bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Influence of environmental factors on the spread of COVID-19 in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Asdaq Syed Mohammed Basheeruddin , Rabbani Syed Imam , Alamri Abdulhakeem S. , Alsanie Wala F. , Alhomrani Majid , Al-Yamani Mohammad J. 
Published: January 2022

Background
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has affected millions of people worldwide. The infection is mostly spread through the inhalation of infected droplets. Saudi Arabia is a vast country having different climatic conditions.

Methods
The study evaluated the influence of environmental factors on the spread of COVID-19. Six zones (A to F) were classified depending on the climatic conditions. The study was conducted by retrospective analysis of COVID-19 records from the ministry of health between the months of September 2020 and August 2021. The environmental data such as average temperature (°C), humidity (%), wind speed (m/s) and sun exposure (kwh/m2) were retrieved from official sites. The data was analyzed to determine the effect of these factors on the spread of COVID-19. SPSS IBM 25 software was used to conduct the analysis and p < 0.05 was considered to indicate the significance of the results.

Results
According to the findings, the rate of infection was greater between April and July 2021. Six climatic zones experienced high temperatures, little humidity, consistent wind flow, and intense sun exposure throughout this time. The correlation study revealed a significant (p < 0.05) relationship between the environmental factors and the spread of COVID-19. The data suggested that during summer condition when the weather is hot, less humid, and steady wind flow with lots of sun exposure, the COVID-19 infection rate got augmented in Saudi Arabia. Poor ventilation and closed-door habitats in an air-conditioned atmosphere during this period could have played a role in human transmission. More research on air quality, population mobility and diseased condition is essential, so that precise proactive measures can be designed to limit the spread of infection in specific climatic seasons.
Effect of Two Drying Methods on the Bioactive Cashew Apple Varieties Consumed in the City of Garoua (Northern Cameroon)
Authors: Ghislain Kouogueu Seuyim , Wandji Maxwell Nguedjo , Ruth Edwige Dibacto Kemadjou , Yves Didier Nseme Mboma , Pelagie Marcel Djouka Nembot , Guy Roussel Takuissu Nguemto 
Published: January 2022

Aims: The cashew tree (family Anacardiaceae) grows widely in many parts of African countries, including Cameroon. Its fruit and nut are used for food and several studies have shown their beneficial effects on health. This work aimed to evaluate the impact of two drying methods on the content of bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity.
Methodology: Four varieties (VAR 1, VAR 2, VAR 3, VAR 4) of cashew apple samples were collected and drying using sun-dried and oven-dried to a constant weight, and then ground in a blender to a powder, the fresh one was cut up and crushed in a blender. All sample were reconstituted with distilled water and polyphenols, flavonoids, alkaloids contents, and antioxidant activity through different mechanisms (DPPH radical, FRAP and TAC assays) were assessed.
Results: Alkaloids ranged from 1.50 mg EQui/g MF to 5.69 mg EQui/g DM for fresh and oven-dried VAR 1 respectively, polyphenols ranged from 786.15 mg EAG/g MF to 2836.92 mg EAG/g DM for fresh and oven-dried VAR 1 respectively, flavonoids ranged from 8.18 mg EAG/g MF to 295.45 mg EAG/g DM for fresh and oven-dried VAR 2 respectively. TAC values ranged from 13.09 mg EAA/g MF to 67.06 mg EAA/g for fresh and oven-dried VAR3 and VAR2 respectively. The highest DPPH radical scavenging value (86.25%) was obtained with fresh VAR 4 and the lowest (25.67%) with fresh VAR 1. The highest ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) was obtained with fresh VAR 1 and VAR 3 (0.27 mg AAE/g MF) and the lowest with VAR 3 and VAR 4 oven-dried (0.23 mg AAE/g MF).
Conclusion: In conclusion, the different cashew varieties studied in this work are a good source of antioxidants. The drying method significantly affects bioactive compounds and antioxidant activities. A weak but not significant correlation was obtained between the number of bioactive compounds and antioxidant activities.
Assessment of Hazard and Risk Related Activities at Npdc-Ogini Oil Field Flow Station, Okpaile in Isoko North, Delta State, Nigeria
Authors: Oghenefegor Asomaku Sunny , Babatunde Bolaji B. , Elekwachi Wali , Victoria O. Emelu 
Published: January 2022

The activities of oil, Gas and energy contains numerous hazards which could lead to multiple disasters such as loss of capital, damage to reputation, and also degrading the environment. The Essence of job hazards analysis and risk assessment is to design a safe working environment and to control and reduced potential hazards. Both primary and secondary data sources were employed in this study. Topographic statistics were also obtained from goggle earth and STRM (30M x 30M resolution) download from the United State Geological Survey. Questionnaires were administered to 100 people from 3 different department at NPDC-Ogini flow station in a confidential manner. A descriptive statistics such as mean, mode, median and standard deviation were used through the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 20.2 and Microsoft Excel 2007 software to analyze the data generated. Inferential statistics were used to test the hypothesis. The hypothesis were tested using analysis of variance (ANOVA). The study has identified associated hazards and the risk level attached to the confirmed activities of Ogini field flow station. The analysis show that the F. calculated value was 0.759 and the F-table value was 0.471. Since the F- table value is less than the F-calculated value .The result of the hypothesis has also shown that there is no significant relationship between job hazards analysis and risk assessment of the flow station activities. Companies in this sector should have a proactive thinking and attitude towards all activities and also have a reasonable level of preparedness and preparedness plans in place in case of any incidence. If these hazards are properly managed and controlled with all measures in place and also adhering to all regulatory agencies both locally and internationally, the companies will achieve a zero goal in incidence and accidents.
Pulsatile Delivery of Fexofenadine Hydrochloride Pulsincap by Box-Behnken Design
Authors: Prasanthi D. , Rajguru Shreya Ajay , Aishwarya C. , Rahman Aisha 
Published: January 2022

Objective: Fexofenadine hydrochloride is a selective peripheral H1-blocker, used for allergy symptoms, such as hay fever and urticaria. Allergic symptoms are aggressive during early morning hours, so a pulsatile delivery system with a lag time of 4-5 hours was formulated and optimized by Box-Behnken design.
Materials and Methods: Pulsincap system using formaldehyde-treated capsules and hydrogel plug. Box-Behnken design was applied for optimization in which three independent variables, X1= Drug: polymer ratio, X2 = Polymer: polymer ratio (Ethylcellulose: HPMC E15) and X3 = Plug weight were selected. Three dependent variables R1 = Percent release of drug after 4 hours, R2 = percent release after 10 hours and R3 = Lag time were selected.
Results: FTIR and DSC studies confirmed compatibility of drug and excipients. The empty formaldehyde-treated capsules were evaluated for physical appearance, solubility, capsule dimensions and formaldehyde content. Hydrogel plugs, powder blend and pulsincap formulations were evaluated for Physico-chemical parameters and all the parameters were within acceptable limits. Contour plots and Response surface plots indicated that as Drug: Polymer ratio (X1) and Plug weight (X3) increased, Lag time increased but% drug release decreased. As Polymer: Polymer ratio (X2) increased, the lag time was at a moderate level. Predicted vs actual responses showed the correlation of 0.786 for% release in 4hrs, 0.9744 for% release in 10hrs and 0.6281 for lag time. Optimized formulation G1 was suggested by design (with criteria 4.5-6hrs lag time, 10-20% release in 4hrs & 60-70% drug release within 10hrs). The optimised formulation was stable.
Conclusion: Pulsincap system of Fexofenadine hydrochloride can be obtained by using retarding polymers like ethyl cellulose, HPMC E15 and formaldehyde cross-linked capsules.
A Case Report On: Incomplete Abortion with Chronic Hypertension
Authors: Vaishnavi . , Gomase Kavita , Taksande Vaishali 
Published: January 2022

Introduction: Abortion is a distressing experience that affects the mother in a variety of ways by influencing on emotional status that can finally result in psychological disorders such as depression [1]. An incomplete abortion occurs when the products of conception are lost in the first 20 weeks of pregnancy. Moderate to severe vaginal bleeding, as well as lower abdomen and/or pelvic pain, are common symptoms of incomplete abortion [2]. Substantial evidence indicates that women with a history of spontaneous abortion have a greater risk of non-communicable diseases, including hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, and type 2 diabetes [3]. In low and middle-income nations, abortion is one of the most common causes of maternal death [4]. In general, incomplete abortions are unavoidable, with chromosomal abnormalities accounting for 50% of all occurrences. Age, maternal disorders (diabetes, hypertension, renal disease, thyroid issue, polycystic ovarian syndrome, lupus, thrombophilia), under or overweight, aberrant uterus, teratogen exposure (drug, alcohol, caffeine, radiation), and infections are all changeable etiologies and risk factors (human immunodeficiency virus, sexually transmitted infections, Listeria monocytogenes) [2].
Case Presentation: A 30-year-old woman's case study with 15 weeks pregnant admitted in the obstetric and gynecological unit on the date 11 June 2021 with complaints of amenorrhea since 4 months, bleeding per vaginam, passage of clots, blurring of vision, pain in abdomen, breathlessness and her blood pressure was noted as 140/100mm of Hg. Interventions: Generally, the patient with abortion and raised blood pressure is hospitalized and care is provided in the obstetric and gynecological unit or ward. The goals during this phase are saving a life of mother, maintaining and restoring hemodynamic stability and preventing the spread of infection or correcting the complication.
Outcomes: During the period of five days treatment, the client was having raised blood pressure but significantly the client’s health was improved with further treatment and management .After a hospital stay of five days the markable progress was seen further before returning to the home. Discussion: Although the patient reacted well to treatment, more interventions and health education could be used in the future to help the patient to achieve the better health results.
Fractures of Tibia Diaphysis Managed with Internal Fixation by Elastic Nails: An Alternative Approach
Authors: Patil Bhushan , Dadlani Mohit , Taywade Shounak , Saoji Amit , Gupta Sarthak 
Published: January 2022

Background: Intramedullary nailing techniques specially using elastic nails like Enders nail are a good treatment option, owing to their cost effectiveness, less use of fluroscopy and ease of procedure with short learning curve. This study is aimed to bring evidence to the hypothesis that Ender nails can be used successfully in tibia shaft fractures under certain indications. Due to the economic nature and easy procedure, we aimed specifically to demonstrate that elastic IM nailing, esp. Ender nails can be a good alternative to interlock nailing for select cases of diaphyseal fractures. The study aims at evaluating outcome of Enders nail in diaphyseal tibia fractures.
Material and Methods: This study was carried on in the Department of Orthopaedics, tertiary care hospital during the period of April 2019 to March 2020. It is a prospective type of study. Patients were evaluated based on functionality and radiology, post-surgery.
Results: A total of 30 patients of tibial shaft fractures were selected and managed with closed reduction and internal fixation with Enders nail. Male to female ratio was 4:1. 24 (80%) patients sustained injury from motor vehicular accidents. 40% patients with open fracture and 60% closed fracture patients were involved. 60% if the patients showed clinic-radiological union in 12-14 weeks, while 50% of the patients achieved a post operative knee range of movement of 0 to 131-140 degrees.
Conclusion: Closed reduction with internal fixation by Enders nail can be a good alternative for management of tibia diaphysis fractures, when performed after proper patient selection and patient counselling.
Prevalence of Frailty in Ankylosing Spondylitis, Psoriatic Arthritis, and Rheumatoid Arthritis: Data from a National Claims Dataset
Authors: Lieber Sarah B. , Navarro‐Millán Iris , Rajan Mangala , Curtis Jeffrey R. , Sattui Sebastian E. , Lui Geyanne , Schwartzman Sergio , Mandl Lisa A. 
Published: January 2022

ObjectiveFrailty is associated with disability and mortality independent of age. Although studies have evaluated frailty in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), information on the prevalence of frailty in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is limited. We aimed to determine the prevalence of frailty in AS and PsA and to evaluate whether characteristics known to be associated with frailty, including anxiety, differ among these three types of inflammatory arthritis.MethodsWe performed a cross sectional study of Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) beneficiaries aged 65 years or older with AS, PsA, or RA enrolled in 2014. We operationalized frailty using a validated claims‐based frailty index. We also explored the prevalence of frailty among CMS beneficiaries younger than age 65 years with work disability, a younger population that also may be at risk of frailty.ResultsThe prevalence of frailty in beneficiaries aged 65 years or older with AS and PsA was 45.2% and 46.7%, respectively, significantly lower than in RA (65.9%, P < 0.05). The prevalence of frailty in beneficiaries less than 65 years old was much lower overall, though still highest in RA; 11.7%, 4.4%, and 7.0% in RA, AS, and PsA, respectively (P < 0.05). Anxiety was significantly associated with frailty in subjects of all ages, particularly among those less than 65 years old (P < 0.05).ConclusionAlmost half of beneficiaries with AS or PsA aged 65 years old or older were frail, higher than in younger disabled beneficiaries. Further studies are needed to understand the risks of developing frailty in these diseases. Frailty was associated with anxiety, particularly in the younger age groups.
Design and application of a sparse GMDH‐PID controller
Authors: Wakitani Shin , Yamamoto Toru 
Published: January 2022

SummaryThe database‐driven PID (DD‐PID) controller is an effective nonlinear PID controller design method; however, some electrical control units in industrial systems cannot implement its algorithm because the DD‐PID control scheme requires a large memory capacity and a high‐performance processor. In this article, to solve this problem, a group method of data handling PID (GMDH‐PID) controller is proposed that approximately expresses the behavior of the DD‐PID controller by combinations of simple nonlinear functions. Although this method can reduce the amount of memory capacity and computing power required, the coefficients in each nonlinear function calculated by the least squares method (LSM) may not be stable because of the multicollinearity of the input signals. In this study, instead of LSM, the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator, which is a sparse modeling method, was employed as a coefficient calculation method of the GMDH, in which some coefficients can be calculated as zero in order to avoid the influence of multicollinearity. The effectiveness of the proposed method was evaluated by simulation and experimental testing.
Elucidating the Critical Role of Ruthenium Single Atom Sites in Water Dissociation and Dehydrogenation Behaviors for Robust Hydrazine Oxidation‐Boosted Alkaline Hydrogen Evolution
Authors: Li Jiachen , Li Yang , Wang Jiaao , Zhang Chi , Ma Huijun , Zhu Chenhui , Fan Daidi , Guo Zhaoqi , Xu Ming , Wang Yaoyu , Ma Haixia 
Published: January 2022

AbstractHydrazine oxidation (HzOR)‐assisted overall water splitting (OWS) provides a unique approach to energy‐efficient hydrogen production (HER). However, there are still major challenges in the design of bifunctional catalysts and gain deep insight into the mechanism of both water dissociation and dehydrogenation kinetics triggered by the same active species during HzOR‐assisted OWS. Here, ruthenium single atoms (Ru SAs) anchored onto sulphur‐vacancies of tungsten disulphide (WS2) are prepared by a sulfidation and facile galvanostatic deposition strategy. The WS2/Ru SAs act as a bifunctional catalyst and outperforms commercial platinum (Pt) catalysts for both HzOR and HER. Ultralow potentials of −74 and −32.1 mV at 10 mA cm−2 are achieved for HzOR and HER, respectively. Two‐electrode electrolyzer using WS2/Ru SAs as both anode and cathode reaches 10 mA cm−2 with cell voltage of only 15.4 mV, which is far below that of most electrocatalysts including commercial Pt. Density functional theory calculations unravel the critical role of Ru SAs in WS2, where the sluggish dissociation of water in HER can be promoted on Ru sites, and the sulfur sites of WS2 exhibit a more thermoneutral behavior for hydrogen intermediate adsorption. Moreover, Ru sites are also active centers for stepwise hydrazine dehydrogenation during HzOR.
A High‐Performance Nonlinear Metasurface for Spatial‐Wave Absorption
Authors: Luo Zhangjie , Ren Xueyao , Zhou Lin , Chen Yu , Cheng Qiang , Ma Hui Feng , Cui Tie Jun 
Published: January 2022

AbstractNonlinear absorption is a significant topic in classic nonlinear sciences. Today, a growing interest in this area is drawn by increasingly severe interferences associated with strong microwaves. Although conventional absorbers may help mitigate the harmful effects, they unavoidably cause a huge loss to small useful signals. Here, a novel nonlinear absorbing metasurface is proposed targeting spatial waves. Based on an active nonlinear mechanism, the input impedance of the metasurface is highly dependent on the wave intensity. When the waves get stronger, the impedance‐match between the meta‐surface and free space is improved, so they are preferably allowed to enter the structure and be dissipated inside. A prototype is fabricated and measured in a microwave anechoic chamber, and its intriguing characteristics such as wide incident angle scope, dual polarizations, and wide instantaneous bandwidth are demonstrated, which are in good agreement with theoretical and simulated anticipations. With an ultralow profile and a simple direct‐current‐supplying strategy, the proposal can find potential applications in various scenarios to reinforce the protection of the weak against the strong.
Laponite‐Based Nanomaterials for Drug Delivery
Authors: Kiaee Gita , Dimitrakakis Nikolaos , Sharifzadeh Shabnam , Kim Han‐Jun , Avery Reginald K. , Moghaddam Kamyar Mollozadeh , Haghniaz Reihaneh , Yalcintas Ezgi Pinar , Barros Natan Roberto de , Karamikamkar Solmaz , Libanori Alberto , Khademhosseini Ali , Khoshakhlagh Parastoo 
Published: January 2022

AbstractLaponite is a clay‐based material composed of synthetic disk‐shaped crystalline nanoparticles with highly ionic, large surface area. These characteristics enable the intercalation and dissolution of biomolecules in Laponite‐based drug delivery systems. Furthermore, Laponite's innate physicochemical properties and architecture enable the development of tunable pH‐responsive drug delivery systems. Laponite's coagulation capacity and cation exchangeability determine its exchange capabilities, drug encapsulation efficiency, and release profile. These parameters are exploited to design highly controlled and efficacious drug delivery platforms for sustained drug release. In this review, they provide an overview of how to design efficient delivery of therapeutics by leveraging the properties and specific interactions of various Laponite–polymer composites and drug moieties.
Regulated Exogenous/Endogenous Inflammation via “Inner‐Outer” Medicated Electrospun Fibers for Promoting Tissue Reconstruction
Authors: Zhou Xue , Saiding Qimanguli , Wang Xianjing , Wang Juan , Cui Wenguo , Chen Xinliang 
Published: January 2022

AbstractRegenerative medicine aims to provide solutions for structural and functional recovery in conditions where organs suffer from varying degrees of diseases or injuries. However, the exogenous inflammation triggered by implanted biomaterials and endogenous inflammation caused by some disease or tissue destruction has not been solved properly yet. Herein, a functional “inner‐outer” medicated core–shell electrospun fibrous membrane is fabricated with RGD surface modification for exogenous inflammation suppression and puerarin loading in the core for long‐term endogenous inflammation inhibition through microsol electrospinning technique. The “outer” RGD significantly increases biocompatibility of fibrous membrane through promoting cell viability, adhesion, and proliferation while the “inner” puerarin suppresses inflammatory gene expression via sustained drug release in vitro. Moreover, in a rat abdominal wall hernia model, the functional fibrous membrane successfully reduces exogenous and endogenous inflammation response and promotes wound healing through collagen deposition, smooth muscle formation, and vascularization. In summary, the functional “inner‐outer” medicated fibrous membrane holds a great potential for clinical treatment of diseases that needs tissue reconstruction structurally and functionally accompanied by immunoregulation.
Smart Adhesives via Magnetic Actuation
Authors: Zhao Jinsheng , Li Xiangyu , Tan Yu , Liu Xiaokun , Lu Taiping , Shi Mingxing 
Published: January 2022

AbstractSmart adhesives possess a wide range of applications owing to their reversibly and repeatedly switchable adhesion in transfer technology. Despite recent advances, it still remains a technical and scientific challenge to achieve strategies for rapidly tunable adhesion in a noncontact manner. In this study, a smart adhesive to achieve dynamically tunable adhesion is developed. Specifically, a mushroom‐shaped adhesive with a magnetized tip is actuated to reversibly and rapidly transform the morphology via magnetic actuation. The smart adhesive has two working modes, namely, selective pickup mode and pick‐and‐place mode. In the selective pickup mode, the external magnetic field is applied and the tip undergoes bending deformation. Changes in tip morphology allow for a reversible switch of the adhesion between “turn on” and “turn off.” In the pick‐and‐place mode, the external magnetic field is applied when the target object needs to be released. Upward bending deformation of the micro‐beam, a part of the tip, creates an initial crack at the edge of the adhesion interface. The propagation of the edge crack modulates the adhesion from strong to weak and the target object is instantly released. The proposed smart adhesive may be of interest for practical applications demanding highly precise and swiftly controlled movements.