bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prevalence of pneumonia and its associated factors among under five children in East Africa. Meta-analysis and systemic review
Authors: Beletew Biruk , Bimrew Melaku Getahun , Kasie Ayelign Mengesha , Wudu Mesfin Kassaw , Azmeraw Molla 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
Background: Pneumonia is defined as an acute inflammation of the Lungs’ parenchymal structure. It is a major public health problem and the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in under-five children especially in developing countries. In 2015, it was estimated that about 102 million cases of pneumonia occurred in under-five children, of which 0.7 million were end up with death. Different primary studies in Eastern Africa showed the burden of pneumonia. However, inconsistency among those studies was seen and no review has been conducted to report the amalgamated magnitude and associated factors. Therefore, this review aimed to estimate the national prevalence and associated factors of neonatal sepsis in Eastern Africa.Objective: The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to assess the magnitude of pneumonia and its associated factors among under-five children in East Africa.Methods: Using PRISMA guideline, we systematically reviewed and meta-analyzed studies that examined the prevalence and associated factors of pneumonia from PubMed, Cochrane library, and Google Scholar. Heterogeneity across the studies was evaluated using the Q and the I2 test. A weighted inverse variance random-effects model was applied to estimate the national prevalence and the effect size of associated factors. The subgroup analysis was conducted by country, study design, and year of publication. A funnel plot and Egger’s regression test were used to see publication bias. Sensitivity analysis was also done to identify the impact of studies.Result: A total of 34 studies with 87, 984 participants were used for analysis. The pooled prevalence of hypothermia in East Africa was 34% (95%CI; 23.80–44.21). Use of wood as fuel source (AOR= 1.53; 95%CI:1.30-1.77; I2= 0.0% ;P=0.465), cook food in living room (AOR= 1.47;95%CI:1.16-1.79; I2= 0.0% ;P=0.58), caring of a child on mother during cooking (AOR= 3.26; 95%CI:1.80-4.72; I2= 22.5% ;P=0.26), Being unvaccinated (AOR= 2.41; 95%CI:2.00-2.81; I2= 51.4% ;P=0.055), Child history of ARTI(AOR= 2.62; 95%CI:1.68-3.56; I2= 11.7% ;P=0.337) were identified factors of pneumonia.Conclusions: The prevalence of pneumonia in Eastern Africa remains high. This review will help policy-makers and program officers to design pneumonia preventive interventions.
Differential long-term retention of biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs in patients with rheumatoid arthritis by age group: an observational study
Authors: Kawabe Akio , Nakano Kazuhisa , Kubo Satoshi , Asakawa Takeshi , Tanaka Yoshiya 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
Background. The effectiveness and safety of biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDs) by age group (<65, 65–74, and ≥75 years) are uncertain. We examined retention rates reflecting the effectiveness and safety of bDMARDs in actual clinical practice for clarifying optimal therapeutic strategies for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) by age groups.Methods. Data of patients who were treated with tumor necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi), abatacept (ABA), and tocilizumab (TCZ) between February 2011 and April 2017 were retrospectively collected from an observational registry of RA patients. A total of 1,362 patients were enrolled, of which 695 were aged <65 years, 402 were aged 65–74 years, and 265 were aged ≥75. Primary outcome was the drug retention rate in adjusted data using inverse probability of treatment weighting based on generalized propensity scores.Results. In patients aged <65 years, three-year retention rates of TNFi, ABA, and TCZ were 43%, 47%, and 69%, respectively (ABA versus TCZ, p = 0.017; TNFi versus TCZ, p = 0.002). In patients aged 65–74 years, three-year retention rates of TNFi, ABA, and TCZ were 44%, 53%, and 60%, respectively (TCZ versus TNFi, p = 0.034). In patients aged ≥75 years, three-year retention rates for TNFi, ABA, and TCZ were 38%, 63%, and 58%, respectively (ABA versus TNFi, p = 0.017).Conclusions. We found that the effectiveness and safety of TCZ were maximized in patients aged <75 years and that patients aged ≥65 years were the most suited candidates for ABA therapy. The use of therapeutic strategies appropriate to each age group might improve the outcomes of bDMARD therapy for RA.
Sufentanil Postoperative Analgesia reduce the increase of T helper 17 (Th17) cells and FoxP 3 + regulatory T (Treg) cells in Rat Hepatocellular Carcinoma Surgical Model: A randomised animal study
Authors: Peng YanHua , Yang Jinfeng , Guo Duo , Zheng Chumei , Sun Huiping , Zhang Qinya , Zou Shuangfa , Zhang Yanping , Luo Ke , Candiotti Keith A. 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
Background: Several investigations have indicated that T helper cell 17 (Th 17 ) and Foxp 3 + regulatory T cells (Treg) cells adopt a pro-tumorigenic role. Opioids and pain exacerbate immunosuppression in immunocompromised cancer patients. Methods: A rat hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) models was established by N-nitrosodiethylamine (DENA). 48 of them were randomly divided into 3 groups (n=16): surgery without postoperative analgesia (Control); surgery with morphine postoperative analgesia (Morphine); surgery with sufentanil postoperative analgesia (Sufentanil). The level of cluster of CD4 + , CD8 + , Th1,Th2, Th17 and Treg cells in blood were also detected to assess immune function using flow cytometry on d0, d3 and d7.The rats’ survival situation of each group left after three days of surgery were observed. Results ： The CD4 + /CD8 + ratio and Th1 cells levels were significantly higher while Th2, Th17 and Treg cells levels were significantly lower in sufentanil and morphine postoperative analgesia rats compared with that without postoperative analgesia. Compared with morphine postoperative analgesia, sufentanil postoperative analgesia rats seem have higher CD4+/CD8+ ratio , Th1 cells, while lower Th2, Th17 and Treg cells level. Conclusions ： Sufentanil and morphine postoperative analgesia show better immune function than that without postoperative analgesia by analyzing CD4 + /CD8 + ratio, Th1, Th2, Th17 and Treg cells. Sufentanil postoperative analgesia demonstrated a favorable impact on immune function compared with morphine postoperative anesthesia in hepatocellular carcinoma rats undergoing left hepatectomy operation.
Thin Film Coated QCM-Sensors and Pattern Recognition Methods for Discrimination of VOCs
Authors: Lezzar Omar C. , Bellel A. , Boutamine M. , Sahli S. , Segui Y. , Raynaud P. 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
discrimination and quantification of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) using a non-selective sensor requires a combination of sensors followed by pattern recognition methods. Based on this concept, this paper deals with the discrimination of gas from the responses of several gas sensors coated with different type of polymer. Quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) electrodes were coated from hexamethyldisiloxane (HMDSO), hexamethyldisilazane (HMDSN) and tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) for the elaboration of gas sensors with different chemical affinity towards VOC molecules. The sensitivity of the elaborated QCM-based sensors was evaluated by monitoring the frequency shifts of the quartz exposed to different concentrations of volatile organic compounds, such as; ethanol, benzene and chloroform. The sensors responses data have been used for the identification and quantification of VOCs. The principal component analysis (PCA) and the neural-network (NNs) pattern recognition analysis were used for the discrimination of gas species and concentrations. Good separation among gases has been obtained using the principal component analysis. The feed-forward multilayer neural network (MLNNs) with a hidden layer and trained by Broyden Fletcher Goldfarb Shanno (BFGS) Quasi Newton algorithm has been implemented in order to identify and quantify the VOCs. By increasing the number of the neuron in the hidden layer, the precision of the estimate concentration increases. The approach is standard, however its application on the elaborated sensors have not been studied in depth so far.
Sensor Technology For Animal Health Monitoring
Authors: Helwatkar Amruta , Riordan Daniel , Walsh Joseph 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
The scale of dairy farming worldwide has changed significantly over recent years, with a move towards larger, more intensive, profit-driven enterprises, primarily due to market pressures. This change has resulted in demand for technologies that can reduce costs and labour inputs while increasing farm productivity. This is mainly achieved through the use of farm automation and advanced technological techniques.
An important aspect of farm automation that is currently being researched is the area of automated animal health monitoring. In this research, we have identified specific diseases which are common in dairy animals which can be identified through the use of non-invasive, low-cost, sensor technology. These diseases have been mapped to specific aspects of animal behaviour that have been mapped to the three sensors which are most significant to identify these diseases. The identified sensors will be shown to be vital in the development of the next generation of health monitoring system for dairy animals. Such a system will allow the automatic identification of animal health events, greatly increasing overall herd health and yield while reducing animal health inspection and long-term animal healthcare costs.
Effect of TiO2 nano-overlays deposited with atomic layer deposition on refractive index sensitivity of long-period gratings
Authors: Krogulski Krzysztof , Śmietana Mateusz , Michalak Bartosz , Dębowska Anna K. , Szymańska Magdalena , Wachnicki #x;ukasz , Gierałtowska Sylwia , Godlewski Marek , Mikulic Predrag , Bock Wojtek J. 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
This paper we discusses an effect of coating long-period gratings (LPGs) with a thin titanium dioxide (TiO2) overlays on refractive index (RI) sensitivity of the LPG. The overlays have been obtained using atomic layer deposition (ALD) method. The method allows for deposition well-controlled in thickness, well defined in optical properties, high-RI and very conformal thin films as required for optical fiber sensors. For the investigated LPGs we obtained sensitivity of 3490 to 6471 nm per RI unit depending on range RI.
A New Landslide Inclinometer Using Highly Sensitive Gauges
Authors: Fosalau Cristian , Zet Cristian , Petrisor Daniel 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
The paper presents a device devoted to detect and measure earth displacements produced by landslides. It is part of inclinometer type geotechnical instruments and is based on measuring the deformation produced to a rod vertically mounted into the ground during soil layers sliding. With respect to other commercial devices, our inclinometer is characterized by high sensitivity to very small deformations owing to special strain gauges utilized in its construction, and also by possibility of 3D measuring, it being able to gauge in depth the amplitude and orientation of the soil layers displacement.
A New Method for Interference Reduction in the Smoothed Pseudo Wigner-Ville Distribution
Authors: Pikula Stanislav , Beneš Petr 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
This article presents a new method facilitating interference reduction in the Wigner-Ville distribution, which is used for nonstationary signal analysis, for example in machine condition monitoring. The algorithm is based on multiple Smoothed Pseudo Wigner-Ville distributions: differently smoothed time-frequency planes are compared and, for every point, a cross-term free value is calculated on the basis of optimal smooth estimation. The proposed approach is compared with the Gabor-Wigner transform, the Zhao-Atlas-Marks distribution, and the Choi-Williams distribution. Five time-frequency Gaussian atoms and a bat echolocation chirp are used as the testing signals. The Rényi entropy, the ratio of norms, the Stanković measure, and the mean squared error are used as quantitative measures to demonstrate the promising results of the proposed method.
Effects of Seasonal Growth Rings on the Microwave Measurement of Wood
Authors: Holmes W.S. , Bogosanović M. , Emms G. , Mukhopadhyay S.C. 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
In order to determine more accurate indicators of wood structure obtained by microwave sensing and improve our understanding of plane wave propagation through this complex material, we have undertaken a permittivity survey and experimentally investigated scattering of a plane wave, measuring its transmission over two non-parallel surfaces of a rectangular lumber sample. This novel non-destructive testing techn-ique offers results which may significantly contribute in a more accurate propagation modeling and industrial wood quality testing.
Effect Analysis of dynamic water pressure on dynamic response of offshore wind turbine tower
Authors: Huang Shuai , Lyu Yuejun , Peng Yanju 
Published: February 2020

Compared with onshore wind turbine, the offshore wind turbine is more easily destroyed influenced by the complicated conditions at sea. In this study, a refined finite element model of offshore wind turbine in consideration of the soil-structure interaction is built. The dynamic response of the wind turbine tower in different water depths is investigated; then the weak positions of the wind turbine tower under earthquake is determined. We found that the water pressure on one side of the inflow face of pile foundation is the greatest; as the rate of flow increases, the negative water pressure on the contact surface increased more than the positive water pressure. The maximum displacement of the structure influenced by dynamic water pressure is located at the tower top, the maximum equivalent stress strain is located at two-thirds of the tower height, and the maximum bending moment appears at the bottom of the tower. When the water depth increases from 0 m to 5 m, the displacement and bending moment of wind tower structure increased by 29 % and 25 % respectively under the influence of dynamic water pressure; thus the influence of dynamic water pressure on the dynamic response of the structure should be paid attention to. Finally, the shaking table test of the wind turbine is conducted; the test results are compared with the numerical simulation results, and feasibility of the numerical simulation method was verified.
Impact of flow configuration on electrosorption performance and energy consumption of CDI systems
Authors: Agartan Lutfi , Akuzum Bilen , Agar Ertan , Kumbur E. Caglan 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
The flow configuration selected for a capacitive deionization (CDI) system can impact the desalination performance due to drastic changes to the ion transport. Herein, a zero-gap CDI cell fixture with various flow configurations was utilized to investigate the effects of flow directionality on the CDI performance of activated carbon cloth (ACC) electrodes. Salt adsorption capacities and salt adsorption rates were determined for three commonly studied flow field designs (parallel (PFF), interdigitated (IDFF), and serpentine (SFF)) at various flow rates (2–128 mL/min). Increasing the flow rate was found to result in decreasing CDI performance for SFF and IDFF designs. On the other hand, the peak performance was observed for the parallel flow field at 32 mL/min flow rate. Additionally, the pressure drop values for different flow configurations were measured, and the energy consumptions were calculated. Overall, the findings showed that the performance of CDI systems strongly depends on the selected flow field geometry. Among the tested flow fields, the parallel configuration offered the best balance between CDI performance and energy efficiency. However, the designs that exert high hydrodynamic forces on the electrode plane showed poor performance due to rip-off of ions from the double layer causing a significant capacity loss for ACC electrodes.
The dependence of the consumption of dissolved oxygen on lake morphology in ice covered lakes
Authors: Bengtsson Lars , Ali-Maher Osama 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
The consumption of oxygen in ice-covered lakes is analyzed and related to biological oxygen demand and sediment oxygen demand. An approach for computing dissolved oxygen concentration is suggested assuming horizontally mixed waters and negligable vertical dispersion. It is found that the depletion of dissolved oxygen is mainly due to the transfer of oxygen at the water/sediment interface. The morphology of a lake is very important for how fast the dissolved oxygen concentration is reduced during winter.
Determination of the potential of pickle wastewater as feedstock for biopolymer production
Authors: Guventurk Ayse , Ozturk Dilara , Ozyildiz Goksin , Ayisigi Ezgi , Guven Didem , Zengin Gulsum Emel , Tas Didem Okutman , Olmez-Hanci Tugba , Pala-Ozkok Ilke , Yagci Nevin , Insel Güçlü , Cokgor Emine 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
Food industry wastewater (FIWW) streams with high organic content are among the most suitable and inexpensive candidates for polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) biopolymer production. Due to its high organic acid content, pickle industry wastewater (PIWW), can be considered as one of the prospective alternatives to petroleum-based polymers for PHA production. In this context, this study aimed to investigate the production of PHA with enriched microbial culture using PIWW. Two laboratory scale sequencing batch reactors (SBRs) were operated under aerobic dynamic feeding conditions at a sludge retention time of 8 days, with a total cycle duration of 24 hours. SBRs were fed with peptone mixture and PIWW. In-cycle analysis and batch respirometric tests were performed to evaluate PHA storage together with biodegradation kinetics. In-cycle analysis showed that maximum PHA content was 1,820 mgCOD/L, corresponding to 44% in the biomass (ratio of chemical oxygen demand (COD) to volatile suspended solids) for PIWW. Experimental results were also confirmed with activated sludge model simulations. As for the PHA composition, hydroxybutyrate was the major fraction. Model simulations proposed a unique conversion–degradation–storage pathway for the organic acid mixture. This paper presents a novel insight for better understanding of PHA biopolymer production using high saline FIWW.
A statistical analysis on the effect of preceding dry weather on sewer blockages in South Wales
Authors: Draude Sabrina , Keedwell Edward , Hiscock Rebecca , Kapelan Zoran 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
Water and sewerage companies (WaSC) in the UK are under increasing pressures to improve customer satisfaction. The biggest cause for customer dissatisfaction in the wastewater sector is a service failure caused by a blockage. There is therefore a need to understand the factors which influence blockage processes in order to prevent them. This work demonstrates how preceding rainfall impacts the sewer system of two highly populated regions within South Wales that have differing gradients. The total rainfall, number of dry days and consecutive number of dry days prior to a blockage were investigated using statistical analysis in order to determine the impact that rainfall has on blockages. The results obtained demonstrate the importance that dry weather has on blockage rates in both steep and flat catchments. Future work will incorporate predicted rainfall impact into a proactive maintenance scheduling model.
Liposomal Formulation of a Melphalan Lipophilic Prodrug: Studies of Acute Toxicity, Tolerability, and Antitumor Efficacy
Authors: Tretiakova Daria , Svirshchevskaya Elena , Onishchenko Natalia , Alekseeva Anna , Boldyrev Ivan , Kamyshinsky Roman , Natykan Alexey , Lokhmotov Anton , Arantseva Diana , Shobolov Dmitry , Vodovozova Elena 
Published: February 2020

Background::
Recently we developed a scalable scheme of synthesis of melphalan ester conjugate
with 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycerol (MlphDG) and a protocol for the fabrication of its lyophilized
liposomal formulation.

Objective:
Herein we compared this new convenient in use formulation of MlphDG with parent drug
Alkeran® in rats concerning several toxicological parameters and evaluated its antitumor efficacy in the
model of breast cancer in mice.

Method:
Liposomes of approximately 100 nm in diameter, consisting of egg phosphatidylcholine, soybean
phosphatidylinositol, and MlphDG, or placebo liposomes without the drug were produced by extrusion
and lyophilized. Alkeran® or liposomes recovered by the addition of water were injected into the
tail vein of animals. Clinical examination of rats consisted of detailed inspection of the behavior, general
status, and hematological parameters. Mice with transplanted breast cancer WNT-1 were subjected
to multiple treatments with the drugs; tumor growth inhibition was assessed, together with cellular immunity
parameters.

Results:
Liposomes showed approximately two times lower acute toxicity and better tolerability than
Alkeran® in terms of behavioral criteria. The toxic effects of liposomes on hemopoiesis were manifested
at higher doses than in the case of Alkeran®, proportionally to the difference in LD50 values. The formulation
inhibited tumor growth significantly more effectively than Alkeran®, delaying the start of the
exponential growth phase and exhibiting no additional toxic effects toward bone marrow.

Conclusion:
Lower toxicity of the liposomal formulation of MlphDG promises improved quality of life
for cancer patients in need of treatment with melphalan. Presumably, the list of indications for melphalan
therapy could be extended.
Efficacy of Honey-based Ophthalmic Formulation in Patients with Corneal Ulcer: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Nejabat Mahmood , Soltanzadeh Kazem , Yasemi Masoud , Daneshamouz Saeid , Akbarizadeh Amin Reza , Heydari Mojtaba 
Published: February 2020

Aim:
The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of honey-based ophthalmic drop
in patients with foreign body induced corneal ulcer.

Background:
Honey is traditionally used for skin, mucosal and corneal ulcers. Its use is well stu

Methods:
In this randomized clinical trial, 50 patients with foreign body induced corneal ulcer
were allocated to receive 70% sterile honey-based ophthalmic formulation or 0.3% ophthalmic
ciprofloxacin, as the standard treatment every 6 hours. All the patients were examined for the size
of corneal epithelial defect, corneal infiltration and depth and followed on a daily basis until complete
healing. Duration for complete healing was considered as the outcome measure. Smear, culture,
antibiogram and minimum inhibition concentration (MIC) tests were performed for honey
and ciprofloxacin in all patients.

Results:
The average durations of complete healing of corneal epithelial defect in the honey and
ciprofloxacin groups were 3.88 ± 3.44 vs. 6.32 ± 3.69days, respectively (p=0.020). No significant
difference was observed between two groups regarding an average duration of healing of corneal
infiltration (8.12 ±1.94 days vs. 8.64±2.15 days, p=0.375). MIC of honey for pseudomonas aeruginosa
was 60%w/w, for E.Coli 40% w/w, and for staphylococcus aureus 30% w/w.

Conclusion:
Honey based ophthalmic drop can acceleratethe corneal epithelial defect healing in
patients with foreign body induced corneal ulcer, compared to ophthalmic ciprofloxacin as a
standard treatment.
The study was registered in Iranian registry of clinical trial center (IRCT) with registration number
IRCT2015020120892N1.