bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prenatal sonographic diagnosis of X‐linked hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia: An unusual case
Authors: Li Tian‐gang , Ma Bin , Tie Hong‐xia , Zhang Qing‐hua , Hao Sheng‐ju , Guan Chong‐li 
Published: May 2021

AbstractX‐linked hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia (XLHED) is a rare congenital genetic disorder caused by mutations in the ectodysplasin A gene, resulting in dysplasia or complete absence of teeth, hair, and sweat glands. XLHED is rarely diagnosed prenatally. We describe a case of XLHED diagnosed with prenatal sonography and umbilical cord blood gene testing.
Authentication through gender classification from iris images using support vector machine
Authors: Khan Amjad Rehman , Doosti Fatemeh , Karimi Mohsen , Harouni Majid , Tariq Usman , Fati Suliman Mohamed , Ali Bahaj Saeed 
Published: May 2021

AbstractSoft biometric information, such as gender, iris, and voice, can be helpful in various applications, such as security, authentication, and validation. Iris is secure biometrics with low forgery and error rates due to its highly certain features are being used in the last few decades. Iris recognition could be used both independently and in part for secure recognition and authentication systems. Existing iris‐based gender classification techniques have low accuracy rates as well as high computational complexity. Accordingly, this paper presents an authentication approach through gender classification from iris images using support vector machine (SVM) that has an excellent response to sustained changes using the Zernike, Legendre invariant moments, and Gradient‐oriented histogram. In this study, invariant moments are used as feature extraction from iris images. After extracting these descriptors' attributes, the attributes are categorized through keycode fusion. SVM is employed for gender classification using a fused feature vector. The proposed approach is evaluated on the CVBL data set and results are compared in state of the art based on local binary patterns and Gabor filters. The proposed approach came out with 98% gender classification rate with low computational complexity that could be used as an authentication measure.
Evaluation of virulence potential of Aspergillus tubingensis and subsequent biochemical and enzymatic defense response of cotton
Authors: Khizar Maria , Haroon Urooj , Kamal Asif , Inam Wardah , Chaudhary Hassan Javed , Munis Muhammad Farooq Hussain 
Published: May 2021

AbstractAspergillus tubingensis is a causative known pathogen of various important crops, worldwide. The existing study was aimed to examine the virulence potential of A. tubingensis on resistant (NIA‐Sadori) and susceptible (CIM‐573) cultivars of cotton. For this purpose, both cultivars were inoculated with pathogen and altered morphology of diseased leaves was observed with light and scanning electron microscope. Disease severity was measured and estimated to be 68.7 and 27.1% in susceptible and resistant cultivars, respectively. To understand and compare defense mechanism of resistant and susceptible cultivars, different biochemical and enzymatic changes were observed. After the infection of A. tubingensis, increase in the concentrations of sugar, total protein, proline, phenol, and phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) was more prominent in resistant cultivar, than the susceptible one. Moreover, due to increased number of dead cells, significantly higher electrolyte leakage was detected in susceptible cultivar. Principal component analysis confirmed the effect of A. tubingensis on growth attributes and various physiological and biochemical activities of cotton. These findings help us to suggest a possible role of proline content, protein content, and PAL activity in resistance mechanism of Cotton plant.
The hunt for a yet unknown: Common molecular signature in some genetically monomorphic enterobacteria
Authors: Bose Debadin , Mukhopadhyay Subhasis 
Published: May 2021

AbstractMark Achtman introduced the term “genetically monomorphic bacteria” (GM bacteria) for some human and plant pathogens. They displayed a great uniformity in terms of their “genetic” properties. This “uniformity” poses a challenge to microbiologists. To address these problems, we used CodonW and IslandViewer 3 as analytical tools and took Escherichia coli, Salmonella, and Shigella strains as a model organisms. We hypothesized that GM bacterium contains a common molecular signature among them. We have found a significant correlation regarding the number of protein‐coding genes, predicted highly expressed genes, and the highest length of gene in this regard. On the other hand, the correspondence analysis of pathogenicity‐related genes identified by IslandViewer 3 displayed a somewhat unique pattern in GM bacteria. The probable pathogenic genes are clustered into two separate groups, which is a hallmark of some pattern. Similar genes of non‐monomorphic pathogenic strain clustered almost similarly, but the clusters are joined together, they are not completely separated. These features, in our considered view, may be considered as codon usages signatures of these bacteria, and E. coli in particular.
Historical and projected climate change over three major river basins in China from Fifth and Sixth Coupled Model Intercomparison Project models
Authors: Zhu Xian , Ji Zhenming , Wen Xiaohang , Lee Shao‐Yi , Wei Zhigang , Zheng Zhiyuan , Dong Wenjie 
Published: May 2021

AbstractWhen assessing the socio‐economic impacts of climate change, it is sensible to make targeted climate projections for regions of high population density and economy activity. Much of human activity is concentrated at river basins, yet it has been difficult to resolve the complex boundaries of these basins in coarse resolution global climate models. The latest high‐resolution observation and climate projection datasets enable such basin‐based evaluations now, and this study assesses the historical and projected climate changes over three major river basins in China—the Yellow, Yangtze and Pearl River basins. Based on CN05.1 dataset, the Yellow River basin has significantly warmed by about 1.8°C over the past five decades, far more than the other two basins. The change in temperature extremes has been as severe, with the annual maxima of daily maximum temperatures (TXx) increasing by 1.5°C, and the annual minima of daily minimum temperatures (TNn) increasing by 2.5°C. Precipitation over the Yangtze River has significantly increased by about 0.2 mm·day−1, while changes over the other two basins were not statistically significant. The uncertainty in the change of precipitation was greater than that of temperature. A selection of simulations from the Fifth and Sixth Coupled Model Intercomparison Projects (CMIP5 and CMIP6) were validated against the CN05.1 dataset for the historical period of 1961–2018. Changes in temperature indices were well‐reproduced, but changes in precipitation indices poorly so. CMIP6 models performed better than the CMIP5 models. Both CMIP5 and CMIP6 multi‐model ensembles (MMEs) projected about 1.0–2.0°C warming over China and the three river basins by 2015–2050. Both MMEs projected wetting trends over most parts of China and the three river basins. Both warming and wetting were projected to accelerate with time, particularly warming over the Yellow River basin, and wetting over the Pearl River basin.
Differential effects of anti‐RANKL monoclonal antibody and zoledronic acid on necrotic bone in a murine model of Staphylococcus aureus‐induced osteomyelitis
Authors: Kobayashi Hideyuki , Fujita Ryo , Hiratsuka Shigeto , Shimizu Tomohiro , Sato Dai , Hamano Hiroki , Iwasaki Norimasa , Takahata Masahiko 
Published: May 2021

AbstractOsteomyelitis is characterized by progressive inflammatory bone destruction accompanied by severe pain and disability. However, with the exception of antibiotic therapies, there is no established therapy to protect the bone from infectious osteolysis. The anti‐receptor activator of nuclear factor‐kB ligand (RANKL) monoclonal antibody (anti‐RANKL Ab) is a potential drug based on its proven effectiveness in preventing joint bone erosion in rheumatoid arthritis; however, the efficacy and adverse effects of anti‐RANKL Ab in osteomyelitis remain to be investigated. In this study, we investigated the effects of anti‐mouse RANKL Ab on acute osteomyelitis and compared them with those of zoledronic acid (ZA) using a murine model. Mice were inoculated with bioluminescent Staphylococcus aureus (Xen 29) on their left femur and then treated with ZA, anti‐RANKL Ab, or phosphate‐buffered saline as control. A 21‐day longitudinal observational study using microcomputed tomography showed that both anti‐RANKL Ab and ZA had an osteoprotective effect against infectious osteolysis. However, it was also demonstrated through bioluminescence imaging that ZA delayed the spontaneous reduction of bacterial load and through histology that it increased the amount of necrotic bone, while anti‐RANKL Ab did not. Findings from histopathological and in vitro studies suggest that an intense inflammatory response around the necrotic bone could induce osteoclasts in a RANKL‐independent manner, leading to the removal of necrotic bone, even after administration of the anti‐RANKL Ab therapy. Collectively, anti‐RANKL Ab may exert an osteoprotective effect without hampering the removal of the necrotic bone, which serves as a nidus for infection in osteomyelitis.
The combined use of amide I bands in polarized Raman, IR, and vibrational dichroism spectra for the structure analysis of peptide fibrils and disordered peptides and proteins
Authors: Schweitzer‐Stenner Reinhard 
Published: May 2021

AbstractRaman spectroscopy is generally a versatile tool to explore the structure of proteins and peptides in solution. However, in spite of the development of ultraviolet (UV) resonance Raman spectroscopy as a tool that allows for the investigation of samples with lower concentrations, Raman has not played the same role as infrared (IR) spectroscopy with regard to secondary structure analysis. Reported UV Raman studies have recently focused on the ψ‐dependence of amide III as a useful tool for the structural analysis even of disordered peptides. Amide I based structural analysis generally uses visible excitation. Rather than describing the traditional secondary structure analysis of proteins, this review focusses on work that used Raman in conjunction with other vibrational spectroscopies such as IR and vibrational circular dichroism to probe the conformational distribution of amino acid residues in unfolded peptides and the self‐assembling of peptides into fibrils. We argue against the use of spectral decomposition into Gaussian bands particularly if this type of analysis is exclusively applied to either IR or Raman band profiles. The article emphasizes the delocalized excitonic character of amide I wavefunctions which has to be accounted for in any attempt to use the respective bands for structure analysis.
Raman spectroscopy as an evaluation tool of the wear of graphite lubricants in brake pads
Authors: Mavridou Kalliopi , Arvanitidis John , Pavlidou Eleni , Ves Sotirios , Katsikini Maria 
Published: May 2021

AbstractRaman spectroscopy is applied for the non‐destructive characterisation of the graphite which is used as solid lubricant in the friction material of semi‐metallic brake pads in vehicles. The characteristics (intensity, position, width) of the main Raman bands assigned to vibrational modes of the graphitic honeycomb structure (G‐band) and to defects (D‐band) are proved useful probes of the quality and wear status of the graphite lubricant because they are sensitive to the structural disorder. It is found that wear of the graphite lubricant proceeds in two stages: transformation of crystalline to nanocrystalline graphite and subsequent amorphisation. Moreover, the intensity of the defect‐related D′ peak is also used in order to obtain information about the nature of the defects.
Investigation on the nickel content design and the corrosion resistance of low alloy steel welded joint in tropical marine atmosphere environment
Authors: Zhang Tianyi , Liu Wei , Dong Baojun , Wu Yongjun , Fan Yueming , Zhao Yonggang , Chen Longjun 
Published: May 2021

AbstractIn this study, three kinds of welding materials (WMs) with different Ni contents were designed for low alloy steel welded joints made by CO2 gas‐shielded welding technique. The corrosion resistance of welded joint was studied through the atmosphere exposure test in Trat, Thailand. Results show that there was a hardening in the heat‐affected zone after welding, and the average hardness slightly increased with the increase of Ni in WM. The electrochemical activity at the fusion line zone enhanced with the addition of Ni in WM, indicating a more obvious local galvanic corrosion effect there. Ni promoted the generation of NiFe2O4 and the transformation from γ‐FeOOH to α‐FeOOH, which increased the impedance modulus of the rust film on WM. More important, the corrosion performance assessment illustrated that the addition of Ni in WM hardly had an effect on the corrosion step values after half a year test, which confirmed that there is no need to add excessive content of Ni.
Bacterial Cellulose Reinforced Polyaniline Electroconductive Hydrogel with Multiple Weak H‐Bonds as Flexible and Sensitive Strain Sensor
Authors: Qin Hanglan , Chen Yajun , Huang Jieyu , Wei Qufu 
Published: May 2021

AbstractHydrogel, as a promising soft material, possesses many functional advantages such as stretchability, viscoelasticity, and biocompatibility. An advanced electronic platform for strain sensor is constructed by modifying hydrogels with various doping techniques. Herein, a novel flexible conductive hydrogel is synthesized by combination of bacterial cellulose/sodium alginate/polyacrylamide with the polyaniline (BSP‐PANI) through multiple intermolecular interactions. In the obtained BSP‐PANI hydrogel system, the incorporated BC serves the function of mechanically toughening and the formation of polyaniline conducting network endows the hydrogels electrical conductivity. The assembled hydrogel strain sensor can detect electrical response under different applied strains (1–200%) and monitor human motion in real time. Therefore, it is believed that the BSP‐PANI hydrogel prepared by the feasible synergetic strategy proposed in this work has greatly diversified application in smart epidermal sensors and artificial intelligence devices.
The effect of calcium palmitate on bacteria associated with infant gut microbiota
Authors: Wang Lu , Bravo‐Ruiseco Gabriela , Happe Randolph , He Tao , van Dijl Jan Maarten , Harmsen Hermie J. M. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractGut microbiota development in formula‐fed and breast‐fed infants is known to differ. This could relate to the usage of unmodified vegetable oil instead of mammalian fat in infant formula (IF), causing the enhanced formation of the poorly soluble soap calcium palmitate (CP) in the infant's gut. Here we investigatein vitrothe possible influence of CP on the infant gut bacteria. The growth of several bacterial species dominant in the infant's gut was analyzed by culturing in media with CP.Faecalibacterium prausnitziias a sensitive representative was analyzed in detail by scanning transmission electron microscopy, membrane staining, gas chromatography, and microbial fuel cell experiments. Of all bacteria tested, the growth of several bifidobacteria andF. prausnitziiwas reduced at 0.01 mg/ml CP,Bifidobacterium infantisstopped growing completely. CP reduced the cell envelope thickness ofF. prausnitzii, disturbed the cell membrane fatty acids and function of membrane proteins involved in electron transport. CP inhibited the growth of bifidobacteria and faecalibacteria. This suggests that modification of fat in IF may benefit the development of the gut microbiota in formula‐fed infants by supporting the colonization of important beneficial bacteria in early life. Future clinical studies are needed to confirm this.
Low‐carbohydrate high‐fat weight reduction diet induces changes in human gut microbiota
Authors: Jaagura Madis , Viiard Ene , Karu‐Lavits Kätrin , Adamberg Kaarel 
Published: May 2021

AbstractObesity has become a major public health problem in recent decades. More effective interventions may result from a better understanding of microbiota alterations caused by weight loss and diet. Our objectives were (a) to calculate the fiber composition of a specially designed low‐calorie weight loss diet (WLD), and (b) to evaluate changes in the composition of gut microbiota and improvements in health characteristics during WLD. A total of 19 overweight/obese participants were assigned to 20%–40% reduced calories low‐carbohydrate high‐fat diet for four weeks. Protein and fat content in the composed diet was 1.5 times higher compared to that in the average diet of the normal weight reference group, while carbohydrate content was 2 times lower. Food consumption data were obtained from the assigned meals. Microbial composition was analyzed before and after WLD intervention from two sequential samples by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. During WLD, body mass index (BMI) was reduced on average 2.5 ± 0.6 kg/m2 and stool frequency was normalized. The assigned diet induced significant changes in fecal microbiota. The abundance of bile‐resistant bacteria (Alistipes, Odoribacter splanchnicus), Ruminococcus bicirculans, Butyricimonas, and Enterobacteriaceae increased. Importantly, abundance of bacteria often associated with inflammation such as Collinsella and Dorea decreased in parallel with a decrease in BMI. Also, we observed a reduction in bifidobacteria, which can be attributed to the relatively low consumption of grains. In conclusion, weight loss results in significant alteration of the microbial community structure.
Rational Design of Novel Therapies for Pantothenate Kinase–Associated Neurodegeneration
Authors: Thakur Nivedita , Klopstock Thomas , Jackowski Suzanne , Kuscer Enej , Tricta Fernando , Videnovic Aleksandar , Jinnah Hyder A. 
Published: May 2021

ABSTRACTBackgroundThis review highlights the recent scientific advances that have enabled rational design of novel clinical trials for pantothenate kinase‐associated neurodegeneration (PKAN), a rare autosomal recessive neurogenetic disorder associated with progressive neurodegenerative changes and functional impairment. PKAN is caused by genetic variants in the PANK2 gene that result in dysfunction in pantothenate kinase 2 (PANK2) enzyme activity, with consequent disruption of coenzyme A (CoA) synthesis, and subsequent accumulation of brain iron. The clinical phenotype is varied and may include dystonia, rigidity, bradykinesia, postural instability, spasticity, loss of ambulation and ability to communicate, feeding difficulties, psychiatric issues, and cognitive and visual impairment. There are several symptom‐targeted treatments, but these do not provide sustained benefit as the disorder progresses.ObjectivesA detailed understanding of the molecular and biochemical pathogenesis of PKAN has opened the door for the design of novel rationally designed therapeutics that target the underlying mechanisms.MethodsTwo large double‐blind phase 3 clinical trials have been completed for deferiprone (an iron chelation treatment) and fosmetpantotenate (precursor replacement therapy). A pilot open‐label trial of pantethine as a potential precursor replacement strategy has also been completed, and a trial of 4‐phosphopantetheine has begun enrollment. Several other compounds have been evaluated in pre‐clinical studies, and additional clinical trials may be anticipated.ConclusionsExperience with these trials has encouraged a critical evaluation of optimal trial designs, as well as the development of PKAN‐specific measures to monitor outcomes. PKAN provides a valuable example for understanding targeted drug development and clinical trial design for rare disorders. © 2021 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Low noise continuous‐wave single‐frequency dual wavelength lasers at 671 and 1342 nm
Authors: Yan Lihua , Li Yuanji , Feng Jinxia , Zhang Kuanshou 
Published: May 2021

AbstractA kind of all‐solid‐state continuous‐wave single frequency dual‐wavelength lasers delivering high power low‐noise radiations at 671 and 1342 nm was designed and fabricated. To lower the laser noise and obtain dual‐wavelength laser outputs, the resonator length was optimized and an LBO crystal was adopted for intracavity second harmonic generation. Under 47 W pumping, 3.17 W laser at 671 nm and 2.15 W laser at 1342 nm were obtained simultaneously. The power and frequency fluctuations of the 671 nm laser in a given 4 h were better than ±0.55% and ±50 MHz, respectively. The power and frequency fluctuations of the 1342 nm laser in a given 4 h were better than ±0.60% and ±25 MHz, respectively. The intensity noises and the phase noises of both the 671 and 1342 nm lasers reached the shot noise limit beyond the analysis frequency of 2 MHz.
In situ fabrication of cobalt/nickel sulfides nanohybrid based on various sulfur sources as highly efficient bifunctional electrocatalysts for overall water splitting
Authors: Li Mengqiu , Xu Ze , Li Yuting , Wang Juan , Zhong Qin 
Published: May 2021

AbstractTransition metal chalcogenides are attractive electrocatalysts for oxygen evolution reaction (OER) or hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) due to their natural abundance and diverse structure. Herein, nickel sulfides (Ni3S2) and nickel/cobalt sulfides nanohybrid have been in situ fabricated on nickel foam (NF) by a facile hydrothermal method with sodium sulfide (Ss), L‐cysteine (Lc) or thiourea (Tu) as a sulfur source, respectively. The results show that sulfur source has a great influence on the phase structure, morphology and electrocatalytic performance of transition metal sulfides. The nickel sulfide with the sodium sulfide as a sulfur source (NiSs) shows better HER and OER activity in 1 M KOH. With the Co‐doping, three‐dimensional honeycomb‐like NiCoSs nanosheet clusters exhibits the enhanced electrocatalysis properties with overpotentials of only 168 mV at 10 mA cm–2 for HER and 234 mV at 20 mA cm–2 for OER, respectively. The NiCoSs shows the good bifunctional activities for overall water splitting and presents considerable stability for 24 hours. The good electrochemical activities of metal sulfides by using inorganic sodium sulfide can be attributed to the large exposed surface area and heterostructure compositions of Co9S8 and Ni3S2.