bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
China’s pathway to a low carbon economy
Authors: Yang Wenjuan , Zhao Rongqin , Chuai Xiaowei , Xiao Liangang , Cao Lianhai , Zhang Zhanping , Yang Qinglin , Yao Lunguang 
Published: November 2019

AbstractClimate change has emerged as one of the most important environmental issues worldwide. As the world’s biggest developing country, China is participating in combating climate change by promoting a low carbon economy within the context of global warming. This paper summarizes the pathways of China’s low carbon economy including the aspects of energy, industry, low carbon cities, circular economy and low carbon technology, afforestation and carbon sink, the carbon emission trading market and carbon emission reduction targets. There are many achievements in the implementation of low carbon policies. For example, carbon emission intensity has been reduced drastically along with the optimizing of energy and industry structure and a nationwide carbon trading market for electricity industry has been established. However, some problems remain, such as the weakness of public participation, the ineffectiveness of unified policies for certain regions and the absence of long-term planning for low carbon cities development. Therefore, we propose some policy recommendations for the future low carbon economy development in China. Firstly, comprehensive and long-term planning should be involved in all the low carbon economy pathways. Secondly, to coordinate the relationship between central and local governments and narrow the gap between poor and rich regions, different strategies of carbon emission performance assessment should be applied for different regions. Thirdly, enterprises should cooperate with scientific research institutions to explored low carbon technologies. Finally, relevant institutions should be regulated to realize comprehensive low carbon transition through reasonable and feasible low carbon pathways in China. These policy recommendations will provide new perspectives for China’s future low carbon economy development and guide practices for combating climate change.
Microbiological quality of mink feed raw materials and feed production area
Authors: Lyhs Ulrike , Frandsen Henrik , Andersen Birgitte , Nonnemann Bettina , Hjulsager Charlotte , Pedersen Karl , Chriél Mariann 
Published: November 2019

AbstractBackgroundThe quality of mink feed and raw ingredients affect health and growth. The objectives of this study were to examine the microbiological quality of ready-to-eat mink feed and its raw ingredients, screen the plant part of the feed for mycotoxins, and determine the hygiene of the production environment in the feed processing facilities. The results of the study are important for identification of critical steps in the feed production and for formulation of recommendations for improvements of production processes to obtain better quality feed. Feed and swab samples were taken at three Danish mink feed producers October 2016 and May 2017, respectively. Viable counts, detection of methicillin-resistantStaphylococcus aureus(MRSA), influenza virus and filamentous fungi were performed together with qualitative chemical analyses for bioactive fungal metabolites and mycotoxins. Swab samples were analyzed for total viable counts.ResultsViable counts varied between 7.2 × 102and 9.3 × 107 cfu/g in raw ingredients and between 107and 109 cfu/cm2on different surfaces at the feed production facilities. A pork meat product, pork haemoglobin, pork liver and a poultry mix was found positive for MRSA, while monophasicSalmonella[4,5,12:i:-] was detected in a pork meat product. Neither MRSA norSalmonellawas detected in any ready-to-eat feed. Influenza A virus was not detected in any sample. Filamentous fungi were detected in all analysed samples of ready-to-eat feed while dihydro-demethyl-sterigmatocystin was found in almost 50% of all ready-to-eat feed samples and in 80% of the sugar beet pulp. Fumonisins and otherFusariumtoxins were found especially in corn gluten meal and extruded barley and wheat.ConclusionsMink feed contained a cocktail of mycotoxins and bacteria, which may not per se cause clinical disease, but may affect organ function and animal performance and well-being.
Mortality and health survey, Walikale, Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2017: an example of the use of survey data for humanitarian program planning
Authors: Robinson Eve , Crispino Vittoria , Ouabo Adelaide , Soung Iballa Francklin Brice , Kremer Ronald , Serbassi María Eugenia , van Lenthe Marit , Carrion Martin Antonio Isidro 
Published: November 2019

Abstract
Background
During humanitarian crises, health information systems are often lacking and surveys are a valuable tool to assess the health needs of affected populations. In 2013, a mortality and health survey undertaken by Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) in the conflict affected Walikale territory of North Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), indicated mortality rates exceeding humanitarian crisis thresholds and a high burden of mortality and morbidity due to malaria. In late 2017, after a period of relative stability, MSF reassessed the health status of the population through a second survey to guide ongoing operations.

Methods
A two-stage cluster survey, selecting villages using probability proportional to size and households using random walk procedures, was conducted. Household members were interviewed on morbidity and mortality, healthcare use, vaccination status, and bednet availability.

Results
The sample included 5711 persons in 794 households. The crude mortality rate (CMR) and under-five mortality rate (U5MR) were 0.98 per 10,000 persons/day (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.78–1.2) and 1.3 per 10,000 persons/day (95% CI): 0.82–2.0), respectively. The most frequently reported causes of death were fever/malaria (31%), diarrhoea (15%) and respiratory infections (8%). In 89% of households at least one person was reported as falling ill in the previous 2 weeks, and 58% sought healthcare. Cost was the main barrier amongst 58% of those who did not seek healthcare. Coverage of measles-containing-vaccine was 62% in under-fives. Sufficient bednet coverage (1 bednet/2 people) was reported from 17% of households.

Conclusion
The second survey illustrates that although mortality is now just below crisis thresholds, the area still experiences excess mortality and has substantial health needs. The study results have supported the further expansion of integrated community case management to improve access to care for malaria, diarrhoea and respiratory infections. Such surveys are important to orient operations to the health needs of the population being served and also highlight the ongoing vulnerability of populations after humanitarian crises.
Pre-metastatic niche triggers SDF-1/CXCR4 axis and promotes organ colonisation by hepatocellular circulating tumour cells via downregulation of Prrx1
Authors: Tang Yujun , Lu Yishi , Chen Yuan , Luo Lei , Cai Lei , Peng Bangjian , Huang Wenbin , Liao Hangyu , Zhao Liang , Pan Mingxin 
Published: November 2019

Abstract
Background
Circulating tumour cells (CTCs), especially mesenchymal CTCs, are important determinants of metastasis, which leads to most recurrence and mortality in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, little is known about the underlying mechanisms of CTC colonisation in pre-metastatic niches.

Methods
Detection and classification of CTCs in patients were performed using the CanPatrol™ system. A lentiviral vector expressing Prrx1-targeting shRNA was constructed to generate a stable HCC cell line with low expression of Prrx1. The effect of Prrx1 knockdown on stemness, migration, and drug resistance of the cell line was assessed, including involvement of SDF-1/CXCR4 signalling. Promising clinical applications of an inhibitor of STAT3 tyrosine phosphorylation, C188–9, and specific blockade with CXCR4 antibody were explored.

Results
The number of mesenchymal CTCs in blood was closely associated with tumour recurrence or metastasis. Pre-metastatic niche-derived SDF-1 could downregulate Prrx1, which induced the stemness, drug resistance, and increased expression of CXCR4 in HCC cells through the STAT3 pathway in vitro. In vivo, mice bearing tumours of Prrx1 low-expressing cells had significantly shorter survival. In xenograft tumours and clinical samples, loss of Prrx1 was negatively correlated with increased expression of CXCR4 in lung metastatic sites compared with that in the primary foci.

Conclusions
These findings demonstrate that decreased expression of Prrx1 stimulates SDF-1/CXCR4 signalling and contributes to organ colonisation with blood CTCs in HCC. STAT3 inhibition and specific blockade of CXCR4 have clinical potential as therapeutics for eliminating organ metastasis in advanced HCC.
The effectiveness of an interactive organ donation education intervention for Dutch lower-educated students: a cluster randomized controlled trial
Authors: Steenaart Esther , Crutzen Rik , Candel Math J. J. M. , de Vries Nanne K. 
Published: November 2019

AbstractBackgroundOrgan donation registration rates remain low, especially among people with lower educational levels. An interactive educational intervention was developed to prepare lower-educated students in the Netherlands for making a well-informed decision about organ donation. This article reports on the effects of this intervention on the intention to register (i.e., the primary outcome in the study at hand) and beliefs regarding organ donation.Materials and methodsThe effectiveness was investigated in a post-test-only cluster randomized controlled trial, in which the intervention was offered to the experimental group and after measurement also to the control group. Randomization to the experimental and control groups took place at a class level. Teachers of schools for Intermediate Vocational Education who taught a course on Citizenship delivered three intervention elements (i.e., video fragments and discussion, quizzes with tailored feedback and exercise filling out a registration form) to their students during two 50-min lessons.ResultsA total of 1170 students participated in the trial and filled out a questionnaire (45 experimental and 43 control classes). Compared to the control group, students in the experimental group had higher odds of having positive registration intentions (OR = 1.81; 95%CI [1.10–2.96]), their perceived knowledge was higher (B = 0.62; 95%CI [0.23–1.01]) and they had higher intentions to talk to family members (B = 0.68; 95%CI [0.28–1.08]) and friends (B = 0.36; 95%CI [0.07–0.66]) about organ donation. There were no effects on the choice students intended to register (OR = 1.08; 95%CI [0.67–1.73]).ConclusionsProviding education in a classroom setting is an effective tool in increasing registration intentions. Despite uncertainties about the effects on actual registration behavior, a larger-scale dissemination of this intervention is recommended. Providing clear information and opening the discussion about organ donation is an important and promising first step towards higher registration rates.Trial registrationThe Dutch Trial Register, ID: NTR6771. Registered on 24 October 2017.https://www.trialregister.nl/trial/6557
Prevalence of pathogens in ticks collected from humans through citizen science in Belgium
Authors: Lernout Tinne , De Regge Nick , Tersago Katrien , Fonville Manoj , Suin Vanessa , Sprong Hein 
Published: November 2019

AbstractBackgroundIn order to evaluate the risk of human exposure to tick-borne pathogens in Belgium, a study on the prevalence of several pathogens was conducted on feeding ticks removed from humans in 2017.MethodsUsing a citizen science approach based on an existing notification tool for tick bites, a sample of ticks was collected across the country. Collected ticks were screened by PCR for the presence of the following pathogens:Anaplasma phagocytophilum,Babesiaspp.,Borrelia burgdorferi(sensu lato),Borrelia miyamotoi,Neoehrlichia mikurensis,Rickettsia helveticaand tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV).ResultsIn total, 1599 ticks were included in the sample. The great majority of ticks belonged toIxodes ricinus(99%); other tick species were identified asIxodes hexagonus(0.7%) andDermacentor reticulatus(0.3%).Borrelia burgdorferi(s.l.) was detected in 14% of nymphs and adult ticks. Adult ticks (20%) were more likely to be infected than nymphs (12%). The most common genospecies wereB. afzelii(52%) andB. garinii(21%). Except for TBEV, the other tick-borne pathogens studied were all detected in the tick sample, although at a lower prevalence: 1.5% forBabesiaspp.; 1.8% forA. phagocytophilum; 2.4% forB. miyamotoi; 2.8% forN. mikurensis; and 6.8% forR. helvetica.Rickettsia raoultii, the causative agent of tick-borne lymphadenopathy, was identified for the first time in Belgium, in two out of fiveD. reticulatusticks. Co-infections were found in 3.9% of the examined ticks. The most common co-infection wasB. burgdorferi(s.l.) + N. mikurensis.ConclusionsAlthough for most of the tick-borne diseases in Belgium, other than Lyme borreliosis, no or few cases of human infection are reported, the pathogens causing these diseases were all (except for TBEV) detected in the tick study sample. Their confirmed presence can help raise awareness among citizens and health professionals in Belgium on possible diseases other than Lyme borreliosis in patients presenting fever or other non-characteristic symptoms after a tick bite.
Effects of individualized follow-up with a smartphone-application after cardiac rehabilitation: protocol of a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Lunde Pernille , Bye Asta , Bergland Astrid , Nilsson Birgitta Blakstad 
Published: November 2019

Abstract
Background
Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) programs are evidence-based and widely recommended. However, benefits from CR are likely lost among individuals who discontinue their regular exercise routines and healthy habits. One possible approach to enhance adherence to lifestyle advice after completion of CR, may be individualized follow-up enabled by a smartphone application (app).

Methods
A protocol of a single-blinded, pragmatic randomized controlled trial. The study will take place in the eastern part of Norway, and will include heart patients who have completed CR. Participants will be recruited from two CR centers. Based on power calculation, 113 participants will be included. The intervention group will receive individualized follow-up through an app on a weekly basis throughout a year. The app will be set up with the participant’s own goals, and the follow-up will be based on these individual goals. The control group will receive usual care, including general advice regarding physical activity, exercise and diet. The participants will be assessed at baseline (at completion of CR) and 12 months after baseline. Primary outcome of the study will be peak oxygen uptake. Secondary outcomes include exercise performance, quality of life, health status, health literacy, self-perceived goal achievement, exercise habits, body weight, blood pressure as well as lipids and triglycerides.

Discussion
To our knowledge, this will be the first study to examine the effects of individualized follow-up with an app for one year, in patients completing CR. Hence, it is reasonable to assume that the study may be groundbreaking. Due to the large sample size and the theoretically based intervention, the study has the potential to generate new knowledge that may improve the design of future technology-based follow-up interventions of patients that have completed rehabilitation.

Trial registration
ClinicalTrials.gov. NCT03174106. First registration, 19/05/2017.
Predictors of enrollment in a health protection scheme among informal sector workers in Kumasi Metropolis of Ghana
Authors: Adei Dina , Agyemang-Duah Williams , Mensah Anthony Acquah 
Published: November 2019

Abstract
Objective
Informal sector workers are exposed to occupational hazards which could escalate their healthcare expenditures. Thus, enrollment in a health protection scheme among informal sector workers is useful for reducing their catastrophic healthcare expenditures. However, there is scant information on factors predicting their enrollment in the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) in Ghana, a gap this quantitative study aims to fill. A sample of 350 informal sector workers was involved in a cross-sectional survey.

Results
Approximately 17% of the participants were enrolled in NHIS. Respondents who had worked between 5 and 7 years were significantly more likely to enroll in NHIS compared with those who had worked below 2 years (AOR = 13.159, CI 1.135–152.596, p = 0.039). The study further found that apprentices (AOR = 0.72, CI 0.353–1.056, p = 0.005) were less likely to enroll in NHIS compared with their masters. Participants who were exposed to electrical hazards (AOR = 2.93, CI 1.56–5.10, p = 0.013) and suffered from occupational diseases (AOR = 2.75, CI 1.743–5.17, p = 0.001) were significantly more likely to enroll in NHIS. Also, respondents who were non-Christians were significantly less likely to enroll in NHIS compared with their respective counterparts (AOR = 0.726, CI 0.067–2.503, p = 0.011). The findings are useful for increasing the NHIS enrollment rate among informal sector workers in Ghana.
Magnitude of overweight and associated factors among type 2 diabetes mellitus patients at Mekelle public hospitals, Tigray, Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Kiros Kbrom Gemechu , Abyu Gebre Yitayih , Belay Desta Siyoum , Goyteom Mekonnen Haftom , Welegebriel Tensay Kahsay 
Published: November 2019

Abstract
Objective
To assess magnitude of overweight and associated factors among type 2 diabetes mellitus patients at Mekelle public hospitals, Tigray, Ethiopia.

Results
A total of 365 participants were enrolled in this study. One hundred ninety-eight (54.2%) of the participants were males and 288 (78.9%) of the study participants were from an urban residence. In this study 161 (44.1%) and 12 (3.3%) of the study subjects were alcohol consumers and smokers respectively. Besides, 166 (45%) of the study participants had poor dietary intake and around 302 (82.7%) had low level of vigorous physical activity. The proportion of individuals who were overweight using body mass index as a measure was 149 (40.8%) and the proportion of individuals who had central obesity using waist circumference as a measure was 194 (53.2%). The magnitude of overweight among study participants from urban residence and alcohol consumers was 138 (92.6%) and 93 (62.4%) respectively. Residence area, alcohol consumption, physical activities, central obesity and dietary intake were the determinant factors for overweight among type 2 diabetes mellitus patients.
Antibiotic resistance patterns of Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Salmonella, Shigella and Vibrio isolated from chicken, pork, buffalo and goat meat in eastern Nepal
Authors: Bantawa Kamana , Sah Shiv Nandan , Subba Limbu Dhiren , Subba Prince , Ghimire Arjun 
Published: November 2019

Abstract
Objective
Food-borne pathogens are a major cause of illnesses, death and expenses. Their occurrence in meat and other food is considered a global health problem. The burden of food-borne disease is increasing due to antimicrobial resistance which represents a greater risk of treatment failure. However, very little is known about the antibiotic resistance profile of food-borne pathogens in Nepal. This study was conducted to examine the antibiotic resistance profile of common food-borne bacterial pathogens isolated from raw meat sold in Nepal. A total of 83 meat samples were collected from the market and analyzed.

Results
The prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Salmonella, Shigella, and Vibrio were 68%, 53%, 35%, 6%, and 6% respectively. The resistance of Salmonella was most frequently observed to amoxicillin (100%), tetracycline (24%), chloramphenicol (11%), and nalidixic acid (11%). S. aureus was resistant to amoxicillin (100%) followed by tetracycline (63%), nalidixic acid (17%), and cefotaxime (13%) respectively. Vibrio isolates resisted amoxicillin (100%), tetracycline (40%) and chloramphenicol (20%). Shigella expressed the highest resistance to amoxicillin (100%), followed by chloramphenicol (80%), tetracycline (60%) and nalidixic acid (20%). E. coli exhibited the highest resistance to amoxicillin (100%), followed by tetracycline (93%), nalidixic acid (25%) and cefotaxime (19%).
Methodological evaluation of human research on asthmagenicity and occupational cleaning: a case study of quaternary ammonium compounds (“quats”)
Authors: LaKind Judy S. , Goodman Michael 
Published: November 2019

AbstractIn this paper, we review methodological approaches used in studies that evaluated the association between occupational exposure to quaternary ammonium compounds (quats) and occupational asthma. This association is of interest because quats are a common active ingredient of disinfectants and have been linked to work-related asthma in some circumstances. However, any evidence-based assessment of an exposure-outcome association needs to consider both strengths and limitations of the literature. We focus on publications cited by various US and international organizations. Eighteen investigations included in the review fall into two broad categories: case reports and challenge studies of individual patients and population studies that examined the association between quats and asthma occurrence in groups of subjects. We evaluated these studies guided by questions that address whether: exposure data on specific quat(s) and other agents that may cause asthma were included, new asthma cases were differentiated from asthma exacerbation, and information on respiratory sensitivity versus irritation was given. We also assessed consistency across studies. Studies of individual patients, particularly those that provided detailed information on challenge test results, document cases of asthma induced by exposure to quats. By contrast, studies of occupational groups with the highest potential for quats exposure (e.g., cleaners and farmers) do not consistently report increased incidence of asthma due specifically to quats. The unresolved methodological issues include: poor understanding of exposure pathways considering that quats are non-volatile, lack of quantitative data allowing for identification of an asthmagenicity threshold, insufficient information on whether quats are sensitizers or act via dose-dependent irritation or some other mechanism, and inability to quantify risk of new-onset asthma attributable to quats. Another important area of uncertainty is the lack of information on the specific quats being used. There is also a lack of data capable of distinguishing the effects of quats from those of other chemical and biological workplace exposures. The current state-of-the-science does not allow a proper assessment of the potential link between quats and occupational asthma.
Efficient learning of non-autoregressive graph variational autoencoders for molecular graph generation
Authors: Kwon Youngchun , Yoo Jiho , Choi Youn-Suk , Son Won-Joon , Lee Dongseon , Kang Seokho 
Published: November 2019

AbstractWith the advancements in deep learning, deep generative models combined with graph neural networks have been successfully employed for data-driven molecular graph generation. Early methods based on the non-autoregressive approach have been effective in generating molecular graphs quickly and efficiently but have suffered from low performance. In this paper, we present an improved learning method involving a graph variational autoencoder for efficient molecular graph generation in a non-autoregressive manner. We introduce three additional learning objectives and incorporate them into the training of the model: approximate graph matching, reinforcement learning, and auxiliary property prediction. We demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method by evaluating it for molecular graph generation tasks using QM9 and ZINC datasets. The model generates molecular graphs with high chemical validity and diversity compared with existing non-autoregressive methods. It can also conditionally generate molecular graphs satisfying various target conditions.