bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Viral RNA load quantification as helpful tool to arbitrate SARS–CoV-2 detection results in respiratory samples
Authors: Liotti Flora Marzia , Menchinelli Giulia , Marchetti Simona , Morandotti Grazia Angela , Sanguinetti Maurizio , Posteraro Brunella , Cattani Paola 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Purpose: The increasing COVID-19 widespread has created the necessity to assess the diagnostic accuracy of newly introduced (RT-PCR based) assays for SARS–CoV-2 RNA detection in respiratory tract samples.Methods: We compared the results of the Allplex™ 2019-nCoV assay with those of the Simplexa™ COVID-19 Direct assay, both performed on 125 nasal/oropharyngeal swab samples of patients with COVID-19 suspicion.Results: Fifty-four samples tested positive (CT below 40) and 71 negative (CT above 40) with the Allplex™ 2019-nCoV assay, whereas 47 of 54 samples were also positive with the Simplexa™ COVID-19 Direct assay. Eight results were discordant, resulting in 93.6% agreement between the assays. We used the Quanty COVID-19 assay—developed to detect and quantify SARS–CoV-2 in respiratory tract samples—to arbitrate these results. One Allplex™ 2019-nCoV negative (but Simplexa™ COVID-19 positive) and seven Simplexa™ COVID-19 negative samples were truly false negative. Interestingly, a Spearman’s negative association was found between the viral RNA loads quantified by the Quanty COVID-19 assay and the CT values of RT PCRs performed with either the Allplex™ 2019–nCoV assay or the Simplexa™ COVID-19 Direct assay. However, the strength of this association was higher for the Allplex™ 2019–nCoV assay (N gene, ρ = −0.92; RdRP gene, ρ = −0.91) than for the Simplexa™ COVID-19 Direct assay (ORF1ab gene, ρ = −0.65; S gene, ρ = −0.80).Conclusion: The Allplex™ 2019–nCoV and Simplexa™ COVID-19 Direct assays yielded comparable results. However, the role these assays might play in future clinical practice warrants larger comparison studies.
Predictors of Malnutrition among Pregnant Women in Ethiopia: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Getaneh Temesgen , Negesse Ayenew 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background
Women of reproductive age are especially vulnerable to protein energy deficiency and under nutrition. Malnutrition is the underlying cause of significant maternal morbidity and mortality. In addition, malnutrition among women is a major risk factor for adverse birth outcomes. Its extent and consequences is highly prevalent in developing countries. This major burden can be reduced through effective nutritional interventions. So, up to date meager evidences were warranted. Therefore, this systematic review and meta-analysis was aimed to estimate the overall pooled prevalence of malnutrition and its predictors among pregnant women in Ethiopia.
Methods
Articles were systematically searched using PubMed, EMBASE, Google Scholar, World Health Organization’s (WHO) Hinari portal data bases and institutional repositories. Newcastle‒Ottawa quality assessment scale adapted for observational studies was applied. We used Stata version 14 for data analysis. Heterogeneity and publication bias were checked using I2 statistic, funnel plot asymmetry and Egger’s test. Random effect model was applied to estimate the pooled prevalence of malnutrition and its predictors. Odds Ratio (OR) with 95% Confidence Interval (CI) was also considered to identify factors.
Result
24 eligible articles were included for final analysis. The average pooled prevalence of malnutrition among pregnant women in Ethiopia was 29.07% (95% CI: 24.84, 33.30). Maternal education (OR = 1.60, 95% CI: 1.01, 2.53), income (OR = 3.07, 95% CI: 1.36, 6.92), pregnancy intention (OR = 1.33, 95% CI: 1.01, 1.37), number of meal (OR = 4.63, 95% CI: 3.00, 7.15), dietary diversity (OR = 2.89, 95% CI: 1.28, 6.53), antenatal care (OR = 2.53, 95% CI: 1.18, 5.42) and iron supplementation (OR = 0.63, 95% CI: 0.45, 0.88) were predictors of the pooled prevalence of malnutrition among pregnant women in Ethiopia.
Conclusion
Generally, significant number of pregnant women in Ethiopia were suffered from malnutrition. Maternal education, income, pregnancy intention, number of meal, dietary diversity, antenatal care and iron supplementation were significant predictors of malnutrition. Strategies targeting advocating women education, standard antenatal care, family planning utilization, and encouraging pregnant women to have good dietary diversity and frequent meal should be undertaken by Ministry of Health and its stake holders to handle this signficant budren of malnutrition among pregnant women.
Suppressing COVID-19 transmission in Hong Kong: an observational study of the first four months
Authors: Wu Peng , Tsang Tim K. , Wong Jessica Y. , Ng Tiffany W. Y. , Ho Faith , Gao Huizhi , Adam Dillon C. , Cheung Doug H. , Lau Eric H. Y. , Lim Wey Wen , Ali Sheikh Taslim , Ip Dennis K. M. , Wu Joseph T. , Cowling Benjamin J. , Leung Gabriel M. 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background: Hong Kong was one of the first locations outside of mainland China to identify COVID-19 cases in January 2020. We assessed the impact of various public health measures on transmission.Methods: We analysed data on all COVID-19 cases and public health measures in Hong Kong up to 7 May 2020. We described case-based, travel-based and community-based measures and examined their potential effects on case identification and transmission. Changes in transmissibility measured by the effective reproductive number Rt were estimated by comparing the Rt between periods when public health measures were and were not in effect. Delays in case confirmation in imported cases and locally infected cases were analysed to indicate the possible impact of expansion of laboratory testing capacity.Findings: Introduction of a 14-day quarantine on persons arriving from affected areas was associated with a 95% reduction in transmissibility from imported cases. Testing all arriving travelers reduced mean delays between arrival and detection of imported cases. Increases in laboratory testing capacity for pneumonia inpatients and symptomatic outpatients reduced the delay from onset to confirmation. Working from home and physical distancing measures implemented in high-risk facilities were associated with 67% and 58% reductions in transmission of COVID-19, respectively.Interpretation: Suppression of COVID-19 transmission in the first pandemic wave in Hong Kong was achieved through integration of travel-based, case-based and community-based public health measures focusing on early case identification and isolation and physical distancing.
Point-of-care 3D printing during the COVID-19 pandemic. What role does the manufacturing university hospital play?
Authors: Perez-Mañanes Ruben , José Sonia García de San , Desco-Menéndez Manuel , Sánchez-Arcilla Ignacio , González-Fernández Esmeralda , Vaquero-Martín Javier , González-Garzón Javier Pascau , Mediavilla-Santos Lydia , Trapero-Moreno Diego , Calvo-Haro José Antonio 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
BackgroundPoint-of-care (POC) manufacturing and distributed production represent a paradigm shift in the health system that is becoming critical during the COVID-19 pandemic. University hospitals are also taking on the role of manufacturers of custom-made solutions thanks to 3D printing technology.Case DescriptionWe present a monocentric observational study regarding the distributed manufacture of three groups of products during the period of the COVID-19 pandemic from 14 March to 10 May 2020: personal protective equipment, ventilatory support, and diagnostic and consumable products.Discussion and EvaluationNetworking during this period has enabled the delivery of a total of 17.276 units of products manufactured using 3D printing technology. The most manufactured product was the face shields and ear savers, while the one that achieved the greatest clinical impact was the mechanical ventilation adapters and swabs. The products were manufactured by individuals in 57.3% of the cases, and our hospital acted as the main delivery node in a hub with 10 other hospitals. The main advantage of this production model is the fast response to stock needs, being able to adapt almost in real time.ConclusionsThe role of the manufacturing hospital allows the reconciliation of in-house and distributed manufacturing with traditional production, providing custom-made adaptation of the specifications, as well as maximum efficiency in the working and availability of resources, which is of special importance at critical times for health systems such as the current COVID-19 pandemic.
A generalized Gompertz growth model with applications&nbsp;and related birth-death processes
Authors: Asadi Majid , Crescenzo Antonio Di , Sajadi Farkhondeh A , Spina Serena 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
In this paper, we propose a flexible growth model that constitutes a suitable generalization of the well-known Gompertz model. We perform an analysis of various features of interest, including a sensitivity analysis of the initial value and the three parameters of the model. We show that the considered model provides a good fit to some real datasets concerning the growth of the number of individuals infected during the COVID-19 outbreak, and software failure data. The goodness of fit is established on the ground of the ISRP metric and the $d_2$-distance. We also analyze two time-inhomogeneous stochastic processes, namely a birth-death process and a birth process, whose means are equal to the proposed growth curve. In the first case we obtain the probability of ultimate extinction, being 0 an absorbing endpoint. We also deal with a threshold crossing problem both for the proposed growth curve and the corresponding birth process.
Public awareness of Coronavirus (COVID-2019) in Qassim Region Saudi Arabia
Authors: AL-Rasheedi Mabrouk , Alhazmi Yasir , Ali ALreshidi Mateq , ALrajhi Maha , Alharbi Nayef Samah , Alsuhaibani Somayah , Alrashidi Mohammed , Alharbi Ghaleb 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background The rapid and extensive spread of the COVID-19 pandemic has become a major cause of concern for both general public and healthcare profession. Aim of this study is to analyze and evaluate the awareness of both the general public and healthcare providers in Qassim region in Saudi Arabia. Method A cross-sectional study was conducted randomly in different shopping malls in the Qassim region from 10th of February to 10th of March, 2020. The structured questionnaire was used to gather information from participants.Result130 participants have answered the designed questionnaire, out of which 67participants were males(58.5% ) and 54 were females(41.5% ).Overall, 129 (99%) out of the 130 participants are aware of COVID-19, and 116 (90%) have recognize it as a respiratory disease and all of them (100 %) have recognized it as a contagious disease. Participants of the age group 20-40 showed higher awareness level than other age groups (P = 0.005). Significant positive correlation between high risk groups recognition, reliable source of information, infection symptoms, disease spread prevention and COVID_19 available treatments. While the reliable source of information awareness was positively correlated with all other questions, except for the long-term complications.ConclusionGeneral public and health care professionals from Qassim Region showed adequate awareness of COVID-19. However, there is a strong need to implement periodic educational interventions and training programs on infection control practices.
Changes in the granulometric composition of particles in wastewater flowing through a hydroponic lagoon used as the third stage in a wastewater treatment plant
Authors: Bawiec A. , Pawęska K. 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Wastewater treatment in semi-natural systems, such as a hydroponic lagoon operating as the third stage of purification, is becoming more and more popular because of the efficiency of nutrient removal. Very often treatment processes in hydroponic ditches are supported by algal growth, which can cause an increase in the concentration of total suspended solids in the outflow from the wastewater treatment plant. The aim of this study was to analyse changes in the granulometric composition of particles in the hydroponic lagoon operating as the third stage of wastewater purification in a municipal wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) in Poland. Measurements of the particle sizes were made with the use of the laser diffraction method. The results showed that the size of the particles in the hydroponic lagoon varied from 0.01 to 1000 μm. Analyses of the average diameters D(3.2) and D(4.3) showed that particles have low reactivity but good sedimentation properties and their fractal dimensions are usually higher than 2.0, which indicated that they had well-developed surfaces. Most of the particles flowing out of the WWTP were probably algae or particles that could adsorb other pollutants onto their surfaces. The use of laser granulometry for particle identification might be useful in characterizing the total suspended solids as well as helping to develop cheaper and more efficient methods for its removal.
Recent progress in beetle-inspired superhydrophilic-superhydrophobic micropatterned water-collection materials
Authors: Chen Zhen , Zhang Zengzhi 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Biological creatures with unique surface wettability have long served as a source of inspiration for scientists and engineers. More specifically, certain beetle species in the Namib Desert have evolved to collect water from fog on their backs by way of wettability patterns, which attracted an ongoing interest in biomimetic studies. Bioinspired materials exhibiting extreme wetting properties, such as superhydrophilic and superhydrophobic surfaces, have attracted considerable attention because of their potential use in various applications. Combining these two extreme states of superhydrophilicity and superhydrophobicity on the same surface in precise two-dimensional micropatterns opens exciting new functionalities and possibilities for a wide variety of applications. In this review we briefly describe the water-harvesting mechanisms of a genus of Namib Desert beetle, Stenocarpa, consisting of the theory of wetting and transporting. Then we describe the methods for fabricating superhydrophilic-superhydrophobic patterns and highlight some of the newer and emerging applications of these patterned substrates that are currently being explored. Finally, we provide conclusions and outlook concerning the future development of bioinspired surfaces of patterned wettability.
Secretory Clusterin as a Novel Molecular-targeted Therapy for Inhibiting Hepatocellular Carcinoma Growth
Authors: Yao Min , Sai Wenli , Zheng Wenjie , Wang Li , Dong Zhizhen , Yao Dengfu 
Published: June 2020

Background:
Although secretory clusterin (sCLU) plays a crucial role in Hepatocellular
Carcinoma (HCC) cells proliferation, Multiple Drug Resistance (MDR), metastasis and so on, its
targeted effects and exact mechanism are still unknown. This review summarizes some new progress
in sCLU as a molecular-targeted therapy in the treatment of HCC.

Methods:
A systematic review of the published English-language literature about sCLU and HCC
has been performed using the PubMed and bibliographic databases. Some valuable studies on sCLU
in HCC progression were searched for relevant articles with the keywords: HCC, diagnosis, MDR,
as molecular-targeted in treatment, and so on.

Results:
The incidence of the positive rate of sCLU was significantly higher in HCC tissues as compared
to the surrounding tissues at mRNA or protein level, gradually increasing with tumor-nodemetastasis
staging (P<0.05). Also, the abnormal level of sCLU was related to poor differentiation
degree, and considered as a useful marker for HCC diagnosis or independent prognosis for patients.
Hepatic sCLU could be silenced at mRNA level by specific sCLU-shRNA or by OGX-011 to inhibit
cancer cell proliferation with an increase in apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, reversal MDR, alteration of
cell migration or invasion behaviors, and a decrease in GSK-3β or AKT phosphorylation in vitro, as
well as significant suppression of the xenograft growth by down-regulating β-catenin, p-GSK3β, and
cyclinD1 expression in vivo.

Conclusion:
Abnormal hepatic sCLU expression should not only be a new diagnostic biomarker but
also a novel promising target for inhibiting HCC growth.
Mid-Aortic Syndrome: A Rare Cause of Renovascular Hypertension in Childhood Treated Percutaneously with an Unusual Vascular Access
Authors: Stea Emma Diletta , Meliota Giovanni , Carbone Vincenza , Torres Diletta , Santangelo Luisa , Piscopo Giovanni , Giordano Paolo , Annicchiarico Giuseppina , Vairo Ugo , Giordano Mario 
Published: June 2020

Introduction:
Mid-Aortic Syndrome (MAS) is a rare vascular malformation characterized
by segmental narrowing of the abdominal aorta and stenosis of its principal branches. Patients
affected by MAS typically present malignant renovascular hypertension, with variable clinical
symptoms like claudication, abdominal angina, and headache. Moreover, they can develop other
complications, such as hypertensive encephalopathy, congestive heart failure and vascular brain accidents.
Hypertension with MAS is often resistant to multidrug therapy, requiring a surgical approach
to treat the clinical symptoms, prevent or block organ damage and normalize the blood
pressure.

Case report:
Here, the case of a 4-year-old boy showing elevated blood pressure with left ventricular
hypertrophy leading to idiopathic MAS, who was successfully treated with percutaneous transcatheter
renal angioplasty (PTRA) using an unusual, anterograde access, is reported.

Discussion and Conclusions:
In children and adolescents, vascular malformations like MAS must
be considered as a possible cause of hypertension. PTRA is a successful therapeutic strategy in
children with severe renovascular hypertension. Anterograde access, using an axillary artery, can
be a valid approach for PTRA when femoral access is difficult to achieve.
Insights into the Photoelectric Properties of the SnF2 and SnF4-doped FASnI3 Perovskite NanoFilm
Authors: Peng Liping , Xie Wei 
Published: June 2020

Background:
In this study, experimentally, we fabricated the FASnI3 perovskite solar cells
based on the SnF2 and SnF4-doped FASnI3 nano-thin film materials, and obtained the photoelectric
conversion efficiency (PCE) as 6.5 % and 5.59 %, respectively. Theoretically, we wanted to know
why the PCE of SnF2-doped FASnI3 is higher than the SnF4-doped FASnI3.

Methods:
We built three kinds of model structures by the CASTEP; they were undoped and SnF2 and
SnF4 doped FASnI3 perovskite structure models, respectively. The method was ultrasoft to calculate
the interaction between electron and ion, including an electron exchange correction method of generalized
gradient approximation and Perdew-Burke-Emzerhof method.

Results:
We found the probabilities of energy transfer between SnF2 molecules and the surrounding
molecules and these were found to be the lowest among the three structures. By analyzing optical
properties, band structures, effective masses, and density of states (DOS), etc., we found SnF2 doping
to be superior to SnF4 doping in maintaining photoelectric properties of FASnI3. In addition, SnF2-
doped FASnI3 possessed smaller hole effective mass than SnF4-doped FASnI3, adding Sn4+ ion into
perovskite, as a shallow acceptor energy level can effectively reduce the optical absorption properties,
however, adding Sn2+ ion into perovskite at an appropriate proportion enhanced photoelectric
performance of FASnI3.

Conclusion:
Sn4+ doping exhibited a negative effect, while Sn2+ doping showed a positive effect in
promoting the photoelectric performance of FASnI3 perovskite. We found SnF2 doping to be superior
to SnF4 doping in maintaining photoelectric properties of FASnI3. Our results may help to deeply
understand the role of Sn2+ and Sn4+ ions in promoting the stability and high efficiency of FASnI3,
and help in developing lead-free perovskite solar cells.
Penggunaan Feces Sapi Terfermentasi dalam Ransum Terhadap Performa Produksi dan Reproduksi Ayam Kampung Sabu dan Semau
Authors: Telupere Franky M S 
Published: June 2020

Penelitian ini dilakukan untuk mengkaji penggunaan feces sapi terfermentasi dalam ransum terhadap performa produksi dan reproduksi ayam kampung Sabu dan Semau. Masing-masing kelompok terdiri dari 6 pejantan dan 18 ekor betina berumur 1,5-2 tahun yang digunakan sebagai tetua. Dari perkawinan inter se mating, dihasilkan 144 ekor anak ayam. Rancangan Acak Lengkap pola Faktorial 2x3 digunakan dalam penelitian ini, dimana terdapat 2 faktor, yaitu pertama faktor pakan: T0: Ransum Basal + 0% feces sapi terfermentasi (kontrol); T1: Ransum Basal 90% + 10% feces sapi terfermentasi; T2:Â Ransum Basal 80% + 20% feces sapi terfermentasi. Faktor kedua adalah grup genetik, yaitu: S: Ayam Sabu dan M: Ayam Semau. Setiap perlakuan diulang 2 kali, dan setiap ulangan terdiri dari 1 pejantan dan 3 betina. Variabel yang diteliti adalah produksi telur, bobot telur, fertilitas, daya tetas, bobot DOC, bobot badan 4 dan 8 minggu. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa penggunaan feces sapi terfermentasi dalam ransum basal sampai 20% memberikan hasilÂ yang lebih baik untuk produksi telur dan bobot telur. Sedangkan untuk variabel lainnya tidak berpengaruh, sehingga dapat disimpulkan bahwa feces sapi terfermentasi dapat digunakan dalam ransum ayam kampung Sabu dan Semau.
Security, Surveillance and Muslims
Authors: George Noel Mariam 
Published: June 2020

Colonial administrative apparatus maintained sovereignty through ‘secular’ indirect rule in India. Surveillance, Securitisation and Codification based on orientalized assumptions of ‘difference’ produced the Hindu majority. Scholarship that set Colonialism as binary opposite to Nationalism did not detail the nuances of colonial encounter. Colonial sovereign defined subjects as ‘unruly’ (barbarians) to exclude from the political order while at the same time co-opted certain myths of Caste Hindus to redefine European origin story as Aryan. Sovereign power in postcolonial India as a reproduction of the colonial sovereign defines the unruly (criminal Muslims) through criteria of exclusion that make exceptions to reconstitute its power as a Hindu sovereign.
Resumo
O sistema administrativo colonial manteve a sua soberania através do governo indireto "secular" na Índia. Vigilância, securitização e codificação com base em suposições orientalizadas de 'diferença' produziram a maioria hindu. A bolsa de estudos que definia o colonialismo como o oposto binário ao nacionalismo não detalhava as nuances do encontro colonial que sistematizavam o pensamento bramínico. A soberania colonial definiu os indivíduos como "indisciplinados" (bárbaros) para os excluir da ordem política e, ao mesmo tempo, cooptou os mitos hindus das castas para redefinir a história da origem europeia como ariana. O poder soberano na Índia pós-colonial surge como uma reprodução do soberano colonial que define os indisciplinados (muçulmanos criminosos) usando de critérios de exclusão que abrem exceções para reconstituir seu poder como soberano hindu.