bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of K2CO3 and Ca(OH)2 on CO2 gasification of char with high alkali and alkaline earth metal content and study of different kinetic models
Authors: Yang Xin , Liang Zhanwei , Chen Hongwei , Wang Jixuan , Mu Xinglong
Published: October 2020

The CO2 gasification of South Open-pit Mines coal from Zhundong field of China using Ca(OH)2 or K2CO3 as catalyst with different loading methods and contents were conducted in thermogravimetric analysis. Comparison of the gasification reactivity and rate of coal loaded various concentration of Ca(OH)2 concluded that the increase of Ca(OH)2 loading pronouncedly improved the reactivity and rate for grinding method, nevertheless, for impregnation and high pressure method the increase of Ca(OH)2 loading observed a similar catalytic effect on char gasification. However, the catalytic effect of K2CO3 revealed that the catalytic activity increased with the increase of K2CO3 loading for three loading method. For the same catalyst loading, the highest catalytic gasification reactivity achieved for Ca(OH)2 and K2CO3 were the loading methods of high pressure and grinding, respectively. In addition, the gasification of raw char, K2CO3 loaded char and Ca(OH)2 loaded char were quantitatively evaluated by kinetic analysis using shrinking core, random pore and modified random pore models.
Numerical approximation of non-linear chromatographic models considering Bi-Langmuir isotherm
Authors: Khan Ambreen , Perveen Sadia , Shaheen Zarmeena , Qamar Shamsul
Published: October 2020

In this research article, two standard models of liquid chromatograophy, namely the dispersive equilibrium model and the kinetic lumped model are approximated numerically. We studied the transport of multi components in a single column of chromatography considering non-linear adsorption thermodynamics. The models are analyzed for standard bi-Langmuir and generalized bi-Langmuir types adsorption equilibrium isotherms using Danckwert boundary conditions. Mathematically, the model equations form a non-linear system of PDE accounting for the phenomena of advection and diffusion, paired with an algebraic equation or a differential equation for adsorption isotherm. An extended semi-discrete high resolution finite volume scheme is employed to obtain the approximate solutions of the governing model equations. The method has second to third order accuracy. Several test case studies are conducted to examine the influence of various critical parameters on the process performance. The contemplated case studies incorporate the elution process of liquid chromatography with an increasing number of components. In particular, single component, two component, and three component mixtures are considered for the assessment of process performance. The formulated numerical algorithm provide an efficacious mechanism for investigating the retention behavior and the influence of mass transfer kinetics on the shapes of elution profiles.
Investor Perceptions of Government Deregulation: Evidence from Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act
Authors: Hoffman Benjamin W. , Campbell John L. , Smith Jason L.
Published: October 2020

SYNOPSIS

We investigate the stock market's reaction to events leading up to the Securities and Exchange Commission's and Public Company Accounting Oversight Board's 2007 regulatory changes that reduced the scope of and documentation requirements for assessments of firms' internal controls over financial reporting (ICFR), as required by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, Section 404. We examine abnormal returns surrounding key dates leading to the passage of these regulations and offer two main findings. First, investors reacted negatively on key event dates, suggesting that investors viewed the regulations as likely to reduce financial reporting quality rather than to drive audit efficiencies. Second, this negative market reaction is larger when ICFR effectiveness should matter most—when firms are more complex, have higher litigation risk, and greater fraud risk. Overall, our results may imply that investors prefer stronger government regulation when it comes to the assessments of a firm's internal controls over financial reporting.
Sex Differences in Rates of Change and Burden of Metabolic Risk Factors Among Adults Who Did and Did Not Go On to Develop Diabetes: Two Decades of Follow-up From the Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study
Authors: Ramezankhani Azra , Azizi Fereidoun , Hadaegh Farzad
Published: October 2020

OBJECTIVE

We investigated the cumulative burden and linear rates of change of major metabolic risk factors (MRFs) among Iranian adults in whom type 2 diabetes did and did not develop.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

We included 7,163 participants (3,069 men) aged 20–70 years at baseline with at least three examinations during 1999–2018. Individual growth curve modeling was used for data analysis. Statistical interactions for sex by diabetes status were adjusted for age, family history of diabetes, smoking status, and physical activity level.

RESULTS

Study sample included 743 (316 men) new case subjects with diabetes. In both men and women, compared with individuals in whom diabetes did not develop, individuals in whom diabetes developed had a higher burden of all MRFs and a greater rate of change in BMI, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), systolic blood pressure (SBP), and diastolic blood pressure; however, the differences in burden and rate of change between those who did and did not develop diabetes were greater in women than in men. During the transition to diabetes, women experienced more adverse change in BMI, FPG, triglyceride, and HDL cholesterol (HDL-C) (diabetes-sex interaction P values <0.05) and faster rates of change in BMI, FPG, HDL-C, and total cholesterol (interaction P values <0.01) and SBP (interaction P = 0.055) than men.

CONCLUSIONS

The greater exposure of women to and burden of MRFs before onset of diabetes may have implications for implementing sex-specific strategies in order to prevent or delay diabetes complications.
Glycemic control and the risk of acute kidney injury in patients with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease: parallel population-based cohort studies in U.S. and Swedish routine care
Authors: Xu Yang , Surapaneni Aditya , Alkas Jim , Evans Marie , Shin Jung-Im , Selvin Elizabeth , Chang Alex , Grams Morgan E , Carrero Juan Jesus
Published: October 2020

Objective:
Patients
with diabetes and chronic kidney disease (CKD) have increased susceptibility to
acute kidney injury (AKI), but mechanisms are unclear. We investigated the
association of glycemic control with risk of AKI.

Research
Design and Methods: In two
observational cohorts of U.S. (Geisinger Heath system, Pennsylvania) and
Swedish (SCREAM project, Stockholm) adults with type-2 diabetes and confirmed
CKD stages G3-G5 undergoing routine care, we evaluated associations between
baseline and time-varying HbA1c with the incident AKI (defined as increase in creatinine
≥0.3 mg/dL over 48 hours, 1.5x creatinine over 7 days).

Results:
In the U.S. cohort, there were
22877 patients (55% women) with median age 72 years and eGFR 52 ml/min/1.73 m2.
In the Swedish cohort, there were 12157 patients (51% women) with median age 76
years and eGFR 51 ml/min/1.73 m2. During 3.1 and 2.3 years of follow-up,
7060 and 2619 AKI events were recorded in the U.S. and Swedish cohorts,
respectively. The adjusted association between baseline HbA1c and AKI was
similar in both cohorts. Compared to baseline HbA1c 6-6.9% (42-52 mmol/mol), the
HR for AKI in patients with HbA1c>9% (75 mmol/mol) was 1.29 (95% CI 1.18-1.41)
in Geisinger, and 1.33 (95% CI 1.13-1.57) in the Swedish cohort. Results were
consistent in stratified analysis, when using death as competing risk, and when
using time-varying HbA1c.

Conclusions: Higher HbA1c was associated with AKI in adults with type 2 diabetes and
CKD, suggesting that improving glycemic control may reduce the risk of AKI.
Machine learning approaches revealed metabolic signatures of incident chronic kidney disease in persons with pre-and type 2 diabetes
Authors: Admin Ada , Huang Jialing , Huth Cornelia , Covic Marcela , Troll Martina , Adam Jonathan , Zukunft Sven , Prehn Cornelia , Wang Li , Nano Jana , Scheerer Markus F. , Neschen Susanne , Kastenmüller Gabi , Suhre Karsten , Laxy Michael , Schliess Freimut , Gieger Christian , Adamski Jerzy , Angelis Martin Hrabe de , Peters Annette , Wang-Sattler Rui
Published: October 2020

Early and precise identification of individuals with pre-diabetes and
type 2 diabetes (T2D) at risk of progressing to chronic kidney disease (CKD) is
essential to prevent complications of diabetes. Here, we identify and evaluate
prospective metabolite biomarkers and the best set of predictors of CKD in the
longitudinal, population-based Cooperative Health Research in the Region of
Augsburg (KORA) cohort by targeted metabolomics and machine learning
approaches. Out of 125 targeted metabolites, sphingomyelin (SM) C18:1 and
phosphatidylcholine diacyl (PC aa) C38:0 were identified as candidate
metabolite biomarkers of incident CKD specifically in hyperglycemic individuals
followed during 6.5 years. Sets of predictors for incident CKD developed from
125 metabolites and 14 clinical variables showed highly stable performances in
all three machine learning approaches and outperformed the currently
established clinical algorithm for CKD.
The two metabolites in combination with five clinical variables were
identified as the best set of predictors and their predictive performance
yielded a mean area value under the receiver operating characteristic curve of
0.857. The inclusion of metabolite variables in the clinical prediction of
future CKD may thus improve the risk prediction in persons with pre- and T2D.
The metabolite link with hyperglycemia-related early kidney dysfunction
warrants further investigation.
Expression of ACE2, the SARS-CoV-2 receptor, in lung tissue of patients with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Admin Ada , Wijnant Sara RA , Jacobs Merel , Eeckhoutte Hannelore P Van , Lapauw Bruno , Joos Guy F , Bracke Ken R , Brusselle Guy G
Published: October 2020

Increased expression
of pulmonary ACE2, the SARS-CoV-2 receptor, could contribute to increased infectivity
of COVID-19 in subjects with diabetes, but ACE2 expression has not been studied
in lung tissue of subjects with diabetes. We therefore studied ACE2 mRNA and
protein expression in lung tissue samples of patients with and without diabetes
that were collected between 2002 and 2020 from patients undergoing lobectomy for lung tumors. For
RT-PCR analyses, samples from 15 subjects with diabetes were compared to 91 randomly
chosen control samples. For
immunohistochemical staining, samples from 26 subjects with diabetes were
compared to 66 randomly chosen control samples. mRNA expression of ACE2 was measured by quantitative RT-PCR. Protein
levels of ACE2 were visualized by immunohistochemistry on paraffin-embedded
lung tissue samples and quantified in alveolar and bronchial epithelium. Pulmonary ACE2 mRNA expression was not different between subjects with or
without diabetes. In contrast, protein
levels of ACE2 were significantly increased in both alveolar tissue and
bronchial epithelium of patients with diabetes as compared with control
subjects, independent of smoking, COPD, BMI, RAAS-inhibitor use and other
potential confounders. To conclude, we show increased bronchial and alveolar ACE2 protein
expression in patients with diabetes. Further research is needed to elucidate
whether up-regulation of ACE2 expression in airways and lungs has consequences
on infectivity and clinical outcomes of COVID-19.
Aportes al debate sobre convergencia tecnológica en las prácticas de consumo audiovisual
Authors: Morales Susana , Martínez Luque Santiago
Published: October 2020

Este artículo propone recuperar algunos datos producidos en el marco del proyecto Radios cooperativas y públicos. Estudios de consumo y audiencias radiofónicas en el Gran Córdoba (Primera y Segunda Parte) para debatir afirmaciones usuales que circulan en ámbitos académicos, de manera naturalizada, ligadas a las transformaciones recientes del consumo audiovisual. En particular, en este trabajo nos interesa aportar al debate sobre el proceso de convergencia mediática. Creemos que es necesario discutir ciertas imágenes de este proceso a partir de las cuales se afirma y reproduce que los nuevos medios y tecnologías de información y comunicación han venido a desplazar y reemplazar -estricta y definitivamente- a los medios audiovisuales tradicionales, tales como la radio y la TV. Así también aquellas aseveraciones en torno a las prácticas de consumo de determinados grupos etarios –especialmente de los jóvenes-. En ese sentido, si bien cabe reconocer el progresivo e incuestionable crecimiento de las nuevas tecnologías, internet y las redes sociales digitales como espacios de consumo audiovisual, entendemos que es necesario producir una mirada crítica sobre este proceso que nos permita tanto dar cuenta de las prácticas de consumo audiovisual como de las particularidades locales que podrían complejizar los datos generales con los que solemos contar.
Realising South Africa's National Development Plan goals: The need for change to a collaborative democracy to facilitate community participation
Authors: Auriacombe Christelle , Meyer Natanya
Published: October 2020

A democratic government should adhere to firm public administration principles, legal instruments, structures and mechanisms. However, providing these elements is insufficient to guarantee integrated participative service delivery. This article aims to unravel the most important elements required to create a participative governance model that fuses horizontal intra-relationships between public officials and departments and vertical interactions between public and private networks. The research methodology entailed a critical desktop document analysis of books, articles, regulatory policy and strategy documents. Network governance was conceptually and contextually analysed through unobtrusive research methods. It served as a possible analytical model for democratic governance, where citizens take centre stage in participative decision-making. The findings provide both a description and a contextualisation of the themes that emerged from the research. The article highlights that the network governance model could help South Africa move forward from a dated, elitist democracy based on a dependency model, to a participative democracy model, where communities and government work together. The article concludes that South Africa can only realise the National Development Plans (NDPs) 2030 goals (to maximise people's development, strengthen governance networks and enhance state's capacity to provide adequate public services) by drawing on partnerships within a network governance framework.
Effects of the fruiting period and growing seasons on market quality in goji berry (Lycium barbarum L.)
Authors: Polat Mehmet , Mertoglu Kerem , Eskimez Ilknur , Okatan Volkan
Published: October 2020

Progression of the vegetation period and change of year are associated with variations in general climatic parameters, such as temperature, atmospheric pressure, humidity, radiation, precipitation, wind speed and others. Only limited knowledge is available about the effects of these parameters on the characteristics of quality of fruits especially those with successive ripening such as goji berry. In our study, fruits of goji berry were characterised based on physico-chemical properties within four different harvest periods, in two consecutive years. Based on the obtained results, it was found that the pomological characteristics were superior at the beginning of the production season, while the phytochemical properties were better at the end. Fruit length, width and weight characteristics were noted to decrease from the first harvest to the last by 21%, 18% and 33%, respectively, while the total anthocyanin, phenol and antioxidant activity properties increased by 264%, 48% and 105%, respectively. There was a decrease in fruit weight, fruit length and fruit width up to 15.9%, 18.3% and 6%, respectively and were directly associated with yield due to sink competition among fruits. Providing high ripening index that ensures more acceptable fruits, with high soluble solid content (SSC) and titratable acidity (TA) seems to be a very important breeding objective to meet consumer demands thanks to superior organoleptic quality. According to correlations, the synthesis of phenolic compounds increased in parallel with SSC rise and TA, which improved pomological properties too. It is thought that the obtained results may indicate the cultural processes and evaluation methods to be used for the harvested fruits.
Topical use of ozone effectively alleviates the acute symptoms and quality of life of patients with moderate to severe bullous pemphigoid: a randomized controlled trial†
Authors: Li Li , Sang Li-Yun , Zhang Wen-Guang , Wang Tong , Guo Shu-Ping , Cui Hong-Zhou , Liu Hong-Ye
Published: October 2020

Objective

To evaluate the adjuvant treatment of acute stage symptoms and quality of life of patients with bullous pemphigoid (BP) with ozone.

Methods

We included 74 patients with moderate and severe BP hospitalized from July 2018 to December 2020. The participants were randomly divided into the control group and the ozone group, with 37 patients in each group (n = 37). The control group used tap water to wash the whole body, and mupirocin ointment was used for the erosions. The ozone group used ozone water to wash the whole body, and the erosion place was coated with ozone oil. The bullous pemphigoid disease area index (BPDAI) score of BP disease was used to observe the clinical symptoms and skin lesions of the two groups before and on day 3, 7, and 14 after treatment. Pruritus and sleep were observed before and on day 3, 7, and 14 after treatment. The Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) was used to observe the quality of life before and after treatment and the adverse reactions were recorded.

Results

The total BPDAI score and erythema score in the ozone group were significantly different from those in the control group on day 3, 7, and 14 after treatment (P < 0.050). The scab drying time and erosion drying time of ozone group were shorter than that of control group (P < 0.001). There were statistically significant differences between the ozone group and the control group in pruritus score and sleep score on day 3, 7, and 14 after treatment (P < 0.001). There was statistically significant difference in skin disease quality of life between the two groups 14 days after treatment (P < 0.001). No significant adverse reactions and complications were observed in both groups.

Conclusions

Ozone external use can rapidly improve the acute stage of edema erythema, erosion, and itching of BP, improve the quality of life of patients, is an effective treatment method, and worthy of clinical promotion.
A review of the research on music therapy in hospice care†
Authors: Fu Meng-Xue , Lin Qin , Wu Ji-Jun , Zhong Xiao-Li , Yang Ling-Na , Han Guo-Jing
Published: October 2020

Objective

To summarize the research progress of music therapy in hospice care and to provide reference for further research.

Methods

A wide range of literatures on music therapy and hospice care at home and abroad were searched and read, and the literature was integrated, judged, analyzed, and summarized.

Results

The related research on music therapy in hospice care mainly focused on western developed countries such as Europe and the United States. China is still in the stage of theoretical exploration, lacking qualitative research based on case investigation and empirical research based on data statistics.

Conclusions

Music therapy supports the management of symptoms in hospice care, which can meet the diverse needs of patients and their family members including physical, psychological, social, and spiritual.
TiO2 waveguides thin films prepared by sol-gel method on glass substrates with and without ZnO underlayer
Authors: Bouachiba Y. , Taabouche A. , Bouabellou A. , Hanini F. , Sedrati C. , Merabti H.
Published: October 2020

TiO2 thin films have been deposited on glass substrates with and without ZnO underlayer by sol-gel dip coating process. XRD patterns show the formation of anatase phase with the diffraction lines (1 0 1) and (2 0 0) in TiO2/glass sample. In TiO2/(ZnO/glass) sample, TiO2 is composed of anatase phase with the diffraction line (2 0 0) but the diffraction peaks of ZnO wurtzite are also well-defined. The determination of the refractive index and the thickness of the waveguiding layers has been performed by m-lines spectroscopy. The thickness of TiO2 thin films deduced by Rutheford Backscattering Geometry (RBS) agrees well with that obtained by m-lines spectroscopy. TiO2/glass sample exhibits one guided TE0 and TM0 polarized modes. In TiO2/(ZnO/glass) sample, only, TE0 single mode has been excited due to cutoff condition.
Chemical and thermal characteristics of soluble polysaccharides from fruit pericarps of the Algerian Argania spinosa
Authors: Hachem Kadda , Boudraa Kamel Eddine , Kaid-Harche Meriem
Published: October 2020

Soluble polysaccharides were isolated from fruit pericarps of the Algerian Argania spinosa. The cell wall fraction was subjected to sequential extractions with H2O (2 × 2 h at 100°C), EDTA (1%, 6 h at 80°C) and KOH (1 and 4 M, 14 h at 25°C). The structures of the obtained polysaccharide fractions were characterized using gas chromatography (GC), infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The presence of arabinose, galactose and rhamnose in the pectin fractions suggests the presence of rhamnogalacturonan, while the abundance of xylose in the hemicellulosic fractions indicates the presence of xylan. The DSC data revealed the endothermal behavior of all the soluble polysaccharides and only two thermal transitions, the glass transition (Tg) and the fusion transition (Tf) have been recorded.
Phenotypic classification of asthma based on a new Type 2‐high and Type 2‐low endotypic classification: It all began with Rackemann
Authors: Bellanti Joseph A.
Published: October 2020

Background: Asthma is now recognized as a heterogeneous collection of disease entities associated with different clinical phenotypic presentations and diverse endotypic mechanisms. Recently, a new system of nomenclature of asthma has evolved by using a type 2 (T2) high and
T2-low endotypic classification that has proven useful for diagnosis and for choosing the right biologic for patients with asthma. Aim: The purpose of this report was to provide an overview of molecular endotypes, asthma phenotypes, and existing biomarkers, with a focus
on the new classification system of T2 and non-T2 pathways in the historical context of the contributions of Francis M. Rackemann, M.D., that set the stage both for our current understanding of the spectrum of disease entities of asthma and for the basis for the use of emerging biologics for
the treatment of these disorders. Methods: This article was based on literature review of PubMed and the author’s own research and clinical experiences. Results: Currently, the therapy for asthma is being directed to a treatment strategy based
on patient-specific phenotypic characteristics and underlying endotypic mechanisms of tissue injury that focus on a T2-high and T2-low airway inflammation classification. Based on this classification, the clinician is provided with a useful treatment stratagem for choosing the right biologic
for personalized care of patients with asthma. Although not perfect in its total applicability, it affords a guide in helping to choose among the currently available biologics, the most appropriate one, as well as those that inevitably will become available. Conclusion: The
phenotypic classification of asthma described in this report began with the clinical observations that were made by of an astute clinician long before the supernova emergence of information related to T2-high and T2-low immune function. Rackemann’s legacy to clinical allergy practice
once again illustrates that science and technology can best progress through the energizing force of clinical observation.
“Hiding within the Glass Cage”: Performance Management as Surveillance—A Case of Academic Spaces as Resistance Spaces
Authors: Seyama Sadi Mokhaneli
Published: October 2020

Universities have become toxic sites characterised by anxiety, depression and humiliation. Following new managerialism, leadership and management in universities have been driven by the mandate of achieving efficiency, which has led to the implementation of stringent performance management systems, increasing accountability and authoritarianism. While performance management is justified as an accountability tool that drives efficiency and effectiveness, its demand for absolute transparency has created “panopticons” and “glass cages”. These have produced a stifling atmosphere in academic spaces, often characterised by competing demands for high research outputs and quality teaching, thus placing academics in subjected positions where their agency is threatened. In view of academics silently constructing uncontrolled and uncontrollable spaces to avoid increasing surveillance, I argue that academics are resisting universities’ demand for the invading transparency of performance management. Through a critical social constructionist case study of academics and heads of departments, this article explores the paradoxical position of performing academics—those functioning within the “performative culture” while undermining neoliberal performative inscriptions. Framed by the notion of power and resistance and drawing on critical geography and workplace resistance literature, the study reveals that academics’ acts are going against the controlled daily grind of systematised practices that are often meaningless in relation to quality education. They are reimagining and reconstructing lecture halls, stairs, offices and conference spaces as “invisible” free spaces outside direct managerial control.
Editorial
Authors: Mncube Vusi , Harber Clive
Published: October 2020

No abstract
SIGHTED STUDENTSâ€™ PROSOCIAL BEHAVIOUR TOWARDS ASSISTING PEERS WITH VISUAL IMPAIRMENT IN TANZANIA INCLUSIVE SECONDARY SCHOOLS
Authors: Milinga Joseph , Possi Mwajabu
Published: October 2020

This study analysed sighted studentsâ€™ prosocial behaviour towards assisting their peers with visual impairment (VI) in inclusive secondary schools in Iringa Municipality, Tanzania. An embedded single case study design was used. Seventy six respondents, consisting of teachers and students with and without VI participated in the study. Data was collected through semi-structured and face to face interviews, focus group discussions, and closed-ended questionnaires. Data was analysed through thematic analysis and presented in tables and quotations of participantsâ€™ actual words. Results have indicated differences in prosocial behaviours between sighted day-students and sighted boarding students with the latter being more prosocial as a result of altruistic and egoistic factors; having a positive attitude and due to the influence of religion and school administration . Similarities between sighted students and those with VI were linked to sighted studentsâ€™ prosocial behaviour. The latter studentsâ€™ attributions, and misunderstandings among students. determined their prosocial behaviour towards assisting their peers with VI. Awareness raising and sensitisation of members of the community, as well as replicating the study in inclusive and co-education schools for students with VI are recommended in the paper.
CHILDRENâ€™S VIEWS ON, AND EXPERIENCES OF, PHYSICAL AND VERBAL ABUSE IN SCHOOLS: TWO CASE STUDIES OF PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN HARARE, ZIMBABWE
Authors: Sigauke Aaron
Published: October 2020

Â In Zimbabwe, changes to regulations on corporal punishment have led to claims by teachers, parents and others that the only effective weapon that was there to maintain discipline in schools has been removed. This study aimed at finding out views and experiences of primary school children on the use of corporal punishment and verbal assault as means of maintaining discipline in schools. It set out from the view that physical punishment and verbal assault by school authorities are forms of child abuse and a violation of childrenâ€™s rights. A case study approach was used in two primary schools, one from a low-income location (high-density residential area) and another from a high-income location (low-density residential area), both in Harare. The study established that in spite of the existence of legal instruments, children are physically and verbally abused in various ways. While children are aware of their rights, they, however, find it difficult to report and in some cases do not even know where and to whom to report to. The study makes a number of recommendations directed towards authorities both in and outside the school system responsible for the discipline of children.
The effect of race on CEO pay-performance sensitivity in South Africa
Authors: Bussin Mark , Barrett Sean
Published: October 2020

South Africaâ€™s labour policies and the growing societal calls to better explain executive remuneration create a unique opportunity to examine the effects of race on CEO pay. This empirical research study sought to investigate the effects of race on the sensitivity of executive pay to corporate performance. The study aims to contribute to the literature by providing an evidence-based approach to understanding the effect of race on CEO remuneration. The research design was quantitative, descriptive and longitudinal in nature, utilising validated secondary data sources. The sample consisted of 19 black CEOs and a random sample of 45 white CEOs. All components of South African CEO remuneration studied were found to correlate strongly with PAT (Profit after Tax) and EBITDA (Earnings before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortisation) and to a lesser degree with ROE (Return on Equity) and HEPS (Headline Earnings per Share). Black and white CEO mean remuneration was found to show no significant difference as a result of race. A notable difference found was the higher degree of payperformance sensitivity and variability seen within the black CEO sample. The study showed that race does not affect the level of CEO remuneration but does impact on pay-performance sensitivity and variability.
Turnover intention of public sector workers in South Africa across gender and race: The moderating role of psychological contract type and organisational commitment dimension
Authors: Ronnie Linda
Published: October 2020

The purpose of this quantitative cross-sectional study was to investigate the relevance of gender and race to turnover intention among public sector workers (PSW) through the moderation of psychological contract type and organisational commitment dimension. The research hypotheses in this study set out to test relationships between psychological contract type and turnover intention and between organisational commitment dimension and turnover intention. Using gender and race as key variables, further hypotheses tested whether significant differences in PSW psychological contract type existed; whether differences in PSW organisational commitment dimensions were present; and whether significant relationships between psychological contract type, organisational commitment and turnover intention were found. A survey was conducted with 211 PSW in a provincial government department in the Western Cape, South Africa. In terms of turnover intention, the results showed that coloured and white PSW were the groups that showed a positive relationship between transactional psychological contracts and an intention to leave the public sector. For white PSW, this was paradoxically coupled with high levels of continuance commitment. This is a significant finding because high levels of this form of commitment temper the turnover intention of this group. Across gender and race, relational psychological contracts were positively correlated with affective and normative commitment and inversely related to turnover intention. PSW holding relational psychological contracts experienced high levels of emotional attachment and loyalty to the public sector which contributed significantly to a desire to remain with their employer. The study addresses a conspicuous and important gap in the literature and suggests a number of recommendations for public sector management in South Africa in the light of the findings.
Fear in the story of prophet "Moses" peace be upon him. Objective, analytical study
Authors:   Islamic University of Minnesota, USA, Issa Hamza Salem
Published: October 2020

Fear is considered as an innate instinct of the human being created on it, and since this innate instinct has a great impact on a Muslim in his behavioral and advocacy activities on himself as well as on society, thus the Qur'anic stories had a great role in highlighting and explaining the way how to deal with it in all conditions and the activities of the Muslim, on top of these stories is the story of "Moses" peace be upon him. Thus and starting from this fact, came the idea of this research to show the effect of the instinct of fear based on the approach of the prophets and messengers being the best example for all humans, and how to deal with it ــ The Great Allah said: (You have had lessons in their stories) ]Yousef : 111[ ــ this is through studying the verses that dealt with this subject in the story of Moses, and analyzing these verses , and devising the divine approach in dealing with this instinct. It was found to the researcher that the effect of fear in the story of Moses, peace be upon him, was positive on all stages of his life before and after his prophetic mission, as it was a material cause that God gave to him so that he could escape from the attempt killing him by Pharaoh and his army, and this was before the appearance of the prophetic mission, but after that, fear of Moses Peace be upon him became on the message itself and not on the messenger, so the fear that they would hasten to kill him which means that if the killing is happened then the intended message would not happen , as well as fear when confronting magicians became a hidden one inside Moses, did not appear in his face, no wonder that it will not appear after which God brought him under his eyes and care, until the fear disappeared after the drowning of Pharaoh and his army, no longer had an effect in the heart of Moses, peace be upon him, or an effect on the scenes of his story.
More focus on atypical glandular cells in cervical screening: Risk of significant abnormalities and low histological follow-up rate
Authors: Zhong Pingping , Yin Chenghong , Jin Yulan , Chen Tianbao , Zhan Yang , Tian Cheng , Zhu Li , Zheng Xingzheng
Published: October 2020

Objectives:

Atypical glandular cells (AGC) detected by Papanicolaou (Pap) smears are in close relation with adenocarcinoma and precursors detected by histopathology. Yet, sometimes the cytological diagnosis of AGC has been neglected. With increase of adenocarcinoma and precursors, we need more focus on glandular abnormalities.

Material and Methods:

Clinicopathological data of patients who had AGC on Pap smears between April 2015 and October 2018 and underwent histological follow-up were retrieved from the computerized database of Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University. Patients with a prior history of cancer were excluded from the study. Statistical analyses were performed using Pearson’s Chi-square test in SPSS software version 23. P < 0.05 (two sided) was considered as statistical significance.

Results:

Liquid-based cytological examination of the uterine cervix was carried out in 164,080 women. Five hundred and twenty-five women were diagnosed with AGC, 314 with not otherwise specified (AGC-NOS), and 211 with favor neoplastic (AGC-FN). Only 310 cases had histological follow-up, 168 women (168/314, 53.5%) originally with AGC-NOS on Pap smears, and 142 (142/211, 67.3%) with AGC-FN. The median age of histological significant abnormalities was 46.7 years, and 126 women (126/162, 77.8%) were postmenopausal. Sixty-six cases (66/168, 39.3%) of AGC-NOS had significant abnormalities (96/142, 67.6%, AGC-FN). One hundred and sixty-two cases of significant abnormalities included 40 high-grade squamous abnormalities and 122 glandular abnormalities. AGC-FN was more likely to be associated with a clinically significant abnormalities (P < 0.001) compared to AGC-NOS.

Conclusions:

Patients with AGC on Pap smears are in close relation with significant abnormalities, especially with significant glandular abnormalities on histopathology slices. AGC should be evaluated vigilantly with histological workup, especially if patients are diagnosed with AGC-FN and are aged 41–60 years. We need more focus on AGC.
Structures of Artificially Designed RNA Nanoarchitectures at Near-Atomic Resolution
Authors: Liu Di , Shao Yaming , Piccirilli Joseph A. , Weizmann Yossi
Published: October 2020

Though advances in nanotechnology have enabled the construction of synthetic nucleic acid based nanoarchitectures with ever-increasing complexity for various applications, high-resolution structures are lacking due to the difficulty of obtaining good diffracting crystals. Here we report the design of RNA nanostructures based on homooligomerizable tiles from an RNA single-strand for X-ray determination. Three structures are solved to near-atomic resolution: a 2D parallelogram, an unexpectedly formed 3D nanobracelet, and a 3D nanocage. Structural details of their constituent motifs—such as kissing loops, branched kissing-loops and T-junctions—that resemble natural RNA motifs and resisted X-ray determination are revealed. This work unveils the largely unexplored potential of crystallography in gaining high-resolution feedback for nanostructure design and suggests a novel route to investigate RNA motif structures by configuring them into nanoarchitectures.
دور أبعاد المقدرات الجوهرية في التوجه نحو الأعمال الدولية "دراسة تحليلية في عينة من الشركات العاملة في مجال خدمات السفر والطيران في محافظة دهوك"
Authors: كوللي ميهفان , كوجر جوتيار
Published: October 2020

يهدف هذا البحث إلى تحديد دور أبعاد المقدرات الجوهرية في التوجه نحو الأعمال الدولية، وتم تحديد قطاع السفر والطيران ميداناً لإجراء الجانب العملي، واستند البحث على مجموعة من الفرضيات الرئيسية والفرعية التي اختبرت ميدانياً على (47) شركة مختصة بالسفر والطيران في محافظة دهوك، وشمل البحث (109) من العاملين في الشركات المبحوثة، وتم جمع البيانات بالاعتماد على استمارة الاستبانة اعدت لهذا الغرض، وجرى تحليل البيانات باستخدام مجموعة من الأساليب الإحصائية في برنامج (SPSS V.22) لتحليل علاقة الارتباط والتأثير بين متغيرات البحث. وكانت حصيلة البحث التوصل إلى عدد من الاستنتاجات أهما وجود علاقة ارتباط معنوية موجبة بين أبعاد المقدرات الجوهرية والأعمال الدولية، وكلك وجود تأثير معنوي لأبعاد المقدرات الجوهرية في الأعمال الدولية، وفي ضوء الاستنتاجات، تمت صياغة عدد من المقترحات أهمها ضرورة تعزيز والمحافظة على توافر المستويات العالية من أبعاد المقدرات الجوهرية وتسخيرها بما يعزز القدرة في التوجه نحو الأعمال الدولية.
Radiographic bone formation after indirect sinus lift using transcrestal osteotomy with simultaneous implant placement
Authors: Sneha Gada  , Thyianeswaran Nessappan  , Dhanraj Ganapathy
Published: October 2020

Dental implants really have transformed the reconstruction and strategic planning of fixed prosthodontics in the edentulous posterior maxilla. Increased bone volume via elevation of sinus membrane enables dental implants to be positioned in dysplastic maxillary ridges. The purpose of the research was to determine retrospectively the volume of hard tissue height acquired through a transcrestal method to sinus lifting utilizing osteotomes, together with the concurrent positioning of implants. Documents from the previous 2-year span of partially edentulous cases checked at Saveetha Dental Hospital were searched for patients undergoing implantation to substitute teeth missing in a posterior edentulous maxillary area with inadequate vertical osseous height. The inclusion criterion, sinus lift operation, was performed without bone grafts. A maximum of 42 people was selected. Among these patients, 35 were classified as cases recommended for indirect sinus lift while 45 were given implants. The implants being used are 3.5 mm or 4.5 mm diameter and 10.5, 11 or 13 mm length. The average survival rate for implants was 97.78 per cent. The mean bone height estimated from alveolar crest to the base of the implant just at the time of implantation was 6.79 mm ± 1.35 mm. Measured mean bone height at the six-month follow-up period was 11.4 mm ±0.88 mm, which was significant (p < 0.05). Transcrestal osteotomy with implants tenting sinus membrane without extra graft material might show a substantial mean osseous height increase of 4.6 mm.
The Power of Social Media in Influencing Customer Decision
Authors: Sudirman Indrianty
Published: October 2020

Social media currently plays a very important role as a process of communication and interaction between humans that is not limited by time and space. It is also used as a promotional media by companies to introduce their products to consumers. Many Muslim brands cosmetics also use social media and brand equity to attract consumer interest. This research was conducted on Muslim brand users in Makassar, who were dominated by women with an age range of 20-22 years who were students. The results showed that social media marketing and brand equity had a positive and significant effect on Muslim Cosmetic Brand cosmetics purchasing decisions in Makassar. Marketing online using social media has successfully built brand equity, which in turn affects the buying decision.
Substandard, falsified and unregistered medicines in Latin America, 2017-2018
Authors: Rojas-Cortés Robin
Published: October 2020

Objective. To assess all the incidents of substandard, falsified and unregistered medicines in 2017 and 2018 in Latin America, determining the types of products affected, stages of the supply chain in which incidents were detected, quality deviations identified in tested samples, and regulatory measures taken by authorities.

Methods. A comprehensive search of the websites of the Latin American national regulatory authorities was conducted, identifying all eligible incidents during 2017-2018. Standardized values were collected from each incident for pre-determined variables: country, year, type of incident, therapeutic group, supply chain, regulatory measures and laboratory data.

Results. A total of 596 incidents in 13 countries were included (236 substandard, 239 falsified, 116 unregistered and 5 stolen). The therapeutic categories with the highest incidents were: anti-infectives, medicines for pain/palliative care, hormones/contraceptives, medicines for the respiratory tract, and medicines for mental/ behavioural disorders. The most common places where incidents were detected were commercial establishment, pharmacies, health services and manufacturers. The most recurrent quality deviations were failure in parameters (appearance or physicochemical), incorrect labelling, different quantity of active pharmaceutical ingredient, presence of unknown particles, and microbiological contamination. The most frequent regulatory measures identified were alerts, withdrawals, seizures, and prohibition of marketing/distribution/use.

Conclusions. In Latin America, substandard, falsified and unregistered medicines persist as a highly prevalent problem. An advanced degree of regulatory development in countries is associated with higher incident detection/reporting rates and a more comprehensive set of measures. The pharmaceutical supply chain is more vulnerable in its final node. Quality deviations identified in tested samples pose serious risks to public health.
Kelsen, the Principle of Exclusion of Contradictions, and General Anti-Avoidance Rules in Tax Law
Authors: Prebble John
Published: October 2020

No description supplied
Jurisprudential Perspectives of Taxation Law: Manifesto
Authors: Prebble John
Published: October 2020

No description supplied
A Use of Form-Based Code for Volumetric Morphology of High-density Cities
Authors: Zhang Y , Schnabel Marc Aurel
Published: October 2020

© 2018 IEEE. This paper presents the experimental use of Form-Based Code (FBC), an alternative approach to urban planning and regulation, for volumetric morphology towards more flexible and predictable development in high-density cities. Quantitative analysis of the Tsim Sha Tsui (TST) area of Hong Kong results in a workflow for using FBC in high-density contexts; combining transect matrix redefining, the integration of multiple variables, and parametric modelling. Findings indicate that a newly-defined transect matrix with multifarious types and subtypes enables the extension of the FBC study to encompass high-density conditions. Secondly, that FBC has the capacity for the assembly of multi-level regulations more suitable for volumetric urban forms. Thirdly, that the parametric regulation method of FBC can visualize and enumerate scenarios that conventional paper-based regulation cannot. The findings also suggest increasing the awareness of urban forms, rather than rigid land-use concerns, can be a critical influence when designers are pursuing sustainable communities within crowded contexts.
Collaborative studio in a virtual environment
Authors: Schnabel Marc Aurel
Published: October 2020

© 2002 IEEE. Recently, virtual environments (VE) have been increasingly used as settings for design and research. Using VE to visualize ideas from the initial steps of design, the architect is challenged to deal with perception of space, solid and void, without translations to and from a two dimensional media. The goal of the authors' studies was to identify how designers use and communicate early design ideas by using immersive three-dimensional (3D) VEs and how they describe 3D volumes using a different media. A series of experiments were undertaken, including navigation- and perception-tasks, designing in IVE, transcription of design, remote communication between design partners and controlled observations. They explored initial intentions of 3D-immersive design schemes, textual descriptions and collaborations within IVE. They discuss frameworks and factors influencing how architectural students communicate their proposals in an immersive Virtual Environment Design Studio, and how this approach of design studio enables to understand volumes and spatial relationships.
Improving K-means Clustering with Genetic Programming for Feature Construction
Authors: Lensen Andrew , Xue Bing , Zhang Mengjie
Published: October 2020

No description supplied
Genetic Programming for Evolving Similarity Functions for Clustering: Representations and Analysis
Authors: Lensen Andrew , Xue Bing , Zhang Mengjie
Published: October 2020

Clustering is a difficult and widely studied data mining task, with many varieties of clustering algorithms proposed in the literature. Nearly all algorithms use a similarity measure such as a distance metric (e.g., Euclidean distance) to decide which instances to assign to the same cluster. These similarity measures are generally predefined and cannot be easily tailored to the properties of a particular dataset, which leads to limitations in the quality and the interpretability of the clusters produced. In this article, we propose a new approach to automatically evolving similarity functions for a given clustering algorithm by using genetic programming. We introduce a new genetic programming-based method which automatically selects a small subset of features (feature selection) and then combines them using a variety of functions (feature construction) to produce dynamic and flexible similarity functions that are specifically designed for a given dataset. We demonstrate how the evolved similarity functions can be used to perform clustering using a graph-based representation. The results of a variety of experiments across a range of large, high-dimensional datasets show that the proposed approach can achieve higher and more consistent performance than the benchmark methods. We further extend the proposed approach to automatically produce multiple complementary similarity functions by using a multi-tree approach, which gives further performance improvements. We also analyse the interpretability and structure of the automatically evolved similarity functions to provide insight into how and why they are superior to standard distance metrics.