bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Loss of Schlafen3 influences the expression levels of Schlafen family members in ileum, thymus, and spleen tissue
Authors: Vomhof-DeKrey Emilie E. , Umthun Josey , Basson Marc D. 
Published: January 2020

Background
The Schlafen (Slfn) family proteins are important for regulation of cell growth, cell differentiation and cell cycle progression. We sought to distinguish Slfn family expression in Slfn3 knockout (KO) mice after RNA sequencing analysis of Slfn3KO vs. wildtype (WT) mice revealed varying expressions of Slfn family in ileal mucosa.

Methods
Quantitative PCR analysis of Slfn members was evaluated in ileal mucosa, thymus and spleen tissue since Slfn family members have roles in differentiating intestinal and immune cells.

Results
Ileal mucosa of Slfn3KO mice displayed a decrease in Slfn3, 4, 8 and 9 while Slfn1 and 5 increased in mRNA expression vs. WT mice. Thymic tissue had a Slfn9 increase and a Slfn4 decrease while splenic tissue had a Slfn8 and Slfn9 increase in Slfn3KO mice vs. WT mice. These differential expressions of Slfn members could indicate a feedback regulatory mechanism within the Slfn family. Indeed, MATCH™ tool from geneXplain predicted that all Slfn members have regions in their promoters for the Kruppel-like factor-6 transcription factor. In addition, NFAT related factors, ING4, ZNF333 and KLF4 are also predicted to bind in up to 6 of the 8 Slfn promoters. This study further describes a possible autoregulatory mechanism amongst the Slfn family members which could be important in how they regulate the differentiation of various cell types.
Influence of Soil Amendment on the Relative Growth Rate and Net Assimilation Rate of Phaseolus vulgaris and Vigna aconitifolia
Authors: Effa E. A. , A. J. Mofunanya A. , A. Ngele B. 
Published: January 2020

Background: Soil pH is one of the most important factors that contribute to crop growth and productivity. The present research was designed to assess the influence of soil amendment using organic manure and agricultural lime on the relative growth rate (RGR) and net assimilation rate (NAR) of Phaseolus vulgaris and Vigna aconitifolia grown on soils from different locations.
Methodology: The three locations were: Akamkpa, Calabar Municipality and Odukpani. The pH for the three soil locations were 4.0, 7.0 and 9.0, respectively. The treatments were; control (0 g), OM1 (100 g organic manure), OM2 (200 g organic manure), AL1 (100 g agricultural lime), AL2 (200 g agricultural lime), OM1 + AL1 (50 g organic manure + 50 g agricultural lime) and OM2 +AL2 (100 g organic manure and 100 g agricultural lime).
Results: Results obtained on the RGR of the leaf dry weight of P. vulgaris treated with OM2 was the highest (0.50 g/wk) followed by OM1 (0.41 g/wk). OM1 + AL1 had the highest RGR of the stem dry weight of P. vulgaris grown on soil from Calabar Municipality. In the RGR of the root dry weight, OM2 had the highest mean value in both plants grown on Akamkpa soil. Results obtained at 4 weeks after planting (WAP) revealed that there was significant (P<0.05) increase in NAR of plants grown on soil from Akamkpa. The highest NAR was obtained for V. aconitifolia treated with OM2 (0.0447 g/wk) followed by OM2 + AL2 (0.0057 g/wk) for both V. aconitifolia and P. vulgaris. P. vulgaris grown on Akamkpa and Odukpani soils treated with AL2 (0.0032 g/wk), OM1 + AL1 (0.0041 g/wk) and OM2+ AL2 (0.0062 g/wk) had the highest NAR at 8 WAP.
Conclusion: The RGR and NAR of the two bean varieties were improved following treatments with organic manure and agricultural lime.
Efficacy of Oil-pulling Versus Chlorhexidine Mouthwash in Reducing Oral Streptococcus Mutans Count: A Systemic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Arif Abbasi Zaeem , Saher Fizza , Ahmed Qureshi Jabbar , Tariq Niaz Ayesha , Akram Butt Saima , Saeed Roghay Shafaq 
Published: January 2020

Purpose: To determine whether oil-pulling with sesame or coconut oil yields a better result in reducing Streptococcus mutans count compared to conventional chlorhexidine mouthwashes.
Methods: Multiple databases were used to search for articles up to and including August 2019. Studies which reported use of oil-pulling and chlorhexidine mouthwashes to reduce Streptococcus mutans bacterial count were analyzed procedurally. Studies that fulfilled the inclusion criteria were then undertaken for qualitative and quantitative analysis.
Results: Five studies were included in this analysis, which used oil-pulling (test group) and chlorhexidine mouthwash (control group). The follow-up period ranged from 14 to 30 days. The oil used in oil-pulling group were either sesame or coconut oil. Quantitative analysis showed a significant reduction in oral Streptococcus mutans count with oil-pulling as compared to chlorhexidine mouthwash at follow-up (Q value = 6.61, DF = 4, I2 = 39.50%).
Conclusion: Use of oil-pulling showed better result in reducing cariogenic bacterial count as compared to the gold standard chlorhexidine mouthwashes. More clinical trials, evaluating additional oral hygiene parameters, would further validate the effects of oil-pulling on the oral cavity. Clinicians may advise their patients to use oil-pulling instead of chlorhexidine mouthwashes, as it is safe, cost-effective, and easily available.
Aromatic Hydrazide Compounds That Inhibit the Growth of Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Bartzatt Ronald , Sule Preeti , Galbadage Thushara , D. Cirillo Jeffrey 
Published: January 2020

Aims: To demonstrate the efficacy of aromatic hydrazide compounds to inhibit growth of Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
Study Design: To synthesize tuberculostats and test their antibacterial activity in-vitro.
Place and Duration of Study: University of Nebraska, Durham Science Center, 6001 Dodge Street, Omaha NE 68182, and Texas A&M Health Science Center, Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, 8447 State Hwy 47, Medical Research and Education Building, Room #3012, Bryan, TX 7780. From March 2019 to October 2019.
Methodology: Hydrazide functional groups were formed by covalently bonding hydrazine onto a carbonyl carbon that is a substituent of a single aromatic ring. Microwave excitation was utilized for synthesis, followed by evaluation of antibacterial activity. These compounds were placed into tissue culture media at various concentrations and then Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria was added, in order to determine the level of growth inhibition. Growth inhibition of the bacteria was measured as a function of compound concentration versus growth inhibition.
Results: Compounds A, B, C, and D carry hydrazide groups as a substituent to a single aromatic ring. All four compounds show zero violations of Rule of 5, indicating favorable drug-likeness. All four compounds showed greater than 50% growth inhibition of bacteria at concentrations below 50 micrograms per milliliter. Growth inhibition was measured by colony forming units and luminescence. Polar surface area, Log P, molecular volume, and other molecular properties were determined for these four compounds.
Conclusion: These four hydrazide compounds induced substantial inhibition of bacterial growth. Microwave excitation for the synthesis of hydrazide compounds is effective. These compounds have favorable drug-likeness properties and are highly effective inhibiting the growth of Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
Multiple sources of evidence for density dependence in the endangered Hawaiian stilt (Himantopus mexicanus knudseni)
Authors: van Rees Charles B. , Surya Gautam , Reed J. Michael 
Published: January 2020

AbstractHawaiian stilts (Himantopus mexicanus knudseni) are an endangered subspecies of the Black‐necked stilt endemic to the Hawaiian Islands. Despite long‐term study, the main drivers of Hawaiian stilt population dynamics are poorly understood. We tested for density dependence using two sources of evidence: a 30‐year time series of annual estimated range‐wide abundance, and two 15+ year time series of reproductive success. Using separate methods with independent data, sources allowed us to make up for the potentially positive bias of one approach with the more conservative nature of the second. We compared nonlinear density‐dependent and density‐independent population model fits to our time‐series data, using both frequentist and Bayesian state‐space approaches. Across both approaches, density‐dependent models best fit observed population dynamics, with lower AICc and cross‐validation statistics compared to density‐independent models. Among density‐dependent models, a conditional model in which density‐independent dynamics occur below a population size threshold (~850–1,000 birds), and then density‐dependent dynamics occur above that threshold, performed best across Bayesian and frequentist model comparisons, with the Ricker model ranked next or equivalently. Our analysis of reproduction data revealed a strong negative effect of local adult density on nest success (proportion of nests hatching at least one chick) at Kealia National Wildlife Refuge on Maui, where few alternative breeding habitats are available, but no such effect at another site where many nearby alternative wetlands are available. These congruent results across independent datasets and analytical approaches support the hypothesis that Hawaiian stilts exhibit density dependence across their range.
Microchannel‐Confined MXene Based Flexible Piezoresistive Multifunctional Micro‐Force Sensor
Authors: Gao Yuyu , Yan Cheng , Huang Haichao , Yang Tao , Tian Guo , Xiong Da , Chen Ningjun , Chu Xiang , Zhong Shen , Deng Weili , Fang Yong , Yang Weiqing 
Published: January 2020

AbstractMultifunctional micro‐force sensing in one device is an urgent need for the higher integration of the smaller flexible electronic device toward wearable health‐monitoring equipment, intelligent robotics, and efficient human–machine interface. Herein, a novel microchannel‐confined MXene‐based flexible piezoresistive sensor is demonstrated to simultaneously achieve multi‐types micro‐force sensing of pressure, sound, and acceleration. Benefiting from the synergistically confined effect of the fingerprint‐microstructured channel and the accordion‐microstructured MXene materials, the as‐designed sensor remarkably endows a low detection limit of 9 Pa, a high sensitivity of 99.5 kPa−1, and a fast response time of 4 ms, as well as non‐attenuating durability over 10 000 cycles. Moreover, the fabricated sensor is multifunctionally capable of sensing sounds, micromotion, and acceleration in one device. Evidently, such a multifunctional sensing characteristic can highlight the bright prospect of the microchannel‐confined MXene‐based micro‐force sensor for the higher integration of flexible electronics.
Collagen‐Elastin‐Like Polypeptide‐Bioglass Scaffolds for Guided Bone Regeneration
Authors: Gurumurthy Bhuvaneswari , Tucci Michelle A. , Fan Lir‐Wan , Benghuzzi Hamed A. , Pal Pallabi , Bidwell Gene L. , Salazar Marocho Susana M. , Cason Zelma , Gordy David , Janorkar Amol V. 
Published: January 2020

AbstractThe goals of this study are to evaluate the ability of the multicomponent collagen‐elastin‐like polypeptide (ELP)‐Bioglass scaffolds to support osteogenesis of rat mesenchymal stem cells (rMSCs), demonstrate in vivo biocompatibility by subcutaneous implantation in Sprague‐Dawley rats, monitor degradation noninvasively, and finally assess the scaffold's ability in healing critical‐sized cranial bone defects. The collagen‐ELP‐Bioglass scaffold supports the in vitro osteogenic differentiation of rMSCs over a 3 week culture period. The cellular (rMSC‐containing) or acellular scaffolds implanted in the subcutaneous pockets of rats do not cause any local or systemic toxic effects or tumors. The real‐time monitoring of the fluorescently labeled scaffolds by IVIS reveals that the scaffolds remain at the site of implantation for up to three weeks, during which they degrade gradually. Micro‐CT analysis shows that the bilateral cranial critical‐sized defects created in rats lead to greater bone regeneration when filled with cellular scaffolds. Bone mineral density and bone microarchitectural parameters are comparable among different scaffold groups, but the histological analysis reveals increased formation of high‐quality mature bone in the cellular group, while the acellular group has immature bone and organized connective tissue. These results suggest that the rMSC‐seeded collagen‐ELP‐Bioglass composite scaffolds can aid in better bone healing process.
Cobalt‐Exchanged Poly(Heptazine Imides) as Transition Metal–Nx Electrocatalysts for the Oxygen Evolution Reaction
Authors: Ye Meng‐Yang , Li Shuang , Zhao Xiaojia , Tarakina Nadezda V. , Teutloff Christian , Chow Wing Ying , Bittl Robert , Thomas Arne 
Published: January 2020

AbstractPoly(heptazine imides) hosting cobalt ions as countercations are presented as promising electrocatalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). A facile mixed‐salt melt‐assisted condensation is developed to prepare such cobalt poly(heptazine imides) (PHI‐Co). The Co ions can be introduced in well‐controlled amounts using this method, and are shown to be atomically dispersed within the imide‐linked heptazine matrix. When applied to electrocatalytic OER, PHI‐Co shows a remarkable activity with an overpotential of 324 mV and Tafel slope of 44 mV dec−1 in 1 m KOH.
Bioactive Pore‐Forming Bone Adhesives Facilitating Cell Ingrowth for Fracture Healing
Authors: Xu Liju , Gao Shan , Zhou Rubing , Zhou Fang , Qiao Yan , Qiu Dong 
Published: January 2020

AbstractThe effectiveness of commercial bone adhesives is known to be hampered by the weak efficacy of cell ingrowth. The strategy of macropore‐forming, especially bioactive macropores, holds considerable promise to circumvent this problem, thereby promoting fracture healing. Herein, a class of bioactive glass‐involved macropore‐embedded bone adhesives is developed, which is capable of facilitating the migration of bone‐derived mesenchymal stromal cells into the adhesive layer and differentiation into osteocytes. The integration of bioactive glass‐particle‐encapsulated porogens in the bone adhesives is key to this approach. A robust instant bonding on the bone adhesive and a high efficiency of bone regeneration on a mouse skull are observed, both of which are vital for clinical applications and personalized surgical procedures. This work represents a general strategy to design biomaterials with high cell‐ingrowth efficacy.
Enhanced Vertical Charge Transport of Homo‐ and Blended Semiconducting Polymers by Nanoconfinement
Authors: Ko Jongkuk , Kim Youngkeol , Kang Jin Soo , Berger Rüdiger , Yoon Hyunsik , Char Kookheon 
Published: January 2020

AbstractThe morphology of conjugated polymers has critical influences on electronic and optical properties of optoelectronic devices. Even though lots of techniques and methods are suggested to control the morphology of polymers, very few studies have been performed inducing high charge transport along out‐of‐plane direction. In this study, the self‐assembly of homo‐ and blended conjugated polymers which are confined in nanostructures is utilized. The resulting structures lead to high charge mobility along vertical direction for both homo‐ and blended conjugated polymers. Both semicrystalline and amorphous polymers show highly increased population of face‐on crystallite despite intrinsic crystallinity of polymers. They result in more than two orders of magnitude enhanced charge mobility along vertical direction revealed by nanoscale conductive scanning force microscopy and macroscale IV characteristic measurements. Moreover, blends of semicrystalline and amorphous polymers, which are known to show inferior optical and electrical properties due to their structural incompatibility, are formed into harmonious states by this approach. Assembly of blends of semicrystalline and amorphous polymers under nanoconfinement shows charge mobility in out‐of‐plane direction of 0.73 cm2 V−1 s−1 with wide range of absorption wavelength from 300 to 750 nm demonstrating the synergistic effects of two different polymers.
Preparation of Janus Titanium Dioxide Particles via Ultraviolet Irradiation of Pickering Emulsions
Authors: Tan Jasmine Si Jia , Wong Serena Lee Yan , Chen Zhong 
Published: January 2020

AbstractPickering emulsions are stabilized by solid particles assembled at an immiscible liquid–liquid interface. In this work, the use of such emulsions to prepare semiconductor Janus particles through UV‐irradiation is explored. Titanium dioxide particles that are prefunctionalized with an alkylsilane or a fluoroalkylsilane are employed to obtain wax‐in‐water emulsion droplets, which consist of the particles partially embedded in the wax core. Different emulsion formation mechanisms are discussed. The emulsified wax droplets are then subjected to ultraviolet irradiation, which photocatalytically degrades the silanes on the exposed portion of the particle surfaces, leading to Janus particles containing partial silane coatings. The particles are finally recovered through dissolution of wax. The Janus particles, which have contrasting wettabilities over their surface, are characterized based on self‐assembly behavior and bulk wetting performance in a compact film, as compared with nonfunctionalized and fully‐functionalized homogeneous particles. Three different types of Janus particles are created and their characters are explained using the concept of the Janus balance. The method has the potential to produce large scale yields in a relatively short time, and can be potentially applied to other semiconductor particles for the generation of Janus particles.
Simple and Ultrafast Fabrication of Invisible Photonic Prints with Reconfigurable Patterns
Authors: Hu Yang , Yang Dongpeng , Huang Shaoming 
Published: January 2020

AbstractPhotonic prints integrated with invisible and reconfigurable patterns are highly desired due to their potential applications in combining anti‐counterfeiting, anti‐photobleaching, and low‐resource consuming. Here, a simple and fast approach is reported to fabricate invisible photonic prints, which are prepared by coating a layer of oleylamine (OAm) on the selective region of hydrophilic photonic paper. Owing to the different wettability and swelling ability between the pattern and background regions, the pattern of the as‐prepared sample is invisible (Δλ = 0) at normal conditions, while it can be revealed with a large color contrast (Δλ = 140 nm) in the presence of water with a very short time (≈2 s). The hiding–showing transition is fully reversible and the sample shows good performance in long lasting stability. With elaborate mask, the presented method is also capable of preparing microscopic invisible photonic print with high resolution. Moreover, the pattern of the invisible photonic print can be reconfigured repeatedly through the erasing and reconstructing process, which works well in macro/microscopic scale. The combination of invisible and reconfigurable properties as well as the invisible photonic prints with macro and microscopic patterns will facilitate their practical applications such as anti‐counterfeiting, message storage, and display.
Polymer Nanofibers Exhibiting Remarkable Activity in Driving the Living Polymerization under Visible Light and Reusability
Authors: Xia Lei , Cheng Bo‐Fei , Zeng Tian‐You , Nie Xuan , Chen Guang , Zhang Ze , Zhang Wen‐Jian , Hong Chun‐Yan , You Ye‐Zi 
Published: January 2020

AbstractVisible light‐driving syntheses have emerged as a powerful tool for organic synthesis and for the preparation of macromolecules under mild and environmentally benign conditions. However, precious but nonreusable photosensitizers or photocatalysts are often required to activate the reaction, limiting its practicality. Here, it is reported that poly(1,4‐diphenylbutadiyne) (PDPB) nanofibers exhibit remarkable activity in driving the living free radical polymerization under visible light. Moreover, PDPB nanofibers are very stable under irradiation of visible light and can be reused without appreciable loss of activity even after repeated cycling. The nanofiber will be a promising photocatalyst with excellent reusability and stability for the reactions driven by visible light.
High‐Electric‐Field‐Induced Phase Transition and Electrical Breakdown of MoTe2
Authors: Kim Changsik , Issarapanacheewin Sudarat , Moon Inyong , Lee Kwang Young , Ra Changho , Lee Sungwon , Yang Zheng , Yoo Won Jong 
Published: January 2020

Abstract2D molybdenum ditelluride (MoTe2) has recently received significant attention due to its unique phase transition and ambipolar behavior as well as thickness‐dependent bandgap. The phase transition and electrical breakdown of various thickness MoTe2 field‐effect transistors observed under high electric fields are addressed. Interestingly, the MoTe2 exhibits phase transition from a semiconducting 2H phase to a metallic 1T′ almost simultaneously with electrical breakdown, and this is confirmed by a Raman peak of 1T′‐MoTe2 at 125 cm−1. Using Raman mapping results of MoTe2 FETs obtained after the breakdown, it is revealed that the phase transition is initiated from the metal contacting electrode regions of source and drain. All the Raman peaks of MoTe2 shifted to low frequency with increasing drain voltage. Based on the Raman peak shifts, the temperature change in the MoTe2 FETs while device operation is in progress is estimated. The maximum temperature and dissipated power of a tri‐layer MoTe2 device are found to reach 495 K and 5.85 mW, respectively, at an electric field of 6.5 V µm−1. This research provides guidelines for circuit design toward the application of 2D semiconductor devices, related to the energy dissipation and electrical breakdown unique to 2D phase transitional materials.
Malleability and Pliability of Silk‐Derived Electrodes for Efficient Deformable Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Ma Peipei , Lou Yanhui , Cong Shan , Lu Zheng , Zhu Kaiping , Zhao Jie , Zou Guifu 
Published: January 2020

AbstractFor the fabrication of deformable electronic devices, electrodes that are robust against repeated bending, twisting, stretching, folding, reversible plasticizing, and that maintain electrical conductivity, and so on, are required. Malleable and pliable silk‐derived electrodes are fabricated to enable the shape deformation of perovskite solar cells. Moisture‐driven silk‐derived electrodes show reversible plasticization with malleability and pliability, realizing diverse deformation from simple operations (including bending, folding, stretching, etc.) to complicated structures (including flower, bowknot, and paper crane). It is worth noting that the silk‐derived electrodes maintain electrical conductivity (15.8 Ω sq−1) compared to their initial value (15 Ω sq−1) even after suffering from reversible mechanical plasticization of complicated structures. Deformable perovskite solar cells are fabricated with the silk‐derived electrodes and achieve a power conversion efficiency of 10.40%. The devices maintain 92% of the initial efficiency after 1000 bends at a curvature radius of 2.5 mm. The power does not decline at 50% strain and keeps more than 60% of the initial value after stretching for 50 cycles. Malleability and pliability of silk‐derived electrodes benefit the realization of stretchable perovskite solar cells and deformable electronic devices.