bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Acne Vulgaris and its Association with Ocular Dryness - A Randomised Hospital Based Study
Authors: Das Sujit , Verma Sanjeev , Pradeep B. 
Published: May 2020

Background:
Dry eye is a multi factorial disease of the tears and ocular surface. Both acne vulgaris and mebomian glands are influenced by androgenic hormone and there is a strong correlation found between acne vulgaris and evaporative type of ocular dryness in the present study.

Aim of the study:
To identify the prevalence of dryness in patients of acne vulgaris

Study design:
A randomised hospital based study over a period of 3 years

Methods & materials:
All patients between 13-30 years of age with acne vulgaris both inflammatory and non inflammatory were screened randomly for dry eye using Schirmer's test, tear film breakup time (TBUT), tear film height, presence of conjunctival injection, punctate epithelial erosions (PEE) on flourescein stain. Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) was used to diagnose dry eye.

Results:
Out of 200 patients male were [n=106] predominated and mostly in the age group of 21-25 years. After 3 months of treatment there was marked improvement in tear film break up time [TBUT] and Schirmer's test. Only 74 cases (37%) had punctate epitheleal lesions and 36% cases had associated mebomian gland dysfunction.

Conclusions:
Both acne vulgaris and mebomian glands are influenced by androgenic hormone and there is strong correlation between acne vulgaris and ocular dryness.
Secondary Fungal Infection in Viral Keratitis
Authors: Potti Sudhakar , Darla Santha Kumari , Sakare Eswar Rao 
Published: May 2020

Purpose:
To report incidence of secondary fungal infection in herpes simplex keratitis.

Case Summary:
Two patients of recurrent viral keratitis who were on systemic antivirals and topical steroids presented with worsening symptoms and decreased vision with epithelial defect and pigmented stromal infiltrate. Corneal scrapings were done. Fungal hyphae were seen on smears and growth on culture. Steroid therapy was stopped, systemic antivirals continued and antifungal therapy was started.

Conclusion:
Secondary infection has to be considered, when herpes keratitis worsens on treatment. We should be aware of uncommon manifestations of keratitis.
c
‐Charts
Authors: Morais Manuel C. , Knoth Sven 
Published: May 2020

Abstract

Each specification that is not satisfied by a unit of a product is considered a defect, a demerit, or, more generally, a
nonconformity
. ‐chart is the term used in quality control for a chart in which the count of nonconformities in each of a sequence of samples of constant size is plotted against the serial number of the sample. We describe the ‐chart with 3‐ control limits, provide examples using R (programming language), and discuss a technique to mitigate its poor performance.
Bayesian Methods in Brain Networks
Authors: Durante Daniele , Guindani Michele 
Published: May 2020

AbstractThe recent developments in resonance imaging technologies have allowed growing access to a wide variety of complex information on brain functioning. Regardless of the several types of data modalities which are now available, a fundamental interest in the neurosciences is in conducting inference on brain networks. In this article, we discuss statistical methods for brain networks with a specific focus on the Bayesian approach. Due to its ability to allow careful uncertainty quantification, borrowing of information, and inclusion of experts knowledge, the Bayesian paradigm can provide a particularly effective tool in the neuroscience studies.
Data Validation
Authors: van der Loo Mark P.J. , de Jonge Edwin 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Data validation is the activity where one decides whether or not a particular data set is fit for a given purpose. Formalizing the requirements that drive this decision process allows for unambiguous communication of the requirements, automation of the decision process, and opens up ways to maintain and investigate the decision process itself. The purpose of this article is to formalize the definition of data validation and to demonstrate some of the properties that can be derived from this definition. In particular, it is shown how a formal view of the concept permits a classification of data quality requirements, allowing them to be ordered in increasing levels of complexity. Some subtleties arising from combining possibly many such requirements are pointed out as well.
Risk to sustainability of pest management tools in peanut
Authors: Jordan David L. , Dunne Jeffrey , Stalker H. Thomas , Shew Barbara B. , Brandenburg Rick L. , Anco Dan , Mehl Hillary , Taylor Sally , Balota Maria 
Published: May 2020

AbstractA diversity of pests can adversely affect peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) yield, quality, and financial return. Farmers rely heavily on applied chemicals to suppress many of the economically important pests present in peanut. The effectiveness of this approach to pest management may not be sustainable, however, due to evolved resistance in pests to chemicals, reluctance of basic chemical manufacturers to invest in product development because of the relatively small market for peanut compared with other crops, cost to initially register or re‐register chemicals, and the desire for peanut buyers and processors to capture international markets that may have varying agrochemical residue restrictions for peanut. Heavy reliance on chemical control could leave peanut production systems vulnerable to yield loss; thus, a more concerted research effort is needed to increase the number and availability of nonchemical tools that protect peanut from pests in order to ensure long‐term sustainability of peanut production systems.
The search for enhanced dielectric strength of polymer‐based dielectrics: A focused review on polymer nanocomposites
Authors: Tan Daniel Q. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractThis report traces the leading scientific endeavors to enhance the dielectric strength of polymer dielectrics for energy storage and electrical insulation applications. Remarkable progress has occurred over the past 15 years through nanodielectric engineering involving inorganic nanofillers, coatings, and polymer matrices. This article highlights the challenges of dielectric polymers primarily toward capacitors and cable/wire insulation. It also summarizes several major technical approaches to enhance the dielectric strength of polymers and nanocomposites, including nanoparticle incorporation in polymers, filler‐polymer interface engineering, and film surface coating. More attention is directed to interface contributions, including rational design of core‐shell structures, use of low‐dimensional fillers and thermally conducting fillers, and inorganic surface coating of polymer films. These efforts demonstrated the enhancement in dielectric strength by 40–160% when controlling the fillers below 5 wt% in polyvinylidenedifluoride (PVDF) composites. This article also discussed the possible dielectric mechanisms and the positive role of interfaces against charge transport traps for attaining higher breakdown strength. The investigation of low‐dimensional filler/coating materials of high thermal conductivity can be key scientific subjects for future research.
Cu2+‐selective naked‐eye ‘off–on' fluorescent probe with multisignals: chromaticity, fluorescence, electrochemistry
Authors: Xu Xiuling , Zhang Xiaoli , Cao Cuilan , Zheng Bingbing , Deng Hongxia , Shuai Qi 
Published: May 2020

AbstractIn this study, a rhodamine–acetylferrocene conjugate of RBFc was synthesized and then characterized using spectroscopy and single‐crystal analysis. The chemosensor RBFc exhibited a marked colour change from colourless to pink after binding to Cu2+ ions. Importantly, under the presence of the other competing cations in aqueous solution, only Cu2+ ions caused spirolactam ring opening in rhodamine B in RBFc, resulting in an enhanced absorbance of ultraviolet light spectra and fluorescence spectra, as well as obvious shifts in cyclic voltammetry curves and differential pulsed voltammetry curves. The novel probe described in this manuscript provides an attractive approach for detecting Cu2+ in the presence of other multisignals.
The Effect of Container Surface Passivation on Aggregation of Intravenous Immunoglobulin Induced by Mechanical Shock
Authors: Movafaghi Sanli , Wu Hao , Francino Urdániz Irene M. , Bull David S. , Kelly Mary D. , Randolph Theodore W. , Goodwin Andrew P. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractAggregation of therapeutic proteins can result from a number of stress conditions encountered during their manufacture, transportation, and storage. This work shows the effects of two interrelated sources of protein aggregation: the chemistry and structure of the surface of the container in which the protein is stored, and mechanical shocks that may result from handling of the formulation. How different mechanical stress conditions (dropping, tumbling, and agitation) and container surface passivation affect the stability of solutions of intravenous immunoglobulin are investigated. Application of mechanical shock causes cavitation to occur in the protein solution, followed by bubble collapse and the formation of high‐velocity fluid microjets that impinged on container surfaces, leading to particle formation. Cavitation was observed after dropping of vials from heights as low as 5 cm, but polyethylene glycol (PEG) grafting provided temporary protection against drop‐induced cavitation. PEG treatment of the vial surface reduced the formation of protein aggregates after repeated dropping events, most likely by reducing protein adsorption to container surfaces. These studies enable the development of new coatings and surface chemistries that can reduce the particulate formation induced by surface adsorption and/or mechanical shock.
Development of orthogonal T7 expression system in Klebsiella pneumoniae
Authors: Zhao Peng , Ren Minrui , Ge Xizhen , Tian Pingfang , Tan Tianwei 
Published: May 2020

AbstractMost expression systems are tailored for model organisms rather than nonmodel organisms. However, heterologous gene expression in model organisms constrains the innate advantages of original strain carrying gene of interest. In this study, T7 expression system was developed in nonmodel bacterium Klebsiella pneumoniae for production of chemicals. First, we engineered a recombinant K. pneumoniae strain harboring two vectors. One vector was used to express T7 RNA polymerase (T7 RNAP) which would drive the expression of egfp in the other vector. This recombinant strain demonstrated 15.73‐fold of fluorescence relative to wild‐type K. pneumoniae and showed similar level of fluorescence to recombinant Escherichia coli overexpressing egfp. When egfp was replaced by puuC, an endogenous aldehyde dehydrogenase catalyzing 3‐hydroxypropionic acid (3‐HP) biosynthesis in K. pneumoniae, the recombinant strain coexpressing T7 RNAP and PuuC showed high‐level PuuC expression. In shake‐flask cultivation, this recombinant strain produced 1.72 g/L 3‐HP in 24 hr, which was 3.24 times that of wild‐type K. pneumoniae (0.53 g/L). To mitigate plasmid burden, the vector expressing T7 RNAP was eliminated, but the T7 RNAP expression cassette was integrated into K. pneumoniae genome. The resulting strain harboring only PuuC expression vector produced 2.44 g/L 3‐HP in 24 hr under shake‐flask conditions, which was 1.46 times that of the strain harboring both T7 RNAP and PuuC expression vectors. In bioreactor cultivation, this strain generated 67.59 g/L 3‐HP and did not show significantly halted growth. Overall, these results indicate that the engineered T7 expression system functioned efficiently in K. pneumoniae. This study provides a paradigm for the development of T7 expression system in prokaryotes.
Enhancing plasmid transformation efficiency and enabling CRISPR‐Cas9/Cpf1‐based genome editing in Clostridium tyrobutyricum
Authors: Zhang Jie , Hong Wei , Guo Liang , Wang Yifen , Wang Yi 
Published: May 2020

AbstractClostridium tyrobutyricum ATCC 25755 is known as a natural hyper‐butyrate producer with great potentials as an excellent platform to be engineered for valuable biochemical production from renewable resources. However, limited transformation efficiency and the lack of genetic manipulation tools have hampered the broader applications of this micro‐organism. In this study, the effects of Type I restriction‐modification system and native plasmid on conjugation efficiency of C. tyrobutyricum were investigated through gene deletion. The deletion of Type I restriction endonuclease resulted in a 3.7‐fold increase in conjugation efficiency, while the additional elimination of the native plasmid further enhanced conjugation efficiency to 6.05 ± 0.75 × 103 CFU/ml‐donor, which was 15.3‐fold higher than the wild‐type strain. Fermentation results indicated that the deletion of those two genetic elements did not significantly influence the end‐products production in the resultant mutant ΔRMIΔNP. Thanks to the increased conjugation efficiency, the CRISPR‐Cas9/Cpf1 systems, which previously could not be implemented in C. tyrobutyricum, were successfully employed for genome editing in ΔRMIΔNP with an efficiency of 12.5–25%. Altogether, approaches we developed herein offer valuable guidance for establishing efficient DNA transformation methods in nonmodel micro‐organisms. The ΔRMIΔNP mutant can serve as a great chassis to be engineered for diverse valuable biofuel and biochemical production.
Microbial production of 4‐amino‐1‐butanol, a four‐carbon amino alcohol
Authors: Prabowo Cindy Pricilia Surya , Shin Jae Ho , Cho Jae Sung , Chae Tong Un , Lee Sang Yup 
Published: May 2020

Abstract4‐Amino‐1‐butanol (4AB) serves as an important intermediate compound for drugs and a precursor of biodegradable polymers used for gene delivery. Here, we report for the first time the fermentative production of 4AB from glucose by metabolically engineered Corynebacterium glutamicum harboring a newly designed pathway comprising a putrescine (PUT) aminotransferase (encoded by ygjG) and an aldehyde dehydrogenase (encoded by yqhD) from Escherichia coli, which convert PUT to 4AB. Application of several metabolic engineering strategies such as fine‐tuning the expression levels of ygjG and yqhD, eliminating competing pathways, and optimizing culture condition further improved 4AB production. Fed‐batch culture of the final metabolically engineered C. glutamicum strain produced 24.7 g/L of 4AB. The strategies reported here should be useful for the microbial production of primary amino alcohols from renewable resources.
Visual rating versus volumetry of regional brain atrophy and longitudinal changes over a 5‐year period in an elderly population
Authors: Velickaite Vilma , Ferreira Daniel , Lind Lars , Ahlström Håkan , Kilander Lena , Westman Erik , Larsson Elna‐Marie 
Published: May 2020

AbstractIntroductionThe purpose of our study was to compare visual rating and volumetry of brain atrophy in an elderly population over a 5‐year period and compare findings with cognitive test results.Materials and MethodsTwo hundred and one subjects were examined with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain. Visual rating and volumetry were performed in all subjects at ages 75 and 80. Cognitive function at both time points was assessed with the Mini‐Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Trail Making Tests A and B (TMT‐A and TMT‐B). Changes in visual rating and volumetry were compared with changes in cognitive test.ResultsA correlation was found between visual rating of medial temporal lobe atrophy (MTA) and hippocampal volumetry at both time points (rs = −.42 and rs = −.49, p < .001, respectively). The correlation between visual rating of posterior atrophy (PA); frontal atrophy (F‐GCA) and volumetry of these brain regions was significant only at age 80 (rs = −.16, p = .02 for PA and rpb = .19, p = .006 for F‐GCA). Visual rating showed only a minimal progression of regional atrophy at age 80, whereas volumetry showed 2%–5% decrease in volume depending on brain region. Performance in the MMSE, TMT‐A, and TMT‐B was virtually unchanged between ages 75 and 80.ConclusionWe found a mild age‐associated decrease in regional brain volumes in this healthy cohort with well‐preserved cognitive functions. Visual assessment may not be sufficient for detecting mild progression of brain atrophy due to normal aging, whereas volumetry is more sensitive to capture these subtle changes.
Pfeiffer Syndrome type 2; A case report of cranio‐orbitofaciostenosis with bilateral choanal atresia at Muhimbili National Hospital, Tanzania
Authors: Amiji Insiyah , Kalezi Zawadi E. , Abdulshakoor Ashfaq , Tarimo Janet F. , Leiya Raymond , Zuechner Antke , Naburi Helga E. , Massawe Augustine , Manji Karim P. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractPfeiffer syndrome is a rare genetic disorder with heterogenous phenotype and prognosis. Due to its diverse clinical presentation, it can easily be misdiagnosed. Where genetic testing still remains a challenge, antenatal sonogram can aid in early diagnosis. The cranioorbito‐faciostenosis demands aggressive management to permit survival instead of uniform early demise.
Synthesis Gas Conversion to Lower Olefins over ZnCr‐SAPO‐34 Catalysts: Role of ZnO−ZnCr2O4 Interface
Authors: Wang Xiaoyue , Cao Ruiwen , Chen Kuo , Si Congcong , Ban Hongyan , Zhang Peng , Meng Fanhui , Jia Litao , Mi Jie , Li Zhong , Li Congming 
Published: May 2020

AbstractThis work reports that the ZnO−ZnCr2O4 interface was constructed by tailoring the Zn/Cr ratio and the role of ZnO−ZnCr2O4 interface in activating CO molecule for the synthesis of lower olefins over a tandem catalyst was studied. A lower olefins selectivity of 71 % at a CO conversion of 34 % was achieving on Zn1Cr1&SAPO‐34. The presence of ZnO−ZnCr2O4 interface effectively reduces the activation energy of CO hydrogenation (from 51.8 kJ/mol to 33.6 kJ/mol) and subsequently leading to the triple increase of intrinsic activity. In situ DRIFTS and XPS studies demonstrate that the better catalytic activities of Zn1Cr1 catalyst are related to the presence of ZnO−ZnCr2O4 interface, which provides more oxygen vacancy sites for CO adsorption and activation. In this sense, the Zn1Cr1 catalyst with ZnO−ZnCr2O4 interface is more active than the simple physical mixture of ZnO and Cr2O3 catalyst separately and Zn1Cr2 catalyst. This work provides fundamental insights for a rational design of Zn−Cr based catalysts and even other heterogeneous catalysts by constructing oxide‐oxide interface.
Cu Anchored Ti2NO2 as High Performance Electrocatalyst for Oxygen Evolution Reaction: A Density Functional Theory Study
Authors: Chen Zhiguo , Fan Xiaoli , Shen Zihan , Ruan Xiaopeng , Wang Lan , Zeng Hanghang , Wang Jiahui , An Yurong , Hu Yan 
Published: May 2020

AbstractMXenes have attracted great attention in the fields of energy conversion and catalysis, and have proved to be an effective supporting material for single atom catalysts (SACs). In the present study, we investigated the catalytic activity of a series mono‐atomic transition‐metal atoms supported by MXenes M2NO2 for oxygen evolution reaction (OER) via first principle calculation. Particularly, single atom Cu site on Ti2NO2 having the lowest overpotentials of 0.24 V and bonding with the reaction intermediates moderately, is the most active SAC for OER. Energetically, Cu atom prefers to be mono‐atomically anchored on Ti2NO2 instead of aggregating. Plus, Cu anchoring enhance the electronic states around Fermi level. Additionally, ab‐initio molecular dynamics simulations show that Cu atom is anchored on Ti2NO2, stable and isolatable at 300 K. Studies on the small molecule adsorption on Cu‐Ti2NO2 further prove the potential applications of Cu−Ti2NO2 as active SACs for OER. Our results broaden the perception of MXenes and guide the exploration of non‐noble metal based OER electrocatalysts.
Graphitic carbon nitride (g‐C3N4)‐based nanosized heteroarrays: Promising materials for photoelectrochemical water splitting
Authors: Wang Liqun , Si Wenping , Tong Yueyu , Hou Feng , Pergolesi Daniele , Hou Jungang , Lippert Thomas , Dou Shi Xue , Liang Ji 
Published: May 2020

AbstractPhotoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting is recognized as a sustainable strategy for hydrogen generation due to its abundant hydrogen source, utilization of inexhaustible solar energy, high‐purity product, and environment‐friendly process. To actualize a practical PEC water splitting, it is paramount to develop efficient, stable, safe, and low‐cost photoelectrode materials. Recently, graphitic carbon nitride (g‐C3N4) has aroused a great interest in the new generation photoelectrode materials because of its unique features, such as suitable band structure for water splitting, a certain range of visible light absorption, nontoxicity, and good stability. Some inherent defects of g‐C3N4, however, seriously impair further improvement on PEC performance, including low electronic conductivity, high recombination rate of photogenerated charges, and limited visible light absorption at long wavelength range. Construction of g‐C3N4‐based nanosized heteroarrays as photoelectrodes has been regarded as a promising strategy to circumvent these inherent limitations and achieve the high‐performance PEC water splitting due to the accelerated exciton separation and the reduced combination of photogenerated electrons/holes. Herein, we summarize in detail the latest progress of g‐C3N4‐based nanosized heteroarrays in PEC water‐splitting photoelectrodes. Firstly, the unique advantages of this type of photoelectrodes, including the highly ordered nanoarray architectures and the heterojunctions, are highlighted. Then, different g‐C3N4‐based nanosized heteroarrays are comprehensively discussed, in terms of their fabrication methods, PEC capacities, and mechanisms, etc. To conclude, the key challenges and possible solutions for future development on g‐C3N4‐based nanosized heteroarray photoelectrodes are discussed.
Addressing cost‐related nonadherence to oral anticancer medications through health policy reform: Challenges and opportunities
Authors: Jazowski Shelley A. , Dusetzina Stacie B. 
Published: May 2020

In this editorial, the authors discuss several of Dean et al's proposed interventions aimed at payers and the pharmaceutical supply chain and highlight the challenges and opportunities for improving patient access to oral anticancer medications through system reform. This editorial focuses on payers and the pharmaceutical supply chain because these systems set prices and reimbursement in the United States and are directly responsible for cost‐related barriers that influence the accessibility and affordability of prescription medications.
Proximity‐CLIP and Expedited Non‐Radioactive Library Preparation of Small RNA Footprints for Next‐Generation Sequencing
Authors: Anastasakis Dimitrios , Benhalevy Daniel , Hafner Markus 
Published: May 2020

AbstractDuring the course of their life cycle, most RNAs move between several cellular environments where they associate with different RNA binding proteins (RBPs). Reciprocally, a significant portion of RBPs reside in more than a single cellular compartment, where they can interact with discrete RNAs and even exert distinct biological roles. Proximity‐CLIP combines proximity biotinylation of proteins with photoactivatable ribonucleoside‐enhanced protein‐RNA crosslinking to simultaneously profile the proteome, including RBPs and the RBP‐bound transcriptome, in any given subcellular compartment. Here we provide a detailed experimental protocol for Proximity‐CLIP along with a simplified non‐radioactive, small‐RNA cDNA library preparation protocol. Published 2020 U.S. Government.Basic Protocol 1: Cell culture, 4SU labeling, proximity biotinylation, and crosslinkingBasic Protocol 2: Cell extraction, streptavidin affinity purification, and on‐beads trypsinizationBasic Protocol 3: RNA footprints cDNA library preparationSupport Protocol: Preparation of RNA‐seq libraries from intact RNA