bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prevalence and Associated Risk Factors of Dehydration among Pregnant Women in Southern Nigeria
Authors: Ekpenyong Christopher E. , Udokang Nsikak E. , Inyang Comfort A. 
Published: May 2020

Background: Despite available evidences that pregnant women are specific vulnerable target population for dehydration and the importance of adequate hydration to both the mother and the developing fetus, studies assessing the prevalence and associated risk factors of dehydration among pregnant women are limited.
Aim: The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence and associated risk factors of dehydration among pregnant women in Uyo metropolis, Southern Nigeria.
Methods: A total of 316 pregnant women from selected obstetric centers in Uyo Metropolis met the inclusion criteria and were evaluated for socio-demographics, lifestyle-related behaviors and urinary specific gravity using standard instruments. Mean values were calculated and used for the determination of the hydration status of the participants. Univariate analysis was used to assess the relationship between socio-demographic variables and lifestyle related behaviours and prevalence of dehydration. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to determine odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence interval for factors associated with dehydration in pregnancy.
Results: About 14.6% of the pregnant women were dehydrated, and factors associated with high prevalence of dehydration were age between 26 and 35 years, being married, urban residence, acquiring a tertiary education and income between 20,000 and 50,000 naira. Others were, null-parity, third trimester of pregnancy, physically active, poor dietary habits, alcohol consumption, inadequate water intake and short sleep duration. Inadequate water intake (1-2 cups of water) (OR=6.10,C.I=2.029-18.360) or 5-7cups of water (OR=4.04,C.I=1.385-11.785), consumption of mostly high carbohydrate diets (OR=3.55,C.I=1.003-12577), consumption of mostly high protein diets (OR=3.25,C.I=1.893-11.844) and craving for strange foods(OR=3.71, C.I=1.563-8.81) significantly increased the odds for dehydration among the participants.
Conclusion: Demographic, obstetric and lifestyle-related factors drive the high prevalence of dehydration among pregnant women and should be considered in designing intervention programs to prevent dehydration among pregnant women in our communities.
Lithofacies, Palynostratigraphy and Paleoecology of the Outcropping Rock Succession at Ogbunike Old Toll Gate, Niger Delta Basin, Nigeria
Authors: Onuigbo E. N. , Okoro A. U. , Okolo C. M. , Okeke H. C. 
Published: May 2020

Aim: Sedimentary succession exposed at Ogbunike old toll gate is part of the outcropping sediments of the Niger Delta Basin and its age is controversial. The outcrop was studied for the purpose of age determination, lithostratigraphic placement and interpretation of paleoecology, paleoclimatology and depositional environment.
Methodology: Lithofacies and biofacies analyses were integrated in the study.
Results: Thirteen lithofacies identified include; bioturbated sandstone, ripple laminated sandstone, ripple laminated claystone, dark shale, ferruginized sandstone, carbonaceous sandstone, greyish shale, very fine sandstone, mudstone, massive claystone, coarse sandstone, cross bedded sandstone and flaser bedded sandstone lithofacies. Four lithofacies associations consisting of lower shoreface to inner neritic, fluvial channel, lagoonal/mixed flat and subtidal sandwave associations were delineated. Middle Eocene age is assigned to the succession based on the high abundance of marker pollen such as Margocolporites foveolatus, Ctenelophonidites costatus, Monocolpites marginatus, Retibrevitricolporites triangulatus, Proxapertites cursus, Bombacacidites sp. and common occurrences of Scrabratisporites simpliformis, Anacolosidites luteoides, Psilatricolporites crassus, Gabonisporis viaourouxii, Striatricolporites catatumbus and Retistephanocolporites williamsi. These co-occur with Cordosphaeridium cantharellus. Palynofloral group recovered are dominated by mangrove and palm pollen. Pteridophyte spores are also abundant whereas the hinterland pollen group is very low. Benthic foraminiferal assemblages of Textularia, Miliammina,Ammobaculites Haplophragmoides, Fursenkoina, Heterolepa, Reophax, Nodosaria, Florilus, Uvigerina, Cibicides and Bolivina recovered from the dark shale suggest deposition in an inner neritic setting. Trace fossil suite of Skolithos- Cruziana ichnofacies is an attribute of the sedimentary units.
Conclusion: The sedimentary succession is part of the Ameki Group (Nanka Formation) deposited under varied environmental setting. Paleoclimate is tropical.
Polyethylene Biodegradation Potentials of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Micrococcus sp. Isolated from Waste Dumps and Farmlands in Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria
Authors: Chigor Vincent , Nwankwo Chidiebele , Ogbodo Uchenna , Ugwu Joseph 
Published: May 2020

Background: Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE) are plastic materials extensively used in packaging, constituting recalcitrant environmental pollutants that defy natural degradation processes.
Aim: This study isolated bacteria from a Nigerian environment and assessed their potential for LDPE biodegradation.
Methods: Using standard procedures, Bacteria were isolated from polythene samples collected from farmlands and waste dump sites in Nsukka metropolis. Mineral salt medium (MSM) was prepared, with LPDE as sole carbon source, and used for isolation. Optical density (OD600 nm) was used to study bacterial growth on LDPE as sole carbon source as proof of biodegradation. Both organisms demonstrated steady growth on LDPE over time.
Results: Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Micrococcus sp. were identified based on morphological and biochemical characteristics. Ability to grow on LDPE as a sole carbon source was studied as evidence of polyethylene biodegradation. Organisms were inoculated into MSM and incubated at 37°C and 50°C for 15 days. Maximum growth was recorded after 15 days of incubation for both organisms. P. aeruginosa and Micrococcus sp. showed steady growth at 37°C as well as 50 ⁰C. Micrococcus sp. recorded highest growth; 0.324 nm and 0.312 nm at 37°C and 50°C respectively, after 15 days. Similarly, P. aeruginosa recorded highest growth of 0.40 nm and 0.258 nm for 37°C and 50°C respectively. LDPE degradation increased with increase in time.
Conclusion: This study demonstrates the enormous polyethylene-degrading potentials of P. aeruginosa and Micrococcus sp. isolated from Nsukka, Nigeria.
Recent advances in understanding catalysis of protein folding by molecular chaperones
Authors: Balchin David , Hayer‐Hartl Manajit , Hartl F. Ulrich 
Published: May 2020

Molecular chaperones are highly conserved proteins that promote proper folding of other proteins in vivo. Diverse chaperone systems assist de novo protein folding and trafficking, the assembly of oligomeric complexes, and recovery from stress‐induced unfolding. A fundamental function of molecular chaperones is to inhibit unproductive protein interactions by recognizing and protecting hydrophobic surfaces that are exposed during folding or following proteotoxic stress. Beyond this basic principle, it is now clear that chaperones can also actively and specifically accelerate folding reactions in an ATP‐dependent manner. We focus on the bacterial Hsp70 and chaperonin systems as paradigms, and review recent work that has advanced our understanding of how these chaperones act as catalysts of protein folding.
Establishment of gene pools for systematic heterosis exploitation in sugarcane breeding
Authors: Mendes de Paula Thiago Otavio , Brasileiro Bruno Portela , Cursi Danilo Eduardo , de Freitas Edjane Gonçalves , dos Santos João Messias , de Resende Marcos Deon Vilela , Kimbeng Collins , Pereira Barbosa Márcio Henrique 
Published: May 2020

AbstractIn sugarcane (Saccharum spp) breeding, despite the potential use of reciprocal recurrent selection (RRS) to explore both nonadditive and additive effects for economic value traits, to date, no publications have targeted obtaining heterotic groups to support this selection strategy. The aim of this study was to (a) to identify sugarcane gene pools to effectively explore nonadditive and additive genetic effects via reciprocal recurrent selection, (b) estimate genetic parameters, and (c) select parents and cross combinations. Seventy‐nine sugarcane families were obtained from crossing 38 parents in a crossing scheme known as disconnected factorial design. The families were evaluated in randomized complete block design with five replicates. The statistical genetic analysis was performed with linear mixed models through restricted maximum likelihood/best linear unbiased predictor. The results revealed that nonadditive effects were predominant in explaining genetic variation for cane yield (t ha−1), pol yield (t ha−1), and fiber yield (t ha−1). For brix, fiber and corrected Pol (PCC) traits, additive effects were predominant. Estimates of specific combining ability and pedigree information allowed the establishment of gene pools for systematic heterosis exploitation through RRS breeding efforts. The prediction of the additive genetic values of parents for selection based on the progeny's behavior obtained via disconnected factorial design is an alternative that should be used in sugarcane breeding programs.
Longer incubation period of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) in older adults
Authors: Kong Tak‐kwan 
Published: May 2020

AbstractObjectiveThe aim of this study was to explore any age‐related change in the incubation period of COVID‐19, specifically any difference between older (aged ≥65 years) and younger adults.MethodsBased on online data released officially by 21 Chinese cities from January 22 to February 15, 2020, the incubation period of COVID‐19 patients who had travelled to Hubei was studied according to age. Previous studies were reviewed and compared.ResultsThe study recruited 136 COVID‐19 patients who had travelled to Hubei during January 5‐31, 2020, stayed for 1‐2 days, and returned with symptom onset during January 10‐February 6, 2020. The median age was 50.5 years (range 1‐86 years), and 22 patients (16.2%) were aged ≥65 years. The age‐stratified incubation period was U‐shaped with higher values at extremes of age. The median COVID‐19 incubation period was 8.3 (90% confidence interval [CI], 7.4‐9.2) days for all patients, 7.6 (90% CI, 6.7‐8.6) days for younger adults, and 11.2 (90% CI, 9.0‐13.5) days for older adults. The 5th/25th/75th/90th percentiles were 2.3/5.3/11.3/14.2 days for all, 2.0/5.0/10.5/13.2 days for younger adults, and 3.1/7.8/14.4/17.0 days for older adults. There were 11 published studies on COVID‐19 incubation periods up to March 30, 2020, reporting means of 1.8‐7.2 days, and medians of 4‐7.5 days, but there was no specific study on the effect of age on incubation period. One study showed that severe COVID‐19 cases, which included more elderly patients, had longer incubation periods.ConclusionBased on 136 patients with a travel history to Hubei, the epicenter of COVID‐19, the COVID‐19 incubation period was found to be longer in older adults. This finding has important implications for diagnosis, prevention, and control of COVID‐19.
Association between type 2 diabetes mellitus & TCF7L2 gene variants in the Emirati population: Genetics of diabetes in the United Arab Emirates
Authors: Khan Saad M. , El Karte Nora , El Hajj Chehadeh Sarah , Hassoun Ahmed , Afandi Bachar , Tay Guan K. , Alsafar Habiba 
Published: May 2020

AbstractObjectiveType 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has a multifactorial etiology involving a complex interplay between genes and the environment. The prevalence of T2DM among the countries of the Gulf Corporation Council (GCC), including the United Arab Emirates (UAE), ranks among the top 15 in the world. A number of studies have shown an increase in T2DM risk for the “TT” genotype at the rs4506565 and rs12255372 Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNP) of the TCF7L2 gene. However, the association between TCF7L2 and T2DM still needs to be investigated in the UAE population. Therefore, this study analyzed the potential associations with rs4506565 and rs12255372 in UAE subjects.MethodsFor this case‐control study, T2DM patients (n = 890) and healthy subjects (n = 686) were genotyped using a Taqman Real‐Time PCR assay. Statistical analysis was performed with the resulting data using the R (version 3.3.1) and STATA (version 13) software packages.ResultsThe rs12255372 SNP was significantly associated with T2DM (OR = 1.16, 95% CI = 1.00‐1.34; P = .042). However, no significant association was found for the rs4506565 SNP (P = .120). After gender stratification, a significant association was found for both SNPs in males (Prs4506565 = .009 and Prs12255372 = .021). Interestingly, we found the interaction between the SNP rs4506565 with gender alone (P = .032) and in conjunction with BMI and age (P = .036) confers associations with T2DM.ConclusionsThese findings suggest that the genetic variants of the TCF7L2 gene are associated with an increased susceptibility to T2DM, especially in Emirati males. Our study also highlights the impact of biological and environmental risk factors including age, BMI, and gender on the genetic susceptibility to T2DM.
Association between longest‐held occupation and Social Security Disability Insurance benefits receipt
Authors: Asfaw Abay , Pana‐Cryan Regina , Quay Brian 
Published: May 2020

AbstractIntroductionThe cost of the Social Security Disability Insurance (DI) program has increased over time though recent reports showed that disability incidence and prevalence rates have started declining. We explored whether occupation was one of the risk factors for the rising number of disabled workers who received DI benefits during 1992‐2016.MethodsWe used a cohort of 16 196 Health and Retirement Survey respondents between the age of 51 and 64 years who were followed from their date of entry until they received DI benefits, died, reached full retirement age, or reached the end of the follow‐up period (2016). We used the extended stratified Cox proportional hazard model. Because one‐third of the respondents in our cohort did not report their longest‐held occupation, we used a multiple‐imputation method.ResultsThe hazard of receiving DI benefits was 51%, 78%, 81%, and 85% higher among workers with longest‐held occupations in sales, mechanics and repair, protective services, and personal services, respectively than among workers with longest‐held occupations in the reference managerial occupation. The hazard of receiving DI benefits was more than double among workers with longest‐held occupations in the construction trade and extractors, transportation operation, machine operators, handlers, and food preparation than among workers with the longest‐held occupation in the reference managerial occupation.ConclusionImproving the overall working conditions in these occupations would help reduce worker suffering and the number of applicants for DI benefits, thereby reducing the burden of workplace injury and illness on the DI program.
Hematologic malignancy in tanker crewmembers: A case‐referent study among male Swedish seafarers
Authors: Forsell Karl , Björ Ove , Järvholm Bengt , Nilsson Ralph , Andersson Eva 
Published: May 2020

AbstractBackgroundWork on Swedish petroleum tankers before the late 1980s has been associated with an increased risk of hematologic malignancy (HM). Since then, ship modernizations have decreased occupational exposure to gases, including the carcinogen benzene. We explored the risk of HMs in Swedish seafarers who had worked on newer types of tankers.MethodsA case‐referent study in male seafarers from a cohort of all Swedish seafarers was set up by record linkage with the Swedish Cancer Registry using the subjects' personal identification number. For each case (N = 315), five referents were randomly chosen from within the cohort, matched by birth year and three different periods of first sea service (<1985, 1985‐1991, and ≥1992). Information on the type of ship and dates of service was retrieved from the Swedish Seafarers' Registry. Odds ratios (OR) were calculated by conditional logistic regression together with 95% confidence intervals (CI).ResultsThe OR of HM was 1.07 (95% CI, 0.80‐1.42) for work on tankers. In seafarers that had started to work on tankers ≥1985, the OR was 0.85 (95% CI, 0.50‐1.43). For those who started to work on tankers before 1985, the OR was 1.17 (95% CI, 0.84‐1.21) and 1.32 (95% CI, 0.86‐2.03) if the cumulative time on tankers exceeded 5 years of service. In this last group, the OR of multiple myeloma was 5.39 (95% CI, 1.11‐26.1).ConclusionAlthough limited by crude exposure contrast and a short follow‐up, work on tankers after 1985 was not associated with an increased risk of HM among Swedish seafarers.
Demographic considerations in analyzing decedents by usual occupation
Authors: Peterson Cora , Schumacher Pamela K. , Steege Andrea L. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractBackgroundPublic health research uses decedents’ usual industry and occupation (I&O) from US death certificates to assess mortality incidence and risk factors. Of necessity, such research may exclude decedents with insufficient I&O information, and assume death certificates reflect current (at time of death) I&O. This study explored the demographic implications of such research conditions by describing usual occupation and current employment status among decedents by demographic characteristics in a large multistate data set.MethodsDeath certificate occupations classified by Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) (ie, compensated occupation) and other categories (eg, student) for 36 507 decedents (suicide, homicide, other, undetermined intent) age 22+ years from the 2016 National Violent Death Reporting System's (NVDRS) 32 US states were analyzed. Decedents not employed at the time of death (eg, laid off) were identified through nondeath certificate NVDRS data sources (eg, law enforcement reports).ResultsFemale decedents, younger (age < 30 years) male decedents, some non‐White racial group decedents, less educated decedents, and undetermined intent death decedents were statistically less likely to be classified by SOC based on death certificates—primarily due to insufficient information. Decedents classified by SOC from death certificates but whose non‐death certificate data indicated no employment at the time of death were more often 30+ years old, White, less educated, died by suicide, or had nonmanagement occupations.ConclusionsWhether decedents have classifiable occupations from death certificates may vary by demographic characteristics. Research studies that assess decedents by usual I&O can identify and describe how any such demographic trends may affect research results on particular public health topics.
A Blinking Mesoporous TiO2−x Composed of Nanosized Anatase with Unusually Long‐Lived Trapped Charge Carriers
Authors: Zhang Tao , Low Jingxiang , Yu Jiaguo , Tyryshkin Alexei M. , Mikmeková Eliška , Asefa Tewodros 
Published: May 2020

AbstractA mesoporous TiO2−x material comprised of small, crystalline, vacancy‐rich anatase nanoparticles (NPs) shows unique optical, thermal, and electronic properties. It is synthesized using polymer‐derived mesoporous carbon (PDMC) as a template. The PDMC pores serve as physical barriers during the condensation and pyrolysis of a titania precursor, preventing the titania NPs from growing beyond 10 nm in size. Unlike most titania nanomaterials, during pyrolysis the NPs undergo no transition from the anatase to rutile phase and they become catalytically active reduced TiO2−x. When exposed to a slow electron beam, the NPs exhibit a charge/discharge behavior, lighting up and fading away for an average period of 15 s for an extended period of time. The NPs also show a 50 nm red‐shift in their UV/Vis absorption and long‐lived charge carriers (electrons and holes) at room temperature in the dark, even long after UV irradiation. The NPs as photocatalysts show a good activity for CO2 reduction.
Investigation of characteristic and performance of polyvinyl chloride ultrafiltration membranes modified with silica‐oriented multi walled carbon nanotubes
Authors: Mahmoudi Chahrazed , Demirel Elif , Chen Yongsheng 
Published: May 2020

AbstractThe complicated and dynamic nature of membrane fouling is one of the most challenging issues that need to be addressed to obtain an efficient membrane. In this work, silica‐oriented multiwalled carbon nanotubes (Si‐MWCNTs) are synthesized by the sol–gel method and characterized using several analytical techniques. Novel polyvinyl chloride (PVC) ultrafiltration membranes are fabricated by incorporation of Si‐MWCNT nanoparticles at varying loading levels (0–2 wt%) using the phase inversion method. Membrane morphology, chemical composition, thermal behavior, crystallinity, roughness, hydrophilicity, and mechanical strength are characterized and filtration performance is tested to compare the results with those of pristine PVC membranes. The results reveal that the addition of 0.5% Si‐MWCNT nanoparticles into the casting solution exhibits the highest flux (400 L/m2h), sodium alginate (SA) rejection rate (96%), and flux recovery ratio (93%) due to having the highest hydrophilicity, an improved structure, and surface properties revealed by surface morphology and bulk property analysis. Furthermore, the results of dynamic mechanical and nanoindentation analyses confirm that mechanical properties such as hardness, Young's modulus, and stiffness of the pristine membrane are significantly improved by the addition of Si‐MWCNT nanoparticles.
From head to hind: Elucidating function through contrasting morphometrics of ancient and modern pedigree dogs
Authors: Schoenebeck Jeffrey J. , Hamilton‐Dyer Sheila , Baxter Ian L. , Schwarz Tobias , Nussbaumer Marc 
Published: May 2020

AbstractUsed together, caliper‐ and geometric‐based morphometric analyses provide complimentary approaches to classifying form and function of archaeozoological remains. Here we apply these analytical tools to the skeletal remains of an ancient male dog unearthed from a rural farm settlement of Roman date near present day Warmington, United Kingdom. Our comparisons of the Warmington Roman dog against the morphological characteristics of modern dog breeds enabled us to establish the former's size and shape. It was of medium stature. Analysis of viscerocrania and neurocrania indicate it falls within the meso‐ to dolichocephalic rankings of modern dogs. The neurocranium shape and the dimensions of its long bones strongly suggest that the Warmington dog shares similarities to modern sight hounds. Historically sight hounds were bred for speed, as necessitated of a hunter that runs down small prey. Our analysis suggests that the Warmington dog was likely bred for, or derived from, Roman hunting stock. By revealing the Warmington Roman dog's form from cranial and postcranial analyses, we shed light on Roman life in one of the furthest outposts of the Roman Empire.