bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Do descriptive norms messaging interventions backfire? Protocol for a systematic review of the boomerang effect
Authors: Kuang Jinyi , Delea Maryann G. , Thulin Erik , Bicchieri Cristina 
Published: November 2020

AbstractBackgroundDescriptive norms messaging interventions are used to motivate people to adopt or maintain desirable behaviors. Such interventions provide people with information that describes an undesirable behavior as uncommon or a desirable behavior as prevalent within a relevant social group. Descriptive norms messaging interventions have shown promise in increasing individual and social benefit for a broad range of health and sustainability programs. However, evidence suggests that people who have adopted desirable behaviors sometimes regress to undesirable behaviors after receiving descriptive norms messages due to the type of information provided in the messages. This phenomenon is called the boomerang effect. We aim to conduct a systematic review of boomerang effects on health and environmental sustainability behaviors resulting from exposure to descriptive norms messaging interventions.MethodsWe will employ our search strategy to identify studies of descriptive norms messaging interventions published prior to December 31, 2020. We will search the Cochrane Library, Campbell Library, PsycINFO, PubMed, Social Science Research Network (SSRN), and Web of Science to retrieve peer-reviewed articles published in English. We will restrict inclusion to studies (e.g., randomized and non-randomized controlled trials, quasi-experimental studies, and observational studies) of health and environmental sustainability interventions that assess behaviors before and after exposure to descriptive norms messaging. Two reviewers will independently extract data about study populations and design, intervention components, and behavioral measures. We will use the revised Cochrane Risk of Bias assessment tool (RoB2) and Risk Of Bias in Non-randomized Studies—of Intervention (ROBINS-I) to assess the risk of bias, and the Liverpool Quality Assessment Tool (LQAT) to assess the quality of evidence. We will conduct thematic analyses to codify interventions, and examine intervention effects across subgroups of individuals based on their behavior prior to intervention exposure (e.g., those practicing desirable behaviors vs. undesirable behaviors). We will also conduct moderator analyses to determine whether boomerang effects are contingent upon other factors including intervention framing and delivery modality.DiscussionThis systematic review will provide information about descriptive norms messaging intervention effects across subgroups of individuals and elucidate factors that potentially moderate boomerang effects. The review will yield evidence-based recommendations for the structure and content of descriptive norms messages that can be employed to avoid unintended boomerang effects within the context of health and sustainability programming.Systematic review registrationPROSPEROCRD42020156989
Mapping evidence on HIV status awareness among key and vulnerable populations in sub-Sahara Africa: a scoping review protocol
Authors: Avoka Clement , Adzordor Patience , Bawontuo Vitalis , Akila Diana A. , Kuupiel Desmond 
Published: November 2020

AbstractBackgroundHuman immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) continue to be a major public health issue, especially in sub-Sahara Africa (SSA). Literature shows significant HIV status awareness, testing, and treatment have generally improved among the population since the inception of the UNAIDS 90:90:90 programme. Despite this, it is possible literature gaps exist that require future research to inform in-country programmes to improve the gains post-UNAIDS 90:90:90 programme. This study, therefore, aims to synthesize literature and describe the evidence on HIV status awareness among key and vulnerable populations in SSA focusing on the first UNAIDS 90 since it is essential for treatment initiation.MethodThis systematic scoping review will be guided by the framework proposed by Arksey and O’Malley and improved by Levac and colleagues. Literature searches will be conducted in PubMed, SCOPUS, CINAHL, Google Scholar, and Science Direct from 2016 to 2020. A snowball approach will also be used to search for relevant articles from the reference of all included studies. This study will include both published and grey literature, articles that include HIV key and vulnerable populations, HIV status awareness, and evidence from SSA countries. Two reviewers will independently conduct the abstract and full-text article screening as well as pilot the data extraction form. Thematic content analysis and a summary of the themes and sub-themes will be reported narratively.DiscussionsThe evidence that will be provided by this study may be useful to inform in-country programmes to improve the gains made post-UNAIDS 90:90:90 programme from 2021 onwards. This study also anticipates identifying literature gaps to guide researchers interested in this field of study in the future. Peer review journals, policy briefs, and conference platforms will be used to disseminate this study’s findings.
Estimation of soil loss using remote sensing and GIS-based universal soil loss equation in northern catchment of Lake Tana Sub-basin, Upper Blue Nile Basin, Northwest Ethiopia
Authors: Balabathina Veera Narayana , Raju R. P. , Mulualem Wuletaw , Tadele Gedefaw 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background
Soil erosion is one of the major environmental challenges and has a significant impact on potential land productivity and food security in many highland regions of Ethiopia. Quantifying and identifying the spatial patterns of soil erosion is important for management. The present study aims to estimate soil erosion by water in the Northern catchment of Lake Tana basin in the NW highlands of Ethiopia. The estimations are based on available data through the application of the Universal Soil Loss Equation integrated with Geographic Information System and remote sensing technologies. The study further explored the effects of land use and land cover, topography, soil erodibility, and drainage density on soil erosion rate in the catchment.

Results
The total estimated soil loss in the catchment was 1,705,370 tons per year and the mean erosion rate was 37.89 t ha−1 year−1, with a standard deviation of 59.2 t ha−1 year−1. The average annual soil erosion rare for the sub-catchments Derma, Megech, Gumara, Garno, and Gabi Kura were estimated at 46.8, 40.9, 30.9, 30.0, and 29.7 t ha−1 year−1, respectively. Based on estimated erosion rates in the catchment, the grid cells were divided into five different erosion severity classes: very low, low, moderate, high and extreme. The soil erosion severity map showed about 58.9% of the area was in very low erosion potential (0–1 t ha−1 year−1) that contributes only 1.1% of the total soil loss, while 12.4% of the areas (36,617 ha) were in high and extreme erosion potential with erosion rates of 10 t ha−1 year−1 or more that contributed about 82.1% of the total soil loss in the catchment which should be a high priority. Areas with high to extreme erosion severity classes were mostly found in Megech, Gumero and Garno sub-catchments. Results of Multiple linear regression analysis showed a relationship between soil erosion rate (A) and USLE factors that soil erosion rate was most sensitive to the topographic factor (LS) followed by the support practice (P), soil erodibility (K), crop management (C) and rainfall erosivity factor (R). Barenland showed the most severe erosion, followed by croplands and plantation forests in the catchment.

Conclusions
Use of the erosion severity classes coupled with various individual factors can help to understand the primary processes affecting erosion and spatial patterns in the catchment. This could be used for the site-specific implementation of effective soil conservation practices and land use plans targeted in erosion-prone locations to control soil erosion.
Vitamin C ameliorates tetrahydrocannabinol-induced spermatotoxicity in-vitro
Authors: Alagbonsi Abdullateef Isiaka , Olayaki Luqman Aribidesi 
Published: November 2020

AbstractBackgroundWe investigated the in-vitro effects of vitamin C on delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) -induced reduction in spermatozoa motility and kinematics.MethodsSix rats were used for the study. Semen from each of the 6 rats was randomly divided into 6 groups such that each rat’s semen was in all of the groups. Groups I-III received placebo, THC (1 mM), and vitamin C (5 mM) respectively. Group IV was pre-treated with cannabinoid receptors’ blockers (CBs−) 1 and 2, followed by THC. Groups V and VI received THC and vitamin C, but group VI was additionally pre-treated with CBs−.ResultsThe spermatozoa progressive motility, average path velocity (VAP), curvilinear velocity (VCL), straight-line velocity (VSL), amplitude of lateral head (ALH) and beat cross frequency (BCF) were reduced by THC (6.08 ± 1.16%; 5.64 ± 0.82 μm/s; 6.96 ± 0.74 μm/s; 2.75 ± 0.23 μm/s; 0.31 ± 0.02 μm; and 0.78 ± 0.08 Hz respectively) but increased by vitamin C (51.20 ± 1.32%; 17.90 ± 0.21 μm/s; 25.11 ± 0.96 μm/s; 8.80 ± 0.27 μm/s; 0.75 ± 0.01 μm; and 3.15 ± 0.03 Hz respectively) when compared to control (39.72 ± 0.38%; 13.70 ± 0.29 μm/s; 18.04 ± 0.58 μm/s; 7.54 ± 0.34 μm/s; 0.65 ± 0.02 μm; and 2.79 ± 0.01 Hz respectively). Vitamin C inhibited the THC-induced reduction in these parameters (37.36 ± 0.73%; 10.98 ± 0.45 μm/s; 13.58 ± 0.30 μm/s; 7.11 ± 0.22 μm/s; 0.58 ± 0.01 μm; and 2.60 ± 0.01 Hz respectively) in the absence of CBs−1 and 2, and even caused additional increases in progressive motility (49.54 ± 1.01%), VAP (15.70 ± 0.38 μm/s) and VCL (22.53 ± 0.29 μm/s) above the control levels with CBs−.ConclusionVitamin C ameliorates the THC-induced reduction in spermatozoa motility in-vitro by modulation of their kinematics.
Autonomic balance determines the severity of COVID-19 courses
Authors: Leitzke M. , Stefanovic D. , Meyer J.-J. , Schimpf S. , Schönknecht P. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractCOVID-19 has left mankind desperately seeking how to manage dramatically rising infection rates associated with severe disease progressions. COVID-19 courses range from mild symptoms up to multiple organ failure and death, triggered by excessively high serum cytokine levels (IL 1β, IL 6, TNF α, IL 8). The vagally driven cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway (CAP) stops the action of nuclear factor κB (NF-κB), the transcriptional factor of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Thus, well-balanced cytokine release depends on adequate vagal signaling. Coronaviruses replicate using NF-κB transcriptional factor as well. By degrading the cytoplasmatic inhibitor of NF-κB subunits (IκB), coronaviruses induce unrestricted NF-κB expression accelerating both, virus replication and cytokine transcription.We hypothesize that CAP detriment due to depressed vagal tone critically determines the severity of COVID-19.
Biosynthesis, characterization, and in vitro assessment on cytotoxicity of actinomycete-synthesized silver nanoparticles on Allium cepa root tip cells
Authors: Nayaka Sreenivasa , Chakraborty Bidhayak , Bhat Meghashyama Prabhakara , Nagaraja Shashiraj Kareyallappa , Airodagi Dattatraya , Swamy Pallavi Sathyanarayana , Rudrappa Muthuraj , Hiremath Halaswamy , Basavarajappa Dhanyakumara Shivapoojar , Kanakannanavar Bharati 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background
The industrial production of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and its commercial applications are being considerably increased in recent times, resulting in the release of AgNPs in the environment and enhanced probability of contaminations and their adverse effects on living systems. Based on this, the present study was conducted to evaluate the in vitro cytotoxicity of actinomycete-synthesized AgNPs on Allium cepa (A. cepa) root tip cells. A green synthesis method was employed for biosynthesis of AgNPs from Streptomyces sp. NS-33. However, morphological, physiological, biochemical, and molecular analysis were carried out to characterize the strain NS-33. Later, the synthesized AgNPs were characterized and antibacterial activity was also carried out against pathogenic bacteria. Finally, cytotoxic activity was evaluated on A. cepa root tip cells.

Results
Results showed the synthesis of spherical and polydispersed AgNPs with a characteristic UV-visible (UV-Vis.) spectral peak at 397 nm and average size was 32.40 nm. Energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) depicted the presence of silver, whereas Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) studies indicated the presence of various functional groups. The phylogenetic relatedness of Streptomyces sp. NS-33 was found with Streptomyces luteosporeus through gene sequencing. A good antibacterial potential of AgNPs was observed against two pathogenic bacteria. Concerning cytotoxicity, a gradually decreased mitotic index (MI) and increased chromosomal aberrations were observed along with the successive increase of AgNPs concentration.

Conclusions
Therefore, the release of AgNPs into the environment must be prevented, so that it cannot harm plants and other beneficial microorganisms.
Coronary slow flow in patients with impaired glucose tolerance and insulin resistance
Authors: Metwally Yasser Gaber , Sedrak Heba Kamal , Shaltout Inas Fahiem 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background
The relationship between coronary slow flow (CSF) and insulin resistance (IR) is still a subject of debate with conflicting data. So the aim was to assess the relationship between IR as measured by IR index (HOMA-IR) and coronary slow flow as measured by the TIMI frame count in patients which (impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and IR.

Results
Out of 87 patients enrolled, 64 (73.6%) patients were assigned to the IGT group while 23 (26.4%) patients were assigned to the NGT group. There were significantly higher BMI (30.15 ± 2.29 vs 23.90 ± 2.5, P < 0.001), waist circumference (105.05 ± 9.0.06 vs 92.92 ± 16.5, P < 0.001), and frequency of hypertension (60.9% vs 34.8, P = 0.03). Also, there were significantly higher 2-h post-prandial (hPP) glucose (161 ± 30 vs 110 ± 20, P < 0.05), fasting serum insulin level (9.56 ± 2.5 vs 7.03 ± 2.1, P < 0.001), HDL (40 ± 6.5 vs 49 ± 5.6, P < 0.001), HOMA-IR index (2.84 ± 0.03 vs 1.6 ± 0.05, P < 0.05), and mean TIMI frame count (33 ± 5 vs 26 ± 4, P < 0.001) among the IGT group, while HDL was significantly lower in the IGT group (40 ± 6.5 vs 49 ± 5.6, P < 0.001). There was a highly significant positive correlation between TIMI frame count and HOMA-IR (r = 0.43, P < 0.001); predictors that add significance to the model were age > 50 years, hypertension, high waist circumference, HDL < 35, and HOMA-IR. For HOMA-IR (OR 95% CI = 1.9 (1.05–3.49), P = 0.02 demonstrating that HOMA-IR is a powerful independent predictor of high TIMI frame count (Table 4).

Conclusion
IR is an independent risk factor for slow coronary flow in patients with IGT. Those with evident coronary slow flow, IGT should be managed aggressively even before any evidence of frank diabetes. Also, IR workup should be recommended among the other standard workup for those patients; if documented, targeting IR in such patients should be a priority (whenever possible) while selecting medications for comorbid cardiac disease, as well as using interventions targeted against IR should be considered among the other standard management for slow flow.
Nutrients in finger millet and soil at different elevation gradients in Central Nepal
Authors: Luitel Dol Raj , Siwakoti Mohan , Jha Pramod K. 
Published: November 2020

Abstract

Background
Finger millet, a subsistence food crop, is a unique cereal with high nutritional quality particularly in hilly regions in Nepal. Hence, grain nutrients (protein, calcium, and iron percent) of ten different landraces of finger millet and soil quality (SOC, N, P and K) at different altitudes in central Nepal were analyzed.

Methods
Triplicate finger millet grain samples were collected from ten local landraces cultivated in randomized complete block design (RCBD) experiments at three different elevations (365 m, 1040 m and 1856 m) under the farmer management system for 2 years 2016 and 2017. Similarly, triplicate soil samples were collected from each experiment plot of different elevation. Kjeldahl method was used to determine grain protein and atomic absorption spectrophotometry method was used to determine calcium and iron. Soil nitrogen (N) was estimated by Kjeldahl method, the available phosphorous (P) by a modified Olsen’s method, potassium by Hanway and Heidel method and pH by using digital pH meter.

Results
The protein calcium and iron content in finger millet grain was significantly different (P < 0.05) among the local landraces and elevation levels. In all landraces of finger millet, the grain protein, calcium and iron content was found to increase along the increasing altitude. An average increase of 3.13% protein was found when altitude increased from 365 to 1856 m. However, only 2.04% and 1.09% of average grain protein increased as elevation increased from 365 m to 1040 m and 1040 m to 1856 m, respectively. The average Ca content increased by 0.47% when altitude increased from 365 to 1856 m. Similarly, the average Ca increased by 0.21% and by 0.26% as altitude increased from 365 m to 1040 m, and 1040 m to 1856 m, respectively and an average 0.33% Fe increase was found from 365 to 1856 m altitude. An increase of 0.11% and 0.21% of Fe was found from 365 to 1040 m and from 1040 to 1856 m, respectively. Soils at all experimental sites were acidic. The SOC, P, K of soil also increased with increasing altitude.

Conclusions
This study demonstrated the relationship among nutrients in finger millet (proteins, Ca and Fe), soil components (SOC, N, P and K), and altitudes, with respect to ambient climate. The grain nutrients (Nitrogen, Ca and Fe) of finger millet at higher altitudes were found higher than lower altitudes. Similarly, the temperature and grain nutrients showed strong negative correlation with growing season temperature. This study reveals relations of finger millet nutrients with climatic and soil conditions which are crucial to design the promotion policies of nutrient rich local crops in Nepal.
Gender equality in academic psychiatry in the UK in 2019
Authors: Dhingra Sukriti , Killaspy Helen , Dowling Sarah 
Published: November 2020

Aims and methodTo investigate whether gender balance in academic psychiatry in the UK has improved since a 2005 initiative to encourage career progression for female academics in UK universities. We surveyed the gender of academic psychiatrists across the UK and compared our findings with our previous 2003 London-wide survey and with the Royal College of Psychiatrists’ 2001 workforce census.ResultsThe percentage of women in academic psychiatry posts in the UK more than doubled, from 20% in 2001 to 40% in 2019, with increases at senior lecturer (from 25 to 50%), reader/associate professor (from 29 to 48%) and professor level (from 11 to 21%). Outside London, men occupy 72% of all posts and 89% of professorial posts. Within London, men occupy 45% of all posts and 74% of professorial posts.Clinical implicationsThe representation of women in academic psychiatry has improved but men continue to dominate at professorial level. Gender equality appears worse outside London. The situation is exacerbated by the diminishing availability of posts across the UK.
Factors associated with producing a scientific publication during medical training: evidence from a cross-sectional study of 40 medical schools surveyed in Latin America
Authors: Valladares-Garrido Mario J. , Mejia Christian R. , Rojas-Alvarado Annel B. , Araujo-Chumacero Mary M. , Córdova-Agurto Jhacksson S. , Fiestas Jessica , Rojas-Vilar Feeder J. , Culquichicón Carlos 
Published: November 2020

Background: Scientific publication during medical training is key to promote enduring cutting-edge knowledge. The promotion of science among medical students in Latin America is a multi-sphere issue hampered by the unawareness of governments to invest in national research, as well as a lack of support from local universities. This study aims to determine the factors associated with producing a scientific publication during medical training among Latin American medical students of local scientific societies. Methods: This is a secondary data analysis of a cross-sectional study initially conducted in 2016 to evaluate the use of information and communications technologies (TICs) among medical students of 40 local scientific societies of medical students affiliated to the Latin American Federation of Medical Students Scientific Societies (FELSOCEM, in Spanish). Teams in each local scientific society surveyed self-reported scientific publications and explored its association with socioeconomic, academic, and research training conditions. We included medical students enrolled in the 2016-I term and excluded medical interns. We implemented nested models to identify covariates associated with self-reported scientific publication until reaching a parsimonious mixed-effect multilevel model clustered by medical scientific society. Results: We surveyed 11,587 medical students. The prevalence of scientific publications increased in 36% among medical students affiliated to a Scientific Society of Medical Students [parsimonious prevalence ratio (PRp)=1.36, 95%CI=1.16–1.59], 51% among medical students with advanced English proficiency [PRp=1.51, 95%CI=1.21 – 1.87], 85% among medical students who attended a scientific writing skills course [PRp=1.85, 95%CI=1.59–2.15], 81% among medical students who use Sci-Hub [PRp=1.81, 95%CI=1.50–2.20], and 108% among medical students who have access to a pirated academic account [PRp=2.08, 95%CI=1.83–2.36]. Conclusions: Producing a scientific publication among medical students is associated with being affiliated to a Scientific Society of Medical Students, English proficiency, training in scientific writing, use of Sci-Hub, and pirated academic accounts.
A dataset for the analysis of antibody response to glycan alpha-Gal in individuals with immune-mediated disorders
Authors: de la Fuente José , Urra José Miguel , Contreras Marinela , Pacheco Iván , Ferreras-Colino Elisa , Doncel-Pérez Ernesto , Fernández de Mera Isabel G. , Villar Margarita , Cabrera Carmen M. , Gómez Hernando Cesar , Vargas Baquero Eduardo , Blanco García Javier , Rodríguez Gómez Javier , Velayos Galán Alberto , Feo Brito Francisco , Gómez Torrijos Elisa , Cabezas-Cruz Alejandro , Gortázar Christian 
Published: November 2020

Humans evolved by losing the capacity to synthesize the glycan Galα1-3Galβ1-(3)4GlcNAc-R (α-Gal), which resulted in the development of a protective response mediated by anti-α-Gal IgM/IgG/IgA antibodies against pathogens containing this modification on membrane proteins. As an evolutionary trade-off, humans can develop the alpha-Gal syndrome (AGS), a recently diagnosed disease mediated by anti-α-Gal IgE antibodies and associated with allergic reactions to mammalian meat consumption and tick bites. However, the anti-α-Gal antibody response may be associated with other immune-mediated disorders such as those occurring in patients with COVID-19 and Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS). Here, we provide a dataset (209 entries) on the IgE/IgM/IgG/IgA anti-α-Gal antibody response in healthy individuals and patients diagnosed with AGS, tick-borne allergies, GBS and COVID-19. The data allows correlative analyses of the anti-α-Gal antibody response with factors such as patient and clinical characteristics, record of tick bites, blood group, age and sex. These analyses could provide insights into the role of anti-α-Gal antibody response in disease symptomatology and possible protective mechanisms.