bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Utilizing the solar thermal ice storage system in improving the energy, exergy, economic and environmental assessment of conventional air conditioning system
Authors: Elhelw Mohamed , El-Maghlany Wael M. , ‎ Mohamed Shawky Ismail 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
This paper introduces novel modification for conventional air conditioning systems through utilizing a thermal ice storage system integrated with solar panels. Alexandria and Aswan, cities in Egypt, are chosen to represent two climates for hot-humid and hot-dry climates respectively. The governing equations for both heat and mass transfer are theoretically solved. Exergy analysis is performed for the proposed solar-ice thermal storage system via determining exergy destruction on ice and solar components as well as the total destruction based on transient analysis. This study was carried out on two common types of air conditioning systems, an air handling unit and fan coil unit. Results showed that, solar-ice storage system is more effective approach in hot-humid climate than hot-dry climate and more efficient with all-water air conditioning system than with all-air conditioning system. The maximum energy saving is 205.16 GJ having a percent of 27.5% in August for all water system in case of Alexandria city and 224.67 GJ with a percent of 25.38% in August for all-water system in case of Aswan city. All air system simulation showed maximum energy saving of 175.05 GJ with a percent of 18.13 % in case of August for Alexandria and 175.45 GJ having a percentage of 17.43% in case of Aswan in August. Moreover, the all-water system achieved a reduction in CO2 emissions by 467 tons/year in Aswan city and 390 tons/year in case of Alexandria city. While these reductions decrease to be 435 and 353 tons/year when the all-air system used for the same two cities.
Revisiting the Physical Mechanisms of East Asian Summer Monsoon Precipitation Changes During the Mid-Holocene: A Data–model Comparison
Authors: Sun Yong , Wu Haibin , Ramstein Gilles , Liu Bo , Zhao Yan , Li Laurent , Yuan Xiayu , Zhang Wenchao , Li Lijuan , Zou Liwei , Zhou Tianjun 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
The mid-Holocene (MH; 6 ka) is one of the benchmark periods for the Paleoclimate Modeling Intercomparison Project (PMIP) and provides a unique opportunity to study monsoon dynamics and orbital forcing (i.e., mostly precession) that differ significantly from the present day. We conducted a data–model comparison along with a dynamic analysis to investigate monsoonal (i.e., East Asian summer monsoon; EASM) precipitation changes over East Asia during the MH. We used the three phases of the PMIP simulations for the MH, and quantitatively compared the model results with pollen-based climate records. The data–model comparison shows an overall increase in precipitation, except for a local decrease in EASM precipitation during the MH. Decomposition of the moisture budget into thermodynamic, dynamic components and co-variations in both allowed us to assess the relative role of thermodynamic and dynamic components in controlling EASM precipitation during the MH, and to investigate the precipitation changes obtained from pollen records in terms of physical processes. We show that the dynamic effect, rather than the thermodynamic effect, is the dominant control in increased EASM precipitation during the MH in both the proxy records and models. The dynamic increase in precipitation results mainly from the enhancement of horizontal monsoonal moisture transport that is caused by intensified stationary eddy horizontal circulation over East Asia. In addition, a cloud cooling effect reduced the thermodynamic contribution to the increase in EASM precipitation during the MH.
An Identification of Faults in Industries Using Hybrid Feed Forward Neural Network – Particle Swarm Optimization
Authors: Chittilappilly Anoopa Jose , Subramaniam Kamalraj , Jose Giby , Manimegalai P. 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
In order to enhance the quality governance in automotive firms the fault analysis and categorization is designed with optimal image renewals employing swarm intelligence scheme with improved precision classifier. Methodology: Preliminarily the accumulated information is preprocessed for eradicating the undesirable noise and renewal is achieved employing non – local means scheme, followed by which five characteristics like arithmetic mean, variance, standard deviation, skewness and auto correlation are mined. The mined characteristics are sent to the feed forward neural network (FFNN) classifier for recognizing faults in the computerized segments produced in the firms. In FFNN the particle swarm optimization (PSO) is employed to optimize the characteristics for effective fault identification in metal sheets. Results: The experimental analysis reveals that the designed FFNN – PSO scheme acquires improved performance with increased rate of accuracy of 92.86%, sensitivity rate of 95.24%, specificity rate of 90.48%, G – mean rate of 97.47% and precision rate of 90.90% evaluated against the prevailing classifiers.
Characteristics and Outcomes of Autonomic Dysfunction in Anti-NMDAR Encephalitis
Authors: Chen Zhongyun , Zhang Yan , Wu Xiaowen , Huang Huijin , Chen Weibi , Su Yingying 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background To explore the characteristics and prognosis of autonomic dysfunction and paroxysmal sympathetic hyperactivity (PSH), and evaluate the efficacy of drugs used to suppress PSH episode in anti-NMDAR encephalitis patients.MethodsPatients who met the diagnostic criteria of anti-NMDAR encephalitis were enrolled from January 2012 to August 2018 and followed up. PSH was diagnosed according to the PSH-Assessment Measure. The demographics data, clinical features, main accessory examinations, treatments, and long-term outcomes were prospective collected and analyzed. ResultsA total of 132 anti-NMDAR encephalitis patients were enrolled, 27.3% of patients experienced autonomic dysfunction, of which cardiac autonomic dysfunction (77.8%) was the most common subdivisions. Of the patients, 9.1% had probable PSH, tachycardia, tachypnea, and hypertonia (100%) were the most common symptoms of PSH. Patients with a higher incidence of ovarian teratoma, mechanical ventilation, intensive care unit admission, and elevated levels of CSF glucose, and higher CSF NMDAR antibody titers were more likely to exhibit autonomic dysfunction or PSH. Diazepam and phenobarbitone were commonly used drugs to control PSH episodes in patients without prior sedative drugs and the overall efficacy was 90.0%. However, the efficacy of monotherapy dropped to 69.6% and approximately half of episodes need a combination of drugs to control symptoms in PSH patients with prior sedative drugs. No significant difference was observed in the prognosis between the autonomic dysfunction group and the non- autonomic dysfunction group or PSH group and non-PSH group after 6 months and during long-term follow-up. However, patients with cardiac autonomic dysfunction had a poor prognosis at 6 months.Conclusion PSH is a common clinical condition in patients with anti-NMDAR encephalitis, especially in severe cases, and the clinical management of PSH can be assisted by several acute drug administered therapies. Patients with autonomic dysfunction or PSH do not seem to compromise their neurological recovery despite a longer hospital stay.
Compared to liver, bile duct and skeletal muscle garlic (versus normal saline) only enhances pancreas insulin m-RNA transcription that corresponds to islets cellular plasticity and local and circulating hyperinsulinemia in diabetic rats
Authors: Al-Adsani Amani Mustafa , Al-Qattan Khaled Khalil 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background: Garlic aqueous extract (GE) augments insulin circulating concentration in streptozotocin-induced type-1 diabetes mellitus (STZ-DM) rat model. Objective: This study investigated at 4 stages in a time-line fashion whether modifications in insulin m-RNA transcription occur, and if they do, are they related to accumulative changes in insulin - serum and tissue concentrations and immunohistochemical (IHC) localizations and plasticities as part of the GE-induced insulinogenic mechanism(s) in the pancreas, liver, bile duct and gastrocnemius skeletal muscle (GSM) of STZ-DM rats. Method: The body weight, food and water intake, urine output, fasting blood glucose (FBG), serum insulin (SI), in addition to tissues insulin concentrations, IHC localizations and numerical intensities and m-RNA transcriptions were investigated before (basal level = BL) and after 1, 4 and 8 weeks of oral treatment in normal rats given normal saline (NR-NS), diabetic rats given normal saline (DR-NS) and diabetic rats given GE (DR-GE). The readings collected were compared using two-way ANOVA with LSD post-hoc test (IBM SPSS - V.22) and differences were considered significant when P <0.05.Results: Compared to NR-NS, DR-NS showed typical diabetic biophysical symptoms in addition to significant accumulative increases in FBG and reductions in SI, which corresponded positively with reductions in pancreatic insulin IHC localization and numerical intensity and m-RNA transcription. Conversely, and in comparison to DR-NS, DR-GE showed amelioration of diabetic biophysical symptoms, in addition to significant accumulative decreases in FBG and increases in SI, which corresponded positively with increases in pancreatic insulin IHC localization and numerical intensity and m-RNA transcription. The liver, bile duct and GSM did not show any changes in the targeted parameters (or indicators of insulin synthesis: proinsulin or C-peptide) in response to GE treatment. Conclusion: GE induced increases in circulating insulin concentration could have been due to increases in pancreas insulin concentrations as a result of an enhancement in islets cellular plasticity and m-RNA transcription. Accordingly, garlic insulinogenic action could be partly due to modification of pancreas genetic expression.
Evaluation on the receptor-binding preference and drug resistance of H9N2 influenza viruses
Authors: Su Jiazi , Deng Xiaoyu , Sun Yixue , Yu Haiying , Cong Yulin , Cong Yanlong 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
The enzootic and zoonotic nature of H9N2 avian influenza viruses pose a persistent threat to global poultry industry and human health. This particular subtype influenza virus raises public concerns because it possesses human receptor specificity. In this study, four H9N2 virus strains clustered into the G57-like viruses preferentially bound to SAα2,6 receptors as demonstrated in the results from the receptor-binding assay. The molecular dynamic simulation showed that HAQ226L substitution of H9N2 viruses may alter the conformation of the 220-loop of hemagglutinin (HA) and thus optimize the contacts between HA and human receptors, thereby increasing the preference for α2,6-linkages. The acquisition of an additional N-glycosylation site at position 264 close to the enzyme active sites of neuraminidase of H9N2 viruses induced the loss of hydrogen bonding between 276E at the enzyme active sites and Zanamivir and further led to occurrence of Zanamivir-resistant of viruses. This study shows the relationship between the conformational changes due to amino acid variations and viral biological phenotypes, which emphasizes the necessity for monitoring the continual evolution of H9N2 viruses and comprehensively assessing their potential zoonotic threat.
Title Euthanasia in advanced Dementia; the view of the GPs in the Netherlands on a vignette case along the juridical and ethical dispute . A survey among Dutch general practitioners
Authors: Schuurmans Jaap , Crol Chantalle , Chabot Boudewijn , Rikkert Marcel Olde , Engels Yvonne 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background In the Netherlands, euthanasia has been regulated by law since 2002 under strict conditions. In the past decade, a growing number of persons with dementia (PWDs) requested for euthanasia, and each year more requests were granted. A euthanasia request from a PWD can have a major impact on a general practitioner (GP), as it requires expertise on medical, communication, legal and ethical aspects, causing uncertainties, dilemmas and doubts. We aimed to get insights in problems and needs GPs experience when confronted with a person with advanced dementia (PWAD) and an advance euthanasia directive (AED.Methods A postal survey was sent to a random sample of 894 Dutch GPs. As part of this survey, questions were asked about a case vignette about a PWAD who was not able to confirm previous wishes anymore. Quantitative data were analyzed with descriptive statistics.Results Of the 894 GPs approached, 422 (47.3%) completed the survey. 176 (41.6%) of them at least once had had a euthanasia request from a PWD. 178 GPs (42.2%) did not agree with the statement that an AED can replace an oral request if communication with the concerned patient has become impossible. About half of the respondents (209; 49.5%) did not agree that the family can initiate a euthanasia trajectory, 95 GPs (22.5%) would accept such a family initiative and 110 GPs (26.1%) would under certain conditions.Discussion In case of PWADs, when confirming previous wishes is not possible anymore, about half of the Dutch GPs would not accept an AED to replace verbal or non-verbal conformation, nor consider performing euthanasia; a minority would. The reported burden and the rise in numbers and complexity of euthanasia requests from PWADs warrants better national professional guidelines and primary care support. Our study shows that due to jurisdiction and changed professional guidelines conflicting views have arisen among Dutch GPs about interpretation of moral, ethical values considering AED and PWADs.
The characteristics of patients with Acute Kidney Injury in Local Hospitals: A National Survey from China
Authors: Wu Lihua , Ma Yaqi , Wang Jinwei , Luan Fengwu , Wang Mengting , Feng Zhihong , Tian Yanhong , Li Lu , Chu Rui , Yin Xiaolong , Wang Yan , Li Yanmei , Guo Xiaoyan , Zhou Xiaoling , Yu Min , Yang Xiaojuan , Yang Li , Chen Menghua 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background：Improving the diagnosis and treatment of acute kidney injury (AKI) in local hospitals is of great significance in developing countries. The aim of the present survey was to describe the characteristics of AKI in local hospitals at different economic levels and in different regions in mainland China. Methods：We used the database of a nation-wide survey on AKI in mainland China and extracted the data from 22 local hospitals. These hospitals were divided into three groups based on the local per capita gross domestic product (pcGDP) levels. We also divided the hospitals by geographic regions into Northwest China, North China, South China, and Southwest China. Using this data, we analyzed all characteristics associated with AKI. Results: 1,942 patients were diagnosed with AKI in the 22 local hospitals between January and July 2013, with a detection rate of 1.66%. There were significant differences in the detection rates and the classification of AKI across regions with different economic levels or geographic locations. The proportion of patients who had not been recognized with AKI on time, or with unclassifed AKI was higher in local hospitals from regions with lowest and moderate pcGDP levels than that in regions with the highest pcGDP levels. Renal hypoperfusion, drug factors and associated with other serious diseases were the most common causal factors of AKI in all regions. Northwest and Southwest regions had higher proportion of patients with potential nephrotoxic drugs use. The Southwest region had the most patients with environmental toxin-induced AKI compared to other regions. AKI caused by sepsis or surgical factors was more common in South China. The all-cause in-hospital mortality was 10.5%. Advanced age, male gender, staying in ICU, higher AKI stages, using nephrotoxic drugs, being with other critical illness, and delayed recognition were associated with increased in-hospital mortality, while in hospitals from South China or from regions with the highest pcGDP levels were associated with decreased in-hospital mortality.Conclusions: The detection rate of AKI in local hospitals in China is significantly lower than that in provincial hospitals. The etiology of AKI varies across different geographic regions and the level of economic development is closely related to the diagnosis of AKI in local hospitals.
Women’s Participation in Research to Improve Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Outcomes Through Evidence Base Data in West Africa
Authors: Sombié Issiaka , Johnson Ermel Ameswue Kpogbe , Amadou Moukaïla , Lokossou Virgil , Olabisi Aina 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background: Women participation in decision-making fora is key to ensure that their concerns are take into consideration, especially in maternal, newborn and child health issues. The objective of this study was to analyse the participation of stakeholders in the various meetings organized as part of the project "Moving for Maternal, Newborn and Child Evidence into Policy in West Africa".Methods: A gender analysis was conducted using data drawn from the attendance lists at the various meetings organized during the project implementation. Results: This analysis showed that women were under-represented in the various meetings organized by the project, but that their profile was not different from that of men. There was a higher proportion of women among the decision-makers during the engagement, dialogue workshops and at the international workshops without significant difference. Nevertheless, in the training workshops, there was a low proportion of women among the decision-makers with statistical significant difference. Conclusion: The women participating in the regional platform meeting have the same profile as men in terms of decision-making power. An inequitable participation of women in the health research meetings in West Africa noted in this analysis need to be addressed in the future by the application of some innovative approaches including women as part of the organizers or by the introduction of quotas.
Effect of Tripterine on the pharmacokinetics of cyclosporine A and its mechanism, in rats
Authors: 周 锦屏 , ZHANG RUI , Yang Tingyu , Wei Ye , Yang Chunxiao , Zhou Jiali , Guo Pengpeng , Shi Shaojun , LIU YANI , Huang Xixi 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Tripterine is one of the main active components in tripterygium wilfordii polyglycosides tablets. Cyclosporine A (CsA) is an immunosuppressive agent commonly used in clinical organ transplantation. Combined application of Tripterygium wilfordii and cyclosporine A has been proved to enhance the immunosuppressive effect of cyclosporine and reduce its toxic effects. The present study investigated the effect of tripterine on the pharmacokinetics of CsA and its underlying mechanisms.LC-MS/MS was used to establish a detection method of the concentration of CsA in rat blood. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and Western Blot (WB) were used to determine the expression of tripterine on drug metabolizing enzymes (DMEs), drug transporters (DTs) and nuclear receptors (NRs). As the result, tripterine reduced the bioavailability of cyclosporin A. Compared with control group, the Cmax of CsA were reduced in all dosages of tripterine, and the AUC was significantly decreased in 18 mg∙kg-1 and 54mg∙kg-1 group. The results of PCR and WB showed that tripterine had inhibitory effects on CYP3A1, CYP3A2, UGT1A1, OATP1B2, P-GP, MRP2, BCRP, BSEP and NTCP. Therefore, we put forward that the inhibition effect of tripterine on NTCP, BESP and OATP1B2 in the liver could limit the uptake of cyclosporin A into the blood and the hepatointestinal circulation of cyclosporine A, resulting in the decrease of blood drug concentration of cyclosporin A.
Development of a Blended Learning System for Nurses to Learn the Basics of Psychoeducation for Patients with Mental Disorders
Authors: Matsuda Mitsunobu , Kohno Ayumi 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background

Psychoeducation should be practiced by various professionals. However, many Japanese psychiatric nurses recognize that psychoeducation should be practiced by other professionals, and show passive attitudes toward learning about evidence-based practices (EBPs), including psychoeducation. We developed a psychoeducation practitioner training program (PPTP) to nurture nurses. However, the PPTP was shown to be ineffective to help nurses achieve psychoeducation skills, although it improved their knowledge of psychoeducation and views on EBP. We developed and evaluated a revised version of the PPTP, integrating blended learning that combines e-learning and group education (BL-PPTP), to nurture nurses’ competencies to practice psychoeducation for patients with mental disorders. We trained nurses working on acute psychiatric care wards of Japanese hospitals using BL-PPTP, and compared their attitudes for evidence-based practices (EBP attitudes), preparedness for psychoeducational practice, and self-efficacy at 4 points to clarify time-course changes in each participant.
Results

Sixty-nine nurses participated, 31 withdrew, and 38 were analyzed. The time needed to complete BL-PPTP ranged from 31 to 259 days, revealing a marked individual difference. There were significant improvements in most participants’ EBP attitudes and preparedness for psychoeducational practice at the end of the program compared with the baseline.
Conclusions

BL-PPTP may be useful to nurture nurses’ competencies to practice psychoeducation. BL-PPTP developed in the present study may also help disseminate psychoeducation among nurses, and increase the quality of nursing care.
Lin28A Promotes the Amplification and Cancer Stemness of Lung Cancer Cells Via Activating MAPK Pathway Dependent on Let-7c Functions
Authors: Zhang Rui , Liu Pengpeng , Zhang Xiao , Ye Yingnan , Yu Jinpu 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background: Metastasis and relapse of lung cancer are the main cause of disease-related deaths. It’s reported that tumor metastasis and relapse originated from cancer stem cells (CSCs) which possess more potential in proliferation and invasion. In our previous studies, we established a conditional BME-based three-dimensional culture (3D culture) system to mimic the growth environment in vivo and further amplified lung cancer stem cells (LCSCs) in our system. However, the molecular mechanisms of the amplification and development of LCSCs in our 3D culture system are still not very clear. Methods: We tested the expression of Lin28 and let7 by western blot and qPCR, and constructed A549 cells either knockdown of Lin28 or overexpression of let7, followed by investigating the expression of stemness markers by flow cytometry and qPCR, and stem cell like phenotypes including cell proliferation, colony formation, mammosphere culture, cell apoptosis, migration, invasion and drug resistance in vitro, as well as tumorigenicity in vivo. Results: Here we observed Lin28A/let-7c was dysregulated in LCSCs both from the 3D culture system and from lung cancer tissues. Further, the abnormal expression of Lin28A/let-7c was correlated with poor survival outcomes. We found over-expression let-7c inhibited the maintenance of LCSC properties, while the results for knockdown of Lin28A showed Lin28A was critical for the enrichment and amplification of LCSCs via MAPK signaling pathway. Importantly, we found that either knockdown of Lin28A or over-expression of let-7c inhibited carcinogenesis and disrupted LCSC expansion in vivo. Conclusions: Our study uncovered the functions and mechanisms of the "Lin28A/let-7c/MAPK" signaling pathway in promoting the amplification and cancer stemness of LCSCs, which might be a potential therapeutic target for lung cancer therapy by reducing and even eliminating LCSCs in the future.