bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Knowledge and Perceptions of Alzheimer’s Disease in the United Kingdom
Authors: Kafadar Aysegul Humeyra , Cheung Kei Long 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a global public health problem with an ageing population. Knowledge is essential to avoid AD's risk factors and promote early awareness, diagnosis and treatment of AD symptoms. AD knowledge is influenced by many cultural factors including cultural beliefs, attitudes and language barriers. This study aims: (1) to define AD knowledge level and perceptions amongst the general UK population; (2) to compare knowledge and perceptions of AD among three main ethnic groups (Asian, Blacks, and Whites); and (3) to assess potential associations of age, gender, education level, affinity with older people (65 or over), family history and caregiving history on AD knowledge.Methods: Data was collected from 190 participants who were living in the UK from three different ethnicities, which were Asian (15.8%), Black (16.3%), and White (67.9%). Demographic characteristics of participants and AD knowledge correlation were assessed by the 30-item Alzheimer’s Disease Knowledge Scale (ADKS), comprising 7 content domains. Data analysis included bivariate correlations to show associations between demographic characteristics of participants and their ADKS score, and multivariate analysis using ANOVA to illustrate potential correlations between ethnicity groups and ADKS score.Results: The general knowledge was found to be less than half, with 45.3% answering correctly out of all respondents. No significant differences were found for the total ADKS score between White, Black, and Asian participants. However, there were significant knowledge differences for ADKS domain scores. While Black participants had significantly more information about AD assessment and diagnosis (p=0.038), White respondents more likely to know about AD symptoms than their counterparts (p=0.009).Conclusion: The study's findings suggest that the AD knowledge level is not adequate for all ethnic groups. Moreover, ethnic groups differ in their AD knowledge and perceptions, and therefore, differ in their needs regards health communication. The study contributes to an understanding of ethnicity differences in AD knowledge in the UK population, and may also provide input into an intervention plan for different ethnicities’ information needs.
Dynamic modulation of inequality aversion in human interpersonal negotiations
Authors: Murphy Daniel , Harmer Catherine , Browning Michael , Pulcu Erdem 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Negotiating with others about how finite resources should be distributed is an important aspect of human social life. However, little is known about mechanisms underlying human social-interactive decision-making in gradually evolving environments. Here, we report results from a novel iterative Ultimatum Game (UG) task, in which the proposer’s facial emotions and offer amounts were sampled probabilistically based on the participant’s decisions. Our model-free results confirm the prediction that both the proposer’s facial emotions and the offer amount should influence human choice behaviour. Model-based analyses extend these findings, indicating that participants’ decisions in the UG are guided by aversion to inequality. We highlight that the proposer’s facial affective reactions to participant decisions dynamically modulate how human decision-makers perceive self–other inequality, relaxing its otherwise negative influence on decision values. In iterative games, this cognitive model underlies how offers initially rejected can gradually become more acceptable under increasing affective load, and accurately predicts ~ 86% of participant decisions. Furthermore, modelling human choice behaviour isolated the role of the central arousal systems, assessed by measuring pupil size, during interpersonal negotiations. We demonstrate that pupil-linked central arousal systems selectively encode a key component of subjective decision values that relate to the magnitude of self–other inequality. Taken together, our results demonstrate that, under affective influence, aversion to inequality is a malleable cognitive process.
Local Content Implementation and Development in the Upstream Oil and Gas Sector in Ghana: Contemporary Issues on Policy Management
Authors: Suleman Shafic , Zaato Joshua Jebuntie 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Upstream oil and gas activities dominates the debate on local content policies in Ghana. If well implemented, upstream activities have a trickledown effect on the local content policy linkages. However, local content policies alone do not assure success. In this paper narrative analysis and stakeholder consultations lead to in-depth discussions of how Ghana can use local content policy in upstream oil and gas operations to maximum benefit. The paper argues that, as is not the case for the Multinational Oil Companies (MOCs), the high risks and the huge financial commitments are a major challenge to the participation of indigenous Ghanaian companies. Balancing the needs of indigenous companies, local communities, and MOCs is critical; without it, efforts of policymakers to benefit from the oil sector will be futile.
Deregulation of Protein Phosphatase 2A inhibitor SET is Associated with Malignant Progression in Breast Cancer
Authors: Tozuka Katsunori , Wongsirisin Pattama , Nagai Shigenori E , Kobayashi Yasuhito , Kanno Miki , Kubo Kazuyuki , Takai Ken , Inoue Kenichi , Matsumoto Hiroshi , Shimizu Yoshihito , Suganuma Masami 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
To understand the mechanism underlying metastasis, identification of a mechanism-based and common biomarker for circulating tumour cells (CTCs) in heterogenous breast cancer is needed. SET, an endogenous inhibitor of protein phosphatase 2A, was overexpressed in all subtypes of invasive breast carcinoma tissues. Treatment with SET-targeted siRNAs reduced the motility of MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells in transwell assay. SET knockdown reduced the number of mammospheres by 60-70% in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells, which was associated with the downregulation of OCT4 and SLUG. Hence, we analysed the presence of SET-expressing CTCs (SET-CTCs) in 24 breast cancer patients. CTCs were enriched using a size-based method and then immunocytochemically analysed using an anti-SET antibody. SET-CTCs were detected in 6/6 (100%) patients with recurrent breast cancer with a median value of 12 (12 cells/3 mL blood), and in 13/18 (72.2%) patients with stage I–III breast cancer with a median value of 2.5, while the median value of healthy controls was 0. Importantly, high numbers of SET-CTCs were correlated with lymph node metastasis in patients with stage I–III disease. Our results indicate that SET contributes to breast cancer progression and can act as a potential biomarker of CTCs for the detection of metastasis.
Searching for Success Factors in Deprescribing Proposals from Community Pharmacists
Authors: Osada Shin 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
BackgroundPolypharmacy is one of the most critical issues worldwide, especially in elderly people. In Japan, fees to support deprescription were established in 2018 which are calculated as the community pharmacists propose deprescribing in patients prescribed 6 or more medications regularly by submitting documents to the prescribing doctor, who may withdraw 2 or more medications. However, these are hardly calculated though many deprescribing proposals submitted.ObjectiveThe objective in this study, success factors in deprescribing proposals from the community pharmacists to prescribing doctors were searched for.MethodsTracing reports submitted from Aug 2017 to Mar 2020 were investigated retrospectively and factors that influenced the success of deprescribing were searched for.ResultsOne hundred and twenty-three tracing reports (67 reports of successful deprescribing and 56 reports of failure, success rate was 54.5%) were submitted to the prescribing doctors. Deprescribing proposals with existing unused medications or an assessment of possible adverse events significantly increased the deprescribing success rate. Whether the pharmacist experienced face-to-face communication with the prescribing doctors was not significant.ConclusionTracing reports with deprescribing proposals submitted by the community pharmacists may resolve polypharmacy. Mentioning unused medications or possible adverse events could increase the deprescribing success rate.
Hydropower Generation by Transpiration from Microporous Alumina
Authors: Kaur Manpreet , Ishii Satoshi , Nozaki Ryusuke , Nagao Tadaaki 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Traditional hydropower generation is one of the most sustainable energy sources; however, the local environmental impact of hydroelectric dams and reservoirs is serious, and hydroelectric power requires high-cost turbines and generators. Because these installations utilize gravitational potential energy of massive volumes of falling water, this sort of hydropower generation is unsuitable for ubiquitous, small-scale energy production. Here, we report that wetting and evaporation of pure water from a tiny block of porous alumina generates electrical current in the direction of water transpiration. The current induced in microporous alumina is associated with mass transport of water accompanying ions that accumulate near the negatively charged surface of alumina pores. Without any pre-treatment or additives, once evaporation commences, a 3×3 cm2 piece of alumina can generate an open-circuit voltage as large as 0.27 V. The power generation scheme we propose here is simple, clean, and versatile, and it can be employed anywhere, as it utilizes only spontaneous capillary action of water and Coulombic interaction at the alumina-water interface, without requiring any input of heat or light.
Utilizing Sewage Wastewater Heat in District Heating Systems in Serbia - Effects on Sustainability
Authors: Živković Marija , Ivezic Dejan 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Transformation of the heating sector is recognized as being essential for ensuring reliable and affordable energy services provided with reduced consumption of energy sources, diminished impact on the environment and less import dependency. The possibility of utilizing energy sources that otherwise would be wasted needs to be considered and treated as a big advantage of district heating systems. Despite many advantages, sewage wastewater heat is still a mostly unused resource at the global level and a totally unused energy source in Serbia, while data about the potential of this energy source are lacking. This research proposes a methodology for the determination of the technical potential of waste heat from wastewater treatment facilities for use in district heating systems by heat pump application. Data from existing wastewater treatment facilities are used for providing data for replication in cities without wastewater treatment plants but with district heating systems. An estimation of the recoverable heat energy potential of wastewater is used for evaluation of some effects that could be obtained through its full utilization for heat production in the existing district heating systems. Three groups of indicators are selected for analysis focusing on district heating systems' energy performance (primary energy factor, specific heat consumption per degree day and heating area), the security of energy supply (import dependency, Shannon Wiener diversification index, the share of renewables) and environmental impact (carbon dioxide emission coefficient). Values of the selected indicators are determined for the current state of district heating systems and for the possible future state that could be achieved after full utilization of sewage wastewater potential. The proposed methodology is applied to Serbia, as a case study. It has been shown that all analyzed indicators for the projected future would have more preferable values compared to the values that correspond to the current state of the district heating systems. The use of this renewable energy source should provide primary energy savings of 5% per year, reduction of carbon dioxide emission of 6.5% per year, reduction of import dependency of DH systems of 9.8% and improved diversification of energy sources of 21%.
Hypoxia Activates SUMO-1-HIF-1α Signaling Pathway to Upregulate Pro-inflammatory Cytokines and Permeability in Human Tonsil Epithelial Cells
Authors: Lin Yan , Wang Mingjing , Xiao Zhen , Jiang Zhiyan 
Published: February 2021

Abstract

Adenoid hypertrophy (AH) can cause harmful effects on untreated children, which include mouth breathing, chronic intermittent hypoxia, sleep disordered breathing (SDB), and even some behavioral problems. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying this pathophysiological process have remained poorly understood. In this study, with use of a variety of biochemical approaches including gene silencing and transiently ectopic protein expression, we examined the molecular effectors involved in this process in an in vitro model of human tonsil epithelial cells (HTECs). We found that a hypoxic condition caused a dramatic upregulation of SUMO-1 expression, a member of the ubiquitin-like protein family, which in turn stabilized hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α by sumoylating this HIF subunit and thus preventing its ubiquitination and degradation in HTECs. We also found that activating HIF-1α promoted permeability of HTEC cells as well as production and secretion of a variety of proinflammatory cytokines including IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α, and pro-angiogenic growth factor VEGF. Furthermore, our data showed that hypoxia-induced inflammation was markedly inhibited by M2 macrophages that possess potent anti-inflammatory function. Our results suggest that selectively inhibiting the SUMO-1-HIF-1α signaling pathway leads to inflammatory responses in human tonsil epithelial cells, which might be a novel therapeutic approach for managing hypoxia-induced SDB resulting from AH.
Gut microbiota regulates AML via alternation of intestinal barrier function mediated by butyrate
Authors: Wang Ruiqing , Yang Xinyu , Liu Jinting , Zhong Fang , Zhang Chen , Chen Yuhong , Sun Tao , Ji Chun-yan , Ma Daoxin 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
The gut microbiota has been linked to many cancers, yet the role of intestinal microbes in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) progression remains unclear. Here, we observed a significant shift in the gut microbiota in AML patients, characterized by reduced Faecalibacterium abundance. According to a murine AML model, we found that intestinal microbial diversity decreased as the disease progressed. On the other side, gut microbiota dysbiosis induced by antibiotic treatment accelerated AML progression with a higher leukemia cell burden and shorter overall survival (OS), while fecal microbiota transplantation altered this process. Metabolome analyses showed that microbiota-derived butyrate concentration obviously decreased in AML patient feces, and butyrate gavage postponed AML progression in a mouse model. Moreover, our study revealed that intestinal barrier function is decreased in AML mice which may be related to the microbiota disorder caused by AML. Lower intestinal barrier function increased the bacterial-associated lipopolysaccharide (LPS) concentration in the peripheral blood of AML patients or mice through enhancing intestinal permeability. Butyrate repaired the intestinal barrier damage and inhibited LPS absorption in AML mice. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that the gut microbiota promotes AML progression in a metabolite dependent manner, and targeting the gut microbiota might provide a novel therapeutic option for AML.
Effect of Characterized Pectinase Produced From Aspergillus Niger on the Clarification of Orange and Pineapple Juices
Authors: Ametefe George D. , Oluwadamilare Lemo A. , Ibidapo Olubunmi I. , Fashola Folake , Orji Frank A. , Iweala Emeka E. J. , Chinedu Shalom N. 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background: Owing to the importance of enzyme in fruit processing, demand in quality pectinase has increased. As a result, understanding the properties of locally produced pectinase is very important to encourage promotion in its application in the industry. In this study, Aspergillus niger was isolated, screened for its ability to secrete pectinase. The screened Aspergillus niger was used to produce pectinase using solid state fermentation of orange peels. Results: The effect of temperature and its stability, pH and its stability, substrate concentration, metal ions (Na+, Ca2+, Mg2+, K+, Mn2+, Zn2+, Co2+, and Fe2) were also investigated. The characterized pectinase was applied in the clarification of both orange and pineapple juices. The findings revealed that the enzyme was most effective at 50oC and relatively stable at 20oC activity of about 0.50 mg/ml for both. The optimal pH of 5 at about 0.50 mg/ml, and stabilized pH of 4 with approximately similar activity was also obtained. Of the metals ions investigated, Na+ gave the highest activity of about 0.61 mg/ml compared to ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) which displayed an inhibitory effect. On further optimizing for the concentration of Na+, low concentration of the ion (10 mM) had higher activity of about 0.61 mg/ml. The (Km) and Vmax was about 0.36 mg/ml and 4.39 U/ml. Conclusion: The characterized pectinase clarified both orange and pineapple juices, with enhanced clarification in orange juice compared to pineapple juice. Therefore, the characterized crude pectinase was suitable for application in the clarification of juices.
Predicting climate effects on aquatic true bugs in a tropical biodiversity hotspot
Authors: Velayutham Sundar Shunmuga , Silva Daniel Paiva , Roque Fabio de Oliveira , Ferreira Juliana Simião , Heino Jani 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Climate change is a matter of worldwide concern with severe predicted impacts on biodiversity. Here, we analysed the potential impacts of current and future climates on aquatic true bugs (Heteroptera) in relation to their distribution patterns and ecological preferences (based on a database generated from existing literature references and field collections). We considered the traits as ‘species thermal range’ and ‘emergence period’ to evaluate the future climate change impacts on the distributions of aquatic true bugs in the riverine regions of a tropical biodiversity hotspot, the Western Ghats of India. We used Species Distribution Models (SDMs) to evaluate the potential impacts of climate change on the distributions of aquatic true bugs. We modelled the distributions of twenty-six species of aquatic true bugs using different modelling tools through a carefully examined set of occurrence records to generate potential present distributions and to project these distributions into future scenarios of climate change. We observed increasing/decreasing range sizes of the species in the current and future scenarios. We found losses and increases of species' ranges in some regions, but not much variation in species richness. Similarly, no significant effect was observed in the distribution ranges for species with different duration of emergence period and thermal range in current and future climatic scenarios. Losses and gains in species richness would be concentrated in the mountainous area of the Western Ghats, whereas loss of species and the bigger difference between current and future richness will occur in the adjacent lowlands and towards central regions, including the network of protected areas of the Western Ghats. These areas are critical to buffer regional species loss in the future.
Circulation pattern control of wet days and dry days in Free State, South Africa
Authors: Ibebuchi Chibuike Chiedozie 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Atmospheric circulation is a vital process in the transport of heat, moisture, and pollutants around the globe. The variability of rainfall depends to some extent on the mechanisms of atmospheric circulation. This paper uses the concept of classifying the recurrent large-scale atmospheric circulation patterns in southern Africa, and the linkage of the classified patterns to wet days and dry days in Free State, South Africa, for the analysis of how the probability of wet and dry events in Free State can be associated with specific synoptic situations, in addition to the underlying dynamics. Principal component analysis was applied to the T-mode matrix (column/variable is time series and row is grid points at which the field was observed) of daily mean sea level pressure field from 1979 to 2018 in classifying the recurrent circulation patterns in southern Africa. 18 circulation types (CTs) were classified in the study region. From the linkage of the CTs to the observed rainfall data, from 11 stations in Free State, it was found that dominant austral winter and late austral autumn CTs have a higher probability of bringing dry days to Free State. Dominant austral summer and late austral spring CTs were found to have a higher probability of bringing wet days to Free State. Cyclonic/anti-cyclonic activity over the southwest Indian Ocean, explained to a good extent, the inter-seasonal variability of rainfall in Free State. The synoptic state associated with a stronger anti-cyclonic circulation at the western branch of the South Indian Ocean high-pressure, during austral summer, leading to enhanced moisture transport by southeast winds was found to have the highest probability to bring above-average rainfall in most regions in Free State; while the synoptic state associated with enhanced transport of cold dry air, from the Benguela current, by the extratropical westerlies was found to be associated with the highest probability of (winter) dryness in Free State.
Self -Assembled Raccoon Dog Parvovirus VP2 Protein Confers Immunity Against RDPV Disease in Raccoon Dogs: In Vitro and in Vivo Studies
Authors: Xia Linya , Luo Guoliang , Wu Mingjie , Wang Lei , Zhang Ning , Wu Congmei , Yin Yuhe 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background: Raccoon dog parvovirus (RDPV) causes acute infectious diseases in raccoon dogs and may cause death in severe cases. Current treatment strategy relies on the extensive usage of classical inactivated vaccine which is marred by large doses, short immunization cycles and safety concerns.Methods: The present study aimed at optimization of RDPV VP2 gene, subcloning the gene into plasmid pET30a, and its subsequent transfer to E. coli with trigger factor 16 for co-expression. The protein thus expressed was purified with ammonium sulfate precipitation, hydrophobic chromatography, and endotoxin extraction procedures. VLPs were examined by transmission electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering, and the efficacy of VLPs vaccine was tested in vivo.Results: Results indicated that RDPV VP2 protein could be expressed soluble. Transmission electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering results indicated that RDPV VP2 self-assembled into VLPs. Hemagglutination inhibition antibody titers elicited by Al(OH)3 adjuvanted RDPV VLPs were comparable with RDPV inactivated vaccines, and the viral loads in the blood of the struck raccoon dogs were greatly reduced. Hematoxylin and eosin and Immunohistochemical results indicated that RDPV VLPs vaccine could protect raccoon dogs against RDPV infections. Conclusions: These results suggest that RDPV VLPs have the ability to become a potential vaccine candidate for RDPV therapy.