bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Informal Payments in Public Hospitals of Malawi - A Case of Kamuzu Central Hospital
Authors: Namangale Annette Mphande , Chiumia Isabel Kazanga 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background: Informal payments in public health facilities act as a barrier to accessing quality healthcare services especially for the poor people. There is growing evidence that in most low-income countries, most poor people are unable to access quality health care services due to demands for payments for services that should be accessed for free. This research was aimed at investigating informal payments for health care services at Kamuzu Central Hospital, one of the referral public hospitals in Malawi. Results of this study provide evidence on the magnitude and factors influencing informal payments in Malawi so that relevant policies and strategies may be made to address this problem. Methods: The study employed a mixed methods research design. The quantitative study component had a sample size of 295 patients and guardians at Kamuzu Central Hospital (KCH). The qualitative study included 7 in-depth interviews with key informants (health workers) and 3 focus group discussions with guardians. Each FGD had 10 people. Thus, in total the whole qualitative sample constituted 52 participants. Quantitative data was analyzed using Excel and STATA. Qualitative data was analyzed using thematic content analysis approach. Results: 80% of patients and guardians at KCH had knowledge of informal payments. About 47% of the respondents admitted paying informally to access health care services at KCH and 87% of the informal payments were made at the request of a health worker. The study identifies lack of knowledge, fear and desperation by patients and guardians, low salary for health workers and lack of effective disciplinary measures as some of the key factors influencing informal payments in the public health sector in Malawi. Conclusion: Informal payments exacerbate inequality in the access of health care services that should be provided for free. Specifically, poor people have limited access to quality health care services when informal payments are demanded. This practice is unethical and it infringes on people’s rights to universal access to health care. There is need to strengthen the public health care system in Malawi by formulating deliberate policies that will deter informal payments.
Responses of Maize Hybrids with Contrasting Maturity to Planting Date in Northeast China
Authors: Ma Xinglin , Ke Fulai 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Maize planting date in semi-humid region of Jilin province can often be delayed beyond the optimum planting time window because of soil water stress typically occured before or during the planting season. Research was conducted at Lishu city, Jilin from 2009 through 2010 to determine the responses of maize hybrids with contrasting maturity to planting date. Short-season hybrid Jidan27, mid-season hybrid Xianyu335, and full-season hybrid Zhengdan958 which were widely used in Northeast China maize production were planted in early May and mid-May and thinned to populations of 67500 plants ha-1. Durations from emergence to silking stage for all the hybrids consistently shortened as the planting delayed, but interaction effects of hybrids, planting date and year existed for the duration of silking to physiological maturity stage. The longer maturity hybrid usually had grain yield advantage over earlier maturity hybrid when planting at early May, but the earlier maturity hybrid often showed a greater yield than longer maturity hybrid when planting was delayed. The highest yield occurred at the treatment combination of the mid-season hybrid and delayed planting date, and the shorter season hybrid typically showed stable and higher grain yield across planting dates. Changes in grain volume per unit of land area among hybrids and planting date treatment combination were consistent with the changes in grain yields, indicating that the yield is determined usually by the sink capacity. Further research is needed to evaluate the effects of hybrids maturity and planting date on maize under different planting densities.
Effect of Integrated Treatment on Enhancing the Enzymatic Hydrolysis of Cocksfoot Grass and the Structural Characteristics of Co-Produced Hemicelluloses
Authors: Sun Shao-Chao , Sun Dan , Cao Xuefei 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
BackgroundCocksfoot grass (Dactylis glomerata L.) with high biomass yield and rich cellulose can be used to produce bioethanol as fuel additive. In view of this, ultrasonic and hydrothermal pretreatments followed by successive alkali extractions were assembled into an integrated biorefinery process applied on cocksfoot grass to improve its enzymatic hydrolysis. In this work, the effects of ultrasonic and hydrothermal pretreatments followed by sequential alkali extractions on the enzymatic hydrolysis of cocksfoot grass were investigated. Additionally, since large amount of hemicelluloses were released during the hydrothermal pretreatment and alkali extraction process, the yields, structural characteristics and differentials of water- and alkali-soluble hemicellulosic fractions isolated from different treatments were also comparatively explored.ResultsThe integrated treatment significantly removed amorphous hemicelluloses and lignin, resulting in increased crystallinity of the treated residues. A maximum saccharification rate of 95.1% was obtained from the cellulose-rich substrate after the integrated treatment. In addition, the considerable hemicelluloses (31.4% water-soluble hemicelluloses and 53.4% alkali-soluble hemicelluloses) were isolated during the integrated treatment. The released water-soluble hemicellulosic fractions were found to be more branched as compared with the alkali-soluble hemicellulosic fractions and all hemicellulosic fractions were mixed polysaccharides mainly composed of branched xylans and β-glucans.ConclusionThe combination of ultrasonic and hydrothermal pretreatments followed by successive alkali extractions can dramatically increase the enzymatic saccharification rate of the substrates and produce considerable amounts of hemicelluloses. Detailed information about the enzymatic hydrolysis rates of the treated substrates and the structural characteristics of the co-produced hemicelluloses will help the synergistic utilization of cellulose and hemicellulose in cocksfoot grass.
The Path in Behind and the Challenges in Front: A Methodological Synthesis of Iranian L2 Papers
Authors: Ajideh Parviz , Jahanbakhsh Akbar A. 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
The present study is a methodological synthesis aiming to evaluate the adherence of Iranian L2 papers to the study quality standards. Ten Iranian journals were selected based on the latest ranking of Iran’s Ministry of Science, Research, and Technology (MSRT), and all experimental papers (N = 367) published from their beginnings were explored for study quality with regards to sampling, design, statistical tests, reporting practices and data sharing, and visual presentation. In the evaluation of the papers, the protocols proposed by Gass and Plonsky (2011) and Pagout and Plonsky (2017) were moderated and some recent issues proposed by APA’s (2018) Journal Article Reporting Standards and some scholars (e.g., Hu & Plonsky, 2019; Khany & Tazik, 2019; Larson-Hall, 2017) were added. The results showed that while there were issues, like acceptable sample size, use of pre-testing, reporting descriptive and inferential statistics, and ensuring the reliability of instruments, that were acceptably adhered to quality standards, problematic areas existed in all five facets of quality, and the majority of them stayed constant or changed slightly over time. The shortcomings caused by such lack of adherence are discussed to identify the challenges in the way of improving the papers’ quality. Although the results are obtained from a specific context, the implications may be generalizable to other contexts where English is taught and researched as a foreign language.
Giant Pleomorphic Lipoma With Malignant Transformation in the Buttock: a Rare Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Liang Feng , Wang Xu , Xu Guangmeng , He Hongyu , Li Wei , Liu Guoliang , Li Jiannan 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background: Pleomorphic lipoma is a benign tumor, which is often located in the neck, shoulder, and other subcutaneous tissues. Pleomorphic lipoma with malignant transformation in the buttock is rarely reported.Case Presentation: A 53-year-old male attended to our department with a large mass in his buttock that had been present for about one year, leading to difficulty with walking and defecation. Computed tomography (CT) showed a 10. 2 × 8. 3 cm mass with lumpy and mixed low to medium density shadows in the right side of the lower part of the tailbone. Color Doppler ultrasound showed that the skin and subcutaneous tissues of the right buttock were thickened with lymphedema. Pre-operative pathology revealed a large amount of adipose and fusiform fibrous tissues with obvious blood vessels. The patient underwent complete resection of the mass in the right buttock. Postoperative pathology indicated that the tumor was pleomorphic lipoma with malignant transformation. The patient recovered well and was discharged from the hospital at day 12 post-surgery. Follow up at 6 months did not find any symptoms of tumor recurrence.Conclusions: Pleomorphic lipoma with malignant transformation is rare. CT, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and histopathology are the main methods used to diagnose pleomorphic lipoma. Complete resection of the tumor is vital to treat giant pleomorphic lipoma successfully.
Clinical Study of Arthroscopic Multichannel Combined Approach in the Treatment of Knee Lumen Infection With Calf Effusion Abscess
Authors: Li Yuan , Deng Fuyuan , Zhou Peng , Lei Lei , Li Zhong , Liu Juncai 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background: It is rare to see knee lumen infection with calf effusion abscess. Traditional open surgery is traumatic, slow and difficult to recover. And there are few reports of using arthroscopy to diagnose and treat knee lumen infection with calf effusion abscess. This case series aims to introduce the clinical outcomes of arthroscopic treatment of knee lumen infection with calf effusion abscess.Methods：fifteen patients with knee joint cavity infections and calf abscesses from from January 2015 to December 2019, were included(11 males and 4 females; age range from 33 to 61, the average age is 46.6years). All patients were treated with arthroscopic multi-channel combined approach. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) were recorded before and at the last follow-up. The knee function was evaluated according to the visual analogue scoring method (visual analogue scale, VAS) pain score and Lysholm score.Results：fifteen patients were followed up from 12 months to 2 years, and the average follow-up time was 18.4 months. The operation was smooth in all patients, the incisions were healed at grade I, no postoperative recurrence, no nerve damage, and no complications such as knee stiffness. At the last follow-up, ESR decreased from preoperative (44.6±10.1) to (11.4±3.1) (P<0.001), and CRP decreased from preoperative (30.2±8.0) to (3.9±1.0) (P<0.001). Lysholm score was reduced by Before (46.9±7.7) improved to (93.0±8.1) (P<0.001), the VAS score decreased from (7.0±0.9) before operation to (2.1±1.2) (P<0.001), and the differences were statistically significant.Conclusion：Arthroscopic multi-channel combined approach is a safe, effective and minimally invasive treatment method for knee joint cavity infection with calf abscess.
Blood-brain barrier disruption and ventricular enlargement are the earliest neuropathological changes in rats with repeated sub-concussive impacts over 2 weeks
Authors: Hiles-Murison Bailey , Lavender Andrew , Hackett Mark , Armstrong Joshua , Nesbit Michael , Rawlings Samuel , McGonigle Terry , Warnock Andrrew , Lam Virginie , Mamo John , Fitzgerald Melinda , Takechi Ryu 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Repeated sub-concussive impact (e.g. soccer ball heading), a significantly lighter form of mild traumatic brain injury, is increasingly suggested to cumulatively alter brain structure and compromise neurobehavioural function in the long-term. However, the underlying mechanisms whereby repeated long-term sub-concussion induces cerebral structural and neurobehavioural changes are currently unknown. Here, we utilised an established rat model to investigate the effects of repeated sub-concussion on size of lateral ventricles, cerebrovascular blood-brain barrier (BBB) integrity, neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, and biochemical distribution. Following repeated sub-concussion for 2 weeks, the rats showed significantly enlarged lateral ventricles compared with the rats receiving sham-only procedure. The sub-concussive rats also presented significant BBB dysfunction in the cerebral cortex and hippocampal formation, whilst neuromotor function assessed by beamwalk and rotarod tests were comparable to the sham rats. Immunofluorescent and spectroscopic microscopy analyses revealed no significant changes in neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, lipid distribution or protein aggregation, within the hippocampus and cortex. These data collectively indicate that repeated sub-concussion for 2 weeks induce significant ventriculomegaly and BBB disruption, preceding neuromotor deficits.
Nurses’ Knowledge and Attitudes Towards Palliative Care and Death: A Learning Intervention
Authors: Hao Yanping , Zhan Lixuan , Huang Meiling , Cui Xianying , Zhou Ying , Xu En 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background In many countries, nurses are ill-prepared to provide care to patients with terminal illnesses. Limited education and training affect their ability to deliver proper palliative care. Only a few studies have explored appropriate and effective training methods of palliative care in China. Therefore, we aimed to provide evidence for a palliative care training system by appraising the effects of a mixed-method intervention on participants’ knowledge of palliative care and attitudes towards dying patients and death.Methods An e-learning intervention approach was adopted for 97 nurses from oncology departments across five hospitals, using a mobile terminal combined with a virtual forum and face-to-face interactions. We conducted a pre- and post-training evaluation through the Palliative Care Quiz of Nursing (PCQN), Frommelt Attitude Toward Care of the Dying Scale Form B (FATCOD-B), and Death Attitude Profile-Revised (DAP-R).Results After a three-week intervention, there was a significant increase in the PCQN and FATCOD-B scores as compared to the baseline. For PCQN, the total score increased from 10.3 ± 1.9 to 11.1 ± 2.2 (p = .011) and the score for management of pain and other symptoms increased from 7.7 ± 1.7 to 8.4 ± 1.7 (p = .003). FATCOD-B scores increased noticeably from 104.0 ± 7.6 to 106.4 ± 8.9 (p = .016). The DAP-R scores showed no obvious difference between pre- and post-intervention results.Conclusions The mixed-method intervention was effective in improving participants’ knowledge and attitudes about palliative care. The implementation of training nurses at appropriate intervals during both education and professional life are required, especially for the improvement in participants’ attitudes towards death. Therefore, palliative care training in China should receive more attention.
Physical Simulation for Water Invasion and Water Control Optimization in Water Drive Gas Reservoirs
Authors: xu xuan , li Xizhe , hu yong , shi yu , mei qingyan , jiao chunyan 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
The development of water drive gas reservoirs (WDGRs) with fractures or strong heterogeneity is severely influenced by water invasion. Accurately simulating the rules of water invasion and drainage gas recovery countermeasures in fractured WDGRs, thereby revealing the mechanism of water invasion and an appropriate development strategy, is important for formulating water management measures and enhancing the recovery of gas reservoirs. In this work, physical simulation methods were proposed to gain a better understanding of water invasion and to optimize the water control of fractured WDGRs. Five groups of experiments were designed and conducted to probe the impacts of the distance between the fractures and the gas well, the drainage position, the drainage timing and the aquifer size on the water invasion and production performance of a gas reservoir. The gas and water production and the internal pressure drop were monitored in real time during the experiments. Based on the above experimental works, a theoretical analysis was conducted to quantitatively evaluate the performance of the gas reservoir recovery via the gas well production performance, water invasion, dynamic pressure drop and residual gas and water distribution analysis. The results show that when the fracture scale was appropriate, a gas well drilled close to a fracture (Experiment 1–3) or a high-permeability formation could also produce gas and achieve drainage efficiently. The recovery factor of Experiment 1–3 reached 62.5%, which was 24.6% and 21.1% higher than those of Experiments 1–1 and 1–2, respectively, which had wells drilled in low-permeability areas. Draining water near an aquifer can effectively inhibit water invasion during the early stage of gas recovery. The setup in Experiment 2 − 1 effectively inhibited water invasion and avoided the formation of water-sealed volumes of gas to recover 30% more gas than recovered with that of Experiment 1–1 without drainage wells. A shorter distance between the drainage well and the aquifer increased the drainage capacity and decreased the gas production capacity, respectively (Well 2 at Point A vs Point B). A larger aquifer had a lower gas recovery, which reduced the economic benefit. For example, due to an infinitely large aquifer, the reserves in Experiment 4 − 1 were developed by a single well, the gas recovery was only 33.4%. These research results are expected to be beneficial for the preparation of development plans and the optimization of water control measures for WDGRs.
Prevalence of Strongyloidiasis in Peru: Systematic Review
Authors: Ortiz-Martínez Sonia , Ramos-Rincon Jose-Manuel , Vásquez-Chasnamote María-Esteyner , Gamboa-Paredes Olga-Nohelia , Arista-Flores Katty-Madeleine , Espinoza-Venegas Luis-Alfredo , Pinedo-Cancino Viviana-Vanessa , Gorgolas-Hernandez-Mora Miguel , Casapia-Morales Martin 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Strongyloidiasis is a disease of great public health significance. We aimed to assess the prevalence of Strongyloides stercoralis infection in Peru.Methods.This systematic review was based on a literature search in PubMed, SciELO and Google Scholar using the key words or root words “strongyl*” AND “Peru” on 15 July 2020. Eligible studies were published from 1 January 1981 to 15 July 2020 and written in English, Spanish, Italian, or French.Results.We included 21 papers in the analysis. Studies were heterogeneous regarding the study population, diagnostic methods, and the prevalence of S. stercoralis, which ranged from 0.3–45%. Half were designed to detect parasites in general. In studies designed to detect S. stercoralis, the most widely used diagnostic method was the Baermann technique.Conclusion.Prevalence of S. stercoralis in Peru was high but varied by geographic area, techniques for stool examination, and participant characteristics.
Mechanism of Moxa Combustion Products Processed Under Different Conditions on Regulating Vascular Endothelial Function in Atherosclerotic Mice
Authors: Huang Yueping , Yao Qin , Ouyang Xiali , Liu Jinyi , Hui Xin , Wang Hao , He Rui , Zhao Baixiao 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
BackgroundAtherosclerosis (AS) is a kind of chronic progressive inflammatory disease, moxibustion is an increasingly popular alternative therapy that reduces the risk of AS by regulating blood lipid levels. Although moxibustion for AS is yet to be conducted, its underlying mechanism remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the anti-atherogenic effect of moxa combustion products processed under different conditions (moxa smoke, filtered moxa smoke, volatile components of moxa floss and essential oil of Artemisia Argyi). MethodsThe mice in all groups were regularly grabbed and fixed. The mice in moxa smoke group were exposed to 2% concentration of moxa smoke, the mice in filtered moxa smoke group were exposed to filtered moxa smoke environment, the mice in volatile components of moxa floss group were exposed to 150℃ moxa floss heating environment, the mice in essential oil of Artemisia Argyi group were exposed to Artemisia Argyi essential oilatomization environment. All interventions were carried out in the cabinet and were performed for 20 min per day, 6 days per week for 14 weeks. After the treatment, the mice were euthanased. The mice of plasma were measured by biochemical or ELISA method, the thoracic aorta was collected for red oil O staining. The mRNA levels in the thoracic aorta were analyzed by RT-qPCR. ResultsThe group moxa smoke group and filtered moxa smoke group showed a significantly lower plaque area percentage in the thoracic aorta, and higher expression of AMPK-mRNA and eNOS-mRNA in the thoracic aorta compared with the AS mice. ConclusionMoxa smoke and filtered moxa smoke equally suppressed the progression of atherosclerotic lesions in ApoE−/− mice. It is suggested that the particles in moxa smoke may not be the key component of moxibustion.