bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
DRUG-INDUCED STEVENS-JOHNSON SYNDROME AND TOXIC EPIDERMAL NECROLYSIS
Authors:   1st Clinic of Pediatrics, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Craiova, Dop Dalia , Stepan Desdemona ,   1st Clinic of Pediatrics, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Craiova, Gheonea Cristian ,   1st Clinic of Pediatrics, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Craiova, Niculescu Elena Carmen ,   1st Clinic of Pediatrics, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Craiova
Published: July 2021

Steven-Johnson Syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) are rare diseases that appear following the administration of risk drugs. Both are severity grades of the same condition and are considered medical emergencies, because they are potentially lethal. They are characterized by mucocutaneous tenderness, erythema, necrosis and bullous detachment similar to extended burns. We report 3 cases of SJS/TEN in which the etiology was probably drug-related (Paracetamol, Atomoxetinum, Sulfamethoxazolum + trimethoprinum), with restitutio ad integrum following the administration of intravenous immunoglobulins.
Identification of a White Dwarf Companion in the V* HP Dra System
Authors: Jalowiczor Peter A. , Casewell Sarah , Schneider Adam C. , Faherty Jacqueline K. , Kuchner Marc J.
Published: July 2021

We present Gaia DR2 2144465183642117888, a previously unknown, wide white dwarf companion to the HP Dra eclipsing binary system. This companion was discovered through the Backyard Worlds: Planet 9 citizen science collaboration. It has separation of 14.″4 on the sky from the central eclipsing pair, translating to a projected separation of ∼1140 au. We present a review of the orbit and physical parameters of all the components in this now triple system.
Which Milky Way Globular Clusters Might Have Favored an Extraterrestrial Civilization?
Authors: Smith Graeme H.
Published: July 2021

Suggestions are offered as to which globular clusters of the Milky Way presented the most favorable conditions for development of an extraterrestrial civilization. Of these NGC 6553 is emphasized.
Stars on the Verge: Investigating Semiregular Light Variations and Changing Multiperiods of the Luminous Red Supergiant μ Cephei from over 175 yr of Photometry
Authors: Larsen Conor M. , Guinan Edward F.
Published: July 2021

μ Cephei is a 4th mag semi-regular variable M2Ia star. It is among the largest, most luminous red supergiants in our galactic neighborhood and a probable SN-II core-collapse progenitor. Analyses of ∼175 yr of photometry were conducted. The observations are mostly from the AAVSO database. Period analyses were conducted using the Period Analysis Software (Peranso-3) package. The CLEANest and Wavelet (WWZ) programs were utilized. Two dominant “periods” were found: P = 870 ± 50 days (∼2.39 yr) and a long period of ∼5300 ± 155 days (∼14.5 yr). The long period was prominent during the first ∼90 yr but weakened and was followed by multiple transitory periods ranging from ∼3000 to 4600 days. μ Cephei has interesting features including multiple periods, period-splitting, period-merging and period-decays.
Six-year Static Sky unWISE Coadds
Authors: Meisner Aaron M. , Lang Dustin , Schlafly Edward F. , Schlegel David J.
Published: July 2021

We present and publicly release a set of deep, full-sky Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE) coadds built from WISE and NEOWISE images spanning from early 2010 through late 2018. This data release uniformly incorporates six years of WISE and NEOWISE exposures at 3.4 μm (W1) and 4.6 μm (W2). These inertial “unWISE” stacks allow for detection of roughly a billion stars and galaxies fainter than the AllWISE catalogs sensitivity limit. Importantly, our six-year unWISE coadds, in combination with the crowdsource cataloging software, were used to perform deep source detection/deblending for CatWISE2020.
Optimal replenishment, pricing and preservation technology investment policies for non-instantaneous deteriorating items under two-level trade credit policy
Authors: Mahato Chandan , Mahata Gour Chandra
Published: July 2021

In the business world, both the supplier and the retailer accept the credit to make their business position strong, because the credit not only strengthens their business relationships but also increases the scale of their profits. In this paper, we consider an inventory model for non-instantaneous deteriorating items with price sensitive demand, time varying deterioration rate under two-level trade credit policy. Besides, to reduce deterioration rate, retailers invest some cost to prevent product degradation/decay, known as preservation technology, is also inserted. Consumption of such items within shelf life prevents to deterioration, which can be achieved by bulk sale. In order to stimulate the selling, trade-credit policy is also considered here. In the sequel, not only the supplier would offer fixed credit period to the retailer, but retailer also adopt the trade credit policy to the customers in order to promote the market competition. The retailer can accumulate revenue and interest after the customer pays for the amount of purchasing cost to the retailer until the end of the trade credit period offered by the supplier. The main objective is to determine the optimal replenishment, pricing and preservation technology investment strategies including whether or not invest in preservation technology and how much to invest in order to maximize the average profit of the system. It is proved that the optimal replenishment policy not only exists but is unique for any given selling price and preservation technology cost. An algorithm is presented to derive the optimal solutions of the model. Numerous theorems and lemmas have been inserted to obtain the optimal solution. Finally, numerical examples and managerial implications are incorporated to validate the proposed model.
Analysis of two components parallel repairable degenerate system with vacation
Authors: Li YanLing ,   School of Mathematics, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300350, China, Xu GenQi , Chen Hao ,   School of Mathematics and Statistics, Qinghai Nationalities University, Xining 810007, China,   School of Mechatronical Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 100081, China
Published: July 2021

This article studies a parallel repairable degradation system with two similar components and a repairman who can take a single vacation. Suppose that the system consists of two components that cannot be repaired "as good as new" after failures; when the repairman has a single vacation, the fault component of system may not be repaired immediately, namely, if a component fails and the repairman is on vacation, the repair of the component will be delayed, if a component fails and the repairman is on duty, the fault component can be repaired immediately. Under these assumptions, a replacement policy $ N $ based on the failed times of component 1 is studied. The explicit expression of the system average cost rate $ C(N) $ and the optimal replacement policy $ N^{\ast} $ by minimizing the $ C(N) $ are obtained, which means the two components of the system will be replaced at the same time if the failures of component 1 reach $ N^{\ast} $. To show the advantage of a parallel system, a replacement policy $ N $ of the cold standby system consisting of the two similar components is also considered. The numerical results of both systems are given by the numerical analysis. The optimal replacement policy $ N^* $ for both systems are obtained. Finally, the comparison of numerical results shows the advantages of the parallel system.
Construction for trees without domination critical vertices
Authors: Wang Ying ,   Institute for Interdisciplinary Research, Jianghan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430056, China, Wang Fan , Zhao Weisheng ,   School of Sciences, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330031, China
Published: July 2021

Denote by $ \gamma(G) $ the domination number of graph $ G $. A vertex $ v $ of a graph $ G $ is called fixed if $ v $ belongs to every minimum dominating set of $ G $, and bad if $ v $ does not belong to any minimum dominating set of $ G $. A vertex $ v $ of $ G $ is called critical if $ \gamma(G-v) < \gamma(G) $. By using these notations of vertices, we give a construction for trees that does not contain critical vertices.
Accelerated non-monotonic explicit proximal-type method for solving equilibrium programming with convex constraints and its applications
Authors: Yotkaew Pongsakorn ,   Department of Mathematics, Faculty of Science, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand, Wairojjana Nopparat , Pakkaranang Nuttapol ,   Applied Mathematics Program, Faculty of Science and Technology, Valaya Alongkorn Rajabhat University under the Royal Patronage, 1 Moo 20 Phaholyothin Rd., Klong Neung, Klong Luang, Pathumthani, 13180, Thailand,   Department of Mathematics, Faculty of Science and Technology, Phetchabun Rajabhat University, Phetchabun 67000, Thailand
Published: July 2021

The main objective of this study is to introduce a new two-step proximal-type method to solve equilibrium problems in a real Hilbert space. This problem is a general mathematical model and includes a number of mathematical problems as a special case, such as optimization problems, variational inequalities, fixed point problems, saddle time problems and Nash equilibrium point problems. A new method is analogous to the famous two-step extragradient method that was used to solve variational inequality problems in a real Hilbert space established previously. The proposed iterative method uses an inertial scheme and a new non-monotone stepsize rule based on local bifunctional values rather than any line search method. A strong convergence theorem for the constructed method is proven by letting mild conditions on a bifunction. These results are being used to solve fixed point problems as well as variational inequalities. Finally, we considered two test problems, and the computational performance was presented to show the performance and efficiency of the proposed method.
Ciudad y corregidores: praxis de la integración del oficio regio en el sistema urbano de poder. El concejo de Cuenca durante la fase de instalación de la monarquía isabelina (1474-1483)
Authors: Jara Fuente José Antonio
Published: July 2021

Las medidas de centralización política emprendidas por los Reyes Católicos tienen en la figura del corregidor uno de sus pilares fundamentales. Su presencia en el mundo urbano persigue su sometimiento a las directrices centralizadoras regias, lo que constituye una injerencia en los espacios de reproducción de las elites locales y explica la oposición mostrada por éstas a su despliegue en las ciudades y los diferentes ritmos experimentados por la imposición de estos oficiales en los diversos entes urbanos, pues no todas las ciudades y villas demostraron similares disponibilidades y capacidades para ejercer esa oposición. En este estudio se busca analizar, desde la cotidianeidad de los procesos de toma de decisiones, el marco de relación política que el concejo de Cuenca llegó a establecer con los agentes de la centralización. Se ha optado por escoger una cronología precisa y relativamente corta, que permite abordar con cierto nivel de detalle el proceso de inserción estable del corregidor y las medidas adoptadas por la ciudad para «gestionar» su presencia y participación en la vida política urbana. Se ha contado para ello con los ricos fondos documentales del Archivo Municipal de Cuenca y del Registro General de Corte.
Implementing Universal Design for Learning Elements in the Online Learning Materials of a First-Year Required Course
Authors: Rearick Ben , England Erica , Saulnier Lange Jennifer , Johnson Corey
Published: July 2021

Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is a pedagogical design theory that accounts for variability across and within learners, both in physical classrooms and with online learning materials. Librarians at Washington State University implemented elements reflective of specific UDL checkpoints in a heavily-used LibGuide for a required undergraduate course. Online learning objects create opportunities for meeting UDL’s goals of not only multiple means of representation, but also engagement and action and expression extending beyond the baseline obligation to meet standard accessibility guidelines. We discuss our implementation of UDL elements, changes in LibGuide use before and after the introduction of UDL features, and usability study results, focusing on how students who face learning barriers view UDL. We explain considerations for successfully implementing UDL in online materials and the potential benefits.
Artificial Intelligence as Driver for SME Competitiveness
Authors: Del Sarto Nicola , Piccaluga Andrea
Published: July 2021

Artificial intelligence is profoundly changing the way in which companies compete and do business. In particular, artificial intelligence can represent a very interesting opportunity for small and medium-sized enterprises, which are constantly looking for new technologies to be able to remain competitive in a turbulent market. However, research exploring how SMEs may successfully adopt artificial intelligence technology are missing. To address this gap, the authors reviewed the literature on artificial intelligence and identified four key features that SMEs need to consider when implementing this technology represented by people, processes, products, and customers. After that they described four cases of Italian SMEs which have adopted successfully this new technology taking into account one of the four dimensions. The study contributes to the literature on artificial intelligence and SMEs and may be helpful for managers who want to adopt this technology within their company.
Retail Customer Native Baskets Creation
Authors: Matias Liliana Bernardino , Freitas Ana Costa , Miranda Filipe Fernandes
Published: July 2021

Standard approaches to measure price index on a specific retailer against competitors tend to be overly optimistic. The authors propose a methodology that deflects from analyzing solely the price of all products effectively bought by customers by taking into consideration their prior shopping intention. Loyalty schemes are game changers when measuring price index. The study proposes a two-step methodology that comprises on building the customer native baskets and allocating the prices collected to each customer. Under the assumption that a price sensitive customer will not buy a poorly priced product compared to the competitors in that specific period, the authors present an innovative methodology resulting in a more realistic price index metric.
Using Intelligent Text Analysis of Online Reviews to Determine the Main Factors of Restaurant Value Propositions
Authors: Fainshtein Elizaveta , Serova Elena
Published: July 2021

This chapter discusses the sentiment classification of text messages containing customer reviews of an online restaurant service system using machine-learning methods, in particular text mining and multivariate text sentiment analysis. The study determines the structure of value proposition factors based on online restaurant reviews on TripAdvisor, collecting information on consumer preferences and the restaurant services in St. Petersburg (Russia) quality assessment and examines the influence of service format and reviews tonality on ratings restaurants factors. The service format context is proposed as the main attribute influencing the formation of the restaurant business value proposition and of relevance for online reviews. The results showed the key factors in the study of the sentiment were cuisine and dishes, reviews and ratings, and targeted search. MANOVA analysis represented that for special offers and features, reviews and ratings, factors and quantitative star ratings influenced the negative and positive sentiment of online reviews significantly.
When Luxury Vinous-Concept Hotel Meets Premium Wine Brands
Authors: Ferraz Lisa , Nobre Helena , Barbosa Belém
Published: July 2021

Co-branding in the hospitality luxury sector is still understudied in the literature. This study aims at tackling this gap through the analysis of a case of a co-branding strategy between a vinous-concept luxury hotel in Portugal and premium wine brands of domestic producers. Fourteen in-depth interviews with managers of the luxury hotel and wine brand partners supported the exploratory research. This chapter represents a case of qualitative data application to an underestimated topic in the literature from the managers' point of view. The study offers evidence on the benefits for both parties, reasons for adopting co-branding, and partners' selection attributes. The improvement of brand image emerges as one of the main advantages of co-branding with a luxury hotel. Based on the literature review and the interviews with managers, the study proposes a set of hypotheses to be tested in future research. This chapter provides interesting cues for academics and practitioners.
The Business, Societal, and Enterprise Architecture Framework
Authors: Trad Antoine
Published: July 2021

In this chapter, the author presents an artificial intelligence (AI)-based generic concept for decision making using data science. The applied holistic mathematical model for AI (AHMM4AI) focuses on data and access management. A decisive business decision in a business transformation process of a traditional business environment into an automated AI-based business environment is the capacity of the decision-making system and the profile of the business transformation manager (BTM, or simply the manager). The manager and his team are supported by a holistic framework. The role of data science and the needed data modelling techniques are essential for managing data models in a transformation project. For that reason, the development of the big data for AI (BGD4AI) is an essential start.
The Effect of Population, Public Investments, and Economic Growth on Regional Renewable Energy Consumption in Turkey
Authors: Albayrak Özlem Karadağ
Published: July 2021

Making the use of renewable energy sources widespread is of paramount importance for Turkey as for all countries. In this regard, the determiners of renewable energy consumption have been investigated. The effect of determining or factors affecting the use of renewable energy sources on a regional scale to Turkey were examined with different qualitative and quantitative research techniques. In this study, the factors of economic growth, public investments, and population are analyzed by considering regional differences on the consumption of renewable energy resources. The effect of regional economic growth, regional public investments, and regional population on the amount of regional renewable energy consumption were investigated by using panel data of 26 statistical regions of Level-2 classification in the period between 2010-2018 in Turkey. The results obtained by the dynamic panel data analysis concluded that economic growth and public investments at the regional level increased renewable energy consumption while the population growth decreased.
Education for the Digital Industry
Authors: Chkoniya Valentina , Gonçalves Fernando Cruz , Batista Maria Manuela Martins
Published: July 2021

Education holds the power to transform and enrich the lives of people. In the era of the digital industry, where data is omnipresent in every walk of life and new trends impact society and future jobs, humans continue to evolve through education and developing mechanisms to improve education with data science in the heart of it. This chapter demonstrates that experience-based expertise and open innovation must be understood as a single process, where living labs that involve academies and enterprises create unique conditions for society's progress. There is a trinomial relationship between academy, society, and industries, which are interestingly far more exploited than the education and research. Effective management of the knowledge and information transferred between open innovation ecosystem partners is crucial. The scientific development of both concepts is an active field in the academic community, and new ideas appear, opening new paths of knowledge transfer methods with knowledge from data.
The Contribution of Data Science Applied to Customer Relationship Management
Authors: Simões Dora Maria
Published: July 2021

In the face the contemporary world lives, and the consequent data produced at an unprecedented speed through digital media platforms, the data are nowadays called the new global currency. It raises numerous opportunities to improve outcomes in businesses, namely at the level of customer relationship management (CRM) strategies and their systems. Nevertheless, how analytics can be applied and support the customer relationship processes seems unclear for academics and industries. To better connect customer relationship processes needs and what data science analytics can offer, this chapter presents a systematic literature review around the concepts, tools, and techniques behind this field, looking particularly on customer acquisition and customer retention in businesses. The outcomes highlight that academic researcher works in this field are very scare and recent. Searching the Scopus and Web of Science databases resulted in only 12 documents from 2013 to 2020, eight of them published in the last two years.
A Historical Review of Immersive Storytelling Technologies
Authors: Bienvenido Hector Puente , Barinaga Borja , Mora-Fernandez Jorge
Published: July 2021

This chapter is focused on describing the history and the current relevance of user experience (UX) techniques that combine data science and AI in the research field of interactive and immersive storytelling, including virtual and augmented realities. It initially presents a brief history of interactive storytelling, video games, VR and AR, AI and data science, and the user experience (UX) techniques used in those areas. Later, the chapter describes the UX techniques in depth, using AI and data science that work best and are more useful for testing interactive media products, describing examples of its applications briefly. Finally, the chapter presents conclusions in relationship with utopias and dystopias regarding the future use of UX, AI, and data science in several areas such as edutainment, social media, media arts, and business, among others.
Artificial Intelligences Are Subsets of Human Beings, Mainly in Fictions and Films
Authors: Sen Nandini
Published: July 2021

This chapter aims to create new knowledge regarding artificial intelligence (AI) ethics and relevant subjects while reviewing ethical relationship between human beings and AI/robotics and linking between the moral fabric or the ethical issues of AI as used in fictions and films. It carefully analyses how a human being will love robot and vice versa. Here, fictions and films are not just about technology but about their feelings and the nature of bonding between AIs and the human race. Ordinary human beings distrust and then start to like AIs. However, if the AI becomes a rogue as seen in many fictions and films, then the AI is taken down to avoid the destruction of the human beings. Scientists like Turing are champions of robot/AI's feelings. Fictional and movie AIs are developed to keenly watch and comprehend humans. These actions are so close to empathy they amount to consciousness and emotional quotient.
Multiple Criteria DEA-Based Ranking Approach With the Transformation of Decision-Making Units
Authors: Hong Jae-Dong
Published: July 2021

Though various ranking methods in the data envelopment analysis (DEA) context have emerged since the conventional DEA was introduced, none of them has not been accepted as a universal or a superior method for ranking decision-making units (DMUs). The DEA-based ranking methods show some shortcomings as the numbers of inputs and outputs for DMUs increase. To overcome such shortcomings, this paper proposes a two-step procedure of ranking DMUs more effectively and consistently. In the first step, the multi-objective programming (MOP) is applied for the multiple criteria DEA to transform the original DMUs into the new simpler DMUs with two inputs and a single output, regardless of the numbers of inputs and outputs that the original DMUs use and produce. With the transformed DMUs, some conventional DEA based-methods for ranking DMUs are applied in the second step. A numerical example demonstrates the efficient performance of the proposed method.
Timing of the First Antenatal Care Visit and Associated Risk Factors in Rural Parts of Ethiopia
Authors: Adulo Lema Abate , Hassen Sali Suleman , Chernet Asrat
Published: July 2021

Early antenatal care visit promotes early detection and treatment of complications during pregnancy. The aim of this study was to assess the timing of the first antenatal care visit and associated factors in rural parts of Ethiopia. Only 3065 women from 2016 Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey in rural area were included in this study. The descriptive and binary logistic regression analysis used to identify the determinants associated with the timing of the first antenatal care visit. This study revealed that 31% of women visited the first antenatal care within the first three months. Our study revealed that women education, maternal age, region, media access, women occupation, distance from health facility, wealth index, pregnancy complication and plan for pregnancy had significant effects on timing of the first antenatal care visit early. To initiate pregnant mothers to attend the first ANC visit timely, community-based services like media coverage, education, transportation and giving awareness about the necessity of having antenatal care service early is mandatory.
African Burial Practices as Havens That Promote the Spread of Cholera in Zimbabwe
Authors: Munamati Simbarashe , Musendekwa Menard
Published: July 2021

The research presents the results of a qualitative study that investigated the African burial practices as ravens that promote the spread of cholera in Zimbabwe which has experienced such outbreaks in 1992/1993, 1998, 1999, 2002, 2008/2009 and 2018. Participants were ten representatives of ten families from Machivenyika Village of Zaka District in Masvingo Province, Zimbabwe who had cholera-deaths related during the 2018 outbreak. Data collection instruments were semi-structured questionnaires and focus-group discussions. The constant comparative method was used to analyse data for thematic coding. Findings indicated that participants viewed African burial practices one of the major contributing factors in the spread of cholera in Zimbabwe. Participants suggested ways of improving African burial practices to accomplish positive results. Recommendations were made for the relevant authorities.
Emerging Pandemic COVID 19 vs. SARS-COV-1
Authors: Dixit Sunanda , Mahalakshmi J.  , Mahesh Riya
Published: July 2021

Rising threat of the global pandemic COVID 19 has become the major cause of concern among nations worldwide. The appalling pandemic has aggravated the global health of people making normal life come to a virtual standstill. The purpose of this study is to investigate and compare the similarities and differences between the previous global pandemic outbreak SARS-COV-1 with that of COVID 19. It makes use of a bioinformatic approach to analyze why COVID 19 has made situations uncontrollable as opposed to that of SARS-COV-1 although both belong to the same coronavirus family. Discusses about the recent clinical trials that are being conducted to evaluate potential therapeutics to combat the deadly pandemic. There is currently no available vaccine for COVID 19. E The current status of COVID 19 research stands progressive in various areas of knowledge. Further studies based on emerging evidences are required to produce drugs which can slow down disease progression and improve survival.
The Impact of Automated Investment on Peer-to-Peer Lending
Authors: Chen Cheng , Li Guannan , Fan Liangchen , Qin Jin
Published: July 2021

In the face of fierce competition, many peer-to-peer (P2P) lending platforms have introduced automated investment tools to serve customers better. Based on a large sample of data from PPdai.com, the authors studied the impact of automated investment on lenders’ investment behavior and platform performance. Using the propensity score matching (PSM) method, this article checks the differences of funding duration and loan performance with and without participation of automated investment tools in P2P lending. Our empirical results show that automated investment in P2P lending can significantly weaken investors’ herding behavior. The authors also found that automated investment prolongs the average funding duration of loans and undermines the platform efficiency. Furthermore, this study indicates that usage of automated investment does not affect the return on investment (ROI) in general.
Construction of a New Financial E-Commerce Model for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprise Financing Based on Multiple Linear Logistic Regression
Authors: Wang Ping , Han Wei
Published: July 2021

This paper expounds on the development prospects of SMEs and E-commerce finance, and illustrates the significance of developing online finance. It also introduces the commonly-used research methods of the two kinds of financial models, such as multiple linear regression method and logistic regression method, and analyzes the reasons for the financing difficulties of SMEs. Currently, the high financing cost is the main reason for the financing difficulties of SMEs. Several reasons are account for the high financing cost. Among them, high financing cost,low-efficiency financial system,long financing cycle and the loan information asymmetry account for 35%, 21%, 19% and25% respectively. In addition, this paper clarifies the advantages and disadvantages of network finance and the necessity of developing online finance.
Ballistic Performance Evaluation of Kevlar-Glass Fibre Hybrid Composite Laminate against Medium Velocity Impact
Authors: Kumar Saurabh S. , Babu Rajesh G. , Magarajan U.
Published: July 2021

In this paper, the post ballistic impact behaviour of kevlar-glass fibre hybrid composite laminates was investigated against 9×19 mm projectile. Eight different types of composite laminates with different ratios of kevlar woven fibre to glass fibre were fabricated using hand lay-up with epoxy matrix. Ballistic behaviour like ballistic Limit (V50), energy absorption, specific energy absorption and Back Face Signature (BFS) were studied after bullet impact. The results indicated that as the Percentage of glass fibre is increased there was a linear increment in the ballistic behaviour. Addition of 16% kevlar fabric, composite sample meets the performance requirement of NIJ0101.06 Level III-A. Since the maximum specific energy absorption was observed in Pure Kevlar samples and the adding of glass fibre increases the weight and Areal Density of the sample, further investigations need to be carried out to utilize the potential of glass fibre for ballistic applications.
Outlining NHRD as Practiced in Malaysia in its National Planning Context
Authors: Devadas Udaya Mohan
Published: July 2021

National Human Resource Development (NHRD) has been an emerging research agenda that reshaped the traditional view of HRD. NHRD literature adds many country case studies in building NHRD theory. Malaysia as a progressing country implements key programs relating to human resource development. Thus, before undergoing a detailed study into NHRD planning and execution, it is worthwhile to study the NHRD planning context, content and focus of, and term/s used for NHRD in Malaysia. A qualitative research design, using grounded theory method for data analysis was employed in this investigation. It was found that Malaysia’s NHRD planning system is well established to include people development missions that aimed at national development, especially economic development, evolved gradually to Human Capital Development (HCD)as currently in use. This revelation is significant in bridging the NHRD theory gap within Malaysia’s context and help NHRD theory building process. Further, this new insight will help policy makers to take decisions regarding Malaysia’s NHRD in a more focused manner.
Dividend Payout and Firm Performance: Evidence from a Frontier Market
Authors: Mendis B.H.V. , Wijesinghe M.R.P.
Published: July 2021

This study attempts to identify the impact of dividend payout on the market and financial performances of listed entities in Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE). We selected 25 listed entities for this study for 06 years from the year 2014 to 2019. Dividend payout used as a key independent variable while Earning volatility, Net working capital, Capital structure and firm size considered as control variables. Stock return and Market Value Added (MVA) are used as the proxies for firm’s market performance while return on equity, return on Assets and Economic Value Added (EVA) are used as proxies for financial performance. In terms of analysis, panel regression was applied in order to identify whether there is an impact of dividend payout on firm financial and market performance. The findings revealed that there is a significant positive influence of dividend payout on firm stock return, return on equity, return on assets and EVA. Our findings become original as the first study to employ market performance indicators in this phenomenon. Henceforth, these findings are valuable for the policy makers specially for corporate managers and investors for their decision making.
The Impact of Working Capital Management on Firm Profitability and Value
Authors: Amarasekara A.G.D.T. , Rathnayake R.M.S.S. , Pathirawasam C.
Published: July 2021

Management of working capital is one of the key functions in financial management. Working capital management has its impact on the liquidity and profitability of the firm. Because of its importance, this study examines the impact of working capital management on firms’ profitability and firms’ value in listed companies of Sri Lanka. Financial data from forty-one companies listed in the Colombo Stock Exchange for the period of four years, which comprises 205 firm-year observations were analysed using panel data regression analysis. It is revealed that the cash conversion cycle, days of accounts payable, and working capital financing policy has a significant negative impact on return on assets. Meanwhile, a significant positive effect is found between days of accounts receivable and return on assets. Further, there is a significant positive impact of firm size on both firms’ profitability and firms’ value. Evidence implies that firms could improve their profitability through efficient working capital management. The evidence implies that firms may improve their profitability through efficient working capital management and that would be useful to consider on maintaining optimal working capital management components and policies to ignore corporate collapse in Sri Lanka.
The Moderating Effect of Personal Cultural Orientation on Brand Association and Conspicuous Consumptions: A Study in the Context of Luxury Fashion Brand Market in Sri Lanka
Authors: Perera A.A.D.C. , Samarakoon S.M.A.K. , Wanninayake W.M.C.B.
Published: July 2021

Sri Lanka being a country where the luxury brand market is at an elementary stage, it is vital for luxury marketers to better understand the luxury consumer–brand relationship, have an in depth understanding about the market and customer dynamics, to strategize the conspicuous brand appeals in their branding and promotional strategies. The overall purpose of reaching such an understanding is to develop a strong brand architecture. Moreover, how the Sri Lankan culture would react to their marketing communication concepts does hold some ambiguity given the fact that culture plays a major role in influencing consumer behavior and purchase intention. It was noted that there is no common agreement among previous researchers regarding the subject matter. Further it is not appropriate to apply concepts in other parts of the world in Sri Lankan context given the fact that we have a diverse cultural background. In addition, this research area is a new endeavor in the Sri Lankan context as it was noted that there is a scarcity of literature of the theme of the present study in published sources. The target population of the study is the global middle-class population who spend (PPP) more than 10$ and less than 100$ a day per capita and the rich (upper) class population who spends more than 100$ a day per capita. The sample size of the study was 634 respondents. Both the online survey and field interviews were simultaneously carried out as data collection methods. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used to presenting and analyzing the data. Further the main data analytical tool which was used for the present study was PLS-SEM 3. The SPSS 23 software also used for the other analysis needed for the study. Based on the findings it was revealed that there is a significance relationship between brand association and conspicuous consumption. Further it was discovered that there is a mediating impact from self-concept to the relationship between brand association and conspicuous consumption. Accordingly, this research offers useful guidance to decision makers of the existing brands in the current market as well as the new brands in the context of the luxury brands market in Sri Lanka in planning their marketing strategies, to shape their marketing communication, segmenting their markets based on the findings given in the study.
Investigation of Fascin1, a Marker of Mature Dendritic Cells, Reveals a New Role for IL-6 Signaling in CCR7-Mediated Chemotaxis
Authors: Matsumura Fumio , Polz Robin , Singh Sukhwinder , Matsumura Aya , Scheller Jürgen , Yamashiro Shigeko
Published: July 2021

Migration of mature dendritic cells (DCs) to lymph nodes is critical for the initiation of adaptive immunity. CCR7, a G-protein–coupled receptor for CCL19/21 chemokines, is known to be essential for chemotaxis of mature DCs, but the molecular mechanism linking inflammation to chemotaxis remains unclear. We previously demonstrated that fascin1, an actin-bundling protein, increases chemotaxis of mature mouse DCs. In this article, we demonstrated that fascin1 enhanced IL-6 secretion and signaling of mature mouse DCs. Furthermore, we demonstrated that IL-6 signaling is required for chemotaxis. Blockage of IL-6 signaling in wild-type DCs with an anti–IL-6 receptor α (IL-6Rα) Ab inhibited chemotaxis toward CCL19. Likewise, knockout of IL-6Rα inhibited chemotaxis of bone marrow–derived DCs. The addition of soluble IL-6Rα and IL-6 rescued chemotaxis of IL-6Rα knockout bone marrow–derived DCs, underscoring the role of IL-6 signaling in chemotaxis. We found that IL-6 signaling is required for internalization of CCR7, the initial step of CCR7 recycling. CCR7 recycling is essential for CCR7-mediated chemotaxis, explaining why IL-6 signaling is required for chemotaxis of mature DCs. Our results have identified IL-6 signaling as a new regulatory pathway for CCR7/CCL19-mediated chemotaxis and suggest that rapid migration of mature DCs to lymph nodes depends on inflammation-associated IL-6 signaling.
Overexpression of the PTPN22 Autoimmune Risk Variant LYP-620W Fails to Restrain Human CD4+ T Cell Activation
Authors: Perry Daniel J , Peters Leeana D , Lakshmi Priya Saikumar , Zhang Lin , Han Zhao , Wasserfall Clive H , Mathews Clayton E , Atkinson Mark A , Brusko Todd M
Published: July 2021

A missense mutation (R620W) of protein tyrosine phosphatase nonreceptor type 22 (PTPN22), which encodes lymphoid-tyrosine phosphatase (LYP), confers genetic risk for multiple autoimmune diseases including type 1 diabetes. LYP has been putatively demonstrated to attenuate proximal T and BCR signaling. However, limited data exist regarding PTPN22 expression within primary T cell subsets and the impact of the type 1 diabetes risk variant on human T cell activity. In this study, we demonstrate endogenous PTPN22 is differentially expressed and dynamically controlled following activation. From control subjects homozygous for the nonrisk allele, we observed 2.1- (p < 0.05) and 3.6-fold (p < 0.001) more PTPN22 transcripts in resting CD4+ memory and regulatory T cells (Tregs), respectively, over naive CD4+ T cells, with expression peaking 24 h postactivation. When LYP was overexpressed in conventional CD4+ T cells, TCR signaling and activation were blunted by LYP-620R (p < 0.001) but only modestly affected by the LYP-620W risk variant versus mock-transfected control, with similar results observed in Tregs. LYP overexpression only impacted proliferation following activation by APCs but not anti-CD3– and anti-CD28–coated microbeads, suggesting LYP modulation of pathways other than TCR. Notably, proliferation was significantly lower with LYP-620R than with LYP-620W overexpression in conventional CD4+ T cells but was similar in Treg. These data indicate that the LYP-620W variant is hypomorphic in the context of human CD4+ T cell activation and may have important implications for therapies seeking to restore immunological tolerance in autoimmune disorders.
Macrophage-Derived MicroRNA-21 Drives Overwhelming Glycolytic and Inflammatory Response during Sepsis via Repression of the PGE2/IL-10 Axis
Authors: De Melo Paulo , Pineros Alvarez Annie Rocio , Ye Xiang , Blackman Amondrea , Alves-Filho Jose Carlos , Medeiros Alexandra I , Rathmell Jeffrey , Pua Heather , Serezani C Henrique
Published: July 2021

Myeloid cells are critical for systemic inflammation, microbial control, and organ damage during sepsis. MicroRNAs are small noncoding RNAs that can dictate the outcome of sepsis. The role of myeloid-based expression of microRNA-21 (miR-21) in sepsis is inconclusive. In this study, we show that sepsis enhanced miR-21 expression in both peritoneal macrophages and neutrophils from septic C57BL/6J mice, and the deletion of miR-21 locus in myeloid cells (miR-21Δmyel mice) enhanced animal survival, decreased bacterial growth, decreased systemic inflammation, and decreased organ damage. Resistance to sepsis was associated with a reduction of aerobic glycolysis and increased levels of the anti-inflammatory mediators PGE2 and IL-10 in miR-21Δmyel in vivo and in vitro. Using blocking Abs and pharmacological tools, we discovered that increased survival and decreased systemic inflammation in septic miR-21Δmyel mice is dependent on PGE2/IL-10–mediated inhibition of glycolysis. Together, these findings demonstrate that expression of miR-21 in myeloid cells orchestrates the balance between anti-inflammatory mediators and metabolic reprogramming that drives cytokine storm during sepsis.
SARS-CoV-2 Neutralizing Antibody Responses towards Full-Length Spike Protein and the Receptor-Binding Domain
Authors: Bayarri-Olmos Rafael , Idorn Manja , Rosbjerg Anne , Pérez-Alós Laura , Hansen Cecilie Bo , Johnsen Laust Bruun , Helgstrand Charlotte , Zosel Franziska , Bjelke Jais Rose , Öberg Fredrik Kryh , Søgaard Max , Paludan Søren R , Bak-Thomsen Theresa , Jardine Joseph G , Skjoedt Mikkel-Ole , Garred Peter
Published: July 2021

Tools to monitor SARS-CoV-2 transmission and immune responses are needed. We present a neutralization ELISA to determine the levels of Ab-mediated virus neutralization and a preclinical model of focused immunization strategy. The ELISA is strongly correlated with the elaborate plaque reduction neutralization test (ρ = 0.9231, p < 0.0001). The neutralization potency of convalescent sera strongly correlates to IgG titers against SARS-CoV-2 receptor-binding domain (RBD) and spike (ρ = 0.8291 and 0.8297, respectively; p < 0.0001) and to a lesser extent with the IgG titers against protein N (ρ = 0.6471, p < 0.0001). The preclinical vaccine NMRI mice models using RBD and full-length spike Ag as immunogens show a profound Ab neutralization capacity (IC50 = 1.9 × 104 to 2.6 × 104 and 3.9 × 103 to 5.2 × 103, respectively). Using a panel of novel high-affinity murine mAbs, we also show that a majority of the RBD-raised mAbs have inhibitory properties, whereas only a few of the spike-raised mAbs do. The ELISA-based viral neutralization test offers a time- and cost-effective alternative to the plaque reduction neutralization test. The immunization results indicate that vaccine strategies focused only on the RBD region may have advantages compared with the full spike.
Role of esophageal manometry in polysomnography of patients with chronic respiratory failure
Authors: Behera Debasis , Suri J C , Ish Pranav , Behera Ruchi Rekha , Chakrabarti Shibdas , Balasubramanian Viswesvaran
Published: July 2021

Esophageal pressure (Pes) monitoring is performed during polysomnography (PSG) with a thin, water-filled catheter connected to a transducer. The resulting quantitative assessment of respiratory effort can aid in the accurate diagnosis of sleep-related breathing disorders.  This was a prospective observational study using Pes in PSG for thirty patients with chronic respiratory failure (CRF) conducted in the Department of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine at a tertiary care center of North India. Sleep Scoring was done by conventional method and using esophageal manometry and compared- Polysomnography normal without esophageal manometry recording (PSGN) and polysomnography with esophageal manometry scoring (PSGE). AHI index was similar in both groups. However, RERAs were diagnosed easily using Pes resulting in significant increase in RDI and even reclassification in terms of severity of sleep apnea. Besides, Pes was also useful to distinguish obstructive from central hypopnea which cannot be distinguished by routine PSG which can help guide therapy particularly in chronic respiratory failure patients with hypoventilation. Such patients with hypoventilation often require bilevel positive airway pressure as ventilatory support. Central hypopneas and apneas with hypercapnia may require a higher-pressure support, a backup rate or even advanced volume assured modes of ventilation.  Thus, it can be concluded that Pes in PSG remains a safe and generally well-tolerated procedure. Use of Pes aids to detect RERA and thereby respiratory disturbance index (RDI); a better marker of Sleep related breathing disorder rather than AHI. It also helps in differentiate between obstructive and central hypopnea.
Diffuse alveolar haemorrhage and myocardial infarction: life-threatening effects from self-injected hyaluronic acid dermal filler
Authors: Che Ani Amira Aishah , Mohd Akhir Sakinah , Chiang Li-Xue Winnie , Shahidan Nur Zurairah , Abd Hamid Azman
Published: July 2021

Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a widely used dermal filler for soft tissue augmentation. We described a case of a 38-year-old transwoman who presented with sudden onset of severe respiratory distress following self-injection of HA dermal filler. She developed multiple episodes of pulmonary haemorrhage, and her chest X-ray showed diffuse ground-glass opacities consistent with diffuse alveolar haemorrhage (DAH). There were no relevant drugs or past medical histories. Anti-nuclear antibodies and rheumatoid factor were negative. Initially, the pulmonary haemorrhage episodes and ventilation requirement improved with systemic steroid, however she subsequently developed acute myocardial infarction with progressive clinical deterioration leading to death. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first HA-related DAH with myocardial infarction reported with a fatal outcome. This case highlights the importance of awareness and the necessity of having a high suspicion of DAH in patients with history of illicit HA dermal filler use.