bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A Novel Narrative E-Writing Intervention (NeW-I) for Parents of Children with Chronic Life-Threatening Illnesses: Protocol for an Open-Label Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Ho Andy Hau Yan , Dutta Oindrila , Tan-Ho Geraldine , Tan Toh Hsiang Benny , Xinyi Casuarine Low , Ganapathy Sashikumar , Ang Lee Beng , Car Josip , Ho Ringo Moon-Ho , Miao Chun Yan 
Published: October 2019

Abstract
Background: Conventionally, psycho-socio-spiritual interventions for parents of children with chronic life-threatening illness begin post child loss. Pre-loss interventions addressing anticipatory grief can improve holistic well-being and grief outcomes among family caregivers of dying patients. Globally, palliative care strives to holistically support patients and their caregivers at the end-of-life. However, inadequacies exist both globally and in Singapore in providing culturally sensitive psycho-socio-spiritual support to parents whose children need pediatric palliative services.
Aim: A novel evidence-based Narrative e-Writing Intervention (NeW-I) is developed to address this gap. NeW-I is a strength-focused, meaning-oriented and therapist-facilitated mobile app and web-based counseling platform that aims to enhance quality of life, spiritual well-being, hope and perceived social support, and reduce depressive symptoms, caregiver burden and risk of complicated grief among parents facing their child’s chronic life-threatening illness.
Methods: The design of NeW-I is informed by an international systematic review and a Singapore-based qualitative inquiry on the lived experience of bereaved parents of children with chronic life-threatening illness. The online NeW-I platform and the relative anonymity it offers to participants is sensitive to the unique cultural needs of Asian family caregivers who are uncomfortable with emotional expression even during times of loss and separation. Together with four local pediatric palliative care providers, NeW-I is implemented in Singapore as an open-label pilot randomized controlled trial with 72 parents. Potential effectiveness of NeW-I and accessibility and feasibility of implementing and delivering the intervention are assessed.
Discussion: NeW-I aspires to improve psycho-socio-spiritual well-being of parents facing their child’s chronic life-threatening illness through a structured cyber-counseling platform, thereby enhancing holistic pediatric palliative care and parental bereavement support services. Findings from this pilot study will inform the development of a standardized NeW-I protocol and further research to evaluate the efficacy of NeW-I in Singapore and in other Asian communities around the world.
Comparison between Natural Drainage Group and Negative Drainage Group after Cervical Laminoplasty: A retrospective STROBE-compliant cohort study
Authors: Guan Fulin , Yin Hongna , Zhu Lin , Zhang Zhizhuang , Gao Qichang , Shao Tuo , Tang Weilong , Guan Guofa , Chen Ming , Chi Zhiyong , Gu Jiaao , Yu Zhange 
Published: October 2019

Abstract
Background. A retrospective study was conducted to compare natural drainage and negative drainage after cervical laminoplasty. Methods. 593 patients who underwent laminoplasty between January 2011 and December 2017 were engaged in this analysis. We investigated the patients’ basic characteristics, drainage characteristics and postoperative complications.Results. During the first 24 hours after laminoplasty, the drainage volume in the negative pressure drainage group was 175.69±92.02 mL, and the drainage volume in the natural drainage group was 133.33±92.40 mL. The drainage volume showed significant difference (p<0.01) between the two groups. The total drainage volume was 361.37±163.31mL and 250.16±27.44mL in the negative pressure drainage group and natural drainage group respectively. The total drainage volume between the two groups was statistically different (p=0.03). The postoperative Hb was significantly different between the natural group and negative group on the first day after the operation (108.37±23.92 mL vs. 76.33±21.25 mL, p=0.01). The number of patients required blood transfusion showed significantly different between the two groups as well (p<0.01). 3 out of which occurred symptomatic epidural hematoma (SEH) after laminoplaty. However, the occurrence of SEH among the two groups was not different significantly. 15 patients occurred surgical site infection (SSI). Of these 15 patients, 9 patients applied natural drainage and 6 patients applied negative drainage. The rate of SSI was similar between the two groups (P=0.83).Conclusion. The initial 24 hours’ drainage volume and the total drainage volume increased significantly in the negative pressure drainage group. The postoperative Hb was lower in the negative group than the natural drainage group the first postoperative day. More patients needed blood transfusion if negative drainage were performed. The application of negative drainage cannot decrease the incidence of SSI and SEH after laminoplasty. Natural drainage is recommended in the laminoplasty.
24-month clinical, immuno-virological outcomes and HIV status disclosure in adolescents living with perinatally-acquired HIV in the COHADO cohort, in Togo and Côte d’Ivoire, 2015-2017
Authors: Revegue Marc Harris Dassi Tchoupa , Takassi Elom , Eboua François Tanoh , Desmonde Sophie , Amoussou-Bouah Ursula Belinda , Bakai Tchaa Abalo , Jesson Julie , Dahourou Désiré Lucien , Malateste Karen , Raynaud Jean-Philippe , Arrivé Elise , Leroy Valériane 
Published: October 2019

Abstract
Background: Adolescents living with perinatally-acquired HIV (APHIV) face challenges including timely disclosure of their HIV-serostatus that was explored in the West-African COHADO cohort. We assessed the 24-month outcomes in COHADO, among APHIV in relation to the disclosure of their own HIV-serostatus.Methods: Nested within the International epidemiologic Database to Evaluate AIDS pediatric West African prospective cohort (IeDEA pWADA), the COHADO cohort included antiretroviral (ART)-treated APHIV aged 10–19 years, enrolled in HIV-care <10 years, in Abidjan (Côte d’Ivoire) and Lomé (Togo) in 2015. A favorable 24-month outcome was defined when combining being retained in care, without progression to WHO-AIDS stage, with CD4 cell count > baseline CD4 (± 10%) and with virological suppression (viral load [VL] <50 copies/mL). We investigated correlates of APHIV favorable 24-month outcome using multivariate logistic regression. Results: Overall, 209 APHIV were included, 51.6% in Abidjan, 54.5% were females. At inclusion, median CD4 cell count was 521/mm3 (IQR[281-757]); only 29.6% had a VL measurement of whom 3.2% in virological suppression. APHIV were younger in Lomé (median age: 12 years (interquartile range [IQR]:11-15) compared to Abidjan (14 years (IQR:12-15, p=0.01). Full HIV-disclosure increased from 41.6% at inclusion to 74.1% after 24 months. After 24 months of follow-up, 6 (2.9%) died, 8 (3.8%) were lost to follow-up, 4 (1.9%) were transferred out. Overall, 73.7% did not progress to WHO-AIDS stage, 62.7% had CD4 count above (± 10%) of the baseline value (48.6% in Abidjan versus 69.0% in Lomé, p<0.001). Among the 83.7% with VL measurements, 48.8% were in virological suppression (Abidjan: 45.4%, Lomé: 52.5%, p<0.01). The 24-month combined outcome was favorable for 45% (29.6% in Abidjan and 61.4% in Lomé, p<0.01). Adjusted on sex, age, a 24-month favorable outcome was not associated with HIV-disclosure status but was significantly higher for APHIV living in Lomé compared to those living Abidjan (adjusted odds ratio =4.41, 95%CI:2.29-8.50). Conclusions: 24-month favorable outcome rates were low among West-African APHIV and differed accross countries. HIV-disclosure frequency improved over time but remained low. Context-specific responses are urgently needed to improve adolescent’s care to reach the UNAIDS 90% target of virological success for those on ART.
Climate change impacts on extreme rainfall frequency prediction
Authors: Alahmadi Fahad S. , Rahman Norhan Abd 
Published: October 2019

Abstract
The full integration between the computation of climate change effects and the prediction of extreme rainfall frequency is not yet well developed. In this study, the maximum daily rainfall of 26 stations in the western Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) are extracted covering an area of 180,000 km2 for processing and analyzing. Discordancy test (Di) showed that some stations are discordant, and the selected study area needs to be subdivided in order to reduce the inherent discordance. The rainfall stations are subdivided into three sub-regions based on a new approach by using L-Skewness parameter value (low, moderate, and high). Five probability distribution functions (PDFs) are evaluated using goodness of fit (Zdist) test and L-moment ratios diagram (LMRD). It was found that for sub-regions A, B, and C, the best fits are generalized Pareto (GPA), Pearson type III (PE3) and generalized extreme value (GEV) PDFs, respectively. Regional growth curves for each sub-region are developed and the predicted extreme rainfall for 100 years' return periods are computed for each station. Finally, climate change impact is evaluated using the emission scenario A2 which is about +40% and the predicted extreme rainfall frequency is computed taking into consideration the climate change impacts.
Power law distribution characteristics of daily streamflow in the Yellow River Basin under a changing environment
Authors: Wang Xiu-Jie , Yuan Pei-Xian , Yuan Xi-Min , Tian Fu-Chang , Chen Xing-tong 
Published: October 2019

Abstract
Natural streamflow series usually exhibit a power law tail with a magnitude–frequency relationship; however, it is not known how the power law distribution of daily streamflow varies under the influence of climate change and human activities. Based on the annual streamflow series of Toudaoguai, Longmen, Sanmenxia, Huayuankou, Gaocun, and Lijin stations located in the Yellow River in China, the Mann–Kendall and Mann–Whitney–Pettitt methods were used to identify change-points. Thereafter, the power law distributions of the daily streamflow series before and after abrupt changes were studied based on the two-parameter power law distribution method. The results reveal that, firstly, under the influence of human activities, abrupt changes have taken place in the streamflow series of the Yellow River, mainly in the storage year of large reservoirs. Secondly, the daily streamflow series at four out of six stations obey a power law distribution, however, with short tails. The power law characteristics of the series before the abrupt change are essentially consistent with the entire streamflow series; however, these characteristics gradually disappear after abrupt changes. Thirdly, human activities are the main factors underlying the variations in the power law distribution of daily streamflow in different periods. This study provides a way for the study of streamflow changes in the Yellow River and may also offer a scientific basis for water resources development and ecological restoration.
Occurrence and molecular characterization of Torque teno virus (TTV) in a wastewater treatment plant in Tehran
Authors: Tavakoli Nick Shadi , Mohebbi Seyed Reza , Hosseini Seyed Masoud , Mirjalali Hamed , Alebouyeh Masoud 
Published: October 2019

Abstract
Torque teno virus (TTV) is a single-stranded DNA virus which is predominantly transmitted by the fecal–oral route and may be excreted in the absence of the clinical symptoms. TTV was previously considered a probable cause of hepatitis, but further studies could not strongly connect TTV to any serious health problem. TTV is highly resistant to water and wastewater treatment processes and can be a useful indicator for determining the fecal contamination of water. The purpose of the present study was to assess the prevalence and molecular characterization of TTV in treated wastewater in Tehran. Thirteen effluent samples were collected monthly from the biggest wastewater treatment plant in Tehran, Iran (from September 2017 to August 2018). The presence of the TTV was monitored in the samples by the nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method. The TTV genome was found in 76.9% of the samples, and TTV of groups 1 and 3 were determined using phylogenetic analysis. Therefore, treated wastewater can play a key role in the transmission of TTV and the usage of treated wastewater as a source of potable water needs to be carefully controlled.
Pecularities of M&A Process in Emerging Markets: Evidence from Russia and China
Authors: Ovchinnikova L. S. 
Published: October 2019

Emerging markets remain attractive for foreign investors due to their rapid economic growth rates and possibilities for profit-making. One of the methods to make investments into foreign countries are the M&A deals. The article discusses the M&A markets of China and Russia as the key representatives of emerging markets. In the article condition and development dynamics are analyzed. The author exposes main investor and deal types and key sectors that are the most attractive for participants of M&A deals. The article also reveals features of M&A deals realizations and legislative limitations for such deals in Russia and China. The author makes comparison between Chinese and Russian M&A markets and draws conclusion that M&A markets of these countries have much in common because of institutional peculiarities expressed in excessive government interference and imperfect legislation. At the same time the author outlines that Chinese M&A market surpasses the Russian one, that is connected with the economic development level and dynamics of the key macroeconomic indicators of China that also outstrip the Russian ones.
Lopinavir Loaded Spray Dried Liposomes with Penetration Enhancers for Cytotoxic Activity
Authors: Maniyar Mithun , Chandak Ashok , Kokare Chandrakant 
Published: October 2019

Objective:
HIV protease inhibitors (HIV-PI) are the drugs utilized for the treatment of
HIV. However, their effectiveness is limited due to lack of bioavailability and they need to be coadministered
with another drug. In this study single lopinavir (LPV) loaded phospholipid vesicles
were prepared by the spray-drying method. The LPV-loaded spray-dried powder (L-SDP) was
transformed into vesicles and then entrapped in a cream base with peppermint and olive oil.

Method:
It is an Attenuated Total Reflectance Fourier Transform Infrared (ATR-FTIR) membrane
fluidity study that is used to predict oil’s effect on skin. The central composite design was used to
optimize the L-SDP cream formulation. Ex-vivo drug release, skin deposition study, and cell proliferation
assays were carried out using cancer cell lines of breast, lung, and skin melanoma.
Analysis of DNA by flow cytometry on human breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231 was carried
out. The fluorescence microscopy, histopathological study, and in-vivo bioavailability studies
were performed to measure the penetration and inertness of cream in animals.

Results:
A membrane fluidity study revealed the effectiveness of oils as penetration enhancers.
The L-SDP cream showed comparatively superior (%) drug deposition and permeability . Fluorescence
images further confirm the penetration ability of the L-SDP cream which showed promising
antiproliferative action on breast and lung cancer cells. The histopathological study demonstrates
the inertness of cream while in-vivo bioavailability studies showed the many-fold increase
in bioavailability of LPV.

Conclusions:
The liposomal drug delivery system of LPV has the potential to expose skin to systemic
circulation and is useful for treating cancer.
Pengembangan Modul Radiator Trainer untuk Meningkatkan Hasil Belajar Mahasiswa Jurusan Teknik Mesin UNESA
Authors: Ariyanto Sudirman Rizki , Arsana I Made , Ulum Riyadlul 
Published: October 2019

This study aims to develop modules as a learning media to facilitate the students in their learning of heat transfer. The study also tries to obtain an overview of the developed modules’ feasibility. This is development research which aim is to produce a learning module. This module was tested in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Surabaya State University. Fifteen students were randomly selected as respondents. The stages carried out in the development of this module comprise of the following phases: defining, designing, and development. Analysis of the data obtained from students’ learning outcome after attending the study using the "Radiator Trainer Heat Transfer Module" shows an increased performance. The post-test proofed that there is an increase in students’ marks compared to the pre-test outcome. The average of the increment is 93% of all students. Penelitian ini bertujuan menghasilkan perangkat pembelajaran berupa modul yang berguna untuk mempermudah mahasiswa dalam mempelajari ilmu perpindahan panas. Selain itu, kajian ini memperoleh gambaran tentang kelayakan modul yang dikembangkan. Penelitian ini merupakan penelitian pengembangan yang bertujuan untuk menghasilkan sebuah modul pembelajaran. Uji coba modul ini dilakukan di Jurusan Teknik Mesin, Universitas Negeri Surabaya. Responden penelitian sejumlah 15 mahasiswa yang dipilih secara acak. Tahap-tahap yang dilakukan dalam pengembangan modul ini meliputi tahap pendefinisian, tahap perancangan dan tahap pengembangan. Berdasarkan analisis data yang diperoleh hasil belajar mahasiswa setelah mengikuti pembelajaran dengan menggunakan “Modul Perpindahan Panas Radiator Trainer” menjadi lebih meningkat, terbukti dari hasil perbandingan pre-test dan post-test terjadi peningkatan dengan nilai rata-rata sebesar 93% dari seluruh mahasiswa.
Evaluation of a Custom-Developed Computer Game to Improve Executive Functioning in 4- to 6-Year-Old Children Exposed to Alcohol in Utero: Protocol for a Feasibility Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Louw Jacobus Gidion , Olivier Leana , Skeen Sarah , van Heerden Alastair , Tomlinson Mark 
Published: October 2019

Background
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) is one of the most common causes of preventable intellectual disability, and the key associated deficits are in executive function (EF). Aspects of EF can be improved using cognitive training interventions. The highest prevalence of FASD globally (at a rate of 135.1 per 1000) has been found in a South African population in the Western Cape province. There is a shortage of specialized health service personnel, and there are limited remedial services. Computer-based cognitive training, if age and culturally appropriate, could be an effective way to provide the interventions with minimal need for skilled personnel and other resources. The Foundation for Alcohol Related Research has developed such a program for the South African context.

Objective
This protocol aimed to evaluate whether it is feasible to use computerized cognitive training in a resource-poor context to improve cognitive function in children exposed to alcohol in utero.

Methods
We are conducting a randomized controlled trial in the Saldanha Bay Municipal area, evaluating a custom-developed cognitive training program to improve the cognitive function of children aged between 4 and 6 years who were exposed to alcohol in the prenatal stage. Participants will be recruited from local Early Childhood Development centers. Community workers will interview biological mothers to identify alcohol-exposed pregnancies. Alcohol-exposed children will be randomized into an intervention or a control group of 40 participants each using block randomization. A group of 40 children not exposed to alcohol will be included in a normative group using individual randomization. The intervention group will play the game for 6 months (40 sessions). Normative and control groups will receive no intervention. Neurodevelopmental assessments will be done at baseline and upon completion of the study with all participants.

Results
The intervention has started, and all baseline assessments have been done at the time of submission.

Conclusions
This study will provide insight into whether computerized cognitive training is viable and effective in the South African context. It has the potential to provide a means of intervention globally and in other resource-poor context and expand the knowledge base regarding executive functioning and FASD. This paper presents the research protocol and intervention design of the study.

Trial Registration
ISRCTN Registry ISRCTN17244156; http://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN17244156.

International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)
DERR1-10.2196/14489
Transformation of Universities and Think Tanks Based in the Asian Countries
Authors: Колдунова Екатерина , Koldunova Ekaterina 
Published: October 2019

The paper is a comparative study of the interconnection between the economic growth of Asia (especially its Pacific part) and the fast-paced growth of a number of Asian universities and think tanks amidst the overall process of developing science and education in Asia. It describes the unparalleled success of Japan, Singapore, South Korea and China from the point of view of their leading universities included in the top global rankings (which, from a formal point of view, is reflected in their top positions in the three major world university rankings), and general and specific issues of their today’s development.
The quantitative and qualitative data included in the paper prove two main points. First, there is a significant differentiation between the Asian countries in terms of creating excellent universities, which, apparently, will have a long-term impact on the overall development of these countries. Second, even those Asian countries that have already achieved success in developing their own universities will soon face new challenges related to the exhaustion of the export-focused model of economic growth and the onset of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.