bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Can medication mitigate the need for a strict lock down?: A mathematical study of control strategies for COVID-19 infection
Authors: Ali Mohsin , Imran Mudassar , Khan Adnan 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
BackgroundCOVID-19 is a pandemic that has swept across the world in 2020. To date the only effective control mechanisms were non-pharmaceutical interventions, however there have been encouraging reports regarding possible medication in the literature, with emergency approval given to some drugs in various countries.MethodsWe formulate a deterministic epidemic model to study the effects of medication on the transmission dynamics of Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19). We are especially interested in how the availability of medication could change the necessary quarantine measures for effective control of the disease. We model the transmission by extending the SEIR model to include asymptomatic, quarantined, isolated and medicated population compartments.ResultsWe calculate the basic reproduction number R0 and show that for R0<1 the disease dies out and for R0>1 the disease is endemic. Using sensitivity analysis we establish that R0 is most sensitive to the rates of quarantine and medication. We also study how the effectiveness and the rate of medication along with the quarantine rate affect R0. We devise optimal quarantine, medication and isolation strategies, noting that availability of medication reduces the duration and severity of the lock-down needed for effective disease control.ConclusionOur study also reinforces the idea that with the availability of medication, while the severity of the lock downs can be eased over time some social distancing protocols need to be observed, at least till a vaccine is found. We also analyze the COVID-19 outbreak data for four different countries, in two of these, India and Pakistan the curve is still rising, and in he other two, Italy and Spain, the epidemic curve is now falling due to effective quarantine measures. We provide estimates of R0 and the proportion of asymptomatic individuals in the population for these countries.
Inhibitory control training improves ADHD symptoms and externalizing behavior
Authors: Nejati Vahid , Fallah Fateme 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background: The majority of cognitive and behavioral deficit in children with attention deficit- hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) originates form the impaired inhibitory control. Methods: In the present study, thirty preschoolers with ADHD are requited in an experimental design in two equal control and intervention groups. The Color- word Stroop test, GO/No- Go task, Swanson, Nolan, and Pelham Rating Scale, and Child Behavior Checklist were used for assessment in baseline, after intervention, and one- month follow- up sessions. The program for attentive rehabilitation of inhibition and selective attention (PARISA) was used for intervention in 12-15 sessions. Results: The result found improvement in prepotent inhibition and interference control in intervention group. Furthermore, the hyperactivity/ impulsivity symptoms were ameliorated and the externalizing behavioral problem were improved after intervention. Conclusion: The inhibitory control in preschooler with ADHD is trainable and the benefit of training could be transferred to the ADHD symptoms and externalizing behavior.Trial registration: IR.IAU.TMU.REC.1398.046.
Immune Normalization Strategy Against Suboptimal Health Status: Safe and Effective Mixed-Natural Killer Cell Therapy
Authors: Li Ying , Fu Shihu , Xing Fuyuan , Wu Huanwan , Wang Juan , Chen Aihua , Ren Xinhua , Peng Dawei , Ling Xia , Shi Ming , Wu Hongjin 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background: Immune normalization has emerged as a new paradigm in immunotherapy, which is proposed in cancer patients instead of the traditional immune enhancement therapy. The immune normalization strategy may also be implemented in cancer prevention of sub-healthy individuals.Methods: We established in vitro cultured mixed-Natural Killer cells (NKM), which could be used to achieve immune normalization. We defined the sub-healthy individuals after analyzing the PD-1 ratio in PBMCs from 95 donors over 50 years of age.Results: NKM were composed by approximately 20% NK cells (CD3-CD16+ or CD56+), 30% NKT-like cells (CD3+CD16+ or CD56+) and other T cells. The in vitro cytotoxicity of NKM was ten times higher than the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). NKM cytotoxicity was negatively correlated with the ratio of regulatory T cells (CD3+CD4+ T), and positively correlated with the ratio of NK cells, especially CD56brightCD16bright NK cells. We found the sub-healthy individuals displayed significantly higher ratio of CD3+PD-1+ T cells in PBMC (Ratio > 4%) and higher ratio of CD3+CD8+PD-1+ T cells in CD3+CD8+ T cells (Ratio > 10%) than the healthy controls. Then, we evaluated the potential clinical application of NKM therapy in one pancreatic cancer patient and four sub-healthy individuals.Conclusions: NKM therapy showed good tolerance and no side effects were found. In sub-healthy individuals, the ratio of CD3+PD-1+ T cells and CD3+CD8+PD-1+ T cells was significantly reduced after NKM treatment, which indicated that NKM therapy could potentially be used for cancer prevention and health care, thereby achieving the immune normalization.Trial registration: International Research Center for Regenerative Medicine, BIH-2018-1001. 01 August 2018, BOAO International Hospital.International Research Center for Regenerative Medicine, BIH-2018-1002. 01 August 2018, BOAO International Hospital.
Gender differences in self-harm and drinking behaviors among middle school students in Beijing, China
Authors: Li Chai-Quan , ZHANG Jing-Shu , MA Shang , Ruo-Ran LV , DUAN Jia-Li , LUO Dong-Mei , YAN Xiao-Jin , MA Ning , SONG Yi 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background: Self-harm and drinking were both serious problems in adolescents and many studies presented evidence of their association. However, gender difference in this association was seldom deeply discussed. Our study was aimed to evaluate the prevalence of self-harm and explore its association with drinking behaviors by gender and investigate the extent to which the gender differences exist in the association between self-harm and drinking.Methods: A total of 32362 students in grades 7 to 12 were anonymously surveyed using two-stage, stratified probability proportion sampling in Beijing, China. Self-harm, drinking behaviors and other basic information were obtained from anonymous questionnaire. Demographic variables and indicators of self-harm as well as drinking behaviors were analyzed with chi-square test and Gamma test between genders and the gender difference in this association was analyzed by log-binomial regression. Results: The total prevalence of self-harm was 13.7% with no significant gender difference (B=0.352, P=0.553). The prevalence of self-harm decreased with age in girls (G=-0.163, P<0.001). Self-harm was associated with drinking behaviors in both boys and girls. The Log-binomial regression demonstrated that girls in 15-19 years were at lower risk of self-harm than girls in 10-14 years while no age difference in boys. The higher OR for self-harm was found among girls with early drinking experiences compared with boys (1.863 vs 2.565). Girls who ever drunk (1.636 vs 2.211), were currently drinking (2.122 vs 3.400) and binge drinking (3.924 vs 6.357) had greater risk for self-harm than boys. Gender differences in self-harm were found at the following reasons of drinking, feeling down (4.402 vs 5.742), customary chronic drinking (3.945 vs 5.460), feeling delighted (1.806 vs 2.615), drinking with peers (1.797 vs 2.693). Conclusion: Self-harm has significant positive association with drinking among middle school students and girls with drinking behaviors were at higher risk of suffering self-harm. Identifying adolescents’ drinking behaviors is of vital importance to self-harm prevention and special attention should be focused on younger girls.
COVID- 19 Screening by RT-PCR: An Epidemiological Modelling
Authors: Hasab Ali A. 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background: Given the attention on COVID-19 testing and its role in helping to halt the spread of COVID-19 Pandemic, wider testing is urgently needed for successful pandemic control. The level of the test’s performance is also important for effective management of the different stages of the pandemic.Objectives: To study the impact of RT-PCR testing in control of COVID-19 Pandemic and validity of RT-PCR as a predictor for COVID- 19 diseaseMethods: The data was collected essentially by using secondary data. All cases and deaths in WHO Situation Reports and total tests in Worldometer were included in the study. Wolfram Player 12 software was used for the Susceptible Infected Recovered (SIR) epidemic dynamics of COVID-19. Survival analysis was carried out to determine the cumulative proportional survival of COVID-19 in Egypt. Six studies discussing the validity of RT-PCR was also reanalyzed. Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to study the diagnostic performance of RT-PCR.Results: There was a negative correlation between both case fatality rate of COVID-19 and reproductive rate with RT-PCR tests performed . This difference is significant (r = - 0.307 and. – 0.361) respectively. RT-PCR had a sensitivity of 61.19%, Specificity 94.75%% and an accuracy of 76.72%. The area under the ROC (AUC) for RT-PCR was 0.780.Conclusion and recommendation: RT-PCR testing will continue to be needed. It reduced the case fatality and reproduction rates of COVID-19 Pandemic. The AUC for RT-PCR is less than optimal. The combination of clinical symptoms, exposure history and CT must be considered to identify COVID-19 with higher sensitivity.
Co-infection of SARS-COV-2 and influenza A virus: a case series and fast review
Authors: Xiang Xuan , Wang Zi-Hao , He Xin-Liang , Wei Xiao-Shan , Ma Yan-Ling , Li Hui , Chen Long , Wang Xiao-Rong , Zhou Qiong 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background: COVID-19 has become a global pandemic. Studies about SARS-CoV-2 co-infection with influenza A virus (IAV) in the influenza season will contribute to the antiviral interventions of co-infected patients.Methods: A cohort of 145 COVID-19 patients in Wuhan union hospital were reviewed and we found 2 patients were co-infected with both SARS-CoV-2 and IAV. Then we searched from PubMed, Web of Science and CNKI with combinations of the following key words: “COVID-19, SARS-COV-2, influenza A and co-infection” from January 1 up to May 1, and 6 studies were included in this descriptive analysis. Results: Of the 13 co-infected patients, 2 were from Wuhan union hospital, another 11 were collected from the reports published on PubMed, Web of Science and CNKI. Of the 13 patients, the median age was 50 years (IQR, 40.5-67.5). Among the 13 patients, 7 (53.8%) were severe types. The most common symptoms among the 13 patients were cough (100%), fever (92.3%) and dyspnea (76.9%). 8 patients had lymphocytopenia on admission and all the 13 patients had abnormal radiological changes. The median time from symptom onset to hospital admission was 4.5 days (IQR, 2.75-5.5), and the median time of hospital stay was 17 days (IQR,15-20). Conclusion: Patients with both SARS-COV-2 and IAV infection showed similar changes in symptoms and radiological images with patients infected with SARS-COV-2 only. SARS-COV-2 co-infection with IAV can lead to more severe clinical condition but had similar hospital stay compared with patients infected with SARS-COV-2 only in the fast review.
ClearTrachoma: Evaluation of a Novel Molecular Rapid Diagnostic Device for the Detection of Chlamydia Trachomatis in Trachoma-Endemic Areas
Authors: Derrick Tamsyn R , Sandetskaya Natalia , Pickering Harry , Kölsch Andreas , Ramadhani Athumani , Mafuru Elias , Massae Patrick , Malisa Aiweda , Mtuy Tara , Burton Matthew J , Holland Martin J , Kuhlmeier Dirk 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background: The clinical signs of active trachoma are often present in the absence of ocular Chlamydia trachomatis infection, particularly following mass drug administration. Treatment decisions following impact surveys and in post-control surveillance for communities are currently based on the prevalence of clinical signs, which may result in further unnecessary distribution of mass antibiotic treatment and the increased spread of macrolide resistance alleles in ‘off-target’ bacterial species. We therefore developed a simple, fast, low cost diagnostic assay (DjinniChip) for diagnosis of ocular C. trachomatis for use by trachoma control programmes.Methods: The study was conducted in London, Germany and Tanzania. For clinical testing in Tanzania, specimens from a sample of 350 children between the ages of 7 to15 years, which were part of a longitudinal cohort that began in February 2012 were selected. Two ocular swabs were taken from the right eye. The second swab was collected dry, kept cool in the field and archived at -80oC before sample lysis for DjinniChip detection and parallel nucleic acid purification and detection/quantification by qPCR assay. Results: Djinnichip was able to reliably detect >10 copies of C. trachomatis per test and correctly identified 7/10 Quality Control for Molecular Diagnostics C. trachomatis panel samples, failing to detect 3 positive samples with genome equivalent amounts £10 copies. Djinnichip performed well across a range of typical trachoma field conditions and when used by lay personnel using a series of mock samples. In the laboratory in Tanzania, using clinical samples the sensitivity and specificity of DjinniChip for C. trachomatis was 66% (95% CI 51–78) and 94.8 (95% CI 91–97%) with an overall accuracy of 90.1 (95% CI 86.4 – 93). Conclusions: DjinniChip performance is extremely promising, particularly its ability to detect low concentrations of C. trachomatis and its usability in field conditions. The DjinniChip requires further development to reduce inhibition and advance toward a closed system. DjinniChip results did not vary between local laboratory results and typical trachoma field settings, illustrating its potential for use in low-resource areas to prevent unnecessary rounds of MDA and to monitor for C. trachomatis recrudescence.
CKS2 Predicts A Poor Prognosis and Contributes to Malignant Progression of Pancreatic Cancer
Authors: Chen Qiuyang , Fu Yue , Liu Xinchun , Wang Peng , Dai Shangnan , Zhu Xiaole , Zhu Feng , Liu Tongtai , Xu Wenbin , Wu Junli , Miao Yi 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background: Cyclin-dependent kinase subunit 2 (CKS2) has been reported to promote various malignancies. This study aims to investigate the prognostic significance and functional role of CKS2 in pancreatic cancer.Methods: The analysis of abnormal expression genes and prognosis value on pancreatic cancer by Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis (GEPIA) database and immunohistochemical staining of 64 samples of tumors. CCK-8 assay, EdU staining, colony formation, flow cytometry, wound healing assay, transwell assay, and a xenograft tumor model were used to analyze the biological function of CKS2 in pancreatic cancer. Western blotting was performed to explore the mechanisms underlying the effect of CKS2 on cell cycle progression and apoptosis.Results: A significantly higher expression of CKS2 was found in pancreatic cancer compared with adjacent normal tissues and high CKS2 expression indicated poor prognosis in patients with pancreatic cancer. Moreover, functional assays revealed that CKS2 knockdown suppressed cell proliferation, migration and invasion ability, induced cell cycle G2/M phase arrest and apoptosis in vitro and reduced tumor growth in vivo. In addition, CKS2 knockdown increased the expression of Bax, caspase-3, P53, P21 and GADD45α, but decreased the expression of Bcl-2, Cyclin B1, CDK1, Cyclin A, and Cdc25C. CKS2 overexpression obtained the opposite results to CKS2 knockdown.Conclusions: Our findings suggested that CKS2 may act as a promising prognostic indicator and therapeutic target for the treatment of pancreatic cancer.
Integrated optimization of structure and control parameters for the height control system of a vertical spindle cotton picker
Authors: Chen Xingzheng , Li Congbo , Hu Rui , Liu Ning , Zhang Chi 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Vertical picking method is a predominate method used to harvest cotton crop. However, a vertical picking method may cause spindle bending of the cotton picker if spindles collide with stones on the cotton field. Thus, how to realize a precise height control of the cotton picker is a crucial issue to be solved. The objective of this study is to design a height control system to avoid the collision. To design it, the mathematical models are established first. Then a multi-objective optimization model represented by structure parameters and control parameters is proposed to take the pressure of chamber without piston, response time and displacement error of the height control system as the optimization objectives. An integrated optimization approach that combines optimization via simulation, particle swarm optimization and simulated annealing is proposed to solve the model. Simulation and experimental test results show that the proposed integrated optimization approach can not only reduce the pressure of chamber without piston, but also decrease the response time and displacement error of the height control system.
Dengue virus-like particles serotype-3 production in silkworm larvae and its capability eliciting a humoral immune response in mice model
Authors: Umoto Doddy Irawan Setyo , Pambudi Sabar , Sjatha Fithriyah , Kato Tatsuya , Park Enoch Y. 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
To develop monovalent dengue virus -like particle for serotype 3 (DENV-LP/3), two kinds of structural polyprotein constructs, DENV-3 Capsid-premembrane-Envelope (DENV-3CprME) and premembrane-Envelope (DENV-3prME), have been prepared and expressed using silkworm and Bm5 cells. The expressed PA-tagged 3CprME and 3prME polypeptides were partially purified by PA-tag affinity chromatography and found the molecular weights of 85 and 75 kDa, respectively. Expressed proteins were verified using the anti-PA tag antibody, DENV premembrane polyclonal antibody, and DENV envelope polyclonal antibody, as primary antibody separately. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) image revealed these DENV-3CprME and 3prME formed a rough spherical shaped dengue virus-like particles (DENV-LP/3CprME and DENV-LP/3prME), respectively, with a diameter of 30–55 nm. The heparin-binding assay demonstrated that these DENV-LPs contain Envelope Domain (ED) III on the surface of each DENV-LP. Both DENV-LPs showed the affinity to sera from human dengue patients and immunized-mice. Immunization of DENV-LP/3prME to mice induced a significantly higher of antibodies level to itself than that of DENV-LP/3CprME. These results indicate that DENV-LP/3prME is suitable as a vaccine candidate compared to DENV-LP/3CprME.
Robustness of IoT-connected e-Taps for sustainable service delivery of rural water supply
Authors: Ingram Will , Memon Fayyaz Ali 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
‘e-Taps’ monitor flow at rural water points in sub-Saharan Africa and enhance revenue collection using pre-paid tags. Real-time, high temporal resolution e-Tap usage data are available to service providers. In this paper, the robustness of the e-Tap is evaluated in the laboratory regarding (1) accuracy of the flow meter and (2) the flow rate reduction caused by addition of a y-strainer and debris build-up. An average relative error of +3.63% across varying flow rates is found. A general calibration will bring 95.45% of measurements within a ±4.54% error range. In the y-strainer, smaller gauze sizes, smaller debris sizes, and higher debris loads cause greater flow rate reductions. The maximum reduction observed was only approximately 68% of the baseline flow rate. These physical findings can be integrated into software solutions to management problems.
Simulations of breakthrough curves for fixed-bed column adsorption of Cobalt (II) ions on spent tea leaves
Authors: Tesfagiorgis Kibrewossen , Navarro Abel E. , Chen Bow Ming , Herrera Nicholas , Hernandez Joel , González-Álvarez Álvaro , Sy Savane Ousmane 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
The objective of this study is to model the breakthrough adsorption curves of Co (II) ions using spent tealeaves in fixed-bed column experiments. Spent leaves of green tea (GT), peppermint tea (PM) and chamomile (CM) were packed in glass columns with a diameter of 2 cm and height of 15 cm, and used as filters for the removal of the pollutant. Aqueous solutions of Cobalt (II) ions (100 mg/L) at pH 6 were prepared and pumped against gravity through the columns at a uniform flow rate of 5 mL/min. Breakthrough curves were fitted for the residual concentration data using the Thomas, Yoon-Nelson, and Clark models, with added empirical terms to delineate the lower tail of the breakthrough curve. These mathematical models were successfully linearized using the natural logarithm for parameter estimation. The results reveal that the Co (II) adsorption fits all three models for all the adsorbents. The Thomas model indicated that the calculated adsorption capacities followed the trend: PM &gt; GT &gt; CM with values of 59.7, 25.2, and 24.9 mg/g respectively. Moreover, CM showed the highest adsorption rates with all the mathematical models, whereas Yoon-Nelson theory provided evidence that PM has the longest 50% adsorption breakthrough among the adsorbents. Lastly, morphological and textural studies indicate that all spent leaves are good candidates as adsorbents due to their high surface heterogeneity. This study proposes the use of spent tealeaves as Co (II) adsorbents because they are inexpensive and environmentally beneficial.
The Spectrum of Thiazolidinediones against Respiratory Tract Pathogenic Bacteria: An In Vitro and In Silico Approach
Authors: Al Bratty Mohammed , Hakami Ayman Q. , Masmali Hatim A. , Alam Md. Shamsher , Alhazmi Hassan A. , Thangavel Neelaveni , Najmi Asim , Moni Sivakumar S. , Haque Anzarul 
Published: June 2020

Background and Objectives:Drug design strategies to develop novel broad-spectrum antibacterial agents for the treatment of respiratory tract infections that can combat bacterial resistance are currently gaining momentum. 2,4-thiazolidinedione is a structural scaffold that contains pharmacophores similar to β-lactam and non- β-lactam antibiotics. The objective of the study was to synthesize newer 3,5-Disubstituted-2,4-Thiazolidinediones (DTZDs) and subject them to in vitro antibacterial screening against bacterial pathogens. Also, we performed in silico docking of selected compounds to penicillin-binding proteins and beta-lactamases.Methods:Intermediate Schiff bases were prepared by the reaction between 2,4-thiazolidinedione and an appropriate aldehyde followed by acylation of the ring nitrogen with 3-brompropanoyl chloride resulting in DTZDs. Minimum inhibitory concentrations were determined against few bacteria infecting the respiratory tract by the broth tube dilution method. Zones of inhibitions against the bacteria were also determined using agar well diffusion technique. Molecular docking of the compounds to all types of Penicillin-Binding Proteins (PBPs) and β-lactamases was also carried out.Results:Compounds DTZD12 and DTZD16 exhibited broad-spectrum antibacterial activity. The minimum inhibitory concentrations of the compounds were 175μg/100μL. Measurements of the zones of inhibitions indicated that compound DTZD12 was more active than DZTD16. E. coli was the most susceptible organism. Docking results established that both the compounds were able to interact with PBPs and β-lactamases through strong hydrogen bonds, especially the unique interaction with active serine residue of the PBP for inhibition of cell wall synthesis.Conclusion:DTZD12 and DTZD16 can be developed into antibacterial drugs for respiratory tract infections to oppose bacterial resistance, or can also be used as leads for repurposing the existing 2,4- thiazolidinediones.