bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Factors influencing pollinator abundance in Indigenous coffee farms of the Nilgiris, Western Ghats, India
Authors: Sharma Manju Vasudevan , Viswanathan Poornima , Leo Robert , Gemmill-Herren Barbara , Mammides Christos , Ngo Hien T. 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
Wild pollinators are shown to be declining in many parts of the world where data and evidence exist; trends could be similar in other regions, but data and evidence are lacking. Land-use change is recognized as the top driver of biodiversity loss, including pollinator loss. In this study, we focused on coffee plantations in Indigenous land holdings in the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve in the Western Ghats of India, where changing agricultural practices and reducing tree shade diversity and/or changing tree cover type may threaten pollinator communities. We assessed pollinator abundance, through scan sampling of flowers, in ten coffee farms — five of which had (Grevillea robusta) silver oak as shade trees and five of which had native tree species. We then evaluated the combined effect of (a) tree cover type, (b) distance from the forest edge, and (c) area under coffee cultivation on the abundance of four dominant coffee pollinators (Apis dorsata, A. cerana, A. florea, and Tetragonula iridipennis) and the abundance of Xylocopa sp., which is also known as a coffee pollinator. We found that the abundances of all five species were associated positively with the area under coffee cultivation. The abundance of A. cerana and T. iridipennis were also associated with the distance from the forest edge; the closer a farm to the forest, the more individuals of A. cerana and T. iridipennis were found visiting coffee flowers on the farm. Lastly, we found no statistically significant relationship between the abundances of the five species examined and tree cover type (either mixed native forest trees or silver oak (G. robusta)). The absence of a pattern may have been driven partly by our relatively small sample size since the abundances of A. cerana, A. florea, and T. iridipennis were on average higher in farms with native tree species. Our results suggest that maintaining forests near coffee systems increases insect pollinator abundance (i.e., delivery of pollination services) in the case of A. cerana and T. iridipennis and maintaining forest cover with native tree species composition plays a role in supporting pollinator habitats as well as providing foraging resources. Implications for insect conservation In working with Indigenous land holdings in India, our results show that forests and land use (area under cultivation) play a key role in maintaining bee pollinators in coffee agroecosystems and further investigation is needed to clarify the role of tree cover type and insect populations.
Singapore KneE osTeoarthritis CoHort (SKETCH): protocol for a multi-centre prospective cohort study
Authors: Tan Bryan Yijia , Goh Zack Zhong Sheng , Lim Chien Joo , Pereira Michelle Jessica , Yang Su-Yin , Tan Kelvin Guoping , Tan Alvin Chin Kwong , Liang Phyllis , Abbott J Haxby , Briggs Andrew M , Hunter David J , Skou Soren T , Thumboo Julian , Car Josip 
Published: January 2023

Abstract

BackgroundKnee osteoarthritis (OA) is a leading cause of global disability. The understanding of the role of psychosocial factors in knee OA outcomes is still evolving particularly in an Asian context. The primary aim of this study is to explore psychosocial factors that prognosticate short and long-term clinical outcomes, productivity, and healthcare utilization in patients with knee OA. Secondary aims are to explore the mediation and directional relationships and the role it plays in predicting the discordance between self-reported measures (SRM), physical-performance measures (PPMs) and objective clinical parameters.MethodsA multi-centre prospective cohort study of community ambulant knee OA patients seeking treatment in the tertiary healthcare institutions in Singapore will be conducted. Patients with secondary arthritis, significant cognitive impairment, severe medical comorbidities or previous knee arthroplasty will be excluded. Primary clinical outcome measure is the Knee injury and OA Outcome Score-12 (KOOS-12). Baseline characteristics include sociodemographic status, arthritis status including symptom duration and radiographic severity, comorbidities and functional status through Charlson Comorbidities Index (CCI), Barthel Index (BI) and Parker Mobility Score (PMS). Psychosocial variables include social support, kinesiophobia, negative affect, self-efficacy, injustice, chronic illness shame and the built environment. Clinical outcomes include quality of life, physical performance, global assessment, satisfaction and physical activity levels. Productivity and healthcare utilization will be assessed by a modified OA Cost and Consequences Questionnaire (OCC-Q) and the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment Questionnaire (WPAI). Variables will be collected at baseline, 4, 12 months and yearly thereafter. Regression, mediation and structural equation modelling will be used for analysis.DiscussionResults will allow contextualization, identification, and phenotyping of the critical (and potentially modifiable) psychosocial parameters that predict positive clinical outcomes in the OA population to guide optimization and refinement of healthcare and community. This will facilitate: 1. identification of high-risk knee OA subpopulations that will likely experience poor outcomes and 2. formulation of targeted multidisciplinary comprehensive approaches to address these psychosocial factors to optimize non-surgical treatment care, maximize functional outcomes and create more value-based care model for knee OA.Ethics and disseminationThe study has been registered under clinicaltrials.gov registry (Identifier: NCT04942236).
Establishment of a risk classifier to predict the in-hospital death risk of nosocomial infections caused by fungi in cancer patients
Authors: Wang Ruoxuan , Jiang Aimin , Zhang Rui , Shi Chuchu , Ding Qianqian , Liu Shihan , Zhao Fumei , Ma Yuyan , Liu Junhui , Fu Xiao , Liang Xuan , Ruan ZhiPing , Yao Yu , Tian Tao 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
(1) Background:

Patients with malignancy are more vulnerable to developing nosocomial infections. Limited studies investigated cancer patients' clinical features and prognostic factors of fungi infections. Herein, this study was performed to explore the clinical characteristics of nosocomial infections due to fungi and develop a nomogram to predict the in-hospital death risk of these patients.
(2) Methods: This retrospective observational study analyzed cancer patients with nosocomial infections caused by fungi from September 2013 to September 2021. The univariate and multivariate logistics regression analyses were utilized to identify the influencing factors of in-hospital death risk of nosocomial infections caused by fungi. A nomogram was developed to predict the in-hospital death risk of these individuals, with the receiver operating characteristics curve (ROC), calibration curve, and decision curve being generated to evaluate its performance.
(3) Results: 216 patients with solid tumors developed fungal infections during hospitalization, of which 57 experienced in-hospital death. C.albicans is the most common fungal species(68.0%). The respiratory system was the most common site of infection(59.0%), followed by intra-abdominal infection (8.8%). The multivariate regression analysis revealed that ECOG-PS 3–4, pulmonary metastases, thrombocytopenia, hypoalbuminemia, and mechanical ventilation were independent risk factors of in-hospital death risk. A nomogram was constructed based on the identified risk factors to predict the in-hospital death risk of these patients.
(4) Conclusions: Fungi-related nosocomial infections are common in solid tumors and have a bleak prognosis. The constructed nomogram could help oncologists make a timely and appropriate clinical decision with significant net clinical benefit to patients.
Prestress-mediated damage strength of lattice metamaterials and its optimization
Authors: Li Xinran , Liu Jinxing , Soh Ai Kah 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
Lattice metamaterials have been attracting wide research interests due to their excellent mechanical properties. Most of meta-properties have been implemented by proper geometric designs of microstructures. In this study, we examine another way to obtain outstanding properties, which has been relatively less explored. That is, we aim to adjust the loading bearing capability of lattices by periodically introducing prestress into particular lattice segments. Based on existing related works, we focus on the following two problems deserving further investigations. First, results have been provided based on a single cell with/without taking into account the interactions between each two of neighboring individual cells. Second, it is interesting to search for the optimal distribution of prestress in lattices subjected to a specific load. For the former, we propose a set of constraint equations for implementing periodic boundary conditions (PBC) on a periodic unit cell and confirm its correctness. The significance of PBC related to rotational degrees of freedom is emphasized. We then use the proposed method to calculate the initial damage surface of four kinds of prestressed lattice unit cells under PBC. For the latter, we build a new optimization algorithm with the help of the so-called Symbiotic-Organisms-Search technique (SOS), to calculate the optimal prestress setting corresponding to the requested properties. As an example, the optimal prestress setting is found to almost double the critical load to failure of the lattice in a special direction. This work may be helpful to design lattice metamaterials with programmable strengths.
Qualitative Analysis of Metformin Drug Administration in Caputo Setting
Authors: Khan Aabid , Beldar Vishal G. , Bhairat Sandeep P. 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
The study of drug metabolism is significant to establish the drug pro-file. The pharmacokinetics of the drug determines the concentrationof the drug in enumerable parts of the human body. In this paper, we develop a relationship between such processes of Pharmacokinetics with mathematical formulations using the tools from fractional calculus. As per the literature, for treating a type-II diabetes mellitus, Metformin is being used extensively. The Metformin metabolism encom-passes a large variety of metabolic processes in different parts of thebody. In the present study, we formulate and analyze a model of the Metformin kinetics taking into account a homogenous dimensionalityin Caputo sense. The Banach and Schauder fixed point theorems are employed to explore the uniqueness and existence results. The equilibrium point, asymptotic stability for the given parameters, and Lyapunov stable solutions are also discussed. Further, the Ulam’s type stabilityis explored for generalized model. Finally, the Adam-Bashful-Mouton(A-B-M) method in generalized form is used to validate the conclusions.
Towards Optimising the use of Quarry Dust in Concrete Production in Zambia
Authors: Mulenga Michael N. , Shikabonga Joseph , Chisanga Kaluba , Silungwe Charles , Hamaundu Mulyata 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
Over the years, the construction industry in Zambia has been rapidly growing and this has resulted in shortages of some construction materials. One such material is River Sand, which is used as a fine aggregate in concrete production. This has resulted increased use of quarry dust as a substitute to river sand, as a fine aggregate. However, no guidelines exist on the replacement of River Sand in concrete production. There is a clear depletion of river sand sources and degrading of river banks. This in turn has led to river bank erosion, triggering environmental problems such deepening of the river beds, loss of vegetation on the river banks, disturbance of aquatic life and agricultural activities, as well as posing a danger to river crossing infrastructure such as culverts and bridges. Two studies were conducted at the University of Zambia: aComparative Study of Concretes Produced by Natural Fine Aggregate and Quarry Dust, and, Partial Substitution of Quarry Dust as a Fine Aggregate in Concrete Production in Zambia. The first study aimed at making recommendations on the full replacement of river sand with quarry dust in concrete production whilst the second focused at determining suitable partial substitution of quarry dust in the production of concrete. It was established that Quarry Dust offered some advantages such as; better gradation and higher rate of compressive strength gain compared with river sand. This can offer advantages like speeding up repair and maintenance works. Further, from the second study, a 50% substitution of river sand in the fine aggregate produced the best results.
Analysis of Spatial and Temporal Trend for Hydro-climatic Parameters in the Kilombero River Catchment, Tanzania
Authors: Sigalla Onesmo Zakaria , Valimba Patrick , Selemani Juma Rajabu , Tumbo Madaka Harlod 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
Perceived and real-life water availability have raised social and economic conflicts that necessitate proper water management. This requires an understanding of spatial-temporal trends of hydro-climatic variables as the main contributor to available water for use by sectors of economy. In this study, we have analyzed the trend of hydro-climatic variables viz. precipitation, temperature, evapotranspiration and river discharge. One downstream river gauge station was used for discharge data whereas a total of 9 daily observed and 29 grided satellite stations were used for climate data. Climate Hazards Group InfraRed Precipitation was used for precipitation data and Observational-Reanalysis Hybrid was used for Temperature data. Mann-Kendall Statistical test, Sen’s slope estimator and ArcMap Inverse Distance Weighted Interpolation functionality were employed for temporal, magnitude and spatial trend analysis respectively. Results show that on the latter, there are three main climatic zones in the study area viz. Udzungwa escarpment, Kilombero valley and Mahenge escarpment. On the former, with exception of the declining potential evapotranspiration trend, all other variables are on increase. This is with catchment rates of 2.08 mm/y, 0.05 oC/y, 0.02 oC/y, 498.6 m3/s/y and − 2.27 mm/y for precipitation, Tmax, Tmin, river discharge and PET respectively. Furthermore, there is a synonymous seasonality pattern for all variables with significant range, especially in river discharge. However, it is recommended to improve water resources management practices to limit flow impairment as expansions in sectors of economy are expected. Furthermore, landuse change analysis is recommended to ascertain actual trend and hence future water uptake.
Two independent response mechanisms to auditory stimuli measured with fNIRS in sleeping infants.
Authors: Lee Onn Wah , Mao Darren , Wunderlich Julia , Balasubramanian Gautam , Haneman Mica , Korneev Mikhail , McKay Colette 
Published: January 2023

Abstract

This study investigated the morphology of the functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) response to speech sounds measured from 16 sleeping infants and how it changes with repeated stimulus presentation. We observed a positive peak followed by a wide negative trough, with the latter being most evident in early epochs. We argue that the overall response morphology captures the effects of two simultaneous, but independent, response mechanisms that are both activated at the stimulus onset: one being the obligatory response to a sound stimulus by the auditory system, and the other being a neural suppression effect induced by the arousal system. Because the two effects behave differently with repeated epochs, it is possible to mathematically separate them and use fNIRS to study factors that affect the development and activation of the arousal system in infants. The results also imply that standard fNIRS analysis techniques need to be adjusted to take into account the possibilities of multiple simultaneous brain systems being activated and that the response to a stimulus is not necessarily stationary.
The Use of Surface Plasmon Resonance to Study the Interactions of
Proteins Involved in Conformational Diseases: Experimental
Approaches for New Therapeutical Perspectives
Authors: Zingale Gabriele Antonio , Distefano Alessia , Grasso Giuseppe 
Published: January 2023

Abstract:
In recent years, the scientific community has been trying to tackle different diseases
by using unifying and holistic approaches based on the concept that it is possible to
target apparently very different diseases under a comprehensive general scheme. In other
words, various different diseases have been grouped together under the label of “conformational
diseases”, because the triggering cause for each malady is the misfolding of a
specific protein, whose dyshomeostasis and accumulation cause all the other downhill
biomolecular events characteristic of each different disease. In a parallel manner, analytical
techniques have developed to investigate protein misfolding and accumulation, so as
to give a valid technical support to the investigation of conformational diseases. In this
scenario, surface plasmon resonance (SPR) has widely contributed to study many different
aspects correlated to conformational diseases, offering the advantages of real time investigations,
use of small amounts of biological materials and possibility to mimic the cellular
environments without recurring to the use of fluorescent tags. In this review, after a
brief introduction about conformational diseases and the SPR technique, a thorough description
of the various uses of SPR to investigate the biomolecular mechanisms involved
in these diseases is given in order to provide the reader with an exhaustive list as
well as a critical perspective of the use of SPR for such topic. The case of Alzheimer’s
disease is discussed at a deeper level. We hope that this work will make the reader aware
of all the possible SPR experimental approaches, which can be used to develop new possible
therapeutic strategies to tackle conformational diseases.
Flavonoids-mediated TLR4 Inhibition as a Promising Therapy for Renal Diseases
Authors: Mahmoud Ayman M. , Sayed Ahmed M. , Ahmeda Ahmed F. , Abd-Alhameed Esraa K. , Salem Shimaa H. , Alruhaimi Reem S. , Shukur Ali , Hassanein Emad H.M. 
Published: January 2023

Abstract:Toll-like receptors (TLRs) control both innate and adaptive immunity with a wide expression on renal epithelial cells and leukocytes. Activation of TLRs results in the production of cytokines, chemokines and interferons along with activation of the transcription factor NF-κB, resulting in inflammatory perturbations. TLR4 signaling pathway is the most extensively studied of TLRs. TLR4 is expressed on renal microvascular endothelial and tubular epithelial cells. So, targeting TLR4 modulation could be a therapeutic approach to attenuate kidney diseases that are underlined by inflammatory cascade. Medicinal plants with anti-inflammatory activities display valuable effects and are employed as alternative sources to alleviate renal disease linked with inflammation. Flavonoids and other phytochemicals derived from traditional medicines possess promising pharmacological activities owing to their relatively cheap and high safety profile. Our review focuses on the potent anti-inflammatory activities of twenty phytochemicals to verify if their potential promising renoprotective effects are related to suppression of TLR4 signaling in different renal diseases, including sepsis-induced acute kidney injury, renal fibrosis, chemotherapy-induced nephrotoxicity, diabetic nephropathy and renal ischemia/reperfusion injury. Additionally, molecular docking simulations were employed to explore the potential binding affinity of these phytochemicals to TLR4 as a strategy to attenuate renal diseases associated with activated TLR4 signaling.
Herb-Drug Interactions and Their Impact on Pharmacokinetics: An Update
Authors: Cheng Wenhao , Xia Kexin , Wu Siyang , Li Yingfei 
Published: January 2023

Abstract:Herb medicine has a long history of application and is still used worldwide. With the development of complementary and alternative medicine, the interaction between herb and drugs has attracted more and more attention. Herb-drug interactions (HDI) could cause decreased efficiency, increased toxicity, and affect the drug absorption and disposition processes due to the interference of their pharmacological or pharmacokinetic effects. Hence, the mechanisms and results of herb-pharmacokinetic interactions should be comprehensively summarized. Here, we have summarized the mechanisms of HDI and pharmacokinetic interactions in the last ten years based on searching on PubMed, Science Direct, and Web of Science with different keywords. Besides, the pharmacokinetic interactions were related to nine commonly used herbs and drugs, including Ginseng, Salvia miltiorrhiza, Ginkgo biloba, Garlic, Coptis chinensis, St. John's wort, Ginger, Licorice, Silythistle and Fructus Schisandrae. This review provides an overview of HDI to provide a reference for the rational and safe clinical use of herbs and drugs.
Poly(Glutamic Acid)-Engineered Nanoplatforms for Enhanced Cancer
Phototherapy
Authors: Zhang Yu , Lu Yiming , Li Yicong , Xu Yixin , Song Wenliang 
Published: January 2023

Abstract:
Phototherapies, including photothermal therapy and photodynamic therapy, have gained
booming development over the past several decades for their attractive non-invasiveness nature, negligible
adverse effects, minimal systemic toxicity, and high spatial selectivity. Phototherapy usually requires
three components: light irradiation, photosensitizers, and molecular oxygen. Photosensitizers can
convert light energy into heat or reactive oxygen species, which can be used in the tumor-killing process.
The direct application of photosensitizers in tumor therapy is restricted by their poor water solubility,
fast clearance, severe toxicity, and low cellular uptake. The encapsulation of photosensitizers into
nanostructures is an attractive strategy to overcome these critical limitations. Poly(glutamic acid) (PGA)
is a kind of poly(amino acid)s containing the repeating units of glutamic acid. PGA has superiority for
cancer treatment because of its good biocompatibility, low immunogenicity, and modulated pH responsiveness.
The hydrophilicity nature of PGA allows the physical entrapment of photosensitizers and anticancer
drugs via the construction of amphiphilic polymers. Moreover, the pendent carboxyl groups of
PGA enable chemical conjugation with therapeutic agents. In this mini-review, we highlight the stateof-
the-art design and fabrication of PGA-based nanoplatforms for phototherapy. We also discuss the
potential challenges and future perspectives of phototherapy, and clinical translation of PGA-based
nanomedicines.