bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Deciphering the molecular diversity of related halophilic Bacillus sp. isolated from Sambhar Lake and the functional characterizations of surfactin
Authors: Sharma Priyanka , Rekhi Pavni , Kumari Sapna , Debnath Mousumi 
Published: June 2022

AbstractThe Sambhar Salt Lake in Rajasthan, India, offers a unique opportunity to explore halophilic surfactin‐producing microorganisms with industrial application. The phylogenetic study, comparative genomics combined with chemotaxonomic research provided insight into the interspecies relativeness of Bacillus sp. Considering the nonribosomal protein sequences (NRPS), Bacillus haynesii strain SAII strain and Bacillus swezeyi strain SEIII showed a high degree of conservation. In silico studies of the isolated Bacillus sp. confirmed the presence of NRPS indicating the presence of surfactin‐type lipopeptide biosurfactants. Structural investigation using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, liquid quadrupole triple quadrupole mass spectrometry, 1H Nuclear mass resonance of the crude biosurfactant revealed further similarities among these two Bacillus species. Methyl esters of the crude biosurfactant indicated high likeliness among them and indicated the presence of pentadecanoic acid and tetradecanoic acid as the crucial fatty acids. Enhanced recovery of oil from contaminated sand using 100% crude biosurfactant ranged from 20% ± 0.05 to 69.20% ± 1.22. This opens the door to a bright future for understanding the molecular diversity of closely related halophilic Bacillus sp. and the potential use of the extracted biosurfactants for bioremediation of contaminants.
An in vitro study: prebiotic effects of edible palm hearts in batch human fecal fermentation system
Authors: Lee‐Ling Chai , Hui Yan Tan , Saupi Noorasmah , Nazamid Saari , Sarbini Shahrul Razid 
Published: June 2022

AbstractBACKGROUNDEdible palm hearts (EPH), known as palmito, chonta or swamp cabbage in America or umbut in Malaysia, is a type of vegetable harvested from palm tree species. EPH is firm and smooth and described as having a flavor resembling artichoke. It has underlying prebiotic potential that selectively stimulates the growth and activity of beneficial colonic microbiota, thus enhancing the host's health. This study is the first to present results of EPH from local species such as oil palm (Elaeis guineensis), sago palm (Metroxylon sagu) and coconut (Cocos nucifera) using in vitro colonic fermentation with human fecal slurry. Samples obtained at 0, 6, 12 and 24 h were evaluated by bacterial enumeration using fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH), and short‐chain fatty acids (SCFA) were analyzed by high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).RESULTSAll EPH samples revealed induction effects towards Bifidobacterium spp., Lactobacillus–Enterococcus and Bacteroidaceae/Prevotellaceae populations similar to those in inulin fermentation. A significant decrease (P ≤ 0.05) in pathogenic Clostridium histolyticum group was observed in the response of raw sago palm hearts. In general, all samples stimulate the production of SCFA. Particularly in the colonic fermentation of sago palm heart, acetate and propionate revealed the highest concentrations of 286.18 and 284.83 mmol L−1 in raw and cooked form, respectively.CONCLUSIONThis study concluded that edible palm hearts can be a potential prebiotic ingredient that promotes human gastrointestinal health, as well as discovering a new direction towards an alternative source of functional foods. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
A novel three‐dimensional printed device with conductive elements for electromembrane extraction combined with high‐performance liquid chromatography and ultraviolet detector
Authors: Dolatabadi Roshanak , Mohammadi Ali , Walker Roderick B 
Published: June 2022

This study is focused on proposing a new design and setup for electromembrane extraction. A new cap was designed and conductive vials of different shapes were fabricated using three‐dimensional printing. The new cap holds three fibers to enhance electromembrane extraction recovery. Conductive vials can simultaneously perform as electrodes therefore, there is no need to include an electrode in sample solutions. Phenobarbital and phenytoin were used as model compounds to assess the setup performance. Under optimal conditions, these analytes were extracted from the sample solution at pH = 9 to the acceptor solution at pH = 13 with a voltage of 40 V for 20 min, while 1‐octanol was employed as the supported‐liquid‐membrane. The influence of conductive vials geometry on the recovery was examined and the effects of different shapes were studied by performing numerical simulation to establish electric potential distribution. Of the vials tested with circular, triangular, and floral‐like cross‐sections the latter exhibited the best voltage distribution. The circular vial had the highest recovery attributed to its better hydrodynamic shape, which allows rapid fluid sample transport and therefore enhanced system recovery. The extraction recovery and relative standard deviation of the circular vial with three fibers were 33.0 and 7.6 for phenobarbital and 42.2 and 10.4 for phenytoin.
Explaining how algorithms work reduces consumers' concerns regarding the collection of personal data and promotes AI technology adoption
Authors: Querci Ilaria , Barbarossa Camilla , Romani Simona , Ricotta Francesco 
Published: June 2022

AbstractConsumers' concerns about how companies gather and use their personal data can impede the widespread adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. This study demonstrates that mechanistic explanations of AI algorithms can inhibit such data collection concerns. Four independent online experiments show a negative effect of detailed mechanistic explanations on data collection concerns (Studies 1a and 1b), as well as mediating influences of a subjective understanding of how AI algorithms work (Study 2) and increased the likelihood to adopt AI technologies after data collection concerns have been mitigated (Study 3). These findings contribute to research on consumer privacy concerns and the adoption of AI technologies, by identifying (1) a new inhibitor of data collection concerns, namely, mechanistic explanations of AI algorithms; (2) the psychological mechanisms underlying mechanist explanation effects; and (3) how diminished data collection concerns promote AI technology adoption. These insights can help companies design more effective communication strategies that reduce the perceived opacity of AI algorithms, reassure consumers, and encourage their adoption of AI technologies.
Enzymes in the time of COVID‐19: An overview about the effects in the human body, enzyme market, and perspectives for new drugs
Authors: Fé Luana Xavier Soares Gomes Moura , Cipolatti Eliane Pereira , Pinto Martina Costa Cerqueira , Branco Suema , Nogueira Fábio César Sousa , Ortiz Gisela Maria Dellamora , Pinheiro Anderson de Sá , Manoel Evelin Andrade 
Published: June 2022

AbstractThe rising pandemic caused by a coronavirus, resulted in a scientific quest to discover some effective treatments against its etiologic agent, the severe acute respiratory syndrome‐coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2). This research represented a significant scientific landmark and resulted in many medical advances. However, efforts to understand the viral mechanism of action and how the human body machinery is subverted during the infection are still ongoing. Herein, we contributed to this field with this compilation of the roles of both viral and human enzymes in the context of SARS‐CoV‐2 infection. In this sense, this overview reports that proteases are vital for the infection to take place: from SARS‐CoV‐2 perspective, the main protease (Mpro) and papain‐like protease (PLpro) are highlighted; from the human body, angiotensin‐converting enzyme‐2, transmembrane serine protease‐2, and cathepsins (CatB/L) are pointed out. In addition, the influence of the virus on other enzymes is reported as the JAK/STAT pathway and the levels of lipase, enzymes from the cholesterol metabolism pathway, amylase, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase, and glyceraldehyde 3‐phosphate dehydrogenase are also be disturbed in SARS‐CoV‐2 infection. Finally, this paper discusses the importance of detailed enzymatic studies for future treatments against SARS‐CoV‐2, and how some issues related to the syndrome treatment can create opportunities in the biotechnological market of enzymes and the development of new drugs.
Synchronized high‐speed scintillation imaging of proton beams, generated by a gantry‐mounted synchrocyclotron, on a pulse‐by‐pulse basis
Authors: Goddu Sreekrishna Murty , Westphal Gregory T. , Sun Baozhou , Wu Yu , Bloch Charles D. , Bradley Jeffrey D. , Darafsheh Arash 
Published: June 2022

AbstractBackgroundWith the emergence of more complex and novel proton delivery techniques, there is a need for quality assurance tools with high spatiotemporal resolution to conveniently measure the spatial and temporal properties of the beam. In this context, scintillation‐based dosimeters, if synchronized with the radiation beam and corrected for ionization quenching, are appealing.PurposeTo develop a synchronized high‐speed scintillation imaging system for characterization and verification of the proton therapy beams on a pulse‐by‐pulse basis.Materials and methodsA 30 cm × 30 cm × 5 cm block of BC‐408 plastic scintillator placed in a light‐tight housing was irradiated by proton beams generated by a Mevion S250 proton therapy synchrocyclotron. A high‐speed camera system, placed perpendicular to the beam direction and facing the scintillator, was synchronized to the accelerator's pulses to capture images. Opening and closing of the camera's shutter was controlled by setting a proper time delay and exposure time, respectively. The scintillation signal was recorded as a set of two‐dimensional (2D) images. Empirical correction factors were applied to the images to correct for the nonuniformity of the pixel sensitivity and quenching of the scintillator. Proton range and modulation were obtained from the corrected images.ResultsThe camera system was able to capture all data on a pulse‐by‐pulse basis at a rate of ∼504 frames per second. The applied empirical correction method for ionization quenching was effective and the corrected composite image provided a 2D map of dose distribution. The measured range (depth of distal 90%) through scintillation imaging agreed within 1.2 mm with that obtained from ionization chamber measurement.ConclusionA high‐speed camera system capable of capturing scintillation signals from individual proton pulses was developed. The scintillation imaging system is promising for rapid proton beam characterization and verification.
Feasibility and reliability of MScanFit motor unit number estimation in peroneus longus muscle
Authors: Tankisi Deniz Alp , Alaydin Halil Can , Boran Evren , Cengiz Bulent 
Published: June 2022

AbstractIntroduction/AimsMotor unit number estimation (MUNE) methods may be valuable to detect motor involvement earlier than compound muscle action potential (CMAP) amplitude. The most recent MUNE method, MScanFit, has been shown to have advantages compared with previously described methods. However, MScanFit has only been applied in a few lower extremity muscles. In this study we examined the feasibility and reliability of MScanFit in peroneus longus muscle.MethodsTwenty healthy controls (16 males and 4 females; mean age, 36.05 ± 2.58 years) were examined twice within a 1‐ to 2‐week interval. Fibular nerve was stimulated at the knee and CMAP scans were recorded from peroneus longus muscle. From this, MScanFit MUNE and size parameters were calculated, as was the CMAP amplitude. The reliability was examined using coefficient of variation (CV) and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). MUNE was correlated with CMAP amplitude using linear regression analysis.ResultsThe CV between sessions was higher for CMAP amplitude (11.63 ± 1.88%) than MScanFit MUNE (3.13 ± 0.78%). Among the size parameters, mean unit amplitude (μV) showed the lowest CV (11.46 ± 1.77%). Using ICC, CMAP amplitude exhibited good reliability (0.787), whereas that of MScanFit MUNE was excellent (0.902). Reliability was good for all size parameters. There was no significant correlation between MScanFit MUNE and CMAP amplitude (R = 0.25, P > .05).DiscussionMScanFit MUNE is feasible in the peroneus longus muscle, with high test‐retest reliability in healthy subjects. Studies in patients are needed to examine the sensitivity of this muscle in disease.
A cross‐sectional study of factors associated with nurses’ postoperative pain management practices for older patients
Authors: Youngcharoen Phichpraorn , Aree‐Ue Suparb 
Published: June 2022

AbstractAimThe aim of the study was to identify factors associated with nurses’ pain management practices in older patients undergoing surgery.DesignA cross‐sectional study.MethodsThe study sample was 85 Registered nurses working in inpatient surgical units in a tertiary care hospital, Thailand. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, Pearson’s and point biserial correlation coefficients, and stepwise multiple regression analysis.ResultsA positive correlation was found between practices and (a) pain management training and (b) perceptions related to collaboration with physicians. However, practices were negatively related to (a) the nurses’ perception of their workload and (b) the number of years of nursing experience. The recent pain management training, the nurses’ perceptions of both collaboration with physicians and their workload explained 24.40% of the variance in practices. Appropriate nursing workloads, regular pain management training and promoting collaboration among the healthcare team could all improve the quality of nurses’ postoperative pain management.
Viscoplastic deformation of cotton fabric‐reinforced polypropylene composites
Authors: Shao Bo , Wang Fengqiang , Qian Wei , Fang Yiqun , Wang Qingwen 
Published: June 2022

AbstractIn this work, cotton fabric‐reinforced polypropylene laminates (CFRLs) were prepared as an example to analyze the effect of viscoplastic deformation on the mechanical properties of natural fiber‐reinforced composites. Compared with neat polypropylene (PP), the tensile strength and modulus of CFRLs are significantly enhanced in all directions. However, CFRLs are more prone to plastic deformation than PP during static tensile tests. The tensile strength of CFRLs could be affected by the processing factors. As the drawing speed was reduced from 20 to 0.1 mm/min, the tensile strength of CFRLs decreased by 27%. Cyclic tensile tests were used to analyze the effect of viscoplastic deformation on the tensile strength of CFRLs, and the results showed that when the viscous deformation increased, the strain increased, leading to rapid fracture of CFRLs under cyclic tensile stress much lower than the tensile strength. By simulating the stress conditions of pressure vessels and pipes with different curved surfaces, CFRLs are shown to be more suitable for cylindrical curved structures, which has developable surface; While, they are not suitable for complex curved structures, such as spherical surfaces, that are undevelopable surface.
‘BARI Masur‐9’: An extra‐early lentil cultivar for a rice‐based cropping system in Bangladesh
Authors: Shahin Uz Zaman Md , Alam Md Jahangir , Golam Azam Md , Shahin Iqbal Md , Ariful Islam Md , Sarkar Debashish , Aktar Uz Zaman Md , Shamsul Alam Md , Mahbubul Alam A. K. M. , Altaf Hossain Md , Ali Md Omar , Sarker Debasish , Sarker Ashutosh 
Published: June 2022

AbstractLentil (Lens culinarisMedik) is the third‐most important grain legume in the world. In Bangladesh, it is important for human food and nutrition, animal feed, and sustainable rice‐based cropping systems. However, lentil area is declining due to competition with other winter and spring crops, particularly irrigated spring rice (boro rice;Oryza sativa L.). To increase lentil production, the extra‐early (<95 d) lentil line LRIL‐22‐70 was selected to grow in the short fallow period between monsoon and spring rice under a proposed new cropping pattern. LRIL‐22‐70 was identified from a recombinant inbred line population through rigorously evaluated in diverse agro‐ecological conditions of Bangladesh and released for commercial cultivation by Pulses Research Centre, BARI, as ‘BARI Masur‐9’ (Reg. no. CV‐36, PI 700307) in 2018. BARI Masur‐9 is a transgressive segregant for earliness (matures in <93 d) and fits well in the new monsoon rice–lentil–spring rice cropping pattern. It is a medium‐seeded (2.38 g 100–1seed) cultivar with high tolerance to Stemphylium blight. The average seed yield of BARI Masur‐9 was 1,201 kg ha–1, with higher concentrations of Fe (73 mg kg−1) and Zn (61 mg kg−1) compared with other genotypes; thus, BARI Masur‐9 contributes to combatting micronutrient malnutrition in Bangladesh. BARI Masur‐9, the first extra‐early lentil cultivar, can successfully be grown to replace fallow between rice as a new cropping pattern monsoon rice–lentil (BARI Masur‐9)–spring rice in about 8 million ha in Bangladesh, eastern Indian states, and eastern Nepal.
Clinical application of risk assessment in PAH: Expert center APRN recommendations
Authors: Wilson Melisa , Keeley Jennifer , Kingman Martha , McDevitt Susanne , Brewer Jacqueline , Rogers Frances , Hill Wendy , Rideman Zachary , Broderick Meredith 
Published: June 2022

AbstractPerforming longitudinal and consistent risk assessments for patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is important to help guide treatment decisions to achieve early on and maintain a low‐risk status and improve patient morbidity and mortality. Clinical gestalt or expert perception alone may over or underestimate a patient's risk status. Indeed, regular and continued use of validated risk assessment tools more accurately predict patients' survival. Effective PAH risk assessments are often underutilized even though many seasoned clinicians will attest to using these tools routinely. We present recommendations based on real‐world experience in varied clinical practice settings around the United States for overcoming barriers to facilitate regular, serial formal risk assessment. Expert advanced practice provider clinicians from mid to large‐size medical centers collaborated to formulate recommendations based on multiple discourses and discussions. Enlisting the help of support staff, such as medical assistants and nurses, to fill in available risk parameters in risk assessment tools can save time for providers and increase efficiency, as can technology‐based solutions such as integrating risk assessments into electronic medical records. Modified, abbreviated risk assessment tools can be applied to a patient's clinical scenario when all of a patient's data are not available to complete a more comprehensive assessment. Initial discussions regarding the overall meaning and prognostic importance of risk scores may assist patients to take on a more active role in terms of informed decision‐making regarding their care. A collaborative approach can help clinics establish consistent use of risk assessment.
A review on the realization methods of dynamic fault tree
Authors: Zhu Chengyuan , Zhang Tianyuan 
Published: June 2022

AbstractDynamic fault tree (DFT) is an extended technology of Fault tree analysis (FTA). It has been widely used in many fields and plays an important role in improving the security performance of the system. Although DFT has developed for many years, new research in recent years is still worthy of attention. In this study, the research status of different realization methods/analysis techniques of DFT is comprehensively reviewed. First, the development and research trend of DFT are described. Second, the research on dynamic gates and components in the analysis techniques is introduced in detail. Third, the mainstream realization methods of DFT, such as Markov chain, Bayesian network (BN) and so on, are summarized. At the same time, the application of other auxiliary analysis techniques is also introduced. Then, based on the research progress of different realization methods, the future development direction and challenges of DFT are prospected. The realization methods of DFT not only need the rigorous theoretical foundation. Moreover, it is also necessary to consider the combination of real‐time data and system modeling technology to realize dynamic assessment and smart system in the future.
Magnetic resonance imaging measures of brain volumes across the EXPEDITION trials in mild and moderate Alzheimer's disease dementia
Authors: Svaldi Diana Otero , Higgins Ixavier A. , Holdridge Karen C. , Yaari Roy , Case Michael , Bracoud Luc , Scott David , Shcherbinin Sergey , Sims John R. 
Published: June 2022

AbstractIntroductionSolanezumab is a monoclonal antibody that preferentially binds soluble amyloid beta and promotes its clearance from the brain. The aim of this post hoc analysis was to assess the effect of low‐dose solanezumab (400 mg) on global brain volume measures in patients with mild or moderate Alzheimer's disease (AD) dementia quantified using volumetric magnetic resonance imaging (vMRI) data from the EXPEDITION clinical trial program.MethodsPatients with mild or moderate AD (EXPEDITION and EXPEDITION2) and mild AD (EXPEDITION3), were treated with either placebo or solanezumab (400 mg) every 4 weeks (Q4W) for 76 weeks. vMRI scans were acquired at baseline and at 80 weeks from 427 MRI facilities using a standardized imaging protocol. Whole brain volume (WBV) and ventricle volume (VV) changes were estimated at 80 weeks using either boundary shift integral (EXPEDITION and EXPEDITION2) or tensor‐based morphometry (EXPEDITION3).ResultsThe pooled cohort used for this study consisted of participants with vMRI at baseline and week 80 across the three trials. Analyzed patient subgroups comprised full patient cohort (N = 2933), apolipoprotein E (APOE) ε4+ carriers (N = 1835), and patients with mild (N = 2497) or moderate AD dementia (N = 428). No significant effect (all P‐values ≥.05) of treatment was observed in the pooled sample, individual trials, or subgroups of patients with mild or moderate AD or APOE ε4 carriers, in either WBV or VV change.DiscussionAnalysis of patients with mild or moderate AD dementia from baseline to 80 weeks using vMRI measures of WBV and VV changes suggested that low‐dose solanezumab was not linked to changes in volumes at 80 weeks. Analysis of the pooled cohort did not demonstrate an effect on brain volumes with treatment. Evaluation of a higher dose of solanezumab in the preclinical stage of AD is currently being undertaken.