bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Item response function in antagonistic situations
Authors: Turetsky Vladimir , Steinberg David M. , Bashkansky Emil 
Published: May 2020

AbstractThe main characteristic of a binary test is the item response function (IRF) expressing the probability P (d, a) of an object under test (OUT), possessing ability a, to successfully overcome the test item (TI) of difficulty d. Each specific test requires its own definitions of TI difficulty and OUT ability and has its own P (d, a) describing the probability of “success” mentioned above. This is demonstrated on the basis of several examples taken from different areas of statistical engineering. A common feature is that they all relate to “antagonistic” situations, in which the “success” of one side may formally be considered as a “loss” to the opposite side. For such situations ability and difficulty are two interchangeable sides of the same coin and the corresponding IRFs are complementary, that is, P (d, a) = 1 − P(a, d), with all consequences and restrictions imposed by this property. A study shows that the family of feasible IRFs is limited and has a number of interesting properties, which are discussed in the article. The analysis provided should facilitate avoiding errors in decisions about an IRF adequately describing the studied test.
Compositional Effects of Gel Polymer Electrolyte and Battery Design for Zinc‐Air Batteries
Authors: Tran Thuy Nguyen Thanh , Aasen Drew , Zhalmuratova Dinara , Labbe Matthew , Chung Hyun‐Joong , Ivey Douglas G. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractPoly(acrylic acid) (PAA) is a promising polymer host to support alkaline electrolytes in Zn‐air batteries. Herein, precursors containing different concentrations of monomers, crosslinkers and additives such as zinc oxide in alkaline solution are polymerized to fabricate gel polymer electrolytes (GPEs) via one‐pot synthesis. The compositional effects of the GPEs on battery performance are evaluated and a more efficient cell design is demonstrated. With a vertical double air electrode configuration, ZABs using PAA‐based electrolytes show unprecedented performance including high specific energy (913 Wh kgZn−1), excellent cycling stability (at least 160 cycles at 2×10 mA cm−2) and high power density output (2×135 mW cm−2). The study represents a viable option to replace aqueous electrolytes for high performing ZABs.
Korrosionsbedingte Kosten an Ingenieurbauwerken im Schweizer Straßennetz
Authors: Yilmaz Deniz , Angst Ueli 
Published: May 2020

AbstractEin Großteil der Schäden an Ingenieurbauwerken wird durch Korrosion verursacht. In der vorliegenden Arbeit wurden repräsentative Erhaltungsprojekte von Ingenieurbauwerken in der Schweiz detailliert analysiert. In den untersuchten Fällen zeigte sich, dass 56 % der Instandsetzungskosten (± 11 %) direkt durch die Korrosion verursacht werden. Bei Ingenieurbauwerken im Straßennetz der Schweiz liegen die direkt durch Korrosion versursachten Kosten somit schätzungsweise bei 260 bis 510 Mio. CHF pro Jahr, also gegen 1 000 CHF pro Minute. Dies entspricht 0,08 % des Bruttoinlandprodukts. Nebst dem Straßennetz werden Korrosionskosten auch an anderen Ingenieurbauwerken erwartet, etwa an der Bahninfrastruktur, im Energiesektor oder bei Wohn‐ und Bürobauten. Diese wurden hier nicht berücksichtigt; ebenso wurden die indirekten Kosten (Staus, Umweltbelastung, etc.) nicht quantifiziert. Die hier ermittelten direkten Kosten durch Korrosion an Ingenieurbauwerken im Straßennetz der Schweiz stimmen in der Größenordnung mit den für die USA vorliegenden Daten überein und können daher möglicherweise auch auf andere industrialisierte Länder angewandt werden. Aufgrund dieser volkswirtschaftlichen Bedeutung ist es zentral, das Korrosionsphänomen bestmöglich unter Kontrolle zu haben. Dies bedingt dringend technologische Innovationen und eine zeitgemäße Ausbildung von Fachkräften im Bauwesen.
A weighted FDR procedure under discrete and heterogeneous null distributions
Authors: Chen Xiongzhi , Doerge R. W. , Sarkar Sanat K. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractMultiple testing (MT) with false discovery rate (FDR) control has been widely conducted in the “discrete paradigm” wherep‐values have discrete and heterogeneous null distributions. However, in this scenario existing FDR procedures often lose some power and may yield unreliable inference, and for this scenario there does not seem to be an FDR procedure that partitions hypotheses into groups, employs data‐adaptive weights and is nonasymptotically conservative. We propose a weightedp‐value‐based FDR procedure, “weighted FDR (wFDR) procedure” for short, for MT in the discrete paradigm that efficiently adapts to both heterogeneity and discreteness ofp‐value distributions. We theoretically justify the nonasymptotic conservativeness of the wFDR procedure under independence, and show via simulation studies that, for MT based onp‐values of binomial test or Fisher's exact test, it is more powerful than six other procedures. The wFDR procedure is applied to two examples based on discrete data, a drug safety study, and a differential methylation study, where it makes more discoveries than two existing methods.
Simulation of the conformational flexibility of the mycodextran under external forces
Authors: Brzyska Agnieszka , Woliński Krzysztof 
Published: May 2020

AbstractMycodextran—also known as nigeran—is an unbranched polysaccharide made of α‐d‐glucopyranose units alternatively connected by (1 → 3) and (1 → 4) glycosidic linkages produced intracellularly by Aspergillus niger and Penicillium crustosum. In this work we examine possible enforced conformational transitions in the glucopyranose rings in the nigeran oligosaccharide chains. In order to simulate such structural changes we used the Enforced Geometry Optimization (EGO) method.
Rewiring central carbon metabolism for tyrosol and salidroside production in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Guo Wei , Huang Qiulan , Feng Yuhui , Tan Taicong , Niu Suhao , Hou Shaoli , Chen Zhigang , Du Zhi‐Qiang , Shen Yu , Fang Xu 
Published: May 2020

AbstractMetabolic engineering of Saccharomyces cerevisiae for high‐level production of aromatic chemicals has received increasing attention in recent years. Tyrosol production from glucose by S. cerevisiae is considered an environmentally sustainable and safe approach. However, the production of tyrosol and salidroside by engineered S. cerevisiae has been reported to be lower than 2 g/L to date. In this study, S. cerevisiae was engineered with a push‐pull‐restrain strategy to efficiently produce tyrosol and salidroside from glucose. The biosynthetic pathways of ethanol, phenylalanine, and tryptophan were restrained by disrupting PDC1, PHA2, and TRP3. Subsequently, tyrosol biosynthesis was enhanced with a metabolic pull strategy of introducing PcAAS and EcTyrAM53I/A354V. Moreover, a metabolic push strategy was implemented with the heterologous expression of phosphoketolase (Xfpk), and then erythrose 4‐phosphate was synthesized simultaneously by two pathways, the Xfpk‐based pathway and the pentose phosphate pathway, in S. cerevisiae. Furthermore, the heterologous expression of Xfpk alone in S. cerevisiae efficiently improved tyrosol production compared with the coexpression of Xfpk and phosphotransacetylase. Finally, the tyrosol yield increased by approximately 135‐folds, compared with that of parent strain. The total amount of tyrosol and salidroside with glucose fed‐batch fermentation was over 10 g/L and reached levels suitable for large‐scale production.
Amino acid supplementation for enhancing recombinant protein production in E. coli
Authors: Kumar Jashwant , Chauhan Ashish S. , Shah Rohan L. , Gupta Jaya A. , Rathore Anurag S. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractRecombinant protein production (RPP) in Escherichia coli (E. coli) often induces metabolic burden to the cells that compromise their overall growth and productivity. Amino acid starvation due to RPP is a major contributor of the metabolic burden on the cells and induces global stress response known as a stringent‐like response. In this study, the effect of amino acid supplementation in a chemically defined medium on cellular growth and recombinant pramlintide production was investigated. Based on the consumption profile, few amino acids were categorized as growth‐promoting (GP1) and protein production promoting (GP2). Feeding strategies of GP1 and GP2 were tested in shake flasks followed by scale up into the bioreactor. A 40% increase in the recombinant pramlintide (rPramlintide) production (protein concentration of 3.09 ± 0.12 g/L and yield of 227.69 ± 19.72 mg pramlintide per gram dry cell weight) was realized. Furthermore, transcriptomics data indicated the downregulation of several genes associated with global stress response and genes involved in amino acid biosynthesis in test culture, supported by proteomics analysis. These results signify that the external supply of critical amino acids decreases cellular stress during RPP and improves process productivity.
Engineered human FcγRIIa fusion: A novel strategy to extend serum half‐life of therapeutic proteins
Authors: Jo Migyeong , Ko Sanghwan , Hwang Bora , Min Sung‐Won , Ha Ji Yeon , Lee Ji Chul , Jang Se‐Eun , Jung Sang Taek 
Published: May 2020

AbstractThe immunoglobulin G (IgG) molecule has a long circulating serum half‐life (~3 weeks) through pH‐ dependent FcRn binding‐mediated recycling. To hijack the intracellular trafficking and recycling mechanism of IgG as a way to extend serum persistence of non‐antibody therapeutic proteins, we have evolved the ectodomain of a low‐affinity human FcγRIIa for enhanced binding to the lower hinge and upper CH2 region of IgG, which is very far from the FcRn binding site (CH2–CH3 interface). High‐throughput library screening enabled isolation of an FcγRIIa variant (2A45.1) with 32‐fold increased binding affinity to human IgG1 Fc (equilibrium dissociation constant: 9.04 × 10−7 M for wild type FcγRIIa and 2.82 × 10−8 M for 2A45.1) and significantly improved affinity to mouse serum IgG compared to wild type human FcγRIIa. The in vivo pharmacokinetic profile of PD‐L1 fused with engineered FcγRIIa (PD‐L1–2A45.1) was compared with that of PD‐L1 fused with wild type FcγRIIa (PD‐L1–wild type FcγRIIa) and human PD‐L1 in mice. PD‐L1–2A45.1 showed 11.7‐ and 9.7‐fold prolonged circulating half‐life (t1/2) compared to PD‐L1 when administered intravenously and intraperitoneally, respectively. In addition, the AUCinf of PD‐L1–2A45.1 was two‐fold higher compared to that of PD‐L1–wild type FcγRIIa. These results demonstrate that engineered FcγRIIa fusion offers a novel and successful strategy for prolonging serum half‐life of therapeutic proteins.
A liquid chromatography coupled to quadrupole–time‐of‐flight–mass spectrometry (LC–QTOF–MS) method for identification analysis of saponins from Quillaja saponaria bark extracts in foot‐and‐mouth disease vaccines: Development, validation and applicability
Authors: de Andrade Diego Fontana , Jank Louise , Rego Vitor Breda , Minozzo Roberto , Sfoggia Marcus Vinícius Burgel , Bavaresco Álvaro , Barreto Fabiano 
Published: May 2020

AbstractSaponins from Quillaja saponaria have been commonly used as immunomodulatory adjuvants in foot‐and‐mouth disease vaccines (FMDVs). However, due to the lack of consensus over the possible exacerbation of local inflammatory responses in cattle and its economic impacts, their use has been discouraged by Brazilian authorities. A qualitative method intended to determine the presence of saponins from Q. saponaria bark extracts in FMDVs was developed and validated. Instrumental analysis was performed using an liquid chromatography (LC) coupled to a quadrupole–time‐of‐flight–mass spectrometry (TOF‐MS) system. The method was validated according to the International Conference on Harmonization Harmonized Tripartite Guideline Q2 (R1) and Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Supply Analytical Quality Assurance Guidelines. Validation parameters were determined and considered suitable to the established criteria. The validated method has been applied in routine analysis in the National Agricultural Laboratory at Rio Grande do Sul (LANAGRO‐RS). All results obtained were in agreement with the vaccine's composition described by the manufacturer. The method is easy and adequate for analysis in routine laboratories. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of a method which intends to investigate the presence of saponins from Q. saponaria bark extracts in veterinary vaccines.
Enantioselective analysis of venlafaxine and its active metabolites: A review on the separation methodologies
Authors: Hancu Gabriel , Lupu Daniela , Milan Andreea , Budău Monica , Barabás‐Hajdu Enikő 
Published: May 2020

AbstractVenlafaxine (VFX) is a serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor chiral drug used in therapy as an antidepressant in the form of a racemate consisting ofR‐ andS‐VFX. The two enantiomers of VFX exhibit different pharmacological activities:R‐VFX inhibits both norepinephrine and serotonin synaptic reuptake, whereasS‐VFX inhibits only the serotonin one.R‐ andS‐VFX are metabolized in the liver to the respectiveR‐ andS‐O‐desmethylvenlafaxine (ODVFX),R‐ andS‐N‐desmethylvenlafaxine (NDVFX), andR‐ andS‐N,O‐didesmethylvenlafaxine (NODVFX). The pharmacological profile of ODVFX is close to that of VFX, whereas the other two chiral metabolites (NDVFX and NODVFX) have lower affinity for the receptor sites. The pharmacokinetics of the VFX enantiomers appear stereoselective, including the metabolism process. In the past 20 years, several studies describing the enantioselective analysis ofR‐ andS‐VFX in pharmaceutical formulations and its chiral metabolites in biological matrices were published. These methods encompass liquid chromatography coupled with UV detection, mass spectrometry, or tandem mass spectrometry, and capillary electrophoresis. This paper reviews the published methods used for the determination of the individual enantiomers of VFX and its chiral metabolites in different matrices.
Different hemispheric specialization for face/word recognition: A high‐density ERP study with hemifield visual stimulation
Authors: Takamiya Naomi , Maekawa Toshihiko , Yamasaki Takao , Ogata Katsuya , Yamada Emi , Tanaka Mutsuhide , Tobimatsu Shozo 
Published: May 2020

AbstractIntroductionThe right fusiform face area (FFA) is important for face recognition, whereas the left visual word fusiform area (VWFA) is critical for word processing. Nevertheless, the early stages of unconscious and conscious face and word processing have not been studied systematically.Materials and MethodsTo explore hemispheric differences for face and word recognition, we manipulated the visual field (left vs. right) and stimulus duration (subliminal [17 ms] versus supraliminal [300 ms]). We recorded P100 and N170 peaks with high‐density ERPs in response to faces/objects or Japanese words/scrambled words in 18 healthy young subjects.ResultsContralateral P100 was larger than ipsilateral P100 for all stimulus types in the supraliminal, but not subliminal condition. The face‐ and word‐N170s were not evoked in the subliminal condition. The N170 amplitude for the supraliminal face stimuli was significantly larger than that for the objects, and right hemispheric specialization was found for face recognition, irrespective of stimulus visual hemifield. Conversely, the supraliminal word‐N170 amplitude was not significantly modulated by stimulus type, visual field, or hemisphere.ConclusionsThese results suggest that visual awareness is crucial for face and word recognition. Our study using hemifield stimulus presentation further demonstrates the robust right FFA for face recognition but not the left VWFA for word recognition in the Japanese brain.
Sub‐Periosteal Peri‐Implant Augmented Layer Technique to Treat Peri‐Implantitis Lesions
Authors: Trombelli Leonardo , Severi Mattia , Farina Roberto , Simonelli Anna 
Published: May 2020

IntroductionThe efficacy of surgical regenerative procedures to treat peri‐implantitis lesions has been extensively reviewed. Regenerative treatment showed a variable rate of success, in terms of pocket reduction, gain in bone support, and elimination of signs of infection/inflammation. The aim of the present case report is to illustrate the use of the sub‐periosteal peri‐implant augmented layer (SPAL) technique to correct peri‐implantitis defectsCase PresentationSurgical treatment of three class Ib and one class Ic peri‐implantitis lesions in three patients was performed by means of the SPAL technique. A partial‐thickness flap was elevated, leaving the periosteal layer on the buccal cortical bone plate. The periosteal layer was in turn elevated to create a pouch, which was used to stabilize a bovine‐derived xenograft (deproteinized bovine bone mineral) at the peri‐implant buccal bone defect. No barrier membrane was used. In case of insufficient dimensions of peri‐implant mucosa, a connective tissue graft (CTG) was buccally positioned at the most coronal portion of the implant. Treatment resulted in substantial reconstruction of peri‐implant support associated with reduced probing depth and absence of inflammation.ConclusionsSPAL technique with or without additional CTG may be a suitable option to obtain clinical remission of peri‐implantitis defects associated with buccal bone dehiscence.
Structure‐Activity Relationships and Potent Cytotoxic Activities of Terphenyllin Derivatives from a Small Compound Library
Authors: Haider Waqas , Xu Wei‐Feng , Liu Min , Wu Yan‐Wei , Tang Yan‐Fei , Wei Mei‐Yan , Wang Chang‐Yun , Lu Ling , Shao Chang‐Lun 
Published: May 2020

AbstractA small library of 120 compounds was established with seventy new alkylated derivatives of the natural product terphenyllin, together with 45 previous reported derivatives and four natural p‐terphenyl analogs. The 70 new derivatives were semi‐synthesized and evaluated for cytotoxic activities against four cancer cell lines. Interestingly, 2′,4′′‐diethoxyterphenyllin, 2′,4,4′′‐triisopropoxyterphenyllin, and 2′,4′′‐bis(cyclopentyloxy)terphenyllin showed potent activities with IC50 values in a range from 0.13 to 5.51 μM, which were similar to those of the positive control, adriamycin. The preliminary structure–activity relationships indicated that the introduction of alkyl substituents including ethyl, allyl, propargyl, isopropyl, bromopropyl, isopentenyl, cyclopropylmethyl, and cyclopentylmethyl are important for improving the cytotoxicity.
miR‐16 exhibits protective function in LPS‐treated cardiomyocytes by targeting DOCK2 to repress cell apoptosis and exert anti‐inflammatory effect
Authors: Wang Lei , Zhang Yangyang , Zhu Guangfu , Ma Yuncong , Zuo Huan , Tian Xia 
Published: May 2020

AbstractThis study aims to investigate the effects of microRNA (miR)‐16/dedicator of cytokinesis 2 (DOCK2) on myocarditis. The differences in the expression of genes in acute myocarditis were filtered out across Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Myocarditis cell model was established by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation in cardiomyocytes. The association between miR‐16 and DOCK2 was predicted by bioinformatics software and confirmed by dual‐luciferase assay. Polymerase chain reaction and western blot analysis were employed to assess the expression levels of miR‐16 and DOCK2 under different conditions. Cells viability, apoptosis, and inflammatory reaction were evaluated by Cell Counting Kit‐8, flow cytometry, and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays. miR‐16, as an upstream regulator of DOCK2, exhibited lower expression in LPS‐induced myocarditis model. More importantly, we revealed that a marked augmentation of miR‐16 promoted the growth of LPS‐stimulated cardiomyocytes, and attenuated cell apoptosis and inflammatory response. However, an increasing expression of DOCK2 inhibited the remission of LPS‐induced myocardial injury caused by miR‐16 mimic. Herein, our results highlighted that upregulation of miR‐16 resulted in the protective effects on LPS‐induced myocardial injury by reducing DOCK2 expression, affording a pair of novel target molecules for ameliorating the symptoms of myocarditis.
A case of metachronous peripheral T‐Cell non‐Hodgkin lymphoma following chemotherapy for Hodgkin disease successfully treated with brentuximab vedotin
Authors: Meconi Federico , Provenzano Ida , Nasso Daniela , Mariotti Benedetta , Pupo Livio , Secchi Roberto , Cerretti Raffaella , Lucia Anemona , Arcese William , Cantonetti Maria 
Published: May 2020

AbstractOccasionally, non‐Hodgkin lymphomas (NHL) occur simultaneously or subsequently to Hodgkin disease. We report on a case of a woman with Hodgkin lymphoma treated with ABVD, who developed 4 years later T‐cell NHL with both nodal and extranodal involvement. Brentuximab vedotin could be an effective choice in treating metachronous T‐cell NHL.
Incisionless facial resection for Kadish stage C olfactory neuroblastoma: Transcaruncular approach with combined endonasal and skull base surgery
Authors: Ogawa Tetsuya , Nishimura Kunihiro , Takahashi Yasuhiro , Iwami Kenichiro , Yasumura Tsuneo , Yo Kinga , Okamoto Hiroki , Inukai Daisuke , Sano Rui , Watanabe Tadashi , Kakizaki Hirohiko 
Published: May 2020

AbstractThis case report describes resection without facial incision for aggressive Kadish stage C olfactory neuroblastoma (ONB). We performed resection via transcaruncular approach with combined endonasal and skull base surgery. This multidisciplinary team surgical approach is expected to lead to a new strategy for this type of tumor in the future.
An unusual polypoid lesion in the cecum
Authors: Laskaratos Faidon‐Marios , El‐Mileik Hanan 
Published: May 2020

AbstractThe inverted appendix or appendiceal stump is a rare finding that may be identified at colonoscopy. This may cause diagnostic confusion and be misinterpreted as a polyp with a risk of peritonitis if excised endoscopically.
Dry matter yield and nutritive value of early‐ or late‐maturing spring wheat, spring barley, and oat cultivars planted in late summer
Authors: Coblentz Wayne K. , Akins Matthew S. , Cavadini Jason S. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractThe objectives of this experiment were to evaluate early‐ and late‐maturing cultivars of oat (Avena sativa L.), spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), and spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) for autumn forage production and nutritive value. Early‐ and late‐maturing cultivars evaluated were ‘Newport’ and ‘Hays’ barley, ‘Select’ and ‘Iguacu’ wheat, and ‘Ogle’ and ‘ForagePlus’ oat. Field plots were arranged in a randomized complete block design with six replications (blocks) each year for 72 plots across the 2‐yr trial. For 2016, yields of dry matter (DM) were greatest for the barley cultivars (mean = 6,828 lb DM acre–1); all the other cultivars exhibited similar yields (P > 0.05; mean = 5,597 lb DM acre–1). For 2017, the yield responses for Newport barley (4,422 lb DM acre–1) were greater than all other cultivars, which did not differ from each other (P > 0.05; mean = 2,712 lb DM acre–1). Generally, wheat and oat cultivars differed by early‐ or late‐maturing designation for most measures of nutritive value; however, barley cultivars differed only for whole‐plant ash. Total digestible nutrients were similar (P > 0.05) for early‐maturing Newport barley and all late‐maturing cultivars (mean = 66.0%); collectively, their energy densities were greater than those observed for early‐maturing Select wheat (62.8%) or Ogle oat (61.3%). Within species, in vitro disappearance of DM and fiber were greatest for the late‐maturing cultivars, with ForagePlus exhibiting the greatest disappearance. Spring wheat or barley are viable choices for emergency autumn forage in the north‐central United States.