bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Modeling Nonlinear Granger Causality and Co-Integration Between Gold Price Returns and Crude Oil Price Returns
Authors:   Institute of Business Management, Karachi, Ahmad Nawaz
Published: March 2021

To model the nonlinear analysis of commodities, Gold market and crude oil market have importance to test their lead and lag price mechanism between the two. For this purpose, the log transformation has been done to calculate easier multiplicative effects. However, to record the dynamic effects of long run cointegreation model applied and tested to find the significance of the problem statement issues. Furthermore, granger causality approach also uses to examine the fundamental linkages between Gold Prices and Crude Oil prices. Meanwhile, the study of Gold markets and oil markets gained popularity among development economists during in last some decades. And try to find out stochastic relationship between the two nonlinear markets. The academic practitioners paved their efforts to run casual time series models in order to find out the robust results which help the economists and financial experts to drive the industry indicator in positive way. This study confirmed that there is cointegration between the two important indicators of large market commodities i.e Gold and crude oil and also casual interactions. Pairwise Granger Causality Tests concluded that Gold Prices return has Granger Cause on Oil Prices return in the long run and if the βeta change in the prices of gold may affect on the prices of crude oil in the long run.
Influence of Quality Management Practices On Employees' Perception of Organizational Effectiveness at Ks&Ew
Authors:   Bahria University, Karachi, Ahmad Burhan
Published: March 2021

The research was conducted with the purpose to identify the influence of various Quality Management Practices (QMPs) on organizational effectiveness at Karachi Shipyard and Engineering Works (KS&EW). The QMPs selected for the research included Customer focus approach', Education and Training, Continuous Improvement, Teamwork, and Top Management Commitment. Adopting deductive approach, hypotheses were first formulated after extracting independent variables from the relevant literature. A research instrument in the form of a well-structured questionnaire was developed for collection of quantitative primary data from a sample of 80 respondents. The collected data were then treated by applying correlation and regression analysis tools. The impact of independent variables on dependent variable was established. Findings of the study indicate that there is a positive impact of various practices (independent variables) on organizational effectiveness, although with varying degree. Overall, employees have a positive perception about existing TQM practices and believe that these are quite effective to achieve desired objectives. This study is considered quite beneficial for the management of KS&EW for ascertaining influence of quality management practices on organizational effectiveness. Managers of the organizations of other industries and academia may also find the study useful and can benefit from its findings. In the end some useful measures have been recommended to enable KS&EW for further improving organizational effectiveness.
Smart Culture of Spirulina Using Supernatant of Digested Rotten Tomato (Solanum Lycopersicum) to Produce Protein, Bio-Fuel and Bio-Electricity
Authors:   Department of Aquaculture, Faculty of Fisheries, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, Bangladesh., B. Habib M. Ahsan
Published: March 2021

An experiment was conducted for the production of protein, bio-fuel and bio-electricity from the culture system of Spirulina platensis (Gomont) in supernatant of three different amount of digested rotten tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), and Kosaric Medium (KM) as control. Three different concentrations such as 25, 50 and 75% rotten tomato were allowed to digest under aeration. After 17 days, the colorless supernatant was screened and taken in 1.0 L conical flask with three replications. Then, Spirulina platensis was inoculated to grow in these three media (treatments) with the addition of 9.0 g/L NaHCO3 and micronutrients, and also in KM as control for a period of 14 days. The cell weight, optical density, chlorophyll a and total biomass of spirulina was attained to the maximum values when grew in KM on the 10th day of culture followed by supernatant of 50% digested rotten tomato (DRT) than in 25 and 75% DRT culture. The chemical properties of the culture media such as pH, salinity, dissolved bio-oxygen, electric conductivity and bio-electricity were increased from first day up to 12th day of experiment. Total biomass of spirulina grown in these media had highly significant (P < 0.01) correlation with cell weight (r = 0.825) and chlorophyll a (r = 0.866) of spirulina. The results showed that the growth performances of S. platensis grown in supernatant of 50% DRT was significantly (P < 0.01) higher than that of spirulina grown in supernatant of 25 and 75% DRT. The percentage of crude protein (55.10 ± 0.45 to 59.90 ± 0.33%) of spirulina grown in supernatant of DRT was little bit higher than that of spirulina cultured in KM (58.40 ± 0.38%). But bio-fuel in terms of crude lipids (16.50 ± 0.31%) of spirulina cultured in supernatant of 50% DRT was almost two and half times higher than that of spirulina grown in KM (crude lipids, 6.30 ± 0.21%). Bio-electricity (300 ±10.20 mV) produced in culture of spirulina in supernatant of 50% DRT was higher than that recorded in KM (240 ±10.20 mV) followed by 75% DRT and other media. Bio-electricity had directly and strongly significant (p < 0.001) correlation with pH (r = 0.812), dissolved bio-oxygen (r = 0.832), salinity (r = 0.788) and electric conductivity (r = 0.856). Therefore, this procedure will produce huge amount of electricity in the world and will make a revolution in this field of bio-electricity production. Whole world will be benefited from the output (results) of this experiment.
Requirements for Design of Cultural - Entertainment Center Building
Authors:   Associate Professor Tashkent Institute of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Uzbekistan, Qodirova S. A.
Published: March 2021

The buildings of the cultural centers are designed to carry out large-scale cultural activities among the population. At the same time, it plays a dominant role as the main building in rural and urban population centers, as it unites and brings together all segments of the population.
Improvement of Farmers 'Competency for Agriculture Progress
Authors:   Faculty of Economics and Business, Udayana University, Indonesia,, Heryanda Komang Krisna
Published: March 2021

The success of the agricultural sector is determined by a strong agricultural system, the use of appropriate agricultural tools, and the competence of farmers in running agricultural systems and equipment effectively. The analysis found that 65.2 percent of farmers in Indonesia have primary school education, and 64.2 percent are over 45 years old. Low education, and the age of farmers who are dominated by parents are obstacles in advancing the agricultural sector in Indonesia. The contribution of the agricultural sector in national development is high, but the welfare of farmers is still low due to the lack of mastery of agricultural techniques, lack of ability to face climate change, and low mastery of marketing networks. Various efforts have been made to improve the competence of farmers, both government and private. Although various obstacles have yet to be resolved in improving farmer competence, the spirit of developing agriculture is still a priority.
IMPACT OF COVID-19 PANDEMIC ON PERFORMANCE OF SMES IN KADUNA METROPOLIS-NIGERIA
Authors:   Directorate of Academic Planning, Nigerian Institute of Leather and Science Technology, Zaria, Ezekiel Olatunji , Bamidele Martha ,   Directorate of Science Lab. Technology, Nigerian Institute of Leather and Science Technology, Zaria, Aliyu Sirajo ,   Directorate of Academic Planning, Nigerian Institute of Leather and Science Technology, Zaria
Published: March 2021

The study examined the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on selected small and medium enterprises in Kaduna metropolis-Nigeria. Three essentials- food and consumables, pharmaceuticals, oil, and gas in the Kaduna metropolis were purposively sampled. Data were collected with the administration of a structured set of questionnaires on 110 SMEs which were selected purposively. Results indicated that the enterprises experienced a moderate reduction in production and sales during the lockdown. It was also reported that the enterprises experienced a spike in the reduction of contracts and deliveries. In the light of the foregoing, it was recommended that policymakers and all stakeholders in SMEs in Nigeria should set aside emergency funds targeting SMEs in the country. Deferment of taxes or waiver of taxes, lower interest rates could also be embarked on by the appropriate policymakers to make SMEs remain afloat during and after the Covid-19 pandemic.
FLIPPING THE CLASSROOM USING SIMPLE TECHNOLOGIES BY LECTURERS IN NIGERIAN UNIVERSITIES
Authors:   Department of Curriculum Studies and Educational Technology, Faculty of Education and Extension Services, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria, Bawa Nura , Baba Nasir ,   Department of Curriculum Studies and Educational Technology, Faculty of Education and Extension Services, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria
Published: March 2021

This is a survey that investigated flipping the classroom using simple technologies by lecturers in Nigerian Universities. Simple technological tools are day-to-day appliances, services and applications such as smartphones and or laptops, email account, WhatsApp and Facebook accounts, and other social media that have incredible learning potentials when used wisely. Whereas the target population of the study was all lecturers in Nigeria universities, this population was delimited by people’s accessibility and willingness to respond to an online instrument (Flipped Instruction in Nigerian Universities, FINU) widely distributed through the known social media platforms of universities across the country. Using this non-random sampling technique, the researchers were able to reach out to 213 lecturers from 9 Universities who responded to the FINU instrument. The instrument was validated taking into cognizance content and construct components, and a Cronbach Alpha analysis of the data reported a reliability index of 0.91. Data obtained from the wide scale administration of the instrument were analyzed using descriptive statistics (percentages) for the research questions and inferential statistics (PPMC) for the null hypothesis tested. The main findings of the study were: Flipped instruction has power to motivate academics to make use of technologies for research and scholarship; it promotes students’ ability to widen creative solutions to everyday problems and engage with the artistic tools at their fingertips; simple technologies help academics to teach with ease and students to learn without stress; and there was a positive relationship between flipped instruction and 21st century learning. Following these findings, the study recommended that academics should endeavor to adopt flipped instruction in order to make learning process more fun and interactive.
EFFECTIVE PUBLIC POLICIES AND THE RE-INTEGRATION OF EX-CONVICTS: THE NIGERIAN CORRECTIONAL SYSTEM
Authors:   Department of Public Administration, Faculty of Management Science, Veritas University, Abuja, Dominic Shimawua
Published: March 2021

In a recent development, the Nigeria Prison Service was renamed, “the Nigeria Correction Service”, a move that is designed to reorient the department along the lines of emergent demands of justice dispensation on the global scene. This study examined the extent to which the new Nigeria Correction Service can adjust to the laudable objective of repositioning itself for purposes of reformation and re-integration of the nation’s ex-convicts for a better Nigerian society. Data was obtained from secondary materials including books, periodicals, journals, newspapers, the internet, etc. Content analysis was adopted as the mode of analysis while the theory of social integration (Blau, 1960) was employed as the theoretical framework of the study. Findings revealed that the re-orientation of the “service” for purposes of reformation and reintegration of ex-convicts had long been taking place as many of such citizens had either acquired a good measure of education while in prison, learned various vocations, and even attained higher spiritual growths. The study suggested adequate funding to enhance the effort of the service in achieving its objectives.
IMPACT OF CYBERCRIME ON SELECTED DEPOSIT MONEY BANKS (DMBs) IN THE FEDERAL CAPITAL TERTIARY (FCT)
Authors:   Institute of Governance and Development Studies,  Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Adegboyega Fadairo-Cokers , Unaru Ibrahim ,   Institute of Governance and Development Studies,  Nasarawa State University, Keffi
Published: March 2021

Banking activities have become more complex with the introduction of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), which has changed the mode of bank crimes and fraudulent practices, therefore, this study is to examine the impact of cybercrimes on selected Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) in the Federal Capital Banks (FCT). The study used structured questionnaires and the population of the study is the staff and management of the selected Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) in the Federal Capital Banks (FCT). The sample size of the study was determined using population mean or average values with assumed Z corresponding value of 1 percent level of significance to be 2.58 and 0.56 as population standard deviation for a true value of the population mean. The study used the mean of descriptive analysis and Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) for the estimation of the mean values of the banking activities indicators which are Automated Teller Machine (ATM) usage by bank customers and online banking transactions by bank customers. The study revealed that cybercrimes have a negative impact on online banking transactions and Automated Teller Machine (ATM) usage by bank customers in Federal Capital Tertiary (FCT). The study also found that there is a high level of banking cybercrime activities in the (FCT), banks online protocols against banking cybercrime activities in (FCT) is adequate, fight against banking cybercrimes in the FCT by the related agencies is below expectation, poor financial literacy and low knowledge of internet operation are the major causes of banking cybercrimes and the awareness creation on banking cybercrimes by all the related agencies are adequate. Therefore, the study recommended that there should be more awareness creation on banking cybercrimes by all the related agencies to reduce the rate of online banking transactions and Automated Teller Machine (ATM) cybercrimes in the Federal Capital Tertiary (FCT).
EFFECT OF DEPRESSION ON PRODUCTIVITY AMONG THE YOUTH
Authors:   Department of Educational Foundation Faculty of Education Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Okpe Blessing
Published: March 2021

Youth can only achieve meaningful social and psychological maturity if he or she is able to master the successful roles expected of him/her at different stages of life. Maturity and responsibility lead to productivity that will be of benefit to the youth and society. Depression is one of the major mood disorders; it is associated with a pervasive feeling of sadness/low mood, lack of interest and engagement in previously pleasurable activities and reduction in energy or feeling of weakness. The youth suffering from depressive reactions, on the other hand, is an unhappy individual with a pessimistic outlook on life, vulnerable to threats and even minor frustrations, which may bring along increased feelings of depression and low productivity. The belief that youths are the leaders of tomorrow is still strongly held in our societies. As future leaders, youth can only actualize the goal of maintaining national stability, integration, and productivity if they can successfully surmount the academic, social and psychological challenges confronting their present stage of life development. This paper discussed the causes of depression, the effects of depression on productivity and a way forward.
PHILOSOPHICAL PERSPECTIVES ON THE MORALITY OF STRIKES AND NON-VIOLENCE AS CHANNELS OF SOCIAL CHANGE
Authors:   Department of Philosophy                                                                                                                            University of Benin, Nigeria, Asekhauno Anthony , Omoro Joseph ,   2Department of Sociology and Anthropology                                                                                         Federal University, Otuoke, Nigeria
Published: March 2021

From its classical roots (the Gita, Socrates, and Christ), the world has experienced many apostles of the doctrine of non-violence—effectively interpreting and using it as a social weapon for transforming society and moderating social policy formulation. For example, the efficacy of non-violence was demonstrated in India by the practical dimension (though this is less validly claimed about Africa) given to the Gita by Gandhi, in the United States by both David Thoreau and the ebullient, resilient Nobel laureate, Luther King Jnr.; they perfected and variously adapted the principles of non-violence (organized matches, strikes, sit-ins, dissenting rallies, demonstrations, etc.) to the redress perceived or real socio-political infamies of their respective era. In some way, nevertheless, modern Africa has witnessed no known more application of non-violence than in Nigeria where strike action has become the single overriding and common industrial weapon for seeking redress such that the practice seem to be losing legitimacy, respect and efficacy. And newer questions have arisen as to the moral basis of strikes. Moreover, what is the relationship or philosophical nexus between the trio of strikes, civil disobedience, and non-violence? Accordingly, by looking into extant literature on the meanings and perspectives on strikes, civil disobedience, and non-violence, this article explains, reviews, and evaluates the meaning and presuppositions of strikes and the general principle of non-violence in order to determine their moral basis, applicability, general suitability with a view to advocating or rejecting same as means of social change.
SOCIOECONOMIC INDICATORS OF SELECTED WEST AFRICAN COUNTRIES AND PROSPECT FOR 2030 DEVELOPMENT AGENDA
Authors:   Department of Economics,  Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria, Lucky Ezeokoye , Chris Kalu ,   Department of Economics,  Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria
Published: March 2021

Poverty, health inequity, high cost of food prices, high electricity tariffs among other socioeconomic challenges are common futures of West African economies. This paper examined socioeconomic indicators of the West African economy between 1995 to 2019 using the profile and trend analytic approaches. The socioeconomic indicators examined are poverty head count ratio, under-5 mortality rate, government education expenditure as a percentage of gross domestic product (GDP), government health expenditure as a percentage of GDP, carbon dioxide(CO2) emission, electricity consumption (Kwh per capita), food production as a proxy for food security and real GDP. The selected West African countries include Mali, Benin, Cote d’ Ivoire, Ghana and Nigeria following availability of data. Findings from the analysis revealed that the 15 West African economies are diverse across these dimensions of development. It further showed that with the exception of Nigeria (although, by far the largest economy in the region), the focused countries have performed averagely in relation to the socioeconomic indicators. Moreover, tepid economic growth (Real GDP) was observed for these countries as a result of lower commodity prices and impact of pandemics (Ebola and COVID-19), while income per capita ranged from $452 to $3,678) within the region. However, much gap is still existing towards achieving the related Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs) and Targets. The policy implication of the findings inter alia is that sound socioeconomic policy framework at the regional level based on pro-development strategies is needed to improve the socioeconomic status of the West African countries for Agenda 2030 in line with the evidence from the paper. This agenda should not be divorced from structural transformation and enhanced regionalism and integration.
From Matched Certificates to Related Persons
Authors: Mourits Rick , Van Dijk Ingrid K. , Mandemakers Kees
Published: March 2021

For the Netherlands, a rich new data source has become available which contains indexed civil certificates for multiple generations of individuals: LINKS. The current version of the dataset contains information on 1.7 million demographic events for the province of Zeeland in the 19th and early 20th centuries and will be extended to other provinces in the Netherlands in the near future. To be able to study demographic behaviour, life courses and family relations need to be reconstructed from the civil certificates. This paper describes the steps that are taken to move from the LINKS database, which contains digitised birth, marriage, and death certificates and relational information between individuals on these certificates, to LINKS-gen, which contains over six hundred thousand life courses, family reconstructions for up to seven generations, and fertility, marital, mortality, and occupational status information, ready for analysis. We present procedures for variable construction and data cleaning. Furthermore, we give a short overview of the LINKS database, discuss quality checks, and give advice on selection of relevant cases necessary to move from LINKS to LINKS-gen. The paper is accompanied by R-scripts to convert and construct the datafiles.
(إبدالات الحوار (الصوغ والتخييل في رواية "قالت ضحى" لبهاء طاهر
Authors:   أستاذ التعليم العالي المساعد، كلية الآداب والعلوم الإنسانية، جامعة السلطان مولاي سليمان، المملكة المغربية, طلال رشيد
Published: March 2021

يعد الحوار من الدعائم الصيغية الأساسية التي ترتكز عليها بنية الخطاب الروائي، إذ يساهم في إثراء مقاصد عملية "التدلال"، وذلك من خلال الأشكال الوظيفية العديدة التي تتحقق عبر مادة الحوار، فهو ليس إمكانية وحيدة البعد هدفها فقط إضفاء الطابع الدرامي على الخطاب الروائي، بل هو إمكانية مرنة وخصبة وفعالة، يسمح اشتغالها بترسيب خصوصيات خطابية ونصية لا تخلو من أبعاد تخييلية، تتميز بدينامية حقيقية مصدرها تلك العلاقات التذاوتية التي تفيض بأشكال من الكينونات. فالحوارية تضع الروائية في مقام بين أجناسي، مفعم بروح التداخل والتفاعل مما يدفع بالروائية نحو مسارات وأفاق تخييلية واسعة ومركبة، تلقي الضوء على العوالم الداخلية، كما تكشف مدى انفراج أو توتر علاقة الذات بالأخر، وما يترتب عن كل ذلك من مفارقات غائرة تطبع واقع الرواية.
Magnesium Metal Matrix Composites and Their Applications
Authors: Abbas Aqeel , Rajagopal Veeramanikandan , Huang Song-Jeng
Published: March 2021

Magnesium is one of the lightest structural metals have the capability to replace the conventional alloys for mass saving applications and provides higher strength and stiffness. Additionally, it also has the ability to absorb the hydrogen in the form of hydrides and can be used as a future source of energy carrier. The theoretical hydrogen capacity of 7.6 wt% makes it more suitable for future energy sources but needs to reduce the working sorption temperature. Moreover, magnesium is the primary source of the body and has strength equal to the bone, making it more suitable for biomedical applications and higher biocompatibility. Some challenges of magnesium-based metal matrix composites are still encountering structural applications, hydrogen energy storage, and biomedical applications due to manufacturing methodologies and proper materials selection to get required results.
Recent Advances in Targeting Clinical Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC)
Authors: Azzouz Imadeddine , Sharif Khan Mohammad , C. Bishop Andrew , Bachari Khaldoun
Published: March 2021

This chapter introduces the significance of exploring volatile organic compounds (VOC) in clinical samples. Because exhaled-breath is easy to collect, unlimited, and instruments are already commercially available, VOC analysis in exhaled breath seems to be a promising tool for non-invasive detection of many diseases including infections, respiratory diseases, and cancers. Here, we have focused on some appropriate technologies to extract, pre-concentrate, and evaluate VOC biomarkers in exhaled breath. The second part of this chapter discusses the comprehensive GC × GC in bio-VOCs analysis and illustrates the potential of using this analytical technique.
ЗНАК КАЧЕСТВА: ИЗОБРАЖЕНИЯ ГОСУДАРСТВЕННОГО ГЕРБА НА ИЗДЕЛИЯХ РОССИЙСКИХ ПРОМЫШЛЕННИКОВ В XIX — НАЧАЛЕ XX ВВ
Authors:   Ивановский государственный химико-технологический университет, Малкова Юлия Леонидовна , Сироткин Алексей Сергеевич ,   Ивановский государственный энергетический университет
Published: March 2021

В статье рассматриваются ключевые этапы истории зарождения и развития института поставщиков Двора Его Императорского Величества, его влияния на развитие системы качества в Российской Империи и на экономику страны. В центре внимания авторов — использование изображения государственного герба Российской Империи на этикетках и товарных знаках промышленных предприятий как одного из способов оценки качества выпускаемой продукции, вклада в развитие национальной экономики и признания высокого уровня организации производства. Исследование основано на материале по текстильным предприятиям Центрального промышленного района
ОФИЦИАЛЬНЫЕ ДОКУМЕНТЫ КАК ТЕКСТ КУЛЬТУРЫ: «ЛИЧНОЕ ДЕЛО» В. ЕРОФЕЕВА КАК ИНДИКАТОР ПОВЕДЕНЧЕСКИХ СТРАТЕГИЙ ВУЗОВСКОЙ ИНТЕЛЛИГЕНЦИИ НАЧАЛА 1960-х гг.
Authors:   Ивановский государственный химико-технологический университет, Раскатова Елена Михайловна
Published: March 2021

На материалах официальных документов («Личное дело» студента Владимирского государственного педагогического института В.В. Ерофеева — будущего известного писателя) исследуются поведенческие стратегии вузовской интеллигенции периода «оттепели». Автор доказывает, что данный тематический документальный комплекс, представляет собой многослойный текст культуры, возникший на пересечении различных идеологических и дискурсивных стратегий историко-культурного и общественно-политического контекстов. Изучение контекста позволило обозначить факторы, определяющие историко-культурную ситуацию, — от оттепельных импульсов, попыток представить интеллектуальной молодежи учебный вариант неортодоксального марксизма и т.п., до ужесточения официальной политики, особенно заметно проявившееся в антирелигиозной кампании Н. С. Хрущева. Выявленные автором модели поведения демонстрируют неустойчивость позиций вузовской интеллигенции, ее зависимость от политических и идеологических схем, что стало благодатной почвой для сворачивания «оттепельных процессов» в ближайшем будущем
СОВЕТСКИЕ И АМЕРИКАНСКИЕ КИНОПРОИЗВЕДЕНИЯ 1940-х — НАЧАЛА 1950-х гг.: МЕДИА-ТЕКСТУАЛЬНЫЙ ДИСКУРС «ХОЛОДНОЙ ВОЙНЫ»
Authors:   Ивановский государственный химико-технологический университет, Юдин Кирилл Александрович ,   Санкт-Петербургский государственный университет,   Ивановский государственный университет
Published: March 2021

Целью данной работы является изучение советской и американской кинополитики на начальном этапе «холодной войны». Источниковую базу составили оригинальные, вводящиеся в научный оборот впервые, или малоизвестные архивные данные — делопроизводственная, организационно-распорядительная документация, а также аудиовизуальные материалы, медиа-тексты — кинематографические произведения. В теоретико-методологическом отношении исследование проведено с применением сравнительно-исторического, историко-генетического и историко-типологического методов, подчиняется принципам историзма и научной объективности. Делаются выводы о том, что кинематографическая «гиперреальность» и ее медиа-текстуальная, имагогическая дискурсивность, преломляясь через призму политико-идеологических координат и установок, выступала ведущим инструментом формирования и структурирования коллективной памяти, представлений о «своих» и «чужих» и других коммеморативных конструктов
Fat‐1 transgenic mice rich in endogenous omega‐3 fatty acids are protected from lipopolysaccharide‐induced cardiac dysfunction
Authors: Mao Shuai , Ma Huan , Chen Peipei , Liang Yubin , Zhang Minzhou , Hinek Aleksander
Published: March 2021

Aims

Cardiac malfunctions developing in result of sepsis are hard to treat so they eventually contribute to the increased mortality. Previous reports indicated for therapeutic potential of exogenous ω‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in sepsis, but potential benefits of this compound on the malfunctional heart have not been explored yet. In the present study, we investigated whether the constantly elevated levels of endogenous ω‐3 PUFA in transgenic fat‐1 mice would alleviate the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐induced cardiac failure and death.

Methods and results

After both wild type (WT) and transgenic fat‐1 mice were challenged with LPS, a Kaplan–Meier curve and echocardiography were performed to evaluate the survival rates and cardiac function. Proteomics analysis, RT‐PCR, western blotting, immune‐histochemistry, and transmission electron microscopy were further performed to investigate the underlying mechanisms. Results showed that transgenic fat‐1 mice exhibited the significantly lower mortality after LPS challenge as compared with their WT counterparts (30% vs. 42.5%, P < 0.05). LPS injection consistently impaired the left ventricular contractile function and caused the cardiac injury in the wild type mice, but not significantly affected the fat‐1 mice (P < 0.05). Proteomic analyses, ELISA, and immunohistochemistry further revealed that myocardium of the LPS‐challenged fat‐1 mice demonstrated the significantly lower levels of pro‐inflammatory markers and ROS than WT mice. Meaningfully, the LPS‐treated fat‐1 mice also demonstrated a significantly higher levels of LC3 II/I and Atg7 expressions than the LPS‐treated WT mice (P < 0.05), as well as displayed a selectively increased levels of peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor (PPAR) γ and sirtuin (Sirt)‐1 expression, associated with a parallel decrease in NFκB activation.

Conclusions

The fat‐1 mice were protected from the detrimental LPS‐induced inflammation and oxidative stress, and exhibited enhancement of the autophagic flux activities, associating with the increased Sirt‐1 and PPARγ signals.
Chairperson and CEO foreignness and CG quality of emerging markets MNCs: Moderating role of international board interlocks
Authors: Areneke Geofry , Tunyi Abongeh A.
Published: March 2021

We examine whether foreign chief executive officers (FCEOs) and foreign independent board chairpersons (FIBCs) improve on the corporate governance (CG) practices of emerging market multinational corporations (EMMNCs) through governance spill over. We use hand‐collected data for 80 listed Nigerian multinational corporations for the period 2011–2016 (480 firm‐years) and apply a three‐stage least squares regression to address endogeneity issues. Our findings show international exposure of EMMNCs motivate appointment of FIBCs and FCEOs who positively affect their CG quality. In addition, international board interlocks positively moderate the likelihood of FCEOs to export and enhance EMMNCs' CG quality, but negatively moderate FIBCs impact on CG practices of EMMNCs. Finally, we develop a framework to show how EMMNCs' CG practices are exemplary to local firms in the home country who may mimic these governance practices. We contend the repeated game of governance spill‐over and mimetic isomorphism drives the evolution of CG institutions and, potentially, will generate institutional change in CG practices in emerging markets.
The application of three‐dimensional ultrasound with reformatting technique in the diagnosis of fetal cleft lip/palate
Authors: Ji Chunya , Yang Zhong , Yin Linliang , Deng Xuedong , Pan Qi , Lu Bing , Zhang Jun , Jiang Wei , Jiang Xiaoli
Published: March 2021

Objective

To evaluate the clinical value of three‐dimensional ultrasound (3D‐US) with reformatting technique in the diagnosis of fetal cleft lip/palate (CL/P), especially those involving the secondary palate.

Methods

A total of 113 fetuses suspected with cleft lip (CL) on two‐dimensional ultrasound (2D‐US) were further evaluated by 2D‐US and 3D‐US with reformatting technique, in order to clarify the type of oral cleft. Lesions were classified as cleft lip (CL), cleft lip and alveolus (CLA), and cleft lip and palate (CLP) (including primary and secondary palate). All fetuses were followed until birth or termination of pregnancy. The diagnostic accuracies of 2D‐US and 3D‐US with reformatting technology were compared.

Results

Both 2D‐US and 3D‐US with reformatting successfully detected CLs in the final 103 participants. Among these, 29, 25, and 49 cases were confirmed to have CL, CLA, and CLP, respectively. CL, CLA, and CLP were diagnosed by 2D‐US in 34, 66, and 3 cases, respectively, and by 3D‐US with reformatting technology in 31, 27, and 45 cases, respectively. The sensitivities of 2D‐US and 3D‐US with reformatting technology in the diagnosis of CLA were 80% (20/25) and 92.0% (23/25), respectively, and the difference was not statistically significant. For CLP, however, the sensitivities were 6.1% (3/49) and 91.8% (45/49), respectively (P < .001).

Conclusions

Both 2D‐US and 3D‐US with reformatting technique have high diagnostic accuracy for CL and CLA. However, 3D‐US has a much higher diagnostic accuracy for CLP.
Digital Business in der Praxis
Authors: Tokarski Kim Oliver , Kissling-Näf Ingrid , Schellinger Jochen
Published: March 2021

Der Beitrag beschäftigt sich mit der digitalen Transformation von Organisationen. Er zeigt auf der Basis der Beiträge dieses Sammelbands und der angeführten Ergebnisse eigener empirischer Studien, welche Veränderungsprozesse in welcher Tiefe und in welchem Feld beobachtet werden können. Anhand eines maturitätsorientierten Analysemodells zum digitalen Business werden die Transformationsprozesse in den einzelnen Fallstudien zuordenbar. Die Beiträge dieses Sammelbandes reflektieren die Annahme, dass sich die digitale Transformation in ihren unterschiedlichen Ausprägungen grundsätzlich intensiviert. Besonders deutlich wird dies für Prozesse der Automatisierung in der Industrie und auch für den Begleitprozess im Bereich Human Resources, die den Change strategisch begleiten und in einer neuen Art unterstützen.
Impact of aromatic species selection and micro and bulk properties of alternative fuels on atomisation
Authors: Wijesinghe C.J. , Khandelwal B.
Published: March 2021

The importance of fuel injection methods and their atomisation characteristics has been well described in literature. Also, there are a large number of studies in literature detailing the impact of bulk properties of conventional fuels on atomisation and spray characteristics. However, there is a lack of knowledge on how different alternative fuels, and specifically aromatic species, impact spray and atomisation characteristics. In this investigation, the impact of alternative fuels, selected aromatic species and their properties on spray atomisation was studied. Details of how different aromatic structures, bonds and other micro properties of aromatics species impact spray and atomisation characteristics were investigated. To achieve this objective, testing was conducted using a Rolls-Royce Tay engine fuel injector. It was found that the droplet sizes in the form of the Sauter Mean Diameter (SMD) correlate well with fuel properties including density, viscosity and surface tension, which is in line with other published literature. Moreover, it was found that there are several aromatic species (ethylbenzene, cumene and tert-butylbenzene) which display improved atomisation. This indicates that the size of the aliphatic groups attached to the benzene ring in the aromatic molecule impact on the drop size and thereby the combustion characteristics. The worst performers were polyaromatic naphthalene compounds. With the increasing push for fuels with selected aromatic species in the future, this study provides knowledge on the impact of their on the atomisation characteristics.
Relational Dignity, State Law, and Chinese Leftover Women’s Choices in Marriage and Childbearing
Authors: Liu Qian
Published: March 2021

Legal scholars tend to understand dignity as an intrinsic value that each individual gains at birth. This article aims to rethink dignity from a relational perspective. As dignity is highly dependent on other people’s judgement and evaluations in China, I use “relational dignity” to stress the precarious and relational nature of dignity in societies in which people attach great importance toguanxinetworks. I discuss how relational dignity and state law interact to shape leftover women’s choices in marriage and childbearing. The precarious and relational nature of dignity motivates leftover women to follow dominant social norms in order to fit in. As a result, it reinforces state law’s discrimination against unmarried women and single mothers. On the other hand, the rubber-stamp quality of state law enables leftover women to use legal recognition to win societal recognition and attain relational dignity.
The Effect of Modeling Strategies on Assessments of Differential Warming Impacts of 0.5°C
Authors: Zhang Wenxia , Zhou Tianjun
Published: March 2021

The differential climatic impact between the 1.5° versus 2°C warmer worlds is a global concern on the post‐Paris science agenda. The recently released Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) special report “Global Warming of 1.5ºC” (hereafter SR15) concludes robustly avoided impacts from climate extremes from the 0.5°C less warming globally, based on multiple lines of evidence. However, the methodological uncertainties, including those arising from modeling strategy (i.e., different pathways to achieve the temperature targets), remain a knowledge gap. Here, by comparing simulations with the common Community Atmosphere Model (CAM5) using different modeling strategies (i.e., fully coupled transient, fully coupled quasi‐equilibrium, and atmosphere‐only quasi‐equilibrium simulations), we explored the uncertainty from modeling strategy in the reduced impacts of climate extremes from the half‐degree less warming. While the globally aggregated reduced impacts are reasonably consistent among modeling strategies, substantial quantitative uncertainties of reduced impact exist at regional scales. For temperature extremes, the largest methodological uncertainty exists in northern high‐latitudes, especially in Europe and North America, with spread exceeding 0.8°C. For precipitation extremes, large uncertainties (even opposite signs) are expected scatteredly over the globe, particularly in the populous South Asia for wet extremes, and in South‐East Asia, West North America, and the Amazon for dry extremes, with spread of ∼5%. The different regional responses among modeling strategies result from multiple physical processes, dominated by the transient versus quasi‐equilibrium responses, prescribed sea surface temperatures and aerosol forcing. The comparisons improve the understanding of methodological uncertainties in the projected impacts in light of model setups.
Molecular Dynamics in the Presence of External Electric Fields
Authors: English Niall J.
Published: March 2021

In this chapter, non-equilibrium molecular-dynamics (NEMD) simulation in the presence of external electric fields (EEFs) will be discussed, including time-varying and electromagnetic fields. In particular, recent progress in field-driven ab initio molecular dynamics shall be reviewed, as well advances in NEMD using empirical potentials, as well as the utility and potential impact and prospects for exploitation of such simulations for real-world and industrial end use (such as understanding chemical reactivity).
Early dynamics of circulating tumor DNA predict chemotherapy responses for patients with esophageal cancer
Authors: Fujisawa Ryosuke , Iwaya Takeshi , Endo Fumitaka , Idogawa Masashi , Sasaki Noriyuki , Hiraki Hayato , Tange Shoichiro , Hirano Tomomi , Koizumi Yuka , Abe Masakazu , Takahashi Tomoko , Yaegashi Mizunori , Akiyama Yuji , Masuda Mari , Sasaki Akira , Takahashi Fumiaki , Sasaki Yasushi , Tokino Takashi , Nishizuka Satoshi S.
Published: March 2021

Purpose

We investigated whether early circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) changes, measured using digital PCR (dPCR), can predict later chemotherapy responses in esophageal squamous cell cancer (ESCC).

Design

We compared the dynamics of ctDNA and tumor volumes during chemotherapy in 42 ESCC. The accuracy of predictions of later chemotherapy responses were evaluated by the ratio of the variant allele frequency (VAF) of ctDNA (post-/pre-ctDNA) and the total tumor volume (post-/pre-volume) before and after an initial chemotherapy cycle using a receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis. Total positive and negative objective responses (ORs) were defined as either >50% or ≤50% reductions, respectively, in the total tumor volume at the end of first-line chemotherapy.

Results

Mutation screening of 43 tumors from 42 patients revealed 96 mutations. The pretreatment dPCR-ctDNA data were informative in 38 patients, using 70 selected mutations (1–3 per patient). The areas under the curve (AUCs) for the post-/pre-volume and post-/pre-ctDNA levels used in predicting the total OR were 0.85 and 0.88, respectively. The optimal cutoff value of post-/pre-ctDNA was 0.13. In 90% (18/20) of patients with a post-/pre-volume ≥50%, the total OR could be predicted by the post-/pre-ctDNA with high accuracy; the AUC by post-/pre-ctDNA was higher than that by post-/pre-volume (0.85 vs 0.76, respectively). Patients with low post-/pre-ctDNA (n = 18) had a significantly better overall survival rate than those with high post-/pre-ctDNA (n = 20; P = 0.03).

Conclusions

Early ctDNA changes after an initial cycle of chemotherapy predict later responses to treatment with high accuracy in ESCC patients.
Dramatic Rise of Seroprevalence Rates of SARS-CoV-2 Antibodies among Healthy Blood Donors: The evolution of a Pandemic
Authors: Sughayer Maher A. , Mansour Asem , Al Nuirat Abeer , Souan Lina , Ghanem Mohammad , Siag Mahmoud , Alhassoon Sallam
Published: March 2021

Background

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has resulted in more than 106 million cases of confirmed infection and more than 2.3 million deaths worldwide as of February 11th 2021. Seroprevalence studies are extremely useful in studying and assessing the epidemiological status in the community and the degree of spread. They help decision makers in implementing or relaxing mitigating measures to contain the disease in addition to other benefits.

Objective

To study the seroprevalence rates of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies among healthy blood donors in Jordan, at various points of time as the pandemic evolves in the community.

Methods

A total of 1374 blood donor were tested for the SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in 3 groups.

The first group of 746 and the second of 348 individuals were tested in June and September of 2020 respectively. The 3rd group of 292 were tested in early February of 2021. We utilized a qualitative assay that uses Electrochemiluminescence method (ECLIA) that has a specificity and sensitivity of 99.8% and 100% respectively.

Results

The first 2 groups representing the months of January to September of 2020, where the number of confirmed Covid-19 cases were several hundred to 3000 showed a seroprevalence rate of 0% (95% CI 0.00%, 0.51%). The 3rd group representing late January and early February 2021 when the number of reported confirmed case has reached 100 folds the numbers of September 2020, showed a seroprevalence of 27.4% (95% CI 22.5% and 32.9%).

Conclusions

a dramatic rise in seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies was seen among healthy blood donors in Jordan in parallel with wide-spread intracommunity transmission of the disease. This information is useful to assess the degree of herd immunity and provides for better understanding of the pandemic.
Obesity is associated with an altered baseline and post-vaccination influenza antibody repertoire
Authors: Alhadi Marwa Abd , Friedman Lilach M. , Karlsson Erik A , Cohen-Lavi Liel , Burkovitz Anat , Schultz-Cherry Stacey , Noah Terry L , Weir Samuel S , Shulman Lester M. , Beck Melinda A , Hertz Tomer
Published: March 2021

As highlighted by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, vaccination is critical for infectious disease prevention and control. Obesity is associated with increased morbidity and mortality from respiratory virus infections. While obese individuals respond to influenza vaccination, what is considered a seroprotective response may not fully protect the global obese population. In a cohort vaccinated with the 2010-2011 trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine, baseline immune history and vaccination responses were found to significantly differ in obese individuals compared to healthy controls, especially towards the 2009 pandemic strain of A/H1N1 influenza virus. Young, obese individuals displayed responses skewed towards linear peptides versus conformational antigens, suggesting aberrant obese immune response. Overall, these data have vital implications for the next generation of influenza vaccines, and towards the current SARS-CoV-2 vaccination campaign.

One Sentence Summary

Obese individuals have altered baseline and post-vaccination influenza antibody repertoires.
SARS-CoV-2 antibody magnitude and detectability are driven by disease severity, timing, and assay
Authors: Peluso Michael J. , Takahashi Saki , Hakim Jill , Kelly J. Daniel , Torres Leonel , Iyer Nikita S. , Turcios Keirstinne , Janson Owen , Munter Sadie E. , Thanh Cassandra , Nixon Christopher C. , Hoh Rebecca , Tai Viva , Fehrman Emily A. , Hernandez Yanel , Spinelli Matthew A. , Gandhi Monica , Palafox Mary-Ann , Vallari Ana , Rodgers Mary A. , Prostko John , Hackett John , Trinh Lan , Wrin Terri , Petroplolous Christos J. , Chiu Charles Y. , Norris Philip J. , DiGermanio Clara , Stone Mars , Busch Michael P. , Elledge Susanna K. , Zhou Xin X. , Wells James A. , Shu Albert , Kurtz Theodore W. , Pak John E. , Wu Wesley , Burbelo Peter D. , Cohen Jeffrey I. , Rutishauser Rachel L. , Martin Jeffrey N. , Deeks Steven G. , Henrich Timothy J. , Rodriguez-Barraquer Isabel , Greenhouse Bryan
Published: March 2021

Serosurveillance studies are critical for estimating SARS-CoV-2 transmission and immunity, but interpretation of results is currently limited by poorly defined variability in the performance of antibody assays to detect seroreactivity over time in individuals with different clinical presentations. We measured longitudinal antibody responses to SARS-CoV-2 in plasma samples from a diverse cohort of 128 individuals over 160 days using 14 binding and neutralization assays. For all assays, we found a consistent and strong effect of disease severity on antibody magnitude, with fever, cough, hospitalization, and oxygen requirement explaining much of this variation. We found that binding assays measuring responses to spike protein had consistently higher correlation with neutralization than those measuring responses to nucleocapsid, regardless of assay format and sample timing. However, assays varied substantially with respect to sensitivity during early convalescence and in time to seroreversion. Variations in sensitivity and durability were particularly dramatic for individuals with mild infection, who had consistently lower antibody titers and represent the majority of the infected population, with sensitivities often differing substantially from reported test characteristics (e.g., amongst commercial assays, sensitivity at 6 months ranged from 33% for ARCHITECT IgG to 98% for VITROS Total Ig). Thus, the ability to detect previous infection by SARS-CoV-2 is highly dependent on the severity of the initial infection, timing relative to infection, and the assay used. These findings have important implications for the design and interpretation of SARS-CoV-2 serosurveillance studies.