bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
New Formation Mechanisms of Pores and Cracks in Micro-arc Oxidation Coatings on 6061 Aluminum Alloy with High Temperature Oxide Prefab Film
Authors: WU Guo-rui , WANG Dong-dong , LIU Xin-tong , WANG Mingjia , CHEN Dong , WU Yekang , SHEN Dejiu
Published: January 2021

Prior to micro-arc oxidation (MAO) treatment, a layer of high temperature oxide (HTO) prefab film was fabricated on the surface of 6061 aluminum alloy specimens. The formation mechanisms of the cracks and pores in the MAO coatings were investigated by means of Mg element as the tracer. The results showed that there were several different formation mechanisms for the pores and cracks formed in the MAO coatings as follows. Some of pores were attributed to the residual micro-discharge channels, and the others were attributed to the residual uncovered concave regions locating among the surrounding convex regions. The difference in oxide phase composition caused by the compositional fluctuations in the coating weakened the bond strength at the phase interface and resulted in forming cracks between every two convex regions. Some of cracks were resulted from the solidification and shrinkage of molten coating materials, and the others were resulted from the poor connection between every two convex regions. The surface morphology and the content of each element of the MAO coating were determined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) equipped with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS).
Effects of Abrasive Particle Type, Load and Sliding Distance on Micro-Abrasion Resistance of High Speed Steel Coated with AlCrN or AlTiN
Authors: ÇAY Vedat Veli
Published: January 2021

High Speed Steel (HSS) specimen surfaces were coated with AlCrN and AlTiN via Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) method. Then, the wear performances of the film coatings so produced were investigated by using different abrasive types with different particle sizes. During the micro-abrasion wear tests, 0.5, 1 and 1.5 N loads were applied for periods of 60 and 180 seconds. During the wear tests, wear loss increased with increasing SiC and Al2O3 abrasive particle size. Micro-grooving and micro-rolling wear were observed when F800 and F1200 abrasive slurry were used, respectively. It was determined that the volume losses formed by SiC abrasive particles on AlTiN and AlCrN coatings to be higher than Al2O3 abrasive particles. Volume losses increased with the increase in the applied load and the number of cycles. The AlCrN coatings exhibited better wear resistance than the AlTiN coatings. The applied test load had a significant effect on the wear mechanisms observed.
Bildungsziele im Völkerrecht: Eine Analyse menschenrechtlicher Vorgaben
Authors: Schmahl Stefanie
Published: January 2021

Das in den Menschenrechtsübereinkommen garantierte Recht auf Bildung ist häufig Gegen­stand rechtlicher Analysen. Demgegenüber führen die Bildungsziele, die verschiedene Men­schenrechtsverträge den Vertragsstaaten vorschreiben, im rechtlichen Diskurs bislang ein Schattendasein. Daher ist es Anliegen dieses Beitrags, ein erstes Licht auf die Bildungsziele des Völkerrechts zu werfen.
Thesaurus and Ontology Construction for Contra Dance: Knowledge Organization of a North American Folk Dance Domain
Authors: Coladangelo L.P.
Published: January 2021

This case study aims to preserve and disseminate cultural heritage information about the North American community folk dance tradition of contra dance through development of a thesaurus of choreographic terms and a domain ontology. A survey of dance resources was conducted, reviewing historic and modern examples of contra dance choreography notation and instructions, records of dance events, and recordings of dance performances. Domain and content analysis were performed on the resources to collect and organize concepts and themes regarding choreographic components and their relationships, the structure and function of cultural works, their creative expressions, and the evidence of those expressions in documents and recordings. Vocabulary used in the description of contra dance choreography was identified, classified, and notated to build a thesaurus, which was used as the basis of a domain ontology. Ontology building methodology and existing conceptual models for cultural heritage domains guided the ontology development and revision phases. The study also seeks to safeguard an intangible cultural heritage by applying knowledge organization and semantic approaches to folk dance in order to model such challenges as multiple, simultaneous modes of communication and forms of representation, modular conceptual components, descriptive sequences, differing levels of structured information, and complex cultural networks found at various levels of domain discourse.
Kommunale Schulden in Deutschland
Authors: Zabler Steffen
Published: January 2021

Evaluating the success of instruments which aim at reducing local government debt is a highly relevant issue in the light of existing debt problems at the local level in Germany and insufficient research into them. However, adequate empirical analysis is to some extent confronted with the challenge of a small number of observations and ambiguous cause–effect relations. This quantitative study takes the causal effects of austerity commissioners, financial aid programmes and debt brakes on local government debt into account by using different types of synthetic control methods. Its findings do not confirm that these instruments have a consistently positive effect, but that the success of the instruments seems to be highly context-specific.
EU Energieunion
Authors: Logan Carola
Published: January 2021

Crises and conflicts over limited energy resources together with Europe's import dependency on fossil fuels and the challenges posed by climate change have increasingly put energy policy on the European agenda. EU energy policy and the Energy Union made remarkable progress during the second Barroso Commission and the Juncker Commission, even in areas that traditionally lie in the sphere of national decision-making. This book takes stock of the last two commissions and examines the influence of external factors as well as political actors and their ambitions on integration in the area of EU energy policy.
Histopathologic Correlates of Nonmass Enhancement Detected by Breast Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Authors: Torous Vanda F. , Resteghini Nancy A. , Phillips Jordana , Dialani Vandana , Slanetz Priscilla J. , Schnitt Stuart J. , Baker Gabrielle M.
Published: January 2021

Context.—

Dynamic, contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a highly sensitive imaging modality used for screening and diagnostic purposes. Nonmass enhancement (NME) is commonly seen on MRI of the breast. However, the pathologic correlates of NME have not been extensively explored. Consequently, concordance between MRI and pathologic findings in such cases may be uncertain and this uncertainty may cause the need for additional procedures.

Objective.—

To examine the histologic alterations that correspond to NME on MRI.

Design.—

We performed a retrospective search for women who underwent breast MRI between March 2014 and December 2016 and identified 130 NME lesions resulting in biopsy. The MRI findings and pathology slides for all cases were reviewed. The follow-up findings on any subsequent excisions were also noted.

Results.—

Among the 130 cases, the core needle biopsy showed 1 or more benign lesions without atypia in 80 cases (62%), atypical lesions in 21 (16%), ductal carcinoma in situ in 22 (17%), and invasive carcinoma in 7 (5%). Review of the imaging features demonstrated some statistically significant differences in lesions that corresponded to malignant lesions as compared with benign alterations, including homogeneous or clumped internal enhancement, type 3 kinetics, and T2 dark signal; however, there was considerable overlap of features between benign and malignant lesions overall. Of 130 cases, 54 (41.5%) underwent subsequent excision with only 6 cases showing a worse lesion on excision.

Conclusions.—

This study illustrates that NME can be associated with benign, atypical, and/or malignant pathology and biopsy remains indicated given the overlap of radiologic features.
Las instalaciones industriales de la tierra de Sevilla a finales del siglo XV
Authors: González Arce José Damián
Published: January 2021

Unos informes del concejo de Sevilla de la década de 1490, sobre una serie de pueblos bajo su jurisdicción, nos permiten conocer qué inmuebles se hallaban en ellos dedicados a actividades productivas. Es una documentación excepcional que hace posible diferenciar por comarcas, y en función de otros sectores como la agricultura o el comercio, cuáles de ellas tuvieron mayor dedicación industrial, de qué tipo de sector se trató y por qué se radicó en unos lugares y no en otros; así como su influencia en el crecimiento económico y demográfico local. Para llegar a la conclusión de que la menor dotación de recursos para la agricultura, junto con la disponibilidad de otros como la abundancia de agua para instalaciones molinares u hornos cerámicos, fueron el motor para el crecimiento manufacturero de las regiones más montañosas del reino de Sevilla.

Some reports of the council of Seville of the 1490s, on a series of towns under their jurisdiction, allow us to know which buildings were in them dedicated to productive activities. It is an exceptional documentation that makes it possible to differentiate by regions and, depending on other sectors such as agriculture or commerce, which of them had greater industrial dedication, what type of sector was the principal and why it was located here and not in others districts; as well as its influence on local economic and demographic growth. To reach the conclusion that the lower endowment of resources for agriculture, together with the availability of others such as the abundance of water for mills or ceramic furnaces, were the engine for the manufacturing growth of the most mountainous regions of the kingdom of Seville.
tutorización proactiva como factor de mejora en los resultados de la formación online
Authors: Vercher-Ferrándiz Marisa
Published: January 2021

En el presente trabajo de investigación se plantea como hipótesis que un modelo de tutorización proactiva, centrado en el acompañamiento y seguimiento continuo del estudiante online, mejora la tasa de aprobados y la satisfacción de los estudiantes. Para validar dicha hipótesis se describen y comparan los resultados de las encuestas de satisfacción y la tasa de aprobados de los cursos impartidos a través del Plan de Estudios Coordinados en Asesoría Financiera del Centro de Formación Permanente de la Universitat Politècnica de València, incluyéndose en el estudio 27 cursos que siguen un modelo de tutorización proactiva con un total de 5.613 estudiantes matriculados y una muestra de 2.500 cuestionarios y 30 cursos que siguen un modelo de tutorización reactiva con un total de 1.862 estudiantes matriculados y una muestra de 583 cuestionarios. Los resultados obtenidos permiten aceptar la hipótesis de partida confirmando que en los cursos que se ha seguido un modelo de tutorización proactiva la tasa de aprobados es un 27% más alta, y al respecto de la satisfacción del alumnado, en ambos tipos de tutorización, el patrón general de respuestas a las encuestas, con ciertas diferencias en la distribución de las mismas, es similar si bien, la satisfacción es más alta en los cursos que han seguido un modelo de tutorización proactivo, mientras que la insatisfacción es mayor en los de tutorización reactiva.

In this research, we established the hypothesis that a proactive tutoring model, focused on the continuous monitoring and follow-up of the online student, improves the rate of approved students and student satisfaction. To validate this hypothesis, we describe and compare the results of the satisfaction surveys and the approved rate of the courses taught through the Coordinated Study Plan in Financial Advisory of the Center for Permanent Training of the Polytechnic University of Valencia. We included in the research 27 courses that follow a proactive tutoring model with a total of 5.613 students enrolled and a sample of 2.500 questionnaires and 30 courses that follow a reactive tutoring model with a total of 1.139 students enrolled with a sample of 583 questionnaires. The results obtained permit accepting the initial hypothesis, confirming that in the courses that a proactive tutoring model was followed, the approved rate is 27% higher and regarding student satisfaction in both types of tutoring the general pattern of responses to the survey, with certain differences in their distribution, were similar, although satisfaction is higher in courses that have followed a proactive tutoring model, while dissatisfaction is greater in those with a reactive tutoring.
Les sentiments devant le juge administratif français
Authors: Deguergue Maryse
Published: January 2021

Le sentiment paraît antinomique avec la rationalité du raisonnement juridique suivi par le juge administratif français. Pourtant, tout en gardant le silence sur les sentiments humains, il les prend en considération, principalement dans le contentieux de la responsabilité, pour réparer les préjudices moraux. Il est aussi réceptif au sentiment propre à l’Humanité, à savoir la dignité de la personne humaine et la compassion qu’elle inspire. Plus généralement, le sentiment de justice anime le juge administratif et explique sa recherche incessante de perfectionnement du droit, à travers notamment le sentiment d’indignation qu’il peut ressentir et la réalisation de l’égalité pour lutter contre le sentiment de discrimination.
La procédure civile québécoise : à la recherche de la sérénité
Authors: Plamondon Jacinthe
Published: January 2021

Les tribunaux judiciaires québécois doivent souvent composer avec l’émotivité inhérente à certains dossiers judiciarisés. Pourtant, la perception de leur fonctionnement serait idéalement celle d’un milieu neutre, impartial, voire imperturbable, où les litiges trouveraient une fin conforme au droit et où un équilibre serait restauré entre les parties. Dans ce contexte, les règles du Code de procédure civile sont-elles un environnement propice à la présence de sentiments ? La réflexion à ce sujet a amené l’auteure à s’intéresser à la question de la sérénité, sentiment historiquement associé à la représentation idéale de l’instance judiciaire et de son décideur, ainsi que des effets du jugement. En étudiant de façon prospective un échantillon du discours judiciaire et législatif québécois, l’auteure propose une illustration de la présence discrète, mais durable, de ce sentiment dans la conception idéale du système judiciaire.
Narrativa procedimental transmedia: del dadaísmo al VOD
Authors: Pons Joan J.
Published: January 2021

Se entiende por narrativa procedimental o interactive storytelling una historia creada o procesada, totalmente o en parte, por un sistema (máquina) o procedimiento (reglas o normas). Aun así, de forma general, podemos observar dos tipos: la completamente aleatoria, que toma formas de cariz más artístico, o la que interacciona con el lector, espectador o jugador para generar una historia personalizada basada en las opciones escogidas. Tres ejemplos que veremos a continuación son los libros de Elige tu propia aventura, el capítulo interactivo Black Mirror: Bandersnatch y el videojuego Detroit: Become Human.
The supporting role of business models in the promotion of sustainable innovations in the energy sector: an explorative study in the Italian SMEs
Authors: SABATINI ANDREA , BARTOLONI SARA , GREGORI GIAN LUCA
Published: January 2021

Purpose of the paper: The Industry 4.0 paradigm entails tremendous business opportunities. However, SMEs are struggling to effectively commercialize new products embedding Industry 4.0 technologies. Therefore, the study aims at exploring how SMEs manage the commercialization of Industry 4.0 new products to provide a thorough understanding of the main issues and barriers they face. Methodology: The study adopts a single case study of an Italian SMEs. Data have been analyzed through an abductive approach. The novelty of the topic calls for an explorative study consistent with the methodologies adopted. Results: The study finds several barriers and issues related to internal and external factors. Barriers and issues might be overcome if SMEs develop external partnerships to compensate their typical scarcity of resources. The firm faced the coronavirus pandemic, which highlighted further threats hidden into the commercialization process. Research limitations: The study design is qualitative in nature, limiting the generalization of the findings. The internal perspective and the specific study contexts also offer new avenues for future. research. Practical implications: The study provides several insights to support SMEs in their commercialization processes of new Industry 4.0 technological products. The study highlights the pivotal role of strategy and planning as well as marketing activities. Originality of the paper: The study contributes to the new product commercialization and Industry 4.0 literature by unravelling potential issues and barriers that innovator SMEs might encounter when commercializing new products that fall into the Industry 4.0 paradigm. The article provides a novel perspective as the extant NPD literature focuses on start-ups or large corporations, while the Industry 4.0 literature has been neglecting the commercialization process.
The tourist experience in the digital era: the case of Italian millennials
Authors: PENCARELLI TONINO , GABBIANELLI LINDA , SAVELLI ELISABETTA
Published: January 2021

Purpose of the paper: The digital revolution is producing several economic and societal changes. The tourism sector, which is characterized by products with high information content and intangible value, is one of the main industries involved in these changes on both the supply side and the demand side. This paper examines how digital technologies impact tourists’ consumption experiences throughout the entire customer travel journey (planning, booking, experiencing, and sharing), with a special focus on millennials. Methodology: On an empirical level, this research study aimed to describe the tourism-related buying and consumption behaviors of a sample of approximately 700 Italian consumers. Results: The results of this empirical study highlighted that new technologies are used in all stages of the digital customer journey. Most of the respondents were experts in travel planning through digital technologies. The smartphone is mainly used by younger millennials, while the computer is mainly used by older millennials. With respect to social media, millennials prefer Instagram and Facebook for sharing content during and after trips. Research limitations: This research study focused on the center of Italy, and the sample was not representative. Another limitation of this study was that the sample was made up of students, who do not have secure jobs and mainly depend on their parents’ incomes. Practical implications: The practical implications that emerged from this study specifically related to attracting and retaining tourists and increasing their overall customer experience. Originality of the paper: This study contributes to deepen the knowledge of millennials’ behaviors as tourists
Municipal waste landfill as a source of polychlorinated biphenyls releases to the environment
Authors: Gabryszewska Marta , Gworek Barbara
Published: January 2021

This study aimed to investigate the impact of municipal waste landfill on polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) release to the environment concerning groundwater flow directions. The contents of polychlorinated biphenyls in soils, plants and water were analysed at various distances from the landfill. Thanks to low solubility PCBs in water groundwater flow direction, under the landfill, have an influence on PCBs concentration in groundwater. Strong PCBs’ sorption to organic matter caused that no affect groundwater flow directions on PCB content in soils and plants’ tissues was observed. The largest PCBs deposition zone was located 50 m from the contamination source (landfill). Tri-CB and tetra-CB homologues were capable of migration deep into the soil profile, which could be related to the geological material from which the soils under study were developed, as well as to the properties of the PCB homologues.
Using the Natural Fixative from Canarium Resin of Vietnam
Authors: Hai Le Huy , Truc Le Mai Xuan
Published: January 2021

Aim and Objectives: Nowadays, the fixative substance from natural materials is gradually replacing the fixative substance that has been synthesized from chemicals. The purpose of the study in this research is that we created a natural fragrance from Vietnamese raw material with a fixative from Canarium Album (Lour) as a natural fixative to replace artificial fixative.  Canarium plant is scientifically known as Canarium Album (Lour) Raensch of the Burseraceae family. Canarium Album L. is distributed in most of Northern provinces, central Highlands, and Southeast of Vietnam.

Materials and Methods: The method of this process is resin extraction by volatile solvents.  We use a knife to cut into the trunk and let the resin run out, then harvest this resin to make fixative. The resin is dissolved in alcohol 96% and the distilled alcohol is removed to obtain absolute Canarium. Evaluation method of the ability of absolute Canarium is performed by comparing it with other fixatives in fragrances. Raw canarium resins is taken directly from canarium plants then refined absolute canarium as the natural fixative. We use this fixative substance in combinations of floral, woody smells and comparison with traditional artificial fixative as Musk ketone, Musk xylene, Musk ambrette.

Results: The comparison results show that the ability to keep the fragrance of scent is lower than musk ambrette, musk ketone but it is better than musk xylene. Thus, canarium resin can be used as a natural fixative to replace artificial fixative in fragrance.

Conclusions: Through research and experiment, we can see Canarium resin is precious. It can be used as a good fixative in aromatherapy. This is a natural resin, a kind of resource available in Vietnam. Therefore, it is recommended for further research, exploitation, and effective use of this resource.
Green Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles Using Some Medicinal Plants
Authors: Jalab Joud , Kitaz Adawia , Abdelwahed Wassim , Kayali Rawaa Al-
Published: January 2021

Aims: The green synthesis of silver nanoparticles in an eco-friendly, economical and more effective approach using (Acacia cyanophylla, Phlomis syriaca and Scolymus hispanicus) plants extracts and describing their main chemical properties and study the effect of its chemical composition on producing silver nanoparticles.

Methodology: In this study, aqueous and ethanolic extracts of the three plants were evaluated for antioxidant activity using 2,2-diphenyl-l-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay, Total polyphenol and flavonoid contents were determined using spectrophotometric method, but  total saponins were determined by weight method, The synthesis of silver nanoparticles was performed by a reduction method using aqueous silver nitrate solution and aqueous extracts of the three plants. Then study its characterization in a number of ways, such as visual inspection, UV-Vis spectroscopy and dynamic light scattering.

Results: The results showed that the total phenolic content ranged in extracts between (13.08 ±2.279 to 98.39 ±4.755 mg GAE/g DW). While the total flavonoid contents varied from (19.83 ±2.384 to 121.64 ±6.469 mg RE/g DW. Antioxidant activity was expressed as IC50 and the obtained results ranged from (IC50= 0.027 ±0.00038 to 0.878 ±0.045 mg/ml), the results indicated that the ethanolic Acacia cyanophylla extract from the six examined extracts showed the highest phenolic and flavonoid concentration and strong antioxidant activity. Also, the saponins content in the three plants ranged from (0.46 to 2.53)% and the highest amount of saponins reported in Acacia cyanophylla plant. The silver nanoparticles prepared using Acacia cyanophylla extract have reported visible yellowish brown color formation and the absorption peak at 460 nm indicates the biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles and they have average diameter (134.1) nm and the polydispersity index (PdI) was suitable (0.260).

Conclusion: Acacia cyanophylla extract has been considered as the best reducing agent among the selected plant extracts for the preparation of stable colloidal silver nanoparticles, this is due to their high content of flavonoids, phenols and saponins.
Bacteria Screening with Sufficient Nitrate Extraction from Wastewater
Authors: Bello A. Y. , Nafi’u A. , Haruna Z. A. , Ridwan A. H. , Mohammed A. , Ibrahim M. T.
Published: January 2021

Search for effective biological strain for use to remedy water pollution has been limited. This study was performed to search for effective bacteria capable of extracting nitrate from wastewater. Samples from abattoir inside (Abi) and abattoir outside (Abt), fishpond of kwalkwalawa (Fpk) and mabera fishpond (Fpm) wastewater were used. Using conventional standard plate technique as 1.96×107 cfu/ml (Abi) had highest bacteria count while 1.05×107 cfu/ml (Fpk) had minimal. The obtained pure colonies were morphologically and biochemically characterized including two Enterobacter specie, Proteus and Pseudomonas specie. The isolated organisms were used as a test organism for the removal of nitrate present in high nitrate containing medium. Prior to the extraction, the wastewater samples were physicochemically analyzed using parameters like color, odor, pH, alkalinity, hardness, temperature and nitrate. For nitrate extraction, bacteria were inoculated in a separate tubes containing nitrate broth, incubated in a rotary shaker 150rpm at 37°C for 16hrs. The supernatant from 10minutes centrifuged culture were used for nitrate removal evaluation after a series of reaction and stop using spectrophotometer at 420nm. The absorbance 0.732 proteus specie after estimation of nitrate in a medium was maximal while Enterobacter specie 0.574 was minimal. Meanwhile, two of the Enterobacter specie has similar absorbance 0.012 while Proteus and Pseudomonas species had 0.016 and 0.010 respectively in the nitrate concentration removed within the media. The nitrate present in the medium was compared with a known standard curve prepared with NaNO3 at 100-1000 ppm. The result indicated that bacteria from fish pond wastewaters had highest potential for extracting nitrate and that inherent bacteria are capable of removing pollutant nitrate and the bacteria may be able to remove nitrate efficiently if genetically engineered.
Assessment of Physicochemical and Microbiological Quality of Table Water Sold in School Campuses of the University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria
Authors: Lawson Stephenson Danagogo , Ibiene Abiye Anthony , Amadi Victoria , Enyinnaya Stella Ogbonnie , Nnodim Lasbry Chidi , Uzah Gift Atumatuchukwu
Published: January 2021

Water is the elixir of life which is essential for proper metabolic processes to take place. The quest for cheap and readily available source of potable water has led to the emergence of sachet and bottle water which the sale and consumption continue to grow astronomically and rapidly in most countries of the world. This study was aimed at assessing the microbial and physicochemical water quality of table water sold on School campuses. Standard microbiological procedures were used to isolate and identify various microbial genera associated with the water samples using morphological, microscopic and biochemical characterization method. The bacterial genera identified were Escherichia sp., Streptococcus sp., Micrococcus sp., Vibrio cholera., Staphylococcus sp. and Bacillus sp. with Choba campus having the highest microbial contamination of packaged water. However, the results of the physicochemical properties from this study were all below the WHO recommended limits. The temperature and pH ranged between 26-27°C and 6.98-7.08, respectively. The values of the electrical conductivity ranged from 0.080 to 0.150 µs/cm; turbidity ranged between 0.40-1.40 NTU; chloride ranged between 1.187-2.103 mg/l, nitrate was within the range of 0.01 to 0.14 mg/l; BOD ranged from 0.02-0.04 mg/l, COD was between 0.00-0.08 mg/l and the total soluble solids were between the ranges of 0.04-0.10 mg/l. Therefore, this study suggests the improvement of water-borne disease preventive and control measures, and monitoring of water quality by the regulatory agencies to ensure good manufacturing practices by the water bottling companies which will result in reduction of health hazards associated with water borne diseases.
Clinico-pathological Outcomes of Men with Initial Likert 2 Multiparametric Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Prostate: Findings from a Case Series in a Non-teaching Hospital in UK
Authors: Duckett Abigail , Hughes Stephen , Jameel Basharat , Yehia Mohamed , Seipp Christian , Agarwal Sanjay , Shergill Iqbal
Published: January 2021

Introduction: With the recent introduction of Multiparametric MRI (MP-MRI) for suspected prostate cancer, we investigated the clinic-pathological outcome of men who were suspected to have prostate cancer but in whom initial MP-MRI was negative (Likert 2).

Methods: Demographic and clinico-pathological outcomes data were analysed in men, with minimum 2 year follow up, who had undergone investigation for suspected prostate cancer with a negative (Likert 2) initial MP-MRI. The primary outcome was subsequent identification of prostate cancer in this cohort. Secondary outcome measures included correlation of prostate volume, presence of previous prostate biopsy, age, Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) dynamics (pre and post MP-MRI scan), Digital Rectal Examination (DRE) findings and follow-up in months with the primary outcome.

Results: With respect to the primary outcome of this study, prostate cancer was identified in 8.7% of men only (n=4). Of these, two cases were low risk and two were high risk. With regards the secondary outcome measures, there was a positive correlation between PSA dynamics, age at MP-MRI and follow-up in months with subsequent diagnosis of prostate cancer, although this was not statistically significant. There was no prostate cancer specific mortality or morbidity in this cohort.

Conclusions: In this study, despite initial negative MP-MRI scan, prostate cancer was subsequently diagnosed in 4 men (8.7%). Reassuringly, this compares very favourably to the negative predictive value (89%) from the PROMIS trial and as such, adds an important body of work to the contemporary literature on modern diagnosis of suspected prostate cancer.
Rigour in Qualitative Studies: Are we on track?
Authors: Suryani Ani Wilujeng , Utami Helianti
Published: January 2021

Prior research has explored qualitative studies in relation to the paradigms used. This paper enriches the literature by investigating the quality of qualitative studies in relation to the data collection method and participants' selection. In this study, we collected SNA qualitative paper proceedings from 2007 to 2017. Guided by the minimum criteria of the data collection method described in the literature review sections, we analyze those proceedings. We found the three most common methods used in the studies: interview, observation, and documentation. The majority of the paper clearly stated their data collection method. However, only a minority of them provides a clear description of how the data were collected and how to obtain participants/data used in their studies and why invite dthem in the research. Thus, it is suggested that researchers provide a detail explanation of their methods to show the rigour of the study that they conducted
The Effect of Organizational Culture and Good Corporate Governance Mechanism on Human Resource Disclosure
Authors: Rorong Nadya Natalia , Lasdi Lodovicus
Published: January 2021

Human resource is an important and valuable asset to reach competitive advantage for every firms. In the banking and insurance firms, human resource have an important role that is irreplaceable in the operational process of the firms. Human resource disclosure is an activity to disclose information about recruitment process, benefits, training and development program for employee. Therefore, human resource disclosure may provide additional information for the management and all the stakeholders in the development process of decision making. Factors that may affect the human resource disclosure are organizational culture, institutional ownership, and independent commissioner. The objective of this study is to investigate the effect of organizational culture, institutional ownership, and independent commissioner to human resource disclosure. The research’s object are banking and insurance companies that listed in Indonesian Stock Exchange in 2016-2018, there were 55 companies which have been selected by purposive sampling technique. Data were analysed by using multiple regression analysis. Based on the analysis, the results show that organizational culture has positive impact to human resource disclosure. Therefore, institutional ownership and independent commissioner does not affect the human resource disclosure
Circulating tumor cell profiling for precision oncology
Authors: Labib Mahmoud , Kelley Shana O.
Published: January 2021

Analysis of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) collected from patient's blood offers a broad range of opportunities in the field of precision oncology. With new advances in profiling technology, it is now possible to demonstrate an association between the molecular profiles of CTCs and tumor response to therapy. In this Review, we discuss mechanisms of tumor resistance to therapy and their link to phenotypic and genotypic properties of CTCs. We summarize key technologies used to isolate and analyze CTCs and discuss recent clinical studies that examined CTCs for genomic and proteomic predictors of responsiveness to therapy. We also point out current limitations that still hamper the implementation of CTCs into clinical practice. We finally reflect on how these shortcomings can be addressed with the likely contribution of multiparametric approaches and advanced data analytics.
Structural comparison of two ferritins from the marine invertebrate Phascolosoma esculenta
Authors: Ming Tinghong , Huan Hengshang , Su Chang , Huo Chunheng , Wu Yan , Jiang Qinqin , Qiu Xiaoting , Lu Chenyang , Zhou Jun , Li Ye , Su Xiurong
Published: January 2021

For marine invertebrates with no adaptive immune system, ferritin is a major intracellular iron‐storage protein with a critical role in innate immunity. Here, we present the crystal structures of two novel ferritins [Fer147 and Phascolosoma esculenta ferritin (PeFer)] from the marine invertebrate P. esculenta, which resides in muddy‐bottom coastal regions. Fer147 and PeFer exhibit the 4‐3‐2 symmetry of cage‐like hollow shells containing 24 subunits, similar to other known ferritins. Fer147 and PeFer contain both the conserved ferroxidase center and threefold channels. Subtle structural differences in the putative nucleation sites suggest possible routes of metal ion movement in the protein shells. However, the marked variation in the electrostatic potential of the threefold channels in Fer147 and the fourfold channels in PeFer suggests significant diversity between Fer147 and PeFer in terms of metal ion aggregation and cation exclusion. In summary, the presented crystal structures may serve as references for studies of the iron‐storage mechanism of additional ferritins from marine invertebrates.
Vendor‐independent skin dose mapping application for interventional radiology and cardiology
Authors: Krajinović Marko , Kržanović Nikola , Ciraj‐Bjelac Olivera
Published: January 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present and validate an originally developed application SkinCare used for skin dose mapping in interventional procedures, which are associated with relatively high radiation doses to the patient’s skin and possible skin reactions.

Methods

SkinCare is an application tool for generating skin dose maps following interventional radiology and cardiology procedures using the realistic 3D patient models. Skin dose is calculated using data from Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) Radiation Dose Structured Reports (RDSRs). SkinCare validation was performed by using the data from the Siemens Artis Zee Biplane fluoroscopy system and conducting “Acceptance and quality control protocols for skin dose calculating software solutions in interventional cardiology” developed and tested in the frame of the VERIDIC project. XR‐RV3 Gafchromic films were used as dosimeters to compare peak skin doses (PSDs) and dose maps obtained through measurements and calculations. DICOM RDSRs from four fluoroscopy systems of different vendors (Canon, GE, Philips, and Siemens) were used for the development of the SkinCare and for the comparison of skin dose maps generated using SkinCare to skin dose maps generated by different commercial software tools (Dose Tracking System (DTS) from Canon, RadimetricsTM from Bayer and RDM from MEDSQUARE). The same RDSRs generated during a cardiology clinical procedure (percutaneous coronary intervention—PCI) were used for comparison.

Results

Validation performed using VERIDIC's protocols for skin dose calculation software showed that PSD calculated by SkinCare is within 17% and 16% accuracy compared to measurements using XR‐RV3 Gafchromic films for fundamental irradiation setups and simplified clinical procedures, respectively. Good visual agreement between dose maps generated by SkinCare and DTS, RadimetricsTM and RDM was obtained.

Conclusions

SkinCare is proved to be very convenient solution that can be used for monitoring delivered dose following interventional procedures.
Myelin‐specific T cells in animals with Japanese macaque encephalomyelitis
Authors: Govindan Aparna N. , Fitzpatrick Kristin S. , Manoharan Minsha , Tagge Ian , Kohama Steven G. , Ferguson Betsy , Peterson Samuel M. , Wong Grayson S. , Rooney William D. , Park Byung , Axthelm Michael K. , Bourdette Dennis N. , Sherman Larry S. , Wong Scott W.
Published: January 2021

Objective

To determine whether animals with Japanese macaque encephalomyelitis (JME), a spontaneous demyelinating disease similar to multiple sclerosis (MS), harbor myelin‐specific T cells in their central nervous system (CNS) and periphery.

Methods

Mononuclear cells (MNCs) from CNS lesions, cervical lymph nodes (LNs) and peripheral blood of Japanese macaques (JMs) with JME, and cervical LN and blood MNCs from healthy controls or animals with non‐JME conditions were analyzed for the presence of myelin‐specific T cells and changes in interleukin 17 (IL‐17) and interferon gamma (IFNγ) expression.

Results

Demyelinating JME lesions contained CD4+ T cells and CD8+ T cells specific to myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG), myelin basic protein (MBP), and/or proteolipid protein (PLP). CD8+ T‐cell responses were absent in JME peripheral blood, and in age‐ and sex‐matched controls. However, CD4+ Th1 and Th17 responses were detected in JME peripheral blood versus controls. Cervical LN MNCs from eight of nine JME animals had CD3+ T cells specific for MOG, MBP, and PLP that were not detected in controls. Mapping myelin epitopes revealed a heterogeneity in responses among JME animals. Comparison of myelin antigen sequences with those of JM rhadinovirus (JMRV), which is found in JME lesions, identified six viral open reading frames (ORFs) with similarities to myelin antigen sequences. Overlapping peptides to these JMRV ORFs did not induce IFNγ responses.

Interpretations

JME possesses an immune‐mediated component that involves both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells specific for myelin antigens. JME may shed new light on inflammatory demyelinating disease pathogenesis linked to gamma‐herpesvirus infection.
Supervised Intensive Exercise for Strengthening Exercise Health Beliefs in Patients With Axial Spondyloarthritis: A Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Bilberg Annelie , Dagfinrud Hanne , Sveaas Silje H.
Published: January 2021

Objective

To evaluate the effect of a 3‐month supervised high‐intensity exercise program on exercise health beliefs in patients with axial spondyloarthritis.

Methods

This was secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial. Participants (ages 23–69 years) were randomized to an exercise group (n = 50) or a control group (n = 50). The intervention was an individually guided cardiorespiratory and strength exercise program performed 2 times per week, plus an additional individual exercise session of personal choice. The control group received standard care and instructions to maintain their physical activity level. Exercise health beliefs using the Exercise Health Beliefs questionnaire (range 20–100, 100 = best), i.e., barriers, benefits, self‐efficacy and exercise impact on arthritis, and physical activity, were assessed with self‐reported questionnaires at baseline, 3 months, and 12 months after inclusion.

Results

The majority of the participants in the exercise group (76%) followed ≥80% of the prescribed exercise protocol. There was a significant effect of the intervention on exercise health beliefs at 3 months (estimated mean group differences 4.0 [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.4, 6.6]; P = 0.003) and the effect persisted at 12 months follow‐up (estimated mean group differences 3.8 [95% CI 1.0, 6.6]; P = 0.008). Participants with higher exercise health beliefs had a higher odds ratio (1.1 [95% CI 1.0, 1.20]; P = 0.003) for being physically active at 12 months follow‐up.

Conclusion

A supervised high‐intensity exercise program had beneficial short‐ and long‐term effects on participants’ exercise health beliefs. Stronger exercise health beliefs were positively associated with a higher chance to be physically active on a health‐enhancing level at 12 months follow‐up.
Text Mining of Electronic Health Records Can Accurately Identify and Characterize Patients With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Authors: Brunekreef Tammo E. , Otten Henny G. , van den Bosch Suzanne C. , Hoefer Imo E. , van Laar Jacob M. , Limper Maarten , Haitjema Saskia
Published: January 2021

Objective

Electronic health records (EHR) are increasingly being recognized as a major source of data reusable for medical research and quality monitoring, although patient identification and assessment of symptoms (characterization) remain challenging, especially in complex diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Current coding systems are unable to assess information recorded in the physician’s free‐text notes. This study shows that text mining can be used as a reliable alternative.

Methods

In a multidisciplinary research team of data scientists and medical experts, a text mining algorithm on 4607 patient records was developed to assess the diagnosis of 14 different immune‐mediated inflammatory diseases and the presence of 18 different symptoms in the EHR. The text mining algorithm included key words in the EHR, while mining the context for exclusion phrases. The accuracy of the text mining algorithm was assessed by manually checking the EHR of 100 random patients suspected of having SLE for diagnoses and symptoms and comparing the outcome with the outcome of the text mining algorithm.

Results

After evaluation of 100 patient records, the text mining algorithm had a sensitivity of 96.4% and a specificity of 93.3% in assessing the presence of SLE. The algorithm detected potentially life‐threatening symptoms (nephritis, pleuritis) with good sensitivity (80%‐82%) and high specificity (97%‐97%).

Conclusion

We present a text mining algorithm that can accurately identify and characterize patients with SLE using routinely collected data from the EHR. Our study shows that using text mining, data from the EHR can be reused in research and quality control.
Counselors approve of easy access to methadone treatment: Study
Authors: Knopf Alison
Published: January 2021

A study of counselor attitudes about an “open‐access” methadone program they worked in found that patients and counselors benefit from same‐day access and making treatment more individualized to patient needs. However, downsides were that for clinicians, some patients needed extra care and sometimes intensive interventions, making workload unpredictable, and the increased census resulted in some “chaos” in the building.
Modulating Flow Topology in Microdroplets to Control Reaction Kinetics
Authors: Ma Shaohua , Zhao Haoran , Galan Edgar A. , Balabani Stavroula
Published: January 2021

In traditional reaction flasks, the reaction rate of macromolecular compounds is dictated by the concentrations and distribution of reactants along with their intrinsic reaction kinetics. Controlling reaction kinetics in microfluidic droplets has been proposed through the regulation of flow dynamics, but is yet to be demonstrated experimentally. Here, this hypothesis is verified by accelerating or suppressing macromolecular reactant mixing in microfluidic droplets. The control of reaction kinetics through the modulation of flow topology in microdroplets may enable further developments in modeling macromolecular systems.
Contact‐Barrier Free, High Mobility, Dual‐Gated Junctionless Transistor Using Tellurium Nanowire
Authors: Dasika Pushkar , Samantaray Debadarshini , Murali Krishna , Abraham Nithin , Watanbe Kenji , Taniguchi Takashi , Ravishankar N , Majumdar Kausik
Published: January 2021

The gate‐all‐around nanowire transistor, due to its extremely tight electrostatic control and vertical integration capability, is a highly promising candidate for sub‐5 nm technology nodes. In particular, the junctionless nanowire transistors are highly scalable with reduced variability due to avoidance of steep source/drain junction formation by ion implantation. Here a dual‐gated junctionless nanowire p‐type field effect transistor is demonstrated using tellurium nanowire as the channel. The dangling‐bond‐free surface due to the unique helical crystal structure of the nanowire, coupled with an integration of dangling‐bond‐free, high quality hBN gate dielectric, allows for a phonon‐limited field effect hole mobility of 570 cm2 V−1 s−1 at 270 K, which is well above state‐of‐the‐art strained Si hole mobility. By lowering the temperature, the mobility increases to 1390 cm2 V−1 s−1 and becomes primarily limited by Coulomb scattering. The combination of an electron affinity of ≈4 eV and a small bandgap of tellurium provides zero Schottky barrier height for hole injection at the metal‐contact interface, which is remarkable for reduction of contact resistance in a highly scaled transistor. Exploiting these properties, coupled with the dual‐gated operation, we achieve a high drive current of 216 μA μm−1 while maintaining an on‐off ratio in excess of 2 × 104. The findings have intriguing prospects for alternate channel material based next‐generation electronics.