bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Inadequate Flexibility and Resistance to Change Hindering Effectiveness of ERP System in Accounting
Authors: Ramadhan Sherzad , Ahmed Kamil Ghanim , Koutaini Hassan , Aridah Ma'moun W. , Ahmed Fareeba
Published: January 2021

The Enterprise Management Planning (ERP) software applications allow companies to integrate key daily activities such as procurements, financial, production, human resources, and project activities and helps organizational stakeholders to facilitate efficient decision making based on integrated data from various departments. Many accountants have not been able to realize the effectiveness of the ERP system due to its inadequate flexibility to adapt to change and resistance among some accountants that use the system. This research aims at showing the role that the inadequate flexibility of the system plays in impeding the ERP software from guaranteeing effectiveness and depicts how resistance to change among different stakeholders in an organization hinders the effectiveness of the enterprise resource planning (ERP) system in accounting. It uses a qualitative research method entailing semi-structured interviews with multiple employees working in the accounts department in different organizations. The study revealed that many accountants are driven by fear of new technology, making them resist the ERP system. Participants also affirmed that ERP does not readily adapt to organizational changes in the accounting departments. The major limitation of this study is that it focused on a small sample population because of the limited funds to cater to many participants.
Communication et EcoCitoyennete de la Population du District dâ€™Abidjan Face a L'insalubritÃ© Environnementale
Authors: Liliane Kouassi Amoin
Published: January 2021

Lâ€™insalubritÃ© environnementale que subit aujourdâ€™hui le district dâ€™Abidjan est une rÃ©alitÃ© qui rÃ©sulte en grande partie des actions posÃ©es par lâ€™homme sur son espace de vie. Les objectifs de cette recherche Ã©taient dans un premier temps dâ€™identifier les causes liÃ©es au comportement de la population et dans un second temps de proposer des stratÃ©gies communicationnelles dans le but de lâ€™amener Ã  avoir des gestes Ã©co-citoyens. Une Ã©tude a Ã©tÃ© menÃ©e dans la commune de Cocody, Yopougon et Abobo. La collecte de donnÃ©es de ce travail a Ã©tÃ© possible grÃ¢ce Ã  une observation non participante, une recherche documentaire et Ã  un entretien directif sur quarante-deux (42) personnes. De cette Ã©tude, il ressort que le manque dâ€™informations ou de connaissances sur la gestion de lâ€™environnement Ã©tait Ã  la base du mauvais comportement de la population. Cependant, elle nâ€™est pas la seule raison; les normes subjectives, le laxisme dâ€™un type de population, la projection psychologique que certaines personnes font sur les autres sont aussi des facteurs qui amÃ¨nent cette population Ã  mal agir. De ce fait, un changement de comportement sâ€™avÃ¨re nÃ©cessaire Ã  travers des stratÃ©gies comme lâ€™Information, lâ€™Education, la Communication (IEC), la communication participative et la communication persuasive.
The environmental insalubrity that the district of Abidjan undergoes today is a reality which results in large part from the actions taken by man on his living space. The objectives of this research were firstly to identify the causes linked to the behavior of the population and secondly to propose communication strategies in order to get them to take eco-citizen actions. A study was carried out in the towns of Cocody, Yopougon and Abobo. Data collection for this work was made possible through non-participant observation, documentary research and a structured interview with forty-two (42) people. From this study, it emerges that the lack of information or knowledge on environmental management was at the root of the poor behavior of the population. However, she is not the only reason; subjective norms, the laxity of a type of population, the psychological projection that certain people make on others are also factors which lead this population to act badly. Therefore, behavior change is necessary through strategies such as Information, Education, Communication (IEC), Participatory Communication and Persuasive Communication.
Structure du Budget Dâ€™investissements Publics de Sante Dans la Region du Centre/Cameroun (2013-2017)
Authors: Tsamo Louis Merlin , Kaptchouang Lionel Djibie , Mougoue BenoÃ®t , Tsalefac Maurice
Published: January 2021

Entre 2013 et 2017, le budget dâ€™investissements publics du MinistÃ¨re de la santÃ© publique allouÃ© Ã  la rÃ©gion du Centre est passÃ© de 2 093 800 000 francs CFA Ã  17 903 270 000. Le montant cumulÃ© de ces investissements publics en santÃ© dans la rÃ©gion Ã©tait de 37 185 970 000 francs CFA. En dÃ©pit de ces investissements massifs, les populations de la rÃ©gion en gÃ©nÃ©ral et celles des zones rurales en particulier Ã©prouvent des difficultÃ©s pour accÃ©der aux soins et services de santÃ©. Lâ€™objectif de cet article est de cartographier le type de projets inscrits au budget dâ€™investissements publics en santÃ© allouÃ©s Ã  la rÃ©gion du Centre afin dâ€™Ã©valuer sâ€™ils sont de nature Ã  amÃ©liorer lâ€™offre de soins et services de santÃ© pour les populations. Lâ€™analyse des allocations de projets rÃ©vÃ¨le quâ€™en termes dâ€™effectif, le nombre et le type de projets allouÃ©s Ã  la rÃ©gion du Centre pourraient concourir Ã  amÃ©liorer lâ€™offre de soins en son sein. Toutefois, les volumes financiers dÃ©diÃ©s Ã  ces investissements restent insuffisants, ce qui explique en partie le fait que les populations de cette rÃ©gion Ã©prouvent des difficultÃ©s Ã  accÃ©der aux soins et services de santÃ©.
Between 2013 and 2017, the public investment budget of the Ministry of Public Health allocated to the Central region increased from 2,093,800,000 CFA francs to 17,903,270,000 CFA francs. The cumulative amount of these public investments in health in the region was 37,185,970,000 CFA francs. Despite these massive investments, the region's populations in general and those in rural areas in particular are facing difficulties in accessing health care and services. The objective of this article is to map the type of projects included in the public health investment budget allocated to the Central region in order to assess whether they are likely to improve the provision of health care and services for the populations. The analysis of project allocations reveals that in terms of staffing levels, the number and type of projects allocated to the Centre could help improve the supply of care within the Centre. However, the financial volumes dedicated to these investments remain insufficient, which partly explains the fact that the region's populations are experiencing difficulties in accessing health care and services.
Broadening Relevance: The Polemic Property of Concepts in Metaphorical Language
Authors: Bouherar Salim , Pistol Ramona
Published: January 2021

The lexical pragmatic processes that relevance theory heavily relies on to account for communication are problematic. Broadening and narrowing no longer seem suitable to explain how â€œconceptualâ€ meanings are modified in the comprehension processes if considering recent developments around the concept definitions and how the mind works. Using theoretical suggestions in psycholinguistics to shed light on the issue raised, the paper makes two main suggestions. Firstly, the account of concepts in relevance theory should be reconsidered to allow for more flexibility. An account of metaphors based on pragmatic adjustment of one of its constituents under the influence of another, as well as contextual assumption, does not seem a viable mental process involved in metaphor comprehension since it should not only allow flexibility of semantic associations but also a reconsideration of concepts as entities and encyclopaedical information as mere conceptual characteristics. Secondly, more cultural awareness and influence should be integrated into the relevance theoretical account of meaning since cultural traits are often considered by speakers in reaching relevance. Moreover, pre-existing conceptual knowledge varies greatly between individuals and thus the comprehension of metaphor should no longer be treated as a static process but rather a highly dynamic one.
Finding â€˜Reasons to Stayâ€™ Amidst Issues of Well-Being: A Case Study of Two Underserved Communities in Colombo
Authors: Lakshman Iresha M. , Alikhan Mohideen M. , Azam Abdhullah
Published: January 2021

This paper attempts to explore the factors that attract and encourage individuals to live in low-income neighbourhoods in Colombo in spite of the many socioeconomic issues that are associated with such communities. Data was collected through 30 face-to-face in-depth interviews with residents from two underserved communities consisting of individuals with different migration experiences. The collected data was then analysed using the three-dimensional well-being model introduced by Pouw and McGregor (2014). The study revealed a situation of material and relational wellbeing intersecting to create a more practical kind of well-being in the communities studied. Of the two, material well-being had the strongest power to attract and retain residents in the neighbourhoods while relational wellbeing played a supportive role in terms of pulling people into the community. Subjective well-being, on the other hand, was identified as the strongest reason with a capacity to push people away from the community. However, this single push factor was not strong enough to overpower the pull effect of material and relational well-being, particularly because of the residentsâ€™ low-income status. The material benefits of living in the location facilitated by social ties offered by the neighbourhood kept these residents attracted and attached to these underserved communities.
Peran Kepala Sekolah sebagai Manajer dalam Meningkatkan Partisipasi Masyarakat di SD Islam Az-Zahrah
Authors: Siregar Nursamsiah
Published: January 2021

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengungkapkan kepala sekolah sebagai manajer dalam meningkatkan partisipasi masyarakat, partisipasi masyarakat terhadap sekolah dan faktor-faktor yang mendukung dan menghambat kepala sekolah sebagai manajer dalam meningkatkan partisipasi masyarakat di SD Islam Az-Zahrah Palembang. Penelitian ini termasuk penelitian lapangan (field research) yaitu penelitian dengan cara langsung ke tempat penelitian untuk mengamati dan terlibat langsung dengan objek penelitiannya. Jenis penelitiannya ialah penelitian studi kasus yang bersifat kualitatif dengan logika berfikir induktif, dimana penelitian ini memiliki karakteristik bahwa datanya dinyatakan dalam keadaan sewajarnya. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode kualitatif, yaitu dengan metode observasi, wawancara, dan dokumentasi. Hasil penelitian yaitu (1) kepala sekolah dalam meningkatkan partisipasi melalui delegasi pelayanan, (2) Partisipasi masyarakat terhadap sekolah, baik masyarakat secara umum, maupun melalui  komite sekolah dalam memberikan pertimbangan (advisory agency), memberikan dukungan (supporting agency) mengawasi penyelenggaraan pendidikan di sekolah (controlling agency) dan penghubung antara sekolah dengan orangtua siswa (mediator) dapat terlaksana dengan baik, (3) Sementara faktor penghambat dalam meningkatkan partisifasi masyarakat, hususnya orang tua, mereka tidak memiliki waktu banyak untuk ikut ber secara langsung pada setiap kegiatan sekolah.
Manajemen Layanan Perpustakaan untuk Peserta Didik di SD Islam Terpadu Nurul Iman Palembang
Authors: Hidayah Nurul
Published: January 2021

The results based on the data analysis can be concluded that the management planning of library services to participants in SD Isam diidk Nurul Iman Palembang done by providing infrastructure in the form of location and space, library collections, library manager (SDM) and circulation services. Implementation of the management of library services for students in elementary ISAM Nurul Iman Palembang evidenced from implementation planning, where locations are located on the floor 2, strategic, and noisy. The room was clean, noisy, accommodating 20 students and conducted in one room. Total collection of 3465 books. Business being friendly, berahlakul karimah and knowledgeable. The borrower and repayment is done by a process of open, closed, issuing membership cards, bring a book and check the time limit. Management's evaluation of library services for students in elementary ISAM Nurul Iman Palembang done by looking at the arrangement of space located on the floor 2, the left-right angle between the rack and the card, opposite side of the computer and reading table. Cleanliness of floor space, chairs, desks, collections, shelves of old books were not clean. Collection of the most desirable 13 fiction and 13 non-fiction. Behavior being polite, responsible, knowledgeable enough. Data visitors numbered 20 students and books borrowed amounted to 26 books.
Grammatical Errors in Madrasah Aliyah Students’ Narrative Texts: An Error Analysis of the Surface Strategy
Authors: Fithriani Rahmah
Published: January 2021

Framed by Error Analysis (EA) approach, this study aimed at analyzing grammar errors in writing narrative text, with a special focus on the differences of errors made by the students of Mathematics & Natural Science (MNS) and Social Studies (SS) streams at a Madrasah Aliyah (Islamic senior high school). This study used 60 narrative essays as the data corpus, which was analyzed using the adoption of Coder’s EA approach. The result of data analysis showed that MNS students made more grammatical errors than SS students did in writing narrative texts. A closer look at the data revealed interesting findings as follows: 1) both MNS and SS students made grammatical errors in six categories, noun, pronoun, verb, article, preposition, and conjunction; 2) there were five types of errors found in students’ writing including mis-selection, over inclusion, and omission as the dominant ones; and 3) MNS students produced more errors in five categories; noun, pronoun, verb, preposition, and conjunction while SS students were only in one category, namely article. These findings could be used as a proof to debunk the stereotype of MNS and SS students labeling with more preference given to MNS students who are perceived to be more dominant in academic performance.
Survey Study of ESP Learning Needs at the Islamic Religious Education Study Program of Tarbiyah Faculty of IAIN Bengkulu
Authors: Rizal Syamsul , Maryam Maryam
Published: January 2021

This study aimed to determine the needs of non-English Study Program students. Quantitative and survey methods were applied in this study. A questionnaire through the Graves model analysis consisting of student profile analysis, Target Situation Analysis (TSA), Current Situation Analysis (CSA), and Learning Situation Analysis (LSA) were the instruments used in collecting the data. Participants were the third-semester students of the Islamic Religious Education Study Program at Tarbiyah and Tadris Faculty of IAIN Bengkulu in 2018 to 2019 academic year. In determining the participants, the writers applied a simple random sampling technique. There were 37 students from a total population of 150 students. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistical analysis, namely by calculating percentage (%) and classified data so that the needs of students in learning English could be identified. The findings were (1) the ESP approach was the right approach to be applied in learning English at IAIN Bengkulu based on the students’ age and experience in learning English,  (2) the gap between the targeted needs by the campus and the students’ English skills was less, (3) the gap between what students needs and the material in the ESP English textbook was in category desire, and (4) the topic of reading comprehension text was directly related to the study of Islamic Religious Education as a student’s area of ​​expertise.
The Hypothesis of the Prolonged Cell Cycle in Turner Syndrome
Authors: Álvarez-Nava Francisco
Published: January 2021

Turner syndrome (TS) is a chromosomal disorder that is caused by a missing or structurally abnormal second sex chromosome. Subjects with TS are at an increased risk of developing intrauterine growth retardation, low birthweight, short stature, congenital heart diseases, infertility, obesity, dyslipidemia, hypertension, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes mellitus, metabolic syndrome, and cardiovascular diseases (stroke and myocardial infarction). The underlying pathogenetic mechanism of TS is unknown. The assumption that X chromosome-linked gene haploinsufficiency is associated with the TS phenotype is questioned since such genes have not been identified. Thus, other pathogenic mechanisms have been suggested to explain this phenotype. Morphogenesis encompasses a series of events that includes cell division, the production of migratory precursors and their progeny, differentiation, programmed cell death and integration into organs and systems. The precise control of the growth and differentiation of cells is essential for normal development. The cell cycle frequency and the number of proliferating cells are essential in cell growth. 45,X cells have a failure to proliferate at a normal rate, leading to a decreased cell number in a given tissue during organogenesis. A convergence of data indicates an association between a prolonged cell cycle and the phenotypical features in Turner syndrome. This review aims to examine old and new findings concerning the relationship between a prolonged cell cycle and TS phenotype. These studies reveal a diversity of phenotypic features in TS that could be explained by reduced cell proliferation. The implications of this hypothesis for our understanding of the TS phenotype and its pathogenesis are discussed. It is not surprising that 45,X monosomy leads to cellular growth pathway dysregulation with profound deleterious effects on both embryonic and later stages of development. The prolonged cell cycle could represent the beginning of the pathogenesis of TS, leading to a series of phenotypic consequences in embryonic/fetal, neonatal, pediatric, adolescence, and adulthood life.
Influence of Different Commercial Yeasts on Volatile Profile of Sparkling Wines
Authors: Cotea Valeriu V. , Luchian Camelia Elena , Focea Mihai Cristian , Colibaba Cintia , Scutarașu Elena Cristina , Zamfir Cătălin Ioan , Niculaua Marius , Popîrdă Andreea
Published: January 2021

Sparkling wine producing and consumption are in constant increase in the last decade and show no sign of slowing. Prior consumption, origin, grape variety, occasion, price and sensorial perception are factors that typically influence wine consumers’ purchasing and consumption behavior. The presence of volatile compounds in sparkling wines, with direct impact on their organoleptic characteristics, is influenced by several factors, such as the base-wine characteristics, grapes cultivar conditions, the used yeasts, the aging stage or wine-making practices. For this study, five sparkling wines variants from Muscat Ottonel grape variety were obtained. For the experimental samples, the grapes were processed by applying secondary fermentation in bottles. The base-wine was obtained through reverse osmosis and had a predetermined alcoholic concentration (10.5 % vol.). This study aimed to analyze the influence of different commercial yeasts (IOC FIZZ™, IOC DIVINE™, LEVULIA CRISTAL™, IOC 18-2007™) on the volatile composition of experimental sparkling wines. The obtained sparkling wines were characterized by the physical-chemical parameters (according to OIV methods of analysis) and volatile fraction (using gas-chromatography). Data showed an important impact on the concentration of the volatile compounds (p < 0.05), depending on the type of inoculated yeast for the second fermentation and only a minor influence on the physical-chemical parameters was registered.
VEGF Detection via Simplified FLISA Using a 3D Microfluidic Disk Platform
Authors: Kang Dong Hee , Kim Na Kyong , Park Sang-Woo , Kang Hyun Wook
Published: January 2021

Fluorescence-linked immunosorbent assay (FLISA) is a commonly used, quantitative technique for detecting biochemical based on antigen–antibody binding reactions using a well-plate platform. With the developments in the manufacturing technology of microfluidic systems, FLISA can be implemented onto microfluidic disk platforms, which allows the detection of trace biochemical with high resolutions. Apart from requiring a lower proportion of reagent (1/10), this method also reduces the time required for the entire process to less than an hour. The incubation process involves antigen–antibody binding reactions as well as the binding of fluorogenic substrates to target proteins. The protocol for FLISA on a microfluidic platform necessitates the appropriate execution of liquid reagent movements during each step in order to ensure sufficient binding reactions. Herein, we propose a novel microfluidic disk comprising a 3D incubation chamber. Vascular endothelial growth factor as concentration with ng mL-1 is detected sequentially using a benchtop process employing this 3D microfluidic disk. The 3D microfluidic disk is implemented without requiring manual intervention or additional procedures for liquid control. During the incubation process, microbead movement is controlled through centrifugal force, generated due to disk rotation, and gravitational force via bead sedimentation on the sloped floor of the chamber.
Chemoproteomics Maps Glycolytic Targetome in Cancer Cells
Authors: Hao Haiping , Tian Yang , Wan Ning , Ding Ming , Shao Chang , Wang Nian , Bao Qiuyu , Lu Wenjie , Hu haiyang , Sun Huiyong , Yang Chenxi , Zhou Kun , Chen Shuai , Wang Guangji , Ye Hui
Published: January 2021

Hyperactivated glycolysis, favoring uncontrolled growth and metastasis by producing essential metabolic intermediates engaging bioenergetics and biosynthesis, is a metabolic hallmark of most cancer cells. Although sporadic information has revealed glycolytic metabolites also possess non-metabolic function as signaling molecules, it remains largely elusive how these metabolites interact with and functionally regulate their binding targets. Here we introduce a Target Responsive Accessibility Profiling (TRAP) approach that measures ligand binding-induced steric hindrance in protein targets via global profiling accessibility changes in reactive lysines, and mapped 913 target candidates and 2,487 interactions for 10 major glycolytic metabolites in cancer cells via TRAP. The elucidated targetome uncovers diverse regulatory modalities of glycolytic metabolites involving the direct perturbation of carbohydrate metabolism enzymes, intervention of transcriptional control, modulation of proteome-level acetylation and protein complex assemblies. The advantages gained from glycolysis by cancer cells are expanded by discovering lactate as a ligand for an orphan transcriptional regulator TRIM 28 that promotes p53 degradation, and by identifying pyruvate acting against a cell apoptosis inducer trichostatin A via attenuating protein acetylation. Lastly, the inhibition of glycolytic key enzymes led to identify an intrinsically active glycolytic intermediate glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate that elicits its cytotoxicity by engaging with ENO1 and MTHFD1. Collectively, the glycolytic targetome depicted by TRAP constitutes a fertile resource for understanding how glycolysis finely tunes metabolism and signaling in support of cancer cells, and fostering the exploitation of glycolytic targetome as promising nodes for anti-cancer therapeutics development.
Using A New Endodontic Tooth Model as an Alternative in Clinical Education Course During the Covid-19 Pandemic
Authors: Yekta-Michael Sareh Said , Färber Christoph Maria , Heinzel Alexander
Published: January 2021

Background The COVID-19 pandemic massively impacts endodontic teaching and a dramatically reduced number of patients is registered in clinical courses. This could be countered with suitable training aids. Based on treatment errors made by students in the last five years of endodontic courses at RWTH Aachen University (Germany), a new artificial root canal treatment model (DRSK RCT) was developed. The model was aimed to be radiopaque and to simulate the tactile feel during instrumentation in a realistic manner. Unlike already existing 3D-printed tooth replicas, the RCT has anatomical root canals with a narrow lumen with its width matching an ISO size 6 endodontic file. Methodology 35 fourth-year students and seven dental demonstrators performed endodontic treatments on both the DRSK RCT and extracted teeth. Students and demonstrators answered a questionnaire on a scale ranging from 1 to 7 (poor to high) for different items (part 1). After the first study, changes in the materials and root canal anatomy were applied to the model. Then, the whole study was repeated and evaluated (part 2). Finally, it was evaluated whether the models could replace patient treatment during the Covid-19 pandemic. Results Ratings by students and dental instructors (5.1 ± 0.4 and 5.3 ± 1.5 [mean ± SD], respectively) in the first study increased after modifications of the DRSK RCT (5.5 ± 0.5 and 6.2 ± 0.8, respectively). Radiographs of the models were excellently assessable. The properties of the DRSK RCT were found to be realistic, thus allowing students to perform a satisfactory simulation of root canal treatment and being rated sufficient in substituting patient treatment during COVID-19 pandemic. Conclusion The analysis suggests that the DRSK RCT has the ability to improve endodontic technique and education. Visible root canals enable students to observe the treatment process. All steps of a regular root canal treatment can be simulated. Further studies are needed to investigate the outcome of treating the first patient after practicing on the DRSK RCT.
Exploring Therapeutic Efficacy of Coriandrum Sativum and Allium Sativum Aggregate in Alloxan-induced Diabetic Mice
Authors: Qamar Shahzad , Butt Mubasher , Anwar Rukhsana , Jabbar Basit
Published: January 2021

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a global health problem with 422 million individuals around the world suffering from diabetes. Coriandrum sativum and Allium sativum possess numerous bioactive compounds which are of therapeutical significance. This study was undertaken to explore the combined potential of the two herbs in managing diabetes using diabetic albino mice as model. Extracts of both herbs were prepared and were orally administered in 10% Alloxan monohydrate (alloxan) induced diabetic albino mice over 28 days (in four doses with 7 day interval) to determine the optimal therapeutic and lethal doses. Safe dose limit of both extracts was deduced to be below 600 mg/kg (<600 mg/kg). Diabetic mice were given extracts (200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg) over 56 days at 7 day intervals, and biological parameters were evaluated, at each interval, including Glucose level (mg/dl), HbA1C (%), Hepatic and Renal biomarkers, and Lipid profile. Garlic-coriander combination (at 400 mg/kg) was able to reduce glucose level (i.e.194.5 mg/dl) (P<0.05). Also, it showed a worthwhile effect on biological parameters as well as in Hepatic and renal tissues. Histological examination of hepatic and renal tissues indicated a restoration of normal tissue 26 architecture.
WITHDRAWN: Persistent Uncontrolled Asthma: Long-Term Impact on Physical Activity and Body Composition
Authors: Abdo Mustafa , Waschki Benjamin , Kirsten Anne-Marie , Trinkmann Frederik , Biller Heike , Herzmann Christian , von Mutius Erika , Kopp Matthias , Hansen Gesine , Rabe Klaus. F , Bahmer Thomas , Watz Henrik
Published: January 2021

Rational Asthma, obesity and physical activity (PA) are interrelated. However, longitudinal data with objective PA measures and direct assessment of body composition are still lacking.Objectiveto study the impact of asthma severity and symptom control on PA and body composition.MethodsIn a longitudinal cohort study, we assessed the body composition of 233 asthma patients and 84 healthy controls using bioelectrical impedance analysis. PA (i.e. average daily steps and time of at least moderate activity, steps/min) was measured by accelerometry for one week. Asthma control was assessed by ACT score, ACQ-5 score and history of severe exacerbations. After two years of follow up, we studied changes in physical activity and body composition in relation to asthma control.ResultsPatients with severe asthma had increased fat mass and decreased muscle mass compared to patients with mild-moderate asthma or healthy controls. Both fat mass and muscle mass correlated better with asthma control than the body mass index (BMI). In multivariate regressions adjusted for confounders including asthma severity and corticosteroid therapy, physical activity was an independent predictor of body composition (R2 ≥ 0.61, p < 0.001). Persistent uncontrolled asthma patients (n=64) had lower physical activity at both baseline (6614 steps/118 min) and follow up (6195/115). Despite having stable BMI, they also had significant muscle loss (-1.2%, -0.88 kg, p<0.01) and fat accumulation (+1%, +1.1 kg, p<0.01). By contrast, temporarily uncontrolled or controlled asthma patients had higher physical activity at baseline (8670/156) and follow up (9058/153) with almost unchanged body composition.ConclusionPersistent uncontrolled asthma is associated with sustained physical inactivity and adverse changes in body composition that might be overlooked by relying solely on BMI. Physical activity is an independent predictor of body composition and reliable long-term marker of symptom control.
ISSI2020:An Approach for Obtaining Material Mechanical Properties in Structure Local Region Based on An Accurate Analysis of Micro-Indentation Test
Authors: Xue He , He Jinxuan , Zhang Jianlong , Xue Yuxuan
Published: January 2021

The welding and other hot or cold processing region behavior in important structures is the key characteristics for the structural integrity assessment, it is necessary to accurately derive the material mechanical properties in the failure driving force (such as stress and strain) analysis in the local area. The hot or cold processing would induce the change and the inhomogeneous of the material mechanical properties in the local processing region of the structure, and it is difficult to obtain the precise mechanical properties in these regions by the traditional material tensile test. To accurately obtain actual material mechanical properties in the local region of structures, a micro-indentation test system has been established, which incorporated by a CMT6103 Material Test Device, an indenter displacement sensor and a group of special micro-indenter assemblies are established, and a numerical testing inversion analysis method by using ABAQUS software is also proposed in this paper. Based on above test system and analysis platform, an approach to obtain material mechanical properties in local region of structure is proposed and established. The verification experiment and analysis is performed by using a group of various changed mechanical property of 316L austenitic stainless steel through different cold-work hardening. The investigated results indicate the material mechanical properties and the micro-indentation morphological change have evidently relevance, and the material mechanical parameters, such as the yield stress σ y , the strain hardening exponent n and others could be conveniently and effectively obtained by the proposed approach in this paper.
Populist Appeals and Populist Conversations
Authors: Fumagalli Corrado
Published: January 2021

This article sheds light upon the role of the audience in the construction and amendment of populist representative claims that in themselves strengthen representative-represented relationships and simultaneously strengthen ties between the represented who belong to different constituencies. I argue that changes in populist representative claims can be explained by studying the discursive relationship between a populist representative and the audience as a conversation in which both poles give and receive something. From this perspective, populist representative claims, I also argue, can be understood as acts of bonding with the intended effect of constituting ‘the people,’ and inputs from the audience can be seen as conversational exercitives. Populist appeals therefore may change when the audience enacts new permissibility facts and signals to populist representatives that there is another way to strengthen relationships between several individuals belonging to otherwise-different constituencies.
Exploitation and Global Poverty
Authors: Buckinx Barbara
Published: January 2021

Review: Richard W. Miller, Globalizing Justice: The Ethics of Poverty and Power, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2010.
Morality in Migration: A Review Essay
Authors: Ferracioli Luara
Published: January 2021

Review: Christopher H. Wellman and Phillip Cole’s discussion in Debating the Ethics of Immigration (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2011) Ryan Pevnick’s Immigration and the Constraints of Justice (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2011)
Can the Subaltern Speak at the WSF?
Authors: Dübgen Franziska
Published: January 2021

Review of: Janet M. Conway, Edges of Global Justice: The World Social Forum and Its ‘Others’ (New York: Routledge, 2012)
Contrasting magma compositions between Cu and Au mineralized granodiorite intrusions in the Tongling ore district in South China using apatite chemical composition and Sr-Nd isotopes
Authors: Pan Li-Chuan , Hu Rui-Zhong , Oyebamiji Abiola , Wu Hong-Yuan , Li Jin-Wei , Li Jin-Xiang
Published: January 2021

Identifying magma fertility is an important task in ore genesis research. In this paper, we use apatite chemistry and Sr-Nd isotopes for such a study. The apatite crystals are from four Cretaceous coeval granodiorite intrusions with different styles of hydrothermal mineralization in the Tongling ore district, South China. The selected intrusions are Hucun, Dongguashan, and Xinwuli, which host both porphyry and skarn Cu deposits, and the Chaoshan, which hosts a skarn Au deposit. The abundances of apatite major and trace elements, such as Mn, V, Ce, S, F, Cl, and Cu, together with the whole-rock compositions, are used to decipher the oxidation states, volatile compositions, and Cu fertility of the parental magmas. The apatite Sr-Nd isotope compositions are used as tracers for the magma sources. The results show that: (1) the parental magma of the Au-mineralized intrusion is less oxidized and has higher S-Cl contents than those of the Cu-mineralized intrusions, and (2) the proportion of mantle-derived melt is much higher in the former than in the latter. The results also reveal that the Cumineralized intrusions have highly variable apatite Cu-Cl-S compositions. Specifically, the Xinwuli intrusion has much higher Cu but lower Cl-S contents in apatite than the other two intrusions, indicating that a Cu-rich magma is not universally required for the formation of hydrothermal Cu deposits. This study demonstrates that apatite is a robust petrogenetic and metallogenic indicator for porphyry and skarn-type Cu-Au ore deposits.
The Journey from Two-Step to Multi-Step Phosphorelay Signaling Systems
Authors: Singh Deepti , Gupta Priyanka , Singla-Pareek Sneh Lata , Siddique Kadambot H.M. , Pareek Ashwani
Published: January 2021

Background:

The two-component signaling (TCS) system is an important signal transduction
machinery in prokaryotes and eukaryotes, excluding animals, that uses a protein phosphorylation
mechanism for signal transmission.

Conclusion:

Prokaryotes have a primitive type of TCS machinery, which mainly comprises a membrane-
bound sensory histidine kinase (HK) and its cognate cytoplasmic response regulator (RR).
Hence, it is sometimes referred to as two-step phosphorelay (TSP). Eukaryotes have more sophisticated
signaling machinery, with an extra component - a histidine-containing phosphotransfer (HPT)
protein that shuttles between HK and RR to communicate signal baggage. As a result, the TSP
has evolved from a two-step phosphorelay (His–Asp) in simple prokaryotes to a multi-step phosphorelay
(MSP) cascade (His–Asp–His–Asp) in complex eukaryotic organisms, such as plants, to
mediate the signaling network. This molecular evolution is also reflected in the form of considerable
structural modifications in the domain architecture of the individual components of the TCS
system. In this review, we present TCS system's evolutionary journey from the primitive TSP to advanced
MSP type across the genera. This information will be highly useful in designing the future
strategies of crop improvement based on the individual members of the TCS machinery.
Promoting Physical Activity in Japanese Older Adults Using a Social Pervasive Game: Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Santos Luciano Henrique De Oliveira , Okamoto Kazuya , Otsuki Ryo , Hiragi Shusuke , Yamamoto Goshiro , Sugiyama Osamu , Aoyama Tomoki , Kuroda Tomohiro
Published: January 2021

Background

Pervasive games aim to create more fun and engaging experiences by mixing elements from the real world into the game world. Because they intermingle with players’ lives and naturally promote more casual gameplay, they could be a powerful strategy to stimulate physical activity among older adults. However, to use these games more effectively, it is necessary to understand how design elements of the game affect player behavior.

Objective

The aim of this study was to evaluate how the presence of a specific design element, namely social interaction, would affect levels of physical activity.

Methods

Participants were recruited offline and randomly assigned to control and intervention groups in a single-blind design. Over 4 weeks, two variations of the same pervasive game were compared: with social interaction (intervention group) and with no social interaction (control group). In both versions, players had to walk to physical locations and collect virtual cards, but the social interaction version allowed people to collaborate to obtain more cards. Changes in the weekly step counts were used to evaluate the effect on each group, and the number of places visited was used as an indicator of play activity.

Results

A total of 20 participants were recruited (no social interaction group, n=10; social interaction group, n=10); 18 participants remained active until the end of the study (no social interaction group, n=9; social interaction group, n=9). Step counts during the first week were used as the baseline level of physical activity (no social interaction group: mean 46,697.2, SE 7905.4; social interaction group: mean 45,967.3, SE 8260.7). For the subsequent weeks, changes to individual baseline values (absolute/proportional) for the no social interaction group were as follows: 1583.3 (SE 3108.3)/4.6% (SE 7.2%) (week 2), 591.5 (SE 2414.5)/2.4% (SE 4.7%) (week 3), and −1041.8 (SE 1992.7)/0.6% (SE 4.4%) (week 4). For the social interaction group, changes to individual baseline values were as follows: 11520.0 (SE 3941.5)/28.0% (SE 8.7%) (week 2), 9567.3 (SE 2631.5)/23.0% (SE 5.1%) (week 3), and 7648.7 (SE 3900.9)/13.9% (SE 8.0%) (week 4). The result of the analysis of the group effect was significant (absolute change: η2=0.31, P=.04; proportional change: η2=0.30, P=.03). Correlations between both absolute and proportional change and the play activity were significant (absolute change: r=0.59, 95% CI 0.32 to 0.77; proportional change: r=0.39, 95% CI 0.08 to 0.64).

Conclusions

The presence of social interaction design elements in pervasive games appears to have a positive effect on levels of physical activity.

Trial Registration

Japan Medical Association Clinical Trial Registration Number JMA-IIA00314; https://tinyurl.com/y5nh6ylr (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/761a6MVAy)
App-Based Salt Reduction Intervention in School Children and Their Families (AppSalt) in China: Protocol for a Mixed Methods Process Evaluation
Authors: Sun Yuewen , Luo Rong , Li Yuan , He Feng J , Tan Monique , MacGregor Graham A , Liu Hueiming , Zhang Puhong
Published: January 2021

Background

The app-based salt reduction intervention program in school children and their families (AppSalt) is a multicomponent mobile health (mHealth) intervention program, which involves multiple stakeholders, including students, parents, teachers, school heads, and local health and education authorities. The complexity of the AppSalt program highlights the need for process evaluation to investigate how the implementation will be achieved at different sites.

Objective

This paper presents a process evaluation protocol of the AppSalt program, which aims to monitor the implementation of the program, explain its causal mechanisms, and provide evidence for scaling up the program nationwide.

Methods

A mixed methods approach will be used to collect data relating to five process evaluation dimensions: fidelity, dose delivered, dose received, reach, and context. Quantitative data, including app use logs, activity logs, and routine monitoring data, will be collected alongside the intervention process to evaluate the quantity and quality of intervention activities. The quantitative data will be summarized as medians, means, and proportions as appropriate. Qualitative data will be collected through semistructured interviews of purposely selected intervention participants and key stakeholders from local health and education authorities. The thematic analysis technique will be used for analyzing the qualitative data with the support of NVivo 12. The qualitative data will be triangulated with the quantitative data during the interpretation phase to explain the 5 process evaluation dimensions.

Results

The intervention activities of the AppSalt program were initiated at 27 primary schools in three cities since October 2018. We have completed the 1-year intervention of this program. The quantitative data for this study, including app use log, activity logs, and the routine monitoring data, were collected and organized during the intervention process. After completing the intervention, we conducted semistructured interviews with 32 students, 32 parents, 9 teachers, 9 school heads, and 8 stakeholders from local health and education departments. Data analysis is currently underway.

Conclusions

Using mHealth technology for salt reduction among primary school students is an innovation in China. The findings of this study will help researchers understand the implementation of the AppSalt program and similar mHealth interventions in real-world settings. Furthermore, this process evaluation will be informative for other researchers and policy makers interested in replicating the AppSalt program and designing their salt reduction intervention.

International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)

DERR1-10.2196/19430
Effects of ACT Out! Social Issue Theater on Social-Emotional Competence and Bullying in Youth and Adolescents: Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial (Preprint)
Authors: Agley Jon , Jun Mikyoung , Eldridge Lori , Agley Daniel L , Xiao Yunyu , Sussman Steve , Golzarri-Arroyo Lilian , Dickinson Stephanie L , Jayawardene Wasantha , Gassman Ruth
Published: January 2021

BACKGROUND

Schools increasingly prioritize social-emotional competence and bullying and cyberbullying prevention, so the development of novel, low-cost, and high-yield programs addressing these topics is important. Further, rigorous assessment of interventions prior to widespread dissemination is crucial.

OBJECTIVE

This study assesses the effectiveness and implementation fidelity of the ACT Out! Social Issue Theater program, a 1-hour psychodramatic intervention by professional actors; it also measures students’ receptiveness to the intervention.

METHODS

This study is a 2-arm cluster randomized control trial with 1:1 allocation that randomized either to the ACT Out! intervention or control (treatment as usual) at the classroom level (n=76 classrooms in 12 schools across 5 counties in Indiana, comprised of 1571 students at pretest in fourth, seventh, and tenth grades). The primary outcomes were self-reported social-emotional competence, bullying perpetration, and bullying victimization; the secondary outcomes were receptiveness to the intervention, implementation fidelity (independent observer observation), and prespecified subanalyses of social-emotional competence for seventh- and tenth-grade students. All outcomes were collected at baseline and 2-week posttest, with planned 3-months posttest data collection prevented due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

RESULTS

Intervention fidelity was uniformly excellent (>96% adherence), and students were highly receptive to the program. However, trial results did not support the hypothesis that the intervention would increase participants’ social-emotional competence. The intervention’s impact on bullying was complicated to interpret and included some evidence of small interaction effects (reduced cyberbullying victimization and increased physical bullying perpetration). Additionally, pooled within-group reductions were also observed and discussed but were not appropriate for causal attribution.

CONCLUSIONS

This study found no superiority for a 1-hour ACT Out! intervention compared to treatment as usual for social-emotional competence or offline bullying, but some evidence of a small effect for cyberbullying. On the basis of these results and the within-group effects, as a next step, we encourage research into whether the ACT Out! intervention may engender a bystander effect not amenable to randomization by classroom. Therefore, we recommend a larger trial of the ACT Out! intervention that focuses specifically on cyberbullying, measures bystander behavior, is randomized by school, and is controlled for extant bullying prevention efforts at each school.

CLINICALTRIAL

Clinicaltrials.gov NCT04097496; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04097496

INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT

RR2-10.2196/17900