bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effectiveness of Tuina manipulation in patients with knee osteoarthritis: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Lv Zhizhen , Zhu Qingguang , Guo Guangxin , Sun Wuquan , Cheng Yanbin , Kong Lingjun , Fang Min , Wu Zhiwei , Xu Shanda , Zhou Xin , Zhang Shuaipan , Yao Chongjie 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background: Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a common disabling musculoskeletal disorder. Previous studies showed that Tuina manipulation and health care education were effective treatments for patients with KOA. However, there is no evidence to support the use of one intervention rather than another. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of Tuina manipulation and health care education in the management of pain and dysfunction in patients with KOA.Methods/Design: This study is a single center, two-arm, open-label RCT. A total of 150 eligible KOA patients will be randomly assigned to the Tuina manipulation group or the health education group in a 1:1 ratio. Patients in the Tuina manipulation group receives a 30-minute 2-step treatment plan, including pain point assessment and manual therapy, which are performed 12 times in 4 weeks. The health education group conducts 45 minutes of lectures and discussions each time, three times a week for four weeks. The primary outcome is the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS). Secondary outcomes include the McGill Pain Questionnaire (MPQ) and 36-item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36). The results of this study will help clarify the value of Tuina manipulation and health education as treatments for KOA and will highlight any differences in treatment outcomes.Discussion: The design and methodology of the trial is rigorous and allows the collection of valuable data to assess the efficacy of a specific Tuina regimen in the treatment of KOA. Therefore, the trial will provide a solid foundation for the future clinical research of KOA as well as the future of Tuina therapy.Trial registration: This trial was registered with Chinese Clinical Trial Registry on 24 February 2020(ChiCTR2000030154), http://www.chictr.org.cn/index.aspx
Development of Life-cycle Detection and Extending Function for Reusing Automotive Lithium-ion Battery – Verified in 52V LiMnNiCoO2 Platform
Authors: Sean Wu-Yang , Pacheco Ana 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
For reusing automotive lithium-ion battery, an in-house battery management system is developed. To overcome the issues of life cycle and capacity of reused battery, an online function of estimating battery’s internal resistance and open-circuit voltage based on adaptive control theory are applied for monitoring life cycle and remained capacity of battery pack simultaneously. Furthermore, ultracapacitor is integrated in management system for sharing peak current to prolong life span of reused battery pack. The discharging ratio of ultracapacitor is adjusted manually under Pulse-Width-Modulation signal in battery management system. In case study in 52V LiMnNiCoO2 platform, results of estimated open-circuit voltage and internal resistances converge into stable values within 600(s). These two parameters provide precise estimation for electrical capacity and life cycle. It also shows constrained voltage drop both in the cases of 25% to 75% of ultracapacitors discharging ratio compared with single battery. Consequently, the Life-cycle detection and extending functions integrated in battery management system as a total solution for reused battery are established and verified.
Brazilian Atlantic forest carbon stocks undergoing active restoration after bauxite mining exploration: an approach based on functional attributes
Authors: Balestrin Diego , Martins Sebastião V , Villa Pedro M 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background: Tropical forests are important carbon sinks at the global scale. They are important reservoirs of terrestrial carbon and play a fundamental role in global climate regulation. We evaluated the tree species diversity and dominance patterns in stem and carbon stocks in a Brazilian Atlantic forest restored after bauxite mining exploration in the state of Minas Gerais, south-eastern Brazil.Methods: Aboveground carbon was estimated for a permanent 1-ha forest restored after 14 years, measuring all trees with a circumference at breast height (CBH) ≥ 15 cm, planted during restoration. We studied species richness, community composition and stem- and carbon-dominant species based on two categorical functional attributes associated with forest regeneration (successional strategy and dispersal syndrome).Results: The restored forest obtained a high carbon accumulation (~58 Mg ha -1 ), between two and three times more than second-growth forests with the same or more time for natural regeneration, when compared with other restored Brazilian seasonal semideciduous Atlantic Forest stands. The restored forest presented a marked local carbon dominance, with ~7.5% of the tree species of the community representing 50% of the total aboveground carbon (AGC). Anemochoric and zoochoric species presented a similar pattern of carbon dominance, while the initial second-growth species presented a higher carbon storage capacity than the pioneer species.Conclusions: Our findings stress the importance of analysing the relative contributions of species, classified by functional attributes and by their dominance, to ecosystem functioning at fine-scale active restoration.
Chromium removal from water using modified organic materials: A review
Authors: Jiménez-Castañeda Martha E. , Escamilla-García Pablo Emilio 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Chromium is a non-biodegradable element predominantly found in two chemical forms, Cr(VI) and Cr(III). Several remediation strategies have been implemented to achieve its removal from aquatic environments with limited results. This review article focuses on the analysis of removal strategies including the use of: (1) raw materials (agro-wastes, activated carbons, extracts and solutions) and (2) treated materials (alkaline and acid treatments). The article also reviews and analyses results obtained with surfactant modified organic biomasses. Although this review aims to summarise chromium removal techniques by highlighting relevant results of several studies, surface modification is outlined as a promising method to improve removal efficiency in aqueous solutions. The information presented in this article can help in the development of more efficient methods considering the improvements that surfactants may offer.
The effect of irrigation using recycled waters obtained from MBR and IDAL wastewater treatment systems on soil pH and EC under kikuyu grass (Pennisetum clandestinum) production
Authors: Aghajani Shahrivar A. , Hagare D. , Maheshwari B. , Muhitur Rahman M. 
Published: April 2020

AbstractThe main objective of this study was to determine the effect of irrigation using three different types of waters, namely treated wastewater through membrane bioreactor (MBR) system, treated wastewater via intermittently decanted aerated lagoon (IDAL) process and tap water (TW) on soil pH and electrical conductivity (EC) under kikuyu grass production. No fertilizer was added during the study period (1 year). Irrigation waters and water and soil samples extracted from different soil depths were analysed in laboratory. Considerable changes occurred in soil characteristics over the study period under various treatments. Soil pH increased more than 1 unit under irrigation with treated wastewater produced by the IDAL system while soil irrigated with treated wastewater from the MBR treatment system showed little change and TW irrigated soil evidenced a slight decrease when compared to pH at the beginning of the study. There was also a remarkable increase recorded for EC1:5 of top soils irrigated with treated wastewaters compared to the initial EC of the soil. The results from this study highlighted the benefits of irrigation with treated wastewater from the MBR system due to its lower cost of treatment compared to the IDAL process while providing additional nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus from the wastewater for plant growth.
Implementation of an environmental decision support system for controlling the pre-oxidation step at a full-scale drinking water treatment plant
Authors: Godo-Pla Lluís , Emiliano Pere , González Santiago , Poch Manel , Valero Fernando , Monclús Hèctor 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Drinking water treatment plants (DWTPs) face changes in raw water quality, and treatment needs to be adjusted to produce the best water quality at the minimum environmental cost. An environmental decision support system (EDSS) was developed for aiding DWTP operators in choosing the adequate permanganate dosing rate in the pre-oxidation step. To this end, multiple linear regression (MLR) and multi-layer perceptron (MLP) models are compared for choosing the best predictive model. Besides, a case-based reasoning (CBR) model was approached to provide the user with a distribution of solutions given similar operating conditions in the past. The predictive model consisted of an MLP and has been validated against historical data with sufficient good accuracy for the utility needs (R2 = 0.76 and RSE = 0.13 mg·L−1). The integration of the predictive and the CBR models in an EDSS gives the user an augmented decision-making capacity of the process and has great potential for both assisting experienced users and for training new personnel in deciding the operational set-point of the process.
Evaluating the harvesting efficiency of inorganic coagulants on native microalgal consortium enriched with human urine
Authors: Behera B. , Nageshwari K. , Darshini M. , Balasubramanian P. 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Flocculation is a common technique to harvest microalgae, where the negatively charged algal cells coalesce together to form larger flocs that settle under gravity. Although several inorganic flocculants have been applied for algal biomass recovery, the dosage varies depending on the algal strain-specific features. Thus, the selection of inorganic coagulant that can be applied at a low dosage for achieving the maximal biomass recovery under normal physiological conditions is necessary. The present study analyses the influence of different inorganic flocculants like ferric chloride (FeCl3), alum, calcium hydroxide, ferrous sulphate and copper sulphate on the biomass removal efficiency of a mixed microalgal consortium isolated from the open ponds of the National Institute of Technology Rourkela and further enriched with diluted human urine. Flocculation experiments were carried out with varying coagulant dosages, pH between 7.5 and 7.8, and 0.5 g L−1 algal concentration. The results revealed that FeCl3 at the dosage of 0.05 g L−1 and KAl(SO4)2 with the dosage of 0.04 g L−1 could be utilized to achieve the biomass recovery efficiency of 99.5% and 97.9%, respectively, within a duration of 5 min. An economic evaluation of the harvesting process showed KAl(SO4)2 to be the cheapest coagulant that could be feasibly used to recover algae at a large scale.
N-acetyl-cysteine in Schizophrenia: Potential Role on the Sensitive Cysteine Proteome
Authors: Martínez-Banaclocha Marcos 
Published: April 2020

Background:
N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC) has shown widespread utility in different psychiatric disorders, including a beneficial role in schizophrenic patients. Although the replenishment of glutathione and the antioxidant activity of NAC have been suggested as the mechanisms that improve such a wide range of disorders, no one seems to be sufficiently specific to explain these intriguing effects. A sensitive cysteine proteome is emerging as a functional and structural network of interconnected sensitive cysteine-containing proteins (SCCPs) that together with reactive species and the cysteine/glutathione cycles can regulate the bioenergetic metabolism, the redox homeostasis and the cellular growth, differentiation and survival, acting through different pathways that are regulated by the same thiol radical in cysteine residues.

Objective:
Since this sensitive cysteine network has been implicated in the pathogenesis of Parkinson and Alzheimer´s diseases, I have reviewed if the proteins that play a role in schizophrenia can be classified too as SCCPs.

Results:
I have revised the major proteins implicated in the physiopathology of schizophrenia searching for those proteins that are redox-regulated through sensitive cysteine thiols. Results show that the principal proteins playing a role in schizophrenia can be classified as SCCPs, suggesting that the sensitive cysteine proteome (cysteinet) is defective in this type of psychosis.

Conclusion:
The present review proposes that there is a deregulation of the sensitive cysteine proteome in schizophrenia as the consequence of a functional imbalance among different SCCPs, which play different functions in neurons and glial cells. In this context, the role of NAC to restore and prevent schizophrenic disorders is discussed.
Vitamin D Levels Correlate with Metabolic Syndrome Criteria in Algerian Patients: The Ex-vivo Immunomodulatory Effect of α, 25 Dihydroxyvitamin D3
Authors: Bouchemal Meroua , Hakem Djennat , Azzouz Malha , Touil-Boukoffa Chafia , Mezioug Dalila 
Published: April 2020

Background:Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a combination of metabolic disorders with increased risks for several diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. It is associated with the presence of various inflammatory molecules. Vitamin D plays an important role in the regulation of metabolism homeostasis.Objective:The main goal of this work is to investigate vitamin D levels among Algerian MetS patients and its possible outcomes on key molecules of the immune response, as well, the immunomodulatory effects of its active metabolite.Methods:We evaluated vitamin D status by the electrochemiluminescence method, Nitric Oxide (NO) levels by the Griess method and Matrix Metalloproteinases (MMPs) activities such as MMP-2 and MMP-9 by zymography in plasma of patients and healthy controls (HC). The immunomodulatory effects of the active metabolite of vitamin D (α-25 (OH)2D3) on the production of NO, IL-6, IL-10, TGF- β and s-CTLA-4 were assessed by Griess method and ELISA, in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of Algerian MetS patients and HC. MMPs activities were also determined ex-vivo, while iNOS expression was assessed by immunofluorescence staining.Results:Severe vitamin D deficiency was registered in Algerian MetS patients. The deficiency was found to be associated with an elevated in vivo NO production and high MMPs activity. Interestingly, α-25 (OH)2D3 declined the NO/iNOS system and IL-6 production, as well as MMPs activities. However, the ex-vivo production of IL-10, TGF-β increased in response to the treatment. We observed in the same way, the implication of s-CTLA-4 in MetS, which was markedly up-regulated with α-25 (OH)2D3.Conclusion:Our report indicated the relationship between MetS factors and Vitamin D deficiency. The ex-vivo findings emphasize its impact on maintaining regulated immune balance.
A digital health platform for assisting in diagnosing and monitoring disease progression of COVID-19: An adjuvant approach for augmenting the anti-viral response and reducing the immune-mediated target organ damage (Preprint)
Authors: Ilan Yaron , Isahy Yuval , Potruch Assaf , Schwartz Asaf , Berg Marc , Jamil Khurram , Agus Samuel 
Published: April 2020

BACKGROUND

The outbreak of a coronavirus disease in 2019 (COVID-19) which is associated with respiratory-related illness and high mortality presents a major worldwide need. Problems of information availability to health care providers; difficulties in diagnosis and disease prognosis; and a lack of monitoring tools are some of the obstacles faced by the clinical community. Most importantly, the lack of valid therapies makes the pandemic a devastating universal problem. Current information points to a concept of dysregulation of the immune system which is unable to mount an effective anti-viral response, and on the other hand induces an uncontrolled immune-mediated response manifesting as ARDS, myocarditis and hepatitis.

OBJECTIVE

In the present paper we describe a novel platform for providing information to physicians, and assisting in diagnosis and monitoring of patients with COVID-19.

METHODS

Review of the relevant literature publications

RESULTS

An adjuvant approach is presented, using compounds that can boost a beneficial anti-viral immune response while reducing the immune-mediated target organ damage associated with the virus.

CONCLUSIONS

Ensuring a prolonged beneficial effect is performed by implementing algorithm-based individualized variability measures into the treatment regimen.
Studi Kebijakan Pengikutsertaan Orang Tua Terhadap Peningkatan Mutu Pendidikan Di SDN Songgokerto 3 Kota Batu
Authors: Ardiyansyah Maulidin , Juanda Ahmad 
Published: April 2020

Abstract: Improving the quality of education is not only the responsibility of the government and schools. In this modern era in improving the quality of education is also the responsibility of parents. This study aims to determine 1) the form of parent participation in Elementary School Songgokerto 3 in Batu City in improving the quality of education, 2) the school's strategy in developing parent participation in Elementary School Songgokerto 3 in Batu City in improving the quality of education. This research uses a qualitative approach. This research is a qualitative study, with the type of descriptive qualitative research. The results showed that: 1) The strategy applied was to always participate in every activity carried out by the community in the school environment or parents to establish friendship and the formation of good communication with the community and parents. 2). The form of participation from parents in elementary school Songgokerto 3 Batu is in the form of thoughts such as providing input in program activities at school, skills such as providing training to students on how to make chips, personnel such as in repairing infrastructure for teaching and learning support processes such as repairing chairs or desks, money, and things.Keywords: Policy, Parental Participation, Quality of Education Abstrak: Meningkatkan kualitas pendidikan tidak hanya menjadi tanggung jawab oleh pemerintah dan sekolah. Pada era modern sekarang ini dalam meningkatkan mutu pendidikan juga menjadi tanggung jawab orang tua. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui 1) bentuk partisipasi orang tua di Sekolah Dasar Negeri Songgokerto 3 Kota Batu dalam meningkatkan mutu pendidikan, 2) strategi sekolah dalam menumbuh kembangkan partisipasi orang tua di Sekolah Dasar Negeri Songgokerto 3 Kota Batu dalam meningkatkan mutu pendidikan. Penelitian ini menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif. Penelitian ini merupakan penelitian yang bersifat kualitatif, dengan jenis penelitian kualitatif deskripstif. Hasil penelitian menunjukan bahwa: 1) Strategi yang diterapkan adalah dengan selalu ikut dalam setiap kegiatan yang diadakan oleh masyarakat di lingkungan sekolah atau orang tua dengan tujuan untuk menjalin silaturahmi dan terbentuknya komunikasi yang baik dengan masyarakat dan orangtua. 2). Bentuk partisipasi dari orang tua di SDN Songgokerto 3 Kota Batu berupa pemikiran seperti memberikan masukan-masukan dalam program kegiatan di sekolah, keterampilan seperti memberikan pelatihan pada siswa bagaimana cara membuat keripik, tenaga seperti dalam memperbaiki sarana prasarana pendukung proses belajar mengajar seperti memperbaiki kursi ataupun meja, uang, dan benda.Kata kunci: Kebijakan, Keikutsertaan Orang Tua, Mutu Pendidikan
O lugar das fontes renováveis no relacionamento do Brasil com os "RICS" na área de energia: uma análise da agenda bilateral e das declarações de cúpula (1990-2018)
Authors: Montenegro Renan Holanda , Paiva Iure , Marques Feitosa Lucas 
Published: April 2020

Este artigo discute a realidade energética no âmbito dos BRICS, com especial atenção às energias renováveis. Sob tal perspectiva, o Brasil emerge com papel destacado na coalizão, sendo considerado um dos países mais descarbonizados do mundo, pioneiro em bioenergia e um dos líderes globais em geração eólica e hidrelétrica. Por outro lado, o carvão ocupa um espaço considerável na matriz energética da Áfri ca do Su l, China e Índia. Ademais, o bloco ainda conta com o maior produtor de petróleo cru do mundo: a Rússia. Levando em consideração as potencialidades e os desafios de cada país no tocante ao assunto, esta pesquisa se estrutura em torno de dois eixos principais: avaliar como as fontes renováveis permeiam os acordos bilaterais firmados pelo Brasil na área de energia com os “RICS”; e entender como o debate está caracterizado nas declarações conjuntas das cúpulas do bloco. A metodologia utilizada envolveu a construção de um banco de dados original, bem como a aplicação de técnicas de estatística descritiva e análise de conteúdo. Os resultados apontam que China e Rússia dominam, de longe, a pauta ene rg&eacut e;tica bilateral do Brasil com os RICS e que o governo Lula foi, desde a redemocratização, o mais ativo em termos de quantidades de atos internacionais referentes à energia firmados com esses parceiros. Os achados também indicam alguns pontos de intersecção entre as pautas bilaterais e as posições conjuntas adotadas nas declarações de cúpula, a despeito de não ter havido um aumento dos acordos sobre energia após o estabelecimento dos BRICS.
Financial Statement Comparability and the Market Value of Cash Holdings
Authors: Ahn Hyejin , Choi Sunhwa , Yun Sunho Chris 
Published: April 2020

SYNOPSIS
We examine how financial statement comparability affects the market value of cash holdings. Using a sample of U.S. firms from 1991 through 2013, we find that the marginal value of cash holdings is higher for firms with financial statements that are more comparable to those of their industry peers. Specifically, a change in our comparability measure from the bottom to the top decile is associated with a 37 to 43 cent increase in the market value of an additional dollar of cash. This result suggests that financial statement comparability mitigates the agency problem associated with cash holdings (i.e., the free cash flow problem) by improving firms' information environments and thus facilitating monitoring of managers.
PENGARUH GCG TERHADAP KINERJA PENGELOLAAN DANA DESA DENGAN MODERASI SISTEM PENGENDALIAN INTERNAL
Authors: Budiati Yuli , Sugiyanto Eviatiwi Kusumaningtyas , Niati Asih 
Published: April 2020

Dana desa harus dimanfaatkan dan digunakan untuk kepentingan desa dan pelaksanaannya diawasi bersama serta dilengkapi dengan laporan-laporan secara tertulis agar dapat dipertanggungjawabkan. Masih sangat sedikit aparatur pemerintah desa dalam memberikan laporan pengelolaan dana desa, sehingga memunculkan pertanyaan mengenai bagaimana kinerja pengelolaan dana desa. Penelitian bermaksud untuk menganalisis persepsi dari aparatur pemerintah desa berdasarkan prinsip Good Governance dengan dimensi transparansi, akuntabilitas dan partisipasi dan kapasitas aparatur desa terhadap kinerja pengeloaan dana desa dengan sistem pengendalian internal sebagai variabel moderating. Penelitian dilakukan di Kecamatan Karangawen Kabupaten Demak pada pihak yang terlibat dalam pengelolaan dana desa yaitu kepala desa, sekretaris desa, bendahara, pelaksana kegiatan pembangunan, pelaksana kegiatan pemerintahan, ketua tim pengelola kegiatan dan tim penggerak kesejahterahteraan keluarga, pada 12 desa dengan jumlah responden 84 orang. Alat analisis yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah SEM dengan WrapPLS. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa transaparansi, akuntabilitas, partisipasi dan kapasitas aparatur berpengaruh positif signifikan terhadap kinerja pengelolaan dana desa. Sedangkan sistem pengendalian internal gagal menjadi variabel moderasi pengaruh transparansi, akuntabilitas, partisipasi terhadap kinerja pengelolaan keuangan desa.