bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The role of incubator classification on performance of incubators in Kenya.
Authors: Kinya Miriti Jane , Wanjau Kenneth Lawrance , Odeyo Nyagweth Ebenezer
Published: September 2021

The study sought to assess the importance of classifying incubators based on the programs offered for optimum performance. Client selection criteria were assessed through three constructs namely: models that fit program goals, uniqueness of ideas, and standard selection tool. A mixed cross-sectional and causal design was adopted and a census was carried out targeting all the 51 incubators. Primary data was collected with an incubator program as a grouping/ cluster variable yielding a multilevel data structure with incubator centres nested in programs. Linear mixed effect models were fitted using Stata to assess the study objective taking into account the fixed effects for the incubator centre level (level-1) and random effects for the program level (level-2). The uniqueness of ideas was found to have a significant fixed effect on performance at level one while at level two, the study found significant random intercepts of incubator centre performance across the programs. Models that match program goals and standard selection tools were also found to have significant random slopes as level two random covariates in the model. Based on the findings of significant random slopes, the study concluded that incubator classification is key for client selection criteria and enhances incubator performance.
The effect of investment risks on stock return in the agricultural sector
Authors: Sadikin Ali , Dalimunthe Fahmi Roy
Published: September 2021

This study purposes to determine the impact of risks of investment on stock returns of the agricultural sector in wetlands listed on the IDX for the period 2016-2019. This study uses secondary data while the analysis tool uses multiple linear regression (SPSS 21). The research population is 21 companies and the sample is 17 companies. The research sampling technique uses purposive sampling. The object of research is the agricultural sector which is listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange for the period 2016 to 2019. This study also uses some classical assumptions. Testing the research hypothesis was done by t-test (partial test) and the coefficient of determination test. The results of the study are that 2 independent variables have a significant effect, namely interest rate risk (X1) in a positive direction and exchange risk in a negative direction, while liquidity risk and inflation risk have no significant effect with negative and positive directions on stock returns of the agricultural sector listed on the IDX for the period 2016-2019. The result of the research determination coefficient is 15.1%.
Family ownership, information problem and firm performance
Authors: Sultana Reajmin
Published: September 2021

This paper reviews recent corporate financial literature dealing with family business issues. It discusses research papers that explain the nature and type of agency problems in family firms. It provides empirical evidence of the association of family ownership with information asymmetry. It also portrays the influence of family firms over corporate disclosures. We have analyzed literature to explain the empirical association between family ownership, and so ownership control, and firm performances. This paper also attempts to find out the research gap based on reviewed papers and tries to give the future directions of research in this regard.
A systematic review of corporate governance and ownership
Authors: Akinto Tola
Published: September 2021

This study aims to systematically review the key characteristics and issues of corporate governance and ownership (CGO) research and to offer directional suggestions concerning the future of CGO research. The Systematic Assessment Quantitative Technique (SQAT) was used to identify and analyze 65 peer-reviewed CGO articles from six high-quality academic databases. The study covered 2009 to 2019 and there is evidence of a growing number of CGO articles over the number of years covered. Most of the studies have taken place in Asia and Europe, while South America has the lowest number of studies.  98% of CGO research has been empirical in nature, which calls for more conceptual studies to give more understanding of the research area because knowledge is dynamic. The primary focus of the articles has been on firm performance and closely followed by regulatory policies. All the CGO articles adopted the quantitative research method, using mainly critical analysis. However, combining both quantitative and qualitative methods will make future studies more robust and give additional insight into various issues of CGO. Finally, the use of only six databases which although contains high quality, peer-reviewed articles, but not all peer-reviewed CGO articles were in the databases. Future systematic reviews can widen the scope of databases to gain further insight.
The effect of e-service quality on e-loyalty mediated by e-trust and brand image variables
Authors: Pratiwi Lusiana , Sunaryo Sunaryo , Mugiono Mugiono
Published: September 2021

The amount of e-wallet providers in Indonesia is so many, so there is intense competition between each e-wallet provider. The tighter competition for e-wallet, makes users not only loyal to one type of e-wallet and makes users switch brands or providers in using an e-wallet. This study aims to investigate the factors that influence e-service quality on e-loyalty mediated by e-trust and brand image. This research is categorized as explanatory research. Respondents in this study were users of the OVO e-wallet application in Malang City, determining the number of samples in this study using a purposive sampling technique with a sample of 200 respondents. The method of collecting data is using a questionnaire, the data is analyzed using PLS-SEM. The results showed that e-service quality had no significant effect on e-loyalty. E-service quality has a significant effect on e-trust, e-trust has a significant effect on e-loyalty. E-service quality has a significant effect on brand image, brand image has a significant effect on e-loyalty. E-trust and brand image can play a fully mediating role in the relationship between e-service quality and e-loyalty. OVO is expected to continue to maintain and increase e-trust because it is proven in this research that e-trust has the greatest influence on e-loyalty so that it can be a competitive advantage for OVO.
Keywords: e-service quality, e-loyalty, e-trust, brand image.
Does gender matter for household livelihood diversification in Ethiopia rural areas?
Authors: Tsegay Kiros , Fan Hongzhong , Priyangani Adikari AM , Shifare Hailay
Published: September 2021

Nowadays, the non-farm sector gives more attention and high expectations in reducing poverty in sub-Saharan African. Because participation of farm households in the none-farm sector out of their farm activities will play a great role to reduce poverty. Cross-sectional data were used to collect data in 2020 from farm household heads of 371 respondents with the mixed methodology to investigate the effect of demographic factors in none/off-farm economic activities on gender perspective in Ethiopia. In this study, we employ a Logistic regression model to explore the probabilities of household heads' participation in none/off-farm economic activities out of their farm. The result indicated, age and education level have a positive effect and statistically significant effect on increasing non-farm activities with the coefficients of 3.406, 1.956 respectively, confirmed that these variables should take into account in policy development to increase their impact on livelihood diversification. And Gender has a negatively significant on livelihood diversification. FHH is more participants in non-farm economic activities than MHH. Credit access does not contribute to increasing livelihood diversification instead; it contributes to agricultural specialization, not diversification. Surprisingly, family size has insignificant results in non-farm economic activities The outcome indicated it has its implications for the Ethiopian policy and strategy. The government should give more attention to the progressive aspects of non-farm economic activities to eradicate poverty. Whereas, decreasing its negative impact on poorer households by controlling obstacles of non-farm activities.
Chiapas moderno y mexicano: normalizar el deporte tras la Revolución mexicana, 1910-1940 = Modern and Mexican Chiapas: Normalizing sport after the Mexican Revolution, 1910-1940
Authors: Lisbona Guillén Miguel
Published: September 2021

A partir de la Revolución mexicana, las instituciones creadas o reorganizadas por los gobiernos posrevolucionarios tienen, entre otros muchos retos, extenderse en lugares físicamente alejados de la capital del poder político, la Ciudad de México. Otro de sus objetivos era construir el discurso sobre la nueva nación que rompía con el pasado y que, entre cuyos objetivos, se encontraba la normalización de la ciudadanía a través de su regeneración física y moral. Normalización donde la educación física y el deporte se convertían en parte de las campañas de higienización social desplegadas por todo el país. De esta manera, el territorio chiapaneco se incorporó a la institucionalización de la Revolución mexicana y, dentro de ese proceso, las actividades físicas se impulsaron e incrementaron desde los gobiernos posrevolucionarios chiapanecos y, también, desde las élites de la sociedad civil, muchas de ellas partícipes de los nuevos gobiernos e instituciones locales chiapanecas. AbstractSince the Mexican Revolution, the institutions created or reorganized by the post-revolutionary governments have, among many other challenges, spread in places physically far from the capital of political power, Mexico City. Another of its objectives was to build the discourse on the new nation that broke with the past and that, among its objectives, was the normalization of citizenship through its physical and moral regeneration. Standardization where physical education and sport became part of the social sanitation campaigns deployed throughout the country. In this way, the territory of Chiapas was incorporated into the institutionalization of the Mexican Revolution and, within that process, physical activities were promoted and increased from the post-revolutionary governments of Chiapas and also, from the elites of civil society, many of them participants of the new governments and local institutions.
The Effect of Financial Literacy and Financial Inclusion on Economic Growth in Indonesia
Authors: Hidayatinnisa' Nurul Hidayatinnisa' , Fauziah  , Trivena Shinta Maharani , Aini Yulis Nurul
Published: September 2021

Increasing financial literacy and inclusion become a global issue that are believed affecteconomic growth. However, in Indonesia, increasing financial literacy and inclusion inseveral provinces is not followed by the economic growth. The purpose of this research is toanalyze the effect of financial literacy and financial inclusion on economic growth inIndonesia.This study analyzed 34 provinces in Indonesia with 2 survey periods, 2016 and2019. The method of the data analysis used panel data regression with e-views 10 software.Moreover, Chow test and Hausman test are carried out to determine the best model. Theresults of the hypothesis test showed that financial literacy and financial inclusion have nosignificant effect on economic growth in Indonesia, neither partially or simultaneously. Itshowed that the financial literacy and inclusion improvement in Indonesia need to beenhanced in order to achieve inclusive growth as the main goal.
Platinum Group Elements in the South Transbaikalian Basanites (First Data)
Authors: Medvedev A.Ya. , Karimov A.A. , Belyaev V.A.
Published: September 2021

—Study of the behavior and distribution of platinum group elements (PGE), along with other data, is necessary for geodynamic reconstructions. There are almost no PGE data for Transbaikalia, one of the large regions of Russia. This work presents the first data on the contents and behavior of PGE in the Cenozoic intraplate alkali basaltoids of southern Transbaikalia. The total PGE contents are 20–40 ppb. The PGE pattern of the studied basanites is similar to those of mafic OIB, including the Hawaiian ones, and rocks of large igneous provinces: tholeiitic basalts of the Siberian Platform and basaltoids of the West Siberian Plate. Based on this similarity and on the intraplate location of the South Transbaikalian basanites, we have concluded that the basanitic melts formed under mantle plume impact.
Genesis and Nd Isotope Composition of Ferromanganese Deposits of the Sea of Okhotsk and the Kuril Island Arc
Authors: Mikhailik P.E. , Vishnevskaya I.A. , Mikhailik E.V. , Blokhin M.G. , Chervyakovskaya M.V. , Rashidov V.A. , Ren X.
Published: September 2021

—The Nd isotope composition of ferromanganese deposits (FMD) from the central part of the Sea of Okhotsk and the Kuril island arc has been studied. The results showed that diagenetic samples from the Deryugin Basin have a heterogeneous Nd isotope composition. The positive εNd values here might be both due to the input of a terrigenous impurity and due to diffuse endogenetic element supply. The FMD samples from the Sonne underwater ridge show a εNd value specific to seawater (–3.2). The εNd value of hydrogenetic FMD from Volcano 7.14 is –3.4, which corresponds to the εNd value of the Pacific water. The FMD samples from Volcano 5.5 are characterized by εNd = –2.0. The higher εNd value might be due to a moderate dilution of the hydrothermal fluid by seawater and might also indicate the presence of volcanic fragments in the FMD samples. The highest εNd value (+4.4) has been established for volcaniclastic sandstone saturated with Fe and Mn hydroxides. It points to a mixing of volcanomictic and hydrothermal materials.
Dispersed Gold and Associated Disseminated Mineralization of Leucogranites of the Dukat Ore Field as Indicators of the Generation Conditions of Magmatogene Gold-Bearing Fluids
Authors: Filimonova L.G. , Trubkin N.V.
Published: September 2021

—We present data on dispersed gold and associated disseminated mineralization of leucogranites controlling the location of the Dukat epithermal Au–Ag deposit. The data suggest the formation and burial of small portions of oversaturated gold-bearing fluids in hypabyssal magmatic bodies. The lower (relative to silver) contents of gold in the deposit ores and the high Ag/Au ratios (350–550) are due to the limited occurrence of oxidized gold-bearing fractions of magmatogene fluids. This limitation is explained by the active interaction of late magmatic portions of fluids and the material of the host carbonaceous volcanosedimentary unit and by the formation of an environment favorable for the concentration, migration, and deposition of manganese, silver, and nonferrous-metal compounds.
Mesozoic Intracontinental Orogeny in the Tectonic History of the Kolyvan’– Tomsk Folded Zone (Southern Siberia): a Synthesis of Geological Data and results of Apatite Fission Track Analysis
Authors: Zhimulev F.I. , Vetrov E.V. , Novikov I.S. , Van Ranst G. , Nachtergaele S. , Dokashenko S.A. , De Grave J.
Published: September 2021

—The Kolyvan’–Tomsk folded zone (KTFZ) is a late Permian collisional orogen in the northwestern section of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt. The Mesozoic history of the KTFZ area includes Late Triassic–Early Jurassic and Late Jurassic–Early Cretaceous orogenic events. The earlier event produced narrow deep half-ramp basins filled with Early–Middle Jurassic molasse south of the KTFZ, and the later activity rejuvenated the Tomsk thrust fault, whereby the KTFZ Paleozoic rocks were thrust over the Early–Middle Jurassic basin sediments. The Mesozoic orogenic events induced erosion and the ensuing exposure of granitoids (Barlak complex) that were emplaced in a within-plate context after the Permian collisional orogeny. Both events were most likely associated with ocean closure, i.e., the Paleothetys Ocean in the Late Triassic–Early Jurassic and the Mongol–Okhotsk Ocean in the Late Jurassic–Early Cretaceous. The apatite fission track (AFT) ages of granitoids from the Ob’ complex in the KTFZ range between ~120 and 100 Ma (the Aptian and the Albian). The rocks with Early Cretaceous AFT ages were exhumed as a result of denudation and peneplanation of the Early Cretaceous orogeny, which produced a vast Late Cretaceous–Paleogene planation surface. The tectonic pattern of the two orogenic events, although being different in details, generally inherited the late Paleozoic primary collisional structure of the Kolyvan’–Tomsk zone.
Statistical Guarantee of Timeliness in Networks of IoT Devices
Authors: Franco Antonio , Landfeldt Bjorn , Körner Ulf , Nyberg Christian
Published: September 2021

The Internet of Things (IoT) paradigm, has opened up the possibility of using the ubiquity of small devices to route information without the necessity of being connected to a Wide Area Network (WAN). Use cases of IoT devices sending updates that are routed and delivered by other IoT devices have been proposed in the literature. In this paper we focus on receivers only interested in the freshest updates from the sending device. In particular, the dynamic network created by routing/gossiping through small devices creates the possibility of delivering updates out of order. Thus, the entire process can be studied well through a queueing system with infinitely many servers, all serving updates with a random service time. Age of Information (AoI) was proposed as the main metric to measure information freshness. We study the amount of time that the AoI is over a certain threshold at the receiver end as a Quality of Service (QoS) measure, called update outage probability. Particularly, given the recent interest in the literature for time domain analysis of the AoI, we obtain the exact expressions for the AoI, peak AoI (pAoI), effective service time and effective departure time distributions for an M/M/$\infty$ queuing system from a time domain perspective, and study the interdependence between the various parameters involved in order to satisfy a given statistical constraint on timeliness.
The Effect of Tribulus Terrestris Supplementation on Inflammation, Oxidative Stress and Performance of Recreational Runners: Study Protocol for a Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Nejati Marzieh , Dehghan Parvin , Khani Mostapha
Published: September 2021

Background: High intensity and endurance exercises lead to exercise-induced oxidative stress (EIOS), exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD), and inflammation, which are the influencing factors on muscle soreness, localized swelling, and sport performance. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to determine the effectiveness of Tribulus terrestris (TT) as an herbal supplement with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties on the nutritional, oxidative stress, and anti/inflammatory status, as well as the sport performance of recreational runners.Methods/design: This study is a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial, which will be conducted among recreational runners of Tabriz stadiums, Iran. Thirty-four recreational runners will be selected, and participants will be assigned randomly to two groups: to receive 500 mg TT supplement or placebo capsules twice daily for two weeks. Both groups will do the high-intensity interval training (HIIT) workouts during the study. Baseline and post-intervention body composition, muscle fatigue, and soreness parameters will be assessed. In addition, assessment of malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), superoxide dismutase (SOD), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-10 (IL-10), creatine kinase (CK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) will be done during three blood samplings.Discussion: This study will be the first to assess the potential effects of TT in recreational runners. Our results will contribute to the growing body of knowledge regarding TT supplementation on the nutritional, oxidative stress, anti/inflammatory status and sport performance in recreational runners.Trial registration: Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (www.irct.ir) (ID: IRCT20150205020965N8). Registration date: 13 February 2021.
Identifcation of The Ferroptosis-Related Gene Signature In Placenta of Patients With Early-Onset Preeclampsia
Authors: Yang Nana , Wang Qianghua , Ding Biao , Gong Yinging , Wu Yue , Sun Junpei , Wang Xuegu , Liu Lei , Zhang Feng , Du Danli , Li Xiang
Published: September 2021

Background: The accumulation of ROS resulting from upregulated levels of oxidative stress is commonly implicated in preeclampsia (PE). Ferroptosis is a novel form of iron-dependent cell death instigated by lipid peroxidation likely plays important role in PE pathogenesis. This study aims to investigate expression profiles and functions of the ferroptosis-related genes (FRGs) in early- and late-onset preeclampsia.Methods: The gene expression data and clinical information were downloaded from GEO database. The “limma” R package was used for screening differentially expressed genes. GO(Gene Ontology), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG) and protein protein interaction (PPI) network analyses were conducted to investigate the bioinformatics functions and molecular interactions of significantly different FRGs. Quantitative real-time reverse transcriptase PCR was used to verify the expression of hub FRGs in PE.Results: A total number of 4,215 DEGs were identified between EOPE and preterm cases and 3,356 DEGs were found between EOPE and LOPE subtypes. 20 significantly different FRGs were identified in EOPE, while only 3 in LOPE. Functional enrichment analysis revealed that the differentially expressed FRGs was mainly involved in EOPE and enriched in hypoxia- and iron-related pathways, such as response to hypoxia, iron homeostasis and iron ion binding process. The PPI network analysis and verification by RT-qPCR resulted in the identification of the following six interesting FRGs: FTH1, HIF1A, FTL, IREB2, MAPK8 and PLIN2. Conclusions: EOPE and LOPE owned distinct underlying molecular mechanisms and ferroptosis may be mainly implicated in pathogenesis of EOPE. Further studies are necessary for deeper inquiry into placental ferroptosis and its role in the pathogenesis of EOPE.
Buddhist Monasteries Facilitated Landscape Conservation on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Cui Naixin , Wu Tong , Wang Yi-Chen , Zou Huiting , Axmacher Jan Christoph , Sang Weiguo , Guo Luo
Published: September 2021

Context The Sanjiangyuan region of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau (also known as the “Three Rivers’ Headwaters”) is the origin of Yellow, Yangtze, and Mekong Rivers and therefore the key water source for hundreds of millions of downstream residents. Protecting this region’s ecosystems is a key priority for sustainable development in China and Asia. An important social dimension of Sanjiangyuan is the long-established and widespread presence of Tibetan Buddhism, particularly as manifested in the large number of monasteries throughout the region. However, the influence of cultural, and specifically religious, factors on environmental change remains largely understudied here. Objective We focus on two types of spatial associations - point-point and point-area features - to quantitatively investigate the effects of Buddhist monasteries on LUCC in surrounding landscapes. Methods We conduct a spatially-explicit analysis of Sanjiangyuan for two periods, 1990-2000 and 2010-2015, to identify and quantify the influence of the presence and spatial distributions of Buddhist monasteries on LUCC (or lack therefore, implying landscape conservation) in comparison to village communities that lack monasteries. Results We found a “clustering effect” in which the spatial aggregation of monasteries being highly correlated with the preservation of natural ecosystems, specifically of grasslands and forests. Within monastery buffer zones with radii between 1 and 10 km, 7.13-9.30% more grassland area and 7.14-7.47% more forest area remained around monasteries compared to villages. This contrast decreased with increasing distance to the monastery/village. Overall built-up areas were also much smaller around monasteries than around villages, while unused land was more commonly transformed to forests and grasslands around monasteries.Conclusions These findings strongly support the idea that Buddhist culture, as manifested through its physical institutions and communities, are instrumental in achieving desired landscape conservation outcomes.
Efficacy and Safety of mFOLFOX6 as Perioperative Chemotherapy for Resectable Liver Metastases from Colorectal Cancer: as Case–Control Study
Authors: Wada Takahiro , Katsumata Kenji , Kasahara Kenta , Mazaki Junichi , Shigoka Masatoshi , Kawakita Hideaki , Enomoto Masanobu , Ishizaki Tetsuo , Nagakawa Yuichi , Tsuchida Akihiko
Published: September 2021

Background: Although resection is effective for managing resectable liver metastases from colorectal cancer, the clinical significance of chemotherapy for such metastases has remained undetermined. Therefore, we conducted a phase II trial of perioperative chemotherapy with mFOLFOX6 to examine its efficacy.Methods: A total of 41 patients were examined. The liver resection rate was the primary endpoint, whereas the response rate, adverse events, completion rate, liver injury rate, R0 resection rate, and histological results were the secondary endpoints.Results: Overall, 34 (82.9%) patients underwent liver resection, and 77.4% and 100% had synchronous and metachronous liver metastases, respectively. The seven remaining patients did not undergo resection because of a progressive disease. Moreover, 2, 15, 17, and 7 patients had a complete response, partial response, stable disease, and progressive disease, respectively, which indicated that the response rate was 41.5%. Regarding adverse events, three patients exhibited Grade 3 myelosuppression and one patient had gastrointestinal symptoms. On the basis of histopathological examination, 27, 5, and 2 patients belonged to grades 1a:1b, 2, and 3, respectively. Regarding liver injury, 29.4% had liver sinusoidal injury, whereas 11.7% had steatohepatitis. Meanwhile, all patients underwent postoperative chemotherapy.Conclusions: mFOLFOX6 is safe and yields favorable therapeutic effects. The indication for liver resection after a certain waiting period is clinically significant.Trial registration；UMIN,UMIN000009725,Registered 01/08/2013 ,URL; https://upload.umin.ac.jp/cgi-open-bin/ctr_e/ctr_view.cgi?recptno=R000011399
The Association between Blood Concentrations of PCDD/DFs, DL-PCBs and Risk of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Thyroid Cancer
Authors: Lee Su Hyun , Kim Joyce Mary , Lim Young Wook , Kang Youn Seok , Jung Keum Ji , Jee Sun Ha
Published: September 2021

Background and Objectives: Dioxin, classified as a human carcinogen by International Cancer Research Institute, shows inconsistent results on type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and cancer in epidemiological studies. International Cancer Research Institute classifies dioxin as a human carcinogen, but epidemiological studies of its effects on type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and cancer show inconsistent results. Therefore, we conducted a Korean population study to ascertain if the blood concentration of dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (DL-PCBs) and polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/DFs) is associated with T2DM and thyroid cancer.Methods: Within a nested case-control study, we identified 15 people diagnosed with thyroid cancer, 30 people diagnosed with T2DM, and 55 for control. Due to the 4ml human blood requirement for PCDD/DF and DL-PCB concentrations tests, a total of 500 samples were used in 100 pooling samples. The continuous variable of a pooled sample was calculated as an average value taking into account the blood weight of each sample. The odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) for determining the association between total dioxins and risk of T2DM and thyroid cancer were estimated using the multivariable logistic regression.Results: The study population included 100 participants from the KCPS-II (median [IQR] baseline age, 54.06 [21.04] years; 48 women). The toxic equivalents of PCDD/DFs showed a significant positive association with T2DM and thyroid cancer, after adjustments for potential confounders (T2DM ORs = 1.23; 95% CI = 1.05-1.43; Thyroid cancer ORs = 1.34; 95% CI = 1.12-1.61). These results showed a stronger association in women than in men.Conclusion: In this study, both T2DM and thyroid cancer appear to be associated with the levels of PCDD/DFs serum. The association between T2DM and levels of PCDD/DFs serum is found in women and not in men. Our findings suggest that further biochemical in vivo research and epidemiologic studies are needed to clarify the nature of the association between dioxins concentrations and diseases.
Ambipolar Current Suppression, Analog/RF and Linearity Performance Improvement of Dual Material Stacked Gate Oxide TFET with Dielectric Pocket
Authors: nishad dharmender , Nigam kaushal
Published: September 2021

In this article, the impact of high-K and low-K dielectric pockets on DC, analog/RF, and linearity performance parameters of dual material stacked gate oxide-dielectric pocket-tunnel field-effect transistor (DMSGO-DP-TFET) is investigated. In this regard, a stacked gate oxide (SiO2 + HfO2) with workfunction engineering is taken into consideration to improve the ON-state current (ION ), and suppress the ambipolar current (Iamb). To further improve the performance of the device, a high-K dielectric pocket (HfO2) is used at the drain-channel interface to suppress the Iamb, and at the source-channel interface a low-K dielectric pocket is used to improve the ION and analog/RF performance. Moreover, length of stacked gate segments (L1, L2, L3), pocket height, and thickness are optimized to attain better ION /IOFF ratio, and suppress the Iamb which helps to achieve higher gain and design of analog/RF circuits. The DMSGO-DP-TFET outperforms the dual material control gate-dielectric pocket-TFET (DMCG-DP-TFET) with SiO2 gate oxide and shows increment in ION /IOFF (∼ 4.23 times), 84 % increment in transconductance (gm), 136 % increment in cut-off frequency (fT ), 126 % increment in gain-bandwidth-product (GBP), and better linearity performance parametrs such as gm2 ,gm3, VIP2, VIP3 and IIP3 making the proposed device useful for low power and radio frequency applications.
Amplified Risk of Compound Heat Stress-Dry Spells in Urban India
Authors: Ganguli Poulomi
Published: September 2021

Compound warm-dry spells over land, which is expected to occur more frequently and expected to cover a much larger spatial extent in a warming climate, result from the simultaneous or successive occurrence of extreme heatwaves, low precipitation, and synoptic conditions, e.g., low surface wind speeds. While changing patterns of weather and climate extremes cannot be ameliorated, effective mitigation requires an understanding of the multivariate nature of interacting drivers that influence the occurrence frequency and predictability of these extremes. However, risk assessments are often focused on univariate statistics, incorporating either extreme temperature or low precipitation; or at the most bivariate statistics considering concurrence of temperature versus precipitation, without accounting for synoptic conditions influencing their joint dependency. Based on station-based daily meteorological records from 23 urban and peri-urban locations of India, covering the 1970-2018 period, this study identifies four distinct regions that show temporal clustering of the timing of heatwaves. Further, combining joint probability distributions of interacting drivers, this analysis explored compound warm-dry potentials that result from the co-occurrence of warmer temperature, scarcer precipitation, and synoptic wind patterns. The results reveal a 50-year severe heat stress tends to be more frequent and is expected to become 5 to 17-year events at each location. Notably, considering dependence among drivers, a median 6-fold amplification (ranging from 3 to 10-fold) in compound warm-dry spell frequency is apparent relative to the expected annual number of a local 50-year severe heatwave episode, indicating warming-induced desiccation is already underway over most of the urbanized areas of the country.
Air Pollution and Hospital Admission for Epilepsy in Kerman, Iran
Authors: Farahmandfard Mohammad Amin , Ebrahimi Hossein Ali , Mirzaee Moghaddameh , Khanjani Prof Narges
Published: September 2021

Background: There is little information about air pollution and epilepsy attacks. The aim of this study was to investigate the relation between air pollution and epilepsy admission in Kerman, Iran.Methods: This was an ecological study, in which the concentrations of ambient air pollutants and meteorological data were inquired from the Kerman Environmental Protection Agency and the Kerman Meteorology Organization respectively, and epilepsy admission data were obtained from Kerman’s Shafa hospital Epilepsy Registry. Generalized Additive Models (GAM) with lags up to 7 days were used for estimating the Relative Risks (RR).Results: During 2008 until 2020, 894 epilepsy admission occurred in Kerman which 498 (55.7%) were male. The strongest relation between epilepsy admission was seen in the over 59 years group for CO in lag 0 (RR = 2.1455, 95% CI: 1.5823–2.9091), for NO2 in lag 0 (RR =1.0409, 95% CI: 1.0282–1.0537), and for PM2.5 in lag 5 (RR =1.0157, 95% CI: 1.0062–1.0252). Also for PM10 in the under 18 year's group in lag 2 (RR =1.0064, 95% CI: 1.0029–1.0098), for O3 in lag 0 (RR =0.9671, 95% CI: 0.9581–0.9761) and for SO2 in lag 5 (RR = 0.9937, 95% CI: 0.9891–0.9983).Conclusion: The findings of this study showed that CO, NO2, PM2.5, and PM10 air pollutants might be risk factors for epilepsy admission in Kerman.
CS in Uruguay From 2008 to 2018: Country Analysis Based on the Robson Classification
Authors: Colomar Mercedes , Colistro Valentina , Sosa Claudio , Betrán Ana Pilar , Serruya Suzanne , de Mucio Bremen
Published: September 2021

Background: The use of caesarean section has steadily increased all over the globe, with Latin America being the region with the highest rates. Multiple factors account for that increase. The Robson classification is appropriate to systematically evaluate and compare determinants at the clinical level for caesarean section rates over time, as well as to account for local and international needs. The purpose of this study is to describe the evolution of caesarean section rates by Robson groups in Uruguay from 2008 to 2018 using a country level database.Methods: Caesarean section rates were calculated by Robson groups for each of the years included, disaggregated by care sector (public/private) and by geographical area (Capital City/Non-Capital).Results: Among the groups at lower risk of caesarean section (1 to 4), the highest rates of caesarean section were seen in women in group 2B, followed by those in group 4B. Women in groups 2B, 3 and 4 (A and B) (Figure 2) had a significant increase in the number of caesarean section in those 11 years. A significant growth was also observed in groups 5, 8, and 10. A tendency towards a relative increased was seen in groups 2A, 3, 4A-B, and 5 (Figure S5 – Supplementary Material). The private sector had higher rates of caesarean section for all groups throughout the period, except for women in group 9. The private sector in Montevideo presented the highest rates in the groups with the lowest risk of caesarean section 1, 2A, 3 and 4A, followed by the private sector outside of the capital. The analysis of the relative contribution to the overall caesarean section rate, showed that group 5 was the one with the highest contribution, and it kept growing steadily over the years, while there was a decrease in the relative contribution of group 1 to the overall caesarean section rate.Conclusion: Uruguay is no exception to the increasing caesarean section trend, even in groups of women who have lower risk of requiring caesarean section. The implementation of interventions aimed at reducing caesarean section in the groups with lower obstetric risk in Uruguay is warranted.
How does Outward Foreign Direct Investment Affect Enterprise Green Technology Innovation? — Based on the Moderating effect of Resources
Authors: Wu Haoqiang , HU Sumin
Published: September 2021

with the increasing strict environmental regulations in the green transition process, outward foreign direct investment is considered to be an effective approach to promote enterprises’ green technology innovation. Thus, this paper establishes a comprehensive research framework that integrates OFDI and green technology innovation from the micro level of the enterprise to analyze it. The findings show that: First, OFDI will positively affect corporate green-tech innovation as expected; Government subsidies have a U-shaped regulation on the relation between OFDI and green-tech innovation; Absorbed slack plays an inverted U-shaped moderating effect on the relation between OFDI and green-tech innovation, and the unabsorbed slack positively affect this process. As for the heterogeneity of property rights, the test results of non-state-owned enterprises and state-owned enterprises are basically consistent with the baseline results, except for the following two points: the unabsorbed slack of state-owned enterprises has no regulatory effect between OFDI and enterprise green technology innovation, and the absorbed slack of non-state-owned enterprises has no regulatory effect between OFDI and enterprise green technology innovation.
Using a Deflector and Crest Design to Make a Safe Spillway Operation
Authors: Esmaelizadeh Sorosh , Lashkar-Ara Babak
Published: September 2021

Floods are an important hazard throughout the world. The origins of some floods are a dam failure, hydraulic structure failure as well as an improper performance of the spillway. Among these, shaft spillways are known as a flood drainage system in dams, which is submerged by increasing the level of the reservoir, so that reduces the spillway efficiency and causes over topping. Investigations show that using deflector and aeration in shaft spillways will cause the flow pattern to improve. In this study, it has been tried to experiment on the impact of a deflector located in the throat and inlet geometry of the crest on the improvement of the hydraulic performance of the shaft spillway, and decrease to some extent the hazard induced by lack of timely drainage of floods in dam reservoirs. In order to investigate the deflector effect, three constriction specimens in shaft throat with constriction area to shaft area ratio (Ad/Ai) of respectively 0.75, 0.5 and 0.25 were considered as scenarios. In each scenario, the conditions of the flow passing through 12 different specimens of spillway with Crown Wheel inlets were tested and the results were compared with the flow conditions in crown wheel spillways without deflector (reference model). The results showed that the use of deflector has an important role in reducing vortex flows and stabilizing changes in the water level of the reservoir, and also increases the discharge coefficient of the flow. The studies on reference models also showed that Crown Wheel inlets (C.W.) improved shaft spillway performance, with C.W. spillways having an average discharge coefficient of 32% higher than shaft spillways. Finally, considering optimal deflector factors and C.W. geometry, an optimal model was proposed for flood reservoir conditions.
Screening Recommendation Adherence Among First-Degree Relatives of People With Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Fiala Mark A
Published: September 2021

Purpose: To determine what factors are associated with colorectal cancer (CRC) screening adherence among first-degree relatives (FDRs) of people with CRC.Methods: The study used data from the 2015 National Health Interview Survey, a nationally representative survey in the US. Self-reported CRC screening rates were compared between FDRs and their peers without a family history of CRC. Participants were considered to be adherent if they had undergone any of the following: fecal immonchemical test within the prior 1 year, sigmoidscopy or computed tomography colongraphy within 5 years, or colonoscopy within 10 years. Multivariable models of CRC screening adherence were created for both cohorts and the results compared. Results: The analysis included 11,381 people age 50-75 at time of survey. Overall, 62% of participants were adherent to screening recommendations. FDR of people with CRC were more likely to be adherent (76% compared to 61%, p < 0.001). In the multivariable models, a FDR with CRC was associated with an 86% increase in odds of being adherent to recommendations (aOR 1.86; 95% CI 1.59-2.59). Race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic variables were all associated with adherence. Models were largely similar between FDRs of people with CRC and the general public. Conclusions: Approximately one-quarter of FDRs of people with CRC are not adherent to screening recommendations. Further outreach is needed for members of minority races and the Hispanic community and additional efforts are needed to increase the accessibility of CRC screening for those with more limited finances and the uninsured.
‘Attitude and knowledge among Medical Students Towards Collaboration of Dental and Medical Practice: A Cross Sectional Survey in Southern India’
Authors: Kumar Harshit Atul , Kadakampally David , Uppoor Ashita , Unnikrishnan B , Mitra Prasanna
Published: September 2021

Background: Enhancing oral health care services provided through inter-professional collaboration between medical and dental practitioner is important, and even essential. Purpose of this study is to assess the attitude and knowledge among medical students towards Medical-Dental collaborative practice.Methods: A cross sectional questionnaire survey was done on medical students of 3rd year, 4thyear and interns of medical colleges in coastal South India. 234 responses obtained and correlated with age, gender and year of study of participants. The questionnaire consisted of 11 questions with 5-point likert scale response to elicit their attitude and knowledge regarding medical-dental collaborative practice. Results: Most of the students agreed that oral health was an integral part of systemic health, but statistically significant (p<0.05) participants disagreed on attending compulsory rotation in dentistry, moreover participants did not agree to physician’s active role in motivating their patients for regular dental check-up. 82 % of the medical students are of opinion that dental check-up should be included in the health packages under health insurance. Statistically significant (p<0.05) difference seen among 3rd year & 4thyear students, interns and also it was seen that females have given better response towards medical-dental collaboration. Conclusion: Even though medical students showed fairly positive attitude and knowledge towards dentistry, the analysis within the study groups showed that knowledge and attitude regarding the collaborative practice worsened over the academic years among the medical students. To break the stereotypes, continuing education is very useful means to foster collaboration to improving resource efficiency and the standard of care.
Implementation Barriers and Enablers for Preventing Domestic Violence against Women in Northwestern Ethiopia: A Qualitative Implementation Research
Authors: Semahegn Agumasie , Torpey Kwasi , Manu Adom , Assefa Nega , Agyeman Naana , Ankomah Augustine
Published: September 2021

Background: Ethiopia is signatory to various international and regional conventions, agreements and protocols related to violence against women, yet the many women suffer violence. To date, very little is known about how these conventions and protocols are implemented, and the barriers associated with implementation. Our study explored the barriers to implementation of domestic violence against women prevention policies and enablers in the Northwestern Ethiopia.Methods: We conducted in-depth interviews, key informant interviews and focus group discussions among a total of 43 participants purposefully selected from different sectors and communities. Data were transcribed, coded and thematically analyzed using NVivo 11 software.Results: Community-traditional gender-norms, budget constraints, poor planning and non-adherence to planned activities, lack of commitment, poor integration and inter-sectoral collaboration served as barriers to implementation of policies aimed at preventing domestic violence in Ethiopia. However, enablers of domestic implementation of violence prevention programs include community health extension program, women development ‘army’, policy frameworks, government’s political willingness, presence of school-based gender clubs.Conclusions: The implementation of existing evidence and policies was still poor at the community level due to lack of inter-sectoral collaboration, poor integration and stakeholders with competing priorities among others. Future intervention programs that would sustain and synergized domestic violence prevention, should integrate intersectoral collaboration and service within existing program.
Determinants of Anaemia Among Women of Reproductive Age In South Africa: A Healthy Life Trajectories Initiative (HeLTI)
Authors: Silubonde Takana M , Smuts Cornelius M , Ware Lisa J , Chidumwa Glory , Malan Linda , Lye Stephen , Norris Shane A
Published: September 2021

Background – Anaemia continues to be a major public health problem among women of reproductive age (WRA). A thorough understanding of anaemia risk factors is necessary to design better interventions. This paper examines the determinants of anaemia among WRA in South Africa.Methods- We included baseline data from 480 women participating in the pilot-phase of a randomized controlled trial (HeLTI). We measured haemoglobin (Hb) status using the Hemocue. Plasma iron status markers (ferritin and soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR)), markers of inflammation (C-reactive protein (CRP)) and alpha-1-acid glycoprotein (AGP)) and retinol binding protein (RBP) were assessed using the multiplex method. We used multivariate logistic regression to describe associations with anaemia and structural equation modelling (SEM) to characterise direct and indirect pathways influencing haemoglobin concentrations.Results- The prevalence of anaemia, iron deficiency (ID), and iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) was 39.4%, 38.1% and 21.6% respectively. The multiple logistic regression showed that ID (OR: 2.62, 95% CI: 1.72, 3.98), iron deficiency erythropoiesis (IDE) (OR: 1.62, 95% CI: 1.07, 2.46), and elevated CRP (OR: 1.69, 95% CI: 1.04, 2.76), increased the odds of being anaemic. SEM analysis revealed Hb was directly and positively associated with adjusted ferritin (0.0031 per mg/dl; p≤0.001), and CRP (0.015 per mg/dl; p≤0.05), and directly and negatively associated with soluble transferrin receptor sTfR (-0.042 per mg/dl; p≤0.001). While contraception use had both a direct (0.34; p≤0.05) and indirect (0.11; p≤0.01) positive association with Hb. Additionally, chicken and beef consumption had a positive indirect association with Hb concentrations (0.15; p≤0.05) through adjusted ferritin.Conclusion-A key driver of anaemia in our setting is ID, however the presence of inflammation also increases the risk of anaemia. To address anaemia, interventions should aim to improve the diet quality of women, in particular access to iron rich foods. We recommend the use of multi-micronutrient supplements with a lower dose of iron and other micronutrients which would ensure that women receive the same benefits as with iron folic acid, while alleviating anaemia of inflammation.