bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Relationship between Normal-Weight Obesity and metabolic disturbances: A cross-sectional study of Iranian employees
Authors: Masoumi Seyed Jalil , Kohanmoo Ali , Mohsenpour Mohammad Ali , Jamshidi Sanaz , Eftekhari Mohammad Hassan 
Published: January 2023

AbstractBackground:Normal-weight obesity (NWO), characterized by normal Body Mass Index (BMI) but excess body fat (BF), is a potential contributor to chronic diseases. The present study aimed to assess the relationship between this phenomenon and some metabolic factors.Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted on the baseline data of Iranian employees aged 25-64 years extracted from the Employees Health Cohort Study, Shiraz, Iran. Anthropometric measures included weight, height, waist circumference, and percentage of BF was obtained from cohort database. The participants were divided into three groups of healthy, normal-weight obese, and overweight/obese. Metabolic variables such as blood pressure, fasting blood sugar, lipid profile, liver function enzymes and metabolic syndrome were assessed in relation to the study groups.Results:The study conducted on 1038 participants aged 41.04±6.98 years. A significant difference was observed in Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) among the three groups (P=0.022) for male gender in the fully adjusted model, and for HDL among females, when adjusted for age and energy intake (P=0.042). Also, systolic and diastolic blood pressure were significantly different among groups for both genders when adjusted for age and energy intake (P<0.001). Furthermore, metabolic syndrome was associated with NWO as well as overweight/obesity.Conclusions:NWO and overweight/obesity were associated with a higher risk of metabolic syndrome, elevated blood pressure, impaired liver enzyme, and lower HDL levels. Thus, more attention should be paid to identify excess BF, even in normal weight individuals to prevent chronic metabolic diseases.
Ivermectin and Doxycycline Combination as a Promising Anti-Viral Drug Candidate: An in-silico and DFT Study
Authors: Rana Meenakshi , Yadav Pooja , Lakhera Shradha , Chowdhury Papia 
Published: January 2023

AbstractIn the present study, we have described how by using molecular docking and molecular dynamic (MD) simulation studies the combination drug of Ivermectin and Doxycycline can be used as an anti-viral agent. Various possibilities for individual and combination drugs have been explored by medical practitioners/scientists for the remedial purpose of viral infections. 3CLprois the main protease of the virus which plays an essential role in mediating viral replication in the human body. 3CLproprotein can serve as an attractive drug target. In this work, we have studied drug: 3CLprointeractions by in silico molecular docking and MD simulation approaches. Density functional theory was used to establish the chemical reactivity of the drugs individually and in combination. Molecular electrostatic potential (MEP) surfaces and Mulliken charge distribution were used to identify the electrophilic and nucleophilic moieties within the drugs. Common and easily available antiviral drugs Ivermectin, Doxycycline, and their combination have proved their valid candidature to be used as potential drug candidates against infections caused by 3CLpro.
Corporate Governance, Financial Constraints and Dividend Policy: Endogenous Switching Model
Authors: Azeem Muhammad 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
Firms operating in the same country normally offer different levels of corporate governance practices. Therefore, it is very important to properly gauge firm-level corporate governance. Eventually, the influence of financial constraints on dividend policies also varies across different corporate governance regimes (i.e., strongly and weakly governed regimes). The current study intends to investigate the impact of corporate governance on dividend policy by explicitly considering the role of external financing constraints faced by firms on listed in the KSE. To investigate how the changes in firm-level governance affect its dividend policy, the sample in the present study was divided into two groups on the bases of corporate governance variables, which were determined via ESM. The results of the ESM analysis suggest that the effect of financial constraints on dividend policies indeed varies across different corporate governance states. Firms in a weak corporate governance regime are especially apt to pay lower dividends in order to avoid costly external financing. Due to the existence of a high agency problem in weakly governed firms, external investors discount the risk of expropriation by requiring a high cost for their capital as a reward for monitoring costs.
Observing Volcano Dynamics through Seismic and Deformation Patterns
Authors: Scarfì Luciano , Aloisi M. , Barberi G. , Langer H. 
Published: January 2023

Abstract

Geophysical data provide the chance to investigate a volcano’s dynamics; in particular, considerable information can be gleaned on the stress and strain patterns accompanying the internal processes and the effect of magma ascent on the main structures triggering earthquakes. Here, we analysed in detail the seismicity recorded over the last two decades on Etna volcano, in central Mediterranean. We focused on earthquake and focal mechanism distribution and clustering; in addition, the ground deformation pattern affecting the volcanic edifice was considered to evaluate the inflation and deflation phases. Analysed data were compared in order to shed light on possible relationships with the volcanic activity and to better understand the internal dynamics of the volcano over time. Major steps during or shortly before major eruptions in the seismic strain release and ground deformation temporal series highlight a straightforward relationship between seismicity occurring at shallow level, inflation/deflation and volcanism. Furthermore, at depths greater than 5–7 km, down to about 20 km, the orientation of the P- and T-axes clearly indicate the existence of a pressure source in the central part of the volcano. All the results underline that the stress field related to the volcano plumbing system interferes with the regional field, partly overriding it.
Action potential solitons and waves in axons
Authors: Cano Gaspar , Dilão Rui 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
We show that the action potential signals generated by the Hodgkin-Huxley cable model are reaction-diffusion solitons and waves. Action potential spikes travelling in opposite directions of the axon annihilate when colliding with each other or with the axon boundaries. Through numerical simulations, we characterise the properties of these action potentials, deriving their characteristic curves. We propose several tests to validate or falsify the Hodgkin-Huxley cable model.
Thickness-dependent nonlinear optical properties of ITO thin films
Authors: Abdalsamad Fatma , Abdel-wahab M. Sh. , Tawfik Wael Z. , Qayyum Hamza , Apsari Retna , Mohamed Tarek 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
The nonlinear absorption (NLA) properties of ITO thin films were performed by utilizing femtosecond (100 fs), a high-repetition rate (80 MHz), and near-infrared (NIR) (750–820 nm) laser pulses. A radio frequency (RF) magnetron sputtering system was used to prepare ITO thin films of two different thicknesses. A scanning electron microscope (SEM) was used to determine the film thickness, and a UV-Visible spectrophotometer was used to observe the linear optical properties of the thin films. The open aperture Z-scan technique's nonlinear absorption studies of ITO thin films exhibited a reverse saturable absorption. The NLA properties of the ITO films varied depending on ITO thickness, incident laser power, and excitation wavelength, attributed to the increasing localized defect states in the band gap. The nonlinear absorption coefficient of 6×10− 7 cm/W and 9.7×10− 7 cm/W were measured for 170 and 280 nm film thicknesses, respectively. In contrast to the film thickness, the nonlinear absorption coefficient was inversely proportional to the excitation laser wavelength. Additionally, the optical limiting of ITO thin films was investigated, and it was found that there is a clear correlation between optical limiting and thin film thickness.
Malaria diagnostic and parasite density prediction potentials of some serum biochemical parameters in children with severe falciparum malaria treated with artesunate/artemether- lumefantrine combination therapy
Authors: Okoli Caroline Amuche , Igunnu Adedoyin , Adebayo J.O , Oguche Stephen , Malomo Sylvia 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
Prompt and accurate diagnosis and parasite density quantification are keys to effective malaria treatment. The malaria diagnostic and parasite density quantification methods currently in use are not without their shortcomings. Thus, there is the need for new methods with high sensitivity, specificity and predictive values that may complement other methods in use. In this study, a hundred (100) children (1–10 years) diagnosed of severe malaria were treated with 2.4 mg/kg body weight of artesunate intravenously at 0 hour and then 1.2 mg/kg body weight at 12, 24 and 48 hours, followed by artemether-lumefantrine combination therapy at doses of 4 mg/kg body weight of artemether and 24 mg/kg body weight of lumefantrine for three days, with 200 clinically healthy children of the same age range serving as control. The diagnostic potential of selected biochemical parameters in the serum of patients before treatment (day 0), 48 h of treatment (day 2) and 48 h after treatment (day 7) were evaluated. Using regression analysis, different relationships between the identified predictors and the predicted variable (parasite density) were tested. Serum glutathione reductase (GR) activity at > 85.78 U/l (cut-off value) was indicative of severe malaria and had the highest diagnostic values with 98.5% sensitivity, 96% specificity, 98.01% positive predictive value, 4.04% negative predictive value and 1576 as odds ratio, with an area under curve of 0.999, comparing favourably with microscopy (gold standard) at 95% confidence interval. This was followed by elevated serum glutathione peroxidase activity. Other parameters had relatively high sensitivity with relatively low specificity or vice versa. The polynomial quadratic equation, parasite density (x103 parasites/µl) = 6.96[GR] − 433.1 − 0.01[GR]2 had the best good-fit for prediction of parasite density, using serum GR activity. Thus, serum GR activity may be a very effective diagnostic and parasite density prediction tool for severe falciparum malaria in children.
Effect of moxibustion combined with cisplatin on tumor microenvironment hypoxia and vascular normalization in Lewis lung cancer mice
Authors: Mao Ni , Wu Xiaobo , Wang Chaofeng , Mao Huijuan , Wei Jianzi 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
Purpose
This study was developed to evaluate the effects of moxibustion on tumor microenvironmental hypoxia in a murine model of Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC).
Methods
In total, 30 female C57BL/6 mice were randomized into tumor (T), moxibustion (TM), chemotherapy (TC), and moxibustion + chemotherapy (TMC) groups (n = 6/group). A tumor model was established by implanting LLC cells into the right flank of each mouse. Animals in the TM group were subjected to moxibustion treatment at the ST36 (bilateral) and GV4 acupoints on the day after visible tumor formation (8 days after tumor injection). Moxibustion treatment was repeated every other day for 7 total treatments. Animals in the TC group were intraperitoneally injected with cisplatin (3 mg/kg) on day 3 after visible tumor formation (day 10 after modeling), and this treatment was repeated every 3 days for 4 total treatments. Animals in the TMC group underwent a combination of moxibustion and chemotherapy using the same conditions outlined above. After treatment was complete, ELISAs were used to measure serum concentrations of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and CD31, while the levels of the former three of these factors were assessed in tumor tissue samples via Western immunoblotting and immunohistochemical staining.
Results
Relative to the T model group, treatment in the TM, TC, and TCM groups resulted in varying reductions in tumor growth (P < 0.001 or P < 0.05), while tumor microenvironmental hypoxia was alleviated as evidenced by the downregulation of HIF-1α, VEGFA, and CD31(P < 0.001 ~ P < 0.05).
Conclusion
The combination of moxibustion and cisplatin can alleviate intratumoral hypoxia, promote vascular normalization and slow LLC tumor growth in mice.
Adaptive Black Widow Optimization Based MPPT Controller in High-Gain Non-Isolated DC-DC Converter for PV Applications
Authors: Shobanadevi N. , PheminaSelvi M. 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
Now a days, the DC-DC power converters has been considered as main topic in pulse width modulated in different applications such as renewable energy resources. Hence, a novel non-isolated converter is developed to excerpt maximum power from photovoltaic (PV) system. The maximum power is extracting during environmental conditions in an essential requirement to manage the different load conditions in the PV system. To manage the PV maximum power, the Fractional Order Proportional-Integral-Derivative (FOPID) with Black Widow Optimization (BWO) can be developed. The projected converter is achieved different advantages such as high voltage gain and output voltage. This proposed converter is working with two mode of operation. The maximum power is extract by using the proposed converter and controller. The proposed system is developed using the MATLAB/Simulink and analyzed with performance metrics of converter parameters and PV parameters. The proposed method is analyzed with two mode of operation such as constant irradiance and variable irradiance conditions. The proposed technique is contrasted with the conventional techniques as Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO),Flower Pollination Algorithm (FPA) and Gravitational Search Algorithm (GSA) respectively.
Brain bank questionnaire helps in differential diagnosis of parkinsonian disorders: an autopsy study of 150 patients
Authors: Martin Nicholas B. , Sekiya Hiroaki , Dickson Dennis W. , Koga Shunsuke 
Published: January 2023

Abstract

Background: As part of the CurePSP brain donation program, a questionnaire was developed to capture basic information from the next-of-kin or someone familiar with the brain donor with respect to symptoms and clinical course. The usefulness of information from the questionnaire has not been assessed.
Objective: To assess the value of information from the brain donation questionnaire as it relates to differential diagnosis of parkinsonian disorders.
Methods: We reviewed 150 questionnaires, including 50 patients, each with a neuropathologic diagnosis of Lewy body disease (LBD), multiple system atrophy (MSA), or progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP). The frequency of clinical features recorded in the questionnaires was compared for the three disorders, and machine learning algorithm, XGBoost, was applied to tabulated information from the questionnaires to identify features that had predictive value with respect to neuropathologic diagnosis.
Results: The information from the questionnaires correlated with core clinical features for each disorder - hallucinations for LBD, autonomic dysfunction for MSA, and early falls for PSP. Age at onset and early falls were identified as the key variables that contributed most to prediction of neuropathology.
Conclusion: While less optimal than prospectively collected information, a questionnaire can provide useful clinical information for clinicopathological correlative studies.
Theoretical analysis suggests that variants of 16S rRNA gene of Helicobacter pylori could not be differentiated by PCR melt curve analysis of amplicons
Authors: Ng Wenfa 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
Possibility exists that qPCR primers could bind to different variants of template in the sample, thereby, leading to the amplifications of different variants and generations of amplicons slightly differentiated in sequence. Melt curve analysis has been proposed to be capable of differentiating the amplicon variants due to their unique melting temperature. This work uses theoretical modelling to put this idea to the test on different Helicobacter species and different Helicobacter pylori isolates. Results from an in-house MATLAB melting temperature calculation tool suggests that melting temperature of 16S rRNA gene of different Helicobacter species and different H. pylori isolates are clustered around 86 oC within a fractional degree. This means that the 16S rRNA amplicons of different Helicobacter species and different H. pylori isolates are unlikely to be differentiated by PCR melt curve analysis. Overall, the results suggests that 16S rRNA gene of different Helicobacter species and different H. pylori isolates are closely related in sequence, and therefore could not be differentiated by melt curve analysis.
Computational approaches for evaluating morphological changes in the corneal stroma associated with decellularization
Authors: Pantic Igor , Cumic Jelena , Valjarevic Svetlana , Shakeel Adeeba , Wang Xinyu , Vurivi Hema , Daoud Sayel , Chan Vincent , Petroianu Georg , Shibru Meklit , Ali Zehara , Corridon Peter R. 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
Decellularized corneas offer a promising and sustainable source of replacement grafts, mimicking native tissue and reducing the risk of immune rejection post-transplantation. Despite great success in achieving acellular scaffolds, little consensus exists regarding the quality of the decellularized extracellular matrix (ECM). Metrics used to evaluate ECM performance are study-specific, subjective, and semi-quantitative. Thus, this work focused on developing a computational method to examine the effectiveness of corneal decellularization. We combined conventional semi-quantitative histological assessments and automated scaffold evaluations based on textual image analyses to assess decellularization efficiency. Our study highlights that it is possible to develop contemporary artificial intelligence (AI) models based on random forests and support vector machine algorithms, which can identify regions of interest in acellularized corneal stromal tissue with relatively high accuracy. These results provide a platform for developing AI biosensing systems for evaluating fine morphological changes in decellularized scaffolds crucial for evaluating their functionality.
A scalable corneal xenograft platform: simultaneous opportunities for tissue engineering and circular economic sustainability by repurposing slaughterhouse waste
Authors: Wang Xinyu , Shakeel Adeeba , Salih Ahmed E. , Vurivi Hema , Daoud Sayel , Desidery Luca , Khan Raheema L. , Shibru Meklit G. , Ali Zehara M. , Butt Haider , Chan Vincent , Corridon Peter R. 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
High-throughput platforms that can generate copious quantities of corneal grafts will be invaluable in addressing the existing global demand for keratoplasty. Slaughterhouses generate substantial underutilized biological waste that can be repurposed to reduce current environmentally unfriendly practices. Such efforts to support ecological sustainability can simultaneously drive the development of transplantable ovine corneas and patient-specific bioartificial keratoprostheses. This study presents a dataset highlighting techniques that pioneered the development of a simplified, inexpensive, and high-throughput corneal xenograft platform. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first dataset to be generated in the United Arab Emirates devised on repurposing slaughterhouse waste in a manner that supports circular economic practices. These efforts outline the first step in developing a platform that can produce dozens of native ovine xenografts and acellular corneal scaffolds that effectively preserve ocular transparency, transmittance, and ECM components, and can be used to potentially create individualized and transplantable grafts. Such native grafts can then be genetically modified to reduce rejection and retrovirus transmission in recipients. Analogously, decellularization technologies can support corneal regeneration with key attributes comparable to native xenografts.
Nitrogen removal from wastewater by an immobilized consortium of microalgae–bacteria in hybrid hydrogels
Authors: Morán-Valencia Marien , Nishi Kento , Akizuki Shinichi , Ida Junichi , Cuevas-Rodríguez Germán , Cervantes-Avilés Pabel 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
The high content of nitrogen in wastewater brings some operational, technical, and economical issues in conventional technologies. The aim of this study was to evaluate the nitrogen removal by hybrid hydrogels containing consortium microalgae–nitrifying bacteria in the presence of activated carbon (AC) used as an adsorbent of inhibitory substances. Hybrid hydrogels were synthesized from polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), sodium alginate (SA), biomass (microalgae–nitrifying bacteria), and AC. The hybrid hydrogels were evaluated based on the change in ammonium (NH4), nitrate (NO3), and chemical demand of oxygen (COD) concentrations, nitrification rate, and other parameters during 72 h. Results indicated that NH4 removal was more effective for hydrogels without AC than with AC, without significant differences regarding consortium biomass concentration (5 or 16%), presenting final concentrations of 3.13 and 3.75 mg NH4/L for hydrogels with 5 and 16% of the biomass, respectively. Regarding NO3 production, hydrogels without AC reached concentrations of 25.9 and 39.77 mg NO3/L for 5 and 16% of the biomass, respectively, while treatments with AC ended with 2.17 and 1.37 mg NO3/L. This confirms that hydrogels can carry out the nitrification process and do not need AC to remove potential inhibitors. The best performance was observed for the hydrogel with 5% of biomass without AC with a nitrification rate of 0.43 mg N/g TSS·h.
USO DE LA PALOMA DE CASTILLA (Columba livia) COMO BIOMONITOR DE CONTAMINACIÓN POR METALES TRAZA EN LIMA, PERÚ
Authors: Guevara-Torres Diego R. , Williams Marta , Palacios Gloria 
Published: January 2023

Los metales traza continúan generando problemas de contaminación ambiental debido a su persistencia en el ambiente, representando un peligro para los seres vivos. Estudios recientes han reportado contaminación de metales pesados en suelos de algunas partes de Lima, sin embargo, queda aún mucho por explorar. El uso de la paloma de Castilla (Columba livia) como biomonitor podría facilitar evaluaciones rápidas y de detección de contaminación por metales traza en el ambiente. En este estudio, se determinó las concentraciones de plomo (Pb), cadmio (Cd), zinc (Zn), cobre (Cu), molibdeno (Mo), selenio (Se), hierro (Fe) y estroncio (Sr) en el hígado de 21 palomas de tres localidades con características de uso industrial, urbano y rural. Nuestros resultados mostraron que las concentraciones de Pb, Zn, Cu, Se, Fe y Sr eran más elevadas en las localidades industrial y urbana que en la rural. Esto sugiere la existencia de una gradiente con concentraciones de metales traza más elevadas en las localidades industrial y urbana. Dicho gradiente es consistente con las características del uso de la tierra de cada localidad y corrobora los problemas de contaminación ambiental asociados a ellas. Nuestro estudio expone el potencial de la paloma de Castilla para actuar como biomonitor de la contaminación por metales traza en Lima y otras ciudades del Perú y del mundo. Según nuestro conocimiento, esta es la primera evaluación de metales traza hecha con palomas en Perú.