bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of Waste Glass Powder on Phase, Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Mullite Based Porous Ceramics with Coal-series Solid Waste as Raw Materials
Authors: Lian Wei , Liu Yan , Wang Wenjie , Dong Yangtao , Wang Sheng , Liu Zhenying , Liu Yin 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Mullite based porous ceramics were successfully prepared by using a solid-phase method with gangue, slime and sawdust as raw materials. The effects of the content of glass powder and calcining temperature on microstructure and mechanical properties of the samples were systematically studied. It is found that glass powder can prevent the formation of Kyanite and reduce the synthesis temperature of mullite. The samples with 4% glass powder have a large amount of mullite calcined at 1150°C for 3h. Meanwhile, alumina in the sample is completely converted into mullite at 1180°C for 3h. Mullite content reaches 64.2wt%. The minimum apparent porosity is 31.22%, while the maximum volume density and diameter shrinkage are 1.74g/cm 3 and 8.48%, respectively. The ratio of pores of <8μm to those of 8~20μm is varied from 7:2 to 2:7, due to the addition of the glass powder. With increasing content of mullite, the flexural properties of the samples are increased from 7.7MPa to 28.36MPa. Therefore, with solid wastes as the resource, the porous ceramics have a bright prospect.
Selection and validation of reference genes for RT-qPCR analysis in Litchi chinensis Sonn. pericarp
Authors: Li Fang , Sun Jinhua , Men Jiali , Li Huanling , Wang Guo , Wang Shujun , Wang Jiabao 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background: Quantitative real time PCR (qRT-PCR) is an important tool for gene expression analysis and function identification. Suitable reference genes are the basis of accurate and reliable qPCR results. Litchi ( Litchi chinensis Sonn.) is a commercially important tropical and subtropical fruit crop, rapid pericarp browning is the major negative impact on the industry. Reference gene validation would help screen for genes involved in the browning mechanism.Results: In this study, fifteen new candidate reference genes, identified with transcriptome data, were assessed to determine stable reference genes for qRT-PCR analysis of litchi pericarps from different varieties, with differing postharvest storage, and under pathogenic inoculation. Ct values, Genorm, Normfind, and Reffinder algorithms, were used to identify the most stable genes. The results showed that GAGA-25 was the most stable gene for comparing different varieties of fresh pericarp, HDAC9 was the most stable gene for postharvest pericarp, STAM was the most stable for inoculated pericarp. Among the candidate reference genes, GAGA-25 was the most stable reference gene across the complete sample set.Conclusion: This study evaluated reference gene stability for qRT-PCR with litchi pericarp. This work supplies a foundation for qPCR use in future gene function and molecular mechanism studies of litchi pericarp browning.
A spatiotemporal simulation study on the transmission of harmful microorganisms through connected healthcare workers in a hospital ward setting
Authors: Niekerk Magnus J. M. van , Stein Alfred A. , Doting Edwina M. H. E. , Lokate Martiëtte M. , Braakman-Jansen Annemarie L. M. A. , Gemert-Pijnen Lisette J. E. W. C. van 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background
Transmission of harmful microorganisms may lead to infections and poses a major threat to patients and healthcare workers in healthcare settings. The most effective countermeasure against the transmission and spread of harmful microorganisms is the adherence to spatiotemporal hand hygiene policies, but adherence rates are relatively low and vary over space and time. The spatiotemporal effects on the transmission and spread of harmful microorganisms for varying levels of hand hygiene compliance are unknown. The objectives of this study are to (1) identify a healthcare worker occupancy group of potential super-spreaders and (2) quantify spatiotemporal effects on the transmission and spread of harmful microorganisms for varying levels of hand hygiene compliance caused by this group.
Methods
Spatiotemporal data were collected in a ward of an academic hospital using radio frequency identification technology over a period of seven days. A potential super-spreader healthcare worker occupation group was identified using the contact data derived from the frequency identification sensors. The effects of five probability distributions of hand hygiene compliance and three rates of harmful microorganism transmission were simulated using a dynamic agent-based simulation model. The effects of initial simulation assumptions on the simulation results were quantified using five risk factors.
Results
Nurses, doctors and patients are together responsible for 78.8% of all contacts. Nurses made up 57% of all contacts, which is more than five times that of doctors (11.1%). This identifies nurses as the potential super-spreader healthcare worker occupation group. For initial simulation conditions of extreme lack of hand hygiene compliance (5%) and high transmission rates (5% per contact moment), a colonized nurse can transfer microbes to three of the 17 healthcare worker or patients encountered during the 87 minutes of visiting 22 rooms while colonized. The harmful microorganism transmission potential for nurses is higher during weeknights (5 pm – 7am) and weekends as compared to weekdays (7am – 5 pm).
Conclusion
Spatiotemporal behaviour and social mixing patterns of healthcare can change the expected number of transmissions and spread of harmful microorganism by super-spreaders in a closed healthcare setting. These insights can be used to develop better informed infection prevention and control strategies.
Use of a novel integrated port closure system - A multi-center study
Authors: Milad Qarawany , Mizrahi Hagar , Ugale Surendra , Pascal Guy , Hazzan David 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background The incidence of port site hernia (PSH) after laparoscopic surgery can reach up to 4 %. The fascial closure at the port site can be challenging in some cases.Methods A multi-center, prospective, open label study to evaluate a new integrated port closure system (Gordian TroClose™ 1200 by Gordian Surgical™), is presented.Results Fifty patients were enrolled in the study. All enrolled patients underwent laparoscopic surgery, during which at least one TroClose1200 device was used per patient. Patients were followed for two and six weeks and for one year. No port PSH related to TroClose 1200 device was diagnosed at one year of follow-up. One PSH was diagnosed at a non-TroClose1200 trocar site. The surgeons were very satisfied with the new device’s performance, with an average range of 4.8-5.0 out of 5.0 usability question being above 4.80 out of 5. No severe adverse events or device related adverse events were observed.Conclusions The TroClose 1200 is a simple, safe and friendly device that may reduce the incidence of port site hernia.
Procalcitonin levels in children with bloodstream infections caused by different species: a cohort study
Authors: Bejarano José Iván Castillo , Ranero Agustín De Colsa , Rivera Oscar Tamez , Lozoya Andrés Guillen , Saldaña Napoleón González , Anaya Alfonso Huante , Benavente Ismael Herrera , Santos Abiel Mascareñas de los 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background: Timely diagnosis and accurate identification of the causative microorganism in sepsis is crucial in order to offer targeted treatment and increase survival rates. Previous studies have aimed to identify biomarkers that could potentially predict blood culture positivity in patients with bacteremia; however, most of the research has been performed in adult populations. The aims of this study were to analyze procalcitonin (PCT) levels in confirmed bloodstream infections by species in children and assess their utility in immunocompromised patients.Methods: Medical records of children younger than 18 years admitted from 2011 to 2018 were reviewed. Subjects who met the diagnostic criteria for sepsis, with PCT levels collected within a 72-hour period prior to obtaining a blood culture were included. Kruskal-Wallis test was used to compare differences among groups. Receiver-operating characteristic curves were used to evaluate PCT cut-offs. Results: A total of 120 patients were included. Mean age was 55 months. Mean PCT levels in immunosuppressed patients was 26.68 mcg/L, compared to 8.78 in the immunocompetent group. Subjects with bacteremia by Gram-negative bacilli (GNB) had the highest mean PCT levels (18.2 ± 34.2) (p < 0.001). Sensitivity and specificity were 78% and 53% for Gram-positive cocci (GPC), 60.9% and 33.3% for GNB, and 75% and 25% for yeasts, respectively. Subgroup analysis showed 87.5% sensitivity and 16.7% specificity of PCT for predicting documented GNB bacteremia in immunodeficient children. Conclusions: PCT may be considered as a surrogate biomarker in immunocompromised children, and a viable tool to differentiate etiology by species.
Some Compounds from Neem leaves extract exhibit binding affinity as high as -14.3 kcal/mol against COVID-19 Main Protease (Mpro): A Molecular Docking Study
Authors: S Shanmuga Subramanian 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Currently the new Coronavirus "COVID-19", also known as SARS-CoV-2, has infected nearly 3 million patients and nearly 200,000+ people have lost their lives due to this pandemic. There is an urgent need to find an antiviral agent that may slow down the spread of the virus. The aim of this study is to assess and evaluate compounds present in leaves of Neem tree (Azadirachta Indica) as potential inhibitors for COVID-19 Main Protease (Mpro) (PDB code: 6LU7). This will be done by blind molecular docking using PyRx and Auto Vina software. The compounds Hydroxychloroquine and Remdesivir were used for comparative study. The binding energies obtained from the docking of 6LU7 with meliacinanhydride, nimocinol, isomeldenin, nimbolide, zafaral, nimbandiol, nimbin, nimbinene, desacetylnimbin were -14.3, -12.4, -12.3, -12.2, -11.9, -11.8, -11.7, -11.7, -11.4 kcal/mol respectively. Therefore Meliacinanhydride (Ki=33.36 pM) and the compounds from Neem leaves may be a potential treatment option against COVID-19. In addition to that the leaves contain others compounds like Quercetin, Zinc,Vitamin A,Vitamin B1,B2,B6, Vitamin C,Vitamin E etc., which may boost immunity also (Garba, 2019) .Further investigation is needed to evaluate the results of this study to consider Neem leaves as potential treatment option as it might inhibit the virus and boost immunity also
Family Nursing Practice and Family Importance in Care in Intensive Care Units: Perspectives of Nurses working in Intensive Care Units
Authors: Frank Kiwanuka , Imanipour Masomeeh 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
The analysis of family-focused nursing practice is fundamental for advancing family nursing in intensive care settings, yet this area remains less studied in sub-Saharan Africa. Nurses’ attitudes presuppose an assessment of what nurses are willing to do and objection of certain practices. The purpose of this study was to assess the correlation between family nursing practice and nurses’ attitudes towards family importance in care in adult intensive care units (ICU). A cross-sectional study was conducted among 116 nurses working in adult intensive care units using census sampling method. The instruments used for data collection included the Family Nursing Practice Scale (FNPS) and the Family Importance in Care-Nurses’ attitudes (FINC-NA). The mean score of FNPS was 38.7±12.7 whilst the mean score of FINC-NA was 90.6±14.7. The Pearson’s product-moment correlation revealed a positive relationship was revealed between FNPS and FINC-NA (r=0.6; p<0.01) The findings identified that most ICU nurses had a positive attitude towards family importance in care though their family nursing practice was moderate. In attempt to reach desirable nursing practice, it is recommended to develop practical and educational strategies aimed at improving of family care. This is especially useful to families in sub Saharan countries were families play a vital role in caring for the patient during admission and after discharge.
A novel approach to label road defects in video data: semi-automated video analysis
Authors: Thumm Jakob , Masino Johannes , Knoche Martin , Gauterin Frank , Reischl Markus 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Road defects like potholes have a major impact on road safety and comfort. Detecting these defects manually is a highly time consuming and expensive task. Previous approaches to detect road events automatically using acceleration sensors and gyro meters showed good results. However, these results could be significantly improved with additional usage of image analysis. A large, labeled image data set is required for training and validation. This paper presents a method to automate parts of the labeling task. The method is based on a simple two step approach: at first, an unsupervised algorithm detects possible events based on the acceleration data and filters those video sequences with defects. Second, a human operator decides based on the short video sequences if the event was due to an existing road defect and labels the corresponding area in an image.
Uncertainty based budget allocation of wastewater infrastructures' flood resiliency considering interdependencies
Authors: Karamouz Mohammad , Hojjat-Ansari A. 
Published: April 2020

AbstractWastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are at high risk of coastal flooding due to the proximity of water bodies. Furthermore, power outages caused by extreme weather make their recovery process more challenging. In this paper a multi criterion decision-making (MCDM) method is utilized to involve different aspects of WWTPs' flood resilience into the framework developed for distributing financial resources among them. The flood resilience improvement of plants is investigated for a wide range of interventions and related costs. On this basis, utility of the allocations is developed for each plant and a fixed budget is distributed among them in different ways. Due to the stochastic nature of floods, the uncertain resilience attributes of systems and the subjective views of experts and decision-makers, uncertainties are incorporated into this process. Accordingly, the uncertainty of each plant is targeted. The results show that: water-energy interdependence plays a significant role in assessing the flood resilience of WWTPs; using different ways of allocation leads to varying degrees of uncertainty in investment in each plant; and evidence theory is an effective way of integrating experts' beliefs in the process of allocating resources. The proposed methodology can be implemented on similar cases in different geographic settings.
Induction and Immunosuppressive Management of Pancreas Transplant Recipients
Authors: Amorese Gabriella , Lombardo Carlo , Tudisco Antonella , Iacopi Sara , Menonna Francesca , Marchetti Piero , Vistoli Fabio , Boggi Ugo 
Published: April 2020

Background:
Despite improved overall outcomes, rejection continues to occur frequently after pancreas
transplantation.

Objective:
To review the literature and to provide a state-of-the-art assessment of current practice and developments
of immunosuppressive regimens in pancreas transplantation.

Methods:
The literature was reviewed and relevant articles were retrieved and analyzed.

Results:
Induction therapy is used in approximately 90% of the transplants, with T-cell depleting antibodies being
the prevalent therapy (>90%). Despite the initial enthusiasm on steroid-free regimens, maintenance protocols
continue to be mostly based on a combination of steroids, tacrolimus, and mycophenolate mofetil. Tacrolimus is
used in the majority of recipients. Sirolimus is rarely used at the time of transplant and is introduced later on in
approximately 10% of the recipients, mostly in the context of a switching strategy to address the side effects of
calcineurin inhibitors. The overall quality of published studies was quite low, because of the retrospective design,
the heterogeneity of study groups with respect to PTx categories, the inclusion of mixed recipient categories with
respect to immunologic risk profile, and the use of non-standardized concurrent immunosuppressive therapies. In
addition, most reported studies were clearly underpowered, and treatment outcomes were not standardized.

Conclusions:
Since approximately two decades, immunosuppression in pancreas transplantation mostly consists of
induction with depleting antibodies and maintenance therapy using a combination of steroids, tacrolimus, and
mycophenolate mofetil. While true novelty would be very much needed, this review confirms the wide use and
the clinical efficacy of this regimen.
Peer Review of Renewable Energy-based Adaptive Protection(s) & Relay Coordination Optimization Techniques
Authors: Shrivastava Aayush , Saini Devender K. , Pandit Manjaree 
Published: April 2020

Background:
Distributed Sustainable Energy Generation (DSEG) has become a leading
trend in modern R&D to achieve practical, financial, and environmental benefits. With respect to the
power system, the benefits are minimization of power failures, enhancement of energy quality &
reliability, congestion relief, and smart/micro grid demand response. The widespread use of modern
technologies encourages the use of DSEG for safe power production and power loss reduction. Besides,
it also poses new challenges such as optimal placement of relays, protection device settings,
and voltage control problems in power systems.

:
Among various solutions reported in the literature, a widely accepted solution seems to be the deployment
of Fault Current Limiter (FCL) to minimize DSEG impacts. However, FCLs are an expensive
option to restore relay coordination. The adaptive protection scheme provides benefits to the
smart grid's advanced features and serves as an efficient solution to address new DSEG and FCL
challenges.

Objective:
This paper presents an extensive review of the effect of DSEG on distribution systems
from the safety point of view, different optimization techniques used for adaptive protections, optimal
relay coordination, and merits & demerits of FCL.

Methods:
The paper discusses various recent optimization and hybrid optimization techniques used
for solving the Optimal Relay Coordination model (ORC). Adaptive and FCL based non-adaptive
techniques are also discussed to solve this model. An attempt has also been made to present a comparative
study of various optimization techniques in tabular form, considering different bus models
and their outcomes.

Conclusion:
Comparative study of these techniques shows that Water cycle optimization, hybrid
whale-GWO and GSA-SQP algorithms give better results in solving the ORC problem. FCL based
non-adaptive technique was found better as compared with adaptive techniques because a greater
number of DGs can be integrated on a grid with less complexity.
Pengembangan LKPD IPA “Pesona Pantai Parangtris” berbasis learning cycle 7E beserta efeknya terhadap critical thinking
Authors: Utami Danik Noor , Aznam Nurfina 
Published: April 2020

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui kelayakan dan keefektifan LKPD IPA “Pesona Pantai Parangtritis” berbasis Learning Cycle 7E beserta efeknya terhadap critical thinking. Jenis penelitian yang digunakan adalah Penelitian pengembangan metode 4D yaitu define, design, develop, disseminate dengan menggunakan pretest-posttest control group design. Penilaan kelayakan produk dilakukan oleh ahli media dan ahli materi untuk mengetahui kevalidan, kepraktisan yang dilakukan oleh guru, dan keterbacaan peserta didik. Hasil penilian kelayakan oleh ahli materi, media, dan guru berturut-turut sebagai berikut 3,6; 3,56; 3,7 dengan skor maksimal adalah 4 (sangat valid). Uji keterbacaan mendapat nilai sebesar 3,5 dari skor maksimal 4 (sangat baik). Hasil gain skor ternormalisasi menunjukan peningkatan dalam pembelajaran dikelas eksperimen 0,86 tergolong tinggi dan kelas kontrol 0,66 tergolong rendah. Efektivitas penelitian menggunakan uji independentsample t testdengan nilai sig.(2-tailed) 0,000 kurang dari 0,05. Hasil uji menunjukan bahwa LKPD IPA “Pesona Pantai Parangtritis” berbasis Learning Cycle 7E efektif meningkatkan critical thinking peserta didik SMP N 1 Bantul. Development of science worksheet “Charm of Parangtritis Beach” based on the 7E learning cycle and its effect on critical thinking AbstractThis study aims to determine the feasibility and effectiveness of the Science Worksheet “charm of Parangtritis Beach” based on 7E Learning Cycle to improve critical thinking. This type of research is a 4D method development research that is defined, design, develop, disseminate using pretest-posttest control group design. The assessment of the feasibility of the product is carried out by media experts and material experts to find out the validity, practicality carried out by the teacher, and readability of students. The results of the assessment of eligibility by material experts, the media, and teachers are as follows 3.6; 3.56; 3.7 with a maximum score of 4 (very valid). Readability test gets a value of 3.5 from a maximum score of 4 (very good). Normalized score gain results showed an increase in learning in the experimental class 0.86 is high and the control class 0.66 is low. The effectiveness of the study used an independent sample t-test with a value of sig. (2-tailed) 0,000 less than 0.05. The test results show that Science worksheet based on 7E Learning Science Cycle integrated Local Potentials of Parangtritis Beach effective in improving students’ critical thinking.
Containing COVID-19 Among 627,386 Persons in Contact With the Diamond Princess Cruise Ship Passengers Who Disembarked in Taiwan: Big Data Analytics
Authors: Chen Chi-Mai , Jyan Hong-Wei , Chien Shih-Chieh , Jen Hsiao-Hsuan , Hsu Chen-Yang , Lee Po-Chang , Lee Chun-Fu , Yang Yi-Ting , Chen Meng-Yu , Chen Li-Sheng , Chen Hsiu-Hsi , Chan Chang-Chuan 
Published: April 2020

Background
Low infection and case-fatality rates have been thus far observed in Taiwan. One of the reasons for this major success is better use of big data analytics in efficient contact tracing and management and surveillance of those who require quarantine and isolation.

Objective
We present here a unique application of big data analytics among Taiwanese people who had contact with more than 3000 passengers that disembarked at Keelung harbor in Taiwan for a 1-day tour on January 31, 2020, 5 days before the outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) on the Diamond Princess cruise ship on February 5, 2020, after an index case was identified on January 20, 2020.

Methods
The smart contact tracing–based mobile sensor data, cross-validated by other big sensor surveillance data, were analyzed by the mobile geopositioning method and rapid analysis to identify 627,386 potential contact-persons. Information on self-monitoring and self-quarantine was provided via SMS, and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) tests were offered for symptomatic contacts. National Health Insurance claims big data were linked, to follow-up on the outcome related to COVID-19 among those who were hospitalized due to pneumonia and advised to undergo screening for SARS-CoV-2.

Results
As of February 29, a total of 67 contacts who were tested by reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction were all negative and no confirmed COVID-19 cases were found. Less cases of respiratory syndrome and pneumonia were found after the follow-up of the contact population compared with the general population until March 10, 2020.

Conclusions
Big data analytics with smart contact tracing, automated alert messaging for self-restriction, and follow-up of the outcome related to COVID-19 using health insurance data could curtail the resources required for conventional epidemiological contact tracing.