bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Special Issue on SATREPS Myanmar Project Part 2: Development of a Comprehensive Disaster Resilience System and Collaboration Platform in Myanmar
Authors: Meguro Kimiro , Honma Yudai 
Published: March 2020

This special issue summarizes the main results of the latter half of a five-year project called SATREPS (Science and Technology Research Partnership for Sustainable Development) supported by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST). The project title is “Development of a Comprehensive Disaster Resilience System and Collaboration Platform in Myanmar” and it is the first SATREPS project adopted in Myanmar. Yangon Technological University (YTU) is a major counterpart organization and both national and local governmental organizations are working together as strategic partners.
In the first half of the project, a database was constructed, composed of important data for assessing urban safety and disaster risk, such as the ground properties, and distribution of buildings, people, and traffic. Using the database, city development model and evaluation models for flood and earthquake risks were developed.
In the latter half of the project, combining these two evaluation models, a system was developed for discussing future damage differences due to different urban plans and countermeasures. Furthermore, regarding flood, near-real-time flood inundation simulation system was developed. Related to earthquake disaster, a support system was developed for implementation of efficient countermeasures for both pre- and post-disaster. For infrastructure maintenance, performance monitoring and maintenance methods were proposed. Finally, in order to continue research activities and promote a continuous utilization of project results, a consortium scheme in which industry, government, and academia can work together has been created.
We hope that our SATREPS project activities can contribute to proper urban development and improvement of disaster management issues not only in Myanmar but also in other Asian countries.
Trypan Blue Exclusion Assay Verifies in Vitro Cytotoxicity of New Cis-Platinum (II) Complex in Human Cells
Authors: Et al. Hussein 
Published: March 2020

Various assays are used to determine the toxic effects of drugs at cellular levels in vitro. One of these methods is the dye exclusion assay, which measures membrane integrity in the presence of Trypan blue. Trypan blue the dye which was used in this study to investigate cytotoxic effect of a new Cis –dichloroplatinum (II) complex [(Qu)2PtCl2] on the viability of polymorphonuclear cells (PMNs). Three concentrations of platinum complex were prepared (70, 35and 17.5 µg/ ml) and the results revealed that the percentage of cell viability decreased as the platinum complex concentration increased in comparison with control. The platinum complex exhibited low cytotoxic effects towards healthy cells at the concentrations of 17.5 µg/ ml and 35 µg/ ml, in which the percentage of cell viability was (77.01 ± 6.3) and (72.3± 0.50)respectively, with no significant differences as compared with the control(90.66 ±0.577). The viability was significantly decreased (67.59 ± 3.16) when the cells were treated with the concentration of 70 µg/ ml in comparison with control. These results indicated that the percentage of living cells decreased when treated with high concentrations of [(Qu)2PtCl2], which causes cells death, while low concentrations of the compound show low toxicity. This data indicates that this compound, at these concentrations may be suitable for use as a cancer treatment because it has low toxic effects on the healthy cells.
Evaluation of Physical Chemical and Biological Characteristics of Underground Wells in Badra City, Iraq
Authors: Al-Araji Kadhim Hashim Yaseen 
Published: March 2020

The quality of groundwater should be improved by keeping safe water sources from contaminants in protective way by doing regular measuring and checkup before it supplied for usage. Private Wells do not receive the same services that wells supplying the public do. Well owners are responsible for protecting their drinking water. This work was carried out in Badra city, Iraq from December 2017 to May 2018, six wells water were investigated to determine the general characteristics of wells as well as studying the effect of environmental factors on the quality of water. The average of six wells were eleven parameters that is out of permissible limits were EC, Sal., Alk., TH, TDS, Na, Ca, Cl, SO4, Fe, Zn (4402-5183 /cm, 2.76-3.9 ppt, 302-366mg/L, 3164-4248 mg/L, 604-675 mg/L, 375-524 mg/L, 635-871 mg/L, 631-1107 mg/L, 2430-4570 g/L, 114-392 g/L). Respectively, microbiological investigations involved the total coliform, total plate count, as well as the detection for the presence of E. coli, Salmonella and Cholera. Results shows that there is a significant relation between the increasing of the TDS and Turbidity, TDS gives an indication for the significant increasing of chemical ions. Wells number 3, 4 and 5 showed gave positive results for E.coli growth which as a source of microbial pollution. Detection for the presence of chemical and microbial contaminate is an important alarm since this water has a direct effect on the human and animal's health. Advance method of rapid detection for the well water quality is highly recommended to avoid any health issue and prevent the outbreak of health risk and ecological contaminants.
Progressive Vortex Pump: A New Artificial Lift Pumped Method
Authors: Fraga Ricardo S. , Castellões Octavio G. S. , Assmann Benno W. , Estevam Valdir , de Moura Greco T. , Schröer Ismael N. , do Amaral Luiz G. 
Published: March 2020

SummaryThis paper reports the first experience on applying progressive vortex pumping (PVP) as an artificial lift solution in the oil industry. From a conceptual point of view, progressive vortex pumps are rotodynamic devices that elevate fluid mixtures by converting kinetic energy to potential energy, which is a result of an inducing vortex within each pumping stage. The solution proposed in this paper was inspired by pumps used in the automotive industry (Lochman and Bryce 1980; Yu 1995) and adapted for pumping multiphase mixtures from oil-producing reservoirs. The pilot installation of this technology occurred in an onshore field, located northeast of Brazil. There is a brief description about some specificities of the progressive vortex pump (including features of the production scenario, surface and subsurface installations, and the results observed during the first 4 months of operation), which was installed in an unprecedented way in an oil production well. This paper also addresses some relative advantages of PVP over other artificial lift pumping methods, such as electric submersible pumping (ESP). However, overall efficiency needs to be improved when compared to competing methods such as ESP.
Nonlinear Finite Volume Method for 3D Discrete Fracture-Matrix Simulations
Authors: Zhang Wenjuan , Al Kobaisi Mohammed 
Published: March 2020

Summary
We present a lower dimensional discrete fracture-matrix (DFM) model for general nonorthogonal meshes populated by anisotropic permeability tensors in 3D spatial dimension. The discrete fractures are represented as 2D planes embedded in a 3D matrix domain and serve as internal boundaries for conforming meshing of the entire computational domain. The nonlinear finite volume method (FVM) is used to derive flux for both matrix-matrix connections and fracture-fracture connections to account for permeability anisotropy in the matrix and inside the fracture planes, whereas the linear two-point flux approximation (TPFA) is used to couple the matrix and fracture together. The nonlinear method proceeds by first constructing two one-sided fluxes for a connection, and then a unique flux is obtained by a convex combination of the two one-sided fluxes. Construction of one-sided fluxes requires introducing the so-called harmonic averaging points as auxiliary points. While the nonlinear FVM can be applied to derive the flux for matrix-matrix connections in a straightforward way, difficulties arise for fracture-fracture connections because of the presence of fracture intersections. Therefore, to construct the one-sided fluxes for fracture-fracture connections, we first present a novel generalization of the concept of harmonic averaging point so that auxiliary points can be calculated at fracture intersections. Unique nonlinear fluxes are then derived for fracture-fracture connections and fracture intersections. Results of the numerical examples demonstrate that the linear TPFA coupling of matrix and fracture seems to be adequate even for relatively strong anisotropy on a non-K-orthogonal grid, and the new DFM model can accurately capture the permeability anisotropy effect inside the fracture planes as well as the permeability anisotropy in the matrix domain compared with the equidimensional models in which the fractures are gridded explicitly. Finally, the DFM model is applied successfully to deal with complex fracture networks embedded in a heterogeneous matrix domain or fracture network with challenging geometric features.
Metabolic responses of Carlina acaulis L. to chronic and acute cadmium stress: insights into chelation mechanisms, non-enzymatic antioxidants, and specialized metabolism
Authors: Dresler Sławomir , Strzemski Maciej , Kováčik Jozef , Sawicki Jan , Staniak Michał , Wójciak Magdalena , Sowa Ireneusz , Hawrylak-Nowak Barbara 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
The authors have withdrawn this preprint from Research Square
Non-health outcomes affecting self-care behaviors and medical decision-making preference in patients with type 2 diabetes: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Wang Ming-Jye , Lin Hung-Ming , Hung Li-Chen , Lo Yi-Ting 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Background: The effects of patient sustained self-care behaviors on glycemic control are even greater than the effects of medical treatment, indicating the value of identifying the factors that influence self-care behaviors. To date, these factors have not been placed in a single model to clarify the critical path affecting self-care behaviors. The aims of this study were to explore the relationships of these factors and the differences in patient preference for medical decision-making.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among outpatients with type 2 diabetes at a regional teaching hospital. Purposive sampling was adopted to recruit 316 eligible patients via self-administered questionnaires. Partial least squares structural equation modeling was used for analysis.Results: Significant direct pathways were identified from health literacy to self-efficacy, patient empowerment, and self-care behaviors; from self-efficacy to self-care behaviors; and from patient empowerment to self-care behaviors. Indirect pathways were from health literacy to self-care behaviors via self-efficacy or patient empowerment. The pathway from health literacy to self-efficacy was significantly stronger in those preferring shared decision-making than in those who preferred physician decision-making. Conclusions: Health literacy is a critical factor in improving self-care behaviors in patients with type 2 diabetes, and the effect of health literacy on self-efficacy was more significant in the shared decision-making than in the physician decision-making. Therefore, developing an effective health strategy to strengthen health literacy awareness and designing friendly, diverse health literacy materials, and application tools is the most important factor to facilitate self-care behaviors in this population.
Discordant Alzheimer's neurodegenerative biomarkers and their clinical outcomes in older adults without dementia
Authors: Guo Yu , Li Hong-Qi , Tan Lin , Chen Shi-Dong , Yang Yu-Xiang , Ma Ya-Hui , Zuo Chuan-Tao , Dong Qiang , Tan Lan , Yu Jin-Tai 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Background In 2018 ATN framework, Alzheimer's neurodegenerative biomarkers comprised cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) total tau, 18 F-fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography, and brain atrophy. Although these biomarkers could be used interchangeably, some cases had discordant neurodegenerative biomarkers. Our aim was to assess the clinical outcomes of having discordant Alzheimer's neurodegenerative biomarkers. Methods A total of 721 non-demented individuals from the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative database were included and then further categorized into concordant negative, discordant, and concordant positive groups. Demographic distributions of the groups were compared. Longitudinal changes in clinical outcomes and risk of conversion were assessed using linear mixed-effects models and multivariate Cox proportional hazard models, respectively. Results Discordant group was intermediate to concordant-negative and concordant-positive groups in terms of APOE ε4 positivity, CSF amyloid-beta and phosphorylated tau. Compared with concordant-negative group, discordant group deteriorated faster in cognitive scores (Mini-Mental State Examination, the Clinical Dementia Rating Scale-Sum of Boxes, and the Functional Activities Questionnaire) and demonstrated greater rates of atrophy in brain structures (hippocampus, entorhinal cortex and whole brain), and concordant-positive group performed worse over time than discordant group. Moreover, the risk of cognitive progression increased from concordant-negative to discordant to concordant-positive. The longitudinal results were validated in A+T+, cognitively normal and mild cognitive impairment individuals, and were also validated by applying different cut-offs for neurodegenerative biomarkers. Conclusions Discordant neurodegenerative status denotes a stage of cognitive function which is intermediate between concordant-negative and concordant-positive. Identification of discordant cases would provide insights into intervention and new therapy approaches, particularly in A+T+ individuals. Moreover, this work may be a complement to the ATN scheme.
Weight gain in patients with severe atopic dermatitis treated with dupilumab: a case series
Authors: Johansson Emma Kristin , Ivert Lina Ulrika , Bradley Baltzar , Lundqvist Maria , Bradley Maria 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Background Dupilumab, targeting the interleukin-4α receptor and inhibiting the action of interleukin-4 and interleukin-13, was recently approved for treatment of moderate to severe atopic dermatitis. There is limited data on long-term effects and safety among patients with severe atopic dermatitis treated with dupilumab. Weight gain was observed among patients treated with dupilumab in our clinic. The aim was to describe weight change in a case series of patients with severe atopic dermatitis treated with dupilumab from baseline to follow-up after 12 months, and to analyze if weight change was associated with effect of treatment, reported appetite, and/or disturbed night sleep due to itching. Methods All patients with atopic dermatitis receiving systemic treatment at the Unit of Dermatology, Karolinska University Hospital, have been registered and monitored consecutively since January 2017. This case series constituted all patients who started treatment on dupilumab or methotrexate between 10 January 2017 and 30 June 2019 with at least 6 months of follow-up within the study period. The following variables were monitored at start of and during treatment: Eczema Severity Score Index, Patient-Oriented Eczema Measure, visual analogue scale for pruritus 10cm, Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale, Dermatology Life Quality Index, and weight. Data analyses were performed using two-sample Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney rank-sum test, or the Wilcoxon matched-pairs sign-rank test with a p-value <0.05 considered as statistically significant. Results Patients treated with dupilumab (n=12) gained weight (mean 6.1 kg, range [0.1–18.0], p=0.002) after one year on treatment. The majority of patients showed a good response to treatment with dupilumab (n=11); at follow-up at 6, 9, or 12 months, they reached EASI-90 (n=6), EASI-75 (n=4), or EASI-50 (n=1). There was no significant association between weight gain and treatment response, reported appetite, or disturbed night-sleep due to itch. Patients treated with methotrexate showed no significant weight change (n=8). Conclusions To our knowledge, this is the first report on a possible association between weight gain and dupilumab treatment; the extent of the association is yet to be seen, as is the mechanism behind this finding.
α-Synuclein heteromers with ß-amyloid and tau decreased in red blood cells of Alzheimer’s disease and Lewy Body dementia patients.
Authors: Daniele Simona , Baldacci Filippo , Piccarducci Rebecca , Palermo Giovanni , Giampietri Linda , Manca Laura , Pietrobono Deboarh , Frosini Daniela , Nicoletti Valentina , Tognoni Gloria , Giorgi Filippo Sean , Gerfo Annalisa Lo , Petrozzi Lucia , Cavallini Chiara , Franzoni Ferdinando , Ceravolo Roberto , Siciliano Gabriele , Trincavelli Maria Letizia , Martini Claudia , Bonuccelli Ubaldo 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Background Red blood cells (RBC) account for more than 99% of α-syn concentrations in blood representing an interesting in vivo model for studying peripheral pathological alterations proved in neurodegeneration. The aim of the current study was to investigate the diagnostic value of total α-syn, Aβ 1-42 , tau and their heteroaggregates in RBCs of Lewy Body Dementias (LBDs) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) patients compared to and healthy controls (HCs). Methods With a “home-made” sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) system, RBCs levels of total α-syn, Aβ 1-42 , tau and their heteroaggregates (α-syn/Aβ 1-42 and α-syn/tau) were measured in 27 subjects with LBDs (PDD, n = 17; DLB, n = 10), 51 subjects with AD (AD dementia, n = 37, prodromal AD, n = 14), and HC (n = 60). Results Compared with HC, total α-syn and tau concentrations as well as α-syn/tau heterodimers were significantly lower in LBDs group (p = 0.009, p = 0.009, and p < 0.001, respectively) and in AD group (p = 0.011, p = 0.003, and p < 0.001, respectively), whereas the heteroaggregates α-syn/Aβ 1-42 were significantly lower in AD dementia group (p < 0.001) only. RBC α-syn/tau heterodimers had the higher diagnostic accuracy for differentiating patients with LBD vs controls (AUROC = 0.80). Conclusion RBC α-syn heteroaggregates may be useful for differentiating between neurodegenerative dementias (LBD and AD) and healthy control. In particular, RBC α-syn/tau heterodimers have demonstrated good diagnostic accuracy for differentiating LBDs from HC. However, they are not consistently different between LBD and AD. Our findings also go beyond the clinical setting, suggesting that α-syn, Aβ 1-42 , and tau interact in vivo to promote the aggregation and accumulation of each other presumably accelerating cognitive dysfunction.
Community and Individual level Factors Associated with Anemia among Lactating mothers in Ethiopia using data from Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey, 2016; Multilevel analysis
Authors: liyew Alemneh mekuriaw , Teshale Achamyeleh Birhanu 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Introduction: Maternal anemia is a worldwide public health problem especially in developing countries including Ethiopia. The burden of anemia among lactating mothers in Ethiopia was higher than those who are neither pregnant nor breastfeeding. To date, there is limited evidence on community level determinates of anemia among lactating mothers in Ethiopia. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the individual and community level determinants of anemia among lactating mothers in Ethiopia.Methods: Secondary data analysis was employed using 2016 Ethiopian demographic and health survey. A total of 4658 (weighted samples) breastfeeding women were included in the current study. Multilevel logistic regression model was used to identify individual and community level determinants of anemia during lactation. Finally, adjusted odds ratio with 95% confidence interval was reported.Results: The overall prevalence of anemia was 28.3% (95% CI; 26.7, 30.0). With the higher regional prevalence in Somali (68%) and Afar (47%) regions. using modern contraceptive method [AOR = 0.71; 95% CI: 0.58, 0.87]; Poorer [AOR= 0.77; 95% CI: 0.61, 0.98], middle [AOR = 0.74; 95% CI: 0.56, 0.97] rich [AOR = 0.64; 95% CI: 0.46, 0.85], richest [AOR = 0.66; 95% CI: 0.43, 0.98] wealth index; working within the 12 months preceding the survey [AOR = 0.77; 95% CI: 0.64, 0.92]; and taking iron during pregnancy [AOR = 0.82; 95% CI: 0.68, 0.98] were associated with lower odds of anemia. Whereas, female household head [AOR = 1.22; 95% CI: 1.01, 1.49] having two births [AOR = 1.27; 95% CI: 1.04, 1.55], three to four births [AOR = 1.53; 95% CI: 1.14, 2.06] and higher community illiteracy [AOR = 1.06; 95% CI: 1.06, 1.70] were associated with the increased odds of anemia during lactation.Conclusion: In this study the prevalence of anemia among lactating mothers was high. It was affected by both community and individual-level factors. Therefore focusing on family planning services especially on modern contraceptive methods, child spacing and improving community literacy will help to reduce anemia during lactation.
Response of Prokaryotes to TOC Contamination in Dianchi Lake Sediments
Authors: Li Cheng-Peng , Li Ya-Ping , Huo Qing-Qing , Xiao Wei , Wang Yong-Xia , Cui Xiaolong 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Background: Explaining microbial consortia in sediments from the perspective of taxon, co-occurrence and function is the key to recover and maintain aquatic ecosystems. Trophic status was widely considered to be an important determinant of the lake sediment microbial community. However, little is known about the effect of a special eutrophic factor gradient on the prokaryotic community structure in situ. Within this context, we explored prokaryotic communities using an intensive field sampling from sediments in the Dianchi Lake, one of the most eutrophic lakes in China. Results: Microbial assemblages was strongly correlated with total organic carbon (TOC). Moreover, relatively high and low TOC shaped taxonomic and functional differences in microbial assemblages. The results identified the most abundant bacteria across all samples as Proteobacteria , Nitrospirae , Chloroflexi , Firmicutes , Ignavibacteriae , Actinobacteria , Bacteroidetes , Acidobacteria , Spiprochaetae and Latescibacteria . The dominant groups of archaea were Euryarchaeota , Woesearchaeota DHVEG-6 , Bathyarchaeota and WSA2 . Low TOC (LT) microbial assemblages displayed a major proportion of functional profiles related to some metabolisms such as carbohydrate metabolism, amino acid metabolism, energy metabolism, nucleotide metabolism and metabolism of cofactors and vitamins, membrane transport. These results illustrated that TOC concentration had obvious influence on the relative abundances of KEGG orthologs . Finally, the meta-analysis results highlight that most of network parameters of the LT community were significantly greater than those of other communities, which suggesting that the LT community was larger and more complex. Conclusion: TOC level might be a key determinant to shape taxonomic and functional construction of communities in Dianchi Lake sediment. LT community tended to establish a larger and more complex co-occurrence, which suggested that they may interact with each other strongly and exchange essential metabolites. Overall, this study could enhance our knowledge of microbial assemblages in eutrophic lake sediment and provide clues for the restoration and maintenance of sediment ecosystems.