bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
THE IMPLEMENTATION OF TONGUE TWISTERS TO IMPROVE THE STUDENTS’ ABILITY TO PRONOUNCE FRICATIVE CONSONANTS AND LONG VOWELS
Authors: Maulida Lailatul 
Published: August 2020

The main factor of failure in mastering speaking encountered by the eighth grade students of SMP Ma’arif 1 Ponorogo in the academic year of 2014/21015 was dealing with pronunciation. The research was classroom action research that was conducted in two cycles with planning, acting, observing, and reflecting as the stages done in each cycle. The data were collected from the pre-test, test 1 and post-test as the quantitative data and from interviews, observation, and field note as the qualitative data. The data were analyzed by comparing the score of pre-test, test 1 and post-tests and by using interactive model method. The findings showed that the implementation of tongue twister as a teaching technique could improve the students’ pronunciation of fricative consonants and long vowels. In addition, it can be concluded that tongue twisters is an appropriate technique for teaching speaking, especially pronunciation.
IMPROVING YOUNG LEARNERS’ LISTENING SKILL BY USING NURSERY RHYMES SONG
Authors: Putri Aprilia Riyana 
Published: August 2020

Listening is one of the most important skill in learning language for young learners, because the first way to learn language start from learning how to listen. In learning English, most of young learners in Indonesia found some difficulties to listen directly from the native speaker or from the environment, such as from young learners’ school or from young learners’ family, it happened because English is still as the second language in Indonesia which is not use in daily life. Many media uses by most of schools in Indonesia to improve young leraners’ competencies in English, for example by using some application from smartphone or by using song. Here, the researchers choose nursery rhymes song as an alternative media in improving young learners’ listening skill. The experimental research design was employed. The experimental group was taught using nursery rhymes song while the control group was taught using the conventional method. There are two classes in the same level at six grade level from SDUT BUMI KARTINI JEPARA participated in this study, they are from maroco and mesir class. The findings indicated that nursery rhymes song significantly improved the students’ listening skill toward learning English. This study concluded that nursery rhymes song is one of media that is very effective for improving young learners’ listening skill because young learners are very happy to learn English while singing the nursery rhymes song.
High Rates of Aseptic Loosening After Revision Total Knee Arthroplasty for Periprosthetic Joint Infection
Authors: Kienzle Arne , Walter Sandy , von Roth Philipp , Fuchs Michael , Winkler Tobias , Müller Michael 
Published: August 2020

Background:With increasing life expectancy, the demand for knee replacement is continuously rising. Despite the use of antibiotic prophylaxis and improved aseptic surgical techniques, periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) still occurs in 1% to 5% of patients after primary arthroplasty. An open question is the influence of PJI and resulting surgical procedures on the occurrence of long-term complications such as aseptic loosening. Patients needing multiple revision surgeries are especially at risk for decreases in bone mass and damage to the medullary cavity. Thus, we theorized that prior surgeries on the affected knee increase the risk of aseptic loosening in patients with PJI.Methods:We retrospectively analyzed the cases of 100 patients who underwent total knee replacement exchange surgery as a result of PJI. In addition to clinical, paraclinical, and radiographic examination, we assessed comorbidities and the number of prior surgeries.Results:Prosthetic survival was drastically decreased after PJI-related revision arthroplasty: during the first 7.3 years after reimplantation, 22% and 16% of all patients had aseptic loosening and recurrent PJI, respectively. The prevalence of aseptic loosening was 27.8% for female and 15.2% for male patients. A significant association between increasing patients’ American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) classification and prosthetic failure rates was found, as was a strong correlation between number of prior surgeries and aseptic looseningConclusions:In this study, we found notable rates of aseptic loosening and recurrent PJI following PJI-related revision arthroplasty. The difference in the rate of aseptic loosening among male and female patients supports theories of the role of bone metabolism in the development of aseptic loosening. The economic and clinical burdens of prosthetic failure make it paramount to gain a better understanding of bone metabolism in PJI. Additional research should address the need to optimize treatment strategies to increase prosthetic survival.Level of Evidence:TherapeuticLevel IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Identifying predictive biomarkers of CIMAvaxEGF success in Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer Patients.
Authors: Lorenzo-Luaces Patricia , Sanchez Lizet , Saavedra Danay , Crombet Tania , Elst Wim Van der , Alonso Ariel , Molenberghs Geert , Lage Agustin 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background: Immunosenescence biomarkers and peripheral blood parameters are evaluated separately as possible predictive markers of immunotherapy. Here, we illustrate the use of a causal inference model to identify predictive biomarkers of CIMAvaxEGF success in the treatment of Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer Patients. Methods: Data from a controlled clinical trial evaluating the effect of CIMAvax-EGF were analyzed retrospectively, following a causal inference approach. Pre-treatment potential predictive biomarkers included basal serum EGF concentration, peripheral blood parameters and immunosenescence biomarkers. The proportion of CD8 + CD28- T cells, CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, CD4/CD8 ratio and CD19+ B cells. The 33 patients with complete information were included. The predictive causal information (PCI) was calculated for all possible models. The model with a minimum number of predictors, but with high prediction accuracy (PCI>0.7) was selected. Good, rare and poor responder patients were identified using the predictive probability of treatment success. Results: The mean of PCI increased from 0.486, when only one predictor is considered, to 0.98 using the multivariate approach with all predictors. The model considering the proportion of CD4+ T cell, basal Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF) concentration, neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio, Monocytes, and Neutrophils as predictors were selected (PCI>0.74). Patients predicted as good responders according to the pre-treatment biomarkers values treated with CIMAvax-EGF had a significant higher observed survival compared with the control group (p=0.03). No difference was observed for bad responders. Conclusions: Peripheral blood parameters and immunosenescence biomarkers together with basal EGF concentration in serum resulted in good predictors of the CIMAvax-EGF success in advanced NSCLC. Future research should explore molecular and genetic profile as biomarkers for CIMAvax-EGF and it combination with immune-checkpoint inhibitors. The study illustrates the application of a new methodology, based on causal inference, to evaluate multivariate pre-treatment predictors. The multivariate approach allows realistic predictions of the clinical benefit of patients and should be introduced in daily clinical practice.
Microbial Community, Biomass and Physico-Chemical Properties of Soil in dry tropics
Authors: Woldemariam Weldesemayat Gorems , Ghoshal Nandita 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Soil physicochemical and microbial properties can be regarded as an important tool to assess soil quality and health. Studying the soil properties under different land use types is great practical significant for land use and soil management regarding soil carbon dynamics and climate change mitigation. However, the changes in land-use types and their eﬀects on soil physicochemical and microbial properties are largely debated and rather unclear. Four different land use types were used to study soil microbial and soil physico-chemical properties. Soil organic carbon and total nitrogen, soil microbial biomass and microbial diversity were determined by micro kjeldahl method, fumigation and extraction method and FAME GC-Ms, respectively. Among all land use pattern the highest water holding capacity (40.06±0.74%), porosity (0.539±0.011%), soil macro-aggregates (64.16±2.64%), organic carbon (0.84±0.054%), total nitrogen (0.123±0.013%), microbial biomass carbon (570.65±35.05 μg/g) and nitrogen (84.21±3.186 μg/g), basal respiration (3.64±0.064μg/g) and b-glucosidase (809.68±39.7μgμg PNP g-1 dry soil h-1) were found to be under natural forest followed by in decreasing order bamboo plantation, degraded forest and agricultural land. Significant differences were observed among the land use types with microbial biomass carbon and B-glucosidase activity. Furthermore, the correlation of analysis showed that microbial biomass, organic carbon, b-glucosidas activity, total nitrogen, moisture content, porosity, water holding capacity, soil macro aggregates were positively correlated to each other and negatively correlated with bulk density, meso and micro soil aggregates at p<0.05. The PLFA analysis showed that microbial community diversity exhibited distinct patterns among land-use types. The conversions of natural forest to other land use type, the amount of PLFA were reduced significantly. The natural forest had high microbial diversity followed by in decreasing order bamboo plantation, degraded forest and agricultural land. Among the organisms G- bacteria and fungi were showed decreasing order from natural forest, bamboo plantation, degraded forest and agricultural land. The reverse was true for G+ bacteria. The result of this study showed that soil physico-chemical and microbial properties were significantly affected by land use types. Thus bamboo based fallow has the potential for improving soil quality and properties in the short term.
The influence of comorbidity on the severity of COVID-19 disease: A systematic review and analysis
Authors: Zaki Nazar , Mohamed Elfadil Abdalla , Ibrahim Sahar , Khan Gulfaraz 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background: A novel form of coronavirus disease (SARS-CoV-2) has spread rapidly across the world. What risk factors influence the severity of the disease is of considerable importance.Aim: This research offers a systematic review and meta-analysis of the correlation between common clinical conditions and comorbidities and the severity of COVID-19.Methodology: Two independent researchers searched Europe PMC, Google Scholar, and PubMed databases for articles related to influence comorbidities have on the progress of the disease. A search engine was also created to screen a further 59,000 articles in COVID-19 Open Research Dataset (CORD-19). Random-effects modeling was used to pool 95% confidence intervals (CIs) and odds ratios (ORs). The significance of all comorbidities and clinical conditions to the severity of the disease was evaluated by employing machine-learning techniques. Publication bias was assessed by using funnel-plots and Egger’s test. Heterogeneity was tested using I2.Results: The meta-analysis incorporated 12 studies spanning 4,101 confirmed COVID-19 patients who were admitted to Chinese hospitals. The prevalence of the most commonly associated co-morbidities and their corresponding odds ratio for disease severity were as follows: coronary heart disease (OR 2.97 [CI: 1.99-4.45], p < 0.0001), cancer (OR 2.65 [CI: 1.12-6.29], p < 0.03), cardiovascular disease (OR 2.89 [CI: 1.90-4.40], p < 0.0001), COPD (OR 3.24 [CI: 1.66-6.32], p = 0.0), and kidney disease (OR 2.2.4 [CI: 1.01-4.99], p = 0.05) with low or moderate level of heterogeneity. The most frequently exhibited clinical symptoms were fever (OR 1.37 [CI: 1.01-1.86], p = 0.04), myalgia/fatigue (OR 1.31 [CI: 1.11-1.55], p = 0.0018), and dyspnea (OR 3.61, [CI: 2.57-5.06], p = <0.0001). No significant associations between disease severity and liver disease, smoking habits, and other clinical conditions, such as a cough, respiratory/ARDS, diarrhea or chest tightness/pain were found. The meta-analysis also revealed that the incubation period was positively associated with disease severity. Conclusion: Existing comorbidities, including COPD, cardiovascular disease, and coronary heart disease, increase the severity of COVID-19. Some studies found a statistically significant association between comorbidities such as diabetes and hypertension and disease severity. However, these studies may be biased due to substantial heterogeneity.
Effects of Cytokine Blocking Agents on 30-Day Mortality in Patients Admitted to ICU With Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome by SARS-CoV2 Infection: An Observational Cohort Study
Authors: Coloretti Irene , Busani Stefano , Biagioni Emanuela , Venturelli Sophie , Munari Elena , Sita Marco , Dallara Lorenzo , Tosi Martina , Clini Enrico , Tonelli Roberto , Fantini Riccardo , Mussini Cristina , Meschiari Marianna , Guaraldi Giovanni , Cossarizza Andrea , Alfano Gaetano , Girardis Massimo 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background The use of cytokine-blocking agents has been proposed to modulate the inflammatory response in patients with COVID19. Tocilizumab and Anakinra were included in the local protocol as an optional treatment in critically ill patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) by SARS-CoV2 infection. This cohort study evaluated the effects of therapy with cytokine blocking agents on in-hospital mortality in COVID19 patients requiring mechanical ventilation and admitted to intensive care unit. Methods The association between therapy with Tocilizumab or Anakinra and in-hospital mortality was assessed in consecutive adult COVID19 patients admitted to our ICU with moderate to severe ARDS. The association was evaluated by comparing patients who receive to those who did not receive Tocilizumab or Anakinra and by using different multivariable Cox models adjusted for variables related to poor outcome, for the propensity to be treated with Tocilizumab or Anakinra and after patient matching. Results Sixty-six patients who received immunotherapy (49 Tocilizumab, 17 Anakinra) and 28 patients who did not receive immunotherapy were included. The in-hospital crude mortality was 30,3% in treated patients and 50% in non-treated (OR 0,77, 95% CI 0,56-1,05, p=0,069). The adjusted Cox model showed an association between therapy with immunotherapy and in-hospital mortality (HR 0,35, 95% CI 0,16-0,77, p=0,009). This protective effect was further confirmed in the analysis adjusted for propensity score, in the propensity-matched cohort and in the cohort of patients with invasive mechanical ventilation within 2 hours after ICU admission. Conclusions Although important limitations, our study showed that cytokine-blocking agents seem to be safe and to improve survival in COVID-19 patients admitted to ICU with ARDS and the need of mechanical ventilation.
Covid19 Response in Low-Income Country: The Case of A Lockdown in Zambia
Authors: Muzyamba Choolwe Mphanza 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background The onset of the covid19 pandemic has sparked heated debate among scholars on the relevance of lockdowns. There are those in favor of the lockdown and others who are critical of it. However, despite the increased interest in understanding the relevance of lockdowns, there still has not been much focus on its relevance in low income countries like Zambia. Thus with the help of the SRT, we set out to explore and document the local characterization of the lockdown by residents of Lusaka, Zambia.Methods A qualitative study in the form of interviews was conducted in Lusaka, Zambia involving a sample of 68 participants. Due to the lockdown measures that were in place during the study, the interviews were conducted via phone calls and the data collected were later analyzed by use of thematic analysis technique. Results The lockdown was on one hand lauded for slowing down the incidence rates, preventing fatalities, and for protecting the healthcare system from collapse. On the other hand, it was criticized for exacerbating poverty levels, unemployment rates, increasing the rate of mental health problems, aiding gender based violence, and intensifying political repression and corruption. The results speak to the complexity in the characterization of the lockdown as a response to covid19 in Zambia. This observation demonstrates the folly of viewing, applying and characterizing the covid19 lockdown as a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach in Zambia.Conclusion Thus rather than definitely establishing the lockdown as an incontestable good, as it is depicted by some scholars or as useless by its critics, our findings instead demonstrate the diversity and complexity in how it is locally viewed by Zambians. The study provides grounds for caution on simplistic and binary characterization of lockdowns. It indicates the need for careful dialog between the designers of lockdowns and citizens in order to tailor such interventions to local realities in context-specific ways. It also shows that though the development of such interventions, all the various and complex elements it embodies must be taken into account in order to realize optimum outcomes.
Transcriptome analysis of developing castor bean seeds and identification of ricinoleic acid biosynthesis genes
Authors: Wu Ziting , Yang Qin , Xu Fei , Ouyang Yi , Geng Xinxin 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background Ricinoleic acid is a kind of unsaturated fatty acid in castor oil with wide application value. It is sourced from R. communis seed oil, where it is present in large amounts. However, there is little transcriptomic information on genes related to ricinoleic acid biosynthesis in castor bean.Results In order to better understand the regulation mechanism of ricinoleic acid biosynthesis, immature seeds at three developmental stages (15, 30, and 45 days after pollination) were collected. The results indicated that the accumulation of castor oil and ricinoleic acid increased gradually during seed development, and reached the maximum value at the late stages of seed development (45 days after pollination). Furthermore, RNA sequencing was conducted to analyze the transcriptome of the developing seeds at three developing stages. Totals of 9,875 differentially expressed genes were identified among the three time points. Based on the annotation information, 49 DEGs related to lipid biosynthesis were screened among all DEGs. Through cluster analysis of the 49 DEGs, ten genes with increasing FPKM values from seed development stages S1 to S3 were selected as candidate key enzymes, since they showed similar patterns of increase with castor oil accumulation and ricinoleic acid biosynthesis during seed development. The transcriptomic data of the 10 candidate key enzyme genes was further validated by qRT-PCR. Ultimately, a putative model of key genes correlated with ricinoleic acid accumulation was built.Conclusion Our study identified a series of key genes and revealed the proposed molecular mechanism of ricinoleic acid accumulation in castor seeds through the transcriptional analysis. It broadens our knowledge of ricinoleic acid biosynthesis and castor oil accumulation and also provides a theoretical foundation for the genetic engineering key genes that can improve the ricinoleic acid production in castor bean as well as other plants.
Characteristics and prognostic outcome factors in elderly peritoneal dialysis patients:a prospective observational study
Authors: Ma Xiaoying , Xu HaiPing , Sun FuYun 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background: This study aimed to analyze the characteristics, outcomes and prognosis factors of survival in elderly peritoneal dialysis patients, so as to better understand the status of elderly peritoneal dialysis patients and improve their quality of life.Methods: This study was a prospective, observational study that included peritoneal dialysis (PD)patients.Categorizing by age, elderly group aged ≥ 65, younger group aged < 65. Clinical characteristics, survival and transferring to hemodialysis were compared between two groups.Meanwhile, risk factors for death in elderly PD patients were explored.Results: A total of 202 PD patients were enrolled, including 61 in elderly group and 141 in younger group. Among elderly individuals,serum albumin and normalized protein catabolic rate(nPCR) decreased, the incidence of previous cardiovascular, cerebrovascular diseases and Charlson Comorbidity Index(CCI) were higher.The major primary disease in elderly patients was diabetic nephropathy, significant differences were found between elderly and younger group(P < 0.01). The mortality in elderly group was substantially higher, 27 patients (44.3%) died in elderly group and 21 patients(14.3%) died in younger group .The 1-year,2-year,3-year,4-year survival rate were 81.97%, 70.49%, 60.66%, 55.74% respectively. Cardiovascular disease was the main cause of death in elderly PD patients. Higher BMI, CCI, and previous ischemic heart disease were risk factors for long-term survival of elderly PD patients. Compared with the younger group, elderly patients were less likely to transfer to hemodialysis: 2 cases (3.3%) in elderly group and 23 cases (16.3%) in younger group. Peritonitis was the primary reason for converting to hemodialysis(HD) in both two groups.Conclusions: Poor nutrition, more complications and diabetic nephropathy were characteristics of elderly PD patients. High BMI, CCI and previous ischemic heart disease were independent predictors of death in elderly PD patients. Cardiovascular disease was the main cause of death in elderly PD patients，while the chief reason of transferring to hemodialysis was peritonitis.
Using Social Media on Mental Health among University Medical Students in Abha City, Southern Saudi Arabia
Authors: Alammar Afnan Mastour , Alsaleem Safar A. , Al-Garni Abdulaziz Mohammed , alammar Razan saeed , alhumayed Razan suliman , Alammar Amjad Mastour 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
BackgroundDuring the past 10 years, the rapid development of social networking sites (SNSs) such as Facebook, Twitter, snap chat, games and so on has caused several profound changes in the way people communicate and interact. SNSs are often defined as Web-based platforms that allow individuals to create their own personal profile and build a network of connections with other users. Today has more than one billion active users. And, it is clear that during the past 10 years, online social networking has caused significant changes in the way people communicate and interact affecting their mental and psychological health .This study aimed to assess social media utilization and its impact on mental health among medical college students in Abha city.MethodA cross sectional approach was used targeting college of medicine students in Abha city. Data were collected using structured questionnaire which developed by the researchers after intensive literature review and experts consultation. The questionnaire was uploaded online using social media platforms by the researchers and their relatives and friends to be filled with all population in Abha city.ResultsThe study included 311 students whose ages ranged from 17 to 29 years old with mean age of 22.8 ± 2.1 years. Female figured 64.6% of the participants and 90.7% of the students were not married. About 28.6% of the students were in the pre-clinical grades and 14.5% were interns. Those who use social media platforms for less than one hour daily were 2.6% of the students while 50.5% use it for 6 hours daily. As for used social media platforms, Snap chat and Twitter were the most used. Poor mental health was detected among nearly half of the students.ConclusionsIn conclusion, the study revealed that medical college students used social media platform intensively with reported high insomnia rate and poor mental health for half of them.