bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Communicating Customer Ownership in Annual Reports: Perspective of Hedonic Value
Authors: Talonen Harri , Talonen Antti , Stenvall Jari , Kinder Tony
Published: August 2020

Insurance industry is, and has been for a long time, characterized by a strong presence of customer-owned mutual insurance companies that account roughly one-third of the global annual premiums. As mutuals are owned by the communities they serve, one would expect them to display unique characteristics in how they create not only utilitarian but also hedonic value for their customer-owners. The aim of this study is to examine how managers communicate the hedonic value of ownership to their customer-owners. The data consist of 18 mutual insurance companies’ annual reports from seven different countries: Finland, Ireland, the Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland, the UK and the USA. The resulting framework, produced by a thematic analysis, illustrates how managers of mutuals communicate the hedonic value of customer ownership. Results as well as the limitations of the study point out several interesting and new research avenues and managerial implications.
Who’s On First: A Resource on Workplace Communication
Authors: Julien Mark , Clayton Russell , Stratton Micheal
Published: August 2020

In this article, we present a witty and relevant resource for students to learn and apply communications concepts to assess barriers to communication and tactics for overcoming such barriers. Leveraging the humor of a classic Abbott and Costello comedy routine, we challenge students to analyze the clip and to identify best practices in communication. We also contrast other communications exercises with this resource to demonstrate that it is an easily implementable and valuable tool to help students learn basic workplace communication concepts.
Assessment of hematological parameters of petrol filling workers at petrol stations in Gondar town, Northwest Ethiopia: a comparative cross-sectional study
Authors: Getu Sisay , Shiferaw Elias , Melku Mulugeta
Published: August 2020

Background

Petrol is the non-specific term for petroleum which is used for inside combustion of engines. Petrol filling workers are highly vulnerable to occupational exposure to these harmful substances which lead to hemato-toxicity and blood disorders such as leukemia, aplastic anemia, and dysplastic bone marrow. Thus, this study was aimed to assess hematological parameters of petrol filling workers in Gondar town, Northwest Ethiopia.

Methods

A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted from January to March 2019 in Gondar town, Northwest Ethiopia. A total of 110 study participants comprising 55 study groups and 55 controls group were recruited by a convenient sampling technique. Socio-demographic data were collected using a structured questionnaire, and 3 ml of venous blood was collected for the determination of hematological parameters. The data were entered into Epi info 7.2.0.1 and analyzed by SPSS version of 20. Mean, standard deviation, median, and interquartile ranges were used to present the data. Independent t test and Mann-Whitney U test were used to compare the mean or median difference between parametric and non-parametric hematological parameters, respectively. Moreover, Pearson product-moment and Spearman’s rank-order bivariable correlations analyses were used to describe the correlation between hematological parameters and duration of exposure to petrol. A P value of ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

The study revealed that mean red blood cell count and hemoglobin level as well as the median hematocrit, mean cell hemoglobin concentration, platelet count, absolute lymphocytes count, and red cell distribution width values of petrol filling workers showed a significant increment compared with the control group. On the other hand, the mean cell hemoglobin value of petrol filling workers showed a significant decrement compared with healthy controls. Moreover, the duration of exposure to petrol showed a significant positive correlation with red blood cell count and mean cell hemoglobin concentration; however, a significant negative correlation was observed with mean cell volume.

Conclusion

This study showed that the majority of hematological parameters of petrol filling workers showed an increment compared with healthy controls which might be associated with exposure to petrol chemicals. However, further longitudinal study with a larger sample size should be conducted to explore the impact of petrol exposure on hematopoiesis.
Correction to: PKU dietary handbook to accompany PKU guidelines
Authors: MacDonald A. , van Wegberg A. M. J. , Ahring K. , Beblo S. , Bélanger-Quintana A. , Burlina A. , Campistol J. , Coşkun T. , Feillet F. , Giżewska M. , Huijbregts S. C. , Leuzzi V. , Maillot F. , Muntau A. C. , Rocha J. C. , Romani C. , Trefz F. , van Spronsen F. J.
Published: September 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.
The impact of stock market manipulation on Nigeria’s economic performance
Authors: Akinmade Babatunde , Adedoyin Festus Fatai , Bekun Festus Victor
Published: August 2020

This study is the first attempt to empirically analyse stock market manipulation on the Nigerian Stock Exchange and its consequences on economic performance. The empirical investigation employs a broad data set of 186 actual manipulation cases indicted by the Nigerian Security and Exchange Commission between 2002 and 2016. We embrace market microstructure analysis and the event study method to understand how various manipulation techniques impact on market measures, and the Error Correction Model to evaluate their economic effects. Manipulation is found to distort market efficiency measures (such as market capitalization, value traded ratio and All-Share Index) and genuine traders are forced to exit the market to avoid possible trading with a manipulator. Such huge divestment and the subsequent financial risk weaken the ability of the Stock Exchange market to improve economic performance, creating negative consequences at the post-manipulation period. Essentially, economic variables (such as the GDP) react negatively to manipulative trading. This finding is insightful and a prompt to the Securities and Exchange Commission to design policy responses towards deterring and prosecuting unfair trading practices or other activities that contravene the market rules.
Correction to: Botany, Pharmacology and Conservation status of Wonder Flower: Neelakurinji (Strobilanthes kunthiana (Nees) T. Anderson ex Benth)
Authors: Bera Soumen , Das Sibsankar , Kalindi Dharmadas
Published: September 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.
CIÊNCIA, OPINIÃO E FAKE NEWS EM TEMPOS DE CORONAVÍRUS: CONCEPTUALIZAÇÕES EM MEMES SOB A ABORDAGEM DA LINGUÍSTICA COGNITIVA / Science, opinion and fake news in times of the coronavirus: conceptualizations in memes under Cognitive Linguistics approach
Authors: Domingues Almeida Aurelina Ariadne , Dos Santos Elisângela Santana
Published: September 2020

São apresentados resultados de um estudo empreendido sobre as conceptualizações de ciência, opinião e fake news em memes que foram publicados na rede social on-line Facebook. Para a realização dessa pesquisa, foram adotados pressupostos teóricos da Linguística Cognitiva, de modo que foram produzidos diálogos com autores, a exemplo de Geeraerts (2006), Goossens (2002), Lakoff e Johnson (1980), Johnson (1987), Lakoff (1987), Lakoff e Turner (1989), Forceville (2009), Peña Cervel (2012) e Kövecses (2009), entre outros pesquisadores. No que concerne ao seu desenho metodológico, foi utilizada uma abordagem qualitativa do corpus, que, por sua vez, foi constituído por dois memes coletados da referida rede social; além disso, o trabalho realizado teve natureza exploratória, descritiva e interpretativa. Entre os resultados alcançados, concluímos que os elementos verbais e os pictóricos, usados nos memes constituintes do corpus, inter-relacionaram-se, de modo a possibilitar a elaboração de sentidos pelos seus possíveis leitores-conceptualizadores; ademais, verificamos que as conceptualizações postas em pauta foram estruturadas por metáforas, como CIÊNCIA É JOGO, CIÊNCIA É SER HUMANO e, também, por MAIOR É MELHOR, MENOR É PIOR, BOM É PARA DIREITA, RUIM É PARA ESQUERDA; por  metonímias, do tipo PARTE PELO TODO, como RACIONALIDADE POR CIÊNCIA e EMOÇÃO POR FAKE NEWS, e por esquemas de imagens, a exemplo de FORÇA, ORIGEM-PERCURSO-META, CONTATO, entre outros.
Diagnosis in canine and feline dermatology
Authors: Scarff David H
Published: August 2020

A structured approach to diagnosis in canine and feline dermatology is essential. Following a logical process through history taking, clinical examination and diagnostic tests, a final diagnosis can be reached.
Discrimination and client communication: how can the profession do better?
Authors: McCarroll Charlotte S
Published: August 2020

The problem of discrimination in the veterinary profession can seem like an insurmountable issue. At the recent Courageous Conversations conference Charlotte McCarroll discussed some of the research recently carried out by the University of Surrey.
Identifying opportunities
Authors: Watson Nicola
Published: September 2020

In the first of a three-part guide, Nicola Watson focuses on the statutory changes to the Prime areas of learning and provides advice on how to positively implement them in your practice.
‘There is another way’
Authors: O'Sullivan June
Published: September 2020

The experience of Covid-19 and lockdown must create a new focus for early years – where staff are celebrated, partnerships are strong and morale is high.
‘Claiming our bonus’
Authors: Wright David
Published: September 2020

In an uncertain world, now is the time to recognise what really matters. Rather than focusing on maths and literacy, let's enjoy time spent with our children.
Flipped Classroom Educational Model (2010-2019): A Bibliometric Study
Authors: Julia J. , Afrianti Nurul , Soomro Kamal Ahmed , Supriyadi Tedi , Dolifah Dewi , Isrokatun I. , Erhamwilda E. , Ningrum Dedah
Published: August 2020

Nowadays, teaching and learning activity employing the flipped classroom model has an important position in the process of providing education. This research aimed at identifying and analyzing articles examining the flipped classroom model that has been published in several reputable international journals issued in the 2010-2019 timeframe, which was conducted using bibliometric studies. The research was conducted using a 4-stages systematic mapping method: (1) searching for articles using the Publish or Perish application in the Scopus database, (2) classifying the articles for the bibliometric analysis, (3) checking and completing the metadata of those articles, and (4) conducting bibliometric analysis using VOSviewer application. The bibliometric analysis produced seven findings, as follows: (1) the trend of flipped classroom publications continued to increase from 2013-2019; (2) the ten most contributive journals has published 88 articles by 2019; (3) the ten most cited articles has produced 1,155 citations; (4) the three highest order of author keywords most widely used in flipped classroom articles were flipped classroom, active learning, and blended learning; (5) author collaboration with strong links only occurred in 21 authors through one document; (6) institutional collaboration with strong links formed through 28 collaborating institutions; and (7) state statistics were formed into three clusters and spread across various countries through contributions from authors who were in charge of 456 institutions. The flipped classroom model can be concluded as an educational model that is currently popular among researchers.
AN INVESTMENT CHOICE PROBLEM AND CALENDAR ANOMALIES: A GROUP AHP MODEL FOR INVESTORS
Authors: Marcarelli Gabriella , Rossi Matteo , Ferrarro Antonella , Lucadamo Antonio
Published: August 2020

An investment choice can be influenced by numerous qualitative and quantitative factors that often conflict with one other. Therefore, portfolio management choice is a multi-criteria decision problem that requires flexible and analytic decision tools for investors. For this task, the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) is suitable. We propose an AHP group-based model to analyze an investment choice problem looking at two financial markets including Spain and France. The evaluation criteria that we used in our model are the return of the stock market, performance of government bonds and calendar effects in the financial markets. The 2017 French and Spanish equity market returns and the government bond performances for each country are available in public databases. Mean tests were performed in order to analyze calendar anomalies for both of the markets from 2007-2017. The aim of our study is to propose a model that allows simultaneous evaluation of the impact of the previously mentioned factors on investment choice. Our analysis involves 69 students from the Department DEMM of the University of Sannio (Italy) who have worked on financial market simulators. The data were obtained using questionnaires. The common priority vector procedure (CPVP) was used to determine the individual priorities (derived by individual judgments matrices) and aggregate the individual priorities (derived by individual judgments matrices) to obtain the group preferences. The results show that the decision makers prefer to invest in diversified portfolios.
APPLICATION OF THE AHP MODEL TO DETERMINE PREFAB HOUSING ADOPTION FACTORS FOR DEVELOPERS IN LAGOS STATE
Authors: Dixon-Ogbechi Bolajoko Nkemdinim , Adebayo Anthony Kayode
Published: August 2020

Research has shown that there is presently a housing deficit of about 17 million housing units in Nigeria, yet it appears that the concerted efforts that have been put in place by the government to address this issue have not yielded the expected results. Although the Nigerian government in its Vision 2020 policy document recognized that one of the ways of resolving the issue of providing adequate housing in Nigeria is to change from the traditional brick and mortar system to modern construction methods like prefab housing, not much has been done to promote the adoption of this new method by the relevant stakeholders, among whom are the developers. This study employed a survey research approach using the AHP (Analytic Hierarchy Process) to investigate the most important factors that developers take into consideration when they build a house. There are several different types of prefab housing and knowledge of what the developers’ consider key factors and priorities would make it possible to determine the type of prefab housing that best fits their needs. This information could provide the basis to design a government marketing strategy to promote prefab housing to both the developers and their customers. Since the judgments will be provided by developers in Lagos State, they will be customized for the conditions and preferences of the developers and citizens there. Therefore, the government and organizations will be able to give priority to these identified factors when formulating relevant strategies to promote the building of more prefab housing.
What if Classroom Instruction Becomes a Thing of the Past?
Authors: Mu Enrique
Published: August 2020

Until recently, there was no doubt about what constituted a university education and how it was carried out. Suddenly, the COVID-19 pandemic occurred, and in a few weeks, not only education, but the entire world changed. In the new normal, post-pandemic world, it is possible that teaching face-to-face courses will be the exception, not the rule, in the U.S. and the Latin American and Caribbean regions. Furthermore, this virtual instruction will possibly be at massive levels with tens or hundreds of thousands of students at a time, modeled after massive open online courses (MOOCs).
Double ‘in-process’ identity project: An ethno-semiotic study of the transformation of New Chinese young consumers in Shanghai
Authors: Liu Wing-sun , Li Eric Ping Hung , Lam Magnum Man-Lok
Published: August 2020

This study examines the identity transformation among the Chinese young consumers who resided in Shanghai, China. The living environment has heralded an era of multiple market ideologies infusing western cosmopolitanism into Chinese traditions. Thus, in this article, we examine how the Chinese youngsters deal with a diversity of symbols to construct the ‘New Chinese’ cosmopolitan identity by (1) redefining their modern and cosmopolitan selves through the exploitation of new market symbols; (2) resisting stereotypical Chinese imageries through consistent or temporal rebellious acts; and (3) reforming the ‘Chinese’ selves through collective efforts. The findings yielded contribute to the current discussions of global consumer culture and symbolic consumption by illustrating the ethnocentric symbolic interaction among young Chinese consumers and market symbols in emerging economies like China.
Humoral responses to Schistosoma japonicum soluble egg antigens in domestic animals in Lindu Subdistrict, Central Sulawesi Province, Indonesia
Authors: Budiono Novericko Ginger , Murtini Sri , Satrija Fadjar , Ridwan Yusuf , Handharyani Ekowati
Published: August 2020

Background and Aim: Schistosomiasis japonica, a disease caused by Schistosoma japonicum, is a public health problem in the Philippines, the Republic of Indonesia, and the People's Republic of China. The disease is known as zoonotic, meaning other than humans, animals are involved as the reservoirs. In Indonesia, schistosomiasis surveillance in animals is not continuous. Thus, the study to determine the prevalence of the disease in animals is needed. The study was aimed to determine the seroprevalence of S. japonicum infection among four species of domestic animals in the Lindu Sub-district, Central Sulawesi Province of Indonesia.

Materials and Methods: Blood samples of domestic animals were collected and analyzed for the presence of anti-S. japonicum immunoglobulin G antibodies against S. japonicum soluble egg antigens using the indirect hemagglutination assay. Animal stool samples were collected, and the miracidia-hatching assay was used for the detection of S. japonicum infection. Additional data concerning the animal identity and the management practices were obtained through a questionnaire used in surveys and interviews.

Results: A total of 146 sera from 13 cattle, 24 buffaloes, 54 pigs, and 55 dogs were collected. The overall schistosomiasis seroprevalence was 64.4%. The serology prevalence in cattle, buffalo, pig, and dog was 100.0%, 41.7%, 74.1%, and 56.4%, respectively. Domestic animals in all of five villages have previous exposure with S. japonicum as seropositive animals detected in every village. A total of 104 animal stool samples from 146 animals sampled were obtained. The overall schistosomiasis prevalence determined by the miracidia hatching assay was 16.35%. The sensitivity and specificity of indirect hemagglutination assay (IHA) in the current study were 88.24% and 41.37%, respectively, with miracidia hatching assay as the gold-standard method.

Conclusion: This study has shown a high seroprevalence of schistosomiasis japonica among domestic animals in the Lindu Subdistrict. IHA can be used as the screening method for the detection of S. japonicum infection in domestic animals. Chemotherapy and animal livestock grazing management programs to reduce the parasite burden and Schistosoma egg contamination in the environment must be implemented as part of one health approaches, in addition to other control measures.
Os conselhos municipais e as políticas públicas nos municípios de Mirante do Paranapanema e Rosana (SP)
Authors: Francisco da Silva Eliane Regina , De Medeiros Hespanhol Rosangela Aparecida
Published: September 2020

Os Conselhos municipais podem ser considerados, teoricamente, como espaços participativos para a implementação das políticas públicas. Desse modo, o objetivo principal deste artigo é o de analisar a atuação (ou não) dos Conselhos Municipais de Desenvolvimento Rural (CMDRs), dos Conselhos Municipais de Segurança Alimentar e Nutricional (COMSEAs) e dos Conselhos de Alimentação Escolar (CAEs) em relação ao Programa de Aquisição de Alimentos (PAA) e ao Programa Nacional de Alimentação Escolar (PNAE) dos municípios de Mirante do Paranapanema e Rosana (SP). Os procedimentos metodológicos utilizados foram a revisão bibliográfica e a realização de entrevistas junto aos representantes dos referidos Conselhos, nos meses de março e abril de 2016. Identificou-se que os representantes dos Conselhos analisados têm ciência da importância do PAA e do PNAE para a reprodução social dos produtores rurais, para o beneficiamento das pessoas em situação de vulnerabilidade alimentar e nutricional e para os alunos. Por fim, verificou-se que os Conselhos necessitam de participação assídua dos seus membros, dentre outros fatores e cautela para que suas funções não sofram interferências de interesses políticos partidários.
Reforma agrária no Vale do Rio Doce
Authors: Boaventura da Silva Denis , Bretas Vilarino Maria Terezinha
Published: September 2020

O artigo apresenta dinâmicas de territorialização de três assentamentos de reforma agrária situados no município de Governador Valadares, no vale do Rio Doce/MG. Tomando os assentamentos como territórios busca-se, sob a perspectiva de líderes e assentados, compreender sua territorialização em um recorte temporal baseado nas datas de ocupação, da legalização e da criação dos assentamentos. Esses marcos cronológicos servirão de guia para a compreensão da configuração espaço/temporal e socioespacial dos três assentamentos considerando os distintos caminhos que caracterizam a territorialização de cada um.
Atividades práticas em hortas escolares no processo de ensino e aprendizagem de Geografia para estudantes com deficiência intelectual
Authors: Silva Juanice Pereira dos Santos , Laranja Ruth  Elias de Paula
Published: September 2020

O presente artigo corresponde aos resultados parciais de uma pesquisa de dissertação de mestrado cujo objetivo foi investigar as possibilidades e os desafios no processo de ensino e aprendizagem de Geografia com atividades práticas em horta escolar. A pesquisa foi fomentada pela observação das dificuldades dos professores de Geografia em trabalhar junto a alunos com deficiência intelectual (DI), devido à escassez de materiais didáticos adequados e à formação docente insuficiente. Os sujeitos do estudo são estudantes com DI, matriculados nas séries finais de uma escola do ensino fundamental na cidade do Gama-DF. Para o respectivo estudo, utilizamos a pesquisa qualitativa como metodologia. A utilização da horta escolar como recurso pedagógico de ensino possibilitou a promoção de uma aprendizagem mais significativa, que contemplou também outras habilidades humanas interessantes para alunos com DI, ao associar os conteúdos geográficos aplicados durante o desenvolvimento das atividades práticas na horta escolar nas aulas de Geografia. No decorrer da pesquisa foi perceptível o quanto as atividades práticas no espaço físico da horta escolar no ensino de Geografia para alunos com DI foram eficazes, deram sentido para a compreensão e reflexão sobre os saberes geográficos, além de fortalecerem ações de inclusão no espaço escolar.
KAĞIT İMALAT SEKTÖRÜNDE TEDARİKÇİ SEÇİMİNDE ANALİTİK AĞ SÜRECİ YÖNTEMİ
Authors: BİLİŞİK Murat Taha
Published: September 2020

Günümüzde
rekabetin giderek artması, işletmeleri tedarikçi seçimi konusunda daha tutarlı
ve doğru kararlar vermeleri konusunda zorlamaktadır. Kağıt imalat sektörü de,
bu açıdan incelendiğinde özellikle kağıt üretiminin temel hammaddesi olan
selüloz çeşitli tedarikçilerden elde edilmektedir. Bunun yanında, tedarikçi
seçim kararı hem nitel hem de nicel birçok kriteri ve çok sayıda karar vericiyi
içeren karmaşık bir yapıya sahiptir. Ayrıca problemin içerisinde yer alan geri bildirimler ve karşılıklı etkileşimler
bulunmaktadır. Bu nedenlerle, bu çalışmada çözüm yöntemi olarak Analitik Ağ
Süreci yöntemi tercih edilmiştir. İlgili yöntem kullanılarak, dört farklı
alternatif tedarikçi, literatürde bu kapsamda en fazla kullanılan dört kriter
(kalite, fiyat, teslimat ve hizmet) ve bu kriterlerin alt kriterleri açısından değerlendirilmiş
ve en iyi alternatif seçilmiştir.
Low-molecular-weight peptides with potential cardiovascular regulatory functions from Atlantic salmon skin
Authors: Liu Wen-Ying , Miyakawa Takuya , Lu Jun , Gu Rui-Zeng , Hsieh Yun Hua , Miyauchi Yumiko , Katsuno Kana , Cai Mu-Yi , Tanokura Masaru
Published: August 2020

Salmon skin collagen peptides (SSCPs) have potential for improving physiological conditions such as early alcoholic liver injury, type 2 diabetes and hypertension. Here, we focused on the in vitro effects of SSCPs on vascular function. For the production of SSCPs, alcalase and papain were used to hydrolyse the skin of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.), and their separation was made by reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography. There were 10 low-molecular-weight peptides newly identified by mass spectrometry. In addition to five peptides previously identified, a total of 15 peptides were applied to an in vitro analysis of cholesterol-reducing, vasorelaxant and antithrombotic activities. The results showed that the SSCPs contained six cholesterol-lowering peptides (Ala-Pro, Leu-Gln, Asn-Val-Gly, Arg-Glu-Arg, Pro-His and Gly-Pro-Arg), two vasorelaxant peptides (Leu-Gln and Pro-His), and four antithrombotic peptides (Gly-Pro-Arg, Arg-Glu-Arg, Val-Asp-Gly-Lys and Val-Arg) as novel candidate peptides with beneficial effects on vascular function. These active peptides were also quantified. This study reveals that several peptides from salmon skin possess bifunctional properties.
An observational study to assess Italian obstetrics providers’ knowledge about preventive practices and diagnosis of congenital cytomegalovirus
Authors: Boccherini Chiara , D’Ambrosio Valentina , Corno Sara , Vena Flaminia , Pajno Cristina , Piccioni Maria Grazia , Rech Francesco , Ciolli Paola , Brunelli Roberto , Benedetti Panici Pierluigi , Pizzuti Antonio , Muzii Ludovico , Giancotti Antonella
Published: August 2020

Objectives

Congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV) infection can be easily prevented by hygienic measures. Up to date the majority of the studies in literature highlighted a reduction in cCMV antenatal counseling and its prevention. Our purpose was to evaluate obstetrics providers’ knowledge about cCMV infection, management and the behavioral practices to avoid it.

Methods

This is a cross-sectional survey carried out in Umberto I Hospital, “Sapienza” University of Rome between November 2019 and January 2020. We recruited 148 specialists and residents in Obstetrics and Gynecology through online anonymous multiple-choice 13-questions, 10 min-survey comparing responses between the two groups.

Results

A total of 94.6% of all participants said they always prescribe cytomegalovirus (CMV) serum screening: 73.6% of them regularly counsel about preventive practices, with specialists recording higher percentages (85.4 vs. 65.1%, p<0.005). We identified a good knowledge about the diagnostic pathway, but only 58.1% of our population knows the correct time of late amniocentesis. 12.2% of providers do not consider magnetic resonance (MRI) as a complementary exam.

Conclusions

Prevention of maternal seroconversion is crucial: even if our data show an acceptable knowledge about antenatal counseling, we encourage clinicians to firmly inform and educate women about behavioral measures.
Housing Price, Mortgage Interest Rate and Immigration
Authors: Chong Fennee
Published: August 2020

Housing price in New Zealand has appreciated substantially after the Global Financial Crisis, resulting in an affordability problem for first home buyers. This paper studies whether changes in immigration activity and mortgage interest rate influence housing price. Empirical findings derived using VECM confirm the impact of immigration and mortgage interest rate on housing property price. Both variables explain 11.4 percent of the variation of Housing Index. An increase of 1 percent in mortgage interest rate would reduce the housing index movement by 1.44 percent whilst a 1 percent increase in immigrants would increase the housing index by 0.30 percent. In addition, about 2 percent of the short-run deviations of housing prices are adjusted towards the long-run equilibrium each month.
Model Hybrid for Sales Forecast for the Housing Market of São Paulo
Authors: Moro Matheus Fernando , Weise Andreas Dittmar , Bornia Antonio Cezar
Published: August 2020

This research proposes a combined model of time series for forecasting housing sales in the city of São Paulo. We used data referring to the time series of sales of residential units provided by SECOVI-SP. The Exponential Softening, Box-Jenkins and Artificial Neural Networks models are individually modelled, later these are combined through five forecast combination techniques.

The techniques used are Arithmetic Mean, Geometric Mean, Harmonic Mean, Linear Regression and Principal Component Analysis. The measures of accuracy to measure the results obtained and to select the best model are the RMSE, MAPE and UTheil of forecast. The results showed that Linear Regression with an independent variable, being a combination of the SARIMA model (2,0,0)(2,0,0)12 and MLP/RNA (12,10,1), provided a satisfactory performance, with an RMSE of 368.74, MAPE of 19.2% and UTheil of 0.315.

The combination of time series models allowed a significant increase in forecast performance. Finally, the model was validated, using it to predict housing sales. The results show that the model has a good fit, thus demonstrating that using a housing sales forecasting model helps industry professionals minimize error and make sales and launch decisions.
Molecular dynamics simulation study used in systems with supercritical water
Authors: Jin Hui , Ding Weijing , Bai Bin , Cao Changqing
Published: August 2020

Supercritical water (SCW) is a green solvent. The supercritical fluids have been increasingly concerned and studied in many areas such as SCW gasification, biofuel production, SCW hydrothermal conversion, organic wastes treatment and utilization, nanotechnology, etc. Because of the severe circumstances and rapid reactions in supercritical water, it is difficult for experimental researchers to disentangle various fundamental reaction steps from the intermediate and product distributions. From this perspective, molecular dynamics (MD) simulation based on quantum chemistry is an efficient tool for studying and exploring complex molecular systems. In recent years, molecular simulations and quantum chemical calculations have become powerful for illustrating the possible internal mechanism of a complex system. However, now there is no literature about the overview of MD simulation study of the system with SCW. Therefore, in this paper, an overview of MD simulation investigation applied in various systems with SCW is presented. In the current review we explore diverse research areas. Namely, the applications of MD simulation on investigating the properties of SCW, pyrolysis/gasification systems with SCW, dissolution systems and oxidation systems with SCW were summarized. And the corresponding problems in diverse systems were discussed. Furthermore, the advances and problems in MD simulation study were also discussed. Finally, possible directions for future research were outlined. This work is expected to be one reference for the further theoretical and molecular simulation investigations of systems involving SCW.
Neural Drive is Greater for a High-Intensity Contraction Than for Moderate-Intensity Contractions Performed to Fatigue
Authors: Miller Jonathan D. , Lippman Jeremy D. , Trevino Michael A. , Herda Trent J.
Published: September 2020

Miller, JD, Lippman, JD, Trevino, MA, and Herda, TJ. Larger motor units are recruited for high-intensity contractions than for fatiguing moderate-intensity contractions. J Strength Cond Res 34(11): 3013–3021, 2020—The purpose of this study was to investigate whether moderate-intensity contractions performed to fatigue activate the motor unit (MU) pool to the same extent as a higher-intensity contraction. Subjects (7 men, 2 women, age = 22.78 ± 4.15 years, height = 173.78 ± 14.19 cm, mass = 87.39 ± 21.19 kg) performed 3 isometric maximum voluntary contractions (MVCs), an isometric trapezoidal contraction at 90% MVC (REP90), and repetitive isometric trapezoidal contractions at 50% MVC performed to failure with the first (REP1) and final repetition (REPL) used for analysis. Surface EMG was recorded from the vastus lateralis. Action potentials were extracted into firing events of single MUs with recruitment thresholds (RTs), MU action potential amplitudes (MUAPAMP), and mean firing rates (MFRs) recorded. Linear MFR and MUAPAMP vs. RT and exponential MFR vs. MUAPAMP relationships were calculated for each subject. The level of significance was set at p ≤ 0.05. B terms for the MFR vs. MUAPAMP relationships (p = 0.001, REPL = −4.77 ± 1.82 pps·mV−1, REP90 = −2.63 ± 1.00 pps·mV−1) and predicted MFRs for MUs recruited at 40% MVC (p < 0.001, REPL = 11.14 ± 3.48 pps, REP90 = 18.38 ± 2.60 pps) were greater for REP90 than REPL indicating firing rates were greater during REP90. In addition, larger mean (p = 0.038, REPL = 0.178 ± 0.0668 mV, REP90 = 0.263 ± 0.128 mV) and maximum (p = 0.008, REPL = 0.320 ± 0.127 mV, Rep90 = 0.520 ± 0.234 mV) MUAPAMPS were recorded during REP90 than REPL. Larger MUs were recruited and similar sized MUs maintained greater firing rates during a high-intensity contraction in comparison to a moderate-intensity contraction performed at fatigue. Individuals seeking maximized activation of the MU pool should use high-intensity resistance training paradigms rather than moderate-intensity to fatigue.
Mechanical Properties Improvement of Polyvinyl Acetate Polymer-Treated Sand with Plant Fiber Reinforcement
Authors: Liu Jin , Shi Xiao , Qi Changqing , Chen Zhihao , Bu Fan , Qian Wei , Jiang Canhui , Lan Xiaowei , Song Zezhuo
Published: August 2020

Sand as a building material is pretty common in engineering constructions such as slopes and foundation pits. The great instability is generally generated because of the lack of cohesion inside and such instability is more serious during rains or when subjected to excessive external loads. This paper is aimed to study a combination of polyvinyl acetate polymer and sisal fiber as reinforcement materials. The focus of this study is to determine the effects of polymer content, fiber content, and dry sand density on the improvement in mechanical behavior of reinforced poorly graded sand. A series of direct shear, unconfined compression, and tensile tests on the reinforced sand have been conducted. The results suggest that the reinforcement effect increases with dry sand density up to 1.55 g/cm3 and then levels off. For fixed dry sand density, the strength of the improved sand enhances with the augment of polymer and plant fiber contents. At maximum contents, the reinforced sand can have 480 kPa of shear tensile strength, 1,276 kPa of unconfined compressive strength, and 240 kPa of tensile strength. The reinforcement mechanisms are revealed by Scanning Electron Microscope images. Polymer forms firm the polymer–soil matrices that enhance the fiber–sand interactions to mobilize tensile stresses. The combined use of polymer and fiber is preferred in engineering practices because of its zero negative impacts on the environment.
Did China’s Public Health Reforms Leave It Prepared for COVID-19?
Authors: Mason Katherine A.
Published: September 2020

China faced the arrival of COVID-19 armed with new infrastructure, tools, and personnel that it had developed as part of a nationwide overhaul of its public health system in the wake of the 2003 SARS epidemic. The country learned two major lessons from SARS: it needed to increase its scientific professionalism and transparency, and it needed to build upon the successes of its authoritarian disease control capabilities. These two lessons were on full display during China’s COVID-19 response. The goals and methods they implied were sometimes in contradiction with each other, however, and ultimately they failed to prevent a catastrophic pandemic.
Diagnostic utility of different models used to assess the acid–base balance in cats with chronic kidney disease
Authors: Sławuta Piotr , Sikorska-Kopyłowicz Agnieszka , Sapikowski Grzegorz
Published: August 2020

Metabolic acidosis is diagnosed based on the concentration of bicarbonate ions and partial pressure of carbon dioxide in arterial blood, although acid–base balance (ABB) disorders may also be diagnosed based on the serum ion concentrations in order to determine the values of strong ion difference (SID), anion gap (AG), corrected anion gap (AGcorr) and chloride/sodium ratio (Cl−/Na+). The aim of this study was to assess and compare the classic model, the value of the AG, AGcorr, and Cl−/Na+ in the diagnosis of ABB disorders in cats with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The study group consisted of 80 cats with CKD, divided into four groups based on the guidelines of the International Renal Interest Society (IRIS). The control group (C) included 20 healthy cats. Metabolic acidosis – diagnosed based on the classic model (Hendersson–Hasselbalch equation) – was found in IRIS group IV. AG, AGcorr, SID calculated for IRIS groups II, III and IV were lower than in group C, while the value of AGdiff and Cl−/Na+ in those groups was higher than in group C. We can conclude that ABB analysis using the classic model enabled the detection of ABB disorders in cats in stage IV CKD. However, the analysis of the AG, AGcorr and Cl−/Na+ values enabled the diagnosis of acid–base balance disorders in cats with IRIS stage II, III and IV CKD.
The effect of selected Lactobacillus strains on dextran sulfate sodium-induced mouse colitis model
Authors: Hasannejad-Bibalan Meysam , Mojtahedi Ali , Eshaghi Morteza , Rohani Mahdi , Pourshafie Mohammad Reza , Talebi Malihe
Published: August 2020

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) comprises two major illnesses: Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). Dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) mouse colitis model has been used in understanding the mechanism of IBD. This study was conducted to examine selected Lactobacillus spp. as potential IBD treatment in the DSS-induced animal model. Balb/c mice were used and colitis was induced by adding 5% dextran sodium sulfate into the drinking water for 8 days. Colon length, disease activity index (DAI) and histological analysis were measured as markers of inflammation in DSS colitis mice. The majority of the Lactobacillus species significantly prevented the shortening of the colon length compared with the DSS group. The DAI scores of mice were significantly reduced following usage of four Lactobacillus strains included: Lactobacillus plantarum 03 and 06, Lactobacillus brevis 02 and Lactobacillus rhamnosus 01. The histological analysis exhibited that oral administration of Lactobacillus strains had therapeutic effects on mice colitis. L. plantarum and L. brevis showed better therapeutic effect against DSS-induced acute colitis mice. The probiotic activities of these three isolates indicated that the probiotic effects were strain specific and none of these useful bacteria could exhibit all of the valued probiotic properties simultaneously.
Effects of different decontaminating solutions used for the treatment of peri-implantitis on the growth of Porphyromonas gingivalis-an in vitro study
Authors: Barrak Ibrahim , Baráth Zoltán , Tián Tamás , Venkei Annamária , Gajdács Márió , Urbán Edit , Stájer Anette
Published: August 2020

Implants have been considered the treatment of choice to replace missing teeth, unfortunately, peri-implant disease is still an unresolved issue. Contaminated implants may be decontaminated by physical debridement and chemical disinfectants; however, there is a lack of consensus regarding the ideal techniques/agents to be used for the decontamination. The objective of our study was to compare the decontaminating efficacy of different chemical agents on a titanium surface contaminated with Porphyromonas gingivalis, a typical representative of the bacterial flora associated with peri-implantitis. Commercially pure Ti grade 4 discs with a polished surface were treated with a mouthwash containing chlorhexidine digluconate (0.1%), povidone-iodine (PVP-iodine) solution (10%) or citric acid monohydrate (40%). Qualitative and quantitative assessment of cellular growth and survival were assessed by a 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Significant differences in the quantity of P. gingivalis could be observed after 6 days of incubation. A numerical, but not statistically significant (P = 0.066) decrease in the amount of living bacteria was observed in the group treated with the PVP-iodine solution as compared to the control group. The chlorhexidine (CHX)-treated group presented with significantly higher cell counts, as compared to the PVP-iodine-treated group (P = 0.032), while this was not observed compared to the control group and citric acid-treated group. Our results have also been verified by SEM measurements. Our results suggest that for P. gingivalis contamination on a titanium surface in vitro, PVP-iodine is a superior decontaminant, compared to citric acid and chlorhexidine-digulconate solution.
Influence of medium chain fatty acids on some botrytised wine-related yeast species and on spontaneous refermentation of Tokaj essence
Authors: Oláhné Horváth B. , Fazekas E. , Kellner N. , Magyar I.
Published: August 2020

Medium chain fatty acids are candidates of partial sulphur dioxide replacement in wine, as a solution to the growing consumer concerns about chemical additives. In botrytised sweet wine specialties, large amount of sulphur dioxide addition is one of the effective practices to stop alcoholic fermentation. Increasing medium chain fatty acid levels up to 80 mg l-1 was tested as a sole inhibitor on solid agar surface. S. bacillaris seemed to be the most sensitive, S. cerevsisiae and S. bayanus were more tolerant, while Z. bailii showed the highest tolerance. Then, increasing medium chain fatty acid levels up to 40 mg l-1 combined with 100 mg l-1 sulphur dioxide was introduced into a Tokaj Essence under refermentation. After 56 days, the highest dosage had pronounced effect on the yeast population, but the refermentation was not inhibited completely. Medium chain fatty acids have varying inhibitory effect on botrytised wine-related yeasts, moreover, it could be used effectively in media with high ethanol content, unlike Tokaj Essence.
Performance of recombinant proteins in diagnosis and differentiation of canine visceral leishmaniasis infected and vaccinated dogs
Authors: Pereira Ingrid E. , Silva Kyssia P. , Menegati Laura M. , Pinheiro Aimara C. , Assunção Elaine A. O. , Araújo Maria De Lourdes P. , Abass Elfadil , Duthie Malcolm S. , Steinhoff Ulrich , Teixeira Henrique C.
Published: August 2020

Control of canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL), a major zoonotic disease in Brazil and many other tropical and subtropical countries, remains difficult as an accurate and reliable diagnosis is still missing. In endemic regions, infected dogs are the main parasitic reservoir host of human Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) infection. Vaccination of dogs against Leishmania infection constitutes an important strategy to prevent or to better control CVL, thus, a serological test that can discriminate between antibodies induced by immunization versus infection is highly desirable in order to improve and simplify diagnosis. Here, four recombinant proteins were evaluated for their ability to detect and differentiate between dogs that are infected with Leishmania or have been immunized with the anti-Leishmania vaccine Leish-Tec®. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis of the four Leishmania-specific IgG ELISA revealed superior performance of rK28, followed by rKLO8, rK39 and rLb6H. The rK28-based ELISA revealed not only the best accuracy against CVL, but also the lowest cross-reactivity with sera from Leish-Tec® immunized dogs. Our data show that the rK28-based ELISA is highly suitable for CVL screening as it shows high sensitivity with simultaneous low cross-reactivity. Further, the high specificity of the rKLO8 indicates its suitability for the confirmation of CVL diagnosis.
New Late Cretaceous (Coniacian) sauropod tracks from Hvar Island, Croatia
Authors: Solt Péter , Szuromi-Korecz Andrea , Ősi Attila
Published: August 2020

In June 2017 a new sauropod trackway locality was discovered in the central part of the Adriatic–Dinaric Carbonate Platform (ADCP), on the island of Hvar (Croatia). The track site is situated on the northern shore of the western edge (Pelegrin) of the island in the upper Turonian – lower Coniacian limestone series. The track site contains altogether 13 footprints arranged in four possible trackways. The largest footprints have a diameter up to 80 cm. In some places the limestone surface is strongly karstified and the tracks are partly eroded, which has certainly modified the original shape and size of the footprints. Microfossil assemblage from the track-bearing beds suggest an early Coniacian age for the tracks. The new trackways on Hvar Island further strengthen the earlier hypothesis that sauropods were present in the western Tethyan archipelago during the late Cenomanian–late Campanian period. In addition, the new tracks, together with those from the Žukova Cove of Hvar, represent two, possibly slightly different stratigraphic horizons close to the Turonian–Coniacian boundary, and suggest that the occurrence of sauropods on the ADCP and possibly also on other parts of the Apulian microplate was not accidental, but rather periodical and more frequent than previously thought.
Consumo de azúcar y caries de la infancia temprana en Cali, Colombia
Authors: Villegas Trujillo Lina María , Villavicencio Flórez Judy Elena , Rios Fanny , Contreras Rengifo Adolfo
Published: August 2020

Introducción: la correlación entre caries de la infancia temprana y el consumo de azúcar en alimentos y bebidas no ha sido reportada en Colombia.

Objetivo: investigar la prevalencia de las caries en la infancia temprana y el consumo de azúcar en alimentos dentro de un jardín de educación preescolar.

Diseño: se realizó un estudio descriptivo con 124 niños con edades entre 3 y 4 años que asisten a tres entidades públicas de cuidado infantil entre semana. Se registraron sus hábitos alimenticios durante tres meses y se proyectaron hacia un año. Los niños fueron alimentados de acuerdo con un menú institucional que incluye el desayuno, el almuerzo y dos meriendas entre comidas y que se prepara siguiendo los lineamientos gubernamentales que miden las calorías y clasifican los alimentos por grupos. Luego de dejar la institución, la alimentación de los niños es responsabilidad de los padres y por esto, se les consultó, mediante un cuestionario, una entrevista y una visita domiciliaria, los hábitos alimenticios de los niños durante los fines de semana. La caries de la infancia temprana se investigó a través del sistema internacional de evaluación y detección de las caries.

Resultados: por año, se estimó que el consumo de azúcar de los niños es de 52.20 kg, lo que está por encima de la recomendación de la OMS. Incluso, aunque hay un aumento en el consumo de azúcar durante los fines de semana, la cantidad de azúcar entre semana también es importante, lo que se asocia con un incremento en el índice dmft. Asímismo, se asoció el tetero de la noche con la caries de la infancia temprana y se encontró que el cepillado para el control de la placa también es insuficiente.

Conclusión: el consumo excesivo de azúcar y el cepillado insuficiente son factores de riesgo importante para el desarrollo de caries de la infancia temprana en los niños colombianos. Colombia necesita promover e implementar políticas nutricionales más estrictas para reducir el consumo de azúcar de los niños y para mejorar el control de la placa dental en instituciones de cuidado y en casa para reducir la prevalencia de la caries en este momento del ciclo vital.