bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Persistent SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Patients With Secondary Antibody Deficiency: Successful Clearance Following Combination Casirivimab and Imdevimab (REGN-COV2) Monoclonal Antibody Therapy
Authors: Taha Yusri , Wardle Hayley , Evans Adam B. , Hunter Ewan R. , Marr Helen , Osborne Wendy , Bashton Matthew , Smith Darren , Burton-Fanning Shirelle , Schmid Matthias L. , Duncan Christopher J A 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Background
There is growing evidence that antibody responses play a role in the resolution of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Patients with primary or secondary antibody deficiency are at increased risk of persistent infection. This challenging clinical scenario is associated with adverse patient outcome and potentially creates an ecological niche for the evolution of novel SARS-CoV-2 variants with immune evasion capacity. Case reports and/or series have implied a therapeutic role for passive immunisation with convalescent plasma (CP) to secure virological clearance, although concerns have been raised about the effectiveness of CP and its potential to drive viral evolution, and it has largely been withdrawn from clinical use in the UK.
Case presentation:
We report two cases in which persistent SARS-CoV-2 infection was cleared following administration of the monoclonal antibody combination casirivimab and imdevimab (REGN-COV2, Ronapreve). A 55-year-old male with follicular lymphoma, treated with B cell depleting therapy, developed SARS-CoV-2 infection in September 2020 which then persisted for over 200 days. He was hospitalised on four occasions with COVID-19 and suffered debilitating fatigue and malaise throughout. There was no clinical response to antiviral therapy with remdesivir or CP, and SARS-CoV-2 was consistently detected in nasopharyngeal swabs. Intrahost evolution of several spike variants of uncertain significance was identified by viral sequence analysis. Delivery of REGN-COV2, in combination with remdesivir, was associated with clinical improvement and viral clearance within 6 days, which was sustained for over 150 days despite immunotherapy for relapsed follicular lymphoma. The second case, a 68-year-old female with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia on ibrutinib, also developed persistent SARS-CoV-2 infection. Despite a lack of response to remdesivir, infection promptly cleared following REGN-COV2 in combination with remdesivir, accompanied by resolution of inflammation and full clinical recovery that has been maintained for over 290 days.
Conclusions
These cases highlight the potential benefit of REGN-COV2 as therapy for persistent SARS-CoV-2 infection in antibody deficient individuals, including after failure of CP treatment. Formal clinical studies are warranted to assess the effectiveness of REGN-COV2 in antibody-deficient patients.
Enhanced antibacterial activity through silver nanoparticles deposited onto carboxylated graphene oxide surface
Authors: Barjola Arturo , Tormo María Ángeles , Sahuquillo Oscar , Bernabé Patricia , Pérez José Manuel , Gimenez Enrique 
Published: November 2021

Abstract

The strong bactericidal action of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) is usually limited for their degree of aggregation. Deposition of AgNPs onto a graphene oxide (GO) surface to generate GO-Ag hybrids has been shown to be an effective method to control these aggregation problems. In this sense, a novel carboxylated graphene oxide-silver nanoparticle (GOCOOH-Ag) material has been synthesized and their antibacterial and biofilm formation inhibition have been studied.AgNPs decorating the GOCOOH surface achieved an average size of 6.74±0.25 nm, which was smaller than those of AgNPs deposited onto the GO surface. In addition, better distribution of AgNPs was obtained using carboxylated material. It is important to highlight the main role of the carboxylic groups in the nucleation and growth of the AgNPs that decorate the GO-based material surface.In vitro antibacterial activity and antibiofilm-forming action were tested against Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis) and Gram-negative bacteria (Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli). Both GO-Ag and GOCOOH-Ag reduced the bacterial growth, analyzed by time-kill curves. However, the minimum inhibitory concentration and the minimum bactericidal concentration of GOCOOH-Ag were lower than those of GO-Ag for all strains studied, indicating that GOCOOH-Ag has better antibacterial activity. In addition, both nanomaterials prevent biofilm-formation, with a higher reduction of biofilm mass and cell viability in the presence of GOCOOH-Ag. The carboxylation functionalization in GO-based materials can be applied to improve the bactericidal and antibiofilm-forming action of the AgNPs.
Pine-ing for a Voice: Vegetal agencies, New Materialism and State Control through the Wollemi Pine
Authors: Mitchell Chantelle , Waterhouse Jaxon 
Published: November 2021

Attending to Wollemia nobilis (Wollemi Pine), we read this plant as ensconced and mobilised by political and politicised forces, towards distinct colonial and imperial ends. Seeking to work beyond a language of flowers, we attune to the appropriation and weaponisation of plants; a language beyond the merely decorative or affective, towards understandings of plants performing agency and political power. Our reading of the Wollemi pine emerges from the scorched summer of 2019/2020, in which much of Australia caught alight, and during which the Wollemi was placed in danger of disappearing for a second, and perhaps final, time. A prehistoric tree, long thought extinct, before its rediscovery in 1994, the Wollemi holds special significance, but further, value within an Australian cultural context. In light of this significance, the Wollemi is apprehended and manipulated towards political ends. Within the frame of this text, we consider not only the contemporary diplomacy and governance within which the Wollemi is ensnared, but too, the legacies of Invasion and colonisation which support the mobilisation of the Wollemi in this manner. Framing our approach within the broader context of contemporary ecological theory and in a manner attentive to frames of New Materialism, we engage with the entanglements of plant language, agency and being — as a means through which we can attune to our shared mattering and ongoing struggles for sovereignty amidst a rapidly changing natural world.
Analysis of the antibiotic consumption on the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic: hospital level
Authors: Karnoukh K. I. , Lazareva N. B. 
Published: November 2021

Introduction. According to available data, the frequency of prescribing antibacterial drugs to patients hospitalized with COVID-19 is many times higher than the level of bacterial infection recorded in them. This trend may make an extremely negative contribution to the problem of antibiotic resistance in the future, which makes it important to monitor and study the consumption of antibiotics in this category of patients.Aim of the study. To estimate the change in the consumption of antibacterial drugs in patients hospitalized with COVID-19 in a multidisciplinary hospital compared with the consumption in the pre-pandemic period, and to conduct a subsequent analysis of the detected changes.Materials and methods. This retrospective study, reviewed the medical records of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 in the Moscow city hospital No. 4 in the period from April 27 to December 31, 2020, as well as medical records of patients hospitalized in the same medical institution for the same period of 2019. Results of the use of antibacterial drugs were obtained. They were evaluated using the ATC/DDD methodology and then subjected to further analysis.Results. Total consumption increased from 31,576 DDD/100 bed-days to 220,609 DDD/100 bed-days among the patients hospitalized with COVID-19. The level of consumption of macrolides increased most significantly – from 0.024 DDD/100 bed-days to 147.898 DDD/100 bed-days. The level of consumption of penicillins increased from 2,346 DDD/100 bed-days to 15,892 DDD/100 beddays, cephalosporins – from 11.78 DDD/100 bed-days to 19,107 DDD/100 bed-days, fluoroquinolones – from 10,276 DDD/100 beddays to 25,535 DDD/100 bed-days.Conclusion. The consumption of antibiotics has increased dramatically on the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic. Based on the data of the frequency of bacterial complications in patients with COVID-19 (no more than 8%), a more rational approach to antibacterial therapy in this group of patients is needed to reduce the potential deterioration of the problem of antibiotic resistance.
Prediction and analysis of water resources demand in Taiyuan City based on principal component analysis and BP neural network
Authors: Wu Junhao , Wang Zhaocai , Dong Leyiping 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Water is a fundamental natural and strategic economic resource that plays a vital role in promoting economic and social development. With the accelerated urbanization and industrialization in China, the potential demand for water resources will be enormous. Therefore, accurate prediction of water resources demand is important for the formulation of industrial and agricultural policies, development of economic plans, and many other aspects. In this study, we develop a model based on principal component analysis (PCA) and back propagation (BP) neural network to predict water resources demand in Taiyuan, Shanxi Province, a city with severe water shortage in China. The prediction accuracy is then compared with PCA-ANN, ARIMA, NARX, Grey–Markov, serial regression, and LSTM models, and the results showed that the PCA-BP model outperformed other models in many evaluation factors. The proposed PCA-BP model reduces the dimensionality of high-dimensional variables by PCA and transformed them into uncorrelated composite data, which can make them easier to compute. More importantly, BP and weight threshold adjustment in model training further improve the prediction accuracy of the model. The model analysis will provide an important reference for water demand assessment and optimal water allocation in other regions.
Simultaneous sorption of heavy metals on Algerian Bentonite: mechanism study
Authors: Yous Radhia , Khalladi Razika , Cherifi Hakima 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Industrialization has induced tremendous environmental problems, particularly surface and underground water pollution by harmful heavy metals. In this work, we attempt to eliminate simultaneously iron and cadmium from aqueous solutions by adsorption on Algerian Bentonite. This abundant material was used without any modification. The sorption mechanism was investigated, and effects of pH, initial adsorbate and adsorbent concentrations were studied. The kinetics study revealed that equilibrium was reached after 120 min for both metals, and maximal adsorbed quantities of cadmium (76 mg/g) and iron (55 mg/g ) were obtained at pH = 10 and 8 respectively. Different kinetic models were tested, such as pseudo first-order, pseudo second-order, film and intraparticle diffusion models. The pseudo second-order model fits well the experimental data. Biot number values (2–39) show that the simultaneous sorption process is controlled by film diffusion due to electrostatic interactions between negatively charged surface and cations, then by the internal diffusion and formation of bonds between cations and adsorbent constituents. Also, compared to iron, the high and rapid sorption of cadmium reflects the selective nature of the sorption process. These results show that raw bentonite could be used without further treatment as an efficient sorbent for heavy metal mixtures.
Enhanced removal of scaling cations from oilfield produced water by carrier mineral floatation
Authors: Sun Hao , Liu Yuwen , Liu Dandan , Li Shaomin , Li Xiaoqing , Chen Haitao , Han Zhongying , Li Lei , Li Xiaobing 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
This work reports a novel carrier flotation protocol for removing scaling cations from an oilfield produced water source which significantly reduces the collector consumption by employing natural minerals such as quartz, montmorillonite and talcum as the scaling cations carriers. The scaling cations uptake onto all carrier minerals exhibited homogeneous and monolayer adsorption, which was mainly dominated by physisorption. After adding oleate collector, the scaling cations removal rate was further enhanced, which was attributed to its high affinity with the scaling cations. Notably, the talcum flotation process simultaneously offered a high scaling cations removal rate (76.1%) and mineral recovery rate (98.3%), which achieved a sediment yield reduction of 72.2%. By summarizing the characterization results, the scaling cations removal mechanisms were also proposed. Moreover, high regeneration efficiencies (86.1% and 84.8% for quartz and talcum regeneration within three cycles) were achieved by the proposed regeneration protocol. This carrier flotation protocol with its low collector consumption offered technical promise for scaling cations removal from oilfield produced water.
Effects of Polyphenols in Aging and Neurodegeneration Associated
with Oxidative Stress
Authors: Rivas Francisca , Poblete-Aro Carlos , Pando María Elsa , Allel María José , Fernandez Valentina , Soto Angélica , Nova Pablo , Garcia-Diaz Diego 
Published: November 2021

Abstract:
Aging is defined as the functional loss of tissues and organs over time. This is
a biological, irreversible, progressive, and universal process that results from genetic and
environmental factors, such as diet, physical activity, smoking, harmful alcohol consumption,
and exposure to toxins, among others. Aging is a consequence of molecular and cellular
damage built up over time. This damage begins with a gradual decrease in physical
and mental capacity, thus increasing the risk of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s
and Parkinson’s disease. Neuronal, functional, and structural damage can be explained
by an imbalance among free radicals, reactive oxygen species, reactive nitrogen
species, and antioxidants, which finally lead to oxidative stress. Due to the key role of free
radicals, reactive oxygen species, and reactive nitrogen species, antioxidant therapy may reduce
the oxidative damage associated with neurodegeneration. Exogenous antioxidants are
molecules that may help maintain the balance between the formation and elimination of free
radicals, thus protecting the cell from their toxicity. Among them, polyphenols are a broad
group of secondary plant metabolites with potent antioxidant properties. Here, we review
several studies that show the potential role of polyphenol consumption to prevent, or slow
down, harmful oxidative processes linked to neurodegenerative disorders.
Interferon-Beta Injection in Multiple Sclerosis Patients Related to the Induction
of Headache and Flu-Like Pain Symptoms: A Systematic Review
and Meta-Analysis of Randomised Controlled Trials
Authors: Trevisan Gabriela , Pereira Leonardo Gomes , Rodrigues Patrícia , Viero Fernanda Tibolla , Frare Julia Maria , Ramanzini Luís Guilherme 
Published: November 2021

:
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic neurodegenerative, inflammatory, and autoimmune
disease characterised by the demyelination of the central nervous system. One of the main approaches
for treating MS is the use of disease-modifying therapies (DMTs). Among the DMTs are
interferons (IFNs), which are cytokines responsible for controlling the activity of the immune system
while exerting immunomodulatory, antiviral, and antiproliferative activities. IFN-beta (IFN-β)
is the first-choice drug used to treat relapsing-remitting MS. However, the administration of IFN-β
causes numerous painful adverse effects, resulting in lower adherence to the treatment. Therefore,
this study aimed to investigate the headache and flu-like pain symptoms observed after IFNβ injection
in MS patients using a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. A
total of 2370 articles were identified through research databases. Nine articles were included (three
involving IFNβ-1b and six involving IFNβ-1a). All studies included in the meta-analysis had a low
risk of bias. The odds ratio of headache and flu-like pain symptoms increased in MS patients treated
with IFN-β. Thus, the adverse effects of headache and flu-like pain symptoms appear to be linked to
IFN-β treatment in MS. The protocol of the study was registered in the Prospective International
Registry of Systematic Reviews (registration number CRD42021227593).
Perspective on the Role of Four Beta-blockers in Heart Failure
Authors: Ahmed Asim Ahmed Elnour 
Published: November 2021

Background:
The current recommendations of the American College of Cardiology/
American Heart Association and a previous Bayesian analysis clearly show a mortality benefit with
the use of β- blockers in chronic HF, especially for bisoprolol, carvedilol, and sustained-release
metoprolol succinate.

Objective:
The main objective was to report the evidence on the use of the afore-mentioned β-blockers
in subjects with heart failure and to characterize the stages of heart failure in response to the four different
β-blockers. Furthermore, it shed light on the patient’s satisfaction and improved quality of life
using the afore-mentioned β-blockers in subjects with heart failure.

Method:
The current perspective presented the clinical outcomes, including hospitalization, morbidity,
mortality, patient’s satisfaction, and quality of life, of four beta (β)-blockers, namely bisoprolol,
carvedilol, metoprolol succinate, and nebivolol in different stages of heart failure.

Results :
The use of these three agents should be recommended for all stable subjects with current or
previous symptoms of heart failure and heart failure with reduced ejection fraction unless there is any
contraindication. The fore-mentioned β-blockers (bisoprolol, carvedilol, and metoprolol succinate) can
be initiated early, even in stable and symptom-free (at rest) subjects with heart failure. β-blockers in
heart failure should be commenced at small doses and then titrated upward as tolerated to achieve the
desired clinical effects on heart rate and symptom control.

Conclusion:
Cardiologists should weigh the benefit-risk in subjects with heart failure and other coexisting
cardiovascular problems such as atrial fibrillation and diabetes.
Semantics in cultural perspective overview
Authors: Smith Virginia , Florence Karrie , Maria Franklin 
Published: November 2021

The article was to aim to investigate the semantics overview based on the cultural perspective. The aim of semantics is to discover why meaning is more complex than simply the words formed in a sentence. Culture is a word for the 'way of life' of groups of people, meaning the way they do things. The excellence of taste in the fine arts and humanities, also known as high culture. An integrated pattern of human knowledge, belief, and behavior. The outlook, attitudes, values, morals, goals, and customs shared by a society. Culture is the characteristics and knowledge of a particular group of people, encompassing language, religion, cuisine, social habits, music, and arts. The word "culture" derives from a French term, which in turn derives from the Latin "colere," which means to tend to the earth and grow, or cultivation and nurture. Well, cultural tradition can take on many forms. A tradition is usually some kind of action or event that is passed on through the generations of a certain group that practices said traditions. So WE would guess that cultural tradition is where a group of people practices certain traditions from a culture. Cultural values are the core principles and ideals upon which an entire community exists. This is made up of several parts: customs, which are traditions and rituals; values, which are beliefs; and culture, which is all of a group's guiding values.
Influence of social media on EFL Yemeni learners in Indian Universities during Covid-19 Pandemic
Authors: Altam Saleh 
Published: November 2021

The present study aims to scrutinize the efficiency of using social media on EFL Yemeni learners in Indian universities during COVID-19 pandemic. This research covers four social media_ Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and WhatsApp. The research methodology that is used in this research is quantitative design using an online questionnaire. The questionnaire was distributed online using a closed-ended questionnaire. Google forms was exploited in this study. The findings indicate that learners spend more time using social media for learning the English language, and listening is the most improved skill when using social media for learning the English language. Results also indicate that using social media makes learners acquire and practice new vocabularies and decrease their spelling errors. Finally, YouTube is the most used social media platform used for learning the English language. More research is needed to clarify the impact of other social media such as Snapchat, Instagram, Wechat ,etc. on EFL learners. Further research is also recommended for investigating the impact of social media on each skill separately.
Public relations practitioners’ perception of new media influence on promotion of mutual understanding between organisation and strategic publics in Nigeria
Authors: Igben Harvey G.O. , Ilaya Michael E. 
Published: November 2021

New media is a trending innovation and its influence in the promotion of mutual understanding between organizations and strategic publics is a more contemporary issue. This study evaluates the perception of public relations practitioners on the incorporation of new media into the process of promoting good relationships between organizations and strategic publics in Nigeria. The fundamental goal is to examine if public relations practitioners find new media helpful in carrying out public relations activities in their organizations. This study is hinged on Technological determinism theory. Findings show that public relations practitioners of both public and private organizations do perceive the adoption of new media technologies in the performance of their function for the promotion of mutual understanding as supportive to quick and interactive approaches to dissemination of information from organizations to strategic stakeholders and the public. The study recommends that more public relations practitioners of organizations especially public organizations should be encouraged to use new media in course of executing their professional assignments.
Empathic Love Therapy to Reduce Depression among Female Victims of Domestic Violence
Authors: Saragih Sustriana , Yuniarti Kwartarini Wahyu 
Published: November 2021

Female victims of domestic violence often experience depression. This research used Empathic Love Therapy (ELT) to reduce depressive symptoms, by enabling individual to understand one-self deeper by realizing, understanding, accepting, and loving all aspects of the self, which is the early process of healing. This research is quasi-experiment research using a single group simple interrupted time series design. Five women aged 30-60 years old who experience depression, based on BDI (Beck Depression Inventory) score, participated in an eight-session therapy. Participants were recruited purposively based on theory-based or operational construct sampling. Data analysis combined quantitative and qualitative methods, of which Wilcoxon Signed Ranks Test was used for quantitative analysis, whereas qualitative analysis adopted a descriptive analysis. Quantitative findings significant difference in BDI score between before and after treatment (Z = -2.023 with p= 0.043<0.05). Qualitative findings showed that participants were able to find survival personality that emerged from past painful experiences and plays a role in the depression symptoms they are currently experiencing. With the power of love they find from God, they are able to accept themselves, and focus their lives on their potential and positive future plans. Therefore, it can be concluded that Empathic Love Therapy is effective to be used to reduce depressive symptoms.