bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cost of care for persons with dementia: using a discrete-time Markov chain approach with administrative and clinical data from the dementia service Centres in Austria
Authors: Braun Alexander , Kurzmann Paulina , Höfler Margit , Haber Gottfried , Auer Stefanie 
Published: September 2020

AbstractBackgroundThere is growing evidence that the cost for dementia care will increase rapidly in the coming years. Therefore, the objective of this paper was to determine the economic impact of treating clients with dementia in outpatient Dementia Service Centres (DSCs) and simulate the cost progression with real clinical and cost data.MethodsTo estimate the cost for dementia care, real administrative and clinical data from 1341 clients of the DSCs were used to approximate the total cost of non-pharmaceutical treatment and simulate the cost progression with a discrete-time Markov chain (DTMC) model. The economic simulation model takes severity and progression of dementia into account to display the cost development over a period of up to ten years.ResultsBased on the administrative data, the total cost for treating these 1341 clients of the DSCs came to 67,294,910 EUR in the first year. From these costs, 74% occurred as indirect costs. Within a five-year period, these costs will increase by 7.1-fold (16.2-fold over 10 years). Further, the DTMC shows that the greatest share of the cost increase derives from the sharp increase of people with severe dementia and that the cost of severe dementia prevails the cost in later periods.ConclusionThe DTMC model has shown that the cost increase of dementia care is mostly driven by the indirect cost and the increase of severity of dementia within any given year. The DTMC reveals also that the cost for mild dementia will decrease steadily over the time period of the simulation, whereas the cost for severe dementia increases sharply after running the simulation for 3 years.
A preliminary study of intensivist-performed DVT ultrasound screening in trauma ICU patients (APSIT Study)
Authors: Roberts Lloyd , Rozen Tom , Murphy Deirdre , Lawler Adam , Fitzgerald Mark , Gibbs Harry , Brooks Kyle , Ihle Joshua F. , Leong Tim , Orosz Judit , Paul Eldho , Nanjayya Vinodh Bhagyalakshmi 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background
Multiple screening Duplex ultrasound scans (DUS) are performed in trauma patients at high risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in the intensive care unit (ICU). Intensive care physician performed compression ultrasound (IP-CUS) has shown promise as a diagnostic test for DVT in a non-trauma setting. Whether IP-CUS can be used as a screening test in trauma patients is unknown. Our study aimed to assess the agreement between IP-CUS and vascular sonographer performed DUS for proximal lower extremity deep vein thrombosis (PLEDVT) screening in high-risk trauma patients in ICU.

Methods
A prospective observational study was conducted at the ICU of Alfred Hospital, a major trauma center in Melbourne, Australia, between Feb and Nov 2015. All adult major trauma patients admitted with high risk for DVT were eligible for inclusion. IP-CUS was performed immediately before or after DUS for PLEDVT screening. The paired studies were repeated twice weekly until the DVT diagnosis, death or ICU discharge. Written informed consent from the patient, or person responsible, or procedural authorisation, was obtained. The individuals performing the scans were blinded to the others’ results. The agreement analysis was performed using Cohen’s Kappa statistics and intraclass correlation coefficient for repeated binary measurements.

Results
During the study period, 117 patients had 193 pairs of scans, and 45 (39%) patients had more than one pair of scans. The median age (IQR) was 47 (28–68) years with 77% males, mean (SD) injury severity score 27.5 (9.53), and a median (IQR) ICU length of stay 7 (3.2–11.6) days. There were 16 cases (13.6%) of PLEDVT with an incidence rate of 2.6 (1.6–4.2) cases per 100 patient-days in ICU. The overall agreement was 96.7% (95% CI 94.15–99.33). The Cohen’s Kappa between the IP-CUS and DUS was 0.77 (95% CI 0.59–0.95), and the intraclass correlation coefficient for repeated binary measures was 0.75 (95% CI 0.67–0.81).

Conclusions
There is a substantial agreement between IP-CUS and DUS for PLEDVT screening in trauma patients in ICU with high risk for DVT. Large multicentre studies are needed to confirm this finding.
A self-adaptive single underwater image restoration algorithm for improving graphic quality
Authors: Chang Herng-Hua , Chen Po-Fang , Guo Jun-Kai , Sung Chia-Chi 
Published: September 2020

AbstractA high-quality underwater image is essential to many industrial and academic applications in the field of image processing and analysis. Unfortunately, underwater images frequently demonstrate poor visual quality of low contrast, blurring, darkness, and color diminishing. This paper develops a new underwater image restoration framework that consists of four major phases: color correction, local contrast enhancement, haze diminution, and global contrast enhancement. A self-adaptive mechanism is designed to guide the image to either processing route based on a red deficiency measure. In the color correction phase, the histogram in each RGB channel is transformed for balancing the image color. An adaptive histogram equalization method is exploited to enhance the local contrast in the CIE-Lab color space. The dark channel prior haze removal scheme is modified for dehazing in the haze diminution phase. Finally, a histogram stretching method is applied in the HSI color space to make the image more natural. A wide variety of underwater images with various scenarios were employed to evaluate this new restoration algorithm. Experimental results demonstrated the effectiveness of our image restoration scheme as compared with state-of-the-art methods. It was suggested that our framework dramatically eliminated the haze and improved visual interpretation of underwater images.
Biosynthesis of fraxetin from three different substrates using engineered Escherichia coli
Authors: An Seung Hoon , Choi Gyu-Sik , Ahn Joong-Hoon 
Published: September 2020

AbstractFraxetin, which is a simple coumarin, is a phytochemical present in medicinal plants, such as Fraxinus rhynchophylla, and Cortex Fraxini. In plants, it serves as a controller of iron homeostasis. The health-enhancing activities of fraxetin, such as anticancer, neuroprotective and antibacterial activities, are known. Scopoletin 8-hydroxylase (S8H) is a key enzyme involved in the synthesis of fraxetin from scopoletin. Scopoletin can be synthesized either from esculetin by O-methylation or from ferulic acid by feruloyl CoA 6′-hydroxylase (F6′H) and 4-coumaric acid CoA ligase (4CL). To enable fraxetin synthesis, the fraxetin biosynthesis pathway was introduced into Escherichia coli. Three distinct routes, from ferulic acid, esculetin, and scopoletin, were designed for the synthesis of fraxetin. In the first approach, E. coli strain harboring S8H was used and found to synthesize 84.8 μM fraxetin from 100 μM scopoletin. Two E. coli strains were used for the other two approaches because these approaches required at least two enzymatic reactions. Through this approach, 41.4 μM fraxetin was synthesized from 100 μM esculetin, while 33.3 μM fraxetin was synthesized from 100 μM ferulic acid.
The universal sample holders of microanalytical instruments of FIB, TEM, NanoSIMS, and STXM-NEXAFS for the coordinated analysis of extraterrestrial materials
Authors: Ito Motoo , Tomioka Naotaka , Uesugi Kentaro , Uesugi Masayuki , Kodama Yu , Sakurai Ikuya , Okada Ikuo , Ohigashi Takuji , Yuzawa Hayato , Yamaguchi Akira , Imae Naoya , Karouji Yuzuru , Shirai Naoki , Yada Toru , Abe Masanao 
Published: September 2020

AbstractWe developed universal sample holders [the Kochi grid, Kochi clamp, and Okazaki cell) and a transfer vessel (facility-to-facility transfer container (FFTC)] to analyze sensitive and fragile samples, such as extremely small extraterrestrial materials. The holders and container prevent degradation, contamination due to the terrestrial atmosphere (water vapor and oxygen gas) and small particles, as well as mechanical sample damage. The FFTC can isolate the samples from the effects of the atmosphere for more than a week. The Kochi grid and clamp were made for a coordinated micro/nano-analysis that utilizes a focused-ion beam apparatus, transmission electron microscope, and nanoscale secondary ion mass spectrometry. The Okazaki cell was developed as an additional attachment for a scanning transmission X-ray microscope that uses near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS). These new apparatuses help to minimize possible alterations from the exposure of the samples to air. The coordinated analysis involving these holders was successfully carried out without any sample damage or loss, thereby enabling us to obtain sufficient analytical datasets of textures, crystallography, elemental/isotopic abundances, and molecular functional groups for µm-sized minerals and organics in both the Antarctic micrometeorite and a carbonaceous chondrite. We will apply the coordinated analysis to acquire the complex characteristics in samples obtained by the future spacecraft sample return mission.
Improvement of near-field tsunami forecasting method using ocean-bottom pressure sensor network (S-net)
Authors: Tanioka Yuichiro 
Published: September 2020

AbstractSince the installation of a dense cabled observation network around the Japan Trench (S-net) by the Japanese government that includes 150 sensors, several tsunami forecasting methods that use the data collected from the ocean floor sensors were developed. One of such methods is the tsunami forecasting method which assimilates the data without any information of earthquakes. The tsunami forecasting method based on the assimilation of the ocean-bottom pressure data near the source area was developed by Tanioka in 2018. However, the method is too simple to be used for an actual station distribution of S-net. To overcome its limitation, we developed an interpolation method to generate the appropriate data at the equally spaced positions for the assimilation from the data observed at sensors in S-net. The method was numerically tested for two large underthrust fault models, a giant earthquake (Mw8.8) and the Nemuro-oki earthquake (Mw8.0) models. Those fault models off Hokkaido in Japan are expected to be ruptured in the future. The weighted interpolation method, in which weights of data are inversely proportional to the square of the distance, showed good results for the tsunami forecast method with the data assimilation. Furthermore, results indicated that the method is applicable to the actual observed data at the S-net stations. The only limitation of the weighted interpolation method is that the computed tsunami wavelengths tend to be longer than the actual tsunamis wavelength.
Sedimentation and sediment geochemistry in a tropical mangrove channel meander, Sungai Kerteh, Peninsular Malaysia
Authors: Shaari Hasrizal , Mohd Nasir Qatrunnada , Pan Hui-Juan , Mohamed Che Abd Rahim , Yusoff Abdul Hafidz , Wan Mohd Khalik Wan Mohd Afiq , Naim Erick , Setiawan Riza Yuliratno , Anthony Edward J. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractTropical mangrove swamps are commonly characterized by dense networks of tidal channels that may show pronounced meandering and dendritic patterns. Channel meanders are sometimes accompanied by cut-offs, and, like classical fluvial meanders, record changes in hydrology and sedimentation over time. Channel meandering can, thus, be an important process that contributes to spatial and temporal variability in the preserved record of the sedimentology and geochemistry of mangrove sediments. The aim of this study is to highlight changes in channel meander sedimentation in response to a meander cut-off in a tropical mangrove swamp. Two short sediment cores were sampled, respectively from a point bar (core KR1, 122 cm) at the junction with the neck cut-off and inside the cut-off (core KR2, 98 cm) in the Sungai Kerteh mangroves of Peninsular Malaysia. The profile comparison was based on sediment characteristics, total organic carbon (TOC), and selected elements (Fe, Na, Mg, Mn, Ba, and Sr). A smaller standard deviation of mean grain size (MGS) was found at the point bar (4.37 ± 0.51 ϕ) than in the cut-off (4.43 ± 1.76 ϕ), indicating a difference in flow velocity between the two settings. In turn, these changes in grain size influence channel meander evolution via associated changes in TOC and heavy metals. In order to clarify these relationships, we used principal components analysis and factor analysis. An increased accumulation of selected elements and TOC at the cut-off site from a depth of ~ 60 cm to the core-top segment was probably associated with a slowing down of sediment settling. A higher TOC recorded in the cut-off (2.74 ± 1.42%) compared to the point bar (1.14 ± 0.46%) suggests a propensity for prolonged in situ accumulation of organic matter in the abandoned meander bend. This study provides grain size and sediment geochemical information that is consistent with patterns of active and inactive sedimentation in the meander bends of mangrove channels.
A new insight into isotopic fractionation associated with decarboxylation in organisms: implications for amino acid isotope approaches in biogeoscience
Authors: Takizawa Yuko , Takano Yoshinori , Choi Bohyung , Dharampal Prarthana S. , Steffan Shawn A. , Ogawa Nanako O. , Ohkouchi Naohiko , Chikaraishi Yoshito 
Published: September 2020

AbstractStable nitrogen (15N/14N) and carbon (13C/12C) isotopic compositions of amino acids in organisms have widely been employed as a powerful tool to evaluate resource utilization and trophic connection among organisms in diverse ecosystems. However, little is known about the physiological factors or mechanisms responsible for determining the isotopic discrimination (particularly for carbon) within amino acids of organisms. In the present study, we investigated the inter-trophic discrimination of nitrogen and carbon isotopes within amino acids (Δδ15NAAand Δδ13CAA, respectively) using four consumer–diet pairs. Each pairing illustrates a metabolic perspective of isotopic fractionation of amino acids. The Δδ15NAAvalues in these combinations reveal a trend consistent with those observed in many other combinations in previous studies. This further validates a standard scenario: the deamination preferentially removes14N amino group from diet-derived amino acids, leaving behind the15N-enriched amino acids in consumer biomass. The Δδ15NAAvalues thus mirror the activity of amino acid deamination in consumers. In contrast, the trends in the Δδ13CAAvalue suggest a different metabolic fate for the amino acid carbon isotope. Based on our results, we predict the following scenario: decarboxylation preferentially removes12Cα-carbon (i.e., carbonyl-carbon) from pyruvic acid in glycolysis, and fromα-ketoglutaric acid in the tricarboxylic acid cycle, leaving behind the13C-enriched both pyruvic andα-ketoglutaric acids. The13C is then transferred to amino acids that are synthesized from the13C-enriched precursor molecules within consumers. The Δδ13CAAvalues therefore mirror the pathways of de novo amino acid synthesis in consumers. The proposed link between nitrogen and carbon isotopes can refine our knowledge of the potential processes affecting the isotopic fractionation within diet and consumer compartments, as well as environmental samples.Graphical abstract
Palmatine ameliorates high fat diet induced impaired glucose tolerance
Authors: Tian Xusheng , Zhang Yukun , Li Han , Li Yunfeng , Wang Ning , Zhang Wei , Ma Boyan 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background
The impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) is a representative prediabetes characterized by defective glucose homeostasis, and palmatine (PAL) is a natural isoquinoline alkaloid with multiple pharmacological effects. Our study aims to investigate the therapeutic effect of PAL on the impaired glucose tolerance.

Methods
Male Sprague–Dawley rats were used to establish an IGT model with high fat diet (HFD). Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and further biochemical analysis were conducted to determine the effect of PAL on glucose intolerance in vivo. Molecular details were clarified in a cellular model of IGT induced by Palmitate (PA) on INS-1 cells.

Results
Our study demonstrated a relief of IGT with improved insulin resistance in HFD induced rats after PAL treatment. Besides, promoted pancreas islets function was validated with significantly increased β cell mass after the treatment of PAL. We further found out that PAL could alleviate the β cell apoptosis that accounts for β cell mass loss in IGT model. Moreover, MAPK signaling was investigated in vivo and vitro with the discovery that PAL regulated the MAPK signaling by restricting the ERK and JNK cascades. The insulin secretion assay indicated that PAL significantly promoted the defective insulin secretion in PA-induced INS-1 cells via JNK rather than ERK signaling. Furthermore, PAL treatment was determined to significantly suppress β cell apoptosis in PA-induced cells. We thus thought that PAL promoted the PA-induced impaired insulin release by inhibiting the β cell apoptosis and JNK signaling in vitro.

Conclusion
In summary, PAL ameliorates HFD-induced IGT with novel mechanisms.
The relationship between physical fitness attributes and sports injury in female, team ball sport players: a systematic review
Authors: Farley Jessica B. , Barrett Lily M. , Keogh Justin W. L. , Woods Carl T. , Milne Nikki 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background
Understanding the relationships between physical fitness characteristics and sports injury may assist with the development of injury minimisation programs. The purpose of this systematic review was to investigate the association between physical fitness attributes and sports injury in female, team ball sport players.

Methods
Four scientific databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, SPORTDiscus, Scopus) and reference lists of relevant research were searched for eligible studies up to September 2, 2019. Full-text articles examining the relationship between physical fitness and sports injury in female, team ball sport players were included. A modified Downs and Black checklist was used to assess methodological quality. Data synthesis determined summary conclusions based on the number of significant relationships divided by the total relationships investigated and reported as a percentage. Level of certainty was identified for summary conclusions based on level of evidence. Sub-analyses regarding competition level, age, and single injury types were also conducted.

Results
A total of 44 studies were included. Data synthesis revealed no associations (low to moderate certainty) between body composition (1/9; 11%), flexibility (18–20%), and balance (2/8; 25%) and ‘any injury’ classification. No associations (mostly of moderate certainty) were found between flexibility (0–27%), muscular strength (0–27%), and body composition (14–33%) and various body region injury classifications, whereas mixed summary conclusions were shown for balance (0-48%). Many associations between physical fitness and sports injury were deemed ‘unknown’ or with an insufficient level of certainty. Sub-analyses revealed no association between strength and noncontact ACL injuries (0/5; 0%) or ankle sprains (0/12; 0%), and between flexibility and ankle sprains (1/5; 20%); however, insufficient certainty of these results exists. Clear associations were concluded between balance and lower body injuries in female, non-elite (10/16; 63%) and junior (9/12; 75%) team ball sport players, with moderate and insufficient certainty of these results, respectively.

Conclusion
Limited evidence is available to demonstrate relationships between physical fitness and sports injury in female, team ball sport players. High-quality evidence investigating the multifactorial nature of sports injury, including the interactions physical fitness qualities have with other injury determinants, is needed to better understand the role of physical fitness in minimising sports injuries in female, team ball sport players.

Trial Registration
CRD42017077374 (PROSPERO on September 14, 2017).
Injera (An Ethnic, Traditional Staple Food of Ethiopia): A review on Traditional Practice to Scientific Developments
Authors: Neela Satheesh , Fanta Solomon Workneh 
Published: September 2020

AbstractInjera is fermented Ethiopian ethnic traditional staple food prepared usually form teff flour [Eragrostis tef(Zucc.) Trotter]. Almost all the Ethiopians consume this food at least once in a day. Injera preparation composed of many steps, starting from grain preparation to baking; these all steps are still performing with indigenous knowledge with traditional practices. This Ethiopian national super food appreciating in many western countries due to the superior nutritional properties, especially lack of gluten and good mineral compositions (Rich of Iron). Research on injera preparation from composite flours for nutritional enhancement and sensory quality improvements were took lion share in reported scientific research. However, limited research was reported on preservation of injera by chemical ingredients and natural species, microbes involved in fermentation and spoilage. In addition, very fewer studies were reported on effect of milling quality of injera seed and role of fermentation on anti-nutritional factors degradation. However, scientific review to show the injera traditional practice and scientific research undertaken in this area is hardly found. In considering above all, this review is under taken with objective to review the traditional ethnic practice and scientific research reported on injera preparation.
Pilot Study of Patients’ Preferences for Immediate Resection Versus a Watch and Wait Approach After Neoadjuvant Chemoradiation for Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer
Authors: Gunjur Ashray , Chazan Grace , Newnham Genni , McLachlan Sue-Anne 
Published: September 2020

PURPOSE: In patients with rectal cancer who achieve a clinical complete response to neoadjuvant chemoradiation, it may be reasonable to adopt a watch-and-wait (W&W) strategy rather than proceed to immediate resection of the rectum. Patient preferences for this strategy are unknown. The primary aim of the current study was to determine the feasibility of assessing hypothetical recurrence and survival differences that relevant patients would tolerate to avoid immediate resection of the rectum. A secondary aim included estimating patients’ tolerance thresholds and the factors that might predict them. METHODS: We developed a study-specific written questionnaire based on a previously validated instrument. Hypothetical time tradeoff tasks were used to determine the recurrence rate patients would accept to adopt a W&W strategy and the survival benefit that would be needed to justify choosing immediate resection over W&W. Feasibility was measured on the basis of response rate, the stated ease of completion and the satisfaction of task, and time used. RESULTS: Twenty of 31 potentially eligible patients completed the study-specific questionnaire. The majority of respondents felt that questions were clear (70%) and not hard to understand (65%). The median acceptable recurrence risk to adopt a W&W strategy was 20% (interquartile range [IQR], 10%-35%). Patients required a median of 2.0 extra years of survival (IQR, 1.0-3.0 years) over a baseline 7.0 years, and they required a median extra 10% (IQR, 4%-19%) over baseline 70% survival rates to justify immediate resection. CONCLUSION: Measuring the preferences of patients with rectal cancer using time tradeoff methods seemed to be feasible. Larger studies are needed to confirm how acceptable a W&W strategy would be for relevant patients.