bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Health Workers and Coronavirus Disease Pandemic: Knowledge, Attitude and Effects in Port Harcourt, Nigeria
Authors: Dayi Joy O. , Onajin-Obembe Bisola O. I. , Ijah Rex F. O. A. 
Published: February 2021

Background: There are reports of the spread of the novel COVID-19 to Africa, Nigeria, and some cases in Rivers State. The aim of this study was to investigate the knowledge, attitude and effects of the coronavirus disease pandemic on hospital staff in the month of May to June 2020.
Methodology: The convenience sampling method was used to recruit 297 hospital staff in a cross-sectional descriptive study carried out using semi-structured questionnaires in a tertiary healthcare facility. Data obtained was analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20.0.
Results: Two hundred and sixty-two respondents (88.2%) had prior knowledge of coronavirus, and 228 (76.8%) got their information from Television/Radio/Newspapers. Two hundred and fifty-one (84.5%) respondents described COVID-19 pandemic as a disease caused by an imported germ. Regardless of the fear/panic of the COVID-19 pandemic, 230 (77.4%) of the respondents indicated that they would continue to visit their sick relative in the hospital. The COVID-19 pandemic moderately affected the family life of 110 (37.0%) respondents, while 68 (12.5%) were devastated by it. The means of livelihood was moderately affected in 76 (25.6%) respondents, and 43 (14.5%) devastated by it.
Conclusion: The negative impact of the coronavirus pandemic was experienced significantly in varied proportions – moderately, severely, and in devastating manner.
Robust Control for Die Attach Machine Recipe Management System
Authors: Capili Michael D. 
Published: February 2021

One of the problems facing the Die Attach engineers at Front of Line is the lack of control of their Die Attach Recipes. Currently, all Recipes are stored on a computer that is accessed by all users and transferred to the Die Attach machine using a diskette via a simple file copy operation.
This kind of setup is vulnerable to the tampering of the Recipes, which may lead to problems in the production line, affecting the quality of the product. It is also difficult in the current setup to know which user copied the Recipe or changed its contents, making those activities untraceable. Finally, the manual management of Die Attach Recipes by file copy raises the risk of human error. To increase the quality of production as well as to protect Recipes from tampering, a computer-based program has been developed to fix the issues in the current setup.
The Die Attach Recipe Management System, or DRMS, is a computer program that can do the following: (1) protect the Die Attach Recipes to prevent unauthorized users from accessing and changing them; (2) monitor users who access the Recipes; and (3) simplify the recovery and storage process to eliminate human error problems.
Sustainable Isomerization of α‐Pinene Oxide to trans‐Carveol using Formic Acid/Aniline System at Room Temperature
Authors: Ravi Krishnan , Naikwadi Dhanaji R. , Bankar Balasaheb D. , Biradar Ankush V. 
Published: February 2021

Abstracttrans‐Carveol is an essential and expensive chemical used as valencia orange essence oil in the fragrance industry, and can be obtained through Brønsted acid‐catalyzed isomerization of α‐pinene oxide (APO) using hazardous solvent at higher temperatures. Therefore the development of a simple, metal‐free, and cost‐effective, sustainable method for isomerization of APO at milder conditions is desired. In this study, in situ formed formanilide (IFF) and tetrahydrofuran are used as active solvents and formic acid used as a Brønsted acid catalyst for selective isomerization of APO. Under the optimized conditions, the maximum 80% selectivity of trans‐carveol is achieved with complete APO conversion in 30 min at room temperature. The solvent system's practical utility is demonstrated at a 10 g scale with complete conversion and 76% selectivity at room temperature within 60 min. Furthermore, isotopic labeling experiments show donation of a proton from the IFF solvent.
AKAP1 Deficiency Attenuates Diet‐Induced Obesity and Insulin Resistance by Promoting Fatty Acid Oxidation and Thermogenesis in Brown Adipocytes
Authors: Ji Lele , Zhao Ya , He Linjie , Zhao Jing , Gao Tian , Liu Fengzhou , Qi Bingchao , Kang Fei , Wang Gang , Zhao Yilin , Guo Haitao , He Yuanfang , Li Fei , Huang Qichao , Xing Jinliang 
Published: February 2021

AbstractAltering the balance between energy intake and expenditure is a major strategy for treating obesity. Nonetheless, despite the progression in antiobesity drugs on appetite suppression, therapies aimed at increasing energy expenditure are limited. Here, knockout ofAKAP1, a signaling hub on outer mitochondrial membrane, renders mice resistant to diet‐induced obesity.AKAP1 knockout significantly enhances energy expenditure and thermogenesis in brown adipose tissues (BATs) of obese mice. Restoring AKAP1 expression in BAT clearly reverses the beneficial antiobesity effect in AKAP1−/− mice. Mechanistically, AKAP1 remarkably decreases fatty acid β‐oxidation (FAO) by phosphorylating ACSL1 to inhibit its activity in a protein‐kinase‐A‐dependent manner and thus inhibits thermogenesis in brown adipocytes. Importantly, AKAP1 peptide inhibitor effectively alleviates diet‐induced obesity and insulin resistance. Altogether, the findings demonstrate that AKAP1 functions as a brake of FAO to promote diet‐induced obesity, which may be used as a potential therapeutic target for obesity.
A comparison of owner/operator and worker perspectives on workplace safety in the West Virginia logging industry
Authors: Lundstrom Eric W. , Myers Douglas J. , Lundstrom Wayne J. , Rauscher Kimberly J. , Fullen Mark 
Published: February 2021

AbstractBackgroundThe logging industry is known to have one of the highest rates of fatal and nonfatal occupational injuries in the United States. Perspectives on why this study is so hazardous may differ between logging company owners/operators and workers. In this study, we explored and compared the safety perspectives of logging company owners/operators and workers in West Virginia.MethodsUsing a mixed‐methods approach, we analyzed survey (n = 245) and interview (n = 14) data collected in 2015 from logging company owners/operators and workers in West Virginia. Survey data were analyzed via logistic regression; interview data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Response patterns were contrasted by occupational status (owners/operators vs. workers) in both analyses.ResultsOwners/operators and workers agreed on several aspects of workplace safety including the importance of personal protective equipment and the benefits of mechanization when timber harvesting. Key differences observed between owners/operators and workers included why injuries are underreported and the effects of production pressures on safety.ConclusionWhile there was much agreement, owners/operators and workers in the West Virginia logging industry reported differences in key domains of workplace safety. These differences should be taken into account when designing and implementing safety programs in the logging industry.
An improved method for measuring molar wear
Authors: Lagan Emma M. , Ehrlich Daniel E. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractObjectivesStandard methods of recording occlusal dental wear are problematic in that they either do not allow for individual variation of wear or are not designed to allow for comparisons of wear patterns. In this article, we (a) present a novel method for recording and analyzing molar wear, and (b) evaluate this method in light of existing methods.Materials and methodsEighty‐two lower mandibular first molars from two regions (medieval Denmark, prehistoric Ohio Valley) were used to assess the method for replicability (intra and inter observer error) and accuracy (comparison to established methods of recording wear). Wear scores were recorded using the MolWear Android App (Beta) by both authors, and established methods of Smith and Scott by the first author. Intraobserver and interobserver error and comparison of the three methods were compared using Spearman's correlation coefficients.ResultsThe MolWear method presented high intraobserver (r= 0.985,p< 0.01) and interobserver (r= 0.978,p< 0.01) repeatability. Compared to other methods, the method was strongly correlated with Smith (r= 0.962,p< 0.01) and Smith (r= 0.891,p< 0.01).DiscussionThe new MolWear method provides an improved way of measuring occlusal molar wear. This method bridges the gaps between established methods, performing comparatively while capturing more information about the distribution of wear in addition to the extent of wear. This method should be used for research comparing interpopulation or intrapopulation quantity of dental wear. While designed for a bioarchaeological population, this method could extend to any Y5 molar including nonhuman primates and hominins.
Starbursts versus active galactic nuclei: Studying astrochemistry of dusty galaxies
Authors: Martins‐Franco Yanna , Menéndez‐Delmestre Karín 
Published: February 2021

AbstractInfrared luminous galaxies are rare locally but dominate the star formation activity at z ≥ 1. The study of these objects is difficult at optical wavelengths especially on account of the abundant dust. At the smallest scales, dust becomes micron‐sized molecules known as PAHs that are excited by UV photons and whose emission can be used to reveal physical properties of obscured regions that otherwise remain invisible to our instruments. We can thus use infrared spectroscopy to classify the emission in these systems as arising from star formation activity or active galactic nuclei (AGN). In this work, we go further than this and undertake an astrochemical analysis of the ISM by probing the PAH population. Based on Spitzer/IRS mid‐infrared spectra of ∼700 dusty galaxies from the GOALS and ATLAS surveys, we analyze the PAH population in terms of size, charge, and composition using the NASA Ames PAH Database, a large theoretical spectroscopic library of PAH molecules. We find that the PAH population in these galaxies is dominated by small and neutral molecules, with very little diversity in composition, beyond Carbon and Hydrogen. These results are consistent with theoretical models of PAH emission for star‐forming galaxies. We also see a weak trend of an increased proportion of charged PAHs in galaxies with a more pronounced AGN contribution, suggesting that the radiation field of the power source may ultimately affect the ISM astrochemistry. Although our results point to AGN being capable of altering PAHs molecules, PAH features are still significant in AGN regions, suggesting that the AGN does not destroy them. This is in agreement with recent laboratory works pointing and motivating further use of PAH molecules to probe for the radiation field in these dusty, extreme environments.
Somatosensory Temporal Discrimination in Autism Spectrum Disorder
Authors: Buyuktaskin Dicle , Iseri Elvan , Guney Esra , Gunendi Zafer , Cengiz Bulent 
Published: February 2021

Sensory differences are common in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). While there is no well‐accepted method to measure sensory differences objectively, there is accumulating evidence from recent years concerning sensory perception, including data concerning temporal discrimination thresholds of individuals with ASD as measured by different measures. The somatosensory temporal discrimination (STD) test measures the threshold at which an individual can temporally discriminate multiple tactile stimuli delivered in succession. We aimed to investigate tactile perception in ASD and hypothesized that children with ASD have impaired STD related to their subjective sensory symptoms and daily difficulties. Thirty adolescents with ASD and 30 typically developed subjects were recruited. The Childhood Autism Rating Scale, Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, and Adolescent/Adult Sensory Profile were implemented before STD evaluation. Average somatosensory detection (1.48 ± 0.42) and discrimination thresholds (112.70 ± 43.45) of the children with ASD were significantly higher (P = 0.010, P = 0.001, respectively) than those of the controls (1.18 ± 0.42, 79.95 ± 31.60, respectively). Sensory seeking scores of the ASD group (40.8 ± 7.60) were significantly lower (P = 0.024) than those of the control group (45.83 ± 9.17). However, the psychophsycal thresholds did not have any statistically significant relationships with subjective sensory symptoms or daily difficulties. This study demonstrates impaired sensory processing in ASD evaluated by STD and its lack of relationship with subjective sensory symptoms and daily difficulties. This psychophysical evidence of increased STD thresholds and decreased sensory seeking profile supports the disturbances in the regulation of sensory processing in ASD.Lay SummarySensory differences are common in autism; however, there is no well‐accepted method to measure them objectively. This study aims to investigate somatosensory differences and their relation with sensory and emotional/behavioral difficulties of children with autism. We show that autistic children have higher tactile discrimination thresholds and fewer sensory seeking behaviors. This supports the presence of impairments in sensory processing in autism. Measuring the sensory differences may help understanding clinical symptoms and neurobiological underpinings of autism. Autism Res 2021, 14: 656–667. © 2021 International Society for Autism Research and Wiley Periodicals LLC
The C‐terminal domain of transcription factor RfaH: Folding, fold switching and energy landscape
Authors: Seifi Bahman , Wallin Stefan 
Published: February 2021

AbstractWe simulate the folding and fold switching of the C‐terminal domain (CTD) of the transcription factor RfaH using an all‐atom physics‐based model augmented with a dual‐basin structure‐based potential energy term. We show that this hybrid model captures the essential thermodynamic behavior of this metamorphic domain, that is, a change in the global free energy minimum from an α‐helical hairpin to a 5‐stranded β‐barrel upon the dissociation of the CTD from the rest of the protein. Using Monte Carlo sampling techniques, we then analyze the energy landscape of the CTD in terms of progress variables for folding toward the two folds. We find that, below the folding transition, the energy landscape is characterized by a single, dominant funnel to the native β‐barrel structure. The absence of a deep funnel to the α‐helical hairpin state reflects a negligible population of this fold for the isolated CTD. We observe, however, a higher α‐helix structure content in the unfolded state compared to results from a similar but fold switch‐incompetent version of our model. Moreover, in folding simulations started from an extended chain conformation we find transiently formed α‐helical structure, occurring early in the process and disappearing as the chain progresses toward the thermally stable β‐barrel state.
Histopathologic analysis of extracted thrombi from deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism: Mechanisms and timing
Authors: Silver Mitchell J. , Kawakami Rika , Jolly Michael A. , Huff Christopher M. , Phillips John A. , Sakamoto Atsushi , Kawai Kenji , Kutys Bob , Guo Liang , Cornelissen Anne , Mori Masayuki , Sato Yu , Romero Maria , Virmani Renu , Finn Aloke V. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractBackgroundMechanical thrombectomy is increasingly being used as an alternative to pharmacologic therapies for the treatment of patients with acute deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) and allows direct histopathologic comparison of thrombi extracted from living patients. We performed histopathologic analysis to thrombi extracted from cases of DVT and PE to gain insights into their relative cellular compositions.MethodsThrombus retrieved using a catheter‐based thrombectomy system (ClotTriever for lower extremity DVT and FlowTriever for PE) from the 17 patients (7 DVT cases and 10 PE cases) were histologically evaluated. Histological features were used to estimate their age and pathological characteristics.ResultsThe thrombus in all cases were composed of fibrin, platelets, red blood cells, and acute inflammatory cells. The weights of thrombus obtained from DVT versus PE cases were heavier (DVT 7.2 g (g) (5.6–10.2) vs. PE 4.8 g (3.6–6.8), p = .01). Overall thrombus healing (i.e., thrombus composed of smooth muscle cells, endothelial cells, and proteoglycans) was different between DVT and PE cases. 6/7 (86%) with features of late stage healing were from DVT cases while only three of ten (30%) were from PE cases while PE contained more acute thrombi with 7/10 (70%) stage 2 as compared 1/7 (14%) for DVT (p = .0498).ConclusionThis study is the first to directly compare the histology of extracted thrombus in DVT versus PE cases from patients with clinical events. Overall PE cases demonstrated significantly earlier stage thrombus with a larger component of red blood cells.
Supplementation of durum wheat spaghetti with wheat bran protein concentrate: Impacts on phytochemical profile and starch digestion
Authors: Alzuwaid Nabeel T. , Laddomada Barbara , Fellows Christopher M. , Egan Narelle , Sissons Mike 
Published: February 2021

AbstractBackground and objectivesWheat bran is commonly used in pasta products and is an excellent source of phytochemicals, but it creates various processing and consumer acceptability issues. Proteins extracted from bran (WBPC) have potential to improve the protein content and protein quality of pasta, but their contribution to the phytochemical content of pasta is unknown.FindingsIn this study, WBPC was added to a spaghetti formulae at 0, 1%, 5%, 10%, and 20% (w/w). The dried uncooked spaghetti were characterized for quali‐quantitative composition of phytosterols and phenolic acids. Also, both the uncooked and cooked samples were evaluated for total soluble phenolics (TSP) and antioxidant activity (AO). Results showed that pasta with 20%WBPC increased total phytosterol content (~55%), and phenolic acids content (~57%), with ferulic acid being the main component. Cooked spaghetti had reduced TSP and AO compared to the uncooked. However, cooked 20%WBPC spaghetti had significantly higher contents of both TSP (~37%) and AO (~93%) compared to 100% durum semolina spaghetti. The in vitro starch digestion of pasta was not affected by WBPC at these levels.ConclusionSpaghetti enriched with WBPC has improved phytochemical content without negative changes on pasta in vitro starch digestion.Significance and noveltyWBPC is a suitable ingredient to enhance the phytochemical content of regular spaghetti with potential health benefits.
Investigation of the effects of fermented wheat bran extract containing beta‐glucanase on beta‐glucan of cereals used in animal feed
Authors: Heidary Vinche Masoumeh , Khanahmadi Morteza , Ataei Seyed Ahmad , Danafar Firoozeh 
Published: February 2021

AbstractBackground and objectivesBeta‐glucan found in cereals is a non‐nutrient for poultry that would cause some digestion problems. Beta‐glucanase can break down the beta‐glucan. The aim was the production of beta‐glucanase from the fermentation of wheat bran and to investigate its effects on cereals.FindingsBeta‐glucan contents of cereals, that is, wheat variety Pishtaz, hulless barley variety Loot, and a variety of medium maturity corn, were measured by direct extraction and beta‐glucan measurement kit. Beta‐glucanase was produced by solid‐state cultivation of five strains of Aspergillus on wheat bran. Aspergillus niger CCUG33991 was selected for the production of enzyme extract. Adding the extract enhanced the suspension viscosity reduction for the tested cereals. Barley had the highest amount of beta‐glucan and higher viscosity reduction that can be attributed to beta‐glucan content. Treatment of cereals with the enzyme extract modified their surfaces and made them more digestible.ConclusionsThe study demonstrated that beta‐glucanase can be a profitable animal feed additive especially for the feeds with high beta‐glucan content grains.Significance and noveltyThe effect of produced beta‐glucanase for the first time on the structure and solution viscosity of cereals showed that adding this enzyme is a suitable additive for digestive problems solving in animals.
Financial attributes, financial behaviors,financial‐advisor‐usebeliefs, and investing characteristics associated with having used arobo‐advisor
Authors: Todd Timothy M. , Seay Martin C. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThis study investigates the financial attributes, financial behaviors, financial‐advisor‐use beliefs, and investing characteristics associated with having used an automated investment solution (i.e., a robo‐advisor). Data are used from the 2015 National Financial Capability Study (both the State‐by‐State Survey and the Investor Survey) to investigate the use of robo‐advisors among 1,393 individuals with non‐retirement investment accounts. Multivariable results indicated that being younger, having low or midrange income, and having lower objective investment‐knowledge scores was positively associated with robo‐advisor use. This study provides important insight for policymakers, financial practitioners, and proprietors of robo‐advisors and other fintech products.
New Noncentrosymmetric Tetrel Pnictides Composed of Square‐Planar Gold(I) with Peculiar Bonding
Authors: Lee Shannon J. , Won Juyeon , Wang Lin‐Lin , Jing Dapeng , Harmer Colin P. , Mark Justin , Akopov Georgiy , Kovnir Kirill 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThree novel isostructural equiatomic gold tetrel pnictides, AuSiAs, AuGeP, and AuGeAs, were synthesized and characterized. These phases crystallize in the noncentrosymmetric (NCS) monoclinic space groupCc(no. 9), featuring square‐planar Au withincis‐[AuTt2Pn2] units (Tt=tetrel, Si, Ge; Pn=pnictogen, P, As). This is in drastic contrast to the structure of previously reported AuSiP, which exhibits typical linear coordination of Au with Si and P. Chemical bonding analysis through the electron localization function suggests covalent two‐center two‐electron Tt−Pn bonds, and three‐center Au−Tt−Au and Au−Pn−Au bonds with 1.6 e−per bond. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy studies support the covalent and nonionic nature of Au−Pn and Au−Tt bonds. The title materials were found to ben‐type narrow‐gap semiconductors or semimetals, with nearly temperature‐independent electrical resistivities and low thermal conductivities. A combination of the semimetallic properties with tunable NCS structure provides opportunities for the development of materials based on gold tetrel pnictides.