bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Examining the Effects of Social and Economic Freedoms on the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Noviello Alexander , Menghani Sameer , Bondarenko Maksym , Mohanraj Bhushan , Solensky Oliver , Lee Ian , Vermut Jordyn , Guha Deyaan , Choudhri Shaan , Sabat William , Noviello Andrew 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background
Since early 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic has dominated people’s lives around the globe and, even with the start of vaccination efforts in late 2020, the virus is likely to continue to affect global economies and individual routines long after the end of 2021. As a result, numerous pandemic-related analyses have been completed. However, few of these studies focus on the impact of pre-existing societal and economic factors that may have played a role in the spread of COVID-19. This study evaluated the impact of social and economic freedoms, gross domestic product, and population density in nations around the world on COVID-19 cases, deaths, testing and vaccination rates.
Methods
To explore the effects of social and economic freedoms, gross domestic product, and other parameters on the COVID-19 pandemic, multiple datasets, including the Economic Freedom Index and the Human Freedom Index were used, along with COVID-19 data, to examine both direct and indirect relationships. The K-Means clustering algorithm was used for many analyses.
Results
High economic and social freedoms were associated with increased numbers of COVID-19 cases and deaths throughout 2020. Countries within the highest category of economic freedoms reported their first COVID-19 case 44 days before and their first virus death 91 days before low-economic-freedom nations, on average. Countries with the highest overall freedoms exhibited average COVID-19-stringency scores of 4.4, 12.85, and 4.49 points less than countries in the lowest freedom categories for the Spring, Summer, and Fall of 2020, respectively, representing less strict pandemic responses. Despite these relationships, countries with higher overall freedoms had a lower average fatality rate of 2.03% compared with countries in the lower freedom categories of up to 2.98%. Freedoms were also shown to correlate with other pandemic-influencing factors, including GDP, political systems, and population density.
Conclusion
High economic and social freedoms were associated with increased numbers of COVID-19 cases and deaths throughout 2020. Future analyses should address whether the enjoyment of freedoms can be balanced with the preservation of safety to improve responses to future pandemics.
Electrodeposition polyaniline nanofiber on the PEDOT:PSS-coated SiNWs for high performance supercapacitors
Authors: Shen Xiaojuan , Zhang Xuan , Wang Tongfei , Li Songjun 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
In this article, a novel silicon-based electrode was designed with the facile solution methods. With the modification of highly conductive PEDOT:PSS layer on the SiNWs by the spin-coated method (SiNWs-PSS), three-dimensional (3D) porous network polyaniline nanofibers (PANI) film was uniformly electrodeposited on the silicon surface (SiNWs-PSS@PANI). The sheet resistances of the PEDOT:PSS layer with different surfactants as well as the deposition time of the PANI were investigated. After optimization, the fabricated SiNWs-PSS@PANI electrode displayed high capacitance about 301.71 mF cm-2 at the current density of 1mA cm-2, which enhanced ~29 fold comparing to 10.18 mF cm-2 of electrode without the PEDOT:PSS layer between the SiNWs and PANI (SiNWs@PANI), outperforming most values of the reported silicon-based electrodes. The electrode designed in this paper provides a new idea to fabricate high-performance of silicon-based micro-supercapacitors with the simple and low-temperature method.
Management practice, and quality of life and its associated factors among ambulatory psoriatic patients attending Dermatological Center in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Authors: Kumsa Seifu Megersa , Tadesse Tamrat Assefa , Woldu Minyahil Alebachew 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background: Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by keratinocyte hyperproliferation and aberrant differentiation with great negative impact on patients’ quality of life (QoL). This study aimed at assessing management practice, and quality of life (QoL) and its associated factors among ambulatory psoriatic patients visiting All Africa Leprosy, Tuberculosis and Rehabilitation Training (ALERT) Center in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.Materials and methods: A cross sectional study was conducted among 207 patients with psoriasis attending the dermatology clinic of ALERT Center in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Data were collected using structured questionnaire and patients’ chart review. Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) was used to measure patients’ QoL. Data was analyzed entered and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS®) version 25. Descriptive statistics like frequency, percent, mean and standard deviation were used to summarize patients’ characteristics while binary logistic regression was utilized to identify predictors of quality of life. Results: Among 207 study participants, 122(58.9%) were females. The mean age of the study population was 37.92(SD=14.86) years (ranging from 16 to 68 years). The mean age at which diagnosis of psoriasis made was 32.0(SD=13.7) years ranging from 10 to 62 years. The duration of the disease in 112(54.1%) patients were more than or equal to 5 years. Among study participants, the majority of them, 145(70.0%) had plaque psoriasis followed by sebopsoriasis, 24(11.6%). The majority of plaque psoriasis (80%) cases were managed by topical corticosteroids with or without salicylic acid or coal tar and only 21(14.5%) treated by methotrexate alone. Other forms of psoriasis were treated by only topical corticosteroids with or without salicylic acid. The mean DLQI was 6.25 corresponding to a moderate effect. Symptoms and feelings were the most affected domains of QoL. Factors associated with poor QoL were female gender [AOR=0.17 (95%CI: 0.06, 0.48)], low, above average and high family income ([AOR=0.12(95% CI: 0.02, 0.56)], [AOR=0.06(95% CI:0.01, 0.32)], and [AOR=0.03 (95% CI: 0.01, 0.22)]) respectively and primary education level [AOR=0.14 (95% CI: 0.03, 0.64)] while being on systemic therapy [AOR=4.26 (CI: 1.18, 15.35)] was predictor of better QoL.Conclusion: Topical corticosteroids were the mainstay of psoriasis treatment in our study. The mean DLQI was 6.25, corresponding to a moderate effect on QoL. Study participants with female gender, primary education level, and low, above average, and high monthly family income were considered to have worse QoL whereas receiving systemic therapy significantly associated with better QoL. Hence, future interventions targeting improving QoL and widening treatment options for psoriasis deemed to be necessary.
Characteristics of Cu(II) and Zn(II) adsorption on sediments from typical urban polluted rivers in Dianchi Lake
Authors: Ma Xiang-shu , Liu Leng , Fang Yi-chuan , Sun Xiao-long 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
This study was conducted to determine the spatial distribution characteristics of Cu and Zn adsorption on the sediments of the estuary of Dianchi Lake, as well as the adsorption laws of Cu and Zn on combinations of sediment organic matter, metal oxides, and organic-inorganic composites.A static adsorption experiment was applied to four groups of sediments from the estuary of Dianchi Lake, and results were generated through correlation analysis and redundancy analysis. The four groups were as follows: (1) Untreated, Group A, (2) Organic matter removed, Group B, (3) Iron and aluminium oxide removed, Group C, (4) Organic matter and iron and aluminium oxide removed, Group D. The adsorption capacity was correlated with the spatial distribution along the direction of river flow and vertical depth. High contents of various components of the sediment did not correlate with high adsorption capacities for Cu and Zn, according to the use of four groups of sediments subjected to different treatment processes. The adsorption of Cu fit the Freundlich isotherm adsorption model for all four sediment groups. For Zn adsorption, the untreated and removed organic matter and Fe-Al oxide groups were in good agreement with the Freundlich model, while the removed organic matter and removed Fe-Al oxide groups were in good agreement with the Langmuir isothermal adsorption model. The results indicate that there is a quantitative relationship between the adsorption of heavy metals and organic and inorganic complexes in sediments.
Ultrasound-Guided Quadratus Lumborum Block as A Postoperative Analgesia for Total Abdominal Hysterectomy: A Case Report
Authors: Mohamed Haytham El Sayed 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background and aim: Total Abdominal Hysterectomy is a major invasive abdominal surgery which is accompanied with severe postoperative pain. Multimodal analgesia techniques can provide efficient analgesics coverage with minimal side effects, Quadratus Lumborum Block is an abdominal wall block which gives a good analgesic effect for abdominal surgery with lower pain score and less opioids requirements. Case presentation: A 67 years old female was scheduled to undergo total abdominal hysterectomy surgery, she had comorbidities; morbid obesity, bronchial asthma, obstructive sleep apnea, and hypothyroidism. We performed General Anesthesia and by the end of surgery, a Quadratus Lumborum Block was done ultrasound-guided technique. Conclusion: We successfully performed Quadratus Lumborum Block bilaterally which was able to provide a sufficient analgesic effect for Total Abdominal Hysterectomy surgery, giving our patient the opportunity of early ambulation and avoiding opioids side effects especially the respiratory adverse effect.
The Influence of Acute Sprint Interval Training on Cognitive Performance of Healthy Younger Adults
Authors: Herold Fabian , Behrendt Tom , Meißner Caroline , Müller Notger G. , Schega Lutz 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Considerable evidence has been accumulated showing that an acute bout of physical exercise can improve cognitive performance but the optimal exercise characteristics (e.g., exercise type and intensity) remain elusive. In this regard, there is a gap in the literature to which extent Sprint Interval Training (SIT) can enhance cognitive performance. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the effect of SIT on cognitive performance. We assessed in healthy younger adults (n = 19; 20.0 to 28.0 years old), the attentional performance (via d2 test), the working memory performance (via Digit Span Forward/ Backward) and the peripheral blood lactate concentration immediately before and 10 minutes after an exercise condition (SIT) and a control condition (i.e., reading). We observed that SIT can enhance specific aspects of attentional performance as it improved F% (t (19) = -2.249, p = 0.037, d = − 0.516) which constitutes a qualitative measure of precision and thoroughness. However, SIT did not change other measures of attentional or working memory performance. In addition, we observed that the exercise-induced increase in peripheral blood lactate levels correlated with changes in attentional performance (e.g., F% (rm = -0.54, p = 0.015)). The present study provides initial evidence that a time-efficient SIT can improve specific aspects of attentional performance and conforming evidence for a positive link between cognitive improvements and changes in peripheral blood lactate levels. Further research is warranted to substantiate our findings by investigating (i) the optimal exercise characteristics (e.g., number of sprints), (ii) further neurobiological mechanisms driving the cognitive improvements (e.g., changes in functional brain activation patterns), and (iii) the generalizability of the effects (e.g., older adults).
Adverse Childhood Experiences and Implications of Perceived Stress, Anxiety, and Cortisol Among Women in Pakistan
Authors: Ikram Naira , Frost Allison , LeMasters Katherine , Hagaman Ashley , Baranov Victoria , Gallis John , Sikander Siham , Scherer Elissa , Maselko Joanna 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background: Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are linked to poor maternal mental health. By disrupting stress regulation systems, ACEs are hypothesized to impact perceived stress, anxiety, and cortisol. This study explores the associations of ACEs with different manifestations of stress. Methods: Participants were part of the Bachpan study, a longitudinal birth cohort in rural Pakistan. Data were collected at the 36-month postpartum wave. ACEs were captured retrospectively using an adapted version of the ACE International Questionaire, and represented in the following ways: as a continuous variable, binary indicator, categoric levels, and subdomains (neglect, home violence, family psychological distress, community violence). Outcomes included: perceived stress (N=889) measured with the Cohen Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), anxiety (N=623) measured with the Generalized Anixety Disorder-7 scale (GAD-7), and hair-derived cortisol (N=90). Multivariable linear mixed models estimated associations between ACEs and the outcome variables. Results: All models featured positive associations between ACE items and PSS. Both the continuous total ACE score (B=0.4; 95% CI=0.0, 0.8) and the presence of any ACEs (B=1.0; 95% CI=-1.0, 0.3) were associated with higher anxiety symptoms on the GAD-7. Home violence (B=6.7; 95% CI=2.7, 10.8) and community violence (B=7.5; 95% CI=1.4,13.6) were associated with increased hair cortisol. Conclusions: All four ACE domains were associated with elevated levels of perceived stress, anxiety, and cortisol, with varying precision and strength of estimates, indicating that the type of ACE has a differential impact. This study disentangled adversity to understand the impact of specific adverse events on hypothalamic pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis functioning and mental health conditions.
Therapeutic Effects of Genetically Modified Wharton’s Jelly Mesenchymal Stem Cells Expressing Erythropoietin on Breast Cancer-related Anemia in Mice Model
Authors: Estiri Mohammad , Estiri Bahareh , Fallah Asghar , Aghazadeh Marzyeh , Sedaqati Amir , Abdollahi Abbas , Rabienia Mahsa , Mortazavidehkordi Nahid , Farjadfar Akbar , Ghorbani Mohammad 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Cancer-related anemia (CRA) negatively influences cancer patients’ survival, disease progression, treatment efficacy, and quality of life (QOL). Current treatments such as iron therapy, red cell transfusion, and erythropoietin-stimulating agents (ESAs) may cause severe adverse effects including hemolytic transfusion reaction and the possibility of host immunity against rhEPO. Therefore, development of long-lasting and curative therapies is highly required. Combined cell and gene therapy platform can introduce a new route for permanent production of erythropoietin (EPO) in the body with various degrees of clinical benefits and avoiding the need for repeat treatments. In this study, we developed cell and gene therapy strategy for in-vivo delivery of EPO cDNA via genetic engineering human Wharton’s jelly mesenchymal stem cells (hWJMSCs) to long-term produce and secret human EPO protein after transplantation into the mice model of CRA. To evaluate CRA's treatment in cancer-free and cancerous conditions, at first, we designed recombinant breast cancer cell line 4T1 expressing herpes simplex virus type 1 thymidine kinase (HSV1-TK) by a lentiviral vector encoding HSV1-TK and injected into mice. After 3 weeks, all mice develop metastatic breast cancer associated with acute anemia. Then, we administrated ganciclovir (GCV) for 10 days in half of the mice to clear cancer cells. Meanwhile, we designed another lentiviral vector encoding EPO to transduce hWJMSCs. Following implantation of rhWJMSCs-EPO, the whole peripheral blood samples were collected from the tail vein once per week for 10 weeks which were immediately analyzed for the measurements of EPO, hemoglobin (Hb), and hematocrit (Hct) plasma levels. The blood analysis showed that plasma EPO, hemoglobin (Hb), and hematocrit (Hct) concentration significantly increased and remained at a therapeutic level for >10 weeks in both treatment groups which indicates that the rhWJMSCs-EPO could improve CRA in both cancer-free and cancerous mice model.
Classification of reproduction types of human capital in the context of state regulation
Authors: Benko Nadiia 
Published: April 2021

The article examines the essence of the reproduction of human capital process, reveals its main stages (phases) –formation, distribution, exchange and consumption. The specificity of each stage of reproduction of human capital is considered, which makes it possible to realize the need for purposeful investment in a person and study the problems of state regulation at each of the stages.
The article also shows that the reproduction of human capital occurs at the individual, corporate and national levels.
Based on the study of the literature, a classification of the types of reproduction of human capital has been developed. This allows investing in human capital in order to create high quality human capital for the country. The classification of the types of reproduction of human capital is considered according to such characteristics as: the scale of reproduction, the nature of labor resources, the direction of reproduction, the innovativeness of the reproduction process, the completeness of the reproduction process, stages (phases, stages) of the reproduction process and structural components. The expanded reproduction of human capital is disclosed in detail, on which the state regulation of the economy of the most developed countries of the world is focused. The article notes the importance of the reproduction of human capital in providing an innovative "breakthrough" in engineering, technology, organization of production and management.
The influence of the process of reproduction of human capital on the development of the country's economy has been investigated. The necessity of enhancing the activities of the state to create conditions for the effective formation, distribution, exchange and use of human capital has been substantiated.
The role of the state in the formation (accumulation) of human capital through public goods for a person and through the establishment of norms and rules created in society and contributing to the development of this society is presented.
Study of structural and mechanical properties of sodium alginate gels
Authors: Gladukh Ievgenii , Podorozhna Maiia 
Published: April 2021

Rheological parameters are an important characteristic of semisolid dosage forms. Structural and mechanical characteristics have a noticeable effect on the processes of release and absorption of drugs from ointments, as well as on their consumer properties: spreadability, adhesion, the ability to squeeze out of the tubes.
The aim: to study the rheological parameters of aqueous solutions of sodium alginate in various concentrations to create medicinal hydrogel compositions.
Materials and methods: sodium alginate (Shandong Topsea Seaweed Industrial Co., Ltd., China) was used as a gelling agent. The physicochemical properties of the samples were studied according to generally accepted methods of the State Pharmacopoeia of Ukraine. Rheological studies of experimental samples were carried out using a rotational viscometer «Rheolab QC», by Anton Paar (Austria) with coaxial cylinders C-CC27/SS at a temperature 20–25 °С.
Results and discussion: the rheological profiles of sodium alginate gels have a non-Newtonian type of flow, which makes it possible to characterize them as systems with plastic-viscous properties. Gels with a sodium alginate concentration of 1.5–2 % have the best indicators of yield stress, hysteresis loop area, mechanical stability and dynamic flow coefficients. This indicates a low degree of destruction of the structural grid in the process of mechanical action and the presence of thixotropic bonds.
Conclusions: sodium alginate gel base at 0.5 % and 1 % concentration is less stable under stress compared to sodium alginate bases at 1.5 % and 2 % concentration. The gel base of sodium alginate at a concentration of 2 % has the optimal mechanical stability value.
Aflatoxicosis of crucians: experimental treatment and biological value of fish
Authors: Petrov Roman , Pidlubniy Oleksiy 
Published: April 2021

The aim of this study was to investigate a possibility to decrease a toxic influence of aflatoxin on the fish organism and veterinary-sanitary evaluation of fish, fed by a pure fodder, aflatoxin and ketoconazole+aflatoxin.
Fish aflatoxicoses cause essential losses at fish growing using industrial production technologies. It is characterized by decreasing weight gains and increasing kill of commodity fish, worsening fodder conversion. Farmers often use fodders of own production, without conducting laboratory studies, and don’t know about aflatoxins. At the same time because of different reasons, first of all economic ones, they don’t use adsorbents for decreasing the negative influence of aflatoxins on the fish organism. Their use doesn’t guarantee 100 % fish resistance to micotoxicoses and correspondingly product safety for a consumer. Fish, received aflatoxins with food, is dangerous as a food product for humans and animals. Aflatoxins are very stable in the environment, so even thermal processing doesn’t exceed risk of aflatoxin contamination.
The article presents a possibility of effective treatment of fish at aflatoxicosis. It is known, that aflatoxin beyond cells is not dangerous. Its activation takes place within a cell by the enzyme system cytochrome Р-450, forming an epoxide, in which result the aflatoxin inclusion complex with DNA forms in the kernel. The veterinary preparation “Ketoconazole” inhibits cytochrome enzymes Р-450, so aflatoxin activation within a cell doesn’t take place, epoxides don’t form, DNA cells are not injured, aflatoxicosis doesn’t develop in fish that has been proved experimentally. The veterinary-sanitary mark of fish, treated for aflatoxicosis, is satisfactory.
The importance of this study is in fact that for today there is no developed effective method of fish aflatoxicosis treatment. An influence of aflatoxin on the crucian organism has not been studied experimentally