatments (P < 0.05). However, application of 80% urea combined with DIs achieved equivalent wheat productivity with 100% urea treatment. Moreover, the greatest NUE (43.6%) was recorded with the application of DIs.CONCLUSIONSCutting the N application rate by 20% combined with NBPT and nitrapyrin could provide a sustainable fertilization strategy for wheat production under drip irrigation. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
The impact of segmentation on whole‐lung functional MRI quantification: Repeatability and reproducibility from multiple human observers and an artificial neural network
Authors: Willers Corin , Bauman Grzegorz , Andermatt Simon , Santini Francesco , Sandkühler Robin , Ramsey Kathryn A. , Cattin Philippe C. , Bieri Oliver , Pusterla Orso , Latzin Philipp 
Published: September 2020

PurposeTo investigate the repeatability and reproducibility of lung segmentation and their impact on the quantitative outcomes from functional pulmonary MRI. Additionally, to validate an artificial neural network (ANN) to accelerate whole‐lung quantification.MethodTen healthy children and 25 children with cystic fibrosis underwent matrix pencil decomposition MRI (MP‐MRI). Impaired relative fractional ventilation (RFV) and relative perfusion (RQ) from MP‐MRI were compared using whole‐lung segmentation performed by a physician at two time‐points (At1 and At2), by an MRI technician (B), and by an ANN (C). Repeatability and reproducibility were assess with Dice similarity coefficient (DSC), paired t‐test and Intraclass‐correlation coefficient (ICC).ResultsThe repeatability within an observer (At1 vs At2) resulted in a DSC of 0.94 ± 0.01 (mean ± SD) and an unsystematic difference of −0.01% for RFV (P = .92) and +0.1% for RQ (P = .21). The reproducibility between human observers (At1 vs B) resulted in a DSC of 0.88 ± 0.02, and a systematic absolute difference of −0.81% (P < .001) for RFV and −0.38% (P = .037) for RQ. The reproducibility between human and the ANN (At1 vs C) resulted in a DSC of 0.89 ± 0.03 and a systematic absolute difference of −0.36% for RFV (P = .017) and −0.35% for RQ (P = .002). The ICC was >0.98 for all variables and comparisons.ConclusionsDespite high overall agreement, there were systematic differences in lung segmentation between observers. This needs to be considered for longitudinal studies and could be overcome by using an ANN, which performs as good as human observers and fully automatizes MP‐MRI post‐processing.
Species Distribution Models for a Native Imperiled Minnow and a Nonnative Sport Fish in a Western Ohio River
Authors: Oswald Kenneth J. , Beery Sophia , Rossiter Kalyn , Wang Yong , Kibbey Marc R. 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Sport fisheries are frequent drivers of nonnative fish introductions throughout the inland waters of North America. These fisheries often value aggressive, large-bodied predators, and although they satiate angling demand they are also potentially problematic in systems that support imperiled species. The Tonguetied Minnow Exoglossum laurae is a rare species that maintains a disjunct distribution across small portions of four watersheds in the eastern and Midwestern United States, all of which are stocked with nonnative Brown Trout Salmo trutta for sportfishing. This study estimated habitat preferences for Tonguetied Minnow and Brown Trout in the Great Miami River, the westernmost drainage within the Tonguetied Minnow’s range. Model data were based on eight water quality variables and seven stream habitat variables. Negative binomial regressions identified gradient, maximum water temperature, substrate, pool/glide habitat, total dissolved solids, and specific conductance as important predictors of the distribution of Tonguetied Minnow, whereas maximum water temperature and substrate were identified for Brown Trout. These reduced numbers of variables then served as input into maximum entropy species distribution models for Tonguetied Minnow and Brown Trout. Only gradient (model contribution [MC] = 46.9%; permutation importance [PI] = 11.6%) and maximum water temperature (MC = 44.2%; PI = 79.8%) contributed substantially to the species distribution model for Tonguetied Minnow, while maximum water temperature (MC = 63.4%; PI = 76.2%) and substrate (MC = 36.6%; PI = 23.8%) were important contributors for Brown Trout. Water temperature appears to exert the principal influence on the distributions of both species and supports the premise that these species share similar habitat preferences within the Great Miami River. Therefore, the Tonguetied Minnow is likely unable to avoid interspecific interactions, such as predation, posed by Brown Trout that are introduced for sportfishing, thus raising concerns about the conservation of this isolated and highly imperiled population.
Secretion dynamics of soyasaponins in soybean roots and effects to modify the bacterial composition
Authors: Fujimatsu Teruhisa , Endo Keiji , Yazaki Kazufumi , Sugiyama Akifumi 
Published: September 2020

AbstractSoyasaponins are triterpenoid saponins widely found in legume plants. These compounds have drawn considerable attention because they have various activities beneficial for human health, and their biosynthesis has been actively studied. In our previous study, we found that legume plants including soybean secrete soyasaponins from the roots in hydroponic culture throughout the growth period, but the physiological roles of soyasaponins in the rhizosphere and their fate in soil after exudation have remained unknown. This study demonstrates that soyasaponins are secreted from the roots of field‐grown soybean, and soyasaponin Bb is the major soyasaponin detected in the rhizosphere. In vitro analysis of the distribution coefficient suggested that soyasaponin Bb can diffuse over longer distances in the soil in comparison with daidzein, which is a typical isoflavone secreted from soybean roots. The degradation rate of soyasaponin Bb in soil was slightly faster than that of daidzein, whereas no soyasaponin Bb degradation was observed in autoclaved soil, suggesting that microbes utilize soyasaponins in the rhizosphere. Bacterial community composition was clearly influenced by soyasaponin Bb, and potential plant growth–promoting rhizobacteria such as Novosphingobium were significantly enriched in both soyasaponin Bb–treated soil and the soybean rhizosphere. These results strongly suggest that soyasaponin Bb plays an important role in the enrichment of certain microbes in the soybean rhizosphere.
Living with Learning Difficulties: Two Case Studies Exploring the Relationship Between Emotion and Performance in Students with Learning Difficulties
Authors: Siouli Styliani , Makris Stylianos , Romanopoulou Evangelia , Bamidis Panagiotis P. D. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractResearch demonstrates that positive emotions contribute to students’ greater engagement with the learning experience, while negative emotions may detract from the learning experience. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of a computer-based training program on the emotional status and its effect on the performance of two students with learning difficulties: a second-grade student of a primary school with Simpson-Golabi-Behmel syndrome and a fourth-grade student of a primary school with learning difficulties. For the purpose of this study, the “BrainHQ” web-based cognitive training software and the mobile app “AffectLecture” were used. The former was used for measuring the affective state of the students before and after each intervention. The latter was used for improving students’ cognitive development, in order to evaluate the possible improvement of their initial emotional status after the intervention with “BrainHQ” program, the possible effect of positive/negative emotional status on their performance, as well as the possible effect of high/poor performance on their emotional status. The results of the study demonstrate that there is a positive effect of emotion on performance and vice versa and the positive effect of performance on the emotional status and vice versa. These findings suggest that the affective state of students should be taken into account by educators, scholars and policymakers.
Applying Instructional Design Principles on Augmented Reality Cards for Computer Science Education
Authors: Buchner Josef , Kerres Michael 
Published: September 2020

AbstractIn this article we describe Augmented Reality (AR) cards for computer science education that were created in the PCBuildAR project. From a technological point of view, we use marker-based AR for the cards so that students can learn and practice at any time with their smartphones. The instructional approach is based on the components content, construction and communication (3C model). The content ensures the acquisition of knowledge, which then is applied via problem-based learning activities (construction). Communication not only takes place between learners, but also with teachers.All materials will be available as open educational resources after the project is completed.
Designing an Online Self-assessment for Informed Study Decisions: The User Perspective
Authors: Delnoij L. E. C. , Janssen J. P. W. , Dirkx K. J. H. , Martens R. L. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractThis paper presents the results of a study, carried out as part of the design-based development of an online self-assessment for prospective students in higher online education. The self-assessment consists of a set of tests – predictive of completion – and is meant to improve informed decision making prior to enrolment. The rationale being that better decision making will help to address the ongoing concern of non-completion in higher online education. A prototypical design of the self-assessment was created based on an extensive literature review and correlational research, aimed at investigating validity evidence concerning the predictive value of the tests. The present study focused on investigating validity evidence regarding the content of the self-assessment (including the feedback it provides) from a user perspective. Results from a survey among prospective students (N = 66) indicated that predictive validity and content validity of the self-assessment are somewhat at odds: three out of the five tests included in the current prototype were considered relevant by prospective students. Moreover, students rated eleven additionally suggested tests – currently not included – as relevant concerning their study decision. Expectations regarding the feedback to be provided in connection with the tests include an explanation of the measurement and advice for further preparation. A comparison of the obtained scores to a reference group (i.e., other test-takers or successful students) is not expected. Implications for further development and evaluation of the self-assessment are discussed.
Are the rib fracture score and different computed tomography measures of obesity predictors for mortality in patients with rib fractures? A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Jentzsch Thorsten , Neuhaus Valentin , Seifert Burkhardt , Moos Rudolf M. , Simmen Hans-Peter , Schmitz Christoph E. W. , Werner Clément M. L. 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background
There is missing knowledge about the association of obesity and mortality in patients with rib fractures. Since the global measure of obesity (body mass index [BMI]) is often unknown in trauma patients, it would be convenient to use local computed tomography (CT)-based measures (e.g., umbilical outer abdominal fat) as a surrogate. The purpose of this study was to assess (1) whether local measures of obesity and rib fractures are associated with mortality and abdominal injuries and to evaluate (2) the correlation between local and global measures of obesity.

Materials and methods
A retrospective cohort study included all inpatients with rib fractures in 2013. The main exposure variable was the rib fracture score (RFS) (number of rib fractures, uni- or bilateral, age). Other exposure variables were CT-based measures of obesity and BMI. The primary outcome (endpoint) was in-hospital mortality. The secondary outcome consisted of abdominal injuries. Sex and comorbidities were adjusted for with logistic regression.

Results
Two hundred and fifty-nine patients (median age 55.0 [IQR 44.0–72.0] years) were analyzed. Mortality was 8.5%. RFS > 4 was associated with 490% increased mortality (ORadjusted = 5.9, 95% CI 1.9–16.6, p = 0.002). CT-based measures and BMI were not associated with mortality, rib fractures or injury of the liver. CT-based measures of obesity showed moderate correlations with BMI (e.g., umbilical outer abdominal fat: r = 0.59, p < 0.001).

Conclusions
RFS > 4 was an independent risk factors for increased mortality. Local and global measures of obesity were not associated with mortality, rib fractures or liver injuries. If the BMI is not available in trauma patients, CT-based measures of obesity may be considered as a surrogate.
Ixazomib-based frontline therapy in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma in real-life practice showed comparable efficacy and safety profile with those reported in clinical trial: a multi-center study
Authors: Li Jing , Bao Li , Xia Zhongjun , Wang Sili , Zhou Xin , Ding Kaiyang , Zhang Wenhao , Yang Wei , Li Bingzong , Fu Chengcheng , Chen Bing , Hua Luoming , Wang Liang , Luo Jun , Yang Yang , Xu Tianhong , Wang Weida , Huang Yun , Wu Guolin , Liu Peng 
Published: September 2020

AbstractThe induction therapy containing ixazomib, an oral proteasome inhibitor, has shown favorable efficacy and safety in clinical trials, but its experience in real-life remains limited. In routine practice, few patients received ixazomib-based induction therapy due to reasons including (1) patients’ preference on oral regimens, (2) concerns on adverse events (AEs) of other intravenous/subcutaneous regimens, (3) requirements for less center visits, and (4) fears of COVID-19 and other infectious disease exposures. With the aim of assessing the real-life effectiveness and safety of ixazomib-based induction therapy, we performed this multi-center, observational study on 85 newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM) patients from 14 medical centers. Ixazomib-based regimens included ixazomib-lenalidomide-dexamethasone (IRd) in 44.7% of patients, ixazomib-dexamethasone (Id) in 29.4%, and Id plus another agent (doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, thalidomide, or daratumumab) in 25.9%. Different ixazomib-based therapies were applied due to (1) financial burdens or limitations on local health insurance coverage, (2) concerns on treatment tolerance, and (3) drug accessibility issue. Ten patients received ixazomib maintenance. The median age was 67 years; 43.5% had ISS stage III disease; 48.2% had an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance score ≥ 2; and 17.6% with high-risk cytogenetic abnormalities. Overall response rate for all 85 patients was 95.3%, including 65.9% very good partial response or better and 29.5% complete responses. The median time to response was 30 days. The response rate was similar across different ixazomib-based regimens. Median progression-free survival was not reached. Severe AEs (≥ grade 3) were reported in 29.4% of patients. No grade 3/4 peripheral neuropathy (PN) occurred. Patients received a median of 6 (range 1–20) cycles of ixazomib treatment; 56.6% remained on treatment at data cutoff; 15.3% discontinued treatment due to intolerable AEs. These results support that the ixazomib-based frontline therapy was highly effective with acceptable toxicity in routine practice and the ixazomib oral regimens could be good alternative options for NDMM patients.