bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Clinical characteristics of 4499 COVID‐19 patients in Africa: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Olumade Testimony Jesupamilerin , Uzairue Leonard Ighodalo 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThe novel coronavirus disease‐2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic that started in December 2019 has affected over 95 million people and killed over 2 million people as of January 19, 2021. While more studies are published to help us understand the virus, there is a dearth of studies on the clinical characteristics and associated outcomes of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 on the African continent. We evaluated evidence from previous studies in Africa available in six databases between January 1 and October 6, 2020. Meta‐analysis was then performed using Open‐Meta Analyst and Jamovi software. A total of seven studies, including 4499 COVID‐19 patients, were included. The result of the meta‐analysis showed that 68.8% of infected patients were male. Common symptoms presented (with their incidences) were fever (42.8%), cough (33.3%), headache (11.3%), and breathing problems (16.8%). Other minor occurring symptoms included diarrhea (7.5%) and rhinorrhea (9.4%). Fatality rate was 5.6%. There was no publication bias in the study. This study presents the first description and analysis of the clinical characteristics of COVID‐19 patients in Africa. The most common symptoms are fever, cough, and breathing problems.
Terminal residue and dietary intake risk assessment of prothioconazole‐desthio and fluoxastrobin in wheat field ecosystem
Authors: Liang Yiran , Chen Xiaoxin , Hu Jiye 
Published: February 2021

AbstractBACKGROUNDWheat is one of the most important cereal crops worldwide, and use of fungicides is an essential part of wheat production. Both prothioconazole and fluoxastrobin give excellent control of important seed and soilborne pathogens. The combination of these two fungicides shows a complementary mode of action and has a wide usage around the world. But the residue levels of these fungicides in the wheat matrix are still unknown.RESULTSIn the current study, a simple, low‐cost and highly sensitive method using modified QuECHERS procedure combined with high‐performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry was developed to simultaneously quantify E‐ and Z‐fluoxastrobin and the main metabolite prothioconazole‐desthio of prothioconazole in the wheat matrix. The recoveries of prothioconazole‐desthio, E‐fluoxastrobin and Z‐fluoxastrobin ranged from 84% to 101%, with relative standard deviation of less than 13.2%. The terminal residues of prothioconazole‐desthio and E‐ and Z‐fluoxastrobin were studied in wheat grain and straw under field conditions. The results showed that the terminal residue of the target compounds ranged from <0.01 to 0.029 mg kg−1 and <0.05 to 7.6 mg kg−1 in wheat grain and straw (expressed as dry weight), respectively. The risk quotients of prothioconazole‐desthio and fluoxastrobin were 0.2% and 3.2%.CONCLUSIONSThe residue levels of the target analytes in wheat grain were lower than the maximum residue limits recommended by the Chinese Ministry of Agriculture. And the calculated risk quotient values were far below 100%, indicating a low dietary intake health risk to consumers. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry
Comparative biotransformation of luteolin and apigenin from the flower extract and the stem‐and‐leaf extract of Dendranthema morifolium Ramat. Tzvel. in rats
Authors: Chiang Yi‐He , Wu Yu‐Tse , Lin Lie‐Chwen , Tsai Tung‐Hu 
Published: February 2021

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe flower of Dendranthema morifolium Ramat Tzvel has been widely used as a nutritional health supplement worldwide. However, most of the studies have focused on the flower and the rest of the plant was neglected. Our hypothesis is that similar flavonoids may be present at different parts of D. morifolium, and the flavonoids may undergo a similar biotransformation pathway within the body. To investigate this hypothesis, an in vivo pharmacokinetic experimental model was developed to explore the comparative biotransformation of luteolin and apigenin after administration of D. morifolium extracts (10 g kg−1, p.o.) in freely moving rats. Because luteolin and apigenin mainly underwent phase II metabolism, the metabolic enzymes of β‐glucuronidase/sulfatase or β‐glucuronidase were used to hydrolyze the plasma sample, depending on the biotransformation pathway involved.RESULTSThe results revealed that luteolin and apigenin mainly went through glucuronide and sulfate conjugations, respectively, in both the extract of flowers and the stem‐and‐leaf group. In addition, the area under the concentration curve (AUClast) of luteolin glucuronides and sulfates in the group administered the stem‐and‐leaf extract was approximately 4.6 times higher than that of the flower extract group. The dominant products of biotransformation for apigenin were sulfates.CONCLUSIONThese findings support our hypothesis that not only the flower parts of D. morifolium, but also the stem‐and‐leaf parts contain rich flavones, including glycosides and aglycone, and they undergo similar biotransformation pathways. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry
Ultra‐wideband radar cross‐section reduction for ring‐shaped microstrip antenna based on characteristic mode analysis
Authors: Liu Yakun , Du Biao , Jia Dan , Jia Yongtao 
Published: February 2021

AbstractIn this letter, a characteristic mode analysis method is presented for ultra‐wideband radar cross‐section (RCS) reduction of microstrip antenna. By analyzing the magnitude of the modal weighting coefficients (MWCs), the important scattering modes can be found, which contribute a lot to the RCS of the antenna. Then, these scattering modes are suppressed through shape modification. To realize an ultra‐wideband RCS reduction (RCSR) of a ring‐shaped microstrip antenna, three pairs of slots are placed at suitable locations of the reference antenna to disrupt the current path, so as to suppress the important scattering modes while keeping the radiation modes work properly. Compared to the reference antenna, the proposed antenna achieves 6 dB RCSR on average over the frequency band of 0.5 GHz−5 GHz (163.64%) for x‐polarization incident wave. The peak reduction at 3.0 GHz is up to 23 dB. Meanwhile, the radiation performance keeps well. The measured and simulated results are in good agreement, which validates the presented method.
A chiral metamaterial with high reflectance for antenna applications
Authors: Chen Chunling , Liu Zhen‐Guo , Wang Hao 
Published: February 2021

AbstractIn this article, a chiral metamaterial (CMM) with high reflectance is constructed by using both the S‐shaped strip and the grid strip. Numerical simulation results reveal that the reflectance reaches 0.7 and the transmitted wave is converted from y‐polarization to left‐hand circular polarization. Therefore, the proposed CMM has the function of polarized transformation from linear polarization (LP) wave to circular polarization (CP). In addition, a Fabry‐Perot resonator cavity‐like behavior is found in the CMM itself. We design and measure a CP CMM‐based Fabry‐Pérot resonator cavity antenna. A bandwidth of 13.25% (|S11| < −10 dB, AR < 3 dB, and peak gain drop<3 dB) and a peak gain of 14.76 dBic are attained. The proposed antenna has potential applications in advanced nanosatellite communication systems.
Prolonged median distal sensory nerve action potential duration in carpal tunnel syndrome
Authors: Yang Jie , Chen Ke , Liu Ying , Yang Yin 
Published: February 2021

AbstractObjectiveRoutine nerve conduction study (NCS) parameters are less sensitive in the early stage of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). Recently, some studies have shown that prolonged distal sensory nerve action potential (DSNAP) duration may be a more sensitive technique for the diagnosis of demyelinating peripheral neuropathies. We aimed to evaluate the sensitivity of median DSNAP duration in patients with CTS.MethodsDSNAP duration and routine NCS data of the median nerve were retrospectively collected in 173 CTS patients, 73 controls, and 78 cervical radiculopathy patients.ResultsProlonged median DSNAP durations were found in 22 patients (22/35, 63%) and 36 patients (36/54, 67%) in the minimal and mild CTS groups respectively, which was more sensitive than routine NCS parameters. The percentage of patients demonstrating abnormalities in median NCS was significantly increased from 80% to 92% with the addition of DSNAP duration.ConclusionOur results demonstrate the electrodiagnostic value of median DSNAP duration for the diagnosis of CTS, especially in early cases.
Effects of high‐intensity interval training in patients with coronary artery disease after percutaneous coronary intervention: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Zhang Xinyue , Xu Dongmei , Sun Guozhen , Jiang Zhixin , Tian Jinping , Shan Qijun 
Published: February 2021

AbstractAimTo evaluate whether high‐intensity interval training (HIIT) was superior to low‐intensity training or usual care among patients after percutaneous coronary intervention. The hypothesis was that HIIT would help patients after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) improve cardiopulmonary function, lipid profiles and in‐stent restenosis.DesignA systematic review and meta‐analysis were conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta‐analysis (PRISMA)2009 Checklist.MethodsRandomized controlled trials (RCTs) focusing on HIIT programme in patients after PCI were searched in Cochrane Library, Web of Science Core Collection, EMbase, PubMed, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) and SinoMed from the inception to 24 March 2020. Standard Mean difference (SMD) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were performed to summarize the effect sizes.ResultsSix RCTs (247 patients) met the criteria. HIIT programme had a statistically significant effect on raising left ventricular ejection function (LVEF) (SMD = 0.38, 95%CI [0.03, 0.73], I2 = 3%), VO2peak (SMD = 0.94, 95%CI [0.61, 1.28], I2 = 0%), as well as improving the serum level of high‐density lipoprotein (SMD = 0.55, 95%CI [0.06, 1.03], I2 = 0%) and late luminal loss (SMD = −0.65, 95%CI [−1.07, −0.23], I2 = 0%). But HIIT had no prominent effect on improving heart rate (SMD = −0.04, 95%CI [−0.29, 0.21], I2 = 0%). Summarily, HIIT programme appears to be favourable for CAD patients after PCI by improving cardiopulmonary function, such as LVEF and VO2peak, as well as reducing late luminal loss in per stented arteries. Nevertheless, HIIT has no advantage for adjusting heart rate. More researches with rigorous methods are warranted to explore the controversy about lipid profiles.
FOLFOXIRI plus Bevacizumab Versus FOLFOX plus Panitumumab for Metastatic Left-Sided RAS/BRAF Wild-Type Colorectal Cancer: Which “Side” Are You On?
Authors: Yu Irene S. , Loree Jonathan M. 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
This commentary focuses on the results of the study by Pietrantonio et al., which evaluated the clinical conundrum of triplet versus doublet chemotherapy in combination with targeted therapy for metastatic left-sided RAS/BRAF wild-type colorectal cancer and appears in this issue. Both FOLFOXIRI [fluorouracil, leucovorin, oxaliplatin, and irinotecan] plus bevacizumab and FOLFOX [fluorouracil, leucovorin, and oxaliplatin] plus panitumumab have shown impressive activity in this population; however, the two have not been directly compared. The article by Pietrantonio et al. presents a propensity score-adjusted analysis using information from five previous randomized trials and provides best available evidence comparing these regimens. This commentary will discuss their results and how their findings fit in current treatment paradigms.
Can common mycorrhizal fungal networks be managed to enhance ecosystem functionality?
Authors: Alaux Pierre‐Louis , Zhang Yaqian , Gilbert Lucy , Johnson David 
Published: February 2021

Societal Impact StatementMycorrhizal fungi are key components of soil biodiversity that offer potential to provide sustainable solutions for land management, notably in agriculture and forestry. Several studies conducted in controlled environments show that key functional attributes of common mycorrhizal networks (CMNs), which inter‐link different plants, are influenced by management practices. Here, we highlight the need to consider how land management affects the ubiquity and function of CMNs in nature to maximize the role of mycorrhizal fungi in enhancing ecosystem services. We emphasize that CMNs can sometimes negatively affect aspects of plant performance, but there remain major gaps in understanding before explicit consideration of CMN management can be delivered.SummaryMost mycorrhizal fungi have the capacity to develop extensive extraradical mycelium, and thus have the potential to connect multiple plants and form a ‘common mycorrhizal network’. Several studies have shown that these networks can influence plant establishment, nutrition, productivity and defense, nutrient distribution and storage, and multitrophic interactions. However, many of these studies have focused on the importance of common mycorrhizal networks in ecological contexts and there has been less emphasis in managed systems, including croplands, grassland, agroforestry and forestry, on which humankind relies. Here we review the evidence of the potential importance of common mycorrhizal networks in managed systems, and provide insight into how these networks could be managed effectively to maximize the functions and outputs from managed systems. We also emphasize possible negative effects of common mycorrhizal networks on plant performance and question popular views that mycorrhizal networks may offer a panacea for enhancing ecosystem services. We highlight the need to gain greater insight into the ubiquity, functioning, and response to management interventions of common mycorrhizal networks and, critically, the need to determine the extent to which these networks can add value to the promotion of mycorrhizal colonization.
Does pain neuroscience education improve pain knowledge, beliefs and attitudes in undergraduate physiotherapy students?
Authors: Saracoglu Ismail , Aksoy Cihan Caner , Afsar Emrah , Arik Meltem Isintas 
Published: February 2021

AbstractBackgroundTo evaluate the effect of a brief pain neuroscience education (PNE) session on physiotherapy students’ knowledge of pain and their beliefs and attitudes about the treatment of patients with chronic low back pain.MethodsThis study was a single‐center, cross‐sectional study including 205 physiotherapy undergraduate students. The participants completed the Neurophysiology of Pain Questionnaire (NPQ) and Pain Attitudes and Beliefs Scale for Physiotherapists (PABS‐PT). They then received a 70‐min neuroscience education session covering the mechanisms and biopsychosocial aspects of chronic low back pain. The questionnaires were readministered immediately after the educational session and at 6 months posteducation.ResultsOur analysis included data from 156 participants (mean age: 20.9 ± 2.51, 69.8% women) who completed the questionnaires pre‐, post‐, and 6 months after the educational session. To assess the effect of the education on the scores of the questionnaires, a repeated‐measures ANOVA was conducted. There was a significant interaction observed for NPQ over time (p = 0.00; η
2 = 0.654), for PABS‐PT factor 1(p < 0.001; η2 = 0.50) and for PABS‐PT factor 2 over time (p = 0.02; η
2 = 0.04)ConclusionThis study showed that a 70‐min session of PNE improves the level of pain knowledge in undergraduate physiotherapy students and influences their beliefs and attitudes concerning chronic low back pain. These findings suggest that adding PNE to the curricula of physiotherapy and rehabilitation programs may be beneficial.
Lift in the vertical shear of a southerly jet embedded in a uniform westerly flow
Authors: Hu Qi , Limpert George 
Published: February 2021

AbstractA new mechanism is proposed as a potential cause for the one‐third of warm season severe nocturnal convection in the US Great Plains that develops in environments without the presence of air‐mass boundaries of fronts or mesoscale systems. This mechanism is tested in two‐ and three‐dimensional models. Results show strong ascent (∼1.0 m·s−1), sufficient for nocturnal convection initiation, arising from interactions of mean westerly zonal wind with the vertical shear of a northern vortex and also perturbation westerly winds that are created by the Coriolis torque on the Great Plains southerly low‐level jet. The interaction involving the northern vortex results in organized strong ascent on the east side of the vortex from the near‐surface level to the top of the model atmosphere, and also a weak upward acceleration near the centre of the vortex. In simulations with westerly wind perturbations, strong and organized ascent occurs above and on the east side of the westerly perturbation winds. The upward motion in these simulations relies on both mechanical forcing from non‐hydrostatic pressure perturbations and buoyant acceleration caused by interactions of the westerly zonal wind and the vertical shear in the vortex or the perturbation westerly wind. Statistical tests confirm that these interactions, not the northern vortex or westerly perturbation itself and related shear, are essential for the simulated vertical motion. Additional sensitivity analysis indicates robust ascent across a wide range of westerly perturbation or northern vortex strengths. The vertical motion profile is not sensitive to the horizontal grid spacing of the model, at least at or below 4 km, but to the morphology of westerly wind perturbations. The latter suggests where improvement could be made to increase the accuracy of model prediction of nocturnal convective storms in the US Great Plains.
Magnetic resonance image–guided focused ultrasound robotic system for transrectal prostate cancer therapy
Authors: Giannakou Marinos , Drakos Theocharis , Menikou Georgios , Evripidou Nikolas , Filippou Antria , Spanoudes Kyriakos , Ioannou Leonidas , Damianou Christakis 
Published: February 2021

AbstractBackgroundA magnetic resonance image (MRI) guided robotic device for focussed ultrasound therapy of prostate cancer (PC) was developed. The device offers movement in 5 degrees of freedom (DOF) and uses a single‐element transducer that operates at 3.2 MHz, has a diameter of 25 mm and focuses at 45 mm.MethodsThe MRI compatibility of the system was evaluated in a 1.5 T scanner. The ability of the transducer to create lesions was evaluated in laboratory and MRI settings, on ex vivo pork tissue and in vivo rabbit thigh tissue.ResultsCavitational and thermal lesions were created on the excised pork tissue. In vivo experiments proved the efficacy of the system in ablating muscle tissue without damaging intervening areas.ConclusionsThe MRI compatible robotic system can be placed on the table of any commercial MRI scanner up to 7 T. The device has the ability of future use for transrectal focal therapy of PC with the patient in supine position.
Recovery of uranium from ferruginous Shale mineralization from Um Bogma formation, Egypt, via Duolite ES‐467 chelating resin
Authors: Radwan Hend A. , Gado Mohamed A. , El‐Wahab Zeinab H. Abd , El‐Sheikh Enass M. , Faheim Abeer A. , Taha Rania H. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThe ferruginous shale iron content (27.5 %) is a serious problem that prevents the separation of uranium. Chemical dissolution of the ferruginous shale from Um Bogma Formation, Egypt, has been studied for the recovery of uranium using the acidic leaching method. Um Bogma representative sample assays 700 ppm of uranium as the element of interest. The effective dissolution parameters such as acid concentrations, solid/liquid addition ratio, leaching time, and leaching temperature were planned to investigate. It was found that The dissolution rate was greatly influenced by the studied dissolution factors. Analysis of the kinetic data showed that the dissolution mechanism is fitted well to shrinking core model within chemical reaction as a rate determining step. It was found that the recorded activation energy (Ea) of uranium dissolution is 205 kJ/mol. The uranium dissolution efficiency of 95.2 % has been achieved with optimized conditions of 250 g/L H2SO4; 1 : 7 (S/L) phase ratio; 250 °C for 7 hours. Finally, the best‐controlling factors were applied for uranium separation from Um Bogma leach liquor to produce a uranium concentrate with 69.985 % uranium purity.
Plastic Pollution and Climate Change: Role of Bioremediation as a Tool to Achieving Sustainability
Authors: Idowu S. A. , Arotupin D. J. , Oladejo S. O. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractPollution from post-consumer plastics is a growing global environmental challenge whose negative impacts are exacerbating climate change. Plastics are stable, durable, and hydrophobic. They possess high molecular weight, complex three-dimensional structure, and are not readily available to be used as substrate by biological agents such as microorganisms and enzymes. Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is one of the examples of petrochemical-based plastics. PET is a strong, clear, and light-weight plastic with global usage in the production of bottles. Technological innovation, policy formulation, advocacy and sensitization, change in consumption pattern, and bioremediation are some of the approaches that are currently being used to mitigate environmental pollution from post-consumer PET bottles. The ubiquitous property of microorganisms and their ability to survive in almost every environment, including very extreme ones, make them good candidate for biodegradation. Bioremediation is simply defined as engineered or enhanced biodegradation. This review discusses the potential of bioremediation as sustainable and environment-friendly tool to clean up post-consumer PET bottles that already accumulate on land, in soil, and in water bodies.
Water Resource Management Frameworks in Water-Related Adaptation to Climate Change
Authors: Odongtoo Godfrey , Ssebuggwawo Denis , Lating Peter Okidi 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThis chapter addresses the use of partial least squares–structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) to determine the requirements for an effective development of water resource management frameworks. The authors developed a quantitative approach using Smart-PLS version 3 to reveal the views of different experts based on their experiences in water-related adaptation to climate change in the Lake Victoria Basin (LVB) in Uganda. A sample size of 152 was computed from a population size of 245 across the districts of Buikwe, Jinja, Mukono, Kampala, and Wakiso. The chapter aimed to determine the relationship among the availability of legal, regulatory, and administrative frameworks, public water investment, price and demand management, information requirements, coordination structures, and analytical frameworks and how they influence the development of water resource management frameworks. The findings revealed that the availability of legal, regulatory, and administrative frameworks, public water investment, price and demand management, information requirements, and coordination structures had significant and positive effects on the development of water resource management frameworks. Public water investment had the highest path coefficient (β = 0.387 and p = 0.000), thus indicating that it has the greatest influence on the development of water resource management frameworks. The R2 value of the model was 0.714, which means that the five exogenous latent constructs collectively explained 71.4% of the variance in the development. The chapter suggests putting special emphasis on public water investment to achieve an effective development of water resource management frameworks. These findings can support the practitioners and decision makers engaged in water-related adaptation to climate change within the LVB and beyond.