bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Practices of Community Pharmacists Towards COVID-19 Treatment in Vietnam: A Simulated Client Study
Authors: Nguyen Hoa Quoc , Duong Suong Thi-Thanh , Quan Phuong Bao , Du Tuyen Thanh , Truong Uyen Uyen-Thao , Nguyen Bao Dang Gia , Nguyen Nga TQ. , Nguyen Tuan-Dung 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Background
Recent reports have raised concerns about drug overuse and misuse in self-medication practices for COVID-19 treatment. This study was aimed to assess the availability and appropriateness of medication dispensing provided by community pharmacists to COVID-19 patients in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
Methods
The simulated client method was used to examine 102 randomly selected community pharmacies from 13 central districts of Ho Chi Minh City between May 2022 and July 2022. Each pharmacy was visited by 2 simulated clients asking to buy medications for a relative with mild COVID-19 symptoms. Characteristics of pharmacies and pharmacists along with medications dispensed were recorded. Factors associated with appropriate medication transaction were explored using the Bayesian Model Averaging method.
Results
Of 102 enrolled community pharmacies, 63 (61.8%) were independent. Most encountered pharmacists were female (90.2%) and were not pharmacists-in-charge (82%). Of 98 transactions with identified medications, cough medicines (93.88%), antipyretics (88.78%), and dietary supplements (80.61%) were frequently dispensed. Moreover, medications dispensed without a medical prescription such as antibiotics (59.18%), corticosteroids (60.20%) and antivirals (7.14%), were also recorded. Additionally, the type of a pharmacy was significantly associated with the practice of dispensing antibiotics (OR = 0.29, 95% CI = 0.12–0.69)
Conclusions
This study recorded high rates of antibiotics and corticosteroids for COVID-19 mild symptoms dispensed without a prescription. Further research is warranted to improve practices of community pharmacists towards COVID-19 treatment
Dynamical AutoCorrelation for Functional Time Series with the Application to fMRI Data
Authors: Torkashvand Elaheh 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
The concept of dynamical correlation is extended to functional time series, FTS. The dynamical autocorrelation is a scalar, not a functional, measure of cor- relation for FTS; i.e., the expectation of linear relationship of coecients/weights of time and/or space dependent functional bases. This introduces the dynamical autocorrelation as a sensitive measure compared to the functional autocorre- lation. The proposed measure of autocorrelation can be obtained for true, i.e., continuously measured, functional data or possibly to approximated functional data. Estimators of the dynamical autocorrelation are presented based on the Karhunen-Lo'eve expression for observed regular FTS. The Central Limit theo- rem is applied to obtain the asymptotic distribution of proposed estimators of the dynamical autocorrelation. Simulation studies are performed to evaluate the ac- curacy of proposed estimators of the dynamical autocorrelation in the functional autoregressive models with a linear autocovariance operator of order one and two as well as their corresponding standard deviation. Finally, the methodology is applied to a functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) dataset in order to measure the tempo-spatial dynamical autocorrelation among brain images. The dynamical autocorrelation can capture the dierence among runs and participants using the ANOVA test. The results confirm the length of time a brain reacts to a stimulus.
Modelling trends and cycles in U.K. meteorological data
Authors: Mills Terence C 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
This report provides an analysis of the wide range of meteorological data for the U.K. that is now publicly available, focusing on the extraction of trends and cycles from monthly observations on various measures of the U.K.’s weather. A brief outline of the report is as follows. After Section 1’s brief introduction, the meteorological data for the U.K. and its districts are presented in Section 2. Section 3 develops the statistical framework, the seemingly unrelated regression (SUR) model, that is used to analyse the various weather measures. Subsequent sections thus analyse temperatures (Section 4), rainfall (Section 5), rain days (Section 6), sunshine hours (Section 7) and frost days (Section 8) using data up to 2022. The measurement of weather volatility is considered in Section 9, while Section 10 focuses on forecasts for the latest available year. 2023. A summary of the various findings are contained in Section 11, from which it is clear that, when attempting to extract the trend and cyclical movements in the weather patterns of the U.K., any analysis must be conducted at the district level, with attention also being focused on seasonal movements. The SUR statistical methodology with flexible Fourier trend-cycle functions proves to be an excellent framework with which to accomplish this.
Characterization of biofilm formation and multi-drug resistance amongPseudomonas aeruginosaisolated from hospital wastewater in Dhaka, Bangladesh
Authors: Khan Md Abu Sayem , Islam Zahidul , Shah SM Tanjil , Rahman Sabita Rezwana 
Published: April 2024

ABSTRACTHospital wastewater has been identified as a hotspot for the emergence and transmission of multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens that present a serious threat to public health. Therefore, we investigated the current status of antibiotic resistance as well as the phenotypic and genotypic basis of biofilm formation in Pseudomonas aeruginosa from hospital wastewater in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The disc diffusion method and the crystal violet assay were performed to characterize antimicrobial resistance and biofilm formation, respectively. Biofilm and integron-associated genes were amplified by the polymerase chain reaction. Isolates exhibited varying degrees of resistance to different antibiotics, in which &gt;80% of isolates showed sensitivity to meropenem, amikacin, and gentamicin. The results indicated that 93.82% of isolates were MDR and 71 out of 76 MDR isolates showed biofilm formation activities. We observed the high prevalence of biofilm-related genes, in which algD+pelF+pslD+ (82.7%) was found to be the prevalent biofilm genotypic pattern. Sixteen isolates (19.75%) possessed class 1 integron (int1) genes. However, statistical analysis revealed no significant association between biofilm formation and multidrug resistance (χ2 = 0.35, P = 0.55). Taken together, hospital wastewater in Dhaka city may act as a reservoir for MDR and biofilm-forming P. aeruginosa, and therefore, the adequate treatment of wastewater is recommended to reduce the occurrence of outbreaks.
Site-specific condition evaluation for managed aquifer recharge (MAR) site selection in granitic aquifers, Ghana
Authors: Acheampong Albert , Anornu Geophrey K. , Owusu-Nimo Frederick , Gyamfi Charles , Abass Gibrilla 
Published: April 2024

ABSTRACT

Water has prominence over all the usable natural resources to humankind due to its very significance to human life. Approximately, 70% of Ghana's populace relies on groundwater exploitation for freshwater consumption. Managed aquifer recharge is capable of sustaining water resources for all livelihood activities. Underperformance of MAR systems is often due to site-specific hydrogeological conditions turning out to be less favorable than anticipated. This study evaluates the site-specific conditions for MAR sites identification in granitic aquifers, integrating in situ hydrogeological factors and GIS-MCDA. One hundred and twenty-one datasets from different boreholes comprising hydro geophysics, borehole drilling and pump test reports were used. The constraint mapping results indicate 92% suitable for MAR application within the study area, implying available enormous bare lands for flooding recharge technique. The suitability analysis discloses that 48 and 51% of the studied area fall within very high and high suitable zones, respectively, showing convincing and great potential to support infiltration ponds for MAR technology application. The valuable information provided through this study can serve as a guide for MAR implementation and for sustainable groundwater resources management within the Upper East region of Ghana.
Research progress and perspective on sludge anaerobic digestion technology: A bibliometric analysis
Authors: Lu Denglong , Song Yang , Yang Zhaoguang , Li Haipu 
Published: April 2024

ABSTRACT

Rational disposal of sludge is an ongoing concern. This work is the first attempt for in-depth statistical analysis of anaerobic digestion (AD) research in recent three decades (1986–2022) using both quantitative and qualitative approaches in bibliometrics to investigate the research progress, trends and hot spots. All publications in the Web of Science Core Collection database from 1986 to April 4, 2022 were analyzed. Results showed that the research on AD started in 1999 and the number of papers significantly increased since 2012. The research about the disposal of sewage sludge mainly focuses on energy recovery (e.g. methane and short chain volatile organic acids) by AD. Besides, different pretreatment technologies were studied in this study to eliminate the negative effects on the disposal of sludge caused by hydrolysis (rate-limiting step of AD), water content (increasing the costs) and heavy metal (toxic to the environment) of sludge. Of those, the treatment technologies related to direct interspecies electron transfer were worth further studied in the future. Towards that end, iron conductive material, iron-based advanced oxidation and biological treatment were concluded as the prospective technologies and worth to further study.
Polyphenols Modulate the miRNAs Expression that Involved in Glioblastoma
Authors: Rezaie Maede , Nasehi Mohammad , Shimia Mohammad , Ebrahimnezhad Mohamad , Yousefi Bahman , Majidinia Maryam 
Published: April 2024

:
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), a solid tumor that develops from astrocytes, is one of
the most aggressive types of brain cancer. While there have been improvements in the efficacy of
treating GBM, many problems remain, especially with traditional therapy methods. Therefore, recent studies have extensively focused on developing novel therapeutic agents for combating glioblastoma. Natural polyphenols have been studied for their potential as chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic agents due to their wide range of positive qualities, including antioxidant, antiinflammatory, cytotoxic, antineoplastic, and immunomodulatory activities. These natural compounds have been suggested to act via modulated various macromolecules within cells, including
microRNAs (miRNAs), which play a crucial role in the molecular milieu. In this article, we focus
on how polyphenols may inhibit tumor growth by influencing the expression of key miRNAs that
regulate oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes
Harnessing the Therapeutic Potential of Dillenia indica: An Overview of Recent Dosage Form Developments
Authors: Bora Aditya , Kalita Pallab , Kalita Parimita , Adhikari Rudra Prasad , Das Aaditya , Zaheer Rizuwan , Laskar Mustaf Alam , Pathak Kalyani 
Published: April 2024

:
Dillenia indica, commonly known as Elephant Apple, is a significant medicinal plant
found in Assam, North-East India. This evergreen shrub or small to medium-sized tree possesses
not only tasty components but also a plethora of beneficial therapeutic characteristics. This review
article aims to explore the potential use of Dillenia indica in the treatment of diabetes and other
diseases, as well as discuss various patents associated with this plant. The study focuses on identifying
different formulations derived from various parts of Dillenia indica. These formulations encompass
a range of dosage forms, including mucoadhesive buccal dosage forms, buccal patches,
microbeads, emulgel, and mucoadhesive nasal gel. Each of these dosage forms offers unique advantages
and applications. Mucoadhesive buccal dosage forms are designed to adhere to the oral
mucosa, allowing for controlled drug release and enhanced absorption. Buccal patches provide a
convenient and localized delivery system for specific therapeutic agents. Microbeads offer a versatile
approach for encapsulating drugs and facilitating their controlled release. Emulgels combine
the benefits of both emulsions and gels, providing improved drug delivery and stability. Mucoadhesive
nasal gels offer a non-invasive route for drug administration, allowing for rapid absorption
through the nasal mucosa. By exploring these different formulations, researchers aim to harness
the therapeutic potential of Dillenia indica in a variety of diseases, including diabetes. The study
also highlights the importance of patents associated with Dillenia indica, indicating the growing
interest in its medicinal properties and potential commercial applications. Dillenia indica holds
promise as a valuable medicinal plant, with its diverse therapeutic characteristics and tasty components.
The study discussed various formulations derived from different parts of the plant, showcasing
their potential applications in the treatment of diseases. Further research and development in
this field may lead to the discovery of novel treatments and contribute to the advancement of pharmaceutical
science.
Ligand-Free, Copper-Catalyzed Coupling Reaction of Aryl Aluminum
Reagents with N-Aryl Thiosuccinimides
Authors: Zhang Zhihao , Jia Xiaoying , Pu Jiaxia , Han Lirong , Hou Jinsong , Li Qinghan 
Published: April 2024

:
A highly efficient and simple cross-coupling reaction of N-aryl aluminum reagents with Naryl
thiosuccinimides for the synthesis of diarylsulide derivatives using CuCl (20 mol%) as a catalyst
is reported. Under the optimum reaction conditions, the coupling reaction between aryl aluminum
reagents with different substituents and N-aryl thiosuccinimides with different substituents can be
carried out smoothly with 18-94% isolated yields of diarylsulides. The method avoids the use of expensive
transition metals, such as Pd, Ir, or Rh, phosphine ligands, and has the advantages of simple
operation and high reaction efficiency. The structures of all the target compounds are confirmed by
1HNMR and 13CNMR.
Association between Frequency of Seizures and Number of Antiseizure Medications (ASM) in Patients with Epilepsy
Authors: de Almeida Souza Tedrus Glória Maria , Ravelli Michele Novaes , de Moraes Giovanna Gigolotti Jacober , Leandro-Merhi Vania Aparecida 
Published: April 2024

:
The literature has shown the relevance of nutritional and metabolic aspects in patients
with epilepsy. This study evaluated the relationship between clinical variables and plasma proteins
and compared the variables between seizure frequency and neurological examination. A pilot study
was carried out with eighty-four (n = 84) adults patients with epilepsy. The relationship between
clinical variables of the disease (age at disease onset, neurological examination, current type and
frequency of seizures, duration of disease, amount of antiseizure medications-ASM used and type
and etiology of epilepsy) and plasma proteins (albumin and transferrin) was investigated. In the statistical
analysis, the chi-square, Fisher, Mann-Whitney, Kruskal-Wallis tests, Spearman coefficient
and univariate logistic regression were used. There was a significant association between the use of
antiseizure medications (ASM) (p = 0.0105) and altered neurological examination (p = 0.0049),
compared with the frequency of seizures, and between albumin and gender (p = 0.0005), and albumin
and etiology of epilepsy (p = 0.0186). There was a significant low-intensity and inverse linear
correlation (coefficient = -0.31363, p = 0.0037) between albumin and disease duration. In the logistic
regression model, a significant association was only observed between the number of ASM
and the frequency of seizures (p = 0.0120; OR = 3.368; 95% CI = 1.305-8.691). There was no association
between plasma proteins and the outcomes of seizure frequency and neurological examination.
The number of ASM and not protein metabolism was associated with frequency of seizures in
patients with epilepsy.
A Metric of Societal Burden Based on Virus Succession to Determine Economic Losses and Health Benefits of China’s Lockdown Policies: Model Development and Validation
Authors: Chen Wenxiu , Zhang Bin , Wang Chen , An Wei , Guruge Shashika Kumudumali , Chui Ho-kwong , Yang Min 
Published: April 2024

Background
The COVID-19 pandemic had a profound impact on the global health system and economic structure. Although the implementation of lockdown measures achieved notable success in curbing the spread of the pandemic, it concurrently incurred substantial socioeconomic costs.

Objective
The objective of this study was to delineate an equilibrium between the economic losses and health benefits of lockdown measures, with the aim of identifying the optimal boundary conditions for implementing these measures at various pandemic phases.

Methods
This study used a model to estimate the half-lives of the observed case fatality rates of different strains. It was based on global infection and death data collected by the World Health Organization and strain sequence time series data provided by Nextstrain. The connection between the health benefits and economic losses brought by lockdown measures was established through the calculation of disability-adjusted life years. Taking China’s city lockdowns as an example, this study determined the cost-benefit boundary of various lockdown measures during the evolution of COVID-19.

Results
The study reveals a direct proportionality between economic losses due to lockdowns and the observed case fatality rates of virus strains, a relationship that holds true irrespective of population size or per capita economic output. As SARS-CoV-2 strains evolve and population immunity shifts, there has been a notable decrease in the observed case fatality rate over time, exhibiting a half-life of roughly 8 months. This decline in fatality rates may offset the health benefits of maintaining unchanged lockdown measures, given that the resultant economic losses might exceed the health benefits.

Conclusions
The initial enforcement of lockdown in Wuhan led to significant health benefits. However, with the decline in the observed case fatality rate of the virus strains, the economic losses increasingly outweighed the health benefits. Consequently, it is essential to consistently refine and enhance lockdown strategies in accordance with the evolving fatality and infection rates of different virus strains, thereby optimizing outcomes in anticipation of future pandemics.
Effectiveness of Unguided Internet-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Subthreshold Social Anxiety Disorder in Adolescents and Young Adults: Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Matsumoto Kazuki , Hamatani Sayo , Shiga Kiko , Iiboshi Kiyoko , Kasai Makiko , Kimura Yasuhiro , Yokota Satoshi , Watanabe Katsunori , Kubo Yoko , Nakamura Masayuki 
Published: April 2024

Background
Social anxiety disorder (SAD) is a common mental disorder in adolescents and young adults. Early intervention and support could help prevent the development of full-blown SAD. Considering that adolescents with social anxiety symptoms do not prefer face-to-face sessions due to their fear of communicating with therapists, internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy (ICBT) was implemented.

Objective
This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of complete self-help ICBT for subthreshold SAD in high school and college students with no history of mental disorders.

Methods
A multicenter randomized controlled trial designed to demonstrate the objective was conducted from December 2022 to October 2023. Participants were students enrolled at 6 universities and 1 high school. The intervention was a complete self-help ICBT and consisted of 10 text-based sessions that taught cognitive behavioral therapy techniques for social anxiety in youths and young adults. The comparison was a no-treatment condition (control group), which was randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio by a computer program. A total of 2 psychological scales were used to assess the severity of social anxiety, and 1 psychological scale each was used to measure symptoms of depression, general anxiety, and quality of life.

Results
In total, 77 students were enrolled as study participants. Through the randomization procedure, 38 participants were included in the intervention group, and 39 patients were included in the control group. Results from the analysis of covariance with depression as covariates showed that the participants in the intervention group had significantly reduced symptoms of social anxiety, depression, and general anxiety compared to the control group. The response rate was 61% (19/31) in the intervention group and 24% (9/38) in the control group: odds ratio (OR) 4.97 (95% CI 1.61-16.53; P=.003) in the Fisher exact test. The recovery rate was 68% (21/31) in the intervention group and 34% (13/38) in the control group: OR 3.95 (95% CI 1.32-12.56; P=.008). The OR for the remission ratio was 2.01 (95% CI 0.64-6.60; P=.20) and for the risk of worsening was 0.23 (95% CI 0.002-1.33; P=.10), but no significant difference was observed.

Conclusions
The results of this randomized controlled trial show that fully unguided ICBT improves subthreshold SAD in adolescents and young adults. Interpretation of the effectiveness in preventing SAD that meets the diagnostic criteria is limited by sample size and the follow-up period. Future studies should include more extended observations and larger sample sizes in high-risk populations.

Trial Registration
UMIN-CTR UMIN000050064; https://center6.umin.ac.jp/cgi-open-bin/ctr/ctr_view.cgi?recptno=R000057035
AVERSIVE PERSONALITY TRAITS AND INDIVIDUALISTIC SOCIAL RANK STYLES AS PREDICTORS OF A POSITIVE ATTITUDE TOWARDS CONSPICUOUS CONSUMPTION
Authors: Митић Ања , Ђурић Вељко , Петровић Ивана 
Published: April 2024

The prognostic and mediational influences of basic and aversive personality traits, and social rank styles on individuals’ attitudes towards conspicuous consumption (ATCC, an indirect measure of the actual behaviour) were examined via path analysis[1]. The model (n=400, mean age=22.3) emphasised the direct and indirect effects of Extraversion, and the indirect effects of Neuroticism and Agreeableness which were sequentially mediated by all Dark Triad traits, and by two individualistic social rank styles: Dominant Leadership and Ruthless Self‑advancement. Dark Triad traits occupied the central position in the model connecting basic personality traits with social rank styles, and ultimately with ATCC. Machiavellianism was the only Dark Triad trait directly linked with ATCC, Dominant Leadership, and Ruthless Self-advancement. Narcissism exerted the main mediating effect on Dominant Leadership, while Machiavellianism and Psychopathy mediated the negative influence of Extraversion and Agreeableness on Ruthless Self-advancement. Both Dominant Leadership and Ruthless Self-advancement were directly predictive of ATCC. As two basic prosocial personality traits (Conscientiousness and Openness) and one prosocial rank strategy (Coalition Building) did not enter the model, we conclude that, from the present perspective, positive ATCC is linked to uncooperative and self-centred mindsets striving for superior positions in the social hierarchy. [1] The path analysis model upholds the dark side of affinity for conspicuous consumption. The model connects the personal traits domain with the personal strategies domain. Social rank styles are differentiated by basic and aversive personality traits. Each social rank style has a specific trajectory predictive of ATCC.[1] The path analysis model upholds the dark side of affinity for conspicuous consumption. The model connects the personal traits domain with the personal strategies domain. Social rank styles are differentiated by basic and aversive personality traits. Each social rank style has a specific trajectory predictive of ATCC.