bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
­Complete plastid genome sequences of two species of the Neotropical genus Brunellia (Brunelliaceae)
Authors: Valencia-D Janice , Murillo-A José , Orozco Clara Inés , Parra-O Carlos , Neubig Kurt M. 
Published: January 2020

Here we present the first two complete plastid genomes for Brunelliaceae, a Neotropical family with a single genus, Brunellia. We surveyed the entire plastid genome in order to find variable cpDNA regions for further phylogenetic analyses across the family. We sampled morphologically different species, B. antioquensis and B. trianae, and found that the plastid genomes are 157,685 and 157,775 bp in length and display the typical quadripartite structure found in angiosperms. Despite the clear morphological distinction between both species, the molecular data show a very low level of divergence. The amount of nucleotide substitutions per site is one of the lowest reported to date among published congeneric studies (π = 0.00025). The plastid genomes have gene order and content coincident with other COM (Celastrales, Oxalidales, Malpighiales) relatives. Phylogenetic analyses of selected superrosid representatives show high bootstrap support for the ((C,M)O) topology. The N-fixing clade appears as the sister group of the COM clade and Zygophyllales as the sister to the rest of the fabids group.
Gender and Faculty of Study as Predictors of Undergraduate Students’ Academic Achievement in Tertiary Institutions in Nigeria
Authors: Akunne L. I. , Chigbo-Obasi T. U. 
Published: January 2020

Aims: To determine gender and faculty of study as predictor of undergraduate students’ academic achievement in tertiary institutions in Nigeria.
Study Design: Ex-post facto research design.
Methodology: The sample for the study was 632 100 level students selected using simple random sampling technique of balloting without replacement. These students were selected from tertiary institutions sampled for the study. The data collected were pre-existing results of 100 level students on General mathematics retrieved from the respective departments sampled earlier. Data collected was analyzed using simple regression analysis.
Results: The results of this study revealed that gender of undergraduate students had R2 change of 0.004. This indicates that gender had the predictive power of 0.40 percent for undergraduates’ achievement in General Mathematics. Also, at 1df numerator, 631 df denominator and P=.05, the calculated F value 2.54 is less than the critical F value of 3.84. Therefore, gender of undergraduates in tertiary institutions is not a significant predictor of their achievements in General Mathematics. On the other hand, the results showed that undergraduate students had R2 change of 0.009. This indicates that faculty of study had the predictive power of 0.90 percent for undergraduates academic achievement in General Mathematics. Also, at 1df numerator, 631df denominator and P = .05, the calculated F value 6.78 is greater than the critical F value of 3.84. Therefore, students’ faculty of study in tertiary institutions is a significant predictor of their achievements in General Mathematics.
Conclusion: Based on the analysis carried out, it was concluded that gender of undergraduates in tertiary institutions is not a significant predictor of their achievement in General Mathematics. On the contrary, students’ faculty of study in tertiary institutions was found to be a significant predictor of their achievements in General Mathematics.
Association of Innovative Work Behaviour, Organizational Frustration and Work-family Conflict among Private Sector Employees
Authors: Ezeh, Leonard N. , Chukwuemeka E. Etodike, , Stephen E. Iloke, , Nnaebue, Collins I. , Rachael A. Okafor, 
Published: January 2020

Private sector is so challenging and demanding owing to market competitions and unfavorable work environment which frustrate employees’ efforts. Against this backdrop, this study explored the association of innovative work behavior, organizational frustration and work-family conflict among employees of Innoson Technical and Industrial Company Ltd Emene, Enugu, Nigeria. The sample population of the study comprised 112 private sector workers (89 males and 23 females) with age range from 23-56 years with a mean age of 32.5 who were selected through simple random sampling. Instruments for data collection were: Innovative work behaviour scale, organizational frustration scale and work-family conflict scale. In the method session, Correlation design was adopted and Pearson chi-square statistic was used to analyze the association among variables. Three hypotheses guided the inquiry and the result indicated that: innovative work behaviour was significantly associated with organizational frustration and work-family conflict at 1446.4, p < .05 and 1761.6 p < .05 (n = 112) respectively; while organizational frustration was also significantly associated with work-family conflict at 1799.2, p < .05 (n = 112). The finding imply that innovative work behaviour can influence a reduced level of organizational frustration and work-family conflict while organizational frustration can influence an increased level of work-family conflict among private sector employees. It is recommended that private sector organizations encourage the growth of innovative trait among workers and implement same in their recruitment policy to engender reduced levels of organizational frustration and work-family conflict.
Bayesian Optimization for Parameter of Discrete Weibull Regression
Authors: Olumide Sunday Adesina, , Adeniyi Samson Onanaye, , Dorcas Modupe Okewole, 
Published: January 2020

This study aim at optimizing the parameter θ of Discrete Weibull (DW) regression obtained by maximizing the likelihood function. Also to examine the strength of three acquisition functions used in solving auxiliary optimization problem. The choice of Discrete Weibull regression model among other models for fitting count data is due to its robustness in fitting count data. Count data of hypertensive patients visits to the doctor was obtained at Medicare Clinics Ota, Nigeria, and was used for the analysis. First, parameter θ and β were obtained using Metropolis Hasting Monte Carlo Markov Chain (MCMC) algorithm. Then Bayesian optimization was used to optimize the parameter the likelihood function of DW regression, given β to examine what θ would be, and making the likelihood function of DW the objective function. Upper confidence bound (UCB), Expectation of Improvement (EI), and probability of Improvement (PI) were used as acquisition functions. Results showed that fitting Bayesian DW regression to the data, there is significant relationship between the response variable, β and the covariate. On implementing Bayesian optimization to obtain parameter new parameter θ of discrete Weibull regression using the known β, the results showed promising applicability of the technique to the model, and found that EI fits the data better relative to PI and UCB in terms of accuracy and speed.
Immediate Effect of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Combined with Functional Electrical Stimulation on Plantar Distribution and Body Sway Frequency in a Patient with Hemiparesis from Stroke: A Case Report
Authors: Marina Alves Fruhauf Aline , Carneiro Costa Glaucio , Carlos Ferrari Corrêa João , Ishida Corrêa Fernanda 
Published: January 2020

Objectives: The present study aimed to evaluate the immediate effect of a single session of anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) over the primary motor cortex (M1) combined with functional electrical stimulation (FES) of the tibialis anterior (TA) muscle on plantar distribution and body sway frequency in an individual with hemiparesis stemming from a stroke. A further aim was to determine whether the effects of the combination of stimulation techniques would lead to greater improvement than the techniques administered separately.
Methods: The therapy was conducted with one 60-year-old male with right-side stroke and complete, but disproportional hemiparesis with brachial predominance on the left side, 42 months elapsed since the event and severe Fugl-Meyer score. The patient was submitted to four different randomly performed intervention protocols with a 48-hour intervention between sessions: 1) anodal tDCS + sham FES + active TA contraction; 2) sham tDCS + active FES + active TA contraction; 3) anodal tDCS + active FES + active TA contraction; 4) sham tDCS + sham FES + active TA contraction). TDCS was administered for 20 minutes with the anode over C4 and the cathode over the supraorbital region on the contralateral side and FES was administered over the left TA. The evaluation of plantar distribution was performed with a foot-pressure platform and body sway frequency was evaluated using a force plate before and after each protocol.
Results: Beneficial changes occurred in the area of contact of the left hindfoot and right forefoot following intervention protocols 1, 2 and 3 and a reduction in body sway frequency occurred under all data acquisition conditions after protocols 1 and 2.
Conclusion: The use of tDCS (combined and alone) and the use of FES contributed to improvements in plantar distribution and body sway frequency in a stroke survivor with hemiparesis. The use of tDCS either alone or combined with FES achieved better results than the use of FES alone.
Consumers’ Perceptions Regarding Adoption of Leaf Color Chart for Resource Management
Authors: Chauhan Alisha , . Sukhmani 
Published: January 2020

Aim: This study attempts to understand the consumers’ perceptions regarding adoption of leaf color chart for resource management in agriculture and how the adoption level varies among various age groups, landholding sizes and income groups.
Study Design: An exploratory research study was undertaken and consumer responses were recorded using a well-structured, disguised questionnaire.
Methodology: From eight villages of two major districts of Punjab state, a total of 150 farmers were selected as respondents. These respondents selected belonged to different age groups, landholding sizes and income groups in order to represent the whole population effectively. The data collected through questionnaires were analyzed using appropriate statistical tools.
Major Findings: It was found that most of the respondents were aware of ill-effects of excessive usage of fertilizers, but were still practicing fertilizer inputs based on their personal experiences instead of using any technical advice or techniques established. Young farmers, farmers belonging to small and semi-medium landholding sizes and medium income groups were observed to have higher adoption level as compared to others.
Conclusion: Approximately 70 percent of the respondents were not using leaf color chart, even though 73 percent of the total respondents were aware about the technology. Age, landholding sizes and income groups had significant effect on the perception of respondents towards adoption of leaf color chart for resource management.
Potential prognostic impact of EBV RNA‐seq reads in gastric cancer: a reanalysis of The Cancer Genome Atlas cohort
Authors: Sadato Daichi , Ogawa Mina , Hirama Chizuko , Hishima Tsunekazu , Horiguchi Shin‐Ichiro , Harada Yuka , Shimoyama Tatsu , Itokawa Masanari , Ohashi Kazuteru , Oboki Keisuke 
Published: January 2020

Epstein–Barr virus (EBV)‐associated gastric cancer (EBVaGC), whose prognosis remains controversial, is diagnosed by in situ hybridization of EBV‐derived EBER1/2 small RNAs. In The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) Stomach Adenocarcinoma (STAD) project, the EBV molecular subtype was determined through a combination of multiple next‐generation sequencing methods, but not by the gold standard in situ hybridization method. This leaves unanswered questions regarding the discordance of EBV positivity detected by different approaches and the threshold of sequencing reads. Therefore, we reanalyzed the TCGA‐STAD RNA sequencing (RNA‐seq) dataset including 375 tumor and 32 normal samples, using our analysis pipeline. We defined a reliable threshold for EBV‐derived next‐generation sequencing reads by mapping them to the EBV genome with three different random arbitrary alignments. We analyzed the prognostic impact of EBV status on the histopathological subtypes of gastric cancer. EBV‐positive cases identified by reanalysis comprised nearly half of the cases (49.6%) independent from infiltrating lymphocyte signatures, and showed significantly longer overall survival for adenocarcinomas of the ‘not‐otherwise‐specified’ type [P = 0.016 (log‐rank test); hazard ratios (HR): 0.476; 95% CI: 0.260–0.870, P = 0.016 (Cox univariate analysis)], but shorter overall survival for the tubular adenocarcinoma type [P = 0.005 (log‐rank test); HR: 3.329; 95% CI: 1.406–7.885, P = 0.006 (Cox univariate analysis)]. These results demonstrate that the EBV positivity rates were higher when determined by RNA‐seq than when determined by EBER1/2 in situ hybridization. The RNA‐seq‐based EBV positivity demonstrated distinct results for gastric cancer prognosis depending on the histopathological subtype, suggesting its potential to be used in clinical prognoses.
The Formation, Persistence, and Resistance to Disinfectant of the Erysipelothrix piscisicarius Biofilm
Authors: Pomaranski Eric K. , Soto Esteban 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Erysipelothrix piscisicarius is an emergent pathogen in fish aquaculture, particularly in the ornamental fish trade. Very little is known on the biology of this pathogen; however, the recurrence of infection and disease outbreaks after removing the fish from a system and disinfecting the tank suggest its environmental persistence. Moreover, biofilm lifestyle in E. piscisicarius has been suspected but not previously shown. The purpose of this study was to investigate the formation of biofilms on an abiotic surface in Erysipelothrix spp. We used hydroxyapatite-coated plastic pegs to demonstrate the attachment, growth, and persistence of E. piscisicarius on abiotic surfaces in both fresh and marine environments and to investigate the susceptibility of this pathogen to different disinfectants that are used in the aquaculture industry. E. piscisicarius formed biofilms that persisted significantly longer than planktonic cells did in both freshwater and saltwater over a period of 120 h (P = 0.004). The biofilms were also more resistant to disinfectants than the planktonic cells were. Hydrogen peroxide was the most effective disinfectant against E. piscisicarius, and it eradicated the biofilms and planktonic cells at the recommended concentrations. In contrast, Virkon and bleach were able to eradicate only the planktonic cells. This information should be taken into consideration when developing biosecurity protocols in aquaculture systems, aquariums, and private collections.
Zwitterionic Polymer Coating of Sulfur Dioxide‐Releasing Nanosystem Augments Tumor Accumulation and Treatment Efficacy
Authors: Yao Xianxian , Ma Shuangping , Peng Shaojun , Zhou Gaoxin , Xie Ruihong , Jiang Qin , Guo Shengdi , He Qianjun , Yang Wuli 
Published: January 2020

AbstractMultiple drug resistance (MDR) exhibited by cancer cells and low intratumor accumulation of chemotherapeutics are the main obstacles in cancer chemotherapy. Herein, the preparation of a redox‐responsive sulfur dioxide (SO2)‐releasing nanosystem, with high SO2‐loading capacity, aimed at improving the treatment efficacy of cancers exhibiting MDR is described. The multifunctional nanomedicine (MON‐DN@PCBMA‐DOX) is designed and constructed by coating mesoporous organosilica nanoparticles with a zwitterionic polymer, poly(carboxybetaine methacrylate) (PCBMA), which can concurrently load SO2 prodrug molecules (DN, 2,4‐dinitrobenzenesulfonylchloride) and chemotherapeutics (DOX, doxorubicin). The generated SO2 molecules can sensitize cells to chemotherapy and overcome the MDR by downregulating the expression of P‐glycoprotein. Furthermore, the PCBMA coating prolongs the blood circulation time of the inner core, leading to an increased intratumor accumulation of the nanomedicine. Owing to the prolonged blood circulation, enhanced tumor accumulation, and SO2 sensitization of cells to chemotherapy, the nanomedicine exhibits excellent tumor suppression with a tumor inhibition rate of 94.8%, and might provide a new platform for cancer therapy.
Solvent‐Free Plasticity and Programmable Mechanical Behaviors of Engineered Proteins
Authors: Ma Chao , Su Juanjuan , Li Bo , Herrmann Andreas , Zhang Hongjie , Liu Kai 
Published: January 2020

AbstractBiopolymeric networks with plasticity show great competences in diverse fields owing to the combined biocompatible and mechanical characteristics. However, to realize such plasticity external complicated treatments, e.g., UV or organic solvent have to be applied, which in turn impair the biological nature and even mechanical properties of those systems. To address this challenge, one new type of anhydrous protein liquid crystalline (LC) gels, which exhibit flexible morphological plasticity and mechanical programmability is demonstrated. Supramolecular interactions in the smectic biogels play an important role for their high plasticity. Remarkably, the samples exhibit outstanding mechanical behaviors. The tensile strength and Young's modulus at MPa levels are comparable or even higher than chemically cross‐linked hydrogels and LC elastomers. More importantly, mechanical programmability of the LC gels is achieved by genetically tuning the charge density of protein backbones. Consequently, the mechanical performance is manipulated in the range of one order of magnitude. Thus, this type of anhydrous protein LC gels offers great opportunities for load‐bearing high‐tech applications.
Mild iron deficiency does not ameliorate the phenotype of a murine erythropoietic protoporphyria model
Authors: Schmidt Paul J. , Hollowell Monica L. , Fitzgerald Kevin , Butler James S. , Fleming Mark D. 
Published: January 2020

AbstractReduced ferrochelatase activity in erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP) causes the accumulation of protoporphyrin IX (PPIX) leading to acute cutaneous photosensitivity and liver injury. Many EPP patients also have a mild hypochromic, microcytic anemia and iron deficiency. Iron deficiency can lead to decreased PPIX accumulation in another erythropoietic porphyria, congenital erythropoietic porphyria (CEP). Expression of the iron regulatory peptide hepcidin is negatively regulated by the serine proteaseTMPRSS6. Hepcidin induction by siRNA‐mediated inhibition ofTMPRSS6expression reduces iron availability and induces iron deficiency. To interrogate the therapeutic potential of iron deficiency to modify EPP, we treated an ethylnitrosourea‐induced mouse model of EPP,Fechm1Pas, with a GalNAc‐conjugatedTmprss6siRNA and PPIX levels, anemia and iron parameters were monitored. The GalNAc‐RNAi therapeutic reducesTmprss6expression and induces mild iron deficiency inFechm1Pasanimals. However, decreases in erythrocyte PPIX levels and liver PPIX accumulation were not seen. These results indicate short‐term induction of iron deficiency, at least in a murine model of EPP, does not lead to decreased PPIX production.
Porphyrin‐basierte Metall‐organische Gerüste für biomedizinische Anwendungen
Authors: Chen Jiajie , Zhu Yufang , Kaskel Stefan 
Published: January 2020

AbstractPorphyrine und ihre Derivate sind dank ihrer exzellenten photophysikalischen und elektrochemischen Eigenschaften vielversprechend für verschiedenste Anwendungen. Sie haben jedoch einige Nachteile, die ihre Anwendung in der Biomedizin verhindern, z. B. Instabilität und Selbstlöschung unter physiologischen Bedingungen. Während der letzten Jahre haben Metall‐organische Gerüste (MOFs) große Aufmerksamkeit erhalten. Die Konstruktion Porphyrin‐basierter MOFs durch Einbringen von Porphyrinen in MOFs oder die Nutzung von Porphyrinen als organische Linker kann die Eigenschaften von Porphyrinen und MOFs kombinieren und die Nachteile von Porphyrinen umgehen. Dieser Aufsatz fasst die wichtigsten Strategien zur Synthese Porphyrin‐basierter MOFs zusammen, darunter Porphyrin@MOFs, MOFs mit Porphyrin‐basierten Linkern sowie Kompositmaterialien mit Porphyrin‐basierten MOFs; zudem werden Fortschritte in der Tumortherapie und Biosensorik mit Porphyrin‐basierten MOFs erläutert.
Biodegradable Polyhydroxyalkanoates by Stereoselective Copolymerization of Racemic Diolides: Stereocontrol and Polyolefin‐Like Properties
Authors: Tang Xiaoyan , Westlie Andrea H. , Caporaso Lucia , Cavallo Luigi , Falivene Laura , Chen Eugene Y.‐X. 
Published: January 2020

AbstractBacterial polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are a unique class of biodegradable polymers because of their biodegradability in ambient environments and structural diversity enabled by side‐chain groups. However, the biosynthesis of PHAs is slow and expensive, limiting their broader applications as commodity plastics. To overcome such limitation, the catalyzed chemical synthesis of bacterial PHAs has been developed, using the metal‐catalyzed stereoselective ring‐opening (co)polymerization of racemic cyclic diolides (rac‐8DLR, R=alkyl group). In this combined experimental and computational study, polymerization kinetics, stereocontrol, copolymerization characteristics, and the properties of the resulting PHAs have been examined. Most notably, stereoselective copolymerizations of rac‐8DLMe with rac‐8DLR (R=Et, Bu) have yielded high‐molecular‐weight, crystalline isotactic PHA copolymers that are hard, ductile, and tough plastics, and exhibit polyolefin‐like thermal and mechanical properties.
Controlling Metallophilic Interactions in Chiral Gold(I) Double Salts towards Excitation Wavelength‐Tunable Circularly Polarized Luminescence
Authors: Yang Jian‐Gong , Li Kai , Wang Jian , Sun Shanshan , Chi Weijie , Wang Chao , Chang Xiaoyong , Zou Chao , To Wai‐Pong , Li Ming‐De , Liu Xiaogang , Lu Wei , Zhang Hong‐Xing , Che Chi‐Ming , Chen Yong 
Published: January 2020

AbstractMaterials exhibiting excitation wavelength‐dependent photoluminescence (Ex‐De PL) in the visible region have potential applications in bioimaging, optoelectronics and anti‐counterfeiting. Two multifunctional, chiral [Au(NHC)2][Au(CN)2] (NHC=(4R,5R)/(4S,5S)‐1,3‐dimethyl‐4,5‐diphenyl‐4,5‐dihydro‐imidazolin‐2‐ylidene) complex double salts display Ex‐De circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) in doped polymer films and in ground powder. Emission maxima can be dynamically tuned from 440 to 530 nm by changing the excitation wavelength. The continuously tunable photoluminescence is proposed to originate from multiple emissive excited states as a result of the existence of varied AuI⋅⋅⋅AuI distances in ground state. The steric properties of the NHC ligand are crucial to the tuning of AuI⋅⋅⋅AuI distances. An anti‐counterfeiting application using these two salts is demonstrated.
Semiconductor/Covalent‐Organic‐Framework Z‐Scheme Heterojunctions for Artificial Photosynthesis
Authors: Zhang Mi , Lu Meng , Lang Zhong‐Ling , Liu Jiang , Liu Ming , Chang Jia‐Nan , Li Le‐Yan , Shang Lin‐Jie , Wang Min , Li Shun‐Li , Lan Ya‐Qian 
Published: January 2020

AbstractA strategy to covalently connect crystalline covalent organic frameworks (COFs) with semiconductors to create stable organic–inorganic Z‐scheme heterojunctions for artificial photosynthesis is presented. A series of COF–semiconductor Z‐scheme photocatalysts combining water‐oxidation semiconductors (TiO2, Bi2WO6, and α‐Fe2O3) with CO2 reduction COFs (COF‐316/318) was synthesized and exhibited high photocatalytic CO2‐to‐CO conversion efficiencies (up to 69.67 μmol g−1 h−1), with H2O as the electron donor in the gas–solid CO2 reduction, without additional photosensitizers and sacrificial agents. This is the first report of covalently bonded COF/inorganic‐semiconductor systems utilizing the Z‐scheme applied for artificial photosynthesis. Experiments and calculations confirmed efficient semiconductor‐to‐COF electron transfer by covalent coupling, resulting in electron accumulation in the cyano/pyridine moieties of the COF for CO2 reduction and holes in the semiconductor for H2O oxidation, thus mimicking natural photosynthesis.