bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A novel biosurfactant producing Kocuria rosea ABR6 as potential strain in oil sludge recovery and lubrication
Authors: Akbari Elham , Rasekh Behnam , Maal Keivan Beheshti , Karbasiun Farahnaz , Yazdian Fatemeh , Emami-Karvani Zarrindokht , Peighami Reza 
Published: September 2021

AbstractBiosurfactants are amphiphilic molecules composed of a hydrophilic and hydrophobic moiety and had the ability to penetrate into different phases to reduce the surface tension. This features caused to oil recovery, lubrication and facilities of crude oil in pipeline. In current research Biosurfactant-producing strain was isolated from the storage tanks of the Isfahan Oil Refining Company in Iran, and screened by oil expansion test, droplet collapse, and surface tension reduction measurement. Hydrocarbon recovery from crude oil sludge was measured under constant conditions. The effect of factoring biosource lubrication on crude oil in pipelines was investigated in vitro. Also, the optimization of biosurfactant production in different conditions was measured as a single factor and using Response Surface Method (RSM). The best biosurfactant-producing bacterium was identified as Kocuria rosea ABR6, and its sequence was registered in the gene bank with access number of MK100469. Chemical analysis proved that the produced biosurfactant was a lipopeptide. 7% of crude oil was recovered from petroleum sludge by biosurfactant obtained from Kocuria rosea ABR6. Also, the speed of crude oil transfer in pipelines was upgraded as it could be said that for a certain distance the transfer time reduced from 64 to 35 s. The highest biosurfactant production was measured at pH 9, aeration rate of 120 rpm and 96 h after incubation. The use of biosurfactants produced by Kocuria rosea ABR6 is recommended to remove oil sludge and lubricate oil in pipelines recommended in the oil industry.
Global dynamics of a delayed latent virus model with both virus-to-cell and cell-to-cell transmissions and humoral immunity
Authors: Miao Hui , Liu Rong , Jiao Meiyan 
Published: September 2021

AbstractIn this paper, the dynamical behaviors for multiple delayed latent virus model with virus-to-cell infection and cell-to-cell transmissions and humoral immunity are investigated. The virus-to-cell and cell-to-cell incidence rates are modeled by general nonlinear functions. The basic reproduction number $R_{0}$

R
0

and the humoral immune response number $R_{1}$

R
1

are calculated and proved to be threshold conditions determining the local and global properties of the virus model. The existence of Hopf bifurcation with immune delay as a bifurcation parameter is presented, and the effects of some key parameters on viral dynamics are revealed by numerical simulations.
Effects of dietary and health factors on nutritional status of children in pastoral settings in Borana, southern Ethiopia, August–October 2015
Authors: Megersa Bekele , Haile Abebe , Kitron Uriel 
Published: September 2021

AbstractBackgroundChildhood undernourishment is a major public health problem globally, and being responsible for higher mortalities in children and enormous health costs in sub-Saharan Africa. However, scarcity of data on the magnitude of malnutrition and its underlying causes, especially in the pastoral system, limits the effectiveness of potential interventions. This study addresses the nutritional status and factors associated with malnutrition among children in Borana pastoral system, southern Ethiopia.MethodsA community based cross-sectional study, using multistage cluster sampling, was conducted from August to October 2015. Dietary diversity score (DDS), milk and meal frequencies, anthropometric measurements, and socio-economic variables were recorded for 538 children aged 6–59 months. Multivariable generalized linear model (GLM) with log link function was applied to ascertain determinants of malnutrition. The strength of association was assessed based on prevalence ratio (PR).ResultsPrevalence of underweight, stunting, and wasting were 28.3 % (95 % CI: 24.4–32.1), 41.1 % (95 % CI: 36.7–45.1), and 9.8 % (95 % CI: 7.3, 12.4), respectively. Children who consumed more diverse foods were at a lower risk of being underweight (PR = 0.72, 95 % CL: 0.59–0.88), stunted (PR = 0.80, 95 % CL: 0.68–0.93) and wasted (PR = 0.42, 95 % CL: 0.27–0.66). Intake of increased milk frequency was also associated with lower risk of underweight (PR = 0.86, 95 %CL: 0.76–0.97), stunting (PR = 0.83, 95 %CL: 0.75–0.91) and wasting (PR = 0.73, 95 %CL: 0.56–0.96). The risk of underweight (PR = 1.02, 95 %CL: 1.01–1.03), stunting (PR = 1.01, 95 %CL: 1.00–1.02) and wasting (PR = 1.01, 95 %CL: 1.00–1.04) had increased with age, and no difference was observed between boys and girls. Children who lived far away from health care facilities were 1.2 and 2.4 times more likely to be stunted and wasted, respectively than those residing near a health care facility. Ownership of toilet and living close to market were associated with reduced stunting, whereas illness was associated with increased risk of underweight.ConclusionsThe high prevalence of stunting among pastoral children is a serious public health concern and calls for urgent action. Association of nutritional status of children with dietary intake, and health status, access to health services and toilet availability underlines the need for improved nutrition practices, health care facilities and sanitary conditions in the study area.
Metabolic engineering of methylotrophic Pichia pastoris for the production of β-alanine
Authors: Miao Liangtian , Li Yin , Zhu Taicheng 
Published: September 2021

Abstractβ-Alanine (3-aminopropionic acid) is the only naturally occurring β-amino acid and an important precursor for the synthesis of a variety of nitrogen-containing chemicals. Fermentative production of β-alanine from renewable feedstocks such as glucose has attracted significant interest in recent years. Methanol has become an emerging and promising renewable feedstock for biomanufacturing as an alternative to glucose. In this work, we demonstrated the feasibility of β-alanine production from methanol using Pichia pastoris (Komagataella phaffii) as a methylotrophic cell factory. L-Aspartate-α-decarboxylases (ADCs) from different sources were screened and expressed in P. pastoris, followed by the optimization of aspartate decarboxylation by increasing the ADC copy number and C4 precursor supply via the overexpression of aspartate dehydrogenase. The production potential of the best strain was further evaluated in a 1-L fermenter, and a β-alanine titer of 5.6 g/L was obtained. To our best knowledge, this is the highest metabolite production titer ever reached in P. pastoris using methanol as the substrate.
Graphic abstract
Advances in neural organoid systems and their application in neurotoxicity testing of environmental chemicals
Authors: Zheng Yuanyuan , Zhang Fangrong , Xu Shengmin , Wu Lijun 
Published: September 2021

AbstractDue to the complex structure and function of central nervous system (CNS), human CNS in vitro modeling is still a great challenge. Neurotoxicity testing of environmental chemicals mainly depends on the traditional animal models, which have various limitations such as species differences, expensive and time-consuming. Meanwhile, in vitro two-dimensional (2D) cultured cells or three-dimensional (3D) cultured neurospheres cannot fully simulate complex 3D structure of neural tissues. Recent advancements in neural organoid systems provides excellent models for the testing of environmental chemicals that affect the development of human CNS. Neural organoids derived from hPSCs not only can simulate the process of CNS development, including early stage neural tube formation, neuroepithelium differentiation and regional specification, but also its 3D structure, thus can be used to evaluate the effect of chemicals on differentiation and morphogenesis. Here, we provide a review of recent progress in the methods of culturing neural organoids and their applications in neurotoxicity testing of environmental chemicals. We conclude by highlighting challenge and future directions in neurotoxicity testing based on neural organoids.
Clinical profile and outcome among patients with acute-on-chronic liver failure admitted in the intensive care unit
Authors: El Sayed Marwa Lotfi , Gouda Tarek El Sayed , Khalil E. L. Sayed Abdel Maksood , Al Arman Mohammed Mohammed El Sayed , Mohamed Islam Eid 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Background
Acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) has been recently defined as a clinical form including acute hepatic decompensation and high 28-day mortality. ACLF usually follows a precipitating event on the background of established cirrhosis. ACLF is considered the most frequent indication for admission to the ICU among cirrhotic patients. Our research aimed to reveal the clinical profile and outcome among patients with ACLF to detect an allocation system of these patients to the intensive care unit (ICU), and a decision tool for clinical practice. It is a prospective study of 60 patients with ACLF. Patients are divided into group A that included 30 patients with ACLF admitted to the hepatology and gastroenterology ward and group B that also included 30 patients with ACLF admitted to the ICU. Each group is subdivided into subgroups regarding the grade of ACLF.

Results
The most common precipitating factor of ACLF is SBP 78.3% (80% in ICU, 73.6% inward). Renal failure is the most common organ failure in ACLF in both groups. CLIF-C ACLF is assumed to be a highly prognostic score for mortality in ACLF patients better than other scores. ROC curve of CLIF-C ACLF with AUC: 0.972 and CI: 0.919, 1.025 showed a cutoff point = 57.0 above which intensive care admission does not seem to benefit ACLF patients. The sensitivity at the optimal cut point is 88.89% and the specificity is 100%. There is a significant difference between the 3 ACLF groups regarding 1-month and 3-month mortalities in patients admitted to the ICU. ACLF1 shows the least 1-month and 3-month mortality rates while ACLF3 shows the highest mortality rates in ICU patients ((1-month mortality: 20%, 60%, 100% in ACLF1, 2, 3 respectively), (3-month mortality: 50%, 80%, 100% in ACLF1, 2, 3 respectively)).

Conclusion
Mortality is high in ACLF and increases with the number of organ failures (40% in ACLF1 to 100% in ACLF3). CLIFC-ACLF is the most prognostic scoring system with a cut-off value of 57; above this value, mortality is a fact.
Ethnobotanical study of pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata Duchesne) landraces in Benin
Authors: Ezin Vincent , Gbemenou Ulrich Herbert , Sanni Gazali B. T. A. , Ahanchede Adam 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Background
Pumpkin, Cucurbita moschata Duchesne, is important food resource due to their nutritional composition. Despite their food advantages, they still remain underutilized crops in Africa and particularly in Benin. No documented information is available on the knowledge of producers on the use, conservation and commercialization of Cucurbita moschata. The objectives of this study are to (i) collect various accessions of pumpkin on the basis of local taxonomic criteria in Benin; (ii) collect information on uses of pumpkin in Benin. To this end, an investigation was carried out in the departments of Couffo (Dogbo, Djakotomey, Klouékanme and Aplahoué) and Borgou (Parakou and N’dali).

Methods
One hundred twenty (120) farmers grouped into 06 different ethnic groups (Adja, Bariba, Bialy, Fon, Gourmantché and Zarma) were interviewed. Six pumpkin landraces were identified in 19 villages surveyed through systematic census of farmers supported by the snowball technique.

Results
Varietal diversity on a municipal level varied from two to four. Pumpkin was mainly cultivated by men and about 15% were cultivated in cultural association with maize, cassava, cowpea and groundnut. The harvested fruits were used for consumption, commercial, therapeutic and occult purposes. However, about 48% of producers have abandoned its production mainly due to production and marketing constraints. This abandonment could induce a risk of genetic erosion of this species. Thus, the conservation and an enhancement of the genetic resources of this species is essential.

Conclusions
This study made it possible to establish farmers’ knowledge on the utilization and production of pumpkin landraces, and identify the varietal diversity of Benin landraces of pumpkin.
Eliminating dog-mediated rabies: challenges and strategies
Authors: Tiwari Harish Kumar , Gogoi-Tiwari Jully , Robertson Ian D. 
Published: September 2021

AbstractRabies is an acute encephalitis caused by a lyssavirus. It is primarily transmitted through bites of infected dogs which results in the worldwide death of an estimated 59000 humans every year. The disease is preventable through the application of post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) and its elimination has been demonstrated in many countries by applying multiple interventions simultaneously. Nonetheless, rabies is still widespread in many developing countries, primarily due to the poor implementation of intervention strategies that include inadequate dog-bite wound management practices, unavailability/unaffordability of PEP by the communities, failure to control the disease in free-roaming dogs and wildlife, improper dog population management, weak surveillance and diagnostic facilities and a lack of a One Health approach to the disease. In this review, strategies to control dog-mediated rabies through a One Health approach were discussed. We recommend applying multiple interventions against the disease by involving all the concerned stakeholders in selected urban and rural areas of the countries where rabies is endemic. An empirical demonstration of disease freedom in the selected areas through a One Health approach is needed to convince policymakers to invest in rabies prevention and control on the national level. This multifaceted One Health control model will enhance the likelihood of achieving the goal of global rabies eradication by 2030.
Mesenchymal stem cell therapy efficacy in COVID-19 patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Andrianto Andrianto , Cempaka Putri Desak Ketut Sekar , Al Farabi Makhyan Jibril , Yusrizal Teuku , Hermawan Hanestya Oky 
Published: September 2021

Objective: To evaluate mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) administration safety and efficacy in COVID-19 patients. Methods: We conducted a literature search on PubMed/MEDLINE, medRxiv, EBSCOhost/CINAHL, ProQuest, and Scopus with keywords adjusted to each search engine’s specifications on February 12, 2021. Interventional studies that reviewed MSC efficacy (mortality, hospitalization duration, need for mechanical ventilators, and inflammation markers) and/or safety (adverse events) in COVID-19 patients who were 18 years old or more were included in this study. Study eligibility, data extraction, and study quality assessment were conducted independently by each author. Results: A total of five studies of moderate to high quality with a total of 193 patients were included. One of the three randomized studies included did not apply blinding to either participants or medical professionals. Pooled OR (Odd Ratio) for mortality risk, adverse events incidence, and use of mechanical ventilators for patients on MSC therapy were 0.13 [95% CI: 0.02, 0.68], 0.91 [95% CI: 0.45, 1.86], and 0.42 [95% CI: 0.12, 1.47], respectively. Pooled mean difference for hospitalization duration in the MSC group versus the control was -3.54 [CI 95%: -4.68, -2.40] with 7% heterogeneity. All studies agreed that there was an increase of pro-inflammatory cytokines and a decrease of anti-inflammatory markers that were statistically different in the MSC group. Conclusion: Mesenchymal stem cell administration to COVID-19 patients is safe and effective in reducing mortality and hospitalization duration. Furthermore, a decrease of pro-inflammatory cytokines and an increase in anti-inflammatory cytokines were observed.
A Priori Problems with the Metaphysical and Causal Reduction of Consciousness
Authors: Vaghela Karnarajsinh 
Published: September 2021

Consciousness exists, or so it seems to us most of the time. However, consciousness is unlike your car-keys or your cell-phone in that it is not located at a specific point in space and time. The applicability of physical laws like gravity seem moot at best when it comes to consciousness. What is desirable is an explanation of consciousness that allows it to exist and be part of the very same reality as the car-key or the cell-phone, a ‘philosophy of immanence’ as Gilles Deleuze would put it. I prefer a view that construes consciousness as causally-efficacious (having material effects upon one’s body in real time) and metaphysically separate from the brain. In essence, to say that the mind is metaphysically separate from the brain is to deny the proposition that there is nothing more to our subjective experience of mind than the mere activity of the physical brain. This paper looks at a view proposed by John Searle and tries to show that there are empirical problems with a consciousness that is causally inefficacious (unable to cause material changes) and metaphysically identical (not separate from the brain).
Development of a Test Stand to Quantify the Response of a Planter’s Automatic Downforce Control System
Authors: Strasser Ryan , Badua Sylvester A. , Sharda Ajay , Rothmund Matthias 
Published: September 2021

HighlightsThe developed downforce test stand simulated varying disc loads based on actual field data.The planter’s downforce control system was able to maintain the target gauge wheel load 94% of the time.The planter’s downforce control system managed disc load variations of up to 667 N within 1.3 s.Abstract. In recent years, precision planters have incorporated automatic control of the row unit downforce to reduce sidewall soil compaction, maintain proper seeding depth, and control row unit ride quality. By applying an appropriate row unit downforce, more uniform emergence and increased yield can be obtained. However, little research exists on evaluating the response and accuracy of downforce control systems during planting. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to (1) develop a laboratory-scale row unit downforce test stand and (2) use the test stand to evaluate the downforce control system response time and the load distribution between the gauge wheels, opening discs, and closing wheels using simulation scenarios based on real-world soil and terrain data. The downforce test stand was able to distribute the applied downforce to the row unit gauge wheels, opening discs, and closing wheels. It was also capable of varying the row unit ride height. The simulation scenarios using the test stand showed that the downforce control system maintained the target gauge wheel load (GWL) of 379 N within ±223 N for more than 94% of the time during all simulations. The downforce control system was also able to manage the GWL within 1.3 s for disc load variations up to 667 N. Keywords: Automatic downforce control, Downforce test stand, Gauge wheel load, Simulation.
Paloma Ortiz-de-Urbina (ed.), Arnold Schönberg und Roberto Gerhard: Briefwechsel, Berna, Peter Lang, 2019
Authors: Civilotti García Diego 
Published: September 2021

Reseña del libro Paloma Ortiz-de-Urbina (ed.), Arnold Schönberg und Roberto Gerhard: Briefwechsel, Berna, Peter Lang, 2019.
National Dementia Capable Care Training: A Model Implementation and Evaluation
Authors: Shirai Yumi , Bishop Kathleen , Kushner Melissa 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
With a growing need for specialized training for direct caregivers and support staff of persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) affected by dementia, the National Task Group on Developmental Disabilities and Dementia Practices (NTG) developed a comprehensive evidence-informed Dementia Capable Care Training (DCCT). To overcome the challenge of the training length and cost, and to extend its dissemination, the Sonoran Center developed a shorter version of the NTG-DCCT while retaining its core components, and implemented it in seven cities in the U. S. Southwest (N = 368). The pre- and post-training evaluation (n =260) demonstrated that the short version of the NTG-DCCT is effective in significantly improving participants' knowledge and/or confidence in dementia capable care. The follow-up semi-structured interviews of participants (n = 7) provide some insights.
Quantum well interband semiconductor lasers highly tolerant to dislocations
Authors: Cerutti Laurent , Díaz Thomas Daniel A. , Rodriguez Jean-Baptiste , Rio Calvo Marta , Patriarche Gilles , Baranov Alexei N. , Tournié Eric 
Published: September 2021

III-V semiconductor lasers integrated on Si-based photonic platforms are eagerly awaited by the industry for mass-scale applications, from interconnect to on-chip sensing. The current understanding is that only quantum dot lasers can reasonably operate at the high dislocation densities generated by the III-V-on-Si heteroepitaxy, which induces high non-radiative carrier recombination rates. Here we propose a strategy based on a type-II band alignment to fabricate quantum well lasers highly tolerant to dislocations. A mid-IR GaInSb/InAs interband cascade laser grown on Si exhibits performances similar to those of its counterpart grown on the native GaSb substrate, in spite of a dislocation density in the

10

8

c
m

−
2

range. Over 3800 h of continuous-wave operation data have been collected, giving an extrapolated mean time to failure exceeding 312,000 h. This validates the proposed strategy and opens the way to new integrated laser development.
National and subnational size estimation of female sex workers in Ghana 2020: Comparing 3-source capture-recapture with other approaches
Authors: Guure Chris , Dery Samuel , Afagbedzi Seth , Tun Waimar , Weir Sharon Stucker , Quaye Silas , Ankomah Augustine , Torpey Kwasi 
Published: September 2021

Background
Key Population size estimation (PSE) is instrumental for HIV/STI preventive, treatment and care services planning, implementation and delivery. The objective was to estimate the overall population of female sex workers (FSW) in all the 16 regions of Ghana using different PSE methods.

Method
Mapping of venues and complete enumeration of seaters was conducted at the formative stage prior to the bio-behavioral survey (BBS). Three PSE methods were used to derive the size estimates of FSW in the 16 regions. These include: Capture-recapture (CRC), service multiplier and three-source capture recapture (3SCRC) methods. The final choice of the estimation method used to estimate the roamer population was 3SCRC. This method was chosen because of its perfect record-linkage–hierarchic combination of three names that minimizes overmatching as well as the addition of an interaction term in the model which corrects for the dependencies in CRC.

Results
The total population size estimate of the female sex workers in the country obtained for roamers using capture re-capture was 41,746 (95% CI: 41,488–41,932). Using the service multiplier, the total population for both the roamers and seaters was 41,153 (95% CI: 37,242–45,984). The 3-source capture re-capture yielded 55,686 roamers FSW (95% CI: 47,686–63,686). The seater population was 4,363 FSW based on census/complete enumeration. The total population size estimate of FSW (seaters and roamers) in Ghana was 60,049 when 3SCRC and census were added. This represents about 0.76% of all estimated adult females aged 15-49yrs in Ghana.

Conclusion
We report population size estimates (PSE) for FSW in Ghana. These estimates are the results of 3SCRC. These findings provide a valid and reliable source of information that should be referenced by government officials and policymakers to plan, implement and provide HIV/STI preventive, treatment, and care services for FSW in Ghana.