bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Richardia brasiliensis Collected in Southern-Benin: Phytochemical Screening, Antimicrobial Activity and Toxicity
Authors: Chabi-Sika Kamirou , Sina Haziz , Boya Bawa , Bade Farid , Hounnou Tryphose , Badoussi Marius Eric , Adjatin Arlette , Baba-Moussa Lamine 
Published: December 2021

Aims: The aim of this study is to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of the R. brasiliensis aerial part extracts collected in southern-Benin.
Methodology: The phytochemical screening was performed by a differential precipitation staining method. Aqueous and ethanolic extracts were made using conventional method with water and ethanol as solvent. The obtained extracts were used to evaluate their antimicrobial activity on Staphylococcus aureus strains isolated from skin infections and ten reference strains by the solid-medium diffusion method. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBC) were determined by the liquid macro-dilution method. The cytotoxic effect of the extracts was evaluated on Artemia salina larvae obtained by hatching.
Results: The phytochemical screening showed a strong presence of tannins, flavonoids, terpenes, steroids and a medium presence of alkaloids, anthocyanins and mucilage’s. The extraction yields vary according to the solvent: water (15.5%) and ethanol (10.30%). The two extracts variously (p<0.001) inhibited the growth of Staphylococcus aureus strains isolated from skin infections and four reference strains (Staphylococcus aureus ATCC29213, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC27853, Proteus mirabilis A24974, Escherichia coli ATCC25922). However, there is no difference (p > 0.05) in inhibition of strains growth between 24h and 48h. The largest diameter (21±0.75 mm) of inhibition with the reference strains was obtained with P. aeruginosa by action of the aqueous extract. Regarding Staphylococcus aureus strains isolated from skin infections, the largest diameter of inhibition is about 19.25±2.75 mm obtained with strains isolated from ulcers. The average mics of 2.81 mg/ml and 2.08 mg/ml were obtained respectively for the aqueous and ethanolic extracts in the presence of the reference strains. The LC50 determination obtained using the regression line is 0.36 mg/ml for the aqueous extract and 1.16 mg/ml for the ethanolic extract.
Conclusion: The aqueous extract is more effective because of its action spectrum. This extract can be used for the development of a soap or ointment to fight against skin infections.
Using Zeolite and Vermicompost Amendments to Improve Water Productivity of Wheat Irrigated by Low-quality Water in the Northern Nile Delta
Authors: Khalifa T. H. H. , Ramadan M. S. A. , S. M. Eid Mona 
Published: December 2021

Aims: In the long run, reusing low-quality water in Egypt's agricultural sector directly or after mixing with fresh water to compensate for water supply constraints can be hazardous to plants and soil. As a result, some appropriate management must be considered. For this reason, a field experiment was implemented in winter seasons 2018/2019 and 2019/2020 at Sakha Agric. Res. Station Farm, Kafr El-Sheikh Gov., Egypt. This study aims to assess the impacts of zeolite and vermicompost as well their combinations on alleviation of low-quality water impacts on physicochemical properties of clayey soil and wheat productivity.
Study Design: complete randomized block design with three replicates.
Results: The application of 2.40 Mg Z ha-1 was found to be the most effective on soil properties and plant growth. This treatment reduced soil EC, Na+, Ca2+, Mg2+, Cl-, SO42-, and ESP values the most (52.90 percent, 83.21 percent, 30.43 percent, 6.04 percent, 91.82 percent, 19.83 percent, and 70.73 percent, respectively), while increasing the K+ value by 32.47 percent. It also achieved the highest increases in plant height, 1000-grain weight, grain, and straw yields (35.92%, 9.60%, 42.77%, and 25.61%, respectively) when compared to untreated soil. With 2.40 Mg VC ha-1, the greatest changes in bulk density, total porosity, and CEC (-9.23, 9.30, and 10.54 percent, respectively) were obtained. The applications of 1.80 Mg Z with 0.6 Mg VC ha-1 and 0.6 Mg Z ha-1 with 1.80 Mg VC ha-1, on the other hand, resulted in the greatest increases in soil moisture content, drainable pores (DP), and water holding pores (WHP). Furthermore, 0.6 Mg Z combined with 1.80 Mg VC ha-1 significantly increased the available N, P, and K in the soil. The addition of 2.4 tons Z/ha increased the WP and resulted in a high economically appealing wheat.
Conclusion: It could be concluded that the application of Z and VC is a new strategy for alleviating abiotic stress and improving wheat growth. Z application was more effective than VC on improving soil physicochemical properties and improving the water productivity and achieve high economical attractiveness wheat irrigated by low-quality water.
Seroprevalence of Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Antibodies in COVID-19 Patients in Hyderabad, Sindh
Authors: Qureshi Shahzad Rasheed , Memon Nazakat Hussain , Arain Sadia Qamar , Nizamani Ghulam Shah , Abbasi Majid Ali , Laghari Arshad Hussain , Rajput Ali Raza 
Published: December 2021

Aim: The world is affected by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic. This virus has emerged as a human pathogen that can cause symptoms ranging from fever to Pneumonia, but it remains asymptomatic or mild. To better understand the virus's ongoing spread, identify those who have been infected, and track the immune response, accurate and robust immunological monitoring and SARS-CoV-2 detection assays are needed.
Methods: The estimation of serology tests to assess the presence of antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 in COVID- 19 patients at Asian Institute of Medical Sciences (AIMS) and Isra University & hospital. 1229 patients were selected including males and females with the age being 25 to 65 years living in the territories from 1st August to 30th November 2020. The anti-SARS-CoV-2 test was performed by an electrochemiluminescence immunoassay analyzer.
Results: Out of 1229 participants 206 (17%) were positive with COVID-19, and 1023 (83%) were negative. The results further revealed that a higher percentage of positive COVID-19 were detected in males in all age groups as compared to females, and most of them are affected at age of 46-65 years male 40 (24.69%) and female 14(17.5%).
Conclusion: The seroprevalence of SARS-COV-2 antibodies has increased in the old age population, which may aid in determining the true number of infected cases. Although the current study is based on a small sample of participants, the findings suggest a study with a larger population to implement stronger and targeted interventions.
Overview on Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor; A Review
Authors: Abood Hashem Bark Awadh , Albalawi Amani Nasser D. , AlEnazi Haifa Obedullah , Almuhanna Mousa Mutlaq , Busaad Norah Othman , Jarad Rafa Ghazi Ali , Alkhamis Mahdi Saleh , Alsharif Shahad Majed , Alahdal Mutaz Abdulrahman S. , Alqahtani Deena Ahmed S. , Alhakamy Abdulmajeed Ramzy , Alraqibah Sulaiman Abdullah 
Published: December 2021

GISTs (gastrointestinal stromal tumours) are benign tumours that most usually affect the gastrointestinal (GI) system. GISTs can strike at any age, however they are most typically diagnosed in later life, with a median diagnostic age in the 60s. Abdominal ultrasound, CT scan, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and positron emission transverse tomography (PET) can all be used to detect GISTs (PET).CT enterography is the most effective method for determining the location of these tumors. Histopathology and immunochemistry are used to diagnose GISTs. Surgical excision remains the therapy of choice for gastrointestinal stromal tumours more than 2 cm that are readily resectable. Due to the possibility of resistance to standard treatment, mutational analysis should be undertaken when considering adjuvant and neoadjuvant therapy. In this review we’ll be looking at the disease etiology, epidemiology, diagnosis and management.
Differences in image density adjustment parameters on the image matching accuracy of a floor‐mounted kV X‐ray image‐guided radiation therapy system
Authors: Sakuragawa Kanako , Sasaki Motoharu , Kamomae Takeshi , Yokoishi Michihiro , Kasai Ryosuke , Kajino Akimi , Ikushima Hitoshi 
Published: December 2021

AbstractThis study aimed to investigate the effect of two different image density adjustment parameters on the results of image matching at six degrees of freedom using radiographic images generated by the ExacTrac X‐ray system in brain stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS). This study comprised 32 patients who underwent brain SRS at our hospital from January 2020 to December 2020. In this study, (1) the default parameter (an image density parameter between “tissue” and “bone”) was an image density parameter for digitally reconstructed radiograph (DRR) generation used at many facilities, and (2) the bone parameter was the steepest contrast parameter used at our hospital. Of the 32 patients, 24 (75%) had a couch angle of 0.5 mm or more in the translational direction or 0.5° or more in the rotational direction, and 10 (31%) had a couch angle of 1.0 mm or more in the translational direction or 1.0° or more in the rotational direction. Among the 131 cases of all couch angles, 46 (35%) cases had a translational direction of 0.5 mm or more or a rotational direction of 0.5° or more, and 15 (11%) had a translational direction of 1.0 mm or more or a rotational direction of 1.0° or more. The results of this study indicate the usefulness of using appropriate DRR parameters for each case, rather than using the default settings. The use of appropriate DRR parameters can lead to accurate position matching results, leading to fewer image‐guided radiation therapy shots and a lower imaging dose.
Meniscus‐Assisted Coating with Optimized Active‐Layer Morphology toward Highly Efficient All‐Polymer Solar Cells
Authors: Yue Yuchen , Zheng Bing , Yang Wenjie , Huo Lijun , Wang Jingxia , Jiang Lei 
Published: December 2021

AbstractMorphology control is the key to engineering highly efficient solution‐processed solar cells. Focusing on the most promising application‐oriented photovoltaic all‐polymer solar cells (all‐PSCs), herein a facile and effective meniscus‐assisted‐coating (MAC) strategy is reported for preparing high‐quality blend films with enhanced crystallinity and an interpenetrating nanofiber network morphology. The all‐PSCs based on MAC exhibit excellent optoelectronic properties with efficiencies exceeding 15%, which is the best performance of solution‐printing‐based all‐PSCs, as well as better stability. The crystallization kinetics of the polymer blend film is investigated by in situ UV–vis absorption spectroscopy, and the result explains the linear relationship between the meniscus advance speed and the crystallinity (crystallization rate) of the polymer. To verify the compatibility and universality of this strategy, the MAC strategy is applied to the other three binary systems. By precisely controlling the meniscus advancing speed, 1 cm2 all‐PSC devices whose efficiencies exceed 12% are fabricated. Such progress demonstrates that the application of the MAC strategy is a promising approach for the fabrication of high‐efficiency all‐PSCs.
Metal‐Organic Framework Based Gas Sensors
Authors: Yuan Hongye , Li Nanxi , Fan Weidong , Cai Hong , Zhao Dan 
Published: December 2021

AbstractThe ever‐increasing concerns over indoor/outdoor air quality, industrial gas leakage, food freshness, and medical diagnosis require miniaturized gas sensors with excellent sensitivity, selectivity, stability, low power consumption, cost‐effectiveness, and long lifetime. Metal‐organic frameworks (MOFs), featuring structural diversity, large specific surface area, controllable pore size/geometry, and host‐guest interactions, hold great promises for fabricating various MOF‐based devices for diverse applications including gas sensing. Tremendous progress has been made in the past decade on the fabrication of MOF‐based sensors with elevated sensitivity and selectivity toward various analytes due to their preconcentrating and molecule‐sieving effects. Although several reviews have recently summarized different aspects of this field, a comprehensive review focusing on MOF‐based gas sensors is absent. In this review, the latest advance of MOF‐based gas sensors relying on different transduction mechanisms, for example, chemiresistive, capacitive/impedimetric, field‐effect transistor or Kelvin probe‐based, mass‐sensitive, and optical ones are comprehensively summarized. The latest progress for making large‐area MOF films essential to the mass‐production of relevant gas sensors is also included. The structural and compositional features of MOFs are intentionally correlated with the sensing performance. Challenges and opportunities for the further development and practical applications of MOF‐based gas sensors are also given.
Estimating temperature impacts on perennial crop losses in California: Insights from insurance data
Authors: Yu Jisang , Goh Gyuhyeong 
Published: December 2021

AbstractThis study provides a novel empirical framework for estimating the effects of temperature on the production of several tree crops in California by using underused insurance data and a variable selection technique. We utilize a Bayesian variable selection technique to select relevant temperature variables. We then use the selected temperature variables to assess the temperature effects on crop losses. We find that a greater length to freeze exposure increases crop losses and relatively smaller roles of chill hours and heating hours. We also find the heterogeneity of the effects across insurance coverage levels.
Surface engineering of a pervaporation desulfurization membrane with crack structures by the self‐condensation of silane coupling agent
Authors: Gui Zhaolong , Leng Xiaoyan , Wang Ming , Hou Yingfei 
Published: December 2021

AbstractIn this article, the 3‐methacryloxypropyltrimethoxy silane (KH570) was deposited onto the surface of the polyurethane (PU) membrane to prepare pervaporation (PV) desulfurization membrane. The modified membrane was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectrum, scanning electron microscopy, and atomic force microscope and so forth. After modification, the surface exhibited a special morphology with cracks which was micro‐controlled by adjusting the hydrolysis time, the concentration and the deposition time of KH570. Through the PV performance of the modified membrane, it was found that the surface morphology with cracks effectively reduced the mass transfer resistance and enlarged contact area, which played a key role in the increase of flux. Under the optimal modification conditions, the flux of the membrane was 2.41 kg m−2 h−1, which increased by 154% in comparison with the pristine PU membrane, while the enrichment factor maintained a satisfactory level of 7.35. Therefore, this study provided a new insight to fabricate a high performance PV desulfurization membrane.
The study of ionic and entanglements self‐healing behavior of zinc dimethacrylate enhanced natural rubber and natural rubber/butyl rubber composite
Authors: Zhao Ming , Chen Hui , Yuan Jiaxin , Wu Yibo , Li Shuxin , Liu Ruofan 
Published: December 2021

AbstractThis study reported the self‐healing behavior of natural rubber (NR) and NR‐butyl rubber (IIR) composites, which was enhanced by graft‐polymerization of zinc dimethacrylate (ZDMA) onto rubber chains. Using dicumyl peroxide (DCP) as the vulcanization agent formed a reversible covalent/ionic crosslinking supermolecular network. By controlling the vulcanization process, a reversible supramolecular network composed of covalent cross‐linking, ionic cross‐linking, and physical entanglement is obtained. Experiments shown that the self‐repairing behavior of ionic bonds comes from the recombination of ionic clusters. Although the saturated backbone of IIR is hardly to provide ionic or covalent crosslinks, the addition of IIR can increase the degree of physical entanglements level of rubber and provide physical self‐healing behavior. The entanglement healing is weaker than ionic cross‐linking, but due to the better chain mobility, the multiple times healing ability of IIR introduced by entanglements is better than covalent or ionic bonds.
The Effectiveness of MOFs for the Removal of Pharmaceuticals from Aquatic Environments: A Review Focused on Antibiotics Removal
Authors: Hooriabad Saboor Fahimeh , Nasirpour Niloofar , Shahsavari Shadab , Kazemian Hossein 
Published: December 2021

AbstractThere is an increasing level of various pollutants and their persistence in aquatic environments. The improper use of antibiotics and their inefficient metabolism in organisms result in their release into aquatic environments. Antibiotic abuse has led to hazardous effects on human health. Thereby, efficient removal of pharmaceuticals, particularly antibiotics, from wastewater and contaminated water bodies is greatly interested in international research communities. Metal‐organic framework (MOF) materials, as a hybrid group of material containing metallic center and organic linkers, offer a porous structure that is highly efficient for removing different pollutants from contaminated water and wastewater streams. This article aims to review the recent advancement in using MOF‐based adsorbents and catalysts for the removal of pharmaceuticals, especially antibiotics, from polluted water. Applying MOFs‐based structures for removing antibiotics using photocatalytic removal and adsorptive removal techniques will be discussed and evaluated in this review paper. Various MOF‐based materials such as functionalized MOFs, MOF‐based composites, magnetic MOF‐based composites, MOFs templated‐metal oxide catalysts for removing pharmaceuticals, personal care products, and antibiotics from contaminated aqueous media are discussed. Furthermore, effective operational parameters on the adsorption, adsorption mechanisms, adsorption isotherms, and thermodynamic parameters are explained and discussed. Finally, in the concluding remarks, the challenges and future outlooks of using MOFs‐based adsorbents and catalysts for removing antibiotics are summarized.
The economic and environmental impacts of Brazilian National Biofuel Policy
Authors: Ribeiro Carolina Habib , da Cunha Marcelo Pereira 
Published: December 2021

AbstractThe Brazilian National Policy on Biofuels (Renovabio) sets targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GGE) in the transportation mix. Through the policy, a financial asset known as CBIO (a Decarbonization Credit) was created. CBIOs represent the equivalent CO2 emissions prevented when substituting fossil fuels for renewable fuels and are traded on the stock market, which sets the price. Fossil fuel distributors are obliged to buy these assets and biofuel producers can issue the CBIOs on the stock market. A dynamic computable general equilibrium model was applied to estimate the CBIO prices and the annual economic and environmental impacts of RenovaBio from 2021 to 2029. The impacts on fuel and energy consumption, fuel prices, inflation, gross domestic product (GDP) and agricultural productivity considering ethanol, gasoline, biodiesel and diesel were calculated. To achieve the required decarbonization level by 2029, ethanol production must increase by 87.7%, led by a drop in its price relative to gasoline. The total fuel energy consumed would drop by 7.10% and inflation would increase by 0.35 percentage points, while GDP would increase by only 0.08% in the scenario of the last year, when the CBIO price would reach R$223.35 (~US$74.45). RenovaBio can be an effective policy to promote carbon intensity reduction and works as a hedge against unfavorable scenarios for biofuel production. Therefore, the policy can help Brazil reach its intended nationally determined contribution by boosting the use of biofuels in the country's transportation sector. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
NXNL1 negatively regulates osteoblast differentiation via GDF15‐induced PP2A Cα dependent manner in MC3T3‐E1 cells
Authors: Kim Kyeong‐Min , Jang Won‐Gu 
Published: December 2021

AbstractControlling the level of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) is important for the survival and differentiation of osteoblasts. Intracellular ROS levels are controlled by antioxidant enzymes that modulate the redox state of the cell. Nucleoredoxin‐like 1 (NXNL1) is an antioxidant enzyme that increases the viability of rod and cone cells by protecting them from oxidative stress, and is a potential pharmacological target for the treatment of retinitis pigmentosa. The present study investigated the role of NXNL on osteoblast differentiation of MC3T3‐E1 preosteoblast cells. Results from qPCR experiments demonstrated that growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15) increased NXNL1 expression, and that GDF15‐induced NXNL1 decreased the expression of osteogenic genes such as distal‐less homeobox 5 (Dlx5) and Runt‐related transcription factor 2. Furthermore, NXNL1 also inhibits bone morphogenetic protein 2‐induced phosphorylation of Smad1/5/9 and alkaline phosphatase activity. The inhibitory effects of NXNL1 on osteoblast differentiation were mediated by protein phosphatase 2A Cα (PP2A Cα). The expression of PP2A Cα was regulated by GDF15, and overexpression of PP2A Cα increased the expression of NXNL1. Taken together, our results demonstrate that NXNL1 inhibits osteoblast differentiation of MC3T3‐E1 due to GDF15‐induced expression of PP2A Cα.
Discursive contestation in mental health rehabilitation: How Clubhouse support workers expose clients to new interpretative repertoires of work
Authors: Stevanovic Melisa , Niska Miira , Nevalainen Henri , Weiste Elina , Lindholm Camilla , Valkeapää Taina 
Published: December 2021

AbstractIn our society, work is generally considered central to citizenship and individual well‐being. However, paid employment is often out of reach for individuals with mental illness. The Clubhouse model is a community‐based rehabilitation programme that therefore offers people with mental illness the possibility to enjoy some social advantages of work. However, the status of the day‐to‐day Clubhouse activities as “work” is a matter of discursive contestation. Drawing on 29 meetings of a Clubhouse rehabilitation group as data, and using conversation analysis and discourse analysis as methods, this study examines two competing interpretive repertoires that are systematically manifested in this context: the capitalist “paid work” repertoire used by Clubhouse clients and the more flexible “productive activity” repertoire used by support workers. The adoption of these two repertoires reflects two competing discursive agendas, which define the scope of mental health rehabilitation and the role of the client in their own rehabilitation process in distinct ways. From this perspective, the support workers' central institutional task is essentially of a discursive and ideological nature—exposing the clients to new ways of talking about their lives with reference to work.
Advances in the research of osteosarcoma stem cells and its related genes
Authors: Zhang Weifei , Wei Liangchen , Weng Jian , Yu Fei , Qin Haotian , Wang Deli , Zeng Hui 
Published: December 2021

AbstractOsteosarcoma is a malignant tumor that often occurs in adolescents. There is an urgent need for new treatment options for osteosarcoma due to its poor prognosis after metastasis. Cancer stem cell (CSC) theory states that CSCs represent a small proportion of cancer cells. These CSC have self‐renewal ability and are closely associated with cancer growth and metastasis as well as chemotherapy resistance. Similarly, osteosarcoma stem cells (OSCs) play an important role in the growth, metastasis, and chemotherapy resistance of osteosarcoma cells. Targeting OSCs may represent a future treatment of osteosarcoma. Furthermore, some genes have been shown to regulate the growth, metastasis, and chemotherapy resistance of osteosarcoma cells by altering the stemness of OSCs. Targeting these genes may help in the treatment of osteosarcoma. This review mainly discusses recent advances in the research of OSCs and their related genes.