bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Determination of Biological Activities of the Root Bark of Senna singueana
Authors: Hilawea Kidanemariam Teklay , Desta Zelalem Yibralign 
Published: June 2020

Aims: Senna singueana is a medicinal plant which is used for the treatment of different kinds of diseases and the plant was selected for the study because of its numerous uses. The main objective of this study was to determine the antioxidant and antibacterial activity of the extracts of the root barks of S. singueana.
Methodology: The antibacterial activities of the extracts (determination of Minimal Inhibitory “MIC” and Minimal Bactericidal Concentration “MBC”) were determined by using agar well diffusion method. In addition to this the total flavonoid and total phenolic contents were determined by using aluminum chloride colorimetric complex assay and Folin-Ciocalteu method respectively.
Results: Our results revealed that the total flavonoid content of the extracts is ranged from 30.39 mgQE/100 g to 240.83 mgQE/100 g. The extracts also showed good antioxidant activity and total phenolic content as well as weak to moderate antibacterial activity against some bacteria.
Conclusions: The extracts of the root bark of Senna sinueana showed good total flavonoid content, DPPH radical scavenging activity and antibacterial activity. In addition to this, the extracts also showed the presence of some important compounds by phytochemical analysis.
Serological and Molecular Characterisation of Cucumber mosaic virus Infecting Lagenaria siceraria L. in Adim, Biase L.G.A., Cross River State, Nigeria
Authors: Eyong O. I. , Owolabi A. T. , Mofunanya A. A. J. , Ekpiken E. E. 
Published: June 2020

Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) is one of the most important viral pathogens infecting a wide range of plant species in Nigeria. Mosaic and mottle symptoms were observed on Lagenaria siceraria L. in Adim Southern-Nigeria in 2018 and the infected leaves collected for investigation. This research was aimed at characterising the virus responsible for this infection with a view to identifying it. Antigen coated plate (ACP) enzyme linked-immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and gene sequencing were employed methods in the characterisation process. The Amplified Complementary Deoxyribonucleic Acid (cDNA) was cloned and the nucleotide sequence was determined. Result of serology revealed that the virus belonged to the genus Cucumovirus while the gene sequence obtained when compared to known virus sequences present in the GenBank using the Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLAST) program available at National Centre for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) revealed 97% sequence homologue with Cucumber mosaic virus confirming it as Cucumber mosaic virus. This is the first report of CMV infecting L. siceraria in Nigeria. I recommend further studies on insect and host range test of this virus be carried on.
Annona muricata: Comparative Assessment of the Antibacterial Activities of the Leaf and Stem Extracts against Multiple Antibiotic Resistant Clinical Isolates
Authors: Agunloye O. O. , Onifade A. K. 
Published: June 2020

This study was conducted to determine the antibacterial effect of crude extracts of Annona muricata, comparing the leaf and stem bark extracts using the same extraction solvents. The bacteria isolates were obtained from the hospital. The isolates obtained are Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus mirabilis and Streptococcus pyogene; they were confirmed using standard techniques. Multiple antibiotic-resistant was confirmed in the isolates after antibiotic susceptibility testing. Extracts were prepared from the leaf and stem of A. muricata using ethanol, chloroform, cold water and hot water. The antibacterial activities of the crude extracts were assayed using the agar well diffusion method. The phytochemical screening revealed the presence of saponins, Tannins and flavonoid especially in the ethanol extracts of both leaf and stem part of the plant. All the extract showed varying degrees of antibacterial activities. Chloroform and Hot water rated best for antibacterial activities in this study. A. muricata stem hot water extract has zones of inhibition that ranges from 16.003 ± 0.009 mm to 1.000± 0.006 mm. A. muricata leaf hot water extract has antibacterial effect with zones ranging from 14.500± 0.009 mm to 1.000± 0.006 mm across the isolates. Cold water extracts recorded the lowest zones of inhibition from this study for the stem and Bark antibacterial activities. The stem of A. muricata has higher inhibitory effect on the test isolates compared to the leaf of A. muricata.
Physico-Chemical Properties of Water Yam and Cowpea Flour Blends for Production of Snacks
Authors: Nwafor J. O. , Kanu A. N. , Kelechukwu E. C. , Nwohu N. O. , Ezebuiro V. N. 
Published: June 2020

Aim: The aim of this study is to produce flour from different blend ratio of water yam and cowpea and determination of the physico chemical properties of the snacks produced from the flour blends.
Introduction: Snacks are something consumed occasionally for pleasure rather than for nutritive purpose. They are mainly produced by wheat flour. Wheat flour, the main ingredient for production of snacks are imported and thus, the cost of importation of wheat flour eat deep into the Nigeria economy and has placed a considerable burden on the foreign exchange reserve, in the long run causes increase in wheat products. Furthermore, over consumption of wheat products leads to celiac disease associated with immunological disease of the upper intestine triggered by the ingestion of gluten containing cereals. Production of alternative flour to wheat flour can be a welcome idea. Cereal has high nutritional value and it has an appreciable protein content.
Study Design: The physico chemical analysis was carried out at the biochemistry laboratory of National Root Crop Research Institute Umudike.
Methodology: The water yam (Dioscorea alata) and cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) flours were prepared and they were used for water yam/ cowpea blend at different ratio of (ie 100%:0, 90:10, 80:20, 70:30, 60:40 and 50:50). The 100% water yam was the control sample. Functional properties and proximate composition of the samples were determined.
Results and Discussion: According to the result generated from the sensory evaluation, it was discovered that yam/ cowpea blend in the ration of 50:50, 60:40 and 70:30 were more acceptable than the other samples. This can be related to the high content of cowpea in the samples.
Conclusion: The yam /cowpea blend in the concentration of 50; 50 was more preferred than the other samples by the panelist. As a means of nutritional balance yam fortified with cowpea can boost the protein intake of population consuming yam as its main staple.
Sand spit dynamics in a large tidal‐range environment: Insight from multiple LiDAR, UAV and hydrodynamic measurements on multiple spit hook development, breaching, reconstruction, and shoreline changes
Authors: Robin Nicolas , Levoy Franck , Anthony Edward J. , Monfort Olivier 
Published: June 2020

AbstractSand spits with distal hooks have been well documented from coasts with low to moderate tidal ranges, unlike high tidal‐range environments. Datasets from 15 LiDAR and 3 UAV surveys between 2009 and 2019 on the Agon spit in Normandy (France), a setting with one of the largest tidal ranges in the world (mean spring tidal range: 11 m), combined with in‐situ hydrodynamic records between 2013 and 2017, highlight a three‐stage pattern of spit hook evolution. Stage 1 (2009–2013) commenced with the onshore migration and attachment of a swash bar, followed by persistent spit accretion updrift of the bar and erosion downdrift because of the slow speed of bar migration in this large tidal‐range environment. In stage 2 (2013–2016), three overwash events and a 220 m‐wide breach culminating in the total destruction of the spit during winter 2015–2016 involved the landward mobilization of thousands of cubic metres of sand. These events occurred during short durations (a few hours) when spring high tides coincided with relatively energetic waves, underscoring the importance of storms in rapid spit morphological change. Strong spring tidal currents maintained the breach. Stage 3 (2016–2019) has involved new hook construction through welding of a swash bar and spit longshore extension, highlighting the resilience of the spit over the 10‐year period, and involving a positive sediment balance of 244 000 m3. The three stages bring out, by virtue of the temporal density of LiDAR and UAV data used, a high detail of spit evolution relative to earlier studies in this macrotidal setting. The large tidal range strongly modulates the role of waves and wave‐generated longshore currents, the main process drivers of spit evolution, by favouring long periods of inertia in the course of the spring–neap tidal cycle, but also brief episodes of significant morphological change when storm waves coincide with spring high tides. © 2020 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The strange case of less C‐sections: Hospital ownership, market concentration, and DRG‐tariff regulation
Authors: Berta Paolo , Martini Gianmaria , Piacenza Massimiliano , Turati Gilberto 
Published: June 2020

AbstractWe evaluate the relationship between hospital ownership and responses to a policy providing large financial incentives for vaginal deliveries and financial disincentives for C‐sections. We compare for‐profit, nonprofit, and public hospitals operating in a public health care system organized according to the quasi‐market model. We first theoretically show that hospital ownership matters insofar different hospitals are characterized by different ethical preferences. We also show that competition makes ownership less important. We then consider the case study of Lombardy in Italy. We exploit spatial variation in hospital ownership and in market concentration at the local level to evaluate the relationship between ownership and the probability of C‐section. According to theory, empirical results strongly suggest that competitive pressures from alternative providers tend to homogenize behaviors. However, in local monopolies, in presence of a strong monetary incentive toward vaginal deliveries, we do observe less C‐section from private for‐profit hospitals than from public and private nonprofit hospitals, especially when C‐sections are medically appropriate.
An evaluation of the effect of tube potential on clinical image quality using direct digital detectors for pelvis and lumbar spine radiographs
Authors: Peacock Nicole E , Steward Adam L , Riley Peter J 
Published: June 2020

AbstractIntroductionHigh kVp techniques, 15% or 10‐kVp rules, are well‐known dose reduction methods. Traditionally, the use of high tube potential (i.e. increased kVp) is associated with decreased radiographic contrast and overall image quality. Recent studies suggest contrast and image quality are not heavily reliant on kVp with digital systems. This study aims to assess the effects of the high tube potential technique on clinical radiographic image quality when using digital systems, to validate high kVp as a dose saving technique.MethodsA selection of comparable pelvis and lumbar spine radiographs were collected from the hospital’s picture archiving and communication system (PACS), with technical factors recorded. All clinical radiographs were assessed by 5 senior radiographers using a 15‐point visual grading analysis (VGA) rubric.ResultsFor 40 AP pelvis radiographs and 40 lateral lumbar spine radiographs, reduction in the dose area product (DAP) with higher kVp is seen. Average pelvis DAP at 75 kVp = 14.06 mGy.cm2; 85 kVp = 7.47 mGy.cm2. Average lumbar spine DAP at 80 kVp = 15.76 mGy.cm2; 90 kVp = 14.83 mGy.cm2. Image quality and contrast scores showed no statistically significant difference between the high and low kVp groups (z = 0.06 and 0.12, respectively). Average pelvis VGA score at 75 kVp = 11.26; 85 kVp = 12.55. Average lumbar spine VGA score at 80 kVp = 9.23; 90 kVp = 10.64.ConclusionsThe high tube potential techniques allowed for reduced patient radiation doses whilst showing no degradation of diagnostic image quality in a clinical setting. This study successfully validates the high kVp technique as a useful tool for reducing patient radiation doses whilst maintaining high diagnostic image quality for digital pelvis and lumbar spine radiography.
Land degradation along a climatic gradient in Mali: Farmers' perceptions of causes and impacts
Authors: Touré Ibrahim , Larjavaara Markku , Savadogo Patrice , Bayala Jules , Yirdaw Eshetu , Diakite Adama 
Published: June 2020

AbstractLand degradation (LD) in Mali is prevalent and leads to an enduring environmental and humanitarian crisis. Farmers' ecological knowledge has proven to be a valuable tool in addressing its challenges. How farmers perceive LD affects how they deal with induced risks, and their responses to these perceptions will shape restoration options and outcomes. Therefore, this study assessed farmers' perceptions of LD along a climatic gradient in three regions of Mali. We interviewed 270 farmers, and we analyzed their responses using descriptive statistics and Spearman rank‐order correlation. We found that the respondents were aware of LD and have identified its key indicators and its impacts on their livelihoods. Moreover, we found that farmers' perceptions are not influenced by gender, age, or education level, but rather by agricultural training, participation in agricultural labor, the practice of fallowing, shortage of firewood, livestock, household size, appearance of some plant species and famine. Additionally, farmers' perceptions of LD vary along the climatic gradient as they correlate to different variables in each agro‐ecological zone. LD's impacts, however, decrease in severity along the north–south gradient, although they are linked to the same variables. As LD is seen through a reduction of ecosystem services provisioning capacity because of the local communities' heavy dependence on natural resources, actions should be geared towards agronomic and vegetative land management options. Such actions should prioritize context‐specific soil and water conservation techniques and proven indigenous practices.
“It wasn't just for me”: Motivations and implications of genetic testing for women at a low risk of hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome
Authors: Gill Gulvir , Beard Catherine , Storey Kirsty , Taylor Shelby , Sexton Adrienne 
Published: June 2020

AbstractObjectiveGenetic testing for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC) due to pathogenic variants in BRCA1 or BRCA2 is why most women present to familial cancer centers. Despite being assessed as low risk for HBOC, many women proceed with genetic testing. This study explored the genetic testing experiences of unaffected women at low risk of HBOC to clarify what motivates these women to have testing, and what are the implications of the results.MethodsA qualitative approach was taken. Participants included women who had genetic testing for HBOC from 2016‐2018 at the Parkville Familial Cancer Centre in Melbourne, Australia. In‐depth, semi‐structured interviews were conducted, and thematic analysis was undertaken on transcripts; transcripts were coded, codes were organized into a hierarchical system of categories/subcategories, and key themes were identified.ResultsAnalysis of 19 transcripts identified five themes: family underpinned all motivators for HBOC genetic testing; health professionals were influential throughout the process; participants were planning for a positive result; results influenced screening‐anxiety and frequency; and negative results gave participants relief in many different ways. The three participants with positive results reported feeling shocked at the results and empowered giving this information to family members.ConclusionsWomen at low HBOC risk may be motivated to seek genetic testing, and access to this is increasingly offered through non‐genetic health professionals. Professionals can support clients through genetic testing by recognizing familial experiences, providing accurate information, addressing risk perceptions, and understanding cancer anxiety felt by many women.
Optimal design and seismic performance of Multi‐Tuned Mass Damper Inerter (MTMDI) applied to adjacent high‐rise buildings
Authors: De Domenico Dario , Qiao Haoshuai , Wang Qinhua , Zhu Zhiwen , Marano Giuseppe 
Published: June 2020

SummaryThe tuned mass damper inerter (TMDI) is an enhanced variant of the tuned mass damper (TMD) that benefits from the mass‐amplification effect of the inerter. Here, a multi‐TMDI (MTMDI) system (comprising more than one TMDI) linking two adjacent high‐rise buildings is presented as an unconventional seismic protection strategy. The relative acceleration response of the adjacent structures triggers large reaction forces of the inerter devices in the MTMDI, which in turn efficiently improve the seismic performance of the two buildings. By addressing a real project of two adjacent high‐rise buildings connected by two corridors equipped with the proposed MTMDI system, the displacement‐, interstory drift‐, and acceleration‐based parametric optimizations are separately performed by employing Nondominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm II (NSGA‐II) under 44 ground motions from the FEMA P695 far‐field record set. It is found that the frequency content of the seismic input has strong impact on the MTMDI mitigation performance. Adopting realistic mass ratio constraints, the optimally designed MTMDI outperforms both conventional MTMD and single TMDI in acceleration control, while it is not much effective in mitigating the displacement response due to the highly flexible nature of the high‐rise buildings, in contrast to other literature studies generally focused on low‐to‐medium rise buildings.
How CD40L reverse signaling regulates axon and dendrite growth
Authors: Carriba Paulina , Davies Alun M. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractCD40-activated CD40L reverse signaling is a major physiological regulator of axon and dendrite growth from developing hippocampal pyramidal neurons. Here we have studied how CD40L-mediated reverse signaling promotes the growth of these processes. Cultures of hippocampal pyramidal neurons were established from Cd40−/− mouse embryos to eliminate endogenous CD40/CD40L signaling, and CD40L reverse signaling was stimulated by a CD40-Fc chimera. CD40L reverse signaling increased phosphorylation and hence activation of proteins in the PKC, ERK, and JNK signaling pathways. Pharmacological activators and inhibitors of these pathways revealed that whereas activation of JNK inhibited growth, activation of PKC and ERK1/ERK2 enhanced growth. Experiments using combinations of pharmacological reagents revealed that these signaling pathways regulate growth by functioning as an interconnected and interdependent network rather than acting in a simple linear sequence. Immunoprecipitation studies suggested that stimulation of CD40L reverse signaling generated a receptor complex comprising CD40L, PKCβ, and the Syk tyrosine kinase. Our studies have begun to elucidate the molecular network and interactions that promote axon and dendrite growth from developing hippocampal neurons following activation of CD40L reverse signaling.
A comprehensive overview of substrate specificity of glycoside hydrolases and transporters in the small intestine
Authors: Elferink Hidde , Bruekers Jeroen P. J. , Veeneman Gerrit H. , Boltje Thomas J. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractThe human body is able to process and transport a complex variety of carbohydrates, unlocking their nutritional value as energy source or as important building block. The endogenous glycosyl hydrolases (glycosidases) and glycosyl transporter proteins located in the enterocytes of the small intestine play a crucial role in this process and digest and/or transport nutritional sugars based on their structural features. It is for these reasons that glycosidases and glycosyl transporters are interesting therapeutic targets to combat sugar related diseases (such as diabetes) or to improve drug delivery. In this review we provide a detailed overview focused on the molecular structure of the substrates involved as a solid base to start from and to fuel research in the area of therapeutics and diagnostics.
Well-Posedness and Stability Results for Some Periodic Muskat Problems
Authors: Matioc Bogdan-Vasile 
Published: June 2020

AbstractWe study the two-dimensional Muskat problem in a horizontally periodic setting and for fluids with arbitrary densities and viscosities. We show that in the presence of surface tension effects the Muskat problem is a quasilinear parabolic problem which is well-posed in the Sobolev space$$H^r({\mathbb {S}})$$Hr(S)for each$$r\in (2,3)$$r∈(2,3). When neglecting surface tension effects, the Muskat problem is a fully nonlinear evolution equation and of parabolic type in the regime where the Rayleigh–Taylor condition is satisfied. We then establish the well-posedness of the Muskat problem in the open subset of$$H^2({\mathbb {S}})$$H2(S)defined by the Rayleigh–Taylor condition. Besides, we identify all equilibrium solutions and study the stability properties of trivial and of small finger-shaped equilibria. Also other qualitative properties of solutions such as parabolic smoothing, blow-up behavior, and criteria for global existence are outlined.
Well-Posedness of Strong Solutions to the Anelastic Equations of Stratified Viscous Flows
Authors: Liu Xin , Titi Edriss S. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractWe establish the local and global well-posedness of strong solutions to the two- and three-dimensional anelastic equations of stratified viscous flows. In this model, the interaction of the density profile with the velocity field is taken into account, and the density background profile is permitted to have physical vacuum singularity. The existing time of the solutions is infinite in two dimensions, with general initial data, and in three dimensions with small initial data.
Epidemiology and outcome of rib fractures: a nationwide study in the Netherlands
Authors: Peek Jesse , Beks Reinier B. , Hietbrink Falco , De Jong Mirjam B. , Heng Marilyn , Beeres Frank J. P. , IJpma Frank F. A. , Leenen Loek P. H. , Groenwold Rolf H. H. , Houwert Roderick M. 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Purpose
Rib fractures following thoracic trauma are frequently encountered injuries and associated with a significant morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to provide current data on the epidemiology, in-hospital outcomes and 30-day mortality of rib fractures, and to evaluate these results for different subgroups.

Methods
A nationwide retrospective cohort study was performed with the use of the Dutch Trauma Registry which covers 99% of the acutely admitted Dutch trauma population. All patients aged 18 years and older admitted to the hospital between January 2015 and December 2017 with one or more rib fractures were included. Incidence rates were calculated using demographic data from the Dutch Population Register. Subgroup analyses were performed for flail chest, polytrauma, primary thoracic trauma, and elderly patients.

Results
A total of 14,850 patients were admitted between 2015 and 2017 with one or more rib fractures, which was 6.0% of all trauma patients. Of these, 573 (3.9%) patients had a flail chest, 4438 (29.9%) were polytrauma patients, 9273 (63.4%) were patients with primary thoracic trauma, and 6663 (44.9%) were elderly patients. The incidence rate of patients with rib fractures for the entire cohort was 29 per 100.000 person-years. The overall 30-day mortality was 6.9% (n = 1208) with higher rates observed in flail chest (11.9%), polytrauma (14.8%), and elderly patients (11.7%). The median hospital length of stay was 6 days (IQR, 3–11) and 37.3% were admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU).

Conclusions
Rib fractures are a relevant and frequently occurring problem among the trauma population. Subgroup analyses showed that there is a substantial heterogeneity among patients with rib fractures with considerable differences regarding the epidemiology, in-hospital outcomes, and 30-day mortality.