bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Impacts of Problem-Based-Learning on Academic Learning Process of Pre-clinical Medical Students in Nile University of Nigeria
Authors: Oyeniran O. I. , Chia T. , Ajagbe A. O. 
Published: September 2019

Aim: This study aims to assess the impact of Problem-Based Learning (PBL) on the academic learning process of 2nd and 3rd-year medical students in their pre-clinical years.
Study Design: A descriptive cross-sectional study.
Place and Duration of Study: Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Nile University of Nigeria, Abuja, between May 2018 and July 2018.
Methodology: Using a standardized semi-structured questionnaire, both quantitative and qualitative methods were used to obtain data from 53 undergraduate medical students (8 males, 45 females; age range 17-25 years), which were collated and analyzed using SPSS version 23.0 statistical package.
Results: The mean age of respondents was 15±2 SD. There are more females n=45 (84.9%) than males n=8 (15.1%). Out of the respondents, 50.9% agreed that PBL has helped them in learning and understanding basic medical science courses, 17.1% disagreed, while 28.6% were uncertain. When asked if PBL helped them in preparing for pre-clinical examinations, 38.2% disagree, while 32.4% said it helped them. Evidence from the in-depth interview (IDI) shows that some of the stated usefulness includes; making studying for examinations easier, boosting confidence level, a better understanding of lectures and clinical cases, among others. However, a few of them responded that it was not helpful.
Conclusion: Findings showed that the use of PBL has a significant and positive impact on the academic learning processes of pre-clinical medical students of Nile University of Nigeria, Abuja.
Effect of Cassava Peel Based Diets on Performance and Meat Quality of Snail (Archachatina marginata Swainson)
Authors: Solomon Kehinde, Abiodun , Oluwasola Babatunde, Taiye , Johnson Kehinde, Olujide 
Published: September 2019

The effect of cassava peel (CPL) incorporation (0,5, 10 and 15%) in the diets of growing snails (average initial weight 66.0 ± 0.15 g) on the growth performance, shell morphological changes, digestibility of nutrients, carcass yield and mineral element composition of the meat was investigated. The nutritional trial adopted four T1 (0%), T2 (5%), T3 (10%) and T4 (15%) almost isocaloric and isonitrogenous diets. Two hundred and forty growing snails were randomly allotted at 60 snails/treatment, while each treatment was replicated three times. The digestibility of nutrients was evaluated at the 12th of the fourteen-week trial. Data collected were analyzed in a complete randomized design using (ANOVA), a significant difference among the means was separated using Duncan's multiple range test. Cassava peel is rich in NFE (70.0%), low in crude protein (3.94%), while the four diets held almost equal proximate composition. Feed intake increased (P<0.05) from T1 to T4 and T1 (control) had the best (P<0.05) carcass yield. Survivability of snails at all levels was 100%. Highest dry matter digestibility (70.01%) was obtained in T1; the digestibility of other nutrients also reduced (P< 0.05) with CPL incorporation. Meat mineral composition was not compromised by the treatments. Cassava peel based diet was favourably utilized at 15% CPL incorporation without any adverse effect on feed intake, growth, meat quality and carcass yield, farmers should adopt it.
Randomised Controlled Trial of Salt Solution (Sodium Chloride) Mouth Wash vs Thymol Glycerine Usage in Sore Throat with Non Bacterial Pharyngitis
Authors: Sallih Mohd Azreen Ezairy Bin Mohmad , Abu Bakar Mohd Zukiflee Bin 
Published: September 2019

Backgrounds: Sore throat is one of the most common reasons for visits to the hospital. While most patients with sore throat have an infectious cause (pharyngitis), either bacterial or viral infection, fewer than 20 per cent have a clear indication for antibiotic therapy.
Objective: The aim of this study is to investigate the patient’s clinical outcome after using a salt solution (sodium chloride) and thymol glycerine mouth wash in the evaluation of sore throat patient with non bacterial pharyngitis.
Methods: This was a randomized clinical trial, in which 100 patients who had non-bacterial pharyngitis were divided into two groups: those who gargled a salt solution (sodium chloride 3%) and those who gargled a thymol solution. A sore throat questionnaire was filled out 1 week later.
Results: Demographically, the results showed that there were significant differences between the two groups with regard to gender. However, there was no significant difference in age of the patients. A significant difference was observed between the two groups in term of sore throat pain scale, difficulty swallowing scale and swollen throat scale. All p-value are <0.001.
Conclusion: Gargling a salt solution, a natural, and harmless substance, can reduce the pain and other symptom of sore throat in patients with non-bacterial pharyngitis.
Designing a New Ergonomic Student Backpack
Authors: Mansoorian Mahsa , Ghasemi Mohammad Sadegh , Dehghan Naser 
Published: September 2019

Introduction: A Backpack is an essential tool for anyone, such as students who have to carry their daily necessities and supplies for long hours.
Aims: Studies have shown that inappropriate backpack types not only cause injuries to the musculoskeletal system but also cause the poor distribution of force and excessive pressure on the feet and thus discomfort for people.
Methods: In order to improve the comfort of backpack users and reduce the pressure on the foot, 18- to 25-year-old female students with normal body mass were selected for the study. The backpack was designed and made according to the Schoone-Harmsen method and ergonomic criteria. The sample was compared with current and existing backpacks in the market in terms of design and ergonomic features.
Results: The results showed that the new backpack using a medical belt based on ergonomic features with appropriate features provides a greater sense of comfort for users and it is improved compared to existing backpacks which are available in the Iranian market and designs based on previous studies.
Conclusion: For designing a backpack for people with different anthropometric sizes, a more accurate assessment of the larger sample, particularly measurements on the lumbar region and back, is required. It is recommended to evaluate the results in a larger sample and its effect on the dimples of Venus. However, the results had a positive evaluation at this stage.
Facilitation and competition interact with seed dormancy to affect population dynamics in annual plants
Authors: Leverett Lindsay D. , Shaw Allison K. 
Published: September 2019

AbstractSeed dormancy increases population size via bet‐hedging and by limiting negative interactions (e.g., competition) among individuals. On the other hand, individuals also interact positively (e.g., facilitation), and in some systems, facilitation among juveniles precedes competition among adults in the same generation. Nevertheless, studies of the benefits of seed dormancy typically ignore facilitation. Using a population growth model, we ask how the facilitation–competition balance interacts with seed dormancy rate to affect population dynamics in constant and variable environments. Facilitation increases the growth rate and equilibrium size (in both constant and variable environments) and reduces the extinction rate of populations (in a variable environment), and a higher rate of seed dormancy allows populations with facilitation to reach larger sizes. However, the combined benefits of facilitation and a high dormancy rate only occur in large populations. In small populations, weak facilitation does not affect the growth rate, but does induce a weak demographic Allee effect (where population growth decreases with decreasing population size). Our results suggest that facilitation within populations can interact with bet‐hedging traits (such as dormancy) or other traits that mediate density to affect population dynamics. Further, by ensuring survival but limiting reproduction, ontogenetic switches from facilitation to competition may enable populations to persist but limit their maximum size in variable environments. Such intrinsic regulation of populations could then contribute to the maintenance of similar species within communities.
An All‐Inorganic Perovskite‐Phase Rubidium Lead Bromide Nanolaser
Authors: Tang Bing , Hu Yingjie , Dong Hongxing , Sun Liaoxin , Zhao Binbin , Jiang Xiongwei , Zhang Long 
Published: September 2019

AbstractRubidium lead halides (RbPbX3), an important class of all‐inorganic metal halide perovskites, are attracting increasing attention for photovoltaic applications. However, limited by its lower Goldschmidt tolerance factor t≈0.78, all‐inorganic RbPbBr3 has not been reported. Now, the crystal structure, X‐ray diffraction (XRD) pattern, and band structure of perovskite‐phase RbPbBr3 has now been investigated. Perovskite‐phase RbPbBr3 is unstable at room temperature and transforms to photoluminescence (PL)‐inactive non‐perovskite. The structural evolution and mechanism of the perovskite–non‐perovskite phase transition were clarified in RbPbBr3. Experimentally, perovskite‐phase RbPbBr3 was realized through a dual‐source chemical vapor deposition and annealing process. These perovskite‐phase microspheres showed strong PL emission at about 464 nm. This new perovskite can serve as a gain medium and microcavity to achieve broadband (475–540 nm) single‐mode lasing with a high Q of about 2100.
High Efficiency Electrochemical Nitrogen Fixation Achieved with a Lower Pressure Reaction System by Changing the Chemical Equilibrium
Authors: Cheng Hui , Cui Peixin , Wang Fangrui , Ding Liang‐Xin , Wang Haihui 
Published: September 2019

AbstractWe demonstrate a simple and effective chemical equilibrium regulation strategy to improve the efficiency of electrochemical ammonia synthesis by constructing electrochemical reaction system that works at significantly lower pressure than the Haber–Bosch process. Transferring the nitrogen reduction reaction from ambient conditions to a lightly pressurized environment not only accelerates the activation of the N≡N triple bond but also inhibits the competing reaction of hydrogen evolution while promoting the dissolution and diffusion of nitrogen. The verification experiment of using well‐designed Fe3Mo3C/C composite nanosheets as the nitrogen reduction catalyst shows that the lower pressure reaction system can improve the Faradaic current efficiency by one order of magnitude. Moreover, the comparatively low‐pressure reaction system can greatly reduce the cell voltage of the ammonia synthesis reaction (up to 33 %) even at the relatively low pressure of 0.7 MPa, which is of significance for decreasing the energy consumption of electrochemical ammonia synthesis under mild conditions.
A Hydrogen‐Bonded Organic Framework (HOF) with Type IV NH3Adsorption Behavior
Authors: Kang Dong Won , Kang Minjung , Kim Hyojin , Choe Jong Hyeak , Kim Dae Won , Park Jeoung Ryul , Lee Woo Ram , Moon Dohyun , Hong Chang Seop 
Published: September 2019

AbstractAn S‐shaped gas isotherm pattern displays high working capacity in pressure‐swing adsorption cycle, as established for CO2, CH4, acetylene, and CO. However, to our knowledge, this type of adsorption behavior has not been revealed for NH3gas. Herein, we design and characterize a hydrogen‐bonded organic framework (HOF) that can adsorb NH3uniquely in an S‐shape (type IV) fashion. While conventional porous materials, mostly with type I NH3adsorption behavior, require relatively high regeneration temperature, this platform which has significant working capacity is easily regenerated and recyclable at room temperature.
Preparation of ferric nitrate–graphene nanocomposite and its adsorption of arsenic(V) from simulated arsenic‐containing wastewater
Authors: Qu Guangfei , Li Rui , Zhou Yanan , Wu Bin , Cai Yingying , Ning Ping 
Published: September 2019

Ferric nitrate–graphene (FG) nanocomposites synthesized via the equivalent‐volume impregnation method were used for the removal of As(V) species from simulated arsenic‐containing wastewater. Effects of various factors were assessed, such as the reaction temperature, solution pH, adsorbent dosage, and reaction time. The results indicated that the As(V) removal efficiency was as high as 99%, and the concentration of arsenic‐containing wastewater after FG treatment was as low as 9.4 μg L–1 as a result of the optimal absorption capacity and maximum specific surface area (171.766 m2/g) of this material. The equilibrium adsorption capacity of FG for As(V) was achieved in approximately 20 min, and the maximum adsorption capacity was calculated to be 112.4 mg g–1 by Langmuir adsorption isotherm, which was higher than that of other adsorbents such as manganese‐incorporated iron(III) oxide–graphene (14.42 mg g–1). Moreover, the removal efficiency of As(V) can be maintained above 95% under acidic and alkaline conditions. Brunauer–Emmett–Teller analysis showed that the modified FG pore structure was regular. Based on the characterizations by X‐ray diffraction, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and Fourier transform infrared, the products on the surface of the used FG were Fe(OH)3, FeAsO4, and other compounds, and As(V) was mainly removed by the formation of insoluble compounds and coprecipitation.
High‐Resolution Computed Tomography Imaging of the Cranial Arterial System and Rete Mirabile of the Cat (Felis catus)
Authors: Kier E. Leon , Conlogue Gerald J. , Zhuang Zhenwu 
Published: September 2019

ABSTRACTThe objective of this study was to investigate the possibility of obtaining high‐resolution multiplanar computed tomography (CT) imaging of the cranial arterial circulation of the cat (Felis catus), the rete mirabile, and components of the skull, utilizing preserved cat specimens with an arterial system that was injected with a radiopaque contrast compound in the early 1970s. Review of the literature shows no high‐resolution CT studies of the cat's cranial circulation, with only few plain radiographic studies, all with limited cranial vascular visualization. In view of the inability of the radiographic techniques available from 1970s to mid‐2000s to provide high‐resolution imaging of the arterial circulation within the intact skull and brain of the cat, without dissection and histologic sectioning and disruption of tissues, no further imaging was performed for many years. In 2010, a high‐resolution micro CT scanner became available, large enough to scan the entire nondissected head of the arterially injected cats. All the obtained CT images were processed with a software program that provided 3D volume rendering and multiplanar reconstruction with the ability to change the plane angulation and slab thickness. These technical features permitted more precise identification of specific arterial and bony anatomy. The obtained images demonstrated, with a nondestructive method, high‐resolution vascular anatomy of the cerebral, orbital, facial arterial system, the rete mirabile, and skull bone components of the cat, with details not previously described in the literature. Anat Rec, 302:1958–1967, 2019. © 2019 The Authors. The Anatomical Record published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of American Association of Anatomists.
USP7 Deubiquitinates and Stabilizes SIRT1
Authors: Song Nan , Cao Cheng , Tian Shanshan , Long Meijing , Liu Ling 
Published: September 2019

ABSTRACTThe NAD+‐dependent protein deacetylase silent information regulator 1 (SIRT1) targets multiple proteins for deacetylation, and it has been implicated in a variety of cellular pathways and human diseases. However, it remains unclear how the abundance of SIRT1 is regulated. Here, by mass spectrometry analysis of SIRT1‐containing protein complexes, we revealed that SIRT1 is physically associated with the ubiquitin‐specific protease USP7. Importantly, we found that USP7 cleaves K48‐linked polyubiquitin chains of SIRT1 and promotes SIRT1 stabilization. Accordingly, we demonstrated that treatment of cells with an enzymatic inhibitor of USP7 led to a decreased level of SIRT1 expression and accumulation of SIRT1 polyubiquitination. Collectively, our findings indicate that USP7 is a critical regulator of SIRT1 and provide a new pathway for the maintenance of SIRT1 abundance in cells. Anat Rec, 303:1337–1345, 2020. © 2019 American Association for Anatomy
Increased Expression of miR‐155p5 in Amygdala of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder
Authors: Almehmadi Khulood Abdullah , Tsilioni Irene , Theoharides Theoharis C. 
Published: September 2019

MiR‐155p5 is a pro‐inflammatory microRNA reported to be involved in several neurol‐inflammatory diseases. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by impaired social interactions and communication, as well as stereotypic movements. Inflammation of the brain due to activation of microglia has been reported in ASD. We investigated miR‐155p5 gene expression in postmortem human brain tissues [amygdala and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex regions (DLPFC)]. There was significant increase of miR‐155p5 in amygdala (P ≤ 0.0001), but not in DLFC, in ASD children (n = 8) compared to non‐ASD (n = 7) controls. The increased gene expression of miR‐155p5 in amygdala of children of ASD support the presence of localized inflammation in the brain and indicates miR‐155p5 may be targeted for therapy of ASD. Autism Res 2020, 13: 18–23. © 2019 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.Lay SummaryThe pathogenesis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is still unknown. Our data of increased gene expression of miR‐155p5 in brains of children with ASD support the presence of localized inflammation in the amygdala and indicates that miR‐155p5 may be targeted for therapy of ASD and other neurodegenerative diseases.
Bericht des Arbeitskreises Baugruben: Ausblick 6. Auflage EAB
Authors: Hettler Achim , Becker Patrick , Borchert Kurt‐Michael , Kinzler Steffen 
Published: September 2019

AbstractDer Arbeitskreis „Baugruben“ der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Geotechnik befasst sich im Rahmen der Vorbereitung der 6. Auflage der Empfehlungen des Arbeitskreises „Baugruben“ (EAB) mit der Überarbeitung und Ergänzung der vorliegenden 5. Auflage. In diesem Zuge wurden neue Empfehlungen für die Planung und Ausführung von Unterfangungen, eine vollständige redaktionelle Überarbeitung des Kapitels „Baugruben in weichen Böden“ sowie eine ergänzende Empfehlung für die Ermittlung von Kopfverformungen nicht gestützter Wände erarbeitet. Damit wurde aus Sicht des Arbeitskreises den Anforderungen aus der Praxis, der Anwendungsfreundlichkeit der Empfehlungen sowie dem Auftreten von Schadensfällen in der Bauausführung Rechnung getragen. Gegenstand des vorliegenden Aufsatzes ist der Abdruck der wesentlichen Textpassagen und überarbeiteten Empfehlungen mit der Bitte um Stellungnahme durch die Fachwelt.
Metabolic engineering of a robust Escherichia coli strain with a dual protection system
Authors: Ou Xiao‐Yang , Wu Xiao‐Ling , Peng Fei , Zeng Ying‐Jie , Li Hui‐Xian , Xu Pei , Chen Gu , Guo Ze‐Wang , Yang Ji‐Guo , Zong Min‐Hua , Lou Wen‐Yong 
Published: September 2019

AbstractConsiderable attention has been given to the development of robust fermentation processes, but microbial contamination and phage infection remain deadly threats that need to be addressed. In this study, a robust Escherichia coli BL21(DE3) strain was successfully constructed by simultaneously introducing a nitrogen and phosphorus (N&P) system in combination with a CRISPR/Cas9 system. The N&P metabolic pathways were able to express formamidase and phosphite dehydrogenase in the host cell, thus enabled cell growth in auxotrophic 3‐(N‐morpholino)propanesulfonic acid medium with formamide and phosphite as nitrogen and phosphorus sources, respectively. N&P metabolic pathways also allowed efficient expression of heterologous proteins, such as green fluorescent protein (GFP) and chitinase, while contaminating bacteria or yeast species could hardly survive in this medium. The host strain was further engineered by exploiting the CRISPR/Cas9 system to enhance the resistance against phage attack. The resultant strain was able to grow in the presence of T7 phage at a concentration of up to 2 × 107 plaque‐forming units/ml and produce GFP with a yield of up to 30 μg/109 colony‐forming units, exhibiting significant advantages over conventional engineered E. coli. This newly engineered, robust E. coli BL21(DE3) strain therefore shows great potential for future applications in industrial fermentation.
Defining fallopian tube‐derived miRNA cancer signatures
Authors: Dejene Selam B. , Ohman Anders W. , Du Wei , Randhawa Deepinder , Bradley Anand , Yadav Niraj , Elias Kevin M. , Dinulescu Daniela M. , Setlur Sunita R. 
Published: September 2019

AbstractBackgroundMicroRNAs have recently emerged as promising circulating biomarkers in diverse cancer types, including ovarian cancer. We utilized conditional, doxycycline‐induced fallopian tube (FT)‐derived cancer models to identify changes in miRNA expression in tumors and plasma, and further validated the murine findings in high‐grade ovarian cancer patient samples.MethodsWe analyzed 566 biologically informative miRNAs in doxycycline‐induced FT and metastatic tumors as well as plasma samples derived from murine models bearing inactivation of Brca, Tp53, and Pten genes. We identified miRNAs that showed a consistent pattern of dysregulated expression and validated our results in human patient serum samples.ResultsWe identified six miRNAs that were significantly dysregulated in doxycycline‐induced FTs (P < .05) and 130 miRNAs differentially regulated in metastases compared to normal fallopian tissues (P < .05). Furthermore, we validated miR‐21a‐5p, miR‐146a‐5p, and miR‐126a‐3p as dysregulated in both murine doxycycline‐induced FT and metastatic tumors, as well as in murine plasma and patient serum samples.ConclusionsIn summary, we identified changes in miRNA expression that potentially accompany tumor development in murine models driven by commonly found genetic alterations in cancer patients. Further studies are required to test both the function of these miRNAs in driving the disease and their utility as potential biomarkers for diagnosis and/or disease progression.
Autoimmune hemolytic anemia after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in adults: A southern China multicenter experience
Authors: Lv Weiran , Qu Hong , Wu Meiqing , Fan Zhiping , Huang Fen , Xu Na , Xuan Li , Lin Ren , Zhao Ke , Sun Jing , Lai Yongrong , Xu Yajing , Liu Qifa 
Published: September 2019

AbstractTo investigate the incidence and risk factors as well as prognosis of autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo‐HSCT), a total of 1377 adult hematological malignancies at three institutions were enrolled in this study. The 3‐year cumulative incidence of AIHA was 2.2 ± 0.4%. Multivariate analysis showed that haploidentical donors (HRDs) and chronic graft vs host disease (cGVHD) were the independent risk factors for AIHA. Patients with AIHA treated initially with corticosteroids combined with cyclosporine A (CsA) had a higher complete response rate than those with corticosteroids monotherapy (66.7% vs 11.1%; P = .013). The 3‐year cumulative incidence of malignant diseases relapse was 4.4 ± 4.3% and 28.0 ± 1.3% (P = .013), treatment‐related mortality (TRM) was 8.9 ± 6.3% and 17.4 ± 1.2% (P = .431), disease‐free survival (DFS) was 56.1 ± 1.5% and 86.7 ± 7.2% (P = .011), and overall survival (OS) was 86.3 ± 7.4% and 64.1 ± 1.5% (P = .054), respectively, in the patients with AIHA and those without AIHA. Our results indicate that HRDs and cGVHD are risk factors for AIHA and corticosteroids combined with CsA are superior to corticosteroids as initial treatment for AIHA. Autoimmune hemolytic anemia does not contribute to increase TRM and could reduce the malignant diseases relapse and increase DFS.