bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Qualité des institutions, similarité institutionnelle et commerce international
Authors: Bouattour Fatma
Published: May 2021

Cet article revisite les effets de la qualité des institutions nationales et supranationales, et la similarité institutionnelle sur le commerce bilatéral. Pour ce faire, nous utilisons la classification des fonctions des institutions proposée par Rodrik et Subramanian [2004]. Nous considérons les exportations bilatérales de 83 pays à niveaux de revenus élevés et intermédiaires et estimons un modèle de gravité (Anderson et Van Wincoop [2003]) pour l’année 2017. Les résultats confirment l’effet positif de la similarité institutionnelle sur le commerce bilatéral, notamment pour les institutions de création, de régulation et de légitimation des marchés. Les effets positifs sont largement conduits par les paires de pays appartenant à une même catégorie de revenus, notamment les paires à niveaux de revenus intermédiaires. Des résultats complémentaires confirment que la distance institutionnelle a un effet négatif sur le commerce, qu’elle soit en faveur des pays exportateurs ou importateurs. L’étude démontre, en outre, que la qualité des institutions de création et de régulation des marchés favorise le commerce des pays importateurs. Ces effets sont plus stables pour les pays de destination à hauts revenus. La qualité des institutions semble cependant décourager le commerce des pays exportateurs. De plus, il n’existe que peu d’évidence sur le rôle des institutions de stabilisation des marchés et de la démocratie dans l’explication du commerce. Enfin, l’étude confirme globalement les effets positifs d’une appartenance commune à l’OMC ou à un ACR sur le commerce bilatéral.
Mastercard, sa fondation et l’inclusion financière : une entreprise philanthropique ?
Authors: Lefèvre Sylvain A. , Langevin Marie
Published: May 2021

En 2006, lors de son entrée en bourse, Mastercard a créé sa fondation en lui octroyant 10 % de ses actions et en lui donnant pour mission la lutte contre la pauvreté, par l’inclusion financière des populations exclues des circuits financiers formels en Afrique. Pour défendre cette cause sociale, la Fondation Mastercard, dotée d’un capital de 23 milliards de dollars en 2019, transfère dans le domaine philanthropique les discours et instruments du capitalisme financiarisé, tout en mobilisant des ong , des organisations internationales, des entreprises privées comme des universités. Sur la base d’une enquête empirique, cet article analyse les modalités de cette stratégie d’hybridation entre mondes militants et économiques et l’instrumentation croisée entre la firme et sa fondation. Il démontre comment la Fondation Mastercard vise à faire advenir la société dont a besoin la firme Mastercard : «  A World Beyond Cash  ».
Collaborer avec le marché : les stratégies des associations végétariennes en France
Authors: Kabouche Noé , Dubuisson-Quellier Sophie
Published: May 2021

Depuis moins d’une dizaine d’années, la cause végétarienne jouit en France d’une visibilité grandissante au sein de l’espace public, médiatique, ainsi que dans les débats politiques. Cette publicisation de la cause s’accompagne d’une croissance particulièrement rapide du secteur des produits végétariens et végans sur le marché de l’alimentation. Dans cet article, nous montrons que des organisations du mouvement végétarien contribuent à cette évolution du marché en construisant les conditions d’une collaboration stratégique avec le monde économique, prenant place au sein d’un espace transversal articulant les intérêts des associations militantes et ceux de leurs interlocuteurs marchands. La littérature traitant des liens entre marché et mouvements sociaux a souvent observé les affrontements entre ces deux milieux ou les formes de collaboration mises en œuvre lors de l’élaboration de certifications, valeurs marchandes ou offres alternatives. Cet article entend contribuer à ces recherches en étudiant les relations directes engagées par les collaborations observées, en soulignant les conditions sociales qui favorisent les interactions entre mondes militants et marchands, ainsi que la porosité des frontières qui délimitent ces espaces.
Antiaflatoxigenic potential of essential oils of spices – a review
Authors: Ranjith A. , Srilatha C.M. , Lekshmi P.C. , Rameshbabu N.
Published: May 2021

Mycotoxins are important food contaminants posing a significant threat to food and feed safety and public health. Among the mycotoxins, aflatoxins are deemed to be a more significant contaminant due to their potent carcinogenic, and hepatotoxic effects, and their levels are highly regulated in the international food trade. Phytochemicals are considered a major source of natural antifungal agents. The volatile nature of essential oil of plants makes them ideal candidates for antifungal agents due to their ability to distribute in free air spaces in closed containers and penetrate through heterogeneous food materials. In these, essential oils in spices attain special attention due to their commercial availability and low toxicity. This article reviews the antiaflatoxigenic capacity of spice essential oils and the effect of essential oil composition on the activity and mechanism of antifungal action and is expected to be useful for the planning of further research in the subject area.
Response of common buckwheat and Tartary buckwheat from different elevations to selenium treatment
Authors: Golob Aleksandra , Luzar Neja , Germ Mateja
Published: May 2021

Common buckwheat and Tartary buckwheat were grown in Slovenia outdoors at different elevations – 300 m, 600 m and 1180 m a.s.l. Both species were foliarly treated with selenium twice (in the vegetative phase and in the flowering phase). The effects of Se treatment and different growing locations on selected biochemical, physiological and anatomical traits were monitored. In Se treated common buckwheat, amount of chlorophylls was higher in plants from Ljubljana (the lowest elevation – 300 m a.s.l.) than in plants grown in Podbeže (600 m a.s.l.), whereas in control group, plants grown in Ljubljana contained more chlorophylls than plants from Javorje (the highest elevation – 1180 m a.s.l.). In both buckwheat species, Se alone did not affect amount of chlorophylls in any of location. In Se treated common buckwheat plants, the amount of UV absorbing compounds was the highest in plants, grown at the highest elevation. In common buckwheat, Se lowered the number of CaOx in plants, grown in Javorje. Conditions at different elevations, as well as treatments with Se, did not affect potential and effective photochemical efficiency of Photosystem II.

Keywords: common buckwheat, Tartary buckwheat, elevation, selenium, morphological characteristics, biochemical characteristics
Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in Higher Education
Authors: Bisen Ibrahim Eren , Arslan Emin Alp , Yildirim Kamil , Yildirim Yetkin
Published: May 2021

Artificial intelligence and machine learning have the potential to address many of the problems that have emerged in higher education due the rapid and haphazard transition to online learning brought about by the coronavirus pandemic. These problems include students' struggle to self-regulate their learning, the increase in curriculum planning and administrative workload for teachers, and the loss of personalized interaction between students and teachers. This chapter explores how artificial intelligence can be used to help students and teachers to adapt to the new realities of online learning, and how these technologies could further transform higher education in the future. By providing more personalized, flexible, inclusive, and engaging learning experiences, artificial intelligence has the potential to re-invigorate students and teachers both and to make virtual classrooms more meaningful and productive.
Construction Work Health and Safety Management Using Building Information Modelling
Authors: London Kerry , Kaur Gurvin , Feng Yingbin , Vårhammar Angelica , Wallace Gabrielle , Zhang Peng , Saha Swapan , Rahnamayiezekavat Payam
Published: May 2021

The high rates of fatalities and injuries in the construction industry highlight the importance of work health and safety (WHS). Building information modelling (BIM) could significantly improve WHS management in construction, but integration has been limited. The chapter explores the application of BIM for WHS management and the rationale for market leaders' role to catalyse a BIM-enabled WHS management ecosystem through procurement strategies and tendering proficiency. An international comparative analysis of BIM WHS is presented along with a BIM drivers and barriers critique, including a clustering into seven areas of market, perceptions and attitudes, leadership, supply chain integration and collaborative practice, procurement strategies and tendering proficiency, decision tools, and technical functionality. A focussed decision framework is outlined. The findings provide insights for researchers and practitioners to understand how a BIM-enabled WHS management system can be facilitated and supported through the project lifecycle.
Transforming Construction Waste Analytics to Support Circular Economy and Carbon Footprint Reduction
Authors: Papastamoulis Vasilios , London Kerry , Crocker Robert , Patias Petros
Published: May 2021

The fourth industrial revolution transforms the built environment through several highly intelligence systems such as drones, 3D printers, robotics, as well as building information modelling (BIM) and geographic information systems (GIS). This transformation has widely been applied in buildings. However, to establish environmental sustainability in the built environment, this transformation needs to be expanded in other sectors that impact climate change such as construction and demolition waste materials. The aim of this chapter is to introduce a new conceptual model that can measure construction and demolition waste in real time and optimise their carbon footprint spatially. A quantitative methodology that embraces a measuring protocol and geospatial research method is proposed for this purpose. The proposed model is capable of measuring the recycling potential result in construction sites to support the circular economy as well as to mitigate the associated carbon dioxide emissions (CO2) with materials' embodied energy, transportation, and treatment.
Cost Managerial Analysis to Prevent Arbitrary Cost Reductions in Times of Significant Crisis
Authors: Oyadomari José Carlos Tiomatsu , Nisiyama Edelcio Koitiro , Mendonça Neto Octávio Ribeiro de , Parisi Claudio , Honda Marcelo , Dultra-de-Lima Ronaldo Gomes
Published: May 2021

This chapter presents an innovative cost categorization model that can help understand costs in terms of their causes. The model incorporates categories that are now scattered in the literature, develops the categories more broadly, and connects with management control tools to monitor these costs. The model was applied in a Brazilian dairy company and made it possible for managers to discuss strategic aspects, hitherto not addressed in routine discussions. The model contributes to the literature by filling a gap in textbooks and contributes to practice by providing a cost categorization model, enabling the controller and finance professional to avoid arbitrary cost reductions, so common in times of crisis. However, they hinder the long-term performance of companies.
Foreign Exchange Market Shocks in the Context of the Global Pandemic (COVID-19)
Authors: Dias Rui Teixeira , Carvalho Luísa
Published: May 2021

This chapter analyzes the efficiency, in its weak form, in the international exchange markets from January 1st, 2019 to July 21st, 2020. The results show that the foreign exchange markets show very high levels of integration, which may jeopardize portfolio diversification as well as possible hedging operations. The detrended fluctuation analysis (DFA) shows that the EUR.GBP, GBP.USD, USD.REAL foreign exchange markets show some signs of (in)efficiency showing persistence in yields, while the EUR.JPY, EUR.USD, JPY.CHF, USD.CHF, USD.JPY markets show signs of anti persistence (i.e., the existence of short memories). The USD.BITCOIN, USD.CAD markets do not reject the random walk hypothesis, that is, they are in equilibrium. By way of conclusion, the authors show that the uncertainty of the 2020 pandemic crisis has affected the memory properties of the foreign exchange markets since some returns can be expected, creating opportunities for arbitrage and abnormal profits.
A Study on the Performance of Indian Mutual Funds in Recent Years
Authors: Varshney Dipika , Heblikar Sowjanya , K Sunitha B
Published: May 2021

The Indian mutual fund industry is an integral part of the Indian financial industry. The mutual fund industry has a significant impact on the Indian economy. This study aims at understanding the growth and performance of mutual fund industry and understanding the cause and effect through empirical research. For this research, published papers have been studied and analysed to give a better understanding of the industry. This study records the performance of Indian mutual funds from the year 2015-2020. It analyses the performance of the debt, equity, and ETF mutual funds. The challenges are huge, but the investors have shown a matured behaviour. The 2020 pandemic has allowed investors to balance their portfolios by removing poor performing mutual fund holdings.
On IoT and Its Integration With Cloud Computing
Authors: Abrar Iram , Pottoo Sahil Nazir , Masoodi Faheem Syeed , Bamhdi Alwi
Published: May 2021

Internet of things witnessed rapid growth in the last decade and is considered to be a promising field that plays an all-important role in every aspect of modern-day life. However, the growth of IoT is seriously hindered by factors like limited storage, communication capabilities, and computational power. On the other hand, cloud has the potential to support a large amount of data as it has massive storage capacity and can perform complex computations. Considering the tremendous potential of these two technologies and the manner in which they complement one another, they have been integrated to form what is commonly referred to as the cloud of things (CoT). This integration is beneficial as the resulting system is more robust, intelligent, powerful, and offers promising solutions to the users. However, the new paradigm (CoT) is faced with a significant number of challenges that need to be addressed. This chapter discusses in detail various challenges like reliability, latency, scalability, heterogeneity, power consumption, standardization, etc. faced by the cloud of things.
Sustainability of Cloud-Based Smart Society
Authors: Tomar Dimpal , Singh Pooja , Bhati Jai Prakash , Tomar Pradeep
Published: May 2021

Today, everything is progressing to ‘Smart' to enhance the environment via technological progress including IoT, big data, AI, ICT, and so on. But, in this whole process, the sustainability of being ‘smart' is implemented by the cloud-based technology, which also acts as an engine. Smart society is another live example of this era that makes potential use of digital technology and sensor devices to improve people's lives through the internet. It also incorporates cloud computing, which significantly benefits them by offering a sustainable environment to access the computing power at large scale, which they could not previously access due to lack of resources. This chapter provide a broad overview of smart society that covers the scope and services, technological pillars, features necessities to be titled as ‘smart', and a sustainable development. Also, it broadly covers the role of cloud computing, related technologies, and generic architecture for the sustainability of smart societies followed by applications with a case study and challenges.
Shifting Legacy Robotic Manufacturing Towards Industry 4.0
Authors: Alasti Hadi
Published: May 2021

The mission of this chapter is to review and investigate the requirements and applications of using cloud-based internet of things (CIoT) for shifting the legacy robotic manufacturing towards Industry 4.0. Sensing and communications are two requirements of Industry 4.0. In the chapter, the legacy robotic manufacturing equipment collaborate with the environment, where it supports sustainable manufacturing. An implementation example of the proposed scenario will be discussed in this chapter.
Imagining and Creating Timeless Virtual Synchronous and Asynchronous Courses
Authors: McCutcheon Robin S.
Published: May 2021

Imagining and creating new courses, or updating old courses, can be a fun project if the instructor possesses several crucial tools: a Franklin Planner-type calendar for time management control, a skeletal framework for the course, and a learning management system that facilitates several different modes of electronic storage. With careful planning, the course designer can create a fun and instructive course that benefits both student and instructor in a myriad of ways both during the semester and long after the term has ended.
Developing Global Mindset Through Experiential Learning in Global Virtual Teams
Authors: Panina Daria
Published: May 2021

Global mindset is a set of competencies that improves the ability of individuals to operate and compete globally and was related to multiple positive individual and organizational outcomes. Increasingly, business education is expected to develop global mindset among business students. The chapter introduces global virtual teams of X-Culture project as a possible substitute to the development of global mindset through international travel such as study abroad and reciprocal exchange programs. The experiences of students in global virtual teams and their impact on global mindset development are discussed. The chapter described additional assignments that can be used in conjunction with global virtual teams to emphasize skills and competencies associated with the global mindset. In conclusion, teaching strategies and tools that enhance development of global mindset in online classrooms are discussed.
Developing a Virtual Professional Learning Community for Online Faculty
Authors: Belcher Alan , Robinson Jennifer , Olson-Stewart Kelly , Rief Allison N.
Published: May 2021

Remote, online, virtual, adjunct faculty face a number of issues in performing their duties. One of the most important is their feeling of disconnect, both from working remotely and from not having on-going interactions with their peers and with fulltime faculty. Three research projects were performed to identify the needs, values, and organization of virtual professional learning communities for remote, online faculty at one university. The research included one project of the value of having the opportunity for faculty, while two others targeted specific groups of faculty within the university to analyze the methods of organizing an online learning community for faculty. The results have informed professional development for adjunct faculty at the university. A review of the literature from previous research is included.
Faculty Development Through Collaborative Online International Learning
Authors: Swartz Stephanie
Published: May 2021

Professional development through collaborative online international learning (COIL) is not reserved for students. Instructors are also positively influenced through the exchange with colleagues from diverse institutions, backgrounds, pedagogies, and practices. Instructors gain global understanding, which they can impart on their students and use to help facilitate intercultural curricula at their institutions. Engaging their students in virtual teamwork means intense collaboration and agreement on assignments, deadlines, assessment, and learning outcomes, which in turn enables instructors to reevaluate their own values and methods of work. The chapter describes how instructors from four universities in the USA and Europe faced the challenges of creating a common team culture while engaging their students in COIL projects. During the process of overcoming technological, institutional, and cultural differences, these instructors developed both personally and professionally.
Use of Robots to Help Students With Diverse Needs
Authors: Tuna Ayşe
Published: May 2021

In most countries, the student population in schools continues to grow more diverse, and the unique learning needs of the students are recognized. In this respect, it is crucial to ensure that policies foster educational outcomes for all students, not just an average general education student. Since working on robots is very stimulating for especially young students, allowing them to develop key skills that will help them be successful during their school years and beyond in terms of problem-solving, creativity, scientific approach, and team spirit, robots are becoming more popular as an educational platform. For that reason, many types of robots are being involved in education. Robots with different features and capabilities, such as simple robots or socially interactive robots, are used in education, and usually, objectives and targets of a study and age group of students dictate the choices regarding robots. Considering the different roles of robots in education, in this chapter, the use of robots in the education of students with diverse needs is reviewed.
An Innovative Approach in Social Work Organizations
Authors: Eskiyörük Diğdem
Published: May 2021

The aim of this chapter is to discuss social innovation and the importance of social innovation in the dimension of innovative approach in social work organizations. When a rapid change is experienced in social, economic, cultural, technological, and many other areas, while it is very important to be in conformity with these changes, renewals, or developments, it is also very important to create rapid and effective solutions to requirements that differ and change. Creating new and different solutions in line with innovative approaches in the face of complex social problems is summarized as “social innovation.” In this study, the concepts of social work and social innovation, the importance of social innovation in social work organizations, and social innovation practices in the dimension of innovative approach in social work organizations are examined and discussed with a conceptual dimension.
The Effects of the COVID-19 Outbreak on Social Service-Providing Organizations in the Migration Sector in Turkey and the Digital Measures
Authors: Uslu Ak Büşra
Published: May 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a massive impact on everyone on the world since early 2020. The situation in Turkey is not different than the rest of the world. In the time of a pandemic, it is important, for everyone's safety, to identify ways to deliver social services without in-person contact; therefore, organizations must adopt models for remote and digitalized social service provision which can minimize risks to the health and safety of both for social service-receivers and providers. In this respect, this chapter has got three foci: the effects of COVID-19 outbreak on the social service-providing non-governmental organizations in the context of migration in Turkey, the needs of the asylum seekers as social service-receivers, and the digital measures of the non-governmental organizations in social service provision as a response to COVID-19 outbreak.
Transformation in the Delivery of Public Social Services and E-Government Systems
Authors: Akcagündüz Emre
Published: May 2021

The foremost aim of this study is to examine the role and substantiality of digitalization in public services in Turkey. In this context, public services provided by the Turkish Ministry of Family, Labor, and Social Services in digital environment through e-government have been examined. Under the Law on the Right to Act, information on the aforementioned subject was requested from the Turkish Ministry of Family, Labor, and Social Services. Based on the information acquired, it has been discussed the transformation in the delivery of public services at the ministry with the impact of digitalization. As a result of this study, it has been determined that the ministry benefits from digitalization in the delivery of public services through the e-government due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, it has been determined that the ministry would like to transfer all of its services to digital environment in the future.
Representation of Syrian Children in Turkish Media From a Child-Oriented Rights Journalism Perspective
Authors: Ardıç Çobaner Aslıhan
Published: May 2021

The starting point of this study is to reveal how Syrian children, who are still experiencing a vexed problem in Turkey and are thought to affect our immediate future, are represented in the newspapers. The most frequently used themes were identified in the news through qualitative content analysis, and by means of discourse analysis method, it was aimed to reveal the representations produced through discourses. The subject has been discussed from an interdisciplinary and critical perspective. It was an important finding in the news about these children that there is a lack of emphasis concerning children's rights and the perspective of children's rights which was stated in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), to which Turkey is a party. Although the lack of a rights-based perspective in the news in the study is notable, journalism guidelines respecting children's rights should be the basic principle in preparing news about children in general and Syrian children in particular.
Physical and Mental Health Issues of Elderly Women in India
Authors: Rafi Sameen , Saif Shyna
Published: May 2021

In the 21st century, the aging population is one of the triumphs of humankind. The aging population is now conquering not only developed nations but developing nations too. The inclusion of challenges and problems of the elderly has now been increased, especially for elderly women. It is high time to focus on this vulnerable section, which has been ignored for an extended time. Despite such development of technology, medicines, facilities, and modernization, this weaker section still lay back. Their health and mental status depend on the overall level of care given by their family members and society. Elderly women are facing more health problems than men. Most of them are suffering from chronic diseases. Loneliness is a common psychological problem among all women. The preponderance of widows over widowers among the elderly is a grave issue. Very few of them are taking medical care from medical and non-medical institutions. This chapter explores the physical and mental challenges of elderly women in India.
Relationship Between Transformational Leadership and Commitment of Consultants in South African Management Consulting Firms
Authors: Magaisa Gibbet Murambiwa , Musundire Austin
Published: May 2021

The paper is focused at addressing lack of commitment challenges by the consultants as a result of ineffectiveness of transformational leadership and other motivation factors at the management consulting firms in Gauteng Province, South Africa. A Pearson correlation analysis was carried out to determine the relationship that exists between transformational leadership and consultants' commitment variables. The sample size of the study was 100 respondents who were randomly selected from the 50 management consulting firms in Gauteng Province. The study reflected that there is an existence of a significant relationship between transformational leadership and consultants' commitment. The study recommended that leadership in management consultancy firms should embrace the transformational leadership style in order to enhance the commitment of the consultants. The consulting firms should put relevant policies and procedures that are targeted to meet the well-being of the consultants in order to retain and establish a strong dedicated team of professionals.
Age and Digital Divide
Authors: Acilar Ali
Published: May 2021

Over the last decades, while we have been witnessing digital transformation with the rise of the internet and other technological innovations, the older population continues to rise all around the world with increasing life expectancy. These important developments pose important health, economic, and social challenges to societies. Even though the diffusion of the internet has rapidly increased worldwide, the digital divide between young and elderly people is still present, particularly in the developing countries. The aim of this study is to explore age-based digital divide in the Turkish population. Although the number of internet users has increased among the older population over time, a prominent digital divide remains between younger and older people in the Turkish population.
Digital Skills and Their Relevance to the COVID-19 Innovative Responses in the European Union
Authors: Almeida Fernando
Published: May 2021

COVID-19 has caused strong restrictions in the activities of companies and people in the European Union. Its effects are not restricted to the public health field, but also include the economic and social dimensions. To face this wide range of challenges, government entities, companies, and civil society have sought to develop innovative solutions to cope with the effects posed by COVID-19. This study aims to explore these innovative initiatives using the observatory of public sector innovation (OPSI) framework and intends to understand the effects of digital skills of citizens and companies in the emergence of these initiatives. The findings reveal that the proposed innovative solutions result essentially from incremental innovation projects and are promoted by government entities at national and local levels. Nevertheless, the relevance of the participation of companies and civil society in these innovative initiatives is also highlighted. Finally, the digital competencies of each EU state member do not appear to influence the countries' capacity to offer innovative solutions.
Economic Aspects Related to Investments in Energy-Efficient Houses in the Framework of Bioeconomy
Authors: Silvestru Ramona Camelia , Mehedinţu Gabriela , Ionu Cătălin , Ifrim Ana Maria , Petcu Cătălin
Published: May 2021

The challenges related to the sustainable use of renewable natural resources and the European Union's attention to the bioeconomy provide Romania with the legislative framework and building and innovation opportunities in the field of construction, with benefits for consumers, society, and the environment. EU-wide regulation focuses on nearly zero energy buildings (NZEB), with a differentiated degree for each member state of the European Union. That is the reason why, in this article, the authors focus on the economic and the technical aspects, on the minimal way in which it is approached in the scientific literature, as it is reflected in the national legislative structure, and as it is present in the applied practice in Romania.
A Cognitive Personal Assistant System to Enhance the Individual-Centric Research Capabilities
Authors: Gowtham R. , Sanjay S. P.  , Shandilya Shishir Kumar , Sountharrajan S.
Published: May 2021

The intelligent personal assistant system is designed to support the individual researchers to enhance their quality of the research through the natural language interface. Specifically, this system automatically provides intrinsic details about the importance of the topic of discussion using the timeline analysis. The results generated by the system help the researchers to understand the preference of the global researchers in the specific research field. This system primarily identifies the core topic of the discussion from the user's presentation. Further, the importance of the topic is calculated based on the research articles published over three decades in the related field. The experimental results confirm that the proposed method accurately identifies whether the research topic the user presented is HOT.
Improvised Spam Detection in Twitter Data Using Lightweight Detectors and Classifiers
Authors: Velammal B. L.  , Aarthy N.
Published: May 2021

Receiving spam messages is one of the most serious issues in social media, especially in Twitter, which is a widely used platform to reflect the opinions and emotions of an individual publicly as well as focused to a specific group of members with similar thoughts or discussion topic. In such focused discussion groups, getting spam message through social media sites is the most annoying issue. In this paper, a system is developed to detect spam tweets by using four lightweight detectors, namely blacklist domain detector, near duplicate detector, reliable ham detector, and multiclass detector. The detected tweets are then classified using ensemble classifiers such as naïve Bayes, logistic regression, and random forest. Voting method is applied to decide the labels for the tweets obtained after classification process. The proposed system has achieved an accuracy of 79% to detect spam tweets with the help of naïve Bayes classifier method and the value seems to be optimizing further with the availability of more sample data.
Modernizing the Language Laboratory
Authors: Lenkaitis Chesla Ann
Published: May 2021

This study investigates the ways in which synchronous and asynchronous activities create an online language laboratory that mediates second language (L2) learning for 188 L2 university participants over a 6-week period. Completion of tasks and pre-, post-, and weekly surveys were analyzed. Statistical analyses were run on self-rated questions while coding was complete on open-ended questions. Quantitative results revealed significant differences when comparing pre- and post-surveys on questions regarding L2 skills and knowledge while qualitative results indicated that participants had preferences between the technology tools used during the treatment. Although the physical language lab has become almost non-existent, this study suggests that L2 instructors should provide opportunities where L2 learners can expand their language skills outside of the classroom through the creation of an online language laboratory. This laboratory has the ability to transform L2 students' language learning as well as be very valuable in today's classroom given the current COVID-19 global crisis.
Effect of Technological Innovation Inputs on Global Value Chains Status
Authors: Yang Shuili , Yi Yang
Published: May 2021

Under the backdrop of the continuous escalation of the Sino—U.S. trade friction, China's industrial development environment in global value chains (GVCs) has further deteriorated, research on the improvement GVC status of the Chinese manufacturing industry has become the focus of attention for industry and academia. The direction of R&D inputs are of utmost importance to the improvement of GVC status. However, comparatively little attention has been paid to this topic in existing studies. Following the production activity decomposition framework and combining with the World Input-Output Tables, the action mechanism of R&D inputs on GVC status from two aspects of industrial value-added and embedding position were analyzed, the moderating effect of digital servitization was demonstrated. Results show that: The input of applied research has inverted U-shaped influence on the industrial value-added, while it has U-shaped influence on embedding position; The input of basic research has U-shaped influence on the industrial value-added, while it has inverted U-shaped influence on embedding position; The moderating effect of digital servitization between R&D inputs and GVC status is significant, in the short term, the digital servitization can not only magnify the promotion effect of the applied research inputs on GVC status, but also shorten the lag period of basic research inputs on GVC status. In the long run, the digital servitization can not only weaken the marginalization trend of the applied research inputs on GVC status, but also enhance the positive feedback effect of basic research inputs on GVC status. This study is important for China to improve the GVC status.
How Does the Digital Economy Affect the Domestic Value-Added Rate of Chinese Exports?
Authors: Ding Yibing , Zhang Hongyuan , Tang Sitong
Published: May 2021

The digital economy continuously injects new momentum into the traditional economy and has become an important driving force for national economic development. Against this backdrop and using input-output data from the WIOD from 2002 to 2014, this paper empirically analyzes the impact of the development of the digital economy on the domestic value-added rate of Chinese manufacturing industry exports and the mechanism underlying this relationship. The results show that (1) digital economic input significantly promotes growth in the domestic value-added rate of manufacturing industry exports, (2) digital economic input mainly increases the domestic value-added rate of intermediate-product exports, (3) digital input has a significant positive impact on the capital-intensive and knowledge-intensive manufacturing industries, and (4) technological progress and cost reduction are important mechanisms through which the digital economy promotes the domestic value-added rate of exports.
Factors Influencing Chinese Online Health Service Use
Authors: Xiao Lin , Mou Jian , Huang Lihua
Published: May 2021

Despite the popularity of online health services (OHSs) among patients in recent years, academic research on this phenomenon is limited. Drawing on the valence framework, the authors proposed a model to explore both the most important facilitators of OHS use intention from the perceived value perspective and inhibitors of OHS use intention from the perceived risk perspective. Data were collected from 407 OHS users through an online survey. Results showed that the inhibitors of OHS use intention include privacy risk and social risk, while facilitators include social support value, convenience value, and utilitarian value. These findings enrich the OHS literature by revealing both the inhibitors and facilitators of OHS use intention. This study also provides practical implications for platforms offering OHS in relation to effectively attracting users.
Association Between Pain Catastrophizing and Pain and Cardiovascular Changes During a Cold-Pressor Test in Athletes
Authors: Lentini Matylda , Scalia Joseph , Lebel Frédérike Berger , Touma Fadi , Jhajj Aneet , Darlington Peter J. , Dover Geoffrey
Published: May 2021

Context

Athletes are often exposed to pain due to injury and competition. Using preliminary evidence, researchers have shown that cardiovascular measures could be an objective measure of pain, but the cardiovascular response can be influenced by psychological factors, such as catastrophizing.

Objective

To use a painful cold-pressor test (CPT) to measure the relationship among catastrophizing, pain, and cardiovascular variables in athletes.

Design

Cohort study.

Setting

Laboratory.

Patients or Other Participants

A total of 36 male rugby athletes (age = 24.0 ± 4.6 years, height = 180.0 ± 6.1 cm, mass = 90.5 ± 13.8 kg).

Main Outcome Measure(s)

We measured catastrophizing using the Pain Catastrophizing Scale and pain using a numeric pain rating scale. Cardiovascular measures were heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and heart rate variability.

Results

During the CPT, participants experienced increases in pain (from 0 to 4.1 ± 2.2), systolic blood pressure (from 126.7 ± 16.5 to 149.7 ± 23.4 mm Hg), diastolic blood pressure (from 76.9 ± 8.3 to 91.9 ± 11.5 mm Hg), and heart rate variability (from 0.0164 ± 0.0121 to 0.0400 ± 0.0323 milliseconds; all P values < .001). In addition, we observed a decrease in heart rate after the CPT (P = .04). We found a correlation between athletes' pain catastrophizing and both pain intensity and change in heart rate during the CPT (P = .02 and P = .003, respectively). Linear regression indicated that pain and catastrophizing explained 29% of the variance in the change in heart rate (P = .003).

Conclusions

Athletes who had catastrophizing thoughts were more likely to experience higher levels of pain and a greater cardiovascular response during a painful stimulus. The change in cardiovascular variables may be a good objective measure of pain in athletes in the future.
Rhinosporidiosis in the Americas: A Systematic Review of Native Cases
Authors: Penagos Sara , Zapata Natalia , Castro Juan José , Hidron Alicia , Agudelo Carlos Andrés
Published: May 2021

Rhinosporidiosis is a chronic mucosal infection caused by Rhinosporidium seeberi, an aquatic protistan parasite. It presents as nasal or ocular polypoidal or vascularized masses. It is endemic in tropical and subtropical areas, especially in South Asia; R. seeberi´s endemicity in the Americas is often overlooked. The objective of this study was to describe the demographic and clinical characteristics of patients with rhinosporidiosis in the Americas, its management, and patient outcomes. This study is a systematic review of cases of human rhinosporidiosis in the Americas reported in the literature from 1896 to February 28, 2019. This review screened 1,994 reports, of which 115 were eligible for further analysis. The selected reports described 286 cases of human rhinosporidiosis between 1896 and 2019. Cases were diagnosed in Brazil (32.2%), Colombia (24.4%), Paraguay (12.6%), and the United States (11.9%). The majority of the cases (91%) occurred in geographic areas with altitudes < 1,000 m above sea level and in areas with median temperatures ≥ 25°C (67.3%). Most of the patients presented nasal (65%) and ocular involvement (35%). Surgical treatment was provided for 99.6% of patients, but 19.8% of them recurred. This review describes the under-recognized geographic distribution and clinical presentation of rhinosporidiosis in the Americas and highlights clinical differences to cases in Asia, specifically in reference to a higher prevalence of ocular disease and higher relapse rates.
Salmonella Bloodstream Infections in Hospitalized Children with Acute Febrile Illness—Uganda, 2016–2019
Authors: Appiah Grace D. , Mpimbaza Arthur , Lamorde Mohammed , Freeman Molly , Kajumbula Henry , Salah Zainab , Kugeler Kiersten , Mikoleit Matthew , White Porscha Bumpus , Kapisi James , Borchert Jeff , Sserwanga Asadu , Van Dyne Susan , Mead Paul , Kim Sunkyung , Lauer Ana C. , Winstead Alison , Manabe Yukari C. , Flick Robert J. , Mintz Eric
Published: May 2021

Invasive Salmonella infection is a common cause of acute febrile illness (AFI) among children in sub-Saharan Africa; however, diagnosing Salmonella bacteremia is challenging in settings without blood culture. The Uganda AFI surveillance system includes blood culture-based surveillance for etiologies of bloodstream infection (BSIs) in hospitalized febrile children in Uganda. We analyzed demographic, clinical, blood culture, and antimicrobial resistance data from hospitalized children at six sentinel AFI sites from July 2016 to January 2019. A total of 47,261 children were hospitalized. Median age was 2 years (interquartile range, 1–4) and 26,695 (57%) were male. Of 7,203 blood cultures, 242 (3%) yielded bacterial pathogens including Salmonella (N = 67, 28%), Staphylococcus aureus (N = 40, 17%), Escherichia spp. (N = 25, 10%), Enterococcus spp. (N = 18, 7%), and Klebsiella pneumoniae (N = 17, 7%). Children with BSIs had longer median length of hospitalization (5 days versus 4 days), and a higher case-fatality ratio (13% versus 2%) than children without BSI (all P < 0.001). Children with Salmonella BSIs did not differ significantly in length of hospitalization or mortality from children with BSI resulting from other organisms. Serotype and antimicrobial susceptibility results were available for 49 Salmonella isolates, including 35 (71%) non-typhoidal serotypes and 14 Salmonella serotype Typhi (Typhi). Among Typhi isolates, 10 (71%) were multi-drug resistant and 13 (93%) had decreased ciprofloxacin susceptibility. Salmonella strains, particularly non-typhoidal serotypes and drug-resistant Typhi, were the most common cause of BSI. These data can inform regional Salmonella surveillance in East Africa and guide empiric therapy and prevention in Uganda.
Capillaria hepatica (syn. Calodium hepaticum) as a Cause of Asymptomatic Liver Mass
Authors: Manor Uri , Doviner Victoria , Kolodziejek Jolanta , Weidinger Pia , Dagan Amir , Ben-Haim Menahem , Rokah Merav , Nowotny Norbert , Boleslavsky Daniel
Published: May 2021

Capillaria hepatica (syn. Calodium hepaticum) is a parasitic nematode of rodents, rarely infecting humans. An asymptomatic Israeli adult male with extensive travel history was diagnosed with a liver mass on routine post-thymectomy follow-up. Imaging and computer tomography (CT) guided biopsy were inconclusive. Surgical excision revealed an eosinophilic granuloma with fragments of a nematode suspected to be C. hepatica. Molecular methods verified the diagnosis, and the patient was treated empirically. This is the first case of hepatic capillariasis described in Israel, and the first to be diagnosed using molecular methods.
Telemedicine in Peru as a Result of the COVID-19 Pandemic: Perspective from a Country with Limited Internet Access
Authors: Alvarez-Risco Aldo , Del-Aguila-Arcentales Shyla , Yáñez Jaime A.
Published: May 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic contributed to the worldwide implementation of telemedicine because of the need for medical care for patients, especially those with chronic diseases. This perspective paper presents the current situation of telemedicine in Peru, showing advances in regulation, cases of successful implementation, and the current challenges. Access to health should be available to all, and more efforts need to be implemented to offer access to the internet to achieve high-quality telemedicine to all the vulnerable groups in Peru.
Sulfur Poisoning of a Cu-SSZ-13 SCR Catalyst under Simulated Diesel Engine Operating Conditions
Authors: Xi Yuanzhou , Ottinger Nathan , Su Changsheng , Liu Z. Gerald
Published: May 2021

Cu-SSZ-13 catalysts are widely used for diesel aftertreatment applications for NOx (NO and NO2) abatement via selective catalytic reaction (SCR) due to their high conversion efficiency and excellent hydrothermal stability. Diesel engine exhaust contains small amounts of SOx due to the combustion of sulfur compounds in diesel fuel. The engine out SOx level mainly depends on the sulfur content in the diesel fuel. The presence of SOx from engine exhaust can deteriorate the SCR performance of Cu-SSZ-13 catalysts in real-world applications. This work is focused on the sulfur-induced deactivation process of a Cu-SSZ-13 catalyst under a range of simulated diesel engine operating conditions. Two catalyst deactivation modes, namely chemical poisoning and physical poisoning, are identified, primarily depending on the operating temperature. Chemical poisoning mainly results from the interaction between SOx and Cu species within the zeolite framework. Physical poisoning is a consequence of the accumulation of ammonium (bi) sulfate formed from the interaction between SOx and NH3, especially at low temperature conditions. Temperature programmed desorption (TPD) experiments were conducted to characterize the deactivated catalyst. In addition, a modeling approach was applied to quantify the deactivation process as well as the decomposition of the sulfur species on the poisoned catalyst to optimize the catalyst reactivation strategy.