bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Oral Health Status of a Utah Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs) Population
Authors: Pinzon Lilliam Marie , Petukhova Yuliya , Pham Sarah , Knighton Ryan , He Jiajia , Phan Hanthao Thi , Garcia-Godoy Franklin , Rackham Lauren , Powers John M 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background: There is a paucity of literature on the state of oral health in the minority populations of Utah. The purpose of this study was to analyze the oral health needs of individuals in Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSA) regions in Utah, many of whom belong to minority groups.Methods: The study was conducted through the use of a retrospective analysis of survey data collected as part of the standard of care from outreach activities of the University of Utah School of Dentistry. Events targeted specific populations with traditionally poor access to oral health care, including low-income, Hispanic, refugee, elderly and rural populations. Dental students conducted clinical exams and oral interviews with each patient; participant responses were entered directly into an online database using REDCap. The data was analyzed using Pearson’s chi-square test and Fisher’s exact test. Approval for this retrospective data analysis was obtained from the University of Utah Institutional Review Board.Results: This research identified pervasive treatment needs, with almost half of those studied needing moderate to urgent oral healthcare (49%). This HPSA population (60%) struggles to access appropriate care, with financial barriers being particularly problematic. Important gaps in oral health knowledge also suggest the potential for educational interventions to improve the oral health status of this population.Conclusion: The information provided by this study will allow for the future development of focused strategies in meeting HPSA population’s oral healthcare needs, including targeted seeking of funds for treatment from Federal and State authorities.
Protein Phosphatase 4 (PPP4) Prevents Female Reprogramming in the Mouse Testis After Sex Determination and Protects Male Fertility
Authors: Han Feng , Dong Ming-Zhe , Lei Wen-Long , Xu Zhi-Liang , Gao Fei , Schatten Heide , Wang Zhen-Bo , Sun Xiao-Fang , Sun Qing-Yuan 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background: Impairment of lineage specification and function of gonadal somatic cells can lead to disorders of sexual development (DSDs) and fertility defects in humans. However, little is known about the function of protein phosphatases in testis development. Results: We showed that protein phosphatase 4 (PPP4) could maintain SOX9 expression in Sertoli cells and play an essential role in Sertoli cell lineage maintenance and male fertility. Conditional deletion of Ppp4c, a PPP4 catalytic subunit gene, caused the reprogramming of Sertoli cells to granulosa-like cells postnatally by inducing ectopic expression of FOXL2, which in turn led to testicular BTB structure damage, germ cell loss and ultimate testis to ovary-like gland transformation. Conclusion: Reprogramming of Sertoli cells due to absence of PPP4 may help explain the etiology of disorders of sexual differentiation and male infertility.
Multi-Omics Integrative Analysis Identifying EPC1 as a Prognostic Biomarker in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Dai Yongmei , chen Wenhan , Huang Junpeng , Cui Tongjian , huang chen 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background: To investigate the prognostic significance and related mechanisms of the expression of enhancer of polycomb homolog 1 ( EPC1 ) in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) from a multi-omics perspective. Methods: The Kaplan-Meier plotter was used to evaluate the prognostic significance of EPC1 . Based on the LinkedOmics, UALCAN, and Timer platforms, the multi-omics expression of EPC1 in HNSCC was explored to investigate mechanisms affecting prognoses. Results: At the genetic level, 8208 genes were negatively correlated with EPC1 expression, and 11,956 genes were positively correlated with EPC1 expression. For the noncoding region, a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network was constructed, and 6 microRNAs (miRNAs) and 3 long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) were identified. At the protein level, a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network related to EPC1 expression was constructed and was involved in human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, endocrine resistance, and multiple cancer pathways. At the immune level, EPC1 expression was correlated with a variety of immune cells, immune molecules, and chemokine receptors, which together constitute the immune microenvironment of tumors. According to the clinical data, high EPC1 expression in HNSCC was a predictor of patient prognosis (hazard ratio (HR)=0.64; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.49-0.83; P<0.01). EPC1 expression differentiated clinical subtypes and was related to key factors such as TP53 and HPV (P<0.05). Conclusion: High EPC1 expression is a protective factor in HNSCC and benefits patient survival. EPC1 may participate in the genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and immunomics of HNSCC, and the results can provide a reference for the development of targeted drugs and the evaluation of patient prognosis.
Effects of Self-Esteem on the Associations of Infertility-Related Stress With Psychological Distress Among Chinese Women With Infertility: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Cui Chunying , Wang Yu , Wang Lie , Wang Xiaoxi 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background: Anxiety and depression are the most common occurring psychological distress in infertile patients. Our study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of depression and anxiety, and investigate the association of infertility-related stress with them among Chinese infertility patients. Meanwhile, the role of self-esteem in this association was explored as a positive psychological resource.Methods: The investigation was conducted between December 2017 to May 2018. Questionnaires that measured infertility-related stress, self-esteem, depression, and anxiety were distributed to 536 female infertility patients in Shenyang, China. Hierarchical linear regression analyses were used to examine the mediating and moderating role of self-esteem. Baron and Kenny’s technique, asymptotic, and resampling strategies were used to confirm the mediating role of self-esteem on the associations of infertility-related stress with depression and anxiety.Results: The prevalence of depression and anxiety was 27.9% and 42.2% among Chinese female infertility patients. Infertility-related stress was positively associated with depression and anxiety, whereas self-esteem was negatively associated with depression and anxiety. Besides, the effect of infertility-related stress on depression and anxiety gradually decreases with the increase of self-esteem. Meanwhile, self-esteem partially mediated the association of infertility-related stress with depression and anxiety.Conclusions: There was a high prevalence of psychological distress. Infertility-related stress and self-esteem were associated with psychological distress, which helped to explain why infertile women suffered higher prevalence of depression and anxiety. Besides, self-esteem mediated and moderated the effects of infertility-related stress on depression and anxiety. Interventions that focus on self-esteem may be effective and available resource to combat mental problems.
Bioinformatic Analysis of Key Genes Related to Tumor Microenvironment in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Zhang Jingxu , Liu Hao , Zhao Keyi , Bao Zhiye , Zhang Zhishuo , Li Ye 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background: Tumor microenvironment (TME) plays important roles in the development of different types of cancer. However, the critical regulatory members of TME related to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain unclear. In this study, a bioinformatic analysis based on Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Estimation of STromal and Immune cells in Malignant Tumor tissues using Expression data (ESTIMATE) datasets was conducted to predict the key genes affecting TME in HCC.Material and Methods: First, 340 patients and 20531 genes’ expression data with ESTIMATE scores were filtered and combined to identify differentially expressed genes. Next, protein-protein interaction (PPI) network and functional enrichment analysis were conducted to find hub genes. Then, log-rank test and functional enrichment analysis were conducted on the consensus genes and hub genes. Finally, Kaplan-Meier curves of the hub genes were drawn. As verification, those genes were searched on Oncomine database.Results: Among all differentially expressed genes, 916 genes were expressed in both the immune and stromal groups. The Gene Ontology (GO) terms they enriched were T cell activation, leukocyte migration, collagen-containing matrix, external side of plasma membrane, receptor ligand and activator activity. Cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction was the most significant Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) term. Furthermore, cd3e, cd3g, hla-dpa1, hla-dpb1, lck, and map4k1 hub genes were low expressed in 304 patients, participating in a variety of responses including immune response−activating cell surface receptor signaling, immune response−activating signal transduction, clathrin−coated vesicle membrane, immune receptor activity， peptide binding and amide binding pathways. Their low expression was also verified on Oncomine database.Conclusion: cd3e, cd3g, hla-dpa1, hla-dpb1, lck, and map4k1 participated in many aspects related to TME, and their low expression constructs a signature, may predict a poor 5 years’ survival in hepatocellular carcinoma.
Identification of Coronary Risk Factors Among Urban and Rural Malaysian Youths and Their Possible Underlying Causes
Authors: Nor Noor Shafina Mohd , Chua Yung-An , Razak Suraya Abdul , Ismail Zaliha , Nawawi Hapizah Mohd 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Early identification of the coronary risk factors (CRF) among youths assists in determining the high-risk group to develop CAD in later life. In view of the modernised lifestyle, both urban and rural residing youths are thought to be equally exposed to various CRF. This study aimed to describe the common CRF including obesity, dyslipidaemia, hypertension, smoking and family history of premature CAD in Malaysian youths residing in urban and rural areas. Methods: We recruited 942 Malaysian subjects aged 15–24 years old [(males=257, and urban=555 vs rural=387, (mean age + SD = 20.5 + 2.1 years)] from the community health screening programmes organised in both rural and urban regions throughout Malaysia. Medical history and standardised anthropometric measurements were recorded. Laboratory investigations were obtained for fasting serum lipid profiles and plasma glucose levels. Results: Youths in the rural were more overweight and obese (49.4% vs 42.7%, p<0.044) and have higher family history of hyperlipidaemia (16.3% vs 11.3%, p<0.036) than youths in the urban areas. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL-c) (2.8 vs 2.7 mmol/L) and total cholesterol (TC) (4.7 vs 4.5 mmol/L) were significantly higher in urban compared to rural youths (p<0.019 and p<0.012). Overall, more youth in this study has CRF rather than not (Has CRF = 67.0% vs No CRF = 33.0%). Significantly more rural youths have at least one CRF compared to urban youths (rural = 71.6% vs urban = 63.8%, p=0.012). Conclusion: In conclusion, rural youths have significantly higher BMI with higher family history of hyperlipidaemia compared to urban youths. However, urban youths have higher LDL-c and TC levels. Other coronary risk factors are not significantly different between urban and rural youths. CRF were significantly more prevalent among rural compared to urban youths.
The Thresholds of Greening Unit Serving Set as an Arousal Task Based on EEG and Eye Movement
Authors: ZHANG Yu-Le , Zhu Shoulin 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Monotony is the most prominent characteristic feature of the prairie highway. Monotony can cause a decrease in the level of arousal, leading to lower vigilant. This study sets the greening unit as an arousal task to withstand the monotony and examines the different landscapes’ effects on EEG(electroencephalo-graph) and eye movement for drivers. 26 participants took part in a simulated driving experiment. Three scenes correspond to other greening units, respectively, one set as the control group without greening. The results show that the greening unit will improve driver vigilance and external eye movement control preponderance. The type of eye movement and [(alpha + theta) / beta] performance optimal arousal is immediate but discontinuous; The type of eye movement and alpha sample entropy show different spatial patterns of landscapes have different effective lengths. In conclusion,(1) Landscape（Fully open with triangular shape） provides superior arousal effect；(2)The greening unit length threshold corresponding to the optimal arousal level of drivers is 666 m; (3)The alpha sample entropy of less than 0.234 can be identified as the threshold of effect greening length
Recursive Bit Assignment With Neural Reference Adaptive Step (RNA) MPPT Algorithm for Photoviolatic System
Authors: Hegazy Eman , Shokair Mona , saad waleed 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
BackgroundNowadays, most of the recent research is directed towards photovoltaic harvesting systems due to their great characteristics. To increase the efficiency of a photoviolatic harvesting system, Maximum Power Point Tracking algorithms are utilized to achieve the maximum output power of the PV. This is done by optimizing the duty ratio of the DC-DC boost converter. ResultsIn this paper, a proposed RNA algorithm is introduced as an efficient MPPT algorithm for the PV system. This proposed RNA algorithm depends on two main parts. The First part is an artificial neural network to produce a reference power. The Second one is a proposed Recursive Bit Assignment network to present the variable step size of the duty ratio of the DC-DC boost converter. The RBA network consists of N-bit memory. The instantaneous PV power value sets the contents of the memory to generate the variable step size of the duty ratio. Moreover, the design of the neural network to give its best performance is explained. ConclusionsThe performance of the chosen PV module is simulated for a variable solar radiation and a constant temperature. Simulation studies are performed using MATLAB to evaluate the system performance. From simulation results, the proposed RNA can achieve a fast tracking time, a high power efficiency, an actual maximum power point and an acceptable ripple. Additionally, comparisons between the RNA algorithm and other related algorithms such as Perturbe and Observe, Neural Network, and Adaptive Neural Interference System algorithms are executed. The proposed RNA achieves the best performance in all terms.
Robust Intelligent Fault-Tolerant Based Finite-Time Attitude Control for Quadrotor UAV Without Angular Velocity Measurements
Authors: Liu Kang , Wang Rujing 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
This study considers the problem of finitetime attitude control for quadrotor unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) subject to parametric uncertainties, external disturbances, input saturation, and actuator faults. Under the strong approximation of radial basis function neural networks (RBFNN), an adaptive finitetime NN observer is first presented to obtain the accurate information of unavailable angular velocity. More importantly, an adaptive mechanism to adjust the output gain of the fuzzy logic system (FLS) is developed to avoid the selection of larger control gains, and can even work well without the prior information on the bound of the lumped disturbance. Based on the nonsingular fast terminal sliding mode manifold, a novel switching control law is designed by incorporating the adaptive FLS and fast continuous controller in order to remove the undesired chattering phenomenon and solve the negative effects induced from the parametric uncertainty, external disturbance, and actuator fault. To deal with the input saturation, an auxiliary system is constructed. The rigorous theoretical analysis is given to prove that all the signals in the closed-loop system are uniformly bounded, and tracking errors converge into bounded neighborhoods near the origin in finite time. Moreover, the issue of selecting control parameters is analyzed in detail. Last but not least, the comparative simulation results show the validity and feasibility of the proposed control framework.
Sensitivity Enhancement of Ag-Ni Functional Bimetallic SPR Sensor Using Black Phosphorus in the Visible Region
Authors: kumar prem , Kumar Rajeev , Harsh O. K. , Singh Vikram 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
In this seminal, a highly sensitive bimetallic layer for surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensor applications is proposed with the BK7 prism, silver–nickel (Ag–Ni) bimetallic films, and hybrid structure of black phosphorus layer under angular interrogation technique. Sensitivity, minimum reflectivity (Rmin), DA, and FoM are the criterion for the sensing applications. By tuning these parameters, the maximum sensitivity of 347°/RIU is obtained with two-dimensional (2D) black phosphorus and the optimized thickness of the Silver layer at 633nm wavelength. 2D black phosphorus (BP) has attracted immense interest from the research community because of its unique properties like high charge density, direct bandgap, and better binding to the various molecules. The noble bimetallic layer-based SPR sensors have improved the sensor performance due to their exciting properties of large optical field enhancements follow on to the strong scattering and absorption of light. Herein, the Black Phosphorus-based SPR sensor is optimized with the thickness variation of the Silver layer due to ease of synthesis, a high degree of surface functionalization, and tunable Physico-chemical properties to the various sensing-medium refractive indices ranging from 1.330 to 1.335. Although there are many analogous sensors reported, limited attention has been paid to propose one, which exhibits the higher sensitivity, better DA, and superior FoM. The increased sensitivity of bimetallic layer and 2D, Black Phosphorus-based sensor providing promising applications in biosensing.
Catalyst-Free Crosslinking Modification of Nata-De-Coco-Based Bacterial Cellulose Nanofibers Using Citric Acid
Authors: Salihu Rabiu , Razak Saiful Izwan Abd , Zawawi Nurliyana Ahmad , Shahir Shafinaz , Sani Mohd Helmi , Wsoo Mohammed Ahmad , Nayan Nadirul Hasraf Mat 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Bacterial cellulose (BC) has gained research attention in materials science and biomedicine due to its fascinating properties. BCs' fiber collapse phenomenon (inability to reabsorb water after dehydration) is one of the drawbacks that limit its potentials. To overcome this, a catalyst-free thermal crosslinking reaction was employed to modify the BC using citric acid (CA) without compromising the biocompatibility. Properties evaluation of the modified BC (MBC) by FTIR, XRD, SEM/EDX, TGA, and Tensile analysis confirmed the fiber crosslinking and improvement of some properties that could be advantageous for various applications. The modified nanofiber seems to maintain its inherent crystallinity and thermal stability with an increased water absorption/swelling and tensile modulus. The resulting MBC reported here can be relevant for wound dressings and tissue scaffolding.
Analytical Performances of the Point-of-Care BIOSYNEX COVID-19 Ag BSS for the Detection of SARS‐CoV‐2 Nucleocapsid Protein in Nasopharyngeal Swabs: A Prospective Field Evaluation During the COVID-19 Third Wave in France
Authors: Fitoussi Fréderic , Tonen-Wolyec Serge , Awaida Natalio , Dupont Raphael , Belec Laurent 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background: Evaluating the accuracy and reliability of rapid diagnostic testing kits is crucial for surveillance and diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infections in general population. The aim of the study was to assess the analytical performances of the antigen-rapid diagnosis test (Ag-RDT) BIOSYNEX COVID-19 Ag BSS (Biosynex Swiss SA, Freiburg, Switzerland), targeting the SARS-CoV-2 N nucleocapsid protein, for the diagnosis of COVID-19, by reference to real-time RT-PCR (rtRT-PCR).Methods: A total 967 adults living in Paris region were prospectively included during the third wave of the COVID-19 epidemic in France. Paired nasopharyngeal flocked swabs were collected at the same timepoint from persons aged ≥18 years receiving testing for SARS-CoV-2, at two private laboratories.Results: Overall, the Ag-RDT showed high sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV of 81.8%, 99.6%, 96.6% and 97.5%, respectively, as well as high or almost perfect agreement (97.0%), reliability assessed by Cohen’s κ coefficient (0.87), and accuracy assessed by Youden’s J index (81.6%) to detect SARS-CoV-2. The analytical performances of the Ag-RDT remained high in the event of significant viral excretion (i.e., N gene Ct values ≤ 33 by reference rtRT-PCR), while the sensitivity of the Ag-RDT dropped to 55.2% with low or very low viral shedding (Ct> 33).Conclusions: The Ag-RDT BIOSYNEX COVID-19 Ag BSS showed high specificity and sufficient sensitivity for the detection of SARS-CoV-2. This test is a promising potential easy diagnostic tool, especially in situations of symptomatic COVID-19 and/or proven contagiousness.
Nutritional Status and Dietary Pattern of the Elderly in Tshiulungoma and Maniini Village of Thulamela Municipality, Vhembe District.
Authors: motadi selekane , Khorommbi Tshifhiwa , Maluleke Lungile 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Introduction: Dietary patterns provide a comprehensive information about the food consumption habits within a population. Dietary patterns of every individual changes as we grow older. Dietary pattern of elderly is essential to the evaluation of their nutritional status. This study aimed to describe the nutritional status and dietary pattern of the elderly. Methods: This was a cross sectional study involving elderly people aged 60 years and above. Socio demographic information was obtained from elderly people through a questionnaire. Dietary information was assessed using a questionnaire and dietary diversity score. Data on dietary intake were collected using Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ). Height and weight were measured. BMI were determined and classified using BMI category. Results: A total of 300 elderly people had participated in the study, 150 from Maniini village and 150 from Tshiulungoma village. The prevalence of underweight, overweight and obesity was 2%, 34% and 17% respectively. Most (66%) of the participants ate three meals per day. It was found that 13.7% of the elderly skipped breakfast every day. About 19.6% of elderly ate supper sometimes while 13.7% did not eat supper.Conclusion: The findings of study reveals that most of the participants ate three main meals a day, with minority skipping either breakfast or dinner or eat in- between meals. Obesity was more prevalent in female as compared to the male counterparts. Improving nutritional status of elderly should follow an integrated approach tackling both malnutrition at the same time considering behavioural approach.