bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Disparity in Phenotypic and Genetic Characterization of Lactic Acid Microorganisms Isolated from Spontaneous Fermentation of Yam (Dioscorea rotundata)
Authors: Ayoade Femi, , Fayemi Scott , Ogunbiyi Tosin , Olukanni Olumide , Oluniyi Paul 
Published: April 2019

Aim: In order to ensure the accurate taxonomic identification of the lactic acid organisms that were previously isolated from spontaneously fermented yam for safety assessment and quality assurance purposes, phenotypic and genetic identification data were compared.
Study Design: Using the purposive sampling method, four microorganisms were characterized using molecular methods.
Place and Duration of Study: Isolates of lactic acid microorganisms (2 bacterial and 2 fungal organisms) from spontaneously fermented yam in a previous study carried out in May 2016 were genetically identified using molecular methods.
Methodology: Genomic DNA extracted from the test lactic acid microorganisms were used as templates in a PCR reaction, then, 16s rRNA and nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) genes were amplified for the bacterial and fungal isolates respectively. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products were electrophoresed on 2% agarose gel prepared with Tris Borate Ethylenediamintetraacetate (TBE) buffers stained with ethidium bromide. Subsequently, the ladder was used in order to determine the sizes of the corresponding amplicons captured on gel images in comparisons. Moreover, sequences of the PCR products were analyzed and the chromatograms subjected to BLAST (Basic Local Alignment Search Tool) analyses to identify the lactic acid organisms.
Results: The 2 bacterial isolates were identified as Bacillus subtilis (MK448227) and Bacillus pumilus (MK446418), on the other hand, the fungal isolates were identified as Aspergillus flavus (MK433604) and Aspergillus niger (MK430926). Discrepancies were observed when phenotypic identification data in an earlier report were compared with the molecular data from the present study.
Conclusion: The present results underscore the limitations of phenotypic (biochemical) methods in characterizing organisms, particularly, organisms that may end up being used in food processing. Moreover, this is the first report of the novel organisms reported in the present study and makes further work into the development of starter organisms for the production of amala possible in the near future. In addition, proper identification helps in benchmarking the quality assurance and safety assessment of foods prepared using these organisms.
Employability Analysis of Management External Degree Holders of Sri Lanka: Longitudinal Study Based on University of Sri Jayewardenepura
Authors: Sachitra K. M. V. , Kumara U. A. 
Published: April 2019

Aims: The purpose of this study is to examine the nature of employability of the graduates receiving external management degrees in the Faculty of Management Studies and Commerce, University of Sri Jayewardenepura.
Study Design: The study used past three years’ data gathered at the Convocation days held in year 2015, 2016 and 2017. It included graduates’ demographic characteristics, employability and the nature of jobs engaged.
Results: The study provided quantitative results about the employability of external degree holders and the results showed that the employability rate of external degree holders was relatively high compared with the employability rate of the management graduate in Sri Lanka at the date of convocation. On the basis of findings, the study proves that business graduates possess average levels of employability skills in terms of technology and communication skills.
Conclusion: Although the results exemplify the initial step towards a description of employability of external degree holders, they shed light in terms of future development of the management external degree programmes. Presently, Sri Lanka meets the management employment expected, but in the future, management graduates need to realize that education is not all about to attain good marks but to explore and develop personal capabilities.
A Systematic Review of Factors Associated with both Bilateral and Recurrent Anterior Cruciate Ligament Disruption
Authors: Kakalecik Jaquelyn , Reynolds John M. , Torg Joseph S. 
Published: April 2019

Background: Numerous studies have reported factors associated with recurrent or subsequent contralateral anterior cruciate ligament disruption, but a comprehensive review of the literature has not been performed.
Purpose: This study attempts to systematically review the literature and provide an overview of the currently reported risk factors for recurrent and subsequent contralateral ACL reconstructions in order to allow for more efficient identification and intervention of high-risk patients.
Study Design: Systematic Review.
Methods: The Pubmed and Embase databases were searched using a combination of keywords such as “ACL reconstruction” and “bilateral or recurrent” and “risk factors” and medical subject headings. All studies were screened by two independent reviewers, and articles that met inclusion criteria (non-contact ACL injury, study analyzed risk factors for contralateral ACL injury or graft rupture) were downloaded and read.
Results: The initial search yielded 129 articles, of which 36 met inclusion criteria. After duplicates were removed, 23 articles remained. The reference lists of included articles were cross-referenced, and an additional 2 articles were included.
Conclusion: Graft harvest site, allograft usage, return to sport, younger age, a positive family history, increased posterior tibial slope, and the number of previous ACL reconstructions are well-reported risk factors for second ACL injury. Recent studies suggest a patients who have negative psychological states in the perioperative periods have worse long-term functional outcomes.
Comparison of the Effect of Intraoperative 1 mg/kg/h and 2 mg/kg/h IV Lidocaine Infusion on Postoperative Pain and Nausea-Vomiting in Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass Surgery
Authors: Alimian Mahzad , Safaeian Reza , Zaman Behrooz , Entezari Saeedreza , Abedian Amir Ehsan 
Published: April 2019

Objective: To relieve postoperative pain and nausea and vomiting, various drugs and methods, including intraoperative IV lidocaine infusion in different surgeries. However, the exact dose has not yet been determined. The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare the effect of intraoperative 1 mg/kg/h and 2 mg/kg/h IV lidocaine infusion on postoperative pain and nausea-vomiting in laparoscopic gastric bypass surgery.
Methods: This clinical trial study was performed on patients undergoing laparoscopic gastric bypass surgery in Rasoul-e-Akram Hospital, Iran. Patients were randomly assigned into two groups (1 mg/kg/h lidocaine) and (2 mg/kg/h lidocaine). Postoperative pain and nausea and vomiting were evaluated at times 0, 30 min, 1 h, 6 h, 12 h and 24 h after surgery. Data was analysed using statistical tests and SPSS 22.
Results: There was no significant difference in the effect of intraoperative 1 mg/kg/h and 2 mg/kg/h IV lidocaine infusion on static and dynamic pain and nausea-vomiting, agitation, systolic BP, diastolic BP, pulse rate and postoperative administration of pethidine in laparoscopic gastric bypass (P>0.05).
Conclusion: Based on results of this study, administration of low dose lidocaine (1 mg/kg/h) can be considered as an appropriate dose of IV lidocaine infusion in order to control postoperative pain and nausea and vomiting in laparoscopic gastric bypass surgery.
Sero-prevalence of HPV-16 IgG Antibodies and Its Association with Socio Demographic Features of Women in Lokoja, Kogi State, Nigeria
Authors: Haruna H. A. , Olonitola S. O. , Aminu M. 
Published: April 2019

Aim: To determine the sero-prevalence of Human Papilloma Virus type 16(HPV-16) immunoglobulin G antibodies and its association with socio-demographic features of women attending some clinics in Lokoja, Kogi State, Nigeria.
Study Design: Hospital based cross sectional study.
Place and Duration of Study: Kogi State specialist hospital and Federal medical Centre, Lokoja. Kogi State, Nigeria, between June and October, 2015.
Methodology: We included 400 participants (380 pregnant and 20 non pregnant women; age range 15 to 45 years) attending the hospitals during the duration of the research. Serum samples were analysed for human papilloma virus type 16 IgG using the Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay and questionnaire was also administered to obtain demographic features of the participants.
Results: The prevalence of human papilloma virus type 16 IgG antibodies was found to be 10%. The occurrence of IgG antibodies to human papilloma virus was found to be statistically associated with educational status and occupation (P = 0.020 and 0.036 respectively).
Conclusion: The prevalence of human papilloma virus was high. Cervical screening centres should be established in all areas of the state and awareness campaigns should be organized to afford young women the knowledge and dangers of cervical cancer and preventive measures.
Determining efficient helical IMRT modulation factor from the MLC leaf‐open time distribution on precision treatment planning system
Authors: Boyd Robert , Jeong Kyoungkeun , Tomé Wolfgang A. 
Published: April 2019

AbstractPurposeSince the modulation factor (MF) impacts both plan quality and delivery efficiency in tomotherapy Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) treatment planning, the purpose of this study was to demonstrate a technique in determining an efficient MF from the Multileaf Collimator (MLC) leaf‐open time (LOT) distribution of a tomotherapy treatment delivery plan.MethodsEight clinical plans of varying complexity were optimized with the highest allowed MF on the Accuracy Precision treatment planning system. Using a central limit theorem argument a range of reduced MFs were then determined from the first two moments of the LOT distribution. A step down approach was used to calculate the reduced‐MF plans and plan comparison tools available on the Precision treatment planning system were used to evaluate dose differences with the reference plan.ResultsA reduced‐MF plan that balanced delivery time and dosimetric quality was found from the set of five MFs determined from the LOT distribution of the reference plan. The reduced‐MF plan showed good agreement with the reference plan (target and critical organ dose‐volume region of interest dose differences were within 1% and 2% of prescription dose, respectively).DiscussionPlan evaluation and acceptance criteria can vary depending on individual clinical expectations and dosimetric quality trade‐offs. With the scheme presented in this paper a planner should be able to efficiently generate a high‐quality plan with efficient delivery time without knowing a good MF beforehand.ConclusionA methodology for deriving a reduced MF from the LOT distribution of a high MF treatment plan using the central limit theorem has been presented. A scheme for finding a reduced MF from a set of MFs that results in a plan balanced in both dosimetric quality and treatment delivery efficiency has also been presented.
Treatment of natalizumab‐associated PML with filgrastim
Authors: Stefoski Dusan , Balabanov Roumen , Waheed Rasha , Ko Michael , Koralnik Igor J. , Sierra Morales Fabian 
Published: April 2019

AbstractObjectiveThere is no consensus on the treatment of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) occurring in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients treated with natalizumab (Nz). We report novel immune activating treatment with filgrastim of Nz‐associated PML in MS patients treated at Rush University Medical Center.MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed 17 Nz‐PML patients treated at this single tertiary referral center between 2010 and 2017. We reviewed the clinical symptoms, diagnostic methods, survival, outcome and MS modifying therapy (MSMT) after Nz‐PML.ResultsPML occurred after an average of 49 Nz infusions. To facilitate JCV elimination by accelerating immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS), all patients received subcutaneous filgrastim upon PML diagnosis and discontinuation of Nz; eight received plasma exchange (PLEX). Earlier than previously published, PML‐IRIS occurred in 15 of 17 (88.2%) patients within a mean of 57.4 days (SD 21.20) after the last Nz infusion. Seven patients recovered to or near baseline. There were no PML/IRIS–related fatalities but one patient committed suicide 2.5 years later. PLEX had no impact on PML outcome. Of 17 patients, 3 (18%) had MS relapses within 1 year after PML, and 5 (29%) beyond 1 year of PML onset, which is lower than expected in highly active MS patients. Eight patients started MSMTs after Nz‐PML on an average of 26 months after Nz withdrawal.InterpretationOur findings indicate that immunoactivation with filgrastim during PML and careful management of subsequent IRIS is likely beneficial in patients with Nz‐PML, without worsening MS. The clinical course of MS may be ameliorated by PML.
Solution‐Processable Perovskite Solar Cells toward Commercialization: Progress and Challenges
Authors: Wang Peng , Wu Yihui , Cai Bing , Ma Qingshan , Zheng Xiaojia , Zhang Wen‐Hua 
Published: April 2019

AbstractIn the last few years, organometal halide perovskites (OHPs) have emerged as a promising candidate for photovoltaic (PV) applications. A certified efficiency as high as 23.7% has been achieved, which is comparable with most of the well‐established PV technologies. Their good solubility due to the ionic nature enables versatile low‐temperature solution processes, including blade coating, slot‐die coating, etc., most of which are scalable and compatible with roll‐to‐roll large‐scale manufacturing processes. The low cost, high efficiency, and facile processable features make perovskite solar cells (PSCs) a very competitive PV technology. Despite the great progress, long‐term durability concerns, toxicity issues of both materials and manufacturing process, and lack of robust high‐throughput production technology for fabricating efficient large‐area modules are major obstacles toward commercialization. In this review, the recent progress of commercially available process of PSCs is surveyed, the underlying determinants for upscaling high‐quality PSCs from hydrodynamic characteristics and crystallization thermodynamic mechanism are identified, the influence of external stress factors on stability of PSCs and intrinsic instability mechanism in OHPs themselves is revealed, and the environmental impact and sustainable development of PSC technology are analyzed. Strategies and opportunities for large‐scale production of PSCs are suggested to promote the development of PSCs toward commercialization.
A Rationally Designed Semiconducting Polymer Brush for NIR‐II Imaging‐Guided Light‐Triggered Remote Control of CRISPR/Cas9 Genome Editing
Authors: Li Ling , Yang Zhen , Zhu Shoujun , He Liangcan , Fan Wenpei , Tang Wei , Zou Jianhua , Shen Zheyu , Zhang Mingru , Tang Longguang , Dai Yunlu , Niu Gang , Hu Shuo , Chen Xiaoyuan 
Published: April 2019

AbstractThe clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR)/CRISPR‐associated protein 9 (Cas9) genome‐editing system has shown great potential in biomedical applications. Although physical approaches, viruses, and some nonviral vectors have been employed for CRISPR/Cas9 delivery and induce some promising genome‐editing efficacy, precise genome editing remains challenging and has not been reported yet. Herein, second near‐infrared window (NIR‐II) imaging‐guided NIR‐light‐triggered remote control of the CRISPR/Cas9 genome‐editing strategy is reported based on a rationally designed semiconducting polymer brush (SPPF). SPPF can not only be a vector to deliver CRISPR/Cas9 cassettes but also controls the endolysosomal escape and payloads release through photothermal conversion under laser irradiation. Upon laser exposure, the nanocomplex of SPPF and CRISPR/Cas9 cassettes induces effective site‐specific precise genome editing both in vitro and in vivo with minimal toxicity. Besides, NIR‐II imaging based on SPPF can also be applied to monitor the in vivo distribution of the genome‐editing system and guide laser irradiation in real time. Thus, this study offers a typical paradigm for NIR‐II imaging‐guided NIR‐light‐triggered remote control of the CRISPR/Cas9 system for precise genome editing. This strategy may open an avenue for CRISPR/Cas9 genome‐editing‐based precise gene therapy in the near future.
Articular Cartilage‐Inspired Surface Functionalization for Enhanced Lubrication
Authors: Wang Yixin , Sun Yulong , Gu Yanhong , Zhang Hongyu 
Published: April 2019

AbstractNatural articular cartilage has excellent superlubrication property, and it is attributed to the hydration lubrication mechanism of the charged biomacromolecules which extend from the cartilage surface to form a brush‐like layer. In this study, a bioinspired brush‐like polyelectrolyte, namely poly(2‐methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine) (PMPC), is grafted onto the SiO2 wafer and polystyrene (PS) microsphere via surface‐initiated polymerization to enhance the lubrication performance. The characterization of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, water contact angle, and scanning electron microscopy demonstrates that the PMPC polymer brushes are successfully modified onto the substrates. Furthermore, the lubrication test performed using atomic force microscope, with the PMPC‐grafted SiO2 wafer and PMPC‐grafted PS microsphere as the contact tribopair, shows that the PMPC‐functionalized surfaces significantly reduce friction coefficient under different test conditions. The tenacious water hydration shells formed surrounding the zwitterionic charges of PMPC polymer brushes are responsible for the reduced friction coefficient, which could support high pressures without being squeezed out under loading. In summary, the articular cartilage‐inspired surface functionalization method can be used to modify various substrates for enhanced lubrication.
Conformational Dynamics‐Guided Loop Engineering of an Alcohol Dehydrogenase: Capture, Turnover and Enantioselective Transformation of Difficult‐to‐Reduce Ketones
Authors: Liu Beibei , Qu Ge , Li Jun‐Kuan , Fan Wenchao , Ma Jun‐An , Xu Yan , Nie Yao , Sun Zhoutong 
Published: April 2019

AbstractDirected evolution of enzymes for the asymmetric reduction of prochiral ketones to produce enantio‐pure secondary alcohols is particularly attractive in organic synthesis. Loops located at the active pocket of enzymes often participate in conformational changes required to fine‐tune residues for substrate binding and catalysis. It is therefore of great interest to control the substrate specificity and stereochemistry of enzymatic reactions by manipulating the conformational dynamics. Herein, a secondary alcohol dehydrogenase was chosen to enantioselectively catalyze the transformation of difficult‐to‐reduce bulky ketones, which are not accepted by the wildtype enzyme. Guided by previous work and particularly by structural analysis and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, two key residues alanine 85 (A85) and isoleucine 86 (I86) situated at the binding pocket were thought to increase the fluctuation of a loop region, thereby yielding a larger volume of the binding pocket to accommodate bulky substrates. Subsequently, site‐directed saturation mutagenesis was performed at the two sites. The best mutant, where residue alanine 85 was mutated to glycine and isoleucine 86 to leucine (A85G/I86L), can efficiently reduce bulky ketones to the corresponding pharmaceutically interesting alcohols with high enantioselectivities (∼99% ee). Taken together, this study demonstrates that introducing appropriate mutations at key residues can induce a higher flexibility of the active site loop, resulting in the improvement of substrate specificity and enantioselectivity.magnified image
In Search of Locally Produced Arsenic Sorbents via Impregnation of Cotton with Magnetite Nanoparticles Using Choline Acetate
Authors: Berton Paula , Kelley Steven P. , Adesina Adeyinka O. , Rogers Robin D. 
Published: April 2019

AbstractA simple method to incorporate magnetite nanoparticles (Fe3O4 NPs) into cotton fiber for arsenic sorption is demonstrated. Choline acetate is utilized to simultaneously suspend Fe3O4 NPs while swelling the cotton fiber surface, allowing the incorporation of the Fe3O4 NPs in the fiber by dipping at 80 °C and washing with water. A 1:5 mass ratio Fe3O4 NPs:cotton fiber exhibits a tenfold increase in the sorption of As(V) when compared with raw cotton fiber. This method could be used to mass produce field‐deployable sorbents near polluted areas lacking water treatment infrastructure.
Unraveling the Role of Sn Segregation in the Electronic Transport of Polycrystalline Hematite: Raising the Electronic Conductivity by Lowering the Grain‐Boundary Blocking Effect
Authors: Soares Mario R. S. , Costa Carlos A. R. , Lanzoni Evandro M. , Bettini Jefferson , Ramirez Carlos A. O. , Souza Flavio L. , Longo Elson , Leite Edson R. 
Published: April 2019

AbstractThis paper describes the role of SnO2 in the electronic transport of polycrystalline hematite (α‐Fe2O3). The proper sintering process allows for freezing of a state of electronic defects, in which the electrical properties of hematite are controlled by the grain boundary and Sn segregation. Impedance spectroscopy and dc conductivity measurements show that current flows through preferential pathways associated with Sn segregation that occurs at the grain boundary, leading to a decrease in grain‐boundary resistance. Atomic force microscopy and electric force microscopy measurements confirm the results of the impedance analysis. The identification of preferential grain boundaries for electrical conductivity may have a direct influence on the light‐induced water‐splitting performance of the hematite photoanode.
Solution Shearing of a High‐Capacitance Polymer Dielectric for Low‐Voltage Organic Transistors
Authors: Haase Katherina , Zessin Jakob , Zoumboulis Konstantinos , Müller Markus , Hambsch Mike , Mannsfeld Stefan C. B. 
Published: April 2019

AbstractWith the prospect of realizing innovative technologies by large‐area fabrication at low cost and high throughput, printing and coating technologies are being intensively researched for the deposition of functional films. One promising coating technology is solution shearing, which has been studied as a deposition technique for organic semiconductors but not to a greater extent for dielectric layers. Therefore, the deposition by solution shearing of high‐quality poly(4‐vinylphenol) dielectrics is investigated, and the utility of these films as ultra‐smooth dielectric substrates for transistors is demonstrated. By comparing these films to those prepared by spin‐coating, it is possible to highlight the advantages of the technique. Specifically, thinner films with thicknesses as low as 11.4 nm but still low leakage and almost identical surface properties can be achieved. Thus, dielectric films with a very high capacitance of 280 nF cm‐2 are realized in a single coating step. Probing these films within organic transistors shows that they can facilitate operation at voltages as low as ‐1 V. Finally, it is shown how the use of a polymer‐small‐molecule–semiconductor blend can pave the way toward high‐performance, ultra‐low‐voltage devices from solution.