bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Putrescine mitigates intestinal atrophy through suppressing inflammatory response in weanling piglets
Authors: Liu Bangmin , Jiang Xianren , Cai Long , Zhao Xuemei , Dai Zhaolai , Wu Guoyao , Li Xilong
Published: September 2019

Background

Polyamines are essential for cell growth and beneficial for intestinal maturation. To evaluate the effects of putrescine on alleviating intestinal atrophy and underlying molecular mechanisms, both in vivo feeding trial and in vitro cell culture were conducted. Weanling pigs were fed a diet supplemented with 0, 0.1%, 0.2% or 0.3% putrescine dihydrochloride, whereas porcine intestinal epithelial cells (IPEC-J2) were challenged with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in the presence of 200 μmol/L putrescine.

Results

Dietary supplementation with 0.2% putrescine dihydrochloride decreased the incidence of diarrhea with an improvement in intestinal integrity. Inhibition of ornithine decarboxylase activity decreased the proliferation and migration of IPEC-J2 cells, and this effect was alleviated by the supplementation with putrescine. The phosphorylation of extracellular signal regulated kinase and focal adhesion kinase was enhanced by putrescine. LPS increased the expression of inflammatory cytokines [tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin 6 (IL-6) and IL-8], and inhibited cell proliferation and migration in IPEC-J2 cells. Adding exogenous putrescine suppressed the expression of TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-8, and recovered cell migration and proliferation in LPS-treated IPEC-J2 cells. Dietary putrescine supplementation also reduced the mRNA levels of TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-8 and their upstream regulator nuclear receptor kappa B p65 subunit in the jejunal mucosa of piglets.

Conclusions

Dietary supplementation with putrescine mitigated mucosal atrophy in weanling piglets through improving anti-inflammatory function and suppressing inflammatory response. Our results have important implications for nutritional management of intestinal integrity and health in weanling piglets and other neonates.
OpenStreetMap history for intrinsic quality assessment: Is OSM up-to-date?
Authors: Minghini Marco , Frassinelli Francesco
Published: September 2019

OpenStreetMap (OSM) is a well-known crowdsourcing project which aims to create a geospatial database of the whole world. Intrinsic approaches based on the analysis of the history of data, i.e. its evolution over time, have become an established way to assess OSM quality. After a comprehensive review of scientific as well as software applications focused on the visualization, analysis and processing of OSM history, the paper presents “Is OSM up-to-date?”, an open source web application addressing the need of OSM contributors, community leaders and researchers to quickly assess OSM intrinsic quality based on the object history for any specific region. The software, mainly written in Python, can be also run in the command line or inside a Docker container. The technical architecture, sample applications and future developments of the software are also presented in the paper.
Comparison between central and ambulatory blood pressure measurements in early detection of end organ damage: a single-center prospective non-randomized controlled trial
Authors: Fouad Doaa A. , Al Araby Hosam Hassan , Ashraf Mohammad , El-Kousy Ahmed El-Sherif
Published: September 2019

Background

Both ambulatory blood pressure (AMBP) and non-invasive central blood pressure (NCBP) monitoring could be used as predictors for early detection of hypertensive end organ damage (EOD). However, the comparison between these two methods needs more clarification. Our cross-sectional study included 100 hypertensive patients with a mean age of 47.52 ± 8.35 years on regular antihypertensive treatment for ≥ 1 year (50 controlled, 50 uncontrolled). We compared associations, sensitivity, and specificity of EOD parameters with office, AMBP, and NCBP measurements. We measured left ventricular mass index (LVMI), carotid intimal medial thickness (CIMT), ankle-brachial index (ABI), serum creatinine, glomerular filtration rate (GFR), and pulse wave velocity (PWV).

Results

We found a significant relation between SBP of NCBP, AMBP and LVMI, and CIMT, PWV, and GFR respectively (P < 0.05) while office SBP showed no significant relation. Systolic AMBP showed a high sensitivity to ABI (98%) and CIMT (92%) while systolic NCBP had 92% specificity and DBP showed 90% sensitivity for ABI.

Conclusion

AMBP and NCBP show a significant relation to LVMI, CIMT, PWV, and GFR with little superiority of central BP while office BP does not. Systolic ABPM has high sensitivity to ABI and CIMT and systolic NCBP has a high sensitivity and specificity to ABI.
Accuracy of self-referral in health anxiety: comparison of patients self-referring to internet-delivered treatment versus patients clinician-referred to face-to-face treatment
Authors: Hoffmann Ditte , Rask Charlotte Ulrikka , Hedman-Lagerlöf Erik , Eilenberg Trine , Frostholm Lisbeth
Published: September 2019

Background

Severe health anxiety is a chronic and costly disorder if untreated. Patient self-referral may lower barriers to treatment and decrease diagnostic delay.

Aims

This study evaluated the accuracy of self-referral for severe health anxiety and compared characteristics of patients self-referred to internet-delivered treatment with patients referred by a clinician to face-to-face treatment.

Method

Two trials in the same clinic employed different referral methods for health anxiety, namely self-referral and clinician-referral (trial registration: clinicaltrials.gov: NCT01158430 and NCT02735434). The trials were conducted at different time points but with largely comparable eligibility criteria. The accuracy of the recruitment methods was compared by looking at the number of eligible patients in the two trials. Patients completed a baseline questionnaire and subsequently underwent a diagnostic interview by experienced clinicians. Mean differences in self-report and clinical data explored between-group demographic and clinical characteristics.

Results

In total, 101/151 (67%) self-referred patients were eligible compared with 126/254 (50%) clinician-referred patients (P = 0.001). Self-referred patients were 3.4 years older (P = 0.008) and had a somewhat higher educational level (P = 0.030). Patients who self-referred reported significantly higher levels of health anxiety, emotional distress and somatic symptoms compared with clinician-referred patients. Yet, they had less clinician-assessed comorbid anxiety disorders (P<0.001) and better physical health-related quality of life (P<0.001) suggesting a more distinct symptom profile.

Conclusions

Self-referral was found to be an accurate method to recruit highly relevant patients with treatment-demanding health anxiety. Thus, both self-referral and clinician-referral seem feasible and valid referral methods, but they may recruit patients with slightly different characteristics.

Declaration of interest

None.
Factors that contribute to psychological resilience to suicidal thoughts and behaviours in people with schizophrenia diagnoses: qualitative study
Authors: Harris Kamelia , Gooding Patricia , Haddock Gillian , Peters Sarah
Published: September 2019

Background

Suicide is a leading cause of premature death in people with a diagnosis of schizophrenia. Although exposure to stressors can play a part in the pathways to death by suicide, there is evidence that some people with a diagnosis of schizophrenia can be resilient to the impact of suicide triggers.

Aims

To investigate factors that contribute to psychological resilience to suicidal thoughts and behaviours from the perspectives of people with a diagnosis of schizophrenia.

Method

A qualitative design was used, involving semi-structured, face-to-face interviews. Twenty individuals with non-affective psychosis or schizophrenia diagnoses who had experience of suicide thoughts and behaviours participated in the study. The interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and examined using inductive thematic analysis.

Results

Participants reported that psychological resilience to suicidal thoughts and behaviours involved ongoing effort. This ongoing effort encompassed: (a) understanding experiences (including reconciliation to mental health experiences and seeking reasons to live), (b) active behaviours (including talking to people and keeping occupied), and (c) relationship dynamics (including feeling supported by significant others and mental health professionals).

Conclusions

Psychological resilience was described as a dynamic process that developed over time through the experiences of psychosis and the concomitant suicidal experiences. Psychological resilience can be understood using a multicomponential, dynamic approach that integrates buffering, recovery and maintenance resilience models. In order to nurture psychological resilience, interventions should focus on supporting the understanding and management of psychosis symptoms and concomitant suicidal experiences.

Declaration of interest

None.
Positron Emission Tomography–Guided Treatment in Early-Stage Favorable Hodgkin Lymphoma: Final Results of the International, Randomized Phase III HD16 Trial by the German Hodgkin Study Group
Authors: Fuchs Michael , Goergen Helen , Kobe Carsten , Kuhnert Georg , Lohri Andreas , Greil Richard , Sasse Stephanie , Topp Max S. , Schäfer Erhardt , Hertenstein Bernd , Soekler Martin , Vogelhuber Martin , Zijlstra Josée M. , Keller Ulrich Bernd , Krause Stefan W. , Wilhelm Martin , Maschmeyer Georg , Thiemer Julia , Dührsen Ulrich , Meissner Julia , Viardot Andreas , Eich Hans , Baues Christian , Diehl Volker , Rosenwald Andreas , von Tresckow Bastian , Dietlein Markus , Borchmann Peter , Engert Andreas
Published: September 2019

PURPOSE

Combined-modality treatment (CMT) with 2× ABVD (doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine) and small-field radiotherapy is standard of care for patients with early-stage favorable Hodgkin lymphoma (HL). However, the role of radiotherapy has been challenged. Positron emission tomography (PET) after 2× ABVD (PET-2) might help to predict individual outcomes and guide treatment.

METHODS

Between November 2009 and December 2015, we recruited patients age 18 to 75 years with newly diagnosed, early-stage favorable HL for this international randomized phase III trial. Patients were assigned to standard CMT of 2× ABVD and 20-Gy involved-field radiotherapy or PET-guided treatment, omitting involved-field radiotherapy after negative PET-2 (Deauville score < 3). Primary objectives were to exclude inferiority of 10% or more in 5-year progression-free survival (PFS) of ABVD alone compared with CMT in a per-protocol analysis among PET-2–negative patients (noninferiority margin for hazard ratio, 3.01) and to confirm PET-2 positivity (Deauville score ≥ 3) as a risk factor for PFS among CMT-treated patients.

RESULTS

We enrolled 1,150 patients. Median follow-up was 45 months. Among 628 PET-2–negative, per-protocol–treated patients, 5-year PFS was 93.4% (95% CI, 90.4% to 96.5%) with CMT and 86.1% (95% CI, 81.4% to 90.9%) with ABVD (difference 7.3% [95% CI, 1.6% to 13.0%]; hazard ratio, 1.78 [95% CI, 1.02 to 3.12]). Five-year overall survival was 98.1% (95% CI, 96.5% to 99.8%) with CMT and 98.4% (95% CI, 96.5% to 100.0%) with ABVD. Among 693 patients who were assigned to CMT, 5-year PFS was 93.2% (95% CI, 90.2% to 96.2%) among PET-2–negative patients and 88.4% (95% CI, 84.2% to 92.6%) in PET-2–positive patients ( P = .047). When using the more common liver cutoff (Deauville score, 4) for PET-2 positivity, the difference was more pronounced (5-year PFS, 93.1% [95% CI, 90.7% to 95.5%] v 80.9% [95% CI, 72.2% to 89.7%]; P = .0011).

CONCLUSION

In early-stage favorable HL, a positive PET after two cycles ABVD indicates a high risk for treatment failure, particularly when a Deauville score of 4 is used as a cutoff for positivity. In PET-2–negative patients, radiotherapy cannot be omitted from CMT without clinically relevant loss of tumor control.
“Εφαρμογή του μαθησιακού μοντέλου 4ΜΑΤ με την αξιοποίηση authoring tools (CourseLab) στη διδασκαλία των αρχαίων ελληνικών”
Authors: Ριζοπούλου Ελένη Ευριπίδη , Σοφός Αλιβίζος (Λοΐζος)
Published: September 2019

Η εργασία σχεδιάστηκε για να διερευνήσει αν υπάρχουν διαφορές στα μαθησιακά αποτελέσματα που προκύπτουν από την εφαρμογή τριών παιδαγωγικών μεθόδων, την παραδοσιακή, την βασισμένη στο μοντέλο 4ΜΑΤ και  έναν συνδυασμό 4ΜΑΤ και  ηλεκτρονικής μάθησης στην οποία χρησιμοποιήθηκε το authoring tool CourseLab. Ελέγχθηκαν τα μαθησιακά αποτελέσματα που προέκυψαν από την εφαρμογή των μεθόδων αυτών σε 67 μαθητές της Α΄Λυκείου του δημόσιου ΓΕΛ Ν.Μάκρης, στο μάθημα των αρχαίων ελληνικών. Η αξιολόγηση των μεθόδων βασίστηκε σε κριτήρια αξιολόγησης και στα βαθμολογικά δεδομένα που προέκυψαν από αυτά, εφαρμόστηκαν τα κριτήρια One-way ANOVA και Kruskall-Wallis. Τα ευρήματα της έρευνας έδειξαν ότι καμία από τις μεθόδους δε φαίνεται να υπερτερεί έναντι των άλλων. Διανεμήθηκαν ερωτηματολόγια που συμπληρώθηκαν από τους μαθητές/τριες για να αξιολογηθεί το ηλεκτρονικό μάθημα και να αποτιμηθεί η στάση των παιδιών απέναντι σε αυτή τη μορφή διδασκαλίας. Οι μαθητές/τριες  φαίνεται ότι απέναντι στο ψηφιακό μάθημα που ήταν δομημένο με τις αρχές του μοντέλου 4ΜΑΤ είχαν θετικότερη στάση σε σχέση με την παραδοσιακή διδασκαλία.
Η διδασκαλία της βυζαντινής ιστορίας μέσω της εικόνας
Authors: ΘΩΔΗΣ ΓΕΩΡΓΙΟΣ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΙΟΣ
Published: September 2019

Η παιδαγωγική αξία των εικόνων κατά τη διδασκαλία της σχολικής Ιστορίας είναι αποδεκτή από όλους, παρά τα πολλά προβλήματα που δημιουργούνται κατά τη χρήση τους στη σχολική τάξη. Η επιλογή αυτών, πέρα από την απαραίτητη κατανόηση ότι δεν υπάρχουν αδιαμεσολάβητες εικονικές αναπαραστάσεις της πραγματικότητας, οφείλει να ακολουθεί και μια συστηματική διαδικασία προσέγγισής τους. Στο παρόν άρθρο, διερευνώνται τα προβλήματα κατά την αξιοποίηση των εικόνων, οι θεωρίες προσέγγισής τους και αναφέρονται ενδεικτικά παραδείγματα διδασκαλίας της βυζαντινής Ιστορίας μέσα από εικόνες που υπάρχουν στα σχολικά εγχειρίδια.
Οι Λεξικές Βάσεις Δεδομένων ως Εκπαιδευτικό Εργαλείο Εκμάθησης Ορολογίας στην Υπολογιστική Γλωσσολογία
Authors: Καρβουνιάρη Δήμητρα , Παπακίτσος Ευάγγελος Χρήστος
Published: September 2019

Oι λεξικές βάσεις δεδομένων αποτελούν ένα ισχυρό και εύκολα επεκτάσιμο εκπαιδευτικό εργαλείο στον τομέα της εκμάθησης ορολογίας. Η χρήση τους μπορεί να προσφέρει στους σπουδαστές εμπειρίες εκμάθησης με φιλικό τρόπο, παρέχοντας πρόσβαση σε ποικιλία πηγών και πληροφοριών σε αυθεντικά γλωσσικά περιβάλλοντα. Στην παρούσα εργασία περιγράφεται η σχεδίαση και υλοποίηση μιας λεξικής βάσης δεδομένων, ως εφαρμογής λογισμικού του τεχνολογικού πεδίου της Ηλεκτρονικής Λεξικογραφίας. Ο αρχικός σκοπός της δημιουργίας ενός τέτοιου εργαλείου ήταν η διευκόλυνση της εκμάθησης της τεχνικής ορολογίας του επιστημονικού πεδίου της  Υπολογιστικής Γλωσσολογίας, στην οποία εμφανίζεται συχνά το φαινόμενο της πολυσημίας, δηλαδή ο ίδιος όρος να έχει δύο τουλάχιστον διαφορετικές σημασίες. Το φαινόμενο αυτό οφείλεται τόσο στη μετάφραση αγγλικών όρων στην ελληνική γλώσσα όσο και στο συνδυασμό διαφορετικών επιστημών (Πληροφορικής, Μαθηματικών και Γλωσσολογίας) στο ίδιο πεδίο εφαρμογών.
Πρόγραμμα εξ αποστάσεως επιμόρφωσης Εκπαιδευτικών Πρωτοβάθμιας Εκπ/σης «Ψηφιακός Γραμματισμός στα Οπτικοακουστικά Μέσα σε Διαδικτυακά Περιβάλλοντα Μάθησης»: Αποτελέσματα και Προτάσεις από την Πιλοτική Εφαρμογή
Authors: Papadimitriou Sofia Theodor , Sofos Alivisos
Published: September 2019

Οι προκλήσεις αλλά και οι δυνατότητες που παρέχει το σύγχρονο ψηφιακό περιβάλλον απαιτούν τη μεθοδική προσέγγιση του ψηφιακού γραμματισμού από την πρώτη εκπαιδευτική βαθμίδα. Περιβάλλοντα Μάθησης στο Διαδίκτυο εξοικειώνουν τους νέους με τα ψηφιακά Μέσα και συμβάλλουν στην ανάπτυξη ψηφιακών γραμματισμών. Ειδικότερα, τα Οπτικοακουστικά Μέσα, επιφέρουν αλλαγές στη διδασκαλία εμπλέκοντας τους μαθητές σε πλούσιες αλληλεπιδραστικές μαθησιακές εμπειρίες, μετατρέποντάς τους από παθητικούς δέκτες σε ενεργούς συμμετέχοντες. Προϋπόθεση είναι οι εκπαιδευτικοί να γνωρίζουν τρόπους να αξιοποιούν τα οπτικοακουστικά μέσα ως ένα περιβάλλον ενεργής μάθησης. Το πρόγραμμα επιμόρφωσης «Ψηφιακός Γραμματισμός σε Οπτικοακουστικά Μέσα σε Διαδικτυακά  Περιβάλλοντα Μάθησης» του Πανεπιστημίου Αιγαίου υλοποιήθηκε το φθινόπωρο του 2018 με τη μέθοδο της εξ αποστάσεως εκπαίδευσης και είχε στόχο την υποστήριξη του ψηφιακού γραμματισμού στα Οπτικοακουστικά Μέσα των εκπαιδευτικών πρωτοβάθμιας εκπαίδευσης. Στο άρθρο παρουσιάζονται ο σχεδιασμός, η ανάπτυξη και υλοποίηση καθώς και τα αποτελέσματα της πιλοτικής εφαρμογής του προγράμματος επιμόρφωσης. Επιπλέον, αναδεικνύονται οι προβληματισμοί, οι προτάσεις των εκπαιδευτικών και τα συμπεράσματα με στόχο τη δημιουργία αυθεντικών περιβαλλόντων μάθησης με επίκεντρο τα Οπτικοακουστικά Μέσα στο σύγχρονο σχολείο.
Πώς οι εκπαιδευτικοί Πρωτοβάθμιας αντιμετωπίζουν τα Ψηφιακά Μαθησιακά Αντικείμενα για τις Φυσικές Επιστήμες του Φωτόδεντρου;
Authors: Κωστάκη Στέλα-Μαρίνα , Kalogiannakis Michail
Published: September 2019

Στις μέρες μας, η εκπαίδευση επαναπροσδιορίζει τον ρόλο της ακολουθώντας τις εξελίξεις και τις προκλήσεις των καιρών. Στην παρούσα μελέτη αναζητούνται και αναλύονται, με τη βοήθεια του επεξηγηματικού ερευνητικού σχεδιασμού, οι στάσεις των εκπαιδευτικών Πρωτοβάθμιας Εκπαίδευσης που διδάσκουν Φυσικές Επιστήμες (ΦΕ) ως προς τη χρήση Ψηφιακών Μαθησιακών Αντικειμένων (ΨΜΑ), δηλαδή αυτόνομων και επαναχρησιμοποιήσιμων μονάδων ψηφιακού υλικού που μπορούν να αξιοποιηθούν για τη διδασκαλία και τη μάθηση. Καταδεικνύεται, μέσω ποσοτικών αναλύσεων, ο σημαντικός ρόλος της επιμόρφωσης Β’ επιπέδου και της τάξης διδασκαλίας των εκπαιδευτικών στη διαμόρφωση θετικών στάσεων απέναντι στα ΨΜΑ για τις Φυσικές Επιστήμες, ενώ επιχειρείται η ανάλυση της γενικευμένης άρνησης των εκπαιδευτικών απέναντι στο εθνικό αποθετήριο ψηφιακού υλικού, Φωτόδεντρο, ακολουθώντας ποιοτική μεθοδολογία. Όπως διαφαίνεται από τις απαντήσεις των εκπαιδευτικών η άρνηση χρήσης του Φωτόδεντρου οφείλεται σε έλλειψη διδακτικού χρόνου για υλοποίηση εναλλακτικών μορφών διδασκαλίας εμπλουτισμένων με ΨΜΑ, καθώς και στη δαιδαλώδη μορφή του αποθετηρίου το οποίο αποθαρρύνει μη έμπειρους χρήστες. Επιπλέον, διατυπώνονται απόψεις για μη ικανοποιητικά τεχνικά χαρακτηριστικά των ΨΜΑ, μη λειτουργική ταξινόμησή τους, καθώς και για ασυμβατότητα στόχων δημιουργών και χρηστών. Επίσης, ως αποθαρρυντικός παράγοντας χρήσης του Φωτόδεντρου, αναφέρονται οι σημαντικές ελλείψεις σε τεχνολογικό εξοπλισμό των σχολικών μονάδων, γεγονός που αποτρέπει από την ενασχόληση με ψηφιακά μέσα διδασκαλίας. Επιπρόσθετα, επισημαίνεται η αναγκαιότητα για περαιτέρω διερεύνηση των στάσεων των εκπαιδευτικών απέναντι στα ΨΜΑ με στόχο, πάντα, τη βελτίωση της ποιότητας της παρεχόμενης εκπαίδευσης.
Proteomic analysis of a filaggrin-deficient skin organoid model shows evidence of increased transcriptional-translational activity, keratinocyte-immune crosstalk and disordered axon guidance
Authors: Elias Martina S. , Wright Sheila C. , Nicholson William V. , Morrison Kimberley D. , Prescott Alan R. , Ten Have Sara , Whitfield Phillip D. , Lamond Angus I. , Brown Sara J.
Published: September 2019

Background:Atopic eczema is an itchy inflammatory disorder characterised by skin barrier dysfunction. Loss-of-function mutations in the gene encoding filaggrin (FLG) are a major risk factor, but the mechanisms by which filaggrin haploinsufficiency leads to atopic inflammation remain incompletely understood. Skin as an organ that can be modelled using primary cellsin vitroprovides the opportunity for selected genetic effects to be investigated in detail.

Methods:Primary human keratinocytes and donor-matched primary fibroblasts from healthy individuals were used to create skin organoid models with and without siRNA-mediated knockdown ofFLG. Biological replicate sets of organoids were assessed using histological, functional and biochemical measurements.

Results:FLGknockdown leads to subtle changes in histology and ultrastructure including a reduction in thickness of the stratum corneum and smaller, less numerous keratohyalin granules. Immature organoids showed evidence of barrier impairment withFLGknockdown, but the mature organoids showed no difference in transepidermal water loss, water content or dye penetration. There was no difference in epidermal ceramide content. Mass spectrometry proteomic analysis detected >8000 proteins per sample. Gene ontology and pathway analyses identified an increase in transcriptional and translational activity but a reduction in proteins contributing to terminal differentiation, including caspase 14, dermokine, AKT1 and TGF-beta-1. Aspects of innate and adaptive immunity were represented in both the up-regulated and down-regulated protein groups, as was the term ‘axon guidance’.     

Conclusions:This work provides further evidence for keratinocyte-specific mechanisms contributing to immune and neurological, as well as structural, aspects of skin barrier dysfunction. Individuals with filaggrin deficiency may derive benefit from future therapies targeting keratinocyte-immune crosstalk and neurogenic pruritus.
Multitasking and Subjective Performance Evaluations: Theory and Evidence from a Field Experiment in a Bank
Authors: Manthei Kathrin , Sliwka Dirk
Published: September 2019

We study the incentive effects of granting supervisors access to objective performance information when agents work on multiple tasks. We first analyze a formal model showing that incentives are lower powered when supervisors have no access to objective measures but assess performance subjectively by gathering information. This incentive loss is more pronounced when the span of control is larger and incentives are distorted toward more profitable tasks. We then investigate a field experiment conducted in a bank. In the treatment group, managers obtained access to objective performance measures, which raised efforts and profits. We find that the effects are driven by larger branches and lower margin products.

This paper was accepted by Uri Gneezy, behavioral economics.
Nonbinding Goals in Teams: A Real Effort Coordination Experiment
Authors: Fan James , Gómez-Miñambres Joaquín
Published: September 2019

Problem definition: We investigate the impact of nonbinding (wage-irrelevant) goals, set by a manager, on a team of workers with “weak-link” production technology. Can nonbinding goals improve team production when team members face production complementarity? Academic/practical relevance: Nonbinding goals are easy to implement and ubiquitous in practice. These goals have been shown to improve individual performance, but it remains to be seen if such goals are effective in team production when there is production complementarity among workers. Methodology: We first develop a theoretical model where goals act as reference points for workers’ intrinsic motivation to complete the task. We then test our hypotheses in a controlled, human-subjects experiment. In our experiment, participants act as managers or workers, and we examine the impact of nonbinding goals on team outcomes. Results: Consistent with our model, we find evidence that team production does increase when managers are able to set goals. This effect is strongest when goals are challenging but attainable for weak-link workers. However, we also find evidence that many managers assign goals that are too challenging for weak-link workers, resulting in suboptimal team production, lower profits, and higher wasted performance (performance above the weak-link level). Managerial implications: Our analysis indicates that goals are effective motivators in teams, but some managers may have difficulty overcoming personal biases when setting goals. The task of setting team goals is more complex than setting individual goals, and many managers can benefit from training on how to set good goals for the team. Moreover, our finding that suboptimal goals also increase wasted performance suggests that improving goal-setting strategies is especially important in production settings where overperformance is costly for the firm (scrap, energy use, inventory costs, lower prices as a result of oversupply, etc.).
Staffing, Routing, and Payment to Trade off Speed and Quality in Large Service Systems
Authors: Zhan Dongyuan , Ward Amy R.
Published: September 2019

Three fundamental questions when operating a service system are (1) how many employees to staff, and (2) how to route work to them, and (iii) how to pay them. These questions have often been studied separately; that is, the queueing and network-design literature that considers staffing and workload routing generally ignores payment, and the literature on employee payment generally ignores issues surrounding staffing and routing. In “Staffing, Routing, and Payment to Trade Off Speed and Quality in Large Service Systems,” D. Zhan and A.R. Ward study how the aforementioned three decisions jointly affect system throughput and the quality of the service delivered when the employers maximize their own payment. They find that the system manager should first solve a joint optimization problem to determine the staffing level, the routing policy, and the service speed, and second, design a payment contract under which the employees work at the desired service speed.
What is noise-induced hearing loss?
Authors: Ding Tonghui , Yan Aihui , Liu Ke
Published: September 2019

Noise-induced hearing loss is sensory deafness caused by long-term exposure of the auditory system to a noisy environment. Auditory fatigue is an early symptom of noise-induced hearing loss, and hearing can gradually recover after people leave a noisy environment. However, if people remain in a noisy environment for a prolonged period of time, their hearing will be permanently impaired. Societal changes mean that people are more likely to be exposed to noise. The hearing loss and tinnitus caused by noise seriously affect people's quality of life and lead to huge economic loss.

The pathogenesis of noise-induced hearing loss is complex. Various theories try to explain this, such as the oxidative stress theory, but none perfectly explains the occurrence of noise-induced hearing loss. There is no treatment which can completely reverse the damage. More research is required to explore the pathogenesis and to better guide clinical practice. Preventative strategies, such as educating the public about hearing health, should be adopted to reduce the harm of noise-induced hearing loss.
Social media etiquette in medicine
Authors: Alleje Martha L , Austria Benedict C , Shrestha Patricia A
Published: September 2019

Social media and medical practice have become intertwined in the last few years. Photography and other user-generated content can increase the spread of good health practices and medical information. Different guidelines have been written but the ease of going online and publishing content can have implications for good medical practice. This article gives physicians and students a synthesis of current guidelines and pointers on online behaviour.
Asymptotically good homological error correcting codes
Authors: MCCULLOUGH Jason , NEWMAN Heather
Published: September 2019

Let $\Delta$ be an abstract simplicial complex. We study classical homological error correcting codes associated to $\Delta$, which generalize the cycle codes of simple graphs. It is well-known that cycle codes of graphs do not yield asymptotically good families of codes. We show that asymptotically good families of codes do exist for homological codes associated to simplicial complexes of dimension at least $2$. We also prove general bounds and formulas for (co-)cycle and (co-)boundary codes for arbitrary simplicial complexes over arbitrary fields.
A generalization of the Mignotte’s scheme over Euclidean domains and applications to secret image sharing
Authors: OZBEK İbrahim , TEMİZ Fatih , SİAP İrfan
Published: September 2019

Secret sharing scheme is an efficient method to hide secret key or secret image by partitioning it into parts such that some predetermined subsets of partitions can recover the secret but remaining subsets cannot. In 1979, the pioneer construction on this area was given by Shamir and Blakley independently. After these initial studies, Asmuth-Bloom and Mignotte have proposed a different $(k,n)$ threshold modular secret sharing scheme by using the Chinese remainder theorem. In this study, we explore the generalization of Mignotte's scheme to Euclidean domains for which we obtain some promising results. Next, we propose new algorithms to construct threshold secret image sharing schemes by using Mignotte's scheme over polynomial rings. Finally, we compare our proposed scheme to the existing ones and we show that this new method is more efficient and it has higher security.
Liquid rocket engine performance assessment in the context of small launcher optimisation
Authors: ONEL Alexandru-Iulian , POPESCU Oana-Iuliana , NECULAESCU Ana-Maria , AFILIPOAE Tudorel-Petronel , CHELARU Teodor-Viorel
Published: September 2019

The paper presents a fast mathematical model that can be used to quickly asses the propulsive characteristics of liquid propelled rocket engines. The main propulsive parameters are computed using combustion surfaces obtained after a nonlinear data fitting analysis. This approach is much more time efficient than using standard codes which rely on frequent calls of the Fuel Combustion Charts and interpolating their data. The tool developed based on the proposed mathematical model can be used separately or it can be integrated in a multidisciplinary optimisation algorithm for a preliminary microlauncher design.
A short bibliographic report on Small UAV design
Authors: STANESCU Laura , MATEI Constantin Alexandru
Published: September 2019

This article presents a detailed example for the design of all aspects of a prototype unmanned aerial vehicle, also dealing with the use of multi-segmented flight control surfaces of these UAV’s wings. Adding multiple segments to the UAV wings creates smaller control surfaces. By introducing smaller control surfaces, a wing can make refined adjustments to UAV’s performance while airborne. This unique technique brings several benefits, as follows: applying localized correcting forces to the UAV reduces structural deformation, minimizes the drag action due to the control surface actuation, suppresses and controls the structural resonance due to lift forces and vibrational modes, reduces the weight of the structure, and improves the endurance of flight by using the solar cell.
This study is a part of a more comprehensive work for my Ph.D. thesis which proposes the construction of a UAV prototype equipped with a solar propulsion system. This system meets the requirements of missions specific to the Ministry of Internal Affairs: both the autonomy capabilities and the performance of the communication systems on and off the ground.
Comparative Review Study of Military and Civilian Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs)
Authors: CHATURVEDI Sudhir Kumar , SEKHAR Raj , BANERJEE Saikat , KAMAL Hutanshu
Published: September 2019

Indian flying corps and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) forged long standing military ties, Israel aviation enterprises keeping up their strong position as best-in-class UAV manufacturers for both civilian and military use and supplying the Indian military with advanced UAV frameworks. IAI has provided IAF with a sum of 176 Israel-made automatons including 108 IAI Searchers and 68 unarmed Heron-1 airships for observation and surveillance missions including an armada of IAI Harpy rambles. With the expanding request of India's military associations, for example, the DRDO, Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE), the National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL), Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) have been creating UAVs with ISR, focusing on, and weapon direction abilities. The first trip of the Rustom-2 model on 16 November 2016 was a turning point for India. This work shows the correlation of the Indian and Israeli UAVs created depending on their main capacities and execution qualities.
Responsibility of the Russian Federation for Shooting Down a Malaysian Passenger Aircraft on 17th July 2014
Authors: MIODUCHOWSKI Andrzej , OLAK Antoni , MICHNO Jerzy
Published: September 2019

On 17 July 2014, Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur was shot down over Eastern Ukraine. On board Boeing 777 there were 283 passengers and 15 crew members who all lost their lives. The victims’ families and the states whose citizens were lost now seek remedies from those that are responsible for this tragedy. This paper discusses the incident of MH17 which took place in Western Ukraine. This paper uses the analytical approach method applied in legal research with the aims of answering the question presented in the paper. The MH17 incident also brings us many international legal issues, therefore it was necessary to examine the challenges of holding persons responsible for the MH17 tragedy and especially the supplier of the anti-aircraft missile that was used. It then considers international law’s capacity for preventing recurrences of this tragedy by constraining non-state actors’ access to anti-aircraft missiles. Under the doctrine of state responsibility, the Netherlands and/or Malaysia may be able to bring a case before the ICJ for violations of international law and internationally wrongful acts attributable to Russia and/or Ukraine. It seems that that Russia and Ukraine may have violated their obligations under the civil aviation conventions to communicate information, to investigate the situation and allegations against potential perpetrators, and to prosecute or extradite those that may be responsible. One of the two conclusions that could be drawn upon this paper is that not only Russia could be held responsible but also Ukraine is partly accountable for the tragedy. Based on both national and international legislation, it can be argued that Ukraine has a duty to protect foreigners legally passing through its airspace, which could form the legal ground for a case in Ukraine against the state. Second, a civil suit against the airlines could be brought before a court in several states based on Chicago and Montreal Conventions.
Model for self-assessment of an organization’s ability to achieve sustained success
Authors: SOARE Ilinca , RUSU Manuela , MILITARU Constantin
Published: September 2019

This paper aims to present a model for self-assessment to review the extent to which the organization has adopted the concepts described in ISO 9004:2018 international standard. The self-assessment is used to identify improvement and innovation opportunities, to set priorities and establish action plans, with the objective of sustained success. The output of self-assessment will show strengths and weaknesses, the related risks and opportunities for improvement, the maturity level of the organization and, if repeated, the organization’s progress over time.
Parents’ economic efforts in the discourses of Chilean children: ethical reflexivity and reciprocal care
Authors: del Solar Ana Vergara , Galeas Mauricio Sepúlveda , Agoglia Irene Salvo
Published: September 2019

This article, written from the perspective of Childhood Studies, questions the image, common in the press and daily life, of childhood as remote from the world of work and the economy. It also challenges the view of children as being immoderate in matters of family expenditure. Two discursive studies of Chilean children reveal instead a complex ethical reflexivity in how they think about the economic efforts of parents, whom they see as overwhelmed by work, economic and care responsibilities and as deserving their understanding and support. We conceptualise these concerns expressed by the children as forms of parent–child reciprocal care, and as ways of upholding cultural images of being a good parent and being a good son or daughter. The personal and economic burden that children perceive in parents is linked to conditions arising from neoliberalisation processes such as those occurring in Chile, and to the exercise of intensive parenting in these contexts.
Back-to-Back Comparison of Colonoscopy With Virtual Chromoendoscopy Using a Third-Generation Narrow-Band Imaging System to Chromoendoscopy With Indigo Carmine in Patients With Lynch Syndrome
Authors: Cellier Christophe , Perrod Guillaume , Colas Chrystelle , Dhooge Marion , Saurin Jean-Christophe , Lecomte Thierry , Coron Emmanuel , Rahmi Gabriel , Savale Camille , Chaussade Stanislas , Bellanger Jérôme , Dray Xavier , Benech Nicolas , Le Rhun Marc , Barbieux Jean-Pierre , Pereira Héléna , Chatellier Gilles , Samaha Elia
Published: September 2019

INTRODUCTION:

Colonoscopic screening with indigo carmine chromoendoscopy (ICC) in patients with Lynch syndrome (LS) improves the adenoma detection rate but is time consuming and poorly used in clinical practice. Narrow-band imaging (NBI), a virtual chromoendoscopy technique, highlights superficial mucosal vessels and improves adenoma characterization. We conducted a prospective multicenter trial in a back-to-back fashion to compare the third-generation NBI with ICC for detecting colonic adenomas in patients with LS.

METHODS:

In a multicenter, prospective, noninferiority trial, 138 patients underwent a double colonoscopy, first with NBI, followed by ICC, in a back-to-back design. The primary noninferiority outcome measure was the number of patients with at least one adenoma after NBI compared with the number of patients with at least one adenoma after NBI and ICC.

RESULTS:

The 138 analyzable patients were all proven mismatch repair mutation carriers for LS (MLH1 = 33%, MSH2 = 47%, MSH6 = 15%, PMS2 = 4%, and EPCAM = 1%). The mean age (SD) was 40.5 (14.7) years, and 64 (46.4%) were men. The median withdrawal time for an NBI procedure was 8 minutes (interquartile range 6–11) compared with 13 minutes (interquartile range 8–17) for ICC. At least one adenoma was detected during the initial NBI pass in 28 patients (20.3%), and 42 patients (30.4%) had at least one adenoma detected after both NBI and ICC (difference, 10.1%; 95% confidence interval, −0.1%–20.3%); this represents an increase of 50.0% of the adenoma detection rate. ICC detected additional adenomas in 25 patients (18.1%).

DISCUSSION:

Colonoscopy combining NBI and ICC detects more adenomas than third-generation NBI alone in patients with LS, respectively, 30.4% vs 20.3% (difference, 10.1%; 95% confidence interval, −0.1 to 20.3), thus failing the noninferiority assumption of NBI compared with combined NBI and ICC. Although less time consuming, colonoscopy using the third-generation NBI cannot be recommended to replace ICC in patients with LS.
Analisis Perkembangan Ekspor Impor Barang Ekonomi di Provinsi Sumatera Utara
Authors: Wulandari Sari , Lubis Anggia Sari
Published: September 2019

This study aims to determine the development of exports and imports of North Sumatra Province through export and import value indicators, balance sheets and trade ratios. Data analysis techniques in research are qualitative descriptive data analysis. The data sources in this study are secondary data downloaded through www.bps.go.id, especially data on exports and imports and the trade balance of economic goods groups in North Sumatra Province. The results showed that there was an increase and improvement that could be seen from the increase in the volume and value of exports of economic goods groups, a decrease in the volume and value of imports of economic goods groups as well as an increase in foreign trade ratios and a trade balance that showed positive foreign economic goods group controlled by exports.
Pengaruh Electronic Word Of Mouth Dan Perceived Risk Terhadap Keputusan Pembelian Pada Konsumen Tokopedia
Authors: Rahmadhani Ritma , Prihatini Apriatni Endang
Published: September 2019

The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of electronic word of mouth (e-WOM) and perceived risk to the purchasing decision at Tokopedia. This type of research is explanatory research. Sampling technique using nonprobability with purposive technique. The number of samples taken as many as 100 respondents, which are the consumer of Tokopedia. In this study assisted by IBM SPSS 21.0 system. The results showed that electronic word of mouth (e-WOM) influences the purchasing decision by contributing 24.4% while the rest is influenced by factors other than e-WOM. Perceived risk influences the purchasing decision by contributing 26.8% while the rest is influenced by factors other than perceived risk. Meanwhile, simultaneously electronic word of mouth (e-WOM) and perceived risk influence to purchasing decision by donating 33.3% while the rest influenced by factors other than electronic word of mouth (e-WOM) and perceived risk. Based on the calculation of Test F shows that there is a significant influence between electronic word of mouth (e-WOM) and perceived risk to the purchasing decision. This means the better electronic word of mouth (e-WOM) and perceived risk, the higher the purchasing decision at Tokopedi. Suggestions in this research is Tokopedia must encourage its consumers to write a more complete and clear review by providing reward points and also for Tokopedia to improve its services and provide education about the transaction mechanism so that consumers have a good risk perception towards Tokopedia.
Pengaruh Perilaku Masyarakat Terhadap Kualitas Air di Sungai Sekanak Kota Palembang
Authors: Kospa Herda Sabriyah Dara , Rahmadi Rahmadi
Published: September 2019

Sungai Sekanak, anak Sungai Musi yang berada di Kota Palembang, telah mengalami pencemaran yang terlihat pada perubahan fisik air sungai. Rencana pemkot untuk mengembalikan fungsi Sungai Sekanak sebagai lokasi wisata perairan harus didukung oleh partisipasi aktif masyarakat setempat. Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah untuk menganalisis pengaruh perilaku masyarakat terhadap kualitas air di Sungai Sekanak. Metode yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah gabungan metode deskriptif kuantitatif dan kualitatif. Metode deskriptif kuantitatif digunakan untuk mengidentifikasi perilaku masyarakat yang tinggal di bantaran sungai melalui penyebaran kuesioner menggunakan uji frekuensi. Selain itu, metode kuantitatif juga digunakan untuk mengukur kualitas air melalui tes laboratorium menggunakan kriteria mutu air berdasarkan kelas I yang terdapat pada Peraturan Gubernur No. 16 Tahun 2005 tentang Baku Mutu Air Sungai dan Limbah Cair. Selanjutnya, untuk menentukan status mutu air digunakan metode Indeks Pencemaran. Untuk mengetahui pengaruh perilaku masyarakat dalam kegiatan PHBS dan sanitasi digunakan metode kualitatif deskriptif melalui teknik triangulasi sumber data. Hasil analisis frekuensi diperoleh bahwa pengetahuan dan sikap masyarakat terhadap kegiatan PHBS dan sanitasi rata-rata sudah berjalan baik,  tetapi sekitar 20 persen masyarakat belum mengimplementasikan pengetahuannya dengan cenderung  membuang sampah langsung ke sungai. Berdasarkan hasil uji lab nilai COD, BOD, NH3-N dan fosfat telah melampaui baku mutu yang telah ditetapkan, hal ini mengindikasikan adanya pencemaran hasil buangan limbah domestik dan industri. Hasil analisis status mutu air Sungai Sekanak dari muara hingga ke ujung hulu mengalami kondisi cemar ringan, sehingga tidak sesuai dengan kriteria mutu air yang ditetapkan. Selain itu, tingginya nilai fosfat menunjukkan adanya kandungan deterjen dalam air yang merupakan salah satu indikator dari adanya pencemaran sungai dari kegiatan MCK warga. Perilaku masyarakat yang masih membuang sampah ke sungai, adanya TPS-TPS ilegal yang berada di pinggiran sungai, serta belum tersedianya fasilitas IPAL komunal untuk mengolah limbah domestik dari rumah-rumah warga menyebabkan Sungai Sekanak masih terus tercemar.
Penilaian Daur Hidup (Life Cycle Assesment) Produk Kina Di PT Sinkona Indonesia Lestari
Authors: Parameswari Pinkan Pangestu , Yani Moh. , Ismayana Andes
Published: September 2019

PT Sinkona Indonesia Lestari adalah anak perusahaan dari dua Badan Usaha Milik Negara yaitu PT Kimia Farma dan PT Perkebunan Nusantara VIII. PT Sinkona Indonesia Lestari (SIL) memproduksi cinchona atau yang dikenal dengan tanaman kina yang merupakan tanaman obat yang mengandung quinine yang dikenal sebagai obat malaria. Cinchona diekstraksi untuk diambil kandungan quinine. Setiap tanaman cinchona mengandung kadar quinine 3-14%. Penilaian jumlah emisi yang dikeluarkan selama proses produksi dapat dilakukan dengan menggunakan metode Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). Selain itu, LCA juga akan digunakan untuk melakukan perbaikan dalam siklus hidup produksi yang bertujuan untuk mengurangi emisi. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk menilai dampak lingkungan berupa gas rumah kaca (GRK), serta upaya untuk mengurangi dampak lingkungan tersebut. Tahapan dari penelitian ini adalah menentukan tujuan dan ruang lingkup, analisis inventori daur hidup, analisia penilaian dampak lingkungan, dan analisis interpretasi hasil. Dari analisis LCA, untuk menghasilkan 1 ton garam kina diketahui menghasilkan dampak lingkungan berupa emisi gas rumah kaca sebesar 47.3815 CO2(eq) pada tahun 2013. Pada tahun 2014 emisi gas rumah kaca mengalami penurunan sebesar 53.4217 CO2(eq). Pada 2015, 1 ton garam kina menghasilkan emisi gas rumah kaca sebesar 53.5435 CO2(eq) dan pada 2016 menghasilkan 45.7901 CO2(eq). Penelitian ini juga menemukan bahwa pemanfaatan ampas kina dan penggantian minyak residu menjadi bahan bakar solar dapat mengurangi emisi. Pembuatan briket dari ampas kina dapat menurunkan emisi gas rumah kaca sebesar 0,14 % pada tahun 2015 dan menghasilkan energi alternatif sebesar 1.612 TJ. Alternatif lain adalah penggantian minyak residu menggunakan bahan bakar solar (IDO) pada bahan bakar boiler, yang dapat mengurangi emisi sebesar 11.9% atau 6.3518 ton CO2 (eq) /ton garam kina.
An Examination of the Relationship Between the Functional Movement Screen, Landing Error Scoring System, and 3D Kinematic Data During a Drop Jump Task
Authors: Everard Eoin , Lyons Mark , Harrison Andrew J.
Published: September 2019

Everard, E, Lyons, M, and Harrison, AJ. An examination of the relationship between the functional movement screen, landing error scoring system and 3D kinematic data during a drop jump task. J Strength Cond Res 35(11): 3012–3020, 2021—Tests such as the Functional Movement Screen (FMS) and Landing Error Scoring System (LESS) have become an established component of preparticipation screening. Despite their practical use, there is a lack of empirical evidence examining their relationship to established assessments of movement, such as 3D kinematics of a drop jump. Fifty-two male collegiate athletes undertook the LESS, FMS, and a drop jump where 3D lower-limb kinematic variables were assessed. Spearman correlations were conducted to examine the relationship between LESS, FMS, and drop-jump 3D kinematic variables. A series of independent t-tests examined differences in hip and knee kinematic variables in acceptable and poor FMS and LESS groups as determined by established cut-off scores. Landing Error Scoring System scores had significant moderate correlations with most kinematic variables (r = 0.35–0.64; p < 0.01). Subjects with poor LESS scores displayed significantly worse lower-limb kinematics compared with their high-scoring counterparts (effect size = 1.99–2.76, large effect). There were significant moderate correlations with maximal hip and knee flexion (r = 0.46 and 0.39 respectively; p < 0.01) and small or nonsignificant correlations between all other kinematic variables and FMS scores. Hip flexion and knee valgus at maximal displacement were the only kinematic variables significantly different between FMS groups (ES = 0.70–0.72, small-to-moderate effect). The results confirm limitations in the ability of the FMS to distinguish between groups for landing biomechanics.