bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The national burden of cardiovascular disease attributable to the dietary lead exposure in adults in China, 2017
Authors: Yan Yizhong , Li Yiling , Li Yanan , Song Wenjing , Huang Jiao , Wang Yibaina , Wei Sheng 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background

Lead is widely used around the world, even though unleaded gasoline has been forced by law for many years. A low level of lead exposure is considered to be associated with a high risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, the contribution of lead exposure, especially lead exposure from the diet for the burden of CVD, has not been quantified in China.
Methods

We adopted a “top-down” approach, combining the pooled blood lead levels (BLLs) published in 2001–2020 about Chinese adults and relative risk (RR) of lead-induced CVD to estimate the burden of disease (BoD) of lead-induced CVD by using disability-adjusted life years (DALYs). The mean observed individual (OIM) model was used to estimate lead exposure from each source (diet, air, water, and soil) and calculate their contribution rates.
Results

The mean BLLs of Chinese adults was 5.23 µg/dL (standard deviation [SD] = 2.21 µg/dL), which resulted in 3.239 (95% uncertainty interval [UI], 3.034–3.406) million DALYs for CVD. The dietary lead exposure was the major contributor to the BoD of lead-induced CVD, accounting for 67.93%. It resulted in 2.200 (95% UI 2.061–2.313) million DALYs for CVD, including 0.711 (95% UI 0.685–0.737) million DALYs for ischemic heart disease, 1.177 (95% UI 1.113–1.241) million DALYs for stroke, 0.228 (95% UI 0.153–0.253) million DALYs for hypertensive heart disease, and 0.021 (95% UI 0.019–0.024) million DALYs for rheumatic heart disease.
Conclusions

Dietary lead exposure causes high BoD of CVD in Chinese adults. More efforts to clarify the sources of lead contamination and reduce lead exposure in the population are warranted.
FTIR and dielectric relaxation analysis for PVC-Pb3O4 polymer nanocomposites
Authors: Taha T.A. , Mahmoud M.H. , Hayat Asif , Irfan Ahmad 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
This work studies the FTIR as well as dielectric characteristics of the PVC-Pb3O4 nanocomposite films. FTIR analysis shows the small shift in 650, 845 and 1732 cm− 1 band positions as a confirmation of interaction between Pb3O4 nanoparticles with PVC polymer matrix. The real permittivity (ε1) decreases with increasing frequency for all samples with the appearance of a relaxation peak at high temperatures. The dielectric loss data (ε2) of the PVC-Pb3O4 nanocomposite revealed a shift of the dielectric absorption peak towards high frequency with increasing the temperature. The activation energy values for both α and β relaxations almost decreased with increasing the Pb3O4 concentration. The energy density of samples containing Pb3O4 has a lower energy density than the pure PVC polymer film. The exponent s often increased with increasing the temperature, and this behavior is consistent with overlapping large-polaron tunneling model. The DC activation energy decreased when the percentage of Pb3O4 increased to 3.0 wt% and then increased at 4.0 wt%. Additionally, a convergence between these values and the activation energies of α and β relaxations observed, which is indicates that the same type of charge carriers participate in the processes.
Nanosized Monometallic Selenides Heterostructures Implanted into Metal Organic Frameworks-Derived Carbon for Efficient Lithium Storage
Authors: Liu Zhichao , Wang Dong , Mu Hongliang , Zhang Chunjie , Wu Liqing , Feng Liu , Sun Xiuyu , Zhang Guangshuai , Wu Jie , Wen Guangwu 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Two-phase heterostructure with rich phase boundaries holds great potential in engineering advanced electrode materials. However, current heterostructures are largely generated by introducing exotic cations or anions, complicating synthetic procedures and disturbing real insights into the intrinsic effect of heterostructure. Herein, nanosized monometallic selenides heterostructures are developed by precisely controlled selenylation of metal organic frameworks, which are implanted into in-situ formed carbon (NiSe/NiSe2@C, CoSe/CoSe2@C). The disordered atoms arrangement at two-phase boundary leads to the redistribution of interfacial charge and generation of lattice distortions, promoting easy adsorption and swift transfer of Li+, and providing extra active sites. As a proof of concept, the NiSe/NiSe2@C exhibits far surpassing lithium storage properties to single-phase counterparts (NiSe@C and NiSe2@C), including higher reversible capacity of 1015.5 mAh g− 1, better rate capability (500.8 mAh g− 1 at 4 A g− 1), and superior cyclic performance. As expected, the NiSe/NiSe2@C manifests lower charge transfer resistance, higher Li+ diffusion coefficient, and accelerated capacitive kinetics. Ex-situ X-ray diffraction, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, and selected area electron diffraction combined with differential capacity versus voltage plots reveal multi-step redox mechanism of NiSe/NiSe2@C and the reason of conspicuous capacity enhancement. This work demonstrates the enormous potential of monometallic monoanionic heterostructure in energy-related field.
Attentional Control in The Rostromedial Prefrontal Cortex in a Robot- Assisted Task: an Fnirs Study
Authors: Le Duc Trung , Watanabe Kazuki , Ogawa Hiroki , Matsushita Kojiro , Imada Naoki , Taki Shingo , Iwamoto Yuji , Imura Takeshi , Araki Hayato , Araki Osamu , Ono Taketoshi , Nishijo Hisao , Fujita Naoto , Urakawa Susumu 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
During robot-assisted tasks, central nervous system may attend to external information-processing mode, termed as external attending. However, the neural mechanisms underlying this process remain unclear. The rostromedial prefrontal cortex (rmPFC) may be the core of an attentional control system that biases the allocation of attentional resources toward external information-processing when external attending is required for ongoing task performance. Here, we employed functional near-infrared spectroscopy to investigate hemodynamic responses in rmPFC subregions and additional frontal-parietal cortices during robot-assisted motor execution. Elbow flexion-extension movements, which require attention to kinematic consistency in range-of-motion, were employed as a motor task. Eighteen participants performed the task in three loading conditions requiring different degrees of external attending in ascending order: non-loading (NON), resistive loading (RES), and robotic assistive loading condition (ROB). Hemodynamic responses in the ventral and dorsal rmPFC were higher during ROB than during NON. Responses in the ventral rmPFC were significantly higher during ROB than during RES. Further, hemodynamic responses in the dorsal rmPFC during ROB were positively correlated with kinematic variability. These data suggest that robot-assisted motor execution involves rmPFC processes to bias the allocation of attentional resources toward external information-processing.
Ethnic identity formation among post-high-school religious mechina gap-year programs in Israel
Authors: Gross Zehavit , Halevy Gai 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
The aim of this study is to test changes in ethnic identity from two points of view: Marcia's identity status model and ethnic identity literature. Based on 135 participants who completed the Multigroup Ethnic Identity Measure (MEIM) questionnaires at two times intervals, stability was found at the mean level, while stability, progression and regression were found at the individual level. Transitions from moratorium into achievement were found more than into diffusion. Status changes derived mainly following changes in the commitment component. In line with Erikson's theory, the results highlight the effect of the sociocultural context on the identity formation process, and the need to examine changes in identity formation processes over time, both at the mean level and the individual level. These findings could be relevant to other countries, which are going through similar processes of demographic changes in which the minority challenges the hegemony of the majority.
The Pattern of Abdominal Trauma in Ramadi city: An Experience of 74 Cases
Authors: AL-Ubaide Amer Fakhree , Al-Ani Raid M. , Saeed Hamad Khalaf 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background: The abdomen is the third part of the body subjected to trauma. Abdominal trauma (AT) is divided into penetrating and blunt injuries, which differ in their distribution according to geographical areas. Early management can reduce its high morbidity and mortality.Objectives: To evaluate the socio-clinical, operative findings, complications, and fatality rate of subjects with AT. Patients and methods: Patients with isolated AT admitted to the emergency unit in the Al-Ramadi Teaching Hospital, Ramadi City, Iraq, and subjected to exploratory laparotomy were enrolled in the study. The study covered a period of 9 months (June 2019 to February 2020). Demographic, clinical, operative findings and the outcomes were registered and analyzed for all patients. Results: At our hospital, 1119 patients were presented to the causality with trauma during the study period, 74 (6.6%) of them with AT. The majority of the patients were in the age group <30 years (70.3%) and the males formed 90.5% of the cases. Around 90% of the subjects were with penetrating AT, with gunshot (79.7%) was the commonest cause. Around 80% of the patients were presented within 1-12 hours following the trauma. There were 3 or more injured organs (58.1%) found during the operations. The fatality rate showed a statistically significant effect with the age of the patients, time of presentation, mean blood pressure, and hospitalization period (P-value <0.05).Conclusion: AT showed a prevalence of 6.6%. Penetrating AT outnumbers the blunt injury. The mortality rate was 20.3%. In the youngest age group, a long time elapsed following trauma, lower mean blood pressure, and a long hospitalization period harmed the death rate.
Risks Assessment Expending AHP-GA Method: A Novel Approach for Hazard Factors of Barapukuria Coal Mine in Bangladesh.Risks Assessment Expending AHP-GA Method: A Novel Approach for Hazard Factors of Barapukuria Coal Mine in Bangladesh.
Authors: Ahmed Kawsar , Islam Md. Zahidul , Hossain Md. Nuralam , Deng Hongwei 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Mining industry's working milieu is influenced by various hazardous factors. Perhaps in Bangladesh, future working environments will be insecure for the lack of congenial methodology to reduce risk factors of Barapukuria Coal Mine (BCM). Many inconsistencies were found in multi-criteria judgment and resolution problems in mine. The study objective is to amplify with Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP)-Genetic Algorithm (GA) method for solving accidental factors identifying problems in the BCM field. Our promised tactics is for risk appraisement at BCM. We are wary of the methodology for risk factors to identify and secure a thriving way for working with better ambience in mining by including year wise accidental data from 2002 to 2012. Our evaluation framework was described with a widespread three layer that analyzed step by step by Microsoft excel and MATLAB software. The weight value and accuracy of the assigned matrix was calculated for the mentioned AHP-GA method. To enhance efficiency, this paper pretends to resolve a multi-decisional puzzle with intimate connection of AHP-GA from the advantage of MCDM, and minimizes the gap of combining GA with AHP for practical application. AHP-GA technique will perform in a fruitful way both on qualitative and quantitative multi-assessment complex solutions in coal mines. In this study, we have elaborated the application of AHP-GA procedure which surrounds the value to enlarge the better decision local option on mining areas for BCM. Finally, we come into view the BCM safety level is inclined to "General" by our proposed novel setting.
Investigation of parametric and artificial neural network modeling approaches for total tree height prediction in cedar plantations
Authors: Karatepe Yasin , Diamantopoulou Maria J. , Özçelik Ramazan , Sürücü Zerrin 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background: Height-diameter relationships are of critical importance in tree and stand volume estimation. Stand description, site quality determination and proper forest management decisions originate from reliable stem height predictions. Methods: In the context of this work, the prediction ability of the developed height-diameter models was investigated for cedar (Cedrus libani A. Rich.) plantations in Western Mediterranean Region of Turkey. Towards this direction, parametric modeling methods such as fixed-effects, generalized models, and mixed-effects were evaluated. Furthermore, in an effort to come up with the construction of more reliable stem-height prediction models, artificial neural networks were employed using two different modeling algorithms: the Levenberg-Marquardt and the resilient back-propagation. Results: Taking into account the prediction behavior of each respective modelling strategy while using a new validation data set, the mixed-effects model with calibration using 3 trees for each plot seems to be a reliable alternative to the rest standard modelling approaches given the evaluation statistics regarding the predictions of tree heights. Conclusion: Finally, as for providing the most reliable results as compared to the remaining, the resilient propagation algorithm showed its capability of providing more accurate predictions of the tree stem height and thus it can be a reliable alternative to pre-existing modelling methodologies.
Willingness to pay for improved safe drinking water in a coastal urban area in Bangladesh
Authors: Ahsan Md. Nasif , Hadiujjaman Sheikh , Islam Md. Sariful , Nasrin Nishad , Akter Mukta , Parvin Gulsan Ara , Hossain Md. Sarwar 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Discontentment with a piped supply system of drinking water has become a significant concern in Bangladesh's urban areas in recent years, necessitating the improvement of different aspects of the system in question. Therefore, by conducting a discrete choice experiment on 115 households out of a systematically selected 161 households, this study aims to estimate the willingness to pay (WTP) for an improved safe drinking water supply by considering the trade-offs made by urban dwellers for the proposed improvements to an existing water supply system in the Khulna City Corporation (KCC) area of Bangladesh. The primary results show that the total WTP of households is estimated at BDT 243.6 (≈US$ 2.87) per month, implying that respondents are ready to pay for improvements to the water supply attributes of water quality, regularity of supply, water pressure in taps, and filtering. A revenue stream for an improved water supply system is also being developed, suggesting that investment in improving the system would be a ‘no-regret’ decision and economically sustainable.
Theoretical and experimental investigation of phosphate removal from seawater by multi-stage coagulation
Authors: Jin Wei , Hao Dongliang , Assiyeh Alizadeh Tabatabai S. , Kennedy Maria , Schippers Jan C. 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Phosphate removal from seawater is important for biofouling control on RO membranes because phosphorus is one of the nutrients for microbial growth. This paper is based on the hypothesis that multi-stage coagulation results in better phosphate removal. Therefore, comparison of phosphate removal with one-step and three-step dose coagulation from the aspects of both the theoretical calculation and experimental results is investigated in this paper. The result of theoretical calculation based on the Freundlich equation shows that the final phosphate concentration from a three-step dose, i.e. 0.43 μgP/L, is ten times lower than that from a one-step dose, i.e. 4.47 μgP/L. The experimental result shows that for the three-step dose, final phosphate concentration is 1.0 μgP/L, which is lower than for the one-step dose (i.e. 4.0 μgP/L), but not as low as the theoretical calculated value (0.43 μgP/L). This discrepancy between theoretical calculation and experimental result may be the impact of equilibrium phosphate concentration, different initial Fe:P molar ratio and NOM competition between one-step dose and three-step dose coagulation. Although this discrepancy exists, the experimental results still showed that multi-stage coagulation presented better phosphate removal in seawater to concentration levels that are lower than with conventional coagulation. In other words, the problem of the high coagulant dosage in the pretreatment process while removing phosphate from seawater may be solved by application of multi-stage coagulation instead of conventional coagulation.
Computational and Synthetic Target-based Approaches to the Discovery of Novel Anticonvulsant Compounds
Authors: Gantner Melisa Edith , Llanos Manuel Augusto , Garofalo Federico Mariano , Villalba María Luisa , Gavernet Luciana 
Published: May 2021

Background:
During the past decades, an important number of anticonvulsant
drugs have been incorporated into the collection of drugs to treat epilepsy. However, two
main difficulties remain unsolved in therapy: the development of drug-resistant epilepsy
and the occurrence of severe toxic effects caused by the medication in responsive patients.
The retrospective analysis of the strategies for discovering known anticonvulsant
drugs showed that screening campaigns on animal models of epilepsy have been almost
the exclusive strategy for identifying the marketed compounds. However, the actual structural
and functional information about the molecular targets of the anticonvulsant drugs
and the increasing knowledge of the molecular alterations that generate epileptic seizures
allow a more rational identification of active compounds.

Objective:
This review compiles target-based strategies used for the discovery of new anticonvulsant
candidates and is divided in two main topics. The first one provides an
overview of the computational approaches (docking-based virtual screening and molecular
dynamics) to find anticonvulsant structures that interact with the voltage-gated ion
channels and the enzyme carbonic anhydrase. The second one includes the analysis of active
compounds synthesized to act simultaneously on different molecular targets by the
combination of pharmacophores of anticonvulsant drugs.

Conclusion:
Current knowledge of the architectures of anticonvulsant targets makes computational
simulations attractive methods for the discovery and optimization of active
compounds. Combining the results achieved by virtual screening of different targets
could lead to multitarget compounds, as an alternative to the design of structures that
merge scaffolds of known drugs.
SARS-CoV-2 Induced Neurological Manifestations Entangles Cytokine Storm that Implicates for Therapeutic Strategies
Authors: Chong Zhao-Zhong , Souayah Nizar 
Published: May 2021

Abstract:The new coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), can present neurological symptoms and induce neurological complications. The involvement in both the central and peripheral nervous systems in COVID-19 patients has been associated with direct invasion of the virus and the induction of cytokine storm. This review discussed the pathways for the virus invasion into the nervous system and characterized the SARS-CoV-2 induced cytokine storm. In addition, the mechanisms underlying the immune responses and cytokine storm induction after SARS-CoV-2 infection were also discussed. Although some neurological symptoms are mild and disappear after recovery from infection, some severe neurological complications contribute to the mortality of COVID-19 patients. Therefore, the insight into the cause of SARS-CoV-2 induced cytokine storm in context with neurological complications will formulate the novel management of the disease and also further identify new therapeutic targets for COVID-19.
Production of Chemotherapeutic Enzyme L-asparaginase from a Fungal Source
Authors: Pendharkar Girish B. , Sonawane Harshal G. , Khare Kalpesh A. , Yadav Dhananjay 
Published: May 2021

Background:
L-Asparaginase is an antineoplastic agent used in the treatment of acute
myeloid and acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The present study deals with the production of this
chemotherapeutic enzyme drug from Aspergillus flavus NCIM 526. The production of enzymes
was carried out using oil-extracted cakes in a shake flask culture. Process parameters like carbon
and nitrogen sources were also taken into account.

Methods:
A total of six isolates were used to screen out efficient microorganisms for enzyme
production. Aspergillus flavus NCIM 526 exhibited 138 IU/ml of enzyme activity in oil extracted
mix cake after 96 hours of the incubation period. Molasses and l-asparagine were proved to be
the best carbon and nitrogen sources for enzyme production. The enzyme was purified by column
chromatography and the finest enzyme exhibited specific activity of 28 IU/mg.

Results and Discussion:
The fungal enzyme exhibited low Km values as compared with standard
E. coli L-asparaginase, proving more substrate affinity of fungal enzyme than bacterial enzymes.

Conclusion:
The study explored the Aspergillus flavus NCIM 526 as a potential fungal source
for high yield production of antileukemic enzyme drugs.
In vitro Antioxidant, α-amylase and Horseradish Peroxidase Inhibitory Potential
of Phenolics Extracts from Chamomilla pubescens, Pulicaria crispa
and Rhanterium adpressum Growing in Algeria
Authors: Mahfoudi Feriel , Reguia Mahfoudi , Harrat Mohamed , Djeridane Amar , Yousfi Mohamed 
Published: May 2021

Background:
Plants are a main source of drugs for the therapy of a large number of diseases.

Objective:
The aim of the present work is to evaluate the in vitro antioxidant and anti-α-amylase and anti-peroxidases (HPR) potentials of phenolic extracts obtained from three spontaneous plants; growing in the South of Algeria such as (Chamomilla pubescens, Pulicaria crispa, and Rhanterium adpressum). This is the first report on the study of α-amylase and horseradish peroxidase (HRP) inhibitory activity for phenolic extracts from the Chamomilla pubescens and Pulicaria crispa plants.

Method:
The antioxidant activity was evaluated in vitro using four tests: DPPH, CUPRAC, FRAP, and ABTS. The phenolic, flavonoid, and tannin compounds of the three selected Algerian plants were quantified. Also, the inhibition of α-amylase and HRP was evaluated.

Results:
The quantification of the total phenolic contents revealed that they are widely variable, and depending on extraction solvents, the highest content was recorded by the ethyl acetate extract of Chamomilla pubescens (flowers) 774.93±60.14mg/100 g of dry matter. In all the antioxidant tests, ethyl acetate extracts showed the most effective activity, which the best was (VCEAC = 65.62 ±0.50 µM/g dry matter) of Pulicaria crispa for the DPPH test. Furthermore, the results of α-amylase and peroxidase inhibitory effects indicated that all plants extracts have inhibitory effects on the two enzymes, with AEIC values ranged from 76.55±3.54 to 149.54±6.68 μM/g of dry matter for the α-amylase, and CEIC values ranged from 8.89±2.22 to 9668.31±254.42 μM/g of dry matter for the peroxidase (HRP).

Conclusion:
The present study results suggest that the three Algerian spontaneous plant species (Rhanterium adpressum, Pulicaria crispa, and Chamomilla pubescens) inhibit peroxidase and α-amylase and exhibit a high antioxidant activity what can be related to the treatment of diabetes and thyroid diseases.