bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Legal Nuances of Traditional Knowledge Protection under the IPR Regime: A Critical Analysis
Authors: Vinjamuri Lakshmi Priya , Bahuguna Rajesh 
Published: March 2022

The protection for indigenous traditional knowledge in the Indian context is very crucial in the eye of the various infringements and challenges. In the Indian context the need to safeguard the traditional knowledge inclusive of the various traditional and indigenous practices contributing to the protection of the environment and the simultaneous protection of medicinal plants is two-fold. It involves the creation of a traditional knowledge bank that emphasizes on the use of plants in health care and identification of the medicinal plants. This includes also outlining their distributions and assessing their abundance so as to create a repository that can be beneficially accessed and protected under the IPR regime. The protection of the traditional and indigenous tribal knowledge through the various provisions of the Convention of Biodiversity (CBD) and the Nagoya protocol also aim to conserve populations of medicinal plant species in natural habitats and populations of medicinal plant species ex situ thereby building public support for the conservation of medicinal plants through communication and cooperation. The paper is an attempt to critically analyze the implementation of the available legislations and international protocols signed, the legal nuances in the direction of the protection of traditional knowledge under the Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) regime in the Indian context and the effective measures that could be enforced and practiced to make the protection fruitful besides highlighting the challenges of the lack of awareness about medicinal plants and widespread deforestation of areas rich in biodiversity that pose an enormous threat. It is pertinent to mention here that in particular, many medicinal plants now stand on the brink of extinction because of development in tribal areas that have historically provided most of these precious resources.
Influence of COVID-19 Vaccination Coverage on Case Fatality Risk
Authors: Raham Tareef Fadhil 
Published: March 2022

Background: It is well known that COVID-19 vaccines demonstrate higher efficacy against mortality than mild acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The estimation of the proportion of mortalities among morbidities is a measure of the case fatality risk (CFR). To date, few studies have estimated the real-world CFR in relation to COVID-19 vaccination coverage. This study aims to evaluate the change in CFR estimates among different countries following the introduction of COVID-19 vaccines, and to identify the threshold dose of vaccines that changed the CFR as early as April 3, 2021. Furthermore, this study sheds light on the influence of COVID-19 vaccinations on the attack rate (AR), death rate, and, ultimately, CFR.
Material and Methods: We collected publicly available data concerning all countries and territories that implemented COVID-19 vaccination at least for 100 days, with an end date of April 3, 2021. In total, we found 16 countries and territories. The CFR was measured as the number of deaths per 100 COVID-19 confirmed cases, while vaccine coverage was defined as the number of doses of vaccine per 100 people in the total population.
We performed descriptive data analyses, including the mean value, standard deviation, and graphical presentation, using bar charts. Performed inferential data analyses included the one-sample Kolmogorov–Smirnov (K-S) test and general linear model procedure (GLM).
Results: Our findings showed a significantly associated decrease in the mean CFR in countries with > 18 COVID-19 vaccine doses per 100 inhabitants. We found a decrease from 1.88 % to 1.45 % with a (p-value =0.03), indicating a decrease in the proportion of total deaths to total cases. There was a decrease in the 95% confidence interval from 0.742-3.006 to 0. 718-2.179. The decrease in CFR was greater among the total deaths than total cases.
Conclusion: COVID-19 vaccination was found to decrease the COVID-19- CFR.
Recommendations: Post-interventional CFR monitoring may constitute a parameter for measuring vaccination effectiveness and progress of the current pandemic or future pandemics. Furthermore, post-interventional CFR estimates can be used as a parameter for assessment effectiveness of interventions e.g. COVID-19 vaccination effectiveness.
Post-harvest System and Quality of Cocoa Beans in the Southern Region of Cameroon
Authors: Saïdou C. , Tchemtchoua E. , Mahama A. , Mohammadou B. A. , Abolo D. , Ali A. , Njintang N. N. 
Published: March 2022

Aims: Multiple rejections of Cameroonian cocoa at the level of the international market proved that commercial cocoa produced in this country still has an unstable quality. In view to contribute to the improvement of the quality of this product, an investigation was made on the post-harvest treatments.
Methodology: An inquiry form on the techniques of post-harvest treatments was effectuated in two cocoa production zones, notably Biwong Bulu and Mvangang subdivisions in the southern region of Cameroon. The fermented and dried beans were collected from farmers and their physicochemical characteristics were evaluated for their quality.
Results: The results obtained show that the producers, made up on an average of 90% men, of which 38.3%, were elderly (> 50 years old) and were not affiliated to a cooperative, thus lacking knowledge of the quality criteria of commercial cocoa; as a consequence, the post-harvest cocoa processing method is not well respected. Only 41.8% of the producers respected the order of the different unit operations of post-harvest treatment. There were four types of fermentation mode (box, banana leaves, tarpaulin and plastic bags) and three types of drying mode (hurdle, tarpaulin and soil). The different treatment modes significantly influenced the quality of the cocoa beans and thus, the morphological and physicochemical properties of the different samples. Large cocoa beans are obtained through fermentation in cascading crates (V = 1030 ± 50.90 mm3) and drying on raised trays (V = 1310 ± 77.36 mm3), which is the material that allowed to quickly reach a moisture content conform (6.82 ± 0.91%) to cocoa of commercial quality.
Conclusion: The system of post-harvest treatment in the southern region of Cameroon was not respected as recommended. Sensitization and training farmers are necessary for the success of cocoa production in this region, particularly for these two subdivisions.
The Analgesic Efficacy of Ultrasound-guided Fascia Iliaca Plane Block after Hip Arthroplasty
Authors: Elrefaey Eman A. , Abosabaa Motaz M. , Elshmaa Nagat S. , H. El Badawi Abdelaziz 
Published: March 2022

Hip fractures are a persistent health problem especially post-operative with morbidity disability and mortality. The fascia iliaca nerve block (also called the fascia iliaca compartment nerve block) is considered an alternative to a femoral nerve or a lumbar plexus nerve block.
Objective: This study aims to evaluate the analgesic efficacy of ultrasound-guided fascia iliaca plane block after hip arthroplasty.
The Primary Outcome: average postoperative VAS pain scores.
Secondary Outcome: Time to first analgesic request; Postoperative analgesic consumption; Overall patient satisfaction with analgesia; Any adverse effects e.g., nausea, vomiting, pruritus, or urinary retention.
Patients and Methods: This Prospective randomized double-blinded clinical trial will be carried out in Tanta University Hospital in Orthopedic Surgery Department. The study included 60 adult patients aged > 25 years; ASA class I & II scheduled for total hip arthroplasty surgery.
Results: As regards, the first analgesic requirement of analgesic there were significant statistical increases in group I compared to group II. also, there were statistically significant decreases in total consumption of both paracetamol and pethidine in the group, however, There were significant statistical decreases in total pethidine consumption (mg) in group I compared to group II
Conclusion: FICB is safe and effective in improving postoperative pain after hip arthroplasty. It provides lower NRS, more hemodynamic stability, a longer time for 1st time of analgesics requirement ad a lower amount of total analgesic consumption within 1st 24 hours.
Effects of ACE Inhibitor (Lisinopril) with Folic Acid Supplementation in the Management of Hypertension Associated with Hyperuricemia
Authors: Aziz Asif , Ashraf Sarwat , Nangraj Ali Akber , Memon Ali Raza , Shah Madiha , Bano Razia , Shams Salman 
Published: March 2022

Background: Hypertension is one of the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in all over the world as in developed and under developing countries. Hypertension mostly associated with other clinical chronic disorders like diabetes mellitus, hyperuricemia, dyslipidemia etc. The ACE inhibitors are a kind of antihypertensive drug that is widely using all over the world. ACE inhibitors lowers blood pressure, but also lower uric acid levels as well.
Aims & Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy of ACE inhibitors alone and along with the folic acid on systolic & diastolic blood pressure & on serum uric acid level.
Methodology: This case-control research was carried out at the Medicine Department with the help of the Department of Biochemistry at LUMHS Jamshoro and the PAQSJ Medical Institute in Gambat. A total of 200 mild to moderate hypertension individuals with hyperuricemia were chosen. They were divided into two groups: the control group was taken 10 mg of lisinopril, while the case study group received 10 mg of lisinopril with 0.8 mg of folic acid for 10 to 12 weeks.
Results: The mean value of systolic B.P in control group after treatment was126 ± 4.9 (P<0.05) while in case study group after treatment was 118 ± 6.12 mmHg (P<0.05). Diastolic B.P in control group after treatment was 90 ± 4.76 mmHg while in case study group was 82.3 ± 3.66 mmHg (P<0.05). The serum uric acid level after treatment in control group was 6.7 ± 4.78 mg/dl while in case study group, it was 5.5 ± 5.11 mg/dl (P<0.001). Serum Folic acid levels after the treatment in control group was 12.31 ± 2.89 while in case study group it was 27.09 ± 3.47 nmol/L (P<0.001).
Conclusion: Folic acid enhances the effectiveness of an ACE inhibitor (lisinopril) and has a substantial influence in the lowering of serum uric acid as therapeutic agent in the cases of mild to moderate hypertension associated with hyperuricemia.
Molecular Modelling of 1H-Benzo [b] [1,5] Diazepine-2(3H)-one Derivatives and Docking Studies Against Receptor Associated Protein
Authors: Rishipathak Dinesh , Patil Dipak , Ushir Komal 
Published: March 2022

In the present investigation, some N1-benzoyl/ N1-(1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl amino acetyl) -7-substituted- 4-methyl-1,5-benzodiazepine-2-one were designed and docked at active site of cavity 1# of GABA-A receptor associated protein (1KJT) to distinguish from their hypothetical binding mode. The X-ray crystal structure of mammalian GABA-A receptor associated protein (1KJT) obtained from protein data bank was used as target protein. In this investigation the comparative analysis of the docking experiments of modelled compounds with known GABA agonist, Lofendazam was carried out. The dock scores calculated for Lofendazam was -4.7373. Among the modelled compounds, following conformation were found to have lower dock scores as indicated in bracket in comparison to other confermers; N1-benzoyl-7- bromo- 4-methyl-1,5-benzodiazepine-2-one, conformer_C3 (-5.0915), N1-(1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl amino acetyl) -7-chloro-4-methyl-1,5-benzodiazepine-2-one, Conformer_C2 (-4.6532). These conformers have more affinity for active site of GABA-A receptor associated protein than other molecules.
Lactate Dehydrogenase Enzyme Level in Women with Severe Preeclampsia: A Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Hameed Nadia , Bibi Yasmeen , Memon Shereen , Channa Sanam , Memon Muhammad Ali , Chohan Muhammad Nadeem 
Published: March 2022

Aim: To determine the frequency of raised lactate dehydrogenase enzyme in women with severe preeclampsia.
Study Design: Cross-sectional study.
Place and Duration: Obstetrics and Gynecology department at Liaquat University Hospital Hyderabad from June 2018 to December 2018.
Methodology: There were 141 primiparous women with severe preeclampsia, included in this study. After taking history regarding hypertension and obstetrical examination, patients were subjected to a relevant investigation that is, 5ml of blood sent to an institutional laboratory for the measurement of lactate dehydrogenase enzyme, if it is >400 U/L then it was labeled as raised.
Results: The frequency of raised lactate dehydrogenase enzyme (400 U/L) was 13.48% (19/141) women with severe preeclampsia.
Conclusion: About 14% of women having Pre-eclampsia had raised lactate dehydrogenase enzyme. Severe preeclampsia is associated with severe multisystemic involvement. Raised LDH levels are indicative of cellular damage and severe hypertension in pregnancy.
Five-Year Trends in US Children’s Health and Well-being, 2016-2020
Authors: Lebrun-Harris Lydie A. , Ghandour Reem M. , Kogan Michael D. , Warren Michael D. 
Published: March 2022

ImportanceEnsuring the well-being of the 73 million children in the United States is critical for improving the nation’s health and influencing children’s long-term outcomes as they grow into adults.ObjectiveTo examine recent trends in children’s health-related measures, including significant changes between 2019 and 2020 that might be attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsAnnual data were examined from the National Survey of Children’s Health (2016-2020), a population-based, nationally representative survey of randomly selected children. Participants were children from birth to age 17 years living in noninstitution settings in all 50 states and the District of Columbia whose parent or caregiver responded to an address-based survey by mail or web. Weighted prevalence estimates account for probability of selection and nonresponse. Adjusted logistic regression models tested for significant trends over time.Main Outcomes and MeasuresDiverse measures pertaining to children’s current health conditions, positive health behaviors, health care access and utilization, and family well-being and stressors.ResultsA total of 174 551 children were included (annual range = 21 599 to 50 212). Between 2016 and 2020, there were increases in anxiety (7.1% [95% CI, 6.6-7.6] to 9.2% [95% CI, 8.6-9.8]; +29%; trend P &amp;lt; .001) and depression (3.1% [95% CI, 2.9-3.5] to 4.0% [95% CI, 3.6-4.5]; +27%; trend P &amp;lt; .001). There were also decreases in daily physical activity (24.2% [95% CI, 23.1-25.3] to 19.8% [95% CI, 18.9-20.8]; −18%; trend P &amp;lt; .001), parent or caregiver mental health (69.8% [95% CI, 68.9-70.8] to 66.3% [95% CI, 65.3-67.3]; −5%; trend P &amp;lt; .001), and coping with parenting demands (67.2% [95% CI, 66.3-68.1] to 59.9% [95% CI, 58.8-60.9]; −11%; trend P &amp;lt; .001). In addition, from 2019 to 2020, there were increases in behavior or conduct problems (6.7% [95% CI, 6.1-7.4] to 8.1% [95% CI, 7.5-8.8]; +21%; P = .001) and child care disruptions affecting parental employment (9.4% [95% CI, 8.0-10.9] to 12.6% [95% CI, 11.2-14.1]; +34%; trend P = .001) as well as decreases in preventive medical visits (83.3% [95% CI, 82.3-84.3] to 78.1% [95% CI, 77.1-79.0]; −6%; trend P &amp;lt; .001).Conclusions and RelevanceRecent trends point to several areas of concern that can inform future research, clinical care, policy decision making, and programmatic investments to improve the health and well-being of children and their families. More analyses are needed to elucidate varying patterns within subpopulations of interest.
Possible adaptive and non‐adaptive radiation in three plant genera in the Japanese archipelago
Authors: Okuyama Yudai , Kakishima Satoshi 
Published: March 2022

AbstractThe adaptive radiation of flowering plants as manifested by the floral diversity has long been considered associated with the diversity of plant–pollinator interactions, because changes in plant–pollinator interactions are hypothesized as one of the major mechanisms driving plant ecological speciation. To understand the relative contributions of various mechanisms for plant radiation, including pollinator changes, it is useful to study a plant group for which comparative study of the species life history across the whole lineage is feasible. To this end, we will focus on the plant lineages that have presumably radiated in the Japanese archipelago, namely, the genera Asimitellaria, Asarum, and Arisaema. By comparing these three genera, we will comment on the possible modes of adaptive radiation and diversification among the endemic flora of Japan.
Blood Neutrophil Count and Neutrophil‐to‐Lymphocyte Ratio for Prediction of Disease Progression and Mortality in Two Independent Systemic Sclerosis Cohorts
Authors: Wareing Nancy , Mohan Vishnu , Taherian Rana , Volkmann Elizabeth R. , Lyons Marka A. , Wilhalme Holly , Roth Michael D. , Estrada‐y‐Martin Rosa M. , Skaug Brian , Mayes Maureen D. , Tashkin Donald P. , Assassi Shervin 
Published: March 2022

ObjectiveTo assess the predictive significance of blood neutrophil count and the ratio between neutrophil and lymphocyte count (neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio [NLR]) for disease severity and mortality in systemic sclerosis (SSc).MethodsNeutrophil and lymphocyte counts were prospectively measured in the Genetics versus Environment in Scleroderma Outcome Study (GENISOS) and the Scleroderma Lung Study II (SLS II). Forced vital capacity percent predicted (FVC%) and modified Rodnan skin thickness score (MRSS) were used as surrogate measures for disease severity. Longitudinal analyses were performed using generalized linear mixed models. Cox proportional hazards models evaluated the predictive significance of these cell counts for mortality.ResultsOf the 447 SSc patients in the GENISOS cohort at the time of analysis, 377 (84.3%) had available baseline blood neutrophil and lymphocyte counts. Higher baseline neutrophil count and NLR predicted lower serially obtained FVC% (b = −4.74, P = 0.009 and b = −2.68, P = 0.028, respectively) and higher serially obtained MRSS (b = 4.07, P < 0.001 and b = 2.32, P < 0.001, respectively). Longitudinal neutrophil and NLR measurements also significantly correlated with lower concurrently obtained FVC% measurements and higher concurrently obtained MRSS. Baseline neutrophil count and NLR predicted increased risk of long‐term mortality, even after adjustment for baseline demographic and clinical factors (hazard ratio [HR] 1.42, P = 0.02 and HR 1.48, P < 0.001, respectively). The predictive significance of higher baseline neutrophil count and NLR for declining FVC% and increased long‐term mortality was confirmed in the SLS II.ConclusionHigher blood neutrophil count and NLR are predictive of more severe disease course and increased mortality, indicating that these easily obtainable laboratory studies might be a reflection of pathologic immune processes in SSc.
Observer‐based finite‐time passive control of discrete‐time switched nonlinear systems with time‐delay
Authors: Gholami Hadi , Shafiei Mohammad Hossein , Safarinejadian Behrouz 
Published: March 2022

AbstractIn this paper, an observer‐based controller is designed to control a class of discrete‐time switched nonlinear systems with state delay and external disturbances. Based on the passivity concept, the average dwell time method, and auxiliary matrices, less‐conservative sufficient conditions are derived to make the closed‐loop system finite‐time bounded and passive in the presence of disturbances. In contrast to existing papers in this field, this paper deals with discrete‐time nonlinear switched systems and especially with an observer‐based controller. The developed conditions are presented in the form of linear matrix inequalities. Finally, computer simulations (numerical and practical examples) are provided to illustrate the performance of the proposed controller.
Hybrid neural network control for nonlinear continuous time systems with time delays and dead zone input
Authors: Bali Arun , Pratap Singh Uday , Kumar Rahul , Raj Kuldip 
Published: March 2022

SummaryIn this article, a hybrid neural controller is designed in the form of a hybrid neural network (HNN) to deal with the problem of nonlinear continuous‐time systems with time delays and dead‐zone input. The designed HNN comprises of a neural network (NN) and firefly algorithm (FA). The approximation of unknown functions is carried out by using HNN and based on transformed systems, an adaption law, virtual control law and optimal control law are designed. By using the Lyapunov method, it is proved that the designed controller is stable in the sense of semiglobally uniformly ultimate boundedness (SGUUB) and the system output tracks the reference signal with tracking error converging into a small neighborhood of zero. Complexity analysis of the proposed controller is discussed and two numerical examples are presented to prove the efficiency and effectiveness of the proposed model.
The Role of Undercoordinated Sites on Zinc Electrodes for CO2 Reduction to CO
Authors: Kang Mavis Pei Lin , Kolb Manuel J. , Calle‐Vallejo Federico , Yeo Boon Siang 
Published: March 2022

AbstractThe electrochemical CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR) using renewable energies is a promising route toward global carbon neutrality. Recently, the use of copper catalysts and CO feedstocks, instead of CO2, has been shown to enhance the selectivity toward multicarbon products, leading to increased efforts in developing tandem electrocatalytic systems. State‐of‐the‐art CO2‐to‐CO electrocatalysts are mainly based on noble metals such as silver and gold. Earth‐abundant zinc, in contrast, displays poorer selectivity and activity. Herein, the use of porous dendritic oxidederived zinc (OD‐Zn) catalysts for CO2RR is reported. These catalysts can reduce CO2 to CO with a maximum Faradaic efficiency of 86% at −0.95 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE) and partial current density of −266 mA cm–2 at −1.00 V vs RHE. OD‐Zn is further found to have a higher amount of undercoordinated sites and exhibits higher CO2RR activity and CO selectivity than electrodeposited Zn metal. While oxygen vacancies have been previously implicated as active sites, detailed experiments and density functional theory calculations show that Zn sites with a high degree of undercoordination provide even higher activity, in view of their nearly optimal *COOH adsorption energies. These findings showcase Zn‐Oderived particles with plentiful undercoordinated sites as cost‐effective electrocatalysts for CO production.