bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A randomized controlled trial comparing low cost vacuum assisted dressings and conventional dressing methods in the management of diabetic foot ulcers
Authors: Dsouza Caren , Rouchelle . , Chirag . , Diaz Erel , Rao Shubha 
Published: November 2017

Background: Diabetic foot ulcers are chronic wounds which are difficult to heal, due to ischemia and intrinsic defects in angiogenesis and impaired immunity against infection. VAC therapy influences positive mechanical forces on the growth of tissues, especially in stimulating cell migration and mitosis, optimizes blood flow, decreases local tissue edema from the wound bed and provides an occlusive environment for wound healing under moist, clean and sterile conditions. Aims and objective was to compare the effectiveness of low cost hospital made VAC dressing with conventional dressings in healing of diabetic foot ulcers.Methods: This study was a prospective, randomized controlled trial and included 60 patients with diabetic foot ulcers admitted over 3 months. Patients were randomly allocated to two groups: odd numbered patients to VAC therapy and the even numbered patients to conventional dressings. Wound swab was taken before the start of the study. The data was analyzed and presented in percentages or proportions using Chi-square test and Student-t-test wherever applicable. Results: In this study it was found that in the VAC dressing group 76.7% of the ulcers had red granulation tissue at the end of therapy compared to 46.7% in conventional group. The mean wound bed preparation time was found to be 15.60 days in the conventional dressing group and 8.50 days in the VAC therapy group. In the VAC group 72.73% ulcers had no bacteria at the end of therapy.Conclusion: In this study, it was found that Vacuum Assisted Closure therapy was more effective than conventional dressings in the wound bed preparation of diabetic foot ulcers.
A REVIEW OF THE THERAPEUTIC CHARACTERISTICS OF CAMEL URINE
Authors: Alkhamees Osama A. , Alsanad Saud M. 
Published: November 2017

Background: The therapeutic use of camel urine has been known for centuries, with evidence of its use for medicinal purposes found in early folklore. It has been used to cure different diseases; however, the significant therapeutic benefits of urine have yet to undergo rigorous scientific evaluation. In this review, a summary of the scientific evidence that supports these therapeutic actions has been presented.
Materials and methods: A literature search of different electronic databases including PubMed, Medline, SCOPUS, Web of Knowledge, and Google Scholar were conducted to identify published studies exploring the therapeutic effects of camel urine. ‘Camel’ and ‘Urine’, ‘Medicinal properties’, ‘Natural products’ were entered into the databases as key words. Reference lists of published reviews retrieved by the search were also searched to identify relevant papers.
Result: There have been several laboratory and limited clinical studies providing evidence of the therapeutic effects of camel urine in the treatment of cancer, viral hepatitis and other viral, bacterial and parasitic infections. Therapeutic uses in the cardiovascular system have also been discovered, with regard to platelet and fibrinolytic actions.
Conclusion: The exploration of the use of camel urine is of great interest to determine the efficacy of this practice, as well as the safety of the patients being treated. This review presented the benefits of camel urine, which were commonly drawn from small laboratory studies. Therefore, many more preclinical and clinical studies are needed to examine the efficacy and safety of the use of camel urine in in the treatment of disease.
AN INSIGHT INTO THE USE OF COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINES AMONG PATIENTS WITH ATOPIC ECZEMA IN CENTRAL DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA
Authors: Thandar Yasmeen , Botha Julia , Sartorius Benn , Mosam Anisa 
Published: November 2017

Background: Complementary and alternative medicines (CAM) are increasingly popular globally with frequent use
amongst patients with atopic eczema (AE). Despite increased AE prevalence in South Africa (SA), no local data on
CAM-use for this disease exists.
Methods: A cross-sectional study utilizing a comprehensive questionnaire qualifying and quantifying CAM use in
patients with AE. We interviewed 206 AE patients; 106 from a public hospital dermatology clinic and 100 from private
dermatology practices in central Durban. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) compared means of continuous
predictors across 3 or more groups. Differences in frequencies of categorical explanatory variables by CAM and AE
were assessed using Pearson chi-square (χ2) test or Fishers exact test.
Results: There were 143 children, 63 adults; 163 females and 43 males. Races represented were Black (56%), Indian
(33%), Coloured (6%) and White (4%). 135(66%) reported current or previous CAM use. Common reasons were
family/friends’ recommendations (42%) and media-influence (23%). Frequently used CAMs were vitamins (35%),
aromatherapy oils (27%), herbal creams (26%), traditional African medicines (23%) and homeopathy (19%). Nondisclosure
to the dermatologist was high (59%). Almost half (48%) said they were not questioned about CAM use.
More Indian patients used CAM (p=0.001) and Muslims were most frequent CAM users (p=0.044). Although not
statistically significant, the more educated and higher income bracket used CAM more. 28% felt CAM had fewer sideeffects,
28% felt it was safer than conventional medicine and 35% felt CAM was more natural.
Conclusion: The detailed trends of CAM use by South Africans for AE is an important addition to the current
literature. Dermatologists and healthcare professionals addressing patients with AE need to be more familiar with CAM
types that patients may explore as this could impact on the overall clinical outcome.
Effects of Three Parastagonospora nodorum Necrotrophic Effectors on Spring Wheat under Norwegian Field Conditions
Authors: Ruud Anja Karine , Dieseth Jon Arne , Lillemo Morten 
Published: November 2017

ABSTRACTThe wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) disease Septoria nodorum blotch (SNB) is caused by the necrotrophic fungus Parastagonospora nodorum (Berk.) Quaedvlieg, Verkley & Crous and causes significant yield and quality losses in several wheat growing regions. The resistance mechanisms are quantitative and progress in resistance breeding has been slow. However, gene‐for‐gene interactions involving necrotrophic effectors (NEs) and sensitivity genes (Snn) are involved, providing hope for more effective breeding. Although the interactions are significant determinants of seedling SNB susceptibility, their role in adult plant leaf blotch resistance in the field is less understood. In this study, the frequency of SnTox genes was investigated in 62 P. nodorum isolates collected in Norway. A panel of Norwegian and international spring wheat lines and cultivars was screened under natural SNB infection in a mist‐irrigated field nursery across 7 yr. The lines were infiltrated in the greenhouse with the purified NEs SnToxA, SnTox1, and SnTox3, and the prevalence of corresponding sensitivity was investigated, as well as correlation between NE sensitivity and resistance level in the field. The frequencies of SnToxA, SnTox1, and SnTox3 in the isolates were 0.69, 0.53 and 0.76, respectively. Sensitivity to SnToxA, SnTox1, and SnTox3 was present in 45, 12, and 55% of the plant material. Sensitivity to SnToxA was associated with significantly higher disease severity in the field than insensitivity. This indicates that elimination of SnToxA sensitivity in the breeding material by effector infiltrations or marker‐assisted selection can be an effective way to increase field resistance to SNB.
Distribution and Factors Controlling Soil Organic Carbon in the Chicago Region, Illinois, USA
Authors: Scharenbroch Bryant C. , Bialecki Margaret B. , Fahey Robert T. 
Published: November 2017

Core Ideas
The majority (>75%) of soil organic carbon was found at depths greater than 25 cm.
Compared to other soils, soil organic carbon in Chicago is relatively high (25–75 kg m‐2).
Anthropogenic factors were the most important predictors of Chicago soil organic carbon.
Information on soil organic carbon (SOC) storage and dynamics in urban ecosystems will improve the accuracy of global and regional C budgets, sink and source projections of urban SOC with disturbance and climate change, and soil management for maximization of ecosystem services. Soil organic C (0–100 cm) was measured on 190 (0.04 ha) plots in the seven‐county Chicago metropolitan region (14,625 km2) to understand and model SOC distribution across an urban landscape. Most SOC (>75%) was at depths greater than 25 cm and these data suggest that 100 cm may not be deep enough to fully capture SOC in urban ecosystems. Compared to other terrestrial ecosystems (e.g., forests, prairies), SOC across the Chicago region is relatively high (25–75 kg m−2). Chicago region SOC was comparable to other urban ecosystems. Chicago region SOC was highest in the most urbanized areas (e.g., commercial, industrial, utility, transportation land use categories) and lowest in agriculture lands. A state‐factor model was used to predict SOC storage. Soil forming factors such as climate, parent material, relief, and tree cover were not important predictors of SOC density. Important predictors of SOC across the Chicago region were land‐use and other anthropogenic factors (e.g., impervious surface area; distance to the city center, nearest building, highway and street) as well as surface (0–25 cm) soil properties (e.g., SOC, pH, K, microbial biomass, electrical conductivity). These results suggest that urban soils store considerable amounts of SOC, and this storage should be considered in global and regionals C budgets.
Nitrapyrin Reduced Nitrous Oxide Emissions from Beef Cattle Urine Patches on a Semiarid Tame Pasture
Authors: Thomas Ben W. , Gao Xinlei , Stoeckli Jessica L. , Beck Ryan , Liu Kui , Koenig Karen M. , Beres Brian L. , Hao Xiying 
Published: November 2017

Core IdeasLimited data are available about mitigating N2O emissions from urine patches on semiarid pasture.Nitrapyrin reduced cumulative N2O emissions by 39% in a dry season.Nitrapyrin reduced cumulative N2O emissions by 58% in normal precipitation season.NBPT and NBPT plus DCD did not limit N2O emissions compared with untreated urine patches.N2O emission factors ranged from 0.03 to 0.21% over two grazing seasonsUrease and/or nitrification inhibitors applied to urine patches or pastures may increase N retention in the soil–plant system, but how N2O emissions respond to these N stabilizers in semiarid regions is poorly understood. The objectives of this research were (i) to quantify N2O emissions and the associated emission factors, based on the percentage of applied urine‐N emitted as N2O–N, from beef cattle urine patches (urine) and (ii) to test the N2O reduction potential of three N stabilizers [2‐chloro‐6(trichloromethyl) pyridine (nitrapyrin), N‐(n‐butyl)‐thiophosphoric triamide (NBPT), and NBPT plus dicyandiamide (DCD)] on a semiarid tame pasture over two grazing seasons in western Canada. A deionized water control was also included. Nitrapyrin reduced cumulative N2O emissions by 39% and the N2O emission factor by 50% compared with untreated urine in a dry grazing season and reduced cumulative N2O emissions by 58% and the N2O emission factor by 68% compared with untreated urine in a grazing season with normal precipitation. The NBPT and NBPT + DCD had similar cumulative N2O emissions compared with untreated urine patches. The N2O emission factors ranged from 0.03 to 0.08% over 103 d in 2015 and from 0.06 to 0.21% over 119 d in 2016, all lower than the 2% Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change default 365‐d value. Extrapolating over 1‐yr periods, N2O emission factors ranged from 0.11 to 0.64%. Based on the N stabilizers tested, nitrapyrin most effectively reduced N2O emissions from beef cattle urine patches on a tame pasture in a nonirrigated semiarid region of Canada.
A Spatiotemporal Multiscale Analysis of Runoff and Erosion in a Mediterranean Marly Catchment
Authors: Inoubli Nesrine , Raclot Damien , Mekki Insaf , Moussa Roger , Le Bissonnais Yves 
Published: November 2017

Core Ideas
Runoff and erosion were continuously monitored for 7 yr at four nested spatial scales.
A small number of runoff and erosive events were very important.
There was a seasonal time lag between runoff and erosive response due to shrink–swell processes.
Topsoil erosion processes and high hydro‐erosive connectivity were predominant.
A simple linear model explained mean annual erosion rates between spatial scales.
An intensive monitoring investigation was conducted within the Kamech catchment (Cape Bon, Tunisia) to document the effect of scale on the hydrological and erosive responses in a Mediterranean climate regime with cracking soils. An evaluation of the individual contribution of topsoil and gully processes to total sediment delivery at different spatial scales was also conducted. Continuous runoff and erosion measurements during a 7‐yr period at four nested gauging stations were examined in a plot (P1; 1.32 ha), a plot + gully (P2+G; 1.37 ha), a micro‐catchment (MC; 15.2 ha), and the entire catchment (C; 263 ha). Data analysis showed a high interannual variability and contribution of only a few events; three major events generated approximately 20% of the total runoff and at least 50% of the total erosion at all of the monitoring stations. The results also highlight the strong seasonal dynamics of both water and sediment delivery, with a time lag observed between runoff and sediment responses. The presence of open cracks in autumn was identified as a main factor explaining this time lag. A constant monthly and annual specific runoff response was observed among the stations, and a simple linear model combining a single rate of topsoil (17 t ha−1 yr−1) and gully (80 t ha−1 yr−1) erosion (weighted by their contribution area) successfully predicted the differences observed in the mean annual erosion rates among the stations. Finally, this work showed the predominance of topsoil erosion processes in a Mediterranean catchment that is characterized by cracking soils and very high hydro‐sedimentary connectivity.
Conjunction of artificial intelligence-meshless methods for contaminant transport modeling in porous media: an experimental case study
Authors: Nourani Vahid , Mousavi Shahram , Sadikoglu Fahreddin 
Published: November 2017

Abstract
In this research, a new hybrid artificial intelligence (AI)-meshless approach was presented for modeling contaminant transport in porous media. The key innovation of the proposed hybrid model is that both black box and physical-based models were used for simulating contaminant transport in porous media. An experimental model was also used to test the effectiveness of the proposed approach. In this method, for each test point (TP), artificial neural network (ANN) and adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) models were calibrated to predict temporal contaminant concentrations (CCs). Then, considering the predicted CCs of TPs as interior conditions, the multiquadric radial basis function (MQ-RBF) as a meshless method which solves partial differential equation (PDE) of contaminant transport modeling in porous media, was used to estimate CC value at any point within the study area (in the experiment, sand tank) where there is not any TP. In this stage, optimal values of dispersion coefficient in advection-dispersion PDE and shape coefficient of MQ-RBF were determined using imperialist competitive algorithm. Optimizing these parameters could handle some uncertainties of the phenomenon. Results showed that the efficiency of ANFIS-meshless model is almost the same as ANN-meshless model due to less uncertainties involved in the obtained data under controlled experiments.
Hardware and Software Co-Design of Arabic Alphabets Recognition Platform for Blind and Visually Impaired Persons
Authors: Sabir Brahim , Khazri Yassine , Moussetad Mohamed , Touri Bouzekri 
Published: November 2017

Background:Optical character Recognition (OCR) is a technic that converts scanned or printed text images into editable text. Many OCR solutions have been proposed and used for Latin and Chinese alphabets.However not much can be found about OCRs for the handwriting scripts Arabic Alphabets, and especially to be used for blind and visually impaired persons.This paper has been an attempt towards the development of an OCR for Arabic Alphabets dedicated to blind and visually impaired persons.Method:The proposed Optical Arabic Alphabets Recognition algorithm includes binarization of the inputted image, segmentation, feature extraction and a classification based on neural networks to match read Arabic alphabets with trained pattern.The proposed algorithm has been developed using Matlab, and the solution was designed to be implemented on hardware platform and can be customized for mobile phones.Conclusion:The presented method has the benefit that the accuracy of recognition is comparable to other OCR algorithms.
Trends in Stroke-Related Mortality in the ABC Region, São Paulo, Brazil: An Ecological Study Between 1997 and 2012
Authors: Sousa Luiz Vinicius de Alcantara , Paiva Laércio da Silva , Figueiredo Francisco Winter dos Santos , Almeida Tabata Cristina do Carmo , Oliveira Fernando Rocha , Adami Fernando 
Published: November 2017

Background:
Stroke is the second leading cause of death and the third leading cause of physical disability in the world, with a high burden of morbidity and mortality, but it has been shown a reduction in mortality worldwide over the past two decades, especially in regions with higher income.

Objective:
The study analyzed the temporal trend and the factors associated with stroke-related mortality in the cities that make up the ABC region of São Paulo (Santo André, São Bernardo do Campo, São Caetano do Sul, Diadema, Mauá, Ribeirão Pires, and Rio Grande da Serra), in comparison to data from the capital city of São Paulo, in the state of São Paulo, Brazil.

Method:
This was an ecological study conducted in 2017 using data from 1997 to 2012. Data were collected in 2017 from the Department of Informatics of the Brazilian Unified National Health System (DATASUS), where the Mortality Information System (SIM/SUS) was accessed. Linear regression analysis was used to estimate the temporal trend of stroke-related mortality according to sex, stroke subtypes, and regions. The confidence level adopted was 95%.

Results:
There was a reduction in the mortality rates stratified according to sex, age groups above 15 years, and subtypes of stroke. Mortality from hemorrhagic and non-specified stroke decreased in all regions. However, a significant reduction in ischemic stroke-related mortality was observed only in the ABC region and in Brazil.

Conclusion:
The ABC region showed greater mortality due to stroke in males, the age group above 49 years, and non-specified stroke between 1997 and 2012.
METODOLOGÍAS CUALITATIVAS DE LO SENSIBLE EN CONTEXTOS DE SALUD PÚBLICA
Authors: Ramírez Pereira Mirliana 
Published: November 2017

La subjetividad siempre se encuentra presente en las metodologías cualitativas, en que se vinculan las emociones, sentimientos, cultura e historia de los participantes e investigadores. Esto es especialmente relevante en el área de la salud, donde lo sensible está presente en muchos de los temas estudiados. Según Lee los temas sensibles son aquellos en que la investigación invade la esfera privada, escarba dentro de alguna experiencia personal profunda, hace referencia a la desviación o control social, afecta a los intereses de personas poderosas o el ejercicio de la coerción y la dominación. Este artículo se divide en dos apartados; el primero tiene relación con la fundamentación teórica del estudio de temas sensibles en salud pública, desde la perspectiva de los participantes y del equipo de investigación, relevando la importancia de la seguridad e integridad física, psíquica, moral y legal de todos los actores involucrados. En la segunda parte, la autora reflexiona en torno a su experiencia en la investigación en temas sensibles, presentando algunas estrategias de abordaje del trabajo de campo. El objetivo de esta investigación fue describir la producción del conocimiento en relación a la investigación de temas sensibles en salud.
QUALITATIVE METHODOLOGY OF SENSITIVE TOPICS IN PUBLIC HEALTH CONTEXTS
Authors: Ramírez Pereira Mirliana 
Published: November 2017

La subjetividad siempre se encuentra presente en las metodologías cualitativas, en que se vinculan las emociones, sentimientos, cultura e historia de los participantes e investigadores. Esto es especialmente relevante en el área de la salud, donde lo sensible está presente en muchos de los temas estudiados. Según Lee los temas sensibles son aquellos en que la investigación invade la esfera privada, escarba dentro de alguna experiencia personal profunda, hace referencia a la desviación o control social, afecta a los intereses de personas poderosas o el ejercicio de la coerción y la dominación. Este artículo se divide en dos apartados; el primero tiene relación con la fundamentación teórica del estudio de temas sensibles en salud pública, desde la perspectiva de los participantes y del equipo de investigación, relevando la importancia de la seguridad e integridad física, psíquica, moral y legal de todos los actores involucrados. En la segunda parte, la autora reflexiona en torno a su experiencia en la investigación en temas sensibles, presentando algunas estrategias de abordaje del trabajo de campo. El objetivo de esta investigación fue describir la producción del conocimiento en relación a la investigación de temas sensibles en salud.
THE THE INDIGENOUS IDENTITY INTERPRETED AS A CATEGORY OF ANALYSIS IN POPULATION STUDIES
Authors: Choque-Caseres Dante 
Published: November 2017

In Latin America, based on the recognition of Indigenous Peoples, the identification of gaps or disparities between the Indigenous and non-Indigenous population has emerged as a new research interest. To this end, capturing Indigenous identity is key to conducting certain analyses. However, the social contexts where the identity of Indigenous persons are (re)produced has been significantly altered. These changes are generated by the assimilation or integration of Indigenous communities into dominant national cultures. Within this context, limitations emerge in the use of this category, since Indigenous identity has a political and legal component related to the needs of the government. Therefore, critical thought on the use of Indigenous identity is necessary in an epistemological and methodological approach to research. This article argues that research about Indigenous Peoples should evaluate how Indigenous identity is included, for it is socially co-produced through the interaction of the State and its institutions. Thus, it would not necessarily constitute an explicative variable. By analyzing the discourse about Aymara Indigenous communities that has emerged in the northern border of Chile, this paper seeks to expose the logic used to define identity. Therefore, I conclude that the process of self-identification arises in supposed Indigenous people, built and/or reinforced by institutions, which should be reviewed from a decolonizing perspective and included in comparative research.