bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Composition of Independent Board of Commissioner and Number of Board of Commissioner Meeting Towards Fraudulence of Financial Report (Empirical Study at Public Company Listed at Indonesia Stock Exchange in 2011-2017)
Authors: - Sudarman , - Aniqotunnafiah , - Masruri
Published: July 2019

This study aims to obtain empirical evidence about the effect of corporate governance mechanisms on fraudulent financial reporting. The variables of corporate governance used are independent board composition, frequency of board commissioner meetings, and external auditor quality as moderating variables between the influences of independent board composition, number of board of commissioners meetings against fraudulent financial reporting. The population of this study was public companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange in 2011 - 2017. The total samples of this study were 76 companies, consist of 38 companies reported committing fraudulently financial statements and 38 companies that did not cheat financial statements. Data analysis was carried out by descriptive analysis, crosstab and hypothesis testing using the logistic regression method. The results of this study indicate the composition of the independent board of commissioners and the frequency of board of commissioners meetings has a significant and negative effect on the fraudulent financial report. Also, the quality of external auditors can strengthen the influence of the composition of the independent board of commissioners and the number of board of commissioners meetings on the fraudulent financial reporting.
Cultural diversity and work engagement in nursing: A qualitative case study analysis
Authors: Zakari Nazik M.A. , Hamadi Hanadi , Audi George
Published: July 2019

Objective: This study highlights the importance of understanding the impact of cultural diversity on work engagement in Saudi Arabia. Nurse leaders are appointed the challenging task of maintaining and promoting state-of-the art, work engagement efforts within hospitals that differ in structure, ownership, the various generations of nurses and their cultural diversity.Methods: The study utilized an inductive, interpretive, and explanatory multiple case study interview design of 16 nurses across 8 hospitals in Saudi Arabia.Results: We identified three main themes: family values and background, diverse personal culture and perceived organizational microclimate.Conclusions: This study showed that cultural differences between Saudi and expatriates nurses had an impact on work engagement. These findings are generalizable to other countries that rely heavily on immigrant nurse workers to fill the shortage. The findings from this study will create awareness of cultural interaction among nurses and its impact on nursing practice as the country transitions through a women empowerment movement while attaining Saudi’s “Vision 2030”.
Prostatic ductal adenocarcinoma: an unusual case of a rare prostate cancer
Authors: El Hassan Rayan , Corr John , Pillai Rajiv
Published: July 2019

A 65 year old gentleman was referred with symptoms of haematuria and haematospermia in association with an elevated prostate specific antigen (PSA). He was investigated with a flexible cystoscopy, Ultrasound scan and a computed tomography (CT) of his abdomen and pelvis. These failed to reveal any abnormality. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System PIRADS 2 lesion in the left peripheral gland and PIRADS 3 lesion on the right side posterolaterally at the level of mid gland of the prostate. He went on to have Transrectal ultrasound biopsies of his prostate (TRUS Bx) that excluded any pathology. On follow up visits his PSA continued to rise and he underwent Template biopsies of the prostate. The histological features had no evidence of any Prostatic intraepithelial carcinoma (PIN) or other malignancies. Flexible cystoscopy was repeated due to his persistent haematospermia. This showed prominent papillary lesions over his verumontanum and prostatic urethra. Biopsies from these areas revealed Ductal Adenocarcinoma of the Prostate (DACP). A subsequent staging MRI revealed unchanged appearance of the PIRADS2 nodule. There was however some low signal extending into the right seminal vesicle which is more pronounced than on the previous scan reported as PIRADS3. Subsequent mapping Template biopsies and Transurethral biopsies revealed a Gleason 4+4 DCAP. A staging CT and bone scan excluded any metastasis. He went on to receive an open radical prostatectomy and pelvic lymph node dissection as a curative treatment for his locally advanced disease.
O protagonismo das trabalhadoras rurais no acesso ao direito à terra, permanência e modo de produção coletiva
Authors: Pastorio Ines Terezinha , Von Borstel Roesler Marli Renate
Published: July 2019

Este artigo integra a pesquisa dissertativa intitulada A Mulher no Processo Produtivo Familiar com Sustentabilidade no Assentamento Valmir Mota de Oliveira – Cajati – Cascavel-PR. Em seu percurso textual discute a organização do movimento dos trabalhadores rurais sem terra e protagonismo (in)visível das mulheres na luta pelo acesso ao direito à terra, permanência e organização produtiva coletiva. Conhecimento resultante de revisão bibliográfica e de pesquisa empírica, cujo objetivo primário foi apontar a participação do MST e da mulher na efetivação da reforma agrária no Brasil. Dentre os resultados aproximativos da discussão, é possível destacar que a questão agrária se faz presente na história política, geográfica, territorial, cultural e da equidade de gênero no país, marcada por contradições, violações e conflitos nas lutas por direitos fundamentais, igualitários e com justiça distributiva. Nesse contexto de valores e princípios de direitos humanos, de condições reais de seguridade vital, reiteramos a particularidade da participação histórica e política das mulheres no desenvolvimento rural sustentável.
Perception of Social-Sexual Behavior and Workers’ Productivity in Selected Banks in Nigeria
Authors: Mbah Stella , Abeh Ossai
Published: July 2019

In this study, the effect of social sexual behavior on workers’ productivity is examined from the perspective of individual managers, individual employees and work groups. A case study of banks in Delta State, Nigeria, is adopted to investigate the effect of social sexual behavior on workers’ productivity from a different cultural perspective as obtainable in literature. A measure of workers’ productivity and their interaction with components of social sexual behavior; sexual harassment and workplace romances, was obtained from 110 employees sampled from three banks within the study region through a questionnaire. Sex, age, marital status, education and employment status were adopted as moderating variables for the study. Multiple regression analysis was used in testing the hypotheses of the study. Result of this work reveal amongst others that sexually suggestive jokes or comments about a person’s dress or body, made in their presence or directed towards them from a co-worker or customer could lead to demoralization of workers and poor interpersonal job performance between coworkers or of a worker towards a customer. The study further reveal that workplace romance could trigger jealousy among other employees, thereby leading to a failed interpersonal job performance and low productivity. The study recommends that organizations should clearly define their climate for social sexual behavior to both workers and customers through policies and sensitization with strict penalties given to defaulters.
Revisiting the Use of Language Learning Strategies by University Freshmen in Taiwan
Authors: Lee Jia-Ying
Published: July 2019

This article reports a large-scale survey on the use of language learning strategies by first-year college students in Taiwan, with the aim of describing what language learning strategies they reported using and what strategic patterns were formed. A total of 199 non-English majors responded to a survey designed by Oxford (1990), namely, the Strategies Inventory for Language Learning (SILL) (Version 7.0). The results show that today’s language learners self-reported using the following SILL strategies in the following order of frequency: compensation strategies, metacognitive strategies, social strategies, memory strategies, cognitive strategies, and affective strategies. In addition, the results also demonstrate that three SILL categories used today were used differently in the past: affective strategies, metacognitive strategies, and compensation strategies. Moreover, it was also found that males and females these days had slightly different strategic patterns from one another in learning English and also used slightly different ones in the past.
VARIANCE PREDICTION FOR POPULATION SIZE ESTIMATION
Authors: Gomez Ana Isabel , Cruz Marcos , Cruz-Orive Luis Manuel
Published: July 2019

Design unbiased estimation of population size by stereological methods is an efficient alternative to automatic computer vision methods, which are generally biased. Moreover, stereological methods offer the possibility of predicting the error variance from a single sample. Here we explore the statistical performance of two alternative variance estimators on a dataset of 26 labelled crowd pictures. The empirical mean square errors of the variance predictors are compared by means of Monte Carlo resampling.
Determinanten der Einstellung gegenüber Baugemeinschaften – Eine empirische Analyse und Handlungsempfehlungen für die öffentliche Wohnungswirtschaft
Authors: Jahed Christin , Seemann Ann-Kathrin
Published: July 2019

Die Wohnungsmärkte in zahlreichen deutschen Städten stehen vor der Herausforderung, angemessenen, bedarfsgerechten und bezahlbaren Wohnraum zur Verfügung zu stellen. Aufgrund ihrer Potenziale bieten Baugemeinschaften aus kommunaler Sicht die Möglichkeit, diverse sozial- und entwicklungspolitische Ziele zu fördern. Jedoch mangelt es Baugemeinschaften in Deutschland bislang noch an Bekanntheit. Vor diesem Hintergrund untersucht die vorliegende Arbeit die Einflussfaktoren, die hinter der mangelnden Marktdurchdringung stehen. Auf Basis der Datenanalyse (N=630) lassen sich konkrete Maßnahmen für die öffentliche Wohnungswirtschaft ableiten.
Transformative Communication as Semiotic Scaffolding of Cognitive Development
Authors: Uygun Tunç Duygu ,   Semiotic Society of America
Published: July 2019

The paper examines the role of earliest communicative interactions in the development of social-cognitive functions through a communication-theoretical interpretation of Hoffmeyer’s notion “semiotic scaffolding”. Drawing on Bateson’s notion of metacommunication and Vygotskian perspectives on cognitive-semiotic development, it argues that the primary semiotic achievement of human evolution and development is the differentiation of meaning into inter-referential layers that are communicatively established, which in turn provides an ecological foundation for multilevel and multimodal semiosis. Ontogenetically regarded, differentiation of levels of communication is argued to be an intersubjectively achieved process of semiotic scaffolding. Semiotic scaffolds are conceived as hierarchically organized, temporary or enduring semiotic controls on action, which can be formed in phylogeny or ontogeny. The timescale in which semiotic scaffolds change narrows down from phylogenic history to lived time to the extent that development is mediated by culture. The increasing plasticity of semiotic scaffolds brings about a novel, transformative mode of communication that is partly efficacious on phylogenetic scaffolding and responsible for the emergence of higher order scaffolds within ontogenetic time. Transformative communication is the process whereby higher-order semiotic scaffolds of (inter)action are intersubjectively formed by effectuating a top-down social modification on the psycho-somatic level of scaffolding. Its phylogenetically prior and more pervasive correlative, coordinative communication, is the mode in which stably scaffolded semiotic activities of individuals are coordinated. This argument is concretized through examining some landmark cognitive-semiotic activities such as imitation, cooperative role-taking and symbolic play, interpreted as communicative interactions with particular focus on their role in layering sign-processes. Through these interactions the child develops skills for differential attention to sign-object-interpretant and coordination of alternative interpretants.
Categorías de exclusión en el acceso a la asistencia sanitaria de las personas migrantes en Canadá: una perspectiva comparada
Authors: La Spina Encarnación
Published: July 2019

Dentro del ámbito de los derechos sociales, para las personas migrantes el derecho a la protección de la salud es un ejemplo prototípico de vulnerabilidad dada su compleja materialización por medio del acceso universal al derecho a la asistencia sanitaria. Durante el reciente periodo de crisis económica, las condiciones de acceso a la asistencia sanitaria para las personas migrantes han sido objeto de importantes reformas en diferentes Estados liberales. Por ejemplo, en el sur de Europa, países como España, Grecia e Italia han restringido el acceso universal a la asistencia sanitaria de forma significativa y, en ocasiones incompatible con los estándares internacionales de protección. Así pues, esta propuesta trata de observar los efectos de la tendenciosa y progresiva «globalización» restrictiva del derecho a la asistencia sanitaria para las personas migrantes en latitudes geográficas diferentes a España: Canadá. De un lado, se plantea revisar las diferentes categorías jurídicas de personas migrantes y aquellas asociadas al paradigma del «inmigrante enfermo» con vistas a justificar porque son objeto de exclusión pese a la situación de vulnerabilidad en la que se encuentran. Y, de otro lado, se analizan las categorías de exclusión del derecho a la salud de las personas migrantes poniendo especial énfasis en las reformas y contrarreformas más importantes de tales países. A partir del 2012, con la aprobación del controvertido Real Decreto-ley 16/2012 y los efectos de la Bill C-31 en la reforma IFHP ambos han marcado en términos cualitativos un punto de inflexión en la protección al derecho a la asistencia sanitaria para las personas migrantes y refugiadas en el territorio canadiense y español. Ahora bien, pese a los paralelismos, el acceso fragmentado «por categorías» a la asistencia sanitaria y el impacto del paradigma del inmigrante enfermo aporta evidencias sobre la peligrosa tendencia a perpetuar sine die por medio de procesos de categorización excluyente, situaciones graves de vulnerabilidad, discriminación y exclusión social en contextos migratorios globales.
La reforma constitucional de 2016 y sus razones
Authors: Olivetti Marco
Published: July 2019

Se contiene en este texto un breve análisis sobre la reforma constitucional rechazada en referéndum en Italia, en el año 2016. La reforma más importante fue la del sistema bicameral, que pretendía aclarar el papel del Senado y convertirlo en una Cámara de representación territorial. Esto habría servido tambien para modificar el modelo de relación entre Estado y regiones. También se intentaban reducir costes del funcionamiento de las instituciones representativas. A pesar de que la reforma constitucional fracasó, en el artículo se defienden algunos elementos valiosos de la reforma, que al no haberse aprobado han provocado que, en este momento, siga habiendo disfunciones en el sistema político constitucional italiano.
A la búsqueda de la identidad constitucional: una aproximación al caso español y europeo en clave de pluralismo constitucional y diálogo judicial
Authors: Martínez López-Sáez Mónica
Published: July 2019

En los últimos años, la noción de «identidad constitucional» se ha convertido en un recurso político-constitucional popular a la vez que en un concepto jurídico indeterminado. Resulta difícil tratar de definir la noción enigmática de «identidad constitucional» y su ámbito de aplicación, debido a la falta de consenso entre la doctrina académica, por lo que el presente artículo trata de proporcionar una definición amplia o integradora a través de una serie criterios e instrumentos para su identificación y aproximación jurídica. Con tal premisa, se efectúa un análisis de lo que constituye tanto la identidad constitucional nacional como europea, con especial interés en la identidad constitucional española y la de la Unión Europea. Además, el presente estudio trata de abordar los retos para la integración europea como resultado del conflicto inherente entre la primacía del Derecho de la Unión Europea y el contralímite que consagra en su artículo 4.2 TUE sobre el respeto a la identidad nacional de los Estados que la componen. Finalmente, la autora concluye con unas propuestas de mejora y acercamiento a los problemas planteados, a través de un dialogo activo, constructivo y continuado, impulsado por el procedimiento prejudicial europeo.
Comparison of Cancer Burden and Nonprofit Organization Funding Reveals Disparities in Funding Across Cancer Types
Authors: Kamath Suneel D. , Kircher Sheetal M. , Benson Al B.
Published: July 2019

Background: Nonprofit organizations (NPOs) in oncology are vital for patient advocacy and funding research for rare cancers, young investigators, and innovative projects. However, some cancers may be underfunded relative to their burden. This study examined the alignment of cancer burden by histology with NPO funding for each histology. Patients and Methods: This nationwide, cross-sectional study conducted from October 2017 through February 2018 included all oncology NPOs with >$5 million in annual revenue. Total revenue from NPOs supporting individual cancer types with the incidence, mortality, and person-years of life lost (PYLL) for each cancer type was compared using scatter plots and Pearson correlation coefficients. Correlation of expenditure types (eg, fundraising, patient education) with revenue was assessed using Pearson correlation coefficients. Effect of disease association with a stigmatized behavior (eg, lung cancer and smoking) was evaluated using descriptive statistics. Results: A total of 119 cancer-related NPOs were included, generating approximately $6 billion in annual revenue in 2015. Cancers with the largest revenue were breast cancer ($460 million; 33.2%), leukemia ($201 million; 14.5%), pediatric cancers ($177 million; 12.8%), and lymphoma ($145 million; 10.5%). Breast cancer, leukemia, lymphoma, and pediatric cancers were all well funded compared with their incidence, mortality, and PYLL. Gastrointestinal (colorectal, pancreas, and hepatobiliary), gynecologic (ovarian, cervical, and endometrial), brain, and lung cancers were poorly funded in all 3 metrics. All cancers associated with a stigmatized behavior were poorly funded in at least 2 metrics. Increased spending on fundraising, administrative costs, patient education, and treatment was highly correlated with increased revenue (Pearson correlation coefficients all >0.92). Conclusions: NPO funding by cancer type is not proportionate with individual cancer burden on society. Disease stigma negatively impacts funding. A significant need exists to increase awareness and funding for many undersupported but common and highly lethal cancers.
Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva and Its Implications in Podiatric Medicine: A Case Report
Authors: Bolognini Nicholas , Trivedi Neil Navendu , Au Andrew S. , Vora Nishit
Published: July 2019

The purpose of this case report is to show the clinical presentation of a rare genetic disorder, called fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva, on the development of the foot in a newborn. Shortened great toes and malformations of the first metatarsals are present in all affected individuals at birth. Irreversible heterotopic endochondral ossification of soft tissues occurs in the first decade of life, often resulting in permanent immobility by the third decade of life. Trauma caused by surgical excision of nodules, dental procedures, or injections can further exacerbate this condition. Early diagnosis is imperative for these patients to prevent irreversible damage that may result from unnecessary invasive interventions. This case report presents a boy aged 2 years 3 months who was born with bilateral bunion deformity. The goal is to raise awareness of this disorder in the podiatric community, especially for those who work with pediatric patients.
Rare Schwannoma Nerve Tumor in a Lesser Toe: A Case Report
Authors: Jabra Anthony S. , Godoy Johanna
Published: July 2019

A schwannoma is a solitary benign tumor composed of Schwann cells occurring anywhere in the peripheral nervous system. The diagnosis of a schwannoma is often difficult to make by clinical presentation and advanced imaging modalities. We present a case report of a 61-year-old Hispanic woman with a left-foot, third-digit, soft-tissue mass. The diagnosis of a schwannoma of the proper digital nerve was made postsurgically by means of histopathologic and immunohistochemistry parameters. This is a rare location for a schwannoma, and neurogenic tumor should be included in the differential diagnosis of soft-tissue mass, as there have been prior case reports.
Osteoid Osteoma of the Distal Phalanx of the Foot: An Atypical Location
Authors: Cinka Hikmet , Coskun Huseyin Sina , Ozturk Mesut , Say Ferhat , Baris Yakup Sancar
Published: July 2019

Osteoid osteoma is a benign tumor originating from osteoblasts, and it is mostly seen in long bones of lower limbs. The distal phalanx of the foot is an atypical location for an osteoid osteoma, and lesions occurring in this location may be a diagnostic challenge. A 22-year-old man presented with a complaint of severe pain on the second distal phalanx of his right foot. An osteoid osteoma was suspected after radiologic evaluation. The lesion was surgically excised and removed completely by curettage. Histopathologic evaluation confirmed the diagnosis of an osteoid osteoma. The patient was followed-up for a 9-month period without any symptoms or recurrence.
Visual complexity modelling based on image features fusion of multiple kernels
Authors: Fernandez-Lozano Carlos , Carballal Adrian , Machado Penousal , Santos Antonino , Romero Juan
Published: July 2019

Humans’ perception of visual complexity is often regarded as one of the key principles of aesthetic order, and is intimately related to the physiological, neurological and, possibly, psychological characteristics of the human mind. For these reasons, creating accurate computational models of visual complexity is a demanding task. Building upon on previous work in the field (Forsythe et al., 2011; Machado et al., 2015) we explore the use of Machine Learning techniques to create computational models of visual complexity. For that purpose, we use a dataset composed of 800 visual stimuli divided into five categories, describing each stimulus by 329 features based on edge detection, compression error and Zipf’s law. In an initial stage, a comparative analysis of representative state-of-the-art Machine Learning approaches is performed. Subsequently, we conduct an exhaustive outlier analysis. We analyze the impact of removing the extreme outliers, concluding that Feature Selection Multiple Kernel Learning obtains the best results, yielding an average correlation to humans’ perception of complexity of 0.71 with only twenty-two features. These results outperform the current state-of-the-art, showing the potential of this technique for regression.
Acute Effect of Tobacco Snuff Consumption on Plasma Total Protein, Albumin, Globulin and Fasting Blood Sugar Level in Rats
Authors: Ugbor C. I. , Okonkwo L. O. , Okonkwo N. L. , Duhu N. J.
Published: July 2019

This study was designed to investigate the effect of tobacco snuff consumption on total protein, albumin, globulin and fasting blood sugar level. Adult Wistar rats (12) weighing 150-300g were involved. They were divided into four groups; group A serving as control, while groups B, C and D served as the test groups. The rats were fed with varying doses of tobacco dust mixed with potash (tobacco snuff). At the end of the experiment, the animals were sacrificed and blood sample collected into lithium heparin container. Total protein (24.34 ± 4.10 g/dl), albumin (13.80 ± 4.66 g/dl), and fasting blood sugar were assayed and the results obtained showed statistically significant changes. However, fasting blood sugar (117.33 ± 38.50mg/dl) showed decrease that was not statistically significant in all the groups throughout the experiment. The results of this study suggest that tobacco snuff is toxic to the synthetic capacity of the liver and the observed changes were dose dependent.
Investigation of Heavy Metal (Lead) Removal from Aqueous Solution by Using Advanced Oxidation Process (Fenton)
Authors: Moghadam Fahimeh , Pourafshar Asma Ghasemi
Published: July 2019

Background and Aim: Undoubtedly, controlling the maximum entry of heavy metals into the food is one of the measures which should be taken into account in order to maintain the food consumers' health and achieve the food safety. The sensitivity and importance of this issue are doubled due to the irreparable, acute and chronic complications of heavy metals which are classified according to the effects on the nervous system until the carcinogenesis in the human body. On the other hand, this issue is significantly important since these metals differently enter to crops such as tea, water, and rice and generally the food and beverage that are widely consumed. Therefore, the aim of this study is to remove heavy lead metal from aqueous solution by Fenton method. This study is an experimental study. The samples are synthesized in a collection of laboratories at the Faculty of Health, and the pH parameters, contact time and lead elimination rate and the optimal Fenton ratio are investigated. Results are analyzed using SPSS software and Charts are plotted by excel. The results showed that the best pH for removal of lead 5 and its best concentration is 30 mg/ L, and the optimal Fenton ratio is 1 to 5, as well as the best contact time for removal of lead from aqueous media for 10 minutes. The present study showed that the pH factor, contact time, Fenton concentration and lead in all four were effective in removing lead from aquatic solution.
Edaphic Factors and Flooding Periodicity Determining Forest Types in a Topographic Gradient in the Northern Brazilian Amazonia
Authors: Alemán L. A. Beltrán , Barbosa R. I. , Fernández I. Montero , Carvalho L. C. S. , Barni P. E. , Oliveira R. L. C. , Jr. J. F. Vale , Maldonado S. A. Saravia , Pérez N. E. Arriaga
Published: July 2019

The Brazilian Amazonia is a region covered by an extensive mosaic of tropical forests conditioned by different topographical and hydro-edaphic features. Although studies relating environmental determinants of structure and floristic composition are systematically evolving in the region, there is no doubt that there are still information gaps due to the lack of research in peripheric areas of the Amazonia. The seasonally flooded areas of the state of Roraima situated on rio Branco-rio Negro basin, northern Brazilian Amazonia, still are deprived of such information. In this way, this work had as objective determine the physical and soil chemical attributes, and the flooding periodicity that characterize different forest types dispersed in a topographic gradient located in an area on the north of rio Branco-rio Negro basin. Soil samples (0-60 cm) were collected along a 2.7 km transect (31.1-64.8 m a.s.l.) crossing three different forest types: (i) mosaic between treed and forested shade-loving (La+Ld), (ii) area of ecological tension between forested shade-loving and open ombrophilous forest (LO) and (iii) open ombrophilous forest (Ab+As). The results indicated different soil classes and flooding periodicity for each forest type observed: Entisols Fluvents (La+Ld, 3-4 months flooded), Entisols Quartzipsamments (LO, 1-2 months) and Yellow Ultisols (Ab+As, no flooding). All analyzed soils were defined as nutrient-poor areas, especially those located on low altitude, characterized for higher hydrological restrictions (seasonal flooding) aggregating forest types of lower structural patterns (e.g. La+Ld). Soils on low altitude were also characterized as those with the highest percentage of fine sand and silt, while soil free of seasonal flooding (Yellow Ultisols) presented the highest levels of clay and coarse sand, always associated with the ombrophilous forests (higher structural patterns). These results improve our understanding of the environmental factors conditioning different forest types in this peripheral region of Amazonia, suggesting that ecosystems with higher hydro-edaphic restrictions are a strong indicator of forest types with lower structural patterns.
Optimal Exercise Time to Control Glucose in type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Ohemeng M. O. , Otoo D. , Donkoh E. K. , Andoh H.
Published: July 2019

Diabetes is a lifelong disease that affect the way the body regulates blood glucose. Type 2 diabetes occurs when β cells do not produce enough insulin to regulate glucose in the blood. In this paper the authors used exercise as a tool to predict the optimal effect of glucose regulation in a diabetic patient using simulation. Computer simulations were performed on the proposed mathematical model to determine the number of heartbeats a diabetic patient need to train in other to regulate the glucose level to normalcy. This cross-sectional study took place at Sunyani Regional Hospital, one of the 10 regions in Ghana, between September 2018 and May 2019. The simulations show the effects of different rate of exercise on glucose level. The results shows that the optimal heartbeat for a diabetic patients is 140 beats per minute corresponding to a rate of 0.8. If this is done continuously for at least 3 times in a week, the glucose level could be regulated to normal within 50 weeks.
Self-medication: Prevalence among Undergraduates in Kathmandu Valley
Authors: Baral Kushalata , Dahal Maginsh , Shrestha Shreya , Adhikari Anup
Published: July 2019

Background: Self-medication is defined as the use of medicines to treat self-recognized or self-diagnosed conditions or symptoms, instead of seeking advice from professionals.

Aim: Our study was aimed to assess knowledge, attitude and practice of self-medication among undergraduates in different colleges of Kathmandu valley.

Methods: Descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out among undergraduates of Kathmandu valley. A semi-structured questionnaire was distributed to students in 4 different colleges. Chi-square test was used to determine statistical significance. Likert’s scale was used to measure attitude.

Results: 240 students participated in this study. Totally, (92.9%) students had known and taken medicine without doctor’s prescription. More than half of the participants (56.6%) had good knowledge on self-medication and nearly three quarter (74.7%) of the respondents had a positive attitude regarding self-medication. Fever, cough/cold and aches/pain were the most common symptoms for self-medication, thus making antipyretics and analgesics the most popular self-medication drugs. Pharmacists and family were the major source of information regarding self-medication.

Conclusion: Based on the findings, the prevalence of self-medication was high (94.9%). Majority respondents had good knowledge of the advantages and disadvantages of self-medication but still practiced it.
Output feedback control of supercapacitors parallel charging system for EV applications: Theoretical design and experimental validation
Authors: Belhaj F.Z. , El Fadil H. , Rachid A. , Lassioui A. , Gaouzi K. , Giri F.
Published: July 2019

In this paper, the problem of controlling parallel charging system with supercapacitors for electric vehicle applications is considered. When the vehicle parks at the station, the charging process of supercapacitors needs to be completed in less than 30 seconds. The control objective is then to tightly regulate the supercapacitors state of charge (SOC) to a given reference constant and to ensure an adequate current sharing between different parallel chargers. Indeed, the current sharing is a critical issue for parallel charging system with supercapacitors, which is a nonlinear system with control inputs constraints. Besides, the SOC depends on the supercapacitors internal voltage, which is not accessible for measurement. Therefore, based on a large‐signal model of the parallel‐chargers‐supercapacitors system, an output feedback controller (combining a state observer and a nonlinear control laws) is designed. The controller is formally shown to meet all objectives, namely, closed‐loop stability, SOC reference tracking, and equal current sharing. The effectiveness of the proposed output feedback controller approach is verified both by simulation and by experimental tests.
Transparent Soft Robots for Effective Camouflage
Authors: Li Pengcheng , Wang Yuzhe , Gupta Ujjaval , Liu Jun , Zhang Lei , Du Donghe , Foo Choon Chiang , Ouyang Jianyong , Zhu Jian
Published: July 2019

Transparency is a surprisingly effective method to achieve camouflage and has been widely adapted by natural animals. However, it is challenging to replicate in synthetic systems. Herein, a transparent soft robot is developed, which can achieve effective camouflage. Specifically, this robot is driven by transparent dielectric elastomer actuators (DEAs). Transparent and stretchable conductive polymers, based on blends of poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) and water‐borne polyurethane (WPU), are employed as compliant solid‐state electrodes in the DEAs. The electrode exhibits large stretchability, low stiffness, excellent conductivity at large strain, and high transmittance. Consequently, the DEA can achieve a large voltage‐induced area strain of 200% and a high transmittance of 85.5%. Driven by these soft actuators, the robot can realize translations using its asymmetric vibration mode, which can be explained by dynamics analysis and is consistent with finite element modeling. This soft robot can achieve effective camouflage, due to its high transparency as well as thin structure. Furthermore, the robot can become completely flat for even better camouflage by converting its 3D structure to 2D. The transparent soft robot is potentially useful in many applications such as robots for battlefield, reconnaissance, and security surveillance, where effective camouflage is required in dynamic and/or unstructured environments.
Progress Report on Proton Conducting Solid Oxide Electrolysis Cells
Authors: Lei Libin , Zhang Jihao , Yuan Zhihao , Liu Jianping , Ni Meng , Chen Fanglin
Published: July 2019

The proton‐conducting solid oxide electrolysis cell (H‐SOEC) is a promising device that converts electrical energy to chemical energy. H‐SOECs have been actively studied in the past few years, due to their advantages over oxygen‐ion‐conducting solid oxide electrolysis cells (O‐SOECs), such as lower operation temperature, relatively lower activation energy, and easier gas separation. A critical overview of recent progress in H‐SOECs is presented, focusing particularly on the period from 2014 to 2018. This review focuses on three aspects of H‐SOECs, namely, the materials, modeling, and current leakage in proton conducting oxide electrolytes. Specifically, the current leakage in proton conducting oxides, which is often neglected, leads to two problems in the studies of H‐SOECs. One is the distortion of the electrochemical impedance spectra and the other is low faradaic efficiency of electrolysis. Based on the comprehensive and critical discussion in these three sections, challenges in the development of H‐SOECs are highlighted and prospective research in H‐SOECs is outlined.
Mixed‐Valence‐Driven Quasi‐1D SnIISnIVS3 with Highly Polarization‐Sensitive UV–vis–NIR Photoresponse
Authors: Yang Huai , Pan Longfei , Wang Xiaoting , Deng Hui‐Xiong , Zhong Mianzeng , Zhou Ziqi , Lou Zheng , Shen Guozhen , Wei Zhongming
Published: July 2019

Mixed‐valence states can bring unexpected unique phenomena, especially novel anisotropic physics, due to structural asymmetry, which originate from the discrepant distribution of atoms with different valence. This study reports an unexploited mixed‐valence‐driven quasi‐1D SnIISnIVS3 crystal, which exhibits widely and distinctively anisotropic polarized‐light absorption reaching ≈3.4 from the deep ultraviolet to near‐infrared region (250–850 nm). The fabricated polarization‐sensitive photodetectors based on highly air‐stable SnIISnIVS3 nanowires display strong linear dichroism among the UV–vis–NIR spectrum with responsivity exceeding ≈150 A W−1. Furthermore, the devices are further constructed onto a flexible polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrate and the photoresponse remains roughly unchanged after repeated bending. This work based on novel mixed‐valence‐driven quasi‐1D ternary sulfide SnIISnIVS3 excites interest in low‐symmetry semiconductors for developing broadly spectral polarization‐sensitive photodetectors with environmental stability and mechanical flexibility.
Monitoring of Cell Layer Integrity with a Current‐Driven Organic Electrochemical Transistor
Authors: Lingstedt Leona V. , Ghittorelli Matteo , Brückner Maximilian , Reinholz Jonas , Crăciun N. Irina , Torricelli Fabrizio , Mailänder Volker , Gkoupidenis Paschalis , Blom Paul W. M.
Published: July 2019

The integrity of CaCo‐2 cell barriers is investigated by organic electrochemical transistors (OECTs) in a current‐driven configuration. Ion transport through cellular barriers via the paracellular pathway is modulated by tight junctions between adjacent cells. Rupturing its integrity by H2O2 is monitored by the change of the output voltage in the transfer characteristics. It is demonstrated that by operating the OECT in a current‐driven configuration, the sensitive and temporal resolution for monitoring the cell barrier integrity is strongly enhanced as compared to the OECT transient response measurement. As a result, current‐driven OECTs are useful tools to assess dynamic and critical changes in tight junctions, relevant for clinical applications as drug targeting and screening.
A Thermodynamic Description of Turbulence as a Source of Stochastic Kinetic Energy for 3D Self‐Assembly
Authors: Löthman Per A. , Hageman Tijmen A. G. , Elwenspoek Miko C. , Krijnen Gijs J. M. , Mastrangeli Massimo , Manz Andreas , Abelmann Leon
Published: July 2019

The extent to which one can use a thermodynamic description of turbulent flow as a source of stochastic kinetic energy for 3D self‐assembly of magnetically interacting macroscopic particles is investigated. It is confirmed that the speed of the objects in the flow field generated in this system obeys the Maxwell–Boltzmann distribution, and their random walk can be defined by a diffusion coefficient following from the Einstein relation. However, it is discovered that the analogy with Brownian dynamics breaks down when considering the directional components of the velocity. For the vectorial components, neither the equipartition theorem nor the Einstein relation is obeyed. Moreover, the kinetic energy estimated from the random walk of individual objects is one order of magnitude higher than the value estimated from Boltzmann statistics on the interaction between two spheres with embedded magnets. These results show that introducing stochastic kinetic energy into a self‐assembly process by means of turbulent flow can to a great extent be described by standard thermodynamic theory, but anisotropies and the specific nature of the interactions need to be taken into account.
Paclitaxel and Itraconazole Co‐Encapsulated Micelle Prolongs the Survival of Spontaneous LSL‐KrasG12D/+, LSL‐Trp53R172H/+, Pdx‐1‐Cre Genetically Engineered Mouse Model of Pancreatic Cancer
Authors: Liu Zhengsheng , Zhang Ling , Tian Zhou , Kong Chao , Liu Chun , Liu Huiqin , Yuan Fang , Kong Weijian , Qian Feng
Published: July 2019

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most malignant gastrointestinal cancers with an extremely complex tumor microenvironment and a poor prognosis. The upregulation of Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway contributes to the abundance of stroma and barren blood vessels in the PDAC tumor microenvironment, creating a physical and biological barrier leading to strong inherent resistance to drugs. Therefore, inhibition of the Hh signaling pathway combined with chemotherapy has been explored in anti‐PDAC chemotherapy. In this study, the paclitaxel (PTX) and itraconazole (ITA) co‐encapsulated poly (ethylene glycol)‐b‐poly (d, l‐lactide) (PEG‐PLA) micelle (PIM) shows superior therapeutic outcome in PDAC. Pharmaceutically, PIM demonstrates optimized systemic pharmacokinetics and increases tumor drug accumulation due to its serum stability. Pharmacologically, through Hh inhibition and blood vessel normalization contributed by ITA and cytotoxicity contributed by PTX, PIM not only significantly inhibits the tumor growth of the human MIA PaCa‐2 cell‐derived orthotopic pancreatic cancer model but also significantly prolongs the survival of LSL‐KrasG12D/+; LSL‐Trp53R172H/+; Pdx‐1‐Cre (KPC) genetic engineered, spontaneous PDAC mice, a clinically relevant PDAC model with high similarity as human PDAC in terms of cancer histology and biology.
Fetal arthrogryposis: Challenges and perspectives for prenatal detection and management
Authors: Filges Isabel , Tercanli Sevgi , Hall Judith G.
Published: July 2019

Antenatal identification of fetuses with multiple congenital contractures or arthrogryposis multiplex congenita (AMC) may be challenging. The first clinical sign is often reduced fetal movement and/or contractures, as seen on prenatal ultrasounds. This can be apparent at any point, from early to late pregnancy, may range from mild to severe involvement, with or without associated other structural anomalies. Possible etiologies and their prognosis need to be interpreted with respect to developmental timing. The etiology of AMC is highly heterogeneous and making the specific diagnosis will guide prognosis, counseling and prenatal and perinatal management. Current ultrasound practice identifies only approximately 25% of individuals with arthrogryposis prenatally before 24 weeks of pregnancy in a general obstetrics care population. There are currently no studies and guidelines that address the question of when and how to assess for fetal contractures and movements during pregnancy. The failure to identify fetuses with arthrogryposis before 24 weeks of pregnancy means that physicians and families are denied reproductive options and interventions that may improve outcome. We review current practice and recommend adjusting the current prenatal imaging and genetic diagnostic strategies to achieve early prenatal detection and etiologic diagnosis. We suggest exploring options for in utero therapy to increase fetal movement for ongoing pregnancies.
Gold‐Catalyzed Facile Protocol towards the Efficient Access of Azetidinyl Esters, β‐Amino Esters and δ‐Amino Esters using Simple Substrates
Authors: Kabi Arup K. , Gujjarappa Raghuram , Vodnala Nagaraju , Kaldhi Dhananjaya , Malakar Chandi C.
Published: July 2019

Withdrawal: Malakar, C., Kabi, A., Gujjarappa, R., Vodnala, N. and Kaldhi, D. (2019), Gold‐Catalyzed Facile Protocol towards the Efficient Access of Azetidinyl Esters, β‐Amino Esters and δ‐Amino Esters using Simple Substrates, Asian J. Org. Chem., Accepted Article, Manuscript DOI: 10.1002/ajoc.201900319. The above article, first published online on 18 July 2019 in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com), has been withdrawn by agreement between the authors, the journal′s Editor‐in‐Chief, and Wiley‐VCH GmbH & Co. KGaA. The withdrawal has been agreed due to concerns regarding the reported data, following a request by the authors.
Pivalic Acid‐Assisted Rh(III)‐Catalyzed C−H Functionalization of 2‐Arylpyridine Derivatives Using Arylsilanes
Authors: Ghaderi Arash , Iwasaki Takanori , Kambe Nobuaki
Published: July 2019

We report herein a Rh(III)‐catalyzed oxidative coupling reaction of 2‐phenylpyridine derivatives with arylsilane reagents. In this reaction, AgF plays important roles as both oxidant and C−Si bond activator. Addition of the catalytic amount of pivalic acid was found to be the key to achieve high yields of the desired products in short reaction times.
Gross intestinal morphometry and allometry in primates
Authors: McGrosky Amanda , Meloro Carlo , Navarrete Ana , Heldstab Sandra A. , Kitchener Andrew C. , Isler Karin , Clauss Marcus
Published: July 2019

Although it is generally assumed that among mammals and within mammal groups, those species that rely on diets consisting of greater amounts of plant fiber have larger gastrointestinal tracts (GIT), statistical evidence for this simple claim is largely lacking. We compiled a dataset on the length of the small intestine, caecum, and colon in 42 strepsirrhine, platyrrhine, and catarrhine primate species, using specimens with known body mass (BM). We tested the scaling of intestine length with BM, and whether dietary proxies (percentage of leaves and a diet quality index) were significant covariates in these scaling relationships, using two sets of models: one that did not account for the phylogenetic structure of the data, and one that did. Intestine length mainly scaled geometrically at exponents that included 0.33 in the confidence interval; Strepsirrhini exhibited particularly long caeca, while those of Catarrhini were comparatively short. Diet proxies were only significant for the colon and the total large intestine (but not for the small intestine or the caecum), and only in conventional statistics (but not when accounting for phylogeny), indicating the pattern occurred across but not within clades. Compared to terrestrial Carnivora, primates have similar small intestine lengths, but longer large intestines. The data on intestine lengths presented here corroborate recent results on GIT complexity, suggesting that diet, as currently described, does not exhaustively explain GIT anatomy within primate clades.
Low‐Coordinate Iridium Oxide Confined on Graphitic Carbon Nitride for Highly Efficient Oxygen Evolution
Authors: Chen Jiayi , Cui Peixin , Zhao Guoqiang , Rui Kun , Lao Mengmeng , Chen Yaping , Zheng Xusheng , Jiang Yinzhu , Pan Hongge , Dou Shi Xue , Sun Wenping
Published: July 2019

Highly active and durable electrocatalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is greatly desired. Iridium oxide/graphitic carbon nitride (IrO2/GCN) heterostructures are designed with low‐coordinate IrO2 nanoparticles (NPs) confined on superhydrophilic highly stable GCN nanosheets for efficient acidic OER. The GCN nanosheets not only ensure the homogeneous distribution and confinement of IrO2 NPs but also endows the heterostructured catalyst system with a superhydrophilic surface, which can maximize the exposure of active sites and promotes mass diffusion. The coordination number of Ir atoms is decreased owing to the strong interaction between IrO2 and GCN, leading to lattice strain and increment of electron density around Ir sites and hence modulating the attachment between the catalyst and reaction intermediates. The optimized IrO2/GCN heterostructure delivers not only by far the highest mass activity among the reported IrO2‐based catalysts but also decent durability.