bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Hematological and cytochemical characteristics of peripheral blood cells in the argus snakehead (Ophiocephalus argus Cantor)
Authors: Wang Xue , Wu Zhengjie , Wu Shengmei , Chen Xianxian , Hanif Misbah , Zhang Shengzhou 
Published: April 2021

Background
The argus snakehead (Ophiocephalus argus Cantor) is a highly nutritious, freshwater, cultured bony fish with a high economic value. The health of the fish is closely related to its blood cells, which are critical for oxygen transport, natural defense, and immunity. We investigated the morphometry, microstructure, and cytochemical characteristics of the peripheral blood cells of O. argus. Our results may provide the basic reference values needed to monitor the health of this fish for large-scale cultivation.

Methods
The number of blood cells in O. argus were counted on a hemocytometer and their size was measured using a micrometer under light microscope. The morphology and classification of the blood cells were studied using Wright’s staining and the cytochemical characteristics were studied using seven chemical stains including peroxidase (POX), Sudan black B (SBB), periodic acid-Schiff (PAS), acid phosphatase (ACP), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), chloroacetic acid AS-D naphthol esterase (AS-D), and α-naphthol acetate esterase (α-NAE).

Results
The peripheral blood cells in O. argus can be classified as erythrocytes, leukocytes, and thrombocytes; of which, females had 2.9597 million/mm3, 88,400/mm3, and 43,600/mm3, respectively, and males had 3.0105 million/mm3, 105,500/mm3, and 34,000/mm3, respectively. Leukocytes consisted of neutrophils, monocytes, large lymphocytes, and small lymphocytes. Eosinophils and basophils were not found. Monocytes were the most numerous leukocytes identified, followed by neutrophils and small lymphocytes, while large lymphocytes were the least frequently identified. Cytochemical staining showed that erythrocytes were only positive for PAS staining. Neutrophils were strongly positive for POX, SBB, and ACP, and positive for all the other cytochemical stains. Monocytes were positive for PAS and α-NAE and were weakly positive for ACP and AS-D staining. Large lymphocytes were positive for PAS and were weakly positive for ALP, AS-D, and α-NAE staining. Small lymphocytes were positive for PAS and weakly positive for AS-D and α-NAE staining. Thrombocytes were positive for PAS and were weakly positive for ACP and AS-D, but negative for the remaining cytochemical stains. The morphology of peripheral blood cells in O. argus was generally similar to that of other fish species, while the cytochemical staining patterns showed clear species specificity.
Assessing the Level of Satisfaction of Patients with TB-DOTS Implementation in Rural and Urban Centres of Selected Dots accredited facilities in Anambra State, Nigeria
Authors: Ohamaeme M. C. , Ilika F. , Aniagboso C. C. , Elendu M. U. , Aniemena C. R. , Eberendu I. G. 
Published: April 2021

Background: This study assessed the level of satisfaction of patients with TB implementation in selected DOTS accredited facilities.
Methodology: A comparative cross-sectional analytic study involving rural and urban areas implementing DOTS for TB in Anambra State was done. A total of 354 respondents (177 per sub population) were enrolled in the study. By exit interview respondents were administered the questionnaire that bordered on services rendered and cost implications of accessing treatment at the facilities.
Results: A total of 162(91.5%) rural respondents were satisfied with appropriateness of working hours compared to 166(93.8%) participants in urban areas. Also 141(79.7%) respondents in rural areas were satisfied with waiting time compared to 155(87.6%) in urban areas and this was statistically significant p<0.004. For the cleanliness of the specimen bottle 138(77.8%) rural respondents compared to 148(83.6%) in urban areas were satisfied and this was statistically significant, p<0.001. Majority of the urban respondents 123(68.9%) were satisfied with respect offered by health workers compared to rural 114(64.4%), and this was also significant, p<0.000. Concerning cost incurred and information given by health workers more urban respondents 5(2.8%) were dissatisfied compared to rural 2(1.1%) though not statistically significant p= 0.378. However, satisfaction was slightly higher in urban (82.8%) compared to rural (80.8%) respondents, while the overall satisfaction in this study was 81.8%.
Conclusion: Patient`s satisfaction is a panacea for successful DOTS implementation. We therefore recommend that satisfaction could be improved by provision patient-centred requests such as provision of multivitamins, transport, food among others to help improve DOTS because it will encourage attendance and adherence with better outcomes.
Epidemic Model and Mathematical Study of Impact of Vaccination for the Control of Malware in Computer Network
Authors: Chinebu Titus Ifeanyi , Udegbe Ikechukwu Valentine , Eberendu Adanma Cecilia 
Published: April 2021

Malware remains a significant threat to computer network. In this paper, we consideredthe problem which computer malware cause to personal computers with its control by proposing a compartmental model SVEIRS (Susceptible Vaccinated-Exposed-infected-Recovered-Susceptible) for malware transmission in computer network using nonlinear ordinary differential equation. Through the analysis of the model, the basic reproduction number were obtained, and the malware free equilibrium was proved to be locally asymptotical stable if is less than unity and globally asymptotically stable if Ro is less than some threshold using a Lyapunov function. Also, the unique endemic equilibrium exists under certain conditions and the model underwent backward bifurcation phenomenon. To illustrate our theoretical analysis, some numerical simulation of the system was performed with RungeKutta fourth order (KR4) method in Mathlab. This was used in analyzing the behavior of different compartments of the model and the results showed that vaccination and treatment is very essential for malware control.
A Study of Antioxidant and Anti-bacterial activities of Borassus flabellifer
Authors: Nayak Prashant , Sandeep D. S. , Hameed Aqib , Priya Sneh , Kumar Pankaj , Kumar Abhishek 
Published: April 2021

The present study was designed to estimate the antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of ethanolic and aqueous extract of Borassus flabellifer fruit, juice, leaves and sap. The antioxidant evaluation was carried out by various radical scavenging assays and antimicrobial activity by the disk diffusion method. For antibacterial activity, bacterial species such as Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus were tested for all extracts. The extract showed moderate antioxidant activity when compared to the standard vitamin C. In both DPPH and nitric oxide oxide assay when related IC 50 value, ethanolic fruit extract showed promising results of 132 and 119 µg/mL respectively with ascorbic acid as standard which showed 25 and 35 µg/mL respectively. In Ferric Thiocyanate (FTC) Method and Thiobarbituric Acid (TBA) Method the radical scavenging activity of ethanolic fruit extract showed satisfactory results of 160 and 148 µg/mL ascorbic acid being the standard which showed 94 and 97 µg/mL respectively. The total flavonoid contents were 32.7 /100g for ethanolic sap extracts and 53.9/100g in aqueous extract of sap. The fruit juice extract showed maximum inhibition zone with 31.4 and 32.1 mm against E. coli and S.aureus correlated other extracts .Ethanolic and aqueous sap extracts zone of inhibition was 25.2 and 26.8 against E. coli and zone of inhibition was 28.3 against S.aureus in both ethanolic and aqueous sap. Ethanolic and aqueous leaves extracts zone of inhibition was 28.5 and 24.1 against E. coli. Ethanolic and aqueous leaves extracts zone of inhibition was 30.4 and 25.8 against S.aureus. Herein, the results suggest that the Borassus flabellifer plant extracts have potential antioxidant and antimicrobial properties.
Recent Advances in Development, Validation, and Exploitation of QSAR Models
Authors: Tropsha Alexander 
Published: April 2021

AbstractCounting more than 45 years of intensive development and applications, QSAR modeling remains one of the major computational approaches for drug discovery and environmental chemical risk assessment. Recent developments in the field reflect the burgeoning growth of bioactivity and chemical databases. This growth provides a never‐ending impetus for the development of a growing body of QSAR models and their application for virtual screening to prioritize chemicals for experimental investigations. This article reviews recent and emerging trends in the QSAR modeling field with the emphasis on new approaches to chemical and biological data curation, model validation, virtual screening, and potential application of QSAR models by federal agencies for regulatory decision making.
NMR‐Based Screening and Drug Discovery
Authors: Craik David J. , Smith Phillippa A. , Clark Richard J. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractNMR spectroscopy is a powerful technique for determining the structures of molecules in solution. It involves placing a sample in a strong homogeneous magnetic field and irradiating it with radiowaves of defined frequency. The emitted signals provide information about the local molecular environments of nuclei in the sample, from which structures can be derived. NMR can also be used for determining interactions between molecules and is particularly useful for determining the nature of binding interactions between ligands and macromolecules. This information is very important in drug design: by understanding how bioactive molecules interact with a target protein or nucleic acid it is, in principle, possible to design ligands with improved affinity and specificity that may make useful drug leads. In addition to this structure‐based approach to drug design NMR is also useful as a screening tool in drug discovery programs to identify ligands that bind to target macromolecules.
Modulation of the Androgen Receptor Axis
Authors: Mohler Michael L. , Dalton James T. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThe androgen receptor (AR) mediates the endocrine functions of endogenous androgens like testosterone and exerts pleiotropic androgenic (male phenotype development, sexual function) and anabolic (growth and maintenance of musculoskeletal system) effects across most tissues. The AR‐axis, i.e. AR and its downstream effects, is extensively targeted to stimulate anabolism or treat prostatic diseases. Tissue‐selective, direct‐acting synthetic AR agonists are limited in scope by their inadequate separation of anabolic from untoward androgenic or virilizing effects and include FDA approved steroidal androgens (anabolic‐androgenic steroids) and investigational nonsteroidal selective AR modulators (SARMs). Gaining in popularity is testosterone replacement therapy in hypogonadal men. Antagonism of the AR‐axis is common in aging males with androgen‐dependent prostate hyperproliferation [prostate cancer or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)]. Androgen ablation (indirect antagonism) and direct AR antagonism have been the mainstays of prostate cancer therapies for many decades including recent approvals. Indirect antagonists of the AR‐axis include gonadotropin‐releasing hormone agonists or antagonists (androgen‐deprivation therapy), which achieve systemic androgen and estrogen ablation for prostate or breast cancers as a monotherapy or sometimes in combination with steroidogenic enzyme (lyase) inhibitors. DHT‐dependent diseases are treated with 5α‐reductase to block intracrine production of DHT for male pattern baldness and BPH; whereas aromatase inhibitors block androgen metabolism to estrogen in breast cancer. Direct AR antagonists (antiandrogens) with improved potency and anti‐androgenic scope continue to be approved for prostate cancer. Research into innovative ways to directly or indirectly modulate the AR‐axis remains robust, suggesting new therapies will likely be introduced regularly for the foreseeable future.
Cholinergics/Anticholinergics
Authors: Griffith Robert , Dukat Malgorzata 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThis article covers classes of drugs and chemicals that act directly on muscarinic and nicotinic cholinergic receptors as agonists, antagonist, or allosteric modulators, together with an overview of the structures of muscarinic and nicotinic receptors. A brief history of the use of the small molecules muscarine, nicotine, and atropine to differentiate nicotinic and muscarinic receptors both of which respond to the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. This followed by discussion of the physical nature of the muscarinic G‐protein‐coupled‐receptor and the ligand‐gated‐ion‐channel nicotinic receptor. The structure–activity relationships of muscarinic agonists and antagonists are discussed with reference to attempts to develop of drugs selective for one of the five muscarinic receptors. Muscarinic antagonists are employed to treat disease states such as asthma, COPD, and overactive bladder. Muscarinic agonists have potential in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. The structure–activity relationships of agonists and antagonists of nicotinic receptors are presented. Nicotinic agonists have been employed to assist in smoking cessation and have potential in treating Alzheimer's disease. Nicotinic antagonists have primarily been employed as neuromuscular blockers in surgery. The use of both positive and negative allosteric modulators of both muscarinic and nicotinic are discussed.
Antipsychotic Agents
Authors: Ablordeppey Seth , Ofori Edward 
Published: April 2021

AbstractSchizophrenia is one of the most severe diseases of the brain and is characterized by a spectrum of symptoms including positive, negative, and cognitive symptoms. Even though schizophrenia has a low worldwide prevalence (0.4–0.7%), it is one of the most devastating diseases of the central nervous system (CNS). Despite the immense studies on schizophrenia over the years, the exact cause of the disorder remains unknown. Therefore, morbidity studies and their outcomes for schizophrenia continue to rely on descriptive definitions spelled out in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders‐fifth edition (DSM‐5). Current pharmacotherapy of the disease involves the use of antipsychotic agents that target CNS receptors including dopamine and serotonin receptor subtypes. Despite the success in the management of psychiatric illness most of the current antipsychotics are saddled with problems such as inefficacy across patient populations and disease domains and intolerable side effects that limit their widespread utility. Evolving paradigm shift in antipsychotic drug discovery efforts over the last decade has begun to address these issues opening the door for new hypotheses that integrate well‐known neurotransmitter systems with neuronal circuits. Recent advances in molecular biology and genetics are also paving the way for a better understanding of the etiology and pathophysiology of schizophrenia. In addition to reviewing currently used agents, this article will focus on the advances made to address the stated problems and highlight the paradigm shift in the antipsychotic drug discovery area.
Better left alone: Trying to control pasture grasses in untended rainforest plantings incurs multiple costs and delivers few benefits
Authors: Radford‐Smith Julian , Shoo Luke P. , Dwyer John M. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractRainforest revegetation projects often deliver suboptimal outcomes due to the recolonization of invasive pasture grasses, but little is known about the effects of grass reinvasion on the survival and growth of established saplings. Even less is known about the costs and benefits of controlling pasture grasses once they have reinvaded.To address these knowledge gaps, we implemented a split‐plot grass control experiment in a 2‐year old subtropical rainforest restoration planting in South East Queensland, Australia, that was reinvaded by the exotic pasture grassChloris gayana.Grass removal involved brush cutting around saplings, spraying herbicide and then laying 1 m2jute matting. The costs of implementing the treatment were recorded, and the survival, growth and physiological stress of treated and control saplings were monitored for 1 year.Non‐target herbicide application reduced survival by 6.5% in treated saplings, affecting mainly smaller plants that were below the grass canopy at the onset of the experiment. Beyond this direct herbicide effect, smaller treated saplings were also more stressed (lower chlorophyll fluorescence) and had substantially lower survival after 1 year than untreated saplings of the same size. There was limited evidence that removing grass increased growth rates, even for saplings that were already taller than the grass canopy at the start of the experiment.While the growth benefits of controlling grass may become more apparent with time, our results suggest that grass removal is not an effective management strategy in untended plantings due to the heightened risk of sapling mortality, coupled with the considerable labour and material costs.
A Highly Stable and Durable Capacitive Strain Sensor Based on Dynamically Super‐Tough Hydro/Organo‐Gels
Authors: Mo Funian , Huang Yan , Li Qing , Wang Zifeng , Jiang Ruijuan , Gai Weiming , Zhi Chunyi 
Published: April 2021

AbstractCapacitive‐type strain sensors based on hydrogel ionic conductors have undergone rapid development benefited from their robust structure, drift‐free sensing, higher sensitivity, and precision. However, the unsatisfactory electro‐mechanical stability of the conventional hydrogel conductors, which are normally vulnerable to large deformation and severe mechanical impacts, remains a challenge. In addition, there is not enough research regarding the adhesiveness and mechanical properties of the dielectric layer, which is also critical for the mechanical adaptability of the whole device. Here, a dynamically super‐tough capacitive‐type strain sensor based on energy‐dissipative dual‐crosslinked hydrogel conductors and an organogel dielectric with high adhesive strength is developed. Combining with the mechanical advantages of the hydro/organo‐gels, the capacitive strain sensor exhibits high stretchability and superior linear dependence of sensitivity with a gauge factor of ≈0.8% at 100% strain. Moreover, the sensor displayed ultrastability against various severe mechanical stimuli that can even survive unprecedentedly from extremely catastrophic car run‐over by 20 times. With these synergistic mechanical advantages, the capacitive strain sensor is successfully applied as a highly‐reliable wearable sensing system to monitor diverse faint physiological signals and large‐range human motions.
Conjugated Polymer for Implantable Electronics toward Clinical Application
Authors: Liu Yuxin , Feig Vivian Rachel , Bao Zhenan 
Published: April 2021

AbstractOwing to their excellent mechanical flexibility, mixed‐conducting electrical property, and extraordinary chemical turnability, conjugated polymers have been demonstrated to be an ideal bioelectronic interface to deliver therapeutic effect in many different chronic diseases. This review article summarizes the latest advances in implantable electronics using conjugated polymers as electroactive materials and identifies remaining challenges and opportunities for developing electronic medicine. Examples of conjugated polymer‐based bioelectronic devices are selectively reviewed in human clinical studies or animal studies with the potential for clinical adoption. The unique properties of conjugated polymers are highlighted and exemplified as potential solutions to address the specific challenges in electronic medicine.
Resonant Spin Transmission Mediated by Magnons in a Magnetic Insulator Multilayer Structure
Authors: Fan Yabin , Finley Joseph , Han Jiahao , Holtz Megan E. , Quarterman Patrick , Zhang Pengxiang , Safi Taqiyyah S. , Hou Justin T. , Grutter Alexander J. , Liu Luqiao 
Published: April 2021

AbstractWhile being electrically insulating, magnetic insulators can behave as good spin conductors by carrying spin current with excited spin waves. So far, magnetic insulators are utilized in multilayer heterostructures for optimizing spin transport or to form magnon spin valves for reaching controls over the spin flow. In these studies, it remains an intensively visited topic as to what the corresponding roles of coherent and incoherent magnons are in the spin transmission. Meanwhile, understanding the underlying mechanism associated with spin transmission in insulators can help to identify new mechanisms that can further improve the spin transport efficiency. Here, by studying spin transport in a magnetic‐metal/magnetic‐insulator/platinum multilayer, it is demonstrated that coherent magnons can transfer spins efficiently above the magnon bandgap of magnetic insulators. Particularly the standing spin‐wave mode can greatly enhance the spin flow by inducing a resonant magnon transmission. Furthermore, within the magnon bandgap, a shutdown of spin transmission due to the blocking of coherent magnons is observed. The demonstrated magnon transmission enhancement and filtering effect provides an efficient method for modulating spin current in magnonic devices.
Solvent Annealing Enables 15.39% Efficiency All‐Small‐Molecule Solar Cells through Improved Molecule Interconnection and Reduced Non‐Radiative Loss
Authors: Ge Jinfeng , Hong Ling , Song Wei , Xie Lin , Zhang Jinsheng , Chen Zhenyu , Yu Kuibao , Peng Ruixiang , Zhang Xiaoli , Ge Ziyi 
Published: April 2021

AbstractPost‐treatment is of great importance to form nanoscale phase‐separated morphology for all‐small‐molecule organic solar cells (ASM‐OSCs), while the reasons for the difference between thermal annealing (TA) and solvent annealing (SVA) remain unclear. In this work, the influences of TA and SVA (with three common solvents of THF, CS2, and CF) are systematically investigated based on BT‐2F:N3 through characterization of photovoltaic performance, molecular stacking, charge transfer, etc. The results indicate that: i) solvents with good solubility induce stronger molecular interaction than that of TA treatment, and thus endowing molecules with better mobility to migrate for crystallization and phase separation, which leads to better J‐aggregation and molecular interconnection. ii) Donor‐selectively dissolved CS2 is better for optimizing the donor domain for its suitable domain size, improved molecular interaction and interconnection, and reduced trap states. iii) CS2 imposes a small impact on N3 acceptors and thus alleviates the increment of non‐radiative recombination. As a result, CS2 SVA with unique multifunctions enables a PCE of 15.39% with simultaneously improved voltage (0.845 V) and fill factor (75.02%), which is much higher than 14.66% of TA treatment. Moreover, 15.39% efficiency is also the highest value in binary ASM‐OSCs.