bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Exploring the Potential of Intranasally Administered Naturally Occurring Quercetin Loaded into Polymeric Nanocapsules as a Novel Platform for the Treatment of Anxiety
Authors: Mahmoud Khaled Y. , Elhesaisy Nahla A. , Rashed Abdelrahman R. , Mikhael Ebram S. , Fadl Mahmoud I. , Elsadek Mahmoud S. , Mohamed Merna A. , Mostafa Merna A. , Hassan Mohamed A. , Halema Omar M. , Elnemer Youssef H. , Swidan Shady A. 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
Anxiety is one of the most prevalent forms of psychopathology that affects millions worldwide. It gains more importance under the current pandemic status that resulted in higher anxiety prevalence. Anxiolytic drugs such as benzodiazepines have an unfavorable risk/benefit ratio resulting in a shift toward active ingredients with better safety profile such as the naturally occurring quercetin. The delivery of quercetin is hampered by its low water solubility and low bioavailability. The potential of enhancing quercetin delivery to the brain utilizing polymeric nanocapsules administered nasally is investigated in the current study. Polymeric nanocapsules were prepared utilizing the nanoprecipitation technique. The best formula displayed a particle size of 227.8 ± 11.9, Polydispersity index of 0.466 ± 0.023, zeta potential of -17.5 ± 0.01, and encapsulation efficiency % of 92.5 ± 1.9. The prepared nanoparticles displayed In vitro release of QRC loaded polymeric nanocapsules exhibited a biphasic release with an initial burst release followed by a sustained release pattern. The in vivo evaluation demonstrated the superiority of quercetin polymeric nanocapsules administered intranasally compared quercetin dispersion administered both orally and intranasally. The prepared nanocapsules also demonstrated good safety profile with high tolerability.
Tunable quintet ultra-narrowband plasmonic filter based on metamaterial absorber
Authors: Cuhadar Sare Nur , Durmaz Habibe 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
In this article, a metamaterial multi-band perfect absorber with a Pi-inverted-Pi resonator is designed and investigated. It is observed that the metasurface with a typical metal-insulator-metal structure showed nearly perfect absorption in almost five narrow bands with the lowest 93.6% and the highest 99.7% absorption level, according to the full-wave simulation results. The tunability of the Pi-inverted-Pi resonator has been examined based on the geometrical parameters. The origin of the five resonance bands has been analyzed based on the electric field and charge distributions occurring at the metal-dielectric interface. These resonance peaks are located at 1817.52 nm, 1968.38 nm, 2721.31 nm, 3765.6 nm, 5740.63 nm wavelengths. The polarization dependence of the structure is investigated under TE and TM light, and our findings reveal that the Pi-inverted-Pi structure is partially polarization-dependent, which is a beneficial property for optical filtering. Compared to similar multi-band absorbers in the literature to the best of our knowledge, our proposed system offers a narrow band with high Q-factors of 118.7, 53, 32, 33, and 32 at each resonance wavelength. Therefore, our proposed design can be used in optical filters, Raman spectroscopy, bio-sensing, and many other applications, especially for the mid-infrared region's spectroscopic sensing and filtering applications.
Comparison of Different Insulation Materials with Thermal Conductivity Coefficients Based on Density and Temperature for Two Climate Zones
Authors: KAN Mehmet 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
The selection of the insulation material and the determination of the optimum insulation thickness are very important in terms of energy saving and providing thermal comfort conditions. There are many studies in the literature to determine the optimum insulation thickness. In these studies, the thermal conductivity coefficient (k) of the insulation material is taken directly from the standardized tables and the optimum insulation thickness calculation is made. In real applications, the k value of the insulation material varies depending on the production conditions, density and temperature. For this reason, the density of the insulation material and the operating temperature should be taken into account in determining the optimum insulation thickness. In this study, Expanded Polystyrene (EPS), Extrude Polystyrene (XPS), glass wool and rock wool with different densities were used as insulation materials, coal and natural gas were used as fuel. A comparison was made for the provinces of Konya and Sivas, which are in the 3rd and 4th climate zones in Turkey, using the degree-day method depending on energy costs, and the insulation thicknesses were determined as a function of density and temperature. As a result of the calculations for the k, value of the insulating material for the province of Konya, which is in the 3rd climate zone, the optimum insulation thickness was established as 0,076 m for EPS with a density of 30 kg/m3, 0,037 m for XPS with a density of 30 kg/m3, 0,082 m for glass wool with a density of 100 kg/m3, 0,051 m for rock wool with a density of 150 kg/m3. Likewise, when coal is used as fuel, the optimum insulation thicknesses for EPS, XPS, glass wool and rock wool are 0,092, 0,061, 0,104, 0,078 respectively. As a result of the calculations for the k, value of the insulating material for the province of Sivas, which is in the 4th climate zone, the optimum insulation thickness was established as 0,086 m for EPS with a density of 30 kg/m3, 0,044 m for XPS with a density of 30 kg/m3, 0,092 m for glass wool with a density of 100 kg/m3, 0,058 m for rock wool with a density of 150 kg/m3. Likewise, when coal is used as fuel, the optimum insulation thicknesses for EPS, XPS, glass wool and rock wool are 0,098, 0,069, 0,106, 0,081 respectively. When the insulation materials are compared, although the unit price of XPS material is higher, its optimum thickness is lower than other insulation materials for all situations due to its low thermal conductivity.
Activation of primary hepatic stellate cells and liver fibrosis induced by targeting TGF-β1/Smads signaling in Schistosomiasis of mice
Authors: Huang Ping , Ma Huihui , Cao Yun , Zhan Tingzheng , Zhang Tingting , Wang Xinyi , Zhang Yanan , Xu Jing , Xia Chaoming 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
Background: In mice, liver fibrosis is the most serious pathologic change during Schistosoma japonicum (S. japonicum) infection. Schistosomiasis is mainly characterized by schistosome egg-induced granulomatous fibrosis. Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are mainly responsible for the net accumulation of collagens and fibrosis formation in the liver. Activated HSCs regulated by transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1)/Smad signaling have emerged as the critical regulatory pathway in hepatitis virus or carbon tetrachloride-induced liver fibrosis. However, the detailed mechanism of HSCs activation in schistosome-induced liver fibrosis remains not well-elucidated. Methods: S. japonicum-induced murine models and control group were generated by abdominal infecting with 15 (±1) cercariae. The purity of cultured primary HSCs was evaluated by immunocytochemistry. The histopathological changes of the liver in infected mice were estimated by hematoxylin-eosin and Masson staining. Dynamic expression of pro-fibrotic molecules and microRNAs were detected by quantitative Real-time PCR (RT-qPCR). Mainly members involved in TGF-β1/Smad signaling pathway were examined via RT-qPCR and Western blot.Results: The egg-induced granulomatous inflammation formed at 4 weeks post-infection (wpi) and kept a progressive development. Alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), Collagen Ⅰ, Collagen Ⅲ, TGF-β1, Smad2, Smad3, and Smad4 showed a significant increase in mRNA and protein expression compared with the control group at 7 weeks and 9 wpi, while observed an opposite effect on Smad7. In addition, the mRNA expression of microRNA-21 (miRNA-21) was significantly increased at 7 wpi, and the mRNA expression of miRNA-454 was decreased starting from 4 wpi.Conclusion: Our present findings uncovered that HSCs regulated by TGF-β1/Smad signaling pathway play an important role in liver fibrosis of S. japonicum-infected mice, which may provide proof-of-concept for liver fibrosis in Schistosomiasis.
Evaluation of an open forecasting challenge to assess skill of West Nile virus neuroinvasive disease prediction
Authors: Holcomb Karen M , Mathis Sarabeth , Staples J Erin , Fischer Marc , Barker Christopher M , Beard Charles B , Nett Randall J , Keyel Alexander C , Marcantonio Matteo , Childs Marissa L , Gorris Morgan E , Rochlin Ilia , Hamins-Puértolas Marco , Ray Evan L , Uelmen Johnny A , DeFelice Nicholas , Freedman Andrew S , Hollingsworth Brandon D , Das Praachi , Osthus Dave , Humphreys John M , Nova Nicole , Mordecai Erin A , Cohnstaedt Lee W , Kirk Devin , Kramer Laura D , Harris Mallory J , Kain Morgan P , Reed Emily MX , Johansson Michael A 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
Background: West Nile virus (WNV) is the leading cause of mosquito-borne illness in the continental United States. WNV occurrence has high spatiotemporal variation and current approaches for targeted control of the virus are limited, making forecasting a public health priority. However, little research has been done to compare strengths and weaknesses of WNV disease forecasting approaches on the national scale. We used forecasts submitted to the 2020 WNV Forecasting Challenge, an open challenge organized by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to assess the status of WNV neuroinvasive disease (WNND) prediction and identify avenues for improvement.Methods: We performed a multi-model comparative assessment of probabilistic forecasts submitted by 15 teams for annual WNND cases in US counties for 2020, and assessed forecast accuracy, calibration, and discriminatory power. In the evaluation, we included forecasts produced by comparison models of varying complexity as benchmarks of forecast performance. We also used regression analysis to identify modeling approaches and contextual factors that were associated with forecast skill.Results: Simple models based on historical WNND cases generally scored better than more complex models and combined higher discriminatory power with better calibration of uncertainty. Forecast skill improved across updated forecast submissions submitted during the 2020 season. Among models using additional data, inclusion of climate or human demographic data was associated with higher skill, while inclusion of mosquito or land use data was associated with lower skill. We also identified population size, extreme minimum winter temperature, and interannual variation in WNND cases as county-level characteristics associated with variation in forecast skill. Conclusions: Historical WNND cases were strong predictors of future cases with minimal increase in skill achieved by models that included other factors. Although opportunities might exist to specifically improve predictions for areas with large populations and low or high winter temperatures, areas with high case-count variability are intrinsically more difficult to predict. Also, the prediction of outbreaks, which are outliers relative to typical case numbers, remains difficult. Further improvements to prediction could be obtained with improved calibration of forecast uncertainty and access to real-time data streams (e.g., current weather and preliminary human cases).
The Effects of Check Dams on the Amount and Pattern of Flood using Hydrological Modeling
Authors: Amini Ata , Ahmed Kaywan Othman , Parvizi Yahya 
Published: August 2022

Abstract

In this study, field measurement, spatial information, and HEC-RAS modeling were used to determine changes in the amount and pattern of flow in a waterway due to the construction of check dams. The location map of the structures and their upstream area was prepared in the GIS environment. The flow rate with different return periods was calculated from empirical methods. To simulate the changes in the flow pattern, the HEC-RAS model was calibrated. Flows and corresponding water levels were measured and data at 70% and 30% ratios were used for calibration and validation, respectively. The accuracy of the hydrological model in predicting water elevation was assessed using statistical indicators. The effect of check dams on the flow pattern and time in different discharges was quantitatively calculated and compared with the conditions before construction. The simulation results by HEC-RAS model showed a high correlation between observed and calculated values of flow and water level in the waterway (R2 = 0.96 and RMSE = 0.029). In most structures, the flow velocity increased after passing the structures. In a 2-yr flood, the flow time increased by 82.8 minutes due to the check dams. This time is lower in floods with higher return periods.
Entanglement generation for non-local photonic Qubits using quantum dot within the optical micro-cavity
Authors: sharma amit kumar , Sharma Ritu , Sharma Shishir Kumar 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
This paper presents the analytical inquisition of photonic entanglement generation circuit (PEGC) for non local Qubits designed using quantum dot within the optical micro-cavity, considering practical environment. It is established that the concurrence of the PEGC is considerably contingent on the interplay between spin of quantum dot and photon within the optical micro-cavity. The maximum concurrence obtained is 61.24 at \(g/k=.3\) and \({k}_{s}/k=0.1\) and 90.11 at \(g/k=4\) and \({k}_{s}/k=0.1\) with and without noisy environment, respectively. Different quantum cryptography-based protocols may be implemented using reported work.
Knowledge of and Practices Around Zoonotic Diseases Amongst Actors in the Livestock Trade in the Lake Victoria Crescent Ecosystem in East Africa
Authors: Majiwa Hamilton , Bukachi Salome A. , Omia Dalmas , Fèvre Eric M. 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
Background:
Zoonotic diseases pose a direct threat to health and undercut livelihoods in the communities in which they occur. A combination of anthropogenic, animal and ecosystem activities drives the emergence and re-emergence of zoonotic diseases. Consequently, One health approaches are necessary to alleviate disease impacts. Livestock traders interact closely with livestock, which puts them at high risk of infection and creates conditions by which they may spread zoonotic. It is thus essential to examine practices among actors involved in the livestock trade to understand how well to mitigate these risks.
Methods:
A qualitative study was conducted among the actors in the livestock trade in Busia County on their knowledge, attitudes and practices that may contribute to the spread, control and prevention of zoonotic disease transmission. A thematic analysis framework was used to categorize and synthesize data from in-depth interviews (IDIs) and the key informant interviews ( KIIs).
Results:
Whereas participants could list livestock diseases, they could not identify them as zoonotic demonstrating insufficient knowledge of zoonosis. They identify sick animals by checking for dropped ears, mass mucus production; diarrhea; bloody urinal discharge; and general animal activity levels. To prevent the spread of these diseases, they wash their animals, isolate sick animals from the rest of the stock; vaccinate their animals. They seek help from animal health professionals for the sick animals as curative practices. The practices of skinning dead animals before burying them and the consumption of dead carcasses increase the risk of zoonotic disease transmission.
Conclusions:
Livestock actors are critical in the prevention and elimination of zoonotic diseases, hence they need to be involved when developing intervention programs and policies for the animal health extension services. Training them as a continuum of animal health workers blends lay and professional knowledge, which alongside their intense contact with large numbers of animals becomes a critical disease surveillance tool. Increasing awareness on zoonoses by using multi-disciplinary teams with social scientists so that the risky but deeply rooted traditional practices can be minimized is needed urgently.
Estimation of the Mean Trace Length of Discontinuities in an Underground Drift using Laser Scanning Point Cloud Data
Authors: Yang Chengye , Li Jielin , Zhou Keping , Lin Yun 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
In the drift of underground metal mines, the extraction of rock mass discontinuity characteristics from point cloud models generated by laser scanning has become the main approach. However, the exposure of discontinuities is restricted in the drift, and the size of discontinuities cannot be measured directly. Therefore, it is necessary to use a reasonable sampling tool to estimate the mean trace length of discontinuities that are mapped in the point cloud model. In this paper, a method to estimate the mean trace length of discontinuities in three-dimensional (3D) models of drift (3DM) is proposed. Through the point cloud data of drift obtained by 3D laser scanning, the information of discontinuities in the surrounding rock is extracted, and then the mean trace length is estimated by using 3DEC to set sampling windows on the roof and sidewall of the 3DM. By analyzing the difference between the circular sampling window and the rectangular sampling window using simulated cases, the estimation results show that the mean trace length obtained by circular measuring windows in 3DM is closer to the true trace length. Finally, the method is used on a practical engineering case in Jianshan Iron Mine, Panzhihua, Sichuan, China.
A Global Analysis of the Effectiveness of Policy Responses to COVID-19
Authors: Agyapon-Ntra Kwadwo , McSharry Patrick 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
It took one year of collaborative efforts to develop vaccines for the SARS-Cov-2 virus at the heart of the COVID-19 pandemic. During that time, governments implemented many mitigation policies in an effort to curb the spread of the virus with varying results. In this paper, using country-level daily time series from Our World in Data, we undertake a global analysis of the propagation of the virus, policy responses to the pandemic, human mobility patterns, and inferred compliance levels. Publicly available datasets provide an opportunity to study how the virus, rules, and vaccines influenced human behaviour, highlighting the effects of high death counts and mortality ratios on people’s willingness to comply with policies and demonstrating evidence of long-term fatigue. Compliance was quantified as the correlation between the stringency of government policies and willingness to stay at home. Compliance dropped from over 85% in the first half of 2020 to less than 40% at the start of 2021, driven by various factors including economic necessity and optimism coinciding with the rollout of vaccines. A variety of policies were implemented worldwide in response to COVID-19 ranging from facial coverings to restrictions on mobility and these are compared using an empirical assessment of their impact on the growth rate of case numbers. Our analysis makes a strong case for masks as the most cost-effective non-pharmaceutical intervention currently available. Specifically, masks were strongly correlated with declining cases, four times more impactful than school closures, and approximately double that of other mobility restrictions (workplace closures, cancellation of public events, and stay-at-home requirements). Gathering restrictions were the second most effective, delivering declines over two weeks versus the one-month timescale for masks. International Travel Controls and Public Information Campaigns had negligible effects. We also assess how socioeconomic factors explain compliance with “lockdown-style” policies and establish that literacy rates and income support played key roles in maintaining compliance and enabling citizens to cope during the pandemic. A 10% increase in a country’s literacy rate was associated with a 3.2% increase in compliance, while income support of greater than half of previous earnings was found to deliver up to 4.76% more compliance.
Laparoscopic bile duct exploration during pregnancy: a multi-centre case series and literature review
Authors: Lopez-Lopez Víctor , Navaratne Lalin , Ferreras David , Gil Pedro Jose , Bansal Virinder K , Mattila Anne , Parra-Membrives Pablo , Marco Tania Gaspar , Ruiz Juan Jose , Nassar Ahmad H M , Sánchez-Bueno Francisco , Robles-Campos Ricardo , Martinez-Isla Alberto 
Published: August 2022

Abstract
BackgroundThe physiological changes of pregnancy increase the risk of gallstone formation and choledocholithiasis. Traditionally, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) has been the main approach for managing choledocholithiasis during pregnancy, but recent progress in laparoscopic bile duct exploration (LBDE) has demonstrated this technique as a safe and effective alternative option.MethodsA retrospective multicenter study of all patients who underwent LBDE during pregnancy from five centers with proven experience in LBDE between January 2010 and June 2020 was performed. The primary endpoint was to analyze the role of LBDE during pregnancy and to further characterize its position as a safe and effective alternative for the management of choledocholithiasis. A systematic review of the published literature relating to LBDE during pregnancy until February 2022 was also performed.ResultsFive from 17 centers, with a total of 3950 LBDEs reported performing LBDE during pregnancy with a cumulative experience of eight patients (0.2%). Median surgical time was 75 minutes (range: 60-140 minutes). The bile duct was cleared successfully in all patients and the median hospital stay was 2 days (range: 1-3 days). The literature review identified a total of seven patients with a successful CBD clearance rate of 86%. There were no major maternal, fetal or pregnancy-related complications in any of the total 15 patients included.ConclusionThe limited available data suggests that LBDE during pregnancy is a safe and effective. More evidence reporting outcomes of LBDE during pregnancy is needed before any strong recommendations can be made.