bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Technical auditing of water supply systems – part 1: the complex methodology
Authors: Tuhovčák Ladislav , Kučera Tomáš , Sucháček Tomáš 
Published: March 2018

Abstract
To ensure the sustainability and reliability of water supply infrastructure, a basic pre-condition must be applied related to its continual renewal. For renewal planning, there are a number of methods, techniques and software tools for decision-support, but in many cases most of them focus only on water mains. However, water supply systems consist of more various parts and structures than simply water pipes. Therefore, it is not appropriate to invest in renewal planning for a single part of the water supply infrastructure only. An effective and detailed evaluation of the technical condition requires the deployment of specialists and a reliable database, as well as considerable amounts of time, instrumentation and software. Therefore, it is preferable to first perform a rapid and efficient preliminary identification of problematic areas and elements of the entire water supply system. This paper presents the methodology and Technical and Energy Audit (TEA Water), as well as an effective preliminary assessment of the technical condition of water supply systems (WSSs). The paper presents the structure of proposed technical indicators, the method of their determination and evaluation, as well as including a presentation of case studies.
Activity corrections are required for accurate anaerobic digestion modelling
Authors: Patón Mauricio , González-Cabaleiro Rebeca , Rodríguez Jorge 
Published: March 2018

Abstract
The impact on the prediction of key process variables in anaerobic digestion (AD) when activity corrections are neglected (e.g. when ideal solution is assumed) is evaluated in this paper. The magnitude of deviations incurred in key variables was quantified using a generalised physicochemistry modelling framework that incorporates activity corrections. Deviations incurred on the intermediate and partial alkalinity ratio (a key control variable in AD) already reach values over 20% in typical AD scenarios at low ionic strengths. Deviations of moderate importance (∼5%) in free ammonia, hydrogen sulfide inhibition, as well as in the biogas composition, were observed. Those errors become very large for components involving multiple deprotonations, such as inorganic phosphorus, and their magnitude (∼40%) would impede proper precipitation modelling. A dynamic AD case simulation involving a series of overloads showed model underpredictions of the process acidification when activity corrections are neglected. This compromises control actions based on such models. Based on these results, a systematic incorporation of activity corrections in AD models is strongly recommended. This will prevent model overfitting to observations related to inaccurate physicochemistry modelling, at a marginal computational cost. Alternatives for these implementations are also discussed.
The Impact of Post-Genomics Approaches in Neurodegenerative Demyelinating Diseases: The Case of Guillain-Barré Syndrome
Authors: Villar Margarita , Mateos-Hernandez Lourdes , de la Fuente Jose 
Published: March 2018

Background:
Why an autoimmune disease that is the main cause of the acute neuromuscular
paralysis worldwide does not have a well-characterized cause or an effective treatment yet? The existence
of different clinical variants for the Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) coupled with the fact that a
high number of pathogens can cause an infection that sometimes, but not always, precedes the development
of the syndrome, confers a high degree of uncertainty for both prognosis and treatment. In the
post-genomic era, the development of omics technologies for the high-throughput analysis of biological
molecules is allowing the characterization of biological systems in a degree of depth unimaginable before.
In this context, this work summarizes the application of post-genomics technologies to the study
of GBS.

Methods:
We performed a structured search of bibliographic databases for peer-reviewed research literature
to outline the state of the art with regard the application of post-genomics technologies to the
study of GBS. The quality of retrieved papers was assessed using standard tools and thirty-four were
included in the review. To date, transcriptomics and proteomics have been the unique post-genomics
approaches applied to GBS study. Most of these studies have been performed on cerebrospinal fluid
samples and only a few studies have been conducted with other samples such as serum, Schwann cells
and human peripheral nerve.

Results and Conclusion:
In the post-genomics era, transcriptomics and proteomics have shown the
possibilities that omics technologies can offer for a better understanding of the immunological and
pathological mechanisms involved in GBS and the identification of potential biomarkers, but these results
have only shown the tip of the iceberg and there is still a long way to exploit the full potential that
post-genomics approaches could offer to the study of the GBS. The integration of different omics
datasets through a systems biology approach could allow network-based analyses to describe the complexity
and functionality of the molecular mechanisms involved in the course of disease facilitating the
discovery of novel biomarkers that could be used to improve the diagnosis, predict the disease progression,
improve our understanding of the pathology, and serve as therapeutic targets for GBS.
Effects of Molecular Hydrogen Assessed by an Animal Model and a Randomized Clinical Study on Mild Cognitive Impairment
Authors: Nishimaki Kiyomi , Asada Takashi , Ohsawa Ikuroh , Nakajima Etsuko , Ikejima Chiaki , Yokota Takashi , Kamimura Naomi , Ohta Shigeo 
Published: March 2018

Background:
Oxidative stress is one of the causative factors in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative
diseases including mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia. We previously reported
that molecular hydrogen (H2) acts as a therapeutic and preventive antioxidant.

Objective:
We assess the effects of drinking H2-water (water infused with H2) on oxidative stress model
mice and subjects with MCI.

Methods:
Transgenic mice expressing a dominant-negative form of aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 were
used as a dementia model. The mice with enhanced oxidative stress were allowed to drink H2-water. For
a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical study, 73 subjects with MCI drank ~300 mL of
H2-water (H2-group) or placebo water (control group) per day, and the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment
Scale-cognitive subscale (ADAS-cog) scores were determined after 1 year.

Results:
In mice, drinking H2-water decreased oxidative stress markers and suppressed the decline of
memory impairment and neurodegeneration. Moreover, the mean lifespan in the H2-water group was
longer than that of the control group. In MCI subjects, although there was no significant difference between
the H2- and control groups in ADAS-cog score after 1 year, carriers of the apolipoprotein E4
(APOE4) genotype in the H2-group were improved significantly on total ADAS-cog score and word recall
task score (one of the sub-scores in the ADAS-cog score).

Conclusion:
H2-water may have a potential for suppressing dementia in an oxidative stress model and in
the APOE4 carriers with MCI.
The Correlations between Postmortem Brain Pathologies and Cognitive Dysfunction in Aging and Alzheimer's Disease
Authors: Qiu Wen-Ying , Yang Qian , Zhang Wanying , Wang Naili , Zhang Di , Huang Yue , Ma Chao 
Published: March 2018

Background:
The pathological diagnostic criteria for Alzheimer's disease (AD) updated by
the National Institute on Aging-Alzheimer's Association (NIA-AA) in 2012 has been widely adopted,
but the clinicopathological relevance remained obscure in Chinese population.

Objective:
This study aims to investigate the correlations between the antemortem clinical cognitive performances
and the postmortem neuropathological changes in the aging and AD brains collected in a human
brain bank in China.

Method:
A total of 52 human brains with antemortem cognitive status information [Everyday Cognition
(ECog)] were collected through the willed donation program by CAMS/PUMC Human Brain Bank.
Pathological changes were evaluated with the “ABC” score following the guidelines of NIA-AA. The
clinicopathological relationship was analyzed with correlation analysis and general linear multivariate
model.

Results:
The general ABC score has a significant correlation with global ECog score (r=0.37, p=0.014)
and most of ECog domains. The CERAD score of neuritic plaques (C score) has a significant correlation
with global ECog score (r=0.40, p=0.007) and the majority of ECog domains, such as memory (r=0.50,
p=0.001), language (r=0.45, p=0.002), visuospatial functions (r=0.31, p=0.040), planning (r=0.35,
p=0.021) and organization (r=0.39, p=0.010). The Braak stage of neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) (B
score) has a moderate correlation with memory (r=0.32, p=0.035). The Thal phases of amyloid-β (Aβ)
deposits (A score) present no significant correlation with any of ECog domains.

Conclusion:
In this study, we verified the correlation of postmortem C and B scores, but not the A score
with cognition performance in a collection of samples from the Chinese human brain bank.
KONSEP ILMU PENGETAHUAN SYED HUSSEIN NASHR: SUATU TELAAH RELASI SAINS DAN AGAMA
Authors: Hidayatullah Syarif 
Published: March 2018

Syed Hussein Nashr is one of the leading scholars in the field of science and religion relations, especially in Islamic world. A study on Nashr’s thought in this field is an important and necessary effort to understand one of the aspects that contribute particualrly to the development of sciences in the Islamic world, and in the Western world generally. The article aims to understand (1) Syed Hussein Nashr’s concept on science? And (2) the relevance of Nashr’s concept on science to the development of discourses in science and religion? This study focuses on Nashr’sconcept on science and its relevance to the development of the science and religion discourse. This study deploys a framework of philosophy of science, while applying descriptive and analitycal methodological approach. This study finds that: first, Nashr’s concept on science bases it self on the principle of unity, that is a concept of one-ness and inter-relationship of all beings, which allows integration of knowledge and action of human being into harmony. Nashr offers idea of sacred knowledge (scientia sacra) to allow the sacred values embeded in Islamic teaching to spiritualize modern sciences which are developed in the Western world. Secondly, Nashr was the first Muslim scholar who wrote a comprehensive work about history of science in Islam. His influence is attributed to his contribution to the dicsussion of science and to a grand narrative, namely, Islamization of knowledge or Islamic science, that had become a major scholarly debate among Muslim scholars.
Riesgo de pie diabético y déficit de autocuidados en pacientes con Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 2
Authors: Couselo Fernández I. , Rumbo-Prieto J.M. 
Published: March 2018

Objetivo: Conocer los factores de riesgo de pie diabético y el nivel de conocimientos sobre autocuidados en una muestra de pacientes con diabetes mellitus tipo 2 (DM2), de un centro de salud urbano.
Método: Estudio observacional descriptivo en Atención Primaria. Intervención de enfermería relacionada con pie diabético en una muestra de usuarios diagnosticados de DM2. Recogida de datos de historia clínica, valoración clínica y aplicación de un cuestionario ad hoc sobre factores de riesgo y conocimiento de autocuidados. Análisis estadístico descriptivo e inferencial.
Resultados: 42 hombres y 31 mujeres. Media de edad de 69.1 años. El 65.8% fueron diagnosticados de DM2 hace más de 10 años. El valor medio de la HbA1c fue de 6.9%, el cual fue más elevado en los hombres (p=0.02). También, se observó mayor riesgo de complicaciones vasculares y neuropáticas en los hombres (p=0.04); y una mayor presencia de deformidades (helomas y hallux valgus) en las mujeres (p<0.01). Déficit de conocimientos en más de la mitad de los pacientes, relacionado con la hidratación diaria de los pies (p<0.01) y el uso de calzado adecuado (p<0.01).
Conclusiones: El control de los factores de riesgo de pie diabético debe ser mejorado por parte de los pacientes de nuestro estudio. El déficit de conocimientos se relacionó con un bajo nivel informativo y con la aplicación inadecuada de las recomendaciones. Se hace necesario formar a los pacientes en estos aspectos y realizar una valoración clínica, según la práctica basada en la evidencia, lo que posiblemente influya en un mejor control del riesgo de pie diabético.
Automanejo en diabetes mellitus tipo 2 desde un enfoque de género: revisión integrativa
Authors: Mendoza-Catalán G. , Chaparro-Díaz L. , Gallegos-Cabriales E. , Carreno-Moreno S. 
Published: March 2018

<p><em>Objetivo:</em> identificar las diferencias en el automanejo de la DMT2 bajo un enfoque de género. <em>Metodología:</em> Se realizó una Revisión Integrativa en diferentes bases de datos de las cuales 24 artículos cumplieron con los criterios de inclusión para esta investigación, 13 artículos cuantitativos y 11 cualitativos, la mayoría de los estudios fueron realizados en Estados Unidos y Canadá. <em>Resultados:</em> De acuerdo a los hallazgos, las mujeres cumplen mejor con la alimentación y la toma de medicamentos, presentan menor apoyo social, mayores problemas psicológicos, y la religión, oración, la fe y la espiritualidad son un mecanismo positivo para el manejo de su enfermedad. Mientras que los hombres, cumplen mejor con la actividad física, presentan menor conocimiento, mayor consumo de alcohol y tabaco, y reciben mayor apoyo social. Sin embargo, el trabajo y la ausencia de síntomas graves son una barrera para el automanejo. <em>Conclusiones:</em> Existen diferencias entre hombres y mujeres en relación al automanejo, mismas que permiten al personal de enfermería orientar intervenciones bajo un enfoque de género, basado en las necesidades particulares que presentan los hombres y mujeres. Por una parte, las mujeres requieren mejorar el ejercicio y mayor apoyo social, psicológico y espiritual. Los hombres muestran dificultades para cumplir con la alimentación y la toma de medicamentos. </p>
Relationship between Real Exchange Rate and Economic Growth: the case of South Africa
Authors: Patel Deeviya , Mah Gisele 
Published: March 2018

The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between real exchange rate and economic growth in South Africa. Using time series data, the period from 1980 to 2015 was covered in the study. Data was collected from the South African Reserve Bank, the International Monetary Fund and International Financial Statistics. The Johansen cointegration and the Vector Error Correction Model estimation techniques were employed in the study, followed by VEC Granger causality test, variance decomposition and impulse response function. The long-run results revealed a negative and significant relationship between real exchange rate with export and economic growth. On the other hand, money supply and foreign direct investment have a positive and significant relationship with real exchange rate. Only export was significant and positively related to real exchange rate in the short-run. Results of granger causality showed that only export granger causes real exchange rate thus, a unidirectional causality exists between export and real exchange rate. Results of variance decomposition revealed that the real exchange rate is highly affected by shocks from economic growth. The impulse response functions showed that real exchange rate responds positively to shocks from real exchange rate and money supply. On the contrary, real exchange rate responds negatively to a shock from economic growth. There is, therefore, a need to increase exports, money supply, foreign direct investment and economic growth as these would lead to an increase in the Rand and consequently, appreciation of the Rand.
Capital Structure and The Profitability of Listed Retail Firms
Authors: Kasozi Jason Stephen 
Published: March 2018

The South African retail sector continues to experience a decline in sales and returns amidst growing external competition and a drop in consumer confidence stemming from the recent credit downgrades in the country. Yet, firms in this sector appear to maintain high debt to equity levels. This study investigated whether the capital structure practices of these firms influence their profitability. A Panel data methodology, using three regression estimators, is applied to a balanced sample of 16 retail firms listed on the Johannesburg Securities Exchange (JSE) during the period 2008-2016. The analysis estimates functions relating capital structure composition with the return on assets (ROA). Results reveal a statistically significant but negative relationship between all measures of debt (short-term, long-term, total debt) with profitability, suggesting a possible inclination towards the pecking order theory of financing behaviour, for listed retail firms. Additionally, retail firms are highly leveraged yet over 75% of this debt is short-term in nature. Policy interventions need to investigate the current restrictions on long-term debt financing which offers longerterm and affordable financing, to boost returns. While this study’s methodology differs slightly from earlier studies, it incorporates vital aspects from these studies, and simultaneously specifies a possible model fit. This helps to capture unique but salient characteristics like the transitional effects of debt financing on firm profitability. It therefore delivers some unique findings on the financing behaviour of retail firms that both in form policy change, while stimulating further research on the phenomenon.
The Merit of the DATA Act to Enhance the Governmental Reporting Process: A Corporate Governance Perspective
Authors: Errichetti Jacob , Roohani Saeed J. 
Published: March 2018

ABSTRACT
This paper utilizes corporate governance concepts to assess the merit of the Digital Accountability and Transparency Act of 2014 (DATA Act). The paper first compares the information flows seen in a corporate context to those seen in a governmental reporting context. The paper then utilizes agency theory to establish a conceptual link between the two reporting processes. This conceptual link is used to identify common goals between the participants in the information flows. Following this, a corporate governance model is used to outline factors that contribute to effective corporate governance. This governance model is then used as a basis for assessing the merit of the DATA Act. After this, differences between the participants in the information flows are discussed and limitations of the paper are acknowledged. The paper suggests that the DATA Act has merit due to its potential to improve transparency and monitoring in the governmental reporting process. Increased data timeliness and usability will enhance transparency, while improvements in automation, data transfer, and data analytics will improve monitoring. The conclusions of this paper have implications for the participants in the governmental reporting process including government agencies, legislators, regulatory bodies, contractors, non-voting taxpayers, and members of the voting public.
Identifikasi Bakteri Asam Laktat Isolat 18A Secara Fenotipik
Authors: Suardana I Wayan , Sukoco Hendro , Antara Nyoman Semadi 
Published: March 2018

Bakteri Asam Laktat (BAL) memiliki kemampuan dalam menghambat pertumbuhan bakteri patogen, salah satunya adalah BAL isolat 18A. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menentukan spesies BAL dari isolat 18A dengan uji konvensional dan uji KIT API 50 CH. Penelitian ini merupakan penelitian observasional deskriptif, dengan objek penelitian berupa bakteri asam laktat isolat 18A asal kolon sapi bali. BAL isolat 18A direkulturisasi, dengan penumbuhan pada media MRS, uji katalase, dan pewarnaan Gram. Uji identifikasi isolat dengan uji produksi gas CO2, uji pertumbuhan pada NaCL 15%, uji pertumbuhan pada Suhu 100C, dan uji pertumbuhan pada pH 9,6. Konfirmasi isolat juga dilakukan dengan uji kit API (Standard Analytical Profile Index) 50 CH. Hasil rekulturisasi menunjukkan isolate 18A mampu tumbuh dengan baik pada media MRS broth, bersifat katalase negatif, Gram positif, berbentuk bulat, dan berantai. Hasil identifikasi mengindikasikan bahwa isolat 18A bersifat homofermentatif, mampu tumbuh pada suhu 100C, dan tidak tumbuh pada pH 9,6. Uji fermentasi dengan menggunakan perangkat kit API 50 CH, menunjukkan bahwa isolat 18A mampu mendegradasi 15 komponen gula, yaitu komponen gula no : 5, 10, 11, 12, 13, 22, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, dan 39. Hasil identifikasi secara konvensional dapat disimpulkan bahwa isolate 18A merupakan genus Lactococcus. Dan berdasarkan uji konfirmasi menggunakan Kit API 50 CHL disimpulkan bahwa isolat 18A merupakan bakteri Lactococcus Lactis ssp lactis 1.
Maksymalne parametry fizjologiczne serca i mięśni kobiet oraz mężczyzn podczas przejścia na emeryturę
Authors: Szubert Józef , Szubert Sławomir , Rydz Sylwia , Michałowska-Wieczorek Izabella , Szymańska-Paszczuk Alicja , Ziółkowski Włodzimierz , Wieczorek Wojciech , Szubert Paweł 
Published: March 2018

Starzenie się jest procesem fizjologicznym, który przejawia się wraz z wiekiem. Charakteryzuje się stałym zmniejszaniem maksymalnych parametrów fizjologicznych oraz mniejszą zdolnością do regeneracji i adaptacji. Wyróżnia się trzy typy starzenia się: 1) zdrowy, 2) zwykły 3) chorobowy. Pierwsze dwa typy starzenia zalicza się do fizjologicznego starzenia się, które obejmują około 65% kobiet i mężczyzn. Takie starzenie jest badane przez autorów pracy przy wyznaczaniu maksymalnych parametrów fizjologicznych serca i mięśni kobiet oraz mężczyzn podczas przejścia na emeryturę. Obecnie osoby, które osiągają wiek emerytalny i starzeją się fizjologicznie w większości nie są niedołężnymi starcami, a wręcz przeciwnie- najczęściej funkcjonują normalnie.
Celem pracy jest wyznaczenie parametrów fizjologicznych serca i mięśni kobiet oraz mężczyzn o przeciętnej wydolności fizycznej w wieku emerytalnym – 67 lat oraz dla kobiet w wieku 60 lat i mężczyzn w wieku 65 lat. W przypadku kobiet największy ubytek wartości parametrów fizjologicznych przyjmuje maksymalna siła mięśni (F max), a najmniejszy objętość wyrzutowa serca (SVmax). Średni ubytek maksymalnych parametrów fizjologicznych kobiet wynosi: dla wieku 60 lat (-13,45%), dla wieku 67 lat (-18,15%), a dla wieku 75 lat (-24,4%). W przypadku dla mężczyzn największy ubytek wartości parametrów fizjologicznych przyjmuje pułap tlenowy (Vo2 max), a najmniejszy różnica tętniczo-żylna wysycenia krwi tlenem (AVDmax). Średni ubytek maksymalnych parametrów fizjologicznych mężczyzn wynosi: dla wieku 65 lat (-18,2%), dla wieku 67 lat (-19,7%), a dla wieku 75 lat (-26,35%). Wyznaczone maksymalne parametry fizjologiczne serca i mięśni kobiet oraz mężczyzn pozwalają na dokładną, obiektywną i ilościową ocenę stanu zdrowia odchodzących na emeryturę.