bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Trends in Inequality in Maternal and Child Health and Health Care in Uganda: Analysis of the Uganda Demographic and Health Surveys
Authors: Kakama Alex Ayebazibwe 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
Background: Uganda has made great strides in improving maternal and child health. However, little is known about how this improvement has been distributed across different socioeconomic categories, and how the health inequalities have changed over time. This analyses data from three Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) conducted in 2006, 2011, and 2016 in Uganda to assess trends in inequality for a variety of mother and child health and health care indicators. Methods: The indicators studied are widely acknowledged as critical for monitoring and evaluating maternal and child health status. These include infant and child mortality, underweight status, stunting, and prevalence of diarrhea. Antenatal care, skilled birth attendance, delivery in health facilities, contraception prevalence, full immunization coverage, and medical treatment for child diarrhea and URI symptoms are all health care indicators. Two metrics of inequity were used: the quintile ratio, which evaluates discrepancies between the wealthiest and poorest quintiles, and the concentration index, which utilizes data from all five quintiles. Results: The study found extraordinary, universal improvement in population averages in most of the indices, ranging from the poorest to the wealthiest groups, as well as between rural and urban areas. However, significant socioeconomic and rural-urban disparities persist. Under-five mortality, malnutrition in children (Stunting and Underweight), the prevalence of anaemia, mothers with low BMI, and the prevalence of ARI were found to have worsening inequities.Healthcare utilization measures such as skilled birth attendants, facility delivery, contraceptive prevalence rate, child immunization, and ITN usage were found to be significantly improving or lowering disparity levels towards a perfect equity stance. Three healthcare utilization indicators, namely medical treatment for diarrhea, medical treatment for ARI symptoms, and medical treatment for fever, demonstrated a completely perfect equitable situation.Conclusion: Increased use of health services among the poor and rural populations leads to improved health status and, as a result, the elimination of disparities between the poor and the wealthy, rural and urban people.Recommendation: Intervention initiatives should prioritize the impoverished and rural communities while also considering the wealthier and urban groups.
Telemedical Transport Layer Security Based Platform for Cardiac Arrhythmia Classification Using Quadratic Time-Frequency Analysis of HRV Signal
Authors: AHMED Ismail HADJ , Djebbari Abdelghani , Kachenoura Amar , SENHADJI Lotfi 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
In this paper, we have developed a client-server model implemented as a telemedical platform for real-time remote monitoring of the cardiovascular function in patients suffering from arrhythmia. This technical platform capable of detecting and classifying in real-time cardiac arrhythmia via a Graphical User Interface (GUI) using Time-Frequency analysis methods, features extraction, features selection, and classification of the Heart Rate Variability signal recorded using a data acquisition system. The data acquisition system that we used is mainly designed around the Raspberry Pi zero which communicates with a server through the TCP/IP involving a 4G/3G connection secured by the transport layer security (TLS) for a reliably safe connection between client and server. This telemedical platform adopts continuous control and monitoring of the heart rhythm. By using this system, in case of an alarm, medical staff can easily communicate with their patients in the hospital or at home.
Multi-agent Based Scheduling Method for Tandem Automated Guided Vehicle Systems
Authors: Ji Chol , Cha Ryong Gun 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
The way a AGV in each zone in tandem AGV (Automated Guided Vehicles) systems handles the local request for transport while schedules effectively the global request for transport involving the pickup/delivery operation at the transfer point by cooperating a AGV in other zone, affect the traveling time of the AGV (and thus energy consumption), as well as the waiting time of each node in the system. So far, almost all studies on tandem AGV systems focus on the optimal number of partitioned zones (and thus the number of AGVs), the optimal location of nodes into zones, the optimal location of transfer points between each two zones, the design of AGV’s direction to minimize the total handling flow or the traveling distance of AGV in each zone. This study presented a novel scheduling approach to effectively deal with global and local request by minimizing the total traveling time within the individual zone and the waiting time at the transfer points between zones based on the cooperating control of multi-agent. The proposed approach is verified at the AGV system for book printing process as the real-world experiment and it is showed that the scheduling for multi-agent based tandem AGV system is effective
Silencing of lncRNA H19 Enhances the Sensitivity to X-rays and Carbon-Ions Through the miR-130a-3p /WNK3 Signal Axis in Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer Cells
Authors: Zhao Xueshan , Jin Xiaodong , Zhang Qiuning , Liu Ruifeng , Luo Hongtao , Yang Zhen , Geng Yichao , Feng Shuangwu , Li Chengcheng , Wang Lina , Wang Xiaohu , Li Qiang 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
Background: LncRNA H19 was believed to act as an oncogene in various types of tumors and was considered to be a therapeutic target and diagnosis marker. However, the role of lncRNA H19 in regulating the radiosensitivity of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells was unknown. However, the effects of lncRNA H19 on radiosensitivity of NSCLC were not clear. Methods: The expression profiles of lncRNAs were explored via transcriptome sequencing in NSCLC. The CCK-8, EDU, and clonogenicity survival assay were conducted to explore the proliferation and radiosensitivity in NSCLC cells. Results: Expression patterns of lncRNAs revealed that compared with A549 cells, lncRNA H19 was upregulated in radioresistant NSCLC(A549-R11) cells. Knockdown experiments revealed that lncRNA H19 enhanced the radiation sensitivity of both A549 and H460 cancer cell lines to X-rays and carbon ion irradiation. Mechanistically, lncRNA H19 upregulated With-No-Lysine Kinase 3 (WNK3) expression via serving as a sponge of miR-130a-3p and promoted the resistance of NSCLC cells to both X-rays and carbon ion irradiation. Conclusion: Knockdown of lncRNA H19 promoted the radiation sensitivity of NSCLC cells to X-rays and carbon ion irradiation. Hence, lncRNA H19 might function as a potential therapeutic target which enhance the anti-tumor effects of radiotherapy in NSCLC.
Genetic Analysis of Salinity Tolerance in Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)
Authors: Omrani Saeed , Arzani Ahmad , Moghaddam Mohsen Esmaeilzadeh , Mahlooji Mehrdad 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
Background: The understanding of the genetics of salt tolerance is of utmost need to combat the rising prevalence of soil salinity through employing tolerant cultivars. The current study was carried out to investigate the quantitative genetic basis of agronomical and physiological-related traits of salinity-stressed plants using the seven generations (parents, F1, F2, F3, and backcrosses) of wheat grown in the field under normal and saline conditions. Results: The combined analysis of variance showed highly significant effects of salinity and genotypes (generations) on all the traits. The scaling tests did not support the three-parameter model (additive-dominance model); hence, the six-parameter model was used to assess the genetic effects governing the traits in this study. The epistatic gene effects were crucial, as were additive and dominance gene effects for plant height, K/Na, and yield in salinity stress conditions. The highest heritability was observed for total chlorophyll, carotenoid, SPAD chlorophyll, and K/Na ratio in saline conditions. The additive genetic variance was more important than the dominance variance for grain weight, K, K/Na in salinity conditions. Conclusions: The findings of the current study may have important implications in the quantitative genetics of salinity tolerance and the development of cultivars tolerant to salinity in wheat.
Variation in Tracheid Dimensions of Conifer Xylem Reveals Evidence of Adaptation to Environmental Conditions
Authors: Zheng Jingming , Li Yajin , Morris Hugh , Vandelook Filip , Jansen Steven 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
Background: Globally distributed extant conifer species must adapt to various environmental conditions, which would be reflected in their xylem structure, especially in the tracheid characteristics of earlywood and latewood. A comparative study of conifer species might shed light on how xylem structure responds to environmental conditions. With an anatomical trait dataset of 79 conifer tree species growing throughout China, an interspecific study within a phylogenetic context was conducted to quantify variance of tracheid dimensions and their response to climatic and soil conditions. Results: There was a significant difference in tracheid diameter between early- and latewood while no significant difference was detected in tracheid wall thickness through a phylogenetically paired t-test. Most of the tracheid dimensional traits were positively related to each other based on phylogenetic independent contrast (PIC) analyses, and tracheid structure could be accounted for by the first and second PCA axes. Through a phylogenetic principle component analysis (pPCA), Pinaceae species were found to be strongly divergent in their tracheid structure in contrast to a conservative tracheid structure in species of Cupressaceae, Taxaceae and Podocarpaceae. Meanwhile, tracheid wall thickness decreased from high to low latitudes in both earlywood and latewood, with tracheid diameter decreasing for latewood only. According to the most parsimonious phylogenetic general least square models (PGLS), environment and phylogeny together could explain about 21%~56% of tracheid structure variance, suggesting both genetics and the environment contribute to tracheid characteristics. Conclusions: The large variability of tracheid traits observed along an environmental gradient across China suggests that xylem structure was strongly constrained by the environmental conditions in temperate monsoonal climates and thus could be regarded as an ecological strategy for adapting to environmental stresses, especially freezing and drought. Our results provide insights into the effects of climate and soil on the xylem structure of conifer species thus furthering our understanding of the trees’ response to global change and guiding forest management.
Construction of Cell Factory Capable of Efficiently Converting L-tryptophan Into 5-hydroxytryptamine
Authors: Wang Yingying , Chen Xueman , Chen Qiaoyu , Zhou Ning , Wang Xin , Zhang Alei , Chen Kequan , Ouyang Pingkai 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
Background: L-Tryptophan (L-trp) derivatives such as 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), N-Acetyl-5-hydroxytryptamine and melatonin are important molecules with pharmaceutical interest. Among, 5-HT is an inhibitory neurotransmitter with proven benefits for treating the symptoms of depression. At present, 5-HT depends on plant extraction and chemical synthesis, which limits its mass production and causes environmental problems. Therefore, it is necessary to develop an efficient, green and sustainable biosynthesis method to produce 5-HT.Results: Here we propose a one-pot production of 5-HT from L-trp via two enzyme cascades for the first time. First, a chassis cell that can convert L-trp into 5-HTP was constructed by heterologous expression of tryptophan hydroxylase from Schistosoma mansoni (SmTPH) and an artificial endogenous BH4 module. Then, dopa decarboxylase from Harminia axyridis (HaDDC), which can specifically catalyse 5-HTP to 5-HT, was used for 5-HT production. The cell factory, E. coli BL21(DE3)△tnaA/BH4/HaDDC-SmTPH, which contains SmTPH and HaDDC, was constructed for 5-HT synthesis. The highest concentration of 5-HT reached 414.5 ± 1.6 mg/L (with conversion rate of 43 mol%) at the optimal conditions (induced temperature, 25℃; IPTG concentration, 0.5 mM; catalysis temperature, 30℃; catalysis time, 72 h). Conclusions: This protocol provided an efficient one-pot method for converting L-trp into 5-HT production, which opens up possibilities for the practical biosynthesis of natural 5-HT at an industrial scale.
Optimization of a CNT-based SiGe Thin Film Solar Cell Structure
Authors: Madani Homa Hashemi , Shayesteh Mohammad Reza , Moslemi Mohammad Reza 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
In this paper, a SiGe thin film solar cell structure based on the carbon nanotube (CNT) and with a back surface field (BSF) layer is proposed. The efficiency of this structure is 40.36%, which is higher than conventional structures without CNT layer. We optimize this structure by changing the base layer thickness and determining the ratio of the width of the upper contact to the width of the entire cell. The cell efficiency after this optimization reaches 41.08%. Furthermore, the performance of this cell is evaluated using two types of CNT layers with sheet resistances of 128 Ω/□ and 76 Ω/□. The results of numerical simulation show that the SiGe thin film solar cell using CNT layer with 128 Ω/□ sheet resistance has better performance parameters. Finally, the number of metal electrodes above the cell is optimized due to the shading effect and we show that the contact distance in the presence of CNT layer can be increased up to 2000 µm.
Expression and Function of clpS and clpA in Xanthomonas Campestris Pv. Campestris
Authors: Lo Hsueh-Hsia , Chang Hsiao-Ching , Liao Chao-Tsai , Hsiao Yi-Min 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
ATP-dependent proteases (FtsH, Lon, and Clp family proteins) are ubiquitous in bacteria and play essential roles in many regulatory cell processes. Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris is a Gram-negative pathogen and can cause black rot diseases in crucifers. The genome of X. campestris pv. campestris have several clp genes, namely clpS, clpA, clpX, clpP, clpQ, and clpY. Among them, only clpX and clpP were known to be required for pathogenicity. Here, we focused on two uncharacterized clp genes (clpS and clpA) that encode the adaptor (ClpS) and ATPase subunit (ClpA) of the ClpAP protease complex, respectively. Transcriptional analysis revealed that expression of both clpS and clpA is induced by heat shock. Inactivation of clpA but not clpS resulted in susceptibility to high temperature and revealed an attenuation of virulence on the host plant. The altered phenotypes of the clpA mutant could be complemented in trans. Site-directed mutagenesis revealed that K223 and K504 are critical amino acid residues for ClpA function in heat tolerance. The clpA mutant revealed different protein expression profiles as compared to the wild type in response to heat stress. Taken together, we characterized two clp genes (clpS and clpA) by examining their expression and function including stress tolerance and pathogenicity. We demonstrated that both clpS and clpA are expressed in a temperature dependent manner, and clpA is required for survival at high temperature and full virulence of X. campestris pv. campestris. This is the first time that clpS and clpA has been characterized in Xanthomonas.
Specific Target Organ Toxicity (STOT) After Acute Exposure of Dinotefuan And Its Attenuation With Vitamin C Supplementation
Authors: Ahmad Hafiz Muhammad , Mirza Munazza Raza , Yousaf Muhammad Shahbaz , firyal Sehrish , Ali Muhammad Muddassir , Naseer Rahat 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
The present study was designed to evaluate the effect of 2-methyl-2-nitro-3-guanidine on non-target mammalian species after acute exposure and its probable. Forty-five four weeks old Sprague Dawley rats of mixed sexes having mean body weight (80 ± 20g) were randomly divided into three groups fifteen each, namely C (control), E(exposed), and V (exposed and vitamin supplemented) group. The E and V groups were exposed to 2000 mg/kg of body weight via gauge. The vitamin C was administrated by dissolving 400mg/350ml of water and given ad libitum (LD50). Eight hours after dosing 5ml blood was collected by cardiac puncture under sedation. After 48 hours five rats were selected randomly from each group, anesthetized, euthanized, and dissected. Mortalities in each group were taken into account to reduce decretory mortality. Different body tissues, liver, kidney, heart, and bones were separated and preserved in formalin for further analysis. Complete blood count was conducted along with markers of liver kidney and heart function. Bone characteristics and histopathology of soft tissues were carried out. Results showed significant disturbance in CBC and other biomarkers of liver kidney and heart function in the E group. Vitamin supplementation although improved the picture but non-significantly. Histopathology showed signs of necrosis in the exposed group with no improvement in the C group. The weight/Length index and the robusticity index were also found to follow similar trends. The present study was cautiously concluded that even single high dose exposure can cause tissue damage in non-target species.
Workload and job satisfaction of rural doctors during the new healthcare reform in China: a cross-sectional mixed methods study
Authors: Dong Xiangshu , Liu Baodan , Xiao Xiang , Han Huawei 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
Background

With the integration of urban and rural health insurance, the demand for health services from rural residents increases rapidly, which in turn, bring heavier workload for doctors from county public hospitals (CPHs). Meanwhile, township healthcare centers (THCs) are required to provide more additional public health services under the integration of public health and primary care, which also brings challenges for its doctors’ workload. As a result, Chinese rural doctors from both CPHs and THCs have to cope with heavier workload that may have an adverse effect on their job satisfaction. This study sought to investigate the association between the workload and their job satisfaction during the new healthcare reform in China.
Methods

A cross-sectional survey using mixed methods targeting Chinese rural doctors from both CPHs and THCs in three provinces of Gansu (the west province of China), Shanxi (the middle province of China), and Shandong (the east province of China) was conducted. Correlation analyses of three dimensions of workload and job satisfaction were performed. The association between workload and job satisfaction was estimated using discrete choice regression and the detail parts of workload were analyzed using qualitative data collected from interviews with some agency administrators and representatives from the respondents.
Results

Of the 849 rural doctors enrolled, 52.18% thought that the proportion of time spent on non-medical activities (PT) was too high; 78% reported that they worked more than 8 hours in a working day; up to 40% of rural doctors from county public hospitals (CPHs) reported unaffordable clinical visit number per day (CV), which was significantly higher than that from township healthcare centers (THCs). Both of the proportion of time on non-medical issues and working hours (WH) were significantly and negatively associated with the job satisfaction of rural doctors. However, the effects of clinical visit number were mixed, with a significantly negative association with the job satisfaction of doctors from CPHs rather than from THCs. Qualitative analysis indicated that non-medical activities constituted the main source of Chinese rural doctors workload, in terms of a performance assessment criteria for doctors from CPHs and public health services for doctors from THCs.
Conclusion

The workload, dominated by non-medical activities, working hour and clinical visit number, are non-negligible factors that negatively associated with Chinese rural doctors’ job satisfaction in the healthcare reform setting. The growing number of patients towards CPHs and the additional public health service imposed on the THC doctors were the main source for the workload that worsened rural doctors’ job satisfaction. Policy makers should consider some feasible measures to reduce non-medical activities for rural doctors so that they could dedicated their limited energy and time to the medical service.
ALF-Score: Network-Based Walkability
Authors: Alfosool Ali M. S. , Chen Yuanzhu , Fuller Daniel 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
Walkability is a term that describes various aspects of the built and social environment and has been associated with physical activity and public health. Walkability is subjective and although multiple definitions of walkability exist, there is no single agreed upon definition. Road networks are integral parts of mobility and should be an important part of walkability. However, they are missing from existing methods. Most walkability measures only provide area-based scores with low spatial resolution, have a one-size-fits-all approach, and do not consider individuals opinion. Active Living Feature Score (ALF-Score) is a network-based walkability measure that incorporates road network structures as a core component. It also utilizes user opinion to build a high-confidence ground-truth that is used in our machine learning pipeline to generate models capable of estimating walkability. We found combination of network features with road embedding and POI features creates a complimentary feature set enabling us to train our models with an accuracy of over 87% while maintaining a conversion consistency of over 98%. Our proposed approach outperforms existing measures by introducing a novel method to estimate walkability scores that are representative of users opinion with a high spatial resolution, for any point on the map.
Consortium of Plant Growth – Promoting Rhizobacteria Enhances Oilseed Rape (Brassica Napus L.) Growth Under Normal And Saline Conditions
Authors: Brzezinska Maria Swiontek , Świątczak Joanna , Wojciechowska Anna , Burkowska-But Aleksandra , Kalwasińska Agnieszka 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
Development of a preparation, which stimulates plant growth under normal and saline conditions, and protects against fungal infections, would increase crop yields and reduce damage in agriculture. This study was conducted using bacterial isolates from rape rhizosphere as a plant growth promoter and an alternative to chemical fertilizers. Three from fifty bacterial isolates: B14 (Pseudomonas grimontii), B16 (Sphingobacterium kitahiroshimense), and B19 (Microbacterium oxydans) showed the best in vitro plant growth – promoting (PGP) characteristics. B14 strain inhibited the growth of B. cinerea, C. acutatum, and P. lingam and B14 - inoculated plants had the best ability to grow in salt concentrations of 100 mM NaCl. Moreover, B14, B16 and B19 isolates coded for several genes involved in PGP activities, aimed at improving nutrient availability, resistance to abiotic stress, and fungal pathogen suppression. Microbial consortium (B14, B16, and B19) had the best effect on rape growth, significantly increasing chlorophyll content index, shoot length and number of live leaves, compared to the untreated control and single inoculant treatments. Consortium also induced the plants tolerance to salt stress. The genomic information as well as the observed traits, and beneficial attributes towards rape, make the rhizobacterial consortium an ideal candidate for further development as biofertilizers.