bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Assessment of level of compliance with the use of condoms among discordant HIV-infected couples in Kaduna State, Nigeria.
Authors: Danboyi Daniel Abba , Danjuma Lawal , Abdullahi Mas'ud , Sani Nura Muhamma 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Background: The use of condoms is key in the global fight against HIV and AIDS. This helps to reduce the rate of infection and disease burden in the general population. Furthermore, it underscores the need to intermittently study or assess the level of compliance with the use of condoms as a preventive measure. Methods: The research was conducted to assess the level of compliance with condom use among HIV- infected discordant couples in Kaduna State Nigeria. The study was conducted in Antiretroviral (ART) treatment centers of 9 Local Government Areas of the 23 Local Government Areas in Kaduna State Nigeria. A total of 158 couples or 317 individuals were recruited for the study. A detailed questionnaire was used to collect data on demographics, the use of condoms, and the practice of unprotected sex.Results: The results obtained in the study showed that the majority of the respondents 224(70.7%) were unemployed. Most of the respondents 230(72.6%) never used a condom while 87(27.4%) did use condoms. The study also revealed that the Educational status of respondents had a strong association with their perceived attitude towards the use of condoms during sex (p-value 0.009) while attitude towards the practice of unprotected sex was statistically insignificant (p-value 0.404). There is a need to improve on the educational coverage for the entire population to mitigate the scourge of HIV transmission.
Bifurcated sleep in night shift workers alters circadian relationships in cardiovascular and temperature rhythms
Authors: Gupta Neelu Jain , Yadav Shivani , Malik Sweekriti 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Shift workers are faced with sleep deficits and circadian disruption, a risk factor for hypertension. We recorded daily rhythms of body temperature and blood pressure (BP) of 28 healthy healthcare workers using thermometers and ambulatory BP monitors, respectively. Participants worked in in regular day (D) shift, regular night (N) shift or rotational shift (RS, i.e., RD/RN during day/night shift) work routines. Different shift regimes had variable effects on sleep quality and duration, thus affecting the waveform of daily BP/temperature rhythms. Therefore, this study aimed to assess circadian misalignment of BP/temperature rhythms under shift-work regimes. In D, 8-h night sleep and robust bimodal rhythmic patterns in SBP, DBP and temperature were observed. Among shift workers, N exhibited bifurcated sleep with long work-hour naps commensurate to the daily peak and dip in BP/temperature. The amplitude of the daily rhythm of BP and temperature was dampened in RS. Overall, cardiovascular rhythm disruption was greater in SBP than in DBP. RS exhibited higher temperatures throughout day-night shifts. Sleep bifurcation, although it immediately recompenses sleep deficits, may be associated with altered circadian waveforms of physiological rhythms, rendering long-term health consequences.
Complex network modeling of a river basin: an application to the Guadalquivir River in Southern Spain
Authors: Rodríguez-Alarcón R. , Lozano S. 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
In this paper, complex network analysis is used to analyze the structure of a whole river basin. A classification of nodes and edges that allow the river basin to be represented as a directed network is given. Both global and local characterization metrics are presented. Thus, centralization indexes, average path length, diameter, network efficiency, edge length, degree and strength distributions can be computed and interpreted. The closeness and betweenness centrality as well as the PageRank index of the different nodes can also be calculated and provide information on the relative position of each node in the network in terms of their average distance to upstream and downstream nodes, their reachability from other nodes, etc. In addition, a new centrality index based on the environmental impact of a potential spill or contaminant release on each node of the network has been applied. This type of centrality index is particularly useful in hydrologic networks and helps to identify key nodes from a contamination propagation point of view. The application of the proposed approach to the Guadalquivir River basin, in Southern Spain, is presented. Apart from validating the environmental impact centrality index, the most important finding is the scale-free character of the network and its consequences.
Scour model for circular compound bridge pier
Authors: Nimbalkar Padmakar , Rathod Praveen , Manekar Vivek , Bhalerao Anand 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Scour is a complex phenomenon, whose complexity increases with the change in the geometry of the obstruction. Most investigations have been carried out on the scour process at a uniform pier. However, in reality, many bridge piers behave as non-uniform depending on the exposure of their foundation into the flow field. All the experimental investigations were carried out in the present study to understand the effect of pier geometry, the position of footing top with respect to bed level, and sediment mixtures (uniform and non-uniform) on local scour under clear water conditions. A total of 106 experiments were conducted in the present study with a different combination of pier models, sediment mixture, and footing top with respect to bed. A maximum scour depth model was developed using 182 data points consisting of experimental data (106) and extracted from the literature (76). To develop a model, a state-of-the-art artificial intelligence (AI) based modeling technique known as gene expression programming (GEP) was employed in this study. The GEP model was developed by using 130 data points and independent 52 data points for the model validation. The performance of the proposed scour model for the compound bridge pier was found to be satisfactory.
A review on the application of the DRASTIC method in the assessment of groundwater vulnerability
Authors: Patel Priyank , Mehta Darshan , Sharma Neeraj 
Published: March 2022

AbstractIndustrial and municipal wastes, agricultural contamination owing to pesticides and chemical hazards, seawater intrusion in coastal areas, and other factors damage groundwater. In several towns and industrial clusters across India, this is becoming a rising subject of concern. Groundwater is difficult to contaminate, but once contaminated, it is difficult to clean up. It is critical to attain this goal using a variety of aquifer vulnerability assessment approaches. All of these strategies rely on process models as well as statistical or overlay index methodologies. Groundwater vulnerability is a major topic of discussion due to declining groundwater levels and rising contamination, posing a serious threat to the environment and water sources. To identify the risk and to assess the vulnerability, extensive research has been carried out among all the methods based on different parameters and different indexes. The DRASTIC method is one of the most important and accurate of the overlay and index methods for the assessment of groundwater vulnerability. This research study is a systematic analysis of the available research articles on the applications of the DRASTIC and Modified DRASTIC (DRASTIC-L) performance management process on Geographical Information Systems (GIS). This research also reveals research gaps in the various groundwater vulnerability assessment approaches, as well as their limits and hypotheses. This study discovered that integrating GIS with DRASTIC is the most effective and accurate way for determining groundwater vulnerability. In agricultural, arid, semi-arid, and basaltic zones, the modified DRASTIC model also outperforms the traditional DRASTIC model.
Antonio Fuentes Díaz y Daniele Fini (coords.). Defender al pueblo. Autodefensas y policías comunitarias en México
Authors: Treviño Ronzón Ernesto 
Published: March 2022

Cuando el pueblo se defiende
Antonio Fuentes Díaz y Daniele Fini (coordinadores) (2018). Defender al pueblo. Autodefensas y policías comunitarias en México. Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, Ediciones del Lirio. 350 pp. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.21696/rcsl102120201245
ISBN: 978-607-525-543-9
Therapeutic Potential of Flavonoid Derivatives for Certain Neglected
Tropical Diseases
Authors: Pone Boniface Kamdem , Ferreira Elizabeth Igne 
Published: March 2022

Background:
Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) are infectious diseases that mostly af-fect people living in tropical and subtropical regions, especially in impoverished areas. Ubiquitously found in plants, flavonoids are a group of compounds that have been reported to exhibit a wide range of biological activities against parasites (Leishmania sp., Trypanosoma cruzi, Trypanosoma brucei, Brugia malayi, etc.) that cause certain NTDs.

Aims:
The present study aims to highlight and discuss our recent reports on the implication of fla-vonoids in drug development for NTDs, such as leishmaniasis, Chagas disease, African trypanoso-miasis, filariasis, among others.

Results:
Today, studies show that flavonoids exhibit in vitro antileishmanial, anti-trypanosomiasis, antifilarial activities, among others. Furthermore, the molecular hybridization of flavonoids with the triazole groups has led to the development of compounds with improved biological activity. The in-corporation of chemical groups, such as NO2, F, and Cl groups, during the process of design and synthesis, leads to the enhancement of pharmacological activity.

Conclusion:
Flavonoids are useful metabolites that can be prospected as potential leads for the de-velopment of new agents against certain NTDs. However, research opportunities, including cytotox-icity and in vivo studies, mechanisms of action, bioavailability of these compounds, remain to be investigated in the future.
Molecular Insights on the Therapeutic Effect of Selected Flavonoids on Diabetic Neuropathy
Authors: Prabhawathi Veluchamy , Sivakumar Ponnurengam Malliappan , Prabhakar Pranav Kumar , Cetinel Sibel , R. Neelakandan 
Published: March 2022

Abstract:
One of the common clinical complications of diabetes is diabetic neuropathy affecting the nervous system. Painful diabetic neuropathy is widespread and highly prevalent. At least 50% of diabetes patients eventually develop diabetic neuropathy. The four main types of diabetic neuropathy are peripheral neuropathy, autonomic neuropathy, proximal neuropathy (diabetic polyradiculopathy), and mononeuropathy (Focal neuropathy). Glucose control remains the common therapy for diabetic neuropathy due to limited knowledge on early biomarkers that are expressed during nerve damage, thereby limiting the cure through pharmacotherapy. Glucose control dramatically reduces the onset of neuropathy in type 1 diabetes but proves to be less effective in type 2 diabetes. Therefore, the focus is on various herbal remedies for prevention and treatment. There is numerous research on the use of anticonvulsants and antidepressants for the management of pain in diabetic neuropathy. Extensive research is being conducted on natural products, including the isolation of pure compounds like flavonoids from plants and their effect on diabetic neuropathy. This review focuses on the use of important flavonoids such as flavanols (e.g., quercetin, rutin, kaempferol, and isorhamnetin), flavanones (e.g., hesperidin, naringenin and class eriodictyol), and flavones (e.g., apigenin, luteolin, tangeretin, chrysin, and diosmin) for the prevention and treatment of diabetic neuropathy. The mechanisms of action of flavonoids against diabetic neuropathy by their antioxidant, anti-inflammation, anti-glycation properties, etc., are also covered in this review article.
Therapeutic Potential of POU3F3, a Novel Long Non-coding RNA, Alleviates
the Pathogenesis of Osteoarthritis by Regulating the miR-29a-
3p/FOXO3 Axis
Authors: Shi Mingmin , Yan Shigui , Sun Menghao , Wang Cong , Shen Yue , Wang Yangxin 
Published: March 2022

Background:
Osteoarthritis (OA) is the predominant threat to the health of the elderly, and
it is crucial to understand the molecular pathogenetic mechanisms involved in it. This study aims to
investigate the role of a well-studied cancer-related long non-coding RNA (lncRNA)-POU3F3 in OA
and its implicated molecular mechanisms.

Method:
The expression of POU3F3 and miR-29a-3p was examined in osteoarthritis patients, as well
as destabilization of the medial meniscus (DMM) mouse OA model and IL- 1β induced chondrocytes
cell OA model, by quantitative real-time PCR. The interaction between POU3F3, miR-29a-3p and
transcription factor forkhead box O3 (FOXO3) was verified via dual-luciferase reporter analysis and
RNA immunoprecipitation analyses. Cell proliferation and apoptosis were evaluated by cell viability
assay and flow cytometry, respectively. Cartilage extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation was investigated
with ELISA and western blotting. In addition, the in vivo regulation of POU3F3 in OA was verified
by intra-articular injection of lentivirus overexpression POU3F31 in mice models.

Results:
The expression level of POU3F3 was decreased in OA patients/animal cartilage tissues and
IL-1β-stimulated in vitro chondrocyte model. POU3F3 overexpression inhibited IL-1β-induced injury
of chondrocytes, enhancing cell viability, suppressing apoptosis and inflammatory cytokine secretion,
rescuing metabolic dysfunction, and restraining autophagy in vitro. Mechanistically, Luciferase reporter
and RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) assays indicated that miR-29a-3p could directly bind to
POU3F3, and FOXO3 was a target gene of miR-29a-3p. Functional rescue assays confirmed this
POU3F3/miR-29a-3p/FOXO3 axis in chondrocytes during OA occurrence. Furthermore, intraarticularly
delivery of lentivirus containing POU3F3 alleviates the damage in mouse OA model in
vivo.

Conclusion:
In conclusion, this work highlights the role of the POU3F3/miR-29a-3p/FOXO3 axis in
the OA pathogenesis, suggesting this axis as a potential therapeutic target for OA.
A Comprehensive Review on In Silico-predicted Potential Phytochemicals
against SARS-CoV-2: Food for Thought for Researchers
Authors: Pathak Shilpi , Agrawal Neetu , Goyal Ahsas 
Published: March 2022

Abstract:
The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) emerged in December 2019. It is caused by severe
acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and is still existent all over the world.
Researchers worldwide are continuously conducting in silico studies or virtual screening on various
phytochemicals and reporting potential candidates that can be developed against COVID-19 after
in vitro and in vivo validation. Antiviral effects of several phytochemicals have been demonstrated
against different kinds of coronavirus, including SARS-CoV. Using drug repurposing techniques, a
number of phytochemicals have shown substantial antiviral efficacy against COVID 19. This article
reviews the efficacy of lead phytochemicals in computational studies on different important targets of
SARS-CoV-2 like main protease, ACE-2, papain-like protease, spike protein, nsp-1, nsp-15, RdRp,
MTase, helicase, cathepsin, TMPRSS-2. This review discusses potential application of these phytochemicals,
which can guide medicinal chemists to choose phytochemicals to proceed with further
in vitro and in vivo testing for SARS-CoV-2, which may eventually lead to an effective therapeutic
agent and thus can be used to control the current ongoing pandemic.
A Systematic Review of Decipher Genomic Classifier Risk Scores for
Prostate Cancer in African-Americans
Authors: Greenfield Sheldon , Rahimi Mahnoosh 
Published: March 2022

Background:
Prostate Cancer (PCa) is a non-cutaneous malignancy in men, and Decipher
being a genomic test, has gained increasing attention in estimating the risk of developing a recurrence
or metastatic PCa disease in patients. Therefore, this study is focused on evaluating the association of
Decipher score risk with recurrence of prostate cancer patients based on their medical, genetic predictors,
and demographics (e.g., races) by conducting a systematic review. Moreover, the study has also
assessed whether Decipher score risk can be a good predictor for prostate patients’ metastasis and
prostate cancer-specific mortality in men and clinical decision-making regarding patient treatment
recommendations.

Methods::
The research study has reviewed 74 research articles, and the systematic review results have
been presented in the form of themes. The studies' review indicated that Decipher acts as a genomic metastasis
signature to predict metastatic disease among patients and make better decisions about treating
the disease. Moreover, this genomic test can also be used in conjunction with Magnetic Resonance Imaging
(MRI) for identifying the lesions that may carry the biological potential for early metastases. Furthermore,
this review also identified that treatment options for PCa might range from Adjuvant Radiation
Treatment (ART) and Salvage Radiation Therapy (SRT) to Radical Prostatectomy (RP); however,
the selection of treatment methodology depends upon the GC score and risk stratification.

Results:
The results further suggested that the occurrence of PCa is two folds greater among African-
Americans (AA) men as compared to non-AA men. Thus, the increasing incidence of PCa among AA
and discrimination within AA's health and socio-economic conditions plays a significant role in treating
AA. In this scenario, the Decipher test score plays an essential role in making treatment decisions.

Conclusion:
To conclude, further trials are still required for validating the Decipher biomarkers, and
scientists should enhance the decipher test ability to be run on a patient's blood samples instead of tumor
tissue, which will help patients use decipher as a screening test at the asymptomatic level.
Nanosilver-Reinforced AgSn Alloys for Dental Applications: Mechanical
Behavior and Hardness
Authors: Castaño Víctor M. , Ortega-Arroyo Lesli , San-Martín-Martínez Eduardo , H. Barceló Federico , Vargas-Aparicio Jorge H. , Vengoechea-Gómez Fabio A. 
Published: March 2022

Aim:
AgSn alloys of different compositions were prepared by direct mixing with silver nanoparticles, synthesized, in turn, by an environmentally-friendly method.

Method:
The procedure was carried out by following the standard technique for preparing dental materials and devices. A detailed mechanical characterization, including the maximum elongation at break, the ultimate tensile strength and the hardness of the resulting nanocomposites, was obtained and numerically fitted by statistically-significant equations

Result:
The results show improved mechanical performance, as compared to standard materials used in dentistry, in particular amalgams.

Conclusion:
The procedure described allows to produce low cost materials with tailored mechanical properties.
Situational and Trans-Situational Correlates of Public Energy Literacy: A
Western U.S. Case Study
Authors: Siddiqi Muhammad Usman Amin , Steel Brent S. , Wolters Erika Allen 
Published: March 2022

Background:
Recent push for ‘energy democracy’ necessitates a well-informed citizenry
vis-à-vis energy policy, especially in the wake of ideologically charged and divergent views
about the existence and severity of climate change among American citizens. Citizens’ involvement
in energy policy processes in democratic countries makes it important to assess the depth and
scope of energy policy awareness and knowledge among the public, as well as to consider the factors
that promote or hinder how informed people are about energy policy issues.

Objectives:
This study aims at examining the levels of public informedness and knowledge of energy
policy and analyzing their potential correlates in the western U.S. states of California, Idaho,
Oregon, and Washington. The study also analyzes the impact of public awareness and knowledge
on public support for government funding for renewable energy technology research.

Methods:
Using survey data of 1804 randomly selected respondents from California, Idaho, Oregon,
and Washington, the study employs ordinal logistic regression to trans-situational and situational
models predicting self-assessed informedness and objective measure of knowledge about
energy policy as well as public support for federal funding for renewable energy technology research.

Results:
The study found that variables related to socio-economic status (SES) are stronger predictors
of public informedness and knowledge about energy policy than situational variables like values
and efficacy, except for climate change beliefs that have a positive relationship with informedness
and knowledge.

Conclusion:
The study also found that informedness and knowledge of energy policy are positively
associated with support for government funding for renewable energy research.
Portrait of an Artist as an Old Man (2016-2018)
Authors: Thiel Mirja Maria 
Published: March 2022

In Portrait of an Artist as an Old Man Mirja Maria Thiel tells the life of Fritz Dressler (1937-2020), a former professional photographer and university professor, who suffered from Alzheimer’s the last years of his life. Photographed over the course of more than two years, the black and white series is completely committed to the emotional reality of the charismatic protagonist. Dressler found immense pleasure and pride in himself by falling back on taking pictures himself. Adding some of his longing color images of his immediate surroundings, above all landscape and cloud images, as well as quotes by him gives the affected protagonist a voice and transforms this series into some kind of collaborative narrative which it has been in so many ways. The work intends to inspire a compassionate dialogue in society about issues concerning more respect, participation and empowerment towards people affected with Alzheimer’s and dementia.