bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A comparison of low dose ultrasound and far infra-red therapies in patients with mechanical neck pain
Authors: Marwa Mohamed Hany Sedeek Abousenna  , Amr Saadeldeen Mohamed Shalaby  , Aksh Chahal  , Abu Shaphe  
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Objective: To compare the effect of low-dose continuous ultrasound and far-infrared interventions for reducing pain in patients with mechanical neck pain.
Method: The experimental study was conducted from April 2016 to January 2017 at the electrotherapy laboratory of the Department of Physical Therapy, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia, and comprised female patients diagnosed with mechanical neck pain. They were divided into two equal groups, with Group A receiving 3 sessions per week of low-dose continuous ultrasound on the cervical region for 7 weeks, and Group B receiving far-infrared treatment on the same patterns. Both groups received stretching, strengthening exercises and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation. Pain tolerance was assessed at baseline and post-intervention using digital algometer. Data was analysed using SPSS 17.
Results: Of the 30 women with a mean age of 21.36±1.14 years, there were 15(50%) in each of the two groups. There was a significant decrease in post-intervention bilateral values compared to baseline in both groups. Group B showed higher significant values than Group A (p<0.05).
Conclusions: Far-Infrared was found to be much better than low-dose continuous ultrasound for reducing pain in patients suffering from mechanical neck pain.
Key Words: Pain tolerance, Ultrasound, Infrared, Trigger points, Mechanical neck pain, Algometer.
Continuous....
Urbanization Trends and Processes in Kazakhstan
Authors: Kabdesov Kenzhekhan 
Published: October 2020

Goals and objectives of the research: the main goal of the research is to analyze urbanization processes occurring in Kazakhstan in the period between 2009 and 2019.
Methodology: the author uses comparative analysis and synthesis via statistics taken from the Committee on Statistics of the Republic of Kazakhstan by the period of 2009-2019. There is a comparison of the share of urban population, unemployment rate and average monthly salary wage in Almaty, Nur-Sultan, Shymkent.
Findings : primarily, there is shown an overview of worldwide trends towards urbanization processes. Main causes of these processes globally and regionally are presented either. Afterwards, diagrams and graphs with main indicators as well as description of urbanization in Kazakhstan can be seen. Then it leads to conclusion. The structure of this paper: abstract, main part (with diagrams and tables), conclusion, references.
Value: The paper reviews the changes of urbanization processes in Kazakhstan. Urbanization today is one of the main trends of the world. Currently the urban population has exceeded the number of people living in rural areas, and this trend will only intensify. Regarding developed countries, it can be seen that 3/4 of the country population tend to live in cities: in the United Kingdom, the rate of urbanization hits 82%, in the USA - 81%, in France - 79%, in Germany - 75%. In accordance with UN forecasts, by 2050, 6.2 billion people will reside in cities, which will be 66% of the total population of the earth. Therefore
Theoretical or Practical implications: the given research results can be used by governmental committees and implemented for theoretical courses and disciplines towards urbanization.
The Features of Management Accounting in Appraisal Companies
Authors: Daniyar Aida , Ruzanov Rashid 
Published: October 2020

The aim of the study is to determine the specificity of management accounting in appraisal companies. Appraisal activity is one of the aspects of the multi-faceted concept of «appraisal», which also means the process of professional appraisal implemented by the appraiser, and applied economics with its own methodology, terminology, research principles, and professional opinion of the appraiser regarding the value of a particular object of appraisal. Methodology. This study uses a historical, systematic and integrated approach to the transfer of material. Transmission logic, which is the original definition of the basic concepts and further description of fundamentals of management accounting, allows understanding patterns and modern trends of appraisal activity.
Certain provisions were used in the practice of a Limited Liability Partnership engaged in appraisal services. Research results obtained allow us to understand the nuances of management accounting to improve the performance of appraisal companies in the Republic of Kazakhstan.
The scientific novelty of the research is that because of a theoretical study of management accounting, possible directions for increasing the wellness of appraisal companies are justified. Theoretical and practical significance of the study connect with the possibility of using the scientific results in the deals of the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Kazakhstan and its structural subdivisions, the tax authorities at different levels, the Ministry of national economy of Kazakhstan. This fundamental research can be used as a basis for training specialists in the field of performance accounting.
A volumetric census of the Barents Sea in a changing climate
Authors: Watelet Sylvain , Skagseth Øystein , Lien Vidar S. , Sagen Helge , Østensen Øivind , Ivshin Viktor , Beckers Jean-Marie 
Published: October 2020

Abstract. The Barents Sea, located between the Norwegian Sea and the Arctic Ocean, is one of the main pathways of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation. Changes in the water mass transformations in the Barents Sea potentially affect the thermohaline circulation through the alteration of the dense water formation process. In order to investigate such changes, we present here a seasonal atlas of the Barents Sea including both temperature and salinity for the period 1965–2016. The atlas is built as a compilation of datasets from the World Ocean Database, the Polar Branch of the Russian Federal Research Institute of Fisheries and Oceanography and the Norwegian Polar Institute using the Data-Interpolating Variational Analysis (DIVA) tool. DIVA allows for a minimization of the expected error with respect to the true field. The atlas is used to provide a volumetric analysis of water mass characteristics and an estimation of the ocean heat and freshwater contents. The results show a recent “Atlantification” of the Barents Sea, that is a general increase in both temperature and salinity, while its density remains stable. The atlas is made freely accessible as user-friendly NetCDF files to encourage further research in the Barents Sea physics (https://doi.org/10.21335/NMDC-2058021735, Watelet et al., 2020).
Assessing soil salinity dynamics using time-lapse electromagnetic conductivity imaging
Authors: Paz Maria Catarina , Farzamian Mohammad , Paz Ana Marta , Castanheira Nádia Luísa , Gonçalves Maria Conceição , Monteiro Santos Fernando 
Published: October 2020

Abstract. Lezíria Grande de Vila Franca de Xira, located in Portugal, is an important agricultural system where soil faces the risk of salinization due
to climate change, as the level and salinity of groundwater are likely to
increase as a result of the rise of the sea water level and consequently of the estuary. These changes can also affect the salinity of the irrigation
water which is collected upstream of the estuary. Soil salinity can be
assessed over large areas by the following rationale: (1) use of
electromagnetic induction (EMI) to measure the soil apparent electrical
conductivity (ECa, mS m−1); (2) inversion of ECa to obtain
electromagnetic conductivity imaging (EMCI) which provides the spatial distribution of the soil electrical conductivity (σ, mS m−1);
(3) calibration process consisting of a regression between σ and the
electrical conductivity of the saturated soil paste extract (ECe,
dS m−1), used as a proxy for soil salinity; and (4) conversion of EMCI into salinity cross sections using the obtained calibration equation. In this study, EMI surveys and soil sampling were carried out between
May 2017 and October 2018 at four locations with different salinity levels
across the study area of Lezíria de Vila Franca. A previously developed
regional calibration was used for predicting ECe from EMCI. Using time-lapse EMCI data, this study aims (1) to evaluate the ability of the regional calibration to predict soil salinity and (2) to perform a preliminary qualitative analysis of soil salinity dynamics in the study
area. The validation analysis showed that ECe was predicted with a
root mean square error (RMSE) of 3.14 dS m−1 in a range of 52.35 dS m−1, slightly overestimated (−1.23 dS m−1), with a strong Lin's concordance correlation coefficient (CCC) of 0.94 and high linearity between
measured and predicted data (R2=0.88). It was also observed that
the prediction ability of the regional calibration is more influenced by
spatial variability of data than temporal variability of data. Soil salinity
cross sections were generated for each date and location of data collection,
revealing qualitative salinity fluctuations related to the input of salts
and water either through irrigation, precipitation, or level and salinity of groundwater. Time-lapse EMCI is developing into a valid methodology for
evaluating the risk of soil salinization, so it can further support the
evaluation and adoption of proper agricultural management strategies,
especially in irrigated areas, where continuous monitoring of soil salinity
dynamics is required.
Comments on Rafe McGregor’s Narrative Criminology
Authors: Matravers Derek 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
This paper makes three responses to Rafe McGregor’s book Narrative Justice. The first, with which McGregor may well agree, raises skeptical questions about the current empirical literature on readers of narratives. The second questions the relation between the moral or ethical status of actual wrongs and the moral and ethical status of merely represented wrongs. The final response examines McGregor’s argument that the vehicle of our cognitive gain from narratives is the form of the narrative rather than the content. The response has two parts. First, it asks whether there can ever be anything wrong with form abstracted from content; second, it suggests that McGregor’s argument involves an unhelpful mix of what is labeled the “internal” and the “external” perspective.
Genetic characterization of feline panleukopenia virus from dogs in Vietnam reveals a unique Thr101 mutation in VP2
Authors: Hoang Minh , Wu Cheng-Nan , Lin Chuen-Fu , Nguyen Huong Thanh Thi , Le Van Phan , Chiou Ming-Tang , Lin Chao-Nan 
Published: October 2020

Background
Canine parvovirus type 2 (CPV-2) and feline parvovirus (FPV) are known as the main causes of several serious diseases and have a severe impact on puppies and kittens, respectively. FPV and new CPV-2 variants are all able to infect cats, causing diseases indistinguishable from feline panleukopenia. However, FPV only replicates efficiently in feline cells in vitro and replicates in dogs in the thymus and bone marrow without being shed in feces. In our previous study, the genotypes of six parvoviral isolates were unable to be identified using a SimpleProbe® real-time PCR assay.

Methods
In the present study, we characterized previously unidentified FPV-like viruses isolated from dogs in Vietnam. The six isolates were utilized to complete VP2 gene sequencing and to conduct phylogenetic analyses.

Results
Sequence analysis of the six parvoviral strains identified the species as being similar to FPV. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that the complete VP2 genes of the strains are similar to those of FPV. The FPV-like strains contain a Thr101 mutation in the VP2 protein, which is different from prototype FPV strains.

Discussion
Our data provide evidence for the existence of changes in the charge, protein contact potential and molecular surface of the core of the receptor-binding size with an Ile101 to Thr101 mutation. This is also the first study to provide reliable evidence that FPV may be a threat to the Vietnamese dog population.
Evaluation of EWMA Control Charts for Monitoring Spread of Transformed Observations of COVID-19 in India
Authors: Singh Brijesh P. , V. Madhusudan J. , Tiwari Abhay Kumar , Singh Sandeep , Das Utpal Dhar 
Published: October 2020

COVID-19 a pandemic due to novel corona virus emerged from Wuhan, China in December 2019 and now the whole world facing its threat. This is a disaster pandemic for almost every nation on the earth. Such novel corona virus impacts on every country in the world irrespective of race, ethnicity, environment and economic status. In this study, an attempt has been made to use statistical process control technique to understand spread of COVID-19 in some major states of India as well as India. Warning limits and control limits has been estimated and discussed for average weekly growth index of COVID-19 pandemic. Study indicates that there is no hope for controlling the pandemic in near future because the average weekly growth index of COVID-19 pandemic is far from zero.
Rational Use of Antibiotics – A Point Prevalence Study Carried out at a Tertiary Hospital in South-South Nigeria
Authors: Chioma Okechukwu 
Published: October 2020

Introduction: The burden of antibiotic resistance in the hospitals and communities is progressively worsening hence the critical need to put into practice all the key components of rational use of antibiotics in our daily patient interactions. This paper aims to highlight the problem of antibiotic resistance, the importance of rational use of antibiotics and to show an on the spot sketch of the antibiotic use pattern among in-patients in the children wards in a tertiary hospital.
Methodology: A brief review of the existing literature on antibiotic resistance and the rational use of antibiotics was done. A one-day cross-sectional point prevalence study was conducted in the children wards in UPTH and all children receiving antibiotics on that day, identified. The prevalence of antibiotic use was determined by dividing the number of inpatients on antibiotics at the time of the survey by the total number of patients on admission. Data were presented in percentages using pie and bar charts.
Results: There were a total of 40 children on admission in the paediatric wards with a Male: Female ratio of 1.2:1. 34 (85.0%) of the children on admission were receiving at least one antibiotic. The most common route of administration of the antibiotics was the intravenous route (94.1%). The five most commonly prescribed antibiotics in the children medical wards and the emergency ward were Ceftriaxone, Gentamycin, Cefuroxime, Metronidazole and Crystalline penicillin, while the five most common antibiotics prescribed in the special care baby unit were Gentamycin, Ceftazidime, Ceftriaxone, Metronidazole and Ofloxacin. Only 10 (29.4%) out of children receiving antibiotics had a microbiology culture result available, and 4 were receiving antibiotics in line with the culture sensitivity pattern. Two (5.9%) children had a multidrug-resistant infection.
Conclusion: This study showed a high prevalence of antibiotic use among inpatients and low utilization of microbiology culture results in the choice of antibiotics in a tertiary hospital in South-south Nigeria. Antibiotic prescribing patterns among healthcare workers should be improved upon by training and retraining of personnel as well as strict adherence to antibiotic prescription guidelines.
Technical Note: Comparison of the internal target volume (ITV) contours and dose calculations on 4DCT, average CBCT, and 4DCBCT imaging for lung stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT)
Authors: Dumas Michael , Laugeman Eric , Sevak Parag , Snyder Karen C. , Mao Weihua , Chetty Indrin J. , Ajlouni Munther , Wen Ning 
Published: October 2020

AbstractPurposeTo investigate the differences between internal target volumes (ITVs) contoured on the simulation 4DCT and daily 4DCBCT images for lung cancer patients treated with stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) and determine the dose delivered on 4D planning technique.MethodsFor nine patients, 4DCBCTs were acquired before each fraction to assess tumor motion. An ITV was contoured on each phase of the 4DCBCT and a union of the 10 ITVs was used to create a composite ITV. Another ITV was drawn on the average 3DCBCT (avgCBCT) to compare with current clinical practice. The Dice coefficient, Hausdorff distance, and center of mass (COM) were averaged over four fractions to compare the ITVs contoured on the 4DCT, avgCBCT, and 4DCBCT for each patient. Planning was done on the average CT, and using the online registration, plans were calculated on each phase of the 4DCBCT and on the avgCBCT. Plan dose calculations were tested by measuring ion chamber dose in the CIRS lung phantom.ResultsThe Dice coefficients were similar for all three comparisons: avgCBCT‐to‐4DCBCT (0.7 ± 0.1), 4DCT‐to‐avgCBCT (0.7 ± 0.1), and 4DCT‐to‐4DCBCT (0.7 ± 0.1); while the mean COM differences were also comparable (2.6 ± 2.2mm, 2.3 ± 1.4mm, and 3.1 ± 1.1mm, respectively). The Hausdorff distances for the comparisons with 4DCBCT (8.2 ± 2.9mm and 8.1 ± 3.2mm) were larger than the comparison without (6.5 ± 2.5mm). The differences in ITV D95% between the treatment plan and avgCBCT calculations were 4.3 ± 3.0% and −0.5 ± 4.6%, between treatment plan and 4DCBCT plans, respectively, while the ITV V100% coverages were 99.0 ± 1.9% and 93.1 ± 8.0% for avgCBCT and 4DCBCT, respectively.ConclusionThere is great potential for 4DCBCT to evaluate the extent of tumor motion before treatment, but image quality challenges the clinician to consistently delineate lung target volumes.
Evaluation of the Economic Benefit of Earlier Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) Diagnosis Using a Multivariate Assay Panel (MAP)
Authors: Clarke Ann E. , Weinstein Arthur , Piscitello Andrew , Heer Avneet , Chandra Tarun , Doshi Shivang , Wegener John , Goss Thomas F. , Powell Tami 
Published: October 2020

ObjectiveDiagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) made by standard diagnostic laboratory tests (SDLTs) has sensitivity and specificity of 83% and 76%, respectively. A multivariate assay panel (MAP) combining complement C4d activation products on erythrocytes and B cells with SDLTs yields a sensitivity and specificity of 80% and 86%, respectively, presumably enabling earlier SLE diagnosis at lower severity, with associated lower health care costs compared with SDLT diagnoses. We compared the payer budget impact of diagnosing SLE using MAP (incremental cost of $108) versus SDLTs.MethodsWe modeled a health plan of 1 million enrollees. SLE diagnosis among suspected patients was 9.2%. The MAP arm assumed 80%/20% of patients were tested with MAP/SDLTs, versus 100% tested with SDLTs in the SDLT arm. Prediagnosis direct costs were estimated from claims data, and postdiagnosis costs were obtained from the literature. Based on improved MAP performance, the assumed hazard ratio for diagnosis rate compared with SDLTs was 1.74 (71%, 87%, 90%, and 91% of patients who develop SLE are diagnosed in years 1 to 4 compared with 53%, 75%, 84%, and 88% of patients diagnosed with SDLTs).ResultsTotal 4‐year pre‐ and postdiagnosis direct costs for patients with suspected SLE tested with MAP were $59 183 666 compared with $61 174 818 tested by SDLTs, with lower costs in the MAP arm due primarily to prediagnosis savings related to reduced hospital admissions.ConclusionIncorporating MAP into SLE diagnosis results in estimated 4‐year direct cost savings of $1 991 152 ($0.04 per member per month). By facilitating earlier diagnosis of SLE, MAP may enhance patient outcomes.
Three‐Phase Electrolysis by Gold Nanoparticle on Hydrophobic Interface for Enhanced Electrochemical Nitrogen Reduction Reaction
Authors: Zhang Junchang , Zhao Bo , Liang Wenkai , Zhou Genshu , Liang Zhiqiang , Wang Yawen , Qu Jiangying , Sun Yinghui , Jiang Lin 
Published: October 2020

AbstractElectrochemical nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR) provides a facile and sustainable strategy to produce ammonia (NH3) at ambient conditions. However, the low NH3 yield and Faradaic efficiency (FE) are still the main challenges due to the competitive hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Herein, a three‐phase electrocatalyst through in situ fabrication of Au nanoparticles (NPs) located on hydrophobic carbon fiber paper (Au/o‐CFP) is designed. The hydrophobic CFP surface facilitates efficient three‐phase contact points (TPCPs) for N2 (gas), electrolyte (liquid), and Au NPs (solid). Thus, concentrated N2 molecules can contact the electrocatalyst surface directly, inhibiting the HER since the lowered proton concentration and overall enhancing NRR. The three‐phase Au/o‐CFP electrocatalyst presents an excellent NRR performance with high NH3 yield rate of 40.6 µg h−1 mg−1 at −0.30 V and great FE of 31.3% at −0.10 V versus RHE (0.1 m Na2SO4). The N2‐bubble contact angle result and cyclic voltammetry analysis confirm that the hydrophobic interface has a relatively strong interaction with N2 bubble for enhanced NRR and weak electrocatalytic activity for HER. Significantly, the three‐phase Au/o‐CFP exhibits excellent stability with a negligible fluctuation of NH3 yield and FE in seven‐cycle test. This work provides a new strategy for improving NRR and simultaneously inhibiting HER.
EP300‐related Rubinstein–Taybi syndrome: Highlighted rare phenotypic findings and a genotype–phenotype meta‐analysis of 74 patients
Authors: Cohen Jennifer L. , Schrier Vergano Samantha A. , Mazzola Sarah , Strong Alanna , Keena Beth , McDougall Carey , Ritter Alyssa , Li Dong , Bedoukian Emma C. , Burke Leah W. , Hoffman Amber , Zurcher Victoria , Krantz Ian D. , Izumi Kosuke , Bhoj Elizabeth , Zackai Elaine H. , Deardorff Matthew A. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractPathogenic variants in the homologous and highly conserved genes—CREBBP and EP300—are causal for Rubinstein–Taybi syndrome (RSTS). CREBBP and EP300 encode histone acetyltransferases (HAT) that act as transcriptional co‐activators, and their haploinsufficiency causes the pathology characteristic of RSTS by interfering with global transcriptional regulation. Though generally a well‐characterized syndrome, there is a clear phenotypic spectrum; rare associations have emerged with increasing diagnosis that is critical for comprehensive understanding of this rare syndrome. We present 12 unreported patients with RSTS found to have EP300 variants discovered through gene sequencing and chromosomal microarray. Our cohort highlights rare phenotypic features associated with EP300 variants, including imperforate anus, retained fetal finger pads, and spina bifida occulta. Our findings support the previously noted prevalence of pregnancy‐related hypertension/preeclampsia seen with this disease. We additionally performed a meta‐analysis on our newly reported 12 patients and 62 of the 90 previously reported patients. We demonstrated no statistically significant correlation between phenotype severity (within the domains of intellectual disability and major organ involvement, as defined in our Methods section) and variant location and type; this is in contrast to the conclusions of some smaller studies and highlights the importance of large patient cohorts in characterization of this rare disease.