bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Spent mushroom substrate: a crucial biosorbent for the removal of ferrous iron from groundwater
Authors: Menaga D. , Rajakumar S. , Ayyasamy P. M. 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
A new approach was carried out with the spent mushroom substrate (SMS) of Pleurotus florida on ferrous iron (Fe2+) removal using live, dead and pretreated substrate. In this study, the various dosage levels of SMS namely, 0.25, 0.50, 1.0 and 1.50 g/50 mL were used for the removal of Fe2+ at different time intervals for 90 min. The effect of various temperatures and pH on Fe2+ removal was studied with optimized dosages and time intervals. The biosorption potential of P. florida SMS was checked against the iron-contaminated groundwater collected from in and around Salem, Namakkal and Dharmapuri districts of Tamil Nadu. The biosorption data were obtained and analyzed in terms of their kinetic behavior. Among the SMS of P. florida, the live SMS showed potential Fe2+ removal (100%) from aqueous metal solution in all the tested concentrations. SMS of P. florida showed high potential removal of Fe2+ in neutral pH, at room temperature and explored an efficient sorption ability (100%) in the tested water sample (SW10). The adsorption kinetic values fitted very well with pseudo-second-order when comparing with pseudo-first-order reaction. FTIR, SEM and EDX analysis proved the accumulation of Fe2+ by the SMS. The present study confirmed that the live SMS of P. florida may serve as a potential and eco-friendly biosorbent for removal of Fe2+ from the iron-contaminated water.

Graphic abstract
State-business Relations and Industrial Upgrading in the Digital Era: The Cases of Software and Aerospace Sectors in Mexico (2000–2012)
Authors: Rangel-Padilla Mariana 
Published: January 2021

AbstractDeveloping countries face the daunting challenge of stimulating innovation-intensive sectors to increase their participation in the knowledge economy. In this context, two pressing questions arise: What types of state-business relations foster the adoption of industrial upgrading policies? And, what are the mechanisms through which some state-business relations configurations shape the likelihood of policy adoption under more democratic and open conditions? Bridging developmental state and business politics literature, this paper presents a novel framework that posits that the levels of bureaucratic quality and business cohesion generate diverse industrial upgrading policymaking patterns, and thus outcomes. An in-depth case study of the software sector and a cross-case comparison of the aerospace sector in Mexico during the 2000s illustrate and refine the framework. This article makes three main contributions. First, it expands extant political economy theories of industrial upgrading in developing democracies. Second, it improves our understanding of the private sector by carefully analyzing sectoral business cohesion. And third, the paper specifies the mechanisms through which bureaucrats and firms in democratic developing countries collaborate to enact programs that spur high-tech industries in the twenty-first century.
Prevalence, risk factors and sources of anxiety among Emergency Department healthcare workers in Pakistan during COVID-19 pandemic: A single center survey
Authors: Haroon N. , Owais S. S. , Khan A. S. , Amin J. 
Published: January 2021

Summary
COVID-19 has challenged the mental health of healthcare workers confronting it world-wide. Our study identifies the prevalence and risk of anxiety among emergency healthcare workers confronting COVID-19 in Pakistan. We conducted a cross-sectional survey in an Emergency Department using the Generalized Anxiety Scale (GAD-7), and questions about sources of anxiety. Of 107 participants, 61.7% were frontline workers. The prevalence of anxiety was 50.5%. Nonparametric tests determined that nurses, younger and inexperienced staff, developed significant anxiety. Multivariate ordinal regression determined independent risk factors for developing anxiety were younger age (OR 2.11, 95% CI 0.89–4.99) and frontline placement (OR 1.34, 95% CI 0.33–1.66). Significant sources of stress were fear of infecting family (P = 0.003), lack of social support when the health care providers were themselves unwell (P = 0.02) and feelings of inadequate work performance (P = 0.05). Our study finds that HCWs’ anxiety is considerable. Appropriate measures for its alleviation and prevention are required.
Internal reliability, homogeneity, and factor structure of the ten-item Autism-Spectrum Quotient (AQ-10) with two additional response categories
Authors: Bertrams Alex 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
The ten-item short form of the Autism-Spectrum Quotient (AQ-10) has been used to efficiently assess autistic traits in the general population; however, the psychometric properties of the AQ-10 in terms of its internal reliability and its unifactorial structure have recently been questioned. In the present study (N = 797), whether the internal reliability is increased when the AQ-10 is applied with six rather than the conventional four response categories has been investigated. Moreover, correlational and confirmatory factor analyses were conducted to examine the reason for potential inhomogeneity within the AQ-10. The results suggest that the internal reliability of the AQ-10 was slightly increased but is still unsatisfactory, likely due to the incompatibility of items from two subdimensions: attention to detail and imagination. With six of the AQ-10 items, crucial aspects of the autistic personality may be measured, but other important aspects would be neglected; thus, the measure requires further psychometric development.
Perceived role of hot food in the pathogenesis of oesophageal cancer: a qualitative study in the Arsi Zone, Oromia, Central Ethiopia
Authors: Deybasso Haji Aman , Roba Kedir Teji , Belachew Tefera 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Observational studies in Ethiopia have identified a positive association between hot wheat porridge consumption and oesophageal carcinoma. However, a single dietary intake cannot be a sufficient predictor of cancer among populations that have diverse dietary practices. The present study was carried out to explore the community's perspectives on the role of hot foods in the pathogenesis of oesophageal cancer in Ethiopia. Focus group discussions were conducted from May to August 2019 among purposefully selected 112 participants. Data were collected by using open-ended questions; memo writing, audio recordings and photo pictures. All tape-recorded interviews were transcribed verbatim and inductively coded using Atlas.ti Version 7.0.71 software. Finally, the analysis was performed according to the standard thematic framework analysis techniques. The finding showed that hot foods (porridge, coffee and soup) consumption patterns were perceived as the principal dietary risk of oesophageal cancer. Cooking in unventilated rooms, monotonous cereal-based foods, poor vegetable, and fruit intake, not taking milk with porridge, eating fast, swallowing large bolus of hot porridge and exposure to carcinogens in foods were regarded as predisposing dietary practices to oesophageal carcinoma. Socio-demographic, economic and cultural backgrounds were reported as the underlying risk factors associated with oesophageal cancer. There was a strong perception within the community that oesophageal cancer is linked to several but sequentially interlinked dietary and related practices. Cumulative thermal injuries from the consumptions of hot food could be the immediate dietary risk factors associated with increased risk of oesophageal cancer.
Asymptotic stability of spatial homogeneity in a haptotaxis model for oncolytic virotherapy
Authors: Tao Youshan , Winkler Michael 
Published: January 2021

This study considers a model for oncolytic virotherapy, as given by the reaction–diffusion–taxis system
\[\begin{eqnarray*} \left\{ \begin{array}{l} u_t = \Delta u - \nabla (u\nabla v)-\rho uz, \\ v_t = - (u+w)v, \\ w_t = D_w \Delta w - w + uz, \\ z_t = D_z \Delta z - z - uz + \beta w, \end{array} \right. \end{eqnarray*}\]
in a smoothly bounded domain Ω ⊂ ℝ2, with parameters Dw > 0, Dz > 0, β > 0 and ρ ⩾ 0.Previous analysis has asserted that for all reasonably regular initial data, an associated no-flux type initial-boundary value problem admits a global classical solution, and that this solution is bounded if β < 1, whereas whenever β > 1 and $({1}/{|\Omega |})\int _\Omega u(\cdot ,0) > 1/(\beta -1)$, infinite-time blow-up occurs at least in the particular case when ρ = 0.In order to provide an appropriate complement to this, the current study reveals that for any ρ ⩾ 0 and arbitrary β > 0, at each prescribed level γ ∈ (0, 1/(β − 1)+) one can identify an L∞-neighbourhood of the homogeneous distribution (u, v, w, z) ≡ (γ, 0, 0, 0) within which all initial data lead to globally bounded solutions that stabilize towards the constant equilibrium (u∞, 0, 0, 0) with some u∞ > 0.
Carotenoid profile in breast milk and maternal and cord plasma: a longitudinal study in Southwest China
Authors: Sun Hanxiao , Wu Ting , Mao Yingyi , Tian Fang , Cai Xiaokun , Kuchan Matthew J. , Zhang Lishi , Zhao Yanrong , Chen Jinyao 
Published: January 2021

AbstractCarotenoids are increasingly being implicated to have an important role in brain and eye development. This study aimed to quantify the content and profile of carotenoids in human breast milk, maternal plasma and neonatal umbilical cord plasma in Chengdu, an urban area in Southwest China. In this study, fifty-four healthy mothers were enrolled. Maternal blood, umbilical cord blood, colostrum, transitional milk and mature milk were collected. Concentrations of carotenoids (lutein, zeaxanthin,β-cryptoxanthin,β-carotene and lycopene) were analysed by HPLC. We found that carotenoid concentrations decreased from colostrum to mature milk. Hydrocarbon carotenoids with weaker polarity decreased more than the polar carotenoids. Lycopene concentrations dropped by 99 %,β-carotene by 92 %,β-cryptoxanthin by 83 %, lutein by 32 % and zeaxanthin by 22 %. Lycopene andβ-carotene accounted for 70 % of the total carotenoids in colostrum, and lutein predominated amongst carotenoids in transitional milk and mature milk (51–55 %). Carotenoid concentrations in maternal plasma were much higher than that in cord plasma. Lutein predominated in cord plasma. The concentrations of all carotenoids in maternal plasma were correlated with those of cord plasma and human milk. These results are consistent with selective transport mechanisms in the mammary gland related to the polarity of carotenoids, and each carotenoid has its own implications, which may have different priorities in the early life development of infants. These findings may help guide dietary recommendations for carotenoid inclusion in infant formulas.
BEES AND VULTURES: EGYPTIAN HIEROGLYPHS IN AMMIANUS MARCELLINUS
Authors: Foster Frances 
Published: January 2021

In his Res Gestae, the historian Ammianus Marcellinus describes the Egyptian city of Thebes and the obelisks that can be found there. There is an unusual passage in which he describes hieroglyphic writings. He goes on to show, through two examples, how hieroglyphs might seem bizarre, but in fact contain their own logic which can be explained (Amm. Marc. 17.4.10–11, translation mine):
non enim ut nunc litterarum numerus praestitutus et facilis exprimit quicquid humana mens concipere potest, ita prisci quoque scriptitarunt Aegyptii, sed singulae litterae singulis nominibus seruiebant et uerbis; non numquam significabant integros sensus. cuius rei scientiam his inseram duobus exemplis. per uulturem naturae uocabulum pandunt, quia mares nullos posse inter has alites inueniri rationes memorant physicae, perque speciem apis mella conficientis indicant regem moderatori cum iucunditate aculeos quoque innasci debere his signis ostendentes. et similia plurima.For the ancient Egyptians did not write as nowadays, when a prescribed and easy series of letters expresses whatever the human mind can imagine; but individual characters served as individual nouns and verbs; and sometimes they signified whole ideas. I will show the knowledge of this with these two examples. They represent the word for ‘nature’ by a vulture, because no males can be found among these birds, as natural history records; and by the figure of the bee making honey they indicate ‘a king’, showing by these signs that in a ruler stings also ought to arise from sweetness. And there are many similar instances.
THE FAILURE OF ‘CORE CAPACITIES’ UNDER THE WHO INTERNATIONAL HEALTH REGULATIONS
Authors: Bartolini Giulio 
Published: January 2021

AbstractAnalyses related to the Covid-19 pandemic have mainly addressed measures adopted in response to this event without paying attention to provisions included in the 2005 International Health Regulations which require States to develop predefined core capacities to prevent, control and provide a public health response to the international spread of disease. The legal architecture related to these obligations has, however, various shortcomings and States have largely failed to implement the required measures. Only recently has some practice been developed by the WHO to address these deficiencies, and further action is still required to finally implement this (neglected) cornerstone of the global health system.
A novel technique for protecting staff during microlaryngoscopy procedures
Authors: Zoabi T , Ronen O 
Published: January 2021

AbstractObjectiveMicrolaryngoscopy is an aerosol-generating procedure. This paper presents a novel approach for better protecting staff during microlaryngoscopy.MethodsA clear plastic microscope drape is attached to the objective lens. Instead of using the drape to cover the microscope, it is pulled down to cover the patient's head and torso. The holes designated for the binoculars of the microscope are used for the surgeon hands, forming protective clear plastic sleeves.ConclusionThe proposed technique, which is simple, relatively inexpensive and technically feasible for any hospital to perform during microlaryngoscopy procedures, can increase safety and minimise droplet and aerosol exposure in the operating theatre.
Online open-book examination of undergraduate medical students – a pilot study of a novel assessment method used during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic
Authors: Sarkar S , Mishra P , Nayak A 
Published: January 2021

AbstractBackgroundThe coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic has posed a new challenge for medical educators worldwide. While teaching and learning shifted online, assessment posed a roadblock. A pilot study was performed to check the feasibility and acceptability of online open-book examination.MethodsA pilot study was carried out on sixth semester (fourth year) students. An online open-book examination was conducted on an ENT topic, and feedback was obtained using a pre-validated questionnaire. Two teachers scored and collated the answers, and the marks were averaged for each candidate.ResultsNinety-eight students appeared for the examination: 21.4 per cent failed and 78.6 per cent passed. Eight students scored above 75 per cent correct. Only 55 students volunteered to give feedback; most agreed that the best advantage of this assessment was that it was stress-free. The disadvantage most complained of was network connectivity issues.ConclusionOnline open-book examination has the potential to be the new normal in the present circumstances and beyond.
Dynamic Modeling and Mobility Analysis of the 3-R(RRR)R+R Antenna Mechanism
Authors: Zhang Guoxing , Zheng Donghao , Guo Jinwei , Hou Yulei , Zeng Daxing 
Published: January 2021

SUMMARY
A novel 3-R(RRR)R+R (R as revolute joint) hybrid antenna mechanism (HAM) is proposed for noncircular polarized antenna. First, its mobility characteristic is analyzed. Besides, its kinematics is deduced, and the velocity and acceleration are obtained. Afterward, its dynamic model is established. The actuation torques of each actuation joint are obtained. Its actuation torques are verified by mathematical model analysis and dynamic simulation. Furthermore, its workspace is also presented. Finally, the motion characteristics experimental results show that the 3-R(RRR)R+R HAM can carry out the azimuth and pitch motion. This research work serves as a fundamental theoretical basis for its further application.
Modeling and Effective Foot Force Distribution for the Legs of a Quadruped Robot
Authors: Biswal Priyaranjan , Mohanty Prases K. 
Published: January 2021

SUMMARY
This paper presents the detailed dynamic modeling of a quadruped robot. The forward and inverse kinematic analysis of each leg of the proposed model is deduced using Denavit-Hartenberg (D-H) parameters. It desires to calculate the optimal feet forces of the quadruped robot’s joint torque, which is essential for its online control. To find out the optimal feet force distribution, two approaches are implemented to fulfill the locomotion objective. The four-legged quadruped robot and torso body’s detailed dynamics are modeled to generate an equation of motion for the robot control system. The Euler–Langrage theory has been used to find out the joint motion. The computer simulation results are presented to verify the effectiveness of the dynamic model.
A Survey on Brachiation Robots: An Energy-Based Review
Authors: Andreuchetti Sibyla , Oliveira Vinícius M. , Fukuda Toshio 
Published: January 2021

SUMMARYMany different control schemes have been proposed in the technical literature to control the special class of underactuated systems, the- so-called brachiation robots. However, most of these schemes are limited with regard to the method by which the robot executes the brachiation movement. Moreover, many of these control strategies do not take into account the energy of the system as a decision variable. To observe the behavior of the system’s, energy is very important for a better understanding of the robot dynamics while performing the motion. This paper discusses a variety of energy-based strategies to better understand how the system’s energy may influence the type of motion (under-swing or overhand) the robot should perform.
Key factors affecting the quality of maritime education and training: empirical evidence from China
Authors: Bao Junzhong , Li Yan , Duan Zunlei , Li Tingting , Zhang Pengfei 
Published: January 2021

AbstractRecently, the quality of Maritime Education and Training (MET) has drawn more attention from employers of the shipping industry, because incompetent officers have frequently contributed to ship accidents. The authors intend to explore answers to three questions: (1) Is the quality of Chinese MET satisfactory to the maritime stakeholders? (2) What are the major factors affecting the quality of cadet training? (3) Are there feasible solutions to improve the quality of MET? The authors take China, a major seafarers supplying country, as empirical evidence to disclose the causes of the problems. By an exploratory factor analysis technique, this paper presents the findings of semi-structured interviews and questionnaire surveys and identifies four principal factors affecting the quality of MET in China. Shortage of skillful instructors, lack of onboard training, over-reliance on theoretical teaching, and limited funding sources are prominent factors in this context. Practical solutions are proposed for the purpose of improving the overall competence of Chinese cadets expected to become the dynamic workforce for the global shipping industry.
Estimation of case-fatality rate in COVID-19 patients with hypertension and diabetes mellitus in the New York state: a preliminary report
Authors: Ge Yang , Sun Shengzhi , Shen Ye 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Pre-existing health conditions may exacerbate the severity of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). We aimed to estimate the case-fatality rate (CFR) and rate ratios (RR) for patients with hypertension (HBP) and diabetes mellitus (DM) in the New York state. We obtained the age-specific number of COVID-19 confirmed cases and deaths from public reports provided by the New York State Department of Health, and age-specific prevalence of HBP and DM from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System 2017. We calculated CFR and RR for COVID-19 patients with HBP and DM based on the reported number of deaths with the comorbidity divided by the expected number of COVID-19 cases with the comorbidity. We performed subgroup analysis by age and calculated the CFR and RR for ages of 18–44, 45–64 and 65+ years, respectively. We found that the older population had a higher CFR, but the elevated RRs associated with comorbidities are more pronounced among the younger population. Our findings suggest that besides the elderly, the young population with comorbidity should also be considered as a vulnerable group.
Validation of estimated glycaemic index and glycaemic load, stratified by race, in the Adventist Health Study-2 (AHS-2)
Authors: Wright Carmen N , Jaceldo-Siegl Karen , Mashchak Andrew , Singh Pramil N , Fraser Gary E 
Published: January 2021

AbstractObjective:Few studies have validated FFQ estimates of dietary glycaemic index (GI) and load (GL). We investigated how well our estimates of overall GI and GL from FFQs correlate with estimates from repeated 24 h recall data to validate overall GI and GL in the Adventist Health Study-2 (AHS-2).Design:The AHS-2 is a prospective population-based cohort of 95 873 Seventh-day Adventist adult church members enrolled from 2002 to 2007 to investigate diet, cancer and mortality.Setting:A 204-item FFQ was used to assess race- and gender-specific validity of GI and GL and 24 h recall data, from the calibration sub-study, were used as the reference.Participants:The 734 calibration study participants were randomly selected by church and included approximately equal numbers of blacks and whites but were otherwise similar to the whole cohort with respect to gender, age, education and vegetarian status.Results:The deattenuated correlation coefficients for overall GI ranged from 0·19 (95 % CI −0·06, 0·53) in black men to 0·46 (95 % CI 0·40, 0·60) in black women, with both non-black men and women falling between those values (0·45 (95 % CI 0·35, 0·65) and 0·38 (95 % CI 0·27, 0·57), respectively). GL correlations were somewhat higher for all study participants. When looking at the entire cohort, the deattenuated validity correlation value for overall GI was (r 0·38, 95 % CI 0·36, 0·47) and GL was (r 0·39, 95 % CI 0·34, 0·49).Conclusions:Our findings support the cautious use of our FFQ in epidemiological studies when assessing associations of overall GI and GL with disease risk. However, observed differences by race should be considered when interpreting results.