bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines against delta variant (B.1.617.2): A meta-analysis
Authors: Mahumud Rashidul Alam , Ali Mohammad Afshar , Kundu Satyajit , Rahman Md Ashfikur , Kamara Joseph Kihika , Renzaho Andre M.N. 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
ObjectivesThe highly transmissible COVID-19 delta variant (DV) has contributed to the surge in cases and has now been exacerbated the worldwide public health crisis. Several COVID-19 vaccines play a significant role in a high degree of protection against DV. The primary purpose of this meta-analysis is to estimate the pooled effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccines against DV in terms of risk ratio (RR) among fully vaccinated, compared to unvaccinated populations.MethodsWe carried out a systematic review with meta-analysis of original studies focused on COVID-19 vaccines effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines against B.1.617.2 clinical perspective among fully COVID-19 vaccinated populations, compared to placebo (unvaccinated populations), published before September 30, 2021. Eleven studies containing data of 17.2 million participants were identified and included in our study. Pooled estimates of COVID-19 vaccines effectiveness (i.e., risk ratio, RR) against delta variant with 95% confidence intervals were assessed using random-effect models. Publication bias was assessed using Egger's regression test and funnel plot to investigate potential sources of heterogeneity and identify any differences in study design.ResultsA total population of 17.2 million (17,200,341 peoples) were screened for the COVID-19 vaccines' effectiveness against delta variant. We found 61.13% of study population were fully vaccinated with 2-dose of COVID-19 vaccines. Weighted pooled incidence of COVID-19 infection was more than double (20.07%) among unvaccinated populations, compared to the fully vaccinated population (8.16%). Overall, the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccine against DV was 85% (RR = 0.15, 95% CI: 0.07-0.31). The effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines varied slidably by study designs, 87% (RR = 0.13, 95% CI: 0.06-0.30) and 84% (RR = 0.16, 95% CI:0.02, 1.64) for cohort and case-control studies, respectively. ConclusionEffectiveness COVID-19 vaccines were noted to offer higher protection against delta variant among populations who received two vaccine doses compared with unvaccinated populations. This finding would help efforts to maximise vaccine coverage (i.e., at least 60 to 70% of the population) with two doses among vulnerable populations to have herd immunity to breat the chain of transmission and gain greater overall population protection more rapidly.
Design of Forage Hedge Tube Filament for Ferm Growth
Authors: Ubani Solomon 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Ferms are reproductive plants capable of budding on stems. Owing to the delicate plant structure are not prominent in windy regions. Forages are a type of vertically place hedges. These go around the stem structure. Scanning microscopy was used to reveal the fibron structure. To locate and design regions of the stem for support of the plant. The findings yielded a design of the forage hedges. Hences increase the growth span of the plant. The height of the forage had the most effect. The mesh size had a change on the Ferm growth and stability of the plant.
MESSENGER observations of planetary ion enhancements at Mercury’s northern magnetospheric cusp during Flux Transfer Event Showers
Authors: Sun Weijie , Slavin James , Milillo Anna , Dewey Ryan , Orsini Stefano , Jia Xianzhe , RAINES JIM , Livi Stefano , Jasinsk Jamie , Fu Suiyan , Zhao Jiutong , Zong Qiugang , Saito Yoshifumi , Li Changkun 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
At Mercury, several processes can release ions and neutrals out of the planet’s surface. Here we present enhancements of dayside planetary ions in the solar wind entry layer during flux transfer event (FTE) “showers” near Mercury’s northern magnetospheric cusp. In this entry layer, solar wind ions are accelerated and move downward (i.e. planetward) toward the cusps, which sputter upward-moving planetary ions within 1 minute. The precipitation rate is enhanced by an order of magnitude during FTE showers and the neutral density of the exosphere can vary by >10% due to this FTE-driven sputtering. These in situ observations of enhanced planetary ions in the entry layer likely correspond to an escape channel of Mercury’s planetary ions, and the large-scale variations of the exosphere observed on minute-timescales by ground-based telescopes. Comprehensive, future multi-point measurements made by BepiColombo will greatly enhance our understanding of the processes contributing to Mercury’s dynamic exosphere and magnetosphere.
Tuberculosis Prevalence Correlation to COVID-19 Mortality in Malaria Free Countries
Authors: Raham Tareef Fadhil 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Background: Both malaria and latent tuberculosis ( LTB) are possible factors related to decreased COVID-19 mortality. The malaria endemicity variable is a possible confounder when conducting a study on the correlation of LTB prevalence to COVID-19 mortality. Studies regarding LTB prevalence" according to different studies" did not adjust malaria endemicity as a possible confounder. Many malaria-endemic countries are high TB prevalent. Malaria-free countries could be: high, moderate, or low in TB prevalence. The main aim of this study is to look for the influence of TB prevalence on COVID-19 mortality. TB prevalence reflects LTB prevalence in the absence of malaria endemicity as a possible confounding factor in TB studies. Material and methods: The total chosen countries were 69 non-malaria endemic countries. Countries were classified according to TB prevalence groups into low, moderate, and high prevalent groups. Covid-19 deaths/Million(M) inhabitants were taken as reported on September 2, 2020. "Kendall's-τ Correlation Coefficient", "Kruskal-Wallis test, and Mann-Whitney test were used in statistical analyses.Results: We found inverse relationships between TB prevalence and COVID-19 deaths/ (M) inhabitants and a highly positive significant correlation coefficient was reported (0.008) in Kendall's-τ correlation coefficient test. Kruskal-Wallis test showed a significant relationship within studied groups. Furthermore, the low TB prevalent group had significant reverse associations with both high and moderate TB prevalent groups in the Mann-Whitney test.Conclusion: In the absence of possible malaria confounding, TB prevalence in malaria-free countries is inversely related to COVID-19 mortality in a highly significant association.
Emergence of Protests During The COVID-19 Pandemic: Quantitative Models To Explore The Contributions of Societal Conditions
Authors: Zwet Koen van der , Engers Tom van , de Barros Ana Martins Botto , Sloot Peter 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has led to a resurgence of protests. Various societal conditions of social systems,
such as economic stability, demographic ageing, and political elites, are often associated to the emergence of civil resistance movements. Several qualitative and quantitative models have been developed to analyse the relationship between societal conditions and the emergence of protests. The existing models use the underlying assumptions that these conditions operate in similar time-scales. However, the analysis of social systems also shows the importance of considering explicitly the inherent time-scales particularly slow-fast dynamics. The sudden and dramatic disruptive force of the pandemic has yield fine-grained data sets that can be used to better grasp the different dynamics of this social phenom. This paper proposes an integrated approach to explore the relationship between societal conditions and the emergence of protests in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. First, a literature based causal-loop-diagram is constructed to conceptualise the emergence of civil resistance as a result of intertwined dynamics. Based on the derived factors in the literature study, a data set is constructed to enable this analysis. Furthermore, by means of statistical and computational modelling we conduct a quantitative analysis in which we compare the emergence of protests for 27 countries during the pandemic. Also based on the factors found in literature we have constructed a system dynamics model that explicitly models the development of societal strains and social mobilisation in order
to provide a better quantitative explanation of the emergence of protests. We found that while fast-changing factors are better estimators for ‘when’ civil resistance emerges, slow-changing factors are better estimators of ‘how’ civil resistance manifests itself in terms of the relative intensity of the protests in specific countries.
scEMC10, a novel circulating inhibitor of adipocyte thermogenesis, is upregulated in human obesity and its neutralizing antibody prevents diet-induced obesity
Authors: Wang Xuanchun , Qiang Guifen , LI YANLIANG , Wang Kaihua , Dai Jiarong , McCann Maximilian , Gil Victoria , Yu Yifei , Li Shengxian , Yang Zhihong , XU Shanshan , Cordoba-Chacon Jose , De Jesus Dario F , Sun Bei , Chen Kuangyang , Liu Xiaoxia , Miao Qing , Zhou Linuo , Hu Renming , Ding Qiang , Kulkarni Rohit , Gao Daming , Blüher Matthias , Liew Chong Wee 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Secreted isoform of endoplasmic reticulum membrane complex subunit 10 (scEMC10) is a poorly characterised secreted protein of largely unknown physiological function. Here we demonstrate that scEMC10 is upregulated in humans with obesity and is positively associated with insulin resistance. Consistent with a causal role for scEMC10 in obesity, Emc10-/- mice are resistant to diet-induced obesity due to an increase in energy expenditure. Furthermore, neutralization of circulating scEMC10 using a monoclonal antibody reduces body weight and enhances insulin sensitivity in obese mice. Mechanistically, we provide evidence that scEMC10 binds to the catalytic subunit of PKA and inhibits its stimulatory action on CREB while ablation of EMC10 promotes thermogenesis in adipocytes via activation of the PKA signalling pathway and its downstream targets. Taken together, our data identify scEMC10 as a novel circulating inhibitor of thermogenesis and a potential therapeutic target for obesity and its cardiometabolic complications.
Development and evaluation of a package to improve hypertension control in Nigeria [DEPIHCON]: study protocol for a cluster randomized controlled trial
Authors: Ajayi IkeOluwapo Oyeneye , Oyewole Oyediran Emmanuel , Ogah Okechukwu S , Akinyemi Joshua Odunayo , Salawu Mobolaji Modinat , Bamgboye Eniola Adetola , Obembe Taiwo Akinyode , Olawuwo Morenikeji , Sani Mahmoud 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Background: Nigeria’s healthcare system capacity to stem the increasing trend in hypertension is limited in coverage, scope and manpower. Use of trained community-based care providers demonstrated to be an effective complement in improving access to, and supporting healthcare delivery has not been adequately examined for hypertension care in Nigeria. This study is proposed to evaluate the effectiveness of using trained Community-based Oriented Resource Persons (CORPs) to improve hypertension control in Nigeria. Methods: An intervention study will be conducted in three states using mixed method design. First, is a baseline survey using a semi-structured pre-tested questionnaire to collect information on demographics, clinical data, knowledge, occurrence and risk factors of hypertension among 1,704 adults ≥18 years. Focus Group Discussions (FGD) and Key Informant Interviews (KII) will be conducted to explore community’s experience of hypertension, challenges with hypertension management, and support required to improve control in 10 selected communities in each state. The second is a cluster randomized controlled trial to evaluate effect of a package on reduction of blood pressure (BP) and prevention of cardiovascular (CVD) risk factors among 200 hypertensive patients to be followed up in intervention and control arms over a six-month period in each state. The package will include trained CORPs conducting community-based screening of BP and referral, diagnosis confirmation and initial treatment in the health facility, followed by monthly home-based follow-up care and provision of health education on hypertension control and healthy lifestyle enhanced by phone voice message reminders. In the control arm, the usual care (diagnosis, treatment and follow up care in hospital of patient’s choice) will continue. Third, an end-line survey will be conducted in both intervention and control communities to evaluate changes in mean BP, control, knowledge, and proportion of other CVD risk factors. In addition, FGD and KII will be used to assess participants’ perceived quality and acceptability of the interventions as delivered by CORPs.Discussion: This research is expected to create awareness, improve knowledge, perception, behaviours, attitude and practices that will reduce hypertension in Nigeria. Advocacy for buy-in and scale up of using CORPs in hypertension care by the government is key if found to be effective. Trial registration: PACTR Registry- PACTR202107530985857. Registered on 26 July 2021Url – https://pactr.samrc.ac.za
Substantiation of the composition of a semi-solid dosage form with a probiotic component for use in dermatology
Authors: Soloviova Alina , Kukhtenko Halyna , Kaliuzhnaia Olha 
Published: December 2021

One of the important issues in the pharmaceutical development of a semisolid preparation for dermal use is the scientific and experimental justification for choosing the base-carrier of active substances.
The aim of this study was to experimentally substantiate the choice of rational combination of excipients in the development of a semisolid dosage form with a probiotic component for use in dermatology.
Materials and methods. Hydrophilic gelling agents were used as excipients in the study: Sepiplus 400, Aristoflex AVC, Carbopol 934, hydroxyethylcellulose HEC, sodium alginate. Physical and chemical, pharmaco-technological and microbiological methods were used to select the optimal basis. Colloidal stability was determined using a laboratory centrifuge at a speed of 6000 rpm for 5 min, an electronic thermometer and a water bath laboratory. Thermostability was determined in the thermostat at (40±2) °C for 24 hours. Investigation of the rheological properties of the samples was performed using a Rheolab QC (Anton Paar, Austria) rheoviscometer using a system of coaxial cylinders C-CC27/SS. The kinetics of water absorption of the samples were studied by dialysis through a semipermeable Cuprophan membrane, Type 150 pm at a temperature of (34±2) °C. The number of viable lactobacilli cells was determined by surface seeding on Petri dishes with dense MRS medium.
Research results. The results of the study of the number of viable lactobacilli cells showed that the lowest number of viable cells was in sample based on HEC. Tests for thermostability and colloidal stability showed that for sample No. 5 based on sodium alginate, stratification was observed in the experiment, which indicates its instability. These samples were excluded. Samples on Sepiplus 400 and Aristoflex AVC on a set of rheological features have advantages both consumer and technological; and sample on t Aristoflex AVC has the best indicators of osmotic activity and the viability of cells in the dynamics for this study.
Conclusions. As a result of physical and chemical (organoleptic, colloidal and thermostability), pharmaco-technological (osmotic and structural and mechanical properties) and microbiological studies (number of viable lactobacilli cells) studies it was found that further work should be carried out with a sample based on gelling agent Aristoflex AVC, which has the most optimal performance in this development for a semisolid dosage form with a probiotic component for use in dermatology
Influence of different options of intra-varietal pollination on seed productivity and economic values of sweet pepper
Authors: Pylypenko Luba , Krutko Roman , Shabetya Oksana 
Published: December 2021

The use of intra-varietal crossing is an important element to increase seed yield and improve a variety. The aim of the research was to identify the influence of different options of intra-varietal pollination of sweet pepper on seed productivity and other quantitative traits.
It has been established, that re-pollination of sweet pepper within the variety in relation to self-pollination causes a reduction in the offspring of the period before fruit ripening by 3–7 days. For all options of pollination, there was also a significant increase in plant height by 7–8 cm, fruit weight by 7–16 g, the number of fruits on a plant by 2–6 units.
Different methods of re-pollination of plants significantly affected fruit productivity, increasing it by 62–106 %, increased seed yield from one fruit by 28 %. Seed productivity of sweet pepper plants increased by 78–163 % when re-pollination was used.
Options of using the pollen of different flowers (from 2–5 other plants) showed the greatest effect. This technique is one way to increase the yield of sweet pepper seeds
Review on: uses of cereals in traditional foods of Nepal and their preparation process
Authors: Dangal Anish , Timsina Prekshya , Dahal Sangam 
Published: December 2021

The purpose of research was to make people aware about traditional foods of Nepal and use of cereals in traditional foods.
Nepal, country is home for people of many races, ethnicity and religion. This country is rich in natural beauty and traditional beliefs and practices. In Nepal, the primary occupation of many people is agriculture. Cereals like finger millet, buckwheat etc. are among the underutilized crops in this country. Nepal is rich in traditional and indigenous foods because of the richness in ethnic diversity. During the research we came to know that traditional food is attached to emotional and cultural level for the old generational residents of this country, but this trend seems to be decreasing in today’s generation due to Western culture influence and modernization. During preparation the process followed was still same as followed decades ago. The advancement in food technologies can be followed by the advancement in traditional foods for their own benefits. We should protect and promote our traditional foods, as it is deeply rooted with our cultural aspects; which results in preservation of culture and traditions. This article is about the use of cereals in traditional food of Nepal and their preparation process
Comparative study on As(III) and As(V) adsorption by -intercalated Fe/Mn-LDHs from aqueous solution
Authors: Tian Yan , Liu Guifeng , Gao Yingying , Wang Yaru , Zhang Jun , Fang Yali , Zhu Zongqiang , Deng Huan 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Arsenic pollution prevails in rivers and reservoirs in nonferrous metal mining areas, especially in lead–zinc mining areas, which affects the health of the people residing in such areas. Arsenic usually exists as As(III) and As(V) in water, and the adsorption of As(III) and As(V) changes with the type of adsorbent used. In this work, we report a novel adsorbent Fe/Mn–CO3-layered double hydroxide (Fe/Mn–CO3-LDH) composite that can efficiently remove both As(III) and As(V) from water. When the initial concentrations of As(III) and As(V) were 5, 10 and 50 mg/L, the adsorption capacities were 10.12–53.90 and 10.82–48.24 mg/g in the temperature range of 25–45 °C, respectively. The adsorption kinetics conformed well to the pseudo-second-order kinetic model, with all of the fitted correlation coefficients being above 0.998 for all the three initial concentrations (5, 10 and 50 mg/L) tested, suggesting a chemisorption-dominated process. The adsorption isotherms of As(III) and As(V) by Fe/Mn–CO3-LDHs conformed better to the Freundlich model than to the Langmuir one, indicating a heterogeneous reversible adsorption process. The theoretical maximum adsorption capacity increased with the increase in temperature. During adsorption, As(III) was partially converted to As(V), which was further interacted with intralayer anions. While the electrostatic attraction played an important role in the adsorption of As(V).
HIGHLIGHTl
Successful preparation of Fe/Mn–CO3-LDH material with a high-specific surface area and a large pore volume. Pseudo-second-order kinetic model and Freundlich model can all well described the adsorption of As(III) and As(V) on Fe/Mn–CO3-LDH Fe/Mn–CO3-LDH has good adsorption effect on As(III) and As(V) in a vast range of pH = 2-12. pH only have a slight effect on the As(III) adsorbed by Fe/Mn -CO3-LDH, but obvious for As(V) adsorption.
Development of the data-driven models for accessing the impact of design variables on heavy metal removal in constructed wetlands
Authors: Zhang Jiadong , Prodanovic Veljko , Lintern Anna , Zhang Kefeng 
Published: December 2021

AbstractConstructed wetlands are a type of green infrastructure commonly used for urban stormwater treatment. Previous studies have shown that the various design characteristics have an influence on the outflow heavy metal concentrations. In this study, we develop a Bayesian linear mixed model (BLMM) and a Bayesian linear regression model (BLRM) to predict the outflow concentrations of heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn) using an inflow concentration (Cin) and five design variables, namely media type, constructed wetland type (CWT), hydraulic retention time, presence of a sedimentation pond (SedP) and wetland-to-catchment area ratio (Ratio). The results show that the BLMM had much better performance, with the mean Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency between 0.51 (Pb) and 0.75 (Cu) in calibration and between 0.28 (Pb) and 0.71 (Zn) in validation. The inflow concentration was found to have significant impacts on the outflow concentration of all heavy metals, while the impacts of other variables on the wetland performance varied across metals, e.g., CWT and SedP showed a positive correlation to Cd and Cu, whereas media and Ratio were negatively correlated with Pb and Zn. Results also show that the 100-fold calibration and validation was superior in identifying the key influential factors.
Water, sanitation, and hygiene services in health care facilities in the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina, Serbia
Authors: Bijelović Sanja , Grossi Valentina , Shinee Enkhtsetseg , Schmoll Oliver , Jovanović Dragana , Paunović Katarina , Dragić Nataša , Velicki Radmila 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Provision of safe water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services in health care facilities is a priority at the global, national, and local levels. To inform improvements planning, conditions of WASH, waste management, and environmental cleaning were assessed in 81 facilities in the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina, Serbia, as part of a nationally representative survey in 2019. The survey included on-site checks, structured interviews, and drinking-water quality analysis. WHO/UNICEF indicators for WASH service levels and an advanced service level defined at the national level were applied. The results showed that all investigated facilities provided basic water services; 94% of facilities provided basic hygiene and waste management services; 58 and 2%, respectively, provided basic cleaning and sanitation services. Only 1% of investigated facilities met the basic level for all five WASH dimensions. Advanced service levels were only met for hygiene, waste management, and/or cleaning in 15–38% of facilities. In 33% of health care facilities, drinking-water quality was not in compliance with the national standards. The results revealed that there is a need for increased awareness and efforts to ensure basic provisions for sanitation, environmental cleaning, and drinking-water safety.