bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of the new ECOWAS directive on tobacco taxation
Authors: Ane Mohamed 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
This paper provides an assessment of the level of implementation of the new 2017 ECOWAS Directive on Tobacco Products Tariff and Tax Policy in Member States. This stricter directive recommends that member states apply a minimum excise duty of 50% of the pre-tax (ex-factory) selling price of imported or domestic tobacco products in order to reduce the prevalence of tobacco use among the population.
It is clear from this research that most Member States are still not complying with the recommended tax provisions. Some countries continue to apply an excise rate of less than 50%, while others are satisfied with the necessary rate. While Ghana continues to have the highest excise rate (175%) in the economic union, countries such as Togo, Benin, and Senegal have made relatively more efforts to increase the excise rate. Indeed, Togo tripled its rate, followed by Benin by two. Senegal, in addition to having increased its rate by one and a half, is the only country to have introduced a minimum collection price per package to avoid price drops. However, while efforts have been made in terms of restrictions on use, promotion and advertising, they are likely to be undermined by the low enforcement of tax rates.
Thus, for a comprehensive tobacco control strategy, we suggest that efforts to increase tobacco taxation within ECOWAS be increased in proportion to inflation and changes in disposable income per capita, recognizing that low-income people are more sensitive to any price increase.
Assessing Phenylalanine Blood Level in Children Having Phenylketonuria in Southern Khorasan Province, and Determining the Affecting Social and Demographic Factors
Authors: Chahkandi Tayebeh , Bijari Bita , Laeen Niloofar Hamidi , Shaban Saye , Jafarabadi Emad Asgari 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background: Phenylketonuria is a metabolic disorder resulting from a defect in phenylalanine metabolism with a global prevalence of 1 in 10000. Delayed initiation of dietary modification leads to brain injury and cognitive and behavioral problems. The main objective of this study was to assess the demographic and social factors affecting metabolic control of patients having phenylketonuria in Southern Khorasan Province.Methods: In this cross-sectional descriptive analytic study which was performed during summer 2019, 32 out of 37 known children and adolescents having phenylketonuria in Southern Khorasan Province were assessed. The age of patients, the gender of patients, parents` marital status, parents` occupational status, parents` educational level, the distance between home and phenylketonuria clinic, and the number of affected siblings having phenylketonuria were documented. We were not able to contact five patients having phenylketonuria in Southern Khorasan Province. Data were analyzed by SPSS 16 software using Mann-Whitney U test and Kruskal-Wallis test. The significance level was considered as p <0.05.Results: 32 patients with a mean age of 6.6±4.7 years were enrolled in this study. 23 of them were male (71.9%) and 9 patients were females (28.1%). The mean phenylalanine level in this study group was 8.1±5.2 mg/dl. The disease was optimally controlled in 14 patients (43.3%) and poorly controlled in 18 of them (56.3%). There was not any statistically significant relation between the metabolic control of the disease and any of the assessed social and demographic factors.Conclusion: The disease was properly controlled in 43.3% of the assessed population, and 56.3% had poor metabolic control. There was not any statistically significant relation between the metabolic control of patients having phenylketonuria in Southern Khorasan Province and assessed demographic and social. As the number of known cases in South Khorasan province is limited, small sample size could be one of the main limitations of our study.
Diagnosis and Classification of the Diabetes Using Machine Learning Algorithms
Authors: Theerthagiri Prasannavenkatesan , A Usha Ruby , J Vidya 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Diabetes mellitus is characterized as a chronic disease may cause many complications. The machine learning algorithms are used to diagnosis and predict the diabetes. The learning based algorithms plays a vital role on supporting decision making in disease diagnosis and prediction. In this paper, traditional classification algorithms and neural network based machine learning are investigated for the diabetes dataset. Also, various performance methods with different aspects are evaluated for the K-nearest neighbor, Naive Bayes, extra trees, decision trees, radial basis function, and multilayer perceptron algorithms. It supports the estimation on patients suffering from diabetes in future. The results of this work shows that the multilayer perceptron algorithm gives the highest prediction accuracy with lowest MSE of 0.19. The MLP gives the lowest false positive rate and false negative rate with highest area under curve of 86 %.
Iran Temperatures in 2019 and 2020
Authors: Sorkhabi Omid Memarian 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
In this study, the temperature of Iran based on satellite observations during 2019 and 2020 has been investigated. In 2019, the western, southwestern and southeastern regions are warmer than other regions. The maximum average annual temperature of Iran will reach 30 degrees Celsius and the minimum average annual temperature will reach 4 degrees Celsius in 2019. The central regions of Iran have an average temperature of 18 degrees Celsius in 2020. The western, southwestern regions are about 1 degree Celsius warmer in 2020 than in 2019. The eastern regions of Iran in 2020 are about -1.5 degrees Celsius colder than in 2019.
Vulpinic Acid as a Natural Compound Inhibits the Proliferation of Metastatic Prostate Cancer Cell by Inducing Apoptosis
Authors: Duman Demet Cansaran , Eskiler Gamze Guney , Çolak Betül , Kucukkara Elif Sozen 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Lichen secondary metabolites have drawn considerable attention in recent years due to limitations of current treatment options. Vulpinic acid (VA) obtained from Letharia vulpina lichen species exerts a remarkable cytotoxic effect on different cancer types. However, the therapeutic efficacy of VA in metastatic prostate cancer (mPC) cells has not been investigated. In the present study, we aimed to identify VA-mediated cytotoxicity in PC-3 mPC cells compared with control cells. After identification of the cytotoxic concentrations of VA, VA induced apoptosis was analyzed by Annexin V, cell cycle, acridine orange and propidium iodide staining and RT-PCR analysis. Our findings showed that VA significantly decreased the viability of PC-3 cells (p < 0.01) and caused a considerable early apoptotic effect through G0/G1 arrest, nuclear bleebing and the activation of particularly initiator caspases. Therefore, VA may be a potential treatment option for mPC patients. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms of VA-induced apoptosis with advanced analysis should be further performed.
A Cluster of COVID-19 Among the Staff of a Logistics Company at Pudong International Airport after Exposure to Virus-contaminated Foreign Aircraft Cabins
Authors: Qiu Qi , Sun Xiaodong , Ye Chuchu , Pan Hao , Wang Yuanping , Chu Ruilin , Hao Lipeng , Cui Peng , Yu Xiao , Liu Shelan , Wu Huanyu , Fu Chen 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) caused a severe burden worldwide. “Environment to human” transmission by non-cold chain is causing alarm and attention. Methods: Epidemiological information of the COVID-19 cases were collected to determine epidemiological links and analyze transmission chains. Respiratory specimens were collected and tested for SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid by rRT-PCR assay. Results: A total of five cases were diagnosed in Pudong New Area during November 20 to 22, 2020. Case 1, 3 and 5 worked for the same logistics company at Pudong International Airport, and had close contact with each other during work. Case 2 is the wife of case 1, case 4 is the wife of case 3. The source of infection was exposure to virus-contaminated foreign aircraft cabins, the virus transmitted among colleagues of a logistics company due to close contacts without effective protection, and then led to intra-household transmissions. The epidemic has been rapidly brought under control, and all the five cases recovered after 13 to 42 day’s treatment.Conclusions: Regular surveillance and testing of high-risk groups were necessary for COVID-19 control and prevention. Strict management measures and disinfection of imported goods were still need to be implemented in view of severe foreign epidemic situation.
Estimation of Heating-Up Effecting in the Yellow River Basin Based on MODIS Data
Authors: Pan Ziwu , Zhu Jun , Qin Fen 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Using MODIS land surface temperature data, air temperature data and elevation data from 2000 to 2015 in the Yellow River Basin. The GWR analysis method with high accuracy was chosen to establish the regression model of plateau air temperature, land surface temperature and altitude. In the 12-month GWR regression model, the determination coefficient (Adjusted R2) was above 0.95 or more (0.959-0.980) and the root-mean-square error (RMSE)was between 0.740 and 1.029°C. Depending on the model, the air temperature of the Yellow River Basin is estimated and the accuracy is verified. On this basis, the average monthly air temperature in the basin is converted to altitudes of 4500m and 5000m, and the heating-up effects of various shapes in the basin are compared and discussed. The results show that: (1) Using the GWR method, combined with the observation data of the ground station, the accuracy of the air temperature estimation in the Yellow River Basin can be increased to 0.740°C; (2) According to the estimated annual variation of the spatial distribution of the 12-month average temperature, in the upper of the Tibet Plateau, the Huangshui Valley and the Gannan Plateau have lower annual air temperatures and less spatial distribution. While the air temperature in the northeast of the upstream Inner Mongolia plateau was higher, which was related to the rapid drying temperature rise near the desert. The change of mean monthly temperature in the middle and lower reaches is relatively high and the change is small, which is closely linked to the fact that it is located in the low-elevation area of the basin plain and has perennial light and heat.(3) The heating-up effect in the Yellow River Basin is outstanding. It is preliminaries estimated that at the same altitude, the Tibet Plateau is about 1.5~8°C higher than the Loess Plateau, and about 6~13°C higher than the North China Plain.
1,5-Dichloroethanoanthracene Derivatives as Antidepressant Maprotiline Analogues: Synthesis and DFT Computational Calculations
Authors: Sultan Mujeeb , Pillai Renjith Raveendran , Alzahrani Eman 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
The chlorinated tetracyclic 1,5-dichloro-9,10-dihydro-9,10-ethanoanthracen-12-yl)-N-methylmethanamine 1, a maprotiline analogue, has been synthesized via reduction and Diels–Alder reaction followed by reductive amination of Aldehyde 2. Density Functional Theory calculations were performed to identify the possible isomers of the intermediate compound aldehyde 2, these calculations were in a good agreement with experimental result where aldehyde 2 could exist in three isomers with comparable energies. In addition, the side chain of this aldehyde 2 was extended via Wittig reaction to obtain the unsaturated ester 5 that subjected to selective olefinic catalytic hydrogenation to obtain the corresponding saturated ester 6. 1D-NMR (DEPT) and 2D-NMR (HSQC, DQF-COSY) techniques were recruited for structural elucidation in addition to HRMS.
MicroRNA-1246 Suppresses the Metastasis of Breast Cancer Cells by Targeting the DRAK1A/PGRN Axis to Prevent the Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition
Authors: Wang Pan , Chen Wenju , Zhang Yaqiong , Zhong Qianyi , Li Zhaoyun , Wang Yichao 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Objective. Breast cancer is one of the most common malignant and highly heterogeneous tumors in women. MicroRNAs (miRNAs), such as miR-1246, play important roles in various types of malignant cancers, including triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). However, the biological role of miR-1246 in TNBC has not yet been fully elucidated. In this study, we studied the role of miR-1246 in the occurrence and development of TNBC and its mechanism of action.Methods. Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8), wound healing, and Transwell assays were performed to observe the effects of miR-1246 on TNBC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, respectively. The expression of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers was detected by western blotting. Dual luciferase reporter assays were performed to determine whether DYRK1A is a novel target of miR-1246. In addition, an immunoprecipitation experiment was performed to verify the binding of DYRK1A to PGRN. Rescue experiments were performed to determine whether DYRK1A is a novel target of miR-1246 and whether miR-1246 suppresses the metastasis of breast cancer cells by targeting the DRAK1A/PGRN axis to prevent the epithelial-mesenchymal transition.Results. Our results show that miR‑1246 suppresses the proliferation, migration, and invasion of TNBC cells and that DYRK1A is a novel target of miR-1246. MiR‑1246 plays a suppressive role in the regulation of the EMT of TNBC cells by targeting DYRK1A. DYRK1A mediates the metastasis of triple-negative breast cancer via activation of the EMT. We identified PGRN as a novel DYRK1A-interacting protein. DYRK1A and PGRN act together to regulate the occurrence and development of breast cancer through miR-1246.Conclusion. miR-1246 attenuates TNBC cell invasion and the EMT by targeting the DRAK1A/PGRN axis. Our data suggest that miR‑1246 may be used to develop novel early-stage diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for TNBC.
Comprehensive Analysis of Immune Cell Enrichment in the Tumor Microenvironment of Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Mito Ikko , Takahashi Hideyuki , Kawabata-Iwakawa Reika , Ida Shota , Tada Hiroe , Chikamatsu Kazuaki 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background: Head and neck squamous carcinoma (HNSCC) is highly infiltrated by immune cells, including tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes and myeloid lineage cells. In the tumor microenvironment, tumor cells orchestrate a highly immunosuppressive microenvironment by secreting immunosuppressive mediators, expressing immune checkpoint ligands, and downregulating human leukocyte antigen expression. In the present study, we aimed to comprehensively profile the immune microenvironment of HNSCC using RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) data obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database.Methods: We calculated enrichment scores of 33 immune cell types based on RNA-seq data of HNSCC tissues and adjacent non-cancer tissues. Based on these scores, we performed non-supervised clustering and identified three immune signatures, i.e., cold, lymphocyte, and myeloid/dendritic cell (DC), using clustering results. We then compared the clinical and biological features of the three signatures.Results: Among HNSCC and non-cancer tissues, human papillomavirus (HPV)-positive HNSCCs exhibited the highest scores in various immune cell types, including CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells, B cells, plasma cells, basophils, and their subpopulations. Among the three immune signatures, the proportions of HPV-positive tumors, oropharyngeal cancers, early T tumors, and N factor positive cases were significantly higher in the lymphocyte signature than in other signatures. Among the three signatures, the lymphocyte signature showed the longest overall survival (OS), especially in HPV-positive patients, whereas the myeloid/DC signature demonstrated the shortest OS in these patients. Gene set enrichment analysis revealed the upregulation of several pathways related to inflammatory and proinflammatory responses in the lymphocyte signature. The expression of PRF1, IFNG, GZMB, PDCD1, LAG3, CTLA4, HAVCR2, and TIGIT was the highest in the lymphocyte signature. Meanwhile, the expression of PD-1 ligand genes CD274 and PDCD1LG2 was highest in the myeloid/DC signature. Conclusions: Herein, our findings revealed the transcriptomic landscape of the immune microenvironment that closely reflects the clinical and biological significance of HNSCC, indicating that molecular profiling of the immune microenvironment can be employed to develop novel biomarkers and precision immunotherapies for HNSCC.
Twisted oxide lateral homostructures with conjunction tunability
Authors: Yang Jan-Chi , Wu Ping-Chun , Wei Chia-Chun , Zhong Qilan , Ho Sheng-Zhu , Chiu Yu-You , Liou Yi-De , Chiu Chun-Chien , Hu Jo-Chi , You Kei-Jie , Zheng Junding , Chang Chun-Fu , Huang Rong , Duan Chun-Gang , Chen Yi-Chun , Kuo Chang-Yang 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Epitaxial growth is of significant importance over the past decades, given it has been the key process of modern technology for delivering high-quality thin films. For conventional heteroepitaxy, the selection of proper single crystal substrates not only facilitates the integration of different materials but also fulfills interface and strain engineering upon a wide spectrum of functionalities. Nevertheless, the lattice structures, regularity and crystalline orientation are determined once a specific substrate is chosen. In this work, we reveal the growth of twisted oxide lateral homostructures with multiple conjunction degree of freedom. The twisted lateral homostructures with atomically sharp interfaces can be composed of epitaxial “blocks” with different crystalline orientations, ferroic orders and phases. We further demonstrate that this approach is universal for fabricating various complex systems. Our results establish an efficient pathway towards twisted lateral homostructures, allowing epitaxial films to be arbitrarily tailored at designated positions with unbounded in-plane conjunction tunability.
Association Between Food Addiction and Time Perspective During COVID-19 Isolation
Authors: Borisenkov Mikhail F. , Popov Sergey V. , Smirnov Vasily V. , Gubin Denis G. , Petrov Ivan M. , Vasilkova Tatyana N. , Solovieva Svetlana V. , Martinson Ekaterina A. , Pecherkina Anna A. , Dorogina Olga I. , Symaniuk Elvira E. 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Purpose: This study tested two hypotheses: a) that during COVID-19 isolation the incidence rate of food addiction is increased, and b) people with present time perspective (TP) are more likely exhibited signs of food addiction (FA).Methods: The final study sample included 949 people, mean age 21.8 ± 7.8 years (range: 17-71 years, women: 78.3%). Each participant indicated their personal data and completed Yale Food Addiction Scale and the Zimbardo Time Perspective Inventory.Results: There was an increased incidence rate of FA (OR = 1.678, 95% CI = 1.324, 2.148, p = .000) during COVID-19 isolation. Individuals with balanced, future, and past positive TP were less likely to exhibit symptoms of FA. Persons with past negative, and present hedonistic TP were more likely to exhibit signs of FA.Conclusion: There was an increased incidence rate of FA during COVID-19 isolation. Persons with shortened time horizon are more likely to exhibit symptoms of FA.Level of Evidence: Level V, cross-sectional descriptive study.
Physical and Chemical Mechanisms Involved in Adhesion of Orthodontic Bonding Composites: in Vitro Evaluations
Authors: Condò Roberta , Mampieri Gianluca , Cioffi Alessandro , Cataldi Maria Elena , Frustaci Ilaria , Giancotti Aldo , Campanella Vincenzo , Mussi Valentina , Convertino Annalisa , Maiolo Luca , Pasquantonio Guido 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background Bond strength of orthodontic composite is strongly influenced by molecular and structural mechanisms. Aim of this in vitro study was to compare the bond strength of light-cure orthodontic composites by measuring debonding forces and evaluating locations of bond failure. Investigations on chemical compositions clarified adhesive behaviors and abilities, exploring effects of ageing processes in this junction materials. Methods Sixteen human premolars were selected to realize specimen of enamel sections, randomly divided into three groups, which was assigned a different orthodontic adhesive system and then underwent to Shear Bond Strength test. Twenty-seven human premolars were selected to produce samples, each of which was coupled at a metallic bracket, bonded to the enamel tooth surface with one of the three orthodontic adhesive systems, to quantify, at FE-SEM magnifications, after debonding, the residual material on enamel and bracket base surfaces. Eight test discs of each orthodontic composite, were divided into three randomly groups to study accelerated aging effects in human saliva and sugary drink. Chemical compositions of composite materials were investigated, before and after ageing procedures, by Raman Spectroscopy analysis. Conclusion The orthodontic adhesive systems showed rather similar strength of adhesion to enamel. The breakage of adhesive-adherent bond occurs in TXT at enamel-adhesive interface while in Bisco and Leone composites at the adhesive-bracket interface. Accelerated in vitro aging demonstrated a good physical-chemical stability for all orthodontic composites, Bisco only, was weakly contaminated with respect to the other two materials.
Ocular Surface Cooling Rate Associated With Tear Film Characteristics and the Maximum Interblink Period
Authors: Ding Jennifer , Kim Young Hyun , Yi Sarah M , Graham Andrew D , Li Wing , Lin Meng C 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
The surface of the human eye is covered with a protective tear film that refreshes with each blink. Natural blinking occurs involuntarily, but one can also voluntarily blink or refrain from blinking. The maximum time one can refrain from blinking until the onset of discomfort is the maximum inter-blink period (MIBP). In between blinks the tear film thins and evaporates from the ocular surface. Tear film evaporation can be measured with various instruments. Infrared thermography provides a non-invasive measure of the ocular surface temperature (OST). Due to evaporation, ocular surface cooling (OSC) generally occurs when the eyes are open and exposed to the environment. The purpose of our study was to investigate the effect of OSC on the MIBP, and to investigate the association of the MIBP with tear film characteristics in subjects who do and do not exhibit OSC. The MIBP was measured simultaneously with OST over time. Non-invasive tear breakup time, tear meniscus height, tear lipid layer thickness, and Schirmer I test strip wetted lengths were measured on a day prior to the thermography visit. Subjects were divided into cooling and non-cooling groups based on OSC rate, and demographic and tear film characteristics were tested for inter-group differences. A faster rate of OSC was associated with an exponentially shorter duration of the MIBP overall and within the cooling group alone. Faster non-invasive tear breakup time was significantly associated with a shorter MIBP in both groups. These results suggest that tear film evaporation initiates a pathway that results in the onset of ocular discomfort and the stimulus to blinking. The presence of a subset of subjects with no or minimal OSC who nevertheless have a short MIBP indicates that evaporative cooling is not the only mechanism responsible for the onset of ocular discomfort.