bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Phase angle and body composition in patients with overweight and obesity
Authors: Zhang Jiaxin , Liu Chunyan , Xin He , Li Li , Cheng Siming , Jiang Nan , Liang Bing
Published: April 2022

Background Phase angle(PHA) unveils a new insight to evaluate nutrition change in patients , but no researches verify the relationship between PHA and body composition in patients with overweight and obesity stratified by body mass index(BMI).Our study aimed to investigate the link between PHA and body composition stratified according to BMI, and to predict how PHA variability can be explained by body composition in this population.Methods This was a cross-sectional study including 257 patients that was conducted in a single hospital. The population was divided into four groups by BMI. Pearson correlation coefficients and Spearman correlation coefficients were used to analyze the relationship between PHA and body composition. Stepwise linear regression analysis was used to determine the influence of body composition on PHA.Results Total body water(TBW), intracellular water(ICW), ratio of extracellular water and intracellular water(ECW/ICW), fat mass(FM), fat-free mass(FFM), skeletal muscle mass(SMM), body cell volume(BCV) and protein had correlations with PHA in all of the four groups. The volume of minerals was positively correlated with PHA in three obese groups but not the overweight group. Only 42% of PHA variability could be explained by body composition in the overweight group whereas 85.8% in the obese graded I group,82.3% in the obese graded II group, and 87.6% in the obese graded III group.Conclusions The determinants of phase angle differ between different BMI range. The body composition of patients with obesity is more closely linked to PHA.
Knockdown of long noncoding RNA 01124 inhibits the malignant behaviors of colon cancer cells by regulating miR-654-5p/HAX-1
Authors: Wu Yujin , He Runming , Cai Zhiquan , Wang Xuechuan , Cong Longling , Qiu Fanghua
Published: March 2022

Background
Previous studies have shown that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play a key role in cancer, including colon cancer (CC). However, the exact role of long noncoding RNA 01124 (LINC01124) in CC and its mechanisms of action remain unknown. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the functional effects and the possible mechanism of LINC01124 in CC.
Results
we demonstrated that LINC01124 was upregulated in colon cancer tissues and cell lines. Further functional studies showed that knockdown of LINC01124 significantly suppressed the proliferation, migration and invasion of colon cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, in subsequent mechanistic experiments, LINC01124 was found to act as a sponge to suppress microRNA 654-5p, which targeted HAX-1. Downregulation of LINC01124 decreased the expression of HAX-1, and overexpression of a miR-654-5p inhibitor attenuated the sh-LINC01124-induced inhibition of CC cell proliferation, migration and invasion.
Conclusion
Collectively, all the results revealed a role for the LINC01124/miR-654-5p/HAX-1 axis in the tumorigenesis and progression of CC, suggesting that LINC01124 may be a therapeutic target for colon cancer treatment.
Ultrafiltration separation of nanoscale Am(VI)-polyoxometalate clusters from lanthanides
Authors: Albrecht-Schoenzart Thomas , Zhang Hailong , Li Ao , Li Kai , Wang Zhipeng , Xu Xiaocheng , Wang Yaxing , Sheridan Matthew V. , Hu Hanshi , Xu Chao , Alekseev Evgeny , Chai Zhifang , Wang Shuao
Published: April 2022

Partitioning of americium from lanthanides (Ln) present in used nuclear fuel plays a key role in the sustainable development of nuclear energy. This task is challenging because of the chemical similarities between Am(III) and Ln(III). Oxidization of Am(III) to Am(VI) has the potential to facilitate separations in principle, but rapid reduction of Am(VI) back to Am(III) by radiolysis products and organic reagents required for the traditional solvent extraction/solid extraction processes hampers practical redox-based separations. Herein, we report a nanoscale polyoxometalate (POM) cluster with a vacancy site compatible with the selective coordination of hexavalent actinides (238U, 237Np, 242Pu, and 243Am) over trivalent lanthanides in nitric acid media. This cluster is the most stable Am(VI) species in aqueous media observed to date. Ultrafiltration-based separation of nanoscale Am(VI)-POM clusters from hydrated lanthanide ions by commercially-available, fine-pored membranes enables the development of a once-through americium/lanthanide separation strategy that is highly efficient, rapid, environmentally benign, and requires minimal energy input.
Fossil fuel energy consumption, economic growth, urbanization, and carbon dioxide emissions in Kenya
Authors: Otim Jacob , Watundu Susan , Mutenyo John , Bagire Vincent
Published: April 2022

We investigate the relationship between fossil fuel energy consumption, economic growth, urbanization, and carbon dioxide emissions in Kenya from 1971 to 2014. The study employs lin-log and log-lin models and uses the autoregressive distributed lag bounds cointegration test, the Johansen-Juselius cointegration test, and the Gregory-Hansen structural breaks test for cointegration to determine the presence of a long-run causal relationship between variables. Except for urbanization, the empirical results of fossil fuel consumption and economic growth show a positive relationship with carbon dioxide emissions. Besides, the study investigates the relationship between the variables by employing a Granger-based causality test based on a vector error correction model. Short-run Granger causality results show unidirectional causality running from fossil fuel energy consumption to economic growth, urbanization to carbon dioxide emissions, and economic growth to carbon dioxide emissions. These findings can assist policymakers in Kenya and other developing countries in developing conservation and efficiency policies for sustainable urbanization and production that reduce carbon dioxide emissions.JEL Classification: K32, P18, Q35, Q43, Q44
Plant-based sex pheromones for sustainable insect pest control
Authors: Wang Hong-Lei , Ding Bao-Jian , Dai Jian-Qing , Nazarenus Tara , Borges Rafael , Mafra-Neto Agenor , Cahoon Edgar , Hofvander Per , Stymne Sten , Löfstedt Christer
Published: April 2022

Pheromones have become an environmentally friendly alternative to conventional insecticides for pest control. Most current pheromone-based pest control products target lepidopteran pests of high-value crops, as today’s manufacturing processes cannot yet produce pheromones at low enough costs to enable their use for lower-value crops, especially commodity crops. Camelina sativa seeds genetically modified to express (Z)-11-hexadecenoic acid, a sex pheromone precursor of several moth species, provided the oil from which the precursor was isolated, purified, and transformed into the final pheromone. Trap lures containing this pheromone were then assessed for their capacity to manage moth pests in the field. Plant-derived pheromone lures proved equally effective as synthetic pheromone lures in monitoring diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella, in cabbage and disrupting mating of cotton bollworm, Heliothis armigera, in common bean fields. Our study demonstrates the biological efficacy and economic feasibility of pheromone production in plant factories by metabolic engineering of an oilseed crop.
Integrative genomic and transcriptomic analyses reveal potential gene regulatory network associated with berry size and early- ripening caused by bud sport in grapes
Authors: Huang Jianquan , zhang guan , Li Yanhao , Zhang He , Zhang Na , Chen Rui
Published: April 2022

Background
Berry size and early-ripening are considered as crucial traits for grape production and breeding. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms regulating berry size and early-ripening caused by bud sport in grapes remain unknown.
Results
In this study, whole-genome resequencing was performed for the cultivars ‘Himord Seedless’, ‘Thompson Seedless’ and their larger berries and early-ripening bud sports, ‘Jinzao Wuhe’ and ‘Dawuhebai’. Consequently, 1,548 SNPs, 379 InDels and 481 SVs, corresponding to 1,440 target genes, were identified in both bud sports compared to their maternal plants. Transcriptome analysis for ‘Jinzao Wuhe’/‘Himord Seedless’ at four time-points, including full-flowering, berry expansion, véraison and maturity stages, generated 2,984 differential expression genes (DEGs). Of these, 121 DEGs comprise genetic variations which might play potential roles in controlling berry growth and maturity development. Furthermore, weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) was carried out, which revealed 48 candidate genes with previously discovered SNPs, InDels and SVs, including MADS, NAC, WRKY, UDP-glycosyltransferases, cytochromes P450, and genes involved in cell wall modification, ethylene synthesis and plant resistance. Finally, a conceivable regulatory network was constructed by integrating entire clues about the function of target genes.
Conclusions
Combined with the whole-genome resequencing and RNA-seq, DEGs with genetic variations associated with early ripening and berry size were identified in ‘Himord Seedless’ and its bud variant ‘Jinzao Wuhe’. Our results gave new insights into the field of bud mutation and contributed to future grape breeding and genetic improvement.
Augmented Renal Clearance in Patients with Traumatic Brain Injury Impacts Levetiracetam
Authors: Cook Aaron M. , Hall Kaylee , Kolpek Jimmi Hatton , Morbitzer Kathryn A. , Jordan J. Dedrick , Rhoney Denise H.
Published: March 2022

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to compare serum concentrations of levetiracetam in patients with acute traumatic brain injury (TBI) during the first seven days following ICU admission. The hypothesis was levetiracetam concentrations are significantly lower in TBI patients with augmented renal clearance (ARC) compared to those with normal renal clearance.METHODS: This is a prospective cohort pharmacokinetic study of adults with moderate to severe TBI treated with levetiracetam during the first week after injury. Serial blood and urine collections were performed daily for analysis of levetiracetam, cystatin C, and creatinine clearance (CrCl) determinations. Patients were divided into two cohorts with (CrCl ³170ml/min/1.73m2) and without ARC.RESULTS: Twenty-two patients with moderate to severe TBI were included. The population consisted primarily of young male patients with severe TBI (mean age 40 years old, 68% male, median admission GCS 4). Each received levetiracetam 1000mg IV every 12 hours for the study period. ARC was present in 77.3% of patients, with the mean creatinine clearance in patients with ARC 170ml/min/1.73m2. Levetiracetam concentrations were significantly lower in patients with ARC than in those without ARC. Mean levetiracetam serum concentrations were below the typical therapeutic range for all study days in patients with ARC (< 6mcg/ml). In patients without ARC, the serum concentrations were also below the expected range on all but two study days which were days 4 and 5. Four of the 22 (18.2%) patients exhibited seizure activity during the study period (two of these patients exhibited ARC). Cystatin C concentrations were significantly lower in patients with ARC, though the mean for all patients was within the typical normal range.CONCLUSIONS: ARC has a high prevalence in patients with moderate to severe TBI. Levetiracetam concentrations after standard dosing were low in all TBI patients, but significantly lower in patients with ARC. This study highlights the need to consider personalized drug dosing in TBI patients irrespective of the presence of ARC.Clinical Trial Registration: This study was registered at cliicaltrials.gov (NCT02437838) Registered on May 8, 2015, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02437838
The mothers' breastfeeding behavior within six weeks postpartum: new scale development and psychometric validation study
Authors: Wu Jing-Ling , Pang Shu-Qin , Jiang Xiu-Min , Lin Yan , Zheng Qing-Xiang
Published: April 2022

Background: The evaluation of mothers' breastfeeding behavior within six weeks postpartum could help health workers to identify maternal breastfeeding shortcomings comprehensively, clarify nursing problems, and provide targeted interventions. However, no prior study was found and the study aimed to develop and validate the reliability and validity of mothers' breastfeeding behavior scale within six weeks postpartum.Methods: The main two-step approach was used: (1) A qualitative pilot study using the purposive sampling method was adopted to test fitness, simplicity, and clarity of items with 30 mothers; (2) A cross-sectional survey using the convenient sampling method was conducted for item analysis and psychometric validation with 600 mothers.Results: The final version of the scale consisted of 36 items with seven dimensions, explaining 68.852% of the total variance. The Cronbach's α, split-half, and re-test coefficients were 0.958, 0.843, and 0.753, respectively. The validity of the scale: (1) Content validity: The content validity indexes (CVI) range of items were between 0.882 and 1.000. The scale-level-CVI was 0.990. (2) Structure validity: The fitting index were as follows: =2.239, RMR=0.049, RMSEA=0.069, TLI=0.893, CFI=0.903, IFI=0.904, PGFI=0.674, PNFI=0.763. (3) Convergent validity: The composite reliability and Average Variance Extraction (AVE) of 7 dimensions were between 0.876 and 0.920, 0.594 and 0.696. (4) Distinguish validity: The correlation coefficients were less than the square root of the AVE, excepting self-decision behavior, self-coping behavior, and self-control behavior. However, the fitting index of the original three-factor model was better than other new models with significant differences (P<0.001). (5) Calibration validity: The area under the curve was 0.860 or 0.898 when the scale was used to predict exclusive or any breastfeeding at 42 days. The correlation coefficient of maternal breasting feeding evaluation scale, breastfeeding self-efficacy short-form scale, and the scale were 0.569 and 0.674.Conclusion: The newly developed mothers' breastfeeding behavior scale within six weeks postpartum consists of thirty-six items belonging to seven dimensions with good reliabilities and validities, a reliable and valid instrument to be used in future maternal breastfeeding behavior assessments and interventions.
Breed distributions for diabetes mellitus and hypothyroidism in dogs
Authors: Ringstad Nanna Kristine , Lingås Frode , Thoresen Stein
Published: March 2022

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) and hypothyroidism are common canine endocrinopathies. Both primary (“Type 1”) DM and primary hypothyroidism are assumed to originate from autoimmune destruction of the respective endocrine glands and have been associated with the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) gene region. This study aims to investigate canine breed distributions for DM and hypothyroidism and calculate odds ratios (OR) for both diseases in the included breeds. Methods: Results from canine serum samples submitted from 2001-2018 to the Veterinary Clinical Pathology Laboratory (VCPL) at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences for analysis of fructosamine and thyroid hormones in serum were used in a retrospective case-control study. OR was calculated as a measure of risk for the included breeds, where all the submitted blood samples to the VCPL and dogs registered in the Norwegian Kennel Club (NKK), the national organization for dog owners, were used as two alternative control populations. Results: Significant differences in disease incidence between breeds were discovered. Australian terrier, Swedish lapphund, Samoyed, and Schipperke were at highest risk for DM. German Shepherd, Golden retriever, German pointing dog, and Collie presented as the breeds with lowest risk for DM. For hypothyroidism, Schnauzer, Eurasier, Dunker, and English setter were at highest risk for developing the disease. The breeds at lowest risk of developing hypothyroidism were Rottweiler, Dachshund, German shepherd, and Border collie. Conclusions: These findings support that there is a strong genetic predisposition involved in the aetiology of these two diseases. Interestingly, there also appeared to be an inverse relationship of risk for the two diseases for some of the breeds since some breeds that had a high OR for DM or hypothyroidism have a lower OR for the other disease. This indicates that there may be different risk alleles/haplotypes for the two diseases. The possible etiological relationship between canine DM and hypothyroidism should be further investigated.
A Graph Model with Integrated Pattern and Query Based Technique for Extracting Answer to Questions in Community Question Answering System
Authors: Ojokoh Bolanle , Igbe Tobore , Afolabi Bamidele , Daramola Oladunni
Published: April 2022

In community question answering (CQA) systems, topical comments are very valuable to provide information for users. However, it becomes cumbersome going through all these in order to decipher the correct answers to particular questions. Hence, extracting a particular answer to a question becomes vital to avoid reading every comment in the forum. This paper is an extension of of our previous research work that extracted questions from an online forum to develop a system for answer extraction to questions. This system is based on a graph-based method by building answers for related questions using nKullback–Leibler (KL) divergence to obtain ranked answers to a question. The process of extracting answers to questions involves; question core, building question query, query-based answer extraction (QBAE), pattern-based answer extraction (PBAE), and combined answer extraction. The source data for this work were already existing data from ResearchGate, a socio-academic networking website that provides researchers the platform collaborate, ask question and offer answers to question. The performance for answer extraction for 2786 questions shows that when 80% of patterns and keywords were considered, QBAE and PBAE extracted 2765 and 2766 correct answers respectively, while the QBAE + PBAE method extracted 2782 correct answers. Also, when 90% of patterns and keywords were utilized, QBAE and PBAE extracted 2782 and 2784 correct answers, whereas the QBAE + PBAE method extracted 2786 correct answers. Our method was able to identify 229 questions without answers. Finally, the evaluation of our model reveals high-performance accuracy and precision.
Predictors of asthma control differ from predictors of asthma attacks in children: the Swiss Paediatric Airway Cohort
Authors: Ardura-Garcia Cristina , Mallet Maria Christina , Berger Daria Olena , Hoyler Karin , Jochmann Anja , Kuhn Alena , Moeller Alexander , Regamey Nicolas , Singer Florian , Pedersen Eva Sophie Lunde , Kuehni Claudia Elisabeth , Team on behalf of SPAC Study
Published: March 2022

Background
It is unclear if predictors of asthma attacks are the same as those of asthma symptom control in children. We evaluated predictors for these two outcomes in a clinical cohort study.
Methods
The Swiss Paediatric Airway Cohort (SPAC) is a multicentre prospective clinical cohort of children referred to paediatric pulmonologists. This analysis included 516 children diagnosed with asthma. At baseline, we collected sociodemographic information, symptoms, personal and family history and environmental exposures from a parental baseline questionnaire, and treatment and test results from hospital records. Outcomes were assessed 1 year later by parental questionnaire: asthma control in the last 4 weeks as defined by GINA guidelines, and asthma attacks defined as any unscheduled visit for asthma in the past year. We used logistic regression to identify and compare predictors for suboptimal asthma control and asthma attacks.
Results
At follow-up, 114/516 children (22%), reported suboptimal asthma control, and 114 (22%) an incident asthma attack. Only 37 (7%) reported both. Suboptimal asthma control was associated with poor symptom control at baseline, wheeze triggered by allergens, colds and exercise, a more intense treatment at baseline, history of preschool and persistent wheeze, and exposure to tobacco smoke. Incident asthma attacks were associated with previous episodes of severe wheeze and asthma attacks, younger age and non-Swiss origin. Lung function, exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) and allergic sensitization at baseline were not associated with control or attacks.
Conclusion
Predictors of suboptimal control differ from those of attacks. Prediction tools and preventive efforts should differentiate these two asthma outcomes.
Three-dimensional nanofibrous sponges with controlled hierarchy regulating neural stem cell fate for spinal cord regeneration
Authors: Ni Shilei , Li Zhiwei , Qi Ye , Sun Lei , Li Zheng , Chen Shaojun , Zhang Yuqi , Ma Yuan , Han Jinming , Zhang Yulin , Geng Huimin , Huang Bin , Wang Jian , Li Gang , Li Xingang , Wu Shaohua
Published: March 2022

A strategy combining biomimetic nanomaterial scaffolds with neural stem cell (NSC) transplantation holds promise for spinal cord injury (SCI) treatment. In this study, innovative three-dimensional (3D) nanofibrous sponges (NSs) are designed and developed by a combination of directional electrospinning and subsequent gas-foaming treatment. The as-generated 3D NSs exhibit uniaxially aligned nano-architecture and a highly controllable hierarchical structure with high porosity, outstanding hydrophilicity, and reasonable mechanical performance, and they are demonstrated to facilitate cell infiltration, induce cell alignment, promote neuronal differentiation of NSCs, and enhance their maturation by activating the cellular adhesion molecule (CAM) pathways. The in vivo data show that NSC-seeded 3D NSs efficiently promote axon reinnervation and remyelination in a rat model of SCI, with new “neural relays” constructed across the lesion gap. The recovery of coordinated locomotion and sensory function was both significantly improved, accompanied by the restoration of ascending and descending electrophysiological signalling. Overall, the present study indicates that the as-fabricated 3D NSs can effectively regulate the fate of NSCs, and an advanced combination of 3D NS design and transplanted NSCs invites applications as an ideal tissue-engineered scaffold for SCI repair.
Inhibiting HMGB1 attenuates neuronal ferroptosis after spinal cord injury by inhibiting the p38/JNK MAPK signaling pathway
Authors: Wu Zhiwu , Wang Zhihua , Zhu Huaxin , Zhang Zhixiong , Li Meihua
Published: April 2022

Neuronal ferroptosis is an important pathological process after spinal cord injury (SCI). High mobility group box-1 protein (HMGB1) could regulate ferroptosis in other diseases. However, the effects of HMGB1 on neuronal ferroptosis after SCI are unclear. In this study, in vitro and in vivo experiments were performed to assess the expression levels of ferroptosis-related genes and proteins, as well as malondialdehyde (MDA) and iron levels. A recombinant HMGB1 plasmid was transfected into erastin-treated PC12 cells after Glycyrrhizic acid (GA) treatment to assess whether GA effects could be reversed. GA (100 mg/kg) was intraperitoneally injected into rats to establish an animal model; immunofluorescence, immunohistochemistry, Prussian blue and DAB staining assays were performed to assess GA effects in vivo. We found that GA treatment reversed the increases in levels of MDA, iron, HMGB1 expression, and Acyl-CoA synthetase long-chain family member 4 (ACSL4) expression and the decreases in glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) levels. These protective effects were blocked by the presence of recombinant HMGB1. The inhibitory effects of GA on ferroptosis were partially influenced by inactivation of the p38/JNK signaling pathway. In conclusion, inhibiting HMGB1 attenuates neuronal ferroptosis after SCI may through p38/JNK MAPK signaling pathway inhibition in the early stages of SCI.
WITHDRAWN: Outcomes of Endoscopic Resection for Colorectal Polyps with High Grade Dysplasia or Intramucosal Cancer
Authors: Mohapatra Sonmoon , Almazan Erik , Charilaou Paris , Recinos Luisa , Bassi Mehak , Broder Arkady , Salimian Kevan , Khashab Mouen A , Ngamruengphong Saowanee
Published: March 2022

Purpose: Little is known about the outcomes of endoscopic resection (ER) for patients with colorectal adenomas (CRAs) with high-grade dysplasia (HGD) or intramucosal cancer (IMCA). This study aimed to estimate the rate of local/malignant recurrence, identify the predictive factors for local recurrence (LR) and evaluate the treatment outcomes of recurrence after ER for HGD/IMCA. Methods: A retrospective review was performed to identify patients who underwent ER for HGD/IMCA in two academic medical centers. Risk factors for LR were determined by Cox regression analysis.Results: Overall, 188 lesions with HGD/IMCA were included; 61 lesions were removed by en-bloc ER (e-ER), whereas 127 lesions were removed in a piecemeal ER (p-ER). The mean lesion size was 20.3 mm. Of the 125 patients who underwent follow-up, local adenoma recurrence occurred in 31 (23%), and malignant recurrence occurred in 2 (1.6%) patients at a median follow-up of 8 months. HGD/IMCA ≥ 4 cm removed by p-ER have the greatest hazard ratio (HR=21.5, 95% CI: 2.5-180.5; p=0.005) for LR, compared to the HGD/IMCA < 4 cm removed by e-ER. Surgery was performed in 3.2% of patients after a complete ER, all after p-ER. Of all patients who had LR, 22.6% (7/31 patients) had recurrent/residual adenomas despite repeat ER attempts after a mean of 1.9±0.79 procedures from the index ER. Conclusions: Our study demonstrates high rate of LR (23%) after ER of CRAs with HGD/IMCA with rate of malignant recurrence of 1.6% especially after p-ER. Thus, e-ER should be preferred for these lesions whenever technically feasible.
Seasonal distribution of cirrus cloud characteristics and their rapid descent from polarization lidar measurements at the west coast of India
Authors: Aswini M. A. , Ruchith R.D. , Das Subrata Kumar , Kumar Ashwini
Published: April 2022

Cirrus clouds are highly reflective clouds that play an important role in the atmospheric radiative balance and hence contribute to climate change. We present seasonal distribution of cirrus cloud occurrence, their characteristics and evolution over a coastal station (Goa, 15.4o N, 73.8o E, 40m above MSL) in India, using ground-based Micro Pulse lidar and Vaisala radiosonde observations from July 2013 to June 2015. The frequency of cirrus occurrence was observed around 44%, 33%, 17% and 6% in winter (JF), pre-monsoon (MAM), south west monsoon (JJAS) and post-monsoon (OND) respectively. Thicker cirrus were more frequent in September with an average value of > 1.7 ± 0.89 Km. The frequency of cirrus descent occurs almost similar in monsoon and post-monsoon (42% and 43% respectively) months. Two extreme cirrus descending cases were observed during the monsoon: (1) on 22 August 2014 with a displacement of 9.6 km from the initial height of 14 km with a descending rate and geometrical thickness of 0.4 ms− 1 and 1.5 km respectively; (2) on 14 September 2013 with a displacement of 7.8 km with descending rate and thickness of 0.2 ms− 1 and 2.3km respectively. Relatively high humidity (> 60%) and low (<-20 oC) ambient temperature caused thick cirrus formation in September 2013. However, during August 2014 event, relatively thinner (optically) cirrus was observed and the same is attributed to lower humidity conditions (45 to 60%). The wind shear associated with the tropical easterly jet (TEJ) appears to play a major role in cirrus displacement by modifying their vertical velocity. The positive and negative vertical velocity fields cause cirrus to a descending shape. The gradual descending pattern of cirrus is moving parallel to the vertical velocity contour, while the rapid descending in 2014 was mainly due to the occurrence of cirrus perpendicular to the velocity contour. Overall, this study represents the descending nature of cirrus clouds and their impact on the surface radiative characteristics over a coastal station in India.
DTI Analysis of White Matter Integrity and Cognitive Brain Reserve in Lifelong Musicians and Controls
Authors: Andrews Edna , Eierud Cyrus , Banks David , Harshbarger Todd , Michael Andrew , Rammell Charlotte
Published: April 2022

Previous research has focused on structural and functional changes to the human brain by training and experience in both linguistic (esp. bilingualism) and musical domains. While normal aging produces trends of decreasing WM integrity, research on cognitive brain reserve suggests that complex sensory-motor activities across the life span may slow down or reverse these trends. The current study incorporates findings from our recent DTI study of lifelong musicianship and building cognitive brain reserve and expands that analysis to include age and education matched non-musician controls. Reinforcing previous results, we show that non-musician controls in aging do not show the increases in WM integrity found in the subcortical tracts in lifelong musicians and that the difference between the groups was significant (p = 0.0065).
Novel compound heterozygous PLEC mutations lead to pure late-onset muscular dystrophy
Authors: Liu Mengyang , Lin Ying , Qiao Lingya , Chen Juan , Shi Qiang
Published: April 2022

Limb-girdle muscular dystrophy 2Q (LGMD2Q) is a specific mutation in the plectin (PLEC) gene at chromosome 8q24.3. The major phenotypes of plectinassociated disorder were epidermolysis bullosa with or without skeletal muscle involvement. The phenotype of pure muscular dystrophy was rarely reported. Here we report a Chinese patient carrying a novel compound heterozygous PLEC mutations presenting with pure muscular dystrophy.
Modified Centroid Triplet Loss for Person Re-Identification
Authors: Alnissany Alaa , Dayoub Yazan
Published: March 2022

Person Re-identification (Reid) is the process of matching target individuals to their images within different images or videos captured from a variety of angles or cameras. This is a critical task for surveillance applications, in particular, these applications that operate in large environments such as malls and airports. Recent studies use data-driven approaches to tackle this problem. This work continues on this path by presenting a modification of a previously defined loss, the centroid triplet loss (ctl). The proposed loss, modified centroid triplet loss (mctl), emphasizes more on the interclass distance. It is divided to two parts, one penalize for interclass distance and second penalize for intraclass distance. As a result of this adjustment, a new state-of-the-art results of 98.4% rank1, 98.63% mAP on market-1501, and 96.8% rank1, 97.3% mAP on DukeMTMC-Reid were achieved.
Project-Based Entrepreneurial Learning (PBEL): A Blended Model for Startup Creations at Higher Education Institutions
Authors: Santoso R. Tri Priyono Budi , Priyanto Sony Heru , Junaedi I Wayan Ruspendi , Santoso Donald Samuel Slamet , Sunaryanto Lasmono Tri
Published: April 2022

This research aims to describe the dynamics of applying project-based entrepreneurial learning (PBEL) in creating startups at higher education institutions. Action research was used for eight participants as the research method by applying the PBEL model in the form of a narrative method. The results revealed that all university students can produce products, starting from prototypes until business products. The PBEL model drives successful startups. For the more effective startups, the PBEL model needs to add network marketing and funding to be applied. Future research is expected to address questions from the results of this study.
Challenges and future directions for Energy, Latency, and Lifetime Improvements in NVMs
Authors: Kargar Saeed , Nawab Faisal
Published: April 2022

Recently, Non-Volatile Memory (NVM) technology has revolutionized the landscape of memory systems. With many advantages, such as non volatility and near zero standby power consumption, these byte-addressable memory technologies are taking the place of DRAMs. Nonetheless, they also present some limitations, such as limited write endurance, which hinders their widespread use in today’s systems. Furthermore, adjusting current data management systems to embrace these new memory technologies and all their potential is proving to be a nontrivial task. Because of this, a substantial amount of research has been done, from both the database community and the storage systems community, that tries to improve various aspects of NVMs to integrate these technologies into the memory hierarchy. In this tutorial we survey state-of-the-art work on deploying NVMs in database and storage systems communities and the ways their limitations are being handled within these communities. In particular, we focus on the challenges that are related to high energy consumption, low write endurance and extending the lifetime of NVM devices.
Lernerfolg in der Schule durch Augmented und Virtual Reality?
Authors: Schweiger Moritz , Wimmer Jeffrey , Chaudhry Maiyra , Alves Siegle Beatriz , Xie Dianchu
Published: April 2022

Obgleich die Erforschung des pädagogischen Einsatzes von Augmented Reality (AR) und Virtual Reality (VR) an Schulen in den letzten Jahren zugenommen hat, sind systematische Analysen des Lernerfolgs in diesem Bereich spärlich gesät. Die quantitative Synopse wertet 30 aktuelle Studien aus verschiedenen Forschungsbereichen aus. Theoretischer Hintergrund der Studie sind die Modelle des Lernerfolgs nach Puentedura (2010) und Schlicht (2014) sowie das Modell der Medienkompetenz nach Baacke (1996). Die Synopse zeigt, wie AR- und VR-Anwendungen Schüler:innen und Lehrpersonal in diesen schwierigen Zeiten entlasten und zum Lernerfolg beizutragen können. Ihr Einsatz bietet zahlreiche Vorteile, die viele Herausforderungen des heutigen Bildungssystems mildern können. So kann z. B. eine immersive Erfahrung durch VR das Erinnerungsvermögen unterstützen, indem das Gelernte länger behalten und tiefgründiger verstanden wird als ohne den Einsatz von VR-Technologie.
Quantifying the Impact of Work Environment Factors on the Variability of Labour Productivity in Wall Plastering
Authors:   Department of Building, Federal University of Technology, Minna, NIGERIA, Agbo Edwin Adakole , Izam Yohanna D. ,   Department of Building, University of Jos, Plateau, NIGERIA, Ayegba Calistus ,   Department of Building, Federal University of Technology, Minna, NIGERIA
Published: March 2022

Variability in labour productivity is a performance inhibitor and a determinant of effective and ineffective projects. It has hamperedthe intercomparison of construction projects and the accurate forecasting of project duration and cost. This study chose wall plastering activities as a case study. This study aims to quantify the impact of work environment factors on the variability of labour productivity. Data were collected using direct site observations and structured questionnaires. The results revealed that “Waiting for materials” (62.4%), “Being on the job but not working” (52.6%) and “Work area congestion” (52.5%) all had negative effects on labour productivity variance. Other negative factors include “Rework” (51.7%), “Waiting for tools/equipment” (51.1%), “Waiting for information” (47.2%) and “Weather changes”. The overall average daily productivity was 1.268 whr/m2, baseline productivity = 0.993 whr/m2 and variation in daily productivity = 22.08%; where whr refers to work hours. The findings identified significant work environment factors and quantified their impacts on labour productivity variability in plastering activity. The results indicate that work environment factors during work in progress significantly impact the variability of labour productivity in plastering work and ample consideration should be given to its effects.
Assessing Causative Characteristics of Abandoned Completed Urban Market Projects in Ghana
Authors:   Postgraduate School of Engineering Management, University of Johannesburg, SOUTH AFRICA, Nana-Addy Edward , Musonda Innocent ,   School of Civil Engineering and the Built Environment, Department of Construction Management and Quantity Surveying, University of Johannesburg, SOUTH AFRICA, Okoro Chioma ,   School of Management, College of Business and Economics, University of Johannesburg, SOUTH AFRICA
Published: March 2022

This article assesses the causative characteristics of abandoned completed urban market projects in the Bono Region, Ghana and their associated effect. The study used the mixed methodology research approach. Eight abandoned completed urban market projects were visited within the region. A total of 16 consultant and contractor teams were selected using the purposive sampling technique while 32 questionnaires were administered and received from would-be users, consultants and contractors of the eight selected projects. Bad location, non-provision of auxiliary facilities, high rent charges, a long distance from the communities, small size of sheds and stalls and non-user consultation were the highest causative characteristics. The effects of abandoned markets were resource wastage, unemployment and a decrease in revenue accruable to the state. Markets are a source of product delivery that promotes sustainable economic development, jobs and communication, and enhances the identity of the communities. Wastage of resources occurs if an urban market project is abandoned. Improvement of would-be user satisfaction is imperative to reduce non-usage leading to the abandonment of the market project. Therefore, auxiliary utilities such as electricity, water, sanitation and access roads must be included in the project during the planning phases. The article affirms the relevance of user satisfaction with urban market projects to avoid the wastage of public resources.
Investigating the Strategic Planning of BIM Adoption on Construction Projects in a Developing Country
Authors:   Faculty of Environmental Design and Management, Department of Building, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, NIGERIA, Olugboyega Oluseye , Windapo Abimbola ,   Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, Department of Construction Economics and Management, University of Cape Town, SOUTH AFRICA
Published: March 2022

Strategic planning of building information modelling (BIM) adoption has become increasingly important, owing to the need to minimise BIM adoption risks, maximise BIM benefits and ensure successful BIM adoption. Our understanding of strategic planning of BIM adoption in a developing country is limited. Therefore, this study develops a framework for strategic BIM adoption on construction projects. The applicability of the framework was tested by using it to analyse the pattern of BIM adoption on construction projects in South Africa. The findings of the study demonstrate interrelationships between project milestones and deadlines, the extent of use of BIM software platforms used for the BIM-based construction projects (BBCPs) and the extent of collaboration on the BBCPs. The findings also confirm interrelationships between the regulatory system, the extent of use of BIM software platforms, the extent of collaboration and the extent of integration on the BBCPs. This research has shown that the strategic planning of BIM adoption enables the proper management of BIM tools and processes. The research has also provided practical guidelines for strategic planning of BIM adoption in developing countries.
Employees’ Turnover Intention in the Construction Industry in Indonesia
Authors:   Department of Administration, Faculty of Social and Political Science, Universitas Sam Ratulangi, Manado, North Sulawesi, INDONESIA, Rumawas Wehelmina
Published: March 2022

Employee turnover costs pose a big challenge for many companies. Studies show that employee turnover can cost about 20% of the salaries in hiring, training and lost productivity, although estimates give much higher figures. Therefore, company management must have a strategy in terms of retaining employees to avoid the desire of moving (turnover intention) from the company. This study aims to analyse the turnover intention of construction employees by extending the planned behaviour model’s theory. The research method used is a survey method with a quantitative descriptive approach. The population in this study are employees who work in construction companies in Indonesia. The sampling method using a non-probability sampling technique, namely using a convenience sampling technique is employed in the current study. A questionnaire was used to collect data from 197 respondents. The data were collected and analysed using structural equation modelling (SEM) techniques, using maximum likelihood estimation with covariance matrix as the input with Amos 24 software. The results indicated that attitude and perceived behavioural control had a positive and significant effect on turnover intention. In contrast, subjective norm had a positive but not significant effect on turnover intention. Subjective norms indirectly had a significant effect on turnover intention through attitude and perceived behavioural control.
Assessing the Role of Planning and Considerations in the Sustainability of BRT-PPP Projects: A South African Case
Authors:   Department of Finance and Investment Management, College of Business and Economics, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, SOUTH AFRICA, Okoro Chioma , Muleya Franco ,   Department of Construction Economics and Management, School of Built Environment, The Copperbelt University, Kitwe, ZAMBIA, Musonda Innocent ,   Department of Construction Management and Quantity Surveying, Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, SOUTH AFRICA
Published: March 2022

The development of bus rapid transit (BRT) systems is essential to African cities’ economic vitality through accessibility and expansion of urban mobility. Several studies have investigated the deployment of such transportation systems. However, the role of a delineated planning stage of BRTs has been given limited attention. This study examined the role of planning in ensuring the sustainable performance of BRT systems. A qualitative approach using interviews with experts and BRT users in the Gauteng Province of South Africa was adopted. Findings indicated that planning should extensively encompass projections of the intended or future performance outcomes. These include institutional arrangements, existing characteristics and impact, service reliability and quality, technical analysis of infrastructural integration, demand, environmental performance metrics and life cycle costs. This inductive research advances the theory of critical factors that could potentially hinder the delivery of PPP-based BRT projects. The findings are envisaged to be beneficial to transport policymakers and stakeholders in the assessment of BRT systems. Failures surrounding the BRT in Gauteng result from an omission of critical factors at the planning stage. This presents a critical lesson for future BRT projects in South Africa and other developing countries, to be meticulous and consider critical factors at the planning stage.
Investigating Current Practice on Disincentive Programmes in the Indonesian Construction Industry
Authors:   Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Indonesia, Depok, INDONESIA, Berawi Mohammed Ali , Miraj Perdana ,   Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Pancasila, DKI Jakarta, INDONESIA, Arifuddin Rosmariani ,   Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Hasanuddin University, INDONESIA, Aulia Dzikry ,   Center for Sustainable Infrastructure Development, Universitas Indonesia, Depok, INDONESIA, Rahma Siti Hardiyanti ,   Center for Sustainable Infrastructure Development, Universitas Indonesia, Depok, INDONESIA
Published: March 2022

Much attention has been paid to practices and methods for improving the safety management of construction projects using an incentive approach, but limited studies that focus on the disincentive programme have been found, particularly in developing countries such as Indonesia. This study aims to present the findings of current practice on the disincentive programme by considering the perceptions of Indonesian construction stakeholders. In this study, a mixed-method approach through a semi-structured interview with stakeholders in the construction industry such as academics, associations and professionals, private and state-owned enterprise contractors is used. This article proposes that a penalty in terms of the cost and duration of the suspension should be enforced while strategies for alleviating increased injuries may include training, regular communication, socialisation, education, repetitive briefing and continuous supervision. It also indicates that laws and safety policies need to consider the costs suffered by personnel, families, and the ability of both small and large companies to manage such a disincentive programme.
Critical Success Factors for Adopting Supply Chain Management in Tanzanian Construction Projects
Authors:   Department of Building Economics, Ardhi University, Dar es salaam, TANZANIA, Kikwasi Geraldine J. , Sospeter Nyamagere Gladys ,   Department of Building Economics, Ardhi University, Dar es salaam, TANZANIA,   Graduate School of Business Leadership, University of South Africa, SOUTH AFRICA, Rwelamila Pantaleo D. ,   Graduate School of Business Leadership, University of South Africa, SOUTH AFRICA
Published: March 2022

Supply chain management (SCM) has been effective in several industries, such as the manufacturing industry and agriculture. SCM is the active management of supply chain activities to maximise customer value and achieve a sustainable competitive advantage. Therefore, the adoption of SCM by construction businesses can help reduce delays, thereby improving their competitive advantage. The purpose of this study is to discover which critical success factors (CSFs) determine the successful adoption of SCM in the construction projects, with the aim of filling the knowledge gap in the context of a developing country by using a questionnaire. To achieve this, respondents were purposely selected from construction firms registered in Class 1 and 2 by the Contractors Registration Board of Tanzania. Out of 100 questionnaires distributed, 60 were returned filled in fairly well for analysis. The data was analysed using two features of IBM SPSS version 20, which are descriptive statistics-frequencies and compare means-one-sample t-test. The findings revealed that the CSFs for adopting SCM by construction projects were providing logistics at a lower cost and on-time delivery to clients, having a centrally coordinated logistics function and top management’s commitment and support. It means that clients, contractors, subcontractors, consultants and suppliers/manufacturers will need to rethink what CSFs determine the performance of the construction projects using SCM, as knowing which ones are critical would lead to improved project delivery. This study contributes to the body of knowledge by providing insights into the CSFs that can be adopted by firms to successfully implement SCM in construction projects for sustainable construction businesses in Tanzania, which has not been explored.