bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
What has recommended Antenatal Care utilisation got to do with optimal intake of IPTp-SP among rural women aged 15-49 in Nigeria?: A population-based surveys
Authors: Salihu Tarif , Boakye Kingsley , Ayerakwah Patience Ansomah , Dorgbetor Cyprian Issahaku , Owusu-Ansah Efua , Boateng George , Apenteng Georgina , Opoku Douglas Aninng , Attua Ama Asamaniwa , Adam Fuseini , Fenteng Justice Ofosu-Darko , Appiah Francis 
Published: September 2022

Abstract

Background
Missing the WHO-recommended ANC visits augments the risk of receiving a sub-optimal level of Intermittent-preventive treatment of malaria in pregnancy using Sulphadoxine-Pyrimethamine (IPTp-SP). Earlier reports found low utilisation of IPTp-SP among rural women in Nigeria. This study seeks to examine the relationship between the recommended ANC visits and optimal IPTp-SP uptake among rural women aged 15–49 in Nigeria.
Methods
We used data from the Female files of 2008, 2013, and 2018 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) waves. A sample of 9,085 women aged 15 to 49 with pregnancy history and complete information about the variables of interest were included in our analysis. Optimal intake of IPTp-SP was the outcome variable in this study (i.e., receiving three or more doses of IPTp-SP during pregnancy). The main explanatory variable for this study was recommended ANC visits defined as having four or more ANC visits. At 95% confidence interval, logistic regression was conducted to examine the association between recommended ANC and optimal intake of IPTp-SP.
Results
Descriptively, 29% (n = 2,644, CI = 0.28–0.30) of the rural women aged 15–49 received the optimal level of IPTp-SP. Inferentially, we found a higher likelihood of optimal IPTp-SP intake among women who met the recommended ANC visits [aOR = 1.44, CI = 1.29–1.61] compared to women that did not. The rich exhibited a lower likelihood of optimal level of IPTp-SP intake [aOR = 0.81, CI = 0.70–0.94]. Muslims had a higher likelihood of receiving an optimal intake of IPTp-SP [aOR = 1.32, CI = 1.15–1.53]. South East residents had a higher likelihood of receiving an optimal level of IPTp-SP [aOR = 2.54, CI = 2.09–3.10], while the likelihood of optimal uptake of IPTp-SP reduced among residents in the North West [aOR = 0.46, CI = 0.40–0.54].
Conclusion
Uptake of WHO-recommended optimal level of IPTp-SP was found to be low, which was linked mainly to the number of ANC visits. The results of this study call for implementing operational strategies, including Transforming IPT for Optimal Pregnancy in rural Nigeria. Appropriate prenatal care visits must be promoted to ensure accessibility of IPTp-SP in rural Nigeria. We suggest health education and awareness creation through mass media targeting women across the six geographical zones, particularly in North West Nigeria.
On Feasibility of roll-stamp forming variable-sectional metal channels
Authors: Lu Kaijun , Liang Zhenye , Zou Tianxia , Wang Yongkai , Li Dayong , Ding Shichao , Xiao Hua , Shi Lei , Peng Yinghong 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Sheet metal channels with variable sections or local features have been widely used in automobile and construction industries, and novel forming techniques, such as flexible roll forming process, flexibly-reconfigurable roll forming process, Deakin’s flexible forming facility and chain-die forming recently have been developed to manufacture those channels. In this paper, the feasibility of chain-die forming technique to manufacture channels with variable sections are systematically investigated through experiment and finite element simulation by taking 6 types of channel products as demonstration, including three variable-width and three variable-depth profiles. The forming process of the channels shows a combination of roll forming and stamping, and this roll-stamp mode is greatly potential in manufacturing a wide variety of channels with variable cross-sections. The formability for roll-stamp forming variable-depth channels is evaluated through finite element simulation and forming limit diagram. The roll-stamp mode can be discomposed into roll forming longitudinally and stamping vertically, and can achieve a reduction in forming load by the maximum of 33.9% compared with the conventional stamping in forming the flange step product. The forming direction sensitivity of the variable-width feature is discussed from the aspect of web arch height development.
A Scalable Derivative-free Exploration Approach for Reinforcement Learning
Authors: Chen Xiong-Hui 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Exploration in complex environments remains a challenge for deep reinforcement learning (RL). Derivative-free optimization (DFO), which provides efficient black-box solution sampling mechanisms, is a potential way to address this issue. Recent studies which inject these mechanisms into RL have shown better exploration abilities than derivative-based policy optimization methods. However, we found that these methods suffer from low sample efficiency in high-dimensional policy parameter space, which limits the adaptability of these methods in complex tasks requiring large neural networks to represent well-performed policies. In this paper, we propose a scalable exploration algorithm based on derivative-free optimization, named Scalable Derivative-free Exploration (SDFE), which improves exploration in complex RL problems. SDFE handles the high-dimensional policy searching problem by optimizing policy in a transformed small parameter space of policy, rather than the original parameter space of the policy neural network. SDFE is a general framework that is compatible with derivative-free optimization methods and off-policy policy-based algorithms. In experiments, we instantiate SDFE with two derivative-free optimization algorithms (SRACOS and CMAES) and three off-policy actor-critic algorithms (SAC, ACER, and DDPG), to show its efficiency and adaptability. We conduct experiments on MuJoCo tasks and 42 pixel-based games in Atari, empirically verifying that SDFE can reach better performance with a competitive number of samples on both tasks.
Particle size composition characteristics of weathered debris from grey-green slate under the action of freeze-thaw and dry-wet cycles
Authors: wang jie , Li Wangcheng , Mu Min , Chen Jihong , li yangyang , liu huaru , su qikun 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
The material basis for soil formation is rock weathering debris. Understanding the particle size composition characteristics of rock weathering debris and its impacts is important for improving the soil structure of dry farmland in the central dry zone of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. In this study, the particle sizes of weathered debris collected from grey-green slate after indoor simulations of freeze-thaw and dry-wet cycle tests were examined. The results were as follows: (1) Under 16 treatments, the weathering debris of grey-green slate contained about 10% or less very fine sand and coarse silt, while clay, fine silt, and fine sand were the most abundant sizes (at least 60% of the total). (2) Under each treatment, the average particle size of the grey-green slate weathered debris was 5.52 (silt grade). The overall skewness was high, but the symmetry was poor. The particle size frequency distribution curve had many broad peaks or multiple peaks. (3) The fractal dimension was associated with very fine silt, but had a strong negative correlation with fine sand and medium-coarse sand. The results indicate that fractal dimension can reflect the grain size characteristics of weathered debris. The mineral element content of the grey-green slate somewhat affected the fractal dimension, and it positively correlated with environmental electrical conductivity (EC) and element-leaching amount; it negatively correlated with particle size, temperature, and pH. According to the findings, the fractal dimension can accurately represent the particle size distribution of weathered debris. The generation of grey-green slate weathering debris should be considered in the formation and development of local soil.
Se-Methylselenocysteine inhibits proliferation and migration of anaplastic thyroid carcinoma cells through the ROS-ERK1/2 signaling pathway
Authors: Luo Zuojie , Ban Bixiu , Ma Yan , Yang Haiyan , Huang Zhenxing , Kuang Yaqi , Liu Yuping , Wu Xizhen , Lu Decheng , Li Li , Xian Jing , Qin Yingfen , Liang Xinghuan 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Se-Methylselenocysteine (MSC) is a major organic selenium compound that possesses anticancer activity. However, the antitumor effect of MSC in anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC) remains to be investigated. In this study, the two human ATC cell lines 8305 and BHT101 were used to examine the potential antitumor effect of MSC in ATC. Cell viability was measured using Cell Counting Kit-8, and the migration ability of the cells was evaluated by Transwell assays. The 2,7-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate(DCFH-DA) was used to analyze reactive oxygen species production. Changes in extracellular regulated-protein kinases 1/2 (ERK1/2) and phosphorylation level of ERK1/2 proteins were analyzed by western blotting in 8505C and BHT101 cells. The results indicated that MSC dose-dependently inhibited proliferation and migration of ATC cells.MSC also decreased the phosphorylation level of ERK1/2 and increased intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS ) level in ATC cells.The inhibitory effect of MSC on ERK1/2 signaling was reversed by a ROS scavenger.In conclusion, MSC exerted its antitumor activity in ATC cells by inhibiting ERK1/2 signaling via a ROS-dependent pathway. Therefore, our results suggested that MSC had potential clinical value in the treatment of ATC.
Exploring the Replacement of Toxic Mercury UV Lamp using AlGaN Tunnel Junction in 254 nm-Band DUV LED
Authors: Sharif M. Nawaz , Khan M. Ajmal , Wali Qamar. , Ayub Khalid. , Zhang Aoxiang. , Wang Fang. , Liu Yuhuai. 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
In the past, low-pressure mercury (Hg) -based deep-ultraviolet (DUV) lamps have been widely used for DUV applications. The exposure of pathogen to DUV radiation at 254 nm emission has been proven to be an effective way of their inactivation in unmanned environment. However, the low-pressure mercury (Hg) DUV lamps are toxic in nature and it consumes a lot of power too. Therefore, in this work, smart and clean single tunnel junction (TJ) AlGaN-based DUV light-emitting diode (LED) at 254 nm peak wavelength has been proposed. The simulated conventional DUV LED device has maximum internal quantum efficiency (IQE) of 50 % with an efficiency droop of 18 % under 200 A/cm2. The performance of the conventional LED can be improved by employing a 5 nm-thin single layer AlGaN TJ. The calculated result shows that AlGaN TJ-based LED has a maximum IQE of 62 % with an efficiency droop of 15 % under higher injection current. In addition, the TJ LED emitted power has been improved by 34 % compared to the conventional LED structure. Such efficient AlGaN DUV LED at 254 nm emission wavelength will be an effective replacement of Hg-DUV lamp in the future.
Potential Role of Doravirine for the Treatment of Patients with Transmitted Drug Resistance
Authors: Rhee Soo-Yon , Schapiro Jonathan M. , Saladini Francesco , Zazzi Maurizio , Khoo Saye , Shafer Robert W. 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Background: Doravirine has a unique resistance profile but how this profile might increase its usefulness beyond first-line therapy in persons with susceptible viruses has not been well studied. We sought to determine scenarios in which doravirine would retain activity against isolates from ART-naïve persons with transmitted drug resistance (TDR) and to identify gaps in available doravirine susceptibility data.Methods: We analyzed published in vitro doravirine susceptibility data and applied the results to 42,535 RT sequences from ART-naïve persons published between 2017 and 2021. NNRTI-resistance mutations (DRMs) were defined as those with a Stanford HIV Drug Resistance Database doravirine penalty score either alone or in combination with other mutations.Results: V106A, Y188L, F227C/L, M230L, and Y318F were associated with the greatest reductions in doravirine susceptibility. However, several DRMs and DRM combinations lacking these canonical resistance mutations had >10-fold reduced susceptibility including G190E, one isolate with G190S, three isolates with L100I+K103N, one isolate with K103N+P225H, and isolates with L100I+K103N+V108I and K101E+Y181C+G190A. Of the 42,535 ART-naïve sequences, 3,374 (7.9%) contained a DRM of which 2,788 (82.6%) contained 1 DRM (n=33 distinct mutations), 426 (12.6%) contained 2 DRMs (79 distinct pairs of mutations), and 143 (4.2%) contained ³3 DRMs (86 distinct mutation patterns). Among the 2,788 sequences with one DRM, 112 (4.0%) were associated with ³3.0-fold reduced doravirine susceptibility while 2,625 (94.2%) were associated with <3.0-fold reduced susceptibility. Data were not available for individual DRMs in 51 sequences (1.8%). Among the 426 sequences with two DRMs, 180 (42.3%) were associated with ³3.0 fold reduced doravirine susceptibility while just 32 (7.5%) had <3.0 fold reduced susceptibility. Data were not available for 214 (50.2%) sequences containing 2 DRMs. Conclusions: First-line therapy containing doravirine plus two NRTIs is expected to be effective in treating most persons with TDR as more than 80% of TDR sequences had a single DRM and as more than 90% with a single DRM were expected to be susceptible to doravirine. However, caution is required for the use of doravirine in persons with more than one DRM even if none of the DRMs are canonical doravirine-resistance mutations.
Zinc oxide nanoparticles induce toxicity in H9c2 rat cardiomyoblasts
Authors: Mendoza-Milla Criselda , Macías Fernanda Isabel Macías , Delgado Kimberly Abigail Velázquez , Rodríguez Manuel Alejandro Herrera , Colín-Val Zaira , Ramos-Godinez María del Pilar , Cano-Martínez Agustina , Vega-Miranda Anita , Robledo-Cadena Diana Xochiquetzal , Delgado‐Buenrostro Norma Laura , Chirino Yolanda Irasema , López-Marure Rebeca 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Background
Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) are widely used in the cosmetic industry. They are nano-optical and nano-electrical devices, and their antimicrobial properties are applied in food packaging and medicine. ZnO NPs penetrate the body by inhalation, oral and dermal exposure and spread through circulation to various systems and organs. Since the cardiovascular system is one of the most vulnerable ones, in this work we studied ZnO NPs toxicity in H9c2 rat cardiomyoblasts.
Methods
Cardiac cells were exposed to different concentrations of ZnO NPs and then measured morphology, proliferation, viability, mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm), redox state and protein expression.
Results
Transmission electronic microscopy (TEM) and hematoxylin/eosin (H/E) staining showed strong morphological damage. ZnO NPs were not observed inside cells, suggesting Zn2+ ions were internalized, causing the damage. ZnO NPs strongly inhibited cell proliferation and MTT reduction at 10 and 20 µg/cm2 after 72 h of treatment. ZnO NPs at 20 µg/cm2 elevated DCF fluorescence indicating alterations in cellular redox state, associated with changes in ΔΨm and cell death. ZnO NPs also reduced troponin I and atrial natriuretic peptide expression.
Conclusions
ZnO NPs are toxic for cardiac cells, therefore consumption of products containing them could cause heart damage and develop cardiovascular diseases.
Health risk assessment of lead on preschool children in a typical heavy metal polluted area
Authors: Du Yue , Ai Shiwei , He Jie , Gu Huilin , Wang Xiaoxue , Li Zhilan , Dang Yuhui 
Published: September 2022

Abstract

Mining activities exert a far-reaching impact on environmental quality, and health problems caused by lead (Pb) pollution have always attracted global attention. In this study, exposure pathways through various media in Baiyin city ( a typical heavy metal polluted area) and health risks of local preschool children to Pb were investigated. Results showed that Pb concentrations of Spinach, Tomato, Cushaw, Lettuce, Broad bean, Pea, Eggplant and Radish exceeded the standards (GB 2762 − 2017), and 42.86% of soil samples exceeded screening values (GB 15618 − 2018). The non-carcinogenic risk was as high as 3.78, and oral ingestion was the main exposure pathway which accounted for 94.60% of non-carcinogenic risk. Moreover, vegetables and wheat were the major contributors in oral ingestion pathway, and the younger preschoolers were, the more susceptible they were to Pb exposure. Furthermore, the carcinogenic risk of local preschoolers was 6.02E-06, which was acceptable. Monte Carlo simulation showed that concentration of medium was the most sensitive parameter on the health risk assessment results. In conclusion, Pb pollution in this area put preschoolers at a non-carcinogenic risk from eating vegetables and wheat.
Long noncoding RNA RP3-340N1.2 affects the progression of lung adenocarcinoma cell lines by targeting miR-134-5p
Authors: Li Wei , Pan Yuemei , Jing Qi , Zhao Qianqian , Sun Zhi , Wang Chuanxi 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Background
With the development of molecular biotechnology and related databases, increasing numbers of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been proven to play important roles in the occurrence and development of tumors.
Results
In this study, we identified a novel lncRNA, RP3-340N1.2, which has not been reported as associated with lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). Our results showed that the expression level of RP3-340N1.2 was upregulated significantly in three LUAD cell lines (A549, NCIH1299, and NCIH1975) and lentivirus-mediated knockdown of RP3-340N1.2 inhibited the differentiation, proliferation, migration, invasion, cell cycle, and other biological processes of tumor cells significantly. Bioinformatic software predicted the downstream target of RP3-340N1.2, which was verified using dual luciferase assays and other methods. We found that RP3-340N1.2 could competitively bind miR-134-5p in LUAD cells, and this microRNA has a significant regulatory effect on the expression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), which leads to increased migration and invasion of LUAD cells. This discovery provided a possible mechanism by which RP3340N1.2 participates in the development of LUAD.
Conclusions
In conclusion, our results showed that RP3340N1.2 regulates the expression of EGFR indirectly by targeting miR-134-5p, thereby promoting the progression of LUAD. Therefore, RP3-340N1.2 might become a valuable biomarker and therapeutic target in LUAD.
The interplay between systolic blood pressure, sauna bathing, and cardiovascular mortality in middle-aged and older Finnish men: a cohort study
Authors: Laukkanen Jari Antero , Jae Sae Young , Kauhanen Jussi , Kunutsor Setor K 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Elevated systolic blood pressure (SBP) is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) death, whereas frequent sauna bathing is associated with a reduced CVD mortality. However, whether frequent sauna bathing mitigates CVD mortality among adults with elevated SBP has not been previously investigated. We examined the prospective associations of SBP-frequency of sauna bathing (FSB) phenotype with the risk of CVD mortality in a cohort of Caucasian men. The Kuopio Ischaemic Heart Disease Study cohort comprising of 2,575 men aged 42–61 years at baseline was employed for this analysis. Resting blood pressure was measured using a standardized protocol and sauna bathing habits were assessed by a self-administered questionnaire. Systolic blood pressure was categorized as normal and high (< 140 and ≥ 140 mmHg, respectively) and FSB as low and high (defined as ≤ 2 and 3–7 sessions/week, respectively).A total of 744 CVD deaths were recorded during a median follow-up of 27.8 year. Comparing high vs normal SBP, the multivariable-adjusted HR (95% CI) for CVD mortality was 1.48 (1.27–1.73), which persisted on further adjustment for FSB 1.48 (1.27–1.73). Comparing high vs low FSB, the multivariable-adjusted HR (95% CI) for CVD mortality was 0.79 (0.65–0.96), which persisted after adjustment for SBP 0.80 (0.66–0.96). Compared with men with normal SBP-low FSB, high SBP-low FSB was associated with an increased risk of CVD mortality 1.46 (1.23–1.73), with no evidence of an association for men with high SBP and high FSB 1.21 (0.90–1.62). Positive additive interactions (RERI = 0.02) were found between SBP and FSB in relation to CVD mortality. There exists an interplay between SBP, sauna bathing and CVD mortality risk in middle-aged and older Caucasian males. Engaging in frequent sauna baths may be an important lifestyle strategy for mitigating the risk of CVD mortality associated with high SBP.
Identification of deregulated circular RNA circ-0008102 as novel biomarker in pediatric β-thalassemia patients
Authors: Chen Meihuan , Pan Yali , Zhang YanHong , Zheng Junhao , Zhang Siwen , Lin Na , Xu Liangpu , huang Hailong 
Published: September 2022

Abstract
Circular RNA circ-0008102 has previously been found upregulated in β-thalassemia (β-thal) in circRNAs microarray. Our study aimed to identify whether circ-0008102 could be a novel biomarker in β-thal. qRT-PCR confirmed that the expression levels of circ-0008102 in pediatric β-thal patients with HbF ≥ 5.0% (n = 26) were significantly higher than that in pediatric β-thal patients with HbF < 5.0% (n = 33) and healthy controls (n = 30). ROC curves analysis showed that the AUC of circ-0008102 for differentiating patients with HbF ≥ 5.0% from patients with HbF < 5.0% and healthy controls with an AUC of 0.774 and 0.702, respectively. Furthermore, circ-0008102 expression was positively correlated with the levels of HbF, GGT, β-globin and γ-globin mRNA, but was negatively corrected with the levels of MCV, MCH, HbA and Cr. circ-0008102 was mainly located in the cytoplasm, and its five highest-ranking candidates miRNAs were miR-372-3p, miR-329-5p, miR-198, miR-152-5p and miR-627-3p. 651 mRNAs regulated by these miRNAs were found based on bioinformatics analysis, and enrichment analysis of circ-0008102/miRNAs/mRNAs network showed these mRNAs were involved in DNA binding and transcription regulatory region binding, and were associated with Th17 cell differentiation and stem cell pluripotency signaling pathways. In conclusion, we preliminary proved that peripheral blood deregulated circ-0008102 might be an effective biomarker for detection of pediatric β-thal with high HbF. circ-0008102 participates in the pathogenesis of β-thal through regulating γ-globin expression, which needs to be investigated further.