bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sexual Practices at Risk of Sexually Transmitted Infections among Students at the University of Parakou in 2022: A Cross-sectional Survey
Authors: Attinsounon Cossi Angelo , Akonakpo Aubierge , Dovonou Albert , Yamongbè Clodel , Adoukonou Thierry 
Published: December 2023

Aims: The aim was to study sexual practices at risk of sexually transmitted infections among students.
Study Design: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study with analytical aims.
Place and Duration of Study: University of Parakou, from June 06 to 26, 2022.
Methodology: The sampling technique used was simple random sampling, in which five entities were selected from the eleven basic campus entities. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire distributed electronically to students via the KoBoToolbox server. The dependent variable was condom use. The independent variables were sociodemographic, cultural, environmental, behavioral and sexually transmitted infection (STI) history. Data were entered into KoboCollect. Data analysis was performed using Epi-Info software version 7.1.3.3. The difference was statistically significant for a p-value of less than 0.05.
Results: A total of 420 students were surveyed out of the 2626 who had read the link on the forums, giving a participation rate of 15.99%. Of the 420 students surveyed, 220 (52.38%) were male and 200 (47.62%) females, giving a sex ratio (M/F) of 1.09. The mean age of the students was 21.8 ± 2.8 years, with extremes of 17 and 35 years. Sexually active students accounted for 73.57%. Condom use was 32.04%. In 45.16% of cases, students had contracted an STI in the previous three months. Vaginal penetration was practiced in 93.20% of cases. Factors associated with condom use in univariate analysis were gender (p=0.002), vaginal penetration (p<0.001) and types of sexual penetration practiced during the last sexual intercourse (p=0.002).
Conclusion: The relatively low frequency of condom use among students at the University of Parakou suggests high-risk sexual relations for STIs. There is a need to raise awareness among students of the importance of condom use.
Enhancing Rainfed Castor Growth, Seed, and Oil Yield Via Nano Urea Application
Authors: Veeramani, P.  , Subrahmaniyan K. , Manickam S. , Ravichandran V. , Saravanan P. A. , Jayakumar J. , Harisudan C. 
Published: December 2023

Aims: Conventional urea fertilizer has been critical in enhancing castor yields. However, nano urea, a game-changing technology in modern agriculture, provides a significant advancement in terms of sustainable and efficient crop production.
Study Design: The experiment was conducted in a Randomized block design (RBD) with eight treatments and three replications.
Place and Duration of Study: Tapioca and Castor Research Station in Yethapur during the Kharif season of 2022.
Methodology: The major objective is to increase hybrid castor growth and production under rainfed circumstances by foliar application of nano urea. The castor hybrid YRCH 1 with an RDF of 60:30:30 NPK kg ha-1 was chosen for the study. The experimental details viz; T1 - 100% N through Urea –RDF, T2 - 50 % of recommended basal N + Nano urea foliar spray @ 2 ml/l at 30 and 60 DAS, T3 - 50 % of recommended basal N + 2 % Urea foliar spray at 30 and 60 DAS, T4 - 75 % of recommended basal N + Nano urea foliar spray @ 2 ml/l at 30 and 60 DAS, T5 - 75 % of recommended basal N+ 2 % Urea foliar spray at 30 and 60 DAS, T6 - 100 % of recommended basal N + Nano urea foliar spray @ 2 ml/l at 30 and 60 DAS, T7 - 100 % of recommended basal N + 2 % Urea foliar spray at 30 and 60 DAS.
Results: According to the findings of the study, applying 100% of the recommended basal N + Nano urea foliar spray @ 2 ml/l at 30 and 60 DAS is advantageous to the crop and improves the growth and yield characteristics of hybrid castor under rainfed conditions. However, when compared to other treatments, foliar application of nano urea with 50% indicated basal N resulted in significantly lower growth and yield.
Conclusion: The major objective is to increase hybrid castor growth and production under rainfed circumstances by foliar application of nano urea
Microbial Contamination of Infant Feeding Bottles and Caregiver Compliance to Disinfection and Sterilization Techniques, Pediatric Hospital, Libya
Authors: Mohamed Huda , Tarhuni Abdelmetalab , Abbeid Hager , Abdulati Ainor , Adel Aisha , Saleh Fatima , Abdullah Wafa 
Published: December 2023

Introduction: Microbial contamination of infant feeding bottles imposes a big health issue that cause increase in the infant morbidity and mortality rate, and this infection can be resulted from poor hygiene practices and using inadequate cleaning and disinfection methods of feeding bottles.
Aim: to evaluate the rate of bacterial infection of infant feeding bottles of infants who were admitted to pediatric hospital.
Materials and Methods: The data were collected by filling questionnaires from the mothers and taking swabs from feeding bottles of infants who were admitted to pediatric hospital. The data included 24 questionnaires and 60 swabs; which 3 swabs were taken from three different area of the same bottle for each 24 children separately. then the swabs were tested in a laboratory to detect the types of isolated bacteria.
Results: This study found that 91.7% of the bottles were infected, and the isolated bacteria from these bottles were staphylococcus, Klebsiella, E. coli and salmonella. Moreover, it found a slight elevation in the bacterial infection rate in plastic bottles more than glass bottles. Besides, it found a positive relationship between bottle body infection and the educational level of mothers. On the other hand, it did not indicate any statistical association between infection of teats, bottles body and covers and occupational status of mothers.
Conclusion: The microbial bottles contamination is caused due to unsuitable cleaning and sterilization methods of feeding bottles and this leads to increase gastrointestinal infection as well as increase the morbidity and mortality rate among infants.
Assessment of Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) Performance for Yield and Quality Production under Natural Farming System in Gird Region of Madhya Pradesh, India
Authors: Chauhan Aman Pratap Singh , Singh Dheerendra , Sharma Avinash , Chouhan Shubham , Kushwah Nishita , Singh Nisha , Sharma Janmejay 
Published: December 2023

Objective of the Study: To assess the potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) performance for yield and quality production under natural farming system in gird region of Madhya Pradesh.
Study Design: Randomized complete block design.
Place and Duration of Study: ICAR-Central Potato Research Institute- RS, research farm Gwalior during winter (Rabi) season of 2022-2023.
Methodology: Selected 5 plants from each treatment and replicated 3 times. Then follows methods as per given in materials and methods section of paper. Treatments T1: Control, T2: Inorganic practices (standard technology), T3: NADEP compost @ 25 t/ha + Azotobacter @ 1L/ha + PSB (Phosphorus solublizing bacteria) @ 1L/ha, T4: T3+ FYM @ 25 t/ha, T5: T3 + Vermicompost @ 7.5 t/ha, T6: T3+ neem cake @ 5 t/ha + foliar spray of copper oxychloride @ 3 g/L, T7: Integrated practice [90% RDF through inorganic sources {urea, SSP, MOP}, 10% RDF through organic sources i.e., FYM @ 25 t/ha.
Results: Results revealed that maximum number of tubers (135.03, 144.598 and 245.344) for grade 25-50 g, 50-75 g and >75 g respectively, highest number of tubers per ha (591286 at harvest), maximum yield of tubers (6.75, 10.844 and 18.40 t/ha) for grade 25-50 g, 50-75 g and >75 g respectively, highest yield of tubers (37.665 t/ha), highest true density of tubers (1.123 g/cc), highest tuber dry matter (17.173%) and highest starch content (14.313%) were recorded in treatment T7. While, the maximum number of tubers (129.08) for grade (0-25 g) and, maximum yield of tubers (3.2098 t/ha) for grade (0-25 g) was found in control plot.
Conclusion: Among 7 treatments, T7- Integrated practice (90% inorganic practices, 10% organic) found better for number of tubers in different grades, yield of tubers in different grades, total tuber yield (t/ha) and for quality parameters e.i., True density (g/cc), Tuber dry matter (%) and Tuber starch content (%).
Clinical Characteristics of Primary Snoring vs Mild Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Children
Authors: Mitchell Ron B. , Cook Kaitlyn , Garetz Susan , Tapia Ignacio E. , Elden Lisa M. , Kirkham Erin M. , Shah Jay , Otteson Todd , Zopf David , Amin Raouf , Ishman Stacey , Baldassari Cristina M. , Chervin Ronald D. , Hassan Fauziya , Naqvi Kamal , Wang Rui , Redline Susan 
Published: December 2023

ImportanceIt is unknown whether children with primary snoring and children with mild obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) represent populations with substantially different clinical characteristics. Nonetheless, an obstructive apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) of 1 or greater is often used to define OSA and plan for adenotonsillectomy (AT).ObjectiveTo assess whether a combination of clinical characteristics differentiates children with primary snoring from children with mild OSA.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsBaseline data from the Pediatric Adenotonsillectomy Trial for Snoring (PATS) study, a multicenter, single-blind, randomized clinical trial conducted at 6 academic sleep centers from June 2016 to January 2021, were analyzed. Children aged 3.0 to 12.9 years with polysomnography-diagnosed (AHI &amp;lt;3) mild obstructive sleep-disordered breathing who were considered candidates for AT were included. Data analysis was performed from July 2022 to October 2023.Main Outcomes and MeasuresLogistic regression models were fitted to identify which demographic, clinical, and caregiver reports distinguished children with primary snoring (AHI &amp;lt;1; 311 patients [67.8%]) from children with mild OSA (AHI 1-3; 148 patients [32.2%]).ResultsA total of 459 children were included. The median (IQR) age was 6.0 (4.0-7.5) years, 230 (50.1%) were female, and 88 (19.2%) had obesity. A total of 121 (26.4%) were Black, 75 (16.4%) were Hispanic, 236 (51.5%) were White, and 26 (5.7%) were other race and ethnicity. Black race (odds ratio [OR], 2.08; 95% CI, 1.32-3.30), obesity (OR, 1.80; 95% CI, 1.12-2.91), and high urinary cotinine levels (&amp;gt;5 µg/L) (OR, 1.88; 95% CI, 1.15-3.06) were associated with greater odds of mild OSA rather than primary snoring. Other demographic characteristics, clinical examination findings, and questionnaire reports did not distinguish between primary snoring and mild OSA. A weighted combination of the statistically significant clinical predictors had limited ability to differentiate children with mild OSA from children with primary snoring.Conclusions and RelevanceIn this analysis of baseline data from the PATS randomized clinical trial, primary snoring and mild OSA were difficult to distinguish without polysomnography. Mild OSA vs snoring alone did not identify a clinical group of children who may stand to benefit from AT for obstructive sleep-disordered breathing.Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02562040
Precisely Coordination‐Modulated Ultralong Organic Phosphorescence Enables Biomimetic Fluorescence‐Afterglow Dual‐Modal Information Encryption
Authors: Yin Guangqiang , Huo Guifei , Qi Min , Liu Depeng , Li Longqiang , Zhou Jiayin , Le Xiaoxia , Wang Yu , Chen Tao 
Published: December 2023

AbstractInformation leakage and counterfeiting are serious worldwide issues that tremendously impact legitimate businesses and human life. Inspired by the Noctiluca scintillans, a new fluorescence‐afterglow dual‐modal information encryption enabled by precisely coordination‐modulated ultralong organic phosphorescence (UOP) is presented. Strikingly, the optical properties including fluorescence, lifetime and intensity of UOP can be precisely modulated on‐demand through energy transfer by lanthanide (LnIII) coordination, which enables information camouflage by similar LnIII luminescence to provide misleading information along with data decryption in the form of mutual afterglow. Moreover, the important data can be encrypted in a spatial‐time‐resolved way by programmatically coding information with afterglow gradients, yielding greatly improved security for verifying the authenticity. This study provides a new avenue to precisely modulate the optical properties of UOP materials and broadens the scope of optical materials for innovative information encryption and anticounterfeiting applications.
Quasi–1D Anhydrite Nanobelts from the Sustainable Liquid Exfoliation of Terrestrial Gypsum for Future Martian‐Based Electronics
Authors: Wei Cencen , Roy Abhijit , Aljarid Adel K. A. , Hu Yi , Roe S. Mark , Papageorgiou Dimitrios G. , Arenal Raul , Boland Conor S. 
Published: December 2023

AbstractThe sky is the limit with regards to the societal impact nanomaterials can have on the lives. However, in this study, it is shown that their potential is out of this world. The planet Mars has an abundant source of calcium sulfate minerals and in this work, it is shown that these deposits can be the basis of transformative nanomaterials to potentially support future space endeavors. Vitally, the methods applied are low cost and require no specialized instruments of great expertise, strengthening the potential involvement of nanotechnology in sustaining Martian inhabitation. Through a scalable eco‐friendly liquid processing technique performed on two common terrestrial gypsum, this simple method presented a cost‐efficient procedure to yield suspensions of large aspect ratio anhydrite nanobelts with long‐term stability that are characterized through scanning electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy. Transmission electron microscopy shows nanobelts to have a mesocrystal structure, with distinct nanoparticle constituents making up the lattice. Unexpectedly, anhydrite nanobelts have remarkable electronic properties, namely a bandgap that is easily tuned between semiconducting (≈2.2 eV) and insulating (≈4 eV) behaviors through dimensional control measured via atomic force microscopy. To demonstrate the application potential of the nanobelts; optoelectronic, electrochemical, and nanocomposite measurements are made.
Non‐covalent Intramolecular Interactions Induced High‐Performance Terpolymer Donors
Authors: Lu Jiayong , Wu Junran , Huang Bin , Fang Yu , Deng Xiangmeng , Zhang Jialin , Chen Shanshan , Jeong Seonghun , Liu Jinbiao , Yang Changduk 
Published: December 2023

AbstractTernary polymerization are demonstrated as a feasible and successful method of optimizing absorption, energy level, and crystallinity by maintaining the excellent properties of a polymer matrix. However, the third unit inevitably interrupts the periodic sequence distribution of the ordering packing of conjugated backbones, and thus balancing the trade‐off between the advantages of the third component and the disruption caused by the nonperiodic sequence distribution remains a great challenge. Herein, two terpolymer donors L1 and L2 are developed by introducing diethyl‐5,5′“‐dibromo‐4,4′”‐bis(2‐ethylhexyl)‐[2,2′:5′,2′'‐terthiophene]‐3′,4′‐dicarboxylate (DDT) unit as the third component. Owing to the electron‐deficient ability and S···O non‐covalent intramolecular interactions of DDT, terpolymers L1 and L2 displays deeper energy levels, enhanced molecular rigidity, and planarity than PM6. After blending with L8‐BO, the L1‐based polymer solar cells exhibit well miscibility with L8‐BO, leading to a more well‐defined nanofibrous morphology, face‐on orientation, and a slight energy loss in the blend films. As a result, the optimized L1:L8‐BO‐based device achieves a record power conversion efficiency (PCE) as high as 18.75%. This work provides a feasible strategy to develop high‐performance polymer donors via utilizing S···O non‐covalent intramolecular interactions to improve the planarity of polymer donors.
Endogenous Zinc‐Ion‐Triggered In Situ Gelation Enables Zn Capture to Reprogram Benign Hyperplastic Prostate Microenvironment and Shrink Prostate
Authors: Ge Jianchao , Fang Chao , Tan Haisong , Zhan Ming , Gu Meng , Ni Jianshu , Yang Guangcan , Zhang Haipeng , Ni Jinliang , Zhang Kun , Xu Bin 
Published: December 2023

AbstractBenign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) as the leading cause of urination disorder is still a refractory disease, and there have no satisfied drugs or treatment protocols yet. With identifying excessive Zn2+, inflammation, and oxidative stress as the etiology of aberrant hyperplasia, an injectable sodium alginate (SA) and glycyrrhizic acid (GA)‐interconnected hydrogels (SAGA) featuring Zn2+‐triggered in situ gelation are developed to load lonidamine for reprogramming prostate microenvironment and treating BPH. Herein, SAGA hydrogels can crosslink with Zn2+in BPH via coordination chelation and switch free Zn2+to bound ones, consequently alleviating Zn2+‐arisen inflammation and glycolysis. Beyond capturing Zn2+, GA with intrinsic immunoregulatory property can also alleviate local inflammation and scavenge reactive oxygen species (ROS). Intriguingly, Zn2+chelation‐bridged interconnection in SAGA enhances its mechanical property and regulates the degradation rate to enable continuous lonidamine release, favoring hyperplastic acini apoptosis and further inhibiting glycolysis. These multiple actions cooperatively reprogram BPH microenvironment to alleviate characteristic symptoms of BPH and shrink prostate. RNA sequencing reveals that chemotaxis, glycolysis, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inflammation‐related pathways associated with M1‐like phenotype polarization are discerned as the action rationales of such endogenous Zn2+‐triggered in situ hydrogels, providing a candidate avenue to treat BPH.
Bio‐Responsive Sliver Peroxide‐Nanocarrier Serves as Broad‐Spectrum Metallo‐β‐lactamase Inhibitor for Combating Severe Pneumonia
Authors: Li Hanqing , Duan Shuxian , Li Lixia , Zhao Gang , Wei Li , Zhang Bohan , Ma Yingying , Wu Mei X. , Mao Yanfei , Lu Min 
Published: December 2023

AbstractMetallo‐β‐lactamases (MBLs) represent a prevalent resistance mechanism in Gram‐negative bacteria, rendering last‐line carbapenem‐related antibiotics ineffective. Here, a bioresponsive sliver peroxide (Ag2O2)‐based nanovesicle, named Ag2O2@BP‐MT@MM, is developed as a broad‐spectrum MBL inhibitor for combating MBL‐producing bacterial pneumonia. Ag2O2 nanoparticle is first orderly modified with bovine serum albumin and polydopamine to co‐load meropenem (MER) and [5‐(p‐fluorophenyl)‐2‐ureido]‐thiophene‐3‐carboxamide (TPCA‐1) and then encapsulated with macrophage membrane (MM) aimed to target inflammatory lung tissue specifically. The resultant Ag2O2@BP‐MT@MM effectively abrogates MBL activity by displacing the Zn2+ cofactor in MBLs with Ag+ and displays potent bactericidal and anti‐inflammatory properties, specific targeting abilities, and great bioresponsive characteristics. After intravenous injection, the nanoparticles accumulate prominently at infection sites through MM‐mediated targeting . Ag+ released from Ag2O2 decomposition at the infection sites effectively inhibits MBL activity and overcomes the resistance of MBL‐producing bacteria to MER, resulting in synergistic elimination of bacteria in conjunction with MER. In two murine infection models of NDM‐1+ Klebsiella pneumoniae‐induced severe pneumonia and NDM‐1+ Escherichia coli‐induced sepsis‐related bacterial pneumonia, the nanoparticles significantly reduce bacterial loading, pro‐inflammatory cytokine levels locally and systemically, and the recruitment and activation of neutrophils and macrophages. This innovative approach presents a promising new strategy for combating infections caused by MBL‐producing carbapenem‐resistant bacteria.
Glucose‐Triggered Gelation of Supramolecular Peptide Nanocoils with Glucose‐Binding Motifs
Authors: Yu Sihan , Ye Zhou , Roy Rajdip , Sonani Ravi R. , Pramudya Irawan , Xian Sijie , Xiang Yuanhui , Liu Guoqiang , Flores Belen , Nativ‐Roth Einat , Bitton Ronit , Egelman Edward H. , Webber Matthew J. 
Published: December 2023

AbstractPeptide self‐assembly is a powerful tool to prepare functional materials at the nanoscale. Often, the resulting materials have high aspect‐ratio, with intermolecular β‐sheet formation underlying 1D fibrillar structures. Inspired by dynamic structures in nature, peptide self‐assembly is increasingly moving toward stimuli‐responsive designs wherein assembled structures are formed, altered, or dissipated in response to a specific cue. Here, a peptide bearing a prosthetic glucose‐binding phenylboronic acid (PBA) is demonstrated to self‐assemble into an uncommon nanocoil morphology. These nanocoils arise from antiparallel β‐sheets, with molecules aligned parallel to the long axis of the coil. The binding of glucose to the PBA motif stabilizes and elongates the nanocoil, driving entanglement and gelation at physiological glucose levels. The glucose‐dependent gelation of these materials is then explored for the encapsulation and release of a therapeutic agent, glucagon, that corrects low blood glucose levels. Accordingly, the release of glucagon from the nanocoil hydrogels is inversely related to glucose level. When evaluated in a mouse model of severe acute hypoglycemia, glucagon delivered from glucose‐stabilized nanocoil hydrogels demonstrates increased protection compared to delivery of the agent alone or within a control nanocoil hydrogel that is not stabilized by glucose.
Silicon‐Based Sensing Surface for Alzheimer's Disease Diagnosis by Phages Probes
Authors: Calorenni Paolo , Paratore Vincenzo , Rizzo Maria G. , De Plano Laura M. , Condorelli Guglielmo G. , De Luca Giovanna , Oddo Salvatore , Guglielmino Salvatore , Sciuto Emanuele L. , Conoci Sabrina 
Published: December 2023

AbstractAlzheimer's disease (AD) is a diffused neurodegenerative disorder affecting people in advanced age causing loss of memory and dementia. Nowadays, diagnosis and treatment of AD are still challenging due to the lack of diagnostic systems that allow for an early and reliable diagnosis and therapy monitoring. Moreover, conventional strategies for AD diagnosis are based on brain imaging techniques that are invasive and expensive for early and massive screening. Phage display approach, using engineered phage probe for direct amyloid‐β (Aβ)‐autoantibodies detection, overcome these limitations leading to the possibility of safe and low‐cost screening. Moreover, the combination with silicon technology further improves the easiness of diagnosis due to the portability of devices and the integration of sensitive transduction signals. In this work, an innovative silicon‐based sensing technology is reported detecting Aβ‐autoantibodies, specifically Immunoglobulin G (IgG), in human sera by engineered M13‐phage probes (ADPP). The strategy hinges on a bio‐surface that is integrated on top of a silicon biosensor. Thanks to phages probes exposing Aβ‐mimic peptides, this chip can capture and reveal Aβ‐autoantibodies, discriminating between healthy and AD conditions. The surface chemistry is morphologically and chemically characterized and the phage‐based biosensor ability to recognise Aβ‐autoantibodies is proved by transduction with enzyme‐linked anti‐M13 antibodies.