bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pre-competition mental energy and performance relationships among physically disabled table tennis players
Authors: Chuang Wen-Chuan , Lu Frank J.H. , Gill Diane L. , Fang Bin-Bin 
Published: April 2022

Energy is essential to human daily functioning and performance. However, the association of mental energy with athletes’ performance has rarely been examined. We attempted to examine the pre-competition mental energy–performance relationships by two studies. Study 1 administered Athletic Mental Energy Scale (AMES, Lu et al., 2018) to nine elite physically-disabled table tennis players one day before competition in 5 international tournaments. Then, we collected their subjective performance after each competition. In Study 2, we sampled 77 National-level physically-disabled table tennis players and examined the pre-competition mental energy-performance relationship as the procedure in Study 1. Results from Study 1 provided initial findings of how pre-competition mental energy is associated with performance and portrayed in elite physically-disabled table tennis players. Results from Study 2 further confirmed the pre-competition mental energy- performance relationships. We suggested future studies to examine the mental energy–performance relationships in physically-disabled and abled athletes and different sports.
An Overview on Biochemical Parameters and Organ Injury in COVID-19 Patients
Authors: A. Shinde Sarita , V. Dhat Vaishali , J. Phalak Pradnya , K. More Umesh , D. Deshmukh Anita , A. Tilak Mona 
Published: April 2022

The Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is considered as a respiratory disease which can cause a multi-organ injury like acute cardiac injury, kidney injury, and liver dysfunction. COVID-19 patients had The different of blood biochemical abnormalities where found in covid -19 patients which might indicate multiple organ dysfunction.
Hence the aim of the present study is provision of overview on organ injury and changes in biochemical parameters in Covid-19 patients.
The common laboratory abnormalities in COVID-19 patients included elevated inflammatory markers like CRP, ferritin, procalcitonin, cytokines and IL-6, IL-2, IL-7 and elevated prothrombin time and D-dimer. The cardiac injury is shown by increased concentration of CK-MB, LDH, and cTn and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP).
In liver and kidney dysfunction mild or moderate elevation of AST, ALT, total bilirubin, ALP, GGT, hypoalbuminemia, blood urea, creatinine and electrolyte disturbances were seen.
Hence reviewing currently available data, the present study can suggest that monitoring of the biochemical parameters may help in prediction of organ damage which further can prevent disease progression early interventions.
Research on Operational Risk Management in First Bank of Nigeria (FBN Bank)
Authors: Ayomikun Seun Babatunde , Diping Zhang , Emmanuel Olusola Babalola 
Published: April 2022

The FBN bank is the oldest and largest of the twenty-four banks operating in the Nigerian economy. The objective of this study is to assess the impact of Operational Risk Management on FBN Banks. Past literatures were reviewed and theoretical frameworks such as the extreme-value theory and risk theory of profit were adopted to support the study. The research adopted both qualitative and quantitative techniques, and the data for the study was employed from primary and secondary sources. Primary data questionnaires were distributed to 60 bank workers, but Only 50 surveys were returned from the served respondents, and the analysis was focused on those 50. Eventually, the respondents' responses were analyzed using simple percentages. Moreover, the secondary data were derived from the sampling deposit money institutions audited and publicly available financial statements of first bank of Nigeria. Following, the results were analyzed based on time series basis from 1999 to 2020 using regression estimates. The investigation indicated that operational risk and credit risk have a greater impact on FBN banking operations than market risk. Fraud and forgeries also have a negative impact on banking operations. However, fraud and forgery risk, operational risk, credit risk, and system risk abound in FBN banking operations, all of which must be managed effectively to improve bank performance and stability. Deductively from the survey analyses, the FBN banks' risk management procedures have effectively minimized the different risks that FBN banks face. Nevertheless， a case study was carried out and these necessitates the design of a risk indicator system that will further help first bank of Nigeria to map and curb their operational risks.
The regression result revealed that operational risk management had a considerable impact on FBN banks' performance measures in Nigeria. Especially the Ratio of Non-Performing Loans to Total Loans (BRNPL), and Ratio of Cost to Income (BROCI) has a negative significant impact on the financial stability of FBN banks in Nigeria as measured by Return on Equity (ROE).
Use of Various Organics Substrates and Evolution of Chemical Parameters during Composting of Panicum maximum Jacq and Oriza sativa L. Straw
Authors: Kouhouyiwo Gomgnimbou Alain Peoule , Kalifa Coulibaly , Alimata Arzouma Bandaogo , Abdramane Sanon , Sékou Fofana , Hassan Bismarck Nacro 
Published: April 2022

Aims: The present study was initiated with the objective of evaluating the quality of composts obtained from different organic substrates.
Place and Duration of Study: The test was conducted at the research station of the INERA (Institute of Environment and Agricultural Research) of Farako-Bâ in western Burkina Faso.
Methodology: Aerobic composting was conducted through use of compost heaps composed of various organic and plant substrates, and physical and chemical parameters were measured during the process. Two types of biomass comprising Oriza sativa and Panicum maximum straw and two types of substrates including cattle manure and poultry manure were subjected to windrow composting. Two treatments were defined with the combination of rice straw + cattle manure (T1) and the combination of Panicum maximum straw + poultry manure (T2).
Results: The study showed that the composts from both treatments gave basic pH for water and low C:N ratios (> 20) and were rich in mineral elements. The best quality compost is obtained in T2 with values of total P (0.52%), Ca (2.05%) and Mg (0.62%) higher than those of T1 by 44%, 39% and 39% respectively.
Conclusion: This study highlights the possibility of composting these substrates, which may contribute to improving the organic matter requirements of the soil.
Prevalence and Predictors of Anxiety and Depression among Glaucoma Patients in a Tertiary Health Institution in South-South Nigeria
Authors: N. Ani Nnenne , Inye Nathaniel Godswill 
Published: April 2022

Aim: To determine the prevalence and factors associated with Anxiety and Depression among `glaucoma patients.
Study Design: It was a hospital-based cross-sectional study.
Place and Duration of Study: This study was carried out at the Department of Ophthalmology, University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital Port Harcourt, Nigeria. From February to June 2016.
Patients and Methods: Glaucoma patients aged 18 years or older with no history of coexisting ocular pathology or chronic systemic illness were included in the study. Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) questionnaires were administered. Ocular examinations done included visual acuity, applanation tonometry, and ophthalmoscopy. Perimetry was done using a standard achromatic perimetry with a fast threshold central 30-2 strategy. Data obtained from the subjects were analysed using SPSS (Version 20), and p value set at < 0.05.
Results: There were 141 males (47%) and 158 females (53%) giving a male: female ratio 1:1.12. The age range was 20-86 years with mean age of 53.61± 14.23 years. The prevalence of Anxiety and Depression were 37.5% and 34.1% respectively, while 53 subjects (17.7%) had both anxiety and depression. The mean scores of anxiety and depression among the study subjects were 6.49±3.851 (CI 6.05-6.93) and 5.78±3.832 (95% CI 5.35-6.21) respectively. Family history (O.R=1.893;P-value=0.019), previous membership of a Glaucoma Society(O.R=2.633;P-value=0.007), and BCVA in the better eye(O.R=0.235;P-value=0.001), were significant predictors of anxiety while age(O.R=0.774;P-value=0.029), educational status (O.R=0.139;P-value=0.001), and BCVA in the better eye (O.R=4.865;P-value=0.001) were significant predictive factors for depression after adjustment for cofounding factors.
Conclusion: There is high prevalence of Anxiety and Depression among this cohort of glaucoma patients. Combined management of glaucoma patients with Neuropsychiatrists will promote a holistic management with early detection of mental health challenges.
Electrochemical On‐Site Switching of the Directional Liquid Transport on a Conical Fiber
Authors: Xu Bojie , Chen Xuan , Shi Zhongyu , Meng Lili , Wang Dong , Jiang Lei , Liu Huan 
Published: April 2022

AbstractDirectional liquid transport (DLT), especially that proceeding on a conical fiber (DLT‐CF), is an important mass‐transfer process widely used both by natural organisms and in practical applications. However, on‐site switching of the DLT‐CF remains a challenge due to the nontunable driving force imparted by the structural gradient, which greatly limits its application. Here, unprecedently, a facile electrochemical strategy is developed for reaching the on‐site switchable DLT‐CF, featuring in situ control and fast response. Depending on the poised electric potential, the droplet can either move directionally or be pinned at any position for a tunable duration time, exhibiting completely different moving characteristics from the traditional DLT‐CF with no control. It is proposed that the surface hysteresis resistance, closely related to both the surface hydrogen‐bonding network and the droplet topology on the fiber, can be largely altered electrochemically. The tunable hysteresis resistance works synergistically with the conical‐structure‐induced Laplace pressure to on‐site tune the forces acting on the droplet, leading to various controllable DLTs‐CF, including those with tunable distance and direction, array manipulation, and assembly line processing of droplets. The strategy is applicable for versatile liquids, offering a general approach for controllable liquid transport in fibrous systems.
An APN‐Activated Chemiluminescent Probe for Image‐Guided Surgery of Malignant Tumors
Authors: Liu Yinghua , Zeng Jianfeng , Li Qing , Miao Minqian , Song Zhuorun , Zhao Min , Miao Qingqing , Gao Mingyuan 
Published: April 2022

AbstractDeveloping smart molecular probes for assisting surgeons to precisely detect cancerous tissues and to completely remove all of them during the surgery is urgently required. Conventional fluorescent probes allow for tumor detection but with limited signal‐to‐noise ratio. Herein, an aminopeptidase N/CD13 (APN)‐activated chemiluminescent probe (APN‐ACLP) is reported for sensitive imaging and precise resection of malignant tumors. The APN‐ACLP probe is based on acryl‐substituted phenoxy‐dioxetane that is coupled with an APN‐cleavable substrate via a self‐immolative linker. Upon activation by APN through specific hydrolysis reaction, APN‐ACLP generates spontaneously chemiluminescence signal, which offers a possibility to sensitively search tumors by simply spraying APN‐ACLP on the suspicious sites. Animal imaging studies reveal that a sufficient signal contrast between the cancerous tissues and the normal counterparts can be achieved within 5 min, which can allow for rapid detection and surgical resection of tumors, particularly tiny metastatic lesions in mice model, under the guidance of chemiluminescence imaging, well manifesting its potential for image‐guided surgery of malignant tumors.
First‐Principle Studies of the Enhancement of Rashba Effect in Ultrathin GeTe Films by Structural Engineering
Authors: Yao Yang , Huang Hong‐Fei , Dong Yao‐Jun , Gu Han , Zhong Jia‐Lin , Hao Xiang , Wu Yin‐Zhong 
Published: April 2022

AbstractIt is well known that electronic energy bands are split by spin‐orbit coupling in a system that lacks inversion center, and the bulk Rashba effect in ferroelectric semiconductor GeTe has attracted intensive attention due to its giant Rashba coefficient. However, the Rashba effect in GeTe film will disappear below a critical thickness due to the occurrence of centrosymmetric structure with decreasing thickness. In this paper, GeTe/In heterostructures are investigated by means of first‐principle calculations, and it is found that the Rashba effect not only can be revived for the nonpolar‐GeTe film, but also can be enhanced for the ultrathin polar‐GeTe film. The variation of the bias field within the GeTe film in the heterostructure in contrast with that within the isolated GeTe film may be employed to explain the remarkable improvement of Rashba effect and the spin textures around the spin‐split band. Furthermore, the influence of the In polarization on the Rashba coefficient is also discussed. With the increasing demands of device miniaturization, the authors hope that the method of constructing heterostructure may be an alternative route to enable large Rashba effect surviving down to the ultrathin film limit.
Local government environmental regulatory pressures and corporate environmental strategies: Evidence from natural resource accountability audits in China
Authors: Zeng Huixiang , Li Xuemei , Zhou Qiong , Wang Lin 
Published: April 2022

AbstractIncorporating natural resource management and eco‐environmental responsibility into the local government assessment system would change the local governments' intensity of environmental regulation. However, it is unclear whether and how this change is reflected in the firms' environmental strategies. This paper empirically examines the effects and mechanisms of local government regulation on firms' environmental strategies using the quasi‐natural experimental context of the Leading Officials' Natural Resources Accountability Audit (NRAA) in China. The results show that after the implementation of the NRAA, heavily polluting firms are more likely to adopt a source prevention strategy than an end‐of‐pipe governance strategy to cope with the local government's environmental management pressure. Resource support from local governments and increasingly stringent environmental constraints are potential channels for the NRAA to induce firms to adopt a preventive environmental strategy. The environmental governance pressure transmitted to firms differs due to different promotion expectations of local governments. Thus, corporate environmental strategies are related to government promotion expectations. In addition, we apply the Porter hypothesis to the NRAA. Finally, we explore the governance boundaries of the NRAA for different regions, audit intensities, and firms. This paper clarifies the interaction logic between the local governments' environmental constraints and the enterprises' environmental governance behaviors after the implementation of China's pilot policy, enriching research on natural resource asset audits and environmental governance.
Structural properties and evaluation of the antiproliferative activity of limonene‐1,2‐diol obtained by the fungal biotransformation of R‐(+)‐ and S‐(−)‐limonene
Authors: Alexandrino Thaís Dolfini , de Medeiros Tiago Daniel Madureira , Ruiz Ana Lúcia Tasca Gois , Favaro Denize Cristina , Pastore Gláucia Maria , Bicas Juliano Lemos 
Published: April 2022

AbstractLimonene‐1,2‐diol is a limonene oxygenated metabolite that possesses eight different stereoisomers, which could result in different biological properties. Nonetheless, the relation between its spatial configuration and biological function is still little explored. The present study aimed to perform the stereoisomers identification using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) investigation of the limonene‐1,2‐diol produced via R‐(+)‐ and S‐(−)‐limonene biotransformation by Colletotrichum nymphaeae and S‐(−)‐limonene biotransformation by Fusarium oxysporum 152B. Besides, in vitro antiproliferative activity was evaluated against human tumor and nontumor cell lines. The NMR analysis showed that R‐(+)‐limonene biotransformation afforded exclusively (+)‐(1S,2S,4R‐limonene‐1,2‐diol), whereas S‐(−)‐limonene biotransformation afforded exclusively (−)‐(1R,2R,4S‐limonene‐1,2‐diol) independent on the fungi used. Despite no significant cytostatic effects, a possible influence of stereogenic center on the antiproliferative activity of these limonene biotransformation products was evidenced. Moreover, the lack of in vitro antiproliferative effect of limonene‐1,2‐diol against nontumor cells suggested a safe dose range for further in vivo evaluations, including food applications.
Aragonite toothpaste for management of dental calculus: A double‐blinded randomized controlled clinical trial
Authors: Al‐Hashedi Ashwaq A. , Dubreuil Nadia , Schwinghamer Timothy , Dorzhiyeva Subad , Anweigi Lamyia , Emami Elham , Tamimi Faleh 
Published: April 2022

AbstractObjectivesAragonite from animal origin such as cuttlefish bone powder is an abrasive with hardness properties ideal for calculus removal. The purpose of this randomized controlled trial was to test the efficacy of a cuttlebone‐derived aragonite toothpaste in removing dental calculus.Materials and MethodsEighty‐one patients who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were blindly and randomly assigned into two study groups. The intervention treatment group (n = 40) received cuttlebone toothpaste (Dr. D‐Tart) and the control group (n = 41) received an off‐the‐shelf commercial toothpaste (Crest). Evaluations were performed before and after scaling and polishing procedures done at 3 months in order to evaluate the toothpaste's ability to remove calculus and to prevent calculus formation. Calculus, stains, plaque, and gingival indices scores, and patient satisfaction surveys were compared at baseline (first visit), 3, and 9 months, using generalized linear models and Wald's χ2 test.ResultsAt the end of the 3‐month period, the intervention group showed a 30% reduction in total calculus compared to the baseline score (p = .0006) and 45% less total calculus compared to the control group (p = .0001). Six months after scaling, the mean calculus score for Crest users was 42% higher than that for Dr. D‐Tart users (p = .0692). There was a significant improvement in the gingival health of cuttlebone toothpaste users at the observed intervals, and both kinds of toothpaste achieved comparable results in terms of plaque and stains removal.ConclusionsAragonite toothpaste can remove calculus, prevent calculus formation, and improve gingival health. Patients are generally satisfied with the performance of the aragonite toothpaste. Clinical significance: Animal‐derived aragonite toothpaste (Dr. D‐Tart) shows promising efficacy in removing calculus, preventing calculus formation, and for the improvement of gingival health. Clinical trial ID: A08‐M35‐16B.
CFOA‐based simple mixed‐mode first‐order universal filter configurations
Authors: Bhaskar Data Ram , Raj Ajishek , Senani Raj , Kumar Pragati 
Published: April 2022

AbstractThis brief communication presents two current feedback op‐amp (CFOA)‐based simple first‐order mixed‐mode universal filter topologies—one of them providing first‐order low‐pass (LP), high pass (HP), and all pass (AP)—all the three filters in voltage‐mode (VM)/trans‐admittance‐mode (TAM) while the other one realizing the quoted three functions in current‐mode (CM)/trans‐impedance‐mode (TIM). Except the all pass filter realization from the first configuration which needs a second CFOA also as gain‐of‐two amplifier, in all the remaining cases of both the configurations, only a single CFOA is needed. The other notable features of the circuits are employment of only three resistors and a grounded capacitor (as preferred for IC implementation) and the availability of independent tunability of the gain (H0) and cut‐off frequency/pole frequency (ω0) of all the three filters, in both the cases. In spite of not offering ideally infinite input impedance in VM/TAM mode and ideally zero input impedance in CM/TIM mode, the circuits still possess easy cascadability due to providing a voltage output from a low‐output impedance terminal W while the current output from the high output impedance terminal Z. Non‐ideal and sensitivity analyses have also been carried out. The workability of the proposed circuits has been demonstrated through PSPICE simulations and experimental results using the commercially available AD844‐type IC CFOA.
Embryonic opioid exposure impairs inhibitory transmission of striatum in day‐old chicks
Authors: Shang Wen , Dai Zhonghua , Zhang Jianjun , Shen Fang , Sui Nan , Liang Jing 
Published: April 2022

AbstractStudies of humans, mammalian animals, and chicks reveal that embryonic opioid exposure (EOE) changes the response to pharmacological rewards in postnatal individuals, which may be an outcome of permanent alterations to neural systems. However, the mechanism behind this alteration remains unclear. GABA transmitter has a trophic effect on early GABAergic neuronal development, and EOE decreases GABA concentration in developing brains. Here, we determined whether the development of inhibitory transmission was affected by EOE and whether altered GABA release was the underlying mechanism. We revealed that morphine administration in the early but not the late embryonic period decreased inhibitory transmission in the striatum of chicks. Meanwhile, day‐old chicks with early embryonic morphine exposure showed increased psychomotor activity after acute morphine injection compared with saline‐exposed chicks. Furthermore, GABA injection in the chick embryo following morphine administration mitigated damage to GABA transmission and recovered the behavioral response to acute morphine injection in chicks. Collectively, our findings suggest that abnormal GABA release in the early embryonic period induced by opioid exposure is attributable to functional and structural developments of the GABA synapse, and that the dysfunction of striatal GABA transmission may be linked to enhanced psychomotor response during initial drug exposure in postnatal life.
Identifying the limits of peripheral visual processing in 9‐month‐old infants
Authors: Capparini Chiara , To Michelle P. S. , Reid Vincent M. 
Published: April 2022

AbstractMost fundamental aspects of information processing in infancy have been primarily investigated using simplified images centrally presented on computer displays. This approach lacks ecological validity as in reality the majority of visual information is presented across the visual field, over a range of eccentricities. Limited studies are present, however, about the extent and the characteristics of infant peripheral vision after 7 months of age. The present work investigates the limits of infant (9‐month‐olds) and adult visual fields using a detection task. Gabor patches were presented at one of six eccentricities per hemifield, from 35° up to 60° in the left and right mid‐peripheral visual fields. Detection rates at different eccentricities were measured from video recordings (infant sample) or key press responses (adult sample). Infant performance declined below chance level beyond 50°, whereas adults performed at ceiling level across all eccentricities. The performance of 9‐month‐olds was unequal even within 50°, suggesting regions of differential sensitivity to low‐level visual information in the infant's periphery. These findings are key to understanding the limits of visual fields in the infant and, in turn, will inform the design of future infant studies.