bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Air Quality and Its Relationship with COVID-19 Mortality in Hotspot Places of India: A Post-lockdown Analysis
Authors: Naqvi Hasan Raja , Mutreja Guneet , Shakeel Adnan , Siddiqui Masood Ahsan 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic spread over the world like the wind with more than 400,000 documented cases as of March 24th, 2020. In this regard, strict lockdown measures were imposed in India on the same date to stop the virus spread. Thereafter, various lockdown impacts were observed and one of the immediate effects was a reduction in air pollution levels across the world. In this study, we have selected 14 major hotspot places where the COVID-19 cases were >1000 (as of 1st June 2020) that represents more than 70% mortalities of India. We assessed the impact of lockdown on different air quality indicators including ground (PM2.5, PM10, NO2, SO2, O3, and AQI) and tropospheric nitric oxide (NO2) concentrations through ground monitoring stations and Sentinel-5 satellite data respectively. We have found highest reduction in NO2 (-48.68%), PM2.5 (-34.84%) and PM10 (-33.89%) air pollutant (unit in µg/m3) levels post-lockdown. Moreover, tropospheric NO2 (mol/m2) concentrations were also improved over Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Thane, and Ahmedabad metro cities. Interestingly, air pollutant indicators have been correlated with different periods (as of 1st and 15th June 2020) of COVID-19 mortalities data to assess the bounding between these variables. Accordingly, we have found a strong positive correlation of mortalities data with ground PM10 (R2=0.145; r =0.38) and AQI (R2=0.17; r =0.412) indicators and this relationship has been improved significantly on second time point. The correlation finding suggests that the long-term bad air quality may aggravate the clinical symptoms of the disease.
Automated COVID-19 Detection from Chest X-Ray Images : A High Resolution Network (HRNet) Approach&nbsp;
Authors: Ahmed Sifat , Hossain Tonmoy , Hoque Oishee Bintey , Sarker Sujan , Rahman Sejuti , Shah Faisal Muhammad 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background/ introduction: The pandemic, originated by novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19), continuing its devastating effect on the health, well-being, and economy of the global population. A critical step to restrain this pandemic is the early detection of COVID-19 in the human body to constraint the exposure and control the spread of the virus. Chest X-Rays are one of the non-invasive tools to detect this disease as the manual PCR diagnosis process is quite tedious and time-consuming. Our intensive background studies show that, the works till now are not efficient to produce an unbiased detection result.Method: In this work, we propose an automated COVID-19 classification method, utilizing available COVID and non-COVID X-Ray datasets, along with High Resolution Network (HRNet) for feature extraction embedding with the UNet for segmentation purposes.Results: To evaluate the proposed method, several baseline experiments have been performed employing numerous deep learning architectures. With extensive experiment, we got a significant result of 99.26% accuracy, 98.53% sensitivity, and 98.82% specificity with HRNet which surpasses the performances of the existing models.Conclusions: Finally, we conclude that our proposed methodology ensures unbiased high accuracy, which increases the probability of incorporating X-Ray images into the diagnosis of the disease.
Mental distress and its associations with behavioral outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic: A national survey of Chinese adults
Authors: Ma Lu , Gao Liwang , Lau Joseph Tak-fai , Atif Rahman , Johnson Blair T. , Yan Alice Fang , Shi Zumin , Ding Yixin , Nie Peng , Zheng Jinge , Wang Youfa , Wang Weidong , Xue Qian-Li 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background This study primarily aimed to evaluate the associations between mental distress and COVID-19-related changes in behavioral outcomes, and potential modifiers (age, gender, and educational attainment) of such associations.Methods An online survey using anonymous network sampling was conducted in China during April-May, 2020 using a 74-item questionnaire distributed through social media. A national sample of 10,545 adults in 31 provinces provided data on socio-demographic characteristics, COVID-19-related mental distress, and changes in behavioral outcomes. Structural equation models were used for data analyses.Results About 13% of adults reported experiencing at least one symptom of mental distress. After adjusting for covariates, greater mental distress was associated with increased smoking and alcohol consumption (among current smokers and drinkers) and with both increased and decreased physical activity. Underweight adults were more likely to lose body weight (≥ 1 kg) whereas overweight adults were more likely to gain weight by the same amount. Association between mental distress and change in physical activity was stronger in adults aged 40 and above and those with high education.Conclusions Mental distress was associated with increased smoking in males but not females. These findings inform the design of tailored public health interventions aimed to mitigate long-term negative consequences of mental distress on outcomes.
Mathematical Modelling of COVID-19 Pandemic with Demographic Effects
Authors: Kamara Abdul Alimamy , Mouanguissa Lagès N. , Barasa Godfrey 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
In this paper, an asymptomatic infection transmission Susceptible-Exposed-Infectious-Recovered (SEIR) model with demographic effects is used to understand the dynamics of the COVID-19 pandemics. We calculate the basic reproduction number (R0), and prove the global stability of the model by solving the differential equations of the model using the disease-free equilibrium (DFE) and endemic equilibrium (EE) equations, respectively. We showed that when the R0 less than one or less than and equal to one, and greater than one or greater than and equal to one the DFE and EE asymptotic stability exist theoretically and numerically, respectively. We also demonstrate the detrimental impact of the direct and asymptomatic infections for the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Best Commercial Chemical Disinfectant for Swimming Pools Environments Contaminated With Fungi
Authors: Badiee Parisa , Rouein Sara , Zaravar Foroozandeh , Ghasemi Fatemeh 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background: Swimming pools are contaminated with different microorganisms. This study aimed to investigate the fungal contamination of the swimming pools and detect the susceptibility of the isolated fungi to routinely used disinfectants.Methods: Surface and water samples were collected from different parts of 13 indoor swimming pools. Isolated fungal species were identified based on respective colony morphology, microscopic examination, and RFLP-PCR. Susceptibilities of fungal species to common disinfectants used in swimming pools were investigated, according to M38-A and M27A3 protocols.Results: Of the 795 collected specimens, 2211 isolates from 35 fungal species were identified. The most isolated fungi were filamentous hyaline hyphomycetes (especially Aspergillus spp.), and dematiaceous (especially Cladosporium spp.), followed by Mucorales, Candida species and dermatophyte species. The most contaminated places were shoes changing and dressing rooms. Sodium hypochlorite (bleach) and chloroxylenol (Dettol) were found to be effective against all isolated fungi after 2.5 and 5 minutes, respectively. Isopropyl alcohol (Afrooz disinfectant solution) was not an effect on Aspergillus spp., dematiaceous fungi, and Candida spp. after 10 minutes’ exposure. The efficacy of hydrochloric acid (liqueur de Javel) showed the most fungicidal activity against dermatophytes at all times. Conclusions: For efficient cleaning, the disinfectant must remain on the surfaces for an appropriate period. Sodium hypochlorite was efficient antifungal activity in a shorter time for killing all species of fungi. Given the different sensitivity and resistance profile of fungi to disinfectants, regular assessment of the disinfectants used for cleaning the pools is suggested.
Development of a chiral HPLC method for the separation and quantification of hydroxychloroquine enantiomers
Authors: Chen Yijun , Xiong Xisheng , Wang Kun , Tang Tao , Fang Jinzhi 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Hydroxychloroquine (2-[[4-[(7-Chloroquinolin-4-yl) amino]pentyl](ethyl) amino]-ethanol, HCQ), an effective anti-malarial drug, has been applied in the clinics for potential treatment of severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Although the clinical benefits of HCQ require extensive clinical data to confirm, the existence of a chiral center in the molecule to possess two optical isomers suggests that there might be an enantiomeric difference on the treatment of COVID-19. Due to poor resolution and the inability of quantification by previously reported methods for the analysis of HCQ enantiomers, it is necessary to develop an analytical method to achieve baseline separation for quantitative and accurate determination of the enantiomeric purity in order to compare the efficacy and toxicity profiles of different enantiomer. In this study, we developed and validated an accurate and reproducible normal phase chiral HPLC method for the analysis of two enantiomers of HCQ, and the method was further evaluated with biological samples. With this newly developed method, the relative standard deviation of all analytes was lower than 5%, and the limit of quantification was 0.27 μg/ml, 0.34 μg/ml and 0.20 μg/ml for racemate, R- and S-enantiomer, respectively. The present method provides an essential analytical tool for preclinical and clinical evaluation of HCQ enantiomers for potential treatment of COVID-19.
Generation and Selection of Driver-behavior-based Transferable Motion Primitives
Authors: Guan Haijie , Wang Boyang , Wei Jiaming , Lu Yaomin , Chen Huiyan , Gong Jianwei 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
In order to achieve the integration of driver experience and heterogeneous vehicle platform characteristics in the motion planning algorithm, based on the driver-behavior-based transferable motion primitives, a general motion planning framework for oine generation and online selection of motion primitives (MPs) is proposed. The optimal control theory is applied to solve the boundary value problems in the process of generating MPs, where the driver behaviors and the vehicle motion characteristics are integrated into the optimization in the form of constraints. Moreover, this paper proposes a layered, unequal-weighted MPs selection framework and utilizes the combination of environmental constraints, nonholonomic vehicle constraints, trajectory smoothness, and collision risk as the single-step extension evaluation index. The library of MPs generated oine demonstrates that the proposed generation method realizes the eective expansion of the MP types and achieves the diverse generation of MPs with various velocity attributes and platform types. We also present how the MP selection algorithm utilizes the unique MP library to achieve the online extension of MP sequences. The results show that the proposed motion planning framework can not only improve the eciency and rationality of the algorithm based on driving experience but also can transfer between heterogeneous vehicle platforms and highlight the unique motion characteristics of the platform.
The New Normal of ENT OPD - Adapting Safe Practices.
Authors: Yeolekar Aditya , Bhalerao Sudhir , Bhalerao Maya 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
The COVID-19 epidemic originating in China has spread rapidly worldwide and converted to pandemic proportions in March 2020. In India and densely populated countries like Brazil and USA the numbers are still rising. Clinicians all over the world are trying to contain it by minimizing the cross-transmission of disease among hospital staff members. In the field of Otorhinolaryngology (ENT) the doctors are exposed to high viral load while examining the patients. Therefore contingency plans are required for dealing with patients in outpatient clinics, and while performing diagnostic endoscopies, minor procedures in OPD and surgeries in operating rooms. Infected patients may shed severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV- 2) particles into their environment via body secretions. Therefore, Otolaryngologists should be vigilant. In this submission, we share our experience of an innovative practice plan in redesigning the ENT OPD setup, endoscopy set up and OT so as to reduce the risk of transmission of virus not only to doctors but other healthcare workers. We hope that our modifications will serve as a guide for every Otolaryngologist throughout India towards performing their clinical duties confidently without any apprehension and ensuring adequate safety during this testing times in their small set-up/ clinical establishments.
First Principle Study of Silver Nanoparticles Interactions with Antimalarial Drugs Extracted from Artemisia Annua Plant
Authors: Akbari Mahmood , Morad Razieh , Maaza Malik 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Silver nanoparticles have a great potential in a broad range of applications such as drug-delivery carriers because of their antiviral and antibacterial properties. In this study, the coating properties of silver nanoparticle with three common anti-malarial drugs Artemisinin, Artemether, and Artesunate have been studied by using the quantum mechanical and classical atomistic molecular dynamics simulation in order to use as the drug delivery to treat Malaria and COVID-19 diseases. The optimized structure, frequencies, charge distribution and the electrostatic potential maps of three drug molecules were simulated by using the density functional theory (DFT) at the B3LYP/6-311++g(d,p) level of theory. Then molecular dynamics simulation was used to study the coating of AgNP with each of these drugs. The affinity of interaction was obtained as; Artesunate > Artemether > Artemisinin which is in agreement with the DFT results on the adsorption of drugs on the Ag(111) slab.
Proteinuria in COVID-19: prevalence, characterization and prognostic role
Authors: Huart Justine , Bouquegneau Antoine , Lutteri Laurence , Erpicum Pauline , Grosch Stéphanie , Résimont Guillaume , Wiesen Patricia , Bovy Christophe , Krzesinski Jean-Marie , Thys Marie , Lambermont Bernard , Misset Benoit , Pottel Hans , Mariat Christophe , Cavalier Etienne , Burtey Stéphane , Jouret François , Delanaye Pierre 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background: Proteinuria has been commonly reported in patients with COVID-19, suggesting a renal involvement in this infection. However, only dipstick tests have been used thus far. Here, the quantification and characterization of proteinuria and hematuria are investigated. Their potential association with mortality was assessed. Methods: This retrospective, observational and monocentric study includes 153 patients hospitalized with COVID-19 between March 28th and April 30th 2020, in whom total proteinuria and urine α1-microglobulin (a marker of tubular injury) have been measured. Association with mortality was evaluated with a follow-up until May 7th 2020. Results: According to the Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes staging, 14% (n=21) had stage 1 proteinuria (<150 mg/g of urine creatinine), 42% (n=64) had stage 2 (between 150 and 500 mg/g) and 44% (n=68) had stage 3 (over 500 mg/g). Urine α1-microglobulin concentration was higher than 10 or 15 mg/g in 94% and 89% of patients, respectively. After a median follow-up of 27 [14;30] days, the mortality rate reached 18%. Total proteinuria and urine α1-microglobulin (as continuous and/or categorical variables) were associated with mortality in unadjusted and adjusted models. This association was even stronger in subgroups of patients with normal renal function or without urinary catheter. Conclusions: Proteinuria is frequent in patients with COVID-19. Its characterization suggests a tubular origin with increased urine α1-microglobulin. Tubular proteinuria seems associated with mortality in COVID-19.
An Improved Method for in Vitro Feeding of Dermanyssus Gallinae (Poultry Red Mite) Using Baudruche Membrane (Goldbeater’s Skin).
Authors: Nunn Francesca G , Baganz Jessica , Bartley Kathryn , Hall Sarah , Burgess Stewart , Nisbet Alasdair J. 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background: Dermanyssus gallinae, or poultry red mite (PRM), is one of the most economically important ectoparasites in laying hens worldwide with infestations leading to both welfare and economic issues. Research into the testing and validation of novel vaccines and systemic acaricides to control PRM initially requires the use of in vitro methodologies before using in vivo assessments. In vitro methods to date have either involved PRM feeding on hen blood through biological membranes such as chick skin, which can be difficult to obtain and variable in quality, or through synthetic membranes that are unsatisfactory due to breakage and lack of natural feeding cues. The use of hen blood in these systems also requires multiple procedures (bleeds) to provide sufficient material for experimental replicates and the potential for using other species, from which larger blood volumes can be withdrawn in a single procedure (e.g. geese), could improve this technique as a refinement in the use of animals in research.Methods: Using adult female PRM, an initial experiment with an existing in vitro feeding device employing a Parafilm™ M membrane [1] was used to investigate any differences in mite feeding, egg laying and mortality when fed goose or hen blood. Subsequently, any effects on these parameters when PRM were fed through two different membranes; Parafilm™ M and Baudruche membrane, and a combination of these membranes with an overlaid polyester mesh to promote mite attachment, were then tested using goose blood as the food source.Results: PRM fed equally well on goose or hen blood through a Parafilm™ M membrane and there were no statistically significant differences in mortality of PRM fed with either blood type, although a significant increase (p = 0.03) in eggs laid per fed mite when using goose blood was demonstrated, indicating that goose blood is a satisfactory replacement for hens blood. A 70% increase in PRM feeding was observed when mites were fed on goose blood through a Baudruche membrane when compared to the Parafilm™ M membrane. Addition of an overlaid polyester mesh did not further improve feeding rates on either membrane. A significant increase (p = 0.04) in PRM egg laying was observed in mites fed on goose blood through Baudruche membrane, compared to those fed through Parafilm™ M. A mean of 1.22 eggs per fed mite was obtained using the Baudruche feeding device compared to only 0.87 eggs per fed mite using the Parafilm™ M device when neither had a polyester mesh overlay. It was noted that PRM feeding through Baudruche membrane had fed to repletion when compared to those fed through Parafilm™ M.Conclusion: The in vitro feeding of poultry red mite can be readily facilitated through the use of goose blood in feeding devices with Baudruche membrane.
Commercial and public payer opioid analgesic prescribing policies: A case study
Authors: Arfken Cynthia L , Lehr Victoria Tutag 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background: One strategy to address the high number of U.S. opioid-related deaths is to restrict high-risk or inappropriate opioid analgesic prescribing and dispensing. Federal and state laws and regulations have implemented restrictions but less is known about commercial and public payers’ policies aside from clinician anecdotal reports that these policies are increasing. To assess the number and types of policies with temporal trends, we examined commercial and public (Medicaid) payer policies in one state, Michigan, that has high opioid-related deaths and implemented opioid analgesic prescribing laws. Between 2015 and 2018 claims paid by commercial payers dropped 30.5% and 15.2% for public payer, suggesting the impact of federal and state laws and regulations, media, advocacy groups, education, and payer policies. Methods: Policies for seven large commercial payers and the public payer for 2012-2018 were reviewed and categorized by actions. Joinpoint regression was used to summarize temporal trends on number of policies for all payers and commercial and public payer subgroups. Results: Across the seven years, there were 529 action policies (75.57 (95% confidence intervals (CI) 35.93, 115.22) actions per year) with a range of 36 to 103 actions by payer. Limitations on number of days for initial prescriptions being most frequently implemented policy (83 policies and implemented at least once by all eight payers). The least frequently used policy was incentives to providers which was implemented once by one payer. The temporal trend showed a decline in new policies from 2012 to 2013 but a steady increase from 2014 to 2018 (average annual percent change=29.6% (95% confidence intervals 13.2%, 48.5%). The public payer (implemented 47 policies) showed no increase in number of policies over time (AAPC=2.9% (95% CI -41.6%, 61.6%). Conclusions: The eight commercial and public payers implemented many new policies to restrict opioid analgesic prescribing with a steady increase in the number of such policies implemented from 2014 to 2018. This case study documented that at least in one state with high opioid-related deaths and multiple commercial payers, new and different policies were increasingly implemented challenging clinicians providing patient care and researchers determining the impact. Key words : opioid prescribing, commercial insurance, public insurance, policies, regulations, temporal trends
Surprising protective mechanisms against severe forms of COVID-19 infection among Common Variable Immunodeficiency Patients- one center experience.
Authors: Petricau Carina , Nedelea Irena , Deleanu Diana 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
In this report we aimed to present the nonthreatening experience of patients diagnosed with Common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) included in the National Rare Disease Program registry and consulted at the Immunology department of the Regional Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology “Prof Dr. Octavian Fodor” during the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic as well as to review the current understanding of COVID-19 immunopathology followed by possible protective mechanisms against severe infection in these highly susceptible individuals. We report clinical and laboratory results of patients in a single-center retrospective study after lockdown restrictions were partially lifted (May-June 2020) and patients were able to come into the hospital for routine check-up and immunoglobulin replacement treatment. Of the 49 patients consulted during this period, we identified only one asymptomatic patient with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, supporting recently published data that not all immune compromised patients are at increased risk. According to recent publications the virus induces an inflammatory response leading to a cytokine storm responsible for severe complications. CVID patients seem to be protected from severe forms of this severe virus through reduced viral susceptibility, deficient B lymphocyte response, loss of Interleukin-6 (IL-6) receptor and impaired toll-like receptor pathway activation. Despite being at high risk for other infectious disease, in the context of SARS-CoV-2 induced pandemic, CVID patient’s lack of immune response is their protection against the dangerous macrophage hyper-activation resulting cytokine storm consequences.