bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparative transcriptome analysis reveals the mechanism of cross-protection against Verticillium wilt conferred on sunflower by hypovirulent strain Gibellulopsis nigrescens Vn-1
Authors: Zhao Xin , Dong Bao-Zhu , Zhao Ying-Jie , Wang Dong , Jing Lan , Zhou Hong-You 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background: Hypovirulent fungal strain Gibellulopsis nigrescens Vn-1 cross-protects sunflower against Verticillium wilt. To discover the mechanism of cross-protection by this hypovirulent strain, we analyzed defense enzyme activities and transcriptomes of root samples infected with virulent and hypovirulent strains.Results: Defense enzyme activities increased after inoculation, with the highest levels observed 24 h post-inoculation. At the same time, defense enzyme gene expressions were upregulated, and H2O2 accumulation decreased. A comparative transcriptome analysis revealed that three specific oxidoreductase-related GO terms were significantly enriched in the Vn-1 group compared with the control. In addition, 33 resistance genes and 160 susceptibility genes were predicted. Seven transcription factors (TFs), two phytohormone response factors, two E3 ubiquitin-protein ligases, two CCR4-associated factor 1 proteins, and two predicted leucine repeat rich (LRR) receptors were found to contribute to the conferral of resistance on sunflower.Conclusions: According to our results, hypovirulent strain G. nigrescens Vn-1 can reduce levels of reactive oxygen species in sunflower induced by infection with virulent strains such as V. dahliae V33 by regulating HaCAT expression. Furthermore, multiple resistance-related TFs, phytohormones, and receptors contribute to the formation of specific resistance against virulent strain V. dahliae V33.
Neighborhood-level Public Facilities and COVID-19 Transmission: A Nationwide Geospatial Study in China
Authors: Yan Lijing , Jin Xurui , Leng Yu , Gong Enying , Xiong Shangzhi , Yao Yao , Vedanthan Rajesh , Yang Zhenchun , Chen Keren , Wu Chenkai 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Individual-level studies on the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have proliferated, however, research on neighborhood-level factors associated with COVID-19 is limited. We gathered the geographic data of all publically released COVID-19 cases in China and the eight types of point-of-interests data from Gaode map. We used a case-control design (1:4 ratio; 4,329 cases vs. 17,316 controls) to investigate the association between having COVID-19 cases in the neighborhood and the number and types of public facilities nearby. In the multivariable logistics regression model, having more restaurants (high vs. low, OR: 2.09, 95% CI: 1.95, 2.25), shopping centers (OR: 2.27, 95% CI: 2.12, 2.43), hotels (OR: 2.32, 95% CI: 2.16, 2.48), living facilities (OR: 1.82, 95% CI: 1.70, 1.95), recreational facilities (OR: 2.27, 95% CI: 2.11, 2.43), public transit (OR: 1.32, 95% CI: 1.23, 1.41), educational institutions (OR: 1.96, 95% CI: 1.83, 2.10), and health service facilities (OR: 4.12, 95% CI: 3.83, 4.44) was associated with higher odds of having COVID-19 cases in a neighborhood. The associations for restaurants, hotels, reactional and education facilities were more pronounced in cities with fewer than six million people than those in larger cities (Psinteraction <0.05). Our results have implications for designing targeted prevention strategies at the neighborhood level to reduce the burden of COVID-19.
Designing and Psychometrics of a Questionnaire to Access the Skills of Health-Workers in Providing Self-Care Program for Pre-diabetic Individuals by PRECEDE-PROCEED Model
Authors: Ghasemi Mahmoud , Ghofranipour Fazlollah , Shahbazi Hasan , Aminshokravi Farkhondeh 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Aims. - This research aimed at designing and psychometric properties of a questionnaire for health-worker skills evaluation to obtain a self-care program for pre-diabetic patients. Materials. - The questionnaire items were first developed, utilizing reliable and specialized sources involving papers and scientific books and interviews with experts and specialists in diabetes and health education. The questionnaire's psychometric properties were evaluated utilizing face validity, content validity, construct validity, internal consistency, and stability. Results. - Due to the results of investigating the texts and interviews, the initial questionnaire, including 54 phrases, was presented. In the face validity section, eight expressions were removed quantitatively. Then, in identifying content validity, three other words were deleted, and the questionnaire was reduced to 43 phrases in general. This questionnaire's exploratory factor analysis revealed four factors involving self-efficacy, attitude, reinforcing factors, and enabling factors. These four factors explained 57.51% of the total variance of the test. The results of the confirmatory factor analysis also confirmed the factors of the PRECEDE-PROCEED model. Cronbach's alpha and intra-cluster correlation index for questionnaire structures ranged from 0.87-0.88 and 0.87-0.88, respectively. Conclusion. - The designed questionnaire has good validity and reliability. It can be said that this questionnaire is a suitable and usable tool for prediabetes in similar research to evaluate health worker skills in obtaining a self-care program for prediabetes. Keywords: Psychometrics, Health-workers, Empowerment, Self-care, Pre-diabetes
Health Resources Allocation Analyzing of the Western China
Authors: Wang Zheng , He Haoyu , Liu Xi , Feng Qiming , Wei Bo 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background: To achieve the goal “health equity for all", equitable and reasonable allocation of health resources is the basic material guarantee. As an area which owns more developing provinces and minority nationality region than other regions in China, the western China should get more attention in the health resources allocation while there was not.Methods: Lorentz curve, Gini coefficient and Theil index were used to analyze the health resources allocation which including number of health institutions, number of beds, (assistant) medical practitioners, registered nurses in the western China from 2014 to 2018 from two dimension: population and geography. Results: The total health resources shows an increasing tendency from 2014-2018; The Gini coefficients for health resources by population dimension were ranged from 0.057 to 0.13, in geography dimension the Gini coefficients ranged between 0.61 and 0.64. Meanwhile, the Lorentz curve in population dimension had a smaller curvature than in geography dimension; In two dimensions, the intra-group contribution rate of the Theil index was higher than the inter-group. Conclusion: The equity of health resources allocation should be further improved, especially the allocation of health institutions. Moreover, the access to health resources should also by improve by a diversity method.
Development of the Mental Health Peer Support Questionnaire in Colleges and Vocational Schools in Singapore
Authors: Ma QianHui , Gallo Joseph , Parisi Jeanine , Joo Jin Hui 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
BackgroundA nation-wide mental health peer support initiative was established in college and vocational schools in Singapore. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to develop and validate a 20-item self-report instrument, the Mental Health Peer Support Questionnaire (MHPSQ), to assess young adults’ perceived knowledge and skills in mental health peer support. MethodsWe administered the questionnaire to 102 students who were trained as peer supporters, and 306 students who were not trained as peer supporters (denoted as non-peer supporters), in five college and vocational schools. Exploratory factor analysis and descriptive statistics were conducted. Cronbach’s α was used to assess reliability, and independent sample t-tests to assess criterion validity. ResultsExploratory factor analysis indicated a three-factor structure with adequate internal reliability (knowledge [α = .76], peer support skills [α = .77], skills in handling challenging interpersonal situations [α = .74]). Consistent with establishing criterion validity, peer supporters rated themselves as significantly more knowledgeable and skilled than non-peer supporters on all factors except two: (1) letting peer support recipients make their own mental health decisions, and (2) young adults’ self-awareness of feeling overwhelmed. Peer supporters who had served the role for a longer period of time had significantly higher perceived awareness of stigma affecting mental health help-seeking. Peer supporters who had reached out to more peer support recipients reported significantly higher perceived skills in handling challenging interpersonal situations, particularly in encouraging professional help-seeking and identifying warning signs of suicide. ConclusionsThe MHPSQ may be a useful tool for obtaining a baseline assessment of young adults’ perceived knowledge and skills in mental health peer support, prior to them being trained as peer supporters. This could facilitate tailoring of training programs based on young adults’ initial understanding of mental health peer support. Subsequent to young adults’ training and application of skills, the MHPSQ could also be applied to evaluate the effectiveness of peer programs and mental health training.
Comprehensive Analysis of Walking Characteristics of Patients with Parkinson’s disease: Impact of Freezing of Gait
Authors: Son Minji , Cheon Sang-Myung , Youm Changhong , Kim Jae 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) suffer from walking disturbances. This study was done to comprehensively analyze walking characteristics of PD, including forward and backward walking and turning. Impacts of freezing of gait (FoG) were also determined. Forward and backward walking and 360° turning was recorded at preferred speed in defined ‘off’ state. PD showed narrower step length, slower walking speed, and higher asymmetry index (AI) of step length during forward and backward walking. During turning, PD had more turning steps, longer turning time, and shorter step length than control. There was no difference at forward walking according to FoG, but freezer showed narrower step length and decreased range of motion in ankle joints at backward walking. Freezer showed longer step time and higher AI of step length at turning. The severity of FoG was correlated with step length and walking speed during forward and backward walking, total step count, total step time, and walking speed during turning. Comprehensive analysis showed that PD had narrower step length, slower walking speed, and increased asymmetry of step length. These features were the most prominent during turning, followed by backward and forward walking. Impacts of FoG were also the most prominent during turning.
Outcomes of Hepatic Epithelioid Hemangioendothelioma with Different Managements: Retrospective Investigation of 50 Patients
Authors: Liu Xiaolei , Yang Zhiying 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background: Hepatic epithelioid hemangioendothelioma (HEHE) is a rare tumor and no standard treatment has been established. This study was aimed to retrospectively investigate the outcomes of different managements for HEHE patients Methods: From March 2017 to November 2019, a retrospective investigation was performed among 50 HEHE patients to summarize the outcomes of different managements. Their medical records were collected and the outcome of each management was evaluated based on radiological images. Results: For all the 50 HEHE patients, 80% were asymptomatic and 94% had multiple intrahepatic lesions. Extrahepatic metastases were detected in 54% patients and 82% patients were radiologically misdiagnosed. For 18 patients with initial observation, 16 (88.9%) of them had progressive disease (PD). For 12 patients with curative intent surgery or radiofrequency ablation (RF), 10 (83.3%) of them had recurrence. Six patients with interferon-α had results of 4 partial response (PR), one complete response (CR) and one stable disease (SD). For 6 patients with thalidomide, 4 patients had PD and 2 patients had SD. Four patients with chemotherapy had 3 PD and one SD. Five patients with targeted therapy had 2 PR (both with apatinib), 2 PD and one SD. Conclusions: HEHE patients had a high chance of PD during observation. The risk of recurrence after surgery or RF was high. Interferon-α and apatinib were the managements with tumor response (PR or CR). The encouraging result of interferon-α makes it a promising treatment for HEHE.
A Systematic Review of Hospital Efficiency and Productivity Studies: Lessons from Australia, UK and Canada.
Authors: Eklom Bonnie , Callander Emily 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
BackgroundAgeing populations, more expensive technology, growing rates of chronic disease and increasing consumer expectations are expected to lead to increased demand for health services and a rise in health expenditure within Australia. Productivity and efficiency analysis of Australia’s health system could provide valuable insight into the performance of the health system and assist stakeholders to reduce unnecessary growth in public hospital expenditure. This review describes efficiency and productivity analyses of hospitals in Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom. Methods We conducted a systematic literature review of efficiency and productivity analyses of hospitals in Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom. The search was conducted in two stages; (1) a search of the grey literature using a Google search engine; and (2) a traditional systematic review method search of academic databases. It is uncommon for grey literature to have abstracts, therefore, executive summaries, table of contents or subheadings were screened. Titles and Abstracts of journal articles were screened. DiscussionWithin Australia and key comparator nations, the number of efficiency and analysis studies is small. There is no clear consensus on the most suitable analysis technique to measure efficiency and productivity of hospitals. However, selection of inputs is similar across all studies identified in this review, consisting of measures of labour (most commonly relating to full time equivalent employees), goods and services (e.g. purchased consumables, such as drugs), and capital. Similarly, the majority of studies struggled to identify output measures that could capture improvements in patient outcomes, a key performance measure for any hospital. Instead, most studies utilised proxy measures relating to hospital throughputs (number of separations) or population health measurements. Of note, only one study demonstrated active engagement with the health sector in study development. Conclusion There is considerable scope for the further development of efficiency and productivity analysis techniques that can adequately capture relevant production factors, allow for robust comparisons across hospitals and time periods and which meaningfully engage with the health sector to inform improvements in efficiency and productivity.
Comparison between multi-walled carbon nanotubes and Titanium dioxide nanoparticles as additives on performance of Turbine meter oil nano lubricant
Authors: Pourpasha Hadi , Heris Saeed Zeinali , Mohammadfam Yaghob 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
This research work purpose to compare the impact of the mass fraction of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and Titanium dioxide (TiO2) nano additive on the tribological and thermophysical attributes of turbine meter oil. These attributes are including the average friction coefficient, pressure drop, wear, flash point, pour point, relative viscosity, kinematics viscosity, and viscosity index. Also, the pressure drops and the average friction coefficient inside the copper tube were simulated and compared with experimental results. In this study, for the synthesis of nano lubricants from turbine meter oil as a pure fluid and from MWCNTs and TiO2 as nano additives in the mass fraction of 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, and 0.4 wt.% and from oleic acid and Triton x100 as surfactants were utilized. The diameter of MWCNTs and TiO2 nano additives were ranging from 5 nm to 16.1 nm and 7.9 nm to 13.9 nm, respectively. The average particle size of TiO2 and MWCNTs nano additives in 0.4 wt.% in the pure lubricant were 221 nm and 320 nm, respectively. The results illustrated that the wear depth of copper pins in the presence of nano lubricant with 0.4 wt.% of MWCNTs and 0.1 wt.% TiO2 was improved by 88.26% and 71.43%, respectively. Nano lubricants with 0.3 wt.% of TiO2 and 0.4 wt.% of MWCNTs nano additives illustrated the maximum improvement in the flash point temperature with enhancement 4 °C and 10 °C. By increasing of 0.3 wt.% of TiO2 and MWCNTs into the pure oil caused to improve in viscosity index with enhancement 6.68% and 2.43% compared to the pure lubricant, respectively. The simulation data and experimental data for the pressure drop were closer together and indicated a minor error that the maximum error is less than 10%.
The Effect of A Demand Side Financing Program on the Continuum of Maternal and Child Health Care in India
Authors: Pallikadavath Saseendran , Stones William , Mazumdar Sumit , Kandala Ngianga , Mahbubur Rahman Mohammad 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background The Indian Government launched a demand-side financing program, ‘Janani Suraksha Yojana’ (JSY) in 2005 with the aim of reducing maternal and neonatal mortality through increased access to institutional delivery care service. This paper analyses the effects of the JSY on the uptake of maternal and child health (MNCH) care services intending to understand the overall impact of the program on the continuum of care. Methods Using the 2013-14 round of the District-level Household Survey (DLHS) surveyed in high performing states, the average treatment effect on the treated (ATT) was estimated by using the Propensity Score Matching (PSM). Results are reported regarding both ATTs and deviations from the theoretical continuum of care line, which represents 100% uptake, i.e., all women availing all the MNCH services. Results Overall, JSY effects on MNCH components ranged between 0.7% and 12%. As expected, the highest impact of the JSY was on institutional delivery (ATT: 0.12; 95% CI: 0.104-0.131) and the lowest for breastfeeding more than six months (ATT: 0.007; 95% CI: -0.014-0.027). Deviation from the complete continuum of care line ranged from 2.3% to 80.9%. The highest deviation was for three or more Tetanus Toxoid (100%-19.1%=80.9%) injections and the lowest for Polio given at any time (100%-97.7%=2.3%). Conclusions The program had high effects on those MNCH care services, the uptakes of which were already high without the program (low deviations from the continuum of care line), and the program had low effects on those MNCH care services, which had low uptakes in the absence of the program (high deviations from the continuum of care line). The program should also incentivize the utilization of those MNCH care services, which have low uptakes in the absence of the program.
TP53 Mutation in Circulating exoDNA Correlates With Outcomes of Patients With Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Li Yong , Wu Junjun , Lei Jun , Zhou Fan , Yin Xiangbao , Hu Dandan , Mao Yilei , Wu Linquan , Liao Wenjun 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background: Detection of tumor-specific mutations in exosomal DNA (exoDNA), a promising liquid biopsy material, has been used to assess the prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients. This study was the first to use a droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) platform to detect tumor-specific mutations in circulating exoDNA and to evaluate the prognosis of HCC patients.Methods: Blood samples from 40 HCC patients were obtained between 2018 and 2019, with clinically annotated follow-up until 2020. A ddPCR platform was used to detect an HCC tumor-specific mutation in the TP53 gene. We analyzed the correlation between TP53 mutation detected in circulating exoDNA and patient clinical data. The ratio of mutant droplets/total droplets (MD/TD) was calculated according to ddPCR results.Results: TP53 mutations in circulating exoDNA were detected in 33 of the 40 patients (82.5%). Patients with high MD/TD (>62.5%) were more likely to show microvascular invasion (P=0.028) and high MD/TD predicted a shorter recurrence-free survival time (P<0.001).Conclusions: High MD/TD of TP53 detected in serum was associated with microvascular invasion and might be used to predict the prognosis of HCC patients. The diagnostic performance of detecting exosome-derived tumor DNA will likely improve when more mutations in other tumor-specific genes are combined.
Effects of the cancellous bone structure in the skull on ultrasonic wave propagation
Authors: Michimoto Itsuki , Yano Keita , Kobayashi Yasuyo , Saito Kozue , Matsukawa Mami 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
The Transcranial Doppler method (TCD) enables the measurement of cerebral blood flow velocity and detection of emboli by applying the ultrasound probe to the temporal bone window, orbital, or greater occipital foramen. TCD is widely used for the evaluation of cerebral vasospasm after subarachnoid hemorrhage, early detection of patients with arterial stenosis and the check of brain death. However, measurements often become difficult in elderly women. Among various factors for this problem, we focused on the effect of the skull bone on the ultrasound penetration into the brain. Especially, the effect of the temporal bone structure was investigated. Using a 2D digital bone model, wave propagation through the skull bone was investigated by the Finite-Difference Time-Domain (FDTD) method. We create bone models which have different BV/TV (Bone Volume/Total Volume) in diploe. Around BV/TV about 60% (similar to elderly women), the observed maximum amplitude decrease due to multiple reflection and scattering. The results suggest that effects of osteoposis on the skull make TCD measurement difficult.
Assessment of Gas Hydrate Resources in Ross Sea Area, Antarctica Based on Inversion of Gravity and Magnetic Data
Authors: Wang Wei , Wan Meng , Sun Miaojun , Jiang Weijie , Xu Ping , Chen Mei , Xu Jian 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Ross Sea is a large bay located in the fan-shaped area on the Pacific side of Antarctica. In this paper, the power spectrum method is used to invert the Curie depth of the Ross Sea area by(through) the magnetic anomaly data; the Parker-Oldenburg method is used to invert the moho depth; according to Curie depth and the moho depth, the heat flow of the Ross Sea area is inverted, obtained high-precision thermal structure information. According to the temperature-pressure equation for formation and storage of gas hydrate, the thickness of the gas hydrate stability zone is quantitatively calculated based on the heat flow data of the study area, and a integral method is used to estimate the resource prospects of gas hydrate in this area. The results show that the estimated volumes of gas hydrate resources in the Ross Sea are 2.77×1011 m3.