bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Describing Polymers Synthesized from Reducing Sugars and Ammonia Employing FTIR Spectroscopy
Authors: Mohsin Ghassan Faisal , Al-Kaabi Wasan J. , Alzubaidi Azalldeen Kazal 
Published: May 2022

Melanoidins can be diagnosed using the Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) technique. UV/Vis is an effective tool for both qualitative and quantitative analysis of chemical components in melanoidin polymers. The structural and vibrational features of melanoidin synthesized from D-glucose and D-fructose are identical, according to FTIR spectra, with the only difference being the intensity of bands. Using FTIR spectra, the skeleton of melanoidin is divided into seven major regions. The existence of the C=C, C=N, and C=O groups in all melanoidins formed from fructose and glucose with ammonia is confirmed by the areas ranging from 1600 to 1690 cm-1, and the band is largely evident as a broad shoulder. Both melanoidins have a carboxyl or carbonyl extending around 1700 cm-1. In all melanoidins, the NH+ group has vanished in the 3080 cm-1 range. However, the color intensity depends on the type of sugar employed in melanoidin synthesis. Furthermore, in comparison to Glc-ammonia, which has a higher proportion of sp3 hybridized carbon, Fru-ammonia has a higher proportion of sp2 hybridized carbon based on UV/Vis, FTIR and second-derivative spectra. Moreover, the data were simulated using principal component analysis. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to interpret the data.
Synthesis, Spectral Identification, Antibacterial Evaluationand Theoretical Study of Co, Fe, Rh and Pd Complexes for 2-benzoylthiobenzimidazol
Authors: Ibraheem Israa H. , Sadiq Amaal S. , Al-Tameemi Maha , Alias Mahasin F. 
Published: May 2022

A new novel series of metalcomplexes are prepared from reactions between 2-benzoylthio- benzimidazole (L) with metal salts of Co (II) , Fe(III) and Rh (III) , while Pd(II) complex was obtained by mixing ligandsof 2-benzoylthiobenzimidazole (L) as primary ligand and bipyridine (L/)as secondary ligand as well as palladium chloride as metal salt in an ethanoic medium. The geometry of these compounds were identified using C.H.N.microanalysis, Ultraviolet–visible, Fourier transforms infrared, magnetic susceptibility, molar conductivity and flame atomic absorption (A.A). From the dataobtained by these spectral analyses, the molecular structures for Rh and Fe complexes were proposed to be octahedral geometry. A square planar construction is proposed for Pd(II), while a Tetrahedral Geometry for Cobalt (II)complex. All of the complexes which were prepared displayedobviousconstancy and could be stored for months without showing any considerablealteration. Semi-empirical methods (ZINDO/1, ZINDO/S & PM3) were conducted to assess the heat of formation ∆H˚f, binding energy ∆Eb, and dipole moment for all compounds as theoretic study. The complexes expressnotable biological activities to pathogenic bacteria when inspected on certain bacteria. The synthesized compounds exhibited moderate toverygood antibacterial activity against bacterial strains, i.e., Escherichiacoli, Staphylococcus aureus & Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
Access, utilization, and barriers to using malaria protection tools in migrants to Iran
Authors: Okati-Aliabad Hassan , Ansari-Moghaddam Alireza , Mohammadi Mahdi , Nejati Jalil , Ranjbar Mansour , Raeisi Ahmad , Kolifarhood Godarz , Shahraki-Sanavi Fariba , Khorram Alireza 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Background: Imported malaria cases could be considered one of the threats to malaria elimination. Therefore, increasing migrants’ access to malaria preventive measures can play an essential role in maintaining appropriate conditions and preventing malaria outbreaks. This study aimed to provide detailed information about access, utilization, and barriers to using malaria protection tools in migrants to Iran.Methods: This study was conducted in a vast region consisting of 4 provinces and 38 cities located in the south and southeast of the country. Study participants were migrants who moved to the study area in the past three months. A sample of 4163 migrants participated in the study. They were selected through a multi-stage sampling method to obtain a representative community sample. Data were collected through interviewer-administered questionnaires about participants’ socio-demographic specification, commuting characteristics, travel aim, access, ways of preparing, and reasons to use or not to use malaria protection tools. Quantitative and qualitative variables were described and analyzed finally.Results: The mean age of individuals was 28.6±10.8, with a range of 3-88 years old. Migrants’ country of origin was Afghanistan (56.6%), Pakistan (38.4%), and Iran (5%). Most migrants (69.2%) did not have malaria protection tools while staying in Iran. Among those who prepared the protection tools, 74% used long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs), 13.4% used mosquito repellent sticks and coil, and 12.7% did not use any tools. Respectively, lack of knowledge about where they can get LLINs, followed by being expensive, unavailability in the market, not cooperation of health officer, and no need to use were expressed as the causes for having no access. The main reasons for non-using the tools were lack of knowledge about their application, followed by a defect in protection tools, ineffectiveness, and being harmful, respectively. Migrants who supported with an employer accessed more to LLINs. Conclusion: This study reveals significant shortcomings in knowledge, access, and utilization of malaria protection tools among migrants in Iran. Inequitable access to public health services is predictable during migration; however, access to sustainable protection tools is recommended.
Identifying Key Genes and Functionally Enriched Pathways in B cells from Peripheral Blood of Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients by Bioinformatics Analysis and Validation
Authors: Wu Fengping , Gao Jinfang , Zhao Xingxing , Kang Jie , Wang Xuexue , Niu Qing , Liu Jiaxi , Zhang Liyun 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Rheumatoid arthritis is a common chronic inflammatory disease. B cells are critical for the development of RA, but so far, we still know little about the role of B cells in the pathogenesis of RA. In the present study, we downloaded mRNA expression profiles of B cells from the peripheral blood (BCPB) of 7 RA patients and 9 healthy people from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Using weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) in conjunction with differentially expressed gene (DEGs) analysis, we identified 23 RA-trait different expression genes. In the subsequent protein protein interaction (PPI) network constructed by RA-trait DEGs, we eventually identified 5 hub genes (TLR8, CCR2, CX3CR1, GIMAP6 and C1QA). Compared with healthy people, these hub genes are significantly highly expressed in BCPB of RA patients in the dataset GSE4588. qRT-PCR results showed TLR8, CCR2, CX3CR1 were compatible with our bioinformatics analyses. Combined with other biological interpretations, our current study might provide a basis for identifying key genes and potential pathways related to the pathogenesis of BCPB of RA patients.
Identification of cryptic neoepitopes generated by chimeric transcripts in ovarian cancer
Authors: Dixit Vaishnavi M , Wagle Arpita K , Bapat Sharmila 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Peptides identified in a customized targeted database were assessed for antigenicity. Further docking of peptide – MHC as well as peptide-MHC-TCR complexes provided proof-of-concept of antigenicity. Considerable recent interest lies in the immunogenicity of non-canonical neoantigens generated by alternative ORFs emerging from non-synonymous mutations or nucleotide insertions and deletions, exonization of untranslated regions of the genome, non-coding transcripts, transposable elements, etc. Amongst these ‘cryptic’ epitopes, those derived from chimeric transcripts which harbor sequences derived from more than one gene remain undefined, since the translational potential and immunogenicity of these transcripts is relatively unexplored. The present study was hence designed to predict and assess the neoepitopes generated by chimeric transcripts in ovarian cancer. Using a customized targeted database, we identified peptides uniquely generated by such transcripts, expressed either as reading-frame or sense/anti-sense isoforms. Further assessment of the antigenicity of these peptides identified a small number of putative neoepitopes that are likely to be presented to MHC-I in an allele-specific manner, and further recognized by specific TCRs. Effectively, such generation of chimeric molecules by relaxed rigidity of canonical transcription and translation may present opportunities in immunotherapy.
The contribution of corporate tax to the Sustainable Development Goals in Sub-Saharan Africa employing econometric modelling: a case study of Vodafone
Authors: Hannah Eilish , O'Hare Bernadette , Lopez Marisol , Etter-Phoya Rachel , Murray Stuart , Hall Stephen 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Background:We are not on track to reach many of the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) targets for 2030. The under-5 mortality and maternal mortality rates are well below the target, and if progress continues in the same way it has in recent years, we will not meet our goal by 2030. The decline in child and maternal mortality since 1990 has mainly resulted from increased coverage of sanitation, drinking water, education, and health services. When governments have more income, they spend more on public services, which increases access to fundamental economic and social rights and, thus, contributes towards the SDGs. Taxation constitutes 70% of government revenue in low-income countries, and corporate income tax contributes much more than high-income countries. Therefore, corporate taxation plays a vital role in SDG progress.This paper aims to demonstrate the contribution of one large taxpayer that publishes their tax payments (Vodafone Group Plc) on the progress towards SDGs 3, 4, and 6 in six African countries. We use econometric modelling to estimate the impact of an increase in government revenue equivalent to Vodafone's average tax paid between 2007-2017. Results:We find it results in almost 400,000 people accessing clean water, nearly 700,000 accessing basic sanitation, 15,175 children spending an extra year in school. As a result, over ten years, an additional 9,165 children under five years and 1,325 mothers would survive. Conclusions: These findings demonstrate that the contributions from a single multinational corporation can drive progress towards the SDGs. Furthermore, it highlights the importance of paying fair tax and explores the responsibilities of global institutions, governments, investors, and multinational corporations.
Modeling the impact of past and future land cover changes on a reservoir catchment hydrology in Semi-arid, Africa
Authors: Atulley Joan , Kwaku Adjei A. , Owusu-Ansah Emanuel D. , Ampofo Steve , Jacob Analem , Nii Odai S. 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Land-use change influences watershed hydrology and eventually, the sustainability of reservoirs. Understanding how reservoir catchment land use dynamic influences hydrology is imperative to devise effective land management and planning strategies for sustainable management of reservoir storage. This study evaluated the response of hydrological components of the Vea reservoir catchment (a sub-catchment of the White Volta Basin in West Africa) to past, present, and future land-use change scenarios (1985, 1996, 2006, 2020, 2030, 2040) using the Soil Water Assessment Tool (SWAT). The model performed satisfactorily with NSE values of 0.738 and 0.782 for calibration and validation respectively. The land cover change analysis revealed a continuous increase in farmland and built-up areas from 1986 to the projected 2040 resulting in increased Curved Numbers (CN). The model results revealed that an increase in CN from 81.26 to 86.06 between 1986 and projected 2040 resulted in a -7.8% and − 26.2% decrease in ET and base flow respectively, 46.9%, and 5.1% increase in surface runoff, and water yield respectively. Despite the general decline in base flow, the seasonal trend shows that base flow extends to January, indicating that the shallow aquifer store enough water that can be extracted for dry season gardening. While vegetation restoration is critical to reducing eroded sediment yield from the catchment to guarantee reservoir storage, constructing dams and dugouts within the catchment to harness the high surface runoff water for irrigation and livestock watering in the long dry season is also needful.
The ecological fallout of renewable energy under varying ecological gaps: Do institutional quality and information and communication technologies matter?
Authors: Hadj Tarek Bel , Ghodbane Adel , Mohamed Ezzedine Ben , Alfalih Abdullah Abdulmohsen 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
The environmental challenges are currently placed at the forefront in order to achieve sustainable development. Although existing studies have largely examined the underlying factors of the environmental sustainability, the institutional quality and the role of ICTs still insufficiently investigated. The aim of this paper is to clarify the role played by institutional quality and information and communication technologies (ICTs) to mitigate environmental degradation at different scales of the ecological gap. The results of panel quantile regression applied to fourteen selected Middle East and CIS countries from 1984 to 2017 reveal that the rule of law in countries with high ecological gap and the control of corruption in countries with medium and high ecological gaps reinforce the effects of renewable energy in reducing environmental degradation. In addition, our findings show that the positive effects of renewable energy on environmental degradation are supported by the Internet use and the mobile use in countries with medium and high ecological gaps. In the case of selected countries, the rule of law, control of corruption, Internet use and mobile use are not able to decline the ecological gap. However, environmental degradation is mitigated by financial development in countries with low ecological gaps. Urbanization has perverse effects on the environment across all quantiles. The findings from this paper can serve decision-makers in terms of environmental sustainability given the globalizing and conditional approach followed.
The Convex Uncertain Voronoi Diagram for Safe Multi-Robot Multi-Target Tracking Under Localization Uncertainty
Authors: Chen Jun , Dames Philip 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Accurately detecting, localizing, and tracking an unknown and time-varying number of dynamic targets using a team of mobile robots is a challenging problem that requires robots to reason about the uncertainties in their collected measurements. The problem is made more challenging when robots are uncertain about their own states, as this makes it difficult to both collectively localize targets and avoid collisions with one another. In this paper, we introduce the convex uncertain Voronoi (CUV) diagram, a generalization of the standard Voronoi diagram that accounts for the uncertain pose of each individual robot. We then use the CUV diagram to develop distributed multi-target tracking and coverage control algorithms that enable teams of mobile robots to account for bounded uncertainty in the location of each robot. Our algorithms are capable of safely driving mobile robots towards areas of high information distribution while having them maintain coverage of the whole area of interest. We demonstrate the efficacy of these algorithms via a series of simulated and hardware tests, and compare the results to our previous work which assumes perfect localization.
The Effects of Reflective Teaching on College of Teacher Education Students’ Paragraph Writing Performance: Experimental Study
Authors: Wanore Dutamo Fonkamo 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of reflective teaching on college of teacher education students’ paragraph writing performance. From the 5 colleges in Southern Region, Hossana College of Teacher Education was selected by convenient sampling as the researchers could easily select participants devoid of trouble. Out of 126 second year English major students, 6o students (26 males and 34 females) were selected by simple random sampling. Then 30 students for each group, control and experimental, were also assigned by lottery method. Out of 13 English teachers, 1 teacher was selected through purposive sampling to train experimental group by considering his expertise on ‘Basic Writing Skills”. Experimental design was used for this study. The pretest and posttest were the data collection tools. Pretest was administered before the experiment on paragraph writing skills. After the intervention, control and experimental groups were administered the posttest. Data were analyzed quantitatively and employed mean, STD, and independent sample t-test. After pretest data analysis, the results were made known that there was no a statistically significant (as p˃0.05) difference on students’ paragraph writing performance between the control and experimental groups. However, the posttest results revealed that there was a statistically significant difference (as p˂0.05) on students’ paragraph writing performance between the control and experimental groups. Thus, from the results, it can be concluded that the majority of students in the experimental group had better performance on their paragraph writing skills due to the effects of reflective teaching.
Optimization of PVA/TiO2/MMT mixed matrix membrane for food packaging
Authors: Zamanian Maryam , Sadrnia Hassan , Khojastehpour Mehdi , Rohani Abbas , Thibault Jules , Hosseini Fereshte 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Nanocomposite films performance parameters, including barrier and properties for packaging films, can be affected by variables such as the type and concentration of nanoparticles. In this investigation, Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) nanocomposite films were prepared by solution casting method with different combinations of Montmorillonite (MMT) platelets and Titanium Oxide (TiO2) spherical nanoparticles.A support vector machine (SVM) was implemented to study the thin nanocomposite films' behavior to changes in the independent variables. The SVM model predicted oxygen transmission rate (OTR), water vapor permeability (WVP|), Young ̓s Modulus (YM), ΔE, opacity, tensile strength (TS), and elongation at the breakpoint (EB) with an error of less than 6.43%. A Genetic Algorithm (GA) was applied to find the optimal nanoparticle concentration to achieve optimum film performance. Therefore, the results exhibited that the optimum film performance depends on the type and concentration of nanoparticles. Results show that the optimum loading of nanoparticles in this research should be between 0.5-1 wt% for TiO2 and 2.5–3.5 wt% for MMT.
Rational evolution of a recombinant DNA polymerase for efficient incorporation of unnatural nucleotides by dual-site boosting
Authors: Lyu Wenping , Cao Ruyin , Zhai Lili , Xie Qingqing , Wang Zi , Zheng Yue , Zhang Wenwei , Buell Alexander , Xu Xun , Dong Yuliang , Xu Chongjun 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Machine learning-based modelling assisting functional-oriented enzyme engineering is normally built on a predefined sequence space. Efficiently defining the determinant amino acid positions upon which the combinatorial mutational library is constructed is still a challenge in protein science. Herein, we present a comprehensive investigation of modifying a recombinant DNA polymerase for efficient incorporating unnatural nucleotides \textit{via} fine-tuning of functional dynamics, including the identification of key sites/regions outside known active center, machine learning-assisted mutant screening, and the underlying mechanism of kinetics boosting.
By using hundreds of training points and only dozens of machine-learning predicted samples, we found that the highly engineered enzyme’s catalytic efficiency can be further improved by at least one order of magnitude by specific mutation of two sites on finger subdomain, 485I and 451L. Contrary to the position 485 which is known to dominate local conformation of B-family DNA polymerases, position 451 is a new active site discovered by our approach. The synergy of 485I and 451L on kinetics boosting is driven by an enhanced dynamical-cooperative regulation mechanism of the state distribution of 'open/closed' conformations and the dynamics of the nucleotide of template DNA for substrate-pairing. These findings extended the boundaries of the functional dynamics engineering of complex protein enzymes and have implications in guiding the design of DNA polymerases for a broad range of biotechnological applications.
Improving Taste Sensitivity in Healthy Adults Using Taste Recall Training: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Otsubo Yuta , Miyagi Midori , Sekiya Hideki , Kano Osamu , Ebihara Satoru 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
Although many patients suffer from taste disorder, methods to improve taste sensitivity are limited. To develop a taste recall training method to improve the perception of taste, 42 healthy individuals were randomly assigned to either the training or the control group. Using the filter paper disc method, participants in the training group were asked to match the four tastes (sweetness, saltiness, sourness, and bitterness) between those of taste recognition thresholds and those of a one-step higher concentration until they get them right. Then, they were asked to match the four tastes between those of one-step lower and one-step higher in concentration from their taste recognition thresholds until they get them right. Finally, they were asked to match the four tastes between those of one-step lower concentration and those of their taste recognition thresholds until they get them right. This training was repeated until perfectly matched. The taste recall training program led to a lowered taste recognition threshold in healthy adults for each taste quality, suggesting the improvement of taste sensitivity. This lowered threshold for each taste was observed with each additional training session. We conclude that this taste recall training method might be a therapeutic approach for treating taste disorder.