bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effectiveness of a Human Capacity-building Initiative on Improving the Health of Rural Communities
Authors: Moghaddam Hamed Rezakhani , Aghamohammadi Vahideh , Habibi Aghil , Hamidzadeh Yousef 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background: Given the major role of capacity building in improving the health of rural communities and due to the lack of studies performed on this issue, we aimed to investigate the effectiveness of educational and capacity building intervention on staff communication, job motivation skills, educational performance, and knowledge and behavior of health house clients in Ardabil city’s rural communities.Methods: The pretest-posttest nonequivalent control group design was conducted. In this study, convenience sampling was performed and a total of 220 health care recipients and 108 staff were surveyed in both interventional and control groups. The intervention was designed based on four approaches for capacity building introduced by Crisp et al. Data were collected using three questionnaires including knowledge and practice about healthy lifestyle, communication skills self-assessment, and Wright's job motivation. All statistical analyses were fulfilled using IBM SPSS Statistics software.Results: At the end of the study; the mean scores of knowledge and practice of referrals to health centers about a healthy lifestyle and communication skills and job motivation of healthcare worker increased statistically in the intervention group compared to the baseline (p< 0.05), but changes in these variables were not significant in the control group (p>0.05). Following 3 months of intervention, there were significant differences among the study groups (p< 0.05).Conclusion: Capacity building comprehensive interventions can help in identifying rural community health needs, increasing knowledge and practice of rural communities' residents about health issues, promoting health workers empowerment, and improving health workers' motivation.
The Major Genetic Risk Factor for Severe COVID-19 Does Not Show Any Association Among Indian Populations
Authors: Singh Prajjval , Shrivastava Anshika , Sultana Gazi Nurun Nahar , Khanam Nargis , Pathak Abhishek , Suravajhala Prashanth , Singh Royana , Shrivastava Pankaj , Thangaraj Kumarasamy , Chaubey Gyaneshwer , Driem George van 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
With the growing evidence on the variable human susceptibility against COVID-19, it is evident that some genetic loci modulate the severity of the infection. Recent studies have identified several loci associated with greater severity. More recently, a study has identified a 50kb segment introgressed from Neanderthal adding a risk for COVID-19, and this trait is present among 16% and 50% people of European and South Asian origin respectively. Contrary to this finding, our studies on ACE2 identified a haplotype present among 20% and 60% of European and South Asian populations respectively, which appears to be responsible for the low case fatality ratio among South Asian populations. This result was also consistent with the realtime infection rate and case fatality ratio among various states of India. We readdressed this issue using both of the contrasting datasets and compared them with the realtime infection rates and case fatality ratio in India. We found out that the polymorphism present in the 50kb introgressed segment (rs10490770) did not show any significant correlation with the realtime infection and case fatality ratio in India.
Myocilin gene mutations: A cause of juvenile open-angle glaucoma in north India
Authors: Yadav Manoj , Deora Anupama , Sachdeva Sumit , Rathi Manisha , Phogat Jitender , Dhull Chand Singh , Vashist Minakshi , Tanwar Mukesh 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Purpose

Juvenile-onset open-angle glaucoma (JOAG) is an uncommon type of primary open-angle glaucoma that affects individuals during childhood and early adulthood. Pathogenic variants in the myocilin gene account for varying frequencies of primary open-angle glaucoma and JOAG cases in different populations. This study has screened and identified novel and previously identified myocilin variants in a north Indian cohort of JOAG patients.
Methods

Eighty unrelated JOAG cases and one hundred controls have been screened for MYOC variants by PCR and DNA sequencing of exons.
Results

DNA sequencing revealed seventeen different variants. Out of these variants, five (p.G122A, p.R136I, p.S173T, p.K216I, and p.R200KTer*15) were novel and registered in NCBI. Pathogenic MYOC variants identified in 7.5% of JOAG cases.
Conclusion

Pathogenic myocilin variants account for 7.5% of cases of JOAG in our patient’s cohort. This study augments the mutation spectrum of the MYOC gene, provides population-specific information, and aids in better understanding the underlying lesions of the disease.
Technological Change in Electric Power Supply Chain: Quantifying Economic Benefits of General Electric's GT11N2 M
Authors: Genc Talat 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
This paper examines General Electric's new combined-cycle gas turbine GT11N2 M upgrade. The new technology provides operational flexibility and promises output and cost efficiencies. To investigate the benefis of this technology, we propose a power supply chain model and construct cost functions for generation and service and maintenance using actual market and firm level data. The upstream firm is General Electric (GE) who invests in GT11N2 generators. The investment results in innovation of GT11N2 M upgrade facilitating different operational modes and efficiencies. The downstream firm is TransAlta's Sarnia plant which utilizes this new technology to produce and sell electricity to residential, small business, industrial, and wholesale market customers in Ontario, Canada. We quantify equilibrium prices and outputs under various efficiency rates in costs of fuel, service, and maintenance. We find a large variation in electricity generation depending on which operational mode ("Maximum Continuous Load" or "Performance" or "Lifetime") of GT11N2 M is selected. Under a mixed usage of all modes, we expect 44% output expansion to the industrial customers and 0.2% sales increase in the Ontario wholesale electricity market. Under this mode, GE's price should go down by 0.4% due to fuel cost efficiency. If GE's cost was $2.8 per MWh, GE should have asked Trans-Alta an average price of $5.822 per MWh for service and maintenance prior to the new technology. With the new technology, GE should charge $5.502 per MWh to Trans Alta. While GE's sales to wholesale market are almost stable, the sales to industrial customers increase nonlinearly in downstream efficiency rates. This shows that the amount of greenhouse gas emissions will be largely impacted by the choice of operational mode and how long it is used.
Structural Changes and Adaptative Evolutionary Constraints In FLOWERING LOCUS T and TERMINAL FLOWER1-Like Genes of Flowering Plants
Authors: Jesus Deivid Almeida de , Batista Darlisson Mesquista , Salzman Shayla , Carvalho Lucas Miguel , Santana Kaue , André Thiago 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Regulation of flowering is a crucial event in the evolutionary history of angiosperms. The production of flowers is regulated through the integration of different environmental and endogenous stimuli, many of which involve the activation of different genes in a hierarchical and complex signaling network. The FLOWERING LOCUS T/TERMINAL FLOWER 1 (FT/TFL1) gene family is known to regulate important aspects of flowering in plants. To better understand the pivotal events that changed FT and TFL1 functions during the evolution of angiosperms, we reconstructed the ancestral sequences of FT/TFL1-like genes and predicted protein structures to identify determinant sites that evolved in both proteins and allowed the adaptative diversification in the flowering phenology and developmental processes. Residues from the P-loop domain of the analyzed FT structures showed predominantly high destabilizing mutations which is consistent with constant selective pressure found for this region. In addition, we demonstrate that the occurrence of destabilizing mutations in residues located at the phosphatidylcholine binding sites of FT structure experience positive selection, and some residues of 4th exon are under negative selection, which is compensated by the occurrence of stabilizing mutations in key regions and the P-loop to maintain the overall protein stability. Our results shed light on the evolutionary history of key genes involved in the diversification of angiosperms.
Bilevel Positive Airway Pressure Versus Nasal Continuous Positive Airway Pressure for Prevention of Extubation Failure in Infants After Cardiac Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: zheng yirong , xie wenpeng , liu jianfeng , xu ning , cao hua , chen qiang 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Objective: To evaluate the effect of bilevel positive airway pressure (BiPAP) and nasal continuous positive airway pressure (NCPAP) in respiratory support after extubation in infants undergoing cardiac surgery. Methods: A total of 83 infants who underwent repair of atrial septal defect (ASD) or ventricular septal defect (VSD) after extubation were randomized to the BiPAP group (n= 42) or the NCPAP group (n= 41) between January 2020 and December 2020. The primary outcomes were the extubation failure rate and the level of PCO2 within 24 h after extubation. Results: The baseline characteristics between the two groups were similar. The introduction of BiPAP for post-extubation respiratory support did not reduce extubation failure rates compared to NCPAP (P>0.05). The PaCO2 level within 48 h was significantly lower in the BiPAP group (P<0.05). Additionally, the PaO2/FiO2 in the BiPAP group was significantly higher than that in the NCPAP group at 6h, 12h and 24h after treatment (P<0.05).There were no statistically significant differences in duaration on NIV, hospital length of stay, total hospital costs in $ and complications between the two groups (P>0.05). Conclusion: The introduction of BiPAP for post-extubation respiratory support did not reduce extubation failure rates versus NCPAP. However, BiPAP was shown to be superior to NCPAP in improving oxygenation and carbon dioxide clearance.
Adaptive function and correlates of anxiety during a pandemic
Authors: Salali Gul Deniz , Uysal Mete Sefa , Bevan Abi 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
The majority of the studies to date have focused on the negative aspects of anxiety. Anxiety, however, is an evolved emotional response serving to decrease mortality risk. Pandemics are characterized by increased mortality risk coupled with future uncertainties, both of which result in heightened anxiety. Here, we examined the factors associated with anxiety levels and risk avoidance behaviours during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in the UK (N = 1088) and Turkey (N = 3935). We asked how individual time perspectives (future orientation and present moment attention) affect anxiety in an uncertain time, and whether an elevated anxiety response reduces mortality risk by promoting risk avoidance behaviour. We found that people who were more future-oriented and less tolerant of uncertainties had higher levels of generalized and pandemic anxieties. Those with higher anxiety levels engaged in risk avoidance behaviours more frequently. Mindfulness reduced anxiety levels without reducing risk avoidance, suggesting that mindfulness-based therapies can be used to alleviate anxiety without interfering with the benefits of a healthy anxiety response. Trust in others reduced anxiety, but also reduced risk avoidant behaviour. Several behavioural and social factors contributed to the country-level differences in the overall anxiety levels and engagement in risk avoidance behaviours.
Evaluating Child Malnutrition in Southern Belize Using an Anthropologic Screening Tool
Authors: Brenner Sara , Balise Raymond 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
The WHO describes the ‘double burden’ of malnutrition as obesity coexisting with undernutrition. This condition’s increasing prevalence makes it an important disorder to monitor and address. Screening tools exist to evaluate child malnutrition in hospital settings, but few are available to evaluate children elsewhere. This study taught community health workers (CHWs) in Southern Belize to implement the Hasegawa et. al. screening tool for child malnutrition. Data was collected at home visits, mobile clinics and at two rural polyclinics. Descriptive statistics were performed, and the data was analyzed using two tailed t-tests and the Anscombe-Glynn test for kurtosis. 171 child-mother pairs were screened. Of the children screened, 10 met the WHO definition of underweight, 29 met the WHO definition of overweight, and 30 met the WHO definition of stunted. The combination of measured weight and length, expressed as the weight for length z-score, showed a statistically significant increase of 0.83 [95% CL: 0.51 to 1.14, p < 0.0001] with 4% (6/167) of the children showing clinically significant wasting and 17% (29/167) being clinically overweight. The screening tool correctly identified all 10 underweight children. Further modeling is needed to develop an anthropological measure to assess the double burden of malnutrition.
Determination of Stomatic Density, Index, and Area as Exposition Biomarkers of Pollution in Deschampsia Antárctica Desv. (Poaceae)
Authors: Dopchiz Laura Patricia , Ansaldo Martin 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Deschampsia antarctica Desv. (Poaceae) is the only native grass described so far for Antarctica, with a distribution mainly centered on the Antarctic Peninsula. The plants were collected at Argentinian Scientific Station Carlini, 25 de Mayo (King George) Island, to determine and evaluate in their leaves: the stomatic index (SI), density (SD), and area (SA) as pollution biomarkers. Samples were taken within the Station's influence area: (A) Supply Area (loading and unloading of fuel and supplies), (B) the area adjacent to the Electric Power Station, and (C) area of Fuel Tanks. Besides, other samples were taken from a pristine area called Peñon 7 (D). The results of SD showed significant differences only on the leaf abaxial face from the plants of the 4 studied sites: Peñón 7 (57.36 ± 2.03), Supply Area (61.30 ± 2.32), Electric Power Station adjacent area (69.56 ± 2.23) and Fuel Tanks area (80.11 ± 2.42). The SI as well as the SA did not have significant differences (p > 0.05) for all the analyzed sites. However, correlation analyses between SD and SI showed a positive and significant association only for the leaf adaxial face from all sites. From the obtained results, we could suggest that the correlation (SD-SI) on the adaxial side of the leaves was a good biomarker to estimate the degree of anthropogenic impact in each studied area.
The antipsychotic drug pimozide is a novel chemotherapeutic agent for adult T cell leukemia
Authors: Ishikawa Chie , Mori Naoki 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Patients with adult T cell leukemia (ATL), caused by the human T cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1), exhibit poor prognosis owing to drug resistance. Pimozide, a dopamine D2 receptor subfamily antagonist and antipsychotic drug, has been shown to exhibit anticancer activity. Herein, we investigated whether pimozide exerts anti-ATL effects and explored the mechanisms underlying these effects. While pimozide inhibited cell growth and survival in HTLV-1-infected T cells, it exerted limited effects on uninfected T cells. The dopamine D2 receptor subfamily mRNA expression levels in HTLV-1-infected T cells were high. Pimozide induced G1 cell cycle arrest concomitant with the upregulation of p21/p27/p53 and the suppression of cyclin D2/E, CDK2/4/6 and c-Myc expression and pRb phosphorylation. Pimozide also induced apoptosis via the activation of caspases and upregulation of pro-apoptotic proteins and downregulation of anti-apoptotic proteins. Additionally, it promoted ROS generation and increased the expression of the ER stress marker ATF4 and the DNA damage-inducible protein GADD45a and the phosphorylation of the DNA damage marker H2AX. Furthermore, pimozide-induced cytotoxicity was partially inhibited by a ROS scavenger and pan-caspase and necroptosis inhibitors, indicating the involvement of caspase-dependent and -independent lethal pathways. The activities of the NF-κB, Akt, STAT3/5 and AP-1 signaling pathways were inhibited via the dephosphorylation of IκBα, IKKα/β, Akt and STAT3/5, in addition to reduced JunB and JunD expression in HTLV-1-infected T cells in response to pimozide treatment. Pimozide also exhibited potent anti-ATL activity in the xenograft mouse model. These findings demonstrated the efficacy of pimozide as a potential therapeutic agent for ATL.
Factors Influencing Nursing Students' Professional Identity in a Clinical Learning Environment in Hunan, China
Authors: Zeng Lihong , Chen Qirong , Fan Sisi , Yi Qifeng , An Wenhong , Liu Huan , Hua Wei , Huang Rong , Huang Hui 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background: Clinical learning environment is an important stage for nursing students, it will affect the cultivation of professional identity of nursing students. This study to explore the factors influencing the cultivation of professional identity among nursing students in a clinical learning environment. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study.Convenience sampling was applied to recruit 398 nursing students from The Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University in Hunan Province. After the nursing students completed their clinical learning, data on the participants’ characteristics, professional identification and nursing clinical learning environment were collected. Descriptive statistics, including the mean ± standard deviation, were calculated. The data were analysed by t-test, one-way analysis of variance, Pearson’s correlation analysis and multiple linear regression. Results: The results showed that the nursing students’ highest professional identity score was in professional cognition (16.07±2.78). The nursing students’ professional identity was significantly related to educational background, willingness to choose the nursing major and school level (P<0.05).In the clinical learning environment, the students’ voluntary selection of the nursing major and teaching methods and interpersonal relationships were most important. Conclusion: The clinical learning environment and nursing’ students personal characteristics are the most important factors influencing the professional identity of nursing students. Based on these results, hospitals should flexibly adapt teaching methods according to students’ personal characteristics, improve the professional skills of teachers, and create a good working atmosphere. In addition, faculty members should reform their teaching methods and encourage students to establish good interpersonal relationships to provide more learning opportunities for nursing students and to enhance the recognition of nursing students in the nursing profession.
Optimization of the Countersinking Parameters Based on the Response Surface Method
Authors: Mosbah Hassen , Attyaoui Slimen , Nasri Rachid 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
The countersinking process is affected by many factors including the tools and the workpiece parameters. Some forming phenomena such as the knife-edge affect the quality of the countersunk hole. Up to now, many kinds of research rely mainly on the experiments which lead to poor quality and difficult control of this process. In this paper, a proposed numerical optimization of the countersinking process is developed to obtain a normalized countersunk hole. This optimisation approach is based on the response surface method (RMS), design of experiments (DOE) and the sequential quadratic programming (SQP). Finite element model is performed with an elasto-plastic behaviour for simulating the process. A configuration with an imposed displacement applied to the blank holder is adopted in this study. The comparison between the results of the numerical model and the experiments showed a good agreement.
Effects of Water and Nitrogen Coupling on Photosynthetic Characteristics, Yield and Quality of Isatis Indigotica
Authors: Wang Yucai , He Xiucheng , Li Fuqiang , Deng Haoliang , Wang Zeyi , Huang Caixia , Han Yi , Ba Yuchun , Lei Lian , Zhang Changlong 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
In arid areas of Northwest China, Isatis indigotica is a commercial medicinal crop cultivated with higher water and nutrient in a large area, which makes rational irrigation and nitrogen application key factors for successful crop management. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of water and nitrogen coupling on photosynthetic characteristics, yield, and quality of Isatis indigotica produced in northwestern China. Field trials were conducted for two consecutive years on the irrigation test station. Data on photosynthetic parameters, yield and quality were collected from individual Isatis indigotica for each treatment during the years 2018–2019. The application of nitrogen significantly increased photosynthetic rates and yield under the same irrigation conditions. However, the yield were reduced in the excess water treatments, W3N1, and W3N2 and in excess nitrogen treatments, W1N3, W2N3, W3N3, in contrast to the optimum W2N2 treatment. Moreover, the quality indicators of the W2N2 treatment decreased compared with CK, which was due to water stress and more photo-assimilates being available to the roots, but the effective quality index value cloud be effectively improved by greatly increasing the yield.
Comparison between the trapezius and adductor pollicis muscles as an acceleromyography monitoring site for moderate neuromuscular blockade during lumbar surgery
Authors: Oh Seok Kyeong , Park Sangwoo , Lim Byung Gun , Kim Young Sung , Kim Heezoo , Kong Myoung Hoon 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Acceleromyography at the adductor pollicis located in a distal part of the body may not reflect the degree of neuromuscular blockade (NMB) at the proximally located muscles manipulated during lumbar surgery. We investigated the usefulness and characteristics of acceleromyographic monitoring at the trapezius for providing moderate NMB during lumbar surgery. Fifty patients were randomized to maintain a train-of-four count 1–3 using acceleromyography at the adductor pollicis (group A; n = 25) or the trapezius (group T; n = 25). Total rocuronium dose administered intraoperatively [mean ± SD, 106.4 ± 31.3 vs. 74.1 ± 17.6 mg; P < 0.001] and surgical satisfaction (median [IQR], 7 [5–8] vs. 5 [4–5]; P < 0.001) were significantly higher in group T than group A. Lumbar retractor pressure (88.9 ± 12.0 vs. 98.0 ± 7.8 mmHg; P = 0.003) and lumbar muscle tone in group T were significantly lower than group A. Time to maximum block with an intubating dose was significantly shorter in group T than group A (44 [37–54] vs. 60 [55–65] sec; P < 0.001). Other outcomes were comparable. Acceleromyography at the trapezius muscle during lumbar surgery required a higher rocuronium dose for moderate NMB than the adductor pollicis muscle, thereby providing better surgical conditions. Trapezius as proximal muscle better reflects surgical conditions of spine muscle.